February 2012/1

Investment manager Catco is not planning any further fundraising for the group's listed investment vehicle the Catco Reinsurance Opportunities Fund this year, it said in an update to the London Stock Exchange.

Private equity investor Aquiline Capital Partners has put significant sums to work in funds managed by Juniperus Capital as well as buying the investment manager, Trading Risk can report.

The industry loss warranty (ILW) market may need to wait for hurricane season to approach before its moment in the retro spotlight comes this year, BMS broker Stefano Nicolini says.

Hurricane options are undergoing a pre-season surge in interest, with $15mn limit traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) in January and another $30mn of buy orders understood to be in the market.

Nardeep Sangha, Swiss Re's new global head of life and health risk transformation, says his team is continuing a big push on the longevity side of the business this year.

Marine industry loss warranties (ILWs) may be on risk for a payout over the wreck of the Costa Concordia cruise liner, Trading Risk understands.

Investors have welcomed tighter conditions on ILS cover following unease over the Mariah Re payouts.

Modelling firm RMS has signed up Rochdale Securities as the first broker to provide secondary pricing data for the launch of its new ILS pricing tool.

The Swiss Re global cat bond price return index has continued to gradually decline in February as new issuances crowd out activity on the secondary market, the reinsurer says.

Munich Re has brought a new Queen Street cat bond to market with a $75mn US hurricane and European windstorm offering.

The ILS market has started 2012 at the forecast quick rate with conditions and prices tightening as traditional catastrophe reinsurance rates rise.

Bermudian carrier XL Capital has signalled that it will make use of alternative forms of capital when it renews its outwards reinsurance arrangements at 1 May.