Bahrain: Arig's net profits up 25% in 1Q
Source: Middle East Insurance Review | Jun 2015
The Arig Group delivered consolidated net profits of US$3.5 million for the first quarter of 2015, up from $2.8 million in the first quarter of last year.
Earnings from the conventional reinsurance book contributed $7.4 million to the result, double that of the first quarter of 2014. However, losses at Takaful Re, the Group’s Islamic subsidiary, widened from $0.8 million to $3.8 million over the period.
The Group’s combined ratio of improved from 82.1% in the first quarter of 2014 to 76.6% in the first quarter of 2015.
Consolidated investment income of $6.3 million was generated over the reporting period, slightly lower than the $6.8 million reported in the corresponding period in 2014, representing an annualised return of 3.5% on investible assets.
Gross written premiums fell 20% y-o-y to $166.0 million as shifts in Arig’s Lloyd’s portfolio, voluntary premium reductions by Takaful Re and the influence of exchange rate developments contributed to the reduction.
Mr Yassir Albaharna, CEO of Arig, commented: “In a highly challenging business environment, Arig has markedly grown its underwriting profit from the conventional reinsurance portfolio, a pleasing development that was flanked by good investment returns. The losses from the under-performing Re-Takaful book are being addressed with the clear target of achieving a lasting solution so that the full earnings potential of the Group can be realised.”
Arig’s shareholders’ equity stood at $261.8 million on 31 March 2015 after the distribution of dividend $0.05 per share. The book value per share was $1.32 for the same period.