COFACE SA: FY-2020 results: Net income at €82.9m and 100% pay-out ratio

Paris, 10 February 2021 – 17:35

FY-2020 results: Net income at €82.9m and 100% pay-out ratio

•     Turnover: €1,451m, down by -0.6% at constant FX and perimeter
-                 Trade Credit Insurance decreasing by -0.8% at constant scope and FX
-                 Client retention reaches new record levels. New business increasing to €138m
-                 Improving pricing conditions confirmed and lower client activity continues

• Net loss ratio at 47.7%, up by 2.7 ppts. Annual net combined ratio at 79.8% (84.5% excluding the effect of government schemes)
  • Q4-2020 net loss ratio at 18.3% (33.1% excluding government schemes), due to strong management of past claims and low level of new claims
  • Annual net cost ratio improved by 0.6 ppt to 32.1%, reflecting costs control in the current environment
  • Q4-2020 net combined ratio at 58.3% (69.4% excluding government schemes)

•     Net income (group share) of €82.9m, of which €30.5m in Q4-2020. Annualised RoATE¹ of 4.8%
-        Earnings per share reached €0.55, down by 43% compared to 2019

•     Coface continues proactive capital management

• Estimated solvency ratio up at ~205%² (191% excluding government plans), above the upper end of target range (155% to 175%)
• Proposal to distribute a dividend³ per share of €0.55 representing a 100% pay-out ratio

• Changes in governance following the sale by Natixis of 29.5% of Coface’s capital to Arch Capital Group. Bernardo Sanchez Incera, new independent board member, appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Unless otherwise indicated, change comparisons refer to the results as at 31 December 2019.

Nicolas Namias, Coface’s leaving Chairman, declared:

« I am happy that at the time when we sell the majority of our stake in Coface, the company is reporting very good results. For more than 20 years, Natixis has supported Coface’s development. Today’s publication shows the strength and the good health of the business, at the opening of a new chapter of its history”.

Xavier Durand, Coface’s Chief Executive Officer, commented:

"The past year has been unusual in many ways. While the health crisis and the measures taken to counter it have led to a sharp decline in global economic activity, the coordinated intervention of governments and central banks has helped to limit the extent of the credit crisis. Coface has fully cooperated with governments across the globe in order to support its clients.

In this environment, Coface maintained a high operating performance. Record levels of client retention and the increase in new business have enabled our portfolio to continue to grow. This particularly reflects the adaptability of the group’s employees, whose commitment has made it possible to accompany Coface’s clients through this crisis.

Coface’s balance sheet remains extremely solid, with a solvency ratio of 191% excluding the effect of government schemes. This allows us to propose, during the Shareholders’ Meeting, the distribution of a dividend representing 100% of our net income. It will also enable us to support Coface's clients throughout the economic recovery phase and to seize the opportunities that will arise.

Finally, a little less than a year after the announcement of the transaction, we welcome Arch Capital Group, which is represented on our board by four new directors. The board will now be chaired by Bernardo Sanchez Incera, who has extensive professional experience, particularly in the banking sector.”

Key figures at 31 December 2020

The Board of Directors of Coface SA approved the consolidated financial statements at 31 December 2020 at its meeting of 10 February 2021. The Audit Committee at its meeting on 5 February 2021 also previously reviewed them. Accounts are non-audited, certification is in progress

* Also excludes scope impact
² End-2019 final solvency ratio stands at 203% (based on the interpretation by Coface of Solvency II and integrating a SCR Factoring estimated on the basis of the Standard Approach). Not audited.
³ This estimated solvency ratio constitutes a preliminary calculation made according to Coface’s interpretation of Solvency II regulations and using the Partial Internal Model. The result of the definitive calculation may differ from the preliminary calculation. The estimated solvency ratio is not audited.

1. Turnover

In 2020, Coface recorded a consolidated turnover of €1,450.9 million, down by -0.6% at constant FX and perimeter compared to 2019. On a reported basis (at current FX and perimeter), turnover was down by -2.0%, due to negative effects of currency movements.

Revenues from insurance activities (including bonding and Single Risk) declined by -0.8% at constant FX and perimeter (and by -2.5% at current FX), but grew during the final quarter of 2020.

Client retention climbed to a new annual record level of 91.9%. New business stood at €138m, showing an increase over the previous year (€133m in 2019).

Coface’s client activity had a negative impact of -1.1% in 2020. This decrease is in line with an economic environment marked by successive lockdowns. The +1.4% rise in pricing confirms the upward reversal in the pricing cycle that began in the second quarter.

