UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

 

x[X]

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 20092010

OR

 

¨[    ]

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Transition Period From                to                

Commission File Number 1-6541

LOEWS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware 13-2646102

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

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

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(212) 521-2000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Loews Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

 New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Yes

X

No

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Yes

No

X

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

Yes

X

No

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

Yes

X

No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x.[    ].

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

 

Large accelerated filer

 

xX

  

Accelerated filer

 

¨

Non-accelerated filer

 

¨

 

Smaller reporting company

 

¨

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

Yes

No

X

The aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter was approximately $8,943,000,000.$10,445,000,000.

As of February 12, 2010,1, 2011, there were 422,433,635413,706,490 shares of Loews common stock outstanding.

Documents Incorporated by Reference:

Portions of the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement intended to be filed by Registrant with the Commission prior to April 30, 20102011 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Report.

 

 

 


LOEWS CORPORATION

LOEWS CORPORATION

INDEX TO ANNUAL REPORT ON

FORM 10-K FILED WITH THE

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

For the Year Ended December 31, 20092010

 

Item
No.

  

PART I

  Page
No.
  PART I  

Page

 No.

 

1

  

Business

  3  

Business

     
  

CNA Financial Corporation

  3  

CNA Financial Corporation

     
  

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.

  8  

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.

     
  

HighMount Exploration & Production LLC

  11  

HighMount Exploration & Production LLC

   11   
  

Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP

  16  

Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP

   16   
  

Loews Hotels Holding Corporation

  19  

Loews Hotels Holding Corporation

   18   
  

Available Information

  21  

Executive Officers of the Registrant

   20   

1A

  

Risk Factors

  21

1B

  

Unresolved Staff Comments

  49
  

Available Information

   20   

1 A

  

Risk Factors

   20   

1 B

  

Unresolved Staff Comments

   38   

2

  

Properties

  49  

Properties

   38   

3

  

Legal Proceedings

  49  

Legal Proceedings

   38   

4

  

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

  50
  

Executive Officers of the Registrant

  50
  PART II  
PART II

5

  

Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer
Purchases of Equity Securities

  50  

Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

   39   
  

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

  53  

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

   41   
  

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

  54  

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   42   

6

  

Selected Financial Data

  56  

Selected Financial Data

   44   

7

  

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

  57  

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

   45   

7A

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

  106

7 A

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

   92   

8

  

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

  111  

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

   95   

9

  

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

  197  

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

   180   

9A

  

Controls and Procedures

  197

9B

  

Other Information

  197
PART III

9 A

  

Controls and Procedures

   180   

9 B

  

Other Information

   180   
  

Certain information called for by Part III (Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14) has been omitted as Registrant intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the close of its fiscal year a definitive Proxy Statement pursuant to Regulation 14A.

    PART III  
PART IV
  

Certain information called for by Part III (Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14) has been omitted as Registrant intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the close of its fiscal year a definitive Proxy Statement pursuant to Regulation 14A.

  
  PART IV  

15

  

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

  198  

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

   181   

PART I

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

Item 1. Business.

We are a holding company. Our subsidiaries are engaged in the following lines of business:

 

commercial property and casualty insurance (CNA Financial Corporation, a 90% owned subsidiary);

 

operation of offshore oil and gas drilling rigs (Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc., a 50.4% owned subsidiary);

 

exploration, production and marketing of natural gas and natural gas liquids (HighMount Exploration & Production LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary);

 

operation of interstate natural gas transmission pipeline systems (Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP, a 67%66% owned subsidiary); and

 

operation of hotels (Loews Hotels Holding Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary).

Please read information relating to our major business segments from which we derive revenue and income contained in Note 22 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included under Item 8.

CNA FINANCIAL CORPORATION

CNA Financial Corporation (together with its subsidiaries, “CNA”) was incorporated in 1967 and is an insurance holding company. CNA’s property and casualty insurance operations are conducted by Continental Casualty Company (“CCC”), incorporated in 1897, and The Continental Insurance Company (“CIC”), organized in 1853, and itscertain other affiliates. CIC became a subsidiary of CNA in 1995 as a result of the acquisition of The Continental Corporation (“Continental”). CNA accounted for 60.0%63.0%, 58.9%60.0% and 69.1%58.9% of our consolidated total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 2008 and 2007.

CNA’s core businesses serves a wide variety of customers, including small, medium and large businesses, associations, professionals and groups with a broad range of insurance and risk management products and services.2008.

CNA’s insurance products primarily include commercial property and casualty coverages. CNA’s services include risk management, information services, warranty and claims administration. CNA’s products and services are marketed through independent agents, brokers and managing general agents.underwriters to a wide variety of customers, including small, medium and large businesses, associations, professionals and other groups.

CNA’s core business, commercial property and casualty insurance operations, is reported in two business segments: CNA Specialty and CNA Commercial. CNA’s non-core operationsbusinesses are managed in two business segments: Life & Group Non-Core and Other Insurance. Each segment is managed separately due to differences in their product lines and markets.

CNA’s property and casualty field structure consists of 41 branch44 underwriting locations across the country organized into 6 zones. Thecountry. There are three centralized processing operation for small and middle-market customers, located in Maitland, Florida, handlesoperations which handle policy processing, billing and collection activities, and also actsact as a call centercenters to optimize customer service. The claims structure consists of a centralized claim center designed to efficiently handle the high volume of low severity claims including property damage, liability, and workers’ compensation medical only claims, and 1415 principal claim office locations around the country handling the more complex claims.

CNA Specialty

CNA Specialty provides professional liability and other coverages through property and casualty products and services, both domestically and abroad, through a network of brokers, independent agencies and managing general underwritersunderwriters. CNA Specialty provides solutions for managing the risks of its clients, including architects, lawyers, accountants, health care professionals, financial intermediaries and independentpublic and private companies. Product offerings also include surety and fidelity bonds and vehicle warranty services.

CNA Specialty includes the following business groups:

Professional & Management Liability: Professional & Management Liability provides management and professional liability insurance and risk management services and other specialized property and casualty coverages in the United States. This group provides professional liability coverages to various professional firms, including architects, real estate agents, small and mid-sized accounting firms, law firms and technology firms. Professional & Management Liability also provides directors and officers, employment practices, fiduciary and fidelity coverages. Specific areas of focus include small and mid-size firms as well as privately held firms and not-for-profit organizations, where tailored products for this client segment are offered. Products within Professional & Management Liability are distributed through brokers, agents and managing general underwriters. Professional & Management Liability, through CNA HealthPro, also offers insurance products to serve the health care delivery system. Products include professional liability and associated standard property and casualty coverages, and are distributed on a national basis through brokers, agents and managing general underwriters. Key customer segments include long term care facilities, allied health care providers, life sciences, dental professionals and mid-size and large health care facilities.

International: International provides similar management and professional liability insurance and other specialized property and casualty coverages in Canada and Europe.

Surety: Surety consists primarily of CNA Surety Corporation (“CNA Surety”) and its insurance subsidiaries and offers small, medium and large contract and commercial surety bonds. CNA Surety provides surety and fidelity bonds in all 50 states through a combined network of independent agencies. CNA owns approximately 61% of CNA Surety.

Warranty and Alternative Risks:Warranty and Alternative Risks provides extended service contracts and related products that provide protection from the financial burden associated with mechanical breakdown and other related losses, primarily for vehicles and portable electronic communication devices. These products are distributed through and administered by CNA’s wholly owned subsidiary, CNA National Warranty Corporation, or through third party administrators.

CNA Commercial

CNA Commercial works with an independent agency distribution system and a network of brokers to market a broad range of property and casualty insurance products and services to small, middle-market and large businesses and organizations domestically and abroad. Property products include standard and excess property coverages, as well as marine coverage, and boiler and machinery. Casualty products include standard casualty insurance products such as workers’ compensation, general and product liability, commercial auto and umbrella coverages. Most insurance programs are provided on a guaranteed cost basis; however, CNA also offers specialized loss-sensitive insurance programs to those customers viewed as higher risk and less predictable in exposure.

These property and casualty products are offered as part of CNA’sBusiness, Commercial andInternational insurance groups. CNA’s Business insurance group serves its smaller commercial accounts and the Commercial insurance group serves CNA’s middle markets and its larger risks. In addition, CNA Commercial provides total risk management services relating to claim and information services to the large commercial insurance marketplace, through a wholly owned subsidiary, CNA ClaimPlus, Inc., a third party administrator. The International insurance group primarily consists of the commercial product lines of CNA’s operations in Europe, Canada, as well as Hawaii.

Also included in CNA Commercial isCNA Select Risk (“Select Risk”), which includes CNA’s excess and surplus lines coverages. Select Risk provides specialized insurance for selected commercial risks on both an individual customer and program basis. Customers insured by Select Risk are generally viewed as higher risk and less predictable in exposure than those covered by standard insurance markets. Select Risk’s products are distributed throughout the United States through specialist producers, program agents and brokers.

Life & Group Non-Core

The Life & Group Non-Core segment primarily includes the results of the life and group lines of business that are in run-off. CNA continues to service its existing individual long term care commitments, its payout annuity business and its

pension deposit business. CNA also retains a block of group reinsurance and life settlement contracts. These businesses are being managed as a run-off operation. CNA’s group long term care business, while considered non-core, continues to be actively marketed. During 2008, CNA exited the indexed group annuity portion of its pension deposit business.

Other Insurance

Other Insurance primarily includes certain CNA corporate expenses, including interest on CNA corporate debt, and the results of certain property and casualty business in run-off, including CNA Re and asbestos and environmental pollution (“A&EP”). In 2010, CNA ceded substantially all of its legacy A&EP liabilities under the Loss Portfolio Transfer, as further discussed in Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

Please read Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations by Business Segment – CNA Financial” for information with respect to each segment.

Direct Written Premiums by Geographic Concentration

Set forth below is the distribution of CNA’s direct written premiums by geographic concentration.

Year Ended December 31  2010  2009  2008 

California

��  9.3  9.1  9.2

New York

   6.8    6.8    6.9  

Texas

   6.5    6.6    6.2  

Florida

   6.1    6.2    6.5  

Illinois

   4.0    3.8    3.8  

Missouri

   4.0    3.6    3.1  

New Jersey

   3.5    3.7    3.8  

Pennsylvania

   3.4    3.2    3.3  

All other states, countries or political subdivisions (a)

   56.4    57.0    57.2  
    100.0  100.0  100.0
  

(a)

No other individual state, country or political subdivision accounts for more than 3.0% of direct written premiums.

Approximately 6.9%, 7.0% and 7.4% of CNA’s direct written premiums were derived from outside of the United States for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008. Premiums from any one individual foreign country were not material to aggregate direct written premiums.

Property and Casualty Claim and Claim Adjustment Expenses

The following loss reserve development table illustrates the change over time of reserves established for property and casualty claim and claim adjustment expenses at the end of the preceding ten calendar years for CNA’s property and casualty insurance companies. The table excludes CNA’s life subsidiaries, and as such, the carried reserves will not agree to the Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8. The first section shows the reserves as originally reported at the end of the stated year. The second section, reading down, shows the cumulative amounts paid as of the end of successive years with respect to the originally reported reserve liability. The third section, reading down, shows re-estimates of the originally recorded reserves as of the end of each successive year, which is the result of CNA’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries’ expanded awareness of additional facts and circumstances that pertain to the unsettled claims. The last section compares the latest re-estimated reserves to the reserves originally established, and indicates whether the original reserves were adequate or inadequate to cover the estimated costs of unsettled claims.

The loss reserve development table is cumulative and, therefore, ending balances should not be added since the amount at the end of each calendar year includes activity for both the current and prior years. The development amounts in the table below include the impact of commutations, but exclude the impact of the allowance for doubtful accounts on reinsurance receivables.

    Schedule of Loss Reserve Development 
Year Ended December 31  2000  2001(a)  2002(b)  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008  2009   2010(c) 
(In millions of dollars)                                   

Originally reported gross reserves for unpaid claim and claim adjustment expenses

   26,510    29,649    25,719    31,284    31,204    30,694    29,459    28,415    27,475    26,712     25,412  

Originally reported ceded recoverable

   7,333    11,703    10,490    13,847    13,682    10,438    8,078    6,945    6,213    5,524     6,060  

Originally reported net reserves for unpaid claim and claim adjustment expenses

   19,177    17,946    15,229    17,437    17,522    20,256    21,381    21,470    21,262    21,188     19,352  

Cumulative net paid as of:

             

One year later

   7,686    5,981    5,373    4,382    2,651    3,442    4,436    4,308    3,930    3,762     -  

Two years later

   11,992    10,355    8,768    6,104    4,963    7,022    7,676    7,127    6,746    -     -  

Three years later

   15,291    12,954    9,747    7,780    7,825    9,620    9,822    9,102    -    -     -  

Four years later

   17,333    13,244    10,870    10,085    9,914    11,289    11,312    -    -    -     -  

Five years later

   17,775    13,922    12,814    11,834    11,261    12,465    -    -    -    -     -  

Six years later

   18,970    15,493    14,320    12,988    12,226    -    -    -    -    -     -  

Seven years later

   20,297    16,769    15,291    13,845    -    -    -    -    -    -     -  

Eight years later

   21,382    17,668    16,022    -    -    -    -    -    -    -     -  

Nine years later

   22,187    18,286    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -     -  

Ten years later

   22,826    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -     -  

Net reserves re-estimated as of:

             

End of initial year

   19,177    17,946    15,229    17,437    17,522    20,256    21,381    21,470    21,262    21,188     19,352  

One year later

   21,502    17,980    17,650    17,671    18,513    20,588    21,601    21,463    21,021    20,643     -  

Two years later

   21,555    20,533    18,248    19,120    19,044    20,975    21,706    21,259    20,472    -     -  

Three years later

   24,058    21,109    19,814    19,760    19,631    21,408    21,609    20,752    -    -     -  

Four years later

   24,587    22,547    20,384    20,425    20,212    21,432    21,286    -    -    -     -  

Five years later

   25,594    22,983    21,076    21,060    20,301    21,326    -    -    -    -     -  

Six years later

   26,023    23,603    21,769    21,217    20,339    -    -    -    -    -     -  

Seven years later

   26,585    24,267    21,974    21,381    -    -    -    -    -    -     -  

Eight years later

   27,207    24,548    22,168    -    -    -    -    -    -    -     -  

Nine years later

   27,510    24,765    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -     -  

Ten years later

   27,702    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -     -  

Total net (deficiency) redundancy

   (8,525  (6,819  (6,939  (3,944  (2,817  (1,070  95    718    790    545     -  
                                               

Reconciliation to gross re-estimated reserves:

             

  Net reserves re-estimated

   27,702    24,765    22,168    21,381    20,339    21,326    21,286    20,752    20,472    20,643     -  

  Re-estimated ceded recoverable

   11,397    16,911    16,279    14,639    13,507    10,846    8,541    7,180    6,168    5,559     -  

Total gross re-estimated reserves

   39,099    41,676    38,447    36,020    33,846    32,172    29,827    27,932    26,640    26,202     -  
                                               

Total gross (deficiency) redundancy

   (12,589  (12,027  (12,728  (4,736  (2,642  (1,478  (368  483    835    510     -  
                                               

Net (deficiency) redundancy related to:

             

  Asbestos

   (1,590  (818  (827  (177  (123  (113  (112  (107  (79  -     -  

  Environmental pollution

   (635  (288  (282  (209  (209  (159  (159  (159  (76  -     -  

Total asbestos and environmental pollution

   (2,225  (1,106  (1,109  (386  (332  (272  (271  (266  (155  -     -  

Core (Non-asbestos and environmental pollution)

   (6,300  (5,713  (5,830  (3,558  (2,485  (798  366    984    945    545     -  

Total net (deficiency) redundancy

   (8,525  (6,819  (6,939  (3,944  (2,817  (1,070  95    718    790    545     -  
                                               

(a)

Effective January 1, 2001, CNA established a new life insurance company, CNA Group Life Assurance Company (“CNAGLA”). Further, on January 1, 2001, $1.1 billion of reserves were transferred from CCC to CNAGLA.

(b)

Effective October 31, 2002, CNA sold CNA Reinsurance Company Limited. As a result of the sale, net reserves were reduced by $1.3 billion.

(c)

Effective January 1, 2010, CNA ceded approximately $1.5 billion of net asbestos and environmental pollution (“A&EP”) claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserves relating to its continuing operations under a retroactive reinsurance agreement with an aggregate limit of $4.0 billion, as further discussed in Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

Please read information relating to CNA’s property and casualty claim and claim adjustment expense reserves and reserve development set forth under Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”), and in Notes 1 and 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included under Item 8.

Investments

Please read Item 7, MD&A – Investments and Notes 1, 3, 4 and 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included under Item 8.

Other

Competition: The property and casualty insurance industry is highly competitive both as to rate and service. CNA competes with stock and mutual insurance companies, reinsurance companies and other entities for both producers and customers. CNA must continuously allocate resources to refine and improve its insurance products and services.

Rates among insurers vary according to the types of insurers and methods of operation. CNA competes for business not only on the basis of rate, but also on the basis of availability of coverage desired by customers, financial strength, ratings and quality of service, including claim adjustment services.

There are approximately 2,400 individual companies that sell property and casualty insurance in the United States. Based on 2009 statutory net written premiums, CNA is the seventh largest commercial insurance writer and the 13th largest property and casualty insurance organization in the United States.

Regulation: The insurance industry is subject to comprehensive and detailed regulation and supervision throughout the United States. Each state has established supervisory agencies with broad administrative powers relative to licensing insurers and agents, approving policy forms, establishing reserve requirements, prescribing the form and content of statutory financial reports, and regulating capital adequacy and the type, quality and amount of investments permitted. Such regulatory powers also extend to premium rate regulations, which require that rates not be excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory. In addition to regulation of dividends by insurance subsidiaries, intercompany transfers of assets may be subject to prior notice or approval by the state insurance regulators, depending on the size of such transfers and payments in relation to the financial position of the insurance affiliates making the transfer or payment.

Insurers are also required by the states to provide coverage to insureds who would not otherwise be considered eligible by the insurers. Each state dictates the types of insurance and the level of coverage that must be provided to such involuntary risks. CNA’s share of these involuntary risks is mandatory and generally a function of its respective share of the voluntary market by line of insurance in each state.

Further, insurance companies are subject to state guaranty fund and other insurance-related assessments. Guaranty fund assessments are levied by the state departments of insurance to cover claims of insolvent insurers. Other insurance-related assessments are generally levied by state agencies to fund various organizations including disaster relief funds, rating bureaus, insurance departments, and workers’ compensation second injury funds, or by industry organizations that assist in the statistical analysis and ratemaking process.

Although the federal government does not directly regulate the business of insurance, federal legislative and regulatory initiatives can impact the insurance industry in a variety of ways. These initiatives and legislation include tort reform proposals; proposals addressing natural catastrophe exposures; terrorism risk mechanisms; federal financial services reforms; various tax proposals affecting insurance companies; and possible regulatory limitations, impositions and restrictions arising from the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, as well as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, both enacted in 2010.

Various legislative and regulatory efforts to reform the tort liability system have, and will continue to, impact CNA’s industry. Although there has been some tort reform with positive impact to the insurance industry, new causes of action and theories of damages continue to be proposed in state court actions or by federal or state legislatures that continue to expand liability for insurers and their policyholders. For example, some state legislatures have from time to time considered legislation addressing direct action against insurers related to bad faith claims. As a result of this

unpredictability in the law, insurance underwriting is expected to continue to be difficult in commercial lines, professional liability and other specialty coverages.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act expands the federal presence in insurance oversight and may increase the regulatory requirements to which CNA may be subject. The Act’s requirements include streamlining the state-based regulation of reinsurance and nonadmitted insurance (property or casualty insurance placed from insurers that are eligible to accept insurance, but are not licensed to write insurance in a particular state). The Act also establishes a new Federal Insurance Office within the U.S. Department of the Treasury with powers over all lines of insurance except health insurance, certain long term care insurance and crop insurance, to, among other things, monitor aspects of the insurance industry, identify issues in the regulation of insurers that could contribute to a systemic crisis in the insurance industry or the overall financial system, coordinate federal policy on international insurance matters and preempt state insurance measures under certain circumstances. The Act calls for numerous studies and contemplates further regulation.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the related amendments in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act may increase CNA’s operating costs and underwriting losses. This landmark legislation may lead to numerous changes in the health care industry that could create additional operating costs for CNA, particularly with respect to workers’ compensation and long term care products. These costs might arise through the increased use of health care services by claimants or the increased complexities in health care bills that could require additional levels of review. In addition, due to the expected number of new participants in the health care system and the potential for additional malpractice claims, CNA may experience increased underwriting risk in the lines of business that provide management and professional liability insurance to individuals and businesses engaged in the health care industry. The lines of business that provide professional liability insurance to attorneys, accountants and other professionals who advise clients regarding the health care reform legislation may also experience increased underwriting risk due to the complexity of the legislation.

Properties: The Chicago location owned by CCC, a wholly owned subsidiary of CNA, houses CNA’s principal executive offices. CNA owns or leases office space in various cities throughout the United States and in other countries. The following table sets forth certain information with respect to CNA’s principal office locations:

Location

Size

(square feet)


Principal Usage

333 S. Wabash Avenue

    Chicago, Illinois

763,322  

Principal executive offices of CNA

401 Penn Street

    Reading, Pennsylvania

190,677  

Property and casualty insurance offices

2405 Lucien Way

    Maitland, Florida

116,948  

Property and casualty insurance offices

40 Wall Street

    New York, New York

114,096  

Property and casualty insurance offices

1100 Ward Avenue

    Honolulu, Hawaii

104,478  

Property and casualty insurance offices

101 S. Phillips Avenue

    Sioux Falls, South Dakota

83,616  

Property and casualty insurance offices

600 N. Pearl Street

    Dallas, Texas

65,752  

Property and casualty insurance offices

1249 S. River Road

    Cranbury, New Jersey

50,366  

Property and casualty insurance offices

4267 Meridian Parkway

    Aurora, Illinois

46,903  

Data center

675 Placentia Avenue

    Brea, California

46,571  

Property and casualty insurance offices

CNA leases its office space described above except for the Chicago, Illinois building, the Reading, Pennsylvania building, and the Aurora, Illinois building, which are owned.

DIAMOND OFFSHORE DRILLING, INC.

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (“Diamond Offshore”), is engaged, through its subsidiaries, in the business of owning and operating drilling rigs that are used in the drilling of offshore oil and gas wells on a contract basis for companies engaged in exploration and production of hydrocarbons. Diamond Offshore owns 46 offshore rigs. Diamond Offshore accounted for 23.0%, 25.9% and 26.3% of our consolidated total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.

Rigs: Diamond Offshore owns and operates 32 semisubmersible rigs, consisting of 13 high specification and 19 intermediate rigs. Semisubmersible rigs consist of an upper working and living deck resting on vertical columns connected to lower hull members. Such rigs operate in a “semi-submerged” position, remaining afloat, off bottom, in a position in which the lower hull is approximately 55 feet to 90 feet below the water line and the upper deck protrudes well above the surface. Semisubmersible rigs are typically anchored in position and remain stable for drilling in the semi-submerged floating position due in part to their wave transparency characteristics at the water line. Semisubmersible rigs can also be held in position through the use of a computer controlled thruster (“dynamic-positioning”) system to maintain the rig’s position over a drillsite. Five semisubmersible rigs in Diamond Offshore’s fleet have this capability.

Diamond Offshore’s high specification semisubmersible rigs are generally capable of working in water depths of 4,000 feet or greater or in harsh environments and have other advanced features, as compared to intermediate semisubmersible rigs. Five high specification rigs have nominal water depth capability of 10,000 feet; one of 8,000 feet; one of 7,000 feet; five of 5,500 to 5,250 feet; and one of 4,000 feet. As of January 24, 2011, six of Diamond Offshore’s 13 high specification semisubmersible rigs were located offshore Brazil, and two were located in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico (“GOM”). Of Diamond Offshore’s remaining high specification semisubmersible rigs, one was located offshore each of Angola, Egypt, Indonesia and the Republic of Congo and one was in a shipyard in Singapore.

Diamond Offshore’s intermediate semisubmersible rigs generally work in maximum water depths up to 3,999 feet. As of January 24, 2011, Diamond Offshore had 19 intermediate semisubmersible rigs in various locations around the world. Nine of these semisubmersible rigs were operating in the South America region, including eight offshore Brazil and one offshore the Falkland Islands; three were located in the North Sea; two were located offshore Australia; one was located offshore Vietnam and one was cold stacked in Malaysia. Diamond Offshore’s remaining three intermediate semisubmersible rigs are located in the GOM, where two have been cold stacked.

Diamond Offshore has one high specification drillship, theOcean Clipper, which was located offshore Brazil as of January 24, 2011. Drillships, which are typically self-propelled, are positioned over a drillsite through the use of either an anchoring system or a dynamic-positioning system similar to those used on certain semisubmersible rigs. Deepwater drillships compete in many of the same markets as do high specification semisubmersible rigs.

Diamond Offshore has 13 jack-up drilling rigs. Jack-up rigs are mobile, self-elevating drilling platforms equipped with legs that are lowered to the ocean floor until a foundation is established to support the drilling platform. The rig hull includes the drilling rig, jacking system, crew quarters, loading and unloading facilities, storage areas for bulk and liquid materials, heliport and other related equipment. Diamond Offshore’s jack-up rigs are used for drilling in water depths from 20 feet to 350 feet. The water depth limit of a particular rig is principally determined by the length of the rig’s legs. A jack-up rig is towed to the drillsite with its hull riding in the sea, as a vessel, with its legs retracted. Once over a drillsite, the legs are lowered until they rest on the seabed and jacking continues with the legs penetrating the seabed until resistance is sufficient to elevate the hull above the surface of the water. After completion of drilling operations, the hull is lowered until it rests in the water and then the legs are retracted for relocation to another drillsite.

As of January 24, 2011, six of Diamond Offshore’s 13 jack-up rigs were located in the GOM, of which four rigs have been cold stacked, consisting of two mat-supported cantilevered rigs, one mat-supported slot rig and one independent-leg, cantilevered rig. Of Diamond Offshore’s seven remaining jack-up rigs, all of which are independent-leg cantilevered rigs, two each were located offshore Egypt and Mexico, and one was located offshore each of Brazil and Montenegro. Diamond Offshore’s remaining jack-up rig was en route to Thailand.

Fleet Upgrades: Diamond Offshore’s long term strategy has been to economically upgrade its fleet to meet customer demand for advanced, efficient, high-tech rigs, particularly deepwater semisubmersible rigs, in order to maximize the utilization of, and dayrates earned by, the rigs in its fleet. In December 2010 and January 2011, Diamond Offshore

entered into separate turnkey contracts with Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., (“Hyundai”), for the construction of two dynamically positioned, ultra-deepwater drillships with deliveries scheduled for late in the second and fourth quarters of 2013. Diamond Offshore expects total cost for the sister drillships, including commissioning, spares and project management, to aggregate approximately $1.2 billion. In addition, Diamond Offshore has also obtained from Hyundai a fixed-price option for the purchase of a third drillship, which it has the right to exercise at any time before the end of the first quarter of 2011.

In June 2009 and September 2009, Diamond Offshore acquired two new-build deepwater, dynamically positioned, semisubmersible drilling rigs, theOcean Courage and theOcean Valor. Including Diamond Offshore’s rig acquisitions in 2009 and its two recent drillship orders, Diamond Offshore has purchased, ordered or upgraded seven rigs with capabilities in 10,000 feet of water over the last four years.

Markets: The principal markets for Diamond Offshore’s contract drilling services are the following:

South America, principally offshore Brazil and the Falkland Islands;

Australia and Asia, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam;

the Middle East, including Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia;

Europe, principally in the United Kingdom, or U.K., and Norway;

West Africa, including Angola and the Republic of Congo;

The Mediterranean Basin, including Egypt; and

the Gulf of Mexico, including the U.S. and Mexico.

Diamond Offshore actively markets its rigs worldwide. From time to time Diamond Offshore’s fleet operates in various other markets throughout the world as the market demands.

Diamond Offshore believes its presence in multiple markets is valuable in many respects. For example, Diamond Offshore believes that its experience with safety and other regulatory matters in the U.K. has been beneficial in Australia and other international areas in which Diamond Offshore operates, while production experience it has gained through Brazilian and North Sea operations has potential application worldwide. Additionally, Diamond Offshore believes its performance for a customer in one market segment or area enables it to better understand that customer’s needs and better serve that customer in different market segments or other geographic locations.

Diamond Offshore’s contracts to provide offshore drilling services vary in their terms and provisions. Diamond Offshore typically obtains its contracts through competitive bidding, although it is not unusual for Diamond Offshore to be awarded drilling contracts without competitive bidding. Drilling contracts generally provide for a basic drilling rate on a fixed dayrate basis regardless of whether or not such drilling results in a productive well. Drilling contracts may also provide for lower rates during periods when the rig is being moved or when drilling operations are interrupted or restricted by equipment breakdowns, adverse weather conditions or other conditions beyond the control of Diamond Offshore. Under dayrate contracts, Diamond Offshore generally pays operating expenses of the rig, including wages and the cost of incidental supplies. Historically, dayrate contracts have accounted for the majority of Diamond Offshore’s revenues. In addition, from time to time, Diamond Offshore’s dayrate contracts may also provide for the ability to earn an incentive bonus from its customer based upon performance.

A dayrate drilling contract generally extends over a period of time covering either the drilling of a single well or a group of wells, which Diamond Offshore refers to as a well-to-well contract, or a fixed term, which Diamond Offshore refers to as a term contract, and may be terminated by the customer in the event the drilling rig is destroyed or lost or if drilling operations are suspended for an extended period of time as a result of a breakdown of equipment or, in some cases, due to other events beyond the control of either party to the contract. In addition, certain of Diamond Offshore’s contracts permit the customer to terminate the contract early by giving notice, and in most circumstances may require the payment of an early termination fee by the customer. The contract term in many instances may also be extended by the

customer exercising options for the drilling of additional wells or for an additional length of time, generally at competitive market rates and mutually agreeable terms at the time of the extension.

Customers: Diamond Offshore provides offshore drilling services to a customer base that includes major and independent oil and gas companies and government-owned oil companies. During 2010, 2009 and 2008, Diamond Offshore performed services for 46, 47 and 49 different customers. During 2010, 2009 and 2008, one of Diamond Offshore’s two customers in Brazil, Petróleo Brasileiro S.A., or Petrobras, (a Brazilian multinational energy company that is majority-owned by the Brazilian government), accounted for 24.0%, 15.0% and 13.0% of Diamond Offshore’s annual total consolidated revenues. OGX Petróleo e Gás Ltda., (“OGX”) (a privately owned Brazilian oil and natural gas company) accounted for 14.0% of Diamond Offshore’s annual total consolidated revenues in 2010. No other customer accounted for 10.0% or more of Diamond Offshore’s annual total consolidated revenues during 2010, 2009 or 2008.

Brazil is the most active floater market in the world today. As of the date of this report, the greatest concentration of Diamond Offshore’s operating assets outside the United States is offshore Brazil, where 16 rigs in its fleet are currently working. Diamond Offshore’s contract backlog attributable to its expected operations offshore Brazil is $1.6 billion, $1.5 billion and $987 million for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013, and $1.0 billion in the aggregate for the years 2014 to 2016. Please see MD&A under Item 7 for additional information.

Competition: The offshore contract drilling industry is highly competitive with numerous industry participants, none of which at the present time has a dominant market share. The drilling industry has experienced consolidation in recent years and may experience additional consolidation, which could create additional large competitors. Some of Diamond Offshore’s competitors may have greater financial or other resources than Diamond Offshore. Diamond Offshore competes with offshore drilling contractors that together have more than 730 mobile rigs available worldwide.

The offshore contract drilling industry is influenced by a number of factors, including global economies and demand for oil and natural gas, current and anticipated prices of oil and natural gas, expenditures by oil and gas companies for exploration and development of oil and natural gas and the availability of drilling rigs.

Drilling contracts are traditionally awarded on a competitive bid basis. Intense price competition is often the primary factor in determining which qualified contractor is awarded a job. Customers may also consider rig availability and location, a drilling contractor’s operational and safety performance record, and condition and suitability of equipment. Diamond Offshore believes it competes favorably with respect to these factors.

Governmental Regulation: Diamond Offshore’s operations are subject to numerous international, U.S., state and local laws and regulations that relate directly or indirectly to its operations, including regulations controlling the discharge of materials into the environment, requiring removal and clean-up under some circumstances, or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment, and may include laws or regulations pertaining to climate change, carbon emissions or energy use.

Operations Outside the United States: Diamond Offshore’s operations outside the U.S. accounted for approximately 80.9%, 66.0% and 59.3% of its total consolidated revenues for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.

Properties: Diamond Offshore owns an eight-story office building containing approximately 170,000 net rentable square feet on approximately 6.2 acres of land located in Houston, Texas, where its corporate headquarters is located, two buildings totaling 39,000 square feet and 20 acres of land in New Iberia, Louisiana, for its offshore drilling warehouse and storage facility, a 13,000-square foot building and five acres of land in Aberdeen, Scotland, for its North Sea operations, two buildings totaling 77,200 square feet and 11 acres of land in Macae, Brazil, for its South American operations and two buildings totaling 20,000 square feet and two acres of land in Ciudad del Carmen, Mexico, for its Mexican operations. Additionally, Diamond Offshore currently leases various office, warehouse and storage facilities in Louisiana, Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, Norway, Malaysia, Singapore, Egypt, Angola, Republic of Congo, Vietnam and the U.K. to support its offshore drilling operations.

HIGHMOUNT EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION LLC

HighMount is engaged in the exploration, production and marketing of natural gas, natural gas liquids (predominantly ethane and propane) and, to a small extent, oil, primarily in the Permian Basin in Texas. HighMount holds interests in

developed and undeveloped acreage, wellbores and well facilities, which generally take the form of working interests in leases that have varying terms. HighMount’s interests in these properties are, in many cases, held jointly with third parties and may be subject to royalty, overriding royalty, carried, net profits, working and other similar interests and contractual arrangements with other parties as is customary in the oil and gas industry. HighMount also owns or has interests in gathering systems which transport natural gas and natural gas liquids (“NGLs”), principally from its producing wells, to processing plants and pipelines owned by third parties. HighMount accounted for 2.9%, 4.4% and 5.8% of our consolidated total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.

We use the following terms throughout this discussion of HighMount’s business, with “equivalent” volumes computed with oil and NGL quantities converted to Mcf, on an energy equivalent ratio of one barrel to six Mcf:

Average price

-

Average price during the twelve-month period, prior to the date of the estimate, determined as an unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month within such period, unless prices are defined by contractual arrangements with customers, excluding escalations based upon future conditions

Bbl

-

Barrel (of oil or NGLs)

Bcf

-

Billion cubic feet (of natural gas)

Bcfe

-

Billion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent

Developed acreage

-

Acreage assignable to productive wells

Mcf

-

Thousand cubic feet (of natural gas)

Mcfe

-

Thousand cubic feet of natural gas equivalent

MMBbl

-

Million barrels (of oil or NGLs)

MMBtu

-

Million British thermal units

MMcf

-

Million cubic feet (of natural gas)

MMcfe

-

Million cubic feet of natural gas equivalent

Productive wells

-

Producing wells and wells mechanically capable of production

Proved reserves

-

Quantities of natural gas, NGLs and oil which, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in the future from known reservoirs under existing economic conditions, operating methods and government regulations

Proved developed reserves

-

Proved reserves which can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment, infrastructure and operating methods

Proved undeveloped reserves

-

Proved reserves which are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required

Tcf

-

Trillion cubic feet (of natural gas)

Tcfe

-

Trillion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent

Undeveloped acreage

-

Leased acres on which wells have not been drilled or completed to a point that would permit the production of economic quantities of oil or gas

In addition, as used in this discussion of HighMount’s business, “gross wells” refers to the total number of wells in which HighMount owns a working interest and “net wells” refers to the sum of each of the gross wells multiplied by the percentage working interest owned by HighMount in such well. “Gross acres” refers to the total number of acres with respect to which HighMount owns or leases a mineral interest and “net acres” is the sum of each unit of gross acres covered by a lease or other arrangement multiplied by HighMount’s percentage ownership interest in such gross acreage.

As of December 31, 2010, HighMount owned 1.3 Tcfe of net proved reserves, of which 78.2% were classified as proved developed reserves. HighMount’s estimated total proved reserves consist of 944.9 Bcf of natural gas, 56.0 MMBbls of NGLs, and 3.2 MMBbls of oil and condensate. HighMount produced approximately 211 MMcfe per day of natural gas, NGLs and oil during 2010. HighMount holds leasehold or drilling rights in 0.7 million net acres, of which 0.4 million is developed acreage and the balance is held for future exploration and development drilling opportunities. HighMount participated in the drilling of 238 wells during 2010, of which 227 (or 95.4%) are productive wells.

Sale of Assets: On April 30, 2010, HighMount completed the sale of substantially all exploration and production assets located in the Antrim Shale in Michigan and on May 28, 2010, HighMount completed the sale of substantially all exploration and production assets located in the Black Warrior Basin in Alabama. The Michigan and Alabama properties

represented approximately 17% in aggregate of HighMount’s total proved reserves as of December 31, 2009. HighMount used the net proceeds from the sales, of approximately $500 million, to reduce the outstanding debt under its term loans.

Reserves: HighMount’s reserves disclosed in this Report represent its share of reserves based on its net revenue interest in each property. Estimated reserves as of December 31, 2010 are based upon studies for each of HighMount’s properties prepared by HighMount staff engineers and are the responsibility of management. Calculations were prepared using standard geological and engineering methods generally accepted by the petroleum industry and in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) guidelines.

HighMount implements various internal controls to assure objectivity of the reserve estimation process. The main internal controls include (a) detailed reviews of reserve-related information at various levels of the organization – Reserve Engineering and Executive Management, (b) reserve audit performed by an independent third party reserve auditor, (c) segregation of duties and (d) system reconciliation or automated interface between various systems used in the reserve estimation process.

HighMount employs a team of reservoir engineers that specialize in HighMount’s area of operation. The reservoir engineering team is separate from HighMount’s operating division and reports to HighMount’s Chief Operating Officer. The compensation of HighMount’s reservoir engineers is not dependent on the quantity of reserves booked. HighMount’s lead evaluator has over twenty five years of oil and gas engineering experience, nine of those in the reservoir discipline. He has a registered professional engineering license from the State of Oklahoma and is a member in good standing of the Society of Petroleum Engineers.

Ryder Scott Company, L.P., an independent third party petroleum engineering consulting firm, has audited HighMount’s reserve estimates in accordance with the “Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information” promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers. Ryder Scott’s lead reservoir engineer responsible for the reserve audit has more than thirty years of experience in the field of estimation and evaluation of petroleum reserves and resources. He has the professional qualifications of a Reserve Estimator and a Reserve Auditor set forth in Article III of the “Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information” promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Notre Dame in 1975 and a Masters of Business Administration at the University of Texas at Austin in 1998. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Texas. He is also a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association, and the Houston’s Producers Forum.

The following table sets forth HighMount’s proved reserves at December 31, 2010, based on average 2010 prices of $4.38 per MMBtu for natural gas, $43.75 per Bbl for NGLs and $79.43 per Bbl for oil. Substantially all proved reserves were located in the Permian Basin.

    Natural Gas
(MMcf)
   NGLs
(Bbls)
   Oil
(Bbls)
   Natural Gas
Equivalents
(MMcfe)
 

Proved developed

   741,206     43,453,508     2,350,313     1,016,029  

Proved undeveloped

   203,656     12,575,070     816,310     284,004  

Total proved

   944,862     56,028,578     3,166,623     1,300,033  
                     

During 2010, total proved reserves declined 664 Bcfe, due to sales of assets, negative revisions of proved reserves and production. The sales of HighMount’s assets, primarily in Michigan and Alabama, reduced proved reserves by 364 Bcfe. HighMount reviews its proved reserves on an annual basis. Based on recent higher decline rates of producing wells, HighMount reduced its estimate of proved reserves by 223 Bcfe, net of additions. During 2010, HighMount produced 77 Bcfe.

During 2010, HighMount’s proved undeveloped reserves decreased by 100 Bcfe, largely due to the sale of HighMount’s assets in Michigan and Alabama, totaling 80 Bcfe, as discussed above, and reserve revisions. As a result of HighMount’s reduced pace of activity, drilling plans for a significant portion of HighMount’s proved undeveloped reserves extended beyond five years. Due to the five year limitation on proved undeveloped reserves, HighMount reclassified 208 Bcfe of proved undeveloped reserves to the non-proved category. Subsequently, 238 Bcfe of probable

reserves were promoted to the proved undeveloped category, as these pertain to locations HighMount expects to drill during the next five years. During 2010, HighMount also converted 8 Bcfe from proved undeveloped reserves to proved developed reserves through drilling. The remaining revisions are a result of anticipated lower reserves for each proved undeveloped location.

Estimated net quantities of proved natural gas and oil (including condensate and NGLs) reserves at December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 and changes in the reserves during 2010, 2009 and 2008 are shown in Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

HighMount’s properties typically have relatively long reserve lives, high well completion success rates and predictable production profiles. Based on December 31, 2010 proved reserves and HighMount’s average production from these properties during 2010, the average reserve-to-production index of HighMount’s proved reserves is 19 years.

In order to replenish reserves as they are depleted by production, and to increase reserves, HighMount further develops its existing acreage by drilling new wells and, where available, employing new technologies and drilling strategies designed to enhance production from existing wells. HighMount seeks to opportunistically acquire additional acreage in its core areas of operation, as well as other locations where its management has identified an opportunity.

During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, HighMount engaged in the drilling activity presented in the following table. All wells drilled during 2010, 2009 and 2008 disclosed in the table below were development wells.

