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GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD. - Quarter Report: 2012 June (Form 10-Q)




UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549 
__________________________
FORM 10-Q 
__________________________
(Mark One)
 x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
 
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2012

or
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
 
For the transition period from         to
Commission file number 001-33493
____________________________________________________________________________________
GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
____________________________________________________________________________________
CAYMAN ISLANDS
N/A
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. employer identification no.)
 
65 MARKET STREET
SUITE 1207, CAMANA BAY
P.O. BOX 31110
GRAND CAYMAN
CAYMAN ISLANDS
 
 
 
 
KY1-1205
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip code)

(345) 943-4573
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report) 
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 x 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. (Check one): 
Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)            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

Class A Ordinary Shares, $0.10 par value
30,423,704
Class B Ordinary Shares, $0.10 par value
6,254,949
(Class)                      
(Outstanding as of July 27, 2012)





GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk                                                                                                              
Controls and Procedures                                                                                                           
Legal Proceedings                                                                                                          
Risk Factors                                                                                                               
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds                                                      
Defaults Upon Senior Securities                                                                                                               
Other Information                                                                                                               
Exhibits                                                                                                               



 

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PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011
(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share and share amounts)
 
June 30, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
 
(unaudited)
 
(audited)
Assets
 
 
 
Investments
 
 
 
Debt instruments, trading, at fair value
$
9,088

 
$
10,639

Equity securities, trading, at fair value
1,058,729

 
890,822

Other investments, at fair value
138,513

 
128,685

Total investments
1,206,330

 
1,030,146

Cash and cash equivalents
11,262

 
42,284

Restricted cash and cash equivalents
922,889

 
957,462

Financial contracts receivable, at fair value
23,972

 
23,673

Reinsurance balances receivable
179,958

 
141,278

Loss and loss adjustment expenses recoverable
36,911

 
29,758

Deferred acquisition costs, net
60,321

 
68,725

Unearned premiums ceded
11,929

 
27,233

Notes receivable
19,082

 
17,437

Other assets
4,755

 
5,492

Total assets
$
2,477,409

 
$
2,343,488

Liabilities and equity
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value
$
663,542

 
$
683,816

Financial contracts payable, at fair value
12,972

 
6,324

Due to prime brokers
365,007

 
260,359

Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
294,647

 
241,279

Unearned premium reserves
208,766

 
225,735

Reinsurance balances payable
37,947

 
32,192

Funds withheld
33,185

 
38,031

Other liabilities
7,777

 
10,054

Performance compensation payable to related party
7,870



Total liabilities
1,631,713

 
1,497,790

Equity
 
 
 
Preferred share capital (par value $0.10; authorized, 50,000,000; none issued)

 

Ordinary share capital (Class A: par value $0.10; authorized, 100,000,000; issued and outstanding, 30,423,704 (2011: 30,283,200): Class B: par value $0.10; authorized, 25,000,000; issued and outstanding, 6,254,949 (2011: 6,254,949))
3,668

 
3,654

Additional paid-in capital
490,215

 
488,478

Retained earnings
340,035

 
310,971

Shareholders’ equity attributable to shareholders
833,918

 
803,103

Non-controlling interest in joint venture
11,778

 
42,595

Total equity
845,696

 
845,698

Total liabilities and equity
$
2,477,409

 
$
2,343,488

 
  The accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an
integral part of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
 
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011
(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share and share amounts)
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Revenues
 
 

 
 
 
 
Gross premiums written
$
83,986

 
$
113,266

 
$
236,206

 
$
214,005

Gross premiums ceded
4,602

 
(17,183
)
 
(6,393
)
 
(20,659
)
Net premiums written
88,588

 
96,083

 
229,813

 
193,346

Change in net unearned premium reserves
41,426

 
11,068

 
1,789

 
18,962

Net premiums earned
130,014

 
107,151

 
231,602

 
212,308

Net investment income (loss)
(36,896
)
 
(19,469
)
 
34,711

 
(55,645
)
Other income (expense), net
(236
)
 
(86
)
 
(448
)
 
(347
)
Total revenues
92,882

 
87,596

 
265,865

 
156,316

Expenses
 
 

 
 
 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred, net
87,337

 
56,870

 
150,644

 
122,595

Acquisition costs, net
37,905

 
42,824

 
73,930

 
84,945

General and administrative expenses
4,359

 
4,336

 
8,982

 
9,335

Total expenses
129,601

 
104,030

 
233,556

 
216,875

Income (loss) before income tax expense
(36,719
)
 
(16,434
)
 
32,309

 
(60,559
)
Income tax benefit (expense)
201

 
(40
)
 
(62
)
 
(41
)
Net income (loss) including non-controlling interest
(36,518
)
 
(16,474
)
 
32,247

 
(60,600
)
(Income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest in joint venture
449

 
513

 
(3,183
)
 
1,649

Net income (loss)
$
(36,069
)
 
$
(15,961
)
 
$
29,064

 
$
(58,951
)
Earnings (loss) per share
 
 

 
 
 

Basic
$
(0.98
)
 
$
(0.44
)
 
$
0.80

 
$
(1.63
)
Diluted
$
(0.98
)
 
$
(0.44
)
 
$
0.78

 
$
(1.63
)
Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in the determination of earnings (loss) per share
 
 

 
 
 

Basic
36,660,267

 
36,153,743

 
36,605,610

 
36,153,743

Diluted
36,660,267

 
36,153,743

 
37,338,484

 
36,153,743

 

 
The accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an
integral part of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. 


 
 

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GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(UNAUDITED)
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011
(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 
Ordinary share capital
 
Additional paid-in capital
 
Retained earnings
 
Shareholders' Equity Attributable to Shareholders
 
Non-controlling
interest in joint venture
 
Total Equity
Balance at December 31, 2010
$
3,646

 
$
485,555

 
$
304,202

 
$
793,403

 
$
45,758

 
$
839,161

Issue of Class A ordinary shares, net of forfeitures
12

 

 

 
12

 

 
12

Share-based compensation expense, net of forfeitures

 
2,012

 

 
2,012

 

 
2,012

Non-controlling interest withdrawal from joint venture, net

 

 

 

 
(10,400
)
 
(10,400
)
Income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest in joint venture

 

 

 

 
(1,649
)
 
(1,649
)
Net income (loss)

 

 
(58,951
)
 
(58,951
)
 

 
(58,951
)
Balance at June 30, 2011
$
3,658

 
$
487,567

 
$
245,251

 
$
736,476

 
$
33,709

 
$
770,185

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2011
$
3,654

 
$
488,478

 
$
310,971

 
$
803,103

 
$
42,595

 
$
845,698

Issue of Class A ordinary shares, net of forfeitures
14

 

 

 
14

 

 
14

Share-based compensation expense, net of forfeitures

 
1,737

 

 
1,737

 

 
1,737

Non-controlling interest withdrawal from joint venture, net

 

 

 

 
(34,000
)
 
(34,000
)
Income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest in joint venture

 

 

 

 
3,183

 
3,183

Net income (loss)

 

 
29,064

 
29,064

 

 
29,064

Balance at June 30, 2012
$
3,668

 
$
490,215

 
$
340,035

 
$
833,918

 
$
11,778

 
$
845,696



The accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an
integral part of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. 


 

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GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
For the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011
(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)
 
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities
 
 
 
Net income (loss) 
29,064

 
(58,951
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
 
 

Net change in unrealized gains and losses on investments and financial contracts
(62,309
)
 
92,833

Net realized (gains) losses on investments and financial contracts
5,513

 
(57,394
)
Foreign exchange (gains) losses on restricted cash and cash equivalents
1,208

 
7,630

Income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest in joint venture
3,183

 
(1,649
)
Share-based compensation expense, net of forfeitures
1,751

 
2,024

Depreciation expense
125

 
112

Net change in
 
 

Reinsurance balances receivable
(38,680
)
 
(8,862
)
Loss and loss adjustment expenses recoverable
(7,153
)
 
(3,260
)
Deferred acquisition costs, net
8,404

 
6,764

Unearned premiums ceded
15,304

 
(10,735
)
Other assets
612

 
(1,590
)
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
53,368

 
32,151

Unearned premium reserves
(16,969
)
 
(8,068
)
Reinsurance balances payable
5,755

 
7,988

Funds withheld
(4,846
)
 
4,364

Other liabilities
(2,277
)
 
(1,413
)
Performance compensation payable to related party
7,870

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
(77
)
 
1,944

Investing activities
 
 

Purchases of investments and financial contracts
(809,588
)
 
(800,629
)
Sales of investments and financial contracts
676,275

 
727,485

Change in due to prime brokers
104,648

 
36,421

Change in restricted cash and cash equivalents, net
33,365

 
13,000

Change in notes receivable, net
(1,645
)
 
(3,750
)
Non-controlling interest withdrawal from joint venture
(34,000
)
 
(10,400
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(30,945
)
 
(37,873
)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(31,022
)
 
(35,929
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period
42,284

 
45,540

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period
11,262

 
9,611

Supplementary information
 
 

Interest paid in cash
13,796

 
9,203

Interest received in cash
498

 
876

Income tax paid in cash

 
144


The accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an
integral part of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. 

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GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
 
June 30, 2012
 
 
1.   ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. (‘‘GLRE”) was incorporated as an exempted company under the Companies Law of the Cayman Islands on July 13, 2004. GLRE’s principal wholly-owned subsidiary, Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. (‘‘Greenlight Re”), provides global specialty property and casualty reinsurance. Greenlight Re has an unrestricted Class ‘‘B” insurance license under Section 4(2) of the Cayman Islands Insurance Law. Greenlight Re commenced underwriting in April 2006. Effective May 30, 2007, GLRE completed an initial public offering of 11,787,500 Class A ordinary shares at $19.00 per share. Concurrently, 2,631,579 Class B ordinary shares of GLRE were sold at $19.00 per share in a private placement offering.  During 2008, Verdant Holding Company, Ltd. (‘‘Verdant”), a wholly owned subsidiary of GLRE, was incorporated in the state of Delaware. During 2010, GLRE established Greenlight Reinsurance Ireland, Ltd. ("GRIL"), a wholly-owned reinsurance subsidiary based in Dublin, Ireland. GRIL provides multi-line property and casualty reinsurance capacity to the European broker market and provides GLRE with an additional platform to serve clients located in Europe and North America.  As used herein, the ‘‘Company” refers collectively to GLRE and its subsidiaries.
 
The Class A ordinary shares of GLRE are listed on Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol ‘‘GLRE”.

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete consolidated financial statements. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2011. In the opinion of management, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all of the normal recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position and results of operations as of the dates and for the periods presented.
The results for the six months ended June 30, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full calendar year.

2.   SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. 
 
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
The Company is required to maintain certain cash in segregated accounts with prime brokers and derivative counterparties. The amount of restricted cash held by prime brokers is primarily used to support the liability created from securities sold, not yet purchased, and for collateralizing the letters of credit issued under certain letter of credit facilities (see Notes 4 and 8). The amount of cash encumbered varies depending on the market value of the securities sold, not yet purchased, and letters of credit issued. In addition, derivative counterparties require cash collateral to support the current value of any amounts that may be due to the counterparty based on the value of the underlying financial instrument. 
 
Deferred Acquisition Costs
 
Policy acquisition costs, such as commission and brokerage costs, relate directly to, and vary with, the writing of reinsurance contracts. Acquisition costs relating solely to bound contracts are deferred subject to ultimate recoverability and are amortized over the related contract term. The Company evaluates the recoverability of deferred acquisition costs by determining if the sum of future earned premiums and anticipated investment income is greater than the expected future claims

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and expenses. If a loss is probable on the unexpired portion of policies in force, a premium deficiency loss is recognized. At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the deferred acquisition costs were considered fully recoverable and no premium deficiency loss was recorded. 

Acquisition costs also include profit commissions which are expensed when incurred. Profit commissions are calculated and accrued based on the expected loss experience for contracts and recorded when the current loss estimate indicates that a profit commission is probable under the contract terms. As of June 30, 2012, $9.1 million (December 31, 2011: $10.1 million) of profit commission reserves were included in reinsurance balances payable on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, $0.3 million and $0.3 million (2011: $2.2 million and $2.6 million) of net profit commission expenses were included in acquisition costs, respectively, on the condensed consolidated statements of income.
  
Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves and Recoverable
 
The Company establishes reserves for contracts based on estimates of the ultimate cost of all losses including losses incurred but not reported ("IBNR"). These estimated ultimate reserves are based on the Company’s own actuarial estimates derived from reports received from ceding companies, industry data and historical experience. These estimates are reviewed by the Company periodically on a contract by contract basis and adjusted as necessary. Since reserves are estimates, the final settlement of losses may vary from the reserves established and any adjustments to the estimates, which may be material, are recorded in the period they are determined.
 
Loss and loss adjustment expenses recoverable include the amounts due from retrocessionaires for paid and unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses on retrocession agreements. Ceded losses incurred but not reported are estimated based on the Company’s actuarial estimates. These estimates are reviewed periodically and adjusted when deemed necessary. The Company may not be able to ultimately recover the loss and loss adjustment expense recoverable amounts due to the retrocessionaires’ inability to pay. The Company regularly evaluates the financial condition of its retrocessionaires and records provisions for uncollectible reinsurance expenses recoverable when recovery is no longer probable.
 
Notes Receivable
 
Notes receivable include promissory notes receivable from third party entities. These notes are recorded at cost along with accrued interest, if any, which approximates the fair value. The Company regularly reviews all notes receivable individually for impairment and records provisions for uncollectible and non-performing notes. The Company places notes on non-accrual status when the value of the note is not considered impaired but there is uncertainty as to the collection of interest based on the terms of the note. The Company resumes accrual of interest on a note when none of the principal or interest remains past due or outstanding, and the Company expects to collect the remaining contractual principal and interest. Interest collected on notes that are placed on non-accrual status is treated on a cash-basis and recorded as interest income when collected, provided that the recorded value of the note is deemed to be fully collectible. Where doubt exists as to the collectability of the remaining recorded value of the notes placed on non-accrual status, any payments received are applied to reduce the recorded value of the notes. At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, no interest was received relating to the notes placed on non-accrual status.
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2012, the notes earned interest at annual interest rates ranging from 6.0% to 15.0% and had maturity terms ranging from approximately 2 years to 7 years. At June 30, 2012, included in the notes receivable balance was $16.5 million (December 31, 2011: $16.5 million), related to notes placed on non-accrual status based on expectations of the Company’s ability to collect any further interest that would accrue up to maturity. At June 30, 2012, included in the notes receivable balance was $2.0 million of accrued interest (December 31, 2011: $2.0 million).
 
