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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LONDON - APRIL 09, 2021 11:29 AM (EDT)
AM Best has downgraded the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) to “bbb” from “bbb+” and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of B++ (Good) of Qatar General Insurance & Reinsurance Company QPSC (QGIRC) (Qatar). The outlook of the Long-Term FSR has been revised to negative from stable, whilst the outlook of the Long-Term ICR is negative.
These Credit Ratings (ratings) reflect QGIRC’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.
The downgrade of the Long-Term ICR reflects AM Best’s view that the group’s operating performance no longer supports a strong assessment. Earnings from real estate investments and developments are the key driver of operating performance, with underwriting making only a modest contribution to capital generation due to the low level of premiums written relative to the capital base. QGIR’s five-year (2016-2020) weighted average return-on-equity ratio of -1.8% was impacted heavily by the negative revaluation of its real estate portfolio in 2019, which led to restatements of the 2017 and 2018 financial years. Underwriting has been profitable over the past five years, with the exception of 2019, when a series of large losses affected earnings. The group reported a pre-tax profit of QAR 102 million in 2020, following three years of losses. Prospectively, AM Best expects QGIRC to generate underwriting profits. However, the cost of debt service will drag on overall performance, while earnings from real estate development activities are likely to be volatile.
The negative outlooks reflect concern regarding the adequacy of QGIRC’s risk management and internal controls following a regulatory solvency breach by a subsidiary, General Takaful Company Q.C.S.C., and asset impairments recognised in 2019.
QGIRC’s balance sheet strength is underpinned by very strong risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). The balance sheet strength assessment benefits from high levels of liquidity to sustain its insurance operations and low premium leverage. However, the group has a concentrated investment portfolio, with real estate assets accounting for approximately 69% of total investments at year-end 2020. Prospective risk-adjusted capitalisation is highly sensitive to domestic real estate and equity market fluctuations. Additionally, QGIRC has a high level of debt compared to peers with a financial leverage ratio (debt to equity) of 46% at year-end 2020.
QGIRC, on a consolidated basis, has a well-established position within its domestic market reporting gross written premiums of QAR 756 million in 2020. It provides conventional and Takaful insurance (via a separate subsidiary) and its underwriting operations are well diversified by product line.
AM Best notes that an unresolved remuneration dispute with a former senior manager creates a future earnings risk. Additionally, AM Best is closely monitoring the development of the group’s risk management capabilities relative to its risk profile and the implementation of redefined risk appetites and tolerances, following the changeover of several members of the senior management team, including the chief risk officer.
This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM 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 AM Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper media use of Best’s Credit Ratings and AM Best press releases, please view Guide for Media - Proper Use of Best’s Credit Ratings and AM Best Rating Action Press Releases.
AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City.