Source: Company

Figure 3: IAG’s Business Division (FY18) GWP by Segment

Source: Company

ANALYST’S NOTE

While IAG performed well in its underlying insurance business for FY18, it saw weak performance from shareholder fund returns.

Underlying GWP growth was strong and margin improved significantly, largely due to a quota share agreement. However, a sharp decline in funds income (-32.9%) resulted in FY18 NPAT being -0.6% below FY17.

On the analyst call with management, IAG reiterated much of the recent investor day and highlighted “strategic review of options for our Asian operations [has] seen in our sale of the three operations in Southeast Asia and we continue to pursue exit options for our investment in China. At this stage, we are obtaining our interests in Malaysia and India and are continuing to assess our position and do not expect to see any further material investment in the region…the sale of our operations in Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam… will see a net profit north of $200m booked in FY19”.

Interestingly, one source of uncertainty is around the Royal Commission into Banking and Finance which traverses into general and life insurance, in which IAG has booked ~$10m in cost. IAG trades on 17.7x PE20 and 4.9% dividend yield. Reiterate Neutral.

• Improved FY18 results in core business. 1. Gross written premiums (GWP) were up over 4% on a like-for-like basis largely due to rate increases addressing claims inflation in motor and home. Volumes were flat overall (with advances In CTP and NZ motor offset by commercial). Reported GWP growth was only +1.8% due to one-off items taken during the year including discontinued Swann operations, adverse exchange rates, and NSW CTP reforms; 2. Reported margin was up +280bps to 18.3%, above previous guidance of 16-18%, due to favourable variations in peril claim costs, as well as higher than expected reserve releases. Underlying margin at 14.1% improved +170bps against FY17 as motor rates increased, NSW CTP profitability improved, commercial property losses lessened, and a 12.5% quota share agreement came through 3. NPAT was down -0.6% to $923m due to a steep decline in shareholders’ funds income (down -32.9% to $165m). This decline is slightly attributable to FY17 being a bumper year for IAG’s investment arm due to strong performance in the equity markets. Cash earnings were up +4.5% to $1,034m. ROE was up +40bps to 15.6%. 4. Final fully franked dividend of 20cps, consistent with pcp, was declared, bringing FY18 dividend to 34cps (+3% on pcp).
• Solid capital position, with upcoming capital management initiatives. IAG’s Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio is at 1.26x against a target benchmark of 0.9-1.1x. IAG has also announced $592m in upcoming capital management initiatives expected to occur around 26 November involving a capital return of 19.5cps combined with a fully franked special dividend of 5.5cps. A share consolidation is expected around the same time, but the proportionate interest of shareholders will remain unchanged. Post the final dividend, upcoming initiatives and benefits of Asia disposals, CET1 is expected to be around the mid-point of the target benchmark (0.98x). Reduced franking capacity – of special note is that management highlighted IAG’s dwindling franking credit balance and signalled that IAG may not be able to fully frank dividends from FY19 onwards, guiding franking between 70-100%.
• FY19 guidance – further underlying improvement. 1. IAG expects GWP growth guidance of 2-4% citing anticipated rate increases across short-tail personal and commercial classes, and modest increases in volume, combined with residual NSW CTP reform effects. 2. Reported insurance margin guidance of 16-18% driven by improved underlying performance (including benefits of optimisation program activities) as well as the 12.5% quota share impact and lower reserve releases. 3. Assumptions underlying guidance include net losses from natural perils of $608m (per current allowance), reserve releases of ~2%, and no material movements in exchange rates or investment markets.
• Optimisation program progressing – whilst the program had a “neutral impact” in FY18, ~$100m of pre-tax benefit are expected in FY19.