In the Middle East and North Africa, we profile 17 companies. These are AGF,AIG, Allianz, Aviva, AXA, Cardif, ERGO, Eureko, Fortis, Generali, Groupama, HSBCInsurance, Liberty Mutual, MAPFRE, RSA, UNIQA and Zurich Financial Services. We also look at a number of the smaller local firms that are active in theregion, particularly in Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. For almost allthe countries whose reports we are updating, we are also able to include actualdata for calendar year 2007 This was not the case for our Q208 reports. Weestimate that, over the course of 2008, total premiums in Saudi Arabia rose by24% to SAR10,557 million. Non-life premiums rose by 23% to SAR10,155mn whilelife premiums rose by 50% to SAR402mn. Between now and the end of the forecast period, we expect that annual non-lifepremiums will grow by SAR9,626mn, while annual life premiums should grow bySAR681mn.
Growth in non-life premiums should be driven by the general growth ofnominal GDP plus a rise in non-life penetration from the current level of 0.54%to 1.00%. Growth in life premiums should be driven by the change in the overallpopulation and a rise in life density from US$3.59 to US$10.00 per capita OurInsurance Business Environment Rating is 52.7. Companies Mentioned:* AGF * AIG * Allianz * Aviva * AXA * Cardif * Ergo * Eureko * Fortis * Generali * Groupama * HSBC Insurance * Liberty Mutual * MAPFRE * RSA * UNIQA * ZurichFor more information visit http:// Research and MarketsLaura WoodSenior Fax from USA: 646-607-1907Fax from rest of the world: +353-1-481-1716 Copyright Business Wire 2009. * Q1 earnings of 33 cents miss estimates by 3 cents Stocks | Global Markets * Q1 revenue misses estimates * Reiterates 2009 non-GAAP outlook * Shares fall more than 13 percent April 23 (Reuters) – Financial market data providerInteractive Data Corp (IDC.N) posted quarterly results thatmissed Wall Street targets, hurt by foreign exchange impact anda 72.5 percent drop in its interest income. Shares of the company were down more than 13 percent at$23.06 in morning trade on the New York Stock Exchange. First-quarter net income was almost flat at $31.9 million,or 33 cents per share Revenue rose 2.4 percent to $186.0million.
[ID:nWNAB7011] Analysts expected earnings of 36 cents a share, excludingexceptional items, on revenue of $191.3 million, according toReuters Estimates. The first-quarter revenue was unfavorably impacted by $15.1million due to a stronger U.S. dollar in comparison with theprior year, Interactive Data, which competes with Bloomberg,said. The company, which reiterated its 2009 non-GAAP outlook,said it expects overall spending on market data and relatedservices by customers in the financial services industry may beinfluenced by certain factors including delayed sales cyclesand cost-containment activities.(Reporting by Shrutika Verma in Bangalore; Edting by AradhanaAravindan) Stocks Global Markets. Chris Snee answered a question with one of his own.”I’m an under-contract player…why shouldn’t I be here?” he asked, smiling as he spoke.Players frustrated with their financial situation often make themselves scarce during the voluntaryoffseason workout program.
Snee, however, attended a workout yesterday at Giants Stadium, completing a weight-lifting session along with other offensive linemen.”Right now my focus is on getting my body ready for the season,” he said.Will it be his final season with the Giants?Snee has started at right guard since he was drafted in 2004 and has developed into a sturdy player. The Giants even believe he warrants Pro Bowl inclusion.He is now in the last year of his original five-year contract.Snee is not just any member of the Giants. He’s the only one who married Tom Coughlin’s daughter Katie and gave him two grandsons. Snee has grown more at ease talking about what for him was once an uncomfortable subject, mainly because he’s developed into a top-flight player. He’s also a subtle team leader.That relationship, though, sure makes this an interesting scenario. Can GM Jerry Reese play hardball with Coughlin’s son-in-law?”I don’t see why that would factor into it,” Snee said “It’s not like they’re doing me a favor.
