Aspen's earnings only half of forecasts

Bermudian (re)insurer Aspen reported second quarter operating
earnings of $0.47 per share, just under half of Wall Street
estimates of $1.00 per share compiled by MarketWatch.com.

This came despite the post-tax operating income rising by 14.9
percent from the corresponding period of 2016 to
$39.2mn.

The carrier's combined ratio was 70 basis points (bps)
better year-on-year at 100.0 percent, as improvements in the loss
ratio offset a rise in the expense ratio.

The calendar-ye