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EVEREST GROUP, LTD. - Quarter Report: 2010 March (Form 10-Q)

group10q1q2010.htm
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:
MARCH 31, 2010
 
Commission file number:
1-15731

EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Bermuda
 
98-0365432
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
Wessex House – 2nd Floor
45 Reid Street
PO Box HM 845
Hamilton HM DX, Bermuda
441-295-0006

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of registrant’s principal executive office)
   
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
X
 
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
   
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
X
 
Accelerated filer
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
   
 
Smaller reporting company
 
(Do not check if 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
X

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

   
Number of Shares Outstanding
 
Class
 
At May 1, 2010
 
Common Shares, $0.01 par value
    58,922,474  
 

 
 
 

 


EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD

Table of Contents
Form 10-Q


Page
PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.
Financial Statements
 
     
   
 
1
     
   
 
2
     
   
 
3
     
   
 
4
     
 
5
     
Item 2.
 
 
27
     
Item 3.
51
     
Item 4.
51
     

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.
51
     
Item 1A.
51
     
Item 2.
52
     
Item 3.
52
     
Item 4.
52
     
Item 5.
52
     
Item 6.
53
     


PART I

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


   
March 31,
 
December 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except par value per share)
 
2010
 
2009
   
(unaudited)
     
ASSETS:
           
Fixed maturities - available for sale, at market value
  $ 13,161,192     $ 13,005,949  
    (amortized cost: 2010, $12,746,735; 2009, $12,614,742)
               
Fixed maturities - available for sale, at fair value
    65,307       50,528  
Equity securities - available for sale, at market value (cost: 2010, $13,445; 2009, $13,970)
    16,076       16,301  
Equity securities - available for sale, at fair value
    417,633       380,025  
Short-term investments
    592,463       673,131  
Other invested assets (cost: 2010, $577,919; 2009, $546,158)
    577,558       545,284  
Cash
    214,159       247,598  
       Total investments and cash
    15,044,388       14,918,816  
Accrued investment income
    143,332       158,886  
Premiums receivable
    981,523       978,847  
Reinsurance receivables
    650,044       636,375  
Funds held by reinsureds
    376,515       379,864  
Deferred acquisition costs
    372,183       362,346  
Prepaid reinsurance premiums
    106,419       108,029  
Deferred tax asset
    172,513       174,170  
Federal income taxes recoverable
    148,791       144,903  
Other assets
    164,377       139,076  
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 18,160,085     $ 18,001,312  
                 
LIABILITIES:
               
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses
  $ 9,299,417     $ 8,937,858  
Future policy benefit reserve
    64,401       64,536  
Unearned premium reserve
    1,454,237       1,415,402  
Funds held under reinsurance treaties
    94,541       91,893  
Losses in the course of payment
    38,853       39,766  
Commission reserves
    48,614       55,579  
Other net payable to reinsurers
    42,687       53,014  
8.75% Senior notes due 3/15/2010
    -       199,970  
5.4% Senior notes due 10/15/2014
    249,780       249,769  
6.6% Long term notes due 5/1/2067
    238,349       238,348  
Junior subordinated debt securities payable
    329,897       329,897  
Accrued interest on debt and borrowings
    12,092       9,885  
Equity index put option liability
    54,295       57,349  
Other liabilities
    195,967       156,324  
       Total liabilities
    12,123,130       11,899,590  
                 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)
               
                 
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
               
Preferred shares, par value: $0.01; 50 million shares authorized;
               
    no shares issued and outstanding
    -       -  
Common shares, par value: $0.01; 200 million shares authorized; (2010) 66.0 million and
               
    (2009) 65.8 million issued
    660       658  
Additional paid-in capital
    1,849,441       1,845,181  
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of deferred income tax benefit
               
    of $94.5 million at 2010 and tax expense of $101.0 million at 2009
    300,977       272,038  
Treasury shares, at cost; 7.1 million shares (2010) and 6.5 million shares (2009)
    (629,958 )     (582,926 )
Retained earnings
    4,515,835       4,566,771  
       Total shareholders' equity
    6,036,955       6,101,722  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
  $ 18,160,085     $ 18,001,312  
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
               



EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME


   
Three Months Ended
   
March 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2010
 
2009
   
(unaudited)
REVENUES:
           
Premiums earned
  $ 927,302     $ 932,290  
Net investment income
    161,499       68,754  
Net realized capital gains (losses):
               
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities
    -       (8,274 )
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities
               
transferred to other comprehensive income
    -       -  
Other net realized capital gains (losses)
    72,718       (56,863 )
Total net realized capital gains (losses)
    72,718       (65,137 )
Realized gain on debt repurchase
    -       78,271  
Net derivative gain (loss)
    3,054       (19,703 )
Other income (expense)
    5,339       (5,180 )
Total revenues
    1,169,912       989,295  
                 
CLAIMS AND EXPENSES:
               
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses
    906,856       569,905  
Commission, brokerage, taxes and fees
    212,662       226,038  
Other underwriting expenses
    38,944       36,355  
Corporate expenses
    4,575       3,780  
Interest, fees and bond issue cost amortization expense
    16,642       20,142  
Total claims and expenses
    1,179,679       856,220  
                 
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE TAXES
    (9,767 )     133,075  
Income tax expense
    12,885       24,519  
                 
NET (LOSS) INCOME
  $ (22,652 )   $ 108,556  
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
    28,939       (2,785 )
                 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
  $ 6,287     $ 105,771  
                 
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:
               
Basic
  $ (0.38 )   $ 1.77  
Diluted
  $ (0.38 )   $ 1.76  
Dividends declared
  $ 0.48     $ 0.48  
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
               



EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY


   
Three Months Ended
   
March 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2010
 
2009
   
(unaudited)
COMMON SHARES (shares outstanding):
           
Balance, beginning of period
    59,317,741       61,414,027  
Issued during the period, net
    167,039       128,062  
Treasury shares acquired
    (562,306 )     -  
Balance, end of period
    58,922,474       61,542,089  
                 
COMMON SHARES (par value):
               
Balance, beginning of period
  $ 658     $ 656  
Issued during the period, net
    2       1  
Balance, end of period
    660       657  
                 
ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL:
               
Balance, beginning of period
    1,845,181       1,824,552  
Share-based compensation plans
    4,260       3,230  
Other
    -       37  
Balance, end of period
    1,849,441       1,827,819  
                 
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS),
               
NET OF DEFERRED INCOME TAXES:
               
Balance, beginning of period
    272,038       (291,851 )
Net increase (decrease) during the period
    28,939       (2,785 )
Balance, end of period
    300,977       (294,636 )
                 
RETAINED EARNINGS:
               
Balance, beginning of period
    4,566,771       3,819,327  
Net (loss) income
    (22,652 )     108,556  
Dividends declared ($0.48 per share in 2010 and 2009)
    (28,284 )     (29,540 )
Balance, end of period
    4,515,835       3,898,343  
                 
TREASURY SHARES AT COST:
               
Balance, beginning of period
    (582,926 )     (392,329 )
Purchase of treasury shares
    (47,032 )     -  
Balance, end of period
    (629,958 )     (392,329 )
                 
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY, END OF PERIOD
  $ 6,036,955     $ 5,039,854  
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
               



EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


   
Three Months Ended
   
March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2010
 
2009
   
(unaudited)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
           
Net (loss) income
  $ (22,652 )   $ 108,556  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Increase in premiums receivable
    (7,759 )     (14,479 )
Increase in funds held by reinsureds, net
    (2,429 )     (9,781 )
Increase in reinsurance receivables
    (33,144 )     (32,137 )
Decrease in deferred tax asset
    6,789       44,990  
Increase in reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses
    418,945       2,434  
(Decrease) increase in future policy benefit reserve
    (135 )     3,161  
Increase in unearned premiums
    41,598       32,852  
Change in equity adjustments in limited partnerships
    (16,164 )     73,285  
Change in other assets and liabilities, net
    (55,467 )     (20,913 )
Non-cash compensation expense
    3,541       3,136  
Amortization of bond premium
    10,885       2,490  
Amortization of underwriting discount on senior notes
    42       46  
Realized gain on debt repurchase
    -       (78,271 )
Net realized capital (gains) losses
    (72,718 )     65,137  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    271,332       180,506  
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Proceeds from fixed maturities matured/called - available for sale, at market value
    413,390       242,130  
Proceeds from fixed maturities matured/called - available for sale, at fair value
    -       5,570  
Proceeds from fixed maturities sold - available for sale, at market value
    484,522       80,957  
Proceeds from fixed maturities sold - available for sale, at fair value
    2,497       3,492  
Proceeds from equity securities sold - available for sale, at market value
    -       1,042  
Proceeds from equity securities sold - available for sale, at fair value
    21,342       1,648  
Distributions from other invested assets
    10,730       12,664  
Cost of fixed maturities acquired - available for sale, at market value
    (1,023,499 )     (812,380 )
Cost of fixed maturities acquired - available for sale, at fair value
    (14,194 )     (13,309 )
Cost of equity securities acquired - available for sale, at fair value
    (42,322 )     (8,979 )
Cost of other invested assets acquired
    (27,044 )     (6,239 )
Net change in short-term investments
    82,019       712,922  
Net change in unsettled securities transactions
    47,298       3,699  
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
    (45,261 )     223,217  
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Common shares issued during the period, net
    721       132  
Purchase of treasury shares
    (47,032 )     -  
Net cost of debt repurchase
    -       (83,026 )
Net cost of senior notes maturing
    (200,000 )     -  
Dividends paid to shareholders
    (28,284 )     (29,540 )
Net cash used in financing activities
    (274,595 )     (112,434 )
                 
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH
    15,085       (29,735 )
                 
Net (decrease) increase in cash
    (33,439 )     261,554  
Cash, beginning of period
    247,598       205,694  
Cash, end of period
  $ 214,159     $ 467,248  
                 
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
               
Cash transactions:
               
Income taxes paid
  $ 12,759     $ 27,135  
Interest paid
    14,201       18,318  
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
               



NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009

1.  GENERAL

Everest Re Group, Ltd. (“Group”), a Bermuda company, through its subsidiaries, principally provides reinsurance and insurance in the U.S., Bermuda and international markets.  As used in this document, “Company” means Group and its subsidiaries.  On December 30, 2008, Group contributed Everest Reinsurance Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Holdings”) to its recently established Irish holding company, Everest Underwriting Group (Ireland), Limited (“Holdings Ireland”).

2.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of the results on an interim basis.  Certain financial information, which is normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), has been omitted since it is not required for interim reporting purposes. The December 31, 2009 consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP.  The results for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year.  These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 included in the Company’s most recent Form 10-K filing.

All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Certain reclassifications and format changes have been made to prior years’ amounts to conform to the 2010 presentation.

Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Codification

Financial Accounting Standards Board Launched Accounting Codification.  In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued authoritative guidance establishing the FASB Accounting Standards CodificationTM (“Codification”) as the single source of authoritative U.S. GAAP recognized by the FASB to be applied by non-governmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The Codification supersedes all existing non-SEC accounting and reporting standards. All other non-grandfathered, non-SEC accounting literature not included in the Codification will become non-authoritative.

Following the Codification, the FASB will no longer issue new standards in the form of Statements, FASB Staff Positions or Emerging Issues Task Force Abstracts. Instead, the FASB will issue Accounting Standards Updates, which will serve to update the Codification, provide background information about the guidance and provide the basis for conclusions on the changes to the Codification.
 
GAAP is not intended to be changed as a result of the FASB’s Codification, but it will change the way the guidance is organized and presented. As a result, these changes will have a significant impact on how companies reference GAAP in their financial statements and in the accounting policies for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The Company’s adoption of this guidance impacts the way the Company references U.S. GAAP accounting standards in the financial statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
Application of Recently Issued Accounting Standard Changes

Subsequent Events. In May 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance for subsequent events, which was later modified in February 2010, that addresses the accounting for and disclosure of subsequent events not addressed in other applicable U.S. GAAP.  The Company implemented the new disclosure requirement beginning with the second quarter of 2009 and included it in the Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements.

Improving Disclosures About Fair Value Measurements.  In January 2010, the FASB amended the authoritative guidance for disclosures on fair value measurements.  Effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, the guidance requires a new separate disclosure for:  significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and 2 and the reasons for the transfers; and provided clarification on existing disclosures to include:  fair value measurement disclosures by class of assets and liabilities and disclosure on valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value that fall in either Level 2 or Level 3.  Effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2010, the guidance requires another new separate disclosure in regards to Level 3 fair value measurements in that, the period activity will present separately information about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements.  Comparative disclosures shall be required only for periods ending after initial adoption.  The Company has implemented the first part of this guidance effective January 1, 2010.

Interim Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments.  In April 2009, the FASB revised the authoritative guidance for disclosures about fair value of financial instruments. This new guidance requires quarterly disclosures on the qualitative and quantitative information about the fair value of all financial instruments including methods and significant assumptions used to estimate fair value during the period. These disclosures were previously only done annually. The Company adopted this disclosure beginning with the second quarter of 2009 and included it in the Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements.

Other-Than-Temporary Impairments on Investment Securities.  In April 2009, the FASB revised the authoritative guidance for the recognition and presentation of other-than-temporary impairments. This new guidance amends the recognition guidance for other-than-temporary impairments of debt securities and expands the financial statement disclosures for other-than-temporary impairments on debt and equity securities. For available for sale debt securities that the Company has no intent to sell and more likely than not will not be required to sell prior to recovery, only the credit loss component of the impairment would be recognized in earnings, while the rest of the fair value loss would be recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.  The Company adopted this guidance effective April 1, 2009.  Upon adoption the Company recognized a cumulative-effect adjustment increase in retained earnings and decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of $57.3 million, net of $8.3 million of tax.
 
Measurement of Fair Value in Inactive Markets. In April 2009, the FASB revised the authoritative guidance for fair value measurements and disclosures, which reaffirms that fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. It also reaffirms the need to use judgment in determining if a formerly active market has become inactive and in determining fair values when the market has become inactive. There was no impact to the Company’s financial statements upon adoption.
 
 
3.  INVESTMENTS

The amortized cost, market value and gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of available for sale, fixed maturity and equity security investments, carried at market value, are as follows for the periods indicated:

   
At March 31, 2010
 
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Market
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Cost
   
Appreciation
   
Depreciation
   
Value
 
Fixed maturity securities  - available for sale
                       
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of
                       
U.S. government agencies and corporations
  $ 355,189     $ 8,835     $ (3,100 )   $ 360,924  
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
    3,657,459       168,621       (22,244 )     3,803,836  
Corporate securities
    2,666,501       129,601       (17,770 )     2,778,332  
Asset-backed securities
    241,130       8,153       (2,782 )     246,501  
Mortgage-backed securities
                               
Commercial
    486,835       13,644       (26,645 )     473,834  
Agency residential
    2,312,432       71,830       (470 )     2,383,792  
Non-agency residential
    169,893       386       (8,860 )     161,419  
Foreign government securities
    1,460,388       79,569       (23,133 )     1,516,824  
Foreign corporate securities
    1,396,908       61,992       (23,170 )     1,435,730  
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 12,746,735     $ 542,631     $ (128,174 )   $ 13,161,192  
Equity securities
  $ 13,445     $ 2,634     $ (3 )   $ 16,076  

   
At December 31, 2009
 
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Market
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Cost
   
Appreciation
   
Depreciation
   
Value
 
Fixed maturity securities  - available for sale
                       
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of
                       
U.S. government agencies and corporations
  $ 339,839     $ 17,879     $ (3,565 )   $ 354,153  
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
    3,694,267       183,848       (24,256 )     3,853,859  
Corporate securities
    2,421,875       107,749       (32,963 )     2,496,661  
Asset-backed securities
    310,429       7,713       (4,413 )     313,729  
Mortgage-backed securities
                               
Commercial
    475,204       5,172       (37,758 )     442,618  
Agency residential
    2,310,826       61,481       (3,863 )     2,368,444  
Non-agency residential
    177,500       238       (17,117 )     160,621  
Foreign government securities
    1,507,385       100,243       (16,875 )     1,590,753  
Foreign corporate securities
    1,377,417       72,442       (24,748 )     1,425,111  
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 12,614,742     $ 556,765     $ (165,558 )   $ 13,005,949  
Equity securities
  $ 13,970     $ 2,333     $ (2 )   $ 16,301  



In accordance with FASB guidance, the Company reclassified the non-credit portion of other-than-temporary impairments from retained earnings into accumulated other comprehensive income, in 2009.  At March 31, 2010, the pre-tax cumulative unrealized depreciation on these corporate securities had improved, with the remaining unrealized depreciation at $36.1 thousand compared to $6.1 million at December 31, 2009.

The amortized cost and market value of fixed maturity securities are shown in the following table by contractual maturity.  Mortgage-backed securities are generally more likely to be prepaid than other fixed maturity securities. As the stated maturity of such securities may not be indicative of actual maturities, the totals for mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are shown separately.

