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GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD. - Quarter Report: 2015 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, 2015

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 x Accelerated filer ¨
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
30,869,620
Class B Ordinary Shares, $0.10 par value
6,254,895
(Class)                      
Outstanding as of August 1, 2015





GREENLIGHT CAPITAL RE, LTD.
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
Page
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2015 (unaudited) and December 31, 2014
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)
 
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
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, 2015 and December 31, 2014
(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share and share amounts)
 
June 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
(unaudited)
 
(audited)
Assets
 
 
 
Investments
 
 
 
Debt instruments, trading, at fair value
$
43,482

 
$
49,212

Equity securities, trading, at fair value
1,217,462

 
1,266,175

Other investments, at fair value
157,629

 
115,591

Total investments
1,418,573

 
1,430,978

Cash and cash equivalents
90,955

 
12,030

Restricted cash and cash equivalents
1,649,016

 
1,296,914

Financial contracts receivable, at fair value
38,031

 
47,171

Reinsurance balances receivable
141,010

 
151,185

Loss and loss adjustment expenses recoverable
2,906

 
11,523

Deferred acquisition costs, net
43,055

 
34,420

Unearned premiums ceded
2,683

 
4,027

Notes receivable
29,857

 
1,566

Other assets
8,742

 
5,478

Total assets
$
3,424,828

 
$
2,995,292

Liabilities and equity
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value
$
1,285,354

 
$
1,090,731

Financial contracts payable, at fair value
28,035

 
44,592

Due to prime brokers
515,063

 
211,070

Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
270,435

 
264,243

Unearned premium reserves
160,172

 
128,736

Reinsurance balances payable
16,642

 
40,372

Funds withheld
6,861

 
6,558

Other liabilities
14,770

 
14,949

Total liabilities
2,297,332

 
1,801,251

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, 31,209,651 (2014: 31,129,648): Class B: par value $0.10; authorized, 25,000,000; issued and outstanding, 6,254,895 (2014: 6,254,895))
3,746

 
3,738

Additional paid-in capital
500,641

 
500,553

Retained earnings
594,937

 
660,860

Shareholders’ equity attributable to shareholders
1,099,324

 
1,165,151

Non-controlling interest in joint venture
28,172

 
28,890

Total equity
1,127,496

 
1,194,041

Total liabilities and equity
$
3,424,828

 
$
2,995,292

 
  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, 2015 and 2014
(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share and share amounts)
 
Three months ended June 30
 
Six months ended June 30
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross premiums written
$
92,990

 
$
33,654

 
$
222,672

 
$
152,555

Gross premiums ceded
(1,868
)
 
(2,759
)
 
(3,494
)
 
(8,699
)
Net premiums written
91,122

 
30,895

 
219,178

 
143,856

Change in net unearned premium reserves
563

 
56,960

 
(32,700
)
 
55,688

Net premiums earned
91,685

 
87,855

 
186,478

 
199,544

Net investment income (loss)
(20,305
)
 
113,932

 
(45,134
)
 
103,782

Other income (expense), net
(3,760
)
 
(1,400
)
 
(2,172
)
 
(1,218
)
Total revenues
67,620

 
200,387

 
139,172

 
302,108

Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred, net
76,653

 
56,644

 
139,860

 
124,007

Acquisition costs, net
23,939

 
25,570

 
50,780

 
63,366

General and administrative expenses
6,894

 
5,559

 
13,054

 
11,759

Total expenses
107,486

 
87,773

 
203,694

 
199,132

Income (loss) before income tax expense
(39,866
)
 
112,614

 
(64,522
)
 
102,976

Income tax (expense) benefit
(54
)
 
14

 
161

 
574

Net income (loss) including non-controlling interest
(39,920
)
 
112,628

 
(64,361
)
 
103,550

Income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest in joint venture
324

 
(3,075
)
 
718

 
(2,878
)
Net income (loss)
$
(39,596
)
 
$
109,553

 
$
(63,643
)
 
$
100,672

Earnings (loss) per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
(1.06
)
 
$
2.94

 
$
(1.71
)
 
$
2.71

Diluted
$
(1.06
)
 
$
2.89

 
$
(1.71
)
 
$
2.66

Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in the determination of earnings and loss per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
37,303,265

 
37,246,922

 
37,168,279

 
37,161,818

Diluted
37,303,265

 
37,902,106

 
37,168,279

 
37,843,013

 

 
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, 2015 and 2014
(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, 2013
$
3,705

 
$
496,622

 
$
551,268

 
$
1,051,595

 
$
34,709

 
$
1,086,304

Issue of Class A ordinary shares, net of forfeitures
24

 

 

 
24

 

 
24

Share-based compensation expense, net of forfeitures

 
1,817

 

 
1,817

 

 
1,817

Non-controlling interest withdrawal from joint venture, net

 

 

 

 
(6,500
)
 
(6,500
)
Income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest in joint venture

 

 

 

 
2,878

 
2,878

Net income (loss)

 

 
100,672

 
100,672

 

 
100,672

Balance at June 30, 2014
$
3,729

 
$
498,439

 
$
651,940

 
$
1,154,108

 
$
31,087

 
$
1,185,195

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2014
$
3,738

 
$
500,553

 
$
660,860

 
$
1,165,151

 
$
28,890

 
$
1,194,041

Issue of Class A ordinary shares, net of forfeitures
22

 

 

 
22

 

 
22

Repurchase of Class A ordinary shares
(14
)
 
(1,945
)
 
(2,280
)
 
(4,239
)
 

 
(4,239
)
Share-based compensation expense, net of forfeitures

 
2,033

 

 
2,033

 

 
2,033

Non-controlling interest withdrawal from joint venture, net

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 
(718
)
 
(718
)
Net income (loss)

 

 
(63,643
)
 
(63,643
)
 

 
(63,643
)
Balance at June 30, 2015
$
3,746

 
$
500,641

 
$
594,937

 
$
1,099,324

 
$
28,172

 
$
1,127,496



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, 2015 and 2014
(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)
 
 
Six months ended June 30
 
2015
 
2014
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
(63,643
)
 
$
100,672

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
 
 
 
Net change in unrealized gains and losses on investments and financial contracts
49,137

 
36,657

Net realized gains on investments and financial contracts
(40,277
)
 
(170,853
)
Foreign exchange (gains) losses on investments
16,370

 
4,127

Income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest in joint venture
(718
)
 
2,878

Share-based compensation expense, net of forfeitures
2,055

 
1,841

Depreciation expense
203

 
229

Net change in
 
 
 
Reinsurance balances receivable
10,175

 
22,011

Loss and loss adjustment expenses recoverable
8,617

 
3,981

Deferred acquisition costs, net
(8,635
)
 
19,538

Unearned premiums ceded
1,344

 
(2,462
)
Other assets
(3,467
)
 
(3,736
)
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
6,192

 
(26,797
)
Unearned premium reserves
31,436

 
(52,438
)
Reinsurance balances payable
(23,730
)
 
5,112

Funds withheld
303

 
(1,526
)
Other liabilities
(179
)
 
(2,355
)
Performance compensation payable to related party

 
24,045

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
(14,817
)
 
(39,076
)
Investing activities
 
 
 
Purchases of investments, trading
(478,199
)
 
(642,856
)
Sales of investments, trading
500,276

 
758,103

Purchases of financial contracts
(18,826
)
 
(14,155
)
Dispositions of financial contracts
6,601

 
23,262

Securities sold, not yet purchased
534,837

 
417,348

Dispositions of securities sold, not yet purchased
(364,581
)
 
(513,495
)
Change in due to prime brokers
303,993

 
(3,572
)
Change in restricted cash and cash equivalents, net
(357,829
)
 
11,124

Change in notes receivable, net
(28,291
)
 
11,788

Non-controlling interest withdrawal from joint venture, net

 
(6,500
)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
97,981

 
41,047

Financing activities
 
 
 
Repurchase of Class A ordinary shares
(4,239
)
 

Net cash used in financing activities
(4,239
)
 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
78,925

 
1,971

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period
12,030

 
3,722

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period
$
90,955

 
$
5,693

Supplementary information
 
 
 
Interest paid in cash
$
14,201

 
$
13,819

Interest received in cash
1,441

 
268

Income tax paid in cash

 


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, 2015
 
 
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 a Class D insurer license issued in accordance with the terms of The Insurance Law, 2010 and underlying regulations thereto (the "Law") and is subject to regulation by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority ("CIMA"), in terms of the 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 is authorized as a non-life reinsurance undertaking in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Reinsurance) Regulations 2006 ("Irish Regulations"). 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 consolidated 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, 2014. 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, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full calendar year.

Reclassifications
Certain prior period balances have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. Prior to January 1, 2015, non-investment related foreign exchange gains and losses were recorded under general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of income. Effective from January 1, 2015, the presentation has been modified and any non-investment related foreign exchange gains or losses are now recorded under “Other income (expense) net” in the condensed consolidated statements of income. As a result, foreign exchange loss of $1.4 million and $1.6 million that were previously reported in general and administrative expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively, were reclassified as “Other income (expense) net” to conform to the current year presentation. The reclassifications resulted in no changes to net income or retained earnings for any of the periods presented.

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 condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. 
 

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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 to collateralize the letters of credit issued under certain letter of credit facilities (see Notes 4 and 9). 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 and expenses. If a loss is probable on the unexpired portion of policies in force, a premium deficiency loss is recognized. At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, 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, 2015, $11.3 million (December 31, 2014: $11.0 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, 2015, $1.1 million and $1.6 million, respectively, (2014: $0.5 million and $1.4 million, respectively), of net profit commission expense was included in acquisition costs 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 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. Interest income and realized gains or losses on sale of notes receivable are included under net investment income (loss) in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

The Company regularly reviews all notes receivable individually for impairment and records valuation allowance provisions for uncollectible and non-performing notes. The Company places notes on non-accrual status when the recorded 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, 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.



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At June 30, 2015, $24.8 million of notes receivable (net of any valuation allowance) were on non-accrual status
(December 31, 2014: $0.0 million) and any payments received are applied to reduce the recorded value of the notes. The increase in notes receivable during the six months ended June 30, 2015, related to a settlement agreement entered into with a ceding insurer during the first quarter of 2015 whereby certain amounts, previously classified under reinsurance balances receivable, were converted into a ten-year note receivable.
 
At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 there was no accrued interest included in the notes receivable balance. Based on management’s assessment, the recorded values of the notes receivable, net of any valuation allowance, at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, were expected to be fully collectible.

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 insurance 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, 2015 and December 31, 2014, there were no material deposit assets or deposit liabilities and no material gains or losses on deposit accounted contracts.

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 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 managers of those underlying investments.

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 (loss) 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.
 

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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 and are recorded in the condensed consolidated balance sheets on a gross basis and not offset against any collateral pledged or received. Pursuant to the International Swaps and Derivatives Association ("ISDA") master agreements, securities lending agreements and other agreements, the Company and its counterparties typically have the ability to net certain payments owed to each other in specified circumstances. In addition, in the event a party to one of the ISDA master agreements, securities lending agreements or other agreements defaults, or a transaction is otherwise subject to termination, the non-defaulting party generally has the right to set off against payments owed to the defaulting party or collateral held by the non-defaulting party.
 
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 (loss) in the condensed consolidated statements of income. Financial contracts receivable represents derivative contracts whereby, based upon the contract's current fair value, the Company will be entitled to receive payments upon settlement of the contract. Financial contracts payable represents derivative contracts whereby, based upon each contract's current fair value, the Company will be 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 may 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 (loss) 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 (loss) 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, equity security, 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 based on the observable quoted prices of the same or similar financial contracts 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 options and over the counter ("OTC") options are recorded either 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). 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) such as multiple quotes from brokers and market makers, which are considered to be binding.
 
The Company may purchase and sell CDS for 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).

The Company, from time time, purchases industry loss warranty contracts ("ILW") to manage its exposure to weather related events. An ILW is designated as a weather derivative swap and included in financial contracts receivable. The carrying amount of an ILW is the unamortized portion of the premium paid for an ILW. An estimate of fair value is not practicable since ILW contracts are generally not exchange traded, and the time and cost involved in creating a valuation model to estimate the fair value would be excessive relative to the size and duration of the ILW.