Year Ended December 31

   2010     2009     2008  
    Gross     Net     Gross     Net     Gross     Net  

Productive Wells

            

Permian Basin

   215     212.5     100     98.5     369     363.5  

Other (a)

   12     8.8     54     32.2     120     65.6  

Total Productive Wells

   227     221.3     154     130.7     489     429.1  

Dry Wells

            

Permian Basin

   11     11.0     5     5.0     9     9.0  

Total Dry Wells

   11     11.0     5     5.0     9     9.0  

Total Completed Wells

   238     232.3     159     135.7     498     438.1  
                               

Wells in Progress

            

Permian Basin

   29     28.8     67     66.9     32     31.9  

Other (a)

             13     10.0     3     1.2  

Total Wells in Progress

   29     28.8     80     76.9     35     33.1  
                               

(a)

Represents wells drilled in the Antrim Shale in Michigan and the Black Warrior Basin in Alabama, which were sold in 2010.

In addition, at December 31, 2010, HighMount had two exploratory wells still under evaluation.

Acreage: As of December 31, 2010, HighMount owned interests in 591,063 gross developed acres (446,928 net developed acres) and 529,776 gross undeveloped acres (274,557 net undeveloped acres) primarily in the Permian Basin.

Production and Sales: Please see the Production and Sales statistics table for additional information included in the MD&A under Item 7.

HighMount utilizes its own marketing and sales personnel to market the natural gas and NGLs that it produces to large energy companies and intrastate pipelines and gathering companies. Production is typically sold and delivered directly to a pipeline at liquid pooling points or at the tailgates of various processing plants, where it then enters a pipeline system. Permian Basin natural gas sales prices are primarily at a Houston Ship Channel Index.

To manage the risk of fluctuations in prevailing commodity prices, HighMount enters into commodity and basis swaps and other derivative instruments.

Wells: As of December 31, 2010, HighMount had an interest in 6,134 gross producing wells (5,800 net producing wells) located in the Permian Basin. Wells located in the Permian Basin have a typical well depth in the range of 6,000 to 9,000 feet.

Competition: HighMount competes with other oil and gas companies in all aspects of its business, including acquisition of producing properties and leases and obtaining goods, services and labor, including drilling rigs and well completion services. HighMount also competes in the marketing of produced natural gas and NGLs. Some of HighMount’s competitors have substantially larger financial and other resources than HighMount. Factors that affect HighMount’s ability to acquire producing properties include available funds, available information about the property and standards established by HighMount for minimum projected return on investment. Natural gas and NGLs also compete with alternative fuel sources, including heating oil, imported liquefied natural gas and other fossil fuels.

Governmental Regulation: All of HighMount’s operations are conducted onshore in the United States. The U.S. oil and gas industry, and HighMount’s operations, are subject to regulation at the federal, state and local level. Such regulation includes requirements with respect to, among other things: permits to drill and to conduct other operations; provision of financial assurances (such as bonds) covering drilling and well operations; the location of wells; the method of drilling and completing wells; the surface use and restoration of properties upon which wells are drilled; the plugging and abandoning of wells; the marketing, transportation and reporting of production; and the valuation and payment of royalties; the size of drilling and spacing units (regarding the density of wells which may be drilled in a particular area); the unitization or pooling of properties; maximum rates of production from wells; venting or flaring of natural gas and the ratability of production.

The Federal Energy Policy Act of 2005 amended the Natural Gas Act (“NGA”) to prohibit natural gas market manipulation by any entity, directed the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) to facilitate market transparency in the sale or transportation of physical natural gas and significantly increased the penalties for violations of the NGA of 1938, the NGA of 1978, or FERC regulations or orders thereunder. In addition, HighMount owns and operates gas gathering lines and related facilities which are regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (“DOT”) and state agencies with respect to safety and operating conditions.

HighMount’s operations are also subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations concerning the discharge of contaminants into the environment, the generation, storage, transportation and disposal of contaminants, and the protection of public health, natural resources, wildlife and the environment. In most instances, the regulatory requirements relate to the handling and disposal of drilling and production waste products, water and air pollution control procedures, and the remediation of petroleum-product contamination. In addition, HighMount’s operations may require it to obtain permits for, among other things, air emissions, discharges into surface waters, and the construction and operation of underground injection wells or surface pits to dispose of produced saltwater and other non-hazardous oilfield wastes. HighMount could be required, without regard to fault or the legality of the original disposal, to remove or remediate previously disposed wastes, to suspend or cease operations in contaminated areas or to perform remedial well plugging operations or cleanups to prevent future contamination.

In September 2009, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) adopted regulations under the Clean Air Act requiring the monitoring and reporting of annual greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions by certain large U.S. GHG emitters. Affected companies are required to monitor their GHG emissions and report to the EPA beginning in March 2011. Oil and gas exploration and production companies that emit less than 25,000 metric tons of GHG per year from any facility (as defined in the regulations), including HighMount, are not required to monitor or report emissions at this time. However, the EPA has indicated it will issue a proposed rule for comment as it pertains to Oil and Gas Systems.

Properties: In addition to its interests in oil and gas producing properties, HighMount leases an aggregate of approximately 62,000 square feet of office space in Houston, Texas, which includes its corporate headquarters, and approximately 92,000 square feet of office space in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. HighMount also leases other surface rights and office, warehouse and storage facilities necessary to operate its business.

BOARDWALK PIPELINE PARTNERS, LP

Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP (“Boardwalk Pipeline”) is engaged in the interstate transportation and storage of natural gas. Boardwalk Pipeline accounted for 7.7%, 6.4% and 6.4% of our consolidated total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.

We own approximately 66% of Boardwalk Pipeline comprised of 102,719,466 common units, 22,866,667 class B units and a 2% general partner interest. A wholly owned subsidiary of ours (“BPHC”) is the general partner and holds all of Boardwalk Pipeline’s incentive distribution rights which entitle the general partner to an increasing percentage of the cash that is distributed by Boardwalk Pipeline in excess of $0.4025 per unit per quarter.

Boardwalk Pipeline owns and operates three interstate natural gas pipelines, with approximately 14,200 miles of interconnected pipelines, directly serving customers in 12 states and indirectly serving customers throughout the northeastern and southeastern United States through numerous interconnections with unaffiliated pipelines. In 2010, its pipeline systems transported approximately 2.5 trillion cubic feet (“Tcf”) of gas. Average daily throughput on Boardwalk Pipeline’s pipeline systems during 2010 was approximately 6.8 billion cubic feet (“Bcf”). Boardwalk Pipeline’s natural gas storage facilities are comprised of 11 underground storage fields located in four states with aggregate working gas capacity of approximately 167.0 Bcf.

Boardwalk Pipeline conducts all of its operations through its three operating subsidiaries:

Gulf Crossing Pipeline Company LLC (“Gulf Crossing”): The Gulf Crossing pipeline system, which originates in Texas and proceeds into Louisiana, operates approximately 360 miles of natural gas pipeline. The pipeline system has a peak-day delivery capacity of 1.7 Bcf per day and average daily throughput for the year ended December 31, 2010 was 1.3 Bcf per day.

Gulf South Pipeline Company, L.P. (“Gulf South”): The Gulf South pipeline system runs approximately 7,700 miles along the Gulf Coast in the states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. Gulf South has two natural gas storage facilities with 83.0 Bcf of working gas storage capacity. The pipeline system has a peak-day delivery capacity of 6.8 Bcf per day and average daily throughput for the year ended December 31, 2010 was 4.1 Bcf per day.

Texas Gas Transmission, LLC (“Texas Gas”): The Texas Gas pipeline system originates in Louisiana, East Texas and Arkansas and runs for approximately 6,110 miles north and east through Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, and into Ohio, with smaller diameter lines extending into Illinois. The pipeline system has a peak-day delivery capacity of 4.8 Bcf per day and average daily throughput for the year ended December 31, 2010 was 3.0 Bcf per day. Texas Gas owns nine natural gas storage fields, of which it owns the majority of the working and base gas, with 84.0 Bcf of working gas storage capacity.

Boardwalk Pipeline serves a broad mix of customers, including producers, local distribution companies, marketers, intrastate and interstate pipelines, electric power generators and direct industrial users located throughout the Gulf Coast, Midwest and Northeast regions of the U.S.

Competition: Boardwalk Pipeline competes with other pipelines to maintain current business levels and to serve new demand and markets. Boardwalk Pipeline also competes with other pipelines for contracts with producers that would support new growth opportunities. The principal elements of competition among pipelines are available capacity, rates, terms of service, access to gas supplies, flexibility and reliability of service. Due to the construction of new pipeline systems in the U.S. over the past several years, as well as pipelines currently under development, competition has become stronger in Boardwalk Pipeline’s market areas. Many of these new pipelines are in areas outside Boardwalk Pipeline’s service area and are closer to end-users than Boardwalk Pipeline’s pipeline systems. In addition, regulators’ continuing efforts to increase competition in the natural gas industry have increased the natural gas transportation options of Boardwalk Pipeline’s traditional customers. As a result of the regulators’ policies, segmentation and capacity release have created an active secondary market which increasingly competes with Boardwalk Pipeline’s services. Additionally, natural gas competes with other forms of energy available to Boardwalk Pipeline’s customers, including electricity, coal, fuel oils and other alternative fuel sources.

The new pipeline infrastructure mentioned above is supporting the development across the U.S. of unconventional natural gas supply basins, such as gas shales and tight sand formations. The new sources of natural gas have created changes in pricing dynamics between supply basins, pooling points and market areas. As a result of the increase in overall pipeline capacity and the new sources of supply, in 2009 the price differentials between physical locations (“basis spreads”) on Boardwalk Pipeline’s pipeline systems began to narrow. This trend continued into 2010. Basis spreads have impacted, and will continue to impact, the rates Boardwalk Pipeline has been able to negotiate with its customers on contracts due for renewal for firm transportation services, as well as the rates Boardwalk Pipeline is able to charge for interruptible and short term firm transportation services. Capacity that Boardwalk Pipeline has available on a short term basis has decreased as long term capacity commitments on the recently completed pipeline expansion projects have increased in accordance with the contracts supporting those projects. However, some of Boardwalk Pipeline’s capacity will continue to be available for sale on a short term firm or interruptible basis and each year a portion of Boardwalk Pipeline’s existing contracts expire. The revenues Boardwalk Pipeline will be able to earn from that available capacity and from renewals of expiring contracts will be heavily dependent upon basis spreads.

Seasonality: Boardwalk Pipeline’s revenues can be affected by weather and natural gas price levels and volatility. Weather impacts natural gas demand for heating needs and power generation, which in turn influences the short term value of transportation and storage across Boardwalk Pipeline’s pipeline systems. Colder than normal winters can result in an increase in the demand for natural gas for heating needs and warmer than normal summers can impact cooling needs, both of which typically result in increased pipeline transportation revenues and throughput. While traditionally peak demand for natural gas occurs during the winter months driven by heating needs, the increased use of natural gas for cooling needs during the summer months has partially reduced the seasonality of revenues over time. During 2010, approximately 53.9% of Boardwalk Pipeline’s revenue was recognized in the first and fourth quarters of the year.

Governmental Regulation: FERC regulates Boardwalk Pipeline’s operating subsidiaries under the NGA of 1938 and the NGA of 1978. FERC regulates, among other things, the rates and charges for the transportation and storage of natural gas in interstate commerce and the extension, enlargement or abandonment of facilities under its jurisdiction. Where required, Boardwalk Pipeline’s operating subsidiaries hold certificates of public convenience and necessity issued by FERC covering certain of their facilities, activities and services. The maximum rates that may be charged by Boardwalk Pipeline for all aspects of the gas transportation services it provides are established through FERC’s cost-of-service rate-making process. The maximum rates that may be charged by Boardwalk Pipeline for storage services on Texas Gas, with the exception of services associated with a portion of the working gas capacity on that system, are also established through FERC’s cost-of-service rate-making process. Key determinants in FERC’s cost-of-service rate-making process are the costs of providing service, the volumes of gas being transported, the rate design, the allocation of costs between services, the capital structure and the rate of return a pipeline is permitted to earn. FERC has authorized Gulf South to charge market-based rates for its firm and interruptible storage. Texas Gas is authorized to charge market-based rates for the firm and interruptible storage services associated with approximately 8.3 Bcf of its storage capacity. Neither Gulf South nor Texas Gas has an obligation to file a new rate case. Gulf Crossing has an obligation to file either a rate case or a cost-and-revenue study by the end of the first quarter of 2012 to justify its rates.

Boardwalk Pipeline is also regulated by the DOT under the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968, as amended by Title I of the Pipeline Safety Act of 1979, which regulates safety requirements in the design, construction, operation and maintenance of interstate natural gas pipelines. Boardwalk Pipeline has received authority from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (“PHMSA”), an agency of DOT, to operate certain pipeline assets under special permits that will allow it to operate those assets at higher than normal operating pressures of up to 0.80 of the pipe’s Specified Minimum Yield Strength (“SMYS”). Operating at the higher than normal operating pressures will allow each of these pipelines to transport all of the volumes Boardwalk Pipeline has contracted for with its customers. PHMSA retains discretion whether to grant or maintain authority for Boardwalk Pipeline to operate these pipelines at higher pressures.

Boardwalk Pipeline’s operations are also subject to extensive federal, state, and local laws and regulations relating to protection of the environment. Such regulations impose, among other things, restrictions, liabilities and obligations in connection with the generation, handling, use, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of hazardous substances and waste and in connection with spills, releases and emissions of various substances into the environment. Environmental regulations also require that Boardwalk Pipeline’s facilities, sites and other properties be operated, maintained, abandoned and reclaimed to the satisfaction of applicable regulatory authorities.

Properties: Boardwalk Pipeline is headquartered in approximately 108,000 square feet of leased office space located in Houston, Texas. Boardwalk Pipeline also has approximately 108,000 square feet of office space in Owensboro, Kentucky in a building that it owns. Boardwalk Pipeline’s operating subsidiaries own their respective pipeline systems in fee. However, substantial portions of these systems are constructed and maintained on property owned by others pursuant to rights-of-way, easements, permits, licenses or consents.

LOEWS HOTELS HOLDING CORPORATION

The subsidiaries of Loews Hotels Holding Corporation (“Loews Hotels”), our wholly owned subsidiary, presently operate the following 18 hotels. Loews Hotels accounted for 2.1%, 2.0% and 2.9% of our consolidated total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.

Name and LocationNumber of
Rooms
Owned, Leased or Managed

Loews Annapolis Hotel
Annapolis, Maryland

220

Owned

Loews Atlanta Hotel
Atlanta, Georgia

414

Management contract

Loews Coronado Bay
San Diego, California

440

Land lease expiring 2034

Loews Denver Hotel
Denver, Colorado

185

Owned

The Don CeSar, a Loews Hotel
St. Pete Beach, Florida

347

Management contract (a)

Hard Rock Hotel,
at Universal Orlando
Orlando, Florida

650

Management contract (b)

Loews Lake Las Vegas
Henderson, Nevada

493

Management contract

Loews Le Concorde Hotel
Quebec City, Canada

405

Land lease expiring 2069

Loews Miami Beach Hotel
Miami Beach, Florida

790

Owned

Loews New Orleans Hotel
New Orleans, Louisiana

285

Management contract

Loews Philadelphia Hotel
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

585

Owned

Loews Portofino Bay Hotel,
at Universal Orlando
Orlando, Florida

750

Management contract (b)

Loews Regency Hotel
New York, New York

350

Land lease expiring 2013, with renewal option for 47 years

Loews Royal Pacific Resort
at Universal Orlando
Orlando, Florida

1,000

Management contract (b)

Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel
Santa Monica, California

340

Management contract, with

Loews Vanderbilt Hotel
Nashville, Tennessee

340

renewal option for 5 years Owned

Loews Ventana Canyon
Tucson, Arizona

400

Management contract

Loews Hotel Vogue
Montreal, Canada

140

Owned

(a)

A Loews Hotels subsidiary is a 20% owner of the hotel, which is being operated by Loews Hotels pursuant to a management contract.

(b)

A Loews Hotels subsidiary is a 50% owner of these hotels located at the Universal Orlando theme park, through a joint venture with Universal Studios and the Rank Group. The hotels are on land leased by the joint venture and are operated by Loews Hotels pursuant to a management contract.

The hotels owned by Loews Hotels are subject to mortgage indebtedness totaling approximately $220 million at December 31, 2010 with interest rates ranging from 2.5% to 6.3%, and maturing between 2011 and 2028. In addition, certain hotels are held under leases which are subject to formula derived rental increases, with rentals aggregating approximately $6 million for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Competition from other hotels and lodging facilities is vigorous in all areas in which Loews Hotels operates. The demand for hotel rooms in many areas is seasonal and dependent on general and local economic conditions. Loews Hotels properties also compete with facilities offering similar services in locations other than those in which its hotels are located. Competition among luxury hotels is based primarily on location and service. Competition among resort and commercial hotels is based on price as well as location and service. Because of the competitive nature of the industry, hotels must continually make expenditures for updating, refurnishing and repairs and maintenance, in order to prevent competitive obsolescence.

EMPLOYEE RELATIONS

Including our operating subsidiaries as described below, we employed approximately 18,400 persons at December 31, 2010. We, and our subsidiaries, have experienced satisfactory labor relations.

CNA employed approximately 8,000 persons.

Diamond Offshore employed approximately 5,300 persons, including international crew personnel furnished through independent labor contractors.

HighMount employed approximately 400 persons.

Boardwalk Pipeline employed approximately 1,100 persons, approximately 115 of whom are included in collective bargaining units.

Loews Hotels employed approximately 3,400 persons, approximately 800 of whom are union members covered under collective bargaining agreements.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

Name  Position and Offices Held  Age  First
Became
Officer

David B. Edelson

  

Senior Vice President

  51  2005

Gary W. Garson

  

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

  64  1988

Herbert C. Hofmann

  

Senior Vice President

  68  1979

Peter W. Keegan

  

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

  66  1997

Richard W. Scott

  

Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer

  57  2010

Kenneth I. Siegel

  

Senior Vice President

  53  2009

Andrew H. Tisch

  

Office of the President, Co-Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Executive Committee

  61  1985

James S. Tisch

  

Office of the President, President and Chief Executive Officer

  58  1981

Jonathan M. Tisch

  

Office of the President and Co-Chairman of the Board

  57  1987

Andrew H. Tisch and James S. Tisch are brothers and are cousins of Jonathan M. Tisch. None of the other officers or directors of Registrant is related to any other.

All of our executive officers except for Kenneth I. Siegel and Richard W. Scott have been engaged actively and continuously in our business for more than the past five years. Prior to joining us, Mr. Siegel was employed as a Managing Director in the Mergers & Acquisitions Department at Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. and in 2009 at Barclays Capital Inc. in a similar capacity. Prior to joining us, Mr. Scott was employed at American International Group, Inc. for more than five years, serving in various senior investment positions, including Chief Investment Officer–Insurance Portfolio Management.

Officers are elected and hold office until their successors are elected and qualified, and are subject to removal by the Board of Directors.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

Our website address is www.loews.com. We make available, free of charge, through the website our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after these reports are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Copies of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Corporate Governance Guidelines, Audit Committee charter, Compensation Committee charter and Nominating and Governance Committee charter have also been posted and are available on our website.

Item 1. Business

CNA Financial Corporation – (Continued)

agencies. CNA Specialty provides solutions for managing the risks of its clients, including architects, lawyers, accountants, healthcare professionals, financial intermediaries and public and private companies. Product offerings also include surety and fidelity bonds and vehicle warranty services.

CNA Specialty includes the following business groups:

Professional & Management Liability:  Professional & Management liability provides management and professional liability insurance and risk management services and other specialized property and casualty coverages, primarily in the United States. This group provides professional liability coverages to various professional firms, including architects, realtors, small and mid-sized accounting firms, law firms and technology firms. Professional & Management Liability also provides Directors and Officers (“D&O”), employment practices, fiduciary and fidelity coverages. Specific areas of focus include small and mid-size firms as well as privately held firms and not-for-profit organizations, where tailored products for this client segment are offered. Products within Professional & Management Liability are distributed through brokers, agents and managing general underwriters.

Professional & Management Liability, through CNA HealthPro, also offers insurance products to serve the healthcare delivery system. Products include professional liability and associated standard property and casualty coverages, and are distributed on a national basis through brokers, agents and managing general underwriters. Key customer segments include long term care facilities, allied healthcare providers, life sciences, dental professionals and mid-size and large healthcare facilities.

International:  International provides similar management and professional liability insurance and other specialized property and casualty coverages in Canada and Europe.

Surety:  Surety consists primarily of CNA Surety Corporation (“CNA Surety”) and its insurance subsidiaries and offers small, medium and large contract and commercial surety bonds. CNA Surety provides surety and fidelity bonds in all 50 states through a combined network of independent agencies. CNA owns approximately 62% of CNA Surety.

Warranty and Alternative Risks:Warranty and Alternative Risks provides extended service contracts and related products that protect individuals from the financial burden associated with mechanical breakdown and other related losses, primarily for vehicles and portable electronic communication devices. These products are distributed through and administered by CNA’s wholly owned subsidiary, CNA National Warranty Corporation, or through a third party administrator.

CNA Commercial

CNA Commercial works with an independent agency distribution system and a network of brokers to market a broad range of property and casualty insurance products and services to small, middle-market and large businesses and organizations. Property products include standard and excess property coverages, as well as marine coverage, and boiler and machinery. Casualty products include standard casualty insurance products such as workers’ compensation, general and product liability, commercial auto and umbrella coverages. Most insurance programs are provided on a guaranteed cost basis; however, CNA also offers specialized loss-sensitive insurance programs to those customers viewed as higher risk and less predictable in exposure.

These property and casualty products are offered as part of CNA’sCommercial, Business andInternational insurance groups. CNA’s Business insurance group serves its smaller commercial accounts and the Commercial insurance group serves CNA’s middle markets and its larger risks. In addition, CNA Commercial provides total risk management services relating to claim and information services to the large commercial insurance marketplace, through a wholly owned subsidiary, CNA ClaimPlus, Inc., a third party administrator. The International insurance group primarily consists of the commercial product lines of CNA’s operations in Europe, Canada, Latin America and Hawaii.

Also included in CNA Commercial isCNA Select Risk (“Select Risk”), which includes CNA’s excess and surplus lines coverages. Select Risk provides specialized insurance for selected commercial risks on both an individual customer and program basis. Customers insured by Select Risk are generally viewed as higher risk and less predictable in exposure than those covered by standard insurance markets. Select Risk’s products are distributed throughout the United States through specialist producers, program agents and brokers.

Item 1. Business

CNA Financial Corporation – (Continued)

Life & Group Non-Core

The Life & Group Non-Core segment primarily includes the results of the life and group lines of business that are in run-off. CNA continues to service its existing individual long term care commitments, its payout annuity business and its pension deposit business. CNA also retains a block of group reinsurance and life settlement contracts. These businesses are being managed as a run-off operation. CNA’s group long term care business, while considered non-core, continues to be actively marketed. During 2008, CNA exited the indexed group annuity portion of its pension deposit business.

Other Insurance

Other Insurance includes certain CNA corporate expenses, including interest on CNA corporate debt, and the results of certain property and casualty business primarily in run-off, including CNA Re. This segment also includes the results related to the centralized adjusting and settlement of asbestos and environmental pollution (“A&E”) claims.

Please read Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations by Business Segment – CNA Financial” for information with respect to each segment.

The following table displays the distribution of CNA’s direct written premiums by geographic concentration.

Year Ended December 31  2009  2008  2007   
 

California

  9.1 9.2 9.5 

New York

  6.8   6.9   7.0   

Texas

  6.6   6.2   6.1   

Florida

  6.2   6.5   7.5   

Illinois

  3.8   3.8   3.8   

New Jersey

  3.7   3.8   3.7   

Missouri

  3.6   3.1   2.9   

Pennsylvania

  3.2   3.3   3.4   

All other states, countries or political subdivisions (a)

  57.0   57.2   56.1   
 
  100.0 100.0 100.0 
 

(a)

No other individual state, country or political subdivision accounts for more than 3.0% of direct written premiums.

Approximately 7.0%, 7.4% and 6.9% of CNA’s direct written premiums were derived from outside of the United States for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. Premiums from any individual foreign country were not significant.

Property and Casualty Claim and Claim Adjustment Expenses

The following loss reserve development table illustrates the change over time of reserves established for property and casualty claim and claim adjustment expenses at the end of the preceding ten calendar years for CNA’s property and casualty insurance companies. The table excludes CNA’s life subsidiaries, and as such, the carried reserves will not agree to the Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8. The first section shows the reserves as originally reported at the end of the stated year. The second section, reading down, shows the cumulative amounts paid as of the end of successive years with respect to the originally reported reserve liability. The third section, reading down, shows re-estimates of the originally recorded reserves as of the end of each successive year, which is the result of CNA’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries’ expanded awareness of additional facts and circumstances that pertain to the unsettled claims. The last section compares the latest re-estimated reserves to the reserves originally established, and indicates whether the original reserves were adequate or inadequate to cover the estimated costs of unsettled claims.

Item 1. Business

CNA Financial Corporation – (Continued)

The loss reserve development table is cumulative and, therefore, ending balances should not be added since the amount at the end of each calendar year includes activity for both the current and prior years. The development amounts in the table below include the impact of commutations, but exclude the impact of the provision for uncollectible reinsurance.

    Schedule of Loss Reserve Development
Year Ended December 31  1999(a)  2000  2001(b)  2002(c)  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008  2009
(In millions of dollars)                                 

Originally reported gross reserves for unpaid claim and claim adjustment expenses

   26,850    26,510    29,649    25,719    31,284    31,204    30,694    29,459    28,415    27,475   26,712

Originally reported ceded recoverable

   6,091    7,333    11,703    10,490    13,847    13,682    10,438    8,078    6,945    6,213   5,524
 

Originally reported net reserves for unpaid claim and claim adjustment expenses

   20,759    19,177    17,946    15,229    17,437    17,522    20,256    21,381    21,470    21,262   21,188
 

Cumulative net paid as of:

            

One year later

   6,547    7,686    5,981    5,373    4,382    2,651    3,442    4,436    4,308    3,930   -

Two years later

   11,937    11,992    10,355    8,768    6,104    4,963    7,022    7,676    7,127    -   -

Three years later

   15,256    15,291    12,954    9,747    7,780    7,825    9,620    9,822    -    -   -

Four years later

   18,151    17,333    13,244    10,870    10,085    9,914    11,289    -    -    -   -

Five years later

   19,686    17,775    13,922    12,814    11,834    11,261    -    -    -    -   -

Six years later

   20,206    18,970    15,493    14,320    12,988    -    -    -    -    -   -

Seven years later

   21,231    20,297    16,769    15,291    -    -    -    -    -    -   -

Eight years later

   22,373    21,382    17,668    -    -    -    -    -    -    -   -

Nine years later

   23,276    22,187    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -   -

Ten years later

   23,992    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -   -

Net reserves re-estimated as of:

            

End of initial year

   20,759    19,177    17,946    15,229    17,437    17,522    20,256    21,381    21,470    21,262   21,188

One year later

   21,163    21,502    17,980    17,650    17,671    18,513    20,588    21,601    21,463    21,021   -

Two years later

   23,217    21,555    20,533    18,248    19,120    19,044    20,975    21,706    21,259    -   -

Three years later

   23,081    24,058    21,109    19,814    19,760    19,631    21,408    21,609    -    -   -

Four years later

   25,590    24,587    22,547    20,384    20,425    20,212    21,432    -    -    -   -

Five years later

   26,000    25,594    22,983    21,076    21,060    20,301    -    -    -    -   -

Six years later

   26,625    26,023    23,603    21,769    21,217    -    -    -    -    -   -

Seven years later

   27,009    26,585    24,267    21,974    -    -    -    -    -    -   -

Eight years later

   27,541    27,207    24,548    -    -    -    -    -    -    -   -

Nine years later

   28,035    27,510    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -   -

Ten years later

   28,352    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -   -
 

Total net (deficiency) redundancy

   (7,593  (8,333  (6,602  (6,745�� (3,780  (2,779  (1,176  (228  211    241   -
 

Reconciliation to gross re-estimated reserves:

            

Net reserves re-estimated

   28,352    27,510    24,548    21,974    21,217    20,301    21,432    21,609    21,259    21,021   -

Re-estimated ceded recoverable

   10,511    11,277    16,756    16,107    14,468    13,349    10,727    8,444    7,113    6,101   -
 

Total gross re-estimated reserves

   38,863    38,787    41,304    38,081    35,685    33,650    32,159    30,053    28,372    27,122   -
 

Total gross (deficiency) redundancy

  $(12,013 $(12,277 $(11,655 $(12,362 $(4,401 $(2,446 $(1,465 $(594 $43   $353   -
 

Net (deficiency) redundancy related to:

            

Asbestos claims

   (1,655  (1,590  (818  (827  (177  (123  (113  (112  (107  (79 -

Environmental claims

   (691  (635  (288  (282  (209  (209  (159  (159  (159  (76 -
 

Total asbestos and environmental

   (2,346  (2,225  (1,106  (1,109  (386  (332  (272  (271  (266  (155 -

Other claims

   (5,247  (6,108  (5,496  (5,636  (3,394  (2,447  (904  43   477   396  -
 

Total net (deficiency) redundancy

   (7,593  (8,333  (6,602  (6,745  (3,780  (2,779  (1,176  (228  211   241  -
 

(a)

Ceded recoverable includes reserves transferred under retroactive reinsurance agreements of $784 as of December 31, 1999.

(b)

Effective January 1, 2001, CNA established a new life insurance company, CNA Group Life Assurance Company (“CNAGLA”). Further, on January 1, 2001 $1,055 of reserves were transferred from CCC to CNAGLA.

(c)

Effective October 31, 2002, CNA sold CNA Reinsurance Company Limited. As a result of the sale, net reserves were reduced by $1,316.

Item 1. Business

CNA Financial Corporation – (Continued)

Please read information relating to CNA’s property and casualty claim and claim adjustment expense reserves and reserve development set forth under Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”), and in Notes 1 and 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included under Item 8.

Investments

Please read Item 7, MD&A – Investments and Notes 1, 3, 4 and 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included under Item 8.

Other

Competition:  The property and casualty insurance industry is highly competitive both as to rate and service. CNA competes with stock and mutual insurance companies, reinsurance companies and other entities for both producers and customers. CNA must continuously allocate resources to refine and improve its insurance products and services.

Rates among insurers vary according to the types of insurers and methods of operation. CNA competes for business not only on the basis of rate, but also on the basis of availability of coverage desired by customers, ratings and quality of service, including claim adjustment services.

There are approximately 2,400 individual companies that sell property and casualty insurance in the United States. Based on 2008 statutory net written premiums, CNA is the seventh largest commercial insurance writer and the thirteenth largest property and casualty insurance organization in the United States.

Regulation:  The insurance industry is subject to comprehensive and detailed regulation and supervision throughout the United States. Each state has established supervisory agencies with broad administrative powers relative to licensing insurers and agents, approving policy forms, establishing reserve requirements, prescribing the form and content of statutory financial reports, and regulating capital adequacy and the type, quality and amount of investments permitted. Such regulatory powers also extend to premium rate regulations, which require that rates not be excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory. In addition to regulation of dividends by insurance subsidiaries, intercompany transfers of assets may be subject to prior notice or approval by the state insurance regulators, depending on the size of such transfers and payments in relation to the financial position of the insurance affiliates making the transfer or payment.

Insurers are also required by the states to provide coverage to insureds who would not otherwise be considered eligible by the insurers. Each state dictates the types of insurance and the level of coverage that must be provided to such involuntary risks. CNA’s share of these involuntary risks is mandatory and generally a function of its respective share of the voluntary market by line of insurance in each state.

Further, insurance companies are subject to state guaranty fund and other insurance-related assessments. Guaranty fund assessments are levied by the state departments of insurance to cover claims of insolvent insurers. Other insurance-related assessments are generally levied by state agencies to fund various organizations including disaster relief funds, rating bureaus, insurance departments, and workers’ compensation second injury funds, or by industry organizations that assist in the statistical analysis and ratemaking process.

Reform of the U.S. tort liability system is another issue facing the insurance industry. Over the last decade, many states have passed some type of tort reform. Even though there has been some tort reform success, new causes of action and theories of damages continue to be proposed in state court actions or by federal or state legislatures that continue to expand liability for insurers and their policyholders. For example, some state legislatures are considering legislation addressing direct actions against insurers related to bad faith claims. As a result of this unpredictability in the law, insurance underwriting and rating are expected to continue to be difficult in commercial lines, professional liability and some specialty coverages.

        Although the federal government and its regulatory agencies do not directly regulate the business of insurance, federal legislative and regulatory initiatives can impact the insurance industry in a variety of ways. These initiatives and legislation include tort reform proposals; proposals addressing natural catastrophe exposures; terrorism risk mechanisms; federal financial services reform; federal regulation of insurance; various tax proposals affecting insurance companies;

Item 1. Business

CNA Financial Corporation – (Continued)

and possible regulatory limitations, impositions and restrictions arising from the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.

Properties:  The 333 S. Wabash Avenue building, located in Chicago, Illinois and owned by CCC, a wholly owned subsidiary of CNA, serves as the home office for CNA and its insurance subsidiaries. CNA owns or leases office space in various cities throughout the United States and in other countries. The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the principal office buildings owned or leased by CNA:

Location

Size

(square feet)

Principal Usage

333 S. Wabash Avenue
Chicago, Illinois

803,728

Principal executive offices of CNA

401 Penn Street
Reading, Pennsylvania

171,318

Property and casualty insurance offices

2405 Lucien Way
Maitland, Florida

121,959

Property and casualty insurance offices

40 Wall Street
New York, New York

107,927

Property and casualty insurance offices

1100 Ward Avenue
Honolulu, Hawaii

104,478

Property and casualty insurance offices

101 S. Phillips Avenue
Sioux Falls, South Dakota

83,616

Property and casualty insurance offices

600 N. Pearl Street
Dallas, Texas

70,790

Property and casualty insurance offices

675 Placentia Avenue
Brea, California

63,538

Property and casualty insurance offices

1249 S. River Road
Cranbury, New Jersey

56,100

Property and casualty insurance offices

4267 Meridian Parkway
Aurora, Illinois

46,903

Data center

CNA leases its office space described above except for the Chicago, Illinois building, the Reading, Pennsylvania building, and the Aurora, Illinois building, which are owned.

DIAMOND OFFSHORE DRILLING, INC.

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (“Diamond Offshore”), is engaged, through its subsidiaries, in the business of owning and operating drilling rigs that are used in the drilling of offshore oil and gas wells on a contract basis for companies engaged in exploration and production of hydrocarbons. Diamond Offshore owns 47 offshore rigs. Diamond Offshore accounted for 25.9%, 26.3% and 18.3% of our consolidated total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.

Diamond Offshore owns and operates 32 semisubmersible rigs, consisting of 13 high specification and 19 intermediate rigs. Semisubmersible rigs consist of an upper working and living deck resting on vertical columns connected to lower hull members. Such rigs operate in a “semi-submerged” position, remaining afloat, off bottom, in a position in which the lower hull is approximately 55 feet to 90 feet below the water line and the upper deck protrudes well above the surface. Semisubmersible rigs are typically anchored in position and remain stable for drilling in the semi-submerged floating position due in part to their wave transparency characteristics at the water line. Semisubmersible rigs can also be held in position through the use of a computer controlled thruster (“dynamic-positioning”) system to maintain the rig’s position over a drillsite. Five semisubmersible rigs in Diamond Offshore’s fleet have this capability.

        Diamond Offshore’s high specification semisubmersible rigs are generally capable of working in water depths of 4,000 feet or greater or in harsh environments and have other advanced features, as compared to intermediate semisubmersible rigs. As of January 25, 2010, seven of the 13 high specification semisubmersible rigs, including the recently acquiredOcean Courage, were located in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico (“GOM”). At that date Diamond Offshore had two high specification semisubmersible rigs operating offshore Brazil, while a third was en route to Brazil from the GOM. Of

Item 1. Business

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. – (Continued)

Diamond Offshore’s remaining high specification semisubmersible rigs, one was located offshore each of Malaysia and Angola, while the final rig, theOcean Valor, was completing its commissioning in Singapore.

Diamond Offshore’s intermediate semisubmersible rigs generally work in maximum water depths up to 4,000 feet. As of January 25, 2010, Diamond Offshore had 19 intermediate semisubmersible rigs in various locations around the world. Seven of these semisubmersible rigs were operating offshore Brazil and an eighth unit was en route to Brazil; three were located in the North Sea; two each were located offshore Australia and offshore Mexico; one was located in the GOM and one offshore Vietnam. One unit was en route to the Falkland Islands, and the final intermediate semisubmersible rig, theOcean Bounty, was in the process of being cold stacked in Malaysia.

Diamond Offshore has one high specification drillship, theOcean Clipper, which was located offshore Brazil as of January 25, 2010. Drillships, which are typically self-propelled, are positioned over a drillsite through the use of either an anchoring system or a dynamic-positioning system similar to those used on certain semisubmersible rigs. Deepwater drillships compete in many of the same markets as do high specification semisubmersible rigs.

Diamond Offshore has 14 jack-up drilling rigs. Jack-up rigs are mobile, self-elevating drilling platforms equipped with legs that are lowered to the ocean floor until a foundation is established to support the drilling platform. The rig hull includes the drilling rig, jacking system, crew quarters, loading and unloading facilities, storage areas for bulk and liquid materials, heliport and other related equipment. Diamond Offshore’s jack-up rigs are used for drilling in water depths from 20 feet to 350 feet. The water depth limit of a particular rig is principally determined by the length of the rig’s legs. A jack-up rig is towed to the drillsite with its hull riding in the sea, as a vessel, with its legs retracted. Once over a drillsite, the legs are lowered until they rest on the seabed and jacking continues with the legs penetrating the seabed until resistance is sufficient to elevate the hull above the surface of the water. After completion of drilling operations, the hull is lowered until it rests in the water and then the legs are retracted for relocation to another drillsite.

As of January 25, 2010, six of Diamond Offshore’s 14 jack-up rigs were located in the GOM and a seventh rig, theOcean Scepter, was en route from Uruguay for a six-well drilling program in the GOM. Four of those rigs are independent-leg cantilevered units, two are mat-supported cantilevered units, and one is a mat-supported slot unit. Diamond Offshore cold-stacked the three mat-supported jack-up rigs located in the GOM during the second quarter of 2009 and is no longer actively marketing these drilling units. Of Diamond Offshore’s seven remaining jack-up rigs, all of which are independent-leg cantilevered units, two each were located offshore Egypt and Mexico, and one was located offshore each of Indonesia, Croatia and the Joint Petroleum Development Area between Australia and Timor Leste.

Diamond Offshore’s long-term strategy has been to economically upgrade its fleet to meet customer demand for advanced, efficient, high-tech rigs, particularly deepwater semisubmersible rigs, in order to maximize the utilization of, and dayrates earned by, the rigs in its fleet. In addition, excluding Diamond Offshore’s two new deepwater floaters acquired in 2009, it has, since 1995, increased the number of its rigs capable of operating in 3,500 feet or more of water from three rigs to 14 (11 of which are high specification units), primarily by upgrading its existing fleet. Seven of these upgrades were to Diamond Offshore’s Victory-class semisubmersible rigs, the design of which is well-suited for significant upgrade projects. Diamond Offshore has two additional Victory-class intermediate semisubmersible rigs that could potentially be upgraded at some time in the future. During 2009, Diamond Offshore acquired two newbuild deepwater, semisubmersible, dynamically positioned drilling rigs, theOcean Courage(June 2009) and theOcean Valor (September 2009). TheOcean Courage is completing its commissioning and preparing for its first contract in the GOM, which is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2010. Commissioning of theOcean Valoris expected to be completed in Singapore in the first quarter of 2010.

Item 1. Business

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. – (Continued)

Markets:  The principal markets for Diamond Offshore’s contract drilling services are the following:

the Gulf of Mexico, including the U.S. and Mexico;

South America, principally in Brazil;

Europe, principally in the United Kingdom, or U.K., and Norway;

the Mediterranean Basin, including Egypt;

Africa, currently in Angola;

Australia and Asia, including Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam; and

the Middle East, including Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Diamond Offshore actively markets its rigs worldwide. From time to time Diamond Offshore’s fleet operates in various other markets throughout the world as the market demands.

Diamond Offshore believes its presence in multiple markets is valuable in many respects. For example, Diamond Offshore believes that its experience with safety and other regulatory matters in the U.K. has been beneficial in Australia and other international areas in which Diamond Offshore operates, while production experience it has gained through Brazilian and North Sea operations has potential application worldwide. Additionally, Diamond Offshore believes its performance for a customer in one market segment or area enables it to better understand that customer’s needs and better serve that customer in different market segments or other geographic locations.

Diamond Offshore’s contracts to provide offshore drilling services vary in their terms and provisions. Diamond Offshore typically obtains its contracts through competitive bidding, although it is not unusual for Diamond Offshore to be awarded drilling contracts without competitive bidding. Drilling contracts generally provide for a basic drilling rate on a fixed dayrate basis regardless of whether or not such drilling results in a productive well. Drilling contracts may also provide for lower rates during periods when the rig is being moved or when drilling operations are interrupted or restricted by equipment breakdowns, adverse weather conditions or other conditions beyond the control of Diamond Offshore. Under dayrate contracts, Diamond Offshore generally pays operating expenses of the rig, including wages and the cost of incidental supplies. Historically, dayrate contracts have accounted for the majority of Diamond Offshore’s revenues. In addition, from time to time, Diamond Offshore’s dayrate contracts may also provide for the ability to earn an incentive bonus from its customer based upon performance.

A dayrate drilling contract generally extends over a period of time covering either the drilling of a single well or a group of wells, which Diamond Offshore refers to as a well-to-well contract, or a fixed term, which Diamond Offshore refers to as a term contract, and may be terminated by the customer in the event the drilling unit is destroyed or lost or if drilling operations are suspended for an extended period of time as a result of a breakdown of equipment or, in some cases, due to other events beyond the control of either party to the contract. In addition, certain of Diamond Offshore’s contracts permit the customer to terminate the contract early by giving notice, and in most circumstances may require the payment of an early termination fee by the customer. The contract term in many instances may also be extended by the customer exercising options for the drilling of additional wells or for an additional length of time, generally at competitive market rates and mutually agreeable terms at the time of the extension.