Based on management’s assessment, the recorded values of the notes at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, were expected to be fully collectible and therefore no provision for uncollectible amounts was deemed necessary at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011. Interest income earned on notes receivable is included under net investment income in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

Deposit Assets and Liabilities
 
In accordance with U.S. GAAP, deposit accounting is used in the event that a reinsurance contract does not transfer sufficient risk, or a contract provides retroactive reinsurance. Any losses on such contracts are charged to earnings immediately. Any gains relating to such contracts are deferred and amortized over the estimated remaining settlement period. All such deferred gains are included in reinsurance balances payable in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Amortized gains are recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of income as other income. At June 30, 2012, included in the condensed

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consolidated balance sheets under reinsurance balances receivable and reinsurance balances payable were $5.2 million and $1.2 million of deposit assets and deposit liabilities (December 31, 2011: $4.7 million and $1.1 million), respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, $0.2 million and $0.4 million was included in other income (expense), net, relating to losses on deposit accounted contracts (2011: $0.2 million and $0.5 million), respectively. There was no gain on deposit accounted contracts recorded for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011.
 
Fixed Assets
 
Fixed assets are included in other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets and are recorded at cost. Fixed assets are comprised of computer software, furniture and fixtures and leasehold improvements and are depreciated, using the straight-line method, over their estimated useful lives, which are five years for both computer software, and furniture and fixtures. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the estimated useful lives of the assets or remaining lease term. 

At June 30, 2012, the cost, accumulated depreciation and net book values of the fixed assets were as follows:
 
Cost
 
Accumulated depreciation
 
 
Net book value
 
($ in thousands)
Computer software
$
200

 
$
(200
)
 
$

Furniture and fixtures
451

 
(187
)
 
264

Leasehold improvements
1,487

 
(412
)
 
1,075

Total
$
2,138

 
$
(799
)
 
$
1,339

 
At December 31, 2011, the cost, accumulated depreciation and net book values of the fixed assets were as follows:

Cost
 
Accumulated depreciation
 
 
Net book value
 
($ in thousands)
Computer software
$
200

 
$
(200
)
 
$

Furniture and fixtures
451

 
(142
)
 
309

Leasehold improvements
1,487

 
(332
)
 
1,155

Total
$
2,138

 
$
(674
)
 
$
1,464

 
The Company periodically reviews fixed assets that have finite lives, and that are not held for sale, for impairment by comparing the carrying value of the assets to their estimated future undiscounted cash flows. For the six months ended June 30, 2012 and the year ended December 31, 2011, there were no impairments in fixed assets.

Financial Instruments
 
Investments in Securities and Investments in Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased
 
The Company’s investments in debt instruments and equity securities that are classified as “trading securities” are carried at fair value. The fair values of the listed equity investments are derived based on quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets (Level 1 inputs). The fair values of listed equities that have restrictions on sale or transfer which expire within one year, are determined by adjusting the observed market price of the equity using a liquidity discount based on observable market inputs. The fair values of debt instruments are derived based on inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as market maker or broker quotes reflecting recent transactions (Level 2 inputs), and are generally derived based on the average of multiple market maker or broker quotes which are considered to be binding. Where quotes are not available, debt instruments are valued using cash flow models using assumptions and estimates that may be subjective and non-observable (Level 3 inputs).

The Company’s “other investments” may include investments in private and unlisted equity securities, limited partnerships, and commodities, which are all carried at fair value. The fair values of commodities are determined based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1). The Company maximizes the use of observable direct or indirect inputs (Level 2 inputs) when deriving the fair values for “other investments”. For limited partnerships and private and unlisted equity securities, where observable inputs are not available, the fair values are derived based on unobservable inputs (Level 3

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inputs) such as management’s assumptions developed from available information using the services of the investment advisor, including the most recent net asset values obtained from the funds’ managers.

For securities classified as “trading securities”, and “other investments”, any realized and unrealized gains or losses are determined on the basis of the specific identification method (by reference to cost or amortized cost, as appropriate) and included in net investment income in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

Dividend income and expense are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The ex-dividend date is the date as of when the underlying security must have been traded to be eligible for the dividend declared. Interest income and interest expense are recorded on an accrual basis.
 
Derivative Financial Instruments
 
U.S. GAAP requires that an entity recognize all derivatives in the balance sheet at fair value. It also requires that unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value be included in income or comprehensive income, depending on whether the instrument qualifies as a hedge transaction, and if so, the type of hedge transaction. The Company’s derivative financial instrument assets are included in financial contracts receivable. Derivative financial instrument liabilities are generally included in financial contracts payable. The Company's derivatives do not qualify as hedges for financial reporting purposes. 
 
Financial Contracts

The Company enters into financial contracts with counterparties as part of its investment strategy. Financial contracts which include total return swaps, credit default swaps (“CDS”), futures, options, currency forwards and other derivative instruments are recorded at their fair value with any unrealized gains and losses included in net investment income in the condensed consolidated statements of income. Financial contracts receivable represents derivative contracts whereby the Company is entitled to receive payments upon settlement of the contract. Financial contracts payable represents derivative contracts whereby the Company is obligated to make payments upon settlement of the contract.
 
Total return swap agreements, included on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as financial contracts receivable and financial contracts payable, are derivative financial instruments whereby the Company is either entitled to receive or obligated to pay the product of a notional amount multiplied by the movement in an underlying security, which the Company does not own, over a specified time frame. In addition, the Company may also be obligated to pay or receive other payments based on interest rates, dividend payments and receipts, or foreign exchange movements during a specified period. The Company measures its rights or obligations to the counterparty based on the fair value movements of the underlying security together with any other payments due. These contracts are carried at fair value, based on observable inputs (Level 2 inputs) with the resultant unrealized gains and losses reflected in net investment income in the condensed consolidated statements of income. Additionally, any changes in the value of amounts received or paid on swap contracts are reported as a gain or loss in net investment income in the condensed consolidated statements of income.
 
Financial contracts may also include exchange traded futures or options contracts that are based on the movement of a particular index, commodity, currency or interest rate. Where such contracts are traded in an active market, the Company’s obligations or rights on these contracts are recorded at fair value measured based on the observable quoted prices of the same or similar financial contract in an active market (Level 1) or on broker quotes which reflect market information based on actual transactions (Level 2). Amounts invested in exchange traded and over the counter (“OTC”) call and put options are recorded as an asset or liability at inception. Subsequent to initial recognition, unexpired exchange traded option contracts are recorded at fair value based on quoted prices in active markets (Level 1 inputs). For OTC options or exchange traded options where a quoted price in an active market is not available, fair values are derived based upon observable inputs (Level 2 inputs) such as multiple market maker quotes, which are considered to be binding.
 
The Company purchases and sells CDS for the purposes of either managing its exposure to certain investments, or for other strategic investment purposes. A CDS is a derivative instrument that provides protection against an investment loss due to specified credit or default events of a reference entity. The seller of a CDS guarantees to pay the buyer a specified amount if the reference entity defaults on its obligations or fails to perform. The buyer of a CDS pays a premium over time to the seller in exchange for obtaining this protection. A CDS trading in an active market is valued at fair value based on broker or market maker quotes for identical instruments in an active market (Level 2) or based on the current credit spreads on identical contracts (Level 2).




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Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The Company has no other comprehensive income (loss), other than the net income (loss) disclosed in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

Earnings (Loss) Per Share
 
Basic earnings (loss) per share are based on the weighted average number of common shares and participating securities outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share include the dilutive effect of additional potential common shares issuable when stock options are exercised and are determined using the treasury stock method. U.S. GAAP requires that unvested stock awards which contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid (referred to as ‘‘participating securities”), be included in the number of shares outstanding for both basic and diluted earnings per share calculations. The Company treats its unvested restricted stock as participating securities. In the event of a net loss, all stock options outstanding and all participating securities are excluded from the calculation of both basic and diluted loss per share since their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.
 
Three months ended
 June 30,

Six months ended
 June 30,
 
2012

2011
 
2012

2011
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic
36,660,267

 
36,153,743

 
36,605,610

 
36,153,743

Effect of dilutive service provider share-based awards

 

 
148,971

 

Effect of dilutive employee and director share-based awards

 

 
583,903

 

Weighted average share outstanding - diluted
36,660,267

 
36,153,743

 
37,338,484

 
36,153,743

Anti-dilutive stock options outstanding
180,000

 
240,000

 
180,000

 
240,000

Participating securities excluded from calculation of loss per share 
307,931

 
422,073

 

 
422,073


Taxation
 
Under current Cayman Islands law, no corporate entity, including the Company, is obligated to pay taxes in the Cayman Islands on either income or capital gains. The Company has an undertaking from the Governor-in-Cabinet of the Cayman Islands, pursuant to the provisions of the Tax Concessions Law, as amended, that, in the event that the Cayman Islands enacts any legislation that imposes tax on profits, income, gains or appreciations, or any tax in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax, such tax will not be applicable to the Company or its operations, or to the Class A or Class B ordinary shares or related obligations, until February 1, 2025.
 
Verdant is incorporated in Delaware, and therefore, is subject to taxes in accordance with the U.S. federal rates and regulations prescribed by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. Verdant’s taxable income is generally expected to be taxed at a rate of 35%.

GRIL is incorporated in Ireland and therefore is subject to the Irish corporation tax rate of 12.5% on its trading income, and 25% on its non-trading income, if any.

Any deferred tax asset is evaluated for recovery and a valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will not be realized in the future. The Company has not taken any income tax positions that are subject to significant uncertainty or that are reasonably likely to have a material impact on the Company.
 
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
 
In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-04 ("ASU 2011-04"), Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). ASU 2011-04 explains how to measure fair value, but does not require additional fair value measurements and is not intended to establish valuation standards. ASU 2011-04 became effective for the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2012. The adoption of ASU 2011-04 did not have a material impact on the Company's results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

In October 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-26 (“ASU 2010-26”), Financial Services –

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Insurance (Topic 944): Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts. ASU 2010-26 modifies the definition of the types of costs incurred by insurance entities that can be capitalized in the acquisition of new and renewal contracts. ASU 2010-26 became effective for the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and was applied prospectively upon adoption. The adoption of ASU 2010-26 did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.  

Reclassifications
Certain prior period balances have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. The reclassifications resulted in no changes to net income (loss) or retained earnings for any of the periods presented.

3.         FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 
 
In the normal course of its business, the Company purchases and sells various financial instruments which include listed and unlisted equities, corporate and sovereign debt, commodities, futures, put and call options, currency forwards, other derivatives and similar instruments sold, not yet purchased.

   Fair Value Hierarchy

The Company’s financial instruments are carried at fair value, and the net unrealized gains or losses are included in net investment income in the condensed consolidated statements of income.
 
The following table presents the Company’s investments, categorized by the level of the fair value hierarchy as of June 30, 2012:
 
 
Fair Value Measurements as of June 30, 2012
 
 
Description
 
Quoted prices in
active markets
(Level 1)
 
Significant other
observable
inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Assets: 
 
($ in thousands)
Debt instruments
 
$

 
$
8,745

 
$
343

 
$
9,088

Listed equity securities
 
1,057,800

 
929

 

 
1,058,729

Commodities
 
99,708

 

 

 
99,708

Private and unlisted equity securities
 

 

 
38,805

 
38,805

Financial contracts receivable
 
3,688

 
20,270

 
14

 
23,972

 
 
$
1,161,196

 
$
29,944

 
$
39,162

 
$
1,230,302

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Listed equity securities, sold not yet purchased
 
$
(556,993
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(556,993
)
Debt instruments, sold not yet purchased
 

 
(106,549
)
 

 
(106,549
)
Financial contracts payable
 
(952
)
 
(12,020
)
 

 
(12,972
)

 
$
(557,945
)
 
$
(118,569
)
 
$

 
$
(676,514
)
 













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The following table presents the Company’s investments, categorized by the level of the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2011:

 
Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2011
 
 
Description
 
Quoted prices in
active markets
(Level 1)
 
Significant other
observable
inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Assets: 
 
($ in thousands)
Debt instruments
 
$

 
$
10,174

 
$
465

 
$
10,639

Listed equity securities
 
866,069

 
24,753

 

 
890,822

Commodities
 
97,506

 

 

 
97,506

Private and unlisted equity securities
 

 

 
31,179

 
31,179

Financial contracts receivable
 
881

 
22,529

 
263

 
23,673

 
 
$
964,456

 
$
57,456

 
$
31,907

 
$
1,053,819

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Listed equity securities, sold not yet purchased
 
$
(539,197
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(539,197
)
Debt instruments, sold not yet purchased
 

 
(144,619
)
 

 
(144,619
)
Financial contracts payable
 
(1,070
)
 
(5,254
)
 

 
(6,324
)

 
$
(540,267
)
 
$
(149,873
)
 
$

 
$
(690,140
)
 
The following table presents the reconciliation of the balances for all investments measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012

 
  Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Three months ended June 30, 2012
 
  Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Six months ended June 30, 2012

 
Debt instruments
 
 Private and unlisted equity securities
 
 Financial contracts receivable
 
 Total
 
Debt instruments
 
 Private and unlisted equity securities
 
Financial contracts receivable
 
 Total

 
 ($ in thousands)
 
 ($ in thousands)
Beginning balance
 
$
418

 
$
35,758

 
$
125

 
$
36,301

 
$
465

 
$
31,178

 
$
263

 
$
31,906

Purchases
 

 
3,541

 

 
3,541

 

 
6,912

 

 
6,912

Sales
 

 
(306
)
 

 
(306
)
 
(1
)
 
(492
)
 

 
(493
)
Issuances
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Settlements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) and amortization included in earnings, net
 
(75
)
 
960

 
(111
)
 
774

 
(121
)
 
2,355

 
(249
)
 
1,985

Transfers into Level 3
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3
 

 
(1,148
)
 

 
(1,148
)
 

 
(1,148
)
 

 
(1,148
)
Ending balance
 
$
343

 
$
38,805

 
$
14

 
$
39,162

 
$
343

 
$
38,805

 
$
14

 
$
39,162





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The following table presents the reconciliation of the balances for all investments measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011:


 
  Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Three months ended June 30, 2011
 
  Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Six months ended June 30, 2011

 
Debt instruments
 
 Private and unlisted equity securities
 
 Total
 
Debt instruments
 
 Private and unlisted equity securities
 
Financial contracts receivable
 
 Total

 
 ($ in thousands)
 
 ($ in thousands)
Beginning balance
 
$
838

 
$
37,601

 
$
38,439

 
$
3,245

 
$
42,947

 
$
214

 
$
46,406

Purchases
 

 
1,914

 
1,914

 

 
4,599

 

 
4,599

Sales
 
(4
)
 
(417
)
 
(421
)
 
(2,401
)
 
(1,365
)
 

 
(3,766
)
Issuances
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Settlements
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) and amortization included in earnings, net
 
(41
)
 
813

 
772

 
(51
)
 
3,392

 
(214
)
 
3,127

Transfers into Level 3
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3
 

 

 

 

 
(9,662
)
 

 
(9,662
)
Ending balance
 
$
793

 
$
39,911

 
$
40,704

 
$
793

 
$
39,911

 
$

 
$
40,704


During the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, $1.1 million of securities, at fair value based on the date of transfer, were transferred from Level 3 to Level 2, as these securities started actively trading on a listed exchange during the second quarter of 2012. However, due to lock-up period restrictions on these securities, a liquidity discount was used in determining their fair value at June 30, 2012, and therefore classified as Level 2.

Additionally, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, $29.4 million of securities, at fair value based on the date of transfer, were transferred from Level 2 to Level 1 as the lock-up period on those securities expired. There were no other transfers between Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012.

