Global reinsurers grew capital robustly in 2019, although underlying returns remain low: Willis Re

LONDON, April 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Total capital dedicated to the global reinsurance industry measured US$605 billion at year-end 2019, reflecting robust 15% year-on-year growth. This was primarily driven by 2019’s strong investment market performance and was achieved despite a 3% contraction in alternative capital, according to the latest Reinsurance Market Report from Willis Re, the reinsurance business of leading global advisory, broking and solutions company Willis Towers Watson (NASDAQ: WLTW).
Year-to-date 2020, much of this expansion will have unwound, due to the steep sell-off in equity and corporate bond markets. The significant swings in investment markets in March and April 2020 have resulted in year-to-date impacts to the global reinsurance capital base ranging from –5% to as much as –20%.Willis Re conducts a more in-depth analysis on a subset¹ of 18 reinsurers. The reported return on equity (RoE) for the subset increased significantly, from 4.2% in 2018 to 9.7% in 2019, driven by investment gains. However, the underlying RoE, which excludes the impact of investment gains, abnormal catastrophe losses and prior-year reserve development, fell from an already low 4.3% in 2018 to 3.2%. The analysis shows that the reinsurance sector’s underlying RoE remains in gentle decline and is well below the industry’s cost of capital.A principal driver of the lower underlying RoE was the subset’s combined ratio. The reported combined ratio increased from 99.2% to 100.6%. On an underlying basis, ie, normalising catastrophe losses and excluding prior year reserve development, it rose from 102.3% in 2018 to 103.1%. This metric has also been increasing every year going back to 2013.James Kent, global CEO, Willis Re, said: “This analysis demonstrates how sensitive the global reinsurance capital base is to investment markets. Thankfully strong capital growth in 2019 allied to judicious investment strategies by many companies has put the industry in a good position to weather the current volatile environment. At the same time, the analysis demonstrates that underlying profitability remains a core focus for reinsurers resulting in rate increases across many lines of business, to support the pricing momentum on loss impacted lines that started in some cases in mid-2018.”Download the full report: The Willis Re Reinsurance Market Report is a biannual publication providing in-depth analysis of the size and performance of the reinsurance market. Analysis is based on the Willis Reinsurance Index group of companies. In 2019 the index included 39 companies from across the globe.About Willis ReOne of the world’s leading reinsurance brokers, Willis Re is known for its world-class analytics capabilities, which it combines with its reinsurance expertise in a seamless, integrated offering that can help clients increase the value of their businesses. Willis Re serves the risk management and risk transfer needs of a diverse, global client base that includes all of the world’s top insurance and reinsurance carriers as well as national catastrophe schemes in many countries around the world. The broker’s global team of experts offers services and advice that can help clients make better reinsurance decisions and negotiate optimum terms. For more information, visit willisre.com.About Willis Towers WatsonWillis Towers Watson (NASDAQ: WLTW) is a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company that helps clients around the world turn risk into a path for growth. With roots dating to 1828, Willis Towers Watson has over 45,000 employees serving more than 140 countries and markets. We design and deliver solutions that manage risk, optimise benefits, cultivate talent, and expand the power of capital to protect and strengthen institutions and individuals. Our unique perspective allows us to see the critical intersections between talent, assets and ideas — the dynamic formula that drives business performance. Together, we unlock potential. Learn more at willistowerswatson.comContacts:MediaAnnie Roberts: +44 20 3124 7080 | annie.roberts@willistowerswatson.comInvestorsRich Keefe: +1 215 246 3961 | rich.keefe@willistowerswatson.com______________¹ Subset is defined as those companies that make the relevant disclosure in relation to catastrophe losses and prior year reserve releases.