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MMI HOLDINGS LIMITED - Trading Update for the nine months ended 31 March 2013

Release Date: 29/05/2013 08:00
Code(s): MMI     PDF:  
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Trading Update for the nine months ended 31 March 2013

MMI HOLDINGS LIMITED
Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
Registration number: 2000/031756/06
ISIN Code: ZAE000149902
JSE Share Code: MMI
NSX Share Code: MIM
("MMI" or "the company")


Trading update for the nine months ended 31 March 2013


Group overview and operational highlights

•   Total group new business PVP (present value of premiums) for the
    quarter increased by 11% compared with the corresponding figure of the
    prior year, and 11% year-to-date, confirming the need for financial
    products and the benefits to MMI from product and market segment
    diversification.
•   Capital management projects are ongoing and the group remains
    appropriately capitalised.
•   Delivering on expense management and merger efficiencies remain one of
    the top priorities; however the medium-term focus has moved to growth
    initiatives.


Market conditions and environment

•   The group is currently operating in a challenging economic
    environment.
•   Pressure on disposable income is increasing and the market remains
    highly competitive.
•   The need for and importance of investment and protection products
    within MMI’s client base remains an integral part of their financial
    planning and wellness.
•   Investment markets, while relatively strong, continue to be volatile.


Momentum Retail *

                                            9 months to      9 months to       Change
                                            31-March-12      31-March-13      vs 2012
                                                     Rm               Rm            %
New business
Recurring premiums                                    841            828           (1)
Single premiums                                     7 062          7 802           10
Annual premium equivalent (APE)                     1 547          1 609            4
Present value of premiums (PVP)                    11 802         12 638            7

* Momentum Retail includes Odyssey but excludes new markets and FNB Life.
* Covered business includes on-balance sheet business only.
* Includes only two periods as a result of the change in the definition
 of covered business to exclude off-balance sheet Wealth business.

•   Competition in the upper-income risk market continues to be very
    tough.
•   Year-to-date new business volumes increased by 7% on a PVP basis
    assisted by strong single premium flows.
•   The mix of new business favours single premium investments with lower
    inherent margins.
•   Good mortality experience continued during the quarter.
•   Business efficiency initiatives are ongoing.
•   The Odyssey conversion whereby 180 000 policies were transferred onto
    the Momentum administration platform was completed successfully and
    the expense savings target was achieved.


Metropolitan Retail #

                             9 months to 9 months to 9 months to        Change
                             31-March-11 31-March-12 31-March-13       vs 2012
                                      Rm          Rm          Rm             %
New business
Recurring premiums                   680          777          788           1
Single premiums                    1 441          901          832         (8)
Annual premium equivalent            823          868          873          1
(APE)
Present value of premiums          4 247        4 057        4 117          1
(PVP)

#Metropolitan Retail includes new markets and FNB Life, but excludes
Odyssey.

•   The markets in which Metropolitan Retail operate have become tougher
    as a result of increased competition, together with food and transport
    inflation.
•   The regulatory exams that dampened new business in the first quarter
    of FY2013 are no longer having a material impact on new business
    activity in subsequent quarters.
•   Recurring premium new business continued to recover, increasing 7% in
    the last quarter when compared to the prior year.
•   The reduction in single premium income over the past few reporting
    periods was the result of the closure of certain less profitable
    products and also some distribution channels; good growth has
    continued in the remaining products and channels.
•   Early duration persistency in some lines of business showed signs of
    deterioration; however overall experience remains within the valuation
    basis.
•   Expenses were well managed during the period under review.


Momentum Employee Benefits

                             9 months to   9 months to   9 months to     Change
                             31-March-11   31-March-12   31-March-13    vs 2012
                                      Rm            Rm            Rm          %
New business
Recurring premiums                  546           591           535         (9)
Single premiums                   2 062         2 898         4 520          56
Annual premium equivalent           752           881           987          12
(APE)
Present value of premiums         5 839         7 123         8 402          18
(PVP)

•   Securing new business in the group insurance and investment markets
    remains highly competitive.
•   The division recorded exceptional new business during the quarter –
    the highest since the merger.
       o Strong single premium new business was recorded throughout the
         year.
       o A number of large recurring risk schemes were secured during the
         quarter.
•   Client retention remains satisfactory while positive risk experience
    continued.
•   Expense efficiency initiatives are continually being investigated and
    implemented.
•   The division remained in a strong cash flow positive position.


