UBS Group AG Announces Prior Acquisition of Common Shares of KuuHubb Inc. as a Result of Account Maintenance Procedures
KuuHubb has been the subject of a cease-trade order (" CTO") since November 3, 2023 as a result of its failure to file audited annual financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2023 (the " 2023 Annual Audited Statements"), management's discussion and analysis relating to the 2023 Annual Audited Statements and certification of the foregoing filings as required by National Instrument 52-109 Certificate of Disclosure in Issuers' Annual and Interim Filings.
As a result of the CTO, no person or company is permitted trade in or purchase a security of KuuHubb, except in accordance with the conditions that are contained in the CTO, if any, for so long as the CTO remains in effect.
The Shares were acquired for no consideration as a result of normal-course account maintenance procedures of UBS and its affiliates and not as a result of any trading activity by UBS. UBS intends to continue to hold the Shares within the group until such time as they may be liquidated or disposed of in accordance with applicable law. UBS has no current or future intention to acquire any additional Shares of KuuHuub.
This press release is issued pursuant to National Instrument 62-103 - The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues, which requires a report to be filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) containing additional information with respect to the foregoing matters.
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Cision Canada
5 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Intact Financial Corporation reports Q2-2025 results Français
, /CNW/ - Highlights Operating DPW 1,2 growth of 4% improved sequentially, primarily attributable to Personal lines Combined ratio 1 was strong at 86.1% with solid performance across all geographies Net operating income per share 1 of $5.23 (EPS of $4.70) reflected robust underwriting performance and stable contributions from investment and distribution income BVPS 1 increased 12% from last year to $98.67 driven by solid earnings growth, with operating ROE 1 of 16.3% (ROE 1 of 14.0%) Robust balance sheet with total capital margin 1 of $3.1 billion and adjusted debt-to-total capital ratio 1 decreasing to 18.4% Charles Brindamour, Chief Executive Officer, said: "I'm pleased to see our platform continuing to prove its strength in the current economic and geopolitical environment. We delivered another quarter of solid underlying results, while growing our premium base in Personal lines and remaining disciplined in Commercial and Specialty lines. We did not experience significant CAT losses in the quarter, but our business is well positioned to help our customers deal with the deep trend of increased natural disasters. With our resilient balance sheet, we remain ready to capture opportunities as they arise, while staying on track to continue delivering on our financial objectives of exceeding the industry ROE by 500 basis points and growing NOIPS by 10% annually over time." Consolidated Highlights (in millions of Canadian dollars except as otherwise noted) Q2-2025 Q2-2024 Change H1-2025 H1-2024 Change Operating direct premiums written 1,2 7,031 6,655 4 % 12,395 11,765 4 % Combined ratio 1 86.1 % 87.1 % (1.0) pt 88.7 % 89.1 % (0.4) pts Underwriting income (loss) 1 784 681 15 % 1,269 1,140 11 % Operating net investment income 400 387 3 % 815 767 6 % Distribution income 1 165 169 (2) % 282 269 5 % Net operating income attributable to common shareholders 1 935 866 8 % 1,652 1,513 9 % Net income 867 758 14 % 1,543 1,431 8 % Per share measures (in dollars) Net operating income per share (NOIPS) 1,3 $5.23 $4.86 8 % $9.25 $8.48 9 % Earnings per share (EPS) – diluted 3 $4.70 $4.04 16 % $8.39 $7.72 9 % Book value per share 1 $98.67 $88.00 12 % Return on equity for the last 12 months Operating ROE 1 16.3 % 17.0 % (0.7) pts Adjusted ROE 1 16.5 % 16.7 % (0.2) pts ROE 1 14.0 % 13.7 % 0.3 pts Capital management Total capital margin 1 $3,136 2,884 252 Adjusted debt-to-total capital ratio 1 18.4 % 19.8 % (1.4) pts 12-Month Industry Outlook We expect favourable market conditions overall, though varying by segment: In Personal auto and Personal property, we expect high-single-digit to low-double-digit premium growth; and In Commercial and Specialty lines across all geographies, we expect mid-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 15 – Non-GAAP and other financial measures in the Q2-2025 Management's Discussion and Analysis for further details. 2 DPW change (growth) is presented in constant currency. 