e10vq
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.
20549
Form 10-Q
|
|
|
þ
|
|
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
|
|
|
For the
Quarterly Period Ended September 30,
2011
|
or
|
o
|
|
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
|
Commission file number
001-31909
ASPEN INSURANCE HOLDINGS
LIMITED
(Exact name of registrant as
specified in its charter)
|
|
|
Bermuda
(State or other jurisdiction
of
incorporation or organization)
|
|
Not Applicable
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
|
|
|
|
141 Front Street
Hamilton, Bermuda
(Address of principal
executive offices)
|
|
HM 19
(Zip
Code)
|
Registrants
telephone number, including area code
(441) 295-8201
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 periods that the registrant
was required to file such reports), and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for the past
90 days. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted
electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any,
every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted
pursuant to Rule 405 of
Regulation S-T
(§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding
12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to submit and post such
files). Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large
accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated
filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of
large accelerated filer, accelerated
filer and smaller reporting company in
Rule 12b-2
of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Large accelerated filer
þ
|
|
Accelerated filer
o
|
|
Non-accelerated filer
o
|
|
Smaller reporting company
o
|
|
|
|
|
(Do not check if a smaller
reporting company)
|
|
|
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company
(as defined in
Rule 12b-2
of the Exchange
Act). Yes o No þ
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the
issuers classes of common stock, as of the latest
practicable date.
As of October 31, 2011 there were 70,602,172 outstanding
ordinary shares, with a par value of 0.15144558¢ per
ordinary share, outstanding.
INDEX
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as at
September 30, 2011 (Unaudited) and December 31,
2010
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of
Operations, for the Three and Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2011 and 2010
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of
Changes in Shareholders Equity, for the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2011 and 2010
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of
Comprehensive Income, for the Three and Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2011 and 2010
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of
Cash Flows, for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
and 2010
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
|
Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
|
|
|
42
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About
Market Risk
|
|
|
72
|
|
|
|
|
|
Controls and Procedures
|
|
|
73
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Legal Proceedings
|
|
|
74
|
|
|
|
|
|
Risk Factors
|
|
|
74
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unregistered Sale of Equity Securities and Use of
Proceeds
|
|
|
74
|
|
|
|
|
|
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
|
|
|
75
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Information
|
|
|
75
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibits
|
|
|
75
|
|
|
|
|
76
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EX-10.1 |
EX-31.1 |
EX-31.2 |
EX-32.1 |
EX-101 INSTANCE DOCUMENT |
EX-101 SCHEMA DOCUMENT |
EX-101 CALCULATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT |
EX-101 LABELS LINKBASE DOCUMENT |
EX-101 PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT |
EX-101 DEFINITION LINKBASE DOCUMENT |
2
PART I
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
|
|
Item 1.
|
Unaudited
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
|
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
As at September 30, 2011 (Unaudited) and
December 31, 2010
($ in millions, except share and per share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at
|
|
|
As at
|
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
Investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed income maturities, available for sale at fair value
(amortized cost $5,275.2 and $5,120.8)
|
|
$
|
5,608.7
|
|
|
$
|
5,360.4
|
|
Fixed income maturities, trading at fair value (amortized
cost $371.2 and $388.8)
|
|
|
384.1
|
|
|
|
406.2
|
|
Equity securities, available for sale at fair value
(cost $167.6 and $Nil)
|
|
|
163.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other investments, equity method
|
|
|
32.3
|
|
|
|
30.0
|
|
Short-term investments, available for sale at fair value
(amortized cost $290.6 and $286.1)
|
|
|
290.6
|
|
|
|
286.0
|
|
Short-term investments, trading at fair value (amortized
cost $5.3 and $3.7)
|
|
|
5.3
|
|
|
|
3.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total investments
|
|
|
6,484.8
|
|
|
|
6,086.3
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
1,038.8
|
|
|
|
1,179.1
|
|
Reinsurance recoverables
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unpaid losses
|
|
|
357.7
|
|
|
|
279.9
|
|
Ceded unearned premiums
|
|
|
129.9
|
|
|
|
62.4
|
|
Receivables
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underwriting premiums
|
|
|
957.2
|
|
|
|
821.7
|
|
Other
|
|
|
69.3
|
|
|
|
67.9
|
|
Funds withheld
|
|
|
65.1
|
|
|
|
83.3
|
|
Deferred policy acquisition costs
|
|
|
207.1
|
|
|
|
166.8
|
|
Derivatives at fair value
|
|
|
5.8
|
|
|
|
6.8
|
|
Receivable for securities sold
|
|
|
0.5
|
|
|
|
0.2
|
|
Office properties and equipment
|
|
|
49.5
|
|
|
|
34.8
|
|
Income tax recoverable
|
|
|
2.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
31.2
|
|
|
|
21.9
|
|
Intangible assets
|
|
|
20.3
|
|
|
|
21.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
9,419.7
|
|
|
$
|
8,832.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated
financial statements.
3
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
As at September 30, 2011 (Unaudited) and December 31,
2010
($ in millions, except share and per share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at
|
|
|
As at
|
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance reserves
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
|
|
$
|
4,399.4
|
|
|
$
|
3,820.5
|
|
Unearned premiums
|
|
|
1,014.5
|
|
|
|
859.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total insurance reserves
|
|
|
5,413.9
|
|
|
|
4,679.5
|
|
Payables
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reinsurance premiums
|
|
|
135.2
|
|
|
|
113.7
|
|
Deferred taxation
|
|
|
35.2
|
|
|
|
49.1
|
|
Current taxation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11.1
|
|
Accrued expenses and other payables
|
|
|
186.0
|
|
|
|
238.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total payables
|
|
|
356.4
|
|
|
|
411.9
|
|
Long-term debt
|
|
|
498.9
|
|
|
|
498.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
$
|
6,269.2
|
|
|
$
|
5,590.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments and contingent liabilities (see Note 14)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary shares: 70,595,201 shares of par value
0.15144558¢ each (December 31, 2010
70,508,013)
|
|
$
|
0.1
|
|
|
$
|
0.1
|
|
Preference shares:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,600,000 5.625% shares of par value 0.15144558¢ each
(December 31, 2010 4,600,000)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,327,500 7.401% shares of par value 0.15144558¢ each
(December 31, 2010 5,327,500)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-controlling interest
|
|
|
0.3
|
|
|
|
0.5
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
1,381.8
|
|
|
|
1,388.3
|
|
Retained earnings
|
|
|
1,360.6
|
|
|
|
1,528.7
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes
|
|
|
407.7
|
|
|
|
324.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total shareholders equity
|
|
|
3,150.5
|
|
|
|
3,241.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and shareholders equity
|
|
$
|
9,419.7
|
|
|
$
|
8,832.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated
financial statements.
4
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
($ in
millions, except share and per share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended
|
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earned premiums
|
|
$
|
486.9
|
|
|
$
|
451.7
|
|
|
$
|
1,399.1
|
|
|
$
|
1,399.2
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
57.3
|
|
|
|
58.1
|
|
|
|
171.4
|
|
|
|
175.0
|
|
Realized and unrealized investment gains
|
|
|
3.2
|
|
|
|
22.1
|
|
|
|
21.4
|
|
|
|
40.1
|
|
Change in fair value of derivatives
|
|
|
(30.0
|
)
|
|
|
(3.7
|
)
|
|
|
(55.7
|
)
|
|
|
(7.8
|
)
|
Other (expense)/income
|
|
|
(9.1
|
)
|
|
|
1.8
|
|
|
|
(10.4
|
)
|
|
|
6.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Revenues
|
|
|
508.3
|
|
|
|
530.0
|
|
|
|
1,525.8
|
|
|
|
1,613.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
|
|
|
306.2
|
|
|
|
285.8
|
|
|
|
1,161.5
|
|
|
|
941.3
|
|
Policy acquisition expenses
|
|
|
93.4
|
|
|
|
75.6
|
|
|
|
261.5
|
|
|
|
237.9
|
|
General, administrative and corporate expenses
|
|
|
71.0
|
|
|
|
65.0
|
|
|
|
202.0
|
|
|
|
180.1
|
|
Interest on long-term debt
|
|
|
7.7
|
|
|
|
3.9
|
|
|
|
23.1
|
|
|
|
11.7
|
|
Net realized and unrealized exchange losses/(gains)
|
|
|
5.8
|
|
|
|
(3.4
|
)
|
|
|
10.3
|
|
|
|
(2.3
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Expenses
|
|
|
484.1
|
|
|
|
426.9
|
|
|
|
1,658.4
|
|
|
|
1,368.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income/(loss) from operations before income tax
|
|
|
24.2
|
|
|
|
103.1
|
|
|
|
(132.6
|
)
|
|
|
244.4
|
|
Income tax (expense)/benefit
|
|
|
(2.0
|
)
|
|
|
(10.3
|
)
|
|
|
13.3
|
|
|
|
(24.4
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income/(Loss)
|
|
$
|
22.2
|
|
|
$
|
92.8
|
|
|
$
|
(119.3
|
)
|
|
$
|
220.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per Share Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of ordinary shares and share equivalents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic(1)
|
|
|
70,699,343
|
|
|
|
76,722,965
|
|
|
|
70,681,993
|
|
|
|
77,133,210
|
|
Diluted(1)
|
|
|
73,299,874
|
|
|
|
80,363,740
|
|
|
|
70,681,993
|
|
|
|
80,782,187
|
|
Basic earnings/(loss) per ordinary share adjusted for preference
share dividend
|
|
$
|
0.23
|
|
|
$
|
1.14
|
|
|
$
|
(1.93
|
)
|
|
$
|
2.63
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings/(loss) per ordinary share adjusted for
preference share dividend
|
|
$
|
0.23
|
|
|
$
|
1.08
|
|
|
$
|
(1.93
|
)
|
|
$
|
2.51
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The basic and diluted number of ordinary shares for the nine
months ended September 30, 2011 is the same, as the
inclusion of dilutive securities in a loss making period would
be anti-dilutive. |
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated
financial statements.
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
Ordinary shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning and end of period
|
|
$
|
0.1
|
|
|
$
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preference shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning and end of period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-controlling interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning of period
|
|
|
0.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change for the period
|
|
|
(0.2
|
)
|
|
|
0.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of period
|
|
|
0.3
|
|
|
|
0.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning of period
|
|
|
1,388.3
|
|
|
|
1,763.0
|
|
New ordinary shares issued
|
|
|
0.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary shares repurchased and cancelled
|
|
|
(8.1
|
)
|
|
|
(208.0
|
)
|
Share-based compensation
|
|
|
1.1
|
|
|
|
6.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of period
|
|
|
1,381.8
|
|
|
|
1,561.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retained earnings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning of period
|
|
|
1,528.7
|
|
|
|
1,285.0
|
|
Net (loss)/income for the period
|
|
|
(119.3
|
)
|
|
|
220.0
|
|
Dividends on ordinary and preference shares
|
|
|
(48.9
|
)
|
|
|
(52.1
|
)
|
Proportion of net loss due to non-controlling interest
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of period
|
|
|
1,360.6
|
|
|
|
1,452.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning of period
|
|
|
113.4
|
|
|
|
103.4
|
|
Change for the period
|
|
|
0.3
|
|
|
|
6.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of period
|
|
|
113.7
|
|
|
|
110.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss on derivatives
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning of period
|
|
|
(1.0
|
)
|
|
|
(1.2
|
)
|
Reclassification to interest payable
|
|
|
0.2
|
|
|
|
0.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of period
|
|
|
(0.8
|
)
|
|
|
(1.0
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized appreciation on investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning of period
|
|
|
211.9
|
|
|
|
155.1
|
|
Change for the period
|
|
|
82.9
|
|
|
|
161.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of period
|
|
|
294.8
|
|
|
|
316.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total accumulated other comprehensive income
|
|
|
407.7
|
|
|
|
425.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total shareholders equity
|
|
$
|
3,150.5
|
|
|
$
|
3,440.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated
financial statements.
6
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
($ in
millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended
|
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
Net income/(loss)
|
|
$
|
22.2
|
|
|
$
|
92.8
|
|
|
$
|
(119.3
|
)
|
|
$
|
220.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Available for sale investments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reclassification adjustment for net realized (gains)/losses on
investments included in net income/(loss)
|
|
|
(5.2
|
)
|
|
|
(2.3
|
)
|
|
|
(13.6
|
)
|
|
|
(10.7
|
)
|
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on investments
|
|
|
69.0
|
|
|
|
63.8
|
|
|
|
96.5
|
|
|
|
172.1
|
|
Amortization of loss on derivative contract
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
0.2
|
|
|
|
0.2
|
|
|
|
0.2
|
|
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment
|
|
|
(17.4
|
)
|
|
|
3.6
|
|
|
|
0.3
|
|
|
|
6.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other comprehensive income/(loss)
|
|
|
46.5
|
|
|
|
65.3
|
|
|
|
83.4
|
|
|
|
168.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income/(loss)
|
|
$
|
68.7
|
|
|
$
|
158.1
|
|
|
$
|
(35.9
|
)
|
|
$
|
388.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated
financial statements.
7
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
($ in
millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended
|
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
Cash flows provided by operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (loss)/income
|
|
$
|
(119.3
|
)
|
|
$
|
220.0
|
|
Income/(loss) due to non-controlling interest
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
(0.2
|
)
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from
operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
19.3
|
|
|
|
15.6
|
|
Net realized foreign exchange (gains) on available for sale
investments
|
|
|
(0.1
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based compensation expense
|
|
|
1.1
|
|
|
|
6.5
|
|
Net realized and unrealized (gains)
|
|
|
(19.1
|
)
|
|
|
(38.7
|
)
|
Other investment (gains)
|
|
|
(2.3
|
)
|
|
|
(1.4
|
)
|
Loss on derivative contracts
|
|
|
0.2
|
|
|
|
0.2
|
|
Changes in:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance reserves:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
|
|
|
578.3
|
|
|
|
357.2
|
|
Unearned premiums
|
|
|
150.9
|
|
|
|
43.9
|
|
Reinsurance recoverables:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unpaid losses
|
|
|
(77.0
|
)
|
|
|
58.6
|
|
Ceded unearned premiums
|
|
|
(67.4
|
)
|
|
|
58.6
|
|
Other receivables
|
|
|
(1.4
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued investment income and other receivables
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.3
|
)
|
Deferred policy acquisition costs
|
|
|
(40.2
|
)
|
|
|
(21.5
|
)
|
Reinsurance premiums payables
|
|
|
21.0
|
|
|
|
30.0
|
|
Premiums receivable
|
|
|
(121.6
|
)
|
|
|
(175.5
|
)
|
Funds withheld
|
|
|
18.2
|
|
|
|
6.1
|
|
Deferred taxes
|
|
|
(21.1
|
)
|
|
|
(16.9
|
)
|
Income tax payable
|
|
|
(23.9
|
)
|
|
|
2.3
|
|
Accrued expenses and other payables
|
|
|
(2.5
|
)
|
|
|
(10.8
|
)
|
Fair value of derivatives and settlement of liabilities under
derivatives
|
|
|
0.3
|
|
|
|
(0.2
|
)
|
Long-term debt
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
(15.2
|
)
|
|
|
(30.4
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
$
|
278.4
|
|
|
$
|
502.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated
financial statements.
8
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
UNAUDITED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
($ in
millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
Cash flows (used in) investing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Purchases) of fixed income maturities
|
|
$
|
(1,879.8
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1,883.2
|
)
|
(Purchases) of equity securities
|
|
|
(185.7
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from sales and maturities of fixed income maturities
|
|
|
1,754.2
|
|
|
|
1,709.3
|
|
Net sales/(purchases) of short-term investments
|
|
|
(7.4
|
)
|
|
|
78.5
|
|
Net change in (payable)/receivable for securities
(purchased)/sold
|
|
|
(40.7
|
)
|
|
|
40.6
|
|
Payments for acquisitions net of cash acquired
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(13.4
|
)
|
Non-controlling interest introductory capital
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.8
|
|
Proceeds from sale of equity securities
|
|
|
12.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Purchase) of equipment
|
|
|
(21.6
|
)
|
|
|
(12.9
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash (used in) investing activities
|
|
|
(368.4
|
)
|
|
|
(80.3
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows (used in) financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from the issuance of ordinary shares, net of issuance
costs
|
|
|
0.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary shares repurchased
|
|
|
(8.1
|
)
|
|
|
(208.0
|
)
|
Dividends paid on ordinary shares
|
|
|
(31.8
|
)
|
|
|
(35.0
|
)
|
Dividends paid on preference shares
|
|
|
(17.1
|
)
|
|
|
(17.1
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash (used in) financing activities
|
|
|
(56.5
|
)
|
|
|
(260.1
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect of exchange rate movements on cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
6.2
|
|
|
|
4.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
(140.3
|
)
|
|
|
165.9
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
|
|
|
1,179.1
|
|
|
|
748.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
|
|
$
|
1,038.8
|
|
|
$
|
914.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid during the period for income tax
|
|
$
|
4.8
|
|
|
$
|
48.4
|
|
Cash paid during the period for interest on long-term debt
|
|
$
|
22.7
|
|
|
$
|
15.0
|
|
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated
financial statements.
9
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO
THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
|
|
1.
|
History
and Organization
|
Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited (Aspen Holdings)
was incorporated on May 23, 2002 and holds subsidiaries
that provide insurance and reinsurance on a worldwide basis. Its
principal operating subsidiaries are Aspen Insurance UK Limited
(Aspen U.K.), Aspen Insurance Limited (Aspen
Bermuda), Aspen Specialty Insurance Company (Aspen
Specialty), Aspen American Insurance Company
(AAIC) and Aspen Underwriting Limited (corporate
member of Lloyds Syndicate 4711, AUL),
(collectively, the Operating Subsidiaries).
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial
statements have been prepared on the basis of generally accepted
accounting principles in the United States (GAAP)
for interim financial information and in accordance with the
instructions to
Form 10-Q
and Article 10 of
Regulation S-X.
Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and
footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In
the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal
recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation
have been included. Results for the three and nine months ended
September 30, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the
results that may be expected for the year ended
December 31, 2011. The unaudited condensed consolidated
financial statements include the accounts of Aspen Holdings and
its subsidiaries, which are collectively referred to herein as
the Company. All intercompany transactions and
balances have been eliminated on consolidation.
The balance sheet at December 31, 2010 has been derived
from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date
but does not include all of the information and footnotes
required by GAAP for complete financial statements. These
unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes
thereto should be read in conjunction with the consolidated
financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended
December 31, 2010 contained in Aspens Annual Report
on
Form 10-K
filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission
(File
No. 001-31909).
Assumptions and estimates made by management have a significant
effect on the amounts reported within the consolidated financial
statements. The most significant of these relate to losses and
loss adjustment expenses, the value of investments, reinsurance
recoverables and the fair value of derivatives. All material
assumptions and estimates are regularly reviewed and adjustments
made as necessary, but actual results could be significantly
different from those expected when the assumptions or estimates
were made.
New
Accounting Policies
In December 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
(FASB) issued ASU
2010-28,
When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test
for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying
Amounts and in September 2011 issued ASU
2011-08,
Intangibles Goodwill for
Impairment. The Company will be required to
qualitatively assess, on either an annual or interim basis,
whether it is more likely than not that a reporting units
fair value is less than its carrying value. If an impairment is
more likely than not, then the Company must follow a two-step
impairment test.
Step 1 requires the reporting entities to identify any potential
impairment, by comparing the estimated fair value of a reporting
unit to its carrying value. If the estimated fair value is less
than the carrying value and it is more likely than not that
impairment exists, then the amount of the impairment will be
assessed in the updated guidance in Step 2. If it is more likely
than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than
its carrying amount, then performing Step 2 would not be
required. Evaluating an impairment in Step 2 requires the
evaluation of qualitative factors including the factors
presented in existing guidance that trigger an interim
impairment test of goodwill such as an adverse change in the
business climate, unanticipated competition, or the expectation
that a reporting unit will be sold or disposed. ASU
2010-28 is
effective for annual reporting periods beginning after
December 15, 2010 and ASU
2011-08 is
effective for annual reporting periods beginning after
December 15, 2011. The provisions of the new guidance do
not have a material impact on the Companys consolidated
financial statements.
10
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO
THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Accounting
Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In May 2011, the FASBs Emerging Issues Task Force issued
ASU 2011-04,
Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and
Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs,
which emphasizes using the same meaning and disclosures of fair
value within the financial statements prepared in accordance
with U.S. GAAP and IFRSs. This decision would require the
Company to disclose additional information about transfers
between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value
hierarchy, additional disclosures for Level 3 fair value
measurement including quantitative and qualitative information
about significant unobservable inputs and discussions about the
sensitivity of these unobservable inputs and a description of
the Companys valuation process. ASU
2011-04 is
effective for annual reporting periods beginning after
December 15, 2011 with early adoption prohibited.
In 2010, the FASBs Emerging Issues Task Force issued ASU
2010-26,
Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or
Renewing Insurance Contracts, which requires costs to
be incrementally or directly related to the successful
acquisition of new or renewal insurance contracts to be
capitalized as deferred acquisitions costs. This decision would
require us to expense the proportion of our general and
administrative deferred acquisition costs which relate to quoted
business which does not successfully convert into a policy. We
have undertaken a review to quantify the impact of the change.
The maximum impact would be if we were required to expense all
of the deferred underwriting costs and would result in a
$29.0 million increase in cumulative operating expenses
with the charge being spread across the current and prior years.
ASU 2010-26
is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after
December 15, 2011 and we have not yet adopted this standard.
There were no acquisition-related transactions during the nine
months ended September 30, 2011.
|
|
4.
|
Earnings
Per Ordinary Share
|
Basic earnings per ordinary share are calculated by dividing net
income available to holders of Aspens ordinary shares by
the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding.
Diluted earnings per ordinary share are based on the weighted
average number of ordinary shares and dilutive potential
ordinary shares outstanding during the period of calculation
using the treasury stock method. The following table sets forth
the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the
three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010,
respectively:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended
|
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
($ in millions, except share and per share amounts)
|
|
|
Earnings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income/(loss) as reported
|
|
$
|
22.2
|
|
|
$
|
92.8
|
|
|
$
|
(119.3
|
)
|
|
$
|
220.0
|
|
Preference share dividends
|
|
|
(5.7
|
)
|
|
|
(5.7
|
)
|
|
|
(17.1
|
)
|
|
|
(17.1
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted net income/(loss) available to ordinary
shareholders
|
|
|
16.5
|
|
|
|
87.1
|
|
|
|
(136.4
|
)
|
|
|
202.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary shares:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic weighted average ordinary shares
|
|
|
70,699,343
|
|
|
|
76,722,965
|
|
|
|
70,681,993
|
|
|
|
77,133,210
|
|
Weighted average effect of dilutive securities(1)
|
|
|
2,600,531
|
|
|
|
3,640,775
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,648,977
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total diluted weighted average ordinary shares
|
|
|
73,299,874
|
|
|
|
80,363,740
|
|
|
|
70,681,993
|
|
|
|
80,782,187
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO
THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended
|
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
($ in millions, except share and per share amounts)
|
|
|
Earnings/(loss) per ordinary share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$
|
0.23
|
|
|
$
|
1.14
|
|
|
$
|
(1.93
|
)
|
|
$
|
2.63
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
$
|
0.23
|
|
|
$
|
1.08
|
|
|
$
|
(1.93
|
)
|
|
$
|
2.51
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The basic and diluted number of ordinary shares for the nine
months ended September 30, 2011 is the same, as the
inclusion of dilutive securities in a loss making period would
be anti-dilutive. |
Ordinary Share Repurchases. On
November 10, 2010, the Company entered into an accelerated
share repurchase program with Barclays Capital to repurchase
$184 million of our ordinary shares. As of
December 15, 2010, a total of 5,737,449 ordinary shares
were received and cancelled. Upon the completion of the contract
on March 14, 2011, an additional 542,736 ordinary shares
were received and cancelled. A total of 6,280,185 ordinary
shares were cancelled under this contract.
On February 16, 2011, an agreement was signed to repurchase
58,310 shares from the Names Trustee (as defined in
Note 12, below). The shares were repurchased on
March 10, 2011 and subsequently cancelled.
On June 29, 2011, an agreement was signed to repurchase
254,107 ordinary shares from the Names Trustee. The shares
were repurchased on August 10, 2011 and subsequently
cancelled.
Dividends. On October 24, 2011, the
Companys Board of Directors declared the following
quarterly dividends:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividend
|
|
|
Payable on:
|
|
Record Date:
|
|
Ordinary shares
|
|
$
|
0.15
|
|
|
November 25, 2011
|
|
November 10, 2011
|
5.625% preference shares
|
|
$
|
0.703125
|
|
|
January 1, 2012
|
|
December 15, 2011
|
7.401% preference shares
|
|
$
|
0.462563
|
|
|
January 1, 2012
|
|
December 15, 2011
|
The Company has two reporting business segments: Insurance and
Reinsurance. In arriving at these reporting segments, we have
considered similarities in economic characteristics, products,
customers, distribution and the regulatory environment. Segment
profit or loss for each of the Companys operating segments
is measured by underwriting profit or loss. Underwriting profit
is the excess of net earned premiums over the sum of losses and
loss expenses, policy acquisition expenses and general and
administrative expenses. Underwriting profit or loss provides a
basis for management to evaluate the segments underwriting
performance.
Reinsurance Segment. Our reinsurance segment
consists of property catastrophe reinsurance, other property
reinsurance (risk excess, pro rata, risk solutions and
facultative), casualty reinsurance (U.S. treaty,
international treaty and global facultative) and specialty
reinsurance (credit and surety, structured, agriculture and
specialty).
Property Catastrophe Reinsurance: Property
catastrophe reinsurance is generally written on a treaty excess
of loss basis where we provide protection to an insurer for an
agreed portion of the total losses from a single event in excess
of a specified loss amount. In the event of a loss, most
contracts provide for coverage of a second occurrence following
the payment of a premium to reinstate the coverage under the
contract, which is referred to as a reinstatement premium. The
coverage provided under excess of loss reinsurance contracts may
be on a multi-perils worldwide basis or limited in scope to
selected perils or geographical areas.
12
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO
THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Other Property Reinsurance: Other property
reinsurance is written on a risk excess, pro rata or facultative
basis and includes our risk solutions business. Risk excess of
loss property treaty reinsurance provides coverage to a
reinsured where it experiences a loss in excess of its retention
level on a single risk basis. A risk in
this context might mean the insurance coverage on one building
or a group of buildings for fire or explosion or the insurance
coverage under a single policy which the reinsured treats as a
single risk. This line of business is generally less exposed to
accumulations of exposures and losses but can still be impacted
by natural catastrophes, such as earthquakes and hurricanes.
Our proportional treaty reinsurance product provides
proportional coverage to the reinsured. We share original losses
in the same proportion as our share of premium and policy
amounts within contractual terms. Proportional contracts
typically involve close client relationships including regular
audits of the cedants data and are written for primary
insurers in the U.S. and elsewhere. This line of business
is not typically driven by natural perils. Our risk solutions
business writes property insurance risks for a select group of
U.S. program managers.
