The Genworth (ASX: GMA) share price rose 10.6% today after giving its September 2019 quarter trading update.
Genworth is an insurer of mortgages. It offers the product called “LMI” to banks for borrowers who are perceived to be riskier or can’t come up with an adequate deposit for a home.
Genworth’s Trading Update
Genworth reported that in its third quarter of 2019 its new insurance written (NIW) increased by 26.4% to $6.4 billion.
This NIW growth helped net premium rise by 11.9% to $76.2 million in the quarter and up 5.8% to $223.8 million in the nine months to September 2019. This performance is above the FY19 guidance.
The September 2019 quarter reported net profit grew 28% to $25.1 million and underlying net profit increased 29.9% to $26.5 million.
Genworth said that its loss ratio in the third quarter was 52.9% which reflects positive portfolio seasonality offset by weakness in non-mining areas in Western Australia and Queensland. This, and the year to date loss ratio of 53.7%, is within its guidance range.
The company has also declared an unfranked special dividend of 24.2 cents per share, amounting to $100 million for shareholders.
Genworth said that economic fundamentals remain sound with the effect of stimuli on multiple fronts including a historically low cash rate, tax cuts and continued infrastructure investment at a state and federal level providing positive momentum for the last quarter of 2019.
Management said house prices are expected to continue to grow for the rest of the year and then slowly keep recovering into 2020, except in Perth where challenging conditions are likely to continue.
Genworth CEO and Managing Director Georgette Nicholas said: “The strategic program of work undertaken since 2017 to redefine our core business model has created a strong platform to continue delivering solid profits and attractive shareholder returns. Combined with a property market showing increasing signs of stability, Genworth is well placed to take advantage of any potential recovery.”
Genworth Management Change
The company also announced that Ms Nicholas will retire effective 31 December 2019, which was originally announced in May 2019.
Since then the company has been looking for a replacement. On 1 January 2020, Mr Duncan West -a current Non-Executive Director with insurance industry experience – will become the acting CEO until a permanent appointment is made.
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