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Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. - Quarter Report: 2019 March (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
☒
Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019
or
☐
Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition period from              to              
Commission file number: 1-15259
ARGO GROUP INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, LTD.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Bermuda
 
98-0214719
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
 
110 Pitts Bay Road
Pembroke HM08
Bermuda
 
P.O. Box HM 1282
Hamilton HM FX
Bermuda
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Mailing address)
(441) 296-5858
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value of $1.00 per share
ARGO
New York Stock Exchange
Guarantee of Argo Group U.S., Inc.  6.500% Senior Notes due 2042
ARGD
New York Stock Exchange
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  ☒    No  ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer  ☒
Accelerated filer  ☐
Non-accelerated filer  ☐
Smaller reporting company  ☐
Emerging growth company  ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark whether the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.    ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ☐    No  ☒
Indicate the number of shares outstanding (net of treasury shares) of each of the issuer’s classes of common shares as of May 6, 2019.
Title
Outstanding
Common Shares, par value $1.00 per share
34,105,100

Table of Contents

ARGO GROUP INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, LTD.
INDEX
 
 
 
Page
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
Item 5.
Item 6.
 


2
Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements
ARGO GROUP INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions, except number of shares and per share amounts)
 
 
 
March 31,
2019
 
December 31,
2018 *
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
Investments:
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities available-for-sale, at fair value (cost: 2019 - $3,580.1; 2018 - $3,529.1)
 
$
3,573.3

 
$
3,460.4

Equity securities, at fair value (cost: 2019 - $305.2; 2018 - $310.6)
 
403.2

 
354.5

Other investments (cost: 2019 - $473.7; 2018 - $482.0)
 
483.3

 
489.8

Short-term investments, at fair value (cost: 2019 - $444.1; 2018 - $482.3)
 
443.7

 
482.3

Total investments
 
4,903.5

 
4,787.0

Cash
 
152.7

 
139.2

Accrued investment income
 
27.5

 
27.2

Premiums receivable
 
673.2

 
649.9

Reinsurance recoverables
 
2,661.4

 
2,688.3

Goodwill
 
177.0

 
177.0

Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization
 
93.1

 
93.5

Current income taxes receivable, net
 
5.0

 
8.2

Deferred acquisition costs, net
 
167.9

 
167.3

Ceded unearned premiums
 
562.5

 
457.7

Operating lease right-of-use assets
 
115.3

 
—

Other assets
 
415.4

 
362.9

Total assets
 
$
9,954.5

 
$
9,558.2

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
 
 
 
 
Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
$
4,668.9

 
$
4,654.6

Unearned premiums
 
1,344.5

 
1,300.9

Accrued underwriting expenses and other liabilities
 
248.2

 
261.9

Ceded reinsurance payable, net
 
1,047.1

 
970.5

Funds held
 
36.3

 
37.2

Senior unsecured fixed rate notes
 
139.9

 
139.8

Other indebtedness
 
183.0

 
183.4

Junior subordinated debentures
 
257.0

 
257.0

Deferred tax liabilities, net
 
20.7

 
6.2

Operating lease liabilities
 
128.3

 
—

Total liabilities
 
8,073.9

 
7,811.5

Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)
 
 
 
 
Shareholders' equity:
 
 
 
 
Common shares - $1.00 par, 500,000,000 shares authorized; 45,365,223 and 45,276,999 shares issued at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively
 
45.4

 
45.3

Additional paid-in capital
 
1,374.9

 
1,372.0

Treasury shares (11,315,889 shares at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively)
 
(455.1
)
 
(455.1
)
Retained earnings
 
943.0

 
862.6

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes
 
(27.6
)
 
(78.1
)
Total shareholders' equity
 
1,880.6

 
1,746.7

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
 
$
9,954.5

 
$
9,558.2

*    Derived from audited consolidated financial statements. 
See accompanying notes.

3
Table of Contents

ARGO GROUP INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in millions, except number of shares and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Premiums and other revenue:
 
 
 
 
Earned premiums
 
$
420.5

 
$
414.7

Net investment income
 
33.9

 
36.0

Fee and other income
 
2.3

 
2.0

Net realized investment gains (losses):
 
 
 
 
Net realized investment (losses) gains
 
(1.7
)
 
15.2

Change in fair value of equity securities
 
54.2

 
(30.9
)
Net realized investment gains (losses)
 
52.5

 
(15.7
)
Total revenue
 
509.2

 
437.0

Expenses:
 
 
 
 
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
237.9

 
237.2

Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses
 
160.7

 
160.2

Interest expense
 
8.5

 
7.7

Fee and other expense
 
1.3

 
2.0

Foreign currency exchange losses
 
0.7

 
4.9

Total expenses
 
409.1

 
412.0

Income before income taxes
 
100.1

 
25.0

Income tax provision
 
8.9

 
0.2

Net income
 
$
91.2

 
$
24.8

Net income per common share:
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
2.68

 
$
0.73

Diluted
 
$
2.63

 
$
0.71

Dividend declared per common share
 
$
0.31

 
$
0.27

Weighted average common shares:
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
33,984,329

 
33,868,749

Diluted
 
34,737,939

 
34,740,343

 
 
 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Net realized investment losses before
other-than-temporary impairment losses
 
$
56.8

 
$
(14.7
)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings:
 
 
 
 
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on fixed maturities
 
(4.3
)
 
(1.0
)
Impairment losses recognized in earnings
 
(4.3
)
 
(1.0
)
Net realized investment gains (losses)
 
$
52.5

 
$
(15.7
)
 
See accompanying notes.

4
Table of Contents

ARGO GROUP INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(in millions)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Net income
 
$
91.2

 
$
24.8

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
0.2

 
(1.1
)
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities:
 
 
 
 
 Gains (losses) arising during the year
 
56.8

 
(24.7
)
Reclassification adjustment for losses (gains) included in net income
 
3.1

 
(12.5
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax
 
60.1

 
(38.3
)
Income tax provision related to other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities:
 
 
 
 
Gains (losses) arising during the year
 
9.1

 
(4.0
)
Reclassification adjustment for losses (gains) included in net income
 
0.5

 
(2.3
)
Income tax provision (benefit) related to other comprehensive income
 
9.6

 
(6.3
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
 
50.5

 
(32.0
)
Comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
141.7

 
$
(7.2
)
 
See accompanying notes.


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Table of Contents

ARGO GROUP INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in millions, except number of shares and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Common
Shares
 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
Treasury
Shares
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Shareholders'
Equity
Balance, December 31, 2017
 
$
40.4

 
$
1,129.1

 
$
(423.4
)
 
$
977.0

 
$
96.6

 
$
1,819.7

Net income
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
24.8

 
—

 
24.8

Other comprehensive loss- Change in fair value of fixed maturities, net of taxes
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(30.9
)
 
(30.9
)
Other comprehensive loss, net- Other
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1.1
)
 
(1.1
)
Repurchase of common share (314,586 at a weighted average price of $59.23)
 
—

 
—

 
(18.6
)
 
—

 
—

 
(18.6
)
Activity under stock incentive plans
 
0.2

 
4.4

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
4.6

Retirement of common shares (tax payments on equity compensation)
 
(0.1
)
 
(2.1
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(2.2
)
Employee stock purchase plan
 
—

 
0.4

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
0.4

15% Stock Dividend
 
4.4

 
232.9

 
—

 
(237.3
)
 
—

 
—

Cash dividend declared - common shares ($0.27/share)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(9.3
)
 
—

 
(9.3
)
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2016-01, net of taxes
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
117.5

 
(117.5
)
 
—

Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2018-02, net of taxes
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(20.9
)
 
20.9

 
—

Balance, March 31, 2018
 
$
44.9

 
$
1,364.7

 
$
(442.0
)
 
$
851.8

 
$
(32.0
)
 
$
1,787.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, December 31, 2018
 
$
45.3

 
$
1,372.0

 
$
(455.1
)
 
$
862.6

 
$
(78.1
)
 
$
1,746.7

Net income
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
91.2

 
—

 
91.2

Other comprehensive income- Change in fair value of fixed maturities, net of taxes
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
50.3

 
50.3

Other comprehensive income, net- Other
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
0.2

 
0.2

Activity under stock incentive plans
 
0.1

 
4.1

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
4.2

Retirement of common shares (tax payments on equity compensation)
 
—

 
(1.6
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1.6
)
Employee stock purchase plan
 
—

 
0.4

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
0.4

Cash dividend declared - common shares ($0.31/share)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(10.8
)
 
—

 
(10.8
)
Balance, March 31, 2019
 
$
45.4

 
$
1,374.9

 
$
(455.1
)
 
$
943.0

 
$
(27.6
)
 
$
1,880.6


See accompanying notes.


6
Table of Contents

ARGO GROUP INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions)
(Unaudited)
  
 
 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
91.2

 
$
24.8

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Amortization and depreciation
 
6.7

 
6.1

Share-based payments expense
 
4.6

 
5.2

Deferred income tax provision (benefit), net
 
5.3

 
(3.7
)
Net realized investment (gains) loss
 
(52.5
)
 
15.7

Undistributed earnings from alternative investment portfolio
 
(1.9
)
 
(8.7
)
Change in:
 
 
 
 
Accrued investment income
 
(0.3
)
 
(0.7
)
Receivables
 
1.8

 
0.9

Deferred acquisition costs
 
(0.5
)
 
(2.5
)
Ceded unearned premiums
 
(104.9
)
 
(93.8
)
Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
15.2

 
(42.7
)
Unearned premiums
 
43.9

 
47.7

Ceded reinsurance payable and funds held
 
75.8

 
133.9

Income taxes
 
3.2

 
3.6

Accrued underwriting expenses and other liabilities
 
6.7

 
106.4

Other, net
 
(38.7
)
 
(38.6
)
Cash provided by operating activities
 
55.6

 
153.6

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
Sales of fixed maturity investments
 
235.5

 
469.2

Maturities and mandatory calls of fixed maturity investments
 
65.8

 
144.8

Sales of equity securities
 
15.0

 
51.7

Sales of other investments
 
22.0

 
34.5

Purchases of fixed maturity investments
 
(358.9
)
 
(616.5
)
Purchases of equity securities
 
(12.1
)
 
(60.1
)
Purchases of other investments
 
(13.2
)
 
(10.9
)
Change in foreign regulatory deposits and voluntary pools
 
(0.3
)
 
5.1

Change in short-term investments
 
38.3

 
(166.1
)
Settlements of foreign currency exchange forward contracts
 
3.6

 
1.7

Cash acquired with acquisition of Ariscom
 
—

 
15.6

Purchases of fixed assets
 
(7.3
)
 
(6.4
)
Other, net
 
(20.1
)
 
8.9

Cash used in investing activities
 
(31.7
)
 
(128.5
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
Activity under stock incentive plans
 
0.3

 
0.2

Repurchase of Company's common shares
 
—

 
(18.6
)
Payment of cash dividends to common shareholders
 
(10.8
)
 
(9.3
)
Cash used in financing activities
 
(10.5
)
 
(27.7
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
 
0.1

 
(0.3
)
Change in cash
 
13.5

 
(2.9
)
Cash, beginning of year
 
139.2

 
176.6

Cash, end of period
 
$
152.7

 
$
173.7

 
See accompanying notes.

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Table of Contents

ARGO GROUP INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
 
1.    Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. (“Argo Group,” “we” or the “Company”) and its subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions for Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. The preparation of interim financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The major estimates reflected in our consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to, reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses; reinsurance recoverables, including the reinsurance recoverables allowance for doubtful accounts; estimates of written and earned premiums; reinsurance premium receivable; fair value of investments and assessment of potential impairment; valuation of goodwill and intangibles and our deferred tax asset valuation allowance. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain financial information that normally is included in annual financial statements, including certain financial statement footnotes, prepared in accordance with GAAP, is not required for interim reporting purposes and has been condensed or omitted. These statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 25, 2019.
The interim financial information as of, and for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 is unaudited. However, in the opinion of management, the interim information includes all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the results presented for the interim periods. The operating results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. All significant intercompany amounts have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made to financial information presented for prior years to conform to the current year’s presentation.
2.    Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2018-13, "Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820)." ASU 2018-13 eliminates, adds and modifies certain disclosure requirements on fair value measurements. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within the year of adoption. The amendments on changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty are applied prospectively for only the most recent interim or annual period presented in the initial fiscal year adoption. All other amendments are applied retrospectively to all periods presented upon their effective date. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact that the adoption of the ASU will have on our financial disclosures.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (Topic 326). ASU 2016-13 requires organizations to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, including receivables and available-for-sale debt securities, by introducing an approach based on expected losses. The expected loss approach will require entities to incorporate considerations of historical information, current information and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within the year of adoption. The guidance requires a modified retrospective transition method and early adoption is permitted. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact that the adoption of the ASU will have on our financial results and disclosures.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases” (Topic 842). ASU 2016-02 requires organizations that lease assets to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases. Additionally, the ASU modifies current guidance for lessors' accounting. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11), "Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements", which provides for an alternative transition method by allowing entities to initially apply the new leases standard at the adoption date (such as January 1, 2019) and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption (comparative periods presented in the financial statements will continue to be in accordance with current GAAP (Topic 840, Leases). The standard was effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with earlier application permitted.

