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23.84 (1y: +95%)
Market Cap 4.58 B P/E(ttm) 10.20
Enterprise Value 5.41 B P/B 0.90
AGO- NYSE (USA)
Assured Guaranty Ltd
Not Rated
Top Ranked Predictable Companies
$23.84
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GuruFocus Financial Strength Rank measures how strong a companyÂ’s financial situation is. It is based on these factors

1. The debt burden that the company has as measured by its Interest coverage (current year).
2. Debt to revenue ratio. The lower, the better
3. Altman Z-score.

A company ranks high with financial strength is likely to withstand any business slowdowns and recessions.

Financial Strength : 4/10

vs
industry		 vs
history
Cash to Debt 0.165
AGO's Cash to Debt is ranked lower than
123% of the 30 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Specialty industry.

( Industry Median: 1.34 vs. AGO: 0.165 )
AGO' s 10-Year Cash to Debt Range
Min: 0.02   Max: No Debt
Current: 0.17
Equity to Asset 0.29
AGO's Equity to Asset is ranked higher than
53% of the 30 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Specialty industry.

( Industry Median: 0.22 vs. AGO: 0.29 )
AGO' s 10-Year Equity to Asset Range
Min: 0.19   Max: 0.59
Current: 0.29
0.19
0.59
Interest Coverage 1.4
AGO's Interest Coverage is ranked lower than
93% of the 30 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Specialty industry.

( Industry Median: 10000.00 vs. AGO: 1.4 )
AGO' s 10-Year Interest Coverage Range
Min: 1   Max: 44
Current: 1.4
1
44
F-Score: 4
Z-Score: 0.51
GuruFocus Profitability Rank ranks how profitable a company is and how likely the companyÂ’s business will stay that way. It is based on these factors:

1. Operating Margin
2. Trend of the Operating Margin (5-year average). The company with an uptrend profit margin has a higher rank.
••3. Consistency of the profitability
4. Piotroski F-Score
5. Predictability Rank•

The maximum rank is 10. A rank of 7 or higher means a higher profitability and may stay that way. A rank of 3 or lower indicates that the company has had trouble to make a profit.

Profitability Rank is not directly related to the Financial Strength Rank. But if a company is consistently profitable, its financial strength will be stronger.

Profitability & Growth : 5/10

vs
industry		 vs
history
Operating margin (%) 13.60
AGO's Operating margin (%) is ranked higher than
57% of the 30 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Specialty industry.

( Industry Median: 12.30 vs. AGO: 13.60 )
AGO' s 10-Year Operating margin (%) Range
Min: 13.6   Max: 146.8
Current: 13.6
13.6
146.8
Net-margin (%) 11.3
AGO's Net-margin (%) is ranked higher than
70% of the 30 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Specialty industry.

( Industry Median: 9.80 vs. AGO: 11.3 )
AGO' s 10-Year Net-margin (%) Range
Min: 10.5   Max: 101.3
Current: 11.3
10.5
101.3
ROE (%) 2.2
AGO's ROE (%) is ranked lower than
93% of the 30 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Specialty industry.

( Industry Median: 11.20 vs. AGO: 2.2 )
AGO' s 10-Year ROE (%) Range
Min: -18.2   Max: 16.4
Current: 2.2
-18.2
16.4
ROA (%) 0.6
AGO's ROA (%) is ranked lower than
83% of the 30 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Specialty industry.

( Industry Median: 2.40 vs. AGO: 0.6 )
AGO' s 10-Year ROA (%) Range
Min: -8   Max: 7.5
Current: 0.6
-8
7.5
Revenue Growth (%) -8.3
AGO's Revenue Growth (%) is ranked lower than
140% of the 30 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Specialty industry.

( Industry Median: 3.90 vs. AGO: -8.3 )
AGO' s 10-Year Revenue Growth (%) Range
Min: -10.8   Max: 19.8
Current: -8.3
-10.8
19.8
EBITDA Growth (%) -9.5
AGO's EBITDA Growth (%) is ranked lower than
140% of the 30 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Specialty industry.

( Industry Median: 29.35 vs. AGO: -9.5 )
AGO' s 10-Year EBITDA Growth (%) Range
Min: 0   Max: 45.1
Current: -9.5
0
45.1
EPS Growth (%) -6.6
AGO's EPS Growth (%) is ranked lower than
137% of the 30 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Specialty industry.