During the six months ended June 30, 2011, $9.7 million of securities, at fair value based on the date of transfer, were transferred from Level 3 to Level 1, as these securities started actively trading on listed exchanges during the first quarter of 2011. There were no other transfers between Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, realized gains of $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, (2011: $0 and $0, respectively) and change in unrealized gains of $0.8 million and $2.0 million (2011: $0.8 million and $3.3 million) on securities held at the reporting date and valued using unobservable inputs are included in net investment income in the condensed consolidated statements of income.  In addition, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, amortization expense of $0.1 million and $0.2 million (2011: $0 and $0.2 million) relating to financial contracts receivable valued using unobservable inputs, was included in other income (expense), net. 
 
Investments
 
Debt instruments, trading
 
At June 30, 2012, the following investments were included in debt instruments:

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2012
 
Cost/
 amortized
 cost
 
Unrealized
 gains
 
Unrealized
 losses
 
Fair
 value
 
 
($ in thousands)
Corporate debt – U.S.
 
$
5,036

 
$
120

 
$
(1,904
)
 
$
3,252

Corporate debt – Non U.S.
 
3,031

 
587

 
(59
)
 
3,559

Sovereign debt – Non U.S.
 
$
2,113

 
$
164

 
$

 
2,277

Total debt instruments
 
$
10,180

 
$
871

 
$
(1,963
)
 
$
9,088

 
At December 31, 2011, the following investments were included in debt instruments:
2011
 
Cost/
 amortized
 cost
 
Unrealized
 gains
 
Unrealized
 losses
 
Fair
 value
 
 
($ in thousands)
Corporate debt – U.S.
 
$
4,064

 
$
49

 
$
(1,685
)
 
$
2,428

Corporate debt – Non U.S.
 
5,010

 
435

 

 
5,445

Sovereign debt – Non U.S.
 
2,481

 
285

 

 
2,766

Total debt instruments
 
$
11,555

 
$
769

 
$
(1,685
)
 
$
10,639


The maturity distribution for debt instruments held at June 30, 2012 was as follows:
 
 
Cost/
 amortized
 cost
 
Fair
 value

 
($ in thousands)
Within one year
 
$

 
$

From one to five years
 
548

 
691

From five to ten years
 
6,136

 
6,806

More than ten years
 
3,496

 
1,591


 
$
10,180

 
$
9,088

 
Investment in Equity Securities, Trading

At June 30, 2012, the following long positions were included in investment securities, trading: 
2012

Cost

Unrealized
gains

Unrealized
losses

Fair
value
 

($ in thousands)
Equities – listed

$
972,732


$
139,600


$
(90,420
)

$
1,021,912

Exchange traded funds

38,818




(2,001
)

36,817

 
 
$
1,011,550

 
$
139,600

 
$
(92,421
)
 
$
1,058,729


At December 31, 2011, the following long positions were included in investment securities, trading:
2011

Cost

Unrealized
gains

Unrealized
losses

Fair
value
 

($ in thousands)
Equities – listed

$
827,435


$
78,947


$
(75,593
)

$
830,789

Exchange traded funds

57,011


6,037


(3,015
)

60,033

 
 
$
884,446

 
$
84,984

 
$
(78,608
)
 
$
890,822




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Other Investments
 
“Other investments” include commodities and private and unlisted equity securities. As of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, commodities were comprised of gold bullion. 

At June 30, 2012, the following securities were included in other investments:
2012

Cost

Unrealized
gains

Unrealized
losses

Fair
value
 

($ in thousands)
Commodities

$
65,365


$
34,343


$


$
99,708

Private and unlisted equity securities

37,642


3,193


(2,030
)

38,805

 

$
103,007

 
$
37,536

 
$
(2,030
)
 
$
138,513


At December 31, 2011, the following securities were included in other investments: 
2011

Cost

Unrealized
gains

Unrealized
losses

Fair
value
 

($ in thousands)
Commodities

$
65,365


$
32,141


$


$
97,506

Private and unlisted equity securities

32,157


2,146


(3,124
)

31,179

 

$
97,522

 
$
34,287

 
$
(3,124
)
 
$
128,685

 
As of June 30, 2012, included in private and unlisted equity securities are investments in private equity funds with a fair value of $19.3 million (December 31, 2011: $12.8 million) determined based on unadjusted net asset values reported by the funds' managers as of periods prior to June 30, 2012. The private equity funds have varying lock-up periods and as of June 30, 2012 one hundred percent of the funds were not redeemable due to restrictions, and therefore have been categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. As of June 30, 2012, the Company had $12.1 million (December 31, 2011: $18.4 million) of unfunded commitments relating to private equity funds whose fair values are determined based on unadjusted net asset values reported by the funds' managers. These commitments are included in the amounts presented in the schedule of commitments and contingencies in Note 8 of these condensed consolidated financial statements.    

Investments in Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased 

At June 30, 2012, the following securities were included in investments in securities sold, not yet purchased:
2012
 
Proceeds
 
Unrealized gains
 
Unrealized losses
 
 Fair value
 
 
($ in thousands)
Equities – listed
 
$
(634,172
)
 
$
139,564

 
$
(62,385
)
 
$
(556,993
)
Corporate debt – U.S
 
(1,870
)
 
72

 

 
(1,798
)
Sovereign debt – Non U.S
 
(112,620
)
 
7,869

 

 
(104,751
)
 
 
$
(748,662
)
 
$
147,505

 
$
(62,385
)
 
$
(663,542
)

At December 31, 2011, the following securities were included in investments in securities sold, not yet purchased: 
2011
 
Proceeds
 
Unrealized gains
 
Unrealized losses
 
 Fair value
 
 
($ in thousands)
Equities – listed
 
$
(583,078
)
 
$
98,726

 
$
(54,845
)
 
$
(539,197
)
Corporate debt – U.S
 
(1,870
)
 
11

 

 
(1,859
)
Sovereign debt – Non U.S
 
(153,828
)
 
11,068

 

 
(142,760
)
 
 
$
(738,776
)
 
$
109,805

 
$
(54,845
)
 
$
(683,816
)
 

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Financial Contracts
 
As of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had entered into total return swaps, CDS, options, futures and interest rate options contracts with various financial institutions to meet certain investment objectives. Under the terms of each of these financial contracts, the Company is either entitled to receive or is obligated to make payments which are based on the product of a formula contained within the contract that includes the change in the fair value of the underlying or reference security. In addition, as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had entered into a non-exchange traded weather derivative swap contract to manage its overall risk exposure to earthquake losses, under which the Company is entitled to receive a payment upon the occurrence of certain specified earthquake events in the U.S. 
 
At June 30, 2012, the fair values of financial contracts outstanding were as follows: 
Financial Contracts
 
Listing
currency
 
Notional amount of
underlying instruments
 
Fair value of net assets
(obligations)
on financial
contracts
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
Financial contracts receivable
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate options
 
USD
 
2,638,753

 
$
633

Credit default swaps, purchased – corporate debt
 
USD
 
39,665

 
815

Total return swaps – equities
 
USD
 
22,127

 
4,981

Put options
 
USD
 
193,767

 
11,243

Call options
 
USD
 
46,740

 
2,597

Futures
 
USD
 
134,827

 
3,689

Weather derivative swap
 
USD
 
5,000

 
14

Total financial contracts receivable, at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
$
23,972

Financial contracts payable
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit default swaps, purchased – sovereign debt
 
USD
 
251,467

 
$
(5,587
)
Credit default swaps, purchased – corporate debt
 
USD
 
234,212

 
(2,101
)
Futures
 
USD
 
165,530

 
(878
)
Total return swaps – equities
 
USD
 
22,450

 
(4,326
)
Warrants and rights on listed equities
 
USD
 
73

 
(73
)
Call options
 
USD
 
103

 
(7
)
Total financial contracts payable, at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
$
(12,972
)
 




















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At December 31, 2011, the fair values of financial contracts outstanding were as follows: 
Financial Contracts
 
Listing
currency
 
Notional amount of
underlying instruments
 
Fair value of net assets
(obligations)
on financial
contracts
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
Financial contracts receivable
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate options
 
USD
 
3,049,338

 
$
2,236

Credit default swaps, purchased – sovereign debt
 
USD
 
32,952

 
6,160

Credit default swaps, purchased – corporate debt
 
USD
 
260,862

 
1,614

Total return swaps - equities
 
USD
 
45,458

 
5,390

Put options
 
USD
 
132,966

 
6,849

Call options
 
USD
 
2,714

 
280

Futures
 
USD
 
9,075

 
881

Weather derivative swap
 
USD
 
5,000

 
263

Total financial contracts receivable, at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
$
23,673

Financial contracts payable
 
 
 
 

 
 

Credit default swaps, purchased – sovereign debt
 
USD
 
251,467

 
$
(2,675
)
Credit default swaps, purchased – corporate debt
 
USD
 
26,029

 
(799
)
Futures
 
USD
 
149,201

 
(887
)
Total return swaps – equities
 
USD
 
11,795

 
(1,714
)
Warrants and rights on listed equities
 
USD
 
183

 
(183
)
Call options
 
USD
 
718

 
(66
)
Total financial contracts payable, at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
$
(6,324
)
 
As of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, included in interest rate options are contracts on U.S. and Japanese interest rates. Included in put options are options on foreign currencies including the Japanese Yen and Euro.  

As of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the carrying amount of the weather derivative swap is the unamortized portion of the premium paid to purchase the weather derivative swap contract which expired on July 10, 2012. An estimate of fair value is not practicable since the weather derivative swap contract is a non-exchange traded instrument and the time and cost involved in creating a valuation model to estimate the fair value would be excessive based on the immaterial amount and the short term contract period.





















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During the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company reported gains and losses on derivatives as follows:
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
Location of gains and losses on derivatives recognized in income
 
Gain (loss) on derivatives recognized
in income for the three months ended
June 30,
 
Gain (loss) on derivatives recognized
in income for the six months ended
June 30,
 
 
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
Interest rate options
 
Net investment income (loss)
 
$
(1,251
)
 
$
(5,518
)
 
$
(1,603
)
 
$
(4,554
)
Credit default swaps, purchased – corporate debt
 
Net investment income (loss)
 
(185
)
 
(632
)
 
(4,000
)
 
(1,976
)
Credit default swaps, purchased – sovereign debt
 
Net investment income (loss)
 
1,027

 
1,461

 
(3,944
)
 
(7,219
)
Total return swaps – equities
 
Net investment income (loss)
 
(1,772
)
 
29

 
(2,482
)
 
3,317

Credit default swaps, issued – corporate debt
 
Net investment income (loss)
 

 
(3
)
 

 
4,785

Options, warrants, and rights
 
Net investment income (loss)
 
(14,981
)
 
(8,908
)
 
(10,167
)
 
(20,325
)
Futures
 
Net investment income (loss)
 
(3,176
)
 

 
(7,959
)
 

Currency forwards
 
Net investment income (loss)
 

 
(3,944
)
 

 
(3,944
)
Weather derivative swap
 
Other income (expense), net
 
(111
)
 

 
(249
)
 
(214
)
Total
 
 
 
$
(20,449
)
 
$
(17,515
)
 
$
(30,404
)
 
$
(30,130
)

The Company generally does not enter into derivatives for risk management or hedging purposes, and the volume of derivative activities varies from period to period depending on potential investment opportunities.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, the Company’s volume of derivative activities (based on notional amounts) was as follows:
 
 
Three months ended June 30, 2012
 
Six months ended June 30, 2012
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
  Entered
 
Exited
 
  Entered
 
Exited
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
Credit default swaps
 
$

 
$
43,014

 
$

 
$
45,966

Total return swaps
 
728

 
6,625

 
2,806

 
20,554

Options
 
169,304

 
59,119

 
444,207

 
202,704

Futures
 
301,197

 
336,611

 
764,267

 
629,556

Total
 
$
471,229

 
$
445,369

 
$
1,211,280

 
$
898,780












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For the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, the Company’s volume of derivative activities (based on notional amounts) was as follows:
 
 
Three months ended June 30, 2011
 
Six months ended June 30, 2011
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
  Entered
 
Exited
 
  Entered
 
Exited
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
Credit default swaps
 
$
204,053

 
$
91,632

 
$
213,942

 
$
137,749

Total return swaps
 
11,203

 
1,655

 
11,203

 
16,603

Options
 
247,964

 
184,067

 
546,988

 
230,490

Futures
 
12,469

 

 
41,726

 
55,093

Currency Forwards
 
372,843

 
262,622

 
372,843

 
262,622

Weather derivative swap
 

 

 

 
10,000

Total
 
$
848,532

 
$
539,976

 
$
1,186,702

 
$
712,557


4.        DUE TO PRIME BROKERS
 
As of June 30, 2012, the amount due to prime brokers is comprised of margin-borrowing from prime brokers relating to investments purchased on margin as well as the margin-borrowing for providing collateral to support some of the Company’s outstanding letters of credit (see Note 8). Under term margin agreements and certain letter of credit facility agreements, the Company pledges certain investment securities to borrow cash from the prime brokers. The borrowed cash is placed in a custodial account in the name of the Company and this custodial account provides collateral for any letters of credit issued by the banks. Since there is no legal right of offset, the Company’s liability for the cash borrowed from the prime brokers is included on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as due to prime brokers while the cash held in the custodial account is included on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as restricted cash and cash equivalents. At June 30, 2012, the amounts due to prime brokers included $238.1 million (December 31, 2011: $256.1 million) of cash borrowed under the term margin agreements to provide collateral for letters of credit facilities and $126.9 million (December 31, 2011: $4.3 million) of borrowing relating to investment purchases.

The Company's investment guidelines allow for temporary (30 days) leverage for investment purposes up to 20% of net invested assets, and for an extended time period, up to 5% of net invested assets. At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company was in compliance with the amount of leverage for investment purposes allowed under its investment guidelines.

5.        RETROCESSION
 
The Company from time to time purchases retrocessional coverage for one or more of the following reasons: to manage its overall exposure, to reduce its net liability on individual risks, to obtain additional underwriting capacity and to balance its underwriting portfolio. Additionally, retrocession can be used as a mechanism to share the risks and rewards of business written and therefore can be used as a tool to align the Company's interests with those of its counterparties. The Company currently has coverages that provide for recovery of a portion of loss and loss expenses incurred on certain contracts. Loss and loss adjustment expense recoverable from the retrocessionaires are recorded as assets. For the three months ended June 30, 2012, loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred of $87.3 million (2011: $56.9 million) reported on the condensed consolidated statements of income are net of loss and loss expenses recovered and recoverable of $6.9 million (2011: $3.9 million). For the six months ended June 30, 2012, loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred of $150.6 million (2011: $122.6 million) reported on the condensed consolidated statements of income are net of loss and loss expenses recovered and recoverable of $16.2 million (2011: $7.8 million). Retrocession contracts do not relieve the Company from its obligations to the insureds. Failure of retrocessionaires to honor their obligations could result in losses to the Company. At June 30, 2012, the Company had loss and loss adjustment expense recoverable of $0.1 million (December 31, 2011: $0.1 million) with a retrocessionaire rated “A+ (Superior)” by A.M. Best. Additionally, the Company had losses recoverable of $36.8 million (December 31, 2011: $29.7 million) with unrated retrocessionaires. At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company retained $34.7 million and $38.0 million, respectively, of cash collateral from the unrated retrocessionaires, as well as other collateral in the form of guarantees. The Company regularly evaluates the financial condition of its retrocessionaires to assess the ability of the retrocessionaires to honor their obligations. At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, no provision for uncollectible losses recoverable was considered necessary.
 

