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	<title>Stock Blog Hub &#187; W.R. Berkley Corporation</title>
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		<title>(AIZ) Assurant Boosts Share Buyback Program</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/05/16/aiz-assurant-boosts-share-buyback-program/100252</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2012/05/16/aiz-assurant-boosts-share-buyback-program/100252#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 May 2012 17:50:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Shawn</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Accident & Health Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AIZ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ALL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Allstate Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Assurant Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Travelers Companies Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TRV]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[W.R. Berkley Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Westar Energy Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WRB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=100252</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Specialty insurance provider Assurant Inc. (AIZ) has declared an increase in its share buyback authorization program, which comes on the heels of an approval to increase dividend announced last week. The board of directors of Assurant approved the repurchase of up to $600 million of its shares. The new authorization comes on top of $170 million remaining under the existing program as of April 30, 2012. Assurant will use its healthy cash flow from operations to buyback shares. The company ended the first quarter with $600 million in total holding company capital and has a strong balance sheet with a low debt ratio of 18.2% and no debt maturing until 2014.  Assurant has been aggressively buying back shares. In the first four months of 2012, the company has already bought ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(WRB) W.R. Berkley Corporation Upgraded to Neutral</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/12/01/wrb-w-r-berkley-corporation-upgraded-to-neutral/87679</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/12/01/wrb-w-r-berkley-corporation-upgraded-to-neutral/87679#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:58:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hartford Financial Services Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HIG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Travelers Companies Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TRV]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[W.R. Berkley Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Westar Energy Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WRB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=87679</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We are upgrading our recommendation on W.R. Berkley Corp. (WRB) to Neutral from Underperform on the back of third-quarter earnings beat. The company reported earnings of 44 cents per share, 6 cents ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The outperformance stemmed from higher contribution from the International and Specialty segments. For three quarters in a row, Berkley has been witnessing a stable retention and a general rate hike. Also, the company has maintained the trend of premium growth for the past many quarters. During the third quarter, the company witnessed a 14% year-over-year growth in net premiums. The growth is, however, attributable mostly to start-up units. Since 2006, when the soft market cycle initiated, the company has made investments in 21 new business units to take advantage of the eventual ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(TRV) The Travelers Companies Analyst Maintains Neutral on Shares</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/11/10/trv-the-travelers-companies-analyst-maintains-neutral-on-shares/86801</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/11/10/trv-the-travelers-companies-analyst-maintains-neutral-on-shares/86801#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:46:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hartford Financial Services Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HIG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Travelers Companies Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TRV]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[W.R. Berkley Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Westar Energy Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WRB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=86801</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Travelers Companies Inc. (TRV) continues to benefit from its strong market position and economies of scale. The company spent a higher amount in buying back shares supported by its balance sheet strength. It also scores strongly with the credit rating agencies. However, these positives are somewhat dwarfed by the exposure to catastrophe losses and lower net investment income. We thus retain our Neutral recommendation on the company. Travelers has small and mid-sized commercial accounts focus, balanced personal lines book and its lack of exposure to large-account casualty business. Business Insurance continued to deliver positive trends in net written premiums on the back of larger exposure in auto premiums coupled with  a better rate. Also, retention and new business were at improved levels. The company also announced the offering of ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/11/10/trv-the-travelers-companies-analyst-maintains-neutral-on-shares/86801/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
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		<title>(TWGP) Tower Group Misses on Catastrophic Losses</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/11/09/twgp-tower-group-misses-on-catastrophic-losses/86701</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/11/09/twgp-tower-group-misses-on-catastrophic-losses/86701#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:49:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AIZ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Assurant Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CINF]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cinnati Financial Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Chubb Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Travelers Companies Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tower Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TRV]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TWGP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[W.R. Berkley Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Westar Energy Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WRB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=86701</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Property and casualty insurer Tower Group