Customers:  Diamond Offshore provides offshore drilling services to a customer base that includes major and independent oil and gas companies and government-owned oil companies. During 2009, Diamond Offshore performed services for 47 different customers and for 49 different customers each during 2008 and 2007. During 2009, 2008 and 2007, one of Diamond Offshore’s two customers in Brazil, Petróleo Brasileiro S.A., or Petrobras, (a Brazilian multinational energy company that is majority-owned by the Brazilian government) accounted for 15%, 13% and 9% of Diamond Offshore’s annual total consolidated revenues. No other customer accounted for 10% or more of Diamond Offshore’s annual total consolidated revenues during 2009 and 2008, nor did any single customer account for 10% or more of Diamond Offshore’s annual total consolidated revenues during 2007.

Item 1. Business

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. – (Continued)

Brazil is the most active floater market in the world today. The greatest concentration of Diamond Offshore’s operating assets outside the United States is offshore Brazil, where 12 rigs in its fleet are either currently working or contracted to work during 2010. Diamond Offshore’s contract backlog attributable to its expected operations offshore Brazil is $1.1 billion, $1.1 billion and $867.0 million for the years 2010, 2011 and 2012, and $1.2 billion in the aggregate for the years 2013 to 2016. Please see MD&A under Item 7 for additional information.

Competition:  The offshore contract drilling industry is highly competitive with numerous industry participants, none of which at the present time has a dominant market share. The drilling industry has experienced consolidation in recent years and may experience additional consolidation, which could create additional large competitors. Some of Diamond Offshore’s competitors may have greater financial or other resources than Diamond Offshore. Diamond Offshore competes with offshore drilling contractors that together have more than 600 mobile rigs available worldwide.

The offshore contract drilling industry is influenced by a number of factors, including global economies and demand for oil and natural gas, current and anticipated prices of oil and natural gas, expenditures by oil and gas companies for exploration and development of oil and natural gas and the availability of drilling rigs.

Drilling contracts are traditionally awarded on a competitive bid basis. Intense price competition is often the primary factor in determining which qualified contractor is awarded a job. Customers may also consider rig availability and location, a drilling contractor’s operational and safety performance record, and condition and suitability of equipment. Diamond Offshore believes it competes favorably with respect to these factors.

Governmental Regulation:  Diamond Offshore’s operations are subject to numerous international, U.S., state and local laws and regulations that relate directly or indirectly to its operations, including regulations controlling the discharge of materials into the environment, requiring removal and clean-up under some circumstances, or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment, and may include laws or regulations pertaining to climate change, carbon emissions or energy use.

Operations Outside the United States:  Diamond Offshore’s operations outside the U.S. accounted for approximately 66%, 59% and 50% of its total consolidated revenues for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.

Properties: Diamond Offshore owns an eight-story office building containing approximately 182,000-net rentable square feet on approximately 6.2 acres of land located in Houston, Texas, where its corporate headquarters is located, two buildings totaling 39,000 square feet and 20 acres of land in New Iberia, Louisiana, for its offshore drilling warehouse and storage facility, a 13,000-square foot building and five acres of land in Aberdeen, Scotland, for its North Sea operations and two buildings totaling 65,000 square feet and 11 acres of land in Macae, Brazil, for its South American operations. Additionally, Diamond Offshore currently leases various office, warehouse and storage facilities in Louisiana, Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, Norway, the Netherlands, Malaysia, Singapore, Egypt, Angola, Vietnam and Mexico to support its offshore drilling operations.

HIGHMOUNT EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION LLC

HighMount is engaged in the exploration, production and marketing of natural gas, NGLs (predominantly ethane and propane) and, to a small extent, oil, primarily in the Permian Basin in Texas, the Antrim Shale in Michigan and the Black Warrior Basin in Alabama. HighMount holds interests in developed and undeveloped acreage, wellbores and well facilities, which generally take the form of working interests in leases that have varying terms. HighMount’s interests in these properties are, in many cases, held jointly with third parties and may be subject to royalty, overriding royalty, carried, net profits, working and other similar interests and contractual arrangements with other parties as is customary in the oil and gas industry. HighMount also owns or has interests in gathering systems which transport natural gas and NGLs, principally from its producing wells, to processing plants and pipelines owned by third parties. HighMount accounted for 4.4%, 5.8% and 2.1% of our consolidated total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.

Item 1. Business

HighMount Exploration & Production LLC – (Continued)

We use the following terms throughout this discussion of HighMount’s business, with “equivalent” volumes computed with oil and natural gas liquid (“NGL”) quantities converted to Mcf, on an energy equivalent ratio of one barrel to six Mcf:

Average price

-

Average price during the twelve-month period, prior to the date of the estimate, determined as an unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month within such period, unless prices are defined by contractual arrangements with customers, excluding escalations based upon future conditions

Bbl

-

Barrel (of oil or NGLs)

Bcf

-

Billion cubic feet (of natural gas)

Bcfe

-

Billion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent

Developed acreage

-

Acreage assignable to productive wells

Mcf

-

Thousand cubic feet (of natural gas)

Mcfe

-

Thousand cubic feet of natural gas equivalent

MMBbl

-

Million barrels (of oil or NGLs)

MMBtu

-

Million British thermal units

MMcf

-

Million cubic feet (of natural gas)

MMcfe

-

Million cubic feet of natural gas equivalent

Productive wells

-

Producing wells and wells mechanically capable of production

Proved reserves

-

Quantities of natural gas, NGLs and oil which, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in the future from known reservoirs under existing economic conditions, operating methods and government regulations

Proved developed reserves

-

Proved reserves which can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment, infrastructure and operating methods

Proved undeveloped reserves

-

Proved reserves which are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required

Tcf

-

Trillion cubic feet (of natural gas)

Tcfe

-

Trillion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent

Undeveloped acreage

-

Leased acres on which wells have not been drilled or completed to a point that would permit the production of economic quantities of oil or gas

In addition, as used in this discussion of HighMount’s business, “gross wells” refers to the total number of wells in which HighMount owns a working interest and “net wells” refers to the sum of each of the gross wells multiplied by the percentage working interest owned by HighMount in such well. “Gross acres” refers to the total number of acres with respect to which HighMount owns or leases an interest and “net acres” is the sum of each unit of gross acres covered by a lease or other arrangement multiplied by HighMount’s percentage mineral interest in such gross acreage.

As of December 31, 2009, HighMount owned 2.0 Tcfe of net proved reserves, of which 80.5% were classified as proved developed reserves. HighMount’s estimated total proved reserves consist of 1.5 Tcf of natural gas, 70.1 MMBbls of NGLs, and 3.7 MMBbls of oil and condensate. HighMount produced approximately 271 MMcfe per day of natural gas, NGLs and oil during 2009. HighMount holds leasehold or drilling rights in 1.0 million net acres, of which 0.6 million is developed acreage and the balance is held for future exploration and development drilling opportunities. HighMount participated in the drilling of 159 wells during 2009, of which 154 (or 96.9%) are productive wells.

Reserves:  HighMount’s reserves disclosed in this Report represent its share of reserves based on its net revenue interest in each property. Estimated reserves as of December 31, 2009 are based upon studies for each of HighMount’s properties prepared by HighMount staff engineers. Calculations were prepared using standard geological and engineering methods generally accepted by the petroleum industry and in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) guidelines.

HighMount implements various internal controls to assure objectivity of the reserve estimation process. The main internal controls include (a) detailed reviews of reserve-related information at various levels of the organization – Asset Management, Division Management, Corporate Engineering and Executive Management, (b) reserve audit performed by an independent third party reserve auditor, (c) segregation of duties and (d) system reconciliation or automated interface between various systems used in the reserve estimation process.

Item 1. Business

HighMount Exploration & Production LLC – (Continued)

HighMount employs a team of reservoir engineers that specialize in each of HighMount’s three basins. HighMount’s lead evaluator has over thirty years of oil and gas engineering experience, twelve of those in the reservoir discipline and has a registered professional engineering license from the State of Oklahoma.

Ryder Scott Company, L.P., an independent third party petroleum engineering consulting firm, has audited HighMount’s reserve estimates in accordance with the “Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information” promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers. Ryder Scott’s lead reservoir engineer responsible for the reserve audit has more than thirty years of experience in the field of estimation and evaluation of petroleum reserves and resources. He has the professional qualifications of a Reserve Estimator and a Reserve Auditor set forth in Article III of the “Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information” promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Notre Dame in 1975 and a Masters of Business Administration at the University of Texas at Austin in 1998. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas. He is also a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association, and the Houston’s Producers Forum.

The following table sets forth HighMount’s proved reserves at December 31, 2009, based on average 2009 prices of $3.87 per MMBtu for natural gas, $31.73 per Bbl for NGLs and $61.18 per Bbl for oil.

    Natural Gas
(MMcf)
  

NGLs

(Bbls)

  

Oil

(Bbls)

  

Natural Gas

Equivalents

(MMcfe)

   

Proved developed

         

Permian Basin

  942,639  55,198,202  2,706,258  1,290,066 

Antrim Shale

  188,327    226,598  189,686 

Black Warrior Basin

  100,164    96,138  100,741 

Proved undeveloped

         

Permian Basin

  242,046  14,905,936  704,698  335,710 

Antrim Shale

  39,422      39,422 

Black Warrior Basin

  8,710      8,710 
 

Total proved

  1,521,308  70,104,138  3,733,692  1,964,335 
 

During 2009, natural gas prices decreased significantly from their 2008 levels due largely to increased onshore natural gas production, plentiful levels of working gas in storage and reduced demand. At the same time, drilling costs remained relatively high during the first and second quarter of 2009. The impact of these developments was a reduction of HighMount’s proved reserves by 181.1 Bcfe, that included a reduction of proved undeveloped reserves of 115.4 Bcfe. During 2009, HighMount converted 20.8 Bcfe from proved undeveloped reserves to proved developed reserves by drilling 63 gross proved undeveloped wells. HighMount spent $27 million to drill and complete these wells. During 2009, HighMount added 8.9 Bcfe to its proved undeveloped reserves as a result of its development drilling.

Estimated net quantities of proved natural gas and oil (including condensate and NGLs) reserves at December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 and changes in the reserves during 2009, 2008 and 2007 are shown in Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

HighMount’s properties typically have relatively long reserve lives, high well completion success rates and predictable production profiles. Based on December 31, 2009 proved reserves and HighMount’s average production from these properties during 2009, the average reserve-to-production index of HighMount’s proved reserves is 20 years.

In order to replenish reserves as they are depleted by production, and to increase reserves, HighMount further develops its existing acreage by drilling new wells and, where available, employing new technologies and drilling strategies designed to enhance production from existing wells. HighMount seeks to opportunistically acquire additional acreage in its core areas of operation, as well as other locations where its management has identified an opportunity.

Item 1. Business

HighMount Exploration & Production LLC – (Continued)

During the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, HighMount engaged in the drilling activity presented in the following table. All wells drilled during 2009, 2008 and 2007 disclosed in the table below were development wells.

Year Ended December 31    2009    2008    2007 (a)
      Gross    Net    Gross    Net    Gross    Net   

Productive Wells

                         

Permian Basin

    100    98.5    369    363.5    196    191.5 

Antrim Shale

    35    15.1    59    22.7    5    3.7 

Black Warrior Basin

    19    17.1    61    42.9    35    24.5 
 

Total Productive Wells

    154    130.7    489    429.1    236    219.7 
 

Dry Wells

                         

Permian Basin

    5    5.0    9    9.0    6    6.0 
 

Total Dry Wells

    5    5.0    9    9.0    6    6.0 
 

Total Completed Wells

    159    135.7    498    438.1    242    225.7 
 

Wells in Progress

                         

Permian Basin

    67    66.9    32    31.9    12    12.0 

Antrim Shale

    4    2.8    2    0.2         

Black Warrior Basin

    9    7.2    1    1.0    7    4.9 
 

Total Wells in Progress

    80    76.9    35    33.1    19    16.9 
 

(a)

HighMount commenced operations on July 31, 2007.

In addition, in 2009, HighMount drilled one successful exploratory well.

Acreage:  As of December 31, 2009, HighMount owned interests in developed and undeveloped acreage in the locations set forth in the table below:

   Developed Acreage Undeveloped Acreage  Total Acreage
    Gross  Net Gross Net  Gross  Net    

Permian Basin

  588,973  450,746 202,258 64,828  791,231  515,574  

Antrim Shale

  246,611  115,345 18,102 6,536  264,713  121,881  

Black Warrior Basin

  112,764  80,331 394,031 254,158  506,795  334,489  
 

Total

     948,348     646,422    614,391    325,522  1,562,739     971,944  
 

Production and Sales:  Please see the Production and Sales statistics table for additional information included under MD&A in Item 7.

HighMount utilizes its own marketing and sales personnel to market the natural gas and NGLs that it produces to large energy companies and intrastate pipelines and gathering companies. Production is typically sold and delivered directly to a pipeline at liquid pooling points or at the tailgates of various processing plants, where it then enters a pipeline system. Permian Basin sales prices are primarily at a Houston Ship Channel Index, Antrim sales are at a MichCon Index and Black Warrior sales are at a Southern Natural Gas Pipeline Index.

To manage the risk of fluctuations in prevailing commodity prices, HighMount enters into commodity and basis swaps and other derivative instruments.

Item 1. Business

HighMount Exploration & Production LLC – (Continued)

Wells:  As of December 31, 2009, HighMount had an interest in the following natural gas producing wells:

    Gross  Net   

Permian Basin

  5,823  5,568 

Antrim Shale

  2,258  1,004 

Black Warrior Basin

  1,437  1,127 
 

Total producing wells

  9,518  7,699 
 

Wells located in the Permian Basin have a typical well depth in the range of 6,000 to 9,000 feet, while wells located in the Antrim Shale and the Black Warrior Basin have typical well depths of 1,200 feet and 2,000 feet.

Competition:  HighMount competes with other oil and gas companies in all aspects of its business, including acquisition of producing properties and leases and obtaining goods, services and labor, including drilling rigs and well completion services. HighMount also competes in the marketing of produced natural gas and NGLs. Some of HighMount’s competitors have substantially larger financial and other resources than HighMount. Factors that affect HighMount’s ability to acquire producing properties include available funds, available information about the property and standards established by HighMount for minimum projected return on investment. Competition for sales of natural gas and NGLs is also presented by alternative fuel sources, including heating oil, imported liquefied natural gas and other fossil fuels.

Governmental Regulation:  All of HighMount’s operations are conducted onshore in the United States. The U.S. oil and gas industry, and HighMount’s operations, are subject to regulation at the federal, state and local level. Such regulation includes requirements with respect to, among other things: permits to drill and to conduct other operations; provision of financial assurances (such as bonds) covering drilling and well operations; the location of wells; the method of drilling and completing wells; the surface use and restoration of properties upon which wells are drilled; the plugging and abandoning of wells; the marketing, transportation and reporting of production; and the valuation and payment of royalties; the size of drilling and spacing units (regarding the density of wells which may be drilled in a particular area); the unitization or pooling of properties; maximum rates of production from wells; venting or flaring of natural gas and the ratability of production.

The Federal Energy Policy Act of 2005 amended the Natural Gas Act (“NGA”) to prohibit natural gas market manipulation by any entity, directed the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) to facilitate market transparency in the sale or transportation of physical natural gas and significantly increased the penalties for violations of the NGA of 1938, the NGA of 1978, or FERC regulations or orders thereunder. In addition, HighMount owns and operates gas gathering lines and related facilities which are regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (“DOT”) and state agencies with respect to safety and operating conditions.

HighMount’s operations are also subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations concerning the discharge of contaminants into the environment, the generation, storage, transportation and disposal of contaminants, and the protection of public health, natural resources, wildlife and the environment. In most instances, the regulatory requirements relate to the handling and disposal of drilling and production waste products, water and air pollution control procedures, and the remediation of petroleum-product contamination. In addition, HighMount’s operations may require it to obtain permits for, among other things, air emissions, discharges into surface waters, and the construction and operation of underground injection wells or surface pits to dispose of produced saltwater and other non-hazardous oilfield wastes. HighMount could be required, without regard to fault or the legality of the original disposal, to remove or remediate previously disposed wastes, to suspend or cease operations in contaminated areas or to perform remedial well plugging operations or cleanups to prevent future contamination.

In September 2009, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) adopted regulations under the Clean Air Act requiring the monitoring and reporting of annual greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions by certain large U.S. GHG emitters. Affected companies were required to monitor their GHG emissions starting January 1, 2010 and will be required to report to the EPA beginning in March 2011. Oil and gas exploration and production companies that emit less than 25,000 metric tons of GHG per year from any facility (as defined in the regulations), including HighMount, are not required to monitor or report emissions at this time. However, the EPA has indicated it will issue a proposed rule for

Item 1. Business

HighMount Exploration & Production LLC – (Continued)

comment as it pertains to Oil and Gas Systems and HighMount anticipates that it will be required to begin data collection in 2011 for subsequent reporting to the EPA.

Properties:  In addition to its interests in oil and gas producing properties, HighMount leases an aggregate of approximately 120,000 square feet of office space in three locations in Houston, Texas, which includes its corporate headquarters, and approximately 102,000 square feet of office space in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Traverse City, Michigan which is used in its operations. HighMount also leases other surface rights and office, warehouse and storage facilities necessary to operate its business.

BOARDWALK PIPELINE PARTNERS, LP

Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP (“Boardwalk Pipeline”) is engaged in the interstate transportation and storage of natural gas. Boardwalk Pipeline accounted for 6.4%, 6.4% and 4.7% of our consolidated total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.

As of February 19, 2010, we owned approximately 67% of Boardwalk Pipeline comprised of 104,219,466 common units, 22,866,667 class B units and a 2% general partner interest. A wholly owned subsidiary of ours (“BPHC”) is the general partner and holds all of Boardwalk Pipeline’s incentive distribution rights which entitle the general partner to an increasing percentage of the cash that is distributed by Boardwalk Pipeline in excess of $0.4025 per unit per quarter.

Boardwalk Pipeline owns and operates three interstate natural gas pipelines, with approximately 14,200 miles of interconnected pipelines, directly serving customers in 12 states and indirectly serving customers throughout the northeastern and southeastern United States through numerous interconnections with unaffiliated pipelines. In 2009, its pipeline systems transported approximately 2.1 trillion cubic feet (“Tcf”) of gas. Average daily throughput on Boardwalk Pipeline’s pipeline systems during 2009 was approximately 5.7 billion cubic feet (“Bcf”). Boardwalk Pipeline’s natural gas storage facilities are comprised of 11 underground storage fields located in four states with aggregate working gas capacity of approximately 163.0 Bcf.

Boardwalk Pipeline conducts all of its operations through its three operating subsidiaries:

Gulf Crossing Pipeline Company LLC (“Gulf Crossing”):  The Gulf Crossing pipeline system, located in Texas and Louisiana, operates approximately 360 miles of natural gas pipeline. The pipeline system has a peak-day delivery capacity of 1.4 Bcf per day and average daily throughput for the year ended December 31, 2009 was 0.7 Bcf per day. The designated peak-day transmission capacity is expected to increase to 1.7 Bcf per day from the addition of compression which is expected to be placed into service in the first quarter of 2010.

Gulf South Pipeline Company, L.P. (“Gulf South”):  The Gulf South pipeline system runs approximately 7,700 miles along the Gulf Coast in the states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. Gulf South has two natural gas storage facilities with 83.0 Bcf of working gas storage capacity. The pipeline system has a peak-day delivery capacity of 6.2 Bcf per day and average daily throughput for the year ended December 31, 2009 was 3.1 Bcf per day.

Texas Gas Transmission, LLC (“Texas Gas”):  The Texas Gas pipeline system originates in Louisiana, East Texas and Arkansas and runs for approximately 6,110 miles north and east through Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, and into Ohio, with smaller diameter lines extending into Illinois. The pipeline system has a peak-day delivery capacity of 4.3 Bcf per day and average daily throughput for the year ended December 31, 2009 was 2.8 Bcf per day. Texas Gas owns nine natural gas storage fields, of which it owns the majority of the working and base gas, with 80.0 Bcf of working gas storage capacity.

In 2008 and 2009, Boardwalk Pipeline completed its East Texas Pipeline, Southeast Expansion and Gulf Crossing Project (“42-inch pipeline expansion projects”), which collectively consist of approximately 700 miles of 42-inch pipeline and certain related compression facilities. Boardwalk Pipeline also completed and placed in service its Fayetteville and Greenville Laterals, which together consist of approximately 260 miles of 36-inch pipeline and certain related compression facilities. Additional compression was placed into service on the Fayetteville and Greenville Laterals in January of 2010 and Boardwalk Pipeline expects to place into service additional compression on the Gulf Crossing Project in the first quarter of 2010. With the exception of the Greenville Lateral, these projects were designed to operate at higher than normal operating pressures. While completing the requirements to operate Boardwalk Pipeline’s

Item 1. Business

Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP – (Continued)

42-inch expansion project pipelines and the Fayetteville Lateral at higher than normal operating pressures in 2009, Boardwalk Pipeline discovered anomalies in certain pipeline segments on each of the projects, which resulted in reductions of operating pressures on these pipelines below normal operating pressures and the shut down of segments of the pipelines for periods of time to remediate the anomalies, adversely impacting average daily throughput. Please see MD&A under Item 7 for additional information. Boardwalk Pipeline is currently engaged in the Haynesville Project and Clarence Compression Project.

Boardwalk Pipeline serves a broad mix of customers, including marketers, local distribution companies, producers, electric power generators, intrastate and interstate pipelines and direct industrial users located throughout the Gulf Coast, Midwest and Northeast regions of the U.S.

Competition:  Boardwalk Pipeline competes with other pipelines to maintain current business levels and to serve new demand and markets. Boardwalk Pipeline also competes with other pipelines for contracts with producers that would support new growth opportunities. The principal elements of competition among pipelines are available capacity, rates, terms of service, access to supply and flexibility and reliability of service. Competition is particularly strong in the Midwest and Gulf Coast states where Boardwalk Pipeline competes with numerous existing pipelines, including the Rockies Express Pipeline that transports natural gas from northern Colorado to eastern Ohio and the Mid-Continent Express Pipeline that transports natural gas from Oklahoma and Texas to Alabama. Boardwalk Pipeline will also directly compete with several new pipeline projects that are proposed or under development, including projects originating in the Haynesville Shale area – more specifically, the Tiger Pipeline that will transport gas to Perryville, Louisiana and the Haynesville Extension Pipeline that will transport gas to the industrial complex in southeastern Louisiana - and the Fayetteville Express Pipeline which will originate in the Fayetteville Shale area and continue eastward to Mississippi. In addition, regulators’ continuing efforts to increase competition in the natural gas industry have increased the natural gas transportation options of Boardwalk Pipeline’s traditional customers. As a result of the regulators’ policies, segmentation and capacity release have created an active secondary market which increasingly competes with Boardwalk Pipeline’s pipeline services. Additionally, natural gas competes with other forms of energy available to Boardwalk Pipeline’s customers, including electricity, coal and fuel oils.

The natural gas industry has built, or is in the process of completing, significant new pipeline infrastructure that will support the development of unconventional natural gas supply basins across the U.S. Additional pipeline infrastructure projects are being proposed. These new pipeline developments have increased competition in certain pipeline markets, resulting in lower price differentials between physical locations (basis spreads). Basis spreads can impact the rates Boardwalk Pipeline will be able to negotiate with its customers when contracts come up for renewal. Despite these competitive conditions, assuming that customers use all of their reserved capacity, substantially all of the operating capacity on Boardwalk Pipeline’s pipeline systems is contracted for with a weighted-average contract life of approximately 5.9 years, although each year a portion of Boardwalk Pipeline’s capacity becomes subject to re-contracting risk. For example, approximately 14.0% of Boardwalk Pipeline’s contracts are due to expire in 2010.

Seasonality:  Boardwalk Pipeline’s revenues can be affected by weather and natural gas price levels and volatility. Weather impacts natural gas demand for heating needs and power generation, which in turn influences the short-term value of transportation and storage across its pipeline systems. Colder than normal winters can result in an increase in the demand for natural gas for heating needs and warmer than normal summers can impact cooling needs, both of which typically result in increased pipeline transportation revenues and throughput. While traditionally peak demand for natural gas occurred during the winter months driven by heating needs, the increased use of natural gas for cooling needs during the summer months has reduced the seasonality of Boardwalk Pipeline’s revenues over time. During 2009, approximately 55.0% of Boardwalk Pipeline’s revenues were recognized in the first and fourth quarters of the year.

Governmental Regulation:  FERC regulates Boardwalk Pipeline’s operating subsidiaries under the NGA of 1938 and the NGA of 1978. FERC regulates, among other things, the rates and charges for the transportation and storage of natural gas in interstate commerce and the extension, enlargement or abandonment of facilities under its jurisdiction. Where required, Boardwalk Pipeline’s operating subsidiaries hold certificates of public convenience and necessity issued by FERC covering certain of its facilities, activities and services. The maximum rates that may be charged by Boardwalk Pipeline for gas transportation are established through FERC’s cost-of-service rate-making process. The maximum rates that may be charged by Boardwalk Pipeline for storage services on Texas Gas, with the exception of approximately 8.3 Bcf of working gas capacity on that system, are also established through FERC’s cost-of-service rate-making process. Key determinants in FERC’s cost-of-service rate-making process are the costs of providing service, the allowed rate of

Item 1. Business

Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP – (Continued)

return, throughput assumptions, the allocation of costs, the capital structure and the rate design. FERC has authorized Gulf South to charge market-based rates for its firm and interruptible storage. Texas Gas is authorized to charge market-based rates for the firm and ISS services associated with approximately 8.3 Bcf of its storage capacity. Texas Gas is prohibited from placing new rates into effect prior to November 1, 2010, and neither Gulf South nor Texas Gas has an obligation to file a new rate case. Gulf Crossing will have to either file a rate case or justify its initial firm transportation rates by the end of the first quarter of 2012.

Boardwalk Pipeline is also regulated by the DOT under the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968, as amended by Title I of the Pipeline Safety Act of 1979, which regulates safety requirements in the design, construction, operation and maintenance of interstate natural gas pipelines. Boardwalk Pipeline has received authority from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (“PHMSA”), an agency of the DOT, to operate its recently completed 42-inch pipeline expansion projects under special permits that will allow it to operate the pipelines at higher than normal operating pressures of up to 0.80 of the pipe’s Specified Minimum Yield Strength (SMYS). Boardwalk Pipeline is seeking authority from PHMSA to operate its Fayetteville Lateral at higher than normal operating pressures. Boardwalk Pipeline will need to operate each of these pipelines at higher than normal operating pressures in order to transport all of the volumes it has contracted for with its customers. PHMSA retains discretion whether to grant or maintain authority for Boardwalk Pipeline to operate these pipelines at higher pressures.

Boardwalk Pipeline’s operations are also subject to extensive federal, state, and local laws and regulations relating to protection of the environment. Such regulations impose, among other things, restrictions, liabilities and obligations in connection with the generation, handling, use, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of hazardous substances and waste and in connection with spills, releases and emissions of various substances into the environment. Environmental regulations also require that Boardwalk Pipeline’s facilities, sites and other properties be operated, maintained, abandoned and reclaimed to the satisfaction of applicable regulatory authorities.

Under the EPA’s regulations adopted in September of 2009, Boardwalk Pipeline was required, beginning in January of 2010, to monitor the GHG emissions from certain of its facilities, particularly compression stations, that emit more than 25,000 metric tons of GHG per year and must report on such emissions to the EPA beginning in March of 2011.

Properties:  Boardwalk Pipeline is headquartered in approximately 103,000 square feet of leased office space located in Houston, Texas. Boardwalk Pipeline also has approximately 108,000 square feet of office space in Owensboro, Kentucky in a building that it owns. Boardwalk Pipeline’s operating subsidiaries own their respective pipeline systems in fee. However, substantial portions of these systems are constructed and maintained on property owned by others pursuant to rights-of-way, easements, permits, licenses or consents.

Item 1. Business

LOEWS HOTELS HOLDING CORPORATION

The subsidiaries of Loews Hotels Holding Corporation (“Loews Hotels”), our wholly owned subsidiary, presently operate the following 18 hotels. Loews Hotels accounted for 2.0%, 2.9% and 2.7% of our consolidated total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.

Name and LocationNumber of
Rooms
Owned, Leased or Managed

Loews Annapolis Hotel
Annapolis, Maryland

220

Owned

Loews Coronado Bay
San Diego, California

440

Land lease expiring 2034

Loews Denver Hotel
Denver, Colorado

185

Owned

The Don CeSar, a Loews Hotel
St. Pete Beach, Florida

347

Management contract (a)(b)

Hard Rock Hotel,
at Universal Orlando
Orlando, Florida

650

Management contract (c)

Loews Lake Las Vegas
Henderson, Nevada

493

Management contract (a)

Loews Le Concorde Hotel
Quebec City, Canada

405

Land lease expiring 2069

The Madison, a Loews Hotel
Washington, D.C.

353

Management contract expiring 2021 (a)

Loews Miami Beach Hotel
Miami Beach, Florida

790

Owned

Loews New Orleans Hotel
New Orleans, Louisiana

285

Management contract expiring 2018 (a)

Loews Philadelphia Hotel
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

585

Owned

Loews Portofino Bay Hotel,
at Universal Orlando
Orlando, Florida

750

Management contract (c)

Loews Regency Hotel
New York, New York

350

Land lease expiring 2013, with renewal option for 47 years

Loews Royal Pacific Resort
at Universal Orlando
Orlando, Florida

1,000

Management contract (c)

Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel
Santa Monica, California

340

Management contract expiring 2018, with renewal option for

    5 years (a)

Loews Vanderbilt Hotel
Nashville, Tennessee

340

Owned

Loews Ventana Canyon
Tucson, Arizona

400

Management contract expiring 2019 (a)

Loews Hotel Vogue
Montreal, Canada

140

Owned

(a)These management contracts are subject to termination rights.
(b)A Loews Hotels subsidiary is a 20% owner of the hotel, which is being operated by Loews Hotels pursuant to a management contract.
(c)A Loews Hotels subsidiary is a 50% owner of these hotels located at the Universal Orlando theme park, through a joint venture with Universal Studios and the Rank Group. The hotels are on land leased by the joint venture and are operated by Loews Hotels pursuant to a management contract.

Item 1. Business

Loews Hotels Holding Corporation – (Continued)

The hotels owned by Loews Hotels are subject to mortgage indebtedness totaling approximately $224 million at December 31, 2009 with interest rates ranging from 2.5% to 6.3%, and maturing between 2010 and 2028. In addition, certain hotels are held under leases which are subject to formula derived rental increases, with rentals aggregating approximately $6 million for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Competition from other hotels and lodging facilities is vigorous in all areas in which Loews Hotels operates. The demand for hotel rooms in many areas is seasonal and dependent on general and local economic conditions. Loews Hotels properties also compete with facilities offering similar services in locations other than those in which its hotels are located. Competition among luxury hotels is based primarily on location and service. Competition among resort and commercial hotels is based on price as well as location and service. Because of the competitive nature of the industry, hotels must continually make expenditures for updating, refurnishing and repairs and maintenance, in order to prevent competitive obsolescence.

SEPARATION OF LORILLARD

In June of 2008, we disposed of our entire ownership interest in our wholly owned subsidiary, Lorillard, Inc. (“Lorillard”), through the following two integrated transactions, collectively referred to as the “Separation”:

On June 10, 2008, we distributed 108,478,429 shares, or approximately 62%, of the outstanding common stock of Lorillard in exchange for and in redemption of all of the 108,478,429 outstanding shares of our former Carolina Group stock, in accordance with our Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Redemption”); and

On June 16, 2008, we distributed the remaining 65,445,000 shares, or approximately 38%, of the outstanding common stock of Lorillard in exchange for 93,492,857 shares of Loews common stock, reflecting an exchange ratio of 0.70 (the “Exchange Offer”).

As a result of the Separation, Lorillard is no longer a subsidiary of ours and we no longer own any interest in the outstanding stock of Lorillard. As of the completion of the Redemption, the former Carolina Group and former Carolina Group stock have been eliminated. In addition, at that time all outstanding stock options and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) awarded under our former Carolina Group 2002 Stock Option Plan were assumed by Lorillard and converted into stock options and SARs which are exercisable for shares of Lorillard common stock.

The Loews common stock acquired by us in the Exchange Offer was recorded as a decrease in our Shareholders’ equity, reflecting Loews common stock at market value of the shares of Loews common stock delivered in the Exchange Offer. This decline was offset by a $4.3 billion gain to us from the Exchange Offer, which was reported as a gain on disposal of the discontinued business.

Our Consolidated Financial Statements have been reclassified to reflect Lorillard as a discontinued operation. Accordingly, the assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and cash flows have been excluded from the respective captions in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Income, and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and have been included in Assets and Liabilities of discontinued operations, Discontinued operations, net and Net cash flows - discontinued operations.

Prior to the Redemption, we had a two class common stock structure: Loews common stock and former Carolina Group stock. Former Carolina Group stock, commonly called a tracking stock, was intended to reflect the performance of a defined group of Loews’s assets and liabilities referred to as the former Carolina Group. The principal assets and liabilities attributable to the former Carolina Group were our 100% ownership of Lorillard, including all dividends paid by Lorillard to us, and any and all liabilities, costs and expenses arising out of or relating to tobacco or tobacco-related businesses. Immediately prior to the Separation, outstanding former Carolina Group stock represented an approximately 62% economic interest in the performance of the former Carolina Group. The Loews Group consisted of all of Loews’s assets and liabilities other than those allocated to the former Carolina Group, including an approximately 38% economic interest in the former Carolina Group.

Item 1. Business

EMPLOYEE RELATIONS

Including our operating subsidiaries as described below, we employed approximately 18,500 persons at December 31, 2009. We, and our subsidiaries, have experienced satisfactory labor relations.

CNA employed approximately 8,900 persons.

Diamond Offshore employed approximately 5,500 persons, including international crew personnel furnished through independent labor contractors.

HighMount employed approximately 600 persons.

Boardwalk Pipeline employed approximately 1,110 persons, approximately 115 of whom are included in collective bargaining units.

Loews Hotels employed approximately 2,070 persons, approximately 800 of whom are union members covered under collective bargaining agreements.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

Our website address is www.loews.com. We make available, free of charge, through the website our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after these reports are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Copies of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Corporate Governance Guidelines, Audit Committee charter, Compensation Committee charter and Nominating and Governance Committee charter have also been posted and are available on our website.

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS.

Our business faces many risks. We have described below some of the more significant risks which we and our subsidiaries face. There may be additional risks that we do not yet know of or that we do not currently perceive to be significant that may also impact our business or the business of our subsidiaries.

Each of the risks and uncertainties described below could lead to events or circumstances that have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition or equity and/or the business, results of operations, financial condition or equity of one or more of our subsidiaries.

You should carefully consider and evaluate all of the information included in this Report and any subsequent reports we may file with the SEC or make available to the public before investing in any securities issued by us. Our subsidiaries, CNA Financial Corporation, Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. and Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP, are public companies and file reports with the SEC. You are also cautioned to carefully review and consider the information contained in the reports filed by those subsidiaries before investing in any of their securities.

Risks Related to Us and Our Subsidiary, CNA Financial Corporation

If CNA determines that its recorded loss reserves are insufficient to cover its estimated ultimate unpaid liability for claims, CNA may need to increase its loss reserves.

CNA maintains loss reserves to cover its estimated ultimate unpaid liability for claim and claim adjustment expenses, including the estimated cost of the claims adjudication process, for reported and unreported claims and for future policy benefits. Reserves represent CNA’s best estimate at a given point in time. Insurance reserves are not an exact calculation of liability but instead are complex estimates derived by CNA, generally utilizing a variety of reserve estimation techniques from numerous assumptions and expectations about future events, many of which are highly uncertain, such as estimates of claims severity, frequency of claims, mortality, morbidity, expected interest rates, inflation, claims handling, case reserving policies and procedures, underwriting and pricing policies, changes in the legal and regulatory environment and the lag time between the occurrence of an insured event and the time of its ultimate settlement. Many of these uncertainties are not precisely quantifiable and require significant judgment on CNA’s part. As trends in underlying claims develop, particularly in so-called “long tail” or long duration coverages, CNA is sometimes required to add to its reserves. This is called unfavorable net prior year development and results in a charge to earnings in the amount of the added reserves, recorded in the period the change in estimate is made. These charges can be substantial.

CNA is also subject to the uncertain effects of emerging or potential claims and coverage issues that arise as industry practices and legal, judicial, social and other environmental conditions change. These issues have had, and may continue to have, a negative effect on CNA’s business by either extending coverage beyond the original underwriting intent or by increasing the number or size of claims, resulting in further increases in CNA’s reserves which can have a material adverse effect on its results of operations and equity. The effects of these and other unforeseen emerging claim and coverage issues are extremely hard to predict. Examples of emerging or potential claims and coverage issues include:

the effects of recessionary economic conditions, which have resulted in an increase in the number and size of claims due to corporate failures; these claims include both directors and officers (“D&O”) and errors and omissions (“E&O”) insurance claims;

class action litigation relating to claims handling and other practices; and

mass tort claims, including bodily injury claims related to welding rods, benzene, lead, noise induced hearing loss, injuries from various medical products including pharmaceuticals, and various other chemical and radiation exposure claims.

In light of the many uncertainties associated with establishing the estimates and making the assumptions necessary to establish reserve levels, CNA reviews and changes its reserve estimates in a regular and ongoing process as experience develops and further claims are reported and settled. If estimated reserves are insufficient for any reason, the required increase in reserves would be recorded as a charge against earnings for the period in which reserves are determined to be insufficient. These charges could be substantial.

CNA has exposure related to asbestos and environmental pollution (“A&EP”) claims, which could result in additional losses.

CNA’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries also have exposures related to A&EP claims. CNA’s experience has been that establishing claim and claim adjustment expense reserves for casualty coverages relating to A&EP claims are subject to uncertainties that are greater than those presented by other claims. Additionally, traditional actuarial methods and techniques employed to estimate the ultimate cost of claims for more traditional property and casualty exposures are less precise in estimating claim and claim adjustment expense reserves for A&EP. As a result, estimating the ultimate cost of both reported and unreported A&EP claims is subject to a higher degree of variability.

On August 31, 2010, CNA completed a retroactive reinsurance transaction under which substantially all of its legacy A&EP liabilities were ceded to National Indemnity Company (“NICO”), a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., subject to an aggregate limit of $4.0 billion (“Loss Portfolio Transfer”). If the other parties to the Loss Portfolio Transfer do not fully perform their obligations, CNA’s liabilities for A&EP claims covered by the Loss Portfolio Transfer exceed the aggregate limit of $4.0 billion, or CNA determines it has exposures to A&EP claims not covered by the Loss

Portfolio Transfer, CNA may need to increase its recorded reserves which would result in a charge against CNA’s earnings. These charges could be substantial.

Catastrophe losses are unpredictable.

Catastrophe losses are an inevitable part of CNA’s business. Various events can cause catastrophe losses. These events can be natural or man-made, and may include hurricanes, windstorms, earthquakes, hail, severe winter weather, fires, and acts of terrorism, and their frequency and severity are inherently unpredictable. In addition, longer-term natural catastrophe trends may be changing and new types of catastrophe losses may be developing due to climate change, a phenomenon that has been associated with extreme weather events linked to rising temperatures, and includes effects on global weather patterns, greenhouse gases, sea, land and air temperatures, sea levels, rain and snow.

The extent of CNA’s losses from catastrophes is a function of both the total amount of its insured exposures in the affected areas and the frequency and severity of the events themselves. In addition, as in the case of catastrophe losses generally, it can take a long time for the ultimate cost to CNA to be finally determined. As CNA’s claim experience develops on a particular catastrophe, CNA may be required to adjust its reserves, or take unfavorable development, to reflect revised estimates of the total cost of claims.

CNA’s premium writings and profitability are affected by the availability and cost of reinsurance.

CNA purchases reinsurance to help manage its exposure to risk. Under CNA’s reinsurance arrangements, another insurer assumes a specified portion of CNA’s claim and claim adjustment expenses in exchange for a specified portion of policy premiums. Market conditions determine the availability and cost of the reinsurance protection CNA purchases, which affects the level of its business and profitability, as well as the level and types of risk CNA retains. If CNA is unable to obtain sufficient reinsurance at a cost it deems acceptable, CNA may be unwilling to bear the increased risk and would reduce the level of its underwriting commitments.

CNA may not be able to collect amounts owed to it by reinsurers.

CNA has significant amounts recoverable from reinsurers which are reported as receivables in its balance sheets and are estimated in a manner consistent with claim and claim adjustment expense reserves or future policy benefits reserves. The ceding of insurance does not, however, discharge CNA’s primary liability for claims. As a result, CNA is subject to credit risk relating to its ability to recover amounts due from reinsurers. Certain of CNA’s reinsurance carriers have experienced deteriorating financial condition or have been downgraded by rating agencies. In addition, reinsurers could dispute amounts which CNA believes are due to it. If CNA is not able to collect the amounts due from reinsurers, its incurred losses will be higher.

CNA’s key assumptions used to determine reserves and deferred acquisition costs for its long term care product offerings could vary significantly from actual experience.

CNA’s reserves and deferred acquisition costs for its long term care product offerings are based on certain key assumptions including morbidity, which is the frequency and severity of illness, sickness and diseases contracted, policy persistency, which is the percentage of policies remaining in force, interest rates and future health care cost trends. If actual experience differs from these assumptions, the deferred acquisition cost asset may not be fully realized and the reserves may not be adequate, requiring CNA to add to reserves, or take unfavorable development.

CNA has incurred and may continue to incur significant realized and unrealized investment losses and volatility in net investment income arising from volatility in the capital and credit markets.

CNA’s portfolio is exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, credit and currency risks, many of which are unpredictable. Investment returns are an important part of CNA’s overall profitability. General economic conditions, changes in financial markets such as fluctuations in interest rates, long term periods of low interest rates, credit conditions and currency, commodity and stock prices, including the short and long term effects of losses in relation to asset-backed securities, and many other factors beyond CNA’s control can adversely affect the value of its investments and the realization of investment income. Further, CNA invests a portion of its assets in equity securities and limited partnerships which are subject to greater market volatility than its fixed income investments. Limited partnership

investments generally present greater market volatility, higher illiquidity, and greater risk than fixed income investments. As a result of all of these factors, CNA may not realize an adequate return on its investments, may incur losses on sales of its investments, and may be required to write-down the value of its investments.

