NAVIGATORS POSTS Q4 LOSS

US specialty insurer Navigators Group swung to a fourth-quarter net loss of $33m from income of $27m a year earlier. The adjusted loss per share of 27¢ missed analysts’ forecast of 48¢ in income. The combined ratio increased 10.0 points to 106.6%, while gross written premiums increased 14% to $465m. For the full year, the Connecticut-based group saw its 2018 net earnings fall 15% to $34m in part due to a $76m strengthening of prior-year reserves. The combined ratio improved by 2.5 points to 100.7%. Gross written premiums grew 12% to $1.9bn.