March 2008/6

The Lloyd's market's profitability for 2007 is expected to be "ahead of 2006", buoyed by the stellar results recently reported by individual members of the Society, according to Numis Securities analyst, Nick Johnson.

Six foreign reinsurance brokers have been licensed by the Brazilian insurance regulator Susep as intermediaries begin to take advantage of the newly deregulated Brazilian market, according to news reports.

Embattled Security Capital Assurance Ltd (SCA) has fought back over its downgrade to junk status by Fitch Ratings, as analysts continue to warn over the knock-on impact on 46 percent owner XL Capital.

Lloyd's brokers expect consolidation to continue over the next three years, despite the majority expressing concern that the credit crunch would impact broker valuations.

Tawa plc's move to part fund its acquisition of PXRE Reinsurance Company with a $14.4mn investment from a trust owned by billionaire steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal family members continues its strategy of widening its long-term investor base...

Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd has become the latest Bermudian to establish a Lloyd's presence with the launch of start-up Syndicate 4711.

Munich Re's acquisition of specialty provider The Midland Company has been approved by the US firm's shareholders.

The state of California is looking at the possibility of its pension funds creating a new municipal bond insurer as an alternative to existing players and Berkshire Hathaway’s start-up in the embattled sector.

Allied World Assurance Company Holdings Ltd (AWAC) has launched its $500mn US reinsurance platform with the endorsement of A and A- financial strength ratings from AM Best and Standard & Poor's (S&P) respectively.

This year's onshore energy losses have wiped out the profits made by (re)insurers that have enjoyed the post-2005 hard market, according to a report by broker Lloyd & Partners.

Reinsurers have seen rates fall by up to 10 percent during the 1/4 Japanese renewal season, according to reinsurance broker Guy Carpenter.

World Trade Center developer Larry Silverstein, who already successfully claimed $4.55bn from (re)insurers following the 11 September attacks, is seeking a further $12.3bn in damages from airlines and airport security companies.