Casualty Reinsurance: Casualty reinsurance is
written on an excess of loss, pro rata and facultative basis and
consists of U.S. treaty, international treaty and casualty
facultative. The casualty treaty reinsurance business we write
in the U.S. and internationally includes excess of loss and
pro rata reinsurance contracts which are applied to portfolios
of primary insurance policies. Our U.S. treaty business
comprises exposures to workers compensation (including
catastrophe), medical malpractice, general liability, auto
liability, professional liability and excess liability including
umbrella liability. Our international treaty business reinsures
exposures mainly with respect to general liability, auto
liability, professional liability, workers compensation
and excess liability. Our excess of loss positions come most
commonly from layered reinsurance structures with underlying
ceding company retentions. We also write U.S. and
international casualty facultative reinsurance.
Specialty Reinsurance: Specialty reinsurance
is written on an excess of loss and pro rata basis and consists
of credit and surety reinsurance, structured risks, agriculture
reinsurance and other specialty lines. Our credit and surety
reinsurance business consists of trade credit reinsurance,
international surety reinsurance (mainly European, Japanese and
Latin American risks and excluding the U.S.) and a political
risks reinsurance portfolio. Our agricultural reinsurance
business consists of European and Latin American agriculture
reinsurance primarily written on a treaty basis covering crop
and multi-peril business. Our specialty line of business is
composed principally of reinsurance treaties covering interests
similar to those underwritten in marine, energy, liability and
aviation insurance, as well as contingency, terrorism, nuclear,
personal accident and crop reinsurance. We also write satellite
insurance and reinsurance.
A very high percentage of the property reinsurance contracts
that we write excludes coverage for losses arising from the
peril of terrorism. Within the U.S., our reinsurance contracts
generally exclude or limit our liability to acts that are
certified as acts of terrorism by the
U.S. Treasury Department under the Terrorism Risk Insurance
Act (TRIA), the Terrorism Risk Insurance Extension
Act of 2005 (TRIEA) and now the Terrorism Risk
Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007
(TRIPRA) (currently set to expire on
December 31, 2014). With respect to casualty reinsurance
risks, losses arising from the peril of terrorism that do not
involve nuclear, biological or chemical attack are usually
covered by our contracts. Such losses relating to commercial
lines risks are generally covered on a limited basis; for
example, where the covered risks fall below a stated insured
value or into classes or categories we deem less likely to be
targets of terrorism than others. We have written a limited
number of reinsurance contracts in this segment, both on a pro
rata and risk excess basis, specifically covering the peril of
terrorism. These contracts typically exclude coverage protecting
against nuclear, biological or chemical attack.
Insurance Segment. Our insurance segment
consists of property insurance, casualty insurance, marine,
energy and transportation insurance and financial and
professional lines insurance.
Property Insurance: Our property insurance
line comprises U.K. commercial property and construction and
U.S. commercial property (excess and surplus lines basis),
written on a primary, excess, quota share and facultative
13
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO
THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
basis. In 2010, we established Aspen Risk Management Limited
(ARML), which primarily distributes U.K. regional
commercial property and liability business.
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Property: The U.S. commercial
property insurance team covers mercantile, manufacturing,
municipal and commercial real estate business.
|
|
|
|
U.K. Property: The U.K. commercial property
insurance team provides physical damage and business
interruption coverage as a result of weather, fire, theft and
other causes. Our client base is predominantly U.K.
institutional property owners, middle market corporate and
public sector clients.
|
Casualty Insurance: Our casualty insurance
line comprises U.K. commercial liability, global excess casualty
and U.S. casualty insurance, written on a primary, quota
share and facultative basis. In 2010, we significantly reduced
the amount of contractor business written in the U.S.
|
|
|
|
|
U.K. Commercial Liability: The U.K. commercial
liability team provides employers liability coverage and
public liability coverage for insureds domiciled in the U.K. and
Ireland.
|
|
|
|
Global Excess Casualty: The global excess
casualty line writes large, sophisticated and risk-managed
insureds worldwide and covers broad-based risks at high
attachment points, including general liability, commercial and
residential construction liability, life science, railroads,
trucking, product and public liability and associated types of
cover found in general liability policies in the global
insurance market.
|
|
|
|
U.S. Casualty: The U.S. casualty
account primarily consists of lines written within the general
liability and umbrella liability insurance segments. Coverage on
our general liability line is offered on those risks that are
primarily miscellaneous, products liability, contractors
(general contractors and artisans), real estate and retail
risks, environmental and other general liability business.
|
Marine, Energy and Transportation
Insurance: Our marine, energy and transportation
insurance line comprises marine, energy and construction
(M.E.C.) liability, energy physical damage, marine
hull, specie, U.S. inland marine, ocean risks and aviation,
written on a primary, quota share and facultative basis.
|
|
|
|
|
M.E.C. Liability: The M.E.C. liability
business includes marine liability cover mainly related to the
liabilities of ship-owners and port operators, including
reinsurance of Protection and Indemnity Clubs (P&I
Clubs). It also provides liability cover for companies in
the oil and gas sector, both onshore and offshore and in the
power generation and U.S. commercial construction sectors.
|
|
|
|
Energy Physical Damage: Energy physical damage
provides insurance cover against physical damage losses in
addition to Operators Extra Expenses (OEE) for
companies operating in the oil and gas exploration and
production sector.
|
|
|
|
Marine Hull: The marine hull team insures
physical damage for ships (including war and associated perils)
and related marine assets.
|
|
|
|
Specie: The specie business line focuses on
the insurance of high value property items on an all risks
basis, including fine art, general and bank related specie,
jewelers block and armored car.
|
|
|
|
Aviation: The aviation team writes physical
damage insurance on hulls and spares (including war and
associated perils) and comprehensive legal liability for
airlines, smaller operators of airline equipment, airports and
associated business and non-critical component part
manufacturers. We also provide aviation hull deductible cover.
|
|
|
|
Inland Marine and Ocean Risks: The inland
marine and ocean cargo team writes business principally covering
builders construction risk, contractors equipment,
transportation and ocean cargo risks in addition to exhibition,
fine arts and museums insurance.
|
14
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO
THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Financial and Professional Lines
Insurance: Our financial and professional lines
comprise financial institutions, professional liability
(including management and technology liability) and financial
and political risks, written on a primary, quota share and
facultative basis.
|
|
|
|
|
Financial Institutions: Our financial
institutions business is written on both a primary and excess of
loss basis and consists of professional liability, crime
insurance and directors and officers
(D&O) cover, with the largest exposure
comprising risks headquartered in the U.K., followed by
Australia and the U.S. and then Canada and Western Europe.
We cover financial institutions including commercial and
investment banks, asset managers, insurance companies,
stockbrokers and insureds with hybrid business models.
|
|
|
|
Professional Liability: Our professional
liability business is written out of the U.S. (including
Errors and Omissions (E&O)) and the U.K. and is
written on both a primary and excess of loss basis. The U.K.
team focuses on risks in the U.K. with some Australian and
European business while the U.S. team focuses on the
U.S. and Canada. We insure a wide range of professions
including lawyers, surveyors, accountants, architects and
engineers.
|
|
|
|
Management & Technology
Liability: We write on both a primary and excess
basis D&O insurance, technology-related policies in the
areas of network privacy, misuse of data and cyber liability and
warranty and indemnity insurance in connection with, or to
facilitate, corporate transactions.
|
|
|
|
Financial and Political Risks: The financial
and political risks team writes business covering the
credit/default risk on a variety of project and trade
transactions, as well as political risks, terrorism (including
multi-year war on land cover), piracy and kidnap and ransom
(K&R). We write financial and political risks
worldwide but with concentrations in a number of countries, such
as China, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Russia, South Korea, Switzerland,
U.K. and Turkey.
|
|
|
|
U.S. Surety Risks: Our surety business
writes commercial surety risks including, but not limited to,
Federal and Public official bonds, license and permits and
fiduciary and miscellaneous bonds, focused on Fortune
1000 companies and large, privately owned companies in the
U.S.
|
Non-underwriting Disclosures. We have provided
additional disclosures for corporate and other
(non-underwriting) income and expenses. Corporate and other
includes net investment income, net realized and unrealized
investment gains or losses, corporate expense, interest expense,
net realized and unrealized foreign exchange gains or losses and
income taxes, which are not allocated to the underwriting
segments. Corporate expenses are not allocated to the
Companys operating segments as they typically do not
fluctuate with the levels of premiums written and are not
directly related to our operations. They include group executive
costs, group finance, legal and actuarial costs,
non-underwriting share-based compensation and certain strategic
costs including new teams which have not commenced underwriting.
We do not allocate our assets by segment as we evaluate
underwriting results of each segment separately from the results
of our investment portfolio.
The following tables provide a summary of gross and net written
and earned premiums, underwriting results, ratios and reserves
for each of our business segments for the three months ended
September 30, 2011 and 2010:
15
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO
THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
|
|
|
|
Reinsurance
|
|
|
Insurance
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Underwriting Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross written premiums
|
|
$
|
276.1
|
|
|
$
|
219.5
|
|
|
$
|
495.6
|
|
Net written premiums
|
|
|
270.5
|
|
|
|
192.1
|
|
|
|
462.6
|
|
Gross earned premiums
|
|
|
303.2
|
|
|
|
246.7
|
|
|
|
549.9
|
|
Net earned premiums
|
|
|
279.6
|
|
|
|
207.3
|
|
|
|
486.9
|
|
Underwriting Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
|
|
|
188.8
|
|
|
|
117.4
|
|
|
|
306.2
|
|
Policy acquisition expenses
|
|
|
51.8
|
|
|
|
41.6
|
|
|
|
93.4
|
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
26.3
|
|
|
|
34.3
|
|
|
|
60.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underwriting income
|
|
|
12.7
|
|
|
|
14.0
|
|
|
|
26.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10.4
|
)
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
57.3
|
|
Realized and unrealized investment gains
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.2
|
|
Change in fair value of derivatives
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(30.0
|
)
|
Interest on long term debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7.7
|
)
|
Net realized and unrealized foreign exchange (losses)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5.8
|
)
|
Other expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9.1
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net profit before tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
24.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses
|
|
$
|
2,713.3
|
|
|
$
|
1,328.4
|
|
|
$
|
4,041.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss ratio
|
|
|
67.5
|
%
|
|
|
56.6
|
%
|
|
|
62.9
|
%
|
Policy acquisition expense ratio
|
|
|
18.5
|
%
|
|
|
20.1
|
%
|
|
|
19.2
|
%
|
General and administrative expense ratio(1)
|
|
|
9.4
|
%
|
|
|
16.5
|
%
|
|
|
14.6
|
%
|
Expense ratio
|
|
|
27.9
|
%
|
|
|
36.6
|
%
|
|
|
33.8
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined ratio
|
|
|
95.4
|
%
|
|
|
93.2
|
%
|
|
|
96.7
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The total group general and administrative expense ratio
includes the impact from corporate expenses. |
16
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO
THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30, 2010
|
|
|
|
Reinsurance
|
|
|
Insurance
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Underwriting Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross written premiums
|
|
$
|
236.0
|
|
|
$
|
179.8
|
|
|
$
|
415.8
|
|
Net written premiums
|
|
|
229.6
|
|
|
|
147.4
|
|
|
|
377.0
|
|
Gross earned premiums
|
|
|
277.9
|
|
|
|
225.4
|
|
|
|
503.3
|
|
Net earned premiums
|
|
|
267.5
|
|
|
|
184.2
|
|
|
|
451.7
|
|
Underwriting Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
|
|
|
143.5
|
|
|
|
142.3
|
|
|
|
285.8
|
|
Policy acquisition expenses
|
|
|
43.9
|
|
|
|
31.7
|
|
|
|
75.6
|
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
27.1
|
|
|
|
23.6
|
|
|
|
50.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underwriting income/(loss)
|
|
|
53.0
|
|
|
|
(13.4
|
)
|
|
|
39.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(14.3
|
)
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
58.1
|
|
Realized and unrealized investment gains
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22.1
|
|
Change in fair value of derivatives
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3.7
|
)
|
Interest on long term debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3.9
|
)
|
Net realized and unrealized foreign exchange gains
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.4
|
|
Other income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income before tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
103.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses
|
|
$
|
2,242.9
|
|
|
$
|
1,165.5
|
|
|
$
|
3,408.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss ratio
|
|
|
53.6
|
%
|
|
|
77.3
|
%
|
|
|
63.3
|
%
|
Policy acquisition expense ratio
|
|
|
16.4
|
%
|
|
|
17.2
|
%
|
|
|
16.7
|
%
|
General and administrative expense ratio(1)
|
|
|
10.1
|
%
|
|
|
12.8
|
%
|
|
|
14.4
|
%
|
Expense ratio
|
|
|
26.5
|
%
|
|
|
30.0
|
%
|
|
|
31.1
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined ratio
|
|
|
80.1
|
%
|
|
|
107.3
|
%
|
|
|
94.4
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The total group general and administrative expense ratio
includes the impact from corporate expenses. |
The following tables provide a summary of gross and net written
and earned premiums, underwriting results, ratios and reserves
for each of our business segments for the nine months ended
September 30, 2011 and 2010:
17
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO
THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
|
|
|
|
Reinsurance
|
|
|
Insurance
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Underwriting Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross written premiums
|
|
$
|
1,001.2
|
|
|
$
|
747.9
|
|
|
$
|
1,749.1
|
|
Net written premiums
|
|
|
915.8
|
|
|
|
582.1
|
|
|
|
1,497.9
|
|
Gross earned premiums
|
|
|
878.7
|
|
|
|
704.8
|
|
|
|
1,583.5
|
|
Net earned premiums
|
|
|
819.6
|
|
|
|
579.5
|
|
|
|
1,399.1
|
|
Underwriting Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
|
|
|
805.2
|
|
|
|
356.3
|
|
|
|
1,161.5
|
|
Policy acquisition expenses
|
|
|
150.3
|
|
|
|
111.2
|
|
|
|
261.5
|
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
77.2
|
|
|
|
92.7
|
|
|
|
169.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underwriting (loss)/income
|
|
|
(213.1
|
)
|
|
|
19.3
|
|
|
|
(193.8
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(32.1
|
)
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
171.4
|
|
Realized and unrealized investment gains
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21.4
|
|
Change in fair value of derivatives
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(55.7
|
)
|
Interest on long term debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(23.1
|
)
|
Net realized and unrealized foreign exchange (losses)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10.3
|
)
|
Other expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10.4
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (loss) before tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(132.6
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses
|
|
$
|
2,713.3
|
|
|
$
|
1,328.4
|
|
|
$
|
4,041.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss ratio
|
|
|
98.2
|
%
|
|
|
61.5
|
%
|
|
|
83.0
|
%
|
Policy acquisition expense ratio
|
|
|
18.3
|
%
|
|
|
19.2
|
%
|
|
|
18.7
|
%
|
General and administrative expense ratio(1)
|
|
|
9.4
|
%
|
|
|
16.0
|
%
|
|
|
14.4
|
%
|
Expense ratio
|
|
|
27.7
|
%
|
|
|
35.2
|
%
|
|
|
33.1
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined ratio
|
|
|
125.9
|
%
|
|
|
96.7
|
%
|
|
|
116.1
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The total group general and administrative expense ratio
includes the impact from corporate expenses. |
18
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO
THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
|
|
|
|
Reinsurance
|
|
|
Insurance
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Underwriting Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross written premiums
|
|
$
|
1,009.4
|
|
|
$
|
654.6
|
|
|
$
|
1,664.0
|
|
Net written premiums
|
|
|
970.0
|
|
|
|
525.9
|
|
|
|
1,495.9
|
|
Gross earned premiums
|
|
|
882.5
|
|
|
|
661.4
|
|
|
|
1,543.9
|
|
Net earned premiums
|
|
|
849.7
|
|
|
|
549.5
|
|
|
|
1,339.2
|
|
Underwriting Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
|
|
|
546.7
|
|
|
|
394.6
|
|
|
|
941.3
|
|
Policy acquisition expenses
|
|
|
143.6
|
|
|
|
94.3
|
|
|
|
237.9
|
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
79.5
|
|
|
|
65.9
|
|
|
|
145.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underwriting income/(loss)
|
|
|
79.9
|
|
|
|
(5.3
|
)
|
|
|
74.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(34.7
|
)
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
175.0
|
|
Realized and unrealized investment gains
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40.1
|
|
Change in fair value of derivatives
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7.8
|
)
|
Interest on long term debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(11.7
|
)
|
Net realized and unrealized foreign exchange gains
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.3
|
|
Other income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income before tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
244.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses
|
|
$
|
2,242.9
|
|
|
$
|
1,165.5
|
|
|
$
|
3,408.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss ratio
|
|
|
64.3
|
%
|
|
|
71.8
|
%
|
|
|
67.3
|
%
|
Policy acquisition expense ratio
|
|
|
16.9
|
%
|
|
|
17.2
|
%
|
|
|
17.0
|
%
|
General and administrative expense ratio(1)
|
|
|
9.4
|
%
|
|
|
12.0
|
%
|
|
|
12.9
|
%
|
Expense ratio
|
|
|
26.3
|
%
|
|
|
29.2
|
%
|
|
|
29.9
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined ratio
|
|
|
90.6
|
%
|
|
|
101.0
|
%
|
|
|
97.2
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The total group general and administrative expense ratio
includes the impact from corporate expenses. |
19
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO
THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Fixed Income Maturities, Short-Term Investments and
Equities Available For Sale. The
following presents the cost, gross unrealized gains and losses,
and estimated fair value of available for sale investments in
fixed maturities, short-term investments and equities as at
September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at September 30, 2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost or
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
Fair Market
|
|
|
|
Amortized Cost
|
|
|
Gains
|
|
|
Losses
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
U.S. Government
|
|
$
|
830.8
|
|
|
$
|
58.7
|
|
|
$
|
(0.1
|
)
|
|
$
|
889.4
|
|
U.S. Agency
|
|
|
256.6
|
|
|
|
24.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
281.5
|
|
Municipal
|
|
|
34.2
|
|
|
|
2.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36.5
|
|
Corporate
|
|
|
1,842.1
|
|
|
|
130.1
|
|
|
|
(3.9
|
)
|
|
|
1,968.3
|
|
FDIC Guaranteed Corporate
|
|
|
93.0
|
|
|
|
0.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
93.6
|
|
Non-U.S.
Government-backed Corporate
|
|
|
185.6
|
|
|
|
5.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
191.2
|
|
Foreign Government
|
|
|
653.3
|
|
|
|
27.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
681.2
|
|
Asset-backed
|
|
|
54.0
|
|
|
|
5.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
59.0
|
|
Non-agency Commercial Mortgage-backed
|
|
|
87.4
|
|
|
|
7.1
|
|
|
|
(0.1
|
)
|
|
|
94.4
|
|
Agency Mortgage-backed
|
|
|
1,238.2
|
|
|
|
75.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,313.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Fixed Maturities Available for Sale
|
|
|
5,275.2
|
|
|
|
337.6
|
|
|
|
(4.1
|
)
|
|
|
5,608.7
|
|
Total Short-term Investments Available for Sale
|
|
|
290.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
290.6
|
|
Total Equity Securities Available for Sale
|
|
|
167.6
|
|
|
|
6.9
|
|
|
|
(10.7
|
)
|
|
|
163.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
5,733.4
|
|
|
$
|
344.5
|
|
|
$
|
(14.8
|
)
|
|
$
|
6,063.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at December 31, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost or
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
Fair Market
|
|
|
|
Amortized Cost
|
|
|
Gains
|
|
|
Losses
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
U.S. Government
|
|
$
|
701.5
|
|
|
$
|
25.5
|
|
|
$
|
(1.6
|
)
|
|
$
|
725.4
|
|
U.S. Agency
|
|
|
278.7
|
|
|
|
23.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
302.3
|
|
Municipal
|
|
|
31.1
|
|
|
|
0.4
|
|
|
|
(0.8
|
)
|
|
|
30.7
|
|
Corporate
|
|
|
1,861.2
|
|
|
|
113.6
|
|
|
|
(3.7
|
)
|
|
|
1,971.1
|
|
FDIC Guaranteed Corporate
|
|
|
123.6
|
|
|
|
2.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
125.8
|
|
Non-U.S.
Government-backed Corporate
|
|
|
223.6
|
|
|
|
5.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
228.8
|
|
Foreign Government
|
|
|
601.0
|
|
|
|
16.9
|
|
|
|
(1.0
|
)
|
|
|
616.9
|
|
Asset-backed
|
|
|
54.0
|
|
|
|
4.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
58.8
|
|
Non-agency Commercial Mortgage-backed
|
|
|
119.7
|
|
|
|
8.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
128.1
|
|
Agency Mortgage-backed
|
|
|
1,126.4
|
|
|
|
48.7
|
|
|
|
(2.6
|
)
|
|
|
1,172.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Fixed Maturities Available for Sale
|
|
|
5,120.8
|
|
|
|
249.3
|
|
|
|
(9.7
|
)
|
|
|
5,360.4
|
|
Short-Term Investments Available for Sale
|
|
|
286.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.1
|
)
|
|
|
286.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
5,406.9
|
|
|
$
|
249.3
|
|
|
$
|
(9.8
|
)
|
|
$
|
5,646.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO
THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following table provides the contractual maturity
distribution of our available for sale fixed income investments
as at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. Actual
maturities may differ from contractual maturities because
issuers of securities may have the right to call or prepay
obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at September 30, 2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
Amortized
|
|
|
Fair Market
|
|
|
Ratings by
|
|
|
Cost or Cost
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Maturity
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
Due one year or less
|
|
$
|
627.3
|
|
|
$
|
633.0
|
|
|
|
AA+
|
|
Due after one year through five years
|
|
|
2,064.5
|
|
|
|
2,174.2
|
|
|
|
AA
|
|
Due after five years through ten years
|
|
|
1,102.4
|
|
|
|
1,216.8
|
|
|
|
AA−
|
|
Due after ten years
|
|
|
101.4
|
|
|
|
117.7
|
|
|
|
AA−
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subtotal
|
|
|
3,895.6
|
|
|
|
4,141.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-agency Commercial Mortgage-backed
|
|
|
87.4
|
|
|
|
94.4
|
|
|
|
AA+
|
|
Agency Mortgage-backed
|
|
|
1,238.2
|
|
|
|
1,313.6
|
|
|
|
AA+
|
|
Other Asset-backed
|
|
|
54.0
|
|
|
|
59.0
|
|
|
|
AAA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Fixed Income Maturities Available for Sale
|
|
$
|
5,275.2
|
|
|
$
|
5,608.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at December 31, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
Amortized
|
|
|
Fair Market
|
|
|
Ratings by
|
|
|
Cost or Cost
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Maturity
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
Due one year or less
|
|
$
|
337.7
|
|
|
$
|
343.8
|
|
|
|
AA+
|
|
Due after one year through five years
|
|
|
2,236.3
|
|
|
|
2,330.9
|
|
|
|
AA+
|
|
Due after five years through ten years
|
|
|
1,146.6
|
|
|
|
1,222.2
|
|
|
|
AA−
|
|
Due after ten years
|
|
|
100.1
|
|
|
|
104.1
|
|
|
|
AA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subtotal
|
|
|
3,820.7
|
|
|
|
4,001.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-agency Commercial Mortgage-backed
|
|
|
119.7
|
|
|
|
128.1
|
|
|
|
AA+
|
|
Agency Mortgage-backed
|
|
|
1,126.4
|
|
|
|
1,172.5
|
|
|
|
AAA
|
|
Other Asset-backed
|
|
|
54.0
|
|
|
|
58.8
|
|
|
|
AAA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Fixed Income Maturities Available for Sale
|
|
$
|
5,120.8
|
|
|
$
|
5,360.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed Income Maturities
Trading. The following tables present the cost,
gross unrealized gains and losses, and estimated fair value of
trading investments in fixed maturities as at September 30,
2011 and December 31, 2010:
21
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO
THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at September 30, 2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost or
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
Fair Market
|
|
|
|
Amortized Cost
|
|
|
Gains
|
|
|
Losses
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
U.S. Government
|
|
$
|
16.5
|
|
|
|
1.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
18.0
|
|
U.S. Agency
|
|
|
1.5
|
|
|
|
0.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.7
|
|
Municipal
|
|
|
2.8
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.9
|
|
Corporate
|
|
|
335.4
|
|
|
|
15.2
|
|
|
|
(4.5
|
)
|
|
|
346.1
|
|
Foreign Government
|
|
|
9.2
|
|
|
|
0.5
|
|
|
|
(0.1
|
)
|
|
|
9.6
|
|
Asset Backed
|
|
|
5.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Fixed Income Maturities Trading
|
|
$
|
371.2
|
|
|
$
|
17.5
|
|
|
$
|
(4.6
|
)
|
|
$
|
384.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at December 31, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost or
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
Fair Market
|
|
|
|
Amortized Cost
|
|
|
Gains
|
|
|
Losses
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
U.S. Government
|
|
$
|
48.9
|
|
|
$
|
0.1
|
|
|
$
|
(0.7
|
)
|
|
$
|
48.3
|
|
U.S. Agency
|
|
|
0.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.5
|
|
Municipal
|
|
|
3.2
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.3
|
|
Corporate
|
|
|
322.4
|
|
|
|
18.4
|
|
|
|
(1.0
|
)
|
|
|
339.8
|
|
Foreign Government
|
|
|
8.9
|
|
|
|
0.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9.4
|
|
Asset Backed
|
|
|
4.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Fixed Income Maturities Trading
|
|
$
|
388.8
|
|
|
$
|
19.1
|
|
|
$
|
(1.7
|
)
|
|
$
|
406.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company classifies these financial instruments as held for
trading as this most closely reflects the facts and
circumstances of the investments held. The trading portfolio was
established in 2009.
22
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO
THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Gross Unrealized Loss. The following tables
summarize as at September 30, 2011 and December 31,
2010, by type of security, the aggregate fair value and gross
unrealized loss by length of time the security has been in an
unrealized loss position for our available for sale portfolio:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at September 30, 2011
|
|
|
|
0-12 months
|
|
|
Over 12 months
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
Fair
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Fair
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Fair
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
Market
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
Market
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Loss
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Loss
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Loss
|
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
U.S. Government
|
|
$
|
49.2
|
|
|
$
|
(0.1
|
)
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
49.2
|
|
|
$
|
(0.1
|
)
|
|
|
9
|
|
U.S. Agency
|
|
|
2.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Foreign Government
|
|
|
21.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
Municipal
|
|
|
2.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Corporate
|
|
|
195.5
|
|
|
|
(3.9
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
195.5
|
|
|
|
(3.9
|
)
|
|
|
113
|
|
Non-U.S.
Government-backed Corporate
|
|
|
13.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14
|
|
Asset-backed
|
|
|
2.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
Non-agency Commercial Mortgage-backed
|
|
|
5.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.8
|
|
|
|
(0.1
|
)
|
|
|
6.9
|
|
|
|
(0.1
|
)
|
|
|
4
|
|
FDIC Guaranteed Corporate
|
|
|
3.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
Agency Mortgage-backed
|
|
|
8.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Fixed Income Maturities Available for Sale
|
|
|
304.5
|
|
|
|
(4.0
|
)
|
|
|
5.8
|
|
|
|
(0.1
|
)
|
|
|
310.3
|
|
|
|
(4.1
|
)
|
|
|
165
|
|
Total Short-term Investments Available for Sale
|
|
|
11.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9
|
|
Total Equity Securities Available for Sale
|
|
|
81.0
|
|
|
|
(10.7
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
81.0
|
|
|
|
(10.7
|
)
|
|
|
37
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
396.9
|
|
|
$
|
(14.7
|
)
|
|
$
|
5.8
|
|
|
$
|
(0.1
|
)
|
|
$
|
402.7
|
|
|
$
|
(14.8
|
)
|
|
|
211
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO
THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at December 31, 2010
|
|
|
|
0-12 months
|
|
|
Over 12 months
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
Fair
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Fair
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Fair
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
Market
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
Market
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Loss
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Loss
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Loss
|
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
U.S. Government
|
|
$
|
112.9
|
|
|
$
|
(1.6
|
)
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
112.9
|
|
|
$
|
(1.6
|
)
|
|
|
28
|
|
U.S. Agency
|
|
|
5.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
Municipal
|
|
|
16.0
|
|
|
|
(0.8
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16.0
|
|
|
|
(0.8
|
)
|
|
|
6
|
|
Foreign Government
|
|
|
110.0
|
|
|
|
(1.0
|
)
|
|
|
5.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
115.0
|
|
|
|
(1.0
|
)
|
|
|
12
|
|
Corporate
|
|
|
188.2
|
|
|
|
(3.7
|
)
|
|
|
2.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
190.4
|
|
|
|
(3.7
|
)
|
|
|
101
|
|
Non-U.S.