CNA’s valuation of investments and impairment of securities requires significant judgment.

CNA exercises significant judgment in analyzing and validating fair values, primarily provided by third parties, for securities in its investment portfolio including those that are not regularly traded. CNA also exercises significant judgment in determining whether the impairment of particular investments is temporary or other-than-temporary. Securities with exposure to residential and commercial mortgage and other loan collateral can be particularly sensitive to fairly small changes in actual collateral performance and assumptions as to future collateral performance. Due to the inherent uncertainties involved with these types of risks and the resulting judgments, CNA may incur unrealized losses and conclude that other-than-temporary write-downs of its investments are required.

CNA is subject to capital adequacy requirements and, if it is unable to maintain or raise sufficient capital to meet these requirements, regulatory agencies may restrict or prohibit CNA from operating its business.

Insurance companies such as CNA are subject to risk-based capital standards set by state regulators to help identify companies that merit further regulatory attention. These standards apply specified risk factors to various asset, premium and reserve components of CNA’s statutory capital and surplus reported in CNA’s statutory basis of accounting financial statements. Current rules require companies to maintain statutory capital and surplus at a specified minimum level determined using the risk-based capital formula. If CNA does not meet these minimum requirements, state regulators may restrict or prohibit it from operating its business. If CNA is required to record a material charge against earnings in connection with a change in estimates or circumstances or if it incurs significant unrealized losses related to its investment portfolio, CNA may violate these minimum capital adequacy requirements unless it is able to raise sufficient additional capital. Examples of events leading CNA to record a material charge against earnings include impairment of its investments or unexpectedly poor claims experience.

While we have provided CNA with substantial amounts of capital in prior years. We may be restricted in our ability or may not be willing to provide additional capital support to CNA in the future. If CNA is in need of additional capital, CNA may be required to secure this funding from sources other than us. CNA may be limited in its ability to raise significant amounts of capital on favorable terms or at all.

CNA’s insurance subsidiaries, upon whom CNA depends for dividends in order to fund its working capital needs, are limited by state regulators in their ability to pay dividends.

CNA is a holding company and is dependent upon dividends, loans and other sources of cash from its subsidiaries in order to meet its obligations. Ordinary dividend payments or dividends that do not require prior approval by the insurance subsidiaries’ domiciliary state departments of insurance are generally limited to amounts determined by formula which varies by state. The formula for the majority of the states is the greater of 10.0% of the prior year statutory surplus or the prior year statutory net income, less the aggregate of all dividends paid during the twelve months prior to the date of payment. Some states, however, have an additional stipulation that dividends cannot exceed the prior year’s earned surplus. If CNA is restricted, by regulatory rule or otherwise, from paying or receiving inter-company dividends, CNA may not be able to fund its working capital needs and debt service requirements from available cash. As a result, CNA would need to look to other sources of capital which may be more expensive or may not be available at all.

Rating agencies may downgrade their ratings of CNA and thereby adversely affect its ability to write insurance at competitive rates or at all.

Ratings are an important factor in establishing the competitive position of insurance companies. CNA’s insurance company subsidiaries, as well as CNA’s public debt, are rated by rating agencies, namely, A.M. Best Company (“A.M. Best”), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) and Standard & Poor’s. Ratings reflect the rating agency’s opinions of an insurance company’s or insurance holding company’s financial strength, capital adequacy, operating performance, strategic position and ability to meet its obligations to policyholders and debt holders.

Due to the intense competitive environment in which CNA operates, the uncertainty in determining reserves and the potential for CNA to take material unfavorable development in the future, and possible changes in the methodology or criteria applied by the rating agencies, the rating agencies may take action to lower CNA’s ratings in the future. If CNA’s property and casualty insurance financial strength ratings are downgraded below current levels, CNA’s business and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. The severity of the impact on CNA’s business is dependent on the level of downgrade and, for certain products, which rating agency takes the rating action. Among the adverse effects in the event of such downgrades would be the inability to obtain a material volume of business from certain major insurance brokers, the inability to sell a material volume of CNA’s insurance products to certain markets, and the required collateralization of certain future payment obligations or reserves.

In addition, it is possible that a lowering of our corporate debt ratings by certain of the rating agencies could result in an adverse impact on CNA’s ratings, independent of any change in CNA’s circumstances. CNA has entered into several settlement agreements and assumed reinsurance contracts that require collateralization of future payment obligations and assumed reserves if its ratings or other specific criteria fall below certain thresholds. The ratings triggers are generally more than one level below CNA’s current ratings.

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

Diamond Offshore’s business depends on the level of activity in the oil and gas industry, which is significantly affected by volatile oil and gas prices.

Diamond Offshore’s business depends on the level of activity in offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production in markets worldwide. Worldwide demand for oil and gas, oil and gas prices, market expectations of potential changes in these prices and a variety of political and economic factors significantly affect this level of activity. However, higher or lower commodity demand and prices do not necessarily translate into increased or decreased drilling activity since Diamond Offshore’s customers’ project development time, reserve replacement needs, as well as expectations of future commodity demand and prices all combine to affect demand for Diamond Offshore’s rigs. Oil and gas prices have been, and are expected to continue to be, extremely volatile and are affected by numerous factors beyond Diamond Offshore’s control, including:

worldwide demand for oil and gas;

the level of economic activity in energy-consuming markets;

the worldwide economic environment or economic trends, such as recessions;

the ability of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, commonly called OPEC, to set and maintain production levels and pricing;

the level of production in non-OPEC countries;

the worldwide political and military environment, including uncertainty or instability resulting from an escalation or additional outbreak of armed hostilities in the Middle East, other oil-producing regions or other geographic areas or further acts of terrorism in the United States or elsewhere;

civil unrest;

the cost of exploring for, producing and delivering oil and gas;

the discovery rate of new oil and gas reserves;

the rate of decline of existing and new oil and gas reserves;

available pipeline and other oil and gas transportation capacity;

the ability of oil and gas companies to raise capital;

weather conditions in the United States and elsewhere;

the policies of various governments regarding exploration and development of their oil and gas reserves;

development and exploitation of alternative fuels;

competition for customers’ drilling budgets from land-based energy markets around the world;

domestic and foreign tax policy; and

advances in exploration and development technology.

The aftermath of the moratorium on offshore drilling in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and new regulations adopted as a result of the investigation into the Macondo well blowout could negatively impact Diamond Offshore.

On April 20, 2010, the Macondo well (operated by BP p.l.c. and drilled by Transocean Ltd) in the GOM experienced a blowout and immediately began flowing oil into the GOM (“the Macondo incident”). Efforts to permanently plug and abandon the well and contain the spill were successfully completed in September 2010. In the near-term aftermath of the Macondo incident, on May 30, 2010, the U.S. government imposed a six-month moratorium on certain drilling activities in water deeper than 500 feet in the GOM and subsequently implemented enhanced safety requirements applicable to all drilling operations in the GOM, including operations in water shallower than 500 feet. On October 12, 2010, the U.S. government lifted the moratorium subject to compliance with enhanced safety requirements including those set forth in Notices to Lessees (“NTL”) 2010-N05 and 2010-N06, both of which were implemented during the drilling ban. Currently, all operations in the GOM are required to comply with the Interim Final Rule to Enhance Safety Measures for Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf (Drilling Safety Rule) and the Workplace Safety Rule on Safety and Environmental Management Systems, both of which were issued on September 30, 2010, as well as NTL 2010-N10 (known as the Compliance and Review NTL). Diamond Offshore continues to evaluate these new measures to ensure that its rigs and equipment are in full compliance, where applicable. Additional requirements could be forthcoming based on further recommendations by regulatory agencies investigating the Macondo incident, as well as restructuring within the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (“BOEMRE”). Diamond Offshore is not able to predict the likelihood, nature or extent of additional rulemaking, nor is Diamond Offshore able to predict when the BOEMRE will issue drilling permits to Diamond Offshore’s customers. Diamond Offshore is not able to predict the future impact of these events on its operations. Even with the drilling ban lifted, requirements regarding certain deepwater drilling activities may remain uncertain until the BOEMRE resumes its regular permitting of those activities.

The current and future regulatory environment in the GOM could result in a number of rigs being, or becoming available to be, moved to locations outside of the GOM, which could potentially put downward pressure on global dayrates and adversely affect Diamond Offshore’s ability to contract its floating rigs that are currently not contracted or coming off contract. Additional governmental regulations concerning licensing, taxation, equipment specifications, training requirements or other matters could increase the costs of Diamond Offshore’s operations, and escalating costs borne by its customers, along with permitting delays, could reduce exploration activity in the GOM and therefore demand for Diamond Offshore’s services. In addition, insurance costs across the industry are expected to increase as a result of the Macondo incident, and in the future certain insurance coverage is likely to become more costly, and may become less available or not available at all.

Diamond Offshore’s industry is cyclical.

Diamond Offshore’s industry has historically been cyclical. There have been periods of lower demand, excess rig supply and low dayrates followed by periods of high demand, short rig supply and high dayrates. Diamond Offshore cannot predict the timing or duration of such business cycles. Periods of excess rig supply intensify the competition in the industry and often result in rigs being idle for long periods of time. In response to a contraction in demand for its services, Diamond Offshore has cold stacked seven of its rigs as of the date of this report. Diamond Offshore also may be required to idle additional rigs or to enter into lower rate contracts. Prolonged periods of low utilization and dayrates could also result in the recognition of impairment charges on certain of Diamond Offshore’s drilling rigs if future cash

flow estimates, based upon information available to management at the time, indicate that the carrying value of these rigs may not be recoverable.

Significant new rig construction and upgrades of existing drilling rigs could intensify price competition.

As of the date of this report, based on analyst reports, Diamond Offshore believes that there are approximately 50 jack-up rigs and 50 floaters on order and scheduled for delivery between 2011 and 2013. The resulting increases in rig supply could be sufficient to further depress rig utilization and intensify price competition from both existing competitors, as well as new entrants into the offshore drilling market. As of the date of this report, not all of the rigs currently under construction have been contracted for future work, which may further intensify price competition as scheduled delivery dates occur. The majority of the floaters on order are dynamically-positioned drilling rigs, which further increases competition with Diamond Offshore’s fleet in certain circumstances, depending on customer requirements.

Diamond Offshore can provide no assurance that its current backlog of contract drilling revenue will be ultimately realized.

As of February 1, 2011, Diamond Offshore’s contract drilling backlog was approximately $6.6 billion for contracted future work extending, in some cases, until 2016. Generally, contract backlog only includes future revenues under firm commitments; however, from time to time, Diamond Offshore may report anticipated commitments for which definitive agreements have not yet been, but are expected to be, executed. Diamond Offshore can provide no assurance that it will be able to perform under these contracts due to events beyond its control or that Diamond Offshore will be able to ultimately execute a definitive agreement in cases where one does not currently exist. In addition, Diamond Offshore can provide no assurance that its customers will be able to or willing to fulfill their contractual commitments. Diamond Offshore’s inability to perform under its contractual obligations or to execute definitive agreements or its customers’ inability to fulfill their contractual commitments may have a material adverse effect on Diamond Offshore’s business.

Diamond Offshore relies heavily on a relatively small number of customers and the loss of a significant customer and/or a dispute that leads to the loss of a customer could have a material adverse impact on its financial results.

Diamond Offshore provides offshore drilling services to a customer base that includes major and independent oil and gas companies and government-owned oil companies. However, the number of potential customers has decreased in recent years as a result of mergers among the major international oil companies and large independent oil companies. In 2010, Diamond Offshore’s five largest customers in the aggregate accounted for approximately 56.0% of its consolidated revenues. Diamond Offshore expects Petrobras, which accounted for approximately 24.0% of Diamond Offshore’s consolidated revenues in 2010 and OGX, which accounted for approximately 14.0% of Diamond Offshore’s consolidated revenues in 2010, to continue to be significant customers in 2011. Diamond Offshore’s contract drilling backlog, as of the date of this report, includes $1.7 billion, or 61.0% of its contracted backlog for 2011, which is attributable to contracts with Petrobras and OGX for operations offshore Brazil in 2011. While it is normal for Diamond Offshore’s customer base to change over time as work programs are completed, the loss of any major customer may have a material adverse effect on Diamond Offshore’s business.

The terms of Diamond Offshore’s dayrate drilling contracts may limit its ability to attain profitability in a declining market or to benefit from increasing dayrates in an improving market.

The duration of offshore drilling contracts is generally determined by customer requirements and, to a lesser extent, the respective management strategies of the offshore drilling contractors. In periods of decreasing demand for offshore rigs, drilling contractors generally prefer longer term contracts, but often at flat or slightly lower dayrates, to preserve dayrates at existing levels and ensure utilization, while customers prefer shorter contracts that allow them to more quickly obtain the benefit of lower dayrates. Conversely, in periods of rising demand for offshore rigs, contractors typically prefer shorter contracts that allow them to more quickly profit from increasing dayrates. In contrast, during these periods customers with reasonably definite drilling programs typically prefer longer term contracts to maintain dayrate prices at a consistent level. An inability to obtain longer term contracts in a declining market or to fully benefit from increasing dayrates in an improving market through shorter term contracts may limit Diamond Offshore’s profitability.

Contracts for Diamond Offshore’s drilling rigs are generally fixed dayrate contracts, and increases in Diamond Offshore’s operating costs could adversely affect the profitability on those contracts.

Diamond Offshore’s contracts for its drilling rigs provide for the payment of a fixed dayrate per rig operating day, although some contracts do provide for a limited escalation in dayrate due to increased operating costs incurred by Diamond Offshore. Many of Diamond Offshore’s operating costs, such as labor costs, are unpredictable and fluctuate based on events beyond Diamond Offshore’s control. The gross margin that Diamond Offshore realizes on these fixed dayrate contracts will fluctuate based on variations in Diamond Offshore’s operating costs over the terms of the contracts. In addition, for contracts with dayrate escalation clauses, Diamond Offshore may be unable to recover increased or unforeseen costs from its customers.

Diamond Offshore’s drilling contracts may be terminated due to events beyond its control.

Diamond Offshore’s customers may terminate some of their drilling contracts if the drilling rig is destroyed or lost or if Diamond Offshore has to suspend drilling operations for a specified period of time as a result of a breakdown of major equipment or, in some cases, due to other events beyond the control of either party. In addition, some of Diamond Offshore’s drilling contracts permit the customer to terminate the contract after specified notice periods by tendering contractually specified termination amounts. These termination payments may not fully compensate Diamond Offshore for the loss of a contract. In addition, the early termination of a contract may result in a rig being idle for an extended period of time. During periods of depressed market conditions, Diamond Offshore may be subject to an increased risk of its customers seeking to repudiate their contracts. Diamond Offshore’s customers’ ability to perform their obligations under drilling contracts may also be adversely affected by restricted credit markets and the economic downturn.

Diamond Offshore’s business involves numerous operating hazards which could expose it to significant losses and significant damage claims. Diamond Offshore is not fully insured against all of these risks and its contractual indemnity provisions may not fully protect Diamond Offshore.

Diamond Offshore’s operations are subject to the significant hazards inherent in drilling for oil and gas offshore, such as blowouts, reservoir damage, loss of production, loss of well control, unstable or faulty sea floor conditions, fires and natural disasters such as hurricanes. The occurrence of any of these types of events could result in the suspension of drilling operations, damage to or destruction of the equipment involved and injury or death to rig personnel, damage to producing or potentially productive oil and gas formations, and oil spillage, oil leaks, well blowouts and extensive uncontrolled fires, any of which could cause significant environmental damage. In addition, offshore drilling operations are subject to perils peculiar to marine operations, including capsizing, grounding, collision and loss or damage from severe weather.

Diamond Offshore maintains liability insurance, which includes coverage for environmental damage; however, because of contractual provisions and policy limits, its insurance coverage may not adequately cover Diamond Offshore’s losses and claim costs. In addition, pollution and environmental risks are generally not fully insurable when they are determined to be the result of criminal acts. Also, Diamond Offshore does not typically purchase loss-of-hire insurance to cover lost revenues when a rig is unable to work.

Operations also may be suspended because of machinery breakdowns, abnormal drilling conditions, failure of subcontractors to perform or supply goods or services or personnel shortages.

Generally Diamond Offshore’s contracts with its customers contain contractual rights to indemnity from its customer for, among other things, pollution originating from the well, while Diamond Offshore retains responsibility for pollution originating from the rig. However, Diamond Offshore’s contractual rights to indemnification may be unenforceable or limited due to negligent or willful acts of commission or omission by Diamond Offshore, its subcontractors and/or suppliers and its customers may dispute, or be unable to meet, their contractual indemnification obligations to Diamond Offshore.

Diamond Offshore believes that the policy limit under its marine liability insurance is within the range that is customary for companies of Diamond Offshore’s size in the offshore drilling industry and is appropriate for its business. However, if an accident or other event occurs that exceeds Diamond Offshore’s coverage limits or is not an insurable event under its insurance policies, or is not fully covered by contractual indemnity, it could have a material adverse effect

on Diamond Offshore’s results of operations, financial position and cash flows. There can be no assurance that Diamond Offshore will continue to carry the insurance it currently maintains, that its insurance will cover all types of losses or that those parties with contractual obligations to indemnify Diamond Offshore will necessarily be financially able to indemnify Diamond Offshore against all of these risks. In addition, no assurance can be made that Diamond Offshore

will be able to maintain adequate insurance in the future at rates it considers to be reasonable or that Diamond Offshore will be able to obtain insurance against some risks.

Diamond Offshore has elected to self-insure for physical damage to rigs and equipment caused by named windstorms in the GOM.

Because the amount of insurance coverage available to Diamond Offshore has been limited, and the cost for such coverage has increased substantially, Diamond Offshore has elected to self-insure for physical damage to rigs and equipment caused by named windstorms in the GOM. This results in a higher risk of losses, which could be material, that are not covered by third party insurance contracts.

A significant portion of Diamond Offshore’s operations are conducted outside the United States and involve additional risks not associated with domestic operations.

Diamond Offshore operates in various regions throughout the world that may expose it to political and other uncertainties, including risks of:

terrorist acts, war and civil disturbances;

piracy or assaults on property or personnel;

kidnapping of personnel;

expropriation of property or equipment;

renegotiation or nullification of existing contracts;

changing political conditions;

foreign and domestic monetary policies;

the inability to repatriate income or capital;

difficulties in collecting accounts receivable and longer collection periods;

fluctuations in currency exchange rates;

regulatory or financial requirements to comply with foreign bureaucratic actions;

travel limitations or operational problems caused by public health threats; and

changing taxation policies.

Diamond Offshore is subject to the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control and other U.S. laws and regulations governing its international operations in addition to worldwide anti-bribery laws. In addition, international contract drilling operations are subject to various laws and regulations in countries in which Diamond Offshore operates, including laws and regulations relating to:

the equipping and operation of drilling rigs;

import - export quotas or other trade barriers;

repatriation of foreign earnings or capital;

oil and gas exploration and development;

taxation of offshore earnings and earnings of expatriate personnel; and

use and compensation of local employees and suppliers by foreign contractors.

Some foreign governments favor or effectively require the awarding of drilling contracts to local contractors, require use of a local agent or require foreign contractors to employ citizens of, or purchase supplies from, a particular jurisdiction. These practices may adversely affect Diamond Offshore’s ability to compete in those regions. It is difficult to predict what governmental regulations may be enacted in the future that could adversely affect the international drilling industry. The actions of foreign governments may adversely affect Diamond Offshore’s ability to compete.

As of the date of this report, the greatest concentration of Diamond Offshore’s operating assets outside the United States is in Brazil, where it has 16 rigs in its fleet either currently working or contracted to work during 2011. In addition, as of the date of this report, Diamond Offshore has one high specification floater and two jack-up rigs contracted offshore Egypt. Although these rigs have continued to work throughout the recent political unrest in Egypt, there have been, and in the future there may be other, disruptions to the support networks within Egypt, including the banking institutions.

Diamond Offshore’s drilling contracts offshore Mexico expose it to greater risks than they normally assume.

Diamond Offshore currently operates and expects to continue to operate rigs drilling offshore Mexico for PEMEX - Exploracion y Produccion (“PEMEX”), the national oil company of Mexico. The terms of these contracts expose Diamond Offshore to greater risks than they normally assume, such as exposure to greater environmental liability. In addition, each contract can be terminated by PEMEX on 30 days notice, contractually or by statute, subject to certain conditions. While Diamond Offshore believes that the financial terms of these contracts and its operating safeguards in place mitigate these risks, Diamond Offshore can provide no assurance that the increased risk exposure will not have a negative impact on its future operations or financial results.

Fluctuations in exchange rates and nonconvertibility of currencies could result in losses.

Due to Diamond Offshore’s international operations, Diamond Offshore may experience currency exchange losses where revenues are received and expenses are paid in nonconvertible currencies or where it does not effectively hedge an exposure to a foreign currency. Diamond Offshore may also incur losses as a result of an inability to collect revenues because of a shortage of convertible currency available to the country of operation, controls over currency exchange or controls over the repatriation of income or capital. Diamond Offshore can provide no assurance that financial hedging arrangements will effectively hedge any foreign currency fluctuation losses that may arise.

Diamond Offshore may be required to accrue additional tax liability on certain of its foreign earnings.

Certain of Diamond Offshore’s international rigs are owned and operated, directly or indirectly, by Diamond Offshore International Limited (“DOIL”), a wholly owned Cayman Islands subsidiary of Diamond Offshore. Since forming this subsidiary it has been Diamond Offshore’s intention to indefinitely reinvest the earnings of this subsidiary to finance foreign operations, except for the earnings of Diamond East Asia Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of DOIL. It is Diamond Offshore’s intention to repatriate the earnings of Diamond East Asia Limited, and U.S. income taxes will be provided on such earnings. Diamond Offshore does not expect to provide for U.S. taxes on any future earnings generated by DOIL, except to the extent that these earnings are immediately subjected to U.S. federal income tax or as they relate to Diamond East Asia Limited. Should a future distribution be made from any unremitted earnings of this subsidiary, Diamond Offshore may be required to record additional U.S. income taxes.

Rig conversions, upgrades or new builds may be subject to delays and cost overruns.

From time to time, Diamond Offshore may undertake to add new capacity through conversions or upgrades to existing rigs or through new construction. Projects of this type are subject to risks of delay or cost overruns inherent in any large construction project resulting from numerous factors, including the following:

shortages of equipment, materials or skilled labor;

work stoppages;

unscheduled delays in the delivery of ordered materials and equipment;

unanticipated cost increases;

weather interferences;

difficulties in obtaining necessary permits or in meeting permit conditions;

design and engineering problems;

customer acceptance delays;

shipyard failures or unavailability; and

failure or delay of third party service providers and labor disputes.

Failure to complete a rig upgrade or new construction on time, or failure to complete a rig conversion or new construction in accordance with its design specifications may, in some circumstances, result in the delay, renegotiation or cancellation of a drilling contract, resulting in a loss of revenue to Diamond Offshore. If a drilling contract is terminated under these circumstances, Diamond Offshore may not be able to secure a replacement contract with equally favorable terms.

Risks Related to Us and Our Subsidiary, HighMount Exploration & Production LLC

HighMount may not be able to replace reserves and sustain production at current levels. Replacing reserves is risky and uncertain and requires significant capital expenditures.

HighMount’s success depends largely upon its ability to find, develop or acquire additional reserves that are economically recoverable. Unless HighMount replaces the reserves produced through successful development, exploration or acquisition, its proved reserves will decline over time. HighMount may not be able to successfully find and produce reserves economically in the future or to acquire proved reserves at acceptable costs. HighMount makes a substantial amount of capital expenditures for the acquisition, exploration and development of reserves. HighMount expects to fund its capital expenditures with cash from its operating activities. If HighMount’s cash flow from operations is not sufficient to fund its capital expenditure budget, there can be no assurance that financing will be available or available at favorable terms to meet those requirements.

Estimates of natural gas and NGL reserves are uncertain and inherently imprecise.

Estimating the volume of proved natural gas and NGL reserves is a complex process and is not an exact science because of numerous uncertainties inherent in the process. The process relies on interpretations of available geological, geophysical, engineering and production data. The extent, quality and reliability of this technical data can vary. The process also requires certain economic assumptions, such as oil and gas prices, drilling and operating expenses, capital expenditures, taxes and availability of funds. Therefore, these estimates are inherently imprecise.

Actual future production, commodity prices, revenues, taxes, development expenditures, operating expenses and quantities of recoverable reserves most likely will vary from HighMount’s estimates. Any significant variance could

materially affect the quantities and present value of HighMount’s reserves. In addition, HighMount may adjust estimates of proved reserves upward or downward to reflect production history, results of exploration and development drilling, prevailing commodity prices and prevailing development expenses.

The timing of both the production and the expenses from the development and production of natural gas and NGL properties will affect both the timing of actual future net cash flows from proved reserves and their present value. In addition, the 10.0% discount factor, used in calculating discounted future net cash flows for reporting purposes, is not necessarily the most accurate representation of their value.

If commodity prices decrease, HighMount may be required to take additional write-downs of the carrying values of its properties.

HighMount may be required, under full cost accounting rules, to write-down the carrying value of its natural gas and NGL properties. A number of factors could result in a write-down, including a significant decline in commodity prices, a substantial downward adjustment to estimated proved reserves, a substantial increase in estimated development costs, or deterioration in exploration results. HighMount utilizes the full cost method of accounting for its exploration and development activities. Under full cost accounting, HighMount is required to perform a ceiling test each quarter. The ceiling test is an impairment test and generally establishes a maximum, or “ceiling,” of the book value of HighMount’s natural gas properties that is equal to the expected after tax present value (discounted at the required rate of 10.0%) of the future net cash flows from proved reserves, including the effect of cash flow hedges, calculated using the average first day of the month price for the preceding 12-month period.

If the net book value of HighMount’s exploration and production (“E&P”) properties (reduced by any related net deferred income tax liability) exceeds its ceiling limitation, HighMount will impair or “write-down” the book value of its E&P properties. A write-down may not be reversed in future periods, even though higher natural gas and NGL prices may subsequently increase the ceiling. Depending on the magnitude of any future impairment, a ceiling test write-down could significantly reduce HighMount’s income, or produce a loss.

Natural gas, NGL and other commodity prices are volatile.

The commodity price HighMount receives for its production heavily influences its revenue, profitability, access to capital and future rate of growth. HighMount is subject to risks due to frequent and possibly substantial fluctuations in commodity prices. NGL prices generally fluctuate on a basis that correlates to fluctuations in crude oil prices. In the past, the prices of natural gas and crude oil have been extremely volatile, and HighMount expects this volatility to continue. The markets and prices for natural gas and NGLs depend upon factors beyond HighMount’s control. These factors include, among others, economic and market conditions, domestic production and import levels, storage levels, basis differentials, weather, government regulations and taxation. Lower commodity prices may decrease HighMount’s revenues and reduce the amount of natural gas and NGLs that HighMount can produce economically.

HighMount engages in commodity price hedging activities.

The extent of HighMount’s commodity price risk is related to the effectiveness and scope of HighMount’s hedging activities. To the extent HighMount hedges its commodity price risk, HighMount will forego the benefits it would otherwise experience if commodity prices or interest rates were to change in its favor. Furthermore, because HighMount has entered into derivative transactions related to only a portion of its natural gas and NGL production, HighMount will continue to have direct commodity price risk on the unhedged portion. HighMount’s actual future production may be significantly higher or lower than HighMount estimates at the time it enters into derivative transactions for that period.

As a result, HighMount’s hedging activities may not be as effective as HighMount intends in reducing the volatility of its cash flows, and in certain circumstances may actually increase the volatility of cash flows. In addition, even though HighMount’s management monitors its hedging activities, these activities can result in substantial losses. Such losses could occur under various circumstances, including if a counterparty does not perform its obligations under the applicable hedging arrangement or if the hedging arrangement is imperfect or ineffective.

Risks Related to Us and Our Subsidiary, Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP

Boardwalk Pipeline may not be able to maintain or replace expiring gas transportation and storage contracts at attractive rates or on a long term basis.

Boardwalk Pipeline is exposed to market risk when its transportation contracts expire and need to be renewed or replaced. Boardwalk Pipeline may not be able to extend contracts with existing customers or obtain replacement contracts at attractive rates or on a long term basis. Key drivers that influence the rates and terms of Boardwalk Pipeline’s transportation contracts include the current and anticipated basis differentials between physical locations on its pipeline systems, which can be affected by, among other things, the availability and supply of natural gas, competition from other pipelines, including pipeline under development, available capacity, storage inventories, regulatory developments, weather and general market demand in the respective areas. The new sources of natural gas that have been identified throughout the U.S. have created changes in pricing dynamics between supply basins, pooling points and market areas. As a result of the increase in overall pipeline capacity and the new sources of supply, in 2009 basis spreads on Boardwalk Pipeline’s pipeline systems began to narrow. Basis spreads have impacted, and will continue to impact, the rates Boardwalk Pipeline has been able to negotiate with its customers on contracts due for renewal for firm transportation services, as well as the rates it can charge for interruptible and short term firm transportation services.

The principal elements of competition among pipelines are availability of capacity, rates, terms of service, access to gas supplies, flexibility and reliability of service. FERC’s policies promote competition in natural gas markets by increasing the number of gas transportation options available to Boardwalk Pipeline’s customer base. Increased competition could reduce the volumes of gas transported by Boardwalk Pipeline’s pipeline systems or, in instances where Boardwalk Pipeline does not have long term contracts with fixed rates, could cause Boardwalk Pipeline to decrease transportation or storage rates charged to its customers. Competition could intensify the negative impact of factors that could significantly decrease demand for natural gas in the markets served by Boardwalk Pipeline’s operating subsidiaries, such as a recession or adverse economic conditions, weather, higher fuel costs and taxes or other governmental or regulatory actions that directly or indirectly increase the cost or limit the use of natural gas.

Boardwalk Pipeline needs to maintain authority from PHMSA to operate portions of its pipeline systems at higher than normal operating pressures.

Boardwalk Pipeline has entered into firm transportation contracts with shippers which utilize the maximum design capacity of certain of its pipeline assets, assuming that Boardwalk Pipeline operates those pipelines at higher than normal operating pressures (up to 0.80 SMYS). Boardwalk Pipeline has authority from PHMSA to operate those pipeline assets at such higher pressures, however, PHMSA retains discretion to withdraw or modify this authority. If PHMSA were to withdraw or materially modify such authority, Boardwalk Pipeline may not be able to transport all of its contracted quantities of natural gas and could incur significant additional costs to re-obtain such authority or to develop alternate ways to meet its contractual obligations.

Boardwalk Pipeline’s natural gas transportation and storage operations are subject to FERC’s rate-making policies which could limit Boardwalk Pipeline’s ability to recover the full cost of operating its pipelines, including earning a reasonable return.

Boardwalk Pipeline is subject to extensive regulations relating to the rates it can charge for its transportation and storage operations. For cost-based services, FERC establishes both the maximum and minimum rates Boardwalk Pipeline can charge. The basic elements that FERC considers are the costs of providing service, the volumes of gas being transported, the rate design, the allocation of costs between services, the capital structure and the rate of return a pipeline is permitted to earn. While neither Gulf South nor Texas Gas has an obligation to file a rate case, Gulf Crossing Pipeline has an obligation to file either a rate case or a cost-and-revenue study by the end of the first quarter of 2012 to justify its rates. Customers of Boardwalk Pipeline’s subsidiaries or FERC can challenge the existing rates on any of its pipelines. During the past two years FERC has challenged the rates of several pipelines not affiliated with Boardwalk Pipelines. Such a challenge against Boardwalk Pipeline could adversely affect its ability to establish reasonable transportation rates, to charge rates that would cover future increases in Boardwalk Pipeline’s costs or even to continue to collect rates to maintain its current revenue levels that are designed to permit a reasonable opportunity to recover current costs and depreciation and earn a reasonable return.

If Boardwalk Pipeline were to file a rate case or defend its rates in a proceeding commenced by a customer or FERC, Boardwalk Pipeline would be required, among other things, to establish that the inclusion of an income tax allowance in Boardwalk Pipeline’s cost of service is just and reasonable. Under current FERC policy, since Boardwalk Pipeline is a limited partnership and does not pay U.S. federal income taxes, this would require Boardwalk Pipeline to show that its unitholders (or their ultimate owners) are subject to federal income taxation. To support such a showing, Boardwalk Pipeline’s general partner may elect to require owners of Boardwalk Pipeline’s units to re-certify their status as being subject to U.S. federal income taxation on the income generated by Boardwalk Pipeline or may attempt to provide other evidence. Boardwalk Pipeline can provide no assurance that the evidence it might provide to FERC will be sufficient to establish that its unitholders (or their ultimate owners) are subject to U.S. federal income tax liability on the income generated by Boardwalk Pipeline’s jurisdictional pipelines. If Boardwalk Pipeline is unable to make such a showing, FERC could disallow a substantial portion of the income tax allowance included in the determination of the maximum rates that may be charged by Boardwalk Pipeline, which could result in a reduction of such maximum rates from current levels. Boardwalk Pipeline may not be able to recover all of its costs through existing or future rates.

Continued development of new supply sources could impact demand for Boardwalk Pipeline’s services.

Supplies of natural gas in production areas that are closer to key end-user market areas than Boardwalk Pipeline’s supply sources may compete with gas originating in production areas connected to Boardwalk Pipeline’s system. For example, the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia and Ohio, may cause gas in supply areas connected to Boardwalk Pipeline’s system to be diverted to markets other than Boardwalk Pipeline’s traditional market areas and may adversely affect capacity utilization on Boardwalk Pipeline’s systems and its ability to renew or replace existing contracts at rates sufficient to maintain current revenues and cash flows. In addition, natural gas supplies from the Rocky Mountains, Canada and liquefied natural gas import terminals may compete with and displace volumes from the Gulf Coast and Mid-Continent supply sources where Boardwalk Pipeline is located, which could reduce Boardwalk Pipeline’s transportation volumes and the rates it can charge for its services.

Boardwalk Pipeline is exposed to credit risk relating to nonperformance by its customers.

Credit risk relates to the risk of loss resulting from the nonperformance by a customer of its contractual obligations. Boardwalk Pipeline’s exposure generally relates to receivables for services provided, future performance under firm agreements and volumes of gas owed by customers for imbalances or gas loaned by Boardwalk Pipeline to them under certain no-notice and parking and lending services. FERC gas tariffs only allow Boardwalk Pipeline to require limited credit support in the event that transportation customers are unable to pay for its services. If any of Boardwalk Pipeline’s significant customers have credit or financial problems which result in a delay or failure to pay for services provided by Boardwalk Pipeline or contracted for with Boardwalk Pipeline, or to repay the gas they owe Boardwalk Pipeline, it could have a material adverse effect on Boardwalk Pipeline’s business. In addition, as contracts expire, the failure of any of Boardwalk Pipeline’s customers could also result in the non-renewal of contracted capacity.

Boardwalk Pipeline depends on certain key customers for a significant portion of its revenues. The loss of any of these key customers could result in a decline in Boardwalk Pipeline’s revenues.

Boardwalk Pipeline relies on a limited number of customers for a significant portion of revenues. Boardwalk Pipeline’s largest customer in terms of revenue, Devon Gas Services, LP represented over 13.0% of Boardwalk Pipeline’s 2010 revenues and Boardwalk Pipeline expects this customer to continue to account for more than 10.0% of its 2011 revenues. For 2010, Boardwalk Pipeline’s top ten customers comprised approximately 45.0% of its revenues. Boardwalk Pipeline may be unable to negotiate extensions or replacements of contracts with key customers on favorable terms which could materially reduce its contracted transportation volumes and the rates it can charge for its services.

Boardwalk Pipeline may pursue complex pipeline or storage projects which involve significant risks.

The most significant element of Boardwalk Pipeline’s growth strategy in recent years was the completion of large development projects to enlarge and enhance its pipeline and storage systems. Boardwalk Pipeline may undertake additional large development projects in the future as it continues to pursue its growth strategy. The successful completion of such projects, and the returns Boardwalk Pipeline may realize from those projects after completion, are subject to many significant risks, including cost overruns, delays in obtaining regulatory approvals, difficult construction conditions, including adverse weather conditions, delays in obtaining key materials, shortages of qualified labor, and

escalating costs of labor and materials, particularly in the event there is a high level of construction activity in the pipeline industry at that time. As a result, Boardwalk Pipeline may not be able to complete future projects on the expected terms, cost or schedule, or at all. In addition, Boardwalk Pipeline cannot be certain that, if completed, it will be able to operate these projects, or that they will perform in accordance with expectations. Other areas of Boardwalk Pipeline’s business may suffer as a result of the diversion of management’s attention and other resources from other business concerns. Any of these factors could impair Boardwalk Pipeline’s ability to realize the benefits anticipated from the projects.

Significant changes in energy prices could affect natural gas market supply and demand, or potentially reduce the competitiveness of natural gas compared with other forms of energy available to Boardwalk Pipeline’s customers, which could reduce system throughput and adversely affect Boardwalk Pipeline’s revenues and available cash.

Due to the natural decline in traditional gas production connected to Boardwalk Pipeline’s system, Boardwalk Pipeline’s success depends on its ability to obtain access to new sources of natural gas, which is dependent on factors beyond its control including the price level of natural gas. In general terms, the price of natural gas fluctuates in response to changes in supply and demand, market uncertainty and a variety of additional factors, including:

economic conditions;

weather conditions, seasonal trends and hurricane disruptions;

new supply sources;

the availability of adequate transportation capacity;

storage inventory levels;

the price and availability of other forms of energy;

the effect of energy conservation measures;

the nature and extent of, and changes in, governmental regulation, for example greenhouse gas legislation and taxation; and

the anticipated future prices of natural gas and other commodities.

It is difficult to predict future changes in gas prices. However, the abundance of natural gas supply discoveries over the last few years would generally indicate a bias toward downward pressure on prices. Downward movement in gas prices could negatively impact producers in nontraditional supply areas such as the Barnett Shale, the Bossier Sands, the Caney Woodford Shale, the Fayetteville Shale and the Haynesville Shale, including producers who have contracted for capacity with Boardwalk Pipeline. Significant financial difficulties experienced by Boardwalk Pipeline’s producer customers could impact their ability to pay for services rendered or otherwise reduce their demand for Boardwalk Pipeline’s services.

High natural gas prices may result in a reduction in the demand for natural gas. A reduced level of demand for natural gas could reduce the utilization of capacity on Boardwalk Pipeline’s systems, reduce the demand for Boardwalk Pipeline’s services and could result in the non-renewal of contracted capacity as contracts expire.

Risks Related to Us and Our Subsidiaries Generally

In addition to the specific risks and uncertainties faced by our subsidiaries, as discussed above, we and all of our subsidiaries face risks and uncertainties related to, among other things, terrorism, hurricanes and other natural disasters, competition, government regulation, dependence on key executives and employees, litigation, dependence on information technology and compliance with environmental laws.

Acts of terrorism could harm us and our subsidiaries.

Future terrorist attacks and the continued threat of terrorism in this country or abroad, as well as possible retaliatory military and other action by the United States and its allies, could have a significant impact on the assets and businesses of certain of our subsidiaries. CNA issues coverages that are exposed to risk of loss from a terrorism act. Terrorist acts or the threat of terrorism, including increased political, economic and financial market instability and volatility in the price of oil and gas, could affect the market for Diamond Offshore’s drilling services, Boardwalk Pipeline’s transportation, gathering and storage services and HighMount’s exploration and production activities. In addition, future terrorist attacks could lead to reductions in business travel and tourism which could harm Loews Hotels. While our subsidiaries take steps that they believe are appropriate to secure their assets, there is no assurance that they can completely secure them against a terrorist attack or obtain adequate insurance coverage for terrorist acts at reasonable rates.

Our subsidiaries are subject to extensive federal, state and local governmental regulations.

The businesses operated by our subsidiaries are impacted by current and potential federal, state and local governmental regulations which impose or might impose a variety of restrictions and compliance obligations on those companies. Governmental regulations can also change materially in ways that could adversely affect those companies. Risks faced by our subsidiaries related to governmental regulation include the following:

CNA. The insurance industry is subject to comprehensive and detailed regulation and supervision throughout the United States. Most insurance regulations are designed to protect the interests of CNA’s policyholders rather than its investors. Each state in which CNA does business has established supervisory agencies that regulate its business, including:

standards of solvency, including risk-based capital measurements;

restrictions on the nature, quality and concentration of investments;

restrictions on CNA’s ability to withdraw from unprofitable lines of insurance or unprofitable market areas;

the required use of certain methods of accounting and reporting;

the establishment of reserves for unearned premiums, losses and other purposes;

potential assessments for funds necessary to settle covered claims against impaired, insolvent or failed private or quasi-governmental insurers;

licensing of insurers and agents;

approval of policy forms;

limitations on the ability of CNA’s insurance subsidiaries to pay dividends to us; and

limitations on the ability to non-renew, cancel or change terms and conditions in policies.

Regulatory powers also extend to premium rate regulations which require that rates not be excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory. CNA also is required by the states to provide coverage to persons who would not otherwise be considered eligible by the insurers. Each state dictates the types of insurance and the level of coverage that must be provided to such involuntary risks. CNA’s share of these involuntary risks is mandatory and is generally a function of its respective share of the voluntary market by line of insurance in each state.

Diamond Offshore. The drilling industry is dependent on demand for services from the oil and gas exploration industry and, accordingly, is affected by changing tax and other laws relating to the energy business generally. Diamond Offshore may be required to make significant capital expenditures to comply with governmental laws and regulations. It is also possible that these laws and regulations may in the future add significantly to Diamond Offshore’s operating costs or may significantly limit drilling activity.

Governments in some countries are increasingly active in regulating and controlling the ownership of concessions, the exploration for oil and gas and other aspects of the oil and gas industries. The modification of existing laws or regulations or the adoption of new laws or regulations curtailing exploratory or developmental drilling for oil and gas for economic, environmental or other reasons could materially and adversely affect Diamond Offshore’s operations by limiting drilling opportunities.

