Key figures for VIG Insurance Group

Significant improvement in earnings per share

Earnings per share is a key figure equal to the result for the period (less non-controlling interests) divided by the average number of shares outstanding. The number of shares remained unchanged compared to the previous year.

Earnings per share were EUR 2.59 in 2019 (2018 EUR 2.04). This therefore represented an increase of 27.1% compared to the previous year.

Return on equity (RoE) substantially improved

Return on equity (RoE) measures the profitability of the Group by expressing the result before taxes as a ratio of the capital employed. This ratio is calculated by dividing the result before taxes and non-controlling interests by the average shareholders’ equity. Shareholders’ equity adjusted for a provision for unrealised gains and losses is used for this purpose.

The Group earned a return on equity before taxes of 10.5% in 2019 (2018: 8.9%).

Combined ratio significantly below 100%

The combined ratio is calculated as the sum of all underwriting income and expenses, and net payments for claims and insurance benefits, including the net change in underwriting provisions, divided by net earned premiums in the property and casualty line of business.

The Group combined ratio improved to 95.4% in 2019, primarily due to positive changes in the Austria and Czech Republic segments (2018: 96.0%).