Enstar Group LTD - Quarter Report: 2016 September (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2016
Commission File Number 001-33289
![enlogo2016a01.gif](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001363829/000136382916000040/enlogo2016a01.gif)
ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
BERMUDA | N/A |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
Windsor Place, 3rd Floor, 22 Queen Street, Hamilton HM JX, Bermuda
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (441) 292-3645
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 ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer | þ | Accelerated filer | ¨ | Non-accelerated filer | ¨ | Smaller reporting company | ¨ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No þ
As of November 8, 2016, the registrant had outstanding 16,227,500 voting ordinary shares and 3,130,408 non-voting convertible ordinary shares, each par value $1.00 per share.
Enstar Group Limited
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
For the Period Ended September 30, 2016
Table of Contents
Page | ||
PART I | ||
Item 1. | ||
Item 2. | ||
Item 3. | ||
Item 4. | ||
PART II | ||
Item 1. | ||
Item 1A. | ||
Item 2. | ||
Item 6. |
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015
September 30, 2016 | December 31, 2015 | ||||||
(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share data) | |||||||
ASSETS | |||||||
Short-term investments, trading, at fair value | $ | 119,680 | $ | 87,350 | |||
Short-term investments, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2016 — $793; 2015 — $8,630) | 792 | 8,622 | |||||
Fixed maturities, trading, at fair value | 5,036,054 | 4,990,794 | |||||
Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity, at amortized cost | 762,602 | 790,866 | |||||
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2016 — $295,197; 2015 — $300,160) | 299,324 | 293,679 | |||||
Equities, trading, at fair value | 120,350 | 115,941 | |||||
Other investments, at fair value | 985,696 | 1,034,032 | |||||
Other investments, at cost | 129,431 | 133,071 | |||||
Total investments | 7,453,929 | 7,454,355 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 769,039 | 821,925 | |||||
Restricted cash and cash equivalents | 517,870 | 511,339 | |||||
Premiums receivable | 404,109 | 381,412 | |||||
Deferred tax assets | 112,983 | 121,035 | |||||
Prepaid reinsurance premiums | 129,921 | 121,427 | |||||
Reinsurance balances recoverable | 1,278,988 | 1,474,004 | |||||
Funds held by reinsured companies | 1,140,695 | 109,358 | |||||
Deferred acquisition costs | 103,064 | 89,123 | |||||
Goodwill and intangible assets | 186,343 | 191,304 | |||||
Other assets | 373,979 | 556,850 | |||||
TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 12,470,920 | $ | 11,832,132 | |||
LIABILITIES | |||||||
Losses and loss adjustment expenses | $ | 6,145,569 | $ | 5,720,149 | |||
Policy benefits for life and annuity contracts | 1,280,008 | 1,304,697 | |||||
Unearned premiums | 549,552 | 542,771 | |||||
Insurance and reinsurance balances payable | 271,840 | 274,598 | |||||
Deferred tax liabilities | 93,936 | 92,588 | |||||
Loans payable | 570,618 | 600,250 | |||||
Other liabilities | 322,921 | 358,633 | |||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES | 9,234,444 | 8,893,686 | |||||
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | |||||||
REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST | 455,545 | 417,663 | |||||
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||
Share capital authorized, issued and fully paid, par value $1 each (authorized 2016 and 2015: 156,000,000): | |||||||
Ordinary shares (issued and outstanding 2016: 16,171,378; 2015: 16,133,334) | 16,171 | 16,133 | |||||
Non-voting convertible ordinary shares: | |||||||
Series A (issued 2016: nil; 2015: 2,972,892) | — | 2,973 | |||||
Series C (issued and outstanding 2016: 2,725,637; 2015: 2,725,637) | 2,726 | 2,726 | |||||
Series E (issued and outstanding 2016: 404,771; 2015: 404,771) | 405 | 405 | |||||
Series C Preferred Shares (issued and outstanding 2016: 388,571; 2015: nil) | 389 | — | |||||
Treasury shares at cost (Preferred shares 2016: 388,571; Series A non-voting convertible ordinary shares 2015: 2,972,892) | (421,559 | ) | (421,559 | ) | |||
Additional paid-in capital | 1,379,389 | 1,373,044 | |||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (17,333 | ) | (35,162 | ) | |||
Retained earnings | 1,817,266 | 1,578,312 | |||||
Total Enstar Group Limited Shareholders’ Equity | 2,777,454 | 2,516,872 | |||||
Noncontrolling interest | 3,477 | 3,911 | |||||
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | 2,780,931 | 2,520,783 | |||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | $ | 12,470,920 | $ | 11,832,132 |
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
1
ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 and 2015
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||||||
(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data) | |||||||||||||||
INCOME | |||||||||||||||
Net premiums earned | $ | 223,395 | $ | 231,051 | $ | 659,732 | $ | 641,980 | |||||||
Fees and commission income | 6,995 | 8,977 | 19,585 | 29,588 | |||||||||||
Net investment income | 57,546 | 40,796 | 171,832 | 105,867 | |||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | 70,422 | (15,130 | ) | 146,373 | 16,641 | ||||||||||
Other income | 610 | 2,373 | 7,071 | 17,688 | |||||||||||
358,968 | 268,067 | 1,004,593 | 811,764 | ||||||||||||
EXPENSES | |||||||||||||||
Net incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses | (6,902 | ) | 32,359 | 172,778 | 168,395 | ||||||||||
Life and annuity policy benefits | 21,753 | 22,989 | 62,511 | 73,926 | |||||||||||
Acquisition costs | 52,544 | 49,806 | 146,298 | 121,450 | |||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 104,991 | 100,335 | 305,315 | 290,896 | |||||||||||
Interest expense | 5,027 | 5,156 | 15,852 | 14,035 | |||||||||||
Net foreign exchange losses (gains) | 2,320 | (841 | ) | 2,236 | (3,460 | ) | |||||||||
179,733 | 209,804 | 704,990 | 665,242 | ||||||||||||
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES | 179,235 | 58,263 | 299,603 | 146,522 | |||||||||||
INCOME TAXES | (8,858 | ) | (12,262 | ) | (24,840 | ) | (28,822 | ) | |||||||
NET EARNINGS | 170,377 | 46,001 | 274,763 | 117,700 | |||||||||||
Less: Net losses (earnings) attributable to noncontrolling interest | (14,329 | ) | 3,041 | (32,601 | ) | (9,266 | ) | ||||||||
NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED | $ | 156,048 | $ | 49,042 | $ | 242,162 | $ | 108,434 | |||||||
EARNINGS PER SHARE — BASIC | |||||||||||||||
Net earnings per ordinary share attributable to Enstar Group Limited shareholders | $ | 8.09 | $ | 2.55 | $ | 12.55 | $ | 5.63 | |||||||
EARNINGS PER SHARE — DILUTED | |||||||||||||||
Net earnings per ordinary share attributable to Enstar Group Limited shareholders | $ | 8.02 | $ | 2.53 | $ | 12.46 | $ | 5.59 | |||||||
Weighted-average ordinary shares outstanding — basic | 19,299,038 | 19,256,184 | 19,292,450 | 19,248,737 | |||||||||||
Weighted-average ordinary shares outstanding — diluted | 19,449,430 | 19,408,627 | 19,432,658 | 19,387,285 |
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
2
ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 and 2015
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||||||
(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |||||||||||||||
NET EARNINGS | $ | 170,377 | $ | 46,001 | $ | 274,763 | $ | 117,700 | |||||||
Other comprehensive income, net of tax: | |||||||||||||||
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on fixed income investments arising during the period | 1,668 | (2,002 | ) | 10,762 | (4,196 | ) | |||||||||
Reclassification adjustment for net realized losses (gains) included in net earnings | (282 | ) | (27 | ) | (147 | ) | (171 | ) | |||||||
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period, net of reclassification adjustment | 1,386 | (2,029 | ) | 10,615 | (4,367 | ) | |||||||||
Currency translation adjustment | 2,803 | (11,290 | ) | 8,856 | (23,877 | ) | |||||||||
Total other comprehensive income (loss) | 4,189 | (13,319 | ) | 19,471 | (28,244 | ) | |||||||||
Comprehensive income | 174,566 | 32,682 | 294,234 | 89,456 | |||||||||||
Less comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest | (14,321 | ) | 2,326 | (34,240 | ) | (3,843 | ) | ||||||||
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED | $ | 160,245 | $ | 35,008 | $ | 259,994 | $ | 85,613 |
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
3
ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 and 2015
Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||
2016 | 2015 | ||||||
(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |||||||
Share Capital — Ordinary Shares | |||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | 16,133 | $ | 15,761 | |||
Issue of shares | 38 | 58 | |||||
Conversion of Series E Non-Voting Convertible Ordinary Shares | — | 309 | |||||
Balance, end of period | $ | 16,171 | $ | 16,128 | |||
Share Capital — Series A Non-Voting Convertible Ordinary Shares | |||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | 2,973 | $ | 2,973 | |||
Shares converted to Series C Convertible Participating Non-Voting Perpetual Preferred Stock | (2,973 | ) | — | ||||
Balance, end of period | $ | — | $ | 2,973 | |||
Share Capital — Series C Non-Voting Convertible Ordinary Shares | |||||||
Balance, beginning and end of period | $ | 2,726 | $ | 2,726 | |||
Share Capital — Series E Non-Voting Convertible Ordinary Shares | |||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | 405 | $ | 714 | |||
Conversion to Ordinary Shares | — | (309 | ) | ||||
Balance, end of period | $ | 405 | $ | 405 | |||
Share Capital — Series C Convertible Participating Non-Voting Perpetual Preferred Stock | |||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | — | $ | — | |||
Conversion of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Ordinary Stock | 389 | — | |||||
Balance, end of period | $ | 389 | $ | — | |||
Treasury Shares | |||||||
Balance, beginning and end of period | $ | (421,559 | ) | $ | (421,559 | ) | |
Additional Paid-in Capital | |||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | 1,373,044 | $ | 1,321,715 | |||
Issue of shares and warrants | 1,023 | 1,352 | |||||
Conversion of Series A Non-Voting Convertible Ordinary Stock | 2,584 | — | |||||
Amortization of equity incentive plan | 2,738 | 4,504 | |||||
Equity attributable to Enstar Group Limited on acquisition of noncontrolling shareholders’ interest in subsidiaries | — | 41,697 | |||||
Balance, end of period | $ | 1,379,389 | $ | 1,369,268 | |||
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | |||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | (35,162 | ) | $ | (12,686 | ) | |
Currency translation adjustment | |||||||
Balance, beginning of period | (23,790 | ) | (2,779 | ) | |||
Change in currency translation adjustment | 8,852 | (22,501 | ) | ||||
Purchase of noncontrolling shareholder's interest in subsidiaries | — | 2,937 | |||||
Balance, end of period | (14,938 | ) | (22,343 | ) | |||
Defined benefit pension liability | |||||||
Balance, beginning and end of period | (7,723 | ) | (7,726 | ) | |||
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments | |||||||
Balance, beginning of period | (3,649 | ) | (2,181 | ) | |||
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments | 8,977 | (3,569 | ) | ||||
Purchase of noncontrolling shareholders’ interest in subsidiaries | — | 312 | |||||
Balance, end of period | 5,328 | (5,438 | ) | ||||
Balance, end of period | $ | (17,333 | ) | $ | (35,507 | ) | |
Retained Earnings | |||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | 1,578,312 | $ | 1,395,206 | |||
Net earnings attributable to Enstar Group Limited | 242,162 | 108,434 | |||||
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests to redemption value | (3,208 | ) | — | ||||
Balance, end of period | $ | 1,817,266 | $ | 1,503,640 | |||
Noncontrolling Interest (excludes Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest) | |||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | 3,911 | $ | 217,970 | |||
Sale of noncontrolling shareholders' interest in subsidiaries | — | (195,347 | ) | ||||
Dividends paid | — | (733 | ) |
4
Contribution of capital | — | 680 | |||||
Net earnings (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interest | (434 | ) | (308 | ) | |||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | — | (1,558 | ) | ||||
Net movement in unrealized holding losses on investments | — | (135 | ) | ||||
Balance, end of period | $ | 3,477 | $ | 20,569 |
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
5
ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 and 2015
Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||
2016 | 2015 | ||||||
(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |||||||
OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||
Net earnings | $ | 274,763 | $ | 117,700 | |||
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash flows used in operating activities: | |||||||
Net realized gains on sale of investments | (6,017 | ) | (18,561 | ) | |||
Net unrealized (gains) losses on investments | (140,356 | ) | 1,920 | ||||
Other non-cash items | 5,207 | 4,129 | |||||
Depreciation and other amortization | 35,449 | 42,659 | |||||
Net change in trading securities held on behalf of policyholders | (1,276 | ) | (8,452 | ) | |||
Sales and maturities of trading securities | 2,298,560 | 2,690,081 | |||||
Purchases of trading securities | (2,271,927 | ) | (3,189,379 | ) | |||
Changes in: | |||||||
Reinsurance balances recoverable | 199,354 | 251,660 | |||||
Funds held by reinsured companies | 50,187 | 25,020 | |||||
Losses and loss adjustment expenses | (779,291 | ) | (307,872 | ) | |||
Policy benefits for life and annuity contracts | (28,856 | ) | (23,843 | ) | |||
Insurance and reinsurance balances payable | (4,965 | ) | 60,518 | ||||
Unearned premiums | 6,782 | (13,396 | ) | ||||
Other operating assets and liabilities | 124,217 | (169,635 | ) | ||||
Net cash flows used in operating activities | (238,169 | ) | (537,451 | ) | |||
INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired | $ | 9,924 | $ | 56,369 | |||
Sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities | 64,865 | 113,128 | |||||
Purchase of available-for-sale securities | (52,865 | ) | (65,036 | ) | |||
Maturities of held-to-maturity securities | 20,844 | 6,520 | |||||
Movement in restricted cash and cash equivalents | 94,940 | 370,434 | |||||
Purchase of other investments | (69,297 | ) | (189,164 | ) | |||
Redemption of other investments | 155,420 | 62,732 | |||||
Other investing activities | (2,693 | ) | (2,949 | ) | |||
Net cash flows provided by investing activities | 221,138 | 352,034 | |||||
FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||
Contribution by noncontrolling interest | $ | — | $ | 680 | |||
Contribution by redeemable noncontrolling interest | — | 15,728 | |||||
Dividends paid to redeemable noncontrolling interest | — | (16,128 | ) | ||||
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest | — | (733 | ) | ||||
Purchase of noncontrolling interest | — | (150,400 | ) | ||||
Receipt of loans | 154,048 | 537,700 | |||||
Repayment of loans | (186,250 | ) | (128,500 | ) | |||
Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities | (32,202 | ) | 258,347 | ||||
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON FOREIGN CURRENCY CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | (3,653 | ) | (10,280 | ) | |||
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | (52,886 | ) | 62,650 | ||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD | 821,925 | 963,402 | |||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD | $ | 769,039 | $ | 1,026,052 | |||
Supplemental Cash Flow Information: | |||||||
Income taxes paid, net of refunds | $ | 17,518 | $ | 25,119 | |||
Interest paid | $ | 14,335 | $ | 13,455 |
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
6
ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015
(Tabular information expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars except share and per share data)
1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Preparation and Consolidation
These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, these financial statements reflect all adjustments consisting of normal recurring items considered necessary for a fair presentation under U.S. GAAP. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results of the full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. Inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Results of operations for subsidiaries acquired are included from the dates on which we acquired them. In these notes, the terms "we," "us," "our," or "the Company" refer to Enstar Group Limited and its consolidated subsidiaries. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on net earnings.
The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates. Results of changes in estimates are reflected in earnings in the period in which the change is made. Our principal estimates include, but are not limited to:
• | liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses ("LAE"); |
• | liability for policy benefits for life and annuity contracts; |
• | reinsurance balances recoverable; |
• | gross and net premiums written and net premiums earned; |
• | impairment charges, including other-than-temporary impairments on investment securities classified as available-for-sale or held-to-maturity, and impairments on goodwill, intangible assets and deferred charges; |
• | fair value measurements of investments; |
• | fair value estimates associated with accounting for acquisitions; and |
• | redeemable noncontrolling interests. |
New Accounting Standards Adopted in 2016
Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-17, Consolidation - Interests Held through Related Parties that are under Common Control
In October 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2016-17, which amends the consolidation guidance on how a reporting entity that is the single decision maker of a variable interest entity (“VIE”) should treat indirect interests in the entity held through related parties that are under common control with the reporting entity when determining whether it is the primary beneficiary of that VIE. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
ASU 2015-16, Business Combinations, Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustment
In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, which eliminates the requirement for an acquirer to retrospectively adjust the financial statements for measurement-period adjustments that occur in periods after a
7
ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
business combination is consummated. Under the new guidance, an acquirer must recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
ASU 2015-07, Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value or its Equivalent
In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-07, which eliminates the requirement to categorize investments in the fair value hierarchy if their fair value is measured at the net asset value ("NAV") per share (or its equivalent) using the practical expedient in the FASB’s fair value measurement guidance. Instead, an entity is required to include those investments as a reconciling line item so that the total fair value amount of investments in the disclosure is consistent with the amount on the balance sheet. In addition, the scope of current disclosure requirements for investments eligible to be measured at NAV is limited to investments for which the practical expedient is applied. While the adoption of this guidance impacted our disclosures, it did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.
ASU 2015-02, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis
In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, which requires entities to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. The new consolidation guidance changes the way entities evaluate whether (1) they should consolidate limited partnerships and similar entities; (2) fees paid to a decision maker or service provider are variable interests in a VIE, and (3) variable interests in a VIE held by related parties of a registrant require the registrant to consolidate the VIE. The new guidance also eliminates the VIE consolidation model based on majority exposure to variability that applied to certain investment companies and similar entities. The ASU also significantly changes how to evaluate voting rights for entities that are not similar to limited partnerships when determining whether the entity is a VIE, which may affect entities for which decision making rights are conveyed through a contractual arrangement. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
ASU 2016-16, Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, which requires immediate recognition of the tax consequences of many intercompany asset transfers other than inventory. The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, however early adoption is permitted. The guidance must be applied retrospectively and we are currently evaluating the impact of its adoption on our consolidated financial statements.
ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, which amends the guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, however early adoption is permitted. The guidance must be applied retrospectively and we are currently evaluating the impact of its adoption on our consolidated financial statements.
ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses - Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, which amends the guidance on impairment of financial instruments and significantly changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. The ASU will replace the existing “incurred loss” approach, with an “expected loss” model for instruments measured at amortized cost and require entities to record allowances for available-for-sale debt securities rather than reduce the carrying amount under the existing other-than-temporary-impairment model. The ASU also simplifies the accounting model for purchased credit-impaired debt securities and loans. The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.
ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. The ASU is effective for interim and annual
8
ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.
ASU 2016-08, Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net)
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, which amends the principal-versus agent implementation guidance and illustrations in its new revenue standard (ASU 2014-09). The ASU clarifies that an entity should evaluate whether it is the principal or the agent for each specified good or service promised in a contract with a customer. Similar to ASU 2014-09, this guidance is effective for interim and reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, as amended by the one-year deferral and the early adoption provisions in ASU 2015-14. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.
ASU 2016-07, Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-07, which simplifies the equity method of accounting by eliminating the requirement to retrospectively apply the equity method to an investment that subsequently qualifies for such accounting as a result of an increase in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence. Entities are therefore required to apply the guidance prospectively to increases in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence occurring after the ASU’s effective date. The ASU further requires that unrealized holding gains or losses in accumulated other comprehensive income related to an available-for-sale security that becomes eligible for the equity method be recognized in earnings as of the date on which the investment qualifies for the equity method. The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
ASU 2016-02, Leases
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, which amends the guidance on the classification, measurement and disclosure of leases for both lessors and lessees. The ASU requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet and to disclose qualitative and quantitative information about leasing arrangements. The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.
ASU 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Instruments
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, which amends the guidance on the classification and measurement of financial instruments. Although the ASU retains many of the current requirements, it significantly revises an entity’s accounting related to (1) the classification and measurement of investments in equity securities, and (2) the presentation of certain fair value changes for financial liabilities measured at fair value. The ASU also amends certain disclosure requirements associated with the fair value of financial instruments. The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.
2. SIGNIFICANT NEW BUSINESS
2016
Coca-Cola
On August 5, 2016, we entered into a reinsurance transaction with The Coca-Cola Company and its subsidiaries (“Coca-Cola”) pursuant to which we reinsured certain of Coca-Cola’s retention and deductible risks under its subsidiaries’ U.S. workers’ compensation, auto liability, general liability, and product liability insurance coverage. We assumed total gross reserves of $108.8 million, received total assets of $101.3 million and recorded a deferred charge of $7.5 million, included in other assets. We have transferred approximately $108.8 million into a trust to support our obligations under the reinsurance agreements. We provided a limited parental guarantee, subject to an overall maximum of approximately $27.0 million.
Allianz
On March 31, 2016, we completed our previously announced transaction with Allianz SE ("Allianz") to reinsure portfolios of Allianz's run-off business. Pursuant to the reinsurance agreement effective January 1, 2016, our subsidiary reinsured 50% of certain portfolios of workers' compensation, construction defect, and asbestos, pollution, and toxic
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NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
tort business originally held by Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, and assumed net reinsurance reserves of approximately $1.1 billion. Affiliates of Allianz retained approximately $1.1 billion of reinsurance premium as funds withheld collateral for the obligations of our subsidiary under the reinsurance agreement, and we transferred approximately $110.0 million to a reinsurance trust to further support our subsidiary's obligations. We earned interest on the funds withheld based upon an initial fixed interest rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and thereafter we will receive a return based upon an underlying portfolio of investments. We have also provided a limited parental guarantee, which is subject to a maximum cap. The combined monetary total of the support offered by us through the trust and parental guarantee is calculated in accordance with contractually defined terms and is capped at $270.0 million.
In addition to the reinsurance transaction described above, we have entered into a claims consulting agreement with San Francisco Reinsurance Company, an affiliate of Allianz, with respect to the entire $2.2 billion portfolio, including the 50% share retained by affiliates of Allianz.
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NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
3. INVESTMENTS
We hold: (i) trading portfolios of fixed maturity investments, short-term investments and equities, carried at fair value; (ii) a held-to-maturity portfolio of fixed maturity investments carried at amortized cost; (iii) available-for-sale portfolios of fixed maturity and short-term investments carried at fair value; and (iv) other investments carried at either fair value or cost.
Trading
The fair values of our fixed maturity investments, short-term investments and equities classified as trading were as follows:
September 30, 2016 | December 31, 2015 | ||||||
U.S. government and agency | $ | 819,021 | $ | 750,957 | |||
Non-U.S. government | 310,866 | 359,002 | |||||
Corporate | 2,606,905 | 2,631,682 | |||||
Municipal | 12,088 | 22,247 | |||||
Residential mortgage-backed | 472,228 | 391,247 | |||||
Commercial mortgage-backed | 284,147 | 284,575 | |||||
Asset-backed | 650,479 | 638,434 | |||||
Total fixed maturity and short-term investments | 5,155,734 | 5,078,144 | |||||
Equities — U.S. | 112,699 | 108,793 | |||||
Equities — International | 7,651 | 7,148 | |||||
$ | 5,276,084 | $ | 5,194,085 |
Included within residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities as at September 30, 2016 were securities issued by U.S. governmental agencies with a fair value of $445.1 million (as at December 31, 2015: $359.4 million). Included within corporate securities as at September 30, 2016 were senior secured loans of $89.3 million (as at December 31, 2015: $94.4 million).
The contractual maturities of our fixed maturity and short-term investments classified as trading are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
As at September 30, 2016 | Amortized Cost | Fair Value | % of Total Fair Value | ||||||||
One year or less | $ | 661,976 | $ | 655,422 | 12.7 | % | |||||
More than one year through two years | 958,009 | 955,940 | 18.5 | % | |||||||
More than two years through five years | 1,384,585 | 1,397,884 | 27.1 | % | |||||||
More than five years through ten years | 544,337 | 554,881 | 10.8 | % | |||||||
More than ten years | 172,642 | 184,753 | 3.6 | % | |||||||
Residential mortgage-backed | 471,639 | 472,228 | 9.2 | % | |||||||
Commercial mortgage-backed | 283,510 | 284,147 | 5.5 | % | |||||||
Asset-backed | 651,418 | 650,479 | 12.6 | % | |||||||
$ | 5,128,116 | $ | 5,155,734 | 100.0 | % |
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NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Held-to-maturity
We hold a portfolio of held-to-maturity securities to support our annuity business. The amortized cost and fair values of our fixed maturity investments classified as held-to-maturity were as follows:
As at September 30, 2016 | Amortized Cost | Gross Unrealized Gains | Gross Unrealized Losses Non-OTTI | Fair Value | ||||||||||||
U.S. government and agency | $ | 19,793 | $ | 1,237 | $ | (73 | ) | $ | 20,957 | |||||||
Non-U.S. government | 27,554 | 695 | — | 28,249 | ||||||||||||
Corporate | 715,255 | 39,617 | (1,082 | ) | 753,790 | |||||||||||
$ | 762,602 | $ | 41,549 | $ | (1,155 | ) | $ | 802,996 |
As at December 31, 2015 | Amortized Cost | Gross Unrealized Gains | Gross Unrealized Losses Non-OTTI | Fair Value | ||||||||||||
U.S. government and agency | $ | 19,771 | $ | 8 | $ | (458 | ) | $ | 19,321 | |||||||
Non-U.S. government | 40,503 | 48 | (1,493 | ) | 39,058 | |||||||||||
Corporate | 730,592 | 3,398 | (23,298 | ) | 710,692 | |||||||||||
$ | 790,866 | $ | 3,454 | $ | (25,249 | ) | $ | 769,071 |
The contractual maturities of our fixed maturity investments classified as held-to-maturity are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
As at September 30, 2016 | Amortized Cost | Fair Value | % of Total Fair Value | ||||||||
One year or less | $ | 11,979 | $ | 11,990 | 1.5 | % | |||||
More than one year through two years | 31,613 | 31,747 | 4.0 | % | |||||||
More than two years through five years | 59,104 | 60,872 | 7.6 | % | |||||||
More than five years through ten years | 126,485 | 131,281 | 16.3 | % | |||||||
More than ten years | 533,421 | 567,106 | 70.6 | % | |||||||
$ | 762,602 | $ | 802,996 | 100.0 | % |
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NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Available-for-sale
The amortized cost and fair values of our fixed maturity and short-term investments classified as available-for-sale were as follows:
As at September 30, 2016 | Amortized Cost | Gross Unrealized Gains | Gross Unrealized Losses Non-OTTI | Fair Value | ||||||||||||
U.S. government and agency | $ | 12,786 | $ | 95 | $ | — | $ | 12,881 | ||||||||
Non-U.S. government | 93,077 | 3,078 | (2,297 | ) | 93,858 | |||||||||||
Corporate | 178,441 | 4,758 | (1,656 | ) | 181,543 | |||||||||||
Municipal | 6,607 | 83 | (1 | ) | 6,689 | |||||||||||
Residential mortgage-backed | 536 | 51 | — | 587 | ||||||||||||
Asset-backed | 4,543 | 15 | — | 4,558 | ||||||||||||
$ | 295,990 | $ | 8,080 | $ | (3,954 | ) | $ | 300,116 |
As at December 31, 2015 | Amortized Cost | Gross Unrealized Gains | Gross Unrealized Losses Non-OTTI | Fair Value | ||||||||||||
U.S. government and agency | $ | 25,102 | $ | 80 | $ | (341 | ) | $ | 24,841 | |||||||
Non-U.S. government | 89,631 | 42 | (3,889 | ) | $ | 85,784 | ||||||||||
Corporate | 182,773 | 1,040 | (3,429 | ) | $ | 180,384 | ||||||||||
Municipal | 5,959 | 4 | (36 | ) | $ | 5,927 | ||||||||||
Residential mortgage-backed | 665 | 51 | (1 | ) | $ | 715 | ||||||||||
Asset-backed | 4,660 | — | (10 | ) | $ | 4,650 | ||||||||||
$ | 308,790 | $ | 1,217 | $ | (7,706 | ) | $ | 302,301 |
The contractual maturities of our fixed maturity and short-term investments classified as available-for-sale are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
As at September 30, 2016 | Amortized Cost | Fair Value | % of Total Fair Value | ||||||||
One year or less | $ | 45,038 | $ | 43,865 | 14.6 | % | |||||
More than one year through two years | 71,583 | 70,910 | 23.6 | % | |||||||
More than two years through five years | 84,842 | 84,226 | 28.1 | % | |||||||
More than five years through ten years | 41,579 | 43,986 | 14.7 | % | |||||||
More than ten years | 47,869 | 51,984 | 17.3 | % | |||||||
Residential mortgage-backed | 536 | 587 | 0.2 | % | |||||||
Asset-backed | 4,543 | 4,558 | 1.5 | % | |||||||
$ | 295,990 | $ | 300,116 | 100.0 | % |
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NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Gross Unrealized Losses
The following tables summarize our fixed maturity and short-term investments in a gross unrealized loss position:
12 Months or Greater | Less Than 12 Months | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
As at September 30, 2016 | Fair Value | Gross Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | Gross Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | Gross Unrealized Losses | ||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity and short-term investments, at fair value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-U.S. government | $ | 8,861 | $ | (1,679 | ) | $ | 18,835 | $ | (618 | ) | $ | 27,696 | $ | (2,297 | ) | |||||||||
Corporate | 9,718 | (1,479 | ) | 28,066 | (177 | ) | 37,784 | (1,656 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Municipal | — | — | 696 | (1 | ) | 696 | (1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 18,579 | $ | (3,158 | ) | $ | 47,597 | $ | (796 | ) | $ | 66,176 | $ | (3,954 | ) | |||||||||
Fixed maturity investments, at amortized cost | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. government and agency | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 5,437 | $ | (73 | ) | $ | 5,437 | $ | (73 | ) | ||||||||||
Corporate | 13,751 | (809 | ) | 21,770 | (273 | ) | 35,521 | (1,082 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Total | 13,751 | (809 | ) | 27,207 | (346 | ) | 40,958 | (1,155 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Total fixed maturity and short-term investments | $ | 32,330 | $ | (3,967 | ) | $ | 74,804 | $ | (1,142 | ) | $ | 107,134 | $ | (5,109 | ) |
12 Months or Greater | Less Than 12 Months | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
As at December 31, 2015 | Fair Value | Gross Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | Gross Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | Gross Unrealized Losses | ||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity and short-term investments, at fair value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. government and agency | $ | 523 | $ | (2 | ) | $ | 21,694 | $ | (339 | ) | $ | 22,217 | $ | (341 | ) | |||||||||
Non-U.S. government | 18,995 | (2,633 | ) | 50,080 | (1,256 | ) | 69,075 | (3,889 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Corporate | 54,295 | (2,394 | ) | 81,047 | (1,035 | ) | 135,342 | (3,429 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Municipal | — | — | 4,609 | (36 | ) | 4,609 | (36 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Residential mortgage-backed | 71 | (1 | ) | — | — | 71 | (1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Asset-backed | 4,649 | (10 | ) | — | — | 4,649 | (10 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 78,533 | $ | (5,040 | ) | $ | 157,430 | $ | (2,666 | ) | $ | 235,963 | $ | (7,706 | ) | |||||||||
Fixed maturity investments, at amortized cost | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. government and agency | $ | 7,221 | $ | (48 | ) | $ | 12,024 | $ | (410 | ) | $ | 19,245 | $ | (458 | ) | |||||||||
Non-U.S. government | 24,424 | (1,255 | ) | 8,885 | (238 | ) | 33,309 | (1,493 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Corporate | 209,000 | (9,038 | ) | 330,833 | (14,260 | ) | 539,833 | (23,298 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Total | 240,645 | (10,341 | ) | 351,742 | (14,908 | ) | 592,387 | (25,249 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Total fixed maturity and short-term investments | $ | 319,178 | $ | (15,381 | ) | $ | 509,172 | $ | (17,574 | ) | $ | 828,350 | $ | (32,955 | ) |
As at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the number of securities classified as available-for-sale in an unrealized loss position was 123 and 332, respectively. Of these securities, the number of securities that had been in an unrealized loss position for twelve months or longer was 48 and 124, respectively.
