CNA FINANCIAL CORP - Quarter Report: 2008 June (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
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 June 30, 2008
OR
o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number 1-5823
CNA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 36-6169860 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer | |
incorporation or organization) | Identification No.) | |
333 S. Wabash | ||
Chicago, Illinois | 60604 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
(312) 822-5000
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for
such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes þ No o
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 (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
Smaller reporting company o |
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.
Class | Outstanding at July 23, 2008 | |
Common Stock, Par value$2.50 | 269,019,408 |
CNA Financial Corporation
Index
Index
CNA Financial Corporation
Part I. Financial Information
Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
Period ended June 30 | Three months | Six months | ||||||||||||||
(In millions, except per share data) | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||
Revenues |
||||||||||||||||
Net earned premiums |
$ | 1,774 | $ | 1,872 | $ | 3,587 | $ | 3,735 | ||||||||
Net investment income |
576 | 671 | 1,010 | 1,279 | ||||||||||||
Realized investment losses, net of participating policyholders
and minority interests |
(111 | ) | (139 | ) | (162 | ) | (160 | ) | ||||||||
Other revenues |
82 | 65 | 168 | 132 | ||||||||||||
Total revenues |
2,321 | 2,469 | 4,603 | 4,986 | ||||||||||||
Claims, Benefits and Expenses |
||||||||||||||||
Insurance claims and policyholders benefits |
1,472 | 1,473 | 2,861 | 2,921 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs |
360 | 372 | 728 | 753 | ||||||||||||
Other operating expenses |
203 | 260 | 430 | 478 | ||||||||||||
Interest |
33 | 35 | 67 | 69 | ||||||||||||
Total claims, benefits and expenses |
2,068 | 2,140 | 4,086 | 4,221 | ||||||||||||
Income before income tax and minority interest |
253 | 329 | 517 | 765 | ||||||||||||
Income tax expense |
(62 | ) | (91 | ) | (126 | ) | (223 | ) | ||||||||
Minority interest |
(12 | ) | (11 | ) | (24 | ) | (21 | ) | ||||||||
Income from continuing operations |
179 | 227 | 367 | 521 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax
(expense) benefit of $0, $2, $0 and $1 |
2 | (10 | ) | 1 | (8 | ) | ||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 181 | $ | 217 | $ | 368 | $ | 513 | ||||||||
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share |
||||||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations |
$ | 0.66 | $ | 0.84 | $ | 1.36 | $ | 1.92 | ||||||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations |
0.01 | (0.04 | ) | | (0.03 | ) | ||||||||||
Basic and diluted earnings per share available to common stockholders |
$ | 0.67 | $ | 0.80 | $ | 1.36 | $ | 1.89 | ||||||||
Weighted average outstanding common stock and common stock
equivalents |
||||||||||||||||
Basic |
269.0 | 271.6 | 269.9 | 271.5 | ||||||||||||
Diluted |
269.1 | 271.9 | 270.0 | 271.8 | ||||||||||||
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited).
(Unaudited).
3
CNA Financial Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
June 30, | December 31, | ||||||||
(In millions, except share data) | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Assets |
|||||||||
Investments: |
|||||||||
Fixed maturity securities at fair value (amortized cost of $31,991 and $34,388) |
$ | 30,560 | $ | 34,257 | |||||
Equity securities at fair value (cost of $1,504 and $366) |
1,419 | 568 | |||||||
Limited partnership investments |
2,321 | 2,214 | |||||||
Other invested assets |
9 | 73 | |||||||
Short term investments |
5,064 | 4,677 | |||||||
Total investments |
39,373 | 41,789 | |||||||
Cash |
78 | 94 | |||||||
Reinsurance receivables (less allowance for uncollectible receivables of $445 and $461) |
7,797 | 8,228 | |||||||
Insurance receivables (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $282 and $312) |
2,002 | 1,972 | |||||||
Accrued investment income |
324 | 330 | |||||||
Receivables for securities sold and collateral |
767 | 142 | |||||||
Deferred acquisition costs |
1,167 | 1,161 | |||||||
Prepaid reinsurance premiums |
290 | 270 | |||||||
Deferred income taxes |
1,805 | 1,198 | |||||||
Property and equipment at cost (less accumulated depreciation of $617 and $596) |
402 | 378 | |||||||
Goodwill and other intangible assets |
142 | 142 | |||||||
Other assets |
583 | 579 | |||||||
Separate account business |
451 | 476 | |||||||
Total assets |
$ | 55,181 | $ | 56,759 | |||||
Liabilities and Stockholders Equity |
|||||||||
Liabilities: |
|||||||||
Insurance reserves: |
|||||||||
Claim and claim adjustment expenses |
$ | 28,202 | $ | 28,588 | |||||
Unearned premiums |
3,645 | 3,598 | |||||||
Future policy benefits |
7,325 | 7,106 | |||||||
Policyholders funds |
582 | 930 | |||||||
Collateral on loaned securities and derivatives |
| 63 | |||||||
Payables for securities purchased |
489 | 353 | |||||||
Participating policyholders funds |
34 | 45 | |||||||
Short term debt |
200 | 350 | |||||||
Long term debt |
1,807 | 1,807 | |||||||
Federal income taxes payable (includes $30 and $5 due to Loews Corporation) |
24 | 2 | |||||||
Reinsurance balances payable |
373 | 401 | |||||||
Other liabilities |
2,305 | 2,505 | |||||||
Separate account business |
451 | 476 | |||||||
Total liabilities |
45,437 | 46,224 | |||||||
Commitments and contingencies (Notes D, G, H, and J) |
|||||||||
Minority interest |
398 | 385 | |||||||
Stockholders equity: |
|||||||||
Common stock ($2.50 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 273,040,243 shares
issued; and 269,017,057 and 271,662,278 shares outstanding) |
683 | 683 | |||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
2,171 | 2,169 | |||||||
Retained earnings |
7,572 | 7,285 | |||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
(921 | ) | 103 | ||||||
Treasury stock (4,023,186 and 1,377,965 shares), at cost |
(109 | ) | (39 | ) | |||||
9,396 | 10,201 | ||||||||
Notes receivable for the issuance of common stock |
(50 | ) | (51 | ) | |||||
Total stockholders equity |
9,346 | 10,150 | |||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders equity |
$ | 55,181 | $ | 56,759 | |||||
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited).
(Unaudited).
4
CNA Financial Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
Six months ended June 30 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: |
||||||||
Net income |
$ | 368 | $ | 513 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by
operating activities: |
||||||||
(Income) loss from discontinued operations |
(1 | ) | 8 | |||||
Loss on disposal of property and equipment |
| 3 | ||||||
Minority interest |
24 | 21 | ||||||
Deferred income tax (benefit) provision |
(44 | ) | 7 | |||||
Trading securities activity |
351 | (44 | ) | |||||
Realized investment losses, net of participating policyholders and
minority interests |
162 | 160 | ||||||
Undistributed losses (earnings) of equity method investees |
36 | (81 | ) | |||||
Net amortization of bond (discount) premium |
(137 | ) | (132 | ) | ||||
Depreciation |
36 | 28 | ||||||
Changes in: |
||||||||
Receivables, net |
401 | 444 | ||||||
Accrued investment income |
6 | (13 | ) | |||||
Deferred acquisition costs |
(6 | ) | (7 | ) | ||||
Prepaid reinsurance premiums |
(20 | ) | (22 | ) | ||||
Federal income taxes recoverable/payable |
22 | (61 | ) | |||||
Insurance reserves |
(148 | ) | (86 | ) | ||||
Reinsurance balances payable |
(28 | ) | (11 | ) | ||||
Other assets |
(23 | ) | 21 | |||||
Other liabilities |
(190 | ) | (135 | ) | ||||
Other, net |
1 | (47 | ) | |||||
Total adjustments |
442 | 53 | ||||||
Net cash flows provided by operating activities-continuing operations |
$ | 810 | $ | 566 | ||||
Net cash flows provided (used) by operating activities-discontinued operations |
$ | 2 | $ | (25 | ) | |||
Net cash flows provided by operating activities-total |
$ | 812 | $ | 541 | ||||
Cash Flows from Investing Activities: |
||||||||
Purchases of fixed maturity securities |
$ | (28,260 | ) | $ | (33,938 | ) | ||
Proceeds from fixed maturity securities: |
||||||||
Sales |
26,260 | 31,598 | ||||||
Maturities, calls and redemptions |
2,464 | 2,836 | ||||||
Purchases of equity securities |
(133 | ) | (97 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from sales of equity securities |
132 | 109 | ||||||
Change in short term investments |
(430 | ) | (1,215 | ) | ||||
Change in collateral on loaned securities and derivatives |
(63 | ) | 248 | |||||
Change in other investments |
(153 | ) | (89 | ) | ||||
Purchases of property and equipment |
(64 | ) | (87 | ) | ||||
Other, net |
1 | 56 | ||||||
Net cash flows used by investing activities-continuing operations |
$ | (246 | ) | $ | (579 | ) | ||
Net cash flows provided by investing activities-discontinued operations |
$ | 15 | $ | 50 | ||||
Net cash flows used by investing activities-total |
$ | (231 | ) | $ | (529 | ) | ||
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited).
(Unaudited).
5
Six months ended June 30 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||
Cash Flows from Financing Activities: |
||||||||
Dividends paid to stockholders |
(81 | ) | (27 | ) | ||||
Principal payments on debt |
(150 | ) | | |||||
Return of investment contract account balances |
(299 | ) | (57 | ) | ||||
Receipts of investment contract account balances |
2 | 1 | ||||||
Stock options exercised |
1 | 17 | ||||||
Purchase of treasury stock |
(70 | ) | | |||||
Other, net |
3 | 12 | ||||||
Net cash flows used by financing activities-continuing operations |
$ | (594 | ) | $ | (54 | ) | ||
Net cash flows provided by financing activities-discontinued operations |
$ | | $ | | ||||
Net cash flows used by financing activities-total |
$ | (594 | ) | $ | (54 | ) | ||
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash-continuing operations |
(1 | ) | | |||||
Net change in cash |
(14 | ) | (42 | ) | ||||
Net cash transactions from continuing operations to discontinued
operations |
15 | 63 | ||||||
Net cash transactions from discontinued operations to continuing
operations |
(15 | ) | (63 | ) | ||||
Cash, beginning of year |
101 | 124 | ||||||
Cash, end of period |
$ | 87 | $ | 82 | ||||
Cash-continuing operations |
$ | 78 | $ | 80 | ||||
Cash-discontinued operations |
9 | 2 | ||||||
Cash-total |
$ | 87 | $ | 82 | ||||
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited).
(Unaudited).
6
CNA Financial Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders Equity (Unaudited)
Six months ended June 30 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||
Common Stock |
||||||||
Balance, beginning and end of period |
$ | 683 | $ | 683 | ||||
Additional Paid-in Capital |
||||||||
Balance, beginning of period |
2,169 | 2,166 | ||||||
Stock-based compensation |
2 | 1 | ||||||
Balance, end of period |
2,171 | 2,167 | ||||||
Retained Earnings |
||||||||
Balance, beginning of period |
7,285 | 6,486 | ||||||
Adjustment to initially apply FASB Staff Position Technical
Bulletin No. 85-4-1, Accounting for Life Settlement
Contracts by Third-Party Investors, net of tax |
| 38 | ||||||
Adjustment
to initially apply FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting
for Uncertainty in Income Taxes an interpretation of FASB
No. 109 |
| 5 | ||||||
Adjusted balance, beginning of period |
7,285 | 6,529 | ||||||
Dividends paid to stockholders |
(81 | ) | (27 | ) | ||||
Net income |
368 | 513 | ||||||
Balance, end of period |
7,572 | 7,015 | ||||||
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income |
||||||||
Balance, beginning of period |
103 | 549 | ||||||
Other comprehensive loss |
(1,024 | ) | (314 | ) | ||||
Balance, end of period |
(921 | ) | 235 | |||||
Treasury Stock |
||||||||
Balance, beginning of period |
(39 | ) | (58 | ) | ||||
Purchase of treasury stock |
(70 | ) | | |||||
Stock options exercised and other |
| 19 | ||||||
Balance, end of period |
(109 | ) | (39 | ) | ||||
Notes Receivable for the Issuance of Common Stock |
||||||||
Balance, beginning of period |
(51 | ) | (58 | ) | ||||
Decrease in notes receivable for the issuance of common
stock |
1 | 8 | ||||||
Balance, end of period |
(50 | ) | (50 | ) | ||||
Total Stockholders Equity |
$ | 9,346 | $ | 10,011 | ||||
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited).
(Unaudited).
7
CNA Financial Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Note A. Basis of Presentation
The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) include the accounts of CNA Financial
Corporation (CNAF) and its controlled subsidiaries. Collectively, CNAF and its subsidiaries are
referred to as CNA or the Company. CNAs property and casualty and the remaining life & group
insurance operations are primarily conducted by Continental Casualty Company (CCC), The Continental
Insurance Company (CIC) and Continental Assurance Company (CAC). Loews Corporation (Loews) owned
approximately 90% of the outstanding common stock of CNAF as of June 30, 2008.
The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Certain financial
information that is normally included in annual financial statements, including certain financial
statement notes, prepared in accordance with GAAP, is not required for interim reporting purposes
and has been condensed or omitted. These statements should be read in conjunction with the
Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in CNAFs Form 10-K filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the year ended December 31, 2007, as amended by Form
10-K/A, which amended Part I, Item 1 of Form 10-K (Form 10-K). The preparation of Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results may
differ from those estimates.
The interim financial data as of June 30, 2008 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008
and 2007 is unaudited. However, in the opinion of management, the interim data includes all
adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair statement of the
Companys results for the interim periods. The results of operations for the interim periods are
not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. All significant
intercompany amounts have been eliminated.
Note B. Accounting Pronouncements
Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Staff Position (FSP) FIN 39-1, Amendment of FASB
Interpretation (FIN) No. 39
(FIN 39-1)
(FIN 39-1)
In April 2007, the FASB issued FIN 39-1, which amends FIN 39, Offsetting of Amounts Related to
Certain Contracts (FIN 39), by permitting a reporting entity to offset fair value amounts
recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral or the obligation to return cash collateral
against fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments executed with the same
counterparty under the same master netting arrangement that have been offset in the statement of
financial position in accordance with FIN 39. Additionally, FIN 39-1 requires that a reporting
entity shall not offset fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments without offsetting
fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral or the obligation to return
cash collateral.
The Company adopted FIN 39-1 in 2008, by electing to not offset cash collateral amounts recognized
for derivative instruments under the same master netting arrangements and as a result will no
longer offset fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments. The Company presented the
effect of adopting FIN 39-1 as a change in accounting principle through retrospective application.
The effect on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 was an
increase of $5 million and $27 million in Other invested assets and Other liabilities. The
Companys adoption of FIN 39-1 had no impact on the Companys financial condition or results of
operations as of or for the six months ended June 30, 2008.
8
Note C. Earnings Per Share
Earnings per share available to common stockholders is based on weighted average outstanding
shares. Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income
attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for
the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if
securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock.
Approximately 1 million shares, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, and approximately
300 thousand shares, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, attributable to exercises
under stock-based employee compensation plans, were excluded from the calculation of diluted
earnings per share because they were antidilutive.
The computation of earnings per share is as follows.
Earnings Per Share
Period ended June 30 | Three Months | Six Months | ||||||||||||||
(In millions, except per share amounts) | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations
available to common stockholders |
$ | 179 | $ | 227 | $ | 367 | $ | 521 | ||||||||
Weighted average outstanding common
stock and common stock equivalents |
269.0 | 271.6 | 269.9 | 271.5 | ||||||||||||
Effect of dilutive securities,
employee stock options and
appreciation rights |
0.1 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.3 | ||||||||||||
Adjusted weighted average outstanding
common stock and common stock
equivalents assuming conversions |
269.1 | 271.9 | 270.0 | 271.8 | ||||||||||||
Basic and diluted earnings per share
from continuing operations available
to common stockholders |
$ | 0.66 | $ | 0.84 | $ | 1.36 | $ | 1.92 | ||||||||
Dividends declared per common share |
$ | 0.15 | $ | 0.10 | $ | 0.30 | $ | 0.10 | ||||||||
9
Note D. Investments
The significant components of net investment income are presented in the following table.
Net Investment Income
Period ended June 30 | Three Months | Six Months | ||||||||||||||
(In millions) | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities |
$ | 476 | $ | 526 | $ | 994 | $ | 1,022 | ||||||||
Short term investments |
26 | 39 | 65 | 89 | ||||||||||||
Limited partnerships |
46 | 71 | 7 | 123 | ||||||||||||
Equity securities |
39 | 6 | 44 | 11 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) from trading portfolio (a) |
(4 | ) | 40 | (81 | ) | 43 | ||||||||||
Other |
5 | 12 | 11 | 22 | ||||||||||||
Gross investment income |
588 | 694 | 1,040 | 1,310 | ||||||||||||
Investment expense |
(12 | ) | (23 | ) | (30 | ) | (31 | ) | ||||||||
Net investment income |
$ | 576 | $ | 671 | $ | 1,010 | $ | 1,279 | ||||||||
(a) | The change in net unrealized gains (losses) on trading securities included in net investment income was $(2) million and $(15) million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and $1 million and $3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007. |
The components of realized investment results for available-for-sale securities are presented in
the following table.
Realized Investment Gains (Losses)
Period ended June 30 | Three Months | Six Months | ||||||||||||||
(In millions) | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities: |
||||||||||||||||
U.S. Government bonds |
$ | (46 | ) | $ | (96 | ) | $ | (14 | ) | $ | (94 | ) | ||||
Corporate and other taxable bonds |
(8 | ) | (50 | ) | (39 | ) | (25 | ) | ||||||||
Tax-exempt bonds |
10 | (42 | ) | 50 | (53 | ) | ||||||||||
Asset-backed bonds |
(118 | ) | (77 | ) | (157 | ) | (110 | ) | ||||||||
Redeemable preferred stock |
4 | (1 | ) | | (1 | ) | ||||||||||
Total fixed maturity securities |
(158 | ) | (266 | ) | (160 | ) | (283 | ) | ||||||||
Equity securities |
(14 | ) | 11 | (29 | ) | 14 | ||||||||||
Derivative securities |
56 | 115 | 12 | 107 | ||||||||||||
Short term investments |
5 | | 7 | | ||||||||||||
Other |
| 1 | 8 | 2 | ||||||||||||
Realized investment losses, net of
participating policyholders and
minority interests |
$ | (111 | ) | $ | (139 | ) | $ | (162 | ) | $ | (160 | ) | ||||
For the three months ended June 30, 2008, other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) losses of $170
million were recorded primarily in the asset-backed bonds sector. This compared to OTTI losses for
the three months ended June 30, 2007 of $176 million recorded primarily in the corporate and other
taxable bonds, asset-backed bonds and U.S. Government bonds sectors. Realized investment losses
for the six months ended June 30, 2008 included OTTI losses of $256 million, recorded primarily in
the asset-backed bonds sector. This compared to OTTI losses for the six months ended June 30, 2007
of $263 million recorded primarily in the corporate and other taxable bonds, asset-backed bonds and
U.S. Government bonds sectors. The OTTI losses for 2008 were primarily driven by credit issue
related OTTI losses. These OTTI losses were driven mainly by credit market conditions and the
continued disruption caused by issues surrounding the sub-prime residential mortgage (sub-prime)
crisis.
10
The Companys investment policies emphasize high credit quality and diversification by industry,
issuer and issue. Assets supporting interest rate sensitive liabilities are segmented within the
general account to facilitate asset/liability duration management.
