Interim Results

Hiscox PLC 28 September 2000 HISCOX PLC INTERIM STATEMENT 2000 CORPORATE HIGHLIGHTS - GROUP GROSS WRITTEN PREMIUM INCOME UP 16% TO £215.9M - GROUP OPERATING PROFIT £0.9M (1999: £5.1M) - THE GROUP STRATEGY OF REGIONAL AND OVERSEAS EXPANSION IS SUCCEEDING - THE HISCOX INSURANCE COMPANY OPERATING PROFIT UP TO £2.5M (1999: £1.0M) - Overseas operations premium income increased by 40% to £21.3m - HISCOX ONLINE LAUNCHED 6 months ended 30 June 2000 1999 SUMMARY OF RESULTS £m £m Gross Written Premium Income 215.9 185.7 OPERATING PROFIT Hiscox Insurance Company 2.5 1.0 Overseas Operations 0.4 (0.2) Lloyd's Business (2.0) 4.3 0.9 5.1 PRE-TAX PROFIT Hiscox Insurance Company 2.8 (1.1) Overseas Operations 0.6 (0.2) Lloyd's Business (3.3) 2.7 0.1 1.4 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Robert Hiscox, Bronek Masojada, Stuart Bridges, Hiscox plc: 020 7448 6000 Suzanne Bartch, The Maitland Consultancy: 020 7379 5151 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT Group premium income for the period increased by 16% to £215.9 million generating an operating profit of £0.9 million (1999: £5.1m) and a pre-tax profit of £0.1 m (1999: £1.4m). An interim dividend of 1.2p net per share has been declared (1999: 1.2p net) payable on 10 November 2000 to shareholders on the register on 13 October 2000. The interim results show a continued strong improvement in the Hiscox Insurance Company and the Overseas Operations, covering a loss from the Lloyd's business. The strategy of building a retail business outside Lloyd's is working. THE HISCOX INSURANCE COMPANY Gross written premium was up 17% for the period and the combined ratio dropped to 99% (1999: 103%). The first 6 months suffered fewer than usual losses and, subject to no extraordinary events in the rest of the year, we expect that the combined ratio will remain under 100% for the year. This will maintain the consistent improvement since 1997 when Hiscox disciplines were imposed. The Company continues to focus on two main areas of business - personal insurances for the affluent, and professional insurances for Technology, Media and Management Consultancy firms as well as the traditional professions. We have had considerable success this year in taking a share of the solicitors market following the break-up of their insurance mutual. In June we completed the purchase of the right to renew the regional business of Chartwell Underwriting Ltd and have added their branch offices in Birmingham, Glasgow and Leeds to our existing branch office in Harrogate. There is a terrific opportunity to win business in the regions following the mergers of the major insurance companies and the consequent need for alternative specialist insurers. The Hiscox Insurance Company's rating by A.M. Best was confirmed at A-, and improved by Standard & Poor from BBB to BBB+ reflecting the improving results and the growing strength of the Company. The underwriting is and has been good but needed more volume to reduce the expense ratio. This is being achieved, and the Hiscox Insurance Company will clearly be a growing contributor to the profits of the future. The Company's dormant life fund was successfully sold in April yielding a profit of £1.0 million. OVERSEAS OPERATIONS The Hiscox offices in Paris, Munich and Amsterdam have increased our distribution network, enabling us to obtain business for both the Hiscox Insurance Company and the Syndicate. The net combined income from these entities and the Hiscox Insurance Company (Guernsey) is now covering costs and has generated a small profit of £0.4m. We have set up a joint venture in Belgium with a respected Belgian underwriting agency, and have signed a distribution agreement with a major insurer in Austria to sell our polices. We see great growth opportunities from the overseas operations over the next few years. HISCOX ONLINE We have launched Hiscox Online via www.hiscox.com and third party websites. It has been well received as the first online portal for higher value household insurance. There are people who want to buy insurance online, and we must be capable of accepting their business. Whether the online business flourishes or not, the project has had the added benefit of assisting us in developing technology which enables our underwriting to be