Second quarter 2024 gross written premiums were flat and net written premiums were up 3% in this group, respectively, when compared to the prior year period. Growth in our financial institutions business was partially offset by a decision to pause writing of new intellectual property-related coverage in our Innovative Markets business. Renewal pricing in this group was up approximately 6% for the quarter, about 1 point lower than the previous quarter.
Carl Lindner III stated, “Underwriting profitability was very strong in our Specialty P&C businesses in the second quarter of 2024, and we continue to feel confident about the strength of our reserves. A continued favorable pricing environment and new business opportunities enabled us to selectively grow our Specialty P&C businesses. Growth in net written premium was about 4% for the first six months of the year, as timing of acreage reporting by farmers and underwriting actions in a few of our businesses tempered growth in the second quarter. We expect growth in net written premiums to be approximately 7% for the full year in 2024.”
Further details about AFG’s Specialty P&C operations may be found in the accompanying schedules and in our Quarterly Investor Supplement, which is posted on our website.
Investments
Net Investment Income – For the quarter ended June 30, 2024, property and casualty net investment income was approximately 1% lower than the comparable 2023 period. Excluding the impact of alternative investments, net investment income in our property and casualty insurance operations for the three months ended June 30, 2024, increased 15% year-over-year as a result of the impact of higher interest rates and higher balances of invested assets. The annualized return on alternative investments was approximately 5.1% for the 2024 second quarter compared to 9.6% for the prior year quarter. Earnings from alternative investments may vary from quarter to quarter based on the reported results of the underlying investments, and generally are reported on a quarter lag. The average annual return on alternative investments over the five calendar years ended December 31, 2023, was approximately 13%.
Non-Core Net Realized Gains (Losses) – AFG recorded second quarter 2024 net realized losses on securities of $2 million ($0.02 per share loss) after tax, which included $2 million ($0.02 per share loss) in after-tax net losses to adjust equity securities that the Company continued to own at June 30, 2024, to fair value. By comparison, AFG recorded net realized losses on securities of $1 million ($0.02 per share loss) in the comparable 2023 period.
After-tax unrealized losses related to fixed maturities were $310 million at June 30, 2024. Our portfolio continues to be high quality, with 94% of our fixed maturity portfolio rated investment grade and 96% of our P&C fixed maturity portfolio with a National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ designation of NAIC 1 or 2, its highest two categories.
More information about the components of our investment portfolio may be found in our Quarterly Investor Supplement, which is posted on our website.
About American Financial Group, Inc.
American Financial Group is an insurance holding company, based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Through the operations of Great American Insurance Group, AFG is engaged primarily in property and casualty insurance, focusing on specialized commercial products for businesses. Great American Insurance Group’s roots go back to 1872 with the founding of its flagship company, Great American Insurance Company.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release, and any related oral statements, contains certain statements that may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements in this press release not dealing with
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