Fitch Ratings Etiqa Insurance Berhad financial strength rating at A

Fitch Ratings Etiqa Insurance Berhad financial strength rating at 'A' : Fitch Ratings has affirmed Malaysia-based Etiqa Insurance Berhad's insurer financial strength rating at 'A' with stable outlook. Fitch says the rating reflects EIB's broad distribution coverage, strong premium growth, a track record of sound operating performance and its status as a core member within Maybank Ageas Holdings Berhad (MAHB).

The rating recognises the company's solid risk-based capitalisation and strong liquidity position despite likely higher financial leverage after the proposed issue of subordinated debt in April 2013.

Fitch says EIB continues to maintain strong premium growth momentum through its bancassuance partnership with Malayan Banking Berhad (Maybank) and through its wide agency coverage across Malaysia.

Premium written from general and life insurance operations grew 18% and 88%, respectively, for the 12 months ended June 2012. Motor insurance and marine, aviation and transit (MAT) businesses are key growth drivers of EIB's general insurance's portfolio.

Business quality of the company's non-life insurance portfolio remains sound although its combined ratio deteriorated to 94.3% for the 12 months ended June 2012 from 91.3% over the same period in 2011. Mortality gain and investment return contributed favourably to the operating profitability of EIB's life insurance business.

EIB has maintained capital strength to support ongoing business growth and to absorb potential asset volatility. Its regulatory risk-based capitalisation was about 247% at end-June 2012, well in excess of the statutory minimum benchmark of 130%.

In view of EIB's prevailing operating margin (3.1% pre-tax return on assets for the 12 months ended June 2012), Fitch believes EIB's financial flexibility will remain sound after the planned subordinated debt issue. Fitch expects MAHB's financial leverage to rise above 10% post debt issue from zero at end-June 2012.

With more than 30% of its general insurance and shareholders' investments allocated to cash and deposits at end-June 2012, EIB has strong liquidity to meet claims from insurance liabilities.

Liquid assets (including structured deposits) accounted for about 2.55x of its general insurance's net technical reserves at end-June 2012.

Partly offsetting these positive attributes includes the market-wide adverse claims experience of the third-party motor insurance business and capital re-allocation within the operating entities of MAHB due to a change in Malaysian takaful regulatory capital regime.

Additionally, EIB has placed greater emphasis on regular premium life products to strengthen its growth sustainability as a significant portion of its premiums still comes from single premium investment-linked products which are sensitive to equity market performance.( Story provided by StockMarketWire.com )

Selective Insurance Group SIGI Stock rating price target by RBC Capital

best insurance stock - Selective Insurance Group SIGI Stock rating price target by RBC Capital : Selective Insurance Group (NASDAQ: SIGI) had its target price upped by RBC Capital from $20.00 to $23.00 in a report released on Monday. RBC Capital currently has a sector perform rating on the stock.

Separately, analysts at Zacks upgraded shares of Selective Insurance Group from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a research note to investors on Tuesday, January 8th. They now have a $21.50 price target on the stock.

One analyst has rated the stock with a buy rating, and six have assigned a hold rating to the stock. The company currently has an average rating of hold and an average target price of $20.40.

Selective Insurance Group traded down 0.77% on Monday, hitting $21.82. Selective Insurance Group has a 52-week low of $16.22 and a 52-week high of $22.08. The stock’s 50-day moving average is currently $19.85. The company has a market cap of $1.200 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.17.

Selective Insurance Group last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 31st. The company reported ($0.04) earnings per share for the quarter, beating the analysts’ consensus estimate of ($0.17) by $0.13. The company had revenue of $449.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $394.86 million. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.33 earnings per share. Selective Insurance Group’s revenue was up 12.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts predict that Selective Insurance Group will post $1.51 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which is scheduled for Friday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 15th will be given a dividend of $0.13 per share. This represents a $0.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.36%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 13th.

Selective Insurance Group, Inc. is a holding company of seven insurance subsidiaries. The Company, through its subsidiaries, offers property and casualty insurance products and services in the East and Midwest of the United States.

Zacks downgraded Rating Stock of Meadowbrook Insurance Group

Zacks downgraded Rating Stock of Meadowbrook Insurance Group : Zacks downgraded shares of Meadowbrook Insurance Group (NYSE: MIG) from a neutral rating to an underperform rating in a report issued on Thursday. They currently have $6.00 target price on the stock.

Meadowbrook Insurance Group traded down 0.95% on Thursday, hitting $6.27. Meadowbrook Insurance Group has a 1-year low of $5.21 and a 1-year high of $10.19. The stock’s 50-day moving average is currently $5.98. The company’s market cap is $312.1 million.

Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc. (Meadowbrook) is a specialty focused commercial insurance underwriter and insurance administration services company.

To view Zacks’ full report, visit www.zacks.com

AIG insurance stock rating overweight by Evercore Partners

Best Insurance stock - AIG insurance stock rating overweight by Evercore Partners : American International Group (NYSE: AIG)‘s stock had its “overweight” rating restated by analysts at Evercore Partners in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday. They currently have a $40.00 price target on the stock.

Other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Analysts at Sanford C. Bernstein reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of American International Group in a research note to investors on Wednesday, January 16th. They now have a $45.00 price target on the stock. Separately, analysts at FBR Capital initiated coverage on shares of American International Group in a research note to investors on Thursday, January 10th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $44.00 price target on the stock. Finally, analysts at Wells Fargo downgraded shares of American International Group from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating in a research note to investors on Thursday, January 10th.

Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, one has issued an overweight rating, and nine have issued a hold rating to the company. The stock has a consensus rating of “overweight” and an average target price of $40.43.

American International Group traded up 1.11% on Tuesday, hitting $35.48. American International Group has a 1-year low of $24.66 and a 1-year high of $37.67. The stock’s 50-day moving average is currently $34.89. The company has a market cap of $52.379 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.42.

American International Group last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 1st. The company reported $1.00 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the analysts’ consensus estimate of $0.88 by $0.12. Analysts expect that American International Group will post $3.77 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American International Group, Inc. (AIG) is an international insurance company, serving customers in more than 130 countries.

Bankinter SA stock ratings prices target by Nomura

best insurance stock - Bankinter SA stock ratings by Nomura : Nomura reiterated their reduce rating on shares of Bankinter SA (MCE: BKT) in a research report sent to investors on Tuesday morning. The firm currently has a $3.73 (€3) price target on the stock.

Other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Analysts at Macquarie reiterated an underperform rating on shares of Bankinter SA in a research note to investors on Wednesday, January 16th. They now have a $3.60 price target on the stock. Separately, analysts at Exane BNP Paribas reiterated an underperform rating on shares of Bankinter SA in a research note to investors on Tuesday, January 15th. They now have a $2.80 price target on the stock. Finally, analysts at Societe Generale reiterated a sell rating on shares of Bankinter SA in a research note to investors on Wednesday, January 9th. They now have a $3.68 price target on the stock.

The stock’s 50-day moving average is currently €N.

Bankinter SA is a Spain-based financial institution primarily engaged in the banking sector. The Bank offers a range services and products, such as current accounts, fixed-term deposits, investment funds and retirement plans, mortgages, insurance policies; as well as other banking operations to businesses and individuals.

QBE Insurance stock prices target by Credit Suisse

Best insurance stocks - QBE Insurance stock rating prices target by Credit Suisse : Credit Suisse reissued their outperform rating on shares of QBE Insurance Group Limited (ASX: QBE) in a research report released on Tuesday morning. Credit Suisse currently has a $13.79 (13 AUD) price target on the stock.


QBE has been the subject of a number of other recent research reports. Analysts at Macquarie reiterated a neutral rating on shares of QBE Insurance Group Limited in a research note to investors on Tuesday, January 15th. They now have a $13.44 price target on the stock. Separately, analysts at Nomura reiterated a buy rating on shares of QBE Insurance Group Limited in a research note to investors on Thursday, January 10th. They now have a $14.74 price target on the stock. Finally, analysts at CIMB reiterated a neutral rating on shares of QBE Insurance Group Limited in a research note to investors on Wednesday, December 12th. They now have a $12.73 price target on the stock.

Shares of QBE Insurance Group Limited traded down 2.55% during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting A$11.830. QBE Insurance Group Limited has a one year low of A$9.880 and a one year high of A$15.150. The stock’s 50-day moving average is currently A$13.12. The company has a market cap of A$13.936 billion and a P/E ratio of 18.28.

QBE Insurance Group Limited is engaged in underwriting general insurance and reinsurance risks, management of Lloyd’s syndicates and investment management.

Vermont Mutual Insurance issuer credit rating by A.M. Best

best insurance stock - Vermont Mutual Insurance issuer credit rating by A.M. Best : A. M. Best Co. said it has upgraded the issuer credit rating (ICR) to “a+” from “a” and affirmed the financial strength rating of A (Excellent) of Vermont Mutual Insurance Company and its two fully reinsured subsidiaries, Northern Security Insurance Company and Granite Mutual Insurance Company.

