
NEW YORK, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Prudential Financial Inc. has the riskiest investment portfolio, including subprime exposure, among life insurers, while MetLife Inc. and Genworth Financial Inc. should be closely monitored, Citigroup analyst Colin Devine said in a report on Monday.
Devine said Prudential's <PRU.N> portfolio had the greatest exposure to high-risk assets at 13.8 percent, with MetLife <MET.N> close behind at 13.6 percent. Genworth <GNW.N> followed with 9 percent, he said.
The average level of high-risk assets for life insurers as a percentage of total investments was 7.8 percent for 15 publicly traded life insurers, Devine said.
The Citigroup analyst defined high risk as below investment grade bonds, equities, real estate and other partnerships and joint ventures.
Prudential and MetLife officials could not be reached for comment immediately.
"Our investment portfolio is largely fixed income, with only 4 percent below investment grade with very limited exposure to equities, and no exposure to exotic structured products," said Tom Topinka, a Genworth spokesman.
Shares of all three stocks closed up Monday, along with the Standard & Poor's insurance index <.GSPINSC>, which ended up 0.26 percent at 371.51.
Overall, Devine said, life insurers' investment portfolios "appear to be in good shape," but said investors should watch the companies with higher exposures.
He said the risk in Prudential's closed block of policies, which are no longer sold but still on the books, was much higher than its regular investments.
Estimates of total losses on subprime mortgages range from $55 billion to as much as $100 billion, according to analysts. Analysts and investors worry because many of them are securitized and held in collateralized debt obligations (CDOs) whose terms are not transparent. (Reporting by Ed Leefeldt)
NEW YORK, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Prudential Financial Inc. has the riskiest investment portfolio, including subprime exposure, among life insurers, while MetLife Inc. and Genworth Financial Inc. should be closely monitored, Citigroup analyst Colin Devine said in a report on Monday.
Devine said Prudential's <PRU.N> portfolio had the greatest exposure to high-risk assets at 13.8 percent, with MetLife <MET.N> close behind at 13.6 percent. Genworth <GNW.N> followed with 9 percent, he said.
The average level of high-risk assets for life insurers as a percentage of total investments was 7.8 percent for 15 publicly traded life insurers, Devine said.
The Citigroup analyst defined high risk as below investment grade bonds, equities, real estate and other partnerships and joint ventures.
Prudential and MetLife officials could not be reached for comment immediately.
"Our investment portfolio is largely fixed income, with only 4 percent below investment grade with very limited exposure to equities, and no exposure to exotic structured products," said Tom Topinka, a Genworth spokesman.
Shares of all three stocks closed up Monday, along with the Standard & Poor's insurance index <.GSPINSC>, which ended up 0.26 percent at 371.51.
Overall, Devine said, life insurers' investment portfolios "appear to be in good shape," but said investors should watch the companies with higher exposures.
He said the risk in Prudential's closed block of policies, which are no longer sold but still on the books, was much higher than its regular investments.
Estimates of total losses on subprime mortgages range from $55 billion to as much as $100 billion, according to analysts. Analysts and investors worry because many of them are securitized and held in collateralized debt obligations (CDOs) whose terms are not transparent. (Reporting by Ed Leefeldt)
is this greenpoint out of brooklyn?
Greenpoint Bank i mean
capital one shut down their wholesale mortgage dept after the mkt closed today
Their wholesale department is Greenpoint. they bought them ou just this last December......for something like 13 billion: OUCH.
Here is the press release:
https://www.greenpointmortgage.com/docs/CP/2227/press_release.pdf
is this greenpoint out of brooklyn?
Greenpoint Bank i mean
capital one shut down their wholesale mortgage dept after the mkt closed today
Their wholesale department is Greenpoint. they bought them ou just this last December......for something like 13 billion: OUCH.
Here is the press release:
https://www.greenpointmortgage.com/docs/CP/2227/press_release.pdf
If you choose to make use of any information on this website including online sports betting services from any websites that may be featured on this website, we strongly recommend that you carefully check your local laws before doing so.It is your sole responsibility to understand your local laws and observe them strictly.Covers does not provide any advice or guidance as to the legality of online sports betting or other online gambling activities within your jurisdiction and you are responsible for complying with laws that are applicable to you in your relevant locality.Covers disclaims all liability associated with your use of this website and use of any information contained on it.As a condition of using this website, you agree to hold the owner of this website harmless from any claims arising from your use of any services on any third party website that may be featured by Covers.