Half Year 2023 Earnings Press Release
Exhibit 99.1
PRESS
RELEASE
Aspen Reports Strong Financial Results for the First Six Months of 2023
- Net income increased by 352% to
$219 million (June 30, 2022 :$48 million ) - Operating income* increased by 47% to
$191 million (June 30, 2022 :$130 million ) - Annualized operating retuon average equity* of 22% (
June 30, 2022 : 14%) - Underwriting income increased by 33% to
$208 million (June 30, 2022 :$157 million ), resulting in a
combined ratio of 83.8% (June 30, 2022 : 88.2%) Aspen Capital Markets' total fee income increased by 28% to$61 million (June 30, 2022 :$47 million )- Net investment income increased by 46% to
$129 million (June 30, 2022 :$89 million )
CEO statement
We are pleased to report a strong set of results for the first half of 2023, which saw our operating income* and net income continue to increase, by 47% to
We are particularly encouraged to report another period of improved underwriting performance, with our reported combined ratio improving to 83.8% and underwriting income of
Our gross written premium was
Positive performance across Insurance, Reinsurance and Investments
Our diverse portfolio across our two underwriting segments, Insurance and Reinsurance, allows us to flexibly manage our business. Our underwriting income was well balanced across these two segments and their positive performance was further strengthened by continued expense discipline across the Group, with general and administrative expenses decreasing by 9% to
- Non-GAAPfinancial measures are used throughout this release, such as Operating Income. For additional information and reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures, refer to the end of this press release. Refer to "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" at the end of this press release.
Our net investment income of
Continued growth in our capital markets franchise
Strengthening the team
We have made a number of hires across the different areas of the business. This is a reflection of our continuously improving business, as we strengthen our leadership teams shaping
Encouraging results for a strong 2023
In the first half of the year, we again saw significant rate increases across our portfolio, and the outlook remains favorable. Our relentless focus on underwriting discipline and managing volatility means we are well placed to continue to take advantage of current market conditions. We have an enviable international franchise: our leading Insurance, Reinsurance and Capital Market's businesses and established platforms across the US,
2
Key financial highlights
- Gross written premiums of
$2,125 million in the six months endedJune 30, 2023 , a decrease of 10% compared to$2,351 million in the six months endedJune 30, 2022 , consistent with management's strategy to optimize portfolio, reduce exposure and manage volatility, partially offset by rate increases. - Net written premiums of
$1,351 million in the six months endedJune 30, 2023 , a decrease of 10% compared to$1,506 million in the six months endedJune 30, 2022 . Premiums ceded to reinsurers as a percentage of gross written premium in the six months endedJune 30, 2023 , was 37% compared with 36% in the six months endedJune 30, 2022 . - Underwriting income of
$208 million (adjusted underwriting income* of$196 million ) in the six months endedJune 30, 2023 , compared to an underwriting income of$157 million (adjusted underwriting income of$131 million ) in the six months endedJune 30, 2022 , resulting in a combined ratio of 83.8% (adjusted combined ratio of 84.8%) for the six months endedJune 30, 2023 , compared to 88.2% (adjusted combined ratio of 90.2%) for the six months endedJune 30, 2022 . - Losses and loss adjustment expenses include:
-
- Current accident year losses, excluding catastrophe losses, of
$670 million , or 52.1 percentage points on the combined ratio, in the six months endedJune 30, 2023 , compared to$682 million , or 51.4 percentage points on the combined ratio in the six months endedJune 30, 2022 . - Catastrophe losses of
$53 million , or 4.1 percentage points on the combined ratio, for the six months endedJune 30, 2023 , included losses associated with floods inNew Zealand , Cyclone Gabrielle, wildfires inChile and other weather-related events. Catastrophe losses of$93 million , or 7 percentage points on the combined ratio, for the six months endedJune 30, 2022 , included losses associated with floods inAustralia andSouth Africa , theRussia /Ukraine war and other weather-related events. - Net favorable development on prior year loss reserves of
$6 million , or 0.5 percentage points on the combined ratio, in the six months endedJune 30, 2023 , compared with net favorable development of$7 million , or 0.6 percentage points on the combined ratio in the six months endedJune 30, 2022 .
- Current accident year losses, excluding catastrophe losses, of
- Acquisition costs as a percentage of net earned premium improved from 16% in 2022 to 15% in 2023. This is primarily driven by an increase in fee income derived from
Aspen Capital Markets , which increased to$61 million in the six months endedJune 30, 2023 , compared to$47 million in the six months endedJune 30, 2022 . Fee income fromAspen Capital Market's activities is primarily allocated to the ceded line of business and serves to reduce acquisition expenses for that business. - General and administrative expenses decreased to
$169 million , representing 13 percentage points on the combined ratio, in the six months endedJune 30, 2023 , compared with$187 million , and 14 percentage points on the combined ratio, in the six months endedJune 30, 2022 . The reduction in general and administrative expenses was primarily driven by the favorable year over year foreign exchange rates, coupled with various cost saving initiatives. - Net investment income of
$129 million in the six months endedJune 30, 2023 , compared to$89 million in the six months endedJune 30, 2022 . - Interest expense increased to
$43 million in the six months endedJune 30, 2023 , compared with interest expense of$9 million in the six months endedJune 30, 2022 . This increase is primarily driven by$36 million of interest on the funds withheld related to the loss portfolio transfer ("LPT") contract. - Tax expense increased to
$36 million in the six months endedJune 30, 2023 , compared with tax expense of$5 million in the six months endedJune 30, 2022 . The increase in tax expense was driven by higher pre-tax profits in our taxable jurisdictions compared to the prior year. The 2022 tax charge also benefited from the utilization of brought forward net operating losses that had a full valuation allowance recorded againstU.S. profits.
