9 November 2016 For immediate release
Novae Group plc
Trading Update for the period ended 30 September 2016
Novae Group plc ("Novae" or "the Group"), the specialist Lloyd's insurance group, today releases its trading update for the period ended 30 September 2016.
Overview
- Gross written premium increased by 15.8% to £717.4 million (Q3 2015: £619.5 million)
- Rates on renewal business reduced by 3.2% across the whole account
- Strong investment return for the first nine months of 2016: 3.0% (Q3 2015: 0.1%)
- Continued prevalence of large individual and catastrophe loss events impacting contribution from underwriting in H2
Commenting today, Chief Executive Officer Matthew Fosh said:
"Our trading experience during the first half of the year continued into the third quarter, with a higher incidence of larger individual risk and catastrophe losses partially offset by a strong investment performance. Our focus on disciplined underwriting remains, continually reshaping our portfolio to focus on those underwriting areas where we have a demonstrable competitive advantage."
| Gross written premium to 30 September (£millions) | 2016 | 2015 | % change |
| Property | 360.1 | 296.4 | 21.5% |
| Casualty | 152.9 | 138.1 | 10.7% |
| MAP | 204.4 | 185.0 | 10.5% |
| Total | 717.4 | 619.5 | 15.8% |
Gross written premium for the nine months to 30 September 2016 was £717.4 million (Q3 2015: £619.5 million), an increase of 15.8% and 9.0% at constant rates of exchange.
Premium growth was achieved across all divisions as the Group continues to invest in classes of business where rates remain favourable. This was offset by reduced premium from a number of poorer performing classes which were exited during the final quarter of 2015, including agriculture reinsurance and credit & surety reinsurance. Additionally, in the second half of 2016 the Group discontinued its international liability unit.
As previously reported, Special Purpose Syndicate 6129 has continued to be a significant contributor to the growth in the Property Division in the first nine months of the year. The Group's "Invest" classes of Cyber, UK Property, Political & Credit and Marine also found opportunities for profitable growth.
As expected, rates on renewal business continue to experience pressure across the majority of classes; down by 3.2% in aggregate for the period ended 30 September 2016.
The Marine, Aviation and Political Risk division has experienced the most significant rating pressure with energy, aviation reinsurance and marine reinsurance the most severely impacted. Property reinsurance rates have reduced by 5% over the period, although this represents a slightly improved position from earlier in the year. Rates across property insurance classes experienced low single digit declines. Delegated authority lines that focus on homeowner and smaller commercial risks have generally avoided some of the more significant rate decreases. Cyber rates continue to exhibit increases, reflecting growth in product demand.
As reported at the half year, the Group is not immune to the increased prevalence of losses affecting the industry in 2016. For the year to date, Novae has experienced an increase in losses from natural catastrophes compared with 2015. There were also a number of large risk losses arising in the current accident year, including the Jubilee oil field loss, the SpaceX Amos 6 satellite loss, and two product recall events. The Group's full year result will also be impacted by Hurricane Matthew with current loss estimates between US $10 million and US $15 million.
Investment return for the first nine months to 30 September 2016 was £39.9 million, on average assets of £1,325.9 million, equivalent to a pre-tax return of 3.0% (Q3 2015: £0.7 million, on £1,216.0 million and 0.1% respectively). The investment return benefitted from a strong performance in the fixed income portfolio, which aims to hedge the Group's interest rate exposure. The asset allocation and resulting investment risk remains in line with target appetite despite continued market volatility.
Disclaimer
The financial information contained in this release is based on unaudited management information. Certain statements made in this trading update are forward-looking. They are based on current expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events, results or outcomes to differ materially from any expected future events, results or outcomes referred to in these forward-looking statements.
For further information:
Matthew Fosh/Reeken Patel - Novae Group plc - 020 7050 9000
David Haggie/Rebecca Young - Haggie Partners - 020 7562 4444
