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LOEWS CORP - Quarter Report: 2019 March (Form 10-Q)

Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

[X]     QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF     

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019

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 1-6541

LOEWS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware       13-2646102
(State or other jurisdiction of       (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)           Identification No.)

667 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10065-8087

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(212) 521-2000

(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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Yes   X                                    No                                          Not Applicable                                 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer

     X            Accelerated filer   

        

   Non-accelerated filer                Smaller reporting company   

        

 

Emerging growth company         

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

 

            

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

      

Outstanding at April 19, 2019

Common stock, $0.01 par value      304,887,983 shares

 

 

 


Table of Contents

INDEX

 

     Page  
     No.  

Part I. Financial Information

  

Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited)

  

Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets
March  31, 2019 and December 31, 2018

     3  

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income
Three months ended March  31, 2019 and 2018

     4  

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018

     5  

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Equity
Three months ended March  31, 2019 and 2018

     6  

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
Three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018

     7  

Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements

     8  

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     28  

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

     43  

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

     43  

Part II. Other Information

     44  

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

     44  

Item 1A. Risk Factors

     44  

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

     44  

Item 6. Exhibits

     45  

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

 

  March 31,
2019
December 31,
2018

(Dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)

Assets:

Investments:

Fixed maturities, amortized cost of $37,985 and $38,234

$       40,602 $       39,699

Equity securities, cost of $1,376 and $1,479

  1,326   1,293

Limited partnership investments

  2,120   2,424

Other invested assets, primarily mortgage loans

  933   901

Short term investments

  4,487   3,869

Total investments

  49,468   48,186

Cash

  339   405

Receivables

  8,012   7,960

Property, plant and equipment

  15,407   15,511

Goodwill

  682   665

Deferred non-insurance warranty acquisition expenses

  2,576   2,513

Deferred acquisition costs of insurance subsidiaries

  664   633

Other assets

  3,301   2,443

Total assets

$ 80,449 $ 78,316

    

Liabilities and Equity:

Insurance reserves:

Claim and claim adjustment expense

$ 21,836 $ 21,984

Future policy benefits

  11,078   10,597

Unearned premiums

  4,422   4,183

Total insurance reserves

  37,336   36,764

Payable to brokers

  307   42

Short term debt

  132   17

Long term debt

  11,229   11,359

Deferred income taxes

  1,084   841

Deferred non-insurance warranty revenue

  3,472   3,402

Other liabilities

  4,987   4,505

Total liabilities

  58,547   56,930

Commitments and contingent liabilities

Preferred stock, $0.10 par value:

Authorized – 100,000,000 shares

Common stock, $0.01 par value:

Authorized – 1,800,000,000 shares

Issued – 312,435,202 and 312,169,189 shares

  3   3

Additional paid-in capital

  3,607   3,627

Retained earnings

  16,144   15,773

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

  (390 )   (880 )
  19,364   18,523

Less treasury stock, at cost (6,929,267 and 100,000 shares)

  (327 )   (5 )

Total shareholders’ equity

  19,037   18,518

Noncontrolling interests

  2,865   2,868

Total equity

  21,902   21,386

Total liabilities and equity

$ 80,449 $ 78,316

    

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

 

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Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

Three Months Ended March 31 2019 2018
(In millions, except per share data)    

Revenues:

Insurance premiums

$       1,803 $       1,785

Net investment income

  657   506

Investment gains (losses):

Other-than-temporary impairment losses

  (14 )   (6 )

Other net investment gains

  45   15

Total investment gains

  31   9

Non-insurance warranty revenue

  281   238

Operating revenues and other

  985   1,043

Total

  3,757   3,581

Expenses:

Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits

  1,357   1,339

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

  342   296

Non-insurance warranty expense

  260   216

Operating expenses and other

  1,149   1,184

Interest

  141   141

Total

  3,249   3,176

Income before income tax

  508   405

Income tax expense

  (112 )   (25 )

Net income

  396   380

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

  (2 )   (87 )

Net income attributable to Loews Corporation

$ 394 $ 293
      

Basic and diluted net income per share

$ 1.27 $ 0.89
      

Weighted average shares outstanding:

Shares of common stock

  309.83   327.78

Dilutive potential shares of common stock

  0.53   0.94

Total weighted average shares outstanding assuming dilution

  310.36   328.72
      

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

 

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Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited)

 

Three Months Ended March 31 2019 2018
(In millions)    

Net income

$         396 $         380

Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax

Changes in:

Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments with other-than-temporary impairments

  4   (9 )

Net other unrealized gains (losses) on investments

  526   (429 )

Total unrealized gains (losses) on investments

  530   (438 )

Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges

  (6 )   10

Pension liability

  8   10

Foreign currency translation

  17   11

Other comprehensive income (loss)

  549   (407 )

Comprehensive income (loss)

  945   (27 )

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

  (61 )   (43 )

Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation

$ 884 $ (70 )
      

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

 

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Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(Unaudited)

 

         Loews Corporation Shareholders    
                      Accumulated   Common    
              Additional       Other   Stock    
             Common        Paid-in   Retained   Comprehensive   Held in   Noncontrolling
      Total   Stock    Capital   Earnings   Income (Loss)   Treasury   Interests
(In millions)                              

Balance, January 1, 2018, as reported

   $ 24,566     $ 3      $ 3,151     $ 16,096     $ (26   $ (20   $ 5,362  

Cumulative effect adjustments from changes in accounting standards

     (91                      (43     (28             (20

Balance, January 1, 2018, as adjusted

     24,475       3        3,151       16,053       (54     (20     5,342  

Net income

     380            293           87  

Other comprehensive income

     (407            (363       (44

Dividends paid ($0.0625 per share)

     (98          (20         (78

Purchases of Loews treasury stock

     (497              (497  

Stock-based compensation

     -          (7           7  

Other

     (5              (2     (5                     2  

Balance, March 31, 2018

   $ 23,848     $ 3      $ 3,142     $ 16,321     $ (417   $ (517   $ 5,316  
                                                           

Balance, January 1, 2019

   $ 21,386     $ 3      $ 3,627     $ 15,773     $ (880   $ (5   $ 2,868  

Net income

     396            394           2  

Other comprehensive income

     549              490         59  

Dividends paid ($0.0625 per share)

     (87          (19         (68

Purchases of Loews treasury stock

     (322              (322  

Purchases of subsidiary stock from non-controlling interests

     (14                (14

Stock-based compensation

     1          (19           20  

Other

     (7              (1     (4                     (2

Balance, March 31, 2019

   $ 21,902     $ 3      $ 3,607     $ 16,144     $ (390   $ (327   $ 2,865  
                                                           

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

 

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Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

Three Months Ended March 31 2019 2018
(In millions)    

Operating Activities:

Net income

$         396 $         380

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided (used) by operating activities, net

  369   185

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net:

Receivables

  15   (147 )

Deferred acquisition costs

  (29 )   (29 )

Insurance reserves

  57   311

Other assets

  (143 )   (56 )

Other liabilities

  (104 )   (215 )

Trading securities

  (480 )   84

Net cash flow provided by operating activities

  81   513

Investing Activities:

Purchases of fixed maturities

  (2,447 )   (2,690 )

Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities

  2,259   2,576

Proceeds from maturities of fixed maturities

  576   531

Purchases of limited partnership investments

  (114 )   (63 )

Proceeds from sales of limited partnership investments

  337   69

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

  (223 )   (230 )

Change in short term investments

  (27 )   (25 )

Other, net

  (61 )   (112 )

Net cash flow provided by investing activities

  300   56

Financing Activities:

Dividends paid

  (19 )   (20 )

Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests

  (68 )   (78 )

Purchases of Loews treasury stock

  (317 )   (497 )

Purchases of subsidiary stock from noncontrolling interests

  (14 )

Principal payments on debt

  (210 )   (303 )

Issuance of debt

  192   233

Other, net

  (13 )   74

Net cash flow used by financing activities

  (449 )   (591 )

Effect of foreign exchange rate on cash

  2   1

Net change in cash

  (66 )   (21 )

Cash, beginning of period

  405   472

Cash, end of period

$ 339 $ 451
      

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

 

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Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1.

Basis of Presentation

Loews Corporation is a holding company. Its subsidiaries are engaged in the following lines of business: commercial property and casualty insurance (CNA Financial Corporation (“CNA”), an 89% owned subsidiary); the operation of offshore oil and gas drilling rigs (Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (“Diamond Offshore”), a 53% owned subsidiary); transportation and storage of natural gas and natural gas liquids (Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP (“Boardwalk Pipeline”), a wholly owned subsidiary); the operation of a chain of hotels (Loews Hotels Holding Corporation (“Loews Hotels & Co”), a wholly owned subsidiary); and the manufacture of rigid plastic packaging solutions (Consolidated Container Company LLC (“Consolidated Container”), a 99% owned subsidiary). Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “Company,” “Loews” and “Registrant” as used herein mean Loews Corporation excluding its subsidiaries and the term “Net income attributable to Loews Corporation” as used herein means Net income attributable to Loews Corporation shareholders.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 and results of operations, comprehensive income and changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018. Net income for the first quarter of each of the years is not necessarily indicative of net income for that entire year. These Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

The Company presents basic and diluted net income per share on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income. Basic net income per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income attributable to common stock by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. There were no shares attributable to employee stock-based compensation awards excluded from the diluted weighted average shares outstanding amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 because the effect would have been antidilutive.

Accounting changes – In February of 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”). On January 1, 2019, the updated guidance requires lessees to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for most operating leases. The Company adopted the updated accounting guidance using the modified retrospective method. Prior period amounts have not been adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the previous accounting guidance. The Company utilized the package of practical expedients allowing the Company to not reassess whether any expired or existing contracts contain a lease, the classification for any expired or existing leases or the initial direct costs for any existing leases. The Company has also elected to apply an exemption for short term leases whereby leases with initial lease terms of one year or less are not recorded on the balance sheet.

For leases where the Company is a lessee we have elected to account for lease and non-lease components as a single lease component, except subsea equipment leases. For leases where the Company is a lessor we have elected to combine the lease and non-lease components of our offshore drilling contracts, if certain conditions are met, and account for the combined component in accordance with the accounting treatment for the predominant component of the contract.

At adoption, the cumulative effect adjustment increased Other assets and Other liabilities by $642 million reflecting operating lease right of use assets, lease liabilities and the derecognition of deferred rent related primarily to lease agreements for office space and machinery and equipment. Subsequent to the adoption of ASU 2016-02, Other assets and Other liabilities were adjusted to $3.1 billion and $5.1 billion as of January 1, 2019, as compared to $2.4 billion and $4.5 billion as of December 31, 2018. See Note 5 for additional information on leases.

Recently issued ASUs – In June of 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” The updated accounting guidance requires changes to the recognition of credit losses on financial instruments not accounted for at fair value through net income. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The guidance will be applied using the modified retrospective method with a cumulative effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings. A prospective transition method is required for debt securities that have recognized an other-than-temporary impairment prior to the effective date. The Company is currently evaluating the effect the guidance will have on its

 

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consolidated financial statements, and expects the primary changes to be the use of the expected credit loss model for the mortgage loan portfolio, reinsurance and insurance receivables and other financing receivables and the use of the allowance method rather than the write-down method for credit losses within the available-for-sale fixed maturities portfolio. The expected credit loss model will require a financial asset to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. Under the allowance method for available-for-sale debt securities the Company will record reversals of credit losses if the estimate of credit losses declines.

In August of 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-12, “Financial Services – Insurance (Topic 944): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts.” The updated accounting guidance requires changes to the measurement and disclosure of long-duration contracts. The guidance requires entities to annually update cash flow assumptions, including morbidity and persistency and update discount rate assumptions quarterly using an upper-medium grade fixed-income instrument yield. The effect of changes in cash flow assumptions will be recorded in Net income and the effect of changes in discount rate assumptions will be recorded in Other comprehensive income (“OCI”).

