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Selective Insurance Group financial results ended December 31, 2012 : Selective Insurance Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:SIGI) today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2012.  For the quarter, net income per diluted share was $0.02 and operating loss1 was $0.04.  Net income for the year was $0.68 per diluted share and operating income1 was $0.58 per diluted share.  Overall net premiums written grew 5% in the quarter and retention was up a point to 85%. �Hurricane Sandy was the most significant event in company history, yet we still ended the quarter with positive net income � a testament to our strong underlying insurance operations performance and our comprehensive reinsurance program,� said Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Gregory E. Murphy.  �For the quarter, Sandy resulted in net catastrophe losses of $47 million and a reinsurance reinstatement premium of $9 million; partially offset by flood claims handling fees...

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

best insurance stock - Insurance claims from the latest Queensland floods have already topped $27 million, as river levels continue to rise in large parts of the state. As of Monday morning, "just shy of 3000 claims" had been lodged relating to losses in Queensland, said Campbell Fuller, general manager for communications at the the Insurance Council of Australia. The total claimed losses are likely to be "well north of $40 million", he said. "Rivers are still rising across south-eastern Queensland ," he said, adding that flood waters were yet to peak at Ipswich and much of Bundaberg remained underwater. Heavy rain is also falling over much of New South Wales as the remnants of former tropical cyclone Oswald move south. The Bureau of Meteorology has posted a severe weather warning for destructive winds, heavy rain and abnormally high tides over a wide area stretching from the Illawarra to the Northern Rivers region. The council yesterday declared a catastr...

Insurance Awareness levels of Indonesian society : Despite the relatively high economic growth rate , which according to predictions of 6.5 percent in 2013 , however , the public interest to invest through insurance , it is very minimal. lack of investment from the public is more due to the tendency of people do not understand insurance. Indonesian society tends to think that insurance just throw money , if there is no claim , fact , the need for insurance for the community is important, particularly when income per capita increases. According to IMF data as of October 2010, the GDP per capita of Indonesia has reached 3000 U.S. dollars . In this condition Indonesia can no longer be called a developing country or emerging market . With a per capita income is growing public awareness of insurance should have increased . Each individual should have insurance to protect themselves . Moreover, with the increasing growth ...

World Bank insurance program in disaster prone Haiti : an arm of the World Bank next week will unveil a $1.96 million project that aims to help thousands of low-income entrepreneurs in Haiti protect their livelihoods against natural disasters. The International Finance Corporation says the program is much-needed. Only 0.3 per cent of Haiti's 10 million people have some form of insurance , one of the world's lowest rates. Small entrepreneurs are particularly vulnerable to uninsured losses, and can default on debts and be disqualified from future loans when they need money to recover. The insurance will be distributed through the Haitian microfinance institution Fonkoze, and is supposed to help up to 70,000 people over the next three years. The IFC made the announcement Friday. Details will be released next week.

Principal Financial Group Earnings report Next Week : Principal Financial Group Inc. (PFG): Provides retirement savings, investment, and insurance products and services worldwide. Market cap at $8.9B, most recent closing price at $30.30. In Dec 2011: Reported EPS at 0.71 vs. estimate at 0.75 (surprise of -5.3%). In Mar 2012: Reported EPS at 0.7 vs. estimate at 0.74 (surprise of -5.4%). In June 2012: Reported EPS at 0.72 vs. estimate at 0.74 (surprise of -2.7%). In Sep 2012: Reported 0.45 vs. estimate at 0.49 (surprise of -8.2%. [Average earnings surprise at -5.4%]. The company is expected to report earnings on January 31st, 2013.

Best Insurance stock - Health Insurance Innovations ipo stock prices : Health Insurance Innovations Inc. said it expects to raise up to $72.9 million in an initial public offering. The company plans to sell about 5.4 million shares, at between $14 and $16 a share, according to its most recent filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The shares include 700,000 that underwriters would have an option to purchase to cover over-allotments. The firm would use $3.5 million of the net proceeds to repay outstanding debt under a term loan and up to $25 million to expand its commission structure, with the rest used for general corporate purposes. Health Insurance, a Tampa company that develops and administers affordable, Web-based health insurance plans and ancillary products, filed for an IPO in late December. The company has applied to list its common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol �HIIQ.� An expected sale date for the shares was not announced. Health Insura...

best insurance stock - WellPoint Inc q4 earnings report today, WellPoint net profit report today january 23 2012 : WellPoint Inc q4 earnings reported today WellPoint Inc reported a higher-than-expected fourth-quarter profit on Wednesday as it kept medical costs down, but the second-largest U.S. health insurer said it was taking a "prudent " view of 2013 in the face of industry reform. WellPoint, which sells private health insurance to businesses and individuals and also provides government insurance for the elderly and the poor, is preparing for a round of changes resulting from the U.S. Affordable Care Act. Later this year, states and the federal government will begin selling health insurance on exchanges for 2014, and new insurance taxes are on the way. Pressure on prices for medical services is also a concern for insurers. WellPoint said that given the "fluid and dynamic" market over the next 18 to 24 months, it expected a 2013 net profit of at least $7.60 per...