HighMount. All of HighMount’s operations are conducted onshore in the United States. The U.S. oil and gas industry, and HighMount’s operations, are subject to regulation at the federal, state and local level. Such regulation includes requirements with respect to, among other things: permits to drill and to conduct other operations; provision of financial assurances (such as bonds) covering drilling and well operations; the location of wells; the method of drilling and completing wells; the surface use and restoration of properties upon which wells are drilled; the plugging and abandoning of wells; the marketing, transportation and reporting of production; the valuation and payment of royalties; the size of drilling and spacing units (regarding the density of wells which may be drilled in a particular area); the unitization or pooling of natural gas and oil properties; maximum rates of production from natural gas and oil wells; venting or flaring of natural gas and the ratability of production.

The conference committee report for The Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2010 requested the EPA to conduct a study of hydraulic fracturing, particularly the relationship between hydraulic fracturing and drinking water. Hydraulic fracturing is a technique commonly used by oil and gas exploration companies, including HighMount, to stimulate the production of oil and natural gas by injecting fluids and sand into underground wells at high pressures, causing fractures or fissures in the geological formation which allow oil and gas to flow more freely. In recent years, concerns have been raised that the fracturing process may contaminate underground sources of drinking water. Several bills were introduced in the 111th Congress seeking federal regulation of hydraulic fracturing, which has historically been regulated at the state level, though none of the proposed legislation was passed into law. Indications are that similar bills will be introduced in the new Congress. If hydraulic fracturing is banned or significantly restricted by federal regulation or otherwise, it could impair HighMount’s ability to economically drill new natural gas wells, which would reduce its production, revenues and profitability.

Boardwalk Pipeline. Boardwalk Pipeline’s natural gas transportation and storage operations are subject to extensive regulation by FERC and the DOT among other federal and state authorities. In addition to FERC rules and regulations related to the rates Boardwalk Pipeline can charge for its services, federal regulations extend to pipeline safety, operating terms and conditions of service, the types of services Boardwalk Pipeline may offer, construction or abandonment of facilities, accounting and record keeping, and relationships and transactions with affiliated companies. These regulations can adversely impact Boardwalk Pipeline’s ability to compete for business, construct new facilities, including by increasing the lead times to develop projects, offer new services, or recover the full cost of operating its pipelines.

Our subsidiaries face significant risks related to compliance with environmental laws.

Our subsidiaries have extensive obligations and/or financial exposure related to compliance with federal, state and local environmental laws, many of which have become increasingly stringent in recent years and may in some cases impose “strict liability,” which could be substantial, rendering a person liable for environmental damage without regard to negligence or fault on the part of that person. For example, Diamond Offshore could be liable for damages and costs incurred in connection with oil spills related to its operations, including for conduct of or conditions caused by others. HighMount is also subject to extensive environmental regulation in the conduct of its business, particularly related to the handling and disposal of drilling and production waste products, water and air pollution control procedures, and the remediation of petroleum-product contamination.

We are subject to physical and financial risks associated with climate change.

As awareness of climate change issues increases, governments around the world are beginning to address the matter. This may result in new environmental regulations that may unfavorably impact us, our subsidiaries and their suppliers and customers. We and our subsidiaries may be exposed to risks related to new laws or regulations pertaining to climate change, carbon emissions or energy use that could decrease the use of oil or natural gas, thus reducing demand for hydrocarbon-based fuel and related services provided by our energy subsidiaries. Governments also may pass laws or regulations encouraging or mandating the use of alternative energy sources, such as wind power and solar energy, which

may reduce demand for oil and natural gas. In addition, changing global weather patterns have been associated with extreme weather events and could change longer-term natural catastrophe trends, including increasing the frequency and severity of hurricanes and other natural disasters which could increase future catastrophe losses at CNA and damage to property, disruption of business and higher operating costs at Diamond Offshore, Boardwalk Pipeline, HighMount and Loews Hotels.

There is currently no federal regulation that limits GHG emissions in the U.S. However, several bills were introduced in Congress in recent years that would regulate U.S. GHG emissions under a cap and trade system. Although these bills were not passed into law, some regulation of that type may be enacted in the U.S. in the near future. In addition, in 2009, the EPA adopted regulations under the Clean Air Act requiring the monitoring and reporting of annual GHG emissions by operators of facilities that emit more than 25,000 metric tons of GHG per year, which includes Boardwalk Pipeline and HighMount. Numerous states and several regional multi-state climate initiatives have announced or adopted plans to regulate GHG emissions, though the state programs vary widely. The establishment of a GHG reporting system and registry may be a first step toward broader regulation of GHG emissions. Compliance with future laws and regulations could impose significant costs on affected companies or adversely affect the demand for and the cost to produce and transport hydrocarbon-based fuel, which would adversely affect the businesses of our energy subsidiaries.

We could incur impairment charges related to the carrying value of the long-lived assets and goodwill of our subsidiaries.

Our subsidiaries regularly evaluate their long-lived assets and goodwill for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable. Most notably, we could incur impairment charges related to the carrying value of offshore drilling equipment at Diamond Offshore, natural gas and oil properties at HighMount, pipeline equipment at Boardwalk Pipeline and hotel properties owned by Loews Hotels.

We test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that a potential impairment exists. The goodwill impairment test requires us to identify reporting units and estimate each unit’s fair value as of the testing date. We calculate the fair value of our reporting units (each of our principal operating subsidiaries) based on estimates of future discounted cash flows, which reflect management’s judgments and assumptions regarding the appropriate risk-adjusted discount rate, future industry conditions and operations and other factors. Asset impairment evaluations are, by nature, highly subjective. The use of different estimates and assumptions could result in materially different carrying values of our assets which could impact the need to record an impairment charge and the amount of any charge taken.

We are a holding company and derive substantially all of our income and cash flow from our subsidiaries.

We rely upon our invested cash balances and distributions from our subsidiaries to generate the funds necessary to meet our obligations and to declare and pay any dividends to holders of our common stock. Our subsidiaries are separate and independent legal entities and have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to make funds available to us, whether in the form of loans, dividends or otherwise. The ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends to us is also subject to, among other things, the availability of sufficient earnings and funds in such subsidiaries, applicable state laws, including in the case of the insurance subsidiaries of CNA, laws and rules governing the payment of dividends by regulated insurance companies, and their compliance with covenants in their respective loan agreements. Claims of creditors of our subsidiaries will generally have priority as to the assets of such subsidiaries over our claims and our creditors and shareholders.

We could have liability in the future for tobacco-related lawsuits.

As a result of our ownership of Lorillard, Inc. (“Lorillard”) prior to the separation of Lorillard from us in 2008 (the “Separation”), from time to time we have been named as a defendant in tobacco-related lawsuits. We are currently a defendant in three such lawsuits and could be named as a defendant in additional tobacco-related suits, notwithstanding the completion of the Separation. In the Separation Agreement entered into between us and Lorillard and its subsidiaries in connection with the Separation, Lorillard and each of its subsidiaries has agreed to indemnify us for liabilities related to Lorillard’s tobacco business, including liabilities that we may incur for current and future tobacco-related litigation against us. An adverse decision in a tobacco-related lawsuit against us could, if the indemnification is deemed for any reason to be unenforceable or any amounts owed to us thereunder are not collectible, in whole or in part, have a material

adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and equity. We do not expect that the Separation will alter the legal exposure of either entity with respect to tobacco-related claims. We do not believe that we have any liability for tobacco-related claims, and we have never been held liable for any such claims. Additional information on the Separation is included in Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Deterioration in the public debt and equity markets could lead to investment losses and lower cash balances at the parent company, which could impair our ability to fund acquisitions, share buybacks, dividends or other investments or to fund capital needed by our subsidiaries.

The U.S. and global capital and credit markets experienced severe volatility, illiquidity, uncertainty and disruption in recent years, including among other things, large bankruptcies, government intervention in a number of large financial institutions, growing levels of defaults on indebtedness, recessionary economic conditions and widening of credit spreads. These conditions resulted in significant realized and unrealized losses and substantially reduced investment income, including a significant decline in income from limited partnership investments, at CNA and the parent company during 2008. Should these or similar conditions recur, we could experience additional losses and further reduced investment income, which would among other things reduce the cash balances available at the parent company. Please see MD&A under Item 7 of this Report for additional information on our Investments.

Certain of our operating subsidiaries require substantial amounts of capital or other financial support from time to time to fund expansions, enhance capital, refinance indebtedness, satisfy rating agency or regulatory requirements or for other reasons. Sufficient capital to satisfy these needs may not be available to our subsidiaries when needed on acceptable terms from the credit or capital markets or other third parties. In such cases, we have in the past, and may in the future, provide substantial amounts of debt or equity capital to our subsidiaries, which may not be on market terms. Any such investments further reduce the amount of cash available at the parent company which might otherwise be used to fund acquisitions, share buybacks, dividends or other investments or to fund other capital requirements of our subsidiaries. In addition, significantly reduced levels of cash at the parent company could make us unable or unwilling to fund future capital needs of our subsidiaries and result in a downgrade of our ratings by the major credit rating agencies.

We could have liability in the future for tobacco-related lawsuits.

As a result of our ownership of Lorillard, Inc. (“Lorillard”) prior to the separation (the “Separation”), which was consummated in June 2008, from time to time we have been named as a defendant in tobacco-related lawsuits. We are currently a defendant in three such lawsuits and could be named as a defendant in additional tobacco-related suits, notwithstanding the completion of the Separation. In the Separation Agreement entered into between us and Lorillard and its subsidiaries in connection with the Separation, Lorillard and each of its subsidiaries has agreed to indemnify us for liabilities related to Lorillard’s tobacco business, including liabilities that we may incur for current and future tobacco-related litigation against us. An adverse decision in a tobacco-related lawsuit against us could, if the indemnification is deemed for any reason to be unenforceable or any amounts owed to us thereunder are not collectible, in whole or in part, have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and equity. We do not expect that the Separation will alter the legal exposure of either entity with respect to tobacco-related claims. We do not believe that we had or have any liability for tobacco-related claims, and we have never been held liable for any such claims.

Risks Related to Us and Our Subsidiary, CNA Financial Corporation

CNA has incurred and may continue to incur significant realized and unrealized investment losses and volatility in net investment income arising from the severe disruption in the capital and credit markets.

Investment returns are an important part of CNA’s overall profitability. General economic conditions, changes in financial markets such as fluctuations in interest rates, long term periods of low interest rates, credit conditions and currency, commodity and stock prices, including the short and long-term effects of losses in relation to asset-backed securities, and many other factors beyond CNA’s control can adversely affect the value of CNA’s investments and the realization of investment income. Further, CNA invests a portion of its assets in equity securities and limited partnerships which are subject to greater volatility than CNA’s fixed income investments. Limited partnership investments generally present greater volatility, higher illiquidity, and greater risk than fixed income investments. As a result of all of these factors, CNA may not realize an adequate return on CNA’s investments, may incur losses on sales of its investments, and may be required to write down the value of its investments. Therefore, the Company’s results of operations, equity and CNA’s business, insurer financial strength and debt ratings could be materially adversely impacted.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

CNA’s underwriting results may continue to suffer as a result of the unfavorable global economic conditions.

Overall global economic conditions may continue to be recessionary and highly unfavorable. Although many lines of CNA’s business have both direct and indirect exposure to these economic conditions, the exposure is especially high for the lines of business that provide management and professional liability insurance, as well as surety bonds, to businesses engaged in real estate, financial services and professional services. As a result, CNA has experienced and may continue to experience unanticipated underwriting losses with respect to these lines of business. Additionally, global recessionary conditions have led to decreased insured exposures causing CNA to experience declines in premium volume. Consequently, the Company’s results of operations and equity, and CNA’s business, insurer financial strength and debt ratings could be adversely impacted.

CNA’s valuation of investments and impairment of securities requires significant judgment.

CNA’s investment portfolio is exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, credit, and currency risks, many of which are unpredictable. CNA exercises significant judgment in analyzing these risks and in validating fair values provided by third parties for securities in its investment portfolio that are not regularly traded. CNA also exercises significant judgment in determining whether the impairment of particular investments is temporary or other-than-temporary. Securities with exposure to residential and commercial mortgage and other loan collateral can be particularly sensitive to fairly small changes in actual collateral performance and assumptions as to future collateral performance.

During 2008, CNA incurred significant unrealized losses in its investment portfolio. During 2009, financial markets were volatile and CNA experienced improvement in its unrealized position. In addition, during 2009 and 2008 CNA recorded significant other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses primarily in the corporate and other taxable bonds, asset-backed securities and non-redeemable preferred equity securities sectors.

Due to the inherent uncertainties involved with these types of risks and the resulting judgments, CNA may incur further unrealized losses and conclude that further other-than-temporary write downs of CNA’s investments are required. As a result, the Company’s results of operations and equity, and CNA’s business, insurer financial strength and debt ratings could be materially adversely impacted. Additional information on CNA’s investment portfolio is included in the MD&A under Item 7 and Notes 3, 4, and 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

CNA is unable to predict the impact on itself of governmental efforts and policy changes taken and proposed to be taken in response to the unfavorable economic conditions.

The federal government has implemented various measures, including the establishment of the Troubled Assets Relief Program pursuant to the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, in an effort to deal with the ongoing economic conditions. In addition, there are numerous proposals for further legislative and regulatory actions at both the federal and state levels, particularly with respect to the financial services industry. Since these new laws and regulations, or other policy changes, could involve critical matters affecting CNA’s operations, they may have an impact on CNA’s business and its overall financial condition. Due to this significant uncertainty, CNA is unable to determine whether its actions in response to these governmental efforts will be effective or to predict with any certainty the overall impact these governmental efforts will have on it. As a result, the Company’s results of operations and equity and CNA’s business, insurer financial strength and debt ratings could be materially adversely impacted.

CNA is subject to extensive federal, state and local governmental regulations that restrict its ability to do business and generate revenues.

The insurance industry is subject to comprehensive and detailed regulation and supervision throughout the United States. Most insurance regulations are designed to protect the interests of CNA’s policyholders rather than its investors. Each state in which CNA does business has established supervisory agencies that regulate the manner in which it does business. Their regulations relate to, among other things, the following:

standards of solvency including risk-based capital measurements;

restrictions on the nature, quality and concentration of investments;

Item 1A. Risk Factors

restrictions on CNA’s ability to withdraw from unprofitable lines of insurance or unprofitable market areas;

the required use of certain methods of accounting and reporting;

the establishment of reserves for unearned premiums, losses and other purposes;

potential assessments for funds necessary to settle covered claims against impaired, insolvent or failed private or quasi-governmental insurers;

licensing of insurers and agents;

approval of policy forms;

limitations on the ability of CNA’s insurance subsidiaries to pay dividends to CNA; and

limitations on the ability to non-renew, cancel or change terms and conditions in policies.

Regulatory powers also extend to premium rate regulations which require that rates not be excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory. The states in which CNA does business also require CNA to provide coverage to persons whom CNA would not otherwise consider eligible. Each state dictates the types of insurance and the level of coverage that must be provided to such involuntary risks. CNA’s share of these involuntary risks is mandatory and generally a function of its respective share of the voluntary market by line of insurance in each state.

Any of these regulations could materially adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and equity, and CNA’s business, insurer financial strength and debt ratings.

CNA is subject to capital adequacy requirements and, if it is unable to maintain or raise sufficient capital to meet these requirements, regulatory agencies may restrict or prohibit CNA from operating its business.

Insurance companies such as CNA are subject to risk-based capital standards set by state regulators to help identify companies that merit further regulatory attention. These standards apply specified risk factors to various asset, premium and reserve components of CNA’s statutory capital and surplus reported in CNA’s statutory basis of accounting financial statements. Current rules require companies to maintain statutory capital and surplus at a specified minimum level determined using the risk-based capital formula. If CNA does not meet these minimum requirements, state regulators may restrict or prohibit it from operating its business. If CNA is required to record a material charge against earnings in connection with a change in estimates or circumstances or if it incurs significant unrealized losses related to its investment portfolio, CNA may violate these minimum capital adequacy requirements unless it is able to raise sufficient additional capital. Examples of events leading CNA to record a material charge against its earnings include impairment of CNA’s investments or unexpectedly poor claims experience.

Loews has provided CNA with substantial amounts of capital in prior years. Loews may be restricted in its ability or willingness to provide additional capital support to CNA. As a result, if CNA is in need of additional capital, CNA may be required to secure this funding from sources other than Loews. CNA may be limited in its ability to raise significant amounts of capital on favorable terms or at all.

Rating agencies may downgrade their ratings of CNA and thereby adversely affect its ability to write insurance at competitive rates or at all.

Ratings are an important factor in establishing the competitive position of insurance companies. CNA’s insurance company subsidiaries, as well as CNA’s public debt, are rated by rating agencies, namely, A.M. Best Company, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s. Ratings reflect the rating agency’s opinions of an insurance company’s or insurance holding company’s financial strength, capital adequacy, operating performance, strategic position and ability to meet its obligations to policyholders and debt holders.

Due to the intense competitive environment in which CNA operates, the disruption in the capital and credit markets, the uncertainty in determining reserves and the potential for CNA to take material unfavorable development in the future,

Item 1A. Risk Factors

and possible changes in the methodology or criteria applied by the rating agencies, the rating agencies may take action to lower CNA’s ratings in the future. If CNA’s property and casualty insurance financial strength ratings are downgraded below current levels, CNA’s business and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. The severity of the impact on CNA’s business is dependent on the level of downgrade and, for certain products, which rating agency takes the rating action. Among the adverse effects in the event of such downgrades would be the inability to obtain a material volume of business from certain major insurance brokers, the inability to sell a material volume of CNA’s insurance products to certain markets, and the required collateralization of certain future payment obligations or reserves.

In addition, it is possible that a lowering of the debt ratings of Loews by certain of the rating agencies could result in an adverse impact on CNA’s ratings, independent of any change in CNA’s circumstances. CNA has entered into several settlement agreements and assumed reinsurance contracts that require collateralization of future payment obligations and assumed reserves if its ratings or other specific criteria fall below certain thresholds. The ratings triggers are generally more than one level below CNA’s current ratings. Additional information on CNA’s ratings and ratings triggers is included in the MD&A under Item 7.

CNA’s insurance subsidiaries, upon whom CNA depends for dividends in order to fund its working capital needs, are limited by state regulators in their ability to pay dividends.

CNA is a holding company and is dependent upon dividends, loans and other sources of cash from its subsidiaries in order to meet its obligations. Ordinary dividend payments, or dividends that do not require prior approval by subsidiaries’ domiciliary state departments of insurance and are generally limited to amounts determined by formula which varies by state. The formula for the majority of the states is the greater of 10% of the prior year statutory surplus or the prior year statutory net income, less the aggregate of all dividends paid during the twelve months prior to the date of payment. Some states, however, have an additional stipulation that dividends cannot exceed the prior year’s earned surplus. If CNA is restricted, by regulatory rule or otherwise, from paying or receiving inter-company dividends, CNA may not be able to fund its working capital needs and debt service requirements from available cash. As a result, CNA would need to look to other sources of capital which may be more expensive or may not be available at all.

If CNA determines that its recorded loss reserves are insufficient to cover its estimated ultimate unpaid liability for claims, CNA may need to increase its loss reserves.

CNA maintains loss reserves to cover its estimated ultimate unpaid liability for claims and claim adjustment expenses for reported and unreported claims and for future policy benefits. Reserves represent CNA’s best estimate at a given point in time. Insurance reserves are not an exact calculation of liability but instead are complex estimates derived by CNA, generally utilizing a variety of reserve estimation techniques from numerous assumptions and expectations about future events, many of which are highly uncertain, such as estimates of claims severity, frequency of claims, mortality, morbidity, expected interest rates, inflation, claims handling, case reserving policies and procedures, underwriting and pricing policies, changes in the legal and regulatory environment and the lag time between the occurrence of an insured event and the time of its ultimate settlement. Many of these uncertainties are not precisely quantifiable and require significant judgment on CNA’s part. As trends in underlying claims develop, particularly in so-called “long tail” or long duration coverages, CNA is sometimes required to add to its reserves. This is called unfavorable net prior year development and results in a charge to CNA’s earnings in the amount of the added reserves, recorded in the period the change in estimate is made. These charges can be substantial. Additional information on CNA’s reserves is included in the MD&A under Item 7 and Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

CNA is subject to the uncertain effects of emerging or potential claims and coverage issues that arise as industry practices and legal, judicial, social and other environmental conditions change. These issues have had, and may continue to have, a negative effect on CNA’s business by either extending coverage beyond the original underwriting intent or by increasing the number or size of claims, resulting in further increases in CNA’s reserves which can have a material adverse effect on its results of operations and equity. The effects of these and other unforeseen emerging claim and coverage issues are extremely hard to predict. Examples of emerging or potential claim and coverage issues include:

increases in the number and size of claims relating to injuries from various medical products including pharmaceuticals;

Item 1A. Risk Factors

the effects of recessionary economic conditions and financial reporting scandals, which have resulted in an increase in the number and size of claims, due to corporate failures; these claims include both directors and officers (“D&O”) and errors and omissions (“E&O”) insurance claims;

class action litigation relating to claims handling and other practices;

construction defect claims, including claims for a broad range of additional insured endorsements on policies;

clergy abuse claims, including passage of legislation to reopen or extend various statutes of limitations; and

mass tort claims, including bodily injury claims related to welding rods, benzene, lead, noise induced hearing loss and various other chemical and radiation exposure claims.

In light of the many uncertainties associated with establishing the estimates and making the assumptions necessary to establish reserve levels, CNA reviews and change its reserve estimates in a regular and ongoing process as experience develops and further claims are reported and settled. In addition, CNA periodically undergoes state regulatory financial examinations, including review and analysis of CNA’s reserves. If estimated reserves are insufficient for any reason, the required increase in reserves would be recorded as a charge against CNA’s earnings for the period in which reserves are determined to be insufficient. These charges could be substantial and could materially adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and equity, and CNA’s business, insurer financial strength and debt ratings.

Loss reserves for asbestos and environmental pollution are especially difficult to estimate and may result in more frequent and larger additions to these reserves.

CNA’s experience has been that establishing reserves for casualty coverages relating to asbestos and environmental pollution (which CNA refers to as A&E) claim and claim adjustment expenses are subject to uncertainties that are greater than those presented by other claims. Estimating the ultimate cost of both reported and unreported claims are subject to a higher degree of variability due to a number of additional factors including, among others, the following:

coverage issues including whether certain costs are covered under the policies and whether policy limits apply;

inconsistent court decisions and developing legal theories;

continuing aggressive tactics of plaintiffs’ lawyers;

the risks and lack of predictability inherent in major litigation;

changes in the frequency of asbestos and environmental pollution claims;

changes in the severity of claims including bodily injury claims for malignancies arising out of exposure to asbestos;

the impact of the exhaustion of primary limits and the resulting increase in claims on any umbrella or excess policies CNA has issued;

CNA’s ability to recover reinsurance for these claims; and

changes in the legal and legislative environment in which CNA operates.

As a result of this higher degree of variability, CNA has necessarily supplemented traditional actuarial methods and techniques with additional estimating techniques and methodologies, many of which involve significant judgment on its part. Consequently, CNA may periodically need to record changes in its claim and claim adjustment expense reserves in the future in these areas in amounts that could materially adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and equity, and CNA’s business, insurer financial strength and debt ratings. Additional information on A&E claims is included in the MD&A under Item 7 and Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Asbestos claims.  The estimation of reserves for asbestos claims is particularly difficult in light of the factors noted above. In addition, CNA’s ability to estimate the ultimate cost of asbestos claims is further complicated by the following:

inconsistency of court decisions and jury attitudes, as well as future court decisions;

interpretation of specific policy provisions;

allocation of liability among insurers and insureds;

missing policies and proof of coverage;

the proliferation of bankruptcy proceedings and attendant uncertainties;

novel theories asserted by policyholders and their legal counsel;

the targeting of a broader range of businesses and entities as defendants;

uncertainties in predicting the number of future claims and which other insureds may be targeted in the future;

volatility in frequency of claims and severity of settlement demands;

increases in the number of non-impaired claimants and the extent to which they can be precluded from making claims;

the efforts by insureds to obtain coverage that is not subject to aggregate limits;

the long latency period between asbestos exposure and disease manifestation, as well as the resulting potential for involvement of multiple policy periods for individual claims;

medical inflation trends;

the mix of asbestos-related diseases presented; and

the ability to recover reinsurance.

In addition, a number of CNA’s insureds have asserted that their claims for insurance are not subject to aggregate limits on coverage. If these insureds are successful in this regard, CNA’s potential liability for their claims would be unlimited. Some of these insureds contend that their asbestos claims fall within the so-called “non-products” liability coverage within their policies, rather than the products liability coverage, and that this “non-products” liability coverage is not subject to any aggregate limit. It is difficult to predict the extent to which these claims will succeed and, as a result, the ultimate size of these claims.

Environmental pollution claims.  The estimation of reserves for environmental pollution claims is complicated by liability and coverage issues arising from these claims. CNA and others in the insurance industry are disputing coverage for many such claims. In addition to the coverage issues noted in the asbestos claims section above, key coverage issues in environmental pollution claims include the following:

whether cleanup costs are considered damages under the policies (and accordingly whether CNA would be liable for these costs);

the trigger of coverage and the allocation of liability among triggered policies;

the applicability of pollution exclusions and owned property exclusions;

the potential for joint and several liability; and

Item 1A. Risk Factors

the definition of an occurrence.

To date, courts have been inconsistent in their rulings on these issues, thus adding to the uncertainty of the outcome of many of these claims.

Further, the scope of federal and state statutes and regulations determining liability and insurance coverage for environmental pollution liabilities have been the subject of extensive litigation. In many cases, courts have expanded the scope of coverage and liability for cleanup costs beyond the original intent of CNA’s insurance policies. Additionally, the standards for cleanup in environmental pollution matters are unclear, the number of sites potentially subject to cleanup under applicable laws is unknown, and the impact of various proposals to reform existing statutes and regulations is difficult to predict.

Catastrophe losses are unpredictable.

Catastrophe losses are an inevitable part of CNA’s business. Various events can cause catastrophe losses, including hurricanes, windstorms, earthquakes, hail, explosions, severe winter weather, and fires, and their frequency and severity are inherently unpredictable. In addition, longer-term natural catastrophe trends may be changing and new types of catastrophe losses may be developing due to climate change, a phenomenon that has been associated with extreme weather events linked to rising temperatures, and includes effects on global weather patterns, greenhouse gases, sea, land and air temperatures, sea levels, rain, and snow. The extent of CNA’s losses from catastrophes is a function of both the total amount of CNA’s insured exposures in the affected areas and the severity of the events themselves. In addition, as in the case of catastrophe losses generally, it can take a long time for the ultimate cost to CNA to be finally determined. As CNA’s claim experience develops on a particular catastrophe, CNA may be required to adjust its reserves, or take unfavorable development, to reflect its revised estimates of the total cost of claims. CNA believes it could incur significant catastrophe losses in the future. Therefore, the Company’s results of operations and equity, and CNA’s business, insurer financial strength and debt ratings could be materially adversely impacted. Additional information on catastrophe losses is included in the MD&A under Item 7 and Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

CNA’s key assumptions used to determine reserves and deferred acquisition costs for CNA’s long term care product offerings could vary significantly from actual experience.

CNA’s reserves and deferred acquisition costs for its long term care product offerings are based on certain key assumptions including morbidity, which is the frequency and severity of illness, sickness and diseases contracted, policy persistency, which is the percentage of policies remaining in force, interest rates and future health care cost trends. If actual experience differs from these assumptions, the deferred acquisition asset may not be fully realized and the reserves may not be adequate, requiring CNA to add to reserves, or take unfavorable development. Therefore, the Company’s results of operations and equity, and CNA’s business, insurer financial strength and debt ratings could be materially adversely impacted.

CNA is unable to predict the impact of federal health care reform legislation.

The federal government may be implementing landmark health care reform legislation that could involve critical matters affecting CNA’s operations, particularly CNA’s workers’ compensation and long term care products. Until the legislation is enacted, CNA is unable to predict with any certainty the overall impact it will have. As a result, the Company’s results of operations and equity, and CNA business, insurer financial strength and debt ratings could be materially adversely impacted.

CNA’s premium writings and profitability are affected by the availability and cost of reinsurance.

CNA purchases reinsurance to help manage its exposure to risk. Under CNA’s reinsurance arrangements, another insurer assumes a specified portion of its claim and claim adjustment expenses in exchange for a specified portion of policy premiums. Market conditions determine the availability and cost of the reinsurance protection CNA purchases, which affects the level of CNA’s business and profitability, as well as the level and types of risk CNA retains. If CNA is unable to obtain sufficient reinsurance at a cost it deems acceptable, CNA may be unwilling to bear the increased risk

Item 1A. Risk Factors

and would reduce the level of its underwriting commitments. Therefore, the Company’s financial results of operations could be materially adversely impacted. Additional information on reinsurance is included in Note 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

CNA may not be able to collect amounts owed to it by reinsurers.

CNA has significant amounts recoverable from reinsurers which are reported as receivables in its balance sheets and are estimated in a manner consistent with claim and claim adjustment expense reserves or future policy benefits reserves. The ceding of insurance does not, however, discharge CNA’s primary liability for claims. As a result, CNA is subject to credit risk relating to its ability to recover amounts due from reinsurers. Certain of CNA’s reinsurance carriers have experienced deteriorating financial conditions or have been downgraded by rating agencies. A continuation or worsening of the current unfavorable global economic conditions could similarly impact all of CNA’s reinsurers. In addition, reinsurers could dispute amounts which CNA believes are due to it. If CNA is not able to collect the amounts due to it from reinsurers, CNA’s claims expenses will be higher which could materially adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and equity, and CNA’s business, insurer financial strength and debt ratings. Additional information on reinsurance is included in Note 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

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

Diamond Offshore’s business depends on the level of activity in the oil and gas industry, which is significantly affected by volatile oil and gas prices.

Diamond Offshore’s business depends on the level of activity in offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production in markets worldwide. Worldwide demand for oil and gas, oil and gas prices, market expectations of potential changes in these prices and a variety of political and economic factors significantly affect this level of activity. However, higher or lower commodity demand and prices do not necessarily translate into increased or decreased drilling activity since Diamond Offshore’s customers’ project development time, reserve replacement needs, as well as expectations of future commodity demand and prices all combine to affect demand for Diamond Offshore’s rigs. Oil and gas prices have been, and are expected to continue to be, extremely volatile and are affected by numerous factors beyond Diamond Offshore’s control, including:

worldwide demand for oil and gas;

the level of economic activity in energy-consuming markets;

the worldwide economic environment or economic trends, such as recessions;

the ability of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, commonly called OPEC, to set and maintain production levels and pricing;

the level of production in non-OPEC countries;

the worldwide political and military environment, including uncertainty or instability resulting from an escalation or additional outbreak of armed hostilities in the Middle East, other oil-producing regions or other geographic areas or further acts of terrorism in the United States or elsewhere;

the cost of exploring for, producing and delivering oil and gas;

the discovery rate of new oil and gas reserves;

the rate of decline of existing and new oil and gas reserves;

available pipeline and other oil and gas transportation capacity;

the ability of oil and gas companies to raise capital;

Item 1A. Risk Factors

weather conditions in the United States and elsewhere;

the policies of various governments regarding exploration and development of their oil and gas reserves;

development and exploitation of alternative fuels;

competition for customers’ drilling budgets from land-based energy markets around the world;

domestic and foreign tax policy; and

advances in exploration and development technology.

The continuing global financial crisis and worldwide economic downturn has had, and may continue to have, a negative impact on Diamond Offshore’s business and financial condition.

The continuing worldwide financial crisis has reduced the availability of liquidity and in some cases has reduced the availability of and/or increased the cost of credit to fund the continuation and expansion of industrial business operations worldwide, and has led to a worldwide economic recession. This deterioration of the worldwide economy has resulted in reduced demand for crude oil and natural gas, exploration and production activity and offshore drilling services that has had a negative impact on our business and financial condition, including declines in dayrates earned by Diamond Offshore’s drilling rigs and a decrease in new contract activity, which may continue and may worsen.

In addition, the worldwide economic recession has had, and could continue to have, a negative impact on Diamond Offshore’s customers and/or its suppliers including, among other things, causing them to fail to meet their obligations to Diamond Offshore. Additionally, if a potential customer is unable to obtain an adequate level of credit, it may preclude Diamond Offshore from doing business with that potential customer. Similarly, the restricted credit market could affect lenders participating in Diamond Offshore’s credit facility, making them unable to fulfill their commitments and obligations to Diamond Offshore. Any such reductions in drilling activity or failure by Diamond Offshore’s customers, suppliers or lenders to meet their contractual obligations to Diamond Offshore, or Diamond Offshore’s inability to secure additional financing, could adversely affect the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Diamond Offshore’s industry is cyclical.

Diamond Offshore’s industry has historically been cyclical. There have been periods of high demand, short rig supply and high dayrates, followed by periods of lower demand, excess rig supply and low dayrates. Diamond Offshore cannot predict the timing or duration of such business cycles. Periods of excess rig supply intensify the competition in the industry and often result in rigs being idle for long periods of time. In response to a contraction in demand for its services, Diamond Offshore has cold stacked three of its rigs and is in the process of cold stacking a fourth unit. Diamond Offshore may be required to idle additional rigs or to enter into lower rate contracts. Prolonged periods of low utilization and dayrates could also result in the recognition of impairment charges on certain of Diamond Offshore’s drilling rigs if future cash flow estimates, based upon information available to management at the time, indicate that the carrying value of these rigs may not be recoverable.

Diamond Offshore can provide no assurance that its current backlog of contract drilling revenue will be ultimately realized.

As of February 1, 2010, Diamond Offshore’s contract drilling backlog was approximately $8.5 billion for contracted future work extending, in some cases, until 2016. Generally, contract backlog only includes future revenue under firm commitments; however, from time to time, Diamond Offshore may report anticipated commitments for which definitive agreements have not yet been executed. Diamond Offshore can provide no assurance that it will be able to perform under these contracts due to events beyond its control or that Diamond Offshore will be able to ultimately execute a definitive agreement where one does not currently exist. In addition, Diamond Offshore can provide no assurance that its customers will be able to or willing to fulfill their contractual commitments. Diamond Offshore’s inability to perform under its contractual obligations or to execute definitive agreements or its customers’ inability to fulfill their contractual commitments may have a material adverse effect on Diamond Offshore’s business.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Diamond Offshore relies heavily on a relatively small number of customers and the loss of a significant customer and/or a dispute that leads to the loss of a customer could have a material adverse impact on its financial results.

Diamond Offshore provides offshore drilling services to a customer base that includes major and independent oil and gas companies and government-owned oil companies. However, the number of potential customers has decreased in recent years as a result of mergers among the major international oil companies and large independent oil companies. In 2009, Diamond Offshore’s five largest customers in the aggregate accounted for approximately 41.0% of its consolidated revenues. Diamond Offshore expects Petrobras, which accounted for approximately 15.0% of Diamond Offshore’s consolidated revenues in 2009 to continue to be a significant customer in 2010. While it is normal for Diamond Offshore’s customer base to change over time as work programs are completed, the loss of any major customer may have a material adverse effect on Diamond Offshore’s business.

The terms of Diamond Offshore’s dayrate drilling contracts may limit its ability to attain profitability in a declining market or to benefit from increasing dayrates in an improving market.

The duration of offshore drilling contracts is generally determined by customer requirements and, to a lesser extent, the respective management strategies of the offshore drilling contractors. In periods of decreasing demand for offshore rigs, drilling contractors generally prefer longer term contracts, but often at flat or slightly lower dayrates, to preserve dayrates at existing levels and ensure utilization, while customers prefer shorter contracts that allow them to more quickly obtain the benefit of lower dayrates. Conversely, in periods of rising demand for offshore rigs, contractors typically prefer shorter contracts that allow them to more quickly profit from increasing dayrates. In contrast, during these periods customers with reasonably definite drilling programs typically prefer longer term contracts to maintain dayrate prices at a consistent level. An inability to obtain longer term contracts in a declining market or to fully benefit from increasing dayrates in an improving market through shorter term contracts may limit Diamond Offshore’s profitability.

Contracts for Diamond Offshore’s drilling units are generally fixed dayrate contracts, and increases in Diamond Offshore’s operating costs could adversely affect the profitability of those contracts.

Diamond Offshore’s contracts for its drilling units provide for the payment of a fixed dayrate per rig operating day, although some contracts do provide for a limited escalation in dayrate due to increased operating costs incurred. Many of Diamond Offshore’s operating costs, such as labor costs, are unpredictable and fluctuate based on events beyond Diamond Offshore’s control. The gross margin that Diamond Offshore realizes on these fixed dayrate contracts will fluctuate based on variations in Diamond Offshore’s operating costs over the terms of the contracts. In addition, for contracts with dayrate escalation clauses, Diamond Offshore may be unable to recover increased or unforeseen costs from its customers which could adversely affect the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Diamond Offshore’s drilling contracts may be terminated due to events beyond its control.

Diamond Offshore’s customers may terminate some of their drilling contracts if the drilling unit is destroyed or lost or if drilling operations are suspended for a specified period of time as a result of a breakdown of major equipment or, in some cases, due to other events beyond the control of either party. In addition, some of Diamond Offshore’s drilling contracts permit the customer to terminate the contract after specified notice periods by tendering contractually specified termination amounts. These termination payments may not fully compensate Diamond Offshore for the loss of a contract. In addition, the early termination of a contract may result in a rig being idle for an extended period of time. During periods of depressed market conditions, Diamond Offshore may be subject to an increased risk of its customers seeking to repudiate their contracts. Diamond Offshore’s customers’ ability to perform their obligations under drilling contracts may also be adversely affected by restricted credit markets and the economic downturn. If Diamond Offshore’s customers cancel some of their contracts, and Diamond Offshore is unable to secure new contracts on a timely basis and on substantially similar terms, or if contracts are suspended for an extended period of time or if a number of Diamond Offshore’s contracts are renegotiated, it could adversely affect the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Diamond Offshore’s business involves numerous operating hazards and Diamond Offshore is not fully insured against all of them.

Diamond Offshore’s operations are subject to the usual hazards inherent in drilling for oil and gas offshore, such as blowouts, reservoir damage, loss of production, loss of well control, punchthroughs, craterings and natural disasters such as hurricanes or fires. The occurrence of these events could result in the suspension of drilling operations, damage to or destruction of the equipment involved and injury or death to rig personnel, damage to producing or potentially productive oil and gas formations and environmental damage. Operations also may be suspended because of machinery breakdowns, abnormal drilling conditions, failure of subcontractors to perform or supply goods or services or personnel shortages. In addition, offshore drilling operators are subject to perils peculiar to marine operations, including capsizing, grounding, collision and loss or damage from severe weather, and Diamond Offshore does not typically retain loss-of-hire insurance policies to cover its rigs. Damage to the environment could also result from Diamond Offshore’s operations, particularly through oil spillage or extensive uncontrolled fires. Diamond Offshore may also be subject to damage claims by oil and gas companies or other parties.

Pollution and environmental risks generally are not fully insurable. Diamond Offshore’s insurance policies and contractual rights to indemnity may not adequately cover its losses, or may have exclusions of coverage for some losses. Diamond Offshore does not have insurance coverage or rights to indemnity for all risks, including, among other things, liability risk for certain amounts of excess coverage and certain physical damage risk. If a significant accident or other event occurs and is not fully covered by insurance or contractual indemnity, it could adversely affect Diamond Offshore’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows. There can be no assurance that Diamond Offshore will continue to carry the insurance it currently maintains or that those parties with contractual obligations to indemnify Diamond Offshore will necessarily be financially able to indemnify it against all these risks. In addition, no assurance can be made that Diamond Offshore will be able to maintain adequate insurance in the future at rates it considers to be reasonable or that it will be able to obtain insurance against some risks.

Diamond Offshore is self-insured for physical damage to rigs and equipment caused by named windstorms in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

Because the amount of insurance coverage available has been limited, and the cost for such coverage has increased substantially, Diamond Offshore has elected to self-insure for physical damage to rigs and equipment caused by named windstorms in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. This results in a higher risk of losses, which could be material, that are not covered by third party insurance contracts. If one or more named windstorms in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico cause significant damage to Diamond Offshore’s rigs or equipment, it could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

A significant portion of Diamond Offshore’s operations are conducted outside the United States and involve additional risks not associated with domestic operations.

Diamond Offshore operates in various regions throughout the world that may expose it to political and other uncertainties, including risks of:

terrorist acts, war and civil disturbances;

piracy or assaults on property or personnel;

kidnapping of personnel;

expropriation of property or equipment;

renegotiation or nullification of existing contracts;

changing political conditions;

foreign and domestic monetary policies;

Item 1A. Risk Factors

the inability to repatriate income or capital;

difficulties in collecting accounts receivable and longer collection periods;

fluctuations in currency exchange rates;

regulatory or financial requirements to comply with foreign bureaucratic actions;

travel limitations or operational problems caused by public health threats; and

changing taxation policies.

Diamond Offshore is subject to the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control and other U.S. laws and regulations governing its international operations. In addition, international contract drilling operations are subject to various laws and regulations in countries in which Diamond Offshore operates, including laws and regulations relating to:

the equipping and operation of drilling units;

repatriation of foreign earnings;

import - export quotas or other trade barriers;

oil and gas exploration and development;

taxation of offshore earnings and earnings of expatriate personnel; and

use and compensation of local employees and suppliers by foreign contractors.

Some foreign governments favor or effectively require the awarding of drilling contracts to local contractors, require use of a local agent or require foreign contractors to employ citizens of, or purchase supplies from, a particular jurisdiction. These practices may adversely affect Diamond Offshore’s ability to compete in those regions. It is difficult to predict what governmental regulations may be enacted in the future that could adversely affect the international drilling industry. The actions of foreign governments may adversely affect Diamond Offshore’s ability to compete.

The greatest concentration of Diamond Offshore’s operating assets outside the United States is Brazil, where it has 12 rigs in its fleet either currently working or contracted to work during 2010 offshore Brazil.

Diamond Offshore’s drilling contracts offshore Mexico expose it to greater risks than they normally assume.