This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020, and requires restatement of the prior periods presented. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the method and timing of adoption and the effect the updated guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements. The annual updating of cash flow assumptions is expected to increase income statement volatility. The quarterly change in the discount rate is expected to increase volatility in the Company’s Shareholders’ equity, but that will be somewhat mitigated because Shadow Adjustments are eliminated under the new guidance. See Note 2 for further information on Shadow Adjustments. While the requirements of the new guidance represent a material change from existing accounting guidance, the underlying economics of CNA’s business and related cash flows will be unchanged.

 

2.

Investments

Net investment income is as follows:

 

Three Months Ended March 31          2019                 2018      
(In millions)           

Fixed maturity securities

   $         455     $         446    

Limited partnership investments

     81       48  

Short term investments

     15       9  

Equity securities

     30       10  

Income (loss) from trading portfolio (a)

     81       (3

Other

     14       11  

Total investment income

     676       521  

Investment expenses

     (19     (15

Net investment income

   $ 657     $ 506  
                  

 

(a)

Net unrealized gains (losses) related to changes in fair value on securities still held were $44 and $(25) for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.

Investment gains (losses) are as follows:

 

Three Months Ended March 31          2019                 2018        
(In millions)             

Fixed maturity securities

   $ (6   $         18  

Equity securities

     42       (15

Derivative instruments

     (5     5  

Short term investments and other

             1  

Investment gains (a)

   $ 31     $ 9  
                  

 

(a)

Gross investment gains on available-for-sale securities were $36 and $69 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018. Gross investment losses on available-for-sale securities were $42 and $51 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018. During the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, $42 million of net investment gains and $15 million of net investment losses were recognized due to the change in fair value of non-redeemable preferred stock still held as of March 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

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The components of other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses recognized in earnings by asset type are as follows:

 

Three Months Ended March 31          2019              2018  
(In millions)            

Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:

     

Corporate and other bonds

   $         6      $         5  

Asset-backed

     8        1  

Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings

   $ 14      $ 6  
                   

The amortized cost and fair values of fixed maturity securities are as follows:

 

March 31, 2019    Cost or
Amortized
Cost
    Gross
Unrealized
Gains
    Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Estimated
Fair Value
    Unrealized
OTTI Losses
(Gains)
(In millions)                             

Fixed maturity securities:

          

Corporate and other bonds

   $ 19,296     $ 1,269     $ 99     $ 20,466    

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

     9,279       1,299         10,578    

Asset-backed:

          

Residential mortgage-backed

     4,760       92       20       4,832     $ (22

Commercial mortgage-backed

     2,026       53       7       2,072    

Other asset-backed

     1,877       25       12       1,890       (3

Total asset-backed

     8,663       170       39       8,794       (25

U.S. Treasury and obligations of government- sponsored enterprises

     162       3       1       164    

Foreign government

     502       12       1       513    

Redeemable preferred stock

     10                       10          

Fixed maturities available-for-sale

     37,912       2,753       140       40,525       (25

Fixed maturities trading

     73       4               77          

Total fixed maturity securities

   $ 37,985     $ 2,757     $ 140     $ 40,602     $ (25
                                          
December 31, 2018                                  

Fixed maturity securities:

                                                     

Corporate and other bonds

   $ 18,764     $ 791     $ 395     $ 19,160    

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

     9,681       1,076       9       10,748    

Asset-backed:

          

Residential mortgage-backed

     4,815       68       57       4,826     $ (20

Commercial mortgage-backed

     2,200       28       32       2,196    

Other asset-backed

     1,975       11       24       1,962          

Total asset-backed

     8,990       107       113       8,984       (20

U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises

     156       3         159    

Foreign government

     480       5       4       481    

Redeemable preferred stock

     10                       10          

Fixed maturities available-for-sale

     38,081       1,982       521       39,542       (20

Fixed maturities trading

     153       4               157          

Total fixed maturities

   $ 38,234     $ 1,986     $ 521     $ 39,699     $ (20
                                          

The net unrealized gains on available-for-sale investments included in the tables above are recorded as a component of AOCI. When presented in AOCI, these amounts are net of tax and noncontrolling interests and any required Shadow Adjustments. To the extent that unrealized gains on fixed income securities supporting long term care products and structured settlements not funded by annuities would result in a premium deficiency if those gains were realized, a related increase in Insurance reserves is recorded, net of tax and noncontrolling interests, as a reduction of net unrealized gains through Other comprehensive income (“Shadow Adjustments”). As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the net unrealized gains on investments included in AOCI were correspondingly reduced by Shadow Adjustments of $1.3 billion and $964 million (after tax and noncontrolling interests).

 

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The available-for-sale securities in a gross unrealized loss position are as follows:

 

    

Less than

12 Months

    

12 Months

or Longer

     Total  
March 31, 2019    Estimated
Fair Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Estimated
Fair Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Estimated
Fair Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
(In millions)                                          

Fixed maturity securities:

                 

Corporate and other bonds

   $ 1,656      $ 39      $ 1,743      $ 60      $ 3,399      $ 99  

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

     14           3           17     

Asset-backed:

                 

Residential mortgage-backed

     94           1,494        20        1,588        20  

Commercial mortgage-backed

     184        2        236        5        420        7  

Other asset-backed

     450        10        95        2        545        12  

Total asset-backed

     728        12        1,825        27        2,553        39  

U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises

     48        1        14           62        1  

Foreign government

     32        1        27                 59        1  

Total fixed maturity securities

   $ 2,478      $ 53      $ 3,612      $ 87      $ 6,090      $ 140  
                                                       
December 31, 2018                                                

Fixed maturity securities:

                 

Corporate and other bonds

   $ 8,543      $ 340      $ 825      $ 55      $ 9,368      $ 395  

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

     517        8        5        1        522        9  

Asset-backed:

                 

Residential mortgage-backed

     1,932        23        1,119        34        3,051        57  

Commercial mortgage-backed

     728        10        397        22        1,125        32  

Other asset-backed

     834        21        125        3        959        24  

Total asset-backed

     3,494        54        1,641        59        5,135        113  

U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises

     21           19           40     

Foreign government

     114        2        124        2        238        4  

Total fixed maturity securities

   $ 12,689      $ 404      $ 2,614      $ 117      $ 15,303      $ 521  
                                                       

Based on current facts and circumstances, the Company believes the unrealized losses presented in the March 31, 2019 securities in a gross unrealized loss position table above are not indicative of the ultimate collectibility of the current amortized cost of the securities, but rather are attributable to changes in interest rates, credit spreads and other factors. The Company has no current intent to sell securities with unrealized losses, nor is it more likely than not that it will be required to sell prior to recovery of amortized cost; accordingly, the Company has determined that there are no additional OTTI losses to be recorded as of March 31, 2019.

The following table presents the activity related to the pretax credit loss component reflected in Retained earnings on fixed maturity securities still held as of March 31, 2019 and 2018 for which a portion of an OTTI loss was recognized in OCI.

 

Three Months Ended March 31          2019                 2018      
(In millions)           

Beginning balance of credit losses on fixed maturity securities

   $       18     $       27  

Reductions for securities sold during the period

     (1     (2

Ending balance of credit losses on fixed maturity securities

   $ 17     $ 25  
                  

 

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Contractual Maturity

The following table presents available-for-sale fixed maturity securities by contractual maturity.

 

      March 31, 2019        December 31, 2018    
     Cost or      Estimated      Cost or        Estimated  
     Amortized      Fair      Amortized        Fair  
      Cost      Value      Cost        Value  
(In millions)                          

Due in one year or less

   $ 1,144      $ 1,155      $ 1,350      $ 1,359    

Due after one year through five years

     7,718        7,992        7,979        8,139  

Due after five years through ten years

     16,874        17,374        16,859        16,870  

Due after ten years

     12,176        14,004        11,893        13,174  

Total

   $ 37,912      $ 40,525      $ 38,081      $ 39,542  
                                     

Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain securities may be called or prepaid. Securities not due at a single date are allocated based on weighted average life.

Derivative Financial Instruments

A summary of the aggregate contractual or notional amounts and gross estimated fair values related to derivative financial instruments follows. The contractual or notional amounts for derivatives are used to calculate the exchange of contractual payments under the agreements and may not be representative of the potential for gain or loss on these instruments. Gross estimated fair values of derivative positions are currently presented in Equity securities, Receivables and Payable to brokers on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.

 

      March 31, 2019       December 31, 2018    
     Contractual/                   Contractual/              
     Notional      Estimated Fair Value     Notional        Estimated Fair Value    
      Amount      Asset      (Liability)     Amount      Asset        (Liability)  
(In millions)                                       

With hedge designation:

                

Interest rate swaps

   $ 540      $ 3      $ (1   $ 500      $ 11     

Without hedge designation:

                

Equity markets:

                

Options – purchased

     353        7          213        18     

              – written

     127           (6     239         $ (17

Futures – short

     50                

Commodity futures – long

     12             32        

Embedded derivative on funds

                

withheld liability

     174           (2     172        4     

 

3.

Fair Value

Fair value is the price that would be received upon sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The following fair value hierarchy is used in selecting inputs, with the highest priority given to Level 1, as these are the most transparent or reliable:

 

   

Level 1 – Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

 

   

Level 2 – Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable in active markets.

 

   

Level 3 – Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are not observable.

 

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Prices may fall within Level 1, 2 or 3 depending upon the methodology and inputs used to estimate fair value for each specific security. In general, the Company seeks to price securities using third party pricing services. Securities not priced by pricing services are submitted to independent brokers for valuation and, if those are not available, internally developed pricing models are used to value assets using a methodology and inputs the Company believes market participants would use to value the assets. Prices obtained from third-party pricing services or brokers are not adjusted by the Company.

The Company performs control procedures over information obtained from pricing services and brokers to ensure prices received represent a reasonable estimate of fair value and to confirm representations regarding whether inputs are observable or unobservable. Procedures may include: (i) the review of pricing service methodologies or broker pricing qualifications, (ii) back-testing, where past fair value estimates are compared to actual transactions executed in the market on similar dates, (iii) exception reporting, where period-over-period changes in price are reviewed and challenged with the pricing service or broker based on exception criteria, (iv) detailed analysis, where the Company performs an independent analysis of the inputs and assumptions used to price individual securities and (v) pricing validation, where prices received are compared to prices independently estimated by the Company.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized in the following tables. Corporate bonds and other includes obligations of the U.S. Treasury, government-sponsored enterprises, foreign governments and redeemable preferred stock.

 

March 31, 2019      Level 1         Level 2          Level 3          Total    
(In millions)                           

Fixed maturity securities:

          

Corporate bonds and other

   $ 203     $ 20,697      $ 253      $ 21,153  

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

       10,578           10,578  

Asset-backed

             8,610        184        8,794  

Fixed maturities available-for-sale

     203       39,885        437        40,525  

Fixed maturities trading

             72        5        77  

Total fixed maturities

   $ 203     $ 39,957      $ 442      $ 40,602  
                                    

Equity securities

   $ 697     $ 608      $ 21      $ 1,326  

Short term and other

     3,199       1,204           4,403  

Receivables

       3           3  

Payable to brokers

     (14           (14
December 31, 2018                               

Fixed maturity securities:

          

Corporate bonds and other

   $ 196     $ 19,392      $ 222      $ 19,810  

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

       10,748           10,748  

Asset-backed

             8,787        197        8,984  

Fixed maturities available-for-sale

     196       38,927        419        39,542  

Fixed maturities trading

             151        6        157  

Total fixed maturities

   $ 196     $ 39,078      $ 425      $ 39,699  
                                    

Equity securities

   $ 704     $ 570      $ 19      $ 1,293  

Short term and other

     2,647       1,111           3,758  

Receivables

       11           11  

Payable to brokers

     (23           (23

 

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The following tables present reconciliations for all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

 

                                                                       Unrealized  
                                                                       Gains  
                                                                 Unrealized     (Losses)  
                                                                 Gains     Recognized in  
                                                                 (Losses)     Other  
                                                           Recognized in     Comprehensive  
            Net Realized Investment                                              Net Income     Income (Loss)  
            Gains (Losses) and Net                                              (Loss) on Level     on Level 3  
            Change in Unrealized                                              3 Assets and     Assets and  
              Investment Gains (Losses)                            Transfers      Transfers            Liabilities     Liabilities  
     Balance,      Included in     Included in                          into      out of     Balance,      Held at     Held at  
2019    January 1      Net Income     OCI      Purchases      Sales      Settlements     Level 3      Level 3     March 31      March 31     March 31  
(In millions)                                                                         

