Asia unattractive for insurance firms planning to make new private equity investments

Surprisingly, insurance prefers Europe over Asia despite the former's current financial trouble.

Almost two-thirds of insurance companies are planning to make new private equity investments before the end of
2012, the latest Preqin research reveals.

The results of the most recent Preqin Special Report show that despite the impending Solvency II regulatory changes, the vast majority (79%) of insurance companies have not altered their  levels of exposure to private equity. Fund managers will also be buoyed by the news that nearly one-third (30%) of insurance companies are currently below their target allocations to the asset class, and 88% plan on maintaining or increasing their allocation to private equity over the longer term 

Nevertheless, Preqin research reveals that 51% of insurance companies view Europe as an attractive area for private equity investment in the current economic climate. 45% view North America as attractive, while only 16% see Asia as appealing.