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- Net income includes net realized and unrealized investment gains of
$18 million in the six months endedJune 30, 2023 , compared to losses of$126 million in the six months endedJune 30, 2022 . The change in net realized and unrealized investment gains and losses is a result of mark to market valuations, predominantly driven by credit spread reduction in our government, corporate bond and structured credit portfolio and lower allocations to rate sensitive asset classes. - Book yield on the fixed income securities portfolio as at
June 30, 2023 , was 3.5% compared with 3.2% as atDecember 31, 2022 . - Annualized operating retuon average equity of 22% in the six months ended
June 30, 2023 , compared to 14% in the six months endedJune 30, 2022 .
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Segment highlights for six months ended
- Insurance
-
- Gross written premiums of
$1,250 million in the six months endedJune 30, 2023 , a decrease of 4% compared to$1,306 million in the six months endedJune 30, 2022 . This is primarily due to our decision to reduce writing certain programs, which did not meet our profitability expectations, actively managing down premiums within financial and professional lines, offset by favorable market conditions in first party and specialty lines, evidenced with new business activity and a strong rate environment. - Net written premiums of
$746 million , in the six months endedJune 30, 2023 , an increase of 3% compared with$722 million in the six months endedJune 30, 2022 , primarily due to changes toAspen's reinsurance programs. Premiums ceded to reinsurers as a percentage of gross written premium in the six months endedJune 30, 2023 , was 40% compared with 45% in the six months endedJune 30, 2022 . The lower cession percentage in 2023 is driven by business mix and the decision to restructure a portion of our outwards reinsurance renewals. - Underwriting income of
$98 million (adjusted underwriting income of$85 million ) in the six months endedJune 30, 2023 , compared to an underwriting income of$119 million (adjusted underwriting income of$106 million ) in the six months endedJune 30, 2022 , resulting in a combined ratio of 86.4% (adjusted combined ratio of 88.2%) for the six months endedJune 30, 2023 , compared to 83.7% (adjusted combined ratio of 85.4%) for the six months endedJune 30, 2022 . - Losses and loss adjustment expenses include:
-
- Current accident year losses, excluding catastrophe losses, of
$411 million , or 57.4 percentage points on the combined ratio, in the six months endedJune 30, 2023 , compared to$395 million , or 54.4 percentage points on the combined ratio in the six months endedJune 30, 2022 . This is primarily due to an increase in the claims handling provision and proactive reserving actions to take account of potential impacts of social and economic inflationary trends, in comparison to the six months endedJune 30, 2022 . - Catastrophe losses of
$18 million , or 2.5 percentage points on the combined ratio, in the six months endedJune 30, 2023 , compared with$20 million , or 2.7 percentage points on the combined ratio, in the six months endedJune 30, 2022 . - Prior year net favorable reserve development of
$8 million or 1.2 percentage points on the combined ratio, in the six months endedJune 30, 2023 , compared with prior year net favorable development of$16 million , or 2 percentage points on the combined ratio, in the six months endedJune 30, 2022 . Prior year net favourable reserve development includes$5 million reserve strengthening on post-LPT accident years, in comparison to$4 million reserve release in prior period due to unfavorable underlying loss experience.
- Current accident year losses, excluding catastrophe losses, of
- Acquisition costs decreased to
$87 million representing 12.2 percentage points on the combined ratio, in the six months endedJune 30, 2023 , compared with$92 million , and 12.7 percentage points on the combined ratio, in the six months endedJune 30, 2022 . The decrease was primarily driven by an increase in fee income derived fromAspen Capital Markets , partially offset by an increase in acquisition costs in financial and professional lines. - General and administrative expenses decreased to
$111 million , representing 15.5 percentage points on the combined ratio, in the six months endedJune 30, 2023 , compared with$117 million , and 16.1 percentage points on the combined ratio, in the six months endedJune 30, 2022 . The decrease was largely driven by favorable year over year foreign exchange rates and a reduction in IT related costs.
- Gross written premiums of
- Reinsurance
-
- Gross written premiums of
$876 million , in the six months endedJune 30, 2023 , a decrease of 16% compared to$1,046 million in the six months endedJune 30, 2022 . This is primarily driven by5
- Gross written premiums of
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