Twitter’s a pretty lucky company. Few get two bytes at the hype apple in rapid succession, but this social media platform has found a way to make up for its disappointing announcement about its advertising model. According to VentureBeat, Twitter might unveil its long-awaited, heavily-hyped and possibly investor-satisfying corporate accounts. Next month, at its inaugural Chirp developer conference, we could finally see what might just be the foundation of Twitter’s business model.

Continue reading Twitter May Chirp Its Commercial Accounts Next Month

Twitter May Chirp Its Commercial Accounts Next Month originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Catastrophe modelers, insurers and reinsurers are still sorting out the damage from Windstorm Xynthia in Europe and the earthquake in Chile. Taking only the highest of high-end estimates, the damage from these two catastrophes could exceed $12 billion, resulting in fairly steep property-catastrophe losses long before hurricane season begins. With three more major property reinsurance renewals remaining for the year -- at April 1, June 1 (Florida) and July 1 -- there is plenty of time for the impact of these events to be absorbed into reinsurance pricing.

Continue reading Assessing the Tab for Q1 Catastrophes

Assessing the Tab for Q1 Catastrophes originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here are some highlights from this past week’s earnings coverage on BloggingStocks:

• Aeropostale Inc. (ARO) reported better-than-expected Q4 earnings and revenue and offered rosy guidance.
• American Eagle Outfitters Inc. (AEO) higher Q4 earnings matched analysts’ estimates, but shares rose afterward.
• AnnTaylor Stores Corp. (ANN) swung to a profit in Q4 even though same-store sales dropped; shares fell.
• Cbeyond Inc. (CBEY) received an analyst’s upgrade following its Q4 results and guidance for the full year.
• Children’s Place Retail Stores Inc. (PLCE) posted strong Q4 earnings even though same-store sales were flat.

Continue reading Earnings Highlights: Aeropostale, H&R Block, IMAX, J. Crew, Kroger …

Earnings Highlights: Aeropostale, H&R Block, IMAX, J. Crew, Kroger … originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When 2008 ended on a sour note, the reinsurance industry looked to 2009 with trepidation. Since the financial crisis struck late in the third quarter of 2008, it was clear at the time that the effects would spill over into the following year, though signs of stability in the reinsurance market left reason for hope. Now, we’re looking back on the year that was, for 2009, rather than the one to come, and Munich Re (0KFE) is putting it in the “win” column. The reinsurer logged a bottom-line result of €2.56 billion, up profoundly from €1.58 billion the year before. Munich Re has already announced that it’s raising its dividend to €5.75 per share.

According to Nikolaus von Bomhard, Chairman of the Board of Management of Munich Re, “We have brought the financial year 2009 to a successful close: with a profit of over €2.5 billion, we were even able to surpass expectations and achieve our long-term return target despite the difficult environment.”

Continue reading Munich Re Profit Surges by More Than 60%

Munich Re Profit Surges by More Than 60% originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you do business with Iran, it’s probably going to be harder to get insurance coverage. Regulators and lawmakers in the U.S. are looking for stiffer penalties to thrust upon companies that do business with Iran. And insurers, likely acutely aware of how risk can spread, are starting to pull back.

Munich Re (0KFE) and Allianz (AZSEY) announced that they are suspending business in Iran, according to a report by Business Insurance. Neither company, however, stands to lose much. For Allianz, the lost premium is “negligible,” and for Munich Re, it’s only around $13.6 million.

According to a statement by Munich Re, “Due to the political situation in Iran, Munich Re has decided to not renew existing business or write any new business with insurance companies there.”

Most of the heat is coming from the U.S., which already has a law against direct U.S. investment in Iran. A new measure, the proposed Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act of 2009, would put tougher sanctions into play, both for U.S. and foreign companies that are effectively a step removed from Iran – i.e., those that do business with companies that do business with Iran’s energy sector. The legislation has already passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, though in different forms.

Continue reading Insurance Industry Faces More Pressure on Iran

Insurance Industry Faces More Pressure on Iran originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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