accessed by intermediaries very simply and at low cost, delivering significant value to the group and our new and existing partners. LLOYD'S BUSINESS Syndicate 33 has had two extremely difficult years in 1998 and 1999. The main areas of loss have been marine hull and cargo, offshore energy and political risks, the first three of which are marine classes. Rapid action has been taken to eradicate the unprofitable marine business introduced by the merger of the two marine syndicates in 1998 into Syndicate 33 and to return the Syndicate to its traditionally superior performance. The 2000 account is now showing figures back to Syndicate 33 standards. Both 1998 and 1999 accounts continued to deteriorate during the first 6 months of 2000, especially in the marine area, and the forecast losses for the Syndicate for those years are: 1998 -7.5% to -12.5%, 1999 -6.5% to -11.5%. The Syndicate has a very strong group of talented young underwriters and will undoubtedly benefit from the cathartic experience of loss. Their steel has been tempered. Market analysts confirm that 1999 was the bottom of the cycle and the market is firming with better 2000 figures being adversely affected by reserve strengthening for 1998 and 1999. Rates are rising and the 2000 account figures of Syndicate 33 are very satisfactory at this early stage. The fact is that feast follows famine in the London Market and we intend to benefit to the maximum from the upturn in rates which is now happening. We have bought £22,000,000 of capacity on Syndicate 33 in the first five auctions at an average price of 4.0p but will not bid aggressively for further capacity as we are content to be paid to underwrite using third party capital. Following the success of the Hiscox Insurance Company (Guernsey) we have formed a captive insurance company in Guernsey to write selected reinsurances of the Syndicate. Although small to start with, we anticipate this growing to be a significant reinsurer of the group in the future. FINALLY Syndicate 33 has done what is necessary to make a return to the substantial levels of profit achievable in the London Market. Our retail business in the UK and overseas, led by the Hiscox Insurance Company, is growing in importance and profitability. We have created some innovative and exciting new businesses and have a clear strategy for profitable and stable growth. We have a strong brand backed by a strong culture and people with talent and drive. The combination of all these factors will yield proper returns to shareholders in the near future. ROBERT HISCOX CHAIRMAN 27 SEPTEMBER 2000 HISCOX PLC CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT FOR THE 6 MONTH PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2000 6 months 6 months Year to to 30June to 31 Dec 2000(un- 30June 1999 audited) 1999(un- (audited) audited) £000 £000 £000 Gross premiums written 215,938 185,723 323,677 Net premiums earned 97,021 83,699 201,452 Trading profit, before change 4,663 5,782 11,537 in equalisation provision Trading profit, after change 3,561 4,924 9,894 in equalisation provision Investment income (note 6) 5,265 6,366 14,159 Net realised losses on (899) (680) (1,786) investments (note 6) Unrealised gains/(losses) on 1,200 (2,659) (1,750) investments (note 6) Investment expenses and (139) (193) (653) charges (note 6) -------- -------- --------- 5,427 2,834 9,970 Allocated investment return (6,120) (5,698) (13,642) transferred to the technical account (note 6) ------- -------- -------- Short term fluctuations in (693) (2,864) (3,672) investment return (note 6) Other income 3,760 2,448 2,792 Other expenses (6,482) (3,139) (8,902) --------- -------- -------- Profit on ordinary activities 146 1,369 112 before tax -------- -------- -------- Comprising: Operating profit based on longer term investment return 910 5,091 5,427 continuing activities Short term fluctuations in (693) (2,864) (3,672) investment return Exceptional item: sale of 1,031 - - long term business Movement in equalisation (1,102) (858) (1,643) provision -------- ------- -------- 146 1,369 112 Tax on profit on ordinary (41) (251) (28) activities -------- ------- -------- Profit on ordinary activities 105 1,118 84 after tax Dividends - interim (1,734) (1,728) (1,707) payable - final payable - - (3,274) --------- -------- -------- Retained loss for the period (1,629) (610) (4,897) -------- -------- -------- Earnings per share: Basic, based on operating profit 0.5p 2.5p 2.6p after tax (on longer term investment return) Basic, based on profit on 0.1p 0.8p 0.1p ordinary activities after tax Diluted, based on profit on 0.1p 0.7p 0.1p ordinary activities after tax CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2000 Profit on ordinary activities 105 1,118 84 after tax Revaluation of fixed assets - - (413) Exchange differences taken to 24 - (91) reserves Prior period restatement (note 4) - (1,977) (1,977) ------- ------- ------- Total recognised gains and losses 129 (859) (2,397) ------- ------- ------- Consolidated Balance Sheet at 30 June 2000 30 June 30 June 31 Dec 2000(un- 1999(un- 1999(au- audited) audited) dited) £000 £000 £000 Assets Goodwill 6,829 7,125 6,971 Other intangible assets 14,423 15,163 14,814 Land and buildings 407 1,774 951 Other financial investments 200,187 195,560 228,979 Assets held to cover linked - 2,516 3,016 liabilities Reinsurers' share of technical 228,098 119,950 159,547 provisions Debtors 206,169 124,820 147,318 Other assets 40,071 42,161 43,771 Cash at bank and in hand 23,507 32,966 27,602 Prepayments and accrued income 69,917 48,143 56,438 -------- ------- ------- Total assets 789,608 590,178 689,407 -------- ------- ------- Liabilities Capital and reserves: Called up share capital 7,225 7,190 7,223 Share premium account 69,062 68,160 69,042 Merger reserve 4,723 4,723 4,723 Capital redemption reserve 33,244 33,244 33,244 Profit and loss account 13,748 20,144 15,353 -------- ------- ------- Shareholders' funds attributable 128,002 133,461 129,585 to equity interests -------- ------- ------- Fund for future appropriations - 1,702 1,902 Technical provisions 544,136 329,820 448,251 Equalisation provision 7,440 5,553 6,338 Technical provisions for linked - 2,516 3,016 liabilities Creditors 105,292 105,570 87,615 Provisions for other risks and 25 7,174 1,729 charges Accruals and deferred income 4,713 4,382 10,971 -------- ------- ------- Total liabilities 789,608 590,178 689,407 -------- ------- ------- Net asset value (before 93.7 96.7 94.1 equalisation provision) p per share -------- ------- ------- HISCOX PLC CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT 6 6 Year to months months 31 Dec to to 1999 30 June 30 June (audited) 2000 1999 (un- (un- audited) audited) £000 £000 £000 Net cash inflow from general 8,235 9,355 16,710 business Net shareholders' cash inflow 2,328 - - from long term business Net shareholders' cash inflow - - 12,021 from Lloyd's business ------- ------- ------- Net cash inflow from operating 10,563 9,355 28,731 activities Interest paid (525) (182) (1,835) Taxation paid (2,646) (913) (4,102) Capital expenditure (1,548) (673) 264 Equity dividends paid - - (4,963) Financing 2,090 (80) (7,724) ------- ------- ------- 7,934 7,507 10,371 ------- ------- ------- Cash flows were invested as follows: Decrease in cash holding (5,049) (10,847) (16,752) Net portfolio investment: Shares and units in unit trusts 14,979 10,244 12,623 Debt securities and other fixed 306 4,617 14,513 income securities Deposits with credit institutions (2,038) 3,423 (271) Other investments (264) 70 258 ------- ------- ------- Net investment of cash flows 7,934 7,507 10,371 ------- ------- ------- Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow from operating activities Operating profit before taxation and after interest, based on 910 5,091 5,427 longer term investment return Depreciation and amortisation of 1,214 1,318 2,899 fixed assets Increase in general insurance technical provisions, net of 8,198 3,830 36,610 reinsurance Increase/(decrease) in amounts 7,342 6,598 (7,622) owed to agents (Increase)/decrease in amounts (13,369) (9,527) 3,958 owed by agents (Increase)/decrease in other (4,743) 5,650 1,481 debtors Increase/(decrease) in other 5,187 3,436 (23,870) creditors Cash received from long term 2,328 - - business Cash received from Lloyd's - - 12,021 business Realised and unrealised (321) (3,339) 3,068 investment (gains)/losses Short term fluctuations in (693) (2,864) (3,672) investment return Loan interest expense 422 184 933 Other non-cash transactions 4,088 (1,022) (2,502) ------- ------- ------- Net