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Comprehensive Income (Loss)

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

Earnings (Loss) Per Share
 
Basic earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of common shares and participating securities outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share includes the dilutive effect of restricted stock units ("RSU") and additional potential common shares issuable when stock options are exercised and are determined using the treasury stock method. The Company treats its unvested restricted stock as participating securities in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which 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. In the event of a net loss, all RSUs, stock options outstanding and 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
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic
37,303,265

 
37,246,922

 
37,168,279

 
37,161,818

Effect of dilutive service provider share-based awards

 
13,821

 

 
13,796

Effect of dilutive employee and director share-based awards

 
641,363

 

 
667,399

Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted
37,303,265

 
37,902,106

 
37,168,279

 
37,843,013

Anti-dilutive stock options outstanding
71,821

 
40,000

 
71,821

 
40,000

Participating securities excluded from calculation of loss per share 
310,193

 

 
310,193

 


Taxation
 
Under current Cayman Islands law, no corporate entity, including GLRE and Greenlight Re, 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 GLRE, Greenlight Re nor their respective 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 ("IRS"). 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.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
        
In May 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-07, "Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share or Its Equivalent", ("ASU 2015-07"). The amendments apply to reporting entities that elect to measure the fair value of an investment using the net asset value ("NAV") per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. The amendments remove the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the NAV per share as a practical expedient. The amendments also remove the requirement to make certain disclosures for all investments that are eligible to be measured at fair value using the NAV per share as a practical expedient. Rather, those disclosures are limited to investments for which the entity has elected to measure the fair value using that practical expedient. The amendments in this ASU are effective

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for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. Entities are required to apply the amendments in this update retrospectively to all periods presented. As the Company measures certain investments in private equity funds using the NAV as a practicable expedient, upon adoption of ASU 2015-07, the fair value of these investments will be removed from the fair value hierarchy for all periods presented in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. The Company will continue to disclose information on these investments for which fair value is measured at NAV as a practical expedient.

In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-09, "Financial Services - Insurance (Topic 944): Disclosures about Short-Duration Contracts". ASU 2015-09 requires additional disclosures for short-duration contracts including incurred and paid claims development information, claims duration information, quantitative claims frequency information (unless impracticable), and an explanation of significant changes in methodologies and assumptions used to calculate the loss and loss adjustment expense reserves. ASU 2015-09 is effective for public entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim reporting periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact of the disclosure requirements of ASU 2015-09 and is preparing to disclose the additional information in its consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016 and thereafter.


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 (loss) 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, 2015:
 
 
Fair value measurements as of June 30, 2015
 
 
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
 
$

 
$
21,301

 
$
22,181

 
$
43,482

Listed equity securities
 
1,205,212

 
7,061

 
5,189

 
1,217,462

Commodities
 
138,440

 

 

 
138,440

Private and unlisted equity securities
 

 

 
19,189

 
19,189

Financial contracts receivable
 
36

 
34,279

 
3,716

 
38,031

 
 
$
1,343,688

 
$
62,641

 
$
50,275

 
$
1,456,604

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Listed equity securities, sold not yet purchased
 
$
(1,024,863
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(1,024,863
)
Debt instruments, sold not yet purchased
 

 
(260,491
)
 

 
(260,491
)
Financial contracts payable
 

 
(19,200
)
 
(8,835
)
 
(28,035
)
 
 
$
(1,024,863
)
 
$
(279,691
)
 
$
(8,835
)
 
$
(1,313,389
)
 

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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, 2014:
 
 
Fair value measurements as of December 31, 2014
 
 
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
 
$

 
$
26,953

 
$
22,259

 
$
49,212

Listed equity securities
 
1,259,298

 
6,877

 

 
1,266,175

Commodities
 
96,872

 

 

 
96,872

Private and unlisted equity securities
 

 

 
18,719

 
18,719

Financial contracts receivable
 
2,463

 
44,708

 

 
47,171

 
 
$
1,358,633

 
$
78,538

 
$
40,978

 
$
1,478,149

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Listed equity securities, sold not yet purchased
 
$
(834,228
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(834,228
)
Debt instruments, sold not yet purchased
 

 
(256,503
)
 

 
(256,503
)
Financial contracts payable
 

 
(44,592
)
 

 
(44,592
)
 
 
$
(834,228
)
 
$
(301,095
)
 
$

 
$
(1,135,323
)

 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, 2015
 
 
  Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
Three months ended June 30, 2015
 
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
 
Debt instruments
 
 Private and unlisted equity securities
 
 Financial contracts receivable
 
Listed equity securities
 
 Total
 
Financial contracts payable
 
 
 ($ in thousands)
 
 
Beginning balance
 
$
22,260

 
$
19,766

 
$
1,763

 
$

 
$
43,789

 
$

Purchases
 

 
1,371

 

 

 
1,371

 

Sales
 

 
(1,872
)
 

 

 
(1,872
)
 

Issuances
 

 

 

 

 

 

Settlements

 

 

 

 

 

Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) and amortization included in earnings, net
 
(79
)
 
(76
)
 
(583
)
 

 
(738
)
 

Transfers into Level 3
 

 

 
2,536

 
5,189

 
7,725

 
8,835

Transfers out of Level 3
 

 

 

 

 

 

Ending balance
 
$
22,181

 
$
19,189

 
$
3,716

 
$
5,189

 
$
50,275

 
$
8,835



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  Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
Six months ended June 30, 2015
 
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
 
Debt instruments
 
 Private and unlisted equity securities
 
 Financial contracts receivable
 
Listed equity securities
 
 Total
 
Financial contracts payable
 
 
 ($ in thousands)
 
 
Beginning balance
 
$
22,259

 
$
18,719

 
$

 
$

 
$
40,978

 
$

Purchases
 

 
2,237

 
2,340

 

 
4,577

 

Sales
 

 
(1,872
)
 

 

 
(1,872
)
 

Issuances
 

 

 

 

 

 

Settlements

 

 

 

 

 

Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) and amortization included in earnings, net
 
(78
)
 
105

 
(1,160
)
 

 
(1,133
)
 

Transfers into Level 3
 

 

 
2,536

 
5,189

 
7,725

 
8,835

Transfers out of Level 3
 

 

 

 

 

 

Ending balance
 
$
22,181

 
$
19,189

 
$
3,716

 
$
5,189

 
$
50,275

 
$
8,835


During the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, $5.2 million of equity securities that were listed on the Athens Stock Exchange (the "ASE") were transferred from Level 1 to Level 3 due to trading being halted after June 26, 2015 for all equity securities listed on the ASE. As of June 30, 2015 there was no active market with observable trading price to determine the fair values of these securities. Therefore, the fair values for these securities as of June 30, 2015, were based on the last trading price of these securities on the ASE and adjusted for the estimated decline in the fair value of American depository receipts of other comparable securities for the period from June 27, 2015 to June 30, 2015. The fair values for derivatives for which the underlying securities trade on the ASE were similarly adjusted. Therefore, $2.5 million and $8.8 million of financial contracts receivable and financial contracts payable, respectively, were transfered from Level 2 to Level 3 during the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 due to the fair values being based on unobservable inputs.

There were no other transfers between Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 during the three and six months ended June 30, 2015.


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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, 2014:
 
 
  Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
  Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
Three months ended June 30, 2014
 
Six months ended June 30, 2014
 
 
Debt instruments
 
 Private and unlisted equity securities
 
 
 Total
 
Debt instruments
 
 Private and unlisted equity securities
 
 
Total
 
 
 ($ in thousands)
 
 ($ in thousands)
Beginning balance
 
$
604

 
$
45,815

 
 
$
46,419

 
$
527

 
$
46,323

 
 
$
46,850

Purchases
 

 
1,134

 
 
1,134

 

 
2,071

 
 
2,071

Sales
 

 
(104
)
 
 
(104
)
 

 
(2,061
)
 
 
(2,061
)
Issuances
 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

Settlements
 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

Total realized and unrealized gains included in earnings, net
 
(3
)
 
3,982

 
 
3,979

 
74

 
4,494

 
 
4,568

Transfers into Level 3
 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

Transfers out of Level 3
 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

Ending balance
 
$
601

 
$
50,827

 
 
$
51,428

 
$
601

 
$
50,827

 
 
$
51,428


During the six months ended June 30, 2014, $10.0 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 restrictions 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, 2014.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, included in net investment income (loss) in the condensed consolidated statements of income were net realized gains relating to Level 3 securities of $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively (three and six months ended June 30, 2014: net realized gains of $0.0 million and $0.3 million, respectively). In addition, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, amortization expense of $0.6 million and $1.2 million, respectively, (three and six months ended June 30, 2014: nil and nil, respectively) relating to financial contracts receivable, valued using unobservable inputs, was included in the condensed consolidated statements of income as other income (expense), net.

For Level 3 securities still held as of the reporting date, the change in net unrealized gains for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 of $0.4 million and $0.2 million, respectively, (three and six months ended June 30, 2014: net unrealized gains of $4.0 million and $4.3 million, respectively), were included in net investment income (loss) in the condensed consolidated statements of income.
  
Investments
 
Debt instruments, trading
 
At June 30, 2015, the following investments were included in debt instruments:
 
 
Cost/
 amortized
 cost
 
Unrealized
 gains
 
Unrealized
 losses
 
Fair
 value
 
 
($ in thousands)
Corporate debt – U.S.
 
$
23,677

 
$

 
$
(1,496
)
 
$
22,181

Corporate debt – Non U.S.
 
2,109

 

 
(1,115
)
 
994

Municipal debt – U.S.
 
2,653

 
241

 

 
2,894

Sovereign debt – Non U.S.
 
19,093

 
297

 
(1,977
)
 
17,413

Total debt instruments
 
$
47,532

 
$
538

 
$
(4,588
)
 
$
43,482


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At December 31, 2014, the following investments were included in debt instruments:
 
 
Cost/
 amortized
 cost
 
Unrealized
 gains
 
Unrealized
 losses
 
Fair
 value
 
 
($ in thousands)
Corporate debt – U.S.
 
$
23,677

 
$
5

 
$
(1,423
)
 
$
22,259

Corporate debt – Non U.S.
 
5,870

 
49

 
(1,405
)
 
4,514

Municipal debt – U.S.
 
1,759

 

 
(6
)
 
1,753

Sovereign debt – Non U.S.
 
21,769

 

 
(1,083
)
 
20,686

Total debt instruments
 
$
53,075

 
$
54

 
$
(3,917
)
 
$
49,212


The maturity distribution for debt instruments held at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was as follows:
 
 
June 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
Cost/
 amortized
 cost
 
Fair
 value
 
Cost/
 amortized
 cost
 
Fair
 value
 
 
($ in thousands)
Within one year
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

From one to five years
 
23,364

 
23,225

 
21,922

 
21,923

From five to ten years
 
2,480

 
1,403

 
2,401

 
1,282

More than ten years
 
21,688

 
18,854

 
28,752

 
26,007

 
 
$
47,532

 
$
43,482

 
$
53,075

 
$
49,212

 
Equity securities, trading

At June 30, 2015, the following long positions were included in equity securities, trading: 
 
 
Cost
 
Unrealized
gains
 
Unrealized
losses
 
Fair
value
 
 
($ in thousands)
Equities – listed
 
$
1,109,213

 
$
182,873

 
$
(93,706
)
 
$
1,198,380

Exchange traded funds
 
42,126

 

 
(23,044
)
 
19,082

Total equity securities
 
$
1,151,339

 
$
182,873

 
$
(116,750
)
 
$
1,217,462


At December 31, 2014, the following long positions were included in equity securities, trading:
 
 
Cost
 
Unrealized
gains
 
Unrealized
losses
 
Fair
value
 
 
($ in thousands)
Equities – listed
 
$
1,079,955

 
$
247,109

 
$
(80,637
)
 
$
1,246,427

Exchange traded funds
 
42,126

 

 
(22,378
)
 
19,748

Total equity securities
 
$
1,122,081

 
$
247,109

 
$
(103,015
)
 
$
1,266,175


Other Investments
 
"Other investments" include commodities and private and unlisted equity securities. As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, commodities were comprised of gold bullion. 


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At June 30, 2015, the following securities were included in other investments:
 
 
Cost
 
Unrealized
gains
 
Unrealized
losses
 
Fair
value
 
 
($ in thousands)
Commodities
 
$
139,130

 
$

 
$
(690
)
 
$
138,440

Private and unlisted equity securities
 
17,829

 
3,332

 
(1,972
)
 
19,189

 
 
$
156,959

 
$
3,332

 
$
(2,662
)
 
$
157,629


At December 31, 2014, the following securities were included in other investments: 
 
 
Cost
 
Unrealized
gains
 
Unrealized
losses
 
Fair
value
 
 
($ in thousands)
Commodities
 
$
95,815

 
$
1,057

 
$

 
$
96,872

Private and unlisted equity securities
 
17,238

 
3,451

 
(1,970
)
 
18,719

 
 
$
113,053

 
$
4,508

 
$
(1,970
)
 
$
115,591


As of June 30, 2015, included in private and unlisted equity securities are investments in private equity funds with a fair value of $12.7 million (December 31, 2014: $12.3 million) determined based on unadjusted net asset values reported by the managers of these securities. Some of these values were reported from periods prior to June 30, 2015. The private equity funds have varying lock-up periods and, as of June 30, 2015, all of the funds had redemption restrictions, and therefore have been categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The redemption restrictions have been in place since inception of the investments and are not expected to lapse in the near future. As of June 30, 2015, the Company had $9.0 million (December 31, 2014: $8.9 million) of unfunded commitments relating to private equity funds whose fair values are determined based on unadjusted net asset values reported by the managers of these securities. These commitments are included in the amounts presented in the schedule of commitments and contingencies in Note 9 of these condensed consolidated financial statements.    

