18:24:05 EDT Mon 19 Oct 2026
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W. R. Berkley Corporation Reports Third Quarter 2026 Results

2026-10-19 16:11 ET - News Release

Return on Equity of 18.4% and Operating Return on Equity of 18.8%;
Pre-Tax Underwriting Income for the Insurance Segment Grew 10.6%;
Quarterly Net Investment Income Grew to $383.5 Million Driven by Core Portfolio Increase of 12.0%


Company Website: https://www.berkley.com
GREENWICH, Conn. -- (Business Wire)

W. R. Berkley Corporation (NYSE: WRB) today reported its third quarter 2026 results.

Summary Financial Data

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

Third Quarter

 

Nine Months

 

2026

 

2025

 

2026

 

2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross premiums written

$ 3,951,788

 

$ 3,836,256

 

$ 11,881,554

 

$ 11,497,964

Net premiums written

3,267,602

 

3,226,930

 

9,872,182

 

9,711,672

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income to common stockholders

446,005

 

511,032

 

1,413,483

 

1,329,892

Net income per diluted share

1.14

 

1.28

 

3.60

 

3.32

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (1)

456,541

 

440,198

 

1,467,749

 

1,280,364

Operating income per diluted share (1)

1.17

 

1.10

 

3.73

 

3.20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Return on equity (2)

18.4%

 

24.3%

 

19.4%

 

21.1%

Operating return on equity (1) (2)

18.8%

 

21.0%

 

20.2%

 

20.3%

(1)

Operating income is a non-GAAP financial measure defined by the Company as net income excluding after-tax net investment gains (losses) and related expenses and after-tax net foreign currency gains (losses).

(2)

Return on equity and operating return on equity represent net income and operating income, respectively, expressed on an annualized basis as a percentage of beginning of year common stockholders’ equity.

Third quarter highlights included:

  • Return on equity of 18.4% and operating return on equity of 18.8%.
  • Pre-tax underwriting income for the Insurance segment grew 10.6% to $237.7 million.
  • Net investment income grew to $383.5 million driven by core portfolio increase of 12.0%.
  • Gross and net premiums written for the Insurance segment grew 4.9% and 3.2%, respectively.
  • Operating income of $456.5 million grew 6.4% on a per share basis to $1.17.
  • The current accident year combined ratio before catastrophe losses of 2.7 loss ratio points was 88.1% and reported combined ratio was 90.8%.
  • Average rate increases excluding workers' compensation were approximately 4.0%.

Commenting on the Company's performance, W. Robert Berkley, Jr., chairman, chief executive officer, and president, said:

The Company delivered another excellent quarter, generating an annualized 18.8% operating return on beginning-of-year stockholders’ equity. These results demonstrate the continuing strength in how we manage our specialty insurance underwriting, as well as our investment portfolio.

Our underwriting results have consistently been outstanding due to our unwavering commitment to rate adequacy and attention to terms and conditions. As the cycles for various product lines have decoupled, the breadth of our offering through our 60 specialty businesses allows for greater stability. Our long-term view and disciplined approach produced a strong 88.1% accident year combined ratio, excluding catastrophe losses.

Our investment portfolio continues to be a great contributor to our economic model, with the domestic fixed-maturity portfolio serving as the primary driver. Income from fixed-maturity securities increased 10.3% over the corresponding period a year ago. The credit quality of our portfolio remains excellent, with an average strong AA- rating, and reinvestment yields continue to meaningfully exceed our portfolio’s book yield.

Our disciplined approach to capital management remains unchanged. We returned a total of $728.6 million to shareholders year-to-date, which includes $435.1 million of share repurchases, while preserving substantial flexibility to support future opportunities.

The strong prevailing interest rate tailwind has set investment income on a path to greater earnings contributions, and greater utilization of technology is enabling us to further leverage our underwriting and claims expertise. We believe we remain well-positioned to continue delivering attractive long-term risk-adjusted returns and creating long-term value for our shareholders.

