UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q (X) QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2001 OR ( ) TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the Transition Period from ______________ to _____________ Commission File No. 1-11778 I.R.S. Employer Identification No. 98-0091805 ACE LIMITED (Incorporated in the Cayman Islands) The ACE Building 30 Woodbourne Avenue Hamilton HM 08 Bermuda Telephone 441-295-5200 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 (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES X NO ------ ----- The number of registrant's Ordinary Shares ($0.041666667 par value) outstanding as of May 11, 2001 was 231,402,343.
ACE LIMITED INDEX TO FORM 10-Q Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION - ------------------------------ Page No. -------- Item 1. Financial Statements: Consolidated Balance Sheets March 31, 2001 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2000 3 Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2001 and 2000 4 Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2001 and 2000 5 Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2001 and 2000 6 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2001 and 2000 7 Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 8 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition 22 Part II. OTHER INFORMATION - --------------------------- Item 5. Other Information 36 Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 36 2
<TABLE> <CAPTION> ACE LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS March 31 December 31 2001 2000 ------------- ------------ (Unaudited) (in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data) <S> <C> <C> Assets Investments and cash Fixed maturities available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost - $11,152,162 and $10,640,937) $ 11,356,614 $ 10,721,309 Equity securities, at fair value (cost - $489,492 and $495,049) 459,881 532,046 Short-term investments, at fair value (amortized cost - $1,068,918 and $1,369,784) 1,068,918 1,369,784 Other investments, at fair value (cost - $538,542 and $518,130) 560,517 531,116 Cash 683,072 608,069 ------------- -------------- Total investments and cash 14,129,002 13,762,324 Accrued investment income 195,960 183,011 Insurance and reinsurance balances receivable 2,319,146 2,095,573 Accounts and notes receivable 333,087 388,996 Reinsurance recoverable 9,382,942 8,994,940 Deferred policy acquisition costs 621,060 572,757 Prepaid reinsurance premiums 1,101,324 857,745 Goodwill 2,827,039 2,846,709 Deferred tax assets 1,138,876 1,144,261 Other assets 841,037 843,210 ------------- -------------- Total assets $ 32,889,473 $ 31,689,526 ============= ============== Liabilities Unpaid losses and loss expenses $ 17,945,386 $ 17,388,394 Unearned premiums 3,604,637 3,035,288 Premiums received in advance 70,803 63,123 Insurance and reinsurance balances payable 1,424,852 1,319,091 Contract holder deposit funds 122,809 139,056 Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities 1,198,980 1,316,449 Dividends payable 33,145 33,127 Short-term debt 371,612 364,509 Long-term debt 1,424,383 1,424,228 Trust preferred securities 875,000 875,000 ------------- -------------- Total liabilities 27,071,607 25,958,265 ------------- -------------- Commitments and contingencies Mezzanine equity 311,050 311,050 ------------- -------------- Shareholders' equity Ordinary Shares ($0.041666667 par value, 300,000,000 shares authorized; 231,383,700 and 232,346,579 shares issued and outstanding) 9,641 9,681 Additional paid-in capital 2,624,351 2,637,085 Unearned stock grant compensation (44,914) (29,642) Retained earnings 2,792,451 2,733,633 Accumulated other comprehensive income 125,287 69,454 ------------- -------------- Total shareholders' equity 5,506,816 5,420,211 ------------- -------------- Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and shareholders' equity $ 32,889,473 $ 31,689,526 ============= ============== See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements 3
<CAPTION> ACE LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS For the three months ended March 31, 2001 and 2000 (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31 2001 2000 ------------- ------------- (in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share data) <S> <C> <C> Revenues Gross premiums written $ 2,561,638 $ 1,996,960 Reinsurance premiums ceded (826,520) (539,938) ------------ ------------- Net premiums written 1,735,118 1,457,022 Change in unearned premiums (366,002) (352,216) ------------ ------------- Net premiums earned 1,369,116 1,104,806 Net investment income 204,430 182,935 Net realized gains (losses) on investments (19,375) 56,740 ------------ ------------- Total revenues 1,554,171 1,344,481 ------------ ------------- Expenses Losses and loss expenses 951,946 715,483 Policy acquisition costs 166,690 150,642 Administrative expenses 193,293 194,008 Amortization of goodwill 19,880 19,646 Interest expense 54,324 57,189 ------------ ------------- Total expenses 1,386,133 1,136,968 ------------ ------------- Income before income tax and cumulative effect of adopting a new accounting standard 168,038 207,513 Income tax expense 26,974 33,000 ------------ ------------- Income before cumulative effect of adopting a new accounting standard 141,064 174,513 Cumulative effect of adopting a new accounting standard (net of income tax) (22,670) - ------------ ------------- Net income $ 118,394 $ 174,513 ============ ============= Basic earnings per share before cumulative effect of adopting a new accounting standard $ 0.58 $ 0.80 ============ ============= Basic earnings per share $ 0.48 $ 0.80 ============= ============ Diluted earnings per share before cumulative effect of adopting a new accounting standard $ 0.55 $ 0.80 ============ ============= Diluted earnings per share $ 0.46 $ 0.80 ============ ============= See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements 4
<CAPTION> ACE LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY For the three months ended March 31, 2001 and 2000 (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31 2001 2000 -------------- -------------- (in thousands of U.S. dollars) <S> <C> <C> Ordinary Shares Balance - beginning of period $ 9,681 $ 9,061 Ordinary shares issued 1 3 Exercise of stock options 14 2 Issued under Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) 4 - Cancellation of Shares (15) (28) Repurchase of Shares (44) - -------------- -------------- Balance - end of period 9,641 9,038 -------------- -------------- Additional paid-in capital Balance - beginning of period 2,637,085 2,214,989 Ordinary Shares issued 487 735 Exercise of stock options 6,931 557 Issued under Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) 2,806 - Cancellation of Ordinary Shares (10,870) (18,950) Repurchase of Ordinary Shares (12,088) - -------------- -------------- Balance - end of period 2,624,351 2,197,331 -------------- -------------- Unearned stock grant compensation Balance - beginning of period (29,642) (28,908) Stock grants awarded (17,294) (1,750) Stock grants forfeited 59 - Amortization 1,963 2,300 -------------- -------------- Balance - end of period (44,914) (28,358) -------------- -------------- Retained earnings Balance - beginning of period 2,733,633 2,321,570 Net income 118,394 174,513 Dividends declared on Ordinary Shares (30,080) (23,859) Dividends declared on FELINE PRIDES (6,348) - Repurchase of Ordinary Shares (23,148) - -------------- -------------- Balance - end of period 2,792,451 2,472,224 -------------- -------------- Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments Balance - beginning of period 102,335 (83,327) Change in period, net of income tax 52,078 (242) -------------- -------------- Balance - end of period 154,413 (83,569) -------------- -------------- Cumulative translation adjustments Balance - beginning of period (32,881) 17,175 Net adjustment for period, net of income tax 3,755 (15,447) -------------- -------------- Balance - end of period (29,126) 1,728 -------------- -------------- Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 125,287 (81,841) -------------- -------------- Total shareholders' equity $ 5,506,816 $ 4,568,394 ============== ============== See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements 5
<CAPTION> ACE LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME For the three months ended March 31, 2001 and 2000 (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31 2001 2000 -------------- ------------- (in thousands of U.S. dollars) <S> <C> <C> Net income $ 118,394 $ 174,513 Other comprehensive income (loss) Net unrealized appreciation on investments Unrealized appreciation on investments 76,386 72,229 Less: reclassification adjustment for net realized gains included in net income (9,925) (63,059) --------- ---------- 66,461 9,170 Cumulative translation adjustments 1,860 (22,418) --------- ---------- Other comprehensive income (loss), before income tax 68,321 (13,248) Income tax expense related to other comprehensive income items (12,488) (2,441) --------- ---------- Other comprehensive income (loss) 55,833 (15,689) --------- ---------- Comprehensive income $ 174,227 $ 158,824 ========= ========== See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements 6
ACE LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS For the three months ended March 31, 2001 and 2000 (Unaudited) Three Months ended March 31 2001 2000 ------------ ------------- (in thousands of U.S. dollars) <S> <C> <C> Cash flows from operating activities Net income $ 118,394 $ 174,513 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Unearned premiums 574,914 344,193 Unpaid losses and loss expenses, net of reinsurance recoverable 181,035 574,116 Prepaid reinsurance premiums (243,579) (4,050) Deferred income taxes (7,750) (4,094) Net realized (gains) losses on investments 19,375 (56,740) Amortization of premium/discounts on fixed maturities (3,626) 393 Amortization of goodwill 19,880 19,646 Deferred policy acquisition costs (50,057) (54,906) Insurance and reinsurance balances receivable (226,991) (304,004) Premiums received in advance 7,680 3,571 Insurance and reinsurance balances payable 120,025 (472,242) Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities (118,490) (270,080) Net change in contract holder deposit funds (14,903) (8,006) Cumulative effect of adopting a new accounting standard 22,670 - Other (9,898) (26,318) ---------- ----------- Net cash flows from (used for) operating activities $ 388,679 $ (84,008) ---------- ----------- Cash flows from investing activities Purchases of fixed maturities (4,319,684) (2,712,024) Purchases of equity securities (36,028) (146,166) Sales of fixed maturities 4,019,993 2,800,521 Sales of equity securities 50,949 492,175 Maturities of fixed maturities 73,558 4,094 Net realized gains (losses) on financial future contracts (28,220) 8,877 Other investments (19,412) (114,900) ---------- ----------- Net cash from (used for) investing activities $ (258,844) $ 332,577 ---------- ----------- Cash flows from financing activities Dividends paid on Ordinary Shares $ (29,995) $ (23,917) Dividends paid on FELINE PRIDES (6,415) - Net proceeds from (repayment of) short-term debt 7,103 (316,522) Proceeds from exercise of options for Ordinary Shares 6,945 559 Proceeds from shares issued under Employee Stock Purchase Plan 2,810 - Repurchase of Ordinary Shares (35,280) - Proceeds from issuance of trust preferred securities - 300,000 ---------- ----------- Net cash used for financing activities $ (54,832) $ (39,880) ---------- ----------- Net increase in cash 75,003 208,689 Cash - beginning of period 608,069 599,232 ---------- ----------- Cash - end of period $ 683,072 $ 807,921 ========== =========== See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements </TABLE> 7
