Companies:
10,652
total market cap:
$140.563 T
Sign In
๐บ๐ธ
EN
English
$ USD
โฌ
EUR
๐ช๐บ
โน
INR
๐ฎ๐ณ
ยฃ
GBP
๐ฌ๐ง
$
CAD
๐จ๐ฆ
$
AUD
๐ฆ๐บ
$
NZD
๐ณ๐ฟ
$
HKD
๐ญ๐ฐ
$
SGD
๐ธ๐ฌ
Global ranking
Ranking by countries
America
๐บ๐ธ United States
๐จ๐ฆ Canada
๐ฒ๐ฝ Mexico
๐ง๐ท Brazil
๐จ๐ฑ Chile
Europe
๐ช๐บ European Union
๐ฉ๐ช Germany
๐ฌ๐ง United Kingdom
๐ซ๐ท France
๐ช๐ธ Spain
๐ณ๐ฑ Netherlands
๐ธ๐ช Sweden
๐ฎ๐น Italy
๐จ๐ญ Switzerland
๐ต๐ฑ Poland
๐ซ๐ฎ Finland
Asia
๐จ๐ณ China
๐ฏ๐ต Japan
๐ฐ๐ท South Korea
๐ญ๐ฐ Hong Kong
๐ธ๐ฌ Singapore
๐ฎ๐ฉ Indonesia
๐ฎ๐ณ India
๐ฒ๐พ Malaysia
๐น๐ผ Taiwan
๐น๐ญ Thailand
๐ป๐ณ Vietnam
Others
๐ฆ๐บ Australia
๐ณ๐ฟ New Zealand
๐ฎ๐ฑ Israel
๐ธ๐ฆ Saudi Arabia
๐น๐ท Turkey
๐ท๐บ Russia
๐ฟ๐ฆ South Africa
>> All Countries
Ranking by categories
๐ All assets by Market Cap
๐ Automakers
โ๏ธ Airlines
๐ซ Airports
โ๏ธ Aircraft manufacturers
๐ฆ Banks
๐จ Hotels
๐ Pharmaceuticals
๐ E-Commerce
โ๏ธ Healthcare
๐ฆ Courier services
๐ฐ Media/Press
๐ท Alcoholic beverages
๐ฅค Beverages
๐ Clothing
โ๏ธ Mining
๐ Railways
๐ฆ Insurance
๐ Real estate
โ Ports
๐ผ Professional services
๐ด Food
๐ Restaurant chains
โ๐ป Software
๐ Semiconductors
๐ฌ Tobacco
๐ณ Financial services
๐ข Oil&Gas
๐ Electricity
๐งช Chemicals
๐ฐ Investment
๐ก Telecommunication
๐๏ธ Retail
๐ฅ๏ธ Internet
๐ Construction
๐ฎ Video Game
๐ป Tech
๐ฆพ AI
>> All Categories
ETFs
๐ All ETFs
๐๏ธ Bond ETFs
๏ผ Dividend ETFs
โฟ Bitcoin ETFs
โข Ethereum ETFs
๐ช Crypto Currency ETFs
๐ฅ Gold ETFs & ETCs
๐ฅ Silver ETFs & ETCs
๐ข๏ธ Oil ETFs & ETCs
๐ฝ Commodities ETFs & ETNs
๐ Emerging Markets ETFs
๐ Small-Cap ETFs
๐ Low volatility ETFs
๐ Inverse/Bear ETFs
โฌ๏ธ Leveraged ETFs
๐ Global/World ETFs
๐บ๐ธ USA ETFs
๐บ๐ธ S&P 500 ETFs
๐บ๐ธ Dow Jones ETFs
๐ช๐บ Europe ETFs
๐จ๐ณ China ETFs
๐ฏ๐ต Japan ETFs
๐ฎ๐ณ India ETFs
๐ฌ๐ง UK ETFs
๐ฉ๐ช Germany ETFs
๐ซ๐ท France ETFs
โ๏ธ Mining ETFs
โ๏ธ Gold Mining ETFs
โ๏ธ Silver Mining ETFs
๐งฌ Biotech ETFs
๐ฉโ๐ป Tech ETFs
๐ Real Estate ETFs
โ๏ธ Healthcare ETFs
โก Energy ETFs
๐ Renewable Energy ETFs
๐ก๏ธ Insurance ETFs
๐ฐ Water ETFs
๐ด Food & Beverage ETFs
๐ฑ Socially Responsible ETFs
๐ฃ๏ธ Infrastructure ETFs
๐ก Innovation ETFs
๐ Semiconductors ETFs
๐ Aerospace & Defense ETFs
๐ Cybersecurity ETFs
๐ฆพ Artificial Intelligence ETFs
Watchlist
Account
W. R. Berkley
WRB
#938
Rank
$26.48 B
Marketcap
๐บ๐ธ
United States
Country
$69.70
Share price
-2.72%
Change (1 day)
16.57%
Change (1 year)
๐ฆ Insurance
Categories
W. R. Berkley Corporation
is an American company that operates both commercial insurance reinsurance businesses.
Market cap
Revenue
Earnings
Price history
P/E ratio
P/S ratio
More
Price history
P/E ratio
P/S ratio
P/B ratio
Operating margin
EPS
Stock Splits
Dividends
Dividend yield
Shares outstanding
Fails to deliver
Cost to borrow
Total assets
Total liabilities
Total debt
Cash on Hand
Net Assets
Annual Reports (10-K)
W. R. Berkley
Quarterly Reports (10-Q)
Financial Year FY2016 Q1
W. R. Berkley - 10-Q quarterly report FY2016 Q1
Text size:
Small
Medium
Large
Table of Contents
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
(Mark one)
þ
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended
March 31, 2016
or
o
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
For the Transition Period from
to
.
Commission File Number 1-15202
W. R. BERKLEY CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
22-1867895
(State or other jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
Identification No.)
475 Steamboat Road, Greenwich, Connecticut
06830
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(203) 629-3000
(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
þ
No
o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes
þ
No
o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
þ
Accelerated filer
o
Non-accelerated filer
o
Smaller reporting company
o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes
o
No
þ
Number of shares of common stock, $.20 par value, outstanding as of
May 4, 2016
:
122,602,882
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Item 6. Exhibits
SIGNATURES
EX-10.1
EX-31.1
EX-31.2
EX-32.1
EX-101 INSTANCE DOCUMENT
EX-101 SCHEMA DOCUMENT
EX-101 CALCULATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
EX-101 LABELS LINKBASE DOCUMENT
EX-101 PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
EX-101 DEFINITION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
Table of Contents
Part I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.
Financial Statements
W. R. BERKLEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share data)
March 31,
2016
December 31,
2015
(Unaudited)
(Audited)
Assets
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities
$
12,745,436
$
12,444,394
Investment funds
1,179,310
1,170,040
Real estate
986,810
936,367
Arbitrage trading account
384,519
376,697
Loans receivable
149,388
273,103
Equity securities
141,699
150,866
Total investments
15,587,162
15,351,467
Cash and cash equivalents
837,515
763,631
Premiums and fees receivable
1,749,273
1,669,186
Due from reinsurers
1,558,749
1,532,829
Deferred policy acquisition costs
547,519
513,128
Prepaid reinsurance premiums
429,058
394,387
Trading account receivables from brokers and clearing organizations
373,833
383,115
Property, furniture and equipment
346,471
348,224
Goodwill
153,747
153,291
Accrued investment income
130,380
123,164
Federal and foreign income taxes
—
48,952
Other assets
517,227
442,782
Total assets
$
22,230,934
$
21,724,156
Liabilities and Equity
Liabilities:
Reserves for losses and loss expenses
$
10,788,342
$
10,669,150
Unearned premiums
3,314,676
3,137,133
Due to reinsurers
256,838
224,752
Trading account securities sold but not yet purchased
35,956
37,035
Federal and foreign income taxes
31,291
—
Other liabilities
754,292
837,937
Senior notes and other debt
1,814,998
1,844,621
Subordinated debentures
446,485
340,320
Total liabilities
17,442,878
17,090,948
Equity:
Preferred stock, par value $.10 per share:
Authorized 5,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding - none
Common stock, par value $.20 per share:
Authorized 500,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding, net of treasury shares, 122,599,552 and 123,307,837 shares, respectively
47,024
47,024
Additional paid-in capital
1,013,572
1,005,455
Retained earnings
6,282,870
6,178,070
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
8,124
(66,698
)
Treasury stock, at cost, 112,518,366 and 111,810,081 shares, respectively
(2,600,377
)
(2,563,605
)
Total stockholders’ equity
4,751,213
4,600,246
Noncontrolling interests
36,843
32,962
Total equity
4,788,056
4,633,208
Total liabilities and equity
$
22,230,934
$
21,724,156
See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements.
1
Table of Contents
W. R. BERKLEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except per share data)
For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
2016
2015
REVENUES:
Net premiums written
$
1,663,722
$
1,575,402
Change in net unearned premiums
(136,387
)
(103,389
)
Net premiums earned
1,527,335
1,472,013
Net investment income
130,133
124,239
Insurance service fees
40,362
36,518
Net realized investment gains
25,457
19,044
Other-than-temporary impairments
(18,114
)
—
Revenues from non-insurance businesses
101,780
92,606
Other income
258
259
Total revenues
1,807,211
1,744,679
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Losses and loss expenses
922,321
900,708
Other operating costs and expenses
582,459
551,046
Expenses from non-insurance businesses
95,531
89,670
Interest expense
32,224
34,538
Total operating costs and expenses
1,632,535
1,575,962
Income before income taxes
174,676
168,717
Income tax expense
(54,428
)
(50,273
)
Net income before noncontrolling interests
120,248
118,444
Noncontrolling interests
(737
)
(137
)
Net income to common stockholders
$
119,511
$
118,307
NET INCOME PER SHARE:
Basic
$
0.97
$
0.94
Diluted
$
0.93
$
0.89
See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements.
2
Table of Contents
W. R. BERKLEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)
For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
2016
2015
Net income before noncontrolling interests
$
120,248
$
118,444
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Change in unrealized currency translation adjustments
(2,047
)
(47,805
)
Change in unrealized investment gains, net of taxes
76,855
16,291
Other comprehensive income (loss)
74,808
(31,514
)
Comprehensive income
195,056
86,930
Comprehensive (income) to the noncontrolling interest
(723
)
(115
)
Comprehensive income to common stockholders
$
194,333
$
86,815
See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements.
3
Table of Contents
W. R. BERKLEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)
For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
2016
2015
COMMON STOCK:
Beginning and end of period
$
47,024
$
47,024
ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL:
Beginning of period
$
1,005,455
$
991,512
Stock options exercised and restricted stock units issued including tax benefit
(652
)
(1,678
)
Restricted stock units expensed
8,769
8,171
End of period
$
1,013,572
$
998,005
RETAINED EARNINGS:
Beginning of period
$
6,178,070
$
5,732,410
Net income to common stockholders
119,511
118,307
Dividends
(14,711
)
(13,749
)
End of period
$
6,282,870
$
5,836,968
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
Unrealized investment gains:
Beginning of period
$
180,695
$
306,199
Unrealized gains on securities not other-than-temporarily impaired
76,904
16,308
Unrealized gains (losses) on other-than-temporarily impaired securities
(35
)
5
End of period
257,564
322,512
Currency translation adjustments:
Beginning of period
$
(247,393
)
$
(122,649
)
Net change in period
(2,047
)
(47,805
)
End of period
(249,440
)
(170,454
)
Total accumulated other comprehensive income
$
8,124
$
152,058
TREASURY STOCK:
Beginning of period
$
(2,563,605
)
$
(2,364,551
)
Stock exercised/vested
652
331
Stock repurchased
(37,424
)
(91,213
)
End of period
$
(2,600,377
)
$
(2,455,433
)
NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS:
Beginning of period
$
32,962
$
34,189
Contributions
3,158
111
Net income
737
137
Other comprehensive (loss), net of tax
(14
)
(22
)
End of period
$
36,843
$
34,415
See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements.
