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Watchlist
Account
American Financial Group
AFG
#1934
Rank
$10.75 B
Marketcap
๐บ๐ธ
United States
Country
$128.95
Share price
1.14%
Change (1 day)
7.60%
Change (1 year)
๐ฆ Insurance
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Annual Reports (10-K)
American Financial Group
Quarterly Reports (10-Q)
Financial Year FY2013 Q3
American Financial Group - 10-Q quarterly report FY2013 Q3
Text size:
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______________________________________________________________________________________________________
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2013
Commission File No. 1-13653
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
Incorporated under the Laws of Ohio
IRS Employer I.D. No. 31-1544320
301 East Fourth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
(513) 579-2121
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes
þ
No
¨
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes
þ
No
¨
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company:
Large Accelerated Filer
þ
Accelerated Filer
¨
Non-Accelerated Filer
¨
Smaller Reporting Company
¨
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company. Yes
¨
No
þ
As of
November 1, 2013
, there were
89,365,096
shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock outstanding, excluding
14.9 million
shares owned by subsidiaries.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Part I — Financial Information
Item 1 — Financial Statements:
Consolidated Balance Sheet
2
Consolidated Statement of Earnings
3
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
4
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
5
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
7
Item 2 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
30
Item 3 — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure of Market Risk
78
Item 4 — Controls and Procedures
78
Part II — Other Information
Item 2 — Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
78
Item 6 — Exhibits
79
Signature
79
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
PART I
ITEM I — FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in Millions)
September 30,
2013
December 31,
2012
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
1,331
$
1,705
Investments:
Fixed maturities, available for sale at fair value (amortized cost — $24,436 and $22,083)
25,674
24,118
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value
290
321
Equity securities, at fair value (cost — $956 and $778)
1,143
939
Mortgage loans
611
607
Policy loans
240
228
Real estate and other investments
632
531
Total cash and investments
29,921
28,449
Recoverables from reinsurers
3,138
3,750
Prepaid reinsurance premiums
662
471
Agents’ balances and premiums receivable
801
636
Deferred policy acquisition costs
867
550
Assets of managed investment entities
2,779
3,225
Other receivables
1,078
539
Variable annuity assets (separate accounts)
629
580
Other assets
887
786
Goodwill
185
185
Total assets
$
40,947
$
39,171
Liabilities and Equity:
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
$
6,441
$
6,845
Unearned premiums
2,047
1,651
Annuity benefits accumulated
19,785
17,609
Life, accident and health reserves
2,011
2,059
Payable to reinsurers
601
475
Liabilities of managed investment entities
2,429
2,892
Long-term debt
913
953
Variable annuity liabilities (separate accounts)
629
580
Other liabilities
1,381
1,359
Total liabilities
36,237
34,423
Shareholders’ equity:
Common Stock, no par value
— 200,000,000 shares authorized
— 89,223,607 and 88,979,303 shares outstanding
89
89
Capital surplus
1,109
1,063
Retained earnings:
Appropriated — managed investment entities
45
75
Unappropriated
2,729
2,520
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax
570
831
Total shareholders’ equity
4,542
4,578
Noncontrolling interests
168
170
Total equity
4,710
4,748
Total liabilities and equity
$
40,947
$
39,171
2
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS (UNAUDITED)
(In Millions, Except Per Share Data)
Three months ended September 30,
Nine months ended September 30,
2013
2012
2013
2012
Revenues:
Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums
$
949
$
848
$
2,345
$
2,091
Life, accident and health net earned premiums
29
80
87
290
Net investment income
338
326
996
972
Realized gains on:
Securities (*)
56
85
154
145
Subsidiaries
—
156
—
155
Income (loss) of managed investment entities:
Investment income
32
31
98
92
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities
15
(13
)
(21
)
(63
)
Other income
24
25
71
67
Total revenues
1,443
1,538
3,730
3,749
Costs and Expenses:
Property and casualty insurance:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
680
610
1,503
1,317
Commissions and other underwriting expenses
261
254
772
697
Annuity benefits
140
140
394
417
Life, accident and health benefits
42
66
120
238
Annuity and supplemental insurance acquisition expenses
40
46
128
138
Interest charges on borrowed money
18
19
54
57
Expenses of managed investment entities
22
19
68
58
Other expenses
98
99
248
260
Total costs and expenses
1,301
1,253
3,287
3,182
Earnings before income taxes
142
285
443
567
Provision for income taxes
44
74
155
184
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests
98
211
288
383
Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
15
(15
)
(25
)
(55
)
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders
$
83
$
226
$
313
$
438
Earnings Attributable to Shareholders per Common Share:
Basic
$
.94
$
2.43
$
3.51
$
4.58
Diluted
$
.92
$
2.39
$
3.44
$
4.50
Average number of Common Shares:
Basic
89.1
92.9
89.4
95.7
Diluted
91.0
94.6
91.2
97.4
Cash dividends per Common Share
$
0.195
$
0.175
$
0.585
$
0.525
________________________________________
(*) Consists of the following:
Realized gains before impairments
$
61
$
93
$
160
$
164
Losses on securities with impairment
(5
)
(8
)
(6
)
(20
)
Non-credit portion recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)
—
—
—
1
Impairment charges recognized in earnings
(5
)
(8
)
(6
)
(19
)
Total realized gains on securities
$
56
$
85
$
154
$
145
3
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(In Millions)
Three months ended September 30,
Nine months ended September 30,
2013
2012
2013
2012
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests
$
98
$
211
$
288
$
383
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on securities arising during the period
4
228
(162
)
464
Reclassification adjustment for realized gains included in net earnings
(36
)
(56
)
(99
)
(96
)
Reclassification adjustment for unrealized gains of subsidiaries sold
—
(18
)
—
(18
)
Total net unrealized gains (losses) on securities
(32
)
154
(261
)
350
Foreign currency translation adjustments
3
10
(6
)
9
Pension and other postretirement plans adjustments
—
—
—
1
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
(29
)
164
(267
)
360
Total comprehensive income, net of tax
69
375
21
743
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
15
(10
)
(31
)
(47
)
Comprehensive income attributable to shareholders
$
54
$
385
$
52
$
790
4
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in Millions)
Shareholders’ Equity
Common
Common Stock
and Capital
Retained Earnings
Accumulated
Other Comp
Noncon-
trolling
Total
Shares
Surplus
Approp.
Unapprop.
Inc. (Loss)
Total
Interests
Equity
Balance at December 31, 2012
88,979,303
$
1,152
$
75
$
2,520
$
831
$
4,578
$
170
$
4,748
Net earnings
—
—
—
313
—
313
(25
)
288
Other comprehensive income
—
—
—
—
(261
)
(261
)
(6
)
(267
)
Allocation of losses of managed investment entities
—
—
(30
)
—
—
(30
)
30
—
Dividends on Common Stock
—
—
—
(52
)
—
(52
)
—
(52
)
Shares issued:
Exercise of stock options
1,350,551
44
—
—
—
44
—
44
Other benefit plans
376,574
6
—
—
—
6
—
6
Dividend reinvestment plan
10,514
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Stock-based compensation expense
—
15
—
—
—
15
—
15
Shares acquired and retired
(1,448,156
)
(19
)
—
(51
)
—
(70
)
—
(70
)
Shares exchanged — benefit plans
(45,179
)
—
—
(1
)
—
(1
)
—
(1
)
Other
—
—
—
—
—
—
(1
)
(1
)
Balance at September 30, 2013
89,223,607
$
1,198
$
45
$
2,729
$
570
$
4,542
$
168
$
4,710
Balance at December 31, 2011
97,846,402
$
1,219
$
173
$
2,439
$
580
$
4,411
$
146
$
4,557
Net earnings
—
—
—
438
—
438
(55
)
383
Other comprehensive income
—
—
—
—
352
352
8
360
Allocation of losses of managed investment entities
—
—
(64
)
—
—
(64
)
64
—
Dividends on Common Stock
—
—
—
(50
)
—
(50
)
—
(50
)
Shares issued:
Exercise of stock options
1,009,714
27
—
—
—
27
—
27
Other benefit plans
291,610
6
—
—
—
6
—
6
Dividend reinvestment plan
11,697
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Stock-based compensation expense
—
15
—
—
—
15
—
15
Shares acquired and retired
(8,288,776
)
(105
)
—
(210
)
—
(315
)
—
(315
)
Shares exchanged — benefit plans
(23,685
)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Other
—
—
—
(40
)
(1
)
(41
)
22
(19
)
Balance at September 30, 2012
90,846,962
$
1,162
$
109
$
2,577
$
931
$
4,779
$
185
$
4,964
5
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(In Millions)
Nine months ended September 30,
2013
2012
Operating Activities:
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests
$
288
$
383
Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization
110
118
Annuity benefits
394
417
Realized gains on investing activities
(162
)
(299
)
Net sales of trading securities
20
27
Deferred annuity and life policy acquisition costs
(148
)
(177
)
Change in:
Reinsurance and other receivables
(288
)
(1,387
)
Other assets
(108
)
6
Insurance claims and reserves
(7
)
1,275
Payable to reinsurers
126
181
Other liabilities
161
(56
)
Managed investment entities’ assets/liabilities
(23
)
(13
)
Other operating activities, net
25
12
Net cash provided by operating activities
388
487
Investing Activities:
Purchases of:
Fixed maturities
(4,903
)
(3,240
)
Equity securities
(334
)
(231
)
Mortgage loans
(100
)
(178
)
Real estate, property and equipment
(43
)
(61
)
Proceeds from:
Maturities and redemptions of fixed maturities
2,356
1,617
Repayments of mortgage loans
97
10
Sales of fixed maturities
257
495
Sales of equity securities
278
235
Sales of subsidiaries
—
302
Cash and cash equivalents of businesses sold
—
(34
)
Managed investment entities:
Purchases of investments
(1,061
)
(1,246
)
Proceeds from sales and redemptions of investments
1,515
1,429
Other investing activities, net
25
(36
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(1,913
)
(938
)
Financing Activities:
Annuity receipts
2,852
2,431
Annuity surrenders, benefits and withdrawals
(1,157
)
(1,127
)
Net transfers from variable annuity assets
25
31
Additional long-term borrowings
—
344
Reductions of long-term debt
(40
)
(323
)
Issuances of managed investment entities’ liabilities
747
456
Retirement of managed investment entities’ liabilities
(1,196
)
(704
)
Issuances of Common Stock
45
27
Repurchases of Common Stock
(70
)
(315
)
Cash dividends paid on Common Stock
(52
)
(50
)
Other financing activities, net
(3
)
(17
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
1,151
753
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents
(374
)
302
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
1,705
1,324
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
1,331
$
1,626
6
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
INDEX TO NOTES
A.
Accounting Policies
H.
Managed Investment Entities
B.
Acquisitions and Sales of Subsidiaries
I.
Goodwill and Other Intangibles
C.
Segments of Operations
J.
Long-Term Debt
D.
Fair Value Measurements
K.
Shareholders’ Equity
E.
Investments
L.
Income Taxes
F.
Derivatives
M.
Contingencies
G.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
A
.
Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements for American Financial Group, Inc. (“AFG”) and its subsidiaries are unaudited; however, management believes that all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals unless otherwise disclosed herein) necessary for fair presentation have been made. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the year. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and, therefore, do not include all information and footnotes necessary to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods to conform to the current year’s presentation, primarily the reclassification of investment expenses and real estate income and expenses to net investment income. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The results of operations of companies since their formation or acquisition are included in the consolidated financial statements. Events or transactions occurring subsequent to
September 30, 2013
, and prior to the filing date of this Form 10-Q, have been evaluated for potential recognition or disclosure herein.
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Changes in circumstances could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimates.
Accounting Standards Adopted in 2013
Effective January 1, 2013, AFG prospectively adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2013-02, which requires companies to disclose, in a single location within the financial statements or footnotes, reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) separately for each component of other comprehensive income. For significant reclassifications, the disclosure is required to include the respective line items in net earnings affected by the reclassification. Disclosures required by the guidance are included in
Note
K
— “
Shareholders’ Equity
.”
This new disclosure requirement had no impact on AFG’s results of operations or financial position.
Fair Value Measurements
Accounting standards define fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The standards establish a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (“inputs”) are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect AFG’s assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. AFG did not have any significant nonrecurring fair value measurements of nonfinancial assets and liabilities in the first
nine
months of
2013
or
2012
.
Investments
Fixed maturity and equity securities classified as “available for sale” are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in AOCI in AFG’s Balance Sheet. Fixed maturity and equity securities classified as “trading” are reported at fair value with changes in unrealized holding gains or losses during the period included in net investment income. Mortgage and policy loans are carried primarily at the aggregate unpaid balance.
Premiums and discounts on fixed maturity securities are amortized using the interest method; mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) are amortized over a period based on estimated future principal payments, including prepayments. Prepayment assumptions are reviewed periodically and adjusted to reflect actual prepayments and changes in expectations.
7
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
Gains or losses on securities are determined on the specific identification basis. When a decline in the value of a specific investment is considered to be other-than-temporary at the balance sheet date, a provision for impairment is charged to earnings (included in realized gains (losses) on securities) and the cost basis of that investment is reduced. If management can assert that it does not intend to sell an impaired fixed maturity security and it is not more likely than not that it will have to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, then the other-than-temporary impairment is separated into two components: 1) the amount related to credit losses (recorded in earnings) and 2) the amount related to all other factors (recorded in other comprehensive income). The credit-related portion of an other-than-temporary impairment is measured by comparing a security’s amortized cost to the present value of its current expected cash flows discounted at its effective yield prior to the impairment charge. Both components are shown in the Statement of Earnings. If management intends to sell an impaired security, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery, an impairment charge to earnings is recorded to reduce the amortized cost of that security to fair value.
Derivatives
Derivatives included in AFG’s Balance Sheet are recorded at fair value and consist primarily of (i) components of certain fixed maturity securities (primarily interest-only MBS) and (ii) the equity-based component of certain annuity products (included in annuity benefits accumulated) and related call options (included in other investments) designed to be consistent with the characteristics of the liabilities and used to mitigate the risk embedded in those annuity products. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are included in earnings.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of cost of subsidiaries over AFG’s equity in their underlying net assets. Goodwill is not amortized, but is subject to an impairment test at least annually. An entity is not required to complete the quantitative annual goodwill impairment test on a reporting unit if the entity elects to perform a qualitative analysis and determines that it is more likely than not that the reporting unit’s fair value exceeds its carrying amount.
Reinsurance
Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the claim liability associated with the reinsured policies. AFG’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries report as assets (a) the estimated reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses, including an estimate for losses incurred but not reported, and (b) amounts paid or due to reinsurers applicable to the unexpired terms of policies in force. Payable to reinsurers includes ceded premiums due to reinsurers as well as ceded premiums retained by AFG’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries under contracts to fund ceded losses as they become due. AFG’s insurance subsidiaries also assume reinsurance from other companies. Earnings on reinsurance assumed is recognized based on information received from ceding companies.
A subsidiary cedes life insurance policies to a third party on a funds withheld basis whereby the subsidiary retains the assets (securities) associated with the reinsurance contract. Interest is credited to the reinsurer based on the actual investment performance of the retained assets. This reinsurance contract is considered to contain an embedded derivative (that must be adjusted to fair value) because the yield on the payable is based on a specific block of the ceding company’s assets, rather than the overall creditworthiness of the ceding company. AFG determined that changes in the fair value of the underlying portfolio of fixed maturity securities is an appropriate measure of the value of the embedded derivative. The securities related to this contract are classified as “trading.” The adjustment to fair value on the embedded derivative offsets the investment income recorded on the adjustment to fair value of the related trading portfolio.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (“DPAC”)
Policy acquisition costs (principally commissions, premium taxes and certain underwriting and policy issuance costs) directly related to the successful acquisition or renewal of an insurance contract are deferred. DPAC also includes capitalized costs associated with sales inducements offered to fixed annuity policyholders such as enhanced interest rates and premium and persistency bonuses.
For the property and casualty companies, DPAC is limited based upon recoverability without any consideration for anticipated investment income and is charged against income ratably over the terms of the related policies. A premium deficiency is recognized if the sum of expected claims costs, claims adjustment expenses and unamortized acquisition costs exceed the related unearned premiums. A premium deficiency is first recognized by charging any unamortized acquisition costs to expense to the extent required to eliminate the deficiency. If the premium deficiency is greater than unamortized acquisition costs, a liability is accrued for the excess deficiency and reported with unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses.
DPAC related to annuities is deferred to the extent deemed recoverable and amortized, with interest, in relation to the present value of actual and expected gross profits on the policies. Expected gross profits consist principally of estimated future investment margin (estimated future net investment income less interest credited on policyholder funds) and surrender, mortality, and other life and annuity policy charges, less death, annuitization and guaranteed withdrawal benefits in excess of account balances and estimated future policy administration expenses. To the extent that realized gains and losses result in
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
adjustments to the amortization of DPAC related to annuities, such adjustments are reflected as components of realized gains (losses) on securities.
DPAC related to traditional life and health insurance is amortized over the expected premium paying period of the related policies, in proportion to the ratio of annual premium revenues to total anticipated premium revenues. See
Note
A
, “
Accounting Policies
—
Life, Accident and Health Reserves
”
for details on the impact of loss recognition on the accounting for traditional life and health insurance contracts.
DPAC includes the present value of future profits on business in force of annuity and life, accident and health insurance companies acquired (“PVFP”). PVFP represents the portion of the costs to acquire companies that is allocated to the value of the right to receive future cash flows from insurance contracts existing at the date of acquisition. PVFP is amortized with interest in relation to expected gross profits of the acquired policies for annuities and universal life products and in relation to the premium paying period for traditional life and health insurance products.
DPAC and certain other balance sheet amounts related to annuity, long-term care and life businesses are also adjusted, net of tax, for the change in expense that would have been recorded if the unrealized gains (losses) from securities had actually been realized. These adjustments are included in unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities, a component of AOCI in AFG’s Balance Sheet.
Managed Investment Entities
A company is considered the primary beneficiary of, and therefore must consolidate, a variable interest entity (“VIE”) based primarily on its ability to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact that entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of, or receive benefits from, the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE.
AFG manages, and has investments in, collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) that are VIEs (see
Note
H
— “
Managed Investment Entities
”
). Both the management fees (payment of which is subordinate to other obligations of the CLOs) and the investments in the CLOs are considered variable interests. AFG has determined that it is the primary beneficiary of the CLOs because (i) its role as asset manager gives it the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the CLOs and (ii) it has exposure to CLO losses (through its investments in the CLO debt tranches) and the right to receive benefits (through its subordinated management fees and returns on its investments), both of which could potentially be significant to the CLOs.
Because AFG has no right to use the CLO assets and no obligation to pay the CLO liabilities, the assets and liabilities of the CLOs are shown separately in AFG’s Balance Sheet (at fair value). AFG has elected the fair value option for reporting on the CLO assets and liabilities to improve the transparency of financial reporting related to the CLOs. The excess of fair value of the CLOs’ assets over the fair value of the liabilities is recorded in AFG’s Balance Sheet as appropriated retained earnings — managed investment entities, representing amounts that ultimately will inure to the benefit of the CLO debt holders.
The net gain or loss from accounting for the CLO assets and liabilities at fair value is separately presented in AFG’s Statement of Earnings. CLO earnings attributable to AFG’s shareholders represent the change in fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs (including distributions) and management fees earned. All other CLO earnings (losses) are not attributable to AFG’s shareholders and will ultimately inure to the benefit of the CLO debt holders. As a result, such CLO earnings (losses) are included in net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests in AFG’s Statement of Earnings and in appropriated retained earnings — managed investment entities in the Balance Sheet. As the CLOs approach maturity (2016 to 2025), it is expected that losses attributable to noncontrolling interests will reduce appropriated retained earnings towards zero as the fair values of the assets and liabilities converge and the CLO assets are used to pay the CLO debt.
At
September 30, 2013
, assets and liabilities of managed investment entities included
$193 million
in assets and
$147 million
in liabilities of a temporary warehousing entity that was established in connection with the formation of a new CLO that is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2013. Upon closing, all warehoused assets are expected to be transferred to the new CLO and the liabilities will be repaid. At
December 31, 2012
, assets and liabilities of managed investment entities included
$107 million
in assets and
$87 million
in liabilities of a temporary warehousing entity that was established in connection with the formation of a new CLO. All warehoused assets were transferred to that new CLO and the liabilities were repaid when the CLO formation was completed and the CLO issued securities in April 2013.
Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
The net liabilities stated for unpaid claims and for expenses of investigation and adjustment of unpaid claims are based upon (a) the accumulation of case estimates for losses reported prior to the close of
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
the accounting period on direct business written; (b) estimates received from ceding reinsurers and insurance pools and associations; (c) estimates of unreported losses (including possible development on known claims) based on past experience; (d) estimates based on experience of expenses for investigating and adjusting claims; and (e) the current state of the law and coverage litigation. Establishing reserves for asbestos, environmental and other mass tort claims involves considerably more judgment than other types of claims due to, among other things, inconsistent court decisions, an increase in bankruptcy filings as a result of asbestos-related liabilities, novel theories of coverage, and judicial interpretations that often expand theories of recovery and broaden the scope of coverage.
Loss reserve liabilities are subject to the impact of changes in claim amounts and frequency and other factors. Changes in estimates of the liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses are reflected in the Statement of Earnings in the period in which determined. Despite the variability inherent in such estimates, management believes that the liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses are adequate.
Annuity Benefits Accumulated
Annuity receipts and benefit payments are recorded as increases or decreases in annuity benefits accumulated rather than as revenue and expense. Increases in this liability for interest credited are charged to expense and decreases for policy charges are credited to other income.
For certain products, annuity benefits accumulated also includes reserves for accrued persistency and premium bonuses, guaranteed withdrawals and excess benefits expected to be paid on future deaths and annuitizations (“EDAR”). The liability for EDAR is accrued for and modified using assumptions consistent with those used in determining DPAC and DPAC amortization, except that amounts are determined in relation to the present value of total expected assessments. Total expected assessments consist principally of estimated future investment margin, surrender, mortality, and other life and annuity policy charges, and unearned revenues once they are recognized as income.
Annuity benefits accumulated also includes amounts advanced from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati.
Unearned Revenue
Certain upfront policy charges on annuities are deferred as unearned revenue (included in other liabilities) and recognized in net earnings using the same assumptions and estimated gross profits used to amortize DPAC.
Life, Accident and Health Reserves
Liabilities for future policy benefits under traditional life, accident and health policies are computed using the net level premium method. Computations are based on the original projections of investment yields, mortality, morbidity and surrenders and include provisions for unfavorable deviations unless a loss recognition event (premium deficiency) occurs. Claim reserves and liabilities established for accident and health claims are modified as necessary to reflect actual experience and developing trends.
For long-duration contracts (such as traditional life and long-term care policies), loss recognition occurs when, based on current expectations as of the measurement date, existing contract liabilities plus the present value of future premiums (including reasonably expected rate increases) are not expected to cover the present value of future claims payments and related settlement and maintenance costs (excluding overhead) as well as unamortized acquisition costs. If a block of business is determined to be in loss recognition, a charge is recorded in earnings in an amount equal to the excess of the present value of expected future claims costs and unamortized acquisition costs over existing reserves plus the present value of expected future premiums (with no provision for adverse deviation). The charge is recorded first to reduce unamortized acquisition costs and then as an additional reserve (if unamortized acquisition costs have been reduced to zero).
In addition, reserves for traditional life and long-term care policies are subject to adjustment for loss recognition charges that would have been recorded if the unrealized gains from securities had actually been realized. This adjustment is included in unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities, a component of AOCI in AFG’s Balance Sheet.
Variable Annuity Assets and Liabilities
Separate accounts related to variable annuities represent the fair value of deposits invested in underlying investment funds on which AFG earns a fee. Investment funds are selected and may be changed only by the policyholder, who retains all investment risk.
AFG’s variable annuity contracts contain a guaranteed minimum death benefit (“GMDB”) to be paid if the policyholder dies before the annuity payout period commences. In periods of declining equity markets, the GMDB may exceed the value of the policyholder’s account. A GMDB liability is established for future excess death benefits using assumptions together with a range of reasonably possible scenarios for investment fund performance that are consistent with DPAC capitalization and amortization assumptions.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
Premium Recognition
Property and casualty premiums are earned generally over the terms of the policies on a pro rata basis. Unearned premiums represent that portion of premiums written which is applicable to the unexpired terms of policies in force. On reinsurance assumed from other insurance companies or written through various underwriting organizations, unearned premiums are based on information received from such companies and organizations. For traditional life, accident and health products, premiums are recognized as revenue when legally collectible from policyholders. For interest-sensitive life and universal life products, premiums are recorded in a policyholder account, which is reflected as a liability. Revenue is recognized as amounts are assessed against the policyholder account for mortality coverage and contract expenses.
Noncontrolling Interests
For Balance Sheet purposes, noncontrolling interests represents the interests of shareholders other than AFG in consolidated entities. In the Statement of Earnings, net earnings and losses attributable to noncontrolling interests represents such shareholders’ interest in the earnings and losses of those entities.
Income Taxes
Deferred income taxes are calculated using the liability method. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases and are measured using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance is established to reduce total deferred tax assets to an amount that will more likely than not be realized.
AFG recognizes the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only when the position is more likely than not to be sustained under examination by the appropriate taxing authority. Interest and penalties on AFG’s reserve for uncertain tax positions are recognized as a component of tax expense.
Stock-Based Compensation
All share-based grants are recognized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over their vesting periods based on their calculated fair value at the date of grant. AFG uses the Black-Scholes pricing model to measure the fair value of employee stock options. See
Note
K
—
“
Shareholders’ Equity
”
for further information.
Benefit Plans
AFG provides retirement benefits to qualified employees of participating companies through the AFG 401(k) Retirement and Savings Plan, a defined contribution plan. AFG makes all contributions to the retirement fund portion of the plan and matches a percentage of employee contributions to the savings fund. Company contributions are expensed in the year for which they are declared. AFG and many of its subsidiaries provide health care and life insurance benefits to eligible retirees. AFG also provides postemployment benefits to former or inactive employees (primarily those on disability) who were not deemed retired under other company plans. The projected future cost of providing these benefits is expensed over the period employees earn such benefits.
