Zenith National Insurance Corp. reported third quarter net income of $72.2 million ($1.94 per share) a 76 percent jump from $23 million (63 cents) for the same period a year earlier.

Total revenues for the Woodland hills-based insurance company were $257 million, down 20 percent from last year.

Stanley Zax, Zenith’s chairman and president said that the strong earnings were mainly due to increased financial strength and net income.

Shares in Zenith were up 27 cents to $44 in early trading Monday.