: iStockAnalyst.com Symbols Feed

IPC Holdings, Berkshire Hathaway, Oracle Demand Spotlight

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:04:59 GMT

On June 15th I posted my quick idea on IPC Holdings (NasdaqGS: IPCR) in which I listed a number of reasons that the broken deal with Max Capital provided an opportunity to buy into the stock at a very attractive valuation. I guess Warren Buffett must have[More...]

IPC Holdings, Ltd. (IPCR) - Validus Holdings, Ltd. (VR) : Mergers Updates

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:35:32 GMT

This entry will acknowledge Validus' statements issued yesterday indicating that its current offer for IPCR is its "best and final offer."[More...]

Closing Update: Stocks Lower for Session, Week as Jobs Data Revive Economic Worries

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:55:00 GMT

The major stock averages end down between 2% and 3%, at or near the session's lows after disappointing job market and factory data.[More...]

IPC Holdings (NasdaqGS: IPCR): Scuttled Deal Provides An Opportunity

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:00:53 GMT

Over the last few days the strange love triangle between IPC Holdings (IPCR), Max Capital (MXGL) and Validus Holdings (VR) has gotten even more convoluted. For those of you who have not been following this story, here is a brief timeline of the recent dra[More...]

Earnings Review: February 17, 2009

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:31:35 GMT

Late on Tuesday, Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) announced that its first-quarter earnings nearly halved to $64 million, or 18 cents a share, from $120 million, or 31 cents a share, in the prior year quarter.[More...]

Analyst Comments: Autoliv, Fred, IPC Holdings, Durect, Williams Companies, Korea Electric Power, Anaren

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 18:44:00 GMT

Autoliv Inc. (ALV) is witnessing positive earnings growth by shifting production to low-cost regions and increased safety needs. Shares in global markets are increasing. However, difficult conditions in North American and West European automotive markets, as well as pricing pressure from original equipment manufacturers (OEM), are undermining Autoliv?s near-term prospects. Hence, we rate the stock a Hold with a target price of $34.50. Autoliv is set to grow globally by entering into partnerships and making acquisitions while introducing new safety products and streamlining its operations to cut costs. The company has a 40% global market share in airbags. The European market share is 65% and the North American market share for airbags is 38%. For seat belts, market share in North America rose to 28%, in Europe to 62%. Airbag and seatbelt market share in[More...]

Periodicals Wrap-Up for Tuesday, August 5th

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 14:28:00 GMT

Submitted By Optiondragon[More...]

Analyst Comments: IPC Holdings, Oxford Industries, Autoliv, Donegal Group

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 17:38:49 GMT

Fourth quarter '07 earnings were substantially ahead of our expectations, as a result of negative net losses and loss adjustment expenses for the quarter based on events that occurred in 2007. Since its inception in 1993, IPC Holdings, Ltd. (IPCR) has built a track record of strong underwriting results, while maintaining a strong balance sheet and average ROE in the mid-teens. Presently, we think the company's current valuation is appropriate given the high volatility in its earnings stream...[More...]

Friday Stock Screens: Shield of Yield

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 03:33:55 GMT

As discussed in Chapter 2 of The Disciplined Investor, stock screens can be used effectively to help search for stocks that can help to provide downside protection while positioning a portfolio for the upturn if /when markets stabilize. The fact is that t[More...]

Miscellaneous Notes

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 14:01:59 GMT

Well, look at the DJIA and Nasdaq Composite. New 52-week highs. I am still bearish on our credit markets, tepidly bullish on equities, particularly inflation-sensitive sectors (and insurance), and bearish on Real Estate and Real Estate finance. This is a hard combo to hold together, but in some ways, I suspect that surplus capital that was making its way to the credit markets is now making its way to the equity markets.I’m eclectic, what can I say? I’m always trying to blend signals from the long-, intermediate-, and short-term, with greater emphasis to the longer cycle elements. I’m not a trader.Now, just a few notes to catch up on reader questions:Why FSR and not VR or IPCR then?I forgot about VR, and will have to consider it in the future. I like IPCR, but it has run some recently, and their aggregate maximum loss discipline will limit their returns vs those companies[More...]

AIG, Merck, YRC Worldwide are big movers

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 21:57:00 GMT

NEW YORK - Stocks that moved substantially or traded heavily Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market:
American International Group Inc., down $3.62 at $9.48
Broadcom Corp. is dropping its bid for the network gear maker after its board rejected an $11 per share offer as too cheap.

[More...]

Stocks Tumble on Jobs News

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:49:00 GMT

Stocks got slammed in extremely light trading Thursday following the employment report, which revealed more weakness for job trends ahead of the long July 4 holiday weekend.
Action Economics said the report was weaker than expected due to a drop in the workweek to a new low of 33.0 hours from 33.1 over the last three months, and an associated big 0.8% drop in the hours-worked index.
Action Economics said it has revised down its second quarter GDP estimate to a decline of 2.5% from a drop of 2.0%.

[More...]

