French insurer AXA’s profits rise

PARIS, Feb 25 (AFP): French insurer AXA said recently that its profits last year rose strongly, driven primarily by its health insurance division.

"AXA delivered another year of strong operating performance, with a seven-per cent increase in underlying earnings per share and our highest ever reported net income," chief executive Thomas Buberl said in a statement.

"AXA's underlying earnings and net income both crossed the six-billion-euro mark for the first time in the company's history, with all major geographies contributing to this achievement."

The health insurance division "was our fastest growing business in 2017, with revenues and earnings growing at six per cent and 11 per cent respectively," the CEO added.