...- Aretec Group Inc. meaningfully improved its operating performance in 2018 with 29% growth in adjusted EBITDA and 15% growth in net revenues. - The company has announced a proposed $105 million incremental first-lien issuance primarily to purchase select assets of the broker-dealer arm of Foresters Financial. - As a result, we have raised our issuer credit rating on Aretec Group to 'B' from 'B-'. At the same time, we raised our rating on the company's first-lien debt, including the proposed incremental $105 million issuance, to 'B' from 'B-' and on the second-lien to '###+' from '###'. - The stable outlook reflects our belief that over the next 12 months Aretec Group will continue to grow its EBITDA and net revenues while maintaining adequate covenant cushions. Further, we expect the company will maintain its improved adviser retention rates and continue to limit its exposure to market and credit risks....
