Articles by Sonali Basak

Icahn Doesn’t Buy AIG’s Strategy; Readies Slate of Directors

Carl Icahn, the activist investor calling for a breakup of American International Group Inc., said the alternative plan presented last week by the insurer’s chief executive officer was inadequate and that he’s assembling a slate of directors to shake up …

AIG Rejects Full Split; Will IPO Mortgage Business, Sell Advisory Unit, Reorganize into ‘Modular’ Units

American International Group Inc. announced $3.6 billion in expenses to fill a reserve shortfall after higher-than-expected claims costs and will exit its mortgage insurer and sell an adviser network as Chief Executive Officer Peter Hancock seeks to boost returns and …

KBW Analyst Dismisses AIG Mortgage Business Spinoff

American International Group Inc.’s plan to spin off a portion of its mortgage insurance unit is “almost pointless” given the challenges that Chief Executive Officer Peter Hancock faces to fix the much larger property/casualty business, an analyst at Keefe, Bruyette …

Icahn Activism Not AIG’s First Test Under Pressure

American International Group Inc. knows what it’s like to be circled by hawks. American International Group Inc. knows what it’s like to be circled by hawks. Under pressure in 2009 to repay the insurer’s bailout, company executives were in a …

Paulson’s PaCRe Shuts Down After Investment Slump, Bermuda Tax Uncertainties

Billionaire John Paulson’s New York hedge fund firm has shut an operation in Bermuda that had been targeted by a Democratic lawmaker as a tax shelter. Paulson’s venture, a reinsurer named PaCRe Ltd., has stopped writing new coverage, and its …

Analyst Says Investors Support Icahn on AIG Revamp

Most American International Group Inc. investors believe that billionaire activist Carl Icahn is right that the insurer needs a new strategy, according to a Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. analyst who polled shareholders. In a survey of more than 100 …

AIG CEO Hancock Plans Public Webcast on His Vision, ‘Proactive Plan’ for Insurer

American International Group Inc., the insurer that has rebuffed activist investor Carl Icahn’s push to divide into three companies, set a Jan. 26 presentation to outline Chief Executive Officer Peter Hancock’s vision. The presentation will be a live webcast at …

Third Point Re’s Stock Falls Below Level of 2013 IPO on Faltering Investments

Third Point Reinsurance Ltd., which counts on hedge fund manager Dan Loeb to oversee its portfolio, fell below the price of its 2013 initial public offering after investments faltered. The reinsurer tumbled 2.3 percent to $12.49 at 4:04 p.m. in …

Willis to Join S&P’s 500 Index on Jan. 4

Willis Group Holdings Plc, the insurance broker that’s planning a merger with consulting firm Towers Watson & Co., will join the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and replace Fossil Group Inc. Willis climbed 4.8 percent to $49.30 at 9:45 a.m., …

AIG Plans $3 Billion Stock Buyback

American International Group Inc., the insurer pressured by activist investor Carl Icahn to boost returns, announced a plan to repurchase another $3 billion of shares. The move lifts to $4.3 billion the amount that the company is authorized to buy …