Best Insurance stock - Details of IRB Re-Insurance Co Privatization  : The Brazilian government's National Development Bank, or BNDES, on Wednesday released details of its planned privatization of re-insurance company IRB-Brasil Re, based on an initial public offering of shares. The privatization process will take place via an increase in IRB's capital. The BNDES set the price of each new share at 2,577 Brazilian reais ($1,263). The government authorized a capital increase of between 2% and 15% for IRB. Brazil's largest banks, including state-run banks Banco do Brasil SA (BBAS3.BR) and Caixa Economica Federal , and private-sector peers Banco Bradesco SA (BBD) and Banco Itau Unibanco SA (ITUB), will almost certainly gain day-to-day control of IRB after the privatization , according to analysts. IRB has a 40% market share in the re-insurance industry in Brazil. The federal government, meanwhile, will hold a golden share in IRB . With the golden share, the government will ...

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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...

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 averag e is currently �N. Banki...

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. Share...

Best Insurance stock - Travelers insurance earnings surpassing the Zacks Consensus : The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV - Analyst Report ) reported earnings of 72 cents per share in the fourth quarter of 2012, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 4 cents per share. However, results plunged 51% from $1.48 earned in the year-ago quarter. Operating income of $278 million dipped 54% the reported quarter. The year-over-year downside was largely attributable to higher catastrophe losses mostly due to Hurricane Sandy. However, higher underlying underwriting margins and higher net favorable prior-year reserve development limited the downside to some extent. Cat loss in the quarter was $689 million or $1.78 per share. Including net realized investment gains of $26 million or 6 cents per share, the company reported net income of $304 million or 78 cents per share, comparing unfavorably with net income of $618 million or $1.51 a share. The year-ago quarter included net realized investment...

Best Insurance Stock - Travelers stock prices rally today : Shares of Travelers Cos. rallied on Tuesday after the insurance company reported quarterly earnings that exceeded Wall Street�s expectations. The Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund XLF +0.41% , which tracks the performance of financial stocks in the S&P 500 SPX -0.28% , traded marginally higher in midmorning trade.   The broader U.S. stock market declined after data showed a decline in sales of existing homes in December. The S&P 500 slipped 0.3% to 1,481. Travelers TRV +2.63%  was the top gainer among S&P 500 financial stocks and the biggest gainer in the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA +0.12% , with its shares up nearly 3%. The insurer said its fourth-quarter profit slumped 51% as it racked up millions in claims from Hurricane Sandy , which hit the Northeastern U.S. in November. Still, the results were better than expected. See: Travelers fourth-quarter profit down 51% after Sandy. Another i...

Nigeria insurance market trends by  A.M. Best Co : Economic development and the demand for energy infrastructure projects has been fuelled by Nigeria�s oil and gas industry, resulting in the country�s insurance market becoming the largest in West Africa, according to a new report from A.M. Best Co. �Africa�s Diverse Insurance Markets Offer Growth Opportunities, Untapped Demand� In the report entitled, �Africa�s Diverse Insurance Markets Offer Growth Opportunities, Untapped Demand� , A.M. Best notes total insurance premium in Nigeria reached USD 1.6 billion in 2011, although insurance penetration is modest at 0.6%. The report states the Pension Reform Act, which makes pension insurance compulsory for companies employing more than five people, is likely to drive further growth in life premiums. A.M. Best considers the development of the life portfolio in Nigeria as positive for insurers� diversification, although management teams may need to demonstrate their skills in these new ar...

