Ratings agencies
Germanwings loss to maintain aviation market pricing pressure
Pricing in the aviation market is expected to remain competitive in spite of the Germanwings crash on 24 March, according to AM Best.
Big data tipped to impact insurers' credit ratings
Harnessing big data will be key to insurers' profitability, competitiveness and, in the long term, credit ratings, according to a Fitch Ratings report.
Blog: Can Towergate really wait a year for Ross to join as CEO?
What a week. But are we still really any clearer about David Ross’s appointment as CEO of Towergate Group?
Insurers to remain reliant on Pool Re in face of large potential losses
Insurers are likely to continue to participate in Pool Re despite the proposed levy increase, according to a briefing from AM Best.
Moody’s raises default warnings in Towergate ratings
Moody’s amended its ratings to reflect an increased likelihood of Towergate defaulting, while also lowering ratings for bonds issued by the broker.
Fitch downgrades Towergate to B-
Fitch Ratings has downgraded Towergate to B- and placed the consolidator's rating on rating watch negative.
Polish insurance market faces 'moderate' risk, says S&P
Poland's general insurance industry is benefiting from the country's "strong and competitive economy and good growth prospects", according to Standard & Poor's.
Fitch warns of Towergate downgrade if cost-saving measures fail
Fitch Ratings has cast doubt over Towergate's ability to execute its change programme in the wake of group CEO Mark Hodges resigning.
Global multiline insurer ratings expected to remain 'robust'
Global multiline insurers’ continue to show strong credit quality according to Standard & Poor’s.
Fitch affirms Lloyd’s IFS rating at AA-
Ratings agency Fitch has decided to confirm the Insurer Financial Strength rating of Lloyd’s and it’s Chinese operation at AA-, with a stable outlook.
Moody’s downgrades Cunningham Lindsey over low claims volumes
Ratings agency Moody’s has downgraded Cunningham Lindsey in response to declining projected revenues based on lower global insured claims volumes.
Lloyd’s upgraded to ‘AA-‘ by Fitch
Lloyd’s has been handed an improved insurer financial strength rating by Fitch, moving from “A+” to “AA-“.
Fitch predicts pressure on Flood Re due to public funds uncertainty
Uncertainty around UK government spending on flood defences could lead to Flood Re facing higher-than-expected claims in the future, according to Fitch Ratings.
S&P upgrades LV outlook to reflect improved capital position
LV has seen its outlook boosted from ‘stable’ to ‘positive’ by ratings agency Standard & Poor’s.
Fitch keeps RSA on negative watch
Fitch has said it will keep RSA's 'A' insurer financial strength on rating watch negative amid capital raising measures by the firm.
European CFOs optimistic on profitability growth
European insurance chief financial officers are optimistic about increasing profitability, with a Moody’s survey finding nearly half of CFOs predicting their operating profit would grow between five and 10% in the next year.
S&P upgrades QBE Syndicate 2999 to ‘5’ LSE rating
Ratings agency Standard and Poor’s has upgraded its Lloyd’s Syndicate Assessment rating for QBE Syndicate 2999 to “5/Stable”.
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.
SRA ratings plans 'confused' says Enterprise
An unrated professional indemnity insurer has condemned plans from the Solicitors Regulation Authority to bar insurers rated below B.
S&P forecasts downgrades for reinsurers
Ratings agency Standard & Poor’s is predicting downgrades for reinsurers over the next two years due to increased competition and curtailed profitability.
Unrated PI insurer Elite targeting AM Best rating by Q2
Unrated insurer Elite is hoping to be granted a rating by AM Best by the start of Q2.
Riskier investments may hit ratings warns Fitch
Increasingly risky investments by European insurers could see the firms suffer in their ratings, Fitch has warned.
Moody’s predicts strong growth for Asian P&C market in 2014
Ratings agency Moody’s is predicting strong growth in the Asian property and casualty insurance sector for 2014 with moderate growth forecast for the European region.
Windstorm unlikely to impact UK insurers' performances, predicts AM Best
UK non-life insurers remain on course to post strong overall performances in 2013, despite last week’s windstorm, according to a report from AM Best.