S&P Global Ratings News

As Reinsurance Market Evolves, So Must Distribution, Say Experts at Forum

The flow of so-called alternative capital into the global reinsurance market is continuing, bringing it closer to the “convergence” in which traditional providers will eventually become conduits to the capital markets, said panelists at the 2016 Bermuda Reinsurance Conference sponsored …

Insurtech Startups Attract Growing List of Traditional Insurer Partners

Listening to Andrew Rear talk about insurers, you wouldn’t think he works for one that’s been around for 136 years. The 46-year-old head of Munich Re’s Digital Partners unit has said the industry is “one of the last bastions of …

Reinsurers Welcome Rate Stabilization: S&P-PwC Bermuda Reinsurance Forum

North American reinsurers may soon see some rate stabilization after a prolonged period of declining premium rates, as they deal with a supply-demand imbalance that has weighed on returns, according to executives at the 2016 Bermuda Reinsurance Conference co-hosted by …

Reinsurers’ Capital Likely to Remain Strong Despite Hurricane Matthew: S&P

While Hurricane Matthew has the potential to erode some of the global reinsurance sector’s excess capital, its overall capital position is not expected to deteriorate below the ‘AAA’ level, according to a report published by S&P Global Ratings. This would …

S&P: Impact of August Floods on Credit for Affected Louisiana Parishes Will Differ

The 22 Louisiana parishes that were impacted by record flooding in August will experience varying degrees of economic and financial stress, according to S&P Global Ratings. This is because local governments all have different credit strengths and weaknesses, and the …

Ratings Agencies Expect Reinsurance Premiums to Continue Dropping in 2017

Reinsurance premiums are likely to continue to fall next year, ratings agencies said on Tuesday, following years of weaker prices due to competition in the sector and a lack of natural catastrophe losses. Reinsurers act as a financial backstop for …

Reinsurers May Reassess Cat Exposures When Normal Claims Levels Return: S&P

Most global reinsurers have been able to maintain underwriting discipline despite the ongoing soft market, but there is a danger that their profits could be hit if the current benign period of natural catastrophes returns to normal levels, according to …

Sports-Related Brain Injuries Are Emerging Risk for US & UK Insurers: S&P Report

Sports-related brain injuries are one of the top emerging insurance claims in the U.S. and the U.K., according to a report published by S&P Global Ratings. While the potential risk of such liability claims is rising rapidly, S&P did not …

Fosun Plans to Sell as Much as $6 Billion in Assets to Raise Credit Rating

Fosun Group, one of China’s most acquisitive conglomerates, is preparing to sell as much as 40 billion yuan ($6 billion) in assets as it focuses on raising its credit rating to above junk. After announcing more than $15 billion in …

Hedge Fund Insurers Struggle in Crowded Market with Poor Investment Results: S&P

Hedge fund firms that set up reinsurance companies will struggle because too many rivals had the same idea and investment results have been disappointing, according to a report from S&P Global Ratings. Money managers entered the reinsurance business to gain …