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Table of Contents

We have entered into operating leases for office space and certain other assets. We adopted the new standard on the effective date of January 1, 2019. We applied the following practical expedients:
•
We have elected to adopt this standard using the option transition method, which allows companies to continue applying the guidance under the lease standard in effect at that time in the comparative periods presented in the consolidated financial statements. The adoption of the standard had no effect on our consolidated shareholders’ equity. Prior periods were not restated.
•
We have elected the "package of practical expedients", which permits us not to reassess under the new standard our prior conclusion about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs.
•
Where we are the lessor, we have elected the practical expedient which permits us to not separate non-lease components from the associated lease components if the non-lease components otherwise would be accounted for in accordance with the new revenue standard.
For the majority of our asset classes, we elected not to separate lease and non-lease components. As a result, our right-of-use assets and lease liabilities represent base rent components of our leases. We have elected to not apply the practical expedient which allows the use of hindsight in determining the lease term and in assessing impairment of the entity’s right-of-use assets. The remaining practical expedients did not specifically apply to our lease population as of the adoption date.
Please see Note 4 - “Leases” for further discussion on the impact of the adoptions of this standard.
3.    Investments
Included in “Total investments” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 is $145.5 million and $133.4 million, respectively, of assets managed on behalf of the trade capital providers, who are third-party participants that provide underwriting capital to the operations of Syndicates 1200 and 1910.
Fixed Maturities
The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair value in fixed maturity investments were as follows:
March 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
Fixed maturities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Governments
 
$
250.6

 
$
0.6

 
$
3.0

 
$
248.2

Foreign Governments
 
239.0

 
2.3

 
3.3

 
238.0

Obligations of states and political subdivisions
 
217.1

 
6.0

 
0.3

 
222.8

Corporate bonds
 
1,816.1

 
16.7

 
26.3

 
1,806.5

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
209.1

 
2.6

 
1.3

 
210.4

Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
406.9

 
5.1

 
3.5

 
408.5

Asset-backed securities
 
211.6

 
0.8

 
0.6

 
211.8

Collateralized loan obligations
 
229.7

 
0.3

 
2.9

 
227.1

Total fixed maturities
 
$
3,580.1

 
$
34.4

 
$
41.2

 
$
3,573.3


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Table of Contents

December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
Fixed maturities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Governments
 
$
240.9

 
$
0.2

 
$
4.9

 
$
236.2

Foreign Governments
 
224.1

 
0.5

 
7.8

 
216.8

Obligations of states and political subdivisions
 
236.7

 
4.3

 
1.2

 
239.8

Corporate bonds
 
1,808.7

 
7.5

 
58.7

 
1,757.5

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
205.3

 
0.7

 
3.2

 
202.8

Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
413.1

 
3.4

 
5.7

 
410.8

Asset-backed securities
 
173.6

 
0.4

 
1.2

 
172.8

Collateralized loan obligations
 
226.7

 
0.5

 
3.5

 
223.7

Total fixed maturities
 
$
3,529.1

 
$
17.5

 
$
86.2

 
$
3,460.4

Contractual Maturity
The amortized cost and fair values of fixed maturity investments as of March 31, 2019, by contractual maturity, were as follows:
(in millions)
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
Due in one year or less
 
$
345.0

 
$
342.6

Due after one year through five years
 
1,507.3

 
1,501.1

Due after five years through ten years
 
556.9

 
555.1

Thereafter
 
113.6

 
116.7

Structured securities
 
1,057.3

 
1,057.8

Total
 
$
3,580.1

 
$
3,573.3

The expected maturities may differ from the contractual maturities because debtors may have the right to call or prepay obligations.
Other Investments
Details regarding the carrying value and unfunded investment commitments of other investments as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 were as follows:
March 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
Carrying
Value
 
Unfunded
Commitments
Investment Type
 
 
 
 
Hedge funds
 
$
115.9

 
$
—

Private equity
 
223.2

 
125.9

Long only funds
 
139.9

 
—

Other
 
4.3

 
—

Total other investments
 
$
483.3

 
$
125.9

December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
Carrying
Value
 
Unfunded
Commitments
Investment Type
 
 
 
 
Hedge funds
 
$
120.6

 
$
—

Private equity
 
211.8

 
120.5

Long only funds
 
153.0

 
—

Other
 
4.4

 
—

Total other investments
 
$
489.8

 
$
120.5


10
Table of Contents

The following describes each investment type:
•
Hedge funds: Hedge funds include funds that primarily buy and sell stocks, including short sales, multi-strategy credit, relative value credit and distressed credit.
•
Private equity: Private equity includes buyout funds, real asset/infrastructure funds, credit special situations funds, mezzanine lending funds and direct investments and strategic non-controlling minority investments in private companies that are principally accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
•
Long only funds: Our long only funds include a fund that primarily owns international stocks and funds that primarily own investment-grade corporate and sovereign fixed income securities.  
•
Other: Other includes participation in investment pools.
Unrealized Losses and Other-Than-Temporary Impairments
An aging of unrealized losses on our investments in fixed maturities is presented below:
March 31, 2019
 
Less Than One Year
 
One Year or Greater
 
Total
(in millions)
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
Fixed maturities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Governments
 
$
12.8

 
$
0.1

 
$
157.6

 
$
2.8

 
$
170.4

 
$
2.9

Foreign Governments
 
64.3

 
2.1

 
85.6

 
1.2

 
149.9

 
3.3

Obligations of states and political subdivisions
 
13.1

 
0.1

 
20.4

 
0.2

 
33.5

 
0.3

Corporate bonds
 
389.0

 
17.1

 
525.8

 
9.2

 
914.8

 
26.3

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
30.6

 
0.1

 
69.5

 
1.3

 
100.1

 
1.4

Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
43.3

 
0.2

 
170.2

 
3.3

 
213.5

 
3.5

Asset-backed securities
 
58.4

 
0.2

 
66.9

 
0.4

 
125.3

 
0.6

Collateralized loan obligations
 
200.0

 
2.5

 
19.1

 
0.4

 
219.1

 
2.9

Total fixed maturities
 
$
811.5

 
$
22.4

 
$
1,115.1

 
$
18.8

 
$
1,926.6

 
$
41.2

December 31, 2018
 
Less Than One Year
 
One Year or Greater
 
Total
(in millions)
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
Fixed maturities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Governments
 
$
28.2

 
$
0.2

 
$
173.0

 
$
4.7

 
$
201.2

 
$
4.9

Foreign Governments
 
73.4

 
3.6

 
125.0

 
4.2

 
198.4

 
7.8

Obligations of states and political subdivisions
 
53.3

 
0.6

 
25.3

 
0.6

 
78.6

 
1.2

Corporate bonds
 
964.3

 
45.7

 
440.8

 
13.0

 
1,405.1

 
58.7

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
48.5

 
0.6

 
90.6

 
2.6

 
139.1

 
3.2

Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
63.5

 
0.7

 
176.1

 
5.0

 
239.6

 
5.7

Asset-backed securities
 
73.6

 
0.6

 
64.2

 
0.6

 
137.8

 
1.2

Collateralized loan obligations
 
209.5

 
3.3

 
10.3

 
0.2

 
219.8

 
3.5

Total fixed maturities
 
$
1,514.3

 
$
55.3

 
$
1,105.3

 
$
30.9

 
$
2,619.6

 
$
86.2


We regularly evaluate our investments for other-than-temporary impairment. For fixed maturity securities, the evaluation for a credit loss is generally based on the present value of expected cash flows of the security as compared to the amortized book value. For structured securities, frequency and severity of loss inputs are used in projecting future cash flows of the securities. Loss frequency is measured as the credit default rate, which includes such factors as loan-to-value ratios and credit scores of borrowers. We also recognize other-than-temporary losses on fixed maturity securities that we intend to sell. Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2016-01. As a result, changes in the fair value of equity securities are recognized in net realized investment gains in the Consolidated Statement of Income.

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Table of Contents

We hold a total of 9,083 securities, of which 1,413 were in an unrealized loss position for less than one year and 1,393 were in an unrealized loss position for a period one year or greater as of March 31, 2019. Unrealized losses greater than twelve months on fixed maturities were the result of a number of factors, including increased credit spreads, foreign currency fluctuations and higher market yields relative to the date the securities were purchased, and for structured securities, by the performance of the underlying collateral, as well. In considering whether or not an investment is other-than-temporarily impaired, we also considered that we do not intend to sell the investments and it is unlikely that we will be required to sell the investments before recovery of their amortized cost bases, which may be maturity. We do not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at March 31, 2019.
We recognized other-than-temporary losses on our fixed maturities portfolio as follows:
 
 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
(in millions)
 
2019
 
2018
Other-than-temporary impairment:
 
 
 
 
Corporate bonds
 
$
(4.3
)
 
$
(1.0
)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses
 
$
(4.3
)
 
$
(1.0
)
Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses
The following table presents our gross realized investment gains (losses):
 
 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
(in millions)
 
2019
 
2018
Realized gains on fixed maturities and other
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities
 
$
3.6

 
$
7.5

Other investments
 
8.8

 
11.7

 
 
12.4

 
19.2

Realized losses on fixed maturities and other
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities
 
(2.4
)
 
(4.9
)
Other investments
 
(8.1
)
 
(9.3
)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on fixed maturities
 
(4.3
)
 
(1.0
)
 
 
(14.8
)
 
(15.2
)
Equity securities
 
 
 
 
Net realized gains on equity securities
 
0.7

 
11.2

Change in unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities held at the end of the period
 
54.2

 
(30.9
)
Net realized gains (losses) on equity securities
 
54.9

 
(19.7
)
Net realized investment gains (losses) before income taxes
 
52.5

 
(15.7
)
Income tax (provision) benefit
 
(9.7
)
 
2.9

Net realized investment gains (losses), net of income taxes
 
$
42.8

 
$
(12.8
)
The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method.

12
Table of Contents

Changes in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to investments are summarized as follows:
 
 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
(in millions)
 
2019
 
2018
Change in unrealized gains (losses)
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities
 
$
59.9

 
$
(37.1
)
Short-term investments
 
—

 
(0.1
)
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) before income taxes
 
59.9

 
(37.2
)
Income tax (provision) benefit
 
(9.6
)
 
6.3

Net unrealized investment gains (losses), net of income taxes
 
$
50.3

 
$
(30.9
)
Foreign Currency Exchange Forward Contracts
We entered into foreign currency exchange forward contracts to manage operational currency exposure on our Canadian dollar (“CAD”) investment portfolio, minimize negative impacts to investment portfolio returns, and gain exposure to a total return strategy which invests in multiple currencies.  The currency forward contracts are carried at fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets in “Other liabilities.” The gains and losses are included in “Net realized investment gains (losses)” in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
The fair value of our foreign currency exchange forward contracts as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was as follows:
(in millions)
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Operational currency exposure
 
$
(0.6
)
 
$
4.4

Asset manager investment exposure
 
0.1

 
(0.3
)
Total return strategy
 
0.2

 
(1.5
)
Total
 
$
(0.3
)
 
$
2.6

The following table represents our gross investment realized gains and losses on our foreign currency exchange forward contracts:
 
 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
(in millions)
 
2019
 
2018
Realized gains
 
 
 
 
Operational currency exposure
 
$
0.3

 
$
4.3

Asset manager investment exposure
 
1.1

 
4.3

Total return strategy
 
6.3

 
2.6

Gross realized investment gains
 
7.7

 
11.2

Realized losses
 
 
 
 
Operational currency exposure
 
(2.1
)
 
(0.6
)
Asset manager investment exposure
 
(0.2
)
 
(5.9
)
Total return strategy
 
(4.7
)
 
(2.1
)
Gross realized investment losses
 
(7.0
)
 
(8.6
)
Net realized investment gains on foreign currency exchange forward contracts
 
$
0.7

 
$
2.6


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Table of Contents

Regulatory Deposits, Pledged Securities and Letters of Credit
We are required to maintain assets on deposit with various regulatory authorities to support our insurance and reinsurance operations.  We maintain assets pledged as collateral in support of irrevocable letters of credit issued under the terms of certain reinsurance agreements for reported loss and loss expense reserves. The following table presents our components of restricted assets at March 31:
(in millions)
 
March 31, 2019
 
March 31, 2018
Securities on deposit for regulatory and other purposes
 
$
183.3

 
$
171.7

Securities pledged as collateral for letters of credit
 
126.1

 
62.8

Securities and cash on deposit supporting Lloyd’s business
 
391.8

 
373.9

Total restricted investments
 
$
701.2

 
$
608.4

Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is 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. Fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market. Market participants are buyers and sellers in the principal (or most advantageous) market that are independent, knowledgeable, able to transact for the asset or liability and willing to transfer the asset or liability.
Valuation techniques consistent with the market approach, income approach and/or cost approach are used to measure fair value. The inputs of these valuation techniques are categorized into three levels.
•
Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that can be accessed at the reporting date. We define actively traded as a security that has traded in the past seven days. We receive one quote per instrument for Level 1 inputs.
•
Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. We receive one quote per instrument for Level 2 inputs.
•
Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs. Unobservable inputs reflect our own judgments about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances.
We receive fair value prices from third-party pricing services and our outside investment managers. These prices are determined using observable market information such as dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, yield curves, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the security’s terms and conditions, among other things. We have reviewed the processes used by the third-party providers for pricing the securities, and have determined that these processes result in fair values consistent with GAAP requirements. In addition, we review these prices for reasonableness, and have not adjusted any prices received from the third-party providers as of March 31, 2019 and December 31,2018. A description of the valuation techniques we use to measure assets at fair value is as follows:
Fixed Maturities (Available-for-Sale) Levels 1 and 2:
•
United States Treasury securities are typically valued using Level 1 inputs. For these securities, we obtain fair value measurements from third-party pricing services using quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets at the reporting date.
•
United States Government agencies, non-U.S. Government securities, obligations of states and political subdivisions, credit securities and foreign denominated government and credit securities are reported at fair value using Level 2 inputs. For these securities, we obtain fair value measurements from third-party pricing services. Observable data may include dealer quotes, market spreads, yield curves, live trading levels, trade execution data, credit information and the security’s terms and conditions, among other things.
•
Asset and mortgage-backed securities and collateralized loan obligations are reported at fair value using Level 2 inputs. For these securities, we obtain fair value measurements from third-party pricing services. Observable data may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, yield curves, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the security’s terms and conditions, among other things.