4
Table of Contents
W. R. BERKLEY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)
For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
2016
2015
CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income to common stockholders
$
119,511
$
118,307
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:
Net investment gains
(7,343
)
(19,044
)
Depreciation and amortization
30,245
19,203
Noncontrolling interests
737
137
Investment funds
(16,636
)
(6,061
)
Stock incentive plans
8,766
8,171
Change in:
Arbitrage trading account
383
7,692
Premiums and fees receivable
(79,531
)
(71,181
)
Reinsurance accounts
(26,319
)
(46,260
)
Deferred policy acquisition costs
(33,466
)
(21,314
)
Income taxes
46,780
44,618
Reserves for losses and loss expenses
108,057
152,925
Unearned premiums
171,553
117,403
Other
(181,969
)
(243,584
)
Net cash from operating activities
140,768
61,012
CASH FROM (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from sale of fixed maturity securities
381,732
466,276
Proceeds from sale of equity securities
1,880
9,785
Distributions from investment funds
15,788
(9,363
)
Proceeds from maturities and prepayments of fixed maturity securities
455,463
655,349
Purchase of fixed maturity securities
(1,032,129
)
(1,094,439
)
Purchase of equity securities
(1,108
)
(8,882
)
Real estate purchased
(53,781
)
(44,162
)
Change in loans receivable
123,737
41,244
Net additions to property, furniture and equipment
(12,461
)
(7,680
)
Change in balances due to security brokers
69,642
(2,652
)
Payment for business purchased net of cash aquired
(54,313
)
—
Net cash from (used in) investing activities
(105,550
)
5,476
CASH FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayment of senior notes and other debt
(33,721
)
(3,240
)
Net proceeds from issuance of debt
110,093
—
Cash dividends to common stockholders
(14,711
)
(13,749
)
Purchase of common treasury shares
(37,424
)
(91,213
)
Other, net
3,158
(1,187
)
Net cash from (used in) financing activities
27,395
(109,389
)
Net impact on cash due to change in foreign exchange rates
11,271
(16,845
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
73,884
(59,746
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
763,631
674,441
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
837,515
$
614,695
See accompanying notes to interim consolidated financial statements.
5
Table of Contents
W. R. Berkley Corporation and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED
)
(1) General
The unaudited consolidated financial statements, which include the accounts of W. R. Berkley Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) have been prepared on the basis of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and notes required by GAAP for annual financial statements. The unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items, which are necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position and results of operations on a basis consistent with the prior audited consolidated financial statements. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the revenues and expenses reflected during the reporting period. For further information related to a description of areas of judgment and estimates and other information necessary to understand the Company’s financial position and results of operations, refer to the audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2015
. Reclassifications have been made in the 2015 financial statements as originally reported to conform to the presentation of the 2016 financial statements.
The income tax provision has been computed based on the Company’s estimated annual effective tax rate. The effective tax rate for the quarter differs from the federal income tax rate of
35%
principally because of tax-exempt investment income.
(2) Per Share Data
The Company presents both basic and diluted net income per share (“EPS”) amounts. Basic EPS is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is based upon the weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the period and is calculated using the treasury stock method for stock incentive plans. Common equivalent shares are excluded from the computation in periods in which they have an anti-dilutive effect. Stock options for which the exercise price exceeds the average market price over the period have an anti-dilutive effect on EPS and, accordingly, are excluded from the calculation.
The weighted average number of common shares used in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share was as follows:
For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
(In thousands)
2016
2015
Basic
122,780
125,969
Diluted
128,529
132,484
(3) Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidation. ASU 2015-02 makes targeted amendments to the current consolidation accounting guidance, in response to accounting complexity concerns. The guidance simplifies consolidation accounting by reducing the number of approaches to consolidation. The Company adopted this updated guidance on January 1, 2016. This adoption did not have a material effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations, but did result in additional disclosures.
In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-09, Disclosures about Short-Duration Contracts. ASU 2015-09 requires companies that issue short duration insurance contracts to disclose additional information, including: (i) incurred and paid claims development tables; (ii) frequency and severity of claims; and (iii) information about material changes in judgments made in calculating the liability for unpaid claim adjustment expenses, including reasons for the change and the effects on the financial statements. ASU 2015-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The amendments in ASU 2015-09 should be applied retrospectively by providing comparative disclosures for each period presented, except for those requirements that apply only to the current period. As the requirements are disclosure only, the adoption of this guidance will not impact our financial condition or results of operations.
All other recently issued but not yet effective accounting and reporting standards are either not applicable to the Company or are not expected to have a material impact on the Company.
6
Table of Contents
(4) Acquisitions/Dispositions
In February 2016, the Company acquired an
85%
ownership interest for
$42.3 million
in a company engaged in the distribution of promotional merchandise. The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed have been estimated based on a preliminary valuation. The fair values of the assets and liabilities will be adjusted, as needed, following completion of the final valuation.
The following table summarizes the initial estimated fair value of net assets acquired and liabilities assumed for the business combination completed in 2016:
(In thousands)
2016
Cash and cash equivalents
$
1,072
Real estate, furniture and equipment
701
Goodwill and other intangibles assets
40,282
Premiums and service fees receivable
3,845
Other assets
5,166
Total assets acquired
51,066
Other liabilities assumed
(4,931
)
Noncontrolling interest
(3,850
)
Net assets acquired
$
42,285
7
Table of Contents
(5) Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The following table presents the components of the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI"):
(In thousands)
Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses)
Currency Translation Adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
As of and for the three months ended March 31, 2016:
Changes in AOCI
Beginning of period
$
180,695
$
(247,393
)
$
(66,698
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
78,242
(2,047
)
76,195
Amounts reclassified from AOCI
(1,387
)
—
(1,387
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
76,855
(2,047
)
74,808
Unrealized investment gain related to non-controlling interest
14
—
14
End of period
$
257,564
$
(249,440
)
$
8,124
Amounts reclassified from AOCI
Pre-tax
$
(2,134
)
(1)
$
—
$
(2,134
)
Tax effect
747
(2)
—
747
After-tax amounts reclassified
$
(1,387
)
$
—
$
(1,387
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Pre-tax
$
114,390
$
(2,047
)
$
112,343
Tax effect
(37,535
)
—
(37,535
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
$
76,855
$
(2,047
)
$
74,808
As of and for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
Changes in AOCI
Beginning of period
$
306,199
$
(122,649
)
$
183,550
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
24,592
(47,805
)
(23,213
)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI
(8,301
)
—
(8,301
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
16,291
(47,805
)
(31,514
)
Unrealized investment gain related to non-controlling interest
22
—
22
End of period
$
322,512
$
(170,454
)
$
152,058
Amounts reclassified from AOCI
Pre-tax
$
(12,771
)
(1)
$
—
$
(12,771
)
Tax effect
4,470
(2)
—
4,470
After-tax amounts reclassified
$
(8,301
)
$
—
$
(8,301
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Pre-tax
$
24,536
$
(47,805
)
$
(23,269
)
Tax effect
(8,245
)
—
(8,245
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
$
16,291
$
(47,805
)
$
(31,514
)
_______________
(1) Net investment (gains) losses in the consolidated statements of income.
(2) Income tax expense in the consolidated statements of income.
8
Table of Contents
(6) Statements of Cash Flow
Interest payments were
$56,968,000
and
$56,632,000
and income taxes paid were
$5,644,000
and
$4,769,000
in the three months ended
March 31, 2016
and
2015
, respectively.
(7) Investments in Fixed Maturity Securities
At
March 31, 2016
and
December 31, 2015
, investments in fixed maturity securities were as follows:
(In thousands)
Amortized
Cost
Gross Unrealized
Fair
Value
Carrying
Value
Gains
Losses
March 31, 2016
Held to maturity:
State and municipal
$
78,264
$
17,340
$
—
$
95,604
$
78,264
Residential mortgage-backed
18,405
2,470
—
20,875
18,405
Total held to maturity
96,669
19,810
—
116,479
96,669
Available for sale:
U.S. government and government agency
571,330
27,602
(981
)
597,951
597,951
State and municipal:
Special revenue
2,613,723
120,174
(2,047
)
2,731,850
2,731,850
State general obligation
595,465
30,624
(1,817
)
624,272
624,272
Pre-refunded
407,586
32,630
—
440,216
440,216
Corporate backed
388,408
15,034
(618
)
402,824
402,824
Local general obligation
356,266
29,357
(17
)
385,606
385,606
Total state and municipal
4,361,448
227,819
(4,499
)
4,584,768
4,584,768
Mortgage-backed securities:
Residential (1)
1,067,877
27,520
(5,548
)
1,089,849
1,089,849
Commercial
65,138
778
(616
)
65,300
65,300
Total mortgage-backed securities
1,133,015
28,298
(6,164
)
1,155,149
1,155,149
Asset-backed
1,855,301
11,949
(22,846
)
1,844,404
1,844,404
Corporate:
Industrial
2,007,460
106,650
(20,538
)
2,093,572
2,093,572
Financial
1,176,238
39,566
(13,664
)
1,202,140
1,202,140
Utilities
197,336
10,771
(1,958
)
206,149
206,149
Other
66,289
426
—
66,715
66,715
Total corporate
3,447,323
157,413
(36,160
)
3,568,576
3,568,576
Foreign
849,800
54,580
(6,461
)
897,919
897,919
Total available for sale
12,218,217
507,661
(77,111
)
12,648,767
12,648,767
Total investments in fixed maturity securities
$
12,314,886
$
527,471
$
(77,111
)
$
12,765,246
$
12,745,436
9
Table of Contents
(In thousands)
Amortized
Cost
Gross Unrealized
Fair
Value
Carrying
Value
Gains
Losses
December 31, 2015
Held to maturity:
State and municipal
$
77,129
$
16,246
$
—
$
93,375
$
77,129
Residential mortgage-backed
19,138
2,207
—
21,345
19,138
Total held to maturity
96,267
18,453
—
114,720
96,267
Available for sale:
U.S. government and government agency
645,092
27,660
(2,333
)
670,419
670,419
State and municipal:
Special revenue
2,510,816
102,909
(3,737
)
2,609,988
2,609,988
State general obligation
583,456
28,068
(2,070
)
609,454
609,454
Pre-refunded
439,772
32,056
(31
)
471,797
471,797
Corporate backed
388,904
14,039
(402
)
402,541
402,541
Local general obligation
342,158
24,270
(29
)
366,399
366,399
Total state and municipal
4,265,106
201,342
(6,269
)
4,460,179
4,460,179
Mortgage-backed securities:
Residential (1)
1,126,382
18,935
(11,180
)
1,134,137
1,134,137
Commercial
64,975
875
(128
)
65,722
65,722
Total mortgage-backed securities
1,191,357
19,810
(11,308
)
1,199,859
1,199,859
Asset-backed
1,706,694
12,892
(14,414
)
1,705,172
1,705,172
Corporate:
Industrial
1,976,393
75,168
(30,027
)
2,021,534
2,021,534
Financial
1,153,096
31,744
(11,819
)
1,173,021
1,173,021
Utilities
192,857
8,321
(2,527
)
198,651
198,651
Other
81,607
245
(20
)
81,832
81,832
Total corporate
3,403,953
115,478
(44,393
)
3,475,038
3,475,038
Foreign
799,839
50,310
(12,689
)
837,460
837,460
Total available for sale
12,012,041
427,492
(91,406
)
12,348,127
12,348,127
Total investments in fixed maturity securities
$
12,108,308
$
445,945
$
(91,406
)
$
12,462,847
$
12,444,394
____________
(1)
Gross unrealized losses for residential mortgage-backed securities include
$1,324,214
and
$1,269,491
as of
March 31, 2016
and
December 31, 2015
, respectively, related to the non-credit portion of other-than-temporary impairments (“OTTI”) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.
The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity securities at
March 31, 2016
, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations.
(In thousands)
Amortized
Cost
Fair Value
Due in one year or less
$
812,491
$
822,851
Due after one year through five years
4,360,294
4,522,431
Due after five years through ten years
3,482,275
3,659,124
Due after ten years
2,508,406
2,584,816
Mortgage-backed securities
1,151,420
1,176,024
Total
$
12,314,886
$
12,765,246
At
March 31, 2016
and 2015, there were no investments that exceeded
10%
of common stockholder's equity, other than investments in United States government and government agency securities.
