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PARTNERRE LTD - Quarter Report: 2010 September (Form 10-Q)

Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010

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 1-14536

 

 

PartnerRe Ltd.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Bermuda   Not Applicable
(State of incorporation)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

90 Pitts Bay Road, Pembroke, HM08, Bermuda

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(441) 292-0888

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

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

 

Large accelerated filer   x    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨      Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

The number of the Registrant’s common shares (par value $1.00 per share) outstanding, net of treasury shares, as of November 2, 2010 was 74,497,314.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

PartnerRe Ltd.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

 

     Page  
PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION   
ITEM 1.   

Financial Statements

  
  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     3   
  

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets—September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009

     4   
  

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income—Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

     5   
  

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity—Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

     6   
  

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

     7   
  

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

     8   
ITEM 2.   

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     24   
ITEM 3.   

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

     65   
ITEM 4.   

Controls and Procedures

     68   
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION   
ITEM 1.    Legal Proceedings      68   
ITEM 1A.    Risk Factors      69   
ITEM 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds      69   
ITEM 3.    Defaults upon Senior Securities      69   
ITEM 4.    Reserved      69   
ITEM 5.    Other Information      69   
ITEM 6.    Exhibits      69   
   Signatures      70   
   Exhibit Index      71   


Table of Contents

 

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of PartnerRe Ltd.

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of PartnerRe Ltd. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2010, and the related condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, and of shareholders’ equity and of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

We conducted our reviews in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to such condensed consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of PartnerRe Ltd. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated March 1, 2010, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2009 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

 

/s/ Deloitte & Touche
Deloitte & Touche

Hamilton, Bermuda

November 8, 2010

 

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Table of Contents

 

PartnerRe Ltd.

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except parenthetical share and per share data)

 

     September 30,
2010
    December 31,
2009
 

Assets

    

Investments:

    

Fixed maturities, trading securities, at fair value (amortized cost: 2010, $13,088,496;
2009, $13,856,840)

   $ 13,769,651     $ 14,143,093  

Short-term investments, trading securities, at fair value (amortized cost: 2010, $88,599;
2009, $134,830)

     89,016       137,346  

Equities, trading securities, at fair value (cost: 2010, $984,957; 2009, $731,387)

     1,027,338       795,539  

Other invested assets

     296,105       225,532  
                

Total investments

     15,182,110       15,301,510  

Funds held – directly managed (cost: 2010, $1,870,523; 2009, $2,126,456)

     1,919,325       2,124,826  

Cash and cash equivalents, at fair value, which approximates amortized cost

     1,437,722       738,309  

Accrued investment income

     201,400       218,739  

Reinsurance balances receivable

     2,494,034       2,249,181  

Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses

     395,865       367,453  

Funds held by reinsured companies

     918,832       938,039  

Deferred acquisition costs

     664,058       614,857  

Deposit assets

     277,275       313,798  

Net tax assets

     40,276       79,044  

Goodwill

     455,533       455,533  

Intangible assets

     191,252       247,269  

Other assets

     94,141       83,986  
                

Total assets

   $ 24,271,823     $ 23,732,544  
                

Liabilities

    

Unpaid losses and loss expenses

   $ 10,705,562     $ 10,811,483  

Policy benefits for life and annuity contracts

     1,735,930       1,615,193  

Unearned premiums

     2,019,892       1,706,816  

Other reinsurance balances payable

     528,014       426,091  

Deposit liabilities

     290,598       330,015  

Net tax liabilities

     349,866       444,789  

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other

     238,679       231,441  

Current portion of long-term debt

     —          200,000  

Debt related to senior notes

     750,000       250,000  

Debt related to capital efficient notes

     70,989       70,989  
                

Total liabilities

     16,689,530       16,086,817  
                

Shareholders’ Equity

    

Common shares (par value $1.00, issued: 2010, 83,538,734 shares; 2009, 82,585,707 shares)

     83,539       82,586  

Series C cumulative preferred shares (par value $1.00, issued and outstanding: 2010 and 2009, 11,600,000 shares; aggregate liquidation preference: 2010 and 2009, $290,000)

     11,600       11,600  

Series D cumulative preferred shares (par value $1.00, issued and outstanding: 2010 and 2009, 9,200,000 shares; aggregate liquidation preference: 2010 and 2009, $230,000)

     9,200       9,200  

Additional paid-in capital

     3,395,567       3,357,004  

Accumulated other comprehensive income:

    

Currency translation adjustment

     16,337       82,843  

Other accumulated comprehensive (loss) income (net of tax of: 2010, $3,293; 2009, $3,144)

     (4,430     2,084  

Retained earnings

     4,753,328       4,100,782  

Common shares held in treasury, at cost (2010, 8,957,377 shares; 2009, 5,000 shares)

     (682,848     (372
                

Total shareholders’ equity

     7,582,293       7,645,727  
                

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 24,271,823     $ 23,732,544  
                

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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PartnerRe Ltd.

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

     For the three
months ended
September 30,
2010
    For the three
months ended
September 30,
2009
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2010
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2009
 

Revenues

        

Gross premiums written

   $ 1,008,464     $ 893,714     $ 4,057,965     $ 3,080,243  
                                

Net premiums written

   $ 987,612     $ 891,547     $ 3,884,511     $ 3,044,264  

Decrease (increase) in unearned premiums

     325,802       199,144       (312,687     (260,994
                                

Net premiums earned

     1,313,414       1,090,691       3,571,824       2,783,270  

Net investment income

     164,402       145,350       511,978       414,071  

Net realized and unrealized investment gains

     293,164       330,226       484,683       566,643  

Net realized gain on purchase of capital efficient notes

     —          —          —          88,427  

Other income

     3,363       8,385       5,391       16,327  
                                

Total revenues

     1,774,343       1,574,652       4,573,876       3,868,738  

Expenses

        

Losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits

     748,879       574,228       2,465,847       1,552,025  

Acquisition costs

     261,668       232,475       725,919       614,133  

Other operating expenses

     118,221       102,224       406,506       284,286  

Interest expense

     12,297       6,161       32,232       21,643  

Amortization of intangible assets

     10,003       —          22,639       —     

Net foreign exchange losses

     27,074       961       12,426       5,511  
                                

Total expenses

     1,178,142       916,049       3,665,569       2,477,598  

Income before taxes and interest in earnings of equity investments

     596,201       658,603       908,307       1,391,140  

Income tax expense

     72,576       93,433       117,892       210,198  

Interest in earnings of equity investments

     1,312       1,535       5,103       1,552  
                                

Net income

     524,937       566,705       795,518       1,182,494  

Preferred dividends

     8,631       8,631       25,894       25,894  
                                

Net income available to common shareholders

   $ 516,306     $ 558,074     $ 769,624     $ 1,156,600  
                                

Comprehensive income

        

Net income

   $ 524,937     $ 566,705     $ 795,518     $ 1,182,494  

Change in currency translation adjustment

     107,572       40,121       (66,506     47,843  

Change in other accumulated comprehensive

        

(loss) income, net of tax

     (1,260     (852     (6,514     677  
                                

Comprehensive income

   $ 631,249     $ 605,974     $ 722,498     $ 1,231,014  
                                

Per share data

        

Net income per common share:

        

Basic net income

   $ 6.86     $ 9.60     $ 9.86     $ 20.26  

Diluted net income

   $ 6.76     $ 9.44     $ 9.68     $ 19.95  

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

     75,238,329       58,118,175       78,076,561       57,085,619  

Weighted average number of common and common share equivalents outstanding

     76,428,460       59,128,488       79,494,247       57,978,485  

Dividends declared per common share

   $ 0.50     $ 0.47     $ 1.50     $ 1.41  

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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PartnerRe Ltd.

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

     For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2010
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2009
 

Common shares

    

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 82,586     $ 57,749  

Issuance of common shares

     953       528  
                

Balance at end of period

     83,539       58,277  

Preferred shares

    

Balance at beginning and end of period

     20,800       20,800  

Additional paid-in capital

    

Balance at beginning of period

     3,357,004       1,465,688  

Issuance of common shares

     38,563       36,272  
                

Balance at end of period

     3,395,567       1,501,960  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

    

Balance at beginning of period

     84,927       22,808  

Change in currency translation adjustment

     (66,506     47,843  

Change in other accumulated comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax

     (6,514     677  
                

Balance at end of period

     11,907       71,328  

Retained earnings

    

Balance at beginning of period

     4,100,782       2,729,662  

Net income

     795,518       1,182,494  

Reissuance of treasury shares

     —          (13,883

Dividends on common shares

     (117,078     (79,818

Dividends on preferred shares

     (25,894     (25,894
                

Balance at end of period

     4,753,328       3,792,561  

Common shares held in treasury

    

Balance at beginning of period

     (372     (97,599

Repurchase of common shares

     (682,476     —     

Reissuance of treasury shares

     —          97,227  
                

Balance at end of period

     (682,848     (372
                

Total shareholders’ equity

   $ 7,582,293     $ 5,444,554  
                

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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PartnerRe Ltd.

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

     For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2010
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2009
 

Cash flows from operating activities

    

Net income

   $ 795,518     $ 1,182,494  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Amortization of net premium on investments

     59,766       14,938  

Amortization of intangible assets

     22,639       —     

Net realized and unrealized investment gains

     (484,683     (566,643

Net realized gain on purchase of capital efficient notes

     —          (88,427

Changes in:

    

Reinsurance balances, net

     (165,012     (186,388

Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses, net of ceded premiums payable

     (2,061     7,791  

Funds held by reinsured companies and funds held – directly managed

     178,945       (19,362

Deferred acquisition costs

     (31,300     (6,685

Net tax assets and liabilities

     (50,269     196,895  

Unpaid losses and loss expenses including life policy benefits

     172,974       (59,461

Unearned premiums

     312,687       260,994  

Other net changes in operating assets and liabilities

     56,269       38,404  
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     865,473       774,550  

Cash flows from investing activities

    

Sales of fixed maturities

     5,609,630       4,736,803  

Redemptions of fixed maturities

     962,540       799,958  

Purchases of fixed maturities

     (5,910,648     (6,029,175

Sales and redemptions of short-term investments

     175,733       168,001  

Purchases of short-term investments

     (86,252     (96,588

Sales of equities

     268,625       592,508  

Purchases of equities

     (485,455     (602,834

Other, net

     (160,862     (27,963
                

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     373,311       (459,290

Cash flows from financing activities

    

Cash dividends paid to shareholders

     (142,972     (105,712

Proceeds from issuance of senior notes

     500,000       —     

Repurchase of common shares

     (682,476     —     

Issuance of common shares

     17,487       11,777  

Contract fees on forward sale agreement

     (2,638     (3,779

Repayment of debt

     (200,000     (200,000

Purchase of capital efficient notes

     —          (94,241
                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (510,599     (391,955

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash

     (28,772     10,665  

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     699,413       (66,030

Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period

     738,309       838,280  
                

Cash and cash equivalents—end of period

   $ 1,437,722     $ 772,250  
                

Supplemental cash flow information:

    

Taxes paid

   $ 182,335     $ 74,183  

Interest paid

   $ 18,365     $ 19,209  

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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PartnerRe Ltd.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

1. Organization

PartnerRe Ltd. (the Company) provides reinsurance on a worldwide basis through its principal wholly-owned subsidiaries, including Partner Reinsurance Company Ltd., Partner Reinsurance Europe Limited, Partner Reinsurance Company of the U.S., PARIS RE SA and PARIS RE Switzerland AG. Risks reinsured include, but are not limited to, property, casualty, motor, agriculture, aviation/space, catastrophe, credit/surety, engineering, energy, marine, specialty property, specialty casualty, multiline and other lines, life/annuity and health and alternative risk products. The Company’s alternative risk products include weather and credit protection to financial, industrial and service companies on a worldwide basis.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions for Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. The Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires Management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. While Management believes that the amounts included in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect its best estimates and assumptions, actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company’s principal estimates include:

 

   

Unpaid losses and loss expenses;

 

   

Policy benefits for life and annuity contracts;

 

   

Gross and net premiums written and net premiums earned;

 

   

Recoverability of deferred acquisition costs;

 

   

Recoverability of deferred tax assets;

 

   

Valuation of goodwill and intangible assets; and

 

   

Valuation of certain assets and derivative financial instruments that are measured using significant unobservable inputs.

In the opinion of Management, all adjustments (which include normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of results for the interim periods have been made. As the Company’s reinsurance operations are exposed to low-frequency, high-severity risk events, some of which are seasonal, results for certain interim periods may include unusually low loss experience, while results for other interim periods may include significant catastrophic losses. Consequently, the Company’s results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. These Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

The following significant accounting policies were adopted by the Company during the nine months ended September 30, 2010. The adoption of these policies did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated shareholders’ equity or net income.

 

   

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued new accounting guidance which replaced the quantitative approach previously required for determining the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity (VIE) with a qualitative approach to determine whether the Company has a controlling interest (primary beneficiary) in a VIE at the date when it becomes initially involved in the VIE. The guidance also requires the Company to perform ongoing reassessments, and provide certain disclosures, related to its involvement in VIEs. The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2010.

The Company is involved in the normal course of business with VIEs as a passive investor in certain asset-backed securities, other fixed maturity investments and limited partnerships, that are issued by third party VIEs. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss with respect to these investments is limited to the investment carrying amounts reported in the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and any unfunded commitments. The Company also has three indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries that are considered to be VIEs, which were utilized to issue the Company’s Senior Notes and Capital Efficient Notes (see Note 16 to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009). The Company determined that it was not the primary beneficiary of any of these VIEs as of September 30, 2010.

 

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PartnerRe Ltd.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

 

   

In January 2010, the FASB issued new accounting guidance which requires the Company to disclose additional information about its fair value measurements at a greater level of disaggregation. The additional disclosures include information about significant transfers into and/or out of the Level 1 and 2 categories, other disclosures about inputs and valuation techniques, and expanded disclosures related to the Level 3 activity. The Company adopted the guidance related to disclosures at a greater level of disaggregation, disclosures about transfers into and/or out of the Level 1 and 2 categories and other disclosures about inputs and valuation techniques as of January 1, 2010. Expanded disclosures related to the Level 3 activity will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2010.

 

   

In March 2010, the FASB issued new accounting guidance for embedded credit derivatives, which clarifies that only a credit derivative related to the subordination of one financial instrument to another is exempt from embedded derivative bifurcation requirements. As a result, entities that have contracts containing an embedded credit derivative feature in a form other than such subordination may need to separately account for the embedded credit derivative feature. The Company adopted this guidance as of July 1, 2010.

3. New Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2010, the FASB issued new accounting guidance which requires companies to enhance the disclosures related to the credit quality of financing receivables and the allowances for credit losses. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods ending on or after December 15, 2010. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its disclosures.

In October 2010, the FASB issued new accounting guidance clarifying that only acquisition costs related directly to the successful acquisition of new or renewal insurance contracts may be capitalized. Those acquisition costs that may be capitalized include incremental direct costs, such as commissions, and a portion of salaries and benefits of certain employees who are involved in underwriting and policy issuance, that are directly related to time spent on an acquired contract. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted at the beginning of an entity’s annual reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated shareholders’ equity or net income.

4. Fair Value

(a) Fair Value of Financial Instrument Assets

The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value by maximizing the use of observable inputs and minimizing the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions about what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. The level in the hierarchy within which a given fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the measurement.

The Company determines the appropriate level in the hierarchy for each financial instrument that it measures at fair value. In determining fair value, the Company uses various valuation approaches, including market, income and cost approaches. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the reliability of inputs as follows:

 

   

Level 1 inputs—Unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access.

The Company’s financial instruments that it measures at fair value using Level 1 inputs generally include: equities listed on a major exchange, exchange traded funds and exchange traded derivatives, such as futures and certain weather derivatives, that are actively traded.

 

   

Level 2 inputs—Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets and directly or indirectly observable inputs, other than quoted prices, used in industry accepted models.

The Company’s financial instruments that it measures at fair value using Level 2 inputs generally include: U.S. Treasury bonds; U.S. Government Sponsored Entities; Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Sovereign Treasury bonds; investment grade and high yield corporate bonds; catastrophe bonds; mortgage-backed

 

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PartnerRe Ltd.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

securities; asset-backed securities; foreign exchange forward contracts and over-the-counter derivatives such as foreign currency option contracts, equity put and call options, credit default swaps and interest rate swaps.

 

   

Level 3 inputs—Unobservable inputs.

The Company’s financial instruments that it measures at fair value using Level 3 inputs generally include: unlisted equities including preference shares; unit trusts; inactively traded fixed maturities; real estate mutual fund investments; notes receivable and total return swaps.

The Company’s financial instruments measured at fair value include investments classified as trading securities, certain other invested assets and the segregated investment portfolio underlying the funds held – directly managed account. At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company’s financial instruments measured at fair value were categorized between Levels 1, 2 and 3 as follows (in thousands of U.S. dollars):

 

September 30, 2010

   Quoted prices
in active
markets for
identical assets
(Level 1)
    Significant
other
observable  inputs

(Level 2)
    Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
    Total  

Fixed maturities, trading securities

        

U.S. government and agencies

   $ —        $ 1,086,968     $ 10,532     $ 1,097,500  

Non-U.S. sovereign government, supranational and government related

     —          2,980,384       —          2,980,384  

Corporate

     —          6,600,060       16,577       6,616,637  

Asset-backed securities

     —          447,652       202,224       649,876  

Residential mortgage-backed securities

     —          2,397,653       —          2,397,653  

Other mortgage-backed securities

     —          27,047       554       27,601  
                                

Fixed maturities, trading securities

   $ —        $ 13,539,764     $ 229,887     $ 13,769,651  

Short-term investments, trading securities

   $ —        $ 89,016     $ —        $ 89,016  

Equities, trading securities

        

Consumer noncyclical

   $ 192,085     $ —        $ —        $ 192,085  

Technology

     112,288       —          —          112,288  

Finance

     105,234       —          2,428       107,662  

Communications

     107,024       —          —          107,024  

Energy

     105,804       —          —          105,804  

Industrials

     95,402       —          —          95,402  

Consumer cyclical

     78,023       —          —          78,023  

Insurance

     49,461       —          —          49,461  

Other

     86,223       —          —          86,223  

Mutual funds and exchange traded funds

     53,111       —          40,255       93,366  
                                

Equities, trading securities

   $ 984,655     $ —        $ 42,683     $ 1,027,338  

Other invested assets

        

Foreign exchange forward contracts

   $ —        $ 13,569     $ —        $ 13,569  

Foreign currency option contracts

     —          4,675       —          4,675  

Futures contracts

     (20,046     —          —          (20,046

Credit default swaps (protection purchased)

     —          (1,741     —          (1,741

Credit default swaps (assumed risks)

     —          (262     —          (262

Insurance-linked securities

     389       —          (2,548     (2,159

Total return swaps

     —          —          (4,020     (4,020

Interest rate swaps

     —          (8,629     —          (8,629

Other

     —          (36     78,871       78,835  
                                

Other invested assets

   $ (19,657   $ 7,576     $ 72,303     $ 60,222  

Funds held – directly managed

        

U.S. government and agencies

   $ —        $ 301,942     $ 369     $ 302,311  

Non-U.S. sovereign government, supranational and government related

     —          437,998       —          437,998  

Corporate

     —          929,046       —          929,046  

Mortgage/asset-backed securities

     —          —          12,258       12,258  

Short-term investments

     —          17,389       —          17,389  

Other invested assets

     —          —          30,888       30,888  
                                

Funds held – directly managed

   $ —        $ 1,686,375     $ 43,515     $ 1,729,890  
                                

Total

   $ 964,998     $ 15,322,731     $ 388,388     $ 16,676,117  

 

10


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PartnerRe Ltd.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

 

During the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, there were no significant transfers between Levels 1 and 2.

 

December 31, 2009

   Quoted prices
in active
markets for
identical assets
(Level 1)
     Significant
other
observable inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
     Total  

Fixed maturities, trading securities

   $ —         $ 13,945,500      $ 197,593      $ 14,143,093  

Short-term investments, trading securities

     —           137,346        —           137,346  

Equities, trading securities

     757,436        —           38,103        795,539  

Other invested assets

     —           39,795        16,454        56,249  

Funds held – directly managed

     —           1,790,676        39,619        1,830,295  
                                   

Total

   $ 757,436      $ 15,913,317      $ 291,769      $ 16,962,522  

At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the aggregate carrying amounts of items included in other invested assets that the Company did not measure at fair value were $235.9 million and $169.3 million, respectively, which primarily related to the Company’s investments that are accounted for using the cost method of accounting, equity method of accounting or investment company accounting.

In addition to the investments underlying the funds held – directly managed account held at fair value of $1,729.9 million and $1,830.3 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, the funds held – directly managed account also included cash and cash equivalents, carried at fair value, of $45.5 million and $145.4 million, respectively, and accrued investment income of $26.6 million and $25.2 million, respectively. At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the aggregate carrying amounts of items included in the funds held – directly managed account that the Company did not measure at fair value were $117.3 million and $123.9 million, respectively, which primarily related to other assets and liabilities held by Colisée Re related to the underlying business, which are carried at cost (see Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009).

At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, substantially all of the accrued investment income and the accrued investment income related to the investments underlying the funds held – directly managed account in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets related to investments for which the fair value option was elected.

The following tables are reconciliations of the beginning and ending balances for all financial instruments measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands of U.S. dollars):

 

For the three months ended

September 30, 2010

   Balance at
beginning
of period
    Realized
and
unrealized
investment
gains (losses)
included in
net income
    Net
purchases,
sales and
settlements
    Transfers
into
Level 3 (a)
     Balance at
end of period
    Change in
unrealized
investment
gains (losses)
relating to
assets held at
end of period
 

Fixed maturities, trading securities

             

U.S. government and agencies

   $ 9,999     $ 533     $ —        $ —         $ 10,532     $ 533  

Corporate

     15,437       109       856       175        16,577       109  

Asset-backed securities

     225,958       (1,066     (22,668     —           202,224       (3,677

Mortgage-backed securities

     854       (25     (275     —           554       (25
                                                 

Fixed maturities, trading securities

   $ 252,248     $ (449   $ (22,087   $ 175      $ 229,887     $ (3,060

Equities, trading securities

             

Finance

   $ 2,115     $ 313     $ —        $ —         $ 2,428     $ 313  

Mutual funds and exchange traded funds

     39,612       643       —          —           40,255       643  
                                                 

Equities, trading securities

   $ 41,727     $ 956     $ —        $ —         $ 42,683     $ 956  

Other invested assets

             

Derivatives, net

   $ (14,579   $ 10,011     $ (2,000   $ —         $ (6,568   $ 9,023  

Other

     50,289       (1,580     30,162       —           78,871       (1,580
                                                 

Other invested assets

   $ 35,710     $ 8,431     $ 28,162     $ —         $ 72,303     $ 7,443  

Funds held – directly managed

             

U.S. government and agencies

   $ 357     $ 12     $ —        $ —         $ 369     $ 12  

Mortgage/asset-backed securities

     12,577       (319     —          —           12,258       (319

Other invested assets

     26,825       4,063       —          —           30,888       4,063  
                                                 

Funds held – directly managed

   $ 39,759     $ 3,756     $ —        $ —         $ 43,515     $ $3,756  
                                                 

Total

   $ 369,444     $ 12,694     $ 6,075     $ 175      $ 388,388     $ 9,095  

 

(a) The Company’s policy is to recognize the transfers between the hierarchy levels at the beginning of the period.

 

11


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PartnerRe Ltd.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

 

For the three months ended

September 30, 2009

   Balance at
beginning
of period
     Realized
and
unrealized
investment
gains (losses)
included in
net income
    Net
purchases,
sales and
settlements
    Net
transfers
(out  of)/into

Level 3 (a)
    Balance at
end of period
     Change in
unrealized
investment
gains
relating to
assets held at
end of period
 

Fixed maturities

   $ 71,975      $ 2,521     $ 28,166     $ (3,878   $ 98,784      $ 1,878  

Short-term investments

     73        (35     —          (38     —           —     

Equities

     34,714        1,351       —          —          36,065        1,351  

Other invested assets

     5,289        9,673       (2,149     3,498       16,311        8,662  
                                                  

Total

   $ 112,051      $ 13,510     $ 26,017     $ (418   $ 151,160      $ 11,891  

The following tables are reconciliations of the beginning and ending balances for all financial instruments measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands of U.S. dollars):

 

For the nine months ended

September 30, 2010

   Balance at
beginning
of period
    Realized
and
unrealized
investment
gains (losses)
included in
net income
    Net
purchases,
sales and
settlements
    Net
transfers
(out  of)/into

Level 3 (a)
    Balance at
end of period
    Change in
unrealized
investment
gains (losses)
relating to
assets held at
end of period
 

Fixed maturities, trading securities

            

U.S. government and agencies

   $ 4,286     $ 806     $ 9,726     $ (4,286   $ 10,532     $ 806  

Corporate

     15,041       532       11,754       (10,750     16,577       532  

Asset-backed securities

     99,952       3,536       101,636       (2,900     202,224       1,167  

Residential mortgage-backed securities

     77,440       191       (77,631     —          —          —     

Other mortgage-backed securities

     874       129       (449     —          554       129  
                                                

Fixed maturities, trading securities

   $ 197,593     $ 5,194     $ 45,036     $ (17,936   $ 229,887     $ 2,634  

Equities, trading securities

            

Finance

   $ 2,488     $ (754   $ 694     $ —        $ 2,428     $ (60

Industrials

     805       (84     (721     —          —          —     

Mutual funds and exchange traded funds

     34,810       445       5,000       —          40,255       445  
                                                

Equities, trading securities

   $ 38,103     $ (393   $ 4,973     $ —        $ 42,683     $ 385  

Other invested assets

            

Derivatives, net

   $ (9,361   $ 14,326     $ (19,699   $ 8,166     $ (6,568   $ 10,501  

Other

     25,815       (1,749     54,805       —          78,871       (1,749
                                                

Other invested assets

   $ 16,454     $ 12,577     $ 35,106     $ 8,166     $ 72,303     $ 8,752  

Funds held – directly managed

            

U.S. government and agencies

   $ 375     $ (6   $ —        $ —        $ 369     $ (6

Non-U.S. sovereign government, supranational and government related

     3,417       (13     (3,404     —          —          —     

Mortgage/asset-backed securities

     142       (4,750     —          16,866       12,258       (4,744

Other invested assets

     35,685       (4,797     —          —          30,888       (4,797
                                                

Funds held – directly managed

   $ 39,619     $ (9,566   $ (3,404   $ 16,866     $ 43,515     $ (9,547
                                                

Total

   $ 291,769     $ 7,812     $ 81,711     $ 7,096     $ 388,388     $ 2,224  

 

(a) The Company’s policy is to recognize the transfers between the hierarchy levels at the beginning of the period.