Diamond Offshore currently operates and expects to continue to operate rigs drilling offshore Mexico for PEMEX - Exploracion Y Produccion (“PEMEX”), the national oil company of Mexico. The terms of these contracts expose Diamond Offshore to greater risks than they normally assume, such as exposure to greater environmental liability. In addition, each contract can be terminated by PEMEX on 30 days notice, contractually or by statute, subject to certain conditions. While Diamond Offshore believes that the financial terms of these contracts and its operating safeguards in place mitigate these risks, Diamond Offshore can provide no assurance that the increased risk exposure will not have a negative impact on its future operations or financial results.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Fluctuations in exchange rates and nonconvertibility of currencies could result in losses.

Due to Diamond Offshore’s international operations, Diamond Offshore may experience currency exchange losses where revenues are received and expenses are paid in nonconvertible currencies or where it does not effectively hedge an exposure to a foreign currency. Diamond Offshore may also incur losses as a result of an inability to collect revenues because of a shortage of convertible currency available to the country of operation, controls over currency exchange or controls over the repatriation of income or capital. Diamond Offshore can provide no assurance that financial hedging arrangements will effectively hedge any foreign currency fluctuation losses that may arise.

Diamond Offshore may be required to accrue additional tax liability on certain of its foreign earnings.

Certain of Diamond Offshore’s international rigs are owned and operated, directly or indirectly, by Diamond Offshore International Limited (“DOIL”), a wholly owned Cayman Islands subsidiary. Since forming this subsidiary it has been Diamond Offshore’s intention to indefinitely reinvest the earnings of this subsidiary to finance foreign operations. During 2007, DOIL made a non-recurring distribution to its U.S. parent company, and Diamond Offshore recognized U.S. federal income tax expense on the portion of the distribution that consisted of earnings of the subsidiary that had not previously been subjected to U.S. federal income tax. Notwithstanding the non-recurring distribution made in December of 2007, it remains Diamond Offshore’s intention to indefinitely reinvest the future earnings of DOIL to finance foreign activities, except for the earnings of Diamond East Asia Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of DOIL formed in December of 2008. It is Diamond Offshore’s intention to repatriate the earnings of Diamond East Asia Limited, and U.S. income taxes will be provided on such earnings. Diamond Offshore does not expect to provide for U.S. taxes on any future earnings generated by DOIL, except to the extent that these earnings are immediately subjected to U.S. federal income tax or as they relate to Diamond East Asia Limited. Should a future distribution be made from any unremitted earnings of this subsidiary, Diamond Offshore may be required to record additional U.S. income taxes.

Public health threats could have a material adverse effect on Diamond Offshore’s operations and financial results.

Public health threats such as outbreaks of highly communicable diseases, which periodically occur in various parts of the world in which Diamond Offshore operates, could adversely impact its operations, the operations of its customers and the global economy, including the worldwide demand for oil and natural gas and the level of demand for Diamond Offshore’s services. Any quarantine of personnel or inability to access Diamond Offshore’s offices or rigs could adversely affect its operations. Travel restrictions or operational problems in any part of the world in which Diamond Offshore operates, or any reduction in the demand for drilling services caused by public health threats in the future, may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Rig conversions, upgrades or new builds may be subject to delays and cost overruns.

From time to time, Diamond Offshore may undertake to add new capacity through conversions or upgrades to rigs or through new construction. Projects of this type are subject to risks of delay or cost overruns inherent in any large construction project resulting from numerous factors, including the following:

shortages of equipment, materials or skilled labor;

work stoppages;

unscheduled delays in the delivery of ordered materials and equipment;

unanticipated cost increases;

weather interferences;

difficulties in obtaining necessary permits or in meeting permit conditions;

design and engineering problems;

customer acceptance delays;

Item 1A. Risk Factors

shipyard failures or unavailability; and

failure or delay of third party service providers and labor disputes.

Failure to complete a rig upgrade or new construction on time, or failure to complete a rig conversion or new construction in accordance with its design specifications may, in some circumstances, result in the delay, renegotiation or cancellation of a drilling contract, resulting in a loss of revenue to Diamond Offshore. If a drilling contract is terminated under these circumstances, Diamond Offshore may not be able to secure a replacement contract with equally favorable terms.

Risks Related to Us and Our Subsidiary, HighMount Exploration & Production LLC

HighMount may not be able to replace reserves and sustain production at current levels. Replacing reserves is risky and uncertain and requires significant capital expenditures.

HighMount’s future success depends largely upon its ability to find, develop or acquire additional reserves that are economically recoverable. Unless HighMount replaces the reserves produced through successful development, exploration or acquisition, its proved reserves will decline over time. HighMount may not be able to successfully find and produce reserves economically in the future or to acquire proved reserves at acceptable costs.

HighMount makes a substantial amount of capital expenditures for the acquisition, exploration and development of reserves. HighMount expects to fund its capital expenditures with cash from its operating activities. If HighMount’s cash flow from operations is not sufficient to fund its capital expenditure budget, there can be no assurance that additional debt or equity financing will be available or available at favorable terms to meet those requirements.

Estimates of natural gas and NGL reserves are uncertain and inherently imprecise.

Estimating the volume of proved natural gas and NGL reserves is a complex process and is not an exact science because of numerous uncertainties inherent in the process. The process relies on interpretations of available geological, geophysical, engineering and production data. The extent, quality and reliability of this technical data can vary. The process also requires certain economic assumptions, some of which are mandated by the SEC, such as oil and gas prices, drilling and operating expenses, capital expenditures, taxes and availability of funds. Therefore, these estimates are inherently imprecise. The accuracy of reserve estimates is a function of:

the quality and quantity of available data;

the interpretation of that data;

the accuracy of various mandated economic assumptions; and

the judgment of the persons preparing the estimate.

Actual future production, commodity prices, revenues, taxes, development expenditures, operating expenses and quantities of recoverable reserves most likely will vary from HighMount’s estimates. Any significant variance could materially affect the quantities and present value of HighMount’s reserves. In addition, HighMount may adjust estimates of proved reserves upward or downward to reflect production history, results of exploration and development drilling, prevailing commodity prices and prevailing development expenses.

The timing of both the production and the expenses from the development and production of natural gas and NGL properties will affect both the timing of actual future net cash flows from proved reserves and their present value. In addition, the 10.0% discount factor, which is required by the SEC to be used in calculating discounted future net cash flows for reporting purposes, is not necessarily the most accurate representation of their value. The effective interest rate at various times, and the risks associated with our business, or the oil and gas industry in general, will affect their value relative to the 10.0% discount factor.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

If commodity prices decrease, HighMount may be required to take additional write-downs of the carrying values of its properties.

HighMount may be required, under full cost accounting rules, to write down the carrying value of its natural gas and NGL properties if commodity prices decline significantly, or if it makes substantial downward adjustments to its estimated proved reserves, or increases its estimates of development costs or experiences deterioration in its exploration results. HighMount utilizes the full cost method of accounting for its exploration and development activities. Under full cost accounting, HighMount is required to perform a ceiling test each quarter. The ceiling test is an impairment test and generally establishes a maximum, or “ceiling,” of the book value of HighMount’s natural gas properties that is equal to the expected after tax present value (discounted at the required rate of 10.0%) of the future net cash flows from proved reserves, including the effect of cash flow hedges, calculated using the average first day of the month price for the preceding 12-month period.

If the net book value of HighMount’s exploration and production (“E&P”) properties (reduced by any related net deferred income tax liability) exceeds its ceiling limitation, SEC regulations require HighMount to impair or “write down” the book value of its E&P properties. HighMount recorded after tax ceiling test impairment charges of $660 million and $440 million in the first quarter of 2009 and the fourth quarter of 2008. A write down may not be reversed in future periods, even though higher natural gas and NGL prices may subsequently increase the ceiling. Depending on the magnitude of any future impairment, a ceiling test write down could significantly reduce HighMount’s income, or produce a loss. As ceiling test computations involve the average first day of the month price for the preceding 12-month period, it is impossible to predict the timing and magnitude of any future impairment. Additional information on the ceiling test is included in Critical Accounting Estimates included in MD&A under Item 7 and Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

HighMount may incur additional goodwill impairment charges if market conditions deteriorate.

HighMount evaluates goodwill for impairment annually, or when events or circumstances change, such as an adverse change in business climate, that would indicate an impairment may have occurred. Goodwill is deemed to be impaired when the carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value. HighMount’s annual impairment test, which is performed as of April 30th each year, is based on several factors requiring judgment. A significant decrease in expected cash flows or changes in market conditions may represent an impairment indicator requiring an assessment for the potential impairment of recorded goodwill. Also, a ceiling test impairment may represent a triggering event requiring HighMount to perform an interim period goodwill impairment test. Should market conditions continue to significantly deteriorate, including further declining commodity prices, HighMount could be required to record additional goodwill impairments that may be significant. HighMount recorded an after tax goodwill impairment charge of $314 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. Please read Critical Accounting Estimates included in MD&A under Item 7 and Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

Natural gas, NGL and other commodity prices are volatile.

The commodity price HighMount receives for its production heavily influences its revenue, profitability, access to capital and future rate of growth. HighMount is subject to risks due to frequent and often substantial fluctuations in commodity prices. NGL prices generally fluctuate on a basis that correlates to fluctuations in crude oil prices. In the past, the prices of natural gas and crude oil have been extremely volatile, and HighMount expects this volatility to continue. The markets and prices for natural gas and NGLs depend upon factors beyond HighMount’s control. These factors include demand, which fluctuates with changes in market and economic conditions and other factors, including:

the impact of market and basis differentials - market price spreads between two points across HighMount’s natural gas system;

the impact of weather on the demand for these commodities;

the level of domestic production and imports of these commodities;

the impact of changes in technologies on the level of supply;

Item 1A. Risk Factors

natural gas storage levels;

actions taken by foreign producing nations;

the availability of local, intrastate and interstate transportation systems;

the availability and marketing of competitive fuels;

the impact of energy conservation efforts; and

the extent of governmental regulation and taxation.

Lower commodity prices may decrease HighMount’s revenues and may reduce the amount of natural gas and NGLs that HighMount can produce economically.

HighMount engages in commodity price hedging activities.

HighMount is exposed to risks associated with fluctuations in commodity prices. The extent of HighMount’s commodity price risk is related to the effectiveness and scope of HighMount’s hedging activities. To the extent HighMount hedges its commodity price risk, HighMount will forego the benefits it would otherwise experience if commodity prices or interest rates were to change in its favor. Furthermore, because HighMount has entered into derivative transactions related to only a portion of the volume of its expected natural gas supply and production of NGLs, HighMount will continue to have direct commodity price risk on the unhedged portion. HighMount’s actual future supply and production may be significantly higher or lower than HighMount estimates at the time it enters into derivative transactions for that period.

As a result, HighMount’s hedging activities may not be as effective as HighMount intends in reducing the volatility of its cash flows, and in certain circumstances may actually increase the volatility of cash flows. In addition, even though HighMount’s management monitors its hedging activities, these activities can result in substantial losses. Such losses could occur under various circumstances, including if a counterparty does not perform its obligations under the applicable hedging arrangement, the hedging arrangement is imperfect or ineffective.

Drilling for and producing natural gas and NGLs is a high risk activity with many uncertainties.

HighMount’s future success will depend in part on the success of its exploitation, exploration, development and production activities. HighMount’s E&P activities are subject to numerous risks beyond its control, including the risk that drilling will not result in oil and natural gas production volumes that are commercially viable. HighMount’s decisions to purchase, explore, develop or otherwise exploit prospects or properties will depend in part on the evaluation of data obtained through geophysical and geological analyses, production data and engineering studies, the results of which are often inconclusive or subject to varying interpretations. HighMount’s cost of drilling, completing and operating wells is often uncertain before drilling commences. Overruns in budgeted expenditures are common risks that can make a particular project uneconomical. Further, many factors may curtail, delay or cancel drilling, including the following:

lack of acceptable prospective acreage;

inadequate capital resources;

unexpected drilling conditions; pressure or irregularities in formations; equipment failures or accidents;

adverse weather conditions;

unavailability or high cost of drilling rigs, equipment, labor or services;

reductions in commodity prices;

Item 1A. Risk Factors

the impact of changes in technologies on commodity prices;

limitations in the market for natural gas and NGLs;

title problems;

compliance with and the impact of changes in governmental regulations; and

mechanical difficulties.

HighMount’s business involves many hazards and operational risks, some of which may not be fully covered by insurance.

HighMount is not insured against all risks. Losses and liabilities arising from uninsured and underinsured events could materially and adversely affect HighMount’s business, financial condition or results of operations. HighMount’s E&P activities are subject to all of the operating risks associated with drilling for and producing natural gas and NGLs, including the possibility of:

environmental hazards, such as uncontrollable flows of natural gas, brine, well fluids, toxic gas or other pollution into the environment, including groundwater contamination;

abnormally pressured formations;

mechanical difficulties, such as stuck drilling and service tools and casing collapse;

fires and explosions;

personal injuries and death; and

natural disasters.

If any of these events occur, HighMount could incur substantial losses as a result of injury or loss of life, damage to and destruction of property, natural resources and equipment, pollution and other environmental damage, clean-up responsibilities, regulatory investigation and penalties, suspension of HighMount’s operations and repairs to resume operations, any of which could adversely affect its ability to conduct operations or result in substantial losses. HighMount may elect not to obtain insurance if the cost of available insurance is excessive relative to the risks presented. In addition, pollution and environmental risks generally are not fully insurable.

Risks Related to Us and Our Subsidiary, Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP

Boardwalk Pipeline needs to obtain and maintain authority from PHMSA to operate at higher than normal operating pressures.

Boardwalk Pipeline has entered into firm transportation contracts with shippers which would utilize the maximum design capacity of its recently completed 42-inch pipeline expansion projects and the Fayetteville Lateral assuming that Boardwalk Pipeline operates those pipelines at higher than normal operating pressures (up to 0.80 SMYS), which increases the pipeline’s peak-day transmission capacity from that available at normal operating pressures (up to 0.72 SMYS).

In December of 2009, Boardwalk Pipeline received authority from PHMSA to operate its 42-inch pipeline expansion projects at higher than normal operating pressures. If PHMSA were to withdraw such authority, Boardwalk Pipeline would not be able to transport all of its contracted quantities of natural gas on these pipelines, beginning in mid-2010, or Boardwalk Pipeline could incur additional costs to re-obtain such authority or seek alternate ways to meet its contractual obligations, any of which could have a material adverse affect on Boardwalk Pipeline’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Boardwalk Pipeline is seeking authority from PHMSA to operate its Fayetteville Lateral at higher than normal operating pressures. Unless Boardwalk Pipeline obtains such authority from PHMSA, Boardwalk Pipeline will not be able to operate the Fayetteville Lateral at its anticipated peak-day transmission capacity, and beginning in mid-2011, will not be able to transport all of the contracted for volumes on that pipeline. In addition, Boardwalk Pipeline has incurred and may continue to incur significant costs to inspect, test and remediate pipe segments on the Fayetteville Lateral in order to obtain, or maintain if granted, authority to operate at higher than normal operating pressures or to develop alternative ways to meet Boardwalk Pipeline’s contractual obligations, any of which could have a material adverse affect on Boardwalk Pipeline’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. PHMSA retains discretion as to whether to grant, or to maintain in force, authority to operate a pipeline at higher than normal operating pressures.

Boardwalk Pipeline may not be able to maintain or replace expiring gas transportation and storage contracts at favorable rates.

Boardwalk Pipeline’s primary exposure to market risk occurs at the time existing transportation contracts expire and are subject to renegotiation. As of December 31, 2009, approximately 14.0% of the contracts for firm transportation capacity on Boardwalk Pipeline’s pipeline systems will expire during 2010. Upon expiration, Boardwalk Pipeline may not be able to extend contracts with existing customers or obtain replacement contracts at favorable rates or on a long-term basis. Key drivers that influence the rates that Boardwalk Pipeline’s customers are willing to pay for transportation is the price differential of natural gas between physical locations, which can be affected by, among other things, the availability and supply of natural gas, available capacity, storage inventories, weather and general market demand in the respective areas.

The extension or replacement of existing contracts depends on a number of factors beyond Boardwalk Pipeline’s control, including:

existing and new competition to deliver natural gas to Boardwalk Pipeline’s markets;

development of new supplies located near key markets;

the growth in demand for natural gas in Boardwalk Pipeline’s markets;

whether the market will continue to support long-term contracts;

the current price differentials, or market price spreads between various pipeline receipt and delivery points; and

the effects of state regulation on customer contracting practices.

Increased competition could result in lower contracted pipeline capacity, decreased rates for Boardwalk Pipeline’s services and reduced revenues.

Boardwalk Pipeline competes primarily with other interstate and intrastate pipelines in the transportation and storage of natural gas. Competition is particularly strong in the Midwest and Gulf Coast states where Boardwalk Pipeline competes with numerous existing pipelines, such as the Rockies Express Pipeline and the Mid-Continent Express Pipeline. Boardwalk Pipeline will also compete with several new pipeline projects that are proposed or under development, including projects originating in the Haynesville Shale area – more specifically, the Tiger Pipeline that will transport gas to Perryville, Louisiana and the Haynesville Extension Pipeline that will transport gas to the industrial complex in southeastern Louisiana - and the Fayetteville Express Pipeline which will originate in the Fayetteville Shale area and continue eastward to Mississippi. For new growth and expansion projects, Boardwalk Pipeline competes with other pipelines for contracts mainly with producers that would support such projects in order to transport their gas to market areas. At an industry level, the various natural gas supply areas compete against one another to reach optimal market areas, and natural gas, as a commodity, competes with other forms of energy available to Boardwalk Pipeline’s customers, including electricity, coal and fuel oils, and other alternative fuel resources.

Boardwalk Pipeline’s ability to renew or replace existing contracts at rates sufficient to maintain current revenues and cash flows could be adversely affected by competition or changing market conditions. The principal elements of competition among pipelines are availability of capacity, rates, terms of service, access to gas supplies, flexibility and reliability. FERC’s policies promote competition in gas markets by increasing the number of gas transportation options available to Boardwalk Pipeline’s customer base. Increased competition could reduce the volumes of gas transported by Boardwalk Pipeline’s pipeline systems or, in instances where Boardwalk Pipeline does not have long-term contracts with

Item 1A. Risk Factors

fixed rates, could force Boardwalk Pipeline to decrease transportation or storage rates charged to its customers. Competition could intensify the negative impact of factors that could significantly decrease demand for natural gas in the markets served by Boardwalk Pipeline’s operating subsidiaries, such as a recession or adverse economic conditions, weather, higher fuel costs and taxes or other governmental or regulatory actions that directly or indirectly increase the cost or limit the use of natural gas.

The regulatory program that applies to interstate pipelines is different than the regulatory program that applies to many of Boardwalk Pipeline’s competitors that are not regulated interstate pipelines. This difference in regulatory oversight can result in longer lead times to develop and complete a project when it is regulated at the federal level. Boardwalk Pipeline competes against a number of intrastate pipelines which have significant regulatory advantages because of the absence of FERC regulation. In view of potential rate advantages and construction and service flexibility available to intrastate pipelines, Boardwalk Pipeline may lose customers and throughput to intrastate competitors.

Continued development of new supply sources could impact demand.

The discovery of non-traditional natural gas production areas nearer to key market areas Boardwalk Pipeline accesses directly, or indirectly through third-party pipeline interconnects, may compete with gas originating in production areas connected to Boardwalk Pipeline’s system. For example, the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia and Ohio, may cause gas in supply areas connected to Boardwalk Pipeline’s system to be diverted to markets other than Boardwalk Pipeline’s traditional market areas and may adversely affect capacity utilization on Boardwalk Pipeline’s systems and its ability to renew or replace existing contracts at rates sufficient to maintain current revenues and cash flows. In addition to supply volumes from the Marcellus Shale, gas from the Rocky Mountains, Canada and LNG import terminals may compete with and displace volumes from the Gulf Coast and Mid-Continent supply sources in order to serve the Midwest and East Coast markets. The displacement of gas originating in supply areas connected to Boardwalk Pipeline’s pipeline systems by these new supply sources that are closer to the end-use markets could result in lower transportation revenues, which could have a material adverse impact on Boardwalk Pipeline’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Boardwalk Pipeline is undertaking and may continue to pursue complex pipeline or storage projects which involve significant risks that may adversely affect its business.

Boardwalk Pipeline has recently completed several pipeline expansion projects and may also undertake additional pipeline or storage projects in the future. In pursuing previous projects, Boardwalk Pipeline has experienced significant cost overruns and may experience cost increases in the future. Boardwalk Pipeline has also experienced delays in constructing and commissioning previous projects and may experience additional delays or cost increases in the future resulting from a variety of factors, including but not limited to the following:

delays in obtaining regulatory approvals, including delays in receiving authorization from PHMSA to operate at higher than normal operating pressures under special permits;

difficult construction conditions, including adverse weather conditions;

delays in obtaining, or high demand for, key materials; and

shortages of qualified labor and escalating costs of labor and materials resulting from the high level of construction activity in the pipeline industry.

In pursuing current or future projects, Boardwalk Pipeline could experience delays or cost increases for the reasons described above or as a result of other factors. Boardwalk Pipeline may not be able to complete its current or future projects on the expected terms, cost or schedule, or at all. In addition, Boardwalk Pipeline cannot be certain that, if completed, it will be able to operate these projects, or that they will perform, in accordance with expectations. Other areas of Boardwalk Pipeline’s business may suffer as a result of the diversion of management’s attention and other resources from its other business concerns to Boardwalk Pipeline’s projects. Any of these factors could impair Boardwalk Pipeline’s ability to realize revenues from its current or future projects sufficient to cover the costs associated with owning and operating these pipelines and to provide the benefits it had anticipated from the projects, which could

Item 1A. Risk Factors

have a material adverse effect on Boardwalk Pipeline’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, including its ability to make distributions to its unitholders.

Boardwalk Pipeline is exposed to credit risk relating to nonperformance by its customers.

Credit risk relates to the risk of loss resulting from the nonperformance by a customer of its contractual obligations. Boardwalk Pipeline’s exposure generally relates to receivables for services provided, future performance under firm agreements and volumes of gas owed by customers for imbalances or gas loaned by Boardwalk Pipeline to them under certain no-notice services and parking and lending (“PAL”) services. FERC gas tariffs only allow Boardwalk Pipeline to require limited credit support in the event that transportation customers are unable to pay for its services. If any of Boardwalk Pipeline’s significant customers have credit or financial problems which result in a delay or failure to pay for services provided by Boardwalk Pipeline or contracted for with Boardwalk Pipeline, or to repay the gas they owe Boardwalk Pipeline, it could have a material adverse effect on Boardwalk Pipeline’s business. In addition, as contracts expire, the failure of any of Boardwalk Pipeline’s customers could also result in the non-renewal of contracted capacity, which could have a material adverse effect on Boardwalk Pipeline’s business. See Item 7A for more information on credit risk arising from gas loaned to customers.

Boardwalk Pipeline depends on certain key customers for a significant portion of its revenues. The loss of any of these key customers could result in a decline in Boardwalk Pipeline’s revenues.

Boardwalk Pipeline relies on a limited number of customers for a significant portion of revenues. For example, Devon Energy Production Company, LP represented over 11.0% of Boardwalk Pipeline’s 2009 revenues and Boardwalk Pipeline expects this customer to continue to account for more than 10.0% of Boardwalk Pipeline’s 2010 revenues. Additionally, Boardwalk Pipeline may be unable to negotiate extensions or replacements of contracts and key customers on favorable terms. The loss of all or even a portion of the contracted volumes of these customers, as a result of competition, creditworthiness or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on Boardwalk Pipeline’s business, financial condition, operating revenues and cash flows.

Significant changes in energy prices could affect natural gas market supply and demand, or potentially reduce the competitiveness of natural gas compared with other forms of energy available to Boardwalk Pipeline’s customers, which could reduce system throughput and adversely affect Boardwalk Pipeline’s revenues and available cash.

Due to the natural decline in traditional gas production connected to Boardwalk Pipeline’s system, Boardwalk Pipeline’s success depends on its ability to obtain access to new sources of natural gas, which is dependent on factors beyond its control including the price level of natural gas. In general terms, the price of natural gas fluctuates in response to changes in supply and demand, market uncertainty and a variety of additional factors that are beyond Boardwalk Pipeline’s control. These factors include:

worldwide economic conditions;

weather conditions, seasonal trends and hurricane disruptions;

the relationship between the available supplies and the demand for natural gas;

the availability of LNG;

the availability of adequate transportation capacity;

storage inventory levels;

the price and availability of other forms of energy;

the effect of energy conservation measures;

the nature and extent of, and changes in, governmental regulation, for example greenhouse gas legislation and taxation; and

Item 1A. Risk Factors

the anticipated future prices of natural gas, LNG and other commodities.

It is difficult to predict future changes in gas prices, however the abundance of natural gas supply discoveries over the last few years and global economic slowdown would generally indicate a bias toward downward pressure on prices. Downward movement in gas prices could negatively impact producers in nontraditional supply areas such as the Barnett Shale, the Bossier Sands, the Caney Woodford Shale, the Fayetteville Shale and the Haynesville Shale, including producers who have contracted for capacity with Boardwalk Pipeline. Significant financial difficulties experienced by Boardwalk Pipeline’s producer customers could impact their ability to pay for services rendered or otherwise reduce their demand for Boardwalk Pipeline’s services.

High natural gas prices may result in a reduction in the demand for natural gas. A reduced level of demand for natural gas could reduce the utilization of capacity on Boardwalk Pipeline’s systems, reduce the demand for Boardwalk Pipeline’s services and could result in the non-renewal of contracted capacity as contracts expire.

Boardwalk Pipeline’s natural gas transportation and storage operations are subject to FERC’s rate-making policies which could limit Boardwalk Pipeline’s ability to recover the full cost of operating its pipelines, including earning a reasonable return.

Boardwalk Pipeline is subject to extensive regulations relating to the rates it can charge for its transportation and storage operations. For cost-based services, FERC establishes both the maximum and minimum rates Boardwalk Pipeline can charge. The basic elements that FERC considers are the cost of providing the service, the volumes of gas being transported, how costs are allocated between services, the capital structure and the rate of return a pipeline is permitted to earn. While neither Gulf South nor Texas Gas has an obligation to file a rate case, Boardwalk Pipeline’s Gulf Crossing pipeline has an obligation to file either a rate case or a cost-and-revenue study by the end of the first quarter of 2012 to justify its rates. Customers of Boardwalk Pipeline’s subsidiaries or FERC can challenge the existing rates on any of its pipelines. FERC recently challenged the rates of three non-affiliated pipelines. Such a challenge against Boardwalk Pipeline could adversely affect its ability to establish reasonable transportation rates, to charge rates that would cover future increases in Boardwalk Pipeline’s costs or even to continue to collect rates to maintain its current revenue levels that are designed to permit a reasonable opportunity to recover current costs and depreciation and earn a reasonable return. Additionally, FERC can propose changes or modifications to any of its existing rate-related policies.

If Boardwalk Pipeline’s subsidiaries were to file a rate case, or if Boardwalk Pipeline has to defend its rates in a proceeding commenced by a customer or FERC, Boardwalk Pipeline would be required, among other things, to establish that the inclusion of an income tax allowance in Boardwalk Pipeline’s cost of service is just and reasonable. Under current FERC policy, since Boardwalk Pipeline is a limited partnership and does not pay U.S. federal income taxes, this would require Boardwalk Pipeline to show that its unitholders (or their ultimate owners) are subject to federal income taxation. To support such a showing, Boardwalk Pipeline’s general partner may elect to require owners of Boardwalk Pipeline’s units to re-certify their status as being subject to U.S. federal income taxation on the income generated by Boardwalk Pipeline’s subsidiaries or Boardwalk Pipeline may attempt to provide other evidence. Boardwalk Pipeline can provide no assurance that the evidence it might provide to FERC will be sufficient to establish that its unitholders (or their ultimate owners) are subject to U.S. federal income tax liability on the income generated by Boardwalk Pipeline’s jurisdictional pipelines. If Boardwalk Pipeline is unable to make such a showing, FERC could disallow a substantial portion of the income tax allowance included in the determination of the maximum rates that may be charged by Boardwalk Pipeline’s subsidiaries, which could result in a reduction of such maximum rates from current levels.

Boardwalk Pipeline may not be able to recover all of its costs through existing or future rates. An adverse determination in any future rate proceeding brought by or against any of Boardwalk Pipeline’s subsidiaries could have a material adverse effect on its business.

Boardwalk Pipeline’s operations are subject to catastrophic losses, operational hazards and unforeseen interruptions for which it may not be adequately insured.

There are a variety of operating risks inherent in Boardwalk Pipeline’s natural gas transportation and storage operations such as leaks, explosions and mechanical problems. Additionally, the nature and location of Boardwalk Pipeline’s business may make Boardwalk Pipeline susceptible to catastrophic losses from hurricanes or other named

Item 1A. Risk Factors

storms, particularly with regard to its assets in the Gulf Coast region, windstorms, earthquakes, hail, explosions, severe winter weather and fires. Any of these or other similar occurrences could result in the disruption of Boardwalk Pipeline’s operations, substantial repair costs, personal injury or loss of human life, significant damage to property, environmental pollution, impairment of Boardwalk Pipeline’s operations and substantial financial losses. The location of pipelines near populated areas, including residential areas, commercial business centers and industrial sites, could significantly increase the level of damages resulting from some of these risks.

Boardwalk Pipeline currently possesses property, business interruption and general liability insurance, but proceeds from such insurance coverage may not be adequate for all liabilities or expenses incurred or revenues lost. Moreover, such insurance may not be available in the future at commercially reasonable costs and terms. The insurance coverage Boardwalk Pipeline does obtain may contain large deductibles or fail to cover certain hazards or all potential losses.

Risks Related to Us and Our Subsidiaries Generally

In addition to the specific risks and uncertainties faced by our subsidiaries, as discussed above, we and all of our subsidiaries face risks and uncertainties related to, among other things, terrorism, hurricanes and other natural disasters, competition, government regulation, dependence on key executives and employees, litigation, dependence on information technology and compliance with environmental laws.

Future acts of terrorism could harm us and our subsidiaries.

Future terrorist attacks and the continued threat of terrorism in this country or abroad, as well as possible retaliatory military and other action by the United States and its allies, could have a significant impact on the businesses of certain of our subsidiaries, including the following:

CNA.  CNA continues to face exposure to losses arising from terrorist acts, despite the passage of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007. The Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 extended, until December 31, 2014, the program established within the U.S. Department of Treasury by the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002. This program requires insurers to offer terrorism coverage and the federal government to share in insured losses arising from acts of terrorism. Given the unpredictability of the nature, targets, severity and frequency of potential terrorist acts, this program does not provide complete protection for future losses derived from acts of terrorism. Further, the laws of certain states restrict CNA’s ability to mitigate this residual exposure. For example, some states mandate property insurance coverage of damage from fire following a loss, thereby prohibiting CNA from excluding terrorism exposure. In addition, some states generally prohibit CNA from excluding terrorism exposure from its primary workers’ compensation policies. Consequently, there is substantial uncertainty as to CNA’s ability to contain its terrorism exposure effectively since CNA continues to issue forms of coverage, in particular, workers’ compensation, that are exposed to risk of loss from a terrorism act.

Diamond Offshore, Boardwalk Pipeline and HighMount.  The continued threat of terrorism and the impact of retaliatory military and other action by the United States and its allies might lead to increased political, economic and financial market instability and volatility in prices for oil and gas, which could affect the market for Diamond Offshore’s oil and gas offshore drilling services, Boardwalk Pipeline’s natural gas transportation, gathering and storage services and HighMount’s natural gas exploration and production activities. In addition, it has been reported that terrorists might target domestic energy facilities. While our subsidiaries take steps that they believe are appropriate to increase the security of their energy assets, there is no assurance that they can completely secure their assets, completely protect them against a terrorist attack or obtain adequate insurance coverage for terrorist acts at reasonable rates.

Loews Hotels.  The travel and tourism industry went into a steep decline in the periods following the 2001 World Trade Center event which had a negative impact on the occupancy levels and average room rates at Loews Hotels. Future terrorist attacks could similarly lead to reductions in business travel and tourism which could harm Loews Hotels.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Certain of our subsidiaries face significant risks related to the impact of hurricanes and other natural disasters.

In addition to CNA’s exposure to catastrophe losses discussed above, the businesses operated by several of our other subsidiaries are exposed to significant harm from the effects of natural disasters, particularly hurricanes and related flooding and other damage. While much of the damage caused by natural disasters is covered by insurance, we cannot be sure that such coverage will be available or be adequate in all cases. These risks include the following:

Diamond Offshore.  Diamond Offshore operates its offshore rig fleet in waters that can be severely impacted by hurricanes and other natural disasters, including the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. In September of 2008, one of Diamond Offshore’s jack-up drilling rigs, theOcean Tower, was damaged in Hurricane Ike, losing its derrick, drill floor and drill floor equipment. In late August 2005, one of Diamond Offshore’s jack-up drilling rigs, theOcean Warwick, was seriously damaged during Hurricane Katrina and other rigs in Diamond’s fleet and its warehouse in New Iberia, Louisiana sustained lesser damage in Hurricanes Katrina or Rita, or in some cases both storms. In addition to damaging or destroying rig equipment, some or all of which may be covered by insurance, catastrophes of this kind result in additional operating expenses for Diamond Offshore, including the cost of reconnaissance aircraft, rig crew over-time and employee assistance, hurricane relief supplies, temporary housing and office space and the rental of mooring equipment and others which may not be covered by insurance.

Boardwalk Pipeline.  The nature and location of Boardwalk Pipeline’s business, particularly with regard to its assets in the Gulf Coast region, may make Boardwalk Pipeline susceptible to catastrophic losses especially from hurricanes or named storms. Various other events can cause catastrophic losses, including windstorms, earthquakes, hail, explosions, and severe winter weather and fires. The frequency and severity of these events are inherently unpredictable. The extent of losses from catastrophes is a function of both the total amount of insured exposures in the affected areas and the severity of the events themselves. Although Boardwalk Pipeline carries insurance, in the event of a loss the coverage could be insufficient or there could be a material delay in the receipt of the insurance proceeds.

Loews Hotels.  Hotels operated by Loews Hotels are exposed to damage, business interruption and reductions in travel and tourism in markets affected by significant natural disasters such as hurricanes. For example, Loews Hotels’ properties located in Florida and New Orleans suffered significant damage from hurricanes and related flooding during the past five years.

Certain of our subsidiaries are subject to extensive federal, state and local governmental regulations.

The businesses operated by certain of our subsidiaries are impacted by current and potential federal, state and local governmental regulations which imposes or might impose a variety of restrictions and compliance obligations on those companies. Governmental regulations can also change materially in ways that could adversely affect those companies. Risks faced by our subsidiaries related to governmental regulation include the following:

CNA.  The insurance industry is subject to comprehensive and detailed regulation and supervision throughout the United States. Most insurance regulations are designed to protect the interests of CNA’s policyholders rather than its investors. Each state in which CNA does business has established supervisory agencies that regulate the manner in which CNA does business. Their regulations relate to, among other things:

standards of solvency, including risk-based capital measurements;

restrictions on the nature, quality and concentration of investments;

restrictions on CNA’s ability to withdraw from unprofitable lines of insurance or unprofitable market areas;

the required use of certain methods of accounting and reporting;

the establishment of reserves for unearned premiums, losses and other purposes;

potential assessments for funds necessary to settle covered claims against impaired, insolvent or failed private or quasi-governmental insurers;

Item 1A. Risk Factors

licensing of insurers and agents;

approval of policy forms;

limitations on the ability of CNA’s insurance subsidiaries to pay dividends to us; and

limitations on the ability to non-renew, cancel or change terms and conditions in policies.

Regulatory powers also extend to premium rate regulations which require that rates not be excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory. CNA also is required by the states to provide coverage to persons who would not otherwise be considered eligible by the insurers. Each state dictates the types of insurance and the level of coverage that must be provided to such involuntary risks. CNA’s share of these involuntary risks is mandatory and is generally a function of its respective share of the voluntary market by line of insurance in each state.

Diamond Offshore.  The drilling industry is dependent on demand for services from the oil and gas exploration industry and, accordingly, is affected by changing tax and other laws relating to the energy business generally. Diamond Offshore may be required to make significant capital expenditures to comply with governmental laws and regulations. It is also possible that these laws and regulations may in the future add significantly to Diamond Offshore’s operating costs or may significantly limit drilling activity.

Governments in some foreign countries are increasingly active in regulating and controlling the ownership of concessions, the exploration for oil and gas and other aspects of the oil and gas industries. The modification of existing laws or regulations or the adoption of new laws or regulations curtailing exploratory or developmental drilling for oil and gas for economic, environmental or other reasons could materially and adversely affect Diamond Offshore’s operations by limiting drilling opportunities.

The Minerals Management Service of the U.S. Department of the Interior, or MMS, has established guidelines for drilling operations in the GOM. Diamond Offshore believes that it is currently in compliance with the existing regulations set forth by the MMS with respect to its operations in the GOM; however, these regulations are continually under review. Implementation of additional MMS regulations may subject Diamond Offshore to increased costs of operating, or a reduction in the area and/or periods of operation, in the GOM.

HighMount.  All of HighMount’s operations are conducted onshore in the United States. The U.S. oil and gas industry, and HighMount’s operations, are subject to regulation at the federal, state and local level. Such regulation includes requirements with respect to, among other things: permits to drill and to conduct other operations; provision of financial assurances (such as bonds) covering drilling and well operations; the location of wells; the method of drilling and completing wells; the surface use and restoration of properties upon which wells are drilled; the plugging and abandoning of wells; the marketing, transportation and reporting of production; and the valuation and payment of royalties; the size of drilling and spacing units (regarding the density of wells which may be drilled in a particular area); the unitization or pooling of natural gas and oil properties; maximum rates of production from natural gas and oil wells; venting or flaring of natural gas and the ratability of production.

The conference committee report for The Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2010 requested the EPA to conduct a study of hydraulic fracturing, particularly the relationship between hydraulic fracturing and drinking water. Hydraulic fracturing is a technique commonly used by oil and gas exploration companies, including HighMount, to stimulate the production of oil and natural gas by injecting fluids and sand into underground wells at high pressures, causing fractures or fissures in the geological formation which allow oil and gas to flow more freely. In recent years, concerns have been raised that the fracturing process may contaminate underground sources of drinking water. Several bills have been introduced in Congress seeking federal regulation of hydraulic fracturing, which has historically been regulated at the state level, though none of the proposed legislation has moved out of committee. If hydraulic fracturing is banned or significantly restricted by federal regulation or otherwise, it would have a material adverse effect on HighMount’s ability to economically drill new natural gas wells, which would materially reduce its production, revenues and profitability.

HighMount’s operations are also subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations concerning the discharge of contaminants into the environment, the generation, storage, transportation and disposal of contaminants, and the

Item 1A. Risk Factors

protection of public health, natural resources, wildlife and the environment. In most instances, the regulatory requirements relate to the handling and disposal of drilling and production waste products, water and air pollution control procedures, and the remediation of petroleum-product contamination. In addition, HighMount’s operations may require it to obtain permits for, among other things, air emissions, discharges into surface waters, and the construction and operation of underground injection wells or surface pits to dispose of produced saltwater and other non-hazardous oilfield wastes.

Boardwalk Pipeline.  Boardwalk Pipeline’s natural gas transportation and storage operations are subject to extensive regulation by FERC and the DOT among other federal and state authorities. In addition to FERC rules and regulations related to the rates Boardwalk Pipeline can charge for its services, FERC’s regulatory authority extends to:

operating terms and conditions of service;

the types of services Boardwalk Pipeline may offer to its customers;

construction of new facilities;

creation, extension or abandonment of services or facilities;

accounts and records; and

relationships with certain types of affiliated companies involved in the natural gas business.

FERC’s action in any of these areas or modifications of its current regulations can adversely impact Boardwalk Pipeline’s ability to compete for business, to construct new facilities, offer new services or to recover the full cost of operating its pipelines. This regulatory oversight can result in longer lead times to develop and complete any future project. The federal regulatory approval and compliance process could raise the costs of such projects to the point where they are no longer sufficiently timely or cost competitive when compared to competing projects that are not subject to the federal regulatory regime.

The businesses operated by our subsidiaries face intense competition.

Each of the businesses operated by our subsidiaries faces intense competition in its industry and will be harmed materially if it is unable to compete effectively. Certain of the competitive risks faced by those companies include:

CNA.  All aspects of the insurance industry are highly competitive and CNA must continuously allocate resources to refine and improve its insurance products and services. CNA competes with a large number of stock and mutual insurance companies and other entities for both distributors and customers. Insurers compete on the basis of factors including products, price, services, ratings and financial strength. CNA may lose business to competitors offering competitive insurance products at lower prices.

Diamond Offshore.  The offshore contract drilling industry is highly competitive with numerous industry participants, none of which at the present time has a dominant market share. Some of Diamond Offshore’s competitors may have greater financial or other resources than Diamond Offshore. The drilling industry has experienced consolidation in recent years and may experience additional consolidation, which could create additional large competitors. Drilling contracts are traditionally awarded on a competitive bid basis. Intense price competition is often the primary factor in determining which qualified contractor is awarded a job, although rig availability and location, a drilling contractor’s safety record and the quality and technical capability of service and equipment may also be considered. Mergers among oil and gas exploration and production companies have reduced the number of available customers as well as the contraction of the global economy, increasing competition. Significant new rig construction and upgrades of existing drilling units could also intensify price competition. Diamond Offshore believes there are approximately 50 jack-up rigs and 70 floaters on order and scheduled for delivery between 2010 and 2012. The resulting increase in rig supply could result in depressed rig utilization and greater price competition.

HighMount.  HighMount competes with other oil and gas companies in all aspects of its business, including acquisition of producing properties and leases and obtaining goods, services and labor, including drilling rigs and well

Item 1A. Risk Factors

completion services. HighMount also competes in the marketing of produced natural gas and NGLs. Some of HighMount’s competitors have substantially larger financial and other resources than HighMount. Factors that affect HighMount’s ability to acquire producing properties include available funds, available information about the property and standards established by HighMount for minimum projected return on investment. Competition for sales of natural gas and NGLs is also presented by alternative fuel sources, including heating oil, imported LNG and other fossil fuels.

