Analysts had expected a profit of 1.12 billion euros, according to a Dow Jones Newswires poll. Total revenue for the quarter rose 10.7% to 25.5 billion euros and its operating profit more than doubled to 2.05 billion euros from 881 million euros as strong growth in asset management and a return to profit in life and health insurance more than offset a slight decline in property and casualty insurance. The firm said its solvency ratio improved seven percentage points to 164% at the end of the year and that shareholders equity grew 19% to 40.2 billion euros.
The board will suggest a dividend of 4.10 euros a share, representing a 17% increase from a year earlier.