The following tables provide a summary of fixed maturity and equity securities investments. In
2008, the Company re-evaluated its classification of preferred stocks between redeemable and
non-redeemable and determined that certain securities that were previously classified as redeemable
preferred stock have characteristics similar to equities. These securities are presented as
preferred stock securities included in Equity securities beginning with the June 30, 2008 Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Summary of Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities
Cost or | Gross | Gross Unrealized Losses | Estimated | |||||||||||||||||
Amortized | Unrealized | Less than | 12 Months | Fair | ||||||||||||||||
June 30, 2008 | Cost | Gains | 12 Months | or Greater | Value | |||||||||||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: |
||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations
of government agencies |
$ | 597 | $ | 92 | $ | 1 | $ | 1 | $ | 687 | ||||||||||
Asset-backed securities |
10,695 | 69 | 328 | 524 | 9,912 | |||||||||||||||
States, municipalities and political
subdivisions tax-exempt securities |
7,153 | 46 | 255 | 111 | 6,833 | |||||||||||||||
Corporate bonds |
9,690 | 170 | 389 | 144 | 9,327 | |||||||||||||||
Other debt securities |
3,756 | 100 | 131 | 24 | 3,701 | |||||||||||||||
Redeemable preferred stock |
49 | 1 | 1 | | 49 | |||||||||||||||
Total fixed maturity securities
available-for-sale |
31,940 | 478 | 1,105 | 804 | 30,509 | |||||||||||||||
Total fixed maturity securities trading |
51 | | | | 51 | |||||||||||||||
Equity securities available-for-sale: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock |
247 | 210 | 9 | 1 | 447 | |||||||||||||||
Preferred stock |
1,257 | | 177 | 108 | 972 | |||||||||||||||
Total equity securities available-for-sale |
1,504 | 210 | 186 | 109 | 1,419 | |||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 33,495 | $ | 688 | $ | 1,291 | $ | 913 | $ | 31,979 | ||||||||||
11
Summary of Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities
Cost or | Gross | Gross Unrealized Losses | Estimated | |||||||||||||||||
Amortized | Unrealized | Less than | 12 Months | Fair | ||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2007 | Cost | Gains | 12 Months | or Greater | Value | |||||||||||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: |
||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations
of government agencies |
$ | 594 | $ | 93 | $ | | $ | | $ | 687 | ||||||||||
Asset-backed securities |
11,776 | 39 | 223 | 183 | 11,409 | |||||||||||||||
States, municipalities and political
subdivisions tax-exempt securities |
7,615 | 144 | 82 | 2 | 7,675 | |||||||||||||||
Corporate bonds |
8,867 | 246 | 149 | 12 | 8,952 | |||||||||||||||
Other debt securities |
4,143 | 208 | 48 | 4 | 4,299 | |||||||||||||||
Redeemable preferred stock |
1,216 | 2 | 160 | | 1,058 | |||||||||||||||
Total fixed maturity securities
available-for-sale |
34,211 | 732 | 662 | 201 | 34,080 | |||||||||||||||
Total fixed maturity securities trading |
177 | | | | 177 | |||||||||||||||
Equity securities available-for-sale: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock |
246 | 207 | 1 | | 452 | |||||||||||||||
Preferred stock |
120 | 7 | 11 | | 116 | |||||||||||||||
Total equity securities available-for-sale |
366 | 214 | 12 | | 568 | |||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 34,754 | $ | 946 | $ | 674 | $ | 201 | $ | 34,825 | ||||||||||
12
The
following table summarizes, for fixed income securities, preferred stocks
and common stocks available-for-sale in an
unrealized loss position at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the aggregate fair value and gross
unrealized loss by length of time those securities have been continuously in an unrealized loss
position.
Unrealized Loss Aging
June 30, 2008 | December 31, 2007 | |||||||||||||||
Gross | Gross | |||||||||||||||
Estimated | Unrealized | Estimated | Unrealized | |||||||||||||
Fair Value | Loss | Fair Value | Loss | |||||||||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||||||||||
Fixed income securities: |
||||||||||||||||
Investment grade: |
||||||||||||||||
0-6 months |
$ | 11,981 | $ | 628 | $ | 4,771 | $ | 228 | ||||||||
7-12 months |
2,543 | 431 | 1,584 | 193 | ||||||||||||
13-24 months |
1,477 | 346 | 690 | 57 | ||||||||||||
Greater than 24 months |
2,057 | 244 | 3,869 | 138 | ||||||||||||
Total investment grade |
18,058 | 1,649 | 10,914 | 616 | ||||||||||||
Non-investment grade: |
||||||||||||||||
0-6 months |
1,012 | 70 | 1,527 | 73 | ||||||||||||
7-12 months |
1,262 | 149 | 125 | 8 | ||||||||||||
13-24 months |
147 | 36 | 26 | 4 | ||||||||||||
Greater than 24 months |
8 | 4 | 9 | 2 | ||||||||||||
Total non-investment grade |
2,429 | 259 | 1,687 | 87 | ||||||||||||
Total fixed income securities |
20,487 | 1,908 | 12,601 | 703 | ||||||||||||
Redeemable and non-redeemable preferred stocks: |
||||||||||||||||
0-6 months |
127 | 14 | 893 | 143 | ||||||||||||
7-12 months |
745 | 237 | 104 | 28 | ||||||||||||
13-24 months |
96 | 35 | | | ||||||||||||
Greater than 24 months |
| | | | ||||||||||||
Total preferred stocks |
968 | 286 | 997 | 171 | ||||||||||||
Common stocks: |
||||||||||||||||
0-6 months |
33 | 9 | 34 | 1 | ||||||||||||
7-12 months |
13 | 1 | 1 | | ||||||||||||
13-24 months |
| | | | ||||||||||||
Greater than 24 months |
3 | | 3 | | ||||||||||||
Total common stocks |
49 | 10 | 38 | 1 | ||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 21,504 | $ | 2,204 | $ | 13,636 | $ | 875 | ||||||||
At June 30, 2008, the fair value of the general account fixed maturities was $30,560 million,
representing 78% of the total investment portfolio. The unrealized position associated with the
fixed maturity portfolio included $1,909 million in gross unrealized losses, consisting of
asset-backed securities which represented 45%, corporate bonds which represented 28%, tax-exempt
bonds which represented 19%, and all other fixed maturity securities which represented 8%. The
gross unrealized loss for any single issuer was no greater than 0.2% of the carrying value of the
total general account fixed maturity portfolio. The total fixed maturity portfolio gross
unrealized losses included 2,095 securities which were, in aggregate, approximately 9% below
amortized cost.
Given the current facts and circumstances, the Company has determined that the securities presented
in the above unrealized gain/loss tables were temporarily impaired when evaluated at June 30, 2008
or December 31, 2007, and therefore no related realized losses were recorded. A discussion of some
of the factors reviewed in making that determination as of June 30, 2008 is presented below.
13
Asset-Backed Securities
The unrealized losses on the Companys investments in asset-backed securities were caused by a
combination of factors related to the market disruption caused by credit concerns surrounding the
sub-prime issue, but also extended into other asset-backed securities in the market and
specifically in the Companys portfolio.
The majority of the holdings in this category are collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs)
typically collateralized with prime residential mortgages and corporate asset-backed structured
securities. The holdings in these sectors include 624 securities in a gross unrealized loss
position aggregating $849 million. Of these securities in a gross unrealized loss position, 54%
are rated AAA, 19% are rated AA, 23% are rated A and 4% are rated BBB or lower. The aggregate
severity of the unrealized loss was approximately 10% of amortized cost. The contractual cash
flows on the asset-backed structured securities are passed through, but may be structured into
classes of preference. The structured securities held are generally secured by over
collateralization or default protection provided by subordinated tranches. Within this category,
securities subject to Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 99-20, Recognition of
Interest Income and Impairment on Purchased and Retained Beneficial Interests in Securitized
Financial Assets (EITF 99-20), are monitored for significant adverse changes in cash flow
projections. If there are adverse changes in cash flows, the amount of accretable yield is
prospectively adjusted and an OTTI loss is recognized. As of June 30, 2008, there was no adverse
change in estimated cash flows noted for the securities in an unrealized loss position held subject
to EITF 99-20, which have a gross unrealized loss of $214 million. The Company received $53
million of principal repayments on these securities consistent with the cash flow expectations.
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, there were OTTI losses of $128 million and $179
million recorded on asset-backed securities, $118 million and $133 million of which related to
specific EITF 99-20 securities for which the most recent evaluation did show an adverse change in
cash flows.
The remainder of the holdings in this category includes mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by an
agency of the U.S. Government. There were 186 agency mortgage-backed pass-through securities and 3
agency CMOs in an unrealized loss position aggregating $3 million as of June 30, 2008. The
cumulative unrealized losses on these securities was approximately 4% of amortized cost. These
securities do not tend to be influenced by the credit of the issuer but rather the characteristics
and projected cash flows of the underlying collateral.
The Company believes the decline in fair value was primarily attributable to the market disruption
caused by sub-prime related issues and other temporary market conditions and is not indicative of
the quality of the underlying collateral. Because the Company has the ability and intent to hold
these investments until an anticipated recovery of fair value, which may be maturity, the Company
considers these investments to be temporarily impaired at June 30, 2008.
States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions Tax-Exempt Securities
The unrealized losses on the Companys investments in municipal securities were caused primarily by
changes in credit spreads, and to a lesser extent, changes in interest rates. The Company invests
in municipal securities as an asset class for economic benefits of the returns on the class
compared to like after-tax returns on alternative classes. The holdings in this category include
584 securities in a gross unrealized loss position aggregating $366 million with all of these
unrealized losses related to investment grade securities (rated BBB- or higher) where the cash
flows are supported by the credit of the issuer. The aggregate severity of the unrealized losses
was approximately 7% of amortized cost. Because the Company has the ability and intent to hold
these investments until an anticipated recovery of fair value, which may be maturity, the Company
considers these investments to be temporarily impaired at June 30, 2008. For the three and six
months ended June 30, 2008, there were no OTTI losses recorded on municipal securities.
14
Corporate Bonds
The holdings in this category include 545 securities in a gross unrealized loss position
aggregating $533 million. Of the unrealized losses in this category, 59% relate to securities
rated as investment grade. The total holdings in this category are diversified across 11 industry
sectors. The aggregate severity of the unrealized losses were approximately 8% of amortized cost.
Within corporate bonds, the industry sectors with the largest gross unrealized losses were
financial, consumer cyclical, communications and industrial, which as a percentage of total gross
unrealized losses were approximately 39%, 21%, 11% and 8% at June 30, 2008. The decline in fair
value was primarily attributable to deterioration in the broader credit markets that resulted in
widening of credit spreads over risk free rates and macro conditions in certain sectors that the
market viewed as out of favor. Because the decline was not related to specific credit quality
issues, and because the Company has the ability and intent to hold these investments until an
anticipated recovery of fair value, which may be maturity, the Company considers these investments
to be temporarily impaired at June 30, 2008. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2008,
there were OTTI losses of $22 million and $32 million recorded on corporate bonds.
Preferred Stock
The unrealized losses on the Companys investments in preferred stock were caused by similar
factors as those that affected the Companys corporate bond portfolio. Approximately 70% of the
gross unrealized losses in this category come from securities issued by financial institutions, 27%
from government agency issued securities and 3% from utilities. The holdings in this category
include 48 securities in a gross unrealized loss position aggregating $286 million. Of these
securities in a gross unrealized loss position, 27% are rated AA, 39% are rated A, 29% are rated
BBB and 5% are rated lower than BBB. The Company believes the holdings in this category have been
adversely impacted by changes in short term interest rates and significant credit spread widening
brought on by a combination of factors in the capital markets. Many of the securities in this
category are related to the banking and mortgage industries and are experiencing what the Company
believes to be temporarily depressed valuations. Because the Company has the ability and intent to
hold these investments until an anticipated recovery of fair value, the Company considers these
investments to be temporarily impaired at June 30, 2008. For the three and six months ended June
30, 2008, there were OTTI losses of $3 million and $8 million recorded on preferred stock.
Investment Commitments
As of June 30, 2008, the Company had committed approximately $528 million to future capital calls
from various third-party limited partnership investments in exchange for an ownership interest in
the related partnerships.
The Company invests in multiple bank loan participations as part of its overall investment strategy
and has committed to additional future purchases and sales. The purchase and sale of these
investments are recorded on the date that the legal agreements are finalized and cash settlement is
made. As of June 30, 2008, the Company had commitments to purchase $47 million and sell $2 million
of various bank loan participations. When loan participation purchases are settled and recorded
they may contain both funded and unfunded amounts. An unfunded loan represents an obligation by
the Company to provide additional amounts under the terms of the loan participation. The funded
portions are reflected on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, while any unfunded amounts are
not recorded until a draw is made under the loan facility. As of June 30, 2008, the Company had
obligations on unfunded bank loan participations in the amount of $17 million.
15
Note E. Derivative Financial Instruments
A summary of the recognized gains (losses) related to derivative financial instruments held at June
30, 2008 and 2007 follows.
Recognized Gains (Losses)
Three Months | Six Months | |||||||||||||||
Period ended June 30 | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||||||||||
General account |
||||||||||||||||
Without hedge designation |
||||||||||||||||
Swaps |
$ | 26 | $ | 115 | $ | 4 | $ | 108 | ||||||||
Futures sold, not yet purchased |
32 | | 11 | | ||||||||||||
Currency forwards |
1 | | | (1 | ) | |||||||||||
Commitments to purchase government and municipal securities (TBAs) |
| 1 | | 1 | ||||||||||||
Equity warrants |
(2 | ) | | (2 | ) | | ||||||||||
Trading activities |
||||||||||||||||
Futures purchased |
(6 | ) | 32 | (78 | ) | 27 | ||||||||||
Futures sold, not yet purchased |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||
Currency forwards |
| (1 | ) | 1 | (1 | ) | ||||||||||
Total |
$ | 52 | $ | 148 | $ | (63 | ) | $ | 135 | |||||||
A summary of the aggregate contractual or notional amounts and gross estimated fair values related
to derivative financial instruments follows. The contractual or notional amounts for derivatives
are used to calculate the exchange of contractual payments under the agreements and are not
representative of the potential for gain or loss on these instruments.
Derivative Financial Instruments
Contractual/ | ||||||||||||
Notional | Estimated Fair Value | |||||||||||
June 30, 2008 | Amount | Asset | (Liability) | |||||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||||||
General account |
||||||||||||
Without hedge designation |
||||||||||||
Swaps |
$ | 1,034 | $ | 5 | $ | (72 | ) | |||||
Futures sold, not yet purchased |
231 | 1 | | |||||||||
Currency forwards |
14 | | | |||||||||
Equity warrants |
4 | | | |||||||||
Trading activities |
||||||||||||
Futures purchased |
339 | | | |||||||||
Futures sold, not yet purchased |
2 | | | |||||||||
Total general account |
$ | 1,624 | $ | 6 | $ | (72 | ) | |||||
16
Derivative Financial Instruments
Contractual/ | ||||||||||||
Notional | Estimated Fair Value | |||||||||||
December 31, 2007 | Amount | Asset | (Liability) | |||||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||||||
General account |
||||||||||||
Without hedge designation |
||||||||||||
Swaps |
$ | 1,605 | $ | 62 | $ | (62 | ) | |||||
Equity warrants |
4 | 2 | | |||||||||
Options embedded in convertible debt securities |
3 | | | |||||||||
Trading activities |
||||||||||||
Futures purchased |
791 | | (4 | ) | ||||||||
Futures sold, not yet purchased |
135 | | | |||||||||
Currency forwards |
44 | 2 | (1 | ) | ||||||||
Total general account |
$ | 2,582 | $ | 66 | $ | (67 | ) | |||||
The Company does not offset its derivative positions against the fair value of the collateral
provided or collateral received. The fair value of collateral provided, consisting primarily of
cash, was $66 million and $64 million at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007. The fair value of
collateral received, consisting primarily of cash, was $10 million at December 31, 2007. The
Company held no collateral at June 30, 2008.
Options embedded in convertible debt securities are classified as Fixed maturity securities on the
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, consistent with the host instruments.
17
Note F. Fair Value
Fair value is the price that would be received upon sale of an asset or paid to transfer a
liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The
following fair value hierarchy is used in selecting inputs, with the highest priority given to
Level 1, as these are the most transparent or reliable.
Level 1 Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
Level 2 Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or
similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all
significant inputs are observable in active markets.
Level 3 Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are
unobservable.
The Company is responsible for the valuation process and seeks to obtain quoted market prices for
all securities. When quoted market prices are not available, the Company uses a number of
methodologies, including discounted cash flow models, prices from recently
executed transactions of similar securities, or broker/dealer quotes utilizing market
observable information to the extent possible to establish fair value estimates. In conjunction
with modeling activities, the Company may use external data as inputs. The modeled inputs are
consistent with observable market information, when available, or with the Companys assumptions as
to what market participants would use to value the securities. As further validation of the
Companys valuation process, the Company samples its past fair value estimates and compares the
valuations to actual transactions executed in the market on similar dates.
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below.
Total | ||||||||||||||||
Assets/(Liabilities) | ||||||||||||||||
June 30, 2008 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | at fair value | ||||||||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||||||||||
Assets |
||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities |
$ | 543 | $ | 26,804 | $ | 3,213 | $ | 30,560 | ||||||||
Equity securities |
1,056 | 102 | 261 | 1,419 | ||||||||||||
Derivative financial instruments, included in Other invested
assets |
| | 5 | 5 | ||||||||||||
Short term investments |
2,053 | 3,011 | | 5,064 | ||||||||||||
Life settlement contracts, included in Other assets |
| | 118 | 118 | ||||||||||||
Discontinued operations investments, included in Other assets |
36 | 111 | 23 | 170 | ||||||||||||
Separate account business |
42 | 359 | 45 | 446 | ||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 3,730 | $ | 30,387 | $ | 3,665 | $ | 37,782 | ||||||||
Liabilities |
||||||||||||||||
Derivative financial instruments, included in Other liabilities |
$ | | $ | | $ | (72 | ) | $ | (72 | ) | ||||||
Total liabilities |
$ | | $ | | $ | (72 | ) | $ | (72 | ) | ||||||
18
The table below presents a reconciliation for all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on
a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), and presents changes in
unrealized gains or losses recorded in net income for the three months ended June 30, 2008 for
Level 3 assets and liabilities.
Net realized | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
investment gains | Unrealized | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net realized | (losses) and net | gains (losses) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
investment gains | change in | recorded in | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(losses) and net | unrealized | net income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
change in unrealized | appreciation | Purchases, | on level 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
appreciation | (depreciation) | sales, | assets and | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(depreciation) | included in other | issuances | Net transfers | Balance at | liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at | included in net | comprehensive | and | in (out) of | June 30, | held at June | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Level 3 | April 1, 2008 | income* | income | settlements | level 3 | 2008 | 30, 2008* | |||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities |
$ | 2,245 | $ | (85 | ) | $ | (55 | ) | $ | 89 | $ | 1,019 | $ | 3,213 | $ | (91 | ) | |||||||||||
Equity securities |
193 | | (2 | ) | 48 | 22 | 261 | (2 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Derivative
financial instruments, net |
(82 | ) | 23 | | (8 | ) | | (67 | ) | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||
Short term investments |
85 | | | | (85 | ) | | | ||||||||||||||||||||
Life settlement contracts |
118 | 12 | | (12 | ) | | 118 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Discontinued operations investments |
41 | | | (1 | ) | (17 | ) | 23 | | |||||||||||||||||||
Separate account business |
47 | | (4 | ) | 2 | | 45 | | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 2,647 | $ | (50 | ) | $ | (61 | ) | $ | 118 | $ | 939 | $ | 3,593 | $ | (77 | ) | |||||||||||
The table below presents a reconciliation for all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on
a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), and presents changes in
unrealized gains or losses recorded in net income for the six months ended June 30, 2008 for Level
3 assets and liabilities.
Net realized | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
investment gains | Unrealized | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net realized | (losses) and net | gains (losses) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
investment gains | change in | recorded in | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(losses) and net | unrealized | net income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
change in unrealized | appreciation | Purchases, | on level 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
appreciation | (depreciation) | sales, | assets and | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at | (depreciation) | included other | issuances | Net transfers | Balance at | liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||
January 1, | included in net | comprehensive | and | in (out) of | June 30, | held at June | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Level 3 | 2008 | income* | income | settlements | level 3 | 2008 | 30, 2008* | |||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities |
$ | 2,684 | $ | (123 | ) | $ | (270 | ) | $ | 84 | $ | 838 | $ | 3,213 | $ | (135 | ) | |||||||||||
Equity securities |
196 | (2 | ) | (3 | ) | 48 | 22 | 261 | (4 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Derivative
financial instruments, net |
2 | 1 | | (70 | ) | | (67 | ) | (69 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Short term investments |
85 | | | | (85 | ) | | | ||||||||||||||||||||
Life settlement contracts |
115 | 30 | | (27 | ) | | 118 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Discontinued operations investments |
42 | | | (2 | ) | (17 | ) | 23 | | |||||||||||||||||||
Separate account business |
30 | | (4 | ) | (1 | ) | 20 | 45 | | |||||||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 3,154 | $ | (94 | ) | $ | (277 | ) | $ | 32 | $ | 778 | $ | 3,593 | $ | (203 | ) | |||||||||||
19
* Net realized and unrealized gains and losses shown above are reported in net income as follows:
Major Category of Assets and Liabilities | Consolidated Statement of Operations Line Items | |
Fixed maturity securities
|
Net investment income and Realized investment gains (losses) | |
Equity securities
|
Realized investment gains (losses) | |
Derivative financial instruments (Assets)
|
Realized investment gains (losses) | |
Life settlement contracts
|
Other revenues | |
Derivative financial instruments (Liabilities)
|
Realized investment gains (losses) |
Securities transferred into Level 3 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 relate
primarily to tax-exempt auction rate certificates, included within Fixed maturity securities.
