Cyber Coverage: What You Don't Know Might Hurt You
10/22/2019
The threat of cyber-attacks – attempts by hackers to damage or destroy a computer network or system – continues to grow. So too does the threat of the “silent cyber” risk for insurers: the exposure to claims from polices that were neither intended to respond to, nor priced for, cyber-related events.
Pension Funded Status Tracker September 2019
10/14/2019
During the month of September, the average corporate defined benefit pension plan’s funded status increased by 2% to 89% funded. The asset portfolio marginally increased in value, while liabilities decreased in value as a result of increased interest rates.
Pension Funded Status Tracker August 2019
09/19/2019
During the month of August the funded status of the average U.S. corporate defined benefit pension fell by 3% to 87% funded. The asset portfolio witnessed mixed returns though increased in overall value over the month and liabilities also increased in value, primarily driven by a large drop in interest rates.
CLOs: A Distinct Income Opportunity in Today's Environment
08/30/2019
Fixed-income investors concerned that interest rates will rise might want to consider collateralized loan obligation (CLO) securities. CLOs feature floating interest rates, which may help hedge against rising market interest rates.
Insurance M&A in the First Half of 2019: Taking a Breather
08/22/2019
The pace of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the insurance industry slowed during the first half of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018. However, we expect more deals as the year progresses. Conning’s Jerry Theodorou offers insights on trends in M&A activity across insurance sectors through the first half of 2019.
Pension Funded Status Tracker July 2019
08/20/2019
During the month of July 2019, the average corporate defined benefit pension plan’s funded status remained flat at 90%. The asset portfolio marginally increased in value and liabilities also increased in value as a result of spreads tightening.
Esoteric ABS: A Clear Opportunity for Uncertain Times
08/13/2019
The asset-backed securities (ABS) subset known as “esoteric ABS” may sound complex but it is often backed by collateral that is easy to understand, such as commercial aircraft, railcars and shipping containers. Learning more about esoteric ABS may be rewarding: a number of esoteric ABS are currently offering yields at a premium to traditional ABS and other assets of similar quality and duration.
Pension Funded Status Tracker June 2019
07/16/2019
During the month of June 2019, the average corporate defined benefit pension plan’s funded status improved by 2% to 90%. The asset portfolio increased in value as both the hedging and growth portfolios delivered positive returns and liabilities also increased in value, albeit less than the asset portfolio.
The Art and Science of Modeling Economies: A New Approach to Target Setting
07/02/2019
The setting of calibration targets is one of the most important components of the application of an economic scenario generator (ESG) to risk management. In Conning’s latest white paper, authors Matthew Lightwood, a director of Risk Solutions, and Hal Pedersen, managing director of Risk Solutions, discuss a new approach that combines an understanding of central bank monetary policy, historical analysis, and expert judgment to establish credible calibration targets for an ESG.