BUZZ-Admiral: JPMorgan takes stock of UK non-life insurance sector

** British motor and home insurer Admiral -3.5 pct and biggest bluechip loser after JPMorgan (LSE: JPIU.L - news) cuts rating to "underweight" from "neutral"

** Cuts TP to 1900p from 1980p

** "For the UK non-life sector in 2018, we expect the year to show a different pricing backdrop from the experience of the last few years, both in Motor and Commercial/Specialty lines," JPMorgan says

** JPM adds that in motor, anticipation of an Ogden rate reversal and potential whiplash reform are likely to weigh on pricing

** In Commercial/Specialty lines, JPMorgan sees an improved outlook following the heavy natural catastrophe activity in 2017

** JPMorgan also downgrades Hastings (Frankfurt: 8HG.F - news) to "neutral" from "overweight" and upgrades Lancashire to "neutral" from "underweight"

** The analyst names Direct Line (Other OTC: DIISD - news) , RSA, Beazley (LSE: BEZ.L - news) and Hiscox (Swiss: 27373019.SW - news) as preferred stocks in the UK non-life sector