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Time for P&C insurers to increase their fixed income allocations?

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P&C insurance investors responded to the zero-interest rate (ZIRP) era by reducing fixed income allocations in favor of equities and private investments. But, as rates have risen, we have not seen a corresponding upswing in fixed income allocations. We believe there is the potential to improve risk-adjusted returns by increasing exposure to public fixed income.

Time for P&C insurers to shift back into fixed income?

Seeking an increased level of return, P&C insurance companies strategically shifted their fixed income allocations lower in favor of equities, alternatives and, more recently, cash. With investment grade fixed income representing insurers’ largest portfolio allocation, there was little choice but to reach for income and return when the fed funds rate was close to zero (Figure 1).

Figure 1: We have reached the peak of the rate cycle, but P&C insurers have not increased their fixed income allocations1
Fig

Now that interest rates have risen, five-year Treasury yields are currently higher than the yield on P&C insurers’ invested assets (Figure 2). With investment grade assets now offering competitive yields, we think this signals an opportunity for increasing fixed income allocations seeking to benefit from the higher yield environment and lock in sustainable high-quality income.

Figure 2 : Five-year Treasury yields have moved above insurance portfolio yields1
Fig

1 S&P Global Market Intelligence, Bloomberg, July 2024. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment in any strategy  
involves a risk of loss which may partly be due to exchange rate fluctuations.

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Contacts

Insight Investment

Insight is a global asset manager specializing in fixed income and risk management strategies with $836.1bn in AUM1. We have been working with insurers since 1934 and manage $32bn for over 80 insurers globally. Our investment philosophy offers clients innovative yet practical investment solutions. We manage custom fixed income strategies to help meet clients evolving needs, such as liquidity, principal preservation, earnings stability, tax minimization and total return.

Insight is subsidiary of BNY, which offers insurance clients additional services and access to boutique investment management teams. These services offer the potential for deeper collaboration across your portfolio.

As of March 31, 2026. Assets under management (AUM) are represented by the value of the client’s assets and liabilities Insight is asked to manage. These will primarily be the mark-to-market value of securities managed on behalf of clients, including collateral if applicable. Where a client mandate requires Insight to manage some or all of a client’s liabilities (e.g. LDI strategies), AUM will be equal to the value of the client specific liability benchmark and/or the notional value of other risk exposure through the use of derivatives. Where the methodology defines it, some asset reporting focuses on cash securities only. Insight North America (INA) is part of ‘Insight’ or ‘Insight Investment’, the corporate brand for certain asset management companies operated by Insight Investment Management Limited including, among others, Insight Investment Management (Global) Limited (IIMG), Insight Investment International Limited (IIIL) and Insight Investment Management (Europe) Limited (IIMEL). Advisory services referenced herein are available in the US only through INA. Legal entity Insight North America LLC’s AUM is $164.5bn as of March 31, 2026. Figures shown in USD. FX rates as per WM Reuters 4pm spot rates. 

1 Includes $32.1bn following the completed transition of BNY Wealth’s municipal bond and taxable fixed income team to Insight on October 1, 2025, assets stated as of December 31, 2025 and includes $3.8bn  attributable to certain accounts managed by Insight’s affiliate, BNY Mellon, National Association, for which certain Insight investment personnel act as dual officers. Such accounts pursue the same or similar investment strategies to those pursued by Insight clients. 2 Includes employees of Insight North America LLC and its affiliates, which provide asset management services as part of Insight, the corporate brand for certain companies operated by Insight Investment Management Limited (IIML).

 

Jeffrey Berman

Head of North America Distribution 
Jeffrey.Berman@insightinvestment.com
+1 212 365 3341

Ryan McMurdie 

Director, Insurance Solutions
Ryan.McMurdie@InsightInvestment.com 
+1 917 208 0115
 
200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 
www.insightinvestment.com

 

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