Coface SA : Coface doubles net income to €83.2m, and activates the capital optimisation lever provided for in its Fit to Win plan

Paris, 12 February 2018  - 17h35

Full-year results 2017: Coface doubles net income to €83.2m, and activates the capital optimisation lever provided for in its Fit to Win plan

• Turnover: €1 354.9m, up 0.3% at constant scope^[1] and exchange rates
  • Q4 2017 turnover rose 2.3% on a comparable basis^[2]
  • Annual growth of 2.8% in mature markets, trend unchanged in emerging markets
  • Client retention rate up in an environment where prices are still under pressure
• Net loss ratio 51.4%, improved by 14.1 pts; annual net combined ratio at 86.6%
  • Net loss ratio improved again to 41.8% in Q4-2017, thanks mainly to favourable loss trend in Asia and North America
  • Mature markets: positive trend despite some substantial claims
  • Net cost ratio stable at 35.2% (35.1% in 2016, at constant scope¹)
• Net income (Group share): €83.2m, of which €28.2m in Q4-2017
• Cost savings finance investments made in the framework of Fit to Win :
  • Cost savings achieved: €19.0M, ahead of plan.  €30M savings objective confirmed for 2018.
  • Investments in growth, risk management and solvency, and Group transformation
• Solvency ratio up by 16 pts to ~166%^[3] ;
• The Group is activating the capital management lever provided for in its Fit to Win plan:
  • Proposed dividend: 0.34 € per share^[4] (i.e. c.64% of earnings per share)
  • Launching share buyback for a targeted total amount of €30m, which would bring payout ratio to c.100% of 2017 earnings

Unless otherwise indicated, changes are expressed in comparison to results as at 31 December 2016

Xavier Durand, Coface CEO, commented:

« Coface's 2017 results show a strong improvement: in a favourable economic environment, actions undertaken in the framework of Fit to Win have allowed us to reduce our loss ratio for five consecutive quarters. We end the year with net income that has doubled to €83.2m, and a strengthened solvency position. In line with our approach to capital management, this allows us to launch a share buyback operation targeting a total amount of €30m in addition to our proposed 0.34€ dividend per share.

In this context, Coface is well positioned to continue its transition towards a long-term value creation model, and is investing in the acceleration of its transformation with customer service quality as its top priority.»

Key figures as at 31 December 2017

* Ex. SEGM = excluding State Export Guarantees Management. Coface ceded this activity from 1st January 2017; figures impacted by this activity have been restated so as to be comparable. 2016-2017 variations (in %) exclude State Export Guarantees Management activity.
** « Other operating income / expenses" included, in 2016, elements linked to the transfer of State Export Guarantees Management and the implementation of Fit to Win strategic plan.

1. Turnover

Coface recorded consolidated turnover of €1 354.9m in 2017, an increase of 0.3% at constant exchange rates compared to 2016. These figures have been adjusted for the transfer of French State Export Guarantees Management, effective since the end of 2016.

The upswing in activity is particularly marked in Q4-2017: revenues at constant scope and exchange rates^[6] rose by 2.3%, driven by growth in client turnover. The improved economic environment continues, however, to put pressure on price.

Turnover in other activities (factoring and services) increased by 2.4% in 2017 compared to 2016⁶.

Premium volumes benefited from growth in client activity, up 4.9% in 2017 (0.6% in 2016), and our client retention rate reached 89.7% compared with 88.0% in 2016. Price evolution remains negative,
at -1.5%, though slightly more favourable than in previous years.

New business production stood at €129m, down €9m compared to 2016 as a result of tightened commercial underwriting in emerging markets and stable new production in mature markets.

In Western Europe, turnover grew by 2.3% at constant scope⁶ and by 3.6% at constant scope and exchange rates⁶, on the back of client activity and growing new business momentum in Single Risk and Bonds business lines.

In Northern Europe, turnover decreased by 1.1% compared with 2016 as a result of continued low levels of new business production.

In Central & Eastern Europe, turnover grew by 5.3%, and by 3.7% at constant exchange rates. All the countries of the region contributed to this performance, which was particularly strong in the fourth quarter.

In Mediterranean and Africa, driven by Italy and Spain, turnover grew by 4.9% and by 5.4% at constant exchange rates due to continued good commercial performance and dynamic client activity.

In North America, turnover was lower by 10.5%, and by 8.9% at constant exchange rates, as the signature of significant contracts in 2016 was not repeated this year. The Group also moved to terminate non-profitable contracts in Canada.

Emerging markets' performance continued to be impacted by risk reduction plans; turnover in Latin America and Asia Pacific was down by 2.6% (-1.6% at constant exchange rates) and 11.7% (-10.0% at constant exchange rates) respectively.

2. Results

• Combined ratio

The combined ratio net of reinsurance was 86.6% in 2017 (14 points lower than in 2016^[7]) and 76.4% in Q4-2017.

1. Loss ratio

The gross loss ratio improved throughout 2017. In 4Q-2017, a small number of specific cases with facultative reinsurance cover had a 9.7 point negative impact on this indicator: restated for this impact, the gross loss ratio for 4Q-2017 was 40.6%. Since the cession rate associated with these cases is high, they have a limited impact on the net loss ratio.

The loss ratio net of reinsurance, at 51.4% in 2017, is lower by 14.1 points than in the previous year. This stood at 41.8% in Q4-2017, a very good level despite some large cases. The general economic environment is more favourable, which translates into a lower average cost per claim and an improved recovery rate on losses from previous years.

1. Cost ratio

Coface continues to pursue its operational efficiency programme. Savings achieved in 2017 amount to €19m, ahead of plan. These savings more than offset the €16m investments made during the year. Internal costs have evolved mainly as a result of inflation and a non-recurring fiscal charge (in Italy) of €6m recorded in Q2-2017.

