Frequently asked questions

Sampo’s A share is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. The stock is also traded on several different market places as well.

In Nasdaq Helsinki, the ticker for Sampo’s A share is SAMPO and ISIN number FI0009003305.

Sampo was listed on Helsinki Stock Exchange, known today Nasdaq Helsinki, on 14 January 1988.

Yes, the share has been split twice.

• 24 October 1997, 1:4
• 23 April 2001, 1:5

No, Sampo has not issued any preferred shares.

Up-to-date list of analysts covering Sampo can be found here.

The list of the largest shareholders is updated monthly and can be found here. The list does not include nominee registered shareholders.

Sampo has profiled itself as a dividend company and our shareholders expect us to pay high and stable dividend. In addition, we have very strong balance sheet, which gives us ability to pay high dividends.

Sampo distributes its dividend annually, usually in spring. The dividend distribution is decided by the Annual General Meeting, which is usually held in April-May.

For Finnish investors, there is plenty of information on the Tax Administrations website.

For foreign investors, we recommend to turn to your local tax authority.

15 December 2020

This information is directed to non-Finnish resident shareholders of Sampo plc. It is published to inform the shareholders about the changes in the taxation of dividends in 2021.

Taxation of dividends in 2021

Withholding tax lower than 35% only exceptionally available at source for nominee-registered shares.

Dividend recipients resident in countries which have a tax treaty with Finland providing a dividend withholding tax rate below Finnish domestic rate may earlier have benefited from the reduced (or even zero) withholding tax already at source by disclosing their identity and residence information to the Finnish securities account operator prior to the dividend payment. Alternatively such shareholders may have benefited from the so called “simplified procedure”, i.e. application of withholding tax at 15% or more.

From 2021 onwards, dividend payable on nominee-registered shares to an identified recipient will generally be subject to withholding tax at the rate of 35%, except if the identified recipient's country of residence and entitlement to tax treaty benefits are ascertained, as specified in the law, by a custodian which is registered with the new Finnish Register of Authorised Intermediaries and which is closest to the dividend recipient, and such information is reported to the Finnish Tax Authority.

Consequently, the rate of withholding that will be applied upon dividend payment will significantly depend on the actions of the shareholder's custodian and the information provided by the shareholder to its custodian. The shareholders should contact their custodian to inquire about the withholding tax rates applicable to them as of 2021 onwards.

Obtaining refund of withholding tax

If the dividend recipient considers itself to be entitled to dividend withholding tax at a rate lower than applied at the time of the dividend distribution, the dividend recipient may apply for a refund. The application can be made with the recipient's Finnish account operator through the chain of foreign custodians during the year of the dividend payment (quick refund, if available) and after that (for a period of three years) directly with the Finnish Tax Administration. The shareholders shall contact their custodian for more information or visit the webpage of Finnish Tax Administration (linked on the date of this information).

Additional information from the Finnish Tax Administration

The Finnish Tax Administration has published guidance on the changes to withholding taxation applicable to nominee-registered shares: Information on changes. Further information on withholding taxation can be found here: Information on withholding taxation.

Additional information on withholding tax matters can be obtained from the Finnish Tax Administration:

• website: www.vero.fi/en
• telephone for businesses: +358 (0)29 497 051
• telephone for individuals: +358 (0)29 497 024

The dividend will be paid to shareholder who own the stock as at the AGM date, and thus is registered in the Register of Shareholders as at the record date of the dividend.

The Sampo AGM is usually held in April-May. Notice to the AGM will be published, at the latest, three weeks before the AGM as a stock exchange release and on Sampo's website.

If's competitors are all Nordic P&C insurance companies and many of them operate locally only in one country. Main competitors are OP and LähiTapiola in Finland, LF and Folksam in Sweden and Tryg and Gjensidige in Norway. In Denmark, If and Topdanmark compete against Tryg and Codan.

Mandatum's main competitors are companies that offer life insurance and wealth management products and services in Finland, for example OP, Nordea, LähiTapiola, Fennia, Evli and eQ.

All kind of risks that cause turbulence in the fixed income and stock markets affect Sampo Groups investment activities. From an operational point of view, political risks in our home markets, in the Nordics are relatively small. Main risks are potential changes in taxation and regulation in the finance sector.

Read more about Sampo Group’s risk management here.

Sampo has detailed plans in case of changes in personnel when the time comes.

Especially If has very large weight in fixed income. It can be explained by two factors: dividends and credit rating. When it comes to return on equity, our objective is to keep If's balance sheet light and efficient. However, at the same time, the high credit rating and ability to pay large dividends require strong solvency. Thus, the risk profile of If's investment portfolio must be low. In addition, the group level profit performance benefits from the fact that If's profit is based on successful risk assessment and pricing i.e. underwriting rather than profits from investments. Mandatum Life, on the other hand, usually takes more equity risk.

Vast amount of Sampo’s investments are fixed income investments. Thus, rising interest rates would increase returns when assets are re-invested in fixed income. In addition, higher rates would lead to higher discount rates for technical provisions.

Very high inflation would create pressure on profitability as the increase in claims costs cannot be passed on to insurance prices in the middle of contract periods. So-called “normal” inflation does not have a large impact on business as If takes inflation trend into account in its pricing. In addition, as a large company, If has a good negotiating position and long-term contracts with its partners, which provides stability and predictability on the cost side.

Geographically we prefer the Nordic countries, where we know the markets, companies and people. Other main principle is that we like to keep our investments and technical reserves in substantially the same currency in order to avoid extra currency risk.