As at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the number of securities classified as held-to-maturity in an unrealized loss position was 10 and 109, respectively. Of these securities, the number of securities that had been in an unrealized loss position for twelve months or longer was 3 and 53, respectively.
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NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Other-Than-Temporary Impairment
For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, we did not recognize any other-than-temporary impairment losses on either our available-for-sale or held-to-maturity securities. We determined that no credit losses existed as at September 30, 2016. A description of our other-than-temporary impairment process is included in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. There were no changes to our process during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.
Credit Ratings
The following table sets forth the credit ratings of our fixed maturity and short-term investments as of September 30, 2016:
Amortized Cost | Fair Value | % of Total Investments | AAA Rated | AA Rated | A Rated | BBB Rated | Non- Investment Grade | Not Rated | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity and short-term investments, at fair value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. government and agency | $ | 823,515 | $ | 831,902 | 13.3 | % | $ | 805,241 | $ | 26,661 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||
Non-U.S. government | 409,975 | 404,724 | 6.5 | % | 132,142 | 205,155 | 47,369 | 20,058 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate | 2,760,381 | 2,788,448 | 44.5 | % | 145,128 | 492,504 | 1,267,740 | 724,547 | 155,980 | 2,549 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Municipal | 18,588 | 18,777 | 0.3 | % | 6,617 | 9,890 | 2,270 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Residential mortgage-backed | 472,175 | 472,815 | 7.6 | % | 463,098 | 420 | 6,216 | 2,144 | 934 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial mortgage-backed | 283,510 | 284,147 | 4.5 | % | 105,545 | 39,131 | 80,084 | 20,614 | 1,281 | 37,492 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asset-backed | 655,961 | 655,037 | 10.5 | % | 221,930 | 133,672 | 193,621 | 34,898 | 70,720 | 196 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 5,424,105 | 5,455,850 | 87.2 | % | 1,879,701 | 907,433 | 1,597,300 | 802,261 | 228,915 | 40,240 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
% of total fair value | 34.5 | % | 16.6 | % | 29.3 | % | 14.7 | % | 4.2 | % | 0.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity investments, at amortized cost | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. government and agency | 19,793 | 20,957 | 0.3 | % | 19,560 | 1,380 | — | — | — | 17 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-U.S. government | 27,554 | 28,249 | 0.5 | % | — | 9,467 | 18,782 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate | 715,255 | 753,790 | 12.0 | % | 41,408 | 116,411 | 487,062 | 108,838 | — | 71 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 762,602 | 802,996 | 12.8 | % | 60,968 | 127,258 | 505,844 | 108,838 | — | 88 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
% of total fair value | 7.6 | % | 15.8 | % | 63.0 | % | 13.6 | % | — | % | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total fixed maturity and short-term investments | $ | 6,186,707 | $ | 6,258,846 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,940,669 | $ | 1,034,691 | $ | 2,103,144 | $ | 911,099 | $ | 228,915 | $ | 40,328 | |||||||||||||||||
% of total fair value | 31.0 | % | 16.5 | % | 33.6 | % | 14.6 | % | 3.7 | % | 0.6 | % |
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NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Other Investments, at fair value
The following table summarizes our other investments carried at fair value:
September 30, 2016 | December 31, 2015 | |||||||
Private equities and private equity funds | $ | 254,561 | $ | 254,883 | ||||
Fixed income funds | 255,665 | 291,736 | ||||||
Fixed income hedge funds | 105,145 | 109,400 | ||||||
Equity funds | 175,896 | 147,390 | ||||||
Multi-strategy hedge fund | 102,646 | 99,020 | ||||||
Real estate debt fund | — | 54,829 | ||||||
CLO equities | 67,648 | 61,702 | ||||||
CLO equity funds | 14,593 | 13,928 | ||||||
Call options on equities | 8,500 | — | ||||||
Other | 1,042 | 1,144 | ||||||
$ | 985,696 | $ | 1,034,032 |
The valuation of our other investments is described in Note 4 - "Fair Value Measurements." Due to a lag in the valuations of certain funds reported by the managers, we may record changes in valuation with up to a three-month lag. We regularly review and discuss fund performance with the fund managers to corroborate the reasonableness of the reported net asset values and to assess whether any events have occurred within the lag period that would affect the valuation of the investments. The following is a description of the nature of each of these investment categories:
• | Private equities and private equity funds invest primarily in the financial services industry. All of our investments in private equities and private equity funds are subject to restrictions on redemptions and sales that are determined by the governing documents and limit our ability to liquidate those investments. These restrictions have been in place since the dates of our initial investments. |
• | Fixed income funds comprise a number of positions in diversified fixed income funds that are managed by third-party managers. Underlying investments vary from high-grade corporate bonds to non-investment grade senior secured loans and bonds, but are generally invested in liquid fixed income markets. These funds have regularly published prices. The funds have liquidity terms that vary from daily up to quarterly. |
• | Fixed income hedge funds invest in a diversified portfolio of debt securities. The hedge funds have imposed lock-up periods of up to three years from the time of initial investment. Once eligible, redemptions are permitted quarterly with 90 days’ notice. |
• | Equity funds invest in a diversified portfolio of international publicly traded equity securities. The funds are eligible for bi-monthly redemption. |
• | Multi-strategy hedge fund comprises an investment in a hedge fund that invests in a variety of asset classes including funds, fixed income, equity securities and other investments. The fund is eligible for quarterly redemption after November 1, 2016. Once eligible, redemptions will be permitted quarterly with 60 days’ notice. |
• | Real estate debt fund invests primarily in U.S. commercial real estate loans and securities. A redemption request for this fund can be made 10 days after the date of any monthly valuation. The fund was fully redeemed as at March 31, 2016. |
• | CLO equities comprise investments in the equity tranches of term-financed securitizations of diversified pools of corporate bank loans. CLO equities denote direct investments by us in these securities. |
• | CLO equity funds comprise two funds that invest primarily in the equity tranches of term-financed securitizations of diversified pools of corporate bank loans. One of the funds has a fair value of $3.8 million, part of a self-liquidating structure that is expected to pay out over two to six years. The other fund has a fair value of $10.8 million and is eligible for redemption in 2018. |
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NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
• | Call options on equities comprise directly held options to purchase the common equity of publicly traded corporations. |
• | Other primarily comprises a fund that provides loans to educational institutions throughout the United States and its territories. |
Investments of $0.8 million in fixed income hedge funds were subject to gates or side-pockets, where redemptions are subject to the sale of underlying investments. A gate is the ability to deny or delay a redemption request, whereas a side-pocket is a designated account for which the investor loses its redemption rights.
As at September 30, 2016, we had unfunded commitments to private equity funds of $122.8 million.
Other Investments, at cost
Our other investments carried at cost of $129.4 million as of September 30, 2016 consist of life settlement contracts acquired during 2015. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, net investment income included $16.8 million and $9.3 million, respectively, related to investments in life settlements. There were impairment charges of $3.6 million and $nil recognized in net realized and unrealized gains/losses during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The following table presents further information regarding our investments in life settlements as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.
September 30, 2016 | December 31, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Number of Contracts | Carrying Value | Face Value (Death Benefits) | Number of Contracts | Carrying Value | Face Value (Death Benefits) | |||||||||||||||||
Remaining Life Expectancy of Insureds: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
0 – 1 year | 2 | $ | 448 | $ | 700 | 2 | $ | 417 | $ | 700 | ||||||||||||
1 – 2 years | 5 | 6,060 | 9,500 | 4 | 3,032 | 5,000 | ||||||||||||||||
2 – 3 years | 14 | 21,585 | 46,885 | 19 | 24,072 | 39,123 | ||||||||||||||||
3 – 4 years | 18 | 16,076 | 32,272 | 14 | 9,695 | 20,932 | ||||||||||||||||
4 – 5 years | 17 | 8,911 | 20,302 | 16 | 9,025 | 22,457 | ||||||||||||||||
Thereafter | 183 | 76,351 | 427,489 | 221 | 86,830 | 491,499 | ||||||||||||||||
Total | 239 | $ | 129,431 | $ | 537,148 | 276 | $ | 133,071 | $ | 579,711 |
Remaining life expectancy for year 0-1 in the table above references policies whose current life expectancy is less than 12 months as of the reporting date. Remaining life expectancy is not an indication of expected maturity. Actual maturity in any category above may vary significantly (either earlier or later) from the remaining life expectancies reported.
At September 30, 2016, our best estimate of the life insurance premiums required to keep the policies in force, payable in the 12 months ending September 30, 2017 and the four succeeding years ending September 30, 2021 is $17.7 million, $17.3 million, $17.5 million, $16.9 million and $15.3 million, respectively.
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NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses)
Components of net realized and unrealized gains (losses) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 are summarized as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||||||
Net realized gains (losses) on sale: | ||||||||||||||||
Gross realized gains on fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale | $ | 12 | $ | 126 | $ | 391 | $ | 279 | ||||||||
Gross realized (losses) on fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale | — | (99 | ) | (244 | ) | (108 | ) | |||||||||
Net realized gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities, trading | 3,826 | (5,207 | ) | 3,449 | (1,455 | ) | ||||||||||
Net realized gains on equity securities, trading | 1,393 | 3,959 | 2,421 | 19,845 | ||||||||||||
Total net realized gains (losses) on sale | $ | 5,231 | $ | (1,221 | ) | $ | 6,017 | $ | 18,561 | |||||||
Net unrealized gains (losses): | ||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities, trading | $ | 14,670 | $ | (875 | ) | $ | 96,882 | $ | (9,940 | ) | ||||||
Equity securities, trading | 2,866 | (7,996 | ) | 5,089 | (21,560 | ) | ||||||||||
Other investments | 47,655 | (5,038 | ) | 38,385 | 29,580 | |||||||||||
Total net unrealized gains (losses) | 65,191 | (13,909 | ) | 140,356 | (1,920 | ) | ||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | $ | 70,422 | $ | (15,130 | ) | $ | 146,373 | $ | 16,641 |
The gross realized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities included in the table above resulted from sales of $2.4 million and $36.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, and $11.8 million and $71.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.
Net Investment Income
Major categories of net investment income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 are summarized as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||||||
Fixed maturity investments | $ | 38,018 | $ | 31,178 | $ | 115,127 | $ | 85,978 | ||||||||
Short-term investments and cash and cash equivalents | 908 | 1,181 | 2,957 | 5,287 | ||||||||||||
Equity securities | 1,021 | 1,407 | 3,530 | 4,403 | ||||||||||||
Other investments | 4,997 | 3,451 | 16,724 | 7,891 | ||||||||||||
Funds held | 7,333 | 174 | 22,570 | 163 | ||||||||||||
Life settlements and other | 7,043 | 6,712 | 17,204 | 9,807 | ||||||||||||
Gross investment income | 59,320 | 44,103 | 178,112 | 113,529 | ||||||||||||
Investment expenses | (1,774 | ) | (3,307 | ) | (6,280 | ) | (7,662 | ) | ||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 57,546 | $ | 40,796 | $ | 171,832 | $ | 105,867 |
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NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Restricted Assets
We are required to maintain investments and cash and cash equivalents on deposit to support our insurance and reinsurance operations. The investments and cash and cash equivalents on deposit are available to settle insurance and reinsurance liabilities. We also utilize trust accounts to collateralize business with our insurance and reinsurance counterparties. These trust accounts generally take the place of letter of credit requirements. The assets in trusts as collateral are primarily highly rated fixed maturity securities. The carrying value of our restricted assets, including restricted cash of $517.9 million and $511.3 million, as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, was as follows:
September 30, 2016 | December 31, 2015 | |||||||
Collateral in trust for third party agreements | $ | 2,936,408 | $ | 3,053,692 | ||||
Assets on deposit with regulatory authorities | 904,259 | 915,346 | ||||||
Collateral for secured letter of credit facilities | 195,318 | 212,544 | ||||||
Funds at Lloyd's (1) | 358,710 | 382,624 | ||||||
$ | 4,394,695 | $ | 4,564,206 |
(1) Our underwriting businesses include three Lloyd's syndicates. Lloyd's determines the required capital principally through the annual business plan of each syndicate. This capital is referred to as "Funds at Lloyd's" ("FAL") and will be drawn upon in the event that a syndicate has a loss that cannot be funded from other sources. As at September 30, 2016, our combined Funds at Lloyd's were comprised of cash and investments of $311.2 million and letters of credit supported by collateral of $47.5 million. In November 2016, we entered into an unsecured letter of credit agreement for Funds at Lloyd’s purposes ("FAL Facility") to issue up to $140.0 million of letters of credit, with a provision to increase the facility up to $200.0 million. The FAL Facility is available to satisfy our Funds at Lloyd’s requirements and replaces certain restricted assets and letter of credit arrangements. The FAL Facility expires in 2021.
4. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Fair Value Hierarchy
Fair value is defined as the price at which to sell an asset or transfer a liability (i.e. the "exit price") in an orderly transaction between market participants. We use a fair value hierarchy that gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable data. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels as follows:
• | Level 1 - Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access. Valuation adjustments and block discounts are not applied to Level 1 instruments. |
• | Level 2 - Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or for which significant inputs are observable (e.g. interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, default rates, loss severities, etc.) or can be corroborated by observable market data. |
• | Level 3 - Valuations based on unobservable inputs where there is little or no market activity. Unadjusted third party pricing sources or management's assumptions and internal valuation models may be used to determine the fair values. |
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NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
We have categorized our investments that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis among levels based on the observability of inputs as follows:
September 30, 2016 | ||||||||||||||||
Investments: | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Total Fair Value | ||||||||||||
U.S. government and agency | $ | — | $ | 831,902 | $ | — | $ | 831,902 | ||||||||
Non-U.S. government | — | 404,724 | — | 404,724 | ||||||||||||
Corporate | — | 2,727,654 | 60,794 | 2,788,448 | ||||||||||||
Municipal | — | 18,777 | — | 18,777 | ||||||||||||
Residential mortgage-backed | — | 471,163 | 1,652 | 472,815 | ||||||||||||
Commercial mortgage-backed | — | 261,953 | 22,194 | 284,147 | ||||||||||||
Asset-backed | — | 560,880 | 94,157 | 655,037 | ||||||||||||
Equities — U.S. | 105,557 | 7,142 | — | 112,699 | ||||||||||||
Equities — International | 3,045 | 4,606 | — | 7,651 | ||||||||||||
Other investments | — | 327,356 | 82,961 | 410,317 | ||||||||||||
Total investments | $ | 108,602 | $ | 5,616,157 | $ | 261,758 | $ | 5,986,517 | ||||||||
Other Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
Derivative Instruments | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 59 | $ | 59 | ||||||||
$ | — | $ | — | $ | 59 | $ | 59 | |||||||||
Other Liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
Derivative Instruments | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 718 | $ | 718 | ||||||||
$ | — | $ | — | $ | 718 | $ | 718 |
December 31, 2015 | ||||||||||||||||
Investments: | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Total Fair Value | ||||||||||||
U.S. government and agency | $ | — | $ | 775,798 | $ | — | $ | 775,798 | ||||||||
Non-U.S. government | — | 444,786 | — | 444,786 | ||||||||||||
Corporate | — | 2,812,066 | — | 2,812,066 | ||||||||||||
Municipal | — | 28,174 | — | 28,174 | ||||||||||||
Residential mortgage-backed | — | 391,962 | — | 391,962 | ||||||||||||
Commercial mortgage-backed | — | 255,169 | 29,406 | 284,575 | ||||||||||||
Asset-backed | — | 458,328 | 184,756 | 643,084 | ||||||||||||
Equities — U.S. | 99,467 | 9,326 | — | 108,793 | ||||||||||||
Equities — International | 2,702 | 4,446 | — | 7,148 | ||||||||||||
Other investments | — | 321,076 | 77,016 | 398,092 | ||||||||||||
Total investments | $ | 102,169 | $ | 5,501,131 | $ | 291,178 | $ | 5,894,478 |
Certain of our other investments are measured at fair value using NAV per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient and have not been classified within the fair value hierarchy above. The following table reconciles our other investments in the tables above with the amounts presented on our consolidated balance sheets:
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NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Other investments: | September 30, 2016 | December 31, 2015 | ||||||
Other investments measured at fair value | $ | 410,317 | $ | 398,092 | ||||
Other investments measured at NAV as practical expedient | 575,379 | 635,940 | ||||||
Total other investments shown on balance sheets | $ | 985,696 | $ | 1,034,032 |
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NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Valuation Methodologies of Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value
Fixed Maturity Investments
The fair values for all securities in the fixed maturity investments portfolio are independently provided by the investment accounting service providers, investment managers and investment custodians, each of which utilize internationally recognized independent pricing services. We record the unadjusted price provided by the investment accounting service providers, investment managers or investment custodians and validate this price through a process that includes, but is not limited to: (i) comparison of prices against alternative pricing sources; (ii) quantitative analysis (e.g. comparing the quarterly return for each managed portfolio to its target benchmark); (iii) evaluation of methodologies used by external parties to estimate fair value, including a review of the inputs used for pricing; and (iv) comparing the price to our knowledge of the current investment market. Our internal price validation procedures and review of fair value methodology documentation provided by independent pricing services have not historically resulted in adjustment in the prices obtained from the pricing service.
The independent pricing services used by the investment accounting service providers, investment managers and investment custodians obtain actual transaction prices for securities that have quoted prices in active markets. Where we utilize single unadjusted broker-dealer quotes, they are generally provided by market makers or broker-dealers who are recognized as market participants in the markets in which they are providing the quotes. For determining the fair value of securities that are not actively traded, in general, pricing services use "matrix pricing" in which the independent pricing service uses observable market inputs including, but not limited to, reported trades, benchmark yields, broker-dealer quotes, interest rates, prepayment speeds, default rates and such other inputs as are available from market sources to determine a reasonable fair value. In addition, pricing services use valuation models, using observable data, such as an Option Adjusted Spread model, to develop prepayment and interest rate scenarios. The Option Adjusted Spread model is commonly used to estimate fair value for securities such as mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities.
The following describes the techniques generally used to determine the fair value of our fixed maturity investments by asset class.
• | U.S. government and agency securities consist of securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and mortgage pass-through agencies such as the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and other agencies. Non-U.S. government securities consist of bonds issued by non-U.S. governments and agencies along with supranational organizations. The significant inputs used to determine the fair value of these securities include the spread above the risk-free yield curve, reported trades and broker-dealer quotes. These are considered to be observable market inputs and, therefore, the fair values of these securities are classified as Level 2. |
• | Corporate securities consist primarily of investment-grade debt of a wide variety of corporate issuers and industries. The fair values of these securities are determined using the spread above the risk-free yield curve, reported trades, broker-dealer quotes, benchmark yields, and industry and market indicators. These are considered observable market inputs and, therefore, the fair values of these securities are classified as Level 2. Where pricing is unavailable from pricing services, such as in periods of low trading activity or when transactions are not orderly, we obtain non-binding quotes from broker-dealers. Where significant inputs are unable to be corroborated with market observable information, we classify the securities as Level 3. |
• | Municipal securities consist primarily of bonds issued by U.S.-domiciled state and municipal entities. The fair values of these securities are determined using the spread above the risk-free yield curve, reported trades, broker-dealer quotes and benchmark yields. These are considered observable market inputs and, therefore, the fair values of these securities are classified as Level 2. |
• | Asset-backed securities consist primarily of investment-grade bonds backed by pools of loans with a variety of underlying collateral. Residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities include both agency and non-agency originated securities. Where pricing is unavailable from pricing services, we obtain non-binding quotes from broker-dealers. This is generally the case when there is a low volume of trading activity and current transactions are not orderly. The significant inputs used to determine the fair value of these securities include the spread above the risk-free yield curve, reported trades, benchmark yields, prepayment speeds and default rates. The fair values of these securities are classified as Level 2 if the significant inputs are |
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NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
market observable. Where significant inputs are unable to be corroborated with market observable information, we classify the securities as Level 3.
Equities
Our investments in equities are predominantly traded on the major exchanges and are primarily managed by our external advisors. We use an internationally recognized pricing service to estimate the fair value of our equities. Our equities are widely diversified and there is no significant concentration in any specific industry.
We have categorized all of our investments in equities other than preferred stock as Level 1 investments because the fair values of these investments are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. The fair value estimates of our investments in preferred stock are based on observable market data and, as a result, have been categorized as Level 2.
Other investments, at fair value
We have ongoing due diligence processes with respect to the other investments carried at fair value in which we invest and their managers. These processes are designed to assist us in assessing the quality of information provided by, or on behalf of, each fund and in determining whether such information continues to be reliable or whether further review is warranted. Certain funds do not provide full transparency of their underlying holdings; however, we obtain the audited financial statements for funds annually, and regularly review and discuss the fund performance with the fund managers to corroborate the reasonableness of the reported net asset values ("NAV").
The use of NAV as an estimate of the fair value for investments in certain entities that calculate NAV is a permitted practical expedient. Due to the time lag in the NAV reported by certain fund managers we adjust the valuation for capital calls and distributions. Other investments measured at fair value using NAV as a practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. Other investments for which we do not use NAV as a practical expedient have been valued using prices from independent pricing services, investment managers and broker-dealers.
The following describes the techniques generally used to determine the fair value of our other investments.
• | For our investments in private equities and private equity funds, we measure fair value by obtaining the most recently available NAV from the external fund manager or third-party administrator. The fair values of these investments are measured using the NAV as a practical expedient and therefore have not been categorized within the fair value hierarchy. |
• | Our investments in fixed income funds and equity funds are valued based on a combination of prices from independent pricing services, external fund managers or third-party administrators. For the publicly available prices we have classified the investments as Level 2. For the non-publicly available prices we are using NAV as a practical expedient and therefore these have not been categorized within the fair value hierarchy. |
• | For our investments in fixed income and multi-strategy hedge funds, we measure fair value by obtaining the most recently available NAV as advised by the external fund manager or third-party administrator. The fair values of these investments are measured using the NAV as a practical expedient and therefore have not been categorized within the fair value hierarchy. |
• | Our investment in the real estate debt fund was valued based on the most recently available NAV from the external fund manager. The fair value of this investment was measured using the NAV practical expedient and therefore has not been categorized within the fair value hierarchy. As at March 31, 2016 this fund was fully redeemed. |
• | We measure the fair value of our direct investment in CLO equities based on valuations provided by our external CLO equity manager. If the investment does not involve an external CLO equity manager, the fair value of the investment is valued based on valuations provided by the broker or lead underwriter of the investment (the "broker"). Our CLO equity investments have been classified as Level 3 due to the use of unobservable inputs in the valuation and the limited number of relevant trades in secondary markets. |
In providing valuations, the CLO equity manager and brokers use observable and unobservable inputs. Of the significant unobservable market inputs used, the default and loss severity rates involve the most judgment and create the most sensitivity. A significant increase or decrease in either of these significant inputs in isolation would result in lower or higher fair value estimates for direct investments in CLO equities and, in general, a
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NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
change in default rate assumptions will be accompanied by a directionally similar change in loss severity rate assumptions. Collateral spreads and estimated maturity dates are less subjective inputs because they are based on the historical average of actual spreads and the weighted-average life of the current underlying portfolios, respectively. A significant increase or decrease in either of these significant inputs in isolation would result in higher or lower fair value estimates for direct investments in CLO equities. In general, these inputs have no significant interrelationship with each other or with default and loss severity rates.
On a quarterly basis, we receive the valuation from the external CLO manager and brokers and then review the underlying cash flows and key assumptions used by them. We review and update the significant unobservable inputs based on information obtained from secondary markets. These inputs are our responsibility and we assess the reasonableness of the inputs (and if necessary, update the inputs) through communicating with industry participants, monitoring of the transactions in which we participate (for example, to evaluate default and loss severity rate trends), and reviewing market conditions, historical results, and emerging trends that may impact future cash flows.
If valuations from the external CLO equity manager or brokers are not available, we use an income approach based on certain observable and unobservable inputs to value these investments. An income approach is also used to corroborate the reasonableness of the valuations provided by the external manager and brokers. Where an income approach is followed, the valuation is based on available trade information, such as expected cash flows and market assumptions on default and loss severity rates. Other inputs used in the valuation process include asset spreads, loan prepayment speeds, collateral spreads and estimated maturity dates.
• | For our investments in CLO equity funds, we measure fair value by obtaining the most recently available NAV as advised by the external fund manager or third party administrator. The fair values of these investments are measured using the NAV as a practical expedient and therefore have not been categorized within the fair value hierarchy. |
• | For our investments in call options on publicly traded equities, we measure fair value by obtaining the latest option price as of our reporting date. These are classified as Level 2. |
Changes in Leveling of Financial Instruments
Transfers into or out of levels are recorded at their fair values as of the end of the reporting period, consistent with the date of determination of fair value. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we transferred $54.6 million of corporate securities, $2.8 million of residential mortgage-backed securities, $40.1 million of commercial mortgage-backed securities and $31.0 million of asset-backed securities from Level 2 to Level 3. These securities were transferred from Level 2 to Level 3 due to insufficient market observable inputs for the valuation of the specific assets. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we transferred $0.6 million of residential mortgage-backed securities, $50.1 million of commercial mortgage-backed securities and $138.3 million of asset-backed securities from Level 3 to Level 2. The transfers from Level 3 to Level 2 were based upon us obtaining market observable information regarding the valuations of the specific assets. There were no transfers between Levels 1 and 2.
The following table presents a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for all investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs during the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 | Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed Maturity Investments | Other Investments | Derivative Instruments | Total | Fixed Maturity Investments | Other Investments | Equity Securities | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Beginning fair value | $ | 162,104 | $ | 80,470 | $ | — | $ | 242,574 | $ | — | $ | 463,905 | $ | — | $ | 463,905 | ||||||||||||||||
Purchases | 35,828 | — | — | 35,828 | — | 56,839 | — | 56,839 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sales | (6,425 | ) | (1,774 | ) | — | (8,199 | ) | — | (21,488 | ) | — | (21,488 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gains | 4,703 | 4,265 | (659 | ) | 8,309 | — | 17,241 | — | 17,241 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net transfers into (out of) Level 3 | (17,413 | ) | — | — | (17,413 | ) | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Ending fair value | $ | 178,797 | $ | 82,961 | $ | (659 | ) | $ | 261,099 | $ | — | $ | 516,497 | $ | — | $ | 516,497 |
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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
The following table presents a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for all investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed Maturity Investments | Other Investments | Derivative Instruments | Total | Fixed Maturity Investments | Other Investments | Equity Securities | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Beginning fair value | $ | 214,162 | $ | 77,016 | $ | — | $ | 291,178 | $ | 600 | $ | 349,790 | $ | 4,850 | $ | 355,240 | ||||||||||||||||
Purchases | 68,444 | 6,885 | — | 75,329 | — | 193,224 | — | 193,224 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sales | (43,145 | ) | (6,432 | ) | — | (49,577 | ) | (600 | ) | (63,903 | ) | (5,000 | ) | (69,503 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | (148 | ) | 5,492 | (659 | ) | 4,685 | — | 37,386 | 150 | 37,536 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net transfers into (out of) Level 3 | (60,516 | ) | — | — | (60,516 | ) | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Ending fair value | $ | 178,797 | $ | 82,961 | $ | (659 | ) | $ | 261,099 | $ | — | $ | 516,497 | $ | — | $ | 516,497 |
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to Level 3 assets in the table above are included in net realized and unrealized gains (losses) in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of earnings.
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NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Disclosure of Fair Values for Financial Instruments Carried at Cost
The following tables present our fair value hierarchy for those assets carried at cost or amortized cost in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet but for which disclosure of the fair value is required:
September 30, 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Fair Value | Carrying Value | ||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity investments, held-to-maturity: | ||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. government and agency | $ | — | $ | 20,957 | $ | — | $ | 20,957 | $ | 19,793 | ||||||||||
Non-U.S. government | — | 28,249 | — | 28,249 | 27,554 | |||||||||||||||
Corporate | — | 745,139 | 8,651 | 753,790 | 715,255 | |||||||||||||||
Sub-total | — | 794,345 | 8,651 | 802,996 | 762,602 | |||||||||||||||
Other investments: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Life settlements | — | — | 127,047 | 127,047 | 129,431 | |||||||||||||||
Total | $ | — | $ | 794,345 | $ | 135,698 | $ | 930,043 | $ | 892,033 |
December 31, 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Fair Value | Carrying Value | ||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity investments, held-to-maturity: | ||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. government and agency | $ | — | $ | 19,321 | $ | — | $ | 19,321 | $ | 19,771 | ||||||||||
Non-U.S. government | — | 39,058 | — | 39,058 | 40,503 | |||||||||||||||
Corporate | — | 710,692 | — | 710,692 | 730,592 | |||||||||||||||
Sub-total | — | 769,071 | — | 769,071 | 790,866 | |||||||||||||||
Other investments: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Life settlements | — | — | 130,268 | 130,268 | 133,071 | |||||||||||||||
Total | $ | — | $ | 769,071 | $ | 130,268 | $ | 899,339 | $ | 923,937 |
During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we transferred $8.6 million of corporate securities from Level 2 to Level 3. These securities were transferred from Level 2 to Level 3 due to insufficient market observable inputs for the valuation of the specific assets.
