Edgar Filing: PLATINUM UNDERWRITERS HOLDINGS LTD

FORM 10-Q

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q


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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2006


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

For the transition period from to

Commission File Number 001-31341

Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Bermuda		98-0416483

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


The Belvedere Building
69 Pitts Bay Road
Pembroke, Bermuda		HM 08

(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(441) 295-7195

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):


Large accelerated filer þ		Accelerated filer o		Non-accelerated filer 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 þ

As of April 17, 2006, there were outstanding 59,201,800 common shares, par value $0.01 per share, of the registrant.

PLATINUM UNDERWRITERS HOLDINGS, LTD.
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2006

TABLE OF CONTENTS


		Page
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2006 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2005		1

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 (Unaudited)		2

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 (Unaudited)		3

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 (Unaudited)		4

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for the Three Months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005		5

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005		19

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk		37

Item 4. Controls and Procedures		39

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6. Exhibits		40

SIGNATURES		41
EX-3.II.1: BY-LAWS OF PLATINUM HOLDINGS
EX-10.1: AMENDED AND RESTATED QUOTA SHARE RETROCESSION AGREEMENT
EX-31.1: CERTIFICATION
EX-31.2: CERTIFICATION
EX-32.1: CERTIFICATION
EX-32.2: CERTIFICATION

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets
($ in thousands, except share data)


	(Unaudited)
	March 31,			December 31,
	2006			2005
ASSETS
Investments:
Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities at fair value (amortized cost – $3,208,066 and $2,936,152, respectively)	$	3,121,500		$	2,888,922
Fixed maturity trading securities at fair value (amortized cost – $101,832 and $99,141, respectively)		99,821			98,781
Preferred stocks (cost – $8,735 and $8,735, respectively)		8,169			8,186
Other invested asset		5,000			5,000
Short-term investments		80,609			8,793

Total investments		3,315,099			3,009,682
Cash and cash equivalents		570,030			820,746
Accrued investment income		29,581			29,230
Reinsurance premiums receivable		517,429			567,449
Reinsurance recoverable on ceded losses and loss adjustment expenses		61,528			68,210
Prepaid reinsurance premiums		30,860			7,899
Funds held by ceding companies		266,541			291,629
Deferred acquisition costs		105,699			130,800
Income tax recoverable		10,600			24,522
Deferred tax assets		36,723			31,934
Due from investment broker		187			157,930
Other assets		11,940			14,344

Total assets	$	4,956,217		$	5,154,375


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	$	2,371,916		$	2,323,990
Unearned premiums		474,433			502,018
Reinsurance deposit liabilities		6,041			6,048
Debt obligations		292,840			292,840
Ceded premiums payable		38,106			22,544
Commissions payable		142,826			186,654
Deferred tax liabilities		960			118
Due to investment broker		16,902			259,834
Other liabilities		34,355			20,080

Total liabilities		3,378,379			3,614,126

Shareholders’ Equity
Preferred shares, $.01 par value, 25,000,000 shares authorized, 5,750,000 shares issued and outstanding		57			57
Common shares, $.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 59,190,300 and 59,126,675 shares issued and outstanding, respectively		592			590
Additional paid-in capital		1,528,020			1,527,316
Unearned share grant compensation		–			(2,467	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(76,029	)		(40,718	)
Retained earnings		125,198			55,471

Total shareholders’ equity		1,577,838			1,540,249

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	4,956,217		$	5,154,375

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

-1-

Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

($ in thousands, except per share data)


	2006			2005
Revenue:
Net premiums earned	$	344,301		$	411,040
Net investment income		43,515			26,905
Net realized gains on investments		65			372
Other income (expense), net		(1,317	)		(356	)

Total revenue		386,564			437,961

Expenses:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses		206,774			237,698
Acquisition expenses		69,239			93,249
Operating expenses		22,988			20,008
Net foreign currency exchange losses (gains)		(275	)		1,798
Interest expense		5,450			2,173

Total expenses		304,176			354,926

Income before income tax expense		82,388			83,035
Income tax expense		5,352			9,947

Net income		77,036			73,088
Preferred dividends		2,576			–

Net income available to common shareholders	$	74,460		$	73,088

Earnings per common share:
Basic earnings per common share	$	1.26		$	1.69
Diluted earnings per common share	$	1.16		$	1.49
Comprehensive income:
Net income	$	77,036		$	73,088
Other comprehensive income:
Net change in unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, net of deferred tax		(35,315	)		(34,629	)
Cumulative translation adjustments, net of deferred tax		4			9

Comprehensive income	$	41,725		$	38,468

Shareholder dividends:
Preferred dividends declared	$	2,012			–
Preferred dividends declared per share		0.35			–
Common dividends declared		4,733		$	3,449
Common dividends declared per share	$	0.08		$	0.08

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

-2-

Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

($ in thousands)


	2006			2005
Preferred shares:
Balances at beginning of year	$	57		$	–

Balances at end of period		57			–

Common shares:
Balances at beginning of year		590			430
Exercise of share options		1			2
Issuance of restricted shares		1			–

Balances at end of period		592			432

Additional paid-in-capital:
Balances at beginning of year		1,527,316			911,851
Transfer of unearned common share grant compensation		(2,467	)		–
Exercise of common share options		1,435			3,757
Share based compensation		1,736			1,295

Balances at end of period		1,528,020			916,903

Unearned common share grant compensation:
Balances at beginning of year		(2,467	)		–
Transfer of unearned common share grant compensation		2,467			–

Balances at end of period		–			–

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Balances at beginning of year		(40,718	)		12,252
Net change in unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, net of deferred tax		(35,315	)		(34,629	)
Net change in cumulative translation adjustments, net of deferred tax		4			9

Balances at end of period		(76,029	)		(22,368	)

Retained earnings:
Balances at beginning of year		55,471			208,470
Net income		77,036			73,088
Preferred share dividends		(2,576	)		–
Common share dividends		(4,733	)		(3,449	)

Balances at end of period		125,198			278,109

Total shareholders’ equity	$	1,577,838		$	1,173,076

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

-3-

Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

($ in thousands)


	2006			2005
Operating Activities:
Net income	$	77,036		$	73,088
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash used in operations:
Depreciation and amortization		3,803			4,931
Net realized gains on investments		(65	)		(372	)
Net foreign currency exchange (gains) losses		(275	)		1,798
Share based compensation		1,736			1,295
Deferred income tax expense		87			(593	)
Trading securities activities		717			4,527
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Increase in accrued investment income		(351	)		(3,464	)
(Increase) decrease in reinsurance premiums receivable		50,020			(58,235	)
(Increase) decrease in funds held by ceding companies		25,088			(24,743	)
(Increase) decrease in deferred acquisition costs		25,101			(13,517	)
Increase in net unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses		53,256			119,840
Increase (decrease) in net unearned premiums		(50,546	)		82,486
Decrease in reinsurance deposit liabilities		(7	)		(14,484	)
Increase in ceded premiums payable		15,562			16,361
Decrease in commissions payable		(43,828	)		(9,701	)
Increase in funds withheld		—			1,082
Decrease in income tax recoverable		13,922			10,538
Net changes in other assets and liabilities		15,712			(11,680	)
Other net		(12	)		491

Net cash provided by operating activities		186,956			179,648

Investing Activities:
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale fixed maturity securities		179,119			72,716
Proceeds from maturity or paydown of available-for-sale fixed maturity securities		32,535			21,155
Acquisition of available-for-sale fixed maturity securities		(572,201	)		(183,709	)
Increase in short-term investments		(71,816	)		—

Net cash used in investing activities		(432,363	)		(89,838	)

Financing Activities:
Dividends paid to preferred shareholders		(2,012	)		—
Dividends paid to common shareholders		(4,733	)		(3,449	)
Proceeds from exercise of share options		1,436			3,759

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(5,309	)		310

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(250,716	)		90,120
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		820,746			209,897


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	570,030		$	300,017

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Income taxes paid (recovered)	$	(8,699	)	$	10,200
Interest paid	$	—		$	1,840

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

-4-

Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

(1) Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and include the accounts of Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. (“Platinum Holdings”) and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”), including Platinum Underwriters Bermuda, Ltd. (“Platinum Bermuda”), Platinum Underwriters Reinsurance, Inc. (“Platinum US”), Platinum Re (UK) Limited, Platinum Underwriters Finance, Inc. (“Platinum Finance”), Platinum Regency Holdings, and Platinum Administrative Services, Inc. All material inter-company transactions have been eliminated in preparing these condensed consolidated financial statements. The condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 are unaudited and include adjustments consisting of normal recurring items that management considers necessary for a fair presentation under U.S. GAAP. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.

The preparation of financial statements requires us 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 materially differ from these estimates. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year.

Share-Based Compensation

We adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123R”) using the modified prospective method effective January 1, 2006. SFAS 123R establishes standards for the accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services. SFAS 123R requires that, prospectively, compensation costs be recognized for the fair value of all share options over their vesting period, including the cost related to the unvested portion of all outstanding share options as of December 31, 2005.

Prior to January 1, 2006, we accounted for share based compensation using Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 “Accounting for Awards of Stock Based Compensation to Employees” and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation-Transition and Disclosure” (“SFAS 148”). In accordance with the transition rules of SFAS 148, we elected to continue using the intrinsic value method of accounting for our share-based awards granted to employees established by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”) for share options granted in 2002. Under APB 25, if the exercise price of our employee share options is equal to or greater than the fair market value of the underlying shares on the date of the grant, no compensation expense is recorded.

The following table illustrates the effect on our net income and earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2005 of applying the “fair value” method to all share option grants ($ in thousands, except per share data):

-5-

Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited), continued
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005


	As
	Reported		Pro Forma
Share-based compensation expense	$	1,295		$	2,521
Net income		73,088			71,862
Basic earnings per share		1.69			1.66
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.49		$	1.46

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2005 financial statements in order to conform to the 2006 presentation.

(2) Investments

Investments classified as available-for-sale are carried at fair value as of the balance sheet date. Net change in unrealized investment gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, net of deferred taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 were as follows ($ in thousands):


	2006			2005
Fixed maturities	$	(39,353	)	$	(41,158	)
Less — deferred taxes		4,038			6,529

Net change in unrealized investment gains and losses	$	(35,315	)	$	(34,629	)

Gross unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities as of March 31, 2006 were $268,000 and $87,400,000, respectively.

The unrealized losses on securities classified as available-for-sale, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2006 were as follows ($ in thousands):


			Unrealized
	Fair Value		Loss
Less than twelve months:

U.S. Government and U.S. Government agencies	$	180,461	$	3,286
Corporate bonds		951,215		28,514
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities		1,032,480		29,807
Municipal bonds		122,219		2,658
Foreign governments and states		13,189		496

Total	$	2,299,564	$	64,761

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Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited), continued
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005


			Unrealized
	Fair Value		Loss
Twelve months or more:
Corporate bonds	$	448,833	$	14,404
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities		100,364		5,025
Municipal bonds		76,596		1,781
Foreign governments and states		27,158		863
Preferred stocks		8,169		566

Total	$	661,120	$	22,639


Total of securities with unrealized losses:

U.S. Government and U.S. Government agencies	$	180,461	$	3,286
Corporate bonds		1,400,048		42,918
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities		1,132,844		34,832
Municipal bonds		198,815		4,439
Foreign governments and states		40,347		1,359
Preferred stocks		8,169		566

Total	$	2,960,684	$	87,400

We routinely review our available-for-sale investments to determine whether unrealized losses represent temporary changes in fair value or are the result of “other-than-temporary impairments.” The process of determining whether a security is other than temporarily impaired is subjective and involves analyzing many factors. These factors include but are not limited to: the overall financial condition of the issuer, the length and magnitude of an unrealized loss, specific credit events, and our ability and intent to hold a security for a sufficient period of time for the value to recover the unrealized loss. This is based on current and anticipated future positive cash flows from operations that generate sufficient liquidity in order to meet our obligations. If we determine that an unrealized loss on a security is other than temporary, we write down the carrying value of the security and record a realized loss in the statement of operations.

