Reinsurance prices should remain stable or even continue to fall next year–that is, unless another major catastrophe or the subprime mortgage crisis drains too much capital from the market, according to leading brokers and rating agencies gathered for the annual Monte Carlo "rendezvous."

At present, the reinsurance market is in "pretty good shape," Peter Zaffino, Guy Carpenter's president and chief executive officer, said at one of the many press conferences held here last week during the annual Reinsurance Rendez-vous de Septembre.

Mr. Zaffino said he expects to "see price decreases in 2009," adding that "capital is plentiful, balance sheets are strong, and there's been a consistent approach to risk over the last couple of years. People are in very good shape."

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