Fitch Ratings News

Fitch Sees Small Profit But Still Negative on U.S. Commercial Lines Outlook

After a tumultuous 2017, the U.S. commercial lines market should eke out a small underwriting profit in 2018 assuming catastrophe losses return to more historical norms, Fitch Ratings said in a new report. Still, Fitch is maintaining a negative sector …

Fitch Affirms Negative Outlook for London Market

Fitch Ratings said in a recent report that the sector outlook for London market insurance remains negative in 2018, reflecting its analysts’ expectation that underwriting results will continue to be pressured by the high cost of doing business, due to …

From Bermuda to Switzerland, Reinsurers Lure Variety of Potential Investors

The $500 billion reinsurance industry is experiencing a flurry of deal talks. One reason: Companies are finally for sale as a rash of natural disasters has depressed valuations and a influx of competitors has made it harder to raise rates. …

Bermuda’s Re/Insurance Model to Be Tested Following U.S. Tax Cuts: Fitch

The Bermuda re/insurance model will be tested following U.S. tax forms and the continuing challenges of competitive market conditions, according to a report by Fitch Ratings. The cut in the U.S. corporate tax rate to 21 percent from 35 percent …

China’s Tallest Building Attracts Industry Tenants Including Lloyd’s & Allianz

After more than two years of red tape that kept tenants from moving in, China’s tallest skyscraper, the Shanghai Tower, has been quietly opening and filling office space. More than 60 companies now occupy office space on its 128 floors …

Insurers Can Protect Ratings with Cautious Approach to Cyber Risk: Fitch

The influence of cyber risk on insurer ratings is likely to be neutral or gradual as long as insurers continue take a cautious approach to the business, according to Fitch Ratings. At its recent cyber conference in New York, Fitch …

UK Regulator’s Broker Probe May Make London Market More Competitive: Fitch

The UK Financial Conduct Authority’s review of the wholesale insurance broker market could help counter the trend of rising expenses for London market insurers, according to a Fitch Ratings briefing. This could make London more competitive with smaller hubs in …

UK Faces Bad Deal for Brexit, Gloomy Outlook: S&P, Fitch

Standard and Poor’s and Fitch held their credit ratings for Britain unchanged on Friday [Oct. 27], but both remained gloomy about the outlook due to the likelihood of the country reaching a bad deal in its divorce talks with the …

Mounting Catastrophe Claims Could Weaken Re/Insurers’ Capital Reserves: Fitch

Ratings downgrades for global insurers and reinsurers are becoming more probable as they face more than $100 billion in 2017 catastrophe losses, a figure that threatens to weaken their capital reserves, Fitch Ratings Inc. said in a report on Tuesday. …

Fitch Expects Most Insurers, Reinsurers to Handle Losses from Both Harvey, Irma

Fitch Ratings reported that based on its initial assessments, most U.S. insurance companies and global reinsurers that it rates are not expected to be downgraded as a result of the combined effects of Hurricanes Irma and Harvey. However, Fitch said …