Improved underwriting drives RSA H1 profit growth

First half group operating profit at RSA grew 15 percent
year-on-year to £360mn ($476mn) as the UK-based carrier
reported a "record" combined ratio of 93.2 percent.
Group underwriting profit jumped 22 percent to £222mn in
the half as its group combined ratio improved by 1.5 percentage
points year-on-year.
Better than planned weather losses were offset by higher than
usual large losses, CEO Stephen Hester said in accompanying
commentary.The group reported a loss ratio of 64.7 percent