The company also took a $1.5 billion non-cash charge for aircraft in its International Lease Finance Corp. fleet. The charge is for older-generation planes that would be sold prior to the end of their previously estimated life.

At AIG’s Chartis Insurance unit, net premiums written rose less than 1 percent to $8.66 billion from $8.59 billion while claims expenses rose nearly 12 percent to $6.84 billion. Underwriting expenses climbed 15 percent to $2.89 billion. That left the company with an underwriting loss of $582 million, compared with a profit of $65 million a year ago. Its combined ratio was 106.4 compared with 99.3 a year ago.

The company said a declining stock market contributed to a loss of $2.3 billion in the valuation of its holding of AIA Group Ltd. shares.

On Monday, AIG made an additional payment of approximately $972 million, primarily from the release of funds held in escrow related to the American Life Insurance Co.

DES MOINES, Iowa Insurer AIG on Thursday posted a steeper third-quarter loss, undercut by declining interest rates and weak stock markets that reduced the value of its holdings while it paid out storm losses. It also took a big one-time charge for a fleet of older less fuel-efficient aircraft.

Reduced interest rates and widening credit spreads cut the fair value of other holdings by more than $974 million.

The latest repayment brings the insurance giant’s outstanding balance from the 2008 taxpayer-funded bailout down to roughly $68 billion.

Analysts surveyed by FactSet expected a loss of 22 cents per share.

The operating loss was $3.04 billion, or $1.60 per share, up from a loss of $114 million, or 84 cents a year ago.

The company has been paying back the billions of dollars the U.S. government provided in the 2008 bailout and now owes roughly $68 billion.

Combined ratio is the sum of an insurance company’s loss ratio and expense ratio and is used as an indicator of profitability. A ratio above 100 means that for every premium dollar taken in, more than a dollar went for losses, expenses, and commissions. A figure below 100 indicates an underwriting profit.

New York-based American International Group Inc. reported a loss of $4.1 billion, or $2.16 per share, compared with a loss of $2.52 billion, or $18.53 per share a year ago.

The government provided AIG with $182 billion at the height of the 2008 financial crisis.

In the SunAmerican Financial business, revenue fell 10 percent to $3.54 billion on lower premiums and investment income. Expenses rose 7 percent.

The government still owns 77 percent of AIG’s common stock. While the government made an initial sale of AIG stock last May, the expectation is that those stock sales will not resume until the value of AIG shares increase in value. AIG stock has lost nearly half of its value this year.

Shares rose 44 cents, or 1.8 percent, to close at $24.63 before the company posted results. That is below the $28.72 price where the Treasury would be able to recoup all of its investment in AIG.

Shares fell another 18 cents in after-market trading. They are trading at nearly half their value at the beginning of the year. They’ve traded as high as $52.67 in the past 52 weeks.

AIG also said its board authorized the repurchase stock valued at up to $1 billion. The timing of purchases will depend on market conditions, AIG’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and other factors.

The business posted catastrophe losses of $574 million up from $72 million of losses taken a year ago. Much of the current quarter’s loss was from Hurricane Irene, which struck the East Coast in August.

“Despite the difficult external environment, we are encouraged by the progress we’ve made and the underlying strength of our core insurance businesses,” CEO Robert H. Benmosche said in a statement.

AIG also paid the U.S. Treasury $2.2 billion in August, using proceeds from its sale of Nan Shan Life Insurance Co.

Wow, this is so beautiful.

At only $98, this is just the perfect pretty dress. Wear it with bare legs or a shimmery pair of iridescent tights.

I realized that not everyone is feeling that Alexis Carrington, 80s power buzz this season. But this champagne, ruffled shimmer dress from Loft by Ann Taylor is not only pretty but a keeper
that can see life after the holidays.

For a bit of that bad girl mix, you could do a sheer black pair of hose, too. End it all with a gold open toe sandal. Making it into a transition dress, add a wooly oversized cardigan and a pair of opaque tights and you’re good to go!

PRODUCT DETAILS
- Ruched ruffle trim at scoop neckline
- Pleated ruffle cap sleeves
- Removable self-tie at waist with pull-through loops
- Ruffle hem
- Sizes available from 4 to 18

Buy it here.

You know a few screws are loose when you start obsessing over something a high-profile celebrity like Rihanna wears.

I have become a complete fashion slave to this womans every style move! Question: Should I keep the Chanel bag? Do I love it? Answer: Well. You will love it more when you see Rihanna walking out of Da Silvano carrying it and you cant get it anymore. THIS IS WHAT I’VE BECOME: A broke, starry-eyed, foxy-moron!

Alexander McQueen’s open-toed bootie — with a zipper pull with a skull at the base — unsnaps to glove your foot like a reverse lapel…its simply sick! And its ridiculously expensive. So, I had given up hope of emulating my fave celeb when suddenly, my good friend, the King Of Copy, Steve Madden, created this insane replica of the zip bootie.

Its not the real thing…but its good enough for me! The skull is gone but its still got a nice zipper pull. Available in black leather with a 5-inch heel, the open-toed bootie is $149.95. Compared to the original Faithful bootie which is $1,155.00.

Now if I can just make Rihanna’s millions, then well really be in business.

Purchase information: Buy it here.

On eBay, fashionistas are losing their s–t over this multi-diamante, studded and pearled sexy rock and roll/good girl gone bad shoe. I have to say I love the Zara version better because the pitch of the shoe and the heel is a little taller. They removed the thong at the toe and went a little sequin happy but who doesn’t love that? Just beware: if Solange or Mariah get their diva feet in these shoes, obsession over!

See more shoes Hollywood is lusting after.

Extra, extra! The shoe that seems to be in the most demand around these parts is this “replication” of a $2000 sold out shoe by Balmain. We have seen the original Balmain beauty rocked by Rihanna, Jennifer Connelly and Audrina Patridge (hey, how did she get a pair?). Then Zara designed this $168.00 shoe for all of us who can’t even fathom spending more than $600 for a summer stiletto. Unfortunately they disappeared as quickly as the originals when they were all recalled back to Spain. That means a lot of broken hearts left on this side of the pond.