Corporate, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities represent our largest categories within our available-for-sale portfolio and consequently account for the greatest amount of our overall unrealized loss as of March 31, 2006. Investment holdings within our corporate sector are diversified across approximately 30 sub-sectors, ranging from aerospace to telecommunications, and within each sub-sector across many individual issuers and issues. As of March 31, 2006 there were 578 corporate issues in an unrealized loss position, with the single largest unrealized loss being $726,000. Investment holdings within the mortgage-backed and asset-backed sector are diversified across a number of sub-categories. As of March 31, 2006 there were a total of 997 issues in an unrealized loss position in our investment portfolio, with the single largest unrealized loss being $802,000.

Overall our unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2006 was a result of interest rate increases that impacted all investment categories. Given our ability and intent to hold these investments until a recovery of fair value, which may be maturity, we do not consider any of our available-for-sale investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired as of March 31, 2006.

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Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited), continued
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

(3) Earnings Per Share

Following are calculations of the basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 ($ in thousands, except per share data):


			Weighted
			Average
	Net		Shares		Earnings
	Income		Outstanding		Per Share
Three months ended March 31, 2006:

Basic earnings per share:
Net income available to common shareholders	$	74,460		59,097	$	1.26
Effect of dilutive securities:
Common share options, restricted common shares and common share units		–		1,810
Conversion of preferred shares		–		5,690
Preferred share dividends		2,576		–

Adjusted net income for diluted earnings per share	$	77,036		66,597	$	1.16


Three months ended March 31, 2005:

Basic earnings per share
Net income available to common shareholders	$	73,088		43,163	$	1.69
Effect of dilutive securities:
Common share options and restricted common share units		–		1,860
Conversion of Equity Security Units		–		5,009
Interest expense related to Equity Share Units, net of income tax benefit		1,423		–

Adjusted net income for diluted earnings per share	$	74,511		50,032	$	1.49

(4) Operating Segment Information

We conduct our worldwide reinsurance business through three operating segments: Property and Marine, Casualty and Finite Risk. The Property and Marine operating segment includes principally property (including crop) and marine reinsurance coverages that are written in the United States and international markets. This business includes catastrophe excess-of-loss treaties, per-risk excess-of-loss treaties and proportional treaties. The Casualty operating segment includes principally reinsurance treaties that cover umbrella liability, general and product liability, professional liability, workers’ compensation, casualty clash, automobile liability, surety and trade credit. This operating segment also includes accident and health treaties, which are predominantly reinsurance of health insurance products. The Finite Risk operating segment includes principally structured reinsurance contracts with ceding companies whose needs may not be met efficiently through traditional reinsurance products. The classes of risks underwritten through finite risk contracts are generally consistent with the classes covered by

-8-

Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited), continued
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

traditional products. Typically, the amount of losses we might pay is finite or capped. In return for this limit on losses, we often accept a cap on the potential profit margin specified in the treaty and return profits above this margin to the ceding company. The finite risk contracts that we underwrite generally provide prospective protection, meaning coverage is provided for losses that are incurred after inception of the contract, as contrasted with retrospective coverage, which covers losses that are incurred prior to inception of the contract. The three main categories of finite risk contracts are finite quota share, multi-year excess-of-loss and whole account aggregate stop loss.

In managing our operating segments, we use measures such as underwriting income and underwriting ratios to evaluate segment performance. We do not allocate by segment our assets or certain income and expenses such as investment income, interest expense and certain corporate expenses. Total underwriting income is reconciled to income before income tax expense. The measures we use in evaluating our operating segments should not be used as a substitute for measures determined under U.S. GAAP. The following table summarizes underwriting activity and ratios for the operating segments together with a reconciliation of total underwriting income to income before income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 ($ in thousands):


	Property
	and Marine			Casualty			Finite Risk			Total
Three months ended March 31, 2006:

Net premiums written	$	165,264			182,350			(54,336	)	$	293,278

Net premiums earned		131,544			173,668			39,089			344,301
Losses and LAE		59,828			116,565			30,381			206,774
Acquisition expenses		19,649			41,354			8,236			69,239
Other underwriting expenses		10,028			6,335			925			17,288

Segment underwriting income (loss)	$	42,039			9,414			(453	)		51,000

Net investment income and net realized gains on investments											43,580
Net foreign currency exchange gains											275
Other expense											(1,317	)
Corporate expenses not allocated to segments											(5,700	)
Interest expense											(5,450	)

Income before income tax expense										$	82,388

Ratios:
Losses and LAE		45.5	%		67.1	%		77.7	%		60.1	%
Acquisition expense		14.9	%		23.8	%		21.1	%		20.1	%
Other underwriting expense		7.6	%		3.6	%		2.4	%		5.0	%

Combined		68.0	%		94.5	%		101.2	%		85.2	%

-9-

Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited), continued
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005


	Property
	and Marine			Casualty			Finite Risk			Total
Three months ended March 31, 2005:
Net premiums written	$	185,049			215,669			93,081		$	493,799

Net premiums earned		128,197			184,768			98,075			411,040
Losses and LAE		60,040			118,438			59,220			237,698
Acquisition expenses		21,989			45,202			26,058			93,249
Other underwriting expenses		7,723			7,313			1,571			16,607

Segment underwriting income	$	38,445			13,815			11,226			63,486

Net investment income and net realized gains on investments											27,277
Net foreign currency exchange losses											(1,798	)
Other expense											(356	)
Corporate expenses not allocated to segments											(3,401	)
Interest expense											(2,173	)

Income before income tax expense										$	83,035

Ratios:
Losses and LAE		46.8	%		64.1	%		60.4	%		57.8	%
Acquisition expense		17.2	%		24.5	%		26.6	%		22.7	%
Other underwriting expense		6.0	%		4.0	%		1.6	%		4.0	%

Combined		70.0	%		92.6	%		88.6	%		84.5	%

(5) Income Taxes

We provide for income taxes based upon amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the provisions of currently enacted tax laws. Platinum Holdings and Platinum Bermuda are incorporated in Bermuda. Under current Bermuda law, they are not taxed on any Bermuda income or capital gains and they have received an assurance that if any legislation is enacted in Bermuda that would impose tax computed on profits or income, or computed on any capital asset, gain or appreciation, or any tax in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax, then the imposition of any such tax will not be applicable to Platinum Holdings or Platinum Bermuda or any of their respective operations, shares, debentures or other obligations until March 28, 2016. We also have subsidiaries in the United States, United Kingdom and Ireland that are subject to the tax laws thereof.

A reconciliation of expected income tax expense, computed by applying a 35% income tax rate to income before income taxes, to actual income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 is as follows ($ in thousands):


	2006			2005
Expected income tax expense at 35%	$	28,836		$	29,062
Effect of foreign income subject to tax at rates other than 35%		(23,226	)		(18,623	)
Tax exempt investment income		(553	)		(526	)
Other, net		295			34

Income tax expense	$	5,352		$	9,947

-10-

Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited), continued
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

(6) Condensed Consolidating Financial Information

Platinum Finance is a U.S. based intermediate holding company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Platinum Regency. The outstanding Series B 7.5% Notes, due June 1, 2017 issued by Platinum Finance are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Platinum Holdings. The outstanding Series B 6.371% Remarketed Senior Guaranteed Notes, due November 16, 2007, issued by Platinum Finance are also fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Platinum Holdings.

The payment of dividends from our regulated reinsurance subsidiaries is limited by applicable laws and statutory requirements of the jurisdictions in which the subsidiaries operate, including Bermuda, the United States and the United Kingdom. Based on the regulatory restrictions of the applicable jurisdictions, the maximum amount available for payment of dividends or other distributions by the reinsurance subsidiary of Platinum Finance in 2006 without prior regulatory approval is approximately $44,000,000. The maximum amount available for payment of dividends or other distributions by the reinsurance subsidiaries of Platinum Holdings in 2006, including the reinsurance subsidiary of Platinum Finance, without prior regulatory approval is estimated to be approximately $197,000,000.

The tables below present condensed consolidating financial information of Platinum Holdings, Platinum Finance and the non-guarantor subsidiaries of Platinum Holdings as of March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 and for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 ($ in thousands):

-11-

Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited), continued
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005


							Non-
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet	Platinum			Platinum			guarantor			Consolidating
March 31, 2006	Holdings			Finance			Subsidiaries			Adjustments			Consolidated
ASSETS
Total investments	$	–			13,074			3,302,025			–		$	3,315,099
Investment in subsidiaries		1,455,307			453,398			439,328			(2,348,033	)		–
Cash and cash equivalents		121,333			9,881			438,816			–			570,030
Reinsurance assets		–			–			2,900,793			(1,918,736	)		982,057
Income tax recoverable		–			1,920			8,680			–			10,600
Other assets		4,497			4,049			169,885			(100,000	)		78,431

Total assets	$	1,581,137			482,322			7,259,527			(4,366,769	)	$	4,956,217

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities:
Reinsurance liabilities	$	–			–			4,947,661			(1,914,339	)	$	3,033,322
Debt obligations		–			292,840			–			–			292,840
Other liabilities		3,299			7,394			45,921			(4,397	)		52,217

Total liabilities		3,299			300,234			4,993,582			(1,918,736	)		3,378,379

Shareholders’ Equity:
Preferred shares		57			–			–			–			57
Common shares		592			–			6,250			(6,250	)		592
Additional paid-in capital		1,528,020			192,036			2,150,834			(2,342,870	)		1,528,020
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(76,029	)		(16,181	)		(95,956	)		112,137			(76,029	)
Retained earnings		125,198			6,233			204,817			(211,050	)		125,198

Total shareholders’ equity		1,577,838			182,088			2,265,945			(2,448,033	)		1,577,838

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	1,581,137			482,322			7,259,527			(4,366,769	)	$	4,956,217

-12-

Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited), continued
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005


							Non-
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet	Platinum			Platinum			guarantor			Consolidating
December 31, 2005	Holdings			Finance			Subsidiaries			Adjustments			Consolidated
ASSETS
Total investments	$	–			12,448			2,997,234			–		$	3,009,682
Investment in subsidiaries		1,410,794			448,839			436,368			(2,296,001	)		–
Cash and cash equivalents		129,962			5,010			685,774			–			820,746
Reinsurance assets		–			–			2,969,880			(1,903,893	)		1,065,987
Income tax recoverable		–			5,874			18,648			–			24,522
Other assets		2,963			4,086			326,389			(100,000	)		233,438

Total assets	$	1,543,719			476,257			7,434,293			(4,299,894	)	$	5,154,375

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities:
Reinsurance liabilities	$	–			–			4,868,470			(1,827,216	)	$	3,041,254
Debt obligations		–			292,840			–			–			292,840
Other liabilities		3,470			2,243			350,996			(76,677	)		280,032

