Third-quarter sales of indexed annuities in the United States were down compared with the second quarter, but increased by double digits from the same period a year ago, according to an industry report released this morning.

Total third-quarter sales were $7.5 billion, down 9.9 percent from the second quarter but were up 11.3 percent from the same period last year. Forty-five indexed annuity carriers participated in the 49th edition of the Advantage Index Sales & Market Report, representing 100 percent of indexed annuity production.

“Sales are always going to decline when coming off of a record quarter,” said Sheryl Moore, president and CEO of AnnuitySpecs.com. “The big story this quarter is the shake-up in rankings among the indexed annuity carriers.”

Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America recaptured its position as the top-selling carrier in the market; a position it had not held since the fourth quarter of 2007. The company’s MasterDex X product was again the top-selling indexed annuity in the market. West Des Moines-based American Equity Investment Life Insurance Co. rose to the second-ranked company in the market, while Lincoln National Life Insurance Co., Jackson National Life Insurance Co. and Des Moines-based Aviva USA rounded out the top five, respectively.

Thirty-three indexed life insurance carriers also participated in a survey of that market. Aviva continued its hold on the No. 1 position, with a 20 percent market share.