The Huge Profits Investors Have Made on Catastrophe Bonds Are Raising Eyebrows

  • Cat bonds delivered investors a 20% return last year
  • As the bonds dodge Beryl fallout, questions are mounting
Flood waters pour onto the street in Kingston, Jamaica.Photographer: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
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A strategy that’s delivered specialist investors huge returns is now facing scrutiny, amid concerns that its risk-reward dynamics might be skewed against some issuers.

Catastrophe bonds, which are issued by insurers, reinsurers and governments seeking an extra layer of disaster coverage, have been handing investors double-digit returns. Issuers, meanwhile, have seen their costs soar.