Topic: How To Invest

Hi Pat: Can you let me know what you think of Chubb Corp.?

Article Excerpt

Chubb Corp., $92.70, symbol CB on New York (Shares outstanding: 244.5 million; Market cap: $22.7 billion; www.chubb.com), sells insurance to individuals and businesses through 8,500 independent agents and brokers in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, parts of Latin America and Asia. In 2013, the U.S. accounted for 77% of its total revenue. New Jersey-based Chubb began selling insurance in 1882 and is the 12th-largest insurance company in the U.S. The firm has three main divisions: Chubb Commercial Insurance (43% of premiums written) sells a range of insurance products to businesses; Chubb Personal Insurance (35%) sells home, automobile and health insurance to individuals; and Chubb Specialty Insurance (22%) sells liability insurance to businesses. In the three months ended March 31, 2014, Chubb earned $449 million, down 31.6% from $656 million a year earlier. Due to fewer shares outstanding, per-share earnings fell 27.4%, to $1.80 from $2.48. If you exclude gains and losses from investments, earnings per share fell 29.9%, to $1.50 from $2.14. On that…