ACE LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) 1. General The interim consolidated financial statements, which include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, have been prepared on the basis of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments (consisting of normally recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of results for such periods. The results of operations and cash flows for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, and related notes thereto, included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000. ACE Limited ("ACE" or "the Company") is a holding company incorporated with limited liability under the Cayman Islands Companies Law and maintains its business office in Bermuda. The Company, through its various subsidiaries, provides insurance and reinsurance for a diverse group of customers worldwide. ACE operates through six business segments: ACE Bermuda, ACE Global Markets, ACE Global Reinsurance, ACE USA, ACE International and ACE Financial Services. The analysis of gross premiums written by geographic regions is as follows: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Three Months ended March 31 2001 2000 ---- ---- North America 55% 57% Europe 30 22 Australia and New Zealand 1 6 South America 8 3 Asia Pacific 5 4 Other (1) 1 8 ---------- ---------- 100% 100% ========== ========== (1) includes world wide coverages - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Significant Accounting Policies In June 1998, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" ("FAS 133"). FAS 133 establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as derivatives), and for hedging activities. It requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet and measure those instruments at fair value. If certain conditions are met, a derivative may be specifically designated as a fair value, cash flow or foreign currency hedge. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative (that is, gains and losses) depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation. Upon initial application of FAS 133, hedging relationships must be designated anew and documented pursuant to the provisions of this statement. The Company adopted FAS 133, as amended, as of January 1, 2001. The Company maintains investments in derivative instruments such as futures, option contracts and foreign currency forward contracts for which the primary purposes are to manage duration and foreign currency exposure, yield enhancement or to obtain an exposure to a particular financial market. The Company has historically recorded the changes in market value of these instruments as realized gains or losses in the consolidated statements of operations and, accordingly, has estimated that FAS 133, as amended, will not have a significant impact on the results of operations, financial condition or liquidity in future periods as it relates to these instruments. Certain products (principally credit protection oriented) issued by the Company have been determined to meet the definition of a derivative under FAS 133. These products consist primarily of credit default swaps, index-based instruments and certain financial guarantee coverages. Effective January 1, 2001, the Company records these products at their fair value. 8
ACE LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont'd.) (Unaudited) To reflect the adoption of FAS 133 on January 1, 2001, the Company recorded an expense related to the cumulative effect of adopting this standard of $23 million, net of income tax of $12 million. The Company has recorded in net realized gains (losses) on investments, pretax income of $4 million to reflect the change in the fair value of derivatives for the quarter. The level of gains and losses resulting from changes in the fair value of derivatives on a prospective basis will be dependent upon a number of factors including changes in interest rates, credit spreads and other market factors. The Company's involvement with derivative instruments and transactions is primarily to offer protection to others or to mitigate its own risk and is not considered speculative in nature. 3. Commitments and contingencies The Company has considered asbestos and environmental claims and claims expenses in establishing the liability for unpaid losses and loss expenses. The Company has developed reserving methods, which incorporate new sources of data with historical experience to estimate the ultimate losses arising from asbestos and environmental exposures. The reserves for asbestos and environmental claims and claims expenses represent management's best estimate of future loss and loss expense payments and recoveries which are expected to develop over the next several decades. The Company continuously monitors evolving case law and its effect on environmental damage and latent injury claims. While reserving for these claims is inherently uncertain, the Company believes that the reserves carried for these claims are adequate based on known facts and current law. 4. Restricted stock awards Under the Company's long-term incentive plans, 484,300 restricted Ordinary Shares were awarded during the three months ended March 31, 2001, to officers of the Company and its subsidiaries. These shares vest at various dates through February 2005. At the time of grant the market value of the shares awarded under these grants is recorded as unearned stock grant compensation and is presented as a separate component of shareholders' equity. The unearned compensation is charged to income over the vesting period. 5. Discontinued Operations As part of the ACE INA Acquisition in July 1999, the Company planned to dispose of the operations of Commercial Insurance Services ("CIS"), a division of ACE INA. Following the acquisition, the Company sold the renewal rights for all of its CIS business and planned to sell the assets and liabilities pertaining to the in-force book of business which it still owned. Therefore, in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") 87-11, "Allocation of Purchase Price to Assets to Be Sold," and EITF 90-6, "Accounting for Certain Events Not Addressed in Issue No. 87-11 Relating to an Acquired Operating Unit to Be Sold," the Company presented CIS as a discontinued operation, with effect from July 2, 1999. On July 2, 1999, the Company reduced the consolidated balance sheet for all items that pertained specifically to CIS, together with the estimated proceeds on sale and estimated operating results over the twelve months from July 2, 1999, through July 1, 2000, into a net liability of approximately $170 million, which was recorded in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities. As the CIS business was not sold within the allotted time period, the Company was required, as of July 2, 2000, to record the CIS balance sheet into its constituent parts in the balance sheet and to record any resulting income or loss from CIS in its statement of operations prospectively from July 2, 2000. The results of the CIS operations from July 2, 2000 are reflected in the ACE USA segment. 9
ACE LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont'd.) (Unaudited) 6. Earnings per share The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share: <TABLE> <CAPTION> Three Months Ended March 31 2001 2000 ---------------- ------------- (in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data) <S> <C> <C> Numerator: Net income before cumulative effect of adopting a new accounting standard $ 141,064 $ 174,513 Dividends on FELINE PRIDES (6,348) - ------------ ------------ Net income available to holders of Ordinary Shares before cumulative effect 134,716 174,513 Cumulative effect of adopting a new accounting standard (22,670) - ------------ ------------ Net income available to holders of Ordinary Shares $ 112,046 $ 174,513 ============ ============ Denominator: Denominator for basic earnings per share: Weighted average shares outstanding 232,473,310 216,882,344 Dilutive effect of FELINE PRIDES 3,396,241 - Effect of other dilutive securities 7,197,415 2,103,927 -------------- ------------ Denominator for diluted earnings per share: Adjusted weighted average shares outstanding and assumed conversions 243,066,966 218,986,271 ============== ============ Basic earnings per share before cumulative effect of adopting a new accounting standard $ 0.58 $ 0.80 ============== ============ Basic earnings per share $ 0.48 $ 0.80 ============== ============ Diluted earnings per share before cumulative effect of adopting a new accounting standard $ 0.55 $ 0.80 ============== ============ Diluted earnings per share $ 0.46 $ 0.80 ============== ============ </TABLE> 7. Credit Facilities In April 2001, the Company renewed its $800 million, 364-day revolving credit facility. This facility together with the Company's $250 million, five-year revolving credit facility which was last renewed in May 2000, is available for general corporate purposes and each of the facilities may also be used as commercial paper back-up facilities. The five-year facility also permits the issuance of letters of credit. Under these facilities the Company and various subsidiaries are named borrowers and guarantors. Each facility requires that the Company and/or certain of its subsidiaries maintain specific covenants, including a consolidated tangible net worth covenant and a maximum leverage covenant. 10
ACE LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont'd.) (Unaudited) 8. Debt The following table sets forth the Company's consolidated debt position at March 31, 2001 and December 31, 2000. <TABLE> <CAPTION> - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- March 31, 2001 December 31, 2000 -------------- ----------------- (in millions of U.S. dollars) <S> <C> <C> Short-term debt ACE INA commercial paper $ 347 $ 340 ACE Financial Services note 25 25 ------- -------- $ 372 $ 365 ======= ======== Long-term debt ACE Financial Services Debentures due 2002 $ 75 $ 75 ACE INA Notes due 2004 400 400 ACE INA Notes due 2006 299 299 ACE US Holdings Senior Notes due 2008 250 250 ACE INA Subordinated Notes due 2009 300 300 ACE INA Debentures due 2029 100 100 ------- ------- $ 1,424 $ 1,424 ======= ======= Trust Preferred Securities ACE INA RHINO Preferred Securities due 2002 $ 400 $ 400 Capital Re LLC Monthly Income Preferred Securities due 2044 75 75 ACE INA Trust Preferred Securities due 2029 100 100 ACE INA Capital Securities due 2030 300 300 ------- ------- $ 875 $ 875 ======= ======= ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- </TABLE> Commercial paper and money market facilities In June 1999, the Company arranged certain commercial paper programs. The programs use revolving credit facilities as back-up facilities and provide for up to $2.8 billion in commercial paper issuance (subject to the availability of back-up facilities, which currently total $1.05 billion) for ACE and for ACE INA. At March 31, 2001, short-term debt consisted of $347 million of commercial paper issued by ACE INA and $25 million in bank borrowings by ACE Financial Services. Commercial paper rates during the quarter ended March 31, 2001 averaged 5.75 percent. 9. Reinsurance The Company purchases reinsurance to manage various exposures including catastrophe risks. Although reinsurance agreements contractually obligate the Company's reinsurers to reimburse it for the agreed upon portion of its gross paid losses, they do not discharge the primary liability of the Company. The amounts for net premiums written and net premiums earned in the statements of operations are net of reinsurance. Direct, assumed and ceded amounts for these items for the three months ended March 31, 2001 and 2000 are as follows: 11
