Life-Annuity and Health M&A Continued as Insurers Looked for Growth in 2019; Muted Growth in 2020 Projected

May 05, 2020


  • In 2019, the need to support growth and expansion remained a key theme driving M&A
  • Sellers were motivated to dispose of businesses that were no longer core or lacked profitable scale
  • 2020 M&A is expected to be muted due to COVID-19

 

HARTFORD, CT – May 5, 2020 - In 2019, M&A activity involving acquisitions of life-annuity and health insurers in 2019 were slightly higher than in 2018, driven by broad economic, regulatory, competitive, technological, and demographic trends.

 

“Slightly favorable economic conditions were the primary drivers of insurance M&A in 2019,said Scott Hawkins, a Director, Insurance Research at Conning. “Low interest rates supported debt-financed M&A activity during the year. For health insurance, vertical integration continued as a theme, as well as insurers looking to capture blocks of Medicare or Medicaid business.”

 

The Conning study, “Global Life & Health Insurance M&A in 2019 - The Quest for Growth Continues” tracks and analyzes U.S. and non-U.S. life, annuity, and health mergers and acquisitions activity for insurers, distributors, and service-related firms. Specific transactions are detailed, and trends are analyzed across all segments.

 

“In 2019, external capital continued to invest in the M&A of companies or blocks of business. This was most easily seen among the life-annuity industry as liability platforms continued to be established” said Steve Webersen, Head of Insurance Research at Conning. “Looking ahead at 2020, the disruption caused by COVID-19 is likely to mute M&A activity. That said, firms with available capital may be positioned to continue using M&A to increase growth as the economic environment settles. Additionally, in light of weaker capital positions resulting from economic turmoil, insurers will be reevaluating their core competencies and competitive positions throughout the second half of 2020.” 

 

Global Life & Health Insurance M&A in 2019 - The Quest for Growth Continuesis available for purchase from Conning by calling (888) 707-1177 or by clicking here.

 

ABOUT CONNING

Conning (www.conning.comis a leading investment management firm with a long history of serving the insurance industry. Conning supports institutional investors, including pension plans, with investment solutions and asset management offerings, risk modeling software, and industry research. Founded in 1912, Conning has investment centers in Asia, Europe and North America.

 

C: 10141220

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Myra Lee
Conning
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