RGA(US:RGA)2025-10-31 15:00Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported record operating EPS of $6.37 per share, exceeding expectations [4][13] - Pre-tax adjusted operating income was $534 million for the quarter, with an adjusted operating return on equity of 14.2% for the trailing 12 months [13][14] - Traditional business premium growth was 8.5% year-to-date on a constant currency basis, indicating strong momentum across regions [16][19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. traditional business experienced modestly unfavorable claims experience, but overall results were supported by in-force management actions [18][19] - The Asia Pacific region showed strong traditional results, with significant growth in critical illness products and continued innovation [7][8] - EMEA results reflected favorable underwriting margins and successful transactions across various product lines [8][19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company deployed $2.4 billion of capital year-to-date, with $1.5 billion into the Equitable transaction and $900 million into over 20 other transactions globally [9][10] - The value of in-force business margins increased by 16% over the past three quarters, indicating strong new business momentum [11][24] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company continues to focus on innovative underwriting and strategic partnerships, particularly in the U.S. and Asia [6][7] - The Equitable transaction is expected to contribute significantly to future earnings, with a projected pre-tax income of around $70 million for the full year [18][19] - The company aims to balance capital deployment into the business with returning capital to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases [22][23] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's positioning in the right markets and the execution of effective strategies [12][24] - The company anticipates continued strong opportunities across geographies and business lines, supported by a robust capital position [24][25] Other Important Information - The company repurchased $75 million of common shares during the quarter, indicating a commitment to returning capital to shareholders [5][15] - The effective tax rate for the quarter was 19.6%, below the expected range, primarily due to the jurisdictional mix of earnings [15][16] Q&A Session Summary Question: U.S. claims activity in traditional - Management indicated that the negative claims experience was within normal volatility, with $30 million from individual life and $20 million from group business [28] Question: One-time items impacting U.S. premiums - A recapture of a treaty resulted in a positive impact of about $20 million, which affected the premium growth rate [29] Question: Impact of GLP-1 drugs on mortality assumptions - Management has not made material changes to assumptions but is confident that existing mortality improvement assumptions will be realized [32] Question: LDTI annual run rate increase - The annual run rate is expected to increase by $15 million next year, gradually ramping up to $25 million by 2040 [34] Question: Ruby Re's business activity - Ruby Re is focused on U.S. asset-intensive transactions, with a pipeline of transactions expected to be fully deployed by mid-2026 [38] Question: In-force actions opportunities - The company is on track with in-force actions, expecting about $50 million a year, with $45 million achieved year-to-date [42] Question: UK mortality trends - The company has increased expectations for future UK mortality, reflecting ongoing excess mortality in the population [52] Question: Equitable block accounting smoothing - Approximately 50% of the Equitable block is expected to benefit from accounting smoothing over time [55] Question: Group headwinds from medical claims - The group business is expected to be fully repriced by January 2026, with profitability anticipated thereafter [57] Question: Competitive positioning and risk appetite - Management emphasized that there has been no change in risk appetite or processes, maintaining a focus on exclusive transactions [60] Question: LDTI smoothing expectations - Management believes LDTI will provide smoothing benefits over time, although results may vary quarter by quarter [64] Question: Economic solvency opportunities in Japan - The company has seen increased activity in Japan, driven by co-insurance of blocks, and continues to pursue selective opportunities [70]