ACE LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont'd.) (Unaudited) <TABLE> <CAPTION> Three Months Ended March 31 2001 2000 ------------------- ------------------- (in thousands of U.S. dollars) <S> <C> <C> Premiums written Direct $ 1,806,099 $ 1,468,667 Assumed 755,539 528,293 Ceded (826,520) (539,938) ------------ ------------ Net premiums written $ 1,735,118 $ 1,457,022 ============ ============ Premiums earned Direct $ 1,478,423 $ 1,063,108 Assumed 493,688 401,923 Ceded (602,995) (360,225) ------------ ------------ Net premiums earned $ 1,369,116 $ 1,104,806 ============ ============ The Company's provision for reinsurance recoverable at March 31, 2001 and December 31, 2000, is as follows: March 31 December 31 2001 2000 ---------------- ---------------- (in thousands of U.S. dollars) Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses and loss expenses $ 973,808 $ 937,496 Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and loss expenses 9,130,736 8,767,111 Provision for uncollectible balances on reinsurance recoverable (721,602) (709,667) ------------ ------------ Reinsurance recoverable $ 9,382,942 $ 8,994,940 ============ ============ </TABLE> 10. Taxation Under current Cayman Islands law, the Company is not required to pay any taxes in the Cayman Islands on its income or capital gains. The Company has received an undertaking that, in the event of any taxes being imposed, the Company will be exempted from taxation in the Cayman Islands until the year 2013. Under current Bermuda law, the Company and its Bermuda subsidiaries are not required to pay any taxes in Bermuda on its income or capital gains. The Company has received an undertaking from the Minister of Finance in Bermuda that, in the event of any taxes being imposed, the Company will be exempt from taxation in Bermuda until March 2016. Income from the Company's operations at Lloyd's are subject to United Kingdom corporation taxes. Lloyd's is required to pay U.S. income tax on U.S. connected income ("U.S. income") written by Lloyd's syndicates. Lloyd's has a closing agreement with the IRS whereby the amount of tax due on this business is calculated by Lloyd's and remitted directly to the IRS. These amounts are then charged to the personal accounts of the Names/Corporate Members in proportion to their participation in the relevant syndicates. The Company's Corporate Members are subject to this arrangement but, as UK domiciled companies, will receive UK corporation tax credits for any U.S. income tax incurred up to the value of the equivalent UK corporation income tax charge on the U.S. income. ACE INA, ACE US Holdings and ACE Financial Services are subject to income taxes imposed by U.S. authorities and file U.S. tax returns. Certain international operations of the Company are also subject to income taxes imposed by the jurisdictions in which they operate. 12
ACE LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont'd.) (Unaudited) There can be no assurance that there will not be changes in applicable laws, regulations or treaties, which might require the Company to change the way it operates or become subject to taxation. The income tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2001 and 2000 is as follows: <TABLE> <CAPTION> Three Months Ended March 31 2001 2000 --------------- --- --------------- (in thousands of U.S. dollars) <S> <C> <C> Current tax expense $ 34,724 $ 8,728 Deferred tax expense (benefit) (7,750) 24,272 ----------- ------------ Provision for income taxes $ 26,974 $ 33,000 =========== ============ The components of the net deferred tax asset as of March 31, 2001 and December 31, 2000 are as follows: March 31 December 31 2001 2000 ----------- --------------- (in thousands of U.S. dollars) Deferred tax assets Loss reserve discount $ 530,987 $ 536,005 Foreign tax credits 146,198 137,765 Uncollectible reinsurance 28,297 28,297 Net operating loss carryforward 511,960 500,916 Other 176,940 199,689 ----------- ------------ Total deferred tax assets 1,394,382 1,402,672 ----------- ------------ Deferred tax liabilities Deferred policy acquisition costs 59,765 62,080 Unrealized appreciation on investments 27,433 25,861 Other 31,833 32,064 ----------- ------------ Total deferred tax liabilities 119,031 120,005 ----------- ------------ Valuation allowance 136,475 138,406 ----------- ------------ Net deferred tax asset $ 1,138,876 $ 1,144,261 =========== ============ </TABLE> 11. Subsidiary issuer information The following tables presents the condensed consolidating financial information for ACE Limited (the "Parent Guarantor"), ACE INA Holdings, Inc. and ACE Financial Services, Inc. (formerly Capital Re Corporation), (the "Subsidiary Issuers") as of March 31, 2001 and December 31, 2000 and for the three months ended March 31, 2001 and 2000. The Subsidiary Issuers are direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Parent Guarantor. Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for by the Parent Guarantor and the Subsidiary Issuers under the equity method for purposes of the supplemental consolidating presentation. Earnings of subsidiaries are reflected in the Parent Guarantor's investment accounts and earnings. The Parent Guarantor fully and unconditionally guarantees certain of the debt of the Subsidiary Issuers (see Note 8). 13
ACE LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont'd.) (Unaudited) <TABLE> <CAPTION> - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet as at March 31, 2001 (in thousands of U.S. dollars) ACE INA ACE Limited Holdings, Inc ACE Financial Other ACE Limited (Parent Co. (Subsidiary Services, Inc. Subsidiaries and Consolidating ACE Limited Guarantor) Issuer) (Subsidiary Issuer) Eliminations (1) Adjustments (2) Consolidated ----------- ------- ------------------- ---------------- --------------- ------------ <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> Assets Total investments and cash $ 458,105 $6,513,393 $940,835 $6,216,669 $ - $ 14,129,002 Reinsurance recoverable - 7,841,298 69,371 1,472,273 - 9,382,942 Insurance and reinsurance balances receivable - 1,666,704 10,357 642,085 - 2,319,146 Goodwill - 2,226,228 99,877 500,934 - 2,827,039 Investments in subsidiaries 5,067,487 - 152,000 (152,000) (5,067,487) - Due from subsidiaries and affiliates, net 326,196 (99,430) 1,198 98,232 (326,196) - Other assets 29,525 3,202,524 173,912 825,383 - 4,231,344 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total assets $5,881,313 $21,350,717 $1,447,550 $9,603,576 $(5,393,683) $32,889,473 ============================================================================================= Liabilities Unpaid losses and loss expenses $ - $13,145,765 $ 264,873 $4,534,748 $ - $17,945,386 Unearned premiums - 1,946,731 289,869 1,368,037 - 3,604,637 Trust preferred securities - 800,000 75,000 - - 875,000 Short-term debt - 346,612 25,000 - - 371,612 Long-term debt - 1,099,431 74,952 250,000 - 1,424,383 Other liabilities 63,447 2,459,546 110,029 217,567 - 2,850,589 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total liabilities 63,447 19,798,085 839,723 6,370,352 - 27,071,607 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mezzanine equity 311,050 - - - - 311,050 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total shareholders' equity 5,506,816 1,552,632 607,827 3,233,224 (5,393,683) 5,506,816 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and shareholders' equity $5,881,313 $21,350,717 $1,447,550 $9,603,576 $(5,393,683) $32,889,473 ============================================================================================= (1) Includes all other subsidiaries of ACE Limited and intercompany eliminations. (2) Includes ACE Limited parent company eliminations. </TABLE> 14
ACE LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont'd.) (Unaudited) <TABLE> <CAPTION> - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet as at December 31, 2000 (in thousands of U.S. dollars) ACE INA ACE Limited Holdings, Inc ACE Financial Other ACE Limited (Parent Co. (Subsidiary Services, Inc. Subsidiaries and Consolidating ACE Limited Guarantor) Issuer) (Subsidiary Issuer) Eliminations (1) Adjustments (2) Consolidated ----------- ------- ------------------- ---------------- --------------- ------------ <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> Assets Total investments and cash $ 479,969 $ 6,655,182 $ 919,181 $ 5,707,992 $ - $ 13,762,324 Reinsurance recoverables - 7,603,352 76,087 1,315,501 - 8,994,940 Insurance and reinsurance balances receivable - 1,616,027 9,832 469,714 - 2,095,573 Goodwill - 2,240,505 100,928 505,276 - 2,846,709 Investments in subsidiaries 4,975,663 - 152,000 (152,000) (4,975,663) - Due from subsidiaries and affiliates, net 318,806 (111,131) 1,596 109,535 (318,806) - Other assets 27,404 3,069,648 154,687 738,241 - 3,989,980 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Assets $5,801,842 $21,073,583 $ 1,414,311 $ 8,694,259 $(5,294,469) $ 31,689,526 ============================================================================================= Liabilities Unpaid losses and loss expenses $ - $13,126,965 $ 246,174 $ 4,015,255 $ - $ 17,388,394 Unpaid premiums - 1,680,166 293,618 1,061,504 - 3,035,288 Trust preferred securities - 800,000 75,000 - - 875,000 Short-term debt - 339,509 25,000 - - 364,509 Long-term debt - 1,099,417 74,942 249,869 - 1,424,228 Other liabilities 70,581 2,497,734 78,874 223,657 - 2,870,846 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total liabilities 70,581 19,543,791 793,608 5,550,285 - 25,958,265 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mezzanine equity 311,050 - - - - 311,050 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total shareholders' equity 5,420,211 1,529,792 620,703 3,143,974 (5,294,469) 5,420,211 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and $5,801,842 $21,073,583 $ 1,414,311 $ 8,694,259 $ (5,294,469) $ 31,689,526 shareholders' equity ============================================================================================= ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Includes all other subsidiaries of ACE Limited and intercompany eliminations. (2) Includes ACE Limited parent company eliminations. </TABLE> 15
ACE LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont'd.) (Unaudited) <TABLE> <CAPTION> - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations For the three months ended March 31, 2001 (in thousands of U.S. dollars) ACE INA ACE Limited Holdings, Inc ACE Financial Other ACE Limited (Parent Co. (Subsidiary Services, Inc. Subsidiaries and Consolidating ACE Limited Guarantor) Issuer) (Subsidiary Issuer) Eliminations (1) Adjustments (2) Consolidated ----------- ------- ------------------- ---------------- --------------- ------------ <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> Net premiums written $ - $ 600,180 $ 15,267 $ 1,119,671 $ - $ 1,735,118 Net premiums earned - 504,706 18,860 845,550 - 1,369,116 Net investment income 13,669 98,946 12,178 86,267 (6,630) 204,430 Equity in earnings of subsidiaries 116,728 - - - (116,728) - Net realized gains (losses) on investments - (3,153) 6,304 (22,526) - (19,375) Losses and loss expenses - 345,800 2,816 603,330 - 951,946 Policy acquisition costs and administrative expenses 12,845 165,480 10,049 171,609 - 359,983 Interest expense (2,831) 48,903 3,371 5,886 (1,005) 54,324 Amortization of goodwill - 14,490 1,051 4,339 - 19,880 Income tax expense 1,989 13,806 7,204 3,975 - 26,974 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income before cumulative effect of adopting a new accounting standard 118,394 12,020 12,851 120,152 (122,353) 141,064 Cumulative effect of adopting a new accounting standard (net of income tax) - (50) (22,800) 180 - (22,670) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income (loss) $ 118,394 $ 11,970 $ (9,949) $ 120,332 $ (122,353) $ 118,394 ============================================================================================== - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (1) Includes all other subsidiaries of ACE Limited and intercompany eliminations. (2) Includes ACE Limited parent company eliminations. 16
ACE LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont'd.) (Unaudited) <CAPTION> - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations For the three months ended March 31, 2000 (in thousands of U.S. dollars) ACE INA ACE Limited Holdings, Inc ACE Financial Other ACE Limited (Parent Co. (Subsidiary Services, Inc. Subsidiaries and Consolidating ACE Limited Guarantor) Issuer) (Subsidiary Issuer) Eliminations (1) Adjustments (2) Consolidated ----------- ------- ------------------- ---------------- --------------- ------------ <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> Net premiums written $ - $ 663,129 $ 20,490 $ 773,403 $ - $ 1,457,022 Net premiums earned - 602,498 18,679 483,629 - 1,104,806 Net investment income 10,921 93,945 11,680 74,895 (8,506) 182,935 Equity in earnings of subsidiaries 145,721 - - - (145,721) - Net realized gains (losses) on investments 43,703 28,263 (45,548) 30,322 - 56,740 Losses and loss expenses - 410,554 1,403 303,526 - 715,483 Policy acquisition costs and administrative expenses 15,083 192,491 9,691 127,385 - 344,650 Interest expense 8,383 43,663 3,307 5,166 (3,330) 57,189 Amortization of goodwill - 14,125 1,052 4,469 - 19,646 Income tax expense 2,366 23,387 3,789 3,458 - 33,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net income (loss) $ 174,513 $ 40,486 $ (34,431) $ 144,842 $ (150,897) $ 174,513 ================================================================================================ - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Includes all other subsidiaries of ACE Limited and intercompany eliminations. (2) Includes ACE Limited parent company eliminations. 17
