The pursuit of improved investment returns has become more important for European insurers after a lengthy period when their attention was more focused on non-investment sources of profit, according to a report published by A.M. Best. How an insurer might …
The global insurance industry gained momentum in 2014, with total direct premiums increasing by 3.7 percent to $4.778 trillion after having stagnated the previous year, according to Swiss Re’s latest “sigma” study. The life sector returned to positive growth, with …
Low interest rates together with highly liquid and stable financial markets have prompted European insurers to tap the capital markets in their efforts to lower the cost of capital and optimize levels of risk-adjusted capitalization, according to a new report …
Lowering interest rates around the world to boost the global economy has reached a point where it is now “quite harmful” to clients, including pension funds and insurers, BlackRock Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Laurence Fink said. The “low …
The financial repercussions of record-low interest rates in Europe were highlighted Wednesday as Vienna Insurance Group AG, eastern Europe’s biggest insurer, posted its worst first-quarter profit since the financial crisis. The insurer, based in Austria’s capital, said the effect of …
XL Group plc Chief Executive Officer Mike McGavick said the insurer is looking to illiquid securities and infrastructure investments to boost portfolio yields squeezed by interest rates that are near record lows. “We can get a little bit into the …
The recent unveiling by the European Central Bank (ECB) of its large-scale sovereign bond buying program is just one of the pressure points building in Europe that could affect insurers and reinsurers’ balance sheets, said A.M. Best in a new …
Hannover Re, the world’s third- biggest reinsurer, said third-quarter profit rose 21 percent, helped by a benign U.S. hurricane season and higher income from investments. Net income rose to 251 million euros ($315 million) from 207 million euros a year …
Ping An Insurance (Group) Co., China’s second-largest insurer, said profit rose in the third quarter as banking revenue expanded and a stock-market rally bolstered investment returns. Net income climbed to 10.3 billion yuan ($1.68 billion), or 1.23 yuan a share, …
The leveling off of the world’s oil supply and the resulting rising gasoline prices and their economic impact carry implications for property/casualty insurance rates. Oil spikes have been known to precede recessions, which affect auto, home and workers’ compensation claims …