These were previously valued using observable prices for similar securities, but due to decreased
market liquidity, fair value is determined by cash flow models using market observable and
unobservable inputs.
The following section describes the valuation methodologies used to measure different financial
instruments at fair value, including an indication of the level in the fair value hierarchy in
which the instrument is generally classified.
Fixed Maturity Securities
Level 1 securities include highly liquid government bonds for which quoted market prices are
available. The remaining fixed maturity securities are valued using pricing for similar
securities, recently executed transactions, cash flow models with yield curves, broker/dealer
quotes and other pricing models utilizing observable inputs. The valuation for most fixed income
securities, excluding government bonds, is classified as Level 2. Securities within Level 2
include certain corporate bonds, municipal bonds, asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed
pass-through securities and redeemable preferred stock. Securities are generally assigned to Level
3 in cases where broker/dealer quotes are significant inputs to the valuation and there is a lack
of transparency as to whether these quotes are based on information that is observable in the
marketplace. Level 3 securities include certain corporate bonds, asset-backed securities,
municipal bonds and redeemable preferred stock.
Equity Securities
Level 1 securities include publicly traded securities valued using quoted market prices. Level 2
securities are primarily non-redeemable preferred securities and common stocks valued using pricing
for similar securities, recently executed transactions, broker/dealer quotes and other pricing
models utilizing observable inputs.
Level 3
securities include one equity security, which represents 68% of the total, in an entity
which is not publicly traded and is valued based on a discounted cash flow analysis model, which is
adjusted for the Companys assumption regarding an inherent lack of liquidity in the security. The
remaining non-redeemable preferred stocks and equity securities are primarily valued using inputs
including broker/dealer quotes for which there is a lack of transparency as to whether these quotes
are based on information that is observable in the marketplace.
Derivative Financial Instruments
Exchange traded derivatives are valued using quoted market prices and are classified within Level 1
of the fair value hierarchy. Over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, principally credit default swaps,
currency forwards and options, represent the present value of amounts estimated to be received from
or paid to a marketplace participant in settlement of these instruments. They are valued using
inputs including broker/dealer quotes and are classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy
due to a lack of transparency as to whether these quotes are based on information that is
observable in the marketplace.
20
Short Term Investments
The valuation of securities that are actively traded or have quoted prices are classified as Level
1. These securities include money market funds and treasury bills. Level 2 includes commercial
paper, for which all inputs are observable.
Life Settlement Contracts
The fair values of life settlement contracts are estimated using discounted cash flows based on the
Companys own assumptions for mortality, premium expense, and the rate of return that a buyer would
require on the contracts, as no comparable market pricing data is available.
Discontinued Operations Investments
Assets relating to CNAs discontinued operations include fixed maturity securities, equities and
short term investments. The valuation methodologies for these asset types have been described
above.
Separate Account Business
Separate account business includes fixed maturity securities, equities and short term investments.
The valuation methodologies for these asset types have been described above.
21
Note G. Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves
CNAs property and casualty insurance claim and claim adjustment expense reserves represent the
estimated amounts necessary to resolve all outstanding claims, including claims that are incurred
but not reported (IBNR) as of the reporting date. The Companys reserve projections are based
primarily on detailed analysis of the facts in each case, CNAs experience with similar cases and
various historical development patterns. Consideration is given to such historical patterns as
field reserving trends and claims settlement practices, loss payments, pending levels of unpaid
claims and product mix, as well as court decisions, economic conditions and public attitudes. All
of these factors can affect the estimation of claim and claim adjustment expense reserves.
Establishing claim and claim adjustment expense reserves, including claim and claim adjustment
expense reserves for catastrophic events that have occurred, is an estimation process. Many
factors can ultimately affect the final settlement of a claim and, therefore, the necessary
reserve. Changes in the law, results of litigation, medical costs, the cost of repair materials
and labor rates can all affect ultimate claim costs. In addition, time can be a critical part of
reserving determinations since the longer the span between the incidence of a loss and the payment
or settlement of the claim, the more variable the ultimate settlement amount can be. Accordingly,
short-tail claims, such as property damage claims, tend to be more reasonably estimable than
long-tail claims, such as general liability and professional liability claims. Adjustments to
prior year reserve estimates, if necessary, are reflected in the results of operations in the
period that the need for such adjustments is determined.
Catastrophes are an inherent risk of the property and casualty insurance business and have
contributed to material period-to-period fluctuations in the Companys results of operations and/or
equity. Catastrophe losses related to events occurring for the three and six months ended June 30,
2008, net of reinsurance, were $47 million and $100 million. Catastrophe losses in 2008 related
primarily to storms, floods, and tornadoes. Catastrophe losses related to events occurring for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2007, net of reinsurance, were $12 million and $44 million.
Catastrophe losses in 2007 related primarily to tornadoes, floods and winter storms. There can be
no assurance that CNAs ultimate cost for catastrophes will not exceed current estimates.
The following provides discussion of the Companys Asbestos and Environmental Pollution (A&E)
reserves.
A&E Reserves
CNAs property and casualty insurance subsidiaries have actual and potential exposures related to
A&E claims. The following table provides data related to CNAs A&E claim and claim adjustment
expense reserves.
A&E Reserves
June 30, 2008 | December 31, 2007 | |||||||||||||||
Environmental | Environmental | |||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Asbestos | Pollution | Asbestos | Pollution | ||||||||||||
Gross reserves |
$ | 2,206 | $ | 326 | $ | 2,352 | $ | 367 | ||||||||
Ceded reserves |
(977 | ) | (118 | ) | (1,030 | ) | (125 | ) | ||||||||
Net reserves |
$ | 1,229 | $ | 208 | $ | 1,322 | $ | 242 | ||||||||
Asbestos
The Company recorded $6 million and $3 million of unfavorable asbestos-related net claim and claim
adjustment expense reserve development for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. The
Company paid asbestos-related claims, net of reinsurance recoveries, of $99 million and $89 million
for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
22
The ultimate cost of reported claims, and in particular A&E claims, is subject to a great many
uncertainties, including future developments of various kinds that CNA does not control and that
are difficult or impossible to foresee accurately. With respect to the litigation identified below
in particular, numerous factual and legal issues remain unresolved. Rulings on those issues by the
courts are critical to the evaluation of the ultimate cost to the Company. The outcome of the
litigation cannot be predicted with any reliability. Accordingly, the extent of losses beyond any
amounts that may be accrued are not readily determinable at this time.
Some asbestos-related defendants have asserted that their insurance policies are not subject to
aggregate limits on coverage. CNA has such claims from a number of insureds. Some of these claims
involve insureds facing exhaustion of products liability aggregate limits in their policies, who
have asserted that their asbestos-related claims fall within so-called non-products liability
coverage contained within their policies rather than products liability coverage, and that the
claimed non-products coverage is not subject to any aggregate limit. It is difficult to predict
the ultimate size of any of the claims for coverage purportedly not subject to aggregate limits or
predict to what extent, if any, the attempts to assert non-products claims outside the products
liability aggregate will succeed. CNAs policies also contain other limits applicable to these
claims and the Company has additional coverage defenses to certain claims. CNA has attempted to
manage its asbestos exposure by aggressively seeking to settle claims on acceptable terms. There
can be no assurance that any of these settlement efforts will be successful, or that any such
claims can be settled on terms acceptable to CNA. Where the Company cannot settle a claim on
acceptable terms, CNA aggressively litigates the claim. However, adverse developments with respect
to such matters could have a material adverse effect on the Companys results of operations and/or
equity.
Certain asbestos claim litigation in which CNA is currently engaged is described below:
On February 13, 2003, CNA announced it had resolved asbestos-related coverage litigation and claims
involving A.P. Green Industries, A.P. Green Services and BigelowLiptak Corporation. Under the
agreement, CNA is required to pay $70 million, net of reinsurance recoveries, over a ten year
period commencing after the final approval of a bankruptcy plan of reorganization. The settlement
received initial bankruptcy court approval on August 18, 2003. The debtors plan of reorganization
includes an injunction to protect CNA from any future claims. The bankruptcy court issued an
opinion on September 24, 2007 recommending confirmation of that plan. Several insurers have
appealed that ruling; that appeal is pending at this time.
CNA is engaged in insurance coverage litigation in New York State Court, filed in 2003, with a
defendant class of underlying plaintiffs who have asbestos bodily injury claims against the former
Robert A. Keasbey Company (Keasbey) (Continental Casualty Co. v. Employers Ins. of Wausau et al.,
No. 601037/03 (N.Y. County)). Keasbey, a currently dissolved corporation, was a seller and
installer of asbestos-containing insulation products in New York and New Jersey. Thousands of
plaintiffs have filed bodily injury claims against Keasbey. However, under New York court rules,
asbestos claims are not cognizable unless they meet certain minimum medical impairment standards.
Since 2002, when these court rules were adopted, only a small portion of such claims have met
medical impairment criteria under New York court rules and as to the remaining claims, Keasbeys
involvement at a number of work sites is a highly contested issue.
CNA issued Keasbey primary policies for 1970-1987 and excess policies for 1971-1978. CNA has paid
an amount substantially equal to the policies aggregate limits for products and completed
operations claims in the confirmed CNA policies. Claimants against Keasbey allege, among other
things, that CNA owes coverage under sections of the policies not subject to the aggregate limits,
an allegation CNA vigorously contests in the lawsuit. In the litigation, CNA and the claimants
seek declaratory relief as to the interpretation of various policy provisions. On May 8, 2007, the
Court in the first phase of the trial held that all of CNAs primary policy products aggregates
were exhausted and that past products liability claims could not be recharacterized as operations
claims. The Court also found that while operations claims would not be subject to products
aggregates, such claims could be made only against the policies in effect when the claimants were
exposed to asbestos from Keasbey operations. These holdings limit CNAs exposure to those
instances where Keasbey used asbestos in operations between 1970 and 1987. Keasbey largely ceased
using asbestos in its operations in the early 1970s. CNA noticed an appeal to the Appellate
Division to challenge certain aspects of the Courts
ruling. Other insurer parties to the litigation also filed separate notices of appeal to the
Courts ruling. The
23
appeal was fully briefed and was argued on December 6, 2007. Numerous legal
issues remain to be resolved on appeal with respect to coverage that are critical to the final
result, which cannot be predicted with any reliability. Accordingly, the extent of losses beyond
any amounts that may be accrued are not readily determinable at this time.
CNA has insurance coverage disputes related to asbestos bodily injury claims against a bankrupt
insured, Burns & Roe Enterprises, Inc. (Burns & Roe). These disputes are currently part of
coverage litigation (stayed in view of the bankruptcy) and an adversary proceeding in In re:
Burns & Roe Enterprises, Inc., pending in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New
Jersey, No. 00-41610. Burns & Roe provided engineering and related services in connection with
construction projects. At the time of its bankruptcy filing, on December 4, 2000, Burns & Roe
asserted that it faced approximately 11,000 claims alleging bodily injury resulting from exposure
to asbestos as a result of construction projects in which Burns & Roe was involved. CNA allegedly
provided primary liability coverage to Burns & Roe from 1956-1969 and 1971-1974, along with certain
project-specific policies from 1964-1970. In September of 2007, CNA entered into an agreement with
Burns & Roe, the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors appointed by the Bankruptcy Court and
the Future Claims Representative (the Addendum), which provides that claims allegedly covered by
CNA policies will be adjudicated in the tort system, with any coverage disputes related to those
claims to be decided in coverage litigation. With the approval of the Bankruptcy Court, Burns &
Roe included the Addendum as part of its Fourth Amended Plan (the Plan), which was filed on June
9, 2008 and which will be the subject of a later confirmation hearing. With respect to both
confirmation of the Plan and coverage issues, numerous factual and legal issues remain to be
resolved that are critical to the final result, the outcome of which cannot be predicted with any
reliability. These factors include, among others: (a) whether the Company has any further
responsibility to compensate claimants against Burns & Roe under its policies and, if so, under
which; (b) whether the Companys responsibilities under its policies extend to a particular
claimants entire claim or only to a limited percentage of the claim; (c) whether the Companys
responsibilities under its policies are limited by the occurrence limits or other provisions of the
policies; (d) whether certain exclusions, including professional liability exclusions, in some of
the Companys policies apply to exclude certain claims; (e) the extent to which claimants can
establish exposure to asbestos materials as to which Burns & Roe has any responsibility; (f) the
legal theories which must be pursued by such claimants to establish the liability of Burns & Roe
and whether such theories can, in fact, be established; (g) the diseases and damages alleged by
such claimants; (h) the extent that any liability of Burns & Roe would be shared with other
potentially responsible parties; (i) whether the Plan, which includes the Addendum, will be
approved by the Bankruptcy Court in its current form; and (j) the impact of bankruptcy proceedings
on claims and coverage issue resolution. Accordingly, the extent of losses beyond any amounts that
may be accrued are not readily determinable at this time.
Suits have also been initiated directly against the CNA companies and numerous other insurers in
two jurisdictions: Texas and Montana. Approximately 80 lawsuits were filed in Texas beginning in
2002, against two CNA companies and numerous other insurers and non-insurer corporate defendants
asserting liability for failing to warn of the dangers of asbestos (e.g. Boson v. Union Carbide
Corp., (Nueces County, Texas)). During 2003, several of the Texas suits were dismissed and
while certain of the Texas courts rulings were appealed, plaintiffs later dismissed their appeals.
A different Texas court, however, denied similar motions seeking dismissal. After that court
denied a related challenge to jurisdiction, the insurers transferred the case, among others, to a
state multi-district litigation court in Harris County charged with handling asbestos cases. In
February 2006, the insurers petitioned the appellate court in Houston for an order of mandamus,
requiring the multi-district litigation court to dismiss the case on jurisdictional and substantive
grounds. On February 29, 2008, the appellate court denied the insurers mandamus petition on
procedural grounds, but did not reach a decision on the merits of the petition. Instead, the
appellate court allowed to stand the multi-district litigation courts determination that the case
remained on its inactive docket and that no further action can be taken unless qualifying reports
are filed or the filing of such reports is waived. With respect to the cases that are still
pending in Texas, in June 2008, plaintiffs in the only active case dropped the remaining CNA
company from that suit, leaving only inactive cases against CNA companies. In those inactive
cases, numerous factual and legal issues remain to be resolved that are critical to the final
result, the outcome of which cannot be predicted with any reliability. These factors include: (a)
the speculative nature and unclear scope of any alleged duties owed to individuals exposed to
asbestos and the resulting uncertainty as to the potential pool of potential
claimants; (b) the fact that imposing such duties on all insurer and non-insurer corporate
defendants would be
24
unprecedented and, therefore, the legal boundaries of recovery are difficult to
estimate; (c) the fact that many of the claims brought to date are barred by the Statute of
Limitations and it is unclear whether future claims would also be barred; (d) the unclear nature of
the required nexus between the acts of the defendants and the right of any particular claimant to
recovery; and (e) the existence of hundreds of co-defendants in some of the suits and the
applicability of the legal theories pled by the claimants to thousands of potential defendants.
Accordingly, the extent of losses beyond any amounts that may be accrued is not readily
determinable at this time.
On March 22, 2002, a direct action was filed in Montana (Pennock, et al. v. Maryland Casualty,
et al. First Judicial District Court of Lewis & Clark County, Montana) by eight individual
plaintiffs (all employees of W.R. Grace & Co. (W.R. Grace)) and their spouses against CNA, Maryland
Casualty and the State of Montana. This action alleges that the carriers failed to warn of or
otherwise protect W.R. Grace employees from the dangers of asbestos at a W.R. Grace vermiculite
mining facility in Libby, Montana. The Montana direct action is currently stayed because of W.R.
Graces pending bankruptcy. On April 7, 2008, W.R. Grace announced a settlement in principle with
the asbestos personal injury claimants committee subject to confirmation of a plan of
reorganization by the bankruptcy court. It is unknown when the confirmation hearing might take
place. The settlement in principle with the asbestos claimants has no present impact on the stay
currently imposed on the Montana direct action and with respect to such claims, numerous factual
and legal issues remain to be resolved that are critical to the final result, the outcome of which
cannot be predicted with any reliability. These factors include: (a) the unclear nature and scope
of any alleged duties owed to people exposed to asbestos and the resulting uncertainty as to the
potential pool of potential claimants; (b) the potential application of Statutes of Limitation to
many of the claims which may be made depending on the nature and scope of the alleged duties; (c)
the unclear nature of the required nexus between the acts of the defendants and the right of any
particular claimant to recovery; (d) the diseases and damages claimed by such claimants; (e) the
extent that such liability would be shared with other potentially responsible parties; and (f) the
impact of bankruptcy proceedings on claims resolution. Accordingly, the extent of losses beyond any
amounts that may be accrued are not readily determinable at this time.
CNA is vigorously defending these and other cases and believes that it has meritorious defenses to
the claims asserted. However, there are numerous factual and legal issues to be resolved in
connection with these claims, and it is extremely difficult to predict the outcome or ultimate
financial exposure represented by these matters. Adverse developments with respect to any of these
matters could have a material adverse effect on CNAs business, insurer financial strength and debt
ratings, results of operations and/or equity.
Environmental Pollution
The Company recorded $2 million and $1 million of unfavorable environmental pollution net claim and
claim adjustment expense reserve development for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. The
Company paid environmental pollution-related claims, net of reinsurance recoveries, of $36 million
and $21 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
25
Net Prior Year Development
The net prior year development presented below includes premium development due to its direct
relationship to claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development. The net prior
year development presented below excludes the impact of increases or decreases in the allowance for
uncollectible reinsurance, but includes the impact of commutations.
Three Month Comparison
Net Prior Year Development
Three months ended June 30, 2008
Three months ended June 30, 2008
Corporate & | ||||||||||||||||
Standard | Specialty | Other Non- | ||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Lines | Lines | Core | Total | ||||||||||||
Pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year claim and
allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development: |
||||||||||||||||
Core (Non-A&E) |
$ | (15 | ) | $ | 1 | $ | 5 | $ | (9 | ) | ||||||
A&E |
| | 6 | 6 | ||||||||||||
Pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year development
before impact of premium development |
(15 | ) | 1 | 11 | (3 | ) | ||||||||||
Pretax unfavorable (favorable) premium development |
(8 | ) | 1 | 1 | (6 | ) | ||||||||||
Total pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year development |
$ | (23 | ) | $ | 2 | $ | 12 | $ | (9 | ) | ||||||
Net Prior Year Development
Three months ended June 30, 2007
Three months ended June 30, 2007
Corporate & | ||||||||||||||||
Standard | Specialty | Other Non- | ||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Lines | Lines | Core | Total | ||||||||||||
Pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year claim and
allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development: |
||||||||||||||||
Core (Non-A&E) |
$ | (20 | ) | $ | (14 | ) | $ | 8 | $ | (26 | ) | |||||
A&E |
| | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||||
Pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year development
before impact of premium development |
(20 | ) | (14 | ) | 12 | (22 | ) | |||||||||
Pretax unfavorable (favorable) premium development |
16 | | (5 | ) | 11 | |||||||||||
Total pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year development |
$ | (4 | ) | $ | (14 | ) | $ | 7 | $ | (11 | ) | |||||
2008 Net Prior Year Development
Standard Lines
Approximately $29 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve
development was recorded due to favorable outcomes on claims relating to catastrophes, primarily in
accident year 2005.