 

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PartnerRe Ltd.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

 

For the nine months ended

September 30, 2009

   Balance at
beginning
of period
    Realized
and
unrealized
investment
gains (losses)
included in
net income
    Net
purchases,
sales and
settlements
    Net
transfers
(out of)/into
Level 3 (a)
    Balance at
end of period
     Change in
unrealized
investment
gains
relating to
assets held at

end of period
 

Fixed maturities

   $ 78,138     $ 21,262     $ 22,230     $ (22,846   $ 98,784      $ 1,679  

Short-term investments

     137       (99     —          (38     —           —     

Equities

     33,547       2,577       (59     —          36,065        2,577  

Other invested assets

     (16,136     33,393       (4,444     3,498       16,311        32,385  
                                                 

Total

   $ 95,686     $ 57,133     $ 17,727     $ (19,386   $ 151,160      $ 36,641  

During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, certain fixed maturities with a fair value of $17.9 million were transferred from Level 3 into Level 2. The reclassifications to Level 2 consisted of municipal (included within U.S. government and agencies), corporate and student loans (included within asset-backed securities) fixed maturities. The transfers into Level 2 were due to the availability of quoted prices for similar assets in active markets used for valuation as of September 30, 2010, resulting from the continued recovery of the financial markets. In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, certain derivatives with a fair value in a net liability position of $8.2 million were transferred out of Level 3 into Level 2 due to the availability of externally modeled quoted prices that use observable inputs.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, certain fixed maturities within the investments underlying the funds held – directly managed account with a fair value of $16.9 million were transferred from Level 2 into Level 3. The reclassification into Level 3 consisted of asset-backed securities and residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities. The transfers into Level 3 were the result of the lack of observable market inputs, leading the Company to apply inputs that were not directly observable.

Changes in the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments subject to the fair value option, during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, were as follows (in thousands of U.S. dollars):

 

     For the three
months ended
September  30,
2010
     For the three
months ended
September  30,
2009
    For the nine
months ended
September  30,
2010
    For the nine
months ended
September  30,
2009
 

Fixed maturities, trading securities

   $ 134,467      $ 243,234     $ 399,229     $ 381,683  

Short-term investments, trading securities

     324        (898     (2,093     (1,479

Equities, trading securities

     79,650        74,384       (21,549     199,072  

Funds held – directly managed

     24,182        N/A        55,349       N/A   
                                 

Total

   $ 238,623      $ 316,720     $ 430,936     $ 579,276  

 

N/A: not applicable

All of the above changes in fair value are included in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations under the caption Net realized and unrealized investment gains.

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating the fair value of each class of financial instrument recorded in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. There have been no material changes in the Company’s valuation techniques during the periods presented.

 

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Table of Contents

PartnerRe Ltd.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

 

Fixed maturities and short-term investments

Substantially all of the Company’s fixed maturities and short-term investments are categorized as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. The Company receives prices from independent pricing sources to measure the fair values of its fixed maturity investments. The independent pricing sources obtain market quotations and actual transaction prices for securities that have quoted prices in active markets. Each source has its own proprietary method for determining the fair value of securities that are not actively traded. In general, these methods involve the use of “matrix pricing” in which the independent pricing source applies the credit spread for a comparable security that has traded recently to the current yield curve to determine a reasonable fair value. The Company uses a pricing service ranking to consistently select the most appropriate pricing service in instances where it receives multiple quotes on the same security. When fair values are unavailable from these independent pricing sources, quotes are obtained directly from broker-dealers who are active in the corresponding markets. Most of the Company’s fixed maturities are priced from the pricing services or dealer quotes. The Company will typically not make adjustments to prices received from pricing services or dealer quotes; however, in instances where the quoted external price for a security uses significant unobservable inputs, the Company will categorize that security as Level 3. The Company’s inactively traded fixed maturities are classified as Level 3. For all fixed maturity investments, the bid price is used for estimating fair value.

To validate prices, the Company compares the fair value estimates to its knowledge of the current market and will investigate prices that it considers not to be representative of fair value. The Company also reviews an internally generated fixed maturity price validation report which converts prices received for fixed maturity investments from the independent pricing sources and from broker-dealers quotes and plots option adjusted spreads (OAS) and duration on a sector and rating basis. The OAS is calculated using established algorithms developed by an independent risk analytics platform vendor. The OAS on the fixed maturity price validation report are compared for securities in a similar sector and having a similar rating, and outliers are identified and investigated for price reasonableness. In addition, the Company completes quantitative analyses to compare the performance of each fixed maturity investment portfolio to the performance of an appropriate benchmark, with significant differences identified and investigated.

Equities

The majority of the Company’s equities are categorized as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy. In determining the fair value for equities and exchange traded funds categorized as Level 1, the Company uses prices received from independent pricing sources based on closing exchange prices. Equities categorized as Level 3 are generally mutual funds invested in securities other than the common stock of publicly traded companies, where the net asset value is not provided on a daily basis.

To validate prices, the Company completes quantitative analyses to compare the performance of each equity investment portfolio to the performance of an appropriate benchmark, with significant differences identified and investigated.

Other invested assets

The Company’s exchange traded derivatives, such as futures and certain weather derivatives are categorized as Level 1 and foreign exchange forward contracts, foreign currency option contracts, equity put and call options, interest rate swaps, and credit default swaps are categorized as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. Included in the Company’s Level 3 categorization are unlisted equities including preference shares, unit trusts, credit linked notes, notes receivable and total return swaps. The Company will generally either (i) receive a price based on a manager’s or trustee’s valuation for the asset; or (ii) develop an internal discounted cash flow model to measure fair value. Where the Company receives prices from the manager or trustee, these prices are based on the manager’s or trustee’s estimate of fair value for the assets and are generally audited on an annual basis. Where the Company develops its own discounted cash flow models, the inputs will be specific to the asset in question, based on appropriate historical information, adjusted as necessary, and using appropriate discount rates. As part of the Company’s modeling to determine the fair value of an investment, the Company considers counterparty credit risk as an input to the model, however, the majority of the Company’s counterparties are highly rated institutions and the failure of any one counterparty would not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

To validate prices, the Company will compare them to benchmarks, where appropriate, or to the business results generally within that asset class and specifically to those particular assets. In addition, the fair value measurements of all Level 3 investments are presented to, and peer reviewed by, an internal valuation committee that the Company has established.

Funds held – directly managed

The segregated investment portfolio underlying the funds held – directly managed account is comprised of fixed maturities, short-term investments and other invested assets which are fair valued on a basis consistent with the methods described above. Substantially all fixed maturities and short-term investments within the funds held – directly managed account are categorized as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.

 

14


Table of Contents

PartnerRe Ltd.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

 

The other invested assets within the segregated investment portfolio underlying the funds held – directly managed account, which are categorized as Level 3 investments, are primarily real estate mutual fund investments carried at fair value. For the real estate mutual fund investments, the Company receives a price based on the real estate fund manager’s valuation for the asset and further adjusts the price, if necessary, based on appropriate current information on the real estate market.

To validate prices within the segregated investment portfolio underlying the funds held – directly managed account, the Company utilizes the methods described above.

(b) Fair Value of Financial Instrument Liabilities

The methods and assumptions used by the Company in estimating the fair value of each class of financial instrument liability recorded in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2010, for which the Company does not measure that instrument at fair value, did not change from December 31, 2009, except for:

 

   

the fair value of the capital efficient notes (CENts), which was based on the present value of estimated discounted future cash flows at December 31, 2009, was based on quoted market prices at September 30, 2010;

 

   

the fair value of the Senior Notes, issued on March 10, 2010, was based on quoted market prices (see Note 6); and

 

   

the current portion of long-term debt was repaid in July 2010 (see Note 5).

The carrying values and fair values of the financial instrument liabilities recorded in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were as follows (in thousands of U.S. dollars):

 

     September 30, 2010      December 31, 2009  
     Carrying Value      Fair Value      Carrying Value      Fair Value  

Policy benefits for life and annuity contracts (1)

   $ 1,735,930      $ 1,735,930      $ 1,615,193      $ 1,615,193  

Current portion of long-term debt

     —           —           200,000        199,494  

Debt related to senior notes (2)

     750,000        789,666        250,000        264,438  

Debt related to capital efficient notes (3)

     63,384        54,829        63,384        56,355  

 

(1) Policy benefits for life and annuity contracts included short-duration and long-duration contracts.
(2) PartnerRe Finance A LLC and PartnerRe Finance B LLC, the issuers of the Senior Notes, do not meet consolidation requirements under U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, the Company shows the related intercompany debt of $750.0 million and $250.0 million in its Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.
(3) PartnerRe Finance II Inc., the issuer of the CENts, does not meet consolidation requirements under U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, the Company shows the related intercompany debt of $71.0 million in its Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.

5. Debt

On July 12, 2010, the Company repaid the $200 million remaining half of the original $400 million loan agreement with Citibank N.A. that was classified as current portion of long-term debt in the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2009 (see Note 15 to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009).

6. Debt Related to Senior Notes

On March 10, 2010, PartnerRe Finance B LLC (PartnerRe Finance B), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 5.500% Senior Notes (Senior Notes). The Senior Notes will mature on June 1, 2020 and may be redeemed at the option of the issuer, in whole or in part, at any time. Interest payments on the Senior Notes commenced on June 1, 2010 and is payable semi-annually at an annual fixed rate of 5.500%, and cannot be deferred.

The Senior Notes are ranked as senior unsecured obligations of PartnerRe Finance B. The Company has fully and unconditionally guaranteed all obligations of PartnerRe Finance B under the Senior Notes. The Company’s obligations under this guarantee are senior and unsecured and rank equally with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Company. The proceeds from the Senior Notes were used for general corporate purposes.

Contemporaneously, PartnerRe U.S. Holdings, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, issued a 5.500% promissory note, with a principal amount of $500 million to PartnerRe Finance B. Under the terms of the promissory note, PartnerRe U.S. Holdings promises to pay to PartnerRe Finance B the principal amount on June 1, 2020, unless previously paid. Interest on the promissory note commenced on June 1, 2010 and is payable semi-annually at an annual fixed rate of 5.500%, and cannot be deferred.

 

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PartnerRe Ltd.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

 

7. Net Income per Share

The reconciliation of basic and diluted net income per share is as follows (in thousands of U.S. dollars or shares, except per share amounts):

 

     For the three
months ended
September  30,
2010
    For the three
months ended
September  30,
2009
    For the nine
months ended
September  30,
2010
    For the nine
months ended
September  30,
2009
 

Numerator:

        

Net income

   $ 524,937     $ 566,705     $ 795,518     $ 1,182,494  

Less: preferred dividends

     (8,631     (8,631     (25,894     (25,894
                                

Net income available to common shareholders

   $ 516,306     $ 558,074     $ 769,624     $ 1,156,600  
                                

Denominator:

        

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding—basic

     75,238.3       58,118.2       78,076.6       57,085.6  

Share options and other (1)

     1,190.2       1,010.3       1,417.6       892.9  

Weighted average number of common and common share equivalents outstanding—diluted

     76,428.5       59,128.5       79,494.2       57,978.5  
                                

Basic net income per share

   $ 6.86     $ 9.60     $ 9.86     $ 20.26  

Diluted net income per share (1)

   $ 6.76     $ 9.44     $ 9.68     $ 19.95  

 

(1) At September 30, 2010 and 2009, share options to purchase 897.3 thousand and 875.8 thousand common shares, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted weighted average number of common and common share equivalents outstanding because their exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares.

8. Derivatives

The Company’s derivative instruments are recorded in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value, with changes in fair value mainly recognized in either net foreign exchange gains and losses or net realized and unrealized investment gains and losses in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations or accumulated other comprehensive income or loss in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, depending on the nature of the derivative instrument. The Company’s objectives for holding or issuing these derivatives are as follows:

Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts

The Company utilizes foreign exchange forward contracts as part of its overall currency risk management and investment strategies. From time to time, the Company also utilizes foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge a portion of its net investment exposure resulting from the translation of its foreign subsidiaries and branches whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar.

Foreign Currency Option Contracts and Futures Contracts

The Company also utilizes foreign currency option contracts to mitigate foreign currency risk. The Company uses exchange traded treasury note futures contracts to manage portfolio duration and commodity and equity futures to hedge certain investments.

Credit Default Swaps

The Company purchases protection through credit default swaps to mitigate the risk associated with its underwriting operations, most notably in the credit/surety line, and to manage market exposures.

The Company also assumes credit risk through credit default swaps to replicate investment positions. The original term of these credit default swaps is generally five years or less and there are no recourse provisions associated with these swaps. While the Company would be required to perform under exposure assumed through credit default swaps in the event of a default on the underlying issuer, no issuer was in default at September 30, 2010. The counterparties on the Company’s assumed credit default swaps are all highly rated financial institutions.

 

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PartnerRe Ltd.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

 

Insurance-Linked Securities

The Company has entered into various weather derivatives, weather futures and longevity total return swaps for which the underlying risks include parametric weather risks for the weather derivatives and weather futures, and longevity risk for the longevity total return swaps.

Total Return and Interest Rate Swaps and Interest Rate Derivatives

The Company has entered into total return swaps referencing various project and principal finance obligations. The Company has also entered into interest rate swaps to mitigate interest rate risk on certain total return swaps and interest rate derivatives to mitigate exposure to interest rate volatility.

The fair values and the related notional values of derivatives included in the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were as follows (in thousands of U.S. dollars):

 

     September 30, 2010      December 31, 2009  
     Fair
Value
    Notional
Value
     Fair
Value
    Notional
Value
 

Derivatives designated as hedges

         

Foreign exchange forward contracts (net investment hedge)

   $ —        $ —         $ 4,840     $ —     

Interest rate derivatives

     —          —           6,354       400,000  
                     

Total derivatives designated as hedges

   $ —           $ 11,194    

Derivatives not designated as hedges

         

Foreign exchange forward contracts

   $ 13,569     $ 1,732,462      $ 1,137     $ 1,333,862  

Foreign currency option contracts

     4,675       120,527        1,680       108,205  

Futures contracts

     (20,046     1,306,486        27,866       1,825,297  

Credit default swaps (protection purchased)

     (1,741     134,110        (2,056     192,996  

Credit default swaps (assumed risks)

     (262     27,500        566       22,500  

Insurance-linked securities

     (2,159     118,213        (149     48,962  

Total return swaps

     (4,020     178,126        (1,195     229,165  

Interest rate swaps(1)

     (8,629     —           (8,166     —     

Other

     —          —           130       —     
                     

Total derivatives not designated as hedges

   $ (18,613      $ 19,813    
                     

Total derivatives

   $ (18,613      $ 31,007    

 

(1) The Company enters into interest rate swaps to mitigate certain notional exposures on total return swaps. Accordingly, the notional value of interest rate swaps is not presented separately in the table.

The fair value of all derivatives at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 is recorded in other invested assets in the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The effective portion of net investment hedging derivatives recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2009 was a loss of $66.3 million. The effective portion of interest rate derivatives recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2009 was a gain of $6.4 million. There were no net investment hedges or interest rate derivatives outstanding at September 30, 2010.

The gains and losses in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for derivatives not designated as hedges for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were as follows (in thousands of U.S. dollars):

 

     For the three
months ended
September 30,
2010
    For the three
months ended
September 30,
2009
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2010
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2009
 

Foreign exchange forward contracts

   $ 33,284     $ 36,058     $ 43,825     $ 38,093  

Foreign currency option contracts

     4,774       1,861       5,908       4,044  
                                

Total included in net foreign exchange gains and losses

   $ 38,058     $ 37,919     $ 49,733     $ 42,137  
                                

Futures contracts

   $ (39,092   $ (50,148   $ (115,207   $ (15,948

Credit default swaps (protection purchased)

     (944     (5,121     (1,285     (13,957

Credit default swaps (assumed risks)

     1,528       5,721       149       5,798  

Insurance-linked securities

     5,020       120       8,834       691  

Total return swaps

     4,400       7,673       6,809       26,876  

Interest rate swaps

     (857     (921     (464     2,281  

Interest rate derivatives

     —          —          (3,848     —     

Other

     (88     —          (154     230  
                                

Total included in net realized and unrealized investment gains and losses

   $ (30,033   $ (42,676   $ (105,166   $ 5,971  
                                

Total derivatives not designated as hedges

   $ 8,025     $ (4,757   $ (55,433   $ 48,108  

 

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PartnerRe Ltd.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

 

9. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

On April 28, 2010, under the terms of the amendment to the forward sale agreement with the forward counterparty, the remaining $200 million forward sale agreement matured. Subsequent to maturity and commencing on April 28, 2010, there was a 40 day valuation period, whereby the Company could deliver up to 3.4 million common shares over the valuation period, subject to a minimum price per share of $59.05 and a maximum price per share of $84.15. As a result of the Company’s share price trading between the minimum and the maximum price per share during the valuation period, the Company did not deliver any common shares to the forward counterparty.

See Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements in Notes 15 and 18 to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

10. Credit Agreements

In the normal course of its operations, the Company enters into agreements with financial institutions to obtain unsecured and secured credit facilities. These facilities are used primarily for the issuance of letters of credit, although a portion of these facilities may also be used for liquidity purposes.

On May 14, 2010, the Company entered into an agreement to modify an existing credit facility. Under the terms of the agreement, this credit facility was increased from a $100 million unsecured credit facility to a $250 million combined credit facility, with the initial $100 million being unsecured and any utilization above that being secured. This credit facility matures on May 14, 2011, and can be extended automatically to May 14, 2012.

On July 16, 2010, the Company terminated its existing $660 million five-year syndicated unsecured credit facility, which had a maturity date of September 30, 2010, and entered into a new $750 million three-year syndicated unsecured credit facility. The new facility has the following terms: (i) a maturity date of July 16, 2013, (ii) a $250 million accordion feature, which enables the Company to potentially increase its available credit from $750 million to $1 billion, and (iii) a minimum consolidated tangible net worth requirement. The Company’s ability to increase its available credit to $1 billion is subject to the agreement of the credit facility participants. The Company’s breach of any of the covenants would result in an event of default, upon which the Company may be required to repay any outstanding borrowings and replace or cash collateralize letters of credit issued under this facility. The Company was in compliance with all of the covenants as of September 30, 2010. The new facility is predominantly used for the issuance of letters of credit, although the Company and its subsidiaries have access to a revolving line of credit of up to $375 million as part of this facility. At September 30, 2010, there were no borrowings under this revolving line of credit.

See Note 21 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 for further information related to the credit facilities available to the Company.

11. Commitments and Contingencies

(a) Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company’s investment portfolio is managed following prudent standards of diversification and a prudent investment philosophy. The Company is not exposed to any significant credit concentration risk on its investments, except for debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government and other AAA rated sovereign governments. As of September 30, 2010, the Company’s fixed maturity investments included $882.9 million, or 11.6% of the Company’s total shareholders’ equity, of AAA rated debt securities issued by the government of France. As of December 31, 2009, the Company’s fixed maturity investments included $814 million, or 10.6% of the Company’s total shareholders’ equity, of AAA rated debt securities issued by the government of France. The Company keeps cash and cash equivalents in several banks and may keep up to $500 million, excluding custodial accounts, at any point in time in any one bank.

 

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PartnerRe Ltd.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

 

See Note 19(a) to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 for a complete description of the Company’s credit risks and the related credit risk management strategies and controls.

(b) Employment Agreements

In April 2010, as part of the Company’s integration of PARIS RE (Paris Re), the Company announced a voluntary termination plan (voluntary plan) available to certain eligible employees in France. Employees participating in the voluntary plan have no compulsory notice periods, however, their expected leaving dates are largely through mid 2012. Participating employees will continue to receive salary and other employment benefits until they leave the Company.

On July 12, 2010, the Company announced certain changes in its executive management group. Related to these changes, on July 28, 2010, the Company entered into a separation agreement (letter agreement) with a member of executive management.

During the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company recorded pre-tax charges of $9.2 million and $44.4 million, respectively, related to the aggregated costs of the voluntary plan and the letter agreement within other operating expenses. The continuing salary and other employment benefits costs related to employees participating in the voluntary plan and the member of executive management will be expensed as the employee provides service and remains with the Company.

(c) Legal Proceedings

Legal proceedings at September 30, 2010 have not changed significantly since December 31, 2009. See Note 19(e) to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

12. Segment Information

The Company monitors the performance of its operations in three segments, Non-life, Life and Corporate and Other as described in Note 22 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. The Non-life segment is further divided into five sub-segments: U.S., Global (Non-U.S.) P&C, Global (Non-U.S.) Specialty, Catastrophe and Paris Re.

Because the Company does not manage its assets by segment, net investment income is not allocated to the Non-life segment. However, because of the interest-sensitive nature of some of the Company’s Life products, net investment income is considered in Management’s assessment of the profitability of the Life segment. The following items are not considered in evaluating the results of the Non-life and Life segments: net realized and unrealized investment gains and losses, net realized gain on purchase of CENts, interest expense, amortization of intangible assets, net foreign exchange gains and losses, income tax expense or benefit and interest in earnings and losses of equity investments. Segment results are shown before consideration of intercompany transactions.

Management measures results for the Non-life segment on the basis of the loss ratio, acquisition ratio, technical ratio, other operating expense ratio and combined ratio (defined below). Management measures results for the Non-life sub-segments on the basis of the loss ratio, acquisition ratio and technical ratio. Management measures results for the Life segment on the basis of the allocated underwriting result, which includes revenues from net premiums earned, other income or loss and allocated net investment income for Life, and expenses from life policy benefits, acquisition costs and other operating expenses.

 

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PartnerRe Ltd.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

 

The following tables provide a summary of the segment revenues and results for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (in millions of U.S. dollars, except ratios):

Segment Information

For the three months ended September 30, 2010

 

     U.S.     Global
(Non-U.S.)
P&C
    Global
(Non-U.S.)
Specialty
    Catastrophe     Paris Re     Total
Non-life
Segment
    Life
Segment
    Corporate
and Other
    Total  

Gross premiums written

   $ 242     $ 149     $ 276     $ 91     $ 66     $ 824     $ 183     $ 1     $ 1,008  

Net premiums written

   $ 242     $ 149     $ 269     $ 84     $ 60     $ 804     $ 183     $ 1     $ 988  

Decrease in unearned premiums

     5       28       19       90       182       324       1       —          325  
                                                                        

Net premiums earned

   $ 247     $ 177     $ 288     $ 174     $ 242     $ 1,128     $ 184     $ 1     $ 1,313  

Losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits

     (115     (133     (141     (58     (154     (601     (147     (1     (749

Acquisition costs

     (72     (46     (62     (13     (35     (228     (33     —          (261
                                                                        

Technical result

   $ 60     $ (2   $ 85     $ 103     $ 53     $ 299     $ 4     $ —        $ 303  

Other income

               2       —          1       3  

Other operating expenses

               (81     (11     (26     (118
                                          

Underwriting result

             $ 220     $ (7     n/a      $ 188  

Net investment income

                 17       147       164  
                                    

Allocated underwriting result (1) 

               $ 10       n/a        n/a   

Net realized and unrealized investment gains

                   293       293  

Interest expense

                   (12     (12

Amortization of intangible assets

                   (10     (10

Net foreign exchange losses

                   (27     (27

Income tax expense

                   (72     (72

Interest in earnings of equity investments

                   1       1  
                              

Net income

                   n/a      $ 525  
                              

Loss ratio (2)

     46.5     75.0     49.1     33.5     63.6     53.3      

Acquisition ratio (3)

     29.0       26.1       21.5       7.5       14.7       20.2        
                                                      

Technical ratio (4)

     75.5     101.1     70.6     41.0     78.3     73.5      

Other operating expense ratio (5)

               7.2        
                        

Combined ratio (6)

               80.7       
                        

 

(1) Allocated underwriting result is defined as net premiums earned, other income or loss and allocated net investment income less life policy benefits, acquisition costs and other operating expenses.
(2) Loss ratio is obtained by dividing losses and loss expenses by net premiums earned.
(3) Acquisition ratio is obtained by dividing acquisition costs by net premiums earned.
(4) Technical ratio is defined as the sum of the loss ratio and the acquisition ratio.
(5) Other operating expense ratio is obtained by dividing other operating expenses by net premiums earned.
(6) Combined ratio is defined as the sum of the technical ratio and the other operating expense ratio.