ACE LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont'd.) (Unaudited) <CAPTION> - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows For the three months ended March 31, 2001 (in thousands of U.S. dollars) ACE INA ACE Limited Holdings, Inc ACE Financial Other ACE Limited (Parent Co. (Subsidiary Services, Inc. Subsidiaries and Consolidating ACE Limited Guarantor) Issuer) (Subsidiary Issuer) Eliminations (1) Adjustments (2) Consolidated ----------- ------- ------------------- ---------------- --------------- ------------ <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> Net cash flows from (used for) operating activities $ (29,805) $ (85,460) $ 15,963 $ 487,981 $ - $ 388,679 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash flow from investing activities Purchases of fixed maturities (8,622) (443,617) (399,604) (3,467,841) - (4,319,684) Purchases of equity securities - (27,701) - (8,327) - (36,028) Sales of fixed maturities - 553,529 375,013 3,091,451 - 4,019,993 Sales of equity securities - 44,649 - 6,300 - 50,949 Maturities of fixed maturities - - 4,500 69,058 - 73,558 Net realized gains (losses) on - financial futures contracts - - - (28,220) - (28,220) Other investments - (183) (578) (18,651) - (19,412) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash from (used for) investing activities $ (8,622) $ 126,677 $ (20,669) $ (356,230) $ - $ (258,844) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash flow from financing activities Dividends paid on Ordinary Shares (29,995) - - - - (29,995) Dividends paid on FELINE PRIDES (6,415) - - - - (6,415) Proceeds from short-term debt - 7,103 - - - 7,103 Advances to affiliate (898) - 898 - Proceeds from exercise of options for Ordinary Shares 6,945 - - - - 6,945 Proceeds from shares issued under Employee Stock Purchase Plan 2,810 - - - - 2,810 Repurchase of Ordinary Shares (35,280) - - - - (35,280) Dividends received from subsidiaries 65,000 - - (65,000) - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash used for financing activities $ 2,167 $ 7,103 $ - $ (64,102) $ - $(54,832) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net increase (decrease) in cash (36,260) 48,320 (4,706) 67,649 - 75,003 Cash - beginning of period 46,516 253,447 26,576 281,530 - 608,069 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash - end of period $ 10,256 $ 301,767 $ 21,870 $ 349,179 $ - $ 683,072 ============================================================================================== - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Includes all other subsidiaries of ACE Limited and intercompany eliminations. (2) Includes ACE Limited parent company eliminations. 18
ACE LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont'd.) (Unaudited) <CAPTION> - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows For the three months ended March 31, 2000 ACE INA ACE Financial ACE Limited Holdings, Inc. Services, Inc. Other ACE Limited (Parent Co. (Subsidiary (Subsidiary Subsidiaries and Consolidating ACE Limited Guarantor) Issuer) Issuer) Eliminations (1) Adjustments (2) Consolidated ----------- ------------- -------------- ------------------ --------------- ------------ <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> Net cash flows from (used for) operating activities $ (20,749) $ (437,986) $ 16,826 $ 357,901 $ - $ (84,008) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash flow from investing activities Purchases of fixed maturities (52,764) (621,066) (77,686) (1,960,508) - (2,712,024) Purchases of equity securities - (93,792) - (52,374) - (146,166) Sales of fixed maturities 55,620 983,714 48,903 1,712,284 - 2,800,521 Sales of equity securities - 307,636 - 184,539 - 492,175 Maturities of fixed maturities - - 2,000 2,094 - 4,094 Net realized gains (losses) on financial futures contracts - - (7) 8,884 - 8,877 Intercompany sale of subsidiaries 82,244 - 10,200 (10,200) (82,244) - Other investments - 3,708 - (118,608) - (114,900) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash from (used for) investing activities $ 85,100 $ 580,200 $ (16,590) $ (233,889) $ (82,244) $ 332,577 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash flow from financing activities Dividends paid on Ordinary Shares (23,917) - - - - (23,917) Repayment of bank debt, net (16,413) (295,832) - (4,277) - (316,522) Proceeds from issuance of trust preferred securities - 300,000 - - - 300,000 Advances from affiliates (25,035) - - 25,035 - - Proceeds from exercise of options for Ordinary Shares 559 - - - - 559 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash used for financing activities $ (64,806) $ 4,168 $ - $ 20,758 $ - (39,880) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net increase (decrease) in cash (455) 146,382 236 144,770 (82,244) 208,689 Cash - beginning of period 15,942 282,426 231 300,633 - 599,232 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash - end of period $ 15,487 $ 428,808 $ 467 $ 445,403 $ (82,244) 807,921 ============================================================================================ - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- </TABLE> (1) Includes all other subsidiaries of ACE Limited and intercompany eliminations. (2) Includes ACE Limited parent company eliminations. 19
ACE LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont'd.) (Unaudited) 12. Segment information The following tables summarize the operations by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2001 and 2000. Net realized gains (losses) have been presented net of related income taxes. <TABLE> <CAPTION> - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Three months ended March 31, 2001 ACE ACE ACE Global Global ACE ACE Financial ACE ACE Bermuda Markets Reinsurance USA International Services Other(1) Consolidated ----------- ------- ----------- --- ------------- -------- ----- ------------ (in thousands of U.S. Dollars) <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> Operations Data Gross premiums written $ 376,603 $ 302,436 $ 166,434 $ 943,290 $ 620,767 $ 152,108 $ - $ 2,561,638 Net premiums written 358,766 200,557 161,787 455,950 411,551 146,507 - 1,735,118 Net premiums earned 268,976 169,127 54,441 385,549 363,914 127,109 - 1,369,116 Losses and loss expenses 236,877 98,493 13,491 276,693 226,992 99,400 - 951,946 Policy acquisition costs 4,715 48,684 9,554 34,713 57,101 11,923 - 166,690 Administrative expenses 8,695 16,562 5,003 70,115 64,423 9,463 19,032 193,293 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Underwriting income 18,689 5,388 26,393 4,028 15,398 6,323 (19,032) 57,187 Net investment income 39,653 9,174 15,833 90,010 22,121 24,518 3,121 204,430 Amortization of goodwill (225) 926 3,503 135 - 1,051 14,490 19,880 Interest expense - 794 - 9,281 - 3,371 40,878 54,324 Income tax expense (benefit) 669 4,427 - 26,007 6,548 5,213 (19,284) 23,580 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income (loss) excluding net realized gains (losses) 57,898 8,415 38,723 58,615 30,971 21,206 (51,995) 163,833 Net realized gains (losses) (net of income tax) (7,391) 2,190 (19,809) (7,370) 5,367 4,244 - (22,769) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income before cumulative effect 50,507 10,605 18,914 51,245 36,338 25,450 (51,995) 141,064 Cumulative effect of adopting a new accounting standard (net of income tax) - 510 470 (50) - (23,600) - (22,670) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income (loss) $ 50,507 $ 11,115 $ 19,384 $ 51,195 $ 36,338 $ 1,850 $ (51,995) $ 118,394 ========================================================================================================= --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Assets $3,265,786 $2,268,878 $1,445,804 $16,837,878 $4,035,924 $2,314,140 $2,721,063 $32,889,473 ========================================================================================================= - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (1) Includes ACE Limited, ACE INA Holdings and intercompany eliminations. 20
ACE LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont'd.) (Unaudited) <CAPTION> - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Three months ended March 31, 2000 ACE ACE ACE Global Global ACE ACE Financial ACE ACE Bermuda Markets Reinsurance USA International Services Other(1) Consolidated ----------- ------- ----------- --- ------------- -------- ----- ------------ (in thousands of U.S. Dollars) <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> Operations Data Gross premiums written $ 173,079 $ 319,918 $ 104,866 $ 738,895 $ 512,600 $ 147,602 $ - $ 1,996,960 Net premiums written 138,048 237,191 103,477 459,998 376,160 142,148 - 1,457,022 Net premiums earned 82,485 133,008 32,196 382,814 343,292 131,011 - 1,104,806 Losses and loss expenses 58,904 72,184 9,798 277,205 198,520 98,872 - 715,483 Policy acquisition costs 3,085 36,560 5,950 34,436 56,180 14,431 - 150,642 Administrative expenses 7,460 17,585 1,253 69,192 74,647 7,525 16,346 194,008 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Underwriting income 13,036 6,679 15,195 1,981 13,945 10,183 (16,346) 44,673 Net investment income 36,172 8,188 15,000 83,422 21,514 22,360 (3,721) 182,935 Amortization of goodwill (208) 1,040 3,502 135 - 1,052 14,125 19,646 Interest expense 684 1,205 - 8,269 - 3,307 43,724 57,189 Income tax expense (benefit) 627 2,855 - 23,192 6,503 6,333 (15,775) 23,735 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income (loss) excluding net realized gains (losses) 48,105 9,767 26,693 53,807 28,956 21,851 (62,141) 127,038 Net realized gains (losses) (net of income tax) 35,219 (774) (2,120) (4,398) 22,327 (1,052) (1,727) 47,475 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income (loss) $ 83,324 $ 8,993 $ 24,573 $ 49,409 $ 51,283 $ 20,799 $ (63,868) $ 174,513 ========================================================================================================= --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Assets $2,850,072 $2,013,472 $1,367,114 $15,642,160 $3,705,901 $2,080,716 $2,585,863 $30,245,298 ========================================================================================================= - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (1) Includes ACE Limited, ACE INA Holdings and intercompany eliminations. </TABLE> 21
