On Oct 22, 2004, Standard&Poor's Ratings Services affirmed its 'BBB+' counterparty credit rating on Unitrin Inc. (NYSE:UTR). At the same time, Standard&Poor's affirmed its 'A+' counterparty credit and financial strength ratings on Unitrin's life and health subsidiaries and its 'A' counterparty credit and financial strength ratings on Unitrin's property/casualty subsidiaries. In addition, Standard&Poor's revised its outlook on the property/casualty subsidiaries to stable from negative. The outlook on the holding company and the life and health subsidiaries remains stable. The rating reflects the group's strong, improved, and balanced earnings; strong diversified business position; very strong holding-company liquidity; and conservative balance sheet. Offsetting these strengths is the company's continued, though diminished, concentrations in equity holdings. The
