Hiscox has said it believes that the group's half-year results will be materially ahead of expectations due to strong trading, benign claims activity, an improved investment performance, and the effect of reporting under IFRS.
In a statement it said: “It is anticipated that pre-tax profit for the group for the first half of 2005 will exceed £80m.
"Reflecting our strong trading performance and cash generation, the Board expects to declare an interim dividend of at least 2 pence net per share."
Robert Hiscox, chairman, said: "We have had a very strong first half year with all parts of the business performing well.
"It is our ambition to buck the cycle as much as is possible, and our strategy of underwriting a spread of specialist products distributed over a wider geography is helping us achieve that aim."
Hiscox will announce its interim results on 12 September 2005.
