NU Online News Service, Aug. 3, 3:05 p.m.EDT

Four reinsurers posted positive numbers for the second quarterof this year as a benign catastrophe season helped lift net incomeconsiderably over last year's second quarter.

Allied World based in Zug, Switzerland, says its second-quarternet income rose 3 percent, or $2.6 million, to $96.4 million.Revenues also rose 3 percent, or $14 million, to $481 million inthe quarter.

For the first six months, net income more than doubled by $212million to $315 million. Revenues rose 18 percent, or $162 million,to $1.06 billion.

The second quarter combined ratio improved by 12.3 points to85.1. The company notes that it experienced no significantcatastrophe losses for the quarter or first half of the year.

“The company had strong underwriting performance and solidinvestment returns,” says Scott Carmilani, president and chiefexecutive officer of Allied World.

Endurance, based in Pembroke, Bermuda, reports second quarternet income rose 76 percent, or more than $31 million, to $72million over the same period last year. Revenues rose 3 percent, or$18 million, to $566 million.

For the first six months of the year, the company reports netincome of $155 million compared to a net loss last year of $46million for the same period in 2011.

“Our results this quarter reflect relatively light catastrophelosses and improving [property and casualty] market conditionswhich led to improved underwriting margins within both ourinsurance and reinsurance segments compared to a year ago,” saysDavid Cash, CEO.

Partner Re Ltd., headquartered in Pembroke, Bermuda, says itsnet income for the second quarter rose 42 percent, or $52 million,to $176 million. Revenues were off close to 5 percent, or $60million, to $1.29 billion.

Net income for the six months was in excess of $526 millioncompared to a net loss of $683 million in 2011. Revenues were up 7percent, or $166 million, to $2.6 billion.

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., of Pembroke, Bermuda, reports netincome to common shareholders for the second quarter of this yearof $142 million, a four-fold increase from $25 million for the sameperiod last year. Revenues rose 11 percent, or $30 million, to $310million.

For the first six months of the year, the company reports a netincome of $344 million compared to net loss of more than $223million in 2011. Revenues were slight down by $1.5 million, to $667million.

“Although property catastrophe pricing at June 1 was a littlelower than we anticipated, we are pleased with the results of therecent renewal season,” says Neill A. Currie, CEO of RenaissanceRe.“We have grown significantly in each unit this year, and haveproduced an attractive portfolio ofrisks.”