Total liabilities		3,470			295,083			5,219,466			(1,903,893	)		3,614,126

Shareholders’ Equity:
Preferred shares		57			–			–			–			57
Common shares		590			–			6,250			(6,250	)		590
Unearned share grant compensation		(2,467	)		–			–			–			(2,467	)
Additional paid-in capital		1,527,316			192,036			2,150,834			(2,342,870	)		1,527,316
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(40,718	)		(10,199	)		(52,840	)		63,039			(40,718	)
Retained earnings		55,471			(663	)		110,583			(109,920	)		55,471

Total shareholders’ equity		1,540,249			181,174			2,214,827			(2,396,001	)		1,540,249

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	1,543,719			476,257			7,434,293			(4,299,894	)	$	5,154,375

-13-

Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited), continued
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005


Consolidating Statement of Income							Non-
For the Three Months Ended	Platinum			Platinum			guarantor			Consolidating
March 31, 2006	Holdings			Finance			Subsidiaries			Adjustments			Consolidated
Revenue:
Net premiums earned	$	–			–			344,301			–		$	344,301
Net investment income		1,434			220			41,861			–			43,515
Net realized gains on investments		–			–			65			–			65
Other income (expense), net		1,100			–			(2,417	)		–			(1,317	)

Total revenue		2,534			220			383,810			–			386,564

Expenses:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses		–			–			206,774			–			206,774
Acquisition expenses		–			–			70,682			(1,443	)		69,239
Operating expenses		5,321			258			15,966			1,443			22,988
Net foreign currency exchange gains		–			–			(275	)		–			(275	)
Interest expense		–			5,450			–			–			5,450

Total expenses		5,321			5,708			293,147			–			304,176

Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)		(2,787	)		(5,488	)		90,663			–			82,388
Income tax expense (benefit)		–			(1,920	)		7,272			–			5,352

Net income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries		(2,787	)		(3,568	)		83,391			–			77,036
Equity in income of subsidiaries		79,823			10,464			10,837			(101,124	)		–

Net income		77,036			6,896			94,228			(101,124	)		77,036
Preferred dividends		2,576			–			–			–			2,576

Net income available to common shareholders	$	74,460			6,896			94,228			(101,124	)	$	74,460

-14-

Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited), continued
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005


Consolidating Statement of Income For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2005							Non-
	Platinum			Platinum			guarantor			Consolidating
	Holdings			Finance			Subsidiaries			Adjustments			Consolidated
Revenue:
Net premiums earned	$	—			—			411,040			—		$	411,040
Net investment income		25			77			26,803			—			26,905
Net realized gains on investments		—			1			371			—			372
Other income (expense), net		—			—			(356	)		—			( 356	)

Total revenue		25			78			437,858			—			437,961

Expenses:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses		—			—			237,698			—			237,698
Acquisition expenses		—			—			94,781			(1,532	)		93,249
Operating expenses		3,241			78			15,157			1,532			20,008
Net foreign currency exchange losses		1			—			1,797			—			1,798
Interest expense		31			2,142			—			—			2,173

Total expenses		3,273			2,220			349,433			—			354,926

Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)		(3,248	)		(2,142	)		88,425			—			83,035
Income tax expense (benefit)		—			(750	)		10,697			—			9,947

Net income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries		(3,248	)		(1,392	)		77,728			—			73,088
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries		76,336			17,953			19,889			(114,178	)		—

Net income	$	73,088			16,561			97,617			(114,178	)	$	73,088

-15-

Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited), continued
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006							Non-
	Platinum			Platinum			guarantor			Consolidating
	Holdings			Finance			Subsidiaries			Adjustments		Consolidated

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(3,320	)		5,621			184,655			–	$	186,956


Investing Activities:
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale fixed maturities		–			–			179,119			–		179,119
Proceeds from maturity or paydown of available-for-sale fixed maturities		–			302			32,233			–		32,535
Acquisition of available-for-sale fixed maturities		–			(498	)		(571,703	)		–		(572,201	)
Increase in short-term investments		–			(554	)		(71,262	)		–		(71,816	)

Net cash used in investing activities		–			( 750	)		(431,613	)		–		(432,363	)


Financing Activities:
Dividends paid to preferred shareholders		(2,012	)		–			–			–		(2,012	)
Dividends paid to common shareholders		(4,733	)		–			–			–		(4,733	)
Proceeds from exercise of share options		1,436			–			–			–		1,436

Net cash used in financing activities		(5,309	)		–			–			–		(5,309	)


Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(8,629	)		4,871			(246,958	)		–		(250,716	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		129,962			5,010			685,774			–		820,746

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	121,333			9,881			438,816			–	$	570,030

-16-

Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited), continued
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2005							Non-
	Platinum			Platinum			guarantor			Consolidating
	Holdings			Finance			Subsidiaries			Adjustments			Consolidated

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(3,084	)		(1,834	)		184,566			–		$	179,648


Investing Activities:
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale fixed maturities		–			–			72,716			–			72,716
Proceeds from maturity or paydown of available-for-sale fixed maturities		–			118			21,037			–			21,155
Acquisition of available-for-sale fixed maturities		–			–			(183,709	)		–			(183,709	)
Dividends from subsidiaries		7,000			–			–			(7,000	)		–

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		7,000			118			(89,956	)		(7,000	)		(89,838	)


Financing Activities:
Dividends paid to shareholders		(3,449	)		–			(7,000	)		7,000			(3,449	)
Proceeds from exercise of share options		3,759			–			–			–			3,759

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		310			–			(7,000	)		7,000			310


Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		4,226			(1,716	)		87,610			–			90,120
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		1,945			8,204			199,748			–			209,897

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	6,171			6,488			287,358			–		$	300,017

(7) Share Based Compensation

We adopted SFAS 123R using the modified prospective method effective January 1, 2006. The cumulative effect of the adoption of SFAS 123R was not material.

The fair value of each option grant in 2006 was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions:


Dividend yield		1.06	%
Risk free interest rate		4.57	%
Expected option life	5.3 years

The outstanding options are banded into groups for future forfeiture rate assumptions that ranged from 0% to 25%. The following summary sets forth option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2006 (amounts in thousands, except per share exercise price):

-17-

Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited), continued
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005


			Weighted
			Average
			Exercise
	Options		Price
Outstanding – beginning of period		3,918	$	23.93
Granted		238		30.54
Exercised		73		22.56
Forfeited		25		27.67

Outstanding — end of period		4,058	$	24.32


Options exercisable at end of period		2,893	$	23.18

The following table summarizes information about share options outstanding at March 31, 2006 (amounts in thousands, except per share exercise price):


			Weighted				Exercisable
			Average		Weighted				Weighted
			Remaining		Average				Average
Range of	Number		Contractual		Exercise		Number		Exercise
exercise prices	Outstanding		Life		Price		Outstanding		Price
$22.50		2,813		6.59	$	22.50		2,485	$	22.50
22.51 - 25.00		54		6.91		22.64		42		22.60
25.01 - 30.00		660		6.85		26.92		252		26.23
$30.01 - $35.00		531		9.00	$	30.87		114	$	31.33

-18-


ITEM 2.		MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2006 AND 2005

Business Overview

Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. (“Platinum Holdings”) is a Bermuda holding company organized in 2002. Platinum Holdings and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) operate through three licensed reinsurance subsidiaries: Platinum Underwriters Bermuda, Ltd. (“Platinum Bermuda”), Platinum Underwriters Reinsurance, Inc. (“Platinum US”) and Platinum Re (UK) Limited (“Platinum UK”). The Company provides property and marine, casualty and finite risk reinsurance coverages through reinsurance intermediaries to a diverse clientele of insurers and select reinsurers on a worldwide basis.

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto and management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).

We write property and casualty reinsurance. Property reinsurance protects a ceding company against financial loss arising out of damage to property or loss of its use caused by an insured peril. Examples of property reinsurance are property catastrophe and property per-risk coverages. Property catastrophe reinsurance protects a ceding company against losses arising out of multiple claims for a single event while property per-risk reinsurance protects a ceding company against loss arising out of a single claim for a single event. Casualty reinsurance protects a ceding company against financial loss arising out of the obligation to others for loss or damage to persons or property. Examples of casualty reinsurance are reinsurance treaties that cover umbrella liability, general and product liability, professional liability, workers’ compensation, casualty clash, automobile liability, surety and trade credit. Casualty reinsurance also includes accident and health reinsurance treaties, which are predominantly reinsurance of health insurance products.

The property and casualty reinsurance industry is highly competitive. The Company competes with reinsurers worldwide, many of which have greater financial, marketing and management resources. The Company’s competitors can vary by type of business. Large multi-national and multi-line reinsurers represent some of the Company’s competitors in all lines and classes, while other specialty reinsurance companies in the United States compete in selective lines. Financial institutions have also created alternative capital market products that compete with reinsurance products, such as reinsurance securitization. Bermuda-based reinsurers tend to be the significant competitors on property catastrophe business. Lloyd’s of London syndicates are significant competitors on marine business. For casualty and other international classes of business, the large U.S. and European reinsurers are significant competitors.

The reinsurance industry historically has been cyclical, characterized by periods of price competition due to excessive underwriting capacity as well as periods of favorable pricing due to shortages of underwriting capacity. Cyclical trends in the industry and the industry’s profitability can also be significantly affected by volatile developments, including natural and other catastrophes, such as hurricanes, windstorms, earthquakes, floods, fires, explosions and terrorist attacks, the frequency and severity of which are inherently difficult to predict. Property and casualty reinsurance rates often rise in the aftermath of significant catastrophe losses. To the extent that actual claim liabilities are higher than anticipated, the industry’s capacity to write new business diminishes. The industry is also affected by changes in the propensity of courts to expand insurance coverage and grant large liability awards, as well as fluctuations in interest rates, inflation and other changes in the economic environment that affect market prices of investments.

-19-

Both insurers and reinsurers experienced record losses in 2005 from three significant named hurricanes, Katrina, Rita and Wilma (the “2005 Hurricanes”). These record catastrophe losses placed a significant strain on the capital of a number of companies. Rating agencies have increased capital requirement measures. As a result, a number of our competitors were downgraded. Following these events, some insurers and reinsurers raised capital through equity and debt offerings. Several new Bermuda based reinsurers have been formed. The competitive landscape is still evolving and the depth and breadth of market changes in reaction to the size of the hurricane losses is uncertain. The full effect of this activity on the reinsurance market and on the terms and conditions of the reinsurance contracts of the types we expect to underwrite may not be known for some time. Competition in the types of reinsurance business that we underwrite is based on many factors, including premium charges and other terms and conditions offered, services provided, ratings assigned by independent rating agencies, speed of claims payment, claims handling experience, perceived financial strength and experience and reputation of the reinsurer in the line of reinsurance to be underwritten.

Results of Operations

Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 was as follows ($ in thousands):


	2006		2005		Increase
Net income	$	77,036		73,088	$	3,948

The increase in net income in 2006 as compared with net income in 2005 is primarily attributable to an increase in investment income of $16,610,000, partially offset by a decrease in underwriting income of $12,486,000. Underwriting income in 2006 and 2005 was impacted by net development that includes the net development of prior years unpaid losses and LAE and the related impact on premiums and profit commissions. Net unfavorable development was $1,246,000 in 2006, including $8,608,000 of net unfavorable development relating to the 2005 Hurricanes. Net favorable development was $20,477,000 in 2005, including $3,279,000 of net unfavorable development relating to 2004 hurricane losses. Net income in 2006 also includes an increase in operating expenses of $2,980,000, an increase in interest expense of $3,277,000 and a decrease in income tax expense of $4,595,000.

