S&P’s raised its counterparty credit rating on Willis Group Holdings Ltd. (Willis) to “BB+” from “BB” due to the company’s continued debt reduction and improved operating fundamentals. It also said it raised related ratings and revised the outlook to stable from negative.
A S&P’s analyst noted positively Willis’ willingness to pay down debt ahead of schedule, its maintenance of good interest coverage, and its leveraging of a well- established global market presence. Cited as a negative was “the company’s increasing concentration in insurance brokerage operations, which increases the company’s exposure to the vagaries of the insurance underwriting cycle.”
The company has met and exceeded S&P’s expectations to date and is expected to continue to further decrease leverage given record net income of $68 million in the first quarter of 2002 versus $39 million as of first quarter 2001.
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