Earnings Per Share
Although basic earnings per share only considers shares of common stock outstanding during the period, the calculation of diluted earnings per share includes the following adjustments to weighted average common shares related to stock-based compensation plans:
third
quarter of
2013
and
2012
—
1.9 million
and
1.7 million
; first
nine
months of
2013
and
2012
—
1.8 million
and
1.7 million
, respectively.
AFG’s weighted average diluted shares outstanding excludes the following anti-dilutive potential common shares related to stock compensation plans:
third
quarter of
2013
and
2012
—
1.0 million
and
1.9 million
; first
nine
months of
2013
and
2012
—
1.3 million
and
1.8 million
, respectively. Adjustments to net earnings attributable to shareholders in the calculation of diluted earnings per share were nominal in the
2013
and
2012
periods.
Statement of Cash Flows
For cash flow purposes, “investing activities” are defined as making and collecting loans and acquiring and disposing of debt or equity instruments and property and equipment. “Financing activities” include obtaining resources from owners and providing them with a return on their investments, borrowing money and repaying amounts borrowed. Annuity receipts, surrenders, benefits and withdrawals are also reflected as financing activities. All other activities are considered “operating.” Short-term investments having original maturities of
three months
or less when purchased are considered to be cash equivalents for purposes of the financial statements.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
B
.
Acquisitions and Sales of Subsidiaries
Medicare Supplement and Critical Illness Segment
In August 2012, AFG completed the sale of its Medicare supplement and critical illness businesses, which included Loyal American Life Insurance Company and
four
other insurance companies, to Cigna Corporation for
$326 million
in cash resulting in a pretax gain of
$170 million
(including fourth quarter 2012 post-closing adjustments, which increased cash proceeds by
$19 million
and the pretax gain by
$15 million
). Since the transaction includes the ongoing cessions of certain business to Cigna, the operations sold are not reported as discontinued operations. Summarized Statement of Earnings information for the Medicare supplement and critical illness segment for the
third
quarter and first
nine
months of 2012 is shown below (in millions):
Three months ended
Nine months ended
September 30, 2012
September 30, 2012
Total revenues
$
53
$
212
Total costs and expenses
43
184
Earnings before income taxes
$
10
$
28
During the third quarter of 2012, AFG acquired the outstanding
28%
of Marketform, its London-based Lloyd’s property and casualty insurance operation that it did not already own for
$17 million
and sold an additional small annuity company for
$7 million
.
C
.
Segments of Operations
AFG manages its business as
five
segments: (i) Property and casualty insurance, (ii) Annuity, (iii) Run-off long-term care and life, (iv) Medicare supplement and critical illness (sold in August 2012) and (v) Other, which includes holding company costs, and the operations attributable to the noncontrolling interests of the managed investment entities.
AFG reports its property and casualty insurance business in the following Specialty sub-segments: (i) Property and transportation, which includes physical damage and liability coverage for buses, trucks and recreational vehicles, inland and ocean marine, agricultural-related products and other property coverages, (ii) Specialty casualty, which includes primarily excess and surplus, general liability, executive liability, umbrella and excess liability, customized programs for small to mid-sized businesses and workers’ compensation, and (iii) Specialty financial, which includes risk management insurance programs for leasing and financing institutions (including collateral and lender-placed mortgage property insurance), surety and fidelity products and trade credit insurance. AFG’s annuity business markets traditional fixed and fixed-indexed annuities in the retail, financial institutions and education markets. AFG’s reportable segments and their components were determined based primarily upon similar economic characteristics, products and services.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
The following tables (in millions) show AFG’s revenues and earnings before income taxes by segment and sub-segment.
Three months ended September 30,
Nine months ended September 30,
2013
2012
2013
2012
Revenues
Property and casualty insurance:
Premiums earned:
Specialty
Property and transportation
$
517
$
487
$
1,111
$
1,040
Specialty casualty
289
243
825
699
Specialty financial
121
100
350
301
Other specialty
22
18
59
51
Total premiums earned
949
848
2,345
2,091
Net investment income
65
67
196
206
Other income
1
6
10
17
Total property and casualty insurance
1,015
921
2,551
2,314
Annuity:
Net investment income
259
249
764
722
Other income
17
14
46
39
Total annuity
276
263
810
761
Run-off long-term care and life
50
50
147
146
Medicare supplement and critical illness (a)
—
53
—
212
Other
46
10
68
16
Total revenues before realized gains
1,387
1,297
3,576
3,449
Realized gains on securities
56
85
154
145
Realized gains on subsidiaries
—
156
—
155
Total revenues
$
1,443
$
1,538
$
3,730
$
3,749
Earnings Before Income Taxes
Property and casualty insurance:
Underwriting:
Specialty
Property and transportation
$
16
$
—
$
(5
)
$
33
Specialty casualty
19
8
70
45
Specialty financial
22
1
50
28
Other specialty
5
7
16
10
Other lines (b)
(54
)
(32
)
(61
)
(39
)
Total underwriting
8
(16
)
70
77
Investment and other income, net
53
58
169
173
Total property and casualty insurance
61
42
239
250
Annuity (c)
78
69
231
188
Run-off long-term care and life
(4
)
2
(7
)
8
Medicare supplement and critical illness (a)
—
10
—
28
Other (d)
(49
)
(79
)
(174
)
(207
)
Total earnings before realized gains and income taxes
86
44
289
267
Realized gains on securities
56
85
154
145
Realized gains on subsidiaries
—
156
—
155
Total earnings before income taxes
$
142
$
285
$
443
$
567
(a)
Sold in August 2012.
(b)
Includes special charges of
$54 million
and
$31 million
in the
third
quarter of
2013
and
2012
, respectively, to increase asbestos and environmental (“A&E”) reserves.
(c)
Includes a
$5 million
charge in the second quarter of
2013
to cover expected assessments from state guaranty funds related to the insolvency and liquidation of an unaffiliated life insurance company.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
(d)
Includes holding company expenses and earnings (losses) of managed investment entities attributable to noncontrolling interest of
$12 million
and
($18) million
for the
third
quarter and
($30) million
and
($64) million
for the first
nine
months of
2013
and
2012
, respectively. Holding company expenses for the
third
quarter of
2013
includes special charges totaling
$22 million
to increase A&E reserves related to AFG’s former railroad and manufacturing operations. Holding company expenses for the
third
quarter of
2012
include an
$8 million
loss on retirement of debt and a
$15 million
charge for a labor matter related to AFG’s former railroad operations.
D
.
Fair Value Measurements
Accounting standards for measuring fair value are based on inputs used in estimating fair value. The three levels of the hierarchy are as follows:
Level 1 — Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets (markets in which transactions occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis). AFG’s Level 1 financial instruments consist primarily of publicly traded equity securities and highly liquid government bonds for which quoted market prices in active markets are available and short-term investments of managed investment entities.
Level 2 — Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets (markets in which there are few transactions, the prices are not current, price quotations vary substantially over time or among market makers, or in which little information is released publicly); and valuations based on other significant inputs that are observable in active markets. AFG’s Level 2 financial instruments include separate account assets, corporate and municipal fixed maturity securities, mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) and investments of managed investment entities priced using observable inputs. Level 2 inputs include benchmark yields, reported trades, corroborated broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads and benchmark securities. When non-binding broker quotes can be corroborated by comparison to similar securities priced using observable inputs, they are classified as Level 2.
Level 3 — Valuations derived from market valuation techniques generally consistent with those used to estimate the fair values of Level 2 financial instruments in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable or when the market for a security exhibits significantly less liquidity relative to markets supporting Level 2 fair value measurements. The unobservable inputs may include management’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use based on the best information available in the circumstances. AFG’s Level 3 is comprised of financial instruments, including liabilities of managed investment entities, whose fair value is estimated based on non-binding broker quotes or internally developed using significant inputs not based on, or corroborated by, observable market information.
AFG’s management is responsible for the valuation process and uses data from outside sources (including nationally recognized pricing services and broker/dealers) in establishing fair value. AFG’s internal investment professionals are a group of approximately
20
analysts whose primary responsibility is to manage AFG’s investment portfolio. These professionals monitor individual investments as well as overall industries and are active in the financial markets on a daily basis. The group is led by AFG’s chief investment officer, who reports directly to one of AFG’s Co-CEOs. Valuation techniques utilized by pricing services and prices obtained from external sources are reviewed by AFG’s internal investment professionals who are familiar with the securities being priced and the markets in which they trade to ensure the fair value determination is representative of an exit price. To validate the appropriateness of the prices obtained, these investment managers consider widely published indices (as benchmarks), recent trades, changes in interest rates, general economic conditions and the credit quality of the specific issuers. In addition, the Company communicates directly with the pricing service regarding the methods and assumptions used in pricing, including verifying, on a test basis, the inputs used by the service to value specific securities.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
Assets and liabilities measured and carried at fair value in the financial statements are summarized below (in millions):
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
September 30, 2013
Assets:
Available for sale (“AFS”) fixed maturities:
U.S. Government and government agencies
$
163
$
143
$
19
$
325
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
—
5,014
62
5,076
Foreign government
—
230
—
230
Residential MBS
—
3,955
321
4,276
Commercial MBS
—
2,742
28
2,770
Asset-backed securities (“ABS”)
—
2,102
186
2,288
Corporate and other
15
10,404
290
10,709
Total AFS fixed maturities
178
24,590
906
25,674
Trading fixed maturities
—
290
—
290
Equity securities
964
122
57
1,143
Assets of managed investment entities (“MIE”)
224
2,524
31
2,779
Variable annuity assets (separate accounts) (a)
—
629
—
629
Other investments — derivatives
—
197
—
197
Total assets accounted for at fair value
$
1,366
$
28,352
$
994
$
30,712
Liabilities:
Liabilities of managed investment entities
$
105
$
—
$
2,324
$
2,429
Derivatives in annuity benefits accumulated
—
—
653
653
Other liabilities — derivatives
—
10
—
10
Total liabilities accounted for at fair value
$
105
$
10
$
2,977
$
3,092
December 31, 2012
Assets:
Available for sale fixed maturities:
U.S. Government and government agencies
$
227
$
141
$
20
$
388
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
—
4,410
58
4,468
Foreign government
—
260
—
260
Residential MBS
—
3,833
371
4,204
Commercial MBS
—
2,896
22
2,918
Asset-backed securities
—
1,387
253
1,640
Corporate and other
5
9,999
236
10,240
Total AFS fixed maturities
232
22,926
960
24,118
Trading fixed maturities
—
321
—
321
Equity securities
781
121
37
939
Assets of managed investment entities
256
2,929
40
3,225
Variable annuity assets (separate accounts) (a)
—
580
—
580
Other investments — derivatives
—
133
—
133
Total assets accounted for at fair value
$
1,269
$
27,010
$
1,037
$
29,316
Liabilities:
Liabilities of managed investment entities
$
147
$
—
$
2,745
$
2,892
Derivatives in annuity benefits accumulated
—
—
465
465
Other liabilities — derivatives
—
17
—
17
Total liabilities accounted for at fair value
$
147
$
17
$
3,210
$
3,374
(a) Variable annuity liabilities equal the fair value of variable annuity assets.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
During the three months and
nine
months ended
September 30, 2013
,
six
and
eleven
preferred stocks with an aggregate fair value of
$46 million
and
$57 million
, respectively, and
one
common stock with an aggregate fair value of
$16 million
, were transferred from Level 2 to Level 1 due to increases in trade frequency, resulting in trade data sufficient to warrant classification in Level 1. During the first
nine
months of
2013
(in the
third
quarter), there was
one
preferred stock with a fair value of
$10 million
transferred from Level 1 to Level 2 due to a decrease in trade frequency, resulting in lack of available trade data sufficient to warrant classification in Level 1. During the first
nine
months of
2012
(all in the first quarter),
six
preferred stocks with an aggregate fair value of
$35 million
were transferred from Level 1 to Level 2 due to decreases in trade frequency, resulting in lack of available trade data sufficient to warrant classification in Level 1. During the first
nine
months
2012
, there were
no
transfers from Level 2 to Level 1. Approximately
3%
of the total assets carried at fair value on
September 30, 2013
, were Level 3 assets. Approximately
79%
of the Level 3 assets were priced using non-binding broker quotes, for which there is a lack of transparency as to the inputs used to determine fair value. Details as to the quantitative inputs are neither provided by the brokers nor otherwise reasonably obtainable by AFG. Since internally developed Level 3 asset fair values represent less than one-half of
1%
of the total assets measured at fair value and less than
3%
of AFG’s shareholders’ equity, changes in unobservable inputs used to determine internally developed fair values would not have a material impact on AFG’s financial position.
The fair values of the liabilities of managed investment entities were determined using primarily non-binding broker quotes, which were reviewed by AFG’s investment professionals. AFG’s investment professionals are familiar with the cash flow models used by the brokers to determine the fair value of these liabilities and review the broker quotes based on their knowledge of the CLO market and the market for the underlying assets. Their review includes consideration of expected reinvestment, default and recovery rates on the assets supporting the CLO liabilities, as well as surveying general CLO liability fair values and analysis provided by third parties.
The only significant Level 3 assets or liabilities carried at fair value in the financial statements that were not measured using broker quotes are the derivatives embedded in AFG’s fixed-indexed annuity liabilities, which are measured using a discounted cash flow approach and had a fair value of
$653 million
at
September 30, 2013
. The following table presents information about the unobservable inputs used by management in determining fair value of these embedded derivatives. See
Note
F
— “
Derivatives
.”
Unobservable Input
Range
Adjustment for insurance subsidiary’s credit risk
0.50% – 2.00% over the risk free rate
Risk margin for uncertainty in cash flows
0.4% reduction in the discount rate
Surrenders
4% – 20% of indexed account value
Partial surrenders
2% – 5% of indexed account value
Annuitizations
1% – 2% of indexed account value
Deaths
1% – 2.5% of indexed account value
Budgeted option costs
2.5% – 4.0% of indexed account value
The range of adjustments for insurance subsidiary’s credit risk reflects credit spread variations across the yield curve. The range of projected surrender rates reflects the specific surrender charges and other features of AFG’s individual fixed-indexed annuity products with an expected range of
5%
to
12%
in the majority of future calendar years (
4%
to
20%
over all periods). Increasing the budgeted option cost or risk margin for uncertainty in cash flows assumptions in the table above would increase the fair value of the fixed-indexed annuity embedded derivatives, while increasing any of the other unobservable inputs in the table above would decrease the fair value of the embedded derivatives.
16
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
Changes in balances of Level 3 financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value during the
third
quarter and first
nine
months of
2013
and
2012
are presented below (in millions). The transfers into and out of Level 3 were due to changes in the availability of market observable inputs. All transfers are reflected in the table at fair value as of the end of the reporting period.
Total realized/unrealized
gains (losses) included in
Balance at June 30, 2013
Net
income
Other
comprehensive
income (loss)
Purchases
and
issuances
Sales and
settlements
Transfer
into
Level 3
Transfer
out of
Level 3
Balance at September 30, 2013
AFS fixed maturities:
U.S. government agency
$
20
$
—
$
(1
)
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
19
State and municipal
63
—
(1
)
—
—
—
—
62
Residential MBS
329
1
8
—
(13
)
43
(47
)
321
Commercial MBS
28
1
(1
)
—
—
—
—
28
Asset-backed securities
180
—
—
—
(4
)
11
(1
)
186
Corporate and other
295
—
(4
)
6
(3
)
—
(4
)
290
Equity securities
78
(2
)
—
—
—
—
(19
)
57
Assets of MIE
31
—
—
—
—
—
—
31
Liabilities of MIE (*)
(2,482
)
17
—
(95
)
236
—
—
(2,324
)
Embedded derivatives
(577
)
(33
)
—
(53
)
10
—
—
(653
)
(*)
Total realized/unrealized loss included in net income includes gains of
$20 million
related to liabilities outstanding as of
September 30, 2013
. See
Note
H
— “
Managed Investment Entities
.”
Total realized/unrealized
gains (losses) included in
Balance at June 30, 2012
Net
income
Other
comprehensive
income (loss)
Purchases
and
issuances
Sales and
settlements
Transfer
into
Level 3
Transfer
out of
Level 3
Balance at September 30, 2012
AFS fixed maturities:
U.S. government agency
$
20
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
20
State and municipal
86
—
2
—
(6
)
4
(28
)
58
Residential MBS
320
3
7
15
(11
)
86
(53
)
367
Commercial MBS
20
1
—
—
—
—
—
21
Asset-backed securities
240
1
3
22
(9
)
1
(8
)
250
Corporate and other
297
1
3
45
(10
)
—
(91
)
245
Trading fixed maturities
1
—
—
—
—
—
—
1
Equity securities
41
—
—
4
—
9
(18
)
36
Assets of MIE
54
—
—
—
(1
)
—
(18
)
35
Liabilities of MIE (*)
(2,429
)
(52
)
—
(97
)
72
—
—
(2,506
)
Embedded derivatives
(444
)
(40
)
—
(20
)
7
—
—
(497
)
(*)
Total realized/unrealized loss included in net income includes losses of
$49 million
related to liabilities outstanding as of
September 30, 2012
. See
Note
H
— “
Managed Investment Entities
.”
17
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
Total realized/unrealized
gains (losses) included in
Balance at December 31, 2012
Net
income
Other
comprehensive
income (loss)
Purchases
and
issuances
Sales and
settlements
Transfer
into
Level 3
Transfer
out of
Level 3
Balance at September 30, 2013
AFS fixed maturities:
U.S. government agency
$
20
$
—
$
(1
)
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
19
State and municipal
58
—
(2
)
10
—
—
(4
)
62
Residential MBS
371
5
7
6
(42
)
68
(94
)
321
Commercial MBS
22
—
(1
)
—
—
7
—
28
Asset-backed securities
253
3
(2
)
12
(49
)
11
(42
)
186
Corporate and other
236
—
(14
)
61
(9
)
24
(8
)
290
Equity securities
37
(2
)
2
48
—
—
(28
)
57
Assets of MIE
40
(3
)
—
6
(6
)
—
(6
)
31
Liabilities of MIE (*)
(2,745
)
(22
)
—
(501
)
925
—
19
(2,324
)
Embedded derivatives
(465
)
(110
)
—
(102
)
24
—
—
(653
)
(*)
Total realized/unrealized loss included in net income includes gains of
$2 million
related to liabilities outstanding as of
September 30, 2013
. See
Note
H
— “
Managed Investment Entities
.”
Total realized/unrealized
gains (losses) included in
Balance at December 31, 2011
Net
income
Other
comprehensive
income (loss)
Purchases
and
issuances
Sales and
settlements
Transfer
into
Level 3
Transfer
out of
Level 3
Balance at September 30, 2012
AFS fixed maturities:
U.S. government agency
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
20
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
20
State and municipal
83
—
4
19
(7
)
9
(50
)
58
Residential MBS
361
5
11
86
(29
)
167
(234
)
367
Commercial MBS
19
1
1
—
—
—
—
21
Asset-backed securities
220
6
8
40
(23
)
14
(15
)
250
Corporate and other
299
3
10
84
(34
)
15
(132
)
245
Trading fixed maturities
1
—
—
—
—
—
—
1
Equity securities
11
—
—
30
—
13
(18
)
36
Assets of MIE
44
—
—
13
(13
)
14
(23
)
35
Liabilities of MIE (*)
(2,593
)
(155
)
—
(463
)
705
—
—
(2,506
)
Embedded derivatives
(361
)
(97
)
—
(57
)
18
—
—
(497
)
(*)
Total realized/unrealized loss included in net income includes losses of
$99 million
related to liabilities outstanding as of
September 30, 2012
. See
Note
H
— “
Managed Investment Entities
.”
18
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying value and fair value of financial instruments that are not carried at fair value in the financial statements are summarized below (in millions):
Carrying
Value
Fair
Value
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
September 30, 2013
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
1,331
$
1,331
$
1,331
$
—
$
—
Mortgage loans
611
613
—
—
613
Policy loans
240
240
—
—
240
Total financial assets not accounted for at fair value
$
2,182
$
2,184
$
1,331
$
—
$
853
Financial liabilities:
Annuity benefits accumulated (*)
$
19,584
$
18,659
$
—
$
—
$
18,659
Long-term debt
913
992
—
916
76
Total financial liabilities not accounted for at fair value
$
20,497
$
19,651
$
—
$
916
$
18,735
December 31, 2012
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
1,705
$
1,705
$
1,705
$
—
$
—
Mortgage loans
607
613
—
—
613
Policy loans
228
228
—
—
228
Total financial assets not accounted for at fair value
$
2,540
$
2,546
$
1,705
$
—
$
841
Financial liabilities:
Annuity benefits accumulated (*)
$
17,405
$
17,422
$
—
$
—
$
17,422
Long-term debt
953
1,086
—
990
96
Total financial liabilities not accounted for at fair value
$
18,358
$
18,508
$
—
$
990
$
17,518
(*) Excludes life contingent annuities in the payout phase.
The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value. Fair values for mortgage loans are estimated by discounting the future contractual cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings. The fair value of policy loans is estimated to approximate carrying value; policy loans have no defined maturity dates and are inseparable from insurance contracts. The fair value of annuity benefits was estimated based on expected cash flows discounted using forward interest rates adjusted for the Company’s credit risk and includes the impact of maintenance expenses and capital costs. Fair values of long-term debt are based primarily on quoted market prices.
E
.
Investments
Available for sale fixed maturities and equity securities at
September 30, 2013
, and
December 31, 2012
, consisted of the following (in millions):
September 30, 2013
December 31, 2012
Amortized
Cost
Fair
Value
Gross Unrealized
Amortized
Cost
Fair
Value
Gross Unrealized
Gains
Losses
Gains
Losses
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Government and government agencies
$
316
$
325
$
9
$
—
$
373
$
388
$
15
$
—
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
4,995
5,076
181
(100
)
4,144
4,468
329
(5
)
Foreign government
219
230
11
—
242
260
18
—
Residential MBS
3,943
4,276
369
(36
)
3,921
4,204
337
(54
)
Commercial MBS
2,557
2,770
216
(3
)
2,583
2,918
335
—
Asset-backed securities
2,270
2,288
34
(16
)
1,590
1,640
52
(2
)
Corporate and other
10,136
10,709
658
(85
)
9,230
10,240
1,015
(5
)
Total fixed maturities
$
24,436
$
25,674
$
1,478
$
(240
)
$
22,083
$
24,118
$
2,101
$
(66
)
Common stocks
$
725
$
914
$
195
$
(6
)
$
600
$
749
$
157
$
(8
)
Perpetual preferred stocks
$
231
$
229
$
8
$
(10
)
$
178
$
190
$
13
$
(1
)
19
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
The non-credit related portion of other-than-temporary impairment charges is included in other comprehensive income. Cumulative non-credit charges taken for securities still owned at
September 30, 2013
and
December 31, 2012
, respectively, were
$226 million
and
$227 million
; these charges relate to residential MBS.
The following tables show gross unrealized losses (in millions) on fixed maturities and equity securities by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at
September 30, 2013
and
December 31, 2012
.
Less Than Twelve Months
Twelve Months or More
Unrealized
Loss
Fair
Value
Fair Value as
% of Cost
Unrealized
Loss
Fair
Value
Fair Value as
% of Cost
September 30, 2013
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Government and government agencies
$
—
$
33
100
%
$
—
$
—
—
%
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
(99
)
1,824
95
%
(1
)
26
96
%
Residential MBS
(9
)
487
98
%
(27
)
252
90
%
Commercial MBS
(3
)
73
96
%
—
—
—
%
Asset-backed securities
(15
)
1,013
99
%
(1
)
28
97
%
Corporate and other
(83
)
2,150
96
%
(2
)
34
94
%
Total fixed maturities
$
(209
)
$
5,580
96
%
$
(31
)
$
340
92
%
Common stocks
$
(6
)
$
98
94
%
$
—
$
—
—
%
Perpetual preferred stocks
$
(7
)
$
84
92
%
$
(3
)
$
23
88
%
December 31, 2012
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Government and government agencies
$
—
$
22
100
%
$
—
$
—
—
%
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
(5
)
285
98
%
—
24
100
%
Residential MBS
(3
)
146
98
%
(51
)
411
89
%
Commercial MBS
—
16
100
%
—
—
—
%
Asset-backed securities
—
146
100
%
(2
)
57
97
%
Corporate and other
(3
)
237
99
%
(2
)
51
96
%
Total fixed maturities
$
(11
)
$
852
99
%
$
(55
)
$
543
91
%
Common stocks
$
(8
)
$
88
92
%
$
—
$
—
—
%
Perpetual preferred stocks
$
—
$
7
100
%
$
(1
)
$
25
96
%
At
September 30, 2013
, the gross unrealized losses on fixed maturities of
$240 million
relate to approximately
1,100
securities. Investment grade securities (as determined by nationally recognized rating agencies) represented approximately
83%
of the gross unrealized loss and
88%
of the fair value.
AFG analyzes its MBS securities for other-than-temporary impairment each quarter based upon expected future cash flows. Management estimates expected future cash flows based upon its knowledge of the MBS market, cash flow projections (which reflect loan to collateral values, subordination, vintage and geographic concentration) received from independent sources, implied cash flows inherent in security ratings and analysis of historical payment data. In the first
nine
months of
2013
, AFG recorded less than
$1 million
in other-than-temporary impairment charges related to its residential MBS.
Management believes AFG will recover its cost basis in the securities with unrealized losses and that AFG has the ability to hold the securities until they recover in value and had no intent to sell them at
September 30, 2013
.
20
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
A progression of the credit portion of other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities for which the non-credit portion of an impairment has been recognized in other comprehensive income is shown below (in millions).
2013
2012
Balance at June 30
$
191
$
191
Additional credit impairments on:
Previously impaired securities
—
—
Securities without prior impairments
—
—
Reductions — disposals
—
—
Balance at September 30
$
191
$
191
Balance at January 1
$
192
$
187
Additional credit impairments on:
Previously impaired securities
—
4
Securities without prior impairments
—
—
Reductions — disposals
(1
)
—
Balance at September 30
$
191
$
191
The table below sets forth the scheduled maturities of available for sale fixed maturities as of
September 30, 2013
(in millions). Securities with sinking funds are reported at average maturity. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain securities may be called or prepaid by the issuers.