Net premiums written and net premiums earned for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 were as follows ($ in thousands):


	2006		2005		Decrease
Net premiums written	$	293,278		493,799	$	(200,521	)
Net premiums earned	$	344,301		411,040	$	(66,739	)

The decrease in net premiums written in 2006 is primarily attributable to the reduction in business written in the Finite Risk segment as well as reductions of lesser magnitudes in business written in both the Property and Marine and Casualty segments. The decrease in net premiums written in the Finite Risk segment is primarily due to the expiration of two significant quota share contracts. The decrease in net premiums earned is due to the decrease in net premiums written and is also affected by changes in the mix of business and the structure of the underlying reinsurance contracts. Net premiums written and earned in 2006 include $1,562,000 of net additional premiums relating to loss development of prior years. Net premiums written and earned in 2006 also include additional premiums of $2,027,000 relating to the 2005 Hurricanes. Net premiums written and earned in 2005 include $1,536,000 of net additional premiums relating to loss development of prior years. Net premiums written and earned in 2005 also include additional premiums of $1,504,000 relating to 2004 hurricane losses.

Net investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 was $43,515,000 and $26,905,000, respectively. Net investment income increased in 2006 as compared with 2005 primarily due to increased invested assets and increased yields. The increase in invested assets is attributable to positive cash flow from operations in the three months ended March 31, 2006 and the year ended December 31, 2005 and the proceeds from the issuance of common and preferred shares and debt obligations in 2005. Net investment income includes interest earned on funds held of $2,353,000 and $2,311,000 in 2006 and 2005, respectively. Net realized gains on investments were $65,000 and $372,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

-20-

Net realized gains and losses on investments were primarily the result of the Company’s efforts to manage the credit quality and duration of the investment portfolio.

Other expense for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 was $1,317,000 and $356,000, respectively. Other expense is comprised primarily of changes in fair value of fixed maturities classified as trading and net earnings or expense on several reinsurance contracts in the Finite Risk segment that are accounted for as deposits. Other expense for the three months ended March 31, 2006 includes $1,673,000 of net unrealized losses relating to fixed maturities classified as trading and $355,000 of net income on reinsurance contracts accounted for as deposits. Other expense for the three months ended March 31, 2005 includes $333,000 of net unrealized losses relating to fixed maturities classified as trading and $23,000 of net expense on reinsurance contracts accounted for as deposits.

Losses and LAE and the resulting ratios for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 were as follows ($ in thousands):


							Increase
	2006			2005			(decrease)
Losses and LAE	$	206,774			237,698		$	(30,924	)
Loss and LAE ratios		60.1	%		57.8	%	2.3 points

The decrease in losses and LAE in 2006 as compared with 2005 is due primarily to the decrease in net premiums earned in the Finite Risk and Casualty segments. The increase in the loss and LAE ratio is due primarily to net unfavorable loss development in 2006 as compared with net favorable loss development in 2005. Net unfavorable loss development was $4,359,000 representing 1.3% of net premiums earned in 2006 and net favorable loss development was approximately $15,862,000 representing 3.9% of net premiums earned in 2005. Net unfavorable loss development in 2006 includes $10,635,000 of net unfavorable development relating to the 2005 Hurricanes. Net favorable loss development in 2005 includes $4,784,000 of net unfavorable development relating to 2004 hurricane losses. Exclusive of loss development, the loss and LAE ratio is favorably affected by a shift in the mix of business. Net premiums earned and related losses and LAE have decreased predominantly in classes of business such as finite casualty, crop, trade credit and accident and health, which have loss ratios higher than our overall book of business. Additionally, net premiums earned have increased in catastrophe exposed classes that, in the absence of catastrophes, have lower loss ratios than our overall book of business.

Acquisition expenses and resulting ratios for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 were as follows ($ in thousands):


	2006			2005			Decrease
Acquisition expenses	$	69,239			93,249		$	(24,010	)
Acquisition expense ratios		20.1	%		22.7	%	(2.6) points

The decrease in acquisition expenses is due primarily to the decrease in net premiums earned in 2006 as compared with 2005. The decrease in the acquisition expense ratio in 2006 as compared with 2005 is primarily in the Finite Risk segment and is due to the decrease in finite casualty net premiums earned that had higher commission ratios. The decrease is also due to lower commissions on property contracts that were in force in 2005, have adjustable commissions and prior year catastrophe losses experience. Unfavorable development in prior year losses resulted in the reduction of profit commissions of $1,551,000 in 2006, representing 0.5% of net premiums earned. This compares with $3,078,000 of net reductions in profit commissions in 2005, representing 0.7% of net premiums earned.

Operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 were $22,988,000 and $20,008,000, respectively. Operating expenses include costs such as salaries, rent and like items related to reinsurance operations as well as costs associated with Platinum Holdings. Operating expenses in 2006 increased as compared with 2005 due to increased salaries and benefits, increased regulatory compliance costs and an increase in incentive-based compensation resulting from the adoption of the new share based compensation accounting standard.

-21-

Net foreign currency exchange (gains) losses for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 were ($275,000) and $1,798,000, respectively. The Company routinely does business in multiple foreign currencies. Foreign currency exchange gains and losses result from the re-valuation into U.S. dollars of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies. We periodically monitor our largest foreign currency exposures and purchase or sell foreign currency denominated cash and investments to match these exposures. Net foreign currency exchange gains and losses arise as a result of fluctuations in the amounts of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies as well as fluctuations in the currency exchange rates.

Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 was $5,450,000 and $2,173,000, respectively. The increase in 2006 as compared with 2005 is due to the increase in debt outstanding during the comparable periods. Interest expense in 2006 includes interest on the $250,000,000 of Series B 7.5% Notes due June 1, 2017, issued in May 2005 as well as interest on the remaining balance of $42,840,000 of the Series B 6.371% Remarketed Senior Guaranteed Notes, due November 16, 2007. Interest expense in 2005 includes interest related to $137,500,000 of Senior Guaranteed Notes that were part of the Equity Security Units issued in November 2002. The Senior Guaranteed Notes were remarketed in August 2005 and then subsequently partially repurchased.

Income tax expense and the effective income tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 were as follows ($ in thousands):


	2006			2005			Decrease
Income tax expense	$	5,352			9,947		$	(4,595	)
Effective income tax rates		6.5	%		12.0	%	(5.5) points

The decrease in income tax expense in 2006 as compared with 2005 is due to a lower effective income tax rate in 2006 as compared with 2005. The decrease in the effective tax rate is due primarily to a higher percentage of the Company’s income before income taxes being generated by Platinum Bermuda, which is not subject to corporate income tax. In 2006, the combined net income derived from Platinum Holdings and Platinum Bermuda was approximately 79% of the total net income before tax expense as compared with approximately 63% in 2005.

Segment Information

We conduct our worldwide reinsurance business through three operating segments: Property and Marine, Casualty and Finite Risk. In managing our operating segments, we use measures such as underwriting income and underwriting ratios to evaluate segment performance. We do not allocate by segment our assets or certain income and expenses such as investment income, interest expense and certain corporate expenses. Total underwriting income is reconciled to income before income tax expense. The measures we use in evaluating our operating segments should not be used as a substitute for measures determined under U.S. GAAP. The following table summarizes underwriting activity and ratios for the three operating segments for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 ($ in thousands):

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	Property
	and Marine			Casualty			Finite Risk			Total
Three months ended March 31, 2006:
Net premiums written	$	165,264			182,350			(54,336	)	$	293,278

Net premiums earned		131,544			173,668			39,089			344,301
Losses and LAE		59,828			116,565			30,381			206,774
Acquisition expenses		19,649			41,354			8,236			69,239
Other underwriting expenses		10,028			6,335			925			17,288

Segment underwriting income (loss)	$	42,039			9,414			( 453	)		51,000

Net investment income and net realized gains on investments											43,580
Net foreign currency exchange gains											275
Other expense											(1,317	)
Corporate expenses not allocated to segments											(5,700	)
Interest expense											(5,450	)

Income before income tax expense										$	82,388


Ratios:
Losses and LAE		45.5	%		67.1	%		77.7	%		60.1	%
Acquisition expense		14.9	%		23.8	%		21.1	%		20.1	%
Other underwriting expense		7.6	%		3.6	%		2.4	%		5.0	%

Combined		68.0	%		94.5	%		101.2	%		85.2	%


Three months ended March 31, 2005:
Net premiums written	$	185,049			215,669			93,081		$	493,799

Net premiums earned		128,197			184,768			98,075			411,040
Losses and LAE		60,040			118,438			59,220			237,698
Acquisition expenses		21,989			45,202			26,058			93,249
Other underwriting expenses		7,723			7,313			1,571			16,607

Segment underwriting income	$	38,445			13,815			11,226			63,486


Net investment income and net realized gains on investments											27,277
Net foreign currency exchange losses											(1,798	)
Other expense											(356	)
Corporate expenses not allocated to segments											(3,401	)
Interest expense											(2,173	)

Income before income tax expense										$	83,035


Ratios:
Losses and LAE		46.8	%		64.1	%		60.4	%		57.8	%
Acquisition expense		17.2	%		24.5	%		26.6	%		22.7	%
Other underwriting expense		6.0	%		4.0	%		1.6	%		4.0	%

Combined		70.0	%		92.6	%		88.6	%		84.5	%

Property and Marine

The Property and Marine operating segment includes principally property (including crop) and marine reinsurance coverages that are written in the United States and international markets. This business includes catastrophe excess-of-loss treaties, per-risk excess-of-loss treaties and proportional treaties. This operating segment generated 56.3% and 37.5% of our net premiums written for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

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Net premiums written and net premiums earned for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 were as follows ($ in thousands):


					Increase
	2006		2005		(decrease)
Net premiums written	$	165,264		185,049	$	(19,785	)
Net premiums earned	$	131,544		128,197	$	3,347

The decrease in net premiums written in 2006 as compared with 2005 is primarily due to the crop pro-rata class in which one significant pro-rata contract expired. Net premiums earned increased in 2006 as compared with 2005 due to increases in net premiums written in 2005. In addition, in order to reduce our overall net exposure to catastrophe losses, Platinum US and Platinum UK commenced ceding, on a quota share basis, 30% of new and renewal property catastrophe business effective on or after January 1, 2006. Net premiums written and earned in 2006 include $1,439,000 of net additional premiums relating to loss development of prior years. Net premiums written and earned in 2006 also include additional premiums of $1,903,000 relating to the 2005 Hurricanes. Net premiums written and earned in 2005 include $1,536,000 of net additional premiums relating to loss development of prior years. Net premiums written and earned in 2005 also include $1,446,000 of net additional premiums relating to 2004 hurricane losses.

Losses and LAE and the resulting ratios for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 were as follows ($ in thousands):


	2006			2005			Decrease
Losses and LAE	$	59,828			60,040		$	(212	)
Loss and LAE ratios		45.5	%		46.8	%	(1.3) points

While the losses and LAE and the related ratios in 2006 and 2005 are relatively comparable, they are impacted by a number of offsetting factors. The losses and LAE and related ratios are favorably impacted by the absence of catastrophes in both periods as well as a decrease in 2006 in net premiums earned in the crop class that generally has a higher loss ratio. The losses and LAE and related ratios are adversely affected by net loss development. Net unfavorable loss development in 2006 was $2,616,000 representing 2.0% of net premiums earned in 2006 as compared with $3,849,000 of net favorable loss development representing 3.0% of net premiums earned in 2005. Net unfavorable loss development in 2006 includes $10,255,000 of net unfavorable development relating to the 2005 Hurricanes. Net favorable loss development in 2005 includes $8,604,000 of net unfavorable development relating to 2004 hurricane losses.

