A better performance from investments has helped Ireland-based XL Group to report a third-quarter net profit of $US77.5 million ($76.3 million), compared to a net loss of $US11.4 million ($11.2 million) in the corresponding period last year.

After-tax losses on investments of $US71.9 million (($70.7 million) compared to a third-quarter loss last year of $US310.8 million ($306 million), while $US37.9 million (37.3 million) was lost on foreign exchange transactions.

Lower US interest rates impacted on the group’s general insurance businesses, while changes in foreign exchange rates affected the life portfolio.

However, total revenues for the quarter rose 8.7% to $US1.62 billion ($1.59 billion).