Selective Insurance Group financial results ended December 31, 2012

Selective Insurance Group financial results ended December 31, 2012 : Selective Insurance Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:SIGI) today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2012.  For the quarter, net income per diluted share was $0.02 and operating loss1 was $0.04.  Net income for the year was $0.68 per diluted share and operating income1 was $0.58 per diluted share.  Overall net premiums written grew 5% in the quarter and retention was up a point to 85%.


“Hurricane Sandy was the most significant event in company history, yet we still ended the quarter with positive net income – a testament to our strong underlying insurance operations performance and our comprehensive reinsurance program,” said Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Gregory E. Murphy.  “For the quarter, Sandy resulted in net catastrophe losses of $47 million and a reinsurance reinstatement premium of $9 million; partially offset by flood claims handling fees of $16 million; resulting in an overall, pre-tax, net loss of $40 million and $0.46 per diluted share after tax.  Sandy contributed 9.8 points to the combined ratio for the quarter, but only 2.5 points to the year, yielding an overall fourth quarter statutory combined ratio of 110.4%, excluding the impact from Sandy2 it was 100.6%.

“The hurricane made landfall in our top market share state of New Jersey,” said Murphy.  “Our Claims and Flood departments have been working tirelessly to resolve claims quickly and fairly, and to inform flood customers of the federally mandated National Flood Insurance Program’s claims process.  Personal lines received approximately 8,000 claims and have closed 85% and commercial lines received approximately 5,000 claims and have closed 62%.

“We were pleased with our overall performance in the quarter, delivering a statutory combined ratio of 100.6%, excluding the impact of Sandy2.  Personal lines led the positive results with a combined ratio of 93.9%, excluding Sandy2, and renewal price that increased 8.3% for the quarter.  In personal lines, we continue to file rate increases as well as improve the mix of business and expand the number of agency storefronts,” said Murphy.

“For the quarter, standard commercial lines had a combined ratio of 101.1%, excluding Sandy2,” continued Murphy.  “We completed our 15th consecutive quarter of price increases with standard commercial lines renewal price up 6.7%, and 6.2% for the year.  Our granular pricing strategy and sophisticated underwriting, as well as our strong agency relationships, has given us an edge over the past several years that continues to pay off in strong results.

“Investment income for the quarter was $26 million, after tax, compared to $23 million in the fourth quarter 2011, due to improved performance in the alternative investment portfolio.  For the year, investment income, after tax, was $100 million.  We continue to manage our investment income through a very low interest rate environment without unduly adding more credit or duration risk,” concluded Murphy.

Fourth Quarter Highlights 2012 Compared to Fourth Quarter 2011

    Net income of $1.3 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, compared to $18.0 million, or $0.33 in 2011
    Operating loss1 of $2.3 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, compared to operating income1 of $20.4 million, or $0.37 in 2011
    Combined ratio: GAAP: 109.0% compared to 97.9% in 2011; Statutory: 110.4% compared to 98.7% in 2011
    Combined ratio excluding the impact of Hurricane Sandy2: GAAP 99.3%; Statutory 100.6%
    Favorable prior year statutory reserve development on our casualty lines totaled $2 million compared to $10 million in 2011
    Total net premiums written (NPW) were $370.6 million, which were reduced by the reinstatement premium related to Hurricane Sandy of $8.6 million
        Standard Commercial Lines NPW were $273.2 million
        Standard Personal Lines NPW were $68.1 million
        Excess and Surplus Lines NPW were $29.4 million
    Catastrophe losses were $33.8 million, after tax, including $30.3 million for Hurricane Sandy
    Gross pre-tax catastrophe losses from Hurricane Sandy were $136 million
    Flood net income of $12.0 million, after tax, including $10.1 million for Hurricane Sandy
    Investment income, after tax, was $26.3 million
    Net realized gains, after tax, totaled $3.6 million

Year-End Highlights for 2012 Compared to Year-End 2011
  •     Net income was $38.0 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, compared to $22.0 million, or $0.40 in 2011
  •     Operating income1 was $32.1 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, compared to $21.2 million, or $0.38 in 2011
  •     Combined ratio: GAAP: 104.0% compared to 107.2% in 2011; Statutory: 103.5% compared to 106.7% in 2011
  •     Combined ratio excluding the impact of Hurricane Sandy2: GAAP 101.5%; Statutory 101.0%
  •     Favorable prior year statutory reserve development on our casualty lines totaled $17 million compared to $29 million in 2011
  •     Total NPW were $1,666.9 million, which were reduced by the reinstatement premium related to Hurricane Sandy of $8.6 million
  •         Standard Commercial Lines NPW were $1,263.7 million
  •         Standard Personal Lines NPW were $289.9 million
  •         Excess and Surplus Lines NPW were $113.3 million
  •     Catastrophe losses were $64.1 million, after tax, including $30.3 million for Hurricane Sandy
  •     Flood net income of $19.1 million, after tax, including $10.1 million for Hurricane Sandy
  •     Investment income, after tax, was $100.3 million
  •     Net realized gains, after tax, totaled $5.8 million for the year

Balance Sheet and Guidance
At December 31, 2012, Selective’s assets were $6.8 billion, up 20% over prior year primarily due to reinsurance recoverables of $1.4 billion, compared with $0.6 billion in 2011, and $4.3 billion in the company’s investment portfolio, which increased 5% compared to December 31, 2011.

Stockholders’ equity was up 3% for the year to $1.1 billion and book value per share increased 2% to $19.77.  Statutory surplus was down 1% in 2012 to $1.1 billion.

Selective’s Board of Directors declared a $0.13 per share quarterly cash dividend on common stock payable March 1, 2013 to stockholders of record as of February 15, 2013.

Selective expects to generate a 2013 full year statutory combined ratio, excluding catastrophes, of 96.0%.  We currently estimate catastrophe losses will add three points to that ratio.  In addition, investment income will be down slightly to $90-$95 million.  Anticipated weighted average shares at year end 2013 of 56 million.

The supplemental investor packet, including financial information that is not part of this press release, is available on the Investor Relations’ page of Selective’s public website at www.selective.com.  Selective’s quarterly analyst conference call will be simulcast at 8:30 a.m. ET, on February 1, 2013 at www.selective.com.  The webcast will be available for rebroadcast until the close of business on March 1, 2013.

About Selective Insurance Group, Inc.
Selective Insurance Group, Inc. is a holding company for ten property and casualty insurance companies rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best.  Through independent agents, the insurance companies offer primary and alternative market insurance for commercial and personal risks, and flood insurance underwritten by the National Flood Insurance Program.  Selective maintains a website at www.selective.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
In this press release, Selective and its management discuss and make statements based on currently available information regarding their intentions, beliefs, current expectations and projections regarding Selective’s future operations and performance.

