About Us

Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

Our 80,000 qualified print subscribers—and 130,000 12-month engaged online audience—trust us to dive in and provide original journalism you won’t find elsewhere covering key emerging areas such as laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, lasers in space, integrated photonics, chipscale lasers, LiDAR, metasurfaces, high-energy laser weaponry, photonic crystals, and quantum computing/sensors/communications. We cover the innovations driving these markets.

Laser Focus World is part of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

A Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

Photonics Hot List

Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics. Our weekly episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community.

Social Media

Bluesky • Facebook • Instagram • LinkedIn • YouTube

Meet the Laser Focus World Team

Editorial

Sales

Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology
My Watchlist
Indicators
Industrial Laser Index
Markets
Stocks
ETFs
Tools
Markets:
Overview
News
Currencies
International
Treasuries

AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Cathay Century Insurance Company Limited

By: via Business Wire

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a” (Excellent) of Cathay Century Insurance Company Limited (Cathay Century) (Taiwan). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect Cathay Century’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

Cathay Century posted double-digit growth in consolidated adjusted capital and surplus (C&S) of TWD 18.4 billion at year-end 2024, buoyed by the net profit derived from underwriting and investment results. While Cathay Century’s consolidated adjusted C&S declined moderately due to an unrealised capital loss in other comprehensive income and a dividend payout during the first half of 2025, AM Best expects the company’s risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), to remain at a robust level over the short to intermediate term, supported by organic growth in retained earnings from controlled expansion in underwriting and investment risks. Other supportive factors of the balance sheet strength assessment include the company’s diversified investment portfolio, which focuses on low-risk fixed-income securities, good liquidity, comprehensive reinsurance arrangements and the strong financial flexibility afforded by the ultimate parent, Cathay Financial Holding Co., Ltd. (Cathay Financial Holding).

Cathay Century reported a net profit of TWD 2.6 billion in 2024, and maintained that good momentum into the first half of 2025, underpinned by the favourable technical results from the underwriting portfolio and positive investment returns. The company continued to deliver a double-digit increase in gross premiums written in 2024, with a net loss ratio that improved to 55.9%, which was normalised to the pre-COVID-19 level, while the expense ratio saw an uptick to 38.2% due to higher management expenses. Notwithstanding, Cathay Century’s expense ratio benefits from the sizeable underwriting book and better economies of scale. In particular, Cathay Century’s major business line of voluntary motor has contributed to a sustained underwriting margin, owing to its continued efforts to be risk-selective and gradually refine the composition of its business, coupled with rate adjustments.

Cathay Century remains the second-largest insurer in Taiwan’s non-life sector, with a market share of 13.6% in terms of direct premiums written (DPW) in 2024. The company’s underwriting portfolio is diversified moderately with motor being a major line of business, accounting for half of the company’s DPW, followed by fire, accident and health businesses. The portfolio is skewed toward personal lines insurance products. Cathay Century continues to leverage the comprehensive business network of Cathay Financial Holding’s group and affiliated distribution channels to expand its underwriting portfolio. In addition, the company has refined and strengthened its risk management by reviewing product design and underwriting control on a regular basis, while benefiting from the oversight support and resources provided by its parent.

Negative rating actions could occur if there is a substantial deterioration in Cathay Century’s balance sheet strength assessment, for example, due to unexpected large underwriting or investment losses and/or without timely capital support from Cathay Financial Holding. A deterioration in the parent’s credit profile, or a diminished level of parental support also may pose a negative impact on Cathay Century’s ratings.

Although the likelihood is relatively low, positive rating actions could occur if Cathay Century achieves sustained improvement and stability in its operating performance while maintaining its current balance sheet strength assessment level. An improvement in Cathay Financial Holding’s credit profile, or an enhanced level of parental support also may have a positive impact on Cathay Century’s ratings.

Ratings are communicated to rated entities prior to publication. Unless stated otherwise, the ratings were not amended subsequent to that communication.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best’s website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best’s Credit Ratings, Best’s Performance Assessments, Best’s Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best’s Ratings & Assessments.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright © 2025 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Contacts

More News

View More
Lowe’s vs. Home Depot: Which Benefits More From Lower Rates?
Via MarketBeat
Topics Economy
Tickers AMD HD LOW
These 5 Beaten-Down Tech Stocks Could Catch Fire Next
Via MarketBeat
Topics Artificial Intelligence
Tickers ASTS ETSY OPEN SOUN TEM
Falcon Flex Drives Growth as CrowdStrike Bets on AI Security
Via MarketBeat
Topics Artificial Intelligence
Tickers CRWD
Amphenol: The Unseen Giant Behind Every Major Tech Trend
Via MarketBeat
Topics Artificial Intelligence
Tickers APH COMM
This Insider Just Made a Massive Bet on Transocean's Comeback
Via MarketBeat
Tickers RIG
Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.