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Axis Capital Holdings (AXS)
NYSE:AXS
Risk Overview Q4, 2024
Risk Distribution
43% Finance & Corporate
28% Legal & Regulatory
13% Production
13% Macro & Political
2% Tech & Innovation
2% Ability to Sell
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
This chart displays the stock's most recent risk distribution according to category. TipRanks has identified 6 major categories: Finance & corporate, legal & regulatory, macro & political, production, tech & innovation, and ability to sell.
Risk Change Over Time
S&P500 Average
Sector Average
Risks removed
Risks added
Risks changed
Axis Capital Risk Factors
New Risk (0)
Risk Changed (0)
Risk Removed (0)
No changes from previous report
The chart shows the number of risks a company has disclosed. You can compare this to the sector average or S&P 500 average.
The quarters shown in the chart are according to the calendar year (January to December). Businesses set their own financial calendar, known as a fiscal year. For example, Walmart ends their financial year at the end of January to accommodate the holiday season.
The quarters shown in the chart are according to the calendar year (January to December). Businesses set their own financial calendar, known as a fiscal year. For example, Walmart ends their financial year at the end of January to accommodate the holiday season.
Risk Highlights Q4, 2024
Main Risk Category
Finance & Corporate
With 23 Risks
Finance & Corporate
With 23 Risks
Number of Disclosed Risks
54
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 32
54
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 32
Recent Changes
0Risks added
0Risks removed
6Risks changed
Since Dec 2024
0Risks added
0Risks removed
6Risks changed
Since Dec 2024
Number of Risk Changed
6
+6
From last reportS&P 500 Average: 4
6
+6
From last reportS&P 500 Average: 4
See the risk highlights of Axis Capital in the last period.
Risk Word Cloud
The most common phrases about risk factors from the most recent report. Larger texts indicate more widely used phrases.
Risk Factors Full Breakdown - Total Risks 54
Finance & Corporate
Total Risks: 23/54 (43%)Below Sector Average
Share Price & Shareholder Rights7 | 13.0%
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1
Anti-takeover provisions in our bye-laws could impede an attempt to replace our directors or to effect a change in control, which could diminish the value of our common shares.Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2
Applicable insurance laws may make it difficult to effect a change of control of our company.Before a person can acquire control of a U.S. insurance company, prior written approval must be obtained from the insurance commissioner of the state where the domestic insurer is domiciled. Prior to granting approval of an application to acquire control of a domestic insurer, the state insurance commissioner will consider such factors as the financial strength of the acquirer, the integrity and management of the acquirer's board of directors and executive officers, the acquirer's plans for the future operations of the domestic insurer and any anti-competitive results that may arise from the consummation of the acquisition of control. Generally, state statutes provide that control over a domestic insurer is presumed to exist if any person, directly or indirectly, owns, controls, holds with the power to vote, or holds proxies representing, 10% or more of the voting securities of the domestic insurer. Because a person acquiring 10% or more of our common shares would indirectly control the same percentage of the stock of the AXIS U.S. Subsidiaries, the insurance change of control laws of Connecticut, Illinois and New York would likely apply to such a transaction.
The Insurance Act in Bermuda requires that where the shares of a registered insurer or reinsurer, or the shares of its parent, are traded on a recognized stock exchange, and a person becomes a 10%, 20%, 33% or 50% shareholder controller of that insurer or reinsurer, that person shall, within 45 days, notify the BMA in writing that they have become such a controller. In addition, a person who is a shareholder controller of a Class 4 insurer or reinsurer (such as AXIS Specialty Bermuda) whose shares or shares of its parent company are traded on a recognized stock exchange must serve the BMA with a notice in writing that they have reduced or disposed of their holding in the insurer or reinsurer where the proportion of voting rights in the insurer or reinsurer held by them will have reached or has fallen below 10%, 20%, 33% or 50%, as the case may be, not later than 45 days after such reduction or disposal.
The definition of shareholder controller is set out in the Insurance Act but generally refers to a person who;(i) holds 10% or more of the shares carrying rights to vote at a shareholders' meeting of the registered insurer or reinsurer or its parent;(ii) is entitled to exercise, or control the exercise of, 10% or more of the voting power at any shareholders meeting of the registered insurer or reinsurer or its parent; or (iii) is able to exercise significant influence over the management of the registered insurer or reinsurer or its parent by virtue of its shareholding or its entitlement to exercise, or control the exercise of, the voting power at any shareholders' meeting of the registered insurer or reinsurer or its parent company.
The BMA may object to any person holding 10% or more of our common shares if it appears to the BMA that such person is not, or is no longer, a fit and proper person to be such a holder. In such a case, the BMA may require the shareholder to reduce its holding of common shares or direct, among other things, that voting rights attaching to the common shares shall not be exercisable. A person who does not comply with such a notice or direction from the BMA may be guilty of an offense and subject to a variety of enforcement actions.
In addition, the Insurance Acts and Regulations in Ireland require that anyone acquiring or disposing of a direct or indirect holding in an Irish authorized insurance or reinsurance company (such as AXIS Specialty Europe or AXIS Re SE) that represents 10% or more of the capital or of the voting rights of such company or that makes it possible to exercise a significant influence over the management of such company, or anyone who proposes to decrease or increase that holding to specified levels, must first notify the Central Bank of Ireland ("CBI") of their intention to do so. They also require any Irish authorized insurance or reinsurance company that becomes aware of any acquisitions or disposals of its capital involving the specified levels to notify the CBI. The specified levels are 20%, 33% and 50% or such other level of ownership that results in the company becoming the acquirer's subsidiary within the meaning of article 20 of the European Communities (Non-Life Insurance) Framework Regulations 1994.
The CBI has three months from the date of submission of a notification within which to oppose the proposed transaction if the CBI is not satisfied as to the suitability of the acquirer in view of the necessity "to ensure prudent and sound management of the insurance or reinsurance undertaking concerned". Any person owning 10% or more of the capital or voting rights or an amount that makes it possible to exercise a significant influence over the management of AXIS Capital would be considered to have a "qualifying holding" in AXIS Specialty Europe SE and AXIS Re SE.
In the U.K., the Prudential Regulation Authority ("PRA") and the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") regulate the acquisition of "control" of any U.K. insurance companies and Lloyd's managing agents that are authorized under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 ("FSMA"). Any legal entity or individual that (together with any person with whom it or they are "acting in concert") directly or indirectly acquires 10% or more of the shares in a U.K. authorized insurance company or Lloyd's managing agent, or their parent company, or is entitled to exercise or control the exercise of 10% or more of the voting power in such authorized insurance company or Lloyd's managing agent or their parent company, would be considered to have acquired "control" for the purposes of the relevant legislation, as would a person who had significant influence over the management of such authorized insurance company or their parent company by virtue of their shareholding or voting power in either. A purchase of 10% or more of the ordinary shares of the Company would therefore be considered to have acquired "control" of AXIS Managing Agency Ltd. Under FSMA, any person proposing to acquire "control" over a U.K. authorized insurance company must give prior notification to the PRA of their intention to do so. The PRA, which will consult with the FCA, would then have 60 working days to consider that person's application to acquire "control" (although this 60 working day period can be extended by up to 30 additional working days in certain circumstances where the regulators have questions relating to the application). Failure to make the relevant prior application could result in action being taken against AXIS Managing Agency Ltd. by the PRA.
A person who is already deemed to have "control" will require prior approval of the PRA if such person increases their level of "control" beyond certain percentages. These percentages are 20%, 30% and 50%. Similar requirements apply in relation to the acquisition of control of a U.K. authorized person which is an insurance intermediary (such as AXIS Underwriting Limited) except that the approval must be obtained from the FCA rather than the PRA and the threshold triggering the requirement for prior approval is 20% of the shares or voting power in the insurance intermediary or its parent company. The approval of the Council of Lloyd's is also required in relation to the change of control of a Lloyd's managing agent or member. Broadly, Lloyd's applies the same tests in relation to control as are set out in the FSMA (see above) and in practice coordinates its approval process with that of the PRA.
