Best's Market Segment Report: AM Best Maintains its Stable Outlook for the Insurance Markets of the Gulf Cooperation Council

AM Best is maintaining its outlook for the insurance markets of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) at stable.

In its new Best’s Market Segment Report, “Market Segment Outlook: Gulf Cooperation Council Insurance,” AM Best notes current economic conditions remain resilient to regional geopolitical tensions; albeit should there be an escalation, the GCC could be adversely impacted by second order effects. At the same time, opportunities for insurance sector growth remain plentiful as new products and increased insurable risks remain an important feature of the market.

Moderating factors identified by AM Best’s analysts include the highly saturated nature of the GCC markets, with intense competition driving pricing pressure and threatening technical margins. Furthermore, elevated oil price fluctuation brings potential economic uncertainty, particularly for those GCC countries with higher dependence on the hydrocarbon sector, as well as those with higher breakeven oil prices.

To access a complimentary copy of this special report, please visit http://www3.ambest.com/bestweek/purchase.asp?record_code=353318.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.