HONG KONG, June 22 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- A.M. Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long -Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” of The People’s Insurance Company of China (Hong Kong), Limited (PICC HK) (Hong Kong). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.
 
The ratings reflect PICC HK’s solid risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), which improved in 2016 as the company de-risked its investment portfolio by focusing on investment-grade bonds and blue chip stocks. The ratings also recognize the implicit and explicit support that PICC HK receives from its parent, The People’s Insurance Company (Group) of China Limited (PICC Group), in terms of business and capital support. PICC Group owns 75% of PICC HK, while Asia Insurance (Investment), Ltd. owns the other 25%.
 
As PICC Group’s sole overseas subsidiary, PICC HK plays a strategic role in the group’s overseas development. The company has generated a stable stream of premiums by writing inward business, which includes facultative and treaty business, as well as whole account quota share from its affiliate, PICC Property and Casualty Insurance Company Limited (PICC P&C), the largest non-life insurance company in China.
 
Offsetting rating factors include the company’s limited presence in Hong Kong’s non-life insurance market and the narrow profit margin on inward business from PICC P&C, which could put some pressure on PICC HK’s underwriting profitability.
 
Positive rating actions may occur if PICC HK can achieve substantial improvement in its risk-adjusted capitalization and market profile, while maintaining a favorable trend in operating performance. Negative rating actions could occur if PICC HK’s operating results deteriorate significantly, resulting in a material decline in risk-adjusted capitalization. A reduced level of support from the PICC Group, or deterioration in the PICC Group’s credit profile, also may exert negative rating pressure.
 
Ratings are communicated to rated entities prior to publication. Unless stated otherwise, the ratings were not amended subsequent to that communication.
 
This press release relates to rating(s) that have been published on A.M. 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 A.M. Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Understanding Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper media use of Best’s Credit Ratings and A.M. Best press releases, please view Guide for Media - Proper Use of Best’s Credit Ratings and A.M. Best Rating Action Press Releases.
 
A.M. Best is the world’s oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.
 
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Contacts
A.M. Best
Eva Zheng
Financial Analyst
+852 2827 3421
vivian.cheung@ambest.com
or
Christie Lee
Director, Analytics
+852 2827 3413
christie.lee@ambest.com
or
Christopher Sharkey
Manager, Public Relations
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com
or
Jim Peavy
Director, Public Relations
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5644
james.peavy@ambest.com

Source: A.M. Best
 
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--BERNAMA