Validus Completes Acquisition of IPC Holdings

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 18:49:00 GMT

Validus Holdings, Ltd. ("Validus") (NYSE: VR) today announced that it has completed its acquisition of IPC Holdings, Ltd. ("IPC") (Nasdaq: IPCR; BSX: IPCR BH), creating a leading carrier in the Bermuda short-tail reinsurance and insurance markets.
At a separate meeting held earlier today, IPC shareholders adopted the amalgamation agreement with Validus and approved the resulting amalgamation of IPC with a wholly owned subsidiary of Validus with the support of approximately 95% of the shares voted at the meeting.
Ed Noonan, Validus' Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are delighted to have completed this compelling strategic combination, which provides major benefits to customers and shareholders of both companies.

[More...]

Validus and IPC to Mail Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus for Vote on Proposed Amalgamation

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:32:00 GMT

Validus Holdings, Ltd. (“Validus”) (NYSE: VR) and IPC Holdings, Ltd. (“IPC”) (Nasdaq: IPCR; BSX: IPCR BH) today announced that they will begin mailing a definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus to shareholders of record of each company as of July 27, 2009 in connection with the companies’ proposed amalgamation announced on July 9, 2009.[More...]

IPC Holdings, Ltd. Reports Second Quarter 2009 Results

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:49:00 GMT

PEMBROKE, Bermuda, July 23, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IPC Holdings, Ltd. (Nasdaq:IPCR) today reported net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 of $173.9 million, or $3.11 per common share, compared to $47.5 million, or $0.78 per common share, for the second quarter of 2008.
For the six months ended June 30, 2009 IPC reported net income of $182.1 million, or $3.25 per common share, compared to $134.3 million, or $2.12 per common share, for the first six months of 2008.
Quarter ended Six months ended June 30, June 30, ------------------------ ------------------------ 2009 2008 2009 2008 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (expressed in thousands (expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except of U.S. dollars, except per-share amounts) per-share amounts)

[More...]

Webcast Alert: IPC Holdings, Ltd. Announces Second Quarter 2009 Earnings Webcast

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:00:00 GMT

IPC Holdings, Ltd. announces the following webcast:[More...]

A.M. Best Downgrades Ratings of IPC Holdings Ltd. and Its Subsidiaries

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:26:00 GMT

A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength ratings to A- (Excellent) from A (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings to “a-” from “a” of IPCRe Limited (Bermuda) and IPCRe Europe Limited (Dublin, Ireland), which are reinsurance subsidiaries of IPC Holdings Ltd. (IPC) (Bermuda) (NASDAQ: IPCR). The ratings continue to be under review with negative implications following the recent announcement of the definitive agreement between IPC and Validus Holdings, Ltd (NYSE: VR). A.M. Best also has downgraded IPC’s ICR to “bbb-” from “bbb” and the indicative ratings for securities available under shelf registration to “bb” from “bb+” on preferred stock, “bbb-” from “bbb” on senior unsecured debt and to “bb+” from “bbb-” on subordinated debt of IPC. These ratings remain under review with negative implications.[More...]

Validus to Acquire IPC Holdings

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:02:00 GMT

Validus Holdings, Ltd. (“Validus”) (NYSE: VR) today announced that the boards of directors of both Validus and IPC Holdings, Ltd. (“IPC”) (NASDAQ: IPCR) have approved a definitive amalgamation agreement that will create a leading Bermuda carrier in the short-tail reinsurance and insurance market. Under the terms of the agreement, IPC shareholders will receive $7.50 in cash and 0.9727 Validus voting common shares for each IPC common share. The Validus consideration provides IPC shareholders with a 24.9% premium and $31.73 per share based on IPC’s and Validus’ closing stock prices on March 30, 2009, the last trading day before the announcement of Validus’ initial offer.[More...]

IPC Agrees to Sale to Validus

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:55:00 GMT

IPC Holdings, Ltd. today announced that its Board of Directors has unanimously approved a definitive amalgamation agreement with Validus Holdings, Ltd. . Under the terms of the agreement, holders of IPC common stock will receive $7.50 per share in cash and a fixed exchange ratio of 0.9727 Validus shares for each IPC share. Upon closing of the transaction, IPC shareholders will receive approximately $424 million cash in aggregate and will own approximately 38% of the combined company on a fully diluted basis .[More...]

Validus Reaffirms Its Offer for IPC as ‘Best’ Offer

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 11:07:00 GMT

Validus Holdings, Ltd. (“Validus”) (NYSE: VR) today reported that it recently confirmed to the Board of Directors of IPC Holdings, Ltd. (“IPC”) (NASDAQ: IPCR) and its advisors that its offer for IPC is its best and final offer. The Validus offer consists of 1.1234 Validus common shares and $3.75 in cash for each IPC common share.[More...]

IPC Responds to Flagstone Offer

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:44:00 GMT

The Board of Directors of IPC Holdings, Ltd. today responded to the offer announced by Flagstone Reinsurance Holdings Limited to acquire all outstanding shares of IPC for 2.6380 Flagstone shares for each IPC common share plus $5.50 per share in cash.[More...]

Validus Reaffirms Commitment to Outstanding IPC Offer

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:58:00 GMT

Validus Holdings, Ltd. (“Validus”) (NYSE: VR) today reaffirmed its commitment to its outstanding offer to acquire IPC Holdings, Ltd. (“IPC”) (NASDAQ: IPCR). In connection with the announcement, Validus issued the following statement:[More...]