08.09.2006 18:32
A.M. Best Upgrades Ratings of SCOR, Affirms Ratings of Revios Rueckversicherung and Removes From Under Review
A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating (FSR) to A- (Excellent) from B++ (Very Good) and the issuer credit rating (ICR) to "a-" from "bbb+" of SCOR (Nachrichten) (France) and its rated subsidiaries. A.M. Best has also upgraded the senior debt and subordinated debt either issued or guaranteed by SCOR. (See link below for a detailed list of the ratings.) All ratings have been removed from under review with positive implications, and a stable outlook has been assigned.
Concurrently, A.M. Best has affirmed the FSR of A- (Excellent) and the ICR of "a-" of Revios Rueckversicherung (Revios) (Germany) and its rated subsidiaries. All ratings have been removed from under review with negative implications and a stable outlook has been assigned.
The rating actions reflects SCOR's excellent risk-adjusted capitalisation, a strong business profile in the European markets, which would be further enhanced through the anticipated acquisition of Revios, and improving operating performance. The stable outlook reflects A.M. Best's expectations that SCOR will be able to successfully integrate Revios and continue its restructuring programme throughout 2006 and 2007.
Excellent risk-adjusted capitalisation--In A.M. Best's opinion, SCOR's consolidated risk-adjusted capitalisation is benefiting from a stabilisation of its discontinued U.S. non-life portfolio and is likely to be further strengthened through retained earnings in 2006 after factoring growth of its European non-life business. A.M. Best expects SCOR to continue its strategy of reducing its U.S. claims reserves through normal run-off and commutation of its discontinued book of business. The anticipated acquisition of Revios is not negatively impacting the combined group's risk-adjusted capitalisation as the transaction is fully funded through a planned capital increase and subordinated debt that was issued in July 2006. A.M. Best expects SCOR's financial leverage to remain within the current range even if the planned transaction is not closed. A.M. Best believes that the acquisition would improve SCOR's risk profile due to the shift to the more stable life reinsurance.
Strong business profile in Europe--SCOR has maintained a strong business profile in the European non-life market even during adverse developments. SCOR was also able to gain new business during the 2006 renewals and has acquired the renewal rights of Alea Europe, which added approximately EUR 60 million (USD 76 million) to its portfolio. A.M. Best expects SCOR to continue to benefit from favourable market conditions and to grow its non-life portfolio to approximately EUR 1.6 billion (USD 2 billion) in 2006 whilst maintaining its underwriting discipline. In A.M. Best's view, the planned acquisition of Revios would further diversify the combined group's portfolio, both geographically and by business segment. Life reinsurance would account for approximately 60% of gross premiums written, compared to approximately 40% prior to the planned acquisition and would move the combined group amongst the top five life reinsurers.
Improving operating performance--SCOR's post-tax earnings in the first six months of 2006 significantly improved by 42% to EUR 102 million (USD 129 million), mainly driven by better non-life underwriting performance but also from improved margins in life reinsurance. A.M. Best anticipates that higher non-life gross premiums written, stable expenses and improved overall non-life claims experience in 2006 are likely to generate a combined ratio of approximately 98% for the full year 2006. A.M. Best expects overall profits to be in the region of EUR 180 million (USD 228 million) for the full year 2006, which would translate into a return on equity of approximately 10%. In A.M. Best view, the shift to life reinsurance as a result of the Revios acquisition would further stabilise SCOR's income stream, whilst at the same time provide better economies of scales, especially in the United States.
For a complete list of SCOR's and Revios Rueckversicherung's FSRs, ICRs and debt ratings, please visit www.ambest.com/press/090801scorrevios.pdf.