For 2010, the company expects earnings of $2.70 to $3 a share and total revenue of $2.4 billion. Wall Street expected $3.02 and $2.38 billion, respectively, according to Thomson Reuters.
Though the environment for insurers remains challenging, HCC has benefited from a lighter claims load and improving investment markets.
The provider of property/casualty insurance to commercial customers reported earnings of $84.8 million, or 74 cents a share, compared with $71.6 million, or 63 cents a share, a year earlier. Total revenue rose 7% to $590.3 million.
Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected earnings of 71 cents on revenue of $581 million.
The combined ratio, the percentage of premiums paid out in claims, edged up to 85.8% from 85.6%.