Interim Results
FBD HOLDINGS PLC
1 September 1999
INTERIM RESULTS
For the Half Year Ended 30th June 1999
HIGHLIGHTS - 1999 1998 Increase
EURO
Euro Euro %
000's '000's
* Gross
premiums written 87,314 75,111 +16%
* Operating profit 9,390 7,989 +18%
* Operating earnings
per share 18.47c 15.99c +16%
* Dividend per share 6.50c 5.65c +15%
HIGHLIGHTS - IR£ 1999 1998 Increase
IR£000's IR£000's %
* Gross premiums 68,765 59,155 +16%
written
* Operating profit 7,395 6,292 +18%
* Operating
earnings
per share 14.55p 12.59p +16%
* Dividend per 5.119p 4.45p +15%
share
Commenting on the results, Mr. Paul O'Callaghan, Chief
Executive, stated:
'We have continued to trade strongly in the period. Our
operating performance has been very satisfactory'.
For Reference:
FBD Holdings plc
Paul O'Callaghan, Chief Executive
Tel: 353 1 409 3200
Philip Fitzsimons,
Deputy Chief Executive
Tel: 353 1 409 3200
Murray Consultants:
Joe Murray / Grainne O'Brien
Tel: 353 1 661 4666
FBD HOLDINGS PLC
INTERIM STATEMENT
FBD Holdings plc is pleased to announce continuing strong
operating results for the half year ended 30th June 1999.
Profit & Loss Account
The Profit & Loss Account for the period has been prepared in
accordance with the recent amendment to FRS3 'Reporting
Financial Performance: Insurance Companies' and in accordance
with the SORP 'Accounting for Insurance Business'. (See
Accounts Preface Note on page 4). Results for previous
accounting periods have been restated on the new basis for
comparison purposes.
Operating Profits
Operating profits increased by 17.5% from Euro 7.989m
(IR£6.292m) to Euro 9.390m (IR£7.395m).
The profit figure reflects the improvement in our Technical
Insurance Account, reduced Investment Returns and broadly
similar Other Income/Other Charges, compared to the
corresponding 1998 period.
The improvement in the Technical Insurance Account is
attributable to a better underwriting outcome in the period,
with underwriting losses reducing from ?8.821m (IR£6.947m.)
to Euro 6.888m (IR£5.425m). This was brought about by a
lower loss ratio on our property account, which was partially
offset by a deterioration in liability business. Public
liability continues to present difficulties.
Premium income grew significantly. Gross written premiums at
Euro 87.314m (IR£68.765m) were up 16.2% on the 1998 half year
figures. This premium growth was achieved across all
business classes and reflects an increase in new business
volumes, higher insured values and revised premium rates in
selected risk categories.
The reduction in investment returns from Euro 12.912m
(IR£10.169m) to Euro 12.108m (IR£9.536m) mirrors the movement
to lower interest rates and lower equity returns in financial
markets in recent times. This trend places the focus for
insurance companies on underlying underwriting performance to
an increasing extent, which we have emphasised in the past.
Other income, amounting to Euro 5.079m (IR£4.0m), arises from
our non-underwriting businesses, namely, insurance/assurance
broking, IFSC activities and property investments in Ireland
and abroad. These businesses continue to perform
satisfactorily, with our Spanish investments having a
particularly successful year. We are also pleased with
progress to date on our Guild Street and Enterprise House
properties in the IFSC.
Our strong operating performance in the first half year
offset the negative impact of short-term fluctuations in
investment returns on the Group's net asset position. Net
assets were Euro 147.6m (IR£116.2m) at 30th June 1999
compared to Euro 148.2m (IR£116.7m) at the beginning of the
year. Unrealised losses on investments reflects the weaker
performance of the Irish Stock Market, particularly financial
stocks, during the period under review. Notwithstanding
this situation, the Group has been successful in maintaining
the 30% gain in net assets per share achieved in 1998.
Interim Dividend
The Directors have declared an interim ordinary dividend of
Euro 6.5c (IR5.119166p) compared to Euro 5.650334 (IR4.45p)
in 1998, an increase of 15%. As a result of the elimination
of the tax credit on dividends from 6th April 1999, there is
no tax credit attaching to the 1999 interim dividend. The
tax credit on the 1998 interim dividend amounted to Euro
0.698356 (IR0.55p).
The interim dividend will be paid on 22nd October 1999, to
shareholders on the Company's register at close of business
on 17th September 1999.
Outlook
The strong trading performance of the first 6 months has
continued into the second half year and we are confident that
it will be maintained.
Our businesses are being strengthened on an ongoing basis
through increased customer focus, through staff recruitment,
training and development and through investment in
technology.
Our margins are being kept under constant review and will be
adjusted where warranted.
We are looking forward to continuing our growth and
broadening our base of business in the new Millennium.
PREFACE NOTE TO ACCOUNTS FOR
HALF YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 1999
The Profit & Loss Account on page 5 is prepared in accordance
with the recent amendment to FRS3 'Reporting Financial
Performance: Insurance Companies', and in accordance with
the SORP 'Accounting for Insurance Business' published in
January 1999.
Accordingly, results for prior accounting periods have been
restated.
* Unrealised gains/losses on investments are now accounted
for in the Profit & Loss Account.
* Operating Profits are arrived at using a long-term rate
of return on investments.
* Short-term fluctuations are calculated and incorporated
as an adjustment figure in arriving at profit before taxation
Set out below is a table reconciling profit before taxation
as historically reported and operating profit on the new
basis.
