surpass analysts' expectations for the third quarter, ended September 30, with operating earnings in the range of $1.70 to $1.75 per share for the three months then ended. Assuming normal loss activity for the fourth quarter, full year operating earnings per share could total between $6.70 and $6.85, the company reported.

RenRe also indicated that it was comfortable with estimates of $7.00 to $7.30 operating EPS for 2001, assuming normal loss activity.

The company attributed these increases to growth of more than 30 percent in managed catastrophe premium, which is expected to total approximately $375 million for 2000.

The figure includes $80 million for the Top Layer Re and OPCat joint ventures managed by Renaissance, and $295 million written for the company itself.

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. is a global provider of reinsurance and insurance products. The company's principal product is property catastrophe reinsurance.