Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009

 

Or

 

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

 

Commission file number:  001-26456

 

ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Bermuda

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

Not Applicable

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

Wessex House, 45 Reid Street

Hamilton HM 12, Bermuda

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(441) 278-9250

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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 o

 

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 o  No o

 

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 o

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer o

 

Smaller reporting company o

 

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

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common shares as of the latest practicable date.

 

Class

 

Outstanding at October 31, 2009

Common Shares, $0.01 par value

 

59,227,128

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD.

 

INDEX

 

 

Page No.

PART I. Financial Information

 

 

 

Item 1 — Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

2

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets September 30, 2009 (unaudited) and December 31, 2008

3

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Income For the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (unaudited)

4

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity For the nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (unaudited)

5

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income For the nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (unaudited)

6

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows For the nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (unaudited)

7

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

8

 

 

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

43

 

 

Item 3 — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

76

 

 

Item 4 — Controls and Procedures

76

 

 

PART II. Other Information

77

 

 

Item 1 — Legal Proceedings

77

 

 

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

77

 

 

Item 5 — Other Information

77

 

 

Item 6 — Exhibits

78

 

1



Table of Contents

 

 

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

300 Madison Avenue

 

New York NY 10017

 

Telephone (646) 471-3000

 

www.pwc.com

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To The Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Arch Capital Group Ltd.:

 

We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Arch Capital Group Ltd. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2009, and the related consolidated statements of income for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008, and the consolidated statement of changes in shareholders’ equity, comprehensive income and cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008.  These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

 

We conducted our review 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 review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

As discussed in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for other-than-temporary impairment losses in 2009.

 

We previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2008, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders’ equity, comprehensive income and of cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein), and in our report dated March 2, 2009 we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.  In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2008 is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

 

 

New York, New York

November 9, 2009

 

2



Table of Contents

 

ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities available for sale, at market value (amortized cost: 2009, $9,020,404; 2008, $8,314,615)

 

$

9,265,961

 

$

8,122,221

 

Short-term investments available for sale, at market value (amortized cost: 2009, $696,114; 2008, $478,088)

 

706,157

 

479,586

 

Investment of funds received under securities lending agreements, at market value (amortized cost: 2009, $621,095; 2008, $750,330)

 

611,496

 

730,194

 

TALF investments, at market value

 

250,517

 

 

Other investments (cost: 2009, $147,468; 2008, $125,858)

 

154,526

 

109,601

 

Investment funds accounted for using the equity method

 

376,381

 

301,027

 

Total investments

 

11,365,038

 

9,742,629

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

385,149

 

251,739

 

Accrued investment income

 

77,762

 

78,052

 

Investment in joint venture (cost: $100,000)

 

101,473

 

98,341

 

Fixed maturities and short-term investments pledged under securities lending agreements, at market value

 

609,334

 

728,065

 

Premiums receivable

 

697,806

 

628,951

 

Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses recoverable

 

1,709,756

 

1,729,135

 

Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses recoverable

 

58,588

 

63,294

 

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

 

283,290

 

303,707

 

Deferred acquisition costs, net

 

303,826

 

295,192

 

Receivable for securities sold

 

998,431

 

105,073

 

Other assets

 

592,701

 

592,367

 

Total Assets

 

$

17,183,154

 

$

14,616,545

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

$

7,879,586

 

$

7,666,957

 

Unearned premiums

 

1,627,519

 

1,526,682

 

Reinsurance balances payable

 

159,898

 

138,509

 

Senior notes

 

300,000

 

300,000

 

Revolving credit agreement borrowings

 

100,000

 

100,000

 

TALF borrowings, at market value

 

219,843

 

 

Securities lending payable

 

625,706

 

753,528

 

Payable for securities purchased

 

1,197,411

 

123,309

 

Other liabilities

 

612,369

 

574,595

 

Total Liabilities

 

12,722,332

 

11,183,580

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cumulative preferred shares ($0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, issued: 13,000,000)

 

130

 

130

 

Common shares ($0.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, issued: 2009, 59,524,309; 2008, 60,511,974)

 

595

 

605

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

917,204

 

994,585

 

Retained earnings

 

3,321,113

 

2,693,239

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income tax

 

221,780

 

(255,594

)

Total Shareholders’ Equity

 

4,460,822

 

3,432,965

 

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

$

17,183,154

 

$

14,616,545

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

3



Table of Contents

 

ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums written

 

$

727,308

 

$

692,692

 

$

2,244,025

 

$

2,190,152

 

Decrease (increase) in unearned premiums

 

7,077

 

40,339

 

(109,818

)

(43,212

)

Net premiums earned

 

734,385

 

733,031

 

2,134,207

 

2,146,940

 

Net investment income

 

100,213

 

117,022

 

296,580

 

356,335

 

Net realized gains (losses)

 

70,638

 

(23,001

)

53,681

 

23,765

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other-than-temporary impairment losses

 

(7,860

)

(82,533

)

(142,663

)

(105,993

)

Less investment impairments recognized in other comprehensive income, before taxes

 

3,217

 

 

81,023

 

 

Net impairment losses recognized in earnings

 

(4,643

)

(82,533

)

(61,640

)

(105,993

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fee income

 

826

 

944

 

2,568

 

3,250

 

Equity in net income (loss) of investment funds accounted for using the equity method

 

69,119

 

(1,731

)

135,428

 

(4,461

)

Other income

 

5,687

 

3,067

 

14,588

 

12,071

 

Total revenues

 

976,225

 

746,799

 

2,575,412

 

2,431,907

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

444,914

 

548,886

 

1,244,314

 

1,357,928

 

Acquisition expenses

 

122,739

 

133,413

 

373,011

 

367,278

 

Other operating expenses

 

99,743

 

95,652

 

286,153

 

295,417

 

Interest expense

 

6,001

 

6,241

 

17,425

 

17,553

 

Net foreign exchange (gains) losses

 

19,755

 

(68,395

)

48,208

 

(45,106

)

Total expenses

 

693,152

 

715,797

 

1,969,111

 

1,993,070

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

283,073

 

31,002

 

606,301

 

438,837

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

2,205

 

(1,849

)

20,513

 

11,360

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

280,868

 

32,851

 

585,788

 

427,477

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred dividends

 

6,461

 

6,461

 

19,383

 

19,383

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income available to common shareholders

 

$

274,407

 

$

26,390

 

$

566,405

 

$

408,094

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per common share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

4.56

 

$

0.44

 

$

9.39

 

$

6.50

 

Diluted

 

$

4.39

 

$

0.42

 

$

9.05

 

$

6.23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares and common share equivalents outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

60,156,219

 

60,109,932

 

60,295,144

 

62,790,514

 

Diluted

 

62,533,816

 

62,830,910

 

62,590,228

 

65,530,570

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Non-Cumulative Preferred Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning and end of period

 

$

130

 

$

130

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

605

 

673

 

Common shares issued, net

 

6

 

3

 

Purchases of common shares under share repurchase program

 

(16

)

(74

)

Balance at end of period

 

595

 

602

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Paid-in Capital

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

994,585

 

1,451,667

 

Common shares issued

 

2,557

 

3,511

 

Exercise of stock options

 

4,138

 

13,219

 

Common shares retired

 

(104,875

)

(515,286

)

Amortization of share-based compensation

 

20,843

 

24,303

 

Other

 

(44

)

(355

)

Balance at end of period

 

917,204

 

977,059

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retained Earnings

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

2,693,239

 

2,428,117

 

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle (1)

 

61,469

 

 

Balance at beginning of year, as adjusted

 

2,754,708

 

2,428,117

 

Dividends declared on preferred shares

 

(19,383

)

(19,383

)

Net income

 

585,788

 

427,477

 

Balance at end of period

 

3,321,113

 

2,836,211

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

(255,594

)

155,224

 

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle (1)

 

(61,469

)

 

Balance at beginning of year, as adjusted

 

(317,063

)

155,224

 

Change in unrealized appreciation (decline) in value of investments, net of deferred income tax

 

609,446

 

(440,254

)

Portion of other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in other comprehensive income, net of deferred income tax

 

(81,023

)

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of deferred income tax

 

10,420

 

(12,262

)

Balance at end of period

 

221,780

 

(297,292

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Shareholders’ Equity

 

$

4,460,822

 

$

3,516,710

 

 


(1)          Adoption of recent accounting guidance regarding the recognition and presentation of other-than-temporary impairments.

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

5



Table of Contents

 

ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

585,788

 

$

427,477

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income tax

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized appreciation (decline) in value of investments:

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period

 

583,138

 

(513,176

)

Portion of other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in other comprehensive income, net of deferred income tax

 

(81,023

)

 

Reclassification of net realized losses, net of income taxes, included in net income

 

26,308

 

72,922

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

10,420

 

(12,262

)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

538,843

 

(452,516

)

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

$

1,124,631

 

$

(25,039

)

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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Table of Contents

 

ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Operating Activities

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

585,788

 

$

427,477

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized gains

 

(53,161

)

(19,631

)

Net impairment losses recognized in earnings

 

61,640

 

105,993

 

Equity in net income of investment funds accounted for using the equity method and other income

 

(145,219

)

(7,345

)

Share-based compensation

 

20,843

 

24,303

 

Changes in:

 

 

 

 

 

Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses, net of unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses recoverable

 

168,615

 

432,217

 

Unearned premiums, net of prepaid reinsurance premiums

 

109,109

 

33,870

 

Premiums receivable

 

(54,585

)

(10,865

)

Deferred acquisition costs, net

 

(6,064

)

(20,581

)

Reinsurance balances payable

 

17,380

 

(122,091

)

Other liabilities

 

2,142

 

50,421

 

Other items, net

 

102,176

 

79,229

 

Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities

 

808,664

 

972,997

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of fixed maturity investments

 

(15,798,216

)

(11,186,713

)

Proceeds from sales of fixed maturity investments

 

14,723,846

 

10,506,784

 

Proceeds from redemptions and maturities of fixed maturity investments

 

638,638

 

444,681

 

Purchases of TALF investments

 

(250,231

)

 

Purchases of other investments

 

(40,879

)

(225,688

)

Proceeds from sales of other investments

 

67,879

 

235,712

 

Investment in joint venture

 

 

(100,000

)

Net purchases of short-term investments

 

(109,500

)

(219,985

)

Change in investment of securities lending collateral

 

127,822

 

553,396

 

Purchases of furniture, equipment and other assets

 

(15,586

)

(6,756

)

Net Cash Provided By (Used For) Investing Activities

 

(656,227

)

1,431

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of common shares under share repurchase program

 

(99,746

)

(513,130

)

Proceeds from common shares issued, net

 

772

 

11,384

 

Revolving credit agreement borrowings

 

 

100,000

 

TALF borrowings

 

219,843

 

 

Change in securities lending collateral

 

(127,822

)

(553,396

)

Other

 

(461

)

1,778

 

Preferred dividends paid

 

(19,383

)

(19,383

)

Net Cash Used For Financing Activities

 

(26,797

)

(972,747

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effects of exchange rate changes on foreign currency cash

 

7,770

 

(2,499

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash

 

133,410

 

(818

)

Cash beginning of year

 

251,739

 

239,915

 

Cash end of period

 

$

385,149

 

$

239,097

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

7



Table of Contents

 

ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

1.      General

 

Arch Capital Group Ltd. (“ACGL”) is a Bermuda public limited liability company which provides insurance and reinsurance on a worldwide basis through its wholly owned subsidiaries.

 

The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of ACGL and its wholly owned subsidiaries (together with ACGL, the “Company”). All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normally recurring accruals) necessary for a fair statement of results on an interim basis. The results of any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year or any future periods.

 

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted; however, management believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. This report should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, including the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and related notes and the section entitled “Risk Factors.”

 

To facilitate period-to-period comparisons, certain amounts in the 2008 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2009 presentation. Such reclassifications had no effect on the Company’s consolidated net income. Additionally, the Company adopted recent accounting guidance regarding the recognition and presentation of other-than-temporary impairments, effective for its interim period ending March 31, 2009. See Note 8, “Investment Information—Other-Than-Temporary Impairments” for further details.

 

2.      Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In September 2009, the FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) regarding the estimation of the fair value of investments in certain entities that calculate net asset value per share (or its equivalent). This ASU provides additional guidance on estimating the fair value of certain alternative investments and its provisions create a practical expedient to measure the fair value of an alternative investment on the basis of the net asset value per share of the investment. The ASU also requires additional disclosures about the attributes of alternative investments. The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after December 15, 2009 and, accordingly, the Company will adopt it on January 1, 2010. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this ASU may have on its financial condition and results of operations.

 

In August 2009, the FASB issued an ASU to amend the guidance regarding the fair value measurement of liabilities. This ASU provides clarification that in circumstances in which a quoted price in an active market for an identical liability is not available, a reporting entity is required to measure fair value using other valuation techniques, including a technique that uses: (a) the quoted price of the identical liability when traded as an asset; and (b) quoted prices for similar liabilities or similar liabilities when traded as assets. The amendments in this ASU also clarify that when estimating the fair value of a liability, a reporting entity is not required to include a separate input or adjustment to other inputs relating to the existence of a restriction that prevents the transfer of the liability. Lastly, this ASU clarifies that both a quoted price in an active market for the identical liability at the measurement date and the quoted price for the identical liability when traded as an asset in an active market when no adjustments to the quoted price of the asset are required are Level 1 fair value measurements. This

 

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Table of Contents

 

ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

ASU was effective for the Company in the interim period ending September 30, 2009, and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

In June 2009, the FASB approved the “FASB Accounting Standards Codification” (the “Codification”) as the single source of authoritative nongovernmental U.S. GAAP effective July 1, 2009. The Codification does not change current U.S. GAAP, but is intended to simplify user access to all authoritative U.S. GAAP by providing all the authoritative literature related to a particular topic in one place. All existing accounting standard documents will be superseded and all other accounting literature not included in the Codification will be considered nonauthoritative. The Codification was effective for the Company in the interim period ending September 30, 2009, and the adoption did not impact its consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

In June 2009, the FASB issued amendments to the guidance regarding the consolidation of variable interest entities (“VIEs”), which affect all entities currently within the scope of the December 2003 revised version of the guidance, as well as qualifying special-purpose entities that are currently excluded from the scope of the guidance. The amendments require an analysis to determine whether a variable interest gives a company a controlling financial interest in a VIE. In addition, they require an ongoing reassessment of all VIEs and eliminate the quantitative approach previously required for determining whether a company is the primary beneficiary. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009. Accordingly, the Company will adopt them on January 1, 2010. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that these amendments may have on its financial condition and results of operations.

 

In June 2009, the FASB issued an amendment to the guidance regarding accounting for transfers of financial assets. This amendment removes the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity from the guidance regarding the accounting for transfers and servicing of financial assets and extinguishment of liabilities, and removes the exception from applying to the consolidation of VIEs. This amendment also clarifies the requirements for isolation and limitations on portions of financial assets that are eligible for sale accounting and enhances disclosures about transfers of financial assets and a transferor’s continuing involvement with transferred financial assets. This amendment is effective prospectively to transfers of financial assets occurring in fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009. Accordingly, the Company will adopt this amendment on January 1, 2010. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this amendment may have on its financial condition and results of operations.

 

In May 2009, the FASB issued guidance regarding subsequent events, which establishes general standards for accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. The guidance requires the disclosure of the date through which an entity has evaluated subsequent events and the basis for that date, whether that date represents the date the financial statements were issued or were available to be issued. This guidance was effective with interim and annual financial periods ending after June 15, 2009, and the adoption did not impact the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations. See Note 16, “Subsequent Events.”

 

In April 2009, the FASB issued guidance regarding the recognition and presentation of other-than-temporary impairments, which requires entities to separate an other-than-temporary impairment of a debt security into two components when there are credit related losses associated with the impaired debt security for which the Company asserts that it does not have the intent to sell the security, and it is more likely than not that it will not be required to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis. The amount of the other-than-temporary impairment related to a credit loss is recognized in earnings, and the amount of the other-than-temporary impairment related to other factors (e.g., interest rates, market conditions, etc.) is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). This guidance was effective for periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. The Company elected to adopt this guidance effective for its interim period ending March 31, 2009. See Note 8, “Investment Information—Other-Than-Temporary Impairments.”

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

In April 2009, the FASB issued guidance regarding the determination of fair value when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased and the identification of transactions that are not orderly. This guidance also amended guidance regarding fair value measurements to expand certain disclosure requirements. This guidance was effective for periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. The Company elected to adopt this guidance effective for its interim period ending March 31, 2009, and its adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations. See Note 8, “Investment Information—Fair Value.”

 

In April 2009, the FASB issued guidance regarding the interim disclosures about fair value of financial instruments, which requires disclosures about fair value of financial instruments in interim and annual financial statements. This guidance was effective for periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. The Company elected to adopt this guidance effective for its interim period ending March 31, 2009, and has included the required disclosures in its notes to consolidated financial statements where applicable.

 

3.       Share Transactions

 

Share Repurchases

 

The board of directors of ACGL has authorized the investment of up to $1.5 billion in ACGL’s common shares through a share repurchase program. Repurchases under the program may be effected from time to time in open market or privately negotiated transactions through February 2010. During the third quarter, ACGL repurchased 1.5 million common shares for an aggregate purchase price of $98.2 million and for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, repurchased 1.6 million common shares for an aggregate purchase price of $99.7 million of common shares through the share repurchase program, respectively. Since the inception of the share repurchase program through September 30, 2009, ACGL has repurchased 16.8 million common shares for an aggregate purchase price of $1.15 billion. As a result of the share repurchase transactions to date, weighted average shares outstanding for the 2009 third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009 were reduced by 15.7 million and 15.4 million shares, respectively. Weighted average shares outstanding for the 2008 third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2008 were reduced by 14.9 million and 12.1 million shares, respectively.

 

At September 30, 2009, $350.1 million of repurchases were available under the share repurchase program. The timing and amount of the repurchase transactions under this program will depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions and corporate and regulatory considerations. In connection with the share repurchase program, the Warburg Pincus funds waived their rights relating to share repurchases under its shareholders agreement with ACGL for all repurchases of common shares by ACGL under the share repurchase program in open market transactions and certain privately negotiated transactions.

 

Non-Cumulative Preferred Shares

 

During 2006, ACGL completed two public offerings of non-cumulative preferred shares. On February 1, 2006, $200.0 million principal amount of 8.0% series A non-cumulative preferred shares (“Series A Preferred Shares”) were issued with net proceeds of $193.5 million and, on May 24, 2006, $125.0 million principal amount of 7.875% series B non-cumulative preferred shares (“Series B Preferred Shares” and together with the Series A Preferred Shares, the “Preferred Shares”) were issued with net proceeds of $120.9 million. The net proceeds of the offerings were used to support the underwriting activities of ACGL’s insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries. ACGL has the right to redeem all or a portion of each series of Preferred Shares at a redemption price of $25.00 per share on or after (1) February 1, 2011 for the Series A Preferred Shares and (2) May 15, 2011 for the Series B Preferred Shares. Dividends on the Preferred Shares are non-cumulative. Consequently, in the event dividends are not declared on the Preferred Shares for any dividend period, holders of Preferred Shares will not be entitled to receive a dividend for such period, and such undeclared dividend will not accrue and will

 

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ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

not be payable. Holders of Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive dividend payments only when, as and if declared by ACGL’s board of directors or a duly authorized committee of the board of directors. Any such dividends will be payable from the date of original issue on a non-cumulative basis, quarterly in arrears. To the extent declared, these dividends will accumulate, with respect to each dividend period, in an amount per share equal to 8.0% of the $25.00 liquidation preference per annum for the Series A Preferred Shares and 7.875% of the $25.00 liquidation preference per annum for the Series B Preferred Shares. During the nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company paid $19.4 million to holders of the Preferred Shares. At September 30, 2009, the Company had declared an aggregate of $3.3 million of dividends to be paid to holders of the Preferred Shares.

 

4.      Debt and Financing Arrangements

 

Senior Notes

 

On May 4, 2004, ACGL completed a public offering of $300 million principal amount of 7.35% senior notes (“Senior Notes”) due May 1, 2034 and received net proceeds of $296.4 million. ACGL used $200 million of the net proceeds to repay all amounts outstanding under a revolving credit agreement. The Senior Notes are ACGL’s senior unsecured obligations and rank equally with all of its existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness. Interest payments on the Senior Notes are due on May 1st and November 1st of each year. ACGL may redeem the Senior Notes at any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, at a “make-whole” redemption price. For the nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, interest expense on the Senior Notes was $16.6 million. The market value of the Senior Notes at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 was $282.5 million and $246.1 million, respectively.

 

Letter of Credit and Revolving Credit Facilities

 

As of September 30, 2009, the Company had a $300 million unsecured revolving loan and letter of credit facility and a $1.0 billion secured letter of credit facility (the “Credit Agreement”). Under the terms of the agreement, Arch Reinsurance Company (“Arch Re U.S.”) is limited to issuing $100 million of unsecured letters of credit as part of the $300 million unsecured revolving loan. Borrowings of revolving loans may be made by ACGL and Arch Re U.S. at a variable rate based on LIBOR or an alternative base rate at the option of the Company. Secured letters of credit are available for issuance on behalf of the Company’s insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries. Issuance of letters of credit and borrowings under the Credit Agreement are subject to the Company’s compliance with certain covenants and conditions, including absence of a material adverse change. These covenants require, among other things, that the Company maintain a debt to total capital ratio of not greater than 0.35 to 1 and shareholders’ equity in excess of $1.95 billion plus 25% of future aggregate net income for each quarterly period (not including any future net losses) beginning after June 30, 2006 and 25% of future aggregate proceeds from the issuance of common or preferred equity and that the Company’s principal insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries maintain at least a “B++” rating from A.M. Best. In addition, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries which are party to the Credit Agreement are required to maintain minimum shareholders’ equity levels. The Company was in compliance with all covenants contained in the Credit Agreement at September 30, 2009. The Credit Agreement expires on August 30, 2011.

 

Including the secured letter of credit portion of the Credit Agreement and another letter of credit facility (together, the “LOC Facilities”), the Company has access to letter of credit facilities for up to a total of $1.45 billion. The principal purpose of the LOC Facilities is to issue, as required, evergreen standby letters of credit in favor of primary insurance or reinsurance counterparties with which the Company has entered into reinsurance arrangements to ensure that such counterparties are permitted to take credit for reinsurance obtained from the Company’s reinsurance subsidiaries in United States jurisdictions where such subsidiaries are not licensed or otherwise admitted as an insurer, as required under insurance regulations in the United States, and to comply with requirements of Lloyd’s of London in connection with qualifying quota share and other arrangements. The amount of letters of credit issued is driven by, among other things, the timing and payment of catastrophe losses,

 

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ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

loss development of existing reserves, the payment pattern of such reserves, the further expansion of the Company’s business and the loss experience of such business. When issued, certain letters of credit are secured by a portion of the Company’s investment portfolio. In addition, the LOC Facilities also require the maintenance of certain covenants, which the Company was in compliance with at September 30, 2009. At such date, the Company had $712.1 million in outstanding letters of credit under the LOC Facilities, which were secured by investments with a market value of $848.1 million. In May 2008, the Company borrowed $100.0 million under the Credit Agreement at a Company-selected variable interest rate that is based on 1 month, 3 month or 6 month reset option terms and their corresponding term LIBOR rates plus 27.5 basis points. The proceeds from such borrowings, which are repayable in August 2011, were contributed as additional share capital to Arch Reinsurance Ltd. (“Arch Re Bermuda”) and used to fund the investment in Gulf Re. See Note 7, “Investment in Joint Venture,” for additional information.

 

Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility Program

 

During the 2009 third quarter, the Company purchased asset-backed and commercial mortgage-backed securities under the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s (“FRBNY”) Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility (“TALF”). TALF provides secured financing for asset-backed securities backed by certain types of consumer and small business loans and for legacy commercial mortgage-backed securities. TALF financing is non-recourse to the Company, except in certain limited instances, and is collateralized by the purchased securities and provides financing for the purchase price of the securities, less a ‘haircut’ that varies based on the type of collateral. The Company can deliver the collateralized securities to a special purpose vehicle created by the FRBNY in full defeasance of the borrowings.

 

The Company elected to carry the securities and related borrowings at fair value under the fair value option afforded by accounting guidance regarding the fair value option for financial assets and financial liabilities. As of September 30, 2009, the Company had $250.5 million of securities under TALF which are reflected as “TALF investments, at market value” and $219.8 million of secured financing from the FRBNY which is reflected as “TALF borrowings, at market value.” The maturity dates for the TALF borrowings vary between 3 to 5 years with floating or fixed coupons depending on the related TALF investments. See Note 8, “Investment Information—TALF Program,” for additional information.

 

Interest Paid

 

During the nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company made interest payments of $12.0 million related to its debt and financing arrangements.

