AIG may be able to repay the U.S. after all, Moody's now says

Just how much taxpayers will recoup of the $700 billion set aside last fall to bolster companies hard hit by the credit crisis has been a matter of debate for more than a year. And because American International Group (AIG), the deeply troubled insurer that's 80%-owned by the U.S. government, has received such a big bailout, it has frequently been in the center of that debate.

Surprisingly, however, Moody's Investors Service (MCO) now says AIG may be able to pay back much more of that government aid than first thought. In fact, the credit-rating firm said in a report Tuesday that AIG will probably be able to repay all of the more than $180 billion it has received from taxpayers as well as buy back the government's stake in the company.