cash inflow from operating 10,563 9,355 28,731 activities ------ ------- ------- SEGMENTAL INFORMATION 6 MONTHS TO 30 JUNE 2000 (UNAUDITED) Gross Gross Gross premiums claims operating incurred earned expenses £000 £000 £000 Fire and other damage 59,601 (33,634) (22,555) to property Third party liability 26,156 (10,830) (9,111) Marine, aviation and 17,090 (13,004) (5,332) transport Reinsurance acceptances 22,376 (15,930) (7,199) Other 35,169 (14,945) (13,137) ------- ------- ------- 160,392 (88,343) (57,334) ------- ------- ------- Rein- Under- surance writing balance result* £000 £000 Fire and other damage to (3,542) (130) property Third party liability (3,266) 2,949 Marine, aviation and (294) (1,540) transport Reinsurance acceptances (1,654) (2,407) Other (7,416) (329) ------- -------- (16,172) (1,457) ------- -------- 6 MONTHS TO 30 JUNE 1999 (UNAUDITED) Gross Gross Gross prem- claims operating iums incurred earned expenses £000 £000 £00 Fire and other damage 48,323 (28,204) (22,541) to property Third party liability 17,062 (11,301) (6,823) Marine, aviation and 14,802 (16,665) (5,228) transport Reinsurance acceptances 18,318 (10,624) (4,089) Other 15,261 (13,234) (5,502) ------ ------- ------- 113,766 (80,028) (44,183) ------ ------- ------- Rein- Under- surance writing balance result* £000 £000 Fire and other damage 993 (1,429) to property Third party liability (319) (1,381) Marine, aviation and 6,367 (724) transport Reinsurance acceptances (1,821) 1,784 Other 5,309 1,834 -------- -------- 10,529 84 --------- --------- YEAR TO 31 DECEMBER 1999 (AUDITED) Gross Gross Gross premiums claims opera- incurred ting earned expenses £000 £000 £000 Fire and other damage 101,046 (59,751) (40,528) to property Third party liability 34,994 (24,590) (14,350) Marine, aviation and 31,306 (42,647) (11,038) transport Reinsurance acceptances 49,344 (65,221) (9,020) Other 47,567 (27,312) (16,987) ------- ------- ------- 264,257 (219,521) (91,923) ------- ------- ------- Rein- Underwriting surance result* balance £000 £000 Fire and other damage 4,037 4,804 to property Third party liability 2,396 (1,550) Marine, aviation and 19,918 (2,461) transport Reinsurance acceptances 19,137 (5,760) Other (1,180) 2,088 ------- -------- 44,308 (2,879) ------- -------- *Before longer term investment return, other technical income and movement in equalisation provision. 6 MONTHS TO 30 JUNE 2000 (UNAUDITED) Lloyd's Insurance Overseas Total Business Opera- Company tions £000 £000 £000 £000 Profit on ordinary activities before taxation Gross premiums written 146,652 55,241 14,045 215,938 Net premiums earned 43,041 46,926 7,054 97,021 Investment return based 2,955 3,071 94 6,120 on longer term rate of return Net claims incurred (17,272) (23,862) (46) (41,180) Acquisition costs (26,812) (16,167) (6,123) (49,102) Administration expenses (2,976) (7,430) (134) (10,540) Long term business result - - - - -------- ------- ------- ------- Trading result: Aligned result (1,064) 2,538 845 2,319 Non-aligned result - - - - Agency and other income 2,194 - 2,879 5,073 Profit commission - - - - Expenses (1,811) - (3,328) (5,139) Loan interest (715) - - (715) Goodwill and capacity (628) - - (628) amortisation -------- ------- ------- ------- Operating profit/(loss) (2,024) 2,538 396 910 Short term fluctuations (1,310) 418 199 (693) in investment return Profit on sale of long - 1,031 - 1,031 term business Equalisation provision - (1,102) - (1,102) -------- ------- ------- ------- Pre tax profit/(loss) (3,334) 2,885 595 146 -------- ------- ------ ------- Managed Insurance Total Syndi- cates Company 100% level combined 104.1% 98.8% 102.2% ratio* -------- ------- ------ - * Amounts shown are at the 100% level regardless of ownership of capacity. 