Fitch Ratings today published its Quantitative Insurer Financial Strength Ratings Methodology, outlining the criteria for Q-IFS ratings to be awarded to insurance companies over the next few weeks.

The methodology helps make the ratings system more rigorous and more transparent, the agency said.

The expanded methodology includes details of the beta assumptions in the cost of equity calculations, investment return assumptions and the weightings applied to the various rating modules over a five-year trend analysis.

The company also published a market feedback report, with details of questions raised during the consultation process and the companies responses.