Health Net Leads Friday's AMBG as Global Insurance Index Declines 0.13%

The AMBG closed Friday, July 17 at 668.83 (-0.13%). Of the 15 A.M. Best stock indexes, two rose and 13 declined. Leading A.M. Best's Global Insurance Composite Index (AMBG) were Health Net (+8.80%) and NYMagic (+8.22%). Trailing the list of global insurance stocks were Conseco (-7.66%) and Universal American (-6.91%).

The Asia/Pacific Insurance Index led the sector indexes, with the U.S. Insurance Brokers Index trailing the list. In descending order, the A.M. Best Insurance Stock Indexes closed at:

Asia/Pacific Insurance Index (AMBAP) +1.54%

Global Non-Life Insurance Index (AMBGNL) +0.08%

Global Reinsurance Index (AMBGR) -0.07%

Global Composite Index (AMBG) -0.13%

Global Insurance Brokers Index (AMBGB) -0.14%

U.S. Health and HMO Insurance Index (AMBUH) -0.14%

European Insurance Index (AMBEUR) -0.16%

Global Life Insurance Index (AMBGL) -0.16%

U.S. Property/Casualty Insurance Index (AMBUPC) -0.26%

U.S. Insurance Index (AMBUS) -0.39%

U.S. Life and Health/HMO Insurance Index (AMBULH) -0.46%

Global Multi-Line Insurance Index (AMBGML) -0.46%

U.S. Multi-Line Insurance Index (AMBUML) -0.49%

U.S. Life Insurance Index (AMBUL) -0.76%

U.S. Insurance Brokers Index (AMBUB) -0.89%

The U.S. Insurance Index (AMBUS) closed at 628.27 (-0.39%). Leading the AMBUS were Health Net (+8.80%) and NYMagic (+8.22%). Trailing the AMBUS were Conseco (-7.66%) and Universal American (-6.91%).

The European Insurance Index (AMBEUR) closed at 686.92 (-0.16%)%. Leading the AMBEUR were Old Mutual plc (+2.07%) and Scor S.E. (+2.01%). Trailing the AMBEUR were Chaucer Holdings (-1.70%) and Brit Insurance Holdings (-1.50%).

The Asia/Pacific Insurance Index (AMBAP) closed at 1021.94 (+1.54%). Leading the AMBAP were Singapore Reinsurance Corp. (+6.52%) and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Group Holdings (+4.11%). Trailing the AMBAP were Korean Reinsurance Co. (-3.78%) and LIG Insurance Co. (-2.37%).

The Global Reinsurance Index (AMBGR) closed at 806.15 (-0.07%). Leading the AMBGR were Singapore Reinsurance Corp. (+6.52%) and Scor S.E. (+2.01%). Trailing the AMBGR were Korean Reinsurance Co. (-3.78%) and Ace (-2.07%).

The Global Broker Index (AMBGB) closed at 866.40 (-0.14%). Leading the AMBGB were National Financial Partners (+3.05%) and AmTrust Financial Services Inc. (+0.91%). Trailing the AMBGB were Aon (-1.41%) and Marsh & McLennan Cos. (-0.96%).

The Global Multi-Line Insurance Index (AMBGML) closed at 475.77 (-0.46%). Leading the AMBGML were AIG (+6.04%) and Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A. (+0.61%). Trailing the AMBGML were American National Insurance (-3.53%) and First Acceptance Corp. (-1.70%).

The Global Nonlife Insurance Index (AMBGNL) closed at 913.25 (+0.08%). Leading the AMBGNL were NYMagic (+8.22%) and Singapore Reinsurance Corp. (+6.52%). Trailing the AMBGNL were Presidential Life Corp. (-4.31%) and Korean Reinsurance Co. (-3.78%).

The Global Life Insurance Index (AMBGL) closed at 621.87 (-0.16%). Leading the AMBGL were Health Net (+8.80%) and Old Mutual PLC (+2.07%). Trailing the AMBGL were Conseco (-7.66%) and Universal American (-6.91%).

The U.S. Property/Casualty Index (AMBUPC) closed at 918.30 (-0.26%). Leading the AMBUPC were NYMagic (+8.22%) and Gainsco (+6.44%). Trailing the AMBUPC were United America Indemnity (-3.77%) and CNA Surety (-2.86%).

The U.S. Multi-Line Insurance Index (AMBUML) closed at 134.77 (-0.49%). Leading the AMBUML were AIG (+6.04%) and Delphi Financial Group (+0.55%). Trailing the AMBUML were American National Insurance (-3.53%) and Hartford Financial Services Group (-1.50%).

The U.S. Life Insurance Index (AMBUL) closed at 660.99 (-0.76%). Leading the AMBUL were Principal Financial Group (+0.30%) and Manulife Financial (-0.10%). Trailing the AMBUL were Conseco (-7.66%) and Phoenix Cos. (-5.59%).

The U.S. Life and Health/HMO Insurance Index (AMBULH) closed at 693.99 (-0.46%). Leading the AMBULH were Health Net (+8.80%) and Molina Healthcare (+1.32%). Trailing the AMBULH were Conseco (-7.66%) and Universal American (-6.91%).

The U.S. Health and HMO Index (AMBUH) closed at 726.94 (-0.14%). Leading the AMBUH were Health Net (+8.80%) and Molina Healthcare (+1.32%). Trailing the AMBUH were Universal American (-6.91%) and HealthSpring (-4.75%).

The U.S. Insurance Brokers Index (AMBUB) closed at 821.86 (-0.89%). Leading the AMBUB were National Financial Partners (+3.05%) and AmTrust Financial Services Inc. (+0.91%). Trailing the AMBUB were Aon (-1.41%) and Marsh & McLennan Cos. (-0.96%).

Performance rankings of companies in each A.M. Best insurance sector index are published weekly in BestWeek.

The A.M. Best stock indexes cover 205 publicly traded insurance companies and brokers. Index values are calculated by 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 A.M. Best, along with brokers. A.M. Best does not provide investment recommendations. A listing of companies in each A.M. Best Index is available at http://www.ambest.com/stocks.