QBE forecasting 30pct dividend payout rise

QBE is promising generous dividends to shareholders after a horror seven-year stretch, which saw its share price plummet by more than two-thirds.

The QBE building in Sydney

Insurer QBE is promising generous dividends to shareholders after a horror seven-year stretch. (AAP)

QBE is promising its shareholders a 30 per cent dividend increase as the insurance giant recovers from a horror seven-year stretch.

Its share price had plummeted by 70 per cent as troubles during the global financial crisis forced it to write off assets.

But shareholders are in for good times as profit continues to recover in 2015.

This will also see QBE review its dividend payout policy, which could see shareholders handsomely rewarded over the full year.

"A delivery of improved performance will see a 30 per cent increase in dividend payment," chief executive John Neal told reporters.

Shareholders wanted more generous dividends tied to more stable earnings, as the payout ratio was reviewed in 2015, he added.

"We don't feel that we're under undue pressure to continue to pay out either a much, much higher percentage of profits on an unsustainable level," Mr Neal said.

Chairman Marty Becker said that as earnings stabilised, shareholders were entitled to question its payout ratio policy of up to 50 per cent of cash profits.

"The board can see the logic of this argument and will give due consideration to the issue over the coming months as we monitor our own continued performance in line with profit expectations," he told the annual general meeting on Thursday.

OptionsXpress market analyst Ben Le Brun said QBE was likely to meet its dividend promise, provided there were no major natural disasters.

"For the first time in a long time, I think that QBE is on track for better times," he said.

"That includes dividends, that includes their bottom line and it includes their share price."

QBE's dividend payout rose by 16 per cent to 37 cents a share during 2014.

The insurer in February announced a return to profitability during the year to December 31, as a $1 billion turnaround resulted in a net profit of $742 million.

QBE's share price had plummeted by 70 per cent, from $34.85 in August 2007 to $10.61 in January 2015, as the global financial crisis saw the insurer write off assets in the US.

Mr Neal said market conditions were still tough, with premium rates low or flat.

"So, we believe it is essential to proactively manage our expense line," he said.

Results so far, however, have indicated a lift in margins.

QBE has largely completed its remediation program in North America and Europe, and has sold the Argentine Workers Compensation business.

QBE shares gained 63 cents, or 4.9 per cent, to $13.42.


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Source: AAP


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