Stockwatch

The week's winners
GoshawK up 9.3%
Marsh up 5%

The week's losers
Culver down 14.5%
Hardy down 4.9%

AXA has been steadily regaining the ground it lost in September despite not making it on to our winners' list.

The group reported a sharp upswing in UK property and casualty business.

Its share price was at more than €16 this week, having climbed back from its 52-week low of €9.05 back in March.

Its third quarter figures showed UK property and casualty revenues up by 33%, or 4% on a comparable basis.

The growth came despite the group continuing to suffer from losing exclusivity from the RAC on its motor book.

Revenues from personal motor were 26% lower in the first nine months than the same period last year on a comparable basis.

But commercial non-motor grew by 21%, personal non-motor grew by 8%, commercial motor grew by 1% as did other lines.

Overall, the group's revenues were up by 6%.

Staying on the Continent, Zurich will raise $388m by selling its 18% stake in Baloise, its Swiss rival.

The plans raised speculation that Zurich would attempt to use the capital to ring fence liabilities.

This strategy to strengthen its balance sheet has been pursued under chief executive Jim Schiro, who took over a year ago.

Hanover Park Commercial looks likely to be planning acquisitions after its parent, Erinaceous Group, announced its intention to float on the AIM market.

The float is set to raise £10m. Erinaceous chief executive Neil Bellis said he had acquisitions in mind as well as boosting working capital.