National Life Insurance Leads Leads Thursday's AMBG as Global Insurance Leads

April 24, 2009 (AM Best via Comtex) - ORI | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating - The AMBG closed Thursday, April 23, at 596.92 (0.07%). Of the 15 A.M. Best stock indexes, rose nine and six declined. Leader A.M. Best Global Insurance Composite Index (AMBG) were National Security Group (+18.01%) and National Financial Partners (+10.12%). Trailing the list of global insurance stocks were Old Republic International (-15.57%) and Torchmark (-13.58%).

U.S. Life insurance rates Index led the sector, with the European Insurance Index trailing the list. In descending order, A.M. Best Insurance Stock indices closed at:

U.S. Index Insurance (reneerina) closed at 576.09 (+1.03%). At the forefront is reneerina National Security Group (+18.01%) and National Financial Partners (+10.12%). Trailing the Old Republic International reneerina (-15.57%) and Torchmark (-13.58%).

The European Insurance Leads Index (AMBEUR) closed at 576.18 (-1.92%)%. Leading the AMBEUR were Catlin Group (+4.39%) and Hannover Rueckversicherungs AG (+3.61%). Trailing the AMBEUR were Munich Re (-8.68%) and Euler Hermes (-5.31%).

The region of Asia / Pacific Insurance Index (AMBAP) closed at 942.20 (-0.09%). Leading the AMBAP were Dongbu Insurance Co. (+6.32%) and Singapore Reinsurance Corp. (+6.25%). Trailing the AMBAP were Nipponkoa Insurance (-1.50%) and Tokio Marine Holdings (-1.31%).

The Global Reinsurance Index (AMBGR) closed at 715.88 (-0.63%). Leading the AMBGR were XL Capital (+9.39%) and Singapore Reinsurance Corp. (+6.25%). Trailing the AMBGR were Munich Re (-8.68%) and Euler Hermes (-5.31%).

The Global Broker Leads Index (AMBGB) closed at 846.12 (-0.32%). At the forefront is AMBGB National Financial Partners (+10.12%) and eHealth Inc. (+3.43%). Trailing the AMBGB were InsWeb (-10.43%) and Marsh & McLennan Cos. (-2.46%).

The Global Multi-Line Insurance Index (AMBGML) closed at 436.81 (-1.41%). Leading the AMBGML were Assurant (+5.52%) and AIG (+4.90%). Trailing AMBGML were First Acceptance Corp. (-4.20%) and Zurich Financial Services AG (-3.35%).

The Global Nonlife Insurance Index (AMBGNL) closed at 861.59 (+0.45%). Leading the AMBGNL were National Security Group (+18.01%) and XL Capital (+9.39%). Trailing AMBGNL Old Republic International (-15.57%) and Specialty Underwriters' Alliance (-9.33%).

The Index of Global Life Insurance (AMBGL) closed at 502.72 (+0.68%). Leading the AMBGL were MetLife (+9.26%) and Prudential Financial Inc. (+5.18%). Trailing the AMBGL were Torchmark (-13.58%) and Life Insurance in Kansas City (-11.37%).

U.S. property / casualty Index (AMBUPC) closed at 881.92 (+0.57%). Leading the AMBUPC were National Security Group (+18.01%) and XL Capital (+9.39%). Trailing AMBUPC Old Republic International (-15.57%) and Specialty Underwriters' Alliance (-9.33%).

U.S. Multi-Line Insurance Leads Index (AMBUML) closed at 135.41 (+3.09%). Leading the AMBUML were Assurant (+5.52%) and AIG (+4.90%). Trailing the AMBUML were Delphi Financial Group (-0.42%) and Atlantic American Corp. (0.00%).

U.S. life insurance index (Ambulo) closed at 526.42 (+3.24%). At the forefront is Ambulo MetLife (+9.26%) and Prudential Financial Inc. (+5.18%). Trailing the Ambulo was Torchmark (-13.58%) and Life Insurance in Kansas City (-11.37%).

U.S. Life and Health / HMO Insurance Index (AMBULH) closed at 584.60 (+1.55%). Leading the AMBULH were MetLife (+9.26%) and Prudential Financial Inc. (+5.18%). Trailing the AMBULH were Torchmark (-13.58%) and Life Insurance in Kansas City (-11.37%).

U.S. Health and HMO Index (AMBUH) closed at 645.70 (+0.09%). Leading the AMBUH were Unum Group (+4.43%) and Aflac Inc. (+3.62%). Trailing the AMBUH is Molina Healthcare (-3.80%) and Humana (-3.78%).

U.S. Insurance Brokers Index (AMBUB) closed at 831.16 (-0.43%). At the forefront is AMBUB National Financial Partners (+10.12%) and eHealth Inc. (+3.43%). Trailing the AMBUB were InsWeb (-10.43%) and Marsh & McLennan Cos. (-2.46%).

Performance ranking of companies in each AM Best insurance sector index are published weekly in BestWeek.

The A.M. Best coverage rates 188 shares traded insurance companies and brokers. Calculated index values of Dow Jones Indexes in U.S. dollars. Companies in the A.M. Best stock indexes include insurers and insurance-related organizations with credit ratings from AM Best of the cases, along with brokers. A.M. Best does not provide investment recommendations. A listing of companies in each AM Best Index is available at http://www.ambest.com/stocks.
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