Certain statements in this report, including information incorporated by reference, are “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“PSLRA”).  The PSLRA provides a safe harbor under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for forward-looking statements.  These statements relate to our intentions, beliefs, projections, estimations or forecasts of future events or our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our or our industry’s actual results, levels of activity, or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.  In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by use of words such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “target,” “project,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “pro forma,” “seek,” “likely” or “continue” or other comparable terminology.  These statements are only predictions, and we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.  We undertake no obligation, other than as may be required under the federal securities laws, to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected, forecasted or estimated by us in forward-looking statements, include, but are not limited to:
  •     difficult conditions in global capital markets and the economy;
  •     deterioration in the public debt and equity markets and private investment marketplace that could lead to investment losses and fluctuations in interest rates;
  •     ratings downgrades could affect investment values and therefore statutory surplus;
  •     the adequacy of our loss reserves and loss expense reserves;
  •     the frequency and severity of natural and man-made catastrophic events, including, but not limited to, hurricanes, tornadoes, windstorms, earthquakes, hail, terrorism, explosions, severe winter weather, floods and fires;
  •     adverse market, governmental, regulatory, legal or judicial conditions or actions;
  •     the concentration of our business in the Eastern Region;
  •     the cost and availability of reinsurance;
  •     our ability to collect on reinsurance and the solvency of our reinsurers;
  •     uncertainties related to insurance premium rate increases and business retention;
  •     changes in insurance regulations that impact our ability to write and/or cease writing insurance policies in one or more states, particularly changes in New Jersey automobile insurance laws and regulations;
  •     recent federal financial regulatory reform provisions that could pose certain risks to our operations;
  •     our ability to maintain favorable ratings from rating agencies, including A.M. Best, Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch;
  •     our entry into new markets and businesses; and
  •     other risks and uncertainties we identify in filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, our Annual Report on Form 10-K and other periodic reports.

These risk factors may not be exhaustive.  We operate in a continually changing business environment, and new risk factors emerge from time-to-time.  We can neither predict such new risk factors nor can we assess the impact, if any, of such new risk factors on our businesses or the extent to which any factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements in this report.  In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this report might not occur.

Selective’s SEC filings can be accessed through the Investor Relations’ section of Selective’s website, www.selective.com, or through the SEC’s EDGAR Database at www.sec.gov (Selective EDGAR CIK No. 0000230557).

1 Operating income differs from net income by the exclusion of realized gains or losses on investments and the results of discontinued operations. It is used as an important financial measure by management, analysts and investors, because the realization of investment gains and losses on sales in any given period is largely discretionary as to timing. In addition, these investment gains and losses, as well as other-than-temporary investment impairments that are charged to earnings and the results of discontinued operations, could distort the analysis of trends. Operating income is not intended as a substitute for net income prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). A reconciliation of operating income to net income is provided in the GAAP Highlights and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures to Comparable GAAP Measures. Statutory data is prepared in accordance with statutory accounting rules as defined by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual and, therefore, is not reconciled to GAAP.

2 The Hurricane Sandy impact includes catastrophe losses, reinstatement premium on the catastrophe reinsurance program and the flood claims handling fees generated as a result of Hurricane Sandy.

Zacks downgraded Rating Stock of Meadowbrook Insurance Group

Zacks downgraded Rating Stock of Meadowbrook Insurance Group : Zacks downgraded shares of Meadowbrook Insurance Group (NYSE: MIG) from a neutral rating to an underperform rating in a report issued on Thursday. They currently have $6.00 target price on the stock.

Meadowbrook Insurance Group traded down 0.95% on Thursday, hitting $6.27. Meadowbrook Insurance Group has a 1-year low of $5.21 and a 1-year high of $10.19. The stock’s 50-day moving average is currently $5.98. The company’s market cap is $312.1 million.

Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc. (Meadowbrook) is a specialty focused commercial insurance underwriter and insurance administration services company.

To view Zacks’ full report, visit www.zacks.com

Insurance claims from the latest Queensland floods

best insurance stock - Insurance claims from the latest Queensland floods have already topped $27 million, as river levels continue to rise in large parts of the state. As of Monday morning, "just shy of 3000 claims" had been lodged relating to losses in Queensland, said Campbell Fuller, general manager for communications at the the Insurance Council of Australia.

The total claimed losses are likely to be "well north of $40 million", he said. "Rivers are still rising across south-eastern Queensland," he said, adding that flood waters were yet to peak at Ipswich and much of Bundaberg remained underwater.

Heavy rain is also falling over much of New South Wales as the remnants of former tropical cyclone Oswald move south.

The Bureau of Meteorology has posted a severe weather warning for destructive winds, heavy rain and abnormally high tides over a wide area stretching from the Illawarra to the Northern Rivers region.

The council yesterday declared a catastrophe for large parts of Queensland affected by storms and inundation. The declaration means insurers have set up a taskforce to co-ordinate their response to recovery efforts.

The floods are the third catastrophe declared so far this year following severe bushfires in south-eastern Tasmania and northern NSW. The council has declared six catastrophes in Queensland for flooding and cyclone damage since 2010, with losses reaching almost $4 billion.

Insurers and re-insurers have singled out water - either too much or too little of it - as the main risk from extreme weather in Australia.

The council, in particular, has been calling for increased spending on efforts to limit the damage from flooding, such as the construction of flood levees around flood-prone towns.

Despite those calls, Mr Fuller said, there had not been much money spent in Queensland since the last big floods there in 2011.

"I'm unaware of any substantive mitigation that has taken place over the past two years," he said.

The ICA has set up a disaster hotline on 1800 734 621 to help people identify their insurer and their coverage, particularly for those unable to access their own records because of the floods Source http://www.watoday.com.au

Insurance Awareness levels of Indonesian society

Insurance Awareness levels of Indonesian society : Despite the relatively high economic growth rate, which according to predictions of 6.5 percent in 2013, however, the public interest to invest through insurance, it is very minimal. lack of investment from the public is more due to the tendency of people do not understand insurance.

Indonesian society tends to think that insurance just throw money, if there is no claim, fact, the need for insurance for the community is important, particularly when income per capita increases.

According to IMF data as of October 2010, the GDP per capita of Indonesia has reached 3000 U.S. dollars. In this condition Indonesia can no longer be called a developing country or emerging market. With a per capita income is growing public awareness of insurance should have increased.

Each individual should have insurance to protect themselves. Moreover, with the increasing growth segment sizeable middle class in Indonesia is expected capabilities Indonesia also increased public spending, including insurance shopping, the Indonesian people often do not understand the importance of insurance. Indonesian society tends to think that insurance just throw money, if there is no claim until the time limit specified. In fact, now many personal line insurance suitable and affordable for the public.

World Bank insurance program in disaster prone Haiti

World Bank insurance program in disaster prone Haiti : an arm of the World Bank next week will unveil a $1.96 million project that aims to help thousands of low-income entrepreneurs in Haiti protect their livelihoods against natural disasters.