The Group's cost ratio net of reinsurance was 35.2% in 2017, stable compared to 2016 (35.1% at constant scope⁷).

• Financial income

Net financial income was €55.3m in 2017, of which €10.0m in net capital gains.
In an environment that continues to be marked by historically low inflation rates, Coface succeeded in maintaining its current portfolio yield (i.e. excluding capital gains) at a stable level: this was €39.9m in 2017 (€40.0m in 2016). The accounting yield^[8], excluding capital gains, was 1.5% in 2017, a slight decrease compared with the previous year (1.6%).

• Operating income and net income

Operating income was €154.4m in 2017, up 74.9% compared with the previous year (€88.3m in 2016)^[9]. This improvement is mainly due to the lower loss ratio.

The effective tax rate reduced slightly to 41% compared with 50% in 2016, thanks to the improvement of results in emerging markets. This rate includes a non-recurring tax charge of €12.0m recorded in Q4-2017 following French tax audit settlement, and an income accounted for linked to recoveries of tax on dividends in France

Overall, net income (Group share) stood at €83.2m in 2017, of which €28.2m in Q4-2017.

A dividend of €0.34 per share^[10] will be proposed for FY-2017, corresponding to a c.64% pay-out ratio on earnings per share (€0.53 per share).

3. Financial strength & distribution

At 31st December 2017, equity (group share) increased by €47.4m (or +2,7%) to reach €1 802.6m (1 755,2 M€ at 31st December 2016). This increase is mainly due to positive net income of €82.3m, the shareholder distribution of €20.4m for the 2016 fiscal year and variation in currency translation reserves.

Return on average tangible equity (RoATE) was 5.3% at 31 December 2017, mainly as a result of the improved technical result.

Calculated according to the standard formula in force in the framework of Solvency II, Coface's estimated solvency ratio stood at ~166%^[11].

This level is slightly above the target range of the Group. In line with its approach to capital management, Coface activates the capital management lever provided for in its Fit to Win plan, launching share buyback for a targeted total amount of €30m. The Group intends to cancel the shares bought under this operation. Accordingly, the capital return to shareholders would, under condition of full execution of the share buyback operation, reach 100% of 2017 earnings.

4. Outlook

In 2018, the economic environment in which Coface operates should remain favourable, with world growth forecast at 3.2% (Coface estimate). In this context, the Group expects the favourable trends observed in 2017 to continue in 2018, particularly in the first half of the year. This supports a high level of competition on price, making it all the more necessary to improve the quality of the Group's client service, an important differentiating factor.

Coface will continue to implement Fit to Win with the same determination as in 2017. The modernisation of the Group's culture and involvement of its teams around the new values embedded in its strategic plan (client focus, expertise, collaboration, courage & accountability), will be key in the success of the plan.

The Group has already achieved €19m cost savings, ahead of plan, and maintains its objective of €30million savings in 2018. The Group intends to invest €19m in long-term value creation: initiatives to boost commercial activity and improve client service, digital transformation, and relaunching of works aiming at developing a partial internal model for the calculation of its required solvency level.

The Group maintains its objective to deliver a net combined ratio of around 83% through the cycle.

Conference call with financial analysts

A conference call to discuss Coface 9M-2017 results with financial analysts will be held on February 12^th 2018 at 6.00pm Paris time. Dial in numbers: +33172727403 (France), +442071943759 (UK), +18442860643 (US). The participants Pin code for the conference is as follows: 61270603#

The presentation will be available at the following address: http://www.coface.com/Investors/Financial-reporting

Appendix

Quarterly results

Cumulated results

FINANCIAL CALENDAR 2018 (subject to change)
3M-2018 results: April 24^th 2018, after market close
Annual Shareholder's General Meeting 2017: May 16^th 2018
H1-2018 results: July 26^th 2018, before market opening
9M-2018 results: October 24^th 2018, after market close

FINANCIAL INFORMATION
This press release, as well as COFACE SA's integral regulatory information, can be found on the Group's website: http://www.coface.com/Investors

For regulated information on Alternative Performance Measures (APM),
please refer to our Interim Financial Report for S1-2017 and our 2016 Registration Document.

Coface: for trade - Building business together
70 years of experience and the most finely meshed network have made Coface a reference in credit insurance, risk management and the global economy.  With the ambition to become the most agile, global trade credit insurance partner in the industry, Coface's experts work to the beat of the world economy, supporting 50,000 clients in building successful, growing and dynamic businesses. The Group's services and solutions protect and help companies take credit decisions to improve their ability to sell on both their domestic and export markets. In 2017, Coface employed ~4,100 people in 100 countries and registered turnover of
€1.4 billion.

www,coface,com

COFACE SA est cotée sur le Compartiment A d'Euronext Paris
Code ISIN : FR0010667147 / Mnémonique : COFA

DISCLAIMER - Certain declarations featured in this press release may contain forecasts that notably relate to future events, trends, projects or targets. By nature, these forecasts include identified or unidentified risks and uncertainties, and may be affected by many factors likely to give rise to a significant discrepancy between the real results and those stated in these declarations. Please refer to the section 2.4 "Report from the Chairman of the Board of Directors on corporate governance, internal control and risk management procedures" as well as chapter 5 "Main risk factors and their management within the Group" of the Coface Group's 2016 Registration Document filed with AMF on 12 April 2017 under the number No. R.17-016 in order to obtain a description of certain major factors, risks and uncertainties likely to influence the Coface Group's businesses. The Coface Group disclaims any intention or obligation to publish an update of these forecasts, or provide new information on future events or any other circumstance.