The fair value of investments in life settlement contracts, in the table above, is determined using a discounted cash flow methodology that utilizes unobservable inputs. Due to the individual nature of each investment in life settlement contracts and the illiquidity of the existing market, significant inputs to the fair value include our estimates of premiums necessary to keep the policies in-force, and our assumptions for mortality and discount rates. Our mortality assumptions are based on a combination of medical underwriting information obtained from a third-party underwriter for each referenced life and internal proprietary mortality studies of older aged U.S. insured lives. These assumptions are used to develop an estimate of future net cash flows that, after discounting, are intended to be reflective of the asset's value in the life settlement market.
Disclosure of fair value of amounts relating to insurance contracts is not required. Our remaining assets and liabilities were generally carried at cost or amortized cost, which due to their short-term nature approximates fair value as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.
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NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
5. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
Foreign Currency Hedging of Net Investments
We use foreign currency forward exchange rate contracts in qualifying hedging relationships to hedge the foreign currency exchange rate risk associated with certain of our net investments in foreign operations. At September 30, 2016, we had two forward currency contracts in place for notional amounts of AU$63.0 million (approximately $48.3 million) and CA$50.0 million (approximately $38.1 million), which we had designated as hedges of the net investments in our Australian and Canadian operations.
The following table presents the gross notional amounts, estimated fair values recorded within other assets and liabilities and the amounts of the net gains deferred in the currency translation adjustment account which is a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI"), in shareholders' equity, related to our foreign currency forward exchange rate contracts as at September 30, 2016.
September 30, 2016 Fair Value | Amount of Gains (Losses) Deferred in AOCI (Effective Portion) | |||||||||||||||||||
Gross Notional Amount | Assets | Liabilities | Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 | ||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange forward - AUD | $ | 48,277 | $ | — | $ | 718 | $ | (210 | ) | $ | (210 | ) | ||||||||
Foreign exchange forward - CAD | 38,118 | 59 | — | 234 | 234 | |||||||||||||||
Total qualifying hedges | $ | 86,395 | $ | 59 | $ | 718 | $ | 24 | $ | 24 |
We did not have any forward currency contract hedges of our net investments in foreign operations as at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2015 or during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.
We also borrowed €75.0 million during 2016 that was designated as a non-derivative hedge of our net investment in certain subsidiaries whose functional currency is denominated in Euros as described in Note 11 - "Loans Payable".
Investments in Call Options on Equities
We use equity call option instruments either to obtain exposure to a particular equity instrument or for yield enhancement, in non-qualifying hedging relationships.
The following table presents the cost, estimated fair value recorded within other investments and the unrealized gains on our non-qualifying equity derivative instruments recorded in net earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016:
September 30, 2016 | Unrealized Gains in Net Earnings | |||||||||||||||||
Cost | Fair Value | Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 | |||||||||||||||
Call options on equities | $ | 5,500 | $ | 8,500 | $ | 3,650 | $ | 3,000 |
We did not have any equity derivative instruments as at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2015 and during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.
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NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
6. REINSURANCE BALANCES RECOVERABLE
The following tables provide the total reinsurance balances recoverable by segment as at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
September 30, 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Non-life Run-off | Atrium | StarStone | Life and Annuities | Total | ||||||||||||||||
Recoverable from reinsurers on unpaid: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Outstanding losses | $ | 467,170 | $ | 6,720 | $ | 162,740 | $ | 18,145 | $ | 654,775 | ||||||||||
IBNR | 426,411 | 20,058 | 131,612 | 274 | 578,355 | |||||||||||||||
Fair value adjustments | (14,324 | ) | 1,875 | (3,657 | ) | — | (16,106 | ) | ||||||||||||
Total reinsurance reserves recoverable | 879,257 | 28,653 | 290,695 | 18,419 | 1,217,024 | |||||||||||||||
Paid losses recoverable | 44,691 | 126 | 14,756 | 2,391 | 61,964 | |||||||||||||||
$ | 923,948 | $ | 28,779 | $ | 305,451 | $ | 20,810 | $ | 1,278,988 |
December 31, 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Non-life Run-off | Atrium | StarStone | Life and Annuities | Total | ||||||||||||||||
Recoverable from reinsurers on unpaid: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Outstanding losses | $ | 587,164 | $ | 6,772 | $ | 182,076 | $ | 22,786 | $ | 798,798 | ||||||||||
IBNR | 465,211 | 16,581 | 123,732 | 306 | 605,830 | |||||||||||||||
Fair value adjustments | (17,628 | ) | 2,499 | (6,025 | ) | — | (21,154 | ) | ||||||||||||
Total reinsurance reserves recoverable | 1,034,747 | 25,852 | 299,783 | 23,092 | 1,383,474 | |||||||||||||||
Paid losses recoverable | 72,213 | 430 | 16,568 | 1,319 | 90,530 | |||||||||||||||
$ | 1,106,960 | $ | 26,282 | $ | 316,351 | $ | 24,411 | $ | 1,474,004 |
Our insurance and reinsurance run-off subsidiaries, prior to acquisition, used retrocessional agreements to reduce their exposure to the risk of insurance and reinsurance assumed. On an annual basis, both Atrium and StarStone purchase a tailored outwards reinsurance program designed to manage their risk profiles. The majority of Atrium’s and StarStone's third-party reinsurance cover is with highly rated reinsurers or is collateralized by letters of credit.
The fair value adjustments, determined on acquisition of insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries, are based on the estimated timing of loss and LAE recoveries and an assumed interest rate equivalent to a risk free rate for securities with similar duration to the acquired reinsurance recoverables plus a spread for credit risk, and are amortized over the estimated recovery period, as adjusted for accelerations in timing of payments as a result of commutation settlements.
As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we had reinsurance balances recoverable of approximately $1.3 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively. The decrease of $195.0 million in reinsurance balances recoverable was primarily a result of commutations in our Non-life Run-off segment and cash collections made during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 in our Non-life Run-off and StarStone segments.
Top Ten Reinsurers
September 30, 2016 | December 31, 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-life Run-off | Atrium | StarStone | Life and Annuities | Total | % of Total | Non-life Run-off | Atrium | StarStone | Life and Annuities | Total | % of Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Top ten reinsurers | $ | 614,992 | $ | 23,612 | $ | 160,507 | $ | 11,681 | $ | 810,792 | 63.4 | % | $ | 713,743 | $ | 21,394 | $ | 155,171 | $ | 13,254 | $ | 903,562 | 61.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other reinsurers > $1 million | 296,523 | 4,286 | 143,185 | 8,293 | 452,287 | 35.4 | % | 383,898 | 4,253 | 158,417 | 8,363 | 554,931 | 37.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other reinsurers < $1 million | 12,433 | 881 | 1,759 | 836 | 15,909 | 1.2 | % | 9,319 | 635 | 2,763 | 2,794 | 15,511 | 1.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 923,948 | $ | 28,779 | $ | 305,451 | $ | 20,810 | $ | 1,278,988 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,106,960 | $ | 26,282 | $ | 316,351 | $ | 24,411 | $ | 1,474,004 | 100.0 | % |
Seven of the top ten external reinsurers, as at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, were rated A- or better, with the remaining three being non-rated reinsurers from which $282.7 million was recoverable (December 31, 2015: $337.6 million recoverable from three reinsurers). For the three non-rated reinsurers, we hold security in the
28
ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
form of pledged assets in trust or letters of credit issued to us in the full amount of the recoverable. As at September 30, 2016, reinsurance balances recoverable of $151.3 million (December 31, 2015: $165.6 million) related to Lloyd’s syndicates and represented 10% or more of total reinsurance balances recoverable. Lloyd’s is rated A+ by Standard & Poor’s and A by A.M. Best.
Provisions for Uncollectible Reinsurance Recoverables
We remain liable to the extent that retrocessionaires do not meet their obligations under these agreements, and therefore, we evaluate and monitor concentration of credit risk among our reinsurers. Provisions are made for amounts considered potentially uncollectible.
The following table shows our reinsurance balances recoverable by rating of reinsurer and our provisions for uncollectible reinsurance balances recoverable ("provisions for bad debt") as at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015. The provisions for bad debt all relate to the Non-life Run-off segment.
September 30, 2016 | December 31, 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross | Provisions for Bad Debt | Net | Provisions as a % of Gross | Gross | Provisions for Bad Debt | Net | Provisions as a % of Gross | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Reinsurers rated A- or above | $ | 945,215 | $ | 37,690 | $ | 907,525 | 4.0 | % | $ | 1,051,927 | $ | 46,969 | $ | 1,004,958 | 4.5 | % | |||||||||||||
Reinsurers rated below A-, secured | 311,828 | — | 311,828 | — | % | 388,399 | — | 388,399 | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Reinsurers rated below A-, unsecured | 211,237 | 151,602 | 59,635 | 71.8 | % | 244,005 | 163,358 | 80,647 | 66.9 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 1,468,280 | $ | 189,292 | $ | 1,278,988 | 12.9 | % | $ | 1,684,331 | $ | 210,327 | $ | 1,474,004 | 12.5 | % |
29
ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
7. LOSSES AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES
The liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses ("LAE") includes an amount determined from reported claims and an amount based on historical loss experience and industry statistics for incurred but not reported ("IBNR") using a variety of actuarial methods. Our loss reserves cover multiple lines of business, which include workers' compensation, general casualty, asbestos and environmental, marine, aviation and transit, construction defects and other non-life lines of business. Refer to Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 for more information on establishing the liability for losses and LAE.
The following table summarizes the liability for losses and LAE by segment as at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
September 30, 2016 | December 31, 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-life Run-off | Atrium | StarStone | Total | Non-life Run-off | Atrium | StarStone | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Outstanding losses | $ | 2,694,520 | $ | 66,648 | $ | 485,197 | $ | 3,246,365 | $ | 2,757,774 | $ | 68,913 | $ | 457,175 | $ | 3,283,862 | |||||||||||||||
IBNR | 2,347,653 | 135,066 | 547,608 | 3,030,327 | 1,991,009 | 115,613 | 477,990 | 2,584,612 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair value adjustments | (143,472 | ) | 13,248 | (899 | ) | (131,123 | ) | (163,329 | ) | 16,491 | (1,487 | ) | (148,325 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 4,898,701 | $ | 214,962 | $ | 1,031,906 | $ | 6,145,569 | $ | 4,585,454 | $ | 201,017 | $ | 933,678 | $ | 5,720,149 |
The overall increase in the liability for losses and LAE between December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2016 was primarily attributable to the assumed reinsurance agreements with Allianz and Coca-Cola in our Non-life Run-off segment as described in Note 2 - "Significant New Business."
The table below provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending liability for losses and LAE for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||||||
Balance as at beginning of period | $ | 6,433,845 | $ | 6,143,471 | $ | 5,720,149 | $ | 4,509,421 | |||||||
Less: reinsurance reserves recoverable | 1,243,782 | 1,491,113 | 1,360,382 | 1,154,196 | |||||||||||
Less: deferred charges on retroactive reinsurance | 247,272 | 265,426 | 255,911 | — | |||||||||||
Net balance as at beginning of period | 4,942,791 | 4,386,932 | 4,103,856 | 3,355,225 | |||||||||||
Net incurred losses and LAE: | |||||||||||||||
Current period | 128,426 | 123,341 | 370,362 | 357,688 | |||||||||||
Prior periods | (135,328 | ) | (90,982) | (197,584 | ) | (189,293 | ) | ||||||||
Total net incurred losses and LAE | (6,902 | ) | 32,359 | 172,778 | 168,395 | ||||||||||
Net paid losses: | |||||||||||||||
Current period | (32,510 | ) | (35,981) | (54,866 | ) | (68,635 | ) | ||||||||
Prior periods | (158,367 | ) | (183,151) | (547,780 | ) | (495,792 | ) | ||||||||
Total net paid losses | (190,877 | ) | (219,132) | (602,646 | ) | (564,427 | ) | ||||||||
Effect of exchange rate movement | 2,147 | (16,687 | ) | (21,099 | ) | (46,110 | ) | ||||||||
Acquired on purchase of subsidiaries | — | 1,593 | 10,019 | 776,351 | |||||||||||
Assumed business | 99,168 | 116,810 | 1,183,419 | 612,441 | |||||||||||
Net balance as at September 30 | 4,846,327 | 4,301,875 | 4,846,327 | 4,301,875 | |||||||||||
Plus: reinsurance reserves recoverable | 1,198,605 | 1,449,854 | 1,198,605 | 1,449,854 | |||||||||||
Plus: deferred charges on retroactive reinsurance | 100,637 | 267,477 | 100,637 | 267,477 | |||||||||||
Balance as at September 30 | $ | 6,145,569 | $ | 6,019,206 | $ | 6,145,569 | $ | 6,019,206 |
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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
The tables below provide the net incurred losses and LAE in the Non-life Run-off, Atrium and StarStone segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 | Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-life Run-off | Atrium | StarStone | Total | Non-life Run-off | Atrium | StarStone | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net losses paid | $ | 109,310 | $ | 13,541 | $ | 68,026 | $ | 190,877 | $ | 143,012 | $ | 12,459 | $ | 63,661 | $ | 219,132 | |||||||||||||||
Net change in case and LAE reserves | (323,246 | ) | (2,117 | ) | 16,899 | (308,464 | ) | (99,186 | ) | (1,712 | ) | 14,547 | (86,351 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Net change in IBNR reserves | (59,857 | ) | 3,624 | 18,861 | (37,372 | ) | (99,242 | ) | 353 | 18,121 | (80,768 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred charges | 154,102 | — | — | 154,102 | 3,699 | — | — | 3,699 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Increase (reduction) in estimates of net ultimate losses | (119,691 | ) | 15,048 | 103,786 | (857 | ) | (51,717 | ) | 11,100 | 96,329 | 55,712 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Reduction in provisions for bad debt | (502 | ) | — | — | (502 | ) | (3,632 | ) | — | — | (3,632 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Increase (reduction) in provisions for unallocated LAE | (10,806 | ) | 20 | 930 | (9,856 | ) | (20,269 | ) | 1 | 555 | (19,713 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of fair value adjustments | 5,880 | (1,245 | ) | (322 | ) | 4,313 | 485 | — | (493 | ) | (8 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Net incurred losses and LAE | $ | (125,119 | ) | $ | 13,823 | $ | 104,394 | $ | (6,902 | ) | $ | (75,133 | ) | $ | 11,101 | $ | 96,391 | $ | 32,359 |
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-life Run-off | Atrium | StarStone | Total | Non-life Run-off | Atrium | StarStone | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net losses paid | $ | 384,679 | $ | 33,812 | $ | 184,155 | $ | 602,646 | $ | 372,712 | $ | 36,491 | $ | 155,224 | $ | 564,427 | |||||||||||||||
Net change in case and LAE reserves | (506,591 | ) | (1,854 | ) | 51,290 | (457,155 | ) | (210,516 | ) | (2,595 | ) | 59,490 | (153,621 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Net change in IBNR reserves | (199,756 | ) | 17,053 | 63,233 | (119,470 | ) | (212,477 | ) | 1,729 | 38,170 | (172,578 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred charges | 162,741 | — | — | 162,741 | 3,699 | — | — | 3,699 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Increase (reduction) in estimates of net ultimate losses | (158,927 | ) | 49,011 | 298,678 | 188,762 | (46,582 | ) | 35,625 | 252,884 | 241,927 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Reduction in provisions for bad debt | (7,132 | ) | — | — | (7,132 | ) | (24,071 | ) | — | — | (24,071 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Increase (reduction) in provisions for unallocated LAE | (25,167 | ) | 154 | 2,698 | (22,315 | ) | (41,955 | ) | (69 | ) | 2,266 | (39,758 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of fair value adjustments | 17,863 | (2,620 | ) | (1,780 | ) | 13,463 | (4,495 | ) | (3,678 | ) | (1,530 | ) | (9,703 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Net incurred losses and LAE | $ | (173,363 | ) | $ | 46,545 | $ | 299,596 | $ | 172,778 | $ | (117,103 | ) | $ | 31,878 | $ | 253,620 | $ | 168,395 |
31
ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Non-Life Run-off Segment
The table below provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending reserves for losses and LAE for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 for the Non-life Run-off segment:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||||||
Balance as at beginning of period | $ | 5,226,127 | $ | 5,064,137 | $ | 4,585,454 | $ | 3,435,010 | |||||||
Less: reinsurance reserves recoverable | 927,725 | 1,178,053 | 1,034,747 | 800,709 | |||||||||||
Less: deferred charges on retroactive insurance | 247,272 | 265,426 | 255,911 | — | |||||||||||
Net balance as at beginning of period | 4,051,130 | 3,620,658 | 3,294,796 | 2,634,301 | |||||||||||
Net incurred losses and LAE: | |||||||||||||||
Current period | 2,937 | 10,565 | 9,524 | 53,838 | |||||||||||
Prior periods | (128,056) | (85,698 | ) | (182,887) | (170,941 | ) | |||||||||
Total net incurred losses and LAE | (125,119) | (75,133 | ) | (173,363) | (117,103 | ) | |||||||||
Net paid losses: | |||||||||||||||
Current period | (2,050) | (4,558 | ) | (6,098) | (18,563 | ) | |||||||||
Prior periods | (107,260) | (138,454 | ) | (378,581) | (354,149 | ) | |||||||||
Total net paid losses | (109,310) | (143,012 | ) | (384,679) | (372,712 | ) | |||||||||
Effect of exchange rate movement | 2,938 | (12,344 | ) | (11,385) | (24,706 | ) | |||||||||
Acquired on purchase of subsidiaries | — | 1,593 | 10,019 | 776,351 | |||||||||||
Assumed business | 99,168 | 116,810 | 1,183,419 | 612,441 | |||||||||||
Net balance as at September 30 | 3,918,807 | 3,508,572 | 3,918,807 | 3,508,572 | |||||||||||
Plus: reinsurance reserves recoverable | 879,257 | 1,163,323 | 879,257 | 1,163,323 | |||||||||||
Plus: deferred charges on retroactive reinsurance | 100,637 | 267,477 | 100,637 | 267,477 | |||||||||||
Balance as at September 30 | $ | 4,898,701 | $ | 4,939,372 | $ | 4,898,701 | $ | 4,939,372 |
Net incurred losses and LAE in the Non-life Run-off segment for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Prior Period | Current Period | Total | Prior Period | Current Period | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
Net losses paid | $ | 107,260 | $ | 2,050 | $ | 109,310 | $ | 138,454 | $ | 4,558 | $ | 143,012 | |||||||||||
Net change in case and LAE reserves | (323,301 | ) | 55 | (323,246 | ) | (101,820 | ) | 2,634 | (99,186 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net change in IBNR reserves | (60,634 | ) | 777 | (59,857 | ) | (102,615 | ) | 3,373 | (99,242 | ) | |||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred charges | 154,102 | — | 154,102 | 3,699 | — | 3,699 | |||||||||||||||||
Increase (reduction) in estimates of net ultimate losses | (122,573 | ) | 2,882 | (119,691 | ) | (62,282 | ) | 10,565 | (51,717 | ) | |||||||||||||
Increase (reduction) in provisions for bad debt | (502 | ) | — | (502 | ) | (3,632 | ) | — | (3,632 | ) | |||||||||||||
Increase (reduction) in provisions for unallocated LAE | (10,861 | ) | 55 | (10,806 | ) | (20,269 | ) | — | (20,269 | ) | |||||||||||||
Amortization of fair value adjustments | 5,880 | — | 5,880 | 485 | — | 485 | |||||||||||||||||
Net incurred losses and LAE | $ | (128,056 | ) | $ | 2,937 | $ | (125,119 | ) | $ | (85,698 | ) | $ | 10,565 | $ | (75,133 | ) |
Net change in case and LAE reserves comprises the movement during the year in specific case reserve liabilities as a result of claims settlements or changes advised to us by our policyholders and attorneys, less changes in case reserves recoverable advised by us to our reinsurers as a result of the settlement or movement of assumed claims. Net change in IBNR represents the gross change in our actuarial estimates of IBNR, less amounts recoverable.
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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
The reduction in net incurred losses and LAE for the three months ended September 30, 2016 of $125.1 million included net incurred losses and LAE of $2.9 million related to current period net earned premium of $1.6 million, primarily for the run-off business acquired with Sussex. Net incurred losses and LAE liabilities relating to prior periods were reduced by $128.1 million, which was attributable to a reduction in estimates of net ultimate losses of $122.6 million, a reduction in provisions for bad debt of $0.5 million and a reduction in provisions for unallocated LAE of $10.9 million, relating to 2016 run-off activity, partially offset by amortization of fair value adjustments over the estimated payout period relating to companies acquired amounting to $5.9 million. The reduction in estimates of net ultimate losses for the three months ended September 30, 2016 included a net change in case and IBNR reserves of $226.8 million related to certain of our workers compensation business in the United States. This reduction resulted from an actuarial review completed during the third quarter of 2016 and considered favorable loss experience and our knowledge of comparable portfolios of business. This reduction of estimates in net ultimate losses for workers compensation business in the three months ended September 30, 2016 was reduced by amortization of the deferred charge of $153.8 million, which was comprised of $115.2 million related to a reduction in the liability for losses and LAE, and $38.6 million primarily related to a change in the expected return on the underlying assets.
The reduction in provisions for bad debt of $0.5 million was a result of the collection of certain reinsurance recoverables against which provisions for bad debt had been provided in earlier periods.
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
The reduction in net incurred losses and LAE for the three months ended September 30, 2015 of $75.1 million included net incurred losses and LAE of $10.6 million related to current period net earned premium of $16.8 million, primarily for the run-off business acquired with Sussex. Net incurred losses and LAE liabilities relating to prior periods were reduced by $85.7 million, which was attributable to a reduction in estimates of net ultimate losses of $62.3 million, a reduction in provisions for bad debt of $3.6 million, and a reduction in provisions for unallocated LAE of $20.3 million, relating to 2015 run-off activity, partially offset by amortization of fair value adjustments over the estimated payout period relating to companies acquired amounting to $0.5 million.
Net incurred losses and LAE in the Non-life Run-off segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:
Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Prior Period | Current Period | Total | Prior Period | Current Period | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
Net losses paid | $ | 378,581 | $ | 6,098 | $ | 384,679 | $ | 354,149 | $ | 18,563 | $ | 372,712 | |||||||||||
Net change in case and LAE reserves | (507,102 | ) | 511 | (506,591 | ) | (220,633 | ) | 10,117 | (210,516 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net change in IBNR reserves | (202,387 | ) | 2,631 | (199,756 | ) | (237,635 | ) | 25,158 | (212,477 | ) | |||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred charges | 162,741 | — | 162,741 | 3,699 | — | 3,699 | |||||||||||||||||
Increase (reduction) in estimates of net ultimate losses | (168,167 | ) | 9,240 | (158,927 | ) | (100,420 | ) | 53,838 | (46,582 | ) | |||||||||||||
Increase (reduction) in provisions for bad debt | (7,132 | ) | — | (7,132 | ) | (24,071 | ) | — | (24,071 | ) | |||||||||||||
Increase (reduction) in provisions for unallocated LAE | (25,451 | ) | 284 | (25,167 | ) | (41,955 | ) | — | (41,955 | ) | |||||||||||||
Amortization of fair value adjustments | 17,863 | — | 17,863 | (4,495 | ) | — | (4,495 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net incurred losses and LAE | $ | (182,887 | ) | $ | 9,524 | $ | (173,363 | ) | $ | (170,941 | ) | $ | 53,838 | $ | (117,103 | ) |
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
The reduction in net incurred losses and LAE for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 of $173.4 million included net incurred losses and LAE of $9.5 million related to current period net earned premium of $6.6 million, primarily for the run-off business acquired with Sussex. Net incurred losses and LAE liabilities relating to prior periods were reduced by $182.9 million, which was attributable to a reduction in estimates of net ultimate losses of $168.2 million, a reduction in provisions for bad debt of $7.1 million and a reduction in provisions for unallocated LAE of $25.5 million, relating to 2016 run-off activity, partially offset by amortization of fair value adjustments over the estimated payout period relating to companies acquired amounting to $17.9 million. As noted above for the three months ended
33
ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
September 30, 2016, the reduction in estimates of net ultimate losses included the results of an actuarial review on certain of our U.S. workers compensation business, partially offset by amortization of the related deferred charge.
The reduction in provisions for bad debt of $7.1 million was a result of the collection of certain reinsurance recoverables against which provisions for bad debt had been provided in earlier periods.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
The reduction in net incurred losses and LAE for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 of $117.1 million included net incurred losses and LAE of $53.8 million related to current period net earned premium of $49.8 million, primarily for the run-off business acquired with Sussex. Net incurred losses and LAE liabilities relating to prior periods were reduced by $170.9 million, which was attributable to a reduction in estimates of net ultimate losses of $100.4 million, reduction in provisions for bad debt of $24.1 million, a reduction in provisions for unallocated LAE liabilities of $42.0 million, relating to 2015 run-off activity, and amortization of fair value adjustments over the estimated payout period relating to companies acquired amounting to $4.5 million.
Atrium
The table below provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending liability for losses and LAE for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||||||
Balance as at beginning of period | $ | 213,224 | $ | 205,499 | $ | 201,017 | $ | 212,611 | |||||||
Less: reinsurance reserves recoverable | 26,856 | 26,011 | 25,852 | 28,278 | |||||||||||
Net balance as at beginning of period | 186,368 | 179,488 | 175,165 | 184,333 | |||||||||||
Net incurred losses and LAE: | |||||||||||||||
Current period | 19,843 | 16,416 | 56,474 | 48,788 | |||||||||||
Prior periods | (6,020 | ) | (5,315 | ) | (9,929 | ) | (16,910 | ) | |||||||
Total net incurred losses and LAE | 13,823 | 11,101 | 46,545 | 31,878 | |||||||||||
Net paid losses: | |||||||||||||||
Current period | (6,804 | ) | (6,065 | ) | (14,297 | ) | (13,473 | ) | |||||||
Prior periods | (6,737 | ) | (6,394 | ) | (19,515 | ) | (23,018 | ) | |||||||
Total net paid losses | (13,541 | ) | (12,459 | ) | (33,812 | ) | (36,491 | ) | |||||||
Effect of exchange rate movement | (341 | ) | (1,059 | ) | (1,589 | ) | (2,649 | ) | |||||||
Net balance as at September 30 | 186,309 | 177,071 | 186,309 | 177,071 | |||||||||||
Plus: reinsurance reserves recoverable | 28,653 | 27,332 | 28,653 | 27,332 | |||||||||||
Balance as at September 30 | $ | 214,962 | $ | 204,403 | $ | 214,962 | $ | 204,403 |
34
ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Net incurred losses and LAE in the Atrium segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Prior Period | Current Period | Total | Prior Period | Current Period | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
Net losses paid | $ | 6,737 | $ | 6,804 | $ | 13,541 | $ | 6,394 | $ | 6,065 | $ | 12,459 | |||||||||||
Net change in case and LAE reserves | (3,175 | ) | 1,058 | (2,117 | ) | (4,251 | ) | 2,539 | (1,712 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net change in IBNR reserves | (8,203 | ) | 11,827 | 3,624 | (7,342 | ) | 7,695 | 353 | |||||||||||||||
Increase (reduction) in estimates of net ultimate losses | (4,641 | ) | 19,689 | 15,048 | (5,199 | ) | 16,299 | 11,100 | |||||||||||||||
Increase (reduction) in provisions for unallocated LAE | (134 | ) | 154 | 20 | (116 | ) | 117 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
Amortization of fair value adjustments | (1,245 | ) | — | (1,245 | ) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
Net incurred losses and LAE | $ | (6,020 | ) | $ | 19,843 | $ | 13,823 | $ | (5,315 | ) | $ | 16,416 | $ | 11,101 |
Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Prior Period | Current Period | Total | Prior Period | Current Period | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
Net losses paid | $ | 19,515 | $ | 14,297 | $ | 33,812 | $ | 23,018 | $ | 13,473 | $ | 36,491 | |||||||||||
Net change in case and LAE reserves | (10,526 | ) | 8,672 | (1,854 | ) | (11,908 | ) | 9,313 | (2,595 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net change in IBNR reserves | (15,975 | ) | 33,028 | 17,053 | (23,895 | ) | 25,624 | 1,729 | |||||||||||||||
Increase (reduction) in estimates of net ultimate losses | (6,986 | ) | 55,997 | 49,011 | (12,785 | ) | 48,410 | 35,625 | |||||||||||||||
Increase (reduction) in provisions for unallocated LAE | (323 | ) | 477 | 154 | (447 | ) | 378 | (69 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Amortization of fair value adjustments | (2,620 | ) | — | (2,620 | ) | (3,678 | ) | — | (3,678 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net incurred losses and LAE | $ | (9,929 | ) | $ | 56,474 | $ | 46,545 | $ | (16,910 | ) | $ | 48,788 | $ | 31,878 |
35
ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
StarStone
The table below provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending liability for losses and LAE for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||||||
Balance as at beginning of period | $ | 994,494 | $ | 873,835 | $ | 933,678 | $ | 861,800 | |||||||
Less: reinsurance reserves recoverable | 289,201 | 287,049 | 299,783 | 325,209 | |||||||||||
Net balance as at beginning of period | 705,293 | 586,786 | 633,895 | 536,591 | |||||||||||
Net incurred losses and LAE: | |||||||||||||||
Current period | 105,646 | 96,360 | 304,364 | 255,062 | |||||||||||
Prior periods | (1,252) | 31 | (4,768 | ) | (1,442 | ) | |||||||||
Total net incurred losses and LAE | 104,394 | 96,391 | 299,596 | 253,620 | |||||||||||
Net paid losses: | |||||||||||||||
Current period | (23,656) | (25,358 | ) | (34,471 | ) | (36,599 | ) | ||||||||
Prior periods | (44,370) | (38,303 | ) | (149,684 | ) | (118,625 | ) | ||||||||
Total net paid losses | (68,026) | (63,661 | ) | (184,155 | ) | (155,224 | ) | ||||||||
Effect of exchange rate movement | (450) | (3,284 | ) | (8,125 | ) | (18,755 | ) | ||||||||
Net balance as at September 30 | 741,211 | 616,232 | 741,211 | 616,232 | |||||||||||
Plus: reinsurance reserves recoverable | 290,695 | 259,199 | 290,695 | 259,199 | |||||||||||
Balance as at September 30 | 1,031,906 | $ | 875,431 | $ | 1,031,906 | $ | 875,431 |
Net incurred losses and LAE in the StarStone segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Prior Period | Current Period | Total | Prior Period | Current Period | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
Net losses paid | $ | 44,370 | $ | 23,656 | $ | 68,026 | $ | 38,303 | $ | 25,358 | $ | 63,661 | |||||||||||
Net change in case and LAE reserves | (8,308 | ) | 25,207 | 16,899 | (4,188 | ) | 18,735 | 14,547 | |||||||||||||||
Net change in IBNR reserves | (36,173 | ) | 55,034 | 18,861 | (34,054 | ) | 52,175 | 18,121 | |||||||||||||||
Increase (reduction) in estimates of net ultimate losses | (111 | ) | 103,897 | 103,786 | 61 | 96,268 | 96,329 | ||||||||||||||||
Increase (reduction) in provisions for unallocated LAE | (819 | ) | 1,749 | 930 | 463 | 92 | 555 | ||||||||||||||||
Amortization of fair value adjustments | (322 | ) | — | (322 | ) | (493 | ) | — | (493 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net incurred losses and LAE | $ | (1,252 | ) | $ | 105,646 | $ | 104,394 | $ | 31 | $ | 96,360 | $ | 96,391 |
Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Prior Period | Current Period | Total | Prior Period | Current Period | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
Net losses paid | $ | 149,684 | $ | 34,471 | $ | 184,155 | $ | 118,625 | $ | 36,599 | $ | 155,224 | |||||||||||
Net change in case and LAE reserves | (30,410 | ) | 81,700 | 51,290 | (8,122 | ) | 67,612 | 59,490 | |||||||||||||||
Net change in IBNR reserves | (119,407 | ) | 182,640 | 63,233 | (110,316 | ) | 148,486 | 38,170 | |||||||||||||||
Increase (reduction) in estimates of net ultimate losses | (133 | ) | 298,811 | 298,678 | 187 | 252,697 | 252,884 | ||||||||||||||||
Increase (reduction) in provisions for unallocated LAE | (2,855 | ) | 5,553 | 2,698 | (99 | ) | 2,365 | 2,266 | |||||||||||||||
Amortization of fair value adjustments | (1,780 | ) | — | (1,780 | ) | (1,530 | ) | — | (1,530 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net incurred losses and LAE | $ | (4,768 | ) | $ | 304,364 | $ | 299,596 | $ | (1,442 | ) | $ | 255,062 | $ | 253,620 |
36
ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
8. POLICY BENEFITS FOR LIFE AND ANNUITY CONTRACTS
Policy benefits for life and annuity contracts as at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were as follows:
September 30, 2016 | December 31, 2015 | ||||||
Life | $ | 416,025 | $ | 436,603 | |||
Annuities | 912,058 | 921,654 | |||||
1,328,083 | 1,358,257 | ||||||
Fair value adjustments | (48,075 | ) | (53,560 | ) | |||
$ | 1,280,008 | $ | 1,304,697 |
Refer to Note 10 of the consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 for more information on establishing policy benefit reserves.
