EX-99.1 2 wrb63020268-kex991.htm EX-99.1 Document NEWS RELEASE W. R. Berkley Corporation 475 Steamboat Road Greenwich, Connecticut 06830 (203) 629-3000               FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE     CONTACT:     Karen A. Horvath Vice President - External Financial Communications (203) 629-3000 W. R. Berkley Corporation Reports Second Quarter 2026 Results Gross Premiums Written Increased to a Record $4.1 Billion; Record Quarterly Net Investment Income of $418.7 Million ; Return on Equity of 18.6% and Operating Return on Equity of 20.5% Greenwich, CT, July 20, 2026 - W. R. Berkley Corporation (NYSE: WRB) today reported its second quarter 2026 results. Summary Financial Data (Amounts in thousands, except per share data) Second Quarter Six Months 2026 2025 2026 2025 Gross premiums written $ 4,144,000  $ 3,977,769  $ 7,929,766  $ 7,661,708  Net premiums written 3,430,234  3,351,439  6,604,580  6,484,742  Net income to common stockholders 452,261  401,288  967,478  818,860  Net income per diluted share 1.15  1.00  2.46  2.05  Operating income (1) 497,145  420,486  1,011,402  840,442  Operating income per diluted share (1) 1.27  1.05  2.57  2.10  Return on equity (2) 18.6  % 19.1  % 19.9  % 19.5  % Operating return on equity (1) (2) 20.5  % 20.0  % 20.9  % 20.0  % (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. W. R. Berkley Corporation        2 Second quarter highlights included: • Return on equity of 18.6% and operating return on equity of 20.5%. • Gross premiums written grew to a record $4.1 billion. • Pre-tax underwriting income grew 21.8% to $317.5 million. • Net investment income grew 10.4% to a record $418.7 million. • Net income and operating income grew 12.7% and 18.2% to $452.3 million and $497.1 million, respectively. • The current accident year combined ratio before catastrophe losses of 2.0 loss ratio points was 88.1% and reported combined ratio was 90.0%. • Total capital returned to shareholders was $334.1 million, consisting of $185.5 million of special dividends, $111.5 million of share repurchases and $37.1 million of regular dividends. Commenting on the Company's performance, W. Robert Berkley, Jr., chairman, chief executive officer, and president, said: The Company delivered an excellent second quarter in 2026, generating an annualized 20.5% operating return on beginning-of-year stockholders’ equity, driven by outstanding underwriting performance and record net investment income. Disciplined cycle management has long been and remains a hallmark of the Company’s success. We continue to see attractive opportunities across select liability lines. By focusing on business that offers appropriate risk-adjusted returns and favorable pricing, our Insurance segment grew gross and net premiums written by 5.4% and 3.7%, respectively, to record levels. This disciplined approach resulted in a strong overall 88.1% accident year combined ratio, excluding catastrophe losses. Net investment income from fixed-maturity securities increased 11.9%, reflecting growth in invested assets and a higher portfolio yield. Credit quality remained excellent, with an average rating of AA-. In addition, current reinvestment rates continue to exceed our annual book yield, which combined with the 3.2-year duration of our fixed-maturity portfolio, provides both opportunity and flexibility. We returned significant capital to shareholders through $223 million of regular and special dividends and $112 million of share repurchases. Supported by a strong balance sheet and disciplined capital management, we remain well positioned to create long-term shareholder value. Our unwavering focus on risk-adjusted returns across both underwriting and investing has enabled us to deliver strong performance. We remain confident in our ability to generate excellent returns for shareholders. W. R. Berkley Corporation        3 W ebcast Conference Call     The Company will hold its quarterly conference call with analysts and investors to discuss its earnings and other information on July 20, 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. W. R. Berkley Corporation        4 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 cyber security-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; cyber