Beazley PLC (LSE:BEZ) topped the FTSE 100 leaderboard on Thursday morning after it promised extra returns for shareholders.
In a very short trading update (alongside confirmation of its results publication date), the Lloyds insurer said claims were better than expected last year.
As a result, its undiscounted combined ratio (or underwriting profit) had improved from a low-80s percentage to the mid-70s.
Shares in the insurance and reinsurance group jumped over 8% as Beazley said it now plans an additional capital return of "around £300 million" as well as its ordinary dividend.
Full-year results on 7 March will confirm exactly how much will be returned and whether this will be a special dividend or a share buyback. said the statement.
Shares rose 52p to 634p.