Fixed maturity securities:

                            

Corporate bonds and other

   $ 222        $ 8      $ 56         $ (2      $ (31   $ 253        $ 7  

    Asset-backed

     197                3        20                 (4   $ 5        (37     184                3  

Fixed maturities available-for-sale

     419      $ -       11        76      $ -        (6     5        (68     437      $ -       10  

Fixed maturities trading

     6        (1                                                         5        (1        

Total fixed maturities

   $  425      $ (1   $  11      $  76      $  -      $ (6   $  5      $ (68   $  442      $ (1   $  10  
   

Equity securities

   $ 19      $ 2                     $ 21      $ 2    

 

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                                                               Unrealized  
                                                               Gains  
                                                               (Losses)  
                                                         Recognized in  
            Net Realized Investment                                            Net Income  
            Gains (Losses) and Net                                            (Loss) on Level  
            Change in Unrealized                                            3 Assets and  
                    Investment Gains (Losses)                                Transfers      Transfers            Liabilities  
     Balance,      Included in     Included in                        into      out of     Balance,      Held at  
2018    January 1      Net Income     OCI     Purchases      Sales     Settlements     Level 3      Level 3     March 31      March 31  
(In millions)                                                                 

Fixed maturity securities:

                        

Corporate bonds and other

   $ 98      $ (1          $ (2   $ 5        $ 100     

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

     1                        1     

Asset-backed

     335        7     $ (5   $ 30      $ (72     (6            $ (10     279           

Fixed maturities available-for-sale

     434        6       (5     30        (72     (8     5        (10     380      $  -  

Fixed maturities trading

     4        3                                                         7        3  

Total fixed maturities

   $  438      $ 9     $ (5   $  30      $ (72   $ (8   $  5      $ (10   $  387      $  3  
   

Equity securities

   $ 22      $ (2                 $ 20      $ (2

Net investment gains and losses are reported in Net income as follows:

 

Major Category of Assets and Liabilities

  

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income Line Items

Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale

  

Investment gains (losses)

Fixed maturity securities trading

  

Net investment income

Equity securities

  

Investment gains (losses) and Net investment income

Other invested assets

  

Investment gains (losses) and Net investment income

Derivative financial instruments held in a trading portfolio

  

Net investment income

Derivative financial instruments, other

  

Investment gains (losses) and Operating revenues and other

Life settlement contracts

  

Operating revenues and other

 

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Securities may be transferred in or out of levels within the fair value hierarchy based on the availability of observable market information and quoted prices used to determine the fair value of the security. The availability of observable market information and quoted prices varies based on market conditions and trading volume.

Valuation Methodologies and Inputs

The following section describes the valuation methodologies and relevant inputs used to measure different financial instruments at fair value, including an indication of the level in the fair value hierarchy in which the instruments are generally classified.

Fixed Maturity Securities

Level 1 securities include highly liquid and exchange traded bonds and redeemable preferred stock, valued using quoted market prices. Level 2 securities include most other fixed maturity securities as the significant inputs are observable in the marketplace. All classes of Level 2 fixed maturity securities are valued using a methodology based on information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets, a discounted cash flow methodology or a combination of both when necessary. Common inputs for all classes of fixed maturity securities include prices from recently executed transactions of similar securities, marketplace quotes, benchmark yields, spreads off benchmark yields, interest rates and U.S. Treasury or swap curves. Specifically for asset-backed securities, key inputs include prepayment and default projections based on past performance of the underlying collateral and current market data. Fixed maturity securities are primarily assigned to Level 3 in cases where broker/dealer quotes are significant inputs to the valuation, and there is a lack of transparency as to whether these quotes are based on information that is observable in the marketplace. Level 3 securities also include private placement debt securities whose fair value is determined using internal models with inputs that are not market observable.

Equity Securities

Level 1 securities include publicly traded securities valued using quoted market prices. Level 2 securities are primarily valued using pricing for similar securities, recently executed transactions and other pricing models utilizing market observable inputs. Level 3 securities are primarily priced using broker/dealer quotes and internal models with inputs that are not market observable.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Exchange traded derivatives are valued using quoted market prices and are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Level 2 derivatives primarily include currency forwards valued using observable market forward rates. Over-the-counter derivatives, principally interest rate swaps, total return swaps, commodity swaps, equity warrants and options, are valued using inputs including broker/dealer quotes and are classified within Level 2 or Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy, depending on the amount of transparency as to whether these quotes are based on information that is observable in the marketplace.

Short Term and Other Invested Assets

Securities that are actively traded or have quoted prices are classified as Level 1. These securities include money market funds, treasury bills and exchange traded open-end funds valued using quoted market prices. Level 2 primarily includes commercial paper, for which all inputs are market observable. Fixed maturity securities purchased within one year of maturity are classified consistent with fixed maturity securities discussed above. Short term investments as presented in the tables above differ from the amounts presented in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets because certain short term investments, such as time deposits, are not measured at fair value.

 

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Significant Unobservable Inputs

The following tables present quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs utilized by the Company in the fair value measurement of Level 3 assets. Valuations for assets and liabilities not presented in the tables below are primarily based on broker/dealer quotes for which there is a lack of transparency as to inputs used to develop the valuations. The quantitative detail of unobservable inputs from these broker quotes is neither provided nor reasonably available to the Company. The weighted average rate is calculated based on fair value.

 

                      Range  
     Estimated      Valuation    Unobservable    (Weighted  
March 31, 2019    Fair Value      Techniques    Inputs    Average)  
     (In millions)                   
      Discounted      

Fixed maturity securities

   $ 293      cash flow    Credit spread      1% – 5% (3%)  

December 31, 2018

                           
      Discounted      

Fixed maturity securities

   $ 228      cash flow    Credit spread      1% – 12% (3%)  

For fixed maturity securities, an increase to the credit spread assumptions would result in a lower fair value measurement.

Financial Assets and Liabilities Not Measured at Fair Value

The carrying amount, estimated fair value and the level of the fair value hierarchy of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities which are not measured at fair value on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets are presented in the following tables. The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of short term debt and long term debt exclude capital lease obligations. The carrying amounts reported on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets for cash and short term investments not carried at fair value and certain other assets and liabilities approximate fair value due to the short term nature of these items.

 

     Carrying      Estimated Fair Value  
March 31, 2019    Amount      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  
(In millions)                                   

Assets:

              

Other invested assets, primarily mortgage loans

   $ 863            $  868      $ 868  

Liabilities:

              

Short term debt

     131         $ 54        75        129  

Long term debt

     11,216           10,469        531        11,000  

December 31, 2018

                                            

Assets:

              

Other invested assets, primarily mortgage loans

   $ 839            $ 827      $ 827  

Liabilities:

              

Short term debt

     15         $ 14           14  

Long term debt

     11,345           10,111        653        10,764  

The fair values of mortgage loans, included in Other invested assets, were based on the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the current interest rate for similar financial instruments, adjusted for specific loan risk.

 

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4. Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves

CNA’s property and casualty insurance claim and claim adjustment expense reserves represent the estimated amounts necessary to resolve all outstanding claims, including incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) claims as of the reporting date. CNA’s reserve projections are based primarily on detailed analysis of the facts in each case, CNA’s experience with similar cases and various historical development patterns. Consideration is given to historical patterns such as claim reserving trends and settlement practices, loss payments, pending levels of unpaid claims and product mix, as well as court decisions and economic conditions, including inflation and public attitudes. All of these factors can affect the estimation of claim and claim adjustment expense reserves.

Establishing claim and claim adjustment expense reserves, including claim and claim adjustment expense reserves for catastrophic events that have occurred, is an estimation process. Many factors can ultimately affect the final settlement of a claim and, therefore, the necessary reserve. Changes in the law, results of litigation, medical costs, the cost of repair materials and labor rates can affect ultimate claim costs. In addition, time can be a critical part of reserving determinations since the longer the span between the incidence of a loss and the payment or settlement of the claim, the more variable the ultimate settlement amount can be. Accordingly, short-tail claims, such as property damage claims, tend to be more reasonably estimable than long-tail claims, such as workers’ compensation, general liability and professional liability claims. Adjustments to prior year reserve estimates, if necessary, are reflected in the results of operations in the period that the need for such adjustments is determined. There can be no assurance that CNA’s ultimate cost for insurance losses will not exceed current estimates.

Catastrophes are an inherent risk of the property and casualty insurance business and have contributed to material period-to-period fluctuations in CNA’s results of operations and/or equity. CNA reported catastrophe losses, net of reinsurance, of $58 million and $34 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018. Net catastrophe losses in the first quarter of 2019 and 2018 related primarily to U.S. weather-related events.

Liability for Unpaid Claim and Claim Adjustment Expenses

The following table presents a reconciliation between beginning and ending claim and claim adjustment expense reserves, including claim and claim adjustment expense reserves of Other Insurance Operations.

 

Three Months Ended March 31    2019      2018  
(In millions)              

Reserves, beginning of year:

     

Gross

   $     21,984      $     22,004  

Ceded

     4,019        3,934  

Net reserves, beginning of year

     17,965        18,070  

Net incurred claim and claim adjustment expenses:

     

Provision for insured events of current year

     1,309        1,246  

Increase (decrease) in provision for insured events of prior years

     8        (34

Amortization of discount

     50        47  

Total net incurred (a)

     1,367        1,259  

Net payments attributable to:

     

Current year events

     (100      (91

Prior year events

     (1,309      (1,219

Total net payments

     (1,409      (1,310

Foreign currency translation adjustment and other

     13        (9

Net reserves, end of period

     17,936        18,010  

Ceded reserves, end of period

     3,900        4,057  

Gross reserves, end of period

   $ 21,836      $ 22,067  
   

 

(a)

Total net incurred above does not agree to Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits as reflected on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income due to amounts related to retroactive reinsurance deferred gain accounting, uncollectible reinsurance and loss deductible receivables and benefit expenses related to future policy benefits, which are not reflected in the table above.

 

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Net Prior Year Development

Changes in estimates of claim and claim adjustment expense reserves net of reinsurance, for prior years are defined as net prior year loss reserve development. These changes can be favorable or unfavorable.

Favorable net prior year development of $14 million and $39 million was recorded for CNA’s commercial property and casualty operations (“Property & Casualty Operations”) for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.

The following table and discussion present details of the net prior year claim and claim adjustment expense reserve development in CNA’s Property & Casualty Operations:

 

Three Months Ended March 31    2019     2018  
(In millions)             

Medical professional liability

   $ 15     $ 20  

Other professional liability and management liability

     (12     (34

Surety

     (25     (15

Commercial auto

     (5     (1

General liability

     (20     (8

Workers’ compensation

     2       (6

Property and other

     31       5  

Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable development

   $         (14   $         (39
   

2019

Unfavorable development in medical professional liability was primarily due to higher than expected severity in accident year 2013 in CNA’s allied healthcare business.

Favorable development in other professional liability and management liability was primarily due to lower than expected claim frequency and favorable outcomes on individual claims in accident years 2017 and prior related to financial institutions. This was partially offset by unfavorable development in management liability in accident year 2014 due to large claim activity.

Favorable development in surety was due to lower than expected frequency for accident years 2016 and prior.

Favorable development in general liability was primarily due to lower than expected frequency on latent construction defect claims in multiple accident years.

Unfavorable development for property and other coverages was primarily due to higher than expected frequency and large loss activity in accident year 2018 in CNA’s marine business and higher than expected claims in Hardy on 2018 accident year catastrophes in property.

2018

Unfavorable development in medical professional liability was primarily due to higher than expected severity in accident years 2014 and 2017 in CNA’s hospitals business.

Favorable development in other professional liability and management liability was primarily due to lower than expected claim frequency in accident years 2013 through 2015 related to financial institutions.

Favorable development in surety was due to lower than expected loss emergence for accident years 2015 and prior.