6 MONTHS 30 JUNE 1999 (UNAUDITED) Lloyd's Insurance Overseas Total Business Opera- Company tions £000 £000 £000 £000 Profit on ordinary activities before taxation Gross premiums written 128,219 47,398 10,106 185,723 Net premiums earned 42,728 39,580 1,391 83,699 Investment return based 3,160 2,472 66 5,698 on longer term rate of return Net claims incurred (19,926) (20,818) - (40,744) Acquisition costs (19,059) (13,835) (1,180) (34,074) Administration expenses (2,327) (6,734) (29) (9,090) Long term business result - 293 - 293 -------- ------- ------- ------ Trading result: Aligned result 4,076 958 248 5,282 Non-aligned result 500 - - 500 Agency and other income 1,428 - 737 2,165 Profit commission 283 - - 283 Expenses (1,262) - (1,169) (2,431) Loan interest (298) - - (298) Goodwill and capacity (410) - - (410) amortisation -------- ------- ------- ------ Operating profit/(loss) 4,317 958 (184) 5,091 Short term fluctuations (1,638) (1,226) - (2,864) in investment return Profit on sale of long - - - - term business Equalisation provision - (858) - (858) -------- ------- ------- ------ Pre tax profit/(loss) 2,679 (1,126) (184) 1,369 -------- ------- ------- ------ Managed Insurance Total Syndi- cates Company 100% level combined ratio 107.8% 103.1% 107.1% ------- ------- ------- YEAR TO 31 DECEMBER 1999 (AUDITED) Lloyd's Insurance Over- Total Business seas Company Opera- tions £000 £000 £000 £000 Profit on ordinary activities before taxation Gross premiums written 202,042 97,814 23,821 323,677 Net premiums earned 112,420 83,039 5,993 201,452 Investment return based 7,655 5,792 195 13,642 on longer term rate of return Net claims incurred (68,751) (43,798) (93) (112,642) Acquisition costs (40,960) (29,035) (5,145) (75,140) Administration expenses (5,177) (13,605) (333) (19,115) Long term business result - 774 - 774 -------- ------- ------ ------- Trading result: Aligned result 3,712 3,167 617 7,496 Non-aligned result 1,475 - - 1,475 Agency and other income 2,793 - 3,047 5,840 Profit commission (482) - - (482) Expenses (2,048) - (4,889) (6,937) Loan interest (707) - - (707) Goodwill and capacity (1,258) - - (1,258) amortisation -------- ------- ------ ------- Operating profit/(loss) 3,485 3,167 (1,225) 5,427 Short term fluctuations (2,338) (1,572) 238 (3,672) in investment return Profit on sale of long - - - - term business Equalisation provision - (1,643) - (1,643) -------- ------- ------ ------- Pre tax profit/(loss) 1,147 (48) (987) 112 -------- ------- ------ ------- Managed Insurance Total Syndi- cates Company 100% level combined ratio 104.3% 102.6% 102.7% -------- ------- ------ - NOTES TO THE INTERIM ACCOUNTS 1. BASIS OF PREPARATION The unaudited interim accounts have, except as stated below, been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies consistent with those set out in the Group's 1999 Report and Accounts. In accordance with the provisions relating to Insurance Companies under Schedule 9a of the Companies Act 1985, the accounts include the transactions, assets and liabilities of the Syndicates on which certain subsidiary companies participate as corporate members of Lloyd's accounted for on an annual basis. As a result of accounting practices at Lloyd's this syndicate data is not available on a one-year basis in relation to the interim results for the non-managed syndicate participations of the Hiscox Select subsidiaries and so the transactions, assets and liabilities of these participations have been excluded. The unaudited interim statements, the comparative figures for the year ended 31 December 1999 and the financial information contained in these interim results, do not constitute statutory accounts of the group within the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The auditors have reported on the Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 1999, their report was not qualified and did not contain a statement under Section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. 2. EARNINGS PER SHARE Earnings per share on operating profit are based on the operating profit after taxation of £655,000 and on the average number of shares in issue during the current period of 144,471,379. Earnings per share on ordinary activities are based on the profit after taxation of £105,000 and on the average number of shares in issue during the current period of 144,471,379. Fully diluted earnings per share on ordinary activities are based on the profit after taxation of £105,000 and on the average number of shares in issue during the period of 148,459,282, taking into account the options outstanding under the Employee Option Schemes. 3. DIVIDENDS An interim dividend of 1.2p (net) per ordinary share has been declared payable on 10 November 2000 to shareholders registered on 13 October 2000. 