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ZURICH, Oct. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Chubb Limited (NYSE: CB) today reported net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 of $1.83 billion, or $4.18 per share, and core operating income of $1.16 billion, or $2.64 per share. The P&C combined ratio was 93.4% compared to 95.2% prior year, and the current accident year P&C combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses was 84.8% compared to 85.7% prior year. Book and tangible book value per share increased 0.6% and 0.4%, respectively, from June 30, 2021 and now stand at $137.67 and $91.89, respectively. Book value was favorably impacted by after-tax net realized and unrealized gains in the company's investment portfolio of $190 million and was unfavorably impacted by foreign currency movement of $305 million.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, net income was $6.40 billion, or $14.33 per share, compared with $1.11 billion, or $2.46 per share, for 2020. Core operating income was $3.92 billion, or $8.78 per share, compared with $1.87 billion, or $4.13 per share, for 2020. The P&C combined ratio was 90.4% compared to 98.9% prior year, and the current accident year P&C combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses was 85.1% compared to 86.8% prior year. Book and tangible book value per share increased 4.4% and 4.8%, respectively, from December 31, 2020. Book value was favorably impacted by after-tax net realized and unrealized gains of $628 million, including $454 million in the company's investment portfolio and $140 million from mark-to-market gains in the company's variable annuity reinsurance portfolio.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, the tax expenses (benefits) related to the table above were $(11) million and $(14) million, respectively, for amortization of fair value adjustment of acquired invested assets and long-term debt; $176 million and $(54) million, respectively, for adjusted net realized gains and losses; and $708 million and $363 million, respectively, for core operating income.

Evan G. Greenberg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chubb Limited, commented: "Chubb had a very strong third quarter, highlighted by outstanding premium revenue growth globally and simply excellent underwriting results. P&C net premiums written grew 17%, our strongest organic growth since 2004, driven by commercial lines growth of 22% globally. Despite $1.1 billion of catastrophe losses in the quarter, we reported P&C underwriting income of $617 million, up 58%, and a 93.4% combined ratio, which illustrates the strengths that come from our underwriting capabilities and the broad diversification of our company's businesses. Core operating income in the quarter of $2.64 per share was up 32% from prior year with per share net income of $4.18 up 59%. Year to date, we have produced record earnings, both net and core operating.

"Our current accident year combined ratio of 84.8% is a quarterly record that featured two percentage points of margin improvement adjusting for a one-time COVID-related frequency benefit in last year's quarterly result. Through nine months, we have produced $2.4 billion in underwriting income and a combined ratio of 90.4% despite an elevated level of CAT losses year to date. The growing impact of climate change globally is evident in industry results, and we are reacting thoughtfully but swiftly to ensure we maintain an adequate risk-adjusted return on the business we write.

"We continue to capitalize on robust commercial P&C pricing conditions in most regions of the world. Our premium revenue growth in the quarter was broad based with contributions from virtually all of our commercial P&C businesses and year-on-year improvement in rate-to-exposure that is well in excess of loss costs. Commercial lines grew 22.5% in North America and over 20.5%, or 16% in constant dollars, in our international operations. In addition, our international consumer lines businesses are recovering steadily from the impact of the pandemic's ongoing effects on consumer activity with premiums up almost 10% in the quarter, or 5% in constant dollars.

"In sum, our company is in great shape. We are growing our business, expanding our margins and, as our recent Asia-Pacific transaction announcement demonstrates, investing in our capabilities to position us for continued growth in the future."

Operating highlights for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 were as follows:

The P&C and Global P&C current accident year combined ratios excluding catastrophe losses both decreased 0.9 percentage point. The decrease in the Global P&C ratio comprised a 0.7 percentage point decrease in the expense ratio and a 0.2 percentage point decrease in the loss ratio. The prior year loss ratios were favorably impacted by reduced claim frequency primarily in the automobile portfolios in North America and Latin America. The table below presents the impact of the COVID-related frequency benefit by segment: 

• Consolidated net premiums earned increased 14.1%. P&C net premiums earned increased 15.2%, comprising growth in commercial and consumer lines of 21.1% and 1.4%, respectively.
• The combined ratio included 12.2 percentage points of net catastrophe losses compared with 11.3 percentage points last year.
• Total pre-tax and after-tax favorable prior period development were $321 million (3.6 percentage points of the combined ratio) and $227 million, respectively, compared with $146 million (1.8 percentage points of the combined ratio) and $126 million, respectively, last year. The favorable development in the quarter was split 77% from short-tail lines and 23% from long-tail lines.
• Operating cash flow was $3.32 billion.
• Total capital returned to shareholders in the quarter was $1.86 billion, including share repurchases of $1.52 billion, at an average purchase price of $180.23 per share, and dividends of $346 million. Total capital returned to shareholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $5.01 billion, including share repurchases of $3.96 billion, at an average purchase price of $172.92 per share, and dividends of $1.05 billion.