( Industry Median: 11.90 vs. AGO: -6.6 )
AGO' s 10-Year EPS Growth (%) Range
Min: -25.7   Max: 52.6
Current: -6.6
-25.7
52.6
» AGO's 10-Y Financials

Financials


Revenue & Net Income
Equity & Asset
Oprt. Cash Flow & Free Cash Flow

» Details

Guru Trades
Q2 2012

AGO Guru Trades in Q2 2012

Jim Simons 1,318,400 sh (New)
Bruce Kovner 250,000 sh (New)
Louis Moore Bacon 1,751,580 sh (+1651.58%)
Paul Tudor Jones 20,900 sh (+99.05%)
Diamond Hill Capital 8,905,549 sh (+35.95%)
Arnold Schneider 1,071,254 sh (+0.18%)
Wilbur Ross 19,835,370 sh (unchged)
Bruce Berkowitz 51,700 sh (unchged)
Columbia Wanger Sold Out
Chuck Royce 191,292 sh (-8.21%)
Steven Cohen 20,857 sh (-39.18%)
» More
Q3 2012

AGO Guru Trades in Q3 2012

Joel Greenblatt 18,448 sh (New)
Louis Moore Bacon 2,501,580 sh (+42.82%)
Steven Cohen 29,691 sh (+42.36%)
Chuck Royce 207,992 sh (+8.73%)
Arnold Schneider 1,077,901 sh (+0.62%)
Diamond Hill Capital 8,957,007 sh (+0.58%)
Bruce Berkowitz 51,700 sh (unchged)
Wilbur Ross 19,835,370 sh (unchged)
Paul Tudor Jones Sold Out
Jim Simons 1,076,500 sh (-18.35%)
Bruce Kovner 200,000 sh (-20%)
» More
Q4 2012

AGO Guru Trades in Q4 2012

Paul Tudor Jones 15,900 sh (New)
Bruce Kovner 500,000 sh (+150%)
Louis Moore Bacon 5,026,580 sh (+100.94%)
Chuck Royce 249,192 sh (+19.81%)
Diamond Hill Capital 9,133,976 sh (+1.98%)
Jim Simons 1,086,200 sh (+0.9%)
Wilbur Ross 19,835,370 sh (unchged)
Bruce Berkowitz 51,700 sh (unchged)
Steven Cohen Sold Out
Joel Greenblatt Sold Out
Arnold Schneider 939,491 sh (-12.84%)
» More
Q1 2013

AGO Guru Trades in Q1 2013

Bruce Kovner 1,349,931 sh (+169.99%)
Chuck Royce 636,992 sh (+155.62%)
Louis Moore Bacon 7,201,580 sh (+43.27%)
Wilbur Ross 19,835,370 sh (unchged)
Bruce Berkowitz 51,700 sh (unchged)
Paul Tudor Jones Sold Out
Arnold Schneider 929,051 sh (-1.11%)
Diamond Hill Capital 5,273,716 sh (-42.26%)
Jim Simons 81,800 sh (-92.47%)
» More
» Details

Insider Trades

Latest Guru Trades with AGO

GuruDate Trades Impact to Portfolio Price Range * (?) Current Price Change from Average Current Shares
Joel Greenblatt 2012-12-31 Sold Out 0.02%$12.62 - $14.65 $ 23.8471%0
Joel Greenblatt 2012-09-30 New Buy0.02%$11.31 - $15.53 $ 23.8481%18448
Joel Greenblatt 2012-03-31 Sold Out 0.02%$13.44 - $18.98 $ 23.8456%0
Wilbur Ross 2011-12-31 Add 14.19%2.27%$9.17 - $13.99 $ 23.8499%19835370
Joel Greenblatt 2011-12-31 New Buy0.02%$9.17 - $13.99 $ 23.8499%11470
George Soros 2011-12-31 Sold Out 0.0031%$9.17 - $13.99 $ 23.8499%0
Wilbur Ross 2011-09-30 Add 8.46%1.47%$9.93 - $16.86 $ 23.8482%17371186
Chuck Akre 2011-09-30 Sold Out 0.58%$9.93 - $16.86 $ 23.8482%0
Bruce Berkowitz 2011-09-30 Reduce -96.44%0.18%$9.93 - $16.86 $ 23.8482%51700
George Soros 2011-09-30 Reduce -28.45%$9.93 - $16.86 $ 23.8482%16600
Chuck Akre 2011-06-30 New Buy0.58%$14.17 - $17.83 $ 23.8448%200000
Bruce Berkowitz 2011-06-30 New Buy0.18%$14.17 - $17.83 $ 23.8448%1451600
George Soros 2011-06-30 Reduce -27.27%$14.17 - $17.83 $ 23.8448%23200
George Soros 2011-03-31 Reduce -52.03%0.01%$13.56 - $19.75 $ 23.8452%31900
George Soros 2010-12-31 New Buy0.02%$16.81 - $21.87 $ 23.8428%66500
John Keeley 2010-06-30 Sold Out $13.25 - $24.62 $ 23.8430%0
Premium More recent guru trades are included for Premium Members only!!

