Second quarter 2024 results: Despite very strong P&C results and Investments performances, SCOR posts a EUR -308 million net loss in Q2 2024 (EUR -112 million net loss in H1 2024), driven by the 2024 L&H assumption review

Press release

 July 2024 - N° 11

Second quarter 2024 results

Despite very strong P&C results and Investments performances,

SCOR posts a EUR -308 million net loss in Q2 2024 (EUR -112 million net loss in H1 2024), driven by the 2024 L&H assumption review

—  Continued very strong performance of P&C, with a combined ratio of 86.9% in Q2 2024 (-1.6pts compared to Q2 2023) allowing for ongoing reserving discipline

—  L&H insurance service result¹ of EUR -329 million in Q2 2024 (down EUR -469 million compared to Q2 2023), driven by the best estimate view of 2024 L&H assumption review for EUR -509 million, partly offset by EUR +143 million impact mainly from portfolio actions

—  High Investments regular income yield of 3.6% in Q2 2024 (+0.5pts compared to Q2 2023) supported by elevated reinvestment rates

—  Group net loss of EUR -308 million in Q2 2024 (EUR -283 million adjusted²) impacted by the 2024 L&H assumption review

— 
Group Economic Value³ under IFRS 17 of EUR 8.4 billion as of 30 June 2024, down -5.2%⁴  (-7.3%⁴ at constant economics⁵) compared with 31 December 2023, implying an Economic Value per share of EUR 47 (vs. EUR 51 as of 31 December 2023)

—  Estimated Group solvency ratio of 201%⁶ as of 30 June 2024, within the optimal solvency range of 185%-220%, whilst impacted by the 2024 L&H assumption review for -20 points

—  Annualized Return on Equity of -23.7% (-21.9% adjusted²) in Q2 2024 implying an annualized Return on Equity of -4.7% in H1 2024 (-4.5% adjusted²)

SCOR SE’s Board of Directors met on 29 July 2024, under the chairmanship of Fabrice Brégier, to approve the Group’s Q2 2024 financial statements.

Thierry Léger, Chief Executive Officer of SCOR, comments: “I am disappointed by the L&H H1 results. In response, we have launched an ambitious 3-step plan resulting in a series of determined actions aiming at restoring the profitability of the L&H business in a sustainable way. The still ongoing 2024 L&H assumption review, which will be completed by year-end, has led to a significant negative impact on our results in Q2 2024. We will present full details of an updated L&H business strategy and Forward 2026 assumptions and targets on 12 December 2024. 

 ¹ Includes revenues on financial contracts reported under IFRS 9.

² Adjusted by excluding the mark to market impact of the option on own shares.

³ Defined as the sum of the shareholders’ equity and the Contractual Service Margin (CSM), net of tax. 25% notional tax rate applied on CSM.

⁴ Not annualized. The starting point is adjusted for the future payment of dividend of EUR 1.8 per share (EUR 324 million in total) for the fiscal year 2023, paid in 2024.

⁵ Growth at constant economic assumptions as of 31 December 2023, and excluding the mark to market impact of the option on own shares.

⁶ Solvency ratio estimated after taking into account the dividend accrual for the first six months based on the dividend paid for the fiscal year 2023 (EUR1.8/share).

In P&C, with a combined ratio of 86.9%, we delivered very strong results while continuing our strategy of building reserve buffers. We are very satisfied with the latest round of renewals with a +24% premium growth at unchanged attractive margins in June and July, supported by diversified growth in our preferred lines, and market conditions which remain attractive. Investments continue to produce stable and elevated positive results, with a higher regular income yield in line with our longer-term targets.

SCOR actively manages its solvency position and is confident that its solvency ratio will remain in the optimal range of 185%-220% at year-end 2024.

Frieder Knüpling, CEO of SCOR L&H since 2021, has decided to pursue new professional opportunities and will leave the Group. Until further notice, I will take over the management of L&H. I would like to wish him every success in the next stage of his career.”