Details of financial results by business segment are available in the Chubb Limited Financial Supplement. Key segment items for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 are presented below:

• North America Commercial P&C Insurance: The current accident year combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses decreased 2.5 percentage points, including a 1.5 percentage point decrease in the loss ratio and a 1.0 percentage point decrease in the expense ratio.
• North America Personal P&C Insurance: The current accident year combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses increased 2.2 percentage points, including a 1.5 percentage point increase in the loss ratio. The prior year included a COVID-related frequency benefit that lowered the loss ratio by 3.3 percentage points.
• North America Agricultural Insurance: The current accident year combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses decreased 1.5 percentage points, including a 1.3 percentage point decrease in the expense ratio and a 0.2 percentage point decrease in the loss ratio.
• Overseas General Insurance: The current accident year combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses decreased 1.7 percentage points, including a 2.0 percentage point decrease in the expense ratio and a 0.3 percentage point increase in the loss ratio. The prior year included a COVID-related frequency benefit that lowered the loss ratio by 1.7 percentage points.
• Global Reinsurance: Net premiums written were $221 million, up 22.3%. The combined ratio was 121.4% compared with 118.3% prior year. The current accident year combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses was 83.5% compared with 80.8% prior year.
• Life Insurance: Net premiums written were $609 million and segment income was $104 million. International life insurance net premiums written increased 14.8%, or 13.0% in constant dollars, while net premiums written and deposits collected were up 52.3%, or 47.3% in constant dollars. International life insurance segment income was $31 million, down 39.5%, reflecting additional COVID losses and a non-recurring charge in the current quarter. Combined Insurance North America net premiums written decreased 7.3%, driven by the impact of the pandemic on face-to-face and worksite sales.

All comparisons are with the same period last year unless otherwise specifically stated.
Please refer to the Chubb Limited Financial Supplement, dated September 30, 2021, which is posted on the company's investor relations website, investors.chubb.com, in the Financials section for more detailed information on individual segment performance, together with additional disclosure on reinsurance recoverable, loss reserves, investment portfolio, and debt and capital.

Chubb Limited will hold its third quarter earnings conference call on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern. The earnings conference call will be available via live webcast at investors.chubb.com or by dialing 888-394-8218 (within the United States) or 323-794-2588 (international), passcode 8805396. Please refer to the Chubb website under Events and Presentations for details. A replay of the call will be available until Wednesday, November 10, 2021 and the archived webcast will be available on our website for approximately one month. To listen to the replay, please click here to register and receive dial-in numbers.

About Chubb
Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company. With operations in 54 countries and territories, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London, Paris and other locations, and employs approximately 31,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at: www.chubb.com.

Regulation G - Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In presenting our results, we included and discussed certain non-GAAP measures. These non-GAAP measures, which may be defined differently by other companies, are important for an understanding of our overall results of operations and financial condition. However, they should not be viewed as a substitute for measures determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

Throughout this document there are various measures presented on a constant-dollar basis (i.e., excludes the impact of foreign exchange). We believe it is useful to evaluate the trends in our results exclusive of the effect of fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the currencies in which our international business is transacted, as these exchange rates could fluctuate significantly between periods and distort the analysis of trends. The impact is determined by assuming constant foreign exchange rates between periods by translating prior period results using the same local currency exchange rates as the comparable current period.

Q3 2020 adjusted current accident year loss ratio excluding catastrophe losses is the current accident year loss ratio excluding catastrophe losses adjusted for a one-time COVID-related reduced claim frequency benefit primarily in the automobile portfolios in North America and Latin America. We believe this measure is meaningful to evaluate trends in the underlying business on a comparable basis.

Adjusted net investment income is net investment income excluding the amortization of the fair value adjustment on acquired invested assets from the acquisition of The Chubb Corporation (Chubb Corp) of $19 million in Q3 2021 and $67 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and including investment income of $55 million in Q3 2021 and $135 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 from partially owned investment companies (private equity partnerships) where our ownership interest is in excess of three percent that are accounted for under the equity method. The mark-to-market movement on these private equity partnerships are included in adjusted net realized gains (losses) as described below. We believe this measure is meaningful as it highlights the underlying performance of our invested assets and portfolio management in support of our lines of business.

Adjusted net realized gains (losses), net of tax, includes net realized gains (losses) and net realized gains (losses) recorded in other income (expense) related to unconsolidated subsidiaries, and excludes realized gains and losses on crop derivatives. These derivatives were purchased to provide economic benefit, in a manner similar to reinsurance protection, in the event that a significant decline in commodity pricing impacts underwriting results. We view gains and losses on these derivatives as part of the results of our underwriting operations, and therefore realized gains (losses) from these derivatives are reclassified to adjusted losses and loss expenses.

