Property & Casualty Insurance

According to J.P. Morgan, Allstate (NYSE: ALL) pending acquisition of Esurance, a direct-to-consumer auto insurer, and Answer Financial, an online personal insurance broker, from White Mountains Insurance (WTM: NC) improves the company's long-term strategic position. J.P. Morgan said that...

Gainers ON 5/19/11- White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd. (WTM) is trading at a dramatic change of 15.00% from its previous day's close. Currently, the company has a Market capitalization (total value of a company in the stock market) of approximately 3.14B Nevsun Resources (NSU) is trading at a...

Staples Inc. (SPLS) is trading at at a dramatic change of -15.37% from its previous day's close. Currently, the company has a Market capitalization (total value of a company in the stock market) of approximately 11.91B PetSmart Inc. (PETM) is trading at at a dramatic change of -0.49% from its...

Cincinnati Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: CINF) today announced that The Cincinnati Insurance Companies' property casualty group expects its second-quarter results to include pre-tax catastrophe losses, net of reinsurance, of approximately $150 million to $200 million incurred due to severe weather...

ACE Limited (NYSE: ACE) announced today that its shareholders have approved all matters submitted to the ACE Limited 2011 Annual General Meeting, held at the company's offices in Zurich, Switzerland, including a 6.1% increase to the company's dividend to $1.40 annually ($0.35 per quarter) from $1....

I've taken gains on two stocks this morning - El Paso (EP) at $18.90 from $18.22 for a 3.7% gain and then Expedia (EXPE) at $26.73 from $25.58 for at 4.5% gain. Overall it was a great way to start the day and now I am only 40% long with the addition of Chubb Corp (CB) at $65.35. As always I've also...

SWS Group, Inc. (NYSE: SWS) announced that at the Company's special meeting of stockholders held today, SWS Group's stockholders voted to approve the proposed $100 million capital raise with Hilltop Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HTH) and Oak Hill Capital Partners.

Allstate (NYSE: ALL) is expanding ts product portfolio, as it buys Esurance and Answer Financial from White Mountains Insurance (NYSE: WTM) for about $1 billion. Allstate said it was doing the deal to help it access consumers who prefer certain brands along with consumers who want choices among...

The Progressive Corporation (NYSE: PGR) today reported the following results for April 2011: Net premiums written $ 1,540.4; up 5% Net premiums earned $ 1,433.3; up 4% Net income $ 118.0; up6%

The board of directors of State Auto Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: STFC) has elected Timothy G. Reik a vice president following his appointment as Director of Risk Evaluation and Design Operations. Reik was also elected a vice president of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company and State Auto...

W. R. Berkley Corporation (NYSE: WRB) announced today that its Board of Directors has voted to increase the cash dividend to an annual rate of 32 cents per share, representing a 14% increase from the present rate. The first quarterly dividend at the new rate of eight cents per share will be paid...

Pernix Therapeutics Holdings Inc (AMEX: PTX) shares moved down 20.83% to $9.50 at 9:55 am. PTX reported its Q1 net income at $1.0 million, down from $5.3 million, in the year-ago quarter. Donegal Group Inc (NASDAQ: DGICB) fell 17.94% to $13.91. DGICB's trailing-twelve-month ROE is 3.50%....

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) today announced a quarterly dividend of 21 cents on each outstanding share of the corporation's common stock, payable in cash on July 1, 2011 to stockholders of record at the close of business on May 31, 2011.

In a recent report by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, State Auto Financial (NASDAQ: STFC) has reported 2Q11 losses totaling $75-$85 million pre-tax. KBW have maintained a $17.00 price target on STFC. In the report, KBW said, "2Q has been a rough one for STFC for a while, as 2007 was the last time the...

J.P. Morgan is adjusting its estimates on Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV). “We are adjusting down our 2Q and FY 2011 EPS estimates for Travelers by $1.32 and $1.34 to $0.13 and $4.78, respectively, to reflect the significant weather losses that affected the US in the month of April,” J.P....