Outlook murky for capital-raising potential; Views differ on ability of reinsurers to attract investors' interest.(NEWS)(Brief article)

Byline: JUDY GREENWALD

A major concern among reinsurers is whether the capital markets will be able to replenish their capital should there be a major catastrophe or catastrophes on the order of $50 billion or more in the near future.

"I do think the industry has proved its worth as an uncorrelated risk in terms of the more general (economic) crisis, said Chris Klein, head of the business intelligence group at Guy Carpenter & Co. L.L.C. in London. "I'm reasonably confident that there will be money there to recapitalize.

Howard Mills, a New York-based director and chief adviser for the industry group of consultants at Deloitte & Touche USA L.L.P., …