4. PRIOR PERIOD RESTATEMENT In the year ended 31 December 1999 refinements were made to the annual accounting model. As a result of this an adjustment of £1,977,000 was made to the opening reserves for the year ended 31 December 1998. In order to improve comparability between years, the comparative figures for the six month period ended 30 June 1999 have been re- presented to show the underwriting result of Hiscox Insurance Company (Guernsey) Limited. Previously the net underwriting result was included within other income and expenses. 5. 100% LEVEL TECHNICAL ACCOUNT The underwriting activities which are managed by the Group are shown below at the 100% level regardless of ownership of capacity. 6 months to 30 June 2000 (unaudited) Managed Insurance Overseas Total Syndi- Operation cates Company £000 £000 £000 £000 Gross premiums 333,285 55,241 14,045 402,571 written Net premiums 167,514 50,926 7,059 225,499 written Net premiums earned 108,340 46,926 7,054 162,320 ------ ------- ------ ------ Net claims incurred 48,952 23,862 46 72,860 ------ ------- ------ ------ Claims ratio (%) 45.2% 50.9% 44.9% ------- ------- ------ Commission 79,260 16,864 6,097 102,221 Expenses 19,446 7,546 134 27,126 Movement in DAC (27,365) (813) 26 (28,152) ------- ------- ------ ------ Net expenses 71,341 23,597 6,257 101,195 ------- ------- ------ ------ Expense ratio (%) 58.9% 47.9% 57.3% ------- ------- ------ Net longer term 3,236 3,071 94 6,401 investment return ------- ------- ------ ------ Technical (8,717) 2,538 845 (5,334) profit/(loss) ------ ------- ------ ------ Combined ratio (%) 104.1% 98.8% 102.2% ------ ------- ------ 6 months to 30 June 1999 (unaudited) Total £000 Gross premiums written 363,485 Net premiums written 203,004 Net premiums earned 180,084 ------- Net claims incurred 87,412 ------- Claims ratio (%) 48.5% ------ Commission 92,150 Expenses 26,753 Movement in DAC (29,194) ------ Net expenses 89,709 ------ Expense ratio (%) 58.6% ------ Net longer term 5,867 investment return ------ Technical profit/(loss) 8,830 ------ Combined ratio (%) 107.1% ------ 6.Investment Return a) The total actual investment return before taxation comprises: 6 months 6 months Year to to to 31 Dec 30 June 30 June 1999 2000 1999 (audited) (un- (un- audited) audited) £000 £000 £000 Investment return on funds at Lloyd's and other corporate funds: Investment income 1,572 2,984 4,529 Unrealised gains/(losses) on 846 (1,688) (1,755) investments Realised (losses)/gains on (1,031) 21 (63) investments -------- -------- ------- 1,387 1,317 2,711 -------- -------- ------- Investment return on syndicate funds: Investment income 583 704 3,893 Realised losses on (20) (368) (468) investments -------- -------- ------- 563 336 3,425 -------- -------- ------- Investment return on insurance company funds: Investment income 3,110 2,678 5,737 Unrealised gains/(losses) on 354 (971) 5 investments Realised gains/(losses) on 152 (333) (1,255) investments -------- -------- ------- 3,616 1,374 4,487 -------- ------- ------- Investment management (139) (193) (653) expenses -------- -------- ------- Total investment return 5,427 2,834 9,970 -------- -------- ------- Allocation to the technical (6,120) (5,698) (13,642) account based on the longer term rate -------- -------- ------- Short term fluctuations in investment return retained in (693) (2,864) (3,672) the non- technical account -------- ------- ------- b) Longer term investment return The longer term return is based on a combination of historical experience and current expectations for each category of investments. The longer term return is calculated by applying the following yields to the weighted average of each category of assets. 2000 1999 % % Shares and units in unit 7.0 7.0 trusts Debt securities and other 6.0 6.0 fixed interest securities Deposits with credit 6.0 6.0 institutions c) Comparison of longer term investment return with actual returns The actual return on investments is compared below with the longer term investment return. 