 

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PartnerRe Ltd.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

 

Segment Information

For the three months ended September 30, 2009

 

     U.S.     Global
(Non-U.S.)
P&C
    Global
(Non-U.S.)
Specialty
    Catastrophe     Total
Non-life
Segment
    Life
Segment
    Corporate
and Other
    Total  

Gross premiums written

   $ 279     $ 125     $ 284     $ 47     $ 735     $ 157     $ 2     $ 894  

Net premiums written

   $ 279     $ 124     $ 283     $ 47     $ 733     $ 157     $ 2     $ 892  

Decrease in unearned premiums

     33       36       12       112       193       3       2       198  
                                                                

Net premiums earned

   $ 312     $ 160     $ 295     $ 159     $ 926     $ 160     $ 4     $ 1,090  

Losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits

     (171     (84     (195     (9     (459     (115     —          (574

Acquisition costs

     (80     (39     (73     (12     (204     (28     —          (232
                                                                

Technical result

   $ 61     $ 37     $ 27     $ 138     $ 263     $ 17     $ 4     $ 284  

Other income

             5       —          3       8  

Other operating expenses

             (61     (13     (28     (102
                                        

Underwriting result

           $ 207     $ 4       n/a      $ 190  

Net investment income

               16       129       145  
                                  

Allocated underwriting result

             $ 20       n/a        n/a   

Net realized and unrealized investment gains

  

              330       330  

Interest expense

                 (6     (6

Net foreign exchange losses

                 (1     (1

Income tax expense

                 (93     (93

Interest in earnings of equity investments

                 2       2  
                            

Net income

                 n/a      $ 567  
                            

Loss ratio

     54.9     52.2     66.1     5.6     49.5      

Acquisition ratio

     25.7       24.5       24.8       7.4       22.0        
                                              

Technical ratio

     80.6     76.7     90.9     13.0     71.5      

Other operating expense ratio

             6.6        
                      

Combined ratio

             78.1      
                      

 

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PartnerRe Ltd.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

 

Segment Information

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010

 

     U.S.     Global
(Non-U.S.)
P&C
    Global
(Non-U.S.)
Specialty
    Catastrophe     Paris Re     Total
Non-life
Segment
    Life
Segment
    Corporate
and Other
    Total  

Gross premiums written

   $ 704     $ 634     $ 944     $ 462     $ 773     $ 3,517     $ 537     $ 4     $ 4,058  

Net premiums written

   $ 704     $ 630     $ 906     $ 455     $ 654     $ 3,349     $ 533     $ 3     $ 3,885  

(Increase) decrease in unearned premiums

     (40     (114     (96     (127     76       (301     (12     —          (313
                                                                        

Net premiums earned

   $ 664     $ 516     $ 810     $ 328     $ 730     $ 3,048     $ 521     $ 3     $ 3,572  

Losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits

     (360     (437     (499     (163     (559     (2,018     (447     (1     (2,466

Acquisition costs

     (192     (130     (176     (25     (121     (644     (82     —          (726
                                                                        

Technical result

   $ 112     $ (51   $ 135     $ 140     $ 50     $ 386     $ (8   $ 2     $ 380  

Other income

               3       2       —          5  

Other operating expenses

               (241     (38     (127     (406
                                          

Underwriting result

             $ 148     $ (44     n/a      $ (21

Net investment income

                 54       458       512  
                                    

Allocated underwriting result

               $ 10       n/a        n/a   

Net realized and unrealized investment gains

                   485       485  

Interest expense

                   (32     (32

Amortization of intangible assets

                   (23     (23

Net foreign exchange losses

                   (12     (12

Income tax expense

                   (118     (118

Interest in earnings of equity investments

                   5       5  
                              

Net income

                   n/a      $ 796  
                              

Loss ratio

     54.2     84.6     61.6     49.9     76.6     66.2      

Acquisition ratio

     28.9       25.2       21.7       7.7       16.5       21.1        
                                                      

Technical ratio

     83.1     109.8     83.3     57.6     93.1     87.3      

Other operating expense ratio

               7.9        
                        

Combined ratio

               95.2      
                        

 

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PartnerRe Ltd.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

 

Segment Information

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009

 

     U.S.     Global
(Non-U.S.)
P&C
    Global
(Non-U.S.)
Specialty
    Catastrophe     Total
Non-life
Segment
    Life
Segment
    Corporate
and Other
    Total  

Gross premiums written

   $ 840     $ 544     $ 875     $ 376     $ 2,635     $ 438     $ 7     $ 3,080  

Net premiums written

   $ 841     $ 541     $ 846     $ 376     $ 2,604     $ 433     $ 7     $ 3,044  

Increase in unearned premiums

     (29     (63     (72     (86     (250     (10     (1     (261
                                                                

Net premiums earned

   $ 812     $ 478     $ 774     $ 290     $ 2,354     $ 423     $ 6     $ 2,783  

Losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits

     (498     (241     (504     2       (1,241     (313     2       (1,552

Acquisition costs

     (206     (119     (183     (23     (531     (83     —          (614
                                                                

Technical result

   $ 108     $ 118     $ 87     $ 269     $ 582     $ 27     $ 8     $ 617  

Other income

             9       2       5       16  

Other operating expenses

             (170     (34     (80     (284
                                        

Underwriting result

           $ 421     $ (5     n/a      $ 349  

Net investment income

               46       368       414  
                                  

Allocated underwriting result

             $ 41       n/a        n/a   

Net realized and unrealized investment gains

                 567       567  

Net realized gain on purchase of capital efficient notes

                 89       89  

Interest expense

                 (22     (22

Net foreign exchange losses

                 (6     (6

Income tax expense

                 (210     (210

Interest in earnings of equity investments

                 1       1  
                            

Net income

                 n/a      $ 1,182  
                            

Loss ratio

     61.3     50.5     65.1     (0.8 )%      52.7      

Acquisition ratio

     25.4       24.8       23.7       8.1       22.6        
                                              

Technical ratio

     86.7     75.3     88.8     7.3     75.3      

Other operating expense ratio

             7.2        
                      

Combined ratio

             82.5      
                      

 

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

Executive Overview

The Company is a leading global reinsurer, with a broadly diversified and balanced portfolio of traditional reinsurance risks and capital markets risks.

Successful risk management is the foundation of the Company’s value proposition, with diversification of risks at the core of its risk management strategy. The Company’s ability to succeed in the risk assumption and management business is dependent on its ability to accurately analyze and quantify risk, to understand volatility and how risks aggregate or correlate, and to establish the appropriate capital requirements and limits for the risks assumed. All risks are managed by the Company within an integrated framework of policies and processes that ensure the intelligent and consistent evaluation and valuation of risk, and ultimately provide an appropriate return to shareholders.

The Company’s economic objective is to manage a portfolio of risks that will generate compound annual diluted book value per share growth of 10 percent and an average operating return on beginning shareholders’ equity of 13 percent over a reinsurance cycle.

See Executive Overview—Key Financial Measures and Other Key Issues of Management in Item 7 of Part II of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Risk Management

A key challenge in the reinsurance industry is to create economic value through the intelligent assumption of reinsurance and capital markets and investment risk, but also to limit or mitigate those risks that can destroy tangible as well as intangible value. Management believes that every organization faces numerous risks that could threaten the successful achievement of a company’s goals and objectives. These include choice of strategy and markets, economic and business cycles, competition, changes in regulation, data quality and security, fraud, business interruption and management continuity; all factors which can be viewed as either strategic or operational risks that are common to any industry. See Risk Factors in Item 1A of Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and Risk Factors in Item 1A of Part II of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2010. In addition to these risks, the Company assumes risks and its results are primarily determined by how well the Company understands, prices and manages assumed risk. While many industries and companies start with a return goal and then attempt to shed risks that may derail that goal, the Company starts with a capital-based risk appetite and then looks for risks that meet its return targets within that framework. Management believes that this construct allows the Company to balance the cedants’ need for absolute certainty of claims payment with the shareholders’ need for an adequate return on their capital. See Executive Overview—Other Key Issues of Management—Risk Management in Item 7 of Part II of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 for a complete description of the Company’s risks, risk management framework and the related risk management strategies and controls.

The Company manages assumed risk at a strategic level through diversification, risk appetite, and limits. For each key risk, the Board approves a risk appetite that the Company defines as the percentage of economic capital the Company is willing to expose to economic loss with a modeled probability of occurring once every 15 years and once every 75 years. The Company manages its exposure to key risks such that the modeled economic loss at a 1 in 15 year and a 1 in 75 year return period are less than the economic capital the Company is willing to expose to the key risks at those return periods.

The major risks to the Company’s balance sheet are typically due to events that Management refers to as shock losses. The Company defines a shock loss as an event that has the potential to materially impact economic value. The Company defines its economic value as the difference between the net present value of tangible assets and the net present value of liabilities, using appropriate risk discount rates, plus the unrecognized value of our Life portfolio. For traded assets, the calculated net present values are equivalent to market values.

There are four areas of risk that the Company has currently identified as having the greatest potential for shock losses: catastrophe, reserving for casualty and other long-tail lines, equity and equity-like investment risk and longevity risk. The Company manages the risk of shock losses by setting risk appetite and limits, as described above and below, for each type of shock loss. The Company establishes limits to manage the maximum foreseeable loss from any one event and considers the possibility that several shock losses could occur at one time, for example a major catastrophe event accompanied by a collapse in the equity markets. Management believes that the limits that it has placed on shock losses will allow the Company to continue writing business should such an event occur.

See Executive Overview—Other Key Issues of Management—Risk Management in Item 7 of Part II of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 for a discussion of the Company’s exposure to catastrophe risk, casualty reserving risk and equity investment risk.

 

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During the three months ended March 31, 2010, Management identified longevity risk as the fourth area of risk having the potential for shock losses. Management considers longevity exposure to have a material accumulation potential and has established a limit to manage the risk of loss associated with this exposure. The Company defines longevity risk as the potential for increased actual and future expected annuity payments resulting from annuitants living longer than expected, or the expectation that annuitants will live longer in the future. Assuming longevity risk, through reinsurance or capital markets transactions, is part of the Company’s strategy of building a diversified portfolio of risks. While longevity risk is highly diversifying in relation to other risks in the Company’s portfolio (e.g. mortality products), longevity risk itself is a systemic risk with little opportunity to diversify within the risk class. Longevity risk accumulates across cedants, geographies, and over time because mortality trends can impact diverse populations in the same manner. Longevity risk can manifest slowly over time as experience proves annuitants are living longer than original expectations, or abruptly as in the case of a “miracle drug” that increases the life expectancy of all annuitants simultaneously.

In order to determine a longevity limit metric for the purposes of risk accumulation, the Company examined extreme scenarios and measured its exposure to loss under those scenarios. Examples of these scenarios included, but were not limited to, immediate elimination of major causes of death and an extreme improvement scenario equivalent to the adverse result of every annuitant’s life expectancy increasing to approximately 100 years. The Company did not rely upon modeled losses to determine the limit metric, but did benchmark the scenario results against existing tests, scenarios and models. For risk accumulation purposes, the Company selected the most extreme scenario and added an additional margin for potential deviation.

The Company selected a longevity limit of $2 billion. To measure utilization of the longevity limit (accumulation of longevity exposure), the Company accumulates the net present value of adverse loss resulting from the application of the selected extreme scenario and additional margin applied to every in-force longevity treaty and the notional value of any longevity insurance-linked security.

Other risks such as interest rate risk and credit spread risk have the ability to impact results substantially and may result in volatility in results from period to period. However, Management believes that by themselves, interest rate risk and credit spread risk are unlikely to represent a material threat to the Company’s long-term economic value. See Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk in Item 3 of Part I of this report for additional disclosure on interest rate risk, credit spread risk, foreign currency risk, counterparty credit risk and equity price risk.

The Company seeks to maintain a risk appetite moderately above the average of the reinsurance market because Management believes that this position offers the best potential for creating shareholder value at an acceptable risk level. The most profitable products generally present the most volatility and potential downside risk. Management believes that the Company’s actual risk profile is equal to or less than the average of the reinsurance market because of the level of diversification achieved in the portfolio, the strict adherence to risk appetite and limits, and the risk mitigation strategies employed.

The limits and actual exposures of the Company for its major risks were as follows:

 

Risk

   Limit at
September 30, 2010
     Utilized at
September 30, 2010
     Utilized at
December 31, 2009
 

Catastrophe risk – largest zonal limit

   $ 2.8 billion       $ 2.5 billion       $ 2.4 billion   

Casualty reserving risk – total earned premiums for casualty and other long-tail lines for the four most recent underwriting periods

     6.3 billion         3.1 billion         3.4 billion   

Equity investment risk – value of equity and equity-like securities

     4.0 billion         1.4 billion         1.2 billion   

Longevity risk – net present value loss from extreme mortality improvement scenario

     2.0 billion         0.9 billion         N/A   

 

N/A: not applicable

The risk appetite and modeled economic loss for the Company’s major risks were as follows:

 

Risk

   Risk Appetite at
September 30, 2010(1)
     Modeled
Economic Loss at
September 30, 2010(1)
     Modeled
Economic Loss at
December 31, 2009
 

Catastrophe risk – 1 in 75 year annual aggregate loss

   $ 1.6 billion       $ 1.3 billion       $ 1.3 billion   

Casualty reserving risk – casualty and other long-tail lines 1 in 15 year prior years reserve development

     0.8 billion         0.5 billion         0.5 billion   

Equity investment risk – 1 in 75 year decline in value

     1.2 billion         0.4 billion         0.4 billion   

 

(1) The Company has not defined a risk appetite for longevity risk as it believes that establishing a limit is currently the most appropriate risk management metric. In addition, the Company has not relied upon a modeled economic loss for longevity risk.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates of the Company at September 30, 2010 have not changed materially compared to December 31, 2009. See Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Item 7 of Part II of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. The following discussion updates specific information related to the Company’s estimates for losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits and valuation of investments and funds held – directly managed, including certain derivative financial instruments.

Losses and Loss Expenses and Life Policy Benefits

Losses and Loss Expenses

Because a significant amount of time can elapse between the assumption of risk, occurrence of a loss event, the reporting of the event to an insurance company (the primary company or the cedant), the subsequent reporting to the reinsurance company (the reinsurer) and the ultimate payment of the claim on the loss event by the reinsurer, the Company’s liability for unpaid losses and loss expenses (loss reserves) is based largely upon estimates. The Company categorizes loss reserves into three types of reserves: reported outstanding loss reserves (case reserves), additional case reserves (ACRs) and incurred but not reported (IBNR) reserves. The Company updates its estimates for each of the aforementioned categories on a quarterly basis using information received from its cedants. The Company also estimates the future unallocated loss adjustment expenses (ULAE) associated with the loss reserves and these form part of the Company’s loss adjustment expense reserves. The Company’s Non-life loss reserves for each category and sub-segment are reported in the table included later in this section.

The amount of time that elapses before a claim is reported to the cedant and then subsequently reported to the reinsurer is commonly referred to in the industry as the reporting tail. For all lines, the Company’s objective is to estimate ultimate losses and loss expenses. Total loss reserves are then calculated by subtracting losses paid. Similarly, IBNR reserves are calculated by subtraction of case reserves and ACRs from total loss reserves.

The Company analyzes its ultimate losses and loss expenses after consideration of the loss experience of various reserving cells. The Company assigns treaties to reserving cells and allocates losses from the treaty to the reserving cell. The reserving cells are selected in order to ensure that the underlying treaties have homogeneous loss development characteristics (e.g., reporting tail) but are large enough to make estimation of trends credible. The selection of reserving cells is reviewed annually and changes over time as the business of the Company evolves. For each reserving cell, the Company’s estimates of loss reserves are reached after a review of the results of several commonly accepted actuarial projection methodologies. In selecting its best estimate, the Company considers the appropriateness of each methodology to the individual circumstances of the reserving cell and underwriting year for which the projection is made.

See Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates—Losses and Loss Expenses and Life Policy Benefits in Item 7 of Part II of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 for additional information on the reserving methodologies employed by the Company, the principal reserving methods used for the reserving lines, the principal parameter assumptions underlying the methods and the main underlying factors upon which the estimates of reserving parameters are predicated.

The Company’s best estimate of total loss reserves is typically in excess of the midpoint of the actuarial reserve estimates. The Company believes that there is potentially significant risk in estimating loss reserves for long-tail lines of business and for immature underwriting years that may not be adequately captured through traditional actuarial projection methodologies as these methodologies usually rely heavily on projections of prior year trends into the future. In selecting its best estimate of future liabilities, the Company considers both the results of actuarial point estimates of loss reserves as well as the potential variability of these estimates as captured by a reasonable range of actuarial reserve estimates. The selected best estimates of reserves are always within the indicated reasonable range of estimates indicated by the Company’s actuaries.

During the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, the Company reviewed its estimate for prior year losses for each sub-segment of the Non-life segment and, in light of developing data, determined to adjust its ultimate loss ratios for prior accident years. The following table summarizes the net prior year favorable reserve development for the Company’s Non-life segment for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (in millions of U.S. dollars):

 

     For the three
months ended
September 30,
2010
    For the three
months ended
September 30,
2009
     For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2010
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2009
 

Net prior year favorable (adverse) reserve development:

         

Non-life segment

         

U.S.

   $ 58      $ 43       $ 127      $ 120   

Global (Non-U.S.) P&C

     14        46         65        133   

Global (Non-U.S.) Specialty

     61        18         134        74   

Catastrophe

     (13     15         (3     38   

Paris Re

     16      $ N/A         27        N/A   
                                 

Total net Non-life prior year favorable reserve development

   $ 136      $ 122       $ 350      $ 365   

 

N/A: not applicable

 

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The net favorable reserve development on prior accident years for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 was driven by the following factors (in millions of U.S. dollars):

 

     For the three
months ended
September 30,
2010
    For the three
months ended
September 30,
2009
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2010
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2009
 

Net prior year favorable (adverse) reserve development:

        

Non-life segment

        

Net prior year reserve development due to changes in premiums

   $ (9 )   $ (12   $ (15 )   $ 15   

Net prior year reserve development due to all other factors(1)

     145        134        365        350   
                                

Total net Non-life prior year favorable reserve development

   $ 136      $ 122      $ 350      $ 365   

 

(1) Net prior year reserve development due to all other factors includes, but is not limited to, loss experience, changes in assumptions and changes in methodology.

For a discussion of net prior year favorable reserve development by Non-life sub-segment, see Results by Segment below. See Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates—Losses and Loss Expenses and Life Policy Benefits in Item 7 of Part II of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 for additional information by reserving lines.

The following table shows the gross reserves reported by cedants (case reserves), those estimated by the Company (ACRs and IBNR reserves) and the total gross, ceded and net loss reserves recorded as of September 30, 2010 for each Non-life sub-segment (in millions of U.S. dollars):

 

     Case reserves      ACRs      IBNR
reserves
     Total gross
loss reserves
recorded
     Ceded loss
reserves
    Total net
loss reserves
recorded
 

U.S.

   $ 690       $ 136       $ 1,830       $ 2,656       $ (26   $ 2,630   

Global (Non-U.S.) P&C

     1,271         7         990         2,268         (33     2,235   

Global (Non-U.S.) Specialty

     1,187         35         1,004         2,226         (70     2,156   

Catastrophe

     116         154         59         329         —          329   

Paris Re

     1,404         —           1,823         3,227         (224     3,003   
                                                    

Total Non-life

   $ 4,668       $ 332       $ 5,706       $ 10,706       $ (353   $ 10,353   

The net loss reserves represent the Company’s best estimate of future losses and loss expense amounts based on information available as of September 30, 2010. Loss reserves are estimates involving actuarial and statistical projections at a given time that reflect the Company’s expectations of the costs of the ultimate settlement and administration of claims. These estimates are continually reviewed and the ultimate liability may be in excess of, or less than, the amounts provided, and any adjustments will be reflected in the period in which the need for an adjustment is determined.

The Company’s best estimates are point estimates within a reasonable range of actuarial reserve estimates. These ranges are developed using stochastic simulations and techniques and provide an indication as to the degree of variability of the loss reserves. The Company interprets the ranges produced by these techniques as confidence intervals around the point estimates for each Non-life sub-segment. However, due to the inherent volatility in the business written by the Company, there can be no guarantee that the final settlement of the loss reserves will fall within these ranges.

The point estimates recorded by the Company, and the range of actuarial estimates around these point estimates at September 30, 2010, were as follows for each Non-life sub-segment (in millions of U.S. dollars):

 

     Recorded Point
Estimate
     High      Low  

Net Non-life sub-segment loss reserves:

        

U.S.

   $ 2,630       $ 2,836       $ 2,004   

Global (Non-U.S.) P&C

     2,235         2,384         1,970   

Global (Non-U.S.) Specialty

     2,156         2,253         1,907   

Catastrophe

     329         357         301   

Paris Re

     3,003         3,152         2,832   

 

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It is not appropriate to add together the ranges of each sub-segment in an effort to determine a high and low range around the Company’s total net Non-life carried loss reserves.

Of the $3,003 million of net loss reserves for the PARIS RE (Paris Re) sub-segment, the Company considers only $1,697 million of net loss reserves for accident years 2006 and subsequent to be subject to loss reserve variability. The remaining $1,306 million of net loss reserves for accident years 2005 and prior are guaranteed by Colisée Re, pursuant to the Reserve Agreement. See Summary of certain agreements between AXA SA, Colisée Re and Paris Re in Item 1 of Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Based on information currently available and the range of potential estimated ultimate liabilities, the Company believes that the unpaid loss and loss expense reserves for U.S. and Global (Non-U.S.) specialty casualty, U.S., Global (Non-U.S.) and Paris Re credit/surety lines of business and other potentially exposed classes of business contemplate a reasonable provision for exposures related to the effect of increased financial stress in the world economies. The Company is unaware of any specific issues that would materially affect its unpaid loss and loss expenses estimates related to this exposure.

Life Policy Benefits

Policy benefits for life and annuity contracts relate to the business in the Company’s Life segment, which predominantly includes reinsurance of longevity, subdivided into standard and non-standard annuities, and mortality business, which includes traditional death and disability covers (with various riders), term assurance and critical illness (TCI) written in the UK and Ireland, and guaranteed minimum death benefit (GMDB) written in Continental Europe.

The Company categorizes life reserves into three types: reported outstanding loss reserves (case reserves), incurred but not reported (IBNR) reserves and reserves for future policy benefits. Such liabilities are established based on methods and underlying assumptions in accordance with U.S. GAAP and applicable actuarial standards. Principal assumptions used in the establishment of reserves for future policy benefits have been determined based upon information reported by ceding companies, supplemented by the Company’s actuarial estimates of mortality, critical illness, persistency and future investment income, with appropriate provision to reflect uncertainty.

For the traditional life portfolio, case reserves, IBNR reserves and reserves for future policy benefits are mainly calculated at the treaty level. The Company updates its estimates for each of the aforementioned categories on a quarterly basis using information received from its cedants.

For long duration products, a reserve adequacy test is periodically performed based on the latest best estimate assumptions by line of business, including an experience analysis and a review of likely future experience. If such review produces reserves in excess of those currently held, then the locked-in assumptions will be revised and a loss recognized.

See Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates—Losses and Loss Expenses and Life Policy Benefits—Life Policy Benefits in Item 7 of Part II of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 for additional information on the reserving methodologies employed by the Company for its longevity and mortality lines.

The Life segment reported net adverse development on prior accident years of $4 million and $21 million during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively. The net adverse development of $4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2010 was primarily driven by deterioration on a credit life treaty in the mortality line and an impaired life annuity (ILA) treaty in the longevity line, resulting from an improvement in the mortality trend, and was partially offset by favorable development on various other mortality treaties. The net adverse development of $21 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was primarily driven by adverse development in the longevity line due to an improvement in the mortality trend related to an ILA treaty. For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Life segment reported net favorable development on prior accident years of $14 million and $11 million, respectively, primarily due to certain GMDB treaties, where the payout is linked to the performance of underlying capital market assets in France. See Results by Segment below.

Valuation of Investments and Funds Held – Directly Managed, including certain Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company defines fair value as the price received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company measures the fair value of its financial instruments according to a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to measure fair value into three broad levels.

 

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Under the fair value hierarchy, Management uses certain assumptions and judgments to derive the fair value of its investments, particularly for those assets with significant unobservable inputs, commonly referred to as Level 3 assets. The Company’s Level 3 assets totaled $388 million and $292 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. For additional information related to the transfers into, and out of, the Company’s Level 3 classification during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, see Note 4 to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report.

For additional information on the valuation techniques, methods and assumptions that were used by the Company to estimate the fair value of its fixed maturities, short-term investments, equities, other invested assets and investments underlying the funds held – directly managed account, see Note 4 to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report. For additional information on the Company’s use of derivative financial instruments, see Note 8 to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report.

Results of Operations—for the Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

The following discussion of Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements based upon assumptions and expectations concerning the potential effect of future events that are subject to uncertainties. See Item 1A of Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and Item 1A of Part II of this report for a review of important risk factors. Any of these risk factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such forward-looking statements.

