Bermuda News

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 …

Insurance Linked Securities Specialist Nephila Hired by Blackstone Vehicle

A Blackstone Group LP vehicle offering hedge fund strategies to mutual fund investors plans to allocate money to a firm backed by rival KKR & Co. The Blackstone Alternative Multi-Strategy Fund is hiring Nephila Capital Ltd. as a sub-adviser, according …

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 …

Arch Reinsurance Completes Acquisition of Dubai’s Gulf Re

Bermuda-based Arch Reinsurance Ltd., a member of Arch Capital Group Ltd., has completed the acquisition of Gulf Reinsurance Ltd. Gulf Re, a specialty reinsurer based in the Dubai International Financial Centre, was founded jointly by Arch and the Gulf Investment …

Italy’s Agnellis: Billionaire Family Behind PartnerRe Takeover Battle

The billionaire Agnellis will become more interested in hurricane damage and less dependent on sales of Alfa Romeo sports cars and CNH tractors if their $6.8 billion bid for reinsurer PartnerRe Ltd. is successful. PartnerRe, which assumes risks for natural …

PartnerRe Is Reviewing Enhanced Rival Bid From EXOR

Bermuda-based PartnerRe Ltd. has confirmed it has received a revised offer from EXOR SpA to acquire all of the outstanding common shares of the company for $137.50 per share in cash. Consistent with its fiduciary duties and subject to the …

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 …

Hiscox Reports 12% Hike in Gross Written Premiums on Good Claims Experience

Bermuda-based Hiscox Ltd., the international specialist insurer, reported gross written premiums increased by 12 percent to £561.7 million ($869.6 million), compared to £501.6 million ($776.6 million) reported during the first quarter of 2014. Bronek Masojada, chief executive, commented: “It’s been …

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 …