earnings News

Reinsurers Under Pressure from Low Premiums, Catastrophes: Fitch

The reinsurance sector is vulnerable to a significant insured loss from the Atlantic storm season as their reserve capital has been used to offset low premiums, Fitch Ratings said, as Hurricane Earl threatens to hit land. As Earl lingers as …

ProAssurance to Acquire American Physicians Service Group

ProAssurance Corp., headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., and Austin, Texas-based American Physicians Service Group Inc. (APS) announced that ProAssurance plans to acquire all the outstanding shares of APS in an all-cash transaction for $32.50 per share. The transaction is expected to …

BP Claims Fund Pays Out $10 Million in First Week Under Feinberg

Kenneth Feinberg, who last week took over the claims process for BP Plc’s Macondo well oil spill, has so far paid nearly $10 million in emergency payouts to Gulf Coast residents who have suffered economic harm, documents show. Feinberg, who …

Best Affirms ‘A++’ Ratings of French Gov’t. Reinsurer Caisse Centrale

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A++’ (Superior) and issuer credit rating of “aa+” of French government backed reinsurer Caisse Centrale de Réassurance (CCR), both with stable outlooks. The ratings reflect CCR’s “superior risk-adjusted capitalization, good …

S&P Affirms Markel’s ‘BBB’ Ratings; Outlook Negative

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has affirmed its ‘BBB’ unsolicited counterparty credit rating on Markel Corp. However, S&P said the “outlook on Markel remains negative.” Credit analyst Taoufik Gharib explained: “The affirmation reflects Markel’s strong competitive position in the excess …

Ratings Recap: PartnerRe, Oriental

Fitch Ratings has affirmed the ratings of PartnerRe Ltd. with a negative outlook. The affirmation follows an “updated review of PartnerRe’s financial performance, capital position, liquidity, and investment exposures,” said Fitch. The rationale for the ratings includes the company’s” strong …

Fitch: Profits Decline for Most U.S. P/C Insurers in First-Half of 2010

First-half 2010 operating profits declined for most publicly traded property/casualty insurance companies that Fitch Rating follows, according to a new report. However, the $16.2 billion of aggregate net earnings reported by these companies represents a substantial improvement versus the prior …

S&P Raises Validus’ Rating to ‘BBB’; Assigns ‘A-‘ Rating to Validus Re

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has raised its counterparty credit rating on Validus Holdings Ltd. to ‘BBB’ from ‘BBB-‘. S&P has also assigned its ‘A-‘ counterparty credit and financial strength ratings to Validus’ insurance subsidiary, Validus Reinsurance Ltd. The outlook …

Ratings Roundup: AMEX, Castle Key, Torus, Hartford (debt)

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “a” of AMEX Assurance Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Company. The outlook for both ratings is stable. The ratings reflect …

Best Affirms Ratings of Lloyd’s Syndicate 2003, Managed by Catlin

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed Best’s Syndicate Rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “a+” of Lloyd’s Syndicate 2003, which is managed by Catlin Underwriting Agencies Limited (CUAL), a member of the Bermuda-based Catlin Group Limited (CGL). The …