Core Viewpoint - AM Best has revised the outlooks for Hagerty Reinsurance Limited and Drivers Edge Insurance Company to positive from stable, affirming their Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings of "a-" (Excellent) [1] Group 1 - Hagerty Re and Drivers Edge are wholly owned subsidiaries of Hagerty Insurance Holdings Inc [1] - The revised ratings reflect the companies' strong financial performance and stability in the insurance market [1]

One of the world’s biggest bond-fund managers is warning of a `dangerous’ credit-ratings dynamic as private lending swells. https://t.co/zmVI3cDays ...

FirstBank’s headquarters in San Juan, Puerto RicoFirst BanCorp., the parent company of FirstBank Puerto Rico, received a new vote of confidence in its financial position after Kroll Bond Rating Agency assigned the institution a set of strong credit ratings and a stable outlook.KBRA cited the bank’s consistent profitability, solid capital levels and disciplined risk management.According to the agency, First BanCorp. has maintained steady performance through economic cycles, preserved healthy margins, managed ...

So, yes, this is a very large credit facility or bridge bridge facility for this deal, $59 billion. It's large, but Netflix is a very strong credit. Right.Netflix is a company you would want to lend money to. So Netflix has single-A credit ratings and very, very low leverage ratio. It's growing EBITDA, significant free cash flow.So Netflix is a very strong company, a very good borrower. So it's not surprising that banks would line up to lend them money. Steve, Eventually this bridge facility is going to be ...

Core Viewpoint - AM Best has upgraded the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) and Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICRs) for CNA Financial Corporation's property/casualty subsidiaries, reflecting strong balance sheet strength and operating performance [1] Group 1: Ratings Upgrade - The FSR has been upgraded to A+ (Superior) from A (Excellent) for CNA Insurance Companies and Western Surety Group, with Long-Term ICRs upgraded to "aa-" (Superior) from "a+" (Excellent) [1] - The outlook for these ratings has been revised to stable from positive [1] Group 2: Financial Strength and Performance - CNA's ratings reflect very strong balance sheet strength, strong operating performance, and a favorable business profile, supported by its commercial casualty underwriting and investment metrics [1] - The ratings acknowledge the historical financial support from Loews Corporation, which holds a 92% stake in CNA [1] Group 3: Risk Management and Profitability - CNA has demonstrated consistently positive operating performance over the last five years, with significant profitability from commercial insurance operations due to effective underwriting and expense management [1] - The ratings also consider CNA's enterprise risk management (ERM) structure and the support from its parent company [1] Group 4: Western Surety Group Ratings - Western Surety Group's ratings reflect its strongest balance sheet strength and strong operating performance, with a favorable loss reserve position and modest underwriting leverage [1] - WSG maintains a strong market position in the surety bond markets, consistently reporting profitable performance [1] Group 5: Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings - Long-Term IRs for CNA Financial Corporation have been upgraded to "a-" (Excellent) from "bbb+" (Good) for multiple senior unsecured notes totaling $500 million each, with various due dates from 2027 to 2035 [1] - The outlooks for these Long-Term IRs have been revised to stable from positive [1]

The credit ratings of most African nations are much lower than similar sovereigns elsewhere in the world, costing them billions of dollars and denting vital economic growth, according to top bankers https://t.co/y2QWiZTWnP ...

Scotland was assigned its first credit ratings, a critical step on the country’s road to a debut bond sale https://t.co/OUKCA5aEZq ...

Group 1: Softbank's Strategic Moves - Softbank is committing an additional $22.5 billion to AI firm OpenAI, indicating a strong focus on the artificial intelligence sector [2][9] - The company divested $9.17 billion in T-Mobile shares between June and September, reflecting a strategic shift to optimize its investment portfolio [2][9] Group 2: Commodities Market - Gold prices have reached a near three-week high, trading between $4,142.83 and $4,149.06 per ounce, driven by expectations of a U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate cut in December [3][9] - The rise in gold prices is also supported by signs of a potential resolution to the ongoing U.S. government shutdown [3][9] Group 3: Geopolitical Developments - Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister reaffirmed the country's commitment to a peaceful nuclear program, denying any ambitions to develop nuclear weapons [4][9] Group 4: South Africa's Economic Outlook - Goldman Sachs suggests a potential upgrade to South Africa's credit ratings, contingent on the government's ability to implement economic reforms following a recent budget announcement [5][9] Group 5: Automotive Sector Developments - Hyundai Motor Group is facing significant financial strain due to delays in U.S. tariff reductions, incurring losses of approximately $1.1 billion in Q2 and $1.3 billion in Q3 [6][9] - A recent trade agreement between Seoul and Washington to lower auto duties may provide relief and boost Hyundai's earnings in the future [6][9]

Core Insights - AM Best has commented that the Credit Ratings of Palomar Holdings, Inc. and its member companies remain unchanged following the announcement of Palomar's acquisition of The Gray Casualty & Surety Company, expected to close in the first half of 2026 [1][12] Credit Ratings - Palomar has a Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of "bbb†(Good), while its subsidiaries, PSIC, PESIC, and Palomar Re, have a Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and Long-Term ICRs of "aâ€(Excellent) with a stable outlook [2] - FIA has an FSR of A- (Excellent) and a Long-Term ICR of "a-†(Excellent) with a positive outlook [2] - Gray has an FSR of A- (Excellent) and a Long-Term ICR of "a-†(Excellent), which have been placed under review with positive implications following the acquisition announcement [3] Acquisition Details - Post-acquisition, Gray will operate independently under new management and is expected to benefit from synergies with Palomar [4] - The acquisition will be funded through cash on hand and a bank loan, with expected financial leverage having a neutral impact on the ratings [4] Business Operations - Palomar writes various risks, with earthquake coverage being a significant part of its portfolio, alongside inland marine/other property, casualty, fronting, and crop businesses [5] - The group consistently reports profitable results due to diligent underwriting strategies and is expanding into the surety space, particularly through the acquisition of Gray, which has a larger footprint in the contract surety segment across the U.S. [5]

RT The Hurdle Rate Podcast (@HurdleRatePod)Welcome back to The Hurdle Rate Podcast.Episode 33: Credit Ratings for Digital Capital.The crew is back covering Strategy's credit rating, how this could impact the insurance industry, interest coverage ration and industry credit ratings, what it will take for Bitcoin Treasury Company credit ratings to go higher, Mike Alfred, big volumes, and more.Here's the latest with @ColeMacro, @PunterJeff, @BenWerkman and @TimKotzman.0:30 - Welcome Back to The Hurdle Rate1:00 ...