30 August 2001
Press Release
Munich Re Group does well in first half-year despite difficult environment
/ Premium income and earnings with double-digit growth rates / Prospect of €1.25
dividend again / In reinsurance, reduction in combined ratio from high level,
but further improvements in terms of trade still necessary in forthcoming renewals
/ Constant growth in primary insurance and asset management business
Despite a difficult environment for the world economy and the capital markets,
the Munich Re Group did well in the first half-year 2001. As things stand at
present, premium income and earnings remain on target. The combined ratio in
reinsurance is still too high, however, in spite of a certain reduction, so
that further improvements in the terms of trade are essential in the forthcoming
renewals. The Group's primary insurance and asset management business is
showing constant growth; a significant factor is the increasing demand in Europe
for retirement products and other private provision.
With double-digit growth rates, the Munich Re Group's premium income and
earnings are on course to meet the targets set for the business year as a whole
and would make possible a repeat of last year's dividend of €1.25,
said Dr. Jörg Schneider, Munich Re Board member responsible for accounting,
controlling, taxes and information technology, when presenting the figures.
This forecast is, as usual, subject to the proviso that in the rest of the business
year the general economic environment does not worsen, especially the situation
on the capital markets, and that claims costs remain within the normal range.
The consolidated net profit as at 30th June 2001 increased to €1.3bn,
compared with around €650m in mid-2000, and earnings per share rose from
€3.69 to €7.34. The profit includes a non-recurrent item of €550m
from the valuation of Munich Re's shares in Allianz on a less deferred
basis. With growth in premium income of 12.1% to €17.1bn in the first half
of 2001, the Group is expecting premium for the whole business year - at
unchanged exchange rates - to reach €34bn. Reinsurance will record
higher growth than primary insurance and asset management. (Further figures
can be obtained from the appended table; the complete half-year report is available
at www.munichre.com, Munich Re's website.)
Combined ratios fall, but are still too high
With a view to the forthcoming renewal of many reinsurance treaties in the
last quarter of the calendar year, an analysis of the current trends was given
by Dr. Wolf Otto Bauer, whose responsibilities on Munich Re's Board of
Management include corporate underwriting, actuarial mathematics and claims
management in non-life reinsurance. In recent years, he said, the market had
driven down terms and conditions to a level that was nowhere near risk-commensurate.
The inadequate pricing had been reflected in an increase in the combined ratio
to well over 110% in some cases. This upward trend now appeared to be broken.
Compared with last year, Munich Re's combined ratio for the first half-year
had fallen by around five percentage points to 108% (excluding natural catastrophes)
or 110.3% (including natural catastrophes). The rating level was still clearly
too low, however, especially in view of the heavy claims burden and high exposure
from natural catastrophes and industrial risks.
Further improvements in conditions in favour of reinsurers were both necessary
and overdue, said Bauer, and there was apparent readiness to accept this in
the market. The uncertainties in the global economy and the capital markets
had made it clear to primary insurers that, given the increased risk potential,
they could only buy reinsurance cover with the desired first-class quality and
solidity at considerably higher prices. Munich Re, which has just received top
ratings again, was easily one of the most sought-after addresses in international
reinsurance. It had unparalleled security, highly qualified experts and, as
evidenced by its two innovative derivative placements in the current year, a
range of instruments that also made use of relief cover involving the capital
markets. Munich Re is confident of further improving the quality and profitability
of its non-life portfolio, which remains the largest segment of its reinsurance
operations.
Munich Re Group 1st half-year 2001
Key figures (IAS)
|
|
|
1st half-year 2001
€
|
1st half-year 2000
€
|
|
Gross premiums written
|
bn
|
17.1
|
15.2
|
|
Result before amortization of goodwill
|
m
|
1,819
|
1,337
|
|
Net profit
|
m
|
1,298
|
652
|
|
|
|
30.6.2001
€
|
31.12.2000
€
|
|
Investments
|
bn
|
165.6
|
159.4
|
|
Shareholders' equity
|
bn
|
24.8
|
23.6
|
|
Net underwriting provisions
|
bn
|
135.7
|
131.5
|
|
Staff
|
|
37,440
|
36,481
|
Our registered shares
|
|
|
1st half-year 2001
€
|
1st half-year 2000
€
|
|
Earnings per share
|
|
7.34
|
3.69
|
|
Share price
|
|
331.50
(30.6.2001)
|
332.50
(30.6.2000)
|
|
Munich Re's market capitalization
|
bn
|
58.7
(30.6.2001)
|
58.8
(30.6.2000)
|
A.M. Best, Standard & Poor's and Moody's have each awarded Munich
Re their top rating.