Property & Casualty Insurance

Merger activity decreased last week with two new deals announced and five closing. You can find all the active deals listed below in our Merger Arbitrage Tool that automatically updates itself during market hours. Deal Statistics: Total Number of Deals Closed in 2011 104 Total Number of Deals...

Merger activity decreased last week with two new deals announced and five closing. You can find all the active deals listed below in our Merger Arbitrage Tool that automatically updates itself during market hours. Deal Statistics: Total Number of Deals Closed in 2011 104 Total Number of Deals...

Stocks trading at or near 52-week highs and lows provide excellent trading opportunities, as volatility tends to increase at such levels. The following stocks hit new 52-week highs in Thursday's trading session: 1) Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY): Shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb hit a 52-week...

Allstate Insurance (NYSE: ALL) is seeking to recover more than $1 million against 10 New York area defendants in its third insurance fraud lawsuit of 2011. The complaint, filed under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and New York common law, alleges that four professional...

Wunderlich Securities provided color on Aspen Insurance Holdings (NYSE: AHL) in a research report published today. Wunderlich Securities left its Aspen Buy rating and $37 price target unchanged. In the report, Wunderlich Securities states, "We believe AHL is adequately capitalized to take...

W. R. Berkley Corporation (NYSE: WRB) today announced the formation of Berkley Technology Underwriters, LLC. Berkley Technology Underwriters will offer coverages worldwide to the technology marketplace, including property, casualty and professional liability on both an admitted and non-admitted...

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK.A; BRK.B) and Wesco Financial Corporation (NYSE: WSC) announce that the per share merger consideration in connection with the proposed merger of Wesco with and into a subsidiary of Berkshire is $385.00. The special meeting of the Wesco shareholders to vote on...

According to Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Aspen Insurance Holdings (NYSE: AHL) announced losses from April and May U.S. tornadoes and storms of $60 mm after-tax ($0.81/sh) or 2.2% of 1Q11 equity, with the majority of the losses from the company's reinsurance book. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods said...

Citi reiterated its Hold rating on Chubb Corporation (NYSE: CB). At the same time, Citi left its price target on the company's stock unchanged at $64, in spite of lowering its estimates. In a research report published today, Citi states, "Our 2Q11 CAT loss estimate goes to $300M from $250M...

KBW is out with its report today on Chubb (NYSE: CB), maintaining Outperform. In a note to clients, KBW writes, "Chubb announced estimated April and May pre-tax catastrophe losses of between $250 and $310 million (9.9 pts & $0.62/share) or 1.2% of 1Q11 equity at the midpoint. The losses were...

Goldman Sachs provided color on the property and casualty sector. In a research report published today, Goldman Sachs reiterated its Buy rating on XL Group (NYSE: XL). The report states, "We reiterate our CL-Buy call on XL, as we continue to believe that, within our coverage, XL is the most...

Stifel Nicolaus is out with its report today on Progressive (NYSE: PGR), reiterating Buy after attending PGR's investor day. In a note to clients, Stifel Nicolaus writes, "We reiterate our Buy rating on the shares of Progressive. The investor day clearly demonstrated the depths of Progressive's...

W. R. Berkley Corporation (NYSE: WRB) announced today that Tom N. Kellogg will retire effective June 30, 2011. Mr. Kellogg joined the Company in 2002 as chairman of Signet Star Holdings, Inc., the intermediate parent of its lead reinsurance company, Berkley Insurance Company. He has had an...

Wunderlich Securities provided color on Meadowbrook Insurance Group (NYSE: MIG). In a research report published today, Wunderlich stressed its optimism about the company's performance, following meetings with the company's management. In the report, Wunderlich states, "Discussions with investors...

Below are the top surety & title insurance stocks on the NYSE in terms of cash. Radian Group Inc (NYSE: RDN) had $5.88 billion in total cash and $1.34 billion in total debt for the latest quarter. MBIA Inc (NYSE: MBI) had $4.11 billion in total cash and $16.10 billion in total debt for the...