LOEWS CORP - Quarter Report: 2020 September (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2020
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 incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
667 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 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)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class |
Trading Symbol(s) |
Name of each exchange on which registered |
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share |
L |
New York Stock Exchange |
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 ☒ |
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 ☒ |
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 ☒ |
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 ☒ |
As of October 23, 2020, there were 274,872,872 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.
Page No. |
|
3 |
|
4 |
|
5 |
|
6 |
|
8 |
|
9 |
|
39 |
|
62 |
|
62 |
|
62 |
|
62 |
|
62 |
|
67 |
|
68 |
Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2020 |
December 31, 2019 |
|||||||
(Dollar amounts in millions, except per share data) |
||||||||
Assets: |
||||||||
Investments: |
||||||||
Fixed maturities, amortized cost of $38,979 and $38,157, less allowance for credit loss of $47 and $0 |
$ |
43,917 |
$ |
42,240 |
||||
Equity securities, cost of $1,391 and $1,244 |
1,368 |
1,306 |
||||||
Limited partnership investments |
1,758 |
2,004 |
||||||
Other invested assets, primarily mortgage loans, less allowance for credit loss of $21 and $0 |
1,176 |
1,072 |
||||||
Short term investments |
4,553 |
4,628 |
||||||
Total investments |
52,772 |
51,250 |
||||||
Cash |
886 |
336 |
||||||
Receivables |
7,850 |
7,675 |
||||||
Property, plant and equipment |
10,468 |
15,568 |
||||||
Goodwill |
765 |
767 |
||||||
Deferred non-insurance warranty acquisition expenses |
2,998 |
2,840 |
||||||
Deferred acquisition costs of insurance subsidiaries |
697 |
662 |
||||||
Other assets |
3,028 |
3,145 |
||||||
Total assets |
$ |
79,464 |
$ |
82,243 |
||||
Liabilities and Equity: |
||||||||
Insurance reserves: |
||||||||
Claim and claim adjustment expense |
$ |
22,534 |
$ |
21,720 |
||||
Future policy benefits |
12,978 |
12,311 |
||||||
Unearned premiums |
5,020 |
4,583 |
||||||
Total insurance reserves |
40,532 |
38,614 |
||||||
Payable to brokers |
466 |
108 |
||||||
Short term debt |
35 |
77 |
||||||
Long term debt |
10,373 |
11,456 |
||||||
Deferred income taxes |
913 |
1,168 |
||||||
Deferred non-insurance warranty revenue |
3,951 |
3,779 |
||||||
Other liabilities |
4,574 |
5,111 |
||||||
Total liabilities |
60,844 |
60,313 |
||||||
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 – 291,393,899 and 291,210,222 shares |
3 |
3 |
||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
3,379 |
3,374 |
||||||
Retained earnings |
14,437 |
15,823 |
||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
238 |
(68 |
) |
|||||
18,057 |
19,132 |
|||||||
Less treasury stock, at cost (16,353,956 and 240,000 shares) |
(685 |
) |
(13 |
) |
||||
Total shareholders’ equity |
17,372 |
19,119 |
||||||
Noncontrolling interests |
1,248 |
2,811 |
||||||
Total equity |
18,620 |
21,930 |
||||||
Total liabilities and equity |
$ |
79,464 |
$ |
82,243 |
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.
Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended September 30, |
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|||||||||||||||
2020 |
2019 |
2020 |
2019 |
|||||||||||||
(In millions, except per share data) |
||||||||||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||
Insurance premiums |
$ |
1,953 |
$ |
1,890 |
$ |
5,672 |
$ |
5,517 |
||||||||
Net investment income |
540 |
525 |
1,347 |
1,733 |
||||||||||||
Investment gains (losses) (Note 2) |
46 |
8 |
(1,312 |
) |
41 |
|||||||||||
Non-insurance warranty revenue |
317 |
292 |
926 |
858 |
||||||||||||
Operating revenues and other |
609 |
960 |
2,241 |
2,906 |
||||||||||||
Total |
3,465 |
3,675 |
8,874 |
11,055 |
||||||||||||
Expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits |
1,616 |
1,614 |
4,683 |
4,323 |
||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs |
360 |
345 |
1,046 |
1,025 |
||||||||||||
Non-insurance warranty expense |
293 |
278 |
859 |
801 |
||||||||||||
Operating expenses and other |
876 |
1,234 |
3,894 |
3,614 |
||||||||||||
Interest |
137 |
144 |
404 |
449 |
||||||||||||
Total |
3,282 |
3,615 |
10,886 |
10,212 |
||||||||||||
Income (loss) before income tax |
183 |
60 |
(2,012 |
) |
843 |
|||||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit |
(21 |
) |
(21 |
) |
284 |
(183 |
) |
|||||||||
Net income (loss) |
162 |
39 |
(1,728 |
) |
660 |
|||||||||||
Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests |
(23 |
) |
33 |
400 |
55 |
|||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation |
$ |
139 |
$ |
72 |
$ |
(1,328 |
) |
$ |
715 |
|||||||
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share |
$ |
0.50 |
$ |
0.24 |
$ |
(4.70 |
) |
$ |
2.34 |
|||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding: |
||||||||||||||||
Shares of common stock |
279.40 |
301.65 |
282.63 |
305.08 |
||||||||||||
Dilutive potential shares of common stock |
0.09 |
0.70 |
0.65 |
|||||||||||||
Total weighted average shares outstanding assuming dilution |
279.49 |
302.35 |
282.63 |
305.73 |
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.
Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended September 30, |
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|||||||||||||||
2020 |
2019 |
2020 |
2019 |
|||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ |
162 |
$ |
39 |
$ |
(1,728 |
) |
$ |
660 |
|||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax |
||||||||||||||||
Changes in: |
||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments with an allowance for credit losses |
6 |
(3 |
) |
|||||||||||||
Net unrealized gains on other investments |
207 |
41 |
354 |
1,007 |
||||||||||||
Total unrealized gains on investments |
213 |
41 |
351 |
1,007 |
||||||||||||
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges |
1 |
(4 |
) |
(18 |
) |
(16 |
) |
|||||||||
Pension and postretirement benefits |
7 |
10 |
27 |
25 |
||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation |
38 |
(31 |
) |
(17 |
) |
(11 |
) |
|||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
259 |
16 |
343 |
1,005 |
||||||||||||
Comprehensive income (loss) |
421 |
55 |
(1,385 |
) |
1,665 |
|||||||||||
Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests |
(49 |
) |
31 |
363 |
(53 |
) |
||||||||||
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation |
$ |
372 |
$ |
86 |
$ |
(1,022 |
) |
$ |
1,612 |
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.
Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Unaudited)
Loews Corporation Shareholders |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
Common Stock |
Additional Paid-in Capital |
Retained Earnings |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
Common Stock Held in Treasury |
Noncontrolling Interests |
||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, July 1, 2019 |
$ |
22,394 |
$ |
3 |
$ |
3,612 |
$ |
16,374 |
$ |
3 |
$ |
(478 |
) |
$ |
2,880 |
|||||||||||||
Net income |
39 |
72 |
(33 |
) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
16 |
14 |
2 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends paid ($0.0625 per share) |
(29 |
) |
(19 |
) |
(10 |
) |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchases of Loews Corporation treasury stock |
(169 |
) |
(169 |
) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchases of subsidiary stock from noncontrolling interests |
(2 |
) |
(2 |
) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
9 |
8 |
1 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, September 30, 2019 |
$ |
22,258 |
$ |
3 |
$ |
3,620 |
$ |
16,427 |
$ |
17 |
$ |
(647 |
) |
$ |
2,838 |
|||||||||||||
Balance, July 1, 2020 |
$ |
18,413 |
$ |
3 |
$ |
3,371 |
$ |
14,316 |
$ |
5 |
$ |
(491 |
) |
$ |
1,209 |
|||||||||||||
Net income |
162 |
139 |
23 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
259 |
233 |
26 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends paid ($0.0625 per share) |
(27 |
) |
(17 |
) |
(10 |
) |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchases of Loews Corporation treasury stock |
(195 |
) |
(195 |
) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
8 |
8 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other |
- |
(1 |
) |
1 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, September 30, 2020 |
$ |
18,620 |
$ |
3 |
$ |
3,379 |
$ |
14,437 |
$ |
238 |
$ |
(685 |
) |
$ |
1,248 |
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.
Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(Unaudited)
Loews Corporation Shareholders |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
Common Stock |
Additional Paid-in Capital |
Retained Earnings |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
Common Stock Held in Treasury |
Noncontrolling Interests |
||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, January 1, 2019 |
$ |
21,386 |
$ |
3 |
$ |
3,627 |
$ |
15,773 |
$ |
(880 |
) |
$ |
(5 |
) |
$ |
2,868 |
||||||||||||
Net income |
660 |
715 |
(55 |
) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
1,005 |
897 |
108 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends paid ($0.1875 per share) |
(145 |
) |
(57 |
) |
(88 |
) |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchases of Loews Corporation treasury stock |
(642 |
) |
(642 |
) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchases of subsidiary stock from noncontrolling interests |
(18 |
) |
(18 |
) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
17 |
(5 |
) |
22 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other |
(5 |
) |
(2 |
) |
(4 |
) |
1 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, September 30, 2019 |
$ |
22,258 |
$ |
3 |
$ |
3,620 |
$ |
16,427 |
$ |
17 |
$ |
(647 |
) |
$ |
2,838 |
|||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2019, as reported |
$ |
21,930 |
$ |
3 |
$ |
3,374 |
$ |
15,823 |
$ |
(68 |
) |
$ |
(13 |
) |
$ |
2,811 |
||||||||||||
Cumulative effect adjustment from change in accounting standards (Note 1) |
(5 |
) |
(5 |
) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, January 1, 2020, as adjusted |
21,925 |
3 |
3,374 |
15,818 |
(68 |
) |
(13 |
) |
2,811 |
|||||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
(1,728 |
) |
(1,328 |
) |
(400 |
) |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
343 |
306 |
37 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends paid ($0.1875 per share) |
(141 |
) |
(53 |
) |
(88 |
) |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Deconsolidation of Diamond Offshore |
(1,087 |
) |
(1,087 |
) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchases of Loews Corporation treasury stock |
(673 |
) |
(673 |
) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchases of subsidiary stock from noncontrolling interests |
(37 |
) |
5 |
(42 |
) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
17 |
(1 |
) |
18 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other |
1 |
1 |
1 |
(1 |
) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, September 30, 2020 |
$ |
18,620 |
$ |
3 |
$ |
3,379 |
$ |
14,437 |
$ |
238 |
$ |
(685 |
) |
$ |
1,248 |
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.
Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
2020 |
2019 |
||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||
Operating Activities: |
||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ |
(1,728 |
) |
$ |
660 |
|||
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided (used) by operating activities, net |
2,503 |
747 |
||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net: |
||||||||
Receivables |
(273 |
) |
179 |
|||||
Deferred acquisition costs |
(36 |
) |
(37 |
) |
||||
Insurance reserves |
1,479 |
337 |
||||||
Other assets |
(411 |
) |
(386 |
) |
||||
Other liabilities |
238 |
315 |
||||||
Trading securities |
(481 |
) |
(544 |
) |
||||
Net cash flow provided by operating activities |
1,291 |
1,271 |
||||||
Investing Activities: |
||||||||
Purchases of fixed maturities |
(8,466 |
) |
(7,053 |
) |
||||
Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities |
5,023 |
4,872 |
||||||
Proceeds from maturities of fixed maturities |
2,706 |
2,116 |
||||||
Purchases of limited partnership investments |
(144 |
) |
(167 |
) |
||||
Proceeds from sales of limited partnership investments |
305 |
680 |
||||||
Purchases of property, plant and equipment |
(584 |
) |
(743 |
) |
||||
Acquisitions |
- |
(257 |
) |
|||||
Dispositions |
47 |
137 |
||||||
Deconsolidation of Diamond Offshore |
(483 |
) |
- |
|||||
Change in short term investments |
706 |
26 |
||||||
Other, net |
(218 |
) |
(95 |
) |
||||
Net cash flow used by investing activities |
(1,108 |
) |
(484 |
) |
||||
Financing Activities: |
||||||||
Dividends paid |
(53 |
) |
(57 |
) |
||||
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests |
(88 |
) |
(88 |
) |
||||
Purchases of Loews Corporation treasury stock |
(678 |
) |
(643 |
) |
||||
Purchases of subsidiary stock from noncontrolling interests |
(37 |
) |
(18 |
) |
||||
Principal payments on debt |
(1,157 |
) |
(1,796 |
) |
||||
Issuance of debt |
2,393 |
1,870 |
||||||
Other, net |
(13 |
) |
(15 |
) |
||||
Net cash flow provided (used) by financing activities |
367 |
(747 |
) |
|||||
Effect of foreign exchange rate on cash |
- |
(3 |
) |
|||||
Net change in cash |
550 |
37 |
||||||
Cash, beginning of period |
336 |
405 |
||||||
Cash, end of period |
$ |
886 |
$ |
442 |
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.
Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries
(Unaudited)
1. Basis of Presentation
Loews Corporation is a holding company. Its consolidated subsidiaries are engaged in the following lines of business: commercial property and casualty insurance (CNA Financial Corporation (“CNA”), a 89.6% owned subsidiary); transportation and storage of natural gas and natural gas liquids (Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP (“Boardwalk Pipelines”), 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 (Altium Packaging LLC (“Altium Packaging”), a 99% owned subsidiary). Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Company” as used herein means Loews Corporation including its consolidated subsidiaries and the term “Net income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation” as used herein means Net income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation shareholders.
In the second quarter of 2020, Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (“Diamond Offshore”) was deconsolidated from the Company’s consolidated financial statements. See Note 2 for further discussion.
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 September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 and results of operations, comprehensive income and changes in shareholders’ equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019. Net income (loss) for the third quarter and first nine months of each of the years is not necessarily indicative of net income (loss) 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, 2019.
The Company presents basic and diluted net income (loss) per share on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations. Basic net income (loss) per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) 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. For the three months ended September 30, 2020 there were 0.4 million shares attributable to employee stock-based compensation awards excluded from the diluted weighted average shares outstanding amounts because the effect would have been antidilutive. For the three months ended September 30, 2019 and the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 there were no shares attributable to employee stock-based compensation awards excluded from the diluted weighted average shares outstanding amounts because the effect would have been antidilutive.
Accounting changes – In June of 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“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. For financial assets measured at cost, the expected credit loss model requires immediate recognition of estimated credit losses over the life of the asset and presentation of the asset at the net amount expected to be collected. This new guidance applies to mortgage loan investments, reinsurance and insurance receivables and other financing and trade receivables. For available-for-sale fixed maturity securities carried at fair value, estimated credit losses will continue to be measured at the present value of expected cash flows, however, the other than temporary impairment (“OTTI”) concept has been eliminated. Under the previous guidance, estimated credit impairments resulted in a write down of amortized cost. Under the new guidance, estimated credit losses are recognized through an allowance and reversals of the allowance are permitted if the estimate of credit losses declines. For available-for-sale fixed maturity securities where there is an intent to sell, impairment will continue to result in a write down of amortized cost.
On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted the updated guidance using a modified retrospective method with a cumulative effect adjustment recorded to beginning Retained earnings. Prior period amounts have not been adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the previous accounting guidance. A prospective transition approach is required for available-for-sale fixed maturity securities that were purchased with credit deterioration (“PCD assets”) or have recognized an OTTI write down prior to the effective date. The cumulative effect of the accounting change resulted in a $5 million decrease in Retained earnings, after tax and noncontrolling interests.
The allowance for doubtful accounts for insurance, reinsurance and trade receivables was unchanged as a result of adopting the new guidance. At adoption, an allowance for credit losses of $6 million was established for available-for-sale fixed maturity securities that were PCD assets, with a corresponding increase to amortized cost, resulting in no adjustment to the carrying value of the securities. Below is a summary of the significant accounting policies impacted by the adoption of ASU 2016-13.
The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is reported as a reduction of a financial asset’s cost basis and is measured on a pool basis when similar risk characteristics exist. The allowance is estimated using relevant available information from both internal and external sources. Historical credit loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses and adjustments may be made to reflect current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Adjustments to historical loss information are made for additional factors that come to the Company’s attention. This could include significant shifts in counterparty financial strength ratings, aging of past due receivables, amounts sent to collection agencies, or other underlying portfolio changes. Current and forecast economic conditions are considered, using a variety of economic metrics and forecast indices. The sensitivity of expected credit losses relative to changes to the forecast of economic conditions can vary by financial asset class. A reasonable and supportable forecast period is up to 24 months from the balance sheet date. After the forecast period, the Company reverts to historical credit experience. Collateral arrangements such as letters of credit and amounts held in beneficiary trusts to mitigate credit risk are considered in the estimate of the net amount expected to be collected.
A policy election has been made to present accrued interest balances separately from the amortized cost basis of assets, and a practical expedient has been elected to exclude the accrued interest from the tabular disclosures for mortgage loans and available-for-sale securities. An election has been made not to estimate an allowance for credit losses on accrued interest receivables. The accrual of interest income is discontinued and the asset is placed on nonaccrual status within 90 days of the interest becoming delinquent. Interest accrued but not received for assets on nonaccrual status is reversed through Net investment income. Interest received for assets that are on nonaccrual status is recognized as payment is received. The asset is returned to accrual status when the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current, and future payments are expected. Interest receivables are presented in Receivables on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet.
See Notes 3 and 10 for more information on credit losses.
Recently issued ASUs – 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 update annually cash flow assumptions, including morbidity and persistency, and update quarterly discount rate assumptions 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, 2021, however the FASB has approved a one year deferral of the effective date. Early adoption is permitted. The Company may elect to apply the guidance using either a modified retrospective transition method or a full retrospective transition method. The guidance requires restatement of prior periods presented. The Company plans to use the modified retrospective transition method at adoption and is currently evaluating the effect the updated guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements, including increased disclosure requirements. The annual updating of cash flow assumptions is expected to increase income statement volatility. While the requirements of the new guidance represent a material change from existing accounting guidance, the underlying economics of the business and related cash flows will be unchanged.
2. Deconsolidation of Diamond Offshore
On April 26, 2020 (the “Filing Date”), Diamond Offshore and certain of its direct and indirect subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas seeking relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the “Chapter 11 Filing”). As a result of Diamond Offshore’s Chapter 11 Filing and applicable U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, Loews Corporation no longer controls Diamond Offshore for accounting purposes and, therefore, Diamond Offshore was deconsolidated from its consolidated financial statements effective as of the Filing Date. See Note 14 for Diamond Offshore’s revenues and expenses through the Filing Date.
Through the Filing Date, Diamond Offshore’s results were included in Loews Corporation’s consolidated financial statements and Loews Corporation recognized in its earnings its proportionate share of Diamond Offshore’s losses through such date. The deconsolidation resulted in the recognition of a loss of $1.2 billion ($957 million after tax) during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, which is reported within Investment gains (losses) on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations. This loss represents the difference between the carrying value and the estimated fair value, which was immaterial, of Loews Corporation’s investment in equity securities of Diamond Offshore as of the Filing Date.