10
Table of Contents
(8) Investments in Equity Securities Available for Sale
At
March 31, 2016
and
December 31, 2015
, investments in equity securities were as follows:
(In thousands)
Cost
Gross Unrealized
Fair
Value
Carrying
Value
Gains
Losses
March 31, 2016
Common stocks
$
38,686
$
424
$
(1,539
)
$
37,571
$
37,571
Preferred stocks
106,990
7,582
(10,444
)
104,128
104,128
Total
$
145,676
$
8,006
$
(11,983
)
$
141,699
$
141,699
December 31, 2015
Common stocks
$
56,462
$
—
$
(19,189
)
$
37,273
$
37,273
Preferred stocks
108,730
8,216
(3,353
)
113,593
113,593
Total
$
165,192
$
8,216
$
(22,542
)
$
150,866
$
150,866
(9) Arbitrage Trading Account
At
March 31, 2016
and
December 31, 2015
, the fair and carrying values of the arbitrage trading account were
$385 million
and
$377 million
, respectively. The primary focus of the trading account is merger arbitrage. Merger arbitrage is the business of investing in the securities of publicly held companies which are the targets in announced tender offers and mergers. Arbitrage investing differs from other types of investing in its focus on transactions and events believed likely to bring about a change in value over a relatively short time period (usually four months or less).
The Company uses put options, call options and swap contracts in order to mitigate the impact of potential changes in market conditions on the merger arbitrage trading account. These options and contracts are reported at fair value. As of
March 31, 2016
, the fair value of long option contracts outstanding was
$0.5 million
(notional amount of
$6.7 million
) and the fair value of short option contracts outstanding was
$0.4 million
(notional amount of
$12.7 million
). Other than with respect to the use of these trading account securities, the Company does not make use of derivatives.
(10) Net Investment Income
Net investment income consists of the following:
For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
(In thousands)
2016
2015
Investment income earned on:
Fixed maturity securities, including cash and cash equivalents and loans receivable
$
108,835
$
108,129
Investment funds
16,636
6,061
Arbitrage trading account
3,190
8,979
Equity securities available for sale
868
1,180
Real estate
2,717
2,767
Gross investment income
132,246
127,116
Investment expense
(2,113
)
(2,877
)
Net investment income
$
130,133
$
124,239
(11) Investment Funds
The Company evaluates whether it is an investor in a variable interest entities (VIE). Such entities do not have sufficient equity at risk to finance their activities without additional subordinated financial support, or the equity investors, as a group, do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest (primary beneficiary). The Company determines whether it is the
11
Table of Contents
primary beneficiary of an entity subject to consolidation based on a qualitative assessment of the VIE's capital structure, contractual terms, nature of the VIE's operations and purpose, and the Company's relative exposure to the related risks of the VIE on the date it becomes initially involved in the VIE and on an ongoing basis. The Company is not the primary beneficiary in any of its investment funds, and accordingly, carries its interests in investments funds under the equity method of accounting.
The Company’s maximum exposure to loss with respect to these investments is limited to the carrying amount reported on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and any unfunded commitment.
Investment funds consist of the following:
Carrying Value as of
Income (Loss) from Investment Funds
March 31,
December 31,
Three months ended March 31,
(In thousands)
2016
2015
2016
2015
Real estate
$
597,380
$
580,830
$
17,037
$
26,012
Energy
95,849
93,719
(3,924
)
(21,868
)
Hedge equity
67,728
70,580
(2,852
)
(873
)
Other funds
418,353
424,911
6,375
2,790
Total
$
1,179,310
$
1,170,040
$
16,636
$
6,061
The Company's share of the earnings or losses of investment funds is generally reported on a one-quarter lag in order to facilitate the timely completion of the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Other funds include private equity investments carried on the equity method of accounting, which includes a publicly traded common stock investment in HealthEquity, Inc. (HQY). Our ownership interest in HQY as of March 31, 2016 is approximately
21%
with a fair value of
$295.3 million
and a carrying value of
$46.3 million
.
(12) Real Estate
Investment in real estate represents directly owned property held for investment, as follows:
Carrying Value
March 31,
December 31,
(In thousands)
2016
2015
Properties in operation
$
239,476
$
226,055
Properties under development
747,334
710,312
Total
$
986,810
$
936,367
In 2016, properties in operation included a long-term ground lease in Washington, D.C., a hotel in Memphis, Tennessee and office buildings in West Palm Beach and Palm Beach, Florida. Properties in operation are net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of
$10,896,000
and
$9,073,000
as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. Related depreciation expense was
$1,668,000
and
$2,543,000
for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Future minimum rental income expected on operating leases relating to properties in operation is
$9,614,350
in 2016,
$15,791,035
in 2017,
$14,793,678
in 2018,
$11,822,103
in 2019,
$9,830,091
in 2020,
$9,591,819
in 2021 and
$343,543,992
thereafter.
Properties under development include an office building in London, a mixed-use project in Washington D.C. and an office complex in New York City.
12
Table of Contents
(13) Loans Receivable
Loans receivable are as follows:
(In thousands)
March 31, 2016
December 31, 2015
Amortized cost (net of valuation allowance):
Real estate loans
$
121,861
$
200,499
Commercial loans
27,527
72,604
Total
$
149,388
$
273,103
Fair value:
Real estate loans
$
124,393
$
201,641
Commercial loans
27,527
74,106
Total
$
151,920
$
275,747
Valuation allowance:
Specific
$
555
$
—
General
2,107
2,094
Total
$
2,662
$
2,094
2016
2015
Increase (decrease) in valuation allowance
$
568
$
(47
)
Loans receivable in non-accrual status were
$6.7 million
and
$3.1 million
as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
The Company monitors the performance of its loans receivable and assesses the ability of the borrower to pay principal and interest based upon loan structure, underlying property values, cash flow and related financial and operating performance of the property and market conditions. Loans receivable with a potential for default are further assessed using discounted cash flow analysis and comparable cost and sales methodologies, if appropriate.
The real estate loans are secured by commercial real estate primarily located in Delaware, Maryland, and New York. These loans generally earn interest at floating LIBOR-based interest rates and have maturities (inclusive of extension options) through
August 2025. The commercial loans are with small business owners who have secured the related financing with the assets of the business. Commercial loans generally earn interest on a fixed basis and have varying maturities not exceeding 10 years.
In evaluating the real estate loans, the Company considers their credit quality indicators, including loan to value ratios, which compare the outstanding loan amount to the estimated value of the property, the borrower’s financial condition and performance with respect to loan terms, the position in the capital structure, the overall leverage in the capital structure and other market conditions. Based on these considerations, none of the real estate loans were considered to be impaired at March 31, 2016, and accordingly, the Company determined that a specific valuation allowance was not required.
13
Table of Contents
(14) Realized and Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses)
Realized and unrealized investment gains (losses) are as follows:
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands)
2016
2015
Realized investment gains (losses):
Fixed maturity securities:
Gains
$
23,064
$
4,146
Losses
(2,940
)
(1,077
)
Equity securities available for sale
125
9,702
Investment funds
(460
)
(1,511
)
Real estate
5,024
—
Other
644
7,784
Net realized gains on investments sales
25,457
19,044
Other-than-temporary impairments (1)
(18,114
)
—
Net investment gains
7,343
19,044
Income tax expense
(2,570
)
(6,665
)
After-tax net realized investment gains
$
4,773
$
12,379
Change in unrealized investment gains and losses of available for sale securities:
Fixed maturity securities
$
92,428
$
42,480
Previously impaired fixed maturity securities
(55
)
8
Equity securities available for sale
13,137
(6,845
)
Investment funds
8,880
(11,107
)
Total change in unrealized investment gains (losses)
114,390
24,536
Income tax benefit (expense)
(37,535
)
(8,245
)
Noncontrolling interests
14
22
After-tax change in unrealized investment gains and losses of available for sale securities
$
76,869
$
16,313
(1) Other than temporary impairments (OTTI) for the three months ended March 31, 2016 were
$18.1 million
related to common stock.
14
Table of Contents
(15) Securities in an Unrealized Loss Position
The following tables summarize all securities in an unrealized loss position at
March 31, 2016
and
December 31, 2015
by the length of time those securities have been continuously in an unrealized loss position:
Less Than 12 Months
12 Months or Greater
Total
(In thousands)
Fair Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
March 31, 2016
U.S. government and government agency
$
24,911
$
79
$
43,226
$
902
$
68,137
$
981
State and municipal
210,419
1,903
171,433
2,596
381,852
4,499
Mortgage-backed securities
135,022
1,748
155,445
4,416
290,467
6,164
Asset-backed securities
1,207,153
14,032
230,979
8,814
1,438,132
22,846
Corporate
362,296
25,162
79,582
10,998
441,878
36,160
Foreign
41,278
3,964
25,672
2,497
66,950
6,461
Fixed maturity securities
1,981,079
46,888
706,337
30,223
2,687,416
77,111
Common stocks
—
—
7,474
1,539
7,474
1,539
Preferred stocks
35,241
6,512
27,657
3,932
62,898
10,444
Equity securities available for sale
35,241
6,512
35,131
5,471
70,372
11,983
Total
$
2,016,320
$
53,400
$
741,468
$
35,694
$
2,757,788
$
89,094
December 31, 2015
U.S. government and government agency
$
101,660
$
487
$
64,500
$
1,846
$
166,160
$
2,333
State and municipal
501,952
4,404
106,681
1,865
608,633
6,269
Mortgage-backed securities
381,986
3,639
184,807
7,669
566,793
11,308
Asset-backed securities
1,091,078
7,703
190,467
6,711
1,281,545
14,414
Corporate
1,232,940
35,406
76,797
8,987
1,309,737
44,393
Foreign
169,190
8,822
19,528
3,867
188,718
12,689
Fixed maturity securities
3,478,806
60,461
642,780
30,945
4,121,586
91,406
Common stocks
18,641
18,005
7,829
1,184
26,470
19,189
Preferred stocks
—
—
22,320
3,353
22,320
3,353
Equity securities available for sale
18,641
18,005
30,149
4,537
48,790
22,542
Total
$
3,497,447
$
78,466
$
672,929
$
35,482
$
4,170,376
$
113,948
Fixed Maturity Securities
– A summary of the Company’s non-investment grade fixed maturity securities that were in an unrealized loss position at
March 31, 2016
is presented in the table below:
($ in thousands)
Number of
Securities
Aggregate
Fair Value
Gross
Unrealized
Loss
Mortgage-backed securities
12
$
35,540
$
1,866
Asset-backed securities
7
26,322
261
Corporate
15
92,666
10,780
Foreign government
5
22,414
3,011
Total
39
$
176,942
$
15,918
For OTTI of fixed maturity securities that management does not intend to sell or, to be required to sell, the portion of the decline in value that is considered to be due to credit factors recognized in earnings, and the portion of the decline in value that is considered to be due to non-credit factors is recognized in other comprehensive income.
15
Table of Contents
The Company has evaluated its fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position and believes the unrealized losses are due primarily to temporary market and sector-related factors rather than to issuer-specific factors. None of these securities are delinquent or in default under financial covenants. Based on its assessment of these issuers, the Company expects them to continue to meet their contractual payment obligations as they become due and does not consider any of these securities to be OTTI.
Preferred Stocks
– At
March 31, 2016
, there were
five
preferred stocks in an unrealized loss position, with an aggregate fair value of
$62.9 million
and a gross unrealized loss of
$10.4 million
. Based upon management’s view of the underlying value of these securities, the Company does not consider these equity securities to be OTTI.
Common Stocks
- At
March 31, 2016
, there was one common stock in an unrealized loss position, with a fair value of
$7.5 million
and a gross unrealized loss of
$1.5 million
. Based on management's view of the underlying security, the Company does not consider the equity security to be OTTI.
Loans Receivable
– The Company monitors the performance of its loans receivable, including current market conditions for each loan and the ability to collect principal and interest. For loans where the Company determines it is probable that the contractual terms will not be met, an analysis is performed and a valuation reserve is established, if necessary, with a charge to earnings. Loans receivable are reported net of a valuation reserve of
$3 million
and
$2 million
at
March 31, 2016
and December 31, 2015, respectively.
(16)
Fair Value Measurements
The Company’s fixed maturity and equity securities classified as available for sale and its trading account securities are carried at fair value. Fair value is defined as “the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.” The Company utilizes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels, as follows:
Level 1
- Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.
Level 2
- Quoted prices for similar assets or valuations based on inputs that are observable.
Level 3
- Estimates of fair value based on internal pricing methodologies using unobservable inputs. Unobservable inputs are only used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available.
Substantially all of the Company’s fixed maturity securities were priced by independent pricing services. The prices provided by the independent pricing services are estimated based on observable market data in active markets utilizing pricing models and processes, which may include benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, sector groupings, matrix pricing and reference data. The pricing services may prioritize inputs differently on any given day for any security based on market conditions, and not all inputs are available for each security evaluation on any given day. The pricing services used by the Company have indicated that they will only produce an estimate of fair value if objectively verifiable information is available. The determination of whether markets are active or inactive is based upon the volume and level of activity for a particular asset class. The Company reviews the prices provided by pricing services for reasonableness and periodically performs independent price tests of a sample of securities to ensure proper valuation.
