M&A

Reinsurance brokers and carriers fear that the recent flurry of M&A activity in the sector may depress demand for cover.

Montpelier Re wrote a third of its property cat premiums on a collateralised basis in 2014, as CEO Chris Harris revealed it had made some reductions to its cat portfolio in the January 2015 renewals

Reinsurance brokers and carriers fear that the recent flurry of M&A activity in the sector may cause further reductions in demand

Validus CEO Ed Noonan said that the Bermudian company was not under pressure to seek a transformational M&A deal following the slew of reinsurance transactions announced in recent months.

Standard & Poor's (S&P) has placed PartnerRe and Axis on credit watch with negative implications due to the uncertainty that will surround the companies until their proposed merger is complete

Axis Capital CEO Albert Benchimol fully expects a combined Axis-PartnerRe to be much more active in sharing its portfolio with third-party capital providers, he said on an earnings call today.

Axis Capital and PartnerRe have agreed an $11bn "merger of equals" that will create a company with combined gross premiums in excess of $10bn and a top-five ranking among global reinsurers.

XL Group CEO Mike McGavick said that the company's £2.79bn ($4.20bn) deal to acquire Catlin will create a top 10 reinsurer with expanded alternative capital capabilities.

XL Group CEO Mike McGavick today (9 January) said that the company's £2.79bn ($4.20bn) deal to acquire Catlin will create a top 10 reinsurer with expanded alternative capital capabilities.

Catlin announced today (17 December) that it is in discussions with XL Group after the carrier approached the Lloyd's heavyweight with a £2.5bn proposal to combine the firms.

RenaissanceRe CEO Kevin O'Donnell said that the company's $1.9bn bid for Platinum Underwriters last month does not represent a strategic shift but merely a furthering of its existing strategy.

Amlin will pay an estimated $29.1mn (£18.1mn) to acquire another 35 percent share in London-based fund manager Leadenhall Capital Partners, taking its total stake to 75 percent.