Hiscox lifts full-year Retail growth guidance

(Sharecast News) - Insurer Hiscox upped its guidance for 2026 constant currency growth in the retail segment on Wednesday following a "strong" first half. In the six months to the end of June, insurance contract written premiums grew 10.1% to $3.2bn, with profitable growth across all three business segments.

Pre-tax profit fell to $240.5m from $276.6m, while the adjusted operating return on tangible equity was 20.2%, up from 14.5% in the same period a year earlier and above the through-the-cycle mid-teens target.

Hiscox said it now expects 2026 constant currency growth of 9% for the retail segment, up from previous guidance of 8%.

Chief executive Aki Hussain said: "The adjusted operating ROTE of 20.2% reflects the benefit of the combined group and is driven by profitable growth in all businesses, underwriting excellence and a growing investment portfolio.

"The outlook remains positive. In Retail, strong growth in the first half, powered by a broad base of initiatives, gives us confidence to upgrade Hiscox Retail's constant currency 2026 growth guidance to 9% for the full-year."

At 0930 BST, the shares were up 1.6% at 1,805p.

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