The Company’s reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. The Company’s significant subsidiaries and branches have one of the following functional currencies: U.S. dollar, euro or Canadian dollar. As a significant portion of the Company’s operations is transacted in foreign currencies, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates may affect period-to-period comparisons. To the extent that fluctuations in foreign exchange rates affect comparisons, their impact has been quantified, when possible, and discussed in each of the relevant sections. See Note 2(m) to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 for a discussion of translation of foreign currencies.

The foreign exchange fluctuations for the principal currencies in which the Company transacts business were as follows:

 

   

the U.S. dollar average exchange rate was stronger against most currencies, except the Canadian dollar, in the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 and was weaker against most currencies, except the euro, in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009; and

 

   

the U.S. dollar strengthened against the euro and British pound and weakened against most other currencies at September 30, 2010 compared to December 31, 2009.

Overview

The Company measures its performance in several ways. Among the performance measures accepted under U.S. GAAP is diluted net income per share, a measure that focuses on the return provided to the Company’s common shareholders. Diluted net income per share is obtained by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common and common share equivalents outstanding. Net income available to common shareholders is defined as net income less preferred dividends.

The year over year comparison of the Company’s results is primarily affected by the acquisition of Paris Re in the fourth quarter of 2009 and costs related to its integration in 2010, losses related to large catastrophic events and the Deepwater Horizon Drilling Platform (Deepwater Horizon), and the effects of the global financial and economic crisis in 2009. To the extent that these events have affected the year over year comparison of the Company’s results, their impact has been quantified and discussed in each of the relevant sections. An overview of each of these events is provided below.

The results of Paris Re are only included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Cash Flows from October 2, 2009, the date of acquisition, and Paris Re’s technical results are presented as a separate Non-life sub-segment below. Consequently, results of the Paris Re sub-segment for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009 are not presented or discussed below. In our discussion and analysis of comparative periods, we have quantified the contribution of additional revenue or expense and additional assets, liabilities and equity resulting from the acquisition wherever such amounts are material and identifiable.

In April 2010, as part of the Company’s integration of Paris Re, the Company announced a voluntary termination plan (voluntary plan) available to certain eligible employees in France. Employees participating in the voluntary plan have no compulsory notice periods, however, their expected leaving dates are largely through mid 2012. Participating employees will continue to receive salary and other employment benefits until they leave the Company. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company recorded pre-tax charges of $34.4 million related to the costs of the voluntary plan within other operating expenses. The continuing salary and other employment benefits costs related to employees participating in the voluntary plan will be expensed as the employee provides service and remains with the Company.

 

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As the Company’s reinsurance operations are exposed to low-frequency high-severity risk events, some of which are seasonal, results for certain periods may include unusually low loss experience, while results for other periods may include significant catastrophic losses. Consequently, the Company’s results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year.

In the three months ended March 31, 2010, the Company incurred net losses of $334 million, related to the combined impact of the Chile Earthquake and Atlantic storm Xynthia (Storm Xynthia). Based on information received from cedants, the Company has subsequently decreased the loss estimates related to these events for all sub-segments, except for Global (Non-U.S.) P&C, which resulted in net losses related to these events of $326 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 (see Results by Segment below for further details). Loss estimates arising from earthquakes are inherently more uncertain than those from other catastrophic events and additional uncertainty exists, specifically with respect to the Chile Earthquake, due to the place of occurrence and magnitude of the event. The Company’s actual losses from the Chile Earthquake and Storm Xynthia may exceed the estimated losses as a result of, among other things, an increase in industry insured loss estimates, the expected lengthy claims development period, in particular for the Chile Earthquake, and the receipt of additional information from cedants, brokers and loss adjusters.

The following table reflects the combined impact of the Chile Earthquake and Storm Xynthia and the impact on the Company’s technical result and pre-tax income by segment and sub-segment during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 (in millions of U.S. dollars):

 

     U.S.     Global
(Non-U.S.)
P&C
    Global
(Non-U.S.)
Specialty
    Catastrophe     Paris Re     Total
Non-life
Segment
    Life
Segment
    Corporate
and Other
     Total  

Gross losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits

   $ (8   $ (143   $ (19   $ (88   $ (106   $ (364   $ (1   $ —         $ (365

Reinsurance recoverable

     —          —          —          —          31        31        —          —           31   
                                                                         

Net losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits

   $ (8   $ (143   $ (19   $ (88   $ (75   $ (333   $ (1   $ —         $ (334

Reinstatement premiums earned

     —          —          —          4        4        8        —          —           8   
                                                                         

Impact on technical result and
pre-tax income

   $ (8   $ (143   $ (19   $ (84   $ (71   $ (325   $ (1   $ —         $ (326

On April 20, 2010, Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico exploded and subsequently sank. The Company has exposure to this event primarily through its U.S., Global (Non-U.S.) Specialty and Paris Re sub-segments and incurred net losses of $63 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010. The Company’s loss estimate remains preliminary, given the significant uncertainty regarding liability exposure, primarily related to pollution.

The following table reflects the impact of Deepwater Horizon on the Company’s technical result and pre-tax income by segment and sub-segment during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 (in millions of U.S. dollars):

 

     U.S.     Global
(Non-U.S.)
P&C
     Global
(Non-U.S.)
Specialty
    Catastrophe      Paris Re     Total
Non-life
Segment
    Life
Segment
     Corporate
and Other
     Total  

Gross losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits

   $ (5   $ —         $ (34   $ —         $ (66   $ (105   $ —         $ —         $ (105

Reinsurance recoverable

     —          —           14        —           25        39        —           —           39   
                                                                            

Net losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits

   $ (5   $ —         $ (20   $ —         $ (41   $ (66   $ —         $ —         $ (66

Reinstatement premiums earned

     —          —           —          —           3        3        —           —           3   
                                                                            

Impact on technical result and
pre-tax income

   $ (5   $ —         $ (20   $ —         $ (38   $ (63   $ —         $ —         $ (63

In the three months ended September 30, 2010, the Company incurred net losses of $64 million related to the New Zealand Earthquake. As discussed above, loss estimates arising from earthquakes are inherently more uncertain than those from other catastrophic events and the Company’s actual losses from the New Zealand Earthquake may exceed the estimated losses as a result of, among other things, an increase in industry insured loss estimates, the expected lengthy claims development period and the receipt of additional information from cedants, brokers and loss adjusters.

 

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The following table reflects the impact of the New Zealand Earthquake on the Company’s technical result and pre-tax income by segment and sub-segment during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 (in millions of U.S. dollars):

 

     U.S.      Global
(Non-U.S.)
P&C
    Global
(Non-U.S.)
Specialty
    Catastrophe     Paris Re     Total
Non-life
Segment
    Life
Segment
     Corporate
and Other
     Total  

Gross losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits

   $ —         $ (6   $ (1   $ (52   $ (6   $ (65   $ —         $ —         $ (65

Reinsurance recoverable

     —           —          —          —          1        1        —           —           1   
                                                                           

Net losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits

   $ —         $ (6   $ (1   $ (52   $ (5   $ (64   $ —         $ —         $ (64

Reinstatement premiums earned

     —           —          —          —          —          —          —           —           —     
                                                                           

Impact on technical result and pre-tax income

   $ —         $ (6   $ (1   $ (52   $ (5   $ (64   $ —         $ —         $ (64

The global economy and financial markets continued to improve during the three months ended September 30, 2010 reflecting rising equity markets, narrowing credit spreads and declining U.S. and European risk-free rates. Similar trends were also observed in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 during which equity markets rose and U.S. and European risk-free rates declined, while credit spreads remained flat. As a result of these movements, the fair value of the Company’s investment portfolio and cash increased as of September 30, 2010 compared to December 31, 2009, primarily due to an increase in the fair value of fixed maturities and equities which was partially offset by the impact of foreign exchange.

The impacts of the global financial and economic crisis on the Company’s reinsurance underwriting operations have abated in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010. The Company has continued to review its loss estimates and has modestly decreased its reserves during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 in certain affected lines of business for certain underwriting years, reflecting actual claims activity being less than anticipated based on information provided by cedants. The Company’s loss reserves related to the impacted lines of business represent Management’s best estimate of the cost to settle the ultimate liabilities related to these events based on information available at September 30, 2010.

These events in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and the continuing volatility in the capital or credit markets are discussed below in Review of Net Income and Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources, and may continue to affect our results of operations and financial condition in the future.

Net income, preferred dividends, net income available to common shareholders and diluted net income per share for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were as follows (in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share data):

 

     For the three
months ended
September 30,
2010
     % Change
2010 over
2009
    For the three
months ended
September 30,
2009
     For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2010
     % Change
2010 over
2009
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2009
 

Net income

   $ 525         (7 )%    $ 567       $ 796         (33 )%    $ 1,182   

Less: preferred dividends

     9         —          9         26         —          26   
                                       

Net income available to common shareholders

   $ 516         (7   $ 558       $ 770         (33   $ 1,156   

Diluted net income per share

   $ 6.76         (28   $ 9.44       $ 9.68         (51   $ 19.95   

Three-month result

The decrease in net income, net income available to common shareholders and diluted net income per share for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to 2009 resulted primarily from:

 

   

a decrease in net realized and unrealized investment gains of $37 million;

 

   

an increase in net foreign exchange losses of $26 million;

 

   

a decrease in Life underwriting result of $11 million, driven primarily by an increase in net adverse prior year loss development; and

 

   

various other factors, the primary one being an increase in amortization of intangible assets of $10 million; which were partially offset by

 

   

a decrease in income tax expense of $21 million, driven by the geographic (tax jurisdiction) distribution of the pre-tax income and a lower pre-tax income;

 

   

an increase in net investment income of $19 million, driven by the inclusion of Paris Re’s net investment income; and

 

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an increase in Non-life underwriting result of $13 million, which was primarily driven by the inclusion of Paris Re’s results and a lower level of loss estimates related to the financial crisis and were partially offset by large catastrophic losses related to the New Zealand Earthquake.

Nine-month result

The decrease in net income, net income available to common shareholders and diluted net income per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to 2009 resulted primarily from:

 

   

a decrease in Non-life underwriting result of $273 million, driven by large catastrophic losses related to the Chile Earthquake, New Zealand Earthquake and Storm Xynthia, and losses related to Deepwater Horizon;

 

   

no activity related to the Company’s capital efficient notes (CENts) in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to a gain of $89 million on purchase of CENts in the nine months ended September 30, 2009;

 

   

a decrease in net realized and unrealized investment gains of $82 million;

 

   

an increase in other corporate operating expenses of $47 million, primarily driven by charges related to the voluntary plan;

 

   

a decrease in Life underwriting result of $39 million, primarily driven by an increase in net adverse prior year loss development; and

 

   

various other factors, the primary one being an increase in amortization of intangible assets of $23 million; which were partially offset by

 

   

an increase in net investment income of $98 million, driven by the inclusion of Paris Re’s net investment income; and

 

   

a decrease in income tax expense of $92 million, resulting primarily from a lower pre-tax income.

These items are further described in the Review of Net Income below.

Review of Net Income

Management analyzes the Company’s net income in three parts: underwriting result, investment result and other components of net income. Underwriting result consists of net premiums earned and other income or loss less losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits, acquisition costs and other operating expenses. Investment result consists of net investment income, net realized and unrealized investment gains and losses and interest in earnings or losses of equity investments. Net investment income includes interest and dividends, net of investment expenses, generated by the Company’s investment activities, as well as interest income generated on funds held assets. Net realized and unrealized investment gains and losses include sales of the Company’s fixed income, equity and other invested assets and investments underlying the funds held – directly managed account and changes in net unrealized gains and losses. Interest in earnings or losses of equity investments includes the Company’s strategic investments. Other components of net income include net realized gain on the purchase of the Company’s CENts in 2009, technical result and other income or loss, other operating expenses, interest expense, amortization of intangible assets, net foreign exchange gains and losses and income tax expense.

The components of net income for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were as follows (in millions of U.S. dollars):

 

     For the three
months ended
September 30,
2010
    % Change
2010 over
2009
    For the three
months ended
September 30,
2009
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2010
    % Change
2010 over
2009
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2009
 

Underwriting result:

            

Non-life

   $ 220        6   $ 207      $ 148        (65 )%    $ 421   

Life

     (7     NM        4        (44     719        (5

Investment result:

            

Net investment income

     164        13        145        512        24        414   

Net realized and unrealized investment gains

     293        (11     330        485        (14     567   

Interest in earnings of equity investments(1)

     1        (15     2        5        229        1   

Corporate and Other:

            

Net realized gain on purchase of capital efficient notes

     —          NM        —          —          NM        89   

Technical result(2)

     —          (96     4        2        (82     8   

Other income(2)

     1        (52     3        —          (94     5   

Other operating expenses

     (26     (8     (28     (127     59        (80

Interest expense

     (12     100        (6     (32     49        (22

Amortization of intangible assets(3)

     (10     NM        —          (23     NM        —     

Net foreign exchange losses

     (27     NM        (1     (12     (125     (6

Income tax expense

     (72     (22     (93     (118     (44     (210
                                    

Net income

   $ 525        (7   $ 567      $ 796        (33   $ 1,182   

 

NM: not meaningful

(1) Interest in earnings of equity investments represents the Company’s aggregate share of earnings or losses related to several private placement investments and limited partnerships within the Corporate and Other segment. See the discussion in Corporate and Other – Interest in Earnings of Equity Investments below for more details.

 

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(2) Technical result and other income primarily relates to income on insurance-linked securities and principal finance transactions within the Corporate and Other segment. See the discussion in Corporate and Other – Technical Result and Other Income below for more details.
(3) Amortization of intangible assets relates to intangible assets acquired in the acquisition of Paris Re in 2009.

Underwriting result is a key measurement that the Company uses to manage and evaluate its Non-life and Life segments, as it is a primary measure of underlying profitability for the Company’s core reinsurance operations, separate from the investment results. The Company believes that in order to enhance the understanding of its profitability, it is useful for investors to evaluate the components of net income separately and in the aggregate. Underwriting result should not be considered a substitute for net income and does not reflect the overall profitability of the business, which is also impacted by investment results and other items.

Three-month result

The underwriting result for the Non-life segment increased by $13 million, from $207 million in the three months ended September 30, 2009 to $220 million in the same period of 2010. The increase was principally attributable to:

 

   

an increase of $45 million resulting from a lower level of loss estimates recorded in the specialty casualty and credit/surety lines of business related to the global economic and financial crisis and normal fluctuations in profitability between periods which was partially offset by lower net favorable loss development on prior quarters. The components of the net favorable prior quarters’ loss development are described in more detail in the discussion of individual sub-segments in Results by Segment below;

 

   

an increase of $38 million resulting from the acquisition of Paris Re, excluding net favorable loss development on prior quarters and prior years and large catastrophic losses related to the New Zealand Earthquake, discussed above and below; and

 

   

an increase of $14 million in net favorable loss development on prior years, from $122 million in the three months ended September 30, 2009 to $136 million in the same period of 2010. The components of the net favorable loss development are described in more detail in the discussion of individual sub-segments in Results by Segment below; partially offset by

 

   

an increase in large catastrophic losses of $64 million related to the New Zealand Earthquake; and

 

   

an increase of $20 million in other operating expenses, primarily due to the inclusion of Paris Re’s Non-life operating expenses.

Underwriting result for the Life segment decreased from a gain of $4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2009 to a loss of $7 million in the same period of 2010. The decrease was primarily driven by net adverse prior year development in the mortality and longevity lines of business in the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to net favorable prior year development in the mortality line in the same period of 2009. See Results by Segment below.

The Company reported net investment income of $164 million in the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $145 million in the same period of 2009. The 13% increase in net investment income is primarily attributable to the contribution from Paris Re’s investments and the funds held – directly managed account, an increase in net investment income from fixed maturities due to the purchase of higher yielding investments and the reinvestment of cash flows from operations. The increase was partially offset by lower reinvestment rates and foreign exchange fluctuations, which decreased net investment income by 2% as a result of the stronger average U.S. dollar foreign exchange rates in the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.

Net realized and unrealized investment gains decreased by $37 million, from $330 million in the three months ended September 30, 2009 to $293 million in the same period of 2010. The net realized and unrealized investment gains of $293 million were primarily driven by improvements in worldwide equity markets, narrowing credit spreads and declining risk-free interest rates in the three months ended September 30, 2010. Net realized and unrealized investment gains of $293 million in the three months ended September 30, 2010 consist of the change in net unrealized investment gains on fixed maturities, short-term investments, equities and other invested assets of $220 million, net realized investment gains on fixed maturities, short-term investments and equities of $71 million, net realized and unrealized investment gains on funds held – directly managed of $26 million and net other realized and unrealized investment gains of $11 million, which were partially offset by net realized losses on other invested assets of $35 million. See Corporate and Other – Net Realized and Unrealized Investment Gains below for more details on the investment activity.

 

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Other operating expenses included in Corporate and Other decreased by $2 million, from $28 million in the three months ended September 30, 2009 to $26 million in the same period of 2010. The decrease was primarily due to lower consulting and professional fees and was partially offset by higher personnel expenses.

Interest expense increased by $6 million in the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 mainly due to interest related to the issuance of $500 million 5.500% Senior Notes in the three months ended March 31, 2010.

Net foreign exchange losses were $27 million in the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to a loss of $1 million in the same period of 2009. The increase in net foreign exchange losses during the three months ended September 30, 2010 resulted primarily from the impact of currency movements on unhedged equity securities. The Company hedges a significant portion of its currency risk exposure as discussed in Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk in Item 3 of Part I of this report.

Income tax expense decreased by $21 million, from $93 million in the three months ended September 30, 2009 to $72 million in the same period of 2010. The decrease in the income tax expense was primarily due to the geographic (tax jurisdiction) distribution of the pre-tax net income and lower pre-tax net income, with the Company’s taxable jurisdictions generating relatively lower pre-tax income in the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.

Nine-month result

The underwriting result for the Non-life segment decreased by $273 million, from $421 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 to $148 million in the same period of 2010. The decrease was principally attributable to:

 

   

an increase in large catastrophic losses of $389 million, net of reinstatement premiums, related to the Chile Earthquake, New Zealand Earthquake and Storm Xynthia;

 

   

an increase of $71 million in other operating expenses, primarily due to the inclusion of Paris Re’s Non-life operating expenses;

 

   

an increase in losses and loss expenses of $63 million, net of reinstatement premiums, related to Deepwater Horizon; and

 

   

a decrease of $15 million in net favorable loss development on prior years, from $365 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 to $350 million in the same period of 2010. The components of the net favorable loss development are described in more detail in the discussion of individual sub-segments in Results by Segment below; partially offset by

 

   

an increase of $137 million resulting from the acquisition of Paris Re, excluding large catastrophic losses, losses related to Deepwater Horizon and net favorable loss development on prior years discussed above and below; and

 

   

an increase of $128 million resulting from a lower level of loss estimates recorded in the specialty casualty and credit/surety lines of business related to the global economic and financial crisis, a lower level of mid-sized losses and normal fluctuations in profitability between periods.

Underwriting result for the Life segment decreased from a loss of $5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 to a loss of $44 million in the same period of 2010. The decrease was primarily driven by net adverse prior year development in the longevity line in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to net favorable prior year development in the mortality line in the same period of 2009. See Results by Segment below.

The Company reported net investment income of $512 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $414 million in the same period of 2009. The 24% increase in net investment income is primarily attributable to the contribution from Paris Re’s investments and the funds held – directly managed account, an increase in net investment income from fixed maturities due to the purchase of higher yielding investments and the reinvestment of cash flows from operations. The increase was partially offset by lower reinvestment rates.

Net realized and unrealized investment gains decreased by $82 million, from $567 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 to $485 million in the same period of 2010. The net realized and unrealized investment gains of $485 million were primarily due to lower U.S. and European risk-free interest rates and narrowing credit spreads. Net realized and unrealized investment gains of $485 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 consist of the change in net unrealized investment gains on fixed maturities and short-term investments of $397 million, net realized investment gains on fixed maturities, short-term investments and equities of $145 million, net realized and unrealized investment gains on funds held – directly managed of $56 million and net other realized and unrealized gains of $13 million, which were partially offset by the change in net unrealized losses on other invested assets and equities of $64 million and net realized losses on other invested assets of $62 million.

 

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Net realized gain on purchase of capital efficient notes (CENts) was $89 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as the Company purchased $187 million of the CENts for $93 million, which after deferred issuance costs and fees produced a gain of $89 million. No similar gain was recorded in the same period of 2010.

Other operating expenses included in Corporate and Other increased by $47 million from $80 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 to $127 million in the same period of 2010. The increase was primarily due to the charges related to the Company’s voluntary plan, discussed in Overview above, higher share-based compensation expense and other personnel expenses, partially offset by lower consulting and professional fees.

Interest expense increased by $10 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 mainly due to interest related to the issuance of $500 million 5.500% Senior Notes in the three months ended March 31, 2010, partially offset by a reduction in interest expense associated with the long term debt of $200 million which was repaid during the three months ended September 30, 2010.

Net foreign exchange losses were $12 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to a loss of $6 million in the same period of 2009. The increase in net foreign exchange losses during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 resulted primarily from losses arising from the income statement revaluation partially offset by currency movements on unhedged equity securities. The Company hedges a significant portion of its currency risk exposure as discussed in Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk in Item 3 of Part I of this report.

Income tax expense decreased by $92 million, from $210 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 to $118 million in the same period of 2010. The decrease in the income tax expense was primarily due to the same factors discussed in the three-month result as well as a decrease in tax on the net realized gain on purchase of CENts of $31 million recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Results by Segment

The Company monitors the performance of its operations in three segments: Non-life, Life and Corporate and Other. The Non-life segment is further divided into five sub-segments, U.S., Global (Non-U.S.) Property and Casualty (Global (Non-U.S.) P&C), Global (Non-U.S.) Specialty, Catastrophe and Paris Re. See Note 22 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 for additional information concerning the Company’s segments and sub-segments.

Segment results are shown net of intercompany transactions. Business reported in the Global (Non-U.S.) P&C, Global (Non-U.S.) Specialty and Paris Re sub-segments and the Life segment is, to a significant extent, denominated in foreign currencies and is reported in U.S. dollars at the average foreign exchange rates for each period. The U.S. dollar has fluctuated against the euro and other currencies in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009, and this should be considered when making period-to-period comparisons.

Non-life Segment

U.S.

The U.S. sub-segment includes the U.S. casualty line, which represented approximately 46% and 45% of net premiums written in this sub-segment in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively. This line tends to have a higher loss ratio and a lower technical result due to the long-tail nature of the risks involved. Casualty treaties generally provide for investment income on premiums invested over a longer period as losses are typically paid later than for other lines. Investment income, however, is not considered in the calculation of the technical result.

The following table provides the components of the technical result and the corresponding ratios for this sub-segment for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (in millions of U.S. dollars):

 

     For the three
months ended
September 30,
2010
    % Change
2010 over
2009
    For the three
months ended
September 30,
2009
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2010
    % Change
2010 over
2009
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2009
 

Gross premiums written

   $ 242        (14 )%    $ 279      $ 704        (16 )%    $ 840   

Net premiums written

     242        (14     279        704        (16     841   

Net premiums earned

   $ 247        (21   $ 312      $ 664        (18   $ 812   

Losses and loss expenses

     (115     (33     (171     (360     (28     (498

Acquisition costs

     (72     (11     (80     (192     (7     (206
                                    

Technical result(1)

   $ 60        —        $ 61      $ 112        4      $ 108   

Loss ratio(2)

     46.5       54.9     54.2       61.3

Acquisition ratio(3)

     29.0          25.7        28.9          25.4   
                                    

Technical ratio(4)

     75.5       80.6     83.1       86.7

 

(1) Technical result is defined as net premiums earned less losses and loss expenses and acquisition costs.

 

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(2) Loss ratio is obtained by dividing losses and loss expenses by net premiums earned.
(3) Acquisition ratio is obtained by dividing acquisition costs by net premiums earned.
(4) Technical ratio is defined as the sum of the loss ratio and the acquisition ratio.

Premiums

The U.S. sub-segment represented 24% and 18% of total net premiums written in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, compared to 32% and 28% of total net premiums written during the same periods in 2009. The decrease in the U.S. sub-segment’s net premiums written as a percentage of total net premiums written during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same periods in 2009 was primarily due to significantly lower net premiums written in the agriculture line of business and overall declining market conditions, as described in the three-month and nine-month result, and the inclusion of the Paris Re sub-segment’s premiums in the Company’s total net premiums written, following the Company’s acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Three-month result

Gross and net premiums written decreased by 14% and net premiums earned decreased by 21% in the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The decrease in gross and net premiums written resulted from all lines of business, except the casualty line, and was most pronounced in the agriculture and property lines of business. The decrease in the agriculture line was due to lower agricultural commodity price levels and higher retentions by cedants. The decrease in the property line primarily reflected a higher cedant retention on a significant treaty. These decreases in gross and net premiums written were partially offset by an increase in the casualty line of business driven by increases in treaty participations and timing differences related to the renewal of certain treaties. The decrease in net premiums earned in the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was higher than the decrease in gross and net premiums written primarily due to the impact of decreased business written in the casualty line during prior periods being earned.

Nine-month result

Gross and net premiums written decreased by 16% and net premiums earned decreased by 18% in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The decrease in gross and net premiums written and net premiums earned was primarily attributable to the agriculture, casualty and property lines of business. The agriculture and property lines decreased due to the reasons described in the three-month result and the casualty line was impacted by overall declining market conditions. These decreases in gross and net premiums written and net premiums earned were partially offset by lower downward premium adjustments related to prior periods reported by cedants in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009, primarily in the casualty and motor lines. Notwithstanding the overall declining market conditions, higher retentions and the competition prevailing in certain lines of business and markets of this sub-segment, the Company was able to write business that met its portfolio objectives.

