Property & Casualty Insurance

Selective Insurance Group raised its 2026 after-tax net investment income guidance to $480 million from $465 million, as investment income continues to drive earnings while underwriting results lag. In the second quarter of 2026, after-tax net investment income rose 18% year over year to $119 million, generating 13.9 points of annualized ROE, while after-tax underwriting income was only $19.3 million. For the first half, after-tax net investment income increased 18% to $232.3 million from $197 million a year earlier, compared with underwriting income of $36.1 million. Invested assets grew $274 million from year-end 2025 to June 30, 2026, primarily as operating cash flows were reinvested. The company cautioned that investment income may become a less powerful incremental earnings catalyst if market yields decline or reinvestment rates move lower. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Selective Insurance's full-year 2026 EPS has moved up 3.3% in the past 60 days, and the stock carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

First American Financial Corporation announced an 11% increase in its quarterly cash dividend, raising the payout to 61 cents per share from 55 cents. The board-approved hike gives the stock a 3.1% yield based on its Sept. 16 closing price of $71.11, well above the industry average of 0.2%, with a payout ratio of 30.99 versus the industry's 10.43. Shareholders of record on Sept. 28 will receive the increased dividend on Oct. 5. The title insurer also maintains a stock repurchase plan authorized for up to $300 million, of which $246 million remained as of June 30, 2026, after repurchasing 0.9 million shares for $54 million in the first half of the year. First American reported trailing 12-month return on equity of 13.3% against an industry average of 7.5%, and its shares have gained 15.7% year to date, outpacing the industry's 4% growth.

Chubb Limited announced that Sean Ringsted has been named Chief Scientist and Executive Vice President, Chubb Group, effective immediately. In the newly created role, Ringsted will be responsible for the company's artificial intelligence, data and analytics strategy and initiatives worldwide. Ringsted brings more than three decades of experience at Chubb and its predecessor, ACE Group, most recently serving as Executive Vice President, Chubb Group and Chief Digital Business Officer, where he led the company's AI efforts globally and formed its digital business unit. He previously served as Chubb's Chief Risk Officer from 2008 until 2023 and was named Chief Digital Officer in 2017. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Evan Greenberg said the appointment amplifies how important the company's AI and data initiatives are to its fundamental strategy.

AXIS Capital announced on August 5 that it agreed to acquire the renewal rights to the Excess Liability business of DUAL North America, a program administrator that wrote more than $1.2 billion in premium last year. DUAL North America, part of DUAL Group, the specialist underwriting arm of Howden Group, transacted more than $1.2 billion in gross written premium in 2025 across its full lineup of 20-plus programs, backed by more than 30 carrier partners and distributed through a network of over 7,000 brokers and agents; the deal folds the excess liability piece of that business into AXIS' Wholesale Lower Middle Market unit under John Kopach, who built the business at DUAL and now reports to Mike McKenna, AXIS' Head of North America. The acquisition lands one week after AXIS reported second-quarter results showing net income available to common shareholders of $251 million, up 16% from a year earlier, and $498 million over the first half of 2026, up 24%, with book value per diluted common share of $80.67, up 14.7% over the past twelve months, and gross premiums written up 6% to $2.7 billion. Operating income fell 19% to $211 million in the quarter and underwriting income dropped 24% to $143 million even as the combined ratio held at 93.1%, while AXIS booked $6 million in reorganization expenses in the quarter and $29 million for the first half. AXIS and DUAL described weeks of work ahead to move brokers and policyholders over with limited interruption, and the unit's leadership is changing hands at the same time, with Kopach stepping into a role vacated by Britt Smith's retirement.

First American Financial declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.61 per share, a 10.9% increase from its prior dividend of $0.55 per share. The new payout carries a forward yield of 3.43%. The dividend is payable October 5 to shareholders of record on September 28, which is also the ex-dividend date.