3 Per share metric is calculated based on the weighted-average diluted number of common shares. Q2-2025 Consolidated Performance Operating DPW growth was 4%, attributable to rate actions and continued unit growth in Personal lines. Within Commercial lines, growth was tempered by continued pressures in large accounts, as well as remediation actions in the UK&I. Combined ratio remained strong and improved by 1 point to 86.1%, despite higher catastrophe activity compared to last year's low level. This reflected solid performance across all geographies, as well as strong favourable prior year development, notably in Canada Commercial lines. Operating net investment income increased 3% from last year to $400 million, due to slightly higher book yields and favourable foreign currency movements. Distribution income of $165 million reflected solid M&A activities in BrokerLink, offset by slower growth in other parts of the business, including On Side. Net operating income attributable to common shareholders of $935 million reflected strong underwriting performance, as well as stable contributions from investment and distribution income. Earnings per share increased 16% to $4.70 in the quarter, driven by strong operating income and higher mark-to-market gains on our equity securities. Solid operating ROE of 16.3% reflected a robust performance across our lines of business and geographies, despite the impact of higher-than-expected catastrophe losses over the last 12 months. Adjusted ROE of 16.5% included lower exited lines losses and restructuring costs over the last 12 months. Segment Underwriting Performance (in millions of Canadian dollars except as otherwise noted) Q2 2025 Q2 2024 Change H1-2025 H1-2024 Change Operating direct premiums written 1 (growth in constant currency) Canada 4,908 4,563 8 % 8,388 7,815 7 % UK&I 1,330 1,315 (5) % 2,583 2,560 (5) % US 793 777 - % 1,424 1,390 (1) % Total 7,031 6,655 4 % 12,395 11,765 4 % Combined ratio 1 Canada 83.8 % 85.4 % (1.6) pts 87.0 % 88.1 % (1.1) pts UK&I 92.9 % 92.2 % 0.7 pts 95.2 % 93.4 % 1.8 pts US 87.8 % 88.5 % (0.7) pts 87.2 % 88.3 % (1.1) pts Combined ratio 86.1 % 87.1 % (1.0) pt 88.7 % 89.1 % (0.4) pts Canada Personal auto operating DPW increased by 11%, reflecting rate actions and 2% unit growth in hard market conditions. The combined ratio was strong at 90.3% in a seasonally favourable quarter, reflecting the benefits of our profitability actions. Personal property operating DPW grew by 10%, primarily due to rates and 2% unit growth in hard market conditions. The combined ratio remained strong at 84.5% despite increasing 6.5 points from last year, as the prior period benefitted from benign weather activity. Commercial lines operating DPW growth was 1%, driven by low-to-mid-single-digit rates overall. We continue to see elevated competition in large accounts. The combined ratio was very strong at 74.0%, driven by our continued underwriting discipline and very healthy favourable prior-year development. UK&I Operating DPW decreased 5% reflecting continued remediation actions in the DLG portfolio, as well as strategic exits, primarily within certain delegated relationships. Excluding these items, growth was 3% as we continue to see competition in large accounts. The combined ratio of 92.9% remained solid despite higher large losses, reflecting performance improvements in the DLG portfolio. US Operating DPW growth was flat, including a 3-point negative impact from a specific business line. Rates remained healthy overall. The combined ratio was solid at 87.8%, reflecting year-over-year improvements in our underlying performance, tempered by higher expenses. ___________________________________________ 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 15 – Non-GAAP and other financial measures in the Q2-2025 Management's Discussion and Analysis for further details. Balance Sheet The Company ended the quarter in a strong financial position and solid regulatory capital ratios in all jurisdictions. Total capital margin was $3.1 billion, and in line with Q1-2025, due to strong operating earnings. Adjusted debt-to-total capital ratio stood at 18.4% as at June 30, 2025, a reduction vs. Q1-2025, driven by strong capital generation and the repayment of commercial paper in the quarter. IFC's book value per share (BVPS) of $98.67 as at June 30, 2025 increased 12% year-over-year due to robust earnings over the last 12 months and favourable market movements. BVPS was 3% higher than Q1-2025, driven by strong operating earnings, tempered by foreign exchange impacts. Common Share Dividend The Board of Directors approved the quarterly dividend of $1.33 per share on the Company's outstanding common shares. The common share dividends are payable on September 29, 2025, to shareholders of record on September 15, 2025. 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, 32.5 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 on September 30, 2025, to shareholders of record on September 15, 2025. 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 $3.79 and $4.02, respectively. Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) and Interim 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 Q2-2025 MD&A, as well as the Q2-2025 interim condensed consolidated financial statements, which are available on the Company's website at and later today on SEDAR+ at 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 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 and link to "Investors". The conference call is also available by dialing 416-945-7677 or 1-888-699-1199 (toll-free in North America). Please call 10 minutes before the start of the call. A replay of the call will be available on July 30, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. ET until 11:59 p.m. ET on August 6, 2025. To listen to the replay, call 289-819-1450 or 1-888-660-6345 (toll-free in North America), entry code 88467. 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 Specialty lines insurer with international expertise and a leader in Commercial lines in the UK and Ireland. The business has grown organically and through acquisitions to almost $24 billion of total annual operating direct premiums written (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. Intact also distributes directly to consumers through the belairdirect brand and affinity partnerships. Additionally, Intact provides exclusive and tailored offerings to high-net-worth customers through Intact Prestige. In the US, Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions provides a range of Specialty insurance products and services through independent agencies, regional and national brokers, wholesalers and managing general agencies. Across the UK, Ireland, and Europe, Intact provides Personal, Commercial and/or Specialty insurance solutions through the RSA, NIG and FarmWeb brands. Non-GAAP and other financial measures Non-GAAP financial measures and Non-GAAP ratios (which are calculated using Non-GAAP financial measures) do not have standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS (or GAAP) and may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies in our industry. Non-GAAP and other financial measures are used by management and financial analysts to assess our performance. Further, they provide users with an enhanced understanding of our financial results and related trends, and increase transparency and clarity into the core results of the business. Non-GAAP financial measures and Non-GAAP ratios used in this Press Release and other Company's financial reports include measures related to our consolidated performance, underwriting performance and financial strength. For more information about these supplementary financial measures, Non-GAAP financial measures, and Non-GAAP ratios, including definitions and explanations of how these measures provide useful information, refer to Section 15 – Non-GAAP and other financial measures in the Q2-2025 MD&A dated July 29th, 2025, which is available on our website at and on SEDAR+ at Q2-2025 Q2-2024 H1-2025 H1-2024 Net income attributable to shareholders, as reported under IFRS 867 750 1,543 1,423 Remove: pre-tax non-operating results 93 128 167 140 Remove: non-operating tax expense (benefit) 3 16 (13) (5) N OI attributable to shareholders 963 894 1,697 1,558 Remove: preferred share dividends and other equity distribution (28) (28) (45) (45) NOI attributable to common shareholders 935 866 1,652 1,513 Divided by weighted-average diluted number of common shares (in millions) 178.7 178.5 178.7 178.5 NOIPS (in dollars) 5.23 4.86 9.25 8.48 NOI attributable to common shareholders for the last 12 months 2,715 2,575 Adjusted average common shareholders' equity, excluding AOCI 16,636 15,151 OROE for the last 12 months 16.3 % 17.0 % Table 2 Reconciliation of underwriting results on a MD&A basis with the interim consolidated financial statements (quarterly) Financial statements F/S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Total MD&A MD&A Quarter ended June 30, 2025 Insurance revenue 6,616 (598) (225) - - - - (111) (57) 5 (986) 5,630 Operating net underwriting revenue Insurance service expense (5,083) 257 232 (150) 7 (58) (215) 112 57 (5) 237 (4,846) Sum of: Operating net claims ($2,917 million) and Operating net underwriting expenses ($1,929 million) Expense from reinsurance contracts (598) 598 - - - - - - - - 598 - n/a Income from reinsurance contracts 257 (257) - - - - - - - - (257) - n/a Insurance service result 1,192 - 7 (150) 7 (58) (215) 1 - - (408) 784 Underwriting income (loss) Quarter ended June 30, 2024 Insurance revenue 6,488 (619) (356) - - - - (207) (12) 7 (1,187) 5,301 Operating net underwriting revenue Insurance service expense (5,196) 365 370 (114) 8 (44) (237) 223 12 (7) 576 (4,620) Sum of: Operating net claims ($2,812 million) and Operating net underwriting expenses ($1,808 million) Expense from reinsurance contracts (619) 619 - - - - - - - - 619 - n/a Income from reinsurance contracts 365 (365) - - - - - - - - (365) - n/a Insurance service result 1,038 - 14 (114) 8 (44) (237) 16 - - (357) 681 Underwriting income (loss) Reconciling items in the table