Lloyd's has said net losses from the trio of hurricanes this year will top $5bn (£2.9bn) and the chances of the market now making a profit in 2005 are now "small".

Lloyd's said the net loss from Katrina has increased to £1.9bn ($3.42bn) from the provisional estimate of £1.4bn ($2.55bn) given by Lloyd's on 14 September.

The net loss from Rita is estimated at £535m ($947m), and from Wilma at £483m ($855m).

In a statement, Lloyd's said the market remains financially strong and expects to be able to meet all its liabilities with immaterial impact on the Central Fund.

Luke Savage, Lloyd's director of finance and risk management, said: "Lloyd's is financially robust. All businesses in the market expect to be able to meet their liabilities from the hurricanes.

"Any impact on the Central Fund will be immaterial. This is clear evidence of the progress Lloyd's has made over recent years.

"The events of the past few months have shown that the determined focus at Lloyd's on underwriting discipline has not come at the expense of the market's ability to react speedily and flexibly to the opportunities brought about by changing conditions."

Lloyd's said syndicates will be supported by capital from members of over £9bn in 2006, an increase of £500m on the original plans for next year.

It also said that revised 2006 business plans from a number of syndicates have been approved.

As a result, the Lloyd's market expects to have the capacity to write approximately £14.7bn of business in 2006, an increase of 7% on this year.

Savage added: "Before the hurricanes struck it was expected that Lloyd's capacity would reduce in 2006. The planned increase reflects the change in market conditions and is an appropriate response from the market."

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