ZURICH LOOKS TO EMERGING MARKETS AND M&A FOR GROWTH

Zurich Financial Services Group today told investors it still has plans to grow, but the ongoing financial crisis is likely to reduce its target return on equity. "Zurich's aspiration is to become the best global insurer as measured by its shareholders, customers and employees," said Martin Senn, CEO of Zurich in a statement ahead of the company's investors' day. "We will continue with our expansion in emerging markets while adapting our product portfolio to suit evolving markets. As in the past, we will complement organic growth with selective acquisitions and alliances," he added. Zurich said that its target operating profit return on equity remains unchanged at 16%, but should the current economic outlook persist, achieving a return of around 2 percentage points below the target is more realistic, said Senn.