If prices from independent pricing services are not available for fixed maturity securities, the Company estimates the fair value. For Level 2 securities, the Company utilizes pricing models and processes which may include benchmark yields, sector groupings, matrix pricing, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, bids, offers and reference data. Where broker quotes are used, the Company generally requests two or more quotes and sets a price within the range of quotes received based on its assessment of the credibility of the quote and its own evaluation of the security. The Company generally does not adjust quotes received from brokers. For securities traded only in private negotiations, the Company determines fair value based primarily on the cost of such securities, which is adjusted to reflect prices of recent placements of securities of the same issuer, financial projections, credit quality and business developments of the issuer and other relevant information.
For Level 3 securities, the Company generally uses a discounted cash flow model to estimate the fair value of fixed maturity securities. The cash flow models are based upon assumptions as to prevailing credit spreads, interest rate and interest rate volatility, time to maturity and subordination levels. Projected cash flows are discounted at rates that are adjusted to reflect illiquidity, where appropriate.
16
Table of Contents
The following tables present the assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of
March 31, 2016
and
December 31, 2015
by level:
(In thousands)
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
March 31, 2016
Assets:
Fixed maturity securities available for sale:
U.S. government and government agency
$
597,951
$
—
$
597,951
$
—
State and municipal
4,584,768
—
4,584,768
—
Mortgage-backed securities
1,155,149
—
1,155,149
—
Asset-backed securities
1,844,404
—
1,844,207
197
Corporate
3,568,576
—
3,568,576
—
Foreign government
897,919
—
897,919
—
Total fixed maturity securities available for sale
12,648,767
—
12,648,570
197
Equity securities available for sale:
Common stocks
37,571
30,097
—
7,474
Preferred stocks
104,128
—
100,488
3,640
Total equity securities available for sale
141,699
30,097
100,488
11,114
Arbitrage trading account
384,519
244,647
139,742
130
Total
$
13,174,985
$
274,744
$
12,888,800
$
11,441
Liabilities:
Trading account securities sold but not yet purchased
$
35,956
$
35,956
$
—
$
—
December 31, 2015
Assets:
Fixed maturity securities available for sale:
U.S. government and government agency
$
670,419
$
—
$
670,419
$
—
State and municipal
4,460,179
—
4,460,179
—
Mortgage-backed securities
1,199,859
—
1,199,859
—
Asset-backed securities
1,705,172
—
1,704,973
199
Corporate
3,475,038
—
3,474,884
154
Foreign government
837,460
—
837,460
—
Total fixed maturity securities available for sale
12,348,127
—
12,347,774
353
Equity securities available for sale:
Common stocks
37,273
29,444
—
7,829
Preferred stocks
113,593
—
109,969
3,624
Total equity securities available for sale
150,866
29,444
109,969
11,453
Arbitrage trading account
376,697
256,914
119,607
176
Total
$
12,875,690
$
286,358
$
12,577,350
$
11,982
Liabilities:
Trading account securities sold but not yet purchased
$
37,035
$
35,559
$
1,476
$
—
There were
no
significant transfers between Levels 1 and 2 during the three months ended
March 31, 2016
or during the year ended
December 31, 2015
.
17
Table of Contents
The following tables summarize changes in Level 3 assets and liabilities for the three months ended
March 31, 2016
and for the year ended
December 31, 2015
:
Gains (Losses) Included in:
(In thousands)
Beginning
Balance
Earnings (Losses)
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Impairments
Purchases
(Sales)
Paydowns / Maturities
Transfers
Ending
Balance
In / (Out)
Three months ended March 31, 2016
Assets:
Fixed maturities securities available for sale:
Asset-backed securities
$
199
$
1
$
1
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
(4
)
$
—
$
197
Corporate
154
177
—
—
—
(331
)
—
—
—
Total
353
178
1
—
—
(331
)
(4
)
—
197
Equity securities available for sale:
Common stocks
7,829
—
(355
)
—
—
—
—
—
7,474
Preferred stocks
3,624
16
—
—
—
—
—
—
3,640
Total
11,453
16
(355
)
—
—
—
—
—
11,114
Arbitrage trading account
176
(46
)
—
—
—
—
—
—
130
Total
$
11,982
$
148
$
(354
)
$
—
$
—
$
(331
)
$
(4
)
$
—
$
11,441
Year ended December 31, 2015:
Assets:
Fixed maturities securities available for sale:
Asset-backed securities
$
20,611
$
19
$
191
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
(1,820
)
$
(18,802
)
$
199
Corporate
154
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
154
Total
20,765
19
191
—
—
—
(1,820
)
(18,802
)
353
Equity securities available for sale:
Common stocks
10,741
—
(273
)
(2,331
)
—
(308
)
—
—
7,829
Preferred stocks
3,713
(89
)
—
—
—
—
—
—
3,624
Total
14,454
(89
)
(273
)
(2,331
)
—
(308
)
—
—
11,453
Arbitrage trading account
720
(799
)
—
—
72,640
(71,921
)
—
(464
)
176
Total
$
35,939
$
(869
)
$
(82
)
$
(2,331
)
$
72,640
$
(72,229
)
$
(1,820
)
$
(19,266
)
$
11,982
During the three months ended March 31, 2016, there were no transfers out of Level 3. During the year ended December 31, 2015, five securities were transferred out of Level 3 as an observable price became available.
18
Table of Contents
(17) Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments:
March 31, 2016
December 31, 2015
(In thousands)
Carrying Value
Fair Value
Carrying Value
Fair Value
Assets:
Fixed maturity securities
$
12,745,436
$
12,765,246
$
12,444,394
$
12,462,847
Equity securities available for sale
141,699
141,699
150,866
150,866
Arbitrage trading account
384,519
384,519
376,697
376,697
Loans receivable
149,388
151,920
273,103
275,747
Cash and cash equivalents
837,515
837,515
763,631
763,631
Trading account receivables from brokers and clearing organizations
373,833
373,833
383,115
383,115
Due from broker
—
—
1,713
1,713
Liabilities:
Due to broker
71,024
71,024
—
—
Trading account securities sold but not yet purchased
35,956
35,956
37,035
37,035
Subordinated debentures
446,485
462,256
340,320
355,880
Senior notes and other debt
1,814,998
2,018,282
1,844,621
2,029,572
The estimated fair values of the Company’s fixed maturity securities, equity securities available for sale and arbitrage trading account securities are based on various valuation techniques that rely on fair value measurements as described in Note 16 above. The fair value of loans receivable are estimated by using current institutional purchaser yield requirements for loans with similar credit characteristics, which is considered a Level 2 input. The fair value of the senior notes and other debt and the subordinated debentures is based on spreads for similar securities, which is considered a Level 2 input.
(18) Reinsurance
The following is a summary of reinsurance financial information:
For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
(In thousands)
2016
2015
Written premiums:
Direct
$
1,709,129
$
1,647,341
Assumed
246,568
204,464
Ceded
(291,975
)
(276,403
)
Total net premiums written
$
1,663,722
$
1,575,402
Earned premiums:
Direct
$
1,568,067
$
1,524,736
Assumed
218,367
203,342
Ceded
(259,099
)
(256,065
)
Total net premiums earned
$
1,527,335
$
1,472,013
Ceded losses and loss expenses incurred
$
126,929
$
118,391
Ceded commissions earned
$
47,973
$
43,651
The Company reinsures a portion of its insurance exposures in order to reduce its net liability on individual risks and catastrophe losses. The Company also cedes premiums to state assigned risk plans and captive insurance companies. Estimated amounts due from reinsurers are reported net of reserves for uncollectible reinsurance of
$1 million
as of
March 31, 2016
and
December 31, 2015
.
19
Table of Contents
(19) Restricted Stock Units
Pursuant to its stock incentive plan, the Company may issue restricted stock units (RSUs) to employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. The RSUs generally vest
three
to
five
years from the award date and are subject to other vesting and forfeiture provisions contained in the award agreement. RSUs are expensed pro-ratably over the vesting period. RSU expenses were
$9 million
and
$8 million
for the three months ended
March 31, 2016
and
2015
, respectively. A summary of RSUs issued in the three months ended
March 31, 2016
and
2015
follows:
($ in thousands)
Units
Fair Value
Three months ended March 31,
2016
5,580
$
286
2015
10,000
$
503
(20) Litigation and Contingent Liabilities
In the ordinary course of business, the Company is subject to disputes, litigation and arbitration arising from its insurance and reinsurance businesses. These matters are generally related to insurance and reinsurance claims and are considered in the establishment of loss and loss expense reserves. In addition, the Company may also become involved in legal actions which seek extra-contractual damages, punitive damages or penalties, including claims alleging bad faith in handling of insurance claims. The Company expects its ultimate liability with respect to such matters will not be material to its financial condition. However, adverse outcomes on such matters are possible, from time to time, and could be material to the Company’s results of operations in any particular financial reporting period.
(21) Industry Segments
The Company’s reportable segments include the following two business segments:
•
Insurance
- primarily commercial insurance business, including excess and surplus lines and admitted lines in the United States, United Kingdom, Continental Europe, South America, Canada, Scandinavia, Asia and Australia; and
•
Reinsurance
- reinsurance business on a facultative and treaty basis, primarily in the United States, United Kingdom, Continental Europe, Australia, the Asia-Pacific Region, and South Africa.
Commencing with the first quarter of 2016, the Company changed the aggregation of its business segments. Insurance-Domestic operating units and Insurance-International operating units, previously reported separately, have been aggregated into the Insurance segment. The segment disclosures for prior periods have been revised to be consistent with the new reportable business segment presentation. The segment disclosures for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, and as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, have also been included herein, revised for the new reportable business segment presentation.
The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. Income tax expense and benefits are calculated based upon the Company's overall effective tax rate.
20
Table of Contents
Summary financial information about the Company's reporting segments is presented in the following tables. Income (loss) before income taxes by segment includes allocated investment income. Identifiable assets by segment are those assets used in or allocated to the operation of each segment.
Revenues
(In thousands)
Earned
Premiums
Investment
Income
Other
Total
Pre-Tax
Income
(Loss)
Net Income
(Loss) to Common Stockholders
Three months ended March 31, 2016:
Insurance
$
1,375,358
$
105,229
$
26,793
$
1,507,380
$
205,915
$
139,270
Reinsurance
151,977
18,401
—
170,378
21,797
15,117
Corporate, other and eliminations (1)
—
6,503
115,607
122,110
(60,379
)
(39,649
)
Net investment gains
—
—
7,343
7,343
7,343
4,773
Consolidated
$
1,527,335
$
130,133
$
149,743
$
1,807,211
$
174,676
$
119,511
Three months ended March 31, 2015:
Insurance
$
1,311,276
$
99,084
$
25,575
$
1,435,935
$
188,169
$
130,039
Reinsurance
160,737
17,041
—
177,778
20,262
14,500
Corporate, other and eliminations (1)
—
8,114
103,808
111,922
(58,758
)
(38,611
)
Net investment gains
—
—
19,044
19,044
19,044
12,379
Consolidated
$
1,472,013
$
124,239
$
148,427
$
1,744,679
$
168,717
$
118,307
Twelve months ended December 31, 2015:
Insurance
$
5,431,500
$
410,457
$
96,487
$
5,938,444
$
776,593
$
532,286
Reinsurance
609,109
74,226
—
683,335
94,852
66,627
Corporate, other and eliminations (1)
—
27,962
464,392
492,354
(231,739
)
(155,230
)
Net investment gains
—
—
92,324
92,324
92,324
60,011
Consolidated
$
6,040,609
$
512,645
$
653,203
$
7,206,457
$
732,030
$
503,694
Twelve months ended December 31, 2014
Insurance
$
5,074,308
$
484,039
$
106,853
$
5,665,200
$
826,088
$
561,643
Reinsurance
670,110
88,821
—
758,931
115,677
79,720
Corporate, other and eliminations (1)
—
28,025
421,920
449,945
(244,421
)
(158,133
)
Net investment gains
—
—
254,852
254,852
254,852
165,654
Consolidated
$
5,744,418
$
600,885
$
783,625
$
7,128,928
$
952,196
$
648,884
Twelve months ended December 31, 2013
Insurance
$
4,505,567
$
451,319
$
107,517
$
5,064,403
$
705,662
$
490,273
Reinsurance
720,970
89,090
—
810,060
110,425
78,013
Corporate, other and eliminations (1)
—
3,882
408,645
412,527
(238,743
)
(142,479
)
Net investment gains
—
—
121,544
121,544
121,544
74,118
Consolidated
$
5,226,537
$
544,291
$
637,706
$
6,408,534
$
698,888
$
499,925
________
(1) Corporate, other and eliminations represent corporate revenues and expenses that are not allocated to business segments.
