Swiss Re

Swiss Re's net income attributable to common shareholders fell by $877m to $83m (2011: $960m) in the second quarter of 2012 owing to a $1bn loss from the sale of the US business Admin Re.

Market surveys are nothing without analysis. Paul Avis finds Swiss Re's latest highlights a few worrying trends in group markets but also a number of opportunities.

The long-term protection market has remained resilient through 2011 despite significant increase in the UK protection gap, Swiss Re has reported.

Swiss Re has reported "strong underwriting, good investment performance and lower than-expected major natural catastrophe claims" for a "very strong first-quarter" net income of $1.1bn compared to a loss of $665m for Q1 2011.

The group life market may be in robust health, but it does face an array of conditions driving change. Edward Murray investigates the developments that lie in store over the next year.

Group Risk Development (Grid) has hailed Swiss Re's group risk market report as "most encouraging."

Employers are increasingly becoming benefit facilitators rather than benefit providers, Swiss Re's Group Watch survey finds.

Severity based protection payments have become more common over the year. Phil Jeynes explains why in his overview of 2011

A marked change in consumer awareness is causing consumers to take an "austere" self-assessment of protection needs, Swiss Re has said.

Swiss Re has reported a 118% increase in net income in the third quarter.