Ann: Share Buy-Back Update, page-4

I wonder if the share price weakness, and possibly the decision to pause the buyback is related to recent articles in the AFR about the difficulties life insurers are having with TPD.

AFR today

'Death spiral' fears as TPD insurance premiums soar

A financial adviser exodus and rising total and permanent disability insurance premiums mean fewer people have cover.

Surging mental health claims are partly to blame for a 54 per cent jump in premiums for total and permanent disability insurance over the past five years, with the average policy now costing nearly $2000 a year.The increased cost of premiums is so significant that financial regulators have written to life insurers to express concern about “frequent, large and unexpected premiums increases” and their potential effect on the industry’s sustainability.