the Financial Times.

In the "stockpickers'' column, the shares of MRM are listed in a column for bargain-hunters.

It states: "Insurance is another significant sector bet'' and singles out MRM as a good investment.

MRM, which has offices on Church Street, has been struggling with poor share value for the past year.

Stock picker recommends Mutual Risk The Financial Times article will be a boost to the flagging stock which closed at $18.56, down 12.5 cents.

Last year's stock had held steady in the high $30 or low $40, but in September prices plunged to under $10.00.

The stock has been recovering since, slowly climbing from its 52 week low of $12.50 to a new high of $23.75.

MRM is a risk management company which provides risk management services to clients in the US, Barbados, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Europe.

This week it announced that for the 9 months to 30 September total revenues increased 25 percent to $372.2 million, but net income, before extraordinary items, fell 14 percent in the quarter to $36.5 million.

The Financial Times article quote money manager, stock watcher and bargain hunter Judy Vale who says the insurance industry is ready to emerge from a "dreadful period''.

It adds: "One company she likes is Mutual Risk, a Bermuda-based company that does not provide underwriting itself.

"Instead it provides services for companies in California and elsewhere that choose to self-insure for workers' compensation claims (known as `captive' insurance).

"Vale reckons it will be a beneficiary of the turn in the fortunes of the worker's compensation insurers in California. Vale added: "Our segment of the market is attractive in terms of absolute valuations.'' BUSINESS BUC