Boardwalk Pipeline.  Boardwalk Pipeline competes with other pipelines to maintain current business levels and to serve new demand and markets. Boardwalk Pipeline also competes with other pipelines for contracts with producers that would support new growth opportunities. The principal elements of competition among pipelines are available capacity, rates, terms of service, access to supply and flexibility and reliability of service. Competition is particularly strong in the Midwest and Gulf Coast states where Boardwalk Pipeline competes with numerous existing pipelines, including the Rockies Express Pipeline that transports natural gas from northern Colorado to eastern Ohio and the Mid-Continent Express Pipeline that transports natural gas from Oklahoma and Texas to Alabama. Boardwalk Pipeline will also directly compete with several new pipeline projects that are proposed or under development, including projects originating in the Haynesville Shale area – more specifically, the Tiger Pipeline that will transport gas to Perryville, Louisiana and the Haynesville Extension Pipeline that will transport gas to the industrial complex in southeastern Louisiana - and the Fayetteville Express Pipeline which will originate in the Fayetteville Shale area and continue eastward to Mississippi. In addition, regulators’ continuing efforts to increase competition in the natural gas industry have increased the natural gas transportation options of Boardwalk Pipeline’s traditional customers. As a result of the regulators’ policies, segmentation and capacity release have created an active secondary market which increasingly competes with Boardwalk Pipeline’s pipeline services. Additionally, natural gas competes with other forms of energy available to Boardwalk Pipeline’s customers, including electricity, coal and fuel oils. The natural gas industry has built, or is in the process of completing, significant new pipeline infrastructure that will support the development of unconventional natural gas supply basins across the U.S. Additional pipeline infrastructure projects are being proposed. These new pipeline developments have increased competition in certain pipeline markets, resulting in lower price differentials between physical locations (basis spreads). Basis spreads can impact the rates Boardwalk Pipeline will be able to negotiate with its customers when contracts come up for renewal. Each year a portion of Boardwalk Pipeline’s capacity becomes subject to re-contracting risk. For example, approximately 14.0% of Boardwalk Pipeline’s contracts are due to expire in 2010. Increased competition could reduce the volumes of gas transported by Boardwalk Pipeline’s systems or, in instances where Boardwalk Pipeline does not have long term contracts with fixed rates, could force Boardwalk Pipeline to decrease its transportation or storage rates.

The regulatory program that applies to interstate pipelines is different than the regulatory program that applies to many of Boardwalk Pipeline’s competitors that are not regulated interstate pipelines. This difference in regulatory oversight can result in longer lead times to develop and complete a project when it is regulated at the federal level. Boardwalk Pipeline competes against a number of intrastate pipelines which have significant regulatory advantages over Boardwalk Pipeline because of the absence of FERC regulation. In view of potential rate advantages and construction and service flexibility available to intrastate pipelines, Boardwalk Pipeline may lose customers and throughput to intrastate competitors.

We and our subsidiaries are subject to litigation.

We and our subsidiaries are subject to litigation in the normal course of business. Litigation is costly and time consuming to defend and could result in a material expense. Please read information on litigation included in the MD&A under Item 7 and Notes 9 and 19 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8. Certain of the litigation risks faced by us and our subsidiaries are as follows:

CNA.  CNA faces substantial risks of litigation and arbitration beyond ordinary course claims and A&E matters, which may contain assertions in excess of amounts covered by reserves that it has established. These matters may be difficult to assess or quantify and may seek recovery of very large or indeterminate amounts that include punitive or treble damages.

We and our subsidiaries are each dependent on a small number of key executives and other key personnel to operate our businesses successfully.

Our success and the success of our operating subsidiaries substantially depends upon each company’s ability to attract and retain high quality executives and other qualified employees. In many instances, there may be only a limited number

Item 1A. Risk Factors

of available qualified executives in the business lines in which we and our subsidiaries compete and the loss of one or more key employees or the inability to attract and retain other talented personnel could impede the successful implementation of our and our subsidiaries’ business strategies. Diamond Offshore has experienced upward pressure on salaries and wages and increased competition for skilled workers as a result of the strong drilling market in recent years and has lost experienced personnel to competitors and customers. As a result, Diamond Offshore has implemented retention programs, including increases in compensation.

Certain of our subsidiaries face significant risks related to compliance with environmental laws.

Certain of our subsidiaries have extensive obligations and/or financial exposure related to compliance with federal, state and local environmental laws. Laws and regulations protecting the environment have become increasingly stringent in recent years, and may in some cases impose “strict liability,” rendering a person liable for environmental damage without regard to negligence or fault on the part of that person. These laws and regulations may expose us and our subsidiaries to liability for the conduct of or conditions caused by others or for acts that were in compliance with all applicable laws at the time they were performed. For example:

as discussed in more detail above, many of CNA’s policyholders have made claims for defense costs and indemnification in connection with environmental pollution matters;

as an operator of mobile offshore drilling units in navigable U.S. waters and some offshore areas, Diamond Offshore may be liable for, among other things, damages and costs incurred in connection with oil spills related to those operations, including for conduct of or conditions caused by others or for acts that were in compliance with all applicable laws at the time they were performed;

the risk of substantial environmental costs and liabilities is inherent in natural gas transportation, gathering and storage, including with respect to, among other things, the handling and discharge of solid and hazardous waste from Boardwalk Pipeline’s facilities, compliance with clean air standards and the abandonment and reclamation of Boardwalk Pipeline’s facilities, sites and other properties; and

development, production and sale of natural gas and NGLs in the United States are subject to extensive environmental laws and regulations, including those related to discharge of materials into the environment and environmental protection, permits for drilling operations, bonds for ownership, development and production of oil and gas properties and reports concerning operations, which could result in liabilities for personal injuries, property damage, spills, discharge of hazardous materials, remediation and clean-up costs and other environmental damages, suspension or termination of HighMount’s operations and administrative, civil and criminal penalties.

Certain of our subsidiaries are subject to physical and financial risks associated with climate change.

As awareness of climate change issues increases, governments around the world are beginning to address the matter. This may result in new environmental regulations that may unfavorably impact us, our subsidiaries and their suppliers and customers. We and our subsidiaries may be exposed to risks related to new laws or regulations pertaining to climate change, carbon emissions or energy use that could decrease the use of oil or natural gas, thus reducing demand for hydrocarbon-based fuel and related services or imposing significant new costs. Governments also may pass laws or regulations encouraging or mandating the use of alternative energy sources, such as wind power and solar energy, which may reduce demand for oil and natural gas. In addition, changing global weather patterns have been associated with extreme weather events and could change longer-term natural catastrophe trends, including increasing the frequency and severity of hurricanes and other natural disasters which could increase future catastrophe losses at CNA and damage to property, disruption of business and higher operating costs at Diamond Offshore, Boardwalk Pipeline, HighMount and Loews Hotels.

There is currently no federal regulation that limits or imposes additional costs with respect to greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions in the U.S. However, several bills were introduced in Congress during 2009 that would regulate U.S. GHG emissions under a cap and trade system and some regulation of that type may be enacted in the U.S. in the near future. In addition, in September 2009, the EPA adopted regulations under the Clean Air Act requiring the monitoring and reporting of annual GHG emissions by operators of facilities that emit more than 25,000 metric tons of GHG per year,

Item 1A. Risk Factors

which includes Boardwalk Pipeline beginning in 2010 and may include HighMount beginning in 2011. Numerous states and several regional multi-state climate initiatives have announced or adopted plans to regulate GHG emissions, though the state programs vary widely. The establishment of a GHG reporting system and registry may be a first step toward broader regulation of GHG emissions. Compliance with future laws and regulations could impose significant costs on affected companies or adversely affect the demand for and the cost to produce and transport natural gas and oil, which would adversely affect the businesses of our energy subsidiaries.

The economic recession and ongoing financial and credit markets crisis have had and may continue to have a negative impact on the business and financial condition of us and our subsidiaries.

The recent financial and credit crisis has substantially reduced the availability of liquidity and credit available to businesses and consumers worldwide. The continued shortage of liquidity and credit, combined with substantial losses in equity and fixed income markets, has led to an economic recession in the United States and abroad. Such deterioration of the worldwide economy and credit and capital markets has and may continue to adversely affect the customers of our subsidiaries, including the ability of such customers to perform under contracts. The recession has also resulted in, and may result in further, reduced demand for certain of the products and services provided by our subsidiaries, including property casualty insurance, natural gas and gas transportation services, offshore drilling services and hotel rooms and related services. Such decline in demand could lead to lower revenues and earnings by our subsidiaries. We cannot predict if the actions being taken by the United States and other governments around the world to address this situation will be successful in reducing the severity or duration of this recession.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

None.

Item 2. Properties.

Our corporate headquarters is located in approximately 113,000153,000 square feet of leased office space in New York City. Information relating to our subsidiaries’ properties is contained under Item  1.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

Information with respect to legal proceedings is incorporated by reference to Note 19 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

None.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

Name  Position and Offices Held  Age  First
Became
Officer

David B. Edelson

  

Senior Vice President

  50  2005

Gary W. Garson

  

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

  63  1988

Herbert C. Hofmann

  

Senior Vice President

  67  1979

Peter W. Keegan

  

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

  65  1997

Richard W. Scott

  

Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer

  56  2010

Kenneth I. Siegel

  

Senior Vice President

  52  2009

Andrew H. Tisch

  

Office of the President, Co-Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Executive Committee

  60  1985

James S. Tisch

  

Office of the President, President and Chief Executive Officer

  57  1981

Jonathan M. Tisch

  

Office of the President and Co-Chairman of the Board

  56  1987

Andrew H. Tisch and James S. Tisch are brothers and are cousins of Jonathan M. Tisch. None of the other officers or directors of Registrant is related to any other.

All of our executive officers except for Kenneth I. Siegel and Richard W. Scott have been engaged actively and continuously in our business for more than the past five years. Prior to joining us, Mr. Siegel was employed as a Managing Director in the Mergers & Acquisitions Department at Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. and in 2009 at Barclays Capital Inc. in a similar capacity. Prior to joining us, Mr. Scott was employed at American International Group, Inc. for more than five years, serving in various senior investment positions, including Chief Investment Officer–Insurance Portfolio Management.

Officers are elected and hold office until their successors are elected and qualified, and are subject to removal by the Board of Directors.

PART II

Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

Price Range of Common Stock

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “L.” The following table sets forth the reported high and low sales prices in each calendar quarter:

 

   2009  2008  
    
   High  Low  High  Low  
 

First Quarter

  $30.60  $17.40  $51.33  $37.65 

Second Quarter

   29.17   21.49   51.51   39.89 

Third Quarter

   35.49   25.27   49.32   35.00 

Fourth Quarter

   36.84   32.77   39.17   19.39 

Item 5.

Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters
and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
    2010   2009 
      High           Low           High           Low     

First Quarter

  $38.41    $34.24    $30.60    $17.40  

Second Quarter

   39.47     30.22     29.17     21.49  

Third Quarter

   38.55     32.95     35.49     25.27  

Fourth Quarter

   40.34     37.23     36.84     32.77  

The following graph compares annual total return of our Common Stock, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Index (“S&P 500 Index”) and our Peer Group (“Loews Peer Group”) for the five years ended December 31, 2009.2010. The graph assumes that the value of the investment in our Common Stock, the S&P 500 Index and the Loews Peer Group was $100 on December 31, 20042005 and that all dividends were reinvested.

 

  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008  2009  2005  2006  2007  2008   2009    2010

Loews Common Stock

  100.00  135.92  179.47  219.01  123.70  160.62  100.00    132.04    161.13    91.01     118.17      127.39  

S&P 500 Index

  100.00  104.91  121.48  128.16    80.74  102.11  100.00  115.79  122.16  76.96   97.33      111.99

Loews Peer Group (a)

  100.00  133.59  152.24  174.46  106.30  136.35  100.00  113.96  130.59  79.57   102.06    113.58

 

(a)

The Loews Peer Group consists of the following companies that are industry competitors of our principal operating subsidiaries: Ace Limited, W.R. Berkley Corporation, Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation, The Chubb Corporation, Energy Transfer Partners L.P., ENSCO International Incorporated, The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P., Noble Corporation, Range Resources Corporation, Spectra Energy Corporation (included from December 14, 2006 when it began trading), Transocean, Ltd. and The Travelers Companies, Inc.

Dividend Information

We have paid quarterly cash dividends on Loews common stock in each year since 1967. Regular dividends of $0.0625 per share of Loews common stock were paid in each calendar quarter of 20092010 and 2008.

We paid quarterly cash dividends on the former Carolina Group stock until the Separation. Regular dividends of $0.455 per share of the former Carolina Group stock were paid in the first and second quarters of 2008.2009.

Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters

and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

The following table provides certain information as of December 31, 20092010 with respect to our equity compensation plans under which our equity securities are authorized for issuance.

 

Plan category  Number of
securities to be
issued upon exercise
of outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
  Weighted average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
  

Number of

securities remaining
available for future
issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected
in the first column)

   

Number of

securities to be

issued upon exercise

of outstanding

options, warrants

and rights

  

Weighted average

exercise price of

outstanding options,

warrants and rights

   

Number of

securities remaining

available for future

issuance under

equity compensation

plans (excluding

securities reflected

in the first column)

Equity compensation plans approved by
security holders (a)

  5,657,996  $31.24  3,447,947   6,104,501   $            33.08    2,500,784

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders (b)

  N/A   N/A  N/A   N/A   N/A          N/A

 

(a)

Reflects stock options and stock appreciation rights awarded under the Loews Corporation 2000 Stock Option Plan.

(b)

We do not have equity compensation plans that have not been approved by our shareholders.

Approximate Number of Equity Security Holders

We have approximately 1,4401,340 holders of record of Loewsour common stock.

Common Stock Repurchases

We repurchased Loewsour common stock in 20092010 as follows:

 

Period  Total number of
shares purchased
  Average price
paid per share
  
 

January 1, 2009 – March 31, 2009

  0   N/A 

April 1, 2009 – June 30, 2009

  1,195,900  $26.79 

July 1, 2009 – September 30, 2009

  3,516,200   31.52 

October 1, 2009 – December 31, 2009

  5,811,700   35.26 
Period  

Total number of

shares purchased

  

Average price

paid per share

 

January 1, 2010 – March 31, 2010

  5,387,600   $36.59        

April 1, 2010 – June 30, 2010

  1,490,500   37.51        

July 1, 2010 – September 30, 2010

  2,308,400   36.53        

October 1, 2010 – December 31, 2010

  1,777,700   38.25        

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for us. Our internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to our management and Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.

There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any control system, however well designed, including the possibility of human error and the possible circumvention or overriding of controls. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Management must make judgments with respect to the relative cost and expected benefits of any specific control measure. The design of a control system also is based in part upon assumptions and judgments made by management about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that a control will be effective under all potential future conditions. As a result, even an effective system of internal control over financial reporting can provide no more than reasonable assurance with respect to the fair presentation of financial statements and the processes under which they were prepared.

Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009.2010. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission inInternal Control – Integrated Framework. Based on this assessment, our management believes that, as of December 31, 2009,2010, our internal control over financial reporting was effective.

Our independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, has issued an audit report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The report of Deloitte & Touche LLP follows this Report.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Loews Corporation

New York, NY

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Loews Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2009,2010, based on criteria established inInternal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying management’s report on internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009,2010, based on criteria established inInternal Control – Integrated Frameworkissued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules as of and for the year ended December 31, 20092010 and our report dated February 24, 201023, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules and included an explanatory paragraph regarding the change in methods of accounting for noncontrolling interests in consolidated financial statements, accounting for oil and gas reserves, and accounting for other-than-temporary impairments.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

New York, NY

February 24, 201023, 2011

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Loews Corporation

New York, NY

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Loews Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 20092010 and 2008,2009, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 20092010 listed in the Index at Item 8. Our audits also included the financial statement schedules listed in the Index at Item 15. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Loews Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 20092010 and 2008,2009, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009,2010, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

As discussed in Note 1 of the Notes to the consolidated financial statements,Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company changed its methods of accounting related to noncontrolling interests in consolidated financial statements, accounting for oil and gas reserves, and accounting for other-than-temporary impairments.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009,2010, based on the criteria established inInternal Control – IntegratedFramework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 24, 201023, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

New York, NY

February 24, 201023, 2011

Item 6. Selected Financial Data.

The following table presents selected financial data. The table should be read in conjunction with Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this Form 10-K.

 

Year Ended December 31  2009 2008 2007  2006  2005   2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 
(In millions, except per share data)(In millions, except per share data)       

Results of Operations:

               

Revenues

  $14,117   $13,247   $14,302  $13,844  $12,197   $    14,615   $    14,117   $    13,247   $    14,302   $    13,844  

Income before income tax

  $1,730   $587   $3,194  $3,096  $659   $2,902   $1,730   $587   $3,194   $3,096  

Income from continuing operations

  $1,385   $580   $2,199  $2,172  $621   $2,007   $1,385   $580   $2,199   $2,172  

Discontinued operations, net

   (2  4,713    901   818   739    (20  (2  4,713    901    818  

Net income

   1,383    5,293    3,100   2,990   1,360    1,987    1,383    5,293    3,100    2,990  

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

   819    763    612   503   157    (699  (819  (763  (612  (503

Net income attributable to Loews Corporation

  $564   $4,530   $2,488  $2,487  $1,203   $1,288   $564   $4,530   $2,488   $2,487  
   

Income (loss) attributable to:

               

Loews common stock:

               

Income (loss) from continuing operations

  $566   $(182 $1,586  $1,672  $466   $1,307   $566   $(182 $1,586   $1,672  

Discontinued operations, net

   (2  4,501    369   399   486    (19  (2  4,501    369    399  

Loews common stock

   564    4,319    1,955   2,071   952    1,288    564    4,319    1,955    2,071  

Former Carolina Group stock:

               

Discontinued operations, net

    211    533   416   251     211    533    416  

Net income

  $564   $4,530   $2,488  $2,487  $1,203   $1,288   $564   $4,530   $2,488   $2,487  
   

Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share:

               

Loews common stock:

               

Income (loss) from continuing operations

  $1.31   $(0.38 $2.96  $3.02  $0.84   $3.11   $1.31   $(0.38 $2.96   $3.02  

Discontinued operations, net

   (0.01  9.43    0.69   0.72   0.87    (0.04  (0.01  9.43    0.69    0.72  

Net income

  $1.30   $9.05   $3.65  $3.74  $1.71   $3.07   $1.30   $9.05   $3.65   $3.74  
   

Former Carolina Group stock:

               

Discontinued operations, net

  $-   $1.95   $4.91  $4.46  $3.62   $-         $-        $1.95   $4.91   $4.46  
   

Financial Position:

               

Investments

  $46,034   $38,450   $46,669  $52,102  $43,612   $48,907   $46,034   $38,450   $46,669   $52,102  

Total assets

   74,070    69,870    76,128   76,898   70,917    76,277    74,070    69,870    76,128    76,898  

Debt

   9,485    8,258    7,258   5,540   5,157    9,477    9,485    8,258    7,258    5,540  

Shareholders’ equity

   16,899    13,133    17,599   16,511   13,113    18,450    16,899    13,133    17,599    16,511  

Cash dividends per share:

               

Loews common stock

   0.25    0.25    0.25   0.24   0.20    0.25    0.25    0.25    0.25    0.24  

Former Carolina Group stock

   -    0.91    1.82   1.82   1.82        -              -         0.91    1.82    1.82  

Book value per share of Loews common stock

   39.76    30.18    32.42   30.17   23.68    44.51    39.76    30.18    32.42    30.17  

Shares outstanding:

               

Loews common stock

   425.07    435.09    529.68   544.20   557.54    414.55    425.07    435.09    529.68    544.20  

Former Carolina Group stock

   -    -    108.46   108.33   78.19        -              -             -         108.46    108.33  

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is comprised of the following sections:

 

   Page
No.

Overview

  

Consolidated Financial Results

  5846

Parent Company Structure

  5947

Critical Accounting Estimates

  5947

Results of Operations by Business Segment

  6250

CNA Financial

  6250

Reserves – Estimates and Uncertainties

50

Agreement to Cede Asbestos and Environmental Pollution Liabilities

55

CNA Specialty

58

CNA Commercial

60

Life & Group Non-Core

62

Other Insurance

63

Diamond Offshore

64

HighMount

70

Boardwalk Pipeline

73

Loews Hotels

76

Corporate and Other

77

Liquidity and Capital Resources

78

CNA Financial

78

Diamond Offshore

80

HighMount

81

Boardwalk Pipeline

81

Loews Hotels

81

Corporate and Other

82

Contractual Obligations

82

Investments

83

Accounting Standards Update

89

Forward-Looking Statements

89

OVERVIEW

We are a holding company. Our subsidiaries are engaged in the following lines of business:

commercial property and casualty insurance (CNA Financial Corporation (“CNA”), a 90% owned subsidiary);

operation of offshore oil and gas drilling rigs (Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (“Diamond Offshore”), a 50.4% owned subsidiary);

exploration, production and marketing of natural gas, natural gas liquids and, to a lesser extent, oil (HighMount Exploration & Production LLC (“HighMount”), a wholly owned subsidiary);

operation of interstate natural gas transmission pipeline systems (Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP (“Boardwalk Pipeline”), a 66% owned subsidiary); and

operation of hotels (Loews Hotels Holding Corporation (“Loews Hotels”), a wholly owned subsidiary).

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

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with Item 1A, Risk Factors, and Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this Form 10-K.

Consolidated Financial Results

Consolidated net income for the year ended December 31, 2010 was $1.3 billion, or $3.07 per share, compared to net income of $564 million, or $1.30 per share, in 2009. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2010 was $466 million, or $1.12 per share, compared to net income of $403 million, or $0.94 per share, in the 2009 fourth quarter.

Net income and earnings per share information attributable to Loews Corporation is summarized in the table below.

Year Ended December 31  2010  2009 

(In millions, except per share data)

   

Net income attributable to Loews Corporation:

   

Income from continuing operations (a) (b)

  $    1,307   $    566  

Discontinued operations, net (a)

   (19  (2

Net income attributable to Loews Corporation

  $1,288   $564  
          

Net income per share:

   

Income from continuing operations

  $3.11   $1.31  

Discontinued operations, net

   (0.04  (0.01

Net income per share

  $3.07   $1.30  
          

(a)

Includes losses of $309 million (after tax and noncontrolling interests) in continuing operations and $19 million (after tax and noncontrolling interests) in discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2010 related to CNA’s Loss Portfolio Transfer transaction as discussed elsewhere in this MD&A.

(b)

Includes a non-cash impairment charge of $660 million (after tax) for the year ended December 31, 2009 related to the carrying value of HighMount’s natural gas and oil properties.

   Income from continuing operations in 2010 amounted to $1.3 billion as compared to $566 million in 2009. The results in 2010 included a charge of $309 million (after tax and noncontrolling interests) related to the Loss Portfolio Transfer agreement under which CNA ceded legacy asbestos and environmental pollution liabilities to National Indemnity Company (“NICO”).

Results for 2009 included a non-cash impairment charge of $660 million (after tax) related to the carrying value of HighMount’s natural gas and oil properties. This charge reflected declines in commodity prices. Results in 2010 also benefitted from significantly lower OTTI losses and increased favorable net prior year development at CNA. These improvements were partially offset by reduced results at Diamond Offshore reflecting reduced utilization and the continued impact of the drilling moratorium in the Gulf of Mexico.

Net investment gains amounted to $27 million (after tax and noncontrolling interests) in 2010 compared to net investment losses of $503 million in 2009. Net investment gains in 2010 were driven by improvements in capital markets and reflected OTTI losses at CNA of $136 million (after tax and noncontrolling interests). Net investment losses in 2009 reflected OTTI losses at CNA of $791 million, which were driven by reduced valuations for residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities as well as credit issues in the financial sector partially offset by a $217 million realized investment gain from the sale of CNA’s common stock holdings in Verisk Analytics, Inc.

Book value per common share increased to $44.51 at December 31, 2010 as compared to $39.76 at December 31, 2009.

Parent Company Structure

We are a holding company and derive substantially all of our cash flow from our subsidiaries. We rely upon our invested cash balances and distributions from our subsidiaries to generate the funds necessary to meet our obligations and to declare and pay any dividends to our shareholders. The ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends is subject to, among other things, the availability of sufficient earnings and funds in such subsidiaries, applicable state laws, including in the case of the insurance subsidiaries of CNA, laws and rules governing the payment of dividends by regulated insurance companies (see Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8) and compliance with covenants in their respective loan agreements. Claims of creditors of our subsidiaries will generally have priority as to the assets of such subsidiaries over our claims and those of our creditors and shareholders.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, applied on a consistent basis. We continually evaluate the accounting policies and estimates used to prepare the Consolidated Financial Statements. In general, our estimates are based on historical experience, evaluation of current trends, information from third party professionals and various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the known facts and circumstances.

We consider the accounting policies discussed below to be critical to an understanding of our Consolidated Financial Statements as their application places the most significant demands on our judgment. Due to the inherent uncertainties involved with this type of judgment, actual results could differ significantly from estimates and may have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and/or equity.

Insurance Reserves

Insurance reserves are established for both short and long-duration insurance contracts. Short-duration contracts are primarily related to property and casualty insurance policies where the reserving process is based on actuarial estimates of the amount of loss, including amounts for known and unknown claims. Long-duration contracts typically include traditional life insurance, payout annuities and long term care products and are estimated using actuarial estimates about mortality, morbidity and persistency as well as assumptions about expected investment returns. The reserve for unearned premiums on property and casualty and accident and health contracts represents the portion of premiums written related to the unexpired terms of coverage. The inherent risks associated with the reserving process are discussed in the Reserves – Estimates and Uncertainties section below.

Reinsurance and Other Receivables

An exposure exists with respect to the collectibility of property and casualty and life reinsurance ceded to the extent that any reinsurer is unable to meet its obligations or disputes the liabilities CNA has ceded under reinsurance agreements. An allowance for doubtful accounts on reinsurance receivables is recorded on the basis of periodic evaluations of balances due from reinsurers, reinsurer solvency, CNA’s past experience and current economic conditions. Further information on CNA’s reinsurance receivables are included in Note 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

Additionally, an exposure exists with respect to amounts due from customers on other receivables. An allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded on the basis of periodic evaluations of balances due currently or in the future, management’s experience and current economic conditions.

If actual experience differs from the estimates made by management in determining the allowances for doubtful accounts on reinsurance and other receivables, net receivables as reflected on our Consolidated Balance Sheets may not be collected. Therefore, our results of operations and/or equity could be materially adversely impacted.

Litigation

We and our subsidiaries are involved in various legal proceedings that have arisen during the ordinary course of business. We evaluate the facts and circumstances of each situation, and when management determines it necessary, a liability is estimated and recorded. Please read Note 19 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

Valuation of Investments and Impairment of Securities

The Company classifies its fixed maturity securities and equity securities as either available-for-sale or trading which are both carried at fair value. The determination of fair value requires management to make a significant number of assumptions and judgments, particularly with respect to asset-backed securities. Due to the level of uncertainty related to changes in the fair value of these assets, it is possible that changes in the near term could have an adverse material impact on our results of operations and/or equity.

CNA’s investment portfolio is subject to market declines below amortized cost that may be other-than-temporary and therefore result in the recognition of impairment losses in earnings. Factors considered in the determination of whether or not a decline is other-than-temporary include a current intention to sell the security or an indication that a credit loss exists. Significant judgment exists regarding the evaluation of the financial condition and expected near-term and long term prospects of the issuer, the relevant industry conditions and trends, and whether CNA expects to receive cash flows sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. CNA has an Impairment Committee which reviews the investment portfolio on at least a quarterly basis, with ongoing analysis as new information becomes available. Further information on CNA’s process for evaluating impairments is included in Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

Long Term Care Products and Payout Annuity Contracts

Reserves for CNA’s long term care products and payout annuity contracts and deferred acquisition costs for CNA’s long term care products are based on certain assumptions including morbidity, mortality, policy persistency and interest rates. The recoverability of deferred acquisition costs and the adequacy of the reserves are contingent on actual experience related to these key assumptions, which were generally established at time of issue, and other factors such as future health care cost trends. If actual experience differs from these assumptions, the deferred acquisition costs may not be fully realized and the reserves may not be adequate, requiring CNA to add to reserves, or take unfavorable development. Therefore, our results of operations and/or equity could be adversely impacted.

Pension and Postretirement Benefit Obligations

We are required to make a significant number of assumptions in order to estimate the liabilities and costs related to our pension and postretirement benefit obligations to employees under our benefit plans. The assumptions that have the most impact on pension costs are the discount rate, the expected return on plan assets and the rate of compensation increases. These assumptions are evaluated relative to current market factors such as inflation, interest rates and fiscal and monetary policies. Changes in these assumptions can have a material impact on pension obligations and pension expense.

In determining the discount rate assumption, we utilized current market information and liability information, including a discounted cash flow analysis of our pension and postretirement obligations. In particular, the basis for our discount rate selection was the yield on indices of highly rated fixed income debt securities with durations comparable to that of our plan liabilities. The yield curve was applied to expected future retirement plan payments to adjust the discount rate to reflect the cash flow characteristics of the plans. The yield curves and indices evaluated in the selection of the discount rate are comprised of high quality corporate bonds that are rated AA by an accepted rating agency.

Further information on our pension and postretirement benefit obligations is included in Note 16 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

Valuation of HighMount’s Proved Reserves

HighMount follows the full cost method of accounting for natural gas and oil exploration and production activities. Under the full cost method, all direct costs of property acquisition, exploration and development activities are capitalized and subsequently depleted using the units-of-production method. The depletable base of costs includes estimated future costs to be incurred in developing proved natural gas and natural gas liquids (“NGLs”) reserves, as well as capitalized asset retirement costs, net of projected salvage values. Capitalized costs in the depletable base are subject to a ceiling test. The test limits capitalized amounts to a ceiling, the present value of estimated future net revenues to be derived from the production of proved natural gas and NGL reserves, using calculated average prices adjusted for any cash flow hedges in place. If net capitalized costs exceed the ceiling test at the end of any quarterly period, then a write-down of the assets must be recognized in that period. A write-down may not be reversed in future periods, even though higher natural gas and NGL prices may subsequently increase the ceiling. At March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, total capitalized costs exceeded the ceiling and HighMount recognized non-cash impairment charges of $1,036 million ($660 million after tax) and $691 million ($440 million after tax), related to the carrying value of natural gas and oil properties, as discussed further in Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8. In addition, gains or losses on the sale or other disposition of natural gas and NGL properties are not recognized unless the gain or loss would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves.

HighMount’s estimate of proved reserves requires a high degree of judgment and is dependent on factors such as historical data, engineering estimates of proved reserve quantities, estimates of the amount and timing of future expenditures to develop the proved reserves, and estimates of future production from the proved reserves. HighMount’s estimated proved reserves are based upon studies for each of HighMount’s properties prepared by HighMount staff engineers. Calculations were prepared using standard geological and engineering methods generally accepted by the petroleum industry and in accordance with SEC guidelines. Determination of proved reserves is based on, among other things, (i) a pricing mechanism for oil and gas reserves which uses an average 12-month price; (ii) a limitation on the classification of reserves as proved undeveloped to locations scheduled to be drilled within five years; and (iii) a 10.0% discount factor used in calculating discounted future net cash flows.

HighMount’s December 31, 2010 ceiling test calculation was based on average 2010 prices of $4.38 per MMBtu for natural gas, $43.75 per Bbl for NGLs and $79.43 per Bbl for oil. Using these prices, total capitalized cost did not exceed the ceiling. Holding all factors constant, if the December 31, 2010 average prices were to decline by more than 15.0%, it is possible HighMount could experience a full cost ceiling test impairment.

Ryder Scott Company, L.P., an independent third party petroleum engineering consulting firm, has audited HighMount’s reserve estimates in accordance with the “Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information” promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers. Given the volatility of natural gas and

NGL prices, it is possible that HighMount’s estimate of discounted future net cash flows from proved natural gas and NGL reserves that is used to calculate the ceiling could materially change in the near term.

The process to estimate reserves is imprecise, and estimates are subject to revision. If there is a significant variance in any of HighMount’s estimates or assumptions in the future and revisions to the value of HighMount’s proved reserves are necessary, related depletion expense and the calculation of the ceiling test would be affected and recognition of natural gas and NGL property impairments could occur.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment when changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company uses a probability-weighted cash flow analysis to test property and equipment for impairment based on relevant market data. If an asset is determined to be impaired, a loss is recognized to reduce the carrying amount to the fair value of the asset. Management’s cash flow assumptions are an inherent part of our asset impairment evaluation and the use of different assumptions could produce results that differ from the reported amounts.

Goodwill

Management must apply judgment in determining the estimated fair value of its reporting units’ goodwill for purposes of performing impairment tests. Management uses all available information to make these fair value determinations, including the present values of expected future cash flows using discount rates commensurate with the risks involved in the assets and observed market multiples. Goodwill is required to be evaluated on an annual basis and whenever, in management’s judgment, there is a significant change in circumstances that would be considered a triggering event.

Income Taxes

We account for taxes under the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for temporary differences between the financial statement and tax return bases of assets and liabilities. Any resulting future tax benefits are recognized to the extent that realization of such benefits is more likely than not, and a valuation allowance is established for any portion of a deferred tax asset that management believes may not be realized. The assessment of the need for a valuation allowance requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future earnings, reversal of existing temporary differences and available tax planning strategies. If actual experience differs from these estimates and assumptions, the recorded deferred tax asset may not be fully realized resulting in an increase to income tax expense in our results of operations. In addition, the ability to record deferred tax assets in the future could be limited resulting in a higher effective tax rate in that future period.

The Company has not established deferred tax liabilities for certain of its foreign earnings as it intends to indefinitely reinvest those earnings to finance foreign activities. However, if these earnings become subject to U.S. federal tax, any required provision could have a material impact on our financial results.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS BY BUSINESS SEGMENT

CNA Financial

Reserves – Estimates and Uncertainties

CNA maintains loss reserves to cover its estimated ultimate unpaid liability for claim and claim adjustment expenses, including the estimated cost of the claims adjudication process, for claims that have been reported but not yet settled (case reserves) and claims that have been incurred but not reported (“IBNR”). Claim and claim adjustment expense reserves are reflected as liabilities and are included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets under the heading “Insurance Reserves.” Adjustments to prior year reserve estimates, if necessary, are reflected in results of operations in the period that the need for such adjustments is determined. The carried case and IBNR reserves as of each balance sheet date are provided in the Segment Results section of this MD&A and in Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

The level of reserves CNA maintains represents its best estimate, as of a particular point in time, of what the ultimate settlement and administration of claims will cost based on CNA’s assessment of facts and circumstances known at that time. Reserves are not an exact calculation of liability but instead are complex estimates that CNA derives, generally utilizing a variety of actuarial reserve estimation techniques, from numerous assumptions and expectations about future events, both internal and external, many of which are highly uncertain.

CNA is subject to the uncertain effects of emerging or potential claims and coverage issues that arise as industry practices and legal, judicial, social and other environmental conditions change. These issues have had, and may continue to have, a negative effect on CNA’s business by either extending coverage beyond the original underwriting intent or by increasing the number or size of claims. Examples of emerging or potential claims and coverage issues include:

the effects of recessionary economic conditions, which have resulted in an increase in the number and size of claims, due to corporate failures; these claims include both directors and officers (“D&O”) and errors and omissions (“E&O”) insurance claims;

class action litigation relating to claims handling and other practices; and

mass tort claims, including bodily injury claims related to welding rods, benzene, lead, noise induced hearing loss, injuries from various medical products including pharmaceuticals and various other chemical and radiation exposure claims.

The impact of these and other unforeseen emerging or potential claims and coverage issues is difficult to predict and could materially adversely affect the adequacy of CNA’s claim and claim adjustment expense reserves and could lead to future reserve additions.

CNA’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries also have actual and potential exposures related to asbestos and environmental pollution (“A&EP”) claims. CNA’s experience has been that establishing reserves for casualty coverages relating to A&EP claims and claim adjustment expenses are subject to uncertainties that are greater than those presented by other claims. Additionally, traditional actuarial methods and techniques employed to estimate the ultimate cost of claims for more traditional property and casualty exposures are less precise in estimating claim and claim adjustment reserves for A&EP. As a result, estimating the ultimate cost of both reported and unreported A&EP claims is subject to a higher degree of variability.

To mitigate the risks posed by CNA’s exposure to A&EP claims and claim adjustment expenses, as further discussed in Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8, on August 31, 2010 CNA completed a transaction with NICO, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., under which substantially all of CNA’s legacy A&EP liabilities were ceded to NICO effective January 1, 2010.

Establishing Reserve Estimates

In developing claim and claim adjustment expense (“loss” or “losses”) reserve estimates, CNA’s actuaries perform detailed reserve analyses that are staggered throughout the year. The data is organized at a “product” level. A product can be a line of business covering a subset of insureds such as commercial automobile liability for small or middle market customers, it can encompass several lines of business provided to a specific set of customers such as dentists, or it can be a particular type of claim such as construction defect. Every product is analyzed at least once during the year, with the exception of certain run-off products which are analyzed on a periodic basis. The analyses generally review losses gross of ceded reinsurance and apply the ceded reinsurance terms to the gross estimates to establish estimates net of reinsurance. In addition to the detailed analyses, CNA reviews actual loss emergence for all products each quarter.

The detailed analyses use a variety of generally accepted actuarial methods and techniques to produce a number of estimates of ultimate loss. CNA’s actuaries determine a point estimate of ultimate loss by reviewing the various estimates and assigning weight to each estimate given the characteristics of the product being reviewed. The reserve estimate is the difference between the estimated ultimate loss and the losses paid to date. The difference between the estimated ultimate loss and the case incurred loss (paid loss plus case reserve) is IBNR. IBNR calculated as such includes a provision for development on known cases (supplemental development) as well as a provision for claims that have occurred but have not yet been reported (pure IBNR).

Most of CNA’s business can be characterized as long-tail. For long-tail business, it will generally be several years between the time the business is written and the time when all claims are settled. CNA’s long-tail exposures include commercial automobile liability, workers’ compensation, general liability, medical, professional liability, other professional liability coverages, assumed reinsurance run-off and products liability. Short-tail exposures include property, commercial automobile physical damage, marine and warranty. CNA Specialty and CNA Commercial contain both long-tail and short-tail exposures. Other Insurance contains long-tail exposures.

Various methods are used to project ultimate loss for both long-tail and short-tail exposures including, but not limited to, the following:

paid development;

incurred development;

loss ratio;

Bornhuetter-Ferguson using paid loss;

Bornhuetter-Ferguson using incurred loss;

frequency times severity; and

stochastic modeling.

The paid development method estimates ultimate losses by reviewing paid loss patterns and applying them to accident years with further expected changes in paid loss. Selection of the paid loss pattern requires consideration of several factors including the impact of inflation on claims costs, the rate at which claims professionals make claim payments and close claims, the impact of judicial decisions, the impact of underwriting changes, the impact of large claim payments and other factors. Claim cost inflation itself requires evaluation of changes in the cost of repairing or replacing property, changes in the cost of medical care, changes in the cost of wage replacement, judicial decisions, legislative changes and other factors. Because this method assumes that losses are paid at a consistent rate, changes in any of these factors can impact the results. Since the method does not rely on case reserves, it is not directly influenced by changes in the adequacy of case reserves.

For many products, paid loss data for recent periods may be too immature or erratic for accurate predictions. This situation often exists for long-tail exposures. In addition, changes in the factors described above may result in inconsistent payment patterns. Finally, estimating the paid loss pattern subsequent to the most mature point available in the data analyzed often involves considerable uncertainty for long-tail products such as workers’ compensation.

The incurred development method is similar to the paid development method, but it uses case incurred losses instead of paid losses. Since the method uses more data (case reserves in addition to paid losses) than the paid development method, the incurred development patterns may be less variable than paid patterns. However, selection of the incurred loss pattern requires analysis of all of the factors above. In addition, the inclusion of case reserves can lead to distortions if changes in case reserving practices have taken place, and the use of case incurred losses may not eliminate the issues associated with estimating the incurred loss pattern subsequent to the most mature point available.

The loss ratio method multiplies premiums by an expected loss ratio to produce ultimate loss estimates for each accident year. This method may be useful for immature accident periods or if loss development patterns are inconsistent, losses emerge very slowly, or there is relatively little loss history from which to estimate future losses. The selection of the expected loss ratio requires analysis of loss ratios from earlier accident years or pricing studies and analysis of inflationary trends, frequency trends, rate changes, underwriting changes, and other applicable factors.

The Bornhuetter-Ferguson method using paid loss is a combination of the paid development method and the loss ratio method. This method normally determines expected loss ratios similar to the approach used to estimate the expected loss ratio for the loss ratio method and requires analysis of the same factors described above. This method assumes that only

future losses will develop at the expected loss ratio level. The percent of paid loss to ultimate loss implied from the paid development method is used to determine what percentage of ultimate loss is yet to be paid. The use of the pattern from the paid development method requires consideration of all factors listed in the description of the paid development method. The estimate of losses yet to be paid is added to current paid losses to estimate the ultimate loss for each year. This method will react very slowly if actual ultimate loss ratios are different from expectations due to changes not accounted for by the expected loss ratio calculation.

The Bornhuetter-Ferguson method using incurred loss is similar to the Bornhuetter-Ferguson method using paid loss except that it uses case incurred losses. The use of case incurred losses instead of paid losses can result in development patterns that are less variable than paid patterns. However, the inclusion of case reserves can lead to distortions if changes in case reserving have taken place, and the method requires analysis of all the factors that need to be reviewed for the loss ratio and incurred development methods.