Acquisition expenses and resulting ratios for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 were as follows ($ in thousands):


	2006			2005			Decrease
Acquisition expenses	$	19,649			21,989		$	(2,340	)
Acquisition expense ratios		14.9	%		17.2	%	(2.3) points

The decreases in the acquisition expenses and the related ratios in 2006 as compared with 2005 are due, in part, to lower commissions on current property contracts that were also in force in 2005 and experienced catastrophe losses in 2005. In addition, under the agreement commenced in 2006 to cede 30% of our property catastrophe premiums, we receive a commission reimbursement greater than our gross commissions. Acquisition expenses also include decreases in commissions of $1,092,000, representing 0.8% of net earned premium in 2006 related to the net favorable development of non-catastrophe losses and LAE.

Other underwriting expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 were $10,028,000 and $7,723,000, respectively. Other underwriting expenses include costs such as salaries, rent and like items related to property and marine underwriting operations.

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Other underwriting expenses also include fees relating to the Services and Capacity Reservation Agreement dated November 1, 2002 with RenaissanceRe (the “RenRe Agreement”) that provides for a periodic review of aggregate property catastrophe exposures by RenaissanceRe. The increase in other underwriting expenses is due, in part, to an increase in fees relating to the RenRe Agreement which were $3,675,000 and $2,787,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The increase in the fee in 2006 as compared with 2005 is due to an increase in gross premiums written in the catastrophe classes of business subject to the fee, due primarily to significantly improved rates, terms and conditions in the property catastrophe classes of business. The increase in other underwriting expenses is also due, in part, to the allocation of a greater percentage of our common operating and administrative costs to the Property and Marine segment due to a decline in underwriting activity in the Finite Risk segment.

Casualty

The Casualty operating segment principally includes reinsurance treaties that cover umbrella liability, general and product liability, professional liability, workers’ compensation, casualty clash, automobile liability, surety and trade credit. This operating segment also includes accident and health treaties, which are predominantly reinsurance of health insurance products. This operating segment generated 62.2% and 43.7% of our net premiums written for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

Net premiums written and net premiums earned for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 were as follows ($ in thousands):


	2006		2005		Decrease
Net premiums written	$	182,350		215,669	$	(33,319	)
Net premiums earned	$	173,668		184,768	$	(11,100	)

The decrease in net premiums written in 2006 is due to decreases in the accident and health and trade credit classes. Accident and health business net premiums written have decreased as a result of deteriorating profitability in the employers’ stop loss market. The decrease in net premiums written in the trade credit class is due to less attractive reinsurance terms and conditions. The decrease in net premiums earned is related to the decrease in net premiums written, primarily in the accident and health class. Net premiums written and earned are also affected by changes in the mix of business and the structure of the underlying reinsurance contracts.

Losses and LAE and the resulting ratios for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 were as follows ($ in thousands):


							Increase
	2006			2005			(decrease)
Losses and LAE	$	116,565			118,438		$	(1,873	)
Loss and LAE ratios		67.1	%		64.1	%	3.0 points

The decrease in losses and LAE in 2006 as compared with 2005 is primarily due to the decrease in net premiums earned, partially offset by less net favorable loss development in 2006. Losses and LAE included net favorable loss development of $902,000, representing 0.5% of net premiums earned in 2006 as compared with $6,874,000 of net favorable loss development, representing 3.7% of net premiums earned in 2005. The net favorable loss development is primarily in casualty classes with short loss development periods. The increase in the loss and LAE ratio in 2006 as compared with 2005 is due to less favorable net loss development in 2006 than in 2005.

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Acquisition expenses and resulting ratios for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 were as follows ($ in thousands):


	2006			2005			Decrease
Acquisition expenses	$	41,354			45,202		$	(3,848	)
Acquisition expense ratios		23.8	%		24.5	%	(0.7) points

The decrease in acquisition expenses is due to the decrease in net premiums earned in 2006 as compared with 2005. The resulting acquisition expense ratios are similar.

Other underwriting expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 were $6,335,000 and $7,313,000, respectively, and represent costs such as salaries, rent and like items. The resulting other underwriting expense ratios for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 were 3.6% and 4.0%, respectively. The decrease in operating costs and resulting other underwriting expense ratios is due to less common operating and administrative costs allocated to the Casualty segment.

Finite Risk

The Finite Risk operating segment includes principally structured reinsurance contracts with ceding companies whose needs may not be met efficiently through traditional reinsurance products. The classes of risks underwritten through finite risk contracts are generally consistent with the classes covered by traditional products. Typically, the amount of losses we might pay is finite or capped. In return for this limit on losses, we often accept a cap on the potential profit margin specified in the treaty and return profits above this margin to the ceding company. Due to the significant inverse relationship between losses and commissions for this segment, we believe it is important to evaluate the overall combined ratio, rather than its component parts of loss and loss adjustment expense ratios. The finite risk contracts that we underwrite generally provide prospective protection, meaning coverage is provided for losses that are incurred after inception of the contract, as contrasted with retrospective coverage, which covers losses that are incurred prior to inception of the contract. The three main categories of our finite risk contracts are quota share, multi-year excess-of-loss and whole account aggregate stop loss. This operating segment represented (18.5%) and 18.8% of our net premiums written for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The ongoing investigations by legal and regulatory authorities have curtailed demand for finite risk products in 2006 and 2005.

Net premiums written and net premiums earned for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 were as follows ($ in thousands):


	2006			2005		Decrease
Net premiums written	$	(54,336	)		93,081	$	(147,417	)
Net premiums earned	$	39,089			98,075	$	(58,986	)

The Finite Risk portfolio consists of a small number of contracts that can be large in premium size and, consequently, overall premium volume may vary significantly from year to year. Net premiums written decreased significantly in 2006 as compared with 2005 primarily due to the termination of two significant quota share contracts. One of the quota share contracts was terminated effective January 1, 2006 on a cut-off basis, which resulted in the return of $56,589,000 of previously written but unearned premium. Net premiums earned decreased as a result of the decrease in net premiums written.

Losses and LAE, acquisition expenses and the resulting ratios for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 were as follows ($ in thousands):

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							Increase
	2006			2005			(decrease)
Losses and LAE	$	30,381			59,220		$	(28,839	)
Loss and LAE ratios		77.7	%		60.4	%	17.3 points
Acquisition expenses	$	8,236			26,058		$	(17,822	)
Acquisition expense ratios		21.1	%		26.6	%	(5.5) points
Losses, LAE and acquisition expenses	$	38,617			85,278		$	(46,661	)
Loss, LAE and acquisition expense ratios		98.8	%		87.0	%	11.8 points

The decrease in losses, LAE and acquisition expenses in 2006 as compared with 2005 is due primarily to the decrease in net premiums earned. The increase in the losses, LAE and acquisition expense ratio is primarily due to net unfavorable development of approximately of $2,186,000, representing 5.3% of net premiums earned in 2006, as compared with net favorable development of $8,217,000, representing 8.4% of net premiums earned in 2005. Net unfavorable development in 2006 relating to the 2005 Hurricanes was not material and net favorable development in 2005 includes $3,821,000 relating to 2004 hurricane losses.

Other underwriting expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 were $ 925,000 and $1,571,000, respectively, and represent costs such as salaries, rent and like items. The decrease in other underwriting expenses is due to cost reductions in the segment as a result of the decline in the segment’s underwriting activity. In addition, due to the decrease in the volume of underwriting activity in the segment, the percentage of common operating and administrative costs that are allocated to the segment has also decreased .

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

Financial Condition

Cash and cash equivalents and investments as of March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 were as follows ($ in thousands):


	March 31,		December 31,		Increase
	2006		2005		(decrease)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	570,030		820,746	$	(250,716	)
Fixed maturity securities		3,221,321		2,987,703		233,618
Preferred stocks		8,169		8,186		(17	)
Short-term investments		80,609		8,793		71,816

Total	$	3,880,129		3,825,428	$	54,701

The increase in total cash and cash equivalents and investments is due to positive cash flow from operations, excluding trading securities activities, which was $186,239,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2006. This increase was partially offset by the decline in fair value of our investments. Our available-for-sale and trading portfolios are primarily composed of diversified, high quality, predominantly publicly traded fixed maturity securities. Our investment portfolio, excluding cash and cash equivalents, had a weighted average duration of 3.3 years as of March 31, 2006. We maintain and periodically update our overall duration target for the portfolio and routinely monitor the composition of, and cash flows from, the portfolio to maintain liquidity necessary to meet our obligations.

Premiums receivable include significant estimates. Premiums receivable as of March 31, 2006 of $517,429,000 include $483,313,000 that is based upon estimates. Premiums receivable as of December 31, 2005 of $567,449,000 include $496,603,000 that is based upon estimates. An allowance for uncollectible premiums is established for possible non-payment of such amounts due, as deemed necessary. As of

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March 31, 2006, no such allowance was made based on the Company’s historical experience, the general profile of its ceding companies and its ability, in most cases, to contractually offset premiums receivable with losses and LAE or other amounts payable to the same parties.

Unpaid losses and LAE as of March 31, 2006 of $2,371,916,000 include $1,676,545,000 of estimates of claims that were incurred but not reported (“IBNR”). Unpaid losses and LAE as of December 31, 2005 of $2,323,990,000 includes $1,812,245,000 of IBNR. IBNR decreased during the three months ended March 31, 2006 as losses related the 2004 Hurricanes and 2005 Hurricanes were reported and paid. Paid losses related to the 2004 Hurricanes and 2005 Hurricanes during the three months ended March 31, 2006 were approximately $66,685,000.

Commissions payable as of March 31, 2006 of $142,826,000 include $134,052,000 that represent estimates that are primarily based upon premium estimates. Commissions payable as of December 31, 2005 of $186,654,000 include $167,949,000 that is based upon estimates.

Sources of Liquidity

The consolidated sources of funds of the Company consist of premiums written, investment income, proceeds from sales and redemption of investments, losses recovered from retrocessionaires, and cash and cash equivalents held by the Company as well as the sale of debt or equity securities. Net cash flow provided by operations, excluding trading securities activities, for the three months ended March 31, 2006 was $186,239,000.

Platinum Holdings is a holding company that conducts no reinsurance operations of its own. All of its reinsurance operations are conducted through its wholly owned operating subsidiaries: Platinum Bermuda, Platinum US and Platinum UK. As a holding company, the cash flow of Platinum Holdings consists primarily of dividends, interest and other permissible payments from its subsidiaries and issuances of securities. Platinum Holdings depends on such payments for general corporate purposes and to meet its obligations, including the payment of dividends to its preferred and common shareholders.

The Company filed an unallocated universal shelf registration statement with the SEC, which the SEC declared effective on November 8, 2005. Under this shelf registration statement the Company may issue and sell, in one or more offerings, up to $750,000,000 of debt, equity and other types of securities or a combination of the above, including debt securities of Platinum Finance, unconditionally guaranteed by Platinum Holdings. To affect any such sales from time to time, Platinum Holdings and/or Platinum Finance will file one or more supplements to the prospectus forming a part of such registration statement, which will provide details of any proposed offering. In December 2005, Platinum Holdings issued $132,909,000 of Common Shares and $173,363,000 of mandatory convertible preferred shares under this unallocated shelf registration statement.

