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Insurance

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Commercial insurance rates will continue to rise, report says

Commercial insurance rates are expected to climb across many lines of business in 2012, continuing a trend that began in the second half of 2011, according to market report from insurance broker Marsh. Substantial catastrophe …

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BERKO: Big health insurers might go shopping for takeovers


Dear Mr. Berko:

What do you think of the health insurance industry? Are there any good stocks in this area that you think will move higher during the next year? I’m 59, my 401(k) is …

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BERKO: 10 percent returns? You can do that


Dear Mr. Berko:

We have $30,000 in our joint account that we want to invest in a few issues that will pay us between 9 and 12 percent for the next few years. We know …

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BERKO: He’s no fan of exchange-traded funds


Dear Mr. Berko:

A broker wants me to sell my 600 shares of General Electric (I have a $3,000 loss) and invest in some exchange-traded funds. One ETF he likes is the MSCI Kokusai, which …

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SHAZAM launches mobile payments app for banks

SHAZAM launches mobile payments app for banks SHAZAM Inc., a Johnston-based company that operates the SHAZAM electronic funds transfer network, has launched a new mobile point-of-sale payments application for financial institutions and merchants. The application,…
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American Equity annuity sales up 9 percent; earnings scheduled

American Equity annuity sales up 9 percent; earnings scheduled  American Equity Investment Life Holding Co.’s annual annuity sales grew 9 percent in 2011 compared with the previous year, the company announced yesterday. The West Des…
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In financial industry we don’t trust

Less than half of the public trusts financial services and banks to do what is right, making them the least-trusted industries for the second year in a row, according to an annual survey by public …

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American Enterprise subsidiaries ‘unchanged’ after merger announcement

A.M. Best Co. said the ratings of the subsidiaries of American Enterprise Group Inc. are unchanged following the announcement of a definitive agreement under which Medico Mutual Insurance Holding Co. will be merged into American …

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BERKO: Do the math before you buy into a high-yield REIT


Dear Mr. Berko:

I am considering the purchase of $6,000 in Chimera stock and $6,000 worth of American Capital Agency stock, both of which pay dividends that yield 19 percent. How do these companies (there …

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Ag lending: A position of strength

Farm lending conditions are expected to continue improving in Iowa and across the country this year. About two-thirds of U.S. farm operations were in favorable financial condition early last year,  and a decrease in debt …