 

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ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

5.      Segment Information

 

The Company classifies its businesses into two underwriting segments — insurance and reinsurance — and corporate and other (non-underwriting). The Company’s insurance and reinsurance operating segments each have segment managers who are responsible for the overall profitability of their respective segments and who are directly accountable to the Company’s chief operating decision makers, the President and Chief Executive Officer of ACGL and the Chief Financial Officer of ACGL. The chief operating decision makers do not assess performance, measure return on equity or make resource allocation decisions on a line of business basis. The Company determined its reportable operating segments using the management approach described in accounting guidance regarding disclosures about segments of an enterprise and related information.

 

Management measures segment performance based on underwriting income or loss. The Company does not manage its assets by segment and, accordingly, investment income is not allocated to each underwriting segment. In addition, other revenue and expense items are not evaluated by segment. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those used for the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Intersegment business is allocated to the segment accountable for the underwriting results.

 

The insurance segment consists of the Company’s insurance underwriting subsidiaries which primarily write on both an admitted and non-admitted basis. The insurance segment consists of eleven specialty product lines: casualty; construction; executive assurance; healthcare; national accounts casualty; professional liability; programs; property, energy marine and aviation; surety; travel and accident; and other (consisting of excess workers’ compensation, employers’ liability and collateral protection business).

 

The reinsurance segment consists of the Company’s reinsurance underwriting subsidiaries. The reinsurance segment generally seeks to write significant lines on specialty property and casualty reinsurance contracts. Classes of business include: casualty; marine and aviation; other specialty; property catastrophe; property excluding property catastrophe (losses on a single risk, both excess of loss and pro rata); and other (consisting of non-traditional and casualty clash business).

 

Corporate and other (non-underwriting) includes net investment income, other income (loss), other expenses incurred by the Company, interest expense, net realized gains or losses, net impairment losses recognized in earnings, equity in net income (loss) of investment funds accounted for using the equity method, net foreign exchange gains or losses, income taxes and dividends on the Company’s non-cumulative preferred shares.

 

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ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

The following tables set forth an analysis of the Company’s underwriting income by segment, together with a reconciliation of underwriting income to net income available to common shareholders:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30, 2009

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

Insurance

 

Reinsurance

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross premiums written (1)

 

$

673,986

 

$

266,193

 

$

937,328

 

Net premiums written (1)

 

473,676

 

253,632

 

727,308

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned (1)

 

$

443,319

 

$

291,066

 

$

734,385

 

Fee income

 

814

 

12

 

826

 

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

(303,304

)

(141,610

)

(444,914

)

Acquisition expenses, net

 

(60,964

)

(61,775

)

(122,739

)

Other operating expenses

 

(72,452

)

(21,271

)

(93,723

)

Underwriting income

 

$

7,413

 

$

66,422

 

73,835

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

 

 

 

100,213

 

Net realized gains

 

 

 

 

 

70,638

 

Net impairment losses recognized in earnings

 

 

 

 

 

(4,643

)

Equity in net income of investment funds accounted for using the equity method

 

 

 

 

 

69,119

 

Other income

 

 

 

 

 

5,687

 

Other expenses

 

 

 

 

 

(6,020

)

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

(6,001

)

Net foreign exchange losses

 

 

 

 

 

(19,755

)

Income before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

283,073

 

Income tax expense

 

 

 

 

 

(2,205

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

280,868

 

Preferred dividends

 

 

 

 

 

(6,461

)

Net income available to common shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

$

274,407

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting Ratios

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio

 

68.4

%

48.7

%

60.6

%

Acquisition expense ratio (2)

 

13.6

%

21.2

%

16.6

%

Other operating expense ratio

 

16.3

%

7.3

%

12.8

%

Combined ratio

 

98.3

%

77.2

%

90.0

%

 


(1)   Certain amounts included in the gross premiums written of each segment are related to intersegment transactions. Accordingly, the sum of gross premiums written for each segment does not agree to the total gross premiums written as shown in the table above due to the elimination of intersegment transactions in the total. The insurance segment and reinsurance segment results include nil and $2.8 million, respectively, of gross and net premiums written and $0.4 million and $3.0 million, respectively, of net premiums earned assumed through intersegment transactions.

(2)   The acquisition expense ratio is adjusted to include policy-related fee income.

 

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ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30, 2008

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

Insurance

 

Reinsurance

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross premiums written (1)

 

$

678,338

 

$

228,593

 

$

903,533

 

Net premiums written (1)

 

466,115

 

226,577

 

692,692

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned (1)

 

$

441,049

 

$

291,982

 

$

733,031

 

Fee income

 

872

 

72

 

944

 

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

(337,456

)

(211,430

)

(548,886

)

Acquisition expenses, net

 

(62,752

)

(70,661

)

(133,413

)

Other operating expenses

 

(71,861

)

(18,331

)

(90,192

)

Underwriting loss

 

$

(30,148

)

$

(8,368

)

(38,516

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

 

 

 

117,022

 

Net realized losses

 

 

 

 

 

(23,001

)

Net impairment losses recognized in earnings

 

 

 

 

 

(82,533

)

Equity in net income (loss) of investment funds accounted for using the equity method

 

 

 

 

 

(1,731

)

Other income

 

 

 

 

 

3,067

 

Other expenses

 

 

 

 

 

(5,460

)

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

(6,241

)

Net foreign exchange gains

 

 

 

 

 

68,395

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

31,002

 

Income tax benefit

 

 

 

 

 

1,849

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

32,851

 

Preferred dividends

 

 

 

 

 

(6,461

)

Net income available to common shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

$

26,390

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting Ratios

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio

 

76.5

%

72.4

%

74.9

%

Acquisition expense ratio (2)

 

14.0

%

24.2

%

18.1

%

Other operating expense ratio

 

16.3

%

6.3

%

12.3

%

Combined ratio

 

106.8

%

102.9

%

105.3

%

 


(1)   Certain amounts included in the gross premiums written of each segment are related to intersegment transactions. Accordingly, the sum of gross premiums written for each segment does not agree to the total gross premiums written as shown in the table above due to the elimination of intersegment transactions in the total. The insurance segment and reinsurance segment results include nil and $3.4 million, respectively, of gross and net premiums written and nil and $7.2 million, respectively, of net premiums earned assumed through intersegment transactions.

(2)   The acquisition expense ratio is adjusted to include certain fee income.

 

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ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30, 2009

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

Insurance

 

Reinsurance

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross premiums written (1)

 

$

1,949,040

 

$

934,711

 

$

2,874,219

 

Net premiums written (1)

 

1,334,580

 

909,445

 

2,244,025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned (1)

 

$

1,261,870

 

$

872,337

 

$

2,134,207

 

Fee income

 

2,479

 

89

 

2,568

 

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

(860,669

)

(383,645

)

(1,244,314

)

Acquisition expenses, net

 

(177,335

)

(195,676

)

(373,011

)

Other operating expenses

 

(206,196

)

(56,406

)

(262,602

)

Underwriting income

 

$

20,149

 

$

236,699

 

256,848

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

 

 

 

296,580

 

Net realized gains

 

 

 

 

 

53,681

 

Net impairment losses recognized in earnings

 

 

 

 

 

(61,640

)

Equity in net income of investment funds accounted for using the equity method

 

 

 

 

 

135,428

 

Other income

 

 

 

 

 

14,588

 

Other expenses

 

 

 

 

 

(23,551

)

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

(17,425

)

Net foreign exchange losses

 

 

 

 

 

(48,208

)

Income before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

606,301

 

Income tax expense

 

 

 

 

 

(20,513

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

585,788

 

Preferred dividends

 

 

 

 

 

(19,383

)

Net income available to common shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

$

566,405

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting Ratios

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio

 

68.2

%

44.0

%

58.3

%

Acquisition expense ratio (2)

 

13.9

%

22.4

%

17.4

%

Other operating expense ratio

 

16.3

%

6.5

%

12.3

%

Combined ratio

 

98.4

%

72.9

%

88.0

%

 


(1)   Certain amounts included in the gross premiums written of each segment are related to intersegment transactions. Accordingly, the sum of gross premiums written for each segment does not agree to the total gross premiums written as shown in the table above due to the elimination of intersegment transactions in the total. The insurance segment and reinsurance segment results include $0.1 million and $9.4 million, respectively, of gross and net premiums written and $1.3 million and $11.3 million, respectively, of net premiums earned assumed through intersegment transactions.

(2)   The acquisition expense ratio is adjusted to include policy-related fee income.

 

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ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30, 2008

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

Insurance

 

Reinsurance

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross premiums written (1)

 

$

1,926,349

 

$

935,738

 

$

2,843,611

 

Net premiums written (1)

 

1,290,380

 

899,772

 

2,190,152

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned (1)

 

$

1,276,734

 

$

870,206

 

$

2,146,940

 

Fee income

 

2,634

 

616

 

3,250

 

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

(887,392

)

(470,536

)

(1,357,928

)

Acquisition expenses, net

 

(170,041

)

(197,237

)

(367,278

)

Other operating expenses

 

(217,064

)

(56,660

)

(273,724

)

Underwriting income

 

$

4,871

 

$

146,389

 

151,260

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

 

 

 

356,335

 

Net realized gains

 

 

 

 

 

23,765

 

Net impairment losses recognized in earnings

 

 

 

 

 

(105,993

)

Equity in net income (loss) of investment funds accounted for using the equity method

 

 

 

 

 

(4,461

)

Other income

 

 

 

 

 

12,071

 

Other expenses

 

 

 

 

 

(21,693

)

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

(17,553

)

Net foreign exchange gains

 

 

 

 

 

45,106

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

438,837

 

Income tax expense

 

 

 

 

 

(11,360

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

427,477

 

Preferred dividends

 

 

 

 

 

(19,383

)

Net income available to common shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

$

408,094

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting Ratios

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio

 

69.5

%

54.1

%

63.2

%

Acquisition expense ratio (2)

 

13.1

%

22.7

%

17.0

%

Other operating expense ratio

 

17.0

%

6.5

%

12.7

%

Combined ratio

 

99.6

%

83.3

%

92.9

%

 


(1)   Certain amounts included in the gross premiums written of each segment are related to intersegment transactions. Accordingly, the sum of gross premiums written for each segment does not agree to the total gross premiums written as shown in the table above due to the elimination of intersegment transactions in the total. The insurance segment and reinsurance segment results include $0.1 million and $18.4 million, respectively, of gross and net premiums written and $0.2 million and $24.4 million, respectively, of net premiums earned assumed through intersegment transactions.

(2)   The acquisition expense ratio is adjusted to include certain fee income.

 

17



Table of Contents

 

ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Set forth below is summary information regarding net premiums written and earned by major line of business and net premiums written by client location for the insurance segment:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

INSURANCE SEGMENT
(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

Amount

 

% of
Total

 

Amount

 

% of
Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums written (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, energy, marine and aviation

 

$

118,536

 

25.0

 

$

91,461

 

19.6

 

Programs

 

66,964

 

14.1

 

78,045

 

16.7

 

Professional liability

 

66,002

 

13.9

 

70,778

 

15.2

 

Executive assurance

 

58,529

 

12.4

 

53,665

 

11.5

 

Construction

 

36,823

 

7.8

 

43,916

 

9.4

 

National accounts casualty

 

30,726

 

6.5

 

16,609

 

3.6

 

Casualty

 

26,753

 

5.6

 

28,456

 

6.1

 

Travel and accident

 

15,998

 

3.4

 

16,949

 

3.6

 

Surety

 

12,025

 

2.5

 

16,599

 

3.6

 

Healthcare

 

10,854

 

2.3

 

11,411

 

2.4

 

Other (2)

 

30,466

 

6.5

 

38,226

 

8.3

 

Total

 

$

473,676

 

100.0

 

$

466,115

 

100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, energy, marine and aviation

 

$

94,471

 

21.3

 

$

88,903

 

20.2

 

Programs

 

69,436

 

15.7

 

71,576

 

16.2

 

Professional liability

 

57,540

 

13.0

 

62,987

 

14.3

 

Executive assurance

 

56,094

 

12.7

 

47,237

 

10.7

 

Construction

 

42,495

 

9.6

 

45,601

 

10.3

 

National accounts casualty

 

19,969

 

4.5

 

13,503

 

3.1

 

Casualty

 

30,004

 

6.8

 

37,351

 

8.5

 

Travel and accident

 

18,193

 

4.1

 

17,671

 

4.0

 

Surety

 

12,239

 

2.8

 

13,891

 

3.1

 

Healthcare

 

12,303

 

2.8

 

12,292

 

2.8

 

Other (2)

 

30,575

 

6.7

 

30,037

 

6.8

 

Total

 

$

443,319

 

100.0

 

$

441,049

 

100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums written by client location (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

342,112

 

72.2

 

$

348,306

 

74.7

 

Europe

 

68,109

 

14.4

 

57,155

 

12.3

 

Other

 

63,455

 

13.4

 

60,654

 

13.0

 

Total

 

$

473,676

 

100.0

 

$

466,115

 

100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums written by underwriting location (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

336,552

 

71.1

 

$

354,002

 

75.9

 

Europe

 

117,900

 

24.9

 

97,548

 

20.9

 

Other

 

19,224

 

4.0

 

14,565

 

3.2

 

Total

 

$

473,676

 

100.0

 

$

466,115

 

100.0

 

 


(1)          Insurance segment results include premiums written and earned assumed through intersegment transactions of nil and $0.4 million, respectively, for the 2009 third quarter and premiums written and earned of nil for the 2008 third quarter. Insurance segment results exclude premiums written and earned ceded through intersegment transactions of $2.8 million and $3.0 million, respectively, for the 2009 third quarter and $3.4 million and $7.2 million, respectively, for the 2008 third quarter.

(2)          Includes excess workers’ compensation, employers’ liability, and collateral protection business.

 

18



Table of Contents

 

ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

INSURANCE SEGMENT
(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

Amount

 

% of
Total

 

Amount

 

% of
Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums written (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, energy, marine and aviation

 

$

310,950

 

23.3

 

$

278,372

 

21.6

 

Programs

 

214,050

 

16.0

 

205,830

 

16.0

 

Professional liability

 

175,783

 

13.2

 

188,442

 

14.6

 

Executive assurance

 

161,527

 

12.1

 

139,574

 

10.8

 

Construction

 

129,584

 

9.7

 

133,501

 

10.3

 

Casualty

 

80,509

 

6.0

 

88,160

 

6.8

 

National accounts casualty

 

62,535

 

4.7

 

39,080

 

3.0

 

Travel and accident

 

53,089

 

4.0

 

49,550

 

3.8

 

Surety

 

32,637

 

2.4

 

37,672

 

2.9

 

Healthcare

 

31,740

 

2.4

 

33,435

 

2.6

 

Other (2)

 

82,176

 

6.2

 

96,764

 

7.6

 

Total

 

$

1,334,580

 

100.0

 

$

1,290,380

 

100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, energy, marine and aviation

 

$

246,881

 

19.6

 

$

257,191

 

20.1

 

Programs

 

207,914

 

16.5

 

190,648

 

14.9

 

Professional liability

 

172,323

 

13.7

 

197,997

 

15.5

 

Executive assurance

 

156,198

 

12.4

 

136,141

 

10.7

 

Construction

 

126,279

 

10.0

 

127,543

 

10.0

 

Casualty

 

93,948

 

7.4

 

117,949

 

9.2

 

National accounts casualty

 

47,487

 

3.8

 

31,178

 

2.4

 

Travel and accident

 

49,547

 

3.9

 

49,150

 

3.8

 

Surety

 

37,771

 

3.0

 

39,447

 

3.1

 

Healthcare

 

34,061

 

2.7

 

38,874

 

3.0

 

Other (2)

 

89,461

 

7.0

 

90,616

 

7.3

 

Total

 

$

1,261,870

 

100.0

 

$

1,276,734

 

100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums written by client location (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

998,531

 

74.8

 

$

957,715

 

74.2

 

Europe

 

208,631

 

15.6

 

200,112

 

15.5

 

Other

 

127,418

 

9.6

 

132,553

 

10.3

 

Total

 

$

1,334,580

 

100.0

 

$

1,290,380

 

100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums written by underwriting location (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

972,847

 

72.9

 

$

959,440

 

74.4

 

Europe

 

301,518

 

22.6

 

279,413

 

21.7

 

Other

 

60,215

 

4.5

 

51,527

 

3.9

 

Total

 

$

1,334,580

 

100.0

 

$

1,290,380

 

100.0

 

 


(1)          Insurance segment results include premiums written and earned assumed through intersegment transactions of $0.1 million and $1.3 million, respectively, for the 2009 period and premiums written and earned of $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, for the 2008 period. Insurance segment results exclude premiums written and earned ceded through intersegment transactions of $9.4 million and $11.3 million, respectively, for the 2009 period and $18.4 million and $24.4 million, respectively, for the 2008 period.

(2)          Includes excess workers’ compensation, employers’ liability, and collateral protection business.

 

19



Table of Contents

 

ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

The following table sets forth the reinsurance segment’s net premiums written and earned by major line of business and type of business, together with net premiums written by client location:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

REINSURANCE SEGMENT
(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

Amount

 

% of
Total

 

Amount

 

% of
Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums written (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property excluding property catastrophe (2)

 

$

90,845

 

35.8

 

$

56,105

 

24.8

 

Casualty (3)

 

85,084

 

33.5

 

82,497

 

36.4

 

Property catastrophe

 

50,539

 

19.9

 

44,591

 

19.7

 

Marine and aviation

 

16,187

 

6.4

 

18,727

 

8.3

 

Other specialty

 

10,595

 

4.2

 

24,013

 

10.6

 

Other

 

382

 

0.2

 

644

 

0.2

 

Total

 

$

253,632

 

100.0

 

$

226,577

 

100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property excluding property catastrophe (2)

 

$

94,837

 

32.6

 

$

68,670

 

23.5

 

Casualty (3)

 

88,721

 

30.5

 

106,146

 

36.4

 

Property catastrophe

 

61,772

 

21.2

 

57,015

 

19.5

 

Marine and aviation

 

21,666

 

7.4

 

22,395

 

7.7

 

Other specialty

 

23,251

 

8.0

 

36,388

 

12.5

 

Other

 

819

 

0.3

 

1,368

 

0.4

 

Total

 

$

291,066

 

100.0

 

$

291,982

 

100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums written (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro rata

 

$

147,132

 

58.0

 

$

149,023

 

65.8

 

Excess of loss

 

106,500

 

42.0

 

77,554

 

34.2

 

Total

 

$

253,632

 

100.0

 

$

226,577

 

100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro rata

 

$

170,571

 

58.6

 

$

187,656

 

64.3

 

Excess of loss

 

120,495

 

41.4

 

104,326

 

35.7

 

Total

 

$

291,066

 

100.0

 

$

291,982

 

100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums written by client location (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

174,932

 

69.0

 

$

125,650

 

55.5

 

Europe

 

30,291

 

11.9

 

52,841

 

23.3

 

Bermuda

 

30,209

 

11.9

 

34,354

 

15.2

 

Other

 

18,200

 

7.2

 

13,732

 

6.0

 

Total

 

$

253,632

 

100.0

 

$

226,577

 

100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums written by underwriting location (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bermuda

 

$

140,448

 

55.4

 

$

131,777

 

58.2

 

United States

 

106,305

 

41.9

 

86,671

 

38.3

 

Other

 

6,879

 

2.7

 

8,129

 

3.5

 

Total

 

$

253,632

 

100.0

 

$

226,577

 

100.0

 

 


(1)          Reinsurance segment results include premiums written and earned assumed through intersegment transactions of $2.8 million and $3.0 million, respectively, for the 2009 third quarter and $3.4 million and $7.2 million, respectively, for the 2008 third quarter. Reinsurance segment results exclude premiums written and earned ceded through intersegment transactions of nil and $0.4 million, respectively, for the 2009 third quarter and premiums written and earned of nil for the 2008 third quarter.

(2)          Includes facultative business.

(3)          Includes professional liability, executive assurance and healthcare business.

 

20



Table of Contents

 

ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

REINSURANCE SEGMENT
(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

Amount

 

% of
Total

 

Amount

 

% of
Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums written (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property excluding property catastrophe (2)

 

$

300,502

 

33.0

 

$

237,775

 

26.4

 

Casualty (3)

 

257,006

 

28.3

 

275,458

 

30.6

 

Property catastrophe

 

234,423

 

25.8

 

203,612

 

22.6

 

Marine and aviation

 

60,101

 

6.6

 

58,866

 

6.5

 

Other specialty

 

54,611

 

6.0

 

120,386

 

13.4

 

Other

 

2,802

 

0.3

 

3,675

 

0.5

 

Total

 

$

909,445

 

100.0

 

$

899,772

 

100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property excluding property catastrophe (2)

 

$

278,372

 

31.9

 

$

199,456

 

22.9

 

Casualty (3)

 

258,745

 

29.7

 

319,993

 

36.8

 

Property catastrophe

 

179,136

 

20.5

 

158,792

 

18.2

 

Marine and aviation

 

71,559

 

8.2

 

76,772

 

8.8

 

Other specialty

 

82,613

 

9.5

 

110,930

 

12.7

 

Other

 

1,912

 

0.2

 

4,263

 

0.6

 

Total

 

$

872,337

 

100.0

 

$

870,206

 

100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums written (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro rata

 

$

469,293

 

51.6

 

$

532,467

 

59.2

 

Excess of loss

 

440,152

 

48.4

 

367,305

 

40.8

 

Total

 

$

909,445

 

100.0

 

$

899,772

 

100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro rata

 

$

540,754

 

62.0

 

$

574,802

 

66.1

 

Excess of loss

 

331,583

 

38.0

 

295,404

 

33.9

 

Total

 

$

872,337

 

100.0

 

$

870,206

 

100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums written by client location (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

598,090

 

65.8

 

$

495,935

 

55.1

 

Europe

 

171,574

 

18.9

 

255,133

 

28.4

 

Bermuda

 

100,441

 

11.0

 

109,198

 

12.1

 

Other

 

39,340

 

4.3

 

39,506

 

4.4

 

Total

 

$

909,445

 

100.0

 

$

899,772

 

100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums written by underwriting location (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bermuda

 

$

520,940

 

57.3

 

$

512,581

 

57.0

 

United States

 

331,650

 

36.5

 

333,780

 

37.1

 

Other

 

56,855

 

6.2

 

53,411

 

5.9

 

Total

 

$

909,445

 

100.0

 

$

899,772

 

100.0

 

 


(1)          Reinsurance segment results include premiums written and earned assumed through intersegment transactions of $9.4 million and $11.3 million, respectively, for the 2009 period and $18.4 million and $24.4 million, respectively, for the 2008 period. Reinsurance segment results exclude premiums written and earned ceded through intersegment transactions of $0.1 million and $1.3 million, respectively, for the 2009 period and premiums written and earned of $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, for the 2008 period.

(2)          Includes facultative business.

(3)          Includes professional liability, executive assurance and healthcare business.

 

21



Table of Contents

 

ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

6.      Reinsurance

 

In the normal course of business, the Company’s insurance subsidiaries cede a substantial portion of their premium through pro rata and excess of loss reinsurance agreements on a treaty or facultative basis. The Company’s reinsurance subsidiaries participate in “common account” retrocessional arrangements for certain pro rata treaties. Such arrangements reduce the effect of individual or aggregate losses to all companies participating on such treaties, including the reinsurers, such as the Company’s reinsurance subsidiaries, and the ceding company. In addition, the Company’s reinsurance subsidiaries may purchase retrocessional coverage as part of their risk management program. Reinsurance recoverables are recorded as assets, predicated on the reinsurers’ ability to meet their obligations under the reinsurance agreements. If the reinsurers are unable to satisfy their obligations under the agreements, the Company’s insurance or reinsurance subsidiaries would be liable for such defaulted amounts.

 

The effects of reinsurance on the Company’s written and earned premiums and losses and loss adjustment expenses with unaffiliated reinsurers were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums Written

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

$

650,072

 

$

635,063

 

$

1,894,121

 

$

1,833,555

 

Assumed

 

287,256

 

268,470

 

980,098

 

1,010,056

 

Ceded

 

(210,020

)

(210,841

)

(630,194

)

(653,459

)

Net

 

$

727,308

 

$

692,692

 

$

2,244,025

 

$

2,190,152

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums Earned

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

$

632,673

 

$

625,343

 

$

1,828,103

 

$

1,871,373

 

Assumed

 

320,913

 

349,500

 

961,604

 

1,069,576

 

Ceded

 

(219,201

)

(241,812

)

(655,500

)

(794,009

)

Net

 

$

734,385

 

$

733,031

 

$

2,134,207

 

$

2,146,940

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

$

368,515

 

$

449,267

 

$

1,119,934

 

$

1,225,918

 

Assumed

 

141,349

 

293,622

 

415,076

 

620,970

 

Ceded

 

(64,950

)

(194,003

)

(290,696

)

(488,960

)

Net

 

$

444,914

 

$

548,886

 

$

1,244,314

 

$

1,357,928

 

 

The Company monitors the financial condition of its reinsurers and attempts to place coverages only with substantial, financially sound carriers. At September 30, 2009, approximately 89.8% of the Company’s reinsurance recoverables on paid and unpaid losses (not including prepaid reinsurance premiums) of $1.77 billion were due from carriers which had an A.M. Best rating of “A-” or better and the largest reinsurance recoverables from any one carrier was less than 5.7% of the Company’s total shareholders’ equity. At December 31, 2008, approximately 88.5% of the Company’s reinsurance recoverables on paid and unpaid losses (not including prepaid reinsurance premiums) of $1.79 billion were due from carriers which had an A.M. Best rating of “A-” or better and the largest reinsurance recoverables from any one carrier was less than 7.3% of the Company’s total shareholders’ equity.

