On 31 March 2012, the Swiss Life Group reported premium income of CHF6.3billion
(-2% in local currency) thereby maintaining its course towards profitable growth. The Group also achieved an excellent net investment return of 0.9% (not annualised) in a persistently volatile market environment. Group solvency was 214% as at the end of March.
Bruno Pfister, Group CEO, comments, "We are satisfied with our business development over the first quarter of 2012. First and foremost we managed to consolidate our market position in the strategically important business areas. Our strategy of profitable growth and our efforts in the Group-wide MILESTONE programme are proving their worth in this extremely tough market environment."
Business development in first quarter 2012
In the first quarter of 2012, the Swiss Life Group generated CHF6263million in premium income (-2% in local currency). In the Swiss market premiums rose over the same period last year (adjusted) by 2% to CHF4335million. Ongoing strong demand for full-insurance solutions in occupational provisions was the main contributor to this result. In France premium income fell by 4% in local currency to CHF1076million, with the growth in health business partly offsetting a decline in life business. In Germany Swiss Life grew by 3% in local currency, posting CHF 453 million in premium volume. Most of this growth was accounted for by occupational pensions. The Insurance International segment fell back to CHF419million for the first three months of the year, compared to CHF594million in the previous year. AWD realised sales revenue of EUR111.1million in the first quarter of 2012 (previous year: EUR135.1million).
Excellent investment result, Group solvency remains strong
The net investment result for the insurance portfolio developed very positively and in line with expectations, despite the low interest rate environment and volatile market conditions. This was due to the extreme resilience of the investment portfolio. Between January and March 2012 the Group posted a non-annualised net investment return of 0.9%, compared to 1% in the previous year. The Group solvency ratio was 214% on 31March2012 (213% on 31 December 2011).
Today's telephone conference for financial analysts and investors
Thomas Buess, Group CFO, will hold a telephone conference in English for financial analysts and investors at 10 a.m.(CET). Please dial in ten minutes before the conference begins.
Dial-in number for Europe |
+41 (0) 91 610 56 00 |
Dial-in number for UK |
+44 (0) 203 059 58 62 |
Dial-in number for the USA |
+1 (1) 866 291 41 66 |
Sales performance as at 31March2012
Q1/2012 |
Q1/2011 |
Change |
Change |
|
Gross written premiums, policy fees and deposits received in CHF m. IFRS basis, unaudited |
||||
Switzerland (1) |
4335 |
4234 |
2% |
2% |
France |
1076 |
1190 |
-10% |
-4% |
Germany |
453 |
469 |
-3% |
3% |
Insurance |
419 |
594 |
-29% |
-27% |
Total (2) |
6263 |
6491 |
-4% |
-2% |
Sales revenues in EUR m. IFRS basis, unaudited |
||||
AWD |
111.1 |
135.1 |
|
-18% |
(1) Q1 2011: impact from change in the premium due dates following the migration to the new
group business administration system (NVS): CHF -323 m.
(2) Total contains intersegment elimination of CHF-21m in Q1 2012, CHF-7m in Q1 2011
and PPI of CHF1m in Q12012, CHF11m in Q1 2011.
Contact
Media Relations
Phone +41 43 284 77 77
Investor Relations
Phone +41 43 284 52 76
investor.relations@swisslife.ch
Swiss Life
The Swiss Life Group is one of Europe's leading providers of life insurance and pension solutions. In Switzerland, France and Germany, the Group offers individuals and corporations comprehensive advice and a broad range of products through its own sales force as well as brokers and banks. Swiss Life provides international corporations with employee benefits solutions from a single source, and is one of the global leaders in structured life and pension products for international high net worth individuals.
The AWD Group has been part of the Swiss Life Group since 2008. Hanover-based AWD is one of the leading European financial services providers in the medium and high-income client segments and offers its clients comprehensive financial advisory services. Germany, the UK, Austria and Switzerland are the AWD Group's core markets.
Swiss Life Holding Ltd, registered in Zurich, was founded in 1857 as Schweizerische Rentenanstalt. The shares of Swiss Life Holding Ltd are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SLHN). The Swiss Life Group employs a staff of around 7500.
Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking information
This publication contains specific forward-looking statements, e.g. statements including terms like “believe”, “assume”, “expect” or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors which may result in a substantial divergence between the actual results, financial situation, development, performance or expectations of Swiss Life and those explicitly or implicitly presumed in these statements. Against the background of these uncertainties, readers are cautioned that these statements are only projections and that no undue reliance should be placed on such forward-looking statements. Neither Swiss Life nor any of its directors, officers, employees or advisors nor any other person connected or otherwise associated with Swiss Life makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this publication. Neither Swiss Life nor any of the aforementioned persons shall have any liability whatsoever for loss howsoever arising, directly or indirectly, from any use of this information. Furthermore, Swiss Life assumes no responsibility to publicly update or alter its forward-looking statements or to adapt them, whether as a result of new information, future events or developments or any other reason.