3. Investments
Net investment income is as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30, |
Nine Months Ended September 30 |
|||||||||||||||
2020 |
2019 |
2020 |
2019 |
|||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities |
$ |
432 |
$ |
452 |
$ |
1,300 |
$ |
1,362 |
||||||||
Limited partnership investments |
71 |
16 |
26 |
140 |
||||||||||||
Short term investments |
2 |
13 |
11 |
42 |
||||||||||||
Equity securities |
18 |
16 |
24 |
62 |
||||||||||||
Income from trading portfolio (a) |
22 |
34 |
144 |
|||||||||||||
Other |
14 |
13 |
44 |
39 |
||||||||||||
Total investment income |
559 |
544 |
1,405 |
1,789 |
||||||||||||
Investment expenses |
(19 |
) |
(19 |
) |
(58 |
) |
(56 |
) |
||||||||
Net investment income |
$ |
540 |
$ |
525 |
$ |
1,347 |
$ |
1,733 |
(a) | Net unrealized gains (losses) related to changes in fair value on securities still held were $11 and $17 for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 and $13 and $55 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019. |
Investment gains (losses) are as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30, |
Nine Months Ended September 30 |
|||||||||||||||
2020 |
2019 |
2020 |
2019 |
|||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities |
$ |
26 |
$ |
3 |
$ |
(32 |
) |
$ |
(6 |
) |
||||||
Equity securities |
25 |
7 |
(45 |
) |
60 |
|||||||||||
Derivative instruments |
(2 |
) |
(2 |
) |
(7 |
) |
(13 |
) |
||||||||
Short term investments and other |
(3 |
) |
(17 |
) |
||||||||||||
Deconsolidation of Diamond Offshore (see Note 2) |
(1,211 |
) |
||||||||||||||
Investment gains (losses) (a) |
$ |
46 |
$ |
8 |
$ |
(1,312 |
) |
$ |
41 |
(a) | Gross investment gains on available-for-sale securities were $44 and $34 for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 and $175 and $98 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019. Gross investment losses on available-for-sale securities were $18 and $31 for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 and $207 and $104 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, $25 of investment gains and $44 of investment losses were recognized due to the change in fair value of non-redeemable preferred stock still held as of September 30, 2020. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, $7 and $60 of investment gains were recognized due to the change in fair value of non-redeemable preferred stock still held as of September 30, 2019. |
The allowance for credit loss related to available-for-sale fixed maturity securities is the difference between the present value of cash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis. All available evidence is considered when determining whether an investment requires a credit loss write-down or allowance to be recorded. Examples of such evidence may include the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer, whether the issuer is current with interest and principal payments, credit ratings on the security or changes in ratings over time, general market conditions and industry, sector or other specific factors and whether it is likely that the amortized cost will be recovered through the collection of cash flows. Changes in the allowance are presented as a component of Investment gains (losses) on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations.
The following tables present the activity related to the allowance on available-for-sale securities with credit impairments and PCD assets. Accrued interest receivables on available-for-sale fixed maturity securities totaled $390 million and is excluded from the estimate of expected credit losses and the amortized cost basis in the tables within this Note.
Three months ended September 30, 2020 |
Corporate and Other Bonds |
Asset- backed |
Total |
|||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||
Allowance for credit losses: |
||||||||||||
Balance as of July 1, 2020 |
$ |
39 |
$ |
12 |
$ |
51 |
||||||
Additions to the allowance for credit losses: |
||||||||||||
For securities for which credit losses were not previously recorded |
4 |
4 |
||||||||||
For available-for-sale securities accounted for as PCD assets |
1 |
1 |
||||||||||
Reductions to the allowance for credit losses: |
||||||||||||
Securities sold during the period (realized) |
9 |
9 |
||||||||||
Additional increases or (decreases) to the allowance for credit losses on securities that had an allowance recorded in a previous period |
(1 |
) |
1 |
|||||||||
Total allowance for credit losses |
$ |
34 |
$ |
13 |
$ |
47 |
Nine months ended September 30, 2020 |
||||||||||||
Allowance for credit losses: |
||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2019 |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
||||||
Additions to the allowance for credit losses: |
||||||||||||
Impact of adopting ASC 326 |
6 |
6 |
||||||||||
For securities for which credit losses were not previously recorded |
62 |
12 |
74 |
|||||||||
For available-for-sale securities accounted for as PCD assets |
3 |
3 |
||||||||||
Reductions to the allowance for credit losses: |
||||||||||||
Securities sold during the period (realized) |
15 |
15 |
||||||||||
Intent to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis |
1 |
1 |
||||||||||
Additional increases or (decrease) to the allowance for credit losses on securities that had an allowance recorded in a previous period |
(21 |
) |
1 |
(20 |
) |
|||||||
Total allowance for credit losses |
$ |
34 |
$ |
13 |
$ |
47 |
The components of available-for-sale impairment losses recognized in earnings by asset type are presented in the following table. The table includes losses on securities with an intention to sell and changes in the allowance for credit losses on securities since acquisition date:
Three Months Ended September 30, |
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|||||||||||||||
2020 |
2019 |
2020 |
2019 |
|||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: |
||||||||||||||||
Corporate and other bonds |
$ |
4 |
$ |
12 |
$ |
94 |
$ |
24 |
||||||||
Asset-backed |
1 |
2 |
14 |
10 |
||||||||||||
Impairment losses recognized in earnings |
$ |
5 |
$ |
14 |
$ |
108 |
$ |
34 |
The amortized cost and fair values of fixed maturity securities are as follows:
September 30, 2020 |
Cost or Amortized Cost |
Gross Unrealized Gains |
Gross Unrealized Losses |
Allowance for Credit Losses (a) |
Estimated Fair Value |
|||||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate and other bonds |
$ |
20,734 |
$ |
3,047 |
$ |
89 |
$ |
34 |
$ |
23,658 |
||||||||||
States, municipalities and political subdivisions |
9,459 |
1,766 |
1 |
11,224 |
||||||||||||||||
Asset-backed: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Residential mortgage-backed |
3,796 |
153 |
1 |
3,948 |
||||||||||||||||
Commercial mortgage-backed |
2,048 |
85 |
70 |
13 |
2,050 |
|||||||||||||||
Other asset-backed |
2,097 |
76 |
19 |
2,154 |
||||||||||||||||
Total asset-backed |
7,941 |
314 |
90 |
13 |
8,152 |
|||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises |
347 |
4 |
1 |
350 |
||||||||||||||||
Foreign government |
481 |
29 |
510 |
|||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturities available-for-sale |
38,962 |
5,160 |
181 |
47 |
43,894 |
|||||||||||||||
Fixed maturities trading |
17 |
6 |
23 |
|||||||||||||||||
Total fixed maturity securities |
$ |
38,979 |
$ |
5,166 |
$ |
181 |
$ |
47 |
$ |
43,917 |
December 31, 2019 |
Cost or Amortized Cost |
Gross Unrealized Gains |
Gross Unrealized Losses |
Estimated Fair Value |
Unrealized OTTI Losses (Gains) (a) |
|||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate and other bonds |
$ |
19,789 |
$ |
2,292 |
$ |
32 |
$ |
22,049 |
||||||||||||
States, municipalities and political subdivisions |
9,093 |
1,559 |
10,652 |
|||||||||||||||||
Asset-backed: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Residential mortgage-backed |
4,387 |
133 |
1 |
4,519 |
$ |
(17 |
) |
|||||||||||||
Commercial mortgage-backed |
2,265 |
86 |
5 |
2,346 |
1 |
|||||||||||||||
Other asset-backed |
1,925 |
41 |
4 |
1,962 |
(3 |
) |
||||||||||||||
Total asset-backed |
8,577 |
260 |
10 |
8,827 |
(19 |
) |
||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises |
146 |
1 |
2 |
145 |
||||||||||||||||
Foreign government |
491 |
14 |
1 |
504 |
||||||||||||||||
Redeemable preferred stock |
10 |
10 |
||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturities available-for-sale |
38,106 |
4,126 |
45 |
42,187 |
(19 |
) |
||||||||||||||
Fixed maturities trading |
51 |
2 |
53 |
|||||||||||||||||
Total fixed maturities |
$ |
38,157 |
$ |
4,128 |
$ |
45 |
$ |
42,240 |
$ |
(19 |
) |
(a) | On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13; see Note 1. The Unrealized OTTI Losses (Gains) column that tracked subsequent valuation changes on securities for which a credit loss had previously been recorded has been replaced with the Allowance for Credit Losses column. Prior period amounts were not adjusted for the adoption of this standard. |
The net unrealized gains on available-for-sale investments included in the tables above are recorded as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“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 (loss) (“Shadow Adjustments”). As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the net unrealized gains on investments included in AOCI were correspondingly reduced by Shadow Adjustments of $2.3 billion and $2.0 billion (after tax and noncontrolling interests).
The available-for-sale securities in a gross unrealized loss position for which an allowance for credit losses has not been recorded are as follows:
Less than 12 Months |
12 Months or Longer |
Total |
||||||||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2020 |
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 |
$ |
1,579 |
$ |
86 |
$ |
56 |
$ |
3 |
$ |
1,635 |
$ |
89 |
||||||||||||
States, municipalities and political subdivisions |
154 |
1 |
154 |
1 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Asset-backed: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Residential mortgage-backed |
98 |
1 |
13 |
111 |
1 |
|||||||||||||||||||
Commercial mortgage-backed |
693 |
69 |
19 |
1 |
712 |
70 |
||||||||||||||||||
Other asset-backed |
432 |
18 |
13 |
1 |
445 |
19 |
||||||||||||||||||
Total asset-backed |
1,223 |
88 |
45 |
2 |
1,268 |
90 |
||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises |
25 |
1 |
25 |
1 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign government |
20 |
20 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Total fixed maturity securities |
$ |
3,001 |
$ |
176 |
$ |
101 |
$ |
5 |
$ |
3,102 |
$ |
181 |
||||||||||||
December 31, 2019 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate and other bonds |
$ |
914 |
$ |
21 |
$ |
186 |
$ |
11 |
$ |
1,100 |
$ |
32 |
||||||||||||
States, municipalities and political subdivisions |
34 |
34 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Asset-backed: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Residential mortgage-backed |
249 |
1 |
30 |
279 |
1 |
|||||||||||||||||||
Commercial mortgage-backed |
381 |
3 |
20 |
2 |
401 |
5 |
||||||||||||||||||
Other asset-backed |
449 |
3 |
33 |
1 |
482 |
4 |
||||||||||||||||||
Total asset-backed |
1,079 |
7 |
83 |
3 |
1,162 |
10 |
||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury and obligations of government-sponsored enterprises |
62 |
2 |
2 |
64 |
2 |
|||||||||||||||||||
Foreign government |
59 |
1 |
1 |
60 |
1 |
|||||||||||||||||||
Total fixed maturity securities |
$ |
2,148 |
$ |
31 |
$ |
272 |
$ |
14 |
$ |
2,420 |
$ |
45 |
Based on current facts and circumstances, the Company believes the unrealized losses presented in the September 30, 2020 securities in a gross unrealized loss position table above are not indicative of the ultimate collectability 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 impairment losses to be recorded as of September 30, 2020.
Contractual Maturity
The following table presents available-for-sale fixed maturity securities by contractual maturity.
September 30, 2020 |
December 31, 2019 |
|||||||||||||||
Cost or Amortized Cost |
Estimated Fair Value |
Cost or Amortized Cost |
Estimated Fair Value |
|||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||
Due in one year or less |
$ |
1,372 |
$ |
1,392 |
$ |
1,334 |
$ |
1,356 |
||||||||
Due after one year through five years |
11,955 |
12,625 |
9,746 |
10,186 |
||||||||||||
Due after five years through ten years |
13,026 |
14,359 |
14,892 |
15,931 |
||||||||||||
Due after ten years |
12,609 |
15,518 |
12,134 |
14,714 |
||||||||||||
Total |
$ |
38,962 |
$ |
43,894 |
$ |
38,106 |
$ |
42,187 |
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.
Mortgage Loans
The allowance for expected credit losses on mortgage loans is developed by assessing the credit quality of pools of mortgage loans in good standing using debt service coverage ratios (“DSCR”) and loan-to-value (“LTV”) ratios. The DSCR compares a property’s net operating income to its debt service payments, including principal and interest. The LTV ratio compares the current unpaid principal balance of the loan to the estimated fair value of the underlying property collateralizing the loan. The pools developed to measure the credit loss allowance use increments of DSCR and LTV to draw distinctions between risk levels. Changes in the allowance for mortgage loans are presented as a component of Investment gains (losses) on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations. Mortgage loans are included in Other invested assets on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.
The following table presents the amortized cost basis of mortgage loans for each credit quality indicator by year of origination:
Mortgage Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year (a) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As of September 30, 2020 |
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
2017 |
2016 |
Prior |
Total |
|||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
DSCR ≥1.6x |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LTV less than 55% |
$ |
75 |
$ |
33 |
$ |
19 |
$ |
85 |
$ |
33 |
$ |
161 |
$ |
406 |
||||||||||||||
LTV 55% to 65% |
33 |
29 |
55 |
12 |
129 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
LTV greater than 65% |
5 |
12 |
17 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
DSCR 1.2x - 1.6x |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LTV less than 55% |
31 |
10 |
13 |
16 |
79 |
149 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
LTV 55% to 65% |
20 |
54 |
32 |
24 |
130 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
LTV greater than 65% |
48 |
103 |
151 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
DSCR ≤1.2x |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LTV less than 55% |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LTV 55% to 65% |
14 |
14 |
28 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
LTV greater than 65% |
23 |
45 |
24 |
7 |
99 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
$ |
143 |
$ |
296 |
$ |
104 |
$ |
222 |
$ |
85 |
$ |
259 |
$ |
1,109 |
(a) | The values in the table above reflect DSCR on a standardized amortization period and LTV based on the most recent appraised values trended forward using changes in a commercial real estate price index. |
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 related 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.
September 30, 2020 |
December 31, 2019 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Contractual/ Notional |
Estimated Fair Value |
Contractual/ Notional |
Estimated Fair Value |
||||||||||||||||||
Amount |
Asset |
(Liability) |
Amount |
Asset |
(Liability) |
||||||||||||||||
(In millions) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
With hedge designation: |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps |
$ |
675 |
$ |
(28 |
) |
$ |
715 |
$ |
(8 |
) |
|||||||||||
Without hedge designation: |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Equity Options – purchased |
57 |
$ |
1 |
||||||||||||||||||
– written |
100 |
(1 |
) |
||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps |
80 |
(3 |
) |
||||||||||||||||||
Embedded derivative on funds withheld liability |
193 |
(16 |
) |
182 |
(7 |
) |
Investment Commitments
As part of the overall investment strategy, investments are made in various assets which require future purchase, sale or funding commitments. These investments are recorded once funded, and the related commitments may include future capital calls from various third-party limited partnerships, signed and accepted mortgage loan applications and obligations related to private placement securities. As of September 30, 2020, commitments to purchase or fund were approximately $1.2 billion and to sell were approximately $55 million under the terms of these investments.
4. 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. |
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.
Control procedures are performed 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 and (iv) detailed analysis, where the Company performs an independent analysis of the inputs and assumptions used to price individual securities.
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.
September 30, 2020 |
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
Total |
||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities: |
||||||||||||||||
Corporate bonds and other |
$ |
372 |
$ |
23,452 |
$ |
694 |
$ |
24,518 |
||||||||
States, municipalities and political subdivisions |
11,179 |
45 |
11,224 |
|||||||||||||
Asset-backed |
7,917 |
235 |
8,152 |
|||||||||||||
Fixed maturities available-for-sale |
372 |
42,548 |
974 |
43,894 |
||||||||||||
Fixed maturities trading |
15 |
8 |
23 |
|||||||||||||
Total fixed maturities |
$ |
372 |
$ |
42,563 |
$ |
982 |
$ |
43,917 |
||||||||
Equity securities |
$ |
655 |
$ |
674 |
$ |
39 |
$ |
1,368 |
||||||||
Short term and other |
4,379 |
56 |
4,435 |
|||||||||||||
Payable to brokers |
(40 |
) |
(31 |
) |
(71 |
) |
December 31, 2019 |
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
Total |
||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities: |
||||||||||||||||
Corporate bonds and other |
$ |
175 |
$ |
22,065 |
$ |
468 |
$ |
22,708 |
||||||||
States, municipalities and political subdivisions |
10,652 |
10,652 |
||||||||||||||
Asset-backed |
8,662 |
165 |
8,827 |
|||||||||||||
Fixed maturities available-for-sale |
175 |
41,379 |
633 |
42,187 |
||||||||||||
Fixed maturities trading |
49 |
4 |
53 |
|||||||||||||
Total fixed maturities |
$ |
175 |
$ |
41,428 |
$ |
637 |
$ |
42,240 |
||||||||
Equity securities |
$ |
629 |
$ |
658 |
$ |
19 |
$ |
1,306 |
||||||||
Short term and other |
3,138 |
1,383 |
4,521 |
|||||||||||||
Receivables |
2 |
2 |
||||||||||||||
Payable to brokers |
(18 |
) |
(10 |
) |
(28 |
) |
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 and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) and Net Change in Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses) |
Unrealized Gains (Losses) Recognized in Net Income (Loss) on Level 3 Assets and |
Unrealized Gains (Losses) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on Level 3 Assets and |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 |
Balance, July 1 |
Included in Net Income (Loss) |
Included in OCI |
Purchases |
Sales |
Settlements |
Transfers into Level 3 |
Transfers out of Level 3 |
Balance, September 30 |
Liabilities Held at September 30 |
Liabilities Held at September 30 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate bonds and other |
$ |
555 |
$ |
5 |
$ |
129 |
$ |
(3 |
) |
$ |
8 |
$ |
694 |
$ |
5 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
States, municipalities and political subdivisions |
- |
45 |
45 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asset-backed |
222 |
9 |
20 |
(14 |
) |
$ |
(2 |
) |
235 |
8 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturities available-for-sale |
777 |
$ |
- |
14 |
194 |
$ |
- |
(17 |
) |
8 |
(2 |
) |
974 |
$ |
- |
13 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturities trading |
4 |
4 |
8 |
4 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total fixed maturities |
$ |
781 |
$ |
4 |
$ |
14 |
$ |
194 |
$ |
- |
$ |
(17 |
) |
$ |
8 |
$ |
(2 |
) |
$ |
982 |
$ |
4 |
$ |
13 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Equity securities |
$ |
27 |
$ |
12 |
$ |
39 |
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) and Net Change in Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses) |
Unrealized Gains (Losses) Recognized in Net Income (Loss) on Level 3 Assets and |
Unrealized Gains (Losses) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on Level 3 Assets and |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2019 |
Balance, July 1 |
Included in Net Income (Loss) |
Included in OCI |
Purchases |
Sales |
Settlements |
Transfers into Level 3 |
Transfers out of Level 3 |
Balance, September 30 |
Liabilities Held at September 30 |
Liabilities Held at September 30 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate bonds and other |
$ |
338 |
$ |
14 |
$ |
79 |
$ |
(3 |
) |
$ |
428 |
$ |
14 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asset-backed |
193 |
1 |
22 |
(4 |
) |
$ |
(16 |
) |
196 |
2 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturities available-for-sale |
531 |
$ |
- |
15 |
101 |
$ |
- |
(7 |
) |
$ |
- |
(16 |
) |
624 |
$ |
- |
16 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturities trading |
4 |
4 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total fixed maturities |
$ |
535 |
$ |
- |
$ |
15 |
$ |
101 |
$ |
- |
$ |
(7 |
) |
$ |
- |
$ |
(16 |
) |
$ |
628 |
$ |
- |
$ |
16 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Equity securities |
$ |
23 |
$ |
23 |
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) and Net Change in Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses) |
Unrealized Gains (Losses) Recognized in Net Income (Loss) on Level 3 Assets and |
Unrealized Gains (Losses) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on Level 3 Assets and |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 |
Balance, January 1 |
Included in Net Income (Loss) |
Included in OCI |
Purchases |
Sales |
Settlements |
Transfers into Level 3 |
Transfers out of Level 3 |
Balance, September 30 |
Liabilities Held at September 30 |
Liabilities Held at September 30 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate bonds and other |
$ |
468 |
$ |
27 |
$ |
200 |
$ |
(9 |
) |
$ |
8 |
$ |
694 |
$ |
29 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
States, municipalities and political subdivisions |
- |
45 |
45 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asset-backed |
165 |
18 |
100 |
$ |
(9 |
) |
(22 |
) |
$ |
(17 |
) |
235 |
19 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturities available-for-sale |
633 |
$ |
- |
45 |
345 |
(9 |
) |
(31 |
) |
8 |
(17 |
) |
974 |
$ |
- |
48 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturities trading |
4 |
4 |
8 |
4 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total fixed maturities |
$ |
637 |
$ |
4 |
$ |
45 |
$ |
345 |
$ |
(9 |
) |
$ |
(31 |
) |
$ |
8 |
$ |
(17 |
) |
$ |
982 |
$ |
4 |
$ |
48 |
|||||||||||||||||||
Equity securities |
$ |
19 |
$ |
(7 |
) |
$ |
12 |
$ |
15 |
$ |
39 |
$ |
(7 |
) |
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) and Net Change in Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses) |
Unrealized Gains (Losses) Recognized in Net Income (Loss) on Level 3 Assets and |
Unrealized Gains (Losses) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on Level 3 Assets and |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2019 |
Balance, January 1 |
Included in Net Income (Loss) |
Included in OCI |
Purchases |
Sales |
Settlements |
Transfers into Level 3 |
Transfers out of Level 3 |
Balance, September 30 |
Liabilities Held at September 30 |
Liabilities Held at September 30 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate bonds and other |
$ |
222 |
$ |
34 |
$ |
211 |
$ |
(7 |
) |
$ |
(32 |
) |
$ |
428 |
$ |
29 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asset-backed |
197 |
8 |
42 |
(12 |
) |
$ |
45 |
(84 |
) |
196 |
9 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturities available-for-sale |
419 |
$ |
- |
42 |
253 |
$ |
- |
(19 |
) |
45 |
(116 |
) |
624 |
$ |
- |
38 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturities trading |
6 |
(2 |
) |
4 |
(2 |
) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total fixed maturities |
$ |
425 |
$ |
(2 |
) |
$ |
42 |
$ |
253 |
$ |
- |
$ |
(19 |
) |
$ |
45 |
$ |
(116 |
) |
$ |
628 |
$ |
(2 |
) |
$ |
38 |
||||||||||||||||||
Equity securities |
$ |
19 |
$ |
2 |
$ |
2 |
$ |
23 |
$ |
2 |
Net investment gains and losses are reported in Net income (loss) as follows:
Major Category of Assets and Liabilities |
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations 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 |
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 government securities and exchange traded bonds 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 some 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 some inputs that are not market observable.
