Chubb Reports Fourth Quarter Net Income
Chubb Limited reported net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 of $3.30 billion, or $8.03 per share, and core operating income of $3.41 billion, or $8.30 per share. Book value per share and tangible book value per share increased 14.4% and 24.1%, respectively, from September 30, 2023, and, excluding the tax benefit increased 12.2% and 20.2%. Book value per share and tangible book value per share now stand at $146.83 and $87.98, respectively. Book value was favorably impacted by after-tax net realized and unrealized gains of $4.88 billion in the company’s investment portfolio, principally due to the mark-to-market impact from declining interest rates in the fixed-income portfolio. Book value per share and tangible book value per share excluding AOCI increased 4.5% and 6.1%, respectively, from September 30, 2023, and, excluding the tax benefit, increased 2.7% and 3.3%.
Evan G. Greenberg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chubb Limited, commented: “We had a record fourth quarter which contributed to a blowout year – the best in our company’s history. The quarter’s results included double-digit P&C premium growth globally, record P&C underwriting income with a world-class 85.5% combined ratio, record investment income, and strong life operating income, all leading to exceptional operating earnings on both a per-share and dollar basis. Our results, both earnings and book value related, were positively impacted in a significant way by a one-time deferred tax benefit related to Bermuda’s new income tax law. Core operating income was $2.3 billion excluding the tax benefit, up 36%, or $5.54 per share, up 39%. The one-time tax benefit then added $1.1 billion or $2.76 per share.
“Our full-year performance tells a compelling story: Core operating income of $9.3 billion, or a record $8.2 billion excluding the tax benefit; P&C underwriting income of $5.5 billion with a combined ratio of 86.5%; investment income of $5.3 billion; life income over $1 billion; and consolidated net premiums written growth of 13.5%. Shareholder returns for the year were excellent. Core operating ROE was 15.4% and our return on tangible equity was 24.2%. For the year, per-share book and tangible book value each grew by over 20%.
“In the quarter, P&C premiums were up 12.5% and life insurance premiums were up 20%. Of the 12.5% P&C growth, consumer lines were up 20% while commercial P&C was up 10%, which was, in fact, stronger growth than the full-year average. Chubb is a globally diversified company, and our growth in the quarter demonstrates the broad-based nature of our operations: P&C premiums were up 9.4% in North America, 37.2% in Asia, and 15.4% for both Europe and Latin America.
“In North America, commercial P&C premiums in the quarter were up 4.4%, impacted by growth of only 1.4% in our Major Accounts division. Growth was adversely impacted by pre-planned underwriting actions we took in a segment of our large account primary and excess casualty business. These actions impact future growth in underwriting income. We fully expect North America Commercial’s growth to return to more robust levels beginning with the first quarter.
“In the quarter, continuing the trend we experienced all year, commercial P&C rates and price increases across the majority of our global portfolio were strong and exceeded loss costs, which were stable. Pricing in our P&C lines was up 12.4% in North America and 10.1% in our international retail business, while financial lines pricing globally continued to decrease led by public D&O. At year-end, our loss reserves were in an exceptionally strong position – as strong as they have ever been.
“We have a lot of momentum around the world going into the first quarter and have hit the ground running. Notwithstanding the obvious fact that we are in the risk business and CAT volatility is a reality, we are confident in our ability to continue growing operating earnings at a double-digit pace through P&C revenue growth and underwriting margins, investment income, and life income.”
