Brought to you by:

International

Boost for US property/casualty market

21 May 2012

A review of results for Moody’s-rated property and casualty insurers shows the industry’s net income is up substantially in the first quarter – around 70% more than the corresponding period last year…

Cat bonds getting bigger, rates firming

21 May 2012

The catastrophe bond market shows signs of firming despite a record level of issues in the first quarter, says Guy Carpenter in a study of the market…

Myanmar begins to open insurance market

21 May 2012

The insurance market in Myanmar is beginning to open the door to competition, following recent democratic advances – but its high capital requirements are expected to deter insurers…

Munich Re Q1 profit jumps

14 May 2012

Munich Re posted a €780 million ($999 million) profit in the first quarter of this year due to reduced losses from natural catastrophes as well as higher investment income…

US market hardening: MarketScout and CIAB

14 May 2012

The US market is hardening as property/casualty, professional and personal rates have increased, according to MarketScout and the Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers…

Catlin’s GWP and rates increase

14 May 2012

Insurer and reinsurer Catlin Group has reported increases in rates and gross written premium as it recovers from last year’s catastrophe losses…

XL first-quarter income rises

14 May 2012

XL Group’s first-quarter net income this year rose to $US176.6 million ($174.6 million) after lower natural catastrophe losses…

Allianz lifts Q1 profit 53%

14 May 2012

Allianz increased first-quarter profit by nearly 53% to €1.4 billion ($1.8 billion) in a rebound from last year’s catastrophe-affected result…

US Treasury to reduce AIG stake

14 May 2012

The US Treasury will sell down 9% of its AIG stake and aims to recover all its investment in the company, acquired in 2008 as part of a bailout of the insurer in the global financial crisis…

BIBA launches broker search app

14 May 2012

The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has launched a “Find a Broker” mobile application for the iPhone and iPad…

Fitch maintains stable outlook for reinsurance

07 May 2012

The outlook for the global reinsurance sector remains stable, despite reinsurers being more exposed to potential catastrophe losses in 2012, according to ratings agency Fitch…

Currency, growth costs reduce Aon profit

07 May 2012

Aon felt the impact of unfavourable currency translation and costs associated with its expansion in the first quarter, with the group reporting a 3% fall in profit to $US238 million ($233 million)…