ACE LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION The following is a discussion of the Company's results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and capital resources as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2001. The results of operations and cash flows for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, related notes thereto and the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000. Safe Harbor Disclosure The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. Any written or oral statements made by or on behalf of the Company may include forward-looking statements which reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and financial performance. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. These uncertainties and other factors (which are described in more detail elsewhere herein and in other documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission) include, but are not limited to: (i) uncertainties relating to government and regulatory policies (such as subjecting the Company to new insurance regulation or taxation in additional jurisdictions or amending or revoking or enacting any laws, regulations or treaties affecting the Company's current operations), (ii) the occurrence of catastrophic events or other insured or reinsured events with a frequency or severity exceeding the Company's estimates, (iii legal, regulatory, and legislative developments, (iv) the uncertainties of the loss reserving process including the difficulties associated with assessing environmental damage and latent injuries, (v) the actual amount of new and renewal business and market acceptance of the Company's products, (vi) loss of the services of any of the Company's executive officers, (vii) changing rates of inflation and other economic conditions, (viii) losses due to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, (ix) the ability to collect reinsurance recoverable, (x) the competitive environment in which the Company operates, related trends and associated pricing pressures, market perception, and developments, (xi) the impact of mergers and acquisitions and new initiatives, including the ability to successfully integrate acquired, new or expanded businesses and achieve cost savings, reduce volatility of earnings, competing demands for ACE's capital and the risk of undisclosed liabilities, (xii) developments in global financial markets, including interest rate changes which could affect the Company's investment portfolio and financing plans, (xiii) risks associated with the introduction of new products and services, (xiv) the ability of technology to perform as anticipated, (xv) the amount of dividends received from subsidiaries, (xvi) and management's response to these factors. 22
ACE LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION (cont'd) The words "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "project", "plan", "expect", "intend", "hope", "will likely result" or "will continue" and variations thereof and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. General The Company, through its various subsidiaries, provides a broad range of insurance and reinsurance for a diverse group of customers worldwide. ACE operates through six business segments: ACE Bermuda, ACE Global Markets, ACE Global Reinsurance, ACE USA, ACE International and ACE Financial Services. On July 2, 1999, the Company, through a U.S. holding company, ACE INA Holdings, Inc. ("ACE INA"), acquired CIGNA Corporation's domestic property and casualty insurance operations including its run-off business and also its international property and casualty insurance companies and branches, including most of the accident and health business written through those companies for $3.45 billion in cash (the "ACE INA Acquisition"). On December 30, 1999, the Company acquired Capital Re Corporation, which is engaged in the financial guaranty reinsurance business. Following the acquisition, Capital Re Corporation was renamed ACE Financial Services, Inc. Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, the Company paid aggregate consideration of $110.3 million in cash and issued approximately 20.8 million ACE Ordinary Shares. The Company expects to continue evaluating potential new product lines and other opportunities in the insurance and reinsurance markets. In addition, the Company evaluates potential acquisitions of other companies and businesses and holds discussions with potential acquisition candidates. As a general rule, the Company publicly announces such acquisitions only after a definitive agreement has been reached. Results of Operations - Three months ended March 31, 2001 and 2000 Net Income - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Three Months Ended March 31 2001 2000 ---- ---- (in millions of U.S. Dollars) Income excluding net realized gains (losses) on investments and cumulative effect of adopting $ 164 $ 127 a new accounting standard Net realized gains (losses) on investments (net of income tax) (23) 48 Cumulative effect of adopting a new accounting standard (net of income taxes) (23) - ---------- --------- Net income $ 118 $ 175 ========== ========= - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income excluding net realized gains (losses) on investments and the cumulative effect of adopting a new accounting standard increased by 29 percent to $164 million for the three months ended March 31, 2001, compared with $127 million for the three months ended March 31, 2000. This increase is due primarily to growth in net premiums earned together with a small decrease in the combined ratio for the group and an increase in net investment income. 23
ACE LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION (cont'd.) Net realized losses on investments (net of income tax) were $23 million for the three months ended March 31, 2001 compared with net realized gains of $48 million for the three months ended March 31, 2000. The net realized losses were generated primarily in as a result of losses realized on the financial futures and option contracts. As discussed later in this report, the Company implemented FAS 133 on January 1, 2001, which required all derivatives to be recognized as either assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet and to measure those instruments at fair value. The Company recorded an expense relating to the cumulative effect of adopting this standard of $23 million, net of income tax of $12 million. The cumulative effect of adopting this standard primarily related to market value adjustments on the credit default swap portfolio held by ACE Financial Services. The market value adjustment for the quarter ended March 31, 2001, as a result of FAS 133, resulted in a pre-tax gain of $4 million and is reflected in net realized gains (losses) on investments. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Three Months Ended Percentage March 31 Change From Prior Year 2001 2000 ---------------------- ------------- (in millions of U.S. Dollars) Gross premiums written: ACE Bermuda $ 377 $ 173 118% ACE Global Markets 302 320 (5) ACE Global Reinsurance 166 105 59 ACE USA 943 739 28 ACE International 621 512 21 ACE Financial Services 152 148 3 -------- -------- ------- Consolidated $ 2,561 $ 1,997 28% ======== ======== ======= Net premiums written: ACE Bermuda $ 359 $ 138 160% ACE Global Markets 200 237 (15) ACE Global Reinsurance 162 104 56 ACE USA 456 460 (1) ACE International 412 376 9 ACE Financial Services 146 142 3 -------- -------- ------- Consolidated $ 1,735 $ 1,457 19% ======== ======== ======= Net premiums earned: ACE Bermuda $ 269 $ 83 226% ACE Global Markets 169 133 27 ACE Global Reinsurance 54 32 69 ACE USA 386 383 1 ACE International 364 343 6 ACE Financial Services 127 131 (3) -------- -------- ------- Consolidated $ 1,369 $ 1,105 24% ======== ======== ======= - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Premiums: Gross premiums written for the quarter ended March 31, 2001, increased by $564 million to $2.6 billion from $2.0 billion for the same quarter last year. During the quarter, most of the segments achieved year over year growth; however, the most significant area of growth was in the financial solutions line of business at ACE Bermuda. In addition, during the quarter, the Company continued to experience increases in pricing in most geographic areas including the US, Europe, Latin America and Asia Pacific including Australia. In Japan, economic conditions and increased 24
ACE LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION (cont'd.) competition due to deregulation continue to mitigate price increases in the Japanese insurance markets. Net premiums written and net premiums earned increased by $278 million and $264 million respectively, compared with the same quarter last year. Again, this increase is primarily due to several financial solutions contracts written during the quarter, including loss portfolio contracts ("LPTs") of approximately $250 million which were fully earned when written. ACE Bermuda: Gross premiums written for the quarter ended March 31, 2001, increased by $204 million to $377 million from $173 million for the same quarter last year. This increase is due to several financial solutions contracts written during the current quarter including a large LPT contract valued at approximately $140 million, which was fully earned during the quarter. Compared with the March 2000 quarter, production was affected by a strategic decision to move certain lines of business to their center of expertise. The aviation business in ACE Bermuda was moved to ACE Global Markets and a large part of the satellite business was moved to ACE USA. These changes, together with slow launch activity reduced ACE Bermuda's premium base by about $15 million. ACE Bermuda's other products benefited from increased demand and price improvements. For the quarter ended March 31, 2001, net premiums written increased by $221 million to $359 million and net premiums earned increased by $186 million to $269 million, compared with the same quarter last year. As with gross premiums written, the increases are primarily due to premiums from the financial solutions contracts already discussed. ACE Global Markets: Gross premiums written for the quarter ended March 31, 2001 decreased by $18 million to $302 million and net premiums written for the quarter decreased by $37 million to $200 million, compared with the same quarter last year. However, on an adjusted basis, gross and net premiums written actually increased in the quarter compared with last year. This increase is not evident in the reported numbers as in the March 2000 quarter, ACE Global Markets accelerated its reporting to a current basis from a quarter in arrears. Gross and net premiums written by syndicate 2488 increased during the current quarter. In addition, ACE increased its participation in Lloyd's syndicate 2488. For 2001, ACE's share of the capacity of syndicate 2488 is approximately 90 percent compared with 84 percent in 2000. Net premiums earned for the quarter ended March 31, 2001, increased by $36 million to $169 million from $133 million for the same quarter last year. This increase is primarily due to the increased participation in the Lloyd's syndicate along with a change in the mix of business with different earnings patterns. ACE Global Reinsurance: Gross premiums written for the quarter ended March 31, 2001, increased by $61 million to $166 million from $105 million for the same quarter last year. This increase is primarily due to increasing prices and demand in the property catastrophe marketplace, particularly in the international sector. Property catastrophe premiums accounted for $54 million of the increase while the U.S. property and casualty and life reinsurance businesses accounted for the other $7 million of the increase. Net premiums written for the quarter ended March 31, 2001, increased by $58 million to $162 million from $104 million for the same quarter last year. This increase is primarily due to the improved property catastrophe market conditions as noted above. Net premiums earned for the quarter ended March 31, 2001, increased by $22 million to $54 million from $32 million for the same quarter last year. As with gross premiums written and net premiums written, the increase is primarily due to the higher property catastrophe volumes experienced, both in the latter half of fiscal 2000 and in the January 2001 renewals. 25
