some weeks ago I did a search through my archives of "look who's trading/a share in the boardroom" from the Sunday Times & Telegraph. Having only known Lloyds of London as a place where the rich and stupid get fleeced by sharp suited city gents, I was intrigued by major Director Buying despite the horrors of 9/11 & Iraq conflict. Well my instinct told me a turnaround was afoot so I bought in b4 results. Sure enough, a turnaround is on the cards and the shares and pushing into higher ground.

Just thought I'd mention it.

been holding this one for about six months. the long predicted good results have come in and judging by the positive comments on current trading and next years expected results share price should reach 150p within 6 months or so. of course anything could still happen. glad they are not insuring aircraft.

A good time to Add I think at 84p

Nice tick up today after a few weeks of relative inactivity. Are we ready for the "big push"?

Just set a new high for the year. Are you still in driver?

Role on September 6th! The market seems to like the news as the sp is up 3p so far this morning.

BRIT Insurance Holdings said results for the six months to June 30th 2005 will be materially ahead of market expectations.

In a trading update, the group said it anticipates a pretax profit for the first half of 2005 in the region of 110m. BRIT said this is due to a combination of favourable trading conditions, low levels of claims incurred, excellent investment performance and profit on exchange rate adjustments when reporting under International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS').

CEO, Dane Douetil, said Brit's performance has been extremely strong, however, he said it is unlikely that all the positive factors experienced in the first half of the year will be repeated in the second half.

In addition, he said IFRS could introduce further volatility.

'Although we believe that it would be imprudent to infer that our excellent first half performance will be repeated in the second half of 2005 we look forward to the year end with some confidence,' he concluded.

Brit will announce its interim results on September 6th.

Excellent results again yesterday with the potential for cash returns:

Brit Insurance Holdings PLC ('Brit' or the 'Group'), the UK general insurance
group, today announces record interim results for the six months ending 30 June
2005.

HIGHLIGHTS

Profit before tax 112.2m, up 61.0%.
Earnings per share 8.1p, up 54.8%.
Group combined ratio 87.4%.
Premium growth over recent years reflected in strong earnings growth
and good returns.
Full year gross written premium expected to be ahead of 2004.
Excellent investment performance of 59.8m, up 169.4%.
Dividend of 3p per share payable in November 2005.
Potential return of cash to shareholders, subject to CULS conversion,
market and other conditions.

Still motoring.....

Lloyd's insurer Brit Insurance Holdings said its pretax profit for 2005 will come in 'significantly ahead of market consensus expectations.'

The group credited the success on strong investment returns and solid underwriting profits from non-catastrophe insurance.

The company said its full-year profit will be 'in the region' of 60m, compared with 102.5m in 2004. It added that it would be recommending a final dividend of 3p per share, giving a total payout for the year of 6p.

Brit said the improved profit forecast comes despite an increase in its provisions against claims from the US hurricane season to $385m from $325m.

The 2005 US hurricane season ranks the most destructive on record, with Hurricane Katrina alone causing an estimated insured loss of up to $50bn when it swept through the southern US in September.

'Our expected profit demonstrates that a well-balanced portfolio can generate good positive results, even in an extreme catastrophe year,' CEO, Dane Douetil, said in a statement, adding that 2006 had 'started well'.

Through the year high today. Appears to be going from strength to strength.

Can someone explain this to me? BRE are being taken over, everything is agreed, my understanding is final price with add ons is 1070p per share so why would today's sp be sitting at bid 1084p offer 1092p. Am I missing something here or have I just lost the plot!

Forget last question deal is done for share holders who accepted ie.money in acc. So this must be for sh holders who didn't.