Losses and loss expenses and loss ratio

Three-month result

The losses and loss expenses and loss ratio reported in the three months ended September 30, 2010 reflected:

 

   

no large catastrophic losses;

 

   

net favorable loss development on prior accident years of $58 million, or 23.6 points on the loss ratio;

 

   

a higher level of mid-sized loss activity;

 

   

a lower level of loss estimates recorded in the casualty line of business reflecting abating economic and financial market conditions; and

 

   

a decrease in the book of business and exposure.

The net favorable loss development of $58 million included net favorable loss development for prior accident years in most lines of business, predominantly in the casualty line of business. Loss information provided by cedants in the three months ended September 30, 2010 for prior accident years was lower than the Company expected and included no individually significant losses or

 

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reductions but a series of attritional losses or reductions. Based on the Company’s assessment of this loss information, the Company decreased its expected ultimate loss ratios for most lines of business, which had the net effect of decreasing prior year loss estimates.

The losses and loss expenses and loss ratio reported in the three months ended September 30, 2009 reflected:

 

   

no large catastrophic losses;

 

   

net favorable loss development on prior accident years of $43 million, or 13.7 points on the loss ratio;

 

   

a lower level of mid-sized loss activity;

 

   

increasing loss trends, predominantly in the casualty line of business; and

 

   

an increase in the book of business and exposure.

The net favorable loss development of $43 million resulted from net favorable development for prior accident years in the casualty line of business and was partially offset by all other lines of business within this sub-segment, which experienced combined adverse loss development for prior accident years of $9 million.

The decrease of $56 million in losses and loss expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period of 2009 included:

 

   

a decrease of approximately $41 million in losses and loss expenses resulting from a decrease in the book of business and exposure and normal fluctuations in profitability between periods, partially offset by an increase in mid-sized loss activity; and

 

   

an increase of $15 million in net favorable prior year development.

Nine-month result

The losses and loss expenses and loss ratio reported in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 reflected:

 

   

large catastrophic losses related to the Chile Earthquake and Storm Xynthia of $8 million, or 1.2 points on the loss ratio;

 

   

losses and loss expenses related to Deepwater Horizon of $5 million, or 0.8 points on the loss ratio;

 

   

net favorable loss development on prior accident years of $127 million, or 19.1 points on the loss ratio;

 

   

a lower level of loss estimates recorded in the casualty line of business reflecting abating economic and financial market conditions; and

 

   

a decrease in the book of business and exposure.

The net favorable loss development of $127 million included net favorable loss development for prior accident years in most lines of business, predominantly in casualty and agriculture, while the motor line experienced adverse loss development for prior accident years of $8 million. Loss information provided by cedants in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 for prior accident years was lower than the Company expected (higher for motor) and included no individually significant losses or reductions but a series of attritional losses or reductions. Based on the Company’s assessment of this loss information, the Company decreased its expected ultimate loss ratios for most lines of business (increased for motor), which had the net effect of decreasing (increasing for motor) prior year loss estimates.

The losses and loss expenses and loss ratio reported in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 reflected:

 

   

no large catastrophic losses;

 

   

net favorable loss development on prior accident years of $120 million, or 14.8 points on the loss ratio;

 

   

a lower level of mid-sized loss activity;

 

   

increasing loss trends, predominantly in the casualty line of business; and

 

   

a decrease in the book of business and exposure.

The net favorable loss development of $120 million included net favorable development for prior accident years in most lines of business, with the exception of the multiline, motor and credit/surety lines of business, which experienced combined adverse loss development for prior accident years of $17 million.

 

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The decrease of $138 million in losses and loss expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period of 2009 included:

 

   

a decrease of approximately $144 million in losses and loss expenses resulting from a decrease in the book of business and exposure, a lower level of loss estimates recorded in the casualty line of business and normal fluctuations in profitability between periods; and

 

   

an increase of $7 million in net favorable prior year loss development; partially offset by

 

   

an increase in losses and loss expenses of $13 million related to large catastrophic losses and Deepwater Horizon.

Acquisition costs and acquisition ratio

Three-month result and nine-month result

Acquisition costs decreased in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same periods in 2009 primarily as a result of lower net premiums earned, partially offset by higher profit commission adjustments reported by cedants in the agriculture and credit/surety lines of business. The acquisition ratio increased in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same periods in 2009 due to higher profit commission adjustments reported by cedants and a decrease in net premiums earned in the agriculture line of business, which carries a lower acquisition ratio.

Technical result and technical ratio

Three-month result

The technical result remained essentially flat in the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period of 2009 as a result of a higher level of mid-sized loss activity, normal fluctuations in profitability between periods and a decrease in the book of business, offset by an increase of $15 million in net favorable prior year loss development. The technical ratio decreased in the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 due to the impact of higher net favorable prior year loss development on a significantly lower net premiums earned base, which was partially offset by higher profit commission adjustments.

Nine-month result

The increase of $4 million in the technical result in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period of 2009 was primarily attributable to a lower level of loss estimates recorded in the casualty line of business, an increase of $7 million in net favorable prior year development and normal fluctuations in profitability between periods, partially offset by an increase of $13 million related to large catastrophic losses and Deepwater Horizon. The decrease in the technical ratio in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was due to the same reasons described in the three-month result.

Global (Non-U.S.) P&C

The Global (Non-U.S.) P&C sub-segment is composed of short-tail business, in the form of property and proportional motor business, that represented approximately 88% and 84% of net premiums written for this sub-segment in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, and long-tail business, in the form of casualty and non-proportional motor business, that represented the balance of this sub-segment.

The following table provides the components of the technical result and the corresponding ratios for this sub-segment for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (in millions of U.S. dollars):

 

     For the three
months ended
September 30,
2010
    % Change
2010 over
2009
    For the three
months ended
September 30,
2009
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2010
    % Change
2010 over
2009
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2009
 

Gross premiums written

   $ 149        19   $ 125      $ 634        17   $ 544   

Net premiums written

     149        19        124        630        16        541   

Net premiums earned

   $ 177        11      $ 160      $ 516        8      $ 478   

Losses and loss expenses

     (133     59        (84     (437     81        (241

Acquisition costs

     (46     18        (39     (130     10        (119
                                    

Technical result

   $ (2     NM      $ 37      $ (51     NM      $ 118   

Loss ratio

     75.0       52.2     84.6       50.5

Acquisition ratio

     26.1          24.5        25.2          24.8   
                                    

Technical ratio

     101.1       76.7     109.8       75.3

 

NM: not meaningful

 

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Premiums

The Global (Non-U.S.) P&C sub-segment represented 15% and 16% of total net premiums written in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, compared to 14% and 18% of total net premiums written during the same periods in 2009. Net premiums written in the Global (Non-U.S.) P&C segment as a percentage of total net premiums written during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same periods in 2009 did not change significantly due to the offsetting effects of new business written, as described in the three-month and nine-month results, and the inclusion of the Paris Re sub-segment’s premiums in the Company’s total net premiums written.

Three-month result

Gross and net premiums written increased by 19% and net premiums earned increased by 11% during the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The increases in gross and net premiums written and net premiums earned resulted primarily from the property line of business and were driven mainly by increases in treaty participations, new business written and an increase in upward premium adjustments. The increase in gross and net premiums written and net premiums earned was partially offset by the impact of the stronger U.S. dollar in the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009, as premiums denominated in currencies that have depreciated against the U.S. dollar were converted into U.S. dollars at lower average exchange rates. Foreign exchange fluctuations decreased gross and net premiums written by 1% and net premiums earned by 4%. The increase in net premiums earned of 11% during the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was lower than the increase in net premiums written of 19% primarily due to a shift from non-proportional treaties to proportional treaties, which are earned at a slower rate.

Nine-month result

Gross and net premiums written and net premiums earned increased by 17%, 16% and 8% during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009, respectively. The increases in gross and net premiums written and net premiums earned in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period of 2009 resulted primarily from the property line of business, as described in the three-month result. The increase in gross and net premiums written and net premiums earned was also partially due to the weaker U.S. dollar, as premiums denominated in currencies that have appreciated against the U.S. dollar were converted into U.S. dollars at higher average exchange rates. Foreign exchange fluctuations increased gross and net premiums written by 7% and net premiums earned by 4%. Notwithstanding the increased competition and slight overall declines in pricing prevailing in certain lines of business and markets of this sub-segment, the Company was able to write business that met its portfolio objectives.

Losses and loss expenses and loss ratio

Three-month result

The losses and loss expenses and loss ratio reported in the three months ended September 30, 2010 reflected:

 

   

large catastrophic losses related to the New Zealand Earthquake of $6 million, or 3.4 points on the loss ratio;

 

   

net adverse loss development on prior quarters of $34 million, or 19.1 points on the loss ratio, which was driven by development of $25 million, or 14.4 points on the loss ratio, related to the Chile Earthquake and Storm Xynthia;

 

   

net favorable loss development on prior accident years of $14 million, or 7.7 points on the loss ratio;

 

   

a lower level of mid-sized loss activity; and

 

   

an increase in the book of business and exposure.

The net favorable loss development of $14 million included net favorable development in all lines of business and was primarily due to favorable loss emergence, as losses reported by cedants during the three months ended September 30, 2010 for prior accident years were lower than the Company expected. Loss information provided by cedants in the three months ended September 30, 2010 for prior accident years included no individually significant losses or reductions of losses but a series of attritional losses or reductions. Based on the Company’s assessment of this loss information, the Company decreased its expected ultimate loss ratios for all lines of business, which had the net effect of decreasing prior year loss estimates.

The losses and loss expenses and loss ratio reported in the three months ended September 30, 2009 reflected:

 

   

no large catastrophic losses;

 

   

net favorable loss development on prior accident years of $46 million, or 29.1 points on the loss ratio;

 

   

net favorable loss development on prior quarters of $4 million, or 2.3 points on the loss ratio;

 

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a higher level of mid-sized loss activity; and

 

   

a decrease in the book of business and exposure.

The net favorable loss development of $46 million in the three months ended September 30, 2009 included net favorable development in all lines of business, particularly the casualty and motor lines.

The increase of $49 million in losses and loss expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 included:

 

   

an increase of $38 million in net adverse prior quarters’ loss development, which was primarily due to development of $25 million related to the Chile Earthquake and Storm Xynthia;

 

   

a decrease of $32 million in net favorable prior year loss development; and

 

   

an increase of $6 million in large catastrophic losses; partially offset by

 

   

a decrease of $27 million in losses and loss expenses resulting from a lower level of mid-sized loss activity and normal fluctuations in profitability between periods, which was partially offset by an increase in the book of business and exposure.

Nine-month result

The losses and loss expenses and loss ratio reported in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 reflected:

 

   

large catastrophic losses related to the Chile Earthquake, New Zealand Earthquake and Storm Xynthia of $149 million, or 28.9 points on the loss ratio;

 

   

net favorable loss development on prior accident years of $65 million, or 12.6 points on the loss ratio;

 

   

a lower level of mid-sized loss activity; and

 

   

an increase in the book of business and exposure.

The net favorable loss development of $65 million included net favorable development in all lines of business, particularly motor and casualty, and was primarily due to favorable loss emergence, as losses reported by cedants during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 for prior accident years were lower than the Company expected. Loss information provided by cedants in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 for prior accident years included no individually significant losses or reductions of losses but a series of attritional losses or reductions. Based on the Company’s assessment of this loss information, the Company decreased its expected ultimate loss ratios for all lines of business, which had the net effect of decreasing prior year loss estimates.

The losses and loss expenses and loss ratio reported in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 reflected:

 

   

no large catastrophic losses;

 

   

net favorable loss development on prior accident years of $133 million, or 28.0 points on the loss ratio;

 

   

a lower level of mid-sized loss activity; and

 

   

a decrease in the book of business and exposure.

The net favorable loss development of $133 million included net favorable development in all lines of business.

The increase of $196 million in losses and loss expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 included:

 

   

an increase of $149 million in large catastrophic losses; and

 

   

a decrease of $68 million in net favorable prior year loss development; partially offset by

 

   

a decrease of $21 million in losses and loss expenses resulting from normal fluctuations in profitability between periods and a lower level of mid-sized loss activity, which was partially offset by an increase in the book of business and exposure.

Acquisition costs and acquisition ratio

Three-month and nine-month result

Acquisition costs increased in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same periods in 2009 primarily as a result of higher net premiums earned. The acquisition ratio increased in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same periods in 2009 due to a shift from non-proportional to proportional business, which carries a higher acquisition cost ratio.

 

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Technical result and technical ratio

Three-month result

The decrease of $39 million in the technical result and corresponding increase in technical ratio for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was primarily due to an increase of $38 million in net adverse prior quarters’ loss development, a decrease of $32 million in net favorable prior year loss development and an increase of $6 million in large catastrophic losses, which was partially offset by a lower level of mid-sized loss activity and normal fluctuations in profitability between periods.

Nine-month result

The decrease of $169 million in the technical result and corresponding increase in technical ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was primarily due to an increase of $149 million in large catastrophic losses and a decrease of $68 million in net favorable prior year loss development, which was partially offset by normal fluctuations in profitability between periods and a lower level of mid-sized loss activity.

Global (Non-U.S.) Specialty

The Global (Non-U.S.) Specialty sub-segment is primarily comprised of lines of business that are generally considered to be either short or medium-tail. The short-tail lines consist of agriculture, energy and specialty property and represented 23% of the net premiums written in this sub-segment in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively. Aviation/space, credit/surety, engineering and marine are considered by the Company to have a medium tail and represented 70% and 65% of the net premiums written in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, while specialty casualty is considered to be long-tail and represented the balance of the net premiums written in this sub-segment.

The following table provides the components of the technical result and the corresponding ratios for this sub-segment for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (in millions of U.S. dollars):

 

     For the three
months ended
September 30,
2010
    % Change
2010 over
2009
    For the three
months ended
September 30,
2009
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2010
    % Change
2010 over
2009
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2009
 

Gross premiums written

   $ 276        (3 )%    $ 284      $ 944        8   $ 875   

Net premiums written

     269        (5     283        906        7        846   

Net premiums earned

   $ 288        (2   $ 295      $ 810        5      $ 774   

Losses and loss expenses

     (141     (27     (195     (499     (1     (504

Acquisition costs

     (62     (15     (73     (176     (4     (183
                                    

Technical result

   $ 85        214      $ 27      $ 135        56      $ 87   

Loss ratio

     49.1       66.1     61.6       65.1

Acquisition ratio

     21.5          24.8        21.7          23.7   
                                    

Technical ratio

     70.6       90.9     83.3       88.8

Premiums

The Global (Non-U.S.) Specialty sub-segment represented 27% and 23% of total net premiums written in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, compared to 32% and 28% of total net premiums written during the same periods in 2009. The decrease in the Global (Non-U.S.) Specialty sub-segment’s net premiums written as a percentage of total net premiums written during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same periods in 2009 was primarily due to the inclusion of the Paris Re sub-segment’s premiums in the Company’s total net premiums written.

Three-month result

Gross and net premiums written and net premiums earned decreased by 3%, 5% and 2%, respectively, during the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The decreases in gross and net premiums written and net premiums earned were primarily due to the stronger U.S. dollar in the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009, as premiums denominated in currencies that have depreciated against the U.S. dollar were converted into U.S. dollars at lower average exchange rates. Foreign exchange fluctuations decreased gross and net premiums written by 3% and net premiums earned by 4%. The decrease in net premiums written was also due to the engineering line of business, driven by a significant non-renewable treaty written during the three months ended September 30, 2009, partially offset by an increase in the marine line of business resulting from new business.

 

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Nine-month result

Gross and net premiums written and net premiums earned increased by 8%, 7% and 5%, respectively, during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The increases in gross and net premiums written were primarily driven by increases in the marine and credit/surety lines of business, which benefited from new business written and increased treaty participations, respectively. The increase in gross and net premiums written and net premiums earned was also partially due to the weaker U.S. dollar in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. Foreign exchange fluctuations increased gross and net premiums written by 2% and net premiums earned by 1%. Notwithstanding the diverse conditions prevailing in various markets within this sub-segment, with terms in most markets soft with some markets strengthening, the Company was able to write business that met its portfolio objectives.

Losses and loss expenses and loss ratio

Three-month result

The losses and loss expenses and loss ratio reported in the three months ended September 30, 2010 reflected:

 

   

no significant catastrophic losses;

 

   

net favorable loss development on prior accident years of $61 million, or 21.3 points on the loss ratio;

 

   

net favorable loss development on prior quarters of $21 million, or 7.4 points on the loss ratio;

 

   

increasing loss trends in the specialty casualty line of business; and

 

   

lower loss estimates in the credit/surety line of business reflecting abating economic and credit conditions.

The net favorable development of $61 million reported in the three months ended September 30, 2010 included net favorable loss development for prior accident years in all lines of business, most notably in the credit/surety and aviation lines of business. Loss information provided by cedants in the three months ended September 30, 2010 for prior accident years was lower than the Company expected and included no individually significant losses or reductions but a series of attritional losses or reductions. Based on the Company’s assessment of this loss information, the Company decreased its expected ultimate loss ratios for all lines of business, which had the net effect of decreasing prior year loss estimates.

The losses and loss expenses and loss ratio reported in the three months ended September 30, 2009 reflected:

 

   

no large catastrophic losses;

 

   

a lower level of mid-sized loss activity;

 

   

net favorable loss development on prior accident years of $18 million, or 6.2 points on the loss ratio;

 

   

increasing loss trends and higher loss estimates in the credit/surety line of business reflecting the deterioration in economic and credit conditions; and

 

   

an increase in the book of business and exposure.

The net favorable development of $18 million reported in the three months ended September 30, 2009 included net favorable loss development for prior accident years in all lines of business, except the credit/surety and agriculture lines of business, which experienced combined adverse loss development for prior accident years of $8 million.

The decrease of $54 million in losses and loss expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 included:

 

   

an increase of $43 million and $19 million in net favorable prior year and prior quarters’ loss development, respectively; partially offset by

 

   

an increase in losses and loss expenses of approximately $8 million resulting from increasing loss trends in the specialty casualty line of business, partially offset by lower loss estimates in the credit/surety line of business and normal fluctuations in profitability between periods.

Nine-month result

The losses and loss expenses and loss ratio reported in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 reflected:

 

   

large catastrophic losses related to the Chile Earthquake and Storm Xynthia of $19 million, or 2.3 points on the loss ratio;

 

   

losses and loss expenses related to Deepwater Horizon of $20 million, or 2.5 points on the loss ratio;

 

   

net favorable loss development on prior accident years of $134 million, or 16.6 points on the loss ratio;

 

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lower loss estimates in the credit/surety line of business reflecting abating economic and credit conditions;

 

   

increasing loss trends in the specialty casualty line of business; and

 

   

an increase in the book of business and exposure.

The net favorable development of $134 million reported in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 included net favorable loss development for prior accident years in all lines of business, except the specialty casualty line of business, which experienced adverse loss development for prior accident years of $17 million. Loss information provided by cedants in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 for prior accident years was lower than the Company expected (higher for specialty casualty) and included no individually significant losses or reductions but a series of attritional losses or reductions. Based on the Company’s assessment of this loss information, the Company decreased its expected ultimate loss ratios for all lines of business (increased for specialty casualty), which had the net effect of decreasing (increasing for specialty casualty) prior year loss estimates.

The losses and loss expenses and loss ratio reported in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 reflected:

 

   

no large catastrophic losses;

 

   

a lower level of mid-sized loss activity;

 

   

net favorable loss development on prior accident years of $74 million, or 9.6 points on the loss ratio; and

 

   

increasing loss trends and higher loss estimates in the credit/surety line of business.

The net favorable development of $74 million reported in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 included net favorable loss development for prior accident years in all lines of business with the exception of the credit/surety, marine and agriculture lines of business, which experienced combined adverse loss development for prior accident years of $8 million.

The decrease of $5 million in losses and loss expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 included:

 

   

an increase of $60 million in net favorable prior year loss development; partially offset by

 

   

an increase in losses and loss expenses of $39 million related to large catastrophic losses and Deepwater Horizon; and

 

   

an increase in losses and loss expenses of approximately $16 million resulting from an increase in the book of business and exposure and increasing loss trends in the specialty casualty line of business, partially offset by lower loss estimates in the credit/surety line of business and normal fluctuations in profitability between periods.

Acquisition costs and acquisition ratio

Three-month result

Acquisition costs decreased in the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 primarily as a result of a lower cost ratio in the credit/surety line of business, which also decreased the acquisition ratio, and lower net premiums earned.

Nine-month result

Acquisition costs and the acquisition ratio decreased in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 primarily as a result of overall lower cost ratios, primarily in the credit/surety line of business. The decrease in acquisition costs was partially offset by an increase due to higher net premiums earned.

Technical result and technical ratio

Three-month result

The increase of $58 million in the technical result and corresponding decrease in the technical ratio for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was explained by an increase of $62 million in net favorable prior year and prior quarters’ loss development, lower loss estimates in the credit/surety line of business and normal fluctuations in profitability between periods, partially offset by increasing loss trends in the specialty casualty line of business.

Nine-month result

The increase of $48 million in the technical result and corresponding decrease in the technical ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was explained by an increase of $60 million in net favorable prior year loss development, lower loss estimates in the credit/surety line of business and normal fluctuations in profitability between periods, partially offset by $39 million related to large catastrophic losses and Deepwater Horizon and increasing loss trends in the specialty casualty line of business.

 

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Catastrophe

The Catastrophe sub-segment writes business predominantly on a non-proportional basis and is exposed to volatility resulting from catastrophic losses. Thus, profitability in any one quarter or year is not necessarily predictive of future profitability.

The following table provides the components of the technical result and the corresponding ratios for this sub-segment for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (in millions of U.S. dollars):

 

     For the three
months ended
September 30,
2010
    % Change
2010 over
2009
    For the three
months ended
September 30,
2009
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2010
    % Change
2010 over
2009
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2009
 

Gross premiums written

   $ 91        96   $ 47      $ 462        23   $ 376   

Net premiums written

     84        81        47        455        21        376   

Net premiums earned

   $ 174        9      $ 159      $ 328        13      $ 290   

Losses and loss expenses

     (58     551        (9     (163     NM        2   

Acquisition costs

     (13     10        (12     (25     8        (23
                                    

Technical result

   $ 103        (26   $ 138      $ 140        (48   $ 269   

Loss ratio

     33.5       5.6     49.9       (0.8 )% 

Acquisition ratio

     7.5          7.4        7.7          8.1   
                                    

Technical ratio

     41.0       13.0     57.6       7.3

 

NM: not meaningful

Premiums

The Catastrophe sub-segment represented 9% and 12% of total net premiums written in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, compared to 5% and 12% of total net premiums written during the same periods in 2009. The increase in the Catastrophe sub-segment’s net premiums written as a percentage of total net premiums written during the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was primarily due to the renewal by the Catastrophe sub-segment of certain treaties previously written by Paris Re and new business written. This increase was partially offset by the inclusion of the Paris Re sub-segment’s premiums in the Company’s total net premiums written. The percentage of total net premiums written during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to 2009 has not changed due to the effect of these factors offsetting during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Three-month result

Gross and net premiums written and net premiums earned increased by 96%, 81% and 9%, respectively, in the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period of 2009. The increase in gross and net premiums written in the three months ended September 30, 2010 was primarily due to the renewal by the Catastrophe sub-segment of certain treaties previously written by Paris Re and new business written. Net premiums earned are normally significantly higher compared to gross and net premiums written during the three months ended September 30, 2010 due to seasonality in the earnings pattern for U.S. wind business, which results in higher earned premiums in quarters with more exposure. The increase in net premiums earned in the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was less than the increase in gross and net premiums written primarily due to the renewed Paris Re treaties and new business written during the third quarter of 2010 being fully reflected in gross and net premiums written but only partially earned during the three months ended September 30, 2010.

Nine-month result

Gross and net premiums written and net premiums earned increased by 23%, 21% and 13% in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period of 2009. The increases in gross and net premiums written and net premiums earned are primarily attributable to the factors described in the three-month result as well as a timing difference related to a renewal of a significant treaty. Foreign exchange fluctuations increased gross and net premiums written by 5% and net premiums earned by 3% due to the weaker U.S. dollar in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The increase in net premiums earned in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was lower than the increase in gross and net premiums written primarily due to the factors described in the three-month result.

 

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Losses and loss expenses and loss ratio

Three-month result

The losses and loss expenses and loss ratio reported in the three months ended September 30, 2010 reflected:

 

   

large catastrophic losses related to the New Zealand Earthquake of $52 million, or 29.5 points on the loss ratio;

 

   

net favorable loss development on prior quarters of $14 million, or 7.8 points on the loss ratio, which was primarily driven by development of $10 million, or 5.8 points on the loss ratio, related to the Chile Earthquake and Storm Xynthia;

 

   

net adverse loss development on prior accident years of $13 million, or 7.5 points on the loss ratio, which was primarily driven by adverse loss development of $10 million related to Hurricane Ike that was reported by a cedant; and

 

   

a lower level of mid-sized loss activity.

The losses and loss expenses and loss ratio reported in the three months ended September 30, 2009 reflected:

 

   

no large catastrophic losses;

 

   

net favorable loss development on prior accident years of $15 million, or 9.6 points on the loss ratio; and

 

   

a higher level of mid-sized loss activity.

