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Press Release |
Euler Hermes 2017 half-year results:
Sustained profitability, improved commercial developments in Europe
PARIS - 27 July 2017
- Revenues at €1,286.0 million, down 1.1pt at constant exchange rates
- Net combined ratio at 78.8%, down 1.0pt year on year
- Ordinary operating income at €214.1 million, up 6.4% year on year
- Net income at €163.8 million, up 11.0% year on year on a like-for-like basis
- Estimated Solvency ratio: 165%
"In the second quarter, Euler Hermes again proved its robustness and agility, with a net combined ratio at 78.8%, while paving the way for a return to turnover growth", said Wilfried Verstraete, chairman of the Euler Hermes board of management. "Revenues still lag behind ambition, but as noted in Q1, we see some encouraging signs on new business and rates. Northern Europe, France, and the multinational segment are posting positive premium development, and Germany is stabilizing premium income. While revenues in non-mature markets are still affected by our previously-revised underwriting risk stance, profitability has been restored. Consequently, our global net loss ratio is at its lowest level since Q3 2015. This strong performance enables us to continue our digital transformation and investment in service innovations that bring us closer to customers. This includes our recently launched EH Sync online broker portal."
- Results for the first six months of 2017
- Key figures
| P&L information | 30 June 2017 | 30 June 2016 (published) | Variation vs. 30 June 2016 | |
| € million | ||||
| Earned premiums | 1,088.8 | 1,097.1 | -8.3 | -0.8% |
| Service revenues | 197.2 | 204.0 | -6.8 | -3.3% |
| Turnover | 1,286.0 | 1,301.1 | -15.1 | -1.2% |
| Net technical result | 160.6 | 151.9 | 8.7 | 5.7% |
| Net investment income | 53.4 | 49.3 | 4.1 | 8.3% |
| Ordinary operating income | 214.1 | 201.3 | 12.8 | 6.4% |
| Non-ordinary operating income & expenses | -1.4 | 17.8 | -19.2 | NA |
| Operating income | 212.7 | 219.1 | -6.4 | -2.9% |
| Net income, Group share | 163.8 | 170.0 | -6.3 | -3.7% |
| Net claims ratio | 51.8% | 53.3% | -1.5 | pt. |
| Net expense ratio | 27.1% | 26.6% | 0.5 | pt |
| Net combined ratio | 78.8% | 79.8% | -1.0 | pt |
| Balance sheet information | 30 June 2017 | 31 December 2016 (published) | Variation vs. 31 December 2016 | |
| € million | ||||
| Total assets | 6,459.3 | 6,505.9 | -46.6 | -0.7% |
| Shareholders' equity, Group share | 2,562.1 | 2,622.4 | -60.3 | -2.3% |
| Total financial liabilities | 252.2 | 252.2 | 0.0 | 0.0% |
- Turnover
At €1,286.0 million at the end of June, turnover is down 1.2% compared to half-year 2016 published figures. Foreign exchange impact is overall neutral at Group level. Topline is down, at -1.1% at constant FX, with earned premiums decreasing by -0.7% and service revenues by -3.4%.
| Turnover | 30 June 2017 | 30 June 2016 | Variation % | 30 June 2016 | Variation % |
| € million | (published) | (1) | (1) | ||
| Regions | |||||
| Germany, Austria, Switzerland (DACH) | 347,4 | 353,3 | -1,7% | 353,2 | -1,6% |
| France | 209,1 | 208,7 | 0,2% | 209,4 | -0,1% |
| Northern Europe | 273,1 | 269,1 | 1,5% | 263,8 | 3,5% |
| Mediterranean Countries, Middle East & Africa | 168,8 | 178,2 | -5,3% | 179,2 | -5,8% |
| Americas | 173,2 | 167,7 | 3,2% | 174,3 | -0,6% |
| Asia Pacific | 69,3 | 75,1 | -7,7% | 77,7 | -10,9% |
| Inward from non-consolidated OEs and other (2) | 45,1 | 49,0 | -8,0% | 43,3 | 4,2% |
| Euler Hermes Group | 1 286,0 | 1 301,1 | -1,2% | 1 300,8 | -1,1% |
| Area contribution : After intra-region eliminations & before inter-region eliminations | |||||
| (1) At constant exchange rates and proforma: A new collection business model was set up starting January 2017, impacting intragroup flows within regions (no impact at consolidated level) | |||||
| (2) Corporate entities + inter-region eliminations | |||||
European growth has resumed due to specialty lines and encouraging commercial development: Northern Europe posted a +3.5% growth proforma and at constant foreign exchange, the development of specialty lines in France is in line with expectations, and DACH is progressively regaining ground quarter after quarter. Non mature markets such as Asia and the Middle East are significantly affected by our previously-revised underwriting stance.
