UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2005
or
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number 001-15811
MARKEL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
4521 Highwoods Parkway, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060-6148
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(804) 747-0136
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
NONE
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
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 ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes x No ¨
Number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding at July 28, 2005: 9,840,317
Markel Corporation
Form 10-Q
Index
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets— June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Loss)— Quarters and Six Months Ended June 30, 2005 and 2004
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity— Six Months Ended June 30, 2005 and 2004
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows— Six Months Ended June 30, 2005 and 2004
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Critical Accounting Estimates
Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 4.Controls and Procedures
Safe Harbor and Cautionary Statement
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 4.Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Item 6.Exhibits
Signatures
Exhibit Index
2
Item 1. Financial Statements
MARKEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
ASSETS
Investments, available-for-sale, at estimated fair value:
Fixed maturities (amortized cost of $4,455,921 in 2005 and $4,386,908 in 2004)
Equity securities (cost of $923,570 in 2005 and $849,071 in 2004)
Short-term investments (estimated fair value approximates cost)
Total Investments, Available-For-Sale
Cash and cash equivalents
Receivables
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses
Deferred policy acquisition costs
Prepaid reinsurance premiums
Goodwill
Other assets
Total Assets
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
Unearned premiums
Payables to insurance companies
Convertible notes payable (estimated fair value of $116,000 in 2005 and $124,000 in 2004)
Senior long-term debt (estimated fair value of $677,000 in 2005 and $671,000 in 2004)
Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures (estimated fair value of $162,000 in both 2005 and 2004)
Other liabilities
Total Liabilities
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock
Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Net unrealized holding gains on fixed maturities and equity securities, net of taxes of $188,089 in 2005 and $203,041 in 2004
Cumulative translation adjustments, net of tax benefit of $6,178 in 2005 and tax expense of $39 in 2004
Total Shareholders’ Equity
Commitments and contingencies
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Quarter Ended
June 30,
Six Months Ended
OPERATING REVENUES
Earned premiums
Net investment income
Net realized investment gains (losses)
Total Operating Revenues
OPERATING EXPENSES
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses
Total Operating Expenses
Operating Income
Interest expense
Income Before Income Taxes
Income tax expense
Net Income
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities, net of taxes
Net holding gains (losses) arising during the period
Less reclassification adjustments for net gains (losses) included in net income
Net unrealized gains (losses)
Currency translation adjustments, net of taxes
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
NET INCOME PER SHARE
Basic
Diluted
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Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
COMMON STOCK
Balance at beginning of period
Restricted stock units expensed
Balance at end of period
RETAINED EARNINGS
Net income
Repurchase of common stock
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Unrealized gains:
Net unrealized holding losses arising during the period, net of taxes
Cumulative translation adjustments:
Currency translation adjustments, net of taxes (see note 11)
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AT END OF PERIOD
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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities and equity securities
Proceeds from maturities, calls and prepayments of fixed maturities
Cost of fixed maturities and equity securities purchased
Net change in short-term investments
Net proceeds from sale of subsidiary
Other
Net Cash Used By Investing Activities
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net Cash Used By Financing Activities
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Principles of Consolidation
Markel Corporation (the Company) markets and underwrites specialty insurance products and programs to a variety of niche markets.
The consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2005, the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income (loss) for the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, the consolidated statements of changes in shareholders’ equity and the consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for fair presentation of such consolidated financial statements have been included. Such adjustments consist only of normal, recurring items. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results of operations for the entire year. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2004 was derived from the Company’s audited annual consolidated financial statements.
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from the estimates and assumptions used in preparing the consolidated financial statements.
The consolidated financial statements and notes are presented as permitted by Form 10-Q and do not contain certain information included in the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements and notes. Readers are urged to review the Company’s 2004 Annual Report and Form 10-K for a more complete description of the Company’s business and accounting policies.
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.
2. Net Income Per Share
Net income per share was determined by dividing net income by the applicable weighted average shares outstanding.
(amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
Net income as reported
Interest expense, net of tax, on convertible notes payable
Adjusted net income
Basic common shares outstanding
Dilutive effect of convertible notes payable
Other dilutive potential common shares
Diluted shares outstanding
Basic net income per share
Diluted net income per share
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3. Stock-Based Compensation
The Company applies the intrinsic value recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations, in accounting for stock-based compensation plans. The Company has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (Statement) No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, as amended by Statement No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure.
Stock-based compensation expense, net of taxes, included in net income under APB Opinion No. 25 was $0.2 million and $0.6 million, respectively, for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2005 and $0.2 million and $0.7 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2004. Under the fair value method principles of Statement No. 123, pro forma stock-based compensation expense, net of taxes, and pro forma net income would not have differed from reported amounts for the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004.
4. Reinsurance
The following table summarizes the effect of reinsurance on premiums written and earned.
(dollars in thousands)
Direct
Assumed
Ceded
Net premiums
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses were net of reinsurance recoverables (ceded incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses) of $52.3 million and $61.2 million, respectively, for the quarters ended June 30, 2005 and 2004 and $76.7 million and $144.1 million, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004.
5. Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures (8.71% Junior Subordinated Debentures)
On January 8, 1997, the Company arranged the sale of $150 million of Company-Obligated Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Capital Securities (8.71% Capital Securities) issued under an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated January 13, 1997 (the Declaration) by Markel Capital Trust I (the Trust), a statutory business trust sponsored and wholly-owned by the Company. Proceeds from the sale of the 8.71% Capital Securities were used to purchase the Company’s 8.71% Junior Subordinated Debentures due January 1, 2046, issued to the Trust under an indenture dated January 13, 1997 (the Indenture). The 8.71% Junior Subordinated Debentures are the sole assets of the Trust. The Company has the right to defer interest payments on the 8.71% Junior Subordinated Debentures for up to five years. The 8.71% Capital Securities and related 8.71%
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Junior Subordinated Debentures are redeemable by the Company on or after January 1, 2007. Taken together, the Company’s obligations under the Debentures, the Indenture, the Declaration and a guarantee made by the Company provide, in the aggregate, a full, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of payments of distributions and other amounts due on the 8.71% Capital Securities. No other subsidiary of the Company guarantees the 8.71% Junior Subordinated Debentures or the 8.71% Capital Securities. In the event of default under the Indenture, the Trust may not make distributions on, or repurchases of, the Trust’s common securities. During a period in which the Company elects to defer interest payments or in the event of default under the Indenture, the Company may not make distributions on, or repurchases of, the Company’s capital stock or debt securities ranking equal or junior to the 8.71% Junior Subordinated Debentures.
6. Convertible Notes Payable
During 2001, the Company issued $408.0 million principal amount at maturity, $112.9 million net proceeds, of Liquid Yield Option Notes™ (LYONs). The LYONs are zero coupon senior notes and were issued at a price of $283.19 per LYON, which represents a yield to maturity of 4.25%. The LYONs mature on June 5, 2031. The Company uses the effective yield method to recognize the accretion of the discount from the issue price to the face amount of the LYONs at maturity. The accretion of the discount is included in interest expense.
Each LYON is convertible into 1.1629 shares of common stock upon the occurrence of certain events. Effective April 1, 2005, each LYON became convertible because the closing price of the Company’s common shares exceeded the conversion trigger price of $336.49 for at least 20 of the last 30 consecutive trading days in the quarter ended March 31, 2005. No LYONs have been converted as of June 30, 2005; however, holders may convert LYONs at any time through June 4, 2031. Approximately 335,000 shares would be issued if all of the LYONs were to be converted. These shares were included in the Company’s calculation of diluted earnings per share for the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004.
LYONs holders have the right to require the Company to repurchase the LYONs on June 5th of 2006, 2011, 2016, 2021 and 2026 at their accreted value on these dates as follows:
June 5, 2006
June 5, 2011
June 5, 2016
June 5, 2021
June 5, 2026
The Company may choose to settle any LYONs tendered for repurchase in cash or common shares of the Company. The Company may redeem the LYONs for cash on or after June 5, 2006 at their accreted value.