First American Financial's title insurance arm has rolled out a no cost property title monitoring and fraud alert service for residential policyholders, putting the company back on investor radar. The stock is up 19.24% year to date, with a 7.45% 90 day share price return and a 1 year total shareholder return of 14.27%. Against a last close of $72.83, the most followed narrative pegs First American Financial's fair value at $86.20, implying 16% undervaluation. The stock trades on a P/E of 10x, slightly above close peers at 9.8x but below the wider US Insurance industry at 11.4x. The story could change quickly if commercial title activity cools after an unusually strong period, or if FHFA title waiver pilots gain traction and start chipping away at refinance volumes.

Allstate closed the latest session at $258.48, up 1.88% and outpacing a 0.48% decline in the S&P 500, as analysts look ahead to the insurer's upcoming earnings report. The consensus estimate calls for Allstate to post earnings of $6.63 per share, a year-over-year decline of 40.64%, on quarterly revenue of $17.84 billion, up 4.92% from the year-ago period. For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates project earnings of $35.5 per share and revenue of $71.25 billion, representing changes of +1.92% and +5%, respectively. Over the past month the consensus EPS estimate has moved 3.8% higher, and Allstate currently holds a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy). The stock trades at a Forward P/E of 7.15, a discount to its industry average of 11.39, with a PEG ratio of 0.57 versus an industry average of 1.73.

American Coastal Insurance Corporation announced that its carrier subsidiary American Coastal Insurance Company and AmRisc, LLC have restructured their exclusive managing agency agreement, effective July 1, 2026, to remove the agreement's fixed expiration date. The prior agreement, extended in June 2024, had been scheduled to expire on January 1, 2029. Under the restructured terms, the agreement runs in successive one-year terms that automatically renew, and either party must give 48 months' advance written notice to terminate for convenience, with the agreement remaining in full force through the notice period, so it has no fixed expiration date and stays in effect for a minimum of four years from any such notice. AmRisc has been AmCoastal's exclusive distribution and underwriting partner since 2007, sourcing and underwriting the Florida commercial-residential portfolio, which has been profitable every year since inception, and is also the company's partner in excess and surplus lines. President and CEO Brad Martz said the agreement puts the partnership on a permanent footing and gives shareholders long-term visibility into a franchise that has produced an underwriting profit every year since inception.

Reliance Global Group has completed the sale of its Southwestern Montana Insurance Center subsidiary for $2.625 million in cash at closing, plus an uncapped earnout based on the agency's EBITDA performance for the twelve months ending August 31, 2027. The price reflects a multiple of 8.75 times pro forma EBITDA of $300,000, with the earnout equal to 8.75 times any EBITDA above that threshold, payable after the first anniversary of closing if earned, and no shares were issued in the transaction. The sale closed on September 11, 2026, effective as of September 1, 2026, and is separate from the previously announced expected sale of the Michigan-based Altruis Benefit Consulting agency. The deal is part of the portfolio monetization strategy Reliance launched in 2025 to divest non-core insurance agencies, strengthen its balance sheet and redeploy capital into its proprietary AI platform, RELI Exchange, and other InsurTech initiatives, as well as to accelerate repayment of its term debt. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ezra Beyman said the closing reflects continued execution of that strategy and provides greater financial flexibility to invest in the company's AI platform and other growth initiatives.

Lemonade reported a second-quarter loss ratio of 60% and a 76% rise in gross profit, though its stock remains 49% below its 52-week high. In-force premium rose 32% year over year, the 11th straight quarter of acceleration, while total customers grew 23% to more than 3.3 million and premium per customer rose 8%. The insurance technology company posted a net loss of $43 million for the quarter, only slightly better than the $44 million loss a year earlier. Management reaffirmed its expectation of becoming profitable on an adjusted EBITDA basis in the fourth quarter and has said it expects positive net income in 2027. Lemonade also noted its loss adjustment expense ratio fell to 5% this year from 7% last year, ahead of schedule and below the 9% industry average.