ACE LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION (cont'd.) ACE USA: Gross premiums written for the quarter ended March 31, 2001, increased by $204 million to $943 million from $739 million for the same quarter last year. Most of ACE USA's operating divisions experienced premium growth this quarter however, special risk facilities ("SRF"), property and U.S. international business were the main contributors to the increase. While financial solutions had good production this quarter, year over year production declined by approximately $23 million as ACE USA wrote an $83 million loss portfolio transfer in the March 2000 quarter. In addition, during the current quarter, ACE USA did not renew approximately $38 million of business that did not meet its underwriting standard. U.S. market conditions were favorable during the quarter and the trend is expected to continue. ACE USA continues to experience price increases which were generally above 15 percent for all of ACE USA's specialty business units during the current quarter. ACE USA's business expansion initiatives showed positive results with growth in its professional risk unit, following the reorganization and reintroduction of its professional lines capabilities. ACE USA also saw good activity in its new accident and health unit. Net premiums written for the quarter ended March 31, 2001, of $456 million were essentially flat compared with $460 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2000. This is primarily due to a number of large risk and property accounts written during the quarter that produced large gross premiums but comparatively low net premiums primarily in SRF. Net premiums earned for the quarter ended March 31, 2001, of $386 million were also essentially flat compared with $383 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2000. This is primarily because ACE USA wrote a large financial solutions contract during the March 2000 quarter, which was fully earned when written and not available for renewal this quarter. Excluding this item, net premiums earned by ACE USA increased during the current quarter. ACE International: Gross premiums written for the quarter ended March 31, 2001, increased by $109 million to $621 million from $512 million for the same quarter last year. The increase is primarily due to continuing growth across various regions including accident and health business in Europe; all lines in Latin America, with a significant increase in personal lines. These increases were partially offset by the devaluation in the yen of approximately 10 percent and decreased accident and health business in the Far East. For the quarter ended March 31, 2001, net premiums written increased by $36 million to $412 million and net premiums earned increased by $21 million to $364 million, compared with the same quarter last year. As with gross premiums written, the increases are a result of continued growth across various regions. ACE Financial Services: Growth in gross premiums written for the quarter ended March 31, 2001, was relatively flat compared with the quarter ended March 31, 2000. Gross premiums written of $152 million for the current quarter included an LPT of $87 million, compared with an LPT of $82 million in the same quarter last year. Increases in the credit default swaps line of business and significant new business in the structured financial guaranty were offset by declines in the other lines of business. Net premiums written for the quarter ended March 31, 2001, increased by $4 million to $146 million from $142 million for the same quarter last year. The increase is due to the same influences, described above for gross premiums written. Net premiums earned for the quarter ended March 31, 2001, decreased by $4 million to $127 million from $131 million for the same quarter last year. The decrease is due to the decrease in municipal refunding as well as the timing of new business written and the varying periods over which such premiums are earned. 26
ACE LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION (cont'd.) Underwriting Results The underwriting results of a property and casualty insurer are discussed frequently by reference to its combined ratio, loss and loss expense ratio and underwriting and administrative expense ratio. Each ratio is derived by dividing the relevant expense amounts by net premiums earned. The combined ratio is the sum of the loss and loss expense ratio and the underwriting and the administrative expense ratio. A combined ratio under 100 percent indicates underwriting income and a combined ratio exceeding 100 percent indicates underwriting losses. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Three Months Ended March 31 2001 2000 ---- ---- Loss and loss expense ratio ACE Bermuda 88.1% 71.5% ACE Global Markets 58.2 54.3 ACE Global Reinsurance 24.8 30.4 ACE USA 71.8 72.4 ACE International 62.4 57.8 ACE Financial Services 78.2 75.5 Consolidated 69.5% 64.8% Underwriting and administrative expense ratio ACE Bermuda 5.0% 12.7% ACE Global Markets 38.6 40.7 ACE Global Reinsurance 26.7 22.4 ACE USA 27.2 27.1 ACE International 33.4 38.1 ACE Financial Services 16.8 16.7 Consolidated 26.3% 31.2% Combined Ratio ACE Bermuda 93.1% 84.2% ACE Global Markets 96.8 95.0 ACE Global Reinsurance 51.5 52.8 ACE USA 99.0 99.5 ACE International 95.8 95.9 ACE Financial Services 95.0 92.2 Consolidated 95.8% 96.0% - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Loss and Loss Expense Ratios The Company establishes reserves for unpaid losses and loss expenses, which are estimates of future payments of reported and unreported claims for losses and related expenses, with respect to insured events that have occurred. The process of establishing reserves for property and casualty claims continues to be a complex and imprecise process, requiring the use of informed estimates and judgments. The Company's estimates and judgments may be revised as additional experience and other data becomes available and are reviewed, as new or improved methodologies are developed or as current laws change. Any such revisions could result in future changes in estimates of losses or reinsurance recoverable, and would be reflected in the Company's results of operations in the period in which the estimates are changed. In addition, catastrophe losses may have a significant effect on the insurance and reinsurance industry. ACE Global Reinsurance and other segments of the group have exposure to windstorm, hail, earthquake and other catastrophic events, all of which are managed using measures including underwriting controls, occurrence caps as well as modeling, monitoring and managing its accumulations of potential losses across the group. The Company uses its retrocessional programs to limit its net losses from catastrophes. However, property catastrophe loss experience is generally characterized as low frequency but high severity short-tail claims which may result in volatility in financial results. During the quarters ended March 31, 2001 and 2000, there were relatively few major catastrophe losses that affected the Company. For the quarter ended March 31, 2001, the loss and loss expense ratio increased to 69.5 percent from 64.8 percent for the quarter ended March 31, 2000, primarily due to the impact of the financial solutions business written in the quarter, as these contracts are generally recorded at higher loss ratios than ACE's other lines of business. 27
ACE LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION (cont'd.) ACE Bermuda: The loss and loss expense ratio increased to 88.1 percent for the quarter ended March 31, 2001 from 71.5 percent for the quarter ended March 31, 2000. This increase is primarily the result of a change in the mix of business with increased financial solutions business being written during the current quarter, including an LPT contract of approximately $140 million. ACE Global Markets: The loss and loss expense ratio increased to 58.2 percent for the quarter ended March 31, 2001 from 54.3 percent for the quarter ended March 31, 2000. This increase is due to the combination of a change in the mix of earned business across the various years of account. ACE Global Reinsurance: The loss and loss expense ratio decreased to 24.8 percent for the quarter ended March 31, 2001 from 30.4 percent for the quarter ended March 31, 2000. This decrease is primarily the result of lower losses on the property catastrophe business compared with the same quarter last year. ACE USA: The loss and loss expense ratio decreased to 71.8 percent for the quarter ended March 31, 2001 from 72.4 percent for the quarter ended March 31, 2000. The small decline is due to a change in the mix of business written during the current quarter. ACE International: The loss and loss expense ratio increased to 62.4 percent for the quarter ended March 31, 2001 from 57.8 percent for the quarter ended March 31, 2000. This increase is partly due to a change in the mix of business between property and casualty and accident and health, as well as higher loss ratios in the European book of business. ACE Financial Services: The loss and loss expense ratio increased to 78.2 percent for the quarter ended March 31, 2001 from 75.5 percent for the quarter ended March 31, 2000. This increase is primarily the result of an increase in reserves due to the LPT contract written during the current quarter. Excluding the LPT contracts written in both the March 2001 and 2000 quarters, the loss and loss expense ratio remained relatively unchanged, at approximately 30 percent. Underwriting and Administrative Expense Ratios Underwriting and administrative expenses are comprised of the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs, which include commissions, premium taxes, underwriting and other costs that vary with and are primarily related to the production of premium, and administrative expenses which include all other operating costs. The underwriting and administrative expense ratio decreased to 26.3 percent for the quarter ended March 31, 2001, from 31.2 percent for the quarter ended March 31, 2000. This decrease is primarily due to a decline in the underwriting and administrative ratio at ACE Bermuda and ACE International. ACE Bermuda: The underwriting and administrative expense ratio decreased from 12.7 percent for the quarter ended March 31, 2000, to 5.0 percent for the quarter ended March 31, 2001. This decrease is primarily due to the large increase in net premiums earned resulting from certain financial solutions premiums which were fully earned during the quarter. ACE Global Markets: The underwriting and administrative expense ratio decreased from 40.7 percent for the quarter ended March 31, 2000, to 38.6 percent for the quarter ended March 31, 2001. This decrease is primarily due to relatively stable underwriting and administrative expenses over higher earned premiums. ACE Global Reinsurance: The underwriting and administrative expense ratio increased from 22.4 percent for the quarter ended March 31, 2000, to 26.7 percent for the quarter ended March 31, 2001. This increase is primarily the result of increased costs due to the startup operations of the U.K. branch of ACE Tempest Re. 28
ACE LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION (cont'd.) ACE USA: The underwriting and administrative expense ratio was essentially flat at 27.1 percent for the quarter ended March 31, 2000, compared with 27.2 percent for the quarter ended March 31, 2001. This is primarily due to relatively stable underwriting and administrative expenses over comparable earned premium. ACE International: The underwriting and administrative expense ratio decreased from 38.1 percent for the quarter ended March 31, 2000, to 33.4 percent for the quarter ended March 31, 2001. This decrease in expenses is the result of various cost cutting measures taken in this segment during 2000. ACE Financial Services: The underwriting and administrative expense ratio remained stable at 16.7 percent for the quarter ended March 31, 2000, and 16.8 percent for the quarter ended March 31, 2001. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net Investment Income Three Months Ended Percentage March 31 Change from 2001 2000 Prior Year -------------- --------- ----------- (in millions of U.S. Dollars) ACE Bermuda $ 40 $ 36 10% ACE Global Markets 9 8 12 ACE Global Reinsurance 16 15 6 ACE USA 90 84 8 ACE International 22 22 - ACE Financial Services 24 22 10 Other(1) 3 (4) 18 =========== ========== ======== Total net investment income $ 204 $ 183 12% =========== ========== ======== (1) Includes ACE Limited, ACE INA Holdings and intercompany eliminations. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net investment income increased by $21 million to $204 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2001, from $183 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2000. The primary reason for this change was an increase in the asset base due to the reclassification of the assets of CIS on July 2, 2000 and the proceeds from the share offering in September 2000. ACE Bermuda: Net investment income increased to $40 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2001, from $36 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2000. This increase is primarily the result of a larger capital base and a change in investment strategy to a higher yield portfolio. This increase was offset somewhat by reduced interest income due to dividends paid to ACE during 2000. ACE Global Markets: Net investment income increased to $9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2001, from $8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2000. Increased participation in the syndicates managed by ACE resulted in increased investment income. The increase is partially offset by the comparative quarter which included an additional quarter of income, amounting to approximately $2 million when the Lloyd's accounts were changed to a current reporting basis. ACE Global Reinsurance: Net investment income of $16 million remained relatively unchanged compared with the same quarter last year. Additional assets accumulated from higher business volumes was offset by dividends paid to ACE. 29