Approximately $8 million of favorable premium development was recorded across several coverages and
accident years due to additional premium processing on auditable policies and changes to ultimate
premium
26
estimates. This favorable development was offset by additional unfavorable claim and allocated
claim adjustment expense reserve development.
Corporate & Other Non-Core
The unfavorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was primarily
related to commutation activity, a portion of which was offset by a release of a previously
established allowance for uncollectible reinsurance.
2007 Net Prior Year Development
Standard Lines
Approximately $33 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve
development was due to lower than anticipated frequency and severity on claims related to large
property products, primarily in accident years 2005 and 2006. The change was driven by decreased
incurred losses as a result of changes in individual case reserve estimates.
Additional unfavorable prior year reserve development was recorded in the workers compensation
line of business as a result of continued claim cost inflation in older accident years, driven by
increasing medical inflation and advances in medical care. Additional favorable development was
recorded in the commercial automobile, monoline general liability and umbrella product lines. This
favorable development was due to improved severity in recent accident years.
Approximately $14 million of unfavorable premium development was taken primarily as a result of
favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development on large account retro
policies relating to the automobile and general liability lines of business in accident years 2001
and subsequent. This favorable claim and allocated claim expense reserve development was due to
lower than anticipated frequency and severity.
Specialty Lines
Approximately $9 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve
development was recorded in the excess and surplus lines of business. This favorable development
was primarily related to improved frequency and severity on excess general liability claims across
several accident years.
Corporate & Other Non-Core
Approximately $6 million of unfavorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve
development was related to commutation activity, a portion of which was offset by a release of a
previously established allowance for uncollectible reinsurance.
27
Six Month Comparison
Net Prior Year Development
Six months ended June 30, 2008
Six months ended June 30, 2008
Corporate & | ||||||||||||||||
Standard | Specialty | Other Non- | ||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Lines | Lines | Core | Total | ||||||||||||
Pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year claim and
allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development: |
||||||||||||||||
Core (Non-A&E) |
$ | (50 | ) | $ | 18 | $ | 8 | $ | (24 | ) | ||||||
A&E |
| | 8 | 8 | ||||||||||||
Pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year development
before impact of premium development |
(50 | ) | 18 | 16 | (16 | ) | ||||||||||
Pretax unfavorable (favorable) premium development |
1 | (18 | ) | | (17 | ) | ||||||||||
Total pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year development |
$ | (49 | ) | $ | | $ | 16 | $ | (33 | ) | ||||||
Net Prior Year Development
Six months ended June 30, 2007
Six months ended June 30, 2007
Corporate & | ||||||||||||||||
Standard | Specialty | Other Non- | ||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Lines | Lines | Core | Total | ||||||||||||
Pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year
claim and allocated claim adjustment expense
reserve development: |
||||||||||||||||
Core (Non-A&E) |
$ | (7 | ) | $ | (7 | ) | $ | 8 | $ | (6 | ) | |||||
A&E |
| | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||||
Pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year
development before impact of premium development |
(7 | ) | (7 | ) | 12 | (2 | ) | |||||||||
Pretax unfavorable (favorable) premium development |
(10 | ) | (10 | ) | (3 | ) | (23 | ) | ||||||||
Total pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior
year development |
$ | (17 | ) | $ | (17 | ) | $ | 9 | $ | (25 | ) | |||||
28
2008 Net Prior Year Development
Standard Lines
Approximately $49 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve
development was recorded in property coverages. This favorable development was due to lower than
expected frequency in accident year 2007 and favorable outcomes on several individual claims in
accident years 2006 and prior, including approximately $29 million related to catastrophes,
primarily in accident year 2005.
Approximately $23 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve
development was recorded in general liability due to favorable outcomes on individual claims
causing lower severity in accident years 2003 and prior.
Approximately $24 million of unfavorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve
development was recorded in excess workers compensation due to higher than expected frequency and
severity in accident years 2003 and prior. This is a result of continued claim cost inflation in
older accident years, driven by increasing medical inflation and advances in medical care.
Specialty Lines
Approximately $10 million of favorable premium development was recorded due to a change in ultimate
premiums within a foreign affiliates property and financial lines. This was offset by
approximately $9 million of related unfavorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense
reserve development.
Corporate & Other Non-Core
The net prior year development recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2008 relates to the same
reasons included in the three month discussion.
2007 Net Prior Year Development
Standard Lines
Approximately $42 million of favorable premium development was recorded primarily as a result of
additional premium resulting from audits on recent policies related to workers compensation and
general liability books of business. This was offset by $27 million of unfavorable claim and
allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development related to this premium.
Approximately $16 million of unfavorable premium development was recorded due to a change in the
estimate of the Companys exposure related to its participation in involuntary pools. This
unfavorable premium development was partially offset by $9 million of favorable claim and allocated
claim adjustment expense reserve development.
The remaining net prior year development recorded relates primarily to the items included in the
three month discussion.
Specialty Lines
Approximately $9 million of favorable premium development was recorded mainly as a result of
additional premium resulting from audits on recent policies related primarily to general liability
coverages. Unfavorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was
recorded related to those premiums.
The remaining net prior year development recorded relates primarily to the items included in the
three month discussion.
Corporate & Other Non-Core
The net prior year development recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2007 relates to the same
reasons included in the three month discussion.
29
Note H. Legal Proceedings and Contingent Liabilities
Insurance Brokerage Antitrust Litigation
On August 1, 2005, CNAF and several of its insurance subsidiaries were joined as defendants, along
with other insurers and brokers, in multidistrict litigation pending in the United States District
Court for the District of New Jersey, In re Insurance Brokerage Antitrust Litigation, Civil
No. 04-5184 (FSH). The plaintiffs allege bid rigging and improprieties in the payment of
contingent commissions in connection with the sale of insurance that violated federal and state
antitrust laws, the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and state
common law. After discovery, the District Court dismissed the federal antitrust claims and the
RICO claims, and declined to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over the state law claims. The
plaintiffs have appealed the dismissal of their complaint to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.
The parties have filed their briefs on the appeal, but the Court of Appeals has temporarily stayed
the appeal. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to this action and intends to defend
the case vigorously.
The extent of losses beyond any amounts that may be accrued are not readily determinable at this
time. However, based on facts and circumstances presently known, in the opinion of management, an
unfavorable outcome will not materially affect the equity of the Company, although results of
operations may be adversely affected.
Global Crossing Limited Litigation
CCC has been named as a defendant in an action brought by the bankruptcy estate of Global Crossing
Limited (Global Crossing) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New
York, Global Crossing Estate Representative, for itself and as the Liquidating Trustee of the
Global Crossing Liquidating Trust v. Gary Winnick, et al., Case No. 04 Civ. 2558 (GEL). In the
complaint, plaintiff seeks unspecified monetary damages from CCC and the other defendants for
alleged fraudulent transfers and alleged breaches of fiduciary duties arising from actions taken by
Global Crossing while CCC was a shareholder of Global Crossing. The Court dismissed some of the
claims against CCC as a matter of law. The remainder of the case is now in discovery. CCC
believes it has meritorious defenses to the remaining claims in this action and intends to defend
the case vigorously.
The extent of losses beyond any amounts that may be accrued are not readily determinable at this
time. However, based on facts and circumstances presently known, in the opinion of management, an
unfavorable outcome will not materially affect the equity of the Company, although results of
operations may be adversely affected.
California Long Term Care Litigation
Shaffer v. Continental Casualty Company, et al., U.S. District Court, Central District of
California, CV06-2235 RGK, is a class action on behalf of certain California individual long term
health care policyholders, alleging that CCC and CNAF knowingly or negligently used unrealistic
actuarial assumptions in pricing these policies. On January 8, 2008, CCC, CNAF and the plaintiffs
entered into a binding agreement settling the case on a nationwide basis for the policy forms
potentially affected by the allegations of the complaint. Following a fairness hearing, the Court
entered an order approving the settlement. This order was appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of
Appeals. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to this appeal and intends to defend the
appeal vigorously. The agreement did not have a material impact on the Companys results of
operations, however it still remains subject to the favorable resolution of the appeal.
Asbestos and Environmental Pollution (A&E) Reserves
The Company is also a party to litigation and claims related to A&E cases arising in the ordinary
course of business. See Note G for further discussion.
Other Litigation
The Company is also a party to other litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. Based
on the facts and circumstances currently known, such other litigation will not, in the opinion of
management, materially affect the equity or results of operations of the Company.
30
Note I. Benefit Plans
Pension and Postretirement Healthcare and Life Insurance Benefit Plans
CNAF and certain subsidiaries sponsor noncontributory pension plans typically covering full-time
employees age 21 or over who have completed at least one year of service. In 2000, the CNA
Retirement Plan was closed to new participants; instead, retirement benefits are provided to these
employees under the Companys savings plans. While the terms of the pension plans vary, benefits
are generally based on years of credited service and the employees highest 60 consecutive months
of compensation. CNA uses December 31 as the measurement date for all of its plans.
CNAs funding policy for defined benefit pension plans is to make contributions in accordance with
applicable governmental regulatory requirements with consideration of the funded status of the
plans. The assets of the plans are invested primarily in corporate mortgage-backed securities,
limited partnerships, equity securities, and short term investments.
CNA provides certain healthcare and life insurance benefits to eligible retired employees, their
covered dependents and their beneficiaries. The funding for these plans is generally to pay
covered expenses as they are incurred.
The components of net periodic benefit costs are presented in the following table.
Net Periodic Benefit Costs
Period ended June 30 | Three Months | Six Months | ||||||||||||||
(In millions) | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||
Pension benefits |
||||||||||||||||
Service cost |
$ | 4 | $ | 5 | $ | 10 | $ | 12 | ||||||||
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation |
37 | 35 | 73 | 73 | ||||||||||||
Expected return on plan assets |
(44 | ) | (44 | ) | (89 | ) | (87 | ) | ||||||||
Prior service cost amortization |
| 1 | | 1 | ||||||||||||
Actuarial loss |
1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | ||||||||||||
Net periodic pension (benefit) cost |
$ | (2 | ) | $ | (1 | ) | $ | (4 | ) | $ | 5 | |||||
Postretirement benefits |
||||||||||||||||
Service cost |
$ | | $ | | $ | 1 | $ | 1 | ||||||||
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation |
2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||||||||||||
Prior service cost amortization |
(4 | ) | (4 | ) | (8 | ) | (9 | ) | ||||||||
Actuarial loss |
1 | | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||
Net periodic postretirement benefit |
$ | (1 | ) | $ | (1 | ) | $ | (2 | ) | $ | (2 | ) | ||||
For the six months ended June 30, 2008, $13 million of contributions have been made to the pension
plans and $5 million to the postretirement healthcare and life insurance benefit plans. CNA plans
to contribute an additional $53 million to the pension plans and $6 million to the postretirement
healthcare and life insurance benefit plans during the remainder of 2008.
31
Note J. Operating Leases, Other Commitments and Contingencies, and Guarantees
Operating Leases
The Company is obligated to make future payments totaling approximately $237 million for
non-cancelable operating leases primarily for office space, office and transportation equipment.
Estimated future minimum payments under these contracts are as follows: $24 million in 2008; $44
million in 2009; $41 million in 2010; $35 million in 2011; $30 million in 2012; and $63 million in
2013 and beyond.
The Company holds an investment in a real estate joint venture. In the normal course of business,
CNA, on a joint and several basis with other unrelated insurance company shareholders, has
committed to continue funding the operating deficits of this joint venture. Additionally, CNA and
the other unrelated shareholders, on a joint and several basis, have guaranteed an operating lease
for an office building, which expires in 2016. The guarantee of the operating lease is a parallel
guarantee to the commitment to fund operating deficits; consequently, the separate guarantee to the
lessor is not expected to be triggered as long as the joint venture continues to be funded by its
shareholders and continues to make its annual lease payments.
In the event that the other parties to the joint venture are unable to meet their commitments in
funding the operations of this joint venture, the Company would be required to assume the
obligation for the entire office building operating lease. The maximum potential future lease
payments at June 30, 2008 that the Company could be required to pay under this guarantee are
approximately $199 million. If CNA were required to assume the entire lease obligation, the
Company would have the right to pursue reimbursement from the other shareholders and would have the
right to all sublease revenues.
Other Commitments and Contingencies
In the normal course of business, CNA has provided letters of credit in favor of various
unaffiliated insurance companies, regulatory authorities and other entities. At June 30, 2008
there were approximately $6 million of outstanding letters of credit.
The Company has entered into a limited number of guaranteed payment contracts, primarily relating
to software and telecommunication services, amounting to approximately $16 million as of June 30,
2008. Estimated future minimum payments under these contracts are $15 million in 2008 and $1
million in 2009.
Guarantees
In the course of selling business entities and assets to third parties, the Company has agreed to
indemnify purchasers for losses arising out of breaches of representation and warranties with
respect to the business entities or assets being sold, including, in certain cases, losses arising
from undisclosed liabilities or certain named litigation. Such indemnification provisions
generally survive for periods ranging from nine months following the applicable closing date to the
expiration of the relevant statutes of limitation. As of June 30, 2008, the aggregate amount of
quantifiable indemnification agreements in effect for sales of business entities, assets and third
party loans was $873 million.
In addition, the Company has agreed to provide indemnification to third party purchasers for
certain losses associated with sold business entities or assets that are not limited by a
contractual monetary amount. As of June 30, 2008, the Company had outstanding unlimited
indemnifications in connection with the sales of certain of its business entities or assets that
included tax liabilities arising prior to a purchasers ownership of an entity or asset, defects in
title at the time of sale, employee claims arising prior to closing and in some cases losses
arising from certain litigation and undisclosed liabilities. These indemnification agreements
survive until the applicable statutes of limitation expire, or until the agreed upon contract terms
expire. As of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company has recorded approximately $23
million and $27 million of liabilities related to these indemnification agreements.
32
In connection with the issuance of preferred securities by CNA Surety Capital Trust I, CNA Surety
issued a guarantee of $75 million to guarantee the payment by CNA Surety Capital Trust I of annual
dividends of $1.5 million over 30 years and redemption of $30 million of preferred securities.
Note K. Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The components of comprehensive income (loss) are shown below.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Period ended June 30 | Three Months | Six Months | ||||||||||||||
(In millions) | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 181 | $ | 217 | $ | 368 | $ | 513 | ||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss): |
||||||||||||||||
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on general account
investments: |
||||||||||||||||
Holding gains (losses) arising during the period, net of tax
(expense) benefit of $101, $174, $563 and $146 |
(188 | ) | (324 | ) | (1,041 | ) | (272 | ) | ||||||||
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net
income, net of tax expense (benefit) of ($15), $13, ($4) and
$33 |
27 | (27 | ) | 7 | (62 | ) | ||||||||||
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on general account
investments, net of tax (expense) benefit of $86, $187, $559 and
$179 |
(161 | ) | (351 | ) | (1,034 | ) | (334 | ) | ||||||||
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on discontinued
operations and other, net of tax (expense) benefit of $1, $1, $2
and $0 |
(4 | ) | (2 | ) | | (1 | ) | |||||||||
Net change in foreign currency translation adjustment |
2 | 12 | (9 | ) | 5 | |||||||||||
Net change related to pensions and postretirement benefits, net
of tax (expense) benefit of $2, $0, $3 and ($1) |
(1 | ) | (1 | ) | (3 | ) | 3 | |||||||||
Allocation to participating policyholders and minority interests |
6 | 14 | 22 | 13 | ||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (expense) benefit
of $89, $188, $564 and $178 |
(158 | ) | (328 | ) | (1,024 | ) | (314 | ) | ||||||||
Total comprehensive income (loss) |
$ | 23 | $ | (111 | ) | $ | (656 | ) | $ | 199 | ||||||
33
Note L. Business Segments
CNAs core property and casualty commercial insurance operations are reported in two business
segments: Standard Lines and Specialty Lines. CNAs non-core operations are managed in two
segments: Life & Group Non-Core and Corporate & Other Non-Core.
The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note A of the
Consolidated Financial Statements within CNAs Form 10-K. The Company manages most of its assets
on a legal entity basis, while segment operations are conducted across legal entities. As such,
only insurance and reinsurance receivables, insurance reserves and deferred acquisition costs are
readily identifiable by individual segment. Distinct investment portfolios are not maintained for
each segment; accordingly, allocation of assets to each segment is not performed. Therefore, net
investment income and realized investment gains or losses are allocated primarily based on each
segments net carried insurance reserves, as adjusted. Income taxes have been allocated on the
basis of the taxable income of the segments.
In the following tables, certain financial measures are presented to provide information used by
management to monitor the Companys operating performance. Management utilizes these financial
measures to monitor the Companys insurance operations and investment portfolio. Net operating
income, which is derived from certain income statement amounts, is used by management to monitor
performance of the Companys insurance operations. The Companys investment portfolio is monitored
through analysis of various quantitative and qualitative factors and certain decisions related to
the sale or impairment of investments that produce realized gains and losses. Net realized
investment gains and losses are comprised of after-tax realized investment gains and losses net of
participating policyholders and minority interests.
Net operating income is calculated by excluding from net income the after-tax effects of 1) net
realized investment gains or losses, 2) income or loss from discontinued operations and 3) any
cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles. In the calculation of net operating
income, management excludes after-tax net realized investment gains or losses because net realized
investment gains or losses related to the Companys investment portfolio are largely discretionary,
except for losses related to other-than-temporary impairments, are generally driven by economic
factors that are not necessarily consistent with key drivers of underwriting performance, and are
therefore not an indication of trends in insurance operations.
The Companys investment portfolio is monitored by management through analyses of various factors
including unrealized gains and losses on securities, portfolio duration and exposure to interest
rate, market and credit risk. Based on such analyses, the Company may impair an investment
security in accordance with its policy, or sell a security. Such activities will produce realized
gains and losses.
The significant components of the Companys continuing operations and selected balance sheet items
are presented in the following tables.