6 months ended 30 June 2000 (unaudited) Funds Share at of Lloyd' Synd s and icates other Corp- orate Assets Actual investment return: £000 % £000 % Shares and units in unit (58) (0.5) (15) (1.7) trusts Debt securities and other fixed interest securities 1,315 6.1 503 3.7 Deposits with credit 118 8.5 65 11.8 institutions Other - 0.0 10 1.5 ----- ---- 1,375 563 Longer term investment return: Shares and units in unit 759 7.0 61 7.0 trusts Debt securities and other fixed interest securities 1,300 6.0 813 6.0 Deposits with credit 83 6.0 33 6.0 institutions Other - 0.0 - 0.0 ----- ---- 2,142 907 ----- ---- Short term fluctuations in investment return (767) (344) ---- ---- 6 months ended 30 June 2000 (unaudited) Insu- Total rance Company £000 % £000 Actual investment return: Shares and units in unit 210 2.6 137 trusts Debt securities and other fixed interest securities 3,204 7.9 5,022 Deposits with credit 75 6.0 258 institutions Other - 0.0 10 ----- ---- 3,489 5,427 Longer term investment return: Shares and units in unit 574 7.0 1,394 trusts Debt securities and other fixed interest securities 2,422 6.0 4,535 Deposits with credit 75 6.0 191 institutions Other - 0.0 - ---- ---- 3,071 6,120 ---- ---- Short term fluctuations in investment return 418 (693) ---- ------ Year to 31 December 1999 (audited) Funds at Share of Lloyd's Syndicates and other Corporate Assets £000 % £000 % Actual investment return: Shares and units in 2,320 13.8 (20) (0.9) unit trusts Debt securities and other fixed interest (958) (2.1) 2,202 4.2 securities Deposits with credit 327 6.0 327 8.6 institutions Other 681 4.3 871 9.5 ------- ------ 2,370 3,380 Longer term investment return: Shares and units in 1,175 7.0 162 7.0 unit trusts Debt securities and other fixed interest 2,793 6.0 3,166 6.0 securities Deposits with credit 326 6.0 228 6.0 institutions Other - 0.0 - 0.0 -------- -------- 4,294 3,556 -------- -------- Short term fluctuations in (1,924) (176) investment return -------- -------- Year to 31 December 1999 (audited) Insurance Total Company £000 % £000 Actual investment return: Shares and units in 1,602 23.5 3,902 unit trusts Debt securities and other fixed interest 2,259 2.6 3,503 securities Deposits with credit 211 7.1 865 institutions Other 148 8.9 1,700 -------- ------ 4,220 9,970 Longer term investment return: Shares and units in 478 7.0 1,815 unit trusts Debt securities and other fixed interest 5,137 6.0 11,096 securities Deposits with credit 177 6.0 731 institutions Other - 0.0 - --------- ------- 5,792 13,642 -------- ------- Short term fluctuations in (1,572) (3,672) investment return -------- ------- REVIEW REPORT BY KPMG AUDIT PLC TO HISCOX PLC INTRODUCTION We have been instructed by the company to review the financial information set out on pages 4 to 11 and we have read the other information contained in the interim report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the financial information. DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES The interim report, including the financial information contained therein, is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority require that the accounting policies and presentation applied to the interim figures should be consistent with those applied in preparing the preceding annual accounts except where they are to be changed in the next annual accounts in which case any changes, and the reasons for them, are to be disclosed. REVIEW WORK PERFORMED We conducted our review in accordance with guidance contained in Bulletin 1999/4: Review of interim financial information issued by the Auditing Practices Board. A review consists principally of making enquiries of Group management and applying analytical procedures to the financial information and underlying financial data and, based thereon, assessing whether the accounting polices and presentation have been consistently applied unless otherwise disclosed. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit performed in accordance with Auditing Standards and therefore provides a lower level of assurance than an audit. Accordingly we do not express an audit opinion on the financial information. REVIEW CONCLUSION On the basis of our review, other than the exclusion of syndicate data in respect of the syndicate participations of the Hiscox Select subsidiaries which as described in note 1 is not available, we are not aware of any further material modifications that should be made to the financial information as presented for the six months ended 30 June 2000. KPMG AUDIT PLC CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS LONDON 27 SEPTEMBER 2000
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