During the nine months leading up to September 30, 2025, QBE reported a global average premium rate increase of 1.5%. This figure marks a deceleration compared to the growth observed in the first half of the year, with the slowdown largely stemming from reduced growth in business property insurance prices. Despite announcing a substantial A$450 million share buyback initiative set to commence next month, QBE's shares fell by as much as 5.9%, reaching A$18.62. This decline positioned the company among the worst performers on the ASX 200 index, which saw a modest rise of 0.4% during the same period.
While the gross written premiums rose by 6% to $18.6 billion, consistent with first-half growth, the data indicates reduced momentum in Q3. Experts noted that the market may be reacting to a significant slowdown in premium rate increases. QBE maintained its forecast with a combined operating ratio of around 92.5% for fiscal 2026, suggesting sustained underwriting profitability. Meanwhile, competitor Suncorp dropped over 3% after anticipating A$350 million in costs from recent severe thunderstorms in Queensland and northern New South Wales.
For stakeholders in the transport and logistics industry, these developments underscore the importance of staying informed about the financial health and strategic decisions of major insurers. Fluctuations in premium growth rates and share values can have cascading effects on insurance offerings, pricing structures, and the overall stability of the insurance market. As such, businesses should maintain open lines of communication with their insurance providers to understand how such market dynamics might influence their coverage and premiums.