34
Three months ended | Corporate | |||||||||||||||||||||||
June 30, 2008 | Standard | Specialty | Life & Group | & Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Lines | Lines | Non-Core | Non-Core | Eliminations | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net earned premiums |
$ | 768 | $ | 859 | $ | 149 | $ | (1 | ) | $ | (1 | ) | $ | 1,774 | ||||||||||
Net investment income |
199 | 155 | 157 | 65 | | 576 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other revenues |
15 | 54 | 8 | 5 | | 82 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total operating revenues |
982 | 1,068 | 314 | 69 | (1 | ) | 2,432 | |||||||||||||||||
Claims, benefits and expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net incurred claims and benefits |
566 | 559 | 316 | 26 | | 1,467 | ||||||||||||||||||
Policyholders dividends |
3 | 1 | 1 | | | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs |
175 | 184 | 2 | (1 | ) | | 360 | |||||||||||||||||
Other insurance related expenses |
48 | 53 | 51 | (2 | ) | (1 | ) | 149 | ||||||||||||||||
Other expenses |
12 | 41 | 5 | 29 | | 87 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total claims, benefits and expenses |
804 | 838 | 375 | 52 | (1 | ) | 2,068 | |||||||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations
before income tax and minority interest |
178 | 230 | (61 | ) | 17 | | 364 | |||||||||||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss) |
(54 | ) | (74 | ) | 31 | (5 | ) | | (102 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Minority interest |
| (11 | ) | | (1 | ) | | (12 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net operating income (loss) from continuing operations |
124 | 145 | (30 | ) | 11 | | 250 | |||||||||||||||||
Realized investment losses, net of participating
policyholders and minority interests |
(60 | ) | (29 | ) | (6 | ) | (16 | ) | | (111 | ) | |||||||||||||
Income tax benefit on realized investment losses |
21 | 10 | 2 | 7 | | 40 | ||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations |
$ | 85 | $ | 126 | $ | (34 | ) | $ | 2 | $ | | $ | 179 | |||||||||||
35
Three months ended | Corporate | |||||||||||||||||||||||
June 30, 2007 | Standard | Specialty | Life & Group | & Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Lines | Lines | Non-Core | Non-Core | Eliminations | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net earned premiums |
$ | 842 | $ | 870 | $ | 157 | $ | 4 | $ | (1 | ) | $ | 1,872 | |||||||||||
Net investment income |
235 | 162 | 188 | 86 | | 671 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other revenues |
12 | 47 | 6 | | | 65 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total operating revenues |
1,089 | 1,079 | 351 | 90 | (1 | ) | 2,608 | |||||||||||||||||
Claims, benefits and expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net incurred claims and benefits |
581 | 531 | 326 | 37 | | 1,475 | ||||||||||||||||||
Policyholders dividends |
(4 | ) | 1 | 1 | | | (2 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs |
191 | 177 | 4 | | | 372 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other insurance related expenses |
96 | 48 | 44 | 11 | (1 | ) | 198 | |||||||||||||||||
Other expenses |
14 | 39 | 8 | 36 | | 97 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total claims, benefits and expenses |
878 | 796 | 383 | 84 | (1 | ) | 2,140 | |||||||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations
before income tax and minority interest |
211 | 283 | (32 | ) | 6 | | 468 | |||||||||||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss) |
(65 | ) | (94 | ) | 19 | 1 | | (139 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Minority interest |
| (10 | ) | | (1 | ) | | (11 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net operating income (loss) from continuing operations |
146 | 179 | (13 | ) | 6 | | 318 | |||||||||||||||||
Realized investment losses, net of participating
policyholders and minority interests |
(63 | ) | (35 | ) | (18 | ) | (23 | ) | | (139 | ) | |||||||||||||
Income tax benefit on realized investment losses |
21 | 12 | 6 | 9 | | 48 | ||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations |
$ | 104 | $ | 156 | $ | (25 | ) | $ | (8 | ) | $ | | $ | 227 | ||||||||||
36
Six months ended | Corporate | |||||||||||||||||||||||
June 30, 2008 | Standard | Specialty | Life & Group | & Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Lines | Lines | Non-Core | Non-Core | Eliminations | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net earned premiums |
$ | 1,551 | $ | 1,732 | $ | 306 | $ | | $ | (2 | ) | $ | 3,587 | |||||||||||
Net investment income |
363 | 287 | 241 | 119 | | 1,010 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other revenues |
29 | 107 | 21 | 11 | | 168 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total operating revenues |
1,943 | 2,126 | 568 | 130 | (2 | ) | 4,765 | |||||||||||||||||
Claims, benefits and expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net incurred claims and benefits |
1,143 | 1,125 | 528 | 47 | | 2,843 | ||||||||||||||||||
Policyholders dividends |
7 | 8 | 3 | | | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs |
354 | 368 | 6 | | | 728 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other insurance related expenses |
106 | 103 | 101 | 2 | (2 | ) | 310 | |||||||||||||||||
Other expenses |
24 | 92 | 10 | 61 | | 187 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total claims, benefits and expenses |
1,634 | 1,696 | 648 | 110 | (2 | ) | 4,086 | |||||||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations
before income tax and minority interest |
309 | 430 | (80 | ) | 20 | | 679 | |||||||||||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss) |
(90 | ) | (138 | ) | 47 | (3 | ) | | (184 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Minority interest |
| (23 | ) | | (1 | ) | | (24 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net operating income (loss) from continuing operations |
219 | 269 | (33 | ) | 16 | | 471 | |||||||||||||||||
Realized investment losses, net of participating
policyholders and minority interests |
(76 | ) | (38 | ) | (23 | ) | (25 | ) | | (162 | ) | |||||||||||||
Income tax benefit on realized investment losses |
26 | 14 | 8 | 10 | | 58 | ||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations |
$ | 169 | $ | 245 | $ | (48 | ) | $ | 1 | $ | | $ | 367 | |||||||||||
June 30, 2008 (In millions) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reinsurance receivables |
$ | 2,200 | $ | 1,711 | $ | 2,071 | $ | 2,260 | $ | | $ | 8,242 | ||||||||||||
Insurance receivables |
$ | 1,501 | $ | 753 | $ | 13 | $ | 17 | $ | | $ | 2,284 | ||||||||||||
Insurance reserves: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Claim and claim adjustment expenses |
$ | 11,976 | $ | 8,520 | $ | 2,972 | $ | 4,734 | $ | | $ | 28,202 | ||||||||||||
Unearned premiums |
1,533 | 1,945 | 164 | 5 | (2 | ) | 3,645 | |||||||||||||||||
Future policy benefits |
| | 7,325 | | | 7,325 | ||||||||||||||||||
Policyholders funds |
27 | 6 | 549 | | | 582 | ||||||||||||||||||
Deferred acquisition costs |
$ | 318 | $ | 370 | $ | 479 | $ | | $ | | $ | 1,167 |
37
Six months ended | Corporate | |||||||||||||||||||||||
June 30, 2007 | Standard | Specialty | Life & Group | & Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Lines | Lines | Non-Core | Non-Core | Eliminations | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net earned premiums |
$ | 1,705 | $ | 1,715 | $ | 313 | $ | 4 | $ | (2 | ) | $ | 3,735 | |||||||||||
Net investment income |
455 | 311 | 349 | 164 | | 1,279 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other revenues |
23 | 89 | 18 | 2 | | 132 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total operating revenues |
2,183 | 2,115 | 680 | 170 | (2 | ) | 5,146 | |||||||||||||||||
Claims, benefits and expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net incurred claims and benefits |
1,174 | 1,074 | 599 | 71 | | 2,918 | ||||||||||||||||||
Policyholders dividends |
(1 | ) | 4 | | | | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs |
385 | 359 | 9 | | | 753 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other insurance related expenses |
161 | 89 | 95 | 15 | (2 | ) | 358 | |||||||||||||||||
Other expenses |
24 | 81 | 17 | 67 | | 189 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total claims, benefits and expenses |
1,743 | 1,607 | 720 | 153 | (2 | ) | 4,221 | |||||||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations
before income tax and minority interest |
440 | 508 | (40 | ) | 17 | | 925 | |||||||||||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss) |
(140 | ) | (167 | ) | 29 | (1 | ) | | (279 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Minority interest |
| (20 | ) | | (1 | ) | | (21 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net operating income from continuing operations |
300 | 321 | (11 | ) | 15 | | 625 | |||||||||||||||||
Realized investment losses, net of participating
policyholders and minority interests |
(87 | ) | (49 | ) | (17 | ) | (7 | ) | | (160 | ) | |||||||||||||
Income tax benefit on realized investment losses |
30 | 17 | 6 | 3 | | 56 | ||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations |
$ | 243 | $ | 289 | $ | (22 | ) | $ | 11 | $ | | $ | 521 | |||||||||||
December 31, 2007 (In millions) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reinsurance receivables |
$ | 2,269 | $ | 1,819 | $ | 2,201 | $ | 2,400 | $ | | $ | 8,689 | ||||||||||||
Insurance receivables |
$ | 1,664 | $ | 605 | $ | 26 | $ | (11 | ) | $ | | $ | 2,284 | |||||||||||
Insurance reserves: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Claim and claim adjustment expenses |
$ | 12,048 | $ | 8,403 | $ | 3,027 | $ | 5,110 | $ | | $ | 28,588 | ||||||||||||
Unearned premiums |
1,483 | 1,948 | 162 | 5 | | 3,598 | ||||||||||||||||||
Future policy benefits |
| | 7,106 | | | 7,106 | ||||||||||||||||||
Policyholders funds |
26 | 1 | 903 | | | 930 | ||||||||||||||||||
Deferred acquisition costs |
$ | 311 | $ | 365 | $ | 485 | $ | | $ | | $ | 1,161 |
38
The following table provides revenue by line of business for each reportable segment.
Revenues are comprised of operating revenues and realized investment gains and losses, net of
participating policyholders and minority interests.
Revenue by Line of Business
Period ended June 30 | Three Months | Six Months | ||||||||||||||
(In millions) | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||
Standard Lines |
||||||||||||||||
Business Insurance |
$ | 155 | $ | 147 | $ | 310 | $ | 310 | ||||||||
Commercial Insurance |
767 | 879 | 1,557 | 1,786 | ||||||||||||
Standard Lines revenue |
922 | 1,026 | 1,867 | 2,096 | ||||||||||||
Specialty Lines |
||||||||||||||||
U.S. Specialty Lines |
640 | 658 | 1,287 | 1,320 | ||||||||||||
Surety |
120 | 117 | 235 | 227 | ||||||||||||
Warranty |
75 | 73 | 148 | 144 | ||||||||||||
CNA Global |
204 | 196 | 418 | 375 | ||||||||||||
Specialty Lines revenue |
1,039 | 1,044 | 2,088 | 2,066 | ||||||||||||
Life & Group Non-Core |
||||||||||||||||
Life & Annuity |
54 | 98 | 33 | 179 | ||||||||||||
Health |
242 | 219 | 480 | 452 | ||||||||||||
Other |
12 | 16 | 32 | 32 | ||||||||||||
Life & Group Non-Core revenue |
308 | 333 | 545 | 663 | ||||||||||||
Corporate & Other Non-Core |
||||||||||||||||
CNA Re |
15 | 25 | 32 | 72 | ||||||||||||
Other |
38 | 42 | 73 | 91 | ||||||||||||
Corporate & Other Non-Core revenue |
53 | 67 | 105 | 163 | ||||||||||||
Eliminations |
(1 | ) | (1 | ) | (2 | ) | (2 | ) | ||||||||
Total revenue |
$ | 2,321 | $ | 2,469 | $ | 4,603 | $ | 4,986 | ||||||||
39
Note M. Discontinued Operations
CNA has discontinued operations, which consist of run-off insurance and reinsurance operations
acquired in its merger with The Continental Corporation in 1995. As of June 30, 2008, the
remaining run-off business is administered by Continental Reinsurance Corporation International,
Ltd., a Bermuda subsidiary. The business consists of facultative property and casualty, treaty
excess casualty and treaty pro-rata reinsurance with underlying exposure to a diverse, multi-line
domestic and international book of business encompassing property, casualty and marine liabilities.
Results of the discontinued operations were as follows.
Discontinued Operations
Period ended June 30 | Three Months | Six Months | ||||||||||||||
(In millions) | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
$ | 2 | $ | 3 | $ | 4 | $ | 9 | ||||||||
Realized investment gains and other |
1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||||
Total revenues |
3 | 7 | 6 | 11 | ||||||||||||
Insurance related expenses |
1 | 19 | 5 | 20 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) before income taxes |
2 | (12 | ) | 1 | (9 | ) | ||||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit |
| 2 | | 1 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax |
$ | 2 | $ | (10 | ) | $ | 1 | $ | (8 | ) | ||||||
Net assets of discontinued operations, included in Other assets on the Condensed Consolidated
Balance Sheets, were as follows.
Discontinued Operations
(In millions) | June 30, 2008 | December 31, 2007 | ||||||
Assets: |
||||||||
Investments |
$ | 170 | $ | 185 | ||||
Reinsurance receivables |
6 | 1 | ||||||
Cash |
9 | 7 | ||||||
Other assets |
2 | 4 | ||||||
Total assets |
187 | 197 | ||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||
Insurance reserves |
170 | 172 | ||||||
Other liabilities |
11 | 2 | ||||||
Total liabilities |
181 | 174 | ||||||
Net assets of discontinued operations |
$ | 6 | $ | 23 | ||||
CNAs accounting and reporting for discontinued operations is in accordance with APB Opinion No.
30, Reporting the Results of Operations Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of a
Business, and Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Events and Transactions. At
June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the insurance reserves are net of discount of $79 million and
$73 million. The income (loss) from discontinued operations reported above primarily represents
the net investment income, realized investment gains and losses, foreign currency gains and losses,
effects of the accretion of the loss reserve discount and re-estimation of the ultimate claim and
claim adjustment expense reserve of the discontinued operations.
40
CNA Financial Corporation
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
The following discussion highlights significant factors impacting the consolidated operations and
financial condition of CNA Financial Corporation (CNAF) and its subsidiaries (collectively CNA or
the Company). References to CNA, the Company, we, our, us or like terms refer to the
business of CNA and its subsidiaries. Based on 2006 statutory net written premiums, we are the
seventh largest commercial insurance writer and the thirteenth largest property and casualty
insurance organization in the United States of America.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements in Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10-Q and Item 1A Risk Factors and Item 7 Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, which are included in our
Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the year ended December 31,
2007, as amended by Form 10-K/A which amended Part I, Item 1 of Form 10-K (Form 10-K).
Changes in estimates of claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserves and premium accruals,
net of reinsurance, for prior years are defined as net prior year development within this MD&A.
These changes can be favorable or unfavorable. Net prior year development does not include the
impact of related acquisition expenses. Further information on our reserves is provided in Note G
of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 1.
41
CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS
Results of Operations
The following table includes the consolidated results of our operations. For more detailed
components of our business operations and the net operating income financial measure, see the
segment discussions within this MD&A.
Period ended June 30 | Three Months | Six Months | ||||||||||||||
(In millions, except per share data) | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||
Revenues |
||||||||||||||||
Net earned premiums |
$ | 1,774 | $ | 1,872 | $ | 3,587 | $ | 3,735 | ||||||||
Net investment income |
576 | 671 | 1,010 | 1,279 | ||||||||||||
Other revenues |
82 | 65 | 168 | 132 | ||||||||||||
Total operating revenues |
2,432 | 2,608 | 4,765 | 5,146 | ||||||||||||
Claims, Benefits and Expenses |
||||||||||||||||
Net incurred claims and benefits |
1,467 | 1,475 | 2,843 | 2,918 | ||||||||||||
Policyholders dividends |
5 | (2 | ) | 18 | 3 | |||||||||||
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs |
360 | 372 | 728 | 753 | ||||||||||||
Other insurance related expenses |
149 | 198 | 310 | 358 | ||||||||||||
Other expenses |
87 | 97 | 187 | 189 | ||||||||||||
Total claims, benefits and expenses |
2,068 | 2,140 | 4,086 | 4,221 | ||||||||||||
Operating income from continuing operations
before income tax and minority interest |
364 | 468 | 679 | 925 | ||||||||||||
Income tax expense on operating income |
(102 | ) | (139 | ) | (184 | ) | (279 | ) | ||||||||
Minority interest |
(12 | ) | (11 | ) | (24 | ) | (21 | ) | ||||||||
Net operating income from continuing operations |
250 | 318 | 471 | 625 | ||||||||||||
Realized investment losses, net of
participating policyholders and minority
interests |
(111 | ) | (139 | ) | (162 | ) | (160 | ) | ||||||||
Income tax benefit on realized investment losses |
40 | 48 | 58 | 56 | ||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations |
179 | 227 | 367 | 521 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net
of income tax (expense) benefit of $0, $2, $0
and $1 |
2 | (10 | ) | 1 | (8 | ) | ||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 181 | $ | 217 | $ | 368 | $ | 513 | ||||||||
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share |
||||||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations |
$ | 0.66 | $ | 0.84 | $ | 1.36 | $ | 1.92 | ||||||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations |
0.01 | (0.04 | ) | | (0.03 | ) | ||||||||||
Basic and diluted earnings per share available
to common stockholders |
$ | 0.67 | $ | 0.80 | $ | 1.36 | $ | 1.89 | ||||||||
Weighted average outstanding common stock and
common stock equivalents |
||||||||||||||||
Basic |
269.0 | 271.6 | 269.9 | 271.5 | ||||||||||||
Diluted |
269.1 | 271.9 | 270.0 | 271.8 | ||||||||||||
42
Three Month Comparison
Net income decreased $36 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same
period in 2007. This decrease was primarily due to decreased net operating income partially offset
by lower net realized investment losses.
Net operating income from continuing operations for the three months ended June 30, 2008 decreased
$68 million as compared with the same period in 2007. This decrease was primarily due to lower net
investment income, decreased current accident year underwriting results in our core Property &
Casualty Operations and increased catastrophe losses, partially offset by lower expenses. Net
investment income included a decline in trading portfolio results of $44 million, which was more
than offset by a corresponding decrease in the policyholders funds reserves supported by the
trading portfolio, which is included in Insurance claims and policyholders benefits on the
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations included under Item 1. See the Investments section
of this MD&A for further discussion of net investment income and net realized investment results.
Favorable net prior year development of $9 million was recorded for the three months ended June 30,
2008 related to our Standard Lines, Specialty Lines and Corporate & Other Non-core segments. This
amount consisted of $3 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve
development and $6 million of favorable premium development. Favorable net prior year development
of $11 million was recorded for the three months ended June 30, 2007 related to our Standard Lines,
Specialty Lines and Corporate & Other Non-core segments. This amount consisted of $22 million of
favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development and $11 million of
unfavorable premium development.
Net earned premiums decreased $98 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with
the same period in 2007, including a $74 million decrease related to Standard Lines and a $11
million decrease related to Specialty Lines. See the Segment Results section of this MD&A for
further discussion.
Results from discontinued operations increased $12 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008
as compared to the same period in 2007. Results in 2007 were primarily driven by unfavorable net
prior year development.
Six Month Comparison
Net income decreased $145 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same
period in 2007. This decrease was primarily due to decreased net operating income.
Net operating income from continuing operations for the six months ended June 30, 2008 decreased
$154 million as compared with the same period in 2007. This decrease was primarily due to lower
net investment income, decreased current accident year underwriting results in our core Property &
Casualty Operations and increased catastrophe losses, partially offset by lower expenses. Net
investment income included a decline in trading portfolio results of $124 million, a significant
portion of which was offset by a corresponding decrease in the policyholders funds reserves
supported by the trading portfolio. See the Investments section of this MD&A for further
discussion of net investment income and net realized investment results.
Favorable net prior year development of $33 million was recorded for the six months ended June 30,
2008 related to our Standard Lines, Specialty Lines and Corporate & Other Non-core segments. This
amount consisted of $16 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve
development and $17 million of favorable premium development. Favorable net prior year development
of $25 million was recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2007 related to our Standard Lines,
Specialty Lines and Corporate & Other Non-core segments. This amount consisted of $2 million of
favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development and $23 million of
favorable premium development.
Net earned premiums decreased $148 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with
the same period in 2007, including a $154 million decrease related to Standard Lines and a $17
million increase related to Specialty Lines. See the Segment Results section of this MD&A for
further discussion.
43
Results from discontinued operations increased $9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as
compared to the same period in 2007. Results in 2007 were primarily driven by unfavorable net prior
year development.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) requires us to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements and the amounts of revenues and expenses reported during the period. Actual results may
differ from those estimates.
Our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in
accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis. We continually evaluate the accounting
policies and estimates used to prepare the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. In
general, our estimates are based on historical experience, evaluation of current trends,
information from third party professionals and various other assumptions that are believed to be
reasonable under the known facts and circumstances.
The accounting estimates below are considered by us to be critical to an understanding of our
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as their application places the most significant
demands on our judgment.
| Insurance Reserves |
| Reinsurance |
| Valuation of Investments and Impairment of Securities |
| Long Term Care Products |
| Pension and Postretirement Benefit Obligations |
| Legal Proceedings |
Due to the inherent uncertainties involved with these types of judgments, actual results could
differ significantly from estimates and may have a material adverse impact on our results of
operations or equity. See the Critical Accounting Estimates section of our Managements Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included under Item 7 of our Form
10-K for further information.
44
SEGMENT RESULTS
The following discusses the results of continuing operations for our operating segments. We
utilize the net operating income financial measure to monitor our operations. Net operating income
is calculated by excluding from net income the after-tax effects of 1) net realized investment
gains or losses, 2) income or loss from discontinued operations and 3) any cumulative effects of
changes in accounting principles. See further discussion regarding how we manage our business in
Note L of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 1. In evaluating the
results of our Standard Lines and Specialty Lines segments, we utilize the loss ratio, the expense
ratio, the dividend ratio, and the combined ratio. These ratios are calculated using GAAP
financial results. The loss ratio is the percentage of net incurred claim and claim adjustment
expenses to net earned premiums. The expense ratio is the percentage of insurance underwriting and
acquisition expenses, including the amortization of deferred acquisition costs, to net earned
premiums. The dividend ratio is the ratio of policyholders dividends incurred to net earned
premiums. The combined ratio is the sum of the loss, expense and dividend ratios.
STANDARD LINES
The following table details the results of operations for Standard Lines.