P&C underwriting income is calculated by subtracting adjusted losses and loss expenses, policy acquisition costs and administrative expenses from net premiums earned by our P&C operations. We use P&C underwriting income and operating ratios to monitor the results of our operations without the impact of certain factors, including net investment income, other income (expense), interest expense, amortization expense of purchased intangibles, income tax expense and adjusted net realized gains (losses).

P&C current accident year underwriting income excluding catastrophe losses is P&C underwriting income adjusted to exclude catastrophe losses and prior period development (PPD). We believe it is useful to exclude catastrophe losses, as they are not predictable as to timing and amount, and PPD as these unexpected loss developments on historical reserves are not indicative of our current underwriting performance. We believe the use of these measures enhances the understanding of our results of operations by highlighting the underlying profitability of our insurance business.

Core operating income, net of tax, excludes from net income the after-tax impact of adjusted net realized gains (losses) and the amortization of fair value adjustment of acquired invested assets and long-term debt related to the Chubb Corp acquisition. We believe this presentation enhances the understanding of our results of operations by highlighting the underlying profitability of our insurance business. We exclude adjusted net realized gains (losses) because the amount of these gains (losses) are heavily influenced by, and fluctuate in part according to, the availability of market opportunities. We exclude the amortization of the fair value adjustments related to purchased invested assets and long-term debt due to the size and complexity of this acquisition. References to core operating income measures mean net of tax, whether or not noted.

Core operating return on equity (ROE) and Core operating return on tangible equity (ROTE) are annualized non-GAAP financial measures. The numerator includes core operating income (loss), net of tax. The denominator includes the average shareholders' equity for the period adjusted to exclude unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax. For the ROTE calculation, the denominator is also adjusted to exclude goodwill and other intangible assets, net of tax. These measures enhances the understanding of the return on shareholders' equity by highlighting the underlying profitability relative to shareholders' equity and tangible equity excluding the effect of unrealized gains and losses on our investments. Annualized core operating ROE adjusted for the impact of mark-to-market gains on private equity investments of $705 million after tax added 5.0 percentage points, resulting in an adjusted return on equity of 13.2%. We believe that inclusion of this impact is meaningful for comparison to peer companies that include this metric within core operating income.

P&C combined ratio is the sum of the loss and loss expense ratio, acquisition cost ratio and the administrative expense ratio excluding the life business and including the realized gains and losses on the crop derivatives, as noted above.

P&C current accident year combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses excludes the impact of P&C catastrophe losses and PPD from the P&C combined ratio. We believe this measure provides a better evaluation of our underwriting performance and enhances the understanding of the trends in our property and casualty business that may be obscured by these items.

Global P&C performance metrics comprise consolidated operating results (including corporate) and exclude the operating results of the company's Life Insurance and North America Agricultural Insurance segments. The agriculture insurance business is a different business in that it is a public sector and private sector partnership in which insurance rates, premium growth, and risk-sharing is not market-driven like the remainder of the company's P&C insurance business. We believe that these measures are useful and meaningful to investors as they are used by management to assess the company's global P&C operations which are the most economically similar. We exclude the North America Agricultural Insurance and Life Insurance segments because the results of these businesses do not always correlate with the results of our global P&C operations.

Tangible book value per common share is shareholders' equity less goodwill and other intangible assets, net of tax, divided by the shares outstanding. We believe that goodwill and other intangible assets are not indicative of our underlying insurance results or trends and make book value comparisons to less acquisitive peer companies less meaningful.

International life insurance net premiums written and deposits collected includes deposits collected on universal life and investment contracts (life deposits). Life deposits are not reflected as revenues in our consolidated statements of operations in accordance with GAAP. However, we include life deposits in presenting growth in our life insurance business because new life deposits are an important component of production and key to our efforts to grow our business.

See the reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures on pages 29-35 in the Financial Supplement. These measures should not be viewed as a substitute for measures determined in accordance with GAAP, including premium, net income, return on equity, and net investment income.

NM - not meaningful comparison

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
Forward-looking statements made in this press release, such as those related to company performance, pricing, growth opportunities, economic and market conditions, and our expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts, reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including without limitation, the following: competition, pricing and policy term trends, the levels of new and renewal business achieved, the frequency and severity of unpredictable catastrophic events, actual loss experience, uncertainties in the reserving or settlement process, integration activities and performance of acquired companies, loss of key employees or disruptions to our operations, new theories of liability, judicial, legislative, regulatory and other governmental developments, litigation tactics and developments, investigation developments and actual settlement terms, the amount and timing of reinsurance recoverable, credit developments among reinsurers, rating agency action, infection rates and severity of pandemics, including COVID-19, and their effects on our business operations and claims activity, possible terrorism or the outbreak and effects of war, economic, political, regulatory, insurance and reinsurance business conditions, potential strategic opportunities including acquisitions and our ability to achieve and integrate them, as well as management's response to these factors, and other factors identified in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates on which they are made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Chubb Limited