Continue reading Lloyd's of London Turns in Record Year

Lloyd's of London Turns in Record Year originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 25 Mar 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

U.S. stock futures were flat as investors take stock of a recent run-up in stock prices and four days worth of economic releases, with no new data scheduled for Friday.

Ahead of the opening bell on Wall Street, the Dow Jones industrial average, S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite indexes were lower fractionally. Stocks ended Thursday's trading mixed, with the Dow Jones adding 45 points in its eighth straight day of positive sessions. The broader S&P 500 ended slightly lower Thursday, while the Nasdaq gained about 1%. Renewed concerns over the European nations' support for Greece in its debt crisis were countered by reports showing a decline in weekly jobless claims and tepid inflation.

Continue reading Before the Bell: Futures Flat as Investors Digest Recent Gains

Before the Bell: Futures Flat as Investors Digest Recent Gains originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading From Bermuda: Insurers Need to Ink Mergers with Caution

From Bermuda: Insurers Need to Ink Mergers with Caution originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Long a topic of discussion, insurers and reinsurers are beginning to enter the microinsurance space. Scor (SCOR) firm invested in LeapFrog Investments, the first microinsurance fund, last month, and last week, the Microinsurance Network was launched in an effort to raise awareness of the sector.

In a mature industry, microinsurance is seen as having considerable growth potential, especially given the large numbers of people around the world who live without any form of coverage. Microinsurance protection ranges from property catastrophe to life and health. A recent study by Lloyd's of London found that 135 million people, 5% of the world's low-income people, are using microinsurance products, but that the total market size could range from 1.5 billion to 3 billion.

Continue reading Small is beautiful: Insurance companies turn to micro for growth

Small is beautiful: Insurance companies turn to micro for growth originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This port was written by Minyanville contributor Minyan Peter.

Continue reading What will nationalization mean?

What will nationalization mean? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 19 Feb 2009 14:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Q. What is your outlook for Great Britain's economy in the next 12 months?

A. We are on the cusp of a recession, but we have yet to feel the real crunch from a retailing viewpoint. The forthcoming all-important Christmas trading period will give more of a guideline by [the middle or end of] January. There is as yet no real sign of confidence returning, which would suggest we are in for a long haul. Borrowings are at an all-time high and will probably double again next year. This may mean higher taxes as well as labor unrest which would be detrimental for the economy.

Lower oil prices do help and commodity prices are falling, and will start to be reflected in government statistics by early next year. Hence, economy fears are turning towards deflation rather than inflation

Q: So, at what point do you expect to see actual recession in the UK?

A: My guess is that Christmas festivities may distort the reality, but I am sure that by February 2009, we in the UK will be feeling the full weight of recession.

Continue reading Global Q&A: A rainy day in London

Global Q&A: A rainy day in London originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Each year Steven Halpern, editor of TheStockAdvisors.com, surveys the leading financial newsletter advisors asking for their favorite stocks for the coming year. This article is part of his 24th annual Top Picks Report.

Lloyds TSB Group PLC (NYSE: LYG) is a favorite conservative stock idea for 2007 from Jack Adamo, editor of Insiders Plus.

"While it is not the Lloyd's of London of specialty insurance fame," points out Adamo, "this London-based financial services powerhouse has roots dating back to 1765, and operates in three segments: U.K. retail banking; insurance and investments; and wholesale and international banking. It also provides brokerage, asset management, and pension services.

"It's not exactly exciting, but I think it will noticeably outpace the market in 2007. What it has going for it is financial clout, with a $60 billion market capitalization and a current dividend yield of 5.7%. Growth in earnings is expected to come in around 12.5% from 2006 to 2007.

"Lloyds currently trades for 11.25 times expected 2007 EPS of $3.86 per share. I look for total return to come in at around 18% in 2007. Lloyds' high yield provides cover in a down market, and may add extra price appreciation as investors go for yield in a falling market. That could push total return to the 25% range.

"Another significant factor in its favor to consider is the likely appreciation of the British pound sterling against the U.S. dollar, which will provide a boost to returns for U.S. investors."

Top Picks 2007: Adamo banks on Lloyds TSB for total return originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 26 Dec 2006 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.