Results of Operations
Period ended June 30 | Three Months | Six Months | ||||||||||||||
(In millions) | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||
Net written premiums |
$ | 848 | $ | 904 | $ | 1,619 | $ | 1,771 | ||||||||
Net earned premiums |
768 | 842 | 1,551 | 1,705 | ||||||||||||
Net investment income |
199 | 235 | 363 | 455 | ||||||||||||
Net operating income |
124 | 146 | 219 | 300 | ||||||||||||
Net realized investment losses, after-tax |
(39 | ) | (42 | ) | (50 | ) | (57 | ) | ||||||||
Net income |
85 | 104 | 169 | 243 | ||||||||||||
Ratios |
||||||||||||||||
Loss and loss adjustment expense |
73.7 | % | 69.0 | % | 73.7 | % | 68.8 | % | ||||||||
Expense |
29.0 | 34.0 | 29.6 | 32.0 | ||||||||||||
Dividend |
0.5 | (0.4 | ) | 0.5 | 0.0 | |||||||||||
Combined |
103.2 | % | 102.6 | % | 103.8 | % | 100.8 | % | ||||||||
Three Month Comparison
Net written premiums for Standard Lines decreased $56 million for the three months ended June 30,
2008 as compared with the same period in 2007, primarily due to decreased production. The
competitive market conditions are expected to put ongoing pressure on premium and income levels,
and the expense ratio. Net earned premiums decreased $74 million for the three months ended June
30, 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007, consistent with the decreased premiums written.
Standard Lines averaged rate decreases of 6% for the three months ended June 30, 2008, as compared
to decreases of 4% for the three months ended June 30, 2007 for the contracts that renewed during
those periods. Retention rates of 80% and 81% were achieved for those contracts that were
available for renewal in each period.
Net income decreased $19 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same
period in 2007. This decrease was primarily attributable to decreased net operating income.
Net operating income decreased $22 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared
with the same period in 2007. This decrease was primarily driven by lower net investment income,
higher catastrophe losses and decreased current accident year underwriting results. These
decreases were partially offset by increased favorable net prior year development and lower
expenses. The catastrophe losses were $29 million after-tax in the second quarter of 2008, as
compared to $8 million after-tax in the second quarter of 2007.
45
The combined ratio increased 0.6 points for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with
the same period in 2007. The loss ratio increased 4.7 points primarily due to increased
catastrophe losses and higher current accident year loss ratios related to the decline in rates,
partially offset by increased favorable net prior year loss development.
The expense ratio decreased 5.0 points for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with
the same period in 2007. The decrease primarily related to favorable changes in estimates for
insurance-related assessment liabilities.
The dividend ratio increased 0.9 points for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with
the same period in 2007. The 2007 results included favorable dividend development in the workers
compensation line of business.
Favorable net prior year development of $23 million was recorded for the three months ended June
30, 2008, including $15 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve
development and $8 million of favorable premium development. Favorable net prior year development
of $4 million, including $20 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense
reserve development and $16 million of unfavorable premium development, was recorded for the three
months ended June 30, 2007. Further information on Standard Lines net prior year development for
the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 is included in Note G of the Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements included under Item 1.
Six Month Comparison
Net written premiums for Standard Lines decreased $152 million and net earned premiums decreased
$154 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007, due
to the reasons discussed above in the three month comparison.
Standard Lines averaged rate decreases of 6% for the six months ended June 30, 2008, as compared to
decreases of 4% for the six months ended June 30, 2007 for the contracts that renewed during those
periods. Retention rates of 80% and 79% were achieved for those contracts that were available for
renewal in each period.
Net income decreased $74 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same
period in 2007. This decrease was primarily attributable to decreased net operating income.
Net operating income decreased $81 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with
the same period in 2007. This decrease was primarily driven by lower net investment income, higher
catastrophe losses and decreased current accident year underwriting results. These decreases were
partially offset by increased favorable net prior year development and lower expenses. The
catastrophe losses were $64 million after-tax for the six months ended June 30, 2008, as compared
to $27 million after-tax in the same period of 2007.
The combined ratio increased 3.0 points for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the
same period in 2007. The loss ratio increased 4.9 points primarily due to increased catastrophe
losses and current accident year loss ratios related in part to the decline in rates, partially
offset by increased favorable net prior year loss development as discussed below.
The expense ratio decreased 2.4 points for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the
same period in 2007. The decrease primarily related to favorable changes in estimates for
insurance-related assessment liabilities.
The dividend ratio increased 0.5 points for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with
the same period in 2007. The 2007 results included favorable dividend development in the workers
compensation line of business.
Favorable net prior year development of $49 million was recorded for the six months ended June 30,
2008, including $50 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve
development and $1 million of unfavorable premium development. Favorable net prior year
development of $17 million, including $7 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment
expense reserve development and $10 million of favorable premium development, was recorded for the
six months ended June 30, 2007. Further information on Standard Lines net prior year development
for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 is included in Note G of the Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements included under Item 1.
46
The following table summarizes the gross and net carried reserves as of June 30, 2008 and December
31, 2007 for Standard Lines.
Gross and Net Carried
Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves
Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves
(In millions) | June 30, 2008 | December 31, 2007 | ||||||
Gross Case Reserves |
$ | 6,083 | $ | 5,988 | ||||
Gross IBNR Reserves |
5,893 | 6,060 | ||||||
Total Gross Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves |
$ | 11,976 | $ | 12,048 | ||||
Net Case Reserves |
$ | 4,863 | $ | 4,750 | ||||
Net IBNR Reserves |
5,003 | 5,170 | ||||||
Total Net Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves |
$ | 9,866 | $ | 9,920 | ||||
47
SPECIALTY LINES
The following table details the results of operations for Specialty Lines.
Results of Operations
Period ended June 30 | Three Months | Six Months | ||||||||||||||
(In millions) | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||
Net written premiums |
$ | 860 | $ | 869 | $ | 1,708 | $ | 1,733 | ||||||||
Net earned premiums |
859 | 870 | 1,732 | 1,715 | ||||||||||||
Net investment income |
155 | 162 | 287 | 311 | ||||||||||||
Net operating income |
145 | 179 | 269 | 321 | ||||||||||||
Net realized investment losses, after-tax |
(19 | ) | (23 | ) | (24 | ) | (32 | ) | ||||||||
Net income |
126 | 156 | 245 | 289 | ||||||||||||
Ratios |
||||||||||||||||
Loss and loss adjustment expense |
65.2 | % | 61.1 | % | 65.0 | % | 62.6 | % | ||||||||
Expense |
27.6 | 25.7 | 27.1 | 26.2 | ||||||||||||
Dividend |
0.1 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.2 | ||||||||||||
Combined |
92.9 | % | 87.0 | % | 92.6 | % | 89.0 | % | ||||||||
Three Month Comparison
Net written premiums for Specialty Lines decreased $9 million for the three months ended June 30,
2008 as compared to the same period in 2007. Premiums written in 2008 were unfavorably impacted by
decreased production as compared with the same period in 2007. The competitive market conditions
are expected to put ongoing pressure on premium and income levels, and the expense ratio. This
unfavorable impact was partially offset by decreased ceded premiums. Net earned premiums decreased
$11 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007,
consistent with the decrease in net written premiums.
Specialty Lines averaged rate decreases of 4% for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared
to decreases of 3% for the three months ended June 30, 2007 for the contracts that renewed during
those periods. Retention rates of 83% and 84% were achieved for those contracts that were
available for renewal in each period.
Net income decreased $30 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same
period in 2007. This decrease was primarily attributable to lower net operating income.
Net operating income decreased $34 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared
with the same period in 2007. This decrease was primarily driven by unfavorable net prior year
development for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to favorable net prior year
development for the same period in 2007 and decreased current accident year underwriting results.
The 2007 results included favorable experience and a change in estimate related to dealer profit
commissions in the warranty line of business.
The combined ratio increased 5.9 points for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with
the same period in 2007. The loss ratio increased 4.1 points, primarily due to unfavorable net
prior year development for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to favorable net prior
year development for the same period in 2007 and higher current accident year loss ratios primarily
related to the decline in rates.
The expense ratio increased 1.9 points for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with
the same period in 2007. The 2007 results included a favorable change in estimate related to dealer
profit commissions in the warranty line of business.
Unfavorable net prior year development of $2 million, including $1 million of unfavorable claim and
allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development and $1 million of unfavorable premium
development, was recorded for the three months ended June 30, 2008. Favorable claim and allocated
claim adjustment expense reserve development of $14 million was recorded for the three months ended
June 30, 2007. There was no premium development for the three months ended June 30, 2007.
48
Six Month Comparison
Net written premiums for Specialty Lines decreased $25 million for the six months ended June 30,
2008 as compared to the same period in 2007. Premiums written in 2008 were unfavorably impacted by
decreased production as compared with the same period in 2007. The competitive market conditions
are expected to put ongoing pressure on premium and income levels, and the expense ratio. This
unfavorable impact was partially offset by decreased ceded premiums. The U.S. Specialty Lines
reinsurance structure was primarily quota share reinsurance through April 2007. We elected not to
renew this coverage upon its expiration. With our current diversification in the previously
reinsured lines of business and our management of the gross limits on the business written, we did
not believe the cost of renewing the program was commensurate with its projected benefit. Net
earned premiums increased $17 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to the
same period in 2007, which reflects the decreased use of reinsurance.
Specialty Lines averaged rate decreases of 4% for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to
decreases of 2% for the six months ended June 30, 2007 for the contracts that renewed during those
periods. Retention rates of 84% were achieved for those contracts that were available for renewal
in each period.
Net income decreased $44 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same
period in 2007. This decrease was primarily attributable to lower net operating income.
Net operating income decreased $52 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with
the same period in 2007. This decrease was primarily driven by less favorable net prior year
development, lower net investment income and decreased current accident year underwriting results.
The combined ratio increased 3.6 points for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the
same period in 2007. The loss ratio increased 2.4 points and the expense ratio increased 0.9 point
primarily due to the reasons discussed in the three month comparison above.
Unfavorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development of $18 million and $18
million of favorable premium development was recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2008,
resulting in no net prior year development. Favorable net prior year development of $17 million,
including $7 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development
and $10 million of favorable premium development, was recorded for the six months ended June 30,
2007.
The following table summarizes the gross and net carried reserves as of June 30, 2008 and December
31, 2007 for Specialty Lines.
Gross and Net Carried
Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves
(In millions) | June 30, 2008 | December 31, 2007 | ||||||
Gross Case Reserves |
$ | 2,730 | $ | 2,585 | ||||
Gross IBNR Reserves |
5,790 | 5,818 | ||||||
Total Gross Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves |
$ | 8,520 | $ | 8,403 | ||||
Net Case Reserves |
$ | 2,231 | $ | 2,090 | ||||
Net IBNR Reserves |
4,656 | 4,527 | ||||||
Total Net Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves |
$ | 6,887 | $ | 6,617 | ||||
49
LIFE & GROUP NON-CORE
The following table summarizes the results of operations for Life & Group Non-Core.
Results of Operations
Period ended June 30 | Three Months | Six Months | ||||||||||||||
(In millions) | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||
Net earned premiums |
$ | 149 | $ | 157 | $ | 306 | $ | 313 | ||||||||
Net investment income |
157 | 188 | 241 | 349 | ||||||||||||
Net operating loss |
(30 | ) | (13 | ) | (33 | ) | (11 | ) | ||||||||
Net realized
investment losses, after-tax |
(4 | ) | (12 | ) | (15 | ) | (11 | ) | ||||||||
Net loss |
(34 | ) | (25 | ) | (48 | ) | (22 | ) |
Three Month Comparison
Net earned premiums for Life & Group Non-Core decreased $8 million for the three months ended June
30, 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007. The net earned premiums relate primarily to the
group and individual long term care businesses.
Net results decreased $9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same
period in 2007. The 2008 net results were impacted by adverse reserve development on our run-off
participation in a reinsurance pool, adverse investment performance on a portion of our pension
deposit business, and unfavorable long term care experience. In addition, net results for the
second quarter of 2007 included favorable resolution of certain contingencies. Lower net realized
investment losses partially offset these unfavorable impacts.
The decreased net investment income included a decline of trading portfolio results of $45 million,
which was more than offset by a corresponding decrease in the policyholders funds reserves
supported by the trading portfolio, which is included in Insurance claims and policyholders
benefits on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations included under Item 1. The trading
portfolio supports the indexed group annuity portion of our pension deposit business. See the
Investments section of this MD&A for further discussion of net investment income and net realized
investment results.
Six Month Comparison
Net earned premiums for Life & Group Non-Core decreased $7 million for the six months ended June
30, 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007.
Net results decreased $26 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same
period in 2007. In addition to the unfavorable items discussed in the three month comparison, net
results were also unfavorably impacted by higher net realized investment losses and lower net
investment income. The decreased net investment income included a decline of trading portfolio
results of $124 million, a significant portion of which was offset by a corresponding decrease in
the policyholders fund reserves supported by the trading portfolio. The trading portfolio
supports the indexed group annuity portion of our pension deposit business, which experienced a
decline in net results of $8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the
same period in 2007.
During the first quarter of 2008, we decided to exit the indexed group annuity portion of our
pension deposit business. This business had net results of $(5) million and $3 million for the six
months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. The related assets were $367 million and related liabilities
were $341 million at June 30, 2008. We expect these liabilities to be settled with the
policyholders during the remainder of 2008 with no material impact to results of operations.
50
CORPORATE & OTHER NON-CORE
The following table summarizes the results of operations for the Corporate & Other Non-Core
segment, including Asbestos and Environmental Pollution (A&E) and intrasegment eliminations.
Results of Operations
Period ended June 30 | Three Months | Six Months | ||||||||||||||
(In millions) | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||
Net investment income |
$ | 65 | $ | 86 | $ | 119 | $ | 164 | ||||||||
Revenues |
52 | 66 | 103 | 161 | ||||||||||||
Net operating income |
11 | 6 | 16 | 15 | ||||||||||||
Net realized investment losses, after-tax |
(9 | ) | (14 | ) | (15 | ) | (4 | ) | ||||||||
Net income (loss) |
2 | (8 | ) | 1 | 11 |
Three Month Comparison
Revenues decreased $14 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same
period in 2007. Revenues were unfavorably impacted by lower net investment income, partially
offset by improved net realized investment results. See the Investments section of this MD&A for
further discussion of net investment income and net realized investment results.
Net results improved $10 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same
period in 2007. The 2007 results included current accident year losses related to certain mass
torts. In addition, net income for the second quarter of 2008 included lower interest costs on
corporate debt and $3 million related to the settlement of litigation brought by us against the
issuer of a bond investment we previously held. These favorable impacts were partially offset by
the decreased revenues as discussed above.
Unfavorable net prior year development of $12 million was recorded for the three months ended June
30, 2008, including $11 million of unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment
expense reserve development and $1 million of unfavorable premium development. Unfavorable net
prior year development of $7 million was recorded for the three months ended June 30, 2007,
including $12 million of unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense
reserve development and $5 million of favorable premium development.
Six Month Comparison
Revenues decreased $58 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same
period in 2007. Revenues were unfavorably impacted by lower net investment income and decreased
net realized investment results. See the Investments section of this MD&A for further discussion
of net investment income and net realized investment results.
Net income decreased $10 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared with the same
period in 2007. The decrease in net income was primarily due to decreased revenues as discussed
above. These unfavorable impacts were partly offset by the favorable items discussed in the three
month comparison above.
Unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development of $16
million was recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2008. There was no premium development
recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2008. Unfavorable net prior year development of $9
million was recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2007, including $12 million of unfavorable
net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development and $3 million of
favorable premium development.
The following table summarizes the gross and net carried reserves as of June 30, 2008 and
December 31, 2007 for Corporate & Other Non-Core.
51
Gross and Net Carried
Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves
Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves
(In millions) | June 30, 2008 | December 31, 2007 | ||||||
Gross Case Reserves |
$ | 1,963 | $ | 2,159 | ||||
Gross IBNR Reserves |
2,771 | 2,951 | ||||||
Total Gross Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves |
$ | 4,734 | $ | 5,110 | ||||
Net Case Reserves |
$ | 1,209 | $ | 1,328 | ||||
Net IBNR Reserves |
1,659 | 1,787 | ||||||
Total Net Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves |
$ | 2,868 | $ | 3,115 | ||||
A&E Reserves
Our property and casualty insurance subsidiaries have actual and potential exposures related to
asbestos and environmental pollution (A&E) claims. Further information on A&E claim and claim
adjustment expense reserves and net prior year development is included in Note G of the Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 1.
Asbestos
We have resolved a number of our large asbestos accounts by negotiating settlement agreements.
Structured settlement agreements provide for payments over multiple years as set forth in each
individual agreement.
In 1985, 47 asbestos producers and their insurers, including The Continental Insurance Company
(CIC), executed the Wellington Agreement. The agreement was intended to resolve all issues and
litigation related to coverage for asbestos exposures. Under this agreement, signatory insurers
committed scheduled policy limits and made the limits available to pay asbestos claims based upon
coverage blocks designated by the policyholders in 1985, subject to extension by policyholders.
CIC was a signatory insurer to the Wellington Agreement.
We have also used coverage in place agreements to resolve large asbestos exposures. Coverage in
place agreements are typically agreements between us and our policyholders identifying the policies
and the terms for payment of asbestos related liabilities. Claim payments are contingent on
presentation of adequate documentation showing exposure during the policy periods and other
documentation supporting the demand for claim payment. Coverage in place agreements may have
annual payment caps. Coverage in place agreements are evaluated based on claims filings trends and
severities.
We categorize active asbestos accounts as large or small accounts. We define a large account as an
active account with more than $100 thousand of cumulative paid losses. We have made resolving
large accounts a significant management priority. Small accounts are defined as active accounts
with $100 thousand or less of cumulative paid losses. Approximately 80% and 81% of our total
active asbestos accounts are classified as small accounts at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007.
We also evaluate our asbestos liabilities arising from our assumed reinsurance business and our
participation in various pools, including Excess & Casualty Reinsurance Association (ECRA).
IBNR reserves relate to potential development on accounts that have not settled and potential
future claims from unidentified policyholders.
52
The tables below depict our overall pending asbestos accounts and associated reserves at June 30,
2008 and December 31, 2007.
Pending Asbestos Accounts and Associated Reserves
Net Paid Losses | Net Asbestos | Percent of | ||||||||||||||
Number of | in 2008 | Reserves | Asbestos | |||||||||||||
June 30, 2008 | Policyholders | (In millions) | (In millions) | Net Reserves | ||||||||||||
Policyholders with settlement agreements |
||||||||||||||||
Structured settlements |
14 | $ | 15 | $ | 130 | 11 | % | |||||||||
Wellington |
3 | 1 | 11 | 1 | ||||||||||||
Coverage in place |
37 | 19 | 91 | 7 | ||||||||||||
Total with settlement agreements |
54 | 35 | 232 | 19 | ||||||||||||
Other policyholders with active accounts |
||||||||||||||||
Large asbestos accounts |
235 | 42 | 213 | 17 | ||||||||||||
Small asbestos accounts |
952 | 18 | 86 | 7 | ||||||||||||
Total other policyholders |
1,187 | 60 | 299 | 24 | ||||||||||||
Assumed reinsurance and pools |
| 4 | 130 | 11 | ||||||||||||
Unassigned IBNR |
| | 568 | 46 | ||||||||||||
Total |
1,241 | $ | 99 | $ | 1,229 | 100 | % | |||||||||
Pending Asbestos Accounts and Associated Reserves
Net Paid Losses | Net Asbestos | Percent of | ||||||||||||||
Number of | in 2007 | Reserves | Asbestos | |||||||||||||
December 31, 2007 | Policyholders | (In millions) | (In millions) | Net Reserves | ||||||||||||
Policyholders with settlement agreements |
||||||||||||||||
Structured settlements |
14 | $ | 29 | $ | 151 | 11 | % | |||||||||
Wellington |
3 | 1 | 12 | 1 | ||||||||||||
Coverage in place |
34 | 38 | 100 | 8 | ||||||||||||
Total with settlement agreements |
51 | 68 | 263 | 20 | ||||||||||||
Other policyholders with active accounts |
||||||||||||||||
Large asbestos accounts |
233 | 45 | 237 | 18 | ||||||||||||
Small asbestos accounts |
1,005 | 15 | 93 | 7 | ||||||||||||
Total other policyholders |
1,238 | 60 | 330 | 25 | ||||||||||||
Assumed reinsurance and pools |
| 8 | 133 | 10 | ||||||||||||
Unassigned IBNR |
| | 596 | 45 | ||||||||||||
Total |
1,289 | $ | 136 | $ | 1,322 | 100 | % | |||||||||
Some asbestos-related defendants have asserted that their insurance policies are not subject to
aggregate limits on coverage. We have such claims from a number of insureds. Some of these claims
involve insureds facing exhaustion of products liability aggregate limits in their policies, who
have asserted that their asbestos-related claims fall within so-called non-products liability
coverage contained within their policies rather than products liability coverage, and that the
claimed non-products coverage is not subject to any aggregate limit. It is difficult to predict
the ultimate size of any of the claims for coverage purportedly not subject to aggregate limits or
predict to what extent, if any, the attempts to assert non-products claims outside the products
liability aggregate will succeed. Our policies also contain other limits applicable to these
claims and we have additional coverage defenses to certain claims. We have attempted to manage our
asbestos exposure by aggressively
53
seeking to settle claims on acceptable terms. There can be no assurance that any of these
settlement efforts will be successful, or that any such claims can be settled on terms acceptable
to us. Where we cannot settle a claim on acceptable terms, we aggressively litigate the claim.