Metropolitan International §

                             9 months to 9 months to 9 months to    Change
                             31-March-11 31-March-12 31-March-13   vs 2012
                                      Rm          Rm          Rm         %
New business
Recurring premiums                  122         161          225       40
Single premiums (incl EB)           103         156          204       31
Annual premium equivalent           132         177          245       38
(APE)
Present value of premiums           619         884        1 285       45
(PVP)
Membership (health) (‘000)          367         390          387       (3)

§ New business includes MMI’s share of life insurance new business
written by all Metropolitan International subsidiaries.

•   Strong growth in new business volumes was recorded in Namibia,
    supported by the Botswana and Lesotho operations.
•   The acquisition of a life insurance company in Mauritius has been
    finalised and the other two new life operations, namely Zambia and
    Tanzania, are progressing according to plan.
•   The medical claims ratio improved as a result of appropriate re-
    pricing and improved claims controls.
•   The total lives under administration in the health business increased
    from 381 000 at the end of December 2012 to 387 000 at the end of
    March 2013.
•   A number of new growth and business process efficiency improvements
    are being implemented.


Momentum Investments

•   Strong inflows into unit trusts for the quarter aided by flows into
    the Momentum-managed enhanced yield, property and Africa fund
    offerings together with continued positive flows into the white label
    boutique asset managers resulted in positive net flows for the
    quarter.
•   These flows, together with the strong equity market performance, have
    increased the total assets under management.
•   The longer term outlook for the investment management business in
    general remains positive, but the earnings will be dependent on the
    levels and mix of the assets under management, as well as expense
    ratios.
•   Building competitive third party investment management capabilities
    remain core to the growth strategy.


Metropolitan Health

•   The division administered 1.3 million principal members (3.1 million
    lives) at the end of March 2013.
•   Growth in membership was recorded in both the Momentum Health open
    scheme and the Government Employees Medical Scheme.
•   A couple of smaller schemes terminated their agreements with
    Metropolitan in order to amalgamate into larger schemes administered
    by other administrators.
•   Good progress has been made in the roll-out of the Multiply rewards
    programme.
•   Further operational efficiencies are being pursued.
•   The business continues to position itself for health reform. In this
    regard, in association with the Alpha Pharm National Health Network,
    the business is rolling out in-store primary healthcare clinics. These
    clinics will provide services to insured and uninsured members of the
    public.


Other corporate activity

•   During the quarter under review MMI Holdings Ltd acquired the
    floating-rate, irredeemable preference shares, issued by Momentum
    Group Limited (since renamed to MMI Group Limited) in 2005 from
    FirstRand Limited in order to simplify and optimise the group’s
    capital structure. The transaction was approved by the Financial
    Services Board and the effective date of the transaction was 25 March
    2013.Following this transaction, all the ordinary and preference
    shares issued by MMI Group Limited are owned by MMI Holdings Limited.
•   On 20 May 2013 the High Court approved the amalgamation of MMI’s two
    main South African long-term insurance companies into MMI Group
    Limited. The use of a single licence simplifies the group structure
    and facilitates effective deployment of capital within the MMI
    Holdings group.


Opportunities and challenges

•   MMI is a well diversified financial services group with scale in all
    the established operations.
•   Merger synergies will continue to emerge as projects are completed.
•   Cross-selling opportunities are being pursued across the group.
•   Growth in new business volumes will, however, remain dependent on the
    economic environment, including a recovery in employment and stronger
    disposable income levels.


Comments / qualifications

•   All figures are provisional and unaudited and are for the period 1
    July to 31 March as presented in the current internal management
    accounts.
•   The basis on which the new business figures have been calculated is
    the same as that used for embedded value purposes. Premium income is
    included from the date on which policies come into force as opposed to
    the date on which they are accepted. (Figures calculated on the latter
    basis are normally referred to as production figures.) It should be
    noted that there can be a delay of up to three months between these
    two dates.
•   The new business figures are all net of outside shareholder interests.

End

Queries
NICOLAAS KRUGER
GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE
MMI Holdings
TEL 012 673 7438

PRESTON SPECKMANN
GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR
MMI Holdings
TEL 012 673 7446

TYRREL MURRAY
GROUP FINANCE & INVESTOR RELATIONS
MMI Holdings
TEL 021 940 5083 OR 082 889 2167

Bellville
29 May 2013

Sponsor in South Africa
Merrill Lynch South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Sponsor in Namibia
Simonis Storm Securities (Pty) Ltd




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