The Company will pay contingent cash interest to the holders of the LYONs during the six-month period commencing June 5, 2006 and during any six-month period thereafter if the average market price of a LYON for a specified period equals or exceeds 120% of the sum of the issue price and accrued original issue discount of the LYON.
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7. Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Other comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of net holding gains (losses) on securities arising during the period less reclassification adjustments for net gains (losses) included in net income. Other comprehensive income (loss) also includes foreign currency translation adjustments. The related tax expense (benefit) on net holding gains (losses) on securities arising during the period was $34.4 million and $(8.4) million, respectively, for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2005 and $(54.5) million and $(23.3) million, respectively, for the same periods in 2004. The related tax expense (benefit) on the reclassification adjustments for net gains (losses) included in net income was $0.7 million and $6.5 million, respectively, for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2005 and $(0.1) million and $2.5 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2004. The related tax expense (benefit) on foreign currency translation adjustments was $(0.1) million and $(6.2) million, respectively, for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2005 and $0.2 million and $(0.4) million, respectively, for the same periods in 2004.
8. Segment Reporting Disclosures
The Company operates in three segments of the specialty insurance marketplace: the Excess and Surplus Lines, the Specialty Admitted and the London markets.
All investing activities are included in the Investing segment. Lines of business that have been discontinued in conjunction with an acquisition and non-strategic insurance subsidiaries are included in Other for purposes of segment reporting.
The Company considers many factors, including the nature of the underwriting units’ insurance products, production sources, distribution strategies and regulatory environment in determining how to aggregate operating segments.
Segment profit or loss for each of the Company’s operating segments is measured by underwriting profit or loss. The property and casualty insurance industry commonly defines underwriting profit or loss as earned premiums net of losses and loss adjustment expenses and underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses. Underwriting profit or loss does not replace operating income or net income computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP as a measure of profitability. Underwriting profit or loss provides a basis for management to evaluate the Company’s underwriting performance. Segment profit for the Investing segment is measured by net investment income and net realized investment gains or losses.
The Company does not allocate assets to the Excess and Surplus Lines, Specialty Admitted and London Insurance Market operating segments for management reporting purposes. Total investments and cash and cash equivalents are allocated to the Investing segment. The Company does not allocate capital expenditures for long-lived assets to any of its operating segments for management reporting purposes.
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a) The following tables summarize the Company’s segment disclosures.
Gross premium volume
Net written premiums
Underwriting profit (loss)
Net realized investment gains
Segment profit (loss)
Income before income taxes
U.S. GAAP combined ratio(1)
Net realized investment losses
11
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b) The following table reconciles segment assets to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
2005
December 31,
2004
Segment Assets
Investing
9. Contingencies
As previously disclosed, Palladium Insurance Limited and Bank of America, N.A. filed a lawsuit against Terra Nova Insurance Company Limited in connection with alleged reinsurance agreements. During the second quarter of 2005, the court denied all motions for summary judgment. The case was subsequently settled, subject to the completion of final documentation. The settlement was fully provided for at June 30, 2005.
Other contingencies arise in the normal conduct of the Company’s operations. In the opinion of management, the resolutions of these contingencies are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. However, adverse outcomes are possible and could negatively impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
a) Expenses relating to all of the Company’s defined contribution plans were $2.4 million and $4.7 million, respectively, for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2005 and $2.1 million and $4.3 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2004.
b) The following table presents the components of net periodic benefit cost for the Terra Nova Pension Plan, the Company’s defined benefit plan.
Service cost
Interest cost
Expected return on plan assets
Amortization of unrecognized loss
Net periodic benefit cost
The Company contributed $0.7 million to the Terra Nova Pension Plan during the six months ended June 30, 2005. The Company expects plan contributions to total $1.3 million in 2005. If necessary, the Company will make additional contributions to the plan to meet minimum funding requirements or to ensure that the fair value of plan assets at December 31, 2005 exceeds the accumulated benefit obligation.