 

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ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

On December 29, 2005, Arch Re Bermuda entered into a quota share reinsurance treaty with Flatiron Re Ltd. (“Flatiron”), a Bermuda reinsurance company, pursuant to which Flatiron assumed a 45% quota share (the “Treaty”) of certain lines of property and marine business underwritten by Arch Re Bermuda for unaffiliated third parties for the 2006 and 2007 underwriting years (January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2007). Effective June 28, 2006, the parties amended the Treaty to increase the percentage ceded to Flatiron from 45% to 70% of all covered business bound by Arch Re Bermuda from (and including) June 28, 2006 until (and including) August 15, 2006 provided such business did not incept beyond September 30, 2006. The ceding percentage for all business bound outside of this period continued to be 45%. On December 31, 2007, the Treaty expired by its terms. At September 30, 2009, $0.3 million of premiums ceded to Flatiron were unearned.

 

Flatiron is required to contribute funds into a trust for the benefit of Arch Re Bermuda (the “Trust”). Effective June 28, 2006, the parties amended the Treaty to provide that, through the earning of all written premium, the amount required to be on deposit in the Trust, together with certain other amounts, will be an amount equal to a calculated amount estimated to cover ceded losses arising from in excess of two 1-in-250 year events for the applicable forward twelve-month period (the “Requisite Funded Amount”). If the actual amounts on deposit in the Trust, together with certain other amounts (the “Funded Amount”), do not at least equal the Requisite Funded Amount, Arch Re Bermuda will, among other things, recapture unearned premium reserves and reassume losses that would have been ceded in respect of such unearned premiums. No assurances can be given that actual losses will not exceed the Requisite Funded Amount or that Flatiron will make, or will have the ability to make, the required contributions into the Trust.

 

Arch Re Bermuda pays to Flatiron a reinsurance premium in the amount of the ceded percentage of the original gross written premium on the business reinsured less a ceding commission, which includes a reimbursement of direct acquisition expenses as well as a commission to Arch Re Bermuda for generating the business. The Treaty also provides for a profit commission to Arch Re Bermuda based on the underwriting results for the 2006 and 2007 underwriting years on a cumulative basis. For the 2009 third quarter, a de minimis amount of premiums written, $2.0 million of premiums earned and a reduction of $8.0 million of losses and loss adjustment expenses were ceded to Flatiron by Arch Re Bermuda, compared to a de minimis amount of premiums written, $26.1 million of premiums earned and $14.6 million of losses and loss adjustment expenses for the 2008 third quarter. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, $4.5 million of premiums written, $22.4 million of premiums earned and a reduction of $5.9 million of losses and loss adjustment expenses were ceded to Flatiron by Arch Re Bermuda, compared to $21.1 million of premiums written, $130.8 million of premiums earned and $42.1 million of losses and loss adjustment expenses for the 2008 period. Reinsurance recoverables from Flatiron, which is not rated by A.M. Best, were $113.3 million at September 30, 2009, compared to $148.7 million at December 31, 2008. As noted above, Flatiron is required to contribute funds into a trust for the benefit of Arch Re Bermuda. The recoverable from Flatiron was fully collateralized through such trust at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.

 

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ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

7.      Investment in Joint Venture

 

In May 2008, the Company provided $100.0 million of funding to Gulf Reinsurance Limited (“Gulf Re”), a newly formed reinsurer based in the Dubai International Financial Centre, pursuant to the joint venture agreement with Gulf Investment Corporation GSC (“GIC”). Under the agreement, Arch Re Bermuda and GIC each own 50% of Gulf Re, which commenced underwriting activities in June 2008. Gulf Re will initially target the six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, which include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The joint venture will write a broad range of property and casualty reinsurance, including aviation, energy, commercial transportation, marine, engineered risks and property, on both a treaty and facultative basis. The initial capital of the joint venture consisted of $200.0 million with an additional $200.0 million commitment to be funded equally by the Company and GIC depending on the joint venture’s business needs. The Company accounts for its investment in Gulf Re, shown as “Investment in joint venture,” using the equity method and records its equity in the operating results of Gulf Re in “Other income” on a quarter lag basis.

 

8.      Investment Information

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s invested assets:

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities available for sale, at market value

 

$

9,265,961

 

$

8,122,221

 

Fixed maturities pledged under securities lending agreements, at market value (1)

 

609,334

 

626,501

 

Total fixed maturities

 

9,875,295

 

8,748,722

 

Short-term investments available for sale, at market value

 

706,157

 

479,586

 

Short-term investments pledged under securities lending agreements, at market value (1)

 

 

101,564

 

TALF investments, at market value

 

250,517

 

 

Other investments

 

154,526

 

109,601

 

Investment funds accounted for using the equity method

 

376,381

 

301,027

 

Total investments (1)

 

11,362,876

 

9,740,500

 

Securities transactions entered into but not settled at the balance sheet date

 

(198,980

)

(18,236

)

Total investments, net of securities transactions

 

$

11,163,896

 

$

9,722,264

 

 


(1)          In securities lending transactions, the Company receives collateral in excess of the market value of the fixed maturities and short-term investments pledged under securities lending agreements. For purposes of this table, the Company has excluded the collateral received at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 of $611.5 million and $730.2 million, respectively, which is reflected as “investment of funds received under securities lending agreements, at market value” and included the $609.3 million and $728.1 million, respectively, of “fixed maturities and short-term investments pledged under securities lending agreements, at market value.”

 

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ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Fixed Maturities and Fixed Maturities Pledged Under Securities Lending Agreements

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s fixed maturities and fixed maturities pledged under securities lending agreements, excluding TALF investments:

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

Estimated
Market
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Amortized
Cost

 

OTTI
Unrealized
Losses (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30, 2009:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate bonds

 

$

3,099,701

 

$

142,953

 

$

(15,445

)

$

2,972,193

 

$

(21,736

)

Mortgage backed securities

 

1,708,414

 

25,898

 

(60,721

)

1,743,237

 

(45,577

)

U.S. government and government agencies

 

1,480,190

 

24,338

 

(2,995

)

1,458,847

 

(504

)

Commercial mortgage backed securities

 

1,170,712

 

35,284

 

(10,946

)

1,146,374

 

(3,750

)

Non-U.S. government securities

 

1,008,082

 

54,444

 

(4,936

)

958,574

 

(351

)

Municipal bonds

 

910,903

 

55,911

 

(4

)

854,996

 

(145

)

Asset backed securities

 

497,293

 

22,763

 

(13,607

)

488,137

 

(10,507

)

Total

 

$

9,875,295

 

$

361,591

 

$

(108,654

)

$

9,622,358

 

$

(82,570

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2008:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate bonds

 

$

2,019,373

 

$

51,131

 

$

(98,979

)

$

2,067,221

 

 

Mortgage backed securities

 

1,581,736

 

23,306

 

(125,759

)

1,684,189

 

 

U.S. government and government agencies

 

1,463,897

 

77,762

 

(14,159

)

1,400,294

 

 

Commercial mortgage backed securities

 

1,219,737

 

16,128

 

(68,212

)

1,271,821

 

 

Non-U.S. government securities

 

527,972

 

33,690

 

(31,884

)

526,166

 

 

Municipal bonds

 

965,966

 

26,815

 

(1,730

)

940,881

 

 

Asset backed securities

 

970,041

 

1,121

 

(70,762

)

1,039,682

 

 

Total

 

$

8,748,722

 

$

229,953

 

$

(411,485

)

$

8,930,254

 

 

 


(1) Represents the total other-than-temporary impairments (“OTTI”) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). See discussion below regarding the adoption of recent accounting guidance regarding the recognition and presentation of OTTI.

 

The contractual maturities of the Company’s fixed maturities and fixed maturities pledged under securities lending agreements are shown below. Expected maturities, which are management’s best estimates, will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

September 30, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

Maturity

 

Estimated
Market Value

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Estimated
Market Value

 

Amortized
Cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due in one year or less

 

$

254,101

 

$

245,206

 

$

173,168

 

$

169,187

 

Due after one year through five years

 

3,811,264

 

3,679,281

 

2,451,062

 

2,452,344

 

Due after five years through 10 years

 

2,011,029

 

1,917,794

 

1,726,742

 

1,686,575

 

Due after 10 years

 

422,482

 

402,329

 

626,236

 

626,456

 

 

 

6,498,876

 

6,244,610

 

4,977,208

 

4,934,562

 

Mortgage backed securities

 

1,708,414

 

1,743,237

 

1,581,736

 

1,684,189

 

Commercial mortgage backed securities

 

1,170,712

 

1,146,374

 

1,219,737

 

1,271,821

 

Asset backed securities

 

497,293

 

488,137

 

970,041

 

1,039,682

 

Total

 

$

9,875,295

 

$

9,622,358

 

$

8,748,722

 

$

8,930,254

 

 

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ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

The following table provides an analysis of the length of time each of those fixed maturities, fixed maturities pledged under securities lending agreements, equity securities and short-term investments with an unrealized loss has been in a continual unrealized loss position:

 

 

 

Less than 12 Months

 

12 Months or More

 

Total

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

Estimated
Market
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Estimated
Market
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Estimated
Market
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30, 2009:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate bonds

 

$

250,304

 

$

(9,001

)

$

85,422

 

$

(6,444

)

$

335,726

 

$

(15,445

)

Mortgage backed securities

 

409,727

 

(40,241

)

92,937

 

(20,480

)

502,664

 

(60,721

)

U.S. government and government agencies

 

118,206

 

(2,995

)

 

 

118,206

 

(2,995

)

Commercial mortgage backed securities

 

114,223

 

(3,223

)

114,321

 

(7,723

)

228,544

 

(10,946

)

Non-U.S. government securities

 

81,103

 

(4,936

)

 

 

81,103

 

(4,936

)

Municipal bonds

 

3,010

 

(4

)

 

 

3,010

 

(4

)

Asset backed securities

 

9,251

 

(10,341

)

24,053

 

(3,266

)

33,304

 

(13,607

)

Total

 

985,824

 

(70,741

)

316,733

 

(37,913

)

1,302,557

 

(108,654

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other investments

 

2,992

 

(206

)

28,662

 

(6,271

)

31,654

 

(6,477

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investments

 

10,655

 

(217

)

 

 

10,655

 

(217

)

Total

 

$

999,471

 

$

(71,164

)

$

345,395

 

$

(44,184

)

$

1,344,866

 

$

(115,348

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2008:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate bonds

 

$

870,093

 

$

(89,446

)

$

30,608

 

$

(9,533

)

$

900,701

 

$

(98,979

)

Mortgage backed securities

 

417,373

 

(105,154

)

23,295

 

(20,605

)

440,668

 

(125,759

)

U.S. government and government agencies

 

356,719

 

(14,159

)

 

 

356,719

 

(14,159

)

Commercial mortgage backed securities

 

714,497

 

(68,210

)

52

 

(2

)

714,549

 

(68,212

)

Non-U.S. government securities

 

223,314

 

(31,882

)

142

 

(2

)

223,456

 

(31,884

)

Municipal bonds

 

93,072

 

(1,730

)

 

 

93,072

 

(1,730

)

Asset backed securities

 

888,908

 

(63,845

)

26,185

 

(6,917

)

915,093

 

(70,762

)

Total

 

3,563,976

 

(374,426

)

80,282

 

(37,059

)

3,644,258

 

(411,485

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other investments

 

20,510

 

(3,649

)

13,715

 

(20,919

)

34,225

 

(24,568

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investments

 

33,080

 

(2,535

)

 

 

33,080

 

(2,535

)

Total

 

$

3,617,566

 

$

(380,610

)

$

93,997

 

$

(57,978

)

$

3,711,563

 

$

(438,588

)

 

26



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ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Other-Than-Temporary Impairments

 

Adoption of Recent Accounting Guidance

 

In April 2009, the FASB issued guidance regarding the recognition and presentation of other-than-temporary impairments, which requires entities to separate an other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) of a debt security into two components when there are credit related losses associated with the impaired debt security for which the Company asserts that it does not have the intent to sell the security, and it is more likely than not that it will not be required to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis. Prior to January 1, 2009, the Company had to determine whether it had the intent and ability to hold the investment for a sufficient period of time for the value to recover. The Company’s process for identifying declines in the market value of investments that were considered other-than-temporary involved consideration of several factors. These factors included (i) an analysis of the liquidity, business prospects and overall financial condition of the issuer, (ii) the time period in which there was a significant decline in value, and (iii) the significance of the decline. When the analysis of such factors resulted in the Company’s conclusion that declines in market values were other-than-temporary, the cost of the securities was written down to market value and the reduction in value was reflected as a realized loss. Effective under this guidance, the amount of the OTTI related to a credit loss is recognized in earnings, and the amount of the OTTI related to other factors (e.g., interest rates, market conditions, etc.) is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). In instances where no credit loss exists but it is more likely than not that the Company will have to sell the debt security prior to the anticipated recovery, the decline in market value below amortized cost is recognized as an OTTI in earnings. In periods after the recognition of an OTTI on debt securities, the Company accounts for such securities as if they had been purchased on the measurement date of the OTTI at an amortized cost basis equal to the previous amortized cost basis less the OTTI recognized in earnings. For debt securities for which OTTI were recognized in earnings, the difference between the new amortized cost basis and the cash flows expected to be collected will be accreted or amortized into net investment income. This guidance was effective for periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. The Company elected to adopt this guidance effective for its interim period ended March 31, 2009.

 

This guidance requires that the Company record, as of the beginning of the interim period of adoption, a cumulative effect adjustment to reclassify the noncredit component of a previously recognized OTTI from retained earnings to other comprehensive income (loss). For purposes of calculating the cumulative effect adjustment, the Company reviewed OTTI it had recorded through realized losses on securities held at December 31, 2008, which were $171.1 million, and estimated the portion related to credit losses (i.e., where the present value of cash flows expected to be collected are lower than the amortized cost basis of the security) and the portion related to all other factors. The Company determined that $109.1 million of the OTTI previously recorded related to specific credit losses and $62.0 million related to all other factors. The Company increased the amortized cost basis of these debt securities by $62.0 million and recorded a cumulative effect adjustment, net of tax, in its shareholders’ equity section. The cumulative effect adjustment had no effect on total shareholders’ equity as it increased retained earnings and reduced accumulated other comprehensive income.

 

2009 and 2008 Periods

 

The Company performed quarterly reviews of its investments in the 2009 and 2008 periods in order to determine whether declines in market value below the amortized cost basis were considered other-than-temporary in accordance with applicable guidance. For the 2009 third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company recorded $4.6 million and $61.6 million of net impairment losses recognized in earnings, respectively.

 

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ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

The following table provides a rollforward of the amount related to credit losses recognized in earnings for which a portion of an OTTI was recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income for the 2009 third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009:

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2009:

 

 

 

Beginning balance at July 1, 2009

 

$

75,708

 

Credit loss impairments recognized on securities not previously impaired

 

529

 

Credit loss impairments recognized on securities previously impaired

 

4,115

 

Reductions for increases in cash flows expected to be collected that are recognized over the remaining life of the security

 

 

Credit loss impairments previously recognized in AOCI on securities sold during the period

 

(383

)

Ending balance at September 30, 2009

 

$

79,969

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009:

 

 

 

Beginning balance at January 1, 2009

 

$

35,474

 

Credit loss impairments recognized on securities not previously impaired

 

15,875

 

Credit loss impairments recognized on securities previously impaired

 

31,384

 

Reductions for increases in cash flows expected to be collected that are recognized over the remaining life of the security

 

 

Credit loss impairments previously recognized in AOCI on securities sold during the period

 

(2,764

)

Ending balance at September 30, 2009

 

$

79,969

 

 

At September 30, 2009, the Company did not have the intent to sell such securities, and determined that it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell the securities before recovery of their cost basis. A description of the methodology and significant inputs used to measure the amount of OTTI related to credit losses of $4.6 million and $61.6 million, respectively, in the 2009 third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009 is as follows:

 

·                  Corporate bonds — the Company recorded a minimal amount of OTTI related to credit losses in the 2009 third quarter, and $3.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The Company reviewed the business prospects, credit ratings, estimated loss given default factors and incorporated available information received from asset managers and rating agencies for each security. The amortized cost basis of the corporate bonds were adjusted down, if required, to the expected recovery value calculated in the OTTI review process;

 

·                  Asset backed securities — the Company recorded $0.5 million of OTTI related to credit losses in the 2009 third quarter, and $23.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The Company utilized underlying data, where available, for each security provided by asset managers and additional information from credit agencies in order to determine an expected recovery value for each security. The analysis provided by the asset managers on home equity asset backed securities includes expected cash flow projections under base case and stress case scenarios which modify expected default expectations and loss severities and slow down prepayment assumptions. The significant inputs in the models include the expected default rates, delinquency rates and foreclosure costs. In the 2009 first and second quarters, the expected recovery values were reduced on a number of asset backed securities backed by sub-prime or Alt-A collateral due to reductions in the expected recovery values on such securities in each period. In the 2009 third quarter, the declines in expected recovery values were, in general, more moderate than in the earlier periods. These reductions followed the quarterly review of information received which indicated increases in expected default rates, foreclosure costs and other factors. On an ongoing basis, the Company reviews the process used by each asset manager in developing their analysis and, following such reviews, the Company determines what the expected recovery values are for each security, which incorporates both base case and stress case scenarios. For non-home equity asset backed securities, the Company used reports and analysis from asset managers

 

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ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

and rating agencies in order to determine an expected recovery value for such securities. The amortized cost basis of the asset backed securities were adjusted down, if required, to the expected recovery value calculated in the OTTI review process;

 

·                  Mortgage backed securities — the Company recorded $2.7 million of OTTI related to credit losses in the 2009 third quarter, and $16.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The Company utilized underlying data, where available, for each security provided by asset managers and additional information from credit agencies in order to determine an expected recovery value for each security. The analysis provided by the asset managers includes expected cash flow projections under base case and stress case scenarios which modify expected default expectations and loss severities and slow down prepayment assumptions. The significant inputs in the models include the expected default rates, delinquency rates and foreclosure costs. In the 2009 first quarter, the expected recovery values were reduced on a number of mortgage backed securities due to reductions in the expected recovery values on such securities in each period. In the 2009 second and third quarters, the declines in expected recovery values were, in general, more moderate than in the 2009 first quarter. These reductions followed the quarterly review of information received which indicated increases in expected default expectations and foreclosure costs. On an ongoing basis, the Company reviews the process used by each asset manager in developing their analysis and, following such reviews, the Company determines what the expected recovery values are for each security, which incorporates both base case and stress case scenarios. The amortized cost basis of the mortgage backed securities were adjusted down, if required, to the expected recovery value calculated in the OTTI review process;

 

·                  Investment of funds received under securities lending agreements — the Company recorded $1.4 million of OTTI related to credit losses in the 2009 third quarter, and $3.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. At September 30, 2009, the reinvested collateral included sub-prime securities with a market value of $20.8 million and an average credit quality of “BBB-” from Standard & Poor’s and “Ba3” from Moody’s. The Company utilized analysis from its securities lending program manager in order to determine an expected recovery value for certain securities which are on a watch-list. The analysis provided expected cash flow projections for the securities using similar criteria as described in the mortgage backed securities section above. The amortized cost basis of the investment of funds received under securities lending agreements was adjusted down, if required, to the expected recovery value calculated in the OTTI review process;

 

·                  Other investments — the Company recorded nil OTTI related to credit losses in the 2009 third quarter, and $14.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. During the 2009 first quarter, the Company’s investment in a Euro-denominated bank loan fund was written down to zero as the fund was required to wind down and begin the liquidation process during the period. The fund operated with leverage and was unable to successfully deleverage its balance sheet and restructure.

 

The Company believes that the $82.6 million of OTTI included in accumulated other comprehensive income at September 30, 2009 on the securities which were considered by the Company to be impaired was due to market and sector-related factors, including limited liquidity and wide credit spreads (i.e., not credit losses).

 

For the 2008 third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company recorded $82.5 million and $106.0 million, respectively, of OTTI as a charge against earnings. Such amounts were recorded prior to the adoption of the recent accounting pronouncement discussed above and included a portion related to credit losses and a portion related to all other factors.

 

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Table of Contents

 

ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Securities Lending Agreements

 

The Company operates a securities lending program under which certain of its fixed income portfolio securities are loaned to third parties, primarily major brokerage firms, for short periods of time through a lending agent. Such securities have been reclassified as “Fixed maturities and short-term investments pledged under securities lending agreements.” The Company maintains legal control over the securities it lends, retains the earnings and cash flows associated with the loaned securities and receives a fee from the borrower for the temporary use of the securities. Collateral received, primarily in the form of cash, is required at a rate of 102% of the market value of the loaned securities (or 105% of the market value of the loaned securities when the collateral and loaned securities are denominated in non-U.S. currencies) including accrued investment income and is monitored and maintained by the lending agent. Such collateral is reinvested and is reflected as “Investment of funds received under securities lending agreements, at market value.” At September 30, 2009, the market value and amortized cost of fixed maturities and short-term investments pledged under securities lending agreements were $609.3 million and $602.0 million, respectively. At December 31, 2008, the market value and amortized cost of fixed maturities and short-term investments pledged under securities lending agreements were $728.1 million and $717.2 million, respectively.

 

At September 30, 2009, the market value and amortized cost of the reinvested collateral, shown as “Investment of funds received under securities lending agreements,” totaled $611.5 million and $621.1 million, respectively, compared to $730.2 million and $750.3 million, respectively, at December 31, 2008. At September 30, 2009, the reinvested collateral included sub-prime securities with a market value of $20.8 million and an average credit quality of “BBB-” from Standard & Poor’s and “Ba3” from Moody’s, compared to $45.7 million at December 31, 2008 with an average credit quality of “AAA” from Standard & Poor’s and “AA+” from Moody’s.

 

TALF Program

 

During the 2009 third quarter, the Company purchased asset-backed and commercial mortgage-backed securities under the TALF program. TALF provides secured financing for asset-backed securities backed by certain types of consumer and small business loans and for legacy commercial mortgage-backed securities. TALF financing is non-recourse to the Company, except in certain limited instances, and is collateralized by the purchased securities and provides financing for the purchase price of the securities, less a ‘haircut’ that varies based on the type of collateral. The Company can deliver the collateralized securities to a special purpose vehicle created by FRBNY in full defeasance of the borrowing.

 

The Company elected to carry the securities and related borrowings at fair value under the fair value option afforded by accounting guidance regarding the fair value option for financial assets and financial liabilities. As of September 30, 2009, the Company had $250.5 million of securities under TALF which are reflected as “TALF investments, at market value” and $219.8 million of secured financing from the FRBNY which is reflected as “TALF borrowings, at market value.” Changes in market value for both the securities and borrowings are included in “Net realized gains (losses)” while interest income on the TALF investments is reflected in net investment income and interest expense on the TALF borrowings is reflected in interest expense. The Company recorded net realized gains for the 2009 third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009 of $2.2 million on the TALF program, consisting of $2.2 million on changes in market value on the TALF investments.

 

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ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Other Investments

 

The following table details the Company’s other investments:

 

 

 

September 30, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

Estimated
Market Value

 

Cost

 

Estimated
Market Value

 

Cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income mutual funds

 

$

55,646

 

$

54,415

 

$

39,858

 

$

63,618

 

Privately held securities and other

 

98,880

 

93,053

 

69,743

 

62,240

 

Total

 

$

154,526

 

$

147,468

 

$

109,601

 

$

125,858

 

 

Other investments include: (i) mutual funds which invest in fixed maturity securities and (ii) privately held securities and other which include the Company’s investment in Aeolus LP (see Note 12) and an equity portfolio which was added in the 2009 third quarter. The Company elected to carry the equity portfolio at fair value under the fair value option afforded by accounting guidance regarding the fair value option for financial assets and financial liabilities. During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company recorded a $14.3 million OTTI provision in earnings on a Euro-denominated bank loan fund which was written down to zero as the fund was forced to wind down and enter liquidation during the period.

