Cigna's Notes Get Rated

Cigna Corp.’s (CI - Analyst Report) preferred stock and junior subordinated debt, under the new shelf registration, has been conferred an investment grade rating by A.M. Best. The company’s senior unsecured debt and subordinated debt has been bestowed with “bbb” and “bb-” ratings, respectively, whereas its preferred stock was assigned with “bb+” rating.

All the ratings carry a stable outlook, which implies that Cigna is experiencing stable financial and market trends. Moreover, it indicates that the company’s ratings are less likely to change over an intermediate period.

While providing the new rating, the rating agency has withdrawn the earlier rating on previous shelf registration, since the registration had expired.

A.M. Best acknowledged Cigna’s solid operating performance in its health care segment.

The rating agency is also positive on Cigna’s differentiated product segments –commercial fully insured (11% of earnings), experience rated members (8%) and administrative services only (ASO) (81%).

Cigna’s significant international business also motivated A.M. Best to provide favorable rating to the company. The rating agency views Cigna’s expansion in the key Asian (China, Korea, India) and European regions as a future growth driver. International business has historically delivered double-digit revenue and earnings growth besides very attractive margins and capital efficiency.

Moreover, a strong balance sheet along with strong capital position has enabled the company to make strategic growth initiatives, both internally as well as externally.

Nevertheless, Cigna’s debt ratio has increased recently since it needed enough funds to finance the HeallthSpring acquisition. A.M. Best is confident that the company will be able to reduce its debt burden gradually over the time to more moderate levels.

Recently, A.M. Best assigned debt ratings of “bbb+” with a stable outlook to senior unsecured notes issued by Aetna Inc. (AET - Analyst Report). Aetna closely competes with Cigna.

Cigna currently retains a Zacks #2 Rank, which translates into a short-term Buy rating. We, however, maintain our long-term “Neutral” recommendation on its shares.