(in Canadian dollars except as otherwise noted) TORONTO, May 7, 2024 /CNW/ - (TSX:IFC)  Highlights Operating DPW1,2 increased 6%, with organic growth of 7%, driven by double-digit growth in personal lines Undiscounted combined ratio1 of 91.2%, led by solid underlying performance across all geographies Net operating income per share1 up 19% to $3.63, largely on the back of premium growth and strong investment results EPS up 79% to $3.68 driven by investment gains on our equity portfolio as well as the gain on the sale of our UK direct Personal Lines operations Operating ROE1 increased to 14.7% from higher operating earnings, while BVPS1 grew 9% to $84.76 Balance sheet is strong with $2.7 billion of total capital margin1 and adjusted debt-to-total capital ratio1 of 20.5%, largely on target Charles Brindamour, Chief Executive Officer, said: "We delivered strong results again this quarter with contribution from all segments, resulting in mid-teens ROE and solid book value growth. We also continued to make good progress on the integration of DLG, closed the sale of our UK direct Personal Lines operations and advanced on all other aspects of our strategic roadmap. With our strong balance sheet and business fundamentals, we are on course to grow net operating income per share by 10% per year over time and outperform the industry ROE by at least 500 basis points." Consolidated Highlights(in millions of Canadian dollars except as otherwise noted) Q1-2024 Q1-2023 Change Operating direct premiums written1,2 5,110 4,809 6 % Combined ratio (discounted)1 86.8 % 87.4 % (0.6) pts Combined ratio (undiscounted)1 91.2 % 91.9 % (0.7) pts Underwriting income1, 3 687 613 12 % Operating net investment income 380 295 29 % Net unwind of discount on claims liabilities1,3 (227) (226) nm Operating net investment result1 153 69 122 % Distribution income1 100 105 (5) % Net operating income attributable to common shareholders1 648 537 21 % Net income 673 377 79 % Per share measures (in dollars) Net operating income per share (NOIPS)1 $3.63 $3.06 19 % Earnings per share (EPS) $3.68 $2.06 79 % Book value per share1 $84.76 $77.72 9 % Return on equity for the last 12 months Operating ROE1 14.7 % 14.1 % 0.6 pts Adjusted ROE1 13.5 % 18.3 % (4.8) pts ROE1 10.6 % 15.4 % (4.8) pts Total capital margin1 2,654 2,796 (142) Adjusted debt-to-total capital ratio1 20.5 % 22.4 % (1.9) pts 12-Month Industry Outlook We expect favourable market conditions to continue, driven by inflation and catastrophe losses. In Canada, both personal property and auto premium growth could reach a low double-digit level. In commercial and specialty lines across all geographies, we expect mid to high single-digit premium growth. ___________________________ 1 This release contains Non-GAAP financial measures, Non-GAAP ratios and other financial measures (each as defined in National Instrument 52-112 "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Disclosure"). Refer to Section 16 – Non-GAAP and other financial measures in the Q1-2024 Management's Discussion and Analysis for further details. 2 DPW change (growth) is presented in constant currency. 3 Underwriting income includes our underlying performance, catastrophe losses, prior year development as well as the discount build on claims liabilities. The discount build is largely offset with the net unwind of discount on claims liabilities presented within operating net investment result.  Segment Results (in millions of Canadian dollars except as otherwise noted) Q1-2024 Q1-2023 Change Operating direct premiums written1,2 Canada 3,252 2,996 9 % UK&I3 1,245 1,235 (2) % US 613 578 6 % Total 5,110 4,809 6 % Combined ratio1  Canada 90.7 % 91.7 %  (1.0) pt UK&I3 94.6 % 94.6 %  - pts US 88.0 % 89.1 % (1.1) pts Combined ratio (undiscounted) 91.2 % 91.9 % (0.7) pts Impact of discounting (4.4) % (4.5) % 0.1 pts Combined ratio (discounted) 86.8 % 87.4 % (0.6) pts Q1-2024 Consolidated Performance Overall operating DPW increased 6%, with organic growth of 7% (excluding exits and acquisitions) led by double-digit growth in Canada personal lines and healthy rate increases across our commercial lines of business. Overall combined ratio was solid at 91.2% (undiscounted), reflecting mild weather and lower catastrophe losses in the quarter, as well as continued rate actions in favourable market conditions. Operating net investment income of $380 million for the quarter increased 29% year-over-year, reflecting higher reinvestment yields and increased turnover of our portfolio over the last 12 months. Distribution income decreased by 5% to $100 million, reflecting lower contribution from On Side due to mild winter weather, as well as lower variable commissions compared to last year's strong level. We continue to expect a growth of at least 10% in 2024. Lines of Business4 P&C Canada Personal auto premium growth was strong at 11%, reflecting high single-digit rate increases and continued unit growth. The combined ratio of 98.6% reflected a 2-point impact from mild winter seasonality, 1-point impact from unfavourable industry pools and another 1-point impact from non-recurring expenses, essentially incentive compensation related. Underlying performance reflected a 3-point improvement year-over-year, which was tempered by lower favourable PYD in the quarter. We continue to expect a seasonally adjusted sub-95 combined ratio in 2024. Personal property premiums grew by 9%, driven by strong rate increases and unit growth momentum. The combined ratio was strong at 82.5%, improving by 2 points from the prior year, reflecting the absence of catastrophe losses in the period, along with favourable development on prior year losses. Commercial lines premiums grew by 5%, reflecting continued rate discipline, tempered by increased competition in regular commercial and specialty lines. The combined ratio was strong at 87.3% for the quarter, reflecting solid underlying performance, low catastrophe losses and very favorable prior-year development. P&C UK&I Excluding the impact of the UK Personal Lines exit, operating DPW growth in constant currency was 29%, mainly due to the brokered Commercial Lines operations acquired from Direct Line Insurance Group plc in Q4-2023. The combined ratio of 94.6% included 7 points of catastrophe losses, approximately 2 points above expectations. The underlying performance including DLG was otherwise solid at 92.6% for the first quarter. ______________________________ 1 This release contains  Non-GAAP financial measures, Non-GAAP ratios and other financial measures (each as defined in National Instrument 52-112 "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Disclosure"). Refer to Section 16 – Non-GAAP and other financial measures in the Q1-2024 Management's Discussion and Analysis for further details. 