21
Table of Contents
Identifiable Assets
(In thousands)
March 31, 2016
December 31, 2015
December 31, 2014
Insurance
$
18,232,365
$
18,063,730
$
17,944,847
Reinsurance
2,595,231
2,441,340
2,713,554
Corporate, other and eliminations
1,403,338
1,219,086
1,058,290
Consolidated
$
22,230,934
$
21,724,156
$
21,716,691
Net premiums earned by major line of business are as follows:
For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
(In thousands)
2016
2015
Insurance:
Other liability
$
422,956
$
396,904
Workers’ compensation
345,503
314,738
Short-tail lines
331,857
323,090
Commercial automobile
156,817
165,560
Professional liability
118,225
110,984
Total Insurance
1,375,358
1,311,276
Reinsurance:
Casualty
100,334
112,816
Property
51,643
47,921
Total Reinsurance
151,977
160,737
Total
$
1,527,335
$
1,472,013
22
Table of Contents
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
This is a “Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein, including statements related to our outlook for the industry and for our performance for the year 2016 and beyond, are based upon the Company’s historical performance and on current plans, estimates and expectations. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that the future plans, estimates or expectations contemplated by us will be achieved. They are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: the cyclical nature of the property casualty industry; the impact of significant competition, including new alternative entrants to the industry; the long-tail and potentially volatile nature of the insurance and reinsurance business; product demand and pricing; claims development and the process of estimating reserves; investment risks, including those of our portfolio of fixed maturity securities and investments in equity securities, including investments in financial institutions, municipal bonds, mortgage-backed securities, loans receivable, investment funds, including real estate, merger arbitrage, energy related and private equity investments; the effects of emerging claim and coverage issues; the uncertain nature of damage theories and loss amounts; natural and man-made catastrophic losses, including as a result of terrorist activities; general economic and market activities, including inflation, interest rates, and volatility in the credit and capital markets; the impact of the conditions in the financial markets and the global economy, and the potential effect of legislative, regulatory, accounting or other initiatives taken in response, on our results and financial condition; foreign currency and political risks relating to our international operations; our ability to attract and retain key personnel and qualified employees; continued availability of capital and financing; the success of our new ventures or acquisitions and the availability of other opportunities; the availability of reinsurance; our retention under the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2015; the ability of our reinsurers to pay reinsurance recoverables owed to us; other legislative and regulatory developments, including those related to business practices in the insurance industry; credit risk related to our policyholders, independent agents and brokers; changes in the ratings assigned to us or our insurance company subsidiaries by rating agencies; the availability of dividends from our insurance company subsidiaries; potential difficulties with technology and/or data security; the effectiveness of our controls to ensure compliance with guidelines, policies and legal and regulatory standards; and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results for the year 2016 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement we make. Any projections of growth in our revenues would not necessarily result in commensurate levels of earnings. Our future financial performance is dependent upon factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, elsewhere in this Form 10-Q and our other SEC filings. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. Except to the extent required by applicable laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
23
Table of Contents
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
W. R. Berkley Corporation is an insurance holding company that is among the largest commercial lines writers in the United States and operates in two business segments: Insurance and Reinsurance. Our decentralized structure provides us with the flexibility to respond quickly and efficiently to local or specific market conditions and to pursue specialty business niches. It also allows us to be closer to our customers in order to better understand their individual needs and risk characteristics. While providing our business units with certain operating autonomy, our structure allows us to capitalize on the benefits of economies of scale through centralized capital, investment, reinsurance, enterprise risk management, and actuarial, financial and corporate legal staff support. The Company’s primary sources of revenues and earnings are its insurance operations and its investments.
An important part of our strategy is to form new operating units to capitalize on various business opportunities. Over the years, the Company has formed numerous operating units that are focused on important parts of the economy in the U.S., including high net worth personal lines, healthcare, energy and agriculture, and on growing international markets, including Scandinavia, Australia, the Asia-Pacific region and South America.
The profitability of the Company’s insurance business is affected primarily by the adequacy of premium rates. The ultimate adequacy of premium rates is not known with certainty at the time an insurance policy is issued because premiums are determined before claims are reported. The ultimate adequacy of premium rates is affected mainly by the severity and frequency of claims, which are influenced by many factors, including natural and other disasters, regulatory measures and court decisions that define and change the extent of coverage and the effects of economic inflation on the amount of compensation for injuries or losses. General insurance prices are also influenced by available insurance capacity, i.e., the level of statutory capital and surplus employed in the industry, and the industry’s willingness to deploy that capital.
Although insurance prices have generally increased for most lines of business since 2011, the rate of increase has declined in more recent years. Loss costs have also increased over that period of time. With the low level of interest rates available, current price levels for certain lines of business remain below the prices required for the Company to achieve its long-term return objectives. Part of the Company's strategy is to selectively reduce its business in areas where it believes returns are not adequate. Price changes are reflected in the Company’s results over time as premiums are earned.
The Company’s profitability is also affected by its investment income and investment gains. The Company’s invested assets are invested principally in fixed maturity securities. The return on fixed maturity securities is affected primarily by general interest rates, as well as the credit quality and duration of the securities. Returns available on fixed maturity investments are at historically low levels. The Company's investment income has been negatively impacted by the low fixed maturity investment returns, and will be further impacted if investment returns remain at this level.
The Company invests in equity securities, merger arbitrage securities, investment funds (including energy related funds), private equity, loans and real estate related assets. The Company's investments in investment funds and its other alternative investments have experienced, and the Company expects to continue to experience, greater fluctuations in investment income.
Commencing with the first quarter of 2016, the Company changed the aggregation of its business segments. Insurance-Domestic operating units and Insurance-International operating units, previously reported separately, have been aggregated into the Insurance segment. The segment disclosures for prior periods have been revised to be consistent with the new reportable business segment presentation.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The following presents a discussion of accounting policies and estimates relating to reserves for losses and loss expenses, assumed premiums and other-than-temporary impairments of investments. Management believes these policies and estimates are the most critical to its operations and require the most difficult, subjective and complex judgments.
Reserves for Losses and Loss Expenses
.
To recognize liabilities for unpaid losses, either known or unknown, insurers establish reserves, which is a balance sheet account representing estimates of future amounts needed to pay claims and related expenses with respect to insured events which have occurred. Estimates and assumptions relating to reserves for losses and loss expenses are based on complex and subjective judgments, often including the interplay of specific uncertainties with related accounting and actuarial measurements. Such estimates are also susceptible to change as significant periods of time may elapse between the occurrence of an insured loss, the report of the loss to the insurer, the ultimate determination of the cost of the loss and the insurer’s payment of that loss.
24
Table of Contents
In general, when a claim is reported, claims personnel establish a “case reserve” for the estimated amount of the ultimate payment based upon known information about the claim at that time. The estimate represents an informed judgment based on general reserving practices and reflects the experience and knowledge of the claims personnel regarding the nature and value of the specific type of claim. Reserves are also established on an aggregate basis to provide for losses incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) to the insurer, potential inadequacy of case reserves and the estimated expenses of settling claims, including legal and other fees and general expenses of administrating the claims adjustment process. Reserves are established based upon the then current legal interpretation of coverage provided.
In examining reserve adequacy, several factors are considered in estimating the ultimate economic value of losses. These factors include, among other things, historical data, legal developments, changes in social attitudes and economic conditions, including the effects of inflation. The actuarial process relies on the basic assumption that past experience, adjusted judgmentally for the effects of current developments and anticipated trends, is an appropriate basis for predicting future outcomes. Reserve amounts are based on management’s informed estimates and judgments using currently available data. As additional experience and other data become available and are reviewed, these estimates and judgments may be revised. This may result in reserve increases or decreases that would be reflected in our results in periods in which such estimates and assumptions are changed.
Reserves do not represent an exact calculation of liability. Rather, reserves represent an estimate of what management expects the ultimate settlement and claim administration will cost. While the methods for establishing reserves are well tested over time, some of the major assumptions about anticipated loss emergence patterns are subject to uncertainty. These estimates, which generally involve actuarial projections, are based on management’s assessment of facts and circumstances then known, as well as estimates of trends in claims severity and frequency, judicial theories of liability and other factors, including the actions of third parties which are beyond the Company’s control. These variables are affected by external and internal events, such as inflation and economic volatility, judicial and litigation trends, reinsurance coverage, legislative changes and claim handling and reserving practices, which make it more difficult to accurately predict claim costs. The inherent uncertainties of estimating reserves are greater for certain types of liabilities where long periods of time elapse before a definitive determination of liability is made. Because setting reserves is inherently uncertain, the Company cannot provide assurance that its current reserves will prove adequate in light of subsequent events.
Loss reserves included in the Company’s financial statements represent management’s best estimates based upon an actuarially derived point estimate and other considerations. The Company uses a variety of actuarial techniques and methods to derive an actuarial point estimate for each operating unit. These methods include paid loss development, incurred loss development, paid and incurred Bornhuetter-Ferguson methods and frequency and severity methods. In circumstances where one actuarial method is considered more credible than the others, that method is used to set the point estimate. For example, the paid loss and incurred loss development methods rely on historical paid and incurred loss data. For new lines of business, where there is insufficient history of paid and incurred claims data, or in circumstances where there have been significant changes in claim practices, the paid and incurred loss development methods would be less credible than other actuarial methods. The actuarial point estimate may also be based on a judgmental weighting of estimates produced from each of the methods considered. Industry loss experience is used to supplement the Company’s own data in selecting “tail factors” and in areas where the Company’s own data is limited. The actuarial data is analyzed by line of business, coverage and accident or policy year, as appropriate, for each operating unit.
The establishment of the actuarially derived loss reserve point estimate also includes consideration of qualitative factors that may affect the ultimate losses. These qualitative considerations include, among others, the impact of re-underwriting initiatives, changes in the mix of business, changes in distribution sources and changes in policy terms and conditions. Examples of changes in terms and conditions that can have a significant impact on reserve levels are the use of aggregate policy limits, the expansion of coverage exclusions, whether or not defense costs are within policy limits, and changes in deductibles and attachment points.
The key assumptions used to arrive at the best estimate of loss reserves are the expected loss ratios, rate of loss cost inflation, and reported and paid loss emergence patterns. Expected loss ratios represent management’s expectation of losses at the time the business is written, before any actual claims experience has emerged. This expectation is a significant determinant of the estimate of loss reserves for recently written business where there is little paid or incurred loss data to consider. Expected loss ratios are generally derived from historical loss ratios adjusted for the impact of rate changes, loss cost trends and known changes in the type of risks underwritten. Expected loss ratios are estimated for each key line of business within each operating unit. Expected loss cost inflation is particularly important for the long-tail lines, such as excess casualty, and claims with a high medical component, such as workers’ compensation. Reported and paid loss emergence patterns are used to project current reported or paid loss amounts to their ultimate settlement value. Loss development factors are based on the historical emergence patterns of paid and incurred losses, and are derived from the Company’s own experience and industry data. The paid loss emergence pattern is also significant to excess and assumed workers’ compensation reserves because those reserves are discounted to their estimated present value based upon such estimated payout patterns. Management believes the estimates and assumptions it makes in the reserving process provide the best estimate of the ultimate cost of settling claims and related
25
Table of Contents
expenses with respect to insured events which have occurred; however, different assumptions and variables could lead to significantly different reserve estimates.
Loss frequency and severity are measures of loss activity that are considered in determining the key assumptions described in our discussion of loss and loss expense reserves, including expected loss ratios, rate of loss cost inflation and reported and paid loss emergence patterns. Loss frequency is a measure of the number of claims per unit of insured exposure, and loss severity is a measure of the average size of claims. Factors affecting loss frequency include the effectiveness of loss controls and safety programs and changes in economic activity or weather patterns. Factors affecting loss severity include changes in policy limits, retentions, rate of inflation and judicial interpretations.
