The Travelers Cos. Inc.

The stable outlook reflects the group's excellent competitive position and robust capital adequacy underscored by strong operating earnings. S&P Global Ratings expects the group's operating performance to remain consistent with historical profitability within our base-case projections by maintaining at least a 4 point lead in its combined ratio relative to the industry. We also expect Travelers to maintain favorable operating performance relative to peers, reflecting its track record of disciplined underwriting and reserving. We could lower the ratings if capital adequacy weakens sustainably below our 'AAA' confidence level, if the group cannot maintain its historical levels of superior underwriting profitability, or if competitive position materially erodes. We are unlikely to raise our ratings in the next 24 months. An upgrade

...S&P Global Ratings expects Travelers Cos. Inc. will maintain a leading market presence in the U.S., providing the group with a well-balanced mix of diversified businesses. Travelers' maintains an excellent brand. Its strong standing in the independent agency distribution channels has enabled the company to maintain a strong market position in a number of lines and a diversified mix of commercial and personal lines. The company is the sixth-largest property/casualty (P/C) insurer in the U.S., with a top 10 market position (measured by direct premiums written) in several commercial lines. Commitment to maintaining extremely strong capital has always been one of Travelers' attributes. Traveler's capital strength is resilient, in our view. Its robust and time-tested balance sheet has withstood periods of heightened catastrophe activity and market uncertainty. In addition, the company continues to take steps to maintain capital strength, such as having proper catastrophe risk policies in place...

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