STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Oct. 11, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Skandia, September sales SEK 8.9 billion(1):
Sales in September
Sales outside the USA amounted to SEK 5.7 billion (4.9). In August sales outside the USA amounted to SEK 6.1 billion. The continued uncertainty and decline in the world's stock markets in September have had an effect on the insurance industry in general as well as on demand for equity-related products. Total sales amounted to SEK 8.9 billion (8.3). Total sales in August 2002 were SEK 9.9 billion. Sales in the USA are dominated by single-premium products, which have been affected by the stock market decline to a greater extent.
New sales of unit linked assurance Total new sales of unit linked assurance for the period January-September 2002 decreased by 17% compared with the same period in 2001.
Sales through September
Sales outside the USA increased to SEK 57.0 billion (55.7). In several markets, the drop in payments toward single-premium products is being compensated by a greater portion of annually recurring premiums.
Total sales amounted to SEK 92.3 billion (104.1). Sales are reported exclusive of paid-in premiums to Skandia Liv, totalling SEK 10.0 billion (10.9). Of total sales, SEK 67.4 billion (71.8) pertain to unit linked assurance, SEK 21.7 billion (27.9) to mutual fund savings products, and SEK 1.9 billion (3.2) to direct sales of funds.
Sales of variable annuities in the USA through September amounted to SEK 26.9 billion (31.0), and sales of mutual funds totalled SEK 8.5 billion (17.3). American Skandia's market share in variable annuities has been rising gradually in recent quarters and was 3.3% for the second quarter of 2002 according to the most recently available statistics.
Sales in the U.K. are stable and amounted to SEK 30.7 billion (31.6). In Sweden, SkandiaLink's sales amounted to SEK 7.4 billion (8.1). SkandiaLink increased its market share during the first half of 2002 to 33.1%, according to the most recently available statistics. Sales in other markets continue to rise and amounted to SEK 16.6 billion (12.5).
Compared with the average exchange rates that applied for the full-year 2001, sales through September decreased by approximately 3% as a result of exchange rate movements.
Other matters
In the sensitivity analysis provided in connection with the interim report for the second quarter of 2002, it was described that a 1 percentage point increase/decrease in the stock market indexes that are relevant for Skandia would affect the result by +/- SEK 170 million. On 23 October 2002 Skandia will be presenting information about financial effects and the impact these have had on the operating result through the third quarter of 2002. These financial effects are caused primarily by changes in the financial markets during the period.
Despite the decline in the financial markets, the group's solvency margin is still more than adequate. Consequently, Skandia confirms that there is no need for a new issue.
The interim report for the third quarter will be released on 30 October 2002.
Sales figures for the month of October will be released on 13 November 2002.
For further information, please contact:Harry Vos, Head of Investor Relations, tel +46-8-788 3643
Definitions of sales
Sales
Sales pertain to paid-in premiums and deposits in funds from Skandia's customers.
New sales
New sales pertain to single and regular premiums from unit linked contracts entered into in 2002, recalculated to full-year figures. According to industry practice, new sales are defined as regular premiums recalculated to full-year figures plus 1/10 of single premiums during the period.
Sales per month 2002 2001
January 10.6 12.6
February 9.7 11.7
March 10.7 13.6
April 11.9 12.9
May 11.1 12.4
June 8.9 12.4
July 10.6 10.6
August 9.9 9.6
September 8.9 8.3
Subtotal 92.3 104.1
October 9.5
November 9.4
December 10.8
Total 133.8
Comparison figures for 2001 have been recalculated to take into accountthe sale of parts of the mutual fund activities in Skandia AssetManagement to Den norske Bank.
U.K. pertains to businesses domiciled in the U.K. and thus also includes Royal Skandia, the branch offices in Finland and Norway, and sales of Critical Illness insurance in Germany.
Exchange 2002 2002 2002 2001 2001 2001 2001
rates 30 Sept. 31 Aug. 30 June 31 Dec. 30 Sept. 31 Aug. 30 June
SEK
EUR Closing 9.16 9.21 9.08 9.33 9.72 9.49 9.22
rate
EUR Average 9.17 9.17 9.14 9.29 9.22 9.16 9.08
rate
GBP Closing 14.58 14.52 14.01 15.32 15.68 15.16 15.31
rate
GBP Average 14.71 14.72 14.73 15.01 14.91 14.81 14.69
rate
USD Closing 9.27 9.39 9.19 10.58 10.67 10.45 10.89
rate
USD Average 9.94 10.02 10.18 10.43 10.37 10.33 10.26
rate
JPY Closing 0.076 0.079 0.077 0.081 0.090 0.088 0.087
rate
JPY Average 0.079 0.079 0.079 0.086 0.086 0.085 0.085
rate
(1) All comparison figures pertain to the corresponding period a year
earlier, unless otherwise indicated.
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