OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--U.S. health insurance stocks followed up a fantastic year in 2013 by increasing an additional 3.5% through the first quarter of 2014, according to a new report from A.M. Best.
This special report, titled “U.S. Health Insurer Stocks Carry Momentum through First Quarter of 2014,” states that the health index population stocks maintained the strong gains experienced in 2013, when prices rose 41.3% year over year, despite the volatility experienced thus far in 2014. Of the 12 publicly-traded health insurers A.M. Best tracks, half of the stocks have increased by more than one-third since the first quarter of 2013.
Additionally, health insurers continued to implement active share buyback programs. Health insurers repurchased almost $3.4 billion worth of shares in the first quarter of 2014, an increase of nearly 133% over the same period of 2013. Dividends paid also increased by almost 20% year over year in the first quarter.
To access a copy of this special report, please visit http://www3.ambest.com/bestweek/purchase.asp?record_code=225105.
A.M. Best Company is the world's oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.
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