ACE LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION (cont'd.) ACE USA: Net investment income increased to $90 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2001, from $84 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2000. This increase is primarily due to the presentation of the CIS activity in investment income in 2001. Prior to July 2, 2000, CIS was presented as a discontinued operation. As of July 2, 2000, the CIS operations had not been sold and its activity had to be reconsolidated into the Company's operations. ACE International: Net investment income remained flat at $22 million for both the quarters ended March 31, 2001 and 2000. The replacement of yen-based securities with higher-yielding U.S. dollar securities and the replacement of a portion of the equity holdings with interest-yielding bonds resulted in increased investment income, which was offset by the devaluation of the yen. ACE Financial Services: Net investment income increased to $24 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2001, from $22 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2000. This increase is primarily the result of positive operating cash flow recorded in 2000. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Investments Three Months Ended March 31 2001 2000 ---- ---- (in millions of U.S. Dollars) Fixed maturities and short-term investments $ 8 $ (38) Equity securities 13 90 Financial futures and option contracts (29) 9 Other investments (11) - Currency (4) (4) FAS 133 4 - ------ ------- Total net realized gains (losses) on investments $ (19) $ 57 ====== ======= - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Company's investment strategy takes a long-term view and the portfolio is actively managed to maximize total return within certain specific guidelines, which minimize risk. The portfolio is reported at fair value. The effect of market movements on the investment portfolio will directly impact net realized gains (losses) on investments when securities are sold. Changes in unrealized gains and losses, which result from the revaluation of securities held, are reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income. The Company uses foreign currency forward and option contracts to minimize the effect of fluctuating foreign currencies on the value of non-U.S. dollar holdings currently held in the portfolio not specifically targeted to match the currency of liabilities. The contracts used are not designated as specific hedges and therefore, realized and unrealized gains and losses recognized on these contracts are recorded as a component of net realized gains (losses) in the period in which the fluctuations occur, together with net foreign currency gains (losses) recognized when non-U.S. dollar securities are sold. Sales proceeds for fixed maturity securities were generally higher than their amortized cost during the quarter. This resulted in net realized gains of $8 million being recognized on fixed maturities and short-term investments for the quarter ended March 31, 2001, compared with net realized losses of $38 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2000. 30
ACE LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION (cont'd.) The liquidation of certain equity portfolios contributed to net realized gains from equity securities of $13 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2001 and $90 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2000. Certain of the Company's external managers of fixed income securities use fixed income futures contracts to manage duration exposure, losses of $7 million were recognized on these for the quarter ended March 31, 2001. Net realized losses generated by the Company's equity index futures contracts amounted to $22 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2001. Total net realized losses attributable to the financial futures and option contracts for the quarter ended March 31, 2001 amounted to $29 million, compared with gains of $9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2000 and were due to declines in the equity markets during the quarter. The Company implemented FAS 133 on January 1, 2001, which requires that all derivatives be recognized as either assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet and be carried at fair value. The market value adjustment for the quarter ended March 31, 2001, as a result of FAS 133, resulted in a gain of $4 million. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Expenses Three Months Ended Percentage March 31 Change 2001 2000 From Prior ---- ----- Year ------------- (in millions of U.S. Dollars) Amortization of Goodwill $ 20 $ 20 - ========= ======== ====== Interest expense $ 54 $ 57 (5)% ========= ======= ====== Income tax expense $ 27 $ 33 (18)% ========= ======= ====== - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As expected, the amortization of goodwill remained constant at $20 million for both the quarter ended March 31, 2001 and the quarter ended March 31, 2000. Interest expense decreased by $3 million to $54 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2001, from $57 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2000. The decrease in the amount of commercial paper outstanding at March 31, 2001 compared with March 31, 2000, resulted in a decrease in commercial paper interest expense of $10 million. This decrease was offset by interest expense of $7 million per quarter on the ACE INA Capital Securities, which were issued on March 31, 2000. Income tax expense decreased by $6 million to $27 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2001, from $33 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2000. During the current quarter, the Company's income before tax was lower than last year, primarily because the Company generated net realized losses on investments in 2001 compared with net realized gains on investments in 2000, resulting in lower income tax expense. 31
ACE LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION (cont'd.) CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL POSITION At March 31, 2001, total assets were $32.9 billion compared with $31.7 billion at December 31, 2000, an increase of $1.2 billion. This increase is due in part to an increase of $367 million on investments and cash, as discussed below. Additionally, insurance and reinsurance balances receivable, prepaid reinsurance premiums and reinsurance recoverable increased by $224 million, $244 million and $388 million, respectively, following the January renewal period. At March 31, 2001, total investments and cash amounted to $14.1 billion, compared with $13.8 billion at December 31, 2000. This increase is primarily a result of positive cash flows from operations during the current quarter due to strong premium volume and positive market movements on the investment portfolio. The Company maintains reserves for the estimated unpaid ultimate liability for losses and loss expenses under the terms of its policies and agreements. The reserve for unpaid losses and loss expenses was $17.9 billion at March 31, 2001, compared with $17.4 billion at December 31, 2000, and includes $10.6 billion of case and loss expense reserves. While the Company believes that its reserve for unpaid losses and loss expenses at March 31, 2001 is adequate, future developments may result in ultimate losses and loss expenses significantly greater or less than the reserve provided. One of the ways the Company manages its loss exposure is through the use of reinsurance. While reinsurance arrangements are designed to limit losses from large exposures and to permit recovery of a portion of direct losses, reinsurance does not relieve the Company of its liability to its insureds. Accordingly, the Company's loss reserves represent total gross losses, and reinsurance recoverable represents anticipated recoveries of a portion of those losses as well as amounts recoverable from reinsurers with respect to claims which have already been paid by the Company. The allowance for unrecoverable reinsurance is required principally due to the failure of reinsurers to indemnify the Company, primarily because of disputes under reinsurance contracts and insolvencies. Reinsurance disputes continue to be significant, particularly on larger and more complex claims, such as those related to asbestos and environmental pollution (discussed in more detail below) and London reinsurance market exposures. Allowances have been established for amounts estimated to be uncollectible. The Company's reinsurance recoverable was approximately $9.4 billion at March 31, 2001, and $9.0 billion at December 31, 2000, net of allowances for unrecoverable reinsurance of $722 million and $710 million, respectively. Included in the Company's liabilities for losses and loss expenses are liabilities for asbestos, environmental damage and latent injury claims and expenses. These claims are principally related to claims arising from remediation costs associated with hazardous waste sites and bodily injury claims related to asbestos products and environmental hazards. The Company has considered asbestos and environmental claims and claims expenses in establishing the liability for unpaid losses and loss expenses. The Company has developed reserving methods, which incorporate new sources of data with historical experience to estimate the ultimate losses arising from asbestos and environmental exposures. The reserves for asbestos and environmental claims and claims expenses represent management's best estimate of future loss and loss expense payments and recoveries which are expected to develop over the next several decades. The Company continuously monitors evolving case law and its effect on environmental damage and latent injury claims. While reserving for these claims is inherently uncertain, the Company believes that the reserves carried for these claims are adequate based on known facts and current law. At March 31, 2001 and December 31, 2000, the total of the Company's short and long term debt, including trust preferred securities was $2.7 billion. Fully diluted book value per share was $23.82 at March 31, 2001, compared with $23.25 at December 31, 2000. 32