While our bye-laws limit the voting power of any shareholder to less than 9.5%, there can be no assurance that the applicable regulatory body would agree that a shareholder who owned 10% or more of our shares did not, because of the limitation on the voting power of such shares, control the applicable Insurance Subsidiary. These laws may discourage potential acquisition proposals and may delay, deter or prevent a change of control of the Company, including transactions that some or all of our shareholders might consider to be desirable.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 3
There are provisions in our bye-laws that may restrict the ability to transfer common shares and which may require shareholders to sell their common shares.Our bye-laws provide that our Board of Directors may decline to register a transfer of any common shares under certain circumstances, including if the Board has reason to believe that any non-de minimis adverse tax, regulatory or legal consequences to us, any of our subsidiaries or any of our shareholders may occur as a result of such transfer. Our bye-laws also provide that if our Board of Directors determines that share ownership by a person may result in non-de minimis adverse tax, legal or regulatory consequences to us, any of our subsidiaries or any of our shareholders, then we have the option, but not the obligation, to require such person to sell to us or to third parties to whom we assign the repurchase right for fair value the minimum number of common shares held by such person that is necessary to eliminate the non-de minimis adverse tax, legal or regulatory consequences.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 4
There are provisions in our organizational documents that may reduce or increase the voting rights of our shares.Our bye-laws generally provide that shareholders have one vote for each common share held by them and are entitled to vote, on a non-cumulative basis, at all meetings of shareholders. However, the voting rights exercisable by a shareholder may be limited so that certain persons or groups are not deemed to hold 9.5% or more of the voting power conferred by our shares. Under these provisions, some shareholders may have the right to exercise their voting rights limited to less than one vote per share. Moreover, these provisions could have the effect of reducing the voting power of some shareholders who would not otherwise be subject to the limitation by virtue of their direct share ownership. In addition, our Board of Directors may limit a shareholder's exercise of voting rights where it deems it necessary to do so to avoid adverse tax, legal or regulatory consequences.
We also have the authority under our bye-laws to request information from any shareholder for the purpose of determining whether a shareholder's voting rights are to be limited pursuant to the bye-laws. If a shareholder fails to respond to our request for information or submits incomplete or inaccurate information in response to a request by us, we may, in our sole discretion, eliminate the shareholder's voting rights.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 5
AXIS Capital is a Bermuda company and it may be difficult to enforce judgments against it or its directors and executive officers.AXIS Capital is incorporated pursuant to the laws of Bermuda, and our business is based in Bermuda. In addition, some of our directors and officers reside outside the U.S., and a substantial portion of our assets and the assets of such persons are located in jurisdictions outside the U.S. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible to effect service of process within the U.S. upon us or those persons or to recover against us or them on judgments of U.S. courts, including judgments predicated upon civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws. Further, it may not be possible to bring a claim in Bermuda against us or our directors and officers for violation of U.S. federal securities laws because these laws may not have extraterritorial effect and/or may not be enforceable in Bermuda. A Bermuda court may, however, impose civil liability, including the possibility of monetary damages, on us or our directors and officers in a suit brought in the Supreme Court of Bermuda if the Bermuda court considers that it has jurisdiction to hear and decide any such claim.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 6
The price of our common shares may be volatile.There has been significant volatility in the market for equity securities in recent years. During 2024, 2023, and 2022, the closing price of our common shares fluctuated from a low of $54.27 to a high of $94.05, a low of $51.68 to a high of $63.47, and a low of $48.77 to a high of $60.66, respectively. The price of our common shares may not remain at or exceed current levels. The following factors, in addition to those described in other risk factors above, may have a material adverse effect on the market price of our common stock:
- actual or anticipated variations in our quarterly results, including as a result of catastrophes or our investment performance;- any share repurchase program;- changes in market valuation of companies in the insurance/reinsurance industry;- changes in expectations of future financial performance or changes in estimates of securities analysts;- fluctuations in stock market processes and volumes;- issuances or sales of common shares or other securities in the future;- the addition or departure of key personnel;- changes in tax law; and - announcements by us or our competitors of acquisitions, investments or strategic alliances.
Stock markets in the U.S. continue to experience volatile price and volume fluctuations. Such fluctuations, as well as the general political situation, current economic conditions or interest rate or currency rate fluctuations, could materially adversely affect the market price of our stock.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 7
Certain of our policyholders and intermediaries may not pay premiums owed to us due to insolvency or other reasons.Insolvency, liquidity problems, distressed financial conditions or the general macro-economic conditions may increase the risk that policyholders or intermediaries, such as insurance brokers, may not pay a part of or the full amount of premiums owed to us, despite an obligation to do so. The terms of our contracts may not permit us to cancel our insurance even though we have not received payment. If non-payment becomes widespread, due to insolvency, lack of liquidity, adverse economic conditions, operational failure or otherwise, it could have a material adverse impact on our revenues and results of operations.
Accounting & Financial Operations8 | 14.8%
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 1
Our operations may be adversely affected by a transfer pricing adjustment in computing taxable profits.Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 2
Future changes in current accounting practices may adversely impact our reported financial results.Changed
Future changes in accounting practices may result in significant additional expenses and may affect the calculation of financial statement line items. For example, this could occur if we are required to prepare information relating to prior periods or if we are required to apply new requirements retroactively.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 3
Our ability to pay dividends and to make payments on indebtedness may be constrained by our holding company structure.AXIS Capital is a holding company and has no direct operations of its own. AXIS Capital has no significant operations or assets other than its ownership of the shares of its operating insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries, AXIS Specialty Bermuda, AXIS Re SE, AXIS Specialty Europe SE, the Members of Lloyd's (AXIS Corporate Capital UK Limited and AXIS Corporate Capital UK II Limited), AXIS Re U.S., AXIS Specialty U.S., AXIS Specialty Insurance Limited, AXIS Surplus and AXIS Insurance Co. (collectively, our "Insurance Subsidiaries"). Dividends and other permitted distributions from our Insurance Subsidiaries (in some cases through our subsidiary holding companies) are our primary source of funds to meet ongoing cash requirements, including debt service payments and other expenses, and to pay dividends to our shareholders. Our Insurance Subsidiaries are subject to significant regulatory restrictions limiting their ability to declare and pay dividends and make distributions. In addition, the ability of our Insurance Subsidiaries to pay dividends to AXIS Capital could be constrained by our dependence on financial strength ratings from independent rating agencies. Our ratings from these agencies depend to a large extent on the capitalization levels of our Insurance Subsidiaries. The inability of our Insurance Subsidiaries to pay dividends in an amount sufficient to enable us to meet our cash requirements at the holding company level could have a material adverse effect on our business and our ability to pay dividends and make payments on our indebtedness.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 4
We utilize models to assist our decision making in key areas such as underwriting, reserving, investment management, capital assessment, risk management, reinsurance purchasing and the evaluation of our catastrophe risk, and we could be adversely impacted if these models are inadequate or unfit for the purpose for which they are being used.We employ various modeling techniques (for example, scenarios, predictive, stochastic and/or forecasting) to analyze and estimate exposures and risks associated with our assets and liabilities. We utilize modeled outputs and related analyses to assist us in decision-making, for example, related to underwriting and pricing, reserving, investment, capital assessment, risk management, reinsurance purchasing and the evaluation of our catastrophe risk through estimates of probable maximum losses, or "PMLs". The modeled outputs and related analyses, both from proprietary and third-party models, are subject to various assumptions, professional judgment, uncertainties and the inherent limitations of any statistical analysis, including the use and quality of historical internal and industry data. These models may turn out to be inadequate representations of the underlying subject matter, including as a result of inaccurate inputs or application thereof (whether due to data error, human error or otherwise). Further, to the extent we incorporate automation and machine learning as part of our modeling process, this may lead to heightened risk. Consequently, actual losses from loss events, whether from individual components (for example, wind, flood, earthquake, etc.) or in the aggregate, may differ materially from modeled results. If, based upon these models or other factors, we misprice our products or underestimate the frequency and/or severity of loss events, our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity may be adversely affected. In addition, PMLs are based on results of stochastic models that consider a wide range of possible events, their losses and probabilities. It is important to consider that stochastic events are not an exact representation of actual events. Thus, an actual event does not necessarily resemble one of the stochastic events, and the specific characteristics of the actual event can lead to substantial differences between actual and modelled losses.
With respect to the evaluation of our catastrophe risk, our modeling utilizes a mix of historical data, scientific theory and mathematical methods. Output from multiple commercially available vendor models serves as a key input in our PML estimation process. We believe that there is considerable inherent uncertainty in the data and parameter inputs for these vendor models. In that regard, there is no universal standard in the preparation of insured data for use in the models and the running of modeling software. In our view, the accuracy of the models depends heavily on the availability of detailed insured loss data from actual recent large catastrophes. Due to the limited number of events, there is significant potential for substantial differences between the modeled loss estimate and actual company experience for a single large catastrophe event. This potential difference could be even greater for perils with limited or no modeled annual frequency. We perform our own vendor model validation (including sensitivity analysis and backtesting, where possible) and supplement model output with historical loss information and analysis and management judgment. In addition, we derive our own estimates for non-modeled perils. Despite this, our PML estimates are subject to a high degree of uncertainty, and actual losses from catastrophe events may differ materially.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 5
If we choose to purchase reinsurance, we may be unable to do so on favorable terms or at all.We purchase reinsurance for our insurance and reinsurance operations in order to mitigate the volatility of losses on our financial results. From time to time, market conditions have limited, and in some cases have prevented, insurers and reinsurers from obtaining the types and amounts of reinsurance that they consider adequate for their business needs. There is no guarantee that our desired amounts of reinsurance or retrocessional reinsurance will be available in the marketplace in the future. In the current environment, our ability to renew our current reinsurance or retrocessional reinsurance arrangements or obtain desired amounts of new or replacement coverage on favorable terms may be substantially reduced as a result of the impact of inflation, industry catastrophic losses to reinsurer capital and the appetite for certain lines of business. In addition to capacity risk, the remaining capacity may not be on terms we deem appropriate or acceptable or with companies with whom we want to do business. If we are unable to renew our current reinsurance or retrocessional reinsurance or purchase new or replacement coverage on favorable terms or at all, the amount of business we are willing to write may be limited or our protection from losses due to large loss events may be materially reduced.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 6
If actual claims exceed loss reserves, our financial results could be adversely affected.While we believe that loss reserves at December 31, 2024 are adequate, new information, events or circumstances, may lead to future developments in ultimate losses being significantly greater or less than the loss reserves currently provided. The actual final cost of settling claims outstanding at December 31, 2024, as well as claims expected to arise from the unexpired period of risk, is uncertain. There are many factors that would cause loss reserves to increase or decrease, which include, but are not limited to, changes in claim severity, changes in the expected level of reported claims, judicial action changing the scope and/or liability of coverage, changes in the legislative, regulatory, social and economic environment and unexpected changes in loss inflation.
