BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Insurers Ready for Above-Average Hurricane Season]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/08/insurers-ready-for-above-average-hurricane-season/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/08/insurers-ready-for-above-average-hurricane-season/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/08/insurers-ready-for-above-average-hurricane-season/#commentsFiled under:

All we can do is wait for Alex.

Hurricane season start June 1, 2010, with Alex chosen as the first name, and it's expected to be above average. The Colorado State University forecast released on Wednesday predicts 15 named storms in the Atlantic basin, due partly to record warm water. Eight of them are expected to reach hurricane status, with sustained winds of 74 mph, and four are forecasted to become Category 3, 4 or 5 storms, with sustained winds of 111 mph. Typically, there are only 10 named storms, with six becoming hurricanes (two of them major), based on data going back to 1950.

William Gray, a member of the CSU Tropical Meteorology Project, told USA Today, "The probability of a major hurricane making landfall along the U.S. coastline is 69%, compared with the last-century average of 52%."

Continue reading Insurers Ready for Above-Average Hurricane Season

Insurers Ready for Above-Average Hurricane Season originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AonAonCorpAonCorporationcatastrophe insurancechile earthquakeColorado State UniversityhurricaneHurricane seasoninsuranceinsurance companiesReinsurancereinsurance industryThu, 08 Apr 2010 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Reinsurance Industry Approaches Record Levels]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/08/reinsurance-industry-approaches-record-levels/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/08/reinsurance-industry-approaches-record-levels/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/08/reinsurance-industry-approaches-record-levels/#commentsFiled under:

When I started my brief stint in the reinsurance business in late 2007, the words "excess capital" were on everyone's lips. Reinsurers had record capital on hand and were pushing dividends and share buybacks because they couldn't find ways to make it productive. Two years later, we're getting close to those record levels, according to a new report from Aon Benfield (AON), despite everything that's happened in between - the financial crisis, Hurricanes Gustav and Ike and the earthquake in Chile, for example.

If you look at the financials, it's almost like nothing has changed, and let's hope the lessons learned in between aren't obscured by the full pockets that reinsurers can now boast.

Continue reading Reinsurance Industry Approaches Record Levels

Reinsurance Industry Approaches Record Levels originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AonAonCorpAonCorp.AonCorporationcatastrophecatastrophe insurancecatastropheschile earthquakeearthquakeearthquake insuranceearthquakeshurricanehurricane gustavHurricane IkeHurricanesinsuranceinsurance companiesinsurance industryReinsurancereinsurance industryThu, 08 Apr 2010 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Aon Reports Flat Reinsurance Pricing, No Surprises]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/02/aon-reports-flat-reinsurance-pricing-no-surprises/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/02/aon-reports-flat-reinsurance-pricing-no-surprises/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/02/aon-reports-flat-reinsurance-pricing-no-surprises/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Like Willis Re (WSH) and Marsh & McLennan's (MMC) Guy Carpenter, reinsurance broker Aon Benfield (AOC) found risk-transfer pricing to have softened at the April 1, 2010 reinsurance renewal. It was the same story around the world: the Q1 catastrophes may do some damage to earnings, but the sector was sufficiently capitalized to absorb the shocks. In fact, Aon Benfield reported that the reinsurance industry had nearly returned to record capital levels. At the beginning 2008, the sector was in the same situation before the financial crisis and Hurricane Gustav and Ike depleted balance sheets on the same weekend in September.

Continue reading Aon Reports Flat Reinsurance Pricing, No Surprises

Aon Reports Flat Reinsurance Pricing, No Surprises originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 Apr 2010 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AonAonCorpAonCorporationcatastrophecatastrophe insurancecatastrophescatastrophic insuranceinthenewsmarsh and mclennanMMCReinsurancereinsurance industryWilliswshFri, 02 Apr 2010 09:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Twitter May Chirp Its Commercial Accounts Next Month]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/19/twitter-may-chirp-its-commercial-accounts-next-month/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/19/twitter-may-chirp-its-commercial-accounts-next-month/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/19/twitter-may-chirp-its-commercial-accounts-next-month/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Twitter's a pretty lucky company. Few get two bytes at the hype apple in rapid succession, but this social media platform has found a way to make up for its disappointing announcement about its advertising model. According to VentureBeat, Twitter might unveil its long-awaited, heavily-hyped and possibly investor-satisfying corporate accounts. Next month, at its inaugural Chirp developer conference, we could finally see what might just be the foundation of Twitter's business model.

Continue reading Twitter May Chirp Its Commercial Accounts Next Month

Twitter May Chirp Its Commercial Accounts Next Month originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsadvertisingAonAonCorpAonCorporationBBYbest buyBest Buy Inc.Best Buy StorescotweetDeloitteDeloitte Touche TohmatsuDeloitteTouchefeaturedhootsuiteINTERNET ADSinternet advertisinginthenewsmicroblogmicrobloggingmicroblogsMunich Reonline adonline adsonline advertisingSBUXsocial mediastarbucksstarbucks coffeesxswSxsw2010twitterFri, 19 Mar 2010 13:40:00 EST<![CDATA[No Surprise: Chile Leads to Reinsurance Rate Increase Debate]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/10/no-surprise-chile-leads-to-reinsurance-rate-increase-debate/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/10/no-surprise-chile-leads-to-reinsurance-rate-increase-debate/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/10/no-surprise-chile-leads-to-reinsurance-rate-increase-debate/#commentsFiled under: ,

It was only a matter of time. Where there are catastrophe losses, there is talk of reinsurance rate increases.

