ICICI Lombard Q4 profit rises to ₹546 crore; combined ratio improves, ₹7 dividend announced
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ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited reported a steady rise in profit for the March quarter, supported by higher premium income and investment gains, even as underwriting losses persisted.
The company posted a net profit of ₹546 crore in Q4 FY26, up from ₹510 crore in the year-ago period, according to its exchange filing.
Revenue during the quarter rose to ₹5,800 crore, compared with ₹5,220 crore a year earlier, reflecting continued growth in premium collections.
Operating performance mixed
While earnings improved, the insurer’s core underwriting business remained under pressure.
The combined ratio — a key profitability metric — stood at 101.2%, improving from 102.5% a year ago. A ratio above 100% indicates that claims and expenses exceed premium income, implying underwriting losses.
The company reported an underwriting loss of ₹282 crore in the March quarter, widening from ₹209 crore in the year-ago period.
Investment income supports profitability
Like most general insurers, ICICI Lombard’s profitability was supported by investment income. Investment earnings remained strong during the quarter, helping offset underwriting losses and drive overall profit growth.
This trend stresses the sector’s reliance on treasury income, especially in a phase of elevated claims and pricing pressures.
Gross premium income rose during the quarter, led by growth across key segments such as motor and health insurance.
The company has been expanding its presence in retail health and corporate segments, although profitability in certain segments continues to remain uneven.
The board recommended a final dividend of ₹7 per share, subject to shareholder approval at the upcoming annual general meeting.
The shares of ICICI Lombard General Insurance ended 4.59% higher at ₹1,864 apiece on the National Stock Exchange on Wednesday. The company's stock has gained over 2% during the past year, underperforming the Nifty Midcap 50 index that has risen nearly 14% during the period.