When establishing our single point best estimate of loss reserves at December 31, 2024, management considered actuarial estimates and applied informed judgment regarding qualitative factors that may not be fully captured in actuarial estimates. Such factors included, but were not limited to, an examination of trend assumptions, the timing of the emergence of claims, volume and complexity of claims, current social and judicial trends, potential severity of individual claims and the extent of internal historical loss data versus new industry information.
Changes to previous estimates of prior year loss reserves can adversely impact the reported calendar year underwriting results if loss reserves prove to be insufficient, or can favorably impact reported results if loss reserves prove to be higher than actual claim payments. If net income is insufficient to absorb a required increase in loss reserves, we would incur a net loss and could incur a reduction in capital.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 7
The insurance and reinsurance business is historically cyclical, and we expect to experience periods with excess underwriting capacity and unfavorable premium rates.The insurance and reinsurance business historically has been a cyclical industry characterized by periods of intense price competition due to excess underwriting capacity, as well as periods when shortages of capacity permit favorable premium levels. An increase in premium rates is often followed by an increased supply of insurance and reinsurance capacity, via capital driven by new entrants, new capital market instruments and structures and/or the commitment of additional capital by existing insurers and reinsurers. Any of these factors could lead to a significant reduction in premium rates, less favorable policy terms, increased expenses for customer acquisition and retention, and fewer submissions for our underwriting services. In addition to these considerations, changes in the frequency and severity of losses suffered by insureds and insurers may affect the cycles of the insurance and reinsurance business significantly, which in turn could affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 8
If we successfully purchase reinsurance or execute portfolio transactions, we may be unable to collect amounts due to us.Changed
A reinsurer's insolvency, or inability or refusal to make payments under the terms of its reinsurance agreement with us, could have a material adverse effect on our business because we remain liable to the insured. We face counterparty risk whenever we purchase reinsurance or retrocessional reinsurance, or enter into loss portfolio transactions. Inflation and industry catastrophic losses have heightened this risk as counterparties experience economic strains and uncertainty. Consequently, the insolvency, inability or unwillingness of any of our present or future reinsurers to make timely payments to us under the terms of our reinsurance or retrocessional agreements or portfolio transactions contracts could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity. Collateralization of reinsurance obligations is an important tool that we employ to mitigate credit risk, however residual risk remains.
Debt & Financing6 | 11.1%
Debt & Financing - Risk 1
If investments held by AXIS Specialty Europe SE or AXIS Re SE are determined not to be integral to the insurance and reinsurance business carried on by those companies, additional Irish tax could be imposed and our business and financial results could be adversely affected.Debt & Financing - Risk 2
Our underwriting activities may expose us to liquidity risks.Our exposure to liquidity risk stems mainly from the need to pay claims on potential extreme loss events and regulatory constraints that limit the flow of funds within the Group. We maintain cash and cash equivalents and high quality, liquid securities to meet expected outflows, including outflows that could result from a range of potential stress events. We place internal limits on the maximum percentage of cash and investments that may be in an illiquid form as well as on the minimum percentage of our asset portfolio that must be invested in unrestricted cash and liquid investment grade fixed income securities.
Additionally, we have access to diverse funding sources to cover contingencies. Funding sources include asset sales and external debt issuances, and we may seek to establish additional borrowing facilities to cover such contingencies. We conduct stress tests to ensure the sufficiency of these funding sources in extreme scenarios. However, there remains a risk that in certain circumstances, our results of operations or financial condition may be adversely impacted by our inability to access appropriate liquidity or the cost of doing so.
Debt & Financing - Risk 3
Our investment portfolios are exposed to significant capital markets risk related to changes in interest rates, credit spreads and equity prices, as well as other risks, which may adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition.The performance of our cash and investments portfolio has a significant impact on our financial results. A failure to successfully execute our investment strategy could have a significant impact on our results of operations or financial condition.
Our investment portfolio is subject to a variety of market risks, including risks relating to general economic conditions, interest rate fluctuations, equity price risk, foreign currency movements, pre-payment or reinvestment risk, liquidity risk and credit risk. We manage market risks through, among other things, stressing diversification and conservation of principal and liquidity in our investment guidelines. An extended period of poor global financial market returns would adversely impact the value of our investment portfolio.
Fixed maturities, which represent 84% of our total investments and 70% of total cash and investments at December 31, 2024, may be adversely impacted by changes in interest rates or credit spreads. Increases in yields could cause the fair value of our investment portfolio to decrease, resulting in a lower book value (refer to Item 7A 'Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk' for further details) and capital resources. A decline in yields may result in reductions in our investment income as new funds and proceeds from sales and maturities of fixed income securities are reinvested at lower rates. This reduces our overall future profitability. Interest rates and credit spreads are highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental and central bank monetary policies, inflation, domestic and international economic and political conditions, corporate profitability and other factors beyond our control.
Our portfolios of "other investments" and equity securities expose us to market price variability, driven by a number of factors outside of our control including, but not limited to, global equity market performance. Given our reliance on external investment managers, we are also exposed to operational risks, which may include, but are not limited to, a failure to follow our investment guidelines, technological and staffing deficiencies and inadequate disaster recovery plans.
Our derivative instrument counterparties may default on amounts owed to us due to bankruptcy, insolvency, lack of liquidity, adverse economic conditions, operational failure, fraud or other reasons. Even if we are entitled to collateral in circumstances of default, such collateral may be illiquid or proceeds from such collateral when liquidated may not be sufficient to recover the full amount of the obligation.
Debt & Financing - Risk 4
Our inability to obtain the necessary credit could adversely affect our ability to offer reinsurance in certain markets.Neither AXIS Specialty Bermuda nor AXIS Re SE is licensed or admitted as an insurer or reinsurer in any jurisdiction other than Bermuda, Ireland, Singapore and Brazil. Because the U.S. and certain other jurisdictions do not permit insurance companies to take credit on their statutory financial statements for reinsurance obtained from unlicensed or non-admitted insurers unless appropriate security mechanisms are in place, our reinsurance clients in these jurisdictions typically require AXIS Specialty Bermuda and AXIS Re SE to provide letters of credit or other collateral, unless such reinsures have obtained reciprocal jurisdiction reinsurer status in the reinsured's domiciliary state. Our credit facilities are used to post letters of credit. However, if our credit facilities are not sufficient or if we are unable to renew our credit facilities or arrange for other types of security on commercially affordable terms, AXIS Specialty Bermuda and AXIS Re SE could be limited in their ability to write business for some of our clients.
Debt & Financing - Risk 5
We may require additional capital in the future, which may not be available or may only be available on unfavorable terms.Our future capital requirements depend on many factors, including rating agency and regulatory requirements, the performance of our investment portfolio, our ability to write new business successfully, the frequency and severity of catastrophe events and our ability to establish premium rates and loss reserves at levels sufficient to cover losses. We may need to raise additional funds through financings. If we are unable to do so, it may curtail our ability to conduct our business.
Any equity or debt financing, if available at all, may be on terms that are not favorable to us. As economic and market uncertainty continues, it is possible that access to the capital markets may become more constrained and cost of capital may increase. Equity financings could be dilutive to our existing shareholders and could result in the issuance of securities that have rights, preferences and privileges that are senior to those of our other securities. If we cannot obtain adequate capital on favorable terms or at all, our business, operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected.
Debt & Financing - Risk 6
A downgrade in our financial strength or credit ratings by one or more rating agencies could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.Financial strength, claims paying and credit ratings are important factors in establishing the competitive position of insurance companies and maintaining customer confidence in us and in our ability to market insurance products. Independent rating agencies analyze the financial performance and condition of insurers on an ongoing basis.