   
At March 31, 2010
   
At December 31, 2009
 
   
Amortized
   
Market
   
Amortized
   
Market
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Cost
   
Value
   
Cost
   
Value
 
Fixed maturity securities – available for sale
                       
    Due in one year or less
  $ 668,247     $ 684,941     $ 621,706     $ 652,483  
    Due after one year through five years
    3,326,444       3,459,021       3,017,731       3,151,819  
    Due after five years through ten years
    2,486,805       2,593,875       2,530,830       2,634,709  
    Due after ten years
    3,054,949       3,157,809       3,170,516       3,281,526  
Asset-backed securities
    241,130       246,501       310,429       313,729  
Mortgage-backed securities
                               
Commercial
    486,835       473,834       475,204       442,618  
Agency residential
    2,312,432       2,383,792       2,310,826       2,368,444  
Non-agency residential
    169,893       161,419       177,500       160,621  
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 12,746,735     $ 13,161,192     $ 12,614,742     $ 13,005,949  

The changes in net unrealized appreciation for the Company’s investments are derived from the following sources for the periods indicated:

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2010
 
2009
Increase during the period between the market value and cost
           
of investments carried at market value, and deferred taxes thereon:
           
Fixed maturity securities
  $ 23,250     $ 74,160  
Equity securities
    300       (244 )
Other invested assets
    514       (1,641 )
Change in unrealized appreciation, pre-tax
    24,064       72,275  
Deferred tax benefit (expense)
    10,508       (25,327 )
Change in unrealized appreciation,
               
net of deferred taxes, included in shareholders’ equity
  $ 34,572     $ 46,948  

The Company frequently reviews its fixed maturity securities investment portfolio for declines in market value and focuses its attention on securities whose fair value has fallen below 80% of their amortized value at the time of review.  The Company then assesses whether the decline in value is temporary or other-than-temporary.  In making its assessment, the Company evaluates the current market and interest rate environment as well as specific issuer information.  Generally, a change in a security’s value caused by a change in the market or interest rate environment does not constitute an other-than-temporary impairment, but rather a temporary decline in market value.  Temporary declines in market value are recorded as unrealized losses in accumulated other comprehensive income.  If the Company determines that the decline is other-than-temporary and the Company does not have the intent to sell the security; and it is more likely than not that the Company will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis, the carrying value of the investment is written down to fair value.  The fair value adjustment that is credit related is recorded in net realized capital gains (losses) in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.  The fair value adjustment that is non-credit related is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income, net of tax, and is included in accumulated other comprehensive income in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.  The Company’s assessments are based on the issuers current and expected future financial position, timeliness with respect to interest and/or principal payments, speed of repayments and any applicable credit enhancements or breakeven constant default rates on mortgage-


backed and asset-backed securities, as well as relevant information provided by rating agencies, investment advisors and analysts.

Retrospective adjustments are employed to recalculate the values of asset-backed securities. All of the Company’s asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities have a pass-through structure. Each acquisition lot is reviewed to recalculate the effective yield. The recalculated effective yield is used to derive a book value as if the new yield were applied at the time of acquisition. Outstanding principal factors from the time of acquisition to the adjustment date are used to calculate the prepayment history for all applicable securities. Conditional prepayment rates, computed with life to date factor histories and weighted average maturities, are used in the calculation of projected and prepayments for pass-through security types.

The tables below display the aggregate market value and gross unrealized depreciation of fixed maturity and equity securities, by security type and contractual maturity, in each case subdivided according to length of time that individual securities had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for the periods indicated:

   
Duration by security type of unrealized loss at March 31, 2010
 
   
Less than 12 months
   
Greater than 12 months
   
Total
 
         
Gross
         
Gross
         
Gross
 
         
Unrealized
         
Unrealized
         
Unrealized
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Market Value
   
Depreciation
   
Market Value
   
Depreciation
   
Market Value
   
Depreciation
 
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale
                                   
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of
                                   
U.S. government agencies and corporations
  $ 50,421     $ (2,087 )   $ 72,544     $ (1,013 )   $ 122,965     $ (3,100 )
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
    557       (6 )     406,437       (22,238 )     406,994       (22,244 )
Corporate securities
    188,649       (2,681 )     212,825       (15,089 )     401,474       (17,770 )
Asset-backed securities
    421       (217 )     23,315       (2,565 )     23,736       (2,782 )
Mortgage-backed securities
                                               
Commercial
    -       -       87,209       (26,645 )     87,209       (26,645 )
Agency residential
    53,915       (115 )     15,695       (355 )     69,610       (470 )
Non-agency residential
    -       -       140,479       (8,860 )     140,479       (8,860 )
Foreign government securities
    335,103       (6,247 )     137,835       (16,886 )     472,938       (23,133 )
Foreign corporate securities
    432,440       (8,213 )     135,711       (14,957 )     568,151       (23,170 )
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 1,061,506     $ (19,566 )   $ 1,232,050     $ (108,608 )   $ 2,293,556     $ (128,174 )
Equity securities
    -       -       12,195       (3 )     12,195       (3 )
Total
  $ 1,061,506     $ (19,566 )   $ 1,244,245     $ (108,611 )   $ 2,305,751     $ (128,177 )

   
Duration by maturity of unrealized loss at March 31, 2010
 
   
Less than 12 months
   
Greater than 12 months
   
Total
 
         
Gross
         
Gross
         
Gross
 
         
Unrealized
         
Unrealized
         
Unrealized
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Market Value
   
Depreciation
   
Market Value
   
Depreciation
   
Market Value
   
Depreciation
 
Fixed maturity securities
                                   
Due in one year or less
  $ 37,672     $ (2,408 )   $ 51,709     $ (4,524 )   $ 89,381     $ (6,932 )
Due in one year through five years
    599,620       (6,195 )     231,370       (11,267 )     830,990       (17,462 )
Due in five years through ten years
    303,073       (6,685 )     135,268       (15,520 )     438,341       (22,205 )
Due after ten years
    66,805       (3,946 )     547,005       (38,872 )     613,810       (42,818 )
Asset-backed securities
    421       (217 )     23,315       (2,565 )     23,736       (2,782 )
Mortgage-backed securities
    53,915       (115 )     243,383       (35,860 )     297,298       (35,975 )
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 1,061,506     $ (19,566 )   $ 1,232,050     $ (108,608 )   $ 2,293,556     $ (128,174 )
Equity securities
  $ -     $ -     $ 12,195     $ (3 )   $ 12,195     $ (3 )

 
The aggregate market value and gross unrealized losses related to investments in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2010 were $2,305.8 million and $128.2 million, respectively.  There were no unrealized losses on a single security that exceeded 0.06% of the market value of the fixed maturity securities at March 31, 2010.  In addition, as indicated on the above table, there was no significant concentration of unrealized losses in any one market sector.  The $19.6 million of unrealized losses related to fixed maturity securities that have been in an unrealized loss position for less than one year were generally comprised of highly rated domestic and foreign government and corporate securities.  Of these unrealized losses, $18.1 million were related to securities that were rated investment grade by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization.  The $108.6 million of unrealized losses related to fixed maturity and equity securities in an unrealized loss position for more than one year related primarily to highly rated government, municipal, corporate and mortgage-backed securities.  Of these unrealized losses, $83.1 million related to securities that were rated investment grade by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization.  The non-investment grade securities with unrealized losses are mainly comprised of corporate and commercial mortgage-backed securities.  The gross unrealized depreciation greater than 12 months for mortgage-backed securities included $2.9 million related to sub-prime and alt-A loans.  In all instances, there were no projected cash flow shortfalls to recover the full book value of the investments and the related interest obligations.  The mortgage-backed securities still have excess credit coverage and are current on interest and principal payments.  Unrealized losses have decreased since December 31, 2009, as a result of improved conditions in the overall financial market resulting from increased liquidity and lower interest rates.

The Company, given the size of its investment portfolio and capital position, does not have the intent to sell these securities; and it is more likely than not that the Company will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis.  In addition, all securities currently in an unrealized loss position are current with respect to principal and interest payments.

The tables below display the aggregate market value and gross unrealized depreciation of fixed maturity and equity securities, by security type and contractual maturity, in each case subdivided according to length of time that individual securities had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for the period indicated:

   
Duration by security type of unrealized loss at December 31, 2009
 
   
Less than 12 months
   
Greater than 12 months
   
Total
 
         
Gross
         
Gross
         
Gross
 
         
Unrealized
         
Unrealized
         
Unrealized
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Market Value
   
Depreciation
   
Market Value
   
Depreciation
   
Market Value
   
Depreciation
 
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale
                                   
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of
                                   
U.S. government agencies and corporations
  $ 155,007     $ (3,444 )   $ 1,375     $ (121 )   $ 156,382     $ (3,565 )
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
    559       (4 )     452,018       (24,252 )     452,577       (24,256 )
Corporate securities
    170,323       (2,539 )     357,442       (30,424 )     527,765       (32,963 )
Asset-backed securities
    12,514       (87 )     47,273       (4,326 )     59,787       (4,413 )
Mortgage-backed securities
                                               
Commercial
    8,411       (135 )     294,163       (37,623 )     302,574       (37,758 )
Agency residential
    591,372       (3,541 )     6,216       (322 )     597,588       (3,863 )
Non-agency residential
    -       (1 )     153,698       (17,116 )     153,698       (17,117 )
Foreign government securities
    215,048       (3,737 )     154,225       (13,138 )     369,273       (16,875 )
Foreign corporate securities
    299,769       (7,356 )     179,550       (17,392 )     479,319       (24,748 )
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 1,453,003     $ (20,844 )   $ 1,645,960     $ (144,714 )   $ 3,098,963     $ (165,558 )
Equity securities
    13       (2 )     -       -       13       (2 )
Total
  $ 1,453,016     $ (20,846 )   $ 1,645,960     $ (144,714 )   $ 3,098,976     $ (165,560 )

 
   
Duration by maturity of unrealized loss at December 31, 2009
 
   
Less than 12 months
   
Greater than 12 months
   
Total
 
         
Gross
         
Gross
         
Gross
 
         
Unrealized
         
Unrealized
         
Unrealized
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Market Value
   
Depreciation
   
Market Value
   
Depreciation
   
Market Value
   
Depreciation
 
Fixed maturity securities
                                   
Due in one year or less
  $ 5,777     $ (1 )   $ 74,211     $ (5,504 )   $ 79,988     $ (5,505 )
Due in one year through five years
    423,782       (6,120 )     268,321       (19,861 )     692,103       (25,981 )
Due in five years through ten years
    315,853       (6,094 )     198,398       (14,972 )     514,251       (21,066 )
Due after ten years
    95,294       (4,865 )     603,680       (44,990 )     698,974       (49,855 )
Asset-backed securities
    12,514       (87 )     47,273       (4,326 )     59,787       (4,413 )
Mortgage-backed securities
    599,783       (3,677 )     454,077       (55,061 )     1,053,860       (58,738 )
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 1,453,003     $ (20,844 )   $ 1,645,960     $ (144,714 )   $ 3,098,963     $ (165,558 )
Equity securities
  $ 13     $ (2 )   $ -     $ -     $ 13     $ (2 )

The aggregate market value and gross unrealized losses related to investments in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2009 were $3,099.0 million and $165.6 million, respectively.  There were no unrealized losses on a single security that exceeded 0.07% of the market value of the fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2009.  In addition, as indicated on the above table, there was no significant concentration of unrealized losses in any one market sector.  The $20.8 million of unrealized losses related to fixed maturity and equity securities that have been in an unrealized loss position for less than one year were generally comprised of highly rated government, corporate and mortgage-backed securities.  Of these unrealized losses, $20.7 million were related to securities that were rated investment grade by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization.  The $144.7 million of unrealized losses related to fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position for more than one year also related primarily to highly rated government, municipal, corporate and mortgage-backed securities.  Of these unrealized losses, $111.3 million related to securities that were rated investment grade by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization.  The non-investment grade securities with unrealized losses are mainly comprised of corporate and commercial mortgage-backed securities.  The gross unrealized depreciation greater than 12 months for mortgage-backed securities included only $3.7 million related to sub-prime and alt-A loans.  In all instances, there were no projected cash flow shortfalls to recover the full book value of the investments and the related interest obligations.  The mortgage-backed securities still have excess credit coverage and are current on interest and principal payments.  Unrealized losses decreased since December 31, 2008, as a result of improved conditions in the overall financial market resulting from increased liquidity and lower interest rates.

The components of net investment income are presented in the table below for the periods indicated:

   
Three Months Ended
   
March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2010
 
2009
Fixed maturity securities
  $ 145,199     $ 144,622  
Equity securities
    2,523       696  
Short-term investments and cash
    (308 )     3,561  
Other invested assets
               
Limited partnerships
    15,898       (72,946 )
Other
    372       774  
Total gross investment income
    163,684       76,707  
Interest credited and other expense
    (2,185 )     (7,953 )
Total net investment income
  $ 161,499     $ 68,754  



The Company reports results from limited partnership investments on the equity basis of accounting with changes in value reported through net investment income.  Due to the timing of receiving financial information from these partnerships, the results are generally reported on a one month or quarter lag.  If the Company determines there has been a significant decline in value of a limited partnership during this lag period, a loss will be recorded in the period in which the Company indentifies the decline.

The Company had contractual commitments to invest up to an additional $199.2 million in limited partnerships at March 31, 2010.  These commitments will be funded when called in accordance with the partnership agreements, which have investment periods that expire, unless extended, through 2014.

The components of net realized capital gains (losses) are presented in the table below for the periods indicated:

   
Three Months Ended
   
March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2010
 
2009
Fixed maturity securities, market value:
           
Other-than-temporary impairments
  $ -     $ (8,274 )
Gains (losses) from sales
    53,006       (39,594 )
Fixed maturity securities, fair value:
               
Gains from sales
    83       96  
Gains (losses) from fair value adjustments
    3,000       (42 )
Equity securities, market value:
               
Gains from sales
    -       47  
Equity securities, fair value:
               
Gains (losses) from sales
    1,895       (449 )
Gains (losses) from fair value adjustments
    14,733       (16,923 )
Short-term investments gains
    1       2  
Total net realized capital gains (losses)
  $ 72,718     $ (65,137 )

Proceeds from sales of fixed maturity securities for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 were $487.0 million and $84.4 million, respectively.  Gross gains of $58.7 million and $2.7 million and gross losses of $5.6 million and $42.3 million were realized on those fixed maturity securities sales for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Proceeds from sales of equity securities for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 were $21.3 million and $2.7 million, respectively.  Gross gains of $2.4 million and $0.2 million and gross losses of $0.5 million and $0.7 million were realized on those equity sales for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
The Company records fair value re-measurements as net realized capital gains or losses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.  The Company recorded $17.7 million in net realized capital gains and $17.0 million in net realized capital losses due to fair value re-measurements on fixed maturity and equity securities, at fair value, for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
At March 31, 2010, the Company had no write-downs in the value of securities deemed to be impaired on an other-than-temporary basis included in net realized capital gains.  At March 31, 2009, the Company had $8.3 million of write-downs in the value of securities deemed to be impaired on an other-than-temporary basis included in net realized capital losses.  The Company had no other-than-temporary impaired securities where the impairment had both a credit and non-credit component.



4.  DERIVATIVES

The Company sold seven equity index put option contracts, based on two indices, in 2001 and 2005, which are outstanding. The Company sold these equity index put options as insurance products with the intent of achieving a profit.  These equity index put option contracts meet the definition of a derivative under FASB guidance and the Company’s position in these equity index put option contracts is unhedged.  Accordingly, these equity index put option contracts are carried at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets with changes in fair value recorded in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

The Company sold six equity index put option contracts, which are based on the Standard & Poor’s 500 (“S&P 500”) index, for total consideration, net of commissions, of $22.5 million.  At March 31, 2010, fair value for these equity index put option contracts was $48.8 million.  These equity index put option contracts each have a single exercise date, with maturities ranging from 12 to 30 years and strike prices ranging from $1,141.21 to $1,540.63.  No amounts will be payable under these equity index put option contracts if the S&P 500 index is at, or above, the strike prices on the exercise dates, which fall between June 2017 and March 2031.  If the S&P 500 index is lower than the strike price on the applicable exercise date, the amount due would vary proportionately with the percentage by which the index is below the strike price.  Based on historical index volatilities and trends and the March 31, 2010 S&P 500 index value, the Company estimates the probability that each equity index put option contract of the S&P 500 index falling below the strike price on the exercise date to be less than 35%.  The theoretical maximum payouts under the equity index put option contracts would occur if on each of the exercise dates the S&P 500 index value were zero.  At March 31, 2010, the present value of these theoretical maximum payouts using a 6% discount factor was $257.7 million.

The Company sold one equity index put option contract, which is based on the FTSE 100 index, for total consideration, net of commissions, of $6.7 million.  At March 31, 2010, fair value for this equity index put option contract was $5.5 million.  This equity index put option contract has an exercise date of July 2020 and a strike price of ₤5,989.75.  No amount will be payable under this equity index put option contract if the FTSE 100 index is at, or above, the strike price on the exercise date.  If the FTSE 100 index is lower than the strike price on the exercise date, the amount due will vary proportionately with the percentage by which the index is below the strike price.  Based on historical index volatilities and trends and the March 31, 2010 FTSE 100 index value, the Company estimates the probability that the equity index put option contract of the FTSE 100 index will fall below the strike price on the exercise date to be less than 29%.  The theoretical maximum payout under the equity index put option contract would occur if on the exercise date the FTSE 100 index value was zero.  At March 31, 2010, the present value of the theoretical maximum payout using a 6% discount factor and current exchange rate was $27.4 million.

The fair value of the equity index put options can be found in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
     
Fair Value
 
Derivatives not designated as
 
Location of fair value
 
At
At
hedging instruments
 
in balance sheet
 
March 31, 2010
 
December 31, 2009
                 
Equity index put option contracts
 
Equity index put option liability
  $ 54,295     $ 57,349  
Total
      $ 54,295     $ 57,349  



The change in fair value of the equity index put option contracts can be found in the Company’s statement of operations and comprehensive income as follows:

       
Amount of gain/(loss) recognized
 
       
in income on derivatives
 
(Dollars in thousands)
     
For the Three Months Ended
 
Derivatives not designated as
 
Location of gain (loss) recognized
 
March 31,
 
hedging instruments
 
in income of derivative
 
2010
   
2009
 
                 
Equity index put option contracts
 
Net derivative gain (loss)
  $ 3,054     $ (19,703 )
Total
      $ 3,054     $ (19,703 )

The Company’s equity index put option contracts (derivatives) contain provisions that require collateralization of the fair value, as calculated by the counterparty, above a specified threshold, which is based on the Company’s financial strength ratings (Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.) and/or debt ratings (Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services). The aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features that were in a liability position on March 31, 2010, was $54.3 million for which the Company had posted collateral with a market value of $49.8 million.  If on March 31, 2010, the Company’s ratings were such that the collateral threshold was zero, the Company would be required to post an additional $55 million, which is an approximation of the counterparties’ fair value calculation.

