A promising first semester for European insurers

European insurers have so far published their figures for the first half of 2015, showing encouraging results. Apart from Zurich which sustained a 3% decline in net profits, the big players did also perform well as for example Allianz whose net profits went up by 15% at 2.02 billion EUR (2.2 billion USD).

These publications reflect the good health of the sector in an environment where interest rates remain low. The sale of life insurance products with higher margins such as account units health or those of provident health has been privileged.

Non life insurers have, on their turn, benefited from the mildness of the natural events. The financial results were better than expected and return on equity displayed stand at relatively high levels.
These good results put insurers in the best of positions to address the new solvency II prudential rules at the upcoming January 1st renewals.