In light of the high catastrophe losses from the Chilean earthquake, which could reach $8 billion, reinsurers are now signaling that they may try to raise rates at the next renewal. QBE Insurance (QBEIF) believes that rate increases may be necessary, as reinsurers try to recapture capital depleted by quake-related payouts.

Continue reading No Surprise: Chile Leads to Reinsurance Rate Increase Debate

No Surprise: Chile Leads to Reinsurance Rate Increase Debate originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AonAonCorpAonCorp.AonCorporationChilechile earthquakeearthquakeearthquake insuranceearthquakesinsuranceinthenewsReinsuranceWed, 10 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[2010 Catastrophe Losses Already Half Last Year's Total]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/08/2010-catastrophe-losses-already-half-last-years-total/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/08/2010-catastrophe-losses-already-half-last-years-total/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/08/2010-catastrophe-losses-already-half-last-years-total/#commentsFiled under: ,

February was an expensive month for the insurance industry, with a multibillion dollar price tag. It's easy to focus on the magnitude 8.8 earthquake in Chile, but there were other disasters, too. The Haiti earthquake added to the economic and insured losses and others that may not have claimed many headlines but did tick the cost to insurers and reinsurers higher. A new report by Aon Benfield (AON) runs through the damage caused in February, showing that the shortest month still found a way to be expensive.

The quake in Chile is estimated to have caused $2 billion to $8 billion in insured losses, to which you need to add $2.1 billion for Windstorm Xynthia, not to mention many eight-figure insured losses that will chip away at the industry's coffers. Haiti wasn't all that pricey, Aon says, because "insurance penetration is far greater than in Haiti."

Continue reading 2010 Catastrophe Losses Already Half Last Year's Total

2010 Catastrophe Losses Already Half Last Year's Total originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AonAonCorpcatastrophecatastrophe insuranceChilechile earthquakeearthquake insurancehaitiinsuranceinsurance companiesinthenewsmarsh and mclennanMMCReinsurancereinsurance industrywindstormwindstorm coverageMon, 08 Mar 2010 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Catastrophe Bond Market Hits Target, Records Possible in 2010]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/01/04/catastrophe-bond-market-hits-target-records-possible-in-2010/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/01/04/catastrophe-bond-market-hits-target-records-possible-in-2010/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/01/04/catastrophe-bond-market-hits-target-records-possible-in-2010/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The end of a year means a rush of data from the insurance and reinsurance industries, as treaties are renewed for the coming year. Catastrophe bonds are a part of this annual orgy of data production, as a flurry of activity occurs in December, with the industry's commitment to this form of alternative property-catastrophe risk-transfer setting the tone for the year to come. The cat bond market isn't big enough to push reinsurance rates, but you can generally get a sense of what the coming year will look like for cat bonds based on pricing for traditional reinsurance.

Continue reading Catastrophe Bond Market Hits Target, Records Possible in 2010

Catastrophe Bond Market Hits Target, Records Possible in 2010 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AonAonCorpAonCorporationcatastrophecatastrophesdbDeutsche BankGoldman Sachs GroupGSinsurance companiesinsurance industrymarsh and mclennanMMCreinsurance industryrisk managementRisk Management SolutionsRMSSWCEYswiss reSwiss ReinsuranceWillisWillisGroupwshMon, 04 Jan 2010 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Reinsurance Rates Off up to 15% for January Renewal]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/12/31/reinsurance-rates-off-up-to-15-for-january-renewal/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/12/31/reinsurance-rates-off-up-to-15-for-january-renewal/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/12/31/reinsurance-rates-off-up-to-15-for-january-renewal/#commentsFiled under:

The most important time in the reinsurance business is upon us: the January renewal. The pricing and market conditions that shape the risk-transfer prices paid by insurance companies now set the tone for the transactions to follow for the rest of the year (usually at the beginnings of April, June and July), and 2010 looks like it will provide a drastic departure from 2009. After enduring both the global financial crisis and Hurricanes Gustav and Ike in late 2008, the reinsurance industry recovered quickly, and as the 2010 renewal approached, it was evident that reinsurance rates would decline.

According to Aon Benfield's (AON) report on the Jan. 1, 2010 reinsurance renewal, Remarkable Recovery, increases on reinsurance company balance sheets from the March 2009 lows - in conjunction with low catastrophe insurance losses - put downward pressure on reinsurance rates, with property-catastrophe coverage costing 5% to 15% less than it did a year earlier.