Inc.’s (TWGP) reported third quarter 2011 operating loss of 38 cents per share, substantially worse than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 17 cents. Results also contrasted unfavorably with the prior-year quarter&#8217;s earnings of 65 cents. Lower-than-expected results came on the back of a huge catastrophe charge of $39.1 million (after-tax), partly mitigated by higher revenues and a lower share count due to share buybacks. The New York-based company posted total revenue of $455.2 million, higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $421 million and also up 7.5% year over year, reflecting an increase in premiums written, higher net investment income, partially offset by lower net realized investment gains, and commission and fee income. Gross premiums written increased 16% year over year ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(WRB) W. R. Berkley Enhances Shareholder Value</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/11/06/wrb-w-r-berkley-enhances-shareholder-value/86597</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/11/06/wrb-w-r-berkley-enhances-shareholder-value/86597#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 06 Nov 2011 19:54:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ALL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Allstate Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Chubb Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Travelers Companies Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TRV]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[W.R. Berkley Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Westar Energy Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WRB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[XL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[XL Capital Limited]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=86597</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[On November 3, 2011, property and casualty insurer W. R. Berkley Corp. (WRB) announced that its Board has increased its share repurchase authorization to 10 million shares, which translates into approximately 7% of the company’s 144.5 million outstanding shares as of September 30, 2011. The buyback increases a company’s earnings per share by reducing the number of shares outstanding and is also indicative of the fact that the company’s financial position is strong enough to enhance shareholder value. Berkley has been aggressively repurchasing shares. Since 2007, it has bought back about 30% of its outstanding shares. The latest share repurchase authorization marks such a move for the second time so far this year.  The company has taken similar action earlier in May. Berkley has been aggressively buying back shares to support ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/11/06/wrb-w-r-berkley-enhances-shareholder-value/86597/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(PRE) PartnerRe Analyst Maintains Neutral Rating</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/10/18/pre-partnerre-analyst-maintains-neutral-rating/85265</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/10/18/pre-partnerre-analyst-maintains-neutral-rating/85265#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 18 Oct 2011 17:10:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CAT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Caterpillar Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Everest Re Group Limited]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PartnerRe Limited]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PRE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[W.R. Berkley Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Westar Energy Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WRB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=85265</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We have reiterated our Neutral recommendation on PartnerRe Ltd. (PRE) based on the recent catastrophe (CAT) losses that have severely dampened the bottom line, partially offset by a risk-free balance sheet and a fair amount of liquidity. PartnerRe’s second quarter operating earnings per share of 98 cents came in significantly higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 68 cents, but lagged behind $1.80 recorded in the year-ago quarter. Results deteriorated year over year on the back of higher CAT losses, declining premiums written, poor underwriting results and lower investment income driven by low reinvestment rates, which thereby led to tepid top line and book value growth. To achieve effective and efficient capital allocation, PartnerRe focuses on operating ROE. Despite reducing the share count through a series of share buybacks and ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/10/18/pre-partnerre-analyst-maintains-neutral-rating/85265/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(MRH) Montpelier Estimates Catastrophe Loss</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/10/17/mrh-montpelier-estimates-catastrophe-loss/85119</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/10/17/mrh-montpelier-estimates-catastrophe-loss/85119#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:54:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AIZ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Assurant Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CINF]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cinnati Financial Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Montpelier Re Holdings Limited]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MRH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Chubb Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tower Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TWGP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[W.R. Berkley Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Westar Energy Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WRB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[XL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[XL Capital Limited]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=85119</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. (MRH) expects a third quarter preliminary net loss of $30 million from US catastrophes including Hurricane Irene and the Texas wildfires, $20 million from US regional aggregate covers and $10 million from the July Danish floods. Montpelier also expects to incur a loss of$10 million from the June 2011 New Zealand earthquake. The second quarter also suffered due to catastrophe losses, resulting from tornado activity in the United States in April and May. Montpelier’s second quarter operating earnings of 8 cents per share were much lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate largely due to catastrophe losses, lower investment income and higher operating expenses. Underwriting loss in second-quarter 2011 totaled $3.8 million, comparing unfavorably with the year-ago quarter&#8217;s profit of $59.5 million. Combined ratio in the quarter ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/10/17/mrh-montpelier-estimates-catastrophe-loss/85119/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>(CINF) Cincinnati Financial Estimates Catastrophe Loss</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/10/13/cinf-cincinnati-financial-estimates-catastrophe-loss/85003</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/10/13/cinf-cincinnati-financial-estimates-catastrophe-loss/85003#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:32:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AIZ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Assurant Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CINF]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cinnati Financial Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Chubb Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tower Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TWGP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[W.R. Berkley Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Westar Energy Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WRB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=85003</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Yesterday, property and casualty insurer Cincinnati Financial Corp. (CINF) declared a preliminary pre-tax catastrophe loss (cat loss) estimate of about $88–$98 million, which will be reflected in its third quarter 2011 results.  The losses mainly emanated from Hurricane Irene and other catastrophes. The Cincinnati, Ohio-based company stated that catastrophes affected its loss ratio by an average of 4.9 % for the third quarter and 4.4% on a full-year basis over the past decade. However, the impact of the recent catastrophe on the third quarter loss ratio will be approximately 11.5% to 12.5%, significantly higher than the historical average. In the previous quarter, Cincinnati incurred huge storm losses of $290 million and reported an operating loss of 57 cents per share, which was, however, narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/10/13/cinf-cincinnati-financial-estimates-catastrophe-loss/85003/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(WRB) W.R. Berkley Corp.- Bear of the Day</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/10/05/wrb-w-r-berkley-corp-bear-of-the-day/84530</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/10/05/wrb-w-r-berkley-corp-bear-of-the-day/84530#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 05 Oct 2011 16:13:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[W.R. Berkley Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Westar Energy Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WRB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=84530</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We are downgrading our recommendation on W.R. Berkley Corp. (WRB) to Underperform from Neutral, reflecting slightly lower investment yield assumptions and modestly higher loss ratio forecasts which would eat into underwriting margins. Berkley has been hurt by soft pricing conditions and increasing competition. The trend of loss claims shows a divergence from declining losses over the past several years. An increase in claim costs will offset the premium rate improvement seen lately, thus pressurizing underwriting margins. Our six-month target price of $27.00 per share equates to about 10.6x our earnings estimate for 2011. Combined with the $0.32 per share annual dividend, this target price implies an expected negative return of 8.2% over that period. BERKLEY (WR) CP (WRB): Free Stock Analysis Report Zacks Investment Research]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(DFG) Delphi Financial Group Announces Share Buyback</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/08/13/dfg-delphi-financial-group-announces-share-buyback/81248</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/08/13/dfg-delphi-financial-group-announces-share-buyback/81248#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 13 Aug 2011 19:44:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[American Financial Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[American Safety Insurance Holdings Limited]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ASI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Delphi Financial Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reinsurance Group of America Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RGA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[StanCorp Financial Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TMK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Torchmark Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unum Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[W.R. Berkley Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Westar Energy Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WRB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=81248</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Earlier during the week, Delphi Financial Group Inc. (DFG) announced a new $50 million share repurchase authorization, which will replace the existing authorization to buy back 1.0 million shares. Delphi also announced regular quarterly dividend of 12 cents per share, which will be payable on August 31, to the shareholders of record as of August 17, 2011. During May, the company announced a 9% hike in quarterly dividend to 12 cents, marking a single cent increase from the previous quarter. With the increased annual dividend of 48 cents per share, Delphi ’s dividend yield stands at 1.6%. The company has been consistently increasing dividends since its initiation of dividend payment in 2001. Delphi has grown its annual dividend by an average of 16.7% over the past five years. Delphi’s balance ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(CB) Chubb Beats Earnings Estimates &#8211; Guides Up</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/07/23/cb-chubb-beats-earnings-estimates-guides-up/79732</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/07/23/cb-chubb-beats-earnings-estimates-guides-up/79732#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 23 Jul 2011 20:52:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CCI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Crown Castle International Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Chubb Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Travelers Companies Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TRV]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[W.R. Berkley Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Westar Energy Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WRB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=79732</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Property and Casualty insurer Chubb Corp. (CB) has reported second quarter operating earnings of $1.27 per share, substantially outpacing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.02. The results embedded 72 cents per share impact of catastrophes. However, earnings were lower than $1.41 reported in the prior-year quarter, when the impact of catastrophes was 38 cents per share. Net