Suncorp’s life changes help first half result
Suncorp's moves around its life insurance products has helped drive the Queensland-based company to a net profit after tax (NPAT) of $530 million for the six months to 31 December 2015, down from the $631 million reported for the first half of 2015.
The company told the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) that profit after tax from business lines was $544 million.
Commenting on the result, Suncorp chairman, Ziggy Switkowski, said the half year net profit after tax of $530 million demonstrated the benefits of a financial services conglomerate with the Banking and Life operations delivering improved underlying profits at a time when General Insurance earnings had been impacted by external headwinds and operational issues.
The company's ASX announcement said Suncorp Life's net profit after tax for the half year was $53 million with the underlying profit increasing over 10 per cent to $58 million.
It said the profit after tax was impacted by investment market volatility with actual returns being lower than longer-term assumptions.
"Life's underlying profit has stabilised following the revision of key assumptions in 2014," the announcement said. "Overall claims and lapse experience was $8 million favourable. Life's total in-force annual premiums are up 5.2 per cent reflecting Life's continued focus on retention and value over volume, ensuring new business is written on a more sustainable footing."
Recommended for you
T. Rowe Price believes Australian growth is successfully managing to shrug off consumer weakness, but the firm’s multi-asset team is not yet positive enough to increase its underweight position.
Iress has issued an update denying the validity of “certain statements” made by an alleged threat actor, following a cyber incident last weekend.
The latest budget papers have outlined a $10 million provision for ASIC greenwashing enforcement activity as well as funds for a sustainable labelling regime to be partially met by industry levies.
Betashares has expanded its fixed income solutions with the launch of a new ETF offering exposure to subordinated bonds issued by the big four Australian banks.