Government-backed Corporate
|
|
|
24.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9
|
|
Asset-backed
|
|
|
0.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Agency Mortgage-backed
|
|
|
182.6
|
|
|
|
(2.6
|
)
|
|
|
0.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
182.9
|
|
|
|
(2.6
|
)
|
|
|
57
|
|
Non-agency Commercial Mortgage-backed
|
|
|
2.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Fixed Income Maturities Available for Sale
|
|
|
642.6
|
|
|
|
(9.7
|
)
|
|
|
7.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
650.1
|
|
|
|
(9.7
|
)
|
|
|
221
|
|
Total Short-term investments Available for Sale
|
|
|
45.8
|
|
|
|
(0.1
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
45.8
|
|
|
|
(0.1
|
)
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
688.4
|
|
|
$
|
(9.8
|
)
|
|
$
|
7.5
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
695.9
|
|
|
$
|
(9.8
|
)
|
|
|
243
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other-than-temporary
impairments (OTTI). The Company
recorded OTTI charges for the three and nine months ended
September 30, 2011 of $Nil (2010 $Nil) and $Nil
(2010 $0.3 million), respectively. The Company
reviews its available for sale investment portfolio on an
individual security basis for potential impairment each quarter
based on criteria including issuer-specific circumstances,
credit ratings actions and general macro-economic conditions.
The difference between the amortized cost/cost and the estimated
fair market value of available for sale investments is monitored
to determine whether any investment has experienced a decline in
value that is believed to be
other-than-temporary.
A security is impaired when the fair value is below its
amortized cost/cost.
In our review of fixed maturity investments,
other-than-temporary
impairment is deemed to occur when there is no objective
evidence to support recovery in value of a security and
a) we intend to sell the security or more likely than not
will be required to sell the security before recovery of its
adjusted amortized cost basis or b) it is deemed probable
that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to
the contractual terms of the individual security. In the first
case, the entire unrealized loss position is taken as an OTTI
charge to realized losses in earnings. In the second case, the
unrealized loss is separated into the amount related to credit
loss and the amount related to all other factors. The OTTI
charge related to credit loss is recognized in realized losses
in earnings and the amount related to all other factors is
recognized in other comprehensive income. The cost basis of the
investment is reduced accordingly and no adjustments are made
for subsequent recoveries in value.
Equity securities do not have a maturity date and therefore our
review of these securities utilizes a higher degree of judgment.
In our review we consider our ability and intent to hold an
impaired equity security for a reasonable period of time to
allow for a full recovery. Where a security is considered to be
other-than-temporarily
24
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO
THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
impaired, the entire charge is recognized in realized losses in
earnings. Again, the cost basis of the investment is reduced
accordingly and no adjustments are made for subsequent
recoveries in value.
Although we review each security on a case by case basis, we
have also established parameters to help identify securities in
an unrealized loss position which are
other-than-temporarily
impaired. These parameters focus on the extent and duration of
the impairment and for both fixed maturities and equities we
consider declines in value of greater than 20% for 12
consecutive months to indicate that the security may be
other-than-temporarily
impaired.
U.S. Government and Agency
Securities. U.S. government and agency
securities consist primarily of bonds issued by the
U.S. Treasury and corporate debt issued by agencies such as
the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA),
Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation and the Federal Home Loan Bank.
Corporate Securities. Corporate securities are
composed of short-term, medium-term and long-term debt issued by
corporations and supra-national securities.
Foreign Government. Foreign government
securities are composed of bonds issued and guaranteed by
foreign governments such as the U.K., Canada, and France.
Municipals. Municipal securities are composed
of bonds issued by U.S. municipalities.
Asset-Backed Securities. Asset-backed
securities are securities backed by notes or receivables against
assets other than real estate.
Mortgage-Backed Securities. Mortgage-backed
securities are securities that represent ownership in a pool of
mortgages. Both principal and income are backed by the group of
mortgages in the pool. They include bonds issued by
government-sponsored enterprises such as Federal National
Mortgage Association, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation,
Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Farm Credit Bank.
Short-Term Investments. Short-term investments
comprise highly liquid debt securities with a maturity greater
than three months but less than one year from the date of
purchase and are held as part of the investment portfolio of the
Company. Short-term investments are classified as either trading
or available for sale according to the facts and circumstances
of the investment held, and carried at estimated fair value.
Equity Securities. Equity securities are
comprised of U.S. and foreign equity securities and are
classified as available for sale. The portfolio invests in high
quality global equity securities with attractive dividend yields.
Other Investments. On May 19, 2009, Aspen
Holdings invested $25.0 million in Cartesian Iris 2009A
L.P. through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Acorn Limited.
Cartesian Iris 2009A L.P. is a Delaware Limited Partnership
formed to provide capital to Iris Re, a Class 3 Bermudian
reinsurer focusing on insurance-linked securities. On
June 1, 2010, the investment in Cartesian Iris 2009A L.P.
matured and was reinvested in the Cartesian Iris Offshore
Fund L.P. The Companys involvement with Cartesian
Iris Offshore Fund L.P. is limited to its investment in the
fund, and it is not committed to making further investments in
Cartesian Iris Offshore Fund L.P.; accordingly, the
carrying value of the investment represents the Companys
maximum exposure to a loss as a result of its involvement with
the partnership at each balance sheet date. In addition to
returns on its investment, the Company provides services on risk
selection, pricing and portfolio design in return for a
percentage of profits from Iris Re.
The Company has determined that each of Cartesian Iris 2009A
L.P. and Cartesian Iris Offshore Fund L.P. has the
characteristics of a variable interest entity that are addressed
by the guidance in ASC 810, Consolidation. Neither
Cartesian Iris 2009A L.P. nor Cartesian Iris Offshore
Fund L.P. is consolidated by the Company. The Company has
no decision-making power, those powers having been reserved for
the general partner. The
25
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO
THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
arrangement with Cartesian Iris Offshore Fund L.P. is
simply that of an investee to which the Company provides
additional services, including the secondment of an employee
working under the direction of the board of Iris Re.
The Company has accounted for its investments in Cartesian Iris
2009A L.P. and Cartesian Offshore Fund L.P. in accordance
with the equity method of accounting. Adjustments to the
carrying value of this investment are made based on our share of
capital including our share of income and expenses, which is
provided in the quarterly management accounts of the
partnership. The adjusted carrying value approximates fair
value. In the three and nine months ended September 30,
2011, our share of gains and losses increased the value of our
investment by $2.3 million (2010
$0.9 million increase) and $2.3 million
(2010 $1.4 million increase), respectively. The
change in value has been recognized in realized and unrealized
investment gains and losses in the unaudited condensed
consolidated statement of operations.
The tables below show our other investments for the nine months
ended September 30, 2011 and twelve months ended
December 31, 2010:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
|
|
|
|
Opening
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Closing
|
|
|
|
Undistributed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Undistributed
|
|
|
|
Fair Value of
|
|
|
Realized
|
|
|
Carrying
|
|
|
Funds
|
|
|
Fair Value of
|
|
|
|
Investment
|
|
|
Gain
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Distributed
|
|
|
Investment
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Cartesian Iris Offshore Fund L.P.
|
|
$
|
30.0
|
|
|
$
|
2.3
|
|
|
$
|
32.3
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
32.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2010
|
|
|
|
Opening
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Closing
|
|
|
|
Undistributed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Undistributed
|
|
|
|
Fair Value of
|
|
|
Realized
|
|
|
Carrying
|
|
|
Funds
|
|
|
Fair Value of
|
|
|
|
Investment
|
|
|
Gain
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Distributed
|
|
|
Investment
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Cartesian Iris 2009 A L.P.
|
|
$
|
27.3
|
|
|
$
|
0.5
|
|
|
$
|
27.8
|
|
|
$
|
(27.8
|
)
|
|
$
|
|
|
Cartesian Iris Offshore Fund L.P.
|
|
$
|
27.8
|
|
|
$
|
2.2
|
|
|
$
|
30.0
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
30.0
|
|
Investment Purchases and Sales. The following
table sets out an analysis of investment purchases, sales and
maturities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months Ended
|
|
|
For the Nine Months Ended
|
|
|
|
September 30, 2011
|
|
|
September 30, 2010
|
|
|
September 30, 2011
|
|
|
September 30, 2010
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Purchase of fixed income maturities
|
|
$
|
381.2
|
|
|
$
|
776.7
|
|
|
$
|
1,879.8
|
|
|
$
|
1,883.2
|
|
Net purchases of equity securities
|
|
|
3.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
173.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Proceeds) from sales and maturities of fixed income maturities
|
|
|
(400.8
|
)
|
|
|
(693.7
|
)
|
|
|
(1,754.2
|
)
|
|
|
(1,709.3
|
)
|
Net change in (receivable)/payable for securities
(sold)/purchased
|
|
|
(1.0
|
)
|
|
|
(33.0
|
)
|
|
|
40.7
|
|
|
|
(40.6
|
)
|
Net (sales)/purchases of short-term investments
|
|
|
98.7
|
|
|
|
(19.3
|
)
|
|
|
7.4
|
|
|
|
(78.5
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net purchases for the period
|
|
$
|
81.8
|
|
|
$
|
30.7
|
|
|
$
|
346.8
|
|
|
$
|
54.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO
THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Investment Income. The following is a summary
of investment income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months Ended
|
|
|
For the Nine Months Ended
|
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Fixed income maturities Available for sale
|
|
$
|
51.0
|
|
|
$
|
54.1
|
|
|
$
|
154.0
|
|
|
$
|
163.7
|
|
Fixed income maturities Trading portfolio
|
|
|
4.2
|
|
|
|
4.5
|
|
|
|
12.8
|
|
|
|
13.3
|
|
Short-term investments Available for sale
|
|
|
0.3
|
|
|
|
0.5
|
|
|
|
0.8
|
|
|
|
1.2
|
|
Short-term investments Trading portfolio
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed term deposits (included in cash and cash equivalents)
|
|
|
2.0
|
|
|
|
0.7
|
|
|
|
4.4
|
|
|
|
2.0
|
|
Equity securities
|
|
|
1.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
59.2
|
|
|
$
|
59.8
|
|
|
$
|
177.0
|
|
|
$
|
180.2
|
|
Investment expenses
|
|
|
(1.9
|
)
|
|
|
(1.7
|
)
|
|
|
(5.6
|
)
|
|
|
(5.2
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
$
|
57.3
|
|
|
$
|
58.1
|
|
|
$
|
171.4
|
|
|
$
|
175.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO
THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following table summarizes the pre-tax realized investment
gains and losses, and the change in unrealized gains and losses
on investments recorded in shareholders equity and in
comprehensive income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months Ended
|
|
|
For the Nine Months Ended
|
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Pre-tax realized and unrealized investment gains and losses
included in income statement:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Available for sale short-term investments, fixed income
maturities and equity securities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross realized gains
|
|
$
|
5.1
|
|
|
$
|
8.5
|
|
|
$
|
24.5
|
|
|
$
|
21.1
|
|
Gross realized (losses)
|
|
|
(0.7
|
)
|
|
|
(0.3
|
)
|
|
|
(5.2
|
)
|
|
|
(0.9
|
)
|
Trading portfolio short-term investments and fixed income
maturities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross realized gains
|
|
|
1.4
|
|
|
|
5.1
|
|
|
|
5.9
|
|
|
|
8.5
|
|
Gross realized (losses)
|
|
|
(0.1
|
)
|
|
|
(0.6
|
)
|
|
|
(1.6
|
)
|
|
|
(1.7
|
)
|
Net change in gross unrealized gains/(losses)
|
|
|
(4.8
|
)
|
|
|
8.5
|
|
|
|
(4.5
|
)
|
|
|
12.0
|
|
Impairments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
other-than-temporary
impairments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.3
|
)
|
Equity accounted investments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross realized (losses)/gains in Cartesian Iris
|
|
|
2.3
|
|
|
|
0.9
|
|
|
|
2.3
|
|
|
|
1.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total pre-tax realized and unrealized investment gains and
losses included in income statement:
|
|
$
|
3.2
|
|
|
$
|
22.1
|
|
|
$
|
21.4
|
|
|
$
|
40.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in available for sale unrealized gains/(losses):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed income maturities
|
|
|
81.8
|
|
|
|
68.2
|
|
|
|
94.0
|
|
|
|
175.9
|
|
Short-term investments
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity securities
|
|
|
(10.2
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3.8
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total change in pre-tax available for sale unrealized
gains/(losses)
|
|
|
71.7
|
|
|
|
68.2
|
|
|
|
90.2
|
|
|
|
175.9
|
|
Change in taxes
|
|
|
(7.9
|
)
|
|
|
(6.7
|
)
|
|
|
(7.3
|
)
|
|
|
(14.5
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total change in unrealized gains/(losses), net of taxes
|
|
$
|
63.8
|
|
|
$
|
61.5
|
|
|
$
|
82.9
|
|
|
$
|
161.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.
|
Fair
Value Measurements
|
Fair Value Measurements. Our estimates of fair
value for financial assets and liabilities are based on the
framework established in the fair value accounting guidance
included in ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and
Disclosures. The framework prioritizes the inputs, which
refer broadly to assumptions market participants would use in
pricing an asset or liability, into three levels, which are
described in more detail below.
|
|
|
|
|
Level 1 Valuations based on unadjusted quoted
prices in active markets, to which the Company has access, for
identical assets or liabilities.
|
28
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO
THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
Level 2 Valuations based on inputs other than
unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets
or liabilities. Inputs include quoted prices for similar assets
or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for
identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets,
and inputs other than quoted prices which are directly or
indirectly observable for the asset or liability (for example
interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, default rates,
loss severities).
|
|
|
|
Level 3 Valuations based on inputs that are
unobservable and significant to the overall fair value
measurement. Unobservable inputs reflect the Companys own
views about the assumptions that market participants would use
in pricing the asset or liability.
|
Where inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability fall into
more than one level of the fair value hierarchy, the
classification of the asset or liability will be within the
lowest level identified as significant to the valuation.
Our fixed income securities are traded on the
over-the-counter
market, based on prices provided by one or more market makers in
each security. Securities such as U.S. Government,
U.S. Agency, Foreign Government and investment grade
corporate bonds have multiple market makers in addition to
readily observable market value indicators such as expected
credit spread, except for Treasury securities, over the yield
curve. We use a variety of pricing sources to value our fixed
income securities including those securities that have pay
down/prepay features such as mortgage-backed securities and
asset-backed securities in order to ensure fair and accurate
pricing. The fair value estimates for the investment grade
securities in our portfolio do not use significant unobservable
inputs or modeling techniques.
Equity securities include U.S. and foreign common stocks
which are classified as available for sale and carried at fair
value. These securities are classified within Level 1 as
their fair values are based on quoted market prices in active
markets from independent pricing sources.
29
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO
THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following tables present our assets measured at fair value
on a recurring basis within the fair value hierarchy at
September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at September 30, 2011
|
|
|
|
Level 1
|
|
|
Level 2
|
|
|
Level 3
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Fixed income maturities available for sale, at fair value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Government
|
|
$
|
889.4
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
889.4
|
|
U.S. Government Agency
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
281.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
281.5
|
|
Municipal
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36.5
|
|
Foreign Government
|
|
|
545.3
|
|
|
|
135.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
681.2
|
|
Non-agency Commercial Mortgage-backed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
94.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
94.4
|
|
Agency Mortgage-backed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,313.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,313.6
|
|
Asset-backed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
59.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
59.0
|
|
Corporate
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,968.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,968.3
|
|
FDIC Guaranteed Corporate
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
93.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
93.6
|
|
Bonds backed by Foreign Government
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
191.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
191.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total fixed income maturities available for sale, at fair value
|
|
|
1,434.7
|
|
|
|
4,174.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,608.7
|
|
Short-term investments available for sale, at fair value
|
|
|
258.0
|
|
|
|
32.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
290.6
|
|
Equity investments available for sale, at fair value
|
|
|
163.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
163.8
|
|
Fixed income maturities trading, at fair value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Government
|
|
|
18.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18.0
|
|
U.S. Government Agency
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.7
|
|
Municipal
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.9
|
|
Foreign Government
|
|
|
4.1
|
|
|
|
5.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9.6
|
|
Asset-backed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.8
|
|
Corporate
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
346.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
346.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total fixed income maturities trading, at fair value
|
|
|
22.1
|
|
|
|
362.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
384.1
|
|
Short-term investments trading, at fair value
|
|
|
3.6
|
|
|
|
1.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.3
|
|
Derivatives at fair value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
1,882.2
|
|
|
$
|
4,576.1
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
6,458.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2
during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011.
30
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO
THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at December 31, 2010
|
|
|
|
Level 1
|
|
|
Level 2
|
|
|
Level 3
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Fixed income maturities available for sale, at fair value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Government
|
|
$
|
725.4
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
725.4
|
|
U.S. Government Agency
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
302.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
302.3
|
|
Municipal
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30.7
|
|
Foreign Government
|
|
|
507.5
|
|
|
|
109.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
616.9
|
|
Non-agency Commercial Mortgage-backed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
128.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
128.1
|
|
Agency Mortgage-backed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,172.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,172.5
|
|
Asset-backed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
58.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
58.8
|
|
Corporate
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,964.3
|
|
|
|
6.8
|
|
|
|
1,971.1
|
|
FDIC Guaranteed Corporate
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
125.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
125.8
|
|
Bonds backed by Foreign Government
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
228.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
228.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total fixed income maturities available for sale, at fair value
|
|
|
1,232.9
|
|
|
|
4,120.7
|
|
|
|
6.8
|
|
|
|
5,360.4
|
|
Short-term investments available for sale, at fair value
|
|
|
246.8
|
|
|
|
39.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
286.0
|
|
Fixed income maturities trading, at fair value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Government
|
|
|
48.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
48.3
|
|
U.S. Government Agency
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.5
|
|
Municipal
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.3
|
|
Foreign Government
|
|
|
4.1
|
|
|
|
5.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9.4
|
|
Asset-backed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.9
|
|
Corporate
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
339.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
339.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total fixed income maturities trading, at fair value
|
|
|
52.4
|
|
|
|
353.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
406.2
|
|
Short-term investments trading, at fair value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.7
|
|
Derivatives at fair value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
1,532.1
|
|
|
$
|
4,524.2
|
|
|
$
|
6.8
|
|
|
$
|
6,063.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed income maturities classified as Level 3 at
December 31, 2010, related to securities of Lehman Brothers
Holdings, Inc. (Lehman Brothers) which were
subsequently sold in the first quarter of 2011. Although the
market value of Lehman Brothers bonds was based on broker-dealer
quoted prices, management believed the valuation to be based, in
part, on market expectations of future recoveries out of
bankruptcy proceedings, which involved significant unobservable
inputs to the valuation. Derivatives at fair value consist of
the interest-rate swaps and the forward exchange contracts as
described in Note 9.
31
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO
THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following tables present a reconciliation of the beginning
and ending balances for all assets measured at fair value on a
recurring basis using Level 3 inputs for the nine months
ended September 30, 2011:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
|
|
|
|
Fixed Maturity
|
|
|
Derivatives at
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investments
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Level 3 assets as of January 1, 2011
|
|
$
|
6.8
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
6.8
|
|
Total unrealized gains or (losses):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Included in comprehensive income
|
|
|
(4.0
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4.0
|
)
|
Included in earnings
|
|
|
4.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.8
|
|
Sales
|
|
|
(7.6
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7.6
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Level 3 assets as of September 30, 2011
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There were no transactions during the three months ended
September 30, 2011.
The following tables present a reconciliation of the beginning
and ending balances for all assets measured at fair value on a
recurring basis using Level 3 inputs for the three and nine
months ended September 30, 2010:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30, 2010
|
|
|
|
Fixed Maturity
|
|
|
Derivatives at
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investments
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Level 3 assets as of July 1, 2010
|
|
$
|
14.7
|
|
|
$
|
3.1
|
|
|
$
|
17.8
|
|
Total unrealized gains or (losses):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Included in comprehensive income
|
|
|
0.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.6
|
|
Included in earnings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.9
|
)
|
|
|
(1.9
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Level 3 assets as of September 30, 2010
|
|
$
|
15.3
|
|
|
$
|
1.2
|
|
|
$
|
16.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
|
|
|
|
Fixed Maturity
|
|
|
Derivatives at
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investments
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Level 3 assets as of January 1, 2010
|
|
$
|
14.9
|
|
|
$
|
6.7
|
|
|
$
|
21.6
|
|
Total unrealized gains or (losses):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Included in comprehensive income
|
|
|
0.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.4
|
|
Included in earnings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5.5
|
)
|
|
|
(5.5
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Level 3 assets as of September 30, 2010
|
|
$
|
15.3
|
|
|
$
|
1.2
|
|
|
$
|
16.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO
THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following table presents a reconciliation of the beginning
and ending balances for the liabilities under derivative
contracts measured at fair value on a recurring basis using
Level 3 inputs during the three and nine months ended
September 30, 2010:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended
|
|
|
|
September 30, 2010
|
|
|
September 30, 2010
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Beginning Balance
|
|
$
|
5.6
|
|
|
$
|
9.2
|
|
Total realized losses/(gains) included in earnings
|
|
|
2.4
|
|
|
|
2.4
|
|
Settlements
|
|
|
(4.3
|
)
|
|
|
(7.9
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ending Balance
|
|
$
|
3.7
|
|
|
$
|
3.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There were no transactions during the three and nine months
ended September 30, 2011.
We purchase retrocession and reinsurance to limit and diversify
the Companys risk exposure and to increase its own
insurance underwriting capacity. These agreements provide for
recovery of a portion of losses and loss adjustment expenses
from reinsurers. As is the case with most reinsurance treaties,
the Company remains liable to the extent that reinsurers do not
meet their obligations under these agreements, and therefore, in
line with its risk management objectives, the Company evaluates
the financial condition of its reinsurers and monitor
concentrations of credit risk.
Balances pertaining to reinsurance transactions are reported
gross on the consolidated balance sheet, meaning
that reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses and ceded
unearned premiums are not deducted from insurance reserves but
are recorded as assets.
The largest concentrations of reinsurance recoverables as at
September 30, 2011, were with Lloyds on Lloyds
syndicates which are all rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best
and A+ (Strong) by S&P and with Munich Re which is rated A+
(Superior) by A.M. Best and AA− (Very Strong) by
S&P, for their financial strength. Balances with
Lloyds and Munich Re represented 28.4% and 12.7%,
respectively, of reinsurance recoverables (December 31,
2010 33.2% and 13.2%).
The following tables summarize information on the location and
amounts of derivative fair values on the consolidated balance
sheet as at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at September 30, 2011
|
|
|
As at December 31, 2010
|
|
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging
|
|
|
|
Notional
|
|
|
Fair
|
|
|
Notional
|
|
|
|
|
Instruments Under ASC 815
|
|
Balance Sheet Location
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Interest-Rate Swaps
|
|
Derivatives at Fair Value
|
|
$
|
1,000.0
|
|
|
$
|
0.2
|
(1)
|
|
$
|
500.0
|
|
|
$
|
6.8
|
|
Forward Exchange Contracts
|
|
Derivatives at Fair Value
|
|
$
|
178.4
|
|
|
$
|
5.6
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Net of $45.8 million of cash collateral provided to
counterparties as security for our net liability position. |
33
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO
THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following tables provide the unrealized and realized
gains/(losses) recorded in earnings for the three and nine
months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount of Gain/(Loss)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recognized in Income
|
|
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
Instruments Under ASC 815
|
|
Location of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Income
|
|
September 30, 2011
|
|
|
September 30, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Credit Insurance Contract
|
|
Change in Fair Value of Derivatives
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
(1.7
|
)
|
Forward Exchange Contracts(1)
|
|
Change in Fair Value of Derivatives/
Net Foreign Exchange Gains and Losses
|
|
$
|
6.1
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Interest-Rate Swaps
|
|
Change in Fair Value of Derivatives
|
|
$
|
(36.1
|
)
|
|
$
|
(2.0
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount of Gain/(Loss)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recognized in Income
|
|
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended
|
|
Instruments Under ASC 815
|
|
Location of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Income
|
|
September 30, 2011
|
|
|
September 30, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Credit Insurance Contract
|
|
Change in Fair Value of Derivatives
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
(5.7
|
)
|
Forward Exchange Contracts(1)
|
|
Change in Fair Value of Derivatives/
Net Foreign Exchange Gains and Losses
|
|
$
|
5.8
|
|
|
$
|
1.2
|
|
Interest-Rate Swaps
|
|
Change in Fair Value of Derivatives
|
|
$
|
(61.5
|
)
|
|
$
|
(2.1
|
)
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The changes in fair value for forward exchange contracts for the
three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 are included
in changes in fair value of derivatives to be consistent with
the treatment for other derivative contracts. |
Credit Insurance Contract. On
November 28, 2006, the Company entered into a credit
insurance contract which, subject to its terms, insured the
Company against losses due to the inability of one or more of
our reinsurance counterparties to meet their financial
obligations to the Company. The Company considered the contract
to be a derivative instrument because the final settlement was
expected to take place two years after expiry of cover and
included an amount attributable to outstanding and incurred but
not reported (IBNR) claims which may not at that
point in time be due and payable to the Company. The contract
was treated as an asset or a liability and measured at the
directors estimate of fair value.
The contract was for five years and provided 90% cover for a
named panel of reinsurers up to individual defined
sub-limits.
The contract did allow, subject to certain conditions, for
substitution and replacement of panel members if the
Companys panel of reinsurers changes. Payments were made
on a quarterly basis throughout the period of the contract based
on the aggregate limit, which was set initially at
$477.0 million but was subject to adjustment. On
October 26, 2010, we gave notice of our intention to cancel
our credit insurance contract with effect from November 28,
2010. The notice of cancellation triggered a final payment of
$1.9 million to the contract counterparties.
Foreign Exchange Contracts. The Company uses
forward exchange contracts to manage foreign currency risk. A
forward foreign currency exchange contract involves an
obligation to purchase or sell a specified currency at a future
date at a price set at the time of the contract. Foreign
currency exchange contracts will not eliminate fluctuations in
the value of the Companys assets and liabilities
denominated in foreign currencies but rather allows it to
establish a rate of exchange for a future point in time. The
increase in the number of contracts purchased in the first nine
months of 2011 compared to the first nine months of 2010 is due
to hedging against foreign currency losses from the earthquakes
in New Zealand and Japan. The foreign currency contracts are
recorded as derivatives at fair value with changes recorded as a
net foreign exchange gain or loss in the Companys
statement of operations. As at
34
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO
THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
September 30, 2011, the Company had five forward contracts
outstanding, resulting in a gain for the three and nine months
of $6.1 million and $5.8 million respectively
(2010 no forward contracts outstanding).
