Swiss Re Reveals 73% Lift In Group Net Income

It’s Swiss Re’s turn to unveil its full-year numbers for 2019, and the major reinsurer has a $727 million reason to be merry.

In a release this morning, Swiss Re said its group net income for last year rose 73% from $421 million in 2018. Much of the result was attributed to the group’s Life & Health Reinsurance (L&H Re) unit, net income of which went up 18% to $899 million.

As for the other segments, Property & Casualty Reinsurance (P&C Re) posted a 7% increase in net income to $396 million; Corporate Solutions, a higher net loss of $647 million; and Life Capital, net loss of $177 million from 2018’s $23 million net income.

Swiss Re also reported that its P&C Re business was hit by $2.7 billion in large losses from natural catastrophes and man-made events.

“Our 2019 results were impacted by heavy natural catastrophe losses, our decisive management actions to reposition Corporate Solutions, and increased claims in US casualty,” noted group chief executive Christian Mumenthaler. “We are taking proactive measures to put us at the forefront of adverse trends.

“On the other hand, we delivered an excellent investment result and strong performance in L&H Re, demonstrating the power of our diversified business model. We achieved a key strategic milestone with the agreement to sell ReAssure. And we are starting 2020 with an improved quality of our portfolio, underpinned by strong January renewals and pricing momentum.”       

Meanwhile Swiss Re’s board of directors will propose at the company’s Annual General Meeting an increased dividend of CHF5.90 per share as well as authorization for a public share buyback of up to CHF1 billion.