We have experienced, and there can be no assurance that we will not experience in the future, a ratings downgrade or other negative action from one of the independent rating agencies. This could arise from a change in our financial performance, our financial condition or a change in ratings methodology. Ratings agencies may also heighten the level of scrutiny they apply when analyzing companies in our industry, adjust upward the capital and other requirements employed in their models and/or discontinue credit and debt instruments or other structures deployed for maintenance of certain rating levels. A downgrade, withdrawal or negative watch/outlook by any independent rating agency could cause our competitive position in the insurance/reinsurance industry to suffer and make it more difficult for us to market our products. In addition, if we experience a credit rating downgrade, withdrawal or negative watch/outlook in the future, we could incur higher borrowing costs and may have more limited means to access capital. A downgrade, withdrawal or negative watch/outlook could also result in a substantial loss of business for us, as ceding companies and brokers that place such business may move to other insurers and reinsurers with higher ratings. We would also be required to post collateral under the terms of certain of our policies of reinsurance.
Corporate Activity and Growth2 | 3.7%
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 1
The failure of our loss limitation strategy could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 2
In connection with the implementation of our corporate strategies, we face risks associated with the acquisition or disposition of businesses, the entry into new lines of business, the integration of acquired businesses and the growth and development of these businesses.As part of our strategy, we have pursued and may continue to pursue growth through acquisitions, or we may dispose of or exit businesses we currently own. The success of this strategy is dependent upon our ability to identify appropriate acquisition and disposition targets, negotiate transactions on favorable terms, complete transactions and, in the case of acquisitions, successfully integrate them into our existing businesses. If a proposed transaction is not consummated, the time and resources spent in researching it could adversely result in missed opportunities to locate and acquire other businesses. In addition, the negotiation of potential acquisitions as well as the integration of an acquired business or new personnel could result in a substantial diversion of management resources. Successful integration may depend on, among other things, our ability to effectively integrate acquired businesses or new personnel into our existing risk management and financial and operational reporting systems, our ability to effectively manage any regulatory issues created by our entry into new markets and geographic locations, our ability to retain key personnel and other operational and economic factors. There can be no assurance that the integration of acquired businesses or new personnel will be successful, or that we will realize anticipated synergies, cost savings and operational efficiencies, or that the business acquired will prove to be profitable or sustainable. Acquisitions could involve numerous additional risks such as potential losses from unanticipated litigation, levels of claims and an inability to generate sufficient revenue to offset acquisition costs. Failure to manage these risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. If we dispose of or otherwise exit certain businesses, there can be no assurance that we will not incur certain disposition related charges, or that we will be able to reduce overhead related to the divested assets.
From time to time, either through acquisitions or internal development, we may enter new lines of business or offer new products and services within existing lines of business. These new lines of business or new products and services may present additional risks, particularly in instances where the markets are not fully developed. Such risks include the investment of significant time and resources; the possibility that these efforts will not be successful, or that we are unable to retain clients; and the risk of additional liabilities associated with these efforts. Failure to manage these risks in the development of new lines of businesses could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Legal & Regulatory
Total Risks: 15/54 (28%)Above Sector Average
Regulation3 | 5.6%
Regulation - Risk 1
Our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are subject to supervision and regulation. Changes to existing regulation and supervisory standards, or failure to comply with them, could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition, or result in negative publicity, reputational damage or harm to our relationships.Regulation - Risk 2
Our business is subject to certain laws and regulations relating to sanctions and foreign corrupt practices, the violation of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results.We must comply with all applicable economic and financial sanctions, other trade controls and anti-bribery laws and regulations of the U.S. and other foreign jurisdictions where we operate, including Bermuda, the U.K. and the European Union. U.S. laws and regulations applicable to us include the economic trade sanctions laws and regulations administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control as well as certain laws administered by the U.S. Department of State. These laws and regulations are complex, frequently changing, and increasing in number, and they may impose additional prohibitions or compliance obligations on our dealings in certain countries and territories, including sanctions imposed on Russia and certain Ukraine territories. In addition, we are subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other anti-bribery laws, such as the Irish Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Act, the Bermuda Bribery Act and the U.K. Bribery Act, which generally bar corrupt payments or unreasonable gifts. Although we have policies and controls in place that are designed to ensure compliance with these laws and regulations, it is possible that an employee or an agent acting on our behalf could fail to comply with applicable laws and regulations and, due to the complex nature of the risks, it may not always be possible for us to ascertain compliance with such laws and regulations. In such event, we could be exposed to civil penalties, criminal penalties and other sanctions, including fines or other unintended punitive actions. In addition, such violations could damage our business and/or our reputation. All of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results.
Regulation - Risk 3
New regulations relating to the U.K.'s withdrawal from the EU could adversely affect us.In January 2020, the U.K. ceased to be a member of the EU ("Brexit"). AXIS Specialty Europe SE accesses the U.K. market through a third country branch in the U.K. In February 2023, the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority ("EIOPA") published a Supervisory Statement on governance of third country branches. Although this Supervisory Statement is directed towards national supervisory authorities, it does set out how EIOPA expects third country branches to be supervised across the EU. In Ireland, the Central Bank of Ireland ("CBI") has published its response to this Supervisory Statement and made its expectations of the insurers clear. In line with this Supervisory Statement, AXIS Specialty Europe SE is required to demonstrate, at all times, an appropriate level of corporate substance in Ireland proportionate to the nature, scale and complexity of its business.
Lloyd's accesses the EU market through its Belgium based insurance company, Lloyd's Insurance Company S.A., which has a third country branch in the U.K. In Belgium, the National Bank of Belgium has not yet made any public announcement regarding the EIOPA Supervisory Statement. As Lloyd's is a key platform for AXIS, a change to the status quo by the National Bank of Belgium could impact Lloyd's Insurance Company S.A., and consequently AXIS Managing Agency. This would potentially limit AXIS' ability to access the EEA market through the Lloyd's platform. We continue to monitor this situation closely.
Taxation & Government Incentives9 | 16.7%
Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 1
Changes in tax laws resulting from the proposals included in the European Commission's draft third Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive ("ATAD III") could materially adversely affect us.Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 2
We will be liable to tax under the Corporate Income Tax Act 2023 of Bermuda, which may have an adverse effect on our results of operations.Changed
The Bermuda Minister of Finance, under the Exempted Undertakings Tax Protection Act 1966 of Bermuda, as amended, has given each of our Bermuda resident companies an assurance that if any legislation is enacted in Bermuda that would impose tax computed on profits or income, or computed on any capital asset, gain or appreciation, or any tax in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax, then the imposition of any such tax will not be applicable to our Bermuda resident companies or any of their respective operations, shares, debentures or other obligations until March 31, 2035.
Notwithstanding the above, on December 27, 2023, the Bermuda government enacted a corporate income tax which will apply for accounting periods starting on or after January 1, 2025. Importantly, under the Corporate Income Tax Act 2023 of Bermuda, any liability to the tax will apply regardless of any assurances previously provided under the Exempted Undertakings Tax Protection Act 1966 of Bermuda. This tax will likely have a material impact on our effective tax rate in future accounting periods.
Broadly, the Bermuda corporate income tax is intended to be treated as a covered tax for the purposes of Pillar Two and therefore no double taxation is expected to arise from these rules and the top-up taxes under Pillar Two in other jurisdictions. However, the treatment of the Bermuda corporate income tax as a covered tax is subject to interpretation in other jurisdictions and therefore remains uncertain at this time. The OECD published administrative guidance on January 15, 2025 regarding transition rules for deferred tax accounting attributes. This guidance may cause a portion of the Bermuda corporate income tax to not be regarded as a covered tax for purposes of Pillar Two in other jurisdictions, this may have a material impact on our future effective tax rate.
Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 3
Changes in Irish tax law could adversely affect us.Trading income derived from the insurance and reinsurance business carried on in Ireland by AXIS Specialty Europe and AXIS Re SE is generally taxed in Ireland at a rate of 12.5%. Over the past number of years, various EU. member states have, from time to time, called for harmonization of the corporate tax base within the EU Ireland, along with other member states, has consistently resisted any movement towards standardized corporate tax rates or tax base in the EU The Government of Ireland has also made clear its commitment to retain the 12.5% rate of corporation tax. If, however, tax laws in Ireland change so as to increase the general corporation tax rate, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected. Irish profits would become subject to the 15% global minimum tax rate pursuant to the European Commission Directive discussed above.
Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 4
Our non-Irish companies may be subject to Irish tax that may have an adverse effect on our results of operations.We intend to operate our non-Irish resident companies in such a manner so that none of our non-Irish resident companies are resident in Ireland for tax purposes and are not treated as carrying on a trade through a branch or agency in Ireland.