The International Finance Corporation says the program is much-needed. Only 0.3 per cent of Haiti's 10 million people have some form of insurance, one of the world's lowest rates.

Small entrepreneurs are particularly vulnerable to uninsured losses, and can default on debts and be disqualified from future loans when they need money to recover.

The insurance will be distributed through the Haitian microfinance institution Fonkoze, and is supposed to help up to 70,000 people over the next three years. The IFC made the announcement Friday. Details will be released next week.

Principal Financial Group Earnings report Next Week

Principal Financial Group Earnings report Next Week : Principal Financial Group Inc. (PFG): Provides retirement savings, investment, and insurance products and services worldwide. Market cap at $8.9B, most recent closing price at $30.30. In Dec 2011: Reported EPS at 0.71 vs. estimate at 0.75 (surprise of -5.3%). In Mar 2012: Reported EPS at 0.7 vs. estimate at 0.74 (surprise of -5.4%). In June 2012: Reported EPS at 0.72 vs. estimate at 0.74 (surprise of -2.7%). In Sep 2012: Reported 0.45 vs. estimate at 0.49 (surprise of -8.2%. [Average earnings surprise at -5.4%]. The company is expected to report earnings on January 31st, 2013.

Health Insurance Innovations ipo stock prices

Best Insurance stock - Health Insurance Innovations ipo stock prices : Health Insurance Innovations Inc. said it expects to raise up to $72.9 million in an initial public offering. The company plans to sell about 5.4 million shares, at between $14 and $16 a share, according to its most recent filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The shares include 700,000 that underwriters would have an option to purchase to cover over-allotments.

The firm would use $3.5 million of the net proceeds to repay outstanding debt under a term loan and up to $25 million to expand its commission structure, with the rest used for general corporate purposes.

Health Insurance, a Tampa company that develops and administers affordable, Web-based health insurance plans and ancillary products, filed for an IPO in late December.

The company has applied to list its common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “HIIQ.” An expected sale date for the shares was not announced.

Health Insurance Innovations shares prices, Health Insurance Innovations stocks symbol, Health Insurance Innovations stock prediction

WellPoint Inc q4 earnings report today

best insurance stock - WellPoint Inc q4 earnings report today, WellPoint net profit report today january 23 2012 : WellPoint Inc q4 earnings reported today WellPoint Inc reported a higher-than-expected fourth-quarter profit on Wednesday as it kept medical costs down, but the second-largest U.S. health insurer said it was taking a "prudent" view of 2013 in the face of industry reform.

WellPoint, which sells private health insurance to businesses and individuals and also provides government insurance for the elderly and the poor, is preparing for a round of changes resulting from the U.S. Affordable Care Act.

Later this year, states and the federal government will begin selling health insurance on exchanges for 2014, and new insurance taxes are on the way. Pressure on prices for medical services is also a concern for insurers.

WellPoint said that given the "fluid and dynamic" market over the next 18 to 24 months, it expected a 2013 net profit of at least $7.60 per share, including the costs of integrating its recent acquisition of smaller competitor Amerigroup.

Analysts on average have been expecting $7.98 a share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. It was not immediately clear if the two numbers are comparable.

"It's lighter than we thought, but it's also including Amerigroup's integration costs," Leerink Swann analyst Jason Gurda said, so it was not clear that investors would be disappointed by the outlook.

Shares of WellPoint were down 0.4 percent at $63.54 in early trading.

Management changes might be behind the conservative forecast, Gurda said. WellPoint is being run by an interim chief executive officer, John Cannon, who took over following the abrupt resignation of Angela Braly in August.

Chief Financial Officer Wayne DeVeydt told analysts on a conference call on Wednesday that the company still expected to name a new CEO this quarter.

He said the 2013 outlook included 20 cents to 25 cents a share in Amerigroup-related costs and $300 million in additional investments such as preparation for the health insurance exchanges.

Besides healthcare reform and broad-based cuts in government medical payments, areas of uncertainty for this year include the costs of the flu as more members visit the doctor and overall use of medical services, DeVeydt said.

TAXES BOOST PROFIT

The company said that fourth-quarter net profit had risen to $464.2 million, or $1.51 per share, helped by an income tax settlement and investment gains.

WellPoint, which included Amerigroup figures in its earnings report for the first time, said it had 36.1 million members as of Dec. 31, up 5.5 percent from a year earlier.

It said it expected membership to drop in 2013 to a range of 35.3 million to 35.5 million.

Excluding the tax settlement, investment gains and other special items, the company said earnings had increased to $1.03 per share from 99 cents a year earlier.

On that basis, analysts on average had been expecting a profit of 95 cents per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

WellPoint said that lower-than-anticipated medical costs in its private insurance business, stable membership numbers and strong operating cash flow helped earnings during the quarter. It said its fourth-quarter tax rate had been abnormally low because of the settlement with the Internal Revenue Service.

Revenue for the quarter rose to $15.27 billion from $15.18 billion a year earlier.

WellPoint's results followed those of the larger rival UnitedHealth Group Inc, which last week reported a slight drop in net income and said the next two years had the potential for growth and opportunity.

Copyright 2010 by Reuters. All rights reserved.

Details of IRB Re-Insurance Co Privatization

Best Insurance stock - Details of IRB Re-Insurance Co Privatization  : The Brazilian government's National Development Bank, or BNDES, on Wednesday released details of its planned privatization of re-insurance company IRB-Brasil Re, based on an initial public offering of shares.

The privatization process will take place via an increase in IRB's capital. The BNDES set the price of each new share at 2,577 Brazilian reais ($1,263). The government authorized a capital increase of between 2% and 15% for IRB.

Brazil's largest banks, including state-run banks Banco do Brasil SA (BBAS3.BR) and Caixa Economica Federal, and private-sector peers Banco Bradesco SA (BBD) and Banco Itau Unibanco SA (ITUB), will almost certainly gain day-to-day control of IRB after the privatization, according to analysts. IRB has a 40% market share in the re-insurance industry in Brazil.

The federal government, meanwhile, will hold a golden share in IRB. With the golden share, the government will keep a veto power over all key decisions, such as any eventual sale of control.

Currently, the government has a stake of 50% in IRB, while Bradesco has a 21% stake, Itau Unibanco holds a 15% stake and other small insurance companies a 14% stake.

The government said that it won't participate in the capital increase, paving the way for banks to increase their stake in IRB. IRB employees will be allowed to participate in the capital increase, along with the major banks.

"The process will provide IRB better conditions to compete in the re-insurance market, considering the new regulatory environment in which the IRB no longer enjoys exclusive rights over re-insurance," the BNDES said in its statement.

IRB, created in 1939, operated as Brazil's sole re-insurer until 2008, when the government opened the local re-insurance market to private competitors.