Interest Rate Swaps. As at September 30,
2011, the Company held a number of standard fixed for floating
interest-rate swaps with a total notional amount of
$1.0 billion that are due to mature between August 2,
2012 and November 9, 2020. The swaps are used in the
ordinary course of the Companys investment activities to
partially mitigate the negative impact of rises in interest
rates on the market value of the Companys fixed income
portfolio. For the three and nine months ended
September 30, 2011, there was a charge in respect of the
interest-rate swaps of $36.1 million and
$61.5 million, respectively (2010
$2.0 million and $2.1 million) primarily due to
falling interest rates and their impact on fixed income
valuations and yields.
As at September 30, 2011, cash collateral with a fair value
of $45.8 million has been transferred to the Companys
counterparties to support the current valuation of the interest
rate swaps. At December 31, 2010, non-cash collateral with
a fair value of $7.7 million was transferred by the
Companys counterparties. In accordance with FASB
ASC 860 Topic Transfers and Servicing, transfers of cash
collateral are recorded on the balance sheet within Derivatives
at Fair Value, while transfers in respect of non-cash collateral
are disclosed but not recorded.
Under the derivative accounting guidance, none of the
derivatives described above meets the requirements for hedge
accounting. Changes in the estimated fair value were included in
the consolidated statement of operations.
|
|
10.
|
Reserves
for Losses and Adjustment Expenses
|
The following table represents a reconciliation of beginning and
ending consolidated loss and loss adjustment expenses
(LAE) reserves for the nine months ended
September 30, 2011, and twelve months ended
December 31, 2010:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at
|
|
|
As at
|
|
|
|
September 30, 2011
|
|
|
December 31, 2010
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Provision for losses and LAE at the start of the year
|
|
$
|
3,820.5
|
|
|
$
|
3,331.1
|
|
Less reinsurance recoverable
|
|
|
(279.9
|
)
|
|
|
(321.5
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss and LAE at the start of the year
|
|
|
3,540.6
|
|
|
|
3,009.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss and LAE expenses (disposed)
|
|
|
(23.4
|
)
|
|
|
(35.5
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision for losses and LAE for claims incurred:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current year
|
|
|
1,231.8
|
|
|
|
1,270.1
|
|
Prior years
|
|
|
(70.3
|
)
|
|
|
(21.4
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total incurred
|
|
|
1,161.5
|
|
|
|
1,248.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Losses and LAE payments for claims incurred:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current year
|
|
|
(104.5
|
)
|
|
|
(116.5
|
)
|
Prior years
|
|
|
(541.5
|
)
|
|
|
(550.3
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total paid
|
|
|
(646.0
|
)
|
|
|
(666.8
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign exchange losses/(gains)
|
|
|
9.0
|
|
|
|
(15.4
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net losses and LAE reserves at period end
|
|
|
4,041.7
|
|
|
|
3,540.6
|
|
Plus reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses at period end
|
|
|
357.7
|
|
|
|
279.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision for losses and LAE at September 30, 2011 and
December 31, 2010
|
|
$
|
4,399.4
|
|
|
$
|
3,820.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
35
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO
THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, there were
reserve releases of $70.3 million compared to
$8.8 million for the nine months ended September 30,
2010 in our estimate of the ultimate claims to be paid in
respect of prior accident years. For additional information on
our reserve releases, please refer to Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations, Reserves for Losses and Loss Adjustment
Expenses. The $23.4 million net loss and LAE expenses
disposed in the nine months ended September 30, 2011
(twelve months ended December 31, 2010
$35.5 million) relates to the commutation of certain
contracts in specialty reinsurance.
The following table provides a summary of the Companys
authorized and issued share capital at September 30, 2011
and December 31, 2010:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at September 30, 2011
|
|
|
As at December 31, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ in
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ in
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Thousands
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Thousands
|
|
|
Authorized Share Capital:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary Shares 0.15144558¢ per share
|
|
|
969,629,030
|
|
|
|
1,469
|
|
|
|
969,629,030
|
|
|
|
1,469
|
|
Non-Voting Shares 0.15144558¢ per share
|
|
|
6,787,880
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
6,787,880
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
Preference Shares 0.15144558¢ per share
|
|
|
100,000,000
|
|
|
|
152
|
|
|
|
100,000,000
|
|
|
|
152
|
|
Issued Share Capital:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issued ordinary shares of 0.15144558¢ per share
|
|
|
70,595,201
|
|
|
|
107
|
|
|
|
70,508,013
|
|
|
|
107
|
|
Issued preference shares of 0.15144558¢ each with a
liquidation preference of $50 per share
|
|
|
4,600,000
|
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
4,600,000
|
|
|
|
7
|
|
Issued preference shares of 0.15144558¢ each with a
liquidation preference of $25 per share
|
|
|
5,327,500
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
5,327,500
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total issued share capital
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
122
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
122
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at September 30, 2011
|
|
|
As at December 31, 2010
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
$
|
1,381.8
|
|
|
$
|
1,388.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary Shares. The following table
summarizes transactions in the Companys ordinary shares
during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Shares in issue at December 31, 2010
|
|
|
70,508,013
|
|
Share transactions in the nine months ended
September 30, 2011:
|
|
|
|
|
Shares issued to the Names trust upon exercise of investor
options (refer to Note 12)
|
|
|
255,115
|
|
Shares issued to employees under the share incentive plan
|
|
|
654,812
|
|
Shares issued to non-employee directors
|
|
|
32,414
|
|
Ordinary share repurchases from shareholders
|
|
|
(855,153
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares in issue at September 30, 2011
|
|
|
70,595,201
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary Share Repurchases. On
November 10, 2010, the Company entered into an accelerated
share repurchase program with Barclays Capital to repurchase
$184 million of its ordinary shares. As of
December 15,
36
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO
THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
2010, a total of 5,737,449 ordinary shares were received and
cancelled. Upon completion of the contract on March 14,
2011, an additional 542,736 ordinary shares were received and
cancelled. A total of 6,280,185 ordinary shares were cancelled
under the contract.
On February 16, 2011, an agreement was signed to repurchase
58,310 shares from the Names Trustee, as defined
below. The shares were repurchased on March 10, 2011 and
subsequently cancelled.
On June 29, 2011, an agreement was signed to repurchase
254,107 shares from the Names Trustee, as defined
below. The shares were repurchased on August 10, 2011 and
subsequently cancelled.
The Company has issued options and other equity incentives under
four arrangements: investor options, employee awards,
non-employee director awards and the employee share purchase
plans. When options are exercised or other equity awards have
vested, new shares are issued as the Company does not currently
hold treasury shares. The Company applies a fair value based
measurement method and an estimate of future forfeitures in the
calculation of the compensation costs of stock options,
performance shares and restricted share units.
Investor Options. The investor options were
issued on June 21, 2002 to Wellington Investment Holdings
(Jersey) Limited (Wellington Investment) and members
of Syndicate 2020 who were not corporate members of Syndicate
2020. The options conferred to the members of Syndicate 2020 are
held for their benefit by Appleby Services (Bermuda) Ltd.
(formerly Appleby Trust (Bermuda) Limited) (Names
Trustee). The subscription price payable under the options
is initially £10 and increases by 5% per annum, less any
dividends paid. Option holders are not entitled to participate
in any dividends prior to exercise and would not rank as a
creditor in the event of liquidation. If not exercised, the
options will expire on June 21, 2012. During the three and
nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Names
Trustee exercised 13,154 and 758,932 options on a cash and
cashless basis, respectively (2010 9,549 and 24,560
options).
Employee and Non-Executive Director
Awards. Employee options and other awards are
granted under the Aspen 2003 Share Incentive Plan and
non-executive director awards are granted under the 2006 Stock
Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors.
Stock options are granted with an exercise price equivalent to
the fair value of the share on the grant date. The weighted
average value at grant date is determined using the
Black-Scholes option pricing model. Stock options typically vest
over a three-year period with a ten-year contract period (except
for options granted in 2007 which have a seven-year exercise
period) with vesting dependent on time and performance
conditions established at the time of grant. No options were
granted in the three and nine months ended September 30,
2011 (2010 Nil); no options were exercised during
the three months ended September 30, 2011 (2010
199,758) and 9,208 options were exercised during the nine months
ended September 30, 2011 (2010 721,569).
Compensation costs credited against income in respect of
employee options for the three and nine months ended
September 30, 2011 were both $Nil (2010 $Nil
and $0.5 million).
Restricted share units (RSUs) granted to
employees vest equally over a two or three-year period. Some of
the grants vest at year-end, while some other grants vest on the
anniversary of the date of grant or when the Compensation
Committee of the Board agrees to deliver them. The fair value of
the restricted share units is based on the closing price on the
date of the grant. The fair value is expensed through the income
statement evenly over the vesting period. During the three and
nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company granted
to employees 36,695 and 166,445 restricted share units,
respectively (2010 45,134 and 153,589). In the case
of non-employee directors, one-twelfth of the RSUs vest on
each one month anniversary of the date of grant, with 100% of
the RSUs becoming vested on the first anniversary of the
date of grant. On February 3, 2011 (with a grant date of
February 9, 2011), the Board of Directors approved a total
of 23,408 RSUs for the non-employee directors
(February 11, 2010 28,640) and 16,722
RSUs to the Chairman (February 11, 2010
17,902). Compensation costs charged
37
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO
THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
against income in respect of restricted share units for the
three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 were
$0.7 million and $4.0 million, respectively
(2010 $1.0 million and $2.6 million).
The fair value of performance share awards is based on the value
of the average of the high and low of the share price on the
date of the grant less a deduction for expected dividends which
would not accrue during the vesting period. Performance shares
vest over a three or four-year period with shares eligible for
vesting dependent on the achievement of performance targets at
the end of specified periods as established at the time of
grant. Compensation costs charged against income in the three
and nine months ended September 30, 2011 in respect of
performance shares were both $Nil (2010
$2.7 million and $5.0 million).
2011 Performance Shares. On February 3 and 4,
2011, the Compensation Committee approved the grant of 853,223
performance shares with a grant date of February 9, 2011.
Additional grants of 31,669 and 5,902 performance shares were
made on March 21, 2011 and May 2, 2011, respectively
(nine months ended September 30, 2010 730,653).
The performance shares will be subject to a three-year vesting
period with a separate annual Return on Equity (ROE)
test for each year. One-third of the grant will be eligible for
vesting each year based on a formula, and will only be issuable
at the end of the three-year period. If the ROE achieved in 2011
is less than 6%, then the portion of the performance shares
subject to the vesting conditions in such year will be forfeited
(i.e. 33.33% of the initial grant). If the ROE achieved in 2011
is between 6% and 11%, then the percentage of the performance
shares eligible for vesting will be between 10% and 100% on a
straight-line basis. If the ROE achieved in 2011 is between 11%
and 21%, then the percentage of the performance shares eligible
for vesting will be between 100% and 200% on a straight-line
basis. The Compensation Committee will determine the vesting
conditions for the 2012 and 2013 portions of the grant in such
years taking into consideration the market conditions and the
Companys business plans at the commencement of the years
concerned. Notwithstanding the vesting criteria for each given
year, if in any given year, the shares eligible for vesting are
greater than 100% for the portion of such years grant and
the average ROE over such year and the preceding year is less
than the average of the minimum vesting thresholds for such year
and the preceding year, then only 100% (and no more) of the
shares that are eligible for vesting in such year shall vest. If
the average ROE over the two years is greater than the average
of the minimum vesting thresholds for such year and the
preceding year, then there will be no diminution in vesting and
the shares eligible for vesting in such year will vest in
accordance with the vesting schedule without regard to the
average ROE over the two-year period.
Employee Share Purchase Plans. On
April 30, 2008, the shareholders of the Company approved
the Employee Share Purchase Plan (the ESPP), the
2008 Sharesave Scheme and the International Employee Share
Purchase Plan, which are implemented by a series of consecutive
offering periods as determined by the Board. In respect of the
ESPP, employees can save up to $500 per month over a two-year
period, at the end of which they will be eligible to purchase
Company shares at a discounted price. In respect of the
2008 Sharesave Scheme, employees can save up to £250
per month over a three-year period, at the end of which they
will be eligible to purchase Company shares at a discounted
price. The purchase price will be eighty-five percent (85%) of
the fair market value of a share on the offering date which may
be adjusted upon changes in capitalization of the Company. Under
the plan, 1,174 shares and 42,538 shares were issued
during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011,
respectively (for the three and nine months ended
September 30, 2010 1,582 shares).
Compensation costs charged against income in the three and nine
months ended September 30, 2011 in respect of the ESPP were
$0.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively
(2010 $0.1 million and $0.5 million).
38
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO
THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
|
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30, 2010
|
|
|
|
Trade
|
|
|
Insurance
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade
|
|
|
Insurance
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark
|
|
|
Licenses
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Mark
|
|
|
Licenses
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Intangible Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning of the period
|
|
$
|
1.5
|
|
|
$
|
16.6
|
|
|
$
|
2.4
|
|
|
$
|
20.5
|
|
|
$
|
1.6
|
|
|
$
|
6.6
|
|
|
$
|
3.3
|
|
|
$
|
11.5
|
|
Additions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.0
|
|
Amortization
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.2
|
)
|
|
|
(0.2
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.1
|
)
|
|
|
(0.1
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of the period
|
|
$
|
1.5
|
|
|
$
|
16.6
|
|
|
$
|
2.2
|
|
|
$
|
20.3
|
|
|
$
|
1.6
|
|
|
$
|
16.6
|
|
|
$
|
3.2
|
|
|
$
|
21.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
|
|
|
|
Trade
|
|
|
Insurance
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade
|
|
|
Insurance
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark
|
|
|
Licenses
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Mark
|
|
|
Licenses
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Intangible Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning of the period
|
|
$
|
1.5
|
|
|
$
|
16.6
|
|
|
$
|
2.9
|
|
|
$
|
21.0
|
|
|
$
|
1.6
|
|
|
$
|
6.6
|
|
|
$
|
3.6
|
|
|
$
|
11.8
|
|
Additions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.0
|
|
Amortization
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.7
|
)
|
|
|
(0.7
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.4
|
)
|
|
|
(0.4
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of the period
|
|
$
|
1.5
|
|
|
$
|
16.6
|
|
|
$
|
2.2
|
|
|
$
|
20.3
|
|
|
$
|
1.6
|
|
|
$
|
16.6
|
|
|
$
|
3.2
|
|
|
$
|
21.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
License to use the Aspen
Trademark. On April 5, 2005, the Company
entered into an agreement with Aspen (Actuaries and Pension
Consultants) Plc to acquire the right to use the Aspen trademark
for a period of 99 years in the United Kingdom. The
consideration paid was approximately $1.6 million. The
consideration paid was initially capitalized and recognized as
an intangible asset on the Companys balance sheet and was
amortized on a straight-line basis over the useful economic life
of the trademark which was considered to be 99 years. On
November 10, 2009, the Company purchased for approximately
$800 the right to use the Aspen trademark indefinitely from the
Capita Group PLC, parent to Capita Hartshead
(Actuaries & Pension Consultants) Ltd, formerly known
as Aspen (Actuaries & Pension Consultants) Plc.
APJ Transaction. On January 22, 2010, the
Company entered into a sale and purchase agreement to purchase
APJ Continuation Limited and its subsidiaries (APJ)
for an aggregate consideration of $4.8 million. The Company
closed the transaction on March 22, 2010. The directors of
Aspen Holdings have assessed the fair value of the net tangible
and financial assets acquired at $1.2 million. The
$3.6 million intangible asset represents our assessment of
the value of renewal rights and distribution channels
($2.2 million) and the lock-in period for employees
associated with the business ($1.4 million).
U.S. Insurance Company. On
February 4, 2010, the Company entered into a stock purchase
agreement to purchase a U.S. insurance company, now renamed
Aspen American Insurance Company, with licenses to write
insurance business on an admitted basis in the U.S. The
value of these licenses was $10.0 million and the Company
completed the transaction on August 16, 2010.
|
|
14.
|
Commitments
and Contingencies
|
The Company is obliged by the terms of its contractual
obligations to U.S. policyholders and by undertakings to
certain regulatory authorities to facilitate the issue of
letters of credit or maintain certain balances in trust funds
for the benefit of policyholders.
39
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO
THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following table shows the forms of collateral or other
security provided to policyholders as at September 30, 2011
and December 31, 2010:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at September 30, 2011
|
|
|
As at December 31, 2010
|
|
|
|
($ in millions, except percentages)
|
|
|
Assets held in multi-beneficiary trusts
|
|
$
|
1,660.2
|
|
|
$
|
1,895.7
|
|
Assets held in single-beneficiary trusts
|
|
|
334.7
|
|
|
|
58.2
|
|
Letter of credit issued under revolving credit facility
|
|
|
25.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
Secured letters of credit(1)
|
|
|
1,101.0
|
|
|
|
533.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
3,121.1
|
|
|
$
|
2,487.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total as percent of cash and invested assets
|
|
|
41.5
|
%
|
|
|
34.2
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
As of September 30, 2011, the Company had securities and
cash of $1,323.5 million and £19.4 million
(December 31, 2010 $699.9 million and
£30.0 million) as collateral for the secured letters
of credit. |
On April 29, 2009, Aspen Bermuda replaced its existing
letter of credit facility with Citibank Europe dated
October 29, 2008 in a maximum aggregate amount of up to
$450 million with a new letter of credit facility in a
maximum aggregate amount of up to $550 million. On
August 12, 2011, the maximum aggregate amount was increased
to $1,050.0 million. The Company had $898.4 million of
outstanding collateralized letters of credit under this facility
at September 30, 2011. Included in outstanding
collateralized letters of credit is a letter of credit for
$231.7 million provided to AUL as Funds at Lloyds and
described below.
On February 28, 2011, Aspen U.K. and Aspen Bermuda entered
into an amendment to the $200.0 million secured letter of
credit facility agreement with Barclays Bank PLC
(Barclays) dated as of October 6, 2009. The
amendment extends the maturity date of the credit facility to
December 31, 2013. All letters of credit issued under the
facility are used to support reinsurance obligations of the
parties to the agreement and their respective subsidiaries. The
Company had $118.9 million of outstanding collateralized
letters of credit under this facility at September 30, 2011.
On July 31, 2010, Aspen Holdings and its various
subsidiaries replaced its then existing $450.0 million
revolving credit facility with a three year $280.0 million
revolving credit facility.
Funds at Lloyds. AUL operates in
Lloyds as the corporate member for Syndicate 4711.
Lloyds determines Syndicate 4711s required
regulatory capital principally based on the syndicates
annual business plan. Such capital, called Funds at
Lloyds, comprises: cash, investments and a fully
collateralized letter of credit. The amounts of cash,
investments and letter of credit at September 30, 2011
amounted to $245.5 million (December 31,
2010 $230.3 million).
Interest-rate Swaps. As at September 30,
2011, cash collateral with a fair value of $45.8 million
has been transferred to the Companys counterparties to
support the current valuation of the interest rate swaps. At
December 31, 2010, non-cash collateral with a fair value of
$7.7 million was transferred to the Company by its
counterparties. In accordance with FASB ASC 860 Topic
Transfers and Servicing, transfers of cash collateral are
recorded on the balance sheet within Derivatives at Fair Value,
while transfers in respect of non-cash collateral are disclosed
but not recorded.
40
ASPEN
INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTES TO
THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Amounts outstanding under operating leases net of subleases as
of September 30, 2011 were:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Later
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
Years
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Operating Lease Obligations
|
|
$
|
2.7
|
|
|
$
|
10.2
|
|
|
$
|
9.5
|
|
|
$
|
9.2
|
|
|
$
|
8.7
|
|
|
$
|
25.1
|
|
|
$
|
65.4
|
|
|
|
(c)
|
Variable
interest entities
|
The Company has no investments in variable interest entities
other than Cartesian Iris 2009A L.P. and Cartesian Iris
Offshore Fund L.P. as disclosed in Note 6.
On or after October 12, 2011, significant floods began to
take place in Bangkok, Thailand, which have caused substantial
damage. The Company is currently assessing its potential claims
relating to these events, but information is not sufficient to
arrive at reasonable estimates at the date of filing.
41
|
|
Item 2.
|
Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
|
The following is a discussion and analysis of our financial
condition and results of operations for the three and nine
months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. This discussion
and analysis should be read in conjunction with the unaudited
condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes
contained in this
Form 10-Q
and the audited consolidated financial statements and related
notes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, as well
as the discussions of critical accounting policies, contained in
our Financial Statements in our 2010 Annual Report on
Form 10-K
filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Some of the information contained in this discussion and
analysis or set forth elsewhere in this
Form 10-Q,
including information with respect to our plans and strategy for
our business and in Outlook and Trends below,
includes forward-looking statements that involve risk and
uncertainties. Please see the section captioned Cautionary
Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements in this
report and the Risk Factors in Item 1A of our
2010 Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for more information on factors that could cause actual results
to differ materially from the results described in or implied by
any forward-looking statements contained in this discussion and
analysis.
On October 14, 2011, we announced that Mario Vitale will be
appointed as co-CEO of Aspen Insurance with effect from
January 1, 2012 when John Cavoores steps down from the
role. This appointment is in addition to Mr. Vitales
current responsibility as President of Aspen US Insurance. In
his new role, Mr. Vitale will work jointly with Rupert
Villers, co-CEO of Aspen Insurance in developing Aspens
insurance operations. Mr. Cavoores will remain a Director
of Aspen.
Overview
We are a Bermuda holding company. We write insurance and
reinsurance business through our wholly-owned subsidiaries in
three major jurisdictions: Aspen U.K. and AUL, corporate member
of Syndicate 4711 at Lloyds of London (United Kingdom),
Aspen Bermuda (Bermuda), Aspen Specialty and AAIC (United
States). Aspen U.K. also has branches in Paris, France; Zurich,
Switzerland; Dublin, Ireland; Cologne, Germany; Singapore;
Australia; and Canada. We operate in global markets for property
and casualty insurance and reinsurance.
Highlights of our results for the three months ended
September 30, 2011 were:
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted book value per
share(1)
of $38.27, increased by 0.1% over the end of the third quarter
of 2010 and by 2.2% from the end of the second quarter of 2011;
|
|
|
|
Combined ratio of 96.7%, or 85.6% excluding catastrophe losses,
compared with a combined ratio of 94.4% or 89.8% excluding
catastrophe losses for the third quarter of 2010;
|
|
|
|
Net income per diluted share of $0.23 for the quarter ended
September 30, 2011 compared with $1.08 in the same quarter
last year.
|
|
|
|
Annualized net income return on average
equity(2)
of 2.8% for the third quarter of 2011 and an annualized loss on
equity of 7.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.
|
|
|
|
Gross written premium of $495.6 million for the third
quarter of 2011, including $26.6 million of positive prior
premium adjustments mainly in the reinsurance segment, an
increase of 19.2% from the third quarter of 2010.
|
(1) Diluted
book value per ordinary share is based on total
shareholders equity less preference shares (liquidation
preference less issue expenses), divided by the number of
diluted ordinary shares at the end of the period.
(2) Average
equity excludes the average after-tax unrealized appreciation or
depreciation on investments, preference shares and average
after-tax unrealized foreign exchange gains or losses.
42
Shareholders equity and ordinary shares in issue as at
September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010 were:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at
|
|
|
As at
|
|
|
|
September 30, 2011
|
|
|
September 30, 2010
|
|
|
|
($ in millions, except for share amounts)
|
|
|
Total shareholders equity
|
|
$
|
3,150.5
|
|
|
$
|
3,440.7
|
|
Preference shares less issue expenses
|
|
|
(353.6
|
)
|
|
|
(353.6
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets attributable to ordinary shareholders
|
|
$
|
2,796.9
|
|
|
$
|
3,087.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary shares
|
|
|
70,595,201
|
|
|
|
76,642,007
|
|
Diluted ordinary shares
|
|
|
73,078,704
|
|
|
|
80,808,977
|
|
The following overview of our results for the three months ended
September 30, 2011 and 2010 and of our financial condition
at September 30, 2011, is intended to identify important
trends and should be read in conjunction with the more detailed
discussion further below.
Gross written premiums. Total gross written
premiums increased by 19.2% in the third quarter of 2011 when
compared to 2010 with significant increases in both segments.
Gross written premiums in the insurance segment have increased
by 22.1% to $219.5 million when compared to the third
quarter of 2010 with the increase largely due to increased
demand in our kidnap and ransom business which forms part of our
financial and professional lines insurance and to the continued
development of our U.S. professional lines business. In the
reinsurance segment, gross written premiums have increased by
17.0% to $276.1 million when compared to the third quarter
of 2010, due to modest increases in our property lines
reflecting a more positive environment in catastrophe-exposed
business, continued growth in some of our specialty lines and
positive prior year premiums adjustments in casualty. The table
below shows our gross written premiums for each segment for the
three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, and the
percentage change in gross written premiums for each segment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months
|
|
|
For the Three Months
|
|
Business Segment
|
|
Ended September 30, 2011
|
|
|
Ended September 30, 2010
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
% increase
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Reinsurance
|
|
$
|
276.1
|
|
|
|
17.0
|
%
|
|
$
|
236.0
|
|
Insurance
|
|
|
219.5
|
|
|
|
22.1
|
|
|
|
179.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
495.6
|
|
|
|
19.2
|
%
|
|
$
|
415.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reinsurance ceded. Total reinsurance ceded for
the quarter of $33.0 million has decreased by
$5.8 million from the third quarter of 2010. The
reinsurance segment is in line with the comparable quarter of
2010 while reinsurance costs reduced for the insurance segment
as we purchased cover for our insurance segment earlier in the
year.
Loss ratio. We monitor the ratio of losses and
loss adjustment expenses to net earned premium (the loss
ratio) as a measure of relative underwriting performance
where a lower ratio represents a better result than a higher
ratio. The loss ratios for our two business segments for the
three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 were as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months
|
|
|
For the Three Months
|
|
Business Segment
|
|
Ended September 30, 2011
|
|
|
Ended September 30, 2010
|
|
|
Reinsurance
|
|
|
67.5
|
%
|
|
|
53.6
|
%
|
Insurance
|
|
|
56.6
|
|
|
|
77.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Loss Ratio
|
|
|
62.9
|
%
|
|
|
63.3
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The loss ratio for the quarter of 62.9% has decreased by
0.4 percentage points compared to the third quarter of
2010. The decrease is primarily due to a $21.8 million increase
in prior year releases offset by increased catastrophe losses in
the period. Reserve releases in our reinsurance segment
increased from $3.3 million in the third quarter of 2010 to
$11.7 million in the current period following favorable
development in property reinsurance lines. The insurance segment
had $3.9 million reserve releases this quarter compared to
$9.5 million reserve strengthening in
43
the third quarter of 2010. The reserve releases were mainly
attributable to the property and marine, energy and
transportation lines and were partially offset by strengthening
reserves in the financial and professional lines.
We have also presented accident year loss ratios excluding the
impact from prior year reserve adjustments and catastrophe
losses to assist in the analysis of the underlying performance
of our segments. We have defined catastrophe losses as: losses
associated with Hurricane Irene and other natural catastrophes
which occurred in the third quarter of 2011 and movements in
loss estimates associated with the first half of the year 2011
catastrophe events (i.e., Australian floods, New Zealand and
Japanese earthquakes, and the U.S. tornadoes) recognized in
the third quarter of 2011. Catastrophe losses in the comparative
period represent third quarter 2010 movements in losses
associated with the Chilean earthquake, which occurred in the
first quarter of 2010 and the New Zealand earthquake which
occurred in the third quarter of 2010. Our pre-tax estimate of
losses, net of reinstatement premiums, for the third quarter for
U.S. storms and third quarter movements in loss estimates
is $53.7 million.
