Best Sees No Change in Zurich Ratings

A.M. Best Co. indicated that its ratings on Zurich Financial Services and its rated subsidiaries remain unchanged following the announcement of post-tax earnings of $4.5 billion at year-end 2006 and the proposal of a CHF 1.25 billion ($1.0 billion) share buyback, as well as a gross dividend of CHF 11.00 per share ($8.80) (amounting to $1.3 billion in total).

Best said it “believes that ZFS’ consolidated risk-adjusted capitalization remains supportive of the current ratings despite the proposed share buyback and the dividend payment.

“Prospectively, A.M. Best expects ZFS to maintain the current level of risk-adjusted capitalization.”