Derivative Financial Instruments
Equity options are valued using quoted market prices and are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Over-the-counter derivatives, principally interest rate swaps, currency forwards, 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.
Significant Unobservable Inputs
The following tables present quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs utilized 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. The weighted average rate is calculated based on fair value.
September 30, 2020 |
Estimated Fair Value |
Valuation Techniques |
Unobservable Inputs |
Range (Weighted Average) |
||||
(In millions) |
||||||||
Fixed maturity securities |
$ |
888 |
1% – 10% (3%) |
|||||
December 31, 2019 |
||||||||
Fixed maturity securities |
$ |
525 |
1% – 6% (2%) |
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 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 finance 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 |
||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2020 |
Amount |
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
Total |
||||||||||||
(In millions) |
|||||||||||||||||
Assets: |
|||||||||||||||||
Other invested assets, primarily mortgage loans |
$ |
1,088 |
$ |
1,159 |
$ |
1,159 |
|||||||||||
Liabilities: |
|||||||||||||||||
Short term debt |
32 |
$ |
8 |
25 |
33 |
||||||||||||
Long term debt |
10,343 |
10,641 |
757 |
11,398 |
|||||||||||||
December 31, 2019 |
|||||||||||||||||
Assets: |
|||||||||||||||||
Other invested assets, primarily mortgage loans |
$ |
994 |
$ |
1,025 |
$ |
1,025 |
|||||||||||
Liabilities: |
|||||||||||||||||
Short term debt |
75 |
$ |
9 |
66 |
75 |
||||||||||||
Long term debt |
11,443 |
10,884 |
626 |
11,510 |
5. Property, Plant and Equipment
Asset Impairments
During the first quarter of 2020, the offshore drilling business climate experienced a significant adverse change, primarily as a result of the market impacts of the oil price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia and regulatory, market and commercial challenges arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus, both of which resulted in a dramatic decline in oil prices. During the first quarter of 2020, five drilling rigs that
had indicators of impairment were evaluated. Based on the assumptions and analysis at that time, it was determined that the carrying values of four of these rigs were impaired. The fair values of these rigs were estimated using an income approach, whereby the fair value of each rig was estimated based on a calculation of the rig’s future net cash flows. These calculations utilized significant unobservable inputs, including management’s assumptions related to estimated dayrate revenue, rig utilization, estimated capital expenditures, repair and regulatory survey costs, as well as estimated proceeds that may be received on ultimate disposition of each rig. These fair value estimates were representative of Level 3 fair value measurements due to the significant level of estimation involved and the lack of transparency as to the inputs used. An aggregate asset impairment charge of $774 million ($408 million after tax and noncontrolling interests) was recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and is reported within Operating expenses and other on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations.
6. Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves
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. Reserve projections are based primarily on detailed analysis of the facts in each case, 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 the 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 the Company’s results of operations and/or equity. The Company reported catastrophe losses, net of reinsurance, of $160 million and $32 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 and $536 million and $128 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019. Net catastrophe losses for the three months ended September 30, 2020 were driven by severe weather-related events, primarily Hurricanes Laura, Isaias and Sally and the Midwest derecho. Net catastrophe losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 included $273 million primarily related to severe weather-related events, $195 million related to the COVID-19 pandemic and $68 million related to civil unrest. Net catastrophe losses in 2019 primarily related 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.
Nine Months Ended September 30 |
2020 |
2019 |
||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||
Reserves, beginning of year: |
||||||||
Gross |
$ |
21,720 |
$ |
21,984 |
||||
Ceded |
3,835 |
4,019 |
||||||
Net reserves, beginning of year |
17,885 |
17,965 |
||||||
Net incurred claim and claim adjustment expenses: |
||||||||
Provision for insured events of current year |
4,425 |
3,968 |
||||||
Increase (decrease) in provision for insured events of prior years |
(68 |
) |
(65 |
) |
||||
Amortization of discount |
143 |
143 |
||||||
Total net incurred (a) |
4,500 |
4,046 |
||||||
Net payments attributable to: |
||||||||
Current year events |
(556 |
) |
(599 |
) |
||||
Prior year events |
(3,285 |
) |
(3,547 |
) |
||||
Total net payments |
(3,841 |
) |
(4,146 |
) |
||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment and other |
39 |
29 |
||||||
Net reserves, end of period |
18,583 |
17,894 |
||||||
Ceded reserves, end of period |
3,951 |
3,702 |
||||||
Gross reserves, end of period |
$ |
22,534 |
$ |
21,596 |
(a) | Total net incurred above does not agree to Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits as reflected on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations due to amounts related to retroactive reinsurance deferred gain accounting, uncollectible reinsurance and benefit expenses related to future policy benefits, which are not reflected in the table above. |
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 $15 million and unfavorable net prior year development of $16 million was recorded for commercial property and casualty operations (“Property & Casualty Operations”) for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 and favorable net prior year development of $8 million and $29 million was recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.
The following table and discussion present details of the net prior year claim and claim adjustment expense reserve development in Property & Casualty Operations:
Three Months Ended September 30, |
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|||||||||||||||
2020 |
2019 |
2020 |
2019 |
|||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||
Medical professional liability |
$ |
25 |
$ |
29 |
$ |
35 |
$ |
59 |
||||||||
Other professional liability and management liability |
(18 |
) |
(6 |
) |
(37 |
) |
||||||||||
Surety |
(40 |
) |
(43 |
) |
(70 |
) |
(83 |
) |
||||||||
Commercial auto |
9 |
(16 |
) |
33 |
(24 |
) |
||||||||||
General liability |
15 |
43 |
65 |
36 |
||||||||||||
Workers’ compensation |
(23 |
) |
7 |
(97 |
) |
2 |
||||||||||
Property and other |
(1 |
) |
14 |
32 |
18 |
|||||||||||
Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable development |
$ |
(15 |
) |
$ |
16 |
$ |
(8 |
) |
$ |
(29 |
) |
Three Months
2020
Unfavorable development in medical professional liability was primarily due to higher than expected frequency of large losses in recent accident years and unfavorable development on a latent claim for an older accident year.
Favorable development in surety was due to lower than expected frequency and lack of systemic activity for accident years 2019 and prior.
Unfavorable development in general liability was primarily due to increased bodily injury severities in accident years 2012 through 2016 and higher than expected frequency and severity in CNA’s umbrella business in accident years 2015 through 2019.
Favorable development in workers’ compensation was due to favorable medical trends driving lower than expected severity in multiple accident years.
2019
Unfavorable development in medical professional liability was primarily due to higher than expected indemnity severity in accident years 2016 through 2018 in CNA’s aging services business.
Favorable development in other professional liability and management liability was due to lower than expected large claim losses in recent accident years in CNA’s public company directors and officers liability (“D&O”) business.
Favorable development in surety was due to lower than expected frequency for accident years 2015 through 2018.
Favorable development in commercial auto was primarily due to a decline in bodily injury frequency in accident year 2018 and continued lower than expected severity across accident years 2013 through 2016.
Unfavorable development in general liability was primarily due to higher than expected emergence in mass tort exposures related to accident years 2009 and prior, 2015 and 2016.
Unfavorable development in other was primarily due to higher than expected severity in aging services related to auto liability coverages.
Nine Months
2020
Unfavorable development in medical professional liability was primarily due to higher than expected frequency of large losses in recent accident years, unfavorable development on a latent claim for an older accident year and unfavorable outcomes on specific claims in accident years 2015 and 2016 in CNA’s aging services business.
Favorable development in surety was due to lower than expected frequency and lack of systemic activity for accident years 2019 and prior.
Unfavorable development in commercial auto was due to unfavorable claim severity in CNA’s middle market and construction business in accident years 2017 through 2019.
Unfavorable development in general liability was driven by higher than expected emergence in mass tort exposures, primarily due to New York reviver statute-related claims from accident years prior to 2010, increased bodily injury severities in accident years 2012 through 2016 and higher than expected frequency and severity in CNA’s umbrella business in accident years 2015 through 2019.
Favorable development in workers’ compensation was due to favorable medical trends driving lower than expected severity in multiple accident years.
Unfavorable development in property and other was primarily due to higher than expected large loss activity in accident year 2019 in CNA’s middle market, national accounts and marine business units.
2019
Unfavorable development in medical professional liability was primarily due to higher than expected indemnity severity in accident years 2016 through 2018 in CNA’s aging services business, higher than expected severity in accident year 2013 in CNA’s allied healthcare business, unfavorable outcomes on individual claims and higher than expected severity in accident year 2017 in CNA’s dentists 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 and lower than expected large claim losses in recent accident years in CNA’s public company D&O business.
Favorable development in surety was due to lower than expected frequency for accident years 2018 and prior.
Favorable development in commercial auto was primarily due to a decline in bodily injury frequency in accident year 2018 and continued lower than expected severity across accident years 2016 and prior.
Unfavorable development in general liability was primarily due to higher than expected emergence in mass tort exposures as well as higher than expected large loss experience in CNA’s excess and umbrella business in accident year 2017.
Unfavorable development in other was primarily due to higher than expected severity in aging services related to auto liability coverages and higher than expected claims in Hardy on 2018 accident year catastrophes in property partially offset by favorable development in casualty, driven by lower than expected large losses and claim severity in accident years 2014 and prior in Hardy and Europe.
Asbestos and Environmental Pollution (“A&EP”) Reserves
In 2010, Continental Casualty Company (“CCC”) together with several insurance subsidiaries completed a transaction with National Indemnity Company (“NICO”), a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., under which substantially all of the 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, approximately $1.6 billion of net A&EP claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserves were ceded to NICO under a retroactive reinsurance agreement 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. NICO was paid a reinsurance premium of $2.0 billion and billed third party reinsurance receivables related to A&EP claims with a net book value of $215 million were transferred to NICO, resulting in total consideration of $2.2 billion.
In years subsequent to the effective date of the LPT, adverse prior year development on A&EP reserves was recognized 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 a change in the estimate of A&EP reserves is recognized 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 Operations.
The impact of the LPT on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations was the recognition of a retroactive reinsurance benefit of $9 million and $7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 and $43 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the cumulative amounts ceded under the LPT were $3.2 billion. The unrecognized deferred retroactive reinsurance benefit was $349 million and $392 million as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 and is included within Other liabilities on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.
NICO established a collateral trust account as security for its obligations under the LPT. The fair value of the collateral trust account was $3.5 billion and $3.7 billion as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. 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 the Company’s A&EP claims.
Life & Group Policyholder Reserves
CNA’s Life & Group business includes its run-off long term care business as well as structured settlement obligations not funded by annuities related to certain property and casualty claimants. Long term care policies provide benefits for nursing homes, assisted living facilities and home health care subject to various daily and lifetime caps. Generally, policyholders must continue to make periodic premium payments to keep the policy in force and CNA has the ability to increase policy premiums, subject to state regulatory approval.
CNA maintains both claim and claim adjustment expense reserves as well as future policy benefit reserves for policyholder benefits for its long term care business. Claim and claim adjustment expense reserves consist of estimated reserves for long term care policyholders that are currently receiving benefits, including claims that have been incurred but are not yet reported. In developing the claim and claim adjustment expense reserve estimates for long term care policies, CNA’s actuaries perform a detailed claim experience study on an annual basis. The study reviews the sufficiency of existing reserves for policyholders currently on claim and includes an evaluation of expected benefit utilization and claim duration. In addition, claim and claim adjustment expense reserves are also maintained for the structured settlement obligations. In developing the claim and claim adjustment expense reserve estimates for structured settlement obligations, CNA’s actuaries monitor mortality experience on an annual basis. CNA’s recorded claim and claim adjustment expense reserves reflect management’s best estimate after incorporating the results of the most recent studies.
CNA’s most recent annual claim experience studies were completed in the third quarter of 2020 and resulted in a $46 million pretax increase in claim and claim adjustment expense reserve estimates for structured settlement obligations primarily due to lower discount rate assumptions and mortality assumption changes and a $37 million pretax reduction in claim and claim adjustment expense reserves for long term care policies primarily due to lower claim severity than anticipated in the reserve estimates. CNA’s 2019 annual claim experience studies were completed in the third quarter of 2019 and resulted in a $56 million pretax reduction in claim and claim adjustment expense reserves for long term care policies primarily due to lower claim severity than anticipated in the reserve estimates.
Future policy benefit reserves represent the active life reserves related to CNA’s long term care policies for policyholders that are not currently receiving benefits, which represent the present value of expected future benefit payments and expenses less expected future premium. The determination of these reserves requires management to make estimates and assumptions about expected investment and policyholder experience over the life of the contract. Since many of these contracts may be in force for several decades, these assumptions are subject to significant estimation risk.
The actuarial assumptions that management believes are subject to the most variability are morbidity, persistency, discount rates and anticipated future premium rate increases. Morbidity is the frequency and severity of injury, illness, sickness and diseases contracted. Persistency is the percentage of policies remaining in force and can be affected by policy lapses, benefit reductions and death. Discount rates are influenced by the investment yield on assets supporting long term care reserves which is subject to interest rate and market volatility and may also be affected by changes to the Internal Revenue Code. Future premium rate increases are generally subject to regulatory approval, and therefore the exact timing and size of the approved rate increases are unknown. As a result of this variability, CNA’s long term care future policy benefit reserves may be subject to material increases if actual experience develops adversely to CNA’s expectations.
Annually, in the third quarter, management assesses the adequacy of its long term care future policy benefit reserves by performing a gross premium valuation (“GPV”) to determine if there is a premium deficiency. Under the GPV, management estimates required reserves using best estimate assumptions as of the date of the assessment without provisions for adverse deviation. The GPV required reserves are then compared to the existing recorded reserves. If the GPV required reserves are greater than the existing recorded reserves, the existing assumptions are unlocked and future policy benefit reserves are increased to the greater amount. Any such increase is reflected in the Company’s results of operations in the period in which the need for such adjustment is determined. If the GPV required reserves are less than the existing recorded reserves, assumptions remain locked in and no adjustment is required. Periodically, management engages independent third parties to assess the appropriateness of its best estimate assumptions. The most recent third party assessment, performed in 2019, validated the assumption setting process and confirmed the best estimate assumptions appropriately reflected the experience data at that time.
The GPV for the long term care future policy benefit reserves performed in the third quarter of 2020 and 2019 indicated a premium deficiency primarily driven by lower discount rate assumptions. Recognition of the premium deficiency resulted in a $74 million and a $216 million pretax increase in policyholders’ benefits reflected in the Company’s results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.
7. Debt
In May of 2020, Loews Corporation completed a public offering of $500 million aggregate principal amount of 3.2% senior notes due May 15, 2030. The proceeds of this offering are available for general corporate purposes.
In August of 2020, CNA completed a public offering of $500 million aggregate principal amount of its 2.1% senior notes due August 15, 2030 and used the net proceeds to redeem the entire $400 million outstanding aggregate principal balance of its 5.8% senior notes due August 15, 2021 and for general corporate purposes.
In August of 2020, Boardwalk Pipelines completed a public offering of $500 million aggregate principal amount of its 3.4% senior notes due February 15, 2031. Boardwalk Pipelines intends to use the proceeds to retire the outstanding $440 million aggregate principal amount of its 4.5% senior notes due 2021 in November of 2020, to fund growth capital expenditures and for general corporate purposes. Initially, the proceeds were used to reduce outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility. As of September 30, 2020, Boardwalk Pipelines had no outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility and had available the full borrowing capacity of $1.5 billion. As of October 30, 2020, Boardwalk Pipelines had $80 million of outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility and had $1.4 billion of available borrowing capacity.