Another factor affecting estimates of loss frequency and severity is the loss reporting lag, which is the period of time between the occurrence of a loss and the date the loss is reported to the Company. The length of the loss reporting lag affects our ability to accurately predict loss frequency (loss frequencies are more predictable for lines with short reporting lags) as well as the amount of reserves needed for incurred but not reported losses (less IBNR is required for lines with short reporting lags). As a result, loss reserves for lines with short reporting lags are likely to have less variation from initial loss estimates. For lines with short reporting lags, which include commercial automobile, primary workers’ compensation, other liability (claims-made) and property business, the key assumption is the loss emergence pattern used to project ultimate loss estimates from known losses paid or reported to date. For lines of business with long reporting lags, which include other liability (occurrence), products liability, excess workers’ compensation and liability reinsurance, the key assumption is the expected loss ratio since there is often little paid or incurred loss data to consider. Historically, the Company has experienced less variation from its initial loss estimates for lines of businesses with short reporting lags than for lines of business with long reporting lags.
The key assumptions used in calculating the most recent estimate of the loss reserves are reviewed each quarter and adjusted, to the extent necessary, to reflect the latest reported loss data, current trends and other factors observed. If the actual level of loss frequency and severity are higher or lower than expected, the ultimate losses will be different than management’s estimate. The following table reflects the impact of changes (which could be favorable or unfavorable) in frequency and severity, relative to our assumptions, on our loss estimate for claims occurring in 2015:
(In thousands)
Frequency (+/-)
Severity (+/-)
1%
5%
10%
1%
$
73,437
$
221,040
$
405,545
5%
221,040
374,490
566,302
10%
405,545
566,302
767,248
Our net reserves for losses and loss expenses of approximately $9.4 billion as of March 31, 2016 relate to multiple accident years. Therefore, the impact of changes in frequency or severity for more than one accident year could be higher or lower than the amounts reflected above. The impact of such changes would likely be manifested gradually over the course of many years, as the magnitude of the changes became evident.
Approximately $1.4 billion, or 15%, of the Company’s net loss reserves as of March 31, 2016 relate to the Reinsurance segment. There is a higher degree of uncertainty and greater variability regarding estimates of assumed loss reserves because those estimates are based, in part, upon information received from ceding companies. If information received from ceding companies is not timely or correct, the Company’s estimate of ultimate losses may not be accurate. Furthermore, due to delayed reporting of claim information by ceding companies, the claim settlement tail for assumed reinsurance is extended. Management considers the impact of delayed reporting in its selection of assumed loss development factors.
Information received from ceding companies is used to set initial expected loss ratios, to establish case reserves and to estimate reserves for incurred but not reported losses on assumed reinsurance business. This information, which is generally provided through reinsurance intermediaries, is gathered through the underwriting process and from periodic claim reports and other correspondence with ceding companies. The Company performs underwriting and claim audits of selected ceding companies to determine the accuracy and completeness of information provided to the Company. The information received from the ceding companies is supplemented by the Company’s own loss development experience with similar lines of business as well as industry loss trends and loss development benchmarks.
26
Table of Contents
Following is a summary of the Company’s reserves for losses and loss expenses by business segment:
(In thousands)
March 31, 2016
December 31, 2015
Insurance
$
7,937,268
$
7,876,193
Reinsurance
1,435,168
1,368,679
Net reserves for losses and loss expenses
9,372,436
9,244,872
Ceded reserves for losses and loss expenses
1,415,906
1,424,278
Gross reserves for losses and loss expenses
$
10,788,342
$
10,669,150
Following is a summary of the Company’s net reserves for losses and loss expenses by major line of business:
(In thousands)
Reported Case
Reserves
Incurred But
Not Reported
Total
March 31, 2016
Other liability
$
1,107,501
$
1,946,085
$
3,053,586
Workers’ compensation (1)
1,610,777
1,301,373
2,912,150
Professional liability
250,468
475,044
725,512
Commercial automobile
361,386
253,886
615,272
Short-tail lines (2)
334,239
296,509
630,748
Total Insurance
3,664,371
4,272,897
7,937,268
Reinsurance (1)
677,120
758,048
1,435,168
Total
$
4,341,491
$
5,030,945
$
9,372,436
December 31, 2015
Other liability
$
1,079,641
$
1,947,637
$
3,027,278
Workers’ compensation (1)
1,655,726
1,263,508
2,919,234
Professional liability
256,783
478,796
735,579
Commercial automobile
352,208
242,071
594,279
Short-tail lines (2)
317,375
282,448
599,823
Total Insurance
3,661,733
4,214,460
7,876,193
Reinsurance (1)
631,666
737,013
1,368,679
Total
$
4,293,399
$
4,951,473
$
9,244,872
___________
(1) Reserves for workers’ compensation and reinsurance are net of an aggregate net discount of $689
million and $699 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
(2) Short-tail lines include commercial multi-peril (non-liability), inland marine, accident and health, fidelity and surety, boiler and machinery and other lines.
The Company evaluates reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses on a quarterly basis. Changes in estimates of prior year losses are reported when such changes are made. The changes in prior year loss reserve estimates are generally the result of ongoing analysis of recent loss development trends. Original estimates are increased or decreased as additional information becomes known regarding individual claims and aggregate claim trends.
Certain of the Company's insurance and reinsurance contracts are retrospectively rated, whereby the Company collects more or less premiums based on the level of loss activity. For those contracts, changes in loss and loss adjustment expenses for prior years may be fully or partially offset by additional or return premiums.
27
Table of Contents
Net prior year development (i.e, the sum of prior year reserve changes and prior year earned premiums changes) for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:
(In thousands)
2016
2015
Net decrease in prior year loss reserves
$
5,601
$
2,499
Increase in prior year earned premiums
6,687
9,304
Net favorable prior year development
$
12,288
$
11,803
In 2016, favorable prior year development (net of additional and return premiums) of $12.3 million included $11.6 million for the Insurance segment and $0.7 million for the Reinsurance segment. The favorable development for the Insurance segment was primarily attributable to workers' compensation business from accident years 2010 through 2015, partially offset by adverse development for commercial auto liability from accident years 2011 through 2014. The favorable development for workers' compensation reflects favorable claim frequency trends (
i.e.
, number of reported claims per unit of exposure), while the unfavorable development for commercial auto liability was driven by higher large loss activity than expected.
In 2015, favorable reserve development (net of additional and return premiums) of $12 million was primarily related to the excess and surplus lines casualty business within the Insurance segment, partially offset by adverse development in commercial auto liability. The favorable development for excess and surplus lines reflected the continuation of favorable claim frequency trends (
i.e.
, number of reported claims per unit of exposure), while the unfavorable development for commercial auto liability was driven by higher large loss activity.
Reserve Discount
. The Company discounts its liabilities for certain workers’ compensation reserves. The amount of workers’ compensation reserves that were discounted was $1,982 million and $2,308 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The aggregate net discount for those reserves, after reflecting the effects of ceded reinsurance, was $689 million and $699 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. At March 31, 2016, discount rates by year ranged from 2.0% to 6.5%, with a weighted average discount rate of 3.9%.
Substantially all of the workers’ compensation discount (98% at March 31, 2016) relates to excess workers’ compensation reserves. In order to properly match loss expenses with income earned on investment securities supporting the liabilities, reserves for excess workers’ compensation business are discounted using risk-free discount rates determined by reference to the U.S. Treasury yield curve. These rates are determined annually based on the weighted average rate for the period. Once established, no adjustments are made to the discount rate for that period, and any increases or decreases in loss reserves in subsequent years are discounted at the same rate, without regard to when any such adjustments are recognized. The expected loss and loss expense payout patterns subject to discounting are derived from the Company’s loss payout experience.
The Company also discounts reserves for certain other long-duration workers’ compensation reserves (representing approximately 2% of total discounted reserves at March 31, 2016), including reserves for quota share reinsurance and reserves related to losses regarding occupational lung disease. These reserves are discounted at statutory rates permitted by the Department of Insurance of the State of Delaware.
Assumed Reinsurance Premiums
. The Company estimates the amount of assumed reinsurance premiums that it will receive under treaty reinsurance agreements at the inception of the contracts. These premium estimates are revised as the actual amount of assumed premiums is reported to the Company by the ceding companies. As estimates of assumed premiums are made or revised, the related amount of earned premiums, commissions and incurred losses associated with those premiums are recorded. Estimated assumed premiums receivable were approximately $69 million at March 31, 2016 and $62 million at December 31, 2015. The assumed premium estimates are based upon terms set forth in reinsurance agreements, information received from ceding companies during the underwriting and negotiation of agreements, reports received from ceding companies and discussions and correspondence with reinsurance intermediaries. The Company also considers its own view of market conditions, economic trends and experience with similar lines of business. These premium estimates represent management’s best estimate of the ultimate amount of premiums to be received under its assumed reinsurance agreements.
Other-Than-Temporary Impairments (OTTI) of Investments
. The cost of securities is adjusted where appropriate to include a provision for decline in value which is considered to be other-than-temporary. An other-than-temporary decline is considered to occur in investments where there has been a sustained reduction in fair value and where the Company does not expect the fair value to recover prior to the time of sale or maturity. Since equity securities do not have a contractual cash flow or maturity, the Company considers whether the price of an equity security is expected to recover within a reasonable period of time.
The Company classifies its fixed maturity securities and preferred stocks by credit rating, primarily based on ratings assigned by credit rating agencies. For purposes of classifying securities with different ratings, the Company uses the lower
28
Table of Contents
rating if two ratings were assigned and the middle rating if three ratings were assigned, unless the Company’s own analysis indicates that the lower rating is more appropriate. Securities that are not rated by a rating agency are evaluated and classified by the Company on a case-by-case basis.
Fixed Maturity Securities
– For securities that we intend to sell or, more likely than not, would be required to sell, a decline in value below amortized cost is considered to be OTTI. The amount of OTTI is equal to the difference between amortized cost and fair value at the balance sheet date. For securities that we do not intend to sell or expect to be required to sell, a decline in value below amortized cost is considered to be an OTTI if we do not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of a security (i.e., the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis of the security).
The portion of the decline in value considered to be a credit loss (i.e., the difference between the present value of cash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis of the security) is recognized in earnings. The portion of the decline in value not considered to be a credit loss (i.e., the difference in the present value of cash flows expected to be collected and the fair value of the security) is recognized in other comprehensive income.
Impairment assessments for structured securities, including mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities, collateralized debt obligations and corporate debt, are generally evaluated based on the performance of the underlying collateral under various economic and default scenarios that may involve subjective judgments and estimates by management. Modeling these securities involves various factors, such as projected default rates, the nature and realizable value of the collateral, if any, the ability of the issuer to make scheduled payments, historical performance and other relevant economic and performance factors. If an OTTI determination is made, a discounted cash flow analysis is used to ascertain the amount of the credit impairment.
The following table provides a summary of fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2016:
($ in thousands)
Number of
Securities
Aggregate
Fair Value
Unrealized
Loss
Unrealized loss less than 20% of amortized cost
351
$
2,631,606
$
55,136
Unrealized loss of 20% or greater of amortized cost:
Less than twelve months
4
14,143
7,584
Twelve months and longer
5
41,667
14,391
Total
360
$
2,687,416
$
77,111
A summary of the Company’s non-investment grade fixed maturity securities that were in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2016 is presented in the table below:
($ in thousands)
Number of
Securities
Aggregate
Fair Value
Unrealized
Loss
Mortgage-backed securities
12
$
35,540
$
1,866
Asset-backed securities
7
26,322
261
Corporate
15
92,666
10,780
Foreign government
5
22,414
3,011
Total
39
$
176,942
$
15,918
The Company has evaluated its fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position and believes the unrealized loss is due primarily to temporary market and sector-related factors rather than to issuer-specific factors. None of these securities are delinquent or in default under financial covenants. Based on its assessment of these issuers, the Company expects them to continue to meet their contractual payment obligations as they become due and does not consider any of these securities to be OTTI.
Preferred Stocks
- At March 31, 2016, there were five preferred stocks in an unrealized loss position, with an aggregate fair value of $62.9 million and a gross unrealized loss of $10.4 million. Based on management's view of the underlying value of these securities, the Company does not consider these equity securities to be OTTI.