Under the rules, the government said IRB will have a period of five years in which to list the company's shares. If the shares aren't listed by the end of that period, then the company's controllers will be obliged to buy back any and all shares acquired by employees. Employees can reserve IRB shares from Feb. 4 to Feb. 14.

AIG insurance stock rating overweight by Evercore Partners

AIG insurance stock rating
Best Insurance stock - AIG insurance stock rating overweight by Evercore Partners : American International Group (NYSE: AIG)‘s stock had its “overweight” rating restated by analysts at Evercore Partners in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday. They currently have a $40.00 price target on the stock.


Other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Analysts at Sanford C. Bernstein reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of American International Group in a research note to investors on Wednesday, January 16th. They now have a $45.00 price target on the stock. Separately, analysts at FBR Capital initiated coverage on shares of American International Group in a research note to investors on Thursday, January 10th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $44.00 price target on the stock. Finally, analysts at Wells Fargo downgraded shares of American International Group from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating in a research note to investors on Thursday, January 10th.

Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, one has issued an overweight rating, and nine have issued a hold rating to the company. The stock has a consensus rating of “overweight” and an average target price of $40.43.

American International Group traded up 1.11% on Tuesday, hitting $35.48. American International Group has a 1-year low of $24.66 and a 1-year high of $37.67. The stock’s 50-day moving average is currently $34.89. The company has a market cap of $52.379 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.42.

American International Group last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 1st. The company reported $1.00 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the analysts’ consensus estimate of $0.88 by $0.12. Analysts expect that American International Group will post $3.77 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American International Group, Inc. (AIG) is an international insurance company, serving customers in more than 130 countries.

Bankinter SA stock ratings prices target by Nomura

best insurance stock - Bankinter SA stock ratings by Nomura : Nomura reiterated their reduce rating on shares of Bankinter SA (MCE: BKT) in a research report sent to investors on Tuesday morning. The firm currently has a $3.73 (€3) price target on the stock.


Other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Analysts at Macquarie reiterated an underperform rating on shares of Bankinter SA in a research note to investors on Wednesday, January 16th. They now have a $3.60 price target on the stock. Separately, analysts at Exane BNP Paribas reiterated an underperform rating on shares of Bankinter SA in a research note to investors on Tuesday, January 15th. They now have a $2.80 price target on the stock. Finally, analysts at Societe Generale reiterated a sell rating on shares of Bankinter SA in a research note to investors on Wednesday, January 9th. They now have a $3.68 price target on the stock.

The stock’s 50-day moving average is currently €N.

Bankinter SA is a Spain-based financial institution primarily engaged in the banking sector. The Bank offers a range services and products, such as current accounts, fixed-term deposits, investment funds and retirement plans, mortgages, insurance policies; as well as other banking operations to businesses and individuals.

QBE Insurance stock prices target by Credit Suisse

QBE Insurance stock rating prices target
Best insurance stocks - QBE Insurance stock rating prices target by Credit Suisse : Credit Suisse reissued their outperform rating on shares of QBE Insurance Group Limited (ASX: QBE) in a research report released on Tuesday morning. Credit Suisse currently has a $13.79 (13 AUD) price target on the stock.


QBE has been the subject of a number of other recent research reports. Analysts at Macquarie reiterated a neutral rating on shares of QBE Insurance Group Limited in a research note to investors on Tuesday, January 15th. They now have a $13.44 price target on the stock. Separately, analysts at Nomura reiterated a buy rating on shares of QBE Insurance Group Limited in a research note to investors on Thursday, January 10th. They now have a $14.74 price target on the stock. Finally, analysts at CIMB reiterated a neutral rating on shares of QBE Insurance Group Limited in a research note to investors on Wednesday, December 12th. They now have a $12.73 price target on the stock.

Shares of QBE Insurance Group Limited traded down 2.55% during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting A$11.830. QBE Insurance Group Limited has a one year low of A$9.880 and a one year high of A$15.150. The stock’s 50-day moving average is currently A$13.12. The company has a market cap of A$13.936 billion and a P/E ratio of 18.28.

QBE Insurance Group Limited
is engaged in underwriting general insurance and reinsurance risks, management of Lloyd’s syndicates and investment management.

Travelers insurance earnings surpassing the Zacks Consensus

Best Insurance stock - Travelers insurance earnings surpassing the Zacks Consensus : The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV - Analyst Report) reported earnings of 72 cents per share in the fourth quarter of 2012, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 4 cents per share. However, results plunged 51% from $1.48 earned in the year-ago quarter. Operating income of $278 million dipped 54% the reported quarter.

The year-over-year downside was largely attributable to higher catastrophe losses mostly due to Hurricane Sandy. However, higher underlying underwriting margins and higher net favorable prior-year reserve development limited the downside to some extent.

Cat loss in the quarter was $689 million or $1.78 per share. Including net realized investment gains of $26 million or 6 cents per share, the company reported net income of $304 million or 78 cents per share, comparing unfavorably with net income of $618 million or $1.51 a share. The year-ago quarter included net realized investment gains of $9 million.

Operational Update
Net written premiums during the quarter were $5.4 billion, up 2% year over year.

Net investment income increased 5.7% year over year to $689 million during the quarter, largely attributable to better performance at non-fixed income portfolio, partly muted by reduction in fixed income returns.

Travelers posted underwriting loss of $338 million, comparing unfavorably with profit of $187 million in the year-ago quarter. Combined ratio deteriorated 950 basis points year over year to 105.4% in the reported quarter. The deterioration was due to higher catastrophe losses, partially muted by higher underwriting margins and higher net favorable prior-year reserve development.

Total revenue in the quarter under review was $6.5 billion, increasing 2% year over year, driven by the augmentation in premiums earned and net investment income. Revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.3 billion.

Full Year Highlights
Operating earnings of $6.21 per share outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.56 and year ago earnings of $3.28. The upside stemmed from a combination of lower catastrophe losses, higher underwriting margins and higher net favorable prior-year reserve development

Including net realized investment gains of 9 cents, the company reported net income of $6.30 per share, surging from $3.36 a share earned in 2011.

Total revenue increased 1% year over year to $25.7 billion. It also outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $25.2 billion.

Underwriting gains of $296 million reversed the year-ago loss of $745 million. Combined ratio improved 800 basis points.

Segment Update
Business Insurance: Net written premium increased 6% year over year to $2.78 billion in the quarter, largely driven by increases in renewal rate change.

The combined ratio deteriorated 770 basis points year over year to 103.5%, mainly due to higher catastrophe losses.

Operating income slid 27% year over year to $326 million in the fourth quarter of 2012, primarily attributable to higher catastrophe losses.

Financial, Professional & International Insurance: Net written premium in the quarter under review improved 2% year over year to $808 million, driven by a 6% increase in net written premiums in the International business.

The combined ratio deteriorated 100 basis points year over year to 80.2% in fourth quarter 2012, attributable to higher catastrophe losses.