5.  FAIR VALUE
 
The Company’s fixed maturity and equity securities are managed by third party investment asset managers.  The investment asset managers obtain prices from nationally recognized pricing services.   These services seek to utilize market data and observations in their evaluation process.  They use pricing applications that vary by asset class and incorporate available market information and when fixed maturity securities do not trade on a daily basis the services will apply available information through processes such as benchmark curves, benchmarking of like securities, sector groupings and matrix pricing.  In addition, they use model processes, such as the Option Adjusted Spread model to develop prepayment and interest rate scenarios for securities that have prepayment features.

In limited instances where prices are not provided by pricing services or in rare instances when a manager may not agree with the pricing service, price quotes on a non-binding basis are obtained from investment brokers.  The investment asset managers do not make any changes to prices received from either the pricing services or the investment brokers.  In addition, the investment asset managers have procedures in place to review the reasonableness of the prices from the service providers and may request verification of the prices.  In addition, the Company tests the prices on a random basis to an independent pricing source.  In limited situations, where financial markets are inactive or illiquid, the Company may use its own assumptions about future cash flows and risk-adjusted discount rates to determine fair value.  The Company made no such adjustments at March 31, 2010.
 
Fixed maturity securities are generally categorized as Level 2, Significant Other Observable Inputs, since a particular security may not have traded but the pricing services are able to use valuation models with observable market inputs such as interest rate yield curves and prices for similar fixed maturity securities in terms of issuer, maturity and seniority.  Valuations that are derived from techniques in which one or more of the significant inputs are unobservable (including assumptions about risk) are categorized as Level 3, Significant Unobservable Inputs.  These securities include broker priced securities and valuation of less liquid securities such as commercial mortgage-backed securities and the Company’s equity index put option contracts.

Equity securities in U.S. denominated currency are categorized as Level 1, Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets, since the securities are actively traded on an exchange and prices are based on quoted prices from the exchange.  Equity securities traded on foreign exchanges are categorized as Level 2 due to potential foreign exchange adjustments to fair or market value.

 
The Company sold seven equity index put option contracts which meet the definition of a derivative.  The Company’s position in these contracts is unhedged.  The Company recorded a change in fair value of $3.1 million gain and $19.7 million loss for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

The fair value was calculated using an industry accepted option pricing model, Black-Scholes, which used the following assumptions:

 
At March 31, 2010
     
Contract
 
Contracts
 
based on
 
based on
 
FTSE 100
 
S & P 500 Index
 
Index
Equity index
 1,169.4
 
 5,679.6
Interest rate
4.13% to 5.42%
 
4.95%
Time to maturity
7.2 to 21.0 yrs
 
10.3 yrs
Volatility
22.3% to 24.8%
 
25.8%
 
The following table presents the fair value measurement levels for all assets and liabilities, which the Company has recorded at fair value (fair and market value) as of the period indicated:

         
Fair Value Measurement Using:
 
         
Quoted Prices
             
         
in Active
   
Significant
       
         
Markets for
   
Other
   
Significant
 
         
Identical
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
 
         
Assets
   
Inputs
   
Inputs
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
March 31, 2010
 
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
Assets:
                       
Fixed maturities, market value
                       
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of
                       
U.S. government agencies and corporations
  $ 360,924     $ -     $ 360,924     $ -  
Obligations of U.S. States and political subdivisions
    3,803,836       -       3,803,836       -  
Corporate securities
    2,778,332       -       2,768,432       9,900  
Asset-backed securities
    246,501       -       240,113       6,388  
Mortgage-backed securities
                               
Commercial
    473,834       -       473,834       -  
Agency residential
    2,383,792       -       2,383,792       -  
Non-agency residential
    161,419       -       159,960       1,459  
Foreign government securities
    1,516,824       -       1,516,824       -  
Foreign corporate securities
    1,435,730       -       1,435,730       -  
Total fixed maturities, market value
    13,161,192       -       13,143,445       17,747  
                                 
Fixed maturities, fair value
    65,307       -       65,307       -  
Equity securities, market value
    16,076       16,076       -       -  
Equity securities, fair value
    417,633       416,620       1,013       -  
                                 
Liabilities:
                               
Equity index put option contracts
  $ 54,295     $ -     $ -     $ 54,295  
 
There were no significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 for the three months ended March 31, 2010.
 
 
The following table presents the fair value measurement levels for all assets and liabilities, which the Company has recorded at fair value (fair and market value) as of the period indicated:
 
         
Fair Value Measurement Using:
 
         
Quoted Prices
             
         
in Active
   
Significant
       
         
Markets for
   
Other
   
Significant
 
         
Identical
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
 
         
Assets
   
Inputs
   
Inputs
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
December 31, 2009
 
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
Assets:
                       
Fixed maturities, market value
                       
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of
                       
U.S. government agencies and corporations
  $ 354,153     $ -     $ 354,153     $ -  
Obligations of U.S. States and political subdivisions
    3,853,859       -       3,853,859       -  
Corporate securities
    2,496,661       -       2,486,761       9,900  
Asset-backed securities
    313,729       -       307,460       6,269  
Mortgage-backed securities
                               
Commercial
    442,618       -       442,618       -  
Agency residential
    2,368,444       -       2,368,444       -  
Non-agency residential
    160,621       -       159,227       1,394  
Foreign government securities
    1,590,753       -       1,590,753       -  
Foreign corporate securities
    1,425,111       -       1,425,111       -  
Total fixed maturities, market value
    13,005,949       -       12,988,386       17,563  
                                 
Fixed maturities, fair value
    50,528       -       50,528       -  
Equity securities, market value
    16,301       16,301       -       -  
Equity securities, fair value
    380,025       379,058       967       -  
                                 
Liabilities:
                               
Equity index put option contracts
  $ 57,349     $ -     $ -     $ 57,349  
 
The following tables present the activity under Level 3, fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs for fixed maturity investments, for the periods indicated:

   
By Asset
 
   
Corporate
   
Asset-backed
   
Non-agency
       
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Securities
   
Securities
   
RMBS
   
Total
 
Beginning balance January 1, 2010
  $ 9,900     $ 6,268     $ 1,394     $ 17,563  
Total gains or (losses) (realized/unrealized)
                               
Included in earnings (or changes in net assets)
    -       -       92       92  
Included in other comprehensive income
    -       (68 )     105       37  
Purchases, issuances and settlements
    -       188       (133 )     55  
Transfers in and/or (out) of Level 3
    -       -       -       -  
Ending Balance March 31, 2010
  $ 9,900     $ 6,388     $ 1,459     $ 17,747  
                                 
The amount of total gains or losses for the period included in earnings
                               
(or changes in net assets) attributable to the change in unrealized
                               
gains or losses relating to assets still held at the reporting date
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
                                 
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
                               
 
 
   
Summary
   
Three Months Ended
   
March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2010
 
2009
Assets:
           
Balance, beginning of period
  $ 17,563     $ 293,607  
Total gains or (losses) (realized/unrealized)
               
Included in earnings (or changes in net assets)
    92       28  
Included in other comprehensive income
    37       4,115  
Purchases, issuances and settlements
    55       (97 )
Transfers in and/or (out) of Level 3
    -       (208,116 )
Balance, end of period
  $ 17,747     $ 89,537  
                 
The amount of total gains or losses for the period included in earnings
               
(or changes in net assets) attributable to the change in unrealized
               
gains or losses relating to assets still held at the reporting date
  $ -     $ (816 )

The following table presents the activity under Level 3, fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs for equity index put option contracts, for the periods indicated:

   
Three Months Ended
   
March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2010
 
2009
Liabilities:
           
Balance, beginning of period
  $ 57,349     $ 60,552  
Total (gains) or losses (realized/unrealized)
               
Included in earnings (or changes in net assets)
    (3,054 )     19,703  
Included in other comprehensive income
    -       -  
Purchases, issuances and settlements
    -       -  
Transfers in and/or (out) of Level 3
    -       -  
Balance, end of period
  $ 54,295     $ 80,255  
                 
The amount of total gains or losses for the period included in earnings
               
(or changes in net assets) attributable to the change in unrealized
               
gains or losses relating to liabilities still held at the reporting date
  $ -     $ -  
                 
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
               

6.  CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS

On December 17, 2008, the Company renewed its shelf registration statement on Form S-3ASR with the SEC, as a Well Known Seasoned Issuer.  This shelf registration statement can be used by Group to register common shares, preferred shares, debt securities, warrants, share purchase contracts and share purchase units; by Holdings to register debt securities and by Everest Re Capital Trust III (“Capital Trust III”) to register trust preferred securities.
 
 
7.  EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

Net (loss) income per common share has been computed as per below, based upon weighted average common basic and dilutive shares outstanding.

   
Three Months Ended
   
March 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2010
 
2009
Net (loss) income per share:
           
Numerator
           
Net (loss) income
  $ (22,652 )   $ 108,556  
Less:  dividends declared-common shares and nonvested common shares
    (28,284 )     (29,540 )
Undistributed earnings
    (50,935 )     79,017  
Percentage allocated to common shareholders (1)
    99.6 %     99.7 %
      (50,730 )     78,788  
Add:  dividends declared-common shareholders
    28,138       29,433  
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per common share
  $ (22,592 )   $ 108,221  
                 
Denominator
               
Denominator for basic earnings per weighted-average common shares
    58,927       61,294  
Effect of dilutive securities:
               
Options
    185       137  
Denominator for diluted earnings per adjusted weighted-average common shares
    59,112       61,432  
                 
Per common share net (loss) income
               
Basic
  $ (0.38 )   $ 1.77  
Diluted
  $ (0.38 )   $ 1.76  
                 
(1)   Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding
    58,927       61,294  
 Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding and nonvested common shares expected to vest
    59,165       61,472  
 Percentage allocated to common shareholders
    99.6 %     99.7 %
                 
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
               

Options to purchase 1,942,490 and 1,919,976 common shares for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, were outstanding but were not included in the computation of earnings per diluted share as they were anti-dilutive.  All outstanding options expire on or between April 20, 2011 and February 24, 2020.
 
8.  CONTINGENCIES

In the ordinary course of business, the Company is involved in lawsuits, arbitrations and other formal and informal dispute resolution procedures, the outcomes of which will determine the Company’s rights and obligations under insurance, reinsurance and other contractual agreements.  In some disputes, the Company seeks to enforce its rights under an agreement or to collect funds owing to it.  In other matters, the Company is resisting attempts by others to collect funds or enforce alleged rights.  These disputes arise from time to time and are ultimately resolved through both informal and formal means, including negotiated resolution, arbitration and litigation.  In all such matters, the Company believes that its positions are legally and commercially reasonable. While the final outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, the Company does not believe that any of these matters, when finally resolved, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or liquidity.  However, an adverse resolution of one or more of these items in any one quarter or fiscal year could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations in that period.
 
 
In 1993 and prior, the Company had a business arrangement with The Prudential Insurance Company of America (“The Prudential”) wherein, for a fee, the Company accepted settled claim payment obligations of certain property and casualty insurers, and, concurrently, became the owner of the annuity or assignee of the annuity proceeds funded by the property and casualty insurers specifically to fulfill these fully settled obligations.  In these circumstances, the Company would be liable if The Prudential, which has an A+ (Superior) financial strength rating from A.M. Best Company (“A.M. Best”), was unable to make the annuity payments.  The estimated cost to replace all such annuities for which the Company was contingently liable at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 was $152.8 million and $152.3 million, respectively.

Prior to its 1995 initial public offering, the Company purchased annuities from an unaffiliated life insurance company with an A+ (Superior) financial strength rating from A.M. Best to settle certain claim liabilities of the company.  Should the life insurance company become unable to make the annuity payments, the Company would be liable for those claim liabilities.  The estimated cost to replace such annuities at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 was $24.6 million.

9.  OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The following table presents the components of other comprehensive income (loss) in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for the periods indicated:

   
Three Months Ended
   
March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2010
 
2009
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) ("URA(D)") on securities arising during the period
           
URA(D) of investments - temporary
  $ 18,012     $ 72,275  
URA(D) of investments - non-credit OTTI
    6,052       -  
Tax benefit (expense) from URA(D) arising during the period
    10,508       (25,327 )
Total URA(D) on securities arising during the period, net of tax
    34,572       46,948  
                 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
    (2,287 )     (59,793 )
Tax (expense) benefit from foreign currency translation
    (3,754 )     10,060  
Net foreign currency translation adjustments
    (6,041 )     (49,733 )
                 
Pension adjustments
    628       -  
Tax expense on pension
    (220 )     -  
Net pension adjustments
    408       -  
                 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
  $ 28,939     $ (2,785 )
 
The following table presents the components of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, in the consolidated balance sheets for the periods indicated:

   
March 31,
 
December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2010
 
2009
URA(D) on securities, net of deferred taxes
           
Temporary
  $ 344,236     $ 314,648  
Non-credit, OTTI
    (390 )     (5,374 )
Total unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, net of deferred taxes
    343,846       309,274  
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of deferred taxes
    (19,009 )     (12,968 )
Pension adjustments, net of deferred taxes
    (23,860 )     (24,268 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
  $ 300,977     $ 272,038  
 
 
10.  CREDIT LINE

Effective July 27, 2007, Group, Everest Reinsurance (Bermuda), Ltd. (“Bermuda Re”) and Everest International Reinsurance, Ltd. (‘Everest International”) entered into a five year, $850.0 million senior credit facility with a syndicate of lenders referred to as the “Group Credit Facility”.  Wachovia Bank, a subsidiary of Wells Fargo Corporation (“Wachovia Bank”) is the administrative agent for the Group Credit Facility, which consists of two tranches.  Tranche one provides up to $350.0 million of unsecured revolving credit for liquidity and general corporate purposes, and for the issuance of unsecured standby letters of credit.  The interest on the revolving loans shall, at the Company’s option, be either (1) the Base Rate (as defined below) or (2) an adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus a margin.  The Base Rate is the higher of (a) the prime commercial lending rate established by Wachovia Bank or (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5% per annum. The amount of margin and the fees payable for the Group Credit Facility depends on Group’s senior unsecured debt rating.  Tranche two exclusively provides up to $500.0 million for the issuance of standby letters of credit on a collateralized basis.

The Group Credit Facility requires Group to maintain a debt to capital ratio of not greater than 0.35 to 1 and to maintain a minimum net worth.  Minimum net worth is an amount equal to the sum of $3,575.4 million plus 25% of consolidated net income for each of Group’s fiscal quarters, for which statements are available ending on or after January 1, 2007 and for which consolidated net income is positive, plus 25% of any increase in consolidated net worth during such period attributable to the issuance of ordinary and preferred shares, which at March 31, 2010, was $4,064.4 million.  As of March 31, 2010, the Company was in compliance with all Group Credit Facility covenants.

At March 31, 2010, the Group Credit facility had no outstanding letters of credit under tranche one and $360.0 million outstanding letters of credit under tranche two.  At December 31, 2009, the Group Credit Facility had no outstanding letters of credit under tranche one and $386.5 million outstanding letters of credit under tranche two.

Effective August 23, 2006, Holdings entered into a five year, $150.0 million senior revolving credit facility with a syndicate of lenders referred to as the “Holdings Credit Facility”.  Citibank N.A. is the administrative agent for the Holdings Credit Facility.  The Holdings Credit Facility may be used for liquidity and general corporate purposes.  The Holdings Credit Facility provides for the borrowing of up to $150.0 million with interest at a rate selected by Holdings equal to either, (1) the Base Rate (as defined below) or (2) a periodic fixed rate equal to the Eurodollar Rate plus an applicable margin.  The Base Rate means a fluctuating interest rate per annum in effect from time to time to be equal to the higher of (a) the rate of interest publicly announced by Citibank as its prime rate or (b) 0.5% per annum above the Federal Funds Rate, in each case plus the applicable margin.  The amount of margin and the fees payable for the Holdings Credit Facility depends upon Holdings’ senior unsecured debt rating.
 
The Holdings Credit Facility requires Holdings to maintain a debt to capital ratio of not greater than 0.35 to 1 and Everest Reinsurance Company (“Everest Re”) to maintain its statutory surplus at $1.5 billion plus 25% of future aggregate net income and 25% of future aggregate capital contributions after December 31, 2005, which at March 31, 2010, was $1,933.8 million.  As of March 31, 2010, Holdings was in compliance with all Holdings Credit Facility covenants.

At March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Holdings Credit Facility had outstanding letters of credit of $17.0 million and $28.0 million, respectively.

Costs incurred in connection with the Group Credit Facility and the Holdings Credit Facility were $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.
 

11.  LETTERS OF CREDIT

The Company has arrangements available for the issuance of letters of credit, which letters are generally collateralized by the Company’s cash and investments.  The Company’s agreement with Citibank is a bilateral letter of credit agreement only.  The Company’s other facility, the Wachovia Group Credit Facility, involves a syndicate of lenders (see Note 10 of the Group Credit Facility), with Wachovia acting as administrative agent.  The Citibank Holdings Credit Facility involves a syndicate of lenders (see Note 10 of the Holdings Credit Facility), with Citibank acting as administrative agent.  At March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, letters of credit for $577.3 million and $633.7 million, respectively, were issued and outstanding.  The letters of credit collateralize reinsurance obligations of the Company’s non-U.S. operations.  The following table summarizes the Company’s letters of credit as of March 31, 2010.

