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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OLDWICK, N.J. - APRIL 25, 2007 12:00 AM (EDT)
A.M. Best Co. has assigned an indicative debt rating of "bb+" to the forthcoming GBP 100 million floating rate subordinated bonds to be issued by Novae Group plc (United Kingdom) (Novae). The rating outlook is positive.
At the same time, A.M. Best has affirmed the issuer credit rating (ICR) of "bbb-" of Novae, the ultimate non-operating holding company of the Novae group of companies, and the debt rating of "bbb-" on Novae's GBP 50 million convertible bonds due 2008. Additionally, A.M. Best has affirmed the ICR of "bb+" on Novae Holdings Plc (NH) (United Kingdom), the debt ratings of "bb+" on the USD 15 million and USD 10 million floating notes and "bb" on the USD 11 million subordinated floating notes, all due in 2034 and issued by NH. The outlook for all these ratings has been revised to positive from stable, in line with the outlook on Lloyd's Syndicate 2007 (managed by Novae Syndicates Limited).
The proceeds of this issue will be used to refinance Novae's convertible bond (due 2008), refinance NH's existing loan notes at a lower cost and replace a letter of credit that is used to support Lloyd's Syndicate 2007 and held as funds at Lloyd's.
Financial and debt leverage ratios remain within A.M. Best tolerance levels. The bond is to have a 10-year duration with a five-year call option held by the issuer. The proceeds have some equity characteristics for which A.M. Best will give partial credit in its quantitative analysis of Novae.
For Best's Debt Ratings, all other Best's Ratings, an overview of the rating process and rating methodologies, please visit Best's Rating Center.
Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is a full-service credit rating organization dedicated to serving the financial services industries, including the banking and insurance sectors.