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11. Sale of Subsidiary
On January 11, 2005, the Company sold its wholly-owned reinsurance subsidiary, Corifrance, to a subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (the buyer) for approximately $57 million. Under the terms of the sales agreement, the Company has agreed to indemnify the buyer through December 31, 2007 for any adverse development of loss reserves up to the purchase price. Corifrance was considered by the Company to be a non-strategic subsidiary, and its results have been included in the Other segment since the acquisition of Markel International. The gain on the sale of Corifrance was $5.5 million and was included in underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses in the Other segment. Included in the gain was the realization of the cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment on Corifrance. The gain was partially offset by the establishment of a contingent obligation to indemnify the buyer if loss reserves prove to be deficient.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) and include the accounts of Markel Corporation and all subsidiaries.
Critical accounting estimates are defined as those estimates that are both important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require us to exercise significant judgment. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of material contingent assets and liabilities, including litigation contingencies. These estimates, by necessity, are based on assumptions about numerous factors.
We review our critical accounting estimates and assumptions quarterly. These reviews include evaluating the adequacy of both reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and the reinsurance allowance for doubtful accounts, analyzing the recoverability of deferred tax assets, assessing goodwill for impairment and evaluating the investment portfolio for other-than-temporary declines in estimated fair value. Actual results may differ materially from the estimates and assumptions used in preparing the consolidated financial statements.
Readers are urged to review our 2004 Annual Report and Form 10-K for a more complete description of our critical accounting estimates.
Our Business
We market and underwrite specialty insurance products and programs to a variety of niche markets and believe that our specialty product focus and niche market strategy enable us to develop expertise and specialized market knowledge. We seek to differentiate ourselves from competitors by reason of our expertise, service, continuity and other value-based considerations. We compete in three segments of the specialty insurance marketplace: the Excess & Surplus Lines, the Specialty Admitted and the London markets. Our financial goals are to earn consistent underwriting profits and superior investment returns to build shareholder value.
Our Excess and Surplus Lines segment is comprised of five underwriting units, our Specialty Admitted segment consists of two underwriting units and our London Insurance Market segment is comprised of the ongoing operations of Markel International.
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Our Excess and Surplus Lines segment writes property and casualty insurance outside of the standard market for hard-to-place risks including catastrophe-exposed property, professional liability, products liability, general liability, commercial umbrella and other coverages tailored for unique exposures.
Our Specialty Admitted segment writes risks that, although unique and hard-to-place in the standard market, must remain with an admitted insurance company for marketing and regulatory reasons. Our underwriting units in this segment write specialty program insurance for well-defined niche markets and personal and commercial property and liability coverages.
We participate in the London Market through Markel International, which includes Markel Capital Limited and Markel International Insurance Company Limited, two of our wholly-owned subsidiaries. Markel Capital Limited is the corporate capital provider for Markel Syndicate 3000 at Lloyd’s, which is managed by Markel Syndicate Management Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary. Our London Insurance Market segment writes specialty property, casualty and marine insurance and reinsurance.
Lines of business that have been discontinued in conjunction with an acquisition and non-strategic insurance subsidiaries are included in Other for purposes of segment reporting. For the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2005, the Other segment consisted primarily of discontinued Markel International programs. In prior periods, the Other segment also included the results of Corifrance, a wholly-owned reinsurance subsidiary, which we sold on January 11, 2005. See note 11 of the notes to consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the sale of Corifrance.
Key Performance Indicators
We measure financial success by our ability to compound growth in book value per share at a high rate of return over a long period of time. We recognize that it is difficult to grow book value consistently each year, so we measure ourselves over a five-year period. We believe that growth in book value per share is the most comprehensive measure of our success because it includes all underwriting and investing results. We measure underwriting results by our underwriting profit and combined ratio. These measures are discussed in greater detail under “Results of Operations.”
Results of Operations
The following table compares the components of net income.
Underwriting profit
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Net income for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2005 increased 2% and 34%, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2004. Net income increased for the six months ended June 30, 2005 compared to the same period of 2004 due to improved underwriting and investing results, partially offset by higher interest and income tax expenses. Each of the components of net income are discussed in further detail under “Underwriting Results,” “Investment Results” and “Other Expenses.”