14
Table of Contents

Fixed Maturities (Available-for-Sale) Levels 3:
•
We own term loans that are valued using unobservable inputs.
Equity Securities Level 1: Equity securities are principally reported at fair value using Level 1 inputs. For these securities, we obtain fair value measurements from a third-party pricing service using quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets at the reporting date.
Equity Securities Level 3: We own certain equity securities that are reported at fair value using Level 3 inputs. The valuation techniques for these securities include the following:
•
Fair value measurements for an investment in an equity fund obtained by applying final prices provided by the administrator of the fund, which is based upon certain estimates and assumptions.
•
Fair value measurements from a broker and an independent valuation service, both based upon estimates and assumptions.
Other Investments Level 2: Foreign regulatory deposits are assets held in trust in jurisdictions where there is a legal and regulatory requirement to maintain funds locally in order to protect policyholders. Lloyd’s is the appointed investment manager for the funds. These assets are invested in short-term government securities, agency securities and corporate bonds and are valued using Level 2 inputs based upon values obtained from Lloyd’s.
Short-term Investments: Short-term investments are principally reported at fair value using Level 1 inputs, with the exception of short-term corporate and governmental bonds reported at fair value using Level 2 inputs as described in the fixed maturities section above. Values for the investments categorized as Level 1 are obtained from various financial institutions as of the reporting date.
Transfers Between Level 1 and Level 2 Securities: There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 securities during the three months ended March 31, 2019.
Based on an analysis of the inputs, our financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis have been categorized as follows:
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
(in millions)
 
March 31, 2019
 
Level 1 (a)
 
Level 2 (b)
 
Level 3 (c)
Fixed maturities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Governments
 
$
248.2

 
$
238.3

 
$
9.9

 
$
—

Foreign Governments
 
238.0

 
—

 
238.0

 
—

Obligations of states and political subdivisions
 
222.8

 
—

 
222.8

 
—

Corporate bonds
 
1,806.5

 
1.2

 
1,803.1

 
2.2

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
210.4

 
—

 
210.4

 
—

Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
408.5

 
—

 
408.5

 
—

Asset-backed securities
 
211.8

 
—

 
211.8

 
—

Collateralized loan obligations
 
227.1

 
—

 
227.1

 
—

Total fixed maturities
 
3,573.3

 
239.5

 
3,331.6

 
2.2

Equity securities
 
403.2

 
394.5

 
—

 
8.7

Other investments
 
96.0

 
—

 
96.0

 
—

Short-term investments
 
443.7

 
402.8

 
40.9

 
—

 
 
$
4,516.2

 
$
1,036.8

 
$
3,468.5

 
$
10.9

(a) 
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets
(b) 
Significant other observable inputs
(c) 
Significant unobservable inputs

15
Table of Contents

 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
(in millions)
 
December 31, 2018
 
Level 1 (a)
 
Level 2 (b)
 
Level 3 (c)
Fixed maturities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Governments
 
$
236.2

 
$
226.7

 
$
9.5

 
$
—

Foreign Governments
 
216.8

 
—

 
216.8

 
—

Obligations of states and political subdivisions
 
239.8

 
—

 
239.8

 
—

Corporate bonds
 
1,757.5

 
—

 
1,755.3

 
2.2

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
 
202.8

 
—

 
202.8

 
—

Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
410.8

 
—

 
410.8

 
—

Asset-backed securities
 
172.8

 
—

 
172.8

 
—

Collateralized loan obligations
 
223.7

 
—

 
223.7

 
—

Total fixed maturities
 
3,460.4

 
226.7

 
3,231.5

 
2.2

Equity securities
 
354.5

 
346.3

 
—

 
8.2

Other investments
 
114.4

 
—

 
114.4

 
—

Short-term investments
 
482.3

 
453.9

 
28.4

 
—

 
 
$
4,411.6

 
$
1,026.9

 
$
3,374.3

 
$
10.4

(a) 
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets
(b) 
Significant other observable inputs
(c) 
Significant unobservable inputs
The fair value measurements in the tables above do not equal “Total investments” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as they exclude certain other investments that are accounted for under the equity-method of accounting.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the investments categorized as Level 3 are as follows:
Fair Value Measurements Using Observable Inputs (Level 3)
(in millions)
 
Credit Financial
 
Equity
Securities
 
Total
Beginning balance, January 1, 2019
 
$
2.2

 
$
8.2

 
$
10.4

Transfers into Level 3
 
—

 
—

 
—

Transfers out of Level 3
 
—

 
—

 
—

Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in net income (loss)
 
—

 
0.5

 
0.5

Included in other comprehensive income (loss)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Purchases, issuances, sales, and settlements:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases
 
—

 
—

 
—

Issuances
 
—

 
—

 
—

Sales
 
—

 
—

 
—

Settlements
 
—

 
—

 
—

 Ending balance, March 31, 2019
 
$
2.2

 
$
8.7

 
$
10.9

Amount of total gains or losses for the year included in net income (loss) attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at March 31, 2019
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—


16
Table of Contents

(in millions)
 
Credit Financial
 
Equity
Securities
 
Total
Beginning balance, January 1, 2018
 
$
1.9

 
$
2.3

 
$
4.2

Transfers into Level 3
 
—

 
—

 
—

Transfers out of Level 3
 
—

 
—

 
—

Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in net income (loss)
 
—

 
0.2

 
0.2

Included in other comprehensive income (loss)
 
0.3

 
—

 
0.3

Purchases, issuances, sales, and settlements:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases
 
—

 
7.3

 
7.3

Issuances
 
—

 
—

 
—

Sales
 
—

 
(1.6
)
 
(1.6
)
Settlements
 
—

 
—

 
—

 Ending balance, December 31, 2018
 
$
2.2

 
$
8.2

 
$
10.4

Amount of total gains or losses for the year included in net income (loss) attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at December 31, 2018
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we did not have any financial assets or financial liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis or any financial liabilities on a recurring basis.
4.     Leases
We adopted ASU 2016-02, "Leases" on January 1, 2019, which resulted in the recognition of operating leases on the balance sheet in beginning in 2019 and forward. See Note 2, “Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements,” for additional information on the adoption of the ASU.
We determine if a contract contains a lease at inception and recognize operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments at the commencement date. As our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date to determine the present value of future payments. Lease agreements have lease and non-lease components. We account for these components separately, therefore our right-of-use and lease liabilities represent base rent only. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Our operating lease obligations are for office facilities, including corporate housing, and equipment, including corporate aviation. Our leases have remaining lease terms of less than 1 year to 14 years, some of which include options to extend the leases. Expenses associated with leases totaled $5.3 million and $4.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The components of lease expense and other lease information as of and during the three months ended March 31, 2019 are as follows:
(in millions)
 
March 31, 2019
Operating leases right-of-use assets
 
$
115.3

Operating lease liabilities
 
128.3

 
 
 
Operating lease weighted-average remaining lease term
 
10.26 years

Operating lease weighted-average discount rate
 
3.87
%

17
Table of Contents

(in millions)
 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019
Operating leases costs
 
$
5.1

Variable lease costs
 
0.3

Sublease income
 
(0.1
)
Total lease costs
 
$
5.3

 
 
 
Operating cash flows from operating lease (fixed payments)
 
$
4.7

Operating cash flows from operating lease (liability reduction)
 
3.7

Our finance leases and short-term leases as of March 31, 2019 are not material.
Future minimum lease payments under operating leases as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 were as follows:
(in millions)
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
2019
 
$
14.2

 
$
18.7

2020
 
18.3

 
18.6

2021
 
17.5

 
17.5

2022
 
14.7

 
14.7

2023
 
12.3

 
12.3

Thereafter
 
80.6

 
80.1

Total future minimum lease payments
 
$
157.6

 
$
161.9

 
 
 
 
 
Less imputed interest
 
(29.3
)
 
 N/A

Total operating lease liability
 
$
128.3

 
 N/A

We have certain investment properties that we lease to independent, third parties. These properties consist of an office building that is currently leased through August 2026 and three condominiums that are leased on a short-term basis. The carrying value of these assets are included in "Other assets" on our consolidated balance sheet. Income for these leased properties was $0.8 million for each of the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, and is included in "Fee and other income" on our consolidated statements of income.

18
Table of Contents

5.    Reserves for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
The following table provides a reconciliation of reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”):
 
 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
(in millions)
 
2019
 
2018
Net reserves beginning of the year
 
$
2,562.9

 
$
2,488.0

Net Ariscom reserves acquired
 
—

 
47.2

Add:
 
 
 
 
Losses and LAE incurred during current calendar year, net of reinsurance:
 
 
 
 
Current accident year
 
240.4

 
239.2

Prior accident years
 
(2.5
)
 
(2.0
)
Losses and LAE incurred during calendar year, net of reinsurance
 
237.9

 
237.2

Deduct:
 
 
 
 
Losses and LAE payments made during current calendar year, net of reinsurance:
 
 
 
 
Current accident year
 
34.7

 
33.3

Prior accident years
 
221.0

 
186.6

Losses and LAE payments made during current calendar year, net of reinsurance:
 
255.7

 
219.9

Change in participation interest (1)
 
(14.6
)
 
(16.9
)
Foreign exchange adjustments
 
(9.1
)
 
(0.8
)
Net reserves - end of period
 
2,521.4

 
2,534.8

Add:
 
 
 
 
Reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses and LAE, end of period
 
2,147.5

 
1,748.8

Gross reserves - end of period
 
$
4,668.9

 
$
4,283.6

(1) 
Amount represents the change in reserves due to changing our participation in Syndicates 1200 and 1910.
Reserves for losses and LAE represent the estimated indemnity cost and related adjustment expenses necessary to investigate and settle claims. Such estimates are based upon individual case estimates for reported claims, estimates from ceding companies for reinsurance assumed and actuarial estimates for losses that have been incurred but not yet reported to the insurer. Any change in probable ultimate liabilities is reflected in current operating results.
The impact from the (favorable) unfavorable development of prior accident years’ loss and LAE reserves on each reporting segment is presented below: 
 
 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
(in millions)
 
2019
 
2018
U.S. Operations
 
$
(4.0
)
 
$
(1.0
)
International Operations
 
0.8

 
(2.8
)
Run-off Lines
 
0.7

 
1.8

Total favorable prior-year development
 
$
(2.5
)
 
$
(2.0
)
The following describes the primary factors behind each segment’s prior accident year reserve development for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:
Three months ended March 31, 2019:
•
U.S. Operations: Favorable development in liability and specialty lines, partially offset by unfavorable development in workers compensation and commercial multi-peril lines.
•
International Operations: Unfavorable development in general liability, partially offset by favorable development in property reinsurance.  
•
Run-off Lines: Unfavorable development in other run-off lines.

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Three months ended March 31, 2018:
•
U.S. Operations: Favorable development in liability and specialty lines.
•
International Operations: Favorable development in property lines driven by 2017 catastrophe events, partially offset by unfavorable development within specialty lines.
•
Run-off Lines: Unfavorable development in risk management lines and other run-off lines.
In the opinion of management, our reserves represent the best estimate of our ultimate liabilities, based on currently known facts, current law, current technology and assumptions considered reasonable where facts are not known. Due to the significant uncertainties and related management judgments, there can be no assurance that future favorable or unfavorable loss development, which may be material, will not occur.
6.    Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Cash. The carrying amount approximates fair value.
Investment securities and short-term investments. See Note 3, “Investments,” for additional information.
Premiums receivable and reinsurance recoverables on paid losses. The carrying value of current receivables and reinsurance recoverables on paid losses approximates fair value.                          
Debt. At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the fair value of our Junior subordinated debentures, Senior unsecured fixed rate notes and Other indebtedness was estimated using appropriate market indices or quoted prices from external sources based on current market conditions. All of these debt instruments would be in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, as the fair value estimates shown below were calculated using unobservable inputs reflecting our assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the liabilities.
A summary of our financial instruments whose carrying value did not equal fair value is shown below:
 
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
(in millions)
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
Junior subordinated debentures:
 

 

 
 
 
 
Trust preferred debentures
 
$
172.7

 
$
166.3

 
$
172.7

 
$
163.2

Subordinated debentures acquired with Maybrooke
 
84.3

 
86.3

 
84.3

 
85.0

Total junior subordinated debentures
 
257.0

 
252.6

 
257.0

 
248.2

Senior unsecured fixed rate notes
 
139.9

 
142.6

 
139.8

 
139.5

Floating rate loan stock
 
57.4

 
55.2

 
57.8

 
54.5

 
7.    Shareholders’ Equity
On February 20, 2019, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend in the amount of $0.31 on each share of common stock outstanding. On March 15, 2019, we paid $10.8 million to our shareholders of record on March 1, 2019.
On February 20, 2018, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend in the amount of $0.27 on each share of common stock outstanding. On March 23, 2018, we paid $9.3 million to our shareholders of record on March 7, 2018
On February 20, 2018, the Board of Directors declared a 15% stock dividend, payable March 21, 2018 to all shareholders of record at the close of business on March 7, 2018. As a result of the stock dividend, 4,397,520 additional shares were issued. Cash was paid in lieu of fractional shares of our common shares. Excluding repurchased shares, all references to common shares and related per share amounts in this document and related disclosures have been adjusted to reflect the stock dividend for all periods presented.
On May 3, 2016, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $150.0 million of our common shares (“2016 Repurchase Authorization”). The 2016 Repurchase Authorization supersedes all previous Repurchase Authorizations. As of March 31, 2019, availability under the 2016 Repurchase Authorization for future repurchases of our common shares was $53.3 million.