Common Stocks
– At March 31, 2016, there was one common stock in an unrealized loss position, with fair value of $7.5 million and a gross unrealized loss of $1.5 million. Based upon management’s view of the underlying value of this security, the Company does not consider the equity security to be OTTI. For the three months ended
March 31, 2016
, the
29
Table of Contents
Company reported OTTI for common stocks of $18.1 million. There were no OTTI of common stocks for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
Loans Receivable
– The Company monitors the performance of its loans receivable, including current market conditions for each loan and the ability to collect principal and interest. For loans where the Company determines it is probable that the contractual terms will not be met, an analysis is performed and a valuation reserve is established, if necessary, with a charge to earnings. Loans receivable are reported net of a valuation reserve of
$3 million
and
$2 million
at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
The Company monitors the performance of its loans receivable and assesses the ability of each borrower to pay principal and interest based upon loan structure, underlying property values, cash flow and related financial and operating performance of the property and market conditions. Loans receivable with a potential for default are further assessed using discounted cash flow analysis and comparable cost and sales methodologies, if appropriate.
Fair Value Measurements
.
The Company’s fixed maturity and equity securities available for sale and its trading account securities are carried at fair value. Fair value is defined as “the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.” The Company utilizes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for similar assets in active markets. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs may only be used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available. The fair value of the vast majority of the Company’s portfolio is based on observable data (other than quoted prices) and, accordingly, is classified as Level 2.
In classifying particular financial securities in the fair value hierarchy, the Company uses its judgment to determine whether the market for a security is active and whether significant pricing inputs are observable. The Company determines the existence of an active market by assessing whether transactions occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide reliable pricing information. The Company determines whether inputs are observable based on the use of such information by pricing services and external investment managers, the uninterrupted availability of such inputs, the need to make significant adjustments to such inputs and the volatility of such inputs over time. If the market for a security is determined to be inactive or if significant inputs used to price a security are determined to be unobservable, the security is categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Because many fixed maturity securities do not trade on a daily basis, the Company utilizes pricing models and processes which may include benchmark curves, benchmarking of like securities, sector groupings and matrix pricing. Market inputs used to evaluate securities include benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data. Quoted prices are often unavailable for recently issued securities that are infrequently traded or securities that are only traded in private transactions. For publicly traded securities for which quoted prices are unavailable, the Company determines fair value based on independent broker quotations and other observable market data. For securities traded only in private negotiations, the Company determines fair value based primarily on the cost of such securities, which is adjusted to reflect prices of recent placements of securities of the same issuer, financial data, projections and business developments of the issuer and other relevant information.
The following is a summary of pricing sources for the Company's fixed maturity securities available for sale as of March 31, 2016:
($ in thousands)
Carrying
Value
Percent
of Total
Pricing source:
Independent pricing services
$
12,403,307
98.1
%
Syndicate manager
65,588
0.5
Directly by the Company based on:
Observable data
179,675
1.4
Cash flow model
197
—
Total
$
12,648,767
100.0
Independent pricing services
– Substantially all of the Company’s fixed maturity securities available for sale were priced by independent pricing services (generally one U.S. pricing service plus additional pricing services with respect to a limited number of foreign securities held by the Company). The prices provided by the independent pricing services are generally
30
Table of Contents
based on observable market data in active markets (e.g., broker quotes and prices observed for comparable securities). The determination of whether markets are active or inactive is based upon the volume and level of activity for a particular asset class. The Company reviews the prices provided by pricing services for reasonableness based upon current trading levels for similar securities. If the prices appear unusual to the Company, they are re-examined and the value is either confirmed or revised. In addition, the Company periodically performs independent price tests of a sample of securities to ensure proper valuation and to verify our understanding of how securities are priced. As of March 31, 2016, the Company did not make any adjustments to the prices provided by the pricing services. Based upon the Company’s review of the methodologies used by the independent pricing services, these securities were classified as Level 2.
Syndicate manager
– The Company has a 15% participation in a Lloyd’s syndicate, and the Company’s share of the securities owned by the syndicate is priced by the syndicate’s manager. The majority of the securities are liquid, short duration fixed maturity securities. The Company reviews the syndicate manager’s pricing methodology and audited financial statements and holds discussions with the syndicate manager as necessary to confirm its understanding and agreement with security prices. Based upon the Company’s review of the methodologies used by the syndicate manager, these securities were classified as Level 2.
Observable data
– If independent pricing is not available, the Company prices the securities directly. Prices are based on observable market data where available, including current trading levels for similar securities and non-binding quotations from brokers. The Company generally requests two or more quotes. If more than one quote is received, the Company sets a price within the range of quotes received based on its assessment of the credibility of the quote and its own evaluation of the security. The Company generally does not adjust quotes obtained from brokers. Since these securities were priced based on observable data, they were classified as Level 2.
Cash flow model
– If the above methodologies are not available, the Company prices securities using a discounted cash flow model based upon assumptions as to prevailing credit spreads, interest rates and interest rate volatility, time to maturity and subordination levels. Discount rates are adjusted to reflect illiquidity where appropriate. These securities were classified as Level 3.
31
Table of Contents
Results of Operations for the
Three
Months Ended March 31,
2016
and
2015
Business Segment Results
Following is a summary of gross and net premiums written, net premiums earned, loss ratios (losses and loss expenses incurred expressed as a percentage of premiums earned), expense ratios (underwriting expenses expressed as a percentage of premiums earned) and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) combined ratios (sum of loss ratio and expense ratio) for each of our business segments for the three months ended March 31,
2016
and
2015
. The GAAP combined ratio represents a measure of underwriting profitability, excluding investment income. A GAAP combined ratio in excess of 100 indicates an underwriting loss; a number below 100 indicates an underwriting profit.
($ in thousands)
2016
2015
Insurance:
Gross premiums written
$
1,763,070
$
1,692,403
Net premiums written
1,488,737
1,425,139
Net premiums earned
1,375,358
1,311,276
Loss ratio
60.5
%
61.1
%
Expense ratio
32.5
%
32.4
%
GAAP combined ratio
93.0
%
93.5
%
Reinsurance:
Gross premiums written
$
192,627
$
159,402
Net premiums written
174,985
150,263
Net premiums earned
151,977
160,737
Loss ratio
59.6
%
62.2
%
Expense ratio
38.2
%
35.8
%
GAAP combined ratio
97.8
%
98.0
%
Consolidated:
Gross premiums written
$
1,955,697
$
1,851,805
Net premiums written
1,663,722
1,575,402
Net premiums earned
1,527,335
1,472,013
Loss ratio
60.4
%
61.2
%
Expense ratio
33.1
%
32.7
%
GAAP combined ratio
93.5
%
93.9
%
Net Income to Common Stockholders
. The following table presents the Company’s net income to common stockholders and net income per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015:
(In thousands, except per share data)
2016
2015
Net income to common stockholders
$
119,511
$
118,307
Weighted average diluted shares
128,529
132,484
Net income per diluted share
$
0.93
$
0.89
The Company reported net income of $120 million in 2016 compared to $118 million in 2015. The 1% increase in net income was primarily due to an increase in after-tax underwriting income of $7 million and an increase in after-tax net investment income of $2 million, largely offset by a net decrease in after-tax net investment gains and other than temporary impairments of $7 million. The number of weighted average diluted shares decreased as a result of the Company’s repurchases of its common stock in 2016 and 2015.
Premiums
. Gross premiums written were $1,956 million in 2016, an increase of 6% from $1,852 million in 2015. The growth was due primarily to an increase in new business of 7%. Approximately 77.8% of policies expiring in 2016 were renewed, compared with a 79.2% renewal retention rate for policies expiring in 2015.
Average renewal premium rates for insurance and facultative reinsurance increased 1% in 2016 when adjusted for change in exposures. However, overall loss costs are also increasing, and current market price levels for certain lines of business remain below the prices required for the Company to achieve its long-term return objectives.
32
Table of Contents
A summary of gross premiums written in 2016 compared with 2015 by line of business within each business segment follows:
•
Insurance - gross premiums increased 4% to $1,763 million in 2016 from $1,692 million in 2015. Gross premiums increased $49 million (10%) for other liability, $32 million (7%) for workers' compensation and $11 million (8%) for professional liability, and decreased $11 million (3%) for short-tail lines and $10 million (6%) for commercial auto.
•
Reinsurance - gross premiums increased 21% to $193 million in 2016 from $159 million in 2015. Gross premiums increased $39 million (82%) for property lines and decreased $5 million (5%) for casualty lines. The increase in property premiums was primarily due to growth in structured property reinsurance.
Net premiums written were $1,664 million in 2016, an increase of 6% from $1,575 million in 2015. Ceded reinsurance premiums as a percentage of gross written premiums were 15% in 2016 and in 2015.
Premiums earned increased 4% to $1,527 million in 2016 from $1,472 million in 2015. Insurance premiums (including the impact of rate changes) are generally earned evenly over the policy term, and accordingly recent rate increases will be earned over the upcoming quarters. Premiums earned in 2016 are related to business written during both 2016 and 2015. Audit premiums were $41 million in 2016 compared with $37 million in 2015.
Net Investment Income
. Following is a summary of net investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015:
Amount
Average Annualized
Yield
($ In thousands)
2016
2015
2016
2015
Fixed maturity securities, including cash and cash equivalents and loans receivable
$
108,835
$
108,129
3.2
%
3.3
%
Investment funds
16,636
6,061
5.5
2.0
Arbitrage trading account
3,190
8,979
3.7
6.8
Real estate
2,717
2,767
1.1
1.5
Equity securities available for sale
868
1,180
2.2
2.9
Gross investment income
132,246
127,116
3.3
3.2
Investment expenses
(2,113
)
(2,877
)
Total
$
130,133
$
124,239
3.2
%
3.1
%
Net investment income increased 4.7% to $130 million in 2016 from $124 million in 2015 due primarily to a $10 million increase in income from investment funds partially offset by a decrease in the arbitrage trading account of $6 million. The increase in investment income from investment funds (reported on a one-quarter lag) was primarily due to improvement in the performance for energy funds. Average invested assets, at cost (including cash and cash equivalents), were $16.2 billion in 2016 and $16.0 billion in 2015.
Insurance Service Fees
. The Company earns fees from an insurance distribution business and as a servicing carrier of workers' compensation assigned risk plans for certain states. Service fees increased to $40 million in 2016 from $37 million in 2015.
Net Realized Gains on Investment Sales
. The Company buys and sells securities on a regular basis in order to maximize its total return on investments. Decisions to sell securities are based on management’s view of the underlying fundamentals of specific securities as well as management’s expectations regarding interest rates, credit spreads, currency values and general economic conditions. Net realized gains on investment sales were $25 million in 2016 compared with $19 million in 2015.
Other-Than-Temporary Impairments
. Other-than-temporary impairments of $18 million in 2016, were related to common stocks. There were no impairments in 2015.
Revenues from Non-Insurance Businesses
. Revenues from non-insurance businesses were derived from aviation-related businesses that provide services to aviation markets, including (i) the distribution, manufacturing, repair and overhaul of aircraft parts and components, (ii) the sale of new and used aircraft, and (iii) avionics, fuel, maintenance, storage and charter services. Revenues from non-insurance businesses were $102 million in 2016 and $93 million in 2015.
Losses and Loss Expenses
. Losses and loss expenses increased to $922 million in 2016 from $901 million in 2015. The consolidated loss ratio was 60.4% in 2016 and 61.2% in 2015. Catastrophe losses, net of reinsurance recoveries and
33
Table of Contents
reinstatement premiums, were $16 million in 2016 and $14 million in 2015. Favorable prior year reserve development (net of premium offsets) was $12 million in both 2016 and 2015. The loss ratio excluding catastrophe losses and prior year reserve development decreased 0.8 points to 60.2% in 2016 from 61.0% in 2015.
A summary of loss ratios in 2016 compared with 2015 by business segment follows:
•
Insurance - The loss ratio of 60.5% in 2016 was 0.6 points lower than the loss ratio of 61.1% in 2015. Catastrophe losses were $15 million in 2016 compared with $14 million in 2015. Favorable prior year reserve development was $12 million in both 2016 and 2015. The loss ratio excluding catastrophe losses and prior year reserve development decreased 0.7 points to 60.2% in 2016 from 60.9% in 2015.
•
Reinsurance - The loss ratio of 59.6% in 2016 was 2.6 points lower than the loss ratio of 62.2% in 2015. Catastrophe losses were $0.5 million in 2016 compared with none in 2015. Favorable prior year reserve development was $0.7 million in 2016 compared with $0.2 million in 2015. The loss ratio excluding catastrophe losses and prior year reserve development decreased 2.6 points to 59.7% in 2016 from 62.3% in 2015.