Operating income descended 13.8% year over year to $131 million, attributable to higher catastrophe losses, partly offset by higher underlying underwriting margins

Personal Insurance: Net written premium skidded 3% year over year to $1.79 billion, primarily due to lower new business volumes.

The combined ratio deteriorated 1540 basis points year over year to 89.7% in the fourth quarter of 2012, largely driven by higher catastrophe losses.

Operating loss of $114 million compared unfavorably with profit of $77 million in the year-ago quarter largely due to higher catastrophe loss. However, higher underlying underwriting margins and higher net favorable prior-year reserve development limited the downfall.

Dividend and Share Repurchase
Travelers spent $400 million to buyback 5.4 million shares in the quarter, taking the tally to $1.45 billion spent to buyback 22.4 million shares in 2012. The company is still left with $2.159 billion remaining under its authorization.

The company also paid $178 million in dividends. Additionally, the board approved a quarterly dividend of 46 cents, payable Mar 29, 2013, to the shareholders of record as of Mar 8, 2013.

Our Take
Travelers continues with the trend of delivering positive earnings surprise.

Though its exposure to cat loss weighs on the results, prudent underwriting practices and favorable prior-year reserve development managed to limit the adverse affect.

High retention rate, pricing gains, positive renewal rate changes, and a strong capital position are among the other positives, which are likely to support Travelers perform better going forward.

Travelers’ continuous share buyback strategy has a positive impact on earnings per share and also bolsters shareholder value.

Further, Travelers recently increased its stake in J. Malucelli Participações em Seguros e Resseguros S.A., a market leader in the surety insurance business in Brazil. Further, it made some useful investments to augment its technology platform. It scores strongly with the rating agencies as well.

source -  Zacks.com

Travelers stock prices rally today

Best Insurance Stock - Travelers stock prices rally today : Shares of Travelers Cos. rallied on Tuesday after the insurance company reported quarterly earnings that exceeded Wall Street’s expectations.

The Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund XLF +0.41% , which tracks the performance of financial stocks in the S&P 500 SPX -0.28% , traded marginally higher in midmorning trade.   The broader U.S. stock market declined after data showed a decline in sales of existing homes in December. The S&P 500 slipped 0.3% to 1,481.

Travelers TRV +2.63%  was the top gainer among S&P 500 financial stocks and the biggest gainer in the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA +0.12% , with its shares up nearly 3%. The insurer said its fourth-quarter profit slumped 51% as it racked up millions in claims from Hurricane Sandy, which hit the Northeastern U.S. in November. Still, the results were better than expected. See: Travelers fourth-quarter profit down 51% after Sandy. Another insurer, Allstate Corp. ALL +1.76% , gained 1.8%.

State Street Corp. STT +3.36%  shares rose 2.6% after the investment manager was upgraded to neutral from underweight at J.P. Morgan Chase, which said that the company’s new cost-savings program is expected to offset its lower net interest margin, In the banking sector, shares of Regions Financial Corp. RF +4.58%  rose 1.5% after the lender swung to a fourth-quarter profit, source : http://www.marketwatch.com

Nigeria insurance market trends by A.M. Best Co

Nigeria insurance market trends by  A.M. Best Co : Economic development and the demand for energy infrastructure projects has been fuelled by Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, resulting in the country’s insurance market becoming the largest in West Africa, according to a new report from A.M. Best Co.

“Africa’s Diverse Insurance Markets Offer Growth Opportunities, Untapped Demand”

In the report entitled, “Africa’s Diverse Insurance Markets Offer Growth Opportunities, Untapped Demand”, A.M. Best notes total insurance premium in Nigeria reached USD 1.6 billion in 2011, although insurance penetration is modest at 0.6%. The report states the Pension Reform Act, which makes pension insurance compulsory for companies employing more than five people, is likely to drive further growth in life premiums. A.M. Best considers the development of the life portfolio in Nigeria as positive for insurers’ diversification, although management teams may need to demonstrate their skills in these new areas.

Carlos Wong-Fupuy, Senior Director, Analytics, said: “Nigeria’s non-life sector accounted for 74% of total premium in 2011, with drivers including the enforcement of compulsory lines of business such as motor third-party liability, professional indemnity, public and general liability. Motor risks make up more than a quarter of non-life premium in Nigeria. This reflects the country’s oil and gas risks, which result in very volatile growth in gross premiums written and low retention ratios.”

The report notes the insurance market has experienced consolidation driven primarily by higher capital requirements. The financial crisis also contributed to merger and acquisition activity, as the Central Bank of Nigeria passed a directive ordering all deposit money banks to divest their non-banking interests or form a holding company structure. However, the report states Nigeria’s insurance market remains crowded.

Source: Business Wire

Vermont Mutual Insurance issuer credit rating by A.M. Best

best insurance stock - Vermont Mutual Insurance issuer credit rating by A.M. Best : A. M. Best Co. said it has upgraded the issuer credit rating (ICR) to “a+” from “a” and affirmed the financial strength rating of A (Excellent) of Vermont Mutual Insurance Company and its two fully reinsured subsidiaries, Northern Security Insurance Company and Granite Mutual Insurance Company.

These companies are members of Vermont Mutual Insurance Group and are all domiciled in Montpelier, Vermont. The outlook for all rating is stable.

The ICR upgrade reflects Vermont Mutual’s favorable underwriting and operating results. In addition, Vermont Mutual continues to maintain solid risk-adjusted capitalization, a well established market presence in the New England states and knowledge of local insurance issues.

Chartered in 1828, the Vermont Mutual Insurance Company is one of the 10 oldest mutual property/casualty insurers in the United States. The Vermont Mutual Insurance Group provides coverage throughout New England and New York.

Through more than 400 independent agencies, Vermont Mutual insures some 275,000 policyholders with a direct written premium of more than $300,000,000.

American Equity earnings conference call February 21 2013

best insurance stock - American Equity earnings conference call February 21 2013 :  merican Equity Investment Life Holding Company (NYSE: AEL) announced today that it will release fourth quarter 2012 earnings after the close of market on Wednesday, February 20, 2013. The fourth quarter earnings release and financial supplement will be posted on the American Equity website ( www.american-equity.com) at that time.


EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL

AEL will hold a conference call to discuss fourth quarter 2012 earnings on Thursday, February 21, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. CST. The conference call will be webcast live on the Internet. Investors and interested parties who wish to listen to the call on the Internet may do so at www.american-equity.com.

The call may also be accessed by telephone at 866-314-4865, passcode 36024971 (international callers, please dial 617-213-8050). An audio replay will be available shortly after the call on AEL’s website. An audio replay will also be available via telephone through March 14, 2013, by calling 888-286-8010, passcode 12797737 (international callers will need to dial 617-801-6888).

