Sampo Group's results January - December 2012
SAMPO PLC STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 13 February 2013 at 9.30 am
Sampo Group's results January - December 2012
A RECORD YEAR IN MANY RESPECTS
Sampo Group reported good results for 2012 in all of its businesses despite the challenging economic environment. P&C insurance achieved a better combined ratio than ever before, Nordea achieved an all-time high operating profit and the volume development in life insurance was exceptionally strong.
- Sampo Group's profit before taxes for 2012 rose to EUR 1,616 million (1,228). Total comprehensive income for the period, taking changes in the market value of assets into account, increased to EUR 1,855 million (686).
- Earnings per share amounted to EUR 2.51 (1.85). Mark-to-market earnings per share were EUR 3.31 (1.22) and return on equity for the Group increased to 19.5 per cent for 2012 (7.7).
- The Board proposes to the Annual General Meeting to be held on 18 April 2013 a dividend of EUR 1.35 per share (1.20) and an authorization to repurchase a maximum of 50 million Sampo A shares.
- Net asset value per share on 31 December 2012 was EUR 17.55 (14.05). Fair value reserve on the Group level amounted to EUR 749 million (355).
- Profit before taxes in the P&C insurance segment increased 35 per cent to EUR 858 million (636). Combined ratio was exceptionally strong both for the full year 2012 and the fourth quarter, 89.3 per cent (92.0) and 88.8 per cent (90.2), respectively. Return on equity was 36.2 per cent (12.4) and fair value reserve increased to EUR 364 million (139).
- Sampo's share of Nordea's net profit in 2012 rose to EUR 653 million (534). Nordea's RoE was 11.6 per cent (10.6) and core Tier 1 ratio (excluding transition rules) rose to 13.1 per cent (11.2). In segment reporting the share of Nordea's profit is included in the segment 'Holding'.
- In life insurance profit before taxes amounted to EUR 136 million (137). The discount rate of 2.5 per cent will be used to discount the guaranteed rate portfolios in 2013 and 3.25 per cent in 2014. Premiums grew 15 per cent to EUR 977 million (849). Fair value reserve increased to EUR 391 million (214) as at 31 December 2012. Return on equity increased to 28.5 per cent (-11.7).
| KEY FIGURES | Change, | Q4 | Q4 | Change, | ||
| EURm | 2012 | 2011 | % | 2012 | 2011 | % |
| Profit before taxes | 1,616 | 1,228 | 32 | 444 | 322 | 38 |
| P&C insurance | 858 | 636 | 35 | 210 | 171 | 23 |
| Associate (Nordea) | 653 | 534 | 22 | 188 | 161 | 17 |
| Life insurance | 136 | 137 | -1 | 38 | 30 | 25 |
| Holding (excl. Nordea) | -30 | -77 | -61 | 10 | -40 | - |
| Profit for the period | 1,404 | 1,038 | 35 | 401 | 279 | 44 |
| Change | Change | |||||
| Earnings per share, EUR | 2.51 | 1.85 | 0.66 | 0.72 | 0.50 | 0.22 |
| EPS (incl. change in FVR), EUR | 3.31 | 1.22 | 2.09 | 0.73 | 0.94 | -0.21 |
| NAV per share, EUR | 17.55 | 14.05 | 3.50 | - | - | - |
| Average number of staff (FTE) | 6,823 | 6,874 | -51 | - | - | - |
| Group solvency ratio, % | 170.4 | 138.6 | 31.8 | - | - | - |
| RoE, % | 19.5 | 7.7 | 11.8 | - | - | - |
The figures in this report are not audited. Income statement items are compared on a year-on-year basis and comparison figures for balance sheet items are from 31 December 2011 unless otherwise stated. The average EUR-SEK exchange rate used for income statement items for full year 2012 is 8.7040 and the year-end exchange rate used for balance sheet items is 8.5820.
Sampo follows the disclosure procedure enabled by the Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority (Standard 5.2b) and hereby publishes its Financial statement release attached as a PDF file to this stock exchange release. The Financial statement release is also available at www.sampo.com/result.
