Sustainability Report 2015
Business performance
In the 2015 financial year Hannover Re generated gross premium income of EUR 17.1 billion, an increase of 18.8% compared to the previous year. The operating profit (EBIT) stood at EUR 1.8 billion (EUR 1.5 billion). Earnings per share amounted to EUR 9.54.
The company distributed altogether around 50% of its Group net income to shareholders. The amount paid out totalling EUR 572.8 million was divided into a regular dividend of EUR 3.25 and a special dividend of EUR 1.50 per share.
The equity attributable to shareholders of Hannover Re rose by 6.9% relative to the previous year to reach EUR 8.1 billion (EUR 7.6 billion). The total policyholders’ surplus (including non-controlling interests and hybrid capital) also grew by a modest 0.3% to EUR 10.3 billion (EUR 10.2 billion). The book value per share increased accordingly to stand at EUR 66.90 (EUR 62.61). The return on equity remained unchanged year-on-year at 14.7%.
Personnel expenditure on wages and salaries amounted to EUR 246.4 million (EUR 224.7 million) in the last financial year, a modest increase relative to the previous year.
Hannover Re's indirect economic impacts are linked to the product-related goals and measures of our Sustainability Strategy and Group Strategy and fall, in common with our investments in local communities, within the scope of responsibility of the Executive Board.