9. PREMIUMS WRITTEN AND EARNED
The following table provides a summary of net premiums written and earned in our Non-life Run-off, Atrium, StarStone and Life and Annuities segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Premiums Written | Premiums Earned | Premiums Written | Premiums Earned | Premiums Written | Premiums Earned | Premiums Written | Premiums Earned | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-life Run-off | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross | $ | 2,066 | $ | 2,054 | $ | 6,874 | $ | 31,257 | $ | 15,829 | $ | 19,217 | $ | 31,788 | $ | 109,414 | |||||||||||||||
Ceded | (2,293 | ) | (757 | ) | (3,064 | ) | (17,223 | ) | (8,009 | ) | (8,009 | ) | (42,931 | ) | (59,590 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net | $ | (227 | ) | $ | 1,297 | $ | 3,810 | $ | 14,034 | $ | 7,820 | $ | 11,208 | $ | (11,143 | ) | $ | 49,824 | |||||||||||||
Atrium | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross | $ | 35,038 | $ | 36,401 | $ | 31,348 | $ | 36,083 | $ | 114,337 | $ | 107,743 | $ | 116,047 | $ | 112,150 | |||||||||||||||
Ceded | 1,363 | (3,851 | ) | (2,888 | ) | (3,052 | ) | (6,594 | ) | (11,524 | ) | (11,409 | ) | (11,290 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Net | $ | 36,401 | $ | 32,550 | $ | 28,460 | $ | 33,031 | $ | 107,743 | $ | 96,219 | $ | 104,638 | $ | 100,860 | |||||||||||||||
StarStone | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross | $ | 192,077 | $ | 214,430 | $ | 173,424 | $ | 205,361 | $ | 632,489 | $ | 617,094 | $ | 605,178 | $ | 569,856 | |||||||||||||||
Ceded | (31,830 | ) | (43,837 | ) | (35,139 | ) | (42,828 | ) | (139,760 | ) | (121,384 | ) | (160,705 | ) | (146,005 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net | $ | 160,247 | $ | 170,593 | $ | 138,285 | $ | 162,533 | $ | 492,729 | $ | 495,710 | $ | 444,473 | $ | 423,851 | |||||||||||||||
Life and Annuities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Life | $ | 18,537 | $ | 18,955 | $ | 21,365 | $ | 21,453 | $ | 56,996 | $ | 56,595 | $ | 67,020 | $ | 67,445 | |||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 214,958 | $ | 223,395 | $ | 191,920 | $ | 231,051 | $ | 665,288 | $ | 659,732 | $ | 604,988 | $ | 641,980 |
37
ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
10. GOODWILL, INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND DEFERRED CHARGE
The following table presents a reconciliation of the beginning and ending goodwill, intangible assets and the deferred charge during the nine months ended September 30, 2016:
Goodwill | Intangible assets with a definite life - Other | Intangible assets with an indefinite life | Total | Intangible assets with a definite life - FVA | Other assets - Deferred Charges | ||||||||||||||||||
Balance as at December 31, 2015 | $ | 73,071 | $ | 31,202 | $ | 87,031 | $ | 191,304 | $ | 180,730 | $ | 255,911 | |||||||||||
Acquired during the period | — | — | — | — | — | 7,467 | |||||||||||||||||
Amortization | — | (4,961 | ) | — | (4,961 | ) | (17,636 | ) | (162,741 | ) | |||||||||||||
Balance as at September 30, 2016 | $ | 73,071 | $ | 26,241 | $ | 87,031 | $ | 186,343 | $ | 163,094 | $ | 100,637 |
Refer to Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 for more information on goodwill, intangible assets and the deferred charge.
Intangible asset amortization for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 was $7.2 million and $22.6 million, respectively, compared to $11.4 million and $9.2 million for the comparative periods in 2015.
The deferred charge acquired during the quarter ended September 30, 2016 of $7.5 million related to the reinsurance transaction with Coca-Cola in our Non-life Run-off segment as described in Note 2 - "Significant New Business."
Amortization of the deferred charges included $115.5 million and $124.1 million related to a reduction in the liability for losses and LAE for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2016, respectively, and $38.6 million primarily related to a change in the expected return on the underlying assets during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016.
The gross carrying value, accumulated amortization and net carrying value of intangible assets by type and the deferred charge at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were as follows:
September 30, 2016 | December 31, 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross Carrying Value | Accumulated Amortization | Net Carrying Value | Gross Carrying Value | Accumulated Amortization | Net Carrying Value | ||||||||||||||||||
Intangible assets with a definite life: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair value adjustments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Losses and LAE liabilities | $ | 458,202 | $ | (327,078 | ) | $ | 131,124 | $ | 456,110 | $ | (307,785 | ) | $ | 148,325 | |||||||||
Reinsurance balances recoverable | (175,924 | ) | 159,817 | (16,107 | ) | (175,774 | ) | 154,619 | (21,155 | ) | |||||||||||||
Policy benefits for life and annuity contracts | 86,332 | (38,255 | ) | 48,077 | 86,332 | (32,772 | ) | 53,560 | |||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 368,610 | $ | (205,516 | ) | $ | 163,094 | $ | 366,668 | $ | (185,938 | ) | $ | 180,730 | |||||||||
Other: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Distribution channel | $ | 20,000 | $ | (3,777 | ) | $ | 16,223 | $ | 20,000 | $ | (2,777 | ) | $ | 17,223 | |||||||||
Technology | 15,000 | (9,999 | ) | 5,001 | 15,000 | (6,561 | ) | 8,439 | |||||||||||||||
Brand | 7,000 | (1,983 | ) | 5,017 | 7,000 | (1,460 | ) | 5,540 | |||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 42,000 | $ | (15,759 | ) | $ | 26,241 | $ | 42,000 | $ | (10,798 | ) | $ | 31,202 | |||||||||
Intangible assets with an indefinite life: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Lloyd’s syndicate capacity | $ | 37,031 | $ | — | $ | 37,031 | $ | 37,031 | $ | — | $ | 37,031 | |||||||||||
Licenses | 19,900 | — | 19,900 | 19,900 | — | 19,900 | |||||||||||||||||
Management contract | 30,100 | — | 30,100 | 30,100 | — | 30,100 | |||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 87,031 | $ | — | $ | 87,031 | $ | 87,031 | $ | — | $ | 87,031 | |||||||||||
Deferred charges on retroactive reinsurance | $ | 278,643 | $ | (178,006 | ) | $ | 100,637 | $271,176 | $ | (15,265 | ) | $255,911 |
38
ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
11. LOANS PAYABLE
We utilize debt facilities primarily for acquisitions and, from time to time, for general corporate purposes. Under these facilities, loans payable and accrued interest as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were as follows:
Facility | Origination Date | Term | September 30, 2016 | December 31, 2015 | ||||||||
EGL Revolving Credit Facility | September 16, 2014 | 5 years | $ | 505,210 | $ | 505,750 | ||||||
Sussex Facility | December 24, 2014 | 4 years | 63,500 | 94,000 | ||||||||
Total long-term bank debt | 568,710 | 599,750 | ||||||||||
Accrued interest | 1,908 | 500 | ||||||||||
Total loans payable | $ | 570,618 | $ | 600,250 |
For the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, interest expense was $5.0 million and $5.2 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, interest expense was $15.8 million and $14.0 million, respectively.
EGL Revolving Credit Facility
This 5-year revolving credit facility, originated on September 16, 2014, and amended on February 27, 2015, February 15, 2016, and August 5, 2016, is among Enstar Group Limited and certain of its subsidiaries, as borrowers and as guarantors, and various financial institutions. We are permitted to borrow up to an aggregate of $665.0 million, and we have an option to obtain additional commitments of up to $166.25 million. As of September 30, 2016, there was $159.8 million of available unutilized capacity under this facility. We are in compliance with the covenants of the EGL Revolving Credit Facility.
We borrowed €75.0 million under the facility during 2016 that was designated as a non-derivative hedge of our net investment in certain subsidiaries whose functional currency is denominated in Euros. The foreign exchange effect of revaluing these Euro borrowings resulted in a loss of $1.2 million and a gain of $0.9 million recognized in the currency translation adjustment within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. These amounts were offset against equivalent amounts recognized upon the translation of those subsidiaries' financial statements from functional currency into U.S. dollars. There were no ineffective portions of the net investment hedge during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2016, which would have required reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings.
Sussex Facility
On December 24, 2014, we entered into a 4-year term loan (the "Sussex Facility", formerly called the Companion Facility) with two financial institutions. This facility was fully utilized to initially borrow $109.0 million to fund 50% of the consideration payable for the acquisition of Sussex, which was completed on January 27, 2015. During 2015, we repaid $15.0 million and during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we repaid $30.5 million of the outstanding principal on the facility, bringing the outstanding principal to $63.5 million. We are in compliance with the covenants of the Sussex Facility.
Refer to Note 13 of the consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 for further information on the terms of the above facilities.
39
ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
12. NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
Redeemable noncontrolling interest ("RNCI") as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 comprised the ownership interests held by the Trident V Funds ("Trident") (39.32%) and Dowling Capital Partners, L.P. ("Dowling")(1.71%) in our subsidiary North Bay Holdings Limited ("North Bay"). North Bay owns our investments in StarStone and Atrium as well as certain non-life run-off portfolios. The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending carrying amount of the equity attributable to the RNCI as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 | Year Ended December 31, 2015 | |||||||
Balance at beginning of period | $ | 417,663 | $ | 374,619 | ||||
Capital contributions | — | 15,728 | ||||||
Dividends paid | — | (16,128 | ) | |||||
Net earnings (loss) attributable to RNCI | 33,034 | (8,797 | ) | |||||
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to RNCI | 1,640 | (745 | ) | |||||
Transfer from noncontrolling interest | — | 15,801 | ||||||
Accretion of RNCI to redemption value | 3,208 | 37,185 | ||||||
Balance at end of period | $ | 455,545 | $ | 417,663 |
Refer to Note 17 - "Related Party Transactions" and Note 18 - "Commitments and Contingencies" for additional information regarding RNCI.
Noncontrolling Interest
As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we had $3.5 million and $3.9 million, respectively, of noncontrolling interest ("NCI") primarily related to an external interest in one of our non-life run-off subsidiaries.
13. SHARE CAPITAL
In June 2016, pursuant to an internal reorganization, we issued Series C Participating Non-Voting Perpetual Preferred Stock (“Series C Preferred Shares”) to one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries to be held in treasury, in exchange for all our Series A Non-Voting Convertible Ordinary Shares (“Series A Non-Voting Shares”), which had been issued to, and held in treasury by, one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Series A Non-Voting Shares were subsequently canceled. The Series C Preferred Shares have no voting rights, other than with respect to certain limited matters whereby the consent of a majority of the holders of the outstanding Series C Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, would be required.
Refer to Note 15 of the consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 for additional information on our Share Capital.
40
ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
14. EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following table sets forth the comparison of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||||||
Basic earnings per ordinary share: | |||||||||||||||
Net earnings attributable to Enstar Group Limited | $ | 156,048 | $ | 49,042 | $ | 242,162 | $ | 108,434 | |||||||
Weighted-average ordinary shares outstanding — basic | 19,299,038 | 19,256,184 | 19,292,450 | 19,248,737 | |||||||||||
Net earnings per ordinary share attributable to Enstar Group Limited — basic | $ | 8.09 | $ | 2.55 | $ | 12.55 | $ | 5.63 | |||||||
Diluted earnings per ordinary share: | |||||||||||||||
Net earnings attributable to Enstar Group Limited | $ | 156,048 | $ | 49,042 | $ | 242,162 | $ | 108,434 | |||||||
Weighted-average ordinary shares outstanding — basic | 19,299,038 | 19,256,184 | 19,292,450 | 19,248,737 | |||||||||||
Effect of dilutive securities: | |||||||||||||||
Unvested shares | 30,147 | 51,253 | 29,255 | 49,863 | |||||||||||
Restricted share units | 17,688 | 13,321 | 16,576 | 12,466 | |||||||||||
Warrants | 102,557 | 87,869 | 94,377 | 76,219 | |||||||||||
Weighted-average ordinary shares outstanding — diluted | 19,449,430 | 19,408,627 | 19,432,658 | 19,387,285 | |||||||||||
Net earnings per ordinary share attributable to Enstar Group Limited — diluted | $ | 8.02 | $ | 2.53 | $ | 12.46 | $ | 5.59 |
15. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
We provide various employee benefits including share-based compensation, an employee share purchase plan, an annual incentive compensation program, and pension plans. These are described in Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. On June 14, 2016, our shareholders approved the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, which governs the terms of awards granted subsequent to its adoption. The plan replaced the expiring 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. Any outstanding awards granted under the 2006 plan remain in effect pursuant to their terms.
Share-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $8.8 million and $20.7 million, respectively, as compared to $2.1 million and $10.6 million for the comparative periods in 2015.
Employee share purchase plan expense for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 was less than $0.1 million, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 was less than $0.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively.
Annual incentive compensation program expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, was $17.4 million and $22.4 million, respectively, as compared to $6.5 million and $13.5 million for the comparative periods in 2015.
Pension expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $2.7 million and $8.6 million, respectively, as compared to $2.5 million and $7.7 million for the comparative periods in 2015.
41
ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
16. TAXATION
Interim Tax Calculation Method
We use the estimated annual effective tax rate method for computing our interim tax provision. This method applies our best estimate of the effective tax rate expected for the full year to our year-to-date earnings before income taxes. We provide for income tax expense or benefit based upon our pre-tax earnings and the provisions of currently enacted tax laws. Certain items deemed to be unusual, infrequent or not reliably estimated, are excluded from the estimated annual effective tax rate. In the event such items are identified, the actual tax expense or benefit is reported in the same period as the related item. Certain other items are not included in the estimated annual effective tax rate, such as changes in the assessment of valuation allowance on deferred tax assets and uncertain tax positions, if any.
Interim Tax Expense (Benefit)
The effective tax rates on income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 were 4.9% and 8.3%, respectively, as compared to 21.0% and 19.7%, respectively, for the comparative periods in 2015. The effective tax rate on income differs from the statutory rate of 0% due to tax on foreign operations (primarily the United States and United Kingdom), and a change in the assessment of valuation allowance on deferred tax assets. We have foreign operating subsidiaries and branch operations principally located in the United States, United Kingdom, Continental Europe and Australia that are subject to federal, foreign, state and local taxes in those jurisdictions. Deferred income tax liabilities have not been accrued with respect to the undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries. If the earnings were to be distributed, as dividends or other distributions, withholding taxes may be imposed by the jurisdiction of the paying subsidiary. For our U.S. subsidiaries, we have not currently accrued any withholding taxes with respect to un-remitted earnings as management has no current intention of remitting these earnings. For our United Kingdom subsidiaries, there are no withholding taxes imposed. For our other foreign subsidiaries, it would not be practicable to compute such amounts due to a variety of factors, including the amount, timing, and manner of any repatriation. Because we operate in many jurisdictions, our net earnings are subject to risk due to changing tax laws and tax rates around the world. The current, rapidly changing economic environment may increase the likelihood of substantial changes to tax laws in the jurisdictions in which we operate.
Assessment of Valuation Allowance on Deferred Tax Assets
We have estimated the future taxable income of our foreign subsidiaries and have provided a valuation allowance in respect of loss carryforwards where we do not expect to realize a benefit. We have considered all available evidence using a “more likely than not” standard in determining the amount of the valuation allowance. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, we recognized a decrease of $4.6 million and a decrease of $2.4 million, respectively, in our deferred tax asset valuation allowance.
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes
We had no unrecognized tax benefits relating to uncertain tax positions as at either September 30, 2016 or December 31, 2015.
Tax Examinations
Our operating subsidiaries may be subject to audit by various tax authorities and may have different statutes of limitations expiration dates. With limited exceptions, our major subsidiaries that operate in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia are no longer subject to tax examinations for years before 2012, 2012 and 2009, respectively.
42
ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
17. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Stone Point Capital LLC
Through several private transactions occurring from May 2012 to July 2012, Trident acquired 1,350,000 of our Voting Ordinary Shares (which now constitutes approximately 8.3% of our outstanding Voting Ordinary Shares). On November 6, 2013, we appointed James D. Carey to our Board of Directors. Mr. Carey is the sole member of an entity that is one of four general partners of the entities serving as general partners for Trident, is a member of the investment committees of such general partners, and is a member and senior principal of Stone Point Capital LLC ("Stone Point"), the manager of the Trident funds.
In addition, we have entered into certain agreements with Trident with respect to Trident’s co-investments in the Atrium, Arden, and StarStone acquisitions. These include investors’ agreements and shareholders’ agreements, which provide for, among other things: (i) our right to redeem Trident’s equity interest in the Atrium/Arden and StarStone transactions in cash at fair market value within the 90 days following the fifth anniversary of the Arden and StarStone closings, respectively, and at any time following the seventh anniversary of the Arden and StarStone closings, respectively; and (ii) Trident’s right to have its equity co-investment interests in the Atrium/Arden and StarStone transactions redeemed by us at fair market value (which we may satisfy in either cash or our ordinary shares) following the seventh anniversaries of the Arden closing and StarStone closing, respectively. As of September 30, 2016, we have included $455.5 million (December 31, 2015: $417.7 million) as RNCI on our balance sheet relating to these Trident co-investment transactions. Pursuant to the terms of the shareholders’ agreements, Mr. Carey serves as a Trident representative on the boards of the holding companies established in connection with the Atrium/Arden and StarStone co-investment transactions. Trident also has a second representative on these boards who is a Stone Point employee.
As at September 30, 2016, we had investments in funds (carried within other investments) and a registered investment company affiliated with entities owned by Trident or otherwise affiliated with Stone Point. The fair value of the investments in the funds was $197.8 million and $237.9 million as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The decrease was primarily due to a sale of one of the fund investments during the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The fair value of our investment in the registered investment company was $22.6 million and $21.0 million as at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, we recognized net realized and unrealized gains of $12.6 million and $0.7 million, respectively, in respect of the fund investments and net unrealized gains of $0.9 million and net unrealized losses of $1.4 million, respectively, in respect of the registered investment company investment. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, we recognized interest income of $2.3 million and $2.1 million in respect of the registered investment company.
We also have separate accounts, with a balance of $229.7 million and $157.8 million as at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, managed by Eagle Point Credit Management and PRIMA Capital Advisors, which are affiliates of entities owned by Trident, with respect to which we incurred approximately $0.3 million and $0.3 million in management fees for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
In addition, we are invested in funds (carried within other investments) managed by Sound Point Capital, an entity in which Mr. Carey has an indirect minority ownership interest and serves as a director. The fair value of our investments in Sound Point Capital funds was $25.0 million and $34.5 million as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively; the decrease was primarily due to a partial sale of a fund investment during the nine months ended September 30, 2016. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, we have recognized net unrealized gains of $1.5 million and $1.0 million, respectively, in respect of investments managed by Sound Point Capital.
Sound Point Capital has acted as collateral manager for certain of our direct investments in CLO equity securities. The fair value of these investments was $20.6 million and $18.2 million as at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, we recognized net unrealized gains of $2.5 million and net unrealized losses of $1.8 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, we recognized interest income of $5.2 million and $2.2 million in respect of these investments.
We have a separate account managed by Sound Point Capital, with a balance of $58.1 million and $53.5 million as at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, with respect to which we incurred approximately $0.2 million and $0.1 million in management fees for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
43
ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Fees charged pursuant to investments affiliated with entities owned by Trident or Sound Point Capital were negotiated on an arm's-length basis.
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Affiliates of Goldman, Sachs & Co. ("Goldman Sachs") previously owned approximately 4.1% of our Voting Ordinary Shares and 100% of our Series C Non-Voting Ordinary Shares, which constituted an aggregate economic interest of approximately 17.5% (excluding the impact of Goldman Sachs’ warrants to acquire additional Series C Non-Voting Ordinary Shares). On September 15, 2016, Goldman Sachs affiliates: (i) sold a portion of their Voting Ordinary Shares, Series C Non-Voting Ordinary Shares, and warrants, following which they held an aggregate economic interest of approximately 8.5% and (ii) entered into an agreement to sell Series C Non-Voting Ordinary Shares to Canada Pension Plan Investment Board that, following closing, would result in Goldman Sachs holding an aggregate economic interest of approximately 2.3%. Sumit Rajpal, a managing director of Goldman Sachs, was appointed to our Board of Directors in connection with Goldman Sachs’ investment in Enstar and resigned on September 16, 2016.
As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we had investments in funds (carried within other investments) affiliated with entities owned by Goldman Sachs, which had a fair value of $15.9 million and $39.6 million, respectively. The decrease was primarily due to a sale of one of the fund investments during the nine months ended September 30, 2016. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we had an indirect investment in non-voting interests of two companies affiliated with Hastings Insurance Group Limited, which had a fair value of $56.0 million and $44.6 million, respectively. Goldman Sachs affiliates have an approximately 38% interest in the Hastings companies, and Mr. Rajpal serves as a director of the entities in which we have invested. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, we recognized net unrealized gains of $18.1 million and $14.0 million, respectively, in respect of the Goldman Sachs-affiliated investments. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, we recognized interest income of $0.7 million and $nil in respect of the Goldman Sachs-affiliated investments.
A Goldman Sachs affiliate provides investment management services to one of our subsidiaries. Our interests are held in accounts managed by affiliates of Goldman Sachs, with a balance of $790.8 million and $758.9 million as at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, with respect to which we incurred approximately $0.6 million and $0.4 million in management fees for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Fees charged pursuant to investments with affiliates of Goldman Sachs were negotiated on an arm's-length basis.
CPPIB
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board ("CPPIB"), together with management of Wilton Re, own 100% of the common stock of Wilton Re. Subsequent to the closing of our transaction with Wilton Re, on June 3, 2015, CPPIB purchased voting and non-voting shares in Enstar from FR XI Offshore AIV, L.P., First Reserve Fund XII, L.P., FR XII-A Parallel Vehicle L.P. and FR Torus Co-Investment, L.P. These shares constitute an approximately 9.3% voting interest and an approximately 9.8% aggregate economic interest in Enstar. On September 29, 2015, CPPIB exercised its acquired right to appoint a representative to our Board of Directors.
On September 15, 2016, CPPIB entered into an agreement with Goldman Sachs affiliates to acquire, subject to certain conditions, additional non-voting shares in Enstar that, following closing, would increase CPPIB’s aggregate economic interest in Enstar to approximately 16.0%. In addition, approximately 4.6% of our voting shares (constituting an aggregate economic interest of approximately 3.8%) are held indirectly by CPPIB through CPPIB Epsilon Ontario Limited Partnership ("CPPIB LP"). CPPIB is the sole limited partner of CPPIB LP, CPPIB Epsilon Ontario Trust ("CPPIB Trust") is the general partner, and CPPIB's director representative is the trustee of CPPIB Trust.
We also have a pre-existing reinsurance recoverable based on normal commercial terms from a company later acquired by Wilton Re, which was carried on our balance sheet at $11.2 million as of September 30, 2016.
18. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Concentrations of Credit Risk
We believe that there are no significant concentrations of credit risk associated with our cash and cash equivalents, fixed maturity investments, or other investments. Cash, cash equivalents and fixed maturity investments are managed pursuant to guidelines that follow prudent standards of diversification and limit the allowable holdings of a single issue and issuers. Other investments are managed pursuant to guidelines that emphasize diversification and liquidity.
44
ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Pursuant to these guidelines, we manage and monitor risk across a variety of investment funds and vehicles, markets and counterparties. We are also subject to custodial credit risk on our fixed maturity and equity investments, which we manage by diversifying our holdings amongst large financial institutions that are highly regulated.
We have exposure to credit risk on certain of our assets pledged to ceding companies under insurance contracts. In addition, we are potentially exposed should any insurance intermediaries be unable to fulfill their contractual obligations with respect to payments of balances owed to and by us.
Credit risk exists in relation to reinsurance balances recoverable. We remain liable to the extent that retrocessionaires do not meet their contractual obligations and, therefore, we evaluate and monitor concentration of credit risk among our reinsurers. These amounts are discussed in Note 6 - "Reinsurance Balances Recoverable."
We are also subject to credit risk in relation to funds held by reinsured companies. Under funds held arrangements, the reinsured company has retained funds that would otherwise have been remitted to our reinsurance subsidiaries. The funds balance is credited with investment income and losses payable are deducted. We are subject to credit risk if the reinsured company is unable to honor the value of the funds held balances, such as in the event of insolvency. However, we generally have the contractual ability to offset any shortfall in the payment of the funds held balances with amounts owed by us to the reinsured for losses payable and other amounts contractually due. We routinely monitor the creditworthiness of reinsured companies with whom we have funds held arrangements. We have a significant concentration of $1.0 billion to one reinsured company which has financial strength credit ratings of A+ from A.M. Best and AA from Standard & Poor's.
We limit the amount of credit exposure to any one counterparty, and none of our counterparty credit exposures, excluding U.S. Government instruments and the funds held counterparty noted above, exceeded 10% of shareholders’ equity as of September 30, 2016.
Legal Proceedings
We are, from time to time, involved in various legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business, including litigation and arbitration regarding claims. Estimated losses relating to claims arising in the ordinary course of business, including the anticipated outcome of any pending arbitration or litigation, are included in the liability for losses and LAE in our consolidated balance sheets. In addition to claims litigation, we may be subject to other lawsuits and regulatory actions in the normal course of business, which may involve, among other things, allegations of underwriting errors or omissions, employment claims or regulatory activity. We do not believe that the resolution of any currently pending legal proceedings, either individually or taken as a whole, will have a material effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. We anticipate that, similar to the rest of the insurance and reinsurance industry, we will continue to be subject to litigation and arbitration proceedings in the ordinary course of business, including litigation generally related to the scope of coverage with respect to asbestos and environmental and other claims.
Unfunded Investment Commitments
As at September 30, 2016, we had unfunded commitments to investment funds of $122.8 million.
Guarantees
As at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, parental guarantees supporting subsidiaries' insurance obligations were $476.8 million and $334.2 million, respectively.
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
We have the right to purchase the RNCI interests from the RNCI holders at certain times in the future (each such right, a "call right"), and the RNCI holders have the right to sell their RNCI interests to us at certain times in the future (each such right, a "put right"). The RNCI rights held by Trident are described in Note 17 - "Related Party Transactions." Dowling has a right to participate if Trident exercises its put right.
45
ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
19. SEGMENT INFORMATION
We monitor and report our results of operations in four segments: Non-life Run-off, Atrium, StarStone and Life and Annuities. These segments are described in Note 1 and Note 22 to the consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.
