Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 of the Listing RulesZurichFebruary 22, 2024

Zurich posts record profit; raises dividend; expects EPS growth to exceed 10% over cycle

  • Group business operating profit (BOP) up 21% to a record USD 7.4 billion; highest ever return on equity (BOPAT ROE) at 23.1%
  • Earnings per share up 12% in USD and 20% on an adjusted basis1; net income attributable to shareholders rises 10% to USD 4.4 billion
  • Zurich reports strong growth across all businesses, and expects positive momentum to continue
  • P&C BOP grows 7% to USD 3.9 billion, up 10% on a like-for-like2 basis; combined ratio at 94.5%
  • Record-high Life BOP of USD 2.1 billion
  • Farmers BOP grows 10% to USD 2.3 billion; management actions drive Farmers Exchanges3 combined ratio in fourth quarter to 89.8%
  • Very strong capital position with Swiss Solvency Test (SST) ratio at 233%4
  • Proposed dividend increase of 8% to CHF 26 per share, supplemented by a share buyback of up to CHF 1.1 billion
  • John Rafter nominated for election to Board of Directors

In the first year of its 2023-2025 financial cycle, Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) posted its highest ever business operating profit (BOP) of USD 7.4 billion, strongly supported by an excellent performance by the Commercial Insurance business, a record performance in its Life business, and growth at Farmers. This result puts Zurich in an excellent position for further growth and allows the Group to return more than USD 5 billion to its shareholders.


icon quote

We delivered record returns in 2023, well ahead of all targets for 2023-2025, with particularly strong growth in P&C and Life and highly effective management actions at the Farmers Exchanges. I expect this positive momentum to continue and to achieve EPS growth above 10% over the cycle.

Mario Greco, Group Chief Executive Officer


Select financial highlights (unaudited)
in USD billions, for the 12 months ended December 31, 2023, unless otherwise stated
(For a more comprehensive set of financial highlights see full media release in PDF)
BOP
7.4 20225: 6.1 Change in USD6: 21%
NIAS
4.4 20225: 4.0 Change in USD6: 10%
BOPAT ROE
23.1% 20225: 17.8% Change in USD6: 5.3pts

Read full media release

This is only an excerpt. Please read the full media release here.

Media release (Download PDF)

1 The adjusted Earnings per Share (EPS) growth of 20% is based on the 2022 baseline EPS and the 2023 adjusted EPS. The 2022 baseline EPS assumes the achievement of the 5% EPS CAGR target for the 2020 to 2023 financial cycle (i.e., EPS of USD 32.1). The 2023 adjusted EPS (i.e., USD 38.5) substitutes actual net capital losses with net capital gains expected under long term market assumptions.
2 Like-for-like comparisons represent the change in local currencies and after adjusting for acquisitions and disposals and for the reclassification of Zurich Global Employee Benefit Solutions from Group Functions and Operations to Life.
3 Zurich Insurance Group has no ownership interest in the Farmers Exchanges. Farmers Group, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Group, provides certain non-claims services and ancillary services to the Farmers Exchanges as its attorney-in-fact and receives fees for its services.
4 Estimated Swiss Solvency Test (SST) ratio, calculated based on the Group’s internal model approved by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA. The SST ratio as of January 1 has to be filed with FINMA by end of April each year and is subject to review by FINMA.
5 The comparative figures as presented in this news release have been restated for IFRS 17. The restatement does not apply to Farmers Exchanges’ figures.
6 Parentheses around numbers represent an adverse variance.

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.