The French insurance group Axa records a net loss in the first half of 2012 with the profit which fell by 36% compared to a year earlier, to 2,58 billion euros. However, the figure is better than analysts' expectations, equal to 2,3 billion, and compares with a first half of 2011 'inflated' by capital gains from the disposal of assets in Australia and New Zealand.
At an operational level, two of the three business segments of Axa Assurances are reported to be growing (life business +2,8% and non-life business +5,4%, but -5% for asset management). Premium income rose by 3% to 48,4 billion and is growing in all geographical areas where the transalpine company is active, excluding Spain and Belgium (+3% in France).