Amortized
Fair Value
Cost
Amount
%
Maturity
One year or less
$
965
$
983
4
%
After one year through five years
4,626
4,970
19
%
After five years through ten years
7,010
7,307
29
%
After ten years
3,065
3,080
12
%
15,666
16,340
64
%
ABS (average life of approximately 4 1/2 years)
2,270
2,288
9
%
MBS (average life of approximately 4 years)
6,500
7,046
27
%
Total
$
24,436
$
25,674
100
%
Certain risks are inherent in connection with fixed maturity securities, including loss upon default, price volatility in reaction to changes in interest rates, and general market factors and risks associated with reinvestment of proceeds due to prepayments or redemptions in a period of declining interest rates.
There were no investments in individual issuers that exceeded
10%
of Shareholders’ Equity at
September 30, 2013
or
December 31, 2012
.
21
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
Net Unrealized Gain on Marketable Securities
In addition to adjusting equity securities and fixed maturity securities classified as “available for sale” to fair value, GAAP requires that deferred policy acquisition costs and certain other balance sheet amounts related to annuity, long-term care and life businesses be adjusted to the extent that unrealized gains and losses from securities would result in adjustments to those balances had the unrealized gains or losses actually been realized. The following table shows (in millions) the components of the net unrealized gain on securities that is included in AOCI in AFG’s Balance Sheet.
Pretax
Deferred Tax and
Amounts Attributable
to Noncontrolling
Interests
Net
September 30, 2013
Unrealized gain on:
Fixed maturities
$
1,238
$
(441
)
$
797
Equity securities
187
(68
)
119
Deferred policy acquisition costs
(413
)
145
(268
)
Annuity benefits accumulated
(84
)
29
(55
)
Life, accident and health reserves
(68
)
24
(44
)
Other liabilities
29
(10
)
19
$
889
$
(321
)
$
568
December 31, 2012
Unrealized gain on:
Fixed maturities
$
2,035
$
(726
)
$
1,309
Equity securities
161
(57
)
104
Deferred policy acquisition costs
(710
)
247
(463
)
Annuity benefits accumulated
(136
)
48
(88
)
Life, accident and health reserves
(117
)
41
(76
)
Other liabilities
57
(20
)
37
$
1,290
$
(467
)
$
823
22
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
Realized gains (losses) and changes in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to fixed maturity and equity security investments are summarized as follows (in millions):
Fixed
Maturities
Equity
Securities
Mortgage
Loans
and Other
Investments
Other (a)
Tax
Effects
Noncon-
trolling
Interests
Total
Quarter ended September 30, 2013
Realized before impairments
$
6
$
54
$
—
$
1
$
(22
)
$
(1
)
$
38
Realized — impairments
—
(5
)
—
—
2
—
(3
)
Change in unrealized
(57
)
(28
)
—
37
16
—
(32
)
Quarter ended September 30, 2012
Realized before impairments
$
20
$
77
$
—
$
(4
)
$
(33
)
$
—
$
60
Realized — impairments
(1
)
(9
)
—
2
3
—
(5
)
Change in unrealized
378
(18
)
—
(122
)
(84
)
(4
)
150
Nine months ended September 30, 2013
Realized before impairments
$
33
$
125
$
2
$
—
$
(57
)
$
(2
)
$
101
Realized — impairments
—
(5
)
(1
)
—
2
—
(4
)
Change in unrealized
(797
)
26
—
370
140
6
(255
)
Nine months ended September 30, 2012
Realized before impairments
$
40
$
133
$
(3
)
$
(6
)
$
(58
)
$
(1
)
$
105
Realized — impairments
(5
)
(19
)
—
5
7
—
(12
)
Change in unrealized
741
22
—
(224
)
(189
)
(7
)
343
(a)
Primarily adjustments to deferred policy acquisition costs and reserves related to annuities and long-term care business.
Realized gains (losses) on securities includes net gains of
$1 million
in the
third
quarter and less than
$1 million
in the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to net gains of
$1 million
in the
third
quarter and
$4 million
in the first
nine
months of
2012
from the mark-to-market of certain MBS, primarily interest-only securities with interest rates that float inversely with short-term rates. Gross realized gains and losses (excluding impairment writedowns and mark-to-market of derivatives) on available for sale fixed maturity and equity security investment transactions included in the Statement of Cash Flows consisted of the following (in millions):
Nine months ended September 30,
2013
2012
Fixed maturities:
Gross gains
$
36
$
37
Gross losses
(4
)
(2
)
Equity securities:
Gross gains
126
136
Gross losses
(6
)
(3
)
23
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
F
.
Derivatives
As discussed under
“
Derivatives
”
in
Note
A
— “
Accounting Policies
,”
AFG uses derivatives in certain areas of its operations. AFG’s derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting under GAAP; changes in the fair value of derivatives are included in earnings.
The following derivatives are included in AFG’s Balance Sheet at fair value (in millions):
September 30, 2013
December 31, 2012
Derivative
Balance Sheet Line
Asset
Liability
Asset
Liability
MBS with embedded derivatives
Fixed maturities
$
126
$
—
$
110
$
—
Public company warrants
Equity securities
16
—
—
—
Interest rate swaptions
Other investments
2
—
1
—
Fixed-indexed annuities (embedded derivative)
Annuity benefits accumulated
—
653
—
465
Equity index call options
Other investments
195
—
132
—
Reinsurance contracts (embedded derivative)
Other liabilities
—
10
—
17
$
339
$
663
$
243
$
482
The MBS with embedded derivatives consist primarily of interest-only MBS with interest rates that float inversely with short-term rates. AFG records the entire change in the fair value of these securities in earnings. These investments are part of AFG’s overall investment strategy and represent a small component of AFG’s overall investment portfolio.
Warrants to purchase shares of publicly traded companies, which represent a small component of AFG’s overall investment portfolio, are considered to be derivatives that must be marked to market through earnings.
AFG has
$600 million
notional amount of pay-fixed interest rate swaptions (options to enter into pay-fixed/receive floating interest rate swaps at future dates expiring between 2013 and 2015) outstanding at
September 30, 2013
which are used to mitigate interest rate risk in its annuity operations. AFG paid
$18 million
to purchase these swaptions, which represents its maximum potential economic loss over the life of the contracts.
AFG’s fixed-indexed annuities, which represented approximately
45%
of annuity benefits accumulated at
September 30, 2013
, provide policyholders with a crediting rate tied, in part, to the performance of an existing stock market index. AFG attempts to mitigate the risk in the index-based component of these products through the purchase of call options on the appropriate index. AFG’s strategy is designed so that an increase in the liabilities, due to an increase in the market index, will be generally offset by unrealized and realized gains on the call options purchased by AFG. Both the index-based component of the annuities and the related call options are considered derivatives.
As discussed under
“
Reinsurance
”
in
Note
A
, certain reinsurance contracts are considered to contain embedded derivatives.
The following table summarizes the gain (loss) included in the Statement of Earnings for changes in the fair value of these derivatives for the
third
quarter and first
nine
months of
2013
and
2012
(in millions):
Three months ended September 30,
Nine months ended September 30,
Derivative
Statement of Earnings Line
2013
2012
2013
2012
MBS with embedded derivatives
Realized gains on securities
$
1
$
1
$
—
$
4
Public company warrants
Realized gains on securities
—
—
1
—
Interest rate swaptions
Realized gains on securities
—
(1
)
1
(4
)
Fixed-indexed annuities (embedded derivative)
Annuity benefits
(33
)
(40
)
(110
)
(97
)
Equity index call options
Annuity benefits
32
31
125
67
Reinsurance contracts (embedded derivative)
Net investment income
2
(4
)
7
(7
)
$
2
$
(13
)
$
24
$
(37
)
24
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
G
.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
A progression of deferred policy acquisition costs is presented below (in millions):
P&C
Annuity and Other (*)
Deferred
Deferred
Sales
Present Value
Consolidated
Costs
Costs
Inducements
of Future Profits
Unrealized
Total
Total
Balance at June 30, 2013
$
208
$
797
$
159
$
92
$
(438
)
$
610
$
818
Additions
118
65
4
—
—
69
187
Periodic amortization
(119
)
(32
)
(8
)
(3
)
—
(43
)
(162
)
Foreign currency translation
(1
)
—
—
—
—
—
(1
)
Change in unrealized
—
—
—
—
25
25
25
Balance at September 30, 2013
$
206
$
830
$
155
$
89
$
(413
)
$
661
$
867
Balance at June 30, 2012
$
198
$
971
$
184
$
135
$
(642
)
$
648
$
846
Additions
113
48
4
—
—
52
165
Amortization:
Periodic amortization
(111
)
(34
)
(8
)
(5
)
—
(47
)
(158
)
Included in realized gains
—
(2
)
—
—
—
(2
)
(2
)
Sale of subsidiaries
—
(92
)
—
(16
)
—
(108
)
(108
)
Change in unrealized
—
—
—
—
(122
)
(122
)
(122
)
Balance at September 30, 2012
$
200
$
891
$
180
$
114
$
(764
)
$
421
$
621
Balance at December 31, 2012
$
204
$
787
$
170
$
99
$
(710
)
$
346
$
550
Additions
360
148
8
—
—
156
516
Periodic amortization
(356
)
(105
)
(23
)
(10
)
—
(138
)
(494
)
Foreign currency translation
(2
)
—
—
—
—
—
(2
)
Change in unrealized
—
—
—
—
297
297
297
Balance at September 30, 2013
$
206
$
830
$
155
$
89
$
(413
)
$
661
$
867
Balance at December 31, 2011
$
189
$
916
$
189
$
144
$
(537
)
$
712
$
901
Additions
334
177
15
—
—
192
526
Amortization:
Periodic amortization
(323
)
(109
)
(24
)
(14
)
—
(147
)
(470
)
Included in realized gains
—
(1
)
—
—
—
(1
)
(1
)
Sale of subsidiaries
—
(92
)
—
(16
)
—
(108
)
(108
)
Change in unrealized
—
—
—
—
(227
)
(227
)
(227
)
Balance at September 30, 2012
$
200
$
891
$
180
$
114
$
(764
)
$
421
$
621
(*)
Includes AFG’s run-off long-term care and life segment and Medicare supplement and critical illness segment (sold in August 2012).
The PVFP amounts in the table above are net of
$194 million
and
$184 million
of accumulated amortization at
September 30, 2013
and
December 31, 2012
, respectively.
25
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
H
.
Managed Investment Entities
AFG is the investment manager and its subsidiaries have investments ranging from
7.5%
to
51.2%
of the most subordinate debt tranche of
ten
collateralized loan obligation entities or “CLOs,” which are considered variable interest entities. AFG’s subsidiaries also own portions of the senior debt tranches of certain of these CLOs. Upon formation between 2004 and 2013, these entities issued securities in various senior and subordinate classes and invested the proceeds primarily in secured bank loans, which serve as collateral for the debt securities issued by each particular CLO. None of the collateral was purchased from AFG. AFG’s investments in the subordinate debt tranches of these entities receive residual income from the CLOs only after the CLOs pay expenses (including management fees to AFG), and interest on and returns of capital to senior levels of debt securities. There are no contractual requirements for AFG to provide additional funding for these entities. AFG has not provided and does not intend to provide any financial support to these entities.
AFG’s maximum exposure to economic loss on its CLOs is limited to its investment in the CLOs, which had an aggregate fair value of
$303 million
(including
$120 million
invested in the most subordinate debt tranches) at
September 30, 2013
, and
$257 million
at
December 31, 2012
.
In April 2013, AFG formed a new CLO, which issued
$417 million
face amount of liabilities (including
$23 million
face amount purchased by subsidiaries of AFG). During the first
nine
months of 2013, AFG subsidiaries also purchased
$94 million
face amount of senior debt tranches of existing CLOs for
$89 million
.
The revenues and expenses of the CLOs are separately identified in AFG’s Statement of Earnings, after the elimination of management fees and earnings attributable to shareholders of AFG as measured by the change in the fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs. Selected financial information related to the CLOs is shown below (in millions):
Three months ended September 30,
Nine months ended September 30,
2013
2012
2013
2012
Gains (losses) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities (a):
Assets
$
(2
)
$
39
$
1
$
92
Liabilities
17
(52
)
(22
)
(155
)
Management fees paid to AFG
4
6
12
14
CLO earnings (losses) attributable to (b):
AFG shareholders
9
11
27
21
Noncontrolling interests
12
(18
)
(30
)
(64
)
(a)
Included in Revenues in AFG’s Statement of Earnings.
(b)
Included in Earnings before income taxes in AFG’s Statement of Earnings.
The aggregate unpaid principal balance of the CLOs’ fixed maturity investments exceeded the fair value of the investments by
$22 million
and
$29 million
at
September 30, 2013
and
December 31, 2012
. The aggregate unpaid principal balance of the CLOs’ debt exceeded its fair value by
$105 million
and
$123 million
at those dates. The CLO assets include
$1 million
and
$5 million
in loans (aggregate unpaid principal balance of
$2 million
and
$12 million
, respectively) at
September 30, 2013
and
December 31, 2012
, for which the CLOs are not accruing interest because the loans are in default.
I
.
Goodwill and Other Intangibles
There were no changes in the goodwill balance of
$185 million
during the first
nine
months of
2013
. Included in other assets in AFG’s Balance Sheet is
$18 million
at
September 30, 2013
and
$28 million
at
December 31, 2012
in amortizable intangible assets related to property and casualty insurance acquisitions. These amounts are net of accumulated amortization of
$71 million
and
$61 million
, respectively. Amortization of these intangibles was
$3 million
in each of the
third
quarters of
2013
and
2012
and
$10 million
in each of the first
nine
months of
2013
and
2012
, respectively. Other assets also include
$8 million
in non-amortizable intangible assets related to property and casualty insurance acquisitions.
26
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
J
.
Long-Term Debt
The carrying value of long-term debt consisted of the following (in millions):
September 30,
2013
December 31,
2012
Direct obligations of AFG:
9-7/8% Senior Notes due June 2019
$
350
$
350
6-3/8% Senior Notes due June 2042
230
230
5-3/4% Senior Notes due August 2042
125
125
7% Senior Notes due September 2050
132
132
Other
3
3
840
840
Subsidiaries:
Notes payable secured by real estate due 2013 through 2016
61
62
Secured borrowings ($16 guaranteed by AFG)
—
19
National Interstate bank credit facility
12
12
73
93
Payable to Subsidiary Trusts:
AAG Holding Variable Rate Subordinated Debentures
—
20
$
913
$
953
Scheduled principal payments on debt for the balance of
2013
and the subsequent five years were as follows: 2013 — less than
$1 million
; 2014 —
$2 million
; 2015 —
$14 million
; 2016 —
$45 million
; 2017 —
$12 million
and 2018 —
none
.
As shown below (in millions), the majority of AFG’s long-term debt is unsecured obligations of the holding company and its subsidiaries:
September 30,
2013
December 31,
2012
Unsecured obligations
$
852
$
872
Obligations secured by real estate
61
62
Other secured borrowings
—
19
$
913
$
953
AFG can borrow up to
$500 million
under its revolving credit facility which expires in December 2016. Amounts borrowed under this agreement bear interest at rates ranging from
1.00%
to
1.875%
(currently
1.375%
) over LIBOR based on AFG’s credit rating.
No
amounts were borrowed under this facility at
September 30, 2013
or
December 31, 2012
.
National Interstate can borrow up to
$100 million
under its unsecured credit agreement, which expires in November 2017. At
September 30, 2013
there was
$12 million
outstanding under this agreement, bearing interest at
1.14%
(
six
-month LIBOR plus
0.875%
).
In August 2013, AAG Holding redeemed its Variable Rate Subordinated Debentures at par value. In September 2013, an AFG subsidiary paid off its remaining secured borrowing balance at maturity.
K
.
Shareholders’ Equity
AFG is authorized to issue
12.5 million
shares of Voting Preferred Stock and
12.5 million
shares of Nonvoting Preferred Stock, each without par value.
27
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax (“AOCI”)
Comprehensive income is defined as all changes in Shareholders’ Equity except those arising from transactions with shareholders. Comprehensive income includes net earnings and other comprehensive income, which consists primarily of changes in net unrealized gains or losses on available for sale securities. The progression of the components of accumulated other comprehensive income follows (in millions):
Other Comprehensive Income
AOCI
Beginning
Balance
Pretax
Tax
Net
of
tax
Attributable to
noncontrolling
interests
Attributable to
shareholders
Other (c)
AOCI
Ending
Balance
Quarter ended September 30, 2013
Net unrealized gains on securities:
Unrealized holding gains on securities arising during the period
$
8
$
(4
)
$
4
$
(1
)
$
3
Reclassification adjustment for realized gains (losses) included in net earnings (a)
(56
)
20
(36
)
1
(35
)
Total net unrealized gains on securities (b)
$
600
(48
)
16
(32
)
—
(32
)
$
—
$
568
Foreign currency translation adjustments
5
3
—
3
—
3
—
8
Pension and other postretirement plans adjustments
(6
)
—
—
—
—
—
—
(6
)
Total
$
599
$
(45
)
$
16
$
(29
)
$
—
$
(29
)
$
—
$
570
Quarter ended September 30, 2012
Net unrealized gains on securities
$
771
$
238
$
(84
)
$
154
$
(4
)
$
150
$
—
$
921
Foreign currency translation adjustments
9
10
—
10
(1
)
9
(1
)
17
Pension and other postretirement plans adjustments
(7
)
—
—
—
—
—
—
(7
)
Total
$
773
$
248
$
(84
)
$
164
$
(5
)
$
159
$
(1
)
$
931
Nine months ended September 30, 2013
Net unrealized gains on securities:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on securities arising during the period
$
(248
)
$
86
$
(162
)
$
4
$
(158
)
Reclassification adjustment for realized gains (losses) included in net earnings (a)
(153
)
54
(99
)
2
(97
)
Total net unrealized gains on securities (b)
$
823
(401
)
140
(261
)
6
(255
)
$
—
$
568
Foreign currency translation adjustments
14
(6
)
—
(6
)
—
(6
)
—
8
Pension and other postretirement plans adjustments
(6
)
—
—
—
—
—
—
(6
)
Total
$
831
$
(407
)
$
140
$
(267
)
$
6
$
(261
)
$
—
$
570
Nine months ended September 30, 2012
Net unrealized gains on securities
$
578
$
539
$
(189
)
$
350
$
(7
)
$
343
$
—
$
921
Foreign currency translation adjustments
10
9
—
9
(1
)
8
(1
)
17
Pension and other postretirement plans adjustments
(8
)
1
—
1
—
1
—
(7
)
Total
$
580
$
549
$
(189
)
$
360
$
(8
)
$
352
$
(1
)
$
931
(a)
The reclassification adjustment out of net unrealized gains on securities affected the following lines in AFG’s Consolidated Statement of Earnings:
OCI component
Affected line in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings
Pretax
Realized gains on securities
Tax
Provision for income taxes
Attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
(b)
Includes net unrealized gains of
$47 million
at
September 30, 2013
,
$42 million
at
June 30, 2013
and
$33 million
at
December 31, 2012
related to securities for which only the credit portion of an other-than-temporary impairment has been recorded in earnings.
(c)
Other relates to the third quarter 2012 acquisition of noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary.
28
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
Stock Incentive Plans
Under AFG’s Stock Incentive Plans, employees of AFG and its subsidiaries are eligible to receive equity awards in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and stock awards. In the first
nine
months of
2013
, AFG issued
249,411
shares of restricted Common Stock (fair value of
$44.01
per share) and granted stock options for
1.0 million
shares of Common Stock (at an average exercise price of
$44.01
) under the Stock Incentive Plan. In addition, AFG issued
88,602
shares of Common Stock (fair value of
$47.12
per share) in the first quarter of
2013
under the Equity Bonus Plan.
AFG uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to calculate the fair value of its option grants. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility over a period equal to the expected term. The expected term was estimated based on historical exercise patterns and post vesting cancellations. The weighted average fair value of options granted during
2013
was
$15.10
per share based on the following assumptions: expected dividend yield —
1.8%
; expected volatility —
38.8%
; expected term —
7.3
years; risk-free rate —
1.4%
.
Total compensation expense related to stock incentive plans of AFG and its subsidiaries was
$10 million
and
$5 million
in the
third
quarter and
$30 million
and
$20 million
in the first
nine
months of
2013
and
2012
, respectively.
L
.
Income Taxes
The following is a reconciliation of income taxes at the statutory rate of
35%
to the provision for income taxes as shown in the Statement of Earnings (in millions):
Three months ended September 30,
Nine months ended September 30,
2013
2012
2013
2012
Amount
% of EBT
Amount
% of EBT
Amount
% of EBT
Amount
% of EBT
Earnings before income taxes (“EBT”)
$
142
$
285
$
443
$
567
Income taxes at statutory rate
$
50
35
%
$
99
35
%
$
155
35
%
$
198
35
%
Effect of:
Tax exempt interest
(5
)
(3
%)
(6
)
(2
%)
(16
)
(4
%)
(18
)
(3
%)
Losses of managed investment entities
(4
)
(3
%)
6
2
%
11
3
%
22
4
%
Subsidiaries not in AFG’s tax return
1
1
%
2
1
%
1
—
%
4
—
%
Tax case resolution
—
—
%
(28
)
(10
%)
—
—
%
(28
)
(5
%)
Other
2
1
%
1
—
%
4
1
%
6
1
%
Provision for income taxes as shown on the Statement of Earnings
$
44
31
%
$
74
26
%
$
155
35
%
$
184
32
%
As discussed in
Note L — “Income Taxes,”
in AFG’s 2012 Form 10-K, AFG recorded a
$28 million
tax benefit in the
third
quarter of
2012
from the resolution of tax litigation with the IRS. During the first
nine
months of
2013
, there were no material changes to AFG’s liability for uncertain tax positions, which relate to the timing of investment income and the deductibility of certain financing expenses. As a result of discussions with the IRS Appeals Office during the
third
quarter of
2013
, AFG believes that its liability for uncertain tax positions may be reduced by up to
$19 million
within the coming year due to a settlement with the IRS. The majority of the reduction in this liability would result in offsetting adjustments to AFG’s deferred tax liability. Accordingly, the resolution of these items will not have a material impact on AFG’s effective tax rate.
M
.
Contingencies
As previously disclosed, AFG paid
$124 million
in the second quarter of 2013 related to the settlement of the A.P. Green asbestos claim in its property and casualty operations that had been accrued in prior years. Except for the payment of this claim and the
$76 million
in pretax charges to increase asbestos and environmental reserves discussed in
Management’s Discussion and Analysis — “Results of Operations — Special Asbestos and Environmental Reserve Charges,”
there have been no significant changes to the matters discussed and referred to in
Note M — “Contingencies”
of AFG’s
2012
Form 10-K, which covers property and casualty insurance reserves for claims related to environmental exposures, asbestos and other mass tort claims, as well as environmental and occupational injury and disease claims of former subsidiary railroad and manufacturing operations.
29
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
ITEM 2
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
INDEX TO MD&A
Page
Page
Forward-Looking Statements
30
Annuity
53
Overview
31
Run-off Long-Term Care and Life
57
Critical Accounting Policies
31
Medicare Supplement and Critical Illness
58
Liquidity and Capital Resources
32
Holding Company, Other and Unallocated
58
Ratios
32
Other — Consolidated
60
Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows
32
Results of Operations — First Nine Months
61
Parent and Subsidiary Liquidity
33
Segmented Statement of Earnings
61
Investments
34
Property and Casualty Insurance
62
Uncertainties
38
Annuity
70
Managed Investment Entities
38
Run-off Long-Term Care and Life
74
Results of Operations
42
Medicare Supplement and Critical Illness
75
General
42
Holding Company, Other and Unallocated
75
Results of Operations — Third Quarter
43
Other — Consolidated
76
Segmented Statement of Earnings
43
New Accounting Standards
77
Property and Casualty Insurance
44
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “anticipates”, “believes”, “expects”, “projects”, “estimates”, “intends”, “plans”, “seeks”, “could”, “may”, “should”, “will” or the negative version of those words or other comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements include statements relating to: expectations concerning market and other conditions and their effect on future premiums, revenues, earnings and investment activities; recoverability of asset values; expected losses and the adequacy of reserves for long-term care, asbestos, environmental pollution and mass tort claims; rate changes; and improved loss experience.
Actual results and/or financial condition could differ materially from those contained in or implied by such forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons including but not limited to:
•
changes in financial, political and economic conditions, including changes in interest and inflation rates, currency fluctuations and extended economic recessions or expansions in the U.S. and/or abroad;
•
performance of securities markets;
•
AFG’s ability to estimate accurately the likelihood, magnitude and timing of any losses in connection with investments in the non-agency residential mortgage market;
•
new legislation or declines in credit quality or credit ratings that could have a material impact on the valuation of securities in AFG’s investment portfolio;
•
the availability of capital;
•
regulatory actions (including changes in statutory accounting rules);
•
changes in the legal environment affecting AFG or its customers;
•
tax law and accounting changes;
•
levels of natural catastrophes and severe weather, terrorist activities (including any nuclear, biological, chemical or radiological events), incidents of war or losses resulting from civil unrest and other major losses;
•
development of insurance loss reserves and establishment of other reserves, particularly with respect to amounts associated with asbestos and environmental claims and AFG’s run-off long-term care business;
•
availability of reinsurance and ability of reinsurers to pay their obligations;
•
trends in persistency, mortality and morbidity;
•
competitive pressures, including those in the annuity distribution channels;
•
the ability to obtain adequate rates and policy terms; and
30
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
•
changes in AFG’s credit ratings or the financial strength ratings assigned by major ratings agencies to AFG’s operating subsidiaries.
The forward-looking statements herein are made only as of the date of this report. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements.
OVERVIEW
Financial Condition
AFG is organized as a holding company with almost all of its operations being conducted by subsidiaries. AFG, however, has continuing cash needs for administrative expenses, the payment of principal and interest on borrowings, shareholder dividends, and taxes. Therefore, certain analyses are best done on a parent only basis while others are best done on a total enterprise basis. In addition, because most of its businesses are financial in nature, AFG does not prepare its consolidated financial statements using a current-noncurrent format. Consequently, certain traditional ratios and financial analysis tests are not meaningful.
