AMP 1H earnings beat guidance, Craig Meller named as next CEO
By Paul McBeth
Aug. 15 (BusinessDesk) - AMP posted a 10 percent drop in first-half underlying earnings, beating its guidance in June
when the dual-listed financial services firm warned its wealth protection business struggled in the second quarter.
Separately AMP said Craig Meller will take the top job next year.
Earnings fell to A$440 million in the six months ended June 30, from A$488 million a year earlier, the Sydney-based
company said in a statement. That was just above the A$415 million to A$435 million range AMP forecast in June when it
faced poor claims and policy lapses in its Australian wealth protection unit. That unit reported a 52 percent slump in
earnings to A$64 million.
Net profit rose to A$393 million, or 13.5 Australian cents per share, from A$373 million, or 13.1 cents, in 2012.
Investment revenue, which includes unrealised gains, jumped 36 percent to A$6.49 billion, while life insurance premium
revenue edged up 3.2 percent to A$1.1 billion and fee revenue rose 5.2 percent to A$1.17 billion.
The board declared an interim dividend of 11.5 Australian cents per share, down from 12.5 cents in 2012. The shares fell
1 percent to $5.10 on the NZX, and were yet to trade on the ASX at A$4.54.
The firm’s directors also appointed Meller as AMP’s next chief executive, effective form Jan. 1 next year when incumbent
Craig Dunn retires. Meller has been with AMP since 2001, and is currently managing director of AMP Financial Services, a
role he has held since October 2007.
The Australian wealth management earnings rose 20 percent to A$196 million in the half, Australian mature earnings
gained 12 percent to A$85 million, and New Zealand financial services 21 percent to A$46 million. AMP Capital boosted
earnings 13 percent to A$51 million.
(BusinessDesk)