Reinsurance

Despite 2011 castastrophe losses, the reinsurance sector ended the year with a dedicated capital position that was slightly up at around $178 billion. Examining the premium assumed from non-affiliates, PC360 has ranked the top 25 U.S. reinsurers for 2011.

Two Bermuda insurers reported positive earnings for the second quarter of this year, with substantially better earnings over last year.

Insurers are considering riskier investment strategies to boost disappointing returns, a survey notes, but analysts contend that regulators might have objections depending on the carrier in question.

Traditional reinsurance poses no threat to global financial stability, but the industry should still be closely watched because of its peripheral involvement in potentially risky activities, regulators said on Wednesday.

Traditional reinsurance poses no threat to global financial stability, but the industry should still be closely watched because of its peripheral involvement in potentially risky activities, regulators said on Wednesday.

All indicators point to continued firming of the insurance and reinsurance markets for the rest of this year into next, as underwriting margins continue to deteriorate and investments deliver lackluster returns, an analysts report says.