premiums written was up 5.9% year over year to $3.1 billion, based on an increase across all of its business lines – Commercial, Specialty and Personal. Underwriting income, however, dropped 49% year over year to $135 million owing to higher operating expenses, which increased 7.4% year over year, coupled with a 52% surge in deferred policy acquisition costs. Property and casualty investment income after tax upped 2% year over year to $318 million, ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(TRV) Travelers Companies Downgraded</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/07/12/trv-travelers-companies-downgraded/78836</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/07/12/trv-travelers-companies-downgraded/78836#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 12 Jul 2011 17:01:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hartford Financial Services Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HIG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Travelers Companies Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TRV]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[W.R. Berkley Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Westar Energy Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WRB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=78836</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Given restricted premium growth and pressure on underwriting margins, we are downgrading our recommendation to Underperform on The Travelers Companies Inc. (TRV). Also, potential reserve additions for asbestos liabilities present another risk. Premium growth remains reduced as a result of the adverse impact of soft market conditions. Given the challenging economic environment and a slow recovery, we expect top-line growth to remain muted though lower exposures. Travelers also continues to face reduced underwriting margins related to pricing and loss cost trends. Travelers has a significant exposure to asbestos and environmental claims and related litigation as a result of high market shares of historical acquisitions. In the past, the company had to make reserve additions for its asbestos exposure. We are concerned that Travelers may continue to take extraordinary reserve additions ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/07/12/trv-travelers-companies-downgraded/78836/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(WRB) W.R. Berkley Corporation Analyst Reiterates Shares at Neutral</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/07/11/wrb-w-r-berkley-corporation-analyst-reiterates-shares-at-neutral/78697</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/07/11/wrb-w-r-berkley-corporation-analyst-reiterates-shares-at-neutral/78697#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jul 2011 15:34:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[W.R. Berkley Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Westar Energy Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WRB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=78697</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We are maintaining our Neutral recommendation on the shares of W.R. Berkley Corp. (WRB) in anticipation of the second quarter results. Last month, Berkley announced its estimated April-May catastrophe losses (cat losses) of $65 million, significantly higher than $35 million projected earlier. The Zacks Consensus estimates Berkley’s second quarter earnings at 50 cents per share. We expect second quarter earnings to be adversely affected by higher-than-expected cat losses. Though the higher-than-average catastrophe losses in the first half of the year has caused heavy losses to reinsurers and insurers worldwide, we expect the set of events, coupled with a lack of underwriting discipline by participants, deteriorating loss trends, and modest investment returns will harden the reinsurance/insurance rates. The much anticipated return of a hard insurance market, after steady price declines for ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/07/11/wrb-w-r-berkley-corporation-analyst-reiterates-shares-at-neutral/78697/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(WRB) W. R. Berkley Corporation Forms New Unit</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/29/wrb-w-r-berkley-corporation-forms-new-unit/77725</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/29/wrb-w-r-berkley-corporation-forms-new-unit/77725#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jun 2011 15:34:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Hanover Insurance Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[THG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[W.R. Berkley Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Westar Energy Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WRB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=77725</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Last week, property and casualty insurer W.R. Berkley Corp.(WRB) announced the formation of a new unit called Berkley Technology Underwriters, LLC with headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The new company will act as a leading provider of insurance solutions for small and mid-sized technology businesses by underwriting casualty and property, professional liability insurance for them. Matthew A. Mueller, carrying an experience of more than 30 years in the property and casualty insurance industry, will be appointed as the president of Berkley Technology Underwriters. Berkley has started 19 businesses since 2006 (when the soft market cycle started) to strengthen its position and take advantage of the eventual market turn. These newer units not only concentrate on important parts of the U.S economy, including healthcare, energy and agriculture, but also focus on the ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/29/wrb-w-r-berkley-corporation-forms-new-unit/77725/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(WRB) W.R. Berkley Declares Catastrophe Loss Estimate</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/22/wrb-w-r-berkley-declares-catastrophe-loss-estimate/77121</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/22/wrb-w-r-berkley-declares-catastrophe-loss-estimate/77121#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jun 2011 21:10:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ALL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Allstate Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Travelers Companies Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TRV]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[W.R. Berkley Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Westar Energy Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WRB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=77121</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Property and casualty insurer W. R. Berkley Corporation (WRB) announced that it expects pre-tax catastrophe losses (cat losses) of $65 million for the months of April and May, based on property damages resulting from cataclysmic weather conditions. The new estimate is