ABOUT AMERICAN EQUITY

American Equity Investment Life Holding Company, through its wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, is a full service underwriter of annuity and life insurance products, with a primary emphasis on the sale of index and fixed rate annuities. The company’s headquarters are located at 6000 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, Iowa, 50266. The mailing address of the company is: P.O. Box 71216, Des Moines, Iowa 50325

Allstate corp will conference call february 7 2013

best insurance stock Allstate corp will conference call february 7 2013 : The Allstate Corp. will conduct a conference call and webcast at 9 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) on Thursday, Feb. 7 to discuss fourth quarter 2012 earnings. According to a release, the company will issue a news release announcing quarterly results at or after 4:05 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Feb. 6. Shortly thereafter, the company plans to post supplementary financial and statistical information online. These materials will be available on Allstate's website at allstateinvestors.com.

The investor webcast also can be accessed at allstateinvestors.com. For those unable to participate in the live event, a webcast replay and downloadable MP3 file will be posted on the company's website shortly after the event ends. The company's 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K will be filed by its due date of March 1. The Allstate Corp. is a personal lines insurer. read Allstate Stock outlook 2013-2014

Effective and Efficient Insurance Group Supervision in the U.S

best insurance stock  - Effective and Efficient Insurance Group Supervision in the U.S : The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America issued the following news release: The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) today released a white paper entitled, "Effective and Efficient Insurance Group Supervision in the U.S.: What More, if Anything is Needed?" The document outlines PCI's group supervision principles and group supervision implementation recommendations.

This white paper is a product of PCI's broader efforts to have a positive influence on global regulatory convergence issues. It outlines PCI's principles and recommendations that should be taken into account by policymakers in any discussions relating to changing U.S. insurance group supervision. This paper will help will assure that the U.S. insurance regulatory system is not undermined and that any group supervision changes promote efficiency and do not simply impose an additional layer of regulation that ultimately harms consumers and the large economy.

"Group supervision issues arise out of many international work streams, including IAIS ComFrame and US-EU Dialogue," said Robert Gordon, PCI's senior vice president policy research and development. "The fact is that current US insurance regulation functions quite well and in our view, adequately accounts for necessary supervision of groups. This is borne out by the excellence performance of the industry despite the financial crisis, natural catastrophes, and years of recession."  Read full PCI release

Canada employment insurance november 2012

best insurance stock - Canada employment insurance november 2012, canada insurance claims 2012 : The following is the text of Canada’s employment insurance report for Nov. released by Statistics Canada. Following little change in October, the number of people receiving regular Employment Insurance (EI) benefits in November edged down 4,500 (-0.8%) to 528,000.

The number of beneficiaries decreased slightly in Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. At the same time, there were slight increases in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador. There was virtually no change in the other provinces.

Claims declined in November 2012
To receive EI benefits, individuals must first submit a claim. The number of claims provides an indication of the number of people who could become beneficiaries.

Nationally, the number of initial and renewal claims fell by 4,400 (-1.9%) to 226,700 in November.

There were declines in eight provinces, with the most notable percentage decreases in Alberta (-6.7%), Nova Scotia (-4.1%), Saskatchewan (-3.7%) and Ontario (-3.1%). At the same time, the number of claims rose in Manitoba (+2.9%) and Quebec (+1.4%).

Slight decrease in beneficiaries in four provinces
The number of people receiving regular benefits in November fell slightly in four provinces. In Nova Scotia, the number of beneficiaries declined 1.6%, following small decreases in the two previous months.

The number of beneficiaries fell 1.2% in British Columbia, the third consecutive monthly decline. There were also fewer people receiving regular benefits in Ontario (-1.1%) in November, following little change the month before.

In Quebec, the number of beneficiaries decreased 1.0% in November, offsetting an increase in October. There were slightly more beneficiaries in three provinces in November: Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Saskatchewan.

In Alberta, the number of people receiving benefits was up 1.5%, the fifth consecutive monthly increase. The number of beneficiaries edged up 1.0% in Newfoundland and Labrador and in Saskatchewan.

Note to readers
Employment Insurance (EI) regular benefits are available to eligible individuals who lose their jobs and who are available for and able to work, but can’t find a job. The change in the number of regular beneficiaries reflects various situations, including people becoming beneficiaries, people going back to work, and people exhausting their regular benefits.

All data in this release are seasonally adjusted unless otherwise specified. For more information on seasonal adjustment, see Seasonal adjustment and identifying economic trends (http://www5.statcan.gc.ca/bsolc/olc-cel/colc-cel?catno=11-010- X201000311141&lang=fra) .

EI statistics are produced from administrative data sources provided by Service Canada and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. These statistics may, from time to time, be affected by changes to the Employment Insurance Act or administrative procedures. Recent examples are the pilot project entitled “Working While on Claim,” introduced on August 5, 2012, and the regulation on search for suitable employment, that came into effect January 6, 2013.

The number of regular beneficiaries and the number of claims received for the current and previous month are subject to revision.

The number of beneficiaries is a measure of all people who received EI benefits from November 4 to 10. This period coincides with the reference week of the Labour Force Survey (LFS).

EI statistics indicate the number of people who received EI benefits, and should not be confused with LFS data, which provide information on the total number of unemployed people.

There is always a certain proportion of unemployed people who do not qualify for benefits. Some unemployed people have not contributed to the program because they have not worked in the past 12 months or their employment is not insured. Other unemployed people have contributed to the program but do not meet the eligibility criteria, such as workers who left their job voluntarily or those who did not accumulate enough hours of work to receive benefits.

New content and historical revision on the way
Over the next few months, data on people who receive regular EI benefits will be available for the first time by occupation and detailed age group.

New seasonally adjusted data by sex, age, census metropolitan area, census agglomeration and occupation will also be available.

Seasonally adjusted series will be revised back to January 1997 to reflect the most recent seasonal factors. Geography boundaries will be updated from the 2001 to the 2006 Standard Geographical Classification, which mainly affects boundaries of census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations.

In addition, the definition of regular beneficiaries will be expanded to include those receiving regular benefits while participating in employment benefit programs, such as training. Furthermore, self-employed people receiving special benefits will be included in the special benefits category.

Indonesia best insurance companies 2012

Best Insurance stock - Indonesia best insurance companies 2012 : Investor Magazine presented awards to nine national insurance company that won the title of Best Insurance 2012, includes 4 life insurance, general insurance and one 4 reinsurance.
 
In the event the award conferment Best Insurance 2012 in Ballroom, Four Season Hotel, Jakarta, Wednesday (4/7) evening, Investor magazine also gave special recognition to one of the general insurance and life insurance, and the Star Award to an insurance company.

In group insurance, PT Prudential Life Assurance won the best position for the category of assets above Rp 15 trillion. In the category of assets between Rp 5 trillion to Rp 15 trillion, an award given to PT AXA Mandiri Financial Services.

