OREANDA-NEWS. Fitch Ratings has published its semi-annual Brazilian Insurance Dashboard, a publication that examines the insurance industry in Brazil.

Key items that are covered in this report include premium growth trends and outlook and sector profitability. Fitch notes that total premiums of the Brazilian insurance industry posed strong 13% year-over-year growth as of June 2015. This was mainly as a result of the strong growth of the VGBL (Vida Gerador de Beneficios Livres, a private complementary pension plan and life insurance product, with tax benefits) segment and growth in other main lines was mixed. However, the agency expects downward pressure on premiums to strengthen in second-half of 2015, due to the significant deterioration in the operating environment, accelerating increase in unemployment rate and persistent inflation. Meanwhile, sector profitability should remain broadly stable aided by solid financial income.

The 'Brazilian Insurance Dashboard' is available on Fitch's website at www.fitchratings.com.