Suncorp weathers $1.3B storm bill with resilient growth

Suncorp Group (ASX:SUN) reported a resilient half-year performance for the period ended Dec. 31, 2025, weathering a barrage of natural disasters that triggered over 71,000 insurance claims.

The group's net profit after tax landed at $263 million, while cash earnings reached $270 million.

The figures represent a sharp contraction from the $1.1 billion NPAT recorded in H1 FY25, a volatility CEO Steve Johnston attributed to "nine declared natural hazard events."

The disasters, including destructive hailstorms in Queensland and New South Wales, cost the company roughly $1.3 billion, exceeding its hazard allowance by $453 million.

Growth remained a bright spot, with gross written premium rising to $7.69 billion, driven by a 6.3% boost in the consumer portfolio.

While the commercial market softened, Suncorp's underlying insurance trading ratio remained healthy at 11.7%.

The company is doubling down on its digital transformation by leveraging artificial intelligence at scale to modernise operations.

Investors will receive a fully franked interim dividend of 17 cents per share on March 31, as the company continues its $400 million on-market buy-back program.