The end of the soft market may be near, as underwriting results are weakening and outside economic factors are weighing on insurers, according to an electronic insurance exchange.

Dallas, Texas-based MarketScout's latest Market Barometer analysis found that while rates still declined, and the market is still considered soft, the June composite rate of decline moderated 21 percent compared to June 2007, according to Richard Kerr, founder and MarketScout chief executive officer.

Overall, the average property-casualty premium rates declined 11 percent in June, compared to a 14 percent decline in June 2007, according to MarketScout. “This is the largest year on year rate moderation in the last three years,” MarketScout said.

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