earnings News

Willis Exec Sees Insurance M&A Activity Increase in 2010

The insurance industry will see a pickup in mergers & acquisitions (M&A) activity in 2010, according to Tony Ursano, CEO of Willis Capital Markets & Advisory, a unit of Willis Group Holdings. Ursano made his forecast at an industry event …

Global Reinsurers Enjoy Monte Carlo Sun Amid Worries Over Gathering Clouds

Global reinsurers are set to enjoy a moment in the sun as they gather in Monte Carlo this weekend, having come through the financial crisis singed rather than burned like their banking counterparts. But as top executives gather for their …

Best Revises Outlook on SCOR to Positive; Affirms ‘A-‘ Ratings

A.M. Best Co. has revised the outlook to positive from stable and affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a-” of French reinsurer SCOR S.E. and its rated subsidiaries. Best has …

Ratings Recap: Dah Sing, Everest Re, Omnium, First Takaful, TATIL

A.M. Best Co. has assigned a financial strength rating of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “a-” to Bermuda-based Dah Sing Insurance Company Limited (DSI) with stable outlooks. “The ratings reflect DSI’s supportive level of risk-adjusted capitalization, improved operating …

Study: Workers’ Compensation System Failing Lower Wage Workers

Only eight percent of lower wage workers injured on the job receive workers’ compensation benefits, according to a new report. Also, lower wage workers — those earning just over $8 per hour on average — are often not paid at …

Best Affirms Catlin Group’s ‘A’ Ratings

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a” of the Bermuda-based Catlin Insurance Company Ltd (CICL), Catlin Insurance Company (UK) Ltd., the U.S. company Catlin Insurance Company, Inc. (CICI) …

Ratings: Syndicate 2003 (Catlin), La Colonial, United, Arch, Ballantyne Re

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

Best Affirms HCC’s ‘A+’ Rating; Revises ICR Outlook to Positive

A.M. Best Co. has revised the outlook to positive from stable for the issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “aa-” and has affirmed the ICRs and financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A+’ (Superior) of Houston Casualty Group (HCC) and its property/casualty …

S&P Lowers Ratings on Selective Insurance Group; Outlook Negative

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has lowered its counterparty credit and financial strength ratings on Selective Insurance Co. of America and its insurance company affiliates (collectively referred to as Selective) to ‘A’ from ‘A+’. S&P also lowered its counterparty credit …

A.M. Best: Reinsurers Stay Afloat In Sinking Economy

Two years into the global financial crisis, global reinsurers’ performance to date could be counted as an achievement, given the state of the financial services industry and the economy, says A.M. Best. The reinsurance industry entered 2009 with sound underwriting …