NEWS IN BRIEF; P/$ rate closes at P52.92 to $1.
The peso rate closed lower at P52.92 to the US dollar yesterday at the Philippine Dealing System of the Bankers Association of the Philippines from P52.84 the previous day. The weighted average rate depreciated to P52.916 from P52.84. Total volume amounted to $390.98 million. RP bond prices...

A tarnished giant spoils an industry party: despite stumbles, one analyst sees AIG making few concessions on pricing. Another suggests slower growth ahead as regulators limit companies' potential for profitability.
As regulators continue to shake skeletons out of American International Group Inc.'s closet and shareholders and customers hold their breath, analysts say the long-term implications are bound to affect the entire insurance industry. Little is certain about what the fallout will look like in the end, either...

Business briefs.
COLUMN: BUSINESS BRIEFS Telegram & Gazette Bloomberg Index Central Massachusetts +2.80 178.56 Volume: 171,572,170 Up: 13 Down: 10 Unchanged: 6 Gainer: Hanover Insurance Group Inc. $47.13 +$3.83 (Volume of 1.21 million...

Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co.
Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co. (DCR) in Chicago has created a Web site for users to follow company credit ratings. The site (www.dcrco.com/portfolio) allows the user to seek industry specific information. It will provide information on more than a dozen industries, including insurance. Users may download such information...

Fitch Ratings Withdraws Various Health Q-IFS Ratings.
HEALTH AND BEAUTY CLOSE-UP-6 July 2008-Fitch Ratings Withdraws Various Health Q-IFS Ratings(C)2008 - CloseUpMedia - newsdesk@closeupmedia.com Fitch Ratings has withdrawn its quantitative insurer financial strength (Q-IFS) ratings on Unison Family Health Plan of Pennsylvania and Unison Health Plan of Pennsylvania because the health insurance companies no longer...

Fitch Rates Anne Arundel Health System's (Maryland) $180MM Revs 'A-'; Outlook Stable.
HEALTH AND BEAUTY CLOSE-UP-29 June 2008-Fitch Rates Anne Arundel Health System's (Maryland) $180MM Revs 'A-'; Outlook Stable(C)2008 - CloseUpMedia - newsdesk@closeupmedia.com Fitch Ratings on Monday assigned an 'A-' underlying rating to approximately $180 million Maryland Health and Higher Educational Facilities Authority (MHHEFA) (Anne Arundel Health System Issue)...

Fitch Confirms Hospital Sisters Services - Obligated Group, 2003A at 'AAA'; Assigns 'F1+'.
HEALTH AND BEAUTY CLOSE-UP-18 June 2008-Fitch Confirms Hospital Sisters Services - Obligated Group, 2003A at 'AAA'; Assigns 'F1+'(C)2008 - CloseUpMedia - newsdesk@closeupmedia.com Effective June 17, Fitch Ratings will confirm the 'AAA' long-term rating and assign an 'F1+' short-term rating to $65,550,000 Illinois Finance Authority, revenue bonds, (Hospital...

Fitch Confirms Hospital Sisters Services-Obligated Grp (WI), 2007B-1 & B-2 at 'AAA'; Assigns 'F1+'.
HEALTH AND BEAUTY CLOSE-UP-18 June 2008-Fitch Confirms Hospital Sisters Services-Obligated Grp (WI), 2007B-1 & B-2 at 'AAA'; Assigns 'F1+'(C)2008 - CloseUpMedia - newsdesk@closeupmedia.com Effective June 17, Fitch Ratings will confirm the 'AAA' long-term ratings and assign 'F1+' short-term ratings to $118,050,000 Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority,...

Fitch Affirms The William W. Backus Hospital Revenue Bonds 'A+'; Stable Outlook.
HEALTH AND BEAUTY CLOSE-UP-18 June 2008-Fitch Affirms The William W. Backus Hospital Revenue Bonds 'A+'; Stable Outlook(C)2008 - CloseUpMedia - newsdesk@closeupmedia.com Fitch Ratings has affirmed the underlying rating of 'A+' to Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority's series F refunding revenue bonds issued on behalf of The...

Fitch Confirms 'AAA' & Assigns 'F1+' Rating to Hospital Sisters Services Series 2007C.
HEALTH AND BEAUTY CLOSE-UP-18 June 2008-Fitch Confirms 'AAA' & Assigns 'F1+' Rating to Hospital Sisters Services Series 2007C(C)2008 - CloseUpMedia - newsdesk@closeupmedia.com Effective June 17, Fitch Ratings will confirm the 'AAA' long-term rating and assign an 'F1+' short-term rating to $100,425,000 Illinois Finance Authority, revenue bonds, (Hospital...