The underlying changes in accident year loss ratios by segment
are also shown in the table below. The total loss ratio
represents the calendar year GAAP loss ratio. The prior year
adjustment in the table below reflects prior-year reserve
movement and premium adjustments. The current year adjustments
represent catastrophe loss events which reflect net claims and
reinstatement premium adjustments.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accident
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio Excluding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prior and
|
|
For the Three Months Ended
|
|
Total Loss
|
|
|
Prior Year
|
|
|
Accident Year
|
|
|
Current Year
|
|
|
Current Year
|
|
September 30, 2011
|
|
Ratio
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
Loss Ratio
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
Reinsurance
|
|
|
67.5
|
%
|
|
|
8.7
|
%
|
|
|
76.2
|
%
|
|
|
(18.2
|
)%
|
|
|
58.0
|
%
|
Insurance
|
|
|
56.6
|
|
|
|
4.5
|
|
|
|
61.1
|
|
|
|
(1.9
|
)
|
|
|
59.2
|
|
Total
|
|
|
62.9
|
%
|
|
|
6.9
|
%
|
|
|
69.8
|
%
|
|
|
(11.2
|
)%
|
|
|
58.6
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accident
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio Excluding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prior and
|
|
For the Three Months Ended
|
|
Total Loss
|
|
|
Prior Year
|
|
|
Accident Year
|
|
|
Current Year
|
|
|
Current Year
|
|
September 30, 2010
|
|
Ratio
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
Loss Ratio
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
Reinsurance
|
|
|
53.6
|
%
|
|
|
2.7
|
%
|
|
|
56.3
|
%
|
|
|
(7.7
|
)%
|
|
|
48.6
|
%
|
Insurance
|
|
|
77.3
|
|
|
|
(4.1
|
)
|
|
|
73.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
73.2
|
|
Total
|
|
|
63.3
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
63.3
|
%
|
|
|
(4.6
|
)%
|
|
|
58.7
|
%
|
Reserve releases. The loss ratios take into
account changes in our assessments of reserves for unpaid claims
and loss adjustment expenses arising from earlier years. In the
three months ended September 30, 2011, we recorded reserve
releases for prior years (2010 strengthening). The
amounts of these changes and their effect on the loss ratio in
each period are shown in the following table:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months Ended
|
|
For the Three Months Ended
|
|
|
September 30, 2011
|
|
September 30, 2010
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
Reserve releases/(strengthening)
|
|
|
$15.6
|
|
|
|
$(6.2)
|
|
(Reduction)/increase in the loss ratio (as percentage of net
premiums earned)
|
|
|
(3.2)%
|
|
|
|
1.4%
|
|
The $21.8 million variance is mainly due to a
$3.9 million insurance reserve release in the third quarter
of 2011 compared to a $9.5 million strengthening in the
third quarter of 2010, which had adverse loss experience in both
our financial and professional and casualty lines. In the
current quarter, we recognized releases from our property and
marine, energy and transportation business lines. The
reinsurance segment had reserve releases of $11.7 million,
an increase of $8.4 million from the third quarter of 2010,
following favorable development in property reinsurance lines.
Further information relating to the movement of prior year
reserves can be found below under Reserves for Loss and
Loss Adjustment Expenses.
44
Expense ratio. We monitor the ratio of
expenses to net earned premium (the expense ratio)
as a measure of the cost effectiveness of our policy
acquisition, general, administrative and corporate processes.
The table below presents the contribution of the policy
acquisition expenses and general, administrative and corporate
expenses to the expense ratio and the total expense ratios for
each of the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months
|
|
|
For the Three Months
|
|
|
|
Ended September 30, 2011
|
|
|
Ended September 30, 2010
|
|
|
Policy acquisition expenses
|
|
|
19.2
|
%
|
|
|
16.7
|
%
|
General, administrative and corporate expenses
|
|
|
14.6
|
|
|
|
14.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expense ratio
|
|
|
33.8
|
%
|
|
|
31.1
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The policy acquisition expense ratio of 19.2% for the quarter
has increased from 16.7% in the third quarter of 2010. The
increase is due to a combination of higher ceded reinsurance
costs and a change in the mix of business written where we have
written a greater proportion of business which incurs a higher
average commission rate.
General, administrative and corporate expenses have increased
from 14.4% to 14.6% or by $6.0 million for the quarter. The
increase in the general, administrative and corporate expense
ratio is minimal, while the increase in costs overall is due to
our investment in infrastructure and capabilities to support our
expansion in the U.K., U.S. and Switzerland.
Net investment income. Net investment income
for the quarter of $57.3 million has reduced by 1.4%
compared to the $58.1 million in the third quarter of 2010
due to the lower portfolio book yield partly compensating for
the increase in cash and invested assets from $7.2 billion
to $7.5 billion.
Change in fair value of derivatives. In the
three months ended September 30, 2011, we recorded a loss
of $36.1 million (2010 $2.0 million) for
the interest-rate swaps due to falling interest rates and their
impact on fixed income valuations and yields. We also hold five
foreign currency contracts with a combined impact on net income
for the three months ended September 30, 2011 of a gain of
$6.1 million (2010 $Nil).
We cancelled our credit insurance contract as of
November 28, 2010. In the three months ended
September 30, 2010, we recorded a reduction of
$1.7 million in the estimated fair value of the credit
insurance contract. Further information on these contracts can
be found in Note 9 to the financial statements.
Other revenues and expenses. Other revenues
and expenses in the three months ended September 30, 2011
included $5.8 million of foreign currency exchange losses
(2010 $3.4 million gain) and $3.2 million
of realized and unrealized investments gains (2010
$22.1 million). Realized and unrealized gains included
$5.9 million (2010 $8.2 million) of net
realized gains from the fixed income maturities available for
sale portfolio, $1.3 million (2010
$4.5 million) of net realized gains from our fixed income
maturities trading portfolio, $4.8 million net unrealized
losses (2010 $8.5 million gain) from our fixed
income maturities trading portfolio, $1.5 million of net
realized losses from our equity investments (2010
$Nil) and $2.3 million (2010 $0.9 million)
representing our share of earnings from our investment in
Cartesian Iris. We have also recognized $8.7 million
(2010 income of $2.4 million) of other expenses
for the three months ended September 30, 2011 which is
primarily due to losses associated with funds withheld
contracts. We had no
other-than-temporary
impairment charges on our investments in the current or the
prior comparative period.
Taxes. The estimated effective rate of tax for
the quarter is an 8.3% charge (2010 10.0% charge).
The effective tax rate for the year is subject to revision in
future periods if circumstances change and in particular,
depending on the relative claims experience of those parts of
business underwritten in Bermuda (where the rate of tax on
corporate profits is zero), the U.K. (where corporate tax rate
was reduced from 28% to 26% effective April 1,
2011) and the U.S. (where the corporate tax rate is
35%).
Dividends. The dividend on our ordinary shares
has been maintained at $0.15 per ordinary share for the quarter.
Dividends paid on our preference shares in the three months
ended September 30, 2011 were $5.7 million
(2010 $5.7 million).
45
Shareholders equity and financial
leverage. Total shareholders equity
increased by $45.9 million to $3,150.5 million for the
three months ended September 30, 2011. The most significant
movements were:
|
|
|
|
|
net unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes, of
$63.8 million;
|
|
|
|
a $5.6 million increase in retained earnings for the
period, after deducting ordinary dividends of
$10.6 million, preference share dividends of
$5.7 million, and a net loss due to non-controlling
interest of $0.3 million; and
|
|
|
|
net unrealized losses on foreign exchange translation of
$17.4 million. The net unrealized foreign exchange losses
are due to the revaluation of functional currencies which have
weakened against the U.S. dollar.
|
As at September 30, 2011, total ordinary shareholders
equity was $2,796.9 million compared to
$2,888.3 million at December 31, 2010. The reduction
in total ordinary shareholders equity is largely
attributable to a net loss after tax of $119.3 million
(2010 net profit of $220.0 million) for the
nine months ended September 30, 2011. The remainder of our
total shareholders equity, as at September 30, 2011,
was funded by two classes of preference shares with a total
value as measured by their respective liquidation preferences of
$353.6 million net of share issuance costs
(December 31, 2010 $353.6 million).
The amount outstanding under our senior notes, less amortization
of expenses, of $498.9 million (December 31,
2010 $498.8 million) was the only material debt
that we had outstanding as of September 30, 2011 and
December 31, 2010.
Management monitors the ratio of debt to total capital, with
total capital being defined as shareholders equity plus
outstanding debt. At September 30, 2011, this ratio was
13.7% (December 31, 2010 13.3%).
Our preference shares are classified on our balance sheet as
equity but may receive a different treatment in some cases under
the capital adequacy assessments made by certain rating
agencies. Such securities are often referred to as
hybrids as they have certain attributes of both debt
and equity. We also monitor the ratio of the total of debt and
hybrids to total capital which was 23.4% as of
September 30, 2011 (December 31, 2010
22.8%)
Liquidity. Management monitors the liquidity
of Aspen Holdings and of each of its Operating Subsidiaries.
With respect to Aspen Holdings, management monitors its ability
to service debt, to finance dividend payments and to provide
financial support to the Operating Subsidiaries. As at
September 30, 2011, Aspen Holdings held $80.6 million
(December 31, 2010 $354.0 million) in cash
and cash equivalents which, taken together with dividends
declared or expected to be declared by subsidiary companies and
our credit facilities, management considered sufficient to
provide liquidity.
As at September 30, 2011, the Operating Subsidiaries held
$918.6 million (December 31, 2010
$814.3 million) in cash and cash equivalents that are
readily realizable securities. Management monitors the value,
currency and duration of the cash and investments within its
Operating Subsidiaries to ensure that they are able to meet
their insurance and other liabilities as they become due and was
satisfied that there was a comfortable margin of liquidity as at
September 30, 2011 and for the foreseeable future.
As of September 30, 2011, we had in issue
$1,101.0 million in letters of credit to cedants, for which
the Company had funds on deposit of $1,353.7 million as
collateral for the secured letters of credit. Further
information relating to letters of credit is found below under
Liquidity.
Outlook
and Trends
Reinsurance. In our property lines, premium
increased by 12% quarter on quarter as we benefited from
positive pricing momentum in certain catastrophe-exposed
property classes. In addition, some delayed earthquake renewals
from Japan were written in the third quarter which had a
positive pricing impact. In specialty reinsurance, we reported
premium growth of 25% which reflected growth in our credit and
surety account where pricing has generally been favorable and
from our non-U.S. crop account, which we established in 2010.
The rating environment in our specialty reinsurance lines has
remained broadly stable overall. In our casualty lines, written
premiums were relatively flat in the quarter though premiums
have decreased more significantly for the first nine months of
2011 as we continue to manage downwards our account at this
stage in the cycle. The rate environment
46
remains challenging in casualty reinsurance though we were able
to achieve a small increase in our international lines and limit
the rate reduction in our U.S. casualty reinsurance accounts by
approximately 1% on average.
Insurance. Our marine, energy and construction
liability account achieved average rate increases of
approximately 17% year to date following a series of industry
losses over the past year. Property rates in the U.K. remain
soft while in U.S. property, we saw some rate increases for
wind exposures as we went through the hurricane season. However,
pricing remained flat for all other catastrophe and
non-catastrophe U.S. property business. Within financial
and professional lines, market conditions were quite varied and
this line of business renewed at flat rates on average this
year. We have, however, seen some rate improvement in the kidnap
and ransom business.
In the U.K. employers and public liability market,
conditions continue to be challenging, with rates having
decreased by an average of 5% this year. Conditions remain
challenging though they have stabilized in our global excess
casualty account.
Investments. We believe the downside risk in
our investment portfolio over the next twelve months is most
likely to arise from widening spreads on corporate bonds and
weak equity markets. In respect of the Eurozone crisis, we have
a modest amount of Eurozone investment exposures, mainly
$291 million at book value as at September 30, 2011.
We are, of course, concerned by the potential contagion risks
posed by the Eurozone crisis to bonds issued by financial
institutions not just in Europe, but globally. At quarter end,
our total worldwide holdings in financial institutions amounted
to $823.9 million, or 12.7% of our invested assets. This
excludes government-guaranteed holdings. In particular, we have
been reducing our exposure to the debt securities of Eurozone
banks and these stand at less than 1% of invested assets as at
September 30, 2011, all of which are to banks in Germany,
France, The Netherlands and Belgium. As at September 30,
2011 we also had $46 million of exposure to German, French
and Finnish government bonds and we did not hold the sovereign
bonds of any other Eurozone country.
Application
of Critical Accounting Policies
Our condensed consolidated financial statements are based on the
selection of accounting policies and the application of
significant accounting estimates, which require management to
make significant estimates and assumptions. We believe that some
of the more critical judgments in the areas of accounting
estimates and assumptions that affect our financial condition
and results of operations are related to reserves for property
and liability losses, premiums receivable in respect of assumed
reinsurance, the fair value of derivatives and the value of
investments, including the extent of any
other-than-temporary
impairment. For a detailed discussion of our critical accounting
policies please refer to our 2010 Annual Report on
Form 10-K
filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission
and the notes to the financial statements contained in this
report.
We have discussed the application of these critical accounting
estimates with our Board of Directors and Audit Committee.
Results
of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30,
2010
The following is a discussion and analysis of our consolidated
results of operations for the three months ended
September 30, 2011 and 2010 starting with a discussion of
segmental results and then summarizing our consolidated results
under Total Income Statement Third
Quarter below.
Underwriting
Results by Operating Segments
We are organized into two business segments: Reinsurance and
Insurance. We have considered similarities in economic
characteristics, products, customers, distribution, the
regulatory environment of our operating segments and
quantitative thresholds to determine our reportable segments.
The reinsurance segment consists of property catastrophe
reinsurance, other property reinsurance, casualty reinsurance
and specialty reinsurance. The insurance segment consists of
property insurance, casualty insurance, marine, energy and
transportation insurance and financial and professional lines
insurance.
47
Management measures segment results on the basis of the combined
ratio, which is obtained by dividing the sum of the losses and
loss expenses, acquisition expenses and general and
administrative expenses by net premiums earned. Other than
corporate expenses, indirect general and administrative expenses
are allocated to segments based on each segments
proportional share of gross earned premiums.
We have provided additional disclosures for corporate and other
(non-underwriting) income and expenses in Note 5 of our
unaudited financial statements. Corporate and other income
includes net investment income, net realized and unrealized
investment gains or losses, corporate expense, interest expense,
net realized and unrealized foreign exchange gains or losses and
income taxes, which are not allocated to the underwriting
segments.
Please refer to the tables in Note 5 in our unaudited
financial statements of this report for a summary of gross and
net written and earned premiums, underwriting results and
combined ratios and reserves for our two business segments for
the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. The
contributions of each segment to gross written premiums in the
three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 were as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross Written Premiums
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months
|
|
|
For the Three Months
|
|
Business Segment
|
|
Ended September 30, 2011
|
|
|
Ended September 30, 2010
|
|
|
|
% of total gross written premiums
|
|
|
Reinsurance
|
|
|
55.7
|
%
|
|
|
56.8
|
%
|
Insurance
|
|
|
44.3
|
|
|
|
43.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross Written Premiums
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months
|
|
|
For the Three Months
|
|
Business Segment
|
|
Ended September 30, 2011
|
|
|
Ended September 30, 2010
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Reinsurance
|
|
$
|
276.1
|
|
|
$
|
236.0
|
|
Insurance
|
|
|
219.5
|
|
|
|
179.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
495.6
|
|
|
$
|
415.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reinsurance
Our reinsurance segment consists of property catastrophe
reinsurance, other property reinsurance (risk excess, pro rata,
risk solutions and facultative), casualty reinsurance
(U.S. treaty, international treaty, and global facultative)
and specialty reinsurance (credit and surety, structured,
agriculture and specialty). Please see Note 5 to the
financial statements for further descriptions of the lines of
business within this segment.
Gross written premiums. Gross written premiums
in our reinsurance segment increased by 17.0% compared to the
three months ended September 30, 2010. The increase in
gross written premiums has arisen mainly from specialty
reinsurance business, where we recognized loss-related
additional premiums and growth in our
non-U.S. crop
and credit and surety business lines. The increase in other
property is due to a large proportional treaty renewing at
higher rates than in the prior period as we benefited from
positive pricing momentum in
catastrophe-exposed
accounts while casualty benefited from favorable prior year
premium adjustments of $16.6 million.
48
The table below shows our gross written premiums for each line
of business for the three months ended September 30, 2011
and 2010, and the percentage change in gross written premiums
for each such line:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross Written Premiums
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months
|
|
|
For the Three Months
|
|
Lines of Business
|
|
Ended September 30, 2011
|
|
|
Ended September 30, 2010
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
% increase
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Property catastrophe reinsurance
|
|
$
|
53.5
|
|
|
|
4.3
|
%
|
|
$
|
51.3
|
|
Other property reinsurance
|
|
|
78.6
|
|
|
|
18.6
|
|
|
|
66.3
|
|
Casualty reinsurance
|
|
|
83.4
|
|
|
|
19.1
|
|
|
|
70.0
|
|
Specialty reinsurance
|
|
|
60.6
|
|
|
|
25.2
|
|
|
|
48.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
276.1
|
|
|
|
17.0
|
%
|
|
$
|
236.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Losses and loss adjustment expenses. The net
loss ratio for the three months ended September 30, 2011
was 67.5% compared to 53.6% in the equivalent period in 2010.
The increase in the loss ratio is partly attributable to an
increase in catastrophe losses to $51.8 million while the
comparable period of 2010 experienced losses of
$20.4 million from the New Zealand earthquake. The third
quarter of 2011 was also adversely affected by a satellite loss
and an individual fire loss that resulted in higher current year
loss ratios compared with the third quarter for 2010. The
increase was partly mitigated by an $8.4 million increase
in prior year reserve releases from $3.3 million in the
third quarter of 2010 to $11.7 million in the current
period following favorable development in the property
reinsurance lines. The net loss ratio in the period was also
impacted by 2.8 percentage points reflecting the
$13.2 million increase in ceded earned premium as we
purchased additional reinsurance in the year.
Further information relating to the movement of prior year
reserves is found below under Reserves for Losses and Loss
Adjustment Expenses.
Policy acquisition, general and administrative
expenses. Policy acquisition expenses were
$51.8 million for the three months ended September 30,
2011 equivalent to 18.5% of net premiums earned
(2010 $43.9 million or 16.4% of net premiums
earned). The increase in the acquisition expense ratio is due to
the purchase of additional reinsurance ahead of the hurricane
season reducing our net earned premium as well as a change in
the mix of business written where we have written more credit
and surety, property proportional treaty,
non-U.S. crop
and risk solutions business, which have higher average
commission rates. General and administrative expenses were
broadly in line with the expenses from the third quarter of 2010.
Insurance
Our insurance segment consists of property insurance, casualty
insurance, marine, energy and transportation insurance and
financial and professional lines insurance. See Note 5 of
the financial statements for descriptions of the lines of
business within this segment.
Gross written premiums. Overall premiums have
increased by 22.1% to $219.5 million for the quarter from
$179.8 million in the equivalent period in 2010. The
increase in gross written premium is mainly attributable to the
financial and professional lines where we have seen additional
demand, in particular for our kidnap and ransom products and to
the continued development of our U.S. professional lines
business. Increases in our marine, energy and transportation
insurance were mainly due to increased premiums in our marine,
energy and construction liability account which achieved
significant rate increases following a series of industry losses
in the past year. Property premium has increased due to some new
U.S. program business. The increase in our casualty lines
were in our global excess casualty account.
49
The table below shows our gross written premiums for each line
of business for the three months ended September 30, 2011
and 2010, and the percentage change in gross written premiums
for each line:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross Written Premiums
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months
|
|
|
For the Three Months
|
|
Lines of Business
|
|
Ended September 30, 2011
|
|
|
Ended September 30, 2010
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
% increase
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Property insurance
|
|
$
|
42.5
|
|
|
|
14.9
|
%
|
|
$
|
37.0
|
|
Casualty insurance
|
|
|
38.1
|
|
|
|
15.1
|
|
|
|
33.1
|
|
Marine, energy and transportation insurance
|
|
|
70.5
|
|
|
|
0.6
|
|
|
|
70.1
|
|
Financial and professional lines insurance
|
|
|
68.4
|
|
|
|
72.7
|
|
|
|
39.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
219.5
|
|
|
|
22.1
|
%
|
|
$
|
179.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Losses and loss adjustment expenses. The loss
ratio for the quarter was 56.6% compared to 77.3% for the three
months ended September 30, 2010. The reduction in the loss
ratio for the quarter is mainly due to the change in the prior
year reserve releases from a $9.5 million reserve
strengthening in the third quarter of 2010 to a
$3.9 million prior year reserve release in the current
quarter. Another factor behind the reduction in the loss ratio
is the change in the mix of business where we have written more
political risk and kidnap and ransom business which has had a
lower average loss ratio and less casualty business which has
historically experienced higher claims activity.
The release in the current quarter was due primarily to our
property and marine, energy and transportation business lines
following favorable loss development, but was partly offset by
deterioration in financial and professional lines where we have
higher than expected claims from the U.K. professional indemnity
account that had exposure to the financial crisis.
Policy acquisition, general and administrative
expenses. Policy acquisition expenses of
$41.6 million for the three months ended September 30,
2011 equivalent to 20.1% of net premiums earned
(2010 $31.7 million or 17.2% of net earned
premium) were $9.9 million higher than those in the third
quarter of 2010. This was partly due to the increase in premiums
earned but also attributable to a change in our business mix,
towards our successful kidnap and ransom business, which has a
higher acquisition expense ratio. The increase of
$10.7 million in our general and administrative expenses is
mainly associated with the continued build out of our
U.S. operations.
Total
Income Statement Third Quarter
Our statements of operations consolidate the underwriting
results of our two segments and include certain other revenue
and expense items that are not allocated to the business
segments.
Gross written premiums. Total gross written
premiums increased by 19.2% to $495.6 million in the third
quarter of 2011 when compared to 2010. The principal drivers
behind the increase in gross written premium in each segment
have been discussed above.
Reinsurance ceded. Total reinsurance ceded for
the quarter of $33.0 million has decreased by
$5.8 million from the third quarter of 2010. The
reinsurance segment is in line with the comparable quarter of
2010 while ceded reinsurance premiums have reduced for the
insurance segment as we purchased cover for our insurance
segment earlier in the year in 2011.
Gross premiums earned. Gross premiums earned
reflect the portion of gross premiums written which are recorded
as revenues over the policy periods of the risks we write. The
earned premium recorded in any year includes premium from
policies incepting in prior years and excludes premium to be
earned subsequent to the reporting date. Gross premiums earned
in the third quarter of 2011 increased 9.3% from the third
quarter of 2010 with both segments seeing similar increases. The
reinsurance segments increase of 9.1% is due to writing
more specialty business in the first nine months of 2011, in
particular credit and surety and
non-U.S. crop
and also due to some favorable prior year premiums adjustments
in casualty. Gross premiums earned in the third quarter of 2011
in the insurance segment is 9.4% higher than the third quarter
of 2010 due to the increase in financial and political risk
premium and in particular the kidnap and ransom business.
50
Net premiums earned. Net premiums earned have
increased by $35.2 million or 7.8% in the third quarter of
2011 compared to 2010 which is consistent with the increase in
gross premiums earned in the third quarter.
Losses and loss adjustment expenses. The loss
ratio for the quarter of 62.9% has decreased by
0.4 percentage points compared to the third quarter of
2010. There were $15.6 million of prior year reserve
releases in the current quarter compared with $6.2 million
of reserve strengthening in the third quarter of 2010 The
increase in reserve releases compensated for the increase in
catastrophe losses in the quarter. Reserve releases in our
reinsurance segment increased from $3.3 million in the
third quarter of 2010 to $11.7 million in the current
period following a favorable development in the property
reinsurance lines. The insurance segment had a $3.9 million
reserve release this quarter compared to a $9.5 million
reserve strengthening in the third quarter of 2010.
Expenses. We monitor the ratio of expenses to
gross earned premium (the gross expense ratio) as a
measure of the cost effectiveness of our policy acquisition,
general, administrative and corporate processes. The table below
presents the contribution of the policy acquisition expenses and
general, administrative and corporate expenses to the expense
ratio and the total expense ratios for the three months ended
September 30, 2011 and 2010. We also show the effect of
reinsurance which impacts on the reported net expense ratio by
expressing the expenses as a proportion of net earned premiums.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expense Ratios
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months
|
|
|
For the Three Months
|
|
|
|
Ended September 30, 2011
|
|
|
Ended September 30, 2010
|
|
|
Policy acquisition expense ratio
|
|
|
17.0
|
%
|
|
|
15.0
|
%
|
General, administrative and corporate expense ratio
|
|
|
12.9
|
|
|
|
12.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross expense ratio
|
|
|
29.9
|
|
|
|
27.9
|
|
Effect of reinsurance
|
|
|
3.9
|
|
|
|
3.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total net expense ratio
|
|
|
33.8
|
%
|
|
|
31.1
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in the acquisition and general and administrative ratios
to gross earned premiums and the impact of reinsurance on net
earned premiums by segment for each of the three months ended
September 30, 2011 and 2010 are shown in the following
table:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months Ended
|
|
|
For the Three Months Ended
|
|
|
|
September 30, 2011
|
|
|
September 30, 2010
|
|
Ratios Based on Gross Earned Premium
|
|
Reinsurance
|
|
|
Insurance
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Reinsurance
|
|
|
Insurance
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Policy acquisition expense ratio
|
|
|
17.1
|
%
|
|
|
16.9
|
%
|
|
|
17.0
|
%
|
|
|
15.8
|
%
|
|
|
14.1
|
%
|
|
|
15.0
|
%
|
General and administrative expense ratio(1)
|
|
|
8.7
|
|
|
|
13.9
|
|
|
|
12.9
|
|
|
|
9.8
|
|
|
|
10.5
|
|
|
|
12.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross expense ratio
|
|
|
25.8
|
|
|
|
30.8
|
|
|
|
29.9
|
|
|
|
25.6
|
|
|
|
24.6
|
|
|
|
27.9
|
|
Effect of reinsurance
|
|
|
2.1
|
|
|
|
5.8
|
|
|
|
3.9
|
|
|
|
0.9
|
|
|
|
5.4
|
|
|
|
3.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total net expense ratio
|
|
|
27.9
|
%
|
|
|
36.6
|
%
|
|
|
33.8
|
%
|
|
|
26.5
|
%
|
|
|
30.0
|
%
|
|
|
31.1
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The total group general and administrative expense ratio
includes the impact from corporate expenses. |
The policy acquisition expense ratio, gross of the effect of
reinsurance, has increased to 19.2% for the quarter from 14.6%
in the third quarter of 2010. The increase is due to a change in
the mix of business written across both segments where we have
written a greater proportion of business with higher average
commission rates, such as credit and surety, property
proportional treaty,
non-U.S. crop
and risk solutions business in the reinsurance segment and
kidnap and ransom in the insurance segment.
