This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
LENDERS mortgage insurance (LMI) provider Helia Group delivered a strong but downgraded profit of $97.0 million in 1H24, largely due to a lower benefit from negative total incurred claims and the high-interest rate environment.
Helia posted a statutory NPAT of $97.0 million, down 34% from $147.5 million in 1H23, with underlying NPAT down 22% to $106.5 million.
The net financial result was down 55% on pcp, which was largely attributed to a lower net investment return of 2.9% per annum.
The Helia board has declared a fully franked interim ordinary dividend of 15.0 cents per share. Interest and dividend/distribution revenue was higher than pcp, with the closing net running yield on the investment portfolio at 1H24 was 4.7% per annum.
“I am pleased to deliver another strong interim profit result reflecting Helia’s operational performance and financial resilience,” said Pauline Blight-Johnston, CEO and managing director at Helia.
“Underlying NPAT is lower than the very strong prior corresponding period (pcp), primarily due to a lower benefit from negative total incurred claims, with claims experience unusually low in both FY23 and 1H24. This strong profitability and underlying capital strength has enabled us to continue the delivery of active and appropriate capital management for shareholders.”
Over the half, Helia completed $42 million in on-market share buy-backs and reduced the share count by 3.7%.
With the current $100 million on-market share buy-back, including $92 million, expires on 31 December 2024.
Gross written premium was down 11% and was impacted by the low level of industry new housing loans written above an 80% LVR.
“New business volumes remain soft, driven by low levels of high loan to value ratio (LVR) mortgage lending, the impact of the Federal Government’s First Home Guarantee scheme and higher levels of lender self-insurance,” added Blight-Johnston.
“As part of our refreshed strategy, we are intensifying our focus on growing and defending our LMI market share, whilst working with a range of stakeholders to grow the market for LMI.”
The group’s insurance revenue was down 11% on the pcp, reflecting lower gross written premium over recent years. With total incurred claims at negative $9.9 million.
New delinquencies were up 23% on the pcp, impacted by higher rates and cost of living pressures.
Closing delinquencies were also up 15% on FY23 and the delinquency rate rose to 0.63%.
Insurance contract liabilities were down 6% on FY23 levels, largely attributed to a lower Liability for Remaining Coverage (LRC).
Helia’s total cash and financial assets were down 6% to $2.8 billion.
“Helia remains focussed on our core purpose of accelerating financial wellbeing through home ownership, now and for the future and executing our vision of being the unparalleled leader in LMI,” said Blight-Johnston.
Helia has provided a FY24 insurance revenue forecast within a range of $375 million to $415 million.
