The major U.S. index futures are currently pointing to a roughly flat open on Thursday, with stocks likely to show a lack of direction after moving notably higher over the two previous sessions.A mixed reaction to earnings news from Dow components Nvidia (NVDA) and Salesforce (CRM) may lead to choppy trading on Wall Street.Shares of Nvidia are jumping by 1.0 percent in pre-market trading after the AI leader reported better than expected fiscal fourth quarter results and provided upbeat guidance."Despite al ...

Core Insights - Eni reported a 35% year-on-year increase in adjusted net profit for Q4, driven by strong growth in its exploration and production division [1] - The adjusted net profit for the fourth quarter reached 1.2 billion euros ($1.4 billion), up from 885 million euros in the same period last year, surpassing analyst expectations of 960 million euros [1] Financial Performance - Adjusted net profit for Q4: 1.2 billion euros ($1.4 billion) [1] - Year-on-year growth: 35% increase from 885 million euros [1] - Analyst consensus: Expected profit of 960 million euros [1]

Munich Re’s primary insurance unit ERGO aims to cut about 1,000 positions in Germany, partly as a result of its increased use of artificial intelligence.The cuts affect simple and repetitive tasks in telephony and claims processing, a spokesman said on Tuesday. They will take place over five years through the end of 2030, with ERGO saying there will be no forced redundancies during this time. Companies in the finance industry are increasingly using AI to speed up services and cut costs. Late last year, ING ...

Munich Re’s primary insurance unit Ergo aims to cut about 1,000 positions in Germany, partly as a result of its increased use of artificial intelligence. https://t.co/1yM6AJSecr ...

Group 1: Core Offering - Cowbell has launched its Prime One cyber insurance program in the Australian market, targeting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with annual revenues of up to A$100 million [1] - The insurance policies are underwritten by Zurich Australian Insurance, combining Zurich's financial strength with Cowbell's technology-driven underwriting and claims processes [1] Group 2: Coverage and Features - The coverage offers limits of up to A$5 million per claim and utilizes an AI model to assess each client's cyber risks [2] - Each Prime One policy includes access to Cowbell's resilience resources, which aim to enhance cybersecurity preparedness before incidents occur [2] - Cowbell Factors provides AI-based risk assessments tailored to individual businesses, while Cowbell Insights offers specific recommendations based on the organization's risk profile [2] Group 3: Additional Services and Leadership - Cowbell Resiliency Services offers guidance on micro penetration testing, cybersecurity training, vendor risk management, and connections to trusted cybersecurity providers through the Cowbell Rx marketplace [3] - Anthony Wall has been appointed as head of underwriting for the local operation, bringing experience from AIG, Munich Re, and Chubb [3] - Alric Lal has been named head of business development for Australia, with a background from UBT, Marsh, and Aon [4] Group 4: Strategic Partnerships and Vision - Cowbell's partnership with Zurich aims to provide Australian organizations with a reliable foundation for cyber resilience, supported by continuous underwriting and risk intelligence [5] - Cowbell's CEO, Jack Kudale, emphasized that cyber protection should be straightforward, instilling confidence in businesses [4]

Core Viewpoint - Reinsurance Group of America (RGA) is a leading global provider in the life and health reinsurance sector, with a positive outlook reflected in the increasing consensus price target from analysts [1][2][6] Price Target Trends - The average price target for RGA has risen from $219.63 a year ago to $237.50 last month, indicating a significant increase of $17.87 over the year and $9.25 over the last quarter [2][4][3] - Wells Fargo has set a price target of $238 for RGA, aligning with the positive sentiment from analysts regarding the stock's potential upside [2][6] Analyst Sentiment - Analysts have shown growing confidence in RGA's performance, as evidenced by the increase in the average price target and the positive Zacks Rank system, which highlights RGA as a promising stock despite some limitations [3][4] - The consensus price target increase reflects a strong upward trend in analyst expectations, suggesting optimism about RGA's growth potential [4][6] Earnings Expectations - RGA is expected to experience earnings growth, although it may not achieve an earnings beat in the upcoming fourth-quarter report scheduled for February 5 [5]

Several international reinsurers, including Lloyd’s of London, are applying for permission to operate in India’s Gujarat International Finance Tec City (GIFT City), reported Reuters. Other companies aiming to set up in the city include South Korea’s Samsung Re, Africa's Kenya Re and Spain’s Mapfre Re, noted the news agency, citing unnamed sources. These companies would join more than a dozen reinsurers from various regions that have already established a foothold in GIFT City. The sources indicated tha ...

Core Insights - The lack of insurance coverage in Southeast Asia poses a significant threat to the region, which is becoming increasingly vital for global supply chains due to natural disasters like tropical storms and flooding [1] Group 1: Insurance Coverage and Economic Impact - Total losses from natural disasters in the Asia-Pacific region reached $73 billion last year, with only $9 billion insured, highlighting Asia as one of the least insured regions globally [2] - In many lower-income countries in Asia, such as Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and the Philippines, insurance coverage can be less than 5% [3] - The inadequate insurance coverage in Southeast Asia increases the risk of economic shocks that can affect neighboring countries, as the region is a crucial hub for agriculture and manufacturing, producing 30% of the world's rice and over 80% of its palm oil [4] Group 2: Challenges in Insurance Market - The lack of reliable climate data in Asia complicates risk assessment for insurers, making it difficult for them to price risks and enter the market [4] - Governments often perceive insurance as a waste of public funds, as it provides intangible benefits without immediate returns unless a payout occurs [4] - The impact of climate disasters on farmers leads to reduced yields and crop failures, which further strains logistics and supply chains, damaging infrastructure and delaying shipments [5] Group 3: Socioeconomic Consequences - Vulnerable populations without insurance face severe consequences, including loss of property and infrastructure, which can lead to broader socioeconomic issues [5] - Disaster losses can result in consumption losses, forcing families to make difficult choices, such as withdrawing children from school or selling assets to survive [6]

Core Insights - Zurich Insurance Group is preparing to launch its first Lloyd's of London syndicate as part of its strategy to acquire specialty insurer Beazley, which is also involved in the Lloyd's market [1][2] - The company has increased its buyout offer for Beazley to $10.2 billion (SFr8.06 billion), marking its fifth proposal to acquire the firm known for insuring against risks like cyber incidents [2] - Discussions with Lloyd's are reportedly advanced, with a potential launch date for the new syndicate as early as April 2 [3] Group 1: Syndicate Launch and Strategy - The new syndicate will enable Zurich to leverage private capital for underwriting risks in the Lloyd's market, providing an alternative strategy if the Beazley acquisition does not succeed [1][4] - Zurich's planned syndicate aims to generate annual premium revenues in the "hundreds of millions of pounds" [3] Group 2: Market Dynamics and Competition - The entry of private capital into the Lloyd's marketplace is increasing, posing challenges to traditional reinsurers like Munich Re and Swiss Re [5] - Zurich has not disclosed whether it will collaborate with other investors for its Lloyd's operation, amidst a trend of partnerships in the market [5]

NEXT Insurance has adopted a new name and identity, rebranding as ERGO NEXT Insurance as it formalises its integration with ERGO. ERGO Group, a subsidiary of Munich Re, concluded the acquisition of the US-based property and casualty (P&C) insurer in July 2025. The process began in March 2025 when ERGO Group signed an agreement to acquire NEXT Insurance, valuing the US-based insurer at $2.6bn. NEXT Insurance, established in 2016, specialises in digital insurance solutions tailored for small business own ...