above: Table 3 Reconciliation of underwriting results on a MD&A basis with the interim consolidated financial statements (year-to-date) Financial statements F/S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Total MD&A MD&A Six-month ended June 30, 2025 Insurance revenue 13,269 (1,196) (502) - - - - (308) (105) 26 (2,085) 11,184 Operating net underwriting revenue Insurance service expense (10,670) 650 514 (269) 15 (120) (433) 319 105 (26) 755 (9,915) Sum of: Operating net claims ($6,125 million) and Operating net underwriting expenses ($3,790 million) Expense from reinsurance contracts (1,196) 1,196 - - - - - - - - 1,196 - n/a Income from reinsurance contracts 650 (650) - - - - - - - - (650) - n/a Insurance service result 2,053 - 12 (269) 15 (120) (433) 11 - - (784) 1,269 Underwriting income (loss) Six-month ended June 30, 2024 Insurance revenue 12,999 (1,292) (715) - - - - (488) (32) 22 (2,505) 10,494 Operating net underwriting revenue Insurance service expense (10,554) 679 790 (262) 16 (93) (465) 525 32 (22) 1,200 (9,354) Sum of: Operating net claims ($5,757 million) and Operating net underwriting expenses ($3,597 million) Expense from reinsurance contracts (1,292) 1,292 - - - - - - - - 1,292 - n/a Income from reinsurance contracts 679 (679) - - - - - - - - (679) - n/a Insurance service result 1,832 - 75 (262) 16 (93) (465) 37 - - (692) 1,140 Underwriting income (loss) Reconciling items in the table above: Table 4 Reconciliation of ROE to Net income attributable to shareholders Q2-2025 Q2-2024 H1-2025 H1-2024 Net income attributable to shareholders, as reported under IFRS 867 750 1,543 1,423 Remove: preferred share dividends and other equity distribution (28) (28) (45) (45) Net income attributable to common shareholders 839 722 1,498 1,378 Divided by weighted-average basic number of common shares (in millions) 178.3 178.3 178.3 178.3 EPS, basic (in dollars) 4.71 4.05 8.40 7.73 Divided by weighted-average diluted number of common shares 1 (in millions) 178.7 178.5 178.7 178.5 EPS, diluted (in dollars) 4.70 4.04 8.39 7.72 Net income attributable to common shareholders for the last 12 months 2,327 2,020 Adjusted average common shareholders' equity 16,647 14,698 ROE for the last 12 months 14.0 % 13.7 % 1 Includes the net effect of the exercise of stock options. See Note 16 – Earnings per share to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements for more details. Table 5 Reconciliation of consolidated results on a MD&A basis with the interim condensed consolidated financial statements (quarterly) MD&A captions Pre-tax As presented in the Financial statements Distribution income Total finance costs Other operating income (expense) Operating net investment income Total income taxes Non- operating results Underwriting income (loss) Total F/S caption For the quarter ended June 30, 2025 Insurance service result 43 - 15 - - 200 934 1,192 Net investment income - - - 400 - - - 400 Net gains (losses) on investment portfolio - - - - - 136 - 136 Net insurance financial result - - - - - (197) - (197) Share of profits from investments in associates and joint ventures 42 (4) (2) - (9) (9) - 18 Other net gains (losses) - - - - - (16) - (16) Other income and expense 80 - (65) - - (80) (150) (215) Other finance costs - (57) - - - - - (57) Acquisition, integration and restructuring costs - - - - - (127) - (127) Income tax benefit (expense) - - - - (267) - - (267) Total, as reported in MD&A 165 (61) (52) 400 (276) (93) 784 For the quarter ended June 30, 2024 Insurance service result 28 - 16 - - 199 795 1,038 Net investment income - - - 387 - - - 387 Net gains (losses) on investment portfolio - - - - - (34) - (34) Net insurance financial result - - - - - (195) - (195) Share of profits from investments in associates and joint ventures 52 (3) (1) - (11) (9) - 28 Other net gains (losses) - - - - - 74 - 74 Other income and expense 89 - (75) - - (73) (114) (173) Other finance costs - (54) - - - - - (54) Acquisition, integration and restructuring costs - - - - - (90) - (90) Income tax benefit (expense) - - - - (223) - - (223) Total, as reported in MD&A 169 (57) (60) 387 (234) (128) 681 Table 6 Reconciliation of consolidated results on a MD&A basis with the interim condensed consolidated financial statements (year-to-date) MD&A captions Pre-tax As presented in the Financial statements Distribution income Total finance costs Other operating income (expense) Operating net investment income Total income taxes Non- operating results Underwriting income (loss) Total F/S caption For the six-month period ended June 30, 2025 Insurance service result 108 - 12 - - 395 1,538 2,053 Net investment income - - - 815 - - - 815 Net gains (losses) on investment portfolio - - - - - 222 - 222 Net insurance financial result - - - - - (437) - (437) Share of profits from investments in associates and joint ventures 84 (7) (1) - (18) (18) - 40 Other net gains (losses) - - - - - 24 - 24 Other income