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6.        SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
 
The Company has a stock incentive plan for directors, employees and consultants. As of June 30, 2012, the Company had reserved for issuance 3,500,000 Class A ordinary shares (December 31, 2011: 3,500,000) for eligible participants. At June 30, 2012, 1,182,269 Class A ordinary shares (December 31, 2011: 1,322,773) were available for future issuance under the Company’s stock incentive plan.
 
Employee and Director Restricted Shares
 
As part of the stock incentive plan, the Company issues restricted shares for which the fair value is equal to the price of the Company’s Class A ordinary shares on the grant date. Compensation based on the grant date fair market value of the shares is expensed on a straight line basis over the vesting period.
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2012, 110,701 (2011: 86,737) restricted Class A ordinary shares were issued to employees pursuant to the Company’s stock incentive plan. These shares contain certain restrictions relating to, among other things, vesting, forfeiture in the event of termination of employment and transferability. Each of these restricted shares will cliff vest after 3 years from the date of issue, subject to the grantee’s continued service with the Company.
  
During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Company also issued to non-employee directors an aggregate of 35,994 (2011: 33,295) restricted Class A ordinary shares as part of their remuneration for services to the Company. Each of these restricted shares issued to the directors contain similar restrictions to those issued to employees and will vest on the earlier of the first anniversary of the share issuance or the Company’s next annual general meeting, subject to the grantee’s continued service with the Company.

The restricted share award activity during the six months ended June 30, 2012 was as follows:
 
Number of
non-vested
restricted
 shares
 
Weighted
 average
grant date
fair value
Balance at December 31, 2011
358,563

 
$
21.03

Granted
146,695

 
24.61

Vested
(191,136
)
 
17.34

Forfeited
(6,191
)
 
25.44

Balance at June 30, 2012
307,931

 
$
24.94

 
Employee and Director Stock Options
 
Employee and director stock option activity during the six months ended June 30, 2012 was as follows: 
 
Number of
 options
 
Weighted
 average
 exercise
 price
 
Weighted
 average
 grant date
 fair value
Balance at December 31, 2011
1,399,000

 
$
15.06

 
$
6.73

Granted

 

 

Exercised

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

Expired

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2012
1,399,000

 
$
15.06

 
$
6.73

 

7.      RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 
 
Investment Advisory Agreement
 

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The Company and its reinsurance subsidiaries are party to an Investment Advisory Agreement (the ‘‘Advisory Agreement’’) with DME Advisors under which the Company, its reinsurance subsidiaries and DME Advisors created a joint venture for the purpose of managing certain jointly held assets. DME Advisors is a related party and an affiliate of David Einhorn, Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors.  
 
Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, performance compensation equal to 20% of the net income of the Company’s share of the account managed by DME Advisors is allocated, subject to a loss carry forward provision, to DME Advisors’ account. The loss carry forward provision allows DME Advisors to earn reduced incentive compensation of 10% on net investment income in any year subsequent to the year in which the investment account incurs a loss, until all the losses are recouped and an additional amount equal to 150% of the aggregate investment loss is earned. DME Advisors is not entitled to earn performance compensation in a year in which the investment portfolio incurs a loss. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, included in net investment income is performance compensation of $(9.1) million and $7.9 million, respectively, (2011: $0.0 million and $0.0 million, respectively) that was accrued and included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets at June 30, 2012 as performance compensation payable to related party. The negative performance compensation for the three months ended June 30, 2012 was due to a net investment loss during the period resulting in partial reversal of performance compensation previously accrued based on the investment returns during the first quarter of 2012.
 
Additionally, pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, a monthly management fee equal to 0.125% (1.5% on an annual basis) of the Company’s investment account managed by DME Advisors is paid to DME Advisors. Included in the net investment income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 are management fees of $4.2 million and $8.3 million, respectively (2011: $3.8 million and $7.6 million, respectively). The management fees have been fully paid as of June 30, 2012.
 
Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Company has agreed to indemnify DME Advisors for any expense, loss, liability, or damage arising out of any claim asserted or threatened in connection with DME Advisors serving as the Company’s investment advisor. The Company will reimburse DME Advisors for reasonable costs and expenses of investigating and/or defending such claims provided such claims were not caused due to gross negligence, breach of contract or misrepresentation by DME Advisors. During the six months ended June 30, 2012, there were no indemnification payments made by the Company.
 
Service Agreement
 
The Company has entered into a service agreement with DME Advisors, pursuant to which DME Advisors provides investor relations services to the Company for compensation of $5,000 per month (plus expenses). The agreement is automatically renewed annually until terminated by either the Company or DME Advisors for any reason with 30 days prior written notice to the other party. 

8.      COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES 
 
Letters of Credit
 
At June 30, 2012, the Company had the following letter of credit facilities, which automatically renew each year unless terminated by either party in accordance with the required notice period:

 
Facility
 
Termination Date
 
Notice period required for termination
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
 
Bank of America, N.A
 
$
200,000

 
July 20, 2013
 
90 days prior to termination date
Butterfield Bank (Cayman) Limited
 
60,000

 
June 30, 2013
 
90 days prior to termination date
Citibank Europe plc
 
400,000

 
October 11, 2013
 
120 days prior to termination date
JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A
 
100,000

 
January 27, 2013
 
120 days prior to termination date
 
 
$
760,000

 
 
 
 

As of June 30, 2012, an aggregate amount of $395.8 million (December 31, 2011: $382.8 million) in letters of credit were issued under the above facilities. Under the facilities, the Company provides collateral that may consist of equity securities, restricted cash, and cash and cash equivalents. As of June 30, 2012, total equity securities, restricted cash, and cash and cash equivalents with a fair value in the aggregate of $404.8 million (December 31, 2011: $410.5 million) were pledged as security against the letters of credit issued (also see Note 4). Each of the facilities contain customary events of default and restrictive covenants, including but not limited to, limitations on liens on collateral, transactions with affiliates, mergers and

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sales of assets, as well as solvency and maintenance of certain minimum pledged equity requirements, and restricts issuance of any debt without the consent of the letter of credit provider. Additionally, if an event of default exists, as defined in the letter of credit facilities, Greenlight Re will be prohibited from paying dividends to its parent company. The Company was in compliance with all the covenants of each of these facilities as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.
  
Operating Lease
 
The Company has entered into a lease agreement for office space in the Cayman Islands. Under the terms of the lease agreement, the Company is committed to annual rent payments ranging from $253,539 to $311,821. The lease expires on June 30, 2018 and the Company has the option to renew the lease for a further five year term. Included in the schedule below are the minimum lease payment obligations relating to this lease as of June 30, 2012.

GRIL has entered into a lease agreement for office space in Dublin, Ireland. Under the terms of this lease agreement, GRIL is committed to average annual rent payments denominated in Euros approximating €67,528 until May 2016 (net of rent inducements), and adjusted to the prevailing market rates for each of three subsequent five-year terms. GRIL has the option to terminate the lease agreement in 2016 and 2021. Included in the schedule below are the net minimum lease payment obligations relating to this lease as of June 30, 2012.

The total rent expense related to leased office space for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 was $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively (2011: $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively). 

Specialist Service Agreement
 
The Company has entered into a service agreement with a specialist service provider for the provision of administration and support in developing and maintaining business relationships, reviewing and recommending programs and managing risks relating to certain specialty lines of business. The specialist service provider does not have any authority to bind the Company to any reinsurance contracts. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company has committed to quarterly payments to the service provider. If the agreement is terminated, the Company is obligated to make minimum payments for another two years to ensure contracts to which the Company is bound are adequately administered by the specialist service provider. Included in the schedule below are the minimum payment obligations relating to this agreement.
 
Private Equity
 
From time to time, the Company makes investments in private equity vehicles. As part of the Company's participation in such private equity investments, the Company may make funding commitments. As of June 30, 2012, the Company had commitments to invest an additional $19.0 million (December 31, 2011: $19.1 million) in private equity investments. Included in the schedule below are the minimum payment obligations relating to these investments.
 
Schedule of Commitments and Contingencies
 
The following is a schedule of future minimum payments required under the above commitments: 
 
2012
 
2013
 
2014
 
2015
 
2016
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
($ in thousands)
Operating lease obligations
$
187

 
$
372

 
$
372

 
$
372

 
$
312

 
$
414

 
$
2,029

Specialist service agreement
250

 
400

 
150

 

 

 

 
800

Private equity and limited partnerships (1)
19,037

 

 

 

 

 

 
19,037

 
$
19,474

 
$
772

 
$
522

 
$
372

 
$
312

 
$
414

 
$
21,866


(1) Given the nature of these investments, the Company is unable to determine with any degree of accuracy when these commitments will be called. Therefore, for purposes of the above table, the Company has assumed that all commitments with no fixed payment schedules will be called during the year ended December 31, 2012.
 
Litigation
 
From time to time in the normal course of business, the Company may be involved in formal and informal dispute

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resolution procedures, which may include arbitration or litigation, the outcomes of which determine the rights and obligations under the Company's reinsurance contracts and other contractual agreements. In some disputes, the Company may seek to enforce its rights under an agreement or to collect funds owing to it. In other matters, the Company may resist attempts by others to collect funds or enforce alleged rights. While the final outcome of legal disputes cannot be predicted with certainty, the Company does not believe that any existing dispute, when finally resolved, will have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition or operating results.
 
9.      SEGMENT REPORTING
 
The Company manages its business on the basis of one operating segment, Property & Casualty Reinsurance.
 
The following tables provide a breakdown of the Company's gross premiums written by line of business and by geographic area of risks insured for the periods indicated:
 
Gross Premiums Written by Line of Business 
 
 
Three months ended
 
Three months ended
 
Six months ended
 
Six months ended
 
 
June 30, 2012
 
June 30, 2011
 
June 30, 2012
 
June 30, 2011
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
Property
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial lines
 
2,460

 
2.9
 %
 
3,813

 
3.4
 %
 
11,645

 
4.9
 %
 
8,969

 
4.2
 %
Motor physical damage
 
17,701

 
21.1

 
541

 
0.5

 
35,842

 
15.2
 %
 
(1,115
)
(1) 
(0.5
)
Personal lines
 
5,524

 
6.6

 
58,156

 
51.3

 
52,559

 
22.3

 
106,050

 
49.6

Total Property
 
25,685

 
30.6

 
62,510

 
55.2

 
100,046

 
42.4

 
113,904

 
53.3

Casualty
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General liability
 
6,499

 
7.7

 
11,641

 
10.3

 
14,925

 
6.3

 
18,637

 
8.7

Marine liability
 

 

 

 

 
2,240

 
0.9

 
185

 
0.1

Motor liability
 
37,334

 
44.5

 
20,609

 
18.2

 
89,477

 
37.9

 
33,672

 
15.7

Professional liability
 
(666
)
(1) 
(0.8
)
 
(185
)
(1) 
(0.2
)
 
(666
)
(1) 
(0.3
)
 
240

 
0.1

Total Casualty
 
43,167

 
51.4

 
32,065

 
28.3

 
105,976

 
44.8

 
52,734

 
24.6

Specialty
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial
 
1,372

 
1.6

 
1,653

 
1.5

 
3,305

 
1.4

 
6,276

 
2.9

Health
 
7,532

 
9.0

 
11,326

 
10.0

 
19,386

 
8.2

 
25,990

 
12.1

Workers’ compensation
 
6,230

 
7.4

 
5,712

 
5.0

 
7,493

 
3.2

 
15,101

 
7.1

Total Specialty
 
15,134

 
18.0

 
18,691

 
16.5

 
30,184

 
12.8

 
47,367

 
22.1

 
 
83,986

 
100.0
 %
 
113,266

 
100.0
 %
 
236,206

 
100.0
 %
 
214,005

 
100.0
 %
(1)  The negative balance represents reversal of premiums due to premium adjustments, termination of contracts or premiums returned upon commutation of contracts.










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Gross Premiums Written by Geographic Area of Risks Insured

 
 
Three months ended
 
Three months ended
 
Six months ended
 
Six months ended
 
 
June 30, 2012
 
June 30, 2011
 
June 30, 2012
 
June 30, 2011
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
U.S.
 
$
83,201

 
99.1
 %
 
$
109,699

 
96.9
 %
 
$
221,366

 
93.7
 %
 
$
200,324

 
93.6
%
Worldwide (1)
 
1,123

 
1.3

 
3,318

 
2.9

 
15,178

 
6.4

 
13,007

 
6.1

Caribbean
 
328

 
0.4

 
300

 
0.3

 
328

 
0.1

 
300

 
0.1

Europe
 
(666
)
 
(0.8
)
 
(51
)
 

 
(666
)
 
(0.3
)
 
374

 
0.2

 
 
$
83,986

 
100.0
 %
 
$
113,266

 
100.0
 %
 
$
236,206

 
100.0
 %
 
$
214,005

 
100.0
%
(1)
“Worldwide” is comprised of contracts that reinsure risks in more than one geographic area and do not specifically exclude the U.S.
 
 
Item 2.    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
References to "we," "us," "our," "our company," "Greenlight Re," or "the Company" refer to Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. ("GLRE") and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd, ("Greenlight Reinsurance"), Greenlight Reinsurance Ireland, Ltd. ("GRIL") and Verdant Holding Company, Ltd. ("Verdant"), unless the context dictates otherwise. References to our "Ordinary Shares" refers collectively to our Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares.
 
The following is a discussion and analysis of our results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 and financial condition as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes, which appear in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.
 
Special Note About Forward-Looking Statements
 
Certain statements in Management’s Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A"), other than purely historical information, including estimates, projections, statements relating to our business plans, objectives and expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believe," "project," "predict," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. A detailed discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements is included in the section entitled "Risk Factors" (refer to Part I, Item 1A) contained in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward looking statements which speak only to the dates on which they were made.
 
We intend to communicate certain events that we believe may have a material adverse impact on our operations or financial position, including property and casualty catastrophic events and material losses in our investment portfolio, in a timely manner through a public announcement. Other than as required by the Exchange Act, we do not intend to make public announcements regarding reinsurance or investments events that we do not believe, based on management's estimates and current information, will have a material adverse impact on our operations or financial position.

General
 
We are a Cayman Islands headquartered global specialty property and casualty reinsurer with a reinsurance and investment strategy that we believe differentiates us from our competitors. Our goal is to build long-term shareholder value by selectively offering customized reinsurance solutions, in markets where capacity and alternatives are limited, which we

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believe will yield favorable long-term returns on equity.
 
We aim to complement our underwriting results with a non-traditional investment approach in order to achieve higher rates of return over the long term than reinsurance companies that employ more traditional, fixed-income investment strategies. We manage our investment portfolio according to a value-oriented philosophy, in which we take long positions in perceived undervalued securities and short positions in perceived overvalued securities.
 
