Zurich posts record earnings, strong delivery sets the pace for new plan, raises dividend
- Record profit, ROE and cash remittances: Group business operating profit (BOP) of USD 7.8 billion, return on equity (Core ROE1) at 24.6%, cash remittances at USD 7.1 billion
- Sustainable earnings growth: Adjusted Earnings per share2 at USD 42.2, up 10%, net income attributable to shareholders at USD 5.8 billion
- Property & Casualty (P&C) BOP up 8% to USD 4.2 billion and improved combined ratio of 94.2%
- Life BOP at USD 2.2 billion driven by strong momentum in the unit-linked and protection businesses
- Farmers BOP reaches USD 2.3 billion, showing strong underlying growth; Farmers Exchanges3 combined ratio improves to 91.4%
- Very strong capital position: Swiss Solvency Test (SST) ratio at 252%4
- Attractive dividend: proposed dividend increase of 8% to CHF 28 per share
- Board nomination: Thomas Jordan nominated for election to Board of Directors
Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) delivered record results, driven by strong momentum in all areas of the business, with P&C and Life achieving their highest-ever business operating profits and the Farmers Exchanges3 lowering their combined ratio by 12 percentage points in just one year. This strong set of results together with Zurich’s track record of consistent delivery position the company strongly at the beginning of the new three-year cycle.
The Group’s attractive dividend policy is confirmed by proposing a dividend of CHF 28 per share, an increase of 8%. Over the last eight years, Zurich has distributed more than CHF 28 billion to its shareholders in cash dividends and share buybacks contributing to an industry-leading total shareholder return of 16% per year.5
All our businesses delivered an outstanding performance in 2024. P&C and Life posted their best-ever results and Farmers grew profitably. We continue to experience positive rate momentum in our commercial business and a healthy pricing environment in retail, positioning us strongly at the start of the new cycle for which we have already set our most ambitious targets yet. This reinforces our ability to execute and deliver on our plans and our commitment to create consistent long-term value for all our stakeholders.
Mario Greco, Group Chief Executive Officer
in USD billions, for the 12 months ended December 31, 2024, unless otherwise stated
(For a more comprehensive set of financial highlights see full media release in PDF)
BOP
7.8 2023: 7.4 Change in USD: 5%NIAS
5.8 2023: 4.4 Change in USD: 34%Core ROE1
24.6% 2023: 23.0% Change: 1.6ptsAdjusted EPS (in USD)2
42.2 2023: 38.5 Change: 10%Read full media release
This is only an excerpt. Please read the full media release here.
Media release (Download PDF)
1 Previously referred to as BOPAT ROE.
2 Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) substitutes actual net capital gains and losses with net capital gains expected under long term market assumptions (~USD 0.8 billion). Full-year 2024 EPS on a reported basis was USD 40.2. Core EPS, which is based on business operating profit after tax (BOPAT), was USD 40.1 in the full-year 2024.
3 Zurich Insurance Group has no ownership interest in the Farmers Exchanges. Farmers Group, Inc. (FGI), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Group, and certain of its subsidiaries, provide certain non-claims and ancillary services to the Farmers Exchanges as their attorney-in-fact and receive fees for their services.
4 Estimated Swiss Solvency Test (SST) ratio as of December 31, 2024, calculated based on the Group’s internal model approved by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA. The SST ratio as of December 31 has to be filed with FINMA by end of April in the subsequent year and is subject to review by FINMA.
5 Annualized TSR in USD from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2024.
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Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) is a leading global multi-line insurer founded more than 150 years ago, which has grown into a business serving more than 75 million customers in more than 200 countries and territories, while delivering industry-leading total shareholder returns.
Reflecting its purpose to ‘create a brighter future together,’ Zurich offers protection services that go beyond traditional insurance, to support its customers in building resilience. Since 2020, the Zurich Forest project supports reforestation and biodiversity restoration in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest.
The Group has more than 63,000 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, underwriting and claims results, business initiatives (including, but not limited to, sustainability matters), 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, policies, initiatives 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, and the possibility of conflict between different governmental standards and regulatory regimes may have a direct bearing on the results of operations of Zurich Insurance Group Ltd and the Group and on whether the targets will be achieved. 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 certain of 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.
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