Accordingly, we expect that none of our non-Irish resident companies will be subject to Irish corporation tax. Nevertheless, since the determination as to whether a company is resident in Ireland is a question of fact to be determined based on a number of different factors and since neither case law nor Irish legislation conclusively defines the activities that constitute trading in Ireland through a branch or agency, the Irish Revenue Commissioners might contend successfully that one or more of our non-Irish companies is resident in or otherwise trading through a branch or agency in Ireland and therefore subject to Irish corporation tax. If this were the case, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
In accordance with the Model Rules on Pillar Two, the Irish government has enacted legislation to implement a QDMTT which seeks to ensure that Irish tax resident companies have an effective tax rate in excess of 15%. Therefore, if our Irish tax resident companies have an effective tax rate of less than 15%, the QDMTT may adversely affect our results.
Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 5
Changes in U.K. tax law could adversely affect us.AXIS Specialty Europe, AXIS Specialty U.S. Services, Inc. and our U.K. resident companies are treated as taxable in the U.K. Future changes in the basis or rate of U.K. corporation tax could materially adversely affect the operations of these companies.
Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 6
Our non-U.K. companies may be subject to U.K. tax that may have an adverse effect on our results of operations.We intend to operate in such a manner so that none of our non-U.K. companies are resident in the U.K. for tax purposes and that none of our non-U.K. resident companies, other than AXIS Specialty Europe and AXIS Specialty U.S. Services, Inc., have a permanent establishment in the U.K. Accordingly, we expect that none of our non-U.K. resident companies, other than AXIS Specialty Europe and AXIS Specialty U.S. Services, Inc., will be subject to U.K. tax. Nevertheless, because neither case law nor U.K. statutes conclusively define the activities that constitute trading in the U.K. through a permanent establishment, the U.K. tax authority might contend successfully that one or more of our non-U.K. companies, in addition to AXIS Specialty Europe and AXIS Specialty U.S. Services, Inc., is trading in the U.K. through a permanent establishment in the U.K. and therefore subject to U.K. tax.
In addition, there are circumstances in which companies that are neither resident in the U.K., nor entitled to the protection afforded by a double tax treaty between the U.K. and the jurisdiction in which they are resident, may be exposed to income tax in the U.K. (other than by deduction or withholding) on the profits of a trade carried on there even if that trade is not carried on through a permanent establishment. We intend to operate in such a manner that none of our companies will be subject to U.K. income tax in this respect.
If any of our non-U.K. resident companies were treated as being resident in the U.K. for U.K. corporation tax purposes, or if any of our non-U.K. companies, other than AXIS Specialty Europe or AXIS Specialty U.S. Services, Inc., were to be treated as carrying on a trade in the U.K., whether or not through a permanent establishment, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
The U.K. diverted profits tax ("DPT") is separate from U.K. corporation tax and is charged at a higher rate. It is an anti-avoidance measure aimed at protecting the U.K. tax base against the artificial diversion of profits that are being earned by activities carried out in the U.K. but which are not otherwise being taxed in the U.K., in particular as a result of arrangements between companies in the same multinational group. The U.K. network of double tax treaties does not offer protection from a DPT charge. In the event that the rules apply to certain arrangements, upfront payment of the U.K. tax authority's estimate of the deemed tax liability may be required. If any of our non-U.K. companies is liable to DPT, our results could be materially adversely affected.
In accordance with the Model Rules on Pillar Two, the U.K. government has enacted legislation to implement a QDMTT which seeks to ensure that U.K. tax resident companies have an effective tax rate in excess of 15% (broadly, this is determined in line with effective tax rates under the Model Rules on Pillar Two). Therefore, if our U.K. tax resident companies have an effective tax rate of less than 15%, the QDMTT may adversely affect our results.
Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 7
Changes in U.S. tax law could adversely affect us.The tax treatment of non-U.S. companies and their U.S. and non-U.S. subsidiaries may be the subject of future legislation. We cannot predict the particulars of any proposed legislation, or whether such legislation would have any effect on us. Future legislation in the U.S. may arise in an effort to harmonize U.S. tax law with OECD Pillar Two initiatives. No assurance may be given that future legislative, administrative, or judicial developments will not produce an adverse U.S. tax consequence to us. If any such adverse developments do occur, our results of operations may be materially adversely affected.
Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 8
Our non-U.S. companies may be subject to U.S. tax that may have an adverse effect on our results of operations.We intend to manage our business so that each of our non-U.S. companies, apart from our Lloyd's operations with U.S. effectively connected income, will operate in such a manner that none of these companies should be subject to U.S. tax (other than U.S. excise tax on insurance or reinsurance premiums attributable to insuring or reinsuring U.S. risks and U.S. withholding tax on some types of U.S. source investment income), because none of these companies should be treated as engaged in a trade or business within the U.S. However, because there is considerable uncertainty as to the activities that constitute being engaged in a trade or business within the U.S., we cannot be certain that the U.S. Internal Revenue Service will not contend successfully that any of our non-U.S. companies is/are engaged in a trade or business in the U.S. If any of our non-U.S. companies were considered to be engaged in a trade or business in the U.S., it could be subject to U.S. corporate income and additional branch profits taxes on the portion of its earnings effectively connected to such U.S. business. If this were to be the case, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 9
Changes in tax laws resulting from the recommendations of the Organization for Economic Corporation and Development ("OECD") could materially adversely affect us.The OECD launched a global initiative among member and non-member countries on measures to limit harmful tax competition, known as the "Base Erosion and Profit Shifting" ("BEPS") project and, in 2015, published reports containing a suite of recommended actions. These measures are largely directed at counteracting the effects of low-tax and preferential tax regimes in countries around the world, including expanding the definition of permanent establishment and updating the rules for attributing profits to permanent establishments, tightening transfer pricing rules to ensure that outcomes are in line with value creation, neutralizing the effect of hybrid financial instruments and limiting the deductibility of interest costs for tax purposes and preventing double tax treaty abuse. Many countries have changed or announced future changes to their tax laws in response to the BEPS project. On May 31, 2019, the OECD published a "Programme of Work", designed to address the tax challenges created by an increasingly digitalized economy. This was divided into two pillars. The first pillar addresses the broader challenge of a digitalized economy and focuses on the allocation of group profits among taxing jurisdictions, based on a market-based concept rather than the historical "permanent establishment" concept ("Pillar One"). The second pillar addresses the remaining BEPS risk of profit shifting to entities in low tax jurisdictions by introducing a global minimum tax ("Pillar Two").
Pillar One
On October 11, 2023, the members of the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on BEPS (the "Inclusive Framework") published a multilateral convention to implement rules which coordinate a reallocation of taxing rights to market jurisdictions in accordance with Pillar One. Pillar One is expected to apply to groups with adjusted revenues in excess of €20 billion and specific exemptions have been incorporated in the multilateral convention for regulated financial institutions. The application of the multilateral convention on Pillar One is therefore not expected to have a material impact on our effective tax rate, however these rules remain subject to ongoing negotiation and implementation.
Pillar Two
On December 20, 2021, the OECD released proposed model legislation for Pillar Two which was approved by 135 countries (the "Model Rules"). The Model Rules included a set of rules, principally the income inclusion rule and undertaxed payments rules, which together have the intended effect of imposing a minimum tax rate of 15% on multinational groups with revenues in excess of €750 million. Additionally, the Model Rules anticipated the implementation of qualifying domestic top-up taxes ("QDMTT") in local jurisdictions. Broadly, these QDMTTs are intended to provide jurisdictions with the right to charge top-up taxes on entities located in that jurisdiction if those entities have an effective tax rate of less than 15%. Additionally, the Model Rules anticipated the implementation of qualifying domestic top-up taxes ("QDMTT") in local jurisdictions. Broadly, these QDMTTs are intended to provide jurisdictions with the right to charge top-up taxes on entities located in that jurisdiction if those entities have an effective tax rate of less than 15%. A number of jurisdictions in which we operate have implemented the Model Rules into domestic legislation, including the implementation of QDMTTs, with effect for accounting periods starting on or after 31 December 2023.
Although domestic legislation implemented to affect the Model Rules is not expected to have a material effect on our global effective tax rate in the current accounting period, these taxes remain subject to a multilateral review process which is subject to ongoing development and the interpretation of these rules by tax authorities remains uncertain. The responses to Pillar 2 by various jurisdictions in which we operate (including the interpretation of domestic legislation by local tax authorities) will result in a material compliance burden with ongoing monitoring and filing requirements.
Environmental / Social3 | 5.6%
Environmental / Social - Risk 1
Increasing scrutiny and evolving expectations from investors, customers, regulators, policymakers and other stakeholders regarding environmental, social and governance matters may adversely affect our reputation or otherwise adversely impact our share price, demand for our securities and business and results of operations.Environmental / Social - Risk 2
Global climate change, and increasing regulation relating to climate change, may have an adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.We are potentially exposed to different aspects of climate risk, specifically, physical, credit, investment, liability and transition risks, as a result of climate change.