Investors Title Company reported second-quarter net income of $14.6 million, or $7.73 per diluted share, up from $12.3 million, or $6.48 per diluted share, a year earlier, as revenue climbed 17.5% to $86.5 million from $73.6 million. Net premiums written and escrow and title-related fees rose a combined $13.3 million, with agency premiums growing to $47.8 million from $38.7 million and still making up 70.8% of total premiums written, while direct premiums grew to $19.75 million. However, net investment gains added $4.8 million to revenue, driven mostly by rising fair values on the company's equity securities, so adjusted pretax income for the quarter only moved to $14.7 million from $13.7 million even as income before income taxes rose to $19.4 million from $15.8 million. Operating expenses rose 15.9% to $67.1 million, with agent commissions, personnel expenses and the provision for claims all increasing as the company updated its loss ratio assumptions. For the first six months, revenue rose 15.6% to $150.5 million and net income climbed to $20.7 million, or $10.93 per diluted share, from $15.4 million, or $8.16, while stockholders' equity grew to $286.6 million from $268.3 million at the end of 2025 and total assets rose to $380.1 million from $363.1 million. Chairman J. Allen Fine called it the company's best quarterly performance in years while describing current market conditions as sluggish, and hedge fund ownership slipped to 10 funds from 11 the prior quarter, with short interest at 6.22% of the float.

Mercury General Corporation's personal auto policies in force rose 2.5% from year-end 2025 to 1.07 million, while total company policies climbed 4.2% to 2.36 million, according to its second-quarter 2026 results. Direct premiums written also increased 9.3% year over year, suggesting policy growth is increasingly supplementing rate-driven premium expansion. The company said in its 2025 annual report that it expects to grow its private-passenger auto business in 2026 even as the market softens and insurers shift from aggressive rate increases toward competing for profitable customers. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Mercury General's fourth-quarter 2026 EPS has moved up 0.9% over the past 30 days, while full-year 2026 and 2027 EPS estimates have risen 7.3% and 1.1%, respectively, over the past 60 days. Mercury General shares have gained 29.9% in the past year, and the stock carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

The Hanover Insurance Group Inc announced a total dividend of $0.95 per share, with an ex-dividend date set for 2026-09-11 and payment due on 2026-09-25. The insurer has raised its dividend every year since 2005, a streak of at least 21 years that earns it dividend achiever status. Its 12-month trailing dividend yield stands at 1.68%, near a 10-year low, while the forward yield of 1.70% implies expected growth in payouts. The dividend payout ratio is a conservative 0.18 as of 2026-06-30, and the company has posted positive net income in each of the past decade. Over the past three years, earnings per share grew about 51.10% annually on average, though revenue growth of roughly 6.10% per year underperformed about 69.26% of global competitors.

Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance announced on the 11th that it has begun offering insurance that compensates businesses for the costs of responding when customers engage in nuisance behavior at stores or facilities. According to the company, this is the first such insurance in the industry. The coverage applies to cases in which nuisance behavior involving products or fixtures is filmed and posted online in a way that identifies the company, compensating for costs such as removing the posts and consulting lawyers, up to 100 million yen over a one-year contract period. The company will also introduce clients to a comprehensive public relations consulting firm to provide rapid support when incidents occur. In recent years, there have been cases in which videos or photos of nuisance behavior are posted to social media and spread, and the aim is to support companies in continuing their businesses and restoring trust.

Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance announced on the 11th that it has begun offering insurance that covers the costs of responding when customers engage in nuisance behavior at stores or facilities. According to the company, this is the first such insurance in the industry. The coverage applies to cases in which nuisance behavior toward products or fixtures is filmed and posted online in a way that identifies the company. It covers up to 100 million yen over a one-year contract period for costs such as removing posts and consulting lawyers. It also provides referrals to a comprehensive PR consulting firm to ensure rapid support when an incident occurs. In recent years, there have been cases in which videos or photos of nuisance behavior are posted to social media and spread, and the aim is to support companies in continuing their businesses and restoring trust.

