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05/19/2015
Corporate news

Coface begins 2015 with robust results: increased turnover and profitability in Q1

We begin 2015 with robust results:
  • Growth in turnover : +5.3% at current scope and exchange rates (+2.3% at constant scope and exchange rates)
  • Client retention rate remains high at 91.8 %
  • Improvement in combined ratio after reinsurance to 77.5% : -0.2 points vs. Q1 2014 and -2.2 points compared with FY 2014
  • Operating income +6.1%[1] and net income group share +10.7%[2], at constant scope and exchange rates

Unless otherwise stated, changes are in comparison with results at 31 March 2014

 

Jean-Marc Pillu, CEO of the Coface Group, commented:

« We begin 2015 with robust results: the Group’s growth and profitability are satisfactory and demonstrate the steadfastness with which the Group is implementing its strategy in a still mixed economic environment. The weaknesses seen in certain sectors across the world are affecting companies’ financial solidity and are an invitation to remain watchful. The Group continues to accompany its customers through sound risk management, securing both their own results and those of Coface.»

Published results for 2014 have been restated to take into account the impact of IFRIC 21

 

Key figures as at 31 March 2015

The board of directors of Coface SA examined the consolidated financial statements for the period ending 31 March 2015 during its meeting on 5 May 2015. Data relating to the first three months of 2015 have been reviewed by the Audit Committee.

 

Tab1

 

1. Turnover

In the first quarter of 2015, Coface registered a turnover of 389.6 million euros, up 5.3% compared with the first quarter of 2014 (+2.3% at constant scope and exchange rates).

This further increase demonstrates the impact of initiatives undertaken to boost Coface’s commercial performance over the last two years.

The Group continues to experience good growth in emerging markets and North America. The more mature economies are still subject to strong competitive pressures.

Client retention remains at a high 91.8%[6] level for the first quarter of 2015

 

Tab2

 

2. Results and financial solidity

The Group is managing its combined ratio well: at 77.5%, this showed an improvement of 0.2 points compared with the first quarter of 2014 and of 2.2 points compared with the full year 2014.

Despite numerous areas of weakness affecting the macroeconomic environment, and in the emerging markets in particular, Coface’s loss ratio before reinsurance remains under control at 49.8%, down by 2.5 points compared with the first quarter of 2014 and by 0.6 points compared with the ratio recorded for the full year 2014.

The Group’s cost ratio after reinsurance was 27.7%, up 2.3 points compared with the first quarter of 2014 – an increase which correlates directly with the growth in turnover in emerging markets, where the majority of sales are handled through brokers or partners. The cost ratio, moreover, improved by 1.6 points compared with the full year 2014.

Operating income[8] rose by 6,1% to 62 million euros and net income (group share) by 10.7% to 45 million euros, excluding restated items[9].

The Group strengthened its equity. At 31 March 2015, total equity stood at 1 819.5 million euros[10]. The increase is mainly due to positive net income of 40.3 million euros and the increase in revaluation reserves for available-for-sale financial assets and in conversion reserves.

 

3. Outlook

The timid recovery observed in the world economy in 2014 was confirmed in the first quarter of 2015 and is expected to continue over the rest of the year. However, this recovery is subject to some head winds. While activity remains dynamic in the US and is accelerating in the Euro zone, growth in emerging markets is slowing, and a certain number of emerging countries are experiencing generalised or sector-specific difficulties. In this context, Coface will continue to implement its profitable growth model which combines commercial dynamism – based on innovation, multi-channel distribution and an extensive international presence – with prudent risk management, in order to help companies grow as safely as possible.

 

 

Published results for 2014 have been restated to take into account the impact of IFRIC 21

[1] : Change at constant scope and exchange rates. Operating income includes financing costs (€0.6M for Q1-2014 and €4.6M for Q1-2015) and is restated to exclude the following items: interest charges for the hybrid debt (€0.2M), charges linked to the initial public offering (€1.3M) at 31 March 2014; interest charges for the hybrid debt (€4.0M) and portfolio buyout costs linked to the restructuring of the distribution network in the US & other operating costs (€2.1M - See note 18 of Q1-2015 financial statements) at 31 March 2015.

[2] : Change at constant scope and exchange rates. Net income group share is restated to exclude the following items: interest charges for the hybrid debt (€0.2M), charges linked to the initial public offering (€1.3M) at 31 March 2014 ; interest charges for the hybrid debt (€4.0M) and operational costs linked to the restructuring of the distribution network in the US & other operating costs (€2.1M - See note 18 of Q1-2015 financial statements) at 31 March 2015. A normalised tax rate Q1-2014 has been applied to these items.

[3]: At constant scope and exchange rates.

[4] : Operating income includes financing costs (€0.6M for Q1-2014 and €4.6M for Q1-2015) and is restated to exclude the following items: interest charges for the hybrid debt (€0.2M), charges linked to the initial public offering (€1.3M) at 31 March 2014; interest charges for the hybrid debt (€4.0M) portfolio buyout costs linked to the restructuring of the distribution network in the US and other operating costs (€2.1M - See note 18 of Q1-2015 financial statements) at 31 March 2015.

[5] : Net income group share is restated to exclude the following items: interest charges for the hybrid debt (€0.2M), charges linked to the initial public offering (€1.3M) at 31 March 2014 ; interest charges for the hybrid debt (€4.0M) and operational costs linked to the restructuring of the distribution network in the US & other operating costs (€2.1M - See note 18 of Q1-2015 financial statements) at 31 March 2015. A normalised tax rate Q1-2014 has been applied to these items.

Published results for 2014 have been restated to take into account the impact of IFRIC 21

[6]: Retention measured at 31 March 2015.

[7] : At constant scope and exchange rates.

[8]: Operating income includes financing costs (€0.6M for Q1-2014 and €4.6M for Q1-2015) and is restated to exclude the following items: interest charges for the hybrid debt (€0.2M), charges linked to the initial public offering (€1.3M) at 31 March 2014; interest charges for the hybrid debt (€4.0M) portfolio buyout costs linked to the restructuring of the distribution network in the US and other operating costs (€2.1M - See note 18 of Q1-2015 financial statements) at 31 March 2015.

[9] : Net income group share is restated to exclude the following items: interest charges for the hybrid debt (€0.2M), charges linked to the initial public offering (€1.3M) at 31 March 2014 ; interest charges for the hybrid debt (€4.0M) and operational costs linked to the restructuring of the distribution network in the US & other operating costs (€2.1M - See note 18 of Q1-2015 financial statements) at 31 March 2015. A normalised tax rate Q1-2014 has been applied to these items.

[10] : Total equity IFRS.

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