However, adverse developments with respect to such matters could have a material adverse effect on
our results of operations and/or equity.
We are involved in significant asbestos-related claim litigation, which is described in Note G of
the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 1.
Environmental Pollution
We classify our environmental pollution accounts into several categories, which include structured
settlements, coverage in place agreements and active accounts. Structured settlement agreements
provide for payments over multiple years as set forth in each individual agreement.
We have also used coverage in place agreements to resolve pollution exposures. Coverage in place
agreements are typically agreements between us and our policyholders identifying the policies and
the terms for payment of pollution related liabilities. Claim payments are contingent on
presentation of adequate documentation of damages during the policy periods and other documentation
supporting the demand for claim payment. Coverage in place agreements may have annual payment
caps.
We categorize active accounts as large or small accounts in the pollution area. We define a large
account as an active account with more than $100 thousand cumulative paid losses. We have made
closing large accounts a significant management priority. Small accounts are defined as active
accounts with $100 thousand or less of cumulative paid losses. Approximately 73% of our total
active pollution accounts are classified as small accounts as of June 30, 2008 and December 31,
2007.
We also evaluate our environmental pollution exposures arising from our assumed reinsurance and our
participation in various pools, including ECRA.
We carry unassigned IBNR reserves for environmental pollution. These reserves relate to potential
development on accounts that have not settled and potential future claims from unidentified
policyholders.
The tables below depict our overall pending environmental pollution accounts and associated
reserves at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007.
Pending Environmental Pollution Accounts and Associated Reserves
Net | ||||||||||||||||
Environmental | Percent of | |||||||||||||||
Net Paid | Pollution | Environmental | ||||||||||||||
Number of | Losses in 2008 | Reserves | Pollution Net | |||||||||||||
June 30, 2008 | Policyholders | (In millions) | (In millions) | Reserve | ||||||||||||
Policyholders with settlement agreements |
||||||||||||||||
Structured settlements |
10 | $ | 1 | $ | 6 | 3 | % | |||||||||
Coverage in place |
18 | 3 | 15 | 7 | ||||||||||||
Total with settlement agreements |
28 | 4 | 21 | 10 | ||||||||||||
Other policyholders with active accounts |
||||||||||||||||
Large pollution accounts |
107 | 24 | 46 | 22 | ||||||||||||
Small pollution accounts |
288 | 7 | 35 | 17 | ||||||||||||
Total other policyholders |
395 | 31 | 81 | 39 | ||||||||||||
Assumed reinsurance and pools |
| 1 | 30 | 14 | ||||||||||||
Unassigned IBNR |
| | 76 | 37 | ||||||||||||
Total |
423 | $ | 36 | $ | 208 | 100 | % | |||||||||
54
Pending Environmental Pollution Accounts and Associated Reserves
Net | Percent of | |||||||||||||||
Net Paid Losses | Environmental | Environmental | ||||||||||||||
Number of | in 2007 | Pollution Reserves | Pollution Net | |||||||||||||
December 31, 2007 | Policyholders | (In millions) | (In millions) | Reserve | ||||||||||||
Policyholders with settlement agreements |
||||||||||||||||
Structured settlements |
10 | $ | 9 | $ | 6 | 2 | % | |||||||||
Coverage in place |
18 | 8 | 14 | 6 | ||||||||||||
Total with settlement agreements |
28 | 17 | 20 | 8 | ||||||||||||
Other policyholders with active accounts |
||||||||||||||||
Large pollution accounts |
112 | 17 | 53 | 22 | ||||||||||||
Small pollution accounts |
298 | 9 | 42 | 17 | ||||||||||||
Total other policyholders |
410 | 26 | 95 | 39 | ||||||||||||
Assumed reinsurance and pools |
| 1 | 31 | 13 | ||||||||||||
Unassigned IBNR |
| | 96 | 40 | ||||||||||||
Total |
438 | $ | 44 | $ | 242 | 100 | % | |||||||||
55
INVESTMENTS
Net Investment Income
The significant components of net investment income are presented in the following table.
Net Investment Income
Period ended June 30 | Three Months | Six Months | ||||||||||||||
(In millions) | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities |
$ | 476 | $ | 526 | $ | 994 | $ | 1,022 | ||||||||
Short term investments |
26 | 39 | 65 | 89 | ||||||||||||
Limited partnerships |
46 | 71 | 7 | 123 | ||||||||||||
Equity securities |
39 | 6 | 44 | 11 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) from trading portfolio (a) |
(4 | ) | 40 | (81 | ) | 43 | ||||||||||
Other |
5 | 12 | 11 | 22 | ||||||||||||
Gross investment income |
588 | 694 | 1,040 | 1,310 | ||||||||||||
Investment expense |
(12 | ) | (23 | ) | (30 | ) | (31 | ) | ||||||||
Net investment income |
$ | 576 | $ | 671 | $ | 1,010 | $ | 1,279 | ||||||||
(a) | The change in net unrealized gains (losses) on trading securities included in net investment income was $(2) million and $(15) million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and $1 million and $3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007. |
Net investment income decreased by $95 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared
with the same period in 2007. This decrease was primarily driven by decreased results from the
trading portfolio and limited partnerships. The decreased results from the trading portfolio were
more than offset by a corresponding decrease in the policyholders funds reserves supported by the
trading portfolio, which is included in Insurance claims and policyholders benefits on the
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Net investment income decreased by $269 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared
with the same period of 2007. The decrease was primarily driven by the same reasons discussed
above in the three month comparison.
The bond segment of the investment portfolio yielded 5.7% and 5.8% for the six months ended June
30, 2008 and 2007.
56
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)
The components of net realized investment results for available-for-sale securities are presented
in the following table.
Period ended June 30 | Three Months | Six Months | ||||||||||||||
(In millions) | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities: |
||||||||||||||||
U.S. Government bonds |
$ | (46 | ) | $ | (96 | ) | $ | (14 | ) | $ | (94 | ) | ||||
Corporate and other taxable bonds |
(8 | ) | (50 | ) | (39 | ) | (25 | ) | ||||||||
Tax-exempt bonds |
10 | (42 | ) | 50 | (53 | ) | ||||||||||
Asset-backed bonds |
(118 | ) | (77 | ) | (157 | ) | (110 | ) | ||||||||
Redeemable preferred stock |
4 | (1 | ) | | (1 | ) | ||||||||||
Total fixed maturity securities |
(158 | ) | (266 | ) | (160 | ) | (283 | ) | ||||||||
Equity securities |
(14 | ) | 11 | (29 | ) | 14 | ||||||||||
Derivative securities |
56 | 115 | 12 | 107 | ||||||||||||
Short term investments |
5 | | 7 | | ||||||||||||
Other |
| 1 | 8 | 2 | ||||||||||||
Realized investment losses, net of
participating policyholders and
minority interests |
(111 | ) | (139 | ) | (162 | ) | (160 | ) | ||||||||
Income tax benefit |
40 | 48 | 58 | 56 | ||||||||||||
Net realized investment losses,
net of participating
policyholders and minority
interests |
$ | (71 | ) | $ | (91 | ) | $ | (104 | ) | $ | (104 | ) | ||||
Net realized investment losses decreased by $20 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008
compared with the same period in 2007. Net realized investment losses were unchanged for the six
months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.
For the three months ended June 30, 2008, other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) losses of $111
million, driven by credit issues, were recorded primarily within the asset-backed bonds sector.
For the three months ended June 30, 2007, OTTI losses of $114 million were recorded primarily in
the corporate and other taxable bonds, asset-backed bonds and U.S. Government bonds sectors.
For the six months ended June 30, 2008, OTTI losses of $166 million were recorded primarily in the
asset-backed bonds sector. For the six months ended June 30, 2007, OTTI losses of $171 million were
recorded primarily in the corporate and other taxable bonds, asset-backed bonds and U.S. Government
bonds sectors.
The OTTI losses related to securities for which we did not assert an intent to hold until an
anticipated recovery in value. The judgment as to whether an impairment is other-than-temporary
incorporates many factors including the likelihood of a security recovering to cost, our intent and
ability to hold the security until recovery, general market conditions, specific sector views and
significant changes in expected cash flows. Our decision to record an OTTI loss is primarily based
on whether the securitys fair value is likely to recover to its amortized cost in light of all of
the factors considered over the expected holding period. Current factors and market conditions
that contributed to recording impairments in 2008 included significant credit spread widening in
fixed income sectors and market disruptions surrounding sub-prime residential mortgage concerns.
In some instances, an OTTI loss was recorded because, in our judgment, recovery to cost is not
likely.
A primary objective in the management of the fixed maturity and equity portfolios is to optimize
return relative to underlying liabilities and respective liquidity needs. Our views on the current
interest rate environment, tax regulations, asset class valuations, specific security issuer and
broader industry segment conditions, and the domestic and global economic conditions, are some of
the factors that enter into an investment decision. We also continually monitor exposure to
issuers of securities held and broader industry sector exposures and may from time to time adjust
such exposures based on our views of a specific issuer or industry sector.
57
A further consideration in the management of the investment portfolio is the characteristics of the
underlying liabilities and the ability to align the duration of the portfolio to those liabilities
to meet future liquidity needs, minimize interest rate risk and maintain a level of income
sufficient to support the underlying insurance liabilities. For portfolios where future liability
cash flows are determinable and typically long term in nature, we segregate investments for
asset/liability management purposes.
The segregated investments support liabilities primarily in the Life & Group Non-Core segment
including annuities, structured benefit settlements and long term care products. The remaining
investments are managed to support the Standard Lines, Specialty Lines and Corporate & Other
Non-Core segments.
The effective durations of fixed income securities, short term investments, preferred stocks and
interest rate derivatives are presented in the table below. Short term investments are net of
securities lending collateral and account payable and receivable amounts for securities purchased
and sold, but not yet settled.
Effective Durations
June 30, 2008 | December 31, 2007 | |||||||||||||||
Effective Duration | Effective Duration | |||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Fair Value | (In years) | Fair Value | (In years) | ||||||||||||
Segregated investments |
$ | 9,066 | 10.6 | $ | 9,211 | 10.7 | ||||||||||
Other interest sensitive investments |
27,781 | 3.6 | 29,406 | 3.3 | ||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 36,847 | 5.3 | $ | 38,617 | 5.1 | ||||||||||
The investment portfolio is periodically analyzed for changes in duration and related price change
risk. Additionally, we periodically review the sensitivity of the portfolio to the level of
foreign exchange rates and other factors that contribute to market price changes. A summary of
these risks and specific analysis on changes is included in the Quantitative and Qualitative
Disclosures About Market Risk in Item 7A of our Form 10-K.
We invest in certain derivative financial instruments primarily to reduce our exposure to market
risk (principally interest rate, equity price and foreign currency risk) and credit risk (risk of
nonperformance of underlying obligor). Derivative securities are recorded at fair value at the
reporting date. We also use derivatives to mitigate market risk by purchasing Standard &
Poors (S&P) 500 Index futures in a notional amount equal to the contract liability relating to
Life & Group Non-Core indexed group annuity contracts. We provided collateral to satisfy margin
deposits on exchange-traded derivatives totaling $24 million as of June 30, 2008. For
over-the-counter derivative transactions we utilize International Swaps and Derivatives Association
Master Agreements that specify certain limits over which collateral is exchanged. As of June 30,
2008, we provided $42 million of cash as collateral for over-the-counter derivative instruments.
We classify our fixed maturity and equity securities as either available-for-sale or trading, and
as such, they are carried at fair value. The amortized cost of fixed maturity securities is
adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity, which is included in
net investment income. Changes in fair value related to available-for-sale securities are reported
as a component of other comprehensive income. Changes in fair value of trading securities are
reported within net investment income. As of January 1, 2008, we adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standard No. 157, Fair Value Measurement. See Note F of the Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 1 for further information.
The following table provides further detail of gross realized investment gains and losses, which
include OTTI losses, on available-for-sale fixed maturity and equity securities.
58
Realized Investment Gains (Losses)
Period ended June 30 | Three Months | Six Months | ||||||||||||||
(In millions) | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||
Net realized investment gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities
and equity securities: |
||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities: |
||||||||||||||||
Gross realized gains |
$ | 83 | $ | 45 | $ | 200 | $ | 143 | ||||||||
Gross realized losses |
(241 | ) | (311 | ) | (360 | ) | (426 | ) | ||||||||
Net realized investment losses on fixed maturity securities |
(158 | ) | (266 | ) | (160 | ) | (283 | ) | ||||||||
Equity securities: |
||||||||||||||||
Gross realized gains |
7 | 13 | 11 | 20 | ||||||||||||
Gross realized losses |
(21 | ) | (2 | ) | (40 | ) | (6 | ) | ||||||||
Net realized investment gains (losses) on equity securities |
(14 | ) | 11 | (29 | ) | 14 | ||||||||||
Net realized investment losses on fixed maturity and equity securities |
$ | (172 | ) | $ | (255 | ) | $ | (189 | ) | $ | (269 | ) | ||||
The following table provides details of the largest realized investment losses from sales of
securities aggregated by issuer including the fair value of the securities at date of sale, the
amount of the loss recorded and the period of time that the securities had been in an unrealized
loss position prior to sale. The period of time that the securities had been in an unrealized loss
position prior to sale can vary due to the timing of individual security purchases. Also included
is a narrative providing the industry sector along with the facts and circumstances giving rise to
the loss.
Largest Realized Investment Losses from Securities Sold at a Loss
Six months ended June 30, 2008
Fair | Months in | |||||||||||
Value at | Unrealized | |||||||||||
Date of | Loss | Loss Prior | ||||||||||
Issuer Description and Discussion | Sale | On Sale | To Sale (a) | |||||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||||||
Various notes and bonds issued by the United States Treasury.
Securities sold due to outlook on interest rates. |
$ | 7,839 | $ | 84 | 0-6 | |||||||
A provider of wireless and wire line communication services.
Securities were sold to reduce exposure because the company
announced a significant shortfall in operating results, causing
significant credit deterioration which resulted in a rating
downgrade. |
38 | 16 | 7-12 | |||||||||
A provider of electronic communications solutions. Company
announced a decision to explore the sale of a struggling and
major product unit creating uncertainty with respect to asset
value relative to total debt. Securities were sold to reduce
exposure. |
61 | 7 | 7-12 | |||||||||
Total |
$ | 7,938 | $ | 107 | ||||||||
(a) | Represents the range of consecutive months the various positions were in an unrealized loss prior to sale. |
59
Valuation and Impairment of Investments
The following table details the carrying value of our general account investments.
Carrying Value of General Account Investments
June 30, | December 31, | |||||||||||||||
(In millions) | 2008 | % | 2007 | % | ||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: |
||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of government agencies |
$ | 687 | 2 | % | $ | 687 | 2 | % | ||||||||
Asset-backed securities |
9,912 | 25 | 11,409 | 27 | ||||||||||||
States, municipalities and political subdivisions tax-exempt
securities |
6,833 | 17 | 7,675 | 18 | ||||||||||||
Corporate bonds |
9,327 | 24 | 8,952 | 22 | ||||||||||||
Other debt securities |
3,701 | 9 | 4,299 | 10 | ||||||||||||
Redeemable preferred stock |
49 | | 1,058 | 3 | ||||||||||||
Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale |
30,509 | 77 | 34,080 | 82 | ||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities trading: |
||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of government agencies |
| | 5 | | ||||||||||||
Asset-backed securities |
18 | | 31 | | ||||||||||||
Corporate bonds |
29 | | 123 | | ||||||||||||
Other debt securities |
4 | | 18 | | ||||||||||||
Total fixed maturity securities trading |
51 | | 177 | | ||||||||||||
Equity securities available-for-sale: |
||||||||||||||||
Common stock |
447 | 1 | 452 | 1 | ||||||||||||
Preferred stock |
972 | 3 | 116 | | ||||||||||||
Total equity securities available-for-sale |
1,419 | 4 | 568 | 1 | ||||||||||||
Short term investments available-for-sale |
5,014 | 13 | 4,497 | 11 | ||||||||||||
Short term investments trading |
50 | | 180 | 1 | ||||||||||||
Limited partnerships |
2,321 | 6 | 2,214 | 5 | ||||||||||||
Other investments |
9 | | 73 | | ||||||||||||
Total general account investments |
$ | 39,373 | 100 | % | $ | 41,789 | 100 | % | ||||||||
A significant judgment in the valuation of investments is the determination of when an OTTI has
occurred. We analyze securities on at least a quarterly basis. Part of this analysis is to
monitor the length of time and severity of the decline below amortized cost for those securities in
an unrealized loss position.
Investments in the general account had a net unrealized loss of $1,519 million at June 30, 2008
compared with a net unrealized gain of $74 million at December 31, 2007. The unrealized position
at June 30, 2008 was comprised of a net unrealized loss of $1,431 million for fixed maturity
securities, a net unrealized loss of $85 million for equity securities and a net unrealized loss of
$3 million for short term investments. The unrealized position at December 31, 2007 was comprised
of a net unrealized loss of $131 million for fixed maturity securities, a net unrealized gain of
$202 million for equity securities and a net unrealized gain of $3 million for short term
investments. See Note D of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 1
for further detail on the unrealized position of our general account investment portfolio.
60
The following table provides the composition of fixed maturity securities available-for-sale in a
gross unrealized loss position at June 30, 2008 by maturity profile. Securities not due at a
single date are allocated based on weighted average life.
Maturity Profile
Percent of | Percent of | |||||||
Market | Unrealized | |||||||
Value | Loss | |||||||
Due in one year or less |
5 | % | 4 | % | ||||
Due after one year through five years |
23 | 14 | ||||||
Due after five years through ten years |
26 | 31 | ||||||
Due after ten years |
46 | 51 | ||||||
Total |
100 | % | 100 | % | ||||
Our non-investment grade fixed income securities available-for-sale at June 30, 2008 that were in a
gross unrealized loss position had a fair value of $2,429 million. The following tables summarize
the fair value and gross unrealized loss of non-investment grade securities categorized by the
length of time those securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position and further
categorized by the severity of the unrealized loss position in 10% increments as of June 30, 2008
and December 31, 2007.
Unrealized Loss Aging for Non-investment Grade Securities
Gross | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
June 30, 2008 | Estimated | Fair Value as a Percentage of Amortized Cost | Unrealized | |||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Fair Value | 90-99% | 80-89% | 70-79% | <70% | Loss | ||||||||||||||||||
Fixed income securities: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
0-6 months |
$ | 1,012 | $ | 29 | $ | 20 | $ | 8 | $ | 13 | $ | 70 | ||||||||||||
7-12 months |
1,262 | 46 | 63 | 11 | 29 | 149 | ||||||||||||||||||
13-24 months |
147 | 3 | 13 | 2 | 18 | 36 | ||||||||||||||||||
Greater than 24 months |
8 | | 1 | | 3 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total non-investment grade |
$ | 2,429 | $ | 78 | $ | 97 | $ | 21 | $ | 63 | $ | 259 | ||||||||||||
Unrealized Loss Aging for Non-investment Grade Securities
Gross | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2007 | Estimated | Fair Value as a Percentage of Amortized Cost | Unrealized | |||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Fair Value | 90-99% | 80-89% | 70-79% | <70% | Loss | ||||||||||||||||||
Fixed income securities: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
0-6 months |
$ | 1,527 | $ | 56 | $ | 14 | $ | 3 | $ | | $ | 73 | ||||||||||||
7-12 months |
125 | 6 | 2 | | | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||
13-24 months |
26 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||
Greater than 24 months |
9 | 1 | 1 | | | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total non-investment grade |
$ | 1,687 | $ | 64 | $ | 18 | $ | 4 | $ | 1 | $ | 87 | ||||||||||||
As part of the ongoing OTTI monitoring process, we evaluated the facts and circumstances based on
available information for each of the non-investment grade securities and determined that the
securities presented in the above tables were temporarily impaired when evaluated at June 30, 2008
or December 31, 2007. This determination was based on a number of factors that we regularly
consider including, but not limited to: the issuers ability to meet current and future interest
and principal payments, an evaluation of the issuers financial condition and near term prospects,
our assessment of the sector outlook and estimates of the fair value of any underlying collateral.