These companies are members of Vermont Mutual Insurance Group and are all domiciled in Montpelier, Vermont. The outlook for all rating is stable.

The ICR upgrade reflects Vermont Mutual’s favorable underwriting and operating results. In addition, Vermont Mutual continues to maintain solid risk-adjusted capitalization, a well established market presence in the New England states and knowledge of local insurance issues.

Chartered in 1828, the Vermont Mutual Insurance Company is one of the 10 oldest mutual property/casualty insurers in the United States. The Vermont Mutual Insurance Group provides coverage throughout New England and New York.

Through more than 400 independent agencies, Vermont Mutual insures some 275,000 policyholders with a direct written premium of more than $300,000,000.

Beazley insurance Stock Rating Prices Target

Beazley stock rating prices target : Nomura reissued their buy rating on shares of Beazley (LON: BEZ) in a research report released on Thursday morning. Nomura currently has a $3.42 (212 GBX) price target on the stock.

BEZ has been the subject of a number of other recent research reports. Analysts at Canaccord Genuity reiterated a hold rating on shares of Beazley in a research note to investors on Friday, November 23rd. They now have a $2.95 price target on the stock. Separately, analysts at JPMorgan Chase reiterated a neutral rating on shares of Beazley in a research note to investors on Thursday, November 22nd. They now have a $2.82 price target on the stock. Finally, analysts at JPMorgan Chase reiterated a neutral rating on shares of Beazley in a research note to investors on Friday, October 19th.

Shares of Beazley opened at 181.90 on Thursday. Beazley has a one year low of GBX 130.60 and a one year high of GBX 184.00. The stock’s 50-day moving average is currently GBX 167.6. The company’s market cap is £921.1 million.

About Beazley plc

Beazley plc is the parent company of specialist insurance businesses. The Company operates in six segments: Life, accident and health segment, which underwrites life, personal accident and sports risks; Marine segment, which underwrites a range of marine classes, including hull, energy, cargo and specie and war risks; Political risks and contingency segment, which underwrites terrorism, political violence, expropriation and credit risks, as well as contingency and risks associated with contract frustration; Property segment, which underwrites commercial, homeowners’ and engineering property insurance on a worldwide basis; Reinsurance segment specializes in writing property catastrophe, property per risk, aggregate excess of loss and pro-rata business, and Specialty lines segment, which underwrites professional lines, employment practices liability, specialty liability, directors’ and officers’ liability and healthcare.

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F&C Asset Management stock rating prices target by jefferies Group

Best insurance stock today - F&C Asset Management stock rating prices target by jefferies Group : Jefferies Group reiterated their buy rating on shares of F&C Asset Management (LON: FCAM) in a research report sent to investors on Thursday morning. The firm currently has a $2.10 (130 GBX) price target on the stock.

Several other analysts have also recently commented on the stock. Analysts at JPMorgan Chase reiterated a neutral rating on shares of F&C Asset Management in a research note to investors on Tuesday, December 4th. They now have a $1.82 price target on the stock. Separately, analysts at Numis Securities Ltd reiterated a hold rating on shares of F&C Asset Management in a research note to investors on Monday, November 12th. They now have a $1.46 price target on the stock.

Shares of F&C Asset Management opened at 102.90 on Thursday. F&C Asset Management has a 52 week low of GBX 59.262 and a 52 week high of GBX 103.40. The stock’s 50-day moving average is currently GBX 95.05. The company’s market cap is £542.0 million.

F&C Asset Management plc (F&C) is an asset management company. The Company’s customers include insurance companies, institutional, retail and wholesale investors, for whom it manages investments, including fixed income, equities, property and alternative asset classes.

ASI Stock Prices target Buy Rating by BGB Securities

ASI Stock Prices target Buy Rating by BGB Securities, asi insurance shares prices : BGB Securities reiterated their buy rating on shares of American Safety Insurance Holdings (NYSE: ASI) in a research note issued to investors on Friday. The firm currently has a $27.00 target price on the stock.


“ASI announced its expected exposure to 4Q12 CAT losses of between $6M and $7M after tax. The losses relate to Hurricane Sandy and due to the size and nature of the storm are impacting all three segments; E&S, ART, and Assumed Reinsurance. The top end of the CAT range equates to a loss of approximately $0.76 per share pre-tax and $0.68 after-tax.

