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Definity Financial Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results

In This Article:

TORONTO, Feb. 13, 2025 /CNW/ - (TSX: DFY)

(in Canadian dollars except as otherwise noted)

Highlights

  • Gross written premium1 growth of 7.4% in Q4 2024; 9.0% excluding the premiums of our exited line, Sonnet Alberta personal auto, from both periods. Full year growth of 11.1% was supported by strong performances from commercial lines and personal auto

  • Combined ratio1 of 90.3% in Q4 2024 reflected the broad-based strength of the business, with particularly strong results in personal property; full year combined ratio was robust at 94.5% despite record levels of industry catastrophe losses1

  • Our Sonnet business contributed positively to profitability in the fourth quarter, positioning that portfolio well to break even or better in 2025

  • Operating net income1 of $110.4 million in Q4 2024 was up from $101.0 million in Q4 2023 and resulted in operating EPS1 of $0.95. Operating ROE1 improved to 10.6% in 2024

  • Book value per share1 increased by 17.6% to $29.13, driven by the full year net income attributable to common shareholders of $430.4 million and the return of restricted cash of $150 million

  • Quarterly dividend increased by over 17% to $0.1875 per share, demonstrating our robust financial position and confidence in our operational outlook

Executive Messages

"In a year where the industry faced historic levels of losses from catastrophes, the resilience of our people and business model enabled Definity to deliver on its commitment to be there for customers, while generating robust results for shareholders. Our catastrophe response teams, product design, and focus on accumulation management enabled us to mitigate losses to significantly below what our market share would indicate. We reported full year operating earnings per share of $2.66, an increase of approximately 25% over the prior year. We again met or exceeded all financial targets for 2024, with top line growth of 11.1%, a full year combined ratio of 94.5%, and an operating ROE of 10.6%. In the three years since completing our landmark IPO, we have grown premiums by $1.2 billion, successfully delivered consistent underwriting profits despite challenging conditions, built the 10th largest property and casualty insurance broker in Canada, grown book value per share by over 40%, and increased our quarterly dividends per share by 50%. I am proud of our exceptional track record and look forward with confidence to what we will accomplish together with our employees and broker partners in the coming years."
Rowan Saunders, President & CEO

"In the fourth quarter, strong underwriting income together with growing contributions from our insurance broker platform and net investment income combined to generate record operating net income of $110.4 million. This strong operating performance coupled with the return of restricted cash of $150 million drove a 17.6% increase in book value per share in 2024 to $29.13. We enter 2025 with substantial financial capacity of almost $1.7 billion, in addition to having deployed over $800 million into the rapid growth of our broker platform in recent years and distributed $200 million in shareholder dividends since our IPO. The 17.2% increase in our quarterly dividend, which extends our track record of consistent dividend growth, demonstrates our strong capital position and resilient business model."
Philip Mather, EVP & CFO