Liberty Mutual hit by half a billion drop in net income

CEO, nevertheless, believes Q1 results reflect progress across underwriting and investment performance

Liberty Mutual hit by half a billion drop in net income

Insurance News

By Josh Recamara

Liberty Mutual Holding Company reported net income attributable to the company of US$1.03 billion for the first quarter of 2025, down from US$1.54 billion in the same period last year.

The decline reflects the absence of discontinued operations income reported in the prior-year quarter.

Meanwhile, total revenue for the quarter was largely unchanged at US$12.49 billion. Pre-tax operating income rose 15% year-over-year to US$1.45 billion, supported by improved underwriting performance and increased investment income.

“Our first-quarter results reflect progress in underwriting and investment performance,” said Tim Sweeney, Liberty Mutual chairman and CEO. “We saw a 6.5-point improvement in our underlying combined ratio, reaching 81.9% for the quarter. Despite higher catastrophe losses, including those tied to wildfires in California, our total combined ratio stood at 96.6%.”

Sweeney also said that the company’s investment income reached US$1.3 billion, supported by higher reinvestment yields and favourable private equity valuations.

A more detailed look

Net written premium (NWP) across the company declined 1.8% to US$10.76 billion in the first quarter. Excluding foreign exchange effects, the decline was 1.3%.

The US Retail Markets segment reported US$6.06 billion in NWP, down 7.4% from a year earlier. Global Risk Solutions recorded US$4.71 billion in NWP, up 7.5%. The Corporate and Other segment posted a loss of US$7 million in NWP, compared to a gain of US$37 million in the first quarter of 2024.

Meanwhile, catastrophe losses totalled US$1.82 billion, more than double the US$824 million recorded in the same period last year. Limited partnership income rose to US$367 million from US$159 million in the first quarter of 2024.

The company also reported favourable development on prior-year reserves, excluding asbestos and environmental claims, contributing US$196 million to the quarterly result.

Investment-related losses narrowed, with net realised losses of US$70 million compared to US$92 million a year ago. Acquisition and integration costs increased slightly to US$24 million, and restructuring costs rose to US$15 million from US$6 million.

“Overall, we are very pleased with our performance this quarter as we continue to pursue profitable growth and progress toward our 95% combined ratio goal at the end of 2025,” Sweeney said.

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