Economy News

How BP’s Gulf Oil Disaster Costs Could Double

Analysts’ dividend forecasts point to steady recovery BP, analysts, may be underestimating legal charges BP has history of low-balling long-term cost of disasters “Gross negligence,” punitive damages not ruled out Analysis shows how $50 billion could be added to cost …

Best Affirms ‘A’ Ratings of NIPPONKOA Insurance Company

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “a+” of Japan’s NIPPONKOA Insurance Company Ltd, both with stable outlooks. “The ratings reflect Nipponkoa’s strong capitalization and strengthening of its business profile,” …

France, Germany Say Euro Saved; Investors Remain Skeptical

Germany and France declared on Monday that Europe had taken decisive action to save the euro by rescuing Ireland and laying the foundations of a permanent debt resolution system, but investors were not convinced. Under pressure to arrest the threat …

The Time is Not Right to Drop Real Estate Professionals E&O

The ongoing downturn in the real estate market is forcing many professionals to make tough choices on where to trim expenses. While during a hot real estate market realtors would not consider dropping their errors and omissions (E&O) coverage, when …

Is Gas Drilling Causing West Virginia Earthquakes?

Officials say there’s no clear explanation for what may have prompted several earthquakes near Frametown earlier this year. Some have speculated that the cluster of small earthquakes was linked to local gas drilling. Delegate Brent Boggs, D-Braxton, was sitting at …

Gov.-Elect Kasich Names Sen. Buehrer to Head Ohio Workers’ Comp Bureau

Ohio Governor-elect John Kasich named Senator Steve Buehrer as administrator of the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. Buehrer, a Republican from Delta, becomes the fourth agency director of the Kasich Administration. Buehrer has been in the Senate since 2007. He previously …

Swiss Re: Investment Managers Face ‘New, Challenging Environment’

Swiss Re’s latest sigma study, #5/2010, – “Insurance investment in a challenging global environment” – warns that a “low yield environment coupled with tighter regulatory standards could hamper insurers’ investment returns, leading to lower profits for the industry and higher …

Black Friday, Cyber Monday: Holiday Shopping Rush Brings Risks

Americans’ spending hits a fever pitch during the holidays and two days in particular – “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday” – leave retailers and consumers vulnerable to different exposures. The day after Thanksgiving — also known as Black Friday — …

South Dakota Unemployment Rate Improving

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports South Dakota’s preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for October 2010 was 4.5 percent, a slight increase from the September 2010 rate of 4.4 percent. “The South Dakota unemployment rate has shown little fluctuation …

Best Affirms Assurant and Subsidiaries Ratings; Outlook Stable

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength ratings (FSR) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of the property/casualty and life/health insurance subsidiaries of Assurant, Inc. Best also affirmed the ICR of “bbb” and debt ratings of Assurant. The outlook for …