security 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. # # # W. R. Berkley Corporation        5 Consolidated Financial Summary (Amounts in thousands, except per share data) Second Quarter Six Months 2026 2025 2026 2025 Revenues:   Net premiums written $ 3,430,234  $ 3,351,439  $ 6,604,580  $ 6,484,742    Change in net unearned premiums (242,845) (253,254) (302,019) (374,176)     Net premiums earned 3,187,389  3,098,185  6,302,561  6,110,566    Net investment income 418,714  379,303  823,048  739,595    Net investment (losses) gains:   Net realized and unrealized (losses) gains on investments (55,131) 30,533  (70,760) 46,244     Change in allowance for credit losses on investments (59) 440  (205) 1,084    Net investment (losses) gains (55,190) 30,973  (70,965) 47,328    Revenues from non-insurance businesses 134,427  128,839  290,978  257,748    Insurance service fees 30,620  32,757  58,849  61,686    Other income 159  751  1,982  1,284         Total Revenues 3,716,119  3,670,808  7,406,453  7,218,207  Expenses:    Loss and loss expenses 1,960,532  1,955,424  3,896,556  3,856,216     Other operating costs and expenses 1,025,920  1,039,307  1,996,579  1,989,217     Expenses from non-insurance businesses 122,741  122,437  258,583  248,801     Interest expense 31,728  31,777  63,438  63,504       Total expenses 3,140,921  3,148,945  6,215,156  6,157,738       Income before income tax 575,198  521,863  1,191,297  1,060,469     Income tax expense (122,892) (121,155) (223,416) (242,411)      Net Income before noncontrolling interests 452,306  400,708  967,881  818,058     Noncontrolling interest (45) 580  (403) 802       Net income to common stockholders $ 452,261  $ 401,288  $ 967,478  $ 818,860   Net income per share:  Basic $ 1.16  $ 1.01  $ 2.48  $ 2.06   Diluted $ 1.15  $ 1.00  $ 2.46  $ 2.05   Average shares outstanding (1):  Basic 389,156  397,016  390,702  396,972   Diluted 391,804  400,368  393,316  400,098  (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. W. R. Berkley Corporation        6 Business Segment Operating Results (Amounts in thousands, except ratios) (1) Second Quarter Six Months 2026 2025 2026 2025 Insurance:    Gross premiums written $ 3,802,768  $ 3,606,887  $ 7,164,335  $ 6,823,840     Net premiums written 3,123,983  3,013,703  5,903,700  5,708,158     Net premiums earned 2,826,030  2,728,784  5,591,522  5,371,291     Pre-tax income 578,572  512,672  1,103,235  1,022,177     Loss ratio 63.1  % 63.8  % 63.5  % 63.9  %    Expense ratio 28.3  % 28.3  % 28.3  % 28.0  %    GAAP Combined ratio 91.4  % 92.1  % 91.8  % 91.9  % Reinsurance & Monoline Excess:    Gross premiums written $ 341,232  $ 370,882  $ 765,431  $ 837,868     Net premiums written 306,251  337,736  700,880  776,584     Net premiums earned 361,359  369,401  711,039  739,275     Pre-tax income 145,506  127,299  288,212  247,679     Loss ratio 49.2  % 57.7  % 48.8  % 57.7  %    Expense ratio 30.1  % 29.7  % 30.2  % 28.7  %    GAAP Combined ratio 79.3  % 87.4  % 79.0  % 86.4  % Corporate and Eliminations:    Net investment (losses) gains $ (55,190) $ 30,973  $ (70,965) $ 47,328     Interest expense (31,728) (31,777) (63,438) (63,504)    Other expenses (61,962) (117,304) (65,747) (193,211)    Pre-tax loss (148,880) (118,108) (200,150) (209,387) Consolidated:    Gross premiums written $ 4,144,000  $ 3,977,769  $ 7,929,766  $ 7,661,708     Net premiums written 3,430,234  3,351,439  6,604,580  6,484,742     Net premiums earned 3,187,389  3,098,185  6,302,561  6,110,566     Pre-tax income 575,198  521,863  1,191,297  1,060,469     Loss ratio 61.5  % 63.1  % 61.8  % 63.1  %    Expense ratio 28.5  % 28.5  % 28.6  % 28.2  %    GAAP Combined ratio 90.0  % 91.6  % 90.4  % 91.3  % (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. W. R. Berkley Corporation        7 Supplemental Information (Amounts in thousands) Second Quarter Six Months 2026 2025 2026 2025 Net premiums written:    Other liability $ 1,247,483  $ 1,218,988  $ 2,366,901  $ 2,327,253     Short-tail lines (1) 734,374  706,298  1,365,362  1,306,490     Auto 461,856  448,678  879,668  837,832     Workers' compensation 346,866  340,891  675,884  681,498     Professional liability 333,404  298,848  615,885  555,085       Total