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We did not repurchase any common shares for the three months ended March 31, 2019.
8.    Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
A summary of changes in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of taxes (where applicable) by component for the three months ended March 31, 2019, and 2018 is presented below:
(in millions)
 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
 
Unrealized
Holding Gains
on Securities
 
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
 
Total
Balance, January 1, 2019
 
$
(22.4
)
 
$
(49.0
)
 
$
(6.7
)
 
$
(78.1
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
 
0.2

 
47.7

 
—

 
47.9

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
 
—

 
2.6

 
—

 
2.6

Net current-period other comprehensive income
 
0.2

 
50.3

 
—

 
50.5

Balance at March 31, 2019
 
$
(22.2
)
 
$
1.3

 
$
(6.7
)
 
$
(27.6
)
 
(in millions)
 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
 
Unrealized
Holding Gains
on Securities
 
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
 
Total
Balance, January 1, 2018
 
$
(19.0
)
 
$
121.9

 
$
(6.3
)
 
$
96.6

Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
 
(1.1
)
 
(20.7
)
 
—

 
(21.8
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
—

 
(10.2
)
 
—

 
(10.2
)
Net current-period other comprehensive loss
 
(1.1
)
 
(30.9
)
 
—

 
(32.0
)
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2016-01
 
—

 
(117.5
)
 
—

 
(117.5
)
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2018-02
 
—

 
20.9

 
—

 
20.9

Balance at March 31, 2018
 
$
(20.1
)
 
$
(5.6
)
 
$
(6.3
)
 
$
(32.0
)
 
The amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income shown in the above table have been included in the following captions in our Consolidated Statements of Income:
 
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(in millions)
 
2019
 
2018
Unrealized gains and losses on securities:
 
 
 
 
Net realized investment loss (gains)
 
$
3.1

 
$
(12.5
)
(Benefit) provision for income taxes
 
(0.5
)
 
2.3

Net of taxes
 
$
2.6

 
$
(10.2
)

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9.    Net Income Per Common Share
The following table presents the calculation of net income per common share on a basic and diluted basis:
 
 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
(in millions, except number of shares and per share amounts)
 
2019
 
2018
Net income
 
$
91.2

 
$
24.8

Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic
 
33,984,329

 
33,868,749

Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
Equity compensation awards
 
753,610

 
871,594

Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted
 
34,737,939

 
34,740,343

Net income per common share:
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
2.68

 
$
0.73

Diluted
 
$
2.63

 
$
0.71

Excluded from the weighted average common shares outstanding calculation at March 31, 2019 and 2018 are 11,315,889 shares and 11,099,593 shares, respectively, which are held as treasury shares. The shares are excluded as of their repurchase date. For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018, there were no equity compensation awards with an anti-dilutive effect.
10.    Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Interest paid and income taxes paid (recovered) were as follows:  
 
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(in millions)
 
2019
 
2018
Senior unsecured fixed rate notes
 
$
2.3

 
$
2.3

Junior subordinated debentures
 
4.1

 
3.4

Other indebtedness
 
2.4

 
1.5

Total interest paid
 
$
8.8

 
$
7.2

 
 
 
 
 
Income taxes paid
 
0.2

 
1.5

Income taxes recovered
 
—

 
—

Income taxes paid, net
 
$
0.2

 
$
1.5

 
11.    Share-based Compensation
The fair value method of accounting is used for share-based compensation plans. Under the fair value method, compensation cost is measured based on the fair value of the award at the measurement date and recognized over the requisite service period. We use the Black-Scholes model to estimate the fair values on the measurement date for share options and share appreciation rights (“SARs”). The Black-Scholes model uses several assumptions to value a share award. The risk-free rate of return assumption is based on the five-year U.S. Treasury constant maturity rate on the measurement date. The expected dividend yield is based on our history and expected dividend payouts. The expected award life is based upon the average holding period over the history of the incentive plan. The expected volatility assumption is based on the historical change in our stock price over the previous five years preceding the measurement date.
The following table summarizes the assumptions we used for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:
 
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Risk-free rate of return
 
2.23%
 
2.61%
Expected dividend yields
 
1.83%
 
1.71%
Expected award life (years)
 
4.49
 
4.48
Expected volatility
 
18.18%
 
18.44%

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Argo Group’s Long-Term Incentive Plan
In November 2007, our shareholders approved the 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”), which provides for an aggregate of 4.5 million shares of our common stock that may be issued to executives, non-employee directors, and other key employees. As of May 2014, 1.46 million shares remained available for grant under the 2007 Plan. In May 2014, our shareholders approved the 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”), which provides for an additional 2.8 million shares of our common stock to be available for issuance to executives, non-employee directors and other key employees. The share awards may be in the form of share options, SARs, restricted shares, restricted share awards, restricted share unit awards, performance awards, other share-based awards and other cash-based awards. Shares issued under this plan may be shares that are authorized and unissued or shares that we reacquired, including shares purchased on the open market. Share options and SARs will count as one share for the purposes of the limits under the incentive plans; restricted shares, restricted share units, performance units, performance shares or other share-based incentive awards which settle in common shares will count as 2.75 shares for purpose of the limits under the 2014 Plan.
Share options may be in the form of incentive share options, non-qualified share options and restorative options. Share options are required to have an exercise price that is not less than the market value on the date of grant. We are prohibited from repricing the options, except for the impact of stock dividend declarations. The term of the share options cannot exceed seven years from the grant date.
Restricted Shares
A summary of restricted share activity as of March 31, 2019 and changes during the three months ended is as follows:
 
 
Shares
 
Weighted-Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Outstanding at January 1, 2019
 
897,005

 
$
46.82

Granted
 
179,537

 
$
68.27

Vested and issued
 
(141,850
)
 
$
49.42

Expired or forfeited
 
(48,038
)
 
$
54.80

Outstanding at March 31, 2019
 
886,654

 
$
50.17

The restricted shares vest over one to four years. Expense recognized under this plan for the restricted shares was $3.7 million and $3.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018, respectively. Compensation expense for all share-based compensation awards is included in “Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses” in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income. As of March 31, 2019, there was $34.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted share compensation arrangements granted by Argo Group.
Stock-Settled SARs
A summary of stock-settled SARs activity as of March 31, 2019 and changes during the three months ended is as follows:
 
 
Shares
 
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
Outstanding at January 1, 2019
 
810,759

 
$
33.88

Exercised
 
(29,516
)
 
$
35.64

Expired or forfeited
 
(7,167
)
 
$
37.85

Outstanding at March 31, 2019
 
774,076

 
$
33.77

As of March 31, 2019, all stock-settled SARs are fully vested. Upon exercise of the stock-settled SARs, the employee is entitled to receive shares of our common stock equal to the appreciation of the stock as compared to the exercise price. Expense recognized for the stock-settled SARs was $0.4 million and $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018, respectively. As of March 31, 2019, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to stock-settled SARs outstanding.

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Table of Contents

Cash-Settled SARs
A summary of cash-settled SARs activity as of March 31, 2019 and changes during the three months ended is as follows:
 
 
Shares
 
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
Outstanding at January 1, 2019
 
58,428

 
$
30.71

Exercised
 
(12,869
)
 
$
25.22

Expired or forfeited
 
(3,656
)
 
$
19.37

Outstanding at March 31, 2019
 
41,903

 
$
33.38

As of March 31, 2019, all the cash-settled SARs are fully vested. Upon exercise of the cash-settled SARs, the employee is entitled to receive cash payment for the appreciation in the value of our common stock over the exercise price. We account for the cash-settled SARs as liability awards, which require the awards to be revalued at each reporting period. Expense recognized for the cash-settled SARs was $0.2 million and $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018, respectively. As of March 31, 2019, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to cash-settled SARs outstanding.
12.    Underwriting, Acquisition and Insurance Expenses
The components of our underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses are detailed in the table below. General expenses includes certain costs associated with our holding company.
 
 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
(in millions)
 
2019
 
2018
Commissions
 
$
63.3

 
$
68.0

General expenses
 
89.1

 
87.8

Premium taxes, boards and bureaus
 
8.3

 
9.3

 
 
160.7

 
165.1

Net deferral of policy acquisition costs
 
—

 
(4.9
)
Total underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses
 
$
160.7

 
$
160.2

 
13.    Income Taxes
We are incorporated under the laws of Bermuda and, under current Bermuda law, are not obligated to pay any taxes in Bermuda based upon income or capital gains. We have received an undertaking from the Supervisor of Insurance in Bermuda pursuant to the provisions of the Exempted Undertakings Tax Protection Act, 2011, which exempts us from any Bermuda taxes computed on profits, income or any capital asset, gain or appreciation or any tax in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax, at least until the year 2035.
We do not consider ourselves to be engaged in a trade or business in the United States or the United Kingdom and, accordingly, do not expect to be subject to direct United States or United Kingdom income taxation.
We have subsidiaries based in the United Kingdom that are subject to the tax laws of that country. Under current law, these subsidiaries are taxed at the applicable corporate tax rates. Eight of the United Kingdom subsidiaries are deemed to be engaged in business in the United States, and therefore, are subject to United States corporate tax in respect of a proportion of their United States underwriting business only. Relief is available against the United Kingdom tax liabilities in respect of overseas taxes paid that arise from the underwriting business. Our United Kingdom subsidiaries file separate United Kingdom income tax returns.
We have subsidiaries based in the United States that are subject to United States tax laws. Under current law, these subsidiaries are taxed at the applicable corporate tax rates. Our United States subsidiaries generally file a consolidated United States federal income tax return.
We also have operations in Belgium, Brazil, France, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Spain, and Switzerland, which also are subject to income taxes imposed by the jurisdiction in which they operate. We have operations in Barbados and the United Arab Emirates, which are not subject to income tax under the laws of those countries.



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Table of Contents

Our expected income tax provision computed on pre-tax income (loss) at the weighted average tax rate has been calculated as the sum of the pre-tax income (loss) in each jurisdiction multiplied by that jurisdiction’s applicable statutory tax rate. For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, pre-tax income (loss) attributable to our operations and the operations’ effective tax rates were as follows: 
 
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
(in millions)
 
Pre-Tax
Income (Loss)
 
Effective
Tax
Rate
 
Pre-Tax
Income (Loss)
 
Effective
Tax
Rate
 
Bermuda
 
$
32.0

 
—
%
 
$
25.3

 
—
%
 
United States
 
69.4

 
14.4
%
 
(6.3
)
 
23.0
%
 
United Kingdom
 
(3.5
)
 
31.5
%
 
6.2

 
24.5
%
 
Belgium
 
—

(1) 
30.8
%
 
0.1

 
35.8
%
 
Brazil
 
1.8

 
—
%
 
(1.4
)
 
—
%
 
United Arab Emirates
 
0.2

 
—
%
 
0.2

 
—
%
 
Ireland
 
—

(1) 
—
%
 
—

(1) 
—
%
 
Italy
 
(0.7
)
 
—
%
 
—

(1) 
—
%
 
Malta
 
0.9

 
—
%
 
0.9

 
—
%
 
Luxembourg
 
—

 
—
%
 
—

(1) 
—
%
 
Switzerland
 
—

(1) 
—
%
 
—

(1) 
21.2
%
 
Pre-tax income
 
$
100.1

 
8.9
%
 
$
25.0

 
0.7
%
 
(1) Pre-tax income (loss) for the respective year was less than $0.1 million.

Our effective tax rate may vary significantly from period to period depending on the jurisdiction generating the pre-tax income (loss) and its corresponding statutory tax rate. The geographic distribution of pre-tax income (loss) can fluctuate significantly between periods given the inherit nature of our business. A reconciliation of the difference between the provision for income taxes and the expected tax provision at the weighted average tax rate is as follows:
 
 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
(in millions)
 
2019
 
2018
Income tax provision (benefit) at expected rate
 
$
14.9

 
$
(0.4
)
Tax effect of:
 
 
 
 
Nontaxable investment income
 
(0.4
)
 
(0.5
)
Foreign exchange adjustments
 
0.5

 
(0.2
)
Withholding taxes
 
—

(1) 
0.1

Change in valuation allowance
 
(0.6
)
 
(2.7
)
Other
 
(5.5
)
 
3.9

Income tax provision
 
$
8.9

 
$
0.2

(1) Tax effect of the adjustment for the respective year was less than $0.1 million.

Our gross deferred tax assets are supported by taxes paid in previous periods, reversal of taxable temporary differences and recognition of future taxable income. Management regularly evaluates the recoverability of the deferred tax assets and makes any necessary adjustments to them based upon any changes in management’s expectations of future taxable income. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon our generation of future taxable income sufficient to recover tax benefits that cannot be recovered from taxes paid in the carryback period, generally for our US property and casualty insurers two years for net operating losses and for all our US subsidiaries three years for capital losses. If a company determines that any of its deferred tax assets will not result in future tax benefits, a valuation allowance must be established for the portion of these assets that are not expected to be realized. The net change in valuation allowance for deferred tax assets was a decrease of $0.6 million in 2019 relating to the following: Internal Revenue Code Section 382 limited net operating loss carryforwards within the United States, cumulative losses incurred since inception, and valuation allowances acquired through or related to acquisitions. Based upon a review of our available evidence, both positive and negative discussed above, our management concluded that it is more-likely-than-not that the other deferred tax assets will be realized.

