Impact of firm specific and macroeconomic factors on financial performance of the UAE insurance sector

This study analyses the impact of firm specific and macroeconomic factors on the profitability of the insurance sector in UAE during the period of 2009–2013. In the recent past, the global insurance sector was impacted by the ripple effect of the financial crisis of 2007–2008. Along the lines of the global trend, although profitability of the UAE, insurance sector witnessed a decline from 2008–2010, the spur in its growth rates (10%) in 2012 and 2013 is impressive compared to the negative growth rate in developed markets. Our research contributes to the existing body of knowledge on financial performance of the insurance sector post the global financial crisis. Our results indicate that within the firm specific factors; company size, growth in gross written premium (GWP), leverage, investment ratio and market share are statistically significant in explaining profitability of the insurance companies. Further, GDP growth has a significant positive influence on profitability.