Irish insurer FBD's FY earnings slide; claims rise

DUBLIN, March 4 (Reuters) - Irish insurer FBD (FBD.I) said on Wednesday full-year underlying earnings dropped around 46 percent, as expected, due to an increase in claims and lower investment returns.

FBD reported adjusted operating earnings per share of 171.5 cents compared with 316.33 cents a year ago.

FBD said in November that its operating earnings per share would come in a range of around 175.5 cents to 184.5 cents, 10 percent below analysts' forecast range due to the higher claims and challenging market conditions.

The insurer, which said its 2008 dividend would amount to 40.25 cent a share, said premium rates were starting to harden across the market.