 This equates to approximately 13.3% of additional loss ratio points. We now estimate the 4Q12 loss ratio to be 78.2% for the quarter. We maintain our BUY rating and our price target of $27. Our price target is approximately 0.75x our 2013E diluted BVPS of $36.24 with a 2013E ROAE of 6.3%. We believe the future P/B multiple for ASI will rise given the market’s anticipation of price strengthening and improving expense ratios.,” BGB Securities’ analyst wrote.

Shares of American Safety Insurance Holdings opened at 18.92 on Friday. American Safety Insurance Holdings has a one year low of $15.75 and a one year high of $22.32. The stock’s 50-day moving average is currently $17.32. The company has a market cap of $186.9 million and a P/E ratio of 36.08.

Separately, analysts at FBR Capital initiated coverage on shares of American Safety Insurance Holdings in a research note to investors on Thursday, December 20th. They set an outperform rating and a $24.00 price target on the stock.

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Travelers Companies (NYSE: TRV) stock rating by thestreet ratings

Best Insurance Tock - Travelers Companies stock rating by thestreet ratings : The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV) is a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, is engaged in providing a range of commercial and personal property and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, Government units, associations and individuals., reiterated their buy rating on shares of The Travelers Companies (NYSE: TRV) in a research report sent to investors on Friday morning.

TRV has been the subject of a number of other recent research reports. Analysts at RBC Capital upgraded shares of The Travelers Companies from an outperform rating to a top pick rating in a research note to investors on Monday, December 17th. They now have a $87.00 price target on the stock, up previously from $85.00. Separately, analysts at Sanford C. Bernstein reiterated a market perform rating on shares of The Travelers Companies in a research note to investors on Thursday, December 6th. They now have a $77.00 price target on the stock. Finally, analysts at Zacks downgraded shares of The Travelers Companies from an outperform rating to a neutral rating in a research note to investors on Monday, November 26th. They now have a $75.00 price target on the stock.

The Travelers Companies traded down 0.17% on Friday, hitting $71.70. The Travelers Companies has a 1-year low of $55.86 and a 1-year high of $74.70. The stock’s 50-day moving average is currently $71.43. The company has a market cap of $27.350 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.25.

The Travelers Companies last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 18th. The company reported $2.22 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the analysts’ consensus estimate of $1.54 by $0.68. The company’s quarterly revenue was up .4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that The Travelers Companies will post $5.53 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

To view TheStreet’s full report, visit www.thestreetratings.com

W.R. Berkley insurance stock Rating prices target

Best Insurance Stock - W.R. Berkley insurance stock Rating prices target : Zacks reiterated their neutral rating on shares of W.R. Berkley (NYSE: WRB) in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday. The firm currently has a $41.00 target price on the stock.

Zacks’ analyst wrote, “Berkley posted third-quarter earnings ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimates on the back of higher premium written, pricing gains, higher investment income and a lower share count. Year-to-date, the company has performed favorably and we expect the trend to continue. Berkley is witnessing stable retention and a general rate hike for the seventh consecutive quarter. 

We believe that the insurance pricing cycle has entered a safe zone and the magnitude of the price rise will increase going forward. Berkley’s investments in a number of start-ups during the last four years will enable it to take greater advantage of the improved market scenario. Its International business is another area, which will fuel long-term earnings growth. A strong balance sheet and disciplined capital management are other positives. However, rising loss trends and a low interest rate environment keep us on the sidelines.”

A number of other analysts have also recently weighed in on WRB. Analysts at Deutsche Bank cut their price target on shares of W.R. Berkley from $34.00 to $33.00 in a research note to investors on Monday, December 17th. They now have a sell rating on the stock. Separately, analysts at RBC Capital downgraded shares of W.R. Berkley from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a research note to investors on Monday, December 17th. They now have a $45.00 price target on the stock, up previously from $42.00. Finally, analysts at Goldman Sachs downgraded shares of W.R. Berkley from a neutral rating to a sell rating in a research note to investors on Tuesday, October 2nd. They now have a $35.00 price target on the stock. They noted that the move was a valuation call.

W.R. Berkley traded down 1.55% on Wednesday, hitting $38.00. W.R. Berkley has a 52-week low of $33.34 and a 52-week high of $40.39. The company has a market cap of $5.161 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.86.

W.R. Berkley last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, October 22nd. The company reported $0.61 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the analysts’ consensus estimate of $0.55 by $0.06. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that W.R. Berkley will post $2.49 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a special dividend, which is scheduled for Monday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 24th will be paid a dividend of $1.00 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 20th.

W. R. Berkley Corporation (W. R. Berkley) is an insurance holding company. The Company operates in five segments of the property casualty insurance business: Specialty, Regional, Alternative markets, Reinsurance and International.

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