Milliman updates embedded value reporting in the European and Asian insurance markets

LONDON, Dec. 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Milliman, Inc., a premier global consulting and actuarial firm, today announced the availability of two new reports detailing embedded value (EV) results for 32 major insurance companies in Europe and Japan and 14 major insurance companies operating in Asia. The reports examine trends among those companies that reported EVs as of mid-year 2015.

"In Europe, embedded value results in the first part of 2015 exceeded gains from the first six months of 2014," said Milliman Principal and Consulting Actuary Philip Simpson. "Japanese companies reported strong results for the fiscal year ending in March, 2015. Nonetheless, insurers remain cautious given the volatile markets and persistently low interest rates."

Key insight from the European report include:

• Approximately half the companies saw their embedded value fall.
• Insurers' market capitalizations have broadly mirrored embedded values in the first half of 2015, with both rising around 5%.
• Japanese life insurers have seen significant increases in value through new sales and investment gains, with EV growth often accompanying growth in market valuation.
• Insurers continue preparation for Solvency II regulations that come into force on 1 January 2016.

"The big story in Asia is the breakout growth of value of new business (VNB) in the first half of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. This growth has been mainly new business volume driven (rather than by major margin enhancement efforts) primarily as a result of the burgeoning middle class in many Asian countries," said Milliman Principal and Consulting Actuary Paul Sinnott.

Key insight from the Asian report include:

• Chinese companies experienced major growth in VNB compared to the same period in 2014, reflecting increased new business volumes and better profitability margins which are typically heavily supported by optimistic increasing investment return assumptions.
• The low interest rate environment, especially for longer-dated bonds, remains a challenge for insurers in China, South Korea, and Taiwan in particular.

Interested parties may obtain a copy of the Milliman studies at http://www.milliman.com/ev-research or receive further information by telephoning or emailing:

• Philip Simpson in London at +44 20 7847 1543, philip.simpson@milliman.com;
• Tatyana Egoshina in London at +44 20 7847 1527, tatyana.egoshina@milliman.com;
• Paul Sinnott in Hong Kong at +852 2152 3838, paul.sinnott@milliman.com; or
• Richard Holloway in Singapore at +65 6327 2301, richard.holloway@milliman.com.
• Stephen Conwill in Tokyo at +81 3 5211 7031, Stephen.conwill@milliman.com

About Milliman

Milliman is among the world's largest providers of actuarial and related products and services. The firm has consulting practices in healthcare, property & casualty insurance, life insurance and financial services, and employee benefits. Milliman is a global firm of more than 3,000 employees, with over 55 total offices operating in all major markets across Africa, Asia, Australia, the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East. For more than 60 years, an attention to rigorous standards of professional excellence, peer review, and objectivity has made Milliman the leading independent actuarial firm. For further information, visit www.milliman.com.