Political Risk Survey Highlights Significant Tariff Impact
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 12 2026
0mins
Source: Newsfilter
- Significant Tariff Impact: Amid the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East, 61% of respondents identified rising tariffs as the most challenging political risk to manage, with an equal percentage reporting negative financial impacts from tariffs, highlighting the profound effect of tariffs on business operations.
- Increase in Political Risk and Trade Credit Losses: The survey indicates that insured losses from geopolitical causes have exceeded $250 million for the third consecutive year, reflecting a growing demand for political risk and trade credit insurance, underscoring the market's focus on risk management.
- Risks from Policy Choices: 39% of companies reported facing higher risks due to their home government's policy choices, while 84% are actively preparing or considering preparations for a future where Eastern and Western markets may need to operate independently, indicating heightened corporate awareness of future uncertainties.
- Concerns Over Gray-Zone Aggression: 61% of firms ranked economic coercion or retaliation, such as sanctions and tariffs, as the greatest gray-zone aggression risk, with 65% expressing concerns over infrastructure attacks, illustrating the increasing challenges businesses face in a complex geopolitical landscape.
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Analyst Views on WTW
Wall Street analysts forecast WTW stock price to rise
15 Analyst Rating
10 Buy
4 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 258.120
Low
318.00
Averages
365.00
High
400.00
Current: 258.120
Low
318.00
Averages
365.00
High
400.00
About WTW
Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company is a global advisory, brokering and solutions company that provides data-driven, insight-led solutions in the areas of people, risk and capital. Its segments include Health, Wealth & Career (HWC) and Risk & Broking (R&B). The HWC segment provides an array of advice, brokering, solutions and technology for employee benefit plans, institutional investors, compensation and career programs, and the employee experience overall. Its R&B segment provides a range of risk advice, insurance brokerage and consulting services to clients globally, ranging from small businesses to multinational corporations. The segment comprises two primary businesses: its corporate risk and brokering and our insurance consulting and technology businesses. It also specializes in private equity secondaries investing, delivering innovative portfolio construction, risk management, and client solutions. It provides pension and savings products through a mobile application.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Market Coverage Expansion: The new facility covers regions including Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada, specifically targeting a range of risks such as airports, leisure and hospitality, and industrial sites, showcasing Willis's extensive global footprint.
- Digital Platform Support: The expansion of the automatic follow capacity is supported by Willis's algorithmic digital platform, Neuron, enabling clients to obtain necessary insurance coverage more quickly and efficiently while ensuring harmonized terms and conditions, thus enhancing the overall client experience.
- Positive Market Response: Since its launch in 2024, Willis's international property facility has received strong positive engagement from the market, allowing clients to benefit from a streamlined placement approach that further strengthens the company's competitive position in the insurance market.
See More
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- Innovative Insurance Product: This acquisition introduces a non-custodial cost-of-recovery insurance solution designed to support digital asset owners in covering expenses related to forensic investigations, asset tracing, and legal recovery in the event of theft or loss.
- Market Expansion Plans: The service will initially launch in the UK, with WTW planning broader market and product expansions as capabilities evolve to meet the growing demand for digital asset insurance.
- Founders Join Team: Following the completion of the transaction, Redefind's founders, Richard Daws and Connor Edward, have joined WTW, further strengthening the company's expertise to drive the successful implementation of the new product.
See More
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- Changing Risk Perception: According to a survey by Willis in collaboration with Reed Smith LLP, 59% of directors and officers now consider geopolitical risks to be very or extremely important, marking a significant rise from last year's 15th position to one of the top 7 global risks, indicating a heightened focus on risk management in complex environments.
- Rising AI Risks: The survey reveals that 56% of respondents view artificial intelligence as a very or extremely important risk, with North America showing a striking 71% acknowledgment; among these, 50% express concerns over AI-generated errors and misinformation, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced risk awareness in technology applications.
- Health and Safety Priority: In sectors like industrial, transport, and energy, 82% to 89% of respondents identify health and safety as a top risk, reflecting a strong emphasis on risk management in these areas and the challenges organizations face in their operations.
- Insurance Coverage Confidence: While 77% of organizations believe their D&O insurance coverage is adequate, only 73% express satisfaction with financial limits, and 62% indemnify their directors and officers to the fullest extent allowed by law, revealing a gap between risk management priorities and actual protections.
See More
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- AI Integration in Insurance: AI technology is now embedded across underwriting, claims, and cyber defense, with over 700 million users weekly, presenting challenges in accountability and insurability as businesses grapple with responsible AI adoption.
- Market Shift in Risk Coverage: The insurance market is diverging, with some insurers relying on traditional policy wording while others introduce affirmative AI coverage and strengthen underwriting requirements tied to governance frameworks to address emerging risks.
- Governance and Liability Challenges: The impact of AI has transcended technology, becoming a governance and liability issue that spans legal doctrine, regulation, and operational oversight, necessitating a reevaluation of risk management strategies.
- Adaptive Cyber Risk: Global cybercrime costs are projected to rise from approximately $3 trillion in 2015 to $10.5 trillion by 2025, compelling organizations to adopt AI-enhanced threat detection and continuous monitoring to tackle the escalating cybersecurity landscape.
See More
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- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: Willis Towers Watson has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.96 per share, consistent with previous distributions, indicating stable cash flow and profitability, which is likely to attract more investor interest.
- Dividend Yield: The forward yield of 1.51% reflects the company's appeal in the current market environment, potentially boosting shareholder confidence and encouraging long-term stock holding.
- Shareholder Record Date: The dividend is payable on July 15, with a record date of June 30 and an ex-dividend date also on June 30, providing investors with a clear timeline for investment decisions.
- Share Repurchase Plan: Willis Towers Watson maintains a commitment to at least $1 billion in share repurchases for 2026, despite narrowing its revenue and earnings outlook to mid-single digits, demonstrating the company's ongoing dedication to shareholder returns.
See More
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- Talent Strategy Reshaping: According to WTW's Q1 2026 General Industry Talent Intelligence Report, organizations are reshaping their talent strategies in a tough economic environment, prioritizing capabilities that drive revenue and enhance resilience.
- Customer Experience Focus: US employers are doubling down on sales and relationship management to protect growth, ensuring customer experience capabilities remain core, with investments in service quality and automation to enhance digital fluency.
- Shift to Skills-Based Strategies: The report highlights a shift towards skills-based workforce strategies, where capability frameworks cut across job families, enabling more dynamic talent deployment as priorities change.
- Integration of AI and Technology: Companies are increasingly emphasizing technology-enabled skills, such as data analysis and programming large language models, as part of day-to-day roles to support data-driven decision-making and scalable digital operations.
See More