Physical risks include weather-related events and longer-term shifts in climate patterns and emanate primarily from the underwriting of property insurance and reinsurance. Climate change has added to the unpredictability and frequency of natural disasters in certain parts of the world and has created additional uncertainty as to future trends and exposures. Although the loss experience of catastrophe insurers and reinsurers has historically been characterized as low frequency, in recent years, the frequency of severe weather-related events has increased, and this trend may continue in the future. Climate change is likely to expose us to an increased frequency and/or severity of weather-related losses, and there is a risk that our pricing of these perils or our management of the associated aggregations does not appropriately allow for changes in climate.
Over the longer term, climate change may have an impact on the economic viability of certain lines of business if suitable adjustments in price and coverage cannot be achieved.
Additionally, catastrophic events and the effects of climate change could result in increased credit exposure to reinsurers and other counterparties with whom we transact business, declines in the value of investments we hold and disruptions to our physical infrastructure, systems, networks and operations.
Changes in security asset prices such as real estate, stocks and long-term bonds may impact the value of our investments, resulting in realized or unrealized losses on our invested assets. Climate-related risks to security asset prices can include, but are not limited to: (i) changes in supply/demand characteristics for fossil fuels (e.g., coal, oil, natural gas); (ii) advances in low-carbon technology and renewable energy development; (iii) effects of extreme weather events on the physical and operational exposure of issuers; and the (iv) transition that these companies make towards addressing climate risk in their own businesses.
We may also be exposed to liability risks. Liability risks relate to losses or damages suffered by our insureds from physical or transition risks, such as losses stemming from climate-related litigation in liability lines. These risks could arise from management and boards of directors not fully considering or responding to the impacts of climate change, or not appropriately disclosing current and future risks. In addition, new regulatory developments, increased litigation activity and subsequent liability issues associated with climate change or greenhouse gas emissions may lead to losses under environmental liability, product liability and directors and officers or professional liability, particularly where the emitter is deemed to have misled investors. In addition, there is a link between liability risk and transition risk as the failure of companies to shift towards a low-carbon future and mitigate the impacts of climate change may lead to losses incurred by insureds.
There is additionally a risk that certain elements of our business cease to be viable as a result of climate change transition risks, which relate to losses driven by policy, legal, technological, and market changes to address climate risks and include changes in consumer behavior, shareholder preferences, and any additional regulatory and legislative requirements, such as carbon taxes. Through its fossil fuel policy, AXIS Capital has committed to fully phasing out thermal coal from its insurance and facultative reinsurance portfolios no later than 2030 in OECD countries and 2040 globally. Additionally, by the end of 2025, AXIS Capital has committed to phasing out any existing investments in companies in the thermal coal or oil sands industries that exceed its policy thresholds in its fossil fuel policy. If we are unable to achieve our objectives relating to climate change or our current response to climate change is perceived to be ineffective or insufficient, or the way we respond is perceived negatively, our business and reputation may suffer. In addition, there remains a risk that our financial condition or operating performance may be impacted by changes in our business model arising from climate change transition and by the performance of strategies we put in place to manage this transition.
We are also subject to complex and changing laws, regulations and public policy debates relating to climate change and other environmental risks, including overlapping, yet distinct, climate change-related disclosure requirements in multiple jurisdictions. These are difficult to predict and quantify, may conflict with one another, and may impose additional costs on us, which in turn could have an adverse impact on our business. The introduction of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive ("CSRD") together with the EU Taxonomy Regulation, are the central components of the sustainability reporting requirements underpinning the EU's sustainable finance strategy. CSRD requires disclosures against the European Sustainability Reporting Standards ("ESRS") and EU Taxonomy. We are required to collect a substantial amount of data across the organization to enable our reporting against CSRD requirements and this is likely to incur additional costs.
While the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Climate Regulations (issued March 6th 2024) have been paused, there is potential for additional disclosure requirements should these be implemented. There is also a risk that, should the SEC move forward with its additional climate disclosure requirements, that regulators in certain states may develop their own enhanced reporting requirements. Changes in regulations relating to climate change or our own leadership decisions implemented as a result of assessing the impact of climate change on our business may result in an increase in the cost of doing business or a decrease in premiums.
Environmental / Social - Risk 3
Compliance with data protection, privacy and cybersecurity laws and regulations governing the processing of personal information is a legal requirement, and non-compliance may impede our services or result in increased costs. Failure to comply could result in material fines and/or penalties imposed by data protection and/or financial services regulators. In addition, any data breach may have an adverse effect on our reputation, results of operations or financial condition, or have other adverse consequences.Changed
Our business relies on the processing of data, including personal information, in many jurisdictions and the movement of such data across national borders. The collection, storage, handling, disclosure, use, transfer, security and other processing of personal information that occurs in connection with our business is subject to federal, state, local and foreign data protection and privacy laws, regulations, rules, industry standards and other obligations. These legal requirements are not uniform and continue to evolve, and regulatory scrutiny in this area is increasing around the world. In many cases, these laws and regulations apply not only to third-party transactions, but also to transfers of information within the Group. Data protection, privacy and cybersecurity laws may be interpreted and applied differently from country to country and may create inconsistent or conflicting requirements.
In Europe, the U.K., and Switzerland, there are data protection laws that have extra-territorial effect. These data protection laws require compliance by all companies that process data of EU, U.K., and Swiss citizens, regardless of the company's location, and also impose obligations on companies processing data of non-E. citizens. The data protection laws also impose requirements regarding the processing of personal data and confers rights on data subjects, including rights of access to their personal data, deletion of their personal data, the "right to be forgotten" and the right to "portability" of personal data.
We also need to comply with data protection laws in the U.S and Canada. In the U.S., there continue to be many changes in the data protection and privacy landscape. As states continue to focus on data protection, our compliance burden may increase.
Further, while we strive to publish and prominently display privacy policies that are accurate, comprehensive, and compliant with applicable laws, regulations, rules and industry standards, we cannot ensure that our privacy policies and other statements regarding our practices will be sufficient to protect us from claims, proceedings, liability or adverse publicity relating to data protection, privacy or cybersecurity. Although we endeavor to comply with our privacy policies, we may at times fail to do so or be alleged to have failed to do so. The publication of our privacy policies and other documentation that provide promises and assurances about data protection, privacy and cybersecurity can subject us to potential government or legal action if they are found to be deceptive, unfair, or misrepresentative of our actual practices. Any concerns about our data protection, privacy and cybersecurity practices, even if unfounded, could damage our reputation and adversely affect our business.
Compliance with obligations imposed by data protection, privacy, and cybersecurity legislation, including Bermuda's Personal Information Protection Act and Quebec's Law 25, requires investment in appropriate technical or organizational measures designed to safeguard the rights and freedoms of data subjects. Such investment may result in significant costs to our business and may require us to modify certain of our business practices. In addition, enforcement actions, investigations and the imposition of substantial fines and penalties by regulatory authorities as a result of data security incidents and privacy violations have increased dramatically over the past several years. The enactment of more restrictive laws, rules, regulations or future enforcement actions or investigations could impact us through increased costs or restrictions on our business, and noncompliance could result in regulatory penalties and significant legal liability.
Any failure or perceived failure by us to comply with applicable data protection, privacy and cybersecurity laws, regulations, rules, industry standards and other obligations, or compromise of security that results in unauthorized access to, or unauthorized loss, destruction, use, modification, acquisition, disclosure, release or transfer of personal, sensitive, confidential or other client or Company information, could subject us to increased costs or restrictions on our business, future enforcement actions or investigations, regulatory penalties, claims, fines, criminal prosecution, judgments, awards, sanctions, monetary damages, costly litigation (including class actions) and significant legal liability. Such events could also result in negative publicity and damage to our reputation, distract our management and technical personnel, adversely affect the demand for our products and services and cause us to lose business, which could therefore have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.
Production
Total Risks: 7/54 (13%)Above Sector Average
Employment / Personnel2 | 3.7%
Employment / Personnel - Risk 1
We could be adversely affected by turnover of senior management, the loss of one or more key executives, an inability to attract and retain qualified personnel or by the inability of an executive to obtain a Bermuda work permit.Employment / Personnel - Risk 2
We rely on our processes, people, and systems to maintain our operations and manage the operational risks inherent to our business. Any errors, omissions or misconduct by our employees or third-party agents in the execution of these processes may result in financial losses.We rely on the execution of our processes, people, and systems to maintain and execute our operations. We seek to monitor and control our exposure to risks arising from these processes through an enterprise risk management framework, internal controls, management review and other processes. We cannot provide total assurance that these processes will effectively identify or control all risks, or that our employees and third-party agents will effectively execute them. Loss may result from, among other things, actual or alleged fraud; errors; or failure to document transactions properly, obtain proper internal authorization, comply with underwriting or other internal guidelines, or comply with regulatory requirements.
