...S&P Global Ratings' issuer credit and financial strength ratings on Zurich Insurance Co. Ltd. (Zurich) reflect the group's global market presence, its improvements in operating performance, its sound earnings diversification, and its '##' risk-based capital adequacy. In 2017, gross premiums written dropped slightly to US$49 billion, down from US$51 billion in 2016. At the same time, total invested assets grew to US$323 billion from US$316 billion. The drop in premiums has been reported in the life segment, with a reduction of individual savings product sales in Spain and Italy, as well as lower assumed reinsurance from Farmers Insurance Exchanges. Outlook The stable outlook reflects our view that the Zurich Insurance group's diversification over the next two years will allow it to post solid earnings, in line with our base-case assumption, and that the group's risk tolerance policies will continue to favor maintaining comfortable capital buffers within the very strong capital adequacy range....