Webcast Conference Call

The Company will hold its quarterly conference call with analysts and investors to discuss its earnings and other information on October 19, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. eastern time. The conference call will be webcast live on the Company's website at https://ir.berkley.com/events-and-presentations/default.aspx. Please log on early to register. A replay of the webcast will be available on the Company's website approximately two hours after the end of the conference call. Additional financial information can be found on the Company's website at https://ir.berkley.com/investor-relations/financial-information/quarterly-results/default.aspx.

About W. R. Berkley Corporation

Founded in 1967, W. R. Berkley Corporation is an insurance holding company that is among the largest commercial lines writers in the United States and operates worldwide in two segments of the property casualty business: Insurance and Reinsurance & Monoline Excess.

Forward Looking Information

This is a “Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein, including statements related to our outlook for the industry and for our performance for the year 2026 and beyond, are based upon the Company’s historical performance and on current plans, estimates and expectations. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that the future plans, estimates or expectations contemplated by us will be achieved. They are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: the cyclical nature of the property casualty industry; the impact of significant competition, including new entrants to the industry; the long-tail and potentially volatile nature of the insurance and reinsurance business; product demand and pricing; claims development and the process of estimating reserves; investment risks, including those of our portfolio of fixed maturity securities and investments in equity securities, including investments in financial institutions, foreign government bonds, municipal bonds, mortgage-backed securities, loans receivable, investment funds, including real estate, merger arbitrage, energy-related and private equity investments; the effects of emerging claim and coverage issues; the uncertain nature of damage theories and loss amounts, including claims for cybersecurity-related risks; the increasing use of artificial intelligence technologies by us or third-parties on which we rely could expose us to technological, security, legal, and other risks; natural and man-made catastrophic losses, including as a result of terrorist activities or the ongoing conflict with Iran; the risk of future pandemics, as well as the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic; the impact of climate-related risks, which may alter the frequency and increase the severity of catastrophe events; general economic and market activities, including inflation, the risk of recession, changing interest rates, the impact of tariffs and volatility in the credit and capital markets; the impact of the conditions in the financial markets and the global economy, and the potential effect of legislative, regulatory, accounting or other initiatives taken in response to such conditions, on our results and financial condition; foreign currency and political risks relating to our international operations; our ability to attract and retain key personnel and qualified employees; continued availability of capital and financing; the success of our new ventures or acquisitions and the availability of other opportunities; the availability of reinsurance; our retention under the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2019; the ability or willingness of our reinsurers to pay reinsurance recoverables owed to us; other legislative and regulatory developments, including those related to business practices in the insurance industry; credit risk related to our policyholders, independent agents and brokers; changes in the ratings assigned to us or our insurance company subsidiaries by rating agencies; the availability of dividends from our insurance company subsidiaries; cybersecurity breaches of our information technology systems and the information technology systems of our vendors and other third parties, or related processes and systems; the effectiveness of our controls to ensure compliance with guidelines, policies and legal and regulatory standards; and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results for the year 2026 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement we make. Any projections of growth in our revenues would not necessarily result in commensurate levels of earnings. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Consolidated Financial Summary

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

Third Quarter

 

Nine Months

 

 

2026

 

 

 

2025

 

 

 

2026

 

 

 

2025

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums written

$

3,267,602

 

 

$

3,226,930

 

 

$

9,872,182

 

 

$

9,711,672

 

Change in net unearned premiums

 

(53,998

)

 

 

(70,548

)

 

 

(356,017

)

 

 

(444,724

)

Net premiums earned

 

3,213,604

 

 

 

3,156,382

 

 

 

9,516,165

 

 

 

9,266,948

 

Net investment income

 

383,537

 

 

 

351,238

 

 

 

1,206,585

 

 

 

1,090,833

 

Net investment (losses) gains:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized (losses) gains on investments

 