Investments in Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased 

Securities sold, not yet purchased are securities that the Company has sold, but does not own, in anticipation of a decline in the market value of the security. The Company’s risk is that the value of the security will increase rather than decline. Consequently, the settlement amount of the liability for securities sold, not yet purchased may exceed the amount recorded in the consolidated balance sheet as the Company is obligated to purchase the securities sold, not yet purchased in the market at prevailing prices to settle its obligations. To establish a position in security sold, not yet purchased, the Company needs to borrow the security for delivery to the buyer. On each day the transaction is open, the liability for the obligation to replace the borrowed security is marked-to-market and an unrealized gain or loss is recorded. At the time the transaction is closed, the Company realizes a gain or loss equal to the difference between the price at which the security was sold and the cost of replacing the borrowed security. While the transaction is open, the Company will also incur an expense for any dividends or interest which will be paid to the lender of the securities.

At June 30, 2015, the following securities were included in investments in securities sold, not yet purchased:
 
 
Proceeds
 
Unrealized gains
 
Unrealized losses
 
 Fair value
 
 
($ in thousands)
Corporate debt – U.S.
 
$
(4,168
)
 
$
759

 
$

 
$
(3,409
)
Equities – listed
 
(989,910
)
 
87,578

 
(105,400
)
 
(1,007,732
)
Exchange traded funds
 
(12,815
)
 

 
(4,316
)
 
(17,131
)
Sovereign debt – Non U.S.
 
(280,000
)
 
22,918

 

 
(257,082
)
 
 
$
(1,286,893
)
 
$
111,255

 
$
(109,716
)
 
$
(1,285,354
)


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At December 31, 2014, the following securities were included in investments in securities sold, not yet purchased: 
 
 
Proceeds
 
Unrealized gains
 
Unrealized losses
 
 Fair value
 
 
($ in thousands)
Corporate debt – U.S.
 
$
(7,066
)
 
$
1,007

 
$
(5
)
 
$
(6,064
)
Equities – listed
 
(813,365
)
 
91,690

 
(101,715
)
 
(823,390
)
Exchange traded funds
 
(9,180
)
 

 
(1,658
)
 
(10,838
)
Sovereign debt – Non U.S.
 
(246,589
)
 
6,635

 
(10,485
)
 
(250,439
)
 
 
$
(1,076,200
)
 
$
99,332

 
$
(113,863
)
 
$
(1,090,731
)
 
Financial Contracts
 
As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had entered into total return equity swaps, interest rate swaps, commodity swaps, CDS, options, warrants, rights, futures and forward 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 each contract that includes the change in the fair value of the underlying or reference security.

In addition, as of June 30, 2015, the Company had entered into an ILW with certain third-parties in order to purchase protection against worldwide wind and earthquake exposures from January 2015 to December 2015. In return for a fixed payment, the Company is entitled to receive a variable payment in the event of losses incurred by the insurance industry, as a whole, exceeding a specified threshold. The maximum total recovery to the Company under the ILW is $12.0 million. Through June 30, 2015, the Company was not aware of any industry loss event occurring that would have triggered a recovery under the ILW.

At June 30, 2015, the fair values of financial contracts outstanding were as follows: 
Financial Contracts
 
Listing
currency
(1)
 
Notional amount of
underlying instruments
 
Fair value of net assets
(obligations)
on financial
contracts
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
Financial contracts receivable
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forwards
 
KRW
 
16,963

 
$
143

Futures
 
USD
 
3,871

 
36

Put options (2)
 
USD
 
162,772

 
5,544

Total return swaps – equities
 
EUR/GBP/USD
 
128,015

 
28,592

Warrants and rights on listed equities
 
EUR
 
6,245

 
2,536

Weather derivative swap
 
USD
 
12,000

 
1,180

Total financial contracts receivable, at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
$
38,031

Financial contracts payable
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity Swaps
 
USD
 
75,264

 
$
(730
)
Credit default swaps, purchased – corporate debt
 
USD
 
79,937

 
(332
)
Credit default swaps, purchased – sovereign debt
 
USD
 
141,781

 
(524
)
Interest Rate Swaps
 
USD
 
6,558,000

 
(208
)
Total return swaps – equities
 
EUR/GBP/HKD/INR/RON/MXN/USD
 
90,800

 
(26,241
)
Total financial contracts payable, at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
$
(28,035
)
(1) USD = US Dollar; EUR = Euro; GBP = British Pound; HKD = Hong Kong Dollar; KRW = Korean Won; MXN = Mexican Peso; RON = Romanian New Leu; INR = Indian Rupee.
(2) Includes options on the Japanese Yen and the Chinese Yuan, denominated in U.S. dollars.

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At December 31, 2014, the fair values of financial contracts outstanding were as follows: 
Financial Contracts
 
Listing
currency
(1)
 
Notional amount of
underlying instruments
 
Fair value of net assets
(obligations)
on financial
contracts
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
Financial contracts receivable
 
 
 
 
 
 
Futures
 
USD
 
13,204

 
$
3,461

Put options (2)
 
USD
 
299,907

 
22,349

Total return swaps – equities
 
EUR/GBP/HKD/USD
 
43,355

 
18,898

Warrants and rights on listed equities
 
EUR
 
8,054

 
2,463

Total financial contracts receivable, at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
$
47,171

Financial contracts payable
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit default swaps, purchased – corporate debt
 
USD
 
221,198

 
$
(1,305
)
Credit default swaps, purchased – sovereign debt
 
USD
 
251,467

 
(1,714
)
Forwards
 
KRW
 
20,563

 
(512
)
Futures
 
USD
 
33,625

 
(867
)
Total return swaps – equities
 
EUR/GBP/HKD/INR/RON/USD
 
122,667

 
(40,194
)
Total financial contracts payable, at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
$
(44,592
)
(1) USD = US Dollar; EUR = Euro; GBP = British Pound; HKD = Hong Kong Dollar; KRW = Korean Won; RON = Romanian New Leu; INR = Indian Rupee.
(2) Includes options on the Japanese Yen and the Chinese Yuan, denominated in U.S. dollars.
  
Options are derivative financial instruments that give the buyer, in exchange for a premium payment, the right, but not the obligation, to either purchase from (call option) or sell to (put option) the writer, a specified underlying security at a specified price on or before a specified date. The Company enters into option contracts to meet certain investment objectives. For exchange traded option contracts, the exchange acts as the counterparty to specific transactions and therefore bears the risk of delivery to and from counterparties of specific positions.

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During the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, 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
Gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income
 
 
 
 
Three months ended June 30
Six months ended June 30
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
($ in thousands)
Commodity swaps
 
Net investment income (loss)
 
$
(730
)
 
$

 
$
(730
)
 
$

Credit default swaps, purchased – corporate debt
 
Net investment income (loss)
 
(50
)
 
(157
)
 
(105
)
 
(146
)
Credit default swaps, purchased – sovereign debt
 
Net investment income (loss)
 
(30
)
 
(8
)
 
(61
)
 
(214
)
Forwards
 
Net investment income (loss)
 
97

 
(2,228
)
 
233

 
(2,731
)
Futures
 
Net investment income (loss)
 
(151
)
 
920

 
(2,228
)
 
(3,960
)
Interest rate options
 
Net investment income (loss)
 

 

 

 
(26
)
Interest rate swaps
 
Net investment income (loss)
 
(242
)
 

 
(242
)
 

Options, warrants, and rights
 
Net investment income (loss)
 
(7,014
)
 
(8,488
)
 
(9,488
)
 
(18,108
)
Total return swaps – equities
 
Net investment income (loss)
 
(80
)
 
23,655

 
4,143

 
30,074

Weather derivative swap
 
Other income (expense), net
 
(583
)
 

 
(1,160
)
 

Total
 
 
 
$
(8,783
)
 
$
13,694

 
$
(9,638
)
 
$
4,889


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

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company’s volume of derivative activities (based on notional amounts) was as follows:
2015
 
Three months ended June 30
 
Six months ended June 30
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments (notional amounts)
 
  Entered
 
Exited
 
  Entered
 
Exited
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
Commodity swaps
 
$
75,994

 
$

 
$
75,994

 
$

Forwards
 

 
1,368

 

 
6,093

Futures
 

 
73,785

 
84,989

 
130,533

Interest rate swaps
 
6,558,000

 

 
6,558,000

 

Options, warrants and rights (1)
 
4,710,216

 
8,418,787

 
4,710,216

 
8,488,564

Total return swaps
 
6,190

 
17,243

 
21,090

 
56,991

Weather derivative swap
 

 

 
2,340

 

Total
 
$
11,350,400

 
$
8,511,183

 
$
11,452,629

 
$
8,682,181

(1) Exited amount excludes options which expired or were exercised during the period.


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For the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company’s volume of derivative activities (based on notional amounts) was as follows:
2014
 
Three months ended June 30
 
Six months ended June 30
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments (notional amounts)
 
  Entered
 
Exited
 
  Entered
 
Exited
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
Forwards
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
63,191

Futures
 
92,961

 
55,897

 
128,823

 
170,564

Options, warrants and rights (1)
 
124,880

 
68,641

 
527,100

 
128,147

Total return swaps
 
31,092

 
20,466

 
75,561

 
49,548

Total
 
$
248,933

 
$
145,004

 
$
731,484

 
$
411,450

(1) Exited amount excludes options which expired or were exercised during the period.

The Company does not offset its derivative instruments and presents all amounts in the condensed consolidated balance sheets on a gross basis. The Company has pledged cash collateral to derivative counterparties to support the current value of amounts due to the counterparties based on the value of the underlying security.

As of June 30, 2015, the gross and net amounts of derivative instruments and the cash collateral applicable to derivative instruments were as follows:

June 30, 2015
 
(i)
 
(ii)
 
(iii) = (i) - (ii)
 
(iv) Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet
 
(v) = (iii) + (iv)
Description
 
Gross amounts of recognized assets (liabilities)
 
Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet
 
Net amounts of assets (liabilities) presented in the balance sheet
 
Financial instruments available for offset
 
Cash collateral (received) pledged
 
Net amount of asset (liability)
 
 
($ in thousands)
Financial contracts receivable
 
$
38,031

 
$

 
$
38,031

 
$
(5,910
)
 
$
(16,228
)
 
$
15,893

Financial contracts payable
 
(28,035
)
 

 
(28,035
)
 
5,910

 
22,125

 


As of December 31, 2014, the gross and net amounts of derivative instruments and the cash collateral applicable to derivative instruments were as follows:

December 31, 2014
 
(i)
 
(ii)
 
(iii) = (i) - (ii)
 
(iv) Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet
 
(v) = (iii) + (iv)
Description
 
Gross amounts of recognized assets (liabilities)
 
Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet
 
Net amounts of assets (liabilities) presented in the balance sheet
 
Financial instruments available for offset
 
Cash collateral (received) pledged
 
Net amount of asset (liability)
 
 
($ in thousands)
Financial contracts receivable
 
$
47,171

 
$

 
$
47,171

 
$
(24,265
)
 
$
(9,452
)
 
$
13,454

Financial contracts payable
 
(44,592
)
 

 
(44,592
)
 
24,265

 
20,327

 




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4.        DUE TO PRIME BROKERS
 
As of June 30, 2015, 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 9). 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. 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, 2015, the amounts due to prime brokers included $302.3 million (December 31, 2014: $135.0 million) of cash borrowed under the term margin agreements to provide collateral for letters of credit facilities and $212.7 million (December 31, 2014: $76.1 million) of borrowing relating to investment purchases.

Greenlight Re's investment guidelines, among other stipulations in the guidelines, allow for up to 15% (GRIL: 5%) net margin leverage for extended periods of time and up to 30% (GRIL: 20%) net margin leverage for periods of less than 30 days.


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 and six months ended June 30, 2015, loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred of $76.7 million and $139.9 million, respectively, (2014: $56.6 million and $124.0 million, respectively,) reported on the condensed consolidated statements of income are net of loss and loss expenses recovered and recoverable of $0.5 million and $0.8 million, respectively, (2014: $0.9 million and $1.2 million, respectively).

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, 2015, the Company had losses receivable and loss reserves recoverable of $2.9 million (December 31, 2014: $11.5 million) from unrated retrocessionaires. During February 2015, the Company reached a settlement to commute a retrocession contract with one of the unrated retrocessionaires, which commutation resulted in a decrease in the losses recoverable from unrated retrocessionaires.