Because we employ an opportunistic underwriting philosophy, period-to-period comparisons of our underwriting results may not be meaningful. In addition, our historical investment results may not necessarily be indicative of future performance. Due to the nature of our reinsurance and investment strategies, our operating results will likely fluctuate from period to period.

Segments
 
We manage our business on the basis of one operating segment, property and casualty reinsurance, in accordance with the qualitative and quantitative criteria established by United States generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP"). Within the property and casualty reinsurance segment, we analyze our underwriting operations using two categories:

•    frequency business; and 
•    severity business.

Frequency business is characterized by contracts containing a potentially large number of small losses emanating from multiple events. Clients generally buy this protection to increase their own underwriting capacity and typically select a reinsurer based upon the reinsurer’s financial strength, service and expertise. We expect the results of frequency business to be less volatile than those of severity business from period to period due to greater predictability. We also expect that over time the profit margins and return on equity of our frequency business will be lower than those of our severity business.
 
Severity business is typically characterized by contracts with the potential for significant losses emanating from one event or multiple events. Clients generally buy this protection to remove volatility from their balance sheets, and accordingly, we expect the results of severity business to be volatile from period to period. However, over the long term, we also expect that our severity business will generate higher profit margins and return on equity than those of our frequency business.

Outlook and Trends

We believe the reinsurance industry, in general has been, and for the foreseeable future will remain, over capitalized. There is an influx of new capital for peak zone catastrophe risk from alternative capital market participants such as hedge funds, pension funds and other fixed income bond managers. Additionally, we believe that the slowdown in worldwide economic activity continues to weaken the overall demand for property and casualty insurance and, accordingly, reinsurance.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the over-capitalization of the reinsurance industry may be countered by the introduction of more stringent capital requirements in the industry (particularly in Europe), the recalibration of catastrophe risk models to reflect recent catastrophic activity and a sustained low interest rate environment. We believe the introduction of Solvency II for European insurers and reinsurers will create a demand for capital and/or reinsurance solutions for some smaller and less diversified companies. Risk Management Solutions ("RMS") released a new version of its widely used catastrophe model ("RMS 11.0") which has had the impact of increasing the modeled expected losses for many catastrophe programs in the United States. If the new model version is widely adopted by the reinsurance market, property catastrophe pricing could increase. The persistent low interest rate environment has reduced the earnings of many insurance and reinsurance companies. We believe the continuation of low interest rates, coupled with the reduction of prior years' reserve redundancies, could cause the industry to adopt overall higher pricing.
Overall, we believe we are in a hardening market, but industry over-capitalization will temper rate increases and that overall increases will not significantly exceed loss trends. The result is a slightly improving market, but with many areas of the market continuing to operate at levels which we believe are economically irrational. Price increases could occur earlier if financial and credit markets experience adverse shocks that result in the loss of capital of insurers and reinsurers, or if there are major catastrophic events, especially in North America.
Our reinsurance portfolio is currently concentrated in five areas - Florida homeowners, small account workers' compensation and general liability for contractors, U.S. employer health stop loss, catastrophe retrocession and private passenger automobile. While each of these areas is competitive, we believe we are experiencing rate increases that are in excess

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of loss trends. In particular, the Florida homeowners' insurance market continues to experience rate increases, although the rate of increase has slowed relative to the prior period. Additionally, property catastrophe retrocession pricing increased moderately during 2011 and increased again during the first half of 2012. We continue to look for attractive opportunities in this area of the market; however, as mentioned earlier, the influx of new capacity has increased competition.
We believe that we are well positioned to compete for frequency business due to our increasing market recognition, the development of strategic relationships and our "A (Excellent)" rating by A.M. Best. Meanwhile, there are a number of insurers and reinsurers that have suffered and continue to suffer from capacity issues. So far in 2012, we have seen a number of large, frequency-oriented opportunities that we believe fit well within our business strategy. We converted some of these opportunities into bound contracts, and are currently analyzing others. Further, there has been additional consolidation activity in the industry and we believe if such activity continues and the number of industry participants decreases, we could benefit from increased opportunities since insurers may prefer to diversify their reinsurance placements.
We believe our investment portfolio continues to be conservatively postured in 2012, with a net long position of 51% as of June 30, 2012. The challenging investment environment has continued throughout the year, with significant uncertainty and global geopolitical and economic headwinds. Equity markets in the U.S. and Europe are volatile, due to slowing economic growth and concerns about the sustainability of monetary and fiscal policies. Rising concern about sovereign debt, particularly in Europe, appears likely to limit further fiscal stimulus. Given the challenging macroeconomic environment, we intend, for the foreseeable future, to continue holding a significant position in gold and other macro hedges in the form of options on higher interest rates and foreign exchange rates, short positions in sovereign debt and sovereign credit default swaps.
We intend to continue to monitor market conditions to position ourselves to participate in future under-served or capacity-constrained markets as they arise and intend to offer products that we believe will generate favorable returns on equity over the long term. Accordingly, our underlying results and product line concentrations in any given period may not be indicative of our future results of operations.
Critical Accounting Policies
 
Our condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported and disclosed amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We believe that the critical accounting policies set forth in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 continue to describe the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements. These accounting policies pertain to premium revenues and risk transfer, valuation of investments, loss and loss adjustment expense reserves, acquisition costs, bonus accruals and share-based payments. If actual events differ significantly from the underlying judgments or estimates used by management in the application of these accounting policies, there could be a material effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
 
Recently issued accounting standards and their impact to the Company have been presented under "Recently Issued Accounting Standards" in Note 2 of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. 

Results of Operations
 
Three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011
 
For the three months ended June 30, 2012, we reported a net loss of $36.1 million, as compared to a net loss of $16.0 million reported for the same period in 2011. The underwriting income before general and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2012 was $4.8 million, compared to $7.5 million for the same period in 2011. The decrease in underwriting income for the three months ended June 30, 2012 was primarily due to an increase in the composite ratio for the period. For the three months ended June 30, 2012, our overall composite ratio increased to 96.4%, from 93.0% during the same period in 2011. For the three months ended June 30, 2012, our investment portfolio reported a net loss of $36.9 million, or a loss of 3.3%, on our investment account,  compared to a net investment loss of $19.5 million, or a loss of 1.9%, for the same period in 2011.
   
For the six months ended June 30, 2012, we reported a net income of $29.1 million, compared to a net loss of $59.0 million reported for the same period in 2011. Our investment portfolio reported a net income of $34.7 million, or a return of 3.0%, for the six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to a net investment loss of $55.6 million, or a loss of 5.2%, for the same period in 2011. Underwriting income reported for the six months ended June 30, 2012 increased by $2.2 million to $7.0 million from $4.8 million reported for the six months ended June 30, 2011.

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For the three months ended June 30, 2012, the basic adjusted book value per share decreased by $0.98 per share, or 4.1%, to $22.74 per share from $23.72 per share at March 31, 2012. During the three months ended June 30, 2012, fully diluted adjusted book value decreased by $0.95 per share, or 4.1%, to $22.34 per share from $23.29 per share at March 31, 2012.

For the six months ended June 30, 2012, the basic adjusted book value per share increased by $0.76 per share, or 3.5%, to $22.74 per share from $21.98 per share at December 31, 2011. During the six months ended June 30, 2012, fully diluted adjusted book value increased by $0.73 per share, or 3.4%, to $22.34 per share from $21.61 per share at December 31, 2011.

Basic adjusted book value per share is a non-GAAP measure as it excludes the non-controlling interest in a joint venture from total equity. In addition, fully diluted adjusted book value per share is also a non-GAAP measure and represents basic adjusted book value per share combined with the impact from dilution of all in-the-money stock options issued and outstanding as of any period end. We believe that long-term growth in fully diluted adjusted book value per share is the most relevant measure of our financial performance. In addition, fully diluted adjusted book value per share may be of benefit to our investors, shareholders and other interested parties to form a basis of comparison with other companies within the property and casualty reinsurance industry.
 
The following table presents a reconciliation of the non-GAAP basic adjusted and fully diluted adjusted book value per share to the most comparable GAAP measure.

June 30,
 2012

March 31,
 2012

December 31,
2011

September 30,
2011

June 30,
 2011
 
  ($ in thousands, except per share and share amounts)
Basic adjusted and fully diluted adjusted book value per share numerator:




 

 

 
Total equity (GAAP)
$
845,696


$
881,304


$
845,698


$
765,958


$
770,185

Less: Non-controlling interest in joint venture
(11,778
)

(12,227
)

(42,595
)

(33,866
)

(33,709
)
Basic adjusted book value per share numerator
833,918


869,077


803,103


732,092


736,476

Add: Proceeds from in-the-money stock options issued and outstanding
18,215


18,215


18,215


16,590


16,590

Fully diluted adjusted book value per share numerator
$
852,133


$
887,292


$
821,318


$
748,682


$
753,066

Basic adjusted and fully diluted adjusted book value per share denominator:







 

 
Ordinary shares issued and outstanding for basic adjusted book value per share denominator
36,678,653


36,633,638


36,538,149


36,509,036


36,575,816

Add: In-the-money stock options issued and outstanding
1,469,000


1,469,000


1,469,000


1,419,000


1,419,000

Fully diluted adjusted book value per share denominator
38,147,653


38,102,638


38,007,149


37,928,036


37,994,816

Basic adjusted book value per share
$
22.74


$
23.72


$
21.98


$
20.05


$
20.14

Fully diluted adjusted book value per share
$
22.34


$
23.29


$
21.61


$
19.74


$
19.82

 






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Premiums Written
 
Details of gross premiums written are provided in the following table: 
 
Three months ended June 30,

Six months ended June 30,
 
2012

2011

2012

2011

($ in thousands)

($ in thousands)
Frequency
$
80,706


96.1
%

$
108,601


95.9
%

$
217,313


92.0
%

$
200,954


93.9
%
Severity
3,280


3.9


4,665


4.1


18,893


8.0


13,051


6.1

Total
$
83,986


100.0
%

$
113,266


100.0
%

$
236,206


100.0
%

$
214,005


100.0
%

We expect quarterly reporting of premiums written to be volatile as our underwriting portfolio continues to develop. Additionally, the composition of premiums written between frequency and severity business may vary from quarter to quarter depending on the specific market opportunities that we pursue.

For the three months ended June 30, 2012, the premiums written relating to frequency contracts decreased by $27.9 million, or 25.7%, compared to the same period in 2011. The decrease in frequency premiums written is primarily related to the Florida homeowners' personal lines contracts which decreased by $52.4 million due to the termination of a large contract during the fourth quarter of 2011, as well as due to a decrease in the underlying premiums on other existing Florida homeowners' contracts where the ceding insurer culled its non-performing third party agents in order to maintain a more profitable book of business. Furthermore, one of the Florida homeowners' contracts was renewed during the second quarter of 2012 at a lower quota share percentage than the expiring contract, which resulted in a decrease in premiums written for the quarter compared to same quarter in 2011.

Offsetting these decreases, our motor liability and motor physical damage premiums for the three months ended June 30, 2012 increased by $16.7 million and $17.1 million, respectively. The motor liability line includes both commercial automobile contracts as well as private automobile contracts (also referred to as non-standard automobile). For the three months ended June 30, 2012, the commercial automobile premiums written decreased by $17.3 million, while the private automobile premiums written increased by $34.0 million as a result of new non-standard automobile contracts entered into during late 2011 and early 2012. We canceled the commercial automobile coverage on a multi-line contract during 2012 which resulted in the decrease in commercial automobile premiums. Other less significant decreases related to our general liability and specialty health lines which decreased $5.1 million and $3.8 million, respectively, primarily due to the cancellation of one contract for each of these lines.

For the six months ended June 30, 2012, the frequency gross premiums increased by $16.4 million, or 8.1%, primarily as a result of our motor liability and motor physical damage premiums, which increased by $55.8 million and $37.0 million, respectively. The increase in motor liability line includes an increase of $86.9 million in private automobile premiums written as a result of new non-standard automobile contracts entered into during late 2011 and early 2012, offset by a decrease of $31.5 million in commercial automobile premiums written as we canceled the commercial automobile coverage on a multi-line contract during 2012. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, our Florida homeowners' personal lines contracts decreased by $54.2 million due to the reasons explained above. Other less significant decreases related to our workers' compensation, general liability, specialty health, and financial (surety and trade credit) lines which decreased $7.6 million, $3.7 million, $6.6 million and $3.0 million, respectively.

For the three months ended June 30, 2012, the premiums written relating to severity contracts decreased by $1.4 million, or 29.7%, compared to the same period in 2011. The decrease was primarily due to timing of a property catastrophe contract, which was renewed in the first quarter of 2012, while in the prior year it was written in the second quarter of 2011.
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2012, the increase in severity premiums of $5.8 million, or 44.8%, compared to the same period in 2011 was principally due to the renewal of our existing multi-line property catastrophe contracts with higher aggregate limits as well as higher pricing. During the six month ended June 30, 2012 we restructured some of our property catastrophe contracts and increased our limits of coverage while also increasing the thresholds for losses entering our layer of coverage. As a result, while direct comparison of pricing is not possible, overall we obtained slightly higher prices on renewing contracts that had no claims reported during the prior year and significantly higher prices on catastrophe contracts that experienced losses during 2011.

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For the three months ended June 30, 2012, our ceded premiums decreased by $21.8 million, to negative $4.6 million compared to $17.2 million for the same period in 2011. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, our ceded premiums decreased by $14.3 million, to $6.4 million compared to $20.7 million for the same period in 2011. The decrease in ceded premiums for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 was principally due to downward premium adjustments on a retroceded Florida homeowners' personal lines contract based on indications from the ceding insurer during the second quarter of 2012 that the underlying premiums will be lower than previously estimated due to culling of its third party agents.
 
Details of net premiums written are provided in the following table: 
 
Three months ended June 30,

Six months ended June 30,
 
2012

2011

2012

2011

($ in thousands)

($ in thousands)
Frequency
$
85,308


96.3
%

$
91,418


95.1
%

$
210,920


91.8
%

$
180,295


93.2
%
Severity
3,280


3.7


4,665


4.9


18,893


8.2


13,051


6.8

Total
$
88,588


100.0
%

$
96,083


100.0
%

$
229,813


100.0
%

$
193,346


100.0
%

 Net Premiums Earned
 
Net premiums earned reflect the pro-rata inclusion into income of net premiums written over the life of the reinsurance contracts. Details of net premiums earned are provided in the following table: 
 
Three months ended June 30,

Six months ended June 30,
 
2012

2011

2012

2011

($ in thousands)

($ in thousands)
Frequency
$
125,130


96.2
%

$
104,594


97.6
%

$
222,013


95.9
%

$
202,879


95.6
%
Severity
4,884


3.8


2,557


2.4


9,589


4.1


9,429


4.4

Total
$
130,014


100.0
%

$
107,151


100.0
%

$
231,602


100.0
%

$
212,308


100.0
%

Premiums relating to quota share contracts are earned over the contract period in proportion to the period of protection. Similarly, incoming unearned premiums are earned in proportion to the remaining period of protection. For the three months ended June 30, 2012, the frequency earned premiums increased by $20.5 million, or 19.6%, primarily as a result of our motor liability and motor physical damage contracts which increased net earned premiums by $37.7 million and $15.4 million, respectively. The increase in motor liability line includes an increase of $43.3 million in private automobile earned premiums as a result of new non-standard automobile contracts entered into during late 2011 and early 2012, offset by a decrease of $5.6 million in commercial automobile earned premiums as we canceled the commercial automobile coverage on a multi-line contract during 2012. For the three months ended June 30, 2012, our Florida homeowners' personal lines earned premiums decreased by $26.1 million primarily due to a contract commuted during the fourth quarter of 2011. Other less significant decreases related to our general liability and specialty health lines which decreased $6.6 million and $4.7 million, respectively, due to cancellation of one contract for each of these lines.

