
AM Best Downgrades Credit Ratings of The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company and Travelers Insurance Company of Canada Following Announced Sale to Definity Financial Corporation; Places Credit Ratings Under Review With Various Implications
BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has downgraded the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) to A- (Excellent) from A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) to 'a-' (Excellent) from 'a' (Excellent) of The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company (Dominion). At the same time, AM Best has downgraded the FSR to A+ (Superior) from A++ (Superior) and the Long-Term ICR to 'aa-' (Superior) from 'aa+' (Superior) of Travelers Insurance Company of Canada (TICC). In addition. AM Best has placed Dominion's Credit Ratings (ratings) under review with developing implications, while AM Best has placed TICC under review with negative implications. Dominion and TICC are domiciled in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The ratings of Dominion reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strongest, as well as its marginal operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).
The ratings of TICC reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strongest, as well as its strong operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate ERM.
The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV) (NYSE: TRV) announced that it signed an agreement to sell the personal insurance business and most of the commercial insurance business of Travelers Canada, which include Dominion and TICC, to Definity Financial Corporation. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
The announcement has triggered the removal of the TRV lift from Dominion and TICC, which have been placed under review, and while Dominion will have developing implications, TICC will have negative implications as a result of the higher rating compared with the rating of the new parent company at close. AM Best will continue to monitor events related to this transaction and provide updates as conditions warrant.
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 use of Best's Credit Ratings, Best's Performance Assessments, Best's Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best's Ratings & Assessments.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
AM Best Revises Issuer Credit Rating Outlook to Negative for Palmetto Surety Corporation
OLDWICK, N.J., June 06, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AM Best has revised the outlook to negative from stable for the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of B (Fair) and the Long-Term ICR of "bb+" (Fair) of Palmetto Surety Corporation (Palmetto) (headquartered in Mount Pleasant, SC). The outlook of the FSR is stable. The Credit Ratings (ratings) reflect Palmetto's balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as adequate, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM). The revised Long-Term ICR outlook to negative from stable reflects the pressure on Palmetto's overall balance sheet strength assessment, as well as risk management given the challenges related to the timely collection and reporting of its premiums and agents' balances that in 2024, resulted in a reduction in admitted assets and corresponding decline in overall surplus. Concerns related to ERM relate to management's failure to collect its premium in a timely manner and its consequential effects on capital management. Negative rating action could occur if there continues to be volatility of Palmetto's risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Best's Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), or if the overall balance sheet strength assessment deteriorates further as a result of a continued uptick of uncollected premiums and agents' balances in the course of collection. Additionally, negative rating action could occur if the company fails to strengthen its risk management, accounting and reporting controls resulting in the continued augmentation of uncollected premiums and outstanding agents' balances in the course of collection. Management is aware of the over 90 aging of uncollected premium receivables and has been instituting better collections procedures to improve the overall non-admitted assets for the company. 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 use of Best's Credit Ratings, Best's Performance Assessments, Best's Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best's Ratings & Assessments. AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing 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. For more information, visit Copyright © 2025 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on Contacts Christine DePalma, CPCU, ARM Financial Analyst +1 908 882 1732 Edin Imsirovic Director +1 908 882 2318 Christopher Sharkey Associate Director, Public Relations +1 908 882 2310 Al Slavin Senior Public Relations Specialist +1 908 882 2318 Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Lemonade Inc (LMND) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Revenue Growth Amidst Challenges