Results of Operations
Through the operations of its subsidiaries, AFG is engaged primarily in property and casualty insurance, focusing on specialized commercial products for businesses and in the sale of fixed and fixed-indexed annuities in the retail, financial institutions and education markets.
Net earnings attributable to AFG’s shareholders were
$83 million
(
$0.92
per share, diluted) for the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to
$226 million
(
$2.39
per share) in the
third
quarter of
2012
. Significantly higher profits in the Specialty property and casualty businesses and increased earnings in the annuity segment were more than offset by higher special charges in
2013
to strengthen asbestos and environmental (“A&E”) reserves and lower realized gains on securities. In addition, results for the
third
quarter of
2012
include an after tax gain of $101 million ($1.01 per share) on the sale of AFG’s Medicare supplement and critical illness businesses and a $28 million ($0.30 per share) tax benefit related to the favorable resolution of certain tax litigation.
Net earnings attributable to AFG’s shareholders for the first
nine
months of
2013
were
$313 million
(
$3.44
per share) compared to
$438 million
(
$4.50
per share) for the comparable
2012
period. Significantly higher profits in the annuity segment were more than offset by higher special A&E charges and the absence of earnings from the Medicare supplement and critical illness businesses, which were sold in August 2012. The gain on the sale of those businesses and the impact of the favorable resolution of certain tax litigation are reflected in the
2012
results.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Significant accounting policies are summarized in
Note
A
— “
Accounting Policies
”
to the financial statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that can have a significant effect on amounts reported in the financial statements. As more information becomes known, these estimates and assumptions change and, thus, impact amounts reported in the future. The areas where management believes the degree of judgment required to determine amounts recorded in the financial statements make accounting policies critical are as follows:
•
the establishment of insurance reserves, especially asbestos and environmental-related reserves and reserves for AFG’s closed block of long-term care insurance,
•
the recoverability of reinsurance,
•
the recoverability of deferred acquisition costs,
•
the establishment of asbestos and environmental reserves of former railroad and manufacturing operations, and
•
the valuation of investments, including the determination of “other-than-temporary” impairments.
For a discussion of these policies, see
Management’s Discussion and Analysis — “Critical Accounting Policies”
in AFG’s
2012
Form 10-K.
31
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Ratios
AFG’s debt to total capital ratio on a consolidated basis is shown below (dollars in millions):
September 30,
2013
December 31,
2012
2011
Long-term debt
$
913
$
953
$
934
Total capital
5,129
4,907
4,860
Ratio of debt to total capital:
Including debt secured by real estate
17.8
%
19.4
%
19.2
%
Excluding debt secured by real estate
16.8
%
18.4
%
18.2
%
The ratio of debt to total capital is a non-GAAP measure that management believes is useful for investors, analysts and independent ratings agencies to evaluate AFG’s financial strength and liquidity and to provide insight into how AFG finances its operations. The ratio is calculated by dividing AFG’s long-term debt by its total capital, which includes long-term debt, noncontrolling interests and shareholders’ equity (excluding unrealized gains (losses) related to fixed maturity investments and appropriated retained earnings related to managed investment entities).
AFG’s ratio of earnings to fixed charges, including annuity benefits as a fixed charge, was
2.02
for the
nine
months ended
September 30, 2013
and
1.98
for the year ended
December 31, 2012
. Excluding annuity benefits, this ratio was
7.96
and
7.16
, respectively. Although the ratio excluding annuity benefits is not required or encouraged to be disclosed under Securities and Exchange Commission rules, it is presented because interest credited to annuity policyholder accounts is not always considered a borrowing cost for an insurance company.
Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows
AFG’s cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities as detailed in its Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows are shown below (in millions):
Nine months ended September 30,
2013
2012
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
388
$
487
Net cash used in investing activities
(1,913
)
(938
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
1,151
753
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
$
(374
)
$
302
AFG's principal sources of cash include insurance premiums, income from its investment portfolio and proceeds from the maturities, redemptions and sales of investments. Insurance premiums in excess of acquisition expenses and operating costs are invested until they are needed to meet policyholder obligations or made available to the parent company through dividends to cover debt obligations and corporate expenses, and to provide returns to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends.
Net cash provided by operating activities was
$388 million
for the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to
$487 million
in the first
nine
months of
2012
,
a decrease
of
$99 million
. AFG's property and casualty insurance operations typically produce positive net operating cash flows as premiums collected and investment income exceed policy acquisition costs, claims payments and operating expenses. AFG's net cash provided by operating activities is impacted by the level and timing of property and casualty premiums, claim and expense payments and recoveries from reinsurers. AFG's annuity operations typically produce positive net operating cash flows as investment income exceeds acquisition costs and operating expenses. Interest credited on annuity policyholder funds is a non-cash increase in AFG's annuity benefits accumulated liability and annuity premiums, benefits and withdrawals are considered financing activities due to the deposit-type nature of annuities. The
$99 million
decrease
in net cash provided by operating activities reflects the second quarter of 2013 payment of a $124 million asbestos claim related to a large settlement in the property and casualty operations, which had been accrued for in prior years.
Net cash used in investing activities was
$1.91 billion
for the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to
$938 million
in the first
nine
months of
2012
,
an increase
of
$975 million
. AFG's investing activities consist primarily of the investment of funds provided by its property and casualty and annuity products. The
$385 million
increase
in net cash flows from annuity policyholders in the first
nine
months of
2013
as compared to the
2012
period (discussed below under net cash provided by
32
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
financing activities) increased the amount of cash available for investment in the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to the
2012
period. During the first
nine
months of
2012
, cash on hand in the annuity and run-off long-term care and life segments increased by $363 million from year-end 2011 as net cash flows from annuity policyholders outpaced the investment of the funds received. The increase in net cash used in investing activities also reflects the use of cash and cash equivalents held in the property and casualty operations to purchase fixed maturity and equity securities during the second quarter of
2013
. Investing activities also include the purchase and disposal of managed investment entity investments (collateralized loan obligations), which are presented separately in AFG's Balance Sheet. Net investment activity in the managed investment entities was a
$454 million
source
of cash in the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to a
$183 million
source
of cash in the
2012
period. See
Managed Investment Entities
in
Note
A
— “
Accounting Policies
”
and
Note
H
— “
Managed Investment Entities
”.
Net cash provided by financing activities was
$1.15 billion
for the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to
$753 million
in the first
nine
months of
2012
,
an increase
of
$398 million
. AFG's financing activities consist primarily of transactions with annuity policyholders, issuances and retirements of long-term debt, repurchases of common stock and dividend payments. Annuity receipts exceeded annuity surrenders, benefits, withdrawals and transfers by
$1.72 billion
in the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to
$1.34 billion
in the
2012
period, resulting in a
$385 million
increase
in net cash provided by financing activities in the
2013
period compared to the
2012
period. Cash flows from financing activities for the first
nine
months of 2012 include $344 million in net proceeds from the issuances of long-term debt in June and August of 2012. The proceeds from the debt offerings were used primarily to retire higher interest rate debt in the
third
quarter of 2012. During the first
nine
months of
2013
, AFG repurchased 1.4 million shares of its Common Stock for
$70 million
compared to 8.3 million shares repurchased in the first
nine
months of
2012
for
$315 million
, which accounted for a
$245 million
increase
in net cash provided by financing activities in the
2013
period compared to the
2012
period. Financing activities also include the issuance and retirement of managed investment entity liabilities, which are nonrecourse to AFG and presented separately in AFG's Balance Sheet. The retirement of managed investment entity liabilities exceed issuances by
$449 million
in the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to
$248 million
in the first
nine
months of
2012
, representing a
$201 million
decrease
in net cash provided by financing activities in the
2013
period compared to the
2012
period. See
Managed Investment Entities
in
Note
A
— “
Accounting Policies
”
and
Note
H
— “
Managed Investment Entities
”.
Parent and Subsidiary Liquidity
Parent Holding Company Liquidity
Management believes AFG has sufficient resources to meet its liquidity requirements. If funds generated from operations, including dividends, tax payments and borrowings from subsidiaries, are insufficient to meet fixed charges in any period, AFG would be required to utilize parent company cash and marketable securities or to generate cash through borrowings, sales of other assets, or similar transactions.
In December 2012, AFG replaced its bank credit facility with a four-year, $500 million revolving credit line. Amounts borrowed under this agreement bear interest at rates ranging from 1.00% to 1.875% (currently 1.375%) over LIBOR based on AFG’s credit rating. There were no borrowings under the agreement, or under any other parent company short-term borrowing arrangements, during 2012 or the first
nine
months of
2013
.
During the first
nine
months of 2013, AFG repurchased 1.4 million shares of its Common Stock for $70 million (primarily in the second quarter). During
2012
, AFG repurchased 10.9 million shares of its Common Stock for $415 million.
Under tax allocation agreements with AFG, its 80%-owned U.S. subsidiaries generally pay taxes to (or recover taxes from) AFG based on each subsidiary’s contribution to amounts due under AFG’s consolidated tax return.
Subsidiary Liquidity
Great American Life Insurance Company (“GALIC”), a wholly-owned annuity subsidiary, is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati (“FHLB”). The FHLB makes advances and provides other banking services to member institutions, which provides the annuity operations with a substantial additional source of liquidity. These advances further the FHLB’s mission of improving access to housing by increasing liquidity in the residential mortgage-backed securities market. In the second quarter of
2013
, the FHLB advanced GALIC $200 million, increasing the total amount advanced to $440 million at
September 30, 2013
(included in annuity benefits accumulated). The interest rates on the advances range from 0.02% to 0.23% over LIBOR (average rate of 0.33% at
September 30, 2013
). While these advances must be repaid between 2016 and 2018, GALIC has the option to prepay all or a portion of the advances. GALIC has invested the proceeds from the advances in fixed maturity securities for the purpose of earning a spread over the interest payments due to the FHLB.
33
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
In November 2012, National Interstate Corporation (“NATL”), a 52%-owned property and casualty insurance subsidiary, replaced its $50 million bank credit facility with a five-year, $100 million unsecured credit agreement. There was $12 million borrowed under this agreement at
September 30, 2013
, bearing interest at 1.14% (six-month LIBOR plus 0.875%).
The liquidity requirements of AFG’s insurance subsidiaries relate primarily to the liabilities associated with their products as well as operating costs and expenses, payments of dividends and taxes to AFG and contributions of capital to their subsidiaries. Historically, cash flows from premiums and investment income have generally provided more than sufficient funds to meet these requirements. Funds received in excess of cash requirements are generally invested in additional marketable securities. In addition, the insurance subsidiaries generally hold a significant amount of highly liquid, short-term investments.
The excess cash flow of AFG’s property and casualty group allows it to extend the duration of its investment portfolio somewhat beyond that of its claim reserves.
In the annuity business, where profitability is largely dependent on earning a “spread” between invested assets and annuity liabilities, the duration of investments is generally maintained close to that of liabilities. In a rising interest rate environment, significant protection from withdrawals exists in the form of temporary and permanent surrender charges on AFG’s annuity products. With declining rates, AFG receives some protection (from spread compression) due to the ability to lower crediting rates, subject to contractually guaranteed minimum interest rates (“GMIRs”). AFG began selling policies with GMIRs below 2% in 2003; almost all new business since late 2010 has been issued with a 1% GMIR. At
September 30, 2013
, AFG could reduce the average crediting rate of its $15 billion of traditional and fixed-indexed deferred annuities without guaranteed withdrawal benefits by approximately 43 basis points (on a weighted average basis).
AFG believes its insurance subsidiaries maintain sufficient liquidity to pay claims and benefits and operating expenses. In addition, these subsidiaries have sufficient capital to meet commitments in the event of unforeseen events such as reserve deficiencies, inadequate premium rates or reinsurer insolvencies. Nonetheless, changes in statutory accounting rules, significant declines in the fair value of the insurance subsidiaries’ investment portfolios or significant ratings downgrades on these investments, could create a need for additional capital.
Investments
AFG’s investment portfolio at
September 30, 2013
, contained
$25.67 billion
in “Fixed maturities” classified as available for sale and
$1.14 billion
in “Equity securities,” all carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in a separate component of shareholders’ equity on an after-tax basis. In addition,
$290 million
in fixed maturities were classified as trading with changes in unrealized holding gains or losses included in net investment income.
Fair values for AFG’s portfolio are determined by AFG’s internal investment professionals using data from nationally recognized pricing services as well as non-binding broker quotes. Fair values of equity securities are generally based on closing prices obtained from the pricing services. For mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”), which comprise approximately 27% of AFG’s fixed maturities, prices for each security are generally obtained from both pricing services and broker quotes. For the remainder of AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio, approximately 88% are priced using pricing services and the balance is priced primarily by using non-binding broker quotes. When prices obtained for the same security vary, AFG’s internal investment professionals select the price they believe is most indicative of an exit price.
The pricing services use a variety of observable inputs to estimate fair value of fixed maturities that do not trade on a daily basis. Based upon information provided by the pricing services, these inputs include, but are not limited to, recent reported trades, benchmark yields, issuer spreads, bids or offers, reference data, and measures of volatility. Included in the pricing of MBS are estimates of the rate of future prepayments and defaults of principal over the remaining life of the underlying collateral. Due to the lack of transparency in the process that brokers use to develop prices, valuations that are based on brokers’ prices are classified as Level 3 in the GAAP hierarchy unless the price can be corroborated, for example, by comparison to similar securities priced using observable inputs.
Valuation techniques utilized by pricing services and prices obtained from external sources are reviewed by AFG’s internal investment professionals who are familiar with the securities being priced and the markets in which they trade to ensure the fair value determination is representative of an exit price. To validate the appropriateness of the prices obtained, these investment managers consider widely published indices (as benchmarks), recent trades, changes in interest rates, general economic conditions and the credit quality of the specific issuers. In addition, AFG communicates directly with pricing services regarding the methods and assumptions used in pricing, including verifying, on a test basis, the inputs used by the services to value specific securities.
34
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
In general, the fair value of AFG’s fixed maturity investments is inversely correlated to changes in interest rates. The following table demonstrates the sensitivity of such fair values to reasonably likely changes in interest rates by illustrating the estimated effect on AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio that an immediate increase of 100 basis points in the interest rate yield curve would have at
September 30, 2013
(dollars in millions). Increases or decreases from the 100 basis points illustrated would be approximately proportional.
Fair value of fixed maturity portfolio
$
25,964
Pretax impact on fair value of 100 bps increase in interest rates
$
(1,168
)
Pretax impact as % of total fixed maturity portfolio
(4.5
%)
Approximately 86% of the fixed maturities held by AFG at
September 30, 2013
, were rated “investment grade” (credit rating of AAA to BBB) by nationally recognized rating agencies. Investment grade securities generally bear lower yields and lower degrees of risk than those that are unrated and non-investment grade. Management believes that the high quality investment portfolio should generate a stable and predictable investment return.
MBS are subject to significant prepayment risk due to the fact that, in periods of declining interest rates, mortgages may be repaid more rapidly than scheduled as borrowers refinance higher rate mortgages to take advantage of lower rates. Although interest rates have been low for the last few years, a weak housing market and uncertain economic conditions have led to tighter lending standards, which have resulted in fewer buyers being able to refinance the mortgages underlying much of AFG’s non-agency residential MBS portfolio.
Summarized information for AFG’s MBS (including those classified as trading) at
September 30, 2013
, is shown (in millions) in the table below. Agency-backed securities are those issued by a U.S. government-backed agency; Alt-A mortgages are those with risk profiles between prime and subprime. The majority of the Alt-A securities and substantially all of the subprime securities are backed by fixed-rate mortgages. The average life of both the residential and commercial MBS is approximately 4 years.
Amortized
Cost
Fair Value
Fair Value as
% of Cost
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
% Rated
Investment
Grade
Collateral type
Residential:
Agency-backed
$
244
$
251
103
%
$
7
100
%
Non-agency prime
1,913
2,099
110
%
186
43
%
Alt-A
912
993
109
%
81
22
%
Subprime
886
945
107
%
59
18
%
Commercial
2,565
2,778
108
%
213
99
%
$
6,520
$
7,066
108
%
$
546
60
%
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) assigns creditworthiness designations on a scale of 1 to 6 with 1 being the highest quality and 6 being the lowest quality. The NAIC retains third-party investment management firms to assist in the determination of appropriate NAIC designations for mortgage-backed securities based not only on the probability of loss (which is the primary basis of ratings by the major ratings firms), but also on the severity of loss and statutory carrying value. At
September 30, 2013
, 96% (based on statutory carrying value of $6.43 billion) of AFG’s MBS securities had an NAIC designation of 1 or 2.
Municipal bonds represented approximately
20%
of AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio at
September 30, 2013
. AFG’s municipal bond portfolio is high quality, with 99% of the securities rated investment grade at that date. The portfolio is well diversified across the states of issuance and individual issuers. At
September 30, 2013
, approximately 75% of the municipal bond portfolio was held in revenue bonds, with the remaining 25% held in general obligation bonds. General obligation securities of California, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York and Puerto Rico collectively represented approximately 1% of this portfolio.
35
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Summarized information for the unrealized gains and losses recorded in AFG’s Balance Sheet at
September 30, 2013
, is shown in the following table (dollars in millions). Approximately
$151 million
of available for sale “Fixed maturities” and
$100 million
of “Equity securities” had no unrealized gains or losses at
September 30, 2013
.
Securities
With
Unrealized
Gains
Securities
With
Unrealized
Losses
Available for Sale Fixed Maturities
Fair value of securities
$
19,603
$
5,920
Amortized cost of securities
$
18,125
$
6,160
Gross unrealized gain (loss)
$
1,478
$
(240
)
Fair value as % of amortized cost
108
%
96
%
Number of security positions
3,778
1,076
Number individually exceeding $2 million gain or loss
128
8
Concentration of gains (losses) by type or industry (exceeding 5% of unrealized):
States and municipalities
$
181
$
(100
)
Mortgage-backed securities
585
(39
)
Banks, savings and credit institutions
111
(16
)
Asset-backed securities
34
(16
)
Gas and electric services
125
(3
)
Percentage rated investment grade
85
%
88
%
Equity Securities
Fair value of securities
$
838
$
205
Cost of securities
$
635
$
221
Gross unrealized gain (loss)
$
203
$
(16
)
Fair value as % of cost
132
%
93
%
Number of security positions
177
57
Number individually exceeding $2 million gain or loss
37
1
The table below sets forth the scheduled maturities of AFG’s available for sale fixed maturity securities at
September 30, 2013
, based on their fair values. Securities with sinking funds are reported at average maturity. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain securities may be called or prepaid by the issuers.
Securities
With
Unrealized
Gains
Securities
With
Unrealized
Losses
Maturity
One year or less
5
%
1
%
After one year through five years
23
%
7
%
After five years through ten years
27
%
35
%
After ten years
8
%
26
%
63
%
69
%
Asset-backed securities (average life of approximately 4 1/2 years)
6
%
17
%
Mortgage-backed securities (average life of approximately 4 years)
31
%
14
%
100
%
100
%
36
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
The table below (dollars in millions) summarizes the unrealized gains and losses on fixed maturity securities by dollar amount:
Aggregate
Fair
Value
Aggregate
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
Fair
Value as
% of Cost
Basis
Fixed Maturities at September 30, 2013
Securities with unrealized gains:
Exceeding $500,000 (867 securities)
$
9,926
$
1,059
112
%
$500,000 or less (2,911 securities)
9,677
419
105
%
$
19,603
$
1,478
108
%
Securities with unrealized losses:
Exceeding $500,000 (126 securities)
$
1,543
$
(129
)
92
%
$500,000 or less (950 securities)
4,377
(111
)
98
%
$
5,920
$
(240
)
96
%
The following table summarizes (dollars in millions) the unrealized loss for all securities with unrealized losses by issuer quality and length of time those securities have been in an unrealized loss position:
Aggregate
Fair
Value
Aggregate
Unrealized
Loss
Fair
Value as
% of Cost
Basis
Securities with Unrealized Losses at September 30, 2013
Investment grade fixed maturities with losses for:
Less than one year (803 securities)
$
5,057
$
(193
)
96
%
One year or longer (42 securities)
137
(5
)
96
%
$
5,194
$
(198
)
96
%
Non-investment grade fixed maturities with losses for:
Less than one year (125 securities)
$
523
$
(16
)
97
%
One year or longer (106 securities)
203
(26
)
89
%
$
726
$
(42
)
95
%
Common equity securities with losses for:
Less than one year (26 securities)
$
98
$
(6
)
94
%
One year or longer (3 securities)
—
—
—
%
$
98
$
(6
)
94
%
Perpetual preferred equity securities with losses for:
Less than one year (19 securities)
$
84
$
(7
)
92
%
One year or longer (9 securities)
23
(3
)
88
%
$
107
$
(10
)
91
%
When a decline in the value of a specific investment is considered to be “other-than-temporary,” a provision for impairment is charged to earnings (accounted for as a realized loss) and the cost basis of that investment is reduced by the amount of the charge. The determination of whether unrealized losses are “other-than-temporary” requires judgment based on subjective as well as objective factors as detailed in AFG’s 2012 Form 10-K under
Management’s Discussion and Analysis — “Investments.”
Based on its analysis, management believes AFG will recover its cost basis in the securities with unrealized losses and that AFG has the ability to hold the securities until they recover in value and had no intent to sell them at
September 30, 2013
. Although AFG has the ability to continue holding its investments with unrealized losses, its intent to hold them may change due to deterioration in the issuers’ creditworthiness, decisions to lessen exposure to a particular issuer or industry, asset/liability management decisions, market movements, changes in views about appropriate asset allocation or the desire to offset taxable realized gains. Should AFG’s ability or intent change with regard to a particular security, a charge for impairment would likely be required. While it is not possible to accurately predict if or when a specific security will become impaired, charges for other-than-temporary impairment could be material to results of operations in future periods. Significant declines in the fair value of AFG’s investment portfolio could have a significant adverse effect on AFG’s liquidity.
37
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Uncertainties
Management believes that the areas posing the greatest risk of material loss are the adequacy of its insurance reserves and contingencies arising out of its former railroad and manufacturing operations. See
Management’s Discussion and Analysis — “Uncertainties”
in AFG’s 2012 Form 10-K. AFG has periodically conducted comprehensive studies of its asbestos and environmental reserves, generally every two years, with the aid of specialty actuarial, engineering and consulting firms and outside counsel. An in-depth internal review is performed during the intervening years. See
Results of Operations — “Special Asbestos and Environmental Reserve Charges.”
MANAGED INVESTMENT ENTITIES
Accounting standards require AFG to consolidate its investments in collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) entities that it manages and owns an interest in (in the form of debt). See
Note
A
—
“
Accounting Policies
—
Managed Investment Entities
”
and
Note
H
— “
Managed Investment Entities
.” The effect of consolidating these entities is shown in the tables below (in millions). The “Before CLO Consolidation” columns include AFG’s investment and earnings in the CLOs on an unconsolidated basis.
38
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
Before CLO
Consolidation
Managed
Investment
Entities
Consol.
Entries
Consolidated
As Reported
September 30, 2013
Assets:
Cash and investments
$
30,224
$
—
$
(303
)
(a)
$
29,921
Assets of managed investment entities
—
2,779
—
2,779
Other assets
8,249
—
(2
)
(a)
8,247
Total assets
$
38,473
$
2,779
$
(305
)
$
40,947
Liabilities:
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums
$
8,488
$
—
$
—
$
8,488
Annuity, life, accident and health benefits and reserves
21,796
—
—
21,796
Liabilities of managed investment entities
—
2,688
(259
)
(a)
2,429
Long-term debt and other liabilities
3,524
—
—
3,524
Total liabilities
33,808
2,688
(259
)
36,237
Shareholders’ equity:
Common Stock and Capital surplus
1,198
45
(45
)
1,198
Retained earnings:
Appropriated — managed investment entities
—
46
(1
)
45
Unappropriated
2,729
—
—
2,729
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax
570
—
—
570
Total shareholders’ equity
4,497
91
(46
)
4,542
Noncontrolling interests
168
—
—
168
Total equity
4,665
91
(46
)
4,710
Total liabilities and equity
$
38,473
$
2,779
$
(305
)
$
40,947
December 31, 2012
Assets:
Cash and investments
$
28,706
$
—
$
(257
)
(a)
$
28,449
Assets of managed investment entities
—
3,225
—
3,225
Other assets
7,498
—
(1
)
(a)
7,497
Total assets
$
36,204
$
3,225
$
(258
)
$
39,171
Liabilities:
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums
$
8,496
$
—
$
—
$
8,496
Annuity, life, accident and health benefits and reserves
19,668
—
—
19,668
Liabilities of managed investment entities
—
3,130
(238
)
(a)
2,892
Long-term debt and other liabilities
3,367
—
—
3,367
Total liabilities
31,531
3,130
(238
)
34,423
Shareholders’ equity:
Common Stock and Capital surplus
1,152
20
(20
)
1,152
Retained earnings:
Appropriated — managed investment entities
—
75
—
75
Unappropriated
2,520
—
—
2,520
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax
831
—
—
831
Total shareholders’ equity
4,503
95
(20
)
4,578
Noncontrolling interests
170
—
—
170
Total equity
4,673
95
(20
)
4,748
Total liabilities and equity
$
36,204
$
3,225
$
(258
)
$
39,171
(a)
Elimination of the fair value of AFG’s investment in CLOs and related accrued interest.
39
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
Before CLO
Consolidation (a)
Managed
Investment
Entities
Consol.
