W. R. Berkley Corporation reports recurring developments as an insurance holding company focused on commercial property casualty business. The company operates through Insurance and Reinsurance & Monoline Excess segments, with news commonly covering premiums, underwriting profitability, combined ratios, catastrophe loss effects, investment income and the performance of its fixed-maturity portfolio.
Company updates also include capital management actions such as common-stock dividends and share repurchase authorizations, along with leadership appointments across corporate functions and operating businesses such as Berkley Oil & Gas. Founded in 1967, W. R. Berkley is a commercial lines writer with operations that include insurance and reinsurance activities worldwide.
W. R. Berkley (NYSE: WRB) reported third-quarter 2026 net income to common stockholders of $446.005 million, down from a year earlier. Diluted earnings fell to $1.14 from $1.28, while non-GAAP operating earnings rose to $1.17 per diluted share from $1.10. Net premiums written increased to $3.268 billion from $3.227 billion.
Insurance segment pre-tax underwriting income grew 10.6% to $237.7 million. Net investment income rose to $383.5 million, but net investment losses replaced prior-year gains. The combined ratio—losses and underwriting expenses relative to premiums earned—improved to 90.8% from 90.9%. Return on equity declined to 18.4% from 24.3%. Nine-month net income rose to $1.413 billion from $1.330 billion. Year-to-date shareholder returns totaled $728.6 million, including $435.1 million of share repurchases.
W. R. Berkley (WRB) will release its third quarter 2026 earnings after the market closes on Monday, October 19, 2026.
The company will hold a quarterly conference call with analysts and investors the same day at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. The earnings release and a live audio webcast of the call can be accessed through the company’s website at www.berkley.com, where a replay will be available approximately two hours after the call ends. W. R. Berkley is an insurance holding company focused on property casualty insurance and reinsurance.
W. R. Berkley Corporation (WRB) declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share on its common stock. The dividend is payable on September 30, 2026 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on September 21, 2026. W. R. Berkley is an insurance holding company operating in the U.S. commercial property casualty market through two segments: Insurance and Reinsurance & Monoline Excess.
W. R. Berkley (NYSE: WRB) announced the formation of Berkley Meridian, a specialty insurance business combining Verus Specialty Insurance and Vela Insurance Services under a shared leadership and strategy. Marlo M. Morrison becomes president, leading an integrated platform focused on E&S wholesale brokers across multiple specialty lines through early 2027.
W. R. Berkley (NYSE: WRB) appointed Christopher L. Moede as president of Berkley Risk, effective immediately, succeeding John (Jack) M. Goodwin, who becomes chairman of the business. Moede brings over 20 years of commercial insurance leadership, while Goodwin has led Berkley Risk since 2014 after joining in 2012.
W. R. Berkley (NYSE: WRB) announced several senior leadership changes at its reinsurance operations, effective immediately. Daniel R. Westcott has been named executive vice president of the Company, and Robert R. Coyne, Jr. will succeed him as president of Berkley Re America.
In addition, Robert C. Hewitt, currently executive vice president, has been appointed chairman of Berkley Re. According to the company, Westcott and Coyne each have nearly or over 30 years of property casualty reinsurance experience, while Hewitt has held senior roles at Berkley since 2002, including executive vice president since 2016.
W. R. Berkley (NYSE: WRB) reported second quarter 2026 gross premiums written of $4.14 billion, a record level, and net premiums written of $3.43 billion. Net income to common stockholders was $452.3 million or $1.15 per diluted share, while operating income reached $497.1 million or $1.27 per diluted share. Return on equity was 18.6% and operating return on equity was 20.5%.
Pre-tax underwriting income rose 21.8% to $317.5 million and net investment income increased 10.4% to a record $418.7 million. The consolidated combined ratio was 90.0%, with a current accident year combined ratio before catastrophe losses of 88.1%. Total capital returned to shareholders was $334.1 million, including $185.5 million of special dividends, $37.1 million of regular dividends and $111.5 million of share repurchases.
W. R. Berkley (NYSE: WRB) has appointed Paul J. Stock as president of Carolina Casualty, effective immediately. Stock brings over 20 years of property and casualty insurance experience in the transportation sector and joined Carolina Casualty in early 2025 as divisional president.
Carolina Casualty provides primary commercial transportation insurance on an admitted basis in all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. W. R. Berkley, founded in 1967, is among the largest U.S. commercial lines writers and operates worldwide in Insurance and Reinsurance & Monoline Excess segments.
AM Best upgraded W. R. Berkley (NYSE: WRB) credit ratings, raising the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating to “a” from “a-” and upgrading multiple debt issues and shelf registrations.
Core insurance subsidiaries’ Long-Term ICRs rose to “aa”, with A+ Financial Strength Ratings affirmed and stable outlooks.
W. R. Berkley (NYSE: WRB) appointed John Enright as president of Berkley Specialty London and CEO of W. R. Berkley Syndicate Management Limited, effective July 1, 2026, subject to regulatory approval.
He succeeds James Hastings, who will remain in a corporate role to support the transition.