and expense 90 - (90) - - (157) (269) (426) Other finance costs - (112) - - - - - (112) Acquisition, integration and restructuring costs - - - - - (196) - (196) Income tax benefit (expense) - - - - (440) - - (440) Total, as reported in MD&A 282 (119) (79) 815 (458) (167) 1,269 For the six-month period ended June 30, 2024 Insurance service result 71 - 22 - - 337 1,402 1,832 Net investment income - - - 767 - - - 767 Net gains (losses) on investment portfolio - - - - - (74) - (74) Net insurance financial result - - - - - (292) - (292) Share of profits from investments in associates and joint ventures 90 (8) 1 - (18) (15) - 50 Other net gains (losses) - - - - - 254 - 254 Other income and expense 108 - (111) - - (147) (262) (412) Other finance costs - (111) - - - - - (111) Acquisition, integration and restructuring costs - - - - - (203) - (203) Income tax benefit (expense) - - - - (380) - - (380) Total, as reported in MD&A 269 (119) (88) 767 (398) (140) 1,140 Table 7 Reconciliation of AEPS and AROE to Net income attributable to shareholders Q2-2025 Q2-2024 H1-2025 H1-2024 Net income attributable to shareholders, as reported under IFRS 867 750 1,543 1,423 Remove acquisition-related items, after tax Amortization of acquired intangible assets 61 56 122 113 Acquisition and integration costs 56 41 86 96 Tax adjustments on acquisition-related items 7 3 8 3 Net result from claims acquired in a business combination 1 (1) 1 1 Adjusted net income attributable to shareholders 992 849 1,760 1,636 Remove: preferred share dividends and other equity distribution (28) (28) (45) (45) Adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders 964 821 1,715 1,591 Divided by weighted-average diluted number of common shares (in millions) 178.7 178.5 178.7 178.5 AEPS (in dollars) 5.39 4.61 9.59 8.91 Adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders for the last 12 months 2,744 2,453 Adjusted average common shareholders' equity 16,647 14,698 AROE for the last 12 months 16.5 % 16.7 % Table 8 Calculation of BVPS and BVPS (excluding AOCI) As at June 30, 2025 2024 Equity attributable to shareholders, as reported under IFRS 19,216 17,315 Remove: Preferred shares and other equity, as reported under IFRS (1,619) (1,619) Common shareholders' equity 17,597 15,696 Remove: AOCI, as reported under IFRS (260) 238 Common shareholders' equity (excluding AOCI) 17,337 15,934 Number of common shares outstanding at the same date (in millions) 178.3 178.4 BVPS 98.67 88.00 BVPS (excluding AOCI) 97.21 89.33 Table 9 Adjusted average common shareholders' equity and Adjusted average common shareholders' equity, excluding AOCI 1 June 30, 2024 figure represents the net weighted impact of the September 13, 2023 significant capital transaction. Table 10 Reconciliation of Total debt outstanding before hybrid subordinated notes and Total capital to Debt outstanding, Equity attributable to shareholders and Equity attributable to NCI As at June 30, 2025 March 31, 2025 December 31, 2024 Debt outstanding, as reported under IFRS 4,643 4,728 4,681 Remove: hybrid subordinated notes (247) (247) (247) Total debt outstanding before hybrid subordinated notes 4,396 4,481 4,434 Debt outstanding, as reported under IFRS 4,643 4,728 4,681 Equity attributable to shareholders, as reported under IFRS 19,216 18,768 18,148 Adjusted total capital 23,859 23,496 22,829 Total debt outstanding before hybrid subordinated notes 4,396 4,481 4,434 Adjusted total capital 23,859 23,496 22,829 Adjusted debt-to-total capital ratio 18.4 % 19.1 % 19.4 % Debt outstanding, as reported under IFRS 4,643 4,728 4,681 Preferred shares and other equity, as reported under IFRS 1,619 1,619 1,619 Debt outstanding and preferred shares (including NCI) 6,262 6,347 6,300 Adjusted total capital 23,859 23,496 22,829 Total leverage ratio 26.2 % 27.0 % 27.6 % Adjusted debt-to-total capital ratio 18.4 % 19.1 % 19.4 % Preferred shares and hybrids 7.8 % 7.9 % 8.2 % Forward Looking Statements Certain statements made in this news release are forward-looking statements. These statements include, without limitation, statements relating to the outlook for the Property and Casualty insurance industry in Canada, the U.S. and the U.K., the Company's business outlook, the Company's growth prospects and the integration of Direct Line Insurance Group plc's brokered Commercial lines operations. All such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the 'safe harbour' provisions of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements, by their very nature, are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties and are based on several assumptions, both general and specific, which give rise to the possibility that actual results or events could differ materially from our expectations expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those discussed in the Company's most recently filed Annual Information Form dated February 11, 2025 and available on SEDAR+ at As a result, we cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will materialize and we caution you against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. Except as may be required by Canadian securities laws, we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this news release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Please read the cautionary note at the beginning of the Q2-2025 MD&A. SOURCE Intact Financial Corporation
