Archive

  • IFRS 17 & 9 series: a fork in the road

    29 November 2018

    In the final part of this series on the impact of the international financial reporting standards (Ifrs) on insurers' financial reporting, Vincent Huck looks at the potential impact of the standards on risk appetite, and why insurers want to postpone implementing them.

  • Scor’s Kessler predicts a blessing for the industry

    06 November 2018

    From S&P European Insurance Conference: Rates expected to rise and spreads to widen gradually

  • Finding a role for insurance asset managers in a sustainable financial system

    24 September 2018

    New report by the Prince of Wales Accounting for Sustainability project calls on all actors in the financial system to move as one on sustainability issues. Vincent Huck reports

  • Rendez-Vous de Septembre: Clouded optimism in uncertain times

    19 September 2018

    The annual reinsurance meeting in Monte Carlo is a good barometer to measure the sector's health. This year, amid successfully managing last year's losses from natural disasters, reinsurers' indicators seem to be flashing 'green'. But uncertainty still looms like black clouds in the distance. Vincent Huck reports

  • Climate change increases cost of debt for developing countries

    17 July 2018

    The intensification of climate risks and the degree to which they are accurately priced by financial markets are of increasing concern to global economic stability. However, as awareness around those risks has risen over the last years, there is still a long way to go to consistently measure and monitor their costs, which can result in substantial gains or losses for institutional investors. Vincent Huck reports

  • The risks and rewards of leveraged finance: senior secured loans

    15 December 2017

    With European insurers showing increasing interest in allocating to senior secured loans – a more popular investment for US counterparts – David Turner explores how and why insurers either side of the Atlantic are approaching the asset class.

  • Lower infra corporates capital charge ineffective without trusted pipeline

    19 September 2017

    Policymakers must develop new funding models to unlock insurer investments, says S&P

  • US insurer ETF use to grow 86% in next five years, S&P predicts

    22 June 2017

    Move to fixed income ETFs the next biggest trend, rating agency finds

  • The high yields and low defaults of taxable muni bonds

    05 October 2016

    With a long record of above average returns and strong credit quality, the US's little-known taxable municipal bond market offers non-US insurers a safe route to yield, says Eaton Vance's Michael Sullivan.

  • Hedge fund reinsurers feel the heat

    07 September 2016

    Poor investment performance and tight reinsurance markets have squeezed returns for hedge fund reinsurers. With some already exiting the market, what for the future? Sarfraz Thind reports.