The general, administrative and corporate expense ratio, as a
percentage of gross earned premium, is unchanged at 12.9% with
general, administrative and corporate expenses increasing to
$71.0 million for the quarter compared with
$65.0 million in the third quarter of 2010. The increase in
general, administrative and
51
corporate expenses is due to building out our
U.S. insurance capacity, a U.K. regional platform and
establishing a presence in the Swiss market to write insurance.
Total general, administrative and corporate expenses for the
three months ended September 30, 2011 include
$10.4 million (2010 $14.3 million) of
corporate expenses which are not allocated to our underwriting
segments. We consider corporate expenses to be certain holding
company costs necessary to support our worldwide insurance and
reinsurance operations, share-based compensation expenses
allocated to group functions and costs associated with operating
as a publicly traded company.
Net investment income. Net investment income
for the quarter of $57.3 million has reduced by 1.4%
compared to the $58.1 million in the third quarter of 2010
due to a lower portfolio book yield mitigated by for the
increase in cash and invested assets from $7.2 billion to
$7.5 billion.
Change in fair value of derivatives. In the
three months ended September 30, 2011, we recorded a loss
of $36.1 million (2010 $2.0 million) for
interest rate swaps due to falling interest rates and their
impact on fixed income valuations and yields. We also hold five
foreign currency contracts which had a gain of $6.1 million
for the three months ended September 30, 2011
(2010 $Nil).
We cancelled our credit insurance contract as of
November 28, 2010. In the three months ended
September 30, 2010, we recorded a reduction of
$1.7 million in the estimated fair value of the credit
insurance contract. Further information on these contracts can
be found in Note 9 to the financial statements.
Other-than-temporary
impairments. The difference between the cost and
the estimated fair market value of available for sale
investments is monitored to determine whether any investment has
experienced a decline in value that is believed to be
other-than-temporary.
Impairment occurs when there is no objective evidence to support
recovery in value before disposal and we intend to sell the
security or more likely than not will be required to sell the
security before recovery of its adjusted amortized cost basis or
it is deemed probable that we will be unable to collect all
amounts due according to the contractual terms of the individual
security. These impairments will be included within realized
losses and the cost basis of the investment reduced accordingly.
We review all of our fixed maturities on an individual security
basis for potential impairment each quarter based on criteria
including issuer-specific circumstances, credit ratings actions
and general macro-economic conditions. For the realized
investments losses in the third quarter of 2011, an impairment
charge was not required as a result of the review of
other-than-temporary
impairments (2010 $Nil).
Income before tax. In the third quarter of
2011, profit before tax was $24.2 million, comprised of
$16.3 million of underwriting income, $57.3 million in
net investment income, $30.0 million of losses from a
change in fair value of derivatives, $2.6 million of net
realized and unrealized investment and foreign exchange losses,
$7.7 million of interest expense and $9.1 million of
other expenses. In the third quarter of 2010, income before tax
was $103.1 million which comprised $25.5 million of
underwriting income, $58.1 million in net investment
income, $3.7 million of losses from a change in fair value
of derivatives, $25.5 million of net foreign exchange and
investment gains, $3.9 million of interest expense and
$1.8 million of other income.
Income tax charge. Income tax charge for the
three months ended September 30, 2011 was
$2.0 million. Our effective consolidated tax rate for the
three months ended September 30, 2011 was 8.3%
(2010 10.0%). The charge represents an estimate of
the tax rate which will apply to our pre-tax income for 2011. As
discussed in the Overview section above, the
effective tax rate for the year may be subject to revision.
Net income after tax. Net income after tax for
the three months ended September 30, 2011 was
$22.2 million, equivalent to a $0.23 basic earnings per
ordinary share adjusted for the $5.7 million preference
share dividends and fully diluted earnings per ordinary share of
$0.23 during the three months ended September 30, 2011. The
net income for the three months ended September 30, 2010
was $92.8 million equivalent to basic earnings per ordinary
share of $1.14 adjusted for the $5.7 million preference
share dividend and fully diluted earnings per share of $1.08.
52
Results
of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30,
2010
The following is a discussion and analysis of our consolidated
results of operations for the nine months ended
September 30, 2011 and 2010 starting with a discussion of
segmental results and then summarizing our consolidated results
under Total Income Statement Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2011 below.
Underwriting
Results by Operating Segments
Please refer to the tables in Note 5 in our unaudited
financial statements of this report for a summary of gross and
net written and earned premiums, underwriting results and
combined ratios and reserves for our two business segments for
the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. The
contributions of each segment to gross written premiums in the
nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 were as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross Written Premiums
|
|
|
|
For the Nine Months
|
|
|
For the Nine Months
|
|
Business Segment
|
|
Ended September 30, 2011
|
|
|
Ended September 30, 2010
|
|
|
|
% of total gross written premiums
|
|
|
Reinsurance
|
|
|
57.2
|
%
|
|
|
60.7
|
%
|
Insurance
|
|
|
42.8
|
|
|
|
39.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross Written Premiums
|
|
|
|
For the Nine Months
|
|
|
For the Nine Months
|
|
Business Segment
|
|
Ended September 30, 2011
|
|
|
Ended September 30, 2010
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Reinsurance
|
|
$
|
1,001.2
|
|
|
$
|
1,009.4
|
|
Insurance
|
|
|
747.9
|
|
|
|
654.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
1,749.1
|
|
|
$
|
1,664.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reinsurance
Gross written premiums. Gross written premiums
in our reinsurance segment of $1,001.2 million are broadly
in line with the $1,009.4 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 2010. Increasing written premium in specialty
reinsurance comes from our growing new lines of credit and
surety and our
non-U.S. crop
business. Property catastrophe has written more premium due to
the impact of reinstatement premiums and some favorable pricing
following the natural catastrophes occurring in the first half
of 2011. The increases are offset by reductions in casualty
reinsurance where we are seeing challenging market conditions
and prices that do not meet our profitability requirements.
The table below shows our gross written premiums for each line
of business for the nine months ended September 30, 2011
and 2010, and the percentage change in gross written premiums
for each such line:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross Written Premiums
|
|
|
|
For the Nine Months
|
|
|
For the Nine Months
|
|
Lines of Business
|
|
Ended September 30, 2010
|
|
|
Ended September 30, 2011
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
% increase/
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(decrease)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property catastrophe reinsurance
|
|
$
|
297.5
|
|
|
|
3.0
|
%
|
|
$
|
288.7
|
|
Other property reinsurance
|
|
|
214.3
|
|
|
|
(2.9
|
)
|
|
|
220.7
|
|
Casualty reinsurance
|
|
|
266.6
|
|
|
|
(9.9
|
)
|
|
|
296.0
|
|
Specialty reinsurance
|
|
|
222.8
|
|
|
|
9.2
|
|
|
|
204.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
1,001.2
|
|
|
|
(0.8
|
)%
|
|
$
|
1,009.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
53
Losses and loss adjustment expenses. The net
loss ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was
98.2% compared to 64.3% in the equivalent period in 2010. The
increase in the loss ratio is attributable to a number of
catastrophe losses in the period with $26.2 million from
the Australian floods, $78.2 million from the New Zealand
earthquake and $207.1 million from the Japanese earthquake
and tsunami which occurred in the first quarter of 2011 plus
$85.6 million from the U.S. storms in the second
quarter, $5.0 million from Hurricane Irene and
$14.0 million from other natural catastrophes in the third
quarter (U.S., Scandinavian and Asian weather-related events).
All losses are net of reinsurance recoveries but before
reinstatement premiums and tax. The increase in losses has been
partly mitigated by a $28.3 million increase in prior year
reserve releases to $57.8 million compared to
$29.5 million in the nine months ended September 30,
2010. The nine months ended September 30, 2010 experienced
gross losses of $145.7 million relating to the earthquakes
in Chile and New Zealand.
Further information relating to the movement of prior year
reserves is found below under Reserves for Losses and Loss
Adjustment Expenses.
Policy acquisition, general and administrative
expenses. Policy acquisition expenses were
$150.3 million for the nine months ended September 30,
2011 equivalent to 18.3% of net premiums earned
(2010 $143.6 million or 16.9% of net premiums
earned). The increase in the ratio is due to our purchase of
additional reinsurance reducing our net earned premium as well
as a change in the mix of business where we have written less
international casualty and risk excess property business which
have low average commission rates and more specialty reinsurance
and property proportional treaty business which have higher
average commission rates. A reduction in general and
administrative expenses of $2.3 million from the nine
months ended September 30, 2010 is attributable mainly to
lower performance-related accruals following the high loss
activity for the first nine months of 2011.
Insurance
Gross written premiums. Overall premiums have
increased by 14.3% to $747.9 million for the nine months
ended September 30, 2011 from $654.6 million in the
equivalent period in 2010. The increase in gross written premium
is mainly attributable to the financial and professional lines
where we have seen additional demand, in particular for our
kidnap and ransom products which form part of our financial and
political risk business and to the continued development of our
U.S. professional lines business. Gross written premiums in
our casualty insurance lines have reduced when compared with the
nine months ended September 30, 2010 where we have declined
business that did not meet our profitability requirements
coupled with higher client retention in some classes.
The table below shows our gross written premiums for each line
of business for the nine months ended September 30, 2011
and 2010, and the percentage change in gross written premiums
for each line:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross Written Premiums
|
|
|
|
For the Nine Months
|
|
|
For the Nine Months
|
|
Lines of Business
|
|
Ended September 30, 2011
|
|
|
Ended September 30, 2010
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
% increase/
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(decrease)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property insurance
|
|
$
|
154.7
|
|
|
|
8.2
|
%
|
|
$
|
143.0
|
|
Casualty insurance
|
|
|
90.6
|
|
|
|
(14.1
|
)
|
|
|
105.5
|
|
Marine, energy and transportation insurance
|
|
|
324.6
|
|
|
|
8.6
|
|
|
|
298.8
|
|
Financial and professional lines insurance
|
|
|
178.0
|
|
|
|
65.9
|
|
|
|
107.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
747.9
|
|
|
|
14.3
|
%
|
|
$
|
654.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Losses and loss adjustment expenses. The loss
ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was
61.5% compared to 71.8% for the nine months ended
September 30, 2010. The decrease in the loss ratio is
attributable to a $12.5 million prior year reserve release
compared to a $20.7 million reserve strengthening in the
nine months ended September 30, 2010. The current period
was impacted by $5.0 million from the U.S. storms that
occurred in the third quarter of 2011, while the comparative
period was impacted by $35.9 million of net losses from two
oil pipeline spills and a gas explosion in California in
addition to $10.7 million of losses from Deepwater Horizon.
54
The reserve releases for the nine months ended
September 30, 2011 come primarily from our property, U.K.
liability and aviation accounts partly offset by deterioration
in financial and professional lines where we have higher than
expected claims development from professional liability lines.
Policy acquisition, general and administrative
expenses. Policy acquisition expenses of
$111.2 million for the nine months ended September 30,
2011, equivalent to 19.2% of net premiums earned
(2010 $94.3 million or 17.2% of net earned
premium), were $16.9 million higher than those in 2010.
This was mainly due to an increase in premiums written as well
as to a change in the mix of business written where we have
written a lower proportion of casualty business which has lower
average commission rates and a higher proportion of energy,
U.S. property and kidnap and ransom business which incurs
higher commission rates. General and administrative expenses of
$92.7 million in the nine months ended September 30,
2011 have increased from $65.9 million over the comparative
period in 2010 mainly due to our continued build out of the
U.S. operations.
Total
Income Statement Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2011
Our statements of operations consolidate the underwriting
results of our two segments and include certain other revenue
and expense items that are not allocated to the business
segments.
Gross written premiums. Total gross written
premiums of $1,749.1 million in the first nine months of
2011 have increased by 5.1% compared to the
$1,664.0 million written in 2010, with the increase
principally attributable to the insurance segment.
Gross written premiums in our reinsurance segment of
$1,001.2 million were broadly in line with the
$1,009.4 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 2010. The increase in reinsurances
gross written premiums were in property catastrophe and
specialty reinsurance offset by decreased premiums written in
property risk excess and international casualty within our other
property reinsurance and casualty reinsurance lines,
respectively.
Gross written premiums in our insurance segment have increased
by 14.3% to $747.9 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 2011 from $654.6 million in the
equivalent period in 2010. The increase in gross written premium
is mainly attributable to the marine, energy and transportation
lines and financial and professional lines. Following the losses
from the Deepwater Horizon incident, our marine, energy and
construction liability team wrote additional business at
significantly increased rates. Our financial and professional
lines have benefited from increased demand for our kidnap and
ransom products. Gross written premiums in our casualty
insurance lines have reduced when compared with the nine months
ended September 30, 2010 where we have declined business
that did not meet our profitability requirements coupled with
higher client retention in some classes.
Reinsurance ceded. Total reinsurance ceded of
$251.2 million has increased by $83.1 million from the
first nine months of 2010. The reinsurance segment has
recognized the costs of catastrophe programs purchased to
provide additional cover for the third quarters wind
season after the first two quarters catastrophe events.
Reinsurance costs increased for the insurance segment when
compared with the first nine months of 2010 as we purchased
advanced protection for our new U.S. professional lines
business as well as an increase in the U.S. property
program.
Gross premiums earned. Gross premiums earned
reflect the portion of gross premiums written which are recorded
as revenues over the policy periods of the risks we write. The
earned premium recorded in any year includes premium from
policies incepting in prior years and excludes premium to be
earned subsequent to the reporting date. Gross premiums earned
in the first nine months of 2011 increased by 2.6% compared to
the same period of 2010 as a result of the increase in gross
written premiums in the period from the insurance segment.
Net premiums earned. Net premiums earned are
in line with the comparable period in 2010 and reflect the
increase in both gross earned premiums and the increase in
reinsurance ceded for the both the quarter and year to date.
Losses and loss adjustment expenses. Losses
and loss adjustment expenses have increased from
$941.3 million in 2010 to $1,161.5 million in 2011
primarily due to $429.0 million of net losses from natural
disasters that occurred in the first nine months of 2011
(principally the Australian floods, New Zealand earthquake,
Japanese
55
earthquake and tsunami, U.S. tornadoes and Hurricane
Irene). Reserve releases increased by $61.5 million in the
current period following favorable development in property and
specialty reinsurance lines and from property, casualty and
marine, energy and transportation insurance lines.
The loss ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2011
of 83.0% has increased by 15.7 percentage points compared
to the equivalent period in 2010. The increase is due mainly to
losses from natural disasters which included $26.2 million
from the Australian floods, $78.2 million from the 2011 New
Zealand earthquake, $208.1 million from the Japanese
earthquake and tsunami, $92.5 million from the
U.S. storms, $10.0 million from Hurricane Irene and
$14.0 million from other natural catastrophes. The
comparative period included $125.3 million of losses from
the Chilean earthquake and $20.4 million of losses from the
2010 New Zealand earthquake. Prior year reserve releases in our
reinsurance segment increased from $29.5 million in the
first nine months of 2010 to $57.8 million in the current
period following favorable development in property reinsurance
and specialty reinsurance lines. The insurance segment had a
$12.5 million reserve release for the nine months of 2011
compared to a $20.7 million reserve strengthening in the
equivalent period in 2010.
We have presented loss ratios both including and excluding the
impact from prior year reserve adjustments and catastrophic
losses to aid in the analysis of the underlying performance of
our segments. We have defined catastrophic losses as: losses
associated with the U.S. storms specifically related to
Hurricane Irene which occurred in the third quarter of 2011; and
movements in loss estimates associated with the half year 2011
catastrophe events (Australian floods and New Zealand and
Japanese earthquakes in the first quarter 2011, and the
U.S. tornadoes in the second quarter of 2011) that
have been recognized in the third quarter of 2011. Catastrophic
losses in the comparative period represent movements in the
third quarter of 2010 of losses associated with the Chilean
earthquake, which occurred in the first quarter of 2010 and the
New Zealand earthquake which occurred in the third quarter of
2010.
The underlying changes in accident year loss ratios by segment
are also shown in the table below. The total loss ratio
represents the calendar year GAAP loss ratio. The prior year
adjustment in the table below reflects prior-year reserve
movements and premium adjustments. The current year adjustments
represent catastrophe loss events and reflect net claims and
reinstatement premium adjustments.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accident
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio Excluding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prior and
|
|
For the Nine Months Ended
|
|
Total Loss
|
|
|
Prior Year
|
|
|
Accident Year
|
|
|
Current Year
|
|
|
Current Year
|
|
September 30, 2011
|
|
Ratio
|
|
|
Adjustment
|
|
|
Loss Ratio
|
|
|
Adjustment
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
Reinsurance
|
|
|
98.2
|
%
|
|
|
9.9
|
%
|
|
|
108.1
|
%
|
|
|
(49.4
|
)%
|
|
|
58.7
|
%
|
Insurance
|
|
|
61.5
|
|
|
|
2.5
|
|
|
|
64.0
|
|
|
|
(2.2
|
)
|
|
|
61.8
|
|
Total
|
|
|
83.0
|
%
|
|
|
6.6
|
%
|
|
|
89.6
|
%
|
|
|
(29.8
|
)%
|
|
|
59.8
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accident
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio Excluding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prior and
|
|
For the Nine Months Ended
|
|
Total Loss
|
|
|
Prior Year
|
|
|
Accident Year
|
|
|
Current Year
|
|
|
Current Year
|
|
September 30, 2010
|
|
Ratio
|
|
|
Adjustment
|
|
|
Loss Ratio
|
|
|
Adjustment
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
Reinsurance
|
|
|
64.3
|
%
|
|
|
5.4
|
%
|
|
|
69.7
|
%
|
|
|
(16.4
|
)%
|
|
|
53.3
|
%
|
Insurance
|
|
|
71.8
|
|
|
|
(3.0
|
)
|
|
|
68.8
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
68.9
|
|
Total
|
|
|
67.3
|
%
|
|
|
2.1
|
%
|
|
|
69.4
|
%
|
|
|
(9.9
|
)%
|
|
|
59.5
|
%
|
Expenses. We monitor the gross expense ratio
as a measure of the cost effectiveness of our policy
acquisition, general, administrative and corporate processes.
The table below presents the contribution of the policy
acquisition expenses and general, administrative and corporate
expenses to the expense ratio and the total expense ratios for
the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. We also
show the effect of reinsurance which impacts on the reported net
expense ratio by expressing the expenses as a proportion of net
earned premiums.
56
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expense Ratios
|
|
|
|
For the Nine Months
|
|
|
For the Nine Months
|
|
|
|
Ended September 30, 2011
|
|
|
Ended September 30, 2010
|
|
|
Policy acquisition expense ratio
|
|
|
16.5
|
%
|
|
|
15.4
|
%
|
General, administrative and corporate expense ratio
|
|
|
12.8
|
|
|
|
11.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross expense ratio
|
|
|
29.3
|
|
|
|
27.1
|
|
Effect of reinsurance
|
|
|
3.8
|
|
|
|
2.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total net expense ratio
|
|
|
33.1
|
%
|
|
|
29.9
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in the acquisition and general, administrative and
corporate expense ratios to gross earned premiums and the impact
of reinsurance on net earned premiums by segment for each of the
nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 are shown in
the following table:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Nine Months Ended
|
|
|
For the Nine Months Ended
|
|
|
|
September 30, 2011
|
|
|
September 30, 2010
|
|
Ratios Based on Gross Earned Premium
|
|
Reinsurance
|
|
|
Insurance
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Reinsurance
|
|
|
Insurance
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Policy acquisition expense ratio
|
|
|
17.1
|
%
|
|
|
15.8
|
%
|
|
|
16.5
|
%
|
|
|
16.3
|
%
|
|
|
14.3
|
%
|
|
|
15.4
|
%
|
General and administrative expense ratio(1)
|
|
|
8.8
|
|
|
|
13.2
|
|
|
|
12.8
|
|
|
|
9.0
|
|
|
|
10.0
|
|
|
|
11.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross expense ratio
|
|
|
25.9
|
|
|
|
29.0
|
|
|
|
29.3
|
|
|
|
25.3
|
|
|
|
24.3
|
|
|
|
27.1
|
|
Effect of reinsurance
|
|
|
1.8
|
|
|
|
6.2
|
|
|
|
3.8
|
|
|
|
1.0
|
|
|
|
4.9
|
|
|
|
2.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total net expense ratio
|
|
|
27.7
|
%
|
|
|
35.2
|
%
|
|
|
33.1
|
%
|
|
|
26.3
|
%
|
|
|
29.2
|
%
|
|
|
29.9
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The total group general and administrative expense ratio
includes corporate expenses. |
The policy acquisition expense ratio, gross of the effect of
reinsurance, has increased to 16.5% for the nine months ended
September 30, 2011 from 15.4% for the comparative period in
2010. The increase is due mainly to a change in the mix of
business written across both segments where we have written a
greater proportion of business with higher average commission
rates.
The general, administrative and corporate expense ratio, as a
percentage of gross earned premiums, has increased from 11.7% to
12.8% for the same period with general, administrative and
corporate expenses increasing to $202.0 million for the
nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared with
$180.1 million in the comparable period in 2010. The
increase in general, administrative and corporate expenses is
due to building out our U.S. insurance infrastructure and
operations, a U.K. regional platform and establishing a presence
in the Swiss market to write insurance.
Net investment income. Net investment income
of $171.4 million has decreased by 2.1% compared to
$175.0 million in the nine months to September 30,
2010 due to lower reinvestment rates and declining book yields
from fixed income securities partially offset by
$4.9 million of dividend income from global equity
securities (2010 $ Nil).
Change in fair value of derivatives. In the
nine months ended September 30, 2011, we recorded a charge
of $61.5 million (2010 $2.1 million) for
the interest rate swaps due to falling interest rates and their
impact on fixed income valuations and yields. We also hold five
foreign currency contracts which had a net gain of
$5.8 million for the nine months ended September 30,
2011 (2010 $1.2 million).
In the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we recorded a
reduction of $5.7 million in the estimated fair value of
the credit insurance contract. We cancelled our credit insurance
contract as of November 28, 2010. Further information on
these contracts can be found in Note 9 to the financial
statements.
Other-than-temporary
impairments. We review all of our fixed
maturities on an individual security basis for potential
impairment each quarter based on criteria including
issuer-specific circumstances, credit ratings actions and
general macro-economic conditions. The realized investments
losses in the first nine months of 2011 did not include a charge
for investments we believe to be
other-than-temporarily
impaired (2010 $0.3 million).
57
Income before tax. In the first nine months of
2011, losses before tax were $132.6 million, comprised of
$225.9 million of underwriting losses, $171.4 million
in net investment income, $55.7 million of losses from
changes in fair value of derivatives, $11.1 million of net
realized and unrealized investment and foreign exchange gains,
$23.1 million of interest expense and $10.4 million of
other expenses. In the first nine months of 2010, income before
tax was $244.4 million which comprised $39.9 million
of underwriting income, $175.0 million in net investment
income, $7.8 million of losses from changes in fair value
of derivatives, $42.4 million of net foreign exchange and
investment gains, $11.7 million of interest expense and
$6.6 million of other income. Our decrease in underwriting
income in 2011 was mainly due to the $406.0 million of
losses net of reinsurance and re-instatement premiums associated
with the Australian floods, New Zealand earthquake, Japan
earthquake and tsunami, U.S. storms and Hurricane Irene.
Income tax benefit. Income tax benefit for the
nine months ended September 30, 2011 was
$13.3 million. Our effective consolidated tax rate for the
nine months ended September 30, 2011 was 10.0%
(2010 10.0%). The recovery represents an estimate of
the tax rate which will apply to our pre-tax loss for 2011. As
discussed in the Overview above, the effective tax
rate for the year is subject to revision.
Net income after tax. Net loss after tax for
the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was
$119.3 million, equivalent to a $1.93 basic and diluted
loss per ordinary share adjusted for the $17.1 million
preference share dividends and on the basis of the weighted
average number of ordinary shares in issue during the nine
months ended September 30, 2011. Net income for the nine
months ended September 30, 2010 was $220.0 million
equivalent to basic earnings per ordinary share of $2.63
adjusted for the $17.1 million preference share dividend
and fully diluted earnings per share of $2.51.
Reserves
for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
As of September 30, 2011, we had total net loss and loss
adjustment expense reserves of $4,041.7 million
(December 31, 2010 $3,540.6 million). This
amount represented our best estimate of the ultimate liability
for payment of losses and loss adjustment expenses. Of the total
gross reserves for unpaid losses of $4,399.4 million at the
balance sheet date of September 30, 2011, a total of
$2,222.3 million or 50.5% represented IBNR claims
(December 31, 2010 $2,074.8 million and
54.3%, respectively). The following tables analyze gross and net
loss and loss adjustment expense reserves by segment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at September 30, 2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reinsurance
|
|
|
|
|
Business Segment
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Recoverable
|
|
|
Net
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Reinsurance
|
|
$
|
2,831.7
|
|
|
$
|
(118.4
|
)
|
|
$
|
2,713.3
|
|
Insurance
|
|
|
1,567.7
|
|
|
|
(239.3
|
)
|
|
|
1,328.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total losses and loss expense reserves
|
|
$
|
4,399.4
|
|
|
$
|
(357.7
|
)
|
|
$
|
4,041.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at December 31, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reinsurance
|
|
|
|
|
Business Segment
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Recoverable
|
|
|
Net
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Reinsurance
|
|
$
|
2,343.8
|
|
|
$
|
(60.7
|
)
|
|
$
|
2,283.1
|
|
Insurance
|
|
|
1,476.7
|
|
|
|
(219.2
|
)
|
|
|
1,257.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total losses and loss expense reserves
|
|
$
|
3,820.5
|
|
|
$
|
(279.9
|
)
|
|
$
|
3,540.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The increase in reinsurance recoverables is mainly due to
recoveries from the current years catastrophe events.
58
For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, there was a
reduction of our estimate of the ultimate net claims to be paid
in respect of prior accident years of $70.3 million. An
analysis of this reduction by business segment is as follows for
each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011
and 2010:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three
|
|
|
For the Nine
|
|
|
|
Months Ended
|
|
|
Months Ended
|
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
Business Segment
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Reinsurance
|
|
$
|
11.7
|
|
|
$
|
3.3
|
|
|
$
|
57.8
|
|
|
$
|
29.5
|
|
Insurance
|
|
|
3.9
|
|
|
|
(9.5
|
)
|
|
|
12.5
|
|
|
|
(20.7
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Losses and loss expense reserves reductions
|
|
$
|
15.6
|
|
|
$
|
(6.2
|
)
|
|
$
|
70.3
|
|
|
$
|
8.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The key elements which gave rise to the net positive development
during the three months ended September 30, 2011 were as
follows:
Reinsurance. Net reserve releases of
$11.7 million in the current quarter came from the
U.S. casualty treaty and other property reinsurance
business lines. The largest releases in the quarter were
$7.3 million from U.S. casualty treaty and
$6.2 million from property risk excess reinsurance due
primarily to better than expected claims development. This was
partly offset by a $9.7 million reserve strengthening in
international casualty due to adverse experience from our
financial institutions and motor excess of loss accounts.
Insurance. The net reserve releases of
$3.9 million in the quarter came largely from aviation,
U.S. property and marine, energy and construction liability
partially offset by a strengthening in our U.K.-based financial
and professional lines.
We did not make any significant changes in assumptions used in
our reserving process. However, because the period of time we
have been in operation is relatively short, for longer tail
lines in particular, our loss experience is limited and reliable
evidence of changes in trends of numbers of claims incurred,
average settlement amounts, numbers of claims outstanding and
average losses per claim will necessarily take years to develop.
