Suncorp Group Ltd: FY26 result preview: Margins in 2H26 should be OK - but FY27 faces more risk due to low premium growth and corresponding margin implications

Research evidence excerpt

Suncorp Group Ltd: FY26 result preview: Margins in 2H26 should be OK - but FY27 faces more risk due to low premium growth and corresponding margin implications

PS (A$)

motor frequency benefits). We still see downside risk going forward as earned/ 2025A 2026E 2027E

written rate increases lag inflation, with NZ and Commercial likely seeing H1 0.67 0.26A 0.58

H2 0.57 0.69 0.58

declining margins (to earn through) with inflation remaining sticky at elevated FY 1.25 0.94 1.16

levels. This is partly offset by resilient investment yields and favourable

reinsurance renewals - however the new reinsurance program means lower Style Exposure

reinsurance cost is not likely to be a tailwind into FY27. Reported margins in

FY27 could however benefit from El Niño conditions that usually provide

favourable perils trends.

• GWP growth downgraded again: FY26 GWP growth is now guided to

~2.7% (originally ~5%, then ~4%, then 3%; 1H26 printed 2.7%), in line with

JPMe. 1H26 organic growth of ~3.2% (rate +3.2%, volume −0.1%) showed

materially better volumes than IAG (-2.4% units). Downside remains from

NZDAUD, soft Commercial/NZ cycles and modest personal-lines share loss.

• Perils - favourable 2H, but allowance stepping up in FY27: FY26 perils

came in ~$250m above the $1,770m allowance, as a favourable 2H partly

offset the $453m over-run reported at 1H26 (broadly in line with JPMe ~$243m

over). The FY27 natural hazard allowance however rises 4.5% to $1,850m

(incl. CHE) despite only 2.7% GWP growth.

• Reinsurance - IAG style volatility protections: SUN has put in place a new

five-year aggregate reinsurance arrangement from 30 June 2026 - $800m of

protection annually (up to $2.4bn over five years), attaching at $1,850m (i.e.

their allowance) for FY27 - expected to cap natural-hazard costs at the