W.R. Berkley has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.10 per share, unchanged from the prior payout. The forward yield on the dividend stands at 0.57%. The dividend is payable Sept. 30 to shareholders of record on Sept. 21, with the ex-dividend date also set for Sept. 21.

Allstate reported second-quarter revenues of $17.54 billion, up 4.6% year on year and 1.7% above analysts' expectations, in what was an exceptional quarter for the insurer with beats on EPS and net premiums earned estimates. Across the 31 property and casualty insurance stocks tracked in the group, revenues beat consensus estimates by 2.3% and next-quarter revenue guidance came in 0.9% above expectations, though the stocks have collectively declined 2.7% on average since reporting. Allstate shares are down 5% since the results and trade at $251.31. Among peers, Essent Group posted the best quarter with revenues of $362.7 million, up 13.6% year on year and 9.7% above expectations, while Radian Group had the weakest, with revenues of $580.7 million, up 95.7% but in line with expectations and a significant EPS miss. Kinsale Capital Group delivered the biggest estimate beat in the group, with revenues of $548.5 million, up 16.8% year on year and 14.9% above expectations, and HCI Group reported revenues of $246.7 million, up 11.1% and 2.5% above expectations.

Global Indemnity declared a quarterly dividend of $0.35 per share, unchanged from the prior payout. The dividend carries a forward yield of 5.06%. It is payable Sept. 30 to shareholders of record on Sept. 18, with the ex-dividend date also set for Sept. 18.

Global Indemnity Group, LLC announced that its Board of Directors has approved a quarterly distribution of $0.35 per common share, payable on September 30, 2026, to shareholders of record as of September 18, 2026. The company, which trades on Nasdaq under the ticker GBLI, is a holding company with a portfolio of property and casualty insurance-related entities. Its subsidiaries include Katalyx Holdings LLC, which operates four agencies and three specialized insurance service businesses, and Belmont Holdings GX, Inc., which consists of five statutory insurance carriers rated "A" (Excellent) by AM Best.

Palomar Holdings has completed its acquisition of Gray Surety for approximately $311 million, a Treasury-listed surety carrier focused on contract bonds for mid-sized and emerging contractors, with licenses in all 50 states and 13 regional offices. The acquisition is a key part of Palomar's diversification and growth strategy, contributing $33.6 million in revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2026, and driving a 235.6% year-over-year increase in Surety & Credit GWP to $39.2 million in the second quarter of 2026. Integration is substantially complete, allowing Palomar to focus on franchise building, including adding underwriting talent, geographic expansion, and new product capabilities. Management views the acquisition as a driver of scale and earnings within its strategy to double adjusted net income over three to five years while maintaining adjusted ROE above 20%. In related industry moves, Aon agreed to acquire USI from KKR for $17 billion to expand U.S. middle-market and E&S capabilities, and Arthur J. Gallagher's Risk Placement Services acquired Kansas-based Med James in July 2026. Palomar's shares have gained 10.7% in the past year, and the stock trades at a forward price-to-book of 3.62X, above the industry average of 1.42X. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter 2026 EPS has moved down 2.5%, while fourth-quarter 2026 EPS estimates have moved up 5.1% in the past 60 days, and full-year 2026 and 2027 EPS estimates have moved up 2.8% and 2.7%, respectively. PLMR currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Lemonade CEO Daniel Schreiber argues that two-thirds of U.S. drivers overpay because they unknowingly subsidize the highest-mileage third through flat-rate pricing models. The insurtech company, which prices Tesla FSD miles at roughly a 50% per-mile discount when autonomous mode is active, reported Q2 2026 revenue rose 79.4% year over year to $294.4 million, with a net loss of $43.4 million. Management targets its first positive adjusted EBITDA quarter in Q4 2026 and full-year positive adjusted EBITDA in 2027. Lemonade launched autonomous car coverage in Colorado and Indiana in Q2, adding Missouri in early September, and expects its car product to be available to the majority of U.S. drivers before the end of 2027. Active FSD subscriptions reached 1.48 million, and the company's in-force premium grew to $1.43 billion, up 32.4%.

