Fitch Ratings
Fitch Ratings expects further Malaysia market consolidation
In an outlook report, Fitch Ratings believes the requirement for composite insurers to segregate operations into life and general insurance units could mean further consolidation in the market.
Fitch predicts stable outlook for German non-life ratings
Ratings agency Fitch says it does not foresee a significant number of rating changes in the next 12 to 24 months within the German non-life sector.
German non-life ratings to remain stable, according to Fitch
Ratings agency Fitch says it does not foresee a significant number of rating changes in the next 12 to 24 months within the German non-life sector.
Sovereign risks persists for Italian insurers amid weak non-life growth
Eurozone sovereign risk will continue to negatively affect Italian insurers in 2014 given the significant amounts of government and corporate debt held in their investment portfolios, according to Fitch.
RSA downgraded on profit warnings
RSA’s financial strength and issuer credit ratings have been downgraded from ‘A+’ to ‘A’ by Standard and Poor’s following its profit warning,
Fitch affirms RSA ratings but increases scrutiny of governance procedures
Fitch Ratings has affirmed RSA’s insurer financial strength rating at 'A' and long-term issuer default rating at 'A-' following the profit warning issued by the insurer last week.
Investment: Diminishing returns
Insurers are predicted to find it increasingly difficult to make high yields from investments, so what can the industry do to turn the tide and increase returns?
Stable reinsurance market could herald price softening
The outlook for global reinsurance sector ratings remains stable, supported by capital strength and continued profitability, according to Fitch.
Reinsurers underwriting gains offset by unrealised losses
A newly-published report shows reinsurers’ underwriting gains in H1 2013 were offset by unrealised investment losses.
Ergo's 'AA-' financial strength rating affirmed by Fitch
Germany-based insurers Ergo Life and DKV have had their insurer financial strength ratings affirmed at 'AA-' by Fitch.
G-SII determination to impact credit rates
Insurers included on the Financial Stability Board's list of global systemically important insurers could see a modest improvement in their credit profiles due to the higher risk and capital management standards imposed on them, Fitch Ratings said.
Telematics: Ask the experts
Insurers should be wary of rushing into the telematics market alone – pricing, legacy technology and cost mean collaborating may be a wiser strategy.
Fitch raises Lloyd’s outlook to positive
Lloyd’s has seen its Fitch ratings affirmed with an improved outlook, climbing to positive from stable after the rating agency noted reduced earnings volatility.
Eiopa report is key milestone in Solvency II implementation says PwC
The publication of Eiopa’s long-term guarantee report could pave the way for political agreement on Solvency II, according to PwC.
"Stagnating" Austrian market challenging for insurers
Austrian insurers face a challenging domestic market but should benefit from their strength in Central Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, Fitch said.
Moody’s downgrades Towergate after patchy 2012 financial results
Towergate’s financial results for 2012 have revealed vastly divergent performances among its four main insurance divisions, ranging from a 24% year-on-year drop in earnings in its network arm to a 17% rise in underwriting earnings.
Towergate’s B rating affirmed by Fitch
Fitch Rating has affirmed Towergate’s B rating and revised its outlook to stable from negative.
Financial stress takes toll on Italian insurers
Pressure on premium income in Italy is likely to continue throughout 2013 as the deep recession and austerity measures in Italy squeeze households' disposable income, according to Fitch.
Italian insurers "not directly affected" by sovereign downgrade
Italian mutual Assicurazioni, its core subsidiary Reale Seguros and ITAS Mutua's ratings are not directly affected by the downgrade of Italy's ratings, Fitch has said.
Turkish GI growth set to continue
Turkish non-life insurers are set to benefit from government initiatives and increasing demand from younger generations, according to a comment published today by Fitch.
UK credit rating downgrade could be blessing in disguise for insurers
The loss of the UK’s AAA rating with credit rating agency Moody’s is unlikely to impact the standing of UK insurers, according to industry sources.
Jakarta flood losses not expected to trigger solvency problems
Flooding in Jakarta, Indonesia in January expected to cause economic losses of IDR32trn (€2.46m) according to official government reports, but only IDR3trn of that is expected to be insured.
Fitch: Drivers’ occupation can help insurers assess risk
Fitch Ratings highlighted that putting more weight on factors other like occupation, now that the gender element is no longer in play, is a “valid and valuable” factor for motor underwriters.
Outlook for global reinsurers stable but pricing to stagnate, says Fitch
The outlook for the global reinsurance sector remains stable, as capital, underwriting and operating trends are expected to support reinsurers' ratings over the next one to two years, according to Fitch.