Challenger eyes higher profits


Challenger is expecting its 2022 financial year net profit before tax to hit the upper end of the $430 million to $480 million guidance range, following life sales jumping 10% to $2.7 billion.
Announcing its third quarter results to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), Challenger pointed to strong institutional and retail annuity sales as the driving factor behind its Life sales.
Meanwhile, group assets under management (AUM) was $100 billion, down 8% for the quarter following the completion of the sale of Whitehelm Capital.
Total life net flows were $491 million for the quarter, including annuity net inflows of $286 million and other life inflows of $205 million, with book growth for its Life business growing 2.8%.
Challenger’s new chief executive, Nick Hamilton, said Challenger had performed well this quarter, highlighting the benefits of its diversification strategy.
“The life business maintained its impressive performance, with book growth of 2.8% for the quarter. Sales growth exceeded 10% across both institutional and retail, reinforcing the success of our strategy to extends our customer reach and broaden our distribution channels.”
Hamilton said product innovation remained a key priority for Challenger and that its market-linked annuity reflects our commitment to meeting the needs of more customers.
Recommended for you
Selfwealth has provided an update on the status of its scheme implementation deed with Bell Financial Group as well as whether rival bidder Svava remains in the picture.
Magellan Financial Group has reported its first half FY25 results while appointing a new chief financial officer and promoting Sophia Rahmani to chief executive.
Schroders Australia has launched two active ETFs and plans to further expand its listed range over the year ahead.
Platform Netwealth has reported its financial results for the first half of FY25, reporting an 80 per cent increase in net flows, with its CEO viewing a “huge opportunity” from private assets.