capital markets

Three key dominant trends have been revealed following a record period of catastrophe bond issuance according to Richard Pennay, CEO, Aon Securities, the specialist investment banking and insurance-linked securities (ILS) broker-dealer unit of the global insurance and reinsurance broker.

The amount of alternative capital in reinsurance supplied by insurance-linked securities (ILS) strategies and structures has reached a new high of $121 billion as of the middle of 2025, which Aon Securities notes was driven by strong catastrophe bond growth and supported by ongoing expansion of the sidecar sector as well.

Every few years it feels like groundhog day again, as we begin to see a rise in negative sentiment towards the insurance-linked securities (ILS) market and its investors from major traditional reinsurance companies, typically at a time of rising competitive dynamics in the marketplace.

Sompo Holdings, Inc. has announced that it will acquire insurance and reinsurance group Aspen Insurance Holdings in a deal valued at $3.5 billion, while it cites access to alternative capital through the Aspen Capital Markets unit as a key benefit and a “highly differentiated product offering.”

The recent growth trend in the alternative reinsurance capital market is forecast to persist into 2026, as supply of capital from investors and demand from sponsors seeking risk transfer remain robust, Fitch Ratings has said.

The reinsurance market cycle has become more subdued thanks to sound risk management practices, strategic use of technology and a maturing partnership with alternative capital (ILS), according to rating agency AM Best.

There is just one week left until our next catastrophe bond and insurance-linked securities (ILS) conference, Artemis London 2025. Held in London on September 2nd, the event will feature a full-day of in-depth discussion about the ILS market and valuable networking. Register to attend and join the crowd.

As per a new commentary from Morningstar DBRS, the reinsurance market has seen rapid growth in available capital, which reflects both retained earnings and the growing role of third-party capital, including insurance-linked securities, which has added competitive pressure to pricing but also broadened the industry’s financial foundation.

As per David Flandro, Managing Director, Head of Industry Analysis and Strategic Advisory at reinsurance broker Howden Re, “if it wasn’t obvious already, we are now firmly in the hard market softening phase of the rating cycle.”

As technology continues to reshape the insurance and reinsurance industry, companies must adapt by differentiating with AI, navigating capital complexities and using it in all its forms, while reinventing distribution to meet the demands of today’s digital world, according to Frank Schepers, Global Leader ICT, and Sina Thieme, Senior Director, ICT at broker WTW.