Articles by Doni Bloomfield, Sonali Basak and Tommaso Ebhardt

EXOR Refuses to Sweeten $6.8 Billion Offer to Acquire PartnerRe

EXOR SpA, the investment vehicle of Italy’s Agnelli family, reiterated that it won’t sweeten a $6.8 billion offer to buy PartnerRe Ltd. as the reinsurer demands a higher price to abandon a merger deal with AXIS Capital Holdings Ltd. EXOR …

AXIS Says Termination Fee Would Soften Blow if PartnerRe Deal Collapses

AXIS Capital Holdings Ltd. Chief Executive Officer Albert Benchimol, who’s working to complete a merger with PartnerRe Ltd., said his company can withstand a collapse of the deal and that a termination fee would soften the blow. “We intend to …

Update: PartnerRe Says $6.8B EXOR Offer Unacceptable; Open to Negotiations

PartnerRe Ltd. said it would engage in discussions with hostile bidder EXOR SpA to seek a better offer than the $6.8 billion proposal that the target company called “unacceptable.” “While we believe that PartnerRe is worth materially more than EXOR …

IRS Scrutiny of Offshore Tax Avoidance Repels Bids for Bermuda Reinsurers

The IRS’s scrutiny of tax avoidance in offshore locations has discouraged bidders from taking over reinsurers, potentially reducing the companies’ value. Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. and Platinum Underwriters Holdings Ltd., both based in Bermuda, have each said in recent regulatory …

AIG Names Schreiber Chief Strategy Officer, Eyes M&A Deals

American International Group Inc. named dealmaker Brian Schreiber chief strategy officer as the insurer shifts to expanding through acquisitions after years of contracting through asset sales to repay a U.S. bailout. Schreiber, 49, will oversee mergers and acquisitions, global planning, …

EXOR Raises Bid for PartnerRe by 5.8%, Aiming to Overcome Rival AXIS Offer

EXOR SpA upped the ante in the takeover battle for PartnerRe Ltd., raising its bid by 5.8 percent to overcome a rival offer from AXIS Capital Holdings Ltd. EXOR, the investment vehicle of Italy’s billionaire Agnelli family, now plans to …

XL Appoints Citigroup Veteran McQuade as Chairman After Catlin Acquisition

XL Group plc, the insurer that acquired Catlin Group Ltd., named Citigroup Inc. veteran Eugene McQuade as chairman as the company prepares for increased regulatory scrutiny. McQuade, a director since 2004, replaces Robert Glauber, who had been chairman since 2009 …

AXIS Said to Value PartnerRe Deal by Viewing Montpelier, Catlin Acquisitions

AXIS Capital Holdings Ltd., seeking to complete a merger with PartnerRe, is highlighting the prospects for growth of a combined company. AXIS projects the post-merger market valuation will reach a level akin to those of other insurers targeted in recent …

Greenberg Feels Good About AIG Bailout Trial Closing

Maurice “Hank” Greenberg, the former chief executive officer of American International Group Inc., said he’s happy with closing arguments in a trial his company has led against the U.S. regarding AIG’s 2008 bailout. “I’m very pleased with the way that …

AXIS Capital Could Attract Offer From Arch Capital: Report

AXIS Capital Holdings Ltd. climbed in New York trading on Wednesday after “Insurance Insider” reported that the company, which has agreed to merge with PartnerRe Ltd., could draw a bid from Arch Capital Group Ltd. AXIS could attract an offer …