Continuing property and casualty operations showed a...

Continuing property and casualty operations showed a major improvement for the fourth quarter, primarily in workers’ compensation and London market reinsurance, a spokesman for Santa Monica-based Fremont General said. After-tax income in the financial-services operations increased 16% for the quarter and 14% for the year. There was no change in the company’s results for discontinued operations, he added. The company also announced that it has increased its quarterly cash dividend to 15 cents from 12 cents.