For a more detailed description see Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations Critical Accounting Policies and
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations Reserves for
Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses, included in our 2010
Annual Report on
Form 10-K
filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
59
Balance
Sheet
Total
cash and investments
At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, total
cash and investments, including accrued interest receivable,
were $7.6 billion and $7.3 billion, respectively. The
composition of our investment portfolio is summarized below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at September 30, 2011
|
|
|
As at December 31, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage of
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage of
|
|
|
|
Estimated
|
|
|
Total Cash and
|
|
|
Estimated
|
|
|
Total Cash and
|
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
|
Investments
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
|
Investments
|
|
|
|
($ in millions except for percentage)
|
|
|
Marketable Securities Available for Sale
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Government
|
|
$
|
889.4
|
|
|
|
11.7
|
%
|
|
$
|
725.4
|
|
|
|
10.0
|
%
|
U.S. Government Agency
|
|
|
281.5
|
|
|
|
3.7
|
|
|
|
302.3
|
|
|
|
4.2
|
|
Municipal
|
|
|
36.5
|
|
|
|
0.5
|
|
|
|
30.7
|
|
|
|
0.4
|
|
Corporate
|
|
|
1,968.3
|
|
|
|
26.0
|
|
|
|
1,971.1
|
|
|
|
27.1
|
|
FDIC Guaranteed Corporate
|
|
|
93.6
|
|
|
|
1.2
|
|
|
|
125.8
|
|
|
|
1.7
|
|
Non-U.S.
Government-backed Corporate
|
|
|
191.2
|
|
|
|
2.5
|
|
|
|
228.8
|
|
|
|
3.1
|
|
Foreign Government
|
|
|
681.2
|
|
|
|
9.0
|
|
|
|
616.9
|
|
|
|
8.5
|
|
Asset-backed
|
|
|
59.0
|
|
|
|
0.8
|
|
|
|
58.8
|
|
|
|
0.8
|
|
Mortgage-backed Securities
|
|
|
1,408.0
|
|
|
|
18.7
|
|
|
|
1,300.6
|
|
|
|
17.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Fixed Income Available for Sale
|
|
|
5,608.7
|
|
|
|
74.1
|
%
|
|
|
5,360.4
|
|
|
|
73.7
|
%
|
Marketable Securities Trading
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Government
|
|
|
18.0
|
|
|
|
0.2
|
|
|
|
48.3
|
|
|
|
0.7
|
|
U.S. Government Agency
|
|
|
1.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
Municipal
|
|
|
2.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate
|
|
|
346.1
|
|
|
|
4.6
|
|
|
|
339.8
|
|
|
|
4.7
|
|
FDIC Guaranteed Corporate
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-U.S.
Government-backed Corporate
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign Government
|
|
|
9.6
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
4.9
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
Asset-backed Securities
|
|
|
5.8
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
9.4
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Fixed Income Trading
|
|
|
384.1
|
|
|
|
5.0
|
%
|
|
|
406.2
|
|
|
|
5.6
|
%
|
Total Other Investments
|
|
|
32.3
|
|
|
|
0.4
|
|
|
|
30.0
|
|
|
|
0.4
|
|
Total Equity Securities
|
|
|
163.8
|
|
|
|
2.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Short-term Investments Available for Sale
|
|
|
290.6
|
|
|
|
3.8
|
|
|
|
286.0
|
|
|
|
3.9
|
|
Total Short-term Investments Trading
|
|
|
5.3
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
3.7
|
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
Total Cash and Cash Equivalents
|
|
|
1,038.8
|
|
|
|
13.7
|
|
|
|
1,179.1
|
|
|
|
16.2
|
|
Total Receivable for Securities Sold
|
|
|
0.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(40.4
|
)
|
|
|
(0.6
|
)
|
Total Accrued Interest Receivable
|
|
|
53.6
|
|
|
|
0.7
|
|
|
|
54.4
|
|
|
|
0.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Cash and Investments
|
|
$
|
7,577.7
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
$
|
7,279.4
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed maturities. At September 30, 2011,
the average credit quality of our fixed income portfolio is
AA, with 95% of the portfolio being rated
A or higher. At December 31, 2010, the average
credit quality of our fixed income portfolio was
AA+, with 96% of the portfolio being rated
A or higher. Our fixed income portfolio duration has
decreased as at September 30, 2011 to 2.5 years from
2.9 years as at December 31, 2010 and includes the
impact of the interest-rate swaps which we entered into to
partially mitigate against rises in interest rates.
60
Mortgage-Backed Securities. The following
table summarizes the fair value of our mortgage-backed
securities by rating and class at September 30, 2011:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AAA
|
|
|
AA and Below
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Agency
|
|
$
|
2.6
|
|
|
$
|
1,311.0
|
|
|
$
|
1,313.6
|
|
Non-agency Commercial
|
|
|
67.6
|
|
|
|
26.8
|
|
|
|
94.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Mortgage-backed Securities
|
|
$
|
70.2
|
|
|
$
|
1,337.8
|
|
|
$
|
1,408.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our mortgage-backed portfolio is supported by loans diversified
across a number of geographic and economic sectors.
Equity securities. In March 2011, we made an
initial investment into equities, deploying $175.0 million,
or 2.5% of total investments into a high quality global equity
income strategy via direct investment. Our overall portfolio
strategy remains focused on high quality fixed income
investments; however, market conditions and portfolio
diversification prompted this limited move into equities. Our
group investment guidelines allow us to deploy up to 10% of the
investment portfolio in non-fixed income investments. We
recognized dividend income of $4.9 million
(2010 $Nil) and $3.8 million (2010
$Nil) net unrealized losses from the equity portfolio for the
period ended September 30, 2011. Equity securities are
comprised of U.S. and foreign equity securities and are
classified as available for sale. The portfolio targets high
quality global equity securities with attractive dividend yields.
Other investments. As disclosed in
Note 6, on May 19, 2009, Aspen Holdings invested
$25.0 million in Cartesian Iris 2009A L.P. through our
wholly-owned subsidiary, Acorn Limited. Cartesian Iris 2009A
L.P. is a Delaware Limited Partnership formed to provide capital
to Iris Re, a Class 3 Bermudian reinsurer focusing on
insurance-linked securities. On June 1, 2010, the
investment in Cartesian Iris 2009A L.P. matured and was
reinvested in the Cartesian Iris Offshore Fund L.P. The
Companys involvement with Cartesian Iris Offshore
Fund L.P. is limited to its investment in the fund, and it
is not committed to making further investments in Cartesian Iris
Offshore Fund L.P.; accordingly, the carrying value of the
investment represents the Companys maximum exposure to a
loss as a result of its involvement with the partnership at each
balance sheet date. In addition to returns on our investment, we
provide services on risk selection, pricing and portfolio design
in return for a percentage of profits from Iris Re.
We have determined that each of Cartesian Iris 2009A L.P. and
Cartesian Iris Offshore Fund L.P. has the characteristics
of a variable interest entity that are addressed by the guidance
in ASC 810, Consolidation. Neither Cartesian Iris 2009A
L.P. nor Cartesian Iris Offshore Fund L.P. is consolidated
by us. We have no decision-making power, those powers having
been reserved for the general partner. The arrangement with
Cartesian Iris Offshore Fund L.P. is simply that of an
investee to which we provide additional services, including the
secondment of an employee working under the direction of the
board of Iris Re.
We have accounted for our investments in Cartesian Iris 2009A
L.P. and Cartesian Offshore Fund L.P. in accordance with
the equity method of accounting. Adjustments to the carrying
value of this investment are made based on our share of capital
including our share of income and expenses, which is provided in
the quarterly management accounts of the partnership. The
adjusted carrying value approximates fair value. In the three
and nine months ended September 30, 2011, our share of
gains and losses increased the value of our investment by
$2.3 million and $2.3 million, respectively
(2010 $0.3 million increase and
$0.5 million increase). The change in value has been
recognized in realized and unrealized gains and losses in the
condensed consolidated statement of operations.
61
The tables below show our other investments for the nine months
ended September 30, 2011 and twelve months ended
December 31, 2010:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
|
|
|
|
Opening
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Closing
|
|
|
|
Undistributed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Undistributed
|
|
|
|
Fair Value of
|
|
|
Realized
|
|
|
Carrying
|
|
|
Funds
|
|
|
Fair Value of
|
|
|
|
Investment
|
|
|
Gain
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Distributed
|
|
|
Investment
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Cartesian Iris Offshore Fund L.P.
|
|
$
|
30.0
|
|
|
$
|
2.3
|
|
|
$
|
32.3
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
32.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2010
|
|
|
|
Opening
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Closing
|
|
|
|
Undistributed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Undistributed
|
|
|
|
Fair Value of
|
|
|
Realized
|
|
|
Carrying
|
|
|
Funds
|
|
|
Fair Value of
|
|
|
|
Investment
|
|
|
Gain
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Distributed
|
|
|
Investment
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Cartesian Iris 2009 A L.P.
|
|
$
|
27.3
|
|
|
$
|
0.5
|
|
|
$
|
27.8
|
|
|
$
|
(27.8
|
)
|
|
$
|
|
|
Cartesian Iris Offshore Fund L.P.
|
|
$
|
27.8
|
|
|
$
|
2.2
|
|
|
$
|
30.0
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
30.0
|
|
Valuation
of Fixed Income, Equities and Short Term Available for Sale
Investments and Fixed Income and Short-Term Trading
Investments
Fair Value Measurements. Our estimates of fair
value for financial assets and liabilities are based on the
framework established in the fair value accounting guidance
included in ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and
Disclosures. The framework prioritizes the inputs,
which refer broadly to assumptions market participants would use
in pricing an asset or liability, into three levels, which are
described in more detail below.
Fixed
Maturities
The Companys fixed income maturity securities are
classified as either available for sale or trading and carried
at fair value. At September 30, 2011 and December 31,
2010, we used substantially the market approach valuation
techniques (e.g. use of quoted market values and other relevant
observable market data provided by independent pricing sources)
for estimating the fair values of fixed maturities. The pricing
sources are primarily internationally recognized independent
pricing services and broker-dealers.
Independent Pricing Services. Pricing services
provide pricing for less complex, liquid securities based on
market quotations in active markets. For securities that do not
trade on a listed exchange, these pricing services may use
matrix pricing consisting of observable market inputs to
estimate the fair value of a security. These observable market
inputs include: reported trades, benchmark yields, broker-dealer
quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities,
bids, offers, reference data, and industry and economic factors.
Additionally, pricing services may use a valuation model such as
an option adjusted spread model commonly used for estimating
fair values of mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. At
September 30, 2011, pricing for approximately 98%
(2010 95%) of our total fixed maturities was based
on prices provided by nationally recognized independent pricing
services made up of 83% index providers and 15% pricing vendors.
Broker-Dealers. For the most part, we obtain
quotes directly from broker-dealers who are active in the
corresponding markets when prices are unavailable from
independent pricing services or index providers. Generally,
broker-dealers value securities through their trading desks
based on observable market inputs. Their pricing methodologies
include mapping securities based on trade data, bids or offers,
observed spreads and performance on newly issued securities.
They may also establish pricing through observing secondary
trading of similar securities. Quotes from broker-dealers are
non-binding. At September 30, 2011, pricing for
approximately 2.2% (2010 4.7%) of our total fixed
maturities was based on non-binding quotes from broker-dealers.
To validate the techniques or models used by third-party pricing
sources, we review the process, in conjunction with the
processes completed by the third-party accounting service
provider, which include, but are not limited to:
|
|
|
|
|
quantitative analysis (e.g., comparing the quarterly return for
each managed portfolio to its target benchmark, with significant
differences identified and investigated);
|
62
|
|
|
|
|
initial and ongoing evaluation of methodologies used by outside
parties to calculate fair value; and;
|
|
|
|
comparison of the fair value estimates to our knowledge of the
current market.
|
Prices obtained from brokers and pricing services are not
adjusted by us; however, prices provided by a broker or pricing
service in certain instances may be challenged based on market
or information available from internal sources, including those
available to our third-party investment accounting service
provider. Subsequent to any challenge, revisions made by the
broker or pricing service to the quotes are supplied to our
investment accounting service provider.
Management reviews the vendor hierarchy maintained by our
third-party accounting service provider in order to determine
which price source provides the fair value (i.e. a price
obtained from a pricing service with more seniority in the
hierarchy will be used over a less senior one in all cases). The
hierarchy prioritizes pricing services based on availability and
reliability and assigns the highest priority to index providers.
At September 30, 2011, we obtained an average of 3.1 quotes
per investment, compared to 2.9 quotes at December 31,
2010. Pricing sources used in pricing our fixed income
investments at September 30, 2011 and December 31,
2010, respectively, were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at
|
|
|
As at
|
|
|
|
September 30, 2011
|
|
|
December 31, 2010
|
|
|
Index providers
|
|
|
82.8
|
%
|
|
|
85.2
|
%
|
Pricing services
|
|
|
15.0
|
|
|
|
12.5
|
|
Broker-dealers
|
|
|
2.2
|
|
|
|
2.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Government and
Agency. U.S. government and agency
securities consist primarily of bonds issued by the
U.S. Treasury and corporate debt issued by agencies such as
the Government National Mortgage Association, the Federal
National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation and the Federal Home Loan Bank. As the fair values
of our U.S. Treasury securities are based on unadjusted
market prices in active markets, they are classified within
Level 1. The fair values of U.S. government agency
securities are priced using the spread above the risk-free yield
curve. As the yields for the risk-free yield curve and the
spreads for these securities are observable market inputs, the
fair values of U.S. government agency securities are
classified within Level 2.
Foreign Government. The issuers for securities
in this category are
non-U.S. governments
and their agencies. The fair values of
non-U.S. government
bonds, primarily sourced from international indices, are based
on unadjusted market prices in active markets and are therefore
classified within Level 1. The fair values of the
non-U.S. agency
securities, again primarily sourced from international indices,
are priced using the spread above the risk-free yield curve. As
the yields for the risk-free yield curve and the spreads for
these securities are observable market inputs, the fair values
of
non-U.S. agency
securities are classified within Level 2.
Municipals. Our municipal portfolio comprises
bonds issued by U.S. domiciled state and municipality
entities. The fair value of these securities is determined using
spreads obtained from broker-dealers, trade prices and the new
issue market which are Level 2 inputs in the fair value
hierarchy. Consequently, these securities are classified within
Level 2.
Corporate. Corporate securities consist
primarily of U.S. and foreign corporations covering a
variety of industries and are for the most part priced by index
providers and pricing vendors. Some issuers may participate in
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
program or other similar
non-U.S. government
programs which guarantee timely payment of principal and
interest in the event of a default. The fair values of these
securities are generally determined using the spread above the
risk-free yield curve. Inputs used in the evaluation of these
securities include credit data, interest rate data, market
observations and sector news, broker dealer quotes and trade
volumes. The Company classifies these securities within
Level 2.
Mortgage-backed. Our residential and
commercial mortgage-backed securities consist of bonds issued by
the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation, as well as private, non-
63
agency issuers. The fair values of these securities are
determined through the use of a pricing model (including Option
Adjusted Spread) which uses prepayment speeds and spreads to
determine the appropriate average life of the mortgage-backed
security. These spreads are generally obtained from
broker-dealers, trade prices and the new issue market. As the
significant inputs used to price mortgage-backed securities are
observable market inputs these securities are classified within
Level 2.
Asset-backed. The underlying collateral for
the Companys asset-backed securities consists mainly of
student loans, automobile loans and credit card receivables.
These securities are primarily priced by index providers and
pricing vendors. Inputs to the valuation process include dealer
quotes and other available trade information, prepayment speeds,
interest rate data and credit spreads. The Company classifies
these securities within Level 2.
Short-term
investments
Short-term investments comprise highly liquid debt securities
with a maturity greater than three months but less than one year
from the date of purchase and are classified as either trading
or available for sale and carried at estimated fair value. Short
term investments are valued in a manner similar to the
Companys fixed maturity investments and are classified
within Level 2.
Equity
Securities
Equity securities include U.S. and foreign common stocks
and are classified as available for sale and carried at fair
value. These securities are classified within Level 1 as
their fair values are based on quoted market prices in active
markets from independent pricing sources.
Derivative
Financial Instruments
Foreign Currency Forward Contracts. The
foreign currency forward contracts which we use to economically
hedge currency risk are characterized as
over-the-counter
(OTC) due to their customized nature and the fact
that they do not trade on a major exchange. These instruments
trade in a very deep liquid market, providing substantial price
transparency and accordingly are classified as Level 2.
Interest-Rate Swaps. The interest-rate swaps
which we use to economically hedge interest rate risk are also
characterized as OTC and are valued by the counterparty using
quantitative models with multiple market inputs. The market
inputs, such as interest rates and yield curves, are observable
and the valuation can be compared for reasonableness with third
party pricing services. Consequently, these instruments are
classified as Level 2.
Valuation of Other Investments. The value of
our investment in Cartesian Iris Offshore Fund L.P. or in
Cartesian Iris 2009A L.P. is based on our shares of the capital
position of the partnership which includes income and expenses
reported by the limited partnership as provided in its quarterly
management accounts. Each of Cartesian Iris Offshore
Fund L.P. and Cartesian Iris 2009A L.P. is subject to
annual audit evaluating the financial statements of the
partnership. We periodically review the management accounts of
Cartesian Iris Offshore Fund L.P. and Cartesian Iris 2009A
L.P. and evaluate the reasonableness of the valuation of our
investment.
Guaranteed Investments. The following table
presents the breakdown of investments which are guaranteed by
mono-line insurers (Wrapped Credit disclosure) and
those that have explicit government guarantees. The
64
standalone rating is determined as the senior unsecured debt
rating of the issuer. Where the credit ratings were split
between Moodys and S&P the lowest rating was used.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at September 30, 2011
|
|
|
As at December 31, 2010
|
|
Rating with
|
|
Rating without
|
|
Market
|
|
|
Rating with
|
|
Rating without
|
|
Market
|
|
Guarantee
|
|
Guarantee
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Guarantee
|
|
Guarantee
|
|
Value
|
|
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
AAA
|
|
AAA
|
|
$
|
78.3
|
|
|
AAA
|
|
AAA
|
|
$
|
93.8
|
|
|
|
AA
|
|
|
24.6
|
|
|
|
|
AA
|
|
|
16.1
|
|
|
|
AA−
|
|
|
2.5
|
|
|
|
|
AA−
|
|
|
9.5
|
|
|
|
A+
|
|
|
15.8
|
|
|
|
|
A+
|
|
|
58.2
|
|
|
|
A
|
|
|
18.9
|
|
|
|
|
A
|
|
|
38.4
|
|
|
|
A−
|
|
|
37.2
|
|
|
|
|
A-
|
|
|
81.2
|
|
|
|
BBB+
|
|
|
2.8
|
|
|
|
|
BBB+
|
|
|
17.8
|
|
|
|
BBB
|
|
|
3.3
|
|
|
|
|
BBB
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BBB−
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BBB−
|
|
|
23.7
|
|
|
|
BB+
|
|
|
3.7
|
|
|
|
|
BB+
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
B+
|
|
|
20.1
|
|
|
|
|
B+
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
B
|
|
|
3.7
|
|
|
|
|
B
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BB
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BB−
|
|
|
3.1
|
|
AA+
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AA+
|
|
AA+
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AAA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AA
|
|
|
24.9
|
|
|
|
AA+
|
|
|
2.9
|
|
|
|
|
AA+
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AA
|
|
|
4.5
|
|
|
|
|
AA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AA−
|
|
|
3.0
|
|
|
|
|
AA−
|
|
|
1.9
|
|
|
|
A+
|
|
|
15.2
|
|
|
|
|
A+
|
|
|
3.1
|
|
|
|
A
|
|
|
15.2
|
|
|
|
|
A
|
|
|
6.4
|
|
|
|
A−
|
|
|
28.7
|
|
|
|
|
A−
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BBB+
|
|
|
25.6
|
|
|
|
|
BBB+
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BB
|
|
|
3.0
|
|
|
|
|
BB
|
|
|
|
|
AA
|
|
AA
|
|
|
|
|
|
AA
|
|
AA
|
|
|
1.4
|
|
AA−
|
|
AA−
|
|
|
3.7
|
|
|
AA−
|
|
AA−
|
|
|
3.2
|
|
A−
|
|
AA−
|
|
|
|
|
|
A−
|
|
A−
|
|
|
1.9
|
|
BBB−
|
|
BBB−
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
BBB−
|
|
BBB−
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
312.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
384.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our exposure to mono-line insurers was limited to one municipal
holding (2010 one municipal holding) as at
September 30, 2011 with a market value of $0.1 million
(2010 $0.1 million). Our exposure to other
third-party guaranteed debt is primarily to investments backed
by the FDIC and
non-U.S. government
guaranteed issuers.
Other-than-temporary
impairments. We recorded no OTTI charges for the
nine months ended September 30, 2011 (2010
$0.3 million). We review our available for sale investment
portfolio on an individual security basis for potential
impairment each quarter based on criteria including
issuer-specific circumstances, credit ratings actions and
general macro-economic conditions. The difference between the
amortized cost or original cost and the estimated fair market
value of available for sale investments is monitored to
determine whether any investment has experienced a decline in
value that is believed to be
other-than-temporary.
A security is impaired when the fair value is below its
amortized cost or original cost.
In our review of fixed maturity investments,
other-than-temporary
impairment is deemed to occur when there is no objective
evidence to support recovery in value of a security and
a) we intend to sell the security or more likely
65
than not will be required to sell the security before recovery
of its adjusted amortized cost basis or b) it is deemed
probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due
according to the contractual terms of the individual security.
In the first case, the entire unrealized loss position is taken
as an OTTI charge to realized losses in earnings. In the second
case, the unrealized loss is separated into the amount related
to credit loss and the amount related to all other factors. The
OTTI charge related to credit loss is recognized in realized
losses in earnings and the amount related to all other factors
is recognized in other comprehensive income. The cost basis of
the investment is reduced accordingly and no adjustments are
made for subsequent recoveries in value.
Equity securities do not have a maturity date and therefore our
review of these securities utilizes a higher degree of judgment.
In our review we consider our ability and intent to hold an
impaired equity security for a reasonable period of time to
allow for a full recovery. Where a security is considered to be
other-than-temporarily impaired, the entire charge is recognized
in realized losses in earnings. Again, the cost basis of the
investment is reduced accordingly and no adjustments are made
for subsequent recoveries in value.
Although we review each security on a case by case basis, we
have also established parameters to help identify securities in
an unrealized loss position which are
other-than-temporarily
impaired. These parameters focus on the extent and duration of
the impairment and for both fixed maturities and equities we
consider declines in value of greater than 20% for 12
consecutive months to indicate that the security is
other-than-temporarily
impaired.
For a discussion of our valuation techniques within the fair
value hierarchy, please see Note 7 of the financial
statements included elsewhere in this report.
Capital
Management
Capital Management. On February 9, 2010,
our Board of Directors authorized a new repurchase program for
up to $400 million of ordinary shares of which
$192.4 million remained available as at September 30,
2011. The authorization for the repurchase program covers the
period to March 1, 2012.
On November 10, 2010, we entered into an accelerated share
repurchase program with Barclays Capital to repurchase
$184 million of our ordinary shares. As of
December 31, 2010, a total of 5,737,449 ordinary shares
were received and cancelled. Upon the termination of the
contract on March 14, 2011, an additional 542,736 ordinary
shares were received and cancelled. A total of 6,280,185
ordinary shares were cancelled under this contract.
On February 16, 2011, an agreement was signed to repurchase
58,310 shares from the Names Trustee. The shares were
repurchased on March 10, 2011 and subsequently cancelled.
On June 29, 2011, an agreement was signed to repurchase
254,107 shares from the Names Trustee for a total
consideration of $6.4 million. The transaction completed on
August 10, 2011.
The following table shows our capital structure at
September 30, 2011 compared to December 31, 2010:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at
|
|
|
As at
|
|
|
|
September 30, 2011
|
|
|
December 31, 2010
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Share capital, additional paid-in capital, retained income and
accumulated other comprehensive income attributable to ordinary
shareholders
|
|
$
|
2,796.9
|
|
|
$
|
2,888.3
|
|
Preference shares (liquidation preference less issue expenses),
net of issue costs
|
|
|
353.6
|
|
|
|
353.6
|
|
Long-term debt
|
|
|
498.9
|
|
|
|
498.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total capital
|
|
$
|
3,649.4
|
|
|
$
|
3,740.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Management monitors the ratio of debt to total capital, with
total capital being defined as shareholders equity plus
outstanding debt. At September 30, 2011, this ratio was
13.7% (December 31, 2010 13.3%).
Our preference shares are classified in our balance sheet as
equity but may receive a different treatment in some cases under
the capital adequacy assessments made by certain rating
agencies. Such securities are often referred to
66
as hybrids as they have certain attributes of both
debt and equity. We also monitor the ratio of the total of debt
and hybrids to total capital which was 23.4% as of
September 30, 2011 (December 31, 2010
22.8%).
Access to capital. Our business operations are
in part dependent on our financial strength and the
markets perception thereof, as measured by total
shareholders equity, which was $3,150.5 million at
September 30, 2011 (December 31, 2010
$3,241.9 million). We believe our financial strength
provides us with the flexibility and capacity to obtain funds
through debt or equity financing. Our continuing ability to
access the capital markets is dependent on, among other things,
our operating results, market conditions and our perceived
financial strength. We regularly monitor our capital and
financial position, as well as investment and securities market
conditions, both in general and with respect to Aspen
Holdings securities. Our ordinary shares and all our
preference shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Liquidity
Liquidity is a measure of a companys ability to generate
cash flows sufficient to meet short-term and long-term cash
requirements of its business operations. Management monitors the
liquidity of Aspen Holdings and of each of its Operating
Subsidiaries and arranges credit facilities to enhance
short-term liquidity resources on a stand-by basis.
Holding Company. We monitor the ability of
Aspen Holdings to service debt, to finance dividend payments to
ordinary and preference shareholders and to provide financial
support to the Operating Subsidiaries.
As at September 30, 2011, Aspen Holdings held
$80.6 million (December 31, 2010
$354.0 million) in cash and cash equivalents which
management considers sufficient to provide Aspen Holdings with
appropriate liquidity at such time, taken together with
dividends declared or expected to be declared by subsidiary
companies and our credit facilities. Aspen Holdings
liquidity depends on dividends, capital distributions and
interest payments from our Operating Subsidiaries. Aspen
Holdings also has recourse to the credit facility described
below.
In the nine months ended September 30, 2011, Aspen U.K.
Holdings paid Aspen Holdings interest of $40.6 million
(2010 $27.4 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 2010) in respect of intercompany loans
and dividends of $Nil (2010 $15.0 million) and
Aspen Bermuda paid Aspen Holdings dividends of
$100.0 million (2010 $Nil).
The ability of our Operating Subsidiaries to pay us dividends or
other distributions is subject to the laws and regulations
applicable to each jurisdiction, as well as the Operating
Subsidiaries need to maintain capital requirements
adequate to maintain their insurance and reinsurance operations
and their financial strength ratings issued by independent
rating agencies. For a discussion of the various restrictions on
our ability and our Operating Subsidiaries ability to pay
dividends, see Part I, Item 1
Business Regulatory Matters in our 2010
Annual Report on
Form 10-K
filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Also for a more detailed discussion of our Operating
Subsidiaries ability to pay dividends, see Note 14 of
our annual financial statements in our 2010 Annual Report on
Form 10-K
filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Operating Subsidiaries. As of
September 30, 2011, the Operating Subsidiaries held
$918.6 million (December 31, 2010
$814.3 million) in cash and short-term investments that are
readily realizable securities. Management monitors the value,
currency and duration of cash and investments held by its
Operating Subsidiaries to ensure that they are able to meet
their insurance and other liabilities as they become due and was
satisfied that there was a comfortable margin of liquidity as at
September 30, 2011 and for the foreseeable future.