Favorable development in general liability was primarily due to lower than expected frequency and severity in accident years 2015 and prior for the middle market construction business.

Asbestos and Environmental Pollution (“A&EP”) Reserves

In 2010, Continental Casualty Company (“CCC”) together with several of CNA’s insurance subsidiaries completed a transaction with National Indemnity Company (“NICO”), a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., under which substantially all of CNA’s legacy A&EP liabilities were ceded to NICO through a loss portfolio transfer (“loss portfolio transfer” or “LPT”). At the effective date of the transaction, CNA ceded approximately $1.6 billion of net A&EP claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserves to NICO under a retroactive reinsurance agreement

 

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with an aggregate limit of $4.0 billion. The $1.6 billion of claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserves ceded to NICO was net of $1.2 billion of ceded claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserves under existing third party reinsurance contracts. The NICO LPT aggregate reinsurance limit also covers credit risk on the existing third party reinsurance related to these liabilities. CNA paid NICO a reinsurance premium of $2.0 billion and transferred to NICO billed third party reinsurance receivables related to A&EP claims with a net book value of $215 million, resulting in total consideration of $2.2 billion.

In years subsequent to the effective date of the LPT, CNA recognized adverse prior year development on its A&EP reserves resulting in additional amounts ceded under the LPT. As a result, the cumulative amounts ceded under the LPT have exceeded the $2.2 billion consideration paid, resulting in the NICO LPT moving into a gain position, requiring retroactive reinsurance accounting. Under retroactive reinsurance accounting, this gain is deferred and only recognized in earnings in proportion to actual paid recoveries under the LPT. Over the life of the contract, there is no economic impact as long as any additional losses incurred are within the limit of the LPT. In a period in which CNA recognizes a change in the estimate of A&EP reserves that increases or decreases the amounts ceded under the LPT, the proportion of actual paid recoveries to total ceded losses is affected and the change in the deferred gain is recognized in earnings as if the revised estimate of ceded losses was available at the effective date of the LPT. The effect of the deferred retroactive reinsurance benefit is recorded in Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income.

The following table presents the impact of the loss portfolio transfer on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income.

 

Three Months Ended March 31        2019             2018    
(In millions)           

Additional amounts ceded under LPT:

    

Net A&EP adverse development before consideration of LPT

     $ 113  

Provision for uncollectible third-party reinsurance on A&EP

             (16

Total additional amounts ceded under LPT

   $ -       97  

Retroactive reinsurance benefit recognized

     (22     (57

Pretax impact of deferred retroactive reinsurance

   $ (22   $ 40  
                  

CNA intends to complete its annual A&EP reserve review in the fourth quarter of 2019 and maintain this timing for all future annual A&EP reserve reviews. CNA completed A&EP reserve reviews in both the first and fourth quarters of 2018. Based upon CNA’s 2018 first quarter A&EP reserve review, net unfavorable prior year development of $113 million was recognized before consideration of cessions to the LPT for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The 2018 unfavorable development was driven by higher than anticipated defense costs on direct asbestos and environmental accounts and paid losses on assumed reinsurance exposures. Additionally, in 2018, CNA released a portion of its provision for uncollectible third party reinsurance.

As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the cumulative amounts ceded under the LPT were $3.1 billion. The unrecognized deferred retroactive reinsurance benefit was $352 million and $374 million as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 and is included within Other liabilities on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.

NICO established a collateral trust account as security for its obligations to CNA. The fair value of the collateral trust account was $3.0 billion and $2.7 billion as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018. In addition, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. guaranteed the payment obligations of NICO up to the aggregate reinsurance limit as well as certain of NICO’s performance obligations under the trust agreement. NICO is responsible for claims handling and billing and collection from third-party reinsurers related to the majority of CNA’s A&EP claims.

 

5.

Leases

The Company’s lease agreements primarily cover office facilities and machinery and equipment and expire at various dates. The Company’s leases are predominantly operating leases, which are included in Other assets and Other liabilities on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet. The Company’s lease agreements do not contain significant residual value guarantees, restrictions or covenants.

Operating lease right of use assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. The discount rate used to determine the commencement date present value of lease payments is the interest rate implicit in the lease, or when that is not readily determinable, the Company utilizes its incremental borrowing rate. The Company’s operating lease right of use asset was $629 million and the Company’s operating lease liability was $705 million at March 31, 2019.

 

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Operating lease cost was $30 million, variable lease cost was $4 million and short term lease cost was $2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019. Cash paid for amounts included in operating lease liabilities was $29 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

The table below presents the future minimum lease payments to be made under non-cancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2018:

 

Year Ended December 31                        
(In millions)       

2019

   $ 75  

2020

     79  

2021

     79  

2022

     68  

2023

     57  

Thereafter

     344  

Total

   $     702  
          

The table below presents the maturities of lease liabilities:

 

     Operating  
As of March 31, 2019    Leases  
(In millions)       

2019 (a)

   $ 82  

2020

     108  

2021

     105  

2022

     95  

2023

     83  

Thereafter

     406  

Total

     879  

Less: discount

     174  

Total lease liabilities

   $     705  
          

 

(a)

For the nine-month period beginning April 1, 2019

The table below presents the weighted average remaining lease term for operating leases and weighted average discount rate used in calculating the operating lease asset and liability.

 

As of March 31, 2019      

Weighted average remaining lease term

   8.4 Years

Weighted average discount rate

   4.9 %

 

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6.

Shareholders’ Equity

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

The tables below present the changes in AOCI by component for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019:

 

                                   Total
                                   Accumulated
     OTTI     Unrealized                 Foreign     Other
     Gains     Gains (Losses)     Cash Flow     Pension     Currency     Comprehensive
      (Losses)     on Investments     Hedges     Liability     Translation     Income (Loss)

(In millions)

            

Balance, January 1, 2018, as reported

   $ 22     $ 673     $ -     $ (633   $ (88   $ (26

Cumulative effect adjustments from changes in accounting standards, after tax of $0, $8, $0, $0 and $0

     4       98               (130             (28

Balance, January 1, 2018, as adjusted

     26       771       -       (763     (88     (54

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, after tax of $2, $105, $(2), $0 and $0

     (10     (414     8         11       (405

Reclassification of (gains) losses from accumulated other comprehensive income, after tax of $0, $4, $0, $(3) and $0

     1       (15     2       10               (2

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     (9     (429     10       10       11       (407

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

     1       44                       (1     44  

Balance, March 31, 2018

   $ 18     $ 386     $ 10     $ (753   $ (78   $ (417
                                                  

Balance, January 1, 2019

   $ 14     $ 57     $ 5     $ (793   $ (163   $ (880

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, after tax of $(1), $(140), $2, $0 and $0

     4       521       (6     (1     17       535  

Reclassification of losses from accumulated other comprehensive income, after tax of $0, $(1), $0, $(2) and $0

             5               9               14  

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     4       526       (6     8       17       549  

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

             (56             (1     (2     (59

Balance, March 31, 2019

   $ 18     $ 527     $ (1   $ (786   $ (148   $ (390
                                                  

Amounts reclassified from AOCI shown above are reported in Net income as follows:

 

Major Category of AOCI

  

Affected Line Item

OTTI gains (losses)

  

Investment gains (losses)

Unrealized gains (losses) on investments

  

Investment gains (losses)

Cash flow hedges

  

Operating revenues and other and Operating expenses and other

Pension liability

  

Operating expenses and other

 

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Treasury Stock

The Company repurchased 6.8 million and 9.9 million shares of Loews common stock at an aggregate cost of $322 and $497 million during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.

7. Revenue from Contracts with Customers

Disaggregation of revenues Revenue from contracts with customers, other than insurance premiums, is reported as Non-insurance warranty revenue and within Operating revenues and other on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income. The following table presents revenues from contracts with customers disaggregated by revenue type along with the reportable segment and a reconciliation to Operating revenues and other as reported in Note 11:

 

Three Months Ended March 31    2019      2018          

(In millions)

        

Non-insurance warranty services - CNA Financial

   $        281      $        238           
                            

Contract drilling - Diamond Offshore

     234        296     

Transportation and storage of natural gas and NGLs and other services - Boardwalk Pipeline

     339        331     

Lodging and related services - Loews Hotels & Co

     180        183     

Rigid plastic packaging and recycled resin – Corporate

     214        213           

Total revenues from contracts with customers

     967        1,023     

Other revenues

     18        20           

Operating revenues and other

   $ 985      $ 1,043           
                            

Receivables from contracts with customers – As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, receivables from contracts with customers were approximately $446 million and $434 million and are included within Receivables on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.

Deferred revenue – As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, deferred revenue resulting from contracts with customers was approximately $3.5 billion and is reported as Deferred non-insurance warranty revenue and within Other liabilities on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets. Approximately $285 million and $268 million of revenues recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 were included in deferred revenue as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Performance obligations – As of March 31, 2019, approximately $13.2 billion of estimated operating revenues is expected to be recognized in the future related to outstanding performance obligations. The balance relates primarily to revenues for transportation and storage of natural gas and NGLs at Boardwalk Pipeline and non-insurance warranty services at CNA. Approximately $1.9 billion will be recognized during the remaining nine months of 2019, $1.9 billion in 2020 and the remainder in following years. The actual timing of recognition may vary due to factors outside of the Company’s control. The Company has elected to exclude variable consideration related entirely to wholly unsatisfied performance obligations and contracts where revenue is recognized based upon the right to invoice the customer. Therefore, the estimated operating revenues exclude contract drilling dayrate revenue at Diamond Offshore and interruptible service contract revenue at Boardwalk Pipeline.

 

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8. Benefit Plans

The Company and its subsidiaries have several non-contributory defined benefit plans and postretirement benefit plans covering eligible employees and retirees.

The following table presents the components of net periodic (benefit) cost for the plans:

 

     Pension Benefits     Other
Postretirement Benefits
 
Three Months Ended March 31    2019     2018     2019      2018  
(In millions)                          

Service cost

   $ 2     $ 2       

Interest cost

     29       27     $ 1      $ 1  

Expected return on plan assets

     (40     (45     (1)        (1

Amortization of unrecognized net loss

     11       11       

Amortization of unrecognized prior service benefit

            (1

Settlement charge

             4                   

Net periodic (benefit) cost

   $ 2     $ (1   $ -      $ (1
                                   

9. Legal Proceedings

Boardwalk Pipeline

On May 25, 2018, plaintiffs Tsemach Mishal and Paul Berger (on behalf of themselves and the purported class, “Plaintiffs”) initiated a purported class action in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the “Court”) against the following defendants: Boardwalk Pipeline, Boardwalk GP, LP (“General Partner”), Boardwalk GP, LLC and Boardwalk Pipelines Holding Corp. (“BPHC”) (together, “Defendants”), regarding the potential exercise by the General Partner of its right to purchase all of the issued and outstanding common units representing limited partnership interests in Boardwalk Pipeline not already owned by the General Partner or its affiliates.

On June 25, 2018, Plaintiffs and Defendants entered into a Stipulation and Agreement of Compromise and Settlement, subject to the approval of the Court (the “Proposed Settlement”). Under the terms of the Proposed Settlement, the lawsuit would be dismissed, and related claims against the Defendants would be released by the Plaintiffs, if BPHC, the sole member of the General Partner, elected to cause the General Partner to exercise its right to purchase the issued and outstanding common units of Boardwalk Pipeline as determined by Boardwalk Pipeline’s Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership, as amended (“Limited Partnership Agreement”), within a period specified by the Proposed Settlement. On June 29, 2018, the General Partner elected to exercise its right to purchase all of the issued and outstanding common units representing limited partnership interests in Boardwalk Pipeline not already owned by the General Partner or its affiliates pursuant to the Limited Partnership Agreement within the period specified by the Proposed Settlement. The transaction was completed on July 18, 2018.

On September 28, 2018, the Court denied approval of the Proposed Settlement. On February 11, 2019, a substitute verified class action complaint was filed in this proceeding, among other things, naming the Company as a defendant. The Court has established a briefing schedule for a motion to dismiss and a hearing has been scheduled in July of 2019.

