HONG KONG, Aug 25 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- A.M. Best has commented that the Financial Strength Rating of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “aa” of Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company, Limited (MSI) (Japan) remain unchanged following its announced acquisition of First Capital Insurance Limited (First Capital).
 
This Credit Rating (rating) commentary follows MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc.’s (MS&AD) announcement on Aug. 24 2017, that its wholly owned subsidiary, MSI, has entered an agreement to acquire a 97.7% stake in First Capital from Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited.
 
The acquisition price is USD 65.5 per share, totaling USD 1.6 billion, in an all-cash deal. The transaction is subject to the approval of relevant regulators and is expected to close between January and March of 2018.
 
MSI, the major operating entity of MS&AD in terms of revenue and earnings contribution, implements the group’s overseas expansion strategies. A.M. Best expects MSI’s risk-adjusted capitalization to remain supportive of the current ratings, following the transaction’s closing. The acquisition will allow MSI to expand its presence in the commercial insurance market in Singapore and the ASEAN region.
 
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 Credit Ratings 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.
 
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Contacts
A.M. Best
Sergio Agena, +852 2827 3407
Associate Financial Analyst
sergio.agena@ambest.com
or
Seewon Oh, +852 2827 3404
Associate Director, Analytics
seewon.oh@ambest.com
or
Christopher Sharkey, +1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159
Manager, Public Relations
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com
or
Jim Peavy, +1 908 439 2200, ext. 5644
Director, Public Relations
james.peavy@ambest.com

Source: A.M. Best
 
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--BERNAMA