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The BBB effect: apocalypse or opportunity?
12 March 2019US insurers are holding bigger volumes of BBB-rated corporate debt than at any time in the past. A turning credit cycle could tip significant amounts of these to junk. But while the headline figures look startling, is this really a precursor to the apocalypse or just another bad news story? Sarfraz Thind reports
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US insurers attraction for CLOs
31 January 2019Collateralised loan obligations have been rapidly growing in US insurer portfolios as they cast off the shadow of the financial crisis. But, with a predicted downturn on the horizon, are they safe? Sarfraz Thind reports
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IFRS 17 & 9 series: a fork in the road
29 November 2018In 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.
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Scor’s Kessler predicts a blessing for the industry
06 November 2018From S&P European Insurance Conference: Rates expected to rise and spreads to widen gradually
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Finding a role for insurance asset managers in a sustainable financial system
24 September 2018New 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
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Rendez-Vous de Septembre: Clouded optimism in uncertain times
19 September 2018The 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
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Climate change increases cost of debt for developing countries
17 July 2018The 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
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The risks and rewards of leveraged finance: senior secured loans
15 December 2017With 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.
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Lower infra corporates capital charge ineffective without trusted pipeline
19 September 2017Policymakers must develop new funding models to unlock insurer investments, says S&P
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US insurer ETF use to grow 86% in next five years, S&P predicts
22 June 2017Move to fixed income ETFs the next biggest trend, rating agency finds