In addition, Sampo plc has issued subordinated notes of EUR 1,486 
million (494). The amount of subordinated notes increased due to the 
financing of the acquisition of Hastings. No CPs were outstanding (0). 
The average interest, net of interest rate swaps, on Sampo plc's debt as 
of 31 December 2020 was 1.6 per cent (1.2). 
 
   More information on Sampo Group's outstanding debt issues is available 
at 
https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=SbS3nDD_-OuDXUw-hCq936jEhiZld55E3NavWzBd4RIg61QfqL8bM-_1btepVMn9Qz5-YX9f9Ei6nB9PiOlF8Q5Ar2d8D9R4C9XSLd8j6y-rY5ZZCstOHZ42GVXvFPmk 
www.sampo.com/debtfinancing. 
 
   OUTLOOK 
 
   Outlook for 2021 
 
   Sampo Group's insurance businesses are expected to report good insurance 
technical results for 2021, although the mark-to-market component of 
investment returns will be significantly influenced by capital markets' 
developments, particularly in life insurance. 
 
   If P&C is expected to reach a combined ratio of below 85 per cent in 
2021. 
 
   With regard to Topdanmark, reference is made to the profit forecast 
model that the company publishes on a quarterly basis. 
 
   Hastings remains well positioned and expects to further improve its loss 
ratio and overall results, despite some market uncertainty from 
COVID-19, regulatory reform and Brexit. 
 
   Nordea continues to focus on creating great customer experiences, 
growing income and improving operational efficiency. The results are 
progressing well towards 2022 targets. 
 
   The major risks and uncertainties for the Group in the near-term 
 
   In its current day-to-day business activities Sampo Group is exposed to 
various risks and uncertainties, mainly through its separately managed 
major business units. 
 
   Major risks affecting the Group companies' profitability and its 
variation are market, credit, insurance and operational risks that are 
quantified independently by the major business units. At the group level, 
sources of risks are the same, although they are not directly additive 
due to the effects of diversification. 
 
   Uncertainties in the form of major unforeseen events may have an 
immediate impact on the Group's profitability. The identification of 
unforeseen events is easier than the estimation of their probabilities, 
timing, and potential outcomes. Currently, the COVID-19 pandemic and the 
measures taken to contain the virus are causing significant negative 
effects on economies and uncertainties on capital market development. 
There are also a number of widely identified macroeconomic, political 
and other sources of uncertainty which can, in various ways, affect the 
financial services industry in a negative manner. 
 
   Other sources of uncertainty are unforeseen structural changes in the 
business environment and already identified trends and potential 
wide-impact events. These external drivers may have a long-term impact 
on how Sampo Group's business will be conducted. Examples of identified 
trends are technological developments in areas such as artificial 
intelligence and digitalization, demographic changes, and sustainability 
issues that may also have profound effects on companies within the 
financial sector. 
 
   DIVIDEND PROPOSAL 
 
   The parent company's distributable capital and reserves totaled EUR 7 
250 153 463,79 of which profit for the financial year 2020 was EUR 699 
633 592,61. 
 
   The Board proposes to the Annual General Meeting a dividend of EUR 1.70 
per share to the company's 555,351,850 shares. The dividends to be paid 
are EUR 944,098,145.00 in total. The remainder of the funds are left in 
the equity. 
 
   The dividend will be paid to the shareholders registered in the Register 
of Shareholders held by Euroclear Finland Ltd as the record date of 21 
May 2021. The Board proposes that the dividend be paid on 28 May 2021. 
 
   No significant changes have taken place in the company's financial 
position since the end of the financial year. The impairment of Nordea 
shares had no impact on Sampo plc's distributable capital and reserves. 
The company's liquidity position is good and in the view of the Board, 
the proposed distribution does not jeopardize the company's ability to 
fulfill its obligations. 
 
   SAMPO PLC 
 
   Board of Directors 
 
   For more information, please contact: 
 
   Knut Arne Alsaker, Group CFO, tel. +358 10 516 0010 
 
   Jarmo Salonen, Head of Investor Relations and Group Communications, tel. 
+358 10 516 0030 
 
   Maria Silander, Communications Manager, Media Relations, tel. +358 10 
516 0031 
 
   Conference call 
 
   An English-language conference call for investors and analysts will be 
arranged at 4 pm Finnish time (2 pm UK time). Please call tel. +1 631 
913 1422, +44 33 3300 0804, +46 8 5664 2651, or +358 9 8171 0310. The 
conference code is 89421852#. 
 
   The conference call can also be followed live at 
https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=SbS3nDD_-OuDXUw-hCq93xjKni6hc-px449eIPT0tWAPYExZBYanC39qANjzq4o-Xg5vYGg832N9Ct-pmU0jsZ1Uqde-y6Hq5OJxTqTtBR8= 
www.sampo.com/result. A recorded version will later be available at the 
same address. 
 
   In addition, the Supplementary Financial Information Package is 
available at 
https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=SbS3nDD_-OuDXUw-hCq93xjKni6hc-px449eIPT0tWDg4iOEIt6nGP17wd8nmpn9gapyb_i93qsCxOrksTq2l3_TKYJYXjWNXYzwnEF-pbg= 
www.sampo.com/result. 
 
   Sampo will publish the Interim Statement for January - March 2021 on 5 
May 2021. 
 
   Distribution: 
 
   Nasdaq Helsinki 
 
   London Stock Exchange 
 
   The principal media 
 
   Financial Supervisory Authority 
 
   www.sampo.com 
 
 
 
   Attachment 
 
 
   -- Financial Statement Release 2020 
      https://ml-eu.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/ad0c843a-0e7f-4742-bce4-7fd5f198960c

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

02-11-21 0250ET