Standard & Poor's (S&P)
Insurance M&A activity slows in second half of 2022
Insurance merger and acquisition deal activity slowed significantly in 2022, hitting the lowest volume since 2019, according to an S&P Global Market Intelligence analysis.
Intelligence: CSR is dead, long live ESG
Although environmental, social, and governance issues have been mentioned as far back as 2006 by the United Nations with other sectors seeing it incorporated into their financial evaluations, insurance is only recently picking up the buzzword. Post…
Fewer lead underwriters in London market 'an inevitability', says Hiscox's Lawrence
The pool of lead underwriters in the London market shrinking over the next decade is an “inevitability”, Hiscox London Market chief underwriting officer Paul Lawrence has said.
Analysis: Deconstructing Aviva
With a new group CEO in role, Aviva has made serious strides in offloading its overseas operations. What inspired these moves and what does this mean for its core operations in the UK, Ireland and Canada?
Analysis: Innovating in insurance-linked securities
Where other investment markets have struggled during the global pandemic insurance-linked securities have weathered the storm well. Post finds out how London’s young regime is fitting into the existing global markets and whether there is still innovation…
Big three ratings agencies united in negative outlook for global reinsurers
Moody’s has revised its outlook for the global reinsurance sector to negative, citing weakened profitability in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, bringing it into line with other ratings agencies.
Ratings agencies assessing coronavirus impact on insurers' balance sheets
Ratings agencies have moved to assess the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on insurers. Among them is AM Best, which is developing stress tests that will assess the impact on insurance companies’ balance sheets.
Analysis: Reinsurance rates - breaking the cycle
Reinsurance rates have started to rise after a series of natural disasters in 2017 and 2018, but the increases are not being seen across the board.
European reinsurers well-placed to absorb cat losses and take advantage of continued price increases: Fitch
The big four European reinsurers are well capitalised to absorb catastrophe losses and build on pricing increases that are expected to continue into next year, Fitch Ratings has said.
Blog: M&A transactions - driving sustainable value creation
Rory O’Brien, senior managing director with FTI Consulting in London, and Ian Duncan, managing director with FTI Consulting in Dublin explain how insurers can achieve increased value from M&A transactions by focusing on the key enablers and drivers of…
Analysis: How insurers are preventing the Brexit brain drain
Insurers are coming up with ways to get round obstacles to doing business in Europe after Brexit
Marine mutuals The Strike Club and The Standard Club to merge
Marine delay insurer, The Strike Club, has announced plans to merge with fellow mutual marine insurer The Standard Club group.
Ratings agencies shift Marsh outlook to negative over JLT deal
Marsh’s whirlwind acquisition of JLT surprised ratings agencies, as it was a “larger” deal than expected from the world’s biggest broker.
Reinsurers turn to M&A to stay relevant as challenging market forces bite
Global reinsurers have turned to mergers and acquisition deals over the last year in order to remain relevant in the face of challenging market conditions, but S&P maintains a neutral view on this trend.
This month in Post: The great summer recess
It’s that time of year again. The trains are relatively empty, and out of office replies are basically a given.
GRP's Mike Bruce on win-win consolidation
Mergers and acquisitions take many shapes in the UK retail broking market, writes Mike Bruce, CEO broking at Global Risk Partners, noting some deals can actually support an owner's entrepreneurial spirit.
This week: The consequences of buying big
By far the biggest purchase I ever made was when I bought my house.
Climate change: insurers feeling the heat
The global risk landscape is currently dominated by environmental upheavals caused by climate change. The resulting catastrophes are of concern to people in general and insurers, in particular, tasked as they are with underwriting and managing ever…
Europe: Berating the ratings
Fitch Ratings caused a stir when it criticised the Insurer Financial Strength ratings issued by one of its main rivals, AM Best.
S&P warns on offshore reinsurers using hedge fund strategies
Ratings agency Standard & Poor's is concerned there could be "carcasses on the side of the road" for offshore reinsurers using hedge fund strategies.
Brexit would be negative for UK financial sector
A vote to leave the European Union could threaten the health of the UK economy and its financial sector, according to Standard & Poor's Ratings Services.