Allianz solvency ratio may drop below target amid pandemic
(Reuters) — German insurer Allianz said Tuesday that a key measure of capital may fall below the company's target floor level as it faces claims for disruption caused by the coronavirus crisis.
Allianz, which earlier reported a nearly 30% slump in first-quarter profit, is one of many European insurers warning about the outlook as clients claim for business interruption and canceled events, while demand for auto and travel insurance has fallen.
Its so-called solvency ratio dropped to 190% in the first quarter, down from 212% at the end of last year, and Chief Financial Officer Giulio Terzariol said it may fall below the insurer's 180% limit although this would not be a “big concern.”
Shares in Allianz were down 2.7% in late morning trading, at the bottom of the German DAX blue-chip index.
Net profit attributable to shareholders of €1.4 billion ($1.51 billion) in the first quarter was down from €2.0 billion a year earlier.
The insurer had already flagged the drop last month when it published preliminary figures. It also abandoned its profit target for the full year, blaming economic uncertainty resulting from the pandemic.
A slump in the property and casualty division, which insures homes and autos and against accidental injuries, may contribute to a 10% drop in the group's operating profit this year, Mr. Terzariol said.
“COVID-19 has aggravated operating conditions (there),” he said.
Allianz's combined ratio, a measure of profitability for the division, one of its highest revenue earners, worsened to 97.8% in the first quarter, up 4.1 percentage points from a year earlier. Readings below 100% indicate profitability.
More insurance and risk management news on the coronavirus crisis here.