Half year Half Year Year
Ended Ended Ended
30/6/99 30/6/98 31/12/98
IR£000's IR£000's IR£000's
Profit before taxation
as previously reported 16,916 9,396 16,693
Unrealised (losses)/
gains on investments (19,130) 18,192 22,397
_______ _______ _______
(Loss)/profit before
taxation - new basis (2,214) 27,588 39,090
Short term fluctuation
in investment return 9,609 (21,296) (26,495)
______ _______ _______
Operating profit -
new basis 7,395 6,292 12,595
====== ====== ======
Year Year
Ended Ended
31/12/97 31/12/96
IR£000's IR£000's
Profit before taxation
as previously reported 14,250 14,674
Unrealised (losses)/gains
on investments 9,694 2,902
______ ______
(Loss)/profit before
taxation - new basis 23,944 17,576
Short term fluctuation
in investment return (17,310) (6,818)
_______ _______
Operating profit -
new basis 6,634 10,758
====== ======
Representative bodies of the insurance industry believe that
this new accounting presentation, which reduces the impact of
market volatility on investment returns by including them in
the Profit & Loss Account on a long-term basis, gives a more
realistic picture of the ongoing operating performance.
FBD HOLDINGS PLC
GROUP PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
FOR THE HALF YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 1999
Half Year Year
Half Year Ended Ended
Ended 30/6/98 31/12/98
30/6/99 Restated Restated
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited)
IR£000's IR£000's IR£000's
Turnover 86,896 82,073 166,903
====== ====== =======
Balance on the
general business
technical account 2,280 1,699 3,012
Long term
investment return 9,536 10,169 20,601
Allocated
investment return
transferred
to the general
business technical
account (7,705) (8,646) (17,348)
Other income 4,000 4,437 8,904
Other charges (716) (1,367) (2,574)
_______ _______ _______
Operating profit 7,395 6,292 12,595
Short term fluctuations
in investment return (9,609) 21,296 26,495
_______ _______ _______
(Loss)/profit
before taxation (2,214) 27,588 39,090
Taxation credit/
(charge) 3,240 (6,224) (7,015)
_______ _______ _______
Profit after
taxation 1,026 21,364 32,075
Minority interests (165) (104) (60)
_______ _______ _______
Profit after
taxation and
minority interests 861 21,260 32,015
Dividends (2,123) (1,834) (4,505)
_______ _______ _______
Retained (loss)
/profit (1,262) 19,426 27,510
======= ======= =======
Pence Pence Pence
Earnings per 50p
ordinary share 2.08 51.74 77.22
====== ====== =====
Operating earnings
per 50p ordinary
share based on
long term
investment
return 14.55 12.59 25.13
===== ===== =====
Dividend per 50p
ordinary share 5.119166 4.45 10.35673
======== ===== ========
Net assets per 50p
ordinary share 267.04 253.38 268.8
======= ====== ======
FBD HOLDINGS PLC
GROUP BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 30TH JUNE 1999
As at As at
As at 30/6/98 31/12/98
30/6/99 Restated Restated
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited)
IR£000's IR£000's IR£000's
ASSETS
Investments 430,992 406,331 432,285
Reinsurers' share
of technical
provisions 42,686 38,022 44,392
Debtors 27,258 30,361 22,785
Other assets 21,487 20,616 23,070
Prepayments and
accrued income 9,505 17,354 10,770
______ ______ ______
TOTAL ASSETS 531,928 512,684 533,302
LIABILITIES
Technical
provisions (386,167) (356,231) (372,719)
Provision for other
risks and charges (9,700) (13,641) (13,948)
Creditors (19,837) (32,843) (29,885)
_______ ________ _______
NET ASSETS 116,224 109,969 116,750
======= ======= =======
CAPITAL AND
RESERVES
Ordinary Share
Capital 20,734 20,605 20,697
Share premium 3,707 3,388 3,623
Reserves 86,297 80,424 86,930
_______ _______ _______
ORDINARY
SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS 110,738 104,417 111,250
Preference share
capital 2,436 2,436 2,436
Minority interests 3,050 3,116 3,064
______ ______ ______
116,224 109,969 116,750
======= ======= =======
FBD HOLDINGS PLC
STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES
For the half year ended 30th June 1999
Half Year Year
Half Year Ended Ended
Ended 30/6/98 31/12/98
30/6/99 Restated Restated
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited)
IR£000's IR£000's IR£000's
Retained (loss)
/profit (1,262) 19,426 27,510
Exchange
translation 629 (245) (1,823)
adjustment _______ _______ _______
Total (losses)
/gains recognised
in period (633) 19,181 25,687
====== ====== ======
RECONCILIATION OF
MOVEMENT IN
ORDINARY
SHAREHOLDERS'
FUNDS
For the half year Half
ended 30th June 1999 Year Year
Half Year Ended Ended
Ended 30/6/98 31/12/98
30/6/99 Restated Restated
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited)
IR£000's IR£000's IR£000's
Profit after
taxation and
minority interests 861 21,260 32,015
Less: preference
dividends - - (209)
_______ ______ _______
Profit
attributable
to ordinary shareholders 861 21,260 31,806
Dividends (2,123) (1,834) (4,296)
New share capital
issued 121 237 564
Other recognised
gains/(losses) 629 (245) (1,823)
_______ _______ _______
(512) 19,418 26,251
Ordinary
shareholders'
funds at beginning
of period 111,250 84,999 84,999
_______ _______ _______
Ordinary
shareholders'
funds at end
of period 110,738 104,417 111,250
======= ======= =======