At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014$2.9 million and $2.8 million, respectively, of losses recoverable from unrated retrocessionaires were secured by cash collateral held by the Company.

The Company regularly evaluates the financial condition of its retrocessionaires to assess the ability of the retrocessionaires to honor their respective obligations. At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, no provision for uncollectible losses recoverable was considered necessary.

 
6. SHARE CAPITAL

As of June 30, 2015, the Company had an unused Form S-3 registration statement, declared effective by the SEC on July 10, 2009, which was renewed in June 2015 and expires in June 2018 unless renewed, for an aggregate principal amount of $200 million in securities.

The Board has adopted a share repurchase plan. Under the share repurchase plan, the Board authorized the Company to purchase up to 2.0 million of its Class A ordinary shares from time to time. Class A ordinary shares or securities convertible into Class A ordinary shares, may be purchased in the open market, through privately negotiated transactions or Rule 10b5-1 stock trading plans. The timing of such repurchases and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors including price, market conditions and applicable regulatory and corporate requirements. The share repurchase plan, which expires on June 30, 2016, does not require the Company to repurchase any specific number of shares and may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time without prior notice. During the six months ended June 30, 2015, 140,000 Class A

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ordinary shares were repurchased by the Company. As of June 30, 2015, 1.9 million shares remained available under the share repurchase plan. Under the Companies Law of the Cayman Islands, the Company cannot hold treasury shares; therefore, all ordinary shares repurchased are canceled immediately upon repurchase.

Subsequent to June 30, 2015 and through the period ended August 1, 2015, the Company repurchased an additional 360,000 Class A ordinary shares.

7.        SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
 
The Company has a stock incentive plan for directors, employees and consultants that is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The Company's shares authorized for issuance pursuant to the stock incentive plan include 3,500,000 (December 31, 2014: 3,500,000) Class A ordinary shares. As of June 30, 2015, 696,928 (December 31, 2014: 803,558) Class A ordinary shares remained available for future issuance under the Company's stock incentive plan.
 
Employee and Director Restricted Shares
 
As part of its 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 applicable vesting period.
For the six months ended June 30, 2015, 78,685 (2014: 119,566) 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 cliff vest after three years from the date of issuance, subject to the grantee’s continued service with the Company. During the vesting period, the holder of the restricted shares retains voting rights and is entitled to any dividends declared by the Company.
For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company issued an aggregate of 28,215 (2014: 28,060) restricted Class A ordinary shares to non-employee directors as part of their remuneration for services to the Company. Each of these restricted shares issued to non-employee directors contains 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.
For the six months ended June 30, 2015, 7,091 (2014: 27,083) restricted shares were forfeited by employees who left the Company prior to the expiration of the applicable vesting periods. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, in accordance with U.S. GAAP, $0.1 million of stock compensation expense (2014: $0.2 million) relating to the forfeited restricted shares was reversed.

The restricted share award activity during the six months ended June 30, 2015 was as follows:
 
 
Number of
non-vested
restricted
 shares
 
Weighted
 average
grant date
fair value
Balance at December 31, 2014
 
330,087

 
$
27.90

Granted
 
106,900

 
31.56

Vested
 
(119,703
)
 
26.28

Forfeited
 
(7,091
)
 
30.23

Balance at June 30, 2015
 
310,193

 
$
29.74

 
Employee and Director Stock Options

For the six months ended June 30, 2015, 186,000 (2014: 196,500) stock options were exercised by directors and employees resulting in 120,194 (2014: 127,955) Class A ordinary shares issued, net of shares surrendered as a result of the cashless exercise of stock options. When stock options are granted, the Company reduces the corresponding number from the shares authorized for issuance as part of the Company’s stock incentive plan. The intrinsic value of options exercised during the six months ended June 30, 2015 was $3.8 million (2014: $4.1 million).


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Employee and director stock option activity during the six months ended June 30, 2015 was as follows: 
 
 
Number of
 options
 
Weighted
 average
 exercise
 price
 
Weighted
 average
 grant date
 fair value
Balance at December 31, 2014
 
1,116,308

 
$
17.58

 
$
7.73

Granted
 

 

 

Exercised
 
(186,000
)
 
11.10

 
5.57

Forfeited
 

 

 

Expired
 

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2015
 
930,308

 
$
18.88

 
$
8.16


 Employee Restricted Stock Units

The Company issues RSUs to certain employees as part of the stock incentive plan. The grant date fair value of the RSUs is equal to the price of the Company’s Class A ordinary shares on the grant date. Compensation cost based on the grant date fair market value of the RSUs is expensed on a straight line basis over the vesting period.
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2015, 6,821 (2014: 9,668) RSUs 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 RSUs cliff vest after three years from the date of issuance, subject to the grantee’s continued service with the Company. On the vesting date, the Company converts each RSU into one Class A ordinary share and issues new Class A ordinary shares from the shares authorized for issuance as part of the Company’s stock incentive plan.

Employee RSU activity during the six months ended June 30, 2015 was as follows: 
 
 
Number of
non-vested
RSUs
 
Weighted
 average
grant date
fair value
Balance at December 31, 2014
 
15,609

 
$
29.72

Granted
 
6,821

 
32.21

Vested
 

 

Forfeited
 

 

Balance at June 30, 2015
 
22,430

 
$
30.48


For the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the general and administrative expenses included stock compensation expense (net of forfeitures) of $2.1 million and $1.8 million, respectively, for the expensing of the fair value of stock options, restricted stocks and RSUs granted to employees and directors.


8.      RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 
 
Investment Advisory Agreement
 
Effective January 1, 2014, the Company and its reinsurance subsidiaries were party to a joint venture agreement with DME Advisors, LP ("DME Advisors") under which the Company, its reinsurance subsidiaries and DME Advisors LLC ("DME") are participants of a joint venture for the purpose of managing certain jointly held assets, as may be amended from time to time, (the "venture agreement"). In addition, the Company, its reinsurance subsidiaries and DME have entered into a separate investment advisory agreement with DME Advisors, as may be amended from time to time, (the "advisory agreement"). DME and DME Advisors are related to the Company and each is an affiliate of David Einhorn, Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors.
 

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Pursuant to the venture agreement, performance allocation equal to 20% of the net investment income of the Company’s share of the account managed by DME Advisors is allocated, subject to a loss carry forward provision, to DME’s account. The loss carry forward provision allows DME to earn a reduced performance allocation 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 is not entitled to earn a performance allocation in a year in which the investment portfolio incurs a loss. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, no performance allocation was recorded due to a gross investment loss reported during the periods (2014: $24.0 million and $24.0 million, respectively).
 
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 (loss) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 were management fees of $5.2 million and $10.4 million, respectively, (2014: $5.1 million and $10.1 million, respectively). The management fees payable as of June 30, 2015 were fully paid.
 
Pursuant to the venture and advisory agreements, the Company has agreed to indemnify DME and 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 and 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 or DME Advisors. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, there were no indemnification payments payable or paid by the Company.

David Einhorn also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Green Brick Partners, Inc ("GRBK"), a publicly traded company. During the year end December 31, 2014, the Company, along with certain affiliates of DME Advisors, provided debt financing to GRBK and acquired equity shares of GRBK. As of June 30, 2015, $21.6 million (December 31, 2014: $21.6 million) of the GRBK debt and $38.0 million (December 31, 2014: $18.4 million) of GRBK listed equities were included on the balance sheet as "debt instruments, trading, at fair value" and "equity securities, trading, at fair value", respectively. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company's net investment income (loss) included $0.5 million and $1.0 million of interest income relating to this debt. Subsequent to June 30, 2015, GRBK repaid the debt in full along with all accrued interest and prepayment fees, and the Company purchased additional equity shares of GRBK.
 
Service Agreement
 
The Company has entered into a service agreement with DME Advisors, pursuant to which DME Advisors provides certain investor relations services to the Company for compensation of five thousand dollars 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. 
 

9.      COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES 
 
Letters of Credit
 
At June 30, 2015, 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.
 
$
120,000

 
July 11, 2016
 
90 days prior to termination date
Butterfield Bank (Cayman) Limited
 
100,000

 
June 30, 2016
 
90 days prior to termination date
Citibank Europe plc
 
400,000

 
October 11, 2016
 
120 days prior to termination date
JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A.
 
100,000

 
January 27, 2016
 
120 days prior to termination date
 
 
$
720,000

 
 
 
 

As of June 30, 2015, an aggregate amount of $299.0 million (December 31, 2014: $273.7 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, 2015, total equity securities, restricted cash, and cash and cash equivalents with a fair value in the aggregate of $416.1 million (December 31, 2014: $302.6 million) were pledged as

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collateral 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 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, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

  Operating Lease Obligations
 
Greenlight Re has entered into lease agreements for office space in the Cayman Islands. Under the terms of the lease agreements, Greenlight Re is committed to annual rent payments ranging from $0.3 million at inception to $0.5 million at lease termination. The leases expire on June 30, 2018 and Greenlight Re has the option to renew the leases for a further five-year term. Included in the schedule below are the minimum lease payment obligations relating to these leases as of June 30, 2015.

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 €0.1 million until May 2016 (net of rent inducements), which shall be 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, 2015.

The total rent expense related to leased office space for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 was $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively (2014: $0.1 million and $0.3 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 specialist service provider. The agreement will be terminated effective September 1, 2015, and the Company is obligated to make minimum payments for twelve months starting on September 1, 2015 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 the agreement as of June 30, 2015.
 
Private Equity and Limited Partnerships
 
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, 2015, the Company had commitments to invest an additional $9.0 million (December 31, 2014: $8.9 million) in private equity investments. Included in the schedule below are the minimum payment obligations relating to these investments as of June 30, 2015.
 
Schedule of Commitments and Contingencies
 
The following is a schedule of future minimum payments required under the above commitments: 
 
2015
 
2016
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
($ in thousands)
Operating lease obligations
$
270

 
$
494

 
$
466

 
$
233

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,463

Specialist service agreement
300

 
300

 

 

 

 

 
600

Private equity and limited partnerships (1)
8,964

 

 

 

 

 

 
8,964

 
$
9,534

 
$
794

 
$
466

 
$
233

 
$

 
$

 
$
11,027

(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 ending December 31, 2015.
 
Litigation
 

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From time to time, in the normal course of business, the Company may be involved in formal and informal dispute 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.
 
10.      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 June 30
 
Six months ended June 30
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
Property
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aviation
 
$
137

 
0.1
%
 
$

 
 %
 
$
403

 
0.2
%
 
$
290

 
0.2
%
Commercial
 
3,254

 
3.5

 
885

 
2.6

 
9,703

 
4.4

 
7,230

 
4.7

Energy
 
68

 
0.1

 

 

 
1,738

 
0.8

 
2,131

 
1.4

Motor physical damage
 
8,049

 
8.6

 
5,178

 
15.4

 
15,642

 
7.0

 
12,354

 
8.1

Personal (1)
 
4,900

 
5.3

 
(12,499
)
 
(37.1
)
 
26,916

 
12.1

 
25,508

 
16.7

Total Property
 
16,408

 
17.6

 
(6,436
)
 
(19.1
)
 
54,402

 
24.5

 
47,513

 
31.1

Casualty
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General liability
 
2,306

 
2.5

 
1,725

 
5.1

 
8,704

 
3.9

 
2,916

 
1.9

Marine liability
 
1,488

 
1.6

 

 

 
5,422

 
2.4

 
3,847

 
2.5

Motor liability
 
44,894

 
48.3

 
29,340

 
87.2

 
88,225

 
39.6

 
67,454

 
44.2

Professional liability
 
12,745

 
13.7

 
96

 
0.3

 
27,804

 
12.5

 
408

 
0.3

Total Casualty
 
61,433

 
66.1

 
31,161

 
92.6

 
130,155

 
58.4

 
74,625

 
48.9

Specialty
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial
 
2,020

 
2.2

 
1,818

 
5.4

 
3,576

 
1.6

 
3,018

 
2.0

Health
 
11,459

 
12.3

 
7,111

 
21.1

 
32,140

 
14.4

 
27,399

 
18.0

Workers’ compensation
 
1,670

 
1.8

 

 

 
2,399

 
1.1

 

 

Total Specialty
 
15,149

 
16.3

 
8,929

 
26.5

 
38,115

 
17.1

 
30,417

 
20.0

 
 
$
92,990

 
100.0
%
 
$
33,654

 
100.0
 %
 
$
222,672

 
100.0
%
 
$
152,555

 
100.0
%
(1) The negative balance is a result of unearned premiums returned on contracts cut-off at the contract expiration date.





