Selective Insurance Group reported a slight decrease in net income for the first quarter.

The Branchville, N.J.-based property-casualty carrier reported net income was $37.3 million, or 62 cents per diluted share, compared with $40 million, or 64 cents per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2006.

Total net premiums remained virtually flat with a posting of $432 million in the first quarter of this year. Commercial lines remained flat at $370 million, while the personal lines figure declined 6 percent to $46.9 million.

The company posted a combined ratio of 97.4 compared with 94.3 in the same year-ago period.

After-tax investment income increased 11 percent to $31.2 million in the period.

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