Group performance and context

Q2 2024 net income is EUR -308 million (EUR -283 million adjusted²), driven notably by a negative insurance service result (ISR) in L&H reinsurance, partially offset by very strong P&C and Investments performances: 

-       In P&C (re)insurance, the combined ratio stands at 86.9% in Q2 2024 including a natural catastrophe claims ratio of 9.9%, in an active period with several mid-sized events. Over the first six months of 2024, the natural catastrophe ratio of 8.6% remains below the budget. The attritional loss and commission ratio stands at 77.6% in Q2 2024, reflecting a satisfactory underlying performance allowing for continued reserving discipline.

-       In L&H reinsurance, the insurance service result¹ stands at EUR -329 million in Q2 2024, mainly impacted by the best estimate view of the 2024 L&H assumption review (EUR -509 million), partly offset by a positive effect (EUR 143 million) mainly driven by portfolio actions. Therefore, the L&H ISR in 2024 is expected to be significantly less than the EUR 500m indicated during the Q1 2024 results presentation.

-       In Investments, SCOR benefits from still-elevated reinvestment rates in Q2 2024 and records a strong regular income yield of 3.6% (+0.5pts vs. Q2 2023). 

The annualized Return on Equity stands at -23.7% (-21.9% adjusted²) in Q2 2024 and the Group Economic Value over the first half of 2024 decreases by -7.3%⁴ at constant economics⁵, both impacted by the best estimate view of the 2024 L&H assumption review accounting for EUR -0.5 billion (pre-tax) in insurance service result and EUR -1.0 billion (pre-tax) in contractual service margin (CSM). Over the first half of 2024, SCOR reports a net loss of EUR -112 million (EUR -107 million adjusted²), implying an annualized Return on Equity of -4.7% (-4.5% adjusted²).

Group solvency ratio is estimated at 201% at the end of Q2 2024, within the optimal range of 185%220%, and compared to 209% at year-end 2023. This is supported by strong operating capital generation from the P&C and Investments activities and negatively impacted by the 2024 L&H assumption review (-20 points).

Group Economic Value³ under IFRS 17 stands at EUR 8.4 billion as of Q2 2024, down -5.2%⁴ (-7.3%⁴ at constant economics⁵) driven by the 2024 L&H assumption review with a EUR -1.0 billion (post-tax) negative impact. As a result, the Group Economic Vale growth target at 9% per annum at constant economics is unlikely to be met in FY 2024.

On-going very strong P&C underlying performance

In Q2 2024, P&C insurance revenue stands at EUR 2,031 million, up 8.4% at constant exchange rates (up +8.7% at current exchange rates) compared to Q2 2023. 

New business CSM in Q2 2024 stands at EUR 240 million, supported by growth from the reinsurance business renewed in April and June 2024, while the SCOR Business Solutions (SBS) portfolio has reduced compared to Q2 2023 in the context of an active management of the cycle. Q2 2024 new business CSM is also impacted by a late finalization of the retrocession (in 2023, the retrocession impact was fully booked in Q1).

P&C (re)insurance key figures:

(*) H1 2023 new business CSM adjusted following the implementation of IFRS 17 stabilization measures in Q4 2023. See Q4 2023 results presentation page 53. 

The P&C combined ratio stands at 86.9% in Q2 2024, compared to 88.5% in Q2 2023. It includes:

-       A Nat Cat ratio of 9.9%, mainly impacted by the losses related to floodings in UAE/Oman, as well as in South Germany and Brazil.

-       An attritional loss and commission ratio of 77.6%, reflecting a satisfactory underlying performance despite the cost associated with the civil unrest in New Caledonia, and continued reserving discipline. 

-       A discount effect of -8.0% within the assumed range of -7.5% to -8.5% for FY 2024.

-       An attributable expense ratio of 7.2% of net insurance revenue.

The P&C insurance service result of EUR 201 million is driven by a CSM amortization of  EUR 267 million, a risk adjustment release of EUR 36 million, a negative experience variance of  EUR -95 million and an impact of onerous contract of EUR -7 million.

During the June-July 2024 renewals, SCOR continues to grow in its preferred and diversifying lines, maintaining terms and conditions as well as the still elevated profitability level of its P&C reinsurance book. As a reminder, premiums up for renewals in June-July represent c.13% of annual P&C reinsurance premiums up for renewals. EGPI⁷ increases by +24.0%⁸ on the business up for renewal in June-July, with a significant growth of the Alternative Solutions book. Specialty Lines increase by c. +25%⁸, mainly in diversifying lines such as Engineering, Decennial and Marine. SCOR was able to maintain the pricing trend observed in prior renewals, with a +2.2%⁹ price increase overall and a yearto-date improvement on the net expected technical profitability of -1.4 points⁹ of underwriting ratio.