8. Shareholders’ Equity
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
The tables below present the changes in AOCI by component for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020:
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments with OTTI Losses |
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Other Investments |
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges |
Pension and Postretirement Benefits |
Foreign Currency Translation |
Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
|||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, July 1, 2019 |
$ |
18 |
$ |
917 |
$ |
(7 |
) |
$ |
(780 |
) |
$ |
(145 |
) |
$ |
3 |
|||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, after tax of $0, $(11), $1, $0 and $0 |
44 |
(4 |
) |
(31 |
) |
9 |
||||||||||||||||||
Reclassification of (gains) losses from accumulated other comprehensive income, after tax of $0, $0, $0, $(2) and $0 |
(3 |
) |
10 |
7 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
- |
41 |
(4 |
) |
10 |
(31 |
) |
16 |
||||||||||||||||
Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests |
(5 |
) |
3 |
(2 |
) |
|||||||||||||||||||
Balance, September 30, 2019 |
$ |
18 |
$ |
953 |
$ |
(11 |
) |
$ |
(770 |
) |
$ |
(173 |
) |
$ |
17 |
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments with an Allowance for Credit Losses |
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Other Investments |
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges |
Pension and Postretirement Benefits |
Foreign Currency Translation |
Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
|||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, July 1, 2020 |
$ |
(8 |
) |
$ |
1,050 |
$ |
(25 |
) |
$ |
(837 |
) |
$ |
(175 |
) |
$ |
5 |
||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, after tax of $0, $(63), $0, $0 and $0 |
2 |
231 |
(2 |
) |
(2 |
) |
38 |
267 |
||||||||||||||||
Reclassification of (income) losses from accumulated other comprehensive income, after tax of $(1), $7, $0, $(3) and $0 |
4 |
(24 |
) |
3 |
9 |
(8 |
) |
|||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
6 |
207 |
1 |
7 |
38 |
259 |
||||||||||||||||||
Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests |
(1 |
) |
(22 |
) |
(3 |
) |
(26 |
) |
||||||||||||||||
Balance, September 30, 2020 |
$ |
(3 |
) |
$ |
1,235 |
$ |
(24 |
) |
$ |
(830 |
) |
$ |
(140 |
) |
$ |
238 |
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments with OTTI Losses |
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Other Investments |
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges |
Pension and Postretirement Benefits |
Foreign Currency Translation |
Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
|||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, January 1, 2019 |
$ |
14 |
$ |
57 |
$ |
5 |
$ |
(793 |
) |
$ |
(163 |
) |
$ |
(880 |
) |
|||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, after tax of $(2), $(265), $5, $0 and $0 |
3 |
999 |
(16 |
) |
(1 |
) |
(11 |
) |
974 |
|||||||||||||||
Reclassification of losses from accumulated other comprehensive income, after tax of $0, $(1), $0, $(7) and $0 |
1 |
4 |
26 |
31 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
4 |
1,003 |
(16 |
) |
25 |
(11 |
) |
1,005 |
||||||||||||||||
Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests |
(107 |
) |
(2 |
) |
1 |
(108 |
) |
|||||||||||||||||
Balance, September 30, 2019 |
$ |
18 |
$ |
953 |
$ |
(11 |
) |
$ |
(770 |
) |
$ |
(173 |
) |
$ |
17 |
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments with an Allowance for Credit Losses |
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Other Investments |
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges |
Pension and Postretirement Benefits |
Foreign Currency Translation |
Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
|||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, January 1, 2020 (a) |
$ |
- |
$ |
918 |
$ |
(6 |
) |
$ |
(855 |
) |
$ |
(125 |
) |
$ |
(68 |
) |
||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, after tax of $13, $(97), $8, $0 and $0 |
(48 |
) |
374 |
(22 |
) |
(3 |
) |
(17 |
) |
284 |
||||||||||||||
Reclassification of (income) losses from accumulated other comprehensive income, after tax of $(12), $5, $(1), $(8) and $0 |
45 |
(20 |
) |
4 |
30 |
59 |
||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
(3 |
) |
354 |
(18 |
) |
27 |
(17 |
) |
343 |
|||||||||||||||
Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests |
(37 |
) |
(2 |
) |
2 |
(37 |
) |
|||||||||||||||||
Balance, September 30, 2020 |
$ |
(3 |
) |
$ |
1,235 |
$ |
(24 |
) |
$ |
(830 |
) |
$ |
(140 |
) |
$ |
238 |
(a) | On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13; see Note 1. The Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments with OTTI Losses column that tracked the change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments with OTTI losses has been replaced with the Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments with an Allowance for Credit Losses column. The balance as of January 1, 2020 in the Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments with OTTI Losses column is now reported in the Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Other Investments column. Prior period amounts were not adjusted for the adoption of this standard. |
Amounts reclassified from AOCI shown above are reported in Net income (loss) as follows:
Major Category of AOCI |
Affected Line Item |
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments with an allowance for credit losses, Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments with OTTI losses and Net unrealized gains (losses) on other investments |
Investment gains (losses) |
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges |
Operating revenues and other, Interest expense and Operating expenses and other |
Pension and postretirement benefits |
Operating expenses and other |
Treasury Stock
Loews Corporation repurchased 16.1 million and 13.2 million shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $673 million and $642 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.
9. 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 Operations. 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 14:
Three Months Ended September 30, |
Nine Months Ended September 30 |
|||||||||||||||
2020 |
2019 |
2020 |
2019 |
|||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||
Non-insurance warranty – CNA Financial |
$ |
317 |
$ |
292 |
$ |
926 |
$ |
858 |
||||||||
Transportation and storage of natural gas and NGLs and other services – Boardwalk Pipelines |
280 |
287 |
898 |
947 |
||||||||||||
Lodging and related services – Loews Hotels & Co |
36 |
147 |
194 |
512 |
||||||||||||
Rigid plastic packaging and recycled resin – Corporate |
253 |
252 |
753 |
689 |
||||||||||||
Contract drilling – Diamond Offshore (a) |
254 |
300 |
704 |
|||||||||||||
Total revenues from contracts with customers |
569 |
940 |
2,145 |
2,852 |
||||||||||||
Other revenues |
40 |
20 |
96 |
54 |
||||||||||||
Operating revenues and other |
$ |
609 |
$ |
960 |
$ |
2,241 |
$ |
2,906 |
(a) | Revenues presented for Diamond Offshore reflect the periods prior to the deconsolidation. See Notes 2 and 14 for further discussion. |
Receivables from contracts with customers – As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, receivables from contracts with customers were approximately $223 million and $458 million and are included within Receivables on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.
Deferred revenue – As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, deferred revenue resulting from contracts with customers was approximately $4.0 billion and $3.9 billion and is reported as Deferred non-insurance warranty revenue and within Other liabilities on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets. Approximately $839 million and $778 million of revenues recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were included in deferred revenue as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.
Performance obligations – As of September 30, 2020, approximately $13.0 billion of estimated operating revenues is expected to be recognized in the future related to outstanding performance obligations. The balance relates primarily to transportation and storage of natural gas and natural gas liquids and hydrocarbons (“NGLs”) services and non-insurance warranty revenue. Approximately $0.6 billion will be recognized during the remaining three months of 2020, $2.2 billion in and the remainder in following years. The actual timing of recognition may vary due to factors outside of the Company’s control.
10. Expected Credit Losses – Reinsurance and Insurance Receivables
As of September 30, 2020, an allowance for doubtful accounts of $24 million for reinsurance receivables has been established which relates to both amounts already billed on ceded paid losses as well as ceded reserves that will be billed when losses are paid in the future. For assessing expected credit losses, reinsurance receivables are separated into two pools; voluntary reinsurance receivables and involuntary reinsurance exposures to mandatory pools. An allowance for involuntary pools has not been recorded as there is no perceived credit risk. The principal credit quality indicator used in the valuation of the allowance on voluntary reinsurance receivables is the financial strength rating of the reinsurer sourced from major rating agencies. If the reinsurer is unrated, an internal financial strength rating is assigned based on historical loss experience and assessment of the reinsurance counterparty risk profile, which generally corresponds with a B rating. Changes in the allowance are presented as a component of Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations.
The following table summarizes the outstanding amount of voluntary reinsurance receivables, gross of any collateral arrangements, by financial strength rating:
As of September 30, 2020 |
||||
(In millions) |
||||
A- to A++ |
$ |
2,729 |
||
B- to B++ |
874 |
|||
Insolvent |
4 |
|||
Total voluntary reinsurance outstanding balance (a) |
$ |
3,607 |
(a) | Expected credit losses for legacy A&EP receivables are ceded to NICO and the reinsurance limit on the LPT has not been exhausted, therefore no allowance is recorded for these receivables and they are excluded from the table above. See Note 6 for more information on the LPT. Also excluded are receivables from involuntary pools. |
Voluntary reinsurance receivables within the B- to B++ rating distribution are primarily due from captive reinsurers and backed by collateral arrangements.
As of September 30, 2020, an allowance for doubtful accounts of $32 million for insurance receivables has been established using a loss rate methodology to determine expected credit losses for premium receivables. This methodology uses historical annual credit losses relative to gross premium written to develop a range of credit loss rates for each dollar of gross written premium underwritten. The expected credit loss for loss sensitive business in good standing is calculated on a pool basis, using historical default rate data obtained from major rating agencies. Changes in the allowance are presented as a component of Operating expenses and other on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations.
11. Benefit Plans
The Company has 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 |
||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, |
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|||||||||||||||
2020 |
2019 |
2020 |
2019 |
|||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||
Service cost |
$ |
2 |
$ |
2 |
$ |
5 |
||||||||||
Interest cost |
$ |
24 |
29 |
70 |
88 |
|||||||||||
Expected return on plan assets |
(43 |
) |
(39 |
) |
(130 |
) |
(119 |
) |
||||||||
Amortization of unrecognized net loss |
12 |
10 |
35 |
33 |
||||||||||||
Amortization of unrecognized prior service cost |
1 |
|||||||||||||||
Settlement charge |
1 |
1 |
8 |
3 |
||||||||||||
Curtailment gain |
(1 |
) |
(1 |
) |
||||||||||||
Net periodic (benefit) cost |
$ |
(6 |
) |
$ |
2 |
$ |
(14 |
) |
$ |
9 |
Other Postretirement Benefits |
||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, |
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|||||||||||||||
2020 |
2019 |
2020 |
2019 |
|||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||
Interest cost |
- |
$ |
1 |
$ |
1 |
$ |
2 |
|||||||||
Expected return on plan assets |
(2 |
) |
(2 |
) |
||||||||||||
Amortization of unrecognized net gain |
(1 |
) |
(1 |
) |
||||||||||||
Net periodic benefit |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
(1 |
) |
$ |
(1 |
) |
12. Legal Proceedings
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 Pipelines, 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 Pipelines 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 Pipelines pursuant to Boardwalk Pipelines’ 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 Pipelines 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. The Defendants filed a motion to dismiss, which was heard by the Court in July of 2019. In October of 2019, the Court ruled on the motion and granted a partial dismissal, with certain aspects of the case proceeding to trial. In October of 2020, after completion of fact discovery, Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint. In light of the amended complaint, Defendants have moved to vacate the trial date scheduled in January of 2021 and have also filed a motion to dismiss Plaintiffs’ new claims.
The Company is from time to time party 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.
13. Commitments and Contingencies
CNA Guarantees
CNA has provided guarantees, if the primary obligor fails to perform, to holders of structured settlement annuities issued by a previously owned subsidiary. As of September 30, 2020, 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.
14. Segments
Loews Corporation has five reportable segments comprised of three individual consolidated operating subsidiaries, CNA, Boardwalk Pipelines and Loews Hotels & Co; the Corporate segment and Diamond Offshore. The Corporate segment is primarily comprised of Loews Corporation excluding its subsidiaries and the operations of Altium Packaging. Diamond Offshore was deconsolidated during the second quarter of 2020. See Note 2 for further information on the deconsolidation of Diamond Offshore. Each of the operating subsidiaries and Diamond Offshore are 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 Loews Corporation’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, 2019.
The following tables present the reportable segments and their contribution to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements. Amounts presented will not necessarily be the same as those in the individual financial statements of the subsidiaries due to adjustments for purchase accounting, income taxes and noncontrolling interests.
Total assets by segment are presented in the following tables.
September 30, 2020 |
CNA Financial |
Boardwalk Pipelines |
Loews Hotels & Co |
Corporate |
Diamond Offshore (a) |
Total |
||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ |
62,728 |
$ |
9,666 |
$ |
1,685 |
$ |
5,385 |
$ |
- |
$ |
79,464 |
||||||||||||
December 31, 2019 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ |
60,583 |
$ |
9,248 |
$ |
1,728 |
$ |
4,850 |
$ |
5,834 |
$ |
82,243 |
Statements of Operations by segment are presented in the following tables.
Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 |
CNA Financial |
Boardwalk Pipelines |
Loews Hotels & Co |
Corporate |
Total |
|||||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Insurance premiums |
$ |
1,953 |
$ |
1,953 |
||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
517 |
$ |
23 |
540 |
||||||||||||||||
Investment gains |
46 |
46 |
||||||||||||||||||
Non-insurance warranty revenue |
317 |
317 |
||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues and other |
7 |
$ |
289 |
$ |
60 |
253 |
609 |
|||||||||||||
Total |
2,840 |
289 |
60 |
276 |
3,465 |
|||||||||||||||
Expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits |
1,616 |
1,616 |
||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs |
360 |
360 |
||||||||||||||||||
Non-insurance warranty expense |
293 |
293 |
||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses and other |
268 |
219 |
114 |
275 |
876 |
|||||||||||||||
Interest |
52 |
44 |
8 |
33 |
137 |
|||||||||||||||
Total |
2,589 |
263 |
122 |
308 |
3,282 |
|||||||||||||||
Income (loss) before income tax |
251 |
26 |
(62 |
) |
(32 |
) |
183 |
|||||||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit |
(36 |
) |
(6 |
) |
15 |
6 |
(21 |
) |
||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
215 |
20 |
(47 |
) |
(26 |
) |
162 |
|||||||||||||
Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests |
(23 |
) |
(23 |
) |
||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation |
$ |
192 |
$ |
20 |
$ |
(47 |
) |
$ |
(26 |
) |
$ |
139 |
Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 |
CNA Financial |
Boardwalk Pipelines |
Loews Hotels & Co |
Corporate |
Diamond Offshore (a) |
Total |
||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Insurance premiums |
$ |
1,890 |
$ |
1,890 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
487 |
$ |
36 |
$ |
2 |
525 |
||||||||||||||||||
Investment gains |
8 |
8 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-insurance warranty revenue |
292 |
292 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues and other |
9 |
$ |
296 |
$ |
156 |
250 |
249 |
960 |
||||||||||||||||
Total |
2,686 |
296 |
156 |
286 |
251 |
3,675 |
||||||||||||||||||
Expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits |
1,614 |
1,614 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs |
345 |
345 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-insurance warranty expense |
278 |
278 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses and other |
291 |
212 |
145 |
264 |
322 |
1,234 |
||||||||||||||||||
Interest |
31 |
45 |
6 |
31 |
31 |
144 |
||||||||||||||||||
Total |
2,559 |
257 |
151 |
295 |
353 |
3,615 |
||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) before income tax |
127 |
39 |
5 |
(9 |
) |
(102 |
) |
60 |
||||||||||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit |
(20 |
) |
(10 |
) |
(2 |
) |
1 |
10 |
(21 |
) |
||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
107 |
29 |
3 |
(8 |
) |
(92 |
) |
39 |
||||||||||||||||
Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests |
(11 |
) |
44 |
33 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation |
$ |
96 |
$ |
29 |
$ |
3 |
$ |
(8 |
) |
$ |
(48 |
) |
$ |
72 |
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 |
CNA Financial |
Boardwalk Pipelines |
Loews Hotels & Co |
Corporate |
Diamond Offshore (a) |
Total |
||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Insurance premiums |
$ |
5,672 |
$ |
5,672 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income (loss) |
1,380 |
$ |
(33 |
) |
1,347 |
|||||||||||||||||||
Investment losses |
(101 |
) |
(1,211 |
) |
(1,312 |
) |
||||||||||||||||||
Non-insurance warranty revenue |
926 |
926 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues and other |
20 |
$ |
926 |
$ |
236 |
754 |
$ |
305 |
2,241 |
|||||||||||||||
Total |
7,897 |
926 |
236 |
(490 |
) |
305 |
8,874 |
|||||||||||||||||
Expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits |
4,683 |
4,683 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs |
1,046 |
1,046 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-insurance warranty expense |
859 |
859 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses and other |
851 |
633 |
404 |
810 |
1,196 |
3,894 |
||||||||||||||||||
Interest |
114 |
127 |
24 |
96 |
43 |
404 |
||||||||||||||||||
Total |
7,553 |
760 |
428 |
906 |
1,239 |
10,886 |
||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) before income tax |
344 |
166 |
(192 |
) |
(1,396 |
) |
(934 |
) |
(2,012 |
) |
||||||||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit |
(40 |
) |
(43 |
) |
48 |
293 |
26 |
284 |
||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
304 |
123 |
(144 |
) |
(1,103 |
) |
(908 |
) |
(1,728 |
) |
||||||||||||||
Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests |
(32 |
) |
432 |
400 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation |
$ |
272 |
$ |
123 |
$ |
(144 |
) |
$ |
(1,103 |
) |
$ |
(476 |
) |
$ |
(1,328 |
) |
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 |
CNA Financial |
Boardwalk Pipelines |
Loews Hotels & Co |
Corporate |
Diamond Offshore (a) |
Total |
||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Insurance premiums |
$ |
5,517 |
$ |
5,517 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
1,573 |
$ |
1 |
$ |
153 |
$ |
6 |
1,733 |
||||||||||||||||
Investment gains |
41 |
41 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-insurance warranty revenue |
858 |
858 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues and other |
22 |
$ |
969 |
521 |
689 |
705 |
2,906 |
|||||||||||||||||
Total |
8,011 |
969 |
522 |
842 |
711 |
11,055 |
||||||||||||||||||
Expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits |
4,323 |
4,323 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs |
1,025 |
1,025 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-insurance warranty expense |
801 |
801 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses and other |
854 |
616 |
464 |
740 |
940 |
3,614 |
||||||||||||||||||
Interest |
120 |
136 |
16 |
85 |
92 |
449 |
||||||||||||||||||
Total |
7,123 |
752 |
480 |
825 |
1,032 |
10,212 |
||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) before income tax |
888 |
217 |
42 |
17 |
(321 |
) |
843 |
|||||||||||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit |
(161 |
) |
(56 |
) |
(14 |
) |
(4 |
) |
52 |
(183 |
) |
|||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
727 |
161 |
28 |
13 |
(269 |
) |
660 |
|||||||||||||||||
Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests |
(77 |
) |
132 |
55 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation |
$ |
650 |
$ |
161 |
$ |
28 |
$ |
13 |
$ |
(137 |
) |
$ |
715 |
(a) | Amounts presented for Diamond Offshore reflect the periods prior to the deconsolidation. |
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, Risk Factors included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020 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, 2019. This MD&A is comprised of the following sections:
Page No. |
|
Overview |
39 |
Results of Operations |
40 |
Consolidated Financial Results |
40 |
CNA Financial |
41 |
Boardwalk Pipelines |
51 |
Loews Hotels & Co |
53 |
Corporate |
54 |
Diamond Offshore |
55 |
Liquidity and Capital Resources |
56 |
Parent Company |
56 |
Subsidiaries |
56 |
Investments |
57 |
Critical Accounting Estimates |
61 |
Accounting Standards Update |
61 |
Forward-Looking Statements |
61 |
OVERVIEW
Loews Corporation is a holding company and has five reportable segments comprised of three individual consolidated operating subsidiaries, CNA Financial Corporation (“CNA”), Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP (“Boardwalk Pipelines”) and Loews Hotels Holding Corporation (“Loews Hotels & Co”); the Corporate segment and Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc. (“Diamond Offshore”). The Corporate segment is primarily comprised of Loews Corporation excluding its subsidiaries and the operations of Altium Packaging LLC (“Altium Packaging”). Diamond Offshore was deconsolidated during the second quarter of 2020. Each of the operating subsidiaries and Diamond Offshore are 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.
On April 26, 2020 (the “Filing Date”), Diamond Offshore and certain of its direct and indirect subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas seeking relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the “Chapter 11 Filing”). As a result of the Chapter 11 Filing and applicable U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, Loews Corporation no longer controls Diamond Offshore for accounting purposes, and therefore, Diamond Offshore was deconsolidated from its consolidated financial statements effective as of the Filing Date.
Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Company” as used herein means Loews Corporation including its subsidiaries, the terms “Parent Company,” “we,” “our,” “us” or like terms as used herein mean Loews Corporation excluding its subsidiaries and the term “Net income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation” as used herein means Net income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation shareholders.
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 shareholders. The ability of 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, 2019) 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.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Consolidated Financial Results
The following table summarizes net income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation by segment and net income (loss) per share attributable to Loews Corporation for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:
Three Months Ended September 30, |
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|||||||||||||||
2020 |
2019 |
2020 |
2019 |
|||||||||||||
(In millions, except per share data) |
||||||||||||||||
CNA Financial |
$ |
192 |
$ |
96 |
$ |
272 |
$ |
650 |
||||||||
Boardwalk Pipelines |
20 |
29 |
123 |
161 |
||||||||||||
Loews Hotels & Co |
(47 |
) |
3 |
(144 |
) |
28 |
||||||||||
Corporate |
(26 |
) |
(8 |
) |
(1,103 |
) |
13 |
|||||||||
Diamond Offshore (a) |
(48 |
) |
(476 |
) |
(137 |
) |
||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation |
$ |
139 |
$ |
72 |
$ |
(1,328 |
) |
$ |
715 |
|||||||
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share |
$ |
0.50 |
$ |
0.24 |
$ |
(4.70 |
) |
$ |
2.34 |
(a) |
Amounts presented for Diamond Offshore reflect the periods prior to deconsolidation. See Notes 2 and 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included under Item 1. |
Net income attributable to Loews Corporation for the three months ended September 30, 2020 was $139 million, or $0.50 per share, compared to net income of $72 million, or $0.24 per share in the comparable 2019 period. Net loss attributable to Loews Corporation for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $1.33 billion, or $4.70 per share, compared to net income of $715 million, or $2.34 per share, in the comparable 2019 period.
The increase in net income for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the 2019 period was driven by CNA. Property and casualty underwriting income before catastrophe losses and prior year development rose, as CNA posted an underlying combined ratio of 92.6%, down from 94.6% in the prior year period. CNA also benefited from higher net investment income, more net investment gains, and reduced net reserve charges in its Life & Group business. Offsetting these improvements were increased net catastrophe losses primarily from severe weather-related events.
Additionally, Loews Hotels & Co reported a net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2020 due to the revenue impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Boardwalk Pipelines’ net income also declined compared to the prior year period. The three months ended September 30, 2019 included a net loss from Diamond Offshore.
The net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was driven by six main factors: (i) an investment loss caused by the write down of the carrying value of our interest in Diamond Offshore as a result of its bankruptcy filing on April 26, 2020; (ii) drilling rig impairment charges at Diamond Offshore; (iii) operating losses at Loews Hotels; (iv) a reduction in CNA’s and the parent company’s net investment income; (v) net investment losses at CNA as compared to net investment gains in 2019; and (vi) lower property and casualty underwriting income at CNA caused mainly by higher catastrophe losses.
The economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and measures to mitigate the spread of the virus have significantly affected Loews’s results in 2020. The full impact of COVID-19 on Loews will depend on the duration of mandated and voluntary containment efforts, related economic policies, and other societal responses to the pandemic.
CNA Financial
The following table summarizes the results of operations for CNA for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 as presented in Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included under Item 1 of this Report. For further discussion of Net investment income and Investment gains (losses), see the Investments section of this MD&A.
Three Months Ended September 30, |
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|||||||||||||||
2020 |
2019 |
2020 |
2019 |
|||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||
Insurance premiums |
$ |
1,953 |
$ |
1,890 |
$ |
5,672 |
$ |
5,517 |
||||||||
Net investment income |
517 |
487 |
1,380 |
1,573 |
||||||||||||
Investment gains (losses) |
46 |
8 |
(101 |
) |
41 |
|||||||||||
Non-insurance warranty revenue |
317 |
292 |
926 |
858 |
||||||||||||
Other revenues |
7 |
9 |
20 |
22 |
||||||||||||
Total |
2,840 |
2,686 |
7,897 |
8,011 |
||||||||||||
Expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits |
1,616 |
1,614 |
4,683 |
4,323 |
||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs |
360 |
345 |
1,046 |
1,025 |
||||||||||||
Non-insurance warranty expense |
293 |
278 |
859 |
801 |
||||||||||||
Other operating expenses |
268 |
291 |
851 |
854 |
||||||||||||
Interest |
52 |
31 |
114 |
120 |
||||||||||||
Total |
2,589 |
2,559 |
7,553 |
7,123 |
||||||||||||
Income before income tax |
251 |
127 |
344 |
888 |
||||||||||||
Income tax expense |
(36 |
) |
(20 |
) |
(40 |
) |
(161 |
) |
||||||||
Net income |
215 |
107 |
304 |
727 |
||||||||||||
Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests |
(23 |
) |
(11 |
) |
(32 |
) |
(77 |
) |
||||||||
Net income attributable to Loews Corporation |
$ |
192 |
$ |
96 |
$ |
272 |
$ |
650 |
Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 Compared to 2019
Net income attributable to Loews Corporation increased $96 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period. The increase was primarily due to improved non-catastrophe current accident year underwriting results, higher net investment income driven by limited partnership returns, higher investment gains and favorable net prior year loss reserve development in the current year period. Investment gains were driven by the favorable change in fair value of non-redeemable preferred stock and higher gains on sales of fixed maturity securities. Results for the three months ended September 30, 2020 also included a $74 million charge ($52 million after tax and noncontrolling interests) related to recognition of a premium deficiency as a result of the third quarter 2020 gross premium valuation (“GPV”) in the long term care business as compared to a $216 million charge ($151 million after tax and noncontrolling interests) related to recognition of a premium deficiency as a result of the third quarter 2019 GPV. These increases to net income were partially offset by net catastrophe losses of $160 million ($112 million after tax and noncontrolling interests) for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to $32 million ($22 million after tax and noncontrolling interests) in the 2019 period. Net catastrophe losses for the three months ended September 30, 2020 were driven by severe weather-related events, primarily Hurricanes Laura, Isaias and Sally and the Midwest derecho. In addition, there was a $14 million charge (after tax and noncontrolling interests) related to the early retirement of debt for the three months ended September 30, 2020.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 Compared to 2019
Net income attributable to Loews Corporation decreased $378 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period. The decrease was primarily due to net catastrophe losses of $536 million ($377 million after tax and noncontrolling interests) for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to $128 million ($90 million after tax and noncontrolling interests) in the prior year period, lower net investment income and investment losses in the first nine months of 2020 as compared with investment gains in the prior year period. Net catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2020 include $273 million primarily related to severe weather-related events, $195 million related to COVID-19 and $68 million related to civil unrest. The decrease in net investment income was driven by lower limited partnership and common stock returns and lower yields on the fixed income portfolio. Investment losses were driven by higher impairment losses and the unfavorable change in fair value of non-
redeemable preferred stock, partially offset by higher gains on sales of fixed maturity securities. These decreases were partially offset by a $74 million charge ($52 million after tax and noncontrolling interests) in the third quarter 2020 as compared to a $216 million charge ($151 million after tax and noncontrolling interests) in the third quarter 2019 related to recognition of a premium deficiency as a result of the GPV review.
Recent Developments
CNA’s underwriting results for the first nine months of 2020 were negatively impacted by COVID-19 and the related depressed economic conditions. In many geographic locations, the virus continues to spread. Accordingly, it remains the case that months past the initial identification of the threat, all of the direct and indirect consequences and implications of COVID-19 are not yet known and may not emerge for some time. Until the virus is brought under control, the timing of any economic recovery remains uncertain. As a result, the impact to CNA’s results in the first three quarters of 2020 may not be indicative of its impacts for the remainder of 2020 or thereafter. See the Liquidity and Capital Resources and Investments sections of this MD&A and Risk Factors included under Part II, Item 1A of this Report for further discussion of the risks associated with COVID-19 and measures to mitigate the spread of the virus.
CNA experienced year-over-year growth in gross and net written premiums, excluding third party captives driven by rate increases across its property and casualty insurance lines of business. However, depressed economic conditions generally have had an unfavorable impact on premium exposures, resulting in a decrease in CNA’s estimated audit premiums during the second quarter of 2020 and causing an unfavorable impact on its net earned premiums. Additionally, in the second quarter of 2020, CNA renewed multiple property and casualty reinsurance treaties at higher costs as well as purchased additional coverage, which had an unfavorable impact on net written premiums and will have an unfavorable impact on CNA’s net earned premiums in future quarters. Lower net earned premiums have had and may continue to have an unfavorable impact on CNA’s expense ratio. CNA’s expense ratio has also been unfavorably impacted by increases in its allowance for doubtful accounts for insurance receivables, more than offset by lower travel-related expenses. If general economic conditions do not improve in the remainder of 2020 or thereafter, CNA’s net written premiums, net earned premiums and expense ratio may continue to be unfavorably impacted as a result.
While CNA’s losses incurred during the first nine months of 2020 related to COVID-19 represent CNA’s best estimate of ultimate insurance losses resulting from events occurring in the first nine months of 2020 due to the pandemic and the consequent economic crisis, given the unprecedented nature of this event, a high level of uncertainty exists as to the potential impact on insurance losses from these events or other events that might occur for the remainder of the year and thereafter. The scope, duration and magnitude of the direct and indirect effects could continue to evolve through the remainder of 2020, and possibly thereafter, and could materially impact CNA’s ultimate loss estimate, including in lines of business where losses have already been incurred as well as the potential for impacts in other lines unknown at this time. Continued spread of the virus as well as new or extended shelter in place restrictions and business closures, could cause CNA to experience additional COVID-19 related catastrophe losses in future quarters.
CNA has also experienced modest benefits in certain lines of business as a result of lower loss frequency from shelter in place restrictions. Those benefits only apply to a portion of CNA’s portfolio, as its larger portfolios, including healthcare, construction and property coverages, have seen limited benefit. In addition, the impact from lower frequency is mostly offset by higher severity in certain areas of the portfolio.
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. 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 its insurance operations, CNA utilizes the core income (loss) financial measure. Core income (loss) is calculated by excluding from net income (loss), investment gains or losses and any cumulative effects of changes in accounting guidance. In addition, core income (loss) excludes the effects of noncontrolling interests. The calculation of core income (loss) excludes investment gains or losses because investment gains or losses are generally driven by economic factors that are not necessarily reflective of CNA’s primary insurance operations. Core income (loss) is deemed to be a non-GAAP financial measure and management believes this measure is useful for investors to evaluate its insurance operations.
Property & Casualty Operations
In evaluating the results of Property & Casualty Operations, CNA utilizes the loss ratio, the loss ratio excluding catastrophes and development, the expense ratio, the dividend ratio, the combined ratio and the combined ratio excluding catastrophes and development. 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 loss ratio excluding catastrophes and development excludes net catastrophes losses and changes in estimates of claim and claim adjustment expense reserves, net of reinsurance, for prior years from the loss ratio. 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. The combined ratio excluding catastrophes and development is the sum of the loss ratio excluding catastrophes and development, the expense ratio and the dividend ratio. In addition, renewal premium change, rate, retention and new business are also utilized 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 change. 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. Gross written premiums, excluding third party captives, represents gross written premiums excluding business which is ceded to third party captives, including business related to large warranty programs.
The following tables summarize the results of CNA’s Property & Casualty Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:
Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 |
Specialty |
Commercial |
International |
Total |
||||||||||||
(In millions, except %) |
||||||||||||||||
Gross written premiums |
$ |
1,855 |
$ |
915 |
$ |
238 |
$ |
3,008 |
||||||||
Gross written premiums excluding third |
||||||||||||||||
party captives |
861 |
915 |
238 |
2,014 |
||||||||||||
Net written premiums |
795 |
804 |
222 |
1,821 |
||||||||||||
Net earned premiums |
734 |
857 |
236 |
1,827 |
||||||||||||
Net investment income |
126 |
165 |
15 |
306 |
||||||||||||
Core income |
168 |
52 |
27 |
247 |
||||||||||||
Other performance metrics: |
||||||||||||||||
Loss ratio excluding catastrophes |
||||||||||||||||
and development |
60.0 |
% |
61.0 |
% |
60.1 |
% |
60.5 |
% |
||||||||
Effect of catastrophe impacts |
1.0 |
17.0 |
3.0 |
8.7 |
||||||||||||
Effect of development-related items |
(2.0 |
) |
0.6 |
0.1 |
(0.4 |
) |
||||||||||
Loss ratio |
59.0 |
% |
78.6 |
% |
63.2 |
% |
68.8 |
% |
||||||||
Expense ratio |
30.5 |
32.3 |
34.9 |
31.8 |
||||||||||||
Dividend ratio |
0.6 |
0.3 |
||||||||||||||
Combined ratio |
89.5 |
% |
111.5 |
% |
98.1 |
% |
100.9 |
% |
||||||||
Combined ratio excluding catastrophes and development |
90.5 |
% |
93.9 |
% |
95.0 |
% |
92.6 |
% |
||||||||
Rate |
13 |
% |
11 |
% |
16 |
% |
12 |
% |
||||||||
Renewal premium change |
12 |
8 |
14 |
10 |
||||||||||||
Retention |
86 |
81 |
70 |
82 |
||||||||||||
New business |
$ |
104 |
$ |
168 |
$ |
58 |
$ |
330 |
Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 |
Specialty |
Commercial |
International |
Total |
||||||||||||
Gross written premiums |
$ |
1,766 |
$ |
860 |
$ |
226 |
$ |
2,852 |
||||||||
Gross written premiums excluding third |
||||||||||||||||
party captives |
778 |
852 |
226 |
1,856 |
||||||||||||
Net written premiums |
732 |
775 |
201 |
1,708 |
||||||||||||
Net earned premiums |
712 |
813 |
236 |
1,761 |
||||||||||||
Net investment income |
121 |
136 |
17 |
274 |
||||||||||||
Core income (loss) |
153 |
97 |
(9 |
) |
241 |
|||||||||||
Other performance metrics: |
||||||||||||||||
Loss ratio excluding catastrophes |
||||||||||||||||
and development |
60.1 |
% |
61.5 |
% |
67.3 |
% |
61.7 |
% |
||||||||
Effect of catastrophe impacts |
0.5 |
3.0 |
1.7 |
1.8 |
||||||||||||
Effect of development-related items |
(2.8 |
) |
4.8 |
0.4 |
1.2 |
|||||||||||
Loss ratio |
57.8 |
% |
69.3 |
% |
69.4 |
% |
64.7 |
% |
||||||||
Expense ratio |
31.8 |
31.7 |
38.0 |
32.5 |
||||||||||||
Dividend ratio |
0.2 |
0.6 |
0.4 |
|||||||||||||
Combined ratio |
89.8 |
% |
101.6 |
% |
107.4 |
% |
97.6 |
% |
||||||||
Combined ratio excluding catastrophes and development |
92.1 |
% |
93.8 |
% |
105.3 |
% |
94.6 |
% |
||||||||
Rate |
6 |
% |
4 |
% |
10 |
% |
6 |
% |
||||||||
Renewal premium change |
9 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
||||||||||||
Retention |
87 |
86 |
74 |
84 |
||||||||||||
New business |
$ |
91 |
$ |
173 |
$ |
52 |
$ |
316 |
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 |
Specialty |
Commercial |
International |
Total |
||||||||||||
(In millions, except %) |
||||||||||||||||
Gross written premiums |
$ |
5,331 |
$ |
3,103 |
$ |
822 |
$ |
9,256 |
||||||||
Gross written premiums excluding third party captives |
2,413 |
3,018 |
822 |
6,253 |
||||||||||||
Net written premiums |
2,231 |
2,703 |
680 |
5,614 |
||||||||||||
Net earned premiums |
2,124 |
2,470 |
699 |
5,293 |
||||||||||||
Net investment income |
315 |
389 |
44 |
748 |
||||||||||||
Core income |
354 |
96 |
15 |
465 |
||||||||||||
Other performance metrics: |
||||||||||||||||
Loss ratio excluding catastrophes |
||||||||||||||||
and development |
59.8 |
% |
60.4 |
% |
60.1 |
% |
60.1 |
% |
||||||||
Effect of catastrophe impacts |
5.7 |
14.3 |
8.9 |
10.1 |
||||||||||||
Effect of development-related items |
(2.1 |
) |
2.1 |
(0.4 |
) |
0.1 |
||||||||||
Loss ratio |
63.4 |
% |
76.8 |
% |
68.6 |
% |
70.3 |
% |
||||||||
Expense ratio |
31.5 |
33.2 |
35.6 |
32.9 |
||||||||||||
Dividend ratio |
0.1 |
0.6 |
0.3 |
|||||||||||||
Combined ratio |
95.0 |
% |
110.6 |
% |
104.2 |
% |
103.5 |
% |
||||||||
Combined ratio excluding catastrophes and development |
91.4 |
% |
94.2 |
% |
95.7 |
% |
93.3 |
% |
||||||||
Rate |
11 |
% |
9 |
% |
12 |
% |
11 |
% |
||||||||
Renewal premium change |
11 |
8 |
11 |
9 |
||||||||||||
Retention |
85 |
84 |
71 |
82 |
||||||||||||
New business |
$ |
275 |
$ |
564 |
$ |
187 |
$ |
1,026 |
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 |
||||||||||||||||
Gross written premiums |
$ |
5,191 |
$ |
2,825 |
$ |
837 |
$ |
8,853 |
||||||||
Gross written premiums excluding third |
||||||||||||||||
party captives |
2,263 |
2,742 |
837 |
5,842 |
||||||||||||
Net written premiums |
2,143 |
2,536 |
709 |
5,388 |
||||||||||||
Net earned premiums |
2,061 |
2,339 |
729 |
5,129 |
||||||||||||
Net investment income |
410 |
480 |
47 |
937 |
||||||||||||
Core income |
483 |
356 |
14 |
853 |
||||||||||||
Other performance metrics: |
||||||||||||||||
Loss ratio excluding catastrophes |
||||||||||||||||
and development |
60.2 |
% |
61.8 |
% |
61.4 |
% |
61.1 |
% |
||||||||
Effect of catastrophe impacts |
0.8 |
4.3 |
1.4 |
2.5 |
||||||||||||
Effect of development-related items |
(2.9 |
) |
1.5 |
1.9 |
(0.2 |
) |
||||||||||
Loss ratio |
58.1 |
% |
67.6 |
% |
64.7 |
% |
63.4 |
% |
||||||||
Expense ratio |
32.6 |
32.7 |
37.5 |
33.3 |
||||||||||||
Dividend ratio |
0.2 |
0.6 |
0.4 |
|||||||||||||
Combined ratio |
90.9 |
% |
100.9 |
% |
102.2 |
% |
97.1 |
% |
||||||||
Combined ratio excluding catastrophes and development |
93.0 |
% |
95.1 |
% |
98.9 |
% |
94.8 |
% |
||||||||
Rate |
4 |
% |
3 |
% |
7 |
% |
4 |
% |
||||||||
Renewal premium change |
7 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
||||||||||||
Retention |
88 |
86 |
70 |
84 |
||||||||||||
New business |
$ |
274 |
$ |
522 |
$ |
207 |
$ |
1,003 |
Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 Compared to 2019
Total gross written premiums increased $156 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period. Total net written premiums increased $113 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period.
Gross written premiums, excluding third party captives, for Specialty increased $83 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period driven by strong rate and higher new business. Net written premiums for Specialty increased $63 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period. The increase in net earned premiums for the three months ended September 30, 2020 was consistent with the trend in net written premiums in recent quarters for Specialty.