(17,541

)

 

 

78,800

 

 

 

(88,301

)

 

 

125,044

 

Change in allowance for credit losses on investments

 

(764

)

 

 

160

 

 

 

(969

)

 

 

1,244

 

Net investment (losses) gains

 

(18,305

)

 

 

78,960

 

 

 

(89,270

)

 

 

126,288

 

Revenues from non-insurance businesses

 

130,824

 

 

 

150,335

 

 

 

421,802

 

 

 

408,083

 

Insurance service fees

 

28,615

 

 

 

30,924

 

 

 

87,464

 

 

 

92,610

 

Other income

 

536

 

 

 

397

 

 

 

2,518

 

 

 

1,681

 

Total Revenues

 

3,738,811

 

 

 

3,768,236

 

 

 

11,145,264

 

 

 

10,986,443

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss expenses

 

1,998,469

 

 

 

1,968,857

 

 

 

5,895,026

 

 

 

5,825,073

 

Other operating costs and expenses

 

1,009,559

 

 

 

975,333

 

 

 

3,006,138

 

 

 

2,964,550

 

Expenses from non-insurance businesses

 

124,845

 

 

 

144,176

 

 

 

383,428

 

 

 

392,976

 

Interest expense

 

31,614

 

 

 

31,760

 

 

 

95,052

 

 

 

95,265

 

Total expenses

 

3,164,487

 

 

 

3,120,126

 

 

 

9,379,644

 

 

 

9,277,864

 

Income before income tax

 

574,324

 

 

 

648,110

 

 

 

1,765,620

 

 

 

1,708,579

 

Income tax expense

 

(125,999

)

 

 

(136,141

)

 

 

(349,414

)

 

 

(378,551

)

Net Income before noncontrolling interests

 

448,325

 

 

 

511,969

 

 

 

1,416,206

 

 

 

1,330,028

 

Noncontrolling interest

 

(2,320

)

 

 

(937

)

 

 

(2,723

)

 

 

(136

)

Net income to common stockholders

$

446,005

 

 

$

511,032

 

 

$

1,413,483

 

 

$

1,329,892

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

1.15

 

 

$

1.29

 

 

$

3.62

 

 

$

3.35

 

Diluted

$

1.14

 

 

$

1.28

 

 

$

3.60

 

 

$

3.32

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average shares outstanding (1):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

388,750

 

 

 

397,220

 

 

 

390,044

 

 

 

397,056

 

Diluted

 

391,337

 

 

 

400,204

 

 

 

392,992

 

 

 

400,306

 

(1)

Basic shares outstanding consist of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period (including shares held in a grantor trust). Diluted shares outstanding consist of the weighted average number of basic and common equivalent shares outstanding during the period.

Business Segment Operating Results

(Amounts in thousands, except ratios) (1)

 

 

Third Quarter

 

Nine Months

 

 

2026

 

 

 

2025

 

 

 

2026

 

 

 

2025

 

Insurance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross premiums written

$

3,560,309

 

 

$

3,393,023

 

 

$

10,724,644

 

 

$

10,216,863

 

Net premiums written

 

2,899,016

 

 

 

2,809,743

 

 

 

8,802,716

 

 

 

8,517,901

 

Net premiums earned

 

2,861,882

 

 

 

2,773,009

 

 

 

8,453,404

 

 

 

8,144,300

 

Pre-tax income

 

523,358

 

 

 

474,538

 

 

 

1,626,594

 

 

 

1,496,715

 

Loss ratio

 

63.3

%

 

 

63.9

%

 

 

63.4

%

 

 

63.9

%

Expense ratio

 

28.4

%

 

 

28.4

%

 

 

28.4

%

 

 

28.1

%

GAAP Combined ratio

 

91.7

%

 

 

92.3

%

 

 

91.8

%

 

 

92.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reinsurance & Monoline Excess:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross premiums written

$

391,479

 

 

