Hannover Rück: History, key figures and share price development

Publication date: July 9, 2025

 

Hannover Rück SE is one of the world's largest reinsurers, providing customized reinsurance solutions to insurance companies worldwide. The company has a strong reputation for risk management and innovative insurance products. In this article, you can read all about Hannover Rück shares: share price, performance, business strategy, and expectations for 2025. If you like to receive weekly updates on European stocks, subscribe to our newsletter here and stay informed.

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- Year of founding: 1966

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Year added to the DAX 40: 2022 (reinstated)

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Highest price ever: €294.65 in May 2025

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Average trading volume: about 84,000 per day

- Price performance over the past 12 months: +15.74%




 




 

 

Introduction about the company

Hannover Rück SE is one of the world's largest reinsurers. It is headquartered in Hannover, Germany. The company offers reinsurance services for non-life as well as life and health insurance. With clients in more than 150 countries, Hannover Rück plays a crucial role in the global financial ecosystem, where it helps insurers spread risk and optimize capital. Through a combination of conservative risk management and technological innovation, the company is known as a reliable and stable player within the industry.

 

Key figures & performance

 

In 2024, Hannover Rück achieved sales of €24.5 billion and a net profit of €3.21 billion. These figures demonstrate the company's solid foundations and the effectiveness of its risk management strategy. The company employs more than 3,700 people worldwide and operates in virtually all segments of reinsurance. As of July 2025, the company's market capitalization stood at €32.49 billion, while the share price showed a +15.74% over the past 12 months.


History & development

 

Hannover Rück was founded in 1966 as a reinsurance subsidiary of the German conglomerate HDI. It grew in the following decades into an independent, listed player with a global presence. In 1994, the stock was listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Having previously been listed in the MDAX, Hannover Rück was re-listed in the DAX 40 index in March 2022 in recognition of its stable growth and sector importance. The company has since strengthened further through geographic diversification, technological innovation and a conservative capital structure.

 

Sector & competition

 

Hannover Rück operates in the global reinsurance market, where it competes with other giants such as Munich Re, Swiss Re, and Berkshire Hathaway Re. Unlike direct insurers, reinsurers focus on insuring insurers. The industry is cyclical and sensitive to natural catastrophes, interest rate movements, and capital markets. Hannover Rück is distinguished by a relatively low cost structure, a strong focus on profitable underwriting and a high degree of risk diversification across regions and sectors.

 

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Hannover Rück's influence on the DAX 40

Hannover Rück has a weighting of approximately 1.03% in the DAX 40 (measured in June 2025). View the composition of the DAX 40 and the weighting of all companies in the DAX 40 here. As a reinsurer, the stock is strongly influenced by global claims, macroeconomic conditions and trends in the (re)insurance market. The combined ratio, a key number in the industry that indicates how much of the premium is spent on claims and expenses, is of great interest to investors. Reinsurance contract revisions and regulations in major markets also have a direct impact on Hannover Rück's performance.

 

Investment analysis & outlook

The chart below shows Hannover Rück SE's share price performance over five years compared to the DAX index. Whereas the DAX shows an impressive gain of over 90%, Hannover Rück follows a slightly more moderate path with a gain of over 70%. From 2022, the stock moves largely in sync with the broader market, with a clear upward trajectory. The stock price has recognizable phases of consolidation and recovery, especially in the last two years. Although the DAX performs just a bit stronger over the long term, Hannover Rück remains a stable force within the insurance sector.

That stability is underpinned by strong operating performance in 2024. For example, the combined ratio improved to 86.6% and operating profit rose 117%, thanks to higher premiums, lower claims, and a favorable capital environment. These positive developments translated into a record share price of €292.60 in early May 2025. Looking ahead to 2025, analysts foresee a continuation of this stable growth. At the same time, natural disasters and market volatility remain areas of concern. Nevertheless, the focus on capital efficiency and maintaining consistent dividend payments ensures that Hannover Rück remains attractive to the defensive investor.

 

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News & updates

In April 2025, Hannover Rück announced a 25% dividend increase, to €7.50 per share, as a result of strong earnings growth. In addition, Clemens Jungsthöfel was appointed as the new CEO, succeeding Jean-Jacques Henchoz. Under his leadership, the company plans to focus even more on digitalization within reinsurance and on expansion in emerging markets. Hannover Rück also remains committed to sustainability, with new climate risk models and investments in green bonds as part of its investment portfolio.

For more information about this company, please visit: www.hannover-re.com/en

 



Disclaimer: Investing involves risk. Our analysts are not financial advisors. Always consult an advisor when making financial decisions. The information and tips provided on this website are based on our analysts' own insights and experiences. They are therefore for educational purposes only.