>> WELCOME BACK TO SQUAWK BOX. GOT SOME NEWS FROM THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY. CONTESSA BREWER JOINS US AT THE TABLE THIS MORNING WITH MORE.WHAT'S GOING ON. >> MORNING GUYS. WELL WE CAN EXCLUSIVELY REPORT THIS MORNING USAA IS SET TO RETURN $3.7% BILLION TO ITS POLICYHOLDERS, 14.2% MILLION OF THEM MOSTLY SERVICE MEMBERS, VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES.USAA IS AN ASSOCIATION, AND SO ITS CUSTOMERS ARE ALSO ITS SHAREHOLDERS. THIS IS THE LARGEST PAYBACK IN THE COMPANY'S 103 YEAR HISTORY, AND THAT'S IN SPITE OF THE CONSI ...

Leadership Changes at Berkshire Hathaway - Nancy L. Pierce has been appointed as the new CEO of GEICO, previously serving as the COO at the company since 1986, with extensive experience in various leadership roles [1][3] - Todd A. Combs, the former CEO since 2020, is leaving GEICO for a position at JPMorgan Chase & Co., with Warren Buffett acknowledging his contributions to the company [3] - Berkshire Hathaway is undergoing significant leadership transitions, including the upcoming retirement of CEO Warren Buffett after 60 years, with Greg Abel set to take over [3][4] Additional Executive Appointments - Marc D. Hamburg, the CFO, will retire effective June 1, 2027, after 40 years, with Charles C. Chang succeeding him on June 1, 2026 [4] - Michael J. O'Sullivan will become the senior vice president and general counsel starting January 1, joining from Snap, Inc., marking the creation of a new position within the company [5]

Todd Combs has chosen an ‘interesting and important job at JP Morgan’ - Drew Angerer/Getty Images One of Warren Buffett’s key lieutenants has left the investor’s stock-picking conglomerate just weeks before the 95-year-old retires. Todd Combs is stepping down as investment manager at Berkshire Hathaway to join Wall Street giant JP Morgan, where he has been on the board since 2016. Mr Combs, who also served as chief executive of US car insurer Geico since 2020, was an unknown hedge fund manager in Connec ...

HAMILTON, Bermuda , Dec. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (NYSE: WTM) ("White Mountains") announced today that it has completed the sale of a controlling interest in Bamboo to affiliates of funds advised by CVC Capital Partners ("CVC"). ...

Core Viewpoint - The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. (HIG) is a well-established insurance and financial services provider with a market cap of $36.1 billion, serving both individuals and businesses across various segments [1]. Company Overview - HIG is classified as a "large-cap" stock, with offerings that include property, casualty, employee benefits coverage, investment management, and mutual fund products [2]. Stock Performance - The stock has decreased by 6.6% from its 52-week high of $138.64 and has fallen 1.7% over the past three months, underperforming the Invesco KBW Property & Casualty Insurance ETF (KBWP) [3]. - Year-to-date, HIG stock has increased by 18.3%, outperforming KBWP's 4.4% gain, and has risen 6.8% over the past 52 weeks, while KBWP has decreased by 2.9% [4]. Financial Results - In Q3 2025, HIG reported a 41% increase in profit, with net income rising to $1.07 billion ($3.77 per share) from $761 million ($2.56 per share) year-over-year. The business insurance segment showed strong underwriting results with a combined ratio of 88.8%, an improvement from 92.2% the previous year [5]. - Property and casualty written premiums grew by 7%, driven by a 9% increase in business insurance premiums to $3.57 billion, aided by a quiet catastrophe season [5]. Competitive Position - Compared to its rival, The Allstate Corporation (ALL), HIG has outperformed, as Allstate's shares have only gained 4.9% year-to-date and have seen a marginal decline over the past 52 weeks [6].

Core Points - Ageas announces the acquisition of full ownership of AG Insurance, marking a significant milestone in its growth strategy [2] - The acquisition is supported by BNP Paribas, which has increased its shareholding and reaffirmed its long-term distribution agreement with AG Insurance [3] - The agreement is expected to accelerate Ageas's progress towards its Elevate27 ambitions [4] Group 1: Acquisition Details - Ageas will acquire full ownership of AG Insurance and the rights to underwrite the existing 25% quota share starting from 2027 [4] Group 2: Strategic Support - BNP Paribas's increased shareholding reflects its support for Ageas's strategic focus and autonomy [3]

Core Insights - The logistics sector has seen significant engagement from investors, particularly in the ASEAN and US markets, highlighting its growth potential and diversification opportunities [1] - The popularity of insurance companies in the Philippines since 2014 indicates a shift in investment strategies among local investors, moving towards a more diversified portfolio [1] - The entry into the US market has provided additional avenues for investment, particularly in sectors such as banking, hotels, and logistics, reflecting a broader trend of globalization in investment strategies [1] Investment Strategies - Initial investments were focused on blue-chip companies, but there has been a diversification into various industries and market capitalizations over time [1] - The approach includes holding stocks for retirement as well as for trading profits, showcasing a balanced investment strategy [1] - The use of platforms like Seeking Alpha has facilitated knowledge sharing and comparative analysis between different markets, enhancing investment decision-making [1] Market Trends - The logistics and shipping sectors are gaining traction in both the ASEAN and US markets, indicating robust growth and investment interest [1] - The trend of engaging in stock markets as a means of portfolio diversification is becoming more prevalent among investors in the Philippines [1] - The increasing awareness and participation in the US market reflect a growing trend of international investment among local investors [1]

Core Insights - The primary driver for SMEs purchasing cyber insurance is broker advice, highlighting the importance of broker-led distribution in increasing cyber insurance uptake among smaller businesses [2][3][4] - CFC Underwriting Limited has introduced a Cyber Threat Review tool aimed at helping brokers communicate cyber risks in understandable commercial terms, thereby addressing the SME cyber protection gap [3][4] Group 1: Cyber Insurance Market Dynamics - A GlobalData survey indicates that 26.7% of SMEs acquired cyber insurance due to broker recommendations, emphasizing the trust and clarity brokers provide in the purchasing process [2] - The survey also reveals that 40.4% of SMEs believe it is unlikely they will be targeted by a cyberattack, and 9.2% are unaware of cyber risks altogether, indicating a significant knowledge gap [3] Group 2: CFC's Cyber Threat Review Tool - The Cyber Threat Review tool offers tailored insights into specific cyber exposures, translating complex vulnerabilities into practical business risks such as financial loss and reputational damage [3][4] - By integrating risk intelligence into the distribution process, CFC aims to enhance broker effectiveness and improve SME awareness of cyber risks, ultimately supporting growth in this under-penetrated market [4]

Core Insights - The Indian IPO market is experiencing significant activity, driven by domestic investors, with a total of $19.6 billion raised so far this year [1] Group 1 - The fundraising environment in India is described as a "gold rush," indicating a highly competitive and lucrative market for initial public offerings [1] - Domestic investors are playing a crucial role in fueling this surge in IPO activity, highlighting a strong local interest in equity investments [1]

Group 1 - BNP Paribas is selling its 25% stake in AG Insurance to Ageas as part of a two-pronged deal [1]