EIOPA's Risk Dashboard for fourth quarter of 2017: Risk exposure of the European Union insurance sector remains stable

27 April 2018

The results show that the risk exposure of the insurance sector in the European Union remained stable. Despite positive macroeconomic developments, low interest rates are still a major source of risk for European insurers.

Key observations:

- Risk exposures for the insurance sector remained stable in Q4 2017.

- Despite positive macroeconomic developments, low interest rates continue to represent a major source of risk for insurers.

- Credit risk and market risk are still at a medium level. Spreads further decreased and concerns about potential risk mispricing remained. Volatility of equity prices increased and valuations are now slightly lower.

- Median figures for all profitability indicators are broadly at the same level as in Q4 2016. Solvency positions continued to be strong for both groups and solo companies.

- The impact of the natural catastrophes observed in Q3 2017 keeps insurance risks at a medium level.

- Market perceptions were mixed, with insurers’ stock prices outperforming the market but at the same time a deterioration of the external rating outlook for some insurance groups.

Risk Dashboard


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