Further, we have launched a strategic initiative aimed at improving our operating model. The 'How We Work' program is driving and overseeing the changes being made across the organization to build momentum and establish AXIS as an efficient and sustainable organization. These changes could result in heightened operational risk as the business adapts to new ways of working.
Supply Chain3 | 5.6%
Supply Chain - Risk 1
Our business may be adversely affected if third-party service providers fail to satisfactorily perform certain technology and business process functions.Supply Chain - Risk 2
Our reliance on brokers subjects us to credit risk.In accordance with industry practice, we pay amounts owed on claims under our insurance and reinsurance contracts to brokers, and these brokers pay these amounts to clients that have purchased insurance and reinsurance from us. Although the law is unsettled and depends upon the facts and circumstances of the particular case, in some jurisdictions, if a broker fails to make such a payment, we might remain liable to the insured or ceding insurer for the deficiency.
Conversely, in certain jurisdictions, when the insured or ceding insurer pays premiums for these policies to brokers for payment to us, these premiums might be considered to have been paid to us and the insured or ceding insurer will no longer be liable to us for those amounts, whether or not we have actually received the premiums from the broker. Consequently, we assume a degree of credit risk associated with brokers with whom we transact business. These risks are heightened during periods characterized by financial market instability and/or an economic downturn or recession.
Supply Chain - Risk 3
Since we depend on a few brokers for a large portion of our revenues, loss of business provided by any one of them could have a material adverse effect on our business.We market our insurance and reinsurance products worldwide primarily through insurance and reinsurance brokers and derive a significant portion of our business from a limited number of brokers. Aon plc, Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. and Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., provided 38% of gross premiums written in 2024. Our relationships with our brokers are based on the quality of our underwriting and claims services, as well as our financial strength ratings. Any deterioration in these factors could result in the brokers advising our clients to place their business with other insurers and reinsurers. In addition, our brokers also have, or may in the future acquire, ownership interests in insurance and reinsurance companies that may compete with us. These brokers may then favor their own insurers and reinsurers over other companies. Loss of all or a substantial portion of the business provided by one or more of these brokers could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Costs2 | 3.7%
Costs - Risk 1
The effects of emerging claim and/or coverage issues on our business are uncertain.Changed
Costs - Risk 2
We could be materially adversely affected if managing general agents, general agents, coverholders, other producers and third-party administrators in our program business exceed their underwriting and/or claims settlement authorities or otherwise breach obligations owed to us.In program business conducted by the insurance segment, following our underwriting, financial, claims and information technology due diligence reviews, we authorize managing general agents, general agents, coverholders and other producers to write business and settle claims on our behalf within prescribed authorities. Once a program/coverholder commences, we must rely on the underwriting, operational and claims controls of these entities to write business within the authorities provided by us. Although we monitor our programs/coverholders on an ongoing basis, our monitoring efforts may not be adequate or these entities may exceed their underwriting or claims settlement authorities or otherwise breach obligations owed to us. To the extent that these entities exceed their authorities or otherwise breach obligations owed to us in the future, our results of operations or financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
Macro & Political
Total Risks: 7/54 (13%)Above Sector Average
Economy & Political Environment4 | 7.4%
Economy & Political Environment - Risk 1
Global economic conditions could adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.Economy & Political Environment - Risk 2
We could face losses from war, terrorism, political unrest, and geopolitical uncertainty, and these or other unanticipated losses could have an adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.Changed
We have exposure to losses, both through underwriting and investments, resulting from acts of terrorism, political unrest and geopolitical instability, including, but not limited to, events related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the conflict in the Middle East and in many regions of the world. Russia's invasion of Ukraine is having a profound impact on energy markets, particularly in Europe, which is impacting and may continue to impact economic conditions and investment returns. In certain instances, we specifically insure and reinsure risks resulting from acts of terrorism. Even in cases where we attempt to exclude losses from terrorism and certain other similar risks from some coverages written by us, there can be no assurance that a court or arbitration panel will interpret policy language or otherwise issue a ruling favorable to us. Accordingly, we can offer no assurance that our loss reserves will be adequate to cover losses should they materialize beyond expectation.
We have limited terrorism coverage in our own reinsurance program for our exposure to catastrophe losses related to acts of terrorism. On December 20, 2019, the President of the United States signed the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2019 ("TRIP"), extending the program through December 31, 2027. Although TRIP provides benefits in the event of certain acts of terrorism, those benefits are subject to a deductible and to other limitations. Under TRIP, once losses attributable to certain acts of terrorism exceed 20% of direct commercial property and liability insurance premiums for the preceding calendar year, the federal government will reimburse insurers for 80% of losses in excess of this deductible.
Notably, TRIP does not provide coverage for reinsurance losses. Given the unpredictable frequency and severity of terrorism losses, as well as the limited terrorism coverage in our own reinsurance program, future losses from acts of terrorism could materially and adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity in future periods.
Our credit and political risk insurance line of business protects insureds with interests in foreign jurisdictions in the event that governmental action prevents them from exercising their contractual rights, and may also protect their assets against physical damage perils. The insurance provided may include cover for losses arising from expropriation, forced abandonment, license cancellation, trade embargo, contract frustration, non-payment, war on land or political violence (including terrorism, revolution, insurrection and civil unrest).
Our credit and political risk line of business also provides non-payment coverage on specific loan obligations. We insure sovereign non-payment and corporate non-payment as a result of commercial as well as political risk events. The vast majority of the corporate non-payment credit insurance provided is for single-named illiquid risks, primarily in the form of senior bank loans that can be individually analyzed and underwritten. Generally, we do not underwrite insurance for structured finance products that would expose us to mark-to-market losses. In addition, our credit insurance contracts typically do not include terms which would introduce liquidity risk, most notably in the form of a collateralization requirement upon a ratings downgrade. We also manage our exposure by, among other things, setting credit limits by country, region, industry and individual counterparty, and regularly reviewing our aggregate exposures. However, due to globalization, political instability in one region can spread to other regions. Geopolitical uncertainty regarding a variety of domestic and international matters, such as the U.S. political and regulatory environment and the potential for default by U.S., Canadian or by one or more European sovereign debt issuers, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, investment portfolio, financial condition or liquidity.
Economy & Political Environment - Risk 3
We may be adversely impacted by economic and social inflation.Our operations, like those of other insurers and reinsurers, are susceptible to the effects of economic and social inflation because premiums are established before actual losses and loss expenses are known. Although we consider the potential effects of economic and social inflation when setting premium rates, premiums may not fully offset the effects of inflation and thus may not adequately underwrite the risks we insure and reinsure. Loss reserves include assumptions about future payments for settlement of claims and claims-handling expenses. To the extent economic and social inflation causes costs to increase above loss reserves established for claims, we will be required to increase loss reserves with a corresponding reduction in net income in the period in which the deficiency is identified, which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Unanticipated higher economic inflation could also lead to higher interest rates, which would negatively impact the value of our fixed income securities and potentially other investments. In addition, to the extent that unanticipated higher economic inflation in different geographies leads to currency fluctuations, we may also experience increased volatility on foreign exchange gains and losses.
Economy & Political Environment - Risk 4
Potential government intervention in our industry as a result of recent events and instability in the marketplace for insurance products could hinder our flexibility and negatively affect the business opportunities that may be available to us in the market.Government intervention and the possibility of future government intervention have created uncertainty in insurance and reinsurance markets. Government and regulators generally require insurers and reinsurers to have high solvency ratios and localized capital to ensure the protection of policyholders to the possible detriment of other constituents, including shareholders of insurers and reinsurers. Government, regulatory and judicial actions across multiple jurisdictions in relation to business interruption insurance have exacerbated the uncertainty by altering the interpretation of our contracts or extending or changing coverage (beyond the obligations set forth within those contracts or beyond what was intended by the parties).
Certain U.S. and non-U.S. judicial and regulatory authorities, including U.S. Attorneys offices and certain state attorneys general, occasionally commence investigations into business practices in the insurance industry. In addition, although the U.S. federal government has not historically regulated insurance, there have been proposals from time to time to impose federal regulation on the U.S. insurance industry. As a result, we are unable to predict what, if any, changes to laws and regulations impacting the U.S. insurance industry may be enacted by the U.S. Congress or the new presidential administration and what the impact of any such changes will be upon our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Further, Dodd-Frank gives the Federal Reserve supervisory authority over certain U.S. financial services companies, including insurance companies, if they are designated as 'systemically important' by a two-thirds vote of a Financial Stability Oversight Council. While we do not believe that we are systemically important, as defined in Dodd-Frank or additional federal or state regulation that is adopted in the future could impose significant burdens on us, impact the ways in which we conduct our business and govern our subsidiaries, increase compliance costs, increase the levels of capital required to operate our subsidiaries, duplicate state regulation and/or result in a competitive disadvantage.
