Oct 30 (Reuters) - Everest Group ( EG ) on Wednesday

reported a near 3% rise in third-quarter operating income,

helped by strong growth in its reinsurance business and gains

from investments.

Expectation of a soft landing for the economy and strong

labor market data has revived spending on insurance policies

helping companies such as Everest.

The company said gross written premiums in its reinsurance

business rose 2.1% to $3.27 billion in the reported quarter.

The company's investments also raked in higher returns with

an ebullient equity market and a higher interest rate

environment that helped bond yields.

The company's net investment income rose to $496 million in

the quarter ended Sept. 30, from $406 million a year earlier.

Everest's combined ratio came in at 93.1% in the quarter,

compared with 91.4% a year earlier. A ratio below 100% means the

company earned more from premiums than it paid out in claims.

Bermuda-based Everest provides property, casualty and

specialty reinsurance and insurance offerings across more than

100 countries on six continents.

Everest's net operating income came in at $630 million, or

$14.62 per share, for the July-to-September period, up from $613

million, or $14.14 per share, a year ago.