The increase of $49 million in losses and loss expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 included:

 

   

an increase of $52 million in large catastrophic losses; and

 

   

a decrease of $28 million in net favorable prior year loss development; partially offset by

 

   

a decrease in losses and loss expenses of approximately $17 million resulting from a lower level of mid-sized loss activity and normal fluctuations in profitability between periods; and

 

   

an increase of $14 million in net favorable prior quarters’ loss development.

Nine-month result

The losses and loss expenses and loss ratio reported in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 reflected:

 

   

large catastrophic losses related to the Chile Earthquake, New Zealand Earthquake and Storm Xynthia of $140 million, or 42.5 points on the loss ratio;

 

   

a lower level of mid-sized loss activity;

 

   

net adverse loss development on prior accident years of $3 million, or 1.1 points on the loss ratio; and

 

   

an increase in the book of business and exposure.

The losses and loss expenses and loss ratio reported in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 reflected:

 

   

no large catastrophic losses;

 

   

net favorable loss development on prior accident years of $38 million, or 13.0 points on the loss ratio; and

 

   

a higher level of mid-sized loss activity.

The increase of $165 million in losses and loss expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 included:

 

   

an increase of $140 million in large catastrophic losses; and

 

   

a decrease of $41 million in net favorable prior year loss development; partially offset by

 

   

a decrease in losses and loss expenses of approximately $16 million resulting from normal fluctuations in profitability between periods and a lower level of mid-sized loss activity.

Acquisition costs and acquisition ratio

Three-month result

Acquisition costs increased slightly in the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 primarily as a result of higher net premiums earned. The acquisition ratio remained essentially flat during the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.

 

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Nine-month result

Acquisition costs increased in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 primarily as a result of higher net premiums earned. The acquisition ratio decreased during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 as a result of the profit commissions received from cedants.

Technical result and technical ratio

Three-month result

The decrease of $35 million in the technical result and corresponding increase in the technical ratio in the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was primarily explained by an increase of $52 million in large catastrophic losses and a decrease in net favorable prior year loss development of $28 million, partially offset by an increase of $14 million in net favorable prior quarters’ loss development, a lower level of mid-sized loss activity and normal fluctuations in profitability between periods.

Nine-month result

The decrease of $129 million in the technical result and corresponding increase in the technical ratio in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was primarily explained by an increase of $136 million, net of reinstatement premiums of $4 million, in large catastrophic losses and a decrease of $41 million in net favorable prior year loss development, partially offset by normal fluctuations in profitability between periods and a lower level of mid-sized loss activity.

Paris Re

The Paris Re sub-segment is primarily comprised of lines of business that are considered to be either short or medium-tail. The short-tail lines consist of agriculture, catastrophe, energy, property, proportional motor and specialty property and represented 69% and 64% of the net premiums written in this sub-segment in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively. Aviation/space, credit/surety, engineering, marine and other are considered by the Company to have a medium tail and represented 27% and 22% of the net premiums written, while specialty casualty, casualty and non-proportional motor are considered to be long-tail and accounted for the balance of the net premiums written in this sub-segment in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010. The results of the Paris Re sub-segment are only included in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations from October 2, 2009, the date of acquisition. Consequently, results of the Paris Re sub-segment for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009 are not presented or discussed below.

The following table provides the components of the technical result and the corresponding ratios for this sub-segment for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 (in millions of U.S. dollars):

 

     For the three
months ended
September  30,
2010
    For the nine
months  ended
September 30,
2010
 

Gross premiums written

   $ 66      $ 773   

Net premiums written

     60        654   

Net premiums earned

   $ 242      $ 730   

Losses and loss expenses

     (154     (559

Acquisition costs

     (35     (121
                

Technical result

   $ 53      $ 50   

Loss ratio

     63.6     76.6

Acquisition ratio

     14.7        16.5   
                

Technical ratio

     78.3     93.1

Premiums

The Paris Re sub-segment represented 6% and 17% of total net premiums written in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively. The percentage of total net premiums written during the three months ended September 30, 2010 was lower compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2010 due to the renewal of certain treaties by the Company’s other Non-life sub-segments.

Three-month result

Gross premiums written for the three months ended September 30, 2010 resulted primarily from the property, motor and marine lines of business, which accounted for 55% of the gross premiums written in this sub-segment. Due to retrocessional covers in place for the

 

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catastrophe and marine lines of business, net premiums written were 9% lower than gross premiums written. Gross and net premiums written were impacted by the renewal of certain treaties by the Company’s other Non-life sub-segments. Net premiums earned of $242 million are primarily driven by the catastrophe, property and agriculture lines of business. Net premiums earned were significantly higher compared to gross and net premiums written during the three months ended September 30, 2010 primarily due to the seasonality in the earnings pattern for U.S. wind business, which results in higher earned premiums in quarters with more exposure, and the renewal of certain treaties by the Company’s other Non-life sub-segments as described above.

Nine-month result

Gross and net premiums written for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 included 32% and 28%, respectively, from the catastrophe line of business. Gross and net premiums written were impacted by the renewal of certain treaties by the Company’s other Non-life sub-segments. Net premiums written are 15% lower than gross premiums written for the same reasons described in the three-month result. Net premiums earned of $730 million were primarily driven by the catastrophe, property and motor lines of business and include the seasonality in the earnings pattern for U.S. wind business as described in the three-month result. The agriculture, property and marine lines of business benefited from upward premium adjustments reported by cedants during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Losses and loss expenses and loss ratio

Three-month result

The losses and loss expenses and loss ratio reported in the three months ended September 30, 2010 reflected:

 

   

large catastrophic losses related to the New Zealand Earthquake of $5 million, or 2.1 points on the loss ratio;

 

   

net favorable loss development on prior accident years of $16 million, or 6.6 points on the loss ratio;

 

   

net favorable loss development on prior quarters of $4 million, or 1.5 points on the loss ratio, which was primarily related to the Chile Earthquake and Storm Xynthia; and

 

   

a high level of mid-sized loss activity.

The net favorable development of $16 million reported in the three months ended September 30, 2010 was driven primarily by net favorable loss development for prior accident years in the catastrophe line of business.

Nine-month result

The losses and loss expenses and loss ratio reported in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 reflected:

 

   

large catastrophic losses related to the Chile Earthquake, Storm Xynthia and New Zealand Earthquake of $80 million, or 10.6 points on the loss ratio;

 

   

losses related to Deepwater Horizon of $41 million, or 5.3 points on the loss ratio; and

 

   

net favorable loss development on prior accident years of $27 million, or 3.7 points on the loss ratio.

The net favorable development of $27 million reported in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was driven primarily by net favorable loss development for prior accident years in the catastrophe and property lines of business and was partially offset by net adverse loss development in the specialty casualty line of business.

Acquisition costs and acquisition ratio

Three-month and nine-month result

Acquisition costs and acquisition ratio for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 were primarily driven by the acquisition costs incurred in the catastrophe line of business, which tend to be lower compared to other lines of business.

Technical result and technical ratio

Three-month result

The technical result and the technical ratio for the three months ended September 30, 2010 reflect net favorable prior year loss development of $16 million and net favorable prior quarters’ development of $4 million, partially offset by a high level of mid-sized loss activity and large catastrophic losses related to the New Zealand Earthquake of $5 million.

Nine-month result

The technical result and the technical ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 reflect large catastrophic losses related to the Chile Earthquake, Storm Xynthia and New Zealand Earthquake of $76 million, net of reinstatement premiums of $4 million, and losses related to Deepwater Horizon of $38 million, net of reinstatement premiums of $3 million, partially offset by net favorable prior year development of $27 million.

 

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Life Segment

The following table provides the components of the allocated underwriting result for this segment for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (in millions of U.S. dollars):

 

     For the three
months ended
September 30,
2010
    % Change
2010 over
2009
    For the three
months ended
September 30,
2009
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2010
    % Change
2010 over
2009
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2009
 

Gross premiums written

   $ 183        17   $ 157      $ 537        23   $ 438   

Net premiums written

     183        17        157        533        23        433   

Net premiums earned

   $ 184        14      $ 160      $ 521        23      $ 423   

Life policy benefits

     (147     27        (115     (447     42        (313

Acquisition costs

     (33     18        (28     (82     (1     (83
                                    

Technical result

   $ 4        (77   $ 17      $ (8     NM      $ 27   

Other income

     —          18        —          2        (12     2   

Other operating expenses

     (11     (15     (13     (38     11        (34

Net investment income

     17        6        16        54        16        46   
                                    

Allocated underwriting result(1)

   $ 10        (50   $ 20      $ 10        (76   $ 41   

 

NM: not meaningful

(1) Allocated underwriting result is defined as net premiums earned, other income or loss and allocated net investment income less life policy benefits, acquisition costs and other operating expenses.

Premiums

The Life segment represented 19% and 14% of total net premiums written in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, compared to 17% and 14% of total net premiums written during the same periods in 2009. The increase in the Life segment’s net premiums written as a percentage of total net premiums written during the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was primarily due to new business written, as described in the three-month result. This increase was partially offset by the inclusion of the Paris Re sub-segment’s premiums in the Company’s total net premiums written. The Life’s segment’s net premiums written as a percentage of total net premiums written during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to 2009 has not changed due to the effect of these factors offsetting during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Three-month result

Gross and net premiums written increased by 17% and net premiums earned increased by 14% in the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The increases in gross and net premiums written and net premiums earned were primarily driven by new business written in the longevity line. The increases in gross and net premiums written and net premiums earned were partially offset by the stronger U.S. dollar in the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009, as premiums denominated in currencies that have depreciated against the U.S. dollar were converted into U.S. dollars at lower average exchange rates. Foreign exchange fluctuations decreased gross and net premiums written by 6% and net premiums earned by 7%.

Nine-month result

Gross and net premiums written and net premiums earned increased by 23% in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The increases in gross and net premiums written and net premiums earned were primarily driven by new business written in the longevity and mortality lines. The increase in gross and net premiums written and net premiums earned was also partially due to the weaker U.S. dollar in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. Foreign exchange fluctuations increased gross premiums written by 3% and net premiums written and earned by 2%.

Life policy benefits

Three-month result

Life policy benefits increased by $32 million in the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The increase was primarily attributable to:

 

   

an increase in new business written in the longevity line; and

 

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a decrease of $18 million in net favorable prior year loss development; partially offset by

 

   

the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations, which decreased life policy benefits by 6% (comparable with the decrease in net premiums earned) during the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.

The net adverse development of $4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2010 was primarily driven by deterioration on a credit life treaty in the mortality line and an ILA treaty in the longevity line, resulting from an improvement in the mortality trend, and was partially offset by favorable development on various other mortality treaties. The net favorable development of $14 million in the three months ended September 30, 2009 was mainly driven by the GMDB business, where the payout is linked to the performance of underlying capital market assets in France.

Nine-month result

Life policy benefits increased by $134 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The increase was primarily attributable to:

 

   

an increase in new business written in the mortality and longevity lines;

 

   

an increase of $32 million in net adverse prior year loss development; and

 

   

the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations, which increased life policy benefits by 3% (comparable with the increase in net premiums earned) during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.

The net adverse development of $21 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was primarily driven by adverse development of $23 million in the longevity line due to an improvement in the mortality trend related to an ILA treaty. The net favorable development of $11 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was primarily driven by the GMDB business.

Acquisition costs

Three-month result

The increase in acquisition costs in the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was primarily attributable to higher profit commissions reported by cedants in the mortality line and higher acquisition costs reported for a longevity treaty in run-off.

Nine-month result

Acquisition costs remained essentially flat in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 due to lower acquisition costs reported for a longevity treaty in run-off and lower profit commissions reported by cedants, partially offset by an increase in acquisition costs in the mortality line due to higher net premiums earned.

Net investment income

Three-month and nine-month result

Net investment income increased in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same periods in 2009 primarily as a result of positive adjustments on funds held contracts reported by cedants and higher invested assets, partially offset by lower interest rates.

Allocated underwriting result

Three-month result

The decrease of $10 million in allocated underwriting result in the three months ended September 30, 2010 was primarily explained by the decrease in the technical result and partially offset by lower other operating expenses and higher net investment income. The decrease in the technical result was driven by a decrease in favorable prior year loss development of $18 million, which was partially offset by normal fluctuations in profitability between periods.

Nine-month result

The decrease of $31 million in allocated underwriting result in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was primarily due to a decrease in the technical result, partially offset by an increase in net investment income. The decrease in the technical result was primarily driven by an increase of $32 million in net adverse prior year loss development and normal fluctuations in profitability between periods.

 

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Premium Distribution by Line of Business

The distribution of net premiums written by line of business for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 was as follows:

 

     For the three
months ended
September 30,
2010
    For the three
months ended
September 30,
2009
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2010
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2009
 

Non-life

        

Property and casualty

        

Casualty

     13     12     10     13

Property

     18        18        18        18   

Motor

     6        6        7        6   

Multiline and other

     1        2        2        3   

Specialty

        

Agriculture

     5        9        4        7   

Aviation/Space

     5        5        4        4   

Catastrophe

     9        5        16        12   

Credit/Surety

     6        6        6        5   

Energy

     3        3        2        3   

Engineering

     5        8        4        5   

Marine

     5        4        6        4   

Specialty casualty

     2        3        4        4   

Specialty property

     3        2        3        2   

Life

     19        17        14        14   
                                

Total

     100     100     100     100

The changes in the distribution of net premiums written by line between the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 primarily reflected the inclusion of Paris Re’s premiums in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 following the Company’s acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2009, as well as the Company’s response to existing market conditions. The distribution of net premiums written may also be affected by the timing of renewals of treaties, a change in treaty structure and premium adjustments by cedants. In addition, foreign exchange fluctuations affected the comparison for all lines.

 

   

Agriculture: the decrease in the distribution of net premiums written was primarily due to lower commodity prices and higher cedants’ retentions.

 

   

Catastrophe: the increase in the distribution of net premiums written in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 is primarily due to the inclusion of Paris Re’s premiums, as described above. Paris Re’s catastrophe line of business represents a relatively higher percentage of its net premiums written compared to the Catastrophe sub-segment’s net premiums written as a percentage of the Company’s net premiums written.

 

   

Engineering: the decrease in the distribution of net premiums written was primarily due to a significant non-renewable treaty written during the three months ended September 30, 2009.

 

   

Life: the increase in the distribution of net premiums written between the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 was primarily due to an increase in the business written in the longevity line of business.

Premium Distribution by Reinsurance Type

The Company typically writes business on either a proportional or non-proportional basis. On proportional business, the Company shares proportionally in both the premiums and losses of the cedant. On non-proportional business, the Company is typically exposed to loss events in excess of a predetermined dollar amount or loss ratio. In both proportional and non-proportional business, the Company typically reinsures a large group of primary insurance contracts written by the ceding company. In addition, the Company writes business on a facultative basis. Facultative arrangements are generally specific to an individual risk and can be written on either a proportional or non-proportional basis. Generally, the Company has more influence over pricing, as well as terms and conditions, in non-proportional and facultative arrangements.

 

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The distribution of gross premiums written by reinsurance type for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 was as follows:

 

     For the three
months ended
September 30,
2010
    For the three
months ended
September 30,
2009
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2010
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2009
 

Non-life Segment

        

Proportional

     54     59     44     52

Non-Proportional

     21        19        36        30   

Facultative

     7        4        7        4   

Life Segment

        

Proportional

     17        17        12        13   

Non-Proportional

     1        1        1        1   
                                

Total

     100     100     100     100

The changes in the distribution of gross premiums written by reinsurance type in the Non-life segment between the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 primarily reflected the inclusion of Paris Re’s premiums in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, following the Company’s acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2009. Paris Re wrote a significantly higher percentage of facultative business during the three months ended September 30, 2010, and a significantly higher percentage of non-proportional and facultative business during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, than the Company’s other Non-life sub-segments. The reduction in the proportional business written by the Non-life segment in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 was also driven by the decreases in the agriculture line of business, as described above. The distribution of proportional business written in the Life segment in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 was comparable to the same periods in 2009 due to new business written being offset by the inclusion of the Paris Re’s premiums, which increased the percentage of the gross premiums written in the Non-life segment.

The distribution of gross premiums written by reinsurance type is also affected by changes in the allocation of capacity among lines of business, the timing of receipt by the Company of cedant accounts and premium adjustments by cedants.

Premium Distribution by Geographic Region

The geographic distribution of gross premiums written for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 was as follows:

 

     For the three
months ended
September 30,
2010
    For the three
months ended
September 30,
2009
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2010
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2009
 

North America

     39     42     37     42

Europe

     38        36        42        40   

Latin America, Caribbean and Africa

     13        15        10        10   

Asia, Australia and New Zealand

     10        7        11        8   
                                

Total

     100     100     100     100

The changes in the distribution of gross premiums written by geographic region was primarily driven by the decrease in gross premiums written in the Company’s U.S. sub-segment, as described above, and the inclusion of Paris Re’s premiums. Paris Re’s gross premiums written were proportionately higher in Asia, Australia and New Zealand and lower in Europe compared to the Company’s other Non-life sub-segments and Life segment. In addition, the percentage of gross premiums written in Europe increased in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 due to new business written in the Life segment.

Premium Distribution by Production Source

The Company generates its gross premiums written both through brokers and through direct relationships with cedants. The percentage of gross premiums written by production source for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 was as follows:

 

     For the three
months ended
September 30,
2010
    For the three
months ended
September 30,
2009
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2010
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2009
 

Broker

     73     73     74     72

Direct

     27        27        26        28   
                                

Total

     100     100     100     100

 

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The distribution of gross premiums written by production source for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 reflects the inclusion of Paris Re’s premiums, as Paris Re writes a proportionately higher percentage of its business through brokers than the Company’s other Non-life sub-segments and Life segment. The distribution of gross premiums written by production source for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was comparable to the same period in 2009 due to Paris Re’s premiums, which have a proportionately higher percentage of broker generated business, representing a lower percentage of the Company’s total gross premiums written.

Corporate and Other

Corporate and Other is comprised of the Company’s capital markets and investment related activities, including principal finance transactions, insurance-linked securities and strategic investments, and its corporate activities, including other operating expenses. The investment related and corporate activities of Paris Re are only included in Corporate and Other from October 2, 2009, the date of acquisition. Consequently, the investment related and corporate activities of Paris Re for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009 are not presented or discussed below.

Net Investment Income

The table below provides net investment income by asset source for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (in millions of U.S. dollars):

 

     For the three
months ended
September 30,
2010
    % Change
2010 over
2009
    For the three
months ended
September 30,
2009
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2010
    % Change
2010 over
2009
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2009
 

Fixed maturities

   $ 142        2   $ 139      $ 444        11   $ 400   

Short-term investments, cash and cash equivalents

     2        (41     3        6        5        6   

Equities

     6        79        3        15        53        10   

Funds held and other

     12        33        9        38        57        24   

Funds held – directly managed

     11        NM        —          38        NM        —     

Investment expenses

     (9     3        (9     (29     13        (26
                                    

Net investment income

   $ 164        13      $ 145      $ 512        24      $ 414   

 

NM: not meaningful

Because of the interest-sensitive nature of some of the Company’s Life products, net investment income is considered in Management’s assessment of the profitability of the Life segment (see Life segment above). The following discussion includes net investment income from all investment activities, including the net investment income allocated to the Life segment.

Three-month result

Net investment income increased in the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 primarily due to:

 

   

an increase in net investment income from fixed maturities and from funds held – directly managed following the acquisition of Paris Re; and

 

   

an increase in net investment income from fixed maturities due to the purchase of higher yielding investments and the reinvestment of cash flows from operations; partially offset by

 

   

lower reinvestment rates; and

 

   

the strengthening of the U.S. dollar, on average, in the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 contributed a 2% decrease in net investment income.

Nine-month result

Net investment income increased in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 due to:

 

   

the net impact of the factors listed under the three-month result;

 

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an increase in net investment income on funds held balances as a result of higher investment income reported by cedants; and

 

   

the weakening of the U.S. dollar, on average, in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 contributed 1% to the increase in net investment income.

Net Realized and Unrealized Investment Gains

The Company’s portfolio managers have dual investment objectives of optimizing current investment income and achieving capital appreciation. To meet these objectives, it is often desirable to buy and sell securities to take advantage of changing market conditions and to reposition the investment portfolios. Accordingly, recognition of realized gains and losses is considered by the Company to be a normal consequence of its ongoing investment management activities. In addition, the Company records changes in fair value for substantially all of its investments as unrealized investment gains or losses in its Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Realized and unrealized investment gains and losses are generally a function of multiple factors, with the most significant being prevailing interest rates, credit spreads and equity market conditions.

As discussed in Overview above, the global economy and financial markets continued to improve during the three months ended September 30, 2010 reflecting rising equity markets, narrowing credit spreads and declining U.S. and European risk-free rates. Similar trends were also observed in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 during which equity markets rose and U.S. and European risk-free rates declined, while credit spreads remained flat.

The components of net realized and unrealized investment gains for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were as follows (in millions of U.S. dollars):

 

     For the three
months ended
September 30,
2010
    For the three
months ended
September 30,
2009
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2010
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2009
 

Net realized investment gains on fixed maturities and short-term investments

   $ 56      $ 35      $ 107      $ 64   

Net realized investment gains (losses) on equities

     15        11        38        (92

Net realized (losses) gains on other invested assets

     (35     (10     (62     22   

Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on other invested assets

     5        (27     (42     (9

Change in net unrealized investment gains on fixed maturities and short-term investments subject to the fair value option

     135        243        397        380   

Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses) on equities subject to the fair value option

     80        74        (22     199   

Net other realized and unrealized investment gains

     11        4        13        3   

Net realized and unrealized investment gains on funds held – directly managed

     26        —          56        —     
                                

Net realized and unrealized investment gains

   $ 293      $ 330      $ 485      $ 567   

Three-month result

Net realized and unrealized investment gains decreased by $37 million, from $330 million in the three months ended September 30, 2009 to $293 million in the same period of 2010. The net realized and unrealized investment gains of $293 million were primarily driven by improvements in worldwide equity markets, narrowing credit spreads and declining risk-free interest rates in the three months ended September 30, 2010. Net realized and unrealized investment gains of $293 million in the three months ended September 30, 2010 consist of the change in net unrealized investment gains on fixed maturities, short-term investments, equities and other invested assets of $220 million, net realized investment gains on fixed maturities, short-term investments and equities of $71 million, net realized and unrealized investment gains on funds held – directly managed of $26 million and net other realized and unrealized investment gains of $11 million, which were partially offset by net realized losses on other invested assets of $35 million.

Net realized investment losses on other invested assets of $35 million in the three months ended September 30, 2010 primarily relate to losses on treasury note futures. The change in net unrealized investment gains on other invested assets in the three months ended September 30, 2010 of $5 million primarily related to gains on weather derivatives and total return swaps, which were partially offset by losses on treasury note futures. Net realized losses on other invested assets of $10 million in the three months ended September 30, 2009 primarily related to losses on credit default swaps. The change in net unrealized losses on other invested assets of $27 million in the three months ended September 30, 2009 primarily related to unrealized losses on treasury note futures, which were partially offset by unrealized gains on credit default swaps and principal finance transactions.

 

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Nine-month result

Net realized and unrealized investment gains decreased by $82 million, from $567 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 to $485 million in same period of 2010. The net realized and unrealized investment gains of $485 million were primarily due to lower U.S. and European risk-free interest rates and narrowing credit spreads. Net realized and unrealized investment gains of $485 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 consist of the change in net unrealized investment gains on fixed maturities and short-term investments of $397 million, net realized investment gains on fixed maturities, short-term investments and equities of $145 million, net realized and unrealized investment gains on funds held – directly managed of $56 million and net other realized and unrealized gains of $13 million, which were partially offset by the change in net unrealized losses on other invested assets and equities of $64 million and net realized losses on other invested assets of $62 million.

Net realized and the change in net unrealized losses on other invested assets of $62 million and $42 million, respectively, in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 primarily related to losses on treasury note futures. Net realized gains on other invested assets of $22 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 primarily related to gains on treasury note and equity futures, which were partially offset by net realized losses on credit default swaps. The net unrealized loss on other invested assets of $9 million primarily related to unrealized losses on treasury note futures and credit default swaps, which were partially offset by unrealized gains on total return and interest rate swaps and other principal finance transactions.

Interest in Earnings of Equity Investments

Three-month and nine-month result

The interest in the results of equity investments represents the Company’s aggregate share of earnings or losses related to several private placement investments and limited partnerships in which the Company has more than a minor interest. The Company’s interest in earnings of equity investments was $1 million and $5 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, compared to $2 million and $1 million for the same periods in 2009.

Technical Result and Other Income

Three-month and nine-month result

Technical result and other income included in Corporate and Other primarily relates to income on insurance-linked securities and principal finance transactions.

Other Operating Expenses

The Company’s total other operating expenses for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were as follows (in millions of U.S. dollars):

 

     For the three
months ended
September 30,
2010
     % Change
2010 over
2009
    For the three
months ended
September 30,
2009
     For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2010
     % Change
2010 over
2009
    For the nine
months ended
September 30,
2009
 

Other operating expenses

   $ 118         16   $ 102       $ 406         43   $ 284   

Three-month result

Other operating expenses represent 9.0% and 9.4% of net premiums earned (both Non-life and Life) for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Other operating expenses included in Corporate and Other were $26 million and $28 million, of which $22 million and $25 million are related to corporate activities for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The increase in other operating expenses of 16% for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was primarily due to the inclusion of Paris Re’s other operating expenses of $18 million which were partially offset by lower consulting and professional fees.

