istock-585166608
iStock/ Paperkites
7 March 2018Insurance

AXA at risk of downgrade post XL acquisition

Fitch Ratings has threatened to downgrade AXA following the plan to acquire XL Group due to financing risks related to the  planned IPO of AXA’s US subsidiary.

The rating actions follow the announcement that AXA plans to acquire XL Group for €12.4 billion, which will be paid entirely in cash. AXA expects to finance the cash consideration via €3.5 billion available cash resources, €6 billion from the IPO of AXA's US operations (Life & Savings and Alliance Bernstein) planned in the second quarter of 2018, and related pre-IPO transactions and €3 billion via issuance of subordinated debt. The target completion period is second half of 2018, subject to regulatory approvals and approval by XL shareholders.

Fitch Ratings has placed AXA entities' Insurer Financial Strength (IFS) ratings and AXA SA's Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) on Rating Watch Negative (RWN).

The Rating Watch Negative reflects Fitch's view that there are execution risks associated with the planned IPO of AXA's US life operations that could a have a negative impact on AXA's credit profile in relation to the planned acquisition of XL. If the IPO is not concluded successfully, AXA may, at least in part, draw on a €9 billion credit line the group has lined up as a contingent funding facility to fund the acquisition of XL. This scenario would increase AXA's financial leverage and weaken the group's fixed-charge coverage beyond the tolerance of AXA's ratings. Had the transaction not been partly financed by the successful completion of the IPO, Fitch would have affirmed the IFS rating with a Stable Outlook.

Join us at Intelligent Automation in Insurance - London 2018. Spring Special:  Book before the March 31st and save £200. 

More of today's news

XL Group benefits from acquisition by AXA

New CEO, CUO for Canopius managing agency

Cyber driven business interruption threatens energy sector

Reinsurance cost rise 33% for Esure due to Ogden change

Commercial cyber liability premium to reach $6.2bn by 2020: Verisk

Former Beazley A&H head joins insurance underwriting Avoca

Excel in Business to hold free digitization event in London

Don't miss our insurtech email newsletter - sign up today

Already registered?

Login to your account

To request a FREE 2-week trial subscription, please signup.
NOTE - this can take up to 48hrs to be approved.

Two Weeks Free Trial

For multi-user price options, or to check if your company has an existing subscription that we can add you to for FREE, please email Elliot Field at efield@newtonmedia.co.uk or Adrian Tapping at atapping@newtonmedia.co.uk


More on this story

Insurance
7 March 2018   Fitch Ratings has placed the ratings of XLIT (XL, a Cayman Islands subsidiary of XL Group) and its property/casualty re/insurance subsidiaries on Rating Watch Positive from Negative Outlook following the planned acquisition by AXA.
Insurance
17 April 2018   Bermuda-based property/casualty commercial lines re/insurer XL Group received other potential bids before sealing the deal with AXA, which agreed to pay significantly more than other suitors.
Insurance
26 April 2018   French insurer AXA has received $3.2 billion following the completion of its reorganisation transactions ahead of the planned initial public offering (IPO) of its US operations.