Fourth Quarter 2012 in brief
Sampo Group's fourth quarter 2012 profit before taxes rose to EUR 444 million (322). Earnings per share amounted to EUR 0.72 (0.50). Mark-to-market earnings per share were EUR 0.73 (0.94). Net asset value per share decreased EUR 0.20 to EUR 17.55 during the fourth quarter of 2012 as a result of the share price development of the associated company Nordea.
In the P&C insurance operation the combined ratio was excellent at 88.8 per cent (90.2). Profit before taxes increased to EUR 210 million (171). Share of the profits of the associated company Topdanmark amounted to EUR 14 million (4).
Sampo's share of Nordea's fourth quarter 2012 net profit amounted to EUR 188 million (161). Nordea's Group core tier 1 capital ratio, excluding transition rules, rose to 13.1 per cent at the end of the year 2012, a strengthening of 0.9 percentage points from the end of the previous quarter.
Profit before taxes for the life insurance operations rose to EUR 38 million (30). Premiums written increased by 26 per cent from the corresponding quarter in 2011 and amounted to EUR 299 million.
BUSINESS AREAS IN 2012
P&C insurance
Profit before taxes for P&C insurance increased by 35 per cent to EUR 858 million (636) in 2012 as a result of an excellent operating profitability during the year. Net income from investments also improved significantly compared to previous year, as the comparison period was burdened with impairment losses of EUR 152 million related to equity assets. In 2012 the impairment losses amounted to EUR 24 million.
Combined ratio for the year 2012 was 89.3 per cent (92.0), which is the best ever full year combined ratio in If P&C's history. Also risk ratio improved significantly in 2012 to 65.9 per cent (68.4). The excellent outcome was supported by better than average weather conditions particularly during the first half of the year. EUR 133 million (135) was released from technical reserves relating to prior year claims.
Technical result increased to EUR 560 million (457) in 2012. Technical result for Private business area increased to EUR 349 million (256) and for Commercial to EUR 168 million (124). For business area Industrial technical result decreased to EUR 28 million (53), as large claims in the business area ended up worse than normalized mainly due to some significant single large claims in Sweden and Denmark in the second quarter of 2012. For Baltic operations technical result decreased to EUR 17 million (22). Insurance margin (technical result in relation to net premiums earned) improved to 12.8 per cent (11.1).
Return on equity (RoE) increased to 36.2 per cent (12.4). Fair value reserve for If P&C increased from the previous year to EUR 364 million (139) at the end of December 2012.
Large claims in total ended up EUR 50 million higher than average for the full year 2012. Large claims development was favourable in business area Commercial but EUR 59 million worse than normalized in the business area Industrial. Discount rate for annuities (real rate) in Sweden increased to 0.18 percent at the end of 2012 from 0.07 per cent at the end of September 2012, which had a minor positive impact on the result.
All business areas had strong growth in 2012. Gross written premiums increased 6.4 per cent to EUR 4,698 million (4,414). Adjusted for currency, premiums increased 3.5 per cent. In Private gross written premiums adjusted for currency increased 3.3 per cent, in Commercial 2.6 per cent, in Industrial 3.7 per cent and in Baltic operations by one per cent.
Cost ratio improved from the previous year to 23.3 per cent (23.5) and expense ratio to 17.1 (17.3). Adjusted for currency the nominal costs increased 4.2 per cent.
At the end of December 2012 the total investment assets of If P&C amounted to EUR 11.7 billion (11.2). Net income from investments increased to EUR 359 million (298). Investment return mark-to-market for the year 2012 was 6.1 per cent (1.8). Duration for interest bearing assets was 1.1 year (1.2) and average maturity 2.3 years (2.5). Fixed income running yield as at 31 December 2012 was 3.6 per cent (4.1).
If P&C holds 22.9 per cent of the total number of shares and 25.4 per cent of all shares excluding the shares held by Topdanmark itself. In Sampo Group's 2012 accounts the contribution of Topdanmark's net profit after the amortization of EUR 8 million amounted to EUR 50 million.
Associated company Nordea Bank Ab
In Sampo Group's reporting Nordea is treated as an associated company and is included in the segment Holding. On 31 December 2012 Sampo plc held 860,440,497 Nordea shares corresponding to a holding of 21.2 per cent. The average price paid per share amounted to EUR 6.46 and the book value in the Group accounts was EUR 7.77 per share. The closing price as at 31 December 2012 was EUR 7.24.
