October 2006/3

A tsunami is expected to hit northern Japan and Russia today (15 November), the US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has warned.

Munich Re, the world’s second largest reinsurer, raised its full year earnings forecast and announced its first ever share buy-back today (7 November) as it became the latest industry carrier to benefit from the benign claims season.

Despite paying over $1bn in settlements and foregoing contingent commissions, the post-Spitzer picture is still not “rosy” for the big three brokers, according to a report by ratings agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P).

But dollar fluctuations continue to deliver mixed results to bottom line figures

Lloyd’s last month reported half year pre-tax profits of £1.35bn – marginally down on the £1.38bn booked at the same stage last year – as strong underwriting results in benign conditions were offset by a fall in investment income.

Quoted Lloyd’s insurers Hardy Underwriting Group plc and Advent Capital Holdings plc are taking the final steps towards achieving the buy-out of remaining Names’ capital.

Lloyd’s post-Equitas open year liabilities increased by £0.3bn last year and have become the “elephant in the room” of UK run-off, according to Philip Grant, chairman of the Association of Run-off Companies (ARC).

US and EU Legal Developments

Paris-based investment bank Calyon has completed a $63mn securitisation, Pinnacle, once again demonstrating the industry’s growing enthusiasm to sell-on risk to the capital markets.

Bermuda-headquartered Catlin Group confirmed on 27 September that it is entering into a catastrophe swap agreement that would provide it with coverage of up to $200.25mn for global natural catastrophes.

Price Forbes Ltd, the London-based international wholesale operation owned by Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc, has been spun-out of the broking giant via a management buy-out, The Insurance Insider revealed on 21 September.

Energy underwriters face further pain out of last year’s devastating KRW hurricanes with at least $1bn of additional pipeline losses still to come through.