Munich Re, the world’s biggest reinsurer, said third-quarter profit slumped 29 percent on a decline in earnings from investments.
Net income declined to 520 million euros [$567.8 million] in the three months through September from 733 million euros [$800.4 million] a year earlier, the company said in a statement from Munich on Thursday. That missed the 676.3 million-euro [$738.5 million] average of eight estimates compiled by Bloomberg.
Reinsurers, which help primary insurers shoulder risks for events such as natural disasters, have seen earnings squeezed by record-low interest rates and declining prices.
“The capital market turbulences have left their mark on the investment result, with below-average realized gains on disposals, write-downs of equities, and losses from derivative hedging instruments,” Joerg Schneider, the company’s chief financial officer said in the statement.
Expenses for major catastrophe losses, man-made and natural, rose to 386 million euros [$421.5 million] in the quarter from 257 million euros [$280.6 million] a year earlier, Munich Re said. The company said it expects costs of 175 million euros [$191.1 million] for the August chemical warehouse explosions in the Chinese city of Tianjin.
Swiss Re, Europe’s second-biggest reinsurer, last week reported a 13 percent increase in third-quarter profit, beating analysts forecasts, after strong underwriting and investment results and a quiet period for natural catastrophes.
Munich Re’s shares have risen 8.9 percent this year, giving it a market value of 30.1 billion euros [$32.9 million]. The Bloomberg Europe 500 Insurance Index gained 13 percent over that period.