$

443,233

 

 

$

1,156,910

 

 

$

1,281,101

 

Net premiums written

 

368,586

 

 

 

417,187

 

 

 

1,069,466

 

 

 

1,193,771

 

Net premiums earned

 

351,722

 

 

 

383,373

 

 

 

1,062,761

 

 

 

1,122,648

 

Pre-tax income

 

133,265

 

 

 

144,008

 

 

 

421,476

 

 

 

391,687

 

Loss ratio

 

53.2

%

 

 

51.3

%

 

 

50.2

%

 

 

55.5

%

Expense ratio

 

30.2

%

 

 

29.8

%

 

 

30.2

%

 

 

29.1

%

GAAP Combined ratio

 

83.4

%

 

 

81.1

%

 

 

80.4

%

 

 

84.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and Eliminations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment (losses) gains

$

(18,305

)

 

$

78,960

 

 

$

(89,270

)

 

$

126,288

 

Interest expense

 

(31,614

)

 

 

(31,760

)

 

 

(95,052

)

 

 

(95,265

)

Other expenses

 

(32,380

)

 

 

(17,636

)

 

 

(98,128

)

 

 

(210,846

)

Pre-tax (loss) Income

 

(82,299

)

 

 

29,564

 

 

 

(282,450

)

 

 

(179,823

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross premiums written

$

3,951,788

 

 

$

3,836,256

 

 

$

11,881,554

 

 

$

11,497,964

 

Net premiums written

 

3,267,602

 

 

 

3,226,930

 

 

 

9,872,182

 

 

 

9,711,672

 

Net premiums earned

 

3,213,604

 

 

 

3,156,382

 

 

 

9,516,165

 

 

 

9,266,948

 

Pre-tax income

 

574,324

 

 

 

648,110

 

 

 

1,765,620

 

 

 

1,708,579

 

Loss ratio

 

62.2

%

 

 

62.4

%

 

 

61.9

%

 

 

62.9

%

Expense ratio

 

28.6

%

 

 

28.5

%

 

 

28.6

%

 

 

28.2

%

GAAP Combined ratio

 

90.8

%

 

 

90.9

%

 

 

90.5

%

 

 

91.1

%

(1)

Loss ratio is losses and loss expenses incurred expressed as a percentage of premiums earned. Expense ratio is underwriting expenses expressed as a percentage of premiums earned. GAAP combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio.

Supplemental Information

(Amounts in thousands)

 

 

Third Quarter

 

Nine Months

 

 

2026

 

 

 

2025

 

 

 

2026

 

 

 

2025

 

Net premiums written:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other liability

$

1,133,295

 

 

$

1,092,550

 

 

$

3,500,195

 

 

$

3,419,802

 

Short-tail lines (1)

 

672,040

 

 

 

663,017

 

 

 

2,037,403

 

 

 

1,969,507

 

Auto

 

438,702

 

 

 

416,956

 

 

 

1,318,370

 

 

 

1,254,788

 

Workers' compensation

 

332,615

 

 

 

330,181

 

 

 

1,008,499

 

 

 

1,011,679

 

Professional liability

 

322,364

 

 

 

307,039

 

 

 

938,249

 

 

 

862,125

 

Total Insurance

 

2,899,016

 

 

 

2,809,743

 

 

 

8,802,716

 

 

 

8,517,901

 

Casualty (2)

 

144,164

 

 

 

192,694

 

 

 

465,098

 

 

 

568,412

 

Property (2)

 

116,983

 

 

 

119,671

 

 

 

336,880

 

 

 

367,755

 

Monoline excess

 

107,439

 

 

 

104,822

 

 

 

267,488

 

 

 

257,604

 

Total Reinsurance & Monoline Excess

 

368,586

 

 

 

417,187

 

 

 

1,069,466

 

 

 

1,193,771

 

Total

$

3,267,602

 

 

$

3,226,930

 

 