The following tables set forth selected and condensed consolidated statement of earnings results by segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-life Run-off | Atrium | StarStone | Life and Annuities | Eliminations | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||
INCOME | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net premiums earned | $ | 1,297 | $ | 32,550 | $ | 170,593 | $ | 18,955 | $ | — | $ | 223,395 | |||||||||||
Fees and commission income | 1,316 | 5,679 | — | — | — | 6,995 | |||||||||||||||||
Net investment income | 35,346 | 853 | 5,478 | 16,618 | (749 | ) | 57,546 | ||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | 70,374 | (38 | ) | (276 | ) | 362 | — | 70,422 | |||||||||||||||
Other income | 1,692 | 52 | 93 | 605 | (1,832 | ) | 610 | ||||||||||||||||
110,025 | 39,096 | 175,888 | 36,540 | (2,581 | ) | 358,968 | |||||||||||||||||
EXPENSES | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net incurred losses and LAE | (125,119 | ) | 13,823 | 104,394 | — | — | (6,902 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Life and annuity policy benefits | — | — | — | 21,753 | — | 21,753 | |||||||||||||||||
Acquisition costs | 121 | 12,041 | 38,151 | 2,602 | (371 | ) | 52,544 | ||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 68,376 | 7,631 | 24,363 | 6,082 | (1,461 | ) | 104,991 | ||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 5,540 | — | — | 236 | (749 | ) | 5,027 | ||||||||||||||||
Net foreign exchange losses (gains) | 1,023 | 148 | 1,004 | 145 | — | 2,320 | |||||||||||||||||
(50,059 | ) | 33,643 | 167,912 | 30,818 | (2,581 | ) | 179,733 | ||||||||||||||||
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES | 160,084 | 5,453 | 7,976 | 5,722 | — | 179,235 | |||||||||||||||||
INCOME TAXES | (9,118 | ) | (681 | ) | 1,571 | (630 | ) | — | (8,858 | ) | |||||||||||||
NET EARNINGS | 150,966 | 4,772 | 9,547 | 5,092 | — | 170,377 | |||||||||||||||||
Less: Net losses (earnings) attributable to noncontrolling interest | (8,454 | ) | (1,958 | ) | (3,917 | ) | — | — | (14,329 | ) | |||||||||||||
NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED | $ | 142,512 | $ | 2,814 | $ | 5,630 | $ | 5,092 | $ | — | $ | 156,048 |
46
ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-life Run-off | Atrium | StarStone | Life and Annuities | Eliminations | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||
INCOME | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net premiums earned | $ | 11,208 | $ | 96,219 | $ | 495,710 | $ | 56,595 | $ | — | $ | 659,732 | |||||||||||
Fees and commission income | 8,747 | 15,889 | — | — | (5,051 | ) | 19,585 | ||||||||||||||||
Net investment income | 109,157 | 2,042 | 16,511 | 46,152 | (2,030 | ) | 171,832 | ||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | 119,925 | 70 | 22,094 | 4,284 | — | 146,373 | |||||||||||||||||
Other income | 5,528 | 151 | 1,688 | 1,536 | (1,832 | ) | 7,071 | ||||||||||||||||
254,565 | 114,371 | 536,003 | 108,567 | (8,913 | ) | 1,004,593 | |||||||||||||||||
EXPENSES | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net incurred losses and LAE | (173,363 | ) | 46,545 | 299,596 | — | — | 172,778 | ||||||||||||||||
Life and annuity policy benefits | — | — | — | 62,511 | — | 62,511 | |||||||||||||||||
Acquisition costs | 2,047 | 34,368 | 102,729 | 7,808 | (654 | ) | 146,298 | ||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 187,938 | 20,668 | 85,829 | 17,109 | (6,229 | ) | 305,315 | ||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 17,036 | — | — | 846 | (2,030 | ) | 15,852 | ||||||||||||||||
Net foreign exchange losses (gains) | (1,193 | ) | 2,219 | 732 | 478 | — | 2,236 | ||||||||||||||||
32,465 | 103,800 | 488,886 | 88,752 | (8,913 | ) | 704,990 | |||||||||||||||||
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES | 222,100 | 10,571 | 47,117 | 19,815 | — | 299,603 | |||||||||||||||||
INCOME TAXES | (17,277 | ) | (1,939 | ) | (4,417 | ) | (1,207 | ) | — | (24,840 | ) | ||||||||||||
NET EARNINGS | 204,823 | 8,632 | 42,700 | 18,608 | — | 274,763 | |||||||||||||||||
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest | (11,539 | ) | (3,542 | ) | (17,520 | ) | — | — | (32,601 | ) | |||||||||||||
NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED | $ | 193,284 | $ | 5,090 | $ | 25,180 | $ | 18,608 | $ | — | $ | 242,162 |
47
ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-life Run-off | Atrium | StarStone | Life and Annuities | Eliminations | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||
INCOME | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net premiums earned | $ | 14,034 | $ | 33,031 | $ | 162,533 | $ | 21,453 | $ | — | $ | 231,051 | |||||||||||
Fees and commission income | 4,680 | 7,487 | 1 | — | (3,191 | ) | 8,977 | ||||||||||||||||
Net investment income | 20,776 | 546 | 3,998 | 15,879 | (403 | ) | 40,796 | ||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | (12,589 | ) | 27 | (3,193 | ) | 625 | — | (15,130 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Other income (expense) | 3,162 | 99 | (1,156 | ) | 268 | — | 2,373 | ||||||||||||||||
30,063 | 41,190 | 162,183 | 38,225 | (3,594 | ) | 268,067 | |||||||||||||||||
EXPENSES | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net incurred losses and LAE | (75,133 | ) | 11,101 | 96,391 | — | — | 32,359 | ||||||||||||||||
Life and annuity policy benefits | — | — | — | 22,989 | — | 22,989 | |||||||||||||||||
Acquisition costs | 1,267 | 10,409 | 32,797 | 5,333 | — | 49,806 | |||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 56,793 | 7,228 | 34,610 | 4,895 | (3,191 | ) | 100,335 | ||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 4,723 | 228 | — | 608 | (403 | ) | 5,156 | ||||||||||||||||
Net foreign exchange losses (gains) | (3,379 | ) | 814 | 1,626 | 98 | — | (841 | ) | |||||||||||||||
(15,729 | ) | 29,780 | 165,424 | 33,923 | (3,594 | ) | 209,804 | ||||||||||||||||
EARNINGS (LOSSES) BEFORE INCOME TAXES | 45,792 | 11,410 | (3,241 | ) | 4,302 | — | 58,263 | ||||||||||||||||
INCOME TAXES | (8,944 | ) | (1,012 | ) | (533 | ) | (1,773 | ) | — | (12,262 | ) | ||||||||||||
NET EARNINGS (LOSSES) | 36,848 | 10,398 | (3,774 | ) | 2,529 | — | 46,001 | ||||||||||||||||
Less: Net losses (earnings) attributable to noncontrolling interest | 5,824 | (4,331 | ) | 1,548 | — | — | 3,041 | ||||||||||||||||
NET EARNINGS (LOSSES) ATTRIBUTABLE TO ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED | $ | 42,672 | $ | 6,067 | $ | (2,226 | ) | $ | 2,529 | $ | — | $ | 49,042 |
48
ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-life Run-off | Atrium | StarStone | Life and Annuities | Eliminations | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||
INCOME | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net premiums earned | $ | 49,824 | $ | 100,860 | $ | 423,851 | $ | 67,445 | $ | — | $ | 641,980 | |||||||||||
Fees and commission income | 14,409 | 24,472 | 15 | — | (9,308 | ) | 29,588 | ||||||||||||||||
Net investment income | 58,208 | 1,576 | 10,187 | 36,531 | (635 | ) | 105,867 | ||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | 17,763 | 156 | (1,846 | ) | 568 | — | 16,641 | ||||||||||||||||
Other income | 16,078 | 253 | 210 | 1,147 | — | 17,688 | |||||||||||||||||
156,282 | 127,317 | 432,417 | 105,691 | (9,943 | ) | 811,764 | |||||||||||||||||
EXPENSES | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net incurred losses and LAE | (117,103 | ) | 31,878 | 253,620 | — | — | 168,395 | ||||||||||||||||
Life and annuity policy benefits | — | — | — | 73,926 | — | 73,926 | |||||||||||||||||
Acquisition costs | (6,309 | ) | 32,116 | 84,305 | 11,338 | — | 121,450 | ||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 164,952 | 25,521 | 97,714 | 12,017 | (9,308 | ) | 290,896 | ||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 10,069 | 3,193 | — | 1,408 | (635 | ) | 14,035 | ||||||||||||||||
Net foreign exchange losses (gains) | (2,784 | ) | 512 | (554 | ) | (634 | ) | — | (3,460 | ) | |||||||||||||
48,825 | 93,220 | 435,085 | 98,055 | (9,943 | ) | 665,242 | |||||||||||||||||
EARNINGS (LOSSES) BEFORE INCOME TAXES | 107,457 | 34,097 | (2,668 | ) | 7,636 | — | 146,522 | ||||||||||||||||
INCOME TAXES | (20,155 | ) | (5,148 | ) | (521 | ) | (2,998 | ) | — | (28,822 | ) | ||||||||||||
NET EARNINGS (LOSSES) | 87,302 | 28,949 | (3,189 | ) | 4,638 | — | 117,700 | ||||||||||||||||
Less: Net losses (earnings) attributable to noncontrolling interest | 2,467 | (13,041 | ) | 1,308 | — | — | (9,266 | ) | |||||||||||||||
NET EARNINGS (LOSSES)ATTRIBUTABLE TO ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED | $ | 89,769 | $ | 15,908 | $ | (1,881 | ) | $ | 4,638 | $ | — | $ | 108,434 |
Assets by Segment
Invested assets are managed on a subsidiary-by-subsidiary basis, and investment income and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments are recognized in each segment as earned. Our total assets as at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 by segment were as follows (the elimination items include the elimination of intersegment assets):
September 30, | December 31, | ||||||
2016 | 2015 | ||||||
Total assets: | |||||||
Non-life Run-off | $ | 8,097,487 | $ | 7,629,184 | |||
Atrium | 601,302 | 555,621 | |||||
StarStone | 3,023,237 | 2,778,275 | |||||
Life and annuities | 1,686,859 | 1,734,945 | |||||
Less: | |||||||
Eliminations | (937,965 | ) | (865,893 | ) | |||
$ | 12,470,920 | $ | 11,832,132 |
49
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition as of September 30, 2016 and results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this quarterly report and the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or included elsewhere in this quarterly report, including information with respect to our plans and strategy for our business, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated by these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including those discussed under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements", and "Risk Factors" included in this quarterly report and in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Table of Contents
Section | Page | |
50
Business Overview
We are a Bermuda-based holding company with a core focus of acquiring and managing insurance and reinsurance companies in run-off and portfolios of insurance and reinsurance business in run-off, and providing management, consulting and other services to the insurance and reinsurance industry. We operate our business internationally through our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries and our consulting subsidiaries in Bermuda, the United States, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, Australia, and other international locations.
The majority of our acquisitions have been in the non-life run-off business, which for us generally includes property and casualty, workers’ compensation, asbestos and environmental, construction defect, marine, aviation and transit, and other closed business.
While our core focus remains acquiring and managing non-life run-off business, in recent years, we expanded our business to include active underwriting through our acquisitions of Atrium and StarStone. We partnered with the Trident V Funds ("Trident") in the Atrium and StarStone acquisitions, with Enstar owning a 59.0% interest, Trident owning a 39.3% interest, and Dowling Capital Partners, L.P. ("Dowling") owning a 1.7% interest. We also expanded our portfolio of run-off businesses to include closed life and annuities, primarily through our acquisition of Pavonia from HSBC Holdings plc in 2013.
We have four segments of business that are each managed, operated and reported upon separately: (i) Non-life Run-off; (ii) Atrium; (iii) StarStone; and (iv) Life and Annuities. For additional information relating to our segments, see "Item 1. Business - Operating Segments" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Our business strategies are discussed in "Item 1. Business - Company Overview", "- Business Strategy", and "- Recent Acquisitions and Significant New Business" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Key Performance Indicator
Our primary corporate objective is to grow our fully diluted book value per share. This is driven primarily by growth in our net earnings, which is in turn driven in large part by successfully completing new acquisitions, effectively managing companies and portfolios of business that we have acquired, and executing our active underwriting strategies. The drivers of our book value growth are discussed in "Item 1. Business - Business Strategy" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we increased our book value per share on a fully diluted basis by 10.2% to $142.86 per share. The increase was primarily due to net earnings attributable to Enstar Group Limited of $242.2 million.
Current Outlook
Our business strategy includes generating growth through acquisitions and reinsurance transactions, particularly in our Non-life Run-off segment. On August 5, 2016, we entered into a transaction to assume $109.0 million of reserves from The Coca-Cola Company and its subsidiaries (“Coca-Cola”). On March 31, 2016, we completed an agreement to assume net reserves of $1.1 billion from Allianz SE ("Allianz") effective January 1, 2016. We are also providing claims consulting services to Allianz on this portfolio of business. We will continue to employ a disciplined approach when assessing, acquiring and managing portfolios of risk.
Our industry continues to experience challenging market conditions in underwriting and investing. We continue to see overcapacity in many markets for insurable risks, resulting in continued pressure on premium rates and terms and conditions. We seek to maintain a disciplined underwriting approach to underwrite for profitability in our active underwriting segments, StarStone and Atrium. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to 2015, gross premiums written decreased in our Atrium segment as certain business no longer met our underwriting standards. In our StarStone segment, gross premiums written increased through selective growth in certain specialty lines, which included the development of additional underwriting capabilities.
Low yields persist in the investment markets and investment returns remain volatile. We expect to maintain our investment strategy, which emphasizes the preservation of our assets, credit quality, and diversification. We will continue to seek superior risk-adjusted returns by allocating a portion of our portfolio to non-investment grade securities or alternative investments in accordance with our investment guidelines. During the three months ended September 30, 2016, investment markets recovered from the initial shock of the United Kingdom vote to leave the European Union
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(commonly referred to as "Brexit"). For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015, net investment income increased primarily due to our higher average invested assets and a higher yield obtained on those assets. Net investment income for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 also benefited from income on life settlements contracts and interest on funds held. Net unrealized gains on fixed maturity securities are significantly higher than last year due to lower treasury yields and tightening credit spreads.
Although there was significant volatility in the financial and foreign exchange markets following the Brexit referendum on June 23, 2016, this did not have a material impact on our financial statements. This volatility is expected to continue as the timing and nature of the United Kingdom's exit is yet to be determined. For companies based in the United Kingdom there is heightened uncertainty regarding trading relationships with countries in the European Union. Both our StarStone and Atrium operations have well-diversified sources of premium, which may mitigate the potential impact of Brexit. The majority of business written in StarStone and Atrium is in United States dollars, so the impact of currency volatility on those segments has not been significant. In addition, StarStone already has established operations within the European Economic Area. Lloyd's has stated its intention to retain passporting rights and to lobby the government to include this in its negotiations with the European Union, whilst also evaluating alternative models to access the markets. In the near-term, access to markets is unaffected until the United Kingdom triggers Article 50, and all contracts entered into up until that time are expected to remain valid into the post-Brexit period.
Recent Developments
Our transactions take the form of either acquisition of companies or loss portfolio transfer, where a reinsurance contract transfers a portfolio of loss and loss adjustment expenses ("LAE") liabilities from a (re)insurance counterparty to an Enstar-owned reinsurer.
Coca-Cola
On August 5, 2016, we entered into a reinsurance transaction with Coca-Cola pursuant to which we reinsured certain of Coca-Cola’s retention and deductible risks under its subsidiaries’ U.S. workers’ compensation, auto liability, general liability, and product liability insurance coverage. We assumed total gross reserves of $108.8 million, received total assets of $101.3 million and recorded a deferred charge of $7.5 million, included in other assets. We have transferred approximately $108.8 million into trust to support our obligations under the reinsurance agreements. We provided a limited parental guarantee, subject to an overall maximum of approximately $27.0 million.
Allianz
On March 31, 2016, we completed our previously announced transaction with Allianz to reinsure portfolios of Allianz's run-off business. Pursuant to the reinsurance agreement effective January 1, 2016, our subsidiary reinsured 50% of certain portfolios of workers' compensation, construction defect, and asbestos, pollution, and toxic tort business originally held by Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, and assumed net reinsurance reserves of approximately $1.1 billion. Affiliates of Allianz retained approximately $1.1 billion of reinsurance premium as funds withheld collateral for the obligations of our subsidiary under the reinsurance agreement, and we transferred approximately $110.0 million to a reinsurance trust to further support our subsidiary's obligations. We earned interest on the funds withheld based upon an initial fixed interest rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and thereafter we will receive a return based upon an underlying portfolio of investments. We have also provided a limited parental guarantee, which is subject to a maximum cap. The combined monetary total of the support offered by us through the trust and parental guarantee is calculated in accordance with contractually defined terms and is capped at $270.0 million.
In addition to the reinsurance transaction described above, we have entered into a claims consulting agreement with San Francisco Reinsurance Company, an affiliate of Allianz, with respect to the entire $2.2 billion portfolio, including the 50% share retained by affiliates of Allianz.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In presenting our results for the Atrium and StarStone segments, we discuss the loss ratio, acquisition cost ratio, other operating expense ratio, and the combined ratio of our active underwriting operations within these segments. While we consider these measures to be non-GAAP, management believes that these ratios provide the most meaningful measure for understanding our underwriting profitability. These non-GAAP measures may be defined or calculated differently by other companies. There are no comparable GAAP measures to our insurance ratios.
The loss ratio is calculated by dividing net incurred losses and LAE by net premiums earned. The acquisition cost ratio is calculated by dividing acquisition costs by net premiums earned. The other operating expense ratio is calculated by dividing other operating expenses by net premiums earned. The combined ratio is the sum of the loss
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ratio, the acquisition cost ratio and the other operating expense ratio. The ratios exclude expenses related to the holding companies, which we believe is the most meaningful presentation because these expenses are not incremental and/or directly related to the individual underwriting operations.
In the loss ratio, the excluded net premiums earned and net incurred losses and LAE of the holding companies relate to the amortization of our fair value adjustments associated with the liabilities for unearned premiums and losses and LAE acquired on acquisition date. Fair value purchase accounting adjustments established at the date of acquisition are recorded by the holding companies.
In Atrium’s other operating expense ratio, the excluded general and administrative expenses relate to amortization of the definite-lived intangible assets in the holding company, and expenses relating to Atrium Underwriters Limited ("AUL") including managing agency employee salaries, benefits, bonuses and current year share grant costs. The excluded AUL general and administrative expenses relate to expenses incurred in managing the syndicate, and eliminated items represent Atrium 5’s share of the fees and commissions paid to AUL. We believe it is a more meaningful presentation to exclude the costs in managing the syndicate because they are principally funded by the profit commission fees earned from Syndicate 609, which is a revenue item not included in the insurance ratios.
In StarStone’s other operating expense ratio for 2016, the excluded general and administrative expenses relate to the amortization of the definite-lived intangible assets, recorded at the holding company level. In StarStone’s other operating expense ratio for 2015, the excluded general and administrative expenses relate to management fee expenses charged by our Non-life Run-off segment primarily related to our costs incurred in managing StarStone, the amortization of the definite-lived intangible assets, and acquisition-related expenses, in each case recorded at the holding company level.
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Consolidated Results of Operations - For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016, and 2015
The following table sets forth our consolidated statements of earnings for each of the periods indicated. For a discussion of the critical accounting policies that affect the results of operations, see "Critical Accounting Policies" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||||||
(in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |||||||||||||||
INCOME | |||||||||||||||
Net premiums earned | $ | 223,395 | $ | 231,051 | $ | 659,732 | $ | 641,980 | |||||||
Fees and commission income | 6,995 | 8,977 | 19,585 | 29,588 | |||||||||||
Net investment income | 57,546 | 40,796 | 171,832 | 105,867 | |||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | 70,422 | (15,130 | ) | 146,373 | 16,641 | ||||||||||
Other income | 610 | 2,373 | 7,071 | 17,688 | |||||||||||
358,968 | 268,067 | 1,004,593 | 811,764 | ||||||||||||
EXPENSES | |||||||||||||||
Net incurred losses and LAE | (6,902 | ) | 32,359 | 172,778 | 168,395 | ||||||||||
Life and annuity policy benefits | 21,753 | 22,989 | 62,511 | 73,926 | |||||||||||
Acquisition costs | 52,544 | 49,806 | 146,298 | 121,450 | |||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 104,991 | 100,335 | 305,315 | 290,896 | |||||||||||
Interest expense | 5,027 | 5,156 | 15,852 | 14,035 | |||||||||||
Net foreign exchange losses (gains) | 2,320 | (841 | ) | 2,236 | (3,460 | ) | |||||||||
179,733 | 209,804 | 704,990 | 665,242 | ||||||||||||
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES | 179,235 | 58,263 | 299,603 | 146,522 | |||||||||||
INCOME TAXES | (8,858 | ) | (12,262 | ) | (24,840 | ) | (28,822 | ) | |||||||
NET EARNINGS | 170,377 | 46,001 | 274,763 | 117,700 | |||||||||||
Less: Net losses (earnings) attributable to noncontrolling interest | (14,329 | ) | 3,041 | (32,601 | ) | (9,266 | ) | ||||||||
NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED | $ | 156,048 | $ | 49,042 | $ | 242,162 | $ | 108,434 |
Highlights
Consolidated Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
• | Consolidated net earnings of $156.0 million and basic and diluted earnings per share of $8.09 and $8.02, respectively |
• | Net earnings from Non-life Run-off segment of $142.5 million, including investment results |
• | Net investment income of $57.5 million and net realized and unrealized gains of $70.4 million |
• | Net premiums earned of $223.4 million, including $170.6 million and $32.6 million in our StarStone and Atrium segments, respectively |
• | Combined ratios of 97.9% and 92.0% for the active underwriting operations within our StarStone and Atrium segments, respectively (refer to "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" above) |
Consolidated Results of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
• | Consolidated net earnings of $242.2 million and basic and diluted earnings per share of $12.55 and $12.46, respectively |
• | Net earnings from Non-life Run-off segment of $193.3 million, including investments results |
• | Net investment income of $171.8 million and net realized and unrealized gains of $146.4 million |
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• | Net premiums earned of $659.7 million, including $495.7 million and $96.2 million in our StarStone and Atrium segments, respectively |
• | Combined ratios of 98.6% and 95.7% for the active underwriting operations within our StarStone and Atrium segments, respectively (refer to "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" above) |
Consolidated Financial Condition as at September 30, 2016:
• | Total investments and cash of $8,740.8 million |
• | Total reinsurance balances recoverable of $1,279.0 million |
• | Total assets of $12,470.9 million |
• | Shareholder's equity of $2,777.5 million and redeemable noncontrolling interest of $455.5 million |
• | Total gross reserves for losses and LAE of $6,145.6 million, with $1,125.1 million of net reserves assumed in our non-life run-off operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 |
• | Policy benefits for life and annuity contracts of $1,280.0 million |
• | Diluted book value per common share of $142.86 |
Consolidated Overview - For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 and 2015
We reported consolidated net earnings attributable to Enstar Group Limited shareholders of $156.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016, an increase of $107.0 million from $49.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015. Our comparative results were impacted by our acquisition activity during 2015, when we acquired Sussex, Wilton Re’s life settlements business, and Alpha, and by our completed loss portfolio transfer reinsurance transactions during 2016 and 2015 with Allianz SE, Coca-Cola, Reciprocal of America, Voya and Sun Life.
The most significant drivers of our consolidated financial performance during the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015 included:
• | Non-life Run-off - Net earnings provided by the Non-life Run-off segment for the three months ended September 30, 2016 were $142.5 million compared to $42.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015. The increase in net earnings was primarily due to improved investment results and a higher reduction in estimates of net ultimate incurred losses, partially offset by higher general and administrative expenses and higher net earnings attributed to noncontrolling interest; |
• | StarStone - Net earnings attributable to the StarStone segment were $5.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to net losses of $2.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015. This was primarily due to lower general and administrative expenses and improved investment results; |
• | Atrium - Net earnings for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were $2.8 million and $6.1 million, respectively; |
• | Life and Annuities - Net earnings for the three months ended September 30, 2016 were $5.1 million compared to $2.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, with the 2016 earnings primarily due to lower acquisition and benefit costs during the period; |
• | Net Investment Income - Total net investment income was $57.5 million and $40.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The increase in net investment income was primarily attributable to a higher yield obtained on our invested assets. Net investment income for the three months ended September 30, 2016 also benefited from an increase of $7.2 million from the interest on funds held; |
• | Net Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) - For the three months ended September 30, 2016, net realized and unrealized gains were $70.4 million compared to net realized and unrealized losses of $15.1 million in 2015. This increase was primarily attributable to higher net unrealized gains in 2016 due to the increase in valuations of our fixed maturity securities as treasury yields moved lower and credit spreads tightened during the period; |
• | Noncontrolling Interest - Noncontrolling interest in earnings is directly attributable to the results from those subsidiary companies in which there are either noncontrolling interests or redeemable noncontrolling |
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interests. For the three months ended September 30, 2016, the noncontrolling interest in earnings was $14.3 million, compared to the noncontrolling interest in losses of $3.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, primarily reflecting improved results in the StarStone segment.
Consolidated Overview - For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 and 2015
We reported consolidated net earnings attributable to Enstar Group Limited shareholders of $242.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, an increase of $133.7 million from $108.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Our comparative results were impacted by our acquisition activity and completed loss portfolio transfer reinsurance transactions noted above.
The most significant drivers of our consolidated financial performance during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015 included:
• | Non-life Run-off - Net earnings provided by the Non-life Run-off segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were $193.3 million and $89.8 million respectively. This was primarily due to improved investment results during the period; |
• | StarStone - Net earnings attributable to the StarStone segment were $25.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to net losses of $1.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. This was primarily due to improved investment results during the period; |
• | Atrium - Net earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 were $5.1 million compared to $15.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The current period included lower favorable prior year loss development and some large loss activity, partially offset by a decrease in general and administrative expenses; |
• | Life and Annuities - Net earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 were $18.6 million compared to $4.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The increase was primarily due to higher net investment results in the nine months ended September 30, 2016, which included life settlements income of $16.8 million and $9.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 respectively; |
• | Net Investment Income - Total net investment income was $171.8 million and $105.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Net investment income increased due to our higher average invested assets and a higher yield obtained on those assets. Net investment income for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 also benefited from an increase in income from our life settlements business as well as interest on funds held of $22.4 million; |
• | Net Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) - For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, net realized and unrealized gains were $146.4 million compared to $16.6 million in 2015. This increase was primarily attributable to higher net unrealized gains due to the increase in valuations of our fixed maturity securities as treasury yields moved lower and credit spreads tightened during the period; |
• | Noncontrolling Interest - Noncontrolling interest in earnings is directly attributable to the results from those subsidiary companies in which there are either noncontrolling interests or redeemable noncontrolling interests. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the noncontrolling interest in earnings was $32.6 million and $9.3 million, respectively, primarily reflecting improved results in the StarStone segment. |
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Results of Operations by Segment - For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016, and 2015
We have four segments of business that are each managed, operated and reported on separately: (i) Non-life Run-off; (ii) Atrium; (iii) StarStone; and (iv) Life and Annuities. For a description of our segments, see "Item 1. Business - Operating Segments" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.
The below table provides a split by operating segment of the net earnings attributable to Enstar Group Limited:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||||||
(in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |||||||||||||||
Segment split of net earnings attributable to Enstar Group Limited: | |||||||||||||||
Non-life Run-off | $ | 142,512 | $ | 42,672 | $ | 193,284 | $ | 89,769 | |||||||
Atrium | 2,814 | 6,067 | 5,090 | 15,908 | |||||||||||
StarStone | 5,630 | (2,226 | ) | 25,180 | (1,881 | ) | |||||||||
Life and Annuities | 5,092 | 2,529 | 18,608 | 4,638 | |||||||||||
Net earnings attributable to Enstar Group Limited | $ | 156,048 | $ | 49,042 | $ | 242,162 | $ | 108,434 |
The following is a discussion of our results of operations by segment.
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Non-life Run-off Segment
Our Non-Life Run-off segment comprises the operations of our subsidiaries that are running off their property and casualty and other non-life lines of business, including the run-off business of Arden Reinsurance Company Ltd. ("Arden") and StarStone. It also includes our smaller management business, which manages the run-off portfolios of third parties through our service companies. The following is a discussion and analysis of the results of operations for our Non-life Run-off segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, and 2015, which are summarized below.
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | 2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
INCOME | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net premiums earned | $ | 1,297 | $ | 14,034 | $ | (12,737 | ) | $ | 11,208 | $ | 49,824 | $ | (38,616 | ) | |||||||||
Fees and commission income | 1,316 | 4,680 | (3,364 | ) | 8,747 | 14,409 | (5,662 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net investment income | 35,346 | 20,776 | 14,570 | 109,157 | 58,208 | 50,949 | |||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | 70,374 | (12,589 | ) | 82,963 | 119,925 | 17,763 | 102,162 | ||||||||||||||||
Other income | 1,692 | 3,162 | (1,470 | ) | 5,528 | 16,078 | (10,550 | ) | |||||||||||||||
110,025 | 30,063 | 79,962 | 254,565 | 156,282 | 98,283 | ||||||||||||||||||
EXPENSES | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net incurred losses and LAE | (125,119 | ) | (75,133 | ) | (49,986 | ) | (173,363 | ) | (117,103 | ) | (56,260 | ) | |||||||||||
Acquisition costs | 121 | 1,267 | (1,146 | ) | 2,047 | (6,309 | ) | 8,356 | |||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 68,376 | 56,793 | 11,583 | 187,938 | 164,952 | 22,986 | |||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 5,540 | 4,723 | 817 | 17,036 | 10,069 | 6,967 | |||||||||||||||||
Net foreign exchange losses (gains) | 1,023 | (3,379 | ) | 4,402 | (1,193 | ) | (2,784 | ) | 1,591 | ||||||||||||||
(50,059 | ) | (15,729 | ) | (34,330 | ) | 32,465 | 48,825 | (16,360 | ) | ||||||||||||||
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES | 160,084 | 45,792 | 114,292 | 222,100 | 107,457 | 114,643 | |||||||||||||||||
INCOME TAXES | (9,118 | ) | (8,944 | ) | (174 | ) | (17,277 | ) | (20,155 | ) | 2,878 | ||||||||||||
NET EARNINGS | 150,966 | 36,848 | 114,118 | 204,823 | 87,302 | 117,521 | |||||||||||||||||
Less: Net loss (earnings) attributable to noncontrolling interest | (8,454 | ) | 5,824 | (14,278 | ) | (11,539 | ) | 2,467 | (14,006 | ) | |||||||||||||
NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED | $ | 142,512 | $ | 42,672 | $ | 99,840 | $ | 193,284 | $ | 89,769 | $ | 103,515 |
Overall Results
Three Months Ended September 30: Net earnings were $142.5 million and $42.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, an increase of $99.8 million. This was primarily due to favorable investment results and reductions in estimates of net ultimate losses, partially offset by higher general and administrative expenses, amongst other items.
Nine Months Ended September 30: Net earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 increased as a result of favorable investment results in 2016 and reductions in estimates of net ultimate losses, partially offset by increases in general and administrative expenses, amongst other items.
The major components of earnings are discussed below, except for investment results which are separately discussed below in "Investments."
