August 2004/2

Bermudian XL Capital delivered record first half results last Wednesday (28 July), with second quarter net income of $363.6mn, or $2.62 per share, also a record for the period, and the second most profitable quarter ever for the company, following on from

Broker Willis Group Holdings has announced the launch of its Japan Global Retail Practice Group.

Ratings agency Fitch has revised its rating outlook for the global reinsurance sector to Stable from Negative.

A US court gave a green light last week for a class action lawsuit to proceed against the giant broker Aon over allegations that the firm breached its fiduciary duties by not disclosing hidden commissions.

Despite strong underwriting results, fast growing Bermudian-based (re)insurance group White Mountains saw its second quarter earnings hit by rising interest rates, as $139mn of after-tax unrealised losses on its fixed income portfolio contributed to a $38

High performance Bermudian outfit Renaissance Re smashed analysts’ consensus estimates for the second quarter as it reported operating earnings per share of $2.00, against a projected $1.65, driven by strong underwriting results and favourable reserve dev

Bermuda’s Partner Re reported operating earnings of $104.9mn, or $1.93 for the second quarter, up from $89.9mn, or $1.67 a share in the same quarter of 2003.

Bermudian Max Re today (2 August) announced second quarter earnings below analysts’ expectations as investment income fell short of target.

Virginia-based insurer Markel Corporation saw a marginal improvement in earnings per share for the second quarter 2004 as it reported net income per share of $5.99, compared to $5.97 for the same period last year. Combined ratio across the group improved

US (re)insurer Chubb announced estimate beating results last Tuesday, with second quarter net income up 41 percent to $356.1mn, and net income per share up 28 percent to $1.85.

Bermudian Arch Capital announced strong second quarter results last Thursday (29 July), booking net income for the second quarter of $104.3mn, or $1.42 a share, against $61.8mn, or $0.91 a share for the comparable quarter last year.

Bermudian headquartered giant ACE reported healthy second quarter figures last Tuesday (27 July) with operating earnings of $380mn, or $1.29 a share, marginally up on consensus analysts’ estimates of $1.25, and 33 percent higher than the $286mn or $1.01 a