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last mo.

Hiscox First-Half Profit Dips After $170m California Wildfire Claims

Strong premium growth combined with investment returns drove a rise in the interim dividend alongside a larger share buyback, lifting the stock by 8 percent.

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LA firefighter battles a fire on the Pacific Palisades in January

Overview

  • Hiscox reported profit before tax of $276.6 million for the first half of 2025, down from $283.5 million a year earlier after absorbing roughly $170 million in claims from January’s California wildfires.
  • Total written premiums rose 5.7 percent to $2.94 billion, with Retail, London Market and Re & ILS all contributing to the uplift.
  • Net asset value per share increased to 850 pence, supported by investment income of $234.9 million.
  • The insurer raised its interim dividend by nine percent to 14.4 cents per share and expanded its share buyback by $100 million to $275 million.
  • Shares jumped eight percent upon publication of the half-year results, marking a strong market response.