Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 of the Listing RulesZurichApril 28, 2023

Zurich confirms strong financial position

  • Financial Condition Report 2022 underscores Group’s financial strength
  • Swiss Solvency Test (SST) ratio increases to 267%, benefiting from rising interest rates
  • Robust balance sheet reflects strong underlying capital generation
  • Zurich maintains excellent financial strength ratings; Moody’s upgrades its outlook

Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) has published its Financial Condition Report 2022, reaffirming the strong financial position and robust balance sheet of the Group.

The Group Swiss Solvency Test (SST) ratio was 267% as per January 1, 20231, up from 212% a year earlier. This reflects the rise in interest rates across all currencies and strong underlying capital generation.

Zurich also maintained its strong rating level. As of April 2023, the Insurance Financial Strength Rating of Zurich Insurance Company Ltd, the main operating entity of the Group, was rated ‘AA/Stable’ by S&P Global Ratings, ‘Aa3/positive by Moody’s, and ‘A+ (Superior)/Stable’ by AM Best. AM Best Issuer Credit Rating was ‘aa–/positive’. On January 13, 2023, Moody’s changed the Zurich Insurance Company Ltd rating outlook from ‘Aa3/stable’ to ‘Aa3/positive’, positioning the company as one of the first European insurers to approach the Aa2 level. Insurance financial strength ratings evaluate the ability of insurance companies to repay senior policyholder claims and obligations in a timely manner.

These ratings are a result of Zurich’s strong and stable profitability, balanced business mix, disciplined capital management and reduced exposure to interest rate and credit risks. Zurich’s target is to maintain capital consistent with an “AA” financial strength rating, which translates into an SST ratio target of 160% or above.

The Financial Condition Report is a regulatory disclosure required by law and specified by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA. It provides comprehensive information about the solvency and financial strength of the Group.

It includes information about business performance, governance, Zurich’s risk profile, valuation for solvency purposes and a description of how the Group manages capital.

1 The Swiss Solvency Test (SST) ratio as of January 1, 2023, is calculated based on the Group’s internal model, which is subject to the review and approval of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA.

Contacts

Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) is a leading multi-line insurer serving people and businesses in more than 200 countries and territories. Founded 150 years ago, Zurich is transforming insurance. In addition to providing insurance protection, Zurich is increasingly offering prevention services such as those that promote wellbeing and enhance climate resilience.

Reflecting its purpose to ‘create a brighter future together,’ Zurich aspires to be one of the most responsible and impactful businesses in the world. It is targeting net-zero emissions by 2050 and has the highest-possible ESG rating from MSCI. In 2020, Zurich launched the Zurich Forest project to support reforestation and biodiversity restoration in Brazil.

The Group has about 60,000 employees and is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. Zurich Insurance Group Ltd (ZURN), is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and has a level I American Depositary Receipt (ZURVY) program, which is traded over-the-counter on OTCQX. Further information is available at www.zurich.com.

Disclaimer and cautionary statement
Certain statements in this document are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements that are predictions of or indicate future events, trends, plans or objectives of Zurich Insurance Group Ltd or the Zurich Insurance Group (the Group). Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the Group’s targeted profit, return on equity targets, expenses, pricing conditions, dividend policy and underwriting and claims results, as well as statements regarding the Group’s understanding of general economic, financial and insurance market conditions and expected developments. Undue reliance should not be placed on such statements because, by their nature, they are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and can be affected by other factors that could cause actual results and plans and objectives of Zurich Insurance Group Ltd or the Group to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements (or from past results). Factors such as (i) general economic conditions and competitive factors, particularly in key markets; (ii) the risk of a global economic downturn, in the financial services industries in particular; (iii) performance of financial markets; (iv) levels of interest rates and currency exchange rates; (v) frequency, severity and development of insured claims events; (vi) mortality and morbidity experience; (vii) policy renewal and lapse rates; (viii) increased litigation activity and regulatory actions; and (ix) changes in laws and regulations and in the policies of regulators may have a direct bearing on the results of operations of Zurich Insurance Group Ltd and its Group and on whether the targets will be achieved. Specifically in relation with the COVID-19 related statements, such statements were made on the basis of circumstances prevailing at a certain time and on the basis of specific terms and conditions (in particular applicable exclusions) of insurance policies as written and interpreted by the Group and may be subject to regulatory, legislative, governmental and litigation-related developments affecting the extent of potential losses covered by a member of the Group or potentially exposing the Group to additional losses if terms or conditions are retroactively amended by way of legislative or regulatory action. Zurich Insurance Group Ltd undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.

All references to ‘Farmers Exchanges’ mean Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange, Truck Insurance Exchange and their subsidiaries and affiliates. The three Exchanges are California domiciled interinsurance exchanges owned by their policyholders with governance oversight by their Boards of Governors. Farmers Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries are appointed as the attorneys-in-fact for the three Exchanges and in that capacity provide certain non-claims services and ancillary services to the Farmers Exchanges. Neither Farmers Group, Inc., nor its parent companies, Zurich Insurance Company Ltd and Zurich Insurance Group Ltd, have any ownership interest in the Farmers Exchanges. Financial information about the Farmers Exchanges is proprietary to the Farmers Exchanges, but is provided to support an understanding of the performance of Farmers Group, Inc. and Farmers Reinsurance Company.

It should be noted that past performance is not a guide to future performance. Please also note that interim results are not necessarily indicative of full year results.

Persons requiring advice should consult an independent adviser.

This communication does not constitute an offer or an invitation for the sale or purchase of securities in any jurisdiction.

THIS COMMUNICATION DOES NOT CONTAIN AN OFFER OF SECURITIES FOR SALE IN THE UNITED STATES; SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES ABSENT REGISTRATION OR EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION, AND ANY PUBLIC OFFERING OF SECURITIES TO BE MADE IN THE UNITED STATES WILL BE MADE BY MEANS OF A PROSPECTUS THAT MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ISSUER AND THAT WILL CONTAIN DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY AND MANAGEMENT, AS WELL AS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.