Entries
Consolidated
As Reported
Three months ended September 30, 2013
Revenues:
Insurance net earned premiums
$
978
$
—
$
—
$
978
Net investment income
347
—
(9
)
(b)
338
Realized gains on securities
56
—
—
56
Income (loss) of managed investment entities:
Investment income
—
32
—
32
Gain on change in fair value of assets/liabilities
—
14
1
(b)
15
Other income
28
—
(4
)
(c)
24
Total revenues
1,409
46
(12
)
1,443
Costs and Expenses:
Insurance benefits and expenses
1,163
—
—
1,163
Expenses of managed investment entities
—
32
(10
)
(b)(c)
22
Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses
116
—
—
116
Total costs and expenses
1,279
32
(10
)
1,301
Earnings before income taxes
130
14
(2
)
142
Provision for income taxes
44
—
—
44
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests
86
14
(2
)
98
Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
3
—
12
(d)
15
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders
$
83
$
14
$
(14
)
$
83
Three months ended September 30, 2012
Revenues:
Insurance net earned premiums
$
928
$
—
$
—
$
928
Net investment income
337
—
(11
)
(b)
326
Realized gains on securities
85
—
—
85
Realized gains on subsidiaries
156
—
—
156
Income (loss) of managed investment entities:
Investment income
—
31
—
31
Loss on change in fair value of assets/liabilities
—
(18
)
5
(b)
(13
)
Other income
31
—
(6
)
(c)
25
Total revenues
1,537
13
(12
)
1,538
Costs and Expenses:
Insurance benefits and expenses
1,116
—
—
1,116
Expenses of managed investment entities
—
31
(12
)
(b)(c)
19
Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses
118
—
—
118
Total costs and expenses
1,234
31
(12
)
1,253
Earnings before income taxes
303
(18
)
—
285
Provision for income taxes
74
—
—
74
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests
229
(18
)
—
211
Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
3
—
(18
)
(d)
(15
)
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders
$
226
$
(18
)
$
18
$
226
(a)
Includes
$9 million
and
$11 million
for the
third
quarter of
2013
and
2012
, respectively, in net investment income representing the change in fair value of AFG’s CLO investments plus
$4 million
and $6 million in
2013
and
2012
, respectively, in CLO management fees earned.
(b)
Elimination of the change in fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs, including $6 million in both the
third
quarters of
2013
and
2012
in distributions recorded as interest expense by the CLOs.
(c)
Elimination of management fees earned by AFG.
(d)
Allocate earnings (losses) of CLOs attributable to other debt holders to noncontrolling interests.
40
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
Before CLO
Consolidation (a)
Managed
Investment
Entities
Consol.
Entries
Consolidated
As Reported
Nine months ended September 30, 2013
Revenues:
Insurance net earned premiums
$
2,432
$
—
$
—
$
2,432
Net investment income
1,023
—
(27
)
(b)
996
Realized gains on securities
154
—
—
154
Income (loss) of managed investment entities:
Investment income
—
98
—
98
Loss on change in fair value of assets/liabilities
—
(25
)
4
(b)
(21
)
Other income
83
—
(12
)
(c)
71
Total revenues
3,692
73
(35
)
3,730
Costs and Expenses:
Insurance benefits and expenses
2,917
—
—
2,917
Expenses of managed investment entities
—
99
(31
)
(b)(c)
68
Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses
302
—
—
302
Total costs and expenses
3,219
99
(31
)
3,287
Earnings before income taxes
473
(26
)
(4
)
443
Provision for income taxes
155
—
—
155
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests
318
(26
)
(4
)
288
Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
5
—
(30
)
(d)
(25
)
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders
$
313
$
(26
)
$
26
$
313
Nine months ended September 30, 2012
Revenues:
Insurance net earned premiums
$
2,381
$
—
$
—
$
2,381
Net investment income
993
—
(21
)
(b)
972
Realized gains on securities
145
—
—
145
Realized gains on subsidiaries
155
—
—
155
Income (loss) of managed investment entities:
Investment income
—
92
—
92
Loss on change in fair value of assets/liabilities
—
(72
)
9
(b)
(63
)
Other income
81
—
(14
)
(c)
67
Total revenues
3,755
20
(26
)
3,749
Costs and Expenses:
Insurance benefits and expenses
2,807
—
—
2,807
Expenses of managed investment entities
—
84
(26
)
(b)(c)
58
Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses
317
—
—
317
Total costs and expenses
3,124
84
(26
)
3,182
Earnings before income taxes
631
(64
)
—
567
Provision for income taxes
184
—
—
184
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests
447
(64
)
—
383
Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
9
—
(64
)
(d)
(55
)
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders
$
438
$
(64
)
$
64
$
438
(a)
Includes
$27 million
and
$21 million
for the first
nine
months of
2013
and
2012
, respectively, in net investment income representing the change in fair value of AFG’s CLO investments plus
$12 million
and $14 million in
2013
and
2012
, respectively, in CLO management fees earned.
(b)
Elimination of the change in fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs, including $19 million and $12 million in the first
nine
months of
2013
and
2012
, respectively, in distributions recorded as interest expense by the CLOs.
(c)
Elimination of management fees earned by AFG.
(d)
Allocate losses of CLOs attributable to other debt holders to noncontrolling interests.
41
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
General
Results of operations as shown in the accompanying financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP.
AFG’s net earnings attributable to shareholders, determined in accordance with GAAP, include certain items that may not be indicative of its ongoing core operations. The following table identifies such items and reconciles net earnings attributable to shareholders to core net operating earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure that AFG believes is a useful tool for investors and analysts in analyzing ongoing operating trends (in millions, except per share amounts):
Three months ended September 30,
Nine months ended September 30,
2013
2012
2013
2012
Core net operating earnings
$
97
$
78
$
268
$
253
Gain on sale of Medicare supplement and critical illness (*)
—
101
—
101
Other realized gains (*)
35
55
97
92
Special A&E charges (*)
(49
)
(21
)
(49
)
(21
)
ELNY guaranty fund assessments (*)
—
—
(3
)
—
AFG tax case resolution
—
28
—
28
Other (*)
—
(15
)
—
(15
)
Net earnings attributable to shareholders
$
83
$
226
$
313
$
438
Diluted per share amounts:
Core net operating earnings
$
1.06
$
.82
$
2.94
$
2.59
Gain on sale of Medicare supplement and critical illness
—
1.07
—
1.04
Other realized gains
.40
.59
1.08
.95
Special A&E charges
(.54
)
(.23
)
(.54
)
(.22
)
ELNY guaranty fund assessments
—
—
(.04
)
—
AFG tax case resolution
—
.30
—
.29
Other
—
(.16
)
—
(.15
)
Net earnings attributable to shareholders
$
.92
$
2.39
$
3.44
$
4.50
(*) The tax effects of reconciling items are shown below (in millions):
Gain on sale of Medicare supplement and critical illness
$
—
$
(54
)
$
—
$
(54
)
Other realized gains
(20
)
(31
)
(55
)
(52
)
Special A&E charges
27
12
27
12
ELNY guaranty fund assessments
—
—
2
—
Other
—
8
—
8
In addition, other realized gains are shown net of noncontrolling interests as follows (in millions):
Noncontrolling interests
$
(1
)
$
—
$
(2
)
$
(1
)
Net earnings attributable to shareholders
decreased
in the
third
quarter and first
nine
months of
2013
compared to the same periods in
2012
due primarily to the $101 million after tax gain on the sale of AFG’s Medicare supplement and critical illness businesses and the favorable impact of AFG’s tax case resolution, both of which occurred in the
third
quarter of
2012
. Net earnings attributable to shareholders were also impacted by special A&E charges, which were higher in the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to the
third
quarter of
2012
.
Core net operating earnings
increased
$19 million
in the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to the same period in
2012
with significantly higher profits in the Specialty property and casualty insurance operations and increased earnings in the annuity segment as the primary drivers of the improved quarterly results. For the first
nine
months of
2013
, the
$15 million
increase in core net operating earnings as compared to the 2012 period reflects significantly higher profits in the annuity segment and higher underwriting profit in the property and casualty insurance segment, partially offset by the absence of earnings from the Medicare supplement and critical illness segment, which was sold in August 2012, a decline in the results of the run-off long-term care and life segment and lower net investment income in the property and casualty insurance segment.
42
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Earnings per share amounts for the
third
quarter and first
nine
months of
2013
also reflect the favorable impact of share repurchases since the beginning of 2012.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — QUARTERS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2013
AND
2012
Segmented Statement of Earnings
AFG reports its business as five segments: (i) Property and casualty insurance (“P&C”), (ii) Annuity, (iii) Run-off long-term care and life, (iv) Medicare supplement and critical illness (sold in August 2012) and (v) Other, which includes holding company costs and operations attributable to the noncontrolling interests of the managed investment entities (“MIEs”).
AFG's net earnings attributable to shareholders, determined in accordance with GAAP, include certain items that may not be indicative of its ongoing core operations. The following tables for the quarters ended
September 30, 2013
and
2012
identify such items by segment and reconcile net earnings attributable to shareholders to core net operating earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure that AFG believes is a useful tool for investors and analysts in analyzing ongoing operating trends (in millions):
Other
P&C
Annuity
Run-off long-term care and life
Consol. MIEs
Holding Co., other and unallocated
Total
Non-core reclass
GAAP Total
Quarter ended September 30, 2013
Revenues:
Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums
$
949
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
949
$
—
$
949
Life, accident and health net earned premiums
—
—
29
—
—
29
—
29
Net investment income
65
259
20
(9
)
3
338
—
338
Realized gains on securities
—
—
—
—
—
—
56
56
Income (loss) of MIEs:
Investment income
—
—
—
32
—
32
—
32
Gain on change in fair value of assets/liabilities
—
—
—
15
—
15
—
15
Other income
1
17
1
(4
)
9
24
—
24
Total revenues
1,015
276
50
34
12
1,387
56
1,443
Costs and Expenses:
Property and casualty insurance:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
626
—
—
—
—
626
54
680
Commissions and other underwriting expenses
261
—
—
—
—
261
—
261
Annuity benefits
—
140
—
—
—
140
—
140
Life, accident and health benefits
—
—
42
—
—
42
—
42
Annuity and supplemental insurance acquisition expenses
—
35
5
—
—
40
—
40
Interest charges on borrowed money
1
—
—
—
17
18
—
18
Expenses of MIEs
—
—
—
22
—
22
—
22
Other expenses
12
23
7
—
34
76
22
98
Total costs and expenses
900
198
54
22
51
1,225
76
1,301
Earnings before income taxes
115
78
(4
)
12
(39
)
162
(20
)
142
Provision for income taxes
38
26
(2
)
—
(11
)
51
(7
)
44
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests
77
52
(2
)
12
(28
)
111
(13
)
98
Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
2
—
—
12
—
14
1
15
Core Net Operating Earnings
75
52
(2
)
—
(28
)
97
Non-core earnings attributable to shareholders (a):
Realized gains on securities, net of tax
—
—
—
—
35
35
(35
)
—
Special A&E charges, net of tax
(35
)
—
—
—
(14
)
(49
)
49
—
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders
$
40
$
52
$
(2
)
$
—
$
(7
)
$
83
$
—
$
83
43
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Other
P&C
Annuity
Run-off long-term care and life
Medicare supplement and critical illness
Consol. MIEs
Holding Co., other and unallocated
Total
Non-core reclass
GAAP Total
Quarter ended September 30, 2012
Revenues:
Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums
$
848
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
848
$
—
$
848
Life, accident and health net earned premiums
—
—
30
50
—
—
80
—
80
Net investment income
67
249
19
2
(11
)
—
326
—
326
Realized gains on securities
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
85
85
Realized gains on subsidiaries
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
156
156
Income (loss) of MIEs:
Investment income
—
—
—
—
31
—
31
—
31
Loss on change in fair value of assets/liabilities
—
—
—
—
(13
)
—
(13
)
—
(13
)
Other income
6
14
1
1
(6
)
9
25
—
25
Total revenues
921
263
50
53
1
9
1,297
241
1,538
Costs and Expenses:
Property and casualty insurance:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
579
—
—
—
—
—
579
31
610
Commissions and other underwriting expenses
254
—
—
—
—
—
254
—
254
Annuity benefits
—
140
—
—
—
—
140
—
140
Life, accident and health benefits
—
—
36
30
—
—
66
—
66
Annuity and supplemental insurance acquisition expenses
—
32
5
9
—
—
46
—
46
Interest charges on borrowed money
—
—
—
—
—
19
19
—
19
Expenses of MIEs
—
—
—
—
19
—
19
—
19
Other expenses
15
22
7
4
—
26
74
25
99
Total costs and expenses
848
194
48
43
19
45
1,197
56
1,253
Earnings before income taxes
73
69
2
10
(18
)
(36
)
100
185
285
Provision for income taxes
23
22
1
4
—
(13
)
37
37
74
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests
50
47
1
6
(18
)
(23
)
63
148
211
Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
2
—
—
—
(18
)
1
(15
)
—
(15
)
Core Net Operating Earnings
48
47
1
6
—
(24
)
78
Non-core earnings attributable to shareholders (a):
Gain on sale of Medicare supplement and critical illness, net of tax
—
—
—
101
—
—
101
(101
)
—
Other realized gains, net of tax
—
—
—
—
—
55
55
(55
)
—
Special A&E charges, net of tax
(20
)
—
—
—
—
(1
)
(21
)
21
—
AFG tax case resolution
—
—
—
—
—
28
28
(28
)
—
Other, net of tax
—
—
—
—
—
(15
)
(15
)
15
—
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders
$
28
$
47
$
1
$
107
$
—
$
43
$
226
$
—
$
226
(a)
See the reconciliation of core earnings to GAAP net earnings under
Results of Operations —
General
for details on the tax and noncontrolling interest impacts of these reconciling items.
Property and Casualty Insurance Segment — Results of Operations
Performance measures such as underwriting profit or loss and related combined ratios are often used by property and casualty insurers to help users of their financial statements better understand the company's performance. Underwriting profitability is measured by the combined ratio, which is a sum of the ratios of losses and loss adjustment expenses, and commissions and other underwriting expenses to premiums. A combined ratio under 100% indicates an underwriting profit. The combined ratio does not reflect net investment income, other income,
44
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
other expenses or federal income taxes. AFG's property and casualty insurance operations contributed
$61 million
in GAAP pretax earnings in the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to
$42 million
in the
third
quarter of
2012
,
an increase
of
$19 million
(
45%
). Property and casualty core pretax earnings were
$115 million
in the
third
quarter of 2013 compared to
$73 million
in the
third
quarter of 2012,
an increase
of
$42 million
(
58%
). The
increase
in GAAP and core pretax earnings reflects significantly higher underwriting profit across each of AFG’s property and casualty insurance sub-segments. The impact of this improved profitability on GAAP pretax earnings was partially offset by higher special A&E charges in the
third
quarter of
2013
as compared to the
2012
quarter.
The following table details AFG's GAAP and core earnings before income taxes from its property and casualty operations for the three months ended
September 30, 2013
and
2012
(dollars in millions):
Three months ended September 30,
2013
2012
% Change
Gross written premiums
$
1,768
$
1,509
17
%
Reinsurance premiums ceded
(701
)
(601
)
17
%
Net written premiums
1,067
908
18
%
Change in unearned premiums
(118
)
(60
)
97
%
Net earned premiums
949
848
12
%
Loss and loss adjustment expenses (*)
626
579
8
%
Commissions and other underwriting expenses
261
254
3
%
Core underwriting gain
62
15
313
%
Net investment income
65
67
(3
%)
Other income and expenses, net
(12
)
(9
)
33
%
Core earnings before income taxes
115
73
58
%
Pretax non-core special A&E charges
(54
)
(31
)
74
%
GAAP earnings before income taxes
$
61
$
42
45
%
(*) Excluding non-core special A&E charges
Combined Ratios:
Specialty lines
Change
Loss and LAE ratio
66.1
%
68.2
%
(2.1
%)
Underwriting expense ratio
27.4
%
30.0
%
(2.6
%)
Combined ratio
93.5
%
98.2
%
(4.7
%)
Aggregate — including discontinued lines
Loss and LAE ratio
71.7
%
71.9
%
(0.2
%)
Underwriting expense ratio
27.4
%
30.0
%
(2.6
%)
Combined ratio
99.1
%
101.9
%
(2.8
%)
While AFG desires and seeks to earn an underwriting profit on all of its business, it is not always possible to do so. As a result, AFG attempts to expand in the most profitable businesses and control growth or even reduce its involvement in the least profitable businesses.
AFG reports the underwriting performance of its Specialty insurance business in the following sub-components: (i) Property and transportation, (ii) Specialty casualty and (iii) Specialty financial.
To understand the overall profitability of particular lines, the timing of claims payments and the related impact of investment income must be considered. Certain “short-tail” lines of business (primarily property coverages) generally have quick loss payouts, which reduce the time funds are held, thereby limiting investment income earned thereon. In contrast, “long-tail” lines of business (primarily liability coverages and workers' compensation) generally have payouts that are either structured over many years or take many years to settle, thereby significantly increasing investment income earned on related premiums received.
45
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Gross Written Premiums
Gross written premiums ("GWP") for AFG's property and casualty insurance segment were
$1.77 billion
for the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to
$1.51 billion
for the
third
quarter of
2012
,
an increase
of
$259 million
(
17%
). Detail of AFG's property and casualty gross written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
Three months ended September 30,
2013
2012
GWP
%
GWP
%
% Change
Property and transportation
$
1,147
65
%
$
981
65
%
17
%
Specialty casualty
461
26
%
376
25
%
23
%
Specialty financial
160
9
%
152
10
%
5
%
Other specialty
—
—
%
—
—
%
$
1,768
100
%
$
1,509
100
%
17
%
Reinsurance Premiums Ceded
Reinsurance premiums ceded ("Ceded") for AFG's property and casualty insurance segment were
40%
of gross written premiums for the
third
quarter of
2013
and
2012
. Detail of AFG's property and casualty reinsurance premiums ceded is shown below (dollars in millions):
Three months ended September 30,
2013
2012
Change in
Ceded
% of GWP
Ceded
% of GWP
% of GWP
Property and transportation
$
(553
)
48
%
$
(442
)
45
%
3
%
Specialty casualty
(136
)
30
%
(133
)
35
%
(5
%)
Specialty financial
(36
)
23
%
(44
)
29
%
(6
%)
Other specialty
24
18
$
(701
)
40
%
$
(601
)
40
%
—
%
Net Written Premiums
Net written premiums ("NWP") for AFG's property and casualty insurance segment were
$1.07 billion
for the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to
$908 million
for the
third
quarter of
2012
,
an increase
of
$159 million
(
18%
). Detail of AFG's property and casualty net written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
Three months ended September 30,
2013
2012
NWP
%
NWP
%
% Change
Property and transportation
$
594
56
%
$
539
59
%
10
%
Specialty casualty
325
30
%
243
27
%
34
%
Specialty financial
124
12
%
108
12
%
15
%
Other specialty
24
2
%
18
2
%
33
%
$
1,067
100
%
$
908
100
%
18
%
46
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Net Earned Premiums
Net earned premiums ("NEP") for AFG's property and casualty insurance segment were
$949 million
for the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to
$848 million
for the
third
quarter of
2012
,
an increase
of
$101 million
(
12%
). Detail of AFG's property and casualty net earned premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
Three months ended September 30,
2013
2012
NEP
%
NEP
%
% Change
Property and transportation
$
517
55
%
$
487
57
%
6
%
Specialty casualty
289
30
%
243
29
%
19
%
Specialty financial
121
13
%
100
12
%
21
%
Other specialty
22
2
%
18
2
%
22
%
$
949
100
%
$
848
100
%
12
%
The
$259 million
increase
in gross written premiums for the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to the
third
quarter of
2012
reflects double-digit premium growth in the Specialty casualty group and the timing of premium recognition in the agricultural operations. Delayed planting of spring crops resulted in late acreage reporting, which effectively shifted a portion of AFG’s crop premiums from the second quarter to the third quarter when compared to 2012. Overall average renewal rates increased approximately 4% in the
third
quarter of
2013
.
Property and transportation
Gross written premiums
increased
$166 million
(
17%
) in the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to the same period in
2012
due primarily to higher crop premiums in the third quarter of 2013, as delayed planting and acreage reporting in the second quarter of 2013 shifted recognition of these premiums to the third quarter of 2013. Excluding the impact of crop insurance premiums, gross and net written premiums grew by 5% and 4%, respectively, in the third quarter of 2013 when compared to the
third
quarter of 2012. Average renewal rates were up approximately 5% for the
third
quarter of
2013
. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums
increased
3
percentage points in the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to the
third
quarter of
2012
reflecting higher cessions of multi-peril crop business.
Specialty casualty
Gross written premiums
increased
$85 million
(
23%
) for the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to the
third
quarter of
2012
as a result of increased premiums in nearly all businesses in this group, especially in the workers’ compensation and excess and surplus lines. New business opportunities, increased exposures from higher payroll on existing accounts, and sustained pricing increases have contributed to increased premiums in the workers’ compensation businesses. Strong premium growth in the excess and surplus operations is the result of broadening opportunities to write business coupled with the benefit from rate increases over multiple quarters. Average renewal rates were up approximately 5% for this group in the
third
quarter of
2013
. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums
declined
5
percentage points for the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to the
third
quarter of
2012
reflecting a change in the mix of business and the timing of reinsurance premiums between quarters.
Specialty financial
Gross written premiums
increased
$8 million
(
5%
) for the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to the
third
quarter of
2012
due primarily to growth in lender-placed mortgage property insurance offered by the financial institutions business. Gross written premiums for the
third
quarter of
2013
include $3 million in risk fees from AFG’s warranty operations. Prior to 2013, fees in the warranty operations were included in other income. Average renewal rates for this group were down 1% in the
third
quarter of
2013
. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums declined 6 percentage points reflecting the impact of reinsurance reinstatement premiums paid in the
third
quarter of
2012
and a change in the mix of business.
Other specialty
The amounts shown as reinsurance premiums ceded represent business assumed by AFG's internal reinsurance program from the operations that make up AFG's other Specialty sub-components.
47
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Combined Ratio
Performance measures such as the combined ratio are often used by property and casualty insurers to help users of their financial statements better understand the company's performance. The combined ratio is the sum of the loss and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) and underwriting expense ratios. These ratios are calculated by dividing each of the respective expenses by net earned premiums. The table below details the components of the combined ratio for AFG's property and casualty segment:
Three months ended September 30,
Three months ended September 30,
2013
2012
Change
2013
2012
Property and transportation
Loss and LAE ratio
78.8
%
76.1
%
2.7
%
Underwriting expense ratio
18.3
%
23.7
%
(5.4
%)
Combined ratio
97.1
%
99.8
%
(2.7
%)
Underwriting profit
$
16
$
—
Specialty casualty
Loss and LAE ratio
60.3
%
63.8
%
(3.5
%)
Underwriting expense ratio
33.1
%
32.9
%
0.2
%
Combined ratio
93.4
%
96.7
%
(3.3
%)
Underwriting profit
$
19
$
8
Specialty financial
Loss and LAE ratio
31.2
%
46.7
%
(15.5
%)
Underwriting expense ratio
51.1
%
52.1
%
(1.0
%)
Combined ratio
82.3
%
98.8
%
(16.5
%)
Underwriting profit
$
22
$
1
Total Specialty
Loss and LAE ratio
66.1
%
68.2
%
(2.1
%)
Underwriting expense ratio
27.4
%
30.0
%
(2.6
%)
Combined ratio
93.5
%
98.2
%
(4.7
%)
Underwriting profit
$
62
$
16
Aggregate — including discontinued lines
Loss and LAE ratio
71.7
%
71.9
%
(0.2
%)
Underwriting expense ratio
27.4
%
30.0
%
(2.6
%)
Combined ratio
99.1
%
101.9
%
(2.8
%)
Underwriting profit (loss)
$
8
$
(16
)
The Specialty insurance operations generated an underwriting profit of
$62 million
in the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to
$16 million
in the
third
quarter of
2012
,
an increase
of
$46 million
(
288%
). The higher profit in the
2013
quarter reflects higher underwriting profits across each of the property and casualty insurance sub-segments. Catastrophe losses were $1 million (
0.1
points on the combined ratio), compared to
$4 million
(
0.6
points) in the
third
quarter of
2012
.
Property and transportation
This group reported an underwriting gain of
$16 million
for the
third
quarter of
2013
, compared to less than $1 million for the
third
quarter of
2012
. This increase is primarily attributable to improved results in the agricultural operations and lower catastrophe losses, partially offset by lower profitability in the transportation businesses. Results for the 2012 quarter include $12 million in crop losses resulting from the effects of the drought in the Midwest. Catastrophe losses were minimal for this group during the
third
quarter of
2013
, compared to
$2 million
(
0.6
points) during the
third
quarter of
2012
.
Specialty casualty
Underwriting profit was
$19 million
for the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to
$8 million
in the
third
quarter of
2012
,
an increase
of
$11 million
(
138%
). This increase was due primarily to higher profitability in the workers’
48
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
compensation and excess and surplus lines businesses, as well as a reduction in adverse development in the run-off program business.
Specialty financial
Underwriting profit was
$22 million
for the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to
$1 million
in the
third
quarter of
2012
,
an increase
of
$21 million
. The increased profitability was due primarily to higher underwriting profits in the financial institutions business, primarily from lender-placed mortgage property insurance, as well as improved results in the surety and trade credit operations. Results for the
third
quarter of
2012
include losses from a run-off book of automotive-related business.
Aggregate
As discussed below in more detail under
Net prior year reserve development
, AFG recorded special charges to increase A&E reserves (net of reinsurance) by $54 million in the
third
quarter of
2013
and $31 million in the
third
quarter of
2012
.
Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
AFG's overall loss and LAE ratio was
71.7%
for the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to
71.9%
for
third
quarter of
2012
,
a decrease
of
0.2
percentage points. The components of AFG's property and casualty losses and LAE amounts and ratio are detailed below:
Three months ended September 30,
Amount
Ratio
Change in
2013
2012
2013
2012
Ratio
Property and transportation
Current year, excluding catastrophe losses
$
408
$
371
79.1
%
76.0
%
3.1
%
Prior accident years development
(1
)
(2
)
(0.2
%)
(0.5
%)
0.3
%
Current year catastrophe losses
—
2
(0.1
%)
0.6
%
(0.7
%)
Property and transportation losses and LAE and ratio
$
407
$
371
78.8
%
76.1
%
2.7
%
Specialty casualty
Current year, excluding catastrophe losses
$
177
$
151
61.4
%
62.3
%
(0.9
%)
Prior accident years development
(4
)
3
(1.2
%)
1.2
%
(2.4
%)
Current year catastrophe losses
1
1
0.1
%
0.3
%
(0.2
%)
Specialty casualty losses and LAE and ratio
$
174
$
155
60.3
%
63.8
%
(3.5
%)
Specialty financial
Current year, excluding catastrophe losses
$
40
$
50
33.7
%
51.5
%
(17.8
%)
Prior accident years development
(4
)
(5
)
(3.2
%)
(5.5
%)
2.3
%
Current year catastrophe losses
1
1
0.7
%
0.7
%
—
%
Specialty financial losses and LAE and ratio
$
37
$
46
31.2
%
46.7
%
(15.5
%)
Total Specialty
Current year, excluding catastrophe losses
$
637
$
583
67.4
%
68.7
%
(1.3
%)
Prior accident years development
(13
)
(9
)
(1.4
%)
(1.1
%)
(0.3
%)
Current year catastrophe losses
2
4
0.1
%
0.6
%
(0.5
%)
Total Specialty losses and LAE and ratio
$
626
$
578
66.1
%
68.2
%
(2.1
%)
Aggregate — including discontinued lines
Current year, excluding catastrophe losses
$
638
$
583
67.4
%
68.7
%
(1.3
%)
Prior accident years development
40
23
4.2
%
2.6
%
1.6
%
Current year catastrophe losses
2
4
0.1
%
0.6
%
(0.5
%)
Aggregate losses and LAE and ratio
$
680
$
610
71.7
%
71.9
%
(0.2
%)
Net prior year reserve development
AFG's Specialty property and casualty operations recorded net favorable reserve development related to prior accident years of
$13 million
in the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to
$9 million
in the
third
quarter of
2012
,
an increase
of
$4 million
(
44%
).
49
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Property and transportation
Net favorable reserve development of
$1 million
in the
third
quarter of
2013
reflects lower severity in the property and inland marine and ocean marine businesses partially offset by an increase in severity in commercial auto liability business written in the transportation businesses.
Specialty casualty
Net favorable reserve development of
$4 million
in the
third
quarter of
2013
reflects lower than expected claim severity in directors and officers liability insurance partially offset by higher than expected severity in run-off casualty businesses. Net adverse reserve development of
$3 million
in the
third
quarter of
2012
reflects higher claim frequency and severity in a run-off book of U.S.-based program (motel/hotel, restaurants, taverns and recreational) business and adverse development in AFG’s Lloyd’s operations, partially offset by lower than expected claim severity in directors and officers liability insurance.
Specialty financial
Net favorable reserve development of
$4 million
in the
third
quarter of
2013
reflects lower than expected frequency and severity in the foreign credit business where economic conditions did not affect this line as adversely as previously anticipated. Net favorable reserve development of
$5 million
in the
third
quarter of
2012
reflects lower than expected claim frequency and severity in the run-off automobile residual value insurance business.
Other specialty
In addition to the development discussed above, total specialty net favorable reserve development reflects amortization of the deferred gain on the retroactive insurance transaction entered into in connection with the sale of a business in 1998 and reserve development associated with AFG’s internal reinsurance program.
Special Asbestos and Environmental Reserve Charges
During the
third
quarter of
2013
, AFG completed a comprehensive external study of its asbestos and environmental exposures relating to the run-off operations of its property and casualty insurance segment and exposures related to its former railroad and manufacturing operations. AFG has periodically conducted comprehensive external studies of its asbestos and environmental reserves with the aid of specialty actuarial, engineering and consulting firms and outside counsel, generally every two years, with an in-depth internal review during the intervening years.
As a result of the study, AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment recorded a $54 million pretax special charge to increase its asbestos reserves by $16 million (net of reinsurance) and its environmental reserves by $38 million (net of reinsurance). The increase in the property and casualty segment’s asbestos reserves was driven primarily by slightly higher than expected loss experience, higher defense costs and some increased claim severity. As the overall industry exposure to asbestos has matured, the focus of litigation has shifted to smaller companies and companies with ancillary exposures. AFG’s insureds with these exposures have been the driver of the property and casualty segment’s asbestos reserve increases. The increase in property and casualty environmental reserves was attributed primarily to a small number of claims where the estimated costs of remediation have increased. There were no newly identified or emerging broad industry trends that were identified in this study.
At September 30, 2013, the property and casualty insurance segment’s insurance reserves include A&E reserves of $341 million, net of reinsurance recoverables. At September 30, 2013, the property and casualty insurance segment’s three-year survival ratios, excluding amounts associated with the settlements of two large asbestos claims, were 15.2 times paid losses for asbestos reserves, 6.2 times paid losses for environmental reserves and 10.4 times paid losses for total A&E reserves. These ratios compare favorably with data published by A.M. Best in October 2013, which indicate that industry survival ratios were 10.0 for asbestos, 5.8 for environmental, and 8.8 for total A&E reserves at December 31, 2012.
In addition, the study encompassed reserves for asbestos and environmental exposures of AFG’s former railroad and manufacturing operations. For a discussion of the $22 million charge recorded for those operations, see
Management’s Discussion and Analysis — “
Holding Company, Other and Unallocated — Results of Operations
.”
As a result of the 2012 internal review, AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment recorded a $31 million pretax special charge to increase its asbestos reserves by $19 million (net of reinsurance) and its environmental reserves by $12 million (net of reinsurance). The charge in the third quarter of 2012 related primarily to an increase in environmental investigative costs and related loss adjustment expenses. See
Management’s Discussion and Analysis — “Uncertainties” — “Asbestos and Environmental-related (“A&E”) Insurance Reserves” in AFG’s 2012 Form 10-K.
Aggregate
Aggregate net prior accident years reserve development for AFG’s property and casualty segment includes the special A&E charges discussed above.
50
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Catastrophe losses
AFG generally seeks to reduce its exposure to catastrophes through individual risk selection, including minimizing coastal and known fault-line exposures, and the purchase of reinsurance. Based on data available at December 31, 2012, AFG's exposure to a catastrophic earthquake or windstorm that industry models indicate could occur once in every 500 years (a “500-year event”) is expected to be less than 3% of AFG's shareholders' equity.
Commissions and Other Underwriting Expenses
AFG's property and casualty commissions and other underwriting expenses ("U/W Exp") were
$261 million
in the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to
$254 million
for the
third
quarter of
2012
,
an increase
of
$7 million
(
3%
). AFG's underwriting expense ratio, calculated as commissions and other underwriting expenses divided by net premiums earned, was
27.4%
for the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to
30.0%
for the
third
quarter of
2012
,
a decrease
of
2.6
percentage points. Detail of AFG's property and casualty commissions and other underwriting expenses and underwriting expense ratios is shown below (dollars in millions):
Three months ended September 30,
2013
2012
Change in
U/W Exp
% of NEP
U/W Exp
% of NEP
% of NEP
Property and transportation
$
94
18.3
%
$
116
23.7
%
(5.4
%)
Specialty casualty
96
33.1
%
80
32.9
%
0.2
%
Specialty financial
62
51.1
%
53
52.1
%
(1.0
%)
Other specialty
9
35.7
%
5
36.8
%
(1.1
%)
$
261
27.4
%
$
254
30.0
%
(2.6
%)
The overall
decrease
of
2.6%
in AFG's expense ratio for the
third
quarter of
2013
as compared to the
third
quarter of
2012
, as well as the fluctuations in AFG's sub-components, reflects the timing of the determination of reimbursements for administrative and operating expenses under the Federal crop insurance program and the impact of higher premiums on the ratio, partially offset by higher profitability-based commissions paid to agents/brokers and lower profitability-based commissions received from reinsurers.
Property and transportation
Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums
decreased
5.4
percentage points for the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to the
third
quarter of
2012
reflecting the timing of the determination of reimbursements for administrative and operating expenses under the Federal crop insurance program and the impact of higher premiums on the ratio, partially offset by lower profitability-based commissions received from reinsurers.
Specialty casualty
Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums
increased
0.2
percentage points for the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to the
third
quarter of
2012
.
Specialty financial
Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums
decreased
1.0
percentage points for the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to the
third
quarter of
2012
reflecting the impact of higher premiums on the ratio, partially offset by higher profitability-based commissions paid to agents/brokers and lower ceding commissions from reinsurers.
51
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Property and Casualty Net Investment Income
Net investment income in AFG's property and casualty operations was
$65 million
for the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to
$67 million
in the
third
quarter of
2012
,
a decrease
of
$2 million
(
3%
). In recent years, yields available in the financial markets on fixed maturity securities have generally declined, placing downward pressure on AFG's investment portfolio yield. The average invested assets and overall earned yield on investments held by AFG's property and casualty operations are provided below (dollars in millions):
Three months ended September 30,
2013
2012
Change
% Change
Net investment income
$
65
$
67
$
(2
)
(3
%)
Average invested assets (at amortized cost)
$
6,835
$
6,621
$
214
3
%
Yield (net investment income as a % of average invested assets)
3.80
%
4.05
%
(0.25
%)
The property and casualty segment’s overall yield on investments (net investment income as a percentage of average invested assets) was
3.80%
for the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to
4.05%
for the
third
quarter of
2012
,
a decline
of
0.25
percentage points, reflecting the impact of lower yields available in the financial markets.
Property and Casualty Other Income and Expense, Net
Other income and expenses, net for AFG's property and casualty operations was a net expense of
$12 million
for the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to
$9 million
for the
third
quarter of
2012
,
an increase
of
$3 million
(
33%
). The table below details the items included in other income and expenses, net for AFG's property and casualty operations (in millions):
Three months ended September 30,
2013
2012
Other income
Warranty operations
$
—
$
4
Other
1
2
Total other income
1
6
Other expenses
Warranty operations
—
5
Amortization of intangibles
3
3
Other
9
7
Total other expense
12
15
Interest expense
1
—
Other income and expenses, net
$
(12
)
$
(9
)
Beginning in 2013, AFG’s warranty operations are included in the Specialty financial underwriting results.
Interest expense for AFG's property and casualty operations includes interest charges on long-term debt within the property and casualty operations, primarily notes secured by real estate and other secured borrowings.
52
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Annuity Segment — Results of Operations
AFG’s annuity operations contributed
$78 million
in pretax earnings in the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to
$69 million
in the
third
quarter of
2012
,
an increase
of
$9 million
(
13%
). Higher pretax earnings were primarily a result of maintaining interest spreads on a growing asset base. AFG’s average fixed annuity investments (at amortized cost) were 15% higher for the
third
quarter of
2013
as compared to the
third
quarter of
2012
. In addition, results for the
third
quarter of
2012
reflect the negative impact of sharply lower interest rates on the fixed-indexed annuity business.
The following table details AFG's earnings before income taxes from its annuity operations for the three months ended
September 30, 2013
and
2012
(dollars in millions).
Three months ended September 30,
2013
2012
% Change
Revenues:
Net investment income
$
259
$
249
4
%
Other income:
Guaranteed withdrawal benefit fees
7
4
75
%
Policy charges and other miscellaneous income
10
10
—
%
Total revenues
276
263
5
%
Costs and Expenses:
Annuity benefits (*)
140
140
—
%
Acquisition expenses
35
32
9
%
Other expenses
23
22
5
%
Total costs and expenses
198
194
2
%
Earnings before income taxes
$
78
$
69
13
%
(*) Annuity benefits consisted of the following (in millions):
Three months ended September 30,
2013
2012
% Change
Interest credited — fixed
$
113
$
107
6
%
Interest credited — fixed component of variable annuities
2
2
—
%
Change in expected death and annuitization reserve
4
5
(20
%)
Amortization of sales inducements
8
8
—
%
Change in guaranteed withdrawal benefit reserve
10
4
150
%
Change in other benefit reserves
2
5
(60
%)
Derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities:
Embedded derivative mark-to-market
33
40
(18
%)
Equity option mark-to-market
(32
)
(31
)
3
%
Total annuity benefits
$
140
$
140
—
%
The profitability of a fixed annuity business is largely dependent on the ability of a company to earn income on the assets supporting the business in excess of the amounts credited to policyholder accounts plus expenses incurred (earning a “spread”). Performance measures such as net interest spread and net spread earned are often presented by annuity businesses to help users of their financial statements better understand the company's performance.
53
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Net Spread on Fixed Annuities (excludes variable annuity earnings)
The table below (dollars in millions) details the components of these spreads for AFG's fixed annuity operations (including fixed-indexed annuities):
Three months ended September 30,
2013
2012
% Change
Average fixed annuity investments (at amortized cost)
$
19,519
$
16,994
15
%
Average fixed annuity benefits accumulated
19,035
16,759
14
%
As % of fixed annuity benefits accumulated (except as noted):
Net investment income (as % of fixed annuity investments)
5.27
%
5.80
%
Interest credited — fixed
(2.38
%)
(2.55
%)
Net interest spread
2.89
%
3.25
%
Policy charges and other miscellaneous income
0.15
%
0.16
%
Other annuity benefit expenses, net of guaranteed withdrawal benefit fees
(0.39
%)
(0.27
%)
Acquisition expenses
(0.72
%)
(0.72
%)
Other expenses
(0.44
%)
(0.48
%)
Change in fair value of derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities
0.01
%
(0.37
%)
Net spread earned on fixed annuities
1.50
%
1.57
%
Annuity Net Investment Income
Net investment income for the
third
quarter of
2013
was
$259 million
compared to
$249 million
for the
third
quarter of
2012
,
an increase
of
$10 million
(
4%
). This increase reflects primarily the growth in AFG’s annuity business. The overall yield earned on investments in AFG's annuity operations, calculated as net investment income divided by average investment balances (at amortized cost),
declined
by
0.53
percentage points in the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to the
third
quarter of
2012
. This
decline
in net investment yield reflects (i) the investment of new premium dollars in the recent low interest rate environment, (ii) the impact of the maturity and redemption of higher yielding investments and (iii) the impact of higher non-recurring investment income in the
third
quarter of
2012
as compared to the same period in
2013
.
Annuity Interest Credited — Fixed
Interest credited — fixed for the
third
quarter of
2013
was
$113 million
compared to
$107 million
for the
third
quarter of
2012
,
an increase
of
$6 million
(
6%
). The impact of growth in the annuity business was partially offset by lower interest crediting rates on new premiums as compared to the crediting rates on policyholder funds surrendered or withdrawn. The average interest rate credited to policyholders, calculated as interest credited divided by average fixed annuity benefits accumulated,
decreased
0.17
percentage points in the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to the third quarter of
2012
. During the
third
quarter of
2013
, interest rates credited on new premiums generally ranged from 1.00% to 2.00%.
Excluding those annuities that have guaranteed withdrawal benefits, at
September 30, 2013
, AFG could reduce the average crediting rate on approximately $15 billion of traditional and fixed-indexed deferred annuities by an additional 0.43% (on a weighted average basis). Annuity policies are subject to Guaranteed Minimum Interest Rates (“GMIRs”) at policy issuance. The table below shows the breakdown of annuity reserves by GMIR. The current interest crediting rates on substantially all of AFG's annuities with a GMIR of 3% or higher are at their minimum.
% of
GMIR
Reserves
1 — 1.99%
48%
2 — 2.99%
12%
3 — 3.99%
23%
4.00% and above
17%
54
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Annuity Net Interest Spread
AFG's net interest spread
decreased
0.36
percentage points in the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to the same period in
2012
due primarily to the run-off of higher yielding investments. In addition, the
2012
quarter included higher non-recurring investment income as compared to the 2013 quarter. Due to the continued run-off of higher yielding investments, AFG expects its net interest spread to narrow in the future.
Annuity Policy Charges and Other Miscellaneous Income
Annuity policy charges and other miscellaneous income, which consist primarily of surrender charges, were
$10 million
for both the
third
quarter of
2013
and the
third
quarter of
2012
.
Other Annuity Benefits
Other annuity benefits, net of guaranteed withdrawal benefit fees for the
third
quarter of
2013
were
$17 million
compared to
$18 million
for the
third
quarter of
2012
,
a decrease
of
$1 million
(
6%
). In addition to interest credited to policyholders’ accounts, annuity benefits expense also includes the following expenses (in millions, net of guaranteed withdrawal benefit fees):
Three months ended September 30,
2013
2012
Change in expected death and annuitization reserve
$
4
$
5
Amortization of sales inducements
8
8
Change in guaranteed withdrawal benefit reserve
10
4
Change in other benefit reserves
2
5
Other annuity benefits
24
22
Offset guaranteed withdrawal benefit fees
(7
)
(4
)
Other annuity benefits, net
$
17
$
18
Annuity Acquisition Expenses
AFG's amortization of DPAC and commission expenses as a percentage of average fixed annuity benefits accumulated was
0.72%
for both the
third
quarters of
2013
and
2012
and has generally ranged between
0.70%
and
0.80%
. Variances from the general range relate primarily to the impact of (i) material changes in interest rates or the stock market on AFG’s fixed-indexed annuity business, and (ii) differences in actual experience from actuarially projected estimates and assumptions.
Annuity Other Expenses
Annuity other expenses for the
third
quarter of
2013
were
$23 million
, compared to
$22 million
for the
third
quarter of
2012
,
an increase
of
$1 million
(
5%
). Annuity other expenses represent primarily general and administrative expenses, as well as selling and issuance expenses that are not deferred. As a percentage of average fixed annuity benefits accumulated, these expenses
declined
0.04
percentage points for the
third
quarter of
2013
as compared to the
third
quarter of
2012
; this percentage is expected to continue to decrease as AFG's annuity business grows.
Change in Fair Value of Derivatives Related to Fixed-Indexed Annuities
AFG’s fixed-indexed annuities, which represented approximately
45%
of annuity benefits accumulated at
September 30, 2013
, provide policyholders with a crediting rate tied, in part, to the performance of an existing stock market index. AFG attempts to mitigate the risk in the index-based component of these products through the purchase of call options on the appropriate index. AFG’s strategy is designed so that an increase in the liabilities, due to an increase in the market index, will generally be offset by unrealized and realized gains on the call options purchased by AFG. Both the index-based component of the annuities and the related call options are considered derivatives that must be marked-to-market through earnings each period. The fair values of these derivatives are impacted by actual and expected stock market performance and interest rates as well as other factors. For a list of other factors impacting the fair value of the index-based component of AFG’s annuity benefits accumulated, see
Note
D
— “
Fair Value Measurements
.”
The net change in fair value of derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities increased annuity benefits by
$1 million
in the
third
quarter of
2013
and by
$9 million
in the
third
quarter of
2012
. The increase in 2012 reflects the negative impact of sharply lower market interest rates.
Annuity Net Spread Earned on Fixed Annuities
AFG’s net spread earned on fixed annuities decreased
0.07
percentage points in the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to the same period in
2012
as the
0.36
percentage points decrease in AFG’s net interest spread was offset by the impact of changes in the
55
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
fair value of derivatives discussed above. AFG expects its net spread earned on fixed annuities to be closer to 1.30% to 1.40% in the fourth quarter of
2013
as compared to the 1.50% earned in the
third
quarter of
2013
.
Annuity Benefits Accumulated
Annuity premiums received and benefit payments are recorded as increases or decreases in annuity benefits accumulated rather than as revenue and expense. Increases in this liability for interest credited and other benefits are charged to expense and decreases for surrender and other policy charges are credited to other income.
For certain products, annuity benefits accumulated also includes reserves for accrued persistency and premium bonuses (sales inducements), excess benefits expected to be paid on future deaths and annuitizations (“EDAR”) and guaranteed withdrawal benefits. Annuity benefits accumulated also includes amounts advanced from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati. The following table is a progression of AFG's annuity benefits accumulated liability for the three months ended
September 30, 2013
and
2012
(in millions):
Three months ended September 30,
2013
2012
Beginning fixed annuity reserves
$
18,564
$
16,518
Fixed annuity premiums (receipts)
1,156
709
Surrenders, benefits and other withdrawals
(381
)
(390
)
Interest and other annuity benefit expenses:
Interest credited
113
107
Embedded derivative mark-to-market
33
40
Change in other benefit reserves
20
15
Ending fixed annuity reserves
$
19,505
$
16,999
Reconciliation to annuity benefits accumulated per balance sheet:
Ending fixed annuity reserves (from above)
$
19,505
$
16,999
Impact of unrealized investment gains
84
46
Fixed component of variable annuities
196
200
Annuity benefits accumulated per balance sheet
$
19,785
$
17,245
Statutory Annuity Premiums
AFG's annuity operations generated statutory premiums of
$1.17 billion
in the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to
$723 million
in the
third
quarter of
2012
,
an increase
of
$444 million
(
61%
). The following table summarizes AFG's annuity sales (dollars in millions):
Three months ended September 30,
2013
2012
% Change
Retail single premium annuities — indexed
$
509
$
417
22
%
Retail single premium annuities — fixed
48
42
14
%
Financial institutions single premium annuities — indexed
352
72
389
%
Financial institutions single premium annuities — fixed
198
127
56
%
Education market — 403(b) fixed and indexed annuities
49
51
(4
%)
Total fixed annuity premiums
1,156
709
63
%
Variable annuities
11
14
(21
%)
Total annuity premiums
$
1,167
$
723
61
%
The
61%
increase in annuity premiums as compared to the
third
quarter of
2012
reflects continued successful distribution channel expansion, primarily in the financial institutions market, as well as new product offerings. Management also believes that AFG has benefited from its strong ratings, and that the entire annuity industry has benefited from the rise in interest rates in 2013, particularly in the financial institutions market.
56
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Annuity Earnings before Income Taxes Reconciliation
The following table reconciles the net spread earned on AFG’s fixed annuities to overall annuity pretax earnings for the three months ended
September 30, 2013
and
2012
(in millions):
Three months ended September 30,
2013
2012
Earnings on fixed annuity benefits accumulated
$
72
$
66
Earnings on investments in excess of fixed annuity benefits accumulated (*)
6
3
Variable annuity earnings
—
—
Earnings before income taxes
$
78
$
69
(*) Net investment income (as a % of investments) of
5.27%
and
5.80%
for the three months ended
September 30, 2013
and
2012
, respectively, multiplied by the difference between average fixed annuity investments (at amortized cost) and average fixed annuity benefits accumulated in each period.
Run-off Long-Term Care and Life Segment — Results of Operations
The following table details AFG's earnings before income taxes from its run-off long-term care and life operations for the three months ended
September 30, 2013
and
2012
(dollars in millions):
Three months ended September 30,
2013
2012
% Change
Revenues:
Net earned premiums:
Long-term care
$
19
$
19
—
%
Life operations
10
11
(9
%)
Net investment income
20
19
5
%
Other income
1
1
—
%
Total revenues
50
50
—
%
Costs and Expenses:
Life, accident and health benefits:
Long-term care
30
24
25
%
Life operations
12
12
—
%
Acquisition expenses
5
5
—
%
Other expenses
7
7
—
%
Total costs and expenses
54
48
13
%
Earnings (loss) before income taxes
$
(4
)
$
2
The
increase
in long-term care benefits expense in the
third
quarter of
2013
as compared to the
third
quarter of
2012
is due primarily to an increase in new claims. Due to the nature and size of its long-term care business, AFG expects claims volatility from period to period. Management continues to monitor the long-term care business.
57
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Medicare Supplement and Critical Illness Segment — Results of Operations
AFG's Medicare supplement and critical illness segment contributed $165 million in GAAP pretax earnings in the
third
quarter of
2012
, which includes a $155 million pretax non-core realized gain on the August 2012 sale of these businesses. See
Note
B
— “
Acquisitions and Sales of Subsidiaries
.”
The following table details AFG's GAAP and core earnings before income taxes from its Medicare supplement and critical illness business (in millions):
Three months ended September 30,
2013
2012
Revenues:
Net earned premiums
$
—
$
50
Net investment income
—
2
Other income
—
1
Total revenues
—
53
Costs and Expenses:
Life, accident and health benefits
—
30
Acquisition expenses
—
9
Other expenses
—
4
Total costs and expenses
—
43
Core earnings before income taxes
—
10
Pretax non-core realized gain on sale of Medicare supplement and critical illness
—
155
GAAP earnings before income taxes
$
—
$
165
Holding Company, Other and Unallocated — Results of Operations
AFG’s net GAAP pretax loss outside of its insurance operations (excluding realized gains) totaled $61 million for both third quarters of 2013 and 2012. AFG's net core pretax loss outside of its insurance operations totaled
$39 million
for the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to
$36 million
for the
third
quarter of
2012
,
an increase
of
$3 million
(
8%
).
The following table details AFG's GAAP and core loss before income taxes from operations outside of its insurance operations for three months ended
September 30, 2013
and
2012
(dollars in millions):
Three months ended September 30,
2013
2012
% Change
Revenues:
Net investment income
$
3
$
—
—
%
Other income
9
9
—
%
Total revenues
12
9
33
%
Costs and Expenses:
Interest charges on borrowed money
17
19
(11
%)
Other expenses (*)
34
26
31
%
Total costs and expenses
51
45
13
%
Core loss before income taxes, excluding realized gains
(39
)
(36
)
8
%
Pretax non-core items, excluding realized gains:
Special A&E charges
(22
)
(2
)
1,000
%
Other
—
(23
)
(100
%)
GAAP loss before income taxes, excluding realized gains
$
(61
)
$
(61
)
—
%
(*)
Excludes pretax non-core special A&E charges of
$22 million
and
$2 million
for the
third
quarters of
2013
and
2012
, respectively. Other expenses for the third quarter of 2012 also exclude
$23 million
in other non-core charges (discussed below).
58
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Holding Company and Other — Net Investment Income
Net investment income for the
third
quarter of
2013
was $3 million compared to less than $1 million in the
third
quarter of
2012
. The parent company holds a small portfolio of securities that are classified as “trading” and marked-to-market through investment income. These trading securities increased in value by approximately $2 million in the
third
quarter of
2013
.
Holding Company and Other — Other Income
Other income in the table above includes $4 million and $6 million in the
third
quarters of
2013
and
2012
, respectively, in management fees paid to AFG by the AFG-managed CLOs (AFG's consolidated managed investment entities). These fees are eliminated in consolidation — see the other income line in the Consolidate MIEs column under
Results of Operations —
Segmented Statement of Earnings
. Excluding amounts eliminated in consolidation, AFG recorded other income outside of its insurance operations of $5 million in the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to $3 million in the
third
quarter of
2012
.