Revenue: Increased 27% year-on-year to $151 million in Q1 2025. In Force Premium (IFP): Grew 27% to just above $1 billion. Customer Count: Increased by 21% to 2.5 million. Premium per Customer: Increased 4% to $396. Annual Retention Rate (ADR): Decreased to 84% from 86% in the prior quarter. Gross Earned Premium: Increased 24% to $234 million. Gross Loss Ratio: 78% for Q1, compared to 79% in Q1 2024. Adjusted Gross Profit: Improved 25% year-on-year. Net Loss: $62 million, or a loss of $0.86 per share. Adjusted EBITDA Loss: $47 million in Q1. Total Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Investments: Approximately $996 million. Growth Spend: $38 million in Q1, nearly double the prior year quarter. Technology Development Expense: Increased 5% to $22 million. General and Administrative (G&A) Expense: Increased 20% to $36 million. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 3 Warning Signs with LMND. Release Date: May 06, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Lemonade Inc (NYSE:LMND) reported a 27% year-on-year growth in Q1 2025, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of accelerating top-line growth. The company achieved a 25% year-on-year improvement in adjusted gross profit, despite the impact of California wildfires. Lemonade Car's quarter-over-quarter in-force premium (IFP) growth outpaced the rest of the business for the first time, signaling strong momentum. The company is on track to achieve EBITDA breakeven by the end of 2026, with expectations of generating positive adjusted free cash flow in 2025. Lemonade Inc (NYSE:LMND) has successfully leveraged AI to maintain or reduce fixed costs while significantly increasing its book size, demonstrating strong operational efficiency. The California wildfires had a notable impact on Q1 results, contributing 16 percentage points to the gross loss ratio. Annual dollar retention (ADR) decreased to 84%, down from 86% in the prior quarter, partly due to efforts to improve profitability in the home insurance book. The gross loss ratio for Q1 was 78%, slightly higher than the previous year's 79%, indicating ongoing challenges in managing claims costs. Operating expenses, excluding loss and loss adjustment expense, increased by 29% year-on-year, driven by growth spend and the impact of the FAIR plan assessment. Net loss for Q1 was $62 million, or $0.86 per share, compared to a net loss of $47 million or $0.67 per share in the prior year, reflecting ongoing financial challenges. Q: Can you elaborate on the timeline for reaching EBITDA profitability and what levers will drive this? A: Daniel Schreiber, CEO, explained that Lemonade aims to achieve adjusted EBITDA breakeven by the end of 2026, with 2027 being the first full year of positive adjusted EBITDA. The company expects gross profit to grow faster than fixed costs, driven by AI efficiencies, bringing them closer to profitability. Q: What impact did the California wildfires have on gross profit, and how are tariffs affecting your full-year guidance? A: Tim Bixby, CFO, noted that the California wildfires had a $44 million gross impact, aligning with prior estimates. The tariff impact is expected to be modest, with single-digit percentage effects on claims. Lemonade is comfortable with its full-year guidance, assuming a modest headwind from tariffs. Q: How is Lemonade's Car business performing, and what are the plans for geographic expansion? A: Daniel Schreiber, CEO, highlighted that Lemonade Car is growing faster than the rest of the business, with a focus on refining the product before expanding geographically. The company is currently available to 40% of the U.S. market and plans to expand further once the product is optimized. Q: How is AI impacting Lemonade's competitive position in the insurance industry? A: Daniel Schreiber, CEO, emphasized that Lemonade's AI capabilities allow for better data utilization and risk assessment compared to traditional insurers. The company's digital infrastructure enables it to connect data points effectively, providing a competitive advantage in pricing and customer acquisition. Q: What percentage of new car sales are cross-sales from existing Lemonade customers? A: Tim Bixby, CFO, stated that about half of new car sales are cross-sales from existing customers, up from a third previously. This trend is expected to continue, leveraging Lemonade's existing customer base for more efficient growth. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


Business Insider
2 hours ago
- Business Insider
CEG, OKLO, and SMR Get Set to Power the AI Boom via Nuclear Energy
The nuclear energy sector is experiencing a resurgence unseen in decades, driven largely by its potential to power the burgeoning AI revolution. Major technology companies such as Meta (META), Microsoft (MSFT), and Alphabet (GOOGL) are competing to secure reliable energy sources for their expanding data centers, and nuclear power's clean, consistent output has positioned it as a key player in this race. Confident Investing Starts Here: Leading this revival are three companies—Constellation Energy (CEG), Oklo (OKLO), and NuScale Power (SMR) —each bringing a distinct approach to the nuclear landscape. Over the past year, all three have outperformed the market, capturing investor attention amid rising energy demand. Constellation Energy (NASDAQ:CEG) | The Nuclear Titan Locking in Tech Giants Constellation Energy is the 800-pound gorilla of U.S. nuclear power, and it's just landed a deal that's got everyone's attention. Just two days ago, CEG signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with Meta to deliver 1.1 gigawatts from its Clinton Clean Energy Center in Illinois, starting in 