Progressive Says to Pay No '08 Dividend

From Reuters.com:

Progressive Corp, the No. 3 U.S. auto insurer, said on Monday it will not pay investors an annual dividend in 2008 because it is barred from doing so unless it meets financial targets.

Progressive said because it expects to have a 2008 after-tax comprehensive loss it will be precluded from paying a dividend. Under a variable dividend policy, the company cannot pay a dividend if after-tax comprehensive income is lower than after-tax underwriting income.

As of Nov. 30, Progressive's after-tax comprehensive loss totaled $860.8 million over the first 11 months of the year, the Mayfield Village, Ohio-based insurer said.