Other Litigation

The Company and its subsidiaries are from time to time parties to other litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. While it is difficult to predict the outcome or effect of any such litigation, management does not believe that the outcome of any such pending litigation will materially affect the Company’s results of operations or equity.

10. Commitments and Contingencies

CNA Guarantees

In the course of selling business entities and assets to third parties, CNA agreed to guarantee the performance of certain obligations of previously owned subsidiaries and to indemnify purchasers for losses arising out of breaches of representations and warranties with respect to the business entities or assets sold, including, in certain cases, losses arising from undisclosed liabilities or certain named litigation. Such guarantee and indemnification agreements in effect for sales of business entities, assets and third party loans may include provisions that survive indefinitely. As of

 

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March 31, 2019, the aggregate amount related to quantifiable guarantees was $375 million and the aggregate amount related to quantifiable indemnification agreements was $252 million. In certain cases, should CNA be required to make payments under any such guarantee, it would have the right to seek reimbursement from an affiliate of a previously owned subsidiary.

In addition, CNA has agreed to provide indemnification to third party purchasers for certain losses associated with sold business entities or assets that are not limited by a contractual monetary amount. As of March 31, 2019, CNA had outstanding unlimited indemnifications in connection with the sales of certain of its business entities or assets that included tax liabilities arising prior to a purchaser’s ownership of an entity or asset, defects in title at the time of sale, employee claims arising prior to closing and in some cases losses arising from certain litigation and undisclosed liabilities. Certain provisions of the indemnification agreements survive indefinitely while others survive until the applicable statutes of limitation expire, or until the agreed upon contract terms expire.

CNA also provided guarantees, if the primary obligor fails to perform, to holders of structured settlement annuities provided by a previously owned subsidiary. As of March 31, 2019, the potential amount of future payments CNA could be required to pay under these guarantees was approximately $1.7 billion, which will be paid over the lifetime of the annuitants. CNA does not believe any payment is likely under these guarantees, as CNA is the beneficiary of a trust that must be maintained at a level that approximates the discounted reserves for these annuities.

11. Segments

The Company has five reportable segments comprised of four individual operating subsidiaries, CNA, Diamond Offshore, Boardwalk Pipeline and Loews Hotels & Co; and the Corporate segment, which includes operations of Consolidated Container. Each of the operating subsidiaries is headed by a chief executive officer who is responsible for the operation of its business and has the duties and authority commensurate with that position. For additional disclosures regarding the composition of the Company’s segments, see Note 20 of the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

The following tables present the reportable segments of the Company and their contribution to the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income. Amounts presented will not necessarily be the same as those in the individual financial statements of the Company’s subsidiaries due to adjustments for purchase accounting, income taxes and noncontrolling interests.

 

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Statements of Income by segment are presented in the following tables.

 

     CNA   Diamond   Boardwalk   Loews        
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019    Financial   Offshore   Pipeline   Hotels & Co   Corporate   Total
(In millions)                         

Revenues:

            

Insurance premiums

   $ 1,803             $ 1,803      

Net investment income

     571     $         2         $ 84       657  

Investment gains

     31               31  

Non-insurance warranty revenue

     281               281  

Operating revenues and other

     9       234     $ 346     $ 180       216       985  

Total

     2,695       236       346       180       300       3,757  

Expenses:

            

Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits

     1,357               1,357  

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

     342               342  

Non-insurance warranty expense

     260               260  

Operating expenses and other

     284       283       195       156       231       1,149  

Interest

     34       30       45       5       27       141  

Total

     2,277       313       240       161       258       3,249  

Income (loss) before income tax

     418       (77     106       19       42       508  

Income tax (expense) benefit

     (77     6       (27     (6     (8     (112

Net income (loss)

     341       (71     79       13       34       396  

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (36     34                               (2

Net income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation

   $ 305     $ (37   $     79     $     13     $     34     $     394  
                                                  

 

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     CNA     Diamond     Boardwalk     Loews              
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018    Financial     Offshore     Pipeline     Hotels & Co     Corporate     Total  
(In millions)                                     

Revenues:

            

Insurance premiums

   $ 1,785             $ 1,785      

Net investment income

     490     $ 2         $ 14       506  

Investment gains

     9               9  

Non-insurance warranty revenue

     238               238  

Operating revenues and other

     13       297     $ 337     $ 183       213       1,043  

Total

         2,535       299       337       183       227       3,581  

Expenses:

            

Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits

     1,339               1,339  

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

     296               296  

Non-insurance warranty expense

     216               216  

Operating expenses and other

     302       296       198       156       232       1,184  

Interest

     35       28       44       7       27       141  

Total

     2,188       324       242       163       259       3,176  

Income (loss) before income tax

     347       (25     95       20       (32     405  

Income tax (expense) benefit

     (55     44       (12     (7     5       (25

Net income (loss)

     292       19       83       13       (27     380  

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (31     (9     (47                     (87

Net income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation

   $ 261     $ 10     $ 36     $ 13     $ (27   $ 293  
   

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included under Item 1 of this Report, Risk Factors included under Part II, Item 1A of this Report, and the Consolidated Financial Statements, Risk Factors, and MD&A included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. This MD&A is comprised of the following sections:

 

     Page  
         No.      

Overview

     28  

Results of Operations

     29  

Consolidated Financial Results

     29  

CNA Financial

     29  

Diamond Offshore

     33  

Boardwalk Pipeline

     34  

Loews Hotels & Co

     36  

Corporate

     36  

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     37  

Parent Company

     37  

Subsidiaries

     37  

Investments

     39  

Critical Accounting Estimates

     42  

Accounting Standards Update

     42  

Forward-Looking Statements

     42  

OVERVIEW

We are a holding company and have five reportable segments comprised of four individual operating subsidiaries, CNA Financial Corporation (“CNA”), Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (“Diamond Offshore”), Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP (“Boardwalk Pipeline”) and Loews Hotels Holding Corporation (“Loews Hotels & Co”); and the Corporate segment. The operations of Consolidated Container Company LLC (“Consolidated Container”) are included in the Corporate segment. Each of our operating subsidiaries is headed by a chief executive officer who is responsible for the operation of its business and has the duties and authority commensurate with that position.

We rely upon our invested cash balances and distributions from our subsidiaries to generate the funds necessary to meet our obligations and to declare and pay any dividends to our shareholders. The ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends is subject to, among other things, the availability of sufficient earnings and funds in such subsidiaries, applicable state laws, including in the case of the insurance subsidiaries of CNA, laws and rules governing the payment of dividends by regulated insurance companies (see Note 14 of the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018) and compliance with covenants in their respective loan agreements. Claims of creditors of our subsidiaries will generally have priority as to the assets of such subsidiaries over our claims and those of our creditors and shareholders.

Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this Report to “Loews Corporation,” “the Company,” “Parent Company,” “we,” “our,” “us” or like terms refer to the business of Loews Corporation excluding its subsidiaries.

 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Consolidated Financial Results

    The following table summarizes net income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation by segment and net income per share attributable to Loews Corporation for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

 

Three Months Ended March 31    2019      2018  
(In millions, except per share data)              

CNA Financial

   $         305       $ 261       

Diamond Offshore

     (37)        10       

Boardwalk Pipeline

     79         36       

Loews Hotels & Co

     13         13       

Corporate

     34         (27)      

Net income attributable to Loews Corporation

   $ 394       $         293       

    

                    

Basic and diluted net income per common share

   $ 1.27       $ 0.89       

    

                    

    Net income attributable to Loews Corporation for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $394 million, or $1.27 per share, compared to $293 million, or $0.89 per share in the comparable 2018 period.

    Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 increased from the prior year period due to higher earnings contributed by CNA and Boardwalk Pipeline as well as higher parent company net investment income. These increases were partially offset by an income decline at Diamond Offshore.

CNA Financial

    The following table summarizes the results of operations for CNA for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 as presented in Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included under Item 1 of this Report. For further discussion of Net investment income and Net investment gains (losses), see the Investments section of this MD&A.

 

Three Months Ended March 31

     2019        2018  

(In millions)

     

Revenues:

     

Insurance premiums

   $     1,803       $     1,785           

Net investment income

     571         490           

Investment gains

     31         9           

Non-insurance warranty revenue

     281         238           

Other revenues

            13           

  Total

     2,695         2,535           

Expenses:

     

Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits

     1,357         1,339           

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

     342         296           

Non-insurance warranty expense

     260         216           

Other operating expenses

     284         302           

Interest

     34         35           

  Total

     2,277         2,188           

Income before income tax

     418         347           

Income tax expense

     (77)        (55)          

Net income

     341         292           

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (36)        (31)          

Net income attributable to Loews Corporation

   $ 305       $ 261           

    

                    

 

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Net income attributable to Loews Corporation increased $44 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared with the 2018 period. Net income increased due to higher net investment income driven by limited partnership and common stock returns and higher net investment gains, partially offset by lower underwriting income reflecting higher catastrophe losses and lower favorable prior year development. In addition, there was adverse prior year reserve development recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2018 under the 2010 asbestos and environmental pollution (“A&EP”) loss portfolio transfer as further discussed in Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included under Item 1. Earnings in 2019 also benefited from favorable persistency in the long term care business.

CNA’s Property & Casualty and Other Insurance Operations

CNA’s commercial property and casualty insurance operations (“Property & Casualty Operations”) include its Specialty, Commercial and International lines of business. CNA’s Other Insurance Operations outside of Property & Casualty Operations include its long term care business that is in run-off, certain corporate expenses, including interest on CNA’s corporate debt, and certain property and casualty businesses in run-off, including CNA Re and A&EP. CNA’s products and services are primarily marketed through independent agents, brokers and managing general underwriters to a wide variety of customers, including small, medium and large businesses, insurance companies, associations, professionals and other groups. We believe the presentation of CNA as one reportable segment is appropriate in accordance with applicable accounting standards on segment reporting. However, for purposes of this discussion and analysis of the results of operations, we provide greater detail with respect to CNA’s Property & Casualty Operations and Other Insurance Operations to enhance the reader’s understanding and to provide further transparency into key drivers of CNA’s financial results.

In assessing CNA’s insurance operations, the Company utilizes the core income (loss) financial measure. Core income (loss) is calculated by excluding from net income (loss) (i) net investment gains or losses, (ii) income or loss from discontinued operations, (iii) any cumulative effects of changes in accounting guidance and (iv) deferred tax asset and liability remeasurement as a result of an enacted U.S. federal tax rate change. In addition, core income (loss) excludes the effects of noncontrolling interests. The calculation of core income (loss) excludes net investment gains or losses because net investment gains or losses are generally driven by economic factors that are not necessarily consistent with key drivers of underwriting performance, and are therefore not considered an indication of trends in insurance operations. Core income (loss) is deemed to be a non-GAAP financial measure and management believes this measure is useful to investors as management uses this measure to assess financial performance.

Property & Casualty Operations

In evaluating the results of Property & Casualty Operations, CNA utilizes the loss ratio, the expense ratio, the dividend ratio and the combined ratio. These ratios are calculated using GAAP financial results. The loss ratio is the percentage of net incurred claim and claim adjustment expenses to net earned premiums. The expense ratio is the percentage of insurance underwriting and acquisition expenses, including the amortization of deferred acquisition costs, to net earned premiums. The dividend ratio is the ratio of policyholders’ dividends incurred to net earned premiums. The combined ratio is the sum of the loss, expense and dividend ratios. In addition, CNA also utilizes renewal premium change, rate, retention and new business in evaluating operating trends. Renewal premium change represents the estimated change in average premium on policies that renew, including rate and exposure changes. Rate represents the average change in price on policies that renew excluding exposure changes. For certain products within Small Business, where quantifiable, rate includes the influence of new business as well. Exposure represents the measure of risk used in the pricing of the insurance product. Retention represents the percentage of premium dollars renewed in comparison to the expiring premium dollars from policies available to renew. Renewal premium change, rate and retention presented for the prior period are updated to reflect subsequent activity on policies written in the period. New business represents premiums from policies written with new customers and additional policies written with existing customers.

