Lloyd’s reports £4.9bn profit, £30.6bn gross written premium and an 83.7% combined ratio at Half Year results

05 Sep 2024

Lloyd’s, the world’s leading marketplace for insurance and reinsurance, today announced a strong set of results for the first six months of 2024, with an overall profit before tax of £4.9bn (HY 2023: £3.9bn). 

The market demonstrated continued discipline through H1 2024, delivering an underwriting profit of £3.1bn (HY 2023: £2.5bn), a £0.6bn increase on the previous year. 

Lloyd’s continued to support sustainable profitable growth, with gross written premium increasing by 6.5% to £30.6bn (HY 2023: £29.3bn) excluding foreign exchange movements (-2.1%), driven by volume growth (5.0%) and price increases (1.5%).  

The market’s combined ratio improved year-on-year to 83.7% (HY 2023: 85.2%) - its best interim result since 2007. The underlying combined ratio improved to 80.6% (HY 2023: 81.6%).  

The investment return of £2.1bn (HY 2023: £1.8bn) was primarily driven by strong fixed income returns complemented by high growth in equity markets. 

The drive to improve performance and reduce the cost of doing business at Lloyd’s has resulted in a further 1.7% reduction in the attritional loss ratio to 49.2% (HY 2023: 50.9%), and an improving expense ratio reducing to 34.5% (HY 2023: 35.4%).  

Lloyd’s maintained a strong balance sheet with a central solvency ratio of 520% (FY 2023: 503%) and market-wide solvency ratio of 206% (FY 2023: 207%), highlighting the market’s capital discipline and resilience.  

Lloyd’s sustainable profitability and resilient capital position were reflected in AM Best’s upgrade of the financial strength of the Lloyd’s market to A+ (superior) from A (excellent) and the long term issuer credit rating to AA- (superior) outlook stable from ‘A+’ (excellent); outlook positive.

“The first half of 2024 has presented a superb set of results for the Lloyd’s market which represents a combination of disciplined underwriting, smart organic growth and real strength in the Lloyd’s balance sheet. This is good news for both investors in the Lloyd’s insurance marketplace and our customers as we continue to support them in an increasingly risky world.”
John Neal, Lloyd’s CEO

The key figures reported in Lloyd’s 2024 Half Year results are:

  • Gross written premium of £30.6bn (HY 2023: £29.3bn) 
  • Underwriting profit of £3.1bn (HY 2023: £2.5bn) 
  • Combined ratio of 83.7% (HY 2023: 85.2%) 
  • Underlying combined ratio of 80.6% (HY 2023: 81.6%) 
  • Investment return of £2.1bn (HY 2023: £1.8bn) 
  • Result before tax of £4.9bn (HY 2023: £3.9bn) 
  • Total capital, reserves and subordinated loan notes of £43.5bn (FY 2023: £45.3bn) 
  • Central solvency ratio of 520% (FY 2023: 503%) 
  • Market-wide solvency ratio of 206% (FY 2023: 207%)

Notes to editors

A combined ratio is a measure of an insurer’s underwriting profitability based on the ratio of net incurred claims plus net operating expenses to net earned premiums. A combined ratio of 100% is break even (before taking into account investment returns). A ratio less than 100% is an underwriting profit. 

Underlying combined ratio is the combined ratio excluding major claims. 

Lloyd’s ratings are AA- (Very Strong) stable outlook with S&P Global, AA- (Superior) stable outlook with AM Best, AA- (Very Strong) stable outlook with Fitch Ratings, AA- (Very Strong) stable outlook with Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA).  

Foreign exchange rates may materially fluctuate from the rates prevailing at 30 June 2024 (GBP1 = USD1.26, EUR1.18). Premiums, claims and investment income are translated at the average exchange rate for the period to 30 June 2024 (GBP1 = USD1.27, EUR1.17). 

More news and information available from Lloyds.com.