Globe and Mail
7 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
Millionaires multiply across the US, but most find it's not all mansions and champagne
NEW YORK (AP) — As a child, Heidi Barley watched her family pay for groceries with food stamps. As a college student, she dropped out because she couldn't afford tuition. In her twenties, already scraping by, she was forced to take a pay cut that shrunk her salary to just $34,000 a year. But this summer, the 41-year-old hit a milestone that long felt out of reach: She became a millionaire. A surging number of everyday Americans now boast a seven-figure net worth once the domain of celebrities and CEOs. But as the ranks of millionaires grow fatter, the significance of the status is shifting alongside perceptions of what it takes to be truly rich. 'Millionaire used to sound like Rich Uncle Pennybags in a top hat,' says Michael Ashley Schulman, chief investment officer at Running Point Capital Advisors, a wealth management firm in El Segundo, California. 'It's no longer a backstage pass to palatial estates and caviar bumps. It's the new mass-affluent middleweight class, financially secure but two zeros short of private-jet territory.' Inflation, ballooning home values and a decades-long push into stock markets by average investors have lifted millions into millionairehood. A June report from Swiss bank UBS found about one-tenth of American adults are members of the seven-digit club, with 1,000 freshly minted millionaires added daily last year. Thirty years ago, the IRS counted 1.6 million Americans with a net worth of $1 million or more. UBS — using data from the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund and central banks of countries around the globe — put the number at 23.8 million in the U.S. last year, a nearly 15-fold increase. The expanding ranks of millionaires come as the gulf between rich and poor widens. The richest 10% of Americans hold two-thirds of household wealth, according to the Federal Reserve, averaging $8.1 million each. The bottom 50% hold 3% of wealth, with an average of just $60,000 to their names. Federal Reserve data also shows there are differences by race. Asian people outpace white people in the U.S. in median wealth, while Black and Hispanic people trail in their net worth. Barley was working as a journalist when her newspaper ended its pension program and she got a lump-sum payout of about $5,000. A colleague convinced her to invest it in a retirement account, and ever since, she's stashed away whatever she could. The investments dipped at first during the Great Recession but eventually started growing. In time, she came to find catharsis in amassing savings, going home and checking her account balances when she had a tough day at work. Last month, after one such day, she realized the moment had come. 'Did you know that we're millionaires?' she asked her husband. 'Good job, honey,' Barley says he replied, unfazed. It brought no immediate change. Like many millionaires, much of her wealth is in long-term investments and her home, not easy-to-access cash. She still lives in her modest Orlando, Florida, house, socks away half her paycheck, fills the napkin holder with takeout napkins and lines trash cans with grocery bags. Still, Barley says it feels powerful to cross a threshold she never imagined reaching as a child. 'But it's not as glamorous as the ideas in your head,' she says. All wealth is relative. To thousandaires, $1 million is the stuff of dreams. To billionaires, it's a rounding error. Either way, it takes twice as much cash today to match the buying power of 30 years ago. A net worth of $1 million in 1995 is equivalent to about $2.1 million today, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. A seven-figure net worth is, to some, as outdated a yardstick as a six-figure salary. Nonetheless, 'millionaire' is peppered in everything from politics to popular music as shorthand for rich. 'It's a nice round number but it's a point in a longer journey,' says Dan Usen, a 41-year-old from Providence, Rhode Island, who works in information technology and who hit the million-dollar mark last month. 'It definitely gives you some room to breathe.' No other country comes close to the U.S. in the sheer number of millionaires, though relative to population, UBS found Switzerland and Luxembourg had higher rates. Kenneth Carow, a finance professor at Indiana University's Kelley School of Business, says commonalities emerge among today's millionaires. The vast majority own stocks and a home. Most live below their means. They value education and teach financial responsibility to their children. 