- Operating income
The net combined ratio is at 78.8%, improved by 1.0pt compared to last year; the net technical result is consequently up by +€8.7 million.
The attritional claims are at a low level, after a continuous decrease during 2016, and the overdue levels have improved significantly in emerging markets. At the end of June, the net loss ratio for all attachment years stands at 51.8%, its lowest level since September 2015.
The net expense ratio of 27.1% increased (+0.5pt) due to lagging topline growth and internal investments in digital and process transformations, where underlying productivity gains are not yet visible.
Net investment income is €53.4 million, up +8.3% compared to last year.
As a result, ordinary operating income stands at €214.1 million, up +6.4% and driven mostly by the improved net loss ratio.
Including non-ordinary items, total operating income is €212.7 million in the first six months of 2017, compared to €219.1 million for the same period in 2016, which included gains from the sale of the Bürgel entities in Germany (€24.3 million before tax).
- Net income
Net income stands at €163.8 million, down -3.7% year-on-year. The deviation is explained by exceptional gains realized last year on the sale of Bürgel, partly compensated by the improved net combined ratio this year. On a like-for-like basis, net income improved by 11.0%.
- Investment portfolio
At €4,379 million at the end of June 2017, the market value of the Group investment portfolio decreased by €145 million vs December 2016, essentially driven by decreased bonds and loans market value.
- Solvency II Capitalization
The estimated Solvency II economic ratio for Euler Hermes Group was 165%[1] at end of June 2017. The ratio was 166% at end of December 2016.
- German export business
On March 3, 2017, PriceWaterhouseCoopers GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft (« PwC ») and Euler Hermes Deutschland AG ("EH AG") signed three amendments to reallocate business services within the German export support scheme. Following the closing of deal as of July 1, 2017, Euler Hermes will be fully in charge of the Export Credit Guarantee ("ECG"') service activity and the Untied Loan Guarantee ("ULG") service activity, while PwC will remain in charge the Investment Guarantee ("IG") service activity.
The transfer of PwC employees working in the fields of ECG and ULG to EH AG, and know-how took effect on July 1, 2017.
- Outlook
The world's economic recovery is finally picking up, especially in the U.S. However, high private and public indebtedness and political uncertainty are risks to be taken into account. Moreover, continued high payment delays and a rise in large insolvencies demonstrate that global economic momentum is not without its challenges for corporates.
Euler Hermes will continue to accompany its customers in this uncertain environment, and also tightly monitor its risks and remain alert to signals on the claims front. In parallel, Euler Hermes will continue to increase its digital transformation and further improve customer service, our first priority.
- Results for the first six months of 2017
| P&L | 2Q 2017 | 1Q 2017 | 4Q 2016 | 3Q 2016 | 2Q 2016 | 1Q 2016 | Variation vs. 2Q 2016 | |
| € million | ||||||||
| ------- Published data -------- | ||||||||
| Earned premiums | 533.9 | 554.8 | 542.4 | 530.7 | 540.4 | 556.7 | -6.5 | -1.2% |
| Service revenues | 95.4 | 101.8 | 98.0 | 97.7 | 100.4 | 103.6 | -5.0 | -4.9% |
| Turnover | 629.4 | 656.6 | 640.4 | 628.5 | 640.8 | 660.3 | -11.4 | -1.8% |
| Net technical result | 76.5 | 84.2 | 74.9 | 74.6 | 73.9 | 78.1 | 2.6 | 3.6% |
| Net investment income | 28.4 | 25.0 | 8.1 | 17.9 | 23.6 | 25.7 | 4.8 | 20.3% |
| Ordinary operating income | 104.9 | 109.2 | 83.0 | 92.5 | 97.5 | 103.8 | 7.4 | 7.6% |
| Non-ordinary operating income & expenses | -1.1 | -0.3 | -1.2 | -20.1 | -5.5 | 23.3 | 4.4 | na |
| Operating income | 103.8 | 108.9 | 81.8 | 72.4 | 92.0 | 127.2 | 11.9 | 12.9% |
| Net income, Group share | 75.6 | 88.2 | 61.0 | 55.9 | 68.8 | 101.2 | 6.7 | 9.8% |
| Net claims ratio | 50.7% | 52.8% | 50.9% | 51.5% | 52.6% | 53.9% | -1.9 | pt. |
| Net expense ratio | 28.6% | 25.6% | 29.3% | 28.0% | 27.7% | 25.4% | 0.8 | pt |
| Net combined ratio | 79.3% | 78.4% | 80.1% | 79.5% | 80.3% | 79.3% | -1.0 | pt. |
GLOSSARY
Expense Ratio or Cost Ratio: contract acquisition expenses, administration expenses and service margin as a proportion of earned premiums. The service margin corresponds to service revenues less other ordinary operating income and expenses. It can be in "gross terms" i.e. before reinsurance,
or "net terms" which includes the reinsurance commission.
