Kraft Heinz Puts Unilever in Play, Allianz and Aegon Net Jump

Sarla Buch
17 Feb, 2017
New York City

Allianz profit soared 23% after strong result in the property and casualty segment. Aegon net swung to profit. Essilor International net and revenues jumped. Unilever received $143 billion takeover proposal from Kraft Heinz Co.

[R]4:00 PM Frankfurt – Allianz profit soared 23% after strong result in the property and casualty segment. Aegon net swung to profit. Essilor International net and revenues jumped. Unilever received $143 billion takeover proposal from Kraft Heinz Co.[/R]

In London trading, FTSE 100 index rose 14.82 or 0.2% to 7,292.60 and in Frankfurt the DAX index fell 23.35 or 0.2% to 11,733.08.

In Paris, CAC 40 index slumped 39.96 or 0.8% to 4,858.73.

For the week, FTSE 100 index gained 0.5%, the DAX index rose 0.6% and the CAC 40 index increased 0.6%.

Allianz SE advanced 2.4% to €162.15 after Germany-based insurance services provider reported total revenues in the fourth-quarter ending in December increased 0.9% from a year ago to €30 billion.

Net profit in the quarter soared 23% from a year ago to €1.7 billion compared to €1.4 billion and diluted earnings per share jumped to €3.83 from €3.12.

The bank said operating profit soared 9.3% to €2.8 billion, due to strong underwriting result in the property and casualty segment and third-party assets under management jumped 6.7% to €1.36 trillion in 2016.

""The group forecasted to achieve an operating result in 2017 of €10.8 billion, plus or minus €500 million barring unforeseen events, crises or natural catastrophes,"" chief executive officer Oliver Bate said.

Aegon N.V slumped 4.1% to €5.05 after the Netherlands-based insurance, pensions and asset management services provider said revenues in the fourth-quarter ending in December advanced 6.1% from a year ago to €8.7 billion.

Net in the quarter swung to profit of €470 million compared to a loss of €581 million a year ago and diluted earnings per share swung to €3.83 from diluted loss per share of €3.12.

Essilor International SA slipped 0.8% to €107.70 after the France-based ophthalmic optics maker reported revenues in the year ending in December jumped 5.9% from a year ago to €7.1 billion.

Net income in the year jumped 7.4% from a year ago to €813 million compared to €757 million and diluted earnings per share increased to €3.79 from €3.57.

Nova Ljubljanska Banka, the Delo newspaper said Slovenia-based state-owned largest bank plans to sell 75% stake worth about €1 billion or $1.06 billion.

Unilever Plc surged 11.3% to 3,728 pence after the U.K.-based food, home and personal care products maker received takeover proposal from the U.S.-based food maker Kraft Heinz Co for 143 billion.

The deal offered Unilever shareholders $30.23 per share in cash and 0.222 in the combined company shares, a 18% premium from yesterday’s close.

Separately, Unilever said the offer from Kraft Heinz “fundamentally undervalues” the company.