 

Investment Funds Accounted for Using the Equity Method

 

The Company recorded $69.1 million of equity in net income related to investment funds accounted for using the equity method for the 2009 third quarter, compared to $1.7 million of equity in net losses for the 2008 third quarter. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company recorded $135.4 million of equity in net income related to investment funds accounted for using the equity method, compared to $4.5 million of equity in net losses for the 2008 period. Due to the ownership structure of these investment funds, which invest in fixed maturity securities, the Company uses the equity method. In applying the equity method, these investments are initially recorded at cost and are subsequently adjusted based on the Company’s proportionate share of the net income or loss of the funds (which include changes in the market value of the underlying securities in the funds). Such investments are generally recorded on a one month lag with some investments reported for on a three month lag based on the availability of reports from the investment funds. Changes in the carrying value of such investments are recorded in net income as “Equity in net income (loss) of investment funds accounted for using the equity method” while changes in the carrying value of the Company’s other fixed income investments are recorded as an unrealized gain or loss component of accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity. As such, fluctuations in the carrying value of the investment funds accounted for using the equity method may increase the volatility of the Company’s reported results of operations. Investment funds accounted for using the equity method totaled $376.4 million at September 30, 2009, compared to $301.0 million at December 31, 2008. The Company’s investment commitments relating to investment funds accounted for using the equity method and other investments totaled approximately $80.9 million at September 30, 2009.

 

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ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Restricted Assets

 

The Company is required to maintain assets on deposit, which primarily consist of fixed maturities, with various regulatory authorities to support its insurance and reinsurance operations. The Company has investments in segregated portfolios which are primarily used to provide collateral or guarantees for letters of credit to third parties (see Note 4). In addition, the Company maintains assets on deposit which are available to settle insurance and reinsurance liabilities to third parties. The following table details the value of restricted assets:

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets used for collateral or guarantees

 

$

1,019,281

 

$

804,934

 

Deposits with U.S. regulatory authorities

 

280,536

 

264,988

 

Trust funds

 

134,307

 

153,182

 

Deposits with non-U.S. regulatory authorities

 

71,710

 

57,336

 

Total restricted assets

 

$

1,505,834

 

$

1,280,440

 

 

In addition, certain of the Company’s operating subsidiaries maintain assets in trust accounts as collateral for insurance and reinsurance transactions with affiliated companies. At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, such amounts approximated $4.45 billion and $4.03 billion, respectively.

 

Net Investment Income

 

The components of net investment income were derived from the following sources:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

$

104,943

 

$

111,530

 

$

305,250

 

$

329,662

 

Short-term investments

 

411

 

5,751

 

2,234

 

18,352

 

Other (1)

 

768

 

3,615

 

3,805

 

18,830

 

Gross investment income

 

106,122

 

120,896

 

311,289

 

366,844

 

Investment expenses

 

(5,909

)

(3,874

)

(14,709

)

(10,509

)

Net investment income

 

$

100,213

 

$

117,022

 

$

296,580

 

$

356,335

 

 


(1) Primarily consists of interest income on operating cash accounts, other investments and securities lending transactions.

 

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ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Net Realized Gains (Losses)

 

Net realized gains (losses) were as follows, excluding the other-than-temporary impairment provisions discussed above:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

$

65,154

 

$

(30,137

)

$

57,004

 

$

41,936

 

Other investments

 

817

 

(5,159

)

585

 

(10,375

)

Other (1)

 

4,667

 

12,295

 

(3,908

)

(7,796

)

Net realized gains (losses)

 

$

70,638

 

$

(23,001

)

$

53,681

 

$

23,765

 

 


(1) Primarily consists of net realized gains or losses related to investment-related derivatives and foreign currency forward contracts as well as $2.2 million of net realized gains for the TALF program in the 2009 periods.

 

Proceeds from the sales of fixed maturities during the 2009 third quarter were $6.07 billion, compared to $3.66 billion for the 2008 third quarter. Gross gains of $125.0 million and $36.9 million were realized on those transactions during the 2009 and 2008 third quarters, respectively, while gross losses were $59.8 million and $67.1 million, respectively. Proceeds from the sales of fixed maturities during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 were $14.72 billion, compared to $10.51 billion for the 2008 period. Gross gains of $260.9 million and $167.0 million were realized on those transactions during the nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, while gross losses were $203.9 million and $125.1 million, respectively. Realized gains or losses on fixed maturities include changes in the market value of certain hybrid securities pursuant to applicable guidance. The fair market values of such securities at September 30, 2009 were approximately $80.5 million, compared to $43.7 million at December 31, 2008. The Company recorded realized gains of $6.9 million and $16.6 million on such securities for the 2009 third quarter and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009, respectively, compared to realized losses of $1.9 million and $1.8 million for the 2008 third quarter and nine month periods ended September 30, 2008, respectively.

 

Fair Value

 

Accounting guidance regarding fair value measurements addresses how companies should measure fair value when they are required to use a fair value measure for recognition or disclosure purposes under GAAP and provides a common definition of fair value to be used throughout GAAP. It defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly fashion between market participants at the measurement date. In addition, it establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for the disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. 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 (Level 1 being the highest priority and Level 3 being the lowest priority).

 

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ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

The three levels are defined as follows:

 

Level 1:

 

Inputs to the valuation methodology are observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets

 

 

 

Level 2:

 

Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument

 

 

 

Level 3:

 

Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement

 

Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for securities measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such securities pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

 

The Company determines the existence of an active market based on its judgment as to whether transactions for the financial instrument occur in such market with sufficient frequency and volume to provide reliable pricing information. The independent pricing sources obtain market quotations and actual transaction prices for securities that have quoted prices in active markets. The Company uses quoted values and other data provided by nationally recognized independent pricing sources as inputs into its process for determining fair values of its fixed maturity investments. To validate the techniques or models used by pricing sources, the Company’s review process includes, but is not limited to: (i) quantitative analysis (e.g., comparing the quarterly return for each managed portfolio to its target benchmark, with significant differences identified and investigated); (ii) a review of the average number of prices obtained in the pricing process and the range of resulting market values; (iii) initial and ongoing evaluation of methodologies used by outside parties to calculate fair value including a review of deep dive reports on selected securities which indicated the use of observable inputs in the pricing process; (iv) comparing the fair value estimates to its knowledge of the current market; (v) a comparison of the pricing services’ fair values to other pricing services’ fair values for the same investments; and (vi) back-testing, which includes randomly selecting purchased or sold securities and comparing the executed prices to the fair value estimates from the pricing service. At September 30, 2009, the Company obtained an average of 2.7 quotes per investment, compared to 2.6 quotes at December 31, 2008. Where multiple quotes or prices were obtained, a price source hierarchy was maintained in order to determine which price source provided the fair value (i.e., a price obtained from a pricing service with more seniority in the hierarchy will be used from a less senior one in all cases). The hierarchy prioritizes pricing services based on availability and reliability and assigns the highest priority to index providers. Based on the above review, the Company will challenge any prices for a security or portfolio which are considered not to be representative of fair value. The Company did not adjust the prices or quotes provided by the pricing services at September 30, 2009 or December 31, 2008.

 

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 uses observable market inputs including, but not limited to, investment yields, credit risks and spreads, benchmarking of like securities, broker-dealer quotes, reported trades and sector groupings to determine a reasonable fair market value. In addition, pricing vendors use model processes, such as an Option Adjusted Spread model, to develop prepayment and interest rate scenarios. The Option Adjusted Spread model is commonly used to estimate fair value for securities such as mortgage backed and asset backed securities. In certain circumstances, when fair market values are unavailable from these independent pricing sources, quotes are obtained directly from broker-dealers who are active in the corresponding markets. Such quotes are subject to the validation procedures noted above. Of the $11.13 billion of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value, approximately $1.02 billion, or 9.2%, were priced using non-binding broker-dealer quotes.

 

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ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

In April 2009, the FASB issued guidance regarding the determination of fair value when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased and the identification of transactions that are not orderly. This affirms that the objective of fair value when the market for an asset is not active is the price that would be received to sell the asset in an orderly transaction, and clarifies and includes additional factors for determining whether there has been a significant decrease in market activity for an asset when the market for that asset is not active. Under this guidance, if an entity determines that there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or the liability in relation to the normal market activity for the asset or liability (or similar assets or liabilities), then transactions or quoted prices may not accurately reflect fair value. In addition, if there is evidence that the transaction for the asset or liability is not orderly, the entity shall place little, if any weight on that transaction price as an indicator of fair value. This guidance also expanded certain disclosure requirements. This guidance was effective for periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. The Company elected to adopt this pronouncement effective for its interim period ending March 31, 2009, and its adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

 

The Company reviews its securities measured at fair value and discusses the proper classification of such investments with investment advisors and others. Upon adoption of the accounting guidance regarding fair value measurement and at September 30, 2009, the Company determined that Level 1 securities included highly liquid, recent issue U.S. Treasuries and certain of its short-term investments held in highly liquid money market-type funds where it believes that quoted prices are available in an active market.

 

Where the Company believes that quoted market prices are not available or that the market is not active, fair values are estimated by using quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, pricing models or matrix pricing and are generally classified as Level 2 securities. The Company determined that Level 2 securities included corporate bonds, mortgage backed securities, municipal bonds, asset backed securities, certain U.S. government and government agencies, non-U.S. government securities, TALF investments and TALF borrowings, certain short-term securities and certain other investments.

 

The Company determined that three Euro-denominated corporate bonds which invest in underlying portfolios of fixed income securities for which there is a low level of transparency around inputs to the valuation process should be classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. In addition, the Company determined that two mutual funds, included in other investments, which invest in underlying portfolios of fixed income securities for which there is a low level of transparency around inputs to the valuation process should be classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. These items were reclassified as Level 3 during the 2008 fourth quarter due to the significant dislocation in the credit markets during October and November 2008. The Company believes that the market for such investments, which are primarily investments in an underlying portfolio of structured bank loans, deteriorated in response to market conditions. As such, the inputs to the valuation process for these investments were determined to be less observable than in prior periods. The Company reviews the classification of its investments each quarter. In addition, Level 3 securities include a small number of premium-tax bonds.

 

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ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

The following table presents the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value by level:

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurement Using:

 

 

 

Estimated
Market

 

Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets

 

Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs

 

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

Value

 

(Level 1)

 

(Level 2)

 

(Level 3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30, 2009:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities: (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate bonds

 

$

3,099,701

 

$

 

$

2,910,277

 

$

189,424

(2)

Mortgage backed securities

 

1,708,414

 

 

1,708,414

 

 

U.S. government and government agencies

 

1,480,190

 

377,923

 

1,102,267

 

 

Commercial mortgage backed securities

 

1,170,712

 

 

1,170,712

 

 

Non-U.S. government securities

 

1,008,082

 

 

1,008,082

 

 

Municipal bonds

 

910,903

 

 

910,903

 

 

Asset backed securities

 

497,293

 

 

497,293

 

 

Total

 

9,875,295

 

377,923

 

9,307,948

 

189,424

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investments (1)

 

706,157

 

690,409

 

15,748

 

 

TALF investments, at market value

 

250,517

 

 

250,517

 

 

TALF borrowings, at market value

 

219,843

 

 

219,843

 

 

Other investments (3)

 

82,989

 

 

35,962

 

47,027

 

Total

 

$

11,134,801

 

$

1,068,332

 

$

9,830,018

 

$

236,451

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2008:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities: (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate bonds

 

$

2,019,373

 

$

 

$

1,876,802

 

$

142,571

(2)

Mortgage backed securities

 

1,581,736

 

 

1,581,736

 

 

U.S. government and government agencies

 

1,463,897

 

241,851

 

1,222,046

 

 

Commercial mortgage backed securities

 

1,219,737

 

 

1,219,737

 

 

Non-U.S. government securities

 

527,972

 

 

527,972

 

 

Municipal bonds

 

965,966

 

 

965,966

 

 

Asset backed securities

 

970,041

 

 

970,041

 

 

Total

 

8,748,722

 

241,851

 

8,364,300

 

142,571

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investments (1)

 

581,150

 

474,504

 

106,646

 

 

Other investments (3)

 

36,913

 

 

(3,426

)

40,339

 

Total

 

$

9,366,785

 

$

716,355

 

$

8,467,520

 

$

182,910

 

 


(1)          In securities lending transactions, the Company receives collateral in excess of the fair value of the fixed maturities and short-term investments pledged under securities lending agreements. For purposes of this table, the Company has excluded the collateral received at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 of $611.5 million and $730.2 million, respectively, which is reflected as “investment of funds received under securities lending agreements, at market value” and included the $609.3 million and $728.1 million, respectively, of “fixed maturities and short-term investments pledged under securities lending agreements, at market value.”

(2)          Consists of (i) three corporate bonds which invest in underlying portfolios of fixed income securities for which there is a low level of transparency around inputs and (ii) a small number of premium-tax bonds.

(3)          Excludes the Company’s investment in Aeolus LP, which is accounted for using the equity method.

 

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ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

The following table presents a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for all investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs:

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements Using:

 

 

 

Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

Corporate
Bonds

 

Other
Investments

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2009:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning balance at July 1, 2009

 

$

158,451

 

$

41,111

 

$

199,562

 

Total gains or (losses) (realized/unrealized)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Included in earnings (1)

 

(1,258

)

29

 

(1,229

)

Included in other comprehensive income

 

32,231

 

6,240

 

38,471

 

Purchases, issuances and settlements

 

 

(353

)

(353

)

Transfers in and/or out of Level 3

 

 

 

 

Ending balance at September 30, 2009

 

$

189,424

 

$

47,027

 

$

236,451

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2008:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning balance at July 1, 2008

 

$

6,479

 

$

9,642

 

$

16,121

 

Total gains or (losses) (realized/unrealized)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Included in earnings (1)

 

(92

)

 

(92

)

Included in other comprehensive income

 

 

(1,123

)

(1,123

)

Purchases, issuances and settlements

 

 

 

 

Transfers in and/or out of Level 3

 

 

 

 

Ending balance at September 30, 2008

 

$

6,387

 

$

8,519

 

$

14,906

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning balance at January 1, 2009

 

$

142,571

 

$

40,339

 

$

182,910

 

Total gains or (losses) (realized/unrealized)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Included in earnings (1)

 

(68

)

(14,278

)

(14,346

)

Included in other comprehensive income

 

46,921

 

21,433

 

68,354

 

Purchases, issuances and settlements

 

 

(467

)

(467

)

Transfers in and/or out of Level 3

 

 

 

 

Ending balance at September 30, 2009

 

$

189,424

 

$

47,027

 

$

236,451

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning balance at January 1, 2008

 

$

3,752

 

$

11,504

 

$

15,256

 

Total gains or (losses) (realized/unrealized)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Included in earnings (1)

 

(168

)

459

 

291

 

Included in other comprehensive income

 

 

(2,912

)

(2,912

)

Purchases, issuances and settlements

 

2,803

 

(532

)

2,271

 

Transfers in and/or out of Level 3

 

 

 

 

Ending balance at September 30, 2008

 

$

6,387

 

$

8,519

 

$

14,906

 

 


(1)                Losses on fixed maturities were recorded as a component of net investment income while losses on other investments were recorded in net realized losses.

 

The amount of total losses for the 2009 third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009 included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at September 30, 2009 was $1.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively. The amount of total losses for the 2008 third quarter included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at September 30, 2008 was $0.1 million. The amount of total gains for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at September 30, 2008 was $0.3 million.

 

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Table of Contents

 

ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

9.      Derivative Instruments

 

The Company’s investment strategy allows for the use of derivative securities. The Company’s derivative instruments are recorded on its consolidated balance sheets at market value. The market values of those derivatives are based on quoted market prices. All realized and unrealized contract gains and losses are reflected in the Company’s results of operations.

 

The Company utilizes exchange traded U.S. Treasury note, Eurodollar and other futures contracts and commodity futures to manage portfolio duration or replicate investment positions in its portfolios. In addition, certain of the Company’s corporate bonds are managed in a global bond portfolio which incorporates the use of foreign currency forward contracts which are intended to provide an economic hedge against foreign currency movements on the portfolio’s non-U.S. Dollar denominated holdings.

 

In addition, the Company purchases to-be-announced mortgage backed securities (“TBAs”) as part of its investment strategy. TBAs represent commitments to purchase a future issuance of agency mortgage backed securities. For the period between purchase of a TBA and issuance of the underlying security, the Company’s position is accounted for as a derivative. The Company purchases TBAs in both long and short positions to enhance investment performance and as part of its overall investment strategy.

 

The Company did not hold any derivatives which were designated as hedging instruments at September 30, 2009 or December 31, 2008. The following table summarizes information on the balance sheet locations, market values and notional values of the Company’s derivative instruments at September 30, 2009:

 

 

 

 

 

Asset Derivatives

 

Liability Derivatives

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

Balance Sheet
Location

 

Estimated
Market
Value

 

Notional
Value

 

Estimated
Market
Value

 

Notional
Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Futures contracts

 

Other investments

 

$

848

 

$

2,070,082

 

$

(8

)

$

69,744

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

Other investments

 

602

 

18,298

 

(12,717

)

139,376

 

TBAs

 

Fixed maturities

 

722,186

 

696,600

 

(674,771

)

651,000

 

Other

 

Other investments

 

45

 

16,098

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

$

723,681

 

 

 

$

(687,496

)

 

 

 

The following table summarizes information on the balance sheet locations, market values and notional values of the Company’s derivative instruments at December 31, 2008:

 

 

 

 

 

Asset Derivatives

 

Liability Derivatives

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

Balance Sheet
Location

 

Estimated
Market
Value

 

Notional
Value

 

Estimated
Market
Value

 

Notional
Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Futures contracts

 

Other investments

 

$

647

 

$

363,297

 

$

(1,541

)

$

556,268

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

Other investments

 

3,485

 

15,294

 

(14,332

)

135,426

 

Total

 

 

 

$

4,132

 

 

 

$

(15,873

)

 

 

 

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ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

The following table summarizes derivative instrument activity in the consolidated statements of operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009:

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

Location of Gain or (Loss)
Recognized in Income on
Derivative

 

Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2009

 

Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Futures contracts

 

Net realized gains (losses)

 

$

8,604

 

$

(887

)

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

Net realized gains (losses)

 

(6,631

)

(6,209

)

TBAs

 

Net realized gains (losses)

 

683

 

3,328

 

Other

 

Net realized gains (losses)

 

455

 

455

 

Total

 

 

 

$

3,111

 

$

(3,313

)

 

10.    Earnings Per Common Share

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

Net income

 

$

280,868

 

$

32,851

 

$

585,788

 

$

427,477

 

Preferred dividends

 

(6,461

)

(6,461

)

(19,383

)

(19,383

)

Net income available to common shareholders (numerator)

 

$

274,407

 

$

26,390

 

$

566,405

 

$

408,094

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares and effect of dilutive common share equivalents used in the computation of earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic (denominator)

 

60,156,219

 

60,109,932

 

60,295,144

 

62,790,514

 

Effect of dilutive common share equivalents:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nonvested restricted shares

 

262,306

 

256,552

 

284,611

 

251,149

 

Stock options (1)

 

2,115,291

 

2,464,426

 

2,010,473

 

2,488,907

 

Weighted average common shares and common share equivalents  outstanding – diluted (denominator)

 

62,533,816

 

62,830,910

 

62,590,228

 

65,530,570

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

4.56

 

$

0.44

 

$

9.39

 

$

6.50

 

Diluted

 

$

4.39

 

$

0.42

 

$

9.05

 

$

6.23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(1)                Certain stock options were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share where the exercise price of the stock options exceeded the average market price and would have been anti-dilutive or where, when applying the treasury stock method to in-the-money options, the sum of the proceeds, including unrecognized compensation, exceeded the average market price and would have been anti-dilutive. For the 2009 third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the number of stock options excluded were 926,655 and 836,704, respectively. For the 2008 third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2008, the number of stock options excluded were 635,303 and 498,172, respectively.

 

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ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

11.    Income Taxes

 

ACGL is incorporated under the laws of Bermuda and, under current Bermuda law, is not obligated to pay any taxes in Bermuda based upon income or capital gains. The Company has received a written undertaking from the Minister of Finance in Bermuda under the Exempted Undertakings Tax Protection Act 1966 that, in the event that any legislation is enacted in Bermuda imposing any tax computed on profits, income, gain or appreciation on any capital asset, or any tax in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax, such tax will not be applicable to ACGL or any of its operations until March 28, 2016. This undertaking does not, however, prevent the imposition of taxes on any person ordinarily resident in Bermuda or any company in respect of its ownership of real property or leasehold interests in Bermuda.

 

ACGL and its non-U.S. subsidiaries will be subject to U.S. federal income tax only to the extent that they derive U.S. source income that is subject to U.S. withholding tax or income that is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the U.S. and is not exempt from U.S. tax under an applicable income tax treaty with the U.S. ACGL and its non-U.S. subsidiaries will be subject to a withholding tax on dividends from U.S. investments and interest from certain U.S. payors (subject to reduction by any applicable income tax treaty). ACGL and its non-U.S. subsidiaries intend to conduct their operations in a manner that will not cause them to be treated as engaged in a trade or business in the United States and, therefore, will not be required to pay U.S. federal income taxes (other than U.S. excise taxes on insurance and reinsurance premium and withholding taxes on dividends and certain other U.S. source investment income). However, because there is uncertainty as to the activities which constitute being engaged in a trade or business within the United States, there can be no assurances that the U.S. Internal Revenue Service will not contend successfully that ACGL or its non-U.S. subsidiaries are engaged in a trade or business in the United States. If ACGL or any of its non-U.S. subsidiaries were subject to U.S. income tax, ACGL’s shareholders’ equity and earnings could be materially adversely affected. ACGL has subsidiaries and branches that operate in various jurisdictions around the world that are subject to tax in the jurisdictions in which they operate. The significant jurisdictions in which ACGL’s subsidiaries and branches are subject to tax are the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Switzerland and Denmark.

 

The Company’s income tax provision resulted in an effective tax rate on income before income taxes of 3.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to 2.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The Company’s effective tax rate, which is based upon the expected annual effective tax rate, may fluctuate from period to period based on the relative mix of income reported by jurisdiction due primarily to the varying tax rates in each jurisdiction.

 

The Company had a net deferred tax asset of $55.0 million at September 30, 2009, compared to $60.2 million at December 31, 2008. In addition, the Company paid $26.4 million and $12.4 million for income taxes, net of recoveries, during the nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

The United States also imposes an excise tax on insurance and reinsurance premiums paid to non-U.S. insurers or reinsurers with respect to risks located in the United States. The rates of tax, unless reduced by an applicable U.S. tax treaty, are four percent for non-life insurance premiums and one percent for life insurance and all reinsurance premiums. The Company incurs federal excise taxes on certain of its reinsurance transactions, including amounts ceded through intercompany transactions. The Company incurred $3.3 million of federal excise taxes in the 2009 and 2008 third quarters and $9.7 million for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008. Such amounts are reflected as acquisition expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.

 

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ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

12.    Transactions with Related Parties

 

The Company made an investment of $50.0 million in Aeolus LP (“Aeolus”) in 2006. Aeolus operates as an unrated reinsurance platform that provides property catastrophe protection to insurers and reinsurers on both an ultimate net loss and industry loss warranty basis. In return for its investment, included in “Other investments” on the Company’s balance sheet, the Company received an approximately 4.9% preferred interest in Aeolus and a pro rata share of certain founders’ interests. The Company made its investment in Aeolus on the same economic terms as a fund affiliated with Warburg Pincus, which has invested $350 million in Aeolus. Funds affiliated with Warburg Pincus owned 6.7% of the Company’s outstanding voting shares as of September 30, 2009. In addition, one of the founders of Aeolus is Peter Appel, former President and CEO and a former director of the Company. During the 2009 first quarter, the Company received a distribution of $14.0 million from Aeolus as part of a repurchase agreement. Following such receipt, the Company’s preferred interest percentage decreased to approximately 4.4%.

 

13.    Contingencies Relating to the Sale of Prior Reinsurance Operations

 

On May 5, 2000, the Company sold the prior reinsurance operations of Arch Re U.S. pursuant to an agreement entered into as of January 10, 2000 with White Mountains Reinsurance Company of America, formerly known as Folksamerica Reinsurance Company, and a related holding company (collectively, “WTM Re”). WTM Re assumed Arch Re U.S.’s liabilities under the reinsurance agreements transferred in the asset sale and Arch Re U.S. transferred to WTM Re assets estimated in an aggregate amount equal in book value to the book value of the liabilities assumed. The WTM Re transaction was structured as a transfer and assumption agreement (and not reinsurance) and, accordingly, the loss reserves (and any related reinsurance recoverables) relating to the transferred business are not included as assets or liabilities on the Company’s balance sheet. WTM Re assumed Arch Re U.S.’s rights and obligations under the reinsurance agreements transferred in the asset sale. The reinsureds under such agreements were notified that WTM Re had assumed Arch Re U.S.’s obligations and that, unless the reinsureds object to the assumption, Arch Re U.S. will be released from its obligations to those reinsured. None of such reinsureds objected to the assumption. However, Arch Re U.S. will continue to be liable under those reinsurance agreements if the notice is found not to be an effective release by the reinsureds. WTM Re has agreed to indemnify the Company for any losses arising out of the reinsurance agreements transferred to WTM Re in the asset sale. However, in the event that WTM Re refuses or is unable to perform its obligations to the Company, Arch Re U.S. may incur losses relating to the reinsurance agreements transferred in the asset sale. WTM Re’s A.M. Best rating was “A-” (Excellent) at September 30, 2009. WTM Re reported policyholders’ surplus of $708.8 million at December 31, 2008.