Continue reading Reinsurance Rates Off up to 15% for January Renewal

Reinsurance Rates Off up to 15% for January Renewal originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aocAonAonCorpinsuranceinsurance companiesinsurance industryInsuranceCompaniesInsuranceIndustryinthenewsReinsurancereinsurance industryReinsuranceIndustryreinsurerThu, 31 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aon Sees Strong Reinsurance Profits on Low Catastrophe Losses]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/12/23/aon-sees-strong-reinsurance-profits-on-low-catastrophe-losses/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/12/23/aon-sees-strong-reinsurance-profits-on-low-catastrophe-losses/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/12/23/aon-sees-strong-reinsurance-profits-on-low-catastrophe-losses/#commentsFiled under: ,

Third quarter underwriting results for the reinsurance industry exceeded expectations. Unusually low catastrophe losses -- for the quarter that dominates hurricane season -- were largely responsible for this result, according to a report by Aon (AON). Reserve releases from prior accident years helped quite a bit, as well. For the 23 reinsurers that Aon analyzed, net income reached $12.7 billion by the end of September, up almost 200% from $4.3 billion a year earlier.

Continue reading Aon Sees Strong Reinsurance Profits on Low Catastrophe Losses

Aon Sees Strong Reinsurance Profits on Low Catastrophe Losses originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 23 Dec 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AonAonCorpinsuranceinsurance companiesinsurance industryinthenewsReinsurancereinsurance industryunderwritersunderwritingWed, 23 Dec 2009 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Property insurance rates to remain stable through end of year]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/12/05/property-insurance-rates-to-remain-stable-through-end-of-year/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/12/05/property-insurance-rates-to-remain-stable-through-end-of-year/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/12/05/property-insurance-rates-to-remain-stable-through-end-of-year/#commentsFiled under:

A rapidly hardening property insurance market in the first half of the year slowed down a little bit in the third quarter, according to insurance broker Aon (AOC). Property rates increased 4% to 5% on average, with some corners of the market surging more than 20%, during the first half 2009. In the third quarter, rates were up an average of only 0.2%.

Low levels of insured loss have contributed to strong profits for property carriers, and the industry's surplus is up $463 billion -- all of which means there is little reason to pump up insurance rates. Rates should remain stable for the rest of the year.

Continue reading Property insurance rates to remain stable through end of year

Property insurance rates to remain stable through end of year originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aocAonAonCorpdirectorsinsurance companiesinsurance industryinthenewspropertySat, 05 Dec 2009 13:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Aon unloads underwriting units for $2.75 billion]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/18/aon-unloads-underwriting-units-for-2-75-billion/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/18/aon-unloads-underwriting-units-for-2-75-billion/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/18/aon-unloads-underwriting-units-for-2-75-billion/#commentsFiled under: ,

AON (NYSE: AOC) logo Aon (NYSE: AOC) thinks that risk brokerage and consulting has the best future, in terms of margins and growth.

To that end, the company announced Monday that it is selling off its underwriting businesses. Combined Insurance Company was sold for $2.4 billion to ACE Limited (NYSE: ACE), while Munich Re bought Aon's Sterling Life segment for $352 million.

Yes, even in the massive insurance business, this is a good chunk of change for Aon.

Continue reading Aon unloads underwriting units for $2.75 billion

Aon unloads underwriting units for $2.75 billion originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 18 Dec 2007 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ACE LimitedAceLimitedAOCAon CorpAonCorpCombined InsuranceCombinedInsuranceInsuranceinthenewsMunich ReMunichReSterling LifeSterlingLifeTue, 18 Dec 2007 10:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Newspaper wrap-up: MGM to build a $5B resort in Atlantic City]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/10/10/newspaper-wrap-up/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/10/10/newspaper-wrap-up/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/10/10/newspaper-wrap-up/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

MAJOR PAPERS:
  • Negotiations continued last night on a new labor agreement between Chrysler and the UAW, but it is unclear if an agreement will be reached by today's 11am deadline, reported the Wall Street Journal (subscription required).
  • MGM Mirage (NYSE: MGM) is today expected to announce plans to build a $5B resort in Atlantic City, NJ that will be completed in 2012, reported the Wall Street Journal.
  • The CEO of Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche Holding (OTC: RHHBY), Franz Humer, said he has no intention of increasing his company's $75 per share bid for U.S. diagnostics company Ventana Medical Systems (NASDAQ: VMSI), and is "very confident" that the offer will succeed, reported the Financial Times (subscription required).
OTHER PAPERS:
WEBSITES:
  • Harry Reid, the Senate Majority Leader, confirmed that there's little chance this year -- due to a crowded legislative calendar -- that there will be legislation to increase taxes on the private equity industry, reported TheDeal.com (subscription required).

Newspaper wrap-up: MGM to build a $5B resort in Atlantic City originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 10 Oct 2007 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aocaon corpAonCorpchryslercrain'sfinancial timesFinancialTimesftlegislationmgmmgm mirageMgmMiragenewspaperpaperperiodicalprivate equityPrivateEquityrhhbyrochesearsshldthedeal.comuawventana medicalVentanaMedicalvmsiwall street journalWallStreetJournalwsjWed, 10 Oct 2007 09:15:00 EST