Coface has downgraded Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which it estimates could reduce global economic growth by 0.5 percentage points in 2026 and 2027. In its country and sector risk assessment released on 13 October, the trade credit insurer also reported three country downgrades and four upgrades, alongside 20 changes to sector assessments, including 12 downgrades and eight upgrades. Coface forecast global economic growth of 2.5% in 2026, down from 2.8% in 2025, before a slight recovery to 2.6% in 2027.
Global insured losses from Nat CAT hit $92bn over 9M2026, 29% below the 10-year average ($128bn) and the lowest year-to-date insured loss total since 2019.
Sun Life Financial (Sunlife) has unveiled a refreshed brand, marking a new chapter for the company and reflecting its evolution beyond its traditional roots in life insurance to its expansion of capabilities across asset management, health, wealth and insurance.
Generali's Board of Directors has approved the evolution of the Group's organisational setup, as proposed by the Group CEO, Mr Philippe Donnet, to underpin the final phase of the 'Lifetime Partner 27: Driving Excellence' strategic plan and looking ahead to the next 2028 to 2030 strategic cycle.
Insurance bodies representing Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Canada have announced the formation of a Four Nations Insurance Alliance, to confront the rising risks threatening economic resilience across these four nations.
East Asia Insurance Congress (EAIC) General Secretary Masayuki Tanaka has extended his greetings on the occasion of the East Asian Insurance Day for 2026. Mr Tanaka said, "I would like to extend my sincere greetings on the occasion of the East Asian Insurance Day for 2026. EAIC Day is celebrated on 18 October annually.
Two Singapore-registered container vessels were struck by unknown projectiles while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on 13 and 14 October, respectively, according to Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority (MPA). One vessel sank, while the other sustained hull damage.
The Global Asia Insurance Partnership (GAIP) has announced that Lloyd's Asia has joined the Asia-focussed, neutral tripartite platform as a Supporting Partner, bringing a specialist (re)insurance market perspective to GAIP's work to address protection gaps and strengthen resilience against the complex and evolving risks affecting Asia.
Insurance regulators are tightening rules for asset-intensive reinsurance while promoting alternative forms of insurance risk transfer.
Data from WTW's Quarterly Deal Performance Monitor reveals that completed M&A deal value grew by 23.9% year-on-year during the first nine months of 2026, rising to $1.65bn from $1.33 bn in the same period of 2025.