New York, NY – The Travelers Companies, Inc. today reported net income of $454 million, or $1.89 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2022, compared to $662 million, or $2.62 per diluted share, in the prior year quarter.
Core income in the current quarter was $526 million, or $2.20 per diluted share, compared to $655 million, or $2.60 per diluted share, in the prior year quarter. Core income decreased primarily due to lower net investment income and a lower underlying underwriting gain (i.e., excluding net prior year reserve development and catastrophe losses), partially offset by net favorable prior year reserve development compared to net unfavorable prior year reserve development in the prior year quarter. Net realized investment losses in the current quarter were $93 million pre-tax ($72 million after-tax), compared to net realized investment gains of $8 million pre-tax ($7 million after-tax) in the prior year quarter. Per diluted share amounts benefited from the impact of share repurchases.
“We are pleased to report solid third quarter 2022 results, particularly in light of significant industry-wide losses from Hurricane Ian,” said Alan Schnitzer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Our strategic approach to underwriting for catastrophes has once again served us well. Our focus is now on taking care of our customers and meeting our industry-leading objective of resolving 90% of our property claims arising out of catastrophes, including this historic storm, within 30 days.
“Even in the face of challenging weather, we generated meaningful profit with core income for the quarter of $526 million, or $2.20 per diluted share, and core return on equity of 7.9%. These results benefited from record net earned premiums of $8.6 billion, up 10% compared to the prior year period, and a solid underlying combined ratio of 92.5%. Underwriting income in our commercial businesses was excellent, driven by strong net earned premiums and an aggregate underlying combined ratio for Business Insurance and Bond & Specialty Insurance of 88.0%. Our high-quality investment portfolio generated solid after-tax net investment income of $505 million despite the significant downturn in the broader equity markets. These results, along with our strong balance sheet, enabled us to return $722 million of excess capital to our shareholders this quarter, including $501 million of share repurchases.
“Our best-in-class marketplace execution produced 10% growth in net written premiums this quarter to a record $9.2 billion. In Business Insurance, net written premiums grew by 9%. Renewal premium change was very strong at an historically high 10.2%, while renewal rate change of 5.0% was higher than in the first half of the year. Retention remained very strong at 86%, and new business increased 9% from the prior year period. In Bond & Specialty Insurance, net written premiums increased by 8%, driven by excellent production results in both our surety and management liability businesses. In Personal Insurance, renewal premium change was meaningfully higher both year over year and sequentially, as we continue to address elevated industry-wide loss costs.
“Our meaningful franchise value is reflected in our top- and bottom-line results for the quarter and year-to-date. Our terrific quarterly performance over the past two years builds on our excellent, decade-long track record of growing at industry-leading returns with industry-low volatility. At the same time, we continue to focus on, and invest in, our innovation priorities. Given the success with which we have executed on our Perform & Transform call to action, we are confident in our ability to continue to create meaningful shareholder value over time.”
The complete results release is available here: Travelers Third Quarter 2022 Results