AIG reports excellent Q4 and full year 2023 results

Authored by AIG

American International Group, Inc. has reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023.

AIG Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Peter Zaffino said: “In 2023, AIG delivered outstanding financial results, highlighted by excellent underwriting performance and the successful execution of multiple complex initiatives, while delivering exceptional value for our clients and stakeholders. Our substantial progress reflects the dedication and teamwork of our AIG colleagues around the world, who have delivered on our objectives. The full year adjusted after-tax income per diluted share increased 33% from the prior year to $6.79. We have further repositioned AIG for the future with the divestitures of Validus Re and Crop Risk Services, and we enter 2024 with significant momentum.

"General Insurance delivered $2.3 billion of underwriting income in 2023, a 15% increase year-over-year. Our unwavering commitment to underwriting excellence and ability to manage volatility remain fundamental to the sustainability of AIG’s underwriting income growth. The full-year 2023 combined ratio of 90.6% represents an improvement of 130 basis points year-over-year. Accident year combined ratio, as adjusted, of 87.7% represents an improvement of 100 basis points year-over-year. 2023 margins and underwriting income were the best results achieved in recent history. The quality of the underwriting portfolio once again enabled exceptional success at January 1 in renewing our reinsurance placements.

“For the full-year 2023, General Insurance net premiums written increased 5% year-over-year, or 7% on a comparable basis†, driven by 5% growth in Commercial Lines led by 17% growth in Lexington and 10% in Global Specialty. For the fourth quarter, North America Commercial Lines pricing, which includes rate and exposure, increased 7% and remains ahead of loss cost trend. Global Commercial pricing increased 6% and was in-line with loss cost trend.

“Life & Retirement continued to deliver strong financial results, benefiting from continued spread expansion and strong sales with total premiums and deposits exceeding $40 billion for the full year. Base net investment income continued to see favorable outcomes from the higher interest rate environment and, for the full-year 2023, Individual and Group Retirement produced a 46 basis point expansion in base spread year-over-year.

“With three successful secondary offerings in 2023, we reduced AIG’s ownership in Corebridge to approximately 52% at year end. We expect to deconsolidate Corebridge in 2024, which will bring greater visibility into our business, capital structure and operations.

“AIG’s strong performance and strategic actions in 2023 supported our sustained and balanced capital management strategy. We maintained financial flexibility while reducing financial debt by $1.4 billion and returning approximately $4 billion to AIG shareholders through $3 billion of common stock repurchases and $1 billion of dividends, including a 12.5% increase in the common stock dividend in the second quarter of 2023.

“We have significant momentum as we enter 2024, and excellent underwriting, operations, claims service, and talent are what will drive AIG’s continued growth. As we continue to navigate an increasingly complex global risk environment, we will remain agile and disciplined while delivering sustainable and differentiated value to our customers, partners and stakeholders.

” For full year 2023, net income attributable to AIG common shareholders was $3.6 billion, or $4.98 per diluted common share, compared to $10.2 billion, or $12.94 per diluted common share, in the prior year. The decline was primarily driven by net realized losses largely related to Fortitude Re funds withheld embedded derivative at Life and Retirement (L&R) compared to gains in the prior year, as well as derivative activity.

AATI was $4.9 billion, or $6.79 per diluted common share, for the full year of 2023 compared to $4.0 billion, or $5.12 per diluted common share, in the prior year. The increase in AATI was due to higher underwriting income and net investment income in General Insurance. While L&R APTI rose 15% in 2023, Corebridge’s earnings included in AATI decreased 20% due to the reduction in AIG ownership from 77.7% at the beginning of the year to 52.2% at December 31, 2023.

For the fourth quarter of 2023, net income attributable to AIG common shareholders was $86 million, or $0.12 per diluted common share, compared to $545 million, or $0.72 per diluted common share, in the prior year quarter. The decline was primarily driven by higher net realized losses on Fortitude Re funds withheld embedded derivative.

AATI was $1.3 billion, or $1.79 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $1.1 billion, or $1.39 per diluted common share, in the prior year quarter. The increase in AATI was driven by higher net investment income in General Insurance. Corebridge’s earnings included in AATI decreased about 25% due to the reduction in AIG ownership.

Total net investment income for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $3.9 billion, an increase of 21% from $3.3 billion in the prior year quarter, primarily driven by higher income from fixed maturity securities and loans due to higher reinvestment rates, partially offset by lower returns on alternative investments. Total net investment income on an APTI basis* was $3.5 billion, an increase of $499 million from the prior year quarter, reflecting the same trends.

Book value per common share was $65.14 as of December 31, 2023, an increase of 16% from September 30, 2023 and an increase of 18% from December 31, 2022, both primarily driven by a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss (AOCL) and the impact of share repurchases. Adjusted book value per common share* was $76.65, a decrease of 2% from September 30, 2023, primarily driven by the impact of Corebridge secondary offerings, and an increase of 1% from December 31, 2022, reflecting net impact of income, dividends, share repurchases and Corebridge secondary offerings.

In the fourth quarter of 2023, AIG repurchased $1.0 billion of common stock, or approximately 16 million shares, paid $256 million of common and preferred dividends and repurchased $1.6 billion aggregate principal amount of debt. AIG parent liquidity was $7.6 billion as of December 31, 2023, up $4.0 billion from September 30, 2023, which includes insurance subsidiary dividends and proceeds from Corebridge secondary offerings and the sale of Validus Re. Total debt and preferred stock to total capital ratio at December 31, 2023 was 28.5%, down from 33.7% at September 30, 2023, primarily driven by a decrease in AOCL. Excluding AOCL adjusted for cumulative unrealized gains and losses related to Fortitude Re funds withheld assets, total debt and preferred stock to total capital ratio* was 24.3% at December 31, 2023, down from 25.9% at September 30, 2023.

On February 13, 2024, the AIG Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend on AIG common stock of $0.36 per share. The dividend is payable on March 28, 2024 to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 14, 2024.

The AIG Board of Directors also declared a quarterly cash dividend of $365.625 per share on AIG Series A 5.85% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (Series A Preferred Stock), with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, which is represented by depositary shares (NYSE: AIG PRA), each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of preferred stock. Holders of depositary shares will receive $0.365625 per depositary share. The dividend is payable on March 15, 2024 to holders of record at the close of business on February 29, 2024.

On January 31, 2024, AIG announced that it will redeem all of the 20,000 outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock and all 20,000,000 of the corresponding depositary shares on March 15, 2024. The redemption price per share of Series A Preferred Stock will be $25,000 (equivalent to $25.00 per depositary share).

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