Markel Group is expanding its workers' compensation business in California through a collaboration with Midwest General Insurance Agency, a subsidiary of Acrisure, focusing on small-business coverage. Midwest brings over 20 years of California market experience and online quoting capabilities, which could help Markel access smaller accounts more efficiently. The move broadens Markel's addressable market in one of the largest and most competitive workers' comp markets in the U.S., leveraging Midwest's established platform for marketing, underwriting, policy issuance, claims, and loss control. However, California's market faces rising cost pressures, with an average advisory pure premium rate 6.6% higher than the 2025 level effective Sept. 1, 2026, making disciplined underwriting crucial. Midwest's data-driven account selection could help Markel grow premiums while managing risks. Peers like Travelers and Berkshire Hathaway's GUARD have also expanded their small-business workers' comp offerings through digital platforms and partnerships. Markel's shares have fallen 5.3% over the past year, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate projects 2026 EPS growth of 13.5% and revenue of $15.9 billion, up 3.9% year over year.

Skyward Specialty Insurance Group has announced three strategic hires to its Inland Marine unit, recruiting Jon Kattman to lead the team, with Jared Lester as vice president and Casie Derrick as assistant vice president. Kattman, a two-decade industry veteran, joins from Sompo, where he served as senior vice president of Inland Marine, and previously held leadership roles at Aspen, The Hanover Insurance Group, Liberty Mutual Insurance, and U.S. Assure. Lester brings 16 years of experience from The Hanover Insurance Group and Sompo, while Derrick, with 20 years of underwriting expertise, most recently served as assistant vice president of Inland Marine at Sompo. Melissa Goto, president of E&S and Inland Marine, said the hires will be instrumental in building a highly defensible position in the niche segment as the company deepens its investment there.

Thai Wiwat Holdings Public Company Limited, or TVH, announced its investment in Thoon Insurance Public Company Limited through a private placement of newly issued shares, with a total value of approximately 60.24 million baht, representing a 25.1% stake in the company. The move aims to expand into the travel insurance market, where Thoon Insurance is a key partner, and will help broaden the customer base and enhance competitiveness, as well as further develop the non-motor insurance segment. Mr. Jeerapan Assavathanakul, Chief Executive Officer of TVH, stated that the company continues to seek additional investment opportunities, utilizing funds remaining from reserves and capital. Meanwhile, Mr. Thepphan Assavathanakul, Deputy Managing Director of Thai Wiwat Insurance Public Company Limited, forecasts that total premiums in 2026 will grow by more than 10%, with motor insurance growing 7% in the first half and non-motor growing 15%. The company currently has approximately 1 million policies in force, and expects accelerated growth in the second half, particularly in the fourth quarter, which is the high season for tax-deductible insurance purchases.

