April 2016/1

ILS investors responded to new cat bonds at both ends of the risk-return spectrum with strong demand in a diverse and record-setting first quarter.

Upcoming changes to ratings agency AM Best's Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR) could penalise ILS markets over rated carriers, Willis Capital Markets & Advisory (WCMA) said in its first quarter ILS report

Collateral lock-ups could drag down ILS investor returns by 15-20 percent of long-term expected profits for deals with a moderate chance of loss, according to research by Milliman.

More than a decade on from the devastating 2004-05 hurricane season, scientists are beginning to debate whether to call an end to a cycle of more active Atlantic cyclone activity

The world's biggest catastrophe cedant Zenkyoren achieved a 7.5 percent rate reduction at 1 April as it purchased a new 200bn yen ($1.77bn) top layer, sister publication The Insurance Insider reported

Demand for Florida reinsurance cover could drop this year if both the state's insurer and reinsurer choose not to buy new protection, Aon Benfield said in its April renewals report

At the 1 April reinsurance renewal season the market softened for the fourth consecutive year, but reductions have slowed from those achieved a year ago

A group of reinsurer sidecars tracked by Trading Risk posted average returns of just above 5 percent in the three months to 31 January, implying they are on track to deliver annualised returns in the low 20 percent range

Allied World Q1 premium drop; Ontario Teachers'sells ANV; Alternative capital hits $72bn: Aon Benfield; RMS on Ecuador quake; Record rainfall floods Texas...

A state-owned enterprise in China is seeking $100mn for a possible corporate cat bond

Modelling firm AIR Worldwide said insured losses from the earthquakes that struck the southern Japanese island of Kyushu earlier this month could be between 180bn yen ($1.7bn) and 320bn yen ($2.9bn)

Aeolus became one of the top 10 absolute return managers for the Pennsylvania Public School Employees' Retirement System (PSERS) in its 2015 fiscal year