Tuesday, August 14th, 2018 — Rate increases began to bolster the bottom line for reinsurers during the first half of 2018, and insurers saw added income from higher interest rates and a growing U.S. economy, say analysts surveying the sector’s second-quarter results. But the 2017 catastrophes, which triggered some premium hikes for insurers and reinsurers, are still affecting results nearly a year later as reserves continue to be adjusted. “Reinsurance rate increases, which became effective with January 1 renewals are now contributing to income,” said Meyer Shields, managing director at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Inc. in Baltimore.