2 DPW change (growth) is presented in constant currency. 3 The comparative period results presented in the table are on a reported basis. Following the exit of the UK personal lines operations in 2023, performance of this segment is now analyzed on a pro-forma basis (which excludes UK Personal Lines results) for comparability. Pro-forma growth in constant currency was 29% in Q1-2024, and pro-forma combined ratio was 88.4% for Q1-2023. 4 Combined ratios within the Lines of Business are reported on an undiscounted basis. P&C US Operating DPW grew 6% on a constant currency basis, reflecting healthy rate increases across most lines of business, with a focus on pricing discipline. The combined ratio was solid at 88.0% for the quarter, 1 point better than prior year, reflecting a favourable business mix and continued underwriting discipline. Net Operating Income, EPS and ROE Net operating income attributable to common shareholders of $648 million increased 21% from last year, driven by solid underwriting and investment results. Strong Earnings Per Share of $3.68, up 79% year-over-year, as the gain on sale of our UK direct Personal Lines operations and favourable equity movements largely offset strategic costs associated with the DLG and RSA acquisitions. Operating ROE increased to 14.7% on strong operating performance across the business, despite an impact of nearly 2.5 points from excess catastrophe losses over the last 12 months. Adjusted ROE of 13.5% and ROE of 10.6% remained healthy despite strategic costs from our restructuring and de-risking activities in the UK&I. Balance Sheet The Company ended the quarter in a strong financial position, with a total capital margin of $2.7 billion and solid regulatory capital ratios in all jurisdictions. Adjusted debt-to-total capital ratio decreased to 20.5% as at March 31, 2024, returning close to our long-term target quicker than anticipated, reflecting strong capital generation in a benign catastrophe loss quarter, which was deployed for deleveraging activities. IFC's book value per share (BVPS) of $84.76 as at March 31, 2024 increased 9% year-over-year, and was 4% higher than in Q4-2023, due to strong operating earnings. Common Share Dividend The Board of Directors approved the quarterly dividend of $1.21 per share on the Company's outstanding common shares. The dividends are payable on June 28, 2024, to shareholders of record on June 14, 2024. Preferred Share Dividends The Board of Directors also approved a quarterly dividend of 30.25625 cents per share on the Company's Class A Series 1 preferred shares, 21.60625 cents per share on the Class A Series 3 preferred shares, 32.50 cents per share on the Class A Series 5 preferred shares, 33.125 cents per share on the Class A Series 6 preferred shares, 37.575 cents per share on the Class A Series 7 preferred shares, 33.75 cents per share on the Class A Series 9 preferred shares, and 32.8125 cents per share on the Class A Series 11 preferred shares. The dividends are payable as of June 30, 2024, to shareholders of record on June 14, 2024. Analysts' Estimates The average estimate of earnings per share and net operating income per share for the quarter among the analysts who follow the Company was $2.92 and $3.40, respectively. Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) and Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements This Press Release, which was approved by the Company's Board of Directors on the Audit Committee's recommendation, should be read in conjunction with the Q1-2024 MD&A, as well as the Q1-2024 interim condensed consolidated financial statements, which are available on the Company's website at www.intactfc.com and later today on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. For the definitions of measures and other insurance-related terms used in this Press Release, please refer to the MD&A and to the glossary available in the "Investors" section of the Company's website at www.intactfc.com. Conference Call Details Intact Financial Corporation will host a conference call to review its earnings results tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. ET. To listen to the call via live audio webcast and to view the Company's interim condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, MD&A, presentation slides, Supplementary financial information and other information not included in this press release, visit the Company's website at www.intactfc.com and link to "Investors". The conference call is also available by dialing 416-764-8659 or 1-888-664-6392 (toll-free in North America). Please call 10 minutes before the start of the call. A replay of the call will be available on May 8, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. ET until midnight on May 15, 2024. To listen to the replay, call 416-764-8677 or 1-888-390-0541 (toll-free in North America), entry code 498474. A transcript of the call will also be made available on Intact Financial Corporation's website. About Intact Financial Corporation Intact Financial Corporation (TSX:IFC) is the largest provider of property and casualty (P&C) insurance in Canada, a leading provider of global specialty insurance, and, with RSA, a leader in the U.K. and Ireland. Our business has grown organically and through acquisitions to over $22 billion of total annual operating DPW. In Canada, Intact distributes insurance under the Intact Insurance brand through agencies and a wide network of brokers, including its wholly owned subsidiary BrokerLink. Through belairdirect, Intact distributes directly to consumers. Intact also provides affinity insurance solutions through affinity groups, travel insurance, as well as exclusive and tailored offerings through Intact Prestige. In the U.S., Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions provides a range of specialty insurance ...