 
Meanwhile, PT Panin Life won the top position in the category of assets of Rp 3 trillion to Rp 5 trillion, followed by PT Life Insurance Adisarana Wanaartha who won the best position for the category of assets above Rp 1 trillion to Rp 3 trillion.

 
In the general insurance group, 4 companies of the year filled with new winners. Insurance PT Sinarmas won the award for the category of assets above Rp 3 trillion. Insurance Fund PT Bina Arta Tbk successfully become the best insurance companies in the category of assets between Rp 1 trillion to Rp 3 trillion. The best position for the category of assets of Rp 500 billion and Rp 1 trillion won PT Bangun Askrida 
Insurance, General Insurance while PT Mega achieve the best position in the category of assets between Rp 250 billion to Rp 500 billion.

 
Meanwhile, in the category of reinsurance, Reinsurance Indonesia Tbk PT airline again defended his performance last year as Best Reinsurance.

 
To-9 insurance companies chosen as the best insurance companies in the group, respectively, after passing the preliminary selection and ranking process Investor Magazine with a ranking criteria.

 
Investors also gave a special award, for life insurance based on the highest investment growth over the next five years to PT Adisarana Wanaartha Life Insurance, and a special award for general insurance underwriting by the highest growth over the next five years to PT Jaya Protection Insurance.

 
This year, Star Award is given back to PT Prudential Life Assurance Life Insurance in the best position to successfully defend for 10 consecutive years.

 
The ranking criteria 
Chairman of Judges Herris Simandjuntak said, referring to this year's ranking of published financial statements in 2008 to 2011. Based on these data, and then do the calculation and assessment based on agreed criteria for life insurance and general insurance.

 
"Determination of the best insurance refers to the publication of the results of financial statement data are then ranked by the ranking criteria are agreed," said Herris in the event.

 
The ranking this time using 14 criteria, both for general insurance, life insurance, and reinsurance. Criteria for general insurance covers, the average asset growth of 3 years (2008-2011), growth in average total investment of 3 years (2008-2011), growth equity average of 3 years (2008-2011), the growth premium immediate closure 3 years (2008-2011), the growth of net premiums an average of 3 years (2008-2011), growth in underwriting an average of 3 years (2008-2011), the growth of investment returns average of 3 years (2008-2011), net profit growth of an average of 3 years (2008-2011), the market share of net premiums in 2011, the ratio of net premiums underwriting to 2011, TATTOO (Total Asset Turn Over) 2011, ROA (return on assets) 2011, ROE (return on equity ) 2011, and RBC (risk-based capital) 2011.

 
Meanwhile, the 14 criteria for general insurance, life insurance equal to a majority, except for the immediate closure criteria premium growth of 3 years (2008-2011) that specifically applies to general insurance. Then the growth of the underwriting 3 years (2008-2011) and the ratio of net underwriting the premium applicable to general insurance and reinsurance. While the criteria for 3-year growth in gross premiums written specifically apply to reinsurance.

 
Not all insurance companies participate rated. There are a number of companies do not pass the initial selection based on the requirements set jury. Initial selection of covers, 2011, published financial statements have been audited, the financial statements 2011 did not get a disclaimer opinion, a minimum of 120% RBC, still in operation until the ranking is made, not in the status of PKU (restrictions on business activity) by the Ministry of Finance, not the special conditions (run off, transition, etc.), at least $ 50 billion in equity, general insurance assets in 2011 over Rp 100 billion, assets of life insurance in 2010 more than Rp 1 trillion, did not suffer losses in 2011, as well as the complete data.

 
Based on the initial selection, there are 22 life insurance companies and 53 general insurance that does not pass the initial selection.

 
In addition, there are three Islamic insurance companies did not participate in consideration of incompatible rated rated with non-Islamic insurance. Thus, it can be rated as many as 57 companies, each with 4 reinsurance companies, 23 general insurance and 30 life insurance.

China Life Insurance stock rating prices target by zacks

China Life Insurance stock rating 2013
China Life Insurance stock rating prices target by zacks, China Life Insurance stock rating 2013 : China Life Insurance (NYSE: LFC) was downgraded by Zacks from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating in a research note issued to investors on Thursday. They currently have a $46.00 price target on the stock.

Zacks‘ analyst wrote, “We are downgrading our recommendation on China Life to Underperform based on the constant decline in operating cash flow, which is affecting the financials. The gradual decline in premiums and increasing competition on the domestic front are the other downsides. The company also faces substantial interest rate and currency risks, which limit the upside. China Life also reported a net loss in the third quarter, due to a surge in operating expenses, which offset the operating income increases. However, total assets and shareholders’ equity improved, although cash fund deteriorated. Meanwhile, the subordinated debt issue has improved the solvency ratio. The company has a strong brand name, an extensive domestic distribution channel, strong investments and stable ratings.”

Separately, analysts at Credit Suisse downgraded shares of China Life Insurance from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating in a research note to investors on Wednesday.

Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, four have given an overweight rating, fourteen have given a hold rating, and one has given a sell rating to the company’s stock. The stock currently has a consensus rating of “overweight” and an average price target of $48.66.

Shares of China Life Insurance traded up 0.24% during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $51.17. China Life Insurance has a one year low of $33.00 and a one year high of $52.72. The stock’s 50-day moving average is currently $47.73. The company has a market cap of $94.110 billion and a P/E ratio of 66.73.

China Life Insurance Company Limited is an insurance company. The Company provides a range of insurance products, including individual life insurance, group life insurance, accident insurance and health insurance products. Source www.zacks.com

Assured Guaranty insurance financial strength rating by Moody

Assured Guaranty  insurance financial strength rating by Moody, Assured insurance rating 2013 : Assured Guaranty Ltd. (AGO), the bond insurer whose biggest investor is Wilbur Ross, had its municipal bond unit downgraded by Moody’s Investors Service, which cited the industry’s “dramatic decline” since the subprime crisis.

Moody’s lowered the insurance financial strength rating of Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp. two levels to A2 from Aa3, Assured Guaranty Corp. three levels to A3 from Aa3, and Assured Guaranty Re Ltd. three levels to Baa1 from A1, the debt-rating company said in a statement today.

“Assured operates in an industry that has not recovered from the financial crisis,” Moody’s said. The Bermuda-based firm “will continue to struggle in the face of declining fundamentals, including a dramatic reduction in insurance usage, modest profitability and still-meaningful legacy risk.”

Assured was the only company left insuring municipal bonds after MBIA Inc. (MBI) and Ambac Assurance Corp. had their credit ratings slashed during the crisis amid losses on guarantees of subprime-mortgage-backed debt. Since then, U.S. municipalities have grown used to borrowing without the insurance that once kept their interest rates low, before the MBIA and Ambac downgrades sent floating rates soaring in 2007 and 2008.

While Assured avoided the losses that felled its rivals, its stock plunged 90 percent from June 2007 to March 2009. Ross bought $250 million worth of shares in February 2008 and committed $750 million in capital to the firm. The billionaire’s WL Ross & Co. now owns a 10.2 percent stake. Though the shares recovered later in 2009, they are little changed from their value in June of that year.

