P&C Insurers' Subprime Exposure 'Manageable'?

The exposure of U.S. property-and-casualty insurance companies to subprime mortgage-related collateral is "manageable," according to Fitch Ratings. In a special report on the subject, Fitch analyzed 2007 financial results for publicly traded U.S. property-and-casualty insurers and found "manageable impact on stockholders' equity" from writedowns and realized and unrealized losses related to residential mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, and collateralized debt obligations. Fitch noted that it has taken "very limited" negative rating actions in the P&C sector due to subprime exposure, but said it expects "poor collateral performance in subprime-related investments to continue in 2008, and has growing concerns in the [alternative-A] sector." The rating agency added that "highly illiquid, volatile market conditions have spread somewhat to other asset classes which could impact insurers' broader investment portfolio performance." Fitch can be found online at http://www.fitchratings.com.