significantly greater than the company’s budgeted expectation of second quarter cat loss of $35 million. During the first quarter, Berkley reported cat losses of $24 million compared with $23 million in first quarter 2010. Cat losses in the first quarter included regional storm losses of $9 million and estimated $15 million for potential losses from earthquakes in Japan and New Zealand and floods in Australia. Other insurers and reinsurers who suffered losses from the early 2011 catastrophe include companies like Allstate Corp. (ALL) and Travelers Companies Inc. (TRV). Allstate has been ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/22/wrb-w-r-berkley-declares-catastrophe-loss-estimate/77121/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(TRV) The Travelers Companies Closes Brazilian Buy</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/21/trv-the-travelers-companies-closes-brazilian-buy/76998</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/21/trv-the-travelers-companies-closes-brazilian-buy/76998#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:28:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hartford Financial Services Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HIG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Travelers Companies Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TRV]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[W.R. Berkley Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Westar Energy Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WRB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=76998</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV) wrapped up the acquisition of J. Malucelli Participações em Seguros e Resseguros S.A., a market leader in the surety insurance business in Brazil. Initially in November 2010, Travelers inked the deal to acquire the 43% stake in the Brazilian company with an option to increase its stake up to 49.9% within 18 months. Travelers has already invested $410 million. With the investment from Travelers, the capital level of J. Malucelli will likewise increase. The company already has more than 30% market share. ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­New York-based Travelers is of the opinion that the Brazilian insurance markets are growing at a faster pace and its joint venture with J. Malucelli will leverage its position. Through the venture the company will be able to tap new surety business as ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/21/trv-the-travelers-companies-closes-brazilian-buy/76998/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(TRV) The Travelers Companies to Lower Share Buyback</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/16/trv-the-travelers-companies-to-lower-share-buyback/76163</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/16/trv-the-travelers-companies-to-lower-share-buyback/76163#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:47:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hartford Financial Services Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HIG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Travelers Companies Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TRV]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[W.R. Berkley Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Westar Energy Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WRB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=76163</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Travelers Companies Inc. (TRV) estimates the bad weather in the months of April and May might cost the company between $1 billion to $1.05 billion. Several catastrophes including tornadoes and hail storms in the Midwest and Southeast added to the costs. Travelers, as a result has limited its share repurchase to below $250 million for the second quarter of 2011 and approximately $400 million in excess of operating income for the second half of 2010. The second quarter buyback will be almost 3.5 times lower than that of repurchases made during second quarter 2010. Travelers, in the first quarter bought back 18.9 million shares for $1.1 billion compared with 27.0 million shares for $1.40 billion in the prior year quarter. During the first quarter, Travelers incurred significantly lower catastrophe ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/06/16/trv-the-travelers-companies-to-lower-share-buyback/76163/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(TRV) The Travelers Companies Sees Debt Rating Action</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/05/29/trv-the-travelers-companies-sees-debt-rating-action/75141</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/05/29/trv-the-travelers-companies-sees-debt-rating-action/75141#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 29 May 2011 22:08:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Flagstone Reinsurance Holdings Limited]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FSR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hartford Financial Services Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HIG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Travelers Companies Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TRV]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[W.R. Berkley Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Westar Energy Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WRB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=75141</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A.M. Best affirmed the issuer credit rating (ICR) and senior debt ratings of “a” of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV). The credit rating agency also reiterated the financial strength ratings (FSR) of A+ (Superior) and ICR of “aa” of Travelers Group, its property/casualty members, and affiliate, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America (TCSA) and TCSA&#8217;s affiliate and Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of Europe Limited (TCSCE). The outlook remains stable. The affirmation came on the back of Travelers&#8217; solid operating and underwriting results, strong risk-adjusted capitalization, favorable market profile in commercial and personal lines and financial flexibility and liquidity. The ratings also consider Travelers’ product and geographic diversification, underwriting and financial discipline and conservative investment portfolio. However, the insurer&#8217;s exposure to emerging asbestos and environmental claims and natural and ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(DFG) Delphi Financial Group Announces Hike in Dividend</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/05/16/dfg-delphi-financial-group-announces-hike-in-dividend/74050</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/05/16/dfg-delphi-financial-group-announces-hike-in-dividend/74050#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 16 May 2011 15:00:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[American Financial Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[American Safety Insurance Holdings