Research and Analysis

Market Analysis

Market analysis is at the core of the Alpha business and aims to provide the best return for our clients regardless of prevailing market conditions. This involves:

• Researching key trends in the global insurance market.
• More specific investigation of the Lloyd’s market and component syndicates and ongoing reviews of the major classes of business written in the Lloyd’s market as well as all syndicates trading within the Lloyd’s market open to third party capital.
• Analysis of unusual market activity or event. Major market losses are monitored and regularly reported to members. Global insurers’ figures relating to any such activity is also collated and analysed.
• Analysis and review of new Lloyd’s syndicate start-ups in detail comparing within peer groups, reviewing the viability of business plans, the skill sets of the proposed management and underwriters and future trading potential within current market conditions.

Reporting to Clients 

We report to clients regularly as well as publishing a variety of research publications during the year:

• Quarterly Syndicate Estimates: These are issued as part of the ongoing monitoring of and reporting on the performance of a client’s portfolio.
• Monthly bulletins: These cover issues of interest to members as well as market updates and syndicate disclosures.
• Market Analysis and Rate Index: These include class by class business commentaries and market rating forecasts and the rate index identifies optimal classes of business for investment in the forthcoming year.
• Annual Syndicate and Auction Review book: This provides a commentary on each syndicate, a review of the open years and prospects for the following year and an analysis of the year’s auction.
• Client Meetings: We hold two main client meetings each year: The spring meeting reviews the year of account that has just closed as well as the two open years and looks at the challenges for the following year; the pre-auction meeting considers the up and coming auctions and our thoughts for the following year of account. We invite two guest speakers from the Lloyd’s community to each meeting to give their views on pertinent subjects.

Portfolio Planning

Portfolio planning is a key function of a members’ agent.

• Our primary aim is to maximise returns and meet clients’ personal investment parameters.
• Individual portfolio planning is based on the outcome of both market research and discussions with the client. We work in tandem with clients throughout the portfolio construction process and will make an annual portfolio recommendation to each client.
• During the portfolio planning process, all our clients are provided with detailed information on various portfolio options, exposure to risk scenarios and classes of business.
• We provide individual auction advice and transact bids and tenders on behalf of all members in the Lloyd’s auctions.