(Reuters) - Lloyd's of London insurer Beazley Plc (LON:BEZG) reported a 43 percent fall in annual pretax profit as hurricanes, earthquakes and wildfire cost the sector over $135 billion (£97 billion), but the company said it saw potential for double-digit premium growth this year.
The underwriter, which provides marine, casualty and property insurance and reinsurance, said its pretax profit fell to $168 million, for the year ended Dec. 31, from $293.2 million a year earlier. Gross written premiums rose 7 percent to $2.34 billion.
Analysts had expected pretax profit of $163 million and gross written premium growth of 5 percent, according to company supplied consensus estimates.