Direct Line 2015 operating profit beats analyst forecasts

UK personal lines insurer Direct Line Insurance Group generated
a full-year operating profit of £520.7mn for 2015, beating
analysts' forecasts by 6 percent.
The 2015 operating profit from ongoing operations was up 3
percent on the previous year.
The increase was primarily due to an improved underwriting
result, while investment returns decreased, the firm said.
The combined ratio for the year improved by 1 percentage point
to 94 percent, after higher-than-expected reserve releases offset a