BRUSSELS, Belgium, Aug. 25, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Fortis:
-- First half 2005 net profit before results on divestments: -- Total net profit before results on divestments up 34% from EUR 1,571 million to EUR 2,100 million; up 33% per share to EUR 1.64 -- Banking net profit before results on divestments up 37%, from EUR 1,082 million to EUR 1,482 million -- Total revenues up 9% -- Costs remained flat -- Lower impairments on loans -- Insurance net profit before results on divestments up 21% from EUR 564 million to EUR 684 million -- Total gross inflow Life +34% to EUR 5,359 million -- Gross written premiums Non-life (excluding Assurant) up 2% to EUR 2,688 million -- Non-life combined ratio improved substantially, from 98% to 94% -- First half 2005 net profit up 18% to EUR 2,543 million compared with the very strong first half of 2004; earnings per share up 17% to EUR 1.98 -- Second quarter net profit before results on divestments amounted to EUR 1,056 million, up 1% compared to the exceptionally strong first quarter -- Interim dividend per share amounts to EUR 0.52 in cash
Consolidated Quarterly Report http://hugin.info/134212/R/1008344/155821.pdf