Zurich says it will exit some businesses and invest in those where it has a strong position, after last week cutting its return-on-equity target to 12-14% from 16%.

CEO Martin Senn says corporate, commercial mid-market and select retail sectors are Zurich’s key focus areas.

In the commercial mid-market sector it will invest in data analytics, where “decisions are shifting from relationship-driven to more data-driven”, he told an investor day.

The group will promote predictive analytics, simplify operations and improve its broker value proposition.

It aims to sell more business to major corporate customers “for example, delivering combined life and general insurance solutions”.

In retail, it will focus on higher-margin lines.

Mr Senn has not identified which businesses may be sold. “We set ambitious targets for 2010 to 2013, some of which we are unlikely to achieve,” he told shareholders.