July 30 (Reuters) - Everest Group EG.N reported a higher second-quarter operating income on Wednesday, helped by strong growth in its reinsurance business and gains from investments.

Demand for insurance has remained resilient, as individuals and businesses seek risk mitigation products to guard against macroeconomic uncertainty and recession fears.

Reinsurers, which insure the insurance companies, are seeing increased competition after years of rising rates and stricter policy terms and conditions, following losses due to natural, health and geopolitical catastrophes.

The company's gross written premiums in its reinsurance business rose 1.6% to $3.2 billion in the reported quarter.

Its investments also raked in higher returns, benefiting from strong alternative investment returns.

Everest's net investment income rose to $532 million in the quarter ended June 30, from $528 million a year earlier.

Its combined ratio came in at 90.4% for the quarter, compared with 90.3% a year earlier. A ratio below 100% means the company earned more from premiums than it paid out in claims.

Bermuda-based Everest provides property, casualty and specialty reinsurance and insurance offerings across more than 100 countries on six continents.

Everest's net operating income came in at $734 million, or $17.36 per share, for the quarter, up from $730 million, or $16.85 per share, a year ago.

(Reporting by Ateev Bhandari in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona)

((Ateev.Bhandari@thomsonreuters.com))