Underwriting Results
Underwriting profits are a key component of our strategy to grow book value per share. We believe that the ability to achieve consistent underwriting profits demonstrates knowledge and expertise, commitment to superior customer service and the ability to manage insurance risk. The property and casualty insurance industry commonly defines underwriting profit or loss as earned premiums net of losses and loss adjustment expenses and underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses. We use underwriting profit or loss as a basis of evaluating our underwriting performance.
The following table compares selected data from our underwriting operations.
Net retention
U.S. GAAP Combined Ratios(1)
Excess and Surplus Lines
Specialty Admitted
London Insurance Market
Markel Corporation (Consolidated)
We reported a combined ratio of 92% and 91%, respectively, for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2005 compared to 90% and 93%, respectively, for the same periods in 2004. The increase in the combined ratio for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 was primarily due to a higher expense ratio as a result of lower earned premiums compared to the same period of 2004. The combined ratio improved for the six months ended June 30, 2005 compared to the same period of 2004 primarily as a result of improved underwriting performance in the London Insurance Market segment. Both periods of 2005 also reflect adverse development on loss reserves at the Investors Brokered Excess and Surplus Lines unit and the impact of commutations completed in the second quarter of 2005.
16
The combined ratio for the Excess and Surplus Lines segment was 86% and 85%, respectively, for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2005 compared to 84% and 83%, respectively, for the same periods in 2004. For the quarter ended June 30, 2005, the increase in the combined ratio was primarily due to loss development at the Investors Brokered Excess and Surplus Lines unit. We continue to monitor and re-underwrite certain books of business in order to return the Investors Brokered Excess and Surplus Lines unit to underwriting profitability. For the six months ended June 30, 2005, the increase in the combined ratio was primarily due to a higher expense ratio compared to 2004 as a result of lower reinsurance ceding commissions as we continue to increase our net retentions.
The combined ratio for the Specialty Admitted segment was 83% and 87%, respectively, for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2005 compared to 85% and 89%, respectively, for the same periods in 2004. The combined ratio for both periods of 2005 benefited from lower loss ratios as a result of the favorable insurance market experienced over the past several years.
The London Insurance Market segment’s combined ratio was 103% for both the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2005 compared to 100% and 110%, respectively, for the same periods in 2004. For the quarter, the London Insurance Market segment’s combined ratio increased primarily due to a higher expense ratio resulting from lower earned premiums. The combined ratio improved for the six months ended June 30, 2005 primarily due to less development on prior years’ loss reserves, partially offset by a higher expense ratio in 2005 compared to 2004. The London Insurance Market segment’s underwriting results for the six months ended June 30, 2004 included a $30.0 million increase in prior years’ loss reserves.
The Other segment produced an underwriting loss of $5.3 million and $3.3 million, respectively, for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2005 compared to an underwriting loss of $4.2 million and $6.5 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2004. The Other underwriting result for the six months ended June 30, 2005 included a $5.5 million gain on the sale of Corifrance. Prior to its sale in January 2005, the operating results of Corifrance were included in the Other segment.
Subsequent to the end of the second quarter of 2005, the Caribbean, Mexico and U.S. Mainland sustained losses from hurricanes Dennis and Emily. Based on preliminary information, we believe our net losses from these events are less than $10.0 million.
Premiums and Net Retentions
The following tables compare gross premium volume and net written premiums by underwriting segment.
Gross Premium Volume
Total
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Gross premium volume for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2005 declined 4% and 8%, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2004. The decline in both periods of 2005 was primarily due to lower premium writings at the Investors Brokered Excess and Surplus Lines unit as a result of the re-underwriting and exiting of certain books of business and increased competition across all segments. Gross premium volume for the six months ended June 30, 2005 also declined due to the sale of Corifrance in early 2005.
During the first six months of 2005, many product lines obtained modest rate increases compared to the same period of the prior year. However, rates have declined in certain lines. When we believe the prevailing market rates will not support our underwriting profit targets, the business is not written. Our 2005 business plans continue to focus on new product development, enhancing producer relationships and achieving our ultimate goal of underwriting profitability.