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Table of Contents

For any uncertain tax positions not meeting the “more-likely-than-not” recognition threshold, accounting standards require recognition, measurement and disclosure in a company’s financial statements. We had no material unrecognized tax benefits as of March 31, 2019 and 2018. Our United States subsidiaries are no longer subject to U.S. federal and state income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2015. Our United Kingdom subsidiaries are no longer subject to United Kingdom income tax examinations by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs for years before 2017.
14.    Commitments and Contingencies
Argo Group’s subsidiaries are parties to legal actions incidental to their business. Based on the opinion of legal counsel, management believes that the resolution of these matters will not materially affect our financial condition or results of operations.
We have contractual commitments to invest up to $125.9 million related to our limited partnership investments at March 31, 2019. These commitments will be funded as required by the partnership agreements which can be called to be fulfilled at any time, not to exceed thirteen years.
15.    Segment Information
We are primarily engaged in underwriting property and casualty insurance and reinsurance. We have two ongoing reporting segments: U.S. Operations and International Operations. Additionally, we have a Run-off Lines segment for certain products that we no longer underwrite.
We consider many factors, including the nature of each segment’s insurance and reinsurance products, production sources, distribution strategies and the regulatory environment, in determining how to aggregate reporting segments. Transactions between segments are reported in the segment that initiated the transaction.
In evaluating the operating performance of our segments, we focus on core underwriting and investing results before the consideration of realized gains or losses from investments. Realized investment gains are reported as a component of the Corporate and Other segment, as decisions regarding the acquisition and disposal of securities reside with the corporate investment function and are not under the control of the individual business segments. Identifiable assets by segment are those assets used in the operation of each segment.
Revenue and income before income taxes for each segment were as follows:
 
 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
(in millions)
 
2019
 
2018
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
Earned premiums
 
 
 
 
U.S. Operations
 
$
273.8

 
$
262.3

International Operations
 
146.7

 
152.4

Total earned premiums
 
420.5

 
414.7

Net investment income
 
 
 
 
U.S. Operations
 
23.1

 
22.6

International Operations
 
9.1

 
8.8

Run-off Lines
 
1.4

 
2.2

Corporate and Other
 
0.3

 
2.4

Total net investment income
 
33.9

 
36.0

Fee and other income
 
2.3

 
2.0

Net realized investment gains (losses)
 
52.5

 
(15.7
)
Total revenue
 
$
509.2

 
$
437.0

 

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Table of Contents

 
 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
(in millions)
 
2019
 
2018
Income before income taxes
 
 
 
 
U.S. Operations
 
$
42.9

 
$
34.0

International Operations
 
16.2

 
22.9

Run-off Lines
 
0.6

 
(0.7
)
Total segment income before taxes
 
59.7

 
56.2

Corporate and Other
 
(12.1
)
 
(15.5
)
Net realized investment gains (losses)
 
52.5

 
(15.7
)
Total income before income taxes
 
$
100.1

 
$
25.0

The table below presents earned premiums by geographic location for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018. For this disclosure, we determine geographic location by the country of domicile of our subsidiaries that underwrite the business and not by the location of insureds or reinsureds from whom the business was generated.
 
 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
(in millions)
 
2019
 
2018
United States
 
$
272.6

 
$
261.4

United Kingdom
 
97.1

 
114.1

Bermuda
 
16.6

 
20.5

Malta
 
20.8

 
5.7

All other jurisdictions
 
13.4

 
13.0

Total earned premiums
 
$
420.5

 
$
414.7

The following table represents identifiable assets:
(in millions)
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
U.S. Operations
 
$
5,179.6

 
$
4,707.8

International Operations
 
4,219.0

 
3,984.7

Run-off Lines
 
364.3

 
444.8

Corporate and Other
 
191.6

 
420.9

Total
 
$
9,954.5

 
$
9,558.2

Included in total assets at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are $760.9 million and $880.4 million, respectively, in assets associated with trade capital providers.
16.    Senior Unsecured Fixed Rate Notes 
In September 2012, Argo Group (the “Parent Guarantor”), through its subsidiary Argo Group US (the “Subsidiary Issuer”), issued $143,750,000 aggregate principal amount of the Subsidiary Issuer’s 6.5% Senior Notes due September 15, 2042 (the “Notes”). The Notes are unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Subsidiary Issuer and rank equally in right of payment with all of the Subsidiary Issuer’s other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The Notes are guaranteed on a full and unconditional senior unsecured basis by the Parent Guarantor. The Notes may be redeemed, for cash, in whole or in part, on or after September 15, 2017, at the Subsidiary Issuer’s option, at any time and from time to time, prior to maturity at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued but unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to, but not including, the redemption date.
In accordance with ASU 2015-3, “Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs” (Topic 835), we present the unamortized debt issuance costs in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the debt liability. At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Notes consisted of the following:

27
Table of Contents

(in millions)
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Senior unsecured fixed rate notes
 
 
 
 
Principal
 
$
143.8

 
$
143.8

Less: unamortized debt issuance costs
 
(3.9
)
 
(4.0
)
Senior unsecured fixed rate notes, less unamortized debt issuance costs
 
$
139.9

 
$
139.8

In accordance with Article 10 of SEC Regulation S-X, we have elected to present condensed consolidating financial information in lieu of separate financial statements for the Subsidiary Issuer. The following tables present condensed consolidating financial information at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 and for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, of the Parent Guarantor and the Subsidiary Issuer. The Subsidiary Issuer is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Parent Guarantor. Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for by the Parent Guarantor under the equity method for purposes of the supplemental consolidating presentation. Earnings of subsidiaries are reflected in the Parent Guarantor’s investment accounts and earnings.
The Parent Guarantor fully and unconditionally guarantees certain of the debt of the Subsidiary Issuer. Condensed consolidating financial information of the Subsidiary Issuer is presented on a consolidated basis and consists principally of the net assets, results of operations and cash flows of operating insurance company subsidiaries.

28
Table of Contents

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
MARCH 31, 2019
(in millions)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Argo Group
International
Holdings, Ltd
(Parent Guarantor)
 
Argo Group US, Inc.
and Subsidiaries
(Subsidiary Issuer)
 
Other Subsidiaries
and Eliminations (1)
 
Consolidating
Adjustments (2)
 
Total
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments
 
$
1.9

 
$
3,274.0

 
$
1,627.6

 
$
—

 
$
4,903.5

Cash
 
1.9

 
33.3

 
117.5

 
—

 
152.7

Accrued investment income
 
—

 
19.9

 
7.6

 
—

 
27.5

Premiums receivable
 
—

 
222.2

 
451.0

 
—

 
673.2

Reinsurance recoverables
 
—

 
1,659.1

 
1,002.3

 
—

 
2,661.4

Goodwill and other intangible assets, net
 
41.6

 
123.7

 
104.8

 
—

 
270.1

Current income taxes receivable, net
 
—

 
6.1

 
(1.1
)
 
—

 
5.0

Deferred acquisition costs, net
 
—

 
84.6

 
83.3

 
—

 
167.9

Ceded unearned premiums
 
—

 
264.9

 
297.6

 
—

 
562.5

Operating lease right-of-use assets
 
8.7

 
76.5

 
30.1

 
—

 
115.3

Other assets
 
10.6

 
189.2

 
215.6

 
—

 
415.4

Intercompany note receivable
 
—

 
54.4

 
(54.4
)
 
—

 
—

Investments in subsidiaries
 
1,999.4

 
—

 
—

 
(1,999.4
)
 
—

Total assets
 
$
2,064.1

 
$
6,007.9

 
$
3,881.9

 
$
(1,999.4
)
 
$
9,954.5

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
$
—

 
$
2,827.8

 
$
1,841.1

 
$
—

 
$
4,668.9

Unearned premiums
 
—

 
785.6

 
558.9

 
—

 
1,344.5

Funds held and ceded reinsurance payable, net
 
—

 
754.9

 
328.5

 
—

 
1,083.4

Debt
 
153.4

 
284.8

 
141.7

 
—

 
579.9

Deferred tax liabilities, net
 
—

 
21.7

 
(1.0
)
 
—

 
20.7

Accrued underwriting expenses and other liabilities
 
7.8

 
101.3

 
139.1

 
—

 
248.2

Operating lease liabilities
 
9.2

 
86.5

 
32.6

 
—

 
128.3

Due to (from) affiliates
 
13.1

 
3.1

 
(3.1
)
 
(13.1
)
 
—

Intercompany note payable
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total liabilities
 
183.5

 
4,865.7

 
3,037.8

 
(13.1
)
 
8,073.9

Total shareholders' equity
 
1,880.6

 
1,142.2

 
844.1

 
(1,986.3
)
 
1,880.6

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
 
$
2,064.1

 
$
6,007.9

 
$
3,881.9

 
$
(1,999.4
)
 
$
9,954.5

 
(1) 
Includes all other subsidiaries of Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. and all intercompany eliminations.
(2) 
Includes all Argo Group parent company eliminations.

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Table of Contents

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
DECEMBER 31, 2018
(in millions)
 
 
 
Argo Group
International
Holdings, Ltd
(Parent Guarantor)
 
Argo Group US, Inc.
and Subsidiaries
(Subsidiary Issuer)
 
Other Subsidiaries
and Eliminations (1)
 
Consolidating
Adjustments (2)
 
Total
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments
 
$
3.8

 
$
3,175.9

 
$
1,607.3

 
$
—

 
$
4,787.0

Cash
 
1.7

 
31.7

 
105.8

 
—

 
139.2

Accrued investment income
 
—

 
20.3

 
6.9

 
—

 
27.2

Premiums receivable
 
—

 
229.5

 
420.4

 
—

 
649.9

Reinsurance recoverables
 
—

 
1,635.2

 
1,053.1

 
—

 
2,688.3

Goodwill and other intangible assets, net
 
41.9

 
123.8

 
104.8

 
—

 
270.5

Current income taxes receivable, net
 
—

 
9.1

 
(0.9
)
 
—

 
8.2

Deferred acquisition costs, net
 
—

 
86.2

 
81.1

 
—

 
167.3

Ceded unearned premiums
 
—

 
250.4

 
207.3

 
—

 
457.7

Other assets
 
15.7

 
165.3

 
181.9

 
—

 
362.9

Intercompany note receivable
 
—

 
53.7

 
(53.7
)
 
—

 
—

Investments in subsidiaries
 
1,852.7

 
—

 
—

 
(1,852.7
)
 
—

Total assets
 
$
1,915.8

 
$
5,781.1

 
$
3,714.0

 
$
(1,852.7
)
 
$
9,558.2

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
$
—

 
$
2,771.4

 
$
1,883.2

 
$
—

 
$
4,654.6

Unearned premiums
 
—

 
797.4

 
503.5

 
—

 
1,300.9

Funds held and ceded reinsurance payable, net
 
—

 
739.3

 
268.4

 
—

 
1,007.7

Debt
 
153.4

 
284.7

 
142.1

 
—

 
580.2

Deferred tax liabilities, net
 
—

 
5.6

 
0.6

 
—

 
6.2

Accrued underwriting expenses and other liabilities
 
7.2

 
112.4

 
142.3

 
—

 
261.9

Due to (from) affiliates
 
8.5

 
2.0

 
(2.0
)
 
(8.5
)
 
—

Intercompany note payable
 
—

 
19.1

 
(19.1
)
 
—

 
—

Total liabilities
 
169.1

 
4,731.9

 
2,919.0

 
(8.5
)
 
7,811.5

Total shareholders' equity
 
1,746.7

 
1,049.2

 
795.0

 
(1,844.2
)
 
1,746.7

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
 
$
1,915.8

 
$
5,781.1

 
$
3,714.0

 
$
(1,852.7
)
 
$
9,558.2

 
(1) 
Includes all other subsidiaries of Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. and all intercompany eliminations.
(2) 
Includes all Argo Group parent company eliminations.


30
Table of Contents

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2019
(in millions)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Argo Group
International
Holdings, Ltd
(Parent Guarantor)
 
Argo Group US, Inc.
and Subsidiaries
(Subsidiary Issuer)
 
Other Subsidiaries
and Eliminations (1)
 
Consolidating
Adjustments (2)
 
Total
Premiums and other revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earned premiums
 
$
—

 
$
266.5

 
$
154.0

 
$
—

 
$
420.5

Net investment (expense) income
 
(0.7
)
 
23.8

 
10.8

 
—

 
33.9

Fee and other income
 
—

 
1.1

 
1.2

 
—

 
2.3

Net realized investment (losses) gains
 
(0.1
)
 
45.9

 
6.7

 
—

 
52.5

Total revenue
 
(0.8
)
 
337.3

 
172.7

 
—

 
509.2

Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
—

 
158.0

 
79.9

 
—

 
237.9

Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses
 
0.7

 
104.1

 
55.9

 
—

 
160.7

Interest expense
 
1.7

 
4.7

 
2.1

 
—

 
8.5

Fee and other expense
 
—

 
0.8

 
0.5

 
—

 
1.3

Foreign currency exchange losses
 
—

 
0.3

 
0.4

 
—

 
0.7

Total expenses
 
2.4

 
267.9

 
138.8

 
—

 
409.1

(Loss) income before income taxes
 
(3.2
)
 
69.4

 
33.9

 
—

 
100.1

Provision for income taxes
 
—

 
10.0

 
(1.1
)
 
—

 
8.9

Net (loss) income before equity in earnings of subsidiaries
 
(3.2
)
 
59.4

 
35.0

 
—

 
91.2

Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries
 
94.4

 
—

 
—

 
(94.4
)
 
—

Net income
 
$
91.2

 
$
59.4

 
$
35.0

 
$
(94.4
)
 
$
91.2


(1) 
Includes all other subsidiaries of Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. and all intercompany eliminations.
(2) 
Includes all Argo Group parent company eliminations.


