Paramount Ins posts slight fall in profit, declares 10pc cash dividend

Paramount Insurance PLC reported a marginal decline in profit for 2025, as higher operating expenses and subdued premium income weighed on earnings amid persistent macroeconomic headwinds.

According to a disclosure filed with the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) on Wednesday, the general insurer's profit fell 2 per cent year-on-year to Tk 89 million, down from Tk 90.6 million in 2024.

The company's earnings per share (EPS) for the year stood at Tk 2.19, slightly lower than Tk 2.23 recorded in the previous year.

"The overall business activities in the country remained subdued due to persistent macroeconomic challenges, which had an impact on our insurance business," said a company official, who declined to be named.

Despite the slight earnings contraction, the insurer's board recommended a 10 per cent cash dividend for the year, maintaining the same payout as the previous year.

Under the payout, shareholders will receive Tk 1 per share against earnings of Tk 2.19 per share, meaning the insurer will retain more than half of its profit for future use

Currently, Paramount Insurance has about 40.66 million shares outstanding. As a result, the company will distribute more than Tk 40.66 million in cash dividends against a total profit of Tk 89 million for the year.

Market reaction remained positive, with the company's share price rising 0.39 per cent to Tk 51.30 on the DSE on Wednesday.

The company has scheduled its annual general meeting (AGM) for May 18 to seek shareholder approval for the proposed dividend. The record date has been set for March 21.

Meanwhile, the company's net operating cash flow per share (NOCFPS), an indicator of its ability to generate cash from core operations, declined significantly to Tk 1.79 in 2025 from Tk 2.91 a year earlier, mainly due to lower premium collection.

On the balance sheet front, the insurer's net asset value (NAV) per share rose to Tk 28.16 at the end of 2025, up from Tk 27.26 in the previous year.

The company has yet to disclose detailed financial figures, including annual net premium income, claim settlements and management expenses for the year.

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