Market News
An Economic Reopening: The Implications of US Monetary Policy
US monetary policy remains ultra-accommodative by historical comparison. The Federal Reserve is purchasing $120 billion worth of bonds every month, has interest rates pinned at virtually zero, and remains committed to the current "inflation is transitory" narrative. Read More
Major European Reinsurers' Profits Improved during First Half of 2021
The four major European reinsurers experienced very strong improvement in profitability during the first half of 2021, according to Fitch Ratings. The improved profitability followed significant price increases in property and casualty reinsurance and high demand for reinsurance protection, Fitch said. Read More
US Property-Casualty Rating Actions Increased Slightly in First Half
The number of upgrades and downgrades of US property and casualty (P&C) insurers' credit ratings experienced a modest increase during the first half of 2021 versus the same period a year ago, according to A.M. Best. P&C insurer rating actions increased to 347 from 332 during the first half of 2020. Read More
First-Half Insurance-Linked Securities Issuance Sets Half-Year Record
The insurance-linked securities (ILS) market saw $8.5 billion in new issuance during the first half of 2021, a half-year record, according to a new report from Swiss Re. The report, "Insurance-Linked Securities Market Insights," noted that many new ILS issues during the year's first half were oversubscribed and were upsized. Read More
Risk Retention Groups Saw Significant Premium Growth in 2020
Risk retention groups' (RRGs) premium volume increased significantly in 2020, according to the Risk Retention Reporter. RRGs' gross premiums climbed to nearly $3.84 billion last year, a nearly 7.2 percent increase from 2019, when RRGs generated just over $3.58 billion in gross premiums. Read More