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Gross Premiums Written by Geographic Area of Risks Insured
 
 
Three months ended June 30
 
Six months ended June 30
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
U.S. and Caribbean
 
$
74,164

 
79.8
%
 
$
33,557

 
99.7
%
 
$
168,560

 
75.7
%
 
$
138,082

 
90.5
%
Worldwide (1)
 
17,065

 
18.3

 
1

 

 
50,369

 
22.6

 
14,065

 
9.2

Europe
 
1,203

 
1.3

 
96

 
0.3

 
3,136

 
1.4

 
408

 
0.3

Asia
 
558

 
0.6

 

 

 
607

 
0.3

 

 

 
 
$
92,990

 
100.0
%
 
$
33,654

 
100.0
%
 
$
222,672

 
100.0
%
 
$
152,555

 
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.

 

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Item 2.    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
References to "we," "us," "our," "our company,"  or "the Company" refer to Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. ("GLRE") and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd, ("Greenlight Re"), 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, 2015 and 2014 and financial condition as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. 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, 2014.
 
Special Note About Forward-Looking Statements
 
Certain statements in Management’s Discussion and Analysis, 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, 2014. 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 most of 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 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.



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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 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 generally characterized as 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 generally characterized as 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

The reinsurance industry has recently experienced several announcements of mergers and acquisitions between large reinsurance companies. We believe there is likely to be further consolidation in the industry. However, we do not believe this consolidation is likely to result in a significant reduction in total capital within the industry, but instead will result in a concentration of capital in fewer, larger participants. Due to the reduction in the number of competitors in the industry, we believe pricing may partially stabilize. We also believe that while some business may be further restricted to only the largest reinsurance companies in the industry, recent consolidations may create opportunities as more capacity may become available to us and other reinsurers.
An influx of capital, particularly for peak zone catastrophe risk, from alternative capital market participants such as hedge funds, pension funds and other fixed income bond managers has contributed to over-capitalization in both the reinsurance and insurance markets, which in turn has accelerated consolidation in the industry. Additionally, we believe that the global economic activity which has led to prolonged low interest rates, has weakened the overall demand for property and casualty insurance and, accordingly, reinsurance. However, the over-capitalization of the market is not uniform across all insurers and reinsurers and there are many insurers and reinsurers with lower financial security profiles, that have and will continue to suffer disproportionately. We believe the value proposition of our reinsurance offering and our differentiated underwriting strategy, together with our “A (Excellent)” rating by A.M. Best, positions us well to compete for new business.
One component of our underwriting strategy is to identify and partner with companies that have suffered dislocation. Accordingly, as the market suffers, we believe we may have increased underwriting opportunities, which we will pursue if we believe pricing is economically rational. Conversely, if the reinsurance market continues to soften, we anticipate that we will seek to maintain or even reduce premium writings rather than accept mispriced risk in order to conserve our capital for a more opportune environment. We believe that significant price increases could occur 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. The persistent low interest rate environment has reduced the earnings of many insurance and reinsurance companies with traditional fixed income investment strategies and we believe that the continuation of low interest rates, coupled with the reduction of prior years' reserve redundancies, could cause the industry to adopt overall higher pricing.
As of June 30, 2015, our reinsurance portfolio was principally concentrated in four areas: Florida homeowners; U.S. employer health stop loss; catastrophe retrocession and non-standard private passenger automobile. While each of these areas is competitive, we believe we are supporting programs with good risk adjusted returns. We believe that, in general, the Florida homeowners, U.S. employer health stop loss and non-standard private passenger automobile sectors are stable and priced at profitable levels. However, we have observed significant flexible capital from non-traditional sources being deployed in peak zone catastrophe excess of loss business, which has put downward pressure on rates. We have repositioned our catastrophe retrocession book of business from predominantly excess of loss contracts to quota share contracts. We have found there to be less available capacity from alternative capital providers for quota share contracts in this area and, as such, terms and pricing

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are more favorable. Additionally, we have recently secured new contracts with larger, syndicated reinsurance placements for general casualty and professional liability business that have a longer duration of claim payments than the business we have historically written.
While the competitive market conditions have made finding new business that meets our return hurdles challenging, we believe that we have a strong pipeline of attractive opportunities with counterparties that seek highly customized structures, terms and conditions, which aligns well with our underwriting strategy. Further, we intend to continue to monitor market conditions and pursue opportunities to best 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 vary, perhaps significantly, and are not necessarily indicative of our future results of operations.
    
Our investment portfolio had a net long exposure of 20.9% as of June 30, 2015. Our goal for 2015 continues to be to protect capital in an uncertain environment and to find investment opportunities on both our long and short portfolios that we believe will generate positive returns. Equity market valuations are stretched while monetary policy remains very accommodative globally. Given the current investment environment, we anticipate, for the foreseeable future, to continue holding a combination of a significant position in gold, macro positions in the form of options on foreign exchange rates, short positions in sovereign debt and sovereign credit default swaps.


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 the 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, 2014 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, if any, are presented under "Recent Accounting Pronouncements" in Note 2 of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. 


Results of Operations
 
Three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014
 
For the three months ended June 30, 2015, we reported net loss of $39.6 million, compared to net income of $109.6 million reported for the same period in 2014. Our net investment loss for the three months ended June 30, 2015 was $20.3 million, compared to net investment income of $113.9 million reported for the same period in 2014. Our investment portfolio managed by DME Advisors, reported a loss of 1.5% for the three months ended June 30, 2015, compared to a gain of 8.1% for the same period in 2014. The underwriting loss before general and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2015 was $8.9 million, compared to underwriting income of $5.6 million for the same period in 2014. The decrease in underwriting income for the three months ended June 30, 2015 was primarily due to an increase in loss reserves of $14.7 million recorded during the quarter relating to adverse loss development on a general liability contract currently in run-off. As a result, for the three months ended June 30, 2015, our composite ratio was 109.7%, compared to 93.6% during the same period in 2014. General and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2015 increased to $6.9 million from $5.6 million compared to the same period in 2014 mainly due to non-recurring professional fees incurred during the period.

For the six months ended June 30, 2015, we reported a net loss of $63.6 million, compared to net income of $100.7 million reported for the same period in 2014. Our net investment loss for the six months ended June 30, 2015 was $45.1 million, compared to net investment income of $103.8 million reported for the same period in 2014. Our investment portfolio managed by DME Advisors, LP reported a loss of 3.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2015, compared to a gain of 7.3% for the same period in 2014. The underwriting loss before general and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2015 was $4.2 million, compared to underwriting income of $12.2 million reported for the same period in 2014. The decrease in underwriting income for the six months ended June 30, 2015 was primarily due to an increase in loss reserves of $14.7 million

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recorded during the period relating to adverse loss development on a general liability contract currently in run-off. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, our composite ratio was 102.2%, compared to 93.9% during the same period in 2014. General and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2015 increased to $13.1 million from $11.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 mainly due to non-recurring professional fees incurred during the period.

Our primary financial goal is to increase the long-term value in fully diluted adjusted book value per share. For the three months ended June 30, 2015, the fully diluted adjusted book value per share decreased by $1.02 per share, or 3.4%, to $29.07 per share from $30.09 per share at March 31, 2015. For the three months ended June 30, 2015, the basic adjusted book value per share decreased by $1.10 per share, or 3.6%, to $29.34 per share from $30.44 per share at March 31, 2015.

For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the fully diluted adjusted book value per share decreased by $1.69 per share, or 5.5%, to $29.07 per share from $30.76 per share at December 31, 2014. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the basic adjusted book value per share decreased by $1.83 per share, or 5.9%, to $29.34 per share from $31.17 per share at December 31, 2014.

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 and RSUs 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, 2015
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
September 30, 2014
 
June 30, 2014
 
  ($ in thousands, except per share and share amounts)
Basic adjusted and fully diluted adjusted book value per share numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total equity (U.S. GAAP)
$
1,127,496

 
$
1,170,648

 
$
1,194,041

 
$
1,134,761

 
$
1,185,195

Less: Non-controlling interest in joint venture
(28,172
)
 
(28,496
)
 
(28,890
)
 
(31,218
)
 
(31,087
)
Basic adjusted book value per share numerator
1,099,324

 
1,142,152

 
1,165,151

 
1,103,543

 
1,154,108

Add: Proceeds from in-the-money stock options issued and outstanding
15,236

 
16,302

 
19,628

 
20,609

 
18,881

Fully diluted adjusted book value per share numerator
$
1,114,560

 
$
1,158,454

 
$
1,184,779

 
$
1,124,152

 
$
1,172,989

Basic adjusted and fully diluted adjusted book value per share denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ordinary shares issued and outstanding for basic adjusted book value per share denominator
37,464,546

 
37,521,627

 
37,384,543

 
37,333,190

 
37,295,312

Add: In-the-money stock options and RSUs issued and outstanding
880,917

 
976,917

 
1,131,917

 
1,217,917

 
1,202,096

Fully diluted adjusted book value per share denominator
38,345,463

 
38,498,544

 
38,516,460

 
38,551,107

 
38,497,408

Basic adjusted book value per share
$
29.34

 
$
30.44

 
$
31.17

 
$
29.56

 
$
30.95

Fully diluted adjusted book value per share
29.07

 
30.09

 
30.76

 
29.16

 
30.47



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 Gross Premiums Written
 
Details of gross premiums written are provided in the following table: 
 
Three months ended June 30
 
Six months ended June 30
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
Frequency
$
78,628

 
84.6
%
 
$
31,178

 
92.6
%
 
$
187,836

 
84.4
%
 
$
133,263

 
87.4
%
Severity
14,362

 
15.4

 
2,476

 
7.4

 
34,836

 
15.6

 
19,292

 
12.6

Total
$
92,990

 
100.0
%
 
$
33,654

 
100.0
%
 
$
222,672

 
100.0
%
 
$
152,555

 
100.0
%

As a result of our opportunistic underwriting philosophy, our reported quarterly premiums written may be volatile. Additionally, the composition of premiums written between frequency and severity business may vary from period to period depending on the specific market opportunities that we pursue.

For the three months ended June 30, 2015, our frequency gross premiums written increased by $47.5 million, or 152.2%, compared to the same period in 2014. The premiums written for motor liability (including motor physical damage) increased by $18.4 million as a result of an existing private passenger motor contract, which reported an increase in the volume of underlying policies written by the insured during the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. The premiums written for professional liability, specialty health and workers' compensation lines increased by $5.0 million, $4.3 million and $1.7 million, respectively, as a result of new quota share contracts written during 2015 and the latter half of 2014. The premiums written for personal lines for the three months ended June 30, 2015 was $2.7 million compared to negative $14.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014. The negative premiums written for the comparative period was primarily a result of premiums returned on some of our Florida homeowners' contracts, which had renewed during 2014 at a smaller share ceded to us, with the cedants retaining a larger share.

For the six months ended June 30, 2015, our frequency gross premiums written increased by $54.6 million, or 41.0%, compared to the same period in 2014. The premiums written for motor liability (including motor physical damage) increased by $24.1 million as a result of an existing private passenger motor contract, which reported an increase in the volume of underlying policies written by the insured during the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. The premiums written for professional liability, general liability, specialty health, workers' compensation, and commercial property lines increased by $14.2 million, $5.7 million, $4.7 million, $2.4 million and $2.3 million, respectively, as a result of new quota share contracts written during 2015 and the latter half of 2014.
 
For the three months ended June 30, 2015, our severity gross premiums written increased by $11.9 million, or 480.0%, compared to the same period in 2014, primarily due to new quota share severity contracts which accounted for a $10.7 million increase in premiums written.

For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the increase in severity premiums written of $15.5 million, compared to the same period in 2014, was primarily due to new quota share severity contracts which accounted for a $22.9 million increase in premiums written. The increase was partially offset by a net decrease in gross premiums written relating to property catastrophe retrocession contracts which expired and were not renewed during the first half of 2015.

Premiums Ceded
 
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, premiums ceded were $1.9 million and $3.5 million, respectively, compared to $2.8 million and $8.7 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, the decrease in ceded premiums compared to the same period in 2014 were partially due to a retroceded contract for catastrophic risk protection that expired at the end of 2014 and was not renewed. However, in the first quarter of 2015, we purchased an industry loss warranty derivative contract ("ILW") to reduce our net exposure to natural peril catastrophe events. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the ILW is recorded as a weather derivative swap and the cost of the ILW is amortized over the risk period and recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of income as "Other income (expense), net". For the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, the ILW amortization expenses were $0.6 million and $1.2 million, respectively.
 

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Net Premiums Written

Details of net premiums written are provided in the following table: 
 
Three months ended June 30
 
Six months ended June 30
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
Frequency
$
76,759

 
84.2
%
 
$
28,419

 
92.0
%
 
$
184,342

 
84.1
%
 
$
128,317

 
89.2
%
Severity
14,363

 
15.8

 
2,476

 
8.0

 
34,836

 
15.9

 
15,539

 
10.8

Total
$
91,122

 
100.0
%
 
$
30,895

 
100.0
%
 
$
219,178

 
100.0
%
 
$
143,856

 
100.0
%

The change in net premiums written is the net result of the changes in gross premiums written and premiums ceded as explained in the preceding paragraphs.