China is preparing to inject 300 billion yuan (about $45 billion) into its banking sector and major state-owned insurance companies, as part of the largest capital increase plan in nearly 20 years, to strengthen the financial system and boost lending capacity amid a slowing economy. The Ministry of Finance will issue special bonds to raise funds for capital injections into eight major financial institutions, including ICBC, Agricultural Bank of China, and People's Insurance Company (Group) of China. This latest measure brings the total amount injected by the Chinese government into the financial sector since the beginning of 2025 to 800 billion yuan, as the government accelerates its economic recovery measures following Premier Li Qiang's call for officials to make every effort to achieve this year's economic growth target. Regarding the details of the capital increases, Agricultural Bank of China plans to raise up to 160 billion yuan, while ICBC aims to raise 100 billion yuan through targeted share placements. Both banks will use the funds to boost their Tier 1 capital. The Ministry of Finance will subscribe to 130 billion yuan of Agricultural Bank of China shares and 70 billion yuan of ICBC shares, with China National Tobacco Corp. also being a major investor in both deals. Analysts at Huayuan Securities view this capital increase as a policy that has been planned for two years, not an emergency measure, to ensure banks have adequate capital and are ready to support the economy. In addition to the banking sector, the government is also injecting capital into major insurance companies. The Ministry of Finance will subscribe to 15 billion yuan of new shares in People's Insurance Company, and allocate 30 billion yuan to Export–Import Bank of China, 35 billion yuan to China Life Insurance, 7 billion yuan to China Taiping Insurance Group, 3 billion yuan to China Reinsurance (Group), and 10 billion yuan to China Export & Credit Insurance Corp. This move comes as Chinese banks face pressure from narrowing net interest margins, which have hit record lows. As of June, Chinese banks had an average capital adequacy ratio of 15.26% and an average Core Tier 1 ratio of 10.72%. The latest capital increase plan is a continuation of policies promoted since 2024 and aligns with the second phase of the Total Loss-Absorbing Capacity (TLAC) framework, which requires systemically important banks to hold sufficient capital in times of crisis.

Thai Wiwat Holdings Public Company Limited (TVH) targets total written premiums this year of approximately 8 billion baht, growing about 5% from the previous year, by using technology to analyze consumer needs and improving internal systems to reduce costs. Meanwhile, the restructuring into a holding company aims to increase flexibility in management and investment, allowing the company to retain excess funds at the holding level instead of paying out all dividends, to serve as reserve capital to support insurance companies in case of severe disasters, and to increase flexibility in investing in other businesses or partnering with other insurance companies. Additionally, TVH plays a role in national disaster risk management, working with the General Insurance Association, the Office of Insurance Commission, and the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation to finalize disaster insurance guidelines covering approximately 30 million households. However, there are challenges from potential damage values up to 40 billion baht, while written premiums are only in the tens of billions of baht, necessitating risk distribution to international reinsurers. The company will also use a Training for Trainer model to train village headmen and sub-district headmen to convey knowledge about claim payment conditions to the public accurately.

Eight central financial enterprises successively announced capital increase plans on September 6, with a total amount of 360 billion yuan. The funds will be used to replenish core tier-one capital, involving Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China, the Export-Import Bank of China, China Export and Credit Insurance Corporation, China Life Insurance, People's Insurance Company of China, China Taiping Insurance, and China Reinsurance. Meanwhile, the list of eligible stocks under the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect southbound trading link was adjusted starting September 7, with 54 companies including Baidu Group added. In addition, the China Securities Regulatory Commission is soliciting public comments on measures for the administration of private fund offerings, proposing higher requirements for natural person investors in private funds under special circumstances. The National Financial Regulatory Administration is soliciting comments on a draft revision of the Insurance Law. On the industrial front, seven departments including the National Development and Reform Commission issued a plan to support technological innovation such as liquid cooling and heat dissipation, and to promote the green and low-carbon development of computing infrastructure. A report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations shows that the global food price index rose 1.9 percent month on month in August, with sugar prices posting the largest increase of 11.9 percent month on month.

China's Ministry of Finance has announced plans to inject capital into three major insurance companies to strengthen their capital base, solvency, and risk resilience. China Life Insurance (Group) will receive 35 billion yuan, while People's Insurance Company (Group) of China (PICC) will raise up to 15 billion yuan through the issuance of A-shares to the Ministry of Finance. China Taiping Insurance Group will receive 7 billion yuan, bringing the total injection to 57 billion yuan. The capital increase aims to bolster operational strength and withstand economic shocks while maintaining robust solvency indicators.

Markel, the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc., announced a strategic collaboration with Midwest General Insurance Agency, a subsidiary of Acrisure, to expand its workers compensation insurance offerings in California. Midwest, a full-service managing general agency with over 20 years of experience in the California market, will provide online quoting and turnkey capabilities in marketing, underwriting, policy issuance, claims, and loss control. Mike Muma, Managing Director at Markel, cited Midwest's data-driven approach and long-term carrier relationships as key reasons for the partnership. Max Carney, CEO and Founder of Midwest, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, highlighting shared vision in risk selection and client service. This initiative reflects Markel's disciplined growth strategy and commitment to supporting small businesses.