Limited]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ASI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Delphi Financial Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reinsurance Group of America Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RGA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[StanCorp Financial Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TMK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Torchmark Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unum Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[W.R. Berkley Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Westar Energy Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WRB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=74050</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Yesterday, employee benefits provider Delphi Financial Group Inc. (DFG) announced a quarterly dividend of 12 cents, marking a single cent increase from the previous quarter. The new dividend, representing a 9% hike from the previous quarterly dividend, is payable on June 8, 2011 to shareholders of record as of May 25, 2011. With an increased annual dividend of 48 cents per share, Delphi ’s dividend yield stands at 1.6%. Delphi has been consistently increasing dividends since its initiation of dividend payment in 2001. The company has hiked its annual dividend by an average of 16.7% over the past five years. Delphi’s balance sheet solidity is derived from its long-tail and stable group insurance liability. Its low debt-to-capital ratio, which currently stands at 18%, also accounts for its inherent strength. Delphi had an excellent result for ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/05/16/dfg-delphi-financial-group-announces-hike-in-dividend/74050/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(TRV) The Travelers Companies Quarterly Report Ahead of Estimates</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/25/trv-the-travelers-companies-quarterly-report-ahead-of-estimates/72281</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/25/trv-the-travelers-companies-quarterly-report-ahead-of-estimates/72281#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:24:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hartford Financial Services Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HIG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Travelers Companies Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TRV]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[W.R. Berkley Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Westar Energy Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WRB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=72281</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Travelers Companies (TRV) reported operating earnings of $1.89 per share in the first quarter, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.55 by 34 cents. Results were also ahead of $1.22 earned in the prior year quarter. Operating income was $826 million, up 31% from $631 million in the first quarter of 2010. Higher underwriting gains, favorable resolution of prior-year tax matters, lower catastrophe losses and lower outstanding shares helped the company to post improved results. Including net realized investment gains of $13 million or 3 cents per share, Travelers reported a net income of $839 million or $1.92 per share compared with $647 million or $1.26 per share in the first quarter of 2010. The prior-year quarter realized a net investment gain of $16 million or 3 cents a ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/25/trv-the-travelers-companies-quarterly-report-ahead-of-estimates/72281/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(WRB) W.R. Berkley Sees A.M. Best Debt Rating Action</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/12/wrb-w-r-berkley-sees-a-m-best-debt-rating-action/71317</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/12/wrb-w-r-berkley-sees-a-m-best-debt-rating-action/71317#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 12 Apr 2011 20:11:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CNA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CNA Financial Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Flagstone Reinsurance Holdings Limited]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FSR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Travelers Companies Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TRV]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[W.R. Berkley Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Westar Energy Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WRB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=71317</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A.M. Best reiterated issuer credit ratings (ICR) and debt ratings of “a-” on senior unsecured notes and “bbb” on trust preferred securities of  W.R. Berkley Corporation (WRB). The outlook for all ratings is stable. A.M. Best’s ratings reflect a favorable debt-to-capital ratio for Berkley that stood at 32% as of December 31, 2010, at the higher end of the company’s target range of 25%?35%. Though the rating agency expects tough property/casualty operating environment to exert pressure on underwriting results in 2011, it believes Berkley is strongly positioned to deliver solid earnings. The rating agency also reiterated the financial strength ratings (FSR) of A+ (Superior) and ICR of “aa-” of Berkley Insurance Group, Admiral Insurance Group, Berkley Regional Group and Nautilus Insurance Group and their respective property/casualty members. A.M. Best also ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/12/wrb-w-r-berkley-sees-a-m-best-debt-rating-action/71317/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(ACGL) Company News for April 05, 2011 &#8211; Corporate Summary</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/05/acgl-company-news-for-april-05-2011-corporate-summary/70699</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/05/acgl-company-news-for-april-05-2011-corporate-summary/70699#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 05 Apr 2011 21:01:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ACGL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Arch Capital Group Limited]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Axis Capital Holdings Limited]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AXS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Everest Re Group Limited]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[National Semiconductor Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NSM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PartnerRe Limited]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PFE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pfizer Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PRE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Texas Instruments Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Transatlantic Holdings Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TRH]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TXN]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[VOD]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vodafone