Liberty Mutual Holding Co. Inc. reported a lower first quarter profit Thursday as catastrophe losses increased.
The Boston-based insurer reported net income of $351 million for the first quarter of 2017, down 11% from the same period a year ago as increased windstorm and hail losses overshadowed net investment gains.
Net written premiums in the quarter totaled $9.23 billion, a 5.3% increase over the same period last year. Liberty Mutual’s combined ratio deteriorated to 101.5%, compared with 96.3% in the same period last year.
On Monday Liberty Mutual announced that it had completed its acquisition of Ironshore Inc. for about $2.9 billion. The insurer in December that it was buying Ironshore from Chinese conglomerate Fosun International Ltd. The company said first quarter costs for the deal came to $10 million.
Liberty Mutual said it will combine much of its existing U.S. specialty business under the Ironshore brand.
Liberty Mutual Holding Co. Inc. on Wednesday reported net income of $143 million for the fourth quarter of 2016, down 65.2% from the year-ago period.