For the six months ended June 30, 2012, the frequency earned premiums increased by $19.1 million, or 9.4%, primarily due to the same reasons explained above for the three months ended June 30, 2012.
 
Premiums relating to severity contracts are earned over the contract period in proportion to the period of protection. For the three months ended June 30, 2012, severity net earned premiums increased $2.3 million, or 91.0%, compared to the same period in 2011. The increase related to the higher premiums written on catastrophe contracts renewed during 2012 compared to 2011.

For the six months ended June 30, 2012, severity net earned premiums increased $0.2 million, or 1.7%, compared to the same period in 2011. The increase in severity earned premiums is principally a result of higher premiums written on the catastrophe contracts renewed during 2012 compared to 2011, offset by the lack of additional premiums that had been included in the comparative period on a catastrophe contract which had reported a full limit loss.
    
Losses Incurred

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Losses incurred include losses paid and changes in loss reserves, including reserves for IBNR, net of actual and estimated loss recoverables. Details of net losses incurred for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, are provided in the following table:
 
Three months ended June 30,

Six months ended June 30,
 
2012

2011

2012

2011

($ in thousands)

($ in thousands)
Frequency
$
86,681


99.2
%

$
60,957


107.2
 %

$
149,890


99.5
%

$
117,069


95.5
%
Severity
656


0.8


(4,087
)

(7.2
)

754


0.5


5,526


4.5

Total
$
87,337


100.0
%

$
56,870


100.0
 %

$
150,644


100.0
%

$
122,595


100.0
%

We establish reserves for each contract based on estimates of the ultimate cost of all losses including losses incurred but not reported. These estimated ultimate reserves are based on reports received from ceding companies, industry data and historical experience as well as our own actuarial estimates. Quarterly, we review these estimates on a contract by contract basis and adjust as we deem necessary based on updated information and our internal actuarial estimates. We expect losses incurred on our severity business to be volatile from period to period.

For the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, the loss ratios for our frequency business were 69.3% and 58.3%, respectively. The increase is primarily attributable to a shift in our mix of business as our personal automobile contracts, which carry a higher loss ratio than our overall frequency book, accounted for approximately 50% of total frequency earned premiums during the three months ended June 30, 2012, compared to 3.3% for the same period in 2011. Other factors contributing to the increase in frequency loss ratio for the three months ended June 30, 2012, were higher loss ratios for some of our Florida homeowners' contracts, workers' compensation contracts, and financial trade credit and surety contracts.

For the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, the loss ratios for our severity business were 13.4% and (159.7)%, respectively. The losses incurred of $0.7 million for severity contracts was primarily due to an increase in loss reserves of $2.1 million on a catastrophe contract based on updated underlying losses estimated by the ceding insurer relating to the New Zealand earthquake. Partially offsetting this increase were elimination of loss reserves of $0.7 million and $0.8 million on a professional indemnity contract and an excess of loss contract, respectively, as underlying losses are no longer expected to reach a level that would impact these contracts. The negative loss ratio for the three months ended June 30, 2011 was primarily due to the reversal of $4.1 million of loss reserves on an aggregate catastrophe contract.

For the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, the loss ratios for our frequency business were 67.5% and 57.7%, respectively. The increase in frequency loss ratio is primarily a result of the growth in personal automobile contracts which generally have higher loss ratios than the other lines of frequency business we write. Since these contracts accounted for approximately 40% of our earned premiums for the six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to 3.7% for the same period in 2011, the overall average loss ratio increased. Additionally, increases in loss ratios for specialty health contracts which are in run off also contributed to the increase in loss reserves.

For the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, the loss ratio for our severity business were 7.9% and 58.6%, respectively. The losses incurred on severity contracts of $0.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, primarily related to the same explanations provided above for the three months ended June 30, 2012.

Losses incurred for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 can be further broken down into losses paid and changes in loss and loss adjustment expense reserves as follows:
 
Three months ended
June 30, 2012

Three months ended
June 30, 2011
 
Gross

Ceded

Net

Gross

Ceded

Net
 
($ in thousands)
Losses paid (recovered)
$
77,135


$
(6,483
)

$
70,652


$
61,886


$
(3,254
)

$
58,632

Change in reserves
16,913


(228
)

16,685


(1,105
)

(657
)

(1,762
)
Total
$
94,048

 
$
(6,711
)
 
$
87,337

 
$
60,781

 
$
(3,911
)
 
$
56,870



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Six months ended
June 30, 2012

Six months ended
June 30, 2011
 
Gross

Ceded

Net

Gross

Ceded

Net
 
($ in thousands)
Losses paid (recovered)
$
113,161


$
(8,662
)

$
104,499


$
98,345


$
(4,506
)

$
93,839

Change in reserves
53,499


(7,354
)

46,145


32,016


(3,260
)

28,756

Total
$
166,660


$
(16,016
)

$
150,644


$
130,361


$
(7,766
)

$
122,595


For the six months ended June 30, 2012, our net loss reserves on prior period contracts increased by $10.9 million which primarily related to the following:

$5.3 million of adverse loss development, net of retrocesssion recoveries, on multi-line commercial motor and general liability quota share contracts based on data received from the clients and a reassessment in connection with our quarterly reserve analysis which indicated higher large loss activity on the accounts than originally expected;
$2.1 million of adverse loss development, net of retrocession recoveries, on a Florida homeowners' contract due to a combination of an increase in attritional losses as well as an increase in sinkhole losses based on updated information received from the ceding insurer during the period as well as a reassessment in connection with our quarterly reserve analysis; and
$2.1 million of adverse loss development on a 2010 natural peril contract relating to the 2010 New Zealand earthquake. This adverse loss development resulted from revised estimated losses expected on the underlying policies by the ceding insurer.

There were no other significant developments of prior period reserves during the six months ended June 30, 2012.
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2011, our net loss reserves on prior period contracts increased by $6.3 million which primarily related to the following:

$5.9 million of adverse loss development on commercial motor liability contracts currently in run off;
$1.7 million of adverse loss development on Florida homeowners' contracts;
$1.2 million of favorable loss development on 2009 specialty health contracts;
$1.0 million adverse loss development on a 2010 natural peril contract relating to the 2010 New Zealand earthquake. This loss development resulted from revised estimated losses expected to breach into our layer of coverage solely as a result of changes in the foreign currency exchange rates for the New Zealand dollar and the Australian dollar against the U.S. dollar; and
$0.6 million of reserves eliminated on a 2010 casualty clash excess of loss contract which expired with no reported claims.

There were no other significant developments of prior period reserves during the six months ended June 30, 2011.

Acquisition Costs, Net
 
Acquisition costs represent the amortization of commission and brokerage expenses incurred on contracts written as well as profit commissions and other underwriting expenses which are expensed when incurred. Deferred acquisition costs are limited to the amount of commission and brokerage expenses that are expected to be recovered from future earned premiums and anticipated investment income. Details of acquisition costs are provided in the following table:
 
 
Three months ended June 30,

Six months ended June 30,
 
2012

2011

2012

2011

($ in thousands)

($ in thousands)
Frequency
$
37,174


98.1
%

$
41,855


97.7
%

$
72,409


97.9
%

$
83,176


97.9
%
Severity
731


1.9


969


2.3


1,521


2.1


1,769


2.1

Total
$
37,905


100.0
%

$
42,824


100.0
%

$
73,930


100.0
%

$
84,945


100.0
%



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We expect that acquisition costs will be higher for frequency business than for severity business. For the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, the acquisition cost ratios for frequency business were 29.7% and 39.9%, respectively. The acquisition cost ratios for severity business were 15.0% and 37.9% for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Overall, our total acquisition cost ratio decreased to 29.2% for the three months ended June 30, 2012 from 39.9% for the corresponding period in 2011.

For the three months ended June 30, 2012, the decrease in the frequency acquisition cost ratio primarily related to the change in mix of business. The personal automobile contracts which carry lower ceding commissions than our other frequency contracts, accounted for approximately 50% of frequency earned premiums for the three months ended June 30, 2012. Therefore, the increase in the volume of personal automobile business resulted in a decrease in the overall frequency acquisition cost ratio. Additionally, due to the adverse loss development on a Florida homeowners' contract, the sliding scale ceding commissions were adjusted downward which also contributed to the decrease in acquisition costs.

For the three months ended June 30, 2012, there was a decrease in the severity acquisition cost ratio from 37.9% to 15.0% which was principally related to a multi-year professional liability excess of loss contract where we are holding a profit commission payable to the client and accrue interest on the amount payable. We record this interest expense as an acquisition cost included in underwriting expense since it is directly related to the profit commission payable on this contract. Given that all the premiums on this contract were earned in prior periods, the interest expense is expected to continue accruing until the profit commission is paid. While the amount of interest expense is fairly fixed, any variation in the severity earned premiums impacts the overall acquisition cost ratio. Since the severity earned premiums were approximately 91% higher during the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the same period in 2011, the acquisition cost ratio for the three months ended June 30, 2012 decreased compared to the same period in 2011.  
  
For the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, the acquisition cost ratios for frequency business were 32.6% and 41.0%, respectively. The decrease was primarily due to the same reasons discussed above for the three months ended June 30, 2012.
    
For the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, the acquisition cost ratios for severity business were 15.9% and 18.8%, respectively. The decrease was primarily related to the multi-year professional liability contract discussed in the preceding paragraph.

General and Administrative Expenses
 
For the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, our general and administrative expenses were $4.4 million and $4.3 million, respectively. General and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 included $0.9 million and $1.0 million, respectively, for the expensing of the fair value of stock options and restricted stock granted to employees and directors.   

For the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, our general and administrative expenses were $9.0 million and $9.3 million, respectively. General and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 include $1.8 million and $2.0 million, respectively, for the expensing of the fair value of stock options and restricted stock granted to employees and directors.

Net Investment Income (Loss)
 
A summary of our net investment income (loss) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:
 
Three months ended June 30,

Six months ended June 30,
 
2012

2011

2012

2011

($ in thousands)

($ in thousands)
Realized gains (losses) and change in unrealized gains and losses, net
$
(39,080
)

$
(14,563
)

$
58,252


$
(42,856
)
Interest, dividend and other income
6,112


7,228


8,664


9,736

Interest, dividend and other expenses
(8,866
)

(8,352
)

(16,076
)

(14,891
)
Investment advisor compensation
4,938


(3,782
)

(16,129
)

(7,634
)
Net investment income (loss)
$
(36,896
)

$
(19,469
)

$
34,711


$
(55,645
)

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For the three months ended June 30, 2012, investment income, net of all fees and expenses, resulted in a loss of  3.3% on our investment portfolio. This compares to a loss of 1.9% for the same period in 2011. For the three months ended June 30, 2012, our long portfolio reported gross losses of 10.2% which was partially offset by gross gains of 6.3% on our short portfolio.
 
    For the six months ended June 30, 2012, investment income, net of all fees and expenses, resulted in a return of 3.0% on our investment portfolio. This compares to a loss of 5.2% reported for the same 2011 period. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, our long portfolio reported a gross gain of 5.4% which was partially offset by gross losses on our short portfolio of 0.9%

For the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, included in investment advisor compensation was $4.2 million and $3.8 million, respectively, relating to management fees paid to DME Advisors.

For the six months ended June 30, 2012, included in investment advisor compensation was $8.3 million (June 30, 2011: $7.6 million) relating to management fees paid to DME Advisors.

Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, performance compensation equal to 20% of the net income of the Company’s share of the account managed by DME Advisors is payable to DME Advisors, subject to a loss carry forward provision. The loss carry forward provision allows DME Advisors to earn reduced incentive compensation of 10% on net investment income in any year subsequent to the year in which the investment account incurs a loss, until all the losses are recouped and an additional amount equal to 150% of the aggregate investment loss is earned. Included in investment advisor compensation for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 was performance compensation reversal of $9.1 million and an expense of $7.9 million, respectively.  The reversal was a result of negative investment return for the three months ended June 30, 2012, while the year-to-date investment return remained positive. No performance compensation was recorded for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 due to a net loss being reported during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011.
 
Our investment advisor, DME Advisors, and its affiliates manage and expect to manage other client accounts besides ours, some of which have investment objectives similar to ours. To comply with Regulation FD, our investment returns are posted on our website on a monthly basis. Additionally, our website (www.greenlightre.ky) provides the names of the largest disclosed long positions in our investment portfolio as of the last business day of the month of the relevant posting, as well as information on our long and short exposures.  DME Advisors may choose not to disclose certain positions to its clients in order to protect its investment strategy.  Therefore, we present on our website the largest long positions and exposure information as disclosed by DME Advisors or its affiliates to us and their other clients.  
     
 Income Taxes
 
We are not obligated to pay any taxes in the Cayman Islands on either income or capital gains. We have been granted an exemption by the Governor-In-Cabinet from any taxes that may be imposed in the Cayman Islands for a period of 20 years, expiring on February 1, 2025.
 
GRIL is incorporated in Ireland and, therefore, is subject to the Irish corporation tax. GRIL is expected to be taxed at a rate of 12.5% on its taxable trading income, and 25% on its non-trading income, if any.
 
Verdant is incorporated in Delaware and, therefore, is subject to taxes in accordance with the U.S. federal rates and regulations prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service. Verdant’s taxable income is expected to be taxed at a rate of 35%.

As of June 30, 2012, a deferred tax asset of $0.1 million (December 31, 2011: $0.1 million) resulting solely from the temporary differences in recognition of expenses for tax purposes was included in other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of June 30, 2012, an accrual for current taxes payable of $0.3 million (December 31, 2011: $0.2 million) was recorded in other liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Based on the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences and likelihood of generating sufficient taxable income to realize the future tax benefit, management believes it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will be fully realized in the future and therefore no valuation allowance has been recorded. The Company has not taken any tax positions that are subject to uncertainty or that are reasonably likely to have a material impact to the Company, GRIL or Verdant.
 
  Ratio Analysis

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Due to the opportunistic and customized nature of our underwriting operations, we expect to report different loss and expense ratios in both our frequency and severity businesses from period to period.

