TOP NEWS: Aviva Sells French Unit For EUR3.2 Billion Amid Refocus

(Alliance News) - Aviva PLC on Tuesday said it has sold its French business to Aema Groupe for ...

Alliance News 23 February, 2021 | 8:40AM
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(Alliance News) - Aviva PLC on Tuesday said it has sold its French business to Aema Groupe for EUR3.2 billion in cash.

The blue chip insurance firm said the sale is part of its strategic transformation to focus on its strongest businesses in the UK, Ireland and Canada.

The transaction is expected to complete by the end of 2021.

Aviva said the deal "significantly" strengthens its capital and liquidity with an increase in excess capital of about GBP2.1 billion and centre cash of about GBP2.8 billion.

Chief Executive Amanda Blanc said: "The sale of Aviva France is a very significant milestone in the delivery of our strategy. It is an excellent outcome for shareholders, customers, employees and distributors. The transaction will increase Aviva's financial strength, remove significant volatility and bring real focus to the group."

The deal covers Aviva's French life, general insurance, and asset management businesses and its 75% shareholding in UFF.

Aviva expects its Solvency II capital surplus to increase by about GBP800 million and improve its Solvency II cover ratio by about 22 percentage points.

At the end of September, Aviva's Solvency II capital surplus was GBP11.8 billion, with a Solvency II cover ratio of 195%.

"Aema Groupe has a strong heritage in the French insurance industry and this transaction will propel it to a top five position in the French market. I am confident Aema Groupe will be an excellent owner of Aviva France," Blanc added.

The insurer said it plans to use the increased capital and cash to reduce debt, investment for long-term growth and return of excess capital to shareholders.

Part of the cash proceeds - up to GBP500 million - will be used to accelerate repayment of some of the firm's internal loan with Aviva Insurance Ltd.

Aviva France is the largest part of the company's manage-for-value portfolio.

"Aviva France's core business is capital intensive and this transaction will reduce the volatility in the group's solvency ratio by removing exposure to interest rate risk from the Eurofonds guaranteed life insurance product," Aviva added.

In 2019, Aviva France's IFRS profit after tax was GBP293 million. As at June 30, 2020, the unit's asset management operations had assets under management of GBP105 billion.

Shares in Aviva were 0.5% higher in London on Tuesday morning at 376.60 pence each.

By Paul McGowan; paulmcgowan@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.

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Securities Mentioned in Article

Security Name Price Change (%) Morningstar
Rating
Aviva PLC 456.77 GBX -0.09

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