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-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.



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