Group plc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[W.R. Berkley Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Westar Energy Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WRB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=70699</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[• According to a report, Vodafone Group PLC (NASDAQ:VOD) is selling its 44% stake in French mobile phone company SFR to Vivendi in a deal worth about $11.3 billion • Shares of Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) gained 0.79% to close at $20.54 after the company agreed to sell its Capsugel unit to KKR &#38; Co. (NYSE:KKR) for nearly $2.4 billion • Texas Instruments (NYSE:TXN) and National Semiconductor (NYSE:NSM) announced they have signed a definitive agreement under which the former will acquire National for $25 per share in an all-cash transaction of a deal worth approximately $6.5 billion • Shares of Arch Capital Group Ltd. (NASDAQ:ACGL) added $1.49 in afternoon trading, to touch $102.01 after Citi analysts upgraded the company from &#8220;Hold&#8221; to &#8220;Buy&#8221; and lifted its target price from $94 to $121 • Citi upgraded Axis Capital ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/04/05/acgl-company-news-for-april-05-2011-corporate-summary/70699/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(DFG) Delphi Financial Analyst Reiterates Shares at Neutral</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/03/22/dfg-delphi-financial-analyst-reiterates-shares-at-neutral/69383</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/03/22/dfg-delphi-financial-analyst-reiterates-shares-at-neutral/69383#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 22 Mar 2011 14:59:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[American Financial Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[American Safety Insurance Holdings Limited]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ASI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Delphi Financial Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reinsurance Group of America Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RGA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SFG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[StanCorp Financial Group Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TMK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Torchmark Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UNM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unum Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[W.R. Berkley Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Westar Energy Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WRB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=69383</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We are maintaining our Neutral recommendation on the shares of Delphi Financial Inc. (DFG) following the release of fourth quarter 2010 results. Delphi’s fourth quarter earnings were a dime ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate, aided by favorable underwriting and investment results. We believe its subsidiary Safety National, a leader in Excess Workers’ Compensation, will show a strong growth going forward, based on rates hike and self-insured retention increase at the outset of the year. Safety National is expanding its leading position in providing coverage to self-insureds. Its market share increased to 25% in 2009 from 22% in 2008. It has increased premiums at a CAGR of 6% from 2006 to 2010. Management expects an attractive market for the Excess Workers’ Compensation based on positive trends in January 2011 renewals, ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/03/22/dfg-delphi-financial-analyst-reiterates-shares-at-neutral/69383/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(CB) The Chubb Corporation Reports Quarterly Earnings Ahead of Estimates</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/01/29/cb-the-chubb-corporation-reports-quarterly-earnings-ahead-of-estimates/66000</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/01/29/cb-the-chubb-corporation-reports-quarterly-earnings-ahead-of-estimates/66000#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 29 Jan 2011 19:24:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ALL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Allstate Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Chubb Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Travelers Companies Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TRV]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[W.R. Berkley Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Westar Energy Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WRB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=66000</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Chubb Corp.’s (CB) fourth quarter operating earnings of $1.69 per share were fairly ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.57 led by higher premiums earned. Results also compare favorably with $1.66 earned in the prior-year quarter. For the full year, operating income per share was $5.90, which was above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.79. Quarter in Detail Net premiums written rose 3% year over year to $2.9 billion, driven largely by higher exposures resulting from perked up economic activity over last year’s depressed levels. Property and casualty investment income after tax was up 1% year over year at $320 million as a decline in yields was offset by an increase in average invested assets and dividend income. Consolidated combined ratio deteriorated 230 basis points year over year ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2011/01/29/cb-the-chubb-corporation-reports-quarterly-earnings-ahead-of-estimates/66000/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(FSR) The Travelers Companies Financial Strength Ratings Withdrawn</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/12/27/fsr-the-travelers-companies-financial-strength-ratings-withdrawn/61195</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/12/27/fsr-the-travelers-companies-financial-strength-ratings-withdrawn/61195#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 27 Dec 2010 23:43:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Flagstone Reinsurance Holdings Limited]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FSR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hartford Financial Services Group Inc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HIG]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Travelers Companies Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TRV]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[W.R. Berkley Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Westar Energy Inc.