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CNA Financial Corporation (CNA - Free Report) announced the pricing of $500 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes. The notes carry an interest rate of 2.050% and are scheduled to mature on Aug 15, 2030.
The company plans to deploy the net proceeds to repurchase, redeem, repay or otherwise retire the $400 million outstanding aggregate principal balance of its 5.750% senior notes due Aug 15, 2021. The remaining, if any, may be used for general corporate purposes and further investments in short-term interest-bearing securities.
The company displayed prudence by issuing senior notes amid a low interest rate environment to procure funds and enhance financial flexibility without affecting liquidity. As of Jun 30, 2020 CNA Financial’s cash balance more than doubled to $586 million from 2019 end level.
By capitalizing on the low interest rate environment, the company is also attempting to reduce its interest burden, thus facilitating margin expansion. Also, the company’s operational strength should enable it to service debt uninterruptedly, thereby maintaining the stock’s creditworthiness.
However, with the new issuance, interest expense will increase. But we still believe that the company is in a strong position to clear debts, banking on operational efficiencies.
As of Jun 30, 2020, total debt of the company was about $1.1 billion, up 3.9% from 2019 end. Though the debt-to-equity ratio of 23 deteriorated 110 basis points, it was better than the industry average of 27.9. However, the latest offering will increase the debt-to-equity ratio by 430 basis points.
Though its times interest earned ratio, indicating if the company will be able to meet current obligations in the near future without any difficulties, contracted 330 basis points year over year to 5.4 in the second quarter of 2020, it is still better than the industry average of 4.4.
CNA Financial maintains a conservative capital structure for the low leverage ratio and a well-balanced debt maturity schedule. The company stated that its capital adequacy and credit metrics remained above the target levels at second-quarter end, supporting credit ratings.
Shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) property and casualty insurer have lost 23.4% year to date compared with the industry’s decline of 7.6%.
Recently, MGIC Investment Corporation (MTG - Free Report) issued $650 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.250% senior notes due 2028 to capitalize on the low interest rate environment.
Allstate delivered earnings surprise of 74.47% in the last reported quarter.
RLI Corp delivered earnings surprise of 71.11% in the last reported quarter.
These Stocks Are Poised to Soar Past the Pandemic
The COVID-19 outbreak has shifted consumer behavior dramatically, and a handful of high-tech companies have stepped up to keep America running. Right now, investors in these companies have a shot at serious profits. For example, Zoom jumped 108.5% in less than 4 months while most other stocks were sinking.
Our research shows that 5 cutting-edge stocks could skyrocket from the exponential increase in demand for “stay at home” technologies. This could be one of the biggest buying opportunities of this decade, especially for those who get in early.
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CNA Financial Offers 2.050% $500M Senior Unsecured Notes
CNA Financial Corporation (CNA - Free Report) announced the pricing of $500 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes. The notes carry an interest rate of 2.050% and are scheduled to mature on Aug 15, 2030.
The company plans to deploy the net proceeds to repurchase, redeem, repay or otherwise retire the $400 million outstanding aggregate principal balance of its 5.750% senior notes due Aug 15, 2021. The remaining, if any, may be used for general corporate purposes and further investments in short-term interest-bearing securities.
The company displayed prudence by issuing senior notes amid a low interest rate environment to procure funds and enhance financial flexibility without affecting liquidity. As of Jun 30, 2020 CNA Financial’s cash balance more than doubled to $586 million from 2019 end level.
By capitalizing on the low interest rate environment, the company is also attempting to reduce its interest burden, thus facilitating margin expansion. Also, the company’s operational strength should enable it to service debt uninterruptedly, thereby maintaining the stock’s creditworthiness.
However, with the new issuance, interest expense will increase. But we still believe that the company is in a strong position to clear debts, banking on operational efficiencies.
As of Jun 30, 2020, total debt of the company was about $1.1 billion, up 3.9% from 2019 end. Though the debt-to-equity ratio of 23 deteriorated 110 basis points, it was better than the industry average of 27.9. However, the latest offering will increase the debt-to-equity ratio by 430 basis points.
Though its times interest earned ratio, indicating if the company will be able to meet current obligations in the near future without any difficulties, contracted 330 basis points year over year to 5.4 in the second quarter of 2020, it is still better than the industry average of 4.4.
CNA Financial maintains a conservative capital structure for the low leverage ratio and a well-balanced debt maturity schedule. The company stated that its capital adequacy and credit metrics remained above the target levels at second-quarter end, supporting credit ratings.
Shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) property and casualty insurer have lost 23.4% year to date compared with the industry’s decline of 7.6%.
Recently, MGIC Investment Corporation (MTG - Free Report) issued $650 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.250% senior notes due 2028 to capitalize on the low interest rate environment.
Stocks to Consider
Some better-ranked stocks from the same space are The Allstate Corporation (ALL - Free Report) and RLI Corp (RLI - Free Report) , both sporting Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Allstate delivered earnings surprise of 74.47% in the last reported quarter.
RLI Corp delivered earnings surprise of 71.11% in the last reported quarter.
These Stocks Are Poised to Soar Past the Pandemic
The COVID-19 outbreak has shifted consumer behavior dramatically, and a handful of high-tech companies have stepped up to keep America running. Right now, investors in these companies have a shot at serious profits. For example, Zoom jumped 108.5% in less than 4 months while most other stocks were sinking.
Our research shows that 5 cutting-edge stocks could skyrocket from the exponential increase in demand for “stay at home” technologies. This could be one of the biggest buying opportunities of this decade, especially for those who get in early.
See the 5 high-tech stocks now>>