$

9,872,182

 

 

$

9,711,672

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current accident year losses from catastrophes:

 

 

 

 

Insurance

$

82,911

 

 

$

69,826

 

 

$

218,171

 

 

$

218,073

 

Reinsurance & Monoline Excess

 

3,021

 

 

 

8,691

 

 

 

5,807

 

 

 

70,785

 

Total

$

85,932

 

 

$

78,517

 

 

$

223,978

 

 

$

288,858

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Investment income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core portfolio (3)

$

369,122

 

 

$

329,508

 

 

$

1,094,519

 

 

$

974,811

 

Investment funds

 

2,123

 

 

 

5,421

 

 

 

70,435

 

 

 

59,713

 

Arbitrage trading account

 

12,292

 

 

 

16,309

 

 

 

41,631

 

 

 

56,309

 

Total

$

383,537

 

 

$

351,238

 

 

$

1,206,585

 

 

$

1,090,833

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized (losses) gains on investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

$

27,831

 

 

$

69,210

 

 

$

(20,425

)

 

$

31,877

 

Change in unrealized (losses) gains on equity securities

 

(45,372

)

 

 

9,590

 

 

 

(67,876

)

 

 

93,167

 

Total

$

(17,541

)

 

$

78,800

 

 

$

(88,301

)

 

$

125,044

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other operating costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Policy acquisition and insurance operating expenses

$

919,125

 

 

$

900,312

 

 

$

2,717,653

 

 

$

2,620,657

 

Insurance service expenses

 

24,570

 

 

 

22,711

 

 

 

73,204

 

 

 

70,245

 

Net foreign currency (gains) losses

 

(5,122

)

 

 

(12,009

)

 

 

(20,159

)

 

 

62,765

 

Other costs and expenses

 

70,986

 

 

 

64,319

 

 

 

235,440

 

 

 

210,883

 

Total

$

1,009,559

 

 

$

975,333

 

 

$

3,006,138

 

 

$

2,964,550

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flow from operations

$

731,333

 

 

$

1,139,860

 

 

$

2,199,237

 

 

$

2,587,484

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation of net income to operating income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

446,005

 

 

$

511,032

 

 

$

1,413,483

 

 

$

1,329,892

 

Pre-tax investment losses (gains), net of related expenses

 

18,551

 

 

 

(78,305

)

 

 

89,270

 

 

 

(125,985

)

Pre-tax net foreign currency (gains) losses

 

(5,122

)

 

 

(12,009

)

 

 

(20,159

)

 

 

62,765

 

Income tax (benefit) expense

 

(2,893

)

 

 

19,480

 

 

 

(14,845

)

 

 

13,692

 

Operating income after-tax (4)

$

456,541

 

 

$

440,198

 

 

$

1,467,749

 

 

$

1,280,364

 

(1)

Short-tail lines include commercial multi-peril (non-liability), inland marine, accident and health, fidelity and surety, boiler and machinery, high net worth homeowners and other lines.

(2)

Includes reinsurance casualty and property and certain program management business.

(3)

Core portfolio includes fixed maturity securities, equity securities, cash and cash equivalents, real estate and loans receivable.

(4)

Operating income is a non-GAAP financial measure defined by the Company as net income excluding after-tax net investment gains (losses) and after-tax net foreign currency gains (losses). Net investment gains (losses) are computed net of related expenses, including performance-based compensatory costs associated with realized investment gains. Management believes this measurement provides a useful indicator of trends in the Company's underlying operations.

