EANS-Adhoc: VIENNA INSURANCE GROUP STAYS ON COURSE IN 1ST QUARTER OF 2012:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ad-hoc disclosure transmitted by euro adhoc with the aim of a Europe-wide distribution. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3M 2012 23.05.2012 - Group premiums grew by 5.5 percent to more than EUR 2.7 billion - Increase in Group profit (before taxes) by 6.0 percent to EUR 151.4 million - Significant increase in profit in CEE by 13.8 percent - Combined ratio decreased to excellent 96.4 percent I. OVERVIEW OF KEY GROUP DATA FOR THE 1st QUARTER OF 2012 (in accordance with IFRS) In the 1st quarter of 2012 Vienna Insurance Group earned a total of EUR 2.7 billion of (consolidated) premiums written, growing by 5.5 percent compared to the same period of the previous year. The Group profit (before taxes, consolidated) amounted to EUR 151.4 million in the 1st quarter of 2012. This corresponds to a significant increase by 6.0 percent compared to the prior-year period. The Group profit after taxes and minority interests went up by 7.9 percent to EUR 117.7 million. In the 1st quarter of 2012 the Group's combined ratio after reinsurance (excluding investment income) was successfully decreased by 1.4 percentage points to an excellent 96.4 percent - which is considerably below the 100- percent threshold. The Group posted total investments, including cash and cash equivalents, of EUR 28.7 billion as of 31 March 2012. Increasing by 9.4 percent, the financial result totalled EUR 277.0 million. The hidden reserves of the Group amounted to about EUR 1.5 billion. II. OUTLOOK In 2012 the focus will remain on strengthening organic growth - by promoting business with existing companies. This will, however, not exclude the possibility of acquisitions rounding off the portfolio. Vienna Insurance Group set itself the goal of growing above market average in the next years. The Management of Vienna Insurance Group has committed itself to keeping volatilities as low as possible by taking into account the economic background. Vienna Insurance Group also strives to identify cost-cutting potentials on an ongoing basis and to use them to the best advantage. Further inquiry note: VIENNA INSURANCE GROUP AG Wiener Versicherung Gruppe 1010 Wien, Schottenring 30 Alexander Jedlicka Head of Public Relations, Spokesperson Tel.: +43 (0)50 390-21029 Fax: +43 (0)50 390 99-21029 E-Mail: alexander.jedlicka@vig.com Nina Higatzberger Head of Investor Relations Tel.: +43 (0)50 390-21920 Fax: +43 (0)50 390 99-21920 E-Mail: nina.higatzberger@vig.com end of announcement euro adhoc -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- issuer: Vienna Insurance Group Schottenring 30 A-1011 Wien phone: +43(0)50 390-21919 FAX: +43(0)50 390 99-23303 mail: investor.relations@vig.com WWW: www.vig.com sector: Insurance ISIN: AT0000908504 indexes: WBI, ATX Prime, ATX stockmarkets: official market: Wien, stock market: Prague Stock Exchange language: English
Original content of: Vienna Insurance Group, transmitted by news aktuell