 

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The following tables summarize the results of CNA’s Property & Casualty Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019    Specialty     Commercial     International     Total  

(In millions, except %)

        

Net written premiums

   $ 698     $ 849     $ 259     $     1,806  

Net earned premiums

     661       763       250       1,674  

Net investment income

     155       190       15       360  

Core income

     169       139       6       314  

Other performance metrics:

        

Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio

     59.3     66.9     64.8     63.6

Expense ratio

     32.8       33.8       37.1       33.8  

Dividend ratio

     0.2       0.6               0.4  

Combined ratio

     92.3     101.3     101.9     97.8
            

 

 

 

    

 

 

               

Rate

     3     2     5     3

Renewal premium change

     4       3       1       3  

Retention

     89       85       71       83  

New business

   $ 86     $ 164     $ 80     $ 330  

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018

 

Net written premiums

   $ 686     $ 832     $ 295     $ 1,813  

Net earned premiums

     672       743       236       1,651  

Net investment income

     122       149       14       285  

Core income

     171       133       23       327  

Other performance metrics:

        

Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio

     56.3     63.0     60.4     59.9

Expense ratio

     31.0       33.5       36.2       32.8  

Dividend ratio

     0.2       0.6               0.4  

Combined ratio

     87.5     97.1     96.6     93.1 %     
            

 

 

 

    

 

 

               

Rate

     2     1     3     2

Renewal premium change

     4       5       8       5  

Retention

     85       85       83       85  

New business

   $ 80     $ 182     $ 93     $ 355  

Total net written premiums decreased $7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared with the 2018 period. Net written premiums for International decreased $36 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared with the 2018 period. Excluding the effects of foreign currency exchange rates, net written premiums decreased $23 million, or 8%, for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared with the 2018 period driven by the strategic exit from certain Hardy business classes in the fourth quarter of 2018 and a higher level of ceded reinsurance. Net written premiums for Commercial increased $17 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared with the 2018 period driven by positive renewal premium change partially offset by a higher level of ceded reinsurance and lower new business. Net written premiums for Specialty increased $12 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared with the same period in 2018 driven by strong retention, higher new business and positive renewal premium change. The increase in net earned premiums was consistent with the trend in net written premiums in recent quarters for International for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared with the 2018 period. The increase in net earned premiums was consistent with the trend in net written premiums for Commercial for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared with the 2018 period. The decrease in net earned premiums was consistent with the trend in net written premiums in recent quarters for Specialty.

Core income decreased $13 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared with the 2018 period primarily due to lower underwriting income, partially offset by higher net investment income driven by higher limited partnership and common stock returns.

 

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Net catastrophe losses were $58 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared with $34 million in the 2018 period. For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, Specialty had net catastrophe losses of $12 million and $3 million, Commercial had net catastrophe losses of $40 million and $29 million and International had net catastrophe losses of $6 million and $2 million.

Favorable net prior year loss reserve development of $14 million and $39 million was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018. For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, Specialty recorded favorable net prior year loss reserve development of $20 million and $30 million, Commercial recorded favorable net prior year loss reserve development of $8 million and $9 million and International recorded unfavorable net prior year loss reserve development of $14 million and $0 million. Further information on net prior year development is included in Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included under Item 1.

Specialty’s combined ratio increased 4.8 points for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared with the same period in 2018. The loss ratio increased 3.0 points primarily due to lower favorable net prior year loss reserve development and higher net catastrophe losses. The expense ratio increased 1.8 points for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared with the same period in 2018 driven by higher acquisition expenses and lower net earned premiums.

Commercial’s combined ratio increased 4.2 points for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the 2018 period. The loss ratio increased 3.9 points driven by the current accident year. The expense ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2019 increased 0.3 points as compared with the 2018 period.

International’s combined ratio increased 5.3 points for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared with the 2018 period. The loss ratio increased 4.4 points, primarily due to unfavorable net prior year loss reserve development. The expense ratio increased 0.9 points for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared with the 2018 period driven by higher acquisition costs.

Other Insurance Operations

The following table summarizes the results of CNA’s Other Insurance Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

 

Three Months Ended March 31    2019        2018  

(In millions)

       

Net earned premiums

   $         130        $         134       

Net investment income

     211          205       

Core income (loss)

     4          (46)      

Core income was $4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, an increase of $50 million as compared with the 2018 period. The 2018 period included adverse net prior year reserve development for A&EP under the loss portfolio transfer, as further discussed in Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included under Item 1. Persistency within the long term care business for the three months ended March 31, 2019 benefited from a high proportion of policyholders choosing to lapse coverage or reduce benefits in lieu of premium rate increases. Morbidity continues to trend in line with expectations.

Non-GAAP Reconciliation of Core Income (Loss) to Net Income

The following table reconciles core income (loss) to net income attributable to Loews Corporation for the CNA segment for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

 

Three Months Ended March 31    2019      2018  

(In millions)

     

Core income (loss):

     

Property & Casualty Operations

   $         314      $         327       

Other Insurance Operations

     4        (46)      

Total core income

     318        281       

Investment gains (after tax)

     23        8       

Consolidating adjustments including purchase accounting and noncontrolling interests

     (36      (28)      

Net income attributable to Loews Corporation

   $ 305      $ 261       
    

 

 

 

    

 

 

        

 

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Diamond Offshore

Overview

Brent crude oil closed in the high $60-per-barrel level at the end of the first quarter of 2019, averaging mid-$60 per barrel for the quarter. Demand and offshore utilization continued to increase during the first quarter of 2019, with industry-wide floater utilization averaging near 65% at the end of March 2019, based on analyst reports. However, dayrates remain low compared to previous periods, as the increase in oil prices from earlier lows has not resulted in significantly higher dayrates. Industry analysts indicate that, historically, utilization rates must increase to the 80%-range before pricing power shifts to the drilling contractor from the customer. There is some optimism within the industry, and among analysts, that offshore contract drilling activity will increase over the next two years, as additional capital investments in offshore projects are made and cost efficiencies are achieved.

During 2018 and continuing into 2019, there has been an increase in contract tenders for 2020 and 2021 floater project commencements, primarily for work in the North Sea and Australia markets. Industry analysts also predict that there will be additional opportunities in the West Africa market in the near term. Presently, many of these tenders have been limited to single-well jobs, with options for future wells. Although some geographic areas appear to be improving, other markets show little or no sign of recovery at this time.

From a supply perspective, industry analysts have reported that despite a decrease in the global supply of floater rigs over the past four years, the offshore contract drilling market remains oversupplied. Rig attrition has slowed in 2019, with only three floaters having been retired during 2019 as of the date of this Report. Industry reports indicate that approximately 40 newbuild floaters remain on order with deliveries currently scheduled between 2019 and 2022, most of which have not yet been contracted for future work, and more than 50 projected contracted floater rollovers are estimated to occur during the remainder of 2019. In addition, several rig reactivations were announced during 2018 and in early 2019, including the recent and ongoing reactivations of Diamond Offshore’s Ocean Endeavor and Ocean Onyx, respectively. These factors provide for a continued, challenging offshore drilling market in the near term.

Contract Drilling Backlog

Diamond Offshore’s contract drilling backlog was $1.8 billion and $2.0 billion as of April 1, 2019 (based on information available at that time) and January 1, 2019 (the date reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018). The contract drilling backlog by year as of April 1, 2019 is $0.7 billion in 2019 (for the nine-month period beginning April 1, 2019), $0.8 billion in 2020 and an aggregate of $0.3 billion in 2021 and 2022. Contract drilling backlog as of April 1, 2019 excludes future gross margin commitments of $30 million for 2019, $30 million for 2020 and an aggregate $75 million in 2021 through 2023, payable by a customer in the form of a guarantee of gross margin to be earned on future contracts or by direct payment at the end of each of the three respective periods, pursuant to terms of an existing contract.

Diamond Offshore’s contract drilling backlog includes only firm commitments (typically represented by signed contracts) and is calculated by multiplying the contracted operating dayrate by the firm contract period. Diamond Offshore’s calculation also assumes full utilization of its drilling equipment for the contract period (excluding scheduled shipyard and survey days); however, the amount of actual revenue earned and the actual periods during which revenues are earned will be different than the amounts and periods stated above due to various factors affecting utilization such as weather conditions and unscheduled repairs and maintenance. Contract drilling backlog excludes revenues for mobilization, demobilization, contract preparation and customer reimbursables. Changes in Diamond Offshore’s contract drilling backlog between periods are generally a function of the performance of work on term contracts, as well as the extension or modification of existing term contracts and the execution of additional contracts. In addition, under certain circumstances, Diamond Offshore’s customers may seek to terminate or renegotiate its contracts, which could adversely affect its reported backlog.

 

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Results of Operations

The following table summarizes the results of operations for Diamond Offshore for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 as presented in Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included under Item 1 of this Report:

 

Three Months Ended March 31    2019     2018           
(In millions)                   

Revenues:

      

Net investment income

   $ 2     $ 2    

Contract drilling revenues

     227       288    

Other revenues

     7       9    

Total

     236       299          

Expenses:

      

Contract drilling expenses

     167       185    

Other operating expenses

     116       111    

Interest

     30       28    

Total

     313       324          

Loss before income tax

     (77     (25  

Income tax benefit

     6       44    

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

             34       (9  

Net income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation

   $ (37   $         10          
   

Contract drilling revenue decreased $61 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared with the 2018 period, primarily due to lower average daily revenue earned, the effect of fewer revenue earning days and the absence of insurance proceeds recognized during the first quarter of 2018 related to contract terminations for two rigs in a prior year. Contract drilling expense decreased $18 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared with the 2018 period, reflecting reduced costs for currently cold-stacked and previously-owned rigs, which had incurred contract drilling expense in the first quarter of 2018. In addition, contract drilling expense reflects favorable reductions in labor and related rig operating costs, partially offset by an increase in costs for repairs and maintenance and other rig operating costs.

Net income attributable to Loews Corporation decreased $47 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared with the 2018 period, reflecting lower margins from contract drilling services, primarily due to lower contract drilling revenues and a lower tax benefit recognized due to an uncertain tax position reversal in the prior year period. Results were also impacted by higher depreciation expense primarily due to capital expenditures made in the latter part of 2018 and the completion of software implementation projects.

Boardwalk Pipeline

Firm Agreements

A substantial portion of Boardwalk Pipeline’s transportation and storage capacity is contracted for under firm agreements. For the last twelve months ended March 31, 2019, approximately 87% of Boardwalk Pipeline’s revenues, excluding retained fuel, were derived from fixed fees under firm agreements. Boardwalk Pipeline expects to earn revenues of approximately $9.8 billion from fixed fees under committed firm agreements in place as of March 31, 2019, including agreements for transportation, storage and other services, over the remaining term of those agreements. This amount has increased by approximately $700 million from the comparable amount at December 31, 2018, from contracts entered into during the first quarter of 2019. For Boardwalk Pipeline’s customers that are charged maximum tariff rates related to its Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) regulated operating subsidiaries, the revenues expected to be earned from fixed fees under committed firm agreements reflect the current tariff rate for such services for the term of the agreements, however, the tariff rates may be subject to future adjustment. The estimated revenues from fixed fees under committed firm agreements may include estimated revenues that are anticipated under executed precedent transportation agreements for projects that are subject to regulatory approvals. The revenues expected to be earned from fixed fees under committed firm agreements do not include additional revenues Boardwalk Pipeline has recognized and may recognize under firm agreements based on actual utilization of the contracted pipeline or storage capacity, any expected revenues for periods after the expiration dates of the existing agreements, execution of precedent agreements associated with growth projects or other events that occurred or will occur subsequent to March 31, 2019.

 

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Contract renewals

Each year a portion of Boardwalk Pipeline’s firm transportation and storage agreements expire. Demand for firm service is primarily based on market conditions which can vary across Boardwalk Pipeline’s pipeline systems. The amount of change in firm reservation fees under contract reflects the overall market trends, including the impact from Boardwalk Pipeline’s growth projects. Boardwalk Pipeline focuses its marketing efforts on enhancing the value of the capacity that is up for renewal and works with customers to match gas supplies from various basins to new and existing customers and markets, including aggregating supplies at key locations along its pipelines to provide end-use customers with attractive and diverse supply options. If the market perceives the value of Boardwalk Pipeline’s available capacity to be lower than its long-term view of the capacity, Boardwalk Pipeline may seek to shorten contract terms until market perception improves.

