A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of A plus (superior) of Bermuda-based IPCRe Group and its affiliated companies adding that the rating outlook is stable.

The company said yesterday that the rating reflects IPCRe?s superior risk-adjusted capitalisation, excellent historical earnings and well established market presence within the global property catastrophe reinsurance market.

?The rating also acknowledges IPCRe?s highly experienced management team, prudent risk management strategies and customer-oriented focus,? said a news release issued by the well-respected US ratings agency.

?Due to its strong exposure management, the company has withstood volatility in operating performance, stemming from high severity catastrophic activity from 1998 through 2001.?

It said that more recently, IPCRe?s performance has been superior, benefiting from a lack of major catastrophic events, improved reinsurance pricing, tighter contract terms and continued conservative risk management.

?To minimise impacts from catastrophic events, IPCRe management carefully monitors aggregate accumulations with the maximum allowable exposure in any single geographic zone limited to a pre-set percentage of capital established by its board of directors? said the A.M. Best report. ?This capital-based limits approach diversifies the company?s exposure around the world and achieves an optimal spread of risk.?

A.M. Best said the rating also considers the advantages IPCRe gets through strategic relationships with affiliates of its original sponsor and largest shareholder, American International Group Inc (AIG). AIG affiliates provide administrative and back office functions in addition to investment portfolio management services.

But it said that partially offsetting these positive rating factors is the increasing availability of reinsurance capacity in the property catastrophe reinsurance market and IPCRe?s concentrated risk profile, which may pressure future operating performance. ?These concerns are mitigated by IPCRe?s unencumbered balance sheet, supported by an investment portfolio with over $1.6 billion of invested assets that are conservatively managed to ensure adequate liquidity and preservation of capital,? said A.M. Best.