ACE LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION (cont'd.) LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES As a holding company, ACE's assets consist primarily of the stock of its subsidiaries as well as other investments. In addition to investment income, its cash flows currently depend primarily on dividends or other statutorily permissible payments from its Bermuda-based operating subsidiaries (the "Bermuda subsidiaries"). There are currently no legal restrictions on the payment of dividends from retained earnings by the Bermuda subsidiaries, as the minimum statutory capital and surplus requirements are satisfied by the share capital and additional paid-in capital of each of the Bermuda subsidiaries. However, the payment of dividends or other statutorily permissible distributions by the Bermuda subsidiaries is subject to the need to maintain shareholders' equity at a level adequate to support the level of insurance and reinsurance operations. During the quarter ended March 31, 2001, dividends of $65 million were declared by ACE Tempest Re. ACE Bermuda did not declare any dividends during the quarter ended March 31, 2001. The payment of any dividends from ACE Global Markets or its subsidiaries would be subject to applicable United Kingdom insurance law including those promulgated by the Society of Lloyd's. No dividends were received from ACE Global Markets during the current quarter and the Company does not anticipate receiving dividends from ACE Global Markets during the remainder of 2001. ACE INA has issued debt to provide partial financing for the ACE INA Acquisition and for other operating needs. Cash flow requirements to service this debt are expected to be met primarily by upstreaming dividend payments from ACE INA's insurance subsidiaries. ACE INA Holdings did not receive any dividends from its subsidiaries during the quarter ended March 31, 2001. Under various U.S. insurance laws to which ACE INA's U.S. insurance subsidiaries are subject, ACE INA's U.S. insurance subsidiaries may pay a dividend only from earned surplus subject to the maintenance of a minimum capital requirement, without prior regulatory approval. ACE INA's international subsidiaries are also subject to various insurance laws and regulations in the countries in which they operate. These regulations include restrictions that limit the amount of dividends that can be paid without prior approval of the insurance regulatory authorities. No dividends have been received by ACE Limited from ACE INA during the current quarter and the Company does not anticipate receiving dividends from ACE INA during the remainder of 2001. ACE Financial Services' U.S. insurance subsidiaries are also subject to various U.S. insurance laws under which subsidiaries may pay a dividend only from earned surplus subject to the maintenance of a minimum capital requirement, without prior regulatory approval. No dividends have been received from ACE Financial Services during the current quarter and the Company does not anticipate receiving dividends from ACE Financial Services during the remainder of 2001. The Company's consolidated sources of funds consist primarily of net premiums written, investment income, and proceeds from sales and maturities of investments. Funds are used primarily to pay claims, operating expenses and dividends and for the purchase of investments. The Company's insurance and reinsurance operations provide liquidity in that premiums are normally received substantially in advance of the time claims are paid. The Company's consolidated net cash flow from operating activities was $388 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2001, compared with $(84) million for the quarter ended March 31, 2000. The positive operating cash flows were generated from very strong premium volume during the quarter as the Company had net premiums written of $1.7 billion. Generally cash flows are affected by claim payments which, due to the nature of the Company's operations, may comprise large loss payments on a limited number of claims and therefore can fluctuate significantly from year to year. The irregular timing of these loss payments, for which the source of cash can be from operations, available net credit facilities or 33
ACE LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION (cont'd.) routine sales of investments, can create significant variations in cash flows from operations between periods. Although the Company's ongoing operations continue to generate positive cash flows from operations, the Company's cash flows are currently impacted by a large book of loss reserves from businesses in run-off. The run-off operations generated negative cash flows of $261 million and $150 million for the quarters ended March 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively, primarily due to claim payments. The run-off book of business continues to require cash to meet its liabilities and cash flows are very dependent on the timing of claim settlements. Net loss and loss expense payments amounted to $945 million and $834 million for the quarters ended March 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively. The Board of Directors, on November 17, 2000 authorized the repurchase of any ACE issued debt or capital securities including ACE's Ordinary Shares, up to an aggregate total of $250 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2001, the Company repurchased and cancelled 1,065,000 Ordinary Shares under the program for an aggregate cost of $35.3 million. Subsequent to March 31, 2001, the Company repurchased and cancelled an additional 450,000 shares for an aggregate cost of $14.4 million leaving approximately $200 million of the Board authorization not utilized. On January 12, 2001, and April 13, 2001, the Company paid dividends of 13 cents per share to shareholders of record on December 29, 2000, and March 30, 2001, respectively. On May 11, 2001, the Company declared a quarterly dividend of 15 cents per Ordinary Share payable on July 12, 2001 to shareholders of record on June 29, 2001. The declaration and payment of future dividends is at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will be dependent upon the profits and financial requirements of the Company and other factors, including legal restrictions on the payment of dividends and such other factors as the Board of Directors deems relevant. In April 2001, the Company renewed its $800 million, 364-day revolving credit facility. This facility together with the Company's $250 million, five-year revolving credit facility, which was last renewed in May 2000, is available for general corporate purposes and each of the facilities may also be used as commercial paper back-up facilities. The five-year facility also permits the issuance of letters of credit. Under these facilities the Company and various subsidiaries are named borrowers and guarantors. Each facility requires that the Company and/or certain of its subsidiaries maintain specific covenants, including a consolidated tangible net worth covenant and a maximum leverage covenant. In June 1999, the Company arranged certain commercial paper programs. The programs use revolving credit facilities as back-up facilities and provide for up to $2.8 billion in commercial paper issuance (subject to the availability of back-up facilities, which currently total $1.05 billion) for ACE and for ACE INA. At March 31, 2001, short-term debt consisted of $347 million of commercial paper issued by ACE INA and $25 million in bank borrowings by ACE Financial Services. Commercial paper rates during the quarter ended March 31, 2001 averaged 5.75 percent. Both internal and external forces influence the Company's financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Claim settlements, premium levels and investment returns may be impacted by changing rates of inflation and other economic conditions. In many cases, significant periods of time, ranging up to several years or more, may lapse between the occurrence of an insured loss, the reporting of the loss to the Company and the settlement of the Company's liability for that loss. The Company believes that its cash balances, cash flow from operations, routine sales of investments and the liquidity provided by its credit facilities are adequate to meet the Company's expected cash requirements. 34
ACE LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION (cont'd) CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ADOPTING A NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARD In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" ("FAS 133"). FAS 133 establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as derivatives), and for hedging activities. It requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet and measure those instruments at fair value. If certain conditions are met, a derivative may be specifically designated as a fair value, cash flow or foreign currency hedge. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative (that is, gains and losses) depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation. Upon initial application of FAS 133, hedging relationships must be designated anew and documented pursuant to the provisions of this statement. The Company adopted FAS 133, as amended, as of January 1, 2001. The Company maintains investments in derivative instruments such as futures, option contracts and foreign currency forward contracts of which the primary purposes are to manage duration and foreign currency exposure, yield enhancement or to obtain an exposure to a particular financial market. The Company has historically recorded the changes in market value of these instruments as realized gains (losses) in the consolidated statement of operations and, accordingly, has estimated that FAS 133, as amended, will not have a significant impact on the results of operations, financial condition or liquidity in future periods as it relates to these instruments. Certain products (principally credit protection oriented) issued by the Company have been determined to meet the definition of a derivative under FAS 133. These products consist primarily of credit default swaps, index-based instruments and certain financial guarantee coverages. Effective January 1, 2001, the Company records these products at their fair value. To reflect the adoption of FAS 133 on January 1, 2001, the Company recorded an expense related to the cumulative effect of adopting a new accounting standard of $23 million, net of income tax of $12 million. Prospectively, the Company expects some level of gains and losses resulting from changes in market value of derivatives to be recorded in the statement of operations. The level of such gains and losses will be dependent upon a number of factors including changes in interest rates, credit spreads and other market factors. The Company's involvement with derivative instruments and transactions is primarily to offer protection to others or to mitigate its own risk and is not considered speculative in nature. 35
ACE LIMITED PART II - OTHER INFORMATION --------------------------- ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION - -------------------------- 1. On February 23, 2001, the Company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.13 per Ordinary Share payable on April 13, 2001 to shareholders of record on March 30, 2001. 2. On May 11, 2001, the Company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per Ordinary Share payable on July 12, 2001 to shareholders of record on June 29, 2001. ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K - ----------------------------------------- Exhibits. 10.1 Promissory Note dated January 9, 2001 from Dominic J. Frederico * 10.2 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of April 6, 2001 among ACE Limited, ACE Bermuda Insurance Ltd., ACE Tempest Reinsurance Ltd., ACE INA Holdings, Inc. and ACE Guaranty Re Inc., certain lenders, JP Morgan, a division of Chase Securities, Inc., as Lead Arranger and Bookrunner, Bank of America, N.A., Barclays Bank PLC and Fleet National Bank, as Co-Syndication Agents and Morgan Guaranty Company of New York, as Administrative Agent. 10.3 ACE Limited 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan (as amended through the Second Amendment) * * Management Contract or Compensation Plan 36
SIGNATURES ---------- Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. ACE LIMITED ------------------------------------------- May 15, 2001 /s/ Brian Duperreault ------------------------------------------- Brian Duperreault Chairman and Chief Executive Officer May 15, 2001 /s/ Robert Blee ------------------------------------------- Robert A. Blee Chief Accounting Officer 37
Exhibit Numbered Number Description Page - ------- ----------- --------- 1. Exhibits 10.1 Promissory Note dated January 9, 2001 from Dominic J. Frederico * 10.2 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of April 6, 2001 among ACE Limited, ACE Bermuda Insurance Ltd., ACE Tempest Reinsurance Ltd., ACE INA Holdings, Inc. and ACE Guaranty Re Inc., certain lenders, JP Morgan, a division of Chase Securities, Inc., as Lead Arranger and Bookrunner, Bank of America, N.A., Barclays Bank PLC and Fleet National Bank, as Co-Syndication Agents and Morgan Guaranty Company of New York, as Administrative Agent. 10.3 ACE Limited 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan (as amended through the Second Amendment) * * Management Contract or Compensation Plan 38