1st Quarter Results
Financial highlights
· Operating profit from ongoing operations1 of £107.5 million for the first quarter 2013, up 32.9% (first quarter 2012: £80.9 million)
· Gross written premium for ongoing operations 4.5% lower reflecting competitive market conditions in UK personal lines, partially offset by growth in International
· Combined operating ratio2 for ongoing operations of 98.0% for the first quarter 2013, an improvement of 6.5 percentage points against the first quarter 2012 (104.5%) driven by continued prior year reserve releases and lower claims from weather events
· Annualised return on tangible equity3 from ongoing operations of 12.3% for the first quarter 2013 (first quarter 2012: 7.7%; pro forma4 full year 2012: 13.4%)
· Net asset value per share of 195.3 pence and tangible net asset value per share of 166.0 pence (31 December 2012: 189.1 pence and 161.0 pence, respectively). Tangible net asset value per share of 158.0 pence after deducting the 2012 final dividend of 8 pence per share
Strategic and operational highlights
· Continued momentum in pricing and claims initiatives, contributing to improved underwriting result, including significant prior year reserve releases
· Actions relating to the £100 million gross annual cost savings in 2014 on track. Continue to pursue initiatives to improve efficiency further
· New customer propositions and refreshed advertising campaigns for Direct Line, Churchill and Green Flag
· Good growth in the International division, particularly Germany, and Commercial full-cycle eTrading now live