Swiss insurer Zurich Financial Services Group reported a third-quarter net profit of $909 million, an almost six-fold increase on the $154 million earned a year earlier, when it suffered massive writedowns and costly payouts for the 2008 hurricane season.

The result was the 27th consecutive quarterly net profit, Zurich said.

The company benefited from a recovery in the financial markets and recent acquisitions that include the purchase of 21st Century Insurance Group by Farmers Group for $1.9 billion. Farmers Group is a subsidiary of Zurich Financial Services Group Unit.

Despite the improvements, analysts had expected an even better third quarter result, with most predicting net profit to top $1 billion.