(Dollars in thousands)
               
Bank
   
Commitment
   
In Use
 
Date of Expiry
Citibank Bilateral Letter of Credit Agreement
    $ 300,000     $ 2,291  
11/24/2010
                63,255  
12/31/2010
                35,785  
1/31/2011
                24,118  
6/30/2013
                35,173  
12/31/2013
                11,365  
9/30/2014
                28,351  
12/31/2014
Total Citibank Bilateral Agreement
    $ 300,000     $ 200,338    
                     
Citibank Holdings Credit Facility
    $ 150,000     $ 16,951  
12/31/2010
Total Citibank Holdings Credit Facility
    $ 150,000     $ 16,951    
                     
Wachovia Group Credit Facility
Tranche One
  $ 350,000     $ -    
 
Tranche Two
    500,000       360,033  
12/31/2010
Total Wachovia Group Credit Facility
    $ 850,000     $ 360,033    
                     
Total Letters of Credit
    $ 1,300,000     $ 577,322    
 
12.  TRUST AGREEMENTS

Certain subsidiaries of Group, principally Bermuda Re, a Bermuda insurance company and direct subsidiary of Group, have established trust agreements, which effectively use the Company’s investments as collateral, as security for assumed losses payable to certain non-affiliated ceding companies.  At March 31, 2010, the total amount on deposit in trust accounts was $95.6 million.

13.  SENIOR NOTES

On October 12, 2004, Holdings completed a public offering of $250.0 million principal amount of 5.40% senior notes due October 15, 2014.  On March 14, 2000, Holdings completed a public offering of $200.0 million principal amount of 8.75% senior notes due on March 15, 2010.  On March 15, 2010, the $200.0 million principal amount of 8.75% senior notes matured and was paid in cash.

Interest expense incurred in connection with these senior notes was $7.1 million and $7.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Market value, which is based on quoted market price at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, was $261.0 million and $256.1 million, respectively, for the 5.40% senior notes and $200.0 million for the 8.75% senior notes at December 31, 2009.
 

14.  LONG TERM SUBORDINATED NOTES

On April 26, 2007, Holdings completed a public offering of $400.0 million principal amount of 6.6% fixed to floating rate long term subordinated notes with a scheduled maturity date of May 15, 2037 and a final maturity date of May 1, 2067. During the fixed rate interest period from May 3, 2007 through May 14, 2017, interest will be at the annual rate of 6.6%, payable semi-annually in arrears on November 15 and May 15 of each year, commencing on November 15, 2007, subject to Holdings’ right to defer interest on one or more occasions for up to ten consecutive years.  During the floating rate interest period from May 15, 2017 through maturity, interest will be based on the 3 month LIBOR plus 238.5 basis points, reset quarterly, payable quarterly in arrears on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year, subject to Holdings’ right to defer interest on one or more occasions for up to ten consecutive years.  Deferred interest will accumulate interest at the applicable rate compounded semi-annually for periods prior to May 15, 2017, and compounded quarterly for periods from and including May 15, 2017.

Holdings can redeem the long term subordinated notes prior to May 15, 2017, in whole but not in part at the applicable redemption price, which will equal the greater of (a) 100% of the principal amount being redeemed and (b) the present value of the principal payment on May 15, 2017 and scheduled payments of interest that would have accrued from the redemption date to May 15, 2017 on the long term subordinated notes being redeemed, discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis at a discount rate equal to the treasury rate plus an applicable spread of either 0.25% or 0.50%, in each case plus accrued and unpaid interest.  Holdings may redeem the long term subordinated notes on or after May 15, 2017, in whole or in part at 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest; however, redemption on or after the scheduled maturity date and prior to May 1, 2047 is subject to a replacement capital covenant.  This covenant is for the benefit of certain senior note holders and it mandates that Holdings receive proceeds from the sale of another subordinated debt issue, of at least similar size, before it may redeem the subordinated notes.
 
On March 19, 2009, Group announced the commencement of a cash tender offer for any and all of the 6.60% fixed to floating rate long term subordinated notes.  Upon expiration of the tender offer, the Company had reduced its outstanding debt by $161.4 million, which resulted in a pre-tax gain on debt repurchase of $78.3 million.

Interest expense incurred in connection with these long term notes was $3.9 million and $6.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Market value, which is based on quoted market prices at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, was $204.1 million and $176.5 million on the outstanding 6.6% long term subordinated notes, respectively.

15.  JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES PAYABLE

On March 29, 2004, Holdings issued $329.9 million of 6.20% junior subordinated debt securities, due March 29, 2034, to Everest Re Capital Trust II (“Capital Trust II”).  Holdings may redeem the junior subordinated debt securities before their maturity at 100% of their principal amount plus accrued interest as of the date of redemption.  The securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, on one or more occasions at any time on or after March 30, 2009; or at any time, in whole, but not in part, within 90 days of the occurrence and continuation of a determination that the Trust may become subject to tax or the Investment Company Act.

Fair value, which is primarily based on the quoted market price of the related trust preferred securities, was $289.6 million and $272.6 million, at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, for the 6.20% junior subordinated debt securities.

Interest expense incurred in connection with these junior subordinated notes was $5.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.

Capital Trust II is a wholly owned finance subsidiary of Holdings.
 

Holdings considers that the mechanisms and obligations relating to the trust preferred securities, taken together, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee by Holdings of Capital Trust II’s payment obligations with respect to their trust preferred securities.

Capital Trust II will redeem all of the outstanding trust preferred securities when the junior subordinated debt securities are paid at maturity on March 29, 2034.  The Company may elect to redeem the junior subordinated debt securities, in whole or in part, at any time on or after March 30, 2009.  If such an early redemption occurs, the outstanding trust preferred securities would also be proportionately redeemed.

There are certain regulatory and contractual restrictions on the ability of Holdings’ operating subsidiaries to transfer funds to Holdings in the form of cash dividends, loans or advances.  The insurance laws of the State of Delaware, where Holdings’ direct insurance subsidiaries are domiciled, require regulatory approval before those subsidiaries can pay dividends or make loans or advances to Holdings that exceed certain statutory thresholds.  In addition, the terms of Holdings Credit Facility (discussed in Note 10) require Everest Re, Holdings’ principal insurance subsidiary, to maintain a certain statutory surplus level as measured at the end of each fiscal year.  At December 31, 2009, $2,352.0 million of the $3,271.1 million in net assets of Holdings’ consolidated subsidiaries were subject to the foregoing regulatory restrictions.
 
16.  SEGMENT REPORTING

The Company, through its subsidiaries, operates in five segments:  U.S. Reinsurance, U.S. Insurance, Specialty Underwriting, International and Bermuda.  The U.S. Reinsurance operation writes property and casualty reinsurance, on both a treaty and facultative basis, through reinsurance brokers, as well as directly with ceding companies within the U.S.  The U.S. Insurance operation writes property and casualty insurance primarily through general agents, brokers and surplus lines brokers within the U.S.  The Specialty Underwriting operation writes accident and health (“A&H”), marine, aviation and surety business within the U.S. and worldwide through brokers and directly with ceding companies.  The International operation writes non-U.S. property and casualty reinsurance through Everest Re’s branches in Canada and Singapore and offices in Miami and New Jersey. The Bermuda operation provides reinsurance and insurance to worldwide property and casualty markets and reinsurance to life insurers through brokers and directly with ceding companies from its Bermuda office and reinsurance to the United Kingdom and European markets through its UK branch and the Company’s Ireland location.

These segments are managed independently, but conform with corporate guidelines with respect to pricing, risk management, control of aggregate catastrophe exposures, capital, investments and support operations.  Management generally monitors and evaluates the financial performance of these operating segments based upon their underwriting results.

Underwriting results include earned premium less losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) incurred, commission and brokerage expenses and other underwriting expenses.  Underwriting results are measured using ratios, in particular loss, commission and brokerage and other underwriting expense ratios, which, respectively, divide incurred losses, commissions and brokerage and other underwriting expenses by premiums earned.  The Company utilizes inter-affiliate reinsurance, although such reinsurance does not materially impact segment results, as business is generally reported within the segment in which the business was first produced.

The Company does not maintain separate balance sheet data for its operating segments.  Accordingly, the Company does not review and evaluate the financial results of its operating segments based upon balance sheet data.
 

The following tables present the underwriting results for the operating segments for the periods indicated:

   
Three Months Ended
 
U.S. Reinsurance
 
March 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
 
Gross written premiums
  $ 244,008     $ 264,331  
Net written premiums
    244,266       260,500  
                 
Premiums earned
  $ 236,740     $ 263,157  
Incurred losses and LAE
    153,804       137,785  
Commission and brokerage
    57,198       65,339  
Other underwriting expenses
    7,806       7,562  
Underwriting gain
  $ 17,932     $ 52,471  

   
Three Months Ended
 
U.S. Insurance
 
March 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
 
Gross written premiums
  $ 228,237     $ 204,717  
Net written premiums
    176,983       182,441  
                 
Premiums earned
  $ 161,823     $ 166,020  
Incurred losses and LAE
    112,063       116,023  
Commission and brokerage
    31,806       31,520  
Other underwriting expenses
    16,577       17,281  
Underwriting gain
  $ 1,377     $ 1,196  

   
Three Months Ended
 
Specialty Underwriting
 
March 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
 
Gross written premiums
  $ 65,887     $ 58,923  
Net written premiums
    65,120       57,967  
                 
Premiums earned
  $ 67,424     $ 63,134  
Incurred losses and LAE
    45,737       40,041  
Commission and brokerage
    16,796       18,582  
Other underwriting expenses
    1,951       1,845  
Underwriting gain
  $ 2,940     $ 2,666  

   
Three Months Ended
 
International
 
March 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
 
Gross written premiums
  $ 275,350     $ 250,750  
Net written premiums
    275,312       250,727  
                 
Premiums earned
  $ 276,600     $ 254,514  
Incurred losses and LAE
    427,590       155,341  
Commission and brokerage
    64,935       66,337  
Other underwriting expenses
    6,380       4,620  
Underwriting (loss) gain
  $ (222,305 )   $ 28,216  
 
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
Bermuda
 
March 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
 
Gross written premiums
  $ 207,537     $ 219,064  
Net written premiums
    207,572       219,111  
                 
Premiums earned
  $ 184,715     $ 185,465  
Incurred losses and LAE
    167,662       120,715  
Commission and brokerage
    41,927       44,260  
Other underwriting expenses
    6,230       5,047  
Underwriting (loss) gain
  $ (31,104 )   $ 15,443  
 
The following table reconciles the underwriting results for the operating segments to income before taxes as reported in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for the periods indicated:

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
 
Underwriting (loss) gain
  $ (231,160 )   $ 99,992  
Net investment income
    161,499       68,754  
Net realized capital gains (losses)
    72,718       (65,137 )
Realized gain on debt repurchase
    -       78,271  
Net derivative gain (loss)
    3,054       (19,703 )
Corporate expenses
    (4,575 )     (3,780 )
Interest, fee and bond issue cost amortization expense
    (16,642 )     (20,142 )
Other income (expense)
    5,339       (5,180 )
(Loss) income before taxes
  $ (9,767 )   $ 133,075  

The Company produces business in the U.S., Bermuda and internationally.  The net income deriving from and assets residing in the individual foreign countries in which the Company writes business are not identifiable in the Company’s financial records.  Based on gross written premium, the largest country, other than the U.S., in which the Company writes business, is the United Kingdom, with $132.3 million of gross written premium for the three months ended March 31, 2010.  No other country represented more than 5% of the Company’s revenues.

17.  SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

For the three months ended March 31, 2010, share-based compensation awards granted were 144,198 restricted shares and 384,890 options, granted on February 24, 2010, with a grant exercise price of $84.63 per share and a per option fair value of $22.06.  The fair value per option was calculated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model.  The following assumptions were used in calculating the fair value of the options granted:

 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2009
Weighted-average volatility
26.82%
 
Weighted-average dividend yield
2.00%
 
Weighted-average expected term
6.74 years
 
Weighted-average risk-free rate
3.04%
 

 
18.  RETIREMENT BENEFITS

The Company maintains both qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plans for its U.S. employees.  In addition, the Company has a retiree health plan for eligible retired employees.

Net periodic benefit cost for U.S. employees included the following components for the periods indicated:

Pension Benefits
 
Three Months Ended
   
March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
 
Service cost
  $ 1,768     $ 1,328  
Interest cost
    1,722       1,635  
Expected return on plan assets
    (1,940 )     (1,098 )
Amortization of prior service cost
    13       12  
Amortization of net loss
    577       728  
FAS 88 settlement charge
    1,395       800  
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 3,535     $ 3,405  
                 
Other Benefits
 
Three Months Ended
   
March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
    2010       2009  
Service cost
  $ 280     $ 203  
Interest cost
    228       203  
Amortization of net loss
    37       -  
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 545     $ 406  

The Company did not make any contributions to the pension benefit plan for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.

19.  RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

During the normal course of business, the Company, through its affiliates, engages in reinsurance and brokerage and commission business transactions with companies controlled by or affiliated with one or more of its outside directors.  Such transactions, individually and in the aggregate, are not material to the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

20.  INCOME TAXES

The Company uses a projected annual effective tax rate to calculate its quarterly tax expense in accordance with FASB guidance.  Under this methodology, when an interim quarter’s pre-tax income (loss) varies significantly from a full year’s income (loss) projection, the tax impact resulting from the income (loss) variance is effectively spread between the impacted quarter and the remaining quarters of the year, except for discreet items impacting an individual quarter.

The Company recognizes accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties in income taxes.  For the three months ended March 31, 2010, the Company expensed approximately $1.1 million in interest and penalties.

21.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company has evaluated known recognized and non-recognized subsequent events.  The Company does not have any subsequent events to report.


ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION

Industry Conditions.
The worldwide reinsurance and insurance businesses are highly competitive, as well as cyclical by product and market.  As such, financial results tend to fluctuate with periods of constrained availability, high rates and strong profits followed by periods of abundant capacity, low rates and constrained profitability.  Competition in the types of reinsurance and insurance business that we underwrite is based on many factors, including the perceived overall financial strength of the reinsurer or insurer, ratings of the reinsurer or insurer by A.M. Best and/or Standard & Poor’s, underwriting expertise, the jurisdictions where the reinsurer or insurer is licensed or otherwise authorized, capacity and coverages offered, premiums charged, other terms and conditions of the reinsurance and insurance business offered, services offered, speed of claims payment and reputation and experience in lines written.  Furthermore, the market impact from these competitive factors related to reinsurance and insurance is generally not consistent across lines of business, domestic and international geographical areas and distribution channels.
 
We compete in the U.S., Bermuda and international reinsurance and insurance markets with numerous global competitors.  Our competitors include independent reinsurance and insurance companies, subsidiaries or affiliates of established worldwide insurance companies, reinsurance departments of certain insurance companies and domestic and international underwriting operations, including underwriting syndicates at Lloyd’s.  Some of these competitors have greater financial resources than we do and have established long term and continuing business relationships, which can be a significant competitive advantage.  In addition, the lack of strong barriers to entry into the reinsurance business and the potential for securitization of reinsurance and insurance risks through capital markets provide additional sources of potential reinsurance and insurance capacity and competition.
 
Starting in the latter part of 2007 and continuing into 2010, there has been a significant slowdown in the global economy, which has negatively impacted the financial resources of the industry.  Excessive availability and use of credit, particularly by individuals, led to increased defaults on sub-prime mortgages in the U.S. and elsewhere, falling values for houses and many commodities and contracting consumer spending.  The significant increase in default rates negatively impacted the value of asset-backed securities held by both foreign and domestic institutions.  The defaults have led to a corresponding increase in foreclosures, which have driven down housing values, resulting in additional losses on asset-backed securities.  During the third and fourth quarters of 2008, credit markets deteriorated dramatically, evidenced by widening credit spreads and dramatically reduced availability of credit.  Many financial institutions, including some insurance entities, experienced liquidity crises due to immediate demands for funds for withdrawals or collateral, combined with falling asset values and their inability to sell assets to meet the increased demands.  As a result, several financial institutions have failed or been acquired at distressed prices, while others have received loans from the U.S. government to continue operations.  The liquidity crisis significantly increased the spreads on fixed maturity securities and, at the same time, had a dramatic and negative impact on the stock markets around the world.  The combination of losses on securities from failed or impaired companies combined with the decline in values of fixed maturity and equity securities resulted in significant declines in the capital bases of most insurance and reinsurance companies.  While there was significant improvement in the financial markets during 2009 and into 2010, recent concerns about the ability of some European countries to repay their bonds has hindered financial market recoveries.  It is too early to predict the timing and extent of the impact these financial market fluctuations will have on insurance and reinsurance market conditions.
 
Worldwide insurance and reinsurance market conditions continued to be very competitive.  Generally, there was ample insurance and reinsurance capacity relative to demand.  We noted, however, that in many markets and lines during 2009 and into 2010, the rates of decline have slowed, pricing in some segments was relatively flat and there was upward movement in some others, particularly property catastrophe coverage.  Competition and its effect on rates, terms and conditions vary widely by market and coverage yet continues to be most prevalent in the U.S. casualty insurance and reinsurance markets.  The U.S. insurance markets in which we participate were extremely competitive as well.


