These are difficult times for Munich Re which came short of setting its 2009 objectives as it published its 2008 results. The world's number two has confirmed a profit of 1.5 billion EUR (2.1 billion USD) in 2008, that is, a 60.9% decrease in comparison with 2007. It has also stated that the initial objective of achieving 18 Euros (24 USD) profit per share in 2010 seems out of the picture.