HDI Global boosts earnings & steps up US expansion
Wed, 19th Aug 2026 (Today)
HDI Global reported higher first-half 2026 earnings and is stepping up its long-term push in the United States as part of a broader growth strategy in a major commercial insurance market.
First-half insurance revenue was broadly steady at EUR 5.0 billion, compared with EUR 5.1 billion a year earlier, as currency effects and underwriting discipline offset growth. The insurance service result rose 8 per cent to EUR 465 million from EUR 430 million.
Large loss payments fell to EUR 92 million from EUR 142 million, coming in EUR 209 million below the pro rata budget for the period. Natural catastrophe losses were below budget in the first half, although significant man-made losses continued across industries.
The combined ratio improved to 90.7 per cent from 91.6 per cent. Net insurance financial and investment result before currency effects increased to EUR 169 million from EUR 99 million, helped by higher investment volumes and stronger current interest income.
EBIT was largely unchanged at EUR 381 million, versus EUR 377 million a year earlier. The division's contribution to group net income increased 7 per cent to EUR 292 million from EUR 274 million.
US expansion
Alongside the results, HDI Global outlined plans to expand its presence in the US large corporate and specialty insurance market through a broader footprint, additional hiring, and leadership and strategy changes.
The insurer operates in the US through three subsidiaries: HDI Global Insurance Company, a commercial property and casualty insurer headquartered in Chicago and licensed across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands; HDI Global Select Insurance Company; and HDI Specialty Insurance Company.
Its wider international network spans more than 200 countries and territories, and the Corporate & Specialty division manages about 5,400 international programmes for multinational clients. In 2025, the division generated about EUR 10.3 billion in gross insurance revenue and employed more than 5,500 people.
Dr. Mukadder Erdönmez, member of the HDI Global SE Executive Board responsible for Liability, Cyber, Motor and the US Market, said the latest half-year figures supported continued investment in the American business.
"For more than 120 years, HDI has supported businesses through changing market environments, economic cycles and periods of transformation," Erdönmez said. "Our strong first-half results once again demonstrate the resilience of our business model, the strength of our underwriting expertise and our deep roots in long-standing partnerships. As a leading international Corporate & Specialty insurer, we continue to invest in markets that are strategically important for our future growth, particularly the United States. With new leadership, a clear strategic direction and a long-term commitment to the market, we are now entering the next phase of our US growth journey."
Management view
The US business is led by Shadi Albert, who said the insurer was already entering its next phase of development in the market. Its approach combines global underwriting experience with local decision-making in the US commercial insurance sector.
"The next phase of HDI Global's development in the United States is already underway," said Shadi Albert, Chief Executive Officer of HDI Global US. "We are bringing more than a century of global underwriting expertise, technical excellence and financial strength into one of the world's most important commercial insurance markets, backed by a long-term commitment to brokers and clients. Our objective is to build a premier Corporate & Specialty insurer in the United States, combining global capabilities with empowered local decision-making and deep market expertise."
Albert also outlined the operational focus behind the expansion, including staffing, systems and a broader domestic presence.
"Our focus is on disciplined execution. We are investing in talent, technology and our national footprint, while making it easier for brokers and clients to do business with us through responsive underwriting, clear decision-making and dependable capacity across market cycles. Supported by our global network spanning more than 200 countries and territories, broad product capabilities and strong balance sheet, we are building a business designed for the long term. The investments already underway provide a strong foundation for the next phase of growth and for becoming an even stronger Partner in Transformation for brokers and clients across the United States," Albert said.