South African financial services group African Life Assurance Company on Tuesday reported a 37% increase in headline earnings per share to 244,2 cents for the year ended March 31, from 178,4 cents a year ago.
A strong performance from African Life Health helped increase operating profit by 28% to R226,7-million. Total embedded value increased by 13% to R2,43-billion despite a fair value adjustment of R156,5-million for black economic empowerment and management share options, the company said.
Shareholders will receive a final dividend of 63,5 cents per share, bringing the total dividend for the year to 106 cents per share, a 25% increase.
The I-Net Bridge consensus forecast was for headline earnings per share of 247 cents and a dividend of 90,4 cents.
African Life CE Jeremy Rowse said: “Ten years ago, African Life consisted of just a life operation in South Africa. Today, the group also has health and fund-management operations and is active in seven other African countries. Recurring new life business from these countries has increased at an annual compound growth rate of 42% since 1997.”
In South Africa, life recurring-premium sales were below the comparable period, but showed a consistent, positive trend.
Added Rowse: “This trend has continued into the new year, with sales in April and May well up on the previous year.”
Sales margin continues to compare favourably with other life assurers.
Recurring-premium income rose by 8% to R1,07-billion and single-premium income more than doubled to R402,9-million.
African Life Health enjoyed its maiden operating profit, contributing R19,4-million to group operating profit. Membership increased to 75 000 over the year and the July 1 commencement of the Lesotho Public Servants’ Medical Scheme will add an additional 45 000 members.
The recent acquisition of Multimed with 50 000 members awaits regulatory approval.
Rowse said: “African Life Health is well on track towards our target of coverage for one million lives by the end of 2006.”
The fund-management operations, which enjoy market-leader status in Botswana and Zambia, increased funds under management by 24% to R9,8-billion.
On prospects, Rowse said: “The environment in which the group operates both here and elsewhere in Africa is conducive to continued growth in the three strategic legs of the business — life, health and fund management.
“We expect to build on the good progress made in the last financial year.” — I-Net Bridge