Our European insurance and reinsurance entities are subject to local laws that implement the Solvency II Directive. Solvency II covers three main areas:
i.the valuation of assets and liabilities on a Solvency II economic basis and risk-based solvency and capital requirements;ii.governance requirements including requirements relating to the key functions of compliance, internal audit, actuarial and risk management; and iii.new supervisory legal entity and group reporting and disclosure requirements including public disclosures.
Since Brexit, the U.K. Government and Regulators have been reviewing the Solvency II regime, with a view to making it more bespoke to the U.K. market. The Solvency U.K. regime came into force on December 31, 2024, and marks a fundamental change to the previous regime. The European Commission has published its updates to the Solvency II regime, with Member States having 2 years to transpose this Directive.
While we cannot predict the exact nature, timing or scope of possible governmental initiatives, such proposals could materially adversely affect our business by, among other things:
- Providing reinsurance capacity in markets and to consumers that we target;- Requiring our further participation in industry pools and guaranty associations;- Expanding the scope of coverage under existing policies; e.g., following large disasters;- Further regulating the terms of insurance and reinsurance contracts; or - Disproportionately benefiting the companies of one country over those of another.
Natural and Human Disruptions2 | 3.7%
Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 1
Pandemics or other outbreaks of contagious diseases and efforts to mitigate their spread have had, and could in the future have, widespread impacts on the way we operate.Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 2
Our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity could be adversely affected by the occurrence of natural and man-made disasters, as well as outbreaks of pandemic or contagious diseases.We have exposure to unexpected losses resulting from natural disasters, man-made catastrophes and other catastrophe events predominantly in our insurance business. Catastrophes can be caused by various events, including hurricanes, typhoons, earthquakes, tsunamis, hailstorms, floods, severe winter weather, fires, drought and other natural disasters and outbreaks of pandemic or contagious diseases. Catastrophes can also be man-made, such as terrorist attacks and other intentionally destructive acts, including those involving nuclear, biological, chemical or radiological events, cyberattacks and other data security incidents, explosions and infrastructure failures. The incidence and severity of catastrophes are inherently unpredictable and losses from catastrophes could be substantial.
Increases in the values and concentrations of insured property, particularly in coastal regions, and increases in the cost of construction materials required to rebuild affected properties, may continue to increase the impact of natural catastrophe events. Changes in global climate conditions may further increase the frequency and severity of natural catastrophe activity and losses. Secondary perils, for example severe convective storms, may also become increasingly impactful. Similarly, changes in global political and economic conditions may increase both the frequency and severity of man-made catastrophe events. Our business also has exposure to global or nationally occurring pandemics caused by highly infectious and potentially fatal diseases. The impact of catastrophe events in years 2024, 2023 and 2022 included the recognition of the net losses and loss expenses of:
- $226 million, in the aggregate, primarily related to Hurricanes Milton, Helene, and Beryl, and the Red Sea Conflict in 2024;- $138 million, in the aggregate, primarily related to Cyclone Gabrielle and other weather-related events in 2023; and - $403 million, in the aggregate, primarily related to Hurricane Ian, the Russia-Ukraine war, Winter Storm Elliot, June European Convective Storms, and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022.
These events materially reduced net income in the years noted. Although we manage our exposure to such events through the use of underwriting controls and the purchase of third-party reinsurance protection, catastrophe events are inherently unpredictable and the actual nature of such events when they occur could be more frequent or severe than contemplated in our pricing and risk management expectations. As a result, the occurrence of one or more catastrophe events could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.
Risks from cybersecurity threats and other data security incidents are dynamic and fast evolving, and could be exacerbated by geopolitical tensions, including hostile actions taken by nation-states and terrorist organizations. There is a risk that increases in the frequency and severity of cybersecurity incidents affecting us, our clients, or our third-party service providers could materially adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity. The losses incurred from these risks are also dependent on our clients' and our third-party service providers' cybersecurity practices and defenses, as well as how policy terms and conditions interact with the evolving threat landscape. In addition, our exposure to cybersecurity incidents potentially includes exposure through "non-affirmative" coverages, meaning risks and potential losses associated with policies where cybersecurity risk is not explicitly included or excluded in the policy terms and conditions. As this is a relatively new risk, even in cases where losses from cybersecurity incidents are explicitly excluded, there can be no assurance that a court or arbitration panel will interpret policy language in line with the intention of the exclusion.
Capital Markets1 | 1.9%
Capital Markets - Risk 1
Our operating results may be adversely affected by currency fluctuations.Tech & Innovation
Total Risks: 1/54 (2%)Below Sector Average
Cyber Security1 | 1.9%
Cyber Security - Risk 1
If we experience difficulties with technology and/or data security, our ability to conduct our business might be adversely affected.Ability to Sell
Total Risks: 1/54 (2%)Below Sector Average
Competition1 | 1.9%
Competition - Risk 1
Competition and consolidation in the insurance/reinsurance industry could reduce our growth and profitability.See a full breakdown of risk according to category and subcategory. The list starts with the category with the most risk. Click on subcategories to read relevant extracts from the most recent report.
FAQ
What are “Risk Factors”?
Risk factors are any situations or occurrences that could make investing in a company risky.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires that publicly traded companies disclose their most significant risk factors. This is so that potential investors can consider any risks before they make an investment.
They also offer companies protection, as a company can use risk factors as liability protection. This could happen if a company underperforms and investors take legal action as a result.
It is worth noting that smaller companies, that is those with a public float of under $75 million on the last business day, do not have to include risk factors in their 10-K and 10-Q forms, although some may choose to do so.
How do companies disclose their risk factors?
Publicly traded companies initially disclose their risk factors to the SEC through their S-1 filings as part of the IPO process.
Additionally, companies must provide a complete list of risk factors in their Annual Reports (Form 10-K) or (Form 20-F) for “foreign private issuers”.
Quarterly Reports also include a section on risk factors (Form 10-Q) where companies are only required to update any changes since the previous report.
According to the SEC, risk factors should be reported concisely, logically and in “plain English” so investors can understand them.
How can I use TipRanks risk factors in my stock research?
Use the Risk Factors tab to get data about the risk factors of any company in which you are considering investing.
You can easily see the most significant risks a company is facing. Additionally, you can find out which risk factors a company has added, removed or adjusted since its previous disclosure. You can also see how a company’s risk factors compare to others in its sector.
Without reading company reports or participating in conference calls, you would most likely not have access to this sort of information, which is usually not included in press releases or other public announcements.
A simplified analysis of risk factors is unique to TipRanks.
What are all the risk factor categories?
TipRanks has identified 6 major categories of risk factors and a number of subcategories for each. You can see how these categories are broken down in the list below.
1. Financial & Corporate
- Accounting & Financial Operations - risks related to accounting loss, value of intangible assets, financial statements, value of intangible assets, financial reporting, estimates, guidance, company profitability, dividends, fluctuating results.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights – risks related to things that impact share prices and the rights of shareholders, including analyst ratings, major shareholder activity, trade volatility, liquidity of shares, anti-takeover provisions, international listing, dual listing.
- Debt & Financing – risks related to debt, funding, financing and interest rates, financial investments.
- Corporate Activity and Growth – risks related to restructuring, M&As, joint ventures, execution of corporate strategy, strategic alliances.
2. Legal & Regulatory
- Litigation and Legal Liabilities – risks related to litigation/ lawsuits against the company.
- Regulation – risks related to compliance, GDPR, and new legislation.
- Environmental / Social – risks related to environmental regulation and to data privacy.
- Taxation & Government Incentives – risks related to taxation and changes in government incentives.
3. Production
- Costs – risks related to costs of production including commodity prices, future contracts, inventory.
- Supply Chain – risks related to the company’s suppliers.
- Manufacturing – risks related to the company’s manufacturing process including product quality and product recalls.
- Human Capital – risks related to recruitment, training and retention of key employees, employee relationships & unions labor disputes, pension, and post retirement benefits, medical, health and welfare benefits, employee misconduct, employee litigation.
4. Technology & Innovation
- Innovation / R&D – risks related to innovation and new product development.
- Technology – risks related to the company’s reliance on technology.
- Cyber Security – risks related to securing the company’s digital assets and from cyber attacks.
- Trade Secrets & Patents – risks related to the company’s ability to protect its intellectual property and to infringement claims against the company as well as piracy and unlicensed copying.
5. Ability to Sell
- Demand – risks related to the demand of the company’s goods and services including seasonality, reliance on key customers.
- Competition – risks related to the company’s competition including substitutes.
- Sales & Marketing – risks related to sales, marketing, and distribution channels, pricing, and market penetration.
- Brand & Reputation – risks related to the company’s brand and reputation.
6. Macro & Political
- Economy & Political Environment – risks related to changes in economic and political conditions.
- Natural and Human Disruptions – risks related to catastrophes, floods, storms, terror, earthquakes, coronavirus pandemic/COVID-19.
- International Operations – risks related to the global nature of the company.
- Capital Markets – risks related to exchange rates and trade, cryptocurrency.