Vienna Insurance Group celebrates 30 years on the Vienna Stock Exchange

17/10/2024

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Dividends paid totalling approx. EUR 2.8 billion since IPO

On 17 October 1994, Vienna Insurance Group (VIG), at that time still trading as Wiener Städtische Versicherung, was listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange for the first time. The resulting access to the capital markets substantially underpinned VIG’s growth to become the leading insurance group in the CEE region. Since the IPO, VIG has paid a dividend to its shareholders every year without exception.

Capital market underpins growth

Preference shares were issued at the time of the IPO 30 years ago; these were converted into ordinary shares in 2005. This provided the foundation for inclusion in the prime market on the Vienna Stock Exchange and the ATX in the same year, where VIG’s shares have been listed ever since. Subsequently, two capital increases and additional listings in Prague and Budapest followed. VIG has also issued numerous bonds over the years. These milestones in the Group’s stock market history are closely linked to its expansion in Central and Eastern Europe.

VIG used the proceeds from the capital increases primarily to finance the continued growth of the Group in the CEE region, where it secured market leadership. The VIG success story in its current form would not have been possible without access to the capital market.

Hartwig Löger CEO of VIG

In its first year as a listed company, VIG was present in six countries, and in 2005 it was already present in 15 countries. The Group now operates in 30 countries.

30 years of reliable dividends

VIG strives to deliver reliable dividend payments. The Group has paid a dividend to its shareholders every year since the IPO, without exception, allowing shareholders to participate in its success. Dividends totalling around EUR 2.8 billion have been paid out to date. “This track record of reliable dividend payments underscores our position as a stable and reliable partner for our shareholders”, says Hartwig Löger. Since 2023, the minimum dividend has been set at the level of the previous year. Depending on the operating result, the dividend is expected to increase continuously.

Bond issuer with excellent credit rating

Since 2005, VIG holds an A+ rating with a stable outlook from the international rating agency Standard & Poor’s, making it one of the top-rated companies in the ATX and thus positioning itself as an attractive bond issuer. In 2021, VIG became the first insurance company in Europe to issue a benchmark sustainability bond.

The evolution of capital market communication

Reliability on the one hand, entrepreneurial spirit on the other. These two aspects of the company’s development also shape VIG’s activities on the capital market. In 2022, VIG became the first listed company in Austria to begin communicating with the financial community via a dedicated IR LinkedIn channel.

We need a flexible approach and a feel for the topics and needs of our target group as well as the best way to address them. The way we communicate must evolve continuously over time. In addition to regularly publishing results and attending all the usual conferences, we are continuously testing new formats and channels.

Nina Higatzberger-Schwarz Head of Investor Relations, part of VIG’s capital market communications team since 2005