Selected Balance Sheet Information

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

September 30, 2026

 

December 31,

2025

 

 

 

 

Net invested assets (1)

$

33,952,861

 

$

33,173,381

Total assets

 

45,675,961

 

 

43,926,843

Reserves for losses and loss expenses

 

23,610,579

 

 

22,207,773

Senior notes and other debt

 

1,827,874

 

 

1,829,198

Subordinated debentures

 

1,011,066

 

 

1,010,527

Common stockholders' equity (2)

 

9,610,213

 

 

9,700,818

Common stock outstanding (3)

 

371,448

 

 

377,156

Book value per share (4)

 

25.87

 

 

25.72

Tangible book value per share (4)

 

25.27

 

 

25.11

(1)

Net invested assets include investments, cash and cash equivalents, trading accounts receivable from brokers and clearing organizations, trading account securities sold but not yet purchased and unsettled purchases, net of related liabilities.

(2)

As of September 30, 2026, reflected in common stockholders' equity are after-tax unrealized investment losses of $928 million and unrealized currency translation losses of $320 million. As of December 31, 2025, reflected in common stockholders' equity are after-tax unrealized investment losses of $125 million and unrealized currency translation losses of $326 million.

(3)

During the nine months ended September 30, 2026, the Company repurchased 6,465,878 shares of its common stock for $435.1 million. During the three months ended September 30, 2026, the Company repurchased 309,508 shares of its common stock for $21.1 million. The number of shares of common stock outstanding excludes shares held in a grantor trust (17,378,810 shares).

(4)

Book value per share is total common stockholders’ equity divided by the number of common shares outstanding. Tangible book value per share is total common stockholders’ equity excluding the after-tax value of goodwill and other intangible assets divided by the number of common shares outstanding. Adjusted book value per share and adjusted tangible book value per share, including shares held in a grantor trust are $24.72 and $24.14, respectively.

Investment Portfolio

September 30, 2026

(Amounts in thousands, except percentages)

 

 

Carrying Value

 

Percent of Total

Fixed maturity securities:

 

 

 

United States government and government agencies

$

4,589,338

 

13.5

%

State and municipal:

 

 

 

Special revenue

 

935,495

 

2.8

%

State general obligation

 

203,787

 

0.6

%

Local general obligation

 

166,550

 

0.5

%

Corporate backed

 

126,644

 

0.4

%

Pre-refunded

 

63,969

 

0.2

%

Total state and municipal

 

1,496,445

 

4.5

%

Mortgage-backed securities:

 

 

 

Agency

 

3,954,880

 

11.6

%

Residential - Prime

 

179,792

 

0.5

%

Commercial

 

170,177

 

0.5

%

Residential - Alt A

 

1,090

 

0.0

%

Total mortgage-backed securities

 

4,305,939

 

12.6

%

Asset-backed securities

 

4,188,774

 

12.3

%

Corporate:

 

 

 

Industrial

 

3,876,539

 

11.4

%

Financial

 

3,606,285

 

10.6

%

Utilities

 

1,731,263

 

5.1

%

Other

 

186,842

 

0.6

%

Total corporate

 

9,400,929

 

27.7

%

Foreign government

 

2,021,727

 

6.0

%

Total fixed maturity securities (1)

 

26,003,152

 

76.6

%

Equity securities available for sale:

 

 

 

Common stocks

 

884,723

 

2.6

%

Preferred stocks

 

578,372

 

1.7

%

Total equity securities available for sale

 

1,463,095

 

4.3

%

Cash and cash equivalents (2)

 

2,038,618

 

6.0

%

Investment funds

 

1,450,995

 

4.3

%

Arbitrage trading account

 

1,407,586

 

4.1

%

Real estate

 

1,318,367

 

3.9

%

Loans receivable

 

271,048

 

0.8

%

Net invested assets

$

33,952,861

 

100.0

%

(1)

Total fixed maturity securities had an average rating of AA- and an average duration of 3.3 years, including cash and cash equivalents and arbitrage trading account.

(2)

Cash and cash equivalents includes trading accounts receivable from brokers and clearing organizations, trading account securities sold but not yet purchased and unsettled purchases.

 

Contacts:

Karen A. Horvath
Vice President - External
Financial Communications
(203) 629-3000

Source: W. R. Berkley Corporation

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