August 3, 2023
published at 7:00 AM CEST
Thomas Buberl
Chief Executive Officer of AXA
AXA delivered another good set of results in the first half of 2023, reflecting the strength of our business model. We delivered robust growth in technical lines and achieved an 8%**** increase in underlying earnings per share and a return on equity of 16.6%.
We remain focused on executing our strategy, built on two pillars balanced between Commercial and Retail businesses. In P&C Commercial lines, premiums were up 9% and in P&C Retail lines, premiums were up 5%, both benefiting from a favorable pricing environment. We also continued to see good business dynamics in Employee Benefits, and a high-quality mix in our Life & Health Retail business. Today’s announcement****** of the acquisition of Laya, a leading health insurer in Ireland, will further strengthen our business.
Our distinctive franchise generated Euro 4.1 billion in underlying earnings, reflecting strong operational performance across our businesses and our ability to deliver consistent results despite a volatile environment. We continue to take actions to sustain attractive margins, including through disciplined pricing. We are on track to achieve our Group underlying earnings target for the year and we are confident in our capacity to deliver long-term revenue and profit growth.
The Group has further strengthened its balance sheet with a Solvency II ratio of 235% driven by operating capital generation and disciplined ALM that will further reduce our sensitivity to financial risks. Our asset allocation remains prudent and diversified.
We recently announced ambitious new climate targets. For the first time, the Group set decarbonization targets on its P&C Insurance portfolio. We will continue working together with our clients and stakeholders, deploying our resources to support the transition to a low-carbon economy.
I would like to thank all our colleagues, agents and partners for their commitment and support, as well as our customers for their continued trust.
NBV), Present Value of Expected Premiums (
PVEP) and New Business Value Margin (
NBV Margin) is on a comparable basis (constant forex, scope and methodology), unless otherwise indicated.
APMs). A reconciliation from APMs underlying earnings and combined ratio to the most directly reconcilable line item, subtotal or total in the financial statements of the corresponding period is provided on pages 16 and 17 of AXA’s Half-Year 2023 Activity Report. APMs underlying return on equity and underlying earnings per share are reconciled to the financial statements in the table set forth on page 29 of AXA’s Half-Year 2023 Activity report. The above mentioned and other non-GAAP financial measures used in this press release are defined in the Glossary set forth on pages 31 to 36 of AXA’s Half-Year 2023 Activity Report.
AXA publishes 1H22 and FY22 financial information under IFRS17 and IFRS9 accounting standards and provides 2023 Group Underlying Earnings Target,available on AXA’s website (www.axa.com). This 2023 Group Underlying Earnings Target’s assumptions are updated by the section titled
Outlookin this press release (as updated, the
2023 Target) and the 2023 Target is subject to the disclaimer on forward-looking statements below. Because the 2023 Target is provided exceptionally to enable analysts and investors to better assess the Group’s underlying earnings trajectory in 2023 in connection with the implementation of IFRS17/9, it is not expected or intended that similar guidance will be issued in future periods beyond 2023, nor that such guidance will be updated, except as required by law. Neither the 2023 Target nor any information related thereto (including but not limited to its assumptions) has been audited.
AXA accelerates the development of its Health strategy in Europe with the acquisition of Layapublished on August 3, 2023, and available on AXA’s website (www.axa.com).
Investor Relations team
Axa Media Relations