2027. This isn't an ordinary contract, but rather a lifeline for a plant that was on the verge of closure when its zero-emissions credits expire. The deal, which also boosts Clinton's output by 30 megawatts, underscores CEG's ability to secure tech giants. Microsoft is already on board with a Three Mile Island restart. What makes CEG a one-of-a-kind destination for tech titans is its scale. With 94 reactors across the U.S., they're a one-stop shop for tech companies chasing net-zero goals while powering AI workloads. Their shift away from co-located data center plans to grid-connected projects, as noted in last month's update, indicates they're adapting to regulatory hurdles, such as FERC's rejection of expanded co-location deals. Moreover, the Meta deal demonstrates that CEG can pivot and still secure massive contracts. Sure, their stock's run-up makes it a bit daunting to be bullish on today, but with AI data centers projected to eat up 9% of U.S. electricity by 2030, CEG's infrastructure could be a cash cow in waiting. Is Constellation Energy Stock a Good Buy? Currently, most analysts are bullish on CEG stock. The stock features a Moderate Buy consensus rating based on eight Buy and five Hold ratings assigned in the past three months. No analyst rates the stock a sell. CEG's average stock price target of $319.45 implies ~10% upside over the next twelve months, despite shares having already rallied 30% year-to-date. Oklo (NYSE:OKLO) | The Startup with a Nuclear Vision Oklo, the newest entrant in the nuclear energy space and backed by OpenAI's Sam Altman, is focused on small modular reactors (SMRs)—compact, flexible power plants ideally suited for data centers. The company's stock has surged 440% over the past year, fueled by high-profile agreements such as its December deal with Switch to supply 12 gigawatts through 2044. Additionally, a recent memorandum with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power to advance their 75-megawatt Aurora Powerhouse fast reactor has further accelerated momentum. While Oklo remains pre-revenue and is currently investing heavily in technology development, with commercial operations still several years away, its 'power-as-a-service' model—where the company builds, owns, and operates reactors—could revolutionize how data centers secure reliable power without significant upfront costs. Recent executive orders easing nuclear regulations have also provided a regulatory boost. However, significant risks remain, including ongoing R&D challenges and the high costs of scaling production. For investors who believe SMRs are key to powering the AI revolution, Oklo's long-term vision holds considerable promise. Is OKLO Stock a Good Buy? On Wall Street, Oklo stock carries a Moderate Buy consensus rating based on six Buy and three Hold ratings. No analyst rates the stock a sell. Oklo's average stock price target of $54.40 implies about 15% upside potential over the next twelve months. NuScale Power (NYSE:SMR) | The SMR Pioneer with a Head Start NuScale Power holds a distinct advantage as the first U.S. company to secure Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approval for its small modular reactor (SMR) design—the 77-megawatt VOYGR module. But the company isn't resting on this milestone; it is rapidly advancing a 2-gigawatt agreement with Standard Power to supply data centers in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Despite posting losses as it invests in expanding its supply chain, NuScale's Q1 report revealed an impressive 857% year-over-year revenue increase. The recent Meta-Constellation Energy deal also boosted NuScale's stock, signaling strong market confidence in its role in nuclear's resurgence. What distinguishes NuScale from its competitors is its pragmatic approach. Its light-water reactor technology is more established and less experimental than Oklo's fast reactors, making it a safer candidate for near-term deployment. However, supply chain constraints and complex project coordination remain significant challenges that could delay progress. Still, with tech giants like Google and Amazon entering SMR agreements, NuScale's first-mover advantage positions it well to meet growing energy demands. Its factory-built, modular design aligns perfectly with data centers' requirements for scalable, reliable power. Is NuScale Power a Good Stock to Buy? NuScale Power is currently covered by eight Wall Street analysts, who generally hold a bullish outlook. The stock carries a Moderate Buy consensus rating, reflecting five Buy ratings, two Holds, and one Sell over the past three months. However, SMR's average price target of $27.42 suggests approximately 12% downside potential over the next twelve months. Why Nuclear Energy Is the Smart Bet for AI's Future The resurgence of the nuclear sector is no coincidence, as the soaring energy demands of AI are reshaping the industry landscape. Constellation Energy (CEG) brings scale, Oklo (OKLO) leads with innovation, and NuScale Power (SMR) holds a regulatory advantage. Each faces its own challenges—CEG's stock trades at a premium valuation, Oklo is still managing significant cash burn, and NuScale navigates operational risks. Nevertheless, the potential upside is substantial. With tech giants committing to multi-gigawatt agreements and nuclear capacity projected to quadruple by 2050, these companies are at the forefront of a transformative energy revolution and merit close attention.