W.R. Berkley Corporation (WRB) saw its stock surge to an all-time high following news that Japan’s Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance will acquire a 15% stake in the company. The move signals a significant vote of confidence in the U.S.-based insurer and strengthens ties between the two firms.
Mitsui Sumitomo plans to purchase the shares through open-market transactions or third-party deals without acquiring stock directly from W.R. Berkley or the Berkley family. The Berkley family, which holds around 16% of the company’s common stock, will retain its full position and continue to occupy two board seats.
Under the agreement, Mitsui Sumitomo will align its voting with the Berkley family once it reaches a 4.9% ownership threshold. At 12.5%, the family will support the nomination of a Mitsui representative to the board. The partnership is not expected to impact W.R. Berkley’s day-to-day operations.
The acquisition is projected to be completed by March 2026, pending regulatory approval. WRB stock rose 7.5% on the news and has gained nearly 22% year-to-date. The company now ranks seventh in the high-performing property and casualty insurance group tracked by Investor’s Business Daily.
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