W.R. Berkley shares dip, Jefferies cuts PT on slow profit growth expectation

** Shares of commercial insurer W.R. Berkley WRB fall nearly 1.7% to $72.26 in premarket

** Co reported a rise in third-quarter profit late on Monday, boosted by robust investment gains and steady underwriting performance

** Jefferies trims PT by $1 to $75; maintains a 'hold' rating on the stock

** Brokerage expects slower growth over the next two years, based on management's focus on improving risk-adjusted returns rather than boosting revenue

** Co reported a profit attributable to common stockholders of $511 mln, or $1.28 per share, for the quarter ended September 30. That compares with $365.6 mln, or 91 cents per share, last year

** Average rating of 18 analysts is "hold"; median PT $75 - data compiled by LSEG

** As of last close, co is up nearly 26.42% YTD