Australia News

QBE Ups Offer for IAG; ‘Short of Fair Value’ Says Takeover Target

Australia’s QBE Insurance Group tabled a new offer late Friday to take over the Insurance Australia Group (IAG). The “increased final proposal” offers IAG share holders 0.145 QBE shares and 90 cents cash for each IAG share, “which,” QBE said, …

Australian Minister: Food Crisis Could Spur Global Trade Talks

Growing concerns about food security could spur renewed efforts to liberalize global trade, according to Australia’s trade minister. If the global community wants to help solve the food crisis, it must liberalize markets so that people can trade available surpluses …

Insurance Australia Group Lowers Outlook

Insurance Australia Group Limited (IAG) announced lower earnings projections for its insurance activities for the full year ending 30 June 2008 of between 6 and 8 percent, “mainly due to the impact of high storm costs and widening credit spreads …

Integro Expands London Casualty Practice

Integro announced the hiring of two established brokers who will join the firm’s Casualty practice in London – Andrew Park and Jonathan Bines. Park brings considerable technical knowledge and 25 years broking experience, the past 10 years at Lockton’s London …

Ratings Recap: Syndicate 1225, Gulf, Eastern Re, Sté. Centrale Re, B&B, Commercial & Manufacturers, GIL

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the Best’s Syndicate Rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a+” of Lloyd’s Syndicate 1225 (United Kingdom), which is managed by AEGIS Managing Agency Ltd (AEGIS UK). The outlook for both ratings …

Insurance Australia Group Rejects QBE Buyout Bid; Takeover Tussle

Insurance Australia Group (IAG) has rejected an A$7.4 billion (US$6.9 billion; €4.3 billion) unsolicited bid from rival QBE Insurance Group Ltd. as inadequate, the companies said Tuesday. IAG’s response to QBE’s bid sets the tone for what could be a …

S&P: QBE, IAG Ratings Unchanged After Rejected Merger Proposal

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services said that its ‘A+’ ratings on the core operating entities of QBE Insurance Group Ltd. (currently ‘A-‘ with a stable outlook) are unchanged after QBE’s announcement that Insurance Australia Group Ltd. (rated ‘AA-‘, but on …

Marsh, Mercer, Kroll M&A Report Examines Global Risks, Opportunities

A survey commissioned by Marsh, Mercer and Kroll for their report “M&A Beyond Borders: Opportunities and Risks,” found that multinational companies consider investing in China, India and South East Asia almost as risky as investing in Africa.” Despite those concerns, …

WTO Talks Enter Crunch Week

Talks on a deal to open up world trade entered a critical week on Monday with negotiators at the World Trade Organization (WTO) hoping to prepare the ground for a proposed meeting of ministers next month. With key food exporters …

Ratings Recap: PMI Australia, Feuersozietaet, Avalon Re, Ste. General de Réassurance

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has lowered its insurer financial strength rating on the Australian mortgage insurer PMI Mortgage Insurance Ltd. (PMI Australia) by one notch to ‘AA-‘ from ‘AA’. The rating remains on CreditWatch with negative implications, where they …