Coface SA FY-2015 results: net income €126M and proposed dividend stable at €0.48 per share

Paris, 9 February 2016

Coface 2015 results: net income €126M and proposed dividend stable at €0.48 per share⁵

• Growth in turnover: 3.4% at current scope and exchange rate
  (+1.2% at constant scope and exchange rates)
• Loss ratio net of reinsurance stabilized over the last six months; combined ratio at 83.1%
• Net income (group share): €126M for 2015, €28M in 4Q
• Stable net income per share at €0.80, distribution rate⁵ 60% of net income
• Xavier Durand takes over as CEO as of today
  
  

Unless otherwise stated, variations are expressed in comparison with results at 31 December 2014
Published results for 2014 have been restated to take into account the impact of IFRIC 21
The annual results 2014restated from IFRIC 21 are equivalent to those published in 2014

At the end of 2015, a year marked by a deterioration in the global economic environment, Coface recorded a slight increase in net income (group share), at €126M (€125M in 2014). Turnover for the year grew by 3.4% (+1.2% at constant scope and exchange rate), supported by emerging markets. The Group's loss ratio net of reinsurance has stabilized over the last six months, at 52.5%. Coface is prepared for Solvency II, which came into force on 1 January 2016. The ratio of capital required to cover subscribed risks stands at 147%⁷, a level in line with Coface's risk appetite and dividend pay-out policy of 60% of net income.
On the basis of its net income per share, stable at €0.80, the Group will thus propose a dividend⁵ of €0.48 per share.

Key figures as at 31 December 2015

*Published results for 2014 have been restated to take into account the impact of IFRIC 21
The annual results 2014 restated from IFRIC 21 are equivalent to those published in 2014

1. Turnover

In 2015, Coface's consolidated turnover was €1 489.5M, up 3.4% compared with 2014 (+1.2% at constant scope and exchange rates). This increase is a consequence of the commercial strategy implemented by the Group, based on product innovation, multi-channel distribution and the strengthening of its sales processes and sales monitoring.

New contract production was lower than in the previous year, which was marked by the signature of some large contracts. Retention of our client portfolio was good, at 88.2%.

The competitive environment and sound profitability of contracts in mature markets weighed on pricing throughout 2015. However, this price pressure remained controlled: the price effect on contracts was stable compared to 30 September 2015, at -2.4%.

Growth in the Group's turnover was supported by emerging markets. In the United States, the reorganization of the entire country's agency network explains the contraction in performance. In mature markets, where contracts profitability is higher, competition remained fierce and put pressure on prices.

2. Results

• Combined ratio

The loss ratio net of reinsurance stood at 52.5%, stabilized over the last six months as a result of reducing exposure to the most fragile companies and sectors. During this period Coface continued to reduce its coverage, particularly in emerging markets, and the effects of this approach are materializing progressively, depending on the payment behavior.

Internal overheads remained under control: excluding exceptional items³ these decreased by 1.8% at constant scope and exchange rates (-0.5% at current scope and exchange rates), a level significantly lower than growth in premiums, which was up 2.0% (+4.7% at constant scope and exchange rates). The distribution costs grew faster than premiums in 2015, due in particular to stronger turnover growth in regions where contracts are commercialized through brokers or partners. The cost ratio net of reinsurance was 30.5% at 31 December 2015, and 29.5% excluding exchange rate effects and exceptional items, an increase of 0.2 points compared with 31 December 2014.

In total, the combined ratio stood at 83.1% at 31 December 2015, up 3.4 points compared with 31 December 2014, reflecting the deterioration in the macro-economic environment over the last year.

• Financial income

Thanks to the diversification of the financial portfolio, illustrated by investments made in non-quoted pan-European real estate funds, financial income⁴ was €53.1M (of which €4.5M externalization of capital gains) at 31 December 2015, against €42.8M (of which €8.4M externalization of capital gains) in 2014.

• Operating income and net income

Excluding restated items, operating income² stood at €194,1M and net income (group share)² at €140.9M.
On the basis of net income per share of 0.80, a dividend⁵ of €0.48 euro per share will be proposed for 2015, an amount stable compared with 2014.

3. Financial solidity - Solvency II

At 31 December 2015, IFRS equity (group share) was €1 760.9M. The change in equity is mainly the result of positive net income of €126.2M offset by the distribution of €75.5M to shareholders and a decrease in re-evaluation reserves of financial assets ready for sale.

