Conning Research: 2008 U.S. Insurance Industry Mergers & Acquisitions Transaction...

Conning Research: 2008 U.S. Insurance Industry Mergers & Acquisitions
Transaction Values Decline for Fourth Year in a Row

-Life Industry M&A Particularly Weak

-Similar Story in Non-U.S. Markets

HARTFORD, Conn., April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. saw a significant decline
in the reported value of insurance industry M&A transactions, but the non-U.S.
transaction value decline was even more dramatic, according to a new study by
Conning Research & Consulting.

"In the U.S., the value of insurance industry transactions, at about $31
billion, was the third lowest value we have tracked since 1995," said Stephan
Christiansen, director of research at Conning Research & Consulting. "While
the property-casualty sector actually saw growth in M&A values of about 20
percent to $16.3 billion after a strong start in the first quarter, life and
managed care company values and transactions were down significantly."

The Conning Research study, "Global Insurance Mergers & Acquisitions in 2008,"
tracks and analyzes both U.S. and non-U.S. insurance industry M&A activity
across property-casualty, life, health and distribution and services sectors.

"This is clearly a global phenomenon, reflecting uncertainty in conditions and
a general lack of currency with which to execute transactions. Non-U.S. M&A
transaction values were also well below the previous year," said Christiansen.
"Non-U.S. property-casualty came in at $14 billion, less than half of what was
reported in 2007. Non-U.S. life and health, at $5.1 billion and $580 million,
respectively, were both a fraction of the prior year transaction values. In
both U.S. and non-U.S. regions we have seen some activity emerging in 2009,
but transactions are expected to continue at low levels until economic
conditions stabilize."

"Global Insurance Mergers & Acquisitions in 2008" is available for purchase
from Conning Research & Consulting by calling (888) 707-1177 or by visiting
the company's web site at www.conningresearch.com.

About Conning Research & Consulting

Conning Research & Consulting provides insurance industry analysis to insurers
and industry stakeholders. Its published research includes market coverage of
30 segments of the industry in addition to industry forecasting and
identification and analysis of major strategic issues. As a result of its
wealth of experience and intimate knowledge of the insurance industry, Conning
understands industry challenges and opportunities and provides in-depth
analyses on a wide range of industry products and issues. The Conning name has
represented excellence in independent insurance industry research for 50
years. Conning Research & Consulting is a division of Conning, a provider of
asset management and insurance industry research and consulting services to
insurers. Conning is headquartered in Hartford, CT.

Contact: Anne Steinberg
Kitchen Public Relations, LLC
212-687-8999
anne@kitchenpr.com

SOURCE Conning Research & Consulting

Anne Steinberg, Kitchen Public Relations, LLC, +1-212-687-8999,
anne@kitchenpr.com