Reinsurers’ plunging yields are GFC ‘collateral damage’
31 August 2015
The net investment yield for reinsurers has fallen 30% over the past four years, a report by Standard & Poor’s reveals…
International
Reinsurance sector set for more consolidation: Fitch
31 August 2015
The wave of mergers and acquisitions among reinsurers is expected to continue as they seek ways to trump rivals and build growth prospects, according to Fitch Ratings…
Accounting change hits Amlin’s first-half net profit
31 August 2015
Lloyd’s insurer and reinsurer Amlin says net profit fell 2.4% to £132.8 million in the half-year to June 30 due to an accounting change…
Expansion boosts Charles Taylor profit
31 August 2015
Charles Taylor Adjusting says first-half net profit grew 22% to £4.5 million, driven by international expansion…
Insurance bill from Tianjin blasts may pass $2 billion
24 August 2015
Insured losses from two huge explosions in the Chinese port city of Tianjin are likely to exceed about $US1.5 billion, Fitch Ratings says…
S&P tips cat bond market for further growth
24 August 2015
The catastrophe bond market will continue to grow by 10-20% a year, driven by an increase in covered perils, broadening of event definitions and demand from governments, according to Standard & Poor’s…
10 years after Katrina, New Orleans is stronger
24 August 2015
New Orleans, the US city devastated by Hurricane Katrina 10 years ago this week, is now much more capable of withstanding future windstorms, according to reports from Allianz and Munich Re…
Ebix directors endorse second share buyback
24 August 2015
Ebix’s board has approved another share buyback program worth $US100 million, following one for the same amount announced last year…
Drones sector poses risks for insurers: Lloyd’s
24 August 2015
The drone aircraft sector is expanding rapidly within global aviation, with spending expected to double to $US91 billion by 2024, according to a report from Lloyd’s…
Efficiency drive turns around Achmea result
24 August 2015
Dutch insurance group Achmea has reported a net profit of €272 million for the first half, reversing a €58 million loss in the corresponding period last year…
Asia Pacific hardest hit by rate decreases: Marsh
17 August 2015
The Asia-Pacific region is leading the global market in decreasing premium rates, according to Marsh…
Disaster losses fall, but death toll soars
17 August 2015
Global insured losses from natural and man-made disasters totalled $US16.5 billion in the first half, according to Swiss Re’s Sigma study, released last week…
QBE completes costly exit from Argentina
17 August 2015
QBE will book a loss of $US73 million from the sale of its Argentinian workers’ compensation business to the Werthein Group…
US economy helps lift Tokio Marine profit
17 August 2015
Tokio Marine has posted a net profit of ¥125.99 billion for the quarter to June 30, up 8.4% on the corresponding period last year…
Premium up, but Liberty takes hit in tough market
17 August 2015
US-based Liberty Mutual Holding Company has reported net profit of $US530 million for the six months to June 30, down 19.2% on the corresponding period last year…
Talanx ‘holds ground’ in first half
17 August 2015
HDI-Gerling Industrial Insurance’s parent Talanx has reported net profit of €311 million for the first half, down from €381 million in the corresponding period last year…
UK needs cyber reinsurance pool: report
17 August 2015
The UK should set up a public-private cyber-catastrophe reinsurance scheme, a new industry report says…
Exor wins fight for Partner Re deal
10 August 2015
Italian investment company Exor has triumphed in the battle for Partner Re, announcing it will acquire the Bermuda-based reinsurer for $US6.9 billion in cash…
Zurich still keen on RSA acquisition after tough half
10 August 2015
Zurich Insurance Group has reported operating profit of $US2.24 billion and net income of $US2.06 billion for the six months to June 30 – decreases of 15% and 3% respectively…
Australian storms dent Berkshire Hathaway reinsurance
10 August 2015
Berkshire Hathaway’s insurance underwriting business has reported a loss of $US38 million for the second quarter, compared with an operating profit of $US411 million in the corresponding period last year…