Guru Investment Theses on Assured Guaranty Ltd

Diamond Hill Capital Comments on Assured Guaranty Ltd - Oct 24, 2012

Municipal bond insurer Assured Guaranty Ltd. (AGO) reported better than expected second quarter earnings, driven by lower loss costs and strong investment returns, and repurchased 2 million of its shares at a large discount to book value. Despite strong results, the stock price continued to be volatile as investors anticipated a potential debt downgrade by Moody's scheduled to be completed by the end of October.

From Diamond Hill Capital's third quarter Select Fund Commentary.


Check out Diamond Hill Capital latest stock trades

Top Ranked Articles about Assured Guaranty Ltd

Diamond Hill Capital Comments on Assured Guaranty Ltd
October 24, 2012
Municipal bond insurer Assured Guaranty Ltd. (AGO) reported better than expected second quarter earnings, driven by lower loss costs and strong investment returns, and repurchased 2 million of its shares at a large discount to book value. Despite strong results, the stock price continued to be volatile as investors anticipated a potential debt downgrade by Moody's scheduled to be completed by the end of October. Read more...

Ratios

vs
industry		 vs
history
P/E(ttm) 10.20
AGO's P/E(ttm) is ranked lower than
51% of the 45 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Specialty industry.

( Industry Median: 10.10 vs. AGO: 10.20 )
AGO' s 10-Year P/E(ttm) Range
Min: 1.08   Max: 41.94
Current: 10.2
1.08
41.94
P/B 0.90
AGO's P/B is ranked lower than
80% of the 30 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Specialty industry.

( Industry Median: 1.10 vs. AGO: 0.90 )
AGO' s 10-Year P/B Range
Min: 0.16   Max: 1.37
Current: 0.9
0.16
1.37
P/S 3.98
AGO's P/S is ranked lower than
143% of the 30 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Specialty industry.

( Industry Median: 1.06 vs. AGO: 3.98 )
AGO' s 10-Year P/S Range
Min: 0.36   Max: 34.62
Current: 3.98
0.36
34.62
EV-to-EBIT 8.8
AGO's EV-to-EBIT is ranked lower than
73% of the 30 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Specialty industry.

( Industry Median: 8.60 vs. AGO: 8.8 )
AGO' s 10-Year EV-to-EBIT Range
Min: 1.5   Max: 42.7
Current: 8.8
1.5
42.7
PEG 2
AGO's PEG is ranked lower than
100% of the Companies
in the Global Insurance - Specialty industry.

( Industry Median: vs. AGO: 2 )
AGO' s 10-Year PEG Range
Min: 0   Max: 10.2
Current: 2
0
10.2
Shiller P/E 61.5
AGO's Shiller P/E is ranked lower than
150% of the 30 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Specialty industry.

( Industry Median: 8.95 vs. AGO: 61.5 )
AGO' s 10-Year Shiller P/E Range
Min: 3.07   Max: 62.6
Current: 61.5
3.07
62.6

Dividend & Buy Back

vs
industry		 vs
history
Dividend Yield 1.59
AGO's Dividend Yield is ranked lower than
90% of the 30 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Specialty industry.

( Industry Median: 2.70 vs. AGO: 1.59 )
AGO' s 10-Year Dividend Yield Range
Min: 0.17   Max: 4.93
Current: 1.59
0.17
4.93
Dividend Payout 0.1595
AGO's Dividend Payout is ranked lower than
140% of the 30 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Specialty industry.

( Industry Median: 0.13 vs. AGO: 0.1595 )
AGO' s 10-Year Dividend Payout Range
Min: 0.03   Max: 0.62
Current: 0.16
0.03
0.62
Dividend growth (3y) 18.9
AGO's Dividend growth (3y) is ranked higher than
93% of the 30 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Specialty industry.

( Industry Median: 5.70 vs. AGO: 18.9 )
AGO' s 10-Year Dividend growth (3y) Range
Min: 0   Max: 27.8
Current: 18.9
0
27.8
Yield on cost (5-Year) 3.20
AGO's Yield on cost (5-Year) is ranked lower than
60% of the 30 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Specialty industry.

( Industry Median: 2.70 vs. AGO: 3.20 )
AGO' s 10-Year Yield on cost (5-Year) Range
Min: 0.34   Max: 9.87
Current: 3.2
0.34
9.87
Share Buyback Rate -10.2
AGO's Share Buyback Rate is ranked lower than
143% of the 30 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Specialty industry.

( Industry Median: -1.10 vs. AGO: -10.2 )
AGO' s 10-Year Share Buyback Rate Range
Min: 2.4   Max: -29.1
Current: -10.2

Valuation & Return

vs
industry		 vs
history
Price/Net Current Asset Value 6.7
AGO's Price/Net Current Asset Value is ranked higher than
67% of the 30 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Specialty industry.