Coface is prepared for the new regulatory framework, Solvency II, which came into force on 1 January 2016. In this context, Coface plans to complete its capital management tools and intends to set up a contingent capital line to protect its solvency during extreme case scenario⁶.
Calculated on the basis of the standard formula, the coverage ratio of required capital to insurance and factoring risk coverage was 147%⁷, a level in line with the Group's risk appetite and dividend⁵ pay-out policy of 60% of net income per share, proposed again this year.

Ratings agencies Fitch and Moody's reconfirmed the Group's ratings (IFS) at respectively AA- and A2 (stable outlook), on 17 September and 13 October 2015.

4. Transfer of public guarantees activity

Work is on-going by Bpifrance to prepare for the transfer of public guarantees activity currently carried out by Coface on behalf of the French State. The transfer is subject to modification of the applicable legislative and regulatory framework⁸, which will come into effect by decree. Coface will continue to be remunerated by the French State until the transfer of this activity becomes effective, at a date which is not yet known.

5. Outlook

The current macroeconomic environment is demanding (weak growth in advanced economies, greater risks in emerging markets, and the volatility of financial markets), and no significant change in this situation is anticipated for the year 2016. In the absence of significant rebound in global activity, and taking into account the transfer of the management of the public  guarantees activity, the targets of growth and profitability (return on average tangible equity or RoATE) that Coface settled two years ago for the period ending 2016, will not be achieved. However, Coface's business model, its financial strength, and its pay-out ratio of about 60%, are not undermined.

As announced on January 15^th 2016, Xavier Durand takes over from Jean-Marc Pillu as CEO of Coface with effect as from today. Xavier Durand, 52, a graduate of Polytechnique, spent most of his career in GE Capital. Over the last 25 years he has acquired senior-level operational experience in general management of regulated financial services in more than 30 countries.

Commenting on his new appointment, Xavier Durand, CEO of Coface, said:

« I am proud to be at the head of this great company: Coface is a world-wide recognized brand and the Group has in-depth expertise.
My priorities will be the following:

• Risks: our exposure was adjusted between 2014 and 2015, and we will continue to make adjustments for as long as it is necessary; the effects of this will be seen over time.
• Costs: we will study and put in place the structural changes required to improve the Group's operational efficiency.
• In this context, my mission is also to identify the levers and means to re-boost the Group's commercial activity.

With my leadership team, and after an initial settling-in period, I will define the actions to strengthen Coface's profitable growth over the long-term. I begin this work today and I will take the opportunity of our quarterly updates to keep you informed of our progress. »

FINANCIAL CALENDAR 2016
May 4 2016: publication of Q1-2016 results
May 19 2016: general shareholders' meeting
July 27 2016: publication of H1-2016 results
November 3 2016: publication of 9M-2016 results

FINANCIAL INFORMATION
This press release, as well as Coface SA's integral regulatory information, consolidated accounts and FY-2015 analyst presentation, can be found on the Group's website: http://www.coface.com/Investors

About Coface

The Coface Group, a worldwide leader in credit insurance, offers companies around the globe solutions to protect them against the risk of financial default of their clients, both on the domestic market and for export. In 2015, the Group, supported by its ~4,500 staff, posted a consolidated turnover of €1.490 billion. Present directly or indirectly in 99 countries, it secures transactions of 40,000 companies in more than 200 countries. Each quarter, Coface publishes its assessments of country risk for 160 countries, based on its unique knowledge of companies' payment behaviour and on the expertise of its 340 underwriters located close to clients and their debtors.
In France, Coface manages export public guarantees on behalf of the French State.

www.coface.com

Coface SA. is listed on Euronext Paris - Compartment A
ISIN: FR0010667147 / Ticker: COFA

DISCLAIMER - Certain declarations featured in this press release may contain forecasts that notably relate to future events, trends, projects or targets. By nature, these forecasts include identified or unidentified risks and uncertainties, and may be affected by many factors likely to give rise to a significant discrepancy between the real results and those stated in these declarations. Please refer to the section 2.4 "Report from the Chairman of the Board of Directors on corporate governance, internal control and risk management procedures" as well as chapter 5 "Main risk factors and their management within the Group" of the Coface Group's 2014 Registration Document filed with AMF on 13 April 2015 under the number No. R.15-019 in order to obtain a description of certain major factors, risks and uncertainties likely to influence the Coface Group's businesses. The Coface Group disclaims any intention or obligation to publish an update of these forecasts, or provide new information on future events or any other circumstance. 

ANNEX - Reconciliation Table: Operating income excluding restated items

* Published results for 2014 have been restated to take into account the impact of IFRIC 21
The annual results 2014restated from IFRIC 21 are equivalent to those published in 2014