Markel, the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc. (NYSE: MKL), announced a strategic collaboration with Midwest General Insurance Agency, LLC, a subsidiary of Acrisure, to expand its workers compensation insurance offerings for small businesses in California. Midwest, a full-service managing general agency with over 20 years of experience in the California market, will provide online quoting and turnkey capabilities in marketing, underwriting, policy issuance, claims, and loss control. Mike Muma, Managing Director at Markel, said the partnership aligns with Markel's disciplined growth approach and Midwest's data-driven account selection. Max Carney, CEO and Founder of Midwest, expressed excitement about the collaboration, citing shared vision for risk selection and client service.

MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings is extending gains. The Nikkei reported at 5 p.m. on the 3rd that the company is considering entering the European reinsurance brokerage business. John Fitzgerald, CEO of MS Transverse, the group's U.S. insurance subsidiary, revealed this in an interview with the Nikkei. MS Transverse's premium volume has grown sixfold in three years to about $3 billion, ranking second in the U.S. The company aims to leverage the network built in its U.S. operations to expand into Europe, including the UK.

HCI Group reported second-quarter pre-tax income of $111 million, up from $94 million a year earlier, with diluted earnings per share rising to $5.60 from $5.18. Gross premiums earned increased 6% to $321 million, driven by policy growth rather than higher premiums, while reinsurance costs fell to $102 million from $103 million. The company completed its $80 million share repurchase program by July 17, buying back 504,330 shares, and book value per share jumped to $86.60 from $58.55. However, the loss ratio ticked up to 22.2%, and net income attributable to noncontrolling interests surged to $20.7 million for the first half, causing basic EPS for the six months to decline to $11.39 from $12.00 despite higher net income. Cash on hand dropped to $872 million from $1.21 billion as funds were shifted into investments and buybacks.

Allianz Ayudhya has set a target for 2026 to grow unit-linked sales by 45%, reaching total sales of 688 million baht. The company is also launching the My Style Protect Series, a first in the insurance industry, featuring the ability to adjust sum insured according to life stages without requiring a medical check-up. In the first seven months of the year, first-year premiums reached 233 million baht, a 56% increase compared to the same period last year. This has positioned the company as the second-largest in the unit-linked market through the agency channel, with unit-linked sales accounting for 14% of new sales via agents. The company aims to increase the number of licensed investment consultants (ICs) to 1,800, up from the current 1,582. Additionally, it targets first-year premium sales of 190 million baht for the Protect Series, representing 25% of the total annualized new business (ANP) for the unit-linked business.

Lemonade, the tech-first insurance company, has launched Lemonade Car and Lemonade Autonomous Car in Missouri, offering Tesla drivers a 50% discount on every mile driven using Full Self-Driving (Supervised) from day one. This marks the first time Lemonade has introduced both products simultaneously in a single state, according to President and Co-Founder Shai Wininger, who cited Tesla's safe FSD technology and Lemonade's intelligent pricing models as enabling precise savings for Tesla customers. Missouri drivers can obtain quotes instantly via the Lemonade app or website, with Tesla owners eligible for Autonomous Car pricing at a dedicated portal, and additional savings available when bundling with other Lemonade policies. The company, which serves over 3 million customers across the US, UK, and Europe, continues to expand its AI-driven insurance offerings.

Stewart Information Services has acquired Tower Title, a national provider of telecommunications-focused title services, to strengthen its National Commercial Services and Energy & Infrastructure group. Tower Title, founded in 2019, serves telecommunications, solar farms, wind turbines, data centers, and billboard projects nationwide. Its leadership team will continue operating the business under Matt Skalka, Stewart's senior vice president for Energy & Infrastructure.