 

Under the terms of the agreement, in 2000, the Company had also purchased reinsurance protection covering the Company’s transferred aviation business to reduce the net financial loss to WTM Re on any large commercial airline catastrophe to $5.4 million, net of reinstatement premiums. Although the Company believes that any such net financial loss will not exceed $5.4 million, the Company has agreed to reimburse WTM Re if a loss is incurred that exceeds $5.4 million for aviation losses under certain circumstances prior to May 5, 2003. The Company also made representations and warranties to WTM Re about the Company and the business transferred to WTM Re for which the Company retains exposure for certain periods, and made certain other agreements. In addition, the Company retained its tax and employee benefit liabilities and other liabilities not assumed by WTM Re, including all liabilities not arising under reinsurance agreements transferred to WTM Re in the asset sale and all liabilities (other than liabilities arising under reinsurance agreements) arising out of or relating to a certain managing underwriting agency. Although WTM Re has not asserted that any amount is currently due under any of the indemnities provided by the Company under the asset purchase agreement, WTM Re has previously indicated a potential indemnity claim under the agreement in the event of the occurrence of certain future events. Based on all available information, the Company has denied the validity of any such potential claim.

 

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ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

14.    Commitments and Contingencies

 

Variable Interest Entities

 

On December 29, 2005, Arch Re Bermuda entered into a quota share reinsurance treaty with Flatiron, a Bermuda reinsurance company, pursuant to which Flatiron is assuming a 45% quota share (the “Treaty”) of certain lines of property and marine business underwritten by Arch Re Bermuda for unaffiliated third parties for the 2006 and 2007 underwriting years (January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2007). On December 31, 2007, the Treaty expired by its terms. As a result of the terms of the Treaty, the Company has determined that Flatiron is a variable interest entity. However, Arch Re Bermuda is not the primary beneficiary of Flatiron and, as such, the Company is not required to consolidate the assets, liabilities and results of operations of Flatiron. See Note 6, “Reinsurance” for information on the Treaty with Flatiron.

 

15.    Legal Proceedings

 

The Company, in common with the insurance industry in general, is subject to litigation and arbitration in the normal course of its business. As of September 30, 2009, the Company was not a party to any material litigation or arbitration other than as a part of the ordinary course of business in relation to claims and reinsurance recoverable matters, none of which is expected by management to have a significant adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition and liquidity.

 

16.    Subsequent Events

 

In November 2009, the board of directors of ACGL authorized the investment of up to an additional $1.0 billion in ACGL’s common shares through a share repurchase program. Repurchases under this authorization may be effected from time to time in open market or privately negotiated transactions through December 31, 2011. The board of directors of ACGL had previously authorized the investment of up to $1.5 billion in ACGL’s common shares, of which $350.1 million was available at September 30, 2009. See Note 3, “Share Transactions—Share Repurchases” for information on share repurchase activity.

 

The Company has completed its subsequent events evaluation for the period subsequent to the balance sheet date of September 30, 2009 through November 9, 2009, the date the consolidated financial statements were issued.

 

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ITEM 2.

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Arch Capital Group Ltd. (“ACGL” and, together with its subsidiaries, “we” or “us”) is a Bermuda public limited liability company with over $4.86 billion in capital at September 30, 2009 and, through operations in Bermuda, the United States, Europe and Canada, writes insurance and reinsurance on a worldwide basis. While we are positioned to provide a full range of property and casualty insurance and reinsurance lines, we focus on writing specialty lines of insurance and reinsurance. It is our belief that our underwriting platform, our experienced management team and our strong capital base that is unencumbered by significant pre-2002 risks have enabled us to establish a strong presence in the insurance and reinsurance markets.

 

The worldwide insurance and reinsurance industry is highly competitive and has traditionally been subject to an underwriting cycle in which a hard market (high premium rates, restrictive underwriting standards, as well as terms and conditions, and underwriting gains) is eventually followed by a soft market (low premium rates, relaxed underwriting standards, as well as broader terms and conditions, and underwriting losses). Insurance market conditions may affect, among other things, the demand for our products, our ability to increase premium rates, the terms and conditions of the insurance policies we write, changes in the products offered by us or changes in our business strategy.

 

The financial results of the insurance and reinsurance industry are influenced by factors such as the frequency and/or severity of claims and losses, including natural disasters or other catastrophic events, variations in interest rates and financial markets, changes in the legal, regulatory and judicial environments, inflationary pressures and general economic conditions. These factors influence, among other things, the demand for insurance or reinsurance, the supply of which is generally related to the total capital of competitors in the market.

 

In general, market conditions improved during 2002 and 2003 in the insurance and reinsurance marketplace. This reflected improvement in pricing, terms and conditions following significant industry losses arising from the events of September 11, 2001, as well as the recognition that intense competition in the late 1990s led to inadequate pricing and overly broad terms, conditions and coverages. Such industry developments resulted in poor financial results and erosion of the industry’s capital base. Consequently, many established insurers and reinsurers reduced their participation in, or exited from, certain markets and, as a result, premium rates escalated in many lines of business. These developments provided relatively new insurers and reinsurers, like us, with an opportunity to provide needed underwriting capacity. Beginning in late 2003 and continuing through 2005, additional capacity emerged in many classes of business and, consequently, premium rate increases decelerated significantly and, in many classes of business, premium rates decreased. The weather-related catastrophic events that occurred in the second half of 2005 caused significant industry losses and led to a strengthening of rating agency capital requirements for catastrophe-exposed business. The 2005 events also resulted in substantial improvements in market conditions in property and certain marine lines of business and slowed declines in premium rates in other lines. During 2006 and 2007, excellent industry results led to a significant increase in capacity and, accordingly, competition intensified in 2007 and prices, in general, declined in all lines of business, including property. More recently, we increased our writings in property and certain marine lines of business in order to take advantage of improved market conditions and these lines represented a larger proportion of our overall book of business in 2008 and 2009 than in prior periods.

 

Current Outlook

 

During the second half of 2008, the financial markets experienced significant adverse credit events and a loss of liquidity, which have reduced the amount and availability of capital in the insurance industry. In addition, certain of our competitors have experienced significant financial difficulties. During the first six months of 2009, we experienced rate stabilization and some improvements in rates. However, with no significant catastrophic activity in the 2009 third quarter and substantial improvements in market values across most

 

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investment sectors, the degree of rate improvement we saw in the first six months of 2009 was moderated and the pricing environment is basically unchanged. The current economic conditions could continue to have a material impact on the frequency and severity of claims and therefore could negatively impact our underwriting returns. In addition, volatility in the financial markets could continue to significantly affect our investment returns, reported results and shareholders equity. We consider the potential impact of economic trends in the estimation process for establishing unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) and in determining our investment strategies.

 

We continue to believe that the most attractive area from a pricing point of view remains U.S. catastrophe-related property business. We expect that our writings in property and marine lines of business will continue to represent a significant proportion of our overall book of business in future periods, which could increase the volatility of our results of operations. We seek to limit the probable maximum pre-tax loss to a specific level for severe catastrophic events. Currently, we generally seek to limit the probable maximum pre-tax loss to approximately 25% of total shareholders’ equity for a severe catastrophic event in any geographic zone that could be expected to occur once in every 250 years, although we reserve the right to change this threshold at any time. As of October 1, 2009, the probable maximum pre-tax loss for a catastrophic event in any geographic zone arising from a 1-in-250 year event was approximately $826 million, compared to $763 million as of January 1, 2009. There can be no assurances that we will not suffer pre-tax losses greater than 25% of our total shareholders’ equity from one or more catastrophic events due to several factors, including the inherent uncertainties in estimating the frequency and severity of such events and the margin of error in making such determinations resulting from potential inaccuracies and inadequacies in the data provided by clients and brokers, the modeling techniques and the application of such techniques or as a result of a decision to change the percentage of shareholders’ equity exposed to a single catastrophic event. In addition, actual losses may increase if reinsurers dispute or fail to meet their obligations to us or the reinsurance protections purchased by us are exhausted or are otherwise unavailable. See “Risk Factors—Risk Relating to Our Industry” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Natural and Man-Made Catastrophic Events” contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES, ESTIMATES AND RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

Critical accounting policies, estimates and recent accounting pronouncements are discussed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, updated where applicable in the notes accompanying our consolidated financial statements.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008

 

The following table sets forth net income available to common shareholders and earnings per common share data:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income available to common shareholders

 

$

274,407

 

$

26,390

 

Diluted net income per common share

 

$

4.39

 

$

0.42

 

Diluted weighted average common shares and common share equivalents outstanding

 

62,533,816

 

62,830,910

 

 

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Net income available to common shareholders was $274.4 million for the 2009 third quarter, compared to $26.4 million for the 2008 third quarter. The increase in net income was primarily due to an increase in underwriting income from our insurance and reinsurance operations as discussed in “—Segment Information” below, a decrease in the net impairment losses recognized in earnings and an increase in the equity in net income (loss) of investment funds accounted for using the equity method. Our net income available to common shareholders for the 2009 third quarter represented a 28.0% annualized return on average common equity, compared to 3.1% for the 2008 third quarter. For purposes of computing return on average common equity, average common equity has been calculated as the average of common shareholders’ equity outstanding at the beginning and ending of each period.

 

Diluted weighted average common shares and common share equivalents outstanding, used in the calculation of net income per common share, were 62.5 million in the 2009 third quarter, compared to 62.8 million in the 2008 third quarter. The lower level of weighted average shares outstanding in the 2009 third quarter was primarily due to the impact of share repurchases which reduced weighted average shares outstanding for the 2009 third quarter by 15.7 million shares, compared to 14.9 million shares for the 2008 third quarter.

 

Segment Information

 

We classify our businesses into two underwriting segments — insurance and reinsurance — and corporate and other (non-underwriting). Accounting guidance regarding disclosures about segments of an enterprise and related information requires certain disclosures about operating segments in a manner that is consistent with how management evaluates the performance of the segment. For a description of our underwriting segments, refer to Note 5, “Segment Information,” of the notes accompanying our consolidated financial statements. Management measures segment performance based on underwriting income or loss.

 

Insurance Segment

 

The following table sets forth our insurance segment’s underwriting results:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross premiums written

 

$

673,986

 

$

678,338

 

Net premiums written

 

473,676

 

466,115

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

 

$

443,319

 

$

441,049

 

Fee income

 

814

 

872

 

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

(303,304

)

(337,456

)

Acquisition expenses, net

 

(60,964

)

(62,752

)

Other operating expenses

 

(72,452

)

(71,861

)

Underwriting income (loss)

 

$

7,413

 

$

(30,148

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting Ratios

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio

 

68.4

%

76.5

%

Acquisition expense ratio (1)

 

13.6

%

14.0

%

Other operating expense ratio

 

16.3

%

16.3

%

Combined ratio

 

98.3

%

106.8

%

 


(1)          The acquisition expense ratio is adjusted to include certain fee income.

 

The insurance segment’s underwriting income was $7.4 million for the 2009 third quarter, compared to an underwriting loss of $30.1 million for the 2008 third quarter. The combined ratio for the insurance segment was 98.3% for the 2009 third quarter, compared to 106.8% for the 2008 third quarter. In the 2008 third quarter, the

 

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insurance segment incurred estimated pre-tax net losses, after reinsurance and net of reinstatement premiums, related to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike of $40.9 million. Before reinsurance, such estimated losses were $75.8 million. The components of the insurance segment’s underwriting income are discussed below.

 

Premiums Written.  Gross premiums written by the insurance segment in the 2009 third quarter were 0.6% lower than in the 2008 third quarter, reflecting reductions in program, construction and surety business. The lower level of program business in the 2009 third quarter primarily resulted from $10.9 million of premium adjustments related to involuntary pools in the 2008 period ($10.5 million on an earned basis) while the decline in construction and surety business was in response to the current market environment. Such amounts were partially offset by growth in property, energy and aviation, national accounts casualty and executive assurance business which was primarily due to new business written in the 2009 third quarter. Net premiums written increased by 1.6%, reflecting changes in the mix of business, reinstatement premiums and the impact of changes in reinsurance structure. For information regarding net premiums written produced by major line of business and geographic location, refer to Note 5, “Segment Information,” of the notes accompanying our consolidated financial statements.

 

Net Premiums Earned.  Net premiums earned by the insurance segment in the 2009 third quarter were 0.5% higher than in the 2008 third quarter, and reflect changes in net premiums written over the previous five quarters.

 

Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses.  The loss ratio for the insurance segment was 68.4% in the 2009 third quarter, compared to 76.5% in the 2008 third quarter. The loss ratio for the 2009 third quarter did not include significant current year catastrophic event activity, compared to 8.3 points, primarily related to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, in the 2008 third quarter. The insurance segment’s loss ratio in the 2009 third quarter included increases in expected loss ratios across a number of lines of business, primarily due to the anticipated impact of rate changes, and changes in the mix of business. The 2009 third quarter loss ratio reflected a 3.8 point reduction related to estimated net favorable development in prior year loss reserves, compared to a 3.0 point reduction in the 2008 third quarter. The estimated net favorable development in the 2009 third quarter was primarily in short-tail lines and resulted from better than expected claims emergence on large property and energy losses.

 

The insurance segment has in effect a reinsurance program which provides coverage for certain property-catastrophe related losses occurring during 2009 equal to a maximum of 80% of the first $275 million in excess of a $75 million retention per occurrence. The insurance segment had in effect a reinsurance program which provides coverage for certain property-catastrophe related losses occurring during 2008 equal to a maximum of 70% of the first $275 million in excess of a $75 million retention per occurrence.

 

Underwriting Expenses.  The insurance segment’s underwriting expense ratio was 29.9% in the 2009 third quarter, compared to 30.3% in the 2008 third quarter. The acquisition expense ratio was 13.6% for the 2009 third quarter, compared to 14.0% for the 2008 third quarter. The acquisition expense ratio is influenced by, among other things, (1) the amount of ceding commissions received from unaffiliated reinsurers, (2) the amount of business written on a surplus lines (non-admitted) basis and (3) mix of business. In addition, the 2009 third quarter acquisition expense ratio reflected a reduction of 0.3 points related to estimated net favorable development in prior year loss reserves, compared to an increase of 1.7 points in the 2008 third quarter. The comparison of the 2009 third quarter and 2008 third quarter acquisition expense ratios reflects changes in the form of reinsurance ceded and the mix of business. The insurance segment’s other operating expense ratio was 16.3% for the 2009 and 2008 third quarters. The operating expense ratio for the 2009 third quarter included approximately 0.7 points related to an expansion of the insurance segment’s presence in the executive assurance and professional liability lines of business. The operating expense ratio for the 2008 third quarter included 1.3 points of costs related to workforce reductions and the relocation of certain of the insurance segment’s U.S. operations.

 

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Reinsurance Segment

 

The following table sets forth our reinsurance segment’s underwriting results:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross premiums written

 

$

266,193

 

$

228,593

 

Net premiums written

 

253,632

 

226,577

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

 

$

291,066

 

$

291,982

 

Fee income

 

12

 

72

 

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

(141,610

)

(211,430

)

Acquisition expenses, net

 

(61,775

)

(70,661

)

Other operating expenses

 

(21,271

)

(18,331

)

Underwriting income (loss)

 

$

66,422

 

$

(8,368

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting Ratios

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio

 

48.7

%

72.4

%

Acquisition expense ratio

 

21.2

%

24.2

%

Other operating expense ratio

 

7.3

%

6.3

%

Combined ratio

 

77.2

%

102.9

%

 

The reinsurance segment’s underwriting income was $66.4 million for the 2009 third quarter, compared to an underwriting loss of $8.4 million for the 2008 third quarter. The combined ratio for the reinsurance segment was 77.2% for the 2009 third quarter, compared to 102.9% for the 2008 third quarter. In the 2008 third quarter, the reinsurance segment incurred estimated pre-tax net losses, after reinsurance and net of reinsurance premiums, related to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike of $95.9 million. Before reinsurance, such estimated losses were $108.6 million. The components of the reinsurance segment’s underwriting income are discussed below.

 

Premiums Written.  Gross premiums written by the reinsurance segment in the 2009 third quarter were 16.4% higher than in the 2008 third quarter, primarily due to an increase in property business which resulted from new business and an increased contribution from the reinsurance segment’s property facultative operations. The growth in property business was partially offset by a decrease in other specialty business which resulted from the non-renewal of a non-standard auto treaty in the 2009 second quarter. Net premiums written by the reinsurance segment in the 2009 third quarter were 11.9% higher than in the 2008 third quarter, primarily due to the items noted above. For information regarding net premiums written produced by major line of business and geographic location, refer to Note 5, “Segment Information,” of the notes accompanying our consolidated financial statements.

 

Net Premiums Earned.  Net premiums earned in the 2009 third quarter were 0.3% lower than in the 2008 third quarter, and reflect changes in net premiums written over the previous five quarters, including the mix and type of business written.

 

Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses.  The reinsurance segment’s loss ratio was 48.7% in the 2009 third quarter, compared to 72.4% for the 2008 third quarter. The loss ratio for the 2009 third quarter included 4.0 points related to current year catastrophic activity in the period, compared to 36.3 points, primarily related to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, in the 2008 third quarter. The loss ratio for the 2009 third quarter reflected a 13.4 point reduction related to estimated net favorable development in prior year loss reserves, compared to an 18.7 point reduction in the 2008 third quarter. The estimated net favorable development in the 2009 third quarter resulted from a lower level of reported and paid claims activity than previously anticipated in property and other short-tail lines and casualty business which led to decreases in certain loss selections during the period. In

 

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addition, the reinsurance segment’s loss ratio in the 2009 third quarter included a higher level of large loss activity along with increases in expected loss ratios across a number of lines of business.

 

Prior to April 2006, the reinsurance segment had in effect a catastrophe reinsurance program which provided coverage for certain catastrophe-related losses worldwide. The coverage was not renewed upon expiration. While our reinsurance operations may purchase industry loss warranty contracts and other reinsurance which is intended to limit their exposure, the non-renewal of the catastrophe reinsurance program and the expiration of the quota share reinsurance treaty with Flatiron Re Ltd. (“Flatiron”) increases the risk retention of our reinsurance operations and, as a result, may increase the volatility in our results of operations in future periods. See Note 6, “Reinsurance,” of the notes accompanying our consolidated financial statements for further details on the quota share reinsurance treaty with Flatiron.

 

Underwriting Expenses.  The underwriting expense ratio for the reinsurance segment was 28.5% in the 2009 third quarter, compared to 30.5% in the 2008 third quarter. The acquisition expense ratio for the 2009 third quarter was 21.2%, compared to 24.2% for the 2008 third quarter. The 2009 third quarter acquisition expense ratio reflected 0.2 points related to estimated net favorable development in prior year loss reserves, compared to 1.7 points in the 2008 third quarter. The comparison of the 2009 third quarter and 2008 third quarter acquisition expense ratios is influenced by, among other things, the mix and type of business written and earned and the level of ceding commission income. The reinsurance segment’s other operating expense ratio was 7.3% for the 2009 third quarter, compared to 6.3% for the 2008 third quarter. The 2008 third quarter operating expense ratio benefited from a higher level of deferred acquisition costs in the reinsurance segment’s property facultative operations.

 

Net Investment Income

 

Net investment income for the 2009 third quarter was $100.2 million, compared to $117.0 million in the 2008 third quarter. The lower level of net investment income in the 2009 third quarter, compared to the 2008 third quarter, was primarily driven by a decline in yields on our invested assets and also reflected: (i) a reduction in the portfolio’s effective duration, (ii) a decrease in income from our securities lending program, and (iii) our share repurchase program discussed below. The pre-tax investment income yield was 3.76% for the 2009 third quarter, compared to 4.74% for the 2008 third quarter. The pre-tax investment income yields were calculated based on amortized cost. Yields on future investment income may vary based on financial market conditions, investment allocation decisions and other factors.

 

Net Realized Gains or Losses

 

Net realized gains (losses) were as follows, excluding other-than-temporary impairment provisions:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

$

65,154

 

$

(30,137

)

Other investments

 

817

 

(5,159

)

Other (1)

 

4,667

 

12,295

 

Net realized gains (losses)

 

$

70,638

 

$

(23,001

)

 


(1) Primarily consists of realized gains or losses related to investment-related derivatives, foreign currency forward contracts, as well as $2.2 million of realized gains in the 2009 third quarter for the TALF program.

 

Currently, our portfolio is actively managed to maximize total return within certain guidelines. In assessing returns under this approach, we include net investment income, net realized gains and losses and the change in unrealized gains and losses generated by our investment portfolio. The effect of financial market movements on

 

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the investment portfolio will directly impact net realized gains and losses as the portfolio is adjusted and rebalanced. Total return on our portfolio under management for the 2009 third quarter was 4.75%, compared to (2.69%) for the 2008 third quarter. Excluding foreign exchange, total return was 4.63% for the 2009 third quarter, compared to (1.88%) for the 2008 third quarter.

 

Net Impairment Losses Recognized in Earnings

 

We review our investment portfolio each quarter to determine if declines in market value are other-than-temporary. The process for identifying declines in the market value of investments that are other-than-temporary involves consideration of several factors. These factors include (i) an analysis of the liquidity, business prospects and overall financial condition of the issuer, (ii) the time period in which there was a significant decline in value, and (iii) the significance of the decline. For the 2009 third quarter, we recorded $4.6 million of credit related impairments in earnings. The OTTI recorded in the 2009 third quarter primarily resulted from reductions in estimated recovery values on certain mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities following the review of such securities. We recorded $82.5 million of OTTI as a charge against earnings in the 2008 third quarter. Such amount was recorded prior to the adoption of recent accounting guidance regarding the recognition and presentation of OTTI, and included a portion related to credit losses and a portion related to all other factors.

 

Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Investment Funds Accounted for Using the Equity Method

 

We recorded $69.1 million of equity in net income related to investment funds accounted for using the equity method in the 2009 third quarter, compared to $1.7 million of equity in net losses for the 2008 third quarter. Due to the ownership structure of these investment funds, which invest in fixed maturity securities, we use the equity method. In applying the equity method, these investments are initially recorded at cost and are subsequently adjusted based on our proportionate share of the net income or loss of the funds (which include changes in the market value of the underlying securities in the funds). Fluctuations in the carrying value of the investment funds accounted for using the equity method may increase the volatility of our reported results of operations. The equity in net income recorded in the 2009 third quarter primarily resulted from recoveries in market values in U.S. and Euro-denominated bank loan funds which were significantly impacted by the extreme volatility in the capital and credit markets during the latter portion of 2008 and early 2009. Investment funds accounted for using the equity method totaled $376.4 million at September 30, 2009, compared to $301.0 million at December 31, 2008. At September 30, 2009, our portfolio included $458.3 million of investments in bank loan funds, of which $280.7 million are reflected in the investment funds accounted for using the equity method.

 

Other Expenses

 

Other expenses, which are included in our other operating expenses and part of corporate and other (non-underwriting), were $6.0 million for the 2009 third quarter, compared to $5.5 million for the 2008 third quarter. Such amounts primarily represent certain holding company costs necessary to support our worldwide insurance and reinsurance operations, share based compensation expense and costs associated with operating as a publicly traded company.

 

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Net Foreign Exchange Gains or Losses

 

Net foreign exchange losses for the 2009 third quarter of $19.8 million consisted of net unrealized losses of $18.9 million and net realized losses of $0.9 million, compared to net foreign exchange gains for the 2008 third quarter of $68.4 million, which consisted of net unrealized gains of $66.7 million and net realized gains of $1.7 million. The 2009 third quarter net foreign exchange losses primarily resulted from the weakening of the U.S. Dollar against the Euro and other major currencies during the period. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains or losses result from the effects of revaluing our net insurance liabilities required to be settled in foreign currencies at each balance sheet date. We hold investments in foreign currencies which are intended to mitigate our exposure to foreign currency fluctuations in our net insurance liabilities. However, changes in the value of such investments due to foreign currency rate movements are reflected as a direct increase or decrease to shareholders’ equity and are not included in the statements of income.

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008

 

The following table sets forth net income available to common shareholders and earnings per common share data:

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income available to common shareholders

 

$

566,405

 

$

408,094

 

Diluted net income per common share

 

$

9.05

 

$

6.23

 

Diluted weighted average common shares and common share equivalents outstanding

 

62,590,228

 

65,530,570

 

 

Net income available to common shareholders was $566.4 million for the 2009 period, compared to $408.1 million for the 2008 period. The increase in net income was primarily due to an increase in underwriting income from our insurance and reinsurance operations as discussed in “—Segment Information” below and an increase in the equity in net income (loss) of investment funds accounted for using the equity method. Underwriting results for the 2008 period reflected estimated after-tax net losses of $133.0 million, or $2.12 per share, related to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, after reinsurance recoveries, and net of reinstatement premiums. Our net income available to common shareholders for the 2009 period represented a 20.9% annualized return on average common equity, compared to 15.8% for the 2008 period. For purposes of computing return on average common equity, average common equity has been calculated as the average of common shareholders’ equity outstanding at the beginning and ending of each period.

