August 2009/1

Recovering stock markets through the second quarter helped ease the woes of troubled US insurance giant the Hartford Financial Group, as it posted an operating profit that sent its share price up.

American International Group (AIG) has turned to another former head of a US insurance giant to chart the troubled waters after last September's government bailout, with the appointment of Robert Benmosche as its new CEO.

French reinsurer Scor's net income for the first six months of the year dropped by 24 percent from H1 2008 to EUR184mn, as investment income more than halved...

Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT) impressed analysts with strong half-year figures, posting a 16 percent increase in turnover to £309.7mn.

The twin pressures of a lingering soft market and recession have pinned back organic growth at global broking giants Aon and Willis.

Improved conditions in the financial markets during Q2 helped Validus Holdings regain lost value in its investment portfolio, as strong unrealised gains helped net income climb 81.2 percent...

Lloyd's (re)insurer Advent reported increased pre-tax profits of £5.7mn for the first half of the year, compared to £1.6mn in the same period of 2008.

As RSA prepares to unveil half-year figures on Thursday (6 August), following strong 2008 results, one analyst has suggested earnings at the UK insurer are set to face "a growing list of headwinds".

The liability claim from the Tupolev Tu-154 passenger aircraft that crashed in north-western Iran on 15 July, killing all 168 on board, is currently estimated at up to $55mn, The Insurance Insider understands.

Brit Insurance Holdings said it was enjoying organic growth in its three main trading divisions, while again reassuring investors on the development of its sub-prime/financial liability exposures.

While WR Berkley CEO Bill Berkley is confident the sluggish US P&C markets are close to turning, similar positive rate change across each of Traveler’s business segments were not enough to fuel Q2 income growth.

Transatlantic Re crowned its transition into a new era of independence with a 6.9 percent Q2 increase in book value per share to reach a record high of $53.57 at 30 June.