Assured Guaranty Corp.'s AAA financial strength and financial enhancement ratings have been affirmed by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services (S&P).

The Bermuda-based holding company which provides credit enhancement products to the municipal finance, structured finance and mortgage markets, is one of only three companies to maintain its triple A rating with a stable outlook, while many other businesses are seeing their ratings slashed by ratings agencies.

The company, of which a 13.4 percent stake worth $1 billion is owned by investor and steel magnate Wilbur Ross' investment firm WL Ross & Co., kept its high ratings despite posting a $169.2 million loss as the mortgage-linked securities it guarantees fell in value during the first quarter of this year. "Relative to a year ago when the company was at a trading value disadvantage compared with the major primary companies, Assured's successful negotiation of the non-prime RMBS situation has resulted in trading value improvement and affirmation of its rating," said Robert Green, an S&P credit analyst.

The outlook is stable which is supported strong capitalisation, a favorable market position, and conservative investment policy.

Only Assured, Financial Security Assurance Inc., and Berkshire Hathaway Assurance Corp. have AAA ratings with stable outlooks