Bullish indicating open at $55-$60, IPO prices at $37
Investing.com -- W.R. Berkley Corporation (NYSE:WRB) reported second quarter 2025 operating earnings of $1.05 per share, exceeding analyst estimates of $1.03, while achieving record quarterly net premiums written of $3.4 billion, up 7.2% from the same period last year.
The property and casualty insurer posted a combined ratio of 91.6% for the quarter, which included catastrophe losses of $99.2 million or 3.2 percentage points. Net investment income reached a record $379.3 million. The company’s shares were down 1.2% following the announcement, as investors were seemingly disappointed with the relatively in-line results.
"Our strong performance continued into the second quarter of 2025, with an annualized return on beginning-of-year common stockholders’ equity of 19.1%," the company stated. "Net income grew year-over-year, driven by higher underwriting gains and improved investment income, notwithstanding above-average industry catastrophe losses during the quarter."
Net income for the quarter rose to $401.3 million, or $1.00 per diluted share, compared to $371.9 million, or $0.92 per share, in the second quarter of 2024. The company achieved an operating return on equity of 20.0%, though this was down from 22.0% in the same quarter last year.
W.R. Berkley noted that average rate increases excluding workers’ compensation were approximately 7.6%. Book value per share grew 6.8% in the quarter before dividends, with the company returning $223.8 million to shareholders through special and ordinary dividends.
The insurer’s disciplined approach to managing the underwriting cycle in specialized markets continues to support its performance, positioning the company for further growth in investment income as new money rates remain above average book yields.
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