Last year?s hurricanes sent Endurance Speciality Holdings to fourth quarter and full year 2005 losses. The Bermuda-based company reported a loss of $49.8 million or 80 cents per share for the fourth quarter of 2005 versus net income of $113.1 million or $1.71 per share in the fourth quarter of 2004.

The company?s fourth quarter operating loss was $45 million or 72 cents per share versus operating income of $108.4 million or $1.64 per share in the fourth quarter of 2004.

Kenneth J. LeStrange, chairman and chief executive officer, noted that his company?s full year results were ?clearly dominated? by the industry?s unprecedented level of loss in the second half of 2005.

During the quarter, Endurance recorded a net negative impact of $156 million related to losses from Hurricane Wilma and increased net reserves as a result of adverse development with its initial loss estimates for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

?In the final quarter of 2005, we implemented key adjustments to our modelling technology based on the critical lessons we learned and the insights we developed from the 2005 storms.

?We believe these insights and adjustments, coupled with the successful execution of our capital plan early in the fourth quarter, position us to improve our performance in both good and bad years,? Mr. LeStrange said.

For the year ended December 31, 2005, Endurance?s loss was $220.5 million or $3.60 per share versus income of $355.6 million or $5.28 per share for the year ended December 31, 2004.

The operating loss for the year ended December 31, 2005 was $208.3 million or $3.40 per share versus operating income of $348.4 million or $5.18 per common share for the year ended December 31, 2004.