SYDNEY, Aug 17 (Reuters) - QBE Insurance Group QBE.AX , Australia's No.1 insurer by premium income, posted a 39 percent drop in first-half cash profit due mainly to higher claims, and lowered its full-year guidance on global pricing pressures.
Cash profit fell to $287 million in the six months to June 30 compared with $471 million a year ago and analysts' forecasts of $343 million.
The insurer, which generates almost three quarters of its premiums abroad, lifted its interim dividend by 5 percent to 21 Australian cents a share.