HELIOS UNDERWRITING PLC (Helios) delivered EPS growth of 35% to 7.7p in H124 and reported a net asset value (NAV) of 191p/share. While its combined ratio of 91.6% deteriorated from 88% in H123 and 85% in FY23 due to seasonal impacts on the 2024 year of account (YOA) and stricter reserving for its 2022 YOA, Edison Group forecasts an improvement to 88.8% for FY24. Helios experienced cost pressures during the period as a result of abandoning its ‘follow-only’ syndicate initiative and the departure of its CEO. Edison expects a meaningful reduction in costs in FY25, including a saving in stop-loss reinsurance costs as the company is expected to reduce cover in light of very healthy syndicate solvency levels. Edison has significantly reduced their forecast underwriting capacity growth for the company to reflect its new strategy, aimed at consolidating its book and focusing on shareholder distribution.
3 October 2024
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