“A return to an underwriting profit in 2012 enabled the global reinsurance market to continue its growth trajectory despite significant challenges,” according to a new special report by A.M. Best Co.
Best cited “deterioration in investment yields” as appearing to be the “greatest immediate concern, as depressed interest rates have persisted longer than most market observers predicted. Near-term improvement on that front appears unlikely, unless companies choose to stretch for yield, taking greater risk on the asset side.
“The market has responded principally by keeping fixed-income durations short to insulate against interest rate risk and what appears to be an inevitable decline in market values. The segment has benefited from a run-up in market values on fixed-income holdings, associated with the previous decline in interest rates.
“Reinsurers have harvested some capital gains over the period and have increased holdings of cash and short-term investments to maintain flexibility to reinvest easily at higher yields once more favorable interest rates return. How long that wait will be remains the question. Meanwhile, management teams have to plan and prepare for inflationary and deflationary environments.”
Best’s report also noted that the weakened yield environment has “increased pressure on underwriters to find better margin business while staying within their stated underwriting risk tolerances. This is difficult, considering the current view that the reinsurance and broader property/casualty markets are overcapitalized.
“The industry as a whole has recognized that achieving a 15% or even a low double-digit return on equity is challenging when the risk-free rate is in the low single digits. However, read the fine print: the risk free rate is not exactly risk-free either.
Source: A.M. Best