On an ongoing basis, our Operating Subsidiaries sources of
funds primarily consist of premiums written, investment income
and proceeds from sales and redemptions of investments.
Cash is used primarily to pay reinsurance premiums, losses and
loss adjustment expenses, brokerage commissions, general and
administrative expenses, taxes, interest and dividends and to
purchase new investments.
The potential for individual large claims and for accumulations
of claims from single events means that substantial and
unpredictable payments may need to be made within relatively
short periods of time.
67
We manage these risks by making regular forecasts of the timing
and amount of expected cash outflows and ensuring that we
maintain sufficient balances in cash and short-term investments
to meet these estimates. Notwithstanding this policy, if our
cash flow forecast is incorrect, we could be forced to liquidate
investments prior to maturity, potentially at a significant loss.
The liquidity of our Operating Subsidiaries is also affected by
the terms of our contractual obligations to policyholders and by
undertakings to certain regulatory authorities to facilitate the
issue of letters of credit or maintain certain balances in trust
funds for the benefit of policyholders. The following table
shows the forms of collateral or other security provided to
policyholders as at September 30, 2011 and
December 31, 2010:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at
|
|
|
As at
|
|
|
|
September 30, 2011
|
|
|
December 31, 2010
|
|
|
|
($ in millions except percentages)
|
|
|
Assets held in multi-beneficiary trusts
|
|
$
|
1,660.2
|
|
|
$
|
1,895.7
|
|
Assets held in single beneficiary trusts
|
|
|
334.7
|
|
|
|
58.2
|
|
Letter of credit issued under revolving credit facility
|
|
|
25.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
Secured letters of credit(1)
|
|
|
1,101.0
|
|
|
|
533.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
3,121.1
|
|
|
$
|
2,487.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total as % of cash and invested assets
|
|
|
41.5
|
%
|
|
|
34.2
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
As of September 30, 2011, the Company had securities and
cash of $1,323.5 million and £19.4 million
(December 31, 2010 $699.9 million and
£30.0 million) as collateral for the secured letters
of credit. |
For more information see Note 14(a) and our 2010 Annual
Report on
Form 10-K
filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Consolidated Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2011. Total net cash flow from
operations was $278.4 million, a reduction of
$223.7 million from the comparative period last year. The
reduction was due mainly to higher loss payments following the
exceptional level of catastrophe losses in 2011 and ceded
reinsurance costs. For the nine months ended September 30,
2011, our cash flow from operations provided us with sufficient
liquidity to meet our operating requirements. On August 26,
2011, we paid a dividend of $0.15 per ordinary share to
shareholders of record on August 11, 2011. On
October 1, 2011, dividends totaling $3.2 million on
our Perpetual Preferred Income Equity Replacement Securities
(Perpetual PIERS) were paid to our dividend
disbursing agent, for payment to our Perpetual PIERS holders of
record on September 15, 2011. On October 1, 2011,
dividends totaling $2.5 million on our Perpetual
Non-Cumulative Preference Shares (Perpetual Preference
Shares) were paid to our dividend disbursing agent, for
payment to our Perpetual Preference Share holders of record on
September 15, 2011.
Credit Facility. On July 30, 2010, we
entered into a three-year $280.0 million revolving credit
facility pursuant to a credit agreement (the credit
facilities) by and among the Company, certain of our
direct and indirect subsidiaries, including the Operating
Subsidiaries (collectively, the Borrowers), the
lenders party thereto, Barclays Bank plc, as administrative
agent, Citibank, NA, as syndication agent, Credit Agricole CIB,
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon,
as co-documentation agents and The Bank of New York, as
collateral agent.
The facility can be used by any of the Borrowers to provide
funding for our Operating Subsidiaries, to finance the working
capital needs of the Company and our subsidiaries and for
general corporate purposes of the Company and our subsidiaries.
The revolving credit facility further provides for the issuance
of collateralized and uncollateralized letters of credit.
Initial availability under the facility is $280.0 million,
and the Company has the option (subject to obtaining commitments
from acceptable lenders) to increase the facility by up to
$75.0 million. The facility will expire on July 30,
2013. As of September 30, 2011, no borrowings were
outstanding under the credit facilities. The fees and interest
rates on the loans and the fees on the letters of credit payable
by the Borrowers increase based on the consolidated leverage
ratio of the Company.
68
Under the credit facilities, we must maintain at all times a
consolidated tangible net worth of not less than approximately
$2.3 billion plus 50% of consolidated net income and 50% of
aggregate net cash proceeds from the issuance by the Company of
its capital stock, each as accrued from January 1, 2010.
The Company must also not permit its consolidated leverage ratio
of total consolidated debt to consolidated debt plus
consolidated tangible net worth to exceed 35%. In addition, the
credit facilities contain other customary affirmative and
negative covenants as well as certain customary events of
default, including with respect to a change in control. The
various affirmative and negative covenants, include, among
others, covenants that, subject to various exceptions, restrict
the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to: create or
permit liens on assets; engage in mergers or consolidations;
dispose of assets; pay dividends or other distributions;
purchase or redeem the Companys equity securities or those
of its subsidiaries and make other restricted payments; permit
the rating of any insurance subsidiary to fall below
A.M. Best financial strength rating of B++; make certain
investments; agree with others to limit the ability of the
Companys subsidiaries to pay dividends or other restricted
payments or to make loans or transfer assets to the Company or
another of its subsidiaries. The credit facilities also include
covenants that restrict the ability of our subsidiaries to incur
indebtedness and guarantee obligations.
On August 12, 2011, Aspen Bermuda replaced its existing letter
of credit facility with Citibank Europe dated April 29,
2009 in a maximum aggregate amount of up to $550.0 million
with a new letter of credit facility in a maximum aggregate
amount of up to $1,050.0 million. As at September 30,
2011, we had $898.4 million of outstanding collateralized
letters of credit under this facility.
On February 28, 2011, Aspen U.K. and Aspen Bermuda entered
into an amendment to the $200.0 million secured letter of
credit facility agreement with Barclays dated as of
October 6, 2009. The Amendment extends the maturity date of
the credit facility to December 31, 2013. As at
September 30, 2011, we had $118.9 million of
outstanding collateralized letters of credit under this facility
compared to $42.4 million at the end of 2010.
Contractual
Obligations and Commitments
The following table summarizes our contractual obligations
(other than our obligations to employees, our Perpetual PIERS
and our Perpetual Preference Shares) under long-term debt,
operating leases (net of subleases) and reserves relating to
insurance and reinsurance contracts as of September 30,
2011:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Later
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
Years
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
Operating Lease Obligations
|
|
$
|
2.7
|
|
|
$
|
10.2
|
|
|
$
|
9.5
|
|
|
$
|
9.2
|
|
|
$
|
8.7
|
|
|
$
|
25.1
|
|
|
$
|
65.4
|
|
Long-Term Debt Obligations(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
250.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
250.0
|
|
|
$
|
500.0
|
|
Reserves for Losses and loss adjustment expenses(2)
|
|
$
|
68.6
|
|
|
$
|
1,557.7
|
|
|
$
|
879.2
|
|
|
$
|
539.5
|
|
|
$
|
421.3
|
|
|
$
|
933.1
|
|
|
$
|
4,399.4
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The long-term debt obligations disclosed above do not include
the $30.0 million annual interest payments on our
outstanding senior notes. |
|
(2) |
|
In estimating the time intervals into which payments of our
reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses fall, as set
out above, we have utilized actuarially assessed payment
patterns. By the nature of the insurance and reinsurance
contracts under which these liabilities are assumed, there can
be no certainty that actual payments will fall in the periods
shown and there could be a material acceleration or deceleration
of claims payments depending on factors outside our control.
This uncertainty is heightened by the short time in which we
have operated, thereby providing limited Company-specific claims
loss payment patterns. The total amount of payments in respect
of our reserves, as well as the timing of such payments, may
differ materially from our current estimates for the reasons set
out in our 2010 Annual Report on
Form 10-K
under Critical Accounting Policies
Reserves for Losses and Loss Expenses. |
Further information on operating leases is given in our 2010
Annual Report on
Form 10-K
filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
For a discussion of derivative instruments we have entered into,
please see Note 9 to our unaudited condensed consolidated
financial statements for the three months ended
September 30, 2011 included elsewhere in this report.
69
Effects
of Inflation
Inflation may have a material effect on our consolidated results
of operations by its effect on interest rates and on the cost of
settling claims. The potential exists, after a catastrophe or
other large property loss, for the development of inflationary
pressures in a local economy as the demand for services such as
construction typically surges. We believe this had an impact on
the cost of claims arising from the 2005 hurricanes. The cost of
settling claims may also be increased by global commodity price
inflation. We seek to take both these factors into account when
setting reserves for any events where we think they may be
material.
Our calculation of reserves for losses and loss expenses in
respect of casualty business includes assumptions about future
payments for settlement of claims and claims-handling expenses,
such as medical treatments and litigation costs. We write
casualty business in the United States, the United Kingdom and
Australia and certain other territories, where claims inflation
has in many years run at higher rates than general inflation. To
the extent inflation causes these costs to increase above
reserves established for these claims, we will be required to
increase our loss reserves with a corresponding reduction in
earnings. The actual effects of inflation on our results cannot
be accurately known until claims are ultimately settled.
In addition to general price inflation we are exposed to a
persisting long-term upwards trend in the cost of judicial
awards for damages. We seek to take this into account in our
pricing and reserving of casualty business.
We also seek to take into account the projected impact of
inflation on the likely actions of central banks in the setting
of short-term interest rates and consequent effects on the
yields and prices of fixed income securities. We consider that
although inflation is currently low, in the medium-term there is
a risk that inflation, interest rates and bond yields will rise
with the result that the market value of certain of our fixed
income investments may reduce.
Cautionary
Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This
Form 10-Q
contains, and the Company may from time to time make other
verbal or written, forward-looking statements within the meaning
of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the Securities Act), and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that involve risks
and uncertainties, including statements regarding our capital
needs, business strategy, expectations and intentions.
Statements that use the terms believe, do not
believe, anticipate, expect,
plan, estimate, project,
seek, will, may,
aim, continue, intend,
guidance and similar expressions are intended to
identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect
our current views with respect to future events and because our
business is subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other
factors, our actual results could differ materially from those
anticipated in the forward-looking statements. The risks,
uncertainties and other factors set forth in the Companys
2010 Annual Report on
Form 10-K
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and other
cautionary statements made in this report, as well as the
following factors, should be read and understood as being
applicable to all related forward-looking statements wherever
they appear in this report.
All forward-looking statements address matters that involve
risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, there are or will be
important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those indicated in these statements. We believe
that these factors include, but are not limited to, the
following:
|
|
|
|
|
the possibility of greater frequency or severity of claims and
loss activity, including as a result of natural or man-made
(including economic and political risks) catastrophic or
material loss events, than our underwriting, reserving,
reinsurance purchasing or investment practices have anticipated;
|
|
|
|
the reliability of, and changes in assumptions to, natural and
man-made catastrophe pricing, accumulation and estimated loss
models;
|
|
|
|
evolving issues with respect to interpretation of coverage after
major loss events, any intervening legislative or governmental
action and changing judicial interpretation and judgments on
insurers liability to various risks;
|
|
|
|
the effectiveness of our loss limitation methods;
|
70
|
|
|
|
|
changes in the total industry losses, or our share of total
industry losses, such as the various losses from the
U.S. storms in 2011, the earthquake and ensuing tsunami in
Japan in 2011, floods in Australia in late 2010 and early 2011,
the Deepwater Horizon incident in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010,
the Chilean and the New Zealand Earthquakes in 2010, Hurricanes
Ike and Gustav in 2008 and, with respect to such events, our
reliance on loss reports received from cedants and loss
adjustors, our reliance on industry loss estimates and those
generated by modeling techniques, changes in rulings on flood
damage or other exclusions as a result of prevailing lawsuits
and case law;
|
|
|
|
the impact of acts of terrorism and acts of war and related
legislation;
|
|
|
|
decreased demand for our insurance or reinsurance products and
cyclical changes in the insurance and reinsurance sectors;
|
|
|
|
any changes in our reinsurers credit quality and the
amount and timing of reinsurance recoverables;
|
|
|
|
changes in the availability, cost or quality of reinsurance or
retrocessional coverage;
|
|
|
|
the continuing and uncertain impact of the current depressed
lower growth environment in many of the countries in which we
operate;
|
|
|
|
the level of inflation in repair costs due to limited
availability of labor and materials after catastrophes;
|
|
|
|
changes in insurance and reinsurance market conditions;
|
|
|
|
increased competition on the basis of pricing, capacity,
coverage terms or other factors and the related demand and
supply dynamics as contracts come up for renewal;
|
|
|
|
a decline in our Operating Subsidiaries ratings with
S&P, A.M. Best or Moodys;
|
|
|
|
our ability to execute our business plan to enter new markets,
introduce new products and develop new distribution channels,
including their integration into our existing operations;
|
|
|
|
changes in general economic conditions, including inflation,
foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and other
factors that could affect our investment portfolio or our
derivative contracts;
|
|
|
|
the risk of a material decline in the value or liquidity of all
or parts of our investment portfolio;
|
|
|
|
changes in our ability to exercise capital management
initiatives or to arrange banking facilities as a result of
prevailing market changes or changes in our financial position;
|
|
|
|
changes in government regulations or tax laws in jurisdictions
where we conduct business;
|
|
|
|
Aspen Holdings or Aspen Bermuda becoming subject to income taxes
in the United States or the United Kingdom;
|
|
|
|
loss of key personnel; and
|
|
|
|
increased counterparty risk due to the credit impairment of
financial institutions.
|
In addition, any estimates relating to loss events involve the
exercise of considerable judgment and reflect a combination of
ground-up
evaluations, information available to date from brokers and
cedants, market intelligence, initial tentative loss reports and
other sources. Due to the complexity of factors contributing to
losses and the preliminary nature of the information used to
prepare estimates, there can be no assurance that our ultimate
losses will remain within stated amounts.
The foregoing review of important factors should not be
construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with
the other cautionary statements that are included in this
report. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or review
any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new
information, future developments or otherwise or disclose any
difference between our actual results and those reflected in
such statements.
If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties
materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be
incorrect, actual results may vary materially from what we
projected. Any forward-looking statements you read in this
report reflect our current views with respect to future events
and are subject to these and other risks,
71
uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations,
results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. All
subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements
attributable to us or individuals acting on our behalf are
expressly qualified in their entirety by the points made above.
You should specifically consider the factors identified in this
report which could cause actual results to differ before making
an investment decision.
|
|
Item 3.
|
Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
|
Interest rate risk. Our investment portfolio
consists primarily of fixed income securities. Accordingly, our
primary market risk exposure is to changes in interest rates.
Fluctuations in interest rates have a direct impact on the
market valuation of these securities. As interest rates rise,
the market value of our fixed-income portfolio falls, and the
converse is also true. Our strategy for managing interest rate
risk includes maintaining a high quality portfolio with a
relatively short duration to reduce the effect of interest rate
changes on book value. In addition, the Company partially
mitigates its exposure to interest rates by entering into
interest rate swaps with financial institution counterparties in
the ordinary course of its investment activities.
As at September 30, 2011, our fixed income portfolio had an
approximate duration of 3.1 years excluding the impact of
interest-rate swaps. The table below depicts interest rate
change scenarios and the effect on our interest-rate sensitive
invested assets:
Effect
of Changes in Interest Rates on Portfolio Given a Parallel Shift
in the Yield Curve
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Movement in Rates in Basis Points
|
|
-100
|
|
|
-50
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
50
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
|
($ in millions, except percentages)
|
|
|
Market value $ in millions
|
|
$
|
6,481.8
|
|
|
$
|
6,385.2
|
|
|
$
|
6,288.7
|
|
|
$
|
6,192.2
|
|
|
$
|
6,095.6
|
|
Gain/(loss) $ in millions
|
|
|
193.0
|
|
|
|
97.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(97.0
|
)
|
|
|
(193.0
|
)
|
Percentage of portfolio
|
|
|
3.0
|
%
|
|
|
1.5
|
%
|
|
|
|
%
|
|
|
(1.6
|
)%
|
|
|
(3.2
|
)%
|
Equity risk. We have invested in equity
securities which had a fair market value of $163.8 million
at September 30, 2011, equivalent to 2.2% of the total of
investments, cash and cash equivalents at that date. These
equity investments are exposed to equity price risk, defined as
the potential for loss in market value due to a decline in
equity prices. We believe that the effects of diversification
and the relatively small size of our investments in equities
relative to total invested assets mitigate our exposure to
equity price risk.
Foreign currency risk. Our reporting currency
is the U.S. Dollar. The functional currencies of our
operations are U.S. Dollars, British Pounds, Euros,
Canadian Dollars, Swiss Francs, Australian Dollars and
Singaporean Dollars. As of September 30, 2011,
approximately 80% of our cash, cash equivalents and investments
were held in U.S. Dollars, approximately 7% were in British
Pounds and approximately 13% were in other currencies. For the
nine months ended September 30, 2011, approximately 19.0%
of our gross premiums were written in currencies other than the
U.S. Dollar and the British Pound and we expect that a
similar proportion will be written in currencies other than the
U.S. Dollar and the British Pound in the remainder of 2011.
Other foreign currency amounts are re-measured to the
appropriate functional currency and the resulting foreign
exchange gains or losses are reflected in the statement of
operations. Functional currency amounts of assets and
liabilities are then translated into U.S. Dollars. The
unrealized gain or loss from this translation, net of tax, is
recorded as part of shareholders equity. The change in
unrealized foreign currency translation gain or loss during the
period, net of tax, is a component of comprehensive income. Both
the re-measurement and translation are calculated using current
exchange rates for the balance sheets and average exchange rates
for the statement of operations. We may experience exchange
losses to the extent our foreign currency exposure is not
hedged, which in turn would adversely affect our results of
operations and financial condition. Management estimates that a
10% change in the exchange rate between British Pounds and
U.S. Dollars as at September 30, 2011, would have
impacted reported net comprehensive income by approximately
$30.5 million for the nine months ended September 30,
2011.
We manage our foreign currency risk by seeking to match our
liabilities under insurance and reinsurance policies that are
payable in foreign currencies with investments that are
denominated in these currencies. This may involve the use of
forward exchange contracts from time to time. A forward exchange
contract involves an
72
obligation to purchase or sell a specified currency at a future
date at a price set at the time of the contract. Foreign
currency exchange contracts will not eliminate fluctuations in
the value of our assets and liabilities denominated in foreign
currencies but rather allow us to establish a rate of exchange
for a future point in time. All realized gains and losses on
foreign exchange forward contracts are recognized in the
Statements of Operations as changes in fair value of
derivatives. As at September 30, 2011, we held five foreign
currency contracts which had a net gain for the nine months of
$5.8 million (2010 $Nil).
Credit risk. We have exposure to credit risk
primarily as a holder of fixed income securities. Our risk
management strategy and investment policy is to invest in debt
instruments of high credit quality issuers and to limit the
amount of credit exposure with respect to particular ratings
categories, business sectors and any one issuer. As at
September 30, 2011, the average rating of fixed income
securities in our investment portfolio was AA with
the decrease due to S&Ps downgrade of U.S. Government
securities in August 2011. (December 31,
2010 AA+). We also have credit risk
through exposure to our swap counterparties who are Goldman
Sachs Group (senior unsecured rating of A1 by
Moodys & A by S&P) and Credit Agricole
Corporate and Investment Bank (senior unsecured rating of AA3 by
Moodys & long term issuer credit rating of A+ by
S&P).
In addition, we are exposed to the credit risk of our insurance
and reinsurance brokers to whom we make claims payments for our
policyholders, as well as to the credit risk of our reinsurers
and retrocessionaires who assume business from us. Other than
fully collateralized reinsurance the substantial majority of our
reinsurers have a rating of A (Excellent), the third
highest of fifteen rating levels, or better by A.M. Best
and the minimum rating of any of our material reinsurers is
A− (Excellent), the fourth highest of fifteen
rating levels, by A.M. Best.
See Note 8 to the unaudited financial statements for the
three months ended September 30, 2011 above.
The table below shows our reinsurance recoverables as of
September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, and our
reinsurers ratings.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at
|
|
|
As at
|
|
A.M. Best
|
|
September 30, 2011
|
|
|
December 31, 2010
|
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
($ in millions)
|
|
|
A++
|
|
$
|
6.9
|
|
|
$
|
7.5
|
|
A+
|
|
|
86.1
|
|
|
|
74.0
|
|
A
|
|
|
186.7
|
|
|
|
173.5
|
|
A−
|
|
|
13.5
|
|
|
|
15.7
|
|
F(1)
|
|
|
0.6
|
|
|
|
0.7
|
|
Fully collateralized
|
|
|
50.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
Not rated
|
|
|
13.9
|
|
|
|
8.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
357.7
|
|
|
$
|
279.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The A.M. Best rating of F denotes liquidation.
We have not reduced the carrying value of the recoverable from
this particular reinsurer as a trust account exists to replace
the potentially insufficient reserves. |
|
|
Item 4.
|
Controls
and Procedures
|
Evaluation
of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company, under the supervision and with the participation of
the Companys management, including the Companys
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has
evaluated the design and operation of the Companys
disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period
of this report. Our management does not expect that our
disclosure controls or our internal controls will prevent all
errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well
conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not
absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system
are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect
the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits
of controls must be considered relative to their costs. As a
result of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no
evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all
control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the
Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include
the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty,
and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or
mistake.
73
Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual
acts of some persons or by collusion of two or more people. The
design of any system of controls also is based in part upon
certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and
there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in
achieving its stated goals under all potential future
conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of
changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the
policies or procedures may deteriorate. As a result of the
inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system,
misstatement due to error or fraud may occur and not be
detected. Accordingly, our disclosure controls and procedures
are designed to provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance that
the disclosure requirements are met. Based on the evaluation of
the disclosure controls and procedures, the Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the
Companys disclosure controls and procedures were effective
in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in the
reports filed or submitted to the Commission under the Exchange
Act by the Company is recorded, processed, summarized and
reported in a timely fashion, and is accumulated and
communicated to management, including the Companys Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely
decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes
in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The Companys management has performed an evaluation, with
the participation of the Companys Chief Executive Officer
and the Companys Chief Financial Officer, of changes in
the Companys internal control over financial reporting
that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2011.
Based upon that evaluation, the Companys management is not
aware of any change in its internal control over financial
reporting that occurred during the quarter ended
September 30, 2011 that has materially affected, or is
reasonably likely to materially affect, the effectiveness of the
Companys internal control over financial reporting.
PART II
OTHER
INFORMATION
|
|
Item 1.
|
Legal
Proceedings
|
In common with the rest of the insurance and reinsurance
industry, we are subject to litigation and arbitration in the
ordinary course of our business. Such legal proceedings can
arise from our underwriting or general business activities. The
latter would include commercial contractual disputes or
employment matters. Our Operating Subsidiaries are regularly
engaged in the investigation, conduct and defense of disputes,
or potential disputes, resulting from questions of insurance or
reinsurance coverage or claims activities. Pursuant to our
insurance and reinsurance arrangements, many of these disputes
are resolved by arbitration or other forms of alternative
dispute resolution. In some jurisdictions, noticeably the U.S.,
a failure to deal with such disputes or potential disputes in an
appropriate manner could result in an award of bad
faith punitive damages against our Operating Subsidiaries.
Generally, our insurance operations are subject to greater
frequency and diversity of claims and claims related litigation
than our reinsurance operations and, in some jurisdictions, may
subject to direct actions by allegedly injured persons or
entities seeking damages from policy holders.
While any legal or arbitration proceedings contain an element of
uncertainty, we do not believe that the eventual outcome of any
specific litigation, arbitration or alternative dispute
resolution proceedings to which we are currently a party will
have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of our
business as a whole.
There have been no significant changes in the Companys
risk factors as discussed in the Companys Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2010. However, also please
refer to the Cautionary Statement Regarding
Forward-Looking Statements provided elsewhere in this
report.
|
|
Item 2.
|
Unregistered
Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
|
In connection with the options held by the Names Trustee
as described further in Note 12 to our financial
statements, the Names Trustee may exercise the options on
a monthly basis. The options were exercised on a cash
74
and cashless basis at the exercise price as described in
Note 12 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial
statements. As a result, we issued the following unregistered
shares to the Names Trustee and its beneficiaries as
described below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Issued for Options
|
|
|
Purchase
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Exercised on
|
|
|
Price for Cash
|
|
Date Issued
|
|
Shares Issued
|
|
|
Cash Basis
|
|
|
Exercises
|
|
|
July 15, 2011
|
|
|
830
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
August 16, 2011
|
|
|
2,003
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
None of the transactions involved any underwriters, underwriting
discounts or commissions, or any public offering and we believe
that each transaction, if deemed to be a sale of a security, was
exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act
by virtue of Section 4(2) thereof or Regulation S for
offerings of securities outside the United States. Such
securities were restricted as to transfers and appropriate
legends were affixed to the share certificates and instruments
in such transactions.
In addition to the share repurchase program, we purchase shares
offered from time to time by the Names Trustee. On
June 29, 2011, an agreement was signed to repurchase
254,107 shares from the Names Trustee for a total
consideration of $6.4 million. The transaction was
completed on August 10, 2011.
|
|
Item 3.
|
Defaults
Upon Senior Securities
|
None.
|
|
Item 5.
|
Other
Information
|
None.
(a) The following sets forth those exhibits filed pursuant
to Item 601 of
Regulation S-K:
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Description
|
|
|
10
|
.1
|
|
Amended services contract between Aspen Insurance UK Services
Limited and Julian Cusack, dated October 27, 2011, filed
with this report.
|
|
10
|
.2
|
|
Letter of credit facility between Aspen Insurance Limited and
Citibank Europe plc, dated August 12, 2011, filed as
Exhibit 10.1 on Form 8-K on August 15, 2011.
|
|
10
|
.3
|
|
Amendment to Pledge Agreement between Aspen Insurance Limited
and Citibank Europe plc, dated August 12, 2011, filed as
Exhibit 10.2 on Form 8-K on August 15, 2011.
|
|
31
|
.1
|
|
Officer Certification of Christopher OKane, Chief
Executive Officer of Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited, as
adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002, filed with this report.
|
|
31
|
.2
|
|
Officer Certification of Richard Houghton, Chief Financial
Officer of Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited, as adopted pursuant
to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed
with this report.
|
|
32
|
.1
|
|
Officer Certification of Christopher OKane, Chief
Executive Officer of Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited, and
Richard Houghton, Chief Financial Officer of Aspen Insurance
Holdings Limited, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002, submitted with this report.
|
|
101
|
.INS
|
|
XBRL Instance Document submitted with this report
|
|
101
|
.SCH
|
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document submitted with this
report
|
|
101
|
.CAL
|
|
XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document submitted with this
report
|
|
101
|
.PRE
|
|
XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document submitted with this
report
|
75
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of 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.
ASPEN INSURANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
(Registrant)
|
|
|
Date: November 7, 2011
|
|
By: /s/ Christopher
OKane
Christopher
OKane
Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
Date: November 7, 2011
|
|
By: /s/ Richard
Houghton
Richard
Houghton
Chief Financial Officer
|
76