Generali Profit Jumps, Proposes Dividend Hike, Buyback

This strong growth was driven by the performance across all its business units. Operating profit, a key metric for analysts, rose 9.7% to 8.00 billion euros, surpassing the company-compiled consensus of 7.965 billion euros.

The property and casualty segment was a significant contributor, benefiting from double-digit growth and a lower impact from natural catastrophes. Gross written premiums also saw an increase, reaching 98.12 billion euros from 95.19 billion euros the previous year, though slightly below the 98.86 billion euro consensus.

Generali demonstrated exceptional capital strength with a solvency ratio of 219%, comfortably exceeding the 212% consensus. In a move to reward shareholders, the Italian insurer proposed a dividend of 1.64 euros per share and announced a 500 million-euro share buyback program for the current year.

The company's primary profit drivers remain Italy, France, Germany, and Central and Eastern Europe.