 Net Premiums Earned
 
Net premiums earned reflect the pro-rata inclusion into income of net premiums written over the term 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
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
Frequency
$
81,382

 
88.8
%
 
$
82,442

 
93.8
%
 
$
169,471

 
90.9
%
 
$
187,860

 
94.1
%
Severity
10,303

 
11.2

 
5,413

 
6.2

 
17,007

 
9.1

 
11,684

 
5.9

Total
$
91,685

 
100.0
%
 
$
87,855

 
100.0
%
 
$
186,478

 
100.0
%
 
$
199,544

 
100.0
%

Premiums relating to quota share contracts and excess of loss 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, 2015, the frequency premiums earned decreased by $1.1 million, or 1.3%, compared to the same period in 2014. The personal lines premiums earned decreased by $15.2 million due to the lower share of Florida homeowners' contracts for some 2014/2015 contracts compared to the 2013/2014 contracts. Our professional lines premiums earned decreased by $2.0 million, primarily related to a decrease in the volume of underlying business on a solicitors' professional indemnity contract renewed during October 2014, and was partially offset by new professional liability contracts written during the last twelve months. The decreases were partially offset by an increase in private passenger motor premiums earned, which increased by $12.4 million. Additionally, the specialty health and general liability lines premiums earned increased by $1.6 million and $1.2 million, respectively, during the three months ended June 30, 2015.

For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the frequency net premiums earned decreased by $18.4 million, or 9.8%, compared to the same period in 2014. The decrease was primarily as a result of personal lines premiums earned decreasing by $31.5 million due to the Florida homeowners' contracts renewed during the middle of 2014 at a reduced share ceded to us. The decreases in frequency net premiums earned were partially offset by increases in private passenger motor, general liability and specialty health premiums earned, which increased by $5.0 million, $4.0 million and $2.7 million, respectively. The increase in private passenger motor premiums earned were due to growth within the existing contracts, whereas the increase in general liability and specialty health lines were due to new contracts entered into during the last 12 months.

For the three months ended June 30, 2015, the severity premiums earned increased by $4.9 million, or 90.3%, compared to the same period in 2014. The increase was a net impact of new and renewed severity quota share contracts entered into during 2015 and the latter half of 2014, partially offset by severity contracts that expired and were not renewed during 2015.

For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the severity net premiums earned increased by $5.3 million, or 45.6%, compared to the same period in 2014. The increase was a net impact of new and renewed severity quota share contracts entered into during 2015 and the latter half of 2014, partially offset by severity contracts that expired and were not renewed during 2015.
    

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Net Losses Incurred
 
Net 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 are provided in the following table:

 
Three months ended June 30
 
Six months ended June 30
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
Frequency
$
72,217

 
94.2
%
 
$
56,597

 
99.9
%
 
$
133,423

 
95.4
%
 
$
122,781

 
99.0
%
Severity
4,436

 
5.8

 
47

 
0.1

 
6,437

 
4.6

 
1,226

 
1.0

Total
$
76,653

 
100.0
%
 
$
56,644

 
100.0
%
 
$
139,860

 
100.0
%
 
$
124,007

 
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 them as we deem appropriate to reflect our best estimates based on updated information and our internal actuarial estimates. We expect losses incurred on our severity business to be volatile depending on the frequency and magnitude of catastrophic events from year to year.

For the three months ended June 30, 2015, the net losses incurred on frequency contracts increased by $15.6 million, or 27.6%, compared to the same period in 2014, primarily due to $14.7 million of additional loss reserves recorded during the three months ended June 30, 2015 on a general liability contract currently in run-off. This general liability contract, which includes construction defect liabilities, reported an increase in the incurred losses during the period. The increase in total loss reserves on this contract was primarily due to revising the estimated average loss cost per claim.
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the total net losses incurred on frequency contracts increased by $10.6 million, or 8.7%, compared to the same period in 2014. The increase was driven primarily by the adverse loss development on the general liability contract discussed in the preceding paragraph, and was partially offset by the lower overall earned premiums for the frequency business during the six months ended June 30, 2015.

Losses incurred as a percentage of premiums earned (referred to as the loss ratio) fluctuates based on the mix of business, and any favorable or adverse loss development on our larger contracts. For the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the loss ratios for our frequency business were 88.7% and 68.7%, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the loss ratios for our frequency business were 78.7% and 65.4%, respectively. The higher loss ratio for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 primarily related to the adverse loss development on the general liability contract discussed above. To a lesser extent, our Florida homeowners' insurance contracts reported unfavorable loss development mainly as a result of deterioration of sinkhole losses and higher than anticipated water damage claims from rainstorms. Additionally, for the six months ended June 30, 2015 the higher loss ratio was also attributable to the motor line, primarily due to the current in-force private passenger motor contracts having a higher expected loss ratio compared to the prior year's in-force contracts. The increases in the loss ratio for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 were partially offset by a lower loss ratio on the specialty health line due to no adverse losses developing on the employers' medical stop-loss contracts compared to the same period in 2014.

For the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the loss ratios for our severity business were 43.1% and 0.9%, respectively. The increase in severity loss ratio was due to the change in mix of severity business compared to the same period in 2014. For the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the loss ratios for our severity business were 37.8% and 10.5%, respectively. The loss ratios for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 reflect the attritional losses on new severity quota share contracts written during 2015 and the latter part of 2014. By comparison, the 2014 severity loss ratio included proportionally higher property catastrophe contracts, which under U.S. GAAP have no losses recorded until a catastrophe event occurs. We expect our severity loss ratio to vary, sometimes significantly, based on the change in mix of business between catastrophe and non-catastrophe business.


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Losses incurred can be further broken down into losses paid (recovered) and changes in loss and loss adjustment expense reserves as follows:
 
Six months ended June 30
 
 
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
2014
 
 
 
Gross
 
Ceded
 
Net
 
Gross
 
Ceded
 
Net
 
($ in thousands)
Losses paid (recovered)
$
134,743

 
$
(9,368
)
 
$
125,375

 
$
152,960

 
$
(5,169
)
 
$
147,791

Change in loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
5,868

 
8,617

 
14,485

 
(27,764
)
 
3,980

 
(23,784
)
Total
$
140,611

 
$
(751
)
 
$
139,860

 
$
125,196

 
$
(1,189
)
 
$
124,007


For the six months ended June 30, 2015, our net losses incurred on prior period contracts increased by $16.9 million, primarily related to the following:

$14.7 million of adverse loss development relating to a general liability contract originally written in 2010. This contract contains underlying construction defect liability coverage. Based on updated data received from the insured, we conducted additional actuarial analysis and updated our actuarial input parameters based on consultation with external industry experts. As a result, the average estimated cost per claim was increased;

$4.8 million of adverse loss development relating to our Florida homeowners' insurance contracts as a result of deterioration of sinkhole losses and higher than anticipated water damage claims from the 2014 rainstorms. However, because some of these contracts included sliding scale ceding commission rates, the increase in loss reserves was partially offset by a $1.7 million decrease in ceding commissions and profit commissions recorded as acquisition costs;

$1.3 million of loss reserves released upon commutation of a private passenger motor contract during the period. The decrease in loss reserve was partially offset by $1.1 million of additional ceding commissions incurred as part of the commutation agreement; and

$1.0 million of favorable loss development relating to the employer medical stop-loss business as a result of better than expected claims frequency reported by the cedent.

There were no other significant developments of prior period reserves during the six months ended June 30, 2015.
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2014, our net losses incurred on prior period contracts increased by $1.7 million, primarily related to the following:

$3.0 million of adverse loss development relating to the employer medical stop-loss business. Loss reserves were increased on these contracts after a detailed review of existing claims data received from the clients, audits of claim files at the third party claims administrators and actuarial analysis based on all available information;

$3.2 million of adverse loss development relating to a solicitors' professional indemnity contract as a result of a combination of large claims reported and increases in case reserves on several smaller claims. Loss reserves were increased on this contract after a detailed review of existing claims data received from the client, audits of claim files at the third party claims administrator and actuarial analysis based on all available information. The contract terms included sliding scale ceding commission rates and profit commissions. As a result, the increase in loss reserves was offset by a $0.6 million decrease in ceding commissions and profit commissions recorded as decreases to acquisition costs;

$3.5 million of favorable loss development relating to private passenger automobile business, primarily as a result of better than expected loss development noted on our private passenger automobile contracts after a detailed review of existing claims data received from the clients, audits of claim files and actuarial analysis based on all available information. Since these contracts included sliding scale ceding commission rates, the decrease in loss reserves was offset by a $1.1 million increase in ceding commissions recorded as acquisition costs; and


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$0.9 million of favorable loss development relating to an excess of loss catastrophe contract based on updated loss information received from the cedant indicating better than expected loss experience. The contract terms included a profit commission payable to the cedant. As a result the favorable loss development was offset by a $0.1 million decrease in profit commissions recorded as acquisition costs.
    
There were no other significant developments of prior period reserves during the six months ended June 30, 2014.

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
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
Frequency
$
21,317

 
89.0
%
 
$
24,388

 
95.4
%
 
$
46,776

 
92.1
%
 
$
61,173

 
96.5
%
Severity
2,622

 
11.0

 
1,182

 
4.6

 
4,004

 
7.9

 
2,193

 
3.5

Total
$
23,939

 
100.0
%
 
$
25,570

 
100.0
%
 
$
50,780

 
100.0
%
 
$
63,366

 
100.0
%

We expect acquisition costs to be higher for frequency business than for severity business. For the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the acquisition cost ratios for frequency business were 26.2% and 29.6%, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the acquisition cost ratios for frequency business were 27.6% and 32.6%, respectively. The decrease in acquisition cost ratio for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, compared to same periods in 2014, was primarily due to certain Florida homeowners' insurance contracts that contain sliding scale ceding commissions which decreased during the three months ended June 30, 2015 as a result of adverse loss development on those contracts.

For the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the acquisition cost ratios for severity business were 25.4% and 21.8%, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the acquisition cost ratios for severity business were 23.5% and 18.8%, respectively. The higher acquisition cost ratio for severity business for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, compared to the same periods in 2014, was primarily due to higher commission rates on the new severity quota share contracts entered into during 2015 and the latter half of 2014, compared to the predominantly excess of loss catastrophe contracts in force during the comparative period in 2014.

Overall, our total acquisition cost ratios were 27.2% and 31.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

General and Administrative Expenses

Details of general and administrative expenses are provided in the following table:
 
 
Three months ended June 30
 
Six months ended June 30
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
Internal expenses
$
4,799

 
$
4,712

 
$
9,765

 
$
10,089

Corporate expenses
2,095

 
847

 
3,289

 
1,670

General and administrative expenses
$
6,894

 
$
5,559

 
$
13,054

 
$
11,759


For the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, general and administrative expenses included $1.0 million and $0.9 million, respectively, of expenses related to stock compensation granted to employees and directors.


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Corporate expenses included those expenses directly related to being a publicly listed entity and certain non-core operating expenses. Prior to 2015, corporate expenses also included non-investment related foreign exchange gains and losses. Effective from January 1, 2015, the presentation was modified and any non-investment related foreign exchange gains and losses are now presented on the condensed consolidated statements of income under the caption "Other income (expenses), net". As a result, $1.4 million and $1.6 million, respectively, of foreign exchange loss that was previously reported in corporate expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, have been reclassified to other income (expense), net, to conform to the current period presentation. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, a foreign exchange loss of $2.9 million and $0.5 million, respectively, was included in other income (expense), net.

Net Investment Income (Loss)
 
A summary of our net investment income (loss) is as follows:
 
Three months ended June 30
 
Six months ended June 30
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
($ in thousands)
 
($ in thousands)
Realized gains
$
15,267

 
$
88,890

 
$
40,277

 
$
175,353

Change in unrealized gains
(17,523
)
 
54,696

 
(49,136
)
 
(36,657
)
Investment related foreign exchange gains (losses)
(8,397
)
 
3,290

 
(16,370
)
 
(4,128
)
Interest and dividend income, net of withholding taxes
5,458

 
7,568

 
8,884

 
23,966

Interest, dividend and other expenses
(9,937
)
 
(11,318
)
 
(18,413
)
 
(20,570
)
Investment advisor compensation
(5,173
)
 
(29,194
)
 
(10,376
)
 
(34,182
)
Net investment income (loss)
$
(20,305
)
 
$
113,932

 
$
(45,134
)
 
$
103,782


For the three months ended June 30, 2015, investment income, net of fees and expenses, resulted in a loss of 1.5% on our investments managed by DME Advisors, compared to a gain of 8.1% reported for the three months ended June 30, 2014. Investment returns relating to our investment portfolio managed by DME Advisors are calculated monthly and compounded to calculate the quarterly and annual returns. The resulting actual investment income may vary depending on cash flows into or out of the investment account.

