Citing a 24% drop in shareholder equity last year, ongoing problems impacting the health insurer's variable annuity business and Cignas debt and capital levels, Fitch Ratings delivered a blow to
Although couched with the notification that Cignas access to liquidity is not a concern, shareholder equity has been hurt by an $861 million adjustment of Cigna's postretirement benefits liabilities, reports Dow Jones. Additionally, Cignas acquisition last year of Great-West Healthcare increased the insurers debt levels.
However, the ratings' outlook was changed to stable from negative after the downgrade amid Fitch's expectations for "good" earnings this year and planned efforts to strengthen capital. In February, Cigna said it swung to a fourth-quarter loss due in part to investment losses. The company also lowered its 2009 earnings outlook, saying rising unemployment would cut enrollment.
Removing Cayman Islands-based
These include Ironshore Insurance Ltd., Ironshore Reinsurance Ltd (both of Bermuda), Ironshore Indemnity Inc. (Minneapolis, Minn.) and Ironshore Specialty Insurance Company (Phoenix, Ariz.). The outlook assigned to all ratings is stable, A.M.Best reports.
A.M. Best noted that it had placed the insurers ratings under review with negative implications on Feb. 3, 2009, "which was reflective of the material deviation from its original business plan and the execution risks of its new business model. Since that time, Ironshore has successfully executed its new business initiatives despite challenging market conditions.