Claims Ratio: claims costs from all attachment years as a proportion of earned premiums. It can be in "gross terms" i.e. before reinsurance, or "net terms" which includes the part ceded to the reinsurers.
Combined Ratio: sum of the expense ratio and the claims ratio.
# # #
Financial and regulated information are available on Euler Hermes' website
http://www.eulerhermes.com/finance/
The financial documentation section includes the press release, the condensed consolidated financial statements and the presentation of the half-year results to analysts.
On Wednesday, July 26th, 2017, the Group Management Board of Euler Hermes (ELE.PA), a worldwide leader in credit insurance and in the areas of bonding, surety and collections, presented its consolidated results as of June 30th, 2017 to the Euler Hermes Supervisory Board. The results have been reviewed by the Audit Committee.
CONTACTS
| Euler Hermes Group Finance Director and Investor Relations | |
| Etienne Defraigne +33 (0)1 84 11 39 19 | |
| etienne.defraigne@eulerhermes.com | |
| Euler Hermes Group Barry Gardner +33 6 63 60 43 14 barry.gardner@eulerhermes.com | Publicis Consultants Antoine Lefort +33 6 11 72 76 95 antoine.lefort@consultants.publicis.fr |
Euler Hermes is the global leader in trade credit insurance and a recognized specialist in the areas of bonding, guarantees and collections. With more than 100 years of experience, the company offers business-to-business (B2B) clients financial services to support cash and trade receivables management. Its proprietary intelligence network tracks and analyzes daily changes in corporate solvency among small, medium and multinational companies active in markets representing 92% of global GDP. Headquartered in Paris, the company is present in over 50 countries with 5,800+ employees. Euler Hermes is a subsidiary of Allianz, listed on Euronext Paris (ELE.PA) and rated AA- by Standard & Poor's and Dagong Europe. The company posted a consolidated turnover of €2.6 billion in 2016 and insured global business transactions for €883 billion in exposure at the end of 2016.
Further information: www.eulerhermes.com, LinkedIn or Twitter @eulerhermes.
Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements: The statements contained herein may include statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements that are based on management's current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results. performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. In addition to statements which are forward-looking by reason of context. the words "may". "will". "should". "expects". "plans". "intends". "anticipates". "believes". "estimates". "predicts". "potential". or "continue" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Actual results. performance or events may differ materially from those in such statements due to. without limitation. (i) general economic conditions. including in particular economic conditions in the Euler Hermes Group's core business and core markets. (ii) performance of financial markets. including emerging markets. and including market volatility. liquidity and credit events (iii) the frequency and severity of insured loss events. including from natural catastrophes and including the development of loss expenses. (iv) persistency levels. (v) the extent of credit defaults. (vi) interest rate levels. (vii) currency exchange rates including the Euro/U.S. Dollar exchange rate. (viii) changing levels of competition. (ix) changes in laws and regulations. including monetary convergence and the European Monetary Union. (x) changes in the policies of central banks and/or foreign governments. (xi) the impact of acquisitions. including related integration issues. (xii) reorganization measures. and (xiii) general competitive factors. in each case on a local. regional. national and/or global basis. Many of these factors may be more likely to occur. or more pronounced. as a result of terrorist activities and their consequences.
The company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.
[1] Estimated Solvency II ratio: An updated press release shall be released if the ultimate Solvency II ratio deviates by more than 2 points compared to the estimate.