As part of our underwriting philosophy, we seek to offer products with limits that do not require significant amounts of reinsurance. We purchase reinsurance in order to reduce our retention on individual risks and enable us to write policies with sufficient limits to meet policyholder needs. Net retention of gross premium volume has increased consistent with our strategy to retain more of our profitable business. Net retention of gross premium volume for both the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2005 was 85% compared to 82% and 81%, respectively, for the same periods in 2004. The increase in both periods was primarily due to purchasing less reinsurance in the Excess and Surplus Lines and London Insurance Market segments during 2005 compared to 2004 and changes in the mix of premium writings.
The following table compares earned premiums by underwriting segment.
Earned Premiums
Earned premiums for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2005 decreased 4% and 3%, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2004. The decrease in both periods of 2005 was primarily due to lower gross premium volume in the London Insurance Market segment, partially offset by higher retentions in all segments compared to 2004.
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Investment Results
Second quarter 2005 net investment income was $58.9 million compared to $48.0 million in the second quarter of 2004. Net investment income for the six months ended June 30, 2005 was $117.7 million compared to $96.7 million for the same period of 2004. The increase in both periods of 2005 was due to higher invested assets and higher investment yields compared to the same periods of 2004.
In the second quarter of 2005, net realized gains were $2.0 million compared to net realized losses of $0.2 million in the second quarter of 2004. For the six months ended June 30, 2005, net realized gains were $18.7 million compared to $7.2 million for the same period last year. Variability in the timing of realized and unrealized investment gains and losses is to be expected.
At June 30, 2005, we held securities with gross unrealized losses of approximately $24.3 million, significantly less than 1% of total invested assets. All of these securities were reviewed and management believes there were no indications of other-than-temporary impairment at June 30, 2005.
Other Expenses
Interest expense for both the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2005 increased 23% to $15.9 million and $31.9 million, respectively, from $12.9 million and $25.8 million, respectively, for the same periods of 2004. The increase was primarily due to the August 2004 issuance of $200 million of 7.35% unsecured senior notes.
The estimated annual effective tax rate was 30% for both the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2005 compared to 32% for the same periods in 2004. For both periods, the estimated annual effective tax rate differs from the statutory tax rate of 35% primarily as a result of tax-exempt investment income.
Comprehensive income was $122.7 million for the second quarter of 2005 compared to a comprehensive loss of $41.7 million for the same period of 2004. For the six months ended June 30, 2005, comprehensive income was $96.6 million compared to comprehensive income of $52.6 million for the same period in 2004. The increase in comprehensive income for the second quarter of 2005 was primarily due to the investment portfolio producing net unrealized gains, net of taxes, of $62.7 million compared to net unrealized losses, net of taxes, of $101.1 million in the second quarter of 2004. For the six months ended June 30, 2005, comprehensive income increased primarily due to a $34.6 million increase in net income for the first six months of 2005 compared to 2004. Comprehensive income for the first six months of 2005 included a loss of $11.5 million from currency translation adjustments, net of taxes, compared to a loss of $0.7 million for the same period of 2004. The loss from currency translation adjustments, net of taxes, in 2005 reflects the reclassification of an $11.5 million realized currency gain to earnings, upon the sale of Corifrance in the first quarter of 2005. The majority of Corifrance’s net assets were denominated in euros, which have strengthened against the U.S. dollar since our acquisition of Markel International. We attempt to match assets and liabilities in original currencies to mitigate the impact of currency volatility.
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Financial Condition
At June 30, 2005, total invested assets increased 2% to $6.4 billion from $6.3 billion at December 31, 2004. Net unrealized gains, net of taxes, on fixed maturities and equity securities were $349.3 million at June 30, 2005 compared to $377.1 million at December 31, 2004. Equity securities were $1.4 billion, or 21% of total invested assets, at June 30, 2005 compared to $1.3 billion, or 21%, at December 31, 2004.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $252.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005 compared to $232.3 million for the same period in 2004. The increase was due to increased operating cash flows from our U.S. operations partially offset by decreased operating cash flows from our international operations for the six months ended June 30, 2005 compared to same period of 2004.
