Protector (Buy, TP: NOK270.00) - Still growing in the UK

A strong underwriting performance, driven by insurance revenue growth of 37% YOY, was offset by softer investments in Q1, leading to PTP down 11% YOY. The combined ratio improved 2%-points YOY, despite harsh weather, helped by the UK Property segment. We see a continued strong growth outlook for Protector after the UK segment reported 28% local currency growth YOY as part of the 1 April GWP renewals. We have raised our 2025–2026e EPS by 2% on the back of the improved underlying underwriting perf...

Protector (Buy, TP: NOK264.00) - GWP growth momentum building

We expect strong group GWP growth in Q1 to be partly offset by a more modest investment performance, resulting in PTP of NOK540m, down 16% YOY. Q1 is typically a low-volume quarter for the UK, but we expect continued strong growth from important 1 April renewals. We have made limited revisions to our 2025–2026e EPS, and reiterate our BUY and NOK264 target price.

Protector (Buy, TP: NOK264.00) - Planning for French expansion

Protector reported a strong Q4 pre-tax profit of NOK840m, up 22%, driven by solid underwriting and good investment performance. As announced on 22 January, gross written premiums grew 48% in local currencies in Q4, while the combined ratio improved 4.2%-points YOY. In addition to the growth potential in the UK, Protector is planning to enter France. We have increased our 2024–2025e EPS by 7–10%, and raised our target price to NOK264 (222), reiterating our BUY.

Protector (Buy, TP: NOK222.00) - Strong end to 2023 and start to 2024

We believe solid 1 January renewals (GWP up 16% YOY in local currencies) should support still-strong growth in 2024. Protector also reported 48% growth YOY in GWP in local currencies in Q4. While 1 April is more key for renewals in the UK, we find the update supportive for continued strong growth for the group in 2024. We have raised our 2024–2025e EPS by 3–5% and our target price to NOK222 (208), and reiterate our BUY.

Protector (Buy, TP: NOK208.00) - Solid seasonal underwriting

We forecast Q4 PTP of NOK648m, 6% lower YOY, on a sharp drop in market interest rates and high claims from storms and cold weather (results due on 1 February). We expect a reported combined ratio of 93.6%, 2.9%-points softer YOY, together with still-strong growth in gross written premiums (GWP) of 30% YOY. We have reduced our 2024–2025e EPS by 3–4% on a stronger NOK and softer investment yields, and cut our target price to NOK208 (213), but reiterate our BUY.

Protector (Buy, TP: NOK213.00) - Good growth opportunities

Protector reported Q3 PTP of NOK122m, down YOY due to higher large claims, a total investment result only just above zero, and a reversal of insurance finance items. The combined ratio was 5%-points softer YOY as the ‘Hans’ weather event along with several other large losses led to elevated claims in the quarter. Growth in gross written premiums remained a strong 35% YOY in local currency. We have raised our 2024–2025e EPS by ~2% following increased growth, and reiterate our BUY and NOK213 targe...

Protector (Buy, TP: NOK213.00) - Strong growth offset by claims

We forecast Q3 EPS of NOK1.3 and PTP of NOK193m. Strong growth in the UK, together with increased interest rates, should help offset elevated weather-related claims in the quarter. Despite the soft equity performance, we expect an improved investment result YOY from stable interest rates QOQ and strong high-yield performance. We reiterate our BUY and NOK213 target price. The Q3 results are due at 18:00 CET on 19 October.

Northern Lights

Protector (Buy, TP: NOK213.00) - Strong growth momentum

Q2 pre-tax profit of NOK331m was up 26% YOY on 46% higher insurance revenue YOY and a solid combined ratio of 83.9%, 0.9%-points stronger YOY. The UK segment continued to fuel growth, with added help from FX due to the NOK reporting currency. The underlying claims trend was flattish YOY, and we have made modest estimate revisions following the results. We reiterate our BUY and NOK213 target price.

Northern Lights

Protector (Buy, TP: NOK213.00) - Set for UK growth spurt

We expect Protector to report Q2 EPS of NOK2.5, helped by strong growth, particularly in the UK, and continued solid underwriting. Although we believe investments could come in somewhat softer QOQ, we expect the rise in interest rates to support investment performance, which, together with FX, prompted us to raise our 2024–2025e EPS by 8–10%. We reiterate our BUY and have raised our target price to NOK213 (205).

Protector (Buy, TP: NOK205.00) - Strong UK growth outlook

Through solid underwriting performance and a strong return on investments, Protector had a Q1 pre-tax profit of NOK642m (NOK302m in Q1 2022). The underwriting result was sharply improved by the lack of major storms, causing few large claims, in addition to the 25% YOY insurance revenue growth. With the 1 April renewals seeing historically high growth in the UK, we have raised our 2024–2025e EPS by 8–10%. We reiterate our BUY and have increased our target price to NOK205 (190).

Protector (Buy, TP: NOK190.00) - Strong returns from equities

We forecast Q1 EPS of NOK6.4 for Protector (report due on 28 April), helped by a strong investment result and continued high premium growth. Although claims could jump following short bouts of heavy snowfall this winter, we believe the introduction of IFRS17 discounting should offset part of this. In sum, we forecast a Q1 combined ratio of 95.2%, 40bp stronger YOY, which together with strong investment performance from equities should lead to Q1 pre-tax profit of NOK543m. We reiterate our BUY an...

Northern Lights

Protector - Initiation of coverage - The proven challenger

We believe Protector Forsikring has found a sustainable way to breach the high barriers to entry in the profitable Nordic non-life insurance industry by focusing on niche markets. Despite a gross written premiums (GWP) CAGR of ~18% since 2005, we still see growth potential from the Nordic and UK markets. With rising bond yields and strong underwriting discipline, we forecast a ROE of 26% for 2024–2025. We initiate coverage with a BUY and NOK190 target price.

PROTECTOR FORSIKRING sees a downgrade to Neutral on account of less fu...

The independent financial analyst theScreener just lowered the general evaluation of PROTECTOR FORSIKRING (NO), active in the Full Line Insurance industry. As regards its fundamental valuation, the title now shows 0 out of 4 stars while market behaviour can be considered defensive. theScreener believes that the title remains under pressure due to the loss of a star(s) and downgrades its general evaluation to Neutral. As of the analysis date February 18, 2022, the closing price was NOK 111.20 and...

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