Falling interest rates, corporate defaults and debt rating downgrades have caused a steep drop in gross investment returns at life insurers over the past 5 years.[@@]
Analysts at Conning Research & Consulting Inc., Hartford, have published that conclusion in a report on life company investment results.
Gross investment income returns at U.S. life insurers fell to 5.9% in 2004, from 7.5% in 2000, the Conning analysts write.