The following table provides the ratios for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011
 
Six months ended
June 30, 2012

Six months ended
June 30, 2011
 
Frequency

Severity

Total

Frequency

Severity

Total
 

Loss ratio
67.5
%

7.9
%

65.0
%

57.7
%

58.6
%

57.7
%
Acquisition cost ratio
32.6
%

15.9
%

31.9
%

41.0
%

18.8
%

40
%
Composite ratio
100.1
%

23.8
%

96.9
%

98.7
%

77.4
%

97.7
%
Internal expense ratio




3.9
%





4.4
%
Combined ratio




100.8
%





102.1
%
                
   The loss ratio is calculated by dividing loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred by net premiums earned. We expect that the loss ratio will be volatile for our severity business and may exceed that of our frequency business in certain periods. Given that we opportunistically underwrite a concentrated portfolio across several lines of business that have varying expected loss ratios, we can expect there to be significant annual variations in the loss ratios reported from our frequency business. In addition, the loss ratios for both frequency and severity business can vary depending on the lines of business written.
 
The acquisition cost ratio is calculated by dividing acquisition costs by net premiums earned. This ratio demonstrates the higher acquisition costs incurred for our frequency business than for our severity business.
 
The composite ratio is the ratio of underwriting losses incurred, loss adjustment expenses and acquisition costs, excluding general and administrative expenses, to net premiums earned. Similar to the loss ratio, we expect that this ratio will be more volatile for our severity business depending on loss activity in any particular period.
  
The internal expense ratio is the ratio of all general and administrative expenses to net premiums earned.
 
The combined ratio is the sum of the composite ratio and the internal expense ratio. The combined ratio measures the total profitability of our underwriting operations and does not take net investment income or loss into account. Given the nature of our opportunistic underwriting strategy, we expect that our combined ratio may also be volatile from period to period.

Financial Condition
 
Investments and Due to Prime Brokers
 
Our long investments (including financial contracts receivable) reported in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2012 were $1,230.3 million compared to $1,053.8 million as of December 31, 2011, an increase of $176.5 million, or 16.7%, due to an increase in unrealized gains on our long investments as well as additional purchases of long investments during the six months ended June 30, 2012. As of June 30, 2012, our exposure to long investments increased to 104%, compared to 89% as of December 31, 2011, while our exposure to short investments increased to 53%, compared to 52% as of December 31, 2011, as we increased the number and size of long and short positions in our portfolio. This exposure analysis is conducted on a notional basis and does not include gold, CDS, sovereign debt, cash, foreign currency positions, interest rate options and other macro positions. 
 
From time to time, we incur indebtedness to our prime brokers to implement our investment strategy in accordance with our investment guidelines. As of June 30, 2012, we had borrowed $126.9 million (December 31, 2011: $4.3 million) from our prime brokers in order to purchase investment securities and $238.1 million (December 31, 2011: $256.1 million) under term margin agreements from prime brokers to provide collateral for our letters of credit outstanding. The increase in amounts borrowed from prime brokers for investing was due to the increase in our exposure to long and short investments during the six months ended June 30, 2012. The decrease in the collateral for letters of credit was a result of a decrease in letters of credit outstanding under those term margin agreements and letter of credit facility agreements whereby we pledge certain investment

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securities to borrow cash from the prime brokers.
 
Our investment portfolio, including any derivatives, is valued at fair value and any unrealized gains or losses are reflected in net investment income (loss) in the condensed consolidated statements of income. As of June 30, 201290.2% (December 31, 2011: 86.3%) of our investment portfolio (excluding restricted and unrestricted cash and cash equivalents) was comprised of investments valued based on quoted prices in actively traded markets (Level 1), 7.8% (December 31, 2011: 11.9%) was comprised of securities valued based on observable inputs other than quoted prices (Level 2) and 2.0% (December 31, 2011: 1.8%) was comprised of securities valued based on non-observable inputs (Level 3).
 
In determining whether a market for a financial instrument is active or inactive, we obtain information from DME Advisors, our investment advisor, based on feedback they receive from executing brokers, market makers and in-house traders to assess the level of market activity and available liquidity for any given financial instrument. Where a financial instrument is valued based on broker quotes, DME Advisors requests multiple quotes. The ultimate value is based on an average of the quotes obtained. Broker quoted prices are generally not adjusted in determining the ultimate values and are obtained with the expectation of the quotes being binding. As of June 30, 2012, $142.2 million (December 31, 2011: $182.8 million) of our investments (longs, shorts and derivatives) were valued based on broker quotes, of which $134.8 million (December 31, 2011: $174.9 million) were based on broker quotes that utilized observable market information and classified as Level 2 fair value measurements, and $7.4 million (December 31, 2011: $7.9 million) were based on broker quotes that utilized non-observable inputs and classified as Level 3 fair value measurements.
 
During the three months ended June 30, 2012, equity securities with a fair value of $1.1 million on the date of transfer, were transferred from Level 3 to Level 2 classification. These securities became publicly listed and commenced trading on an exchange during the quarter. However, due to a lock-up period, the securities held in our investment portfolio are restricted from being traded for 120 days. Therefore, a discount factor has been applied to determine the fair value of these securities as of June 30, 2012 and these securities have been classified as Level 2. A detailed reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented in Note 3 of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. No other transfers into or out of Level 3 took place during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012.

During the three months ended June 30, 2012, equity securities with a fair value of $29.4 million on the date of transfer, were transferred from a Level 2 to a Level 1 classification as the lock-up period on these securities ended and a discount factor was no longer applied in determining the fair value of these securities.
 
Non-observable inputs used by our investment advisor include discounted cash flow models for valuing certain corporate debt instruments. In addition, other non-observable inputs include the use of investment manager statements and management estimates based on third party appraisals of underlying assets for valuing private equity investments. 

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents; Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased
 
As of June 30, 2012, our securities sold, not yet purchased decreased by $20.3 million, or 3.0%, to $663.5 million from $683.8 million at December 31, 2011. This decrease was primarily the result of the disposal of certain sovereign debt instruments, sold short. For the same period, our restricted cash decreased from $957.5 million to $922.9 million, a decrease of $34.6 million, or 3.6%, primarily as a result of needing less collateral to support the overall reduction in securities sold short.

Although the amount of securities sold, not yet purchased decreased during the first six months of 2012, our reported exposure to short investments increased marginally to 53% compared to 52% as of December 31, 2011.  The reported exposure did not decrease in line with the decrease in the amount of securities sold, not yet purchased because sovereign debt instruments are excluded from our investment exposure calculation.

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves; Loss and Loss Expenses Recoverable
 
Reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 were comprised of the following table: 

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June 30, 2012

December 31, 2011
 
Case
Reserves

IBNR

Total

Case
Reserves

IBNR

Total
 
($ in thousands)
Frequency
$
121,203


$
140,167


$
261,370


$
85,186


$
117,850


$
203,036

Severity
11,817


21,460


33,277


18,136


20,107


38,243

Total
$
133,020


$
161,627


$
294,647


$
103,322


$
137,957


$
241,279

 
The increase in frequency loss reserves is principally a result of estimated losses incurred associated with the additional premiums earned during the six months ended June 30, 2012. The decrease in severity case reserves is due to loss payments being made on older severity contracts. For most of our contracts written as of June 30, 2012, our risk exposure is limited by the fact that the contracts have defined limits of liability. Once the loss limit for a contract has been reached, we have no further exposure to additional losses from that contract. However, certain contracts, particularly quota share contracts that relate to first dollar exposure, may not contain aggregate limits.
 
Our severity business includes contracts that contain or may contain natural peril loss exposure. As of July 27, 2012, our maximum aggregate loss exposure to any series of natural peril events was $110.6 million. For purposes of the preceding sentence, aggregate loss exposure is net of any retrocession and is equal to the difference between the aggregate limits available in the contracts that contain natural peril exposure minus reinstatement premiums, if any, for the same contracts. We categorize peak zones as: United States, Europe, Japan and the rest of the world. The following table provides single event loss exposure and aggregate loss exposure information for the peak zones of our natural peril coverage as of the date of this filing: 
Zone
 
Single Event
Loss

Aggregate
Loss

 
($ in thousands)
United States (1)
 
$
77,060


$
110,640

Europe
 
47,500


49,500

Japan
 
47,500


49,500

Rest of the world
 
47,500


49,500

Maximum Aggregate
 
77,060


110,640

 (1)           Includes the Caribbean

For the six months ended June 30, 2012, loss and loss expenses recoverable increased by $7.2 million, or 24.0%, to $36.9 million principally due to the increase in ceded premiums relating to a Florida homeowners' contract, and to a lesser extent, due to our prior year multi-line retroceded contracts which experienced adverse loss development as a result of an increase in large losses on the corresponding assumed quota share contracts.
 
Shareholders’ Equity
 
Total equity reported on the balance sheet, which includes non-controlling interest, was unchanged at $845.7 million as of June 30, 2012 compared to $845.7 million as of December 31, 2011. Retained earnings increased due to net income of $29.1 million reported for the three months ended June 30, 2012, while the non-controlling interest decreased by $30.8 million primarily due to withdrawal of funds by DME Advisors from the joint venture during the six months ended June 30, 2012.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
General
 
We are organized as a holding company with no operations of our own. As a holding company, we have minimal continuing cash needs, most of which are related to the payment of administrative expenses. All of our underwriting operations are conducted through our wholly-owned reinsurance subsidiaries, Greenlight Re and GRIL, which underwrite risks associated with our property and casualty reinsurance programs. There are restrictions on each of Greenlight Re’s and GRIL’s ability to pay dividends which are described in more detail below. It is our current policy to retain earnings to support the growth of our business. We currently do not expect to pay dividends on our ordinary shares.

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As of June 30, 2012, Greenlight Re was rated “A (Excellent)” with a stable outlook, while GRIL was rated "A- (Excellent)" with a stable outlook by A.M. Best. The ratings reflect A.M. Best’s opinion of our reinsurance subsidiaries’ financial strength, operating performance and ability to meet obligations and it is not an evaluation directed toward the protection of investors or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold our Class A ordinary shares.

Sources and Uses of Funds
 
Our sources of funds primarily consist of premium receipts (net of brokerage and ceding commissions), investment income (net of advisory compensation and investment expenses), including realized gains, and other income. We use cash from our operations to pay losses and loss adjustment expenses, profit commissions and general and administrative expenses. Substantially all of our funds, including shareholders’ capital, net of funds required for cash liquidity purposes, are invested by DME Advisors in accordance with our investment guidelines. As of June 30, 2012, approximately 94% of our investments were comprised of publicly-traded equity securities and gold bullion which can be readily liquidated to meet current and future liabilities. As of June 30, 2012, the majority of our investments were valued based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1). Given our value-oriented long and short investment strategy, if markets are distressed we would expect the liability of the short portfolio to decline. Any reduction in the liability would cause our need for restricted cash to decrease and thereby free up cash to be used for any purpose. Additionally, since the majority of our invested assets are liquid, even in distressed markets, we believe securities can be sold or covered to generate cash to pay claims. Since we classify our investments as "trading," we book all gains and losses (including unrealized gains and losses) on all our investments (including derivatives) as net investment income in our condensed consolidated statements of income for each reporting period.    
   
For the six months ended June 30, 2012, we used $0.1 million in cash from operations principally for underwriting activities. We used $30.9 million in net investing activities which included $34.0 million withdrawn by our investment advisor to reduce its non-controlling interest in the joint venture. Our short-term borrowings from prime brokers also increased by $104.6 million as a result of increases in the long and short exposures of our investment portfolio. There were no notable cash flows related to financing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2012.
   
As of June 30, 2012, we believe we have sufficient cash flow from operations to meet our foreseeable liquidity requirements. We expect that our operational needs for liquidity will be met by cash, funds generated from underwriting activities and investment income, including realized gains. As of June 30, 2012, we had no plans to issue debt and expect to fund our operations for the next 12 months from operating cash flow. However, we cannot provide assurances that in the future we will not incur indebtedness to implement our business strategy, pay claims or make acquisitions.
 
Although GLRE is not subject to any significant legal prohibitions on the payment of dividends, Greenlight Re and GRIL are each subject to regulatory minimum capital requirements and regulatory constraints that affect their ability to pay dividends to us. In addition, any dividend payment would have to be approved by the relevant regulatory authorities prior to payment. As of June 30, 2012, Greenlight Re and GRIL both exceeded the regulatory minimum capital requirements.  

Letters of Credit
 
As of June 30, 2012, neither Greenlight Re nor GRIL was licensed or admitted as a reinsurer in any jurisdiction other than the Cayman Islands and the European Economic Area, respectively. Because many jurisdictions do not permit domestic insurance companies to take credit on their statutory financial statements, unless appropriate measures are in place from reinsurance obtained from unlicensed or non-admitted insurers, we anticipate that all of our U.S. clients and some of our non-U.S. clients will require us to provide collateral through funds withheld, trust arrangements, letters of credit or a combination thereof.

As of June 30, 2012, we had four letter of credit facilities totaling $760.0 million (December 31, 2011: $760.0 million) with various financial institutions. See Note 8 of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for details on each of these facilities. As of June 30, 2012, an aggregate amount of $395.8 million (December 31, 2011: $382.8 million) in letters of credit was issued under these facilities. Under these facilities, we provide collateral that may consist of equity securities, restricted cash, and cash equivalents. At June 30, 2012, total equity securities, restricted cash, and cash and cash equivalents with a fair value in the aggregate of $404.8 million (December 31, 2011: $410.5 million) were pledged as security against the letters of credit issued.

Each of the facilities contain customary events of default and restrictive covenants, including but not limited to, limitations on liens on collateral, transactions with affiliates, mergers and sales of assets, as well as solvency and maintenance of certain minimum pledged equity requirements, and restricts issuance of any debt without the consent of the letter of credit

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provider. Additionally, if an event of default exists, as defined in the letter of credit facilities, Greenlight Re would be prohibited from paying dividends to its parent company. The Company was in compliance with all the covenants of each of these facilities for the six months ended June 30, 2012.
  
Capital
 
Our capital structure currently consists entirely of equity issued in two separate classes of ordinary shares. We expect that the existing capital base and internally generated funds will be sufficient to implement our business strategy. Consequently, we do not presently anticipate that we will incur any material indebtedness in the ordinary course of our business other than temporary borrowing directly related to the management of our investment portfolio. In order to provide us with additional flexibility and timely access to public capital markets should we require additional capital for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes, on June 22, 2012, we renewed our Form S-3 registration statement , which expires in June 2015 unless renewed. We did not make any significant commitments for capital expenditures during the six months ended June 30, 2012.

On August 5, 2008, our Board of Directors adopted a share repurchase plan authorizing the Company to repurchase Class A ordinary shares. From time to time, the repurchase plan has been modified at the election of our Board of Directors. On April 26, 2012, our Board of Directors extended the duration of the repurchase plan from June 30, 2012 to June 30, 2013. The Company is not required to repurchase any of Class A ordinary shares and the repurchase plan may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time without prior notice. As of June 30, 2012, the Company was authorized to purchase up to 1,771,100 of Class A ordinary shares or securities convertible into Class A ordinary shares in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. No Class A ordinary shares were repurchased by the Company during the six months ended June 30, 2012.

On April 28, 2010, our shareholders approved an amendment to our stock incentive plan to increase the number of Class A ordinary shares available for issuance from 2.0 million to 3.5 million. As of June 30, 2012, there were 1,182,269 Class A ordinary shares available for future issuance. 
 
