Motley Fool Hidden Gems
and Stock Advisor pick Montpelier Re
The weak results reflected general softening in the reinsurance industry, as both insurance and reinsurance companies face increased competition and recalibrate their appetite for risk amid a crazy debt market.
Most analysts expected the drop in net income, but few anticipated Montpelier's announcement of large losses in the first 50 days of 2008. Management estimates that the hit, stemming from individual risk in the commercial property division, will produce $30 million to $40 million in total losses by the time Montpelier reports first-quarter 2008 results.
For the year, Montpelier's combined ratio came in at 61.3%, 1% higher than a year before, but down from 70% last summer. Net premiums written -- essentially, new business -- grew 40% to $74.5 million during the fourth quarter.
CEO Anthony Taylor adamantly remind investors that Montpelier has minimal exposure to subprime mortgages and no exposure to bond insurers. Nonetheless, the company hopes to profit from the mortgage mess; it contributed $95 million in the second half of 2007 to take advantage of mortgage bank loans that have suffered such infamous punishment lately.
Berkshire Hathaway
For 2007, Montpelier's book value grew 17.6% to $17.88 per share, a notch above where its shares trade today. Most of that increase in book value owed to a $56 million share repurchase, and Montpelier's buyback of all its outstanding warrants from founding investor White Mountains
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