The reinsurance industry has experienced a period of falling rates and volume, particularly in the casualty lines of business.  Profit opportunities have become generally less available over time; however the unfavorable trends seem to be softening.  We are now seeing smaller rate declines, pockets of stability and some increases in some markets and for some coverages.  During the first quarter of 2010, the devastating Chilean earthquake coupled with severe storms in Europe and Australia resulted in significant catastrophe losses to the industry.  It is too early to gauge the market impacts from these losses, but we feel that market conditions should improve for catastrophe coverages in the geographical regions of these losses.
 
Rates in the international markets have generally been stable and we have seen some increases, particularly for catastrophe exposed business.  We have grown our business in the Middle East, Latin America and Asia.  We are expanding our international reach with our new office in Brazil to capitalize on the recently expanded opportunity for professional reinsurers in that market and on the economic growth expected for Brazil in the future.
 
Overall, we believe that current marketplace conditions offer profit opportunities for us given our strong ratings, distribution system, reputation and expertise.  We continue to employ our strategy of targeting business that offers the greatest profit potential, while maintaining balance and diversification in our overall portfolio.
 

Financial Summary.
We monitor and evaluate our overall performance based upon financial results.  The following table displays a summary of the consolidated net (loss) income, ratios and shareholders’ equity for the periods indicated.

   
Three Months Ended
   
Percentage
 
   
March 31,
   
Increase/
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
2010
 
2009
 
(Decrease)
 
Gross written premiums
  $ 1,021.0     $ 997.8       2.3 %
Net written premiums
    969.3       970.7       -0.2 %
                         
REVENUES:
                       
Premiums earned
  $ 927.3     $ 932.3       -0.5 %
Net investment income
    161.5       68.8       134.9 %
Net realized capital gains (losses)
    72.7       (65.1 )     -211.6 %
Realized gain on debt repurchase
    -       78.3    
NA
Net derivative gain (loss)
    3.1       (19.7 )     -115.5 %
Other income (expense)
    5.3       (5.2 )     -203.1 %
Total revenues
    1,169.9       989.3       18.3 %
                         
CLAIMS AND EXPENSES:
                       
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses
    906.9       569.9       59.1 %
Commission, brokerage, taxes and fees
    212.7       226.0       -5.9 %
Other underwriting expenses
    38.9       36.3       7.1 %
Corporate expenses
    4.6       3.8       21.0 %
Interest, fees and bond issue cost amortization expense
    16.6       20.1       -17.4 %
Total claims and expenses
    1,179.7       856.2       37.8 %
                         
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE TAXES
    (9.8 )     133.1       -107.3 %
Income tax expense
    12.9       24.5       -47.4 %
NET (LOSS) INCOME
  $ (22.7 )   $ 108.6       -120.9 %
                         
                   
Point
 
RATIOS:
                 
Change
 
Loss ratio
    97.8 %     61.1 %     36.7  
Commission and brokerage ratio
    22.9 %     24.2 %     (1.3 )
Other underwriting expense ratio
    4.2 %     4.0 %     0.2  
Combined ratio
    124.9 %     89.3 %     35.6  
                         
   
At
 
At
 
Percentage
 
   
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
Increase/
 
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
    2010     2009  
(Decrease)
 
Balance sheet data:
                       
Total investments and cash
  $ 15,044.4     $ 14,918.8       0.8 %
Total assets
    18,160.1       18,001.3       0.9 %
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
    9,299.4       8,937.9       4.0 %
Total debt
    818.0       1,018.0       -19.6 %
Total liabilities
    12,123.1       11,899.6       1.9 %
Shareholders' equity
    6,037.0       6,101.7       -1.1 %
Book value per share
    102.46       102.87          
                         
(NA, not applicable)
                       
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
                       

Revenues.
Premiums.  Gross written premiums increased by $23.2 million, or 2.3%, for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2009, reflecting a $23.5 million increase in our insurance business, partially offset by a decrease of $0.3 million in our reinsurance business.  The increase in insurance premiums were primarily in the workers’ compensation, Florida property and financial institution D&O and E&O lines of business.  Net written premiums decreased $1.5 million, or 0.2%, for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2009.  This change was

 
due to ceded premiums that generally relate to specific reinsurance purchased by the U.S. Insurance operation and fluctuate based upon the level of premiums written in the individual reinsured programs.  Premiums earned decreased $5.0 million, or 0.5%, for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2009, reflective of the lower net written premiums.  The change in net premiums earned relative to net written premiums is the result of timing; premiums are earned ratably over the coverage period, whereas written premiums are recorded at the initiation of the coverage period.
 
Net Investment Income.  Net investment income increased by 134.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2009, due primarily to net investment gains from our limited partnerships that invest in public and non-public securities, both equity and debt.  Gains related to these limited partnerships were $15.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared with losses of $72.9 million for the comparable period in 2009.  As a result, net pre-tax investment income, as a percentage of average invested assets, was up at 4.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to 2.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2009.
 
Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses).  Net realized capital gains were $72.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to net realized capital losses of $65.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  For the three months ended March 31, 2010, we recorded $55.0 million of net realized capital gains from sales on our available for sale fixed maturity and equity securities, and by a $17.7 million gain in fair value re-measurements.  For the three months ended March 31, 2009, we recorded $39.9 million of net realized capital losses, from the sale of fixed maturity and equity securities, $16.9 million loss in fair value re-measurements and $8.3 million due to other-than-temporary impairments.
 
Realized Gain on Debt Repurchase.  On March 19, 2009, we commenced a cash tender offer for any and all of the 6.60% fixed to floating rate long term subordinated notes due 2067.  Upon expiration of the tender offer, we had reduced our outstanding debt by $161.4 million, which resulted in a pre-tax gain on debt repurchase of $78.3 million.
 
Net Derivative Gain (Loss).  In 2005 and prior, we sold seven equity index put option contracts, which are outstanding.  These contracts meet the definition of a derivative in accordance with FASB guidance and as such, are fair valued each quarter with the change recorded as net derivative gain or loss in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.  As a result of these adjustments in value, we recognized net derivative gain of $3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and net derivative loss of $19.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  The change in the fair value of these equity index put option contracts is indicative of the change in the financial markets over the same periods.
 
Other Income (Expense).  We recorded other income of $5.3 million and other expense of $5.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The changes were primarily the result of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates for the corresponding periods.



Claims and Expenses.
Incurred Losses and LAE.  The following table presents our incurred losses and LAE for the periods indicated.

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
   
Current
   
Ratio %/
 
Prior
   
Ratio %/
 
Total
   
Ratio %/
(Dollars in millions)
 
Year
   
Pt Change
 
Years
   
Pt Change
 
Incurred
   
Pt Change
2010
                                         
Attritional (a)
  $ 551.6       59.5 %     $ 0.8       0.1 %     $ 552.4       59.6 %  
Catastrophes
    355.0       38.3 %       (0.6 )     -0.1 %       354.4       38.2 %  
A&E
    -       0.0 %       -       0.0 %       -       0.0 %  
Total
  $ 906.6       97.8 %     $ 0.2       0.0 %     $ 906.9       97.8 %  
                                                       
2009
                                                     
Attritional (a)
  $ 518.8       55.7 %     $ 17.9       1.9 %     $ 536.7       57.6 %  
Catastrophes
    28.9       3.1 %       4.2       0.5 %       33.2       3.6 %  
A&E
    -       0.0 %       -       0.0 %       -       0.0 %  
Total
  $ 547.7       58.8 %     $ 22.2       2.4 %     $ 569.9       61.1 %  
                                                       
Variance 2010/2009
                                                     
Attritional (a)
  $ 32.8       3.8  
pts
  $ (17.1 )     (1.8 )
pts
  $ 15.7       2.0  
pts
Catastrophes
    326.1       35.2  
pts
    (4.8 )     (0.6 )
pts
    321.2       34.6  
pts
A&E
    -       -  
pts
    -       -  
pts
    -       -  
pts
Total
  $ 358.9       39.0  
pts
  $ (22.0 )     (2.4 )
pts
  $ 337.0       36.7  
pts
                                                       
(a) Attritional losses exclude catastrophe and A&E losses.
                                               
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
                                               

Incurred losses and LAE increased by $337.0 million, or 59.1%, for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.  Of the $337.0 million increase, current year catastrophe losses increased $326.1 million corresponding to a loss ratio increase of 35.2 points, period over period, primarily due to the Chile earthquake, winterstorm Xynthia and Australian hailstorms.
 
Commission, Brokerage, Taxes and Fees.  Commission, brokerage, taxes and fees decreased by $13.3 million, or 5.9%, for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.  The decrease was primarily the result of lower commission rates on property contracts in conjunction with the increase in reinstatement premiums, which have no brokerage commissions, and mix of business.
 
Other Underwriting Expenses.  Other underwriting expenses were $38.9 million and $36.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The increase was primarily due to the increase in staff and staff related expenses.
 
Corporate Expenses.  Corporate expenses, which are expenses that are not allocated to segments, were $4.6 million and $3.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  These expenses were previously included as underwriting expenses and therefore included in the other underwriting expense ratio.  Effective January 1, 2010, these expenses were removed from the calculation of the other underwriting expense ratio and prior periods were recalculated to conform.
 
Interest, Fees and Bond Issue Cost Amortization Expense.  Interest and other expense was $16.6 million and $20.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The decrease was primarily due to the combination of the repurchase of debt in March 2009 and the maturing of debt in 2010.
 
Income Tax Expense.  We had income tax expense of $12.9 million and $24.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Our income tax is primarily a function of the statutory tax rates and corresponding pre-tax income in the jurisdictions where we operate, coupled with the impact from tax-preferenced investment income.  Variations in our effective tax rate generally result from changes in the relative levels of pre-tax income among jurisdictions with different tax rates.
 


Net (Loss) Income.
Our net loss was $22.7 million and our net income was $108.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  This decrease was primarily driven by the increase in catastrophe losses in 2010 as compared to 2009 and the other components as discussed above.
 
Ratios.
Our combined ratio increased by 35.6 points to 124.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to 89.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  The loss ratio component increased 36.7 points for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to the same period last year, principally due to the 35.2 point increase in current year catastrophe losses as a result of the Chile earthquake, winterstorm Xynthia and Australian hailstorms.  The other underwriting expense ratio component increased by 0.2 points for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to the same period last year, while the commission and brokerage ratio component decreased by 1.3 points for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to the same period last year, due to lower rates on property contracts and blend and mix of business.
 
Shareholders’ Equity.
Shareholders’ equity decreased by $64.8 million to $6,037.0 million at March 31, 2010 from $6,101.7 million at December 31, 2009, principally as a result of 562,306 common share repurchases for $47.0 million, $28.3 million of shareholder dividends, $22.7 million of net losses and $6.0 million of foreign currency translation adjustments, partially offset by $34.6 million of unrealized appreciation, net of tax, on investments and share-based compensation transactions of $4.3 million.
 
Consolidated Investment Results
 
Net Investment Income.
Net investment income increased 134.9% to $161.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $68.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, primarily due to an increase in recorded gains in 2010 as opposed to recorded losses in 2009 from our limited partnership investments.  The losses in 2009 were the result of 2008 fourth quarter losses from those limited partnerships that invested in non-public securities and are on a quarter reporting lag.
 
The following table shows the components of net investment income for the periods indicated.

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
2010
   
2009
 
Fixed maturities
  $ 145.2     $ 144.6  
Equity securities
    2.5       0.7  
Short-term investments and cash
    (0.3 )     3.6  
Other invested assets
               
Limited partnerships
    15.9       (72.9 )
Other
    0.4       0.8  
Total gross investment income
    163.7       76.7  
Interest credited and other expense
    (2.2 )     (8.0 )
Total net investment income
  $ 161.5     $ 68.8  
                 
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
               



The following tables show a comparison of various investment yields for the periods indicated.

   At    At
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
2010
 
2009
Imbedded pre-tax yield of cash and invested assets
4.1%
 
4.1%
Imbedded after-tax yield of cash and invested assets
3.7%
 
3.6%

 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2010
 
2009
Annualized pre-tax yield on average cash and invested assets
4.4%
 
2.0%
Annualized after-tax yield on average cash and invested assets
3.9%
 
1.9%

Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses).
The following table presents the composition of our net realized capital gains (losses) for the periods indicated.

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
2010
   
2009
   
Variance
 
Gains (losses) from sales:
                 
     Fixed maturity securities, market value
                 
         Gains
  $ 58.6     $ 2.7     $ 55.9  
         Losses
    (5.6 )     (42.3 )     36.7  
     Total
    53.0       (39.6 )     92.6  
                         
Fixed maturity securities, fair value
                       
         Gains
    0.1       0.2       (0.1 )
         Losses
    -       (0.1 )     0.1  
     Total
    0.1       0.1       -  
                         
     Equity securities, market value
                       
         Gains
    2.4       -       2.4  
         Losses
    (0.5 )     -       (0.5 )
     Total
    1.9       -       1.9  
                         
     Equity securities, fair value
                       
         Gains
    -       0.2       (0.2 )
         Losses
    -       (0.7 )     0.7  
     Total
    -       (0.4 )     0.4  
                         
Total net realized capital gains (losses) from sales
                       
         Gains
    61.1       3.1       58.0  
         Losses
    (6.1 )     (43.0 )     36.9  
     Total
    55.0       (39.9 )     94.9  
                         
Other-than-temporary impairments:
    -       (8.3 )     8.3  
                         
Gains (losses) from fair value adjustments:
                       
     Fixed maturities, fair value
    3.0       -       3.0  
     Equity securities, fair value
    14.7       (16.9 )     31.6  
Total
    17.7       (16.9 )     34.6  
                         
Total net realized capital gains (losses)
  $ 72.7     $ (65.1 )   $ 137.8  
                         
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
                       

Net realized capital gains were $72.7 million and net realized capital losses were $65.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  For the three months ended March 31, 2010, we recorded $55.0 million of net realized capital gains from sales of fixed maturity and equity securities and a $17.7 million gain in fair value re-measurements due to fixed maturity and equity securities.  The gains on the sales of fixed maturity securities were primarily the result of selling securities in foreign currencies, which

will reduce our exposure to currency fluctuations in the future.  In contrast, for the three months ended March 31, 2009, we recorded $39.9 million of losses from sales on fixed maturity and equity securities, $16.9 million in losses due to fair value re-measurements on equity securities as a result of the global financial markets credit crisis and $8.3 million of other-than-temporary impairments on our available for sale fixed maturity securities.
 
Segment Results.
Through our subsidiaries, we operate in five segments:  U.S. Reinsurance, U.S. Insurance, Specialty Underwriting, International and Bermuda.  The U.S. Reinsurance operation writes property and casualty reinsurance, on both a treaty and facultative basis, through reinsurance brokers, as well as directly with ceding companies within the U.S.  The U.S. Insurance operation writes property and casualty insurance primarily through general agents, brokers and surplus lines brokers within the U.S.  The Specialty Underwriting operation writes accident and health (“A&H”), marine, aviation and surety business within the U.S. and worldwide through brokers and directly with ceding companies.  The International operation writes non-U.S. property and casualty reinsurance through Everest Re’s branches in Canada and Singapore and offices in Miami and New Jersey.  The Bermuda operation provides reinsurance and insurance to worldwide property and casualty markets and reinsurance to life insurers through brokers and directly with ceding companies from its Bermuda office and reinsurance to the United Kingdom and European markets through its UK branch and the Company’s Ireland location.
 
These segments are managed independently, but conform with corporate guidelines with respect to pricing, risk management, control of aggregate catastrophe exposures, capital, investments and support operations.  Management generally monitors and evaluates the financial performance of these operating segments based upon their underwriting results.
 
Underwriting results include earned premium less losses and LAE incurred, commission and brokerage expenses and other underwriting expenses.  We measure our underwriting results using ratios, in particular loss, commission and brokerage and other underwriting expense ratios, which respectively, divide incurred losses, commissions and brokerage and other underwriting expenses by premiums earned.  We utilize inter-affiliate reinsurance, although such reinsurance does not materially impact segment results, as business is generally reported within the segment in which the business was first produced.
 
Our loss and LAE reserves are our best estimate of our ultimate liability for unpaid claims.  We re-evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis, including all prior period reserves, taking into consideration all available information and, in particular, recently reported loss claim experience and trends related to prior periods.  Such re-evaluations are recorded in incurred losses in the period in which re-evaluation is made.



The following discusses the underwriting results for each of our segments for the periods indicated.

U.S. Reinsurance.
The following table presents the underwriting results and ratios for the U.S. Reinsurance segment for the periods indicated.

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
2010
   
2009
   
Variance
   
% Change
 
Gross written premiums
  $ 244.0     $ 264.3     $ (20.3 )     -7.7 %
Net written premiums
    244.3       260.5       (16.2 )     -6.2 %
                                 
Premiums earned
  $ 236.7     $ 263.2     $ (26.4 )     -10.0 %
Incurred losses and LAE
    153.8       137.8       16.0       11.6 %
Commission and brokerage
    57.2       65.3       (8.1 )     -12.5 %
Other underwriting expenses
    7.8       7.6       0.2       3.2 %
Underwriting gain
  $ 17.9     $ 52.5     $ (34.5 )     -65.8 %
                                 
                           
Point Chg
 
Loss ratio
    65.0 %     52.4 %             12.6  
Commission and brokerage ratio
    24.2 %     24.8 %             (0.6 )
Other underwriting expense ratio
    3.2 %     2.9 %             0.3  
Combined ratio
    92.4 %     80.1 %             12.3  
                                 
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
                               

Premiums. Gross written premiums decreased by 7.7% to $244.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $264.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, primarily due to $20.3 million (23.2%) decrease in U.S. treaty casualty volume, a $13.4 million (63.6%) decrease in facultative volume and a $5.3 million (30.5%) decrease in the crop hail quota share treaties, partially offset by an $18.6 million (13.5%) increase in treaty property volume.  Net written premiums decreased 6.2% to $244.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $260.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, relatively in line with the decrease in gross written premiums.  Premiums earned decreased 10.0% to $236.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $263.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  The change in premiums earned relative to net written premiums is the result of timing; premiums, for proportionate contracts, are earned ratably over the coverage period whereas written premiums are recorded at the initiation of the coverage period.