The investment loss for the three months ended June 30, 2015 was primarily driven by an increase in unrealized losses on our long positions in Micron Technology, Inc. and CONSOL Energy, Inc. The long portfolio lost 0.7% and macro positions lost 0.4% during the three months ended June 30, 2015.

For the six months ended June 30, 2015, investment loss, net of fees and expenses, resulted in a loss of 3.2% on our investments managed by DME Advisors, compared to a gain of 7.3% for the six months ended June 30, 2014. The investment loss for the six months ended June 30, 2015 was primarily driven by our short portfolio and macro positions, partially offset by gains on our long portfolio.

We expect our investment income, including realized and unrealized gains (or losses), to fluctuate from period to period. Fluctuations in realized and unrealized gains (or losses) are a function of both the market performance of the securities held in our investment portfolio, and the timing of additions to and dispositions of securities in our investment portfolio. Our investment advisor uses its discretion over when a gain (or loss) is realized on a particular investment. We believe that net investment income, which includes both realized and unrealized gains (or losses), is the best way to assess our investment performance, rather than analyzing the realized gains (or losses) and unrealized gains (or losses) separately.

For the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the gross investment returns on our investment portfolio managed by DME Advisors (excluding investment advisor performance allocation) were (1.5)% and 10.0%, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the gross investment return on our investment portfolio managed by DME Advisors (excluding investment advisor performance allocation) was (3.2)%, and 9.0%, respectively. These were comprised of the following:

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Three months ended June 30
 
Six months ended June 30
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Long portfolio gains (losses)
(0.7
)%
 
13.9
 %
 
3.2
 %
 
17.6
 %
Short portfolio gains (losses)
0.0

 
(2.7
)
 
(4.3
)
 
(5.5
)
Macro gains (losses)
(0.4
)
 
(0.8
)
 
(1.3
)
 
(2.3
)
Other income and expenses
(0.4
)
 
(0.4
)
 
(0.8
)
 
(0.8
)
Gross investment return
(1.5
)%
 
10.0
 %
 
(3.2
)%
 
9.0
 %
Net investment return
(1.5
)%
 
8.1
 %
 
(3.2
)%
 
7.3
 %

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, included in "other income and expenses" in the above table were $5.2 million and $10.4 million, respectively, (2014: $5.1 million and $10.1 million, respectively), relating to management fees paid to DME Advisors in accordance with the advisory agreement with DME Advisors. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 no performance allocation compensation was recorded due to the negative investment returns for these periods (2014: $24.0 million and $24.0 million, respectively).

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. Although DME Advisors discloses all investment positions to us, it 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 their other clients.  
       
 Income Taxes
 
We are not obligated to pay taxes in the Cayman Islands on either income or capital gains. We have been granted an exemption by the Governor-In-Cabinet from any income 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, 2015, a deferred tax asset of $0.03 million (December 31, 2014: $0.03 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, 2015, an accrual for current taxes recoverable of $0.9 million (December 31, 2014: $0.8 million) was recorded 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 management believes are subject to uncertainty or that are reasonably likely to have a material impact to the Company, GRIL or Verdant.

 

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  Ratio Analysis
 
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: 
 
Six months ended June 30
 
Six months ended June 30
 
 
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
2014
 
 
 
Frequency
 
Severity
 
Total
 
Frequency
 
Severity
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss ratio
78.7
%
 
37.8
%
 
75.0
%
 
65.4
%
 
10.5
%
 
62.1
%
Acquisition cost ratio
27.6
%
 
23.5
%
 
27.2
%
 
32.6
%
 
18.8
%
 
31.8
%
Composite ratio
106.3
%
 
61.3
%
 
102.2
%
 
98.0
%
 
29.3
%
 
93.9
%
Internal expense ratio
 
 
 
 
5.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
5.1
%
Corporate expense ratio
 
 
 
 
1.8
%
 
 
 
 
 
0.8
%
Combined ratio
 
 
 
 
109.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
99.8
%
                
  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 mix of the lines of business written. 

The acquisition cost ratio is calculated by dividing acquisition costs by net premiums earned. We expect that this ratio will generally be higher 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 general and administrative expenses, excluding any corporate expenses, to net premiums earned.

The corporate expense ratio is the ratio of corporate expenses to net premiums earned. Corporate expenses include expenses relating to GLRE being a publicly listed entity and certain non-core operating expenses.
 
The combined ratio is the sum of the composite ratio, the internal expense ratio and the corporate 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, Financial Contracts Receivable, Due to Prime Brokers
 
Our long investments and financial contracts receivable reported in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2015, were $1,456.6 million, compared to $1,478.1 million as of December 31, 2014, a decrease of $21.5 million, or 1.5%, primarily due to the decrease in the fair value of our equity based long investments and derivatives, partially offset by an increase in our gold position. As of June 30, 2015, our exposure to long investments decreased to 104.2%, compared to 105.8% as of December 31, 2014. This exposure analysis is conducted on a delta-adjusted basis and excludes macro positions which consist of CDS, interest rate swaps, sovereign debt, currencies, commodities and derivatives on any of these instruments.
 
Financial contracts receivable as of June 30, 2015 decreased by $9.1 million, or 19.4%, compared to December 31, 2014, primarily due to put options exited during the first quarter of 2015.


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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, 2015, we had borrowed $212.7 million (December 31, 2014: $76.1 million) from our prime brokers in order to purchase investment securities and to provide collateral for unrealized losses on short positions. In accordance with Greenlight Re's investment guidelines, DME Advisors is allowed to use up to 15% (GRIL: 5%) net margin leverage for extended periods of time and up to 30% (GRIL: 20%) net margin leverage for periods of less than 30 days.

Additionally, as of June 30, 2015, we had borrowed $302.3 million (December 31, 2014: $135.0 million) under term margin agreements from prime brokers to provide collateral for some of our letters of credit outstanding, whereby we pledge certain investment 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 in the condensed consolidated statements of income. As of June 30, 201585.5% (December 31, 2014: 83.9%) 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), 12.4% (December 31, 2014: 14.5%) was comprised of securities valued based on observable inputs other than quoted prices (Level 2) and 2.1%  (December 31, 2014: 1.6%) was comprised of securities valued based on non-observable inputs (Level 3). (Refer to Note 3 "Financial Instruments" in the condensed consolidated financial statements for details of transfers into and out of Level 3 during the three and six months ended June 30, 2015).
 
In determining whether a market for a financial instrument is active or inactive, we obtain information from DME Advisors, based on feedback it receives from executing brokers, market makers, analysts and 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, 2015, $294.4 million (December 31, 2014: $316.4 million) of our investments (longs, shorts and derivatives) were valued based on broker quotes, of which $294.4 million (December 31, 2014: $315.7 million) were based on broker quotes that utilized observable market information and classified as Level 2 fair value measurements, and none (December 31, 2014: $0.7 million) were based on broker quotes that utilized non-observable inputs and classified as Level 3 fair value measurements.
 
Non-observable inputs used by our investment advisor 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, 2015, our securities sold, not yet purchased were $1,285.4 million compared to $1,090.7 million at December 31, 2014, an increase of 17.8%, consistent with the increase in our short exposure which increased to 83.3% as of June 30, 2015 compared to 66.9% at December 31, 2014. Unlike long investments, short sales theoretically involve unlimited loss potential since there is no limit as to how high the market price of a security may rise. While it is not possible to list all of the reasons why a loss on a short sale may occur, a loss on a short sale may be caused by one or more of the following factors:

Fluctuations in the share price due to an overall positive investment market;
Sudden unexpected changes in the underlying business model of the issuer;
Changes in laws and regulations relating to short sales;
Press releases and earnings guidance issued by the issuer;
A merger or acquisition of the issuer at a price in excess of the current share price;
The shares of the issuer becoming difficult to borrow; or
A short squeeze.

Given the various scenarios under which a loss may occur on a short sale, it is not possible to quantify the risk and uncertainty of loss relating to short sales. However, DME Advisors typically performs a detailed analysis prior to entering into a short sale. Thereafter, the investment is routinely monitored by DME Advisors. As of June 30, 2015, Greenlight Re's investment guidelines limit any single investment from constituting more than 20% of the portfolio (10% for GRIL's portfolio) at any given time, which limits the potential adverse impact on our results of operations and financial position from any one position.


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As of June 30, 2015, the restricted cash included $1,285.4 million relating to collateral for securities sold, not yet purchased, compared to $1,090.7 million as of December 31, 2014.

Overall, our restricted cash increased by $352.1 million, or 27.1%, from $1,296.9 million to $1,649.0 million. The cash collateral held by derivative counterparties decreased by $9.9 million to $61.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015 due to a net decrease in derivatives. Additionally, as of June 30, 2015, included in restricted cash and cash equivalents was $302.3 million (December 31, 2014: $135.0 million) of cash borrowed under term margin agreements from prime brokers to provide collateral for some of our letters of credit outstanding.

Notes Receivable

As of June 30, 2015, notes receivable increased by $28.3 million to $29.9 million from $1.6 million as of December 31, 2014. The increase was primarily related to a settlement agreement entered into with a ceding insurer during the first quarter of 2015 whereby certain amounts, previously classified under reinsurance balances receivable, were converted into a ten-year note receivable. For further details on notes receivable, refer to Note 2 "Significant Accounting Policies" including in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves
 
Reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses were comprised of the following table: 
 
June 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Case
Reserves
 
IBNR
 
Total
 
Case
Reserves
 
IBNR
 
Total
 
($ in thousands)
Frequency
$
98,475

 
$
130,130

 
$
228,605

 
$
103,357

 
$
124,173

 
$
227,530

Severity
12,280

 
29,550

 
41,830

 
13,692

 
23,021

 
36,713

Total
$
110,755

 
$
159,680

 
$
270,435

 
$
117,049

 
$
147,194

 
$
264,243

 
During the six months ended June 30, 2015, the frequency loss reserves increased by $1.1 million, or 0.5%. The increase was the net impact of an increase in IBNR driven by the adverse loss development on prior period contracts, offset by a decrease in case reserves as losses were paid on existing contracts and loss reserves were transferred to the ceding insurers upon commutation of certain contracts. The severity loss reserves increased by $5.1 million, or 13.9%, due to new severity quota share contracts written during 2015 and in the latter half of 2014. For most of our contracts written as of June 30, 2015, our risk exposure is limited by 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, and to a lesser extent our frequency business, include certain contracts that contain or may contain natural peril loss exposure. As of July 1, 2015, our maximum aggregate loss exposure to any series of natural peril events was $268.5 million. For purposes of the preceding sentence, aggregate loss exposure is net of any retrocession (including any ILWs) 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, Canada and the Caribbean; 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, Canada and the Caribbean
 
$
202,284

 
$
268,492

Europe
 
131,882

 
148,276

Japan
 
131,882

 
148,276

Rest of the world
 
131,882

 
148,276

Maximum Aggregate
 
202,284

 
268,492

 

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 Shareholders’ Equity
 
Total equity reported on the condensed consolidated balance sheet, which includes non-controlling interest, decreased by $66.5 million to $1,127.5 million as of June 30, 2015, compared to $1,194.0 million as of December 31, 2014. Retained earnings decreased due to net loss of $63.6 million reported for the six months ended June 30, 2015, while the non-controlling interest decreased by $0.7 million primarily due to investment loss attributable to DME's interest in the joint venture during the six months ended June 30, 2015. The increase in additional paid-in capital of $0.1 million related to stock based compensation for the six months ended June 30, 2015, mostly offset by common shares repurchased during the period.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
General
 
Greenlight Capital Re is organized as a holding company with no operations of its own. As a holding company, Greenlight Capital Re has 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 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.

As of June 30, 2015, Greenlight Re and GRIL were each 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. If A.M. Best 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. 

Sources and Uses of Funds
 
Our sources of funds consist primarily 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, 2015, approximately 92% (December 31, 2014: 92%) of our long 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, 2015, 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, 2015 and 2014, the net cash used in operating activities was $14.8 million and $39.1 million, respectively. Included in the net cash used in operating activities were investment related expenses, such as investment advisor compensation, and net interest and dividend expenses of $19.9 million and $30.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Excluding the investment related expenses from the net cash used in operating activities, results in net cash primarily provided by our underwriting activities which was $5.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015, and net cash primarily used in our underwriting activities which was $8.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014. Generally, in a given period if the premiums collected are sufficient to cover claim payments, we would generate cash from our underwriting activities. Due to the inherent nature of our underwriting portfolio, claims are often paid several months or even years after the premiums are collected. The cash generated from underwriting activities, however, may be volatile from period to period depending on the underwriting opportunities available.