Nordea's Board of Directors proposes to the AGM 2013 a dividend of EUR 0.34 per share (0.26), corresponding to a payout ratio of 44 per cent of net profit in line with the dividend policy. If the AGM approves the Board's dividend proposal, Sampo plc will receive a dividend of EUR 293 million from Nordea in March 2013.
In 2012, Nordea delivered on its financial plan from 2011. Costs remained flat, risk-weighted assets decreased and income increased to a record level. The outcome of that plan was a rapid increase in capital and an all-time high operating profit in the full year of 2012, and one of the best quarterly results ever. Nordea improved its return on equity (ROE), which was 11.6 per cent in 2012, on a significantly larger capital base. The core tier 1 capital ratio was above 13 per cent at the end of the year.
Total income increased in 2012 by 8 per cent compared to 2011. Operating profit increased 16 per cent, due to higher total income, and stable costs. Risk-adjusted profit increased by 20 per cent compared to the preceding year. The effect from currency fluctuations contributed to an increase in income and expenses of approx. 1.5 percentage points for 2012 compared to 2011.
Net loan loss provisions increased to EUR 933 million, corresponding to a loan loss ratio of 28 basis points (23 basis points last year excluding provisions related to the Danish deposit guarantee fund).
Net profit increased 19 per cent to EUR 3,126 million, due to higher income and stable costs. Risk-adjusted profit increased 20 per cent compared to last year to EUR 3,245 million.
The Group's core tier 1 capital ratio, excluding transition rules, was 13.1 per cent at the end of the fourth quarter, a strengthening by 0.9 percentage points from the end of the previous quarter. The total capital ratio excluding transition rules increased 0.9 percentage points to 16.2 per cent.
Nordea has decided to establish a financial plan for increased return on equity (ROE) and a new capital policy for the new regulatory environment. The plan is set in order to shape the future of Nordea for sustainable profitability and efficiency, closer customer relationships and a solid capital position and follows on the new normal plan, which has further strengthened Nordea's platform in 2012.
The financial plan has an ambitious financial target of 15 per cent ROE under normal market interest rate conditions and with a core tier 1 capital ratio of above 13 per cent. The capital policy states that, no later than 1 January 2015, the target for the core tier 1 capital ratio is to be above 13 per cent and for the total capital ratio to be above 17 per cent. The core tier 1 capital ratio is expected to stay above 13 per cent during 2013 and onwards, including the effects from regulatory changes and model rollouts. The dividend policy remains unchanged. Excess capital is expected to be distributed to shareholders.
Life insurance
Profit before taxes in life insurance operations remained on previous year's level and amounted to EUR 136 million (137). The total comprehensive income for the period reflecting the changes in market values of assets was EUR 286 million (-115) boosted by good investment performance. Return on equity (RoE) rose to 28.5 per cent (-11.7).
Mandatum Life Group's investment assets, excluding the assets of EUR 3.8 billion (3.1) covering unit-linked liabilities, amounted to EUR 5.5 billion (5.4) at market values as at 31 December 2012. Mark-to-market return on investments in 2012 was 9.4 per cent (-1.4). At the end of December 2012 duration of fixed income assets was 1.8 years (1.8) and average maturity 2.1 years (2.3). Fixed income running yield was 4.8 per cent (5.4). The impairment losses in 2012 amounted to EUR 38 million.
Mandatum Life Group's solvency margin clearly exceeded Solvency I requirements and amounted to EUR 1,391 million (1,049) as at 31 December 2012. The solvency ratio increased to 27.7 per cent (20.9).
Holding
The segment's profit before taxes amounted to EUR 623 million (457), of which EUR 653 million (534) relates to Sampo's share of Nordea's 2012 profit. Segment's profit without Nordea was EUR -30 million (-77). The improvement is explained by lower finance costs and positive movement in derivative valuations.
Sampo Group's parent company Sampo plc received a total of EUR 768 million in dividends from its subsidiaries and associated company Nordea Bank AB during 2012. If P&C paid in December 2012 a dividend of EUR 544 million (SEK 4,700 million) and Nordea on 3 April 2012 a dividend of EUR 224 million to Sampo plc. Mandatum Life paid no dividend to the parent company in 2012.