Incurred Losses and LAE. The following table presents the incurred losses and LAE for the U.S. Reinsurance segment for the periods indicated.

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
   
Current
   
Ratio %/
 
Prior
   
Ratio %/
 
Total
   
Ratio %/
(Dollars in millions)
 
Year
   
Pt Change
 
Years
   
Pt Change
 
Incurred
   
Pt Change
2010
                                         
Attritional
  $ 122.8       51.9 %     $ 0.2       0.1 %     $ 122.9       51.9 %  
Catastrophes
    28.0       11.8 %       2.9       1.2 %       30.9       13.0 %  
A&E
    -       0.0 %       -       0.0 %       -       0.0 %  
Total segment
  $ 150.8       63.7 %     $ 3.0       1.3 %     $ 153.8       65.0 %  
                                                       
2009
                                                     
Attritional
  $ 125.5       47.7 %     $ 12.0       4.6 %     $ 137.6       52.3 %  
Catastrophes
    -       0.0 %       0.2       0.1 %       0.2       0.1 %  
A&E
    -       0.0 %       -       0.0 %       -       0.0 %  
Total segment
  $ 125.5       47.7 %     $ 12.2       4.7 %     $ 137.8       52.4 %  
                                                       
Variance 2010/2009
                                                     
Attritional
  $ (2.7 )     4.2  
pts
  $ (11.8 )     (4.5 )
pts
  $ (14.7 )     (0.4 )
pts
Catastrophes
    28.0       11.8  
pts
    2.7       1.1  
pts
    30.7       12.9  
pts
A&E
    -       -  
pts
    -       -  
pts
    -       -  
pts
Total segment
  $ 25.3       16.0  
pts
  $ (9.2 )     (3.4 )
pts
  $ 16.0       12.6  
pts
                                                       
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
                                               

Incurred losses were $16.0 million (12.6 points) higher at $153.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $137.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, primarily as a result of the $28.0 million (11.8 points) increase in current year catastrophe losses due to the Chile earthquake and windstorm Xynthia.
 
Segment Expenses.  Commission and brokerage expenses decreased by 12.5% to $57.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $65.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, primarily due to the decline in premiums earned.  Segment other underwriting expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2010 increased slightly to $7.8 million from $7.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, due to growth in the overall infrastructure.
 
U.S. Insurance.
The following table presents the underwriting results and ratios for the U.S. Insurance segment for the periods indicated.

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
2010
   
2009
   
Variance
   
% Change
 
Gross written premiums
  $ 228.2     $ 204.7     $ 23.5       11.5 %
Net written premiums
    177.0       182.4       (5.5 )     -3.0 %
                                 
Premiums earned
  $ 161.8     $ 166.0     $ (4.2 )     -2.5 %
Incurred losses and LAE
    112.1       116.0       (4.0 )     -3.4 %
Commission and brokerage
    31.8       31.5       0.3       0.9 %
Other underwriting expenses
    16.6       17.3       (0.7 )     -4.1 %
Underwriting gain
  $ 1.4     $ 1.2     $ 0.2       15.1 %
                                 
                           
Point Chg
 
Loss ratio
    69.3 %     69.9 %             (0.6 )
Commission and brokerage ratio
    19.7 %     19.0 %             0.7  
Other underwriting expense ratio
    10.1 %     10.4 %             (0.3 )
Combined ratio
    99.1 %     99.3 %             (0.2 )
                                 
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
                               
 


Premiums. Gross written premiums increased by 11.5% to $228.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $204.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  Growth was derived from our direct specialty operation in New York, additional property insurance written in Florida and the workers’ compensation business.  Net written premiums decreased by 3.0% to $177.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $182.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 reflective of the change in business mix and cessions to third parties.  Ceded premiums generally relate to specific reinsurance purchased and fluctuate based upon the level of premiums written in the individual reinsured programs.  Premiums earned decreased 2.5% to $161.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $166.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 comparable to the change in net written premiums.
 
Incurred Losses and LAE. The following table presents the incurred losses and LAE for the U.S. Insurance segment for the periods indicated.

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
   
Current
   
Ratio %/
 
Prior
   
Ratio %/
 
Total
   
Ratio %/
(Dollars in millions)
 
Year
   
Pt Change
 
Years
   
Pt Change
 
Incurred
   
Pt Change
2010
                                         
Attritional
  $ 115.4       71.3 %     $ (3.3 )     -2.1 %     $ 112.1       69.3 %  
Catastrophes
    -       0.0 %       -       0.0 %       -       0.0 %  
Total segment
  $ 115.4       71.3 %     $ (3.3 )     -2.1 %     $ 112.1       69.3 %  
                                                       
2009
                                                     
Attritional
  $ 116.0       69.9 %     $ -       0.0 %     $ 116.0       69.9 %  
Catastrophes
    -       0.0 %       -       0.0 %       -       0.0 %  
Total segment
  $ 116.0       69.9 %     $ -       0.0 %     $ 116.0       69.9 %  
                                                       
Variance 2010/2009
                                                     
Attritional
  $ (0.6 )     1.4  
pts
  $ (3.3 )     (2.1 )
pts
  $ (3.9 )     (0.6 )
pts
Catastrophes
    -       -  
pts
    -       -  
pts
    -       -  
pts
Total segment
  $ (0.6 )     1.4  
pts
  $ (3.3 )     (2.1 )
pts
  $ (3.9 )     (0.6 )
pts
                                                       
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
                                               
 
Incurred losses and LAE decreased by 3.4% to $112.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $116.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  The decrease was due to the favorable prior years’ reserve development in 2010 with no development in 2009, partially offset by an increase in the current year’s attritional loss ratio due to the mix of business written.
 
Segment Expenses. Commission and brokerage increased slightly by 0.9% to $31.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $31.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 as a result of higher taxes, licenses and fees on the business written.  Segment other underwriting expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2010 decreased to $16.6 million compared to $17.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 as a result of management’s actions to improve the expense ratio.



Specialty Underwriting.
The following table presents the underwriting results and ratios for the Specialty Underwriting segment for the periods indicated.

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
2010
   
2009
   
Variance
   
% Change
 
Gross written premiums
  $ 65.9     $ 58.9     $ 7.0       11.8 %
Net written premiums
    65.1       58.0       7.2       12.3 %
                                 
Premiums earned
  $ 67.4     $ 63.1     $ 4.3       6.8 %
Incurred losses and LAE
    45.7       40.0       5.7       14.2 %
Commission and brokerage
    16.8       18.6       (1.8 )     -9.6 %
Other underwriting expenses
    2.0       1.8       0.1       5.7 %
Underwriting gain
  $ 2.9     $ 2.7     $ 0.3       10.3 %
                                 
                           
Point Chg
 
Loss ratio
    67.8 %     63.4 %             4.4  
Commission and brokerage ratio
    24.9 %     29.4 %             (4.5 )
Other underwriting expense ratio
    2.9 %     3.0 %             (0.1 )
Combined ratio
    95.6 %     95.8 %             (0.2 )
                                 
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
                               

Premiums. Gross written premiums increased by 11.8% to $65.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $58.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  This was driven by a strong demand in our A&H business, $7.0 million, as more and more employers are self insuring their medical programs leading to more opportunities for us in the medical stop loss business.  Net written premiums increased 12.3% to $65.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $58.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, in line with the increase in gross writings.  Premiums earned increased 6.8% to $67.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $63.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  The change in premiums earned relative to net written premiums is the result of timing; premiums are earned ratably over the coverage period whereas written premiums are recorded at the initiation of the coverage period.
 
Incurred Losses and LAE.  The following table presents the incurred losses and LAE for the Specialty Underwriting segment for the periods indicated.

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
   
Current
   
Ratio %/
 
Prior
   
Ratio %/
 
Total
   
Ratio %/
(Dollars in millions)
 
Year
   
Pt Change
 
Years
   
Pt Change
 
Incurred
   
Pt Change
2010
                                         
Attritional
  $ 44.2       65.5 %     $ -       0.0 %     $ 44.2       65.5 %  
Catastrophes
    -       0.0 %       1.6       2.3 %       1.6       2.3 %  
Total segment
  $ 44.2       65.5 %     $ 1.6       2.3 %     $ 45.7       67.8 %  
                                                       
2009
                                                     
Attritional
  $ 37.7       59.7 %     $ -       0.0 %     $ 37.7       59.7 %  
Catastrophes
    -       0.0 %       2.3       3.7 %       2.3       3.7 %  
Total segment
  $ 37.7       59.7 %     $ 2.3       3.7 %     $ 40.0       63.4 %  
                                                       
Variance 2010/2009
                                                     
Attritional
  $ 6.5       5.8  
pts
  $ -       -  
pts
  $ 6.5       5.8  
pts
Catastrophes
    -       -  
pts
    (0.7 )     (1.4 )
pts
    (0.7 )     (1.4 )
pts
Total segment
  $ 6.5       5.8  
pts
  $ (0.7 )     (1.4 )
pts
  $ 5.7       4.4  
pts
                                                       
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
                                               



Incurred losses and LAE increased by 14.2% to $45.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $40.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, primarily as a result of an increase in expected loss ratios, which increased current year attritional losses in 2010.
 
Segment Expenses. Commission and brokerage decreased 9.6% to $16.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $18.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, primarily driven by the mix of business as the lower commission business, aviation, has increased while higher commission, marine and surety, have declined.  Segment other underwriting expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2010 increased slightly to $2.0 million compared to $1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.
 
International.
The following table presents the underwriting results and ratios for the International segment for the periods indicated.

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
2010
   
2009
   
Variance
   
% Change
 
Gross written premiums
  $ 275.4     $ 250.8     $ 24.6       9.8 %
Net written premiums
    275.3       250.7       24.6       9.8 %
                                 
Premiums earned
  $ 276.6     $ 254.5     $ 22.1       8.7 %
Incurred losses and LAE
    427.6       155.3       272.2       175.3 %
Commission and brokerage
    64.9       66.3       (1.4 )     -2.1 %
Other underwriting expenses
    6.4       4.6       1.8       38.1 %
Underwriting (loss) gain
  $ (222.3 )   $ 28.2     $ (250.5 )  
NM
                                 
                           
Point Chg
 
Loss ratio
    154.6 %     61.0 %             93.6  
Commission and brokerage ratio
    23.5 %     26.1 %             (2.6 )
Other underwriting expense ratio
    2.3 %     1.8 %             0.5  
Combined ratio
    180.4 %     88.9 %             91.5  
                                 
(NM, not meaningful)
                               
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
                               

Premiums. Gross written premiums increased by 9.8% to $275.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $250.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  Continued strong growth in Brazil, $9.9 million increase, and Asia, $10.3 million increase, were partially offset by lower writings in Canada, $2.3 million decrease.  Asia has the largest growth from both new business and increased participation on contracts in Japan and Taiwan.  Also included, were $12.5 million in reinstatement premiums from the Chile earthquake.  Net written premiums increased by 9.8% to $275.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $250.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, principally as a result of the increase in gross written premiums.  Premiums earned increased 8.7% to $276.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $254.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, consistent with the increase in net written premiums.



Incurred Losses and LAE.  The following table presents the incurred losses and LAE for the International segment for the periods indicated.

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
   
Current
   
Ratio %/
 
Prior
   
Ratio %/
 
Total
   
Ratio %/
(Dollars in millions)
 
Year
   
Pt Change
 
Years
   
Pt Change
 
Incurred
   
Pt Change
2010
                                         
Attritional
  $ 162.0       58.6 %     $ (0.2 )     -0.1 %     $ 161.8       58.5 %  
Catastrophes
    267.0       96.5 %       (1.2 )     -0.4 %       265.8       96.1 %  
Total segment
  $ 429.0       155.1 %     $ (1.4 )     -0.5 %     $ 427.6       154.6 %  
                                                       
2009
                                                     
Attritional
  $ 137.5       54.0 %     $ 0.9       0.4 %     $ 138.4       54.4 %  
Catastrophes
    16.2       6.4 %       0.8       0.3 %       17.0       6.7 %  
Total segment
  $ 153.7       60.4 %     $ 1.7       0.7 %     $ 155.3       61.0 %  
                                                       
Variance 2010/2009
                                                     
Attritional
  $ 24.5       4.6  
pts
  $ (1.1 )     (0.5 )
pts
  $ 23.4       4.1  
pts
Catastrophes
    250.8       90.1  
pts
    (2.0 )     (0.7 )
pts
    248.8       89.4  
pts
Total segment
  $ 275.3       94.7  
pts
  $ (3.1 )     (1.2 )
pts
  $ 272.3       93.6  
pts
                                                       
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
                                               

Incurred losses and LAE increased 175.3% to $427.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $155.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  The increase was principally due to the $250.8 million increase in current year catastrophes due to the Chile earthquake ($232.0 million) and the Australian hailstorms ($35.0 million).  Current year attritional losses also increased due to increased expected loss ratios.
 
Segment Expenses. Commission and brokerage decreased 2.1% to $64.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $66.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, primarily as a result of lower contingent commissions.  Segment other underwriting expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2010 increased to $6.4 million compared to $4.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, consistent with expectations.
 
Bermuda.
The following table presents the underwriting results and ratios for the Bermuda segment for the periods indicated.

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
2010
   
2009
   
Variance
   
% Change
 
Gross written premiums
  $ 207.5     $ 219.1     $ (11.5 )     -5.3 %
Net written premiums
    207.6       219.1       (11.5 )     -5.3 %
                                 
Premiums earned
  $ 184.7     $ 185.5     $ (0.8 )     -0.4 %
Incurred losses and LAE
    167.7       120.7       46.9       38.9 %
Commission and brokerage
    41.9       44.3       (2.3 )     -5.3 %
Other underwriting expenses
    6.2       5.0       1.2       23.4 %
Underwriting (loss) gain
  $ (31.1 )   $ 15.4     $ (46.5 )  
NM
                                 
                           
Point Chg
 
Loss ratio
    90.8 %     65.1 %             25.7  
Commission and brokerage ratio
    22.7 %     23.9 %             (1.2 )
Other underwriting expense ratio
    3.3 %     2.7 %             0.6  
Combined ratio
    116.8 %     91.7 %             25.1  
                                 
(NM, not meaningful)
                               
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
                               



Premiums. Gross written premiums decreased 5.3% to $207.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $219.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  Bermuda home office business was down 10.5%, or $9.5 million, due to lower property catastrophe excess of loss business.  Premiums written out of the U.K. branch and Ireland decreased $2.0 million, or 1.6%, as certain large contracts were non-renewed for pricing reasons.  Net written premiums also decreased 5.3% to $207.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $219.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  Premiums earned decreased 0.4% to $184.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $185.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  The change in premiums earned relative to net written premiums is the result of timing; premiums are earned ratably over the coverage period whereas written premiums are recorded at the initiation of the coverage period.
 
Incurred Losses and LAE.  The following table presents the incurred losses and LAE for the Bermuda segment for the periods indicated.

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
   
Current
   
Ratio %/
 
Prior
   
Ratio %/
 
Total
   
Ratio %/
(Dollars in millions)
 
Year
   
Pt Change
 
Years
   
Pt Change
 
Incurred
   
Pt Change
2010
                                         
Attritional
  $ 107.3       58.1 %     $ 4.2       2.3 %     $ 111.5       60.4 %  
Catastrophes
    60.0       32.5 %       (3.8 )     -2.1 %       56.2       30.4 %  
A&E
    -       0.0 %       -       0.0 %       -       0.0 %  
Total segment
  $ 167.3       90.6 %     $ 0.4       0.2 %     $ 167.7       90.8 %  
                                                       
2009
                                                     
Attritional
  $ 102.1       55.0 %     $ 5.0       2.7 %     $ 107.1       57.7 %  
Catastrophes
    12.7       6.9 %       0.9       0.5 %       13.7       7.4 %  
A&E
    -       0.0 %       -       0.0 %       -       0.0 %  
Total segment
  $ 114.8       61.9 %     $ 5.9       3.2 %     $ 120.7       65.1 %  
                                                       
Variance 2010/2009
                                                     
Attritional
  $ 5.2       3.1  
pts
  $ (0.8 )     (0.4 )
pts
  $ 4.4       2.7  
pts
Catastrophes
    47.3       25.6  
pts
    (4.7 )     (2.6 )
pts
    42.5       23.0  
pts
A&E
    -       -  
pts
    -       -  
pts
    -       -  
pts
Total segment
  $ 52.5       28.7  
pts
  $ (5.5 )     (3.0 )
pts
  $ 47.0       25.7  
pts
                                                       
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
                                               

Incurred losses and LAE increased 38.9% to $167.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $120.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  The increase was primarily due to the current year catastrophe losses, the Chilean earthquake and windstorm Xynthia.  In addition, higher expected loss ratios for current year attritional losses also contributed to the increase.
 
Segment Expenses. Commission and brokerage decreased 5.3% to $41.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $44.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  The variance was principally the result of changes in the mix of business.  Segment other underwriting expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2010 increased to $6.2 million from $5.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, in line with expectations.
 
FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
Cash and Invested Assets.  Aggregate invested assets, including cash and short-term investments, were $15,044.4 million at March 31, 2010, an increase of $125.6 million compared to $14,918.8 million at December 31, 2009.  This increase was the result of $271.3 million of cash flows from operations, $72.7 million of realized capital gains, $24.1 million of unrealized appreciation, $17.0 million in equity adjustments of our limited partnership investments and $15.8 million of various smaller items, partially offset by $200.0 million payoff of debt that matured, $47.0 million of share repurchases and $28.3 million paid out in dividends to shareholders.