 

Diluted weighted average common shares and common share equivalents outstanding, used in the calculation of net income per common share, were 62.6 million in the 2009 period, compared to 65.5 million in the 2008 period. The lower level of weighted average shares outstanding in the 2009 period was primarily due to the impact of share repurchases, which reduced weighted average shares outstanding for the 2009 period by 15.4 million shares, compared to 12.1 million shares for the 2008 period.

 

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Segment Information

 

Insurance Segment

 

The following table sets forth our insurance segment’s underwriting results:

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross premiums written

 

$

1,949,040

 

$

1,926,349

 

Net premiums written

 

1,334,580

 

1,290,380

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

 

$

1,261,870

 

$

1,276,734

 

Fee income

 

2,479

 

2,634

 

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

(860,669

)

(887,392

)

Acquisition expenses, net

 

(177,335

)

(170,041

)

Other operating expenses

 

(206,196

)

(217,064

)

Underwriting income

 

$

20,149

 

$

4,871

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting Ratios

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio

 

68.2

%

69.5

%

Acquisition expense ratio (1)

 

13.9

%

13.1

%

Other operating expense ratio

 

16.3

%

17.0

%

Combined ratio

 

98.4

%

99.6

%

 


(1)          The acquisition expense ratio is adjusted to include certain fee income.

 

The insurance segment’s underwriting income was $20.1 million for the 2009 period, compared to $4.9 million for the 2008 period. The combined ratio for the insurance segment was 98.4% for the 2009 period, compared to 99.6% for the 2008 period. Results for the 2008 period included estimated pre-tax net losses, after reinsurance and net of reinstatement premiums, related to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike of $40.9 million. The components of the insurance segment’s underwriting income are discussed below.

 

Premiums Written.  Gross premiums written by the insurance segment in the 2009 period were 1.2% higher than in the 2008 period, with growth in executive assurance, national accounts casualty and property, energy & aviation business, primarily resulting from new business, in addition to renewal rate increases for the executive assurance business.  Such growth was partially offset by reductions in casualty, surety, professional liability, healthcare and other business, as the insurance segment continued to maintain underwriting discipline in response to the current market environment. In addition, the program business experienced growth resulting from new business. However, such growth in the program business was offset by a reduction resulting from $10.9 million of premium adjustments related to involuntary pools in the 2008 period ($10.5 million on an earned basis). Net premiums written increased by 3.4%, reflecting changes in the mix of business, reinstatement premiums and the impact of changes in reinsurance structure. For information regarding net premiums written produced by major line of business and geographic location, refer to Note 5, “Segment Information,” of the notes accompanying our consolidated financial statements.

 

Net Premiums Earned.  Net premiums earned by the insurance segment in the 2009 period were 1.2% lower than in the 2008 period, and reflect changes in net premiums written over the previous five quarters, including the mix and type of business written.

 

Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses.  The loss ratio for the insurance segment was 68.2% in the 2009 period, compared to 69.5% in the 2008 period. The loss ratio for the 2009 period did not include significant current period catastrophic event activity, compared to 5.0 points in the 2008 period. The insurance segment’s

 

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2009 period loss ratio included increases in expected loss ratios across a number of lines of business, primarily due to the anticipated impact of rate changes, and changes in the mix of business. In addition, the 2009 period loss ratio also reflected a higher level of large loss activity than the 2008 period. The 2009 period loss ratio reflected a 3.5 point reduction related to estimated net favorable development in prior year loss reserves, compared to a 3.3 point reduction in the 2008 period. The estimated net favorable development in the 2009 period was primarily in medium-tail lines and mainly resulted from better than expected claims emergence on professional liability, aviation and construction losses.

 

Underwriting Expenses.  The insurance segment’s underwriting expense ratio was 30.2% in the 2009 period, compared to 30.1% in the 2008 period. The acquisition expense ratio was 13.9% for the 2009 period, compared to 13.1% for the 2008 period. The acquisition expense ratio is influenced by, among other things, (1) the amount of ceding commissions received from unaffiliated reinsurers, (2) the amount of business written on a surplus lines (non-admitted) basis and (3) mix of business. In addition, the 2009 period acquisition expense ratio reflected a decrease of 0.1 points related to the estimated net favorable development in prior year loss reserves, compared to a 0.9 points increase in the 2008 period. The comparison of the 2009 period and 2008 period acquisition expense ratios reflects changes in the form of reinsurance ceded and the mix of business. The insurance segment’s other operating expense ratio was 16.3% for the 2009 period, compared to 17.0% in the 2008 period. The 2009 period operating expenses reflect the benefits of the expense management plan implemented in 2008, partially offset by approximately 0.5 points related to an expansion of the insurance segment’s presence in the executive assurance and professional liability lines of business. The operating expense ratio for the 2008 period included approximately 0.6 points of costs related to workforce reductions and the relocation of certain of the insurance segment’s U.S. operations.

 

Reinsurance Segment

 

The following table sets forth our reinsurance segment’s underwriting results:

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross premiums written

 

$

934,711

 

$

935,738

 

Net premiums written

 

909,445

 

899,772

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

 

$

872,337

 

$

870,206

 

Fee income

 

89

 

616

 

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

(383,645

)

(470,536

)

Acquisition expenses, net

 

(195,676

)

(197,237

)

Other operating expenses

 

(56,406

)

(56,660

)

Underwriting income

 

$

236,699

 

$

146,389

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting Ratios

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio

 

44.0

%

54.1

%

Acquisition expense ratio

 

22.4

%

22.7

%

Other operating expense ratio

 

6.5

%

6.5

%

Combined ratio

 

72.9

%

83.3

%

 

The reinsurance segment’s underwriting income was $236.7 million for the 2009 period, compared to $146.4 million for the 2008 period. The combined ratio for the reinsurance segment was 72.9% for the 2009 period, compared to 83.3% for the 2008 period. Results for the 2008 period included estimated pre-tax net losses, after reinsurance and net of reinstatement premiums, related to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike of $95.9 million. The components of the reinsurance segment’s underwriting income are discussed below.

 

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Premiums Written.  Gross premiums written by the reinsurance segment in the 2009 period were 0.1% lower than in the 2008 period, primarily due to reductions in casualty and other specialty business written in the 2009 period. The decrease in casualty business resulted from the impact of non-renewals of a number of contracts, while the lower level of other specialty business was primarily due to the non-renewal of a non-standard auto treaty. The decreases were substantially offset by increases in property business which resulted from new business, the renewal of a two-year treaty, and a $29.6 million increase in writings by the reinsurance segment’s property facultative operation.

 

Ceded premiums written by the reinsurance segment were 2.7% of gross premiums written for the 2009 period, compared to 3.8% for the 2008 period. In the 2009 period, Arch Re Bermuda ceded $4.5 million of premiums written, or 0.5%, under a quota share reinsurance treaty to Flatiron, compared to $21.1 million, or 2.3%, in the 2008 period, with the lower level due to the expiration of the treaty. On an earned basis, Arch Re Bermuda ceded $22.4 million to Flatiron in the 2009 period, compared to $130.8 million in the 2008 period. Commission income from the treaty (in excess of the reimbursement of direct acquisition expenses) reduced the reinsurance segment’s acquisition expense ratio by 0.7 points in the 2009 period, compared to 2.3 points in the 2008 period. See Note 6, “Reinsurance,” of the notes accompanying our consolidated financial statements for further details on the quota share reinsurance treaty with Flatiron.

 

Net premiums written by the reinsurance segment in the 2009 period were 1.1% higher than in the 2008 period, primarily due to the items noted above. For information regarding net premiums written produced by major line of business and geographic location, refer to Note 5, “Segment Information,” of the notes accompanying our consolidated financial statements.

 

Net Premiums Earned.  Net premiums earned in the 2009 period were 0.2% higher than in the 2008 period, and reflect changes in net premiums written over the previous five quarters, including the mix and type of business written.

 

Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses.  The reinsurance segment’s loss ratio was 44.0% in the 2009 period, compared to 54.1% for the 2008 period. The loss ratio for the 2009 period benefited from a higher level of property and short-tail business and a minimal level of catastrophic activity in the period. Net premiums earned in property and other short-tail lines were approximately 70% of the total for the 2009 period, compared to 63% in the 2008 period. The 2009 period loss ratio included 2.3 points of current period catastrophic event activity, compared to 14.8 points for the 2008 period, primarily related to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. In addition, the loss ratio for the 2009 period reflected a 14.3 point reduction related to estimated net favorable development in prior year loss reserves, compared to a 16.6 point reduction in the 2008 period, and reflected increases in expected loss ratios across a number of lines of business. The estimated net favorable development in the 2009 period primarily resulted from better than anticipated claims emergence in older underwriting years in longer and short-tail lines and also reflected the commutation of a non-standard auto treaty in the period.

 

Underwriting Expenses.  The underwriting expense ratio for the reinsurance segment was 28.9% in the 2009 period, compared to 29.2% in the 2008 period. The acquisition expense ratio for the 2009 period was 22.4%, compared to 22.7% for the 2008 period. In addition, the 2009 period acquisition expense ratio reflected 0.4 points related to estimated net favorable development in prior year loss reserves, compared to 1.0 point in the 2008 period. The comparison of the 2009 period and 2008 period acquisition expense ratios is influenced by, among other things, the mix and type of business written and earned and the level of ceding commission income. The reinsurance segment’s other operating expense ratio was 6.5% for the 2009 and 2008 periods.

 

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Net Investment Income

 

Net investment income for the 2009 period was $296.6 million, compared to $356.3 million in the 2008 period. The lower level of net investment income in the 2009 period, compared to the 2008 period, was primarily driven by a decline in yields on our invested assets and also reflected a reduction in the portfolio’s effective duration, a decrease in income from our securities lending program and the impact of share repurchases. In addition, the 2008 period included $3.4 million of interest income related to a favorable arbitration decision. The pre-tax investment income yield was 3.82% for the 2009 period, compared to 4.80% (excluding the arbitration interest) for the 2008 period. The pre-tax investment income yields were calculated based on amortized cost.

 

Net Realized Gains or Losses

 

Net realized gains were as follows, excluding other-than-temporary impairment provisions:

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

$

57,004

 

$

41,936

 

Other investments

 

585

 

(10,375

)

Other (1)

 

(3,908

)

(7,796

)

Net realized gains

 

$

53,681

 

$

23,765

 

 


(1) Primarily consists of net realized losses related to investment-related derivatives and foreign currency forward contracts, as well as $2.2 million of net realized gains for the TALF program in the 2009 period.

 

Total return on our portfolio under management for the 2009 period was 10.01%, compared to (1.86%) for the 2008 period. Excluding foreign exchange, total return was 9.30% for the 2009 period, compared to (1.25%) for the 2008 period.

 

Net Impairment Losses Recognized in Earnings

 

For the 2009 period, we recorded $61.6 million of net impairment losses recognized in earnings. The OTTI recorded in the 2009 period primarily resulted from reductions in estimated recovery values on certain mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities following the review of such securities. We recorded $106.0 million of OTTI as a charge against earnings in the 2008 period. Such amount was recorded prior to the adoption of recent accounting guidance regarding the recognition and presentation of OTTI, and included a portion related to credit losses and a portion related to all other factors.

 

Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Investment Funds Accounted for Using the Equity Method

 

We recorded $135.4 million of equity in net income related to investment funds accounted for using the equity method in the 2009 period, compared to equity in net losses of $4.5 million for the 2008 period. The equity in net income recorded in the 2009 period primarily resulted from recoveries in market values in U.S. and Euro-denominated bank loan funds which were significantly impacted by the extreme volatility in the capital and credit markets during the latter portion of 2008 and early 2009.

 

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Other Expenses

 

Other expenses, which are included in our other operating expenses and part of corporate and other (non-underwriting), were $23.6 million for the 2009 period, compared to $21.7 million for the 2008 period. Such amounts primarily represent certain holding company costs necessary to support our worldwide insurance and reinsurance operations, share based compensation expense and costs associated with operating as a publicly traded company.

 

Net Foreign Exchange Gains or Losses

 

Net foreign exchange losses for the 2009 period of $48.2 million consisted of net unrealized losses of $45.1 million and net realized losses of $3.1 million, compared to net foreign exchange gains for the 2008 period of $45.1 million, which consisted of net unrealized gains of $45.5 million and net realized losses of $0.4 million.

 

Income Taxes

 

The effective tax rate on income before income taxes was approximately 3.4% for the 2009 period, compared to 2.6% for the 2008 period. Our effective tax rates may fluctuate from period to period based on the relative mix of income reported by jurisdiction primarily due to the varying tax rates in each jurisdiction. Our quarterly tax provision is adjusted to reflect changes in our expected annual effective tax rates, if any. In addition, our Bermuda-based reinsurer incurs federal excise taxes for premiums assumed on U.S. risks. Such expenses are included in our acquisition expenses.

 

FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Financial Condition

 

Investable Assets

 

The finance and investment committee of our board of directors establishes our investment policies and sets the parameters for creating guidelines for our investment managers. The finance and investment committee reviews the implementation of the investment strategy on a regular basis. Our current approach stresses preservation of capital, market liquidity and diversification of risk. While maintaining our emphasis on preservation of capital and liquidity, we expect our portfolio to become more diversified and, as a result, we may expand into areas which are not currently part of our investment strategy. Our Chief Investment Officer administers the investment portfolio, oversees our investment managers, formulates investment strategy in conjunction with our finance and investment committee and directly manages certain portions of our fixed income portfolio.

 

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On a consolidated basis, our aggregate investable assets totaled $11.55 billion at September 30, 2009, compared to $9.97 billion at December 31, 2008, as detailed in the table below:

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities available for sale, at market value

 

$

9,265,961

 

$

8,122,221

 

Fixed maturities pledged under securities lending agreements, at market value (1)

 

609,334

 

626,501

 

Total fixed maturities

 

9,875,295

 

8,748,722

 

Short-term investments available for sale, at market value

 

706,157

 

479,586

 

Short-term investments pledged under securities lending agreements, at market value (1)

 

 

101,564

 

Cash

 

385,149

 

251,739

 

TALF investments, at market value (2)

 

250,517

 

 

Other investments

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income mutual funds

 

55,646

 

39,858

 

Privately held securities and other

 

98,880

 

69,743

 

Investment funds accounted for using the equity method (3)

 

376,381

 

301,027

 

Total cash and investments (1)

 

11,748,025

 

9,992,239

 

Securities transactions entered into but not settled at the balance sheet date

 

(198,980

)

(18,236

)

Total investable assets

 

$

11,549,045

 

$

9,974,003

 

 


(1)          In our securities lending transactions, we receive collateral in excess of the market value of the fixed maturities and short-term investments pledged under securities lending agreements. For purposes of this table, we have excluded the investment of collateral received and reinvested at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 of $611.5 million and $730.2 million, respectively, which is reflected as “investment of funds received under securities lending agreements, at market value” and included the $609.3 million and $728.1 million, respectively, of “fixed maturities and short-term investments pledged under securities lending agreements, at market value.”

(2)          We participate in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s (“FRBNY”) Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility (“TALF”), which provides secured financing for asset-backed securities backed by certain types of consumer and small-business loans and for legacy commercial mortgage-backed securities. TALF financing is non-recourse to us, except in certain limited instances, and is collateralized by the purchased securities and provides financing for the purchase price of the securities, less a ‘haircut’ that varies based on the type of collateral. We can deliver the collateralized securities to a special purpose vehicle created by the FRBNY in full defeasance of the borrowings. As of September 30, 2009, we had $250.5 million of securities under TALF which are reflected as “TALF investments, at market value” and $219.8 million of secured financing from the FRBNY that is reflected as “TALF borrowings, at market value.” We are carrying the TALF securities and borrowings at fair value.

(3)          Our investment portfolio includes certain funds that invest in fixed maturity securities which, due to the ownership structure of the funds, are accounted for by us using the equity method. In applying the equity method, these investments are initially recorded at cost and are subsequently adjusted based on our proportionate share of the net income or loss of the funds (which include changes in the market value of the underlying securities in the funds). Changes in the carrying value of such investments are recorded as “Equity in net income (loss) of investment funds accounted for using the equity method” rather than as an unrealized gain or loss component of accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity as are changes in the carrying value of our other fixed income investments.

 

At September 30, 2009, our fixed income portfolio, which includes fixed maturity securities and short-term investments, had a “AA+” average Standard & Poor’s quality rating, an average effective duration of 3.09 years, and an average yield to maturity (imbedded book yield), before investment expenses, of 3.93%. At December 31, 2008, our fixed income portfolio had a “AA+” average Standard & Poor’s quality rating, an average effective duration of 3.62 years, and an average yield to maturity (imbedded book yield), before investment expenses, of 4.55%. At September 30, 2009, approximately $6.1 billion, or 52.8%, of our total investments and cash was internally managed, compared to $5.3 billion, or 52.2%, at December 31, 2008.

 

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The following table summarizes our fixed maturities and fixed maturities pledged under securities lending agreements:

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

Estimated
Market
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

 

Gross Unrealized Losses

 

Amortized
Cost

 

OTTI Unrealized Losses (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30, 2009:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate bonds

 

$

3,099,701

 

$

142,953

 

$

(15,445

)

$

2,972,193

 

$

(21,736

)

Mortgage backed securities

 

1,708,414

 

25,898

 

(60,721

)

1,743,237

 

(45,577

)

U.S. government and government agencies

 

1,480,190

 

24,338

 

(2,995

)

1,458,847

 

(504

)

Commercial mortgage backed securities

 

1,170,712

 

35,284

 

(10,946

)

1,146,374

 

(3,750

)

Non-U.S. government securities

 

1,008,082

 

54,444

 

(4,936

)

958,574

 

(351

)

Municipal bonds

 

910,903

 

55,911

 

(4

)

854,996

 

(145

)

Asset backed securities

 

497,293

 

22,763

 

(13,607

)

488,137

 

(10,507

)

Total

 

$

9,875,295

 

$

361,591

 

$

(108,654

)

$

9,622,358

 

$

(82,570

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2008:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate bonds

 

$

2,019,373

 

$

51,131

 

$

(98,979

)

$

2,067,221

 

 

Mortgage backed securities

 

1,581,736

 

23,306

 

(125,759

)

1,684,189

 

 

U.S. government and government agencies

 

1,463,897

 

77,762

 

(14,159

)

1,400,294

 

 

Commercial mortgage backed securities

 

1,219,737

 

16,128

 

(68,212

)

1,271,821

 

 

Non-U.S. government securities

 

527,972

 

33,690

 

(31,884

)

526,166

 

 

Municipal bonds

 

965,966

 

26,815

 

(1,730

)

940,881

 

 

Asset backed securities

 

970,041

 

1,121

 

(70,762

)

1,039,682

 

 

Total

 

$

8,748,722

 

$

229,953

 

$

(411,485

)

$

8,930,254

 

 

 


(1) Represents the total other-than-temporary impairments (“OTTI”) in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”).

 

The credit quality distribution of our fixed maturities and fixed maturities pledged under securities lending agreements is shown below:

 

 

 

September 30, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

Rating (1)

 

Estimated
Market Value

 

% of
Total

 

Estimated
Market Value

 

% of
Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AAA

 

$

7,124,679

 

72.1

 

$

6,756,503

 

77.2

 

AA

 

1,232,298

 

12.5

 

815,512

 

9.3

 

A

 

786,142

 

8.0

 

750,947

 

8.6

 

BBB

 

274,338

 

2.8

 

195,319

 

2.2

 

BB

 

75,030

 

0.8

 

52,349

 

0.6

 

B

 

231,047

 

2.3

 

126,688

 

1.5

 

Lower than B

 

69,921

 

0.7

 

9,549

 

0.1

 

Not rated

 

81,840

 

0.8

 

41,855

 

0.5

 

Total

 

$

9,875,295

 

100.0

 

$

8,748,722

 

100.0

 

 


(1) Ratings as assigned by the major rating agencies.

 

At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, below-investment grade securities comprised approximately 4.6% and 2.7%, respectively, of our fixed maturities and fixed maturities pledged under securities lending agreements.  In accordance with our investment strategy, we invest in high yield fixed income securities which are included in “Corporate bonds.” Upon issuance, these securities are typically rated below investment grade (i.e., rating assigned by the major rating agencies of “BB” or less). At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, corporate bonds represented 75% and 94%, respectively, of the total below investment grade securities at market value, with the remainder primarily in mortgage backed securities.

 

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The following table provides information on the severity of the unrealized loss position as a percentage of amortized cost for all fixed maturities and fixed maturities pledged under securities lending agreements which were in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:

 

 

 

September 30, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

Severity of

Unrealized

Loss

 

Estimated
Market Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

% of
Total Gross Unrealized Losses

 

Estimated
Market Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

% of
Total Gross Unrealized Losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0-10%

 

$

1,046,507

 

$

(26,862

)

24.7

 

$

2,672,702

 

$

(104,517

)

25.4

 

10-20%

 

134,645

 

(23,396

)

21.5

 

526,450

 

(87,438

)

21.3

 

20-30%

 

80,361

 

(24,268

)

22.3

 

247,798

 

(82,966

)

20.2

 

30-40%

 

12,245

 

(6,723

)

6.2

 

122,190

 

(65,626

)

15.9

 

40-50%

 

24,328

 

(18,864

)

17.4

 

55,459

 

(45,032

)

10.9

 

50-60%

 

2,731

 

(3,128

)

2.9

 

16,798

 

(19,741

)

4.8

 

60-70%

 

685

 

(1,475

)

1.3

 

1,680

 

(2,886

)

0.7

 

70-80%

 

830

 

(2,236

)

2.1

 

1,181

 

(3,279

)

0.8

 

80-90%

 

152

 

(856

)

0.8

 

 

 

 

90-93%

 

72

 

(846

)

0.8

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

1,302,556

 

$

(108,654

)

100.0

 

$

3,644,258

 

$

(411,485

)

100.0

 

 

The following table provides information on the severity of the unrealized loss position as a percentage of amortized cost for non-investment grade fixed maturities and fixed maturities pledged under securities lending agreements which were in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:

 

 

 

September 30, 2009

 

December 31, 2008

 

Severity of

Unrealized

Loss

 

Estimated
Market Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

% of
Total Gross Unrealized Losses

 

Estimated
Market Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

% of
Total Gross Unrealized Losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0-10%

 

$

72,759

 

$

(2,793

)

2.6

 

$

33,362

 

$

(1,970

)

0.5

 

10-20%

 

60,652

 

(10,905

)

10.0

 

107,828

 

(14,293

)

3.5

 

20-30%

 

30,019

 

(9,371

)

8.6

 

17,781

 

(6,091

)

1.5

 

30-40%

 

4,259

 

(2,266

)

2.1

 

10,709

 

(5,578

)

1.3

 

40-50%

 

15,261

 

(11,300

)

10.4

 

15,311

 

(11,899

)

2.9

 

50-60%

 

806

 

(847

)

0.8

 

2,605

 

(3,179

)

0.7

 

60-70%

 

375

 

(867

)

0.8

 

71

 

(107

)

0.0

 

70-80%

 

373

 

(1,115

)

1.0

 

100

 

(254

)

0.1

 

80-90%

 

152

 

(856

)

0.8

 

 

 

 

90-93%

 

47

 

(528

)

0.5

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

184,703

 

$

(40,848

)

37.6

 

$

187,767

 

$

(43,371

)

10.5

 

 

We determine estimated recovery values for our fixed maturities and fixed maturities pledged under securities lending agreements following a review of the business prospects, credit ratings, estimated loss given default factors and information received from asset managers and rating agencies for each security. For structured securities, we utilize underlying data, where available, for each security provided by asset managers and additional information from credit agencies in order to determine an expected recovery value for each security. The analysis provided by the asset managers includes expected cash flow projections under base case and stress case scenarios which modify expected default expectations and loss severities and slow down prepayment assumptions. In the tables above, securities at September 30, 2009 which were in an unrealized loss position of greater than 40% of amortized cost were primarily in asset backed and mortgage backed securities where the estimated market value for the securities was lower than our expected recovery value.

 

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Table of Contents

 

The following table summarizes our top ten exposures to fixed income corporate issuers at September 30, 2009:

 

 

 

Estimated Market Value

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

Government Guaranteed (1)

 

Not

Guaranteed

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

 

$

61,102

 

$

84,965

 

$

146,067

 

Bank of America Corp.

 

44,054

 

57,555

 

101,609

 

General Electric Capital Corp.

 

49,123

 

43,477

 

92,600

 

GMAC LLC

 

81,592

 

 

81,592

 

Anz National (Int’l) Limited

 

79,840

 

1,557

 

81,397

 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

 

79,879

 

 

79,879

 

Swedish Housing Finance Corp.

 

77,601

 

 

77,601

 

Instituto de Crédito Oficial

 

73,021

 

 

73,021

 

Société Financement de l’Economie Française

 

67,886

 

 

67,886

 

Barclays PLC

 

28,751

 

38,981

 

67,732

 

Total

 

$

642,849

 

$

226,535

 

$

869,384

 

 


(1) Securities of U.S.-domiciled issuers are guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), a U.S. government agency, under the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program. Anz National (Int’l) Limited, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Swedish Housing Finance Corp., Instituto de Crédito Oficial, Société Financement de l’Economie Francaise and Barclays PLC are guaranteed by foreign governments.