Sampo plc's debt financing at the end of 2012 amounted to EUR 2,162 million and interest bearing assets including bank accounts to EUR 1,048 million. During the year the net debt decreased to EUR 1,113 million (1,208). At the end of 2012 gross debt to Sampo plc's equity was 32 per cent (35). The financial liabilities in Sampo plc's balance sheet on 31 December 2012 consisted of issued senior bonds and notes of EUR 1,710 million (1,677) and EUR 451 million (652) of issued short-term CPs. The average interest on Sampo plc's debt on 31 December 2012 was 2.33 per cent (3.73).
OUTLOOK
Outlook for 2013
Sampo Group's business areas are expected to report good operating results for 2013. However, the mark-to-market results are, particularly in life insurance, highly dependent on capital market developments. The low interest rate level also creates a challenging environment for reinvestment in fixed income instruments.
In light of the excellent combined ratio development in 2012, the P&C insurance operations are expected to reach their long-term combined ratio target of below 95 per cent in 2013 by a margin. Nordea's contribution to the Group's profit is expected to be significant.
The major risks and uncertainties to the Group in the near term
In its day-to-day business activities Sampo Group is exposed to various risks. As a financial group the major sources of profitability and its variation for Sampo Group are market, credit and insurance risks. Their contributions to the Group's Economic Capital - used as an internal basis for capital needs - currently represent normal levels of 40 per cent, 35 per cent and 13 per cent, respectively.
Abrupt changes in the business environment or major unforeseen events may always impact the profitability of Sampo Group. Adverse structural and macro economic developments, such as current crisis in Europe, and slow growth are major sources of uncertainty which may escalate in ways that can affect the Group's activities unfavorably. This is, however, mitigated by the fact that Sampo Group companies do not have direct exposures in sovereigns under pressure and have small exposure to banking sector outside the Nordic region.
DIVIDEND PROPOSAL
According to Sampo plc's dividend policy, total annual dividends paid shall be at least 50 per cent of Group's net profit for the year (excluding extraordinary items). In addition, share buy-backs can be used to complement the cash dividend.
The parent company's distributable capital and reserves totaled EUR 6,694,652,272.86, of which profit for the financial year was EUR 737,122,584.60.
The Board proposes to the Annual General Meeting a dividend of EUR 1.35 per share to company's 560,000,000 shares. The dividends to be paid are EUR 756,000,000.00 in total. Rest of funds are left in the equity capital.
The dividend will be paid to shareholders registered in the Register of Shareholders held by Euroclear Finland Ltd as at the record date of 23 April 2013. The Board proposes that the dividend be paid on 30 April 2013.
No significant changes have taken place in the company's financial position since the end of the financial year. The company's liquidity position is good and in the view of the Board, the proposed distribution does not jeopardize the company's ability to fulfill its obligations.
SAMPO PLC
Board of Directors
For more information, please contact:
Peter Johansson, Group CFO, tel. +358 10 516 0010Jarmo Salonen, Head of Investor Relations and Group Communications, tel. +358 10 516 0030Essi Nikitin, IR Manager, tel. +358 10 516 0066Maria Silander, Press Officer, tel. +358 10 516 0031
Sampo will today arrange a Finnish-language press conference (Savoy, Eteläesplanadi 14, Helsinki), at 12.30 pm Finnish time. An English-language telephone conference for investors and analysts will be arranged at 4 pm Finnish time (2 pm UK time). Please call +1 334 323 6203 or +44 (0)20 7162 0125. Please be ready to state the ID number '928471' and the password 'Sampo'.
The telephone conference can also be followed live on the internet at www.sampo.com/result. A recorded version will later be available at the same address.
In addition A Supplementary Financial Information Package is available at www.sampo.com/result.
Sampo Group's Annual Report 2012 will be published in week 11. At the same time Sampo Group's Corporate Governance Statement and Remuneration Report will also be published.
Sampo will publish the first quarter 2013 Interim Report on 8 May 2013.
Distribution:
NASDAQ OMX Helsinki
The principal media
Financial Supervisory Authority
www.sampo.com
The owner of this announcement warrants that:
(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other applicable laws; and
(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the
information contained therein.
Source: Sampo Oyj via Thomson Reuters ONE
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