31
Table of Contents

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018
(in millions)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Argo Group
International
Holdings, Ltd
(Parent Guarantor)
 
Argo Group US, Inc.
and Subsidiaries
(Subsidiary Issuer)
 
Other Subsidiaries
and Eliminations (1)
 
Consolidating
Adjustments (2)
 
Total
Premiums and other revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earned premiums
 
$
—

 
$
156.9

 
$
257.8

 
$
—

 
$
414.7

Net investment (expense) income
 
(0.7
)
 
22.1

 
14.6

 
—

 
36.0

Fee and other income
 
—

 
0.8

 
1.2

 
—

 
2.0

Net realized investment (losses) gains
 
(0.4
)
 
(15.4
)
 
0.1

 
—

 
(15.7
)
Total revenue
 
(1.1
)
 
164.4

 
273.7

 
—

 
437.0

Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
—

 
95.4

 
141.8

 
—

 
237.2

Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses
 
2.4

 
69.8

 
88.0

 
—

 
160.2

Interest expense
 
1.3

 
4.3

 
2.1

 
—

 
7.7

Fee and other expense
 
—

 
1.4

 
0.6

 
—

 
2.0

Foreign currency exchange losses
 
—

 
0.1

 
4.8

 
—

 
4.9

Total expenses
 
3.7

 
171.0

 
237.3

 
—

 
412.0

(Loss) income before income taxes
 
(4.8
)
 
(6.6
)
 
36.4

 
—

 
25.0

Provision (benefit) for income taxes
 
—

 
(1.4
)
 
1.6

 
—

 
0.2

Net (loss) income before equity in earnings of subsidiaries
 
(4.8
)
 
(5.2
)
 
34.8

 
—

 
24.8

Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries
 
29.6

 
—

 
—

 
(29.6
)
 
—

Net income (loss)
 
$
24.8

 
$
(5.2
)
 
$
34.8

 
$
(29.6
)
 
$
24.8


(1) 
Includes all other subsidiaries of Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. and all intercompany eliminations.
(2) 
Includes all Argo Group parent company eliminations.







32
Table of Contents

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2019
(in millions)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Argo Group
International
Holdings, Ltd
(Parent Guarantor)
 
Argo Group US, Inc.
and Subsidiaries
(Subsidiary Issuer)
 
Other Subsidiaries
and Eliminations (1)
 
Consolidating
Adjustments (2)
 
Total
Net cash flows from operating activities
 
$
8.8

 
$
29.5

 
$
17.3

 
$
—

 
$
55.6

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from sales of investments
 
—

 
156.6

 
115.9

 
—

 
272.5

Maturities and mandatory calls of fixed maturity investments
 
—

 
51.3

 
14.5

 
—

 
65.8

Purchases of investments
 
—

 
(249.0
)
 
(135.2
)
 
—

 
(384.2
)
Change in short-term investments and foreign regulatory deposits
 
1.9

 
35.3

 
0.8

 
—

 
38.0

Settlements of foreign currency exchange forward contracts
 
—

 
0.3

 
3.3

 
—

 
3.6

Purchases of fixed assets and other, net
 
—

 
(3.3
)
 
(24.1
)
 
—

 
(27.4
)
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities
 
1.9

 
(8.8
)
 
(24.8
)
 
—

 
(31.7
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Payment on the intercompany note
 
—

 
(19.1
)
 
19.1

 
—

 
—

Activity under stock incentive plans
 
0.3

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
0.3

Payment of cash dividend to common shareholders
 
(10.8
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(10.8
)
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities
 
(10.5
)
 
(19.1
)
 
19.1

 
—

 
(10.5
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
 
—

 
—

 
0.1

 
—

 
0.1

Change in cash
 
0.2

 
1.6

 
11.7

 
—

 
13.5

Cash, beginning of year
 
1.7

 
31.7

 
105.8

 
—

 
139.2

Cash, end of period
 
$
1.9

 
$
33.3

 
$
117.5

 
$
—

 
$
152.7


(1) 
Includes all other subsidiaries of Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. and all intercompany eliminations.
(2) 
Includes all Argo Group parent company eliminations.



33
Table of Contents

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018
(in millions)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Argo Group
International
Holdings, Ltd
(Parent Guarantor)
 
Argo Group US, Inc.
and Subsidiaries
(Subsidiary Issuer)
 
Other Subsidiaries
and Eliminations (1)
 
Consolidating
Adjustments (2)
 
Total
Net cash flows from operating activities
 
$
27.8

 
$
53.2

 
$
72.6

 
$
—

 
$
153.6

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from sales of investments
 
—

 
325.0

 
230.4

 
—

 
555.4

Maturities and mandatory calls of fixed maturity investments
 
—

 
113.1

 
31.7

 
—

 
144.8

Purchases of investments
 
—

 
(475.2
)
 
(212.3
)
 
—

 
(687.5
)
Change in short-term investments and foreign regulatory deposits
 
—

 
(4.5
)
 
(156.5
)
 
—

 
(161.0
)
Settlements of foreign currency exchange forward contracts
 
(0.6
)
 
(0.7
)
 
3.0

 
—

 
1.7

Cash acquired with acquisition of Ariscom
 
—

 
—

 
15.6

 
—

 
15.6

Purchases of fixed assets and other, net
 
(0.1
)
 
0.7

 
1.9

 
—

 
2.5

Cash used in investing activities
 
(0.7
)
 
(41.6
)
 
(86.2
)
 
—

 
(128.5
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Activity under stock incentive plans
 
0.2

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
0.2

Repurchase of Company's common shares
 
(18.6
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(18.6
)
Payment of cash dividend to common shareholders
 
(9.3
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(9.3
)
Cash used in financing activities
 
(27.7
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(27.7
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
 
—

 
—

 
(0.3
)
 
—

 
(0.3
)
Change in cash
 
(0.6
)
 
11.6

 
(13.9
)
 
—

 
(2.9
)
Cash, beginning of year
 
0.9

 
47.8

 
127.9

 
—

 
176.6

Cash, end of period
 
$
0.3

 
$
59.4

 
$
114.0

 
$
—

 
$
173.7


(1) 
Includes all other subsidiaries of Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. and all intercompany eliminations.
(2) 
Includes all Argo Group parent company eliminations.

34
Table of Contents

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following is a discussion and analysis of our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared with the three months ended March 31, 2018, and also a discussion of our financial condition as of March 31, 2019. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the attached unaudited interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto and Argo Group’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 25, 2019, including the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto.
Forward Looking Statements
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk and the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements (including the notes thereto) may contain “forward looking statements,” which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. There can be no assurance that actual developments will be those anticipated by us. Actual results may differ materially as a result of significant risks and uncertainties, including non-receipt of expected payments, capital markets and their effect on investment income and fair value of the investment portfolio, development of claims and the effect on loss reserves, accuracy in estimating loss reserves, changes in the demand for our products, effect of general economic conditions, adverse government legislation and regulations, government investigations into industry practices, developments relating to existing agreements, heightened competition, changes in pricing environments, changes in asset valuations and costs associated with shareholder activism. For a more detailed discussion of risks and uncertainties, see our public filings made with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements.
Generally, it is our policy to communicate events that may have a material adverse impact on our operations or financial position, including property and casualty catastrophe events and material losses in the investment portfolio, in a timely manner through a public announcement. It is also our policy not to make public announcements regarding events that are believed to have no material adverse impact on our results of operations or financial position based on management’s current estimates and available information, other than through regularly scheduled calls, press releases or filings.
Consolidated Results of Operations
We reported net income of $91.2 million ($2.63 per diluted share) and $24.8 million ($0.71 per diluted share) for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
The following is a comparison of selected data from our operations:
 
 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
(in millions)
 
2019
 
2018
Gross written premiums
 
$
760.8

 
$
710.5

Earned premiums
 
$
420.5

 
$
414.7

Net investment income
 
33.9

 
36.0

Fee and other income
 
2.3

 
2.0

Net realized investment gains (losses):
 
 
 
 
Net realized investment (losses) gains
 
(1.7
)
 
15.2

Change in fair value of equity securities
 
54.2

 
(30.9
)
Net realized investment gains (losses)
 
52.5

 
(15.7
)
Total revenue
 
$
509.2

 
$
437.0

Income before income taxes
 
$
100.1

 
$
25.0

Income tax provision
 
8.9

 
0.2

Net income
 
$
91.2

 
$
24.8

Loss ratio
 
56.6
%
 
57.2
%
Expense ratio
 
38.2
%
 
38.6
%
Combined ratio
 
94.8
%
 
95.8
%

35
Table of Contents

In presenting our results in the following discussion and analysis of our results of operations, we have included certain non-generally accepted accounting principles ("non-GAAP") financial measures within the meaning of Regulation G as promulgated by the SEC. We believe that these non-GAAP measures, specifically the current accident year non-catastrophe loss, expense and combined ratios, which may be defined differently by other companies, better explain our results of operations in a manner that allows for a more complete understanding of the underlying trends in our business. However, these measures should not be viewed as a substitute for those determined in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Reconciliations of these financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP measures are included in the tables below.
 
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
(in millions)
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
Earned premiums
 
$
420.5

 
 
 
$
414.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and loss adjustment expenses, as reported
 
$
237.9

 
56.6
 %
 
$
237.2

 
57.2
 %
Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Favorable prior accident year loss development
 
(2.5
)
 
(0.6
)%
 
(2.0
)
 
(0.5
)%
Catastrophe losses 
 
5.5

 
1.3
 %
 
4.3

 
1.0
 %
Current accident year non-catastrophe losses
 
$
234.9

 
55.9
 %
 
$
234.9

 
56.7
 %
Expense ratio
 


 
38.2
 %
 


 
38.6
 %
Current accident year non-catastrophe combined ratio
 
 
 
94.1
 %
 
 
 
95.3
 %
Gross Written and Earned Premiums
Consolidated gross written and earned premiums by our four primary insurance lines were as follows:
 
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
(in millions)
 
Gross Written
 
Net Earned
 
Gross Written
 
Net Earned
Property
 
$
219.2

 
$
67.1

 
$
199.9

 
$
92.7

Liability
 
289.6

 
207.9

 
290.3

 
192.0

Professional
 
116.7

 
61.0

 
93.7

 
54.4

Specialty
 
135.3

 
84.5

 
126.6

 
75.6

Total
 
$
760.8

 
$
420.5

 
$
710.5

 
$
414.7


Our consolidated gross written premiums increased $50.3 million, or 7.1%, for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the same period ended 2018, while net earned premiums increased $5.8 million, or 1.4%, for the comparative periods. Both U.S. Operations and International Operations saw overall rate increases for the three months ended March 31, 2019.
U.S. Operations gross written premiums grew $37.9 million, or 10.2%, in the first quarter of 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018. This growth was achieved in Property, Professional, and Specialty lines, while writings within Liability lines were consistent with amounts written in the first quarter of 2018. The overall increase in gross written premiums reflects the continued execution of strategic growth and digital initiatives, and a new fronted program within the Property lines, while still executing on appropriate risk selection and exposure management actions.
International Operations gross written premiums grew $12.4 million, or 3.7%, in the first quarter of 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018. This growth was primarily due to Professional and Specialty lines, as Property and Liability lines approximate the first quarter of 2018 writings. Geographically, the growth was primarily due to Bermuda (insurance) and Europe. Bermuda, which represented 58.8% of the overall increase, reported growth as a result of an increase in new business and favorable rate changes. Europe, which represented 41.1% of the overall increase, reported growth following the acquisition of ArgoGlobal SpA (formerly Ariscom) in the first quarter of 2018.
The modest 1.4% growth in our consolidated net earned premiums during the first quarter of 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018 included an increase from U.S. Operations of $11.5 million, or 4.4%, partially offset by a decline of $5.7 million, or 3.7%, from International Operations. In both segments, we have decreased our percentage of net retained premiums (net written premiums as a

36
Table of Contents

percentage of gross written premiums), and subsequently our net earned premiums, due in large part to an increase in the ongoing strategic use of reinsurance programs, most notably within Property lines, as part of overall risk management initiatives. We also increased our use of third-party capital in International Operations.
Our gross written and earned premiums are further discussed by reporting segment and major lines of business in the subsequent "Segment Results" section of this document.
Net Investment Income
The decrease in consolidated net investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018 was primarily attributable to a $6.8 million decrease in net investment income from our alternative investment portfolio, which is reported on a one to three-month lag and reflects the volatile markets in the latter months of 2018. Partially offsetting this decrease was a $4.7 million increase in net investment income from our core portfolio due to a growth in our invested asset base and higher investment yields.
Net Realized Investment Gains/Losses
Consolidated net realized investment gains for the three months ended March 31, 2019 included a $54.2 million increase in the fair value of equity securities. The remaining $1.7 million net realized investment loss included recognizing $4.3 million in other-than-temporary impairment losses on fixed maturity securities, partially offset by $1.8 million in realized gains primarily from the sale of fixed maturity and equity securities and $0.8 million of foreign currency exchange gains, including $0.7 million on our foreign currency forward contracts.
Consolidated net realized investment losses for the three months ended March 31, 2018 included a $30.9 million decrease in the fair value of equity securities. The remaining $15.2 million net realized investment gain consisted of $12.3 million in realized gains primarily from the sale of equity and fixed maturity securities and $3.9 million of foreign currency exchange gains, including $2.6 million on our foreign currency forward contracts. Additionally, for the three months ended March 31, 2018, we recognized $1.0 million in other-than-temporary impairment losses on fixed maturity securities.
Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses
The consolidated loss ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was 56.6%, compared to 57.2% for the same period in 2018, driven by improvement in the current accident year non-catastrophe loss ratio (0.8 percentage points) and slightly higher net favorable prior-year reserve development (0.1 percentage point), partially offset by a modest increase in catastrophe losses (0.3 percentage points).
Our loss and loss adjustment expenses are further discussed by reporting segment in the subsequent "Segment Results" section of this document.
The following table summarizes the above referenced prior-year loss reserve development for the three months ended March 31, 2019 with respect to net loss reserves by line of business as of December 31, 2018. 
(in millions)
 
 Net Reserves 2018
 
Net Reserve
Development
(Favorable)/
Unfavorable
 
 Percent of 2018 Net Reserves
General liability
 
$
1,306.0

 
$
1.4

 
0.1
 %
Workers compensation
 
309.3

 
3.5

 
1.1
 %
Commercial multi-peril
 
172.2

 
1.9

 
1.1
 %
Reinsurance - nonproportional assumed property
 
57.7

 
(1.3
)
 
(2.3
)%
Fidelity/Surety
 
56.9

 
(5.2
)
 
(9.1
)%
All other lines
 
660.8

 
(2.8
)
 
(0.4
)%
Total
 
$
2,562.9

 
$
(2.5
)
 
(0.1
)%
 
Consolidated gross reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses were $4,668.9 million (including $223.3 million of reserves attributable to our syndicate trade capital providers) and $4,283.6 million (including $217.2 million of reserves attributable to our syndicate trade capital providers) as of March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Management has recorded its best estimate of loss reserves at each date based on current known facts and circumstances. Due to the significant uncertainties inherent in the estimation of loss reserves, there can be no assurance that future favorable or unfavorable loss development, which may be material, will not occur.

