LONDON (Standard&Poor's) Nov. 6, 2013--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today that it has assigned its preliminary 'BBB+' senior debt, preliminary 'BBB' subordinated debt, and preliminary 'BBB-' preferred stock ratings to Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd.'s (Aspen) recently filed universal shelf registration program. We are also assigning a rating of 'BBB+' to the proposed $300 million senior debt issuance under the program. The universal shelf program has replaced a previous shelf program, which was registered in December 2010. This program maintains the group's flexibility to issue securities quickly. Following the planned $300 million senior debt issuance, Aspen's debt leverage and coverage ratios will remain consistent with the current rating level. After a repurchase of nearly $296 million through Oct.