On December 1, 2005, certain reform measures simplifying the process for conducting registered securities offerings under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") came into effect. The new rules provide that shelf registration statements of certain well-known seasoned issuers, such as Platinum Holdings, are eligible for effectiveness automatically upon filing. Should Platinum Holdings seek to issue securities in the future, it may make use of the new rules.

On October 21, 2005 the Company entered into a three-year $200,000,000 credit agreement with a syndicate of lenders. The credit agreement consists of a $100,000,000 senior unsecured credit facility available for revolving borrowings and letters of credit, and a $100,000,000 senior secured credit facility available for letters of credit. The revolving line of credit will be available for the working capital, liquidity and general corporate requirements of the Company. The interest rate on borrowings under the credit facility is based on the election of the Company of either: (1) LIBOR plus 50 basis points or (2) the higher of: (a) the prime interest rate of the lead bank providing the credit facility, or (b) the federal funds rate plus 50 basis

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points. The interest rate based on LIBOR rate would decrease by up to 10 basis points or increase by up to 12.5 basis points should our senior unsecured debt credit rating increase or decrease.

Liquidity Requirements

The principal consolidated cash requirements of the Company are the payment of losses and LAE, commissions, brokerage, operating expenses, dividends to its preferred and common shareholders, the servicing of debt, the acquisition of and investment in businesses, capital expenditures, purchase of retrocessional contracts and payment of taxes. The catastrophe losses of 2005 and, to a lesser extent, the catastrophe losses in 2004, will create an unusually large amount of loss and LAE payments over the next year that could adversely affect net cash flows from operations.

Platinum Bermuda and Platinum UK are not licensed, approved or accredited as reinsurers anywhere in the United States and therefore, under the terms of most of their contracts with United States ceding companies, they are required to provide collateral to their ceding companies for unpaid ceded liabilities in a form acceptable to state insurance commissioners. Typically, this type of collateral takes the form of a letter of credit issued by a bank, the establishment of a trust, or funds withheld. Platinum Bermuda and Platinum UK have obtained letters of credit through commercial banks and may be required to provide the banks with a security interest in certain investments of Platinum Bermuda and Platinum UK.

In 2002, the Company and The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc., formerly The St. Paul Companies, Inc., (“St. Paul”) entered into several agreements for the transfer of continuing reinsurance business and certain related assets of St. Paul. Among these agreements were quota share retrocession agreements effective November 2, 2002 under which the Company assumed from St. Paul unearned premiums, unpaid losses and LAE and certain other liabilities on reinsurance contracts becoming effective in 2002 (the “Quota Share Retrocession Agreements”). Platinum US is obligated to collateralize the liabilities assumed from St. Paul under the Quota Share Retrocession Agreements. Platinum Bermuda and Platinum US have reinsurance and other contracts that also require them to provide collateral to ceding companies should certain events occur, such as a decline in the rating by A.M. Best Company (“A.M. Best”) below specified levels or a decline in statutory equity below specified amounts, or when certain levels of liabilities assumed from ceding companies are attained. Some reinsurance contracts also have special termination provisions that permit early termination should certain events occur.

Management believes that the cash flow generated by the operating activities of the Company’s subsidiaries will provide sufficient funds for the Company to meet its liquidity needs over the next twelve months. Beyond the next twelve months, cash flow available to the Company may be influenced by a variety of factors, including economic conditions in general and in the insurance and reinsurance markets, legal and regulatory changes as well as fluctuations from year to year in claims experience and the presence or absence of large catastrophic events. If the Company’s liquidity needs accelerate beyond our ability to fund such obligations from current operating cash flows, the Company may need to liquidate a portion of its investment portfolio or raise additional capital in the capital markets. The Company’s ability to meet its liquidity needs by selling investments or raising additional capital is subject to the timing and pricing risks inherent in the capital markets.

Economic Conditions

Periods of moderate economic recession or inflation tend not to have a significant direct effect on the Company’s underwriting operations. Significant unexpected inflationary or recessionary periods can, however, impact the Company’s underwriting operations and investment portfolio. Management considers the potential impact of economic trends in the estimation process for establishing unpaid losses and LAE.

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Current Outlook

Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma (the “2005 Hurricanes”) caused significant losses to insurers and reinsurers during the third and fourth quarters of 2005. Following these events, rating agencies strengthened the capital requirements for companies with catastrophe exposures. Many reinsurers added capital through equity and debt offerings, but some saw their financial strength ratings downgraded in any case. In contrast, our A.M. Best rating of “A” (Excellent) was affirmed, which we believe strengthened our relative position in the marketplace.

A number of new Bermuda-based reinsurance companies were formed after the 2005 Hurricanes. We believe that most of these companies were in the process of assembling their underwriting staff and establishing their market presence during the renewal season for contracts effective on January 1, 2006 (the “January 1 Renewal Season”). The January 1 Renewal Season is generally considered the most significant underwriting period of the year for the reinsurance industry.

We believe 2006 renewal negotiations have been more contentious than usual. We experienced account turnover across all lines of business. However, terms and conditions on most of our renewed treaties improved or remained substantially unchanged depending on the line of business. For reinsurance with exposures to North American hurricanes capacity has continued to shrink and rates have increased further since the January 1 Renewal Season. We expect these conditions to continue during the remainder of 2006, but the competitive landscape is still evolving and the depth and breadth of market changes for the balance of 2006 remain uncertain.

For the Property and Marine segment, underlying primary rates and reinsurance rates are expected to increase, particularly for risks exposed to Atlantic hurricanes. During 2006 we have achieved average rate increases of over 50% on our U.S. property renewal business and nearly 10% on our non-U.S. property renewal business, as well as average rate increases of approximately 65% on our marine renewal business. Despite having increased our assumptions for the frequency and severity of U.S. windstorm catastrophe exposures, we believe these rate increases result in a portfolio of catastrophe exposed business with expected profitability that is higher than the expected profitability of last year’s portfolio.

During 2006 we wrote more property catastrophe excess-of-loss business and less property risk excess-of-loss and pro-rata business. Property risk excess-of-loss and pro-rata business typically generates relatively more premium than property catastrophe excess-of-loss business having a similar risk level. However, we believe property catastrophe excess-of-loss business generally provides more quantifiable catastrophe exposure and is currently priced more attractively.

For 2006, we have targeted our net probable maximum loss from catastrophe exposures at various occurrence levels to be, relatively lower as a percentage of our expected total capital than prior years. For example, we expect our net probable maximum loss from catastrophe exposures at the one in 250 year occurrence level to be approximately 20% of total capital for 2006 versus approximately 30% of total capital for 2005. For the balance of the year we will seek to write business that does not significantly contribute to our largest probable maximum loss exposures. We believe this lower level of net catastrophe exposure will reduce the expected volatility of our operating results.

Given the magnitude of recent hurricane losses for the insurance and reinsurance industry in general and expectations for an active Atlantic hurricane season in 2006, we believe there is a heightened perception of risk among ceding companies, reinsurers and rating agencies. Accordingly, demand for property catastrophe risk transfer may increase beyond current levels. We expect that, as revisions to catastrophe models are released and new rating agency capital requirements are better understood, there will be continued U.S. market hardening for property and marine business.

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For the Casualty segment, we believe that losses from the 2005 Hurricanes and enhanced rating agency capital requirements will cause certain insurance and reinsurance companies to review their strategies for business which is not generally exposed to catastrophes. During 2006, ceding companies were willing to increase retentions and reinsurers competed for participation on the best treaties. However, rates stabilized in certain lines of business where they had been declining. As a result, we believe that the business underwritten during 2006 has approximately the same level of expected profitability as the business we wrote during the comparable period in 2005. We have written more commercial liability and less professional liability, trade credit, accident and health and clash business. We have written approximately the same amount of surety, political risk, medical malpractice and regional business as we did during the comparable period in 2005. We believe that financial security remains a significant concern for buyers of long-tailed reinsurance protection, who typically seek reinsurers with strong balance sheets, quality ratings, and a proven claims-paying record. We believe that our rating, capitalization and reputation as a lead casualty reinsurer positions us well to write profitable business as the opportunities arise. We expect these conditions to persist through 2006 and that the casualty market will remain attractive. However, two areas where pricing has generally fallen below our standards are accident and health and trade credit and accordingly we anticipate significantly cutting back our writings in these lines.

In the Finite Risk segment, we believe that the ongoing investigations by the SEC, the office of the Attorney General for the State of New York, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and non-U.S. regulatory authorities such as the Bermuda Monetary Authority and the U.K. Financial Services Authority resulted in significantly diminished demand for limited risk transfer products in 2005. We believe we can deploy our human and financial capital more profitably in other lines of business. As a result, we are devoting fewer underwriting and pricing resources to this segment than in prior years and wrote a relatively small amount of finite business during 2006 relative to the comparable period last year. Although we expect the relatively low level of demand will continue during 2006, there are signs that buyers are, once again, considering finite reinsurance as a solution to their risk management needs.

Critical Accounting Policies, Estimates and Judgments

It is important to understand the Company’s accounting policies in order to understand its financial position and results of operations. Management considers certain of these policies to be critical to the presentation of the financial results since they require management to make estimates and valuation assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and related disclosures. Certain of the estimates and assumptions result from judgments that are necessarily subjective and consequently actual results may differ from these estimates. The Company’s critical accounting policies involve premiums written and earned, unpaid losses and LAE, reinsurance, investments, income taxes and stock-based compensation. The critical accounting policies presented herein are also discussed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.

Premiums

Assumed reinsurance premiums are recognized as revenues when premiums become earned proportionately over the coverage period. Net premiums earned are recorded in the statement of operations, net of the cost of retrocession. Net premiums written not yet recognized as revenue are recorded on the balance sheet as unearned premiums, gross of any ceded unearned premiums.

Due to the nature of reinsurance, ceding companies routinely report and remit premiums subsequent to the contract coverage period. Consequently, reinsurance premiums written include amounts reported by the ceding companies, supplemented by estimates of premiums that are written but not reported (“WBNR”). The premium estimation process considers the terms and conditions of the reinsurance contracts and assumes that the contracts will remain in force until expiration. The estimation of written premiums could be affected by early cancellation, election of contract provisions for cut-off and return of unearned premiums or other

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contract disruptions. In addition to estimating WBNR, the Company estimates the portion of premiums earned but not reported (“EBNR”). The Company also estimates the expenses associated with these premiums in the form of losses, LAE and commissions. The time lag involved in the process of reporting premiums is shorter than the lag in reporting losses. Premiums are generally reported within two years.

When estimating premiums written and earned, each of our reinsurance subsidiaries segregates business into classes by type of coverage and type of contract (approximately 80 classes). Within each class, business is further segregated by the year in which the contract incepted (the “Underwriting Year”), starting with 2002. Estimates of WBNR and EBNR are made for each class and Underwriting Year. Premiums are estimated based on ceding company estimates and our own judgment after considering factors such as the ceding company’s historical premium versus projected premium, the ceding company’s history of providing accurate estimates, anticipated changes in the marketplace and the ceding company’s competitive position therein, reported premiums to date and the anticipated impact of proposed underwriting changes. The net impact on the results of operations of changes in estimated premiums earned is reduced by the losses and acquisition expenses related to such premiums earned.