On September 26, 2011, A.M. Best upgraded the rating for our reinsurance subsidiary, Greenlight Re from "A- (Excellent)" to "A (Excellent)" and reaffirmed the "A− (Excellent)" rating for GRIL. These ratings reflect the rating agency’s opinion of our reinsurance subsidiaries’ financial strength, operating performance and ability to meet obligations. If an independent rating agency downgrades our ratings below "A- (Excellent)" or withdraws our rating, we could be severely limited or prevented from writing any new reinsurance contracts, which would significantly and negatively affect our business. Insurer financial strength ratings are based upon factors relevant to policyholders and are not directed toward the protection of investors. Our A.M. Best ratings may be revised or revoked at the sole discretion of the rating agency. 

Contractual Obligations and Commitments
 
The following table shows our aggregate contractual obligations as of June 30, 2012 by time period remaining: 

Less than
 1 year

1-3 years

3-5 years

More than
 5 years

Total
 
  ($ in thousands)
Operating lease obligations (1)
$
372


$
744


$
636


$
277


$
2,029

Specialist service agreement
500


300






800

Private equity and limited partnerships (2)
19,037








19,037

Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves (3)
144,789


111,879


28,633


9,346


294,647


$
164,698


$
112,923


$
29,269


$
9,623


$
316,513

 (1)    Reflects our contractual obligations pursuant to the lease agreements as described below. 
 
(2)    As of June 30, 2012, we had made total commitments of $47.8 million in private investments of which we have invested $28.8 million, and our remaining commitments to these investments total $19.0 million. Given the nature of the private equity investments, we are unable to determine with any degree of accuracy as to when the commitments will be called. As such, for the purposes of the above table, we have assumed that all commitments with no fixed payment schedule will be made within one year. Under our investment guidelines, in effect as of the date hereof, no more than 10% of the assets in the investment portfolio may be held in private equity securities without specific approval from the Board of Directors. 
 

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(3)    Due to the nature of our reinsurance operations, the amount and timing of the cash flows associated with our reinsurance contractual liabilities will fluctuate, perhaps materially, and, therefore, are highly uncertain.
 
GLRE has entered into a ten year lease agreement for office space in the Cayman Islands with the option to renew for an additional five year term. The lease term is effective from July 1, 2008 and ends on June 30, 2018. Under the terms of the lease agreement, our minimum annual rent payments are $253,539 for the first three years, increasing by 3% thereafter each year to reach $311,821 by the tenth year. The minimum lease payment obligations are included in the above table under operating lease obligations and in Note 8 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
GRIL has entered into a lease agreement for office space in Dublin, Ireland. Under the terms of this lease agreement, GRIL is committed to average annual rent payments denominated in Euros approximating €67,528 until May 2016 (net of rent inducements), and adjusted to the prevailing market rates for each of the three subsequent five-year terms. GRIL has the option to terminate the lease agreement in 2016 and 2021. The minimum lease payment obligations are included in the above table under operating lease obligations and in Note 8 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
We have entered into a service agreement with a specialist service provider for the provision of administration and support in developing and maintaining business relationships, reviewing and recommending programs and managing risks relating to certain specialty lines of business. The specialist service provider does not have any authority to bind the Company to any reinsurance contracts. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company has committed to quarterly payments to the specialist service provider. If the agreement is terminated, the Company is obligated to make minimum payments for another two years to ensure any contracts to which the Company is bound are adequately administered by the specialist service provider. The minimum payments are included in the above table under specialist service agreement and in Note 8 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
On January 1, 2008, we entered into an Advisory Agreement wherein the Company and DME Advisors agreed to create a joint venture for the purposes of managing certain jointly-held assets. The Advisory Agreement was amended effective August 31, 2010 to include GRIL as a participant to the agreement. The term of the amended agreement is August 31, 2010 through December 31, 2013, with automatic three-year renewals unless 90 days prior to the end of the then current term, either DME Advisors terminates the agreement or any of the participants notifies DME Advisors of its desire to withdraw from the agreement. Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, we pay a monthly management fee of 0.125% on our share of the assets managed by DME Advisors and performance allocation of 20% on the net investment income of the Company’s share of assets managed by DME Advisors subject to a loss carry forward provision. The loss carry forward provision allows DME Advisors to earn reduced incentive compensation of 10% on net investment income in any year subsequent to the year in which the investment account incurs a loss, until all the losses are recouped and an additional amount equal to 150% of the aggregate loss is earned. DME Advisors is not entitled to earn performance compensation in a year in which the investment portfolio incurs a loss. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, performance allocation of $7.9 million was included in net investment income for the period and was accrued and included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets at June 30, 2012, as performance compensation payable to a related party.
 
In February 2007, we entered into a service agreement with DME Advisors pursuant to which DME Advisors will provide investor relations services to us for compensation of $5,000 per month plus expenses. The agreement had an initial term of one year, and continues for sequential one-year periods until terminated by us or DME Advisors. Either party may terminate the agreement for any reason with 30 days prior written notice to the other party.

Off-Balance Sheet Financing Arrangements
 
We have no obligations, assets or liabilities, other than those derivatives in our investment portfolio that are disclosed in the condensed consolidated financial statements, which would be considered off-balance sheet arrangements. We do not participate in transactions that create relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, often referred to as variable interest entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements. 
 
Item 3.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
We believe we are principally exposed to the following types of market risk:
 
•    equity price risk;

•    foreign currency risk;


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•    interest rate risk;

•    credit risk;

•    effects of inflation; and

•    political risk.
 
Equity Price Risk

As of June 30, 2012, our investment portfolio consisted of long and short equity securities, along with certain equity-based derivative instruments, the carrying values of which are primarily based on quoted market prices. Generally, market prices of common equity securities are subject to fluctuation, which could cause the amount to be realized upon the closing of the position to differ significantly from their current reported value. This risk is partly mitigated by the presence of both long and short equity securities. As of June 30, 2012, a 10% decline in the price of each of these listed equity securities and equity-based derivative instruments would result in a $52.8 million, or 4.8%, decline in the fair value of our total investment portfolio.
 
Computations of the prospective effects of hypothetical equity price changes are based on numerous assumptions, including the maintenance of the existing level and composition of investment securities and should not be relied on as indicative of future results.
 
Foreign Currency Risk

Certain of our reinsurance contracts provide that ultimate losses may be payable or calculated in foreign currencies depending on the country of original loss. Foreign currency exchange rate risk exists to the extent that there is an increase in the exchange rate of the foreign currency in which losses are ultimately owed. As of June 30, 2012, we had loss reserves reported in foreign currencies of £9.0 million. Additionally, we are exposed to fluctuations in foreign currencies on certain worldwide catastrophe aggregate loss contracts where the thresholds for losses entering into our layers of coverage are denominated in U.S. dollars while the underlying losses on these contracts are determined by the insurer in foreign currencies. Changes in currency exchange rates may result in aggregated losses that were not previously expected to attach to our layer, subsequently breaching into our coverage layer, or vice versa. As of June 30, 2012, we estimated that a 10% decrease in the U.S dollar against both the New Zealand dollar and the Australian dollar (all else being constant) would result in additional estimated loss reserves of $1.4 million on an aggregate loss contract. Alternatively, a 10% increase in the U.S dollar against both the New Zealand dollar and the Australian dollar, would result in a reduction of $2.2 million in our recorded loss reserves.
 
While we do not seek to specifically match our liabilities under reinsurance policies that are payable in foreign currencies with investments denominated in such currencies, we continually monitor our exposure to potential foreign currency losses and would consider the use of forward foreign currency exchange contracts in an effort to mitigate against adverse foreign currency movements.
 
We are also exposed to foreign currency risk through cash, forwards, options and investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies. Foreign currency exchange rate risk is the potential for adverse changes in the U.S. dollar value of investments (long and short), speculative foreign currency options and cash positions due to a change in the exchange rate of the foreign currency in which cash and financial instruments are denominated. As of June 30, 2012, some of our currency exposure resulting from foreign denominated securities (longs and shorts) was reduced by offsetting cash balances (shorts and longs) denominated in the corresponding foreign currencies. 

The following table summarizes the net impact that a 10% increase and decrease in the value of the U.S. dollar against select foreign currencies would have on the value of our investment portfolio as of June 30, 2012

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  10% increase in U.S. dollar

10% decrease in U.S. dollar
Foreign Currency
Change in
fair value

Change in fair value as % of investment portfolio

Change in
fair value

Change in fair value as % of investment portfolio
 
  ($ in thousands)
British Pounds
$
133


%

$
(133
)

 %
Euro
16,721


1.5


(4,657
)

(0.4
)
Japanese Yen
29,616


2.7


(8,746
)

(0.8
)
Swiss Franc
688


0.1


(688
)

(0.1
)
Other
249




(249
)


Total 
$
47,407


4.3
%

$
(14,473
)

(1.3
)%
 
Computations of the prospective effects of hypothetical currency price changes are based on numerous assumptions, including the maintenance of the existing level and composition of investment securities denominated in foreign currencies and related foreign currency instruments, and should not be relied on as indicative of future results.
 
Interest Rate Risk

Our investment portfolio includes interest rate sensitive securities, such as corporate and sovereign debt instruments, CDS, interest rate options and futures. The primary market risk exposure for any debt instrument is interest rate risk. As interest rates rise, the market value of our long fixed-income portfolio falls, and the opposite is also true as interest rates fall. Additionally, some of our derivative investments may also be credit sensitive and their value may indirectly fluctuate with changes in interest rates. 

The following table summarizes the impact that a 100 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates would have on the value of our investment portfolio as of June 30, 2012:

100 basis point increase
in interest rates

100 basis point decrease
in interest rates

Change in
fair value

Change in fair value as % of investment portfolio

Change in
fair value

Change in fair value as % of investment portfolio
 
  ($ in thousands)
Debt instruments
$
7,386


0.7
 %

$
(8,090
)

(0.7
)%
Credit default swaps
(117
)



117



Interest rate options
1,606


0.1


(451
)


Futures
19,702


1.8


(21,413
)

(1.9
)
Net exposure to interest rate risk
$
28,577


2.6
 %

$
(29,837
)

(2.7
)%
 
For the purposes of the above table, the hypothetical impact of changes in interest rates on debt instruments, CDS, interest rate options and futures was determined based on the interest rates applicable to each instrument individually. We periodically monitor our net exposure to interest rate risk and generally do not expect changes in interest rates to have a materially adverse impact on our operations.
 
Credit Risk

We are exposed to credit risk primarily from the possibility that counterparties may default on their obligations to us. The amount of the maximum exposure to credit risk is indicated by the carrying value of our financial assets including notes receivable. Our notes receivable are due from parties whom we consider our strategic partners and we evaluate their financial condition and monitor our exposure to them on a regular basis.

In addition, the securities, commodities, and cash in our investment portfolio are held with several prime brokers, subjecting us to the related credit risk from the possibility that one or more of them may default on their obligations to us. We

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closely and regularly monitor our concentration of credit risk with each prime broker and if necessary, transfer cash or securities between prime brokers to diversify and mitigate our credit risk. Other than our investment in derivative contracts and corporate debt, if any, and the fact that our investments and majority of cash balances are held by prime brokers on our behalf, we have no other significant concentrations of credit risk.
 
Effects of Inflation

We do not believe that inflation has had or will have a material effect on our combined results of operations, except insofar as inflation may affect interest rates and asset values in our investment portfolio.
 
Political Risk

We are exposed to political risk to the extent that DME Advisors, on our behalf and subject to our investment guidelines, trade securities that are listed on various U.S. and foreign exchanges and markets. The governments in any of these jurisdictions could impose restrictions, regulations or other measures, which may have a material adverse impact on our investment strategy. We are not currently exposed to political risk coverage on our insurance contracts, however, changes in government laws and regulations may impact our underwriting operations (see Item 1A "Risk Factors" contained in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011). 
 
Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
As required by Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has evaluated, with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in such rules) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures will prevent all errors and all frauds. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake.
 
Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based, in part, upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.  

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  The Company continues to review its disclosure controls and procedures, including its internal controls over financial reporting, and may from time to time make changes aimed at enhancing their effectiveness and to ensure that the Company’s systems evolve with its business.
 

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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
From time to time, in the normal course of business, we may be involved in formal and informal dispute resolution procedures, which may include arbitration or litigation, the outcomes of which determine our rights and obligations under our reinsurance contracts and other contractual agreements. In some disputes, we may seek to enforce our rights under an agreement or to collect funds owing to us. In other matters, we may resist attempts by others to collect funds or enforce alleged rights. While the final outcome of legal disputes cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that any of our existing contractual disputes, when finally resolved, will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results.
 
Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
 
Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in this report are any of the risks described in Item 1A "Risk Factors" included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, as filed with the SEC. Any of these factors could result in a significant or material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Additional risk factors not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business or results of operations.
 
As of July 27, 2012, there have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A "Risk Factors" included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, as filed with the SEC, except we may disclose changes to such factors or disclose additional factors from time to time in our future filings with the SEC.
 
Item 2.    UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS 
 
On August 5, 2008, our Board of Directors adopted a share repurchase plan authorizing the Company to repurchase Class A ordinary shares. From time to time, the repurchase plan has been modified at the election of our Board of Directors. As of June 30, 2012, the Company was authorized to purchase up to 1,771,100 of Class A ordinary shares or securities convertible into Class A ordinary shares in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. On April 26, 2012, our Board of Directors extended the duration of the repurchase plan from June 30, 2012 to June 30, 2013. The Company is not required to make any repurchase of Class A ordinary shares and the repurchase plan may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time without prior notice. No Class A ordinary shares were repurchased by the Company during the six months ended June 30, 2012.
 
Item 3.    DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES 
 
None.
 
Item 4.    MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable
 
Item 5.    OTHER INFORMATION
 
On July 26, 2012, GLRE, Greenlight Re and Barton Hedges entered into an amended and restated employment agreement (the “Amended Agreement”), pursuant to which Mr. Hedges' employment agreement, dated as of July 27, 2011 and effective as of August 15, 2011 (the “Prior Agreement”) was amended and restated.  The Amended Agreement eliminates: (i) a Change of Control of the Company (as defined in the Prior Agreement) as a basis for Good Reason (as defined in the Prior Agreement); and (ii) the definition of Change in Control of the Company.  None of the other terms and conditions of the Prior Agreement, which were disclosed in a Form 8-K filed by GLRE on August 15, 2011 and are incorporated herein by reference, were modified in any material respect. 
 
The foregoing is a summary of the Amended Agreement and is qualified in its entirety by the Amended Agreement filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1.

 


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Item 6.    EXHIBITS

10.1
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated July 26, 2012, by and among Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd., Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. and Barton Hedges.
12.1
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Share Dividends
31.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer filed hereunder pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
31.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer filed hereunder pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
32.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer filed hereunder pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
32.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer filed hereunder pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
101
The following materials from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the six months ended June 30, 2012, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income; (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity; (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (v) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. (*)
 
*
The XBRL related information in Exhibits 101 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q shall not be deemed “filed” or a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Section 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of those sections.

 
 

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SIGNATURES
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
/s/ Barton Hedges                                           
 
 
Name:
Barton Hedges
 
 
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
Date:
July 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
/s/ Tim Courtis                                                                 
 
 
Name:
Tim Courtis
 
 
Title:
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
Date:
July 30, 2012
 

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