Abstract: NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) Nov. 3, 2008--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today that it has revised its outlook on the U.S. health insurance sector to negative from stable. This means that over the next 12-18 months, we expect the number of downgrades in the sector to exceed the number of upgrades. Aggressive pricing, unforeseen medical trend development, and slowing top-line growth that have driven performance shortfalls beyond our downside expectations. Overall, we believe the sector is feeling the strain of a slumping U.S. economy and more intense competitive pressure, which we expect to persist meaningfully into 2009. "We revised the outlook to reflect numerous companies' unfavorable operating results so far this year as well as the weaker economic

Brief Excerpt: RESEARCH Ratings Definitions Outlook On U.S. Health Insurance Sector Revised To Negative From Stable Publication date: 03-Nov-2008 Primary Credit Analyst: Joseph Marinucci, New York (1) 212-438-2012; joseph_marinucci@standardandpoors.com...

Report Type: News
Sector: Global Issuers, Health Care, Insurance
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S&P Credit Research provides analysis on issuers and debt obligations of corporations, states and municipalities, financial institutions, insurance companies and sovereign governments. S&P also offers insight into the credit risk of structured finance deals, providing an independent view of credit risk associated with a growing array of debt-securitized instruments.