Hannover Re Confirms Full-Year Goals After 2Q Net Up About One-Third

By Ulrike Dauer

FRANKFURT--Germany's Hannover Re SE (HNR1.XE) Wednesday said it was on track for full-year targets after net profit rose almost one-third in the second quarter, helped by a higher contribution from investments, higher revenues and moderate costs for insured claims.

Hannover Re is one of the three biggest reinsurers by premium revenues worldwide.

Net profit rose 29% to 186.3 million euros ($247.4 million) in the three months to June from EUR144 million in the same period a year earlier, beating the forecast increase to EUR179 million.

Revenues were up 3% at EUR3.47 billion but below the forecast EUR3.61 billion. The investment result rose 24% to EUR334.3 million from EUR268.8 million. That was also below the forecast 31% increase to EUR352 million.

In the second quarter, Hannover Re had to pay EUR246.3 million for insured claims such as for floods in Europe and Canada, and hail damage in Germany. For the first six months, that number was EUR259.5 million, only slightly higher than what the company has budgeted for such claims.

With a net profit of EUR407.7 million after the first half of 2013, Hannover Re "has put in place a good basis for achieving its full-year targets," the company said.

Hannover Re, which is majority owned by Talanx AG (TLX.XE), confirmed all full year targets, such as a net profit of EUR800 million, a 5% increase in gross premium revenues and a dividend payout ratio of between 35% and 40% of net profit.

On Tuesday, larger peer Munich Re AG (MUV2.XE) disappointed investors with lower than expected quarterly operating and net profits, on high costs for natural and man-made disasters and as its investment result took hits from higher write-downs on derivatives. Munich Re shares closed down 5.4%.

Reinsurers insure primary insurers, thereby enabling them to take more risks on their books. Swiss Re AG (SREN.VX) is scheduled to report second-quarter earnings Thursday.

Write to Ulrike Dauer at [e-mail]

Order free Annual Report for Swiss Re AG

Visit http://djnweurope.ar.wilink.com/?ticker=CH0126881561 or call [phone]

Order free Annual Report for Hannover Rück SE

Visit http://djnweurope.ar.wilink.com/?ticker=DE0008402215 or call [phone]

Order free Annual Report for Münchener Rückversicherungs AG

Visit http://djnweurope.ar.wilink.com/?ticker=DE0008430026 or call [phone]

Order free Annual Report for Hannover Rück SE

Visit http://djnweurope.ar.wilink.com/?ticker=US4106931052 or call [phone]

Order free Annual Report for Münchener Rückversicherungs AG

Visit http://djnweurope.ar.wilink.com/?ticker=US6261881063 or call [phone]

Order free Annual Report for Swiss Re AG

Visit http://djnweurope.ar.wilink.com/?ticker=US8708861088 or call [phone]