AM Best Withdraws Issue Credit Ratings for American Equity Investment Life Holding Company

BY Business Wire | CORPORATE | 12/04/24 02:59 PM EST

OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has withdrawn the Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings (Long-Term IRs) of ?bbb-? (Good) on $500 million, 5% senior unsecured notes, due 2027; ?bb? (Fair) on $300 million, 6.625% perpetual, non-cumulative preferred stock; and ?bb? (Fair) on $400 million, 5.95% perpetual, non-cumulative preferred stock of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (AEL) (Iowa), as the company has requested to no longer participate in AM Best?s interactive rating process.

At the time of the withdrawal, the Long-Term IRs were under review with developing implications. AM Best maintained the under-review status on these Long-Term IRs on Nov. 27, 2024 (see related press release). This serves as AM Best?s final rating update for AEL.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best?s website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best?s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best?s Credit Ratings, Best?s Performance Assessments, Best?s Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best?s Ratings & Assessments.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright ? 2024 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Source: AM Best

In general the bond market is volatile, and fixed income securities carry interest rate risk. (As interest rates rise, bond prices usually fall, and vice versa. This effect is usually more pronounced for longer-term securities.) Fixed income securities also carry inflation risk and credit and default risks for both issuers and counterparties. Unlike individual bonds, most bond funds do not have a maturity date, so avoiding losses caused by price volatility by holding them until maturity is not possible.

Lower-quality debt securities generally offer higher yields, but also involve greater risk of default or price changes due to potential changes in the credit quality of the issuer. Any fixed income security sold or redeemed prior to maturity may be subject to loss.

Before investing, consider the funds' investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. Contact Fidelity for a prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus containing this information. Read it carefully.

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