For the six months ended June 30, 2015, our investing activities provided $98.0 million (2014: $41.0 million), driven primarily by an increase in funds borrowed from prime brokers. We used $4.2 million in financing activities relating to the repurchase of Class A ordinary shares during the six months ended June 30, 2015 (2014: nil).

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As of June 30, 2015, we believe we have sufficient cash flow from operating and investing activities 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, 2015, we had no plans to issue debt and expect to fund our operations for the next twelve 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, 2015, Greenlight Re and GRIL both exceeded the regulatory minimum capital requirements. 

Letters of Credit
 
As of June 30, 2015, 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 for loss recoveries or ceded unearned premiums unless appropriate measures are in place for 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, 2015, we had four letter of credit facilities with an aggregate capacity of $720.0 million (December 31, 2014: $760.0 million) with various financial institutions. See Note 9 of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for details on each of these facilities. As of June 30, 2015, an aggregate amount of $299.0 million (December 31, 2014: $273.7 million) in letters of credit was issued under these facilities. Under these facilities, we provide collateral that may consist of equity securities or cash and cash equivalents. At June 30, 2015, total equity securities and cash and cash equivalents with a fair value in the aggregate of $416.1 million (December 31, 2014: $302.6 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 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 as of June 30, 2015.
  
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 for the foreseeable future. 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. However, in order to provide us with flexibility and timely access to public capital markets should we require additional capital for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other general corporate purposes, we have filed a Form S-3 registration statement, which expires in June 2018 unless renewed. We did not make any significant commitments for capital expenditures during the six months ended June 30, 2015.

Our Board of Directors has adopted a share repurchase plan authorizing the Company to repurchase up to 2.0 million Class A ordinary shares or securities convertible into Class A ordinary shares in the open market, through privately negotiated transactions or Rule 10b5-1 stock trading plans. The current share repurchase plan was renewed on April 29, 2015 by the Board of Directors and expires on June 30, 2016. The Company is not required to repurchase any of the Class A ordinary shares and the repurchase plan may be modified, suspended or terminated at the election of our Board of Directors at any time without prior notice. During the six months ended June 30, 2015, 140,000 Class A ordinary shares were repurchased by the Company. Subsequent to June 30, 2015 and through the period ended August 1, 2015, the Company repurchased an additional 360,000 Class A ordinary shares.

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, 2015, there were 696,928 Class A ordinary shares available for future issuance. 

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Contractual Obligations and Commitments
 
The following table shows our aggregate contractual obligations as of June 30, 2015 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)
$
531

 
$
932

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,463

Specialist service agreement
600

 

 

 

 
600

Private equity and limited partnerships (2)
8,964

 

 

 

 
8,964

Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves (3)
149,648

 
82,342

 
22,322

 
16,123

 
270,435

 
$
159,743

 
$
83,274

 
$
22,322

 
$
16,123

 
$
281,462

(1)    Reflects our contractual obligations pursuant to the lease agreements as described below. 
 
(2)    As of June 30, 2015, we had made total commitments of $24.8 million in private investments of which we had invested $15.9 million, and our remaining commitments to these investments total $9.0 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. 
 
(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.


As of June 30, 2015, $1,285.4 million of securities sold, not yet purchased, were secured by $1,285.4 million of restricted cash held by prime brokers to cover obligations relating to securities sold, not yet purchased. These amounts are not included in the contractual obligations table above because there is no maturity date for securities sold, not yet purchased, and their maturities are not set by any contract and as such their due dates cannot be estimated.
 
Greenlight Re has entered into lease agreements for office space in the Cayman Islands. The leases expire on June 30, 2018 and Greenlight Re has the option to renew the leases for a further five year term. Under the terms of the lease agreements, Greenlight Re is committed to annual rent payments ranging from $0.3 million at inception to $0.5 million at expiry. The minimum lease payment obligations are included in the above table under operating lease obligations and in Note 9 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 €0.1 million 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 9 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
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 specialist service provider. The agreement will be terminated effective September 1, 2015, and the Company is obligated to make minimum payments for twelve months starting on September 1, 2015 to ensure 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 9 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

The Company and its reinsurance subsidiaries have entered into a joint venture agreement with DME Advisors under which the Company, its reinsurance subsidiaries and DME are participants of a joint venture for the purpose of managing certain jointly held assets (the "venture agreement"). In addition, the Company, its reinsurance subsidiaries and DME have

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entered into a separate investment advisory agreement with DME Advisors (the "advisory agreement"). The term of the venture agreement and the advisory agreement is January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2016, with automatic three-year renewals unless 90 days prior to the end of the then current term, either DME notifies the other participants of its desire to terminate the venture agreement or any other participant notifies DME of its desire to withdraw from the venture agreement.

Pursuant to the venture agreement, we pay DME Advisors a monthly management fee of 0.125% on our share of the assets managed by DME Advisors and we provide DME a performance allocation equal to 20% of the net profit, calculated per annum, of the Company’s share of the capital account managed by DME Advisors, subject to a loss carry forward provision. The loss carry forward provision allows DME to earn a reduced performance allocation of 10% of profits 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 is not entitled to earn a performance allocation in a year in which the investment portfolio incurs a loss. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, no performance allocation was recorded due to the net investment loss for the periods. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, management fees of $5.2 million and $10.4 million, respectively, were included in the net investment loss.
 
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 five thousand dollars per month plus expenses. The service 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 service 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;
 
 
 
 
commodity price risk;
 
 
 
 
foreign currency risk;
 
 
 
 
interest rate risk;
 
 
 
 
credit risk; and
 
 
 
 
political risk.
 

Equity Price Risk

As of June 30, 2015, 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, 2015, a 10% decline in the price of each of these listed equity securities and equity-based derivative instruments would result in a $24.4 million, or 1.8%, decline in the fair value of our total investment portfolio.
 

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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.

Commodity Price Risk
Generally, market prices of commodities are subject to fluctuation. Our investment portfolio periodically includes long or short investments in commodities or in derivatives directly impacted by fluctuations in the prices of commodities. As of June 30, 2015, our investment portfolio included unhedged exposure to changes in gold prices, through ownership of physical gold. As of June 30, 2015, a 10% decline in the price of gold would have resulted in a $13.8 million, or 1.0%, decline in the fair value of our total investment portfolio. We, along with our investment advisor, periodically monitor our exposure to any other commodity price fluctuations and generally do not expect changes in commodity prices to have a materially adverse impact on our operations.
 
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 our foreign currency loss reserves (case reserves and IBNR) are in excess of the corresponding foreign currency cash balances and there is an increase in the exchange rate of that foreign currency. As of June 30, 2015, we had a net foreign currency exposure on GBP denominated loss reserves of £1.7 million. As of June 30, 2015, a 10% decrease in the U.S. dollar against the GBP (all else being constant) would result in additional estimated loss reserves of $0.3 million and a corresponding foreign exchange loss. Alternatively, a 10% increase in the U.S dollar against the GBP, would result in a reduction of $0.3 million in our recorded loss reserves and a corresponding foreign exchange gain.
 
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 may use foreign currency cash and cash equivalents or 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, 2015, some of our currency exposure resulting from foreign denominated securities (longs and shorts) was reduced by offsetting cash balances 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, 2015
 
  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)
Argentine Peso
$
(1,622
)
 
(0.1
)%
 
$
1,622

 
0.1
 %
British Pound
(1,928
)
 
(0.1
)
 
1,928

 
0.1

Chinese Yuan
30,400

 
2.2

 
(1,793
)
 
(0.1
)
Indian Rupee
793

 
0.1

 
(793
)
 
(0.1
)
Japanese Yen
6,963

 
0.5

 
(2,505
)
 
(0.2
)
Other
244

 

 
(244
)
 

Total 
$
34,850

 
2.6
 %
 
$
(1,785
)
 
(0.2
)%
 
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.

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Interest Rate Risk

Our investment portfolio includes interest rate sensitive securities, such as corporate, municipal and sovereign debt instruments, CDS, and interest rate swaps. 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 sensitive to interest rates 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, 2015:
 
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
$
12,903

 
1.0
%
 
$
(13,709
)
 
(1.0
)%
Credit default swaps
(3
)
 

 
3

 

Interest rate swaps
16,694

 
1.2

 
(16,694
)
 
(1.2
)
Net exposure to interest rate risk
$
29,594

 
2.2
%
 
$
(30,400
)
 
(2.2
)%
 
For the purposes of the above table, the hypothetical impact of changes in interest rates on debt instruments, CDS and interest rate swaps 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. We evaluate the financial condition of our notes receivable counterparties and monitor our exposure to them on a regular basis. We are also exposed to credit risk from our business partners and clients relating to balances receivable under the reinsurance contracts, including premiums receivable, losses recoverable and commission adjustments recoverable. We monitor the collectability of these balances 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 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. 

Political Risk

We are exposed to political risk to the extent that we underwrite business from entities located in foreign markets and to the extent that DME Advisors, on our behalf and subject to our investment guidelines, trades 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 underwriting operations and investment strategy. We currently do not write political risk coverage on our insurance contracts; however, changes in government laws and regulations may impact our underwriting operations. 

 

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Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
As required by Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 of the Exchange Act, 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 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 Exchange Act 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, 2015 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.

  
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, 2014, 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.

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As of June 30, 2015, other than as noted below, there have been no other 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, 2014, as filed with the SEC. We may disclose changes to such factors or disclose additional factors from time to time in our future filings with the SEC.

Proposed changes in United States tax regulations and laws could subject United States persons who own Class A ordinary shares to United States income taxation on our undistributed earnings and may cause us to undertake changes to the manner in which we conduct our business. 

In April 2015, the IRS issued proposed regulations in an attempt to define the foreign insurance company exception to the passive foreign investment company ("PFIC") rules. The current exception to the PFIC rules provides an exclusion from "passive income" for income derived in the active conduct of an insurance business by a corporation predominantly engaged in the insurance business. In June 2015, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, a member of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, introduced a bill that provides a "bright line" annual test for a foreign company seeking to qualify as an insurance company for purposes of the insurance company exception to the PFIC rules.

We are monitoring developments with respect to both the IRS’ proposed regulations and the Wyden bill. At this time, we cannot predict whether or what, if any, regulations will be adopted or legislation will be enacted. If regulations are adopted or legislation enacted that cause us to fail to meet the requirements of the insurance company exception, such failure could have a material adverse effect on the taxation of our shareholders who are U.S. persons. As a result, we may have to undertake changes to the manner in which we conduct our business that could have a material effect on our results of operations.

 
Item 2.    UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS 
 
The table below details the repurchases that were made under the plan during the three months ended June 30, 2015.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Period
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased (1)
 
Average Price Paid per Share
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (1)
 
Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (1)
April 1 - 30, 2015
 

 
$

 

 
2,000,000

May 1 - 31, 2015
 

 
$

 

 
2,000,000

June 1 - 30, 2015
 
140,000

 
$
30.28

 
140,000

 
1,860,000

Total
 
140,000

 

 
140,000

 
1,860,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Class A ordinary shares.

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 29, 2015, our Board of Directors amended the share repurchase plan to extend the duration of the repurchase plan to June 30, 2016 and reinstated the authorization for the Company to purchase up to 2.0 million Class A ordinary shares or securities convertible into Class A ordinary shares in the open market, through privately negotiated transactions or Rule 10b5-1 stock trading plans. As of June 30, 2015, 1.9 million Class A ordinary shares remained authorized for repurchase under the repurchase plan. 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.

Subsequent to June 30, 2015 and through the period ended August 1, 2015, the Company purchased 360,000 Class A ordinary shares at an average share price of $28.95.

Item 3.    DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES 
 
Not applicable.
 
Item 4.    MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

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Not applicable
 
Item 5.    OTHER INFORMATION
 
None.
 
Item 6.    EXHIBITS

10.1
Amendment Letter Agreement between Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. and Butterfield Bank (Cayman) Limited, dated June 1, 2015, amending the Amended and Restated Letter of Credit Agreement dated June 17, 2010.
10.2
Amended and Restated Letter of Credit Facility Agreement dated May 7, 2015 between Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd. and Bank of America, N.A., amending the Amended Letter of Credit Facility Agreement dated December 16, 2011.
10.3
Letter Agreement between Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd., Greenlight Reinsurance, Ltd., Greenlight Reinsurance Ireland, Ltd., DME Advisors, LLC and DME Advisors, LP. dated June 17, 2015.
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, 2015 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.
 
*
Furnished herewith.

 
 

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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)
 
 
By:
/s/ BARTON HEDGES                    
 
 
 
Barton Hedges
Director & Chief Executive Officer
(principal executive officer)
 
 
 
August 3, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ TIM COURTIS                           
 
 
 
Tim Courtis
Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial and accounting officer)
 
 
 
August 3, 2015
 
 
 
 
 

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