FERC Matters

In 2018, the FERC issued an order which required all FERC-regulated natural gas pipelines to make a one-time informational filing reflecting the impacts of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and the Revised Policy Statement on Treatment of Income Taxes on each individual pipeline’s cost-of-service. Texas Gas Transmission, LLC (“Texas Gas”) filed its informational filing on October 11, 2018, and Gulf South Pipeline Company, LP (“Gulf South”) and Gulf Crossing Pipeline Company LLC (“Gulf Crossing”) made their filings on December 6, 2018, which included an income tax component in each of the pipelines’ cost-of-service. Customers were provided an opportunity to protest or comment on each pipeline’s informational filing. This procedure could lead to challenges to a pipeline’s currently effective maximum applicable rates pursuant to Section 5 of the Natural Gas Act of 1938. As of April 26, 2019, all of Boardwalk Pipeline’s informational filings have been dismissed by the FERC.

Results of Operations

The following table summarizes the results of operations for Boardwalk Pipeline for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 as presented in Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included under Item 1 of this Report:

 

Three Months Ended March 31    2019        2018           
(In millions)                      

Revenues:

         

Other revenue, primarily operating

   $         346        $         337    

Total

     346          337          

Expenses:

         

Operating

     195          198    

Interest

     45          44    

Total

     240          242          

Income before income tax

     106          95    

Income tax expense

     (27        (12  

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

                (47        

Net income attributable to Loews Corporation

   $ 79        $ 36    
   

Total revenues increased $9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared with the 2018 period. Excluding the net effect of items offset in fuel and transportation expense, primarily retained fuel, operating revenues increased $12 million, primarily driven by Boardwalk Pipeline’s recently completed growth projects, partially offset by contract restructuring and contract expirations that were recontracted at overall lower average rates. In addition, storage and parking and lending revenues decreased due to unfavorable market conditions.

Operating expenses decreased $3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared with the 2018 period. Excluding items offset in operating revenues, operating expenses were consistent with the prior year period primarily due to the timing of maintenance activities and a favorable property tax settlement, offset by higher depreciation expense from an increased asset base from recently completed growth projects and increased employee-related costs.

 

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Net income attributable to Loews Corporation increased $43 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared with the 2018 period due to the changes discussed above and the impact of the Company now owning 100% of Boardwalk Pipeline.

Loews Hotels & Co

The following table summarizes the results of operations for Loews Hotels & Co for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 as presented in Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included under Item 1 of this Report:

 

Three Months Ended March 31    2019        2018           
(In millions)                      

Revenues:

         

Operating revenue

   $          151        $          153    

Revenues related to reimbursable expenses

     29          30    

Total

     180          183          

Expenses:

         

Operating

     133          131    

Reimbursable expenses

     29          30    

Depreciation

     16          17    

Equity income from joint ventures

     (22        (22  

Interest

     5          7    

Total

     161          163          

Income before income tax

     19          20    

Income tax expense

     (6        (7        

Net income attributable to Loews Corporation

   $ 13        $ 13    
   

Operating revenues decreased $2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared with the 2018 period primarily due to hotel renovations.

Operating expenses increased $2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared with the 2018 period primarily due to an impairment charge of $3 million related to an owned property expected to be sold in the second quarter of 2019.

Interest expense decreased $2 million due to the timing of debt repayments and issuances together with changes in effective interest rates as compared with the 2018 period.

Equity income from joint ventures in the first three months of 2019 includes $2 million of pre-opening expenses for properties under development which was offset by the improved performance of several properties.

Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 is consistent with the comparable 2018 period due to the changes discussed above.

Corporate

Corporate operations consist primarily of investment income at the Parent Company, operating results of Consolidated Container, corporate interest expenses and other corporate administrative costs. Investment income includes earnings on cash and short term investments held at the Parent Company to meet current and future liquidity needs, as well as results of limited partnership investments and the trading portfolio.

 

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The following table summarizes the results of operations for Corporate for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 as presented in Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included under Item 1 of this Report:

 

Three Months Ended March 31        2019              2018      
(In millions)              

Revenues:

     

Net investment income

   $ 84      $ 14  

Other revenues

     216        213  

Total

     300        227  

Expenses:

     

Operating

     231        232  

Interest

     27        27  

Total

     258        259  

Income (loss) before income tax

     42        (32 )     

Income tax (expense) benefit

     (8      5  

Net income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation

   $ 34      $ (27
                   

Net investment income increased $70 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared with the 2018 period primarily due to improved performance of equity based investments in the trading portfolio, partially offset by decreased returns from limited partnership investments as a result of lower invested balances.

Other revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2019 were consistent with the 2018 period. Operating and other expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 were consistent with the 2018 period, primarily due to lower corporate overhead costs, partially offset by Consolidated Container’s higher operating and overhead expenses.

Net results increased $61 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared with the 2018 period primarily due to the changes discussed above.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Parent Company

Parent Company cash and investments, net of receivables and payables, totaled $3.4 billion at March 31, 2019 as compared to $3.1 billion at December 31, 2018. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, we received $596 million in dividends from our subsidiaries, including a special dividend from CNA of $485 million. Cash outflows included the payment of $317 million to fund treasury stock purchases and $19 million of cash dividends to our shareholders. As a holding company we depend on dividends from our subsidiaries and returns on our investment portfolio to fund our obligations. We also have an effective Registration Statement on Form S-3 on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) registering the future sale of an unlimited amount of our debt and equity securities. We are not responsible for the liabilities and obligations of our subsidiaries and there are no Parent Company guarantees.

As of April 19, 2019, there were 304,887,983 shares of Loews common stock outstanding. Depending on market and other conditions, we may purchase our shares and shares of our subsidiaries outstanding common stock in the open market or otherwise. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, we purchased 6.8 million shares of Loews common stock. As of April 26, 2019, we had purchased an additional 1.0 million shares of Loews common stock in 2019 at an aggregate cost of $47 million.

Future uses of our cash may include investing in our subsidiaries, new acquisitions, dividends and/or repurchases of our and our subsidiaries’ outstanding common stock. The declaration and payment of future dividends to holders of our common stock will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on many factors, including our earnings, financial condition and business needs.

Subsidiaries

CNA’s cash provided by operating activities was $287 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared with $218 million for the 2018 period. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was driven by a higher level of distributions on limited partnerships. CNA believes that its present cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities are sufficient to fund its current and expected working capital and debt obligation needs.

 

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CNA declared and paid dividends of $2.35 per share on its common stock, including a special dividend of $2.00 per share, in the first quarter of 2019. On April 26, 2019, CNA’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.35 per share on its common stock, payable May 30, 2019 to shareholders of record on May 13, 2019. CNA’s declaration and payment of future dividends is at the discretion of its Board of Directors and will depend on many factors, including CNA’s earnings, financial condition, business needs and regulatory constraints.

Dividends from the Continental Casualty Company (“CCC”), a subsidiary of CNA, are subject to the insurance holding company laws of the State of Illinois, the domiciliary state of CCC. Under these laws, ordinary dividends, or dividends that do not require prior approval by the Illinois Department of Insurance (“Department”), are determined based on the greater of the prior year’s statutory net income or 10% of statutory surplus as of the end of the prior year, as well as the timing and amount of dividends paid in the preceding twelve months. Additionally, ordinary dividends may only be paid from earned surplus, which is calculated by removing unrealized gains from unassigned surplus. As of March 31, 2019, CCC was in a positive earned surplus position. The maximum allowable dividend CCC could pay during 2019 that would not be subject to the Department’s prior approval is approximately $1.4 billion, less dividends paid during the preceding twelve months measured at that point in time. CCC paid dividends of $356 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2018 and $680 million during the three months ended March 31, 2019. As of March 31, 2019, CCC is able to pay approximately $347 million of dividends that would not be subject to prior approval of the Department. The actual level of dividends paid in any year is determined after an assessment of available dividend capacity, holding company liquidity and cash needs as well as the impact the dividends will have on the statutory surplus of the applicable insurance company.

CNA has an effective automatic shelf registration statement under which it may publicly issue debt, equity or hybrid securities from time to time.

Diamond Offshore’s cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019 decreased $81 million compared to the 2018 period, due to lower cash collected from the performance of contract drilling services, partially offset by a net decrease in cash expenditures for contract drilling services and other working capital requirements and lower income tax payments, net of refunds.

Diamond Offshore expects capital expenditures in 2019 to be approximately $340 million to $360 million. Projects for 2019 include approximately $110 million in capitalized costs associated with the reactivation and upgrade of the Ocean Onyx, approximately $20 million associated with the reactivation of the Ocean Endeavor and other capital expenditures under its capital maintenance and replacement programs, including equipment upgrades for the Ocean BlackHawk, Ocean BlackHornet and Ocean Courage. At March 31, 2019, Diamond Offshore has no significant purchase obligations, except for those related to its direct rig operations, which arise during the normal course of business.

As of April 25, 2019, Diamond Offshore had $1.2 billion available under its credit agreements.

Diamond Offshore will make periodic assessments of its capital spending programs based on industry conditions and will make adjustments if it determines they are required. Diamond Offshore, may, from time to time, issue debt or equity securities, or a combination thereof, to finance capital expenditures, the acquisition of assets and businesses or for general corporate purposes. Diamond Offshore has an effective automatic shelf registration statement under which it may publicly issue debt, equity or hybrid securities from time to time. Diamond Offshore’s ability to access the capital markets by issuing debt or equity securities will be dependent on its results of operations, current financial condition, current credit ratings, current market conditions and other factors beyond its control.

Boardwalk Pipeline’s cash provided by operating activities increased $15 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the 2018 period primarily due to the change in net income.

For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, Boardwalk Pipeline’s capital expenditures were $74 million and $111 million, consisting of a combination of growth and maintenance capital.

As of March 31, 2019, Boardwalk Pipeline had $525 million of outstanding borrowings under its credit facility. Boardwalk Pipeline anticipates that its existing capital resources, including its revolving credit facility and cash flows from operating activities, will be adequate to fund its operations for 2019. Boardwalk Pipeline may seek to access the debt markets to fund some or all capital expenditures for growth projects, acquisitions or for general corporate purposes.

 

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Boardwalk Pipeline paid distributions of $26 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018. The Company received distributions of $26 million and $13 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018. The distributions received in 2019 reflects the Company owning 100% of Boardwalk Pipeline as compared to 51% in the 2018 period.

Loews Hotels entered into an agreement to sell an owned hotel for approximately $127 million. The sale is expected to close in the second quarter of 2019.

INVESTMENTS

Investment activities of non-insurance subsidiaries primarily include investments in fixed income securities, including short term investments. The Parent Company portfolio also includes equity securities, including short sales and derivative instruments, and investments in limited partnerships. These types of investments generally present greater volatility, less liquidity and greater risk than fixed income investments and are included within Results of Operations – Corporate.

We enter into short sales and invest in certain derivative instruments that are used for asset and liability management activities, income enhancements to our portfolio management strategy and to benefit from anticipated future movements in the underlying markets. If such movements do not occur as anticipated, then significant losses may occur. Monitoring procedures include senior management review of daily reports of existing positions and valuation fluctuations to seek to ensure that open positions are consistent with our portfolio strategy.

Credit exposure associated with non-performance by counterparties to our derivative instruments is generally limited to the uncollateralized change in fair value of the derivative instruments recognized in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets. We mitigate the risk of non-performance by monitoring the creditworthiness of counterparties and diversifying derivatives by using multiple counterparties. We occasionally require collateral from our derivative investment counterparties depending on the amount of the exposure and the credit rating of the counterparty.

Insurance

CNA maintains a large portfolio of fixed maturity and equity securities, including large amounts of corporate and government issued debt securities, residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, and other asset-backed securities and investments in limited partnerships which pursue a variety of long and short investment strategies across a broad array of asset classes. CNA’s investment portfolio supports its obligation to pay future insurance claims and provides investment returns which are an important part of CNA’s overall profitability.