Revenues from other activities (factoring and services) rose by +0.9% compared with 2019. The growth in services and particularly information services (up by 11%) compensated for the fall in factoring revenues from Germany.

In the Northern Europe region, revenues declined by -4.7% at constant FX and perimeter (by -3.2% at current FX). Credit insurance business was affected by the significant drop in customer activities, while factoring income suffered from the decline in demand for corporate financing, in line with the economic slowdown.

In Western Europe, turnover declined by -0.9% at constant FX and perimeter. This was affected by the fall in credit insurance premiums (-1.6%) but partially offset by the positive performance of Single Risk and service activities.

In Central and Eastern Europe, turnover was down by -3.4% and by -2.8% at constant FX, mainly due to credit insurance affected by the decline in customer activity. As in Germany, factoring declined significantly due to lower economic activity.

In the Mediterranean and Africa, a region driven by Italy and Spain, sales grew by +0.2% and by +1.6% at constant FX. This rise was supported by strong client retention, positive pricing evolutions and growth in services.

In North America, revenues were slightly down, at -1.4%, on a reported basis but grew by +0.6% at constant FX, due to an increase in new business and an improvement in pricing conditions.

In Latin America, sales were down by -16.5% at current FX but grew by +3.7% at constant FX. Higher pricing compensated for lower client activity and new business (within the context of greater prudence on risks).

Revenues for the Asia-Pacific region rose by +1.6% at current FX and by +2.7% at constant FX. Higher pricing and positive net production compensated for weaker client activity.

2. Result

          -          Combined ratio

The combined ratio, net of reinsurance, stood at 79.8% for the year (an increase of 2.1 ppts compared to the previous year) and 84.6% excluding the effects of government reinsurance schemes. The combined ratio, net of reinsurance, for Q4-2020 was 58.3%, an improvement of 22.0 ppts compared to Q4-2019. Excluding the effect of government schemes, the combined ratio for Q4-2020 was 69.4%, an improvement of 11.0 ppts vs Q4-2019.

(i) Loss ratio

The gross loss ratio for 2020 was 51.8%, representing a rise of 8.4 ppts compared to the previous year. The gross loss ratio for Q4-2020 was 34.9%, showing a marked improvement compared to the previous quarter (54.8%).This improvement reflects the risk management measures taken by Coface since the start of the crisis, the mechanical drop in exposure during the confinement period and the significant support received by companies from most governments.

The Group’s reserving policy remains unchanged. Strict management of past claims enabled the Group to register 29.3 ppts of recoveries during the year.

The annual net loss ratio rose by 2.7% compared to 2019 (45.0%) to reach 47.7%. Excluding the impact of government schemes, the net loss ratio would have been 53.0%.

(ii) Cost ratio

Coface is following its strict policy of cost management and is continuing to invest in improving its tools and transforming processes, in order to optimise operational efficiency. Over the year 2020, costs were down by -1.6% at constant FX and perimeter, and by -3.0% at current FX. The strict cost control policy is confirmed by the fact that the fall in costs is greater than the decline in revenues. The gross cost ratio was 33.7%, an improvement of 0.7 ppt year on year.

The cost ratio, net of reinsurance, was 32.1% in 2020, representing an improvement of -0.6 ppt over one year, thanks to strict cost controls. Excluding government schemes, the net cost ratio was 31.6%, as the commission rates attached to these plans were lower than the usual rate used in the private reinsurance market.

          -          Financial result

The net financial income for 2020 was €26.9m, down by €10m compared to the previous year. This amount includes realised capital gains of + €2.9m and an impairment charge on real estate funds (- €4.6m), within the context of falling values for commercial real estate.

The sharp reduction in the proportion of risky assets over the first part of the year resulted in a fall in the recurring portfolio yield (i.e. excluding capital gains, depreciation and currency effects), to reach €32.9m (compared to  €44.6m in 2019). The accounting yield⁵, excluding capital gains, was 1.2% in 2020, down from the previous year (1.6%).

The strategy implemented by Coface consisted initially in protecting the value of the portfolio and strengthen liquidity levels in anticipation of higher claims payments. Since the third quarter, Coface has been gradually reinvesting its excess liquidity. At the end of the year, cash represented 15.8% of the investment portfolio.

          -          Operating income and net income

Operating income for the year was €154.2m, down by -31.4% compared to the previous year, mainly linked to the increase in the combined ratio and the decrease in net premiums due to higher cession rates within government schemes.

In 2020, Coface recorded positive goodwill (badwill⁶) of €8.9m following the integration of Coface GK in Norway and one-off charges for an amount of - €13.8m. These include transaction costs, investment expenses and restructuring costs related to the Build to Lead strategic plan.