Gross written premiums for Commercial increased $55 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period driven by strong rate. Net written premiums for Commercial increased $29 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period. The increase in net earned premiums for the three months ended September 30, 2020 was consistent with the trend in net written premiums in recent quarters for Commercial.
Gross written premiums for International increased $12 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period. Excluding the effect of foreign currency exchange rates, gross written premiums increased $9 million driven by growth in Europe and Canada, partially offset by the continued impact of the strategic exit from certain Lloyd’s business classes. Net written premiums increased $21 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period. Excluding the effect of foreign currency exchange rates, net written premiums increased $18 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period. Net earned premiums for the three months ended September 30, 2020 were consistent with the same period in 2019 for International.
Core income increased $6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period primarily due to improved non-catastrophe current accident year underwriting results, higher net investment income driven by limited partnership returns and favorable net prior year loss reserve development for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with unfavorable net prior year loss reserve development in the 2019 period, largely offset by higher net catastrophe losses.
Net catastrophe losses were $160 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with $32 million in the 2019 period and primarily related to severe weather-related events. For the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, Specialty had net catastrophe losses of $7 million and $3 million, Commercial had net catastrophe losses of $146 million and $25 million and International had net catastrophe losses of $7 million and $4 million.
Favorable net prior year loss reserve development of $15 million was recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with unfavorable net prior year loss reserve development of $16 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019. For the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, Specialty recorded favorable net prior year loss reserve development of $16 million and $20 million and Commercial recorded unfavorable net prior year loss reserve development of $1 million and $35 million. Further information on net prior year loss reserve development is included in Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included under Item 1.
Specialty’s combined ratio improved 0.3 points for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period primarily due to a 1.3 point improvement in the expense ratio, largely offset by a 1.2 point increase in the loss ratio. The expense ratio improvement was driven by lower underwriting expenses and higher net earned premiums. The increase in the loss ratio was driven by lower favorable net prior year loss reserve development and higher net catastrophe losses.
Commercial’s combined ratio increased 9.9 points for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period due to a 9.3 point increase in the loss ratio and a 0.6 point increase in the expense ratio. The increase in the loss ratio was driven by higher net catastrophe losses, which were 17.0 points of the loss ratio for the three months ended September 30, 2020, as compared with 3.0 points of the loss ratio in the 2019 period, partially offset by lower unfavorable net prior year loss reserve development in the current year period. The increase in the expense ratio was driven by higher acquisition expenses partially offset by higher net earned premiums.
International’s combined ratio improved 9.3 points for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period due to a 6.2 point improvement in the loss ratio and a 3.1 point improvement in the expense ratio. The improvement in the loss ratio was primarily due to improved non-catastrophe current accident year underwriting results driven by lower large losses, partially offset by higher net catastrophe losses. The improvement in the expense ratio was driven by lower acquisition and underwriting expenses.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 Compared to 2019
Total gross written premiums increased $403 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period. Total net written premiums increased $226 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period.
Gross written premiums, excluding third party captives, for Specialty increased $150 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period driven by strong rate. Net written premiums for Specialty increased $88 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period. The increase in net earned premiums for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was consistent with the trend in net written premiums in recent quarters for Specialty.
Gross written premiums for Commercial increased $278 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period driven by strong rate and higher new business. Net written premiums for Commercial increased $167 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period. The increase in net earned premiums for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was consistent with the trend in net written premiums in recent quarters partially offset by a reduction in the estimated audit premiums as a result of the economic slowdown arising from COVID-19 for Commercial.
Gross written premiums for International decreased $15 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period. Excluding the effect of foreign currency exchange rates, gross written premiums decreased $10 million driven by the continued impact of the strategic exit from certain Lloyd’s business classes, partially offset by growth in Canada and Europe. Net written premiums decreased $29 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period. Excluding the effect of foreign currency exchange rates, net written premiums decreased $24 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period. The decrease in net earned premiums for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was consistent with the trend in net written premiums in recent quarters for International.
Core income decreased $388 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period primarily due to higher net catastrophe losses and lower net investment income driven by limited partnership and common stock returns.
Net catastrophe losses were $536 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with $128 million in the 2019 period. Net catastrophe losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 include $273 million primarily related to severe weather-related events, $195 million related to COVID-19 and $68 million related to civil unrest. Specialty net catastrophe losses of $120 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 included $109 million related to the COVID-19 pandemic and $11 million primarily related to severe weather-related events. Specialty net catastrophe losses were $16 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Commercial net catastrophe losses of $354 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 included $240 million primarily related to severe weather-related events, $66 million related to civil unrest and $48 million related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Commercial net catastrophe losses were $102 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. International net catastrophe losses of $62 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 included $38 million related to the COVID-19 pandemic and $24 million primarily related to severe weather-related events. International net catastrophe losses were $10 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.
The COVID-19 catastrophe losses, which were recognized in the first half of 2020, followed a detailed review and analysis of existing and potential exposures in light of current information, and represent CNA’s best estimate of its ultimate insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses, including defense costs resulting from the pandemic and the consequent economic crisis. The losses were substantially driven by healthcare professional liability with additional impacts from workers’ compensation, management liability, commercial property, trade credit and surety. Due to the timing and fluidity of the events, emergence pattern of claims and long tail nature of certain exposures the losses are substantially classified as incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) reserves. The COVID-19 catastrophe losses do not include the benefits of lower current accident year losses associated with lower loss frequency in certain lines of business as a result of shelter in place restrictions. Those benefits are modest and are partially offset by the impact of a reduction in the estimated audit premiums and an increase in the credit allowance for premiums receivables resulting from the depressed economic conditions.
Favorable net prior year loss reserve development of $8 million and $29 million was recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, Specialty recorded favorable net prior year loss reserve development of $47 million and $58 million and Commercial recorded unfavorable net prior year loss reserve development of $42 million and $15 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, International recorded favorable net prior year loss reserve development of $3 million as compared with unfavorable net prior year loss reserve development of $14 million in the 2019 period. Further information on net prior year loss reserve development is included in Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included under Item 1.
Specialty’s combined ratio increased 4.1 points for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period primarily due to a 5.3 point increase in the loss ratio partially offset by a 1.1 point improvement in the expense ratio. The increase in the loss ratio was primarily due to higher net catastrophe losses, which were 5.7 points of the loss ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared with 0.8 points of the loss ratio in the 2019 period. The improvement in the expense ratio was driven by lower underwriting expenses and higher net earned premiums.
Commercial’s combined ratio increased 9.7 points for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period due to a 9.2 point increase in the loss ratio and a 0.5 point increase in the expense ratio. The increase in the loss ratio was driven by higher net catastrophe losses, which were 14.3 points of the loss ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared with 4.3 point of the loss ratio in the 2019 period. The increase in the expense ratio was driven by higher acquisition expenses partially offset by higher net earned premiums.
International’s combined ratio increased 2.0 points for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period due to a 3.9 point increase in the loss ratio, partially offset by a 1.9 point improvement in the expense ratio. The increase in the loss ratio was driven by higher net catastrophe losses, which were 8.9 points of the loss ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared with 1.4 points of the loss ratio in the 2019 period, partially offset by favorable net prior year loss reserve development in the current year period. The improvement in the expense ratio was driven by lower acquisition and underwriting expenses.
Other Insurance Operations
The following table summarizes the results of CNA’s Other Insurance Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:
Three Months Ended September 30, |
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|||||||||||||||
2020 |
2019 |
2020 |
2019 |
|||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||
Net earned premiums |
$ |
127 |
$ |
130 |
$ |
380 |
$ |
390 |
||||||||
Net investment income |
211 |
213 |
632 |
636 |
||||||||||||
Core loss |
(54 |
) |
(139 |
) |
(65 |
) |
(139 |
) |
Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 Compared to 2019
Core loss improved $85 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period. Core loss for the three months ended September 30, 2020 included a $59 million charge related to the recognition of an active life reserve premium deficiency for long term care policies primarily driven by actions taken on discount rate assumptions. The normative risk free rate (the projection of the 10-year U.S. Treasury rate in the long term) was lowered by 100 basis points to 2.75% and the time period to grade up to the normative rate was extended from 6 years to 10 years. Core loss for the three months ended September 30, 2020 also included a $36 million increase in the structured settlement claim reserves and a $30 million reduction in long term care claim reserves, both resulting from the annual claim experience studies in the third quarter of 2020. Excluding the impacts of the GPV and claim reserve reviews, core results were favorable, driven by better than expected morbidity in the long term care business. During the third quarter of 2020, relative to expectations, CNA experienced lower new claim frequency, higher claim terminations and more favorable claim severity amid the effects of COVID-19. Given the uncertainty of these trends CNA increased its IBNR reserves in anticipation of increased claim activity as the COVID-19 pandemic abates. Core loss for the three months ended September 30, 2019 included a $170 million charge related to the recognition of an active life reserve premium deficiency, partially offset by a $44 million reduction in long term care claim reserves resulting from the annual claim experience study in the third quarter of 2019.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 Compared to 2019
Core loss improved $74 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period. The drivers of the core loss decrease were generally consistent with the three month discussion above.
Life & Group Policyholder Reserves
Annually, in the third quarter, CNA assesses the adequacy of its long term care future policy benefit reserves by performing a gross premium valuation (“GPV”) to determine if there is a premium deficiency. See the Insurance Reserves section of our MD&A included under Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 for further information on the reserving process.
The September 30, 2020 GPV indicated a premium deficiency of $74 million and future policy benefit reserves were increased accordingly. As a result, the long term care active life reserves carried as of September 30, 2020 represent CNA’s best estimate assumptions at that date with no margin for adverse deviation. A summary of the changes in the GPV results is presented in the table below:
(In millions) |
||||
Long term care active life reserve - change in estimated reserve margin |
||||
September 30, 2019 estimated margin |
$ |
- |
||
Changes in underlying discount rate assumptions |
(609 |
) |
||
Changes in underlying morbidity assumptions |
51 |
|||
Changes in underlying persistency assumptions |
152 |
|||
Changes in underlying premium rate action assumptions |
318 |
|||
Changes in underlying expense and other assumptions |
14 |
|||
September 30, 2020 Premium Deficiency |
$ |
(74 |
) |
The premium deficiency was primarily driven by changes in discount rate assumptions due to lower expected reinvestment rates, contemplating both near-term market indications and long-term normative assumptions. This unfavorable driver was significantly offset by higher than previously estimated rate increases on active rate increase programs, new planned rate increase filings and favorable changes to the underlying persistency and morbidity assumptions.
CNA’s projections do not indicate a pattern of expected profits in earlier future years followed by expected losses in later future years. As such, CNA will not establish additional future policy benefit reserves for profits followed by losses in periods where the long term care business generates core income. The need for these additional future policy benefit reserves will be re-evaluated in connection with the next GPV, which is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2021.
The table below summarizes the estimated pretax impact on CNA’s results of operations from various hypothetical revisions to its active life reserve assumptions. The annual GPV process involves updating all assumptions to management’s then current best estimate, and historically all significant assumptions have been revised each year. In the hypothetical revisions table below, CNA has assumed that revisions to such assumptions would occur in each policy type, age and duration within each policy group and would occur absent any changes, mitigating or otherwise, in the other assumptions. Although such hypothetical revisions are not currently required or anticipated, CNA believes they could occur based on past variances in experience and its expectations of the ranges of future experience that could reasonably occur. Any actual adjustment would be dependent on the specific policies affected and, therefore, may differ from the estimates summarized below.
September 30, 2020 |
Estimated Reduction to Pretax Income |
|||
(In millions) |
||||
Hypothetical revisions |
||||
Morbidity: |
||||
2.5% increase in morbidity |
$ |
339 |
||
5% increase in morbidity |
677 |
|||
Persistency: |
||||
5% decrease in active life mortality and lapse |
$ |
254 |
||
10% decrease in active life mortality and lapse |
469 |
|||
Discount rates: |
||||
25 basis point decline in new money interest rates |
$ |
175 |
||
50 basis point decline in new money interest rates |
356 |
|||
Premium rate actions: |
||||
25% decrease in anticipated future premium rate increases |
$ |
66 |
||
50% decrease in anticipated future premium rate increases |
132 |
The following table summarizes policyholder reserves for CNA’s long term care operations:
September 30, 2020 |
Claim and claim adjustment expenses |
Future policy benefits |
Total |
|||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||
Long term care |
$ |
2,866 |
$ |
9,678 |
$ |
12,544 |
||||||
Structured settlement annuities |
547 |
547 |
||||||||||
Other |
12 |
12 |
||||||||||
Total |
3,425 |
9,678 |
13,103 |
|||||||||
Shadow adjustments (a) |
204 |
3,035 |
3,239 |
|||||||||
Ceded reserves (b) |
137 |
265 |
402 |
|||||||||
Total gross reserves |
$ |
3,766 |
$ |
12,978 |
$ |
16,744 |
December 31, 2019 |
||||||||||||
Long term care |
$ |
2,863 |
$ |
9,470 |
$ |
12,333 |
||||||
Structured settlement annuities |
515 |
515 |
||||||||||
Other |
12 |
12 |
||||||||||
Total |
3,390 |
9,470 |
12,860 |
|||||||||
Shadow adjustments (a) |
167 |
2,615 |
2,782 |
|||||||||
Ceded reserves (b) |
159 |
226 |
385 |
|||||||||
Total gross reserves |
$ |
3,716 |
$ |
12,311 |
$ |
16,027 |
(a) | To the extent that unrealized gains on fixed income securities supporting long term care products and annuity contracts would result in a premium deficiency if those gains were realized, an increase in Insurance reserves is recorded, after tax and noncontrolling interests, as a reduction of net unrealized gains through Other comprehensive income (loss) (“Shadow Adjustments”). |
(b) | Ceded reserves relate to claim or policy reserves fully reinsured in connection with a sale or exit from the underlying business. |
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 three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:
Three Months Ended September 30, |
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|||||||||||||||
2020 |
2019 |
2020 |
2019 |
|||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||
Core income (loss): |
||||||||||||||||
Property & Casualty Operations |
$ |
247 |
$ |
241 |
$ |
465 |
$ |
853 |
||||||||
Other Insurance Operations |
(54 |
) |
(139 |
) |
(65 |
) |
(139 |
) |
||||||||
Total core income |
193 |
102 |
400 |
714 |
||||||||||||
Investment gains (losses) |
36 |
6 |
(81 |
) |
30 |
|||||||||||
Consolidating adjustments including noncontrolling interests |
(37 |
) |
(12 |
) |
(47 |
) |
(94 |
) |
||||||||
Net income attributable to Loews Corporation |
$ |
192 |
$ |
96 |
$ |
272 |
$ |
650 |
Boardwalk Pipelines
Current Events
In the third quarter of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic and measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 continued to impact the world and the United States. An excess supply of energy products has also led to disruptions in the energy sector and volatility in energy prices during 2020. Boardwalk Pipelines’ operations are considered essential critical infrastructure under current Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency guidelines and the impacts from COVID-19 and the volatile energy prices have not been significant to Boardwalk Pipelines’ business, though some of its customers have been and continue to be directly impacted by COVID-19 and the volatility in commodity prices.
The safety of Boardwalk Pipelines’ employees and operations while providing uninterrupted service to its customers remains its primary focus. Although it is difficult to reasonably determine the ongoing and future impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the volatility in energy prices, an extended downturn in the economy and depressed energy prices could negatively affect Boardwalk Pipelines’ customers and their businesses and could in turn have a material adverse effect on Boardwalk Pipelines’ business.
Firm Agreements
A substantial portion of Boardwalk Pipelines’ transportation and storage capacity is contracted for under firm agreements. For the twelve months ended September 30, 2020, approximately 90% of Boardwalk Pipelines’ revenues were derived from fixed fees under firm agreements. Boardwalk Pipelines expects to earn revenues of approximately $9.2 billion from fixed fees under committed firm agreements in place as of September 30, 2020, including agreements for transportation, storage and other services, over the remaining term of those agreements. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, Boardwalk Pipelines added approximately $643 million from the comparable amount at December 31, 2019, from contracts entered into during 2020. For Boardwalk Pipelines’ customers that are charged its maximum applicable 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 also 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 Pipelines 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 September 30, 2020.
Contract Renewals
Each year a portion of Boardwalk Pipelines’ firm transportation and storage agreements expire. The rates Boardwalk Pipelines is able to charge customers are heavily influenced by market trends (both short and longer term), including the available supply, geographical location of natural gas production, the competition between producing basins, competition with other pipelines for supply and markets, the demand for gas by end-users such as power plants,
petrochemical facilities and liquefied natural gas export facilities and the price differentials between the gas supplies and the market demand for the gas (basis differentials). Boardwalk Pipelines’ storage rates are additionally impacted by natural gas price differentials between time periods, such as winter to summer (time period price spreads), and the volatility in time period price spreads. Demand for firm service is primarily based on market conditions which can vary across Boardwalk Pipelines’ pipeline systems. While Boardwalk Pipelines has not seen a significant change in the demand for its transportation services as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic or the volatility in energy prices and excess supply of energy products, if these conditions remain for an extended period of time or re-occur, Boardwalk Pipelines could see a decline in the demand for its services. Boardwalk Pipelines 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 Pipelines’ available capacity to be lower than its long term view of the capacity, Boardwalk Pipelines may seek to shorten contract terms until market perception improves.
Over the past several years, as a result of market conditions, Boardwalk Pipelines has renewed some expiring contracts at lower rates or for shorter terms than in the past. In addition to normal contract expirations, in the 2018 to 2020 timeframe, transportation agreements associated with its significant pipeline expansion projects that were placed into service in the 2007-2009 timeframe, have expired. A substantial portion of the capacity associated with the pipeline expansion projects was recontracted, usually at lower rates or lower volumes, which has negatively impacted Boardwalk Pipelines’ operating revenues.
Results of Operations
The following table summarizes the results of operations for Boardwalk Pipelines for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 as presented in Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included under Item 1 of this Report:
Three Months Ended September 30, |
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|||||||||||||||
2020 |
2019 |
2020 |
2019 |
|||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues and other |
$ |
289 |
$ |
296 |
$ |
926 |
$ |
969 |
||||||||
Total |
289 |
296 |
926 |
969 |
||||||||||||
Expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
Operating and other |
219 |
212 |
633 |
616 |
||||||||||||
Interest |
44 |
45 |
127 |
136 |
||||||||||||
Total |
263 |
257 |
760 |
752 |
||||||||||||
Income before income tax |
26 |
39 |
166 |
217 |
||||||||||||
Income tax expense |
(6 |
) |
(10 |
) |
(43 |
) |
(56 |
) |
||||||||
Net income attributable to Loews Corporation |
$ |
20 |
$ |
29 |
$ |
123 |
$ |
161 |
Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 Compared to 2019
Total revenues decreased $7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period driven by contract expirations that were recontracted at overall lower average rates and lower utilization-related revenues, partially offset by revenues from recently completed growth projects and higher storage and parking and lending (“PAL”) revenues due to favorable market conditions.
Operating expenses increased $7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period primarily due to an increased asset base from recently completed growth projects and the expiration of property tax abatements, partially offset by the timing of maintenance projects and lower employee-related costs.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 Compared to 2019
Total revenues decreased $43 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period. Including the effect of items in fuel and transportation expense and excluding net proceeds of approximately $24 million as a result of drawing on letters of credit due to a customer bankruptcy in the 2019 period, operating revenues decreased $24 million driven by contract expirations that were recontracted at overall lower average rates, partially offset by revenues from recently completed growth projects and higher storage and PAL revenues due to favorable market conditions.