Net cash used by investing activities was $237.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005 compared to $233.7 million for the same period in 2004. Net cash used by investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2005 included $43.2 million of net cash received in the disposition of Corifrance.
For the six months ended June 30, 2005, net cash used by financing activities was $2.4 million compared to $3.4 million for the same period of 2004. In both periods, cash was used to repurchase shares of our common stock. These repurchases were made in anticipation of the future issuance of common shares to satisfy grants of Restricted Stock Units made to directors and officers under the Markel Corporation Omnibus Incentive Plan.
During the first six months of 2005, reinsurance recoverables and loss reserves decreased from December 31, 2004. These decreases include the impact of several commutation agreements, or terminations of ceded and assumed reinsurance contracts, entered into during the second quarter of 2005. Our commutation strategy is to reduce credit exposure and eliminate administrative expenses associated with the run-off of reinsurance placed with certain reinsurers. We will continue to pursue commutations when we believe they meet our objectives.
We have access to various capital sources including dividends from our insurance subsidiaries, holding company invested assets, undrawn capacity under our revolving credit facility and access to the debt and equity capital markets. We believe we have sufficient liquidity to meet our capital needs.
Shareholders’ equity at June 30, 2005 was $1.8 billion compared to $1.7 billion at December 31, 2004. Book value increased 6% to $177.98 per share from $168.22 per share at December 31, 2004 primarily as a result of net income for the six months ended June 30, 2005, partially offset by the decline in the market value of the investment portfolio.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Market risk is the risk of economic losses due to adverse changes in the estimated fair value of a financial instrument as the result of changes in equity prices, interest rates, foreign exchange rates and commodity prices. Our consolidated balance sheets include assets and liabilities with estimated fair values that are subject to market risk. Our primary market risks are equity price risk associated with investments in equity securities, interest rate risk associated with investments in fixed maturities and foreign exchange risk for our international operations. We have no material commodity risk.
We manage foreign exchange risk primarily by matching assets and liabilities in each foreign currency as
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closely as possible. Significant estimations and assumptions are required when establishing insurance balances such as reinsurance recoverables and reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses. As a result, matching of assets and liabilities by currency is subject to change as actual results may differ from these estimations and assumptions.
Our market risks at June 30, 2005 have not materially changed from those identified at December 31, 2004.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15 (Disclosure Controls). This evaluation was conducted under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
Our management, including the CEO and CFO, does not expect that our Disclosure Controls will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.
Based upon our controls evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that our Disclosure Controls provide reasonable assurance that the information we are required to disclose in periodic reports is accumulated and communicated to management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure and is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the second quarter of 2005 that materially affect, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
This is a “Safe Harbor” statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. It also contains general cautionary statements regarding our business, estimates and assumptions. Future actual results may materially differ from those described in this report because of many factors. Among other things:
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Our premium volume and underwriting and investment results have been and will continue to be potentially materially affected by these factors. Additional factors that could affect us are discussed in our reports on Forms 8-K, 10-Q and 10-K. By making these forward-looking statements, we are not intending to become obligated to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or other changes. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as at their dates.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
The Company’s Annual Meeting was held on May 23, 2005, in Richmond, Virginia. At the Annual Meeting, shareholders elected directors for the ensuing year, ratified the selection of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2005 and approved the Company’s Executive Bonus Plan. The results of the meeting were as follows:
Election of Directors
Alan I. Kirshner
Anthony F. Markel
Steven A. Markel
J. Alfred Broaddus, Jr.
Douglas E. Eby
Leslie A. Grandis
Stewart M. Kasen
Jay M. Weinberg
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Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm:
For
8,476,820
Approval of Executive Bonus Plan:
8,416,031
Item 6. Exhibits
See Exhibit Index for a list of exhibits filed as part of this report.
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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, this 2nd day of August, 2005.
The Company
By
/s/ Alan I. Kirshner
/s/ Anthony F. Markel
/s/ Steven A. Markel
/s/ Richard R. Whitt, III
/s/ Darrell D. Martin
/s/ Paul W. Springman
/s/ Thomas S. Gayner
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Description
August 5, 2003.
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