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Net Premiums Earned:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | 2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross premiums written | $ | 2,066 | $ | 6,874 | $ | (4,808 | ) | $ | 15,829 | $ | 31,788 | $ | (15,959 | ) | |||||||||
Ceded reinsurance premiums written | (2,293 | ) | (3,064 | ) | 771 | (8,009 | ) | (42,931 | ) | 34,922 | |||||||||||||
Net premiums written | (227 | ) | 3,810 | (4,037 | ) | 7,820 | (11,143 | ) | 18,963 | ||||||||||||||
Gross premiums earned | 2,054 | 31,257 | (29,203 | ) | 19,217 | 109,414 | (90,197 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Ceded reinsurance premiums earned | (757 | ) | (17,223 | ) | 16,466 | (8,009 | ) | (59,590 | ) | 51,581 | |||||||||||||
Net premiums earned | $ | 1,297 | $ | 14,034 | $ | (12,737 | ) | $ | 11,208 | $ | 49,824 | $ | (38,616 | ) |
Because business in this segment is in run-off, our general expectation is for premiums associated with legacy business to decline in future periods. However, the actual amount in any particular year will be impacted by new acquisitions during the year and the run-off of premiums from acquisitions completed in recent years.
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30: Premiums written and earned in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, and 2015 were primarily attributable to Sussex and Alpha's run-off business for the obligatory renewal of certain policies that we are in the process of placing into run-off. The premiums earned are generally offset by net incurred losses and LAE relating to the premiums.
Fees and Commission Income:
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30: Our management companies in the Non-life Run-off segment earned fees and commission income of $1.3 million and $4.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $8.7 million and $14.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. While our consulting subsidiaries continue to provide management and consultancy services, claims inspection services and reinsurance collection services to third-party clients in limited circumstances, the core focus of these subsidiaries is providing in-house services to companies within the Enstar group.
Net Incurred Losses and LAE:
The following table shows the components of net incurred losses and LAE for the Non-life-Run-off segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:
Three Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Prior Periods | Current Period | Total | Prior Periods | Current Period | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net losses paid | $ | 107,260 | $ | 2,050 | $ | 109,310 | $ | 138,454 | $ | 4,558 | $ | 143,012 | |||||||||||
Net change in case and LAE reserves (1) | (323,301 | ) | 55 | (323,246 | ) | (101,820 | ) | 2,634 | (99,186 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net change in IBNR reserves (1) | (60,634 | ) | 777 | (59,857 | ) | (102,615 | ) | 3,373 | (99,242 | ) | |||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred charge | 154,102 | — | 154,102 | 3,699 | — | 3,699 | |||||||||||||||||
Increase (reduction) in estimates of net ultimate losses | (122,573 | ) | 2,882 | (119,691 | ) | (62,282 | ) | 10,565 | (51,717 | ) | |||||||||||||
Increase (reduction) in provisions for bad debt | (502 | ) | — | (502 | ) | (3,632 | ) | — | (3,632 | ) | |||||||||||||
Increase (reduction) in provisions for unallocated LAE | (10,861 | ) | 55 | (10,806 | ) | (20,269 | ) | — | (20,269 | ) | |||||||||||||
Amortization of fair value adjustments | 5,880 | — | 5,880 | 485 | — | 485 | |||||||||||||||||
Net incurred losses and LAE | $ | (128,056 | ) | $ | 2,937 | $ | (125,119 | ) | $ | (85,698 | ) | $ | 10,565 | $ | (75,133 | ) |
(1) Net change in case and LAE reserves comprises the movement during the period in specific case reserve liabilities as a result of claims settlements or changes advised to us by our policyholders and attorneys, less changes in case reserves recoverable advised by us to our reinsurers as a result of the settlement or movement of assumed claims. Net change in IBNR represents the gross change in our actuarial estimates of IBNR, less amounts recoverable.
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Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Prior Periods | Current Period | Total | Prior Periods | Current Period | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net losses paid | $ | 378,581 | $ | 6,098 | $ | 384,679 | $ | 354,149 | $ | 18,563 | $ | 372,712 | |||||||||||
Net change in case and LAE reserves (1) | (507,102 | ) | 511 | (506,591 | ) | (220,633 | ) | 10,117 | $ | (210,516 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net change in IBNR reserves (1) | (202,387 | ) | 2,631 | (199,756 | ) | (237,635 | ) | 25,158 | $ | (212,477 | ) | ||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred charge | 162,741 | — | 162,741 | 3,699 | — | 3,699 | |||||||||||||||||
Increase (reduction) in estimates of net ultimate losses | (168,167 | ) | 9,240 | (158,927 | ) | (100,420 | ) | 53,838 | (46,582 | ) | |||||||||||||
Increase (reduction) in provisions for bad debt | (7,132 | ) | — | (7,132 | ) | (24,071 | ) | — | (24,071 | ) | |||||||||||||
Increase (reduction) in provisions for unallocated LAE | (25,451 | ) | 284 | (25,167 | ) | (41,955 | ) | — | (41,955 | ) | |||||||||||||
Amortization of fair value adjustments | 17,863 | — | 17,863 | (4,495 | ) | — | (4,495 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net incurred losses and LAE | $ | (182,887 | ) | $ | 9,524 | $ | (173,363 | ) | $ | (170,941 | ) | $ | 53,838 | $ | (117,103 | ) |
(1) Net change in case and LAE reserves comprises the movement during the period in specific case reserve liabilities as a result of claims settlements or changes advised to us by our policyholders and attorneys, less changes in case reserves recoverable advised by us to our reinsurers as a result of the settlement or movement of assumed claims. Net change in IBNR represents the gross change in our actuarial estimates of IBNR, less amounts recoverable.
Three Months Ended September 30: The reduction in net incurred losses and LAE for the three months ended September 30, 2016 of $125.1 million included net incurred losses and LAE of $2.9 million related to current period net premiums earned of $1.6 million, primarily related to the run-off business acquired with Sussex. Net incurred losses and LAE liabilities relating to prior periods were reduced by $128.1 million, which was attributable to a reduction in estimates of net ultimate losses of $122.6 million, a reduction in provisions for bad debt of $0.5 million and a reduction in provisions for unallocated LAE of $10.9 million, relating to 2016 run-off activity, partially offset by amortization of fair value adjustments over the estimated payout period relating to companies acquired amounting to $5.9 million. The reduction in provisions for bad debt of $0.5 million was the result of the reduction in a provision for disputes with reinsurers. The reduction in estimates of net ultimate losses for the three months ended September 30, 2016 included a net change in case and IBNR reserves of $226.8 million related to certain of our workers compensation business in the United States. This reduction resulted from an actuarial review completed during the third quarter of 2016 and considered favorable loss experience and our knowledge of comparable portfolios of business. This reduction of estimates in net ultimate losses for workers compensation business in the three months ended September 30, 2016 was reduced by amortization of the deferred charge of $153.8 million, which was comprised of $115.2 million related to a reduction in the liability for losses and LAE, and $38.6 million primarily related to a change in the expected return on the underlying assets.
The reduction in net incurred losses and LAE for the three months ended September 30, 2015 of $75.1 million included net incurred losses and LAE of $10.6 million related to current period net premiums earned of $16.8 million, primarily related to the run-off business acquired with Sussex. Net incurred losses and LAE liabilities relating to prior periods were reduced by $85.7 million, which was attributable to a reduction in estimates of net ultimate losses of $62.3 million, a reduction in provisions for bad debt of $3.6 million, a reduction in provisions for unallocated LAE of $20.3 million, relating to 2015 run-off activity, partially offset by amortization of fair value adjustments over the estimated payout period relating to companies acquired amounting to $0.5 million.
Nine Months Ended September 30: The reduction in net incurred losses and LAE for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 of $173.4 million included net incurred losses and LAE of $9.5 million related to current period net premiums earned of $6.6 million, primarily related to the run-off business acquired with Sussex. Net incurred losses and LAE liabilities relating to prior periods were reduced by $182.9 million, which was attributable to a reduction in estimates of net ultimate losses of $168.2 million, a reduction in provisions for bad debt of $7.1 million and a reduction in provisions for unallocated LAE of $25.5 million, relating to 2016 run-off activity, partially offset by amortization of fair value adjustments over the estimated payout period relating to companies acquired amounting to $17.9 million.The reduction in provisions for bad debt of $7.1 million was a result of the collection of certain reinsurance recoverables against which provisions for bad debt had been provided in earlier periods. As discussed above for the three months ended September 30, 2016, the reduction in estimates of net ultimate losses included the results of an actuarial review on certain of our U.S. workers compensation business, partially offset by amortization of the related deferred charge.
The reduction in net incurred losses and LAE for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 of $117.1 million included net incurred losses and LAE of $53.8 million related to current period net earned premium of $49.8 million,
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primarily related to the run-off business acquired with Sussex. Net incurred losses and LAE liabilities relating to prior periods were reduced by $170.9 million, which was attributable to a reduction in estimates of net ultimate losses of $100.4 million, reduction in provisions for bad debt of $24.1 million, a reduction in provisions for unallocated LAE liabilities of $42.0 million, relating to 2015 run-off activity, and amortization of fair value adjustments over the estimated payout period relating to companies acquired amounting to $4.5 million.
Acquisition Costs:
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30: Acquisition costs were $0.1 million and $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $2.0 million and $(6.3) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Acquisition costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 primarily related to net premiums earned on the Alpha Insurance business that was placed into run-off, while the recovery in 2015 related to StarStone legacy business that was placed into run-off.
General and Administrative Expenses:
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30: General and administrative expenses were $68.4 million and $56.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $187.9 million and $165.0 million for the nine months ended 2016 and 2015, respectively. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily related to our recent acquisitions resulting in both an increased employee headcount and certain non-recurring charges incurred in 2016.
Interest Expense:
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30: Interest expense was $5.5 million and $4.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $17.0 million and $10.1 million for the nine months ended 2016 and 2015, respectively. The increase in interest expense was primarily due to the increase in loans outstanding in 2016 as a result of drawdowns for acquisitions and significant new business during 2015.
Net Foreign Exchange Losses (Gains)
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30: Net foreign exchange losses (gains) were $1.0 million and $(3.4) million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. We recorded net foreign exchange gains of $1.2 million and $2.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Refer to Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk - Foreign Currency Risk" of this Quarterly Report for further information regarding our foreign currency exposures, how we manage them, and recent actions taken to hedge certain net exposures denominated in Euros, Canadian dollars and Australian dollars.
Noncontrolling Interest:
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30: Noncontrolling interest in earnings (losses) of our Non-life Run-off segment were $8.5 million and ($5.8) million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Noncontrolling interest in earnings (losses) of our Non-life Run-off segment were $11.5 million and ($2.5) million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the number of subsidiaries in this segment with a noncontrolling interest decreased from 7 as at December 31, 2014 to 2 as at December 31, 2015 due primarily to the repurchases made during 2015 as described in "Item 1. Business - Other Transactions" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.
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Atrium Segment
The Atrium segment includes Atrium 5 Ltd. ("Atrium 5"), AUL, Northshore Holdings Limited ("Holding Company"), and an allocation of financing costs up until December 31, 2015 ("Enstar Specific Expenses"). Atrium 5 results represent its proportionate share of the results of Syndicate 609 for which it provides 25% of the underwriting capacity and capital. AUL results largely represent fees charged to Syndicate 609 and a 20% profit commission on the results of the syndicate less general and administrative expenses incurred in managing the syndicate. AUL also includes other Atrium Group non-syndicate fee income and associated expenses. The Holding Company results include the amortization of intangible assets that were fair valued upon acquisition, and Enstar Specific Expenses represent our acquisition financing costs.
The following is a discussion and analysis of the results of operations for our Atrium segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, which are summarized below.
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | 2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | ||||||||||||
(in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |||||||||||||||||
INCOME | |||||||||||||||||
Net premiums earned | 32,550 | 33,031 | (481 | ) | 96,219 | 100,860 | (4,641 | ) | |||||||||
Fees and commission income | 5,679 | 7,487 | (1,808 | ) | 15,889 | 24,472 | (8,583 | ) | |||||||||
Net investment income | 853 | 546 | 307 | 2,042 | 1,576 | 466 | |||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | (38 | ) | 27 | (65 | ) | 70 | 156 | (86 | ) | ||||||||
Other income | 52 | 99 | (47 | ) | 151 | 253 | (102 | ) | |||||||||
39,096 | 41,190 | (2,094 | ) | 114,371 | 127,317 | (12,946 | ) | ||||||||||
EXPENSES | |||||||||||||||||
Net incurred losses and LAE | 13,823 | 11,101 | 2,722 | 46,545 | 31,878 | 14,667 | |||||||||||
Acquisition costs | 12,041 | 10,409 | 1,632 | 34,368 | 32,116 | 2,252 | |||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 7,631 | 7,228 | 403 | 20,668 | 25,521 | (4,853 | ) | ||||||||||
Interest expense | — | 228 | (228 | ) | — | 3,193 | (3,193 | ) | |||||||||
Net foreign exchange losses (gains) | 148 | 814 | (666 | ) | 2,219 | 512 | 1,707 | ||||||||||
33,643 | 29,780 | 3,863 | 103,800 | 93,220 | 10,580 | ||||||||||||
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES | 5,453 | 11,410 | (5,957 | ) | 10,571 | 34,097 | (23,526 | ) | |||||||||
INCOME TAXES | (681 | ) | (1,012 | ) | 331 | (1,939 | ) | (5,148 | ) | 3,209 | |||||||
NET EARNINGS | 4,772 | 10,398 | (5,626 | ) | 8,632 | 28,949 | (20,317 | ) | |||||||||
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest | (1,958 | ) | (4,331 | ) | 2,373 | (3,542 | ) | (13,041 | ) | 9,499 | |||||||
NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED | 2,814 | 6,067 | (3,253 | ) | 5,090 | 15,908 | (10,818 | ) |
Overall Results
An analysis of the components of the segment's net earnings is shown below, after the attribution of net earnings to noncontrolling interest.
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Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | 2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Atrium 5 | $ | 1,617 | $ | 4,197 | $ | (2,580 | ) | $ | 2,360 | $ | 13,777 | $ | (11,417 | ) | |||||||||
AUL | 1,551 | 2,003 | (452 | ) | 3,679 | 7,022 | (3,343 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Atrium Total | 3,168 | 6,200 | (3,032 | ) | 6,039 | 20,799 | (14,760 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Holding Company | (354 | ) | 95 | (449 | ) | (949 | ) | (1,698 | ) | 749 | |||||||||||||
Enstar Specific Expenses | — | (228 | ) | 228 | — | (3,193 | ) | 3,193 | |||||||||||||||
NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED | $ | 2,814 | $ | 6,067 | $ | (3,253 | ) | $ | 5,090 | $ | 15,908 | $ | (10,818 | ) |
Net earnings shown above excludes unrealized investment gains (losses) and foreign currency translation adjustments relating to Atrium's available-for-sale investments, which are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income. After attribution to noncontrolling interests, these amounts were a loss of $0.1 million and a gain of $2.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, and a loss of $0.4 million and $1.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.
Underwriting Performance
In evaluating the underwriting performance of the Atrium segment, we consider the insurance ratios of Atrium 5, which is the active underwriting component of the segment and excludes AUL and the Holding Company. Atrium 5's insurance ratios are shown below.
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | (Favorable) Unfavorable | 2016 | 2015 | (Favorable) Unfavorable | ||||||||||||
Loss ratio (1) | 42.0 | % | 33.6 | % | 8.4 | % | 48.1 | % | 30.0 | % | 18.1 | % | |||||
Acquisition cost ratio (1) | 37.9 | % | 31.5 | % | 6.4 | % | 35.7 | % | 31.8 | % | 3.9 | % | |||||
Other operating expense ratio (1) | 12.1 | % | 12.7 | % | (0.6 | )% | 11.9 | % | 14.9 | % | (3.0 | )% | |||||
Combined ratio (1) | 92.0 | % | 77.8 | % | 14.2 | % | 95.7 | % | 76.7 | % | 19.0 | % |
(1) Refer to "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for a description of how these ratios are calculated. The ratios are based upon the following amounts for Atrium 5, which exclude amounts for AUL and the Holding Company, for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively: net premiums earned of $32,550 and $33,031, net incurred losses and LAE of $13,687 and $11,099, acquisition costs of $12,346 and $10,409, and other operating expenses of $3,926 and $4,186. The ratios are based upon the following amounts for Atrium 5, which exclude amounts for AUL and the Holding Company, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively: net premiums earned of $96,219 and $100,860, net incurred losses and LAE of $46,257 and $30,281, acquisition costs of $34,368 and $32,116, and other operating expenses of $11,412 and $15,021.
The higher combined ratio of Atrium 5 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was due to increases in the net loss and acquisition cost ratios, partially offset by a lower operating expense ratio. This was primarily attributable to lower favorable prior year loss development in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, and a series of large losses in 2016. The 2016 large losses included earthquakes in Taiwan, Ecuador and Japan; flooding in Europe; wildfires in Canada; and hailstorms in the United States.
The decrease in the AUL result in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 reflects decreased profit commission earned from the results of Syndicate 609.
Holding Company Expenses and Enstar Specific Expenses are included below under "General and Administrative Expenses" and "Interest Expense", respectively.
Investment results are separately discussed below in "Investments."
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Gross Premiums Written:
The following table provides gross premiums written by line of business for the Atrium segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | 2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Marine | $ | 5,153 | $ | 5,373 | $ | (220 | ) | $ | 15,649 | $ | 18,353 | $ | (2,704 | ) | |||||||||
Property and Casualty Binding Authorities | 9,828 | 7,899 | 1,929 | 28,893 | 24,120 | 4,773 | |||||||||||||||||
Upstream Energy | 1,476 | 1,924 | (448 | ) | 7,873 | 10,364 | (2,491 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Reinsurance | 3,186 | 1,476 | 1,710 | 13,137 | 13,129 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||
Accident and Health | 2,860 | 2,344 | 516 | 10,432 | 9,588 | 844 | |||||||||||||||||
Non-Marine Direct and Facultative | 4,080 | 4,463 | (383 | ) | 12,665 | 12,875 | (210 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Liability | 5,694 | 4,384 | 1,310 | 15,827 | 14,739 | 1,088 | |||||||||||||||||
Aviation | 1,735 | 2,687 | (952 | ) | 7,046 | 10,205 | (3,159 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Terrorism(1) | 1,026 | 798 | 228 | 2,815 | 2,674 | 141 | |||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 35,038 | $ | 31,348 | $ | 3,690 | $ | 114,337 | $ | 116,047 | $ | (1,710 | ) |
(1) Terrorism previously included war-related premiums which have been reclassified to aviation and marine lines. For the three months ended September 30, 2015, gross written premiums of $0.6 million and $1.5 million were reclassified to the marine and aviation lines, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, net earned premiums of $1.9 million and $4.1 million were reclassified to the marine and aviation lines, respectively.
See below for a discussion of the drivers of the change in net premiums written and earned for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.
Net Premiums Earned:
The following table provides net premiums earned by line of business for the Atrium segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | 2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Marine | $ | 4,617 | $ | 5,404 | $ | (787 | ) | $ | 13,705 | $ | 16,818 | $ | (3,113 | ) | |||||||||
Property and Casualty Binding Authorities | 9,298 | 7,754 | 1,544 | 26,145 | 22,072 | 4,073 | |||||||||||||||||
Upstream Energy | 1,784 | 3,474 | (1,690 | ) | 6,436 | 10,786 | (4,350 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Reinsurance | 3,284 | 2,673 | 611 | 9,251 | 9,055 | 196 | |||||||||||||||||
Accident and Health | 3,408 | 2,852 | 556 | 9,882 | 8,982 | 900 | |||||||||||||||||
Non-Marine Direct and Facultative | 3,452 | 3,780 | (328 | ) | 10,128 | 10,976 | (848 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Liability | 4,482 | 4,526 | (44 | ) | 13,425 | 13,884 | (459 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Aviation | 1,414 | 1,805 | (391 | ) | 4,870 | 6,161 | (1,291 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Terrorism (2) | 811 | 763 | 48 | 2,377 | 2,126 | 251 | |||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 32,550 | $ | 33,031 | $ | (481 | ) | $ | 96,219 | $ | 100,860 | $ | (4,641 | ) |
(2) Terrorism previously included war-related premiums which have been reclassified to aviation and marine lines. For the three months ended September 30, 2015, net earned premiums of $0.5 million and $0.5 million were reclassified to the marine and aviation lines, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, net earned premiums of $1.9 million and $1.6 million were reclassified to the marine and aviation lines, respectively.
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30: Net premiums earned for the Atrium segment were $32.6 million and $33.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Net premiums earned for the Atrium segment were $96.2 million and $100.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The decrease in net premiums earned was due to our underwriting discipline to non-renew certain business that no longer met our underwriting standards, particularly in the marine and upstream energy lines. We are
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seeing continued pressure on premium rates and terms and conditions due to overcapacity in many markets for insurable risks. We continue to focus on risk selection and underwriting for profitability. These premium decreases were partially offset by the increase in the property and casualty binding authority line, which reflects the continued success of AU Gold, Atrium's proprietary online underwriting platform.
Fees and Commission Income:
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30: Fees and commission income were $5.7 million and $7.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $15.9 million and $24.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The fees primarily represent profit commission fees earned by us in relation to AUL’s management of Syndicate 609 and other underwriting consortiums. The decrease was due primarily to less profit commission on lower syndicate profits in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared with the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.
Net Incurred Losses and LAE:
Three Months Ended September 30: Net incurred losses and LAE for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were $13.8 million and $11.1 million, respectively. Net favorable prior year loss development for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 was $6.0 million and $5.3 million, respectively. Net favorable prior year loss development in the three months ended September 30, 2016 was spread across most lines of business. Net favorable prior year loss development in the three months ended September 30, 2015 primarily related to the reinsurance, professional liability, marine and energy liability lines of business. Excluding prior year loss development, net incurred losses and LAE for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were $19.8 million and $16.4 million, respectively. The increase in net incurred losses and LAE, excluding prior year loss development, was due to the large losses in 2016, as discussed above in "Underwriting Performance", compared to a lower level of losses in 2015.
Nine Months Ended September 30: Net incurred losses and LAE for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were $46.5 million and $31.9 million, respectively. Net favorable prior year loss development for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 was $9.9 million and $16.9 million, respectively. Net favorable prior year loss development in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was spread across most lines of business. Net favorable prior year loss development in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 primarily related to the professional indemnity, aviation, marine and upstream energy lines of business. Excluding prior year loss development, net incurred losses and LAE for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were $56.5 million and $48.8 million, respectively. The increase in net incurred losses and LAE, excluding prior year loss development, was due to the large losses in 2016 as described above, and other notable 2016 losses in the war and terrorism and aviation lines, compared to a lower level of losses in 2015.
Acquisition Costs:
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30: Acquisition costs were $12.0 million and $10.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $34.4 million and $32.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Atrium 5 acquisition cost ratios for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were 37.9% and 31.5%, respectively, an increase of 6.4%. The Atrium 5 acquisition cost ratios for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were 35.7% and 31.8%, respectively, an increase of 3.9%. The increase for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was due to higher profit commissions payable on certain underlying business that performed well.
General and Administrative Expenses:
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30: General and administrative expenses for the Atrium segment were relatively consistent at $7.6 million and $7.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. General and administrative expenses for the Atrium segment were $20.7 million and $25.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The decrease of $4.9 million was primarily due to lower bonus accruals resulting from lower net earnings in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015.
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Interest Expense:
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30: For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, interest was no longer incurred by the Atrium segment. Interest expense was $0.2 million and $3.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. The interest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was in respect of borrowings under the Enstar revolving credit facility, which was an Enstar-specific expense.
Noncontrolling Interest:
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30: Noncontrolling interest in earnings of the Atrium segment was $2.0 million and $4.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Noncontrolling interest in earnings of the Atrium segment was $3.5 million and $13.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. As of September 30, 2016 and 2015, Trident and Dowling had a combined 41.03% noncontrolling interest in the Atrium segment, although their share of net earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was higher due primarily to the interest expense recorded in the segment, which was an Enstar-specific expense.
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StarStone Segment
The results of our StarStone segment include the results of StarStone Insurance Bermuda Limited and its subsidiaries ("StarStone") and StarStone Specialty Holdings Limited ("Holding Company"), which was formerly known as Bayshore Holdings Limited. StarStone results represent its active underwriting operations. The Holding Company's results include the amortization of fair value adjustments such as for intangible assets that were fair valued upon acquisition, and other expenses incurred.
The following is a discussion and analysis of the results of operations for the StarStone segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, which are summarized below.
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | 2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
INCOME | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net premiums earned | $ | 170,593 | $ | 162,533 | $ | 8,060 | $ | 495,710 | $ | 423,851 | $ | 71,859 | |||||||||||
Fee and commission income | — | 1 | (1 | ) | — | 15 | (15 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net investment income | 5,478 | 3,998 | 1,480 | 16,511 | 10,187 | 6,324 | |||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | (276 | ) | (3,193 | ) | 2,917 | 22,094 | (1,846 | ) | 23,940 | ||||||||||||||
Other income (expense) | 93 | (1,156 | ) | 1,249 | 1,688 | 210 | 1,478 | ||||||||||||||||
175,888 | 162,183 | 13,705 | 536,003 | 432,417 | 103,586 | ||||||||||||||||||
EXPENSES | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net incurred losses and LAE | 104,394 | 96,391 | 8,003 | 299,596 | 253,620 | 45,976 | |||||||||||||||||
Acquisition costs | 38,151 | 32,797 | 5,354 | 102,729 | 84,305 | 18,424 | |||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 24,363 | 34,610 | (10,247 | ) | 85,829 | 97,714 | (11,885 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net foreign exchange losses (gains) | 1,004 | 1,626 | (622 | ) | 732 | (554 | ) | 1,286 | |||||||||||||||
167,912 | 165,424 | 2,488 | 488,886 | 435,085 | 53,801 | ||||||||||||||||||
EARNINGS (LOSSES) BEFORE INCOME TAXES | 7,976 | (3,241 | ) | 11,217 | 47,117 | (2,668 | ) | 49,785 | |||||||||||||||
INCOME TAXES | 1,571 | (533 | ) | 2,104 | (4,417 | ) | (521 | ) | (3,896 | ) | |||||||||||||
NET EARNINGS (LOSSES) | 9,547 | (3,774 | ) | 13,321 | 42,700 | (3,189 | ) | 45,889 | |||||||||||||||
Less: Net losses (earnings) attributable to noncontrolling interest | (3,917 | ) | 1,548 | (5,465 | ) | (17,520 | ) | 1,308 | (18,828 | ) | |||||||||||||
NET EARNINGS (LOSSES) ATTRIBUTABLE TO ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED | $ | 5,630 | $ | (2,226 | ) | $ | 7,856 | $ | 25,180 | $ | (1,881 | ) | $ | 27,061 |
Overall Results
An analysis of the components of the segment's net earnings is shown below, after the attribution of net earnings to noncontrolling interest.
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | 2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | ||||||||||||||||
(in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |||||||||||||||||||||
StarStone(1) | $ | 5,403 | $ | 1,521 | $ | 3,882 | $24,378 | $7,244 | $17,134 | ||||||||||||
Holding Company | 227 | (3,747 | ) | 3,974 | 802 | (9,125 | ) | 9,927 | |||||||||||||
NET EARNINGS (LOSSES) ATTRIBUTABLE TO ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED | $ | 5,630 | $ | (2,226 | ) | $ | 7,856 | $25,180 | $ | (1,881 | ) | $27,061 |
(1) StarStone's net earnings before noncontrolling interest were $9.2 million and $41.3 million for three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, and $2.6 million and $12.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.
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Three Months Ended September 30: Net earnings (losses) were $5.6 million and $(2.2) million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, an increase of $7.9 million. This was primarily due to a decrease of $10.2 million in general and administrative expenses in the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015. General and administrative expenses are separately discussed below in "General and Administrative Expenses".
Nine Months Ended September 30: Net earnings (losses) were $25.2 million and $(1.9) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, an increase of $27.1 million. This was primarily due to an increase of $23.9 million in net realized and unrealized gains (losses) in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015.
The Holding Company result comprises the amortization of definite-lived intangible assets and certain general and administrative expenses.
Underwriting Performance
In evaluating the underwriting performance of the StarStone segment, we consider the insurance ratios of StarStone, which is the active underwriting component of the segment and excludes the Holding Company. StarStone's insurance ratios are shown below.
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | (Favorable) Unfavorable | 2016 | 2015 | (Favorable) Unfavorable | ||||||||||||
Loss ratio (1) | 61.3 | % | 59.5 | % | 1.8 | % | 60.8 | % | 59.8 | % | 1.0 | % | |||||
Acquisition cost ratio (1) | 22.3 | % | 20.1 | % | 2.2 | % | 20.7 | % | 19.8 | % | 0.9 | % | |||||
Other operating expense ratio (1) | 14.3 | % | 17.1 | % | (2.8 | )% | 17.1 | % | 19.5 | % | (2.4 | )% | |||||
Combined ratio (1) | 97.9 | % | 96.7 | % | 1.2 | % | 98.6 | % | 99.1 | % | (0.5 | )% |
(1) | Refer to "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for a description of how these ratios are calculated. The ratios are based upon the following amounts for StarStone, which exclude Holding Company amounts, for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively: net premiums earned of $170,701 and $162,892, net incurred losses and LAE of $104,716 and $96,885, acquisition costs of $38,151 and $32,797, and other operating expenses of $24,363 and $27,912.The ratios are based upon the following amounts for StarStone, which exclude Holding Company amounts, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively: net premiums earned of $495,370 and $426,629, net incurred losses and LAE of $301,376 and $255,150, acquisition costs of $102,729 and $84,305, and other operating expenses of $84,579 and $83,341. |
Three Months Ended September 30: The combined ratio was higher for the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015, reflecting an overall increase of 1.2%, as the higher loss and acquisition ratios were partially offset by a lower other operating expense ratio. The higher loss ratio was primarily due to changes in the mix of business. The higher acquisition cost ratio was primarily due to increased broker commissions in the London market in certain lines of business. The lower other operating ratio was primarily due to favorable movements in foreign exchange rates on our expenses that are denominated in British Pounds and translated into U.S. dollars.
Nine Months Ended September 30: The combined ratio improved by 0.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to a reduction in the other operating expense ratio of 2.4% as a result of an increase in net premiums earned whilst we maintained a relatively consistent expense base, and also favorable movements in foreign exchange rates.