Insurance 3,123,983  3,013,703  5,903,700  5,708,158     Casualty (2) 162,948  188,929  320,934  375,718   Property (2) 110,884  115,926  219,897  248,084   Monoline excess 32,419  32,881  160,049  152,782       Total Reinsurance & Monoline Excess 306,251  337,736  700,880  776,584            Total $ 3,430,234  $ 3,351,439  $ 6,604,580  $ 6,484,742  Current accident year losses from catastrophes:    Insurance $ 59,784  $ 77,631  $ 135,259  $ 148,248     Reinsurance & Monoline Excess 2,584  21,603  2,786  62,094       Total $ 62,368  $ 99,234  $ 138,045  $ 210,342  Net Investment income:    Core portfolio (3) $ 370,906  $ 328,363  $ 725,397  $ 645,303     Investment funds 28,782  27,268  68,311  54,291     Arbitrage trading account 19,026  23,672  29,340  40,001       Total $ 418,714  $ 379,303  $ 823,048  $ 739,595  Net realized and unrealized (losses) gains on investments:    Net realized losses on investments $ (37,121) $ (33,097) $ (48,256) $ (37,333)    Change in unrealized (losses) gains on equity securities (18,010) 63,630  (22,504) 83,577       Total $ (55,131) $ 30,533  $ (70,760) $ 46,244  Other operating costs and expenses:    Policy acquisition and insurance operating expenses $ 909,344  $ 882,099  $ 1,798,528  $ 1,720,345     Insurance service expenses 25,468  24,287  48,634  47,534     Net foreign currency losses (gains) 1,974  55,396  (15,037) 74,774     Other costs and expenses 89,134  77,525  164,454  146,564       Total $ 1,025,920  $ 1,039,307  $ 1,996,579  $ 1,989,217  Cash flow from operations $ 800,047  $ 703,806  $ 1,467,904  $ 1,447,624  Reconciliation of net income to operating income:    Net income $ 452,261  $ 401,288  $ 967,478  $ 818,860     Pre-tax investment losses (gains), net of related expenses 55,190  (30,973) 70,965  (47,328)    Pre-tax net foreign currency losses (gains) 1,974  55,396  (15,037) 74,774     Income tax benefit (12,280) (5,225) (12,004) (5,864)      Operating income after-tax (4) $ 497,145  $ 420,486  $ 1,011,402  $ 840,442  (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. W. R. Berkley Corporation        8 Selected Balance Sheet Information (Amounts in thousands, except per share data) June 30, 2026 December 31, 2025 Net invested assets (1) $ 34,168,931  $ 33,173,381  Total assets 45,677,113  43,926,843  Reserves for losses and loss expenses 23,182,240  22,207,773  Senior notes and other debt 1,829,445  1,829,198  Subordinated debentures 1,010,887  1,010,527  Common stockholders' equity (2) 9,833,239  9,700,818  Common stock outstanding (3) 371,058  377,156  Book value per share (4) 26.50  25.72  Tangible book value per share (4) 25.89  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 June 30, 2026, reflected in common stockholders' equity are after-tax unrealized investment losses of $317 million and unrealized currency translation losses of $323 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 six months ended June 30, 2026, the Company repurchased 6,156,370 shares of its common stock for $413.9 million. During the three months ended June 30, 2026, the Company repurchased 1,684,736 shares of its common stock for $111.5 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 is $25.31 and $24.73, respectively. W. R. Berkley Corporation        9 Investment Portfolio June 30, 2026 (Amounts in thousands, except percentages) Carrying Value Percent of Total Fixed maturity securities:    United States government and government agencies $ 4,402,996  12.9  %    State and municipal:         Special revenue 1,025,357  3.0  %         State general obligation 211,953  0.6  %         Local general obligation 181,600  0.5  %         Corporate backed 133,248  0.4  %         Pre-refunded 104,561  0.3  %             Total state and municipal 1,656,719  4.8  %    Mortgage-backed securities:         Agency 4,083,630  12.0  %         Commercial 206,784  0.6  %         Residential - Prime 193,880  0.6  %         Residential - Alt A 1,178  0.0  %             Total mortgage-backed securities 4,485,472  13.2  %    Asset-backed securities 4,076,528  11.9  %    Corporate:         Industrial 3,742,941  11.0  %         Financial 3,646,986  10.7  %         Utilities 1,692,946  4.9  %         Other 195,222  0.6  %             Total corporate 9,27