 

As of September 30, 2009, we held insurance enhanced municipal bonds, net of prerefunded bonds that are escrowed in U.S. government obligations, in the amount of $342.9 million, which represented 3.0% of our total invested assets. These securities had an average rating of “Aa2” by Moody’s and “AA” by Standard & Poor’s. Giving no effect to the insurance enhancement, the overall credit quality of our insured municipal bond portfolio was an average underlying rating of “Aa3” by Moody’s and “AA” by Standard & Poor’s. The ratings were obtained from the individual rating agencies and were assigned a numerical amount with 1 being the highest rating. The average ratings were calculated using the weighted average market values of the individual bonds. The average rating with and without the insurance enhancement are substantially the same at September 30, 2009. This is due to the fact that, in cases where the claims paying ratings of the guarantors are below investment grade, those ratings have been withdrawn from the bonds by the relevant rating agencies, and the insured ratings have been equated to the underlying ratings. Guarantors of our insurance enhanced municipal bonds, net of prerefunded bonds that are escrowed in U.S. government obligations, included National Public Finance Guarantee (f.k.a. MBIA Insurance Corporation) ($149.1 million), Financial Security Assurance Inc. (acquired by Assured Guaranty Ltd. on July 1) ($97.8 million), Ambac Financial Group, Inc. ($46.5 million), Financial Guaranty Insurance Company ($29.8 million) and the Texas Permanent School Fund ($19.7 million). We do not have a significant exposure to insurance enhanced asset-backed or mortgage-backed securities. We do not have any significant investments in companies which guarantee securities at September 30, 2009.

 

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Table of Contents

 

The following table provides information on our mortgage backed securities (“MBS”) and commercial mortgage backed securities (“CMBS”) at September 30, 2009, excluding amounts guaranteed by the U.S. government:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated Market Value

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

Issuance

Year

 

Amortized

Cost

 

Average
Credit
Quality

 

Total

 

% of Amortized
Cost

 

% of
Investable Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MBS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-agency MBS

 

2003

 

$

2,735

 

AAA

 

$

2,609

 

95.4

%

0.0

%

 

 

2004

 

24,708

 

AA

 

20,567

 

83.2

%

0.2

%

 

 

2005

 

86,295

 

A-

 

66,132

 

76.6

%

0.6

%

 

 

2006

 

60,121

 

BB-

 

49,049

 

81.6

%

0.4

%

 

 

2007

 

90,707

 

B+

 

73,138

 

80.6

%

0.6

%

 

 

2008

 

13,084

 

AAA

 

10,553

 

80.7

%

0.1

%

 

 

2009

(6)

127,186

 

AAA

 

130,660

 

102.7

%

1.1

%

Total non-agency MBS

 

 

 

$

404,836

 

A-

 

$

352,708

 

87.1

%

3.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CMBS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-agency CMBS

 

1998

 

$

3,737

 

AAA

 

$

3,568

 

95.5

%

0.0

%

 

 

1999

 

264

 

AAA

 

265

 

100.4

%

0.0

%

 

 

2000

 

115,316

 

AAA

 

118,175

 

102.5

%

1.0

%

 

 

2001

 

163,323

 

AAA

 

167,597

 

102.6

%

1.5

%

 

 

2002

 

66,024

 

AAA

 

68,334

 

103.5

%

0.6

%

 

 

2003

 

78,840

 

AAA

 

81,288

 

103.1

%

0.7

%

 

 

2004

 

33,345

 

AAA

 

32,482

 

97.4

%

0.3

%

 

 

2005

 

86,531

 

AAA

 

83,361

 

96.3

%

0.7

%

 

 

2006

 

63,012

 

AAA

 

63,575

 

100.9

%

0.6

%

 

 

2007

 

39,299

 

AAA

 

40,281

 

102.5

%

0.3

%

Total non-agency CMBS

 

 

 

$

649,691

 

AAA

 

$

658,926

 

101.4

%

5.7

%

 

Additional Statistics:

 

 

 

Non-Agency
MBS

 

Non-Agency
CMBS (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average loan age (months)

 

40

 

85

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average life (months) (2)

 

44

 

21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average loan-to-value % (3)

 

70.6

%

58.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total delinquencies (4)

 

17.2

%

3.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current credit support % (5)

 

21.0

%

29.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(1) Loans defeased with government/agency obligations represented approximately 22% of the collateral underlying our CMBS holdings.

(2) The weighted average life for MBS is based on the interest rates in effect at September 30, 2009. The weighted average life for CMBS reflects the average life of the collateral underlying our CMBS holdings.

(3) The range of loan-to-values on MBS is 40% to 88% while the range of loan-to-values on CMBS is 56% to 84%.

(4) Total delinquencies includes 60 days and over.

(5) Current credit support % represents the percentage for a collateralized mortgage obligation (“CMO”) or CMBS class/tranche from other subordinate classes in the same CMO or CMBS deal.

(6) Represents Re-REMICs issued in 2009 with an average credit quality of “AAA” from Fitch Ratings.

 

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Table of Contents

 

The following table provides information on our asset backed securities (“ABS”) at September 30, 2009:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated Market Value

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Average
Credit
Quality

 

Total

 

% of
Amortized
Cost

 

% of
Investable Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sector:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Autos (1)

 

$

188,363

 

AAA

 

$

195,991

 

104.0

%

1.7

%

Credit cards (2)

 

164,830

 

AAA

 

174,784

 

106.0

%

1.5

%

Rate reduction bonds (3)

 

62,473

 

AAA

 

65,791

 

105.3

%

0.6

%

Student loans (4)

 

20,500

 

AAA

 

21,525

 

105.0

%

0.2

%

Equipment (5)

 

14,998

 

AAA

 

15,686

 

104.6

%

0.1

%

Other

 

7,822

 

AA+

 

6,925

 

88.5

%

0.1

%

 

 

458,986

 

AAA

 

480,702

 

104.7

%

4.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home equity (6)

 

$

15,288

 

AAA

 

$

10,702

 

70.0

%

0.1

%

 

 

4,143

 

AA

 

1,359

 

32.8

%

0.0

%

 

 

139

 

A

 

29

 

20.9

%

0.0

%

 

 

1,064

 

BB

 

320

 

30.1

%

0.0

%

 

 

5,363

 

B

 

3,186

 

59.4

%

0.0

%

 

 

1,834

 

CCC

 

734

 

40.0

%

0.0

%

 

 

585

 

CC

 

165

 

28.2

%

0.0

%

 

 

735

 

D

 

96

 

13.1

%

0.0

%

 

 

29,151

 

A

 

16,591

 

56.9

%

0.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total ABS

 

$

488,137

 

AAA

 

$

497,293

 

101.9

%

4.3

%

 

The effective duration of the total ABS was 1.1 years at September 30, 2009.

 


(1) The weighted average credit support % on autos is 21.5%.

(2) The weighted average credit support % on credit cards is 17.8%.

(3) The weighted average credit support % on rate reduction bonds is 0.6%.

(4) The weighted average credit support % on student loans is 6.4%.

(5) The weighted average credit support % on equipment is 10.2%.

(6) The weighted average credit support % on home equity is 33.0%.

 

At September 30, 2009, our fixed income portfolio included $53.0 million par value in sub-prime securities with an estimated market value of $16.6 million and an average credit quality of “A” from Standard & Poor’s and “Baa3” from Moody’s. Such amounts were primarily in the home equity sector of our asset backed securities with the balance in other ABS, MBS and CMBS sectors. We define sub-prime mortgage-backed securities as investments in which the underlying loans primarily exhibit one or more of the following characteristics: low FICO scores, above-prime interest rates, high loan-to-value ratios or high debt-to-income ratios. In addition, the portfolio of collateral backing our securities lending program contains approximately $20.8 million estimated market value of sub-prime securities with an average credit quality of “BBB-” from Standard & Poor’s and “Ba3” from Moody’s.

 

Certain of our investments, primarily those included in “other investments” and “investment funds accounted for using the equity method” on our balance sheet, may use leverage to achieve a higher rate of return. While leverage presents opportunities for increasing the total return of such investments, it may increase losses as well. Accordingly, any event that adversely affects the value of the underlying securities held by such investments would be magnified to the extent leverage is used and our potential losses from such investments would be magnified. In addition, the structures used to generate leverage may lead to such investment funds being required to meet covenants based on market valuations and asset coverage. Market valuation declines in the funds could force the sale of investments into a depressed market, which may result in significant additional

 

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losses. Alternatively, the funds may attempt to deleverage by raising additional equity or potentially changing the terms of the established financing arrangements. We may choose to participate in the additional funding of such investments. Our investment commitments related to investment funds accounted for using the equity method and other investments totaled approximately $80.9 million at September 30, 2009.

 

Our investment strategy allows for the use of derivative instruments. We utilize various derivative instruments such as futures contracts as part of the management of our stock index fund investments and to replicate equity investment positions. Derivative instruments may be used to enhance investment performance, replicate investment positions or manage market exposures and duration risk that would be allowed under our investment guidelines if implemented in other ways. See Note 8, “Investment Information—Investment-Related Derivatives,” of the notes accompanying our consolidated financial Statements for additional disclosures concerning derivatives.

 

Other investments totaled $154.5 million at September 30, 2009, compared to $109.6 million at December 31, 2008. Investment funds accounted for using the equity method totaled $376.4 million at September 30, 2009, compared to $301.0 million at December 31, 2008. See Note 8, “Investment Information—Other Investments” and “Investment Information—Investment Funds Accounted for Using the Equity Method” of the notes accompanying our consolidated financial statements for further details.

 

Accounting guidance regarding fair value measurements addresses how companies should measure fair value when they are required to use a fair value measure for recognition or disclosure purposes under GAAP and provides a common definition of fair value to be used throughout GAAP. It defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly fashion between market participants at the measurement date. In addition, it establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for the disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. 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 (Level 1 being the highest priority and Level 3 being the lowest priority).

 

The three levels are defined as follows:

 

Level 1:      Inputs to the valuation methodology are observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets

 

Level 2:      Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument

 

Level 3:      Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement

 

Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for securities measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such securities pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

 

We use quoted values and other data provided by nationally recognized independent pricing sources as inputs into the process for determining fair values of our fixed maturity investments. To validate the techniques or models used by pricing sources, our review process includes, but is not limited to: (i) quantitative analysis (e.g., comparing the quarterly return for each managed portfolio to its target benchmark, with significant differences identified and investigated); (ii) a review of the average number of prices obtained in the pricing process and the range of resulting market values; (iii) initial and ongoing evaluation of methodologies used by outside parties to calculate fair value including a review of deep dive reports on selected securities which indicated the use of observable inputs in the pricing process; (iv) comparing the fair value estimates to our

 

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knowledge of the current market; (v) a comparison of the pricing services’ fair values to other pricing services’ fair values for the same investments; and (vi) back-testing, which includes randomly selecting purchased or sold securities and comparing the executed prices to the fair value estimates from the pricing service. At September 30, 2009, we obtained an average of 2.7 quotes per investment, compared to 2.6 quotes at December 31, 2008. Where multiple quotes or prices were obtained, a price source hierarchy was maintained in order to determine which price source provided the fair value (i.e., a price obtained from a pricing service with more seniority in the hierarchy will be used from a less senior one in all cases). The hierarchy prioritizes pricing services based on availability and reliability and assigns the highest priority to index providers. Based on the above review, we will challenge any prices for a security or portfolio which are considered not to be representative of fair value. We did not adjust the prices or quotes provided by the pricing services at September 30, 2009 or December 31, 2008.

 

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 uses observable market inputs including, but not limited to, investment yields, credit risks and spreads, benchmarking of like securities, broker-dealer quotes, reported trades and sector groupings to determine a reasonable fair market value. In addition, pricing vendors use model processes, such as an Option Adjusted Spread model, to develop prepayment and interest rate scenarios. The Option Adjusted Spread model is commonly used to estimate fair value for securities such as mortgage backed and asset backed securities. In certain circumstances, when fair market values are unavailable from these independent pricing sources, quotes are obtained directly from broker-dealers who are active in the corresponding markets. Such quotes are subject to the validation procedures noted above. Of the $11.13 billion of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value, approximately $1.02 billion, or 9.2%, were priced using non-binding broker-dealer quotes.

 

In April 2009, the FASB issued guidance regarding the determination of fair value when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased and the identification of transactions that are not orderly. This affirms that the objective of fair value when the market for an asset is not active is the price that would be received to sell the asset in an orderly transaction, and clarifies and includes additional factors for determining whether there has been a significant decrease in market activity for an asset when the market for that asset is not active. Under this guidance, if an entity determines that there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or the liability in relation to the normal market activity for the asset or liability (or similar assets or liabilities), then transactions or quoted prices may not accurately reflect fair value. In addition, if there is evidence that the transaction for the asset or liability is not orderly, the entity shall place little, if any weight on that transaction price as an indicator of fair value. This guidance also expanded certain disclosure requirements. This guidance was effective for periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. We elected to adopt this pronouncement effective for its interim period ending March 31, 2009, and its adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

 

We review our securities measured at fair value and discuss the proper classification of such investments with investment advisors and others. Upon adoption of the accounting guidance regarding fair value measurements and at September 30, 2009, we determined that Level 1 securities included highly liquid, recent issue U.S. Treasuries and certain of our short-term investments held in highly liquid money market-type funds where it believes that quoted prices are available in an active market.

 

Where we believe that quoted market prices are not available or that the market is not active, fair values are estimated by using quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, pricing models or matrix pricing and are generally classified as Level 2 securities. We determined that Level 2 securities included corporate bonds, mortgage backed securities, municipal bonds, asset backed securities, certain U.S. government and government agencies, non-U.S. government securities, certain short-term securities and certain other investments.

 

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We determined that three Euro-denominated corporate bonds which invest in underlying portfolios of fixed income securities for which there is a low level of transparency around inputs to the valuation process should be classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. In addition, we determined that two mutual funds, included in other investments, which invest in underlying portfolios of fixed income securities for which there is a low level of transparency around inputs to the valuation process should be classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. These items were reclassified as Level 3 during the 2008 fourth quarter due to the significant dislocation in the credit markets during October and November 2008. We believe that the market for such investments, which are primarily investments in an underlying portfolio of structured bank loans, deteriorated in response to market conditions. As such, the inputs to the valuation process for these investments were determined to be less observable than in prior periods. We review the classification of our investments each quarter. In addition, Level 3 securities include a small number of premium-tax bonds.

 

See Note 8, “Investment Information—Fair Value” of the notes accompanying our consolidated financial statements for a summary of our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value at September 30, 2009 by level.

 

Reinsurance Recoverables

 

We monitor the financial condition of our reinsurers and attempt to place coverages only with substantial, financially sound carriers. At September 30, 2009, approximately 89.8% of reinsurance recoverables on paid and unpaid losses (not including prepaid reinsurance premiums) of $1.77 billion were due from carriers which had an A.M. Best rating of “A-” or better and the largest reinsurance recoverables from any one carrier was less than 5.7% of our total shareholders’ equity. At December 31, 2008, approximately 88.5% of reinsurance recoverables on paid and unpaid losses (not including prepaid reinsurance premiums) of $1.79 billion were due from carriers which had an A.M. Best rating of “A-” or better and the largest reinsurance recoverables from any one carrier was less than 7.3% of our total shareholders’ equity.

 

Reinsurance recoverables from Flatiron, which is not rated by A.M. Best, were $113.3 million at September 30, 2009, compared to $148.7 million at December 31, 2008. Flatiron is required to contribute funds into a trust for the benefit of Arch Re Bermuda. The recoverable from Flatiron was fully collateralized through such trust at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008. See Note 6, “Reinsurance,” of the notes accompanying our consolidated financial statements for further details on the quota share reinsurance treaty with Flatiron.

 

Reserves for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

 

We establish reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“Loss Reserves”) which represent estimates involving actuarial and statistical projections, at a given point in time, of our expectations of the ultimate settlement and administration costs of losses incurred. Estimating Loss Reserves is inherently difficult, which is exacerbated by the fact that we are a relatively new company with relatively limited historical experience upon which to base such estimates. We utilize actuarial models as well as available historical insurance industry loss ratio experience and loss development patterns to assist in the establishment of Loss Reserves. Actual losses and loss adjustment expenses paid will deviate, perhaps substantially, from the reserve estimates reflected in our financial statements.

 

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At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, our Loss Reserves, net of unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses recoverable, by type and by operating segment were as follows:

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance:

 

 

 

 

 

Case reserves

 

$

1,137,740

 

$

1,043,168

 

IBNR reserves

 

2,411,879

 

2,257,735

 

Total net reserves

 

$

3,549,619

 

$

3,300,903

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reinsurance:

 

 

 

 

 

Case reserves

 

$

804,058

 

$

661,621

 

Additional case reserves

 

62,811

 

87,820

 

IBNR reserves

 

1,753,342

 

1,887,478

 

Total net reserves

 

$

2,620,211

 

$

2,636,919

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total:

 

 

 

 

 

Case reserves

 

$

1,941,798

 

$

1,704,789

 

Additional case reserves

 

62,811

 

87,820

 

IBNR reserves

 

4,165,221

 

4,145,213

 

Total net reserves

 

$

6,169,830

 

$

5,937,822

 

 

At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the insurance segment’s Loss Reserves by major line of business, net of unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses recoverable, were as follows:

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Casualty

 

$

652,004

 

$

673,511

 

Property, energy, marine and aviation

 

534,090

 

518,475

 

Executive assurance

 

517,969

 

445,922

 

Professional liability

 

496,876

 

448,769

 

Programs

 

443,658

 

400,245

 

Construction

 

418,699

 

389,931

 

Healthcare

 

144,368

 

148,915

 

Surety

 

83,219

 

79,705

 

National accounts casualty

 

85,287

 

54,974

 

Travel and accident

 

28,680

 

20,638

 

Other

 

144,769

 

119,818

 

Total net reserves

 

$

3,549,619

 

$

3,300,903

 

 

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At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the reinsurance segment’s Loss Reserves by major line of business, net of unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses recoverable, were as follows:

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Casualty

 

$

1,784,752

 

$

1,739,394

 

Property excluding property catastrophe

 

326,548

 

299,811

 

Marine and aviation

 

240,458

 

238,959

 

Property catastrophe

 

115,969

 

145,211

 

Other specialty

 

108,488

 

163,099

 

Other

 

43,996

 

50,445

 

Total net reserves

 

$

2,620,211

 

$

2,636,919

 

 

Shareholders’ Equity

 

Our shareholders’ equity was $4.46 billion at September 30, 2009, compared to $3.43 billion at December 31, 2008. The increase in the 2009 period of $1.03 billion was attributable to net income and an after-tax increase in the market value of our investment portfolio during the period.

 

Book Value per Common Share

 

The following table presents the calculation of book value per common share at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calculation of book value per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

$

4,460,822

 

$

3,432,965

 

Less preferred shareholders’ equity

 

(325,000

)

(325,000

)

Common shareholders’ equity

 

$

4,135,822

 

$

3,107,965

 

Common shares outstanding (1)

 

59,524,309

 

60,511,974

 

Book value per common share

 

$

69.48

 

$

51.36

 

 


(1)        Excludes the effects of 5,384,188 and 5,131,135 stock options and 263,857 and 412,622 restricted stock units outstanding at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

ACGL is a holding company whose assets primarily consist of the shares in its subsidiaries. Generally, ACGL depends on its available cash resources, liquid investments and dividends or other distributions from its subsidiaries to make payments, including the payment of debt service obligations and operating expenses it may incur and any dividends or liquidation amounts with respect to the series A non-cumulative and series B non-cumulative preferred shares and common shares. ACGL’s readily available cash, short-term investments and marketable securities, excluding amounts held by our regulated insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries, totaled $27.2 million at September 30, 2009, compared to $16.8 million at December 31, 2008. During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, ACGL received dividends of $160.4 million from Arch Re Bermuda which were used to fund the share repurchase program described below along with the payment of preferred dividends, interest expense and other corporate expenses.

 

The ability of our regulated insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries to pay dividends or make distributions or other payments to us is dependent on their ability to meet applicable regulatory standards. Under Bermuda

 

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law, Arch Re Bermuda is required to maintain an enhanced capital requirement which must equal or exceed its minimum solvency margin (i.e., the amount by which the value of its general business assets must exceed its general business liabilities) equal to the greatest of (1) $100.0 million, (2) 50% of net premiums written (being gross premiums written by us less any premiums ceded by us, but we may not deduct more than 25% of gross premiums when computing net premiums written) and (3) 15% of loss and other insurance reserves. Arch Re Bermuda is prohibited from declaring or paying any dividends during any financial year if it is not in compliance with its enhanced capital requirement, minimum solvency margin or minimum liquidity ratio. In addition, Arch Re Bermuda is prohibited from declaring or paying in any financial year dividends of more than 25% of its total statutory capital and surplus (as shown on its previous financial year’s statutory balance sheet) unless it files, at least seven days before payment of such dividends, with the Bermuda Monetary Authority an affidavit stating that it will continue to meet the required margins. In addition, Arch Re Bermuda is prohibited, without prior approval of the Bermuda Monetary Authority, from reducing by 15% or more its total statutory capital, as set out in its previous year’s statutory financial statements. Arch Re Bermuda is required to meet enhanced capital requirements and a target capital level (defined as 120% of the enhanced capital requirements) as calculated using a new risk based capital model called the Bermuda Statutory Capital Requirement (“BSCR”) model. At December 31, 2008, as determined under Bermuda law, Arch Re Bermuda had statutory capital of $2.21 billion and statutory capital and surplus of $3.36 billion, which amounts were in compliance with Arch Re Bermuda’s enhanced capital requirement at such date. Such amounts include ownership interests in U.S. insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries. Accordingly, Arch Re Bermuda can pay approximately $834 million to ACGL during 2009 without providing an affidavit to the Bermuda Monetary Authority, as discussed above. In addition to meeting applicable regulatory standards, the ability of our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries to pay dividends to intermediate parent companies owned by Arch Re Bermuda is also constrained by our dependence on the financial strength ratings of our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries from independent rating agencies. The ratings from these agencies depend to a large extent on the capitalization levels of our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries. We believe that ACGL has sufficient cash resources and available dividend capacity to service its indebtedness and other current outstanding obligations.

 

Our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are required to maintain assets on deposit, which primarily consist of fixed maturities, with various regulatory authorities to support their operations. The assets on deposit are available to settle insurance and reinsurance liabilities to third parties. Our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries also have investments in segregated portfolios primarily to provide collateral or guarantees for letters of credit to third parties. At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, such amounts approximated $1.51 billion and $1.28 billion, respectively. In addition, certain of our operating subsidiaries maintain assets in trust accounts as collateral for insurance and reinsurance transactions with affiliated companies. At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, such amounts approximated $4.45 billion and $4.03 billion, respectively.

 

ACGL, through its subsidiaries, provides financial support to certain of its insurance subsidiaries and affiliates, through certain reinsurance arrangements essential to the ratings of such subsidiaries. Except as described in the preceding sentence, or where express reinsurance, guarantee or other financial support contractual arrangements are in place, each of ACGL’s subsidiaries or affiliates is solely responsible for its own liabilities and commitments (and no other ACGL subsidiary or affiliate is so responsible). Any reinsurance arrangements, guarantees or other financial support contractual arrangements that are in place are solely for the benefit of the ACGL subsidiary or affiliate involved and third parties (creditors or insureds of such entity) are not express beneficiaries of such arrangements.

 

Our insurance and reinsurance operations provide liquidity in that premiums are received in advance, sometimes substantially in advance, of the time losses are paid. The period of time from the occurrence of a claim through the settlement of the liability may extend many years into the future. Sources of liquidity include cash flows from operations, financing arrangements or routine sales of investments.

 

As part of our investment strategy, we seek to establish a level of cash and highly liquid short-term and intermediate-term securities which, combined with expected cash flow, is believed by us to be adequate to meet our foreseeable payment obligations. However, due to the nature of our operations, cash flows are affected by

 

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claim payments that may comprise large payments on a limited number of claims and which can fluctuate from year to year. We believe that our liquid investments and cash flow will provide us with sufficient liquidity in order to meet our claim payment obligations. However, the timing and amounts of actual claim payments related to recorded Loss Reserves vary based on many factors, including large individual losses, changes in the legal environment, as well as general market conditions. The ultimate amount of the claim payments could differ materially from our estimated amounts. Certain lines of business written by us, such as excess casualty, have loss experience characterized as low frequency and high severity. The foregoing may result in significant variability in loss payment patterns. The impact of this variability can be exacerbated by the fact that the timing of the receipt of reinsurance recoverables owed to us may be slower than anticipated by us. Therefore, the irregular timing of claim payments can create significant variations in cash flows from operations between periods and may require us to utilize other sources of liquidity to make these payments, which may include the sale of investments or utilization of existing or new credit facilities or capital market transactions. If the source of liquidity is the sale of investments, we may be forced to sell such investments at a loss, which may be material.