In all cases where a decline in value is judged to be temporary, we have the intent and ability to hold these securities for a period of time sufficient to recover the amortized cost of
our investment through an anticipated recovery in the fair value of such securities or by holding
the securities to maturity. In
61
many cases, the securities held are matched to liabilities as part of ongoing asset/liability
duration management. As such, we continually assess our ability to hold securities for a time
sufficient to recover any temporary loss in value or until maturity. We believe we have sufficient
levels of liquidity so as to not impact the asset/liability management process.
Our equity securities classified as available-for-sale as of June 30, 2008 that were in a gross
unrealized loss position had a fair value of $982 million and gross unrealized losses of $295
million. Under the same process as followed for fixed maturity securities, we monitor the equity
securities for other-than-temporary declines in value. In all cases where a decline in value is
judged to be temporary, we have the intent and ability to hold these securities for a period of
time sufficient to recover the cost of our investment through an anticipated recovery in the fair
value of such securities.
Invested assets are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate and credit risk. Due to the
level of risk associated with certain invested assets and the level of uncertainty related to
changes in the value of these assets, it is possible that changes in these risks in the near term,
including increases in interest rates and further credit spread widening, could have an adverse
material impact on our results of operations or equity.
The general account portfolio consists primarily of high quality bonds, 88% and 89% of which were
rated as investment grade (rated BBB- or higher) at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007. The
following table summarizes the ratings of our general account bond portfolio at carrying value.
General Account Bond Ratings
June 30, | December 31, | |||||||||||||||
(In millions) | 2008 | % | 2007 | % | ||||||||||||
U.S. Government and
affiliated agency
securities |
$ | 789 | 3 | % | $ | 816 | 3 | % | ||||||||
Other AAA rated |
12,358 | 40 | 16,728 | 50 | ||||||||||||
AA and A rated |
8,038 | 26 | 6,326 | 19 | ||||||||||||
BBB rated |
5,809 | 19 | 5,713 | 17 | ||||||||||||
Non-investment grade |
3,517 | 12 | 3,616 | 11 | ||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 30,511 | 100 | % | $ | 33,199 | 100 | % | ||||||||
At June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, approximately 97% and 95% of the general account portfolio
was issued by U.S. Government and affiliated agencies or was rated by S&P or Moodys Investors
Service (Moodys). The remaining bonds were rated by other rating agencies or internally.
Non-investment grade bonds, as presented in the tables above, are primarily high-yield securities
rated below BBB- by bond rating agencies, as well as other unrated securities that, according to
our analysis, are below investment grade. High-yield securities generally involve a greater degree
of risk than investment grade securities. However, expected returns should compensate for the
added risk. This risk is also considered in the interest rate assumptions for the underlying
insurance products.
The carrying value of securities that are either subject to trading restrictions or trade in
illiquid private placement markets at June 30, 2008 was $491 million, which represents 1.2% of our
total investment portfolio. These securities were in a net unrealized gain position of
$168 million at June 30, 2008.
62
Asset-Backed and Sub-prime Mortgage Exposure
Asset-Backed Distribution
Percent | Percent | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
June 30, 2008 | Security Type | of Total | of Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | MBS(a) | CMO(b) | ABS(c) | CDO(d) | Total | Security Type | Investments | |||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Government Agencies |
$ | 638 | $ | 1,120 | $ | | $ | | $ | 1,758 | 18 | % | 4 | % | ||||||||||||||
AAA |
| 4,796 | 2,238 | 9 | 7,043 | 71 | 18 | |||||||||||||||||||||
AA |
| 150 | 329 | 29 | 508 | 5 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
A |
| 8 | 131 | 116 | 255 | 2 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
BBB |
| 1 | 278 | 7 | 286 | 3 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Non-investment grade and
equity tranches |
| 5 | 61 | 14 | 80 | 1 | | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total Fair Value |
$ | 638 | $ | 6,080 | $ | 3,037 | $ | 175 | $ | 9,930 | 100 | % | 25 | % | ||||||||||||||
Total Amortized Cost |
$ | 650 | $ | 6,416 | $ | 3,297 | $ | 351 | $ | 10,714 | ||||||||||||||||||
Percent of total fair
value by security type |
6 | % | 61 | % | 31 | % | 2 | % | 100 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Sub-prime (included above) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair Value |
$ | | $ | 1 | $ | 1,558 | $ | 10 | $ | 1,569 | 16 | % | 4 | % | ||||||||||||||
Amortized Cost |
$ | | $ | 1 | $ | 1,668 | $ | 33 | $ | 1,702 | 16 | % | 4 | % | ||||||||||||||
Alt-A (included above) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair Value |
$ | | $ | 1,218 | $ | | $ | 12 | $ | 1,230 | 12 | % | 3 | % | ||||||||||||||
Amortized Cost |
$ | | $ | 1,321 | $ | | $ | 12 | $ | 1,333 | 12 | % | 3 | % |
(a) | Mortgage-backed securities (MBS) | |
(b) | Collateralized mortgage obligations (CMO) | |
(c) | Asset-backed securities (ABS) | |
(d) | Collateralized debt obligations (CDO) |
Included in our fixed maturity securities at June 30, 2008 were $9,930 million of asset-backed
securities, at fair value, which represents 25% of total invested assets. Of the total
asset-backed securities, 89% were U.S. Government Agency issued or AAA rated. The majority of our
asset-backed securities are actively traded in liquid markets. Of the total invested assets,
$1,569 million or 4% have exposure to sub-prime residential mortgage (sub-prime) collateral, as
measured by the original deal structure, while 3% have exposure to Alternative A (Alt-A)
collateral. Of the securities with sub-prime exposure, approximately 97% were rated investment
grade, while over 99% of the Alt-A securities were rated investment grade. We believe that each of
these securities would be rated investment grade even without the benefit of any applicable
third-party guarantees. In addition to sub-prime exposure in fixed maturity securities, there is
exposure of approximately $44 million through limited partnerships and credit default swaps.
All asset-backed securities in an unrealized loss position are reviewed as part of the ongoing OTTI
process, which resulted in OTTI losses of $83 million and $117 million after-tax for the three and
six months ended June 30, 2008. Included in these OTTI losses were $64 million and $93 million
after-tax related to securities with sub-prime and Alt-A exposure. Our review of these securities
includes an analysis of cash flow modeling under various default scenarios, the seniority of the
specific tranche within the deal structure, the composition of the collateral and the actual
default experience. Given current market conditions and the specific facts and circumstances
related to our individual sub-prime and Alt-A exposures, we believe that all remaining unrealized
losses are temporary in nature. Continued deterioration in these markets beyond our current
expectations may cause us to reconsider and record additional OTTI losses.
63
Federal National Mortgage Association and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
The
aggregate amounts of our direct exposure at June 30, 2008, at amortized cost, of equity and debt securities of
Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
(Freddie Mac) are set forth below.
June 30, | ||||
(In millions) | 2008 | |||
Fannie Mae |
||||
Preferred stock |
$ | 137 | ||
Senior bonds |
$ | 16 | ||
Freddie Mac |
||||
Discount notes |
$ | 846 | ||
Preferred stock |
$ | 184 | ||
Senior bonds |
$ | 67 |
Our entire holdings of Freddie Mac Discount notes had either matured or were disposed of, at or
above amortized cost, subsequent to June 30, 2008.
Short Term Investments
The carrying value of the components of the general account short term investment portfolio is
presented in the following table.
June 30, | December 31, | |||||||
(In millions) | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||
Short term investments available-for-sale: |
||||||||
Commercial paper |
$ | 2,004 | $ | 3,040 | ||||
U.S. Treasury securities |
1,207 | 577 | ||||||
Money market funds |
263 | 72 | ||||||
Other, including collateral held related to
securities lending |
1,540 | 808 | ||||||
Total short term investments available-for-sale |
5,014 | 4,497 | ||||||
Short term investments trading: |
||||||||
Commercial paper |
| 35 | ||||||
Money market funds |
49 | 139 | ||||||
Other |
1 | 6 | ||||||
Total short term investments trading |
50 | 180 | ||||||
Total short term investments |
$ | 5,064 | $ | 4,677 | ||||
The fair value of collateral held related to securities lending, included in other short term
investments, was $53 million at December 31, 2007. There was no collateral held at June 30, 2008.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash Flows
Our principal operating cash flow sources are premiums and investment income from our insurance
subsidiaries. Our primary operating cash flow uses are payments for claims, policy benefits and
operating expenses.
For the six months ended June 30, 2008, net cash provided by operating activities was $812 million
as compared with $541 million for the same period in 2007. Cash provided by operating activities
was favorably impacted by increased net sales of trading securities to fund policyholders
withdrawals of investment contract
64
products issued by us and decreased tax and expense payments. Policyholders fund withdrawals are
reflected as financing cash flows. Cash provided by operating activities was unfavorably impacted
by decreased premium collections and increased loss payments.
Cash flows from investing activities include the purchase and sale of available-for-sale financial
instruments, as well as the purchase and sale of businesses, land, buildings, equipment and other
assets not generally held for resale.
For the six months ended June 30, 2008, net cash used by investing activities was $231 million as
compared with $529 million for the same period in 2007. Cash flows used by investing activities
related principally to purchases of fixed maturity securities. The cash flow from investing
activities is impacted by various factors such as the anticipated payment of claims, financing
activity, asset/liability management and individual security buy and sell decisions made in the
normal course of portfolio management. Net cash flows provided by investing
activities-discontinued operations for the six months ended June 30, 2007 included $64 million of
cash proceeds related to the sale of a discontinued operations business.
Cash flows from financing activities include proceeds from the issuance of debt and equity
securities, outflows for dividends or repayment of debt, outlays to reacquire equity instruments,
and deposits and withdrawals related to investment contract products issued by us.
For the six months ended June 30, 2008, net cash used by financing activities was $594 million as
compared with $54 million for the same period in 2007. In January 2008, we repaid our $150 million
6.45% senior note. We also purchased outstanding shares of our common stock as discussed below.
Additionally, the increase in cash used for financing activities is related to increased
policyholders fund withdrawals in 2008 as compared to 2007, which are reflected as a Return of
investment contract account balances on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
We believe that our present cash flows from operations, investing activities and financing
activities, including cash dividends from CNAF subsidiaries, are sufficient to fund our working
capital and debt obligation needs.
We have an effective shelf registration statement under which we may issue debt or equity
securities.
Dividends
On May 21, 2008, we paid a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share, to shareholders of record on May
7, 2008. On July 23, 2008, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per
share, payable August 20, 2008 to shareholders of record on August 6, 2008. The declaration and
payment of future dividends to holders of our common stock will be at the discretion of our Board
of Directors and will depend on many factors, including our earnings, financial condition, business
needs, and regulatory constraints.
Share Repurchases
Our Board of Directors has approved an authorization to purchase, in the open market or through
privately negotiated transactions, our outstanding common stock, as our management deems
appropriate. For the six months ended June 30, 2008, we repurchased a total of 2,649,621 shares at
an average price of $26.53 (including commission) per share. Share repurchases may continue. No
shares of common stock were purchased during the second quarter of 2008 or for the year ended
December 31, 2007.
65
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains a number of forward-looking statements which relate to anticipated future
events rather than actual present conditions or historical events. These statements are made
pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and
generally include words such as believes, expects, intends, anticipates, estimates, and
similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this report include any and all statements
regarding expected developments in our insurance business, including losses and loss reserves for
asbestos and environmental pollution and other mass tort claims which are more uncertain, and
therefore more difficult to estimate than loss reserves respecting traditional property and
casualty exposures; the impact of routine ongoing insurance reserve reviews we are conducting; our
expectations concerning our revenues, earnings, expenses and investment activities; expected cost
savings and other results from our expense reduction and restructuring activities; and our proposed
actions in response to trends in our business. Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are
subject to a variety of inherent risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from the results projected in the forward-looking statement. We cannot control many of
these risks and uncertainties. Some examples of these risks and uncertainties are:
| general economic and business conditions, including inflationary pressures on medical care costs, construction costs and other economic sectors that increase the severity of claims; | |
| changes in financial markets such as fluctuations in interest rates, long term periods of low interest rates, credit conditions and currency, commodity and stock prices, including the short and long-term effects of losses produced or threatened in relation to sub-prime residential mortgage-backed securities (sub-prime), including claims under directors and officers and errors and omissions coverages in connection with market disruptions recently experienced in relation to the sub-prime crisis in the U.S. economy; | |
| the effects of corporate bankruptcies and accounting errors on capital markets, and on the markets for directors and officers and errors and omissions coverages; | |
| changes in foreign or domestic political, social and economic conditions; | |
| regulatory initiatives and compliance with governmental regulations, judicial decisions, including interpretation of policy provisions, decisions regarding coverage and theories of liability, trends in litigation and the outcome of any litigation involving us, and rulings and changes in tax laws and regulations; | |
| effects upon insurance markets and upon industry business practices and relationships of current litigation, investigations and regulatory activity by the New York State Attorney Generals office and other authorities concerning contingent commission arrangements with brokers and bid solicitation activities; | |
| legal and regulatory activities with respect to certain non-traditional and finite-risk insurance products, and possible resulting changes in accounting and financial reporting in relation to such products, including our restatement of financial results in May of 2005 and our relationship with an affiliate, Accord Re Ltd., as disclosed in connection with that restatement; | |
| regulatory limitations, impositions and restrictions upon us, including the effects of assessments and other surcharges for guaranty funds and second-injury funds and other mandatory pooling arrangements; | |
| the impact of competitive products, policies and pricing and the competitive environment in which we operate, including changes in our book of business; | |
| product and policy availability and demand and market responses, including the level of ability to obtain rate increases and decline or non-renew under priced accounts, to achieve premium targets and profitability and to realize growth and retention estimates; | |
| development of claims and the impact on loss reserves, including changes in claim settlement policies; | |
| the effectiveness of current initiatives by claims management to reduce loss and expense ratios through more efficacious claims handling techniques; | |
| the performance of reinsurance companies under reinsurance contracts with us; | |
| results of financing efforts, including the availability of bank credit facilities; | |
| changes in our composition of operating segments; |
66
| weather and other natural physical events, including the severity and frequency of storms, hail, snowfall and other winter conditions, natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes, as well as climate change, including effects on weather patterns, greenhouse gases, sea, land and air temperatures, sea levels, rain and snow; | |
| regulatory requirements imposed by coastal state regulators in the wake of hurricanes or other natural disasters, including limitations on the ability to exit markets or to non-renew, cancel or change terms and conditions in policies, as well as mandatory assessments to fund any shortfalls arising from the inability of quasi-governmental insurers to pay claims; | |
| man-made disasters, including the possible occurrence of terrorist attacks and the effect of the absence or insufficiency of applicable terrorism legislation on coverages; | |
| the unpredictability of the nature, targets, severity or frequency of potential terrorist events, as well as the uncertainty as to our ability to contain our terrorism exposure effectively, notwithstanding the extension through December 31, 2014 of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002; | |
| the occurrence of epidemics; | |
| exposure to liabilities due to claims made by insureds and others relating to asbestos remediation and health-based asbestos impairments, as well as exposure to liabilities for environmental pollution, construction defect claims and exposure to liabilities due to claims made by insureds and others relating to lead-based paint and other mass torts; | |
| the sufficiency of our loss reserves and the possibility of future increases in reserves; | |
| regulatory limitations and restrictions, including limitations upon our ability to receive dividends from our insurance subsidiaries imposed by state regulatory agencies and minimum risk-based capital standards established by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners; | |
| the risks and uncertainties associated with our loss reserves as outlined in the Critical Accounting Estimates and the Reserves Estimates and Uncertainties sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K; | |
| the level of success in integrating acquired businesses and operations, and in consolidating, or selling existing ones; | |
| the possibility of changes in our ratings by ratings agencies, including the inability to access certain markets or distribution channels and the required collateralization of future payment obligations as a result of such changes, and changes in rating agency policies and practices; and | |
| the actual closing of contemplated transactions and agreements. |
Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and we do not
undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect events or
circumstances after the date of the statement, even if our expectations or any related events or
circumstances change.
67
CNA Financial Corporation
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
There were no material changes in our market risk components for the six months ended June 30,
2008. See the Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk included in Item 7A of
our Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended December 31,
2007, as amended by Form 10-K/A which amended Part I, Item 1 for further information. Additional
information related to portfolio duration is discussed in the Investments section of the
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in
Part I, Item 2.
68
CNA Financial Corporation
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains a system of disclosure controls and procedures which are designed to
ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits
to the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the Exchange Act), including this report, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a
timely basis. These disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to
ensure that information required to be disclosed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and
communicated to the Companys management on a timely basis to allow decisions regarding required
disclosure.
As of June 30, 2008, the Companys management, including the Companys Chief Executive Officer
(CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the
Companys disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules
13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)). Based on this evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that the
Companys disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
There has been no change in the Companys internal control over financial reporting (as defined in
Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended June 30, 2008 that
has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Companys internal
control over financial reporting.
69
CNA Financial Corporation
Part II. Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Information on our legal proceedings is set forth in Notes G and H of the Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements included under Part I, Item 1.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Set forth below is information relating to the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the
Registrant.
The annual meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m., April 23, 2008. Represented at the meeting,
in person or by proxy, were 265,104,710 shares constituting 98.53% of the issued and outstanding
shares entitled to vote.
The following business was transacted:
1. Election of Directors
Over 94% of the votes cast for directors were voted for the election of the directors named below.
The number of votes for and withheld with respect to each director is as follows:
Votes For | Votes Withheld | |||||||
Stephen W. Lilienthal |
252,350,575 | 12,754,135 | ||||||
Paul J. Liska |
251,560,988 | 13,543,722 | ||||||
Jose O. Montemayor |
264,776,224 | 328,486 | ||||||
Don M. Randel |
264,787,158 | 317,552 | ||||||
Joseph Rosenberg |
251,432,150 | 13,672,560 | ||||||
Andrew H. Tisch |
251,465,619 | 13,639,091 | ||||||
James S. Tisch |
251,427,298 | 13,677,412 | ||||||
Marvin Zonis |
264,669,878 | 434,832 |
There were
no broker non-votes. Since the by-laws provide for director elections
by plurality voting, votes may not be cast against any director.
2. Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Over 98% of the shares eligible to vote, voted to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP
to serve as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Registrant for 2008. In
addition, less than 1% of the shares eligible to vote either voted against the appointment or
abstained. There were no broker non-votes.
Votes For | Votes Against | Votes Abstained | ||||||||||
Deloitte & Touche LLP |
265,067,047 | 23,916 | 13,747 |
Item 6. Exhibits
(a) Exhibits
Description of Exhibit | Exhibit Number | |||
Employment Agreement, dated as of May 22, 2008, by and between CNA Financial
Corporation and Thomas F. Motamed |
10.1 | |||
Second Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated as of April 7, 2008, by and between
Continental Casualty Company and Michael Fusco |
10.2 | |||
Certification of Chief Executive Officer |
31.1 | |||
Certification of Chief Financial Officer |
31.2 |
70
CNA Financial Corporation
Part II. Other Information
Written Statement of the Chief Executive Officer of CNA Financial Corporation Pursuant
to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (As adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
|
32.1 | |||
Written Statement of the Chief Financial Officer of CNA Financial Corporation Pursuant
to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (As adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
|
32.2 |
71
CNA Financial Corporation
Part II. Other Information
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
CNA Financial Corporation |
||||
Dated: July 28, 2008 | By | /s/ D. Craig Mense | ||
D. Craig Mense | ||||
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
72