The turmoil in the financial markets resulted in a highly challenging environment for the U.S. insurance industry, a trend that is expected to continue through the end of the current year, though some signs of improvement can be seen now. We also expect further consolidation in the industry.

Life Insurers

Continued losses in the investment portfolio and lower income from the variable annuity business will continue to hurt earnings. Most life insurers have substantial exposure to commercial-real-estate-backed loans and securities, which will result in further losses in the coming quarters.

The Industry's statutory capital levels have fallen sharply and some companies are trying to raise capital through the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP). The Treasury has already approved six life insurers for capital infusion under TARP.

Property & Casualty Insurers

Insurers' losses from natural disasters surged in 2008, with maximum losses resulting from Hurricane Ike (insured losses of approximately $15 billion). Six named storms --

...

The turmoil in the financial markets resulted in a highly challenging environment for the U.S. insurance industry, a trend that is expected to continue through the end of the current year, though some signs of improvement can be seen now. We also expect further consolidation in the industry.

Life Insurers

Continued losses in the investment portfolio and lower income from the variable annuity business will continue to hurt earnings. Most life insurers have substantial exposure to commercial-real-estate-backed loans and securities, which will result in further losses in the coming quarters.

The Industry's statutory capital levels have fallen sharply and some companies are trying to raise capital through the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP). The Treasury has already approved six life insurers for capital infusion under TARP.

Property & Casualty Insurers

Insurers' losses from natural disasters surged in 2008, with maximum losses resulting from Hurricane Ike (insured losses of approximately $15 billion). Six named storms --

...

The turmoil in the financial markets resulted in a highly challenging environment for the U.S. insurance industry, a trend that is expected to continue through the end of the current year, though some signs of improvement can be seen now. We also expect further consolidation in the industry.Life InsurersContinued losses in the investment portfolio and lower income from the variable annuity business will continue to hurt earnings. Most life insurers have substantial exposure to commercial-real-estate-backed loans and securities, which will result in further losses in the coming quarters.The Industry's statutory capital levels have fallen sharply and some companies are trying to raise capital through the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP). The Treasury has already approved six life insurers for capital infusion under TARP.Property & Casualty InsurersInsurers' losses from natural disasters surged in 2008, with maximum ...

Ongoing turmoil in the financial markets has resulted in a highly challenging environment for the U.S. insurance industry -- a trend that is expected to continue at least through the end of the current year. We also expect further consolidation in the industry.

Life Insurers

Increased losses in the investment portfolio and lower income from the variable annuity business will continue to hurt earnings. Further, most life insurers have substantial exposure to commercial-real-estate-backed loans and securities, which will result in further losses in the coming quarters.

The Industry's statutory capital levels have fallen sharply and some companies are trying to raise capital through the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP). Treasury has stated that some of the life insurers may qualify for TARP because of their Bank Holding Company status.

Property & Casualty Insurers

Insurers' losses from natural disasters surged in 2008, with maximum losses resulting from Hurricane Ike (insured losses of approximately $15 billion). Six

...

Ongoing turmoil in the financial markets has resulted in a highly challenging environment for the U.S. insurance industry -- a trend that is expected to continue at least through the end of the current year. We also expect further consolidation in the industry.

Life Insurers

Increased losses in the investment portfolio and lower income from the variable annuity business will continue to hurt earnings. Further, most life insurers have substantial exposure to commercial-real-estate-backed loans and securities, which will result in further losses in the coming quarters.

The Industry's statutory capital levels have fallen sharply and some companies are trying to raise capital through the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP). Treasury has stated that some of the life insurers may qualify for TARP because of their Bank Holding Company status.

Property & Casualty Insurers

Insurers' losses from natural disasters surged in 2008, with maximum losses resulting from Hurricane Ike (insured losses of approximately $15 billion). Six

...

Ongoing turmoil in the financial markets has resulted in a highly challenging environment for the U.S. insurance industry -- a trend that is expected to continue at least through the end of the current year. We also expect further consolidation in the industry.Life InsurersIncreased losses in the investment portfolio and lower income from the variable annuity business will continue to hurt earnings. Further, most life insurers have substantial exposure to commercial-real-estate-backed loans and securities, which will result in further losses in the coming quarters.The Industry's statutory capital levels have fallen sharply and some companies are trying to raise capital through the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP). Treasury has stated that some of the life insurers may qualify for TARP because of their Bank Holding Company status.Property & Casualty InsurersInsurers' losses from natural disasters surged in 2008, with maximum losses ...

Ongoing turmoil in the financial markets has resulted in a highly challenging environment for the U.S. insurance industry, a trend that is expected to continue in 2009. We also expect further consolidation in the industry.

Life Insurers

Increased losses in the investment portfolio and lower income from the variable annuity business will continue to hurt earnings. The Industry's statutory capital levels have fallen sharply in 2008, and some companies are trying to raise capital through the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP). We are not sure whether the lawmakers will allow the insurers access to TARP money. Further, many life insurers have substantial exposure to commercial-real-estate-backed securities, which will result in further losses during FY09.

Property & Casualty Insurers

Insurers' losses from natural disasters surged in 2008, with maximum losses resulting from Hurricane Ike (insured losses of approximately $15 billion). Six named storms -- Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Ike hit the

...

Ongoing turmoil in the financial markets has resulted in a highly challenging environment for the U.S. insurance industry, a trend that is expected to continue in 2009. We also expect further consolidation in the industry.Life InsurersIncreased losses in the investment portfolio and lower income from the variable annuity business will continue to hurt earnings. The Industry's statutory capital levels have fallen sharply in 2008, and some companies are trying to raise capital through the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP). We are not sure whether the lawmakers will allow the insurers access to TARP money. Further, many life insurers have substantial exposure to commercial-real-estate-backed securities, which will result in further losses during FY09.  Property & Casualty InsurersInsurers' losses from natural disasters surged in 2008, with maximum losses resulting from Hurricane Ike (insured losses of approximately $15 billion). Six named storms -- Dolly, ...

Ongoing turmoil in the financial markets has resulted in a highly challenging environment for the U.S. insurance industry, a trend that is expected to continue in 2009. We also expect further consolidation in the industry.

Life Insurers

Increased losses in the investment portfolio and lower income from the variable annuity business will continue to hurt earnings. The Industry's statutory capital levels have fallen sharply in 2008 and some companies are trying to raise capital through the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP). We are not sure whether the lawmakers will allow the insurers access to TARP money. Further, many life insurers have substantial exposure to commercial-real-estate-backed securities, which will result in further losses during FY09.

Property & Casualty Insurers

Insurers' losses from natural disasters surged in 2008, with maximum losses resulting from Hurricane Ike (insured losses of approximately $15 billion). Six named storms -- Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Ike hit the

...

Stocks finished mixed during a rough session that saw further declines in commodities and commodities stocks. The Dow managed to finish with a gain of 15.96 points, or 0.14%, to 11532. The Nasdaq Composite Index fell 15.51 points, or 0.66%, to 2333. The S&P 500 also declined 2.59 points, or 0.20%, to 1274.

Once again, falling crude prices and a strengthening dollar did little to comfort investors after the auto companies reported sales that slid more than analyst’s estimates and the Fed Beige Book showed increasing inflationary pressures.

General Motors (GM) saw car sales fall 20% in August year-over-year. For Ford ( F), it was even worse, falling 27%. But even the mighty Toyota (TM) wasn't spared, as it saw sales fall 9.4%. As expected truck sales were awful which hurt Ford, the maker of the popular F-Series truck, the hardest.

The Fed Beige Book painted

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