Varma

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Steady return on other investments

Other investments accounted for 17% (18%) of Varma’s portfolio.

They consist of hedge funds (16%), and a relatively small commodities position. The return on other investments was reasonably good, at 3.5% (8.4%).

Return on hedge funds 2005-2015

The return on hedge fund investments was 3.9% (7.8%). Hedge fund investments yielded a consistent return and effectively diversified the risk caused by market fluctuations in equity and fixed income investments. The strengthening of the dollar contributed to the good return. Within the portfolio, market-neutral strategies yielded the strongest returns. The environment for opportunistic strategies was more challenging, influenced especially by increasing risk awareness in the US at the end of the year. The return on Varma’s hedge investments has been very good over a long period, and volatility has been very low.

The return on commodities remained weak due to the long-standing decline in the commodities market. Energy and metal prices especially declined towards the end of the year to a remarkably low level.

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The year in brief

In 2015, Varma’s return on investments stood at 4.2 per cent. The value of investments increased to EUR 41.3 billion. Premiums written increased clearly, and operating expense efficiency also showed positive development. Solvency capital was strong at EUR 10.0 billion.
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President & CEO review

2015 was a good year for Varma, and we succeeded well according to all key indicators: we maintained our strong solvency position, our premium income increased, we processed pension applications faster than before and our operational efficiency is at a competitive level.
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Lower earnings-related pension contributions for customers

Varma is a solvent company. That means the best client bonuses in the sector and lower pension contributions for our customers. Our modern digital services provide our customers with a comprehensive set of tools that enable them to take care of their pension matters easily.
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Varma for entrepreneurs

Varma is a solvent company and thus a safe choice. Varma’s extensive services, provided through various channels, make attending to insurance matters easy.
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Pension cover

The number of pensioners and the euro amount of pensions paid is constantly rising at Varma. Our task is to pay pensions correctly and on time to an increasing number of pensioners.
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Workability and good working life

Workability management promotes companies’ competitiveness and productivity and the societal goal of longer careers. Our workability services improve employee well-being and working life at our client companies.
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Varma’s targets and strategy

Varma's core task is to secure pensions. Our main goals of strong solvency, good development in premiums written, high quality pension services and efficient operations, also stem from this.
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Operating environment

The economic year 2015 ended in a climate of turbulence. Uncertainty in the global economy is again on the rise.
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Solvency

Varma’s strong solvency secures pensions. Thanks to its high solvency, Varma has been paying very competitive client bonuses for several years now.
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Fixed income investments

The return on fixed-income investments remained slightly negative, at -0.4 per cent. They accounted for 30 (32) per cent of investments and had a market value of EUR 12.3 (12.8) billion.
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Equity investments

Equity investments performed the best of all asset classes. They accounted for 45 (41) per cent of Varma’s investments and yielded a return of 8.8 (9.1) per cent.
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Real estate investments

Varma’s real estate investment portfolio amounted to EUR 3.9 (3.8) billion at the end of 2015, and the total return stood at 3.3 (3.8) per cent.
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Other investments

Other investments accounted for 17 (20) per cent of Varma’s portfolio.
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Varma’s investment principles

With EUR 41.3 billion in investment assets, Varma is Finland’s largest private investor. We invest the assets to secure present and future pensions.
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Targets and measures

On the basis of the materiality assessment, we defined Varma’s CSR targets, indicators and measures.
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Personnel

Varma’s success is based on competent personnel efficiently handling our customers’ pension cover. Customer focus is at the core of Varma’s expert work and operational development. Service that is appreciated by our customers is the result of broad competence and co-operation.
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Responsible investment

Responsibility is an integral part of our investment operations and ownership practices. In 2015, we looked into the responsibility of our hedge funds and decided to determine the carbon footprint of our investments.