Bond insurers boosted by upbeat report

MBIA Inc. and Ambac Financial Group Inc. rallied in early trading following a positive report from Standard and Poor’s.
AUG 15, 2008
Shares of insurers MBIA Inc. and Ambac Financial Group Inc. rallied in early trading today following a positive report from ratings agency Standard and Poor’s. New York-based Ambac opened at $5.70, the highest level so far of the day. Meanwhile, its Armonk, N.Y.-based rival MBIA kicked off Friday at $11.12 per share, rising to $11.34 within a few minutes. The stock price jumps followed an announcement yesterday from New York-based S&P that New York-based bond insurers MBIA Insurance Corp. and Ambac Assurance Corp. are maintaining their AA ratings. Capital levels are “well above the level required for an AA rating” at MBIA Insurance, while Ambac Assurance’s attempts to cancel coverage on mortgage-related debt are “starting to bear fruit,” according to S&P. Nevertheless, the outlook on both companies’ ratings, which were slashed from AAA in June, remains negative.

Latest News

Stratos Wealth Holdings closes 11 acquisitions in push for advisory scale
Stratos Wealth Holdings closes 11 acquisitions in push for advisory scale

RIA aggregator adds $4.8 billion in client assets across seven states as demand grows for alternatives to traditional succession models.

Beyond wealth management: Why the future of advice is becoming more human
Beyond wealth management: Why the future of advice is becoming more human

As technical expertise becomes increasingly commoditized, advisors who can integrate strategy, relationships, and specialized expertise into a cohesive client experience will define the next era of wealth management

Shareholder sues FS KKR Capital board, alleges NAV and dividend cover-up
Shareholder sues FS KKR Capital board, alleges NAV and dividend cover-up

Shareholder targets FS KKR Capital's directors over alleged portfolio valuation and dividend missteps.

UBS loses $1.2 million arbitration claim linked to variable annuities and margin
UBS loses $1.2 million arbitration claim linked to variable annuities and margin

UBS has a history of costly litigation stemming from the sale of volatile investment products.

'We are monitoring the situation,' SEC says of private funds
'We are monitoring the situation,' SEC says of private funds

New director David Woodcock puts firms on notice over fees, conflicts, and liquidity risk as private credit shows signs of stress.

SPONSORED Beyond wealth management: Why the future of advice is becoming more human

As technical expertise becomes increasingly commoditized, advisors who can integrate strategy, relationships, and specialized expertise into a cohesive client experience will define the next era of wealth management

SPONSORED Durability over scale: What actually defines a great advisory firm

Growth may get the headlines, but in my experience, longevity is earned through structure, culture, and discipline