'The dream of becoming a millionaire,' Carow says, 'has become more obtainable.' Jim Wang, 45, a software engineer-turned finance blogger from Fulton, Maryland, says even if hitting $1 million was essentially 'a non-event' for him and his wife, it still held weight for him as the son of immigrants who saved money by turning the heat off on winter nights. The private jets he envisioned as a kid may not have materialized at the million-dollar threshold, but he still sees it as a marker that brings a certain level of security. 'It's possible, even with a regular job,' he says. 'You just have to be diligent and consistent.' The resilience of financial markets and the ease of investing in broad-based, low-fee index funds has fueled the balances of many millionaires who don't earn massive salaries or inherit family fortunes. Among them is a burgeoning community of younger millionaires born out of the movement known as FIRE, for Financial Independence Retire Early. Jason Breck, 48, of Fishers, Indiana, embraced FIRE and reached the million-dollar mark nine years ago. He promptly quit his job in automotive marketing, where he generally earned around $60,000 a year but managed to stow away around 70% of his pay. Now, Breck and his wife spend several months a year traveling. Despite being retired, they continue to grow their balance by sticking to a tight budget and keeping expenses to $1,500 a month when they're in the U.S and a few hundred dollars more when they travel. Hitting their goal hasn't translated to luxury. There is no lawn crew to cut the grass, no Netflix or Amazon Prime, no Uber Eats. They fly economy. They drive a 2005 Toyota. 'It's not a golden ticket like it was in the past,' Breck says. 'For us, a million dollars buys us freedom and peace of mind. We're not yacht rich, but for us, we're time rich.' ___
National Post
8 hours ago
- National Post
Who wants to be a millionaire? 1 in 10 Americans already is but the status loses its lustre
NEW YORK (AP) — As a child, Heidi Barley watched her family pay for groceries with food stamps. As a college student, she dropped out because she couldn't afford tuition. In her twenties, already scraping by, she was forced to take a pay cut that shrunk her salary to just $34,000 a year. Article content But this summer, the 41-year-old hit a milestone that long felt out of reach: She became a millionaire. Article content Article content Article content A surging number of everyday Americans now boast a seven-figure net worth once the domain of celebrities and CEOs. But as the ranks of millionaires grow fatter, the significance of the status is shifting alongside perceptions of what it takes to be truly rich. Article content Article content 'Millionaire used to sound like Rich Uncle Pennybags in a top hat,' says Michael Ashley Schulman, chief investment officer at Running Point Capital Advisors, a wealth management firm in El Segundo, California. 'It's no longer a backstage pass to palatial estates and caviar bumps. It's the new mass-affluent middleweight class, financially secure but two zeros short of private-jet territory.' Article content Inflation, ballooning home values and a decades-long push into stock markets by average investors have lifted millions into millionairehood. A June report from Swiss bank UBS found about one-tenth of American adults are members of the seven-digit club, with 1,000 freshly minted millionaires added daily last year. Article content Thirty years ago, the IRS counted 1.6 million Americans with a net worth of $1 million or more. UBS — using data from the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund and central banks of countries around the globe — put the number at 23.8 million in the U.S. last year, a nearly 15-fold increase. Article content The expanding ranks of millionaires come as the gulf between rich and poor widens. The richest 10% of Americans hold two-thirds of household wealth, according to the Federal Reserve, averaging $8.1 million each. The bottom 50% hold 3% of wealth, with an average of just $60,000 to their names. Article content Federal Reserve data also shows there are differences by race. Asian people outpace white people in the U.S. in median wealth, while Black and Hispanic people trail in their net worth. Article content Barley was working as a journalist when her newspaper ended its pension program and she got a lump-sum payout of about $5,000. A colleague convinced her to invest it in a retirement account, and ever since, she's stashed away whatever she could. The investments dipped at first during the Great Recession but eventually started growing. In time, she came to find catharsis in amassing savings, going home and checking her account balances when she had a tough day at work.
