The good news is that financial results are showing improvement as a result of a robust recovery of mark-to-market returns captured in “other comprehensive income” due to market improved market conditions and portfolio repositioning.
Baker writes, “In fact, comprehensive income has almost doubled since the miserable depths reached last year.” He also cautioned the industry stating that “Continued appreciation of fair values is unlikely to remain as dramatic going forward.”
According to the MSA/Baron Outlook Report, released in October, direct written premiums rose a meager 1.7% compared to the same period in 2008. “This is an indication that any hardening personal lines auto and property were offset by mushy commercial pricing and depressed volumes resulting from recessionary conditions.”
Net premiums rose 5.1% mainly as a result of lower net outflows to reinsurers.
Also, investment income declined more than 20% over the same period last year. Baker explained that this reduction reflects the very low yields companies are harvesting from fixed income instruments.
Originally published on CITopBroker.com on November 25, 2009