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sales) in the Group’s history. Gjensidige’s outlook remains good, supported by a
very strong capital position. The Board proposes a regular dividend of NOK 7.40
per share and declares a special dividend of NOK 2.40 per share.
Gjensidige Forsikring Group recorded a profit before tax of NOK 2,313.6 million
(1,728.6) for the quarter. The profit from general insurance operations measured
by the underwriting result was NOK 1,161.8 million (919.6), corresponding to a
combined ratio of 83.1 (85.4). The return on financial assets was 2.0 per cent
(1.4) or NOK 1,151.9 million (832.5). The profit after tax was NOK 1,930.4
million (1,473.4). Earnings per share amounted to NOK 3.86 (2.95).
-We have put behind us yet another quarter with very strong operations in
Norway. I am particularly pleased with our high customer retention and growth in
business volumes despite the ongoing pandemic and tough competition. Denmark
also showed strong performance, while our Swedish and Baltic operations have a
strong upside potential, says CEO Helge Leiro Baastad. Efficient operations and
dedicated employees lay the ground for continued strong results going forward,
Baastad says.
The underwriting result was driven by 8.9 per cent growth in earned premiums and
an improved underlying frequency loss ratio. Earned premiums increased 6.3 per
cent in local currency. The underlying frequency loss ratio improved primarily
due to effective and differentiated pricing measures. The Covid-19 pandemic had
a positive impact on the Group’s claims estimated at approximately NOK 129
million, corresponding to 1.9 percentage point on the loss ratio. This was
primarily related to travel and motor insurance, partly offset by accident and
health insurance products.
The landslide at Gjerdrum in Norway in December, defined as a natural peril
event, incurred a large loss of NOK 180.4 million net of reinsurance, of which
NOK 150.4 million was allocated to the Corporate Centre and the rest to the
Private and Commercial segments. The reinstatement premium on the reinsurance
programme amounted to NOK 24.7 million, recorded in the Corporate Centre. The
impact on the combined ratio was 2.9 percentage points.
The Pension operation recorded a lower profit mainly due to lower insurance
income.
All asset classes in the investment portfolio contributed positively in the
fourth quarter.
The Board has proposed a dividend based on the profit for the 2020 financial
year of NOK 3,700 million, corresponding to NOK 7.40 per share. The regular
dividend corresponds to a pay-out ratio of 75 per cent of the Group profit after
tax. In addition, the board has declared a special dividend of NOK 1,200
million. This corresponds to NOK 2.40 per share and represents distribution of
excess capital. For this special dividend, the Board has utilised its
authorisation granted by the Annual General Meeting in 2020. The payment will
take place on 4 February 2021.
For the year the Group recorded a profit before tax of NOK 6,341.7 million
(7,753.8). The corresponding result for 2019 included a gain on the sale of
Gjensidige Bank of NOK 1.6 billion. The profit from general insurance operations
measured by the underwriting result was NOK 5,075.6 million (4,036.4),
corresponding to a combined ratio of 81.3 (83.6).
The Covid-19 pandemic had a positive impact on the Group’s claims, estimated at
approximately NOK 296 million, corresponding to 1.1 percentage points on the
loss ratio. Claims related to cancellations and home transportation increased
significantly and were mainly allocated to the Corporate Centre. The negative
effect was offset by less travel activity and less driving. In addition, premium
growth in Denmark and the Baltics were subdued related to travel insurance for
both segments.
The net effect of the land slide at Gjerdrum on the Group’s combined ratio was
0.7 percentage points.
The profit after tax from continuing and discontinued operations was NOK 4,953.9
million (6,593.8) and the corresponding earnings per share were NOK 9.91
(13.19).
The return on financial assets was 2.2 per cent (4.1) or NOK 1,341.7 million
(2,306.4). The lower return was mainly due to the Covid-19 pandemic which caused
a significant downturn in the financial markets towards the end of the first
quarter, resulting in negative returns for most asset classes. Significant
intervention by central banks and fiscal policy measures drove the market
recovery during the rest of the year, resulting in positive returns for the year
as a whole.
Highlights fourth quarter 2020 (fourth quarter 2019)
· Profit/(loss) before tax: NOK 2,313.6 million (1,728.6)
· Earnings per share: NOK 3.86 (2.95)
· Earned premiums: NOK 6,875.7 million (6,313.8)
· Underwriting result: NOK 1,161.8 million (919.6)
· Combined ratio: 83.1 (85.4)
· Cost ratio: 14.7 (15.2)
· Financial result: NOK 1,151.9 million (832.5)
Proposed and declared dividend
Proposed regular dividend: NOK 3,700 million (3,625), corresponding to NOK 7.40
per share (7.25)
Declared special dividend: NOK 1,200 million, corresponding to NOK 2.40 per
share
Highlights for the year 2020 (for the year 2019)
· Profit/(loss) before tax: NOK 6,341.7 million (7,753.8)
· Earnings per share: NOK 9.91 (13.19)
· Earned premiums: NOK 27,160.5 million (24,650.4)
· Underwriting result: NOK 5,075.6 million (4,036.4)
· Combined ratio: 81.3 (83.6)
· Cost ratio: 14.5 (14.7)
· Financial result: NOK 1,341.7 million (2,306.4)
This release contains alternative performance measures (APMs). APMs are
described at www.gjensidige.no/reporting in a document named APMs Gjensidige
Forsikring Group Q4 2020.
This information is subject to disclosure under the Norwegian Securities Act
section §5-12.
Head of Communication Øystein Thoresen. Tel: 47 952 33 382
Head of Investor Relations Mitra Hagen Negård. Tel: 47 957 93 631
Gjensidige is a leading Nordic insurance group listed on the Oslo Stock
Exchange. We have about 3,700 employees and offer insurance products in Norway,
Denmark, Sweden and the Baltic states. In Norway, we also offer pension and
savings. The Group’s operating income was NOK 28 billion in 2020, while total
assets were NOK 118 billion.
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