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Results of Coface SA at 30/09/14: Coface continues to progress on a path of growth and profitability
Press release
Paris, 29 October 2014
Changes in % expressed in comparison to the first nine months of 2013
, CEO of the Coface Group said:
Group consolidated turnover was EUR1,072.0 million at the end of the first nine months of 2014. The increase in turnover (+1.8% on a comparable basis and -0.4% at current scope and exchange rate) is due to increased new contracts production (+8% compared to 30 September 2013) and still high client loyalty, with a policy retention rate of 91.9%.
Turnover growth is heading in the right direction in emerging markets and in North America, with these zones contributing most to the Group's development.
Coface is rolling out its new commercial organisation and continues to strengthen its sales processes to make these more effective, particularly in Western Europe and in Northern Europe.
The planned introduction of innovative offers and services continues: (targeted at SMEs) launched last March is now available in eight countries.
Current operating income rose 28.2% to EUR164.0 million and net income (group share) was up 36.1%
to EUR113.6 million, excluding restated items .
This performance is a consequence of the Group's rigorous risk management and cost control.
The loss ratio after reinsurance fell by 5.9 points compared to last year and stood at 49.7% at the end of the first nine months of the year.
The cost ratio after reinsurance remained quasi-stable at 27.6% (+0.6 points ), and the rise in overheads is less than the increase in premiums.
In total, the combined ratio after reinsurance improved by 5.2 points to 77.4%.
At 30 September 2014, total IFRS equity of the group totalled EUR1,709.5 million. The change in IFRS equity is explained mainly by positive net income of EUR103.1 million, reduced by the distribution of special dividend of EUR227 million in 2Q.
Coface issued subordinated debt of EUR380 million in 1Q, enabling it to strengthen its regulatory equity and optimise its capital structure.
Following this transaction, the rating agencies Fitch and Moody's confirmed the IFS ratings that they attribute to the Group: respectively AA- and A2, stable outlook.
The return on average tangible equity (RoATE ) was 9.6% at the end of the first nine months of the year, up 1.2 points compared to the level observed at the end of 2013.
The economic recovery forecast for 2014 is confirmed, even if it is slower than initially expected by the markets.
Coface expects worldwide growth of 2.8%, i.e. 0.2 points more than in 2013. In this environment, the profitable organic growth strategy based on innovative marketing efforts and the rollout of more effective sales processes enable the Group to confirm its financial guidance for 2014:
17 February 2015: publication of 2014 annual results
This press release as well as the integral regulatory information of Coface SA are available on the Group's website http://www.coface.com/Investors
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