Nine-month result

Other operating expenses represent 11.4% and 10.2% of net premiums earned (both Non-life and Life) for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Other operating expenses included in Corporate and Other were $127 million and $80 million, of which $116 million and $70 million are related to corporate activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

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The increase in other operating expenses of 43% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was primarily due to the inclusion of Paris Re’s other operating expenses of $67 million, a charge of $34 million related to the Company’s voluntary plan (see Overview above), and increased share-based compensation and personnel expenses, which were partially offset by lower consulting and professional fees.

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company purchased, as part of its acquisition of Paris Re, an investment portfolio and a funds held – directly managed account. The discussion of the acquired Paris Re investment portfolio is included in the discussion of Investments below. The discussion of the segregated investment portfolio underlying the funds held – directly managed account is included separately in Funds Held – Directly Managed below.

See the Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources discussion in Item 7 of Part II of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. The following discussion of financial condition, liquidity and capital resources at September 30, 2010 focuses only on material changes from December 31, 2009.

Investments

Total investments and cash were $16.6 billion at September 30, 2010, compared to $16.0 billion at December 31, 2009. The major factors influencing the increase in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 were:

 

   

net cash provided by operating activities of $865 million;

 

   

the issuance of $500 million in Senior Notes in March 2010; and

 

   

an increase in the market value of the investment portfolio (realized and unrealized) of $429 million primarily resulting from an increase in the fixed maturity and short-term investment portfolios of $504 million, an increase in the equity portfolio of $16 million and net other realized and unrealized investment gains of $13 million, partially offset by a decrease in other invested assets of $104 million; partially offset by

 

   

repurchases of the Company’s common shares of $682 million;

 

   

repayment of debt of $200 million;

 

   

various factors, the primary one being the effect of a stronger U.S. dollar at September 30, 2010 relative to the euro as it relates to the conversion of non-U.S. dollar invested assets into U.S. dollars at lower exchange rates, amounting to approximately $189 million; and

 

   

dividend payments on common and preferred shares totaling $143 million.

The Company employs a prudent investment philosophy. It maintains a high quality, well-balanced and liquid portfolio having the dual objectives of optimizing current investment income and achieving capital appreciation. The Company’s invested assets are comprised of total investments, cash and cash equivalents and accrued investment income. From a risk management perspective, the Company allocates its invested assets into two categories: liability funds and capital funds. At September, 30, 2010, the liability funds totaled $10.6 billion (including funds held – directly managed) and were comprised primarily of cash and cash equivalents and high quality fixed income securities. The capital funds, which totaled $8.1 billion, were comprised of cash and cash equivalents, investment grade and below investment grade fixed income securities, accrued investment income, preferred and common stocks, private equity and bond investments, and convertible fixed income securities. For additional information on liability funds, capital funds and the use of derivative financial instruments in the Company’s investment strategy, see Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources in Item 7 of Part II of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

The market value of investments classified as trading securities (excluding funds held – directly managed) was $14.9 billion at September 30, 2010. Trading securities are carried at fair value with changes in fair value included in net realized and unrealized investment gains and losses in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

At September 30, 2010, approximately 94% of the Company’s fixed income securities, including fixed income type mutual funds, were rated investment grade (BBB- or higher) by Standard & Poor’s (or estimated equivalent) and 92% were publicly traded. The average credit quality of the Company’s fixed income securities at September 30, 2010 was AA, comparable to the position at December 31, 2009.

The average duration of the Company’s investment portfolio was 3.1 years at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009. For the purposes of managing portfolio duration, the Company uses exchange traded treasury note futures. The use of treasury note futures allowed the Company to reduce the duration of its investment portfolio from 3.5 years to 3.1 years at September 30, 2010.

The average yield to maturity on fixed maturities, short-term investments and cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2010 decreased to 2.6% from 3.6% at December 31, 2009, reflecting lower risk-free interest rates.

 

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The Company’s investment portfolio generated a positive total accounting return (calculated based on the carrying value of all investments in local currency) of 2.6% and 5.7% for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, compared to a positive total accounting return of 3.7% and 8.2% for the comparable periods in 2009. The lower total accounting return was primarily due to lower risk-free interest rates.

The cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair value of investments classified as trading at September 30, 2010 were as follows (in millions of U.S. dollars):

 

September 30, 2010

   Cost (1)      Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Fair
Value
 

Fixed maturities

          

U.S. government and agencies

   $ 1,061       $ 41       $ (4   $ 1,098   

Non-U.S. sovereign government, supranational and government related

     2,841         140         (1     2,980   

Corporate

     6,213         413         (9     6,617   

Mortgage/asset-backed securities

     2,973         133         (31     3,075   
                                  

Total fixed maturities

     13,088         727         (45     13,770   

Short-term investments

     89         —           —          89   

Equities

     985         72         (30     1,027   
                                  

Total

   $ 14,162       $ 799       $ (75   $ 14,886   

 

(1) Cost is amortized cost for fixed maturities and short-term investments and cost for equity securities. For investments acquired from Paris Re, cost is based on the fair value at the date of acquisition and subsequently adjusted for amortization of fixed maturities and short-term investments.

U.S. treasuries, agencies of the U.S. government and U.S. municipalities accounted for 65%, 32%, and 3%, respectively, of the U.S. government and agencies category at September 30, 2010. The U.S. treasuries are not rated, however, they are generally considered to have a credit quality equivalent to or greater than AAA corporate issues. At September 30, 2010, 58% of U.S. government agency securities, although not specifically rated, are generally considered to have a credit quality equivalent to AAA corporate issues. Of the remaining 42% of U.S. government agency securities, 35% and 7% are rated AAA and AA, respectively. At September 30, 2010, 38% of the U.S. municipalities held, although unrated, were generally considered to have a credit quality equivalent to AAA corporate issues and 33% were rated AAA. The remaining 29% of municipalities were rated investment grade (BBB- or higher) by Standard & Poor’s (or estimated equivalent).

Included in non-U.S. sovereign government, supranational and government related are obligations of non-U.S. sovereign governments, agencies, political subdivisions and supranational debt. Non-U.S. sovereign government obligations comprised 78% of this category, of which 93% were rated AAA. The largest three non-U.S. sovereign government issuers (France, Germany and Canada) accounted for 63% of non-U.S. sovereign government obligations at September 30, 2010. The remaining 22% of this category was comprised of investment grade non-U.S. government related obligations, non-U.S. government agency obligations and supranational debt, which represented 14%, 7% and 1%, respectively. At September 30, 2010, 81% of this category was rated AAA compared to 64% at December 31, 2009. The increase in the percentage of this category rated AAA was due to the Company selling substantially all of its non-U.S. government and government related obligations related to Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal and Ireland in January 2010, and reallocating these exposures to AAA-rated non-U.S. government and government related securities.

Corporate bonds are comprised of obligations of U.S. and foreign corporations. At September 30, 2010, 92% of these investments were rated investment grade (BBB- or higher) by Standard & Poor’s (or estimated equivalent), while 69% were rated A- or better. While the ten largest issuers accounted for 21% of the corporate bonds held by the Company at September 30, 2010 (8% of total investments and cash), no single issuer accounted for more than 3% of total corporate bonds (2% of the Company’s total investments and cash at September 30, 2010). At September 30, 2010, U.S. bonds comprised 62% of this category and no other country accounted for more than 10% of this category. The main exposures by economic sector were 28% in finance (12% were banks) and 13% in consumer noncyclicals. Within the finance sector, 99% of corporate bonds were rated investment grade and 90% were rated A- or better at September 30, 2010. In January 2010, the Company sold substantially all of its holdings of Spanish government guaranteed corporate debt (excluding funds held – directly managed) with these exposures reallocated primarily to AAA rated non-U.S. government securities.

In the mortgage/asset-backed securities category, 88% were U.S. mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities at September 30, 2010. These securities generally have a low risk of default and 77% are backed by agencies of the U.S. government, which sets standards on the mortgages before accepting them into the program. Although these U.S. government backed agency securities do not carry a formal rating, they are generally considered to have a credit quality equivalent to or greater than AAA corporate issues. They are considered prime mortgages and the major risk is uncertainty of the timing of prepayments. While there have been market concerns

 

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regarding sub-prime mortgages, the Company did not have direct exposure to these types of securities in its own portfolio at September 30, 2010, other than $15 million of investments in distressed asset vehicles (included in other invested assets). At September 30, 2010, the Company’s U.S. mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities included approximately $113 million (4% of this category) of collateralized mortgage obligations and commercial mortgage-backed securities, where the Company deemed the entry point and price of the investment to be attractive. Of the Company’s U.S. mortgage/asset-backed securities of $2.7 billion at September 30, 2010, approximately 15% were rated below AA by Standard & Poor’s (or estimated equivalent). The remaining 12% of this category at September 30, 2010 was comprised of non-U.S. mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, of which 99% were rated AA or higher by Standard & Poor’s (or estimated equivalent).

Short-term investments primarily consisted of obligations of U.S. and foreign governments and U.S. and foreign corporations. At September 30, 2010, corporates (consisting primarily of catastrophe bonds, mortality bonds and U.S. finance sector bonds) comprised 48% of this category, of which 74% were rated investment grade (BBB- or higher) by Standard & Poor’s (or estimated equivalent), while U.S. government and agencies and foreign governments comprised the remaining 43% and 9%, respectively, and were rated AAA.

Publicly traded common stocks (including public exchange traded funds and real estate investment trusts (REITs)) comprised 96% of equities at September 30, 2010. The remaining 4% of this category consisted primarily of funds holding fixed income securities, including a $34 million emerging markets fund that accounted for 85% of funds holding fixed income securities. Of the publicly traded common stocks, exchange traded funds and REITs, U.S. issuers represented 90% at September 30, 2010. While the ten largest common stocks accounted for 17% of equities (excluding equities held in public exchange traded funds and mutual funds) at September 30, 2010, no single common stock issuer accounted for more than 3% of total equities (excluding equities held in public exchange traded funds and mutual funds) or more than 1% of the Company’s total investments and cash. At September 30, 2010, the largest publicly traded common stock exposures by economic sector were 21% in consumer noncyclicals, 12% in each of technology and finance, 11% in each of communications and energy, and 10% in industrials. The increase in the Company’s equity portfolio from $796 million at December 31, 2009 to $1,027 million at September 30, 2010 was primarily due to a shift in asset allocation to equities and a modest increase in market values driven by improving worldwide equity markets during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Maturity Distribution

The distribution of fixed maturities and short-term investments at September 30, 2010, by contractual maturity date, is shown below (in millions of U.S. dollars). Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain borrowers have the right to call or prepay certain obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

     Cost      Fair Value  

One year or less

   $ 1,034       $ 1,046   

More than one year through five years

     5,340         5,549   

More than five years through ten years

     3,329         3,624   

More than ten years

     501         565   
                 

Subtotal

     10,204         10,784   

Mortgage/asset-backed securities

     2,973         3,075   
                 

Total

   $ 13,177       $ 13,859   

Rating Distribution

The following table provides a breakdown of the credit quality of the Company’s fixed income securities at September 30, 2010:

 

     % of total fixed
income securities
 

Rating Category

  

AAA

     51

AA

     9   

A

     23   

BBB

     11   

Below investment grade/unrated

     6   
        
     100
        

The breakdown of the credit quality of the Company’s fixed income securities at September 30, 2010 has not changed significantly compared to December 31, 2009.

 

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Other Invested Assets

At September 30, 2010, the Company had other invested assets of $296 million. The Company’s other invested assets consist primarily of investments in non-publicly traded companies, private placement equity investments, notes receivable and other specialty asset classes. These assets, together with the Company’s derivative financial instruments that were in a net unrealized gain or loss position at September 30, 2010, are reported within other invested assets in the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

At September 30, 2010, the Company’s principal finance activities included $129 million of investments classified as other invested assets, which were comprised primarily of total return, interest rate, and credit default swaps (which are accounted for as derivative financial instruments), other asset-backed securities and notes receivable. At September 30, 2010, the carrying value of other asset-backed securities and notes receivable was $97 million and $45 million, respectively.

For total return swaps within the principal finance portfolio, the Company uses internal valuation models to estimate the fair value of these derivatives and develops assumptions that require significant judgment, such as the timing of future cash flows, credit spreads and general level of interest rates. For interest rate swaps, the Company uses externally modeled quoted prices that use observable market inputs. At September 30, 2010, the fair value of the Company’s assumed exposure in the form of total return and interest rate swaps was an unrealized loss of $4 million and $8 million, respectively. At September 30, 2010, the notional value of the Company’s assumed exposure in the form of total return swaps was $178 million.

As of September 30, 2010, 47% of the Company’s principal finance total return and interest rate swap portfolio was related to apparel and retail future flow or intellectual property backed transactions, with the remainder distributed over a number of generally unrelated risks, and approximately 52% of the underlying investments were rated investment grade.

For credit default swaps within principal finance, the Company uses externally modeled quoted prices that use observable market inputs to estimate the fair value. At September 30, 2010, the fair value and the notional value of the Company’s assumed exposure in the form of credit default swaps was an unrealized loss of $1 million and $23 million, respectively.

The Company continues to utilize credit default swaps to mitigate the risk associated with its underwriting obligations, most notably in the credit/surety line, to replicate investment positions or to manage market exposures and to reduce the credit risk for specific fixed maturities in its investment portfolio. The counterparties to the Company’s credit default swaps are all highly rated financial institutions, rated A- or better by Standard & Poor’s at September 30, 2010. The Company uses externally modeled quoted prices that use observable market inputs to estimate the fair value of these swaps. Excluding the credit default swaps within the principal finance portfolio described above, the fair value of these credit default swaps was a net unrealized loss of $1 million at September 30, 2010, and the notional value was $129 million, comprised of $134 million of credit protection purchased and $5 million of credit exposure assumed.

The Company has entered into various weather derivatives and longevity total return swaps for which the underlying risks include parametric weather risks and longevity risks, respectively. The Company uses internal valuation models to estimate the fair value of these derivatives and develops assumptions that require significant judgment, except for exchange traded weather derivatives. In determining the fair value of exchange traded weather derivatives, the Company uses quoted market prices. At September 30, 2010, the fair value and notional value of the weather derivatives, excluding exchange traded weather derivatives, and the longevity total return swap was a net unrealized loss of $3 million and a net long position of $118 million, respectively. At September 30, 2010, the fair value and the net notional value of exchange traded weather derivatives was less than $1 million.

The Company uses exchange traded treasury note futures for the purposes of managing portfolio duration. The fair value and notional value of the treasury note futures was a net unrealized loss of $19 million and a net short position of $1,306 million at September 30, 2010, respectively. The Company also uses equity futures to replicate equity investment positions. At September 30, 2010, there were no equity futures outstanding.

The Company utilizes foreign exchange forward contracts and foreign currency option contracts as part of its overall currency risk management and investment strategies. As of September 30, 2010, the fair value of foreign exchange forward contracts and foreign currency option contracts was a net unrealized gain of $14 million and $5 million, respectively.

At September 30, 2010, the Company’s strategic investments of $176 million (of which $161 million were included in other invested assets) includes investments in non-publicly traded companies, private placement equity investments, derivatives and other specialty asset classes. Included as part of the Company’s strategic investment activities are commodity futures and option contracts (which are accounted for as derivative financial instruments) with combined fair values and notional values of approximately $1 million at September 30, 2010. The fair value of the commodity futures and option contracts was a net unrealized loss of $1 million at September 30, 2010.

The Company also had $9 million of other invested assets at September 30, 2010.

 

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Funds Held – Directly Managed

For a discussion of the funds held – directly managed account and the related Quota Share Retrocession Agreement, see Summary of certain agreements between AXA SA, Colisée Re and Paris Re in Item 1 of Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. The composition of the investments underlying the funds held – directly managed account at September 30, 2010 is discussed below.

At September 30, 2010, all of the fixed income securities underlying the funds held – directly managed account were publicly traded and substantially all (more than 99%) were rated investment grade (BBB- or higher) by Standard & Poor’s (or estimated equivalent). The average credit quality of fixed income securities underlying the funds held – directly managed account was AA at September 30, 2010, comparable to December 31, 2010.

The average duration of investments underlying the funds held – directly managed account was 3.2 years at September 30, 2010. The average yield to maturity on fixed maturities, short-term investments and cash and cash equivalents underlying the funds held – directly managed account decreased from 2.6% at December 31, 2009 to 2.1% at September 30, 2010, primarily due to a decline in risk-free interest rates in the nine months ended September 30, 2010. The average yield to maturity is lower than the book yield of 3.5% reported prior to the acquisition of Paris Re due to an increase in the cost basis of the portfolio under U.S. GAAP, which is based on the fair value of the investments at the date of acquisition. The increased cost basis is a result of the securities trading at a premium to their par value at maturity at the date of acquisition. The premium will be amortized over the remaining period to maturity.

The cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair value of investments underlying the funds held – directly managed account at September 30, 2010 were as follows (in millions of U.S. dollars):

 

     Cost (1)      Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Fair
Value
 

Fixed maturities

          

U.S. government and agencies

   $ 288       $ 14       $ —        $ 302   

Non-U.S. sovereign government, supranational and government related

     424         14         —          438   

Corporate

     904         26         (1     929   

Mortgage/asset-backed securities

     13         2         (3     12   
                                  

Total fixed maturities

     1,629         56         (4     1,681   

Short-term investments

     18         —           —          18   

Other invested assets

     34         —           (3     31   
                                  

Total

   $ 1,681       $ 56       $ (7   $ 1,730   

 

(1) Cost is based on the fair value at the date of the acquisition of Paris Re and subsequently adjusted for amortization of fixed maturities and short-term investments.

In addition to the investments underlying the funds held – directly managed account in the above table at September 30, 2010, were cash and cash equivalents of $46 million, other assets and liabilities of $117 million and accrued investment income of $26 million. The other assets and liabilities represent working capital assets held by Colisée Re related to the underlying business. The discussion below focuses on the investments underlying the funds held – directly managed account.

U.S. government and agencies underlying the funds held – directly managed account is comprised of agencies of the U.S. government and U.S. treasuries. At September 30, 2010, agencies of the U.S. government and U.S. treasuries accounted for 67% and 33% of this category, respectively. With the exception of investments totaling $38 million in government sponsored entities which were rated AA, the agencies of the U.S. government and U.S. treasuries are generally considered to have a credit quality equivalent to or greater than AAA corporate issues.

Included in the non-U.S. sovereign government, supranational and government related category are obligations of non-U.S. sovereign governments, agencies, political subdivisions and supranational debt. Investment grade (BBB- or higher) by Standard & Poor’s (or estimated equivalent) non-U.S. government related obligations comprised 60% of this category, with non-U.S government agency obligations, non-U.S. sovereign government obligations, and supranational debt accounting for the remaining 19%, 17% and 4%, respectively. The decrease in this category from $548 million at December 31, 2009 to $438 million at September 30, 2010, is primarily related to the sale of substantially all of the non-U.S. governments and agency obligations related to Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal and Ireland in January 2010, and reallocating these exposures to other categories.

Corporate bonds underlying the funds held – directly managed account are comprised of obligations of U.S. and foreign corporations. At September 30, 2010, substantially all (more than 99%) of these investments were rated investment grade (BBB- or higher) by Standard & Poor’s (or estimated equivalent), while 92% were rated A- or better. While the ten largest issuers accounted for 23% of the

 

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corporate bonds underlying the funds held – directly managed account at September 30, 2010, no single issuer accounted for more than 6% of total corporate bonds or more than 3% of the investments and cash underlying the funds held – directly managed account. At September 30, 2010, U.S. bonds comprised 43% of this category, while French and Dutch bonds comprised 15% and 10%, respectively. The main exposures of this category by economic sector were 46% in finance (26% were banks) and 14% in consumer noncyclicals. Within the finance sector, 99% of corporate bonds were rated investment grade and 98% were rated A- or better at September 30, 2010. In January 2010, the Company sold substantially all of its holdings of Portuguese government guaranteed corporate debt in this category with these exposures reallocated primarily to AAA rated other foreign government securities.

Mortgage/asset-backed securities underlying the funds held – directly managed account are comprised of U.S. mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. At September 30, 2010, 60% of these investments were rated investment grade (BBB- or higher) by Standard & Poor’s (or estimated equivalent), while 32% were rated A- or better.

Short-term investments underlying the funds held – directly managed account at September 30, 2010, are comprised of AAA-rated non-U.S. sovereign government obligations.

Other invested assets underlying the funds held – directly managed account consist primarily of real estate fund investments.

Maturity Distribution

The distribution of fixed maturities and short-term investments underlying the funds held – directly managed account at September 30, 2010, by contractual maturity date, is shown below (in millions of U.S. dollars). Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain borrowers have the right to call or prepay certain obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

     Cost      Fair Value  

One year or less

   $ 297       $ 298   

More than one year through five years

     888         910   

More than five years through ten years

     401         427   

More than ten years

     48         52   
                 

Subtotal

     1,634         1,687   

Mortgage/asset-backed securities

     13         12   
                 

Total

   $ 1,647       $ 1,699   

Rating Distribution

The following table provides a breakdown of the credit quality of fixed income securities underlying the Company’s funds held – directly managed account at September 30, 2010:

 

     % of total fixed
income securities
 

Rating Category

  

AAA

     41

AA

     27   

A

     27   

BBB

     4   

Below investment grade/unrated

     1   
        
     100
        

The breakdown of the credit quality of the fixed income securities underlying the funds held – directly managed account at September 30, 2010 has not changed significantly compared to December 31, 2009.

Funds Held by Reinsured Companies (Cedants)

Funds held by reinsured companies at September 30, 2010 have not changed significantly since December 31, 2009. See Funds Held by Reinsured Companies (Cedants) in Item 7 of Part II of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Unpaid Losses and Loss Expenses

The Company establishes loss reserves to cover the estimated liability for the payment of all losses and loss expenses incurred with respect to premiums earned on the contracts that the Company writes. Loss reserves do not represent an exact calculation of the liability. Estimates of ultimate liabilities are contingent on many future events and the eventual outcome of these events may be

 

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different from the assumptions underlying the reserve estimates. The Company believes that the recorded unpaid losses and loss expenses represent Management’s best estimate of the cost to settle the ultimate liabilities based on information available at September 30, 2010. See Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates—Losses and Loss Expenses and Life Policy Benefits above and in Item 7 of Part II of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 for additional information concerning losses and loss expenses.

At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company recorded gross Non-life reserves for unpaid losses and loss expenses of $10,706 million and $10,811 million, respectively, and net Non-life reserves for unpaid losses and loss expenses of $10,353 million and $10,475 million, respectively. The net Non-life reserves for unpaid losses and loss expenses at September 30, 2010 include $1,306 million of reserves guaranteed by Colisée Re under the Reserve Agreement (see Summary of certain agreements between AXA SA, Colisée Re and Paris Re in Item 1 of Part I and Note 8 to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 for a discussion of the Reserve Agreement).

The following table provides a reconciliation of the net Non-life reserves for unpaid losses and loss expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 (in millions of U.S. dollars):

 

     For the nine
months ended
September 30, 2010
 

Net liability at December 31, 2009

   $ 10,475   

Net incurred losses related to:

  

Current year

     2,369   

Prior years

     (350
        
     2,019   

Change in Paris Re Reserve Agreement

     (60

Net paid losses

     (1,958

Effects of foreign exchange rate changes

     (123
        

Net liability at September 30, 2010

   $ 10,353   

The Non-life ratio of paid losses to net premiums earned was 64%, while the Non-life ratio of paid losses to incurred losses was 97% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to 58% and 110%, respectively, for the same period in 2009. The Non-life ratio of paid losses to net premiums earned for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 increased primarily due to paid losses related to the large catastrophic losses incurred in 2010 as well as the impact of Paris Re’s paid losses, which were proportionately higher than the Company’s other Non-life sub-segments. The decrease in the Non-life ratio of paid losses to incurred losses is due to a higher level of incurred losses, primarily related to the Chile Earthquake, New Zealand Earthquake, Storm Xynthia and Deepwater Horizon during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009, which had no catastrophic or large losses.

See Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates—Losses and Loss Expenses and Life Policy Benefits and Results by Segment above for a discussion of losses and loss expenses and prior years’ reserve developments. See also Business—Reserves in Item 1 of Part I in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 for a discussion of the impact of foreign exchange on net reserves.

Policy Benefits for Life and Annuity Contracts

At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company recorded gross policy benefits for life and annuity contracts of $1,736 million and $1,615 million, respectively, and net policy benefits for life and annuity contracts of $1,721 million and $1,595 million, respectively.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the net policy benefits for life and annuity contracts for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 (in millions of U.S. dollars):

 

     For the nine
months ended
September 30, 2010
 

Net liability at December 31, 2009

   $ 1,595   

Net incurred losses related to:

  

Current year

     425   

Prior years

     22   
        
     447   

Net paid losses

     (287

Effects of foreign exchange rate changes

     (34

Net liability at September 30, 2010

   $ 1,721   

 

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See Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates—Losses and Loss Expenses and Life Policy Benefits and Results by Segment above for a discussion of life policy benefits and prior years’ reserve developments.

