Santam, South Africa's largest general insurer, has recorded a solid performance for the half year ended 30 June 2026, with growth of 10% (June 2025: 10%) in Gross Written Premium (GWP), an 8.1% (June 2025: 11.3%) Underwriting Margin (UWM) and a 6% (June 2025: 16%) rise in Net Earned Premium (NEP).
China has set in motion an exercise to overhaul the country's insurance law and also strengthen the insurance regulations. The National Financial Regulatory Administration (NFRA) released a draft revision of the country's Insurance Law for public consultation on 4 September 2026.
China's five major 'A'-share listed insurers have reported a surge in first-half earnings, with combined attributable net profit rising 78.1% year on year to a record CNY317.39bn ($47.22bn), as stronger investment returns and improving insurance operations boosted profitability.
China's five major 'A'-listed insurance giants plan to distribute a combined CNY39bn ($5.8bn) in cash dividends for the first six months of the year, following record half-year net profits.
The reinsurance operations of the China Taiping Insurance Group (Taiping) have posted a 9.6% increase in consolidated reinsurance revenue of HK$4.56bn ($582m) for the first six months of this year, compared to the first half of 2025, according to interim financial statements released by the group.
Reinsurers are entering the January 2027 renewal season with record capital levels and strong profitability, creating favourable conditions for buyers. Gallagher Re said dedicated reinsurance capital reached a new high of $688bn at the end of the first half of 2026, while non-life alternative capital rose 9% to $147bn.
Samsung's insurance businesses are reportedly pursuing two major overseas investments that could together be worth as much as $6.6bn, as the South Korean group looks to expand beyond its domestic market. Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance is in talks over an additional stake in London-based specialty (re)insurer Canopius, while Samsung Life Insurance is considering an investment of about 15% in US retirement and asset-management company Principal Financial Group (PFG), according to South Korean financial media.
Dai-ichi Life Group's New Zealand subsidiary, Partners Group Holdings, has agreed to acquire 100% of Fidelity Life Assurance Company for NZ$630m ($369m). This effectively expands the Japanese insurer's presence in the country's life insurance market. The transaction, which remains subject to regulatory approvals and other conditions, is expected to close by July 2027.
Hong Kong-headquartered Peak Reinsurance Company (Peak Re) achieved return on capital and surplus (including movement in other comprehensive income) of 12.3% in 2025, and stayed profitable during the first half of 2026, noted AM Best.
The Lloyd's market reported GBP1.4bn ($1.89bn) of losses arising from the Middle East conflict in the first six months of this year, according to its interim financial statements.