CONTACTS:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OLDWICK - MAY 14, 2020 04:05 PM (EDT)
AM Best has removed from under review with developing implications and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A+ (Superior) and Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) of “aa-” of the operating subsidiaries of PartnerRe Ltd. (collectively referred to as PartnerRe). Concurrently, AM Best has also removed from under review with developing implications and affirmed the Long-Term ICR of “a-” of PartnerRe Ltd. (Pembroke, Bermuda) and its existing Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings (Long-Term IR). The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.
The ratings reflect PartnerRe’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorizes as strongest, as well as its adequate operating performance, very favorable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.
This Credit Rating (rating) action follows the announcement that EXOR N.V. (EXOR), PartnerRe’s parent, and Covéa Coopérations (Covea) will not go forward with their announced transaction under which Covea would have acquired EXOR’s outstanding common shares of PartnerRe Ltd. PartnerRe’s ratings will be assessed in the coming months as part of its annual review process, which will further incorporate an evaluation of ownership structure, evolving reinsurance market conditions and the economic implications caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rating factors that could lead to positive rating actions would be continued successful build-out of PartnerRe’s operating companies’ distribution platforms in conjunction with long-term, consistently strong operating profitability and maintaining the strongest levels of risk-adjusted capitalization.
Rating factors that could lead to negative rating actions include a deterioration in the company’s business profile, unfavorable operating results stemming from outsized insurance or investment losses, and a material decline of risk-adjusted capitalization.
AM Best has removed from under review with developing implications and assigned a stable outlook to the FSR of A+ (Superior) and Long-Term ICR of “aa-” of the operating subsidiaries of PartnerRe Ltd.:
The following Long-Term IRs have been removed from under review with developing implications and assigned a stable outlook:
PartnerRe Ltd.—
— “bbb” on $250 million 5.875% preferred shares, Series F
PartnerRe Financial II, Inc.—
— “bbb” on $250 million 6.44% junior subordinated capital efficient notes, due 2066
This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best’s website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper media use of Best’s Credit Ratings and AM Best press releases, please view Guide for Media - Proper Use of Best’s Credit Ratings and AM Best Rating Action Press Releases.
AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in New York, London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City.