Holding Company and Other — Interest Charges on Borrowed Money
AFG's holding companies and other operations outside of its insurance operations recorded interest expense of
$17 million
in the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to
$19 million
in the
third
quarter of
2012
,
a decrease
of
$2 million
(
11%
), reflecting lower average indebtedness. In June 2012, AFG issued $230 million in new Senior Notes and used the proceeds to redeem $198 million of higher rate debt in July 2012. In August 2012, AFG issued $125 million in new Senior Notes and used the proceeds to redeem $115 million of higher rate debt in September 2012. The following table details AFG's long-term debt balances as of
September 30, 2013
compared to July 1, 2012 (dollars in millions):
September 30,
2013
July 1,
2012
Direct obligations of AFG:
9-7/8% Senior Notes due June 2019
$
350
$
350
6-3/8% Senior Notes due June 2042
230
230
5-3/4% Senior Notes due August 2042
125
—
7% Senior Notes due September 2050
132
132
7-1/8% Senior Notes
—
115
Other
3
3
840
830
Other holding company obligations:
Obligations of AAG Holding (guaranteed by AFG):
7-1/2% Senior Debentures
—
112
7-1/4% Senior Debentures
—
86
Secured borrowings (guaranteed by AFG)
—
16
AAG Holding Variable Rate Subordinated Debentures
—
20
—
234
Total Holding Company and Other Debt
$
840
$
1,064
Weighted Average Interest Rate
7.8
%
7.8
%
Holding Company and Other — Other Expenses
As a result of the comprehensive study of A&E exposures discussed under
“Special Asbestos and Environmental Reserve Charges”
in the “
Results of Operations — Property and Casualty Insurance”
segment, AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its insurance operations recorded non-core special charges of $22 million in the third quarter of
2013
and $2 million in the third quarter of
2012
to increase liabilities related to the A&E exposures of AFG’s former railroad and manufacturing operations. The 2013 charge resulted primarily from slightly higher estimated operation and maintenance costs at sites where remediation is underway, coupled with higher estimated cleanup costs at a limited number of sites. In the
third
quarter of
2012
, these operations also recorded a $15 million non-core charge resulting from an adverse judgment in a long-standing labor contract dispute related to AFG’s former railroad operations and an $8 million non-core loss on the retirement of debt. Excluding these non-core charges, AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its insurance operations, recorded other expenses of
$34 million
in the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to
$26 million
in the
third
quarter of
2012
,
an increase
of
$8 million
(
31%
). The $8 million increase reflects higher expense associated with employee benefit plans that are tied to stock market performance and slightly higher stock-based compensation expense.
59
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Consolidated Realized Gains (Losses) on Securities
AFG's consolidated realized gains on securities, which are not allocated to segments, were
$56 million
in the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to
$85 million
in the
third
quarter of
2012
,
a decrease
of
$29 million
(
34%
). Realized gains (losses) on securities consisted of the following (in millions):
Three months ended September 30,
2013
2012
Realized gains (losses) before impairments:
Disposals
$
59
$
96
Change in the fair value of derivatives
1
1
Adjustments to annuity deferred policy acquisition costs and related items
1
(4
)
61
93
Impairment charges:
Securities
(5
)
(10
)
Adjustments to annuity deferred policy acquisition costs and related items
—
2
(5
)
(8
)
$
56
$
85
Consolidated Income Taxes
AFG's consolidated provision for income taxes was
$44 million
for the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to
$74 million
in the
third
quarter of
2012
,
a decrease
of
$30 million
(
41%
). See
Note
L
— “
Income Taxes
”
to the financial statements for an analysis of items affecting AFG’s effective tax rate.
Consolidated Noncontrolling Interests
AFG's consolidated net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests were
$15 million
for the
third
quarter of
2013
compared to a net loss of
$15 million
for the
third
quarter of
2012
. The following table details net earnings (loss) in consolidated subsidiaries attributable to holders other than AFG (dollars in millions):
Three months ended September 30,
2013
2012
% Change
National Interstate
$
3
$
4
(25
%)
Marketform
—
(2
)
(100
%)
Managed Investment Entities
12
(18
)
(167
%)
Other
—
1
(100
%)
$
15
$
(15
)
(200
%)
During the third quarter of 2012, AFG acquired the remaining 28% of Marketform that it did not already own. As discussed in
Notes
A
— “
Accounting Policies
,”
and
H
— “
Managed Investment Entities
”
to the financial statements, the losses of Managed Investment Entities represent CLO losses that ultimately inure to holders of the CLO debt.
60
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2013
AND
2012
Segmented Statement of Earnings
AFG reports its business as five segments: (i) Property and casualty insurance (“P&C”), (ii) Annuity, (iii) Run-off long-term care and life, (iv) Medicare supplement and critical illness (sold in August 2012) and (v) Other, which includes holding company costs and operations attributable to the noncontrolling interests of the managed investment entities (“MIEs”).
AFG's net earnings attributable to shareholders, determined in accordance with GAAP, include certain items that may not be indicative of its ongoing core operations. The following tables for the
nine
months ended
September 30, 2013
and
2012
identify such items by segment and reconcile net earnings attributable to shareholders to core net operating earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure that AFG believes is a useful tool for investors and analysts in analyzing ongoing operating trends (in millions):
Other
P&C
Annuity
Run-off long-term care and life
Consol. MIEs
Holding Co., other and unallocated
Total
Non-core reclass
GAAP Total
Nine months ended September 30, 2013
Revenues:
Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums
$
2,345
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
2,345
$
—
$
2,345
Life, accident and health net earned premiums
—
—
87
—
—
87
—
87
Net investment income
196
764
57
(27
)
6
996
—
996
Realized gains on securities
—
—
—
—
—
—
154
154
Income (loss) of MIEs:
Investment income
—
—
—
98
—
98
—
98
Loss on change in fair value of assets/liabilities
—
—
—
(21
)
—
(21
)
—
(21
)
Other income
10
46
3
(12
)
24
71
—
71
Total revenues
2,551
810
147
38
30
3,576
154
3,730
Costs and Expenses:
Property and casualty insurance:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
1,449
—
—
—
—
1,449
54
1,503
Commissions and other underwriting expenses
772
—
—
—
—
772
—
772
Annuity benefits
—
394
—
—
—
394
—
394
Life, accident and health benefits
—
—
120
—
—
120
—
120
Annuity and supplemental insurance acquisition expenses
—
114
14
—
—
128
—
128
Interest charges on borrowed money
3
—
—
—
51
54
—
54
Expenses of MIEs
—
—
—
68
—
68
—
68
Other expenses
34
66
20
—
101
221
27
248
Total costs and expenses
2,258
574
154
68
152
3,206
81
3,287
Earnings before income taxes
293
236
(7
)
(30
)
(122
)
370
73
443
Provision for income taxes
91
81
(3
)
—
(40
)
129
26
155
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests
202
155
(4
)
(30
)
(82
)
241
47
288
Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
2
—
—
(30
)
1
(27
)
2
(25
)
Core Net Operating Earnings
200
155
(4
)
—
(83
)
268
Non-core earnings attributable to shareholders (a):
Realized gains on securities, net of tax
—
—
—
—
97
97
(97
)
—
Special A&E charges, net of tax
(35
)
—
—
—
(14
)
(49
)
49
—
ELNY guaranty fund assessments, net of tax
—
(3
)
—
—
—
(3
)
3
—
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders
$
165
$
152
$
(4
)
$
—
$
—
$
313
$
—
$
313
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Other
P&C
Annuity
Run-off long-term care and life
Medicare supplement and critical illness
Consol. MIEs
Holding Co., other and unallocated
Total
Non-core reclass
GAAP Total
Nine months ended September 30, 2012
Revenues:
Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums
$
2,091
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
2,091
$
—
$
2,091
Life, accident and health net earned premiums
—
—
91
199
—
—
290
—
290
Net investment income
206
722
54
7
(21
)
4
972
—
972
Realized gains on securities
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
145
145
Realized gains on subsidiaries
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
155
155
Income (loss) of MIEs:
Investment income
—
—
—
—
92
—
92
—
92
Loss on change in fair value of assets/liabilities
—
—
—
—
(63
)
—
(63
)
—
(63
)
Other income
17
39
1
6
(14
)
18
67
—
67
Total revenues
2,314
761
146
212
(6
)
22
3,449
300
3,749
Costs and Expenses:
Property and casualty insurance:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
1,286
—
—
—
—
—
1,286
31
1,317
Commissions and other underwriting expenses
697
—
—
—
—
—
697
—
697
Annuity benefits
—
417
—
—
—
—
417
—
417
Life, accident and health benefits
—
—
107
131
—
—
238
—
238
Annuity and supplemental insurance acquisition expenses
—
92
15
31
—
—
138
—
138
Interest charges on borrowed money
3
—
—
—
—
54
57
—
57
Expenses of MIEs
—
—
—
—
58
—
58
—
58
Other expenses
47
64
16
22
—
86
235
25
260
Total costs and expenses
2,033
573
138
184
58
140
3,126
56
3,182
Earnings before income taxes
281
188
8
28
(64
)
(118
)
323
244
567
Provision for income taxes
88
64
3
10
—
(39
)
126
58
184
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests
193
124
5
18
(64
)
(79
)
197
186
383
Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
7
—
—
—
(64
)
1
(56
)
1
(55
)
Core Net Operating Earnings
186
124
5
18
—
(80
)
253
Non-core earnings attributable to shareholders (a):
Gain on sale of Medicare supplement and critical illness, net of tax
—
—
—
101
—
—
101
(101
)
—
Other realized gains, net of tax
—
—
—
—
—
92
92
(92
)
—
Special A&E charges, net of tax
(20
)
—
—
—
—
(1
)
(21
)
21
—
AFG tax case resolution
—
—
—
—
—
28
28
(28
)
—
Other, net of tax
—
—
—
—
—
(15
)
(15
)
15
—
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders
$
166
$
124
$
5
$
119
$
—
$
24
$
438
$
—
$
438
(a)
See the reconciliation of core earnings to GAAP net earnings under
Results of Operations —
General
for details on the tax and noncontrolling interest impacts of these reconciling items.
Property and Casualty Insurance Segment — Results of Operations
AFG's property and casualty insurance operations contributed
$239 million
in GAAP pretax earnings in the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to
$250 million
in the first
nine
months of
2012
, a
decrease
of
$11 million
(
4%
). Property and casualty core pretax earnings were
$293 million
in the first
nine
months of 2013 compared to
$281 million
in the first
nine
months of 2012,
an increase
of
$12 million
(
4%
). Higher underwriting profits in the Specialty casualty group and Specialty financial group were partially offset by a decline in the
62
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
underwriting profits in the Property and transportation group during the first half of the year (including higher catastrophe losses.) The decline in GAAP pretax earnings reflects the higher non-core special A&E charges in 2013 as compared to 2012.
The following table details AFG's GAAP and core earnings before income taxes from its property and casualty operations for the
nine
months ended
September 30, 2013
and
2012
(dollars in millions):
Nine months ended September 30,
2013
2012
% Change
Gross written premiums
$
3,734
$
3,356
11
%
Reinsurance premiums ceded
(1,214
)
(1,109
)
9
%
Net written premiums
2,520
2,247
12
%
Change in unearned premiums
(175
)
(156
)
12
%
Net earned premiums
2,345
2,091
12
%
Loss and loss adjustment expenses (*)
1,449
1,286
13
%
Commissions and other underwriting expenses
772
697
11
%
Core underwriting gain
124
108
15
%
Net investment income
196
206
(5
%)
Other income and expenses, net
(27
)
(33
)
(18
%)
Core earnings before income taxes
293
281
4
%
Pretax non-core special A&E charges
(54
)
(31
)
74
%
GAAP earnings before income taxes
$
239
$
250
(4
%)
(*) Excluding non-core special A&E charges
Combined Ratios:
Specialty lines
Change
Loss and LAE ratio
61.5
%
61.1
%
0.4
%
Underwriting expense ratio
32.9
%
33.3
%
(0.4
%)
Combined ratio
94.4
%
94.4
%
—
%
Aggregate — including discontinued lines
Loss and LAE ratio
64.1
%
63.0
%
1.1
%
Underwriting expense ratio
32.9
%
33.3
%
(0.4
%)
Combined ratio
97.0
%
96.3
%
0.7
%
AFG reports the underwriting performance of its Specialty insurance business in the following sub-components: (i) Property and transportation, (ii) Specialty casualty and (iii) Specialty financial.
Gross Written Premiums
Gross written premiums ("GWP") for AFG's property and casualty insurance segment were
$3.73 billion
for the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to
$3.36 billion
for the first
nine
months of
2012
,
an increase
of
$378 million
(
11%
). Detail of AFG's property and casualty gross written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
Nine months ended September 30,
2013
2012
GWP
%
GWP
%
% Change
Property and transportation
$
1,945
52
%
$
1,840
55
%
6
%
Specialty casualty
1,331
36
%
1,100
33
%
21
%
Specialty financial
458
12
%
415
12
%
10
%
Other specialty
—
—
%
1
—
%
(100
%)
$
3,734
100
%
$
3,356
100
%
11
%
63
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Reinsurance Premiums Ceded
Reinsurance premiums ceded ("Ceded") for AFG's property and casualty insurance segment were
33%
of gross written premiums for the first
nine
months of
2013
and
2012
. Detail of AFG's property and casualty reinsurance premiums ceded is shown below (dollars in millions):
Nine months ended September 30,
2013
2012
Change in
Ceded
% of GWP
Ceded
% of GWP
% of GWP
Property and transportation
$
(747
)
38
%
$
(682
)
37
%
1
%
Specialty casualty
(428
)
32
%
(366
)
33
%
(1
%)
Specialty financial
(104
)
23
%
(112
)
27
%
(4
%)
Other specialty
65
51
$
(1,214
)
33
%
$
(1,109
)
33
%
—
%
Net Written Premiums
Net written premiums ("NWP") for AFG's property and casualty insurance segment were
$2.52 billion
for the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to
$2.25 billion
for the first
nine
months of
2012
,
an increase
of
$273 million
(
12%
). Detail of AFG's property and casualty net written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
Nine months ended September 30,
2013
2012
NWP
%
NWP
%
% Change
Property and transportation
$
1,198
47
%
$
1,158
52
%
3
%
Specialty casualty
903
36
%
734
33
%
23
%
Specialty financial
354
14
%
303
13
%
17
%
Other specialty
65
3
%
52
2
%
25
%
$
2,520
100
%
$
2,247
100
%
12
%
Net Earned Premiums
Net earned premiums ("NEP") for AFG's property and casualty insurance segment were
$2.35 billion
for the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to
$2.09 billion
for the first
nine
months of
2012
,
an increase
of
$254 million
(
12%
). Detail of AFG's property and casualty net earned premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
Nine months ended September 30,
2013
2012
NEP
%
NEP
%
% Change
Property and transportation
$
1,111
47
%
$
1,040
50
%
7
%
Specialty casualty
825
35
%
699
33
%
18
%
Specialty financial
350
15
%
301
14
%
16
%
Other specialty
59
3
%
51
3
%
16
%
$
2,345
100
%
$
2,091
100
%
12
%
The
$378 million
increase
in gross written premiums for the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to the first
nine
months of
2012
reflects strong growth across each of the property and casualty sub-segments. Overall average renewal rates increased approximately 4% in the first
nine
months of
2013
.
Property and transportation
Gross written premiums
increased
$105 million
(
6%
) for the first
nine
months of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 due primarily to higher crop premiums and growth in the transportation businesses. Average renewal rates were up approximately 5% for the first
nine
months of
2013
. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums
increased
1
percentage point in the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to the first
nine
months of
2012
reflecting higher cessions of multi-peril crop business.
Specialty casualty
Gross written premiums
increased
$231 million
(
21%
) for the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to the first
nine
months of
2012
as a result of increased premiums in nearly all businesses in this group, particularly in the workers’
64
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
compensation and excess and surplus lines. New business opportunities, increased exposures from higher payroll on existing accounts, strong retentions and higher renewal pricing have contributed to increased premiums in the workers’ compensation businesses. In addition, new business opportunities and general market hardening have generated increased premiums in several of the excess and surplus lines businesses. Average renewal rates were up approximately 6% for this group in the first
nine
months of
2013
. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums
declined
1
percentage point for the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to the first
nine
months of
2012
reflecting a change in the mix of business.
Specialty financial
Gross written premiums
increased
$43 million
(
10%
) for the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to the first
nine
months of
2012
due primarily to growth in lender-placed mortgage property insurance offered by the financial institutions business. Gross written premiums for the first
nine
months of
2013
include $17 million in risk fees from AFG’s warranty operations. Prior to 2013, fees in the warranty operations were included in other income. Average renewal rates for this group remained relatively unchanged in the first
nine
months of
2013
. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums
declined
4
percentage points for the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to the first
nine
months of
2012
reflecting the impact of reinsurance reinstatement premiums paid in the third quarter of 2012 and a change in the mix of business.
Other specialty
The amounts shown as reinsurance premiums ceded represent business assumed by AFG's internal reinsurance program from the operations that make up AFG's other Specialty sub-components.
65
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Combined Ratio
The table below details the components of the combined ratio for AFG's property and casualty segment for the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to the first
nine
months of
2012
:
Nine months ended September 30,
Nine months ended September 30,
2013
2012
Change
2013
2012
Property and transportation
Loss and LAE ratio
75.1
%
69.4
%
5.7
%
Underwriting expense ratio
25.3
%
27.4
%
(2.1
%)
Combined ratio
100.4
%
96.8
%
3.6
%
Underwriting profit (loss)
$
(5
)
$
33
Specialty casualty
Loss and LAE ratio
57.1
%
59.5
%
(2.4
%)
Underwriting expense ratio
34.4
%
34.0
%
0.4
%
Combined ratio
91.5
%
93.5
%
(2.0
%)
Underwriting profit
$
70
$
45
Specialty financial
Loss and LAE ratio
33.3
%
38.9
%
(5.6
%)
Underwriting expense ratio
52.5
%
51.7
%
0.8
%
Combined ratio
85.8
%
90.6
%
(4.8
%)
Underwriting profit
$
50
$
28
Total Specialty
Loss and LAE ratio
61.5
%
61.1
%
0.4
%
Underwriting expense ratio
32.9
%
33.3
%
(0.4
%)
Combined ratio
94.4
%
94.4
%
—
%
Underwriting profit
$
131
$
116
Aggregate — including discontinued lines
Loss and LAE ratio
64.1
%
63.0
%
1.1
%
Underwriting expense ratio
32.9
%
33.3
%
(0.4
%)
Combined ratio
97.0
%
96.3
%
0.7
%
Underwriting profit
$
70
$
77
The Specialty insurance operations generated an underwriting profit of
$131 million
in the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to
$116 million
in the first
nine
months of
2012
,
an increase
of
$15 million
(
13%
). The higher profit in the first
nine
months of
2013
is primarily the result of higher underwriting profits in the Specialty casualty and Specialty financial groups partially offset by lower underwriting profits and higher catastrophe losses in the Property and transportation businesses. Overall catastrophe losses were
$30 million
(
1.3
points on the combined ratio) during the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to
$13 million
(
0.6
points) during the first
nine
months of
2012
.
Property and transportation
This group reported an underwriting loss of
$5 million
for the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to a
$33 million
underwriting gain for the first
nine
months of
2012
,
a decrease
in underwriting profit of
$38 million
. This decline is due primarily to lower profitability in the transportation businesses and higher catastrophe losses from the impact of the spring storms in the southeastern United States. Catastrophe losses were
$27 million
(
2.4
points on the combined ratio) for this group during the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to
$7 million
(
0.7
points) during the first
nine
months of
2012
.
Specialty casualty
Underwriting profit was
$70 million
for the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to
$45 million
in the first
nine
months of
2012
,
an increase
of
$25 million
(
56%
), reflecting a lower current accident year loss ratio as well as increased favorable reserve development.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Specialty financial
Underwriting profit was
$50 million
for the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to
$28 million
in the first
nine
months of
2012
,
an increase
of
$22 million
(
79%
). The improved results were due primarily to higher underwriting profits in the financial institutions business, primarily from lender-placed mortgage property insurance.
Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
AFG's overall loss and LAE ratio was
64.1%
for the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to
63.0%
for the first
nine
months of
2012
,
an increase
of
1.1
percentage points. The components of AFG's property and casualty losses and LAE amounts and ratio are detailed below:
Nine months ended September 30,
Amount
Ratio
Change in
2013
2012
2013
2012
Ratio
Property and transportation
Current year, excluding catastrophe losses
$
812
$
729
73.1
%
70.0
%
3.1
%
Prior accident years development
(4
)
(14
)
(0.4
%)
(1.3
%)
0.9
%
Current year catastrophe losses
27
7
2.4
%
0.7
%
1.7
%
Property and transportation losses and LAE and ratio
$
835
$
722
75.1
%
69.4
%
5.7
%
Specialty casualty
Current year, excluding catastrophe losses
$
511
$
439
62.0
%
63.0
%
(1.0
%)
Prior accident years development
(42
)
(25
)
(5.0
%)
(3.7
%)
(1.3
%)
Current year catastrophe losses
1
2
0.1
%
0.2
%
(0.1
%)
Specialty casualty losses and LAE and ratio
$
470
$
416
57.1
%
59.5
%
(2.4
%)
Specialty financial
Current year, excluding catastrophe losses
$
124
$
130
35.6
%
43.3
%
(7.7
%)
Prior accident years development
(10
)
(16
)
(2.9
%)
(5.5
%)
2.6
%
Current year catastrophe losses
2
3
0.6
%
1.1
%
(0.5
%)
Specialty financial losses and LAE and ratio
$
116
$
117
33.3
%
38.9
%
(5.6
%)
Total Specialty
Current year, excluding catastrophe losses
$
1,482
$
1,327
63.3
%
63.5
%
(0.2
%)
Prior accident years development
(70
)
(62
)
(3.1
%)
(3.0
%)
(0.1
%)
Current year catastrophe losses
30
13
1.3
%
0.6
%
0.7
%
Total Specialty losses and LAE and ratio
$
1,442
$
1,278
61.5
%
61.1
%
0.4
%
Aggregate — including discontinued lines
Current year, excluding catastrophe losses
$
1,483
$
1,327
63.3
%
63.5
%
(0.2
%)
Prior accident years development
(10
)
(23
)
(0.5
%)
(1.1
%)
0.6
%
Current year catastrophe losses
30
13
1.3
%
0.6
%
0.7
%
Aggregate losses and LAE and ratio
$
1,503
$
1,317
64.1
%
63.0
%
1.1
%
Net prior year reserve development
AFG's Specialty property and casualty operations recorded net favorable reserve development related to prior accident years of
$70 million
in the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to
$62 million
in the first
nine
months of
2012
,
an increase
of
$8 million
(
13%
).
Property and transportation
Net favorable reserve development of
$4 million
in the first
nine
months of
2013
reflects lower than expected claims handling expense in the crop business and lower claim severity in the property inland marine and ocean marine businesses, substantially offset by adverse development from increased severity in the commercial auto liability business written by the transportation businesses. Net favorable reserve development of
$14 million
in the first
nine
months of
2012
reflects lower than expected loss frequency in crop products, partially offset by higher than expected claim severity in the property and inland marine business.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Specialty casualty
Net favorable reserve development of
$42 million
in the first
nine
months of
2013
reflects lower than expected claim severity in directors and officers liability insurance and lower than expected claim severity and frequency in excess liability business. Net favorable reserve development of
$25 million
in the first
nine
months of
2012
reflects lower than expected claim severity and frequency in homebuilders’ general liability products and lower than expected claim severity in directors and officers liability insurance substantially offset by higher claim frequency and severity in a run-off book of U.S.-based program (motel/hotel, restaurants, taverns and recreational) business.
Specialty financial
Net favorable reserve development of
$10 million
in the first
nine
months of
2013
is due to lower than expected frequency and severity in the foreign credit and financial institution services businesses as economic conditions did not affect these lines as adversely as had been anticipated. Net favorable reserve development of
$16 million
in the first
nine
months of
2012
reflects lower than expected claim severity in fidelity and crime products, lower than expected frequency and severity in the financial institution service businesses and lower than expected claim frequency and severity in the run-off automobile residual value insurance business.
Other specialty
In addition to the development discussed above, total specialty net favorable reserve development reflects amortization of the deferred gain on the retroactive insurance transaction entered into in connection with the sale of a business in 1998 and reserve development associated with AFG’s internal reinsurance program.
Special Asbestos and Environmental Reserve Charges
See
“Net prior year reserve development”
under
“Property and Casualty Insurance — Results of Operations”
for the quarters ended
September 30, 2013
and
2012
for a discussion of the $54 million and $31 million special A&E charges recorded in the
third
quarters of
2013
and
2012
, respectively.
Aggregate
Aggregate net prior accident years reserve development for AFG’s property and casualty segment includes the special A&E charges mentioned above.
Catastrophe losses
AFG generally seeks to reduce its exposure to catastrophes through individual risk selection, including minimizing coastal and known fault-line exposures, and the purchase of reinsurance. The
$27 million
in catastrophe losses in the property and transportation group in the first
nine
months of
2013
resulted primarily from spring storms in the southeastern United States.
Commissions and Other Underwriting Expenses
AFG's property and casualty commissions and other underwriting expenses ("U/W Exp") were
$772 million
in the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to
$697 million
for the first
nine
months of
2012
,
an increase
of
$75 million
(
11%
). AFG's underwriting expense ratio was
32.9%
for the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to
33.3%
for the first
nine
months of
2012
,
a decrease
of
0.4
percentage points. Detail of AFG's property and casualty commissions and other underwriting expenses and underwriting expense ratios is shown below (dollars in millions):
Nine months ended September 30,
2013
2012
Change in
U/W Exp
% of NEP
U/W Exp
% of NEP
% of NEP
Property and transportation
$
281
25.3
%
$
285
27.4
%
(2.1
%)
Specialty casualty
285
34.4
%
238
34.0
%
0.4
%
Specialty financial
184
52.5
%
156
51.7
%
0.8
%
Other specialty
22
37.3
%
18
37.2
%
0.1
%
$
772
32.9
%
$
697
33.3
%
(0.4
%)
The overall
decrease
of
0.4%
in AFG's expense ratio for the first
nine
months of
2013
as compared to the first
nine
months of
2012
, as well as the fluctuations in AFG's sub-components, reflects the impact of higher premiums on the ratio partially offset by changes in the mix of AFG's business and the impact of certain reinsurance ceding commissions received that are partially based on the profitability of the business ceded.
