Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co., Ltd. (MSI), a subsidiary of MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, has announced a significant investment in W. R. Berkley Corporation (WRB). The Japanese insurer plans to acquire a 15% stake in WRB’s outstanding common stock under an agreement with the company’s founding family.
The purchase, which will be made through open market or private block transactions, will not involve shares being directly acquired from WRB or its founders. The investment, valued at approximately $3.8 billion, is based on WRB’s current market capitalization of $25.1 billion.
MSI intends to nominate a designee to WRB’s Board of Directors by March 2026, contingent upon acquiring at least 12.5% of WRB’s shares and receiving necessary regulatory approvals.
The move is part of MSI’s strategy to strengthen its position in the U.S. specialty insurance market, enhance portfolio diversification, and improve capital efficiency. The investment is expected to be finalized within the 2025 Japanese fiscal year, which concludes in March 2026. The financial impact of the deal will be disclosed starting in March 2026.
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