Operating expenses increased $17 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period. Excluding items offset in operating revenues, operating expenses increased $14 million, primarily due to an increased asset base from recently completed growth projects and the expiration of property tax abatements. Interest expense decreased $9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period primarily due to lower average interest rates and lower average outstanding debt.
Loews Hotels & Co
The following table summarizes the results of operations for Loews Hotels & Co for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 as presented in Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included under Item 1 of this Report:
Three Months Ended September 30, |
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|||||||||||||||
2020 |
2019 |
2020 |
2019 |
|||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||
Operating revenue |
$ |
22 |
$ |
127 |
$ |
140 |
$ |
437 |
||||||||
Gain on sale of assets |
24 |
37 |
||||||||||||||
Revenues related to reimbursable expenses |
14 |
29 |
59 |
85 |
||||||||||||
Total |
60 |
156 |
236 |
522 |
||||||||||||
Expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
Operating and other: |
||||||||||||||||
Operating |
53 |
113 |
219 |
372 |
||||||||||||
Asset impairments |
10 |
30 |
11 |
|||||||||||||
Reimbursable expenses |
14 |
29 |
59 |
85 |
||||||||||||
Depreciation |
15 |
14 |
45 |
45 |
||||||||||||
Equity (income) loss from joint ventures |
22 |
(11 |
) |
51 |
(49 |
) |
||||||||||
Interest |
8 |
6 |
24 |
16 |
||||||||||||
Total |
122 |
151 |
428 |
480 |
||||||||||||
Income (loss) before income tax |
(62 |
) |
5 |
(192 |
) |
42 |
||||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit |
15 |
(2 |
) |
48 |
(14 |
) |
||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation |
$ |
(47 |
) |
$ |
3 |
$ |
(144 |
) |
$ |
28 |
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus, twenty hotels owned and/or operated by Loews Hotels & Co temporarily suspended operations in March of 2020, with two additional hotels suspending operations in April of 2020. Of these twenty-two hotels, five were not operational as of September 30, 2020. Additionally, two hotels completed construction prior to the pandemic; one delayed opening until June of 2020, and the opening date of the second continues to be evaluated. However, occupancy rates at the operational hotels remain lower than those from the prior year, or even occupancy rates prior to March of 2020. Although Loews Hotels & Co has enacted significant measures to adjust the operating cost structure of each hotel during these suspensions and subsequent resumptions of operations, deferred most capital expenditures and reduced the operating costs of its management company, these measures could not offset the impact of significant lost revenues. Loews Hotels & Co has therefore incurred significant operating losses since the start of the pandemic.
The resumption of operations for the remaining hotels that continue to have suspended operations, as well as the potential for hotels which have resumed operations to re-suspend operations, will depend on numerous factors, many of which are outside Loews Hotels & Co’s control. Although occupancy at operational hotel properties has increased, and is expected to increase, gradually, it is nonetheless highly dependent on the travel behavior of potential hotel guests, driven largely by factors outside Loews Hotels & Co’s control, including government capacity restrictions, travel restrictions and the duration and scope of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak and related financial impact cannot be estimated at this time, Loews Hotels & Co’s results of operations,
financial condition and cash flows will be materially adversely affected for the remainder of 2020, and likely thereafter. The severity of the impact on Loews Hotels & Co will depend in large part on the duration of containment efforts, either mandated or voluntary, and the perceptions of health risks associated with COVID-19 related to business and leisure travel. In addition, once the COVID-19 outbreak is mitigated or contained, whenever that may be, historical travel patterns, both domestic and international, may continue to be disrupted either on a temporary basis or with longer term effects. These factors have contributed to impairment charges for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, and may lead to additional impairment charges in future periods.
Reduced occupancy and average daily rates caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting mitigation efforts and operating cost reduction measures are the primary reasons for the decrease in operating revenues of $105 million and $297 million and operating expenses of $60 million and $153 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 periods. Additionally, equity income from joint ventures decreased $33 million and $100 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 periods driven primarily by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Loews Hotels & Co considers events or changes in circumstances that indicate the carrying amount of its assets may not be recoverable. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, Loews Hotels & Co recorded impairment charges of $10 million and $30 million to reduce the carrying value of certain assets to their estimated fair value. The nine months ended September 30, 2019 includes impairment charges of $11 million.
Loews Hotels & Co recorded gains on the sale of assets of $24 million and $37 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 related to sales of an office building in the third quarter and an owned hotel in the second quarter.
Interest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 increased $2 million and $8 million primarily due to the increase in debt balances and less capitalized interest related to recently completed hotel development projects as compared with the 2019 periods.
Corporate
Corporate operations consist primarily of investment income at the Parent Company, operating results of Altium Packaging, Parent Company interest expense and other Parent Company 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 held at the Parent Company.
The following table summarizes the results of operations for Corporate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 as presented in Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included under Item 1 of this Report:
Three Months Ended September 30, |
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|||||||||||||||
2020 |
2019 |
2020 |
2019 |
|||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||
Net investment income (loss) |
$ |
23 |
$ |
36 |
$ |
(33 |
) |
$ |
153 |
|||||||
Investment loss |
(1,211 |
) |
||||||||||||||
Operating revenues and other |
253 |
250 |
754 |
689 |
||||||||||||
Total |
276 |
286 |
(490 |
) |
842 |
|||||||||||
Expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
Operating and other |
275 |
264 |
810 |
740 |
||||||||||||
Interest |
33 |
31 |
96 |
85 |
||||||||||||
Total |
308 |
295 |
906 |
825 |
||||||||||||
Income (loss) before income tax |
(32 |
) |
(9 |
) |
(1,396 |
) |
17 |
|||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit |
6 |
1 |
293 |
(4 |
) |
|||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation |
$ |
(26 |
) |
$ |
(8 |
) |
$ |
(1,103 |
) |
$ |
13 |
Net investment income for the Parent Company decreased $13 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period primarily due to decreased earnings from short term investments and lower results from equity based investments in the Parent Company trading portfolio. Net investment loss was $33 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with net investment income of $153 million in the 2019 period as a result of the significant decline in equity based investments in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and related containment measures.
Investment loss of $1.2 billion ($957 million after tax) for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was due to the loss recognized upon deconsolidation of Diamond Offshore as a result of its Chapter 11 Filing.
Operating revenues and other include Altium Packaging revenues of $253 million and $252 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 and $753 million and $689 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019. The increase of $1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period reflects higher volumes, largely offset by the pass-through effect of lower year-over-year resin prices. The increase of $64 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period reflects an increase of $60 million related to acquisitions in 2019 and higher volumes as a result of higher COVID-19 related demand for household chemicals, water and beverage, partially offset by the pass-through effect of lower year-over-year resin prices. Altium Packaging’s contracts generally provide for resin price changes to be passed through to its customers on a short-term lag, generally about one month. When a pass-through occurs, revenues and expenses generally change by the same amount so that Altium Packaging’s gross margin returns to the same level as prior to the change in prices.
Operating and other expenses include Altium Packaging operating expenses of $247 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 and $729 million and $675 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, which include depreciation and amortization expense. The increase in operating expenses of $54 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period is primarily due to acquisitions in 2019.
Corporate Operating and other expenses were $28 million and $17 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 and $81 million and $65 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019. The increases of $11 million and $16 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 periods are primarily due to legal and other corporate overhead expenses.
Interest expenses increased $2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period due to the May of 2020 issuance of the Parent Company’s $500 million aggregate principal amount of 3.2% senior notes due May 15, 2030. Interest expenses increased $11 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period due to the issuance by the Parent Company mentioned above and incremental borrowings by Altium Packaging to fund its 2019 acquisitions.
Diamond Offshore
Contract drilling revenues were $287 million and $676 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019. Contract drilling expenses were $254 million and $594 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019. Results for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 included in our Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements reflect only the period through the April 26, 2020 deconsolidation and also reflect lower average daily revenue earned as compared with the 2019 period. Operating and other expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 includes an aggregate asset impairment charge of $774 million ($408 million after tax and noncontrolling interests) recognized in the first quarter of 2020.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Parent Company
Parent Company cash and investments, net of receivables and payables, totaled $3.5 billion at September 30, 2020 as compared to $3.3 billion at December 31, 2019. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we received $755 million in dividends from CNA, including a special dividend of $485 million. Cash outflows during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 included the payment of $678 million to fund treasury stock purchases, $53 million of cash dividends to our shareholders, $123 million of cash contributions to Loews Hotels & Co and $19 million to purchase common shares of CNA. 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 file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) registering the future sale of an unlimited amount of our debt and equity securities from time to time. We are not responsible for the liabilities and obligations of our subsidiaries and there are no Parent Company guarantees.
In May of 2020, we completed a public offering of $500 million aggregate principal amount of 3.2% senior notes due May 15, 2030. The proceeds of this offering are available for general corporate purposes.
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 nine months ended September 30, 2020, we purchased 16.1 million shares of Loews Corporation common stock and 564,430 shares of CNA common stock.
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
Related to the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus, as the situation continues to evolve through the remainder of 2020, and possibly thereafter, uncertainty exists as to the potential impacts on CNA’s cash flows. At this time, CNA does not believe these impacts would give rise to a material liquidity concern given its overall liquid assets and anticipated future cash flows.
CNA’s cash provided by operating activities was $1.4 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and $980 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was driven by an increase in premiums collected, lower net claim payments and lower income taxes paid, partially offset by a lower level of distributions from limited partnerships.
CNA paid dividends of $3.11 per share on its common stock, including a special dividend of $2.00 per share in the nine months ended September 30, 2020. On October 30, 2020, CNA’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.37 per share, payable December 3, 2020 to shareholders of record on November 16, 2020. 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.
In August of 2020, CNA completed a public offering of $500 million aggregate principal amount of its 2.1% senior notes due August 15, 2030 and used the net proceeds to redeem the entire $400 million outstanding aggregate principal balance of its 5.8% senior notes due August 15, 2021 and for general corporate purposes. CNA has an effective shelf registration statement under which it may publicly issue debt, equity or hybrid securities from time to time.
Dividends from 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 (the “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 12 months. Additionally, ordinary dividends may only be paid from earned surplus, which is calculated by removing unrealized gains from unassigned surplus. As of September 30, 2020, CCC was in a positive earned surplus position. CCC paid dividends of $855 million and $940 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019. 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.
Boardwalk Pipelines’ cash provided by operating activities decreased $35 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the 2019 period, primarily due to the change in net income and the timing of receivables and accrued liabilities.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, Boardwalk Pipelines’ capital expenditures were $351 million and $276 million, consisting primarily of a combination of growth and maintenance capital.
In August of 2020, Boardwalk Pipelines completed a public offering of $500 million aggregate principal amount of its 3.4% senior notes due February 15, 2031, which utilized the remaining capacity under Boardwalk Pipelines’ shelf registration statement. Boardwalk Pipelines intends to use the proceeds to retire the outstanding $440 million aggregate principal amount of its 4.5% senior notes due 2021 in November of 2020, to fund growth capital expenditures and for general corporate purposes. Initially, the proceeds were used to reduce outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility. Boardwalk Pipelines anticipates that its existing capital resources, including its revolving credit facility and cash flows from operating activities, will be adequate to fund its operations and capital expenditures for 2020.
On November 19, 2020, Boardwalk Pipelines will pay a distribution of $102 million to the Company.
Certain of the hotels wholly or partially owned by Loews Hotels & Co are financed by debt facilities, with a number of different lenders. Each of the loan agreements underlying these facilities contain a variety of financial and operational covenants. As a result of the impacts of COVID-19, Loews Hotels & Co has proactively requested certain lenders, where applicable, to (1) temporarily waive certain covenants to avoid an event of default and/or further restriction of the hotel’s cash balances through the establishment of lockboxes and other measures; (2) temporarily allow funds previously restricted directly or indirectly under the hotel’s underlying loan agreement for the renewal, replacement and addition of building improvements, furniture and fixtures to be used instead for hotel operations and maintenance; (3) allow hotels under development to defer required completion and opening dates; and/or (4) defer certain interest and/or principal payments while the hotels operations are temporarily suspended or significantly impacted by a decline in occupancy. Loews Hotels & Co also continues to work with lenders on loans that are being reviewed for extension. These discussions with lenders are ongoing and may require Loews Hotels & Co to make principal paydowns or provide guaranties of a subsidiary’s debt to otherwise avoid an event of default. Through the date of this Report, Loews Hotels & Co is not in default on any of its loans.
Additionally, due to temporary suspension of operations and lost revenues in certain joint venture entities, Loews Hotels & Co has received capital call notices in accordance with the underlying joint venture agreements to support the properties’ operations. Through October 30, 2020, Loews Hotels & Co funded approximately $35 million to these joint ventures in 2020.
Through October 30, 2020, Loews Hotels & Co received capital contributions of $127 million from Loews Corporation. Additional funding from Loews Corporation during the remainder of 2020 will be needed and will depend on numerous factors, including how quickly properties are able to return to sustainable operating levels.
INVESTMENTS
Investment activities of non-insurance subsidiaries primarily consist of 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 the 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 the portfolio strategy.
Credit exposure associated with non-performance by counterparties to 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 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, 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.
The financial market disruption in the first quarter of 2020 significantly impacted CNA’s investment portfolio. Losses from its limited partnership and common and preferred equity portfolios, as well as the recognition of impairment losses on certain fixed maturity holdings, negatively impacted net income for the three months ended March 31, 2020. While financial markets have broadly recovered during the second and third quarters of 2020, CNA’s net investment income and net investment gains (losses) are lower for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period. There could be continued volatility in CNA’s investment portfolio.
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 September 30, |
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|||||||||||||||
2020 |
2019 |
2020 |
2019 |
|||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||
Fixed income securities: |
||||||||||||||||
Taxable fixed income securities |
$ |
363 |
$ |
383 |
$ |
1,094 |
$ |
1,151 |
||||||||
Tax-exempt fixed income securities |
80 |
79 |
238 |
241 |
||||||||||||
Total fixed income securities |
443 |
462 |
1,332 |
1,392 |
||||||||||||
Limited partnership investments |
64 |
12 |
38 |
125 |
||||||||||||
Common stock |
7 |
6 |
(8 |
) |
32 |
|||||||||||
Other, net of investment expense |
3 |
7 |
18 |
24 |
||||||||||||
Pretax net investment income |
$ |
517 |
$ |
487 |
$ |
1,380 |
$ |
1,573 |
||||||||
Fixed income securities after tax and noncontrolling interests |
$ |
326 |
$ |
337 |
$ |
977 |
$ |
1,018 |
||||||||
Net investment income after tax and noncontrolling interests |
$ |
377 |
$ |
356 |
$ |
1,011 |
$ |
1,147 |
Effective income yield for the fixed income securities portfolio, before tax |
4.5 |
% |
4.8 |
% |
4.6 |
% |
4.8 |
% |
||||||||
Effective income yield for the fixed income securities portfolio, after tax |
3.7 |
% |
3.9 |
% |
3.7 |
% |
3.9 |
% |
||||||||
Limited partnership and common stock return |
4.1 |
% |
0.9 |
% |
1.7 |
% |
7.7 |
% |
CNA’s pretax net investment income for the three months ended September 30, 2020 increased $30 million as compared with the 2019 period, driven by limited partnership returns partially offset by lower yields on the fixed income portfolio.
CNA’s pretax net investment income decreased $193 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period, driven by limited partnership and common stock returns and lower yields in the fixed income portfolio.
Investment Gains (Losses)
The components of CNA’s investment gains (losses) are presented in the following table:
Three Months Ended September 30, |
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|||||||||||||||
2020 |
2019 |
2020 |
2019 |
|||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||
Investment gains (losses): |
||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities: |
||||||||||||||||
Corporate and other bonds |
$ |
14 |
$ |
7 |
$ |
(105 |
) |
|||||||||
States, municipalities and political subdivisions |
6 |
1 |
39 |
$ |
13 |
|||||||||||
Asset-backed |
6 |
(5 |
) |
34 |
(19 |
) |
||||||||||
Total fixed maturity securities |
26 |
3 |
(32 |
) |
(6 |
) |
||||||||||
Non-redeemable preferred stock |
25 |
7 |
(45 |
) |
60 |
|||||||||||
Short term and other |
(5 |
) |
(2 |
) |
(24 |
) |
(13 |
) |
||||||||
Total investment gains (losses) |
46 |
8 |
(101 |
) |
41 |
|||||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit |
(10 |
) |
(2 |
) |
20 |
(11 |
) |
|||||||||
Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests |
(3 |
) |
(1 |
) |
9 |
(3 |
) |
|||||||||
Investment gains (losses) attributable to Loews Corporation |
$ |
33 |
$ |
5 |
$ |
(72 |
) |
$ |
27 |
CNA’s investment gains (losses) increased $38 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period. The increase was driven by the favorable change in fair value of non-redeemable preferred stock and higher net realized investment gains on sales of fixed maturity securities. Pretax impairment losses of $5 million on available-for-sale securities and $3 million of credit losses on mortgage loans were recognized in the current quarter.
CNA’s investment gains (losses) decreased $142 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared with the 2019 period. The decrease was driven by higher impairment losses and the unfavorable change in fair value of non-redeemable preferred stock partially offset by higher net realized investment gains on sales of fixed maturity securities. Pretax impairment losses of $108 million on available-for-sale securities and $16 million of credit losses on mortgage loans were recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
Further information on CNA’s investment gains and losses is set forth in Note 3 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:
September 30, 2020 |
December 31, 2019 |
|||||||||||||||
Estimated Fair Value |
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) |
Estimated Fair Value |
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) |
|||||||||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||||||||||
U.S. Government, Government agencies and Government-sponsored enterprises |
$ |
4,026 |
$ |
127 |
$ |
4,136 |
$ |
95 |
||||||||
AAA |
3,623 |
452 |
3,254 |
349 |
||||||||||||
AA |
6,773 |
961 |
6,663 |
801 |
||||||||||||
A |
9,470 |
1,296 |
9,062 |
1,051 |
||||||||||||
BBB |
17,488 |
2,105 |
16,839 |
1,684 |
||||||||||||
Non-investment grade |
2,521 |
38 |
2,253 |
101 |
||||||||||||
Total |
$ |
43,901 |
$ |
4,979 |
$ |
42,207 |
$ |
4,081 |
As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, 1% of CNA’s fixed maturity portfolio was rated internally. AAA rated securities included $1.9 billion and $1.5 billion of pre-funded municipal bonds as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
The following table presents CNA’s available-for-sale fixed maturity securities in a gross unrealized loss position by ratings distribution:
September 30, 2020 |
Estimated Fair Value |
Gross Unrealized Losses |
||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||
U.S. Government, Government agencies and Government-sponsored enterprises |
$ |
99 |
$ |
1 |
||||
AAA |
37 |
1 |
||||||
AA |
244 |
9 |
||||||
A |
642 |
21 |
||||||
BBB |
1,264 |
71 |
||||||
Non-investment grade |
816 |
78 |
||||||
Total |
$ |
3,102 |
$ |
181 |
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:
September 30, 2020 |
Estimated Fair Value |
Gross Unrealized Losses |
||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||
Due in one year or less |
$ |
142 |
$ |
8 |
||||
Due after one year through five years |
819 |
54 |
||||||
Due after five years through ten years |
1,479 |
83 |
||||||
Due after ten years |
662 |
36 |
||||||
Total |
$ |
3,102 |
$ |
181 |
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.