In 2011, 5.2 percent of the $290 billion of municipal debt sold in the U.S. was insured, all by Assured, data compiled by Bloomberg show. The protection once covered half the bonds offered by U.S. states and local governments.

Moody’s put the units of Assured Guaranty under review on March 20. Profitability over five and 10 years has “weakened notably,” lagging that of other specialty insurers, and will remain under pressure from low sales, Moody’s said today.

While Assured has modest debt, it may have “constrained” ability to access funds “on a cost-effective basis” if needed, said the Moody’s analysts, led by James Eck and Stanislas Rouyer.

Chubb Shares forecast 2013

Chubb Shares forecast 2013
best insurance stock - Chubb Shares forecast 2013, Chubb insurance plans 2013, Chubb's underwriting income :  Shares of Chubb closed at $77.97 Monday, trading for 12.5 times the consensus 2013 earnings per share estimate of $6.25. The consensus 2014 earnings per share estimate is $6.64. The shares returned 11 percent during 2012. Based on a quarterly payout of 41 cents, the shares have a dividend yield of 1.64 percent.


Chubb plans to announce its fourth-quarter results on Jan. 31, after the market close. The company on Dec. 11 announced that it had estimated that its losses from Hurricane Sandy would be $880 million, or $570 million after taxes. The losses are expected to lower the company's earnings by $2.14 a share.

When announcing the loss estimate, Chubb said it was suspending its share buyback program, but that it expected repurchases to resume, although it no longer expected "to complete repurchases under its current $1.2 billion authorization by the end of January 2013 as previously contemplated." The company also expects to announce an additional buyback program after it announces its fourth-quarter results.

For the first three quarters of 2012, Chubb's underwriting income totaled $880 million. During 2011, underwriting income totaled $574 million.

The consensus estimate for the fourth quarter is for the company to report a net loss of 45 cents a share, compared to earnings per share of $1.98 in the third quarter and $1.63 in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Travelers insurance stock outlook 2013

Travelers insurance stock outlook 2013
Travelers insurance stock forecast 2013 : Shares of The Travelers Companies closed at $74.95 Monday, trading for 10.9 times the consensus 2013 earnings per share estimate of $6.85. The consensus 2014 earnings per share estimate is $7.06. The shares returned 25 percent during 2012.
Based on a quarterly payout of 46 cents, the shares have a dividend yield of 2.45 percent.

Travelers on Dec. 5 announced that its preliminary estimate of losses related to Sandy was $1.135 billion, net of reinsurance. The after-tax loss estimate was $650 million. The company is scheduled announce its fourth-quarter results on Jan. 22, with a consensus earnings estimate of seven cents a share, compared to earnings per share of $2.22 during the third quarter, and $1.48 during the fourth quarter of 2011.

The company on Dec. 5 also said it intended to resume repurchasing common shares, which it had suspended temporarily after Sandy hit. For the first three quarters of 2012, Travelers reported an underwriting profit of $845 million. For 2011, the company reported an underwriting loss of $745 million.

Loss From Sandy
Catastrophe related losses account for about 10% of Travelers total claims and expenses. In 2011, natural disasters like Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, led to catastrophe related losses of around $1 billion. The operating margin for the business insurance division fell from 17% in 2010 to 12% in 2011, while the operating margin for personal insurance fell from 6% to a 4% loss.

The business insurance division reported catastrophe losses of $360 million for the first nine months of the calendar year. Given the estimate provided by the company, we expect an operating margin of around 15% for the fiscal year.

he catastrophe related losses reported by the personal insurance division through the first nine months of 2012 totaled $450 million. We expect an operating margin around 6% for the fiscal year. For a detailed analysis of the operating margins and the affect of Superstorm Sandy,

Revenue Growth
To mitigate the effects of the losses incurred by Travelers due to Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, the company had to undertake several pricing initiatives. Insurance rates increased by almost 8% through the first nine months of 2012, but the company was still able to maintain high retention rates, close to 80% in the business insurance division. This allowed a 3% growth in business insurance premiums. Given the company’s historical performance, we expect it to maintain premium growth. However, there are more than 2,500 property and casualty insurers in the U.S. and the highly competitive nature of the market will lead to a slight decline in Travelers’ market share in the coming years.

Importance Of Investments
Although Travelers earns just 12% of its revenues from returns on investments, it is important for the company to invest premiums earned. Looking at the 2011 figures, we can see that Travelers earned about $22 billion in premiums and had to pay around $24 billion in claims. The $3 billion it earned from investment income allowed the company to maintain a profit for the year.

Most of Travelers investments are in fixed maturity securities like government bonds, which account for 85% of the net investment income with a yield of around 4%. However as the Fed has stated that interest rates will be kept low for the next few years, we expect a slight decline in yield in the coming years, with a recovery coinciding with an improvement in macro-economic conditions.

Allstate Stock outlook 2013-2014

Allstate Stock outlook 2013-2014
best insurance stock - Allstate insurance Stock outlook 2013-2014, Allstate stock performance 2013 ; Shares of Allstate closed at $42.93 Monday, trading for 9.5 times the consensus 2013 earnings per share estimate of $4.53. The consensus 2014 EPS estimate is $4.88.

The shares returned 50 percent during 2012.Based on a quarterly payout of 22 cents, the shares have a dividend yield of 2.05 percent.

Allstate announced on Nov. 28 estimated that its losses for October, net of reinsurance, totaled $1.1 billion before taxes. The company said that "autos represent approximately 40 percent of the total gross losses, with 78 percent in New York, 19 percent in New Jersey and 3 percent in other states."

For its property-liability unit, Allstate reported underwriting income of $1.316 billion for the first three quarters of 2012. During 2011, the unit had an underwriting loss of $874 million.

The company will announce its fourth-quarter results on Feb. 7, with analysts expecting a loss of 7 cents a share, compared to a profit of $1.46 a share the previous quarter, and earnings per share of $1.48 during the fourth quarter of 2011.

Allstate on Dec. 17 announced that its board of directors had "approved a share repurchase program of up to $1 billion to be funded by issuing a like amount of subordinated debentures," after its previous buyback program was completed.

Following the company's announcement, Credit Suisse analyst Michael Zaremski reiterated his "outperform" rating for Allstate, with a $42 price target, saying he expected the company's board of directors to approve an additional $1 billion worth of stock (equal to 5 percent of shares outstanding at today's stock price [on Dec. 1]) via the issuance of a like amount of hybrid debt." Zaremski estimates that Allstate will earn $4.35 a share in 2013 with earnings per share rising to $4.72 in 2014.

Allstate earnings per share outlook 2013-2014, Allstate EPS 2013, Allstate earnings estimate 2013, Allstate stock prices 2013