Premiums receivable include premiums billed and in the course of collection as well as WBNR. WBNR is the component of premiums receivable that is subject to judgment and uncertainty. Premiums receivable as of March 31, 2006 of $517,429,000 include $483,313,000 of WBNR that is based upon estimates. The appropriateness of WBNR is evaluated in light of the actual premium reported by the ceding companies and any adjustments to WBNR and EBNR that represent premiums earned are accounted for as changes in estimates and are reflected in results of operations in the period in which they are made. The initial estimates of premiums derived by our underwriting function in respect of the three months ended March 31, 2006 were evaluated. The cumulative impact of our evaluation in respect of premiums receivable as of March 31, 2006 was to reduce WBNR by approximately $60 million or 12%. WBNR premium receivable in our North American casualty claims-made excess of loss reinsurance class was $61 million of the $483,313,000 as of March 31, 2006 and reflects a $30 million reduction from initial premium estimates. We believe that we reasonably could have made an adjustment of between $0 and $30 million with respect to this reinsurance class at March 31, 2006. Had we not made this adjustment, the reinsurance premiums receivable for this class would have been $91 million at March 31, 2006.

Due to the time lag inherent in the reporting of premiums by ceding companies, a significant portion of amounts included as premiums written and premiums earned represents estimated premiums and are not currently due based on the terms of the underlying contracts. Premiums earned, including EBNR, are a measure of exposure to losses, LAE and acquisition expenses. Consequently, when previous estimates of premiums earned are increased or decreased, the related provisions for losses and LAE and acquisition costs previously recorded are also increased or decreased. An allowance for uncollectible premiums is established for possible non-payment of such amounts due, as deemed necessary. As of March 31, 2006, we did not establish an allowance based on our historical experience, the general profile of our ceding companies and our ability in most cases to contractually offset those premium receivables against losses and loss adjustment expense or other amounts payable to the same parties.

Certain of the Company’s reinsurance contracts include provisions that adjust premiums or acquisition expenses based upon the loss experience under the contracts. Reinstatement premiums and additional premiums are recognized in accordance with the provisions of assumed reinsurance contracts, based on loss experience under such contracts. Reinstatement premiums are the premiums charged for the restoration of the reinsurance limit of a reinsurance contract to its full amount, generally coinciding with the payment by the reinsurer of losses. These premiums relate to the future coverage obtained for the remainder of the initial policy term and are earned over the remaining policy term. Any unearned premium existing at the time a contract limit is exhausted or reinstated is immediately earned. Additional premiums are those premiums triggered by losses and not related to reinstatement of limits and are immediately earned. An allowance for uncollectible premiums is established for possible non-payment of such amounts due, as deemed necessary.

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Unpaid Losses and LAE

One of the most significant judgments made by management in the preparation of financial statements is the estimation of unpaid losses and LAE, also referred to as “loss reserves.” Unpaid losses and LAE include estimates of the cost of claims that were reported but not yet paid (“case reserves”) and the cost of claims that were incurred but not reported IBNR. These liabilities are balance sheet estimates of future amounts required to pay losses and LAE for reinsured claims for which we are liable and that have occurred at or before the balance sheet date. Every quarter, the Company’s actuaries prepare estimates of the loss reserves based on established actuarial techniques. Because the ultimate amount of unpaid losses and LAE is uncertain, we believe that the quantitative techniques used to estimate these amounts are enhanced by professional and managerial judgment. Company management reviews these estimates and determines its best estimate of the liabilities to record in the Company’s financial statements.

While the Company commenced operations in 2002, the business written is sufficiently similar to the historical business of St. Paul Re such that the Company uses the historical loss experience of this business, which is periodically updated by St. Paul Re, to estimate its initial expected ultimate losses and its expected patterns of reported losses. These patterns can span more than a decade and, given its own limited history, the availability of the St. Paul Re data is a valuable asset of the Company.

The Company does not establish liabilities until the occurrence of an event that may give rise to a loss. When an event of sufficient magnitude occurs, the Company may establish a specific IBNR reserve. Generally, this is done following a catastrophe that affects many ceding companies. Ultimate losses and LAE are based on management’s judgment and reflect estimates gathered from ceding companies, estimates of insurance industry losses gathered from public sources and estimates derived from catastrophe modeling software.

Unpaid losses and LAE represent management’s best estimates, at a given point in time, of the ultimate settlement and administration costs of claims incurred, and it is possible that the ultimate liability may materially differ from such estimates. Such estimates are not precise due to the fact that, among other things, they are based on predictions of future developments and estimates of future trends in claim severity and frequency and other factors. Because of the degree of reliance that the Company necessarily places on ceding companies for claims reporting, the associated time lag, the low frequency/high severity nature of some of the business that the Company underwrites and the varying reserving practices among ceding companies, the Company’s reserve estimates are highly dependent on management judgment and are therefore uncertain. Estimates of unpaid losses and LAE are periodically re-estimated and adjusted as new information becomes available. Any such adjustments are accounted for as changes in estimates and are reflected in results of operations in the period in which they are made.

The gross liabilities recorded on the Company’s balance sheet as of March 31, 2006 for unpaid losses and LAE were $2,371,916,000. The following table sets forth a breakdown between case reserves and IBNR by segment at March 31, 2006 ($ in thousands):


	Property
	and Marine		Casualty		Finite Risk		Total
Case reserves	$	425,284		188,709		81,378	$	695,371
IBNR		407,842		994,019		274,684		1,676,545

Total unpaid losses and LAE	$	833,126		1,182,728		356,062	$	2,371,916

Case reserves are usually based upon claim reports received from ceding companies. The information we receive varies by ceding company and may include paid losses, estimated case reserves, and an estimated provision for IBNR reserves. Case reserves may be increased or reduced by our claims personnel based on receipt of additional information, including information received from ceding companies.

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IBNR is based on actuarial methods including the loss ratio method, the Bornhuetter-Ferguson method and the chain ladder method. IBNR related to a specific event may be based on our estimated exposure to an industry loss and may include the use of catastrophe modeling software.

Generally, initial actuarial estimates of IBNR not related to a specific event are based on the loss ratio method applied to each Underwriting Year for each class of business. Actual paid losses and case reserves (“reported losses”) are subtracted from expected ultimate losses to determine IBNR. The initial expected ultimate losses involve management judgment and are based on: (i) contract by contract expected loss ratios derived from our pricing process, and (ii) historical loss ratios of the Company and St. Paul Re adjusted for rate changes and trends. These judgments will take into account management’s view of past, current and future: (i) market conditions, (ii) changes in the business underwritten, (iii) changes in timing of the emergence of claims and (iv) other factors that may influence expected ultimate losses.

Over time, as a greater number of claims are reported, actuarial estimates of IBNR are based on the Bornhuetter-Ferguson and the chain ladder techniques. The Bornhuetter-Ferguson technique utilizes actual reported losses and expected patterns of reported losses, taking the initial expected ultimate losses into account to determine an estimate of expected ultimate losses. This technique is most appropriate when there are few reported claims and a relatively less stable pattern of reported losses. The chain ladder technique utilizes actual reported losses and expected patterns of reported losses to determine an estimate of expected ultimate losses that is independent of the initial expected ultimate losses. This technique is most appropriate when there are a large number of reported losses with significant statistical credibility and a relatively stable pattern of reported losses.

When estimating unpaid losses and LAE, each of our reinsurance subsidiaries segregates business into classes by type of coverage and type of contract (approximately 80 classes). Within each class the business is further segregated by Underwriting Year, starting with 2002.

Multiple point estimates using a variety of actuarial techniques are calculated for many, but not all, of our 80 classes of coverage for each Underwriting Year. We do not believe that these multiple point estimates are or should be considered a range. Our actuaries consider each class and determine the most appropriate point estimate based on the characteristics of the particular class and other relevant factors such as historical ultimate loss ratios, the presence of individual large losses, and known occurrences that have not yet resulted in reported losses. For some classes of business our actuaries believe that a review of individual contract information improves the loss reserve estimate. For example, individual contract review is particularly important for the Finite Risk segment and the accident and health class within the Casualty segment. Once our actuaries make their determinations of the most appropriate point estimate for each class, this information is aggregated and reviewed and approved by executive management. At March 31, 2006 the liability for unpaid losses and LAE that we recorded includes the point estimates of IBNR prepared by our actuaries.

Generally, North American casualty excess business has the longest pattern of reported losses and, therefore, loss estimates have a higher degree of uncertainty than other reinsurance classes. IBNR for these classes at March 31, 2006 was $749 million which was 47% of the total IBNR at that date. Because estimates of unpaid losses and LAE related to North American casualty excess business have a higher degree of uncertainty, we would not consider a variance of five percentage points from the initial expected loss ratio to be unusual. As an example, a change in the initial expected loss ratio from 65% to 70% would result in an increase of the IBNR for these classes by $68.5 million. This equates to approximately 8% of the liability for total unpaid losses and LAE for these classes at March 31, 2006. As another example, if the estimated pattern of reported losses was accelerated by 5% the IBNR for these classes would decrease by $3 million which is less than 1%. We have selected these two inputs as examples of sensitivity analyses because we believe that the two most important inputs to the reserve estimation methodologies described above are the initial expected loss ratio and the estimated pattern of reported losses.

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The pattern of reported losses is determined utilizing actuarial analysis, including management’s judgment, and is based on historical patterns of paid losses and reporting of case reserves to the Company, as well as industry patterns. Information that may cause historical patterns to differ from future patterns is considered and reflected in expected patterns as appropriate. For property and health coverages these patterns indicate that a substantial portion of the ultimate losses are reported within 2 to 3 years after the contract is effective. Casualty patterns can vary from 3 years to over 20 years depending on the type of business.

In property classes, there can be additional uncertainty in loss estimation related to large catastrophe events. With wind events, such as hurricanes, the damage assessment process may take more than a year. The cost of rebuilding is subject to increase due to supply shortages for construction materials and labor. In the case of earthquakes, the damage assessment process may take several years as buildings are discovered to have structural weaknesses not initially detected. The uncertainty inherent in loss estimation is particularly pronounced for casualty coverages, such as umbrella liability, general and product liability, professional liability and automobile liability, where information, such as required medical treatment and costs for bodily injury claims, emerges over time. In the overall loss reserving process, provisions for economic inflation and changes in the social and legal environment are considered.

Loss reserve calculations for primary insurance business are not precise in that they deal with the inherent uncertainty of future developments. Primary insurers must estimate their own losses, often based on incomplete and changing information. Reserving for reinsurance business introduces further uncertainties compared with reserving for primary insurance business. The uncertainty in the reserving process for reinsurers is due, in part, to the time lags inherent in reporting from the original claimant to the primary insurer and then to the reinsurer. As a predominantly broker market reinsurer for both excess-of-loss and proportional contracts, the Company is subject to a potential additional time lag in the receipt of information as the primary insurer reports to the broker who in turn reports to the Company. As of March 31, 2006, we did not have any significant back-log related to our processing of assumed reinsurance information.

Since we rely on information regarding paid losses, case reserves and IBNR provided by ceding companies in order to assist us in estimating our liability for unpaid losses and LAE, we maintain certain procedures in order to help determine the completeness and accuracy of such information. Periodically, management assesses the reporting activities of these companies on the basis of qualitative and quantitative criteria. In addition to conferring with ceding companies or brokers on claims matters, our claims personnel conduct periodic audits of specific claims and the overall claims procedures of our ceding companies at their offices. We rely on our ability to effectively monitor the claims handling and claims reserving practices of ceding companies in order to help establish the proper reinsurance premium for reinsurance agreements and to establish proper loss reserves. Disputes with ceding companies have been rare and generally have been resolved through negotiation.