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 upgrad e 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 th...

best insurance stock - American Equity earnings conference call February 21 2013 :  merican Equity Investment Life Holding Company (NYSE: AEL) announced today that it will release fourth quarter 2012 earnings after the close of market on Wednesday, February 20, 2013. The fourth quarter earnings release and financial supplement will be posted on the American Equity website ( www.american-equity.com) at that time. EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL AEL will hold a conference call to discuss fourth quarter 2012 earnings on Thursday, February 21, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. CST. The conference call will be webcast live on the Internet. Investors and interested parties who wish to listen to the call on the Internet may do so at www.american-equity.com . The call may also be accessed by telephone at 866-314-4865, passcode 36024971 (international callers, please dial 617-213-8050). An audio replay will be available shortly after the call on AEL�s website. An audio replay will also be available via telephon...

best insurance stock Allstate corp will conference call february 7 2013 : The Allstate Corp. will conduct a conference call and webcast at 9 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) on Thursday, Feb. 7 to discuss fourth quarter 2012 earnings. According to a release, the company will issue a news release announcing quarterly results at or after 4:05 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Feb. 6. Shortly thereafter, the company plans to post supplementary financial and statistical information online . These materials will be available on Allstate's website at allstateinvestors.com. The investor webcast also can be accessed at all stateinvestors.com . For those unable to participate in the live event, a webcast replay and downloadable MP3 file will be posted on the company's website shortly after the event ends. The company's 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K will be filed by its due date of March 1. The Allstate Corp. is a personal lines insurer. read Allstate Stock outlook 2013-2014

best insurance stock  - Effective and Efficient Insurance Group Supervision in the U.S : The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America issued the following news release: The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) today released a white paper entitled, "Effective and Efficient Insurance Group Supervision in the U.S.: What More, if Anything is Needed?" The document outlines PCI's group supervision principles and group supervision implementation recommendations. This white paper is a product of PCI's broader efforts to have a positive influence on global regulatory convergence issues . It outlines PCI's principles and recommendations that should be taken into account by policymakers in any discussions relating to changing U.S. insurance group supervision . This paper will help will assure that the U.S. insurance regulatory system is not undermined and that any group supervision changes promote efficiency and do not simply impose an additi...

How to safely double the money is to save regularly, but a slow accumulation of small savings and interest we can not expect to grow our money in a short time , or it takes a very long time , it can be many years. Another way to grow is to invest money . Just like a tree , the higher the tree , the greater the wind that reaches it . The greater the investment , the greater the risk that might occur . So, there is no standard size of investment , but investment is determined by the goals you invest and how much you dare to take the risk . There is a wide range of investments with different risk levels . The investment is relatively low-risk government bonds and deposits. Investment is fairly stable, but the results are relatively low . Other types of investments with greater risk is to invest in the stock market . Good market situation is very tempting because it can double our money . but the situation with lightning speed ...

Most young people , when asked how close they are dreams or financial freedom , usually immediately took a deep breath . Maybe you too? Unless you are very lucky early on in life , hard work is not an option for this purpose . Sometimes it takes a long time. You might just be able to reach it when the kids grow up , mortgage paid off, and you can take off work . But you must take the first step today. What is financial freedom ? Short answer: When you are saving enough to support you so that you can turn away from the hard work and stepped out of the office without the slightest regret . Long answer is somewhat more complex . Do not Wait for Retirement. Most people achieve financial independence at retirement , with enough savings to spend days old without a monthly salary . You do not have to wait that long anyway . Most people save for retirement . But if you want a free finance before that arrives , the approach should...

best insurance stock - Canada employment insurance november 2012, canada insurance claims 2012 : The following is the text of Canada�s employment insurance report for Nov. released by Statistics Canada. Following little change in October, the number of people receiving regular Employment Insurance (EI) benefits in November edged down 4,500 (-0.8%) to 528,000. The number of beneficiaries decreased slightly in Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec . At the same time, there were slight increases in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador. There was virtually no change in the other provinces. Claims declined in November 2012 To receive EI benefits, individuals must first submit a claim. The number of claims provides an indication of the number of people who could become beneficiaries. Nationally, the number of initial and renewal claims fell by 4,400 (-1.9%) to 226,700 in November. There were declines in eight provinces, with the most notable percentage decreases i...

Best Insurance stock - Indonesia best insurance companies 2012 : Investor Magazine presented awards to nine national insurance company that won the title of Best Insurance 2012, includes 4 life insurance, general insurance and one 4 reinsurance.   In the event the award conferment Best Insurance 2012 in Ballroom, Four Season Hotel, Jakarta, Wednesday (4/7) evening, Investor magazine also gave special recognition to one of the general insurance and life insurance, and the Star Award to an insurance company. In group insurance, PT Prudential Life Assurance won the best position for the category of assets above Rp 15 trillion. In the category of assets between Rp 5 trillion to Rp 15 trillion, an award given to PT AXA Mandiri Financial Services.   Meanwhile, PT Panin Life won the top position in the category of assets of Rp 3 trillion to Rp 5 trillion, followed by PT Life Insurance Adisarana Wanaartha who won the best position for the category of assets above Rp 1 t...