Genworth to buy back around 10% of its shares, guides to lower gross written premium

After clearly being puzzled by Genworth Mortgage Insurance Australia’s (ASX: GMA) double-headed announcement today, the market ended up pushing the stock 1.75% higher at the close.

Driven by better-than-expected performance on net claims, the company reported underlying NPAT of $134.3m - including underwriting result of $172.5m - up 76% on the previous period and well ahead of Goldman Sachs ($95.2m).

But due to unrealised mark to market investment losses of $162.1m mainly on the bond portfolio, statutory NPAT of $18.9m was materially lower, down -68% on the previous period.

The company paid a higher 12c interim fully franked dividend to shareholders, payable 31 August 2022.

Buyback

The second part of the company’s two-part announcement today was decidedly more encouraging for shareholders.

To gear up for a tightening housing and investment market environment in the second half, the company announced an on-market share buy-back for shares up to a maximum aggregate value of $100m.

Based on its last closing price of $2.88, the buyback represents 9.2% of its issued share capital, or around 34.7m shares.

Today’s buyback decision follows shareholder approval to [ buy back] up to 60m shares at the 2022 AGM.

What defined today’s first half result

The net earned premium of $217m was 16% ahead of Goldman Sachs and up 27% on the previous period.

CEO Pauline Blight-Johnston describes the interim result as “another strong underlying financial performance" with the group remaining "well-positioned to continue to support Australians through the changing economic environment ahead.”

She attributes the strong underwriting result to higher earned premium and negative net claims incurred.

“Whilst rising bond yields have caused short term mark to market investment losses, increased bond yields are positive for future profitability,” Blight-Johnston noted.

Cash and investments fell -8.7% to $3.4bn, while net investment income was a loss of -$142.2m.

Looking forward

FY22 net incurred claims are expected to be within a range of $0 to $50m, while the net earned premium is expected in a range of $375m to $435m, up from the previous guidance range of $315m to $375m provided at FY21.

For the full year, gross written premiums are likely to remain below 2021 levels as industry new loan commitments slow, particularly for first-home buyers and other higher loan to value (LVR) lending.

"The extent of any further unrealised investment gains or losses will primarily depend on movements in bond rates which remain uncertain in the current environment," the $1.1bn group noted.

“Higher bond rates are expected to benefit second half FY22 interest income and are positive for future profitability.”

Genworth Mortgage Insurance Australia share price over three months.