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Gross Premiums Written:
The following table provides gross premiums written by line of business for the StarStone segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | 2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Casualty | $ | 66,824 | $ | 63,693 | $ | 3,131 | $ | 200,365 | $ | 185,449 | $ | 14,916 | |||||||||||
Marine | 43,697 | 28,046 | 15,651 | 156,061 | 116,002 | 40,059 | |||||||||||||||||
Property | 45,914 | 41,424 | 4,490 | 149,892 | 180,719 | (30,827 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Aerospace | 16,883 | 24,609 | (7,726 | ) | 42,759 | 61,819 | (19,060 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Workers' Compensation | 18,759 | 15,652 | 3,107 | 83,412 | 61,189 | 22,223 | |||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 192,077 | $ | 173,424 | $ | 18,653 | $ | 632,489 | $ | 605,178 | $ | 27,311 |
Three Months Ended September 30: Gross premiums written were $192.1 million and $173.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, an increase of $18.7 million. The casualty, marine, property and workers’ compensation lines of business continued to grow, increasing by $3.1 million, $15.7 million, $4.5 million and $3.1 million, respectively, as we continued to selectively underwrite certain specialty products and expand our distribution in these lines of business, partly due to new business underwritten by underwriters we hired in late 2015. The decrease in aerospace of $7.7 million was primarily due to our decision in the third quarter of 2015 to cease writing space business.
Nine Months Ended September 30: Gross premiums written were $632.5 million and $605.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, an increase of $27.3 million. Premiums written in the casualty, marine and workers' compensation lines increased by $14.9 million, $40.1 million and $22.2 million, respectively, as a result of selective growth in new business, partly due to new business written by underwriters we hired in late 2015. This was partially offset by the decreases in the property and aerospace lines of $30.8 million and $19.1 million, respectively. Premiums written in the property line were higher in 2015 due to an initial assumption of in-force unearned premium of $31.0 million under quota share agreements with Sussex upon its acquisition. The reason for the decrease in the aerospace line is noted in the three month discussion above.
Net Premiums Earned:
The following table provides net premiums earned by line of business for the StarStone segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | 2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Casualty | $ | 56,943 | $ | 53,763 | $ | 3,180 | $ | 165,693 | $ | 136,904 | $ | 28,789 | |||||||||||
Marine | 41,056 | 30,996 | 10,060 | 115,291 | 83,100 | 32,191 | |||||||||||||||||
Property | 30,135 | 34,772 | (4,637 | ) | 96,275 | 88,682 | 7,593 | ||||||||||||||||
Aerospace | 18,359 | 22,907 | (4,548 | ) | 51,973 | 58,543 | (6,570 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Workers' Compensation | 24,100 | 20,095 | 4,005 | 66,478 | 56,622 | 9,856 | |||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 170,593 | $ | 162,533 | $ | 8,060 | $ | 495,710 | $ | 423,851 | $ | 71,859 |
Three Months Ended September 30: Net premiums earned for the StarStone segment for the three months ended September 30, 2016 increased from 2015 by $8.1 million to $170.6 million. The lines of business driving the increase were casualty, marine and workers' compensation which is consistent with the increases in premiums written for these lines.
Nine Months Ended September 30: Net premiums earned for the StarStone segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 increased from 2015 by $71.9 million to $495.7 million. The lines of business driving the
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increase were primarily casualty and marine. There was also a reduction in ceded reinsurance, primarily in the casualty line of business.
Net Incurred Losses and LAE:
Three Months Ended September 30: Net incurred losses and LAE for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were $104.4 million and $96.4 million, respectively, an increase of $8.0 million. The increase was primarily attributable to the increase in net premiums earned. Net favorable prior year loss development for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 was $1.3 million and less than $0.1 million, respectively. The loss ratio for the three months ended September 30, 2016 increased by 1.8% to 61.3%, driven by increases in the marine, property and workers’ compensation lines of business.
Nine Months Ended September 30: Net incurred losses and LAE for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were $299.6 million and $253.6 million, respectively, an increase of $46.0 million. The increase was primarily attributable to the increase in net premiums earned. Net favorable prior year loss development for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 was $4.8 million and $1.4 million, respectively. The loss ratios for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were relatively consistent at 60.8% and 59.8%, respectively; the increase of 1.0% was primarily in respect of the marine, property and workers’ compensation lines of business.
Acquisition Costs:
Three Months Ended September 30: Acquisition costs were $38.2 million and $32.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, an increase of $5.4 million. The increase was primarily attributable to the increase in net premiums earned. The acquisition cost ratios for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were 22.3% and 20.1%, respectively, an increase of 2.2% reflecting a change in the mix of business and and increased acquisition costs.
Nine Months Ended September 30: Acquisition costs were $102.7 million and $84.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, an increase of $18.4 million. The increase was primarily attributable to the increase in net premiums earned. The acquisition cost ratios for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were 20.7% and 19.8%, respectively, an increase of 0.9% primarily reflecting a change in the mix of business.
General and Administrative Expenses:
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30: General and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were $24.4 million and $34.6 million, respectively. General and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were $85.8 million and $97.7 million, respectively. The decreases of $10.2 million and $11.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, were primarily due to lower professional and consulting fees, and the benefit of favorable movements in foreign exchange rates on our expenses that are denominated in British Pounds and translated into U.S. dollars. These reductions were partially offset by higher accruals for long-term equity-based compensation awards due to an increase in the share price during the year.
Noncontrolling Interest:
Three Months Ended September 30: Noncontrolling interest in earnings (losses) of the StarStone segment was $3.9 million and $(1.5) million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The increase was due to higher net earnings before noncontrolling interest for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared with net losses before noncontrolling interest for the three months ended September 30, 2015. As of September 30, 2016 and 2015, Trident and Dowling had a combined 41.03% noncontrolling interest in the StarStone segment.
Nine Months Ended September 30: Noncontrolling interest in earnings of the StarStone segment was $17.5 million and $(1.3) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The increase was due to higher net earnings before noncontrolling interest for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared with net losses before controlling interest for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.
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Life and Annuities Segment
For our Life and Annuities segment, our run-off strategy differs from the non-life run-off business, in particular because we have limited ability to shorten the duration of the liabilities in this business through either early claims settlement, commutations or policy buy-backs. Instead, we will hold the policies associated with the life and annuities business to their natural maturity or lapse and will pay claims as they fall due.
The following is a discussion and analysis of our results of operations for our Life and Annuities segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, which are summarized below.
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | 2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
INCOME | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net premiums earned | $ | 18,955 | $ | 21,453 | $ | (2,498 | ) | $ | 56,595 | $ | 67,445 | $ | (10,850 | ) | |||||||||
Net investment income | 16,618 | 15,879 | 739 | 46,152 | 36,531 | 9,621 | |||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | 362 | 625 | (263 | ) | 4,284 | 568 | 3,716 | ||||||||||||||||
Other income | 605 | 268 | 337 | 1,536 | 1,147 | 389 | |||||||||||||||||
36,540 | 38,225 | (1,685 | ) | 108,567 | 105,691 | 2,876 | |||||||||||||||||
EXPENSES | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Life and annuity policy benefits | 21,753 | 22,989 | (1,236 | ) | 62,511 | 73,926 | (11,415 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Acquisition costs | 2,602 | 5,333 | (2,731 | ) | 7,808 | 11,338 | (3,530 | ) | |||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 6,082 | 4,895 | 1,187 | 17,109 | 12,017 | 5,092 | |||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 236 | 608 | (372 | ) | 846 | 1,408 | (562 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net foreign exchange losses (gains) | 145 | 98 | 47 | 478 | (634 | ) | 1,112 | ||||||||||||||||
30,818 | 33,923 | (3,105 | ) | 88,752 | 98,055 | (9,303 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
EARNINGS (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES | 5,722 | 4,302 | 1,420 | 19,815 | 7,636 | 12,179 | |||||||||||||||||
INCOME TAXES | (630 | ) | (1,773 | ) | 1,143 | (1,207 | ) | (2,998 | ) | 1,791 | |||||||||||||
NET EARNINGS (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED | $ | 5,092 | $ | 2,529 | $ | 2,563 | $ | 18,608 | $ | 4,638 | $ | 13,970 |
Overall Results:
Three Months Ended September 30: Net earnings were $5.1 million and $2.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, an increase of $2.6 million. The increase was primarily due to lower acquisition costs of $2.7 million and lower policy benefits of $1.2 million, partially offset by lower premiums earned of $2.5 million.
Nine Months Ended September 30: Net earnings were $18.6 million and $4.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, an increase of $14.0 million. The increase was primarily due to higher net investment income in the nine months ended September 30, 2016, including $11.3 million of net earnings from the life settlements business, acquired by us from Wilton Re Limited in May 2015. Life settlements income was comprised of $16.8 million from policy maturity events, offset by policy impairments $3.6 million and expenses of $1.9 million. Investment results are separately discussed below in "Investments."
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Net Premiums Earned:
A summary of our net premiums earned by type of major product is below. In general, net premiums earned are expected to reduce at approximately 15% to 20% per annum as we run-off this business.
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | 2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Direct life insurance | $ | 6,338 | $ | 6,897 | $ | (559 | ) | $ | 23,110 | $ | 20,251 | $ | 2,859 | ||||||||||
Assumed life reinsurance | 6,532 | 5,348 | 1,184 | 13,673 | 15,299 | (1,626 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Credit life and disability | 6,085 | 9,208 | (3,123 | ) | 19,812 | 31,895 | (12,083 | ) | |||||||||||||||
$ | 18,955 | $ | 21,453 | $ | (2,498 | ) | $ | 56,595 | $ | 67,445 | $ | (10,850 | ) |
Three Months Ended September 30: Net premiums earned were $19.0 million and $21.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The decrease in credit life and disability premiums of $3.1 million included a decrease of $1.3 million related to our strategic decision to utilize the cancellation option on certain credit products in the third quarter of 2015. Net premiums earned in direct life insurance included $1.0 million related to Alpha Insurance for the three months ended September 30, 2016. We acquired Alpha Insurance in November 2015.
Nine Months Ended September 30: Net premiums earned were $56.6 million and $67.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The decrease in credit life and disability premiums of $12.1 million included a decrease of $6.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 related to our strategic decision to utilize the cancellation option on certain credit products in the third quarter of 2015. Net premiums earned in direct life insurance included $3.7 million related to Alpha Insurance for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, which was offset by reduced premiums in other life businesses.
Life and Annuity Policy Benefits:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | 2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Annuity benefits paid | $ | 10,441 | $ | 12,408 | $ | (1,967 | ) | $ | 31,396 | $ | 34,122 | $ | (2,726 | ) | |||||||||
Life and disability benefits paid | 17,732 | 18,542 | (810 | ) | 56,192 | 61,072 | (4,880 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Total benefits paid | 28,173 | 30,950 | (2,777 | ) | 87,588 | 95,194 | (7,606 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Change in annuity benefit reserves | (4,671 | ) | (5,293 | ) | 622 | (9,597 | ) | (13,455 | ) | 3,858 | |||||||||||||
Change in life and disability reserves | (3,579 | ) | (4,993 | ) | 1,414 | (20,968 | ) | (15,353 | ) | (5,615 | ) | ||||||||||||
Amortization of fair value adjustments | 1,830 | 2,325 | (495 | ) | 5,488 | 7,540 | (2,052 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Total change in reserves | (6,420 | ) | (7,961 | ) | 1,541 | (25,077 | ) | (21,268 | ) | (3,809 | ) | ||||||||||||
Life and annuity policy benefits | $ | 21,753 | $ | 22,989 | $ | (1,236 | ) | $ | 62,511 | $ | 73,926 | $ | (11,415 | ) |
Three Months Ended September 30: Life and annuity policy benefits were $21.8 million and $23.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The decrease of $1.2 million is consistent with the run-off of policyholders in both the annuity and life business, and was primarily comprised of a decrease in annuity policy benefits of $1.3 million and an increase in life and disability policy benefits of $0.6 million.
Annuity policy benefits decreased by $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared with the three months ended September 30, 2015. Annuity policy benefits during the three months ended September 30, 2016 were $5.8 million, comprised of benefits paid of $10.4 million, partially offset by a reduction in reserves of $4.7 million. Annuity policy benefits during the three months ended September 30, 2015 were $7.1 million, comprised of benefits paid of $12.4 million, partially offset by a reduction in reserves of $5.3 million.
Life and disability policy benefits increased by $0.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 as compared with the three months ended September 30, 2015. Life and disability policy benefits during the three months ended September 30, 2016 were $14.1 million, comprised of benefits paid of $17.7 million, partially offset by a reduction in reserves of $3.6 million. Life and disability policy benefits during the three months ended September 30, 2015 were
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$13.5 million, comprised of benefits paid of $18.5 million, partially offset by a reduction in reserves of $5.0 million. The increase in life and disability policy benefits from 2015 to 2016 was primarily due to claims relating to Alpha Insurance, which were not included in the comparative period, and the cancellation of certain credit products on the Pavonia business.
Nine Months Ended September 30: Life and annuity policy benefits were $62.5 million and $73.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The decrease of $11.4 million is consistent with the run-off of policyholders in both the annuity and life business, and was primarily comprised of a decrease in life and disability policy benefits of $10.5 million, partially offset by an increase in annuity policy benefits of $1.1 million.
Annuity policy benefits increased by $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Annuity policy benefits during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 were $21.8 million, comprised of benefits paid of $31.4 million, partially offset by a reduction in reserves of $9.6 million. Annuity policy benefits during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were $20.7 million, comprised of benefits paid of $34.1 million, partially offset by a reduction in reserves of $13.5 million.
Life and disability policy benefits decreased by $10.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Life and disability policy benefits during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 were $35.2 million, comprised of benefits paid of $56.2 million, partially offset by a reduction in reserves of $9.6 million. Life and disability policy benefits during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were $45.7 million, comprised of benefits paid of $61.1 million, partially offset by a reduction in reserves of $15.4 million. The decrease in life and disability policy benefits from 2015 to 2016 was primarily as a result of a decrease in premiums earned, as well as the cancellation of certain credit products, partially offset by claims relating to Alpha Insurance, which were not included in the comparative period.
Acquisition Costs:
Three Months Ended September 30: Acquisition costs for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were $2.6 million and $5.3 million, respectively. In the three months ended September 30, 2016, the commissions on credit business were lower by $2.8 million, partially offset by $0.1 million of commissions on the Alpha Insurance business, which were not included in the comparative period. Commissions on credit business in the three months ended September 30, 2015 included $2.3 million related to a contractual re-pricing of a block of term life business.
Nine Months Ended September 30: Acquisition costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were $7.8 million and $11.3 million, respectively. In the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the commissions on credit business were lower by $4.0 million primarily related to a contractual re-pricing of a block of term life business in 2015.
General and Administrative Expenses:
Three Months Ended September 30: General and administrative expenses were $6.1 million and $4.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The increase of $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 primarily related to expenses of Alpha Insurance which was acquired in December 2015.
Nine Months Ended September 30: General and administrative expenses were $17.1 million and $12.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The increase of $5.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 primarily related to the timing of acquisitions occurring in 2015 after September 30, 2015; namely $3.8 million relating to Alpha Insurance. In addition, the nine months ended September 30, 2015 included the release of a previously accrued acquisition date liability of $1.8 million attributable to the finalization with the seller of the purchase price for the Pavonia business.
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Investments
We define invested assets as the sum of total investments, cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents. Investments consist primarily of investment grade, liquid, fixed maturity securities of short-to-medium duration, equities and other investments. Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents are comprised mainly of cash, high-grade fixed deposits, and other highly liquid instruments such as commercial paper with maturities of less than three months at the time of acquisition and money market funds.
Invested assets, including cash and cash equivalents, were $8.7 billion and $8.8 billion as at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. Invested assets were maintained at a relatively consistent level reflecting cash used in operations offset by increased valuations and improved investment performance during the year.
A description of our investment strategies is included in "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Investments" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.
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Composition of Investment Portfolio By Asset Class
The following table summarizes the fair value and composition of our investment portfolio by asset class as at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
September 30, 2016 | December 31, 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair Value | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Investment Grade (1) | Non-Investment Grade (2) | Total | % | Investment Grade (1) | Non-Investment Grade (2) | Total | % | ||||||||||||||||
(in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity and short-term investments, trading and available-for-sale | |||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. government & agency | $ | 831,902 | $ | — | $ | 831,902 | 11.1 | % | $ | 775,798 | $ | — | $ | 775,798 | 10.4 | % | |||||||
Non-U.S. government | 404,724 | — | 404,724 | 5.4 | % | 415,995 | 28,791 | 444,786 | 6.0 | % | |||||||||||||
Corporate | 2,629,919 | 158,529 | 2,788,448 | 37.2 | % | 2,673,311 | 138,755 | 2,812,066 | 37.8 | % | |||||||||||||
Municipal | 18,777 | — | 18,777 | 0.3 | % | 28,174 | — | 28,174 | 0.4 | % | |||||||||||||
Residential mortgage-backed | 471,878 | 937 | 472,815 | 6.3 | % | 390,809 | 1,153 | 391,962 | 5.3 | % | |||||||||||||
Commercial mortgage-backed | 245,374 | 38,773 | 284,147 | 3.8 | % | 241,208 | 43,367 | 284,575 | 3.8 | % | |||||||||||||
Asset-backed | 584,121 | 70,916 | 655,037 | 8.7 | % | 577,280 | 65,804 | 643,084 | 8.7 | % | |||||||||||||
Total | 5,186,695 | 269,155 | 5,455,850 | 72.8 | % | 5,102,575 | 277,870 | 5,380,445 | 72.4 | % | |||||||||||||
Fixed maturity investments, held-to-maturity | |||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. government & agency | 20,940 | 17 | 20,957 | 0.3 | % | 19,288 | 33 | 19,321 | 0.3 | % | |||||||||||||
Non-U.S. government | 28,249 | — | 28,249 | 0.4 | % | 39,058 | — | 39,058 | 0.5 | % | |||||||||||||
Corporate | 753,719 | 71 | 753,790 | 10.1 | % | 710,546 | 146 | 710,692 | 9.6 | % | |||||||||||||
Total | 802,908 | 88 | 802,996 | 10.8 | % | 768,892 | 179 | 769,071 | 10.4 | % | |||||||||||||
Equities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. | 112,699 | 1.5 | % | 108,793 | 1.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||
International | 7,651 | 0.1 | % | 7,148 | 0.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Total | 120,350 | 1.6 | % | 115,941 | 1.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Other investments | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Private equity funds | 254,561 | 3.4 | % | 254,883 | 3.4 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Fixed income funds | 255,665 | 3.4 | % | 291,736 | 3.9 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Fixed income hedge funds | 105,145 | 1.4 | % | 109,400 | 1.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Equity funds | 175,896 | 2.3 | % | 147,390 | 2.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Multi-strategy hedge fund | 102,646 | 1.4 | % | 99,020 | 1.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Real estate debt fund | — | — | % | 54,829 | 0.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||
CLO equities | 67,648 | 0.9 | % | 61,702 | 0.8 | % | |||||||||||||||||
CLO equity funds | 14,593 | 0.2 | % | 13,928 | 0.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Call options on equities | 8,500 | 0.1 | % | — | — | % | |||||||||||||||||
Other | 1,042 | — | % | 1,144 | — | % | |||||||||||||||||
Total | 985,696 | 13.1 | % | 1,034,032 | 13.8 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Other investments | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Life settlements | 127,047 | 1.7 | % | 130,268 | 1.8 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Total investments | $ | 5,989,603 | $ | 269,243 | $ | 7,491,939 | 100.0 | % | $ | 5,871,467 | $ | 278,049 | $ | 7,429,757 | 100.0 | % |
(1) | Investment Grade are securities with a rating of BBB- or higher. |
(2) | Non-Investment Grade included non-rated securities with a fair value of $40.3 million and $44.1 million as at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. |
A description of our investment valuation processes is included in "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Policies" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and "Note 4 - Fair Value Measurements" included within Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
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Composition of Invested Assets By Segment
Across all of our segments, we strive to structure our investments in a manner that recognizes our liquidity needs for future liabilities. In that regard, we attempt to correlate the maturity and duration of our investment portfolio to our general liability profile. If our liquidity needs or general liability profile unexpectedly change, we may adjust the structure of our investment portfolio to meet our revised expectations. The following tables summarize the composition of total invested assets by segment as at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
Non-life Run-off | Atrium | StarStone | Life and Annuities | Total | ||||||||||||||||
(in thousands of U.S. dollars) | ||||||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Short-term investments, trading, at fair value | $ | 115,854 | $ | — | $ | 3,826 | $ | — | $ | 119,680 | ||||||||||
Short-term investments, available-for-sale, at fair value | — | 286 | — | 506 | 792 | |||||||||||||||
Fixed maturities, trading, at fair value | 3,377,484 | 54,033 | 1,254,242 | 350,295 | 5,036,054 | |||||||||||||||
Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity, at amortized cost | — | — | — | 762,602 | 762,602 | |||||||||||||||
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value | 3,270 | 161,407 | — | 134,647 | 299,324 | |||||||||||||||
Equities, trading, at fair value | 107,961 | — | 7,784 | 4,605 | 120,350 | |||||||||||||||
Other investments, at fair value | 841,427 | — | 128,758 | 15,511 | 985,696 | |||||||||||||||
Other investments, at cost | — | — | — | 129,431 | 129,431 | |||||||||||||||
Total investments | 4,445,996 | 215,726 | 1,394,610 | 1,397,597 | 7,453,929 | |||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 855,503 | 79,062 | 266,810 | 85,534 | 1,286,909 | |||||||||||||||
Total invested assets | $ | 5,301,499 | $ | 294,788 | $ | 1,661,420 | $ | 1,483,131 | $ | 8,740,838 | ||||||||||
Duration | 1.83 | 1.27 | 1.90 | 6.05 | 2.54 | |||||||||||||||
Average Credit Rating | A+ | AA- | AA- | A | A+ |
Non-life Run-off | Atrium | StarStone | Life and Annuities | Total | ||||||||||||||||
(in thousands of U.S. dollars) | ||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Short-term investments, trading, at fair value | $ | 72,163 | $ | — | $ | 12,941 | $ | 2,246 | $ | 87,350 | ||||||||||
Short-term investments, available-for-sale, at fair value | — | 1,848 | — | 6,774 | 8,622 | |||||||||||||||
Fixed maturities, trading, at fair value | 3,444,752 | 37,000 | 1,204,376 | 304,666 | 4,990,794 | |||||||||||||||
Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity, at amortized cost | — | — | — | 790,866 | 790,866 | |||||||||||||||
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value | 6,464 | 181,027 | — | 106,188 | 293,679 | |||||||||||||||
Equities, trading, at fair value | 102,412 | — | 9,083 | 4,446 | 115,941 | |||||||||||||||
Other investments, at fair value | 856,555 | — | 123,735 | 53,742 | 1,034,032 | |||||||||||||||
Other investments, at cost | — | — | — | 133,071 | 133,071 | |||||||||||||||
Total investments | 4,482,346 | 219,875 | 1,350,135 | 1,401,999 | 7,454,355 | |||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 1,007,889 | 52,735 | 199,597 | 73,043 | 1,333,264 | |||||||||||||||
Total invested assets | $ | 5,490,235 | $ | 272,610 | $ | 1,549,732 | $ | 1,475,042 | $ | 8,787,619 | ||||||||||
Duration | 1.69 | 1.80 | 2.09 | 5.95 | 2.39 | |||||||||||||||
Average Credit Rating | A+ | AA- | AA- | A+ | A+ |
Credit Quality and Maturity Profiles
As at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, our investment portfolio had an average credit quality rating of A+. As at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, our fixed maturity investments rated lower than BBB- comprised 3.1% and 3.1% of our total investment portfolio, respectively. A detailed schedule of average credit ratings by asset class as at September 30, 2016 is included in "Note 3 - Investments - Credit Ratings" of our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements within Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Schedules of maturities for our fixed maturity securities are included in "Note 3 - Investments" of our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included within Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
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Eurozone Exposure
As at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 we owned $17.9 million and $17.3 million, respectively, of investments in fixed maturity securities issued by the sovereign governments of Italy, Ireland and Spain. These investments are held by Alpha Insurance, which we acquired during 2015.
Investment Results - Consolidated
Note on comparability with prior period disclosures: In our consolidated statement of earnings we have added a new line captioned "other income," and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 we have reclassified $7.1 million and $17.7 million, respectively, from net investment income to other income. These reclassifications were primarily related to income from recoveries on acquired insolvent debts and had no impact on net earnings. Comparability between periods is also impacted by our acquisitions and significant new business as described in Notes 3 and 4 of our consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and "Note 2 - Significant New Business" of our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In addition, we record interest on funds held, such as for the Allianz transaction, in net investment income. For the purposes of the below analysis of our annualized investment book yield and financial statement portfolio return, we have excluded interest on funds held because funds held is not included in our definition of invested assets.
The following table summarizes our investment results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | 2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands of U.S. dollars) | (in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 57,546 | $ | 40,796 | $ | 16,750 | $ | 171,832 | $ | 105,867 | $ | 65,965 | ||||||||||||
Interest on funds held | (7,333 | ) | (174 | ) | (7,159 | ) | (22,570 | ) | (163 | ) | (22,407 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net investment income (excluding funds held) | 50,213 | 40,622 | 9,591 | 149,262 | 105,704 | 43,558 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | 70,422 | (15,130 | ) | 85,552 | 146,373 | 16,641 | 129,732 | |||||||||||||||||
Annualized Investment Book Yield | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Annualized net investment income (excluding funds held) | 200,852 | 162,488 | 38,364 | 199,016 | 140,939 | 58,077 | ||||||||||||||||||
Average aggregate invested assets, at cost(1) | 8,656,245 | 9,018,306 | (362,061 | ) | 8,717,262 | 8,553,944 | 163,318 | |||||||||||||||||
Annualized investment book yield | 2.32 | % | 1.80 | % | 0.52 | % | 2.28 | % | 1.65 | % | 0.63 | % | ||||||||||||
Financial Statement Portfolio Return | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total financial statement return(2) | 120,635 | 25,492 | 95,143 | 295,635 | 122,345 | 173,290 | ||||||||||||||||||
Average aggregate invested assets, at fair value(1) | 8,712,877 | 8,970,383 | (257,506 | ) | 8,719,792 | 8,533,569 | 186,223 | |||||||||||||||||
Financial statement portfolio return | 1.38 | % | 0.28 | % | 1.10 | % | 3.39 | % | 1.43 | % | 1.96 | % |
(1) These amounts are an average of the amounts disclosed in our quarterly U.S. GAAP consolidated financial statements.
(2) This is the sum of net investment income (excluding interest on funds held) and net realized and unrealized gains (losses) from our U.S. GAAP consolidated financial statements.
Three Months Ended September 30: Net investment income, excluding the increase in interest on funds held of $7.2 million, increased by $9.6 million during the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015 due to an increase of 52 basis points in the book yield we obtained on our assets, partially offset by a decrease in average invested assets. The increase in yield was primarily due to the changing mix in asset allocation as we executed on our investment strategies.
The increase of $85.6 million in net realized and unrealized gains (losses) was comprised of net unrealized gains of $65.2 million in 2016 compared to net unrealized losses of $13.9 million in 2015, and an increase in net realized gains of $6.5 million. The increase in net unrealized gains in the three months ended September 30, 2016 was primarily due to an increase in the valuations of our other investments, including our investments in private equity funds, equity funds and CLO equities.
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Nine Months Ended September 30: Net investment income, excluding the increase in interest on funds held of $22.4 million, increased by $43.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 due to an increase of $163.3 million in our average invested assets and an increase of 63 basis points in the book yield we obtained on those assets. The increase in yield was primarily due to the changing mix in asset allocation as we executed on our investment strategies. This included an increase of $7.4 million in income on life settlements during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to 2015.
The increase of $129.7 million in net realized and unrealized gains (losses) was comprised of net unrealized gains of $140.4 million in 2016 compared to net unrealized losses of $1.9 million in 2015, offset by a decrease in net realized gains of $12.5 million. The increase in net unrealized gains in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was primarily due to the increase in valuations of fixed maturity securities as treasury yields moved lower and credit spreads tightened during the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The realized gains in 2015 related to sales of equity securities.
Investment Results - By Segment
The following tables summarize our investment results by segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, and 2015. These tables have been prepared on a basis consistent with the consolidated table above.
Non-life Run-off
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | 2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands of U.S. dollars) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 35,346 | $ | 20,776 | $ | 14,570 | $ | 109,157 | $ | 58,208 | $ | 50,949 | ||||||||||||
Interest on funds held | (7,333 | ) | (174 | ) | (7,159 | ) | (22,570 | ) | (163 | ) | (22,407 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net investment income (excluding funds held) | 28,013 | 20,602 | 7,411 | 86,587 | 58,045 | 28,542 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | 70,374 | (12,589 | ) | 82,963 | 119,925 | 17,763 | 102,162 | |||||||||||||||||
Annualized Investment Book Yield | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Annualized net investment income (excluding funds held) | 112,052 | 82,408 | 29,644 | 115,449 | 77,393 | 38,056 | ||||||||||||||||||
Average aggregate invested assets, at cost | 5,273,600 | 5,830,144 | (556,544 | ) | 5,362,138 | 5,431,969 | (69,831 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Annualized investment book yield | 2.12 | % | 1.41 | % | 0.71 | % | 2.15 | % | 1.42 | % | 0.73 | % | ||||||||||||
Financial Statement Portfolio Return | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total financial statement return | 98,387 | 8,013 | 90,374 | 206,512 | 75,808 | 130,704 | ||||||||||||||||||
Average aggregate invested assets, at fair value | 5,291,419 | 5,811,165 | (519,746 | ) | 5,360,559 | 5,421,110 | (60,551 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Financial statement portfolio return | 1.86 | % | 0.14 | % | 1.72 | % | 3.85 | % | 1.40 | % | 2.45 | % |
Three Months Ended September 30: Net investment income, excluding the increase in interest on funds held of $7.2 million, increased by $7.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015 due to an increase of 71 basis points in the book yield we obtained on our assets, partially offset by a decrease in average invested assets. The increase in yield was primarily due to the changing mix in asset allocation as we executed on our investment strategies.
The increase of $83.0 million in net realized and unrealized gains (losses) was comprised of net unrealized gains of $66.7 million in 2016 compared to net unrealized losses of $11.5 million in 2015 and an increase in net realized gains of $4.8 million. The increase in net unrealized gains in the three months ended September 30, 2016 was primarily due to an increase in the valuations of our other investments, including our investments in private equity funds, equity funds and CLO equities.
Nine Months Ended September 30: Net investment income, excluding the increase in interest on funds held of $22.4 million, increased by $28.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015 due to an increase of 73 basis points in the book yield we obtained on those assets.
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The increase in yield was primarily due to the changing mix in asset allocation as we executed on our investment strategies.
The increase of $102.2 million in net realized and unrealized gains (losses) was comprised of net unrealized gains of $117.6 million in 2016 compared to net unrealized gains of $1.7 million in 2015, offset by a decrease in net realized gains of $13.7 million. The increase in net unrealized gains in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was primarily due to an increase in the valuations of fixed maturity securities as treasury yields moved lower and credit spreads tightened during the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The realized gains in 2015 related to sales of equity securities.