Reinsurance Recoverable on Paid and Unpaid Losses

The Company has exposure to credit risk related to reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses. See Note 9 to Consolidated Financial Statements and Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk—Counterparty Credit Risk in Item 7A of Part II of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 for a discussion of the Company’s risk related to reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses and the Company’s process to evaluate the financial condition of its reinsurers.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

In the normal course of its business, the Company is a party to a variety of contractual obligations, which are discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. These contractual obligations are considered by the Company when assessing its liquidity requirements, and the Company is confident in its ability to meet all of its obligations.

See Shareholders’ Equity and Capital Resources Management for a discussion of the material changes in the Company’s Contractual Obligations and Commitments since December 31, 2009 resulting from the issuance of $500 million in Senior Notes in March 2010 and the repayment of $200 million debt in July 2010.

Shareholders’ Equity and Capital Resources Management

Shareholders’ equity was $7.6 billion at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009. The following offsetting factors contributed to a modest decrease of $63 million in shareholders’ equity during the nine months ended September 30, 2010:

 

   

a net decrease of $643 million, due to the repurchase of common shares of $682 million under the Company’s share repurchase program, partially offset by the issuance of common shares under the Company’s employee equity plans and share-based compensation expense of $39 million;

 

   

a $67 million decrease in the currency translation adjustment, resulting primarily from the translation of PartnerRe Holdings Europe Limited’s and PARIS RE SA’s financial statements into the U.S. dollar;

 

   

dividends declared on both the Company’s common and preferred shares of $143 million; and

 

   

a $6 million decrease in other comprehensive income; partially offset by

 

   

net income of $796 million.

See Results of Operations and Review of Net Income above for a discussion of the Company’s net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

As part of its long-term strategy, the Company will continue to actively manage capital resources to support its operations throughout the reinsurance cycle and for the benefit of its shareholders, subject to the ability to maintain strong ratings from the major rating agencies and the unquestioned ability to pay claims as they arise. Generally, the Company seeks to increase its capital when its current capital position is not sufficient to support the volume of attractive business opportunities available. Conversely, the Company will seek to reduce its capital, through the payment of dividends or stock repurchases, when available business opportunities are insufficient to fully utilize the Company’s capital at adequate returns. The Company may also seek to reduce or restructure its capital through the repayment or purchase of debt obligations, or increase or restructure its capital through the issuance of debt, when opportunities arise.

Management uses growth in diluted book value per share as a prime measure of the value the Company is generating for its common shareholders, as Management believes that growth in the Company’s diluted book value per share ultimately translates into growth in the Company’s share price. Diluted book value per share is calculated using common shareholders’ equity (shareholders’ equity less the liquidation value of preferred shares) divided by the number of fully diluted common shares outstanding (assuming exercise of all share-based awards and other dilutive securities). The Company’s diluted book value per share increased by 10% to $93.21 at September 30, 2010 from $84.51 at December 31, 2009, primarily due to comprehensive income and the accretive impact of the share repurchases during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

 

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The table below sets forth the capital structure of the Company at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 (in millions of U.S. dollars):

 

     September 30, 2010     December 31, 2009  

Capital Structure:

          

Senior notes (1)

   $ 750         9   $ 250         3

Capital efficient notes (2)

     63         1        63         1   

6.75% Series C cumulative preferred shares, aggregate liquidation

     290         3        290         4   

6.5% Series D cumulative preferred shares, aggregate liquidation

     230         3        230         3   

Common shareholders’ equity

     7,062         84        7,126         89   
                                  

Total Capital

   $ 8,395         100   $ 7,959         100
                                  

 

(1) PartnerRe Finance A LLC and PartnerRe Finance B LLC, the issuers of the Senior Notes, do not meet consolidation requirements under U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, the Company shows the related intercompany debt of $750.0 million and $250.0 million in its Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.
(2) PartnerRe Finance II Inc., the issuer of the capital efficient notes, does not meet consolidation requirements under U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, the Company shows the related intercompany debt of $71.0 million in its Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.

Debt

On July 12, 2010, the Company repaid the $200 million remaining half of the original $400 million loan agreement with Citibank N.A. that was classified as current portion of long-term debt in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2009 (see Note 15 to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009).

The Company did not enter into any short-term borrowing arrangements during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Senior Notes

On March 10, 2010, PartnerRe Finance B LLC (PartnerRe Finance B), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 5.500% Senior Notes (Senior Notes). The Senior Notes will mature on June 1, 2020 and may be redeemed at the option of the issuer, in whole or in part, at any time. Interest payments on the Senior Notes commenced on June 1, 2010 and is payable semi-annually at an annual fixed rate of 5.500%, and cannot be deferred.

The Senior Notes are ranked as senior unsecured obligations of PartnerRe Finance B. The Company has fully and unconditionally guaranteed all obligations of PartnerRe Finance B under the Senior Notes. The Company’s obligations under this guarantee are senior and unsecured and rank equally with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of the Company. The proceeds from the Senior Notes were used for general corporate purposes.

Contemporaneously, PartnerRe U.S. Holdings, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, issued a 5.500% promissory note, with a principal amount of $500 million to PartnerRe Finance B. Under the terms of the promissory note, PartnerRe U.S. Holdings promises to pay to PartnerRe Finance B the principal amount on June 1, 2020, unless previously paid. Interest on the promissory note commenced on June 1, 2010 and is payable semi-annually at an annual fixed rate of 5.500%, and cannot be deferred.

Common Shareholders’ Equity

During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company repurchased, under its authorized share repurchase program, 8,952,377 of its common shares at a total cost of approximately $682 million, representing an average cost of $76.23 per share. At September 30, 2010, the Company had approximately 6.7 million common shares remaining under its current share repurchase authorization and approximately 9.0 million common shares were held in treasury and are available for reissuance. See Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds in Item 2 of Part II of this report.

See Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements below for a discussion of the Company’s forward sale agreement which matured in April 2010.

Liquidity

Liquidity is a measure of the Company’s ability to access sufficient cash flows to meet the short-term and long-term cash requirements of its business operations. Management believes that its significant cash flows from operations and high quality liquid investment portfolio will provide sufficient liquidity for the foreseeable future. Cash and cash equivalents were $1.4 billion at September 30, 2010, compared to $738 million at December 31, 2009.

 

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Cash flows from operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 increased to $865 million from $775 million in the same period in 2009. The increase in cash flows from operations in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was primarily due to higher net investment and underwriting cash flows and was partially offset by an increase in taxes and foreign exchange. The increase in net investment cash flows reflects contributions from Paris Re and increased net investment income from a higher asset base and higher yielding investments. Although paid losses in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 were higher than paid losses in the same period of 2009 (due to the inclusion of Paris Re’s paid losses), the Company’s net cash inflows from underwriting activities have increased.

Net cash used in financing activities of $510 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was primarily related to share repurchases ($682 million), repayment of debt ($200 million) and dividends on common and preferred shares ($143 million), partially offset by the issuance of the Senior Notes of $500 million.

The Company expects that annual positive cash flows from operating activities will be sufficient to cover claims payments, absent a series of unusual catastrophic events. In the unlikely event that paid losses accelerate beyond the ability to fund such payments from operating cash flows, the Company would use its cash balances available or liquidate a portion of its high quality and liquid investment portfolio or borrow under the Company’s revolving line of credit (see Credit Facilities below and Item 7 of Part II of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009). As discussed in Investments above, the Company’s investments and cash totaled $16.6 billion at September 30, 2010, the main components of which were investment grade fixed income securities, short-term investments and cash and cash equivalents totaling $14.4 billion.

Financial strength ratings and senior unsecured debt ratings represent the opinions of rating agencies on the Company’s capacity to meet its obligations. In the event of a significant downgrade in ratings, the Company’s ability to write business and to access the capital markets could be impacted. The Company’s financial strength ratings at September 30, 2010 have not changed since December 31, 2009. See Risk Factors in Item 1A of Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Credit Facilities

On May 14, 2010, the Company entered into an agreement to modify an existing credit facility. Under the terms of the agreement, this credit facility was increased from a $100 million unsecured credit facility to a $250 million combined credit facility, with the initial $100 million being unsecured and any utilization above the initial $100 million being secured. This credit facility matures on May 14, 2011, and can be extended automatically to May 14, 2012.

On July 16, 2010, the Company terminated its existing $660 million five-year syndicated unsecured credit facility, which had a maturity date of September 30, 2010, and entered into a new $750 million three-year syndicated unsecured credit facility. The new facility has the following terms: (i) a maturity date of July 16, 2013, (ii) a $250 million accordion feature, which enables the Company to potentially increase its available credit from $750 million to $1 billion, and (iii) a minimum consolidated tangible net worth requirement. The Company’s ability to increase its available credit to $1 billion is subject to the agreement of the credit facility participants. The Company’s breach of any of the covenants would result in an event of default, upon which the Company may be required to repay any outstanding borrowings and replace or cash collateralize letters of credit issued under this facility. The Company was in compliance with all of the covenants as of September 30, 2010. The new facility is predominantly used for the issuance of letters of credit, although the Company and its subsidiaries have access to a revolving line of credit of up to $375 million as part of this facility.

See Credit Facilities in Item 7 of Part II of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

In October 2005, the Company entered into a forward sale agreement under which it agreed to sell approximately 6.7 million of its common shares to an affiliate of Citigroup Global Markets Inc., which affiliate is referred to as the forward counterparty. Under the forward sale agreement, the Company would deliver common shares to the forward counterparty on one or more settlement dates chosen by the Company prior to October 2008.

On July 31, 2008, the Company amended the existing forward sale agreement. Under the terms of the amendment, half the contract matured according to its original term beginning on September 26, 2008, while the remaining half was extended to April 2010.

On April 28, 2010, under the terms of the amendment to the forward sale agreement with the forward counterparty, the remaining $200 million forward sale agreement matured. Subsequent to maturity and commencing on April 28, 2010, there was a 40 day valuation period, whereby the Company could deliver up to 3.4 million common shares over the valuation period, subject to a minimum price per share of $59.05 and a maximum price per share of $84.15. As a result of the Company’s share price trading between the minimum and the maximum price per share during the valuation period, the Company did not deliver any common shares to the forward counterparty.

 

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See Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements in Item 7 of Part II and Notes 15 and 18 to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Currency

See Results of Operations and Review of Net Income above for a discussion of the impact of foreign exchange and net foreign exchange gains and losses for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.

The foreign exchange gain or loss resulting from the translation of the Company’s subsidiaries’ and branches’ financial statements (expressed in euro or Canadian dollar functional currency) into U.S. dollars is classified in the currency translation adjustment account, which is a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss in shareholders’ equity. The currency translation adjustment account decreased by $67 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 due to both the Company’s net asset exposure to currencies other than the U.S. dollar and the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the currency translation adjustment account for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 (in millions of U.S. dollars):

 

     For the nine
months ended
September 30, 2010
 

Currency translation adjustment at December 31, 2009

   $ 83   

Change in currency translation adjustment included in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss

     (67
        

Currency translation adjustment at September 30, 2010

   $ 16   

See Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Foreign Currency Risk in Item 3 of Part I below for a discussion of the Company’s risk related to changes in foreign currency.

Effects of Inflation

The effects of inflation are considered implicitly in pricing and estimating reserves for unpaid losses and loss expenses. The actual effects of inflation on the results of operations of the Company cannot be accurately known until claims are ultimately settled.

New Accounting Pronouncements

See Notes 2 and 3 to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10-Q.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Overview

Management believes that the Company is principally exposed to five types of market related risk: interest rate risk, credit spread risk, foreign currency risk, counterparty credit risk and equity price risk. How these risks relate to the Company, and the process used to manage them, is discussed in Item 7A of Part II of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. The following discussion of market risks at September 30, 2010 focuses only on material changes from December 31, 2009 in the Company’s market risk exposures, or how those exposures are managed.

Interest Rate Risk

The Company’s fixed income portfolio and the fixed income securities in the investment portfolio underlying the funds held – directly managed account are exposed to interest rate risk. Fluctuations in interest rates have a direct impact on the market valuation of these securities. The Company manages interest rate risk on liability funds by constructing bond portfolios in which the economic impact of a general interest rate shift is comparable to the impact on the related liabilities. The Company manages the exposure to interest rate volatility on capital funds by choosing a duration profile that it believes will optimize the risk-reward relationship. For additional information on liability funds and capital funds, see Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources in Item 7 of Part II of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

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At September 30, 2010, the Company estimates that the hypothetical case of an immediate 100 basis points or 200 basis points parallel shift in global bond curves would result in a change in fair value of investments exposed to interest rates, total invested assets (including investments underlying the funds held – directly managed account), and shareholders’ equity as follows (in millions of U.S. dollars):

 

     -200 basis
points
     %
change
    -100 basis
points
     %
change
    September 30,
2010
     +100 basis
points
     %
change
    +200 basis
points
     %
change
 

Fair value of investments exposed to interest rates (1)(2)

   $ 16,022         6   $ 15,559         3   $ 15,096       $ 14,633         (3 )%    $ 14,170         (6 )% 

Fair value of funds held – directly managed exposed to interest rate risk (2)

     1,857         6        1,801         3        1,745         1,689         (3     1,633         (6

Total invested assets (3)

     19,662         6        19,143         3        18,624         18,105         (3     17,586         (6

Shareholders’ equity

     8,620         14        8,101         7        7,582         7,063         (7     6,544         (14

 

(1) Includes Funds holding fixed income securities.
(2) Excludes accrued interest.
(3) Includes the funds held – directly managed account and accrued interest.

The changes do not take into account any potential mitigating impact from the equity market, taxes or the corresponding change in the economic value of the Company’s reinsurance liabilities, which, as noted above, would substantially offset the economic impact on invested assets, although the offset would not be reflected in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Interest rate movements also affect the economic value of the Company’s outstanding debt obligations and preferred securities in the same way that they affect the Company’s fixed income investments, and this can result in a liability whose economic value is different from the value reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In March 2010, the Company issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 5.500% Senior Notes. The fair value of the $500 million Senior Notes at September 30, 2010, of $510 million, was based on quoted market prices. The fair value of the Company’s other outstanding debt obligations and preferred securities, has not changed materially compared to December 31, 2009. For additional information see Note 4 to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report and Item 7A of Part II of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Credit Spread Risk

The Company’s fixed income portfolio and the fixed income securities underlying the funds held – directly managed account are exposed to credit spread risk. Fluctuations in market credit spreads have a direct impact on the market valuation of these securities.

The Company manages credit spread risk by the selection of securities within its fixed income portfolio. Changes in credit spreads directly affect the market value of certain fixed income securities, but do not necessarily result in a change in the future expected cash flows associated with holding individual securities. Other factors, including liquidity, supply and demand, and changing risk preferences of investors, may affect market credit spreads without any change in the underlying credit quality of the security.

At September 30, 2010, the Company estimates that the hypothetical case of an immediate 100 basis points or 200 basis points parallel shift in global credit spreads would result in a change in fair value of investments exposed to such spreads, total invested assets (including investments underlying the funds held – directly managed account) and shareholders’ equity as follows (in millions of U.S. dollars):

 

     -200 basis
points
     %
change
    -100 basis
points
     %
change
    September 30,
2010
     +100 basis
points
     %
change
    +200 basis
points
     %
change
 

Fair value of investments exposed to interest rates (1)(2)

   $ 15,788         5   $ 15,442         2   $ 15,096       $ 14,750         (2 )%    $ 14,404         (5 )% 

Fair value of funds held – directly managed exposed to interest rate risk (2)

     1,821         4        1,783         2        1,745         1,707         (2     1,669         (4

Total invested assets (3)

     19,392         4        19,008         2        18,624         18,240         (2     17,856         (4

Shareholders’ equity

     8,350         10        7,966         5        7,582         7,198         (5     6,814         (10

 

(1) Includes Funds holding fixed income securities.
(2) Excludes accrued interest.
(3) Includes the funds held – directly managed account and accrued interest.

The impacts of changes in credit spreads for all parallel shifts in basis points are lower than the impacts of changes in interest rates, as the change in credit spreads does not impact government fixed income securities. However, the change in credit spreads does assume that mortgage-backed securities issued by government sponsored entities are affected, even though these typically exhibit significantly lower spread volatility than corporate fixed income securities. These changes also exclude any potential mitigating impact from the equity market, taxes, and the change in the economic value of the Company’s reinsurance liabilities, which may offset the economic impact on invested assets.

 

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Foreign Currency Risk

Through its multinational reinsurance operations, the Company conducts business in a variety of non-U.S. currencies, with the principal exposures being the euro, British pound, Canadian dollar, Swiss franc and Singapore dollar. As the Company’s reporting currency is the U.S. dollar, foreign exchange rate fluctuations may materially impact the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

The table below summarizes the Company’s gross and net exposure in its Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2010 to foreign currency as well as the associated foreign currency derivatives the Company has put in place to manage this exposure (in millions of U.S. dollars):

 

     euro     GBP     CAD     CHF     SGD     Other     Total (1)  

Total assets

   $ 5,548      $ 1,178      $ 1,432      $ 74      $ 358      $ 499      $ 9,089   

Total liabilities

     (4,919     (951     (846     (290     (74     (1,297     (8,377
                                                        

Total foreign currency exposure

     629        227        586        (216     284        (798     712   

Total derivative amount

     (175     (241     17        268        (27     606        448   
                                                        

Net foreign currency exposure

   $ 454      $ (14   $ 603      $ 52      $ 257      $ (192   $ 1,160   

 

(1) As the U.S. dollar is the Company’s reporting currency, there is no currency risk attached to the U.S. dollar and it is excluded from this table. The U.S. dollar accounted for the difference between the Company’s total foreign currency exposure in this table and the total assets and total liabilities in the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2010.

The above numbers include the Company’s investment in PartnerRe Holdings Europe Limited, whose functional currency is the euro, and certain of its subsidiaries and branches, whose functional currencies are the euro or Canadian dollar. The above numbers also include the Company’s investment in PARIS RE SA, whose functional currency is the euro, and its Canadian branch, whose functional currency is the Canadian dollar. Assuming all other variables remain constant and disregarding any tax effects, a change in the U.S. dollar of 10% or 20% relative to the other currencies held by the Company would result in a change in the Company’s net assets of $116 million and $232 million, respectively, inclusive of the effect of foreign exchange forward contracts and other derivative instruments.

Counterparty Credit Risk

The Company has exposure to credit risk primarily as a holder of fixed income securities. The Company controls this exposure by emphasizing investment grade credit quality in the fixed income securities it purchases. At September 30, 2010, approximately 50% of the Company’s fixed income portfolio (including the funds held – directly managed account) was rated AAA (or equivalent rating), 84% was rated A- or better and 6% of the Company’s fixed income portfolio was rated below investment grade. The Company believes this high quality concentration reduces its exposure to credit risk on fixed income investments to an acceptable level. At September 30, 2010, the Company is not exposed to any significant credit concentration risk on its investments, excluding securities issued by the U.S. and other AAA-rated sovereign governments, with the single largest corporate issuer and the top 10 corporate issuers accounting for less than 3% and 22% of the Company’s total corporate fixed income securities (excluding the funds held – directly managed account), respectively. Within the segregated investment portfolio underlying the funds held – directly managed account, the single largest corporate issuer and the top 10 corporate issuers accounted for less than 6% and 23% of total corporate fixed income securities underlying the funds held – directly managed account at September 30, 2010, respectively.

The Company keeps cash and cash equivalents in several banks and may keep up to $500 million, excluding custodial accounts, at any point in time in any one bank.

To a lesser extent, the Company is also exposed to the following credit risks:

 

   

as a party to foreign exchange forward contracts and other derivative contracts;

 

   

in its underwriting operations, most notably in the credit/surety line and as part of its principal finance activities;

 

   

credit risk of its cedants in the event of their insolvency or their failure to honor the value of the funds held balances due to the Company;

 

   

credit risk of Colisée Re in the event of their insolvency or their failure to honor the value of the funds held balances due to the Company;

 

   

credit risk of AXA or its affiliates in the event of their insolvency or their failure to honor their obligations under the 2006 Acquisition Agreement (see Summary of certain agreements between AXA SA, Colisée Re and Paris Re in Item 1 of Part 1 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009);

 

   

as it relates to its business written through brokers if any of the Company’s brokers is unable to fulfill their contractual obligations;

 

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as it relates to its reinsurance balances receivable and reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses; and

 

   

under its retrocessional reinsurance contracts.

The credit risks that the Company is exposed to have not changed materially since December 31, 2009. See Counterparty Credit Risk in Item 7A of Part II of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 for additional discussion of credit risks.

Equity Price Risk

The Company invests a portion of its capital funds in marketable equity securities (fair value of $987 million, excluding funds holding fixed income securities of $40 million) at September 30, 2010. These equity investments are exposed to equity price risk, defined as the potential for loss in market value due to a decline in equity prices. The Company believes that the effects of diversification and the relatively small size of its investments in equities relative to total invested assets mitigate its exposure to equity price risk. The Company estimates that its equity investment portfolio has a beta versus the S&P 500 Index of approximately 1.08 on average. Portfolio beta measures the response of a portfolio’s performance relative to a market return, where a beta of 1 would be an equivalent return to the index.

Given the estimated beta for the Company’s equity portfolio, a 10% and 20% movement in the S&P 500 Index would result in a change in the fair value of the Company’s equity portfolio, total invested assets and shareholders’ equity as follows:

 

     20%
decrease
     %
change
    10%
decrease
     %
change
    September 30,
2010
     10%
increase
     %
change
    20%
increase
     %
change
 

Equities (1)

   $ 773         (22 )%    $ 880         (11 )%    $ 987       $ 1,094         11   $ 1,201         22

Total invested assets (2)

     18,410         (1     18,517         (1     18,624         18,731         1        18,838         1   

Shareholders’ equity

     7,368         (3     7,475         (1     7,582         7,689         1        7,796         3   

 

(1) Excludes Funds holding fixed income securities of $40 million.
(2) Includes the funds held – directly managed account and accrued interest.

These changes do not take into account any potential mitigating impact from fixed income securities or taxes.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of Management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as of September 30, 2010, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of September 30, 2010, the disclosure controls and procedures are effective such that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission and is accumulated and communicated to Management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

On October 2, 2009, the Company completed its acquisition of Paris Re and is currently in the process of integrating the internal controls and procedures of Paris Re and its subsidiaries into its internal control over financial reporting. The Company has excluded from its assessment of internal control an assessment of the financial reporting at Paris Re, whose financial statements constitute approximately 25% of total assets, approximately 20% of revenues and approximately 20% of net income of the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the three months ended September 30, 2010.

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with such evaluation that occurred during the three months ended September 30, 2010 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Legal proceedings at September 30, 2010 have not changed significantly since December 31, 2009. See Note 19(e) to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this document, including Management’s Discussion and Analysis, may be considered forward-looking statements as defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s assumptions and expectations concerning future events and financial performance of the Company and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to significant business, economic and competitive risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. The Company’s forward-looking statements could be affected by numerous foreseeable and unforeseeable events and developments such as exposure to catastrophe, or other large property and casualty losses, adequacy of reserves, risks associated with implementing business strategies and integrating new acquisitions, levels and pricing of new and renewal business achieved, credit, interest, currency and other risks associated with the Company’s investment portfolio, changes in accounting policies, and other factors identified in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The words believe, anticipate, estimate, project, plan, expect, intend, hope, forecast, evaluate, will likely result or will continue or words of similar impact generally involve forward-looking statements. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

See Risk Factors in Item 1A of Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2010 for a complete review of important risk factors.

 

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

The following table provides information about purchases by the Company during the quarter ended September 30, 2010 of equity securities that are registered by the Company pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Period

   (a)
Total number of
shares purchased (2)
     (b)
Average price paid
per share
     (c)
Total number of shares
purchased as part of
publicly announced
program (1)(2)
     (d)
Maximum number of
shares that may yet
be purchased under
the program (1)
 

7/01/2010-7/31/2010

     —           —           —           1,985,197   

8/01/2010-8/31/2010

     645,000         73.85         645,000         1,340,917   

9/01/2010-9/30/2010

     447,200         77.73         447,200         6,732,800   
                             

Total

     1,092,200         75.43         1,092,200      

 

(1) In September 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an increase in the Company’s share repurchase authorization up to a total of 7 million common shares. Unless terminated earlier by resolution of the Company’s Board of Directors, the program will expire when the Company has repurchased all shares authorized for repurchase thereunder.
(2) At September 30, 2010, approximately 9.0 million common shares were held in treasury and available for reissuance.

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

 

ITEM 4. RESERVED

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibits—Included on page 71.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

PartnerRe Ltd.

(Registrant)

By:   /s/    Patrick A. Thiele        
Name:   Patrick A. Thiele
Title:   President & Chief Executive Officer

Date: November 8, 2010

 

By:   /s/    William Babcock        
Name:   William Babcock
Title:   Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Date: November 8, 2010

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Exhibit

  10.1    Credit Agreement among PartnerRe Ltd., the Designated Subsidiary Borrowers, the Lenders and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, dated July 16, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 21, 2010).
  10.2    Letter Agreement between PartnerRe Ltd. and Albert Benchimol, dated July 28, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 3, 2010).
  15       Letter Regarding Unaudited Interim Financial Information
  31.1    Section 302 Certification of Patrick A. Thiele
  31.2    Section 302 Certification of William Babcock
  32       Section 906 Certifications
101.1    The following financial information from PartnerRe Ltd.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10–Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 formatted in XBRL: (i) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2010, and December 31, 2009; (ii) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009; (iii) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009; (iv) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009; and (v) Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements*.

 

* As provided in Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, this information is “furnished” herewith and not “filed” for purposes of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such exhibit will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 unless PartnerRe Ltd. specifically incorporates it by reference.

 

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