Quanta Capital Holdings Ltd. yesterday reported a net loss for the fourth quarter of 2004 of $14.4 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $15.1 million, or $0.27 per share for the fourth quarter of 2003.

During a conference call yesterday, the company said their results for the fourth quarter of 2004 were negatively impacted by $21.3 million of windstorm catastrophe costs, principally related to the four hurricanes that hit the Southeast United States during the third quarter of 2004

The slump came after the windstorm catastrophe costs reported in the third quarter.

The net loss for the full year ended December 31, 2004 was $54.6 million, or $0.96 per share.

Tobey J. Russ, Quanta?s Chief Executive Officer said: ?We are disappointed by the results of the fourth quarter and the additional loss reserves resulting from the third quarter catastrophes.

?We believe that our decision to lead with reinsurance in 2004 and the unprecedented series of natural disasters that followed have overshadowed the real progress that we made towards the building of our speciality lines business.?

For the full year 2004, net premiums written were $419.5 million and net premiums earned were $237.1 million.