BUZZ-Progressive rises on higher Q4 profit

** Shares of property and casualty insurance company Progressive Corp PGR.N up 2.2% at $250.55 in early trade

** PGR reports a 19% rise in its fourth-quarter profit, driven by strong demand for personal auto insurance policies

** Quarterly net premiums written rise 20% to $18.11 billion

** Net income of the insurer rises to $2.36 billion, or $4.01 per share, in the three months ended Dec. 31, compared with $1.99 billion, or $3.37 per share, a year ago

** Shares of PGR jumped nearly 50% in 2024