Our principal investment objectives are to ensure funds are available to meet our insurance and reinsurance obligations and to maximize after-tax investment income while maintaining a high quality diversified investment portfolio.  Considering these objectives, we view our investment portfolio as having two components: 1) the investments needed to satisfy outstanding liabilities and 2) investments funded by our shareholders’ equity.
 
For the portion needed to satisfy outstanding liabilities, we invest in taxable and tax-preferenced fixed income securities with an average credit quality of Aa2, as rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.  Our mix of taxable and tax-preferenced investments is adjusted periodically, consistent with our current and projected operating results, market conditions and our tax position.  This fixed maturity portfolio is externally managed by an independent, professional investment manager using portfolio guidelines approved by us.
 
Over the past few years, we have allocated our equity investment portfolio to include:  1) publicly traded equity securities and 2) private equity limited partnership investments.  The objective of this portfolio diversification is to enhance the risk-adjusted total return of the investment portfolio by allocating a prudent portion of the portfolio to higher return asset classes.  We limit our allocation to these asset classes because of 1) the potential for volatility in their values and 2) the impact of these investments on regulatory and rating agency capital adequacy models.  We adjust our allocation to these investments based upon market conditions.  As a result of the dramatic slowdown in the global economy and the liquidity crisis affecting the financial markets, we significantly reduced our exposure to public equities during the fourth quarter of 2008 and have increased our exposure to equities in the latter part of 2009 and now into 2010, as financial markets improved.  At March 31, 2010, the market value of investments in equity and limited partnership securities, carried at both market and fair value, approximated 16% of shareholders’ equity, an increase of 1 point from 15% of shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2009.
 
The Company’s limited partnership investments are comprised of limited partnerships that invest in public equities and limited partnerships that invest in private equities.  Generally, the public equity limited partnerships are reported on a one month lag while the private equity partnerships are included in the financials on a quarter lag.  All of the limited partnerships are required to report using fair value accounting in accordance with FASB guidance.  We receive annual audited financial statements for all of the limited partnerships.  For the quarterly reports, the Company’s staff performs reviews of the financial reports for any unusual changes in carrying value.  If the Company becomes aware of a significant decline in value during the lag reporting period, the loss will be recorded in the period in which the Company identifies the decline.
 
The tables below summarize the composition and characteristics of our investment portfolio as of the dates indicated:

   
At March 31, 2010
   
At December 31, 2009
 
Fixed maturities, market value
  $ 13,161.2       87.5 %   $ 13,005.9       87.2 %
Fixed maturities, fair value
    65.3       0.4 %     50.5       0.3 %
Equity securities, market value
    16.1       0.1 %     16.3       0.1 %
Equity securities, fair value
    417.6       2.8 %     380.0       2.5 %
Short-term investments
    592.5       3.9 %     673.1       4.5 %
Other invested assets
    577.6       3.9 %     545.3       3.7 %
Cash
    214.2       1.4 %     247.6       1.7 %
Total investments and cash
  $ 15,044.4       100.0 %   $ 14,918.8       100.0 %
                                 
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
                               

 
At
 
At
 
March 31, 2010
 
December 31, 2009
Fixed income portfolio duration (years)
3.9
 
3.8
Fixed income composite credit quality
Aa2
 
Aa2
Imbedded end of period yield, pre-tax
4.1%
 
4.1%
Imbedded end of period yield, after-tax
3.7%
 
3.6%



The following table provides a comparison of our total return by asset class relative to broadly accepted industry benchmarks for the periods indicated:

 
Three Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
March 31, 2010
 
December 31, 2009
Fixed income portfolio total return
1.7%
 
9.4%
Barclay's Capital - U.S. aggregate index
1.8%
 
5.9%
       
Common equity portfolio total return
5.0%
 
28.9%
S&P 500 index
5.4%
 
26.5%
       
Other invested asset portfolio total return
3.2%
 
-1.8%

Reinsurance Receivables.  Reinsurance receivables for both paid and unpaid losses totaled $650.0 million at March 31, 2010 and $636.4 million at December 31, 2009.  At March 31, 2010, $124.5 million, or 19.2%, was receivable from Transatlantic Reinsurance Company; $106.1 million, or 16.3% was receivable from C.V. Starr (Bermuda); $100.0 million, or 15.4%, was receivable from Continental Insurance Company; $54.3 million, or 8.4%, was receivable from Munich Reinsurance Company and $47.9 million, or 7.4%, was receivable from Berkley Insurance Company.  The receivable from Continental Insurance Company is collateralized by a funds held arrangement under which we have retained the premiums earned by the retrocessionaire to secure obligations of the retrocessionaire, recorded them as a liability, credited interest on the balances at a stated contractual rate and reduced the liability account as payments become due.  No other retrocessionaire accounted for more than 5% of our receivables.
 
Loss and LAE Reserves.  Gross loss and LAE reserves totaled $9,299.4 million at March 31, 2010 and $8,937.9 million at December 31, 2009.
 
The following tables summarize gross outstanding loss and LAE reserves by segment, classified by case reserves and IBNR reserves, for the periods indicated:

   
At March 31, 2010
 
   
Case
   
IBNR
   
Total
   
% of
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
Reserves
   
Reserves
   
Reserves
   
Total
 
U.S. Reinsurance
  $ 1,356.6     $ 1,663.8     $ 3,020.4       32.5 %
U.S. Insurance
    744.1       1,173.9       1,918.0       20.6 %
Specialty Underwriting
    231.5       179.9       411.4       4.4 %
International
    728.0       869.1       1,597.1       17.2 %
Bermuda
    701.7       1,025.6       1,727.3       18.6 %
Total excluding A&E
    3,761.9       4,912.3       8,674.2       93.3 %
A&E
    343.5       281.7       625.2       6.7 %
Total including A&E
  $ 4,105.5     $ 5,193.9     $ 9,299.4       100.0 %
                                 
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
                               

   
At December 31, 2009
 
   
Case
   
IBNR
   
Total
   
% of
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
Reserves
   
Reserves
   
Reserves
   
Total
 
U.S. Reinsurance
  $ 1,382.0     $ 1,652.3     $ 3,034.3       34.0 %
U.S. Insurance
    716.2       1,157.1       1,873.4       21.0 %
Specialty Underwriting
    238.5       175.8       414.4       4.6 %
International
    752.1       545.7       1,297.7       14.5 %
Bermuda
    718.8       960.5       1,679.4       18.8 %
Total excluding A&E
    3,807.7       4,491.5       8,299.2       92.9 %
A&E
    354.7       283.9       638.7       7.1 %
Total including A&E
  $ 4,162.4     $ 4,775.4     $ 8,937.9       100.0 %
                                 
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
                               



Changes in premiums earned and business mix, reserve re-estimations, catastrophe losses and changes in catastrophe loss reserves and claim settlement activity all impact loss and LAE reserves by segment and in total.
 
Our loss and LAE reserves represent our best estimate of our ultimate liability for unpaid claims.  We continuously re-evaluate our reserves, including re-estimates of prior period reserves, taking into consideration all available information and, in particular, newly reported loss and claim experience.  Changes in reserves resulting from such re-evaluations are reflected in incurred losses in the period when the re-evaluation is made.  Our analytical methods and processes operate at multiple levels including individual contracts, groupings of like contracts, classes and lines of business, internal business units, segments, legal entities, and in the aggregate.  In order to set appropriate reserves, we make qualitative and quantitative analyses and judgments at these various levels.  Additionally, the attribution of reserves, changes in reserves and incurred losses among accident years requires qualitative and quantitative adjustments and allocations at these various levels.  We utilize actuarial science, business expertise and management judgment in a manner intended to assure the accuracy and consistency of our reserving practices.  Nevertheless, our reserves are estimates, which are subject to variation, which may be significant.
 
There can be no assurance that reserves for, and losses from, claim obligations will not increase in the future, possibly by a material amount.  However, we believe that our existing reserves and reserving methodologies lessen the probability that any such increase would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.  In this context, we note that over the past 10 years, our calendar year operations have been affected by effects from prior period reserve re-estimates, ranging from a favorable $26.4 million in 2005, representing 0.5% of the net prior period reserves for the year in which the adjustment was made, to an unfavorable $249.4 million in 2004, representing 3.7% of the net prior period reserves for the year in which the adjustment was made.
 
Asbestos and Environmental Exposures.  Asbestos and Environmental (“A&E”) exposures represent a separate exposure group for monitoring and evaluating reserve adequacy.  The following table summarizes incurred losses and outstanding loss reserves with respect to A&E reserves on both a gross and net of retrocessions basis for the periods indicated:

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
2010
   
2009
 
Gross Basis:
           
Beginning of period reserves
  $ 638.7     $ 786.8  
Incurred losses
    -       -  
Paid losses
    (13.5 )     (18.0 )
End of period reserves
  $ 625.2     $ 768.8  
                 
Net Basis:
               
Beginning of period reserves
  $ 613.1     $ 749.1  
Incurred losses
    -       -  
Paid losses
    (12.9 )     (17.2 )
End of period reserves
  $ 600.2     $ 731.9  
                 
 (Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                

At March 31, 2010, the gross reserves for A&E losses were comprised of $139.0 million representing case reserves reported by ceding companies, $142.6 million representing additional case reserves established by us on assumed reinsurance claims, $61.9 million representing case reserves established by us on direct excess insurance claims, including Mt. McKinley, and $281.7 million representing IBNR reserves.
 
With respect to asbestos only, at March 31, 2010, we had gross asbestos loss reserves of $595.8 million, or 95.3%, of total A&E reserves, of which $465.9 million was for assumed business and $129.9 million was for direct business.
 


Industry analysts use the “survival ratio” to compare the A&E reserves among companies with such liabilities.  The survival ratio is typically calculated by dividing a company’s current net reserves by the three year average of annual paid losses.  Hence, the survival ratio equals the number of years that it would take to exhaust the current reserves if future loss payments were to continue at historical levels.  Using this measurement, our net three year asbestos survival ratio was 6.3 years at March 31, 2010.  These metrics can be skewed by individual large settlements occurring in the prior three years and therefore, may not be indicative of the timing of future payments.
 
Shareholders’ Equity.  Our shareholders’ equity decreased to $6,037.0 million as of March 31, 2010 from $6,101.7 million as of December 31, 2009.  This decrease was the result of repurchases of 562,306 common shares for $47.0 million, $28.3 million of shareholder dividends, $22.7 million in net loss and $6.0 million of foreign currency translation adjustments, partially offset by the unrealized appreciation on investments, net of tax, of $34.6 million and share-based compensation transactions of $4.3 million.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
Capital.  Our business operations are in part dependent on our financial strength and financial strength ratings, and the market’s perception of our financial strength, as measured by shareholders’ equity, which was $6,037.0 million at March 31, 2010 and $6,101.7 million at December 31, 2009.  On March 13, 2009, Everest Re and Everest National, wholly owned indirect subsidiaries of the Company, received notification of a one level ratings downgrade by Standard & Poor’s.  On April 7, 2010, Standard & Poor’s upgraded the Company’s debt ratings one level.  We continue to possess significant financial flexibility and access to the debt and equity markets as a result of our perceived financial strength, as evidenced by the financial strength ratings as assigned by independent rating agencies.  During the last six months of 2008 and into 2009, the capital markets were illiquid in reaction to the deepening credit crisis which led to bank and other financial institution failures and effective failures.  Credit spreads widened and the equity markets declined significantly during this period making access to the capital markets, for even highly rated companies, difficult and costly.  Our capital position remains strong, commensurate with our financial ratings.  We have ample liquidity to meet our financial obligations for the foreseeable future.  Therefore, we have no foreseeable need to enter the capital markets in the near term.
 
From time to time, we have used open market share repurchases to adjust our capital position and enhance long term expected returns to our shareholders.  On July 21, 2008, our existing authorization to purchase up to 5 million of our shares was amended to authorize the purchase of up to 10 million shares.  On February 24, 2010, our existing authorization to purchase up to 10 million of our shares was amended to authorize the purchase of up to 15 million shares.  As of March 31, 2010, we had repurchased 7.1 million shares under this authorization.
 
On December 17, 2008, we renewed our shelf registration statement on Form S-3ASR with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), as a Well Known Seasoned Issuer.  This shelf registration statement can be used by Group to register common shares, preferred shares, debt securities, warrants, share purchase contracts and share purchase units; by Holdings to register debt securities and by Everest Re Capital Trust III (“Capital Trust III”) to register trust preferred securities.
 
Liquidity.  Our principal investment objectives are to ensure funds are available to meet our insurance and reinsurance obligations and to maximize after-tax investment income while maintaining a high quality diversified investment portfolio.  Considering these objectives, we view our investment portfolio as having two components: 1) the investments needed to satisfy outstanding liabilities and 2) investments funded by our shareholders’ equity.
 
For the portion needed to satisfy outstanding liabilities, we invest in taxable and tax-preferenced fixed income securities with an average credit quality of Aa2, as rated by Moody’s.  Our mix of taxable and tax-preferenced investments is adjusted periodically, consistent with our current and projected operating results, market conditions and our tax position.  This fixed maturity securities portfolio is externally managed by an independent, professional investment manager using portfolio guidelines approved by us.



Over the past few years, we have allocated our equity portfolio to include: 1) publicly traded equity securities and 2) private equity limited partnership investments.  The objective of this portfolio diversification is to enhance the risk-adjusted total return of the investment portfolio by allocating a prudent portion of the portfolio to higher return asset classes.  We limit our allocation to these asset classes because of 1) the potential for volatility in their values and 2) the impact of these investments on regulatory and rating agency capital adequacy models.  We adjust our allocation to these investments based upon market conditions.  As a result of the dramatic slowdown in the global economy and the liquidity crisis affecting the financial markets, we significantly reduced our exposure to public equities during the fourth quarter of 2008 and have increased our exposure to equities in the latter part of 2009 and now into 2010, as financial markets improved.  At March 31, 2010, the market value of investments in equity and limited partnership securities, carried at both market and fair value, approximated 16% of shareholders’ equity.
 
Our liquidity requirements are generally met from positive cash flow from operations.  Positive cash flow results from reinsurance and insurance premiums being collected prior to disbursements for claims, which disbursements generally take place over an extended period after the collection of premiums, sometimes a period of many years.  Collected premiums are generally invested, prior to their use in such disbursements, and investment income provides additional funding for loss payments.  Our net cash flows from operating activities were $271.3 million and $180.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Additionally, these cash flows reflected net tax payments of $12.8 million and $27.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively; net catastrophe loss payments of $50.9 million and $74.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively; and net A&E payments of $12.9 million and $17.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
If disbursements for claims and benefits, policy acquisition costs and other operating expenses were to exceed premium inflows, cash flow from insurance operations would be negative.  The effect on cash flow from insurance operations would be partially offset by cash flow from investment income.  Additionally, cash inflows from investment maturities and dispositions, both short-term investments and longer term maturities are available to supplement other operating cash flows.
 
As the timing of payments for claims and benefits cannot be predicted with certainty, we maintain portfolios of long term invested assets with varying maturities, along with short-term investments that provide additional liquidity for payment of claims.  At March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, we held cash and short-term investments of $806.6 million and $920.7 million, respectively.  All of our short-term investments are readily marketable and can be converted to cash.  In addition to these cash and short-term investments, at March 31, 2010, we had $684.9 million of available for sale fixed maturity securities maturing within one year or less, $3,459.0 million maturing within one to five years and $5,751.7 million maturing after five years.  Our $433.7 million of equity securities are comprised primarily of publicly traded securities that can be easily liquidated.  We believe that these fixed maturity and equity securities, in conjunction with the short-term investments and positive cash flow from operations, provide ample sources of liquidity for the expected payment of losses in the near future.  We do not anticipate selling securities or using available credit facilities to pay losses and LAE but have the ability to do so.  Sales of securities might result in realized capital gains or losses.  At March 31, 2010 we had $416.7 million of net pre-tax unrealized appreciation, comprised of $545.3 million of pre-tax unrealized appreciation and $128.6 million of pre-tax unrealized depreciation.
 
Management expects annual positive cash flow from operations, which in general reflects the strength of overall pricing, to persist over the near term, absent any unusual catastrophe activity.  In the intermediate and long term, our cash flow from operations will be impacted to the extent by which competitive pressures affect overall pricing in our markets and by which our premium receipts are impacted from our strategy of emphasizing underwriting profitability over premium volume.


Effective July 27, 2007, Group, Everest Reinsurance (Bermuda), Ltd. (“Bermuda Re”) and Everest International Reinsurance, Ltd. (“Everest International”) entered into a five year, $850.0 million senior credit facility with a syndicate of lenders referred to as the “Group Credit Facility”.  Wachovia Bank, a subsidiary of Wells Fargo Corporation (“Wachovia Bank”) is the administrative agent for the Group Credit Facility, which consists of two tranches.  Tranche one provides up to $350.0 million of unsecured revolving credit for liquidity and general corporate purposes, and for the issuance of unsecured standby letters of credit.  The interest on the revolving loans shall, at the Company’s option, be either (1) the Base Rate (as defined below) or (2) an adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus a margin.  The Base Rate is the higher of (a) the prime commercial lending rate established by Wachovia Bank or (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5% per annum.  The amount of margin and the fees payable for the Group Credit Facility depends on Group’s senior unsecured debt rating.  Tranche two exclusively provides up to $500.0 million for the issuance of standby letters of credit on a collateralized basis.
 