Net Investment Income

The significant components of CNA’s net investment income are presented in the following table. Fixed income securities, as presented, include both fixed maturity securities and non-redeemable preferred stock.

 

Three Months Ended March 31        2019             2018          
(In millions)             

Fixed income securities:

    

Taxable fixed income securities

   $ 383     $ 350  

Tax-exempt fixed income securities

     82       105  

Total fixed income securities

     465       455  

Limited partnership and common stock investments

     96       31  

Other, net of investment expense

     10       4  

Pretax net investment income

   $ 571     $ 490  
                  

Fixed income securities after tax and noncontrolling interests

   $ 340     $ 337  
                  

Net investment income after tax and noncontrolling interests

   $ 415     $ 362  
                  

Effective income yield for the fixed income securities portfolio, before tax

     4.8     4.7

Effective income yield for the fixed income securities portfolio, after tax

     3.9     3.9

Limited partnership and common stock return

     4.5     1.3 %         

Net investment income after tax and noncontrolling interests increased $53 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared with the 2018 period. The increase was driven by limited partnership and common stock returns.

 

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Net Investment Gains (Losses)

The components of CNA’s net investment gains (losses) are presented in the following table:

 

Three Months Ended March 31        2019             2018      
(In millions)             

Investment gains (losses):

    

Fixed maturity securities:

    

Corporate and other bonds

     $ 19  

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

   $ 8       20  

Asset-backed

     (14     (21

Total fixed maturity securities

     (6     18  

Non-redeemable preferred stock

     42       (15

Short term and other

     (5     6  

Total investment gains

     31       9  

Income tax expense

     (8     (1

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (2     (1 )     

Net investment gains attributable to Loews Corporation

   $ 21     $ 7  

    

                

Net investment gains after tax and noncontrolling interests increased $14 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared with the 2018 period. The increase was driven by the favorable change in fair value of non-redeemable preferred stock, partially offset by lower net investment gains on sales of securities. Further information on CNA’s investment gains and losses, including OTTI losses, is set forth in Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included under Item 1.

Portfolio Quality

The following table presents the estimated fair value and net unrealized gains (losses) of CNA’s fixed maturity securities by rating distribution:

 

         March 31, 2019              December 31, 2018      
            Net             Net  
            Unrealized             Unrealized  
     Estimated      Gains      Estimated      Gains  
      Fair Value      (Losses)      Fair Value      (Losses)  
(In millions)                            

U.S. Government, Government agencies and Government-sponsored enterprises

   $ 4,378      $ 32      $ 4,334      $ (24)      

AAA

     2,973        295        3,027        245       

AA

     6,538        641        6,510        512       

A

     8,888        765        8,768        527       

BBB

     14,892        836        14,205        274       

Non-investment grade

     2,884        44        2,702        (73)      

 

 

Total

   $ 40,553      $ 2,613      $ 39,546      $ 1,461       

 

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, 1% of CNA’s fixed maturity portfolio was rated internally. AAA rated securities included $1.2 billion and $1.3 billion of pre-refunded municipal bonds as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

 

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The following table presents CNA’s available-for-sale fixed maturity securities in a gross unrealized loss position by ratings distribution:

 

            Gross    
     Estimated      Unrealized    
March 31, 2019    Fair Value      Losses    

 

 

(In millions)

     

U.S. Government, Government agencies and Government-sponsored enterprises

   $ 1,562      $ 19      

AAA

     119        2      

AA

     192        3      

A

     910        17      

BBB

     2,204        54      

Non-investment grade

     1,103        45      

 

 

Total

   $ 6,090      $ 140      

 

 

 

 

The following table presents the maturity profile for these available-for-sale fixed maturity securities. Securities not due to mature on a single date are allocated based on weighted average life:

 

            Gross    
     Estimated      Unrealized    
March 31, 2019    Fair Value      Losses    

 

 

(In millions)

     

Due in one year or less

   $ 96      $ 1      

Due after one year through five years

     926        19      

Due after five years through ten years

     4,411        95      

Due after ten years

     657        25      

 

 

Total

   $ 6,090      $ 140      

 

 

 

 

Duration

A primary objective in the management of CNA’s investment portfolio is to optimize return relative to the corresponding liabilities and respective liquidity needs. CNA’s views on the current interest rate environment, tax regulations, asset class valuations, specific security issuer and broader industry segment conditions as well as domestic and global economic conditions, are some of the factors that enter into an investment decision. CNA also continually monitors exposure to issuers of securities held and broader industry sector exposures and may from time to time adjust such exposures based on its views of a specific issuer or industry sector.

A further consideration in the management of CNA’s investment portfolio is the characteristics of the corresponding liabilities and the ability to align the duration of the portfolio to those liabilities and to meet future liquidity needs, minimize interest rate risk and maintain a level of income sufficient to support the underlying insurance liabilities. For portfolios where future liability cash flows are determinable and typically long term in nature, CNA segregates investments for asset/liability management purposes. The segregated investments support the long term care and structured settlement liabilities in Other Insurance Operations.

The effective durations of CNA’s fixed income securities and short term investments are presented in the following table. Amounts presented are net of payable and receivable amounts for securities purchased and sold, but not yet settled.

 

         March 31, 2019              December 31, 2018      
            Effective             Effective  
     Estimated      Duration      Estimated      Duration  
     Fair Value      (Years)      Fair Value      (Years)  

 

 

(In millions of dollars)

           

Investments supporting Other Insurance Operations

   $ 16,968          8.7      $ 16,212          8.4  

Other investments

     25,726          4.2        25,428          4.4  

 

       

 

 

    

Total

   $ 42,694          6.0      $ 41,640          6.0  

 

       

 

 

    

 

       

 

 

    

 

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The investment portfolio is periodically analyzed for changes in duration and related price risk. Additionally, CNA periodically reviews the sensitivity of the portfolio to the level of foreign exchange rates and other factors that contribute to market price changes. A summary of these risks and specific analysis on changes is included in the Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk included under Item 7A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Short Term Investments

The carrying value of the components of CNA’s Short term investments are presented in the following table:

 

     March 31,      December 31,    
     2019      2018    

 

 

(In millions)

     

Short term investments:

     

Commercial paper

   $ 1,069      $ 705      

U.S. Treasury securities

     212        185      

Other

     193        396      

 

 

Total short term investments

   $ 1,474      $ 1,286      

 

 

 

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

Certain accounting policies require us to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reflected in the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements. Such estimates and judgments necessarily involve varying, and possibly significant, degrees of uncertainty. Accordingly, certain amounts currently recorded in the financial statements will likely be adjusted in the future based on new available information and changes in other facts and circumstances. See the Critical Accounting Estimates and the Insurance Reserves sections of our MD&A included under Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 for further information.

ACCOUNTING STANDARDS UPDATE

For a discussion of accounting standards updates that have been adopted or will be adopted in the future, please read Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included under Item 1.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Investors are cautioned that certain statements contained in this Report as well as some statements in other SEC filings and periodic press releases and some oral statements made by us and our subsidiaries and our and their officials during presentations may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”). Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact and may project, indicate or imply future results, events, performance or achievements. Such statements may contain the words “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. In addition, any statement concerning future financial performance (including future revenues, earnings or growth rates), ongoing business strategies or prospects, and possible actions taken by us or our subsidiaries are also forward-looking statements as defined by the Act. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about future events and are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or projected.

Developments in any of the risks or uncertainties facing us or our subsidiaries, including those described under Part II, Item 1A, Risk Factors of this Report and Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and in our other filings with the SEC, could cause our results to differ materially from results that have been or may be anticipated or projected. Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update these statements to reflect any change in our expectations or beliefs or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement is based.

 

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

There were no material changes in our market risk components as of March 31, 2019. See the Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk included under Item 7A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 for further information. Additional information related to portfolio duration and market conditions is discussed in the Investments section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included under Part I, Item 2.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

The Company maintains a system of disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), which is designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act, including this Report, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis. These disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management on a timely basis to allow decisions regarding required disclosure.

The Company’s management, including the Company’s principal executive officer (“CEO”) and principal financial officer (“CFO”) conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Report and, based on that evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2019.

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2019 that have materially affected or that are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

Information on our legal proceedings is set forth in Note 9 to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included under Part I, Item 1.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 includes a detailed discussion of certain risk factors facing the company. The information presented below describes a restatement of one such risk factor and should be read in conjunction with the Risk Factors included under Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Risks Related to Us and Our Subsidiary, Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.

Diamond Offshore can provide no assurance that its drilling contracts will not be terminated early or that its current backlog of contract drilling revenue will be ultimately realized.

Diamond Offshore’s customers may terminate their drilling contracts under certain circumstances, such as the destruction or loss of a drilling rig or suspension of drilling operations for a specified period of time as a result of a breakdown of major equipment, excessive downtime for repairs, failure to meet minimum performance criteria (including customer acceptance testing) or, in some cases, due to other events beyond the control of either party.

In addition, some of Diamond Offshore’s drilling contracts permit the customer to terminate the contract after specified notice periods, often by tendering contractually specified termination amounts, which may not fully compensate Diamond Offshore for the loss of the contract. In some cases, Diamond Offshore’s drilling contracts may permit the customer to terminate the contract without cause, upon little or no notice or without making an early termination payment to it. During depressed market conditions, such as those currently in effect, certain customers have utilized such contract clauses to seek to renegotiate or terminate a drilling contract or claim that Diamond Offshore has breached provisions of its drilling contracts in order to avoid their obligations to Diamond Offshore under circumstances where Diamond Offshore believes it is in compliance with the contracts. Additionally, because of depressed commodity prices, restricted credit markets, economic downturns, changes in priorities or strategy or other factors beyond Diamond Offshore’s control, a customer may no longer want or need a rig that is currently under contract or may be able to obtain a comparable rig at a lower dayrate. For these reasons, customers may seek to renegotiate the terms of Diamond Offshore’s existing drilling contracts, terminate their contracts without justification or repudiate or otherwise fail to perform their obligations under the contracts. As a result of such contract renegotiations or terminations, Diamond Offshore’s contract backlog may be adversely impacted, it might not recover any compensation (or any recovery it obtains may not fully compensate it for the loss of the contract) and it may be required to idle one or more rigs for an extended period of time.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

Items 2 (a) and (b) are inapplicable.

    (c) STOCK REPURCHASES

 


Period
  

(a) Total number

of shares

purchased

    

(b) Average

price paid per

share

    

(c) Total number of
shares purchased as

part of publicly
announced plans or
programs

  

(d) Maximum number of shares

(or approximate dollar value)

of shares that may yet be

purchased under the plans or

programs (in millions)

 

January 1, 2019 -

           

    January 31, 2019

         866,826      $ 46.44      N/A    N/A

February 1, 2019 -

           

    February 28, 2019

     3,411,625        47.10      N/A    N/A

March 1, 2019 -

           

    March 31, 2019

     2,550,816        47.64      N/A   

N/A

 

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Item 6. Exhibits.

 

     Exhibit

Description of Exhibit

   Number

 

Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Notice under the Loews Corporation 2016 Incentive Compensation Plan

   10.01*+

Form of Time-Vesting Restricted Stock Unit Award Notice under the Loews Corporation 2016 Incentive Compensation Plan

   10.02*+

Form of Directors Restricted Stock Unit Award Notice under the Loews Corporation 2016 Incentive Compensation Plan

   10.03*+

Certification by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a)

   31.1*

Certification by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a)

   31.2*

Certification by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (as adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)

   32.1*

Certification by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (as adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)

   32.2*

XBRL Instance Document

   101.INS *

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

   101.SCH *

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase

   101.CAL *

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase

   101.DEF *

XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase

   101.LAB *

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

   101.PRE *

*Filed herewith.

+Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

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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, hereunto duly authorized.

 

     

LOEWS CORPORATION

     

(Registrant)

Dated: April 29, 2019

     

By:

 

/s/ David B. Edelson

       

DAVID B. EDELSON

       

Senior Vice President and

       

Chief Financial Officer

       

(Duly authorized officer

       

and principal financial

       

officer)

 

 

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