( Industry Median: 4.80 vs. AGO: 6.7 )
AGO' s 10-Year Price/Net Current Asset Value Range
Min: 2.9   Max: 94.8
Current: 6.7
2.9
94.8
Price/Tangible Book 0.9
AGO's Price/Tangible Book is ranked lower than
83% of the 30 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Specialty industry.

( Industry Median: 0.85 vs. AGO: 0.9 )
AGO' s 10-Year Price/Tangible Book Range
Min: 0.5   Max: 1.3
Current: 0.9
0.5
1.3
Price/DCF (Projected) 0.8
AGO's Price/DCF (Projected) is ranked lower than
77% of the 30 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Specialty industry.

( Industry Median: 0.50 vs. AGO: 0.8 )
AGO' s 10-Year Price/DCF (Projected) Range
Min: 0.4   Max: 0.9
Current: 0.8
0.4
0.9
Price/Median PS Value 1
AGO's Price/Median PS Value is ranked lower than
60% of the 30 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Specialty industry.

( Industry Median: 0.90 vs. AGO: 1 )
AGO' s 10-Year Price/Median PS Value Range
Min: 0.4   Max: 1.7
Current: 1
0.4
1.7
Price/Graham Number 1.3
AGO's Price/Graham Number is ranked higher than
53% of the 30 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Specialty industry.

( Industry Median: 0.50 vs. AGO: 1.3 )
AGO' s 10-Year Price/Graham Number Range
Min: 0.3   Max: 1
Current: 1.3
0.3
1
Earnings Yield (Greenblatt) 11.30
AGO's Earnings Yield (Greenblatt) is ranked higher than
93% of the 30 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Specialty industry.

( Industry Median: 11.30 vs. AGO: 11.30 )
AGO' s 10-Year Earnings Yield (Greenblatt) Range
Min: 2.3   Max: 68.9
Current: 11.3
2.3
68.9
Forward Rate of Return (Yacktman) 11.84
AGO's Forward Rate of Return (Yacktman) is ranked higher than
77% of the 30 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Specialty industry.

( Industry Median: 11.88 vs. AGO: 11.84 )
AGO' s 10-Year Forward Rate of Return (Yacktman) Range
Min: 5.1   Max: 37.2
Current: 11.84
5.1
37.2

Business Description

Assured Guaranty Ltd. was incorporated in Bermuda in August 2003. The Company operates as a holding company, which through its operating subsidiaries provides credit enhancement products to the public finance, structured finance and mortgage markets. It operates through wholly owned subsidiaries including Assured Guaranty US Holdings Inc., Assured Guaranty Re Ltd., and Assured Guaranty Finance Overseas Ltd. The Company's main operating subsidiaries are Assured Guaranty Corp. and AG Re. Assured Guaranty US Holdings Inc. provides insurance and reinsurance of investment-grade financial guaranty exposures and credit default swap transactions. AG Re and AGRO write business as direct reinsurers of third-party primary insurers and as reinsurers/retrocessionaires of certain affiliated companies. Under a reinsurance agreement, the reinsurer, in consideration of a premium paid to it, agrees to indemnify another insurer, called the ceding company, for part or all of the liability of the ceding company under one or more insurance policies that the ceding company has issued. AGFOL does not take risk in the transactions it arranges or places, and might not hold funds on behalf of its customers. Credit enhancement products are financial guaranty or other types of financial support, including credit derivatives that improve the credit of underlying debt obligations. A derivative is a financial instrument whose characteristics and value depend upon the characteristics and value of an underlying security or commodity. It applies its credit expertise, risk management skills and capital markets experience to develop insurance, reinsurance and derivative products that meet the credit enhancement needs of its customers. The Company's segments are: financial guaranty direct, financial guaranty reinsurance, mortgage guaranty and other. Financial guaranty direct insurance provides an unconditional and irrevocable guaranty that protects the holder of a financial obligation against non-payment of main and interest when due. Financial guaranty reinsurance indemnifies a primary insurance company against part of a loss that the latter might sustain under a policy that it has issued. The reinsurer might itself purchase reinsurance protection from other reinsurers, thereby reducing its own exposure. Mortgage guaranty insurance is a specialized class of credit insurance that provides protection to mortgage lending institutions against the default of borrowers on mortgage loans that, at the time of the advance, had a loan-to-value in excess of a specified ratio. It also participates in equity layer credit protection, trade credit reinsurance, title reinsurance, and auto residual value reinsurance. It markets its products directly and through financial institutions, serving the U.S. and international markets. The Company's main competitors in the financial guaranty direct market are Ambac Assurance Corporation, Berkshire Hathaway Assurance Corporation, Financial S
Company Website
Industry: Insurance - Specialty
Compare:SAXPY, MSADY, FNF, LCSHF, OB
Traded in other countries:DHU.Germany

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