PARIS: AXA, Europe's second-biggest insurer, posted a 12 percent increase in 2014 net profit on lower expenses, voicing confidence in its cost-cutting target for this year.
The group posted a 2014 net profit of 5.024 billion euros ($5.7 billion). Revenue rose 1 percent to 91.988 billion, up 3 percent on a comparable basis, driven by growth in the group's life and savings businesses, and asset management.
Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S had on average forecast net profit of 5.144 billion euros and revenue of 90.727 billion.
"As we look ahead, we will continue to diversify our geographical footprint and business mix, as well as further improve our operational efficiency, which should help us perform well even in a low interest rate environment," Chief Executive Henri de Castries said in a statement.
With low interest rates squeezing insurers' revenue from their vast bond holdings, AXA has sought to boost growth in fast-growing emerging markets where many people currently remain uninsured, targeting acquisitions in Africa most recently.
AXA's 2014 earnings were boosted by a 225 million euro positive impact from the increase in the accounting value of financial assets due to low interest rates and foreign exchange fluctuations.
The bottom line also benefited from 300 million euros in cost cuts, with more in the works this year under a five-year strategic plan, Chief Financial Officer Gerald Harlin said.
"We've done 1.6 billion euros out of 1.9 billion, so we are very confident to achieve our plan of 1.9 billion euros by the end of this year," Harlin told reporters on a conference call.
Harlin said that the weaker euro had a limited impact on the group's results last year, but would offer a boost for this year amid a stronger US dollar and Swiss franc.
The company proposed a 2014 dividend of 0.95 euros a share, up 17 percent and corresponding to a payout ratio of 45 percent. The dividend topped analyst’s estimates of 0.89 euros.
Comments
Comments are closed.