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Underwriting, Acquisition and Insurance Expenses
Consolidated underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses were $160.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to $160.2 million for the same period ended 2018. The expense ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was 38.2% compared to 38.6% for the same period ended 2018. Our consolidated underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses include certain costs associated with our holding company.
The improvement in the first quarter of 2019 compared to first quarter of 2018 reflects a combination of the benefits of scale due to increased net earned premiums, particularly in our U.S. Operations, as well as effectively managing costs across our business.
Interest Expense
Consolidated interest expense was $8.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to $7.7 million for the same period ended 2018. The increase was attributable to increases in short-term LIBOR rates during the first quarter of 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018.
Foreign Currency Exchange Gains/Losses
Consolidated foreign currency exchange losses were $0.7 million and $4.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The changes in the foreign currency exchange losses were due to fluctuations of the U.S. Dollar, on a weighted average basis, against the currencies in which we transact our business. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, the small foreign currency exchange losses were primarily driven by the U.S. Dollar weakening against the British Pound and the Canadian Dollar, partially offset by the U.S. Dollar strengthening against the Euro. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the U.S. Dollar weakened against the British Pound, the Euro, the Canadian Dollar and the Australian Dollar.
Income Tax Provision
The consolidated income tax provision represents the income tax expense or benefit associated with our operations based on the tax laws of the jurisdictions in which we operate. Therefore, the provision for income taxes represents taxes on the net income for our Belgium, Brazil, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States operations. The consolidated provision for income taxes was $8.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to $0.2 million for the same period ended 2018. The effective tax rate increased to 8.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2019 from 0.7% for the same period ended 2018. The increase in the effective tax rate for the comparative quarter-to-date periods was due to the concentration of the jurisdictional mix of taxable income in the first quarter of 2019 varying compared to the respective period.
Segment Results
We are primarily engaged in writing property and casualty insurance and reinsurance. We have two ongoing reporting segments: U.S. Operations and International Operations. Additionally, we have a Run-off Lines segment for products that we no longer underwrite.
We consider many factors, including the nature of each segment’s insurance and reinsurance products, production sources, distribution strategies and regulatory environment, in determining how to aggregate reporting segments.
Our reportable segments include four primary insurance and reinsurance services and offerings as follows:
•
Property includes both property insurance and reinsurance products. Insurance products cover commercial properties primarily in North America with some international covers. Reinsurance covers underlying exposures that are located throughout the world, including the United States. These offerings include coverages for man-made and natural disasters.
•
Liability includes a broad range of primary and excess casualty products for risks on both an admitted and non-admitted basis in the United States. Internationally, Argo underwrites worldwide casualty risks primarily exposed in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
•
Professional includes various professional lines products including errors & omissions, management liability (including directors and officers) and cyber liability coverages.
•
Specialty includes niche insurance coverages including marine & energy, accident & health and surety product offerings.
In evaluating the operating performance of our segments, we focus on core underwriting and investing results before consideration of realized gains or losses from the sales of investments. Intersegment transactions are allocated to the segment that initiated the transaction. Realized investment gains and losses are reported as a component of the Corporate and Other segment, as decisions regarding the

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acquisition and disposal of securities reside with the corporate investment function and are not under the control of the individual business segments. Although this measure of profit (loss) does not replace net income (loss) computed in accordance with GAAP as a measure of profitability, management uses this measure of profit (loss) to focus our reporting segments on generating operating income.
Since we generally manage and monitor the investment portfolio on an aggregate basis, the overall performance of the investment portfolio, and related net investment income, is discussed above on a combined basis under consolidated net investment income rather than within or by segment.
U.S. Operations
The following table summarizes the results of operations for the U.S. Operations segment:
 
 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
(in millions)
 
2019
 
2018
Gross written premiums
 
$
410.7

 
$
372.8

Earned premiums
 
$
273.8

 
$
262.3

Losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
154.8

 
156.2

Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses
 
94.2

 
90.1

Underwriting income
 
24.8

 
16.0

Net investment income
 
23.1

 
22.6

Interest expense
 
(5.2
)
 
(3.9
)
Fee and other income
 
0.3

 
—

Fee and other expense
 
(0.1
)
 
(0.7
)
Income before income taxes
 
$
42.9

 
$
34.0

Loss ratio
 
56.5
%
 
59.5
%
Expense ratio
 
34.4
%
 
34.4
%
Combined ratio
 
90.9
%
 
93.9
%
The following tables contain reconciliations of certain non-GAAP financial measures, specifically the current accident year non-catastrophe loss, expense and combined ratios, to their most directly comparable GAAP measures for our U.S. Operations.
 
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
(in millions)
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
Earned premiums
 
$
273.8

 
 
 
$
262.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and loss adjustment expenses, as reported
 
$
154.8

 
56.5
 %
 
$
156.2

 
59.5
 %
Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Favorable prior accident year loss development
 
(4.0
)
 
(1.5
)%
 
(1.0
)
 
(0.4
)%
Catastrophe losses
 
4.0

 
1.5
 %
 
4.3

 
1.6
 %
Current accident year non-catastrophe losses
 
$
154.8

 
56.5
 %
 
$
152.9

 
58.3
 %
Expense ratio
 
 
 
34.4
 %
 
 
 
34.4
 %
Current accident year non-catastrophe combined ratio
 
 
 
90.9
 %
 
 
 
92.7
 %

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Gross Written and Earned Premiums
Gross written and earned premiums by our four primary insurance lines were as follows:
 
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
(in millions)
 
Gross Written
 
Net Earned
 
Gross Written
 
Net Earned
Property
 
$
64.2

 
$
31.5

 
$
45.6

 
$
34.7

Liability
 
242.6

 
178.5

 
243.1

 
171.9

Professional
 
60.8

 
31.8

 
47.3

 
29.1

Specialty
 
43.1

 
32.0

 
36.8

 
26.6

Total
 
$
410.7

 
$
273.8

 
$
372.8

 
$
262.3

Property
The increase in gross written premiums for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 was primarily concentrated in our excess and surplus lines property and fronting divisions. Excess and surplus lines property realized growth from capitalizing on an improved rate environment and maintaining a high renewal retention rate during the first quarter of 2019. We also added a new non-excess and surplus lines fronting program in 2019. Net earned premiums in property decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018, primarily due to increased reinsurance costs, as previously discussed.
Liability
Gross written premiums decreased a modest $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018, primarily due to the reduction in certain fronted business, partially offset by growth in casualty and commercial programs. Certain customers in the fronted programs elected to non-renew some of their larger accounts during this quarter for underwriting reasons. Casualty has increased premiums with improving retention on renewals, compared to prior year, while achieving rate increases. Our commercial programs business has experienced growth predominantly from new business. Net earned premiums increased for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018, as a result of the growth realized by the risk-retaining casualty and commercial program businesses.
Professional
Gross written and net earned premiums increased for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018, as a result of new products that were launched in 2018 and continued focus on marketing and optimizing resources to write new business.
Specialty
The increase in gross written and net earned premiums for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018 is a result of the growth in our surety business, which continues to add new accounts as it expands its underwriting appetite.
Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses
The loss ratio for the first quarter of 2019 was 56.5%, compared to 59.5% for the first quarter of 2018. The lower loss ratio in the first quarter of 2019 is driven by a 1.8 percentage point improvement in the current accident year non-catastrophe loss ratio, an improvement of 1.1 percentage points from an increase in favorable net prior-year reserve development, and an improvement of 0.1 percentage points from decreased catastrophe-related losses. The current accident year non-catastrophe loss ratio for the first quarter of 2019 was 56.5%, compared to 58.3% for the first quarter of 2018. This improvement was driven in large part by both increased rates in most lines of business and improved business mix trends. In addition, the first quarter of 2018 included a number of discrete non-catastrophe, weather-related property losses.
Net favorable prior-year reserve development for the first quarter of 2019 was $4.0 million and related primarily to liability and specialty lines, partially offset by unfavorable development in workers compensation and commercial multi-peril lines. The net favorable prior-year reserve development for the first quarter of 2018 was $1.0 million related primarily to certain liability and specialty lines.
Catastrophe losses for the first quarter of 2019 were $4.0 million related to U.S. storms, including Midwest floods, compared to catastrophe losses of $4.3 million in the first quarter of 2018, which were primarily related to Northeast winter storms.

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Underwriting, Acquisition and Insurance Expenses
The expense ratio for the first quarter of 2019 was 34.4%, which is consistent with the first quarter of 2018 (which was also 34.4%). The first quarter of 2019 reflected lower acquisition costs associated with increased ceding commissions that were offset by continued strategic investments in people and technology, including digital initiatives in support of the aforementioned 10.2% gross written premium growth.
International Operations
The following table summarizes the results of operations for the International Operations segment:
 
 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
(in millions)
 
2019
 
2018
Gross written premiums
 
$
350.1

 
$
337.7

Earned premiums
 
$
146.7

 
$
152.4

Losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
82.4

 
79.2

Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses
 
55.1

 
57.4

Underwriting income
 
9.2

 
15.8

Net investment income
 
9.1

 
8.8

Interest expense
 
(2.8
)
 
(2.3
)
Fee and other income
 
1.2

 
1.2

Fee and other expense
 
(0.5
)
 
(0.6
)
Income before income taxes
 
$
16.2

 
$
22.9

Loss ratio
 
56.2
%
 
52.0
%
Expense ratio
 
37.5
%
 
37.6
%
Combined ratio
 
93.7
%
 
89.6
%
The following tables contain reconciliations of certain non-GAAP financial measures, specifically the current accident year non-catastrophe loss, expense and combined ratios, to their most directly comparable GAAP measures for our International Operations.
 
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
(in millions)
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
Earned premiums
 
$
146.7

 
 
 
$
152.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses and loss adjustment expenses, as reported
 
$
82.4

 
56.2
%
 
$
79.2

 
52.0
 %
Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unfavorable (favorable) prior accident year loss development
 
0.8

 
0.5
%
 
(2.8
)
 
(1.8
)%
Catastrophe losses
 
1.5

 
1.1
%
 
—

 
—
 %
Current accident year non-catastrophe losses
 
$
80.1

 
54.6
%
 
$
82.0

 
53.8
 %
Expense ratio
 
 
 
37.5
%
 
 
 
37.6
 %
Current accident year non-catastrophe combined ratio
 
 
 
92.1
%
 
 
 
91.4
 %

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Gross Written and Earned Premiums
Gross written and earned premiums by our four primary insurance and reinsurance lines were as follows:
 
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
(in millions)
 
Gross Written
 
Net Earned
 
Gross Written
 
Net Earned
Property
 
$
155.0

 
$
35.6

 
$
154.3

 
$
58.0

Liability
 
47.0

 
29.4

 
47.2

 
20.1

Professional
 
55.9

 
29.2

 
46.4

 
25.3

Specialty
 
92.2

 
52.5

 
89.8

 
49.0

Total
 
$
350.1

 
$
146.7

 
$
337.7

 
$
152.4

Property
Gross written premiums for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 were relatively flat compared to the same period in 2018. The $0.7 million increase during the first quarter of 2019 was due to an improved rate environment and an increase in new business accounts, partially offset by planned premiums reductions within Syndicate 1200 due to our continued book optimization efforts. The $22.4 million decrease in net earned premiums for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018 was due to an increase in the ongoing strategic use of reinsurance programs as part of overall risk management initiatives, as well as increasing our use of third-party capital at Lloyd’s.
Liability
The modest $0.2 million decrease in gross written premiums for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018 was due to a decrease in casualty reinsurance driven by slower organic growth during the first quarter of 2019, partially offset by growth in our European operations as a result of the addition of ArgoGlobal SpA. The $9.3 million increase in net earned premiums for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018 was primarily due to the earning of premiums written in 2018 related to our European binder business.
Professional
The $9.5 million and $3.9 million increases in gross written and net earned premiums, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018 were primarily attributable to growth in our Syndicate 1200 business driven by prior years of account binder increases in professional indemnity and cyber lines, as well as increased current year writings in professional indemnity.
Specialty
The $2.4 million increase in gross written premiums for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018 was concentrated in our European and Latin America operations. European growth was largely due to the introduction of two new lines of business in our binder platform, while the Latin American growth was driven by an increase in new business accounts in cargo marine. The $3.5 million increase in net earned premiums during the first quarter of 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018 was largely due to the earning of premiums written in 2018 in Europe and Syndicate 1200.
Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses
The loss ratio for the first quarter of 2019 was 56.2%, compared to 52.0% for the first quarter of 2018. The increase in the loss ratio includes 2.3 percentage points resulting from $0.8 million of net unfavorable prior-year reserve development in the first quarter of 2019 compared to net favorable prior-year reserves development of $2.8 million for the same period in 2018, as well as 1.1 percentage point related to catastrophe losses of $1.5 million in the first quarter of 2019. The current accident year non-catastrophe loss ratio for the first quarter of 2019 was 54.6%, compared to 53.8% for the first quarter of 2018. This increase was driven by increased ceded reinstatement premiums paid (which reduced net earned premiums) in the first quarter of 2019 as a result of higher ceded loss recoveries on prior-year catastrophe events.
Net unfavorable prior-year reserve development for the first quarter of 2019 was $0.8 million and concentrated in general liability lines, partially offset by favorable development in property reinsurance losses related to various prior-year catastrophe events. The net favorable

