The Portuguese Insurance Regulator (ASF) issued its semiannual Insurance Sector Risk Dashboard for September 2025, keeping macroeconomic and credit risks at a medium-high level, maintaining market risk at medium-high but on a downward trajectory, and revising liquidity risk down to low. Profitability and solvency risks stayed at medium-low, while life-specific risks remained medium-low and non-life-specific risks continued at medium-high. Macroeconomic risks were framed by a softening of the European Central Bank’s contractionary policy stance and reduced uncertainty around European Union–United States trade tariffs, although the agreed 15% customs tariff level was noted as historically high and its effects remain to be assessed. Credit risk remained medium-high amid broadly lower sovereign risk premia between March and October 2025, except for a slight increase for France, and stabilised risk premia for financial and non-financial issuers following April increases. Market risk eased after heightened volatility in March and April linked to US tariff measures, with a subsequent decline that was more pronounced in bond markets, while Portugal’s real estate market recorded an annualised return of 17.2% in June 2025; ASF nevertheless flagged a material risk of a sharp correction in asset prices. Liquidity indicators improved, reflecting a higher inflows-to-outflows ratio and a moderately stronger asset liquidity ratio. Sector profitability was supported by improved technical results in both life and non-life business and higher return on equity versus the prior-year period, with the solvency capital requirement coverage ratio remaining around 210%; however, ASF noted that accounting-based indicators from 2023 onwards reflect the adoption of IFRS 17 and may not be directly comparable with earlier data. Interconnections risk stayed medium-low with a slight increase in investments in securities issued by banks, insurers, and pension fund management companies, and no material changes in concentration. For non-life business, ASF highlighted continuing production growth alongside slight reductions in loss ratios, mixed expense ratio developments by line of business, and potential tariff-related pressures on claims costs and profitability.
Portuguese Insurance Regulator (ASF) 2025-11-14
Portuguese Insurance Regulator publishes September 2025 insurance sector risk dashboard and revises liquidity risk to low
The Portuguese Insurance Regulator (ASF) released its September 2025 Insurance Sector Risk Dashboard, maintaining macroeconomic and credit risks at medium-high and revising liquidity risk down to low. Market risk is on a downward trajectory, while profitability and solvency risks remain medium-low. ASF noted improved sector profitability and flagged potential asset price correction risks in Portugal's real estate market.