Moody's Investors Service
Axa Ireland handed Moody's upgrade
Axa’s Irish general insurance operation has been upgraded by Moody’s to an Insurer Financial Strength Rating of A2, with a stable outlook.
CGSC 'disappointed' by Moody's downgrade
Wholesale broker Cooper Gay Swett & Crawford has criticised the decision to downgrade in its corporate family credit rating from B2 to B3.
Alternative capital is major talking point ahead of Monte-Carlo
The impact of alternative capital on reinsurance pricing is set to be a major talking point at the Monte Carlo Ren-dez-vous according to Moody’s.
Investment: Diminishing returns
Insurers are predicted to find it increasingly difficult to make high yields from investments, so what can the industry do to turn the tide and increase returns?
Moody's unveils Dubai insurance team
Rating agency Moody’s has launched a dedicated insurance analytics team in the United Arab Emirates, centred in Dubai.
European insurers look to invest in illiquid asset classes
European insurers are increasingly looking to invest in more illiquid asset classes, including private loans, as low rates and new regulations bite, Moody's said today.
Insurers look to diversify by entering private loans market
Low rates and new regulations are driving European insurers to diversify their asset allocation by investing in more illiquid asset classes, notably private loans, Moody's said in report published today.
Flood Re deal will be 'credit positive' for P&C players, says Moody's
Ratings agency Moody’s claims that the memorandum of understanding between the Association of British Insurers and the government on introducing the Flood Re model will be credit positive for UK property and casualty insurers.
Chinese insurers might face downgrading, Moody’s warns
Chinese property and life insurance firms might see a credit downgrade in the next two years if car insurance and saving products remain as the main source of their income, rating agency Moody’s has warned.
Dwindling reserves could put pressure on profitability says Moody's
The pace of reserve releases for non-life European insurers will continue to slow into 2013 as the effects of the general market downturn from 2005-09 continue to play out, according to Moody's.
Aviva receives ratings downgrade as outlook remains stable
Moody's has downgraded Aviva’s main operating units' insurance financial strength rating to ‘A1’ from ‘Aa3’.
Moody’s: Solvency II volatility may deter investors
Potential investors in the insurance industry may be turned off by expected volatility in European insurer’s solvency ratios according to rating agency Moody’s.
Solvency II could increase cost of capital for insurers says Moody’s
The increased volatility of Solvency ratios under the new Solvency II guidelines may reduce investor appetite and increase the cost of capital for insurers, according to Moody’s
Co-op rated “junk” by Moody’s
Moody’s has downgraded the Co-operative Bank’s debt rating to “junk” status, warning the bank may need “external support”.
Moody’s downgrades Towergate after patchy 2012 financial results
Towergate’s financial results for 2012 have revealed vastly divergent performances among its four main insurance divisions, ranging from a 24% year-on-year drop in earnings in its network arm to a 17% rise in underwriting earnings.
Towergate’s B rating affirmed by Fitch
Fitch Rating has affirmed Towergate’s B rating and revised its outlook to stable from negative.
Towergate hit with Moody's downgrade
Moody's has cited "significant" levels of debt and limited earnings as the reasons behind its downgrade of Towergate, following publication of the consolidator's results.
Moody's confirms Generali debt ratings following planned restructure
Moody's has confirmed the 'Baa2' senior debt rating,'Baa3' subordinated debt rating and 'Ba1' preferred stock debt ratings of Assicurazioni Generali SpA, following its planned Italian organisation.
French insurers paid an extra €9bn in taxes in the last three years
French insurers have seen a steep increase in the amount of tax they pay in the last three years and the trend looks set to continue.
UK credit rating downgrade could be blessing in disguise for insurers
The loss of the UK’s AAA rating with credit rating agency Moody’s is unlikely to impact the standing of UK insurers, according to industry sources.
P&C insurers better placed than life firms to weather economic storm
Property and casualty insurers are better positioned to withstand a slow growth environment compared to life insurers, which will be more impacted by the weak global economy given they are mainly "discretionary" purchases and the low interest rates,…
Weak economy to hurt commercial lines more than personal, says Moody's
The outlook for property & casualty insurers is stable in 2013, despite macroeconomic conditions, Moody's said today.
Europe's insurers more insulated against crisis than banks
European insurers have proved more resilient than their banking counterparts in the current financial crisis, but are still vulnerable to economic shocks, Moody's said today.
Norway's Gjensidige enhances risk management architecture
Norwegian insurance company Gjensidige has enhanced its risk management architecture to help comply with Solvency II.