Atrium
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | 2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands of U.S. dollars) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 853 | $ | 546 | $ | 307 | $ | 2,042 | 1,576 | $ | 466 | ||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | (38 | ) | 27 | (65 | ) | 70 | 156 | (86 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Annualized Investment Book Yield | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Annualized net investment income | 3,412 | 2,184 | 1,228 | 2,723 | 2,101 | 622 | |||||||||||||||||
Average aggregate invested assets, at cost | 288,605 | 278,111 | 10,494 | 290,736 | 308,379 | (17,643 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Annualized investment book yield | 1.18 | % | 0.79 | % | 0.39 | % | 0.94 | % | 0.68 | % | 0.26 | % | |||||||||||
Financial Statement Portfolio Return | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total financial statement return | 815 | 573 | 242 | 2,112 | 1,732 | 380 | |||||||||||||||||
Average aggregate invested assets, at fair value | 285,872 | 272,285 | 13,587 | 287,228 | 302,433 | (15,205 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Financial statement portfolio return | 0.29 | % | 0.21 | % | 0.08 | % | 0.74 | % | 0.57 | % | 0.17 | % |
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30: Atrium's investment results were relatively consistent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. Despite average invested assets being lower than last year for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, investment results improved due to an increase in book yield due to the changing mix in asset allocation as we executed on our investment strategies.
StarStone
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | 2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands of U.S. dollars) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 5,478 | $ | 3,998 | $ | 1,480 | $ | 16,511 | $ | 10,187 | $ | 6,324 | ||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | (276 | ) | (3,193 | ) | 2,917 | 22,094 | (1,846 | ) | 23,940 | |||||||||||||||
Annualized Investment Book Yield | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Annualized net investment income | 21,912 | 15,992 | 5,920 | 22,015 | 13,583 | 8,432 | ||||||||||||||||||
Average aggregate invested assets, at cost | 1,620,631 | 1,525,592 | 95,039 | 1,588,648 | 1,484,845 | 103,803 | ||||||||||||||||||
Annualized investment book yield | 1.35 | % | 1.05 | % | 0.30% | 1.39 | % | 0.91 | % | 0.48% | ||||||||||||||
Financial Statement Portfolio Return | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total financial statement return | 5,202 | 805 | 4,397 | 38,605 | 8,341 | 30,264 | ||||||||||||||||||
Average aggregate invested assets, at fair value | 1,617,229 | 1,522,360 | 94,869 | 1,577,541 | 1,483,569 | 93,972 | ||||||||||||||||||
Financial statement portfolio return | 0.32 | % | 0.05 | % | 0.27 | % | 2.45 | % | 0.56 | % | 1.89 | % |
Three Months Ended September 30: StarStone's investment results were relatively consistent for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015.
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Nine Months Ended September 30: Net investment income increased by $6.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to an increase of $103.8 million in average invested assets and an increase of 48 basis points in the book yield we obtained on those assets. The increase in yield was primarily due to the changing mix in asset allocation as we executed on our investment strategies.
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) increased by $23.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, primarily due to the increase in valuations of fixed maturity securities as treasury yields moved lower and credit spreads tightened during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.
Life and Annuities
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | 2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands of U.S. dollars) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 16,618 | $ | 15,879 | $ | 739 | $ | 46,152 | $ | 36,531 | $ | 9,621 | ||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | 362 | 625 | (263 | ) | 4,284 | 568 | 3,716 | |||||||||||||||||
Annualized Investment Book Yield | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Annualized net investment income | 66,472 | 63,516 | 2,956 | 61,536 | 48,708 | 12,828 | ||||||||||||||||||
Average aggregate invested assets, at cost | 1,473,409 | 1,384,509 | 88,900 | 1,475,740 | 1,328,767 | 146,973 | ||||||||||||||||||
Annualized investment book yield | 4.51 | % | 4.59 | % | (0.08 | )% | 4.17 | % | 3.67 | % | 0.50 | % | ||||||||||||
Financial Statement Portfolio Return | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total financial statement return | 16,980 | 16,504 | 476 | 50,436 | 37,099 | 13,337 | ||||||||||||||||||
Average aggregate invested assets, at fair value | 1,518,357 | 1,364,573 | 153,784 | 1,494,464 | 1,326,457 | 168,007 | ||||||||||||||||||
Financial statement portfolio return | 1.12 | % | 1.21 | % | (0.09 | )% | 3.37 | % | 2.80 | % | 0.57 | % |
Three Months Ended September 30: The Life and Annuities segment's investment results were relatively consistent for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015.
Nine Months Ended September 30: Net investment income increased by $9.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to an increase in income from life settlements of $7.4 million.
The increase of $3.7 million in net realized and unrealized gains was primarily due to an increase in the valuations of fixed maturity securities as treasury yields moved lower and credit spreads tightened during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Enstar aims to generate cash flows from our insurance operations and investments, preserve sufficient capital for future acquisitions, and develop relationships with lenders who provide borrowing capacity at competitive rates.
Our capital resources as at September 30, 2016 included shareholders' equity of $2.8 billion, redeemable noncontrolling interest of $0.5 billion classified as temporary equity, and loans payable of $0.6 billion. The redeemable noncontrolling interest may be settled in the future in cash or Enstar ordinary shares, at our option. Based on our current loss reserves position, our portfolios of in-force insurance and reinsurance business, and our investment positions, we believe we are well capitalized.
Enstar has not historically declared a dividend. We retain earnings and utilize distributions from our subsidiaries to invest in our business strategies. We do not currently expect to pay any dividends on our ordinary shares. Any payment of dividends must be approved by our Board of Directors. Our ability to pay dividends is subject to certain restrictions, as described in "Note 20 - Dividend Restrictions and Statutory Requirements" in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included within Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
As at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we had total cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents of approximately $1.3 billion. We expect our cash flows, together with our existing capital base and cash and investments acquired on the purchase of insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries, to be sufficient to meet cash requirements and to operate our business. For a description of our sources and uses of cash in our holding company and operating companies, refer to "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation - Liquidity and Capital Resources" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. Our cash and cash equivalents are comprised mainly of cash, high graded fixed deposits, commercial paper with maturities of less than three months and money market funds.
As of September 30, 2016, we had $769.0 million of cash and cash equivalents, excluding restricted cash that supports insurance operations, and included in this amount was $477.6 million held by foreign subsidiaries outside of Bermuda. Based on our group's current corporate structure with a Bermuda domiciled parent company and the jurisdictions in which we operate, if the cash and cash equivalents held by our foreign subsidiaries were to be distributed to us, as dividends or otherwise, such amounts would not be subject to incremental income taxes, however in certain circumstances withholding taxes may be imposed by some jurisdictions, including the United States. Based on existing tax laws, regulations and our current intentions, there was no accrual as of September 30, 2016 for any material withholding taxes on dividends or other distributions, as described in "Note 16 - Taxation" in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included within Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
The following table summarizes our consolidated cash flows provided by (used in) operating, investing and financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:
Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | Increase (decrease) | ||||||||||
(in thousands of U.S. dollars) | ||||||||||||
Cash provided by (used in): | ||||||||||||
Operating activities | $ | (238,169 | ) | $ | (537,451 | ) | $ | 299,282 | ||||
Investing activities | 221,138 | 352,034 | (130,896 | ) | ||||||||
Financing activities | (32,202 | ) | 258,347 | (290,549 | ) | |||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | (3,653 | ) | (10,280 | ) | 6,627 | |||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | (52,886 | ) | 62,650 | (115,536 | ) | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 821,925 | 963,402 | (141,477 | ) | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 769,039 | $ | 1,026,052 | $ | (257,013 | ) |
Details of our consolidated cash flows are included in "Item 1. Financial Statements - Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (unaudited)."
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2016 versus 2015: Cash from operating activities included net sales (purchases) of trading securities of $26.6 million and ($499.3) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Excluding the activity on trading securities, cash (used in) provided by operating activities was ($264.8) million and ($38.2) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Cash used in operating activities is largely a result of the timing of loss payments across all of our segments.
Cash provided by investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 primarily related to the net cash inflow from other investments of $86.1 million and an increase in restricted cash of $101.3 million related to the Coca-Cola transaction, as described in "Note 2 - Significant New Business" in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included within Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The net cash inflow from investing activities was utilized in operating activities and financing activities during the period. Cash provided by investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 primarily related to an increase in restricted cash of $370.4 million, mostly related to the transaction with Voya as described in "Note 4 - Significant New Business" in our consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Cash utilized in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was not significantly changed, with net drawdowns of $1.7 million under the Enstar Group Limited ("EGL") Revolving Credit Facility and repayments of $30.5 million related to the Sussex term loan (the "Sussex Facility"). During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we fully drew down $109.0 million on the Sussex Facility to fund 50% of the consideration payable for the acquisition of Sussex, and repaid $5.0 million of the outstanding principal on the Sussex Facility. In the same period there were also net drawdowns under the EGL Revolving Credit Facility of $305.2 million primarily utilized for the acquisition of certain subsidiaries from Wilton Re Limited, to fund trusts for the Voya transaction, and for the purchase of noncontrolling interests of $150.4 million which is also shown as a cash flow used in financing activities. These transactions are described in "Note 3 - Acquisitions" and "Note 4 - Significant New Business" and "Note 14 - Noncontrolling Interests", respectively, in the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Investments
As at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we had total investments of approximately $7.5 billion.
For information regarding our investments, refer to "Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Investments."
Reinsurance Balances Recoverable
As at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we had reinsurance balances recoverable of approximately $1.3 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively.
Our insurance and reinsurance run-off subsidiaries, prior to acquisition, used retrocessional agreements to reduce their exposure to the risk of insurance and reinsurance assumed. On an annual basis, both Atrium and StarStone purchase a tailored outwards reinsurance program designed to manage their risk profiles. The majority of Atrium’s and StarStone's third-party reinsurance cover is with highly rated reinsurers or is collateralized by letters of credit.
We remain liable to the extent that retrocessionaires do not meet their obligations under these agreements, and therefore, we evaluate and monitor concentration of credit risk among our reinsurers. Provisions are made for amounts considered potentially uncollectible.
For further information regarding our reinsurance balances recoverable, refer to "Note 6 - Reinsurance Balances Recoverable" in the notes to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included within Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Funds Held by Reinsured Companies
As at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we had funds held by ceding companies of approximately $1.1 billion and $0.1 billion, respectively. The increase was due to the completion on March 31, 2016 of our transaction with Allianz to reinsure portfolios of Allianz's run-off business. In accordance with this transaction, which had an effective date of January 1, 2016, there were $1.0 billion of funds held by Allianz as at September 30, 2016, and we received a fixed rate of investment income for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and thereafter we will receive a return based upon an underlying portfolio of investments. For information regarding credit risk, refer to "Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk - Credit Risk - Funds Held by Reinsured Companies" of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
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Loan Facilities
We utilize loan facilities primarily for acquisitions and, from time to time, for general corporate purposes. For information regarding our loan facilities, including our loan covenants, refer to "Note 11 - Loans Payable" in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included within Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Under our facilities, loans payable as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were $570.6 million and $600.3 million, respectively.
Our main facility is the EGL Revolving Credit Facility, originated on September 16, 2014 for a five-year term, and amended on February 27, 2015, February 15, 2016 and on August 5, 2016. This facility is among the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, as borrowers and as guarantors, and various financial institutions. We are permitted to borrow up to an aggregate of $665.0 million, with an option to obtain additional commitments of up to $166.25 million. The individual outstanding loans under the facility are unsecured short-term floating rate loans with an interest rate of LIBOR plus an applicable margin. As at September 30, 2016, $159.8 million of the $665.0 million total capacity was available for use under the EGL Revolving Credit Facility. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, our borrowing included €75.0 million to hedge the foreign currency exposure on our net investment in certain of our subsidiaries whose functional currency is denominated in Euros.
We also have the Sussex Facility, a four-year term loan, that was originated on December 24, 2014 with two financial institutions. We repaid $30.5 million under this facility during the nine months ended September 30, 2016. As at September 30, 2016 the outstanding principal under this facility was $63.5 million.
Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes, as of September 30, 2016, our future payments under contractual obligations and estimated payments for losses and LAE and policy benefits by expected payment date and updates the table on page 79 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. The table excludes short-term liabilities and includes only obligations that are expected to be settled in cash.
Total | Less than 1 Year | 1 - 3 years | 3 - 5 years | More than 5 Years | |||||||||||||||
(in millions of U.S. dollars) | |||||||||||||||||||
Operating Activities | |||||||||||||||||||
Estimated gross reserves for losses and LAE (1) | $ | 6,211.5 | $ | 1,296.5 | $ | 1,948.1 | $ | 886.8 | $ | 2,080.1 | |||||||||
Policy benefits for life and annuity contracts (2) | 2,120.9 | 76.0 | 150.0 | 139.8 | 1,755.1 | ||||||||||||||
Operating lease obligations | 53.5 | 11.1 | 20.6 | 13.4 | 8.4 | ||||||||||||||
Investing Activities | |||||||||||||||||||
Investment commitments | 122.8 | 66.2 | 32.0 | 24.6 | — | ||||||||||||||
Financing Activities | |||||||||||||||||||
Loan repayments (including estimated interest payments) | 636.1 | 17.4 | 618.7 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 9,144.8 | $ | 1,467.2 | $ | 2,769.4 | $ | 1,064.6 | $ | 3,843.6 |
(1) | The reserves for losses and LAE represent management’s estimate of the ultimate cost of settling losses. The estimation of losses is based on various complex and subjective judgments. Actual losses paid may differ, perhaps significantly, from the reserve estimates reflected in our financial statements. Similarly, the timing of payment of our estimated losses is not fixed and there may be significant changes in actual payment activity. The assumptions used in estimating the likely payments due by period are based on our historical claims payment experience and industry payment patterns, but due to the inherent uncertainty in the process of estimating the timing of such payments, there is a risk that the amounts paid in any such period can be significantly different from the amounts disclosed above. The amounts in the above table represent our estimates of known liabilities as of September 30, 2016 and do not take into account corresponding reinsurance recoverable amounts that would be due to us. Furthermore, certain of the reserves included in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2016 were acquired by us and initially recorded at fair value with subsequent amortization, whereas the expected payments by period in the table above are the estimated payments at a future time and do not reflect the fair value adjustment in the amount payable. |
(2) | Policy benefits for life and annuity contracts recorded in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as at September 30, 2016 of $1,280.0 million are computed on a discounted basis, whereas the expected payments by period in the table above are the estimated payments at a future time and do not reflect a discount of the amount payable. |
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For additional information relating to our commitments and contingencies, see "Note 18 - Commitments and Contingencies" in the notes to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included within Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
At September 30, 2016, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined by Item 303(a)(4) of Regulation S-K.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our critical accounting policies are discussed in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and have not materially changed.
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Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This quarterly report and the documents incorporated by reference contain statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, with respect to our financial condition, results of operations, business strategies, operating efficiencies, competitive positions, growth opportunities, plans and objectives of our management, as well as the markets for our ordinary shares and the insurance and reinsurance sectors in general. Statements that include words such as "estimate," "project," "plan," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "would," "should," "could," "seek," "may" and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature identify forward-looking statements for purposes of the federal securities laws or otherwise. All forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates or expectations, and not statements of historical fact, reflecting the best judgment of our management and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. These forward looking statements should, therefore, be considered in light of various important factors, including those set forth in this quarterly report and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. These factors include:
• | risks associated with implementing our business strategies and initiatives; |
• | risks that we may require additional capital in the future, which may not be available or may be available only on unfavorable terms; |
• | the adequacy of our loss reserves and the need to adjust such reserves as claims develop over time; |
• | risks relating to the availability and collectability of our reinsurance; |
• | changes and uncertainty in economic conditions, including interest rates, inflation, currency exchange rates, equity markets and credit conditions, which could affect our investment portfolio, our ability to finance future acquisitions and our profitability; |
• | the risk that ongoing or future industry regulatory developments will disrupt our business, affect the ability of our subsidiaries to operate in the ordinary course or to make distributions to us, or mandate changes in industry practices in ways that increase our costs, decrease our revenues or require us to alter aspects of the way we do business; |
• | losses due to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; |
• | increased competitive pressures, including the consolidation and increased globalization of reinsurance providers; |
• | emerging claim and coverage issues; |
• | lengthy and unpredictable litigation affecting assessment of losses and/or coverage issues; |
• | loss of key personnel; |
• | the ability of our subsidiaries to distribute funds to us and the resulting impact on our liquidity; |
• | our ability to comply with covenants in our debt agreements; |
• | changes in our plans, strategies, objectives, expectations or intentions, which may happen at any time at management’s discretion; |
• | operational risks, including system, data security or human failures and external hazards; |
• | risks relating to our acquisitions, including our ability to continue to grow, successfully price acquisitions, evaluate opportunities, address operational challenges, support our planned growth and assimilate acquired companies into our internal control system in order to maintain effective internal controls, provide reliable financial reports and prevent fraud; |
• | risks relating to our ability to obtain regulatory approvals, including the timing, terms and conditions of any such approvals, and to satisfy other closing conditions in connection with our acquisition agreements, which could affect our ability to complete acquisitions; |
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• | risks relating to our active underwriting businesses, including unpredictability and severity of catastrophic and other major loss events, failure of risk management and loss limitation methods, the risk of a ratings downgrade or withdrawal, cyclicality of demand and pricing in the insurance and reinsurance markets; |
• | our ability to implement our strategies relating to our active underwriting businesses; |
• | risks relating to our life and annuities business, including mortality and morbidity rates, lapse rates, the performance of assets to support the insured liabilities, and the risk of catastrophic events; |
• | risks relating to our investments in life settlements contracts, including that actual experience may differ from our assumptions regarding longevity, cost projections, and risk of non-payment from the insurance carrier; |
• | risks relating to the performance of our investment portfolio and our ability to structure our investments in a manner that recognizes our liquidity needs; |
• | tax, regulatory or legal restrictions or limitations applicable to us or the insurance and reinsurance business generally; |
• | changes in tax laws or regulations applicable to us or our subsidiaries, or the risk that we or one of our non-U.S. subsidiaries become subject to significant, or significantly increased, income taxes in the United States or elsewhere; |
• | changes in Bermuda law or regulation or the political stability of Bermuda; and |
• | changes in accounting policies or practices. |
The factors listed above should be not construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements and Risk Factors that are included in this quarterly report and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward looking statement, whether to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto, or as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.
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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The following risk management discussion and the estimated amounts generated from sensitivity analysis presented are forward-looking statements of market risk assuming certain market conditions occur. Future results may differ materially from these estimated results due to, among other things, actual developments in the global financial markets, changes in the composition of our investment portfolio, or changes in our business strategies. The results of analysis we use to assess and mitigate risk are not projections of future events or losses. See "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" for additional information regarding our forward-looking statements.
We are principally exposed to four types of market risk: interest rate risk, credit risk, equity price risk and foreign currency risk. Our policies to address these risks in 2016 were not materially different than those used in 2015, and, based on our current knowledge and expectations, we do not currently anticipate significant changes in our market risk exposures or in how we will manage those exposures in future reporting periods.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk is the price sensitivity of a security to changes in interest rates. Our investment portfolio includes fixed maturity and short-term investments, whose fair values will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. We attempt to maintain adequate liquidity in our fixed maturity investments portfolio with a strategy designed to emphasize the preservation of our invested assets and provide sufficient liquidity for the prompt payment of claims and contract liabilities, as well as for settlement of commutation payments. We also monitor the duration and structure of our investment portfolio.
The following table summarizes the aggregate hypothetical change in fair value from an immediate parallel shift in the treasury yield curve, assuming credit spreads remain constant, in our fixed maturity and short-term investments portfolio classified as trading and available-for-sale as at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
Interest Rate Shift in Basis Points | ||||||||||||||||||||
As at September 30, 2016 | -100 | -50 | — | +50 | +100 | |||||||||||||||
(in millions of U.S. dollars) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total Market Value | $ | 5,642 | $ | 5,563 | $ | 5,456 | $ | 5,406 | $ | 5,333 | ||||||||||
Market Value Change from Base | 3.4 | % | 2.0 | % | — | (0.9 | )% | (2.3 | )% | |||||||||||
Change in Unrealized Value | $ | 186 | $ | 107 | $ | — | $ | (50 | ) | $ | (123 | ) | ||||||||
As at December 31, 2015 | -100 | -50 | — | +50 | +100 | |||||||||||||||
Total Market Value | $ | 5,544 | $ | 5,478 | $ | 5,381 | $ | 5,351 | $ | 5,292 | ||||||||||
Market Value Change from Base | 3.0 | % | 1.8 | % | — | (0.6 | )% | (1.7 | )% | |||||||||||
Change in Unrealized Value | $ | 163 | $ | 97 | $ | — | $ | (30 | ) | $ | (89 | ) |
Actual shifts in interest rates may not change by the same magnitude across the maturity spectrum or on an individual security and, as a result, the impact on the fair value of our fixed maturity securities and short-term investments portfolio may be materially different from the resulting change in value indicated in the table above.
Credit Risk
Credit risk relates to the uncertainty of a counterparty’s ability to make timely payments in accordance with contractual terms of the instrument or contract. We are exposed to direct credit risk primarily within our portfolios of fixed maturity and short-term investments, and through customers, brokers and reinsurers in the form of premiums receivable, reinsurance recoverables, and funds held by reinsured companies, as discussed below.
Fixed Maturity and Short-Term Investments
As a holder of fixed maturity and short-term investments, we also have exposure to credit risk as a result of investment ratings downgrades or issuer defaults. In an effort to mitigate this risk, our investment portfolio consists primarily of investment grade-rated, liquid, fixed maturity investments of short-to-medium duration. A table of credit ratings for our fixed maturity and short-term investments is in "Note 3 - Investments" in the notes to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included within Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. As at September 30, 2016, approximately 47.5% of our fixed maturity and short-term investment portfolio was rated AA or higher by a major rating agency (December 31, 2015: 47.0%) with 4.3% rated lower than BBB- (December 31, 2015: 3.1%). The portfolio as a whole had an average credit quality rating of A+ as at September 30, 2016 (December 31, 2015: A+). In addition, we manage our portfolio pursuant to guidelines that follow what we believe are prudent standards
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of diversification. The guidelines limit the allowable holdings of a single issue and issuers and, as a result, we do not believe we have significant concentrations of credit risk.
Reinsurance
We have exposure to credit risk as it relates to our reinsurance balances recoverable. Our insurance subsidiaries remain liable to the extent that retrocessionaires do not meet their contractual obligations and, therefore, we evaluate and monitor concentration of credit risk among our reinsurers. These amounts are discussed in "Note 6 - Reinsurance Balances Recoverable" in the notes to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included within Item 1 of this Quarterly Report.
Funds Held by Reinsured Companies
Under funds held arrangements, the reinsured company has retained funds that would otherwise have been remitted to our reinsurance subsidiaries. The funds balance is credited with investment income and losses payable are deducted. We are subject to credit risk if the reinsured company is unable to honor the value of the funds held balances, such as in the event of insolvency. However, we generally have the contractual ability to offset any shortfall in the payment of the funds held balances with amounts owed by us to the reinsured for losses payable and other amounts contractually due. We routinely monitor the creditworthiness of reinsured companies with whom we have funds held arrangements. We have a significant concentration of $1.0 billion to one reinsured company which has financial strength credit ratings of A+ from A.M. Best and AA from Standard & Poor's.
Equity Price Risk
Our portfolio of equity investments, including the equity funds and call options on equities included in other investments (collectively, "equities at risk"), has exposure to equity price risk, which is the risk of potential loss in fair value resulting from adverse changes in stock prices. Our global equity portfolio is correlated with a blend of the S&P 500 and MSCI World indices, and changes in this blend of indices would approximate the impact on our portfolio. The fair value of our equities at risk at September 30, 2016 was approximately $304.7 million (December 31, 2015: $263.3 million). At September 30, 2016, the impact of a 10% decline in the overall market prices of our equities at risk would be approximately $30.5 million (December 31, 2015: $26.3 million), on a pre-tax basis.
Foreign Currency Risk
Our foreign currency policy is to broadly manage, where possible, our foreign currency risk by seeking to match our liabilities under insurance and reinsurance policies that are payable in foreign currencies with assets that are denominated in such currencies, subject to regulatory constraints. In addition, we may selectively utilize foreign currency forward contracts to mitigate foreign currency risk. To the extent our foreign currency exposure is not matched or hedged, we may experience foreign exchange losses or gains, which would be reflected in our results of operations and financial condition.
Through our subsidiaries located in various jurisdictions, we conduct our insurance and reinsurance operations in a variety of non-U.S. currencies. The functional currency for the majority of our subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar. Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates relative to a subsidiary's functional currency will have a direct impact on the valuation of our assets and liabilities denominated in other currencies. All changes in foreign exchange rates, with the exception of non-U.S. dollar denominated investments classified as available-for-sale, are recognized in foreign exchange gains (losses) in our consolidated statements of earnings. Changes in foreign exchange rates relating to non-U.S. dollar denominated investments classified as available-for-sale are recorded in unrealized gains (losses) on investments, which is a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders’ equity.
We have exposure to foreign currency risk through our ownership of European, British, Canadian, and Australian subsidiaries whose functional currencies are the Euro, British pound, Canadian dollar, and Australian dollar, respectively. The foreign exchange gain or loss resulting from the translation of their financial statements from functional currency into U.S. dollars is recorded in the currency translation adjustment account, which is a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders’ equity. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we borrowed Euros under the EGL Revolving Credit Facility to hedge the foreign currency exposure on our net investment in certain of our subsidiaries whose functional currency is denominated in Euros. During the three months ended September 30, 2016, we entered into forward exchange contracts to hedge the foreign currency exposure on our net investment in certain of our subsidiaries whose functional currencies are denominated in Canadian and Australian dollars. The loan and the forward contracts are discussed in "Note 11 - Loans Payable" and "Note 5 - Derivative Instruments", respectively, in the notes to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
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included within Item 1 of this Quarterly Report. We utilize hedge accounting to record the foreign exchange gain or loss on these instruments in the currency translation account.
Our total net foreign currency exposure as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was $97.6 million and $291.8 million, respectively. The impact of a 10% movement in the U.S. dollar would result in a change in value of $9.8 million and $29.2 million, respectively, portions of which would be reflected in earnings, the currency translation adjustment component of shareholder’s equity or redeemable noncontrolling interest. Our net foreign currency exposure included $63.3 million and $99.4 million, respectively, related to our subsidiaries whose functional currency is U.S. dollars.
Effects of Inflation
We do not believe that inflation has had or will have a material effect on our consolidated results of operations, although inflation may affect the value of our assets, as well as our liabilities including losses and LAE (by causing the cost of claims to rise in the future). Although loss reserves are established to reflect likely loss settlements at the date payment is made, we would be subject to the risk that inflation could cause these costs to increase above established reserves.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of September 30, 2016. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have concluded that we maintained effective disclosure controls and procedures to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and timely reported as specified in the rules and forms of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended September 30, 2016 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
For a discussion of legal proceedings, see Note 18 - "Commitments and Contingencies" in the notes to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Our results of operations and financial condition are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties described in “Risk Factors” included in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. The risk factors identified therein have not materially changed, except as set forth below.
The United Kingdom’s referendum vote to leave the European Union could adversely affect our business.
In an advisory referendum held on June 23, 2016, the United Kingdom (U.K.) voted to leave the European Union (E.U.) (commonly referred to as “Brexit”). The timing and nature of the U.K.’s withdrawal from the E.U. is yet to be determined, and the form of the U.K.’s future relationship with the E.U. may not be clear for some time.
We have significant operations and employees in the United Kingdom, including our Lloyd’s businesses. Brexit’s impact on our U.K. businesses will depend on the U.K. and Lloyd’s abilities to retain access to the E.U. markets, and our U.K. businesses could be adversely affected if adequate access to these markets is not obtained. Brexit may also lead to legal uncertainty and differences in national laws and regulations as the U.K. determines which E.U. laws to replace or replicate, and these issues could impact our structure and operations.
The Brexit vote had an immediate adverse effect on global financial and foreign exchange markets, and instability and uncertainty in the European economy and in global financial markets may continue for some time. Any of these effects of Brexit, and others we cannot anticipate, could adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table provides information about ordinary shares acquired by the Company during the three months ended September 30, 2016, which are related to shares withheld from employees in order to facilitate the payment of withholding taxes on restricted shares. The Company does not have a share repurchase program.
Period | Total Number of Shares Purchased(1) | Average Price Paid per Share | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Program | |||||||||||
July 1, 2016 - July 31, 2016 | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||
August 1, 2016 - August 31, 2016 | 902 | $ | 159.19 | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||
September 1, 2016 - September 30, 2016 | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||
Total | 902 | $ | — | $ | — |
(1) | Includes shares withheld from employees in order to facilitate the payment of withholding taxes on restricted shares granted pursuant to our equity incentive plan. The shares are calculated at their fair market value, as determined by reference to the closing price of our ordinary shares on the vesting date. |
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
The information required by this item is set forth on the exhibit index that follows the signature page of this report.
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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 on November 8, 2016.
ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED | |
By: | /S/ MARK SMITH |
Mark Smith Chief Financial Officer, Authorized Signatory and Principal Financial Officer | |
By: | /S/ GUY BOWKER |
Guy Bowker Chief Accounting Officer and Principal Accounting Officer |
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Exhibit Index
Exhibit No. | Description | |
3.1 | Memorandum of Association of Enstar Group Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 10-K/A filed on May 2, 2011). | |
3.2 | Fourth Amended and Restated Bye-Laws of Enstar Group Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2(b) of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on August 11, 2014). | |
3.3 | Certificate of Designations of Series C Participating Non-Voting Perpetual Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on June 17, 2016). | |
10.1 | Restatement Agreement for Revolving Credit Facility Agreement, dated August 5, 2016, among Enstar Group Limited and certain of its subsidiaries, National Australia Bank Limited, Barclays Bank PLC, Lloyds Bank plc, SunTrust Bank and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on August 11, 2016). | |
10.2*+ | Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Enstar Group Limited 2016 Equity Incentive Plan. | |
10.3*+ | Form of Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Enstar Group Limited 2016 Equity Incentive Plan. | |
10.4*+ | Enstar Group Limited Amended and Restated Employee Share Purchase Plan. | |
31.1* | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as adopted under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
31.2* | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as adopted under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
32.1** | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
32.2** | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
101* | Interactive Data Files. |
________________________________
* filed herewith
** furnished herewith
+ denotes management contract or compensatory arrangement
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