In addition to the inherent uncertainty of estimating unpaid losses and LAE, our estimates with respect to the 2005 Hurricanes are subject to an unusually high level of uncertainty arising out of complex and unique causation and coverage issues associated with the attribution of losses to wind or flood damage or other perils such as fire, business interruption or riot and civil commotion. For example, the underlying policies generally do not cover flood damage; however, water damage caused by wind may be covered. Our actual losses from the 2005 Hurricanes may exceed our estimates as a result of, among other things, the attribution of losses to coverages that for the purpose of our estimates we assumed would not be exposed, which may be affected by class action lawsuits or state regulatory actions. We expect that these issues will not be resolved for a considerable period of time and may be influenced by evolving legal and regulatory developments.

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Reinsurance

Premiums written, premiums earned and losses and LAE reflect the net effects of assumed and ceded reinsurance transactions. Reinsurance accounting is followed for assumed and ceded transactions when risk transfer requirements have been met. Risk transfer analysis evaluates significant assumptions relating to the amount and timing of expected cash flows, as well as the interpretation of underlying contract terms. Reinsurance contracts that do not transfer sufficient insurance risk are generally accounted for as reinsurance deposit liabilities with interest expense charged to other income and credited to the liability.

Investments

In accordance with our investment guidelines, our investment portfolio consists of diversified, high quality, predominantly publicly traded fixed maturity securities. Fixed maturity securities for which we may not have the positive intent to hold until maturity are classified as available-for-sale and reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from net income and reported in other comprehensive income as a separate component of shareholders’ equity, net of deferred taxes. Fixed maturity securities for which we have the intent to sell prior to maturity are classified as trading securities and reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in other income and the related deferred income tax included in income tax expense. Securities classified as trading securities are generally denominated in foreign currencies and are intended to match net liabilities denominated in foreign currencies in order to minimize net exposures arising from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Realized gains and losses on sales of investments are determined on a specific identification basis. Investment income is recorded when earned and includes the amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts on investments.

We believe we have the ability to hold any specific security to maturity. This is based on current and anticipated future positive cash flow from operations that is expected to generate sufficient liquidity in order to meet our obligations. However, in the course of managing investment credit risk, asset liability duration or other aspects of the investment portfolio, the Company may decide to sell any specific security. The Company routinely reviews its available-for-sale investments to determine whether unrealized losses represent temporary changes in fair value or are the result of “other-than-temporary impairments.” The process of determining whether a security is other than temporarily impaired is subjective and involves analyzing many factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, the overall financial condition of the issuer, the duration and magnitude of an unrealized loss, specific credit events and the Company’s intent to hold a security for a sufficient period of time for the value to recover the unrealized loss. If the Company has determined that an unrealized loss on a security is other than temporary, the Company writes down the carrying value of the security to its current fair value and records a realized loss in the statement of operations.

Income Taxes

Platinum Holdings and Platinum Bermuda are domiciled in Bermuda. Under current Bermuda law, they are not taxed on any Bermuda income or capital gains and they have received an assurance from the Bermuda Minister of Finance that if any legislation is enacted in Bermuda that would impose tax computed on profits or income, or computed on any capital asset, gain or appreciation, or any tax in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax, then the imposition of any such tax will not be applicable to Platinum Holdings or Platinum Bermuda or any of their respective operations, shares, debentures or other obligations until March 28, 2016. The Company also has subsidiaries in the United States, United Kingdom and Ireland that are subject to the tax laws thereof.

We apply the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying values of existing assets and liabilities and their corresponding tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates applicable to taxable income in the years in which the taxes related to those temporary differences are expected to be

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recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period the change is enacted. A valuation allowance is established for deferred tax assets where it is more likely than not that future tax benefits will not be realized.

Share-Based Compensation

We adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123R”) on the modified prospective method effective January 1, 2006. SFAS 123R establishes standards for the accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services. SFAS 123R requires that, prospectively, compensation costs be recognized for the fair value of all share options over their vesting period, including the cost related to the unvested portion of all outstanding share options as of December 31, 2005.

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market and Credit Risk

The Company’s principal invested assets are fixed maturity securities, which are subject to the risk of potential losses from adverse changes in market rates and prices and credit risk resulting from adverse changes in the borrower’s ability to meet its debt service obligations. The Company’s strategy to limit this risk is to place its investments in high quality credit issues and to limit the amount of credit exposure with respect to any one issuer or asset class. The Company also selects investments with characteristics such as duration, yield, currency and liquidity to reflect, in the aggregate, the underlying characteristics of our unpaid losses and LAE. The Company attempts to minimize the credit risk by actively monitoring the portfolio and requiring a minimum average credit rating for its portfolio of A2 as defined by Moody’s Investor Service (“Moody’s”). As of March 31, 2006, the portfolio, excluding cash and short-term investments, has a dollar weighted average credit rating of Aa2 as defined by Moody’s.

The Company has other receivable amounts subject to credit risk. The most significant of these are reinsurance premiums receivable from ceding companies. We also have reinsurance recoverable amounts from our retrocessionaires. To mitigate credit risk related to premium receivables, we have established standards for ceding companies and, in most cases, have a contractual right of offset thereby allowing the Company to settle claims net of any premium receivable. To mitigate credit risk related to our reinsurance recoverable amounts, we consider the financial strength of our retrocessionaires when determining whether to purchase coverage from them. Retrocessional coverage is generally obtained from companies rated “A-” or better by A. M. Best unless the retrocessionaire’s obligations are fully collateralized. The financial performance and rating status of all material retrocessionaires is routinely monitored.

In accordance with industry practice, the Company frequently pays amounts in respect of claims under contracts to reinsurance brokers, for payment over to the ceding companies. In the event that a broker fails to make such a payment, depending on the jurisdiction, the Company may remain liable to the ceding company for the payment. Conversely, in certain jurisdictions, when ceding companies remit premiums to reinsurance brokers, such premiums are deemed to have been paid to the Company and the ceding company

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is no longer liable to the Company for those amounts whether or not the funds are actually received by the Company. Consequently, the Company assumes a degree of credit risk associated with its brokers during the premium and loss settlement process. To mitigate credit risk related to reinsurance brokers, the Company has established guidelines for brokers and intermediaries.

Interest Rate Risk

The Company is exposed to fluctuations in interest rates. Movements in rates can result in changes in the market value of our fixed maturity portfolio and can cause changes in the actual timing of receipt of certain principal payments. Rising interest rates result in a decrease in the market value of our fixed maturity portfolio and can expose our portfolio, in particular our mortgage backed securities, to extension risk. Conversely, a decrease in interest rates will result in an increase in the market value of our fixed maturity portfolio and can expose our portfolio, in particular our mortgage-backed securities, to prepayment risk. The aggregate hypothetical impact on our fixed maturity portfolio, generated from an immediate parallel shift in the treasury yield curve, as of March 31, 2006 is as follows ($ in thousands) :


	Interest Rate Shift in Basis Points
	- 100 bp			- 50 bp			Current			+ 50 bp			+ 100 bp
Total market value	$	3,327,750			3,275,149			3,221,321			3,166,980		$	3,112,748
Percent change in market value		3.3	%		1.7	%		–			(1.7	%)		(3.4	%)
Resulting unrealized appreciation / (depreciation)	$	17,852			(34,749	)		(88,577	)		(142,918	)	$	(197,150	)

Foreign Currency Risk

The Company writes business on a worldwide basis. Consequently, the Company’s principal exposure to foreign currency risk is its transaction of business in foreign currencies. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates can impact revenues, costs, receivables and liabilities, as measured in the U.S. dollar, our financial reporting currency. The Company seeks to minimize its exposure to its largest foreign currency risks by holding invested assets denominated in foreign currencies to offset liabilities denominated in the same foreign currencies.

Sources of Fair Value

The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments as of March 31, 2006 ($ in thousands):


	Carrying
	Amount		Fair Value
Financial assets:
Fixed maturity securities	$	3,221,321	$	3,221,321
Preferred stocks		8,169		8,169
Other invested asset		5,000		5,000
Short-term investments		80,609		80,609
Financial liabilities:
Debt obligations	$	292,840	$	290,725

The fair value of fixed maturity securities, preferred stocks and short-term investments are based on quoted market prices at the reporting date for those or similar investments. Other invested asset represents an investment in Inter-Ocean Holdings, Ltd., a non-public reinsurance company and is carried at the

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estimated net realizable value. The Company has no ceded or assumed reinsurance business with Inter-Ocean Holdings, Ltd. The fair values of debt obligations are based on quoted market prices.

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and timely reported as specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management, including the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer, in connection with the evaluation required by Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, concluded that no changes occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2006 in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are subject to change. These uncertainties and contingencies can affect actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, us.

In particular, statements using words such as “may,” “should,” “estimate,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “predict,” “potential,” or words of similar import generally involve forward-looking statements. For example, we have included certain forward-looking statements in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” with regard to trends in results, prices, volumes, operations, investment results, margins, risk management and exchange rates. This Form 10-Q also contains forward-looking statements with respect to our business and industry, such as those relating to our strategy and management objectives and trends in market conditions, market standing, product volumes, investment results and pricing conditions.

In light of the risks and uncertainties inherent in all future projections, the inclusion of forward-looking statements in this Form 10-Q should not be considered as a representation by us or any other person that our objectives or plans will be achieved. Numerous factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, including the following:

	(1)		conducting operations in a competitive environment;

	(2)		our ability to maintain our A.M. Best Company, Inc. rating;

	(3)		significant weather-related or other natural or man-made disasters over which the Company has no control;

	(4)		the effectiveness of our loss limitation methods and pricing models;

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	(5)		the adequacy of the Company’s liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, including, but not limited to, losses from Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma and the possibility that estimates of losses and LAE from Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma may prove to be materially different from estimates made to date;

	(6)		the availability of retrocessional reinsurance on acceptable terms;

	(7)		our ability to maintain our business relationships with reinsurance brokers;

	(8)		general political and economic conditions, including the effects of civil unrest, acts of terrorism, war or a prolonged U.S. or global economic downturn or recession;

	(9)		the cyclicality of the property and casualty reinsurance business;

	(10)		market volatility and interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuation;

	(11)		tax, regulatory or legal restrictions or limitations applicable to the Company or the property and casualty reinsurance business generally; and

	(12)		changes in the Company’s plans, strategies, objectives, expectations or intentions, which may happen at any time at the Company’s discretion.

As a consequence, current plans, anticipated actions and future financial condition and results may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company. The foregoing factors, which are discussed in more detail in Item 1A – “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 should not be construed as exhaustive. Additionally, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to release publicly the results of any future revisions or updates we may make to forward-looking statements to reflect new information or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of future events.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6. EXHIBITS


Exhibit
Number		Description
3(ii).1		Bye-Laws of Platinum Holdings.

10.1		Amended and Restated Quota Share Retrocession Agreement dated April 11, 2006 between Platinum Bermuda and Platinum US.

31.1		Certification of Michael D. Price, Chief Executive Officer of Platinum Holdings, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act.

31.2		Certification of Joseph F. Fisher, Chief Financial Officer of Platinum Holdings, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act.

32.1		Certification of Michael D. Price, Chief Executive Officer of Platinum Holdings, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2		Certification of Joseph F. Fisher, Chief Financial Officer of Platinum Holdings, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted 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.


		Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd

Date: April 27, 2006		/s/ Michael D. Price
		By: Michael D. Price
		President and Chief Executive Officer
		(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: April 27, 2006		/s/ Joseph F. Fisher

		By: Joseph F. Fisher
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
		(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

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