The Group Credit Facility requires Group to maintain a debt to capital ratio of not greater than 0.35 to 1 and to maintain a minimum net worth.  Minimum net worth is an amount equal to the sum of $3,575.4 million plus 25% of consolidated net income for each of Group’s fiscal quarters, for which statements are available ending on or after January 1, 2007 and for which consolidated net income is positive, plus 25% of any increase in consolidated net worth during such period attributable to the issuance of ordinary and preferred shares, which at March 31, 2010, was $4,064.4 million.  As of March 31, 2010, the Company was in compliance with all Group Credit Facility covenants.
 
At March 31, 2010, the Group Credit Facility had no outstanding letters of credit under tranche one and $360.0 million outstanding letters of credit under tranche two.  At December 31, 2009, the Group Credit Facility had no outstanding letters of credit under tranche one and $386.5 million outstanding letters of credit under tranche two.
 
Effective August 23, 2006, Holdings entered into a five year, $150.0 million senior revolving credit facility with a syndicate of lenders referred to as the “Holdings Credit Facility”.  Citibank N.A. is the administrative agent for the Holdings Credit Facility.  The Holdings Credit Facility may be used for liquidity and general corporate purposes.  The Holdings Credit Facility provides for the borrowing of up to $150.0 million with interest at a rate selected by Holdings equal to either, (1) the Base Rate (as defined below) or (2) a periodic fixed rate equal to the Eurodollar Rate plus an applicable margin.  The Base Rate means a fluctuating interest rate per annum in effect from time to time to be equal to the higher of (a) the rate of interest publicly announced by Citibank as its prime rate or (b) 0.5% per annum above the Federal Funds Rate, in each case plus the applicable margin.  The amount of margin and the fees payable for the Holdings Credit Facility depends upon Holdings’ senior unsecured debt rating.
 
The Holdings Credit Facility requires Holdings to maintain a debt to capital ratio of not greater than 0.35 to 1 and Everest Reinsurance Company (“Everest Re”) to maintain its statutory surplus at $1.5 billion plus 25% of future aggregate net income and 25% of future aggregate capital contributions after December 31, 2005, which at March 31, 2010, was $1,933.8 million.  As of March 31, 2010, Holdings was in compliance with all Holdings Credit Facility covenants.
 
At March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Holdings Credit Facility had outstanding letters of credit of $17.0 million and $28.0 million, respectively.
 
Costs incurred in connection with the Group Credit Facility and the Holdings Credit Facility were $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.



Market Sensitive Instruments.
The SEC’s Financial Reporting Release #48 requires registrants to clarify and expand upon the existing financial statement disclosure requirements for derivative financial instruments, derivative commodity instruments and other financial instruments (collectively, “market sensitive instruments”).  We do not generally enter into market sensitive instruments for trading purposes.
 
Our current investment strategy seeks to maximize after-tax income through a high quality, diversified, taxable and tax-preferenced fixed maturity portfolio, while maintaining an adequate level of liquidity.  Our mix of taxable and tax-preferenced investments is adjusted periodically, consistent with our current and projected operating results, market conditions and our tax position.  The fixed maturity securities in the investment portfolio are comprised of non-trading available for sale securities.  Additionally, we have invested in equity securities.  We have also written a small number of equity index put option contracts.
 
The overall investment strategy considers the scope of present and anticipated Company operations.  In particular, estimates of the financial impact resulting from non-investment asset and liability transactions, together with our capital structure and other factors, are used to develop a net liability analysis.  This analysis includes estimated payout characteristics for which our investments provide liquidity.  This analysis is considered in the development of specific investment strategies for asset allocation, duration and credit quality.  The change in overall market sensitive risk exposure principally reflects the asset changes that took place during the period.
 
Interest Rate Risk.  Our $15.0 billion investment portfolio, at March 31, 2010, is principally comprised of fixed maturity securities, which are generally subject to interest rate risk and some foreign currency exchange rate risk, and some equity securities, which are subject to price fluctuations and some foreign exchange rate risk.  The impact of the foreign exchange risks on the investment portfolio is partially mitigated by changes in the dollar value of foreign currency denominated liabilities and their associated income statement impact.
 
Interest rate risk is the potential change in value of the fixed maturity securities portfolio, including short-term investments, from a change in market interest rates.  In a declining interest rate environment, it includes prepayment risk on the $3,019.0 million of mortgage-backed securities in the $13,226.5 million fixed maturity portfolio.  Prepayment risk results from potential accelerated principal payments that shorten the average life and thus the expected yield of the security.
 
The table below displays the potential impact of market value fluctuations and after-tax unrealized appreciation on our fixed maturity securities portfolio (including $592.5 million of short-term investments) for the period indicated based on upward and downward parallel and immediate 100 and 200 basis point shifts in interest rates.  For legal entities with a U.S. dollar functional currency, this modeling was performed on each security individually.  To generate appropriate price estimates on mortgage-backed securities, changes in prepayment expectations under different interest rate environments were taken into account.  For legal entities with a non-U.S. dollar functional currency, the effective duration of the involved portfolio of securities was used as a proxy for the market value change under the various interest rate change scenarios.

   
Impact of Interest Rate Shift in Basis Points
 
   
At March 31, 2010
 
      -200     -100     0     100     200
(Dollars in millions)
                                       
Total Market/Fair Value
  $ 14,864.6     $ 14,376.0     $ 13,819.0     $ 13,216.7     $ 12,620.3  
Market/Fair Value Change from Base (%)
    7.6 %     4.0 %     0.0 %     -4.4 %     -8.7 %
Change in Unrealized Appreciation
                                       
After-tax from Base ($)
  $ 819.2     $ 435.2     $ -     $ (468.5 )   $ (938.0 )

We had $9,299.4 million and $8,937.9 million of gross reserves for losses and LAE as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.  These amounts are recorded at their nominal value, as opposed to present value, which would reflect a discount adjustment to reflect the time value of money.  Since losses are paid out over a period of time, the present value of the reserves is less than the nominal value.  As interest rates rise, the present value of the reserves decreases and, conversely, as interest rates decline, the


present value increases.  These movements are the opposite of the interest rate impacts on the fair value of investments.  While the difference between present value and nominal value is not reflected in our financial statements, our financial results will include investment income over time from the investment portfolio until the claims are paid.  Our loss and loss reserve obligations have an expected duration of approximately 4.1 years, which is reasonably consistent with our fixed income portfolio.  If we were to discount our loss and LAE reserves, net of $0.7 billion of reinsurance receivables on unpaid losses, the discount would be approximately $1.5 billion resulting in a discounted reserve balance of approximately $7.1 billion, representing approximately 51.4% of the market value of the fixed maturity investment portfolio funds.
 
Equity Risk.  Equity risk is the potential change in fair and/or market value of the common stock and preferred stock portfolios arising from changing equity prices.  Our equity investments consist of a diversified portfolio of individual securities and mutual funds, which invest principally in high quality common and preferred stocks that are traded on the major exchanges.  The primary objective of the equity portfolio is to obtain greater total return relative to bonds over time through market appreciation and income.
 
The table below displays the impact on fair/market value and after-tax change in fair/market value of a 10% and 20% change in equity prices up and down for the period indicated.

   
Impact of Percentage Change in Equity Fair/Market Values
 
   
At March 31, 2010
 
(Dollars in millions)
    -20%     -10%     0%     10%     20%
Fair/Market Value of the Equity Portfolio
  $ 347.0     $ 390.3     $ 433.7     $ 477.1     $ 520.5  
After-tax Change in Fair/Market Value
    (56.6 )     (28.3 )     -       28.3       56.6  

Foreign Currency Risk.  Foreign currency risk is the potential change in value, income and cash flow arising from adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates.  Each of our non-U.S./Bermuda (“foreign”) operations maintains capital in the currency of the country of its geographic location consistent with local regulatory guidelines.  Each foreign operation may conduct business in its local currency, as well as the currency of other countries in which it operates.  The primary foreign currency exposures for these foreign operations are the Canadian Dollar, the British Pound Sterling and the Euro.  We mitigate foreign exchange exposure by generally matching the currency and duration of our assets to our corresponding operating liabilities.  In accordance with FASB guidance, we translate the assets, liabilities and income of non-U.S. dollar functional currency legal entities to the U.S. dollar.  This translation amount is reported as a component of other comprehensive income.  As of March 31, 2010 there has been no material change in exposure to foreign exchange rates as compared to December, 31, 2009.
 
Equity Index Put Option Contracts.  Although not considered material in the context of our aggregate exposure to market sensitive instruments, we have issued six equity index put option contracts based on the Standard & Poor’s 500 (“S&P 500”) index and one equity index put option contract based on the FTSE 100 index, that are market sensitive and sufficiently unique to warrant supplemental disclosure.
 
The Company sold six equity index put option contracts, based on the Standard & Poor’s 500 (“S&P 500”) index, for total consideration, net of commissions, of $22.5 million.  At March 31, 2010, fair value for these equity index put option contracts was $48.8 million.  These equity index put option contracts each have a single exercise date, with maturities ranging from 12 to 30 years and strike prices ranging from $1,141.21 to $1,540.63.  No amounts will be payable under these equity index put option contracts if the S&P 500 index is at, or above, the strike prices on the exercise dates, which fall between June 2017 and March 2031.  If the S&P 500 index is lower than the strike price on the applicable exercise date, the amount due would vary proportionately with the percentage by which the index is below the strike price.  Based on historical index volatilities and trends and the March 31, 2010 S&P 500 index value, the Company estimates the probability that each equity index put option contract of the S&P 500 index falling below the strike price on the exercise date to be less than 35%.  The theoretical maximum payouts under the equity index put option contracts would occur if on each of the exercise dates the S&P 500 index value were zero.  At March 31, 2010, the present value of these theoretical maximum payouts using a 6% discount factor was $257.7 million.



The Company sold one equity index put option contract based on the FTSE 100 index, for total consideration, net of commissions, of $6.7 million.  At March 31, 2010, fair value for this equity index put option contract was $5.5 million.  This equity index put option contract has an exercise date of July 2020 and a strike price of ₤5,989.75.  No amount will be payable under this equity index put option contract if the FTSE 100 index is at, or above, the strike price on the exercise date.  If the FTSE 100 index is lower than the strike price on the exercise date, the amount due will vary proportionately with the percentage by which the index is below the strike price.  Based on historical index volatilities and trends and the March 31, 2010 FTSE 100 index value, the Company estimates the probability that the equity index put option contract of the FTSE 100 index will fall below the strike price on the exercise date to be less than 29%.  The theoretical maximum payout under the equity index put contract would occur if on the exercise date the FTSE 100 index value was zero.  At March 31, 2010, the present value of the theoretical maximum payout using a 6% discount factor and current exchange rate was $27.4 million.
 
Because the equity index put option contracts meet the definition of a derivative, we report the fair value of these instruments in our consolidated balance sheets as a liability and record any changes to fair value in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income as net derivative gain or loss.  Our financial statements reflect fair values for our obligations on these equity index put option contracts at March 31, 2010 and 2009, of $54.3 million and $80.3 million, respectively; however, we do not believe that the ultimate settlement of these transactions is likely to require a payment that would exceed the initial consideration received, or any payment at all.
 
As there is no active market for these instruments, the determination of their fair value is based on an industry accepted option pricing model, which requires estimates and assumptions, including those regarding volatility and expected rates of return.
 
The table below displays the impact of potential movements in interest rates and the equity indices, which are the principal factors affecting fair value of these instruments, looking forward from the fair value for the period indicated.  As these are estimates, there can be no assurance regarding future market performance.  The asymmetrical results of the interest rate and S&P 500 and FTSE 100 indices shift reflect that the liability cannot fall below zero whereas it can increase to its theoretical maximum.

   
Equity Indices Put Options Obligation – Sensitivity Analysis
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
At March 31, 2010
 
Interest Rate Shift in Basis Points:
    -200     -100     0     100     200
Total Fair Value
  $ 94.0     $ 71.6     $ 54.3     $ 41.0     $ 30.8  
Fair Value Change from Base (%)
    -73.1 %     -31.9 %     0.0 %     24.5 %     43.3 %
                                         
Equity Indices Shift in Points (S&P 500/FTSE 100):
    -500/-2000     -250/-1000     0     250/1000     500/2000
Total Fair Value
  $ 110.0     $ 76.4     $ 54.3     $ 39.1     $ 29.2  
Fair Value Change from Base (%)
    -102.5 %     -40.8 %     0.0 %     28.0 %     46.3 %
                                         
Combined Interest Rate /
    -200/     -100/             100/     200/
   Equity Indices Shift (S&P 500/FTSE 100):
    -500/-2000     -250/-1000     0/0     250/1000     500/2000
Total Fair Value
  $ 169.5     $ 98.1     $ 54.3     $ 29.0     $ 15.0  
Fair Value Change from Base (%)
    -212.2 %     -80.6 %     0.0 %     46.6 %     72.4 %

Safe Harbor Disclosure.
This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws.  We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements in the federal securities laws.  In some cases, these statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “expect”, “plan”, “believe”, “predict”, “potential” and “intend”.  Forward-looking statements contained in this report include information regarding our reserves for losses and LAE, the adequacy of our provision for uncollectible balances, estimates of our catastrophe exposure, the effects of catastrophic events on our financial statements, the ability of Everest Re, Holdings, Everest Underwriting Group (Ireland) Limited and Bermuda Re to pay dividends and the settlement costs of our specialized equity index put option contracts.  Forward-looking statements only reflect our expectations and are not guarantees of performance.  These statements


involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions.  Actual events or results may differ materially from our expectations.  Important factors that could cause our actual events or results to be materially different from our expectations include the uncertainties that surround the impact on our financial statements and liquidity resulting from changes in the global economy and credit markets, the estimating of reserves for losses and LAE, those discussed in Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) included in this report and the risks described under the caption “Risk Factors” in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, PART 1, ITEM 1A.  We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
 
 
ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
Market Risk Instruments.  See “Liquidity and Capital Resources - Market Sensitive Instruments” in PART I – ITEM 2.


ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
As of the end of the period covered by this report, our management carried out an evaluation, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)).  Based on their evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.  Our management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, also conducted an evaluation of our internal control over financial reporting to determine whether any changes occurred during the quarter covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.  Based on that evaluation, there has been no such change during the quarter covered by this report.
 
 
PART II
 
ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
In the ordinary course of business, we are involved in lawsuits, arbitrations and other formal and informal dispute resolution procedures, the outcomes of which will determine our rights and obligations under insurance, reinsurance and other contractual agreements.  These disputes arise from time to time and are ultimately resolved through both informal and formal means, including negotiated resolution, arbitration and litigation.  In all such matters, we believe that our positions are legally and commercially reasonable, and we vigorously seek to preserve, enforce and defend our legal rights under various agreements.  While the final outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that any of these matters, when finally resolved, will have a material adverse effect on our financial position or liquidity.  However, an adverse resolution of one or more of these items in any one quarter or fiscal year could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in that period.

 
ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS
 
No material changes.
 



ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
   
(a)
   
(b)
   
(c)
   
(d)
 
                     
Maximum Number (or
 
               
Total Number of
   
Approximate Dollar
 
               
Shares (or Units)
   
Value) of Shares (or
 
               
Purchased as Part
   
Units) that May Yet
 
   
Total Number of
         
of Publicly
   
Be Purchased Under
 
   
Shares (or Units)
   
Average Price Paid
   
Announced Plans or
   
the Plans or
 
Period
 
Purchased(1)
   
per Share (or Unit)
   
Programs
   
Programs (2)
 
January 1 - 31, 2010
    0     $ -       0       3,470,563  
February 1 - 28, 2010
    414,112     $ 82.9986       401,718       8,068,845  
March 1 - 31, 2010
    160,588     $ 85.2870       160,588       7,908,257  
Total
    574,700     $ 83.6380       562,306       7,908,257  

(1)       Included were 12,394 shares withheld as payment for taxes on restricted shares that became unrestricted in the year.
 
(2)       On September 21, 2004, the Company’s board of directors approved an amended share repurchase program authorizing the Company and/or its subsidiary Holdings to purchase up to an aggregate of 5,000,000 of the Company’s common shares through open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions or both.  On July 21, 2008, the Company’s executive committee of the board of directors approved an amendment to the September 21, 2004 share repurchase program authorizing the Company and/or its subsidiary Holdings to purchase up to an aggregate of 10,000,000 of the Company’s common shares (recognizing that the number of shares authorized for repurchase has been reduced by those shares that have already been purchased) in open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions or both.  On February 24, 2010, the Company’s executive committee of the board of directors approved an amendment to the September 21, 2004, share repurchase program and the July 21, 2008, amendment authorizing the Company and/or its subsidiary Holdings, to purchase up to 15,000,000 of the Company’s common shares (recognizing that the number of shares authorized for repurchase has been reduced by those shares that have already been purchased) in open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions or both.

 
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

 
ITEM 4.  RESERVED
 

ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION

None.





ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS

Exhibit Index:
 
Exhibit No.  
Description
 
*10.1
Amendment of Change of Control Agreement by and among Everest Reinsurance Company, Everest Reinsurance Holdings, Inc., Everest Re Group, Ltd., Everest Global Services, Inc. and Joseph V. Taranto, dated March 9, 2010, filed herewith
 
   31.1
Section 302 Certification of Joseph V. Taranto
                  
   31.2
Section 302 Certification of Dominic J. Addesso
                  
   32.1
 Section 906 Certification of Joseph V. Taranto and Dominic J. Addesso
_____________
 * Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.




Everest Re Group, Ltd.

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.

Everest Re Group, Ltd.
(Registrant)


/S/ DOMINIC J. ADDESSO
Dominic J. Addesso
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer)

Dated:  May 10, 2010