U.S. Natural Gas Futures Post Modest Gains
1018 ET – U.S. natural gas futures are higher for a third day with weather forecasts showing strong heat-driven demand for the second half of July. Traders are also taking note of an agreement for EQT to supply the natural gas for a 4.4 gigawatt plant to power a major data center development in Pennsylvania, as 'more supplies out of Appalachia may eventually become locally consumed,' Dennis Kissler of BOK Financial says in a note. Nymex natural gas is up 1.3% at $3.570/mmBtu. (anthony.harrup@wsj.com)
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The pooling agreement will provide greater product diversification through additional commercial multiperil classes and lines of business, such as homeowners' and farmowners' coverages, while also improving the geographic reach of the company. ICC's very strong balance sheet strength is characterized by the strongest level of risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by BCAR, underwriting and liquidity ratios that are comparable with the composite averages and generally consistent surplus growth. While loss reserve development has been unfavorable in recent periods, influenced by social and economic inflation, the impact has been effectively absorbed without significant drain on the balance sheet. This is reflected by adequate operating performance, which has yielded positive pre-tax operating and net income in each of the past 5 years, despite loss reserve development. The ERM program is considered appropriate for the company's risk profile. On March 13, 2025, ICCH was acquired by Mutual Capital Group, Inc. (the ultimate parent of Tuscarora Wayne Companies and Lebanon Valley). ICCH remains a subsidiary under common management with Mutual Capital Group's other subsidiaries. The prospective pooling agreement between the three rating units is expected to enhance the overall business and geographic diversification. 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 specializing 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 Copyright © 2025 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on Contacts Daniel Mangano Senior Financial Analyst +1 908 882 1907 Maurice Thomas Senior Financial Analyst +1 908 882 2392 Christopher Draghi Director +1 908 882 1749 Christopher Sharkey Associate Director, Public Relations +1 908 882 2310 Al Slavin Senior Public Relations Specialist +1 908 882 2318 Sign in to access your portfolio
