Printed from BusinessInsurance.com

Axa reports lower 2018 profit after IPO costs, natural disasters

Posted On: Feb. 21, 2019 7:36 AM CST

Axa SA

(Reuters) — Net income at Axa SA, Europe’s second-biggest insurer, fell sharply as a result of charges related to its U.S. unit’s initial public offering and a spate of natural disasters, although Axa hoped for higher earnings this year.

Its 2018 profit fell 66% from a year earlier to €2.14 billion ($2.42 billion), below the €2.47 billion expected by analysts polled by Infront Data for Reuters.

The company had to book a €3 billion write-down on the value of its U.S. unit Axa Equitable, which was listed in May 2018 at a price below its worth in Axa’s books.

The company also had to book costs related to the restructuring of its Swiss business and to the $15 billion acquisition of XL Group Ltd.

Under Chief Executive Thomas Buberl, Axa is undergoing a deep restructuring aimed at making the French group more international and stronger on health and property and damage insurance.

Natural disasters cost Axa about €2 billion in 2018, of which €600 million corresponded to Hurricane Michael in the U.S. and wildfires in California during the fourth quarter.

“In terms of natural catastrophes, this was a year like we see every 10 years,” Chief Financial Officer Gerald Harlin told reporters.

He maintained the company’s targets for underlying earnings per share to rise by 3% to 7% this year and next year.

Earnings rose 3% in 2018, while Axa also raised its dividend by 6% to €1.34 per share.