September 30, 2020 |
December 31, 2019 |
||||||
Estimated Fair Value |
Effective Duration (Years) |
Estimated Fair Value |
Effective Duration (Years) |
||||
(In millions of dollars) |
|||||||
Investments supporting Other Insurance Operations |
$ |
18,700 |
9.0 |
$ |
18,015 |
8.9 |
|
Other investments |
27,408 |
4.5 |
26,813 |
4.1 |
|||
Total |
$ |
46,108 |
6.3 |
$ |
44,828 |
6.0 |
CNA’s investment portfolio is periodically analyzed for changes in duration and related price risk. Certain securities have duration characteristics that are variable based on market interest rates, credit spreads and other factors that may drive variability in the amount and timing of cash flows. 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, 2019.
Short Term Investments
The carrying value of the components of CNA’s Short term investments are presented in the following table:
September 30, 2020 |
December 31, 2019 |
|||||||
(In millions) |
||||||||
Short term investments: |
||||||||
Commercial paper |
$ |
1,181 |
||||||
U.S. Treasury securities |
$ |
1,247 |
364 |
|||||
Other |
215 |
316 |
||||||
Total short term investments |
$ |
1,462 |
$ |
1,861 |
During 2020, CNA shifted its commercial paper holdings to U.S. Treasury securities.
In addition to short term investments, CNA held $442 million and $242 million of cash as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
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, 2019 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 in other SEC filings and periodic press releases and certain 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 in this Report, Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, Part II, Item 1A, Risk Factors in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020 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.
There were no material changes in our market risk components as of September 30, 2020. 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, 2019 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.
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 September 30, 2020.
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 September 30, 2020 that have materially affected or that are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Information on our legal proceedings is set forth in Note 12 to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included under Part I, Item 1.
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020 include a detailed discussion of certain risk factors facing the company. The information presented below updates and supplements such risk factors and should be read in conjunction with the Risk Factors included under Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and Part II, Item 1A of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020.
Risks Related to Us and Our Subsidiary, CNA Financial Corporation (“CNA”)
The coronavirus disease (“COVID-19”) pandemic and measures to mitigate the spread of the virus have resulted in significant risk across CNA’s enterprise, which have had, and may continue to have, material adverse impacts on its business, results of operations and financial condition, the extent of which cannot be determined with any certainty at this time.
The COVID-19 outbreak, and actions seeking to mitigate the spread of the virus, accelerated in both breadth and scope through the month of February 2020, with the World Health Organization declaring it a pandemic on March 11, 2020. The situation has continued to evolve exponentially with implicated exposures increasing given sustained uncertainties across the global marketplace. Both the extensiveness of the pandemic itself, as well as the measures taken to mitigate the virus spread globally, are unprecedented and their effects continue to be pervasive. In many geographic locations, the virus continues to spread. Accordingly, it remains the case that months past the initial identification of the threat, all of the direct and indirect consequences and implications of COVID-19 and measures to mitigate its spread are not yet known and may not emerge for some time.
Risks presented by the ongoing effects of COVID-19 that are known at this time include the following:
Broad economic impact: The economic effect of the pandemic has been broad in nature and has significantly impacted business operations across all industries, including CNA. Depressed economic conditions have led to and may continue to lead to decreased insured exposures causing CNA to experience declines in premium volume, especially for lines of business that are sensitive to rates of economic growth and those that are impacted by audit premium adjustments. Significant decreases in premium volume directly and adversely impacts CNA’s underwriting expense ratio. In addition, certain customers, across a broad spectrum of industries and markets, have been and continue to be impacted by lost business, which may affect CNA’s ability to collect amounts owed by policyholders. CNA recorded a decrease in its estimated audit premiums during the second quarter of 2020 impacting its net earned premium and if general economic conditions do not improve in the remainder of 2020 or thereafter, CNA’s net written premiums and net earned premiums may be depressed, which may have a material impact on its business, results of operations and financial condition, the extent of which cannot be determined with any certainty at this time.
While CNA’s losses incurred during the first nine months of 2020 related to COVID-19 and measures to mitigate its spread represent CNA’s best estimate of its ultimate insurance losses resulting from events occurring in the first nine months of 2020 due to the pandemic and the consequent economic crisis given the unprecedented nature of this event, a high level of uncertainty exists as to the potential impact on insurance losses from these events or other events that might occur for the remainder of the year and thereafter. The scope, duration and magnitude of the direct and indirect effects could continue to evolve through the remainder of 2020, and possibly thereafter, and could materially impact CNA’s ultimate loss estimate, including in lines of business where losses have already been incurred, as well as the potential for impacts in other lines unknown at this time. Continued spread of the virus, as well as new or extended shelter in place restrictions and business closures, could cause CNA to experience additional COVID-19 related catastrophe losses in future quarters, which could be material.
Financial markets and investments: The COVID-19 pandemic has also significantly impacted financial markets. As investors have embarked on a flight to quality, risk free rates have decreased. In addition, liquidity concerns and overall economic uncertainties drove increased volatility in credit spreads and equity markets. While government actions to date have provided some stability to financial markets, economic prospects in the short term continue to be depressed and CNA remains in a historically low interest rate environment. The unabated spread of the virus and the extension of efforts to mitigate the spread in numerous geographic areas will continue to cause substantial uncertainty on the timing and strength of any economic recovery and could continue to impact CNA’s investment portfolio results and valuations, and may result in additional volatility or losses in its investment portfolio, which could be material.
The value of CNA’s fixed maturity investments is subject to risk that certain investments may default or become impaired due to deterioration in the financial condition of issuers of the investments it holds or in the underlying collateral of the security or loan, particularly in industries heavily impacted by COVID-19 and mitigating actions, including energy, retail, travel, entertainment, and real estate. CNA’s municipal bond portfolio is also subject to risks of default by state and local governments and agencies that are under increased strain related to the pandemic.
These significant financial market disruptions may have a material impact on CNA’s business, results of operations and financial condition, the extent of which cannot be determined with any certainty at this time.
Claims and related litigation: Claim activity and related litigation has increased, and may continue to increase significantly, in certain lines of business as a result of the pandemic and mitigating actions. CNA has experienced, and is likely to continue to experience, increased frequency in claim submissions in product lines that are implicated
by the virus and the mitigating activities taken by its customers and governmental authorities in response to its spread, as well as increased litigation related to denial of claims based on policy coverage. These lines include primarily healthcare professional liability and workers’ compensation, as well as commercial property-related business interruption coverage, management liability (directors and officers, employment practices, and professional liability lines) and trade credit. In addition, CNA’s surety lines may continue to experience increased losses, particularly in construction surety, where there is significant risk that contractors will be adversely and materially impacted by general economic conditions. CNA has recorded significant losses in these areas in the first nine months of 2020 and may experience continued losses, which could be material.
Increased frequency or severity in any or all of the foregoing lines, or others where the exposure has yet to emerge, may have a material impact on CNA’s business, results of operations and financial condition, the extent of which cannot be determined with any certainty at this time.
CNA has also begun to incur substantial expenses related to litigation activity in connection with COVID-related legal claims. These actions primarily relate to denial of claims submitted as a result of the pandemic and the mitigating actions under commercial property policies for business interruption coverage, including lockdowns and closing of certain businesses. The significance of such litigation, both in substance and volume, and the resultant activities CNA has initiated, including external counsel engagement, and the costs related thereto, may have a material impact on CNA’s business, results of operations and financial condition, the extent of which cannot be determined with any certainty at this time.
Regulatory impact: The regulatory environment is rapidly evolving in direct response to the pandemic and the mitigating actions being taken. Numerous regulatory authorities to which CNA’s business is subject have implemented or are contemplating broad and significant regulations restricting and governing insurance company operations during the pandemic crisis. Such actions include, but are not limited to, premium moratoriums, premium refunds and reductions, restrictions on policy cancellations and potential legislation-driven expansion of policy terms. To date, certain state authorities have ordered premium refunds and certain regulatory and legislative bodies have proposed requiring insurers to cover business interruption under policies that were not written to provide for such coverage under the current circumstances. In addition, certain states have directed expansion of workers’ compensation coverage through presumption of compensability of claims for a broad category of workers. This highly fluid and challenging regulatory environment, and the new regulations CNA is now, and may be, subject to may have a material impact on its business, results of operations and financial condition, the extent of which cannot be determined with any certainty at this time.
Risks Related to Us and Our Subsidiary, Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP (“Boardwalk Pipelines”)
The outbreak of COVID-19 and the measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 could materially adversely affect Boardwalk Pipelines’ business, financial condition and results of operations.
The outbreak of COVID-19 is materially negatively impacting worldwide economic and commercial activity and financial markets and has impacted global demand for oil and petrochemical products. COVID-19 has also resulted in significant business and operational disruptions, including business closures, supply chains disruptions, travel restrictions, stay-at-home orders and limitations on the availability of workforces. If significant portions of Boardwalk Pipelines’ workforce are unable to work effectively, including because of illness, quarantines, government actions, facility closures or other restrictions in connection with COVID-19, Boardwalk Pipelines’ business could be materially adversely affected. Boardwalk Pipelines may also be unable to perform fully on its contracts and its costs may increase as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. These cost increases may not be fully recoverable. It is possible that the continued spread of COVID-19 could also further cause disruption in Boardwalk Pipelines’ customers’ business; cause delay, or limit the ability of its customers to perform, including making timely payments to Boardwalk Pipelines; and cause other unpredictable events. The impact of COVID-19 has impacted capital markets, which may impact Boardwalk Pipelines’ customers’ financial position, and recoverability of its receivables from its customers may be at risk. The full impact of COVID-19 is unknown and continues to evolve. The extent to which COVID-19 negatively impacts Boardwalk Pipelines’ business and operations will depend on the severity, location and duration of the effects and spread of COVID-19, the continued actions undertaken by federal, state and local governments and health officials to contain the virus or treat its effects, and how quickly and to what extent economic conditions improve and normal business and operating conditions resume.
Risks Related to Us and Our Subsidiary, Loews Hotels Holding Corporation (“Loews Hotels & Co”)
The COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus have had, and are expected to continue to have, a material adverse impact on Loews Hotels & Co’s results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
In response to the spread of COVID-19, governments across the globe implemented measures to mitigate the spread, such as through city, regional or national lockdowns or stay-at-home orders, narrowly defined and widespread business closures, restrictions on travel, limitations on large group gatherings and quarantines, among others. Beyond the existence of governmental restrictions, the perception of health risks associated with COVID-19 continues to further limit business and leisure travel. Furthermore, theme parks in Orlando, Florida, which temporarily closed and reopened with capacity restrictions, now operate at reduced capacity levels. In addition, certain coastal beaches repeatedly have been ordered closed and professional sports leagues suspended or modified their seasons with no or limited spectators permitted in attendance. The spread of the coronavirus, including its resurgence, and the containment efforts have had, and continue to have, macro-economic implications, including increased unemployment levels, declines in economic growth rates and possibly a global recession, the effects of which could be felt well beyond the time the spread of the virus is mitigated or contained. These developments have caused unprecedented disruptions to the global economy and normal business operations across sectors, including the hospitality industry that depends on active levels of business and leisure travel, very little of which is occurring in the current environment.
Loews Hotels & Co suspended operations at twenty of its owned and/or operated hotels in March of 2020, with two additional hotels suspending operations in April of 2020. Of these twenty-two hotels, five were not operational as of the end of September 2020. Additionally, two hotels completed construction prior to the pandemic; one delayed opening until June of 2020, and the opening date of the second continues to be evaluated. However, occupancy rates at the operational hotels remain substantially lower than those from the prior year, or even occupancy rates prior to March of 2020. As such, revenues have been substantially lower and may be insufficient to offset certain fixed costs, such as insurance and property taxes. The remaining hotels that are not operational continue to be evaluated to determine when it is prudent to resume operations, which may not be until after 2020. The potential for the suspension or resuspension of operations at operating hotels varies by hotel property and will depend on numerous factors, many of which are outside Loews Hotels & Co’s control. In addition, as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, Loews Hotels & Co has had to implement a number of new measures for the health and safety of its guests and employees. These new measures, which may need to remain in place for the foreseeable future, have resulted and will continue to result in increased costs.
Given that Loews Hotels & Co owns and leases, relative to some of its competitors, a higher proportion of its hotel properties, compared to the number of properties that it manages for third-party owners, it may as a result of COVID-19 and mitigation measures face increased risks associated with mortgage debt, including the possibility of default, cash trap periods, the inability to draw further loan disbursements and reduced availability of replacement financing at reasonable rates or at all; difficulty reducing costs; declines in real estate values and potential additional impairments in the value of Loews Hotels & Co’s assets; and a limited ability to respond to market conditions by, for instance, restricting its growth strategy. In addition, uncertain or fluctuating real estate valuations and the inability for third party purchasers to obtain capital may prevent Loews Hotels & Co from selling properties on acceptable terms.
While the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak and related financial impact cannot be estimated at this time, Loews Hotels & Co expects its results of operations, financial condition and cash flows will be materially adversely affected throughout 2020, and likely thereafter. The severity of the impact on Loews Hotels & Co will depend in large part on the duration of containment efforts, either mandated or voluntary, and the perceptions of health risks associated with COVID-19 related to business and leisure travel. In addition, once the COVID-19 outbreak is mitigated or contained, whenever that may be, historical travel patterns, both domestic and international, may continue to be disrupted either on a temporary basis or with longer term effects. For example, certain travel is dependent on commercial airlines restoring capacity, and their inability to restore full capacity could impact demand for Loews Hotels & Co’s services. Additionally, businesses now forced to rely on remote working and videoconferences may reduce the level of business travel both to save costs and to reduce the risk of exposure for their employees, and they may also seek alternatives to large public gatherings such as industry conferences. Leisure travelers may also be less inclined to travel or gather in large groups out of ongoing safety concerns, regardless of the lifting of mandated or recommended restrictions. In addition, with the expected adverse impact on jobs and the economy more broadly, at least in the short term, leisure travel will likely be further impacted due to economic reasons. Any of these trends could have continuing material adverse effects on Loews Hotels & Co’s results of operations, financial condition and cash flow.
As part of cost containment efforts, Loews Hotels & Co put a substantial number of its employees on unpaid leaves of absence or have severed them from the organization. When conditions warrant the resumption of operations that necessitate increased staffing levels, it may not be able to find or attract sufficient talent to fill the roles that have been furloughed or eliminated. Additionally, many of its service providers and suppliers have also put their employees on
leaves of absence or have severed employees. Should they be unable to find or attract sufficient talent to fill the roles that they have furloughed or eliminated, Loews Hotels & Co may not have the requisite services or supplies available to resume operations at the time or in the manner of its choosing.
Loews Hotels & Co continues to evaluate spending and manage operating expenses, including eliminating non-essential spending, reducing costs related to marketing, sales, and technology and deferring planned renovations, all of which could impair its ability to compete effectively and harm its business. Loews Hotels & Co has received and may receive additional demands or requests from labor unions that represent its employees, whether in the course of its periodic renegotiation of collective bargaining agreements or otherwise, for additional compensation, healthcare benefits, operational protocols or other terms that could increase costs, and could experience labor disputes or disruptions as it continues to implement mitigation plans. Some actions Loews Hotels & Co has taken, or may take in the future, to reduce costs for it or its third-party owners may negatively impact guest loyalty, owner preference, and its ability to attract and retain employees, and its reputation and market share may suffer as a result. Further, once the effects of the pandemic subside, the recovery period could be extended and certain operational changes, particularly with respect to enhanced health and safety measures, may continue to be necessary and could increase ongoing costs.
Hotels are buildings designed to remain open every hour of every day. As Loews Hotels & Co has not previously suspended the operations of its hotels (other than in connection with planned renovations) for an extended period of time, there may be mechanical systems that require material repair and maintenance to restart for hotels that remain under a suspension of operations, or for facilities and outlets within operational hotels that continue to not be utilized.
Loews Hotels & Co and its partners are constructing hotels in various markets. Those construction projects could be delayed as a result of COVID-19 and containment efforts associated with it, including those applicable to or affecting contractors, suppliers and inspectors required to review projects.
As a manager of hotels owned by joint ventures that Loews Hotels & Co invests in and by third parties, Loews Hotels & Co earns fees based on the revenues that those managed hotels generate. As a result of reduced revenues described above due to COVID-19 and mitigating measures, Loews Hotels & Co’s fee-based revenues are also materially reduced. These properties also have contracts that require payments by Loews Hotels & Co to preserve its management of the hotel if the hotel’s operating results do not achieve certain performance levels. These payments may be uneconomical for Loews Hotels & Co and lead to Loews Hotels & Co no longer managing one or more of those properties.
In properties in which Loews Hotels & Co has an ownership interest, Loews Hotels & Co leases space to third-party tenants and earns both fixed and variable amounts of rent, depending on each underlying lease arrangement. Some of these tenants informed Loews Hotels & Co that their operations are similarly impacted by COVID-19 business restrictions causing rent abatement periods in certain circumstances. In addition, variable rent, which is generally tied to the tenant’s sales, is materially adversely affected by the effects of the pandemic.
Risks Related to Us and Our Subsidiary, Altium Packaging LLC (“Altium Packaging”)
The COVID-19 pandemic may have an adverse impact on Altium Packaging.
Altium Packaging manufactures packaging that is used with products in critical infrastructure sectors, such as the pharmaceutical, household and industrial cleaning and food and beverage markets, and is thus an essential business as contemplated by state and local orders. It therefore continues to operate nearly all of its manufacturing facilities at full capacity to support those sectors. However, certain of Altium Packaging’s end markets, such as its commercial food services, institutional food and automotive customers, have been negatively impacted and its sales to those customers have been adversely affected. In addition, if widespread infections were to affect any of its facilities or workers, including those supporting critical infrastructure sectors, it may be required to temporarily shut down or otherwise modify the working conditions at such facilities to address the infections. Any such changes could cause Altium Packaging to be unable to meet demand from its customers if it cannot provide support from other facilities in its network.
Risks Related to Us and Our Subsidiaries Generally
The COVID-19 pandemic is having widespread impacts on the way we and our subsidiaries operate.
The spread of COVID-19 and mitigating measures has had, and continues to have, macroeconomic implications, including increased unemployment levels, declines in economic growth rates and possibly a global recession, the effects of which could be felt well beyond the time during which the spread of the virus is continuing. These developments have caused unprecedented disruptions to the global economy and normal business operations across
sectors and countries, including the sectors and countries in which we and our subsidiaries operate. Because of the size and breadth of the pandemic, all of the direct and indirect consequences of COVID-19 are not yet known and may not emerge for some time.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic workplace restrictions, both voluntary and those imposed by governmental authorities, large portions of our and our subsidiaries’ employees are working from home, which may disrupt their productivity. Similar workplace restrictions are in place at many of our and our subsidiaries’ critical vendors, which may result in interruptions in service delivery or failure by vendors to properly perform required services. In addition, having shifted to remote working arrangements and being more dependent on internet and telecommunications access and capabilities, we and our subsidiaries also face a heightened risk of cybersecurity attacks or data security incidents. We and our subsidiaries also self-insure our health benefits and therefore may experience increased medical claims as a result of the pandemic.
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) |
||||||||||||
July 1, 2020 - |
||||||||||||||||
July 31, 2020 |
- |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
||||||||||||
August 1, 2020 - |
||||||||||||||||
August 31, 2020 |
1,250,171 |
$ |
36.56 |
N/A |
N/A |
|||||||||||
September 1, 2020 - |
||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2020 |
4,154,083 |
35.82 |
N/A |
N/A |
Description of Exhibit |
Exhibit Number |
Certification by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) |
|
Certification by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) |
|
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) |
|
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) |
|
XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document |
101.INS * |
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema |
101.SCH * |
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase |
101.CAL * |
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase |
101.DEF * |
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase |
101.LAB * |
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase |
101.PRE * |
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) |
104* |
*Filed herewith.
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: November 2, 2020 |
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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