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WRB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=61195</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The financial strength ratings (FSR) of A (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a” of Travelers Auto Insurance Co. of New Jersey and Travelers of New Jersey Group, wholly owned subsidiaries of The Travelers Companies Inc. (TRV), have been withdrawn by A.M. Best Co. The rating agency has assigned an NR-5 (Not Formally Followed) to the FSRs and an “nr” to the ICRs. The rating withdrawal follows the merger of Travelers Auto Insurance Co. of New Jersey with Fidelity and Guaranty Insurance Underwriters Inc. and First Trenton Indemnity Company, effective November 1, 2010. Fidelity and Guaranty Insurance Underwriters will now write the personal lines business previously written by Travelers Auto Insurance Co. Consecutively, the FSR of A (Excellent) and ICR of “a” of First Trenton have been affirmed by ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/12/27/fsr-the-travelers-companies-financial-strength-ratings-withdrawn/61195/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(WRB) W.R. Berkley Surpasses Earnings Estimates</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/02/10/wrb-w-r-berkley-surpasses-earnings-estimates/27583</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/02/10/wrb-w-r-berkley-surpasses-earnings-estimates/27583#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:25:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[W.R. Berkley Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WRB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=27583</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[W.R. Berkley’s (WRB) fourth quarter earnings of 71 cents per share were ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 68 cents. In the year-ago quarter, the company had reported earnings of 74 cents per share. Earnings for the reported quarter were helped by an increase in net investment income, partially offset by lower premiums earned. Net income was $134.3 million or 81 cents, compared with $40.3 million or 24 cents in the prior-year quarter. The results benefited from investment gains of $13.3 million coupled with an income of $3.3 million from investment funds. Net premium written declined 6.8% on a year-over-year basis to $828.4 million. Premium compression was led by lower business written in Regional, Alternative and Specialty segments. W.R. Berkley has been experiencing pressure on net premiums written since ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/02/10/wrb-w-r-berkley-surpasses-earnings-estimates/27583/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>(WRB) W.R. Berkley Corporation &#8211; Bear of the Day</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/01/06/wrb-w-r-berkley-corporation-bear-of-the-day/24258</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/01/06/wrb-w-r-berkley-corporation-bear-of-the-day/24258#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:35:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[W.R. Berkley Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WRB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=24258</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We are downgrading our recommendation on the shares of W.R. Berkley Corporation (WRB) to Underperform from Neutral. W.R. Berkley&#8217;s third quarter earnings report showed lower premiums written, reflecting the overall competitive business environment and pricing pressures. The company&#8217;s combined ratio, which has increased of late, is also expected to rest at higher levels for some quarters to come. Though management has historically managed capital, the company&#8217;s current debt-to-capital ratio stands at approximately 30%. Also, the company has experienced deterioration in its fixed charge coverage ratio and return on equity. Zacks Investment Research]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2010/01/06/wrb-w-r-berkley-corporation-bear-of-the-day/24258/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(WRB) W.R. Berkley Reports Earnings Inches Ahead of Estimates</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/10/27/wrb-w-r-berkley-reports-earnings-inches-ahead-of-estimates/18955</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/10/27/wrb-w-r-berkley-reports-earnings-inches-ahead-of-estimates/18955#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:27:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Property & Casualty Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[W.R. Berkley Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WRB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=18955</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[W.R. Berkley’s (WRB) third quarter earnings of 67 cents per share were only a penny ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate. In the year-ago quarter, the company had reported earnings of 63 cents. Net income was $97 million, or 59 cents per share, compared with a loss of $27.9 million, or 17 cents per share in the prior-year quarter. Net premiums written declined 2.7% on a year-over-year basis to $969.3 million. Premium compression was led by lower business written in Regional, Alternative and Specialty segments. W.R. Berkley has been experiencing net premiums written pressure since the fourth quarter of 2006. New business volume moderated during the reported quarter. These declines have been the result of increased competition and downward pressure on pricing since 2004. This trend continued in 2008, with ]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/10/27/wrb-w-r-berkley-reports-earnings-inches-ahead-of-estimates/18955/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>(WRB) WR Berkley Tries to Repay Debt</title>
		<link>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/09/16/wrb-wr-berkley-tries-to-repay-debt/15380</link>
		<comments>http://www.stockbloghub.com/2009/09/16/wrb-wr-berkley-tries-to-repay-debt/15380#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:32:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>vitalstocks</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[W.R. Berkley Corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WRB]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.stockbloghub.com/?p=15380</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[WR Berkley’s (WRB) $300 million notes were recently rated “a&#8221; by A.M. Best with a stable outlook and “BBB+&#8221; by Fitch with a negative outlook. The company will use proceeds from the notes issued on Sept. 9 for general corporate purposes Incorporatedluding the potential buyback of common stock and repayment of debt. Such debt may include its $150 million of 5.125% senior notes, due on Sept. 30, 2010. A.M. Best’s rating reflects the company’s unadjusted capital-to-debt ratio, which stood at 27.9% as of June 30. After this issue and the expected repayment of the $150 million debt, this ratio will be approximately 30% levels. The rating agency views this average debt in Berkley’s capital structure as a limiting factor. Fitch’s negative outlook takes into account Berkley’s equity adjusted debt-to-total capital ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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