Global Registers Moderate Profit, EPS Slides

Despite moderate growth in profit, Global Insurance’s earnings per share (EPS) fell slightly by 10pc in the past fiscal year.

The company netted 22.1 million Br in profit, achieving four percent growth. However, its EPS fell by 10 Br to 88 Br as a result of an increase in paid-up capital, which increased by 15pc to 132.8 million Br.

Considerable growth in interest and rental income has helped the company maintain profitability.

Ahmed A. Sherif, chairperson of the board of directors, noted in his message to shareholders that the past fiscal year had brought a mix of challenges and opportunities.

"The increase in gross written premium, profit margins, assets and capital bases of the company should be considered a positive achievement," he said. "Claims paid and total administrative expenses are adversely noted."

Efforts that have been made on underwriting and investments improved the firm's performance this year ahead of the preceding year, according to Tibebe Tesfaye, the company’s chief executive officer.

Last year the gross written premium of Global increased by 24pc to 109.8 million Br. Out of this, 26 million Br was ceded to reinsurers. The retention rate of Global has moved up by four percentage points to 76pc. The retention rate at Global is slightly lower than the industry average of 78pc.

The increase in retention rate was accompanied by disproportionate growth in claims paid to policyholders. Claims paid and provided for soared by 41pc to 48.1 million Br, hugely undermining the additional gross written premium collected throughout the year.

The management of Global should look into its customer screening and pricing policies, according to Abdulmenan Mohammed, a financial analyst with close to two decades of experience.

Spare parts and garage service costs along with other payments are the leading causes of the increase in claims. However, the management is establishing a claims leakage management strategy to control such gaps, according to the CEO.

In the reporting period, the company earned 8.2 million Br in commissions, an increase of three percent, and paid nearly 4.1 million Br in commissions, an increase of 17pc.

Global's direct operating expenses increased by 28pc to 13.8 million Br.

The expansion of direct operating expenses should concern the management of Global, according to Abdulmenan.

"Global should put a strong cost control mechanism in place to make sure expenses are not out of control," he said.

Expenses relating to branch expansion and more underwriting expenses have contributed to the increase of the firm's costs, believes the CEO.

"Even if the expenses of the firm have increased," said Tibebu, "we believe that we are at the tolerable margin."