59: Catastrophe bonds begin 2021 with an active first quarter

In this episode we review some of the key facts related to catastrophe bond and related insurance-linked securities (ILS) issuance in the first-quarter of 2021. Catastrophe bond and related ILS issuance amounted to $4.63bn as at the end of Q1, making it the third time in the past four years that Q1 issuance has surpassed the $4bn mark. Although down on the record-breaking $5bn issued in the opening quarter of last year, issuance still came in almost $2bn above the ten-year average for the period.  The impressive volume of new risk capital issued in the period came from 27 transactions comprised of 44 tranches of notes. Of this, a significant 22 transactions with a combined value of roughly $2.8bn covered catastrophe risks, which accounts for over 60% of issuance. Mortgage ILS issuance was also strong in the quarter, while the volume of private deals and non-cat ILS also increased year-on-year.  In 2021, the majority of first-quarter issuance came from repeat sponsors, including a mix of regular market participants and others returning for just their second or third time in the market’s history. First time sponsors this year included Universal (UPCIC) and the Danish Red Cross. 

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