OREANDA-NEWS. July 7, 2011. The rating increase is due to the continued improvement in capitalization and competitive position of OJSC SOGAZ in Russia. Additionally, the ratings reflect the ongoing support and, according to the analysts of the agency, existing possibility of "emergency support from OJSC Gazprom (BBB/Stable/A-2), a world leader in gas production, with which SOGAZ has strong business ties.

"In our opinion, the capitalization of SOGAZ is rising, and we expect that in the medium term it will be on a sufficient level. The reasons for this are appropriate and risk-adjusted capital adequacy, adequate reserves and the reasonable use of reinsurance protection," said S&P analysts.

The agency's report also stressed that the necessary conditions for a positive rating action in the future will become the improvement of the quality of SOGAZ’s investments and (in line with S&P estimates) reduction of the sector and country risks faced by the company.

"We are certainly pleased that the company's rating has risen to investment grade," said Sergei Ivanov, Chairman of SOGAZ’s Management Board. "Financial stability and reliability are the key advantages of SOGAZ. The assets, insurance reserves and own funds of the company have grown fivefold since 2005, while the earnings before tax grew two and a half times. By the end of 2010 the financial stability margin increased from 7 billion roubles to 11 billion roubles, which far exceeds regulatory authorities' requirements."

S&P assigned a rating to SOGAZ in 2008 for the first time. In May last year it was promoted to BB+ (forecast "stable").

SOGAZ Insurance Group includes insurance companies OJSC SOGAZ, LLC IC SOGAZ-Agro, OJSC IC SOGAZ-MED, LLC IC SOGAZ-LIFE, IC SOGAZ-SHEKSNA, LLC MSC Sheksna-M, asset management company CJSC Leader and the service medical company LLC Gazprommedservice. At present the Group's regional network includes over 600 division and sales offices throughout Russia, as well as representative office in the Republic of Kazakhstan. SOGAZ has the highest rating of A++, assigned by Expert RA, the international financial strength ratings assigned by Standard&Poor's (BBB-, forecast "stable") and Fitch Ratings (BB+, forecast "stable").