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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report: July 10, 1998
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W.R. BERKLEY CORPORATION
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Delaware 0-7849 22-1867895
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(State or Other Jurisdiction of (Commission File No.) (IRS Employer
Incorporation) Identification Number)
165 Mason Street, P.O. Box 2518, Greenwich, CT 06830-2518
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Not Applicable
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(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
Reference is made to the press release of Registrant, issued on June
24, 1998, which contains information meeting the requirements of this Item 5,
and which is incorporated herein by this reference. A copy of the press release
is attached to this Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of
1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
W.R. BERKLEY CORPORATION
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(Registrant)
July 10, 1998 By: /s/ William R. Berkley
- ---------------- William R. Berkley, Chairman of the Board
Date and Chief Executive Officer
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibits:
99.1 Press Release dated June 24, 1998
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W. R. BERKLEY CORPORATION
165 MASON STREET, P.O. BOX 2518
GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT 06836-2518
(203) 629-3000
NEWS
RELEASE
CONTACT: John D. Vollaro
President and Chief Operating Officer
W. R. Berkley Corporation
(203) 629-3038
W.R. BERKLEY CORPORATION EXPECTS
LOWER SECOND-QUARTER EARNINGS
GREENWICH, CT., June 24, 1998 -- W.R. Berkley Corporation, (NASDAQ:
BKLY), today announced it expects that significant storm activity and intense
ongoing price competition will produce second-quarter 1998 earnings that will be
approximately ten percent below the level reported for the same quarter a year
ago.
A company spokesman noted: "While we continue to develop and exploit
opportunities that generate growth, intense price competition continues to erode
underwriting margins. Our objective will continue to be the maintenance of a
strong balance sheet and adequate loss reserves which are critical to the
creation of long-term value for our shareholders."
W.R. Berkley Corporation is a holding company which, through its
subsidiaries, does business in all segments of the property casualty insurance
business. The operating units are grouped for management purposes in five
segments according to market served: Regional Property Casualty Insurance,
Reinsurance, Specialty Insurance, Alternative Markets and International.
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