⁷ Estimated Gross Premium Income (EGPI).

⁸ 2023 premiums adjusted for premium revisions, FX and late renewals. ⁹ Excluding Alternative Solutions.

Since the start of the year, SCOR achieved a c. +15.5%⁸ gross premium growth for its renewed portfolio with an average 3.0%⁹ price increase and an expected improvement of the underwriting ratio of -1.4 points⁹. In a slightly more competitive environment, SCOR anticipates a continued disciplined market for the upcoming renewals.

Restore the L&H profitability through a 3-step plan

The 2024 L&H assumption review has been launched in Q1 2024, with deep dives covering the US (including mortality and lapses assumptions and future management actions), Canada, South Korea and Israel. Given the initial indications of this review, an acceleration on the estimation of the overall impact at year-end 2024 has been requested. For Q2, SCOR’s best estimate is the following:

-       A negative impact of EUR -509m included in the L&H ISR is mainly driven by an increase in loss component on the Israel onerous contracts put in run-off in 2019 (EUR -278 million) and a prudent add-on on the Risk Adjustment (RA) (EUR -200 million).  

-       In addition, the pre-tax L&H contractual service margin (CSM) at locked-in rate is adjusted by a total of EUR -1.0 billion, driven by negative PVFCF adjustment in US protection portfolio for EUR -0.5 billion, non-US protection PVFCF adjustments for EUR -0.3 billion from Canada and South Korea, and lastly an increase in the Risk Adjustment (RA) for EUR -0.1 billion.

-       Although the 2024 L&H assumption review is still ongoing, SCOR provides an estimate of additional future adjustments by year-end 2024 in a range of EUR +/-0.1 billion on the L&H ISR and EUR +/-0.4 billion on the pre-tax L&H CSM at current yield curve^[1].

SCOR has launched an ambitious 3-step plan, resulting in a series of determined actions aiming at restoring the profitability of the L&H business in a sustainable way, with the aim to improve margins and the mix of L&H products with a strong focus on diversification. This plan focusses on reserves, in-force management and new business.

The new L&H business strategy and the updated Forward 2026 targets and assumptions will be presented on 12 December 2024.

Frieder Knüpling, CEO of SCOR L&H since 2021, has decided to pursue new professional opportunities and will leave the Group. In addition to his current duties, Thierry Léger will serve as CEO of SCOR L&H to drive the implementation and delivery of the action plan aimed at restoring the profitability of L&H.

In Q2 2024, L&H insurance revenue amounts to EUR 2,054 million, down -1.2% at constant exchange rates (-0.3% at current exchange rates) compared to Q2 2023. SCOR continues to build its L&H CSM through new business generation (EUR 145 million new business CSM¹¹ in Q2 2024), notably from protection across all regions and with some large transactions in APAC.

L&H reinsurance key figures:

As a consequence of the 2024 L&H assumption review, the L&H insurance service result¹ amounts to EUR -329 million in Q2 2024. It includes:

-       A CSM amortization of EUR 59 million, which reflects the CSM negative adjustments in the quarter as well as some Q1 negative true-up. The CSM amortization rate is c. 6.8% annualized on a year-to-date basis.

-       An experience variance of EUR -26 million, driven by underlying claims experience.

-       An impact of onerous contracts of EUR -29 million, reflecting multiple small items.

-       Portfolio actions and other impacts of EUR +143 million.

-       Best estimate of the 2024 L&H assumption review impact for EUR -509 million which includes

EUR -278 million from an increase in the loss component on onerous contracts (Israel), EUR  -31m IBNR reserve strengthening (South Korea) and EUR -200 million from added prudence.

Investments delivering strong results with a regular income yield of 3.6% in Q2 2024

As of 30 June 2024, total invested assets amount to EUR 22.7 billion. SCOR’s asset mix is optimized, with 80% of the portfolio invested in fixed income. SCOR has a high-quality fixed income portfolio with an average rating of A+ and a duration of 3.4 years.