Other Operating Costs and Expenses
. Following is a summary of other operating costs and expenses:
(In thousands)
2016
2015
Underwriting expenses
$
505,255
$
482,060
Service expenses
33,798
31,084
Net foreign currency losses (gains)
3,728
(567
)
Other costs and expenses
39,678
38,469
Total
$
582,459
$
551,046
Underwriting expenses are comprised of commissions paid to agents and brokers, premium taxes and other assessments and internal underwriting costs. Underwriting expenses increased 4.8% compared with an increase in net premiums earned of 3.8%. The expense ratio (underwriting expenses expressed as a percentage of premiums earned) increased to 33.1% from 32.7% in 2015 due, in part, to expenses associated with new business initiatives.
Service expenses, which represent the costs associated with the fee-based businesses, increased to $34 million in 2016 from $31 million in 2015.
Net foreign currency losses (gains) result from transactions denominated in a currency other than a company's operating functional currency. Net foreign currency losses were $3.7 million in 2016 compared to gain of $0.6 million in 2015.
Other costs and expenses represent general and administrative expenses of the parent company and other expenses not allocated to business segments, including the cost of certain long-term incentive plans. Other costs and expenses increased to $39.7 million in 2016 from $38.5 million in 2015.
Expenses from Non-Insurance Businesses
. Expenses from non-insurance businesses represent costs associated with aviation-related businesses that include (i) cost of goods sold related to aircraft and products sold and services provided, and (ii) general and administrative expenses. Expenses from non-insurance businesses were $96 million in 2016 compared to $90 million in 2015.
Interest Expense
. Interest expense was $32 million in 2016 compared with $35 million in 2015. The Company repaid $200 million of 5.60% senior notes at maturity on May 15, 2015. In February 2016, the Company issued $110 million of junior subordinated debentures.
Income Taxes
. The effective income tax rate was 31.1% in 2016 and 29.8% in 2015. The higher tax rate in 2016 was due, in part, to the higher overall effective tax rate related to the Company's foreign operations. The effective income tax rate differs from the federal income tax rate of 35% primarily because of tax-exempt investment income.
The Company has not provided U.S. deferred income taxes on the undistributed earnings of approximately $72 million of its non-U.S. subsidiaries since these earnings are intended to be permanently reinvested in the non-U.S. subsidiaries. However, in the future, if such earnings were distributed to the Company, taxes of approximately $9 million, assuming all tax credits are realized, would be payable on such undistributed earnings and would be reflected in the tax provision for the year in which these earnings are no longer intended to be permanently reinvested in the foreign subsidiary.
34
Table of Contents
Investments
As part of its investment strategy, the Company establishes a level of cash and highly liquid short-term and intermediate-term securities that, combined with expected cash flow, it believes is adequate to meet its payment obligations. Due to the historically low fixed maturity investment returns, the Company invests in equity securities, merger arbitrage securities, investment funds, private equity, loans and real estate related assets. The Company's investments in investment funds and its other alternative investments have experienced, and the Company expects to continue to experience, greater fluctuations in investment income.
The Company also attempts to maintain an appropriate relationship between the average duration of the investment portfolio and the approximate duration of its liabilities (i.e., policy claims and debt obligations). The average duration of the fixed maturity portfolio, including cash and cash equivalents, was 3.1 years at
March 31, 2016
, down from 3.3 years at December 31, 2015. The Company’s fixed maturity investment portfolio and investment-related assets as of
March 31, 2016
were as follows:
($ in thousands)
Carrying
Value
Percent
of Total
Fixed maturity securities:
U.S. government and government agencies
$
597,951
3.6
%
State and municipal:
Special revenue
2,754,797
16.8
State general obligation
657,062
4.0
Pre-refunded (1)
441,106
2.7
Local general obligation
407,243
2.5
Corporate backed
402,824
2.5
Total state and municipal
4,663,032
28.5
Mortgage-backed securities:
Agency
832,541
5.1
Residential-Prime
227,355
1.4
Commercial
65,300
0.4
Residential-Alt A
48,358
0.3
Total mortgage-backed securities
1,173,554
7.2
Asset-backed securities
1,844,404
11.2
Corporate:
Industrial
2,093,572
12.7
Financial
1,202,140
7.3
Utilities
206,149
1.3
Other
66,715
0.4
Total corporate
3,568,576
21.7
Foreign government and foreign government agencies
897,919
5.5
Total fixed maturity securities
12,745,436
77.7
Equity securities available for sale:
Preferred stocks
104,128
0.6
Common stocks
37,571
0.2
Total equity securities available for sale
141,699
0.8
Investment funds
1,179,310
7.2
Real estate
986,810
6.0
Cash and cash equivalents
837,515
5.1
Arbitrage trading account
384,519
2.3
Loans receivable
149,388
0.9
Total investments
$
16,424,677
100.0
%
35
Table of Contents
(1)
Pre-refunded securities are securities for which an escrow account has been established to fund the remaining payments of principal and interest through maturity. Such escrow accounts are funded almost exclusively with U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agency securities.
Fixed Maturity Securities
. The Company’s investment policy with respect to fixed maturity securities is generally to purchase instruments with the expectation of holding them to their maturity. However, management of the available for sale portfolio is considered necessary to maintain an approximate matching of assets and liabilities as well as to adjust the portfolio as a result of changes in financial market conditions and tax considerations.
The Company’s philosophy related to holding or selling fixed maturity securities is based on its objective of maximizing total return. The key factors that management considers in its investment decisions as to whether to hold or sell fixed maturity securities are its view of the underlying fundamentals of specific securities as well as its expectations regarding interest rates, credit spreads and currency values. In a period in which management expects interest rates to rise, the Company may sell longer duration securities in order to mitigate the impact of an interest rate rise on the fair value of the portfolio. Similarly, in a period in which management expects credit spreads to widen, the Company may sell lower quality securities, and in a period in which management expects certain foreign currencies to decline in value, the Company may sell securities denominated in those foreign currencies. The sale of fixed maturity securities in order to achieve the objective of maximizing total return may result in realized gains; however, there is no reason to expect these gains to continue in future periods.
At
March 31, 2016
, investments in foreign government fixed maturity securities (which are generally held by the Company's foreign operations) were as follows:
(In thousands)
Carrying Value
Australia
$
250,641
Argentina
161,778
Canada
158,180
United Kingdom
157,261
Germany
52,226
Supranational (1)
36,421
Norway
33,904
Brazil
31,388
Singapore
6,483
Colombia
5,798
Uruguay
3,839
Total
$
897,919
________
(1) Supranational represents investments in the North American Development Bank, European Investment Bank and International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Equity Securities
. Equity securities primarily represent investments in high-dividend yielding common and preferred stocks issued by large market capitalization companies.
Investment Funds
. At
March 31, 2016
, the carrying value of investment funds was $1,179 million, including investments in real estate funds of $597 million, energy funds of $96 million and hedge equity funds of $68 million. Investment funds are generally reported on a one-quarter lag.
Real Estate
. Real estate is directly owned property held for investment. At
March 31, 2016
, real estate properties in operation included a long-term ground lease in Washington D.C., a hotel in Memphis, Tennessee and office buildings in West Palm Beach and Palm Beach, Florida. In addition, there are three properties under development: an office building in London, a mixed-use project in Washington D.C. and an office complex in New York City. The Company expects to fund further development costs for these projects with a combination of its own funds and external financing.
Arbitrage Trading Account
. The arbitrage trading account is comprised of direct investments in arbitrage securities. Merger arbitrage is the business of investing in the securities of publicly held companies that are the targets in announced tender offers and mergers.
Loans Receivable
. Loans receivable, which are carried at amortized cost, had an aggregate cost of $149 million and an aggregate fair value of $152 million at
March 31, 2016
. The amortized cost of loans receivable is net of a valuation allowance
36
Table of Contents
of $3 million as of
March 31, 2016
. Loans receivable include real estate loans of $122 million that are secured by commercial real estate located primarily in Delaware, Maryland, and New York. Real estate loans receivable generally earn interest at floating LIBOR-based interest rates and have maturities (inclusive of extension options) through August 2025. Loans receivable include commercial loans of $27 million that are secured by business assets and have fixed interest rates with varying maturities not exceeding 10 years.
Market Risk
. The fair value of the Company’s investments is subject to risks of fluctuations in credit quality and interest rates. The Company uses various models and stress test scenarios to monitor and manage interest rate risk. The Company attempts to manage its interest rate risk by maintaining an appropriate relationship between the effective duration of the investment portfolio and the approximate duration of its liabilities (i.e., policy claims and debt obligations). The effective duration for the fixed maturity portfolio (including cash and cash equivalents) was 3.1 years at
March 31, 2016
, down from 3.3 years at
December 31, 2015
.
In addition, the fair value of the Company’s international investments is subject to currency risk. The Company attempts to manage its currency risk by matching its foreign currency assets and liabilities where considered appropriate.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flow
. Cash flow provided from operating activities increased to $141 million in the first
three
months of
2016
from $61 million in the comparable period in
2015
, primarily due to the timing of tax payments, premium collections and expense payments.
The Company's insurance subsidiaries' principal sources of cash are premiums, investment income, service fees and proceeds from sales and maturities of portfolio investments. The principal uses of cash are payments for claims, taxes, operating expenses and dividends. The Company expects its insurance subsidiaries to fund the payment of losses with cash received from premiums, investment income and fees. The Company targets an average duration for its investment portfolio that is within one year of the average duration of its liabilities so that portions of its investment portfolio mature throughout the claim cycle and are available for the payment of claims if necessary. In the event operating cash flow and proceeds from maturities and prepayments of fixed income securities are not sufficient to fund claim payments and other cash requirements, the remainder of the Company's cash and investments is available to pay claims and other obligations as they become due. The Company's investment portfolio is highly liquid, with approximately 83% invested in cash, cash equivalents and marketable fixed maturity securities as of
March 31, 2016
. If the sale of fixed maturity securities were to become necessary, a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the cost and sales price of securities sold would be recognized.
Debt
. At
March 31, 2016
, the Company had senior notes, subordinated debentures and other debt outstanding with a carrying value of $2,261 million and a face amount of $2,288 million. The maturities of the outstanding debt are $23 million in 2016, $36 million in 2017, $441 million in 2019, $300 million in 2020, $426 million in 2022, $250 million in 2037, $350 million in 2044, $352 million in 2053 and $110 million in 2056.
In March 2016, the Company issued $110 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.9% junior subordinated debentures due 2056. In May 2015, the Company repaid $200 million of 5.60% senior notes at maturity and $71 million of mortgage loans.
Equity
. At
March 31, 2016
, total common stockholders’ equity was $4.8 billion, common shares outstanding were approximately 123 million and stockholders’ equity per outstanding share was $38.75. During the three months ended
March 31, 2016
, the Company repurchased 734,055 shares of its common stock for $37 million.
Total Capital
.
Total capitalization (equity, debt and subordinated debentures) was $7 billion at
March 31, 2016
. The percentage of the Company’s capital attributable to debt and subordinated debentures was 32% at
March 31, 2016
and December 31, 2015.
37
Table of Contents
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
Reference is made to the information under “Investments - Market Risk” under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this Form 10-Q.
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
. The Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14 as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company has in place effective controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules thereunder, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
. During the quarter ended
March 31, 2016
, there were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
Please see Note 20 to the notes to the interim consolidated financial statements.
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Set forth below is a summary of the shares repurchased by the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and the number of shares remaining authorized for purchase by the Company.
Total number
of shares
purchased
Average price
paid per share
Total number of shares purchased
as part of publicly announced
plans
or programs
Maximum number of
shares that may yet be
purchased under the
plans or programs
January
299,831
$
52.52
299,831
8,947,147
February
434,224
$
49.92
434,224
8,512,923
March
—
$
—
—
8,512,923
Item 6.
Exhibits
Number
(10.1)
Form of 2016 Performance Unit Award Agreement under the W. R. Berkley Corporation 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
(31.1)
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/ 15d-14(a).
(31.2)
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/ 15d-14(a).
(32.1)
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
38
Table of Contents
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.
W. R. BERKLEY CORPORATION
Date:
May 10, 2016
/s/ W. Robert Berkley, Jr.
W. Robert Berkley, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Date:
May 10, 2016
/s/ Eugene G. Ballard
Eugene G. Ballard
Executive Vice President - Chief Financial Officer
39