The effective tax rate was 37%, compared to 28% in 2019.

Total net income (Group share) fell by 43% to €82.9m, of which €30.5m was for Q4-2020.

3. Shareholders' equity

As of 31 December 2020, Group equity stood at €1,998.6M, a rise of €73.8M, or +3.8% compared to 31 December 2019 (€1,924.7M).

This change is mainly due to the positive net income of €82.9m, which is partially offset by the €15m share buyback programme launched in October 2020, of which €8.6m had been realised by 31 December.

The annualised return on average tangible equity (RoATE) was 4.8% for the year 2020.

The solvency ratio reaches 205%⁷, a 2 ppts increase. This ratio has been calculated using the partial internal model and the new factoring methodology. Excluding the impact of government schemes, the ratio would be 191%, a level well above the upper end of the target range (155%-175%).

Coface will propose the payment of a dividend⁸ of €0.55 per share to its Annual Shareholders Assembly, which corresponds to a distribution rate of 100%, in line with its capital management policy.

4. Outlook

The start of 2021 is marked by renewed uncertainties around the coronavirus crisis. Just as the global vaccination campaign began, new, and often more contagious, variants of the virus began to appear. This means that tougher measures will be required to curb the spread of the virus, subsequently delaying an economic recovery. So far, the vaccines appear to be effective against these new variants.

Regions that are less affected by the pandemic (Asia in particular) are continuing to grow. There are therefore significant disparities between countries and between sectors of economic activity. The current crisis has accelerated a number of major trends, such as increased digitization of the economy, the proliferation of zombie companies, and decarbonisation of the economy.

In this uncertain context, Coface’s strategy – based on excellence in trade credit insurance, the development of adjacent activities, and agility – is thus fully relevant. Moreover, Coface will continue to work with governments, who have set up dedicated schemes for credit insurance in order to maintain supplier credit to the best possible extent. Coface has signed, where relevant, extensions to the schemes launched in 2020.

2021 also marks important changes in the company’s governance of the company, with the arrival of 5 new directors, including one independent director and the appointment of Bernardo Sanchez Incera as Chairman.

Coface's board of directors is therefore now composed of 10 members, including 4 appointed by Arch. It is therefore composed of a majority of independent directors, including the Chairman.

Conference call for financial analysts

Coface’s results for FY-2020 will be discussed with financial analysts during the conference call on 10 February at 18.00 (Paris time). Dial one of the following numbers:

• +33 1 72 72 74 03 (France)
• +44 207 1943 759 (United Kingdom)
• +1 646 722 4916 (United States)

The access code for participants is: 82454462#

The presentation will be available (in English only) at the following address:
http://www.coface.com/Investors/financial-results-and-reports

Appendix

Quarterly results

Cumulated results

^* Also excludes scope impact

FINANCIAL CALENDAR 2020/2021 (subject to change)
Q1-2021 results: 27 April 2021 (after market close)
Annual General Shareholders’ Meeting 2020: 12 May 2021
H1-2021 results: 28 July 2021 (after market close)
9M-2021 results: 28 October 2021 (after market close)

FINANCIAL INFORMATION
This press release, as well as COFACE SA’s integral regulatory information, can be found on the Group’s website:
http://www.coface.com/Investors

For regulated information on Alternative Performance Measures (APM),
please refer to our Interim Financial Report for S1-2020 and our 2019 Universal Registration Document.

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 chapter 5 "Main risk factors and their management within the Group” of the Coface Group's 2019 Universal Registration Document filed with AMF on 16 April 2020 under the number D.20-0302 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.

¹ Return on average tangible equity.

² This estimated solvency ratio constitutes a preliminary calculation made according to Coface’s interpretation of Solvency II regulations and using the Partial Internal Model. The result of the definitive calculation may differ from the preliminary calculation. The estimated solvency ratio is not audited.

³ The distribution proposal will be submitted to the Annual General Shareholders' Assembly to be called for the 12 May 2021.

⁴ Also excludes scope impact

⁵ Book yield calculated on the average of the investment portfolio excluding non-consolidated subsidiaries.

⁶ Badwill is based on preliminary estimates and could vary pending final analysis.

⁷ This estimated solvency ratio constitutes a preliminary calculation made according to Coface’s interpretation of Solvency II .regulations and using the Partial Internal Model. The result of the definitive calculation may differ from the preliminary calculation. The estimated solvency ratio is not audited.

⁸ The distribution proposal will be submitted to the Annual General Shareholders' Assembly to be called for the 12 May 2021

Attachment

• 2021 02 10 PR results FY-2020 COFACE