Financial News

Argo Group Net Income Rose by 87% in 2009 to $117.5 Million

The Bermuda-based Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. (the successor company of the Argonaut Group) announced a record result for 2009 with net income rising by 87 percent to $117.5 million, or $3.81 per diluted share from $62.9 million or $2.05 …

Validus Reports $165.8 Million Q4 Net Income; $897.4 Million Full Year

Bermuda-based Validus Holdings, Ltd. reported net income of $165.8 million, or $1.23 per diluted common share for the three months ended December 31, 2009, compared with net income of $37.0 million, or $0.47 per diluted common share, for the three …

State Auto Reports Revenue Increases for 2009

Columbus, Ohio-based State Auto Financial Corporation’s fourth quarter 2009 net income rose to $14.4 million compared with a net loss of $0.6 million for the fourth quarter 2008, the company reported. For the year 2009, STFC had net income of …

European Insurers Increase Payouts, as Capital Recovers

Two leading European insurers on Thursday unveiled big dividend increases, confirming a sector-wide trend as the industry takes comfort from a steady recovery in its capital strength since the crisis. AXA, Europe’s biggest insurer, raised its 2009 dividend by 38 …

Germany’s Munich Re and Allianz to Wind Down Business in Iran

Germany’s Munich Re and Allianz halted all remaining insurance business in Iran as their national representative body said it backed international moves toward tougher sanctions against Tehran. Against a backdrop of rising political tensions, the world’s biggest reinsurer, Munich Re, …

Zenith Merger Will Make Fairfax 7th Largest Workers’ Comp Writer in Calif.

Following Zenith National Insurance Corp.’s sell the company to Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd., Toronto-based Fairfax will be the seventh-largest workers’ compensation insurer in the state, on a pro forma basis, based on analysis of SNL’s 2008 statutory market share data. …

Swiss Re Rebounds from 2008 Loss; Reports $469 Million FY Net Income

Swiss Re returned to profit in 2009. The world’s number two reinsurer reported net income of CHF506 million [$468.9 million], compared to a loss of CHF 864 million [$800.6 million] in 2008. The earnings statement noted: “Net income was impacted …

Medical Malpractice Insurers Could Keep Antitrust Protection

Democrats appear to be removing medical malpractice insurers from a bill to eliminate the antitrust exemption for health insurers in the McCarran-Ferguson Act. According to Politico.com, Democratic aides in the House said the final antitrust bill likely will not include …

Flagstone Re Reports $71.5 Million Q4 Net Income; FY $242 Million

Bermuda-based Flagstone Re posted net income attributable to common shareholders for the quarter ended December 31, 2009, of $71.5 million, or $0.86 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $75.6 million, or a loss of $0.89 per diluted …

AXA Asia-Pacific Returns to Profit; No Comments on Takeover Bids

Takeover target AXA Asia-Pacific’s promise of strong growth in 2010 prompted analysts to suggest suitors may consider raising their bids for the firm but top officials declined comment on the $12 billion tussle. Insurer AXA Asia-Pacific, which is being circled …