 

Consolidated net cash provided by operating activities was $808.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $973.0 million for the 2008 period. The lower level of operating cash flows in the 2009 period primarily resulted from an increase in paid losses, as our insurance and reinsurance loss reserves have continued to mature, partially offset by an increase in net premium collections. Cash flow from operating activities are provided by premiums collected, fee income, investment income and collected reinsurance recoverables, offset by losses and loss adjustment expense payments, reinsurance premiums paid, operating costs and current taxes paid.

 

On a consolidated basis, our aggregate cash and invested assets totaled $11.75 billion at September 30, 2009, compared to $9.99 billion at December 31, 2008. The primary goals of our asset liability management process are to satisfy the insurance liabilities, manage the interest rate risk embedded in those insurance liabilities and maintain sufficient liquidity to cover fluctuations in projected liability cash flows, including debt service obligations. Generally, the expected principal and interest payments produced by our fixed income portfolio adequately fund the estimated runoff of our insurance reserves. Although this is not an exact cash flow match in each period, the substantial degree by which the market value of the fixed income portfolio exceeds the expected present value of the net insurance liabilities, as well as the positive cash flow from newly sold policies and the large amount of high quality liquid bonds, provide assurance of our ability to fund the payment of claims and to service our outstanding debt without having to sell securities at distressed prices in an illiquid market or access credit facilities.

 

We expect that our operational needs, including our anticipated insurance obligations and operating and capital expenditure needs, for the next twelve months, at a minimum, will be met by our balance of cash, short-term investments and our credit facilities, as well as by funds generated from underwriting activities and investment income and proceeds on the sale or maturity of our investments.

 

We monitor our capital adequacy on a regular basis and will seek to adjust our capital base (up or down) according to the needs of our business. The future capital requirements of our business will depend on many factors, including our ability to write new business successfully and to establish premium rates and reserves at levels sufficient to cover losses. Our ability to underwrite is largely dependent upon the quality of our claims paying and financial strength ratings as evaluated by independent rating agencies. In particular, we require (1) sufficient capital to maintain our financial strength ratings, as issued by several ratings agencies, at a level considered necessary by management to enable our key operating subsidiaries to compete; (2) sufficient capital to enable our underwriting subsidiaries to meet the capital adequacy tests performed by statutory agencies in the U.S. and other key markets; and (3) letters of credit and other forms of collateral that are necessary for our non-U.S. operating companies because they are “non-admitted” under U.S. state insurance regulations.

 

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As part of our capital management program, we may seek to raise additional capital or may seek to return capital to our shareholders through share repurchases, cash dividends or other methods (or a combination of such methods). Any such determination will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will be dependent upon our profits, financial requirements and other factors, including legal restrictions, rating agency requirements and such other factors as our board of directors deems relevant.

 

In November 2009, the board of directors of ACGL authorized the investment of up to an additional $1.0 billion in ACGL’s common shares through a share repurchase program. Repurchases under this authorization may be effected from time to time in open market or privately negotiated transactions through December 31, 2011. The board of directors of ACGL had previously authorized the investment of up to $1.5 billion in ACGL’s common shares, of which $350.1 million was available at September 30, 2009. During the third quarter, ACGL repurchased 1.5 million common shares for an aggregate purchase price of $98.2 million and for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, repurchased 1.6 million common shares for an aggregate purchase price of $99.7 million. Since the inception of the share repurchase program through September 30, 2009, ACGL has repurchased approximately 16.8 million common shares for an aggregate purchase price of $1.15 billion.

 

The timing and amount of the repurchase transactions under this program will depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions and corporate and regulatory considerations. We will continue to monitor our share price and, depending upon results of operations, market conditions and the development of the economy, as well as other factors, we will consider share repurchases on an opportunistic basis. In connection with the share repurchase program, the Warburg Pincus funds waived their rights relating to share repurchases under the shareholders agreement for all repurchases of common shares by ACGL under the share repurchase program in open market transactions and certain privately negotiated transactions.

 

To the extent that our existing capital is insufficient to fund our future operating requirements or maintain such ratings, we may need to raise additional funds through financings or limit our growth. Given the recent severe disruptions in the public debt and equity markets, including among other things, widening of credit spreads, lack of liquidity and bankruptcies, we can provide no assurance that, if needed, we would be able to obtain additional funds through financing on satisfactory terms or at all. Continued adverse developments in the financial markets, such as disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the capital and credit markets, may result in realized and unrealized capital losses that could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position and our businesses, and may also limit our access to capital required to operate our business.

 

If we are not able to obtain adequate capital, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected, which could include, among other things, the following possible outcomes: (1) potential downgrades in the financial strength ratings assigned by ratings agencies to our operating subsidiaries, which could place those operating subsidiaries at a competitive disadvantage compared to higher-rated competitors; (2) reductions in the amount of business that our operating subsidiaries are able to write in order to meet capital adequacy-based tests enforced by statutory agencies; and (3) any resultant ratings downgrades could, among other things, affect our ability to write business and increase the cost of bank credit and letters of credit. In addition, under certain of the reinsurance agreements assumed by our reinsurance operations, upon the occurrence of a ratings downgrade or other specified triggering event with respect to our reinsurance operations, such as a reduction in surplus by specified amounts during specified periods, our ceding company clients may be provided with certain rights, including, among other things, the right to terminate the subject reinsurance agreement and/or to require that our reinsurance operations post additional collateral.

 

In addition to common share capital, we depend on external sources of finance to support our underwriting activities, which can be in the form (or any combination) of debt securities, preference shares, common equity and bank credit facilities providing loans and/or letters of credit. As noted above, equity or debt financing, if available at all, may be on terms that are unfavorable to us. In the case of equity financings, dilution to our shareholders could result, and, in any case, such securities may have rights, preferences and privileges that are senior to those of our outstanding securities.

 

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In August 2006, we entered into a five-year agreement for a $300.0 million unsecured revolving loan and letter of credit facility and a $1.0 billion secured letter of credit facility. Under the terms of the agreement, Arch Reinsurance Company (“Arch Re U.S.”) is limited to issuing $100 million of unsecured letters of credit as part of the $300 million unsecured revolving loan. See “—Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments—Letters of Credit and Revolving Credit Facilities” for a discussion of our available facilities, applicable covenants on such facilities and available capacity. It is anticipated that the available facilities will be renewed (or replaced) on expiry, but such renewal (or replacement) will be subject to the availability of credit from banks which we utilize. Given the recent disruptions in the capital markets, we can provide no assurance that we will be able to renew the facilities in August 2011 on satisfactory terms and, if renewed, the costs of the facilities may be significantly higher than the costs of our existing facilities.

 

During 2006, ACGL completed two public offerings of non-cumulative preferred shares. On February 1, 2006, $200.0 million principal amount of 8.0% series A non-cumulative preferred shares (“series A preferred shares”) were issued with net proceeds of $193.5 million and, on May 24, 2006, $125.0 million principal amount of 7.875% series B non-cumulative preferred shares (“series B preferred shares” and together with the series A preferred shares, the “preferred shares”) were issued with net proceeds of $120.9 million. The net proceeds of the offerings were used to support the underwriting activities of ACGL’s insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries. ACGL has the right to redeem all or a portion of each series of preferred shares at a redemption price of $25.00 per share on or after (1) February 1, 2011 for the series A preferred shares and (2) May 15, 2011 for the series B preferred shares. Dividends on the preferred shares are non-cumulative. Consequently, in the event dividends are not declared on the preferred shares for any dividend period, holders of preferred shares will not be entitled to receive a dividend for such period, and such undeclared dividend will not accrue and will not be payable. Holders of preferred shares will be entitled to receive dividend payments only when, as and if declared by ACGL’s board of directors or a duly authorized committee of ACGL’s board of directors. Any such dividends will be payable from the date of original issue on a non-cumulative basis, quarterly in arrears. To the extent declared, these dividends will accumulate, with respect to each dividend period, in an amount per share equal to 8.0% of the $25.00 liquidation preference per annum for the series A preferred shares and 7.875% of the $25.00 liquidation preference per annum for the series B preferred shares. During the nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, we paid $19.4 million to holders of the preferred shares and, at September 30, 2009, had declared an aggregate of $3.3 million of dividends to be paid to holders of the preferred shares.

 

In March 2009, ACGL and Arch Capital Group (U.S.) Inc. filed a universal shelf registration statement with the SEC. This registration statement allows for the possible future offer and sale by us of various types of securities, including unsecured debt securities, preference shares, common shares, warrants, share purchase contracts and units and depositary shares. The shelf registration statement enables us to efficiently access the public debt and/or equity capital markets in order to meet our future capital needs. The shelf registration statement also allows selling shareholders to resell common shares that they own in one or more offerings from time to time. We will not receive any proceeds from any shares offered by the selling shareholders. This report is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.

 

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During the 2009 third quarter, we purchased asset-backed and commercial mortgage-backed securities under the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s (“FRBNY”) Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility (“TALF”). TALF provides secured financing for asset-backed securities backed by certain types of consumer and small business loans and for legacy commercial mortgage-backed securities. TALF financing is non-recourse to us, except in certain limited instances, is collateralized by the purchased securities and provides financing for the purchase price of the securities, less a ‘haircut’ that varies based on the type of collateral. We can deliver the collateralized securities to a special purpose vehicle created by the FRBNY in full defeasance of the borrowings. The Company is carrying the securities and related borrowings at fair value under the fair value option afforded by accounting guidance regarding the fair value option for financial assets and financial liabilities. As of September 30, 2009, we had $250.5 million of securities under TALF which are reflected as “TALF investments, at market value” and $219.8 million of secured financing from the FRBNY which is reflected as “TALF borrowings, at market value.” The maturity dates for the TALF borrowings vary between 3 to 5 years with floating or fixed coupons depending on the related TALF investments.

 

At September 30, 2009, ACGL’s capital of $4.86 billion consisted of $300.0 million of senior notes, representing 6.2% of the total, $100.0 million of revolving credit agreement borrowings due in August 2011, representing 2.1% of the total, $325.0 million of preferred shares, representing 6.7% of the total, and common shareholders’ equity of $4.14 billion, representing the balance. At December 31, 2008, ACGL’s capital of $3.83 billion consisted of $300.0 million of senior notes, representing 7.8% of the total, $100.0 million of revolving credit agreement borrowings due in August 2011, representing 2.6% of the total, $325.0 million of preferred shares, representing 8.5% of the total, and common shareholders’ equity of $3.11 billion, representing the balance. TALF borrowings are not included in the calculation of total capital.  The increase in capital during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was primarily attributable to net income and an after-tax increase in the market value of our investment portfolio.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

Off-balance sheet arrangements are discussed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

Market Sensitive Instruments and Risk Management

 

In accordance with the SEC’s Financial Reporting Release No. 48, we performed a sensitivity analysis to determine the effects that market risk exposures could have on the future earnings, fair values or cash flows of our financial instruments as of September 30, 2009. (See section captioned “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Market Sensitive Instruments and Risk Management” included in our 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.) Market risk represents the risk of changes in the fair value of a financial instrument and is comprised of several components, including liquidity, basis and price risks. At September 30, 2009, material changes in market risk exposures that affect the quantitative and qualitative disclosures presented as of December 31, 2008 were as follows:

 

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Investment Market Risk

 

Fixed Income Securities. We invest in interest rate sensitive securities, primarily debt securities. We consider the effect of interest rate movements on the market value of our fixed maturities, fixed maturities pledged under securities lending agreements, short-term investments and certain of our other investments which invest in fixed income securities and the corresponding change in unrealized appreciation. As interest rates rise, the market value of our interest rate sensitive securities falls, and the converse is also true. The following table summarizes the effect that an immediate, parallel shift in the interest rate yield curve would have had on the portfolio at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008. Based on historical observations, there is a low probability that all interest rate yield curves would shift in the same direction at the same time. Furthermore, in recent months interest rate movements in many credit sectors have exhibited a much lower correlation to changes in U.S. Treasury yields. Accordingly, the actual effect of interest rate movements may differ materially from the amounts set forth below. For further discussion on investment activity, please refer to “—Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources—Financial Condition—Investable Assets”.

 

 

 

Interest Rate Shift in Basis Points

 

(U.S. dollars in millions)

 

-100

 

-50

 

0

 

50

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30, 2009:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total market value

 

$

11,399.7

 

$

11,234.9

 

$

11,052.9

 

$

10,895.4

 

$

10,724.4

 

Market value change from base

 

3.14

%

1.65

%

 

(1.42

)%

(2.97

)%

Change in unrealized value

 

$

346.8

 

$

182.0

 

 

$

(157.5

)

$

(328.5

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2008:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total market value

 

$

9,999.5

 

$

9,832.3

 

$

9,641.7

 

$

9,481.8

 

$

9,312.7

 

Market value change from base

 

3.71

%

1.98

%

 

(1.66

)%

(3.41

)%

Change in unrealized value

 

$

357.8

 

$

190.6

 

 

$

(159.9

)

$

(329.0

)

 

In addition, we consider the effect of credit spread movements on the market value of our fixed maturities, fixed maturities pledged under securities lending agreements, short-term investments and certain of our other investments and investment funds accounted for using the equity method which invest in fixed income securities and the corresponding change in unrealized appreciation. As credit spreads widen, the market value of our fixed income securities falls, and the converse is also true.

 

The following table summarizes the effect that an immediate, parallel shift in credit spreads in a static interest rate environment would have had on the portfolio at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:

 

 

 

Credit Spread Shift in Basis Points

 

(U.S. dollars in millions)

 

-100

 

-50

 

0

 

50

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30, 2009:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total market value

 

$

11,295.0

 

$

11,173.4

 

$

11,052.9

 

$

10,932.4

 

$

10,810.8

 

Market value change from base

 

2.19

%

1.09

%

 

(1.09

)%

(2.19

)%

Change in unrealized value

 

$

242.1

 

$

120.5

 

 

$

(120.5

)

$

(242.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2008:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total market value

 

$

9,850.0

 

$

9,745.8

 

$

9,641.7

 

$

9,537.6

 

$

9,433.4

 

Market value change from base

 

2.16

%

1.08

%

 

(1.08

)%

(2.16

)%

Change in unrealized value

 

$

208.3

 

$

104.1

 

 

$

(104.1

)

$

(208.3

)

 

Another method that attempts to measure portfolio risk is Value-at-Risk (“VaR”). VaR attempts to take into account a broad cross-section of risks facing a portfolio by utilizing relevant securities volatility data skewed towards the most recent months and quarters. VaR measures the amount of a portfolio at risk for outcomes 1.65 standard deviations from the mean based on normal market conditions over a one year time horizon and is expressed as a percentage of the portfolio’s initial value. In other words, 95% of the time, should the risks taken

 

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into account in the VaR model perform per their historical tendencies, the portfolio’s loss in any one year period is expected to be less than or equal to the calculated VaR, stated as a percentage of the measured portfolio’s initial value. As of September 30, 2009, our portfolio’s VaR was estimated to be 4.80%, compared to an estimated 8.49% at December 31, 2008.

 

Investment-Related Derivatives. Derivative instruments may be used to enhance investment performance, replicate investment positions or manage market exposures and duration risk that would be allowed under our investment guidelines if implemented in other ways. The market values of those derivatives are based on quoted market prices. See Note 9, “Derivative Instruments,” of the notes accompanying our consolidated financial Statements for additional disclosures concerning derivatives. At September 30, 2009, the notional value of the net long position of derivative instruments (excluding to-be-announced mortgage backed securities which are included in the fixed income securities analysis above and foreign exchange forward contracts which are included in the foreign currency exchange risk analysis below) was $2.16 billion, compared to $919.6 million at December 31, 2008. A 10% depreciation of the underlying exposure to all derivative instruments at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 would have resulted in a reduction in net income of approximately $215.6 million and $92.0 million, respectively, and would have decreased book value per common share by $3.62 and $1.52, respectively.

 

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

 

Foreign currency rate risk is the potential change in value, income and cash flow arising from adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates. A 10% depreciation of the U.S. Dollar against other currencies under our outstanding contracts at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, net of unrealized appreciation on our securities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar, would have resulted in unrealized gains of approximately $28.0 million and $20.0 million, respectively, and would have increased book value per common share by approximately $0.47 and $0.33, respectively. A 10% appreciation of the U.S. Dollar against other currencies under our outstanding contracts at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, net of unrealized depreciation on our securities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar, would have resulted in unrealized losses of approximately $28.0 million and $20.0 million, respectively, and would have decreased book value per common share by approximately $0.47 and $0.33, respectively. Historical observations indicate a low probability that all foreign currency exchange rates would shift against the U.S. Dollar in the same direction and at the same time and, accordingly, the actual effect of foreign currency rate movements may differ materially from the amounts set forth above. For further discussion on foreign exchange activity, please refer to “—Results of Operations.”

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“PLSRA”) provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements. This report or any other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of us may include forward-looking statements, which reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in or incorporated by reference in this report are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements, for purposes of the PLSRA or otherwise, can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe” or “continue” and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature or their negative or variations or similar terminology.

 

Forward-looking statements involve our current assessment of risks and uncertainties. Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Important factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated in such statements are discussed below, elsewhere in this report and in our periodic reports filed with the SEC, and include:

 

·                  our ability to successfully implement our business strategy during “soft” as well as “hard” markets;

 

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·                  acceptance of our business strategy, security and financial condition by rating agencies and regulators, as well as by brokers and our insureds and reinsureds;

 

·                  our ability to maintain or improve our ratings, which may be affected by our ability to raise additional equity or debt financings, by ratings agencies’ existing or new policies and practices, as well as other factors described herein;

 

·                  general economic and market conditions (including inflation, interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and prevailing credit terms) and conditions specific to the reinsurance and insurance markets in which we operate;

 

·                  competition, including increased competition, on the basis of pricing, capacity, coverage terms or other factors;

 

·                  our ability to successfully integrate, establish and maintain operating procedures (including the implementation of improved computerized systems and programs to replace and support manual systems) to effectively support our underwriting initiatives and to develop accurate actuarial data;

 

·                  the loss of key personnel;

 

·                  the integration of businesses we have acquired or may acquire into our existing operations;

 

·                  accuracy of those estimates and judgments utilized in the preparation of our financial statements, including those related to revenue recognition, insurance and other reserves, reinsurance recoverables, investment valuations, intangible assets, bad debts, income taxes, contingencies and litigation, and any determination to use the deposit method of accounting, which for a relatively new insurance and reinsurance company, like our company, are even more difficult to make than those made in a mature company since relatively limited historical information has been reported to us through September 30, 2009;

 

·                  greater than expected loss ratios on business written by us and adverse development on claim and/or claim expense liabilities related to business written by our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries;

 

·                  severity and/or frequency of losses;

 

·                  claims for natural or man-made catastrophic events in our insurance or reinsurance business could cause large losses and substantial volatility in our results of operations;

 

·                  acts of terrorism, political unrest and other hostilities or other unforecasted and unpredictable events;

 

·                  losses relating to aviation business and business produced by a certain managing underwriting agency for which we may be liable to the purchaser of our prior reinsurance business or to others in connection with the May 5, 2000 asset sale described in our periodic reports filed with the SEC;

 

·                  availability to us of reinsurance to manage our gross and net exposures and the cost of such reinsurance;

 

·                  the failure of reinsurers, managing general agents, third party administrators or others to meet their obligations to us;

 

·                  the timing of loss payments being faster or the receipt of reinsurance recoverables being slower than anticipated by us;

 

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·                  our investment performance, including legislative or regulatory developments that may adversely affect the market value of our investments;

 

·                  material differences between actual and expected assessments for guaranty funds and mandatory pooling arrangements;

 

·                  changes in accounting principles or policies or in our application of such accounting principles or policies;

 

·                  changes in the political environment of certain countries in which we operate or underwrite business;

 

·                  statutory or regulatory developments, including as to tax policy matters and insurance and other regulatory matters such as the adoption of proposed legislation that would affect Bermuda-headquartered companies and/or Bermuda-based insurers or reinsurers and/or changes in regulations or tax laws applicable to us, our subsidiaries, brokers or customers; and

 

·                  the other matters set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as other matters set forth under Item 1A “Risk Factors”, Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and other sections of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as the other factors set forth in the Company’s other documents on file with the SEC, and management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors.

 

In addition, other general factors could affect our results, including developments in the world’s financial and capital markets and our access to such markets.

 

All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The foregoing review of important factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with other cautionary statements that are included herein or elsewhere. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

Other Financial Information

 

The consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2009 and for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 have been reviewed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm. Their report (dated November 9, 2009) is included on page 2. The report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP states that they did not audit and they do not express an opinion on that unaudited financial information. Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their report on such information should be restricted in light of the limited nature of the review procedures applied. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 for their report on the unaudited financial information because that report is not a “report” or a “part” of the registration statement prepared or certified by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Securities Act of 1933.

 

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ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Reference is made to the information appearing above under the subheading “Market Sensitive Instruments and Risk Management” under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” which information is hereby incorporated by reference.

 

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

In connection with the filing of this Form 10-Q, our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to applicable Exchange Act Rules as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of and during the period covered by this report with respect to information being recorded, processed, summarized and reported within time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and with respect to timely communication to them and other members of management responsible for preparing periodic reports of all material information required to be disclosed in this report as it relates to ACGL and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

We continue to enhance our operating procedures and internal controls to effectively support our business and our regulatory and reporting requirements. Our management does not expect that our disclosure controls or our internal controls will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. As a result of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons or by collusion of two or more people. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. As a result of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatement due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected. Accordingly, our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the disclosure controls and procedures are met.

 

Changes in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting

 

There have been no changes in internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2009 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings
 

We, in common with the insurance industry in general, are subject to litigation and arbitration in the normal course of our business. As of September 30, 2009, we were not a party to any material litigation or arbitration other than as a part of the ordinary course of business in relation to claims and reinsurance recoverable matters, none of which is expected by management to have a significant adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition and liquidity.

 

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

 

The following table summarizes ACGL’s purchases of its common shares for the 2009 third quarter:

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

 

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

 

 

Period

 

Total Number
of Shares
Purchased (1)

 

Average Price
Paid per Share

 

Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of
Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs (2)

 

Approximate
Dollar Value of
Shares that May
Yet be Purchased
Under the Plan
or Programs (2)

 

7/1/2009-7/31/2009

 

6,130

 

$

62.14

 

 

$

448,252

 

8/1/2009-8/31/2009

 

391,992

 

$

62.21

 

391,667

 

$

423,886

 

9/1/2009-9/30/2009

 

1,142,357

 

$

64.67

 

1,141,580

 

$

350,058

 

Total

 

1,540,479

 

$

64.03

 

1,533,247

 

$

350,058

 

 


(1)          Includes repurchases by ACGL of shares, from time to time, from employees in order to facilitate the payment of withholding taxes on restricted shares granted and the exercise of stock appreciation rights. We purchased these shares at their fair market value, as determined by reference to the closing price of our common shares on the day the restricted shares vested or the stock appreciation rights were exercised.

 

(2)          In November 2009, the board of directors of ACGL authorized the investment of up to an additional $1.0 billion in ACGL’s common shares through a share repurchase program. Repurchases under this authorization may be effected from time to time in open market or privately negotiated transactions through December 31, 2011. The board of directors of ACGL had previously authorized the investment of up to $1.5 billion in ACGL’s common shares, of which $350.1 million was available at September 30, 2009. Since the inception of the share repurchase program, ACGL has repurchased approximately 16.8 million common shares for an aggregate purchase price of $1.15 billion. The timing and amount of the repurchase transactions under this program will depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions and corporate and regulatory considerations. In connection with the repurchase program, the Warburg Pincus funds waived their rights relating to share repurchases under the shareholders agreement for all repurchases of common shares by ACGL under the repurchase program in open market transactions and certain privately negotiated transactions.

 

Item 5.  Other Information
 

In accordance with Section 10a(i)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, we are responsible for disclosing non-audit services to be provided by our independent auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, which are approved by the Audit Committee of our board of directors. During the 2009 third quarter, the Audit Committee approved engagements of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for permitted non-audit services, substantially all of which consisted of tax services, tax consulting and tax compliance.

 

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Item 6.  Exhibits
 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

 

10.1

 

Second Amendment to Restricted Share Unit Agreement, dated as of July 9, 2009, between Arch Capital Group Ltd. and Constantine Iordanou

 

 

 

15

 

Accountants’ Awareness Letter (regarding unaudited interim financial information)

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD.

 

 

(REGISTRANT)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Constantine Iordanou

Date: November 9, 2009

 

Constantine Iordanou

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ John C.R. Hele

Date: November 9, 2009

 

John C.R. Hele

 

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

 

10.1

 

Second Amendment to Restricted Share Unit Agreement, dated as of July 9, 2009, between Arch Capital Group Ltd. and Constantine Iordanou

 

 

 

15

 

Accountants’ Awareness Letter (regarding unaudited interim financial information)

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

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