Investments key figures: 

(*) Annualized. In H1 2023, regular income yield and RoIA include a negative impact of 7 bps mainly resulting from an adjustment in the amortization trajectory of leveraged loans. Excluding this impact, the H1 2023 regular income yield and the RoIA would both stand at 3.0%.

(**) Fair value through income on invested assets excludes EUR -34 million in Q2 2024 and EUR -7m in H1 2024 related to the pre-tax mark to market impact of the fair value of the option on own shares granted to SCOR.

Total investment income on invested assets stands at EUR 184^[2] million in Q2 2024. The return on invested assets stands at 3.3%¹² (vs. 3.4% in Q1 2024) and the regular income yield at 3.6% (vs. 3.5% in Q1 2024).

The reinvestment rate stands at 4.8%^[3] as of 30 June 2024, marginally increasing compared to 4.7% as of 31 March 2024. The invested assets portfolio remains highly liquid and financial cash flows of EUR 9.7 billion are expected over the next 24 months¹⁴, enabling SCOR to benefit from still-elevated reinvestment rates.

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APPENDIX

1 - SCOR Group Q2 2024 key financial details

1: GWP is not a metric defined under the IFRS 17 accounting framework (non-GAAP metric); 2: Includes revenues on financial contracts reported under IFRS 9; 3: Taking into account the mark to the market impact of the option on own shares. Q2 2024 impact of EUR-34 million before tax, H1 2024 impact of EUR -7 million before tax. 4: Consolidated net income, Group share; 5. Defined as the sum of the shareholder’s equity and the Contractual Service Margin (CSM); 6: Net of tax. A notional tax rate of 25% is applied to the CSM.

2 - P&L key figures Q2 2024

1: GWP is not a metric defined under the IFRS 17 accounting framework (non-GAAP metric); 2: Consolidated net income, Group share; 3: Taking into account the mark to the market impact of the option on own shares. Q2 2024 impact of EUR -34 million before tax, H1 2024 impact of EUR -7 million before tax.

3 - P&L key ratios Q2 2024 

1: Annualized; 2: In Q2 2024 and H1 2024, fair value through income on invested assets excludes respectively EUR -34m and EUR -7m pre-tax mark to market impact of the fair value of the option on own shares granted to SCOR; 3: The combined ratio is the sum of the total claims, the total variables commissions, and the P&C attributable management expenses, divided by the net insurance revenue for P&C business; 4: Taking into account the mark to the market impact of the option on own shares. Q2 2024 impact of EUR -34 million before tax, H1 2024 impact of EUR -7 million before tax; 5: Not annualized. Growth at constant economic assumptions, and excluding the mark to market impact of the option on own shares. The starting point is adjusted for the payment of dividend of EUR 1.8 per share (EUR 324 million in total) for the fiscal year 2023, paid in 2024. Economic Value defined as the sum of the shareholders’ equity and the Contractual Service Margin (CSM), net of tax. A notional tax rate of 25% is applied to the CSM. 

4 - Balance sheet key figures as of 30 June 2024 

1: Excludes 3rd party net insurance business investments; 2: The Economic Value (defined as the sum of the shareholders’ equity and the Contractual Service Margin (CSM), net of tax) includes minority interests; 3: The Economic Value per share excludes minority interests; 4: The leverage ratio is calculated as the percentage of subordinated debt compared to the sum of Economic Value and subordinated debt in IFRS 17; 5: Includes cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments.

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SCOR, a leading global reinsurer

As a leading global reinsurer, SCOR offers its clients a diversified and innovative range of reinsurance and insurance solutions and services to control and manage risk. Applying “The Art & Science of Risk”, SCOR uses its industryrecognized expertise and cutting-edge financial solutions to serve its clients and contribute to the welfare and resilience of society. 

The Group generated premiums of EUR 19.4 billion in 2023 and serves clients in around 160 countries from its 35 offices worldwide. 

For more information, visit:www.scor.com

Press release

 July 2024 - N° 11

Media Relations  Alexandre Garcia media@scor.com

Investor Relations Thomas Fossard tfossard@scor.com

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Press release

 July 2024 - N° 11

looking statements, assumptions and information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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