Switzerland
Euro 2016: Switzerland v France pharmaceutical match-up - Final score 4:5
Switzerland is meeting France in the group stage of the Euro 2016. But how do both countries compare in terms of pharmaceutical industry performances and trading risks?
Helvetia COR improves but IFRS profit down 21% due to “accounting effects”
Swiss-based Helvetia Group saw its IFRS after tax result fall to SFr309m (£220m) (2014: SFr393m) but there was an improvement in its combined operating ratio to 92.1% (2014: 93.5%) and other profit metrics.
Helvetia Holdings to reduce board size
Three board members at Helvetia Holdings will not stand for re-election, following the integration of the (re)insurer with Nationale Suisse and a planned reduction of Helvetia’s board.
Swiss Re income jumps 31% as CEO steps down
After four years as CEO, Swiss Re’s Michel Liès will step down on 1 July with reinsurance head Christian Mumenthaler named as his replacement.
Zurich closely monitoring Brexit developments
Zurich is keeping a close eye on how the referendum over UK membership of the European Union progresses, according to UK general insurance CEO Vibhu Sharma, who highlighted the company's position as one that is already headquartered outside the EU.
Incoming Zurich CEO advised to 'regroup' as possible Senn successors are mooted
Zurich's next global CEO must focus on improving the company's property and casualty underwriting performance, with commentators pitching Mark Wilson and Tom Bolt among the front runners for the insurer's top job.
Helvetia concludes withdrawal from Belgian market
Swiss insurer Helvetia has completed the sale of its subsidiary Nationale Suisse Belgium and the two underwriting agencies owned by the latter to Enstar Group.
Catalina subsidiary snaps up Allianz Suisse Re
Catalina Holdings’ wholly owned Swiss subsidiary Glacier Reinsurance AG has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Allianz Suisse Re from Allianz SE.
Vincenz takes up post as Helvetia chairman
Pierin Vincenz has today (1 October) taken up the role of chairman of the board of directors at Helvetia group.
Eurozone insolvencies to exceed 2007 level by 67% in 2016
Insolvencies in the Eurozone are 75% higher in 2015 than they were in 2007 with trade credit insurer Atradius predicting they will remain 67% higher than the 2007 level in 2016.
Swiss insurer Helvetia increases profits and records dynamic growth
Helvetia has recorded a "very satisfying business performance" for the first half of 2015, which it claims reflects the successful acquisitions of Nationale Suisse and Basler Austria last year.
Zurich asks RSA to extend bid timeframe
Zurich has asked RSA for more time to make a formal offer for the business ahead of the bid deadline tomorrow, according to reports.
Zurich on acquisition hunt with £1.9bn excess capital
Zurich Group has $3bn (£1.9bn) in excess capital it intends to spend by the end of 2016 either through merger and acquisition activity or return of capital to shareholders.
Euler Hermes Q1 revenues jump 5.1%
Trade credit insurer Euler Hermes has reported a 5.1% increase in revenues for the three months ended 31 March 2015 to €670m (£478m).
Zurich group reports stable £3bn operating profit
Zurich reported a group general insurance business operating profit of $2.89bn (£1.9bn) for the year ended 31 December 2014 which equated to 50% of its overall business operating profit.
Nationale Suisse sells Belgian travel portfolio to Mapfre
Swiss insurer Nationale Suisse has agreed to sell the travel insurance portfolio of its Belgian subsidiary L'Européenne to Mapfre Asistencia, a subsidiary of Spanish insurer Mapfre, for an undisclosed fee.
Cedants less likely to transfer business to reinsurers, says AM Best
Europe’s 20 largest cedants are benefitting from lower reinsurance rates and stronger bargaining power according to ratings agency AM Best.
Helvetia president Walser passes away unexpectedly
The president of the board of directors of the Helvetia Group, Erich Walser, unexpectedly passed away on 30 December 2014.
Helvetia shareholders urged to support Nationale Suisse takeover bid
Shareholders of Swiss insurance company Helvetia have been summoned to an extraordinary shareholders meeting where they will decide on the capital increase required for the takeover of Nationale Suisse.
Insurers behind banks on mobile offerings
Insurers continue to lag behind their banking counterparts when it comes to mobile websites and apps, according to research from CP consulting.
Swiss train derailment injures 11
A train carrying 200 passengers from St Moritz has derailed after a landslide washed away part of the track.
Switzerland's Helvetia and Nationale Suisse to merge
Helvetia and Nationale Suisse have agreed the terms of a merger, which will see them create a new Swiss insurance group.
UK ranks 20th in global survey on supply chain resilience
The UK has been ranked 20th in FM Global's 2014 survey grading countries on their resilience to supply chain disruption.
Geneva Association zeroing in on social value of insurance
The Geneva Association is conducting research on the social and economic value of insurance, according to its annual report.