Property and transportation
Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased
2.1
percentage points for the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to the first
nine
months of
2012
reflecting the timing of the determination of reimbursements for administrative and operating expenses under the Federal crop insurance program and the impact of higher premiums on the ratio partially offset by lower profitability-based commissions received from reinsurers.
68
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Specialty casualty
Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums increased
0.4
percentage points for the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to the first
nine
months of
2012
reflecting higher profitability-based commissions related to international business, partially offset by the impact of higher premiums on the ratio.
Specialty financial
Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums increased
0.8
percentage points for the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to the first
nine
months of
2012
reflecting higher profitability-based commissions and lower ceding commissions from reinsurers, partially offset by the impact of higher premiums on the ratio.
Property and Casualty Net Investment Income
Net investment income in AFG's property and casualty operations was
$196 million
for the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to
$206 million
in the first
nine
months of
2012
,
a decrease
of
$10 million
(
5%
). In recent years, yields available in the financial markets on fixed maturity securities have generally declined, placing downward pressure on AFG's investment portfolio yield. The average invested assets and overall earned yield on investments held by AFG's property and casualty operations are provided below (dollars in millions):
Nine months ended September 30,
2013
2012
Change
% Change
Net investment income
$
196
$
206
$
(10
)
(5
%)
Average invested assets (at amortized cost)
$
6,876
$
6,623
$
253
4
%
Yield (net investment income as a % of average invested assets)
3.80
%
4.15
%
(0.35
%)
The property and casualty segment’s overall yield on investments (net investment income as a percentage of average invested assets) was
3.80%
for the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to
4.15%
for the first
nine
months of
2012
,
a decline
of
0.35
percentage points. In addition to the impact of lower yields available in the financial markets, the
$253 million
increase
in average invested assets reflects primarily higher average cash and cash equivalent balances.
Property and Casualty Other Income and Expense, Net
Other income and expenses, net for AFG's property and casualty operations was a net expense of
$27 million
for the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to
$33 million
for the first
nine
months of
2012
,
a decrease
of
$6 million
(
18%
). The table below details the items included in other income and expenses, net for AFG's property and casualty operations (in millions):
Nine months ended September 30,
2013
2012
Other income
Warranty operations
$
—
$
12
Income from the sale of real estate
4
—
Other
6
5
Total other income
10
17
Other expenses
Warranty operations
—
14
Amortization of intangibles
10
10
Other
24
23
Total other expense
34
47
Interest expense
3
3
Other income and expenses, net
$
(27
)
$
(33
)
Beginning in 2013, AFG’s warranty operations are included in the Specialty financial underwriting results.
Interest expense for AFG's property and casualty operations includes interest charges on long-term debt within the property and casualty operations, primarily notes secured by real estate and other secured borrowings.
69
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Annuity Segment — Results of Operations
AFG's annuity operations contributed
$231 million
in GAAP pretax earnings in the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to
$188 million
in the first
nine
months of
2012
,
an increase
of
$43 million
(
23%
). AFG’s annuity operations contributed
$236 million
in core pretax earnings in the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to
$188 million
in the first
nine
months of
2012
,
an increase
of
$48 million
(
26%
). The increase in both GAAP and core pretax earnings was a result of growth in the annuity business and the favorable impact that rising interest rates and strong stock market performance in the first
nine
months of
2013
had on AFG’s fixed-indexed annuity business. Results for the first
nine
months of
2012
reflect the negative impact of sharply lower interest rates partially offset by the impact of strong stock market performance on the fixed-indexed annuity business.
In the second quarter of 2013, AFG recorded a pretax charge of $5 million in its annuity operations to cover expected assessments from state guaranty funds related to the insolvency and liquidation of Executive Life Insurance Company of New York (“ELNY”), an unaffiliated life insurance company. ELNY was placed into rehabilitation by the New York Insurance Department in 1991. In April 2012, ELNY was declared insolvent and ordered into liquidation. AFG’s life insurance subsidiaries are required under the solvency or guaranty laws of most states in which they do business to pay assessments up to certain prescribed limits to fund policyholder losses or liabilities of insolvent insurance companies such as ELNY and started receiving guaranty fund assessments related to ELNY from various states in the second quarter of 2013. AFG does not expect to record significant additional charges for ELNY guaranty fund assessments in future quarters.
The following table details AFG's GAAP and core earnings before income taxes from its annuity operations for the
nine
months ended
September 30, 2013
and
2012
(dollars in millions).
Nine months ended September 30,
2013
2012
% Change
Revenues:
Net investment income
$
764
$
722
6
%
Other income:
Guaranteed withdrawal benefit fees
18
9
100
%
Policy charges and other miscellaneous income
28
30
(7
%)
Total revenues
810
761
6
%
Costs and Expenses:
Annuity benefits (a)
394
417
(6
%)
Acquisition expenses
114
92
24
%
Other expenses (b)
66
64
3
%
Total costs and expenses
574
573
—
%
Core earnings before income taxes
236
188
26
%
Pretax non-core ELNY guaranty fund assessments
(5
)
—
—
%
GAAP earnings before income taxes
$
231
$
188
23
%
(a) Annuity benefits consisted of the following (in millions):
Nine months ended September 30,
2013
2012
% Change
Interest credited — fixed
$
333
$
329
1
%
Interest credited — fixed component of variable annuities
5
5
—
%
Change in expected death and annuitization reserve
14
14
—
%
Amortization of sales inducements
23
23
—
%
Change in guaranteed withdrawal benefit reserve
28
9
211
%
Change in other benefit reserves
6
7
(14
%)
Derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities:
Embedded derivative mark-to-market
110
97
13
%
Equity option mark-to-market
(125
)
(67
)
87
%
Total annuity benefits
$
394
$
417
(6
%)
(b) Other expenses exclude the non-core ELNY guaranty fund assessments.
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Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Net Spread on Fixed Annuities (excludes variable annuity earnings)
The table below (dollars in millions) details the components of these spreads for AFG's fixed annuity operations (including fixed-indexed annuities):
Nine months ended September 30,
2013
2012
% Change
Average fixed annuity investments (at amortized cost)
$
18,693
$
16,371
14
%
Average fixed annuity benefits accumulated
18,231
16,147
13
%
As % of fixed annuity benefits accumulated (except as noted):
Net investment income (as % of fixed annuity investments)
5.40
%
5.82
%
Interest credited — fixed
(2.43
%)
(2.72
%)
Net interest spread
2.97
%
3.10
%
Policy charges and other miscellaneous income
0.14
%
0.17
%
Other annuity benefit expenses, net of guaranteed withdrawal benefit fees
(0.39
%)
(0.32
%)
Acquisition expenses
(0.80
%)
(0.72
%)
Other expenses (*)
(0.45
%)
(0.49
%)
Change in fair value of derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities
0.11
%
(0.29
%)
Net spread earned on fixed annuities
1.58
%
1.45
%
(*) Excludes the $5 million second quarter 2013 non-core charge for the ELNY guaranty fund assessments. Including this charge, the net spread earned on fixed annuities was 1.54% for the
nine
months ended
September 30, 2013
.
Annuity Net Investment Income
Net investment income for the first
nine
months of
2013
was
$764 million
compared to
$722 million
for the first
nine
months of
2012
,
an increase
of
$42 million
(
6%
). This increase reflects primarily the growth in AFG’s annuity business. The overall yield earned on investments in AFG's annuity operations, calculated as net investment income divided by average investment balances (at amortized cost),
declined
by
0.42
percentage points for the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to the same period in
2012
. This
decline
in net investment yield reflects (i) the investment of new premium dollars in the recent low interest rate environment and (ii) the impact of the maturity and redemption of higher yielding investments.
Annuity Interest Credited — Fixed
Interest credited — fixed for the first
nine
months of
2013
was
$333 million
compared to
$329 million
for the first
nine
months of
2012
,
an increase
of
$4 million
(
1%
). The impact of growth in the annuity business was partially offset by lower interest crediting rates on new premiums as compared to the crediting rates on policyholder funds surrendered or withdrawn as well as the impact of crediting rate reductions on existing policyholder funds that were implemented in the second half of 2012. The average interest rate credited to policyholders, calculated as interest credited divided by average fixed annuity benefits accumulated,
decreased
0.29
percentage points in the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to the same period of
2012
. During the first
nine
months of
2013
, interest rates credited on new premiums generally ranged from 1.00% to 2.00%.
Annuity Net Interest Spread
AFG's net interest spread
decreased
0.13
percentage points in the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to the same period in
2012
due primarily to the run-off of higher yielding investments, partially offset by lower crediting rates.
Annuity Policy Charges and Other Miscellaneous Income
Annuity policy charges and other miscellaneous income for the first
nine
months of
2013
were
$28 million
compared to
$30 million
for the first
nine
months of
2012
,
a decrease
of
$2 million
(
7%
). Policy charges and other miscellaneous income for AFG's annuity operations, which consist primarily of surrender charges, as a percentage of average fixed annuity benefits accumulated
declined
0.03
percentage points primarily reflecting lower surrender charge rates.
71
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Other Annuity Benefits
Other annuity benefits, net of guaranteed withdrawal benefit fees for the first
nine
months of
2013
were
$53 million
compared to
$44 million
for the first
nine
months of
2012
,
an increase
of
$9 million
(
20%
). In addition to interest credited to policyholders’ accounts, annuity benefits expense also includes the following expenses (in millions, net of guaranteed withdrawal benefit fees):
Nine months ended September 30,
2013
2012
Change in expected death and annuitization reserve
$
14
$
14
Amortization of sales inducements
23
23
Change in guaranteed withdrawal benefit reserve
28
9
Change in other benefit reserves
6
7
Other annuity benefits
71
53
Offset guaranteed withdrawal benefit fees
(18
)
(9
)
Other annuity benefits, net
$
53
$
44
The
$9 million
increase
in other annuity benefits, net of guaranteed withdrawal benefit fees for the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to the first
nine
months of
2012
reflects primarily increased sales of products with guaranteed withdrawal benefit features.
Annuity Acquisition Expenses
AFG's amortization of DPAC and commission expenses as a percentage of average fixed annuity benefits accumulated was
0.80%
for the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to
0.72%
for the first
nine
months of
2012
and has generally ranged between
0.70%
and
0.80%
. Variances in these percentages generally relate to the impact of (i) material changes in interest rates or the stock market on AFG’s fixed-indexed annuity business, and (ii) differences in actual experience from actuarially projected estimates and assumptions. For example, the favorable impact of the increase in market interest rates during 2013 on the fair value of derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities (discussed below) resulted in a partially offsetting acceleration in the amortization of DPAC.
Annuity Other Expenses
Annuity other expenses for the first
nine
months of
2013
were
$66 million
excluding the non-core ELNY guaranty fund assessments charge, compared to
$64 million
for the first
nine
months of
2012
,
an increase
of
$2 million
(
3%
). Annuity other expenses represent primarily general and administrative expenses, as well as selling and issuance expenses that are not deferred. As a percentage of average fixed annuity benefits accumulated, these expenses
declined
0.04
percentage points for the first
nine
months of
2013
as compared to the first
nine
months of
2012
.
Change in Fair Value of Derivatives Related to Fixed-Indexed Annuities
AFG’s fixed-indexed annuities, which represented approximately
45%
of annuity benefits accumulated at
September 30, 2013
, provide policyholders with a crediting rate tied, in part, to the performance of an existing stock market index. AFG attempts to mitigate the risk in the index-based component of these products through the purchase of call options on the appropriate index. AFG’s strategy is designed so that an increase in the liabilities, due to an increase in the market index, will generally be offset by unrealized and realized gains on the call options purchased by AFG. Both the index-based component of the annuities and the related call options are considered derivatives that must be marked-to-market through earnings each period. The fair values of these derivatives are impacted by actual and expected stock market performance and interest rates as well as other factors. For a list of other factors impacting the fair value of the index-based component of AFG’s annuity benefits accumulated, see
Note
D
— “
Fair Value Measurements
.”
The net change in fair value of derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities reduced annuity benefits by
$15 million
in the first
nine
months of
2013
as the impact of strong stock market performance on the embedded derivative was more than offset by the positive impact of higher market interest rates. Conversely, the net change in fair value of the derivatives related to fixed-indexed annuities increased annuity benefits expense by
$30 million
in the first
nine
months of
2012
reflecting the negative impact of sharply lower market interest rates on the embedded derivative.
Annuity Net Spread Earned on Fixed Annuities
AFG’s net spread earned on fixed annuities increased 0.13 percentage points in the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to the same period in
2012
as the 0.13 percentage points decrease in AFG’s net interest spread was more than offset by the impact of changes in the fair value of derivatives discussed above.
72
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Annuity Benefits Accumulated
Annuity premiums received and benefit payments are recorded as increases or decreases in annuity benefits accumulated rather than as revenue and expense. Increases in this liability for interest credited and other benefits are charged to expense and decreases for surrender and other policy charges are credited to other income.
For certain products, annuity benefits accumulated also includes reserves for accrued persistency and premium bonuses (sales inducements), excess benefits expected to be paid on future deaths and annuitizations (“EDAR”) and guaranteed withdrawal benefits. Annuity benefits accumulated also includes amounts advanced from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati. The following table is a progression of AFG's annuity benefits accumulated liability for the
nine
months ended
September 30, 2013
and
2012
(in millions):
Nine months ended September 30,
2013
2012
Beginning fixed annuity reserves
$
17,274
$
15,188
Fixed annuity premiums (receipts)
2,613
2,385
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
200
—
Surrenders, benefits and other withdrawals
(1,085
)
(1,042
)
Interest and other annuity benefit expenses:
Interest credited
333
329
Embedded derivative mark-to-market
110
97
Change in other benefit reserves
60
42
Ending fixed annuity reserves
$
19,505
$
16,999
Reconciliation to annuity benefits accumulated per balance sheet:
Ending fixed annuity reserves (from above)
$
19,505
$
16,999
Impact of unrealized investment gains
84
46
Fixed component of variable annuities
196
200
Annuity benefits accumulated per balance sheet
$
19,785
$
17,245
Statutory Annuity Premiums
AFG's annuity operations generated statutory premiums of
$2.65 billion
in the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to
$2.43 billion
in the first
nine
months of
2012
,
an increase
of
$221 million
(
9%
). The following table summarizes AFG's annuity sales (dollars in millions):
Nine months ended September 30,
2013
2012
% Change
Retail single premium annuities — indexed
$
1,314
$
1,357
(3
%)
Retail single premium annuities — fixed
112
118
(5
%)
Financial institutions single premium annuities — indexed
604
232
160
%
Financial institutions single premium annuities — fixed
427
501
(15
%)
Education market — 403(b) fixed and indexed annuities
156
177
(12
%)
Total fixed annuity premiums
2,613
2,385
10
%
Variable annuities
39
46
(15
%)
Total annuity premiums
$
2,652
$
2,431
9
%
The
9%
increase
in annuity premiums in the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to the same period in
2012
reflects continued successful distribution channel expansion, primarily in the financial institutions market, as well as new product offerings. Management also believes that AFG has benefitted from its strong ratings, and that the entire annuity industry has benefitted from the rise in interest rates in 2013, particularly in the financial institutions market.
73
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Annuity Earnings before Income Taxes Reconciliation
The following table reconciles the GAAP and core net spread earned on AFG’s fixed annuities to overall annuity pretax earnings for the
nine
months ended
2013
and
2012
(in millions):
Nine months ended September 30,
2013
2012
Earnings on fixed annuity benefits accumulated (a)
$
216
$
179
Earnings on investments in excess of fixed annuity benefits accumulated (b)
18
9
Variable annuity earnings
2
—
Core earnings before income taxes
236
188
Pretax non-core ELNY guaranty fund assessments
(5
)
—
GAAP earnings before income taxes
$
231
$
188
(a) Excludes the pretax non-core ELNY guarantee fund assessments of $5 million recorded in the second quarter of
2013
.
(b) Net investment income (as a % of investments) of
5.40%
and
5.82%
for the
nine
months ended
September 30, 2013
and
2012
, respectively, multiplied by the difference between average fixed annuity investments (at amortized cost) and average fixed annuity benefits accumulated in each period.
Run-off Long-Term Care and Life Segment — Results of Operations
The following table details AFG's earnings before income taxes from its run-off long-term care and life operations for the
nine
months ended
September 30, 2013
and
2012
(dollars in millions):
Nine months ended September 30,
2013
2012
% Change
Revenues:
Net earned premiums:
Long-term care
$
58
$
59
(2
%)
Life operations
29
32
(9
%)
Net investment income
57
54
6
%
Other income
3
1
200
%
Total revenues
147
146
1
%
Costs and Expenses:
Life, accident and health benefits:
Long-term care
85
66
29
%
Life operations
35
41
(15
%)
Acquisition expenses
14
15
(7
%)
Other expenses
20
16
25
%
Total costs and expenses
154
138
12
%
Earnings (loss) before income taxes
$
(7
)
$
8
The
increase
in long-term care benefits expense in the first
nine
months of
2013
as compared to the
2012
period is due primarily to an increase in new claims. Due to the nature and size of its long-term care business, AFG expects claims volatility from period to period. Management continues to monitor the long-term care business. The
decrease
in life benefits expense in the first
nine
months of
2013
as compared to the
2012
period is due primarily to improved claims experience in the first half of 2013.
74
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Medicare Supplement and Critical Illness Segment — Results of Operations
AFG's Medicare supplement and critical illness segment contributed $183 million in GAAP pretax earnings in the first
nine
months of
2012
, which includes a $155 million pretax non-core realized gain on the August 2012 sale of these businesses. See
Note
B
— “
Acquisitions and Sales of Subsidiaries
.”
The following table details AFG's GAAP and core earnings before income taxes from its Medicare supplement and critical illness business (in millions):
Nine months ended September 30,
2013
2012
Revenues:
Net earned premiums
$
—
$
199
Net investment income
—
7
Other income
—
6
Total revenues
—
212
Costs and Expenses:
Life, accident and health benefits
—
131
Acquisition expenses
—
31
Other expenses
—
22
Total costs and expenses
—
184
Core earnings before income taxes
—
28
Pretax non-core realized gain on sale of Medicare supplement and critical illness
—
155
GAAP earnings before income taxes
$
—
$
183
Holding Company, Other and Unallocated — Results of Operations
AFG’s net GAAP pretax loss outside of its insurance operations (excluding realized gains) totaled $144 million for the first nine months of 2013 compared to $143 million in the first nine months of 2012, an increase of $1 million (1%). AFG's net core pretax loss outside of its insurance operations (excluding realized gains) totaled
$122 million
for the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to
$118 million
for the first
nine
months of
2012
,
an increase
of
$4 million
(
3%
).
The following table details AFG's GAAP and core loss before income taxes from operations outside of its insurance operations for the
nine
months ended
September 30, 2013
and
2012
(dollars in millions):
Nine months ended September 30,
2013
2012
% Change
Revenues:
Net investment income
$
6
$
4
50
%
Other income
24
18
33
%
Total revenues
30
22
36
%
Costs and Expenses:
Interest charges on borrowed money
51
54
(6
%)
Other expenses (*)
101
86
17
%
Total costs and expenses
152
140
9
%
Core loss before income taxes, excluding realized gains
(122
)
(118
)
3
%
Pretax non-core items, excluding realized gains:
Special A&E charge
(22
)
(2
)
1,000
%
Other
—
(23
)
(100
%)
GAAP earnings before income taxes, excluding realized gains
$
(144
)
$
(143
)
1
%
(*)
Excludes pretax non-core special A&E charges of
$22 million
and
$2 million
for the first
nine
months of
2013
and
2012
, respectively. Other expenses for the first
nine
months of
2012
also exclude
$23 million
in other non-core charges. See
“Holding Company, Other and Unallocated — Results of Operations”
for the quarters ended
September 30, 2013
and
2012
for a discussion of these non-core charges.
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Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Holding Company and Other — Net Investment Income
AFG recorded investment income on investments held outside of its insurance operations of
$6 million
in the first
nine
months of
2013
and
$4 million
in the first
nine
months of
2012
.
Holding Company and Other — Other Income
Other income in the table above includes $12 million in the first
nine
months of
2013
and $14 million in the first
nine
months of
2012
of management fees paid to AFG by the AFG-managed CLOs (AFG's consolidated managed investment entities). These fees are eliminated in consolidation — see the other income line in the Consolidate MIEs column under
Results of Operations —
Segmented Statement of Earnings
. Excluding amounts eliminated in consolidation, AFG recorded other income outside of its insurance operations of $12 million in the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to $4 million in the first
nine
months of
2012
. Results for the first
nine
months of
2012
include a charge of $4 million to write-down a fixed asset that is being sold.
Holding Company and Other — Interest Charges on Borrowed Money
AFG's holding companies and other operations outside of its insurance operations recorded interest expense of
$51 million
in the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to
$54 million
in the first
nine
months of
2012
,
a decrease
of
$3 million
(
6%
). In 2012, AFG issued new Senior Notes and used the proceeds to redeem higher rate debt.
Holding Company and Other — Other Expenses
See
“Holding Company and Other — Other Expenses”
under
“Holding Company, Other and Unallocated — Results of Operations”
for the quarters ended
September 30, 2013
and
2012
for a discussion of the $22 million and $25 million in non-core charges recorded in the
third
quarter of
2013
and
2012
, respectively. Excluding these non-core charges, AFG's holding companies and other operations outside of its insurance operations recorded other expenses of
$101 million
in the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to
$86 million
in the first
nine
months of
2012
,
an increase
of
$15 million
(
17%
). The
$15 million
increase
reflects the impact of higher holding company expenses, primarily related to certain share-based incentive plans.
Consolidated Realized Gains (Losses) on Securities
AFG's consolidated realized gains on securities, which are not allocated to segments, were
$154 million
in the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to
$145 million
in the first
nine
months of
2012
,
an increase
of
$9 million
(
6%
). Realized gains (losses) on securities consisted of the following (in millions):
Nine months ended September 30,
2013
2012
Realized gains (losses) before impairments:
Disposals
$
158
$
169
Change in the fair value of derivatives
2
1
Adjustments to annuity deferred policy acquisition costs and related items
—
(6
)
160
164
Impairment charges:
Securities
(6
)
(24
)
Adjustments to annuity deferred policy acquisition costs and related items
—
5
(6
)
(19
)
$
154
$
145
Realized gains on disposals include gains on sales of shares of Verisk Analytics, Inc. of
$49 million
in the first
nine
months of
2013
and
$66 million
in the first
nine
months of
2012
.
Consolidated Income Taxes
AFG's consolidated provision for income taxes was
$155 million
for the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to
$184 million
in the first
nine
months of
2012
,
a decrease
of
$29 million
(
16%
). See
Note
L
— “
Income Taxes
”
to the financial statements for an analysis of items affecting AFG’s effective tax rate.
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Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Consolidated Noncontrolling Interests
AFG's consolidated net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests was
$25 million
for the first
nine
months of
2013
compared to $55 million for the first
nine
months of
2012
, a decrease of $30 million. The following table details net earnings (loss) in consolidated subsidiaries attributable to holders other than AFG (dollars in millions):
Nine months ended September 30,
2013
2012
% Change
National Interstate
$
4
$
12
(67
%)
Marketform
—
(4
)
(100
%)
Managed Investment Entities
(30
)
(64
)
(53
%)
Other
1
1
—
%
$
(25
)
$
(55
)
(55
%)
During the third quarter of 2012, AFG acquired the remaining 28% of Marketform that it did not already own. As discussed in
Notes
A
— “
Accounting Policies
,”
and
H
— “
Managed Investment Entities
”
to the financial statements, the losses of Managed Investment Entities represent CLO losses that ultimately inure to holders of the CLO debt.
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
See
Note
A
— “
Accounting Policies
—
Accounting Standards Adopted in 2013
”
for a discussion of new accounting standards adopted by AFG in
2013
.
_____________________________________________________
77
Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
ITEM 3
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure of Market Risk
As of
September 30, 2013
, there were no material changes to the information provided in
Item 7A — “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk”
of AFG’s
2012
Form 10-K.
ITEM 4
Controls and Procedures
AFG’s management, with participation of its Co-Chief Executive Officers and its Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated AFG’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, AFG’s Co-CEOs and CFO concluded that the controls and procedures are effective. There have been no changes in AFG’s internal control over financial reporting during the
third
fiscal quarter of
2013
that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, AFG’s internal control over financial reporting.
In the ordinary course of business, AFG and its subsidiaries routinely enhance their information systems by either upgrading current systems or implementing new systems. There has been no change in AFG’s business processes and procedures during the
third
fiscal quarter of
2013
that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, AFG’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 2
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
AFG repurchased shares of its Common Stock during the first
nine
months of
2013
as follows:
Total
Number
of Shares
Purchased
Average
Price Paid
Per Share
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
Maximum Number
of Shares
that May
Yet be Purchased
Under the Plans
or Programs (a)
First Quarter
61,586
$
43.71
61,586
7,501,271
Second Quarter
1,386,570
$
48.37
1,386,570
6,114,701
July
—
$
—
—
6,114,701
August
—
$
—
—
6,114,701
September
—
$
—
—
6,114,701
(a)
Represents the remaining shares that may be repurchased under the Plans authorized by AFG’s Board of Directors in August 2012 and February 2013. AFG’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of five million additional shares in February 2013.
In addition, AFG acquired 890 shares of its Common Stock (at $41.42 per share) in January 2013, 28,463 shares (at an average of $43.52 per share) in February 2013, and 15,826 shares (at $51.82 per share) in August 2013 in connection with its stock incentive plans.
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Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
ITEM 6
Exhibits
Number
Exhibit Description
12
Computation of ratios of earnings to fixed charges.
31(a)
Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officer pursuant to section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31(b)
Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officer pursuant to section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31(c)
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32
Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101
The following financial information from American Financial Group’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language):
(i) Consolidated Balance Sheet
(ii) Consolidated Statement of Earnings
(iii) Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
(iv) Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
(v) Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Signature
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, American Financial Group, Inc. has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned duly authorized.
American Financial Group, Inc.
November 8, 2013
BY:
/s/ Joseph E. (Jeff) Consolino
Joseph E. (Jeff) Consolino
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
79