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prior-year reserve development for the first quarter of 2018 was $2.8 million and primarily related to favorable development on property losses from the 2017 hurricanes, partially offset by unfavorable development within specialty lines.
Catastrophe losses for the first quarter of 2019 were $1.5 million due to Australian floods, compared to no catastrophe losses in the first quarter of 2018.
Underwriting, Acquisition and Insurance Expenses
The expense ratio for the first quarter of 2019 was 37.5%, down modestly from 37.6% for the same period in 2018. The decrease in the expense ratio related to a decline in personnel and other operating costs, partially offset by an increase in the acquisition expense ratio.
Fee and Other Income/Expense
Fee and other income represents amounts we receive in connection with the management of third party capital for our underwriting Syndicates at Lloyd’s. Fee and other income was $1.2 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, while fee and other expense was relatively unchanged at $0.5 million and $0.6 million for three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The slight decrease in fee and other expenses was primarily due to lower personnel costs.
Run-off Lines
The following table summarizes the results of operations for the Run-off Lines segment:
 
 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
(in millions)
 
2019
 
2018
Earned premiums
 
$
—

 
$
—

Losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
0.7

 
1.8

Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses
 
(0.2
)
 
0.7

Underwriting loss
 
(0.5
)
 
(2.5
)
Net investment income
 
1.4

 
2.2

Interest expense
 
(0.3
)
 
(0.4
)
Income (loss) before income taxes
 
$
0.6

 
$
(0.7
)
Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
Losses and loss adjustment expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was the result of net unfavorable loss reserve development on prior accident years in other run-off lines. Losses and loss adjustment expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was the result of net unfavorable loss reserve development on prior accident years of $1.3 million in other run-off lines and $0.5 million in Risk Management.
The following table represents a reconciliation of total gross and net reserves for the Run-off Lines. Amounts in the net column are reduced by reinsurance recoverable.
 
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
(in millions)
 
Gross
 
Net
 
Gross
 
Net
Asbestos and environmental:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss reserves, beginning of the year
 
$
54.7

 
$
46.2

 
$
55.9

 
$
47.2

Incurred losses
 
0.2

 
0.2

 
0.2

 
0.2

Losses paid
 
(1.7
)
 
(1.5
)
 
(1.3
)
 
(1.3
)
Loss reserves - asbestos and environmental, end of period
 
53.2

 
44.9

 
54.8

 
46.1

Risk management reserves
 
193.9

 
120.8

 
216.6

 
134.8

Run-off reinsurance reserves
 
1.6

 
1.6

 
1.8

 
1.8

Other run-off lines
 
11.9

 
6.9

 
1.6

 
1.6

Total loss reserves - Run-off Lines
 
$
260.6

 
$
174.2

 
$
274.8

 
$
184.3


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Underwriting, Acquisition and Insurance Expenses
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses for the Run-off Lines segment consists primarily of administrative expenses. The decrease in underwriting expense for the first quarter 2019 as compared to the same period ended 2018 was primarily attributable to the combination of decreased overhead expenses and a non-recurring cash receipt for unclaimed property in the first quarter of 2019.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows
The primary sources of our cash flows are premiums, reinsurance recoveries, proceeds from sales and redemptions of investments and investment income. The primary cash outflows are claim payments, loss adjustment expenses, reinsurance costs, purchases of investments and operating expenses. Additional cash outflow occurs through payments of underwriting and acquisition costs such as commissions, taxes, payroll and general overhead expenses. Management believes that cash receipts from premiums, proceeds from investment sales and redemptions and investment income are sufficient to cover cash outflows in the foreseeable future. Should the need for additional cash arise, we believe we have access to additional sources of liquidity.
Cash provided by operating activities can fluctuate due to a timing difference in the collection of premiums and reinsurance recoveries and the payment of losses and expenses. For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, net cash provided by operating activities was $55.6 million and $153.6 million, respectively. The decrease in cash flows from operating activities in 2019 from 2018 was primarily driven by the timing of reinsurance recoveries and premium cash receipts in the respective periods. In addition, in 2018 there was cash received from certain third parties in advance of certain large claim settlements related to the third quarter 2017 hurricanes. This transaction is included in the line item "Accrued underwriting expense and other liabilities" in the operating activities section of our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, net cash used in investing activities was $31.7 million and $128.5 million, respectively. The decrease in cash used in investing was mainly the result of the decrease in cash used to purchase equity securities and short-term investments, partially offset by the proceeds from sales of equity securities and maturities of fixed securities. As of March 31, 2019, $443.7 million of the investment portfolio was invested in short-term investments.
For three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, net cash used in financing activities was $10.5 million and $27.7 million, respectively. During the first three months ended March 31, 2019, we did not repurchase any common shares. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we repurchased 314,586 of our common shares for a total cost of $18.6 million. We paid cash dividends to our shareholders totaling $10.8 million and $9.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Argo Common Shares and Dividends
For the three months ended March 31, 2019, our Board of Director declared a quarterly cash dividend in the amount of $0.31 per share. Cash dividends paid for the three month ended March 31, 2019 was $10.8 million.
On May 3, 2016, our Board authorized the repurchase of up to $150.0 million of our common shares (“2016 Repurchase Authorization”). The 2016 Repurchase Authorization supersedes all the previous repurchase authorizations. Shares purchased are being held as treasury shares in accordance with the provisions of the Bermuda Companies Act 1981. As of March 31, 2019, availability under the 2016 Repurchase Authorization for future repurchases of our common shares was $53.3 million.
Refer to Part II, Item 7 – “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources” in Argo Group’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 that Argo Group filed with the SEC on February 25, 2019 for further discussion on Argo Group’s liquidity.
Recent Accounting Standards and Critical Accounting Estimates
New Accounting Standards
The discussion of the adoption and pending adoption of recently issued accounting policies is included in Note 2, “Recently Issued Accounting Standards,” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Part I, Item 1 - “Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).”
Critical Accounting Estimates
Refer to “Critical Accounting Estimates” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 that we filed with the SEC on February 25, 2019 for information on accounting policies that we consider critical in preparing our consolidated

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financial statements. These policies include significant estimates made by management using information available at the time the estimates were made. However, these estimates could change materially if different information or assumptions were used.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We believe that we are principally exposed to four types of market risk: interest rate risk, credit risk, equity price risk and foreign currency risk.
Interest Rate Risk
Our primary market risk exposure is the exposure of our fixed maturity investment portfolio to interest rate risk and the changes in interest rates. Fluctuations in interest rates have a direct impact on the fair valuation of these securities. As interest rates rise, the fair value of our fixed maturity portfolio falls, and the converse is also true. We manage interest rate risk through an active portfolio management strategy that involves the selection of investments with appropriate characteristics, such as duration, yield, currency and liquidity that are tailored to the anticipated cash outflow characteristics of our liabilities. A significant portion of our investment portfolio matures each year, allowing for reinvestment at current market rates. The model duration of the assets comprising our fixed maturity investment portfolio was 2.56 years and 2.78 years at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.
Credit Risk
We have exposure to credit risk on losses recoverable from reinsurers and receivables from insureds. Our controls to mitigate this risk include limiting our exposure to any one counterparty, evaluating the financial strength of our reinsurers, generally requiring minimum credit ratings and in certain cases receiving collateral from our reinsurers and insureds.
We also have exposure to credit risk in our investment holdings. Our risk management strategy and investment policy attempts to mitigate this risk by primarily investing in debt instruments of high credit quality issuers, limiting credit concentration, monitoring the credit quality of issuers and counterparties and diversifying issuers. The weighted average rating of our fixed maturity investments was A+ with 86.1% and 85.6% rated investment grade or better (BBB- or higher) at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.
Our portfolio also includes alternative investments with a carrying value at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 of $483.3 million and $489.8 million (9.9% and 10.2% of total invested assets) respectively. We may invest in both long and short equities, corporate debt securities, currencies, real estate, commodities and derivatives. We attempt to mitigate our risk by selecting managers with extensive experience, proven track records and robust controls and processes. We also mitigate our risk by diversifying through multiple managers and different types of assets and asset classes.
Equity Price Risk
We hold a diversified portfolio of equity securities with a fair value of $403.2 million and $354.5 million (8.2% and 7.4% of total invested assets) at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. Our equity securities are exposed to equity price risk which is defined as the potential for loss in fair value due to a decline in equity prices. We believe the diversification of our equity securities among various industries, market segments and issuers, as well as the use of multiple outside investment managers, mitigates our exposure to equity price risk.  
Foreign Currency Risk
We have exposure to foreign currency risk in our insurance contracts, invested assets and to a lesser extent, a portion of our debt. We attempt to manage our foreign currency risk by seeking to match our liabilities under insurance and reinsurance contracts that are payable in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar with cash and investments that are denominated in such currencies. We also use foreign exchange forward contracts to mitigate this risk. We recognized $0.6 million in losses from movements in foreign currency rates for the three months ended March 31, 2019. We recognized $0.7 million in gains on our foreign currency forward contracts for the three months ended March 31, 2019.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Argo Group, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. In designing and evaluating these disclosure controls and procedures, Argo Group and its management recognize that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired

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control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating and implementing possible controls and procedures. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Argo Group in the reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act are recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.
There were no changes in the internal control over financial reporting made during the quarter ended March 31, 2019 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. We review our disclosure controls and procedures, which may include internal controls over financial reporting, on an ongoing basis. From time to time, management makes changes to enhance the effectiveness of these controls and ensure that they continue to meet the needs of our business activities over time.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.  Legal Proceedings
Our subsidiaries are parties to legal actions incidental to their business.  Based on the opinion of legal counsel, management believes that the resolution of these matters will not materially affect our financial condition or results of operations.
Item 1A.  Risk Factors
Actions of activist stockholders could impact the pursuit of our business strategies and adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and/or share price.
We value constructive input from investors and regularly engage in dialogue with our shareholders regarding strategy and performance. Our Board of Directors and management team are committed to acting in the best interests of all of our shareholders. There is no assurance that the actions taken by the Board of Directors and management in seeking to maintain constructive engagement with certain shareholders will be successful.
Campaigns by activist shareholders to effect changes at publicly traded companies are sometimes led by investors seeking to increase short-term stockholder value by means of financial restructuring, increased debt, special dividends, stock repurchases, sales of assets or other transactions. Campaigns are also initiated by activist shareholders advocating for particular environmental or social causes through adoption of binding shareholder proposals. Activist shareholders who disagree with the composition of a publicly traded company’s board of directors, or with its strategy and/or management seek to involve themselves in the governance and strategic direction of a company through various activities that range from private engagement to publicity campaigns, proxy contests, efforts to force transactions not supported by the company’s board of directors, and in some instances, litigation.
From time to time, we may be subject to activities instituted by activist shareholders. Responding to proxy contests and other actions by activist shareholders can be costly and time-consuming, and could divert the attention of our Board of Directors and employees from the management of our operations and the pursuit of our business strategies. As a result, activist shareholder campaigns could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and/or share price.
See “Risk Factors” in the Argo Group Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 for a detailed discussion of the additional risk factors affecting us.

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Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchase of Equity Securities
On May 3, 2016, our Board authorized the repurchase of up to $150.0 million of our common shares (“2016 Repurchase Authorization”). The 2016 Repurchase Authorization supersedes all the previous Repurchase Authorizations.
From January 1, 2018 through March 31, 2019, we did not repurchase any of our common stock. Since the inception of the repurchase authorizations through March 31, 2019, we have repurchased 11,315,889 shares of our common stock at an average price of $40.22 for a total cost of $455.1 million. These shares are being held as treasury shares in accordance with the provisions of the Bermuda Companies Act 1981. As of March 31, 2019, availability under the 2016 Repurchase Authorization for future repurchases of our common shares was $53.3 million. The following table provides information with respect to shares of our common stock that were repurchased or surrendered during the three months ended March 31, 2019:
Period
 
Total
Number
of Shares
Purchased (a)
 
Average
Price Paid
per Share (b)
 
Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
as Part of
Publically
Announced
Plan
or Program
(c)
 
Approximate
Dollar
Value of
Shares
That May
Yet Be
Purchased
Under the
Plan or
Program (d)
January 1 through January 31, 2019
 
90

 
$
67.03

 
—

 
$
53,281,805

February 1 through February 28, 2019
 
5,926

 
$
70.14

 
—

 
$
53,281,805

March 1 through March 31, 2019
 
19,358

 
$
69.43

 
—

 
$
53,281,805

Total
 
25,374

 
 
 
—

 
 
Employees are allowed to surrender shares to settle the tax liability incurred upon the vesting or exercise of shares under our various employee equity compensation plans. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, we received 25,374 shares of our common stock, with an average price paid per share of $69.58 that were surrendered by employees in payment for the minimum required withholding taxes. In the above table, these shares are included in columns (a) and (b), but excluded from columns (c) and (d). These shares do not reduce the number of shares that may yet be purchased under the repurchase plan.
Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Item 5.  Other Information
None.

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Item 6.  Exhibits
A list of exhibits required to be filed as part of this report is set forth in the Exhibit Index of this Form 10-Q, which immediately precedes such exhibits, and is incorporated herein by reference.
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number
 
Description
 
 
 
10.1
 
31.1
 
31.2
 
32.1
 
32.2
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document


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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
 
 
ARGO GROUP INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, LTD.
 
 
 
May 8, 2019
By
/s/ Mark E. Watson III
 
 
Mark E. Watson III
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
May 8, 2019
By
/s/ Jay S. Bullock
 
 
Jay S. Bullock
 
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


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