Zurich Financial Services raised and extended its medium-term profitability targets, as results for the first nine months exceeded analysts’ expectations.

James Schiro, chief executive, said he now expected $3.1bn in earnings improvements after tax in the four years 2007-10, compared with his earlier $2bn forecast for 2007-09 inclusive. ZFS said it was “well on track” to exceed its $700m target for this year and was aiming for $800m in 2008.