August 2007/4

Lloyd’s insurer Chaucer Holdings plc has confirmed it will increase its motor portfolio to offset the reduction in capacity in its other classes.

Bermuda-based life reinsurance specialist Scottish Re Group revealed a second quarter profit of $99.5mn, which was boosted by a one-time tax benefit from last year’s loss of $123.9mn in the same period.

Cayman Islands reinsurance vehicle, Greenlight Capital Re, said it had second quarter earnings of $21.3mn – a three hundred percent increase on its inaugural second quarter last year.

Shares in Hiscox Ltd increased over 5 percent this morning after the company was propelled to a record half-year profit before tax of £105.6mn, up 72.1 percent, by the stellar performance of its Global Markets division.

Slivers of optimism have appeared within the (re)insurance industry despite last week’s brutal stock market conditions which saw the S&P 500 Property/Casualty insurers index fall 10 percent in just two days as sub-prime jitters...

As Hurricane Dean bears down on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, there are few signs of trading around industry loss warranties (ILWs) and the other hedging strategies typically employed in anticipation of a major hurricane loss.

Bermudian (re)insurer RenaissanceRe has promoted Larry Richardson to senior vice president of its strategic investments arm, Renaissance Re Ventures.

Montpelier Re has made progress in its new US operation as it diversifies from its roots as a Bermudian monoline reinsurer.

US start-up insurer SPARTA Insurance Company has been assigned an A- financial strength rating from rating agency AM Best.

Listed Lloyd’s insurer Hardy Underwriting Group impressed analysts after upgrading its syndicate forecasts in a “bullish” trading statement on 16 August.

According to reports last week, the European Commission (EC) is set to investigate the role of rating agencies over their response to the US sub-prime mortgage crisis.

Despite moderate price reductions, the Lloyd’s listed (re)insurer Heritage Underwriting Agency plc’s said rates are “still at very acceptable levels” in its latest syndicate forecasts.