AXA today announced that it has completed the acquisition of XL Group Ltd, a leading global Property & Casualty commercial lines insurer and reinsurer with strong presence in North America, Lloyd’s, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. The completion of the transaction follows the fulfillment of customary closing conditions, including approval by XL Group shareholders and obtention of all necessary regulatory approvals.
XL Group, a premier specialty and large corporate P&C platform, complements and diversifies AXA’s existing commercial lines insurance portfolio, and its reinsurance capabilities give AXA access to enhanced diversification and alternative capital. The combination of AXA’s and XL Group’s existing positions propels the Group to the #1 global position in P&C Commercial lines1.
“The completion of this transaction marks a significant milestone in our strategic ambition to further improve the balance between technical and financial margin. This transaction accelerates our transformation, allowing us to deliver enhanced solutions and services to a greater number of clients, and provides opportunities for significant long-term value creation for our stakeholders, with increased risk diversification, strong underwriting discipline, higher cash remittance potential as well as reinforced growth prospects.”
“Today, as Greg Hendrick steps up to lead AXA XL as its CEO and joins AXA Group’s management committee, I would like to personally welcome him and all XL Catlin colleagues to the AXA family. With the enthusiasm and shared vision of AXA and XL Catlin teams, extensive preparatory work has already been conducted to ensure a smooth integration2 of our businesses within the AXA Group”, said Thomas Buberl, Chief Executive Officer of AXA.
“This announcement marks the culmination of a great deal of work and vision. We have our sights focused on success and together with AXA, our offering is truly compelling: we have the right geographical footprint, expert teams, and a culture that constantly strives for innovation. And innovate is what we will continue to do, so that we can be the partner of choice for our clients today and well into the future”, said Greg Hendrick, Chief Executive Officer of AXA XL3.
In connection with the completion of the acquisition, XL Group’s common shares ceased trading prior to market opening today and will be delisted4 from the New York Stock Exchange and the Bermuda Stock Exchange.
1 Including P&C Commercial Lines and Commercial Health for comparability purposes with peers.
2 The integration project related to the activities of AXA Corporate Solutions, AXA Matrix, AXA Art and XL Catlin will be subject to legal and social validations prior to its implementation.
3 The AXA XL division gathers the activities of AXA Corporate Solutions, AXA Matrix, AXA Art and XL Catlin.
4 AXA also intends to delist XL Group’s and its subsidiaries’ outstanding senior and subordinated notes from the New York Stock Exchange. Following the closing of the merger and the delisting of XL Group’s securities, AXA intends to request that XL Group’s reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 be suspended.