The frequency times severity method multiplies a projected number of ultimate claims by an estimated ultimate average loss for each accident year to produce ultimate loss estimates. Since projections of the ultimate number of claims are often less variable than projections of ultimate loss, this method can provide more reliable results for products where loss development patterns are inconsistent or too variable to be relied on exclusively. In addition, this method can more directly account for changes in coverage that impact the number and size of claims. However, this method can be difficult to apply to situations where very large claims or a substantial number of unusual claims result in volatile average claim sizes. Projecting the ultimate number of claims requires analysis of several factors including the rate at which policyholders report claims to CNA, the impact of judicial decisions, the impact of underwriting changes and other factors. Estimating the ultimate average loss requires analysis of the impact of large losses and claim cost trends based on changes in the cost of repairing or replacing property, changes in the cost of medical care, changes in the cost of wage replacement, judicial decisions, legislative changes and other factors.

Stochastic modeling produces a range of possible outcomes based on varying assumptions related to the particular product being modeled. For some products, CNA uses models which rely on historical development patterns at an aggregate level, while other products are modeled using individual claim variability assumptions supplied by the claims department. In either case, multiple simulations are run and the results are analyzed to produce a range of potential outcomes. The results will typically include a mean and percentiles of the possible reserve distribution which aid in the selection of a point estimate.

For many exposures, especially those that can be considered long-tail, a particular accident year may not have a sufficient volume of paid losses to produce a statistically reliable estimate of ultimate losses. In such a case, CNA’s actuaries typically assign more weight to the incurred development method than to the paid development method. As claims continue to settle and the volume of paid loss increases, the actuaries may assign additional weight to the paid development method. For most of CNA’s products, even the incurred losses for accident years that are early in the claim settlement process will not be of sufficient volume to produce a reliable estimate of ultimate losses. In these cases, CNA will not assign any weight to the paid and incurred development methods. CNA will use loss ratio, Bornhuetter-Ferguson and frequency times severity methods. For short-tail exposures, the paid and incurred development methods can often be relied on sooner primarily because CNA’s history includes a sufficient number of years to cover the entire period over which paid and incurred losses are expected to change. However, CNA may also use the loss ratio, Bornhuetter-Ferguson and frequency times severity methods for short-tail exposures.

For other more complex products where the above methods may not produce reliable indications, CNA uses additional methods tailored to the characteristics of the specific situation.

Periodic Reserve Reviews

The reserve analyses performed by CNA’s actuaries result in point estimates. Each quarter, the results of the detailed reserve reviews are summarized and discussed with CNA’s senior management to determine the best estimate of reserves. This group considers many factors in making this decision. The factors include, but are not limited to, the historical pattern and volatility of the actuarial indications, the sensitivity of the actuarial indications to changes in paid and incurred loss patterns, the consistency of claims handling processes, the consistency of case reserving practices, changes in CNA’s pricing and underwriting, pricing and underwriting trends in the insurance market, and legal, judicial, social and economic trends.

CNA’s recorded reserves reflect its best estimate as of a particular point in time based upon known facts, consideration of the factors cited above, and its judgment. The carried reserve may differ from the actuarial point estimate as the result of CNA’s consideration of the factors noted above as well as the potential volatility of the projections associated with the specific product being analyzed and other factors impacting claims costs that may not be quantifiable through traditional actuarial analysis. This process results in management’s best estimate which is then recorded as the loss reserve.

Currently, CNA’s recorded reserves are modestly higher than the actuarial point estimate. For both CNA Commercial and CNA Specialty, the difference between CNA’s reserves and the actuarial point estimate is primarily driven by uncertainty with respect to immature accident years, claim cost inflation, changes in claims handling, tort reform roll-backs which may adversely impact claim costs, and the effects from the economy. For Other Insurance, the difference between CNA’s reserves and the actuarial point estimate is primarily driven by the potential tail volatility of run-off exposures.

The key assumptions fundamental to the reserving process are often different for various products and accident years. Some of these assumptions are explicit assumptions that are required of a particular method, but most of the assumptions are implicit and cannot be precisely quantified. An example of an explicit assumption is the pattern employed in the paid development method. However, the assumed pattern is itself based on several implicit assumptions such as the impact of inflation on medical costs and the rate at which claim professionals close claims. As a result, the effect on reserve estimates of a particular change in assumptions usually cannot be specifically quantified, and changes in these assumptions cannot be tracked over time.

CNA’s recorded reserves are management’s best estimate. In order to provide an indication of the variability associated with CNA’s net reserves, the following discussion provides a sensitivity analysis that shows the approximate estimated impact of variations in significant factors affecting CNA’s reserve estimates for particular types of business. These significant factors are the ones that CNA believes could most likely materially impact the reserves. This discussion covers the major types of business for which CNA believes a material deviation to its reserves is reasonably possible. There can be no assurance that actual experience will be consistent with the current assumptions or with the variation indicated by the discussion. In addition, there can be no assurance that other factors and assumptions will not have a material impact on CNA’s reserves.

Within CNA Specialty, CNA believes a material deviation to its net reserves is reasonably possible for professional liability and related business. This business includes professional liability coverages provided to various professional firms, including architects, real estate agents, small and mid-sized accounting firms, law firms and technology firms. This business also includes D&O, employment practices, fiduciary and fidelity coverages as well as insurance products serving the healthcare delivery system. The most significant factor affecting reserve estimates for this business is claim severity. Claim severity is driven by the cost of medical care, the cost of wage replacement, legal fees, judicial decisions, legislative changes and other factors. Underwriting and claim handling decisions such as the classes of business written and individual claim settlement decisions can also impact claim severity. If the estimated claim severity increases by 9.0%, CNA estimates that the net reserves would increase by approximately $450 million. If the estimated claim severity decreases by 3.0%, CNA estimates that net reserves would decrease by approximately $150 million. CNA’s net reserves for this business were approximately $5.0 billion at December 31, 2010.

Within CNA Commercial, the two types of business for which CNA believes a material deviation to its net reserves is reasonably possible are workers’ compensation and general liability.

For CNA Commercial workers’ compensation, since many years will pass from the time the business is written until all claim payments have been made, claim cost inflation on claim payments is the most significant factor affecting workers’ compensation reserve estimates. Workers’ compensation claim cost inflation is driven by the cost of medical care, the cost of wage replacement, expected claimant lifetimes, judicial decisions, legislative changes and other factors. If estimated workers’ compensation claim cost inflation increases by 100 basis points for the entire period over which claim payments will be made, CNA estimates that its net reserves would increase by approximately $450 million. If estimated workers’ compensation claim cost inflation decreases by 100 basis points for the entire period over which claim payments will be made, CNA estimates that its net reserves would decrease by approximately $450 million. CNA’s net reserves for CNA Commercial workers’ compensation were approximately $5.0 billion at December 31, 2010.

For CNA Commercial general liability, the most significant factor affecting reserve estimates is claim severity. Claim severity is driven by changes in the cost of repairing or replacing property, the cost of medical care, the cost of wage replacement, judicial decisions, legislation and other factors. If the estimated claim severity for general liability increases by 6.0%, CNA estimates that its net reserves would increase by approximately $200 million. If the estimated claim severity for general liability decreases by 3.0%, CNA estimates that its net reserves would decrease by approximately $100 million. Net reserves for CNA Commercial general liability were approximately $3.3 billion at December 31, 2010.

Given the factors described above, it is not possible to quantify precisely the ultimate exposure represented by claims and related litigation. As a result, CNA regularly reviews the adequacy of its reserves and reassesses its reserve estimates as historical loss experience develops, additional claims are reported and settled and additional information becomes available in subsequent periods.

In light of the many uncertainties associated with establishing the estimates and making the assumptions necessary to establish reserve levels, CNA reviews its reserve estimates on a regular basis and makes adjustments in the period that the need for such adjustments is determined. These reviews have resulted in CNA’s identification of information and trends that have caused CNA to change its reserves in prior periods and could lead to the identification of a need for additional material increases or decreases in claim and claim adjustment expense reserves, which could materially affect our results of operations and equity and CNA’s business, insurer financial strength and corporate debt ratings positively or negatively. See the Ratings section of this MD&A for further information regarding CNA’s financial strength and corporate debt ratings.

Agreement to Cede Asbestos and Environmental Pollution (“A&EP”) Liabilities to NICO

As further discussed in Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8, on August 31, 2010, CNA completed a transaction with NICO, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., under which substantially all of CNA’s legacy A&EP liabilities were ceded to NICO (“Loss Portfolio Transfer”), subject to an aggregate limit of $4.0 billion. We recognized a net loss of $328 million (after tax and noncontrolling interests) in the third quarter of 2010, of which $309 million related to our continuing operations. Since a portion of the liabilities ceded related to discontinued operations, we also recognized a net loss for discontinued operations of $19 million (after tax and noncontrolling interests).

The net loss of $328 million related primarily to the risk margin necessary to secure the $4.0 billion of reinsurance protection on such a volatile component of CNA’s reserves. However, CNA believes the benefits to it are compelling. The benefits include:

improves CNA’s earnings outlook and financial stability by significantly mitigating A&EP reserve risk going forward;

effectively eliminates credit risk on $1.2 billion of third party A&EP reinsurance recoverables effective January 1, 2010; and

eliminates an area of uncertainty from the perspective of rating agencies.

Results of Operations

The following table summarizes the results of operations for CNA for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 as presented in Note 23 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

Year Ended December 31  2010   2009   2008 
(In millions)            

Revenues:

      

Insurance premiums

  $    6,515    $    6,721    $    7,151    

Net investment income

   2,316     2,320     1,619    

Investment gains (losses)

   86     (857   (1,297)   

Other

   291     288     326    

Total

   9,208     8,472     7,799    

Expenses:

      

Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits

   4,985     5,290     5,723    

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

   1,387     1,417     1,467    

Other operating expenses

   1,558     1,086     1,025    

Interest

   157     128     134    

Total

   8,087     7,921     8,349    

Income (loss) before income tax

   1,121     551     (550)   

Income tax (expense) benefit

   (336   (61   306  

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   785     490     (244)   

Discontinued operations, net

   (20   (2   10    

Net income (loss)

   765     488     (234)   

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

   (129   (91   (25)   

Net income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation

  $636    $397    $(259)   
  

2010 Compared with 2009

Net income increased $239 million in 2010 as compared with 2009. This improvement was driven by significantly improved net investment results of $943 million ($551 million after tax and noncontrolling interests), partially offset by the loss associated with the Loss Portfolio Transfer. See the Investments section of this MD&A for further discussion of net realized investment results and net investment income. Favorable net prior year development of $594 million and $208 million was recorded for 2010 and 2009. Further information on net prior year development for the year ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 is included in Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8. Net earned premiums decreased $206 million in 2010 as compared with 2009, driven by a $176 million decrease in CNA Commercial and an $18 million decrease in CNA Specialty. See the CNA Segment Results section of this MD&A for further discussion. Net loss from discontinued operations increased $18 million in 2010 as compared to 2009, due to the loss associated with the Loss Portfolio Transfer.

In 2010, CNA commenced a program to significantly transform its Information Technology (“IT”) organization and delivery model. CNA anticipates that the total costs for this program will be approximately $38 million, of which $36 million was incurred through December 31, 2010. When the results of this program are fully operational, CNA anticipates significant annual savings relative to its current annual level of IT spending. A significant portion of the annual savings is anticipated to be achieved in 2011 with full annual savings in 2012. Some or all of these estimated savings may be invested in IT or other enhancements necessary to support CNA’s business strategies.

2009 Compared with 2008

Net results increased $656 million in 2009 as compared with 2008. This increase was driven by improved net investment income of $701 million, mainly due to limited partnership income, and improved net investment results of $440 million. See the Investments section of this MD&A for further discussion of net realized investment results and net investment income. Favorable net prior year development of $208 million and $80 million was recorded for 2009 and 2008. In 2008, the amount due from policyholders related to losses under deductible policies within CNA Commercial

Lines was reduced by $90 million for insolvent insureds. This reduction was reflected as unfavorable net prior year reserve development in 2008, and had no effect on 2008 results of operations as CNA had recognized provisions in prior years. Further information on net prior year development for the year ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 is included in Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8. Net earned premiums decreased $430 million in 2009 as compared with 2008, driven by a $355 million decrease in CNA Commercial and a $58 million decrease related to CNA Specialty. See the CNA Segment Results section of this MD&A for further discussion.

Segment Results

CNA revised its reporting segments in the fourth quarter of 2010 for certain mass tort claims to reflect the manner in which it is currently organized for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing performance, as further discussed in Note 22 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

CNA’s core property and casualty commercial insurance operations are reported in two business segments: CNA Specialty and CNA Commercial. CNA Specialty provides a broad array of professional, financial and specialty property and casualty products and services, primarily through insurance brokers and managing general underwriters. CNA Commercial includes property and casualty coverages sold to small businesses and middle market entities and organizations primarily through an independent agency distribution system. CNA Commercial also includes commercial insurance and risk management products sold to large corporations primarily through insurance brokers.

CNA’s non-core operations are managed in two segments: Life & Group Non-Core and Other Insurance. Life & Group Non-Core primarily includes the results of the life and group lines of business that are in run-off. Other Insurance primarily includes certain corporate expenses, including interest on corporate debt, and the results of certain property and casualty business primarily in run-off, including CNA Re and A&EP. Intrasegment eliminations are also included in this segment.

CNA utilizes the net operating income financial measure to monitor its operations. Net operating income is calculated by excluding from net income the after tax effects of (i) net realized investment gains or losses, (ii) income or loss from discontinued operations and (iii) any cumulative effects of changes in accounting guidance. In evaluating the results of the CNA Specialty and CNA Commercial segments, CNA utilizes the loss ratio, the expense ratio, the dividend ratio, and the combined ratio. These ratios are calculated using GAAP financial results. The loss ratio is the percentage of net incurred claim and claim adjustment expenses to net earned premiums. The expense ratio is the percentage of insurance underwriting and acquisition expenses, including the amortization of deferred acquisition costs, to net earned premiums. The dividend ratio is the ratio of policyholders’ dividends incurred to net earned premiums. The combined ratio is the sum of the loss, expense and dividend ratios.

Changes in estimates of claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserves and premium accruals, net of reinsurance, for prior years are defined as net prior year development within this MD&A. These changes can be favorable or unfavorable. Net prior year development does not include the impact of related acquisition expenses. Further information on CNA’s reserves is provided in Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

The following discusses the results of continuing operations for CNA’s operating segments.

CNA Specialty

The following table summarizes the results of operations for CNA Specialty:

Year Ended December 31  2010  2009  2008 
(In millions, except %)          

Net written premiums

  $  2,691   $  2,684   $  2,719       

Net earned premiums

   2,679    2,697    2,755       

Net investment income

   591    526    354       

Net operating income

   563    532    372       

Net realized investment gains (losses)

   18    (110  (150)      

Net income

   581    422    222       

Ratios:

    

Loss and loss adjustment expense

   54.0  56.9  61.7%    

Expense

   30.5    29.3    27.3       

Dividend

   0.5    0.3    0.5       
  

Combined

   85.0  86.5  89.5%    
  

2010 Compared with 2009

Net written premiums for CNA Specialty increased $7 million in 2010 as compared with 2009. Net written premiums increased in CNA’s professional management and liability lines of business. This increase was partially offset by continued decreased insured exposures and lower rates in CNA’s architects & engineers and CNA HealthPro lines of business due to current economic and competitive market conditions. These conditions may continue to put ongoing pressure on premium and income levels and the expense ratio. Net earned premiums decreased $18 million as compared with the same period in 2009, due to the impact of decreased net written premiums in prior quarters.

CNA Specialty’s average rate decreased 2.0% for 2010 and 2009 for policies that renewed in each period. Retention rates of 86.0% and 84.0% were achieved for those policies that were available for renewal in each period.

Net income improved $159 million in 2010 as compared with 2009. This increase was due to improved net realized investment results and improved net operating income. See the Investments section of this MD&A for further discussion of net investment income and net realized investment results.

Net operating income improved $31 million in 2010 as compared with 2009, primarily due to increased favorable net prior year development and improved net investment income, partially offset by decreased current accident year underwriting results.

The combined ratio improved 1.5 points in 2010 as compared with 2009. The loss ratio improved 2.9 points primarily due to increased favorable net prior year development, partially offset by the impact of a higher current accident year loss ratio. The expense ratio increased 1.2 points primarily related to higher underwriting expenses and higher commission rates. Underwriting expenses were unfavorably impacted by higher employee-related costs and IT Transformation costs. See the Consolidated Operations section of this MD&A for further discussion of IT Transformation costs.

Favorable net prior year development of $344 million was recorded in 2010, compared to $224 million in 2009. Further information on CNA Specialty net prior year development for 2010 and 2009 is included in Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

The following table summarizes the gross and net carried reserves for CNA Specialty:

December 31  2010   2009 
(In millions)        

Gross Case Reserves

  $  2,341    $  2,208    

Gross IBNR Reserves

   4,452     4,714    

Total Gross Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves

  $  6,793    $  6,922    
           

Net Case Reserves

  $  1,992    $  1,781    

Net IBNR Reserves

   3,926     4,085    

Total Net Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves

  $  5,918    $  5,866    
           

2009 Compared with 2008

Net written premiums for CNA Specialty decreased $35 million in 2009 as compared with 2008. The decrease in net written premiums was driven by CNA’s architects & engineers and surety bond lines of business, as economic conditions led to decreased insured exposures. Net written premiums were also unfavorably impacted by foreign exchange. Net earned premiums decreased $58 million as compared with the same period in 2008, consistent with the trend of lower net written premiums.

CNA Specialty’s average rate decreased 2.0% for 2009 as compared to a decrease of 4.0% for 2008 for policies that renewed in each period. Retention rates of 84.0% and 85.0% were achieved for those policies that were available for renewal in each period.

Net income improved $200 million in 2009 as compared with 2008. This increase was due to improved net operating income and lower net realized investment losses. See the Investments section of this MD&A for further discussion of net investment income and net realized investment results.

Net operating income improved $160 million in 2009 as compared with 2008, primarily due to higher net investment income and increased favorable net prior year development.

The combined ratio improved 3.0 points in 2009 as compared with 2008. The loss ratio improved 4.8 points primarily due to increased favorable net prior year development. The expense ratio increased 2.0 points in 2009 as compared with 2008, primarily due to higher underwriting expenses and the lower net earned premium base. Underwriting expenses increased primarily due to higher employee-related costs.

Favorable net prior year development of $224 million was recorded in 2009 compared to $106 million in 2008. Further information on CNA Specialty net prior year development for 2009 and 2008 is included in Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

CNA Commercial

The following table summarizes the results of operations for CNA Commercial:

Year Ended December 31  2010  2009  2008 
(In millions, except %)          

Net written premiums

  $    3,208   $    3,448   $    3,770       

Net earned premiums

   3,256    3,432    3,787       

Net investment income

   873    935    612       

Net operating income

   459    445    263       

Net realized investment losses

   (14  (212  (306)      

Net income (loss)

   445    233    (43)      

Ratios:

    

Loss and loss adjustment expense

   66.8  70.5  73.1%    

Expense

   35.7    35.2    31.2       

Dividend

   0.4    0.3      

Combined

   102.9  106.0  104.3%    
              

2010 Compared with 2009

Net written premiums for CNA Commercial decreased $240 million in 2010 as compared with 2009. Premiums written were unfavorably impacted by decreased insured exposures and decreased new business as a result of competitive market conditions. Current economic conditions have led to decreased insured exposures, such as in the construction industry due to smaller payrolls and reduced project volume. These conditions may continue to put ongoing pressure on premium and income levels and the expense ratio. Net earned premiums decreased $176 million in 2010 as compared with 2009, consistent with the trend of lower net written premiums.

CNA Commercial’s average rate increased 1.0% for 2010, as compared to flat rates for 2009 for the policies that renewed during those periods. Retention rates of 79.0% and 81.0% were achieved for those policies that were available for renewal in each period.

Net income improved $212 million in 2010 as compared with 2009. This improvement was primarily due to improved net realized investment results. See the Investments section of this MD&A for further discussion of net investment income and net realized investment results.

Net operating income improved $14 million in 2010 as compared with 2009. This increase was primarily due to increased favorable net prior year development, partially offset by lower net investment income and higher catastrophe losses.

The combined ratio improved 3.1 points in 2010 as compared with 2009. The loss ratio improved 3.7 points, primarily due to increased favorable net prior year development, partially offset by the impact of higher catastrophe losses. Catastrophe losses were $113 million, or 3.5 points of the loss ratio, for 2010, as compared to $82 million, or 2.4 points of the loss ratio, for 2009.

The expense ratio increased 0.5 points in 2010 as compared with 2009, primarily due to the unfavorable impact of the lower net earned premium base. Underwriting expenses include the unfavorable impact of the IT Transformation costs. See the Consolidated Operations section of this MD&A for further discussion of IT Transformation costs.

Favorable net prior year development of $256 million was recorded in 2010, compared to favorable net prior year development of $143 million in 2009. Further information on CNA Commercial net prior year development for 2010 and 2009 is included in Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

The following table summarizes the gross and net carried reserves for CNA Commercial:

December 31  2010   2009 
(In millions)        

Gross Case Reserves

  $6,390    $6,555    

Gross IBNR Reserves

   6,132     6,688    

Total Gross Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves

  $12,522    $13,243    
           

Net Case Reserves

  $5,349    $5,306    

Net IBNR Reserves

   5,292     5,691    

Total Net Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves

  $    10,641    $    10,997    
           

2009 Compared with 2008

Net written premiums for CNA Commercial decreased $322 million in 2009 as compared with 2008. Written premiums declined in most lines primarily due to general economic conditions. Economic conditions led to decreased insured exposures, such as in small businesses and in the construction industry due to smaller payrolls and reduced project volume. Net earned premiums decreased $355 million in 2009 as compared with 2008, consistent with the trend of lower net written premiums. Premiums were also impacted by unfavorable premium development recorded in 2009 and unfavorable foreign exchange.

CNA Commercial’s average rate was flat for 2009, as compared to a decrease of 4.0% for 2008 for the policies that renewed during those periods. Retention rates of 81.0% were achieved for those policies that were available for renewal in each period.

Net results improved $276 million in 2009 as compared with 2008. This improvement was due to increased net operating income and decreased net realized investment losses. See the Investments section of this MD&A for further discussion of net investment income and net realized investment results.

Net operating income improved $182 million in 2009 compared with 2008. This improvement was primarily driven by higher net investment income and lower catastrophe losses. Partially offsetting these favorable items was an unfavorable change in current accident year underwriting results excluding catastrophes.

The combined ratio increased 1.7 points in 2009 as compared with 2008. The loss ratio improved 2.6 points primarily due to decreased catastrophe losses, partially offset by the impact of higher current accident year non-catastrophe loss ratios and decreased favorable net prior year development. Catastrophe losses were $82 million, or 2.4 points of the loss ratio, for 2009 as compared to $343 million, or 9.0 points of the loss ratio, for 2008. The current accident year loss ratio, excluding catastrophe losses, was unfavorably impacted by loss experience in several lines of business, including workers’ compensation and renewable energy, as well as several significant property losses.

The expense ratio increased 4.0 points in 2009 as compared with 2008, primarily related to higher underwriting expenses, unfavorable changes in estimates for insurance-related assessments and the lower net earned premium base. Underwriting expenses increased primarily due to higher employee-related costs.

In 2008, the amount due from policyholders related to losses under deductible policies within CNA Commercial Lines was reduced by $90 million for insolvent insureds. The reduction of this amount, which was reflected as unfavorable net prior year reserve development in 2008, had no effect on 2008 results of operations as CNA had previously recognized provisions in prior years. These impacts were reported in Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits in the 2008 Consolidated Statements of Income.

Favorable net prior year development of $143 million was recorded in 2009, compared to favorable net prior year development of $97 million in 2008. Excluding the impact of the $90 million of unfavorable net prior year reserve development discussed above, which had no net impact on the 2008 results of operations, favorable net prior year development was $187 million. Further information on CNA Commercial net prior year development for 2009 and 2008 is included in Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

Life & Group Non-Core

The following table summarizes the results of operations for Life & Group Non-Core:

Year Ended December 31  2010  2009  2008 
(In millions)          

Net earned premiums

  $    582   $    595   $    612     

Net investment income

   715    664    484     

Net operating loss

   (79  (14  (97)    

Net realized investment gains (losses)

   30    (138  (212)    

Net loss

   (49  (152  (309)    

2010 Compared with 2009

Net earned premiums for Life & Group Non-Core decreased $13 million in 2010 as compared with 2009. Net earned premiums relate primarily to the individual and group long term care businesses.

Net loss decreased $103 million in 2010 as compared with 2009. This improvement was primarily due to improved net realized investment results. See the Investments section of this MD&A for further discussion of net realized investment results. In addition, 2009 results included the unfavorable impact of a $25 million (after tax and noncontrolling interests) legal accrual as discussed further below. The accrual was subsequently decreased in 2010, resulting in a favorable impact of $11 million (after tax and noncontrolling interests). Favorable reserve development arising from a commutation of an assumed reinsurance agreement in 2010 also contributed to the improvement.

These favorable impacts were partially offset by a $55 million gain (after tax and noncontrolling interests) recognized in 2009, net of reinsurance, arising from a settlement reached with Willis Limited that resolved litigation related to the placement of personal accident reinsurance.

The favorable impacts were also partially offset by an increase to payout annuity benefit reserves resulting from unlocking assumptions due to loss recognition, unfavorable results in CNA’s long term care business and less favorable performance on CNA’s pension deposit business.

Certain of the separate account investment contracts related to CNA’s pension deposit business guarantee principal and an annual minimum rate of interest, for which CNA recorded an additional pretax liability of $68 million in Policyholders’ funds during 2008 due to declines in the fair value of the investments supporting this business at that time. During 2009, CNA decreased this pretax liability by $42 million, and during 2010, CNA decreased the pretax liability by $24 million, based on increases in the fair value of these investments during those periods.

2009 Compared with 2008

Net earned premiums for Life & Group Non-Core decreased $17 million in 2009 as compared with 2008.

Net loss decreased $157 million in 2009 as compared with 2008. This improvement was primarily due to improved net realized investment results, and favorable performance on CNA’s remaining pension deposit business and a settlement reached with Willis Limited both as discussed above.

These favorable impacts were partially offset by unfavorable results in CNA’s long term care business and a $25 million (after tax and noncontrolling interests) legal accrual recorded in the second quarter of 2009 related to a previously held limited partnership investment. The limited partnership investment supported the indexed group annuity portion of CNA’s pension deposit business.

Net investment income for the year ended December 31, 2008 included trading portfolio losses of $146 million, which were substantially offset by a corresponding decrease in the policyholders’ funds reserves supported by the trading portfolio. This trading portfolio supported the indexed group annuity portion of CNA’s pension deposit business. During

2008, CNA settled these liabilities with policyholders with no material impact to results of operations. That business had a net loss of $20 million for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Other Insurance

The following table summarizes the results of operations for the Other Insurance segment, including A&EP and intrasegment eliminations:

Year Ended December 31  2010  2009  2008 

(In millions)

    

Net investment income

   $        137    $        195    $        169  

Net operating loss

   (334  (59  (50

Net realized investment gains (losses)

   12    (45  (88

Net loss

   (322  (104  (138

2010 Compared with 2009

Net loss increased $218 million in 2010 as compared with 2009, driven by the loss of $328 million (after tax and noncontrolling interests) as a result of the Loss Portfolio Transfer, as previously discussed in this MD&A. Net results were also impacted by lower net investment income and higher interest expense. Partially offsetting these unfavorable items were decreased unfavorable net prior year development and improved net realized investment results. See the Investments section of this MD&A for further discussion of net investment income and net realized investment results.

Unfavorable net prior year development of $6 million was recorded in 2010, and unfavorable net prior year development of $159 million was recorded in 2009 which included $79 million for asbestos exposures and $76 million for environmental pollution exposures. Further information on Other Insurance net prior year development for 2009 is included in Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

The following table summarizes the gross and net carried reserves for the Other Insurance segment:

December 31  2010   2009 

(In millions)

    

Gross Case Reserves

   $      1,430     $      1,503  

Gross IBNR Reserves

   2,012     2,265  

Total Gross Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves

   $      3,442     $      3,768  
           

Net Case Reserves

   $         461     $         935  

Net IBNR Reserves

   257     1,404  

Total Net Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves

   $         718     $      2,339  
           

2009 Compared with 2008

Net loss decreased $34 million in 2009 as compared with 2008, primarily due to improved net realized investment results and higher net investment income. Partially offsetting these favorable items was increased unfavorable net prior year development primarily related to A&EP.

Unfavorable net prior year development of $159 million was recorded in 2009, compared to unfavorable net prior year development of $123 million in 2008. Further information on Other Insurance net prior year development for 2009 and 2008 is included in Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

Diamond Offshore

The two most significant variables affecting Diamond Offshore’s revenues are dayrates for rigs and rig utilization rates, each of which is a function of rig supply and demand in the marketplace. Demand for drilling services is dependent upon the level of expenditures set by oil and gas companies for offshore exploration and development, as well as a variety of political, regulatory and economic factors. The availability of rigs in a particular geographical region also affects both dayrates and utilization rates. These factors are not within Diamond Offshore’s control and are difficult to predict.

Demand affects the number of days Diamond Offshore’s fleet is utilized and the dayrates earned. As utilization rates increase, dayrates tend to increase as well, reflecting the lower supply of available rigs. Conversely, as utilization rates decrease, dayrates tend to decrease as well, reflecting the excess supply of rigs. When a rig is idle, no dayrate is earned and revenues will decrease as a result. Revenues can also be affected as a result of the acquisition or disposal of rigs, required surveys and shipyard upgrades. In order to improve utilization or realize higher dayrates, Diamond Offshore may mobilize its rigs from one market to another. However, during periods of mobilization, revenues may be adversely affected. As a response to changes in demand, Diamond Offshore may withdraw a rig from the market by stacking it or may reactivate a rig stacked previously, which may decrease or increase revenues.

Diamond Offshore’s operating income is primarily affected by revenue factors, but is also a function of varying levels of operating expenses. Diamond Offshore’s operating expenses represent all direct and indirect costs associated with the operation and maintenance of its drilling equipment. The principal components of Diamond Offshore’s operating costs are, among other things, direct and indirect costs of labor and benefits, repairs and maintenance, freight, regulatory inspections, boat and helicopter rentals and insurance. Labor and repair and maintenance costs represent the most significant components of Diamond Offshore’s operating expenses. In general, labor costs increase primarily due to higher salary levels, rig staffing requirements and costs associated with labor regulations in the geographic regions in which Diamond Offshore’s rigs operate. Costs to repair and maintain Diamond Offshore’s equipment fluctuate depending upon the type of activity the drilling rig is performing, as well as the age and condition of the equipment and the regions in which Diamond Offshore’s rigs are working.

Operating expenses generally are not affected by changes in dayrates, and short term reductions in utilization do not necessarily result in lower operating expenses. For instance, if a rig is to be idle for a short period of time, few decreases in operating expenses may actually occur since the rig is typically maintained in a prepared or “ready-stacked” state with a full crew. In addition, when a rig is idle, Diamond Offshore is responsible for certain operating expenses such as rig fuel and supply boat costs, which are typically costs of the operator when a rig is under contract. However, if the rig is to be idle for an extended period of time, Diamond Offshore may reduce the size of a rig’s crew and take steps to “cold stack” the rig, which lowers expenses and partially offsets the impact on operating income.

Operating income is negatively impacted when Diamond Offshore performs certain regulatory inspections, which it refers to as a 5-year survey, or special survey, that are due every five years for each of Diamond Offshore’s rigs. Operating revenue decreases because these special surveys are performed during scheduled downtime in a shipyard. Operating expenses increase as a result of these special surveys due to the cost to mobilize the rigs to a shipyard, inspection costs incurred and repair and maintenance costs. Repair and maintenance activities may result from the survey or may have been previously planned to take place during this mandatory downtime. The number of rigs undergoing a 5-year survey will vary from year to year, as well as from quarter to quarter. During 2011, seven of Diamond Offshore’s rigs will require 5-year surveys, and it expects that they will be out of service for approximately 455 days in the aggregate.

In addition, operating income may be negatively impacted by intermediate surveys, which are performed at interim periods between 5-year surveys. Intermediate surveys are generally less extensive in duration and scope than a 5-year survey. Although an intermediate survey may require some downtime for the drilling rig, it normally does not require dry-docking or shipyard time, except for rigs located in the U.K. and Norwegian sectors of the North Sea. Diamond Offshore expects to spend approximately 290 days during 2011 for intermediate surveys, the mobilization of rigs, contract acceptance testing and extended maintenance projects.

Diamond Offshore is self-insured for physical damage to rigs and equipment caused by named windstorms in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico (“GOM”). If a named windstorm in the GOM causes significant damage to Diamond Offshore’s rigs or equipment, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Under

Diamond Offshore’s insurance policy that expires on May 1, 2011, it carries physical damage insurance for certain losses other than those caused by named windstorms in the GOM for which its deductible for physical damage is $25 million per occurrence. Diamond Offshore does not typically retain loss-of-hire insurance policies to cover its rigs.

In addition, under Diamond Offshore’s insurance policy that expires on May 1, 2011, Diamond Offshore carries marine liability insurance covering certain legal liabilities, including coverage for certain personal injury claims, with no exclusions for pollution and/or environmental risk. Diamond Offshore believes that the policy limit for its marine liability insurance is within the range that is customary for companies of its size in the offshore drilling industry and is appropriate for its business. Diamond Offshore’s deductibles for marine liability coverage, including for personal injury claims, are $10 million for the first occurrence and vary in amounts ranging between $5 million and, if aggregate claims exceed certain thresholds, up to $100 million for each subsequent occurrence, depending on the nature, severity and frequency of claims which might arise during the policy year, which under the current policy commences on May 1 of each year. On April 20, 2010, the Macondo well (operated by BP plc and drilled by Transocean Ltd) in the GOM experienced a blowout and immediately began flowing oil into the GOM (“the Macondo incident”). Efforts to permanently plug and abandon the well and contain the spill were successfully completed in September 2010. As a result of the Macondo incident, insurance costs across the industry are expected to increase, and in the future certain insurance coverage is likely to become more costly, and may become less available or not available at all.

Recent Developments

On October 12, 2010, the U.S. government lifted the ban on certain drilling activities in the GOM. All drilling in the GOM is now subject to compliance with enhanced safety requirements set forth in Notices to Lessees (“NTL”) 2010-N05 and 2010-N06, both of which were implemented during the drilling ban. Additionally, all drilling in the GOM is required to comply with the Interim Final Rule to Enhance Safety Measures for Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf (“Drilling Safety Rule”) and the Workplace Safety Rule on Safety and Environmental Management Systems, which have become final, as well as NTL 2010-N10 (known as the Compliance and Review NTL). Diamond Offshore continues to evaluate these new measures to ensure that its rigs and equipment are in full compliance, where applicable. Additional requirements could be forthcoming based on further recommendations by regulatory agencies investigating the Macondo incident. Diamond Offshore is not able to predict the likelihood, nature or extent of additional rulemaking. Nor is Diamond Offshore able to predict when the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (“BOEMRE”) will issue drilling permits to Diamond Offshore’s customers. Diamond Offshore is not able to predict the future impact of these events on its operations. Even with the drilling ban lifted, certain deepwater drilling activities remain suspended until the BOEMRE resumes its regular permitting of those activities.

It has been reported that the industry currently has 36 floating rigs in the GOM that have been impacted by the moratorium and that five floating rigs have left the GOM since the imposition of the moratorium, two of which rigs were Diamond Offshore’s. As of the date of this report, Diamond Offshore has two semisubmersible rigs under contract in the GOM, in addition to theOcean Monarch, whose contract the operator has sought to terminate as discussed below, as well as two jack-up rigs, one of which is under contract. Given the continuing uncertainty with respect to drilling activity in the GOM, Diamond Offshore’s customers may seek to move additional rigs to locations outside of the GOM or perform activities which are allowed under the enhanced safety requirements. In June of 2010, one of Diamond Offshore’s customers asserted force majeure as a basis for its termination of the drilling contract for theOcean Monarch, which had a remaining term of approximately 36 months. The operator has also filed suit against Diamond Offshore in U.S. District Court in Houston seeking a declaratory judgment that its termination of the drilling contract is warranted under the contract. Diamond Offshore does not believe the events cited by the operator come within the definition of force majeure under the drilling contract, and Diamond Offshore does not believe that the operator has the right to terminate the drilling contract on this basis. Although Diamond Offshore cannot predict with certainty the results of any such litigation, and there can be no assurance as to its ultimate outcome, it intends to vigorously defend this litigation and challenge the operator’s attempt to terminate the drilling contract.

Diamond Offshore is continuing to actively seek international opportunities to keep its rigs employed. However, Diamond Offshore can provide no assurance that it will be successful in its efforts to employ its remaining impacted rigs in the GOM in the near term. In addition, given the ongoing uncertainty in the GOM with respect to drilling activity and other industry factors, Diamond Offshore has cold stacked two intermediate semisubmersible rigs and four jack-up rigs in the GOM.

While dayrates Diamond Offshore receives for new contracts are no longer at the peak levels achieved at the height of the most recent up-cycle, improving oil prices, which had climbed to approximately $90 per barrel by the end of 2010, appear to be supporting demand for Diamond Offshore’s equipment. As a result, dayrates for Diamond Offshore’s international floater rigs appear to have stabilized, though demand for its services has not risen sufficiently to provide significant pricing power on new contracts. Additionally, the continuing regulatory uncertainty in the GOM could cause Diamond Offshore or others to move additional rigs out of the GOM to international locations. If Diamond Offshore, or others, move a large number of additional rigs out of the GOM to international locations, the increased supply of available rigs entering the international market, coupled with un-contracted new-build rigs scheduled for delivery between now and the end of 2011, could create downward pressure on dayrates unless demand improves sufficiently to absorb the new supply.

Diamond Offshore currently has one high specification floater and two jack-up rigs contracted offshore Egypt with an aggregate net book value of $270 million, or approximately 6.0% of Diamond Offshore’s total operating assets at December 31, 2010. Although these rigs have continued to work throughout the recent political unrest in Egypt, there have been, and in the future there may be other, disruptions to the support networks within Egypt, including the banking institutions. At February 1, 2011, Diamond Offshore’s contract drilling backlog related to its drilling operations offshore Egypt was approximately $60 million, or 2.2% of its total contract backlog, for 2011. Diamond Offshore’s customers may attempt to assert force majeure under the agreements under which these rigs are operating. As of the date of this report, Diamond Offshore has not received any force majeure assertions with respect to its Egyptian operations.

Since September 30, 2010 through the date of this report, Diamond Offshore has entered into 17 new drilling contracts totaling approximately $457 million in backlog and ranging in duration from one well to one year. As of February 1, 2011, Diamond Offshore’s contract backlog was approximately $6.6 billion, of which its contracts in the GOM (excluding amounts related to the contract for theOcean Monarch discussed above) represented approximately $141 million, or 2.1%, of Diamond Offshore’s total contract backlog.

Contract Drilling Backlog

The following table reflects Diamond Offshore’s contract drilling backlog as of February 1, 2011, October 18, 2010 (the date reported in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2010) and February 1, 2010 (the date reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009). Contract drilling backlog is calculated by multiplying the contracted operating dayrate by the firm contract period and adding one-half of any potential rig performance bonuses. Diamond Offshore’s calculation also assumes full utilization of its drilling equipment for the contract period (excluding scheduled shipyard and survey days); however, the amount of actual revenue earned and the actual periods during which revenues are earned will be different than the amounts and periods shown in the tables below due to various factors. Utilization rates, which generally approach 95.0% – 98.0% during contracted periods, can be adversely impacted by downtime due to various operating factors including, but not limited to, weather conditions and unscheduled repairs and maintenance. Contract drilling backlog excludes revenues for mobilization, demobilization, contract preparation and customer reimbursables. No revenue is generally earned during periods of downtime for regulatory surveys. Changes in Diamond Offshore’s contract drilling backlog between periods are a function of the performance of work on term contracts, as well as the extension or modification of existing term contracts and the execution of additional contracts.

    February 1,
2011
   October 18,
2010 (d)
   February 1,
2010 (d)
 

(In millions)

      

High specification floaters (a)

  $3,838    $4,371    $4,177  

Intermediate semisubmersible rigs (b)

   2,700     3,009     4,030  

Jack-ups (c)

   107     122     249  

Total

  $6,645    $7,502    $8,456  
  

(a)

Contract drilling backlog as of February 1, 2011 for Diamond Offshore’s high specification floaters includes (i) $3.0 billion attributable to contracted operations offshore Brazil for the years 2011 to 2016, and (ii) $100 million attributable to contracted operations in the GOM during 2011.

(b)

Contract drilling backlog as of February 1, 2011 for Diamond Offshore’s intermediate semisubmersible rigs includes (i) $2.1 billion attributable to contracted operations offshore Brazil for the years 2011 to 2015, and (ii) $36 million attributable to contracted operations in the GOM during 2011.

(c)

Contract drilling backlog as of February 1, 2011 for Diamond Offshore’s jack-ups includes (i) $49 million attributable to contracted operations offshore Brazil for the years 2011 and 2012, and (ii) $5 million attributable to contracted operations in the GOM during 2011.

(d)

Contract drilling backlog as of October 18, 2010 and February 1, 2010 includes $394 million and $424 million attributable to theOcean Monarch pursuant to a contract that the operator has sought to terminate.

The following table reflects the amount of Diamond Offshore’s contract drilling backlog by year as of February 1, 2011.

Year Ended December 31

   Total     2011     2012     2013     2014 - 2016  

(In millions)

          

High specification floaters (a)

   $      3,838     $      1,470     $      1,034     $      615     $         719  

Intermediate semisubmersible rigs (b)

   2,700     1,145     811     429     315  

Jack-ups (c)

   107     103     4            

Total

   $      6,645     $      2,718     $      1,849     $   1,044     $      1,034  
  

(a)

Contract drilling backlog as of February 1, 2011 for Diamond Offshore’s high specification floaters includes (i) $851 million, $790 million and $615 million for the years 2011 to 2013, and $719 million in the aggregate for the years 2014 to 2016 attributable to contracted operations offshore Brazil, and (ii) $100 million for 2011 attributable to contracted operations in the GOM.

(b)

Contract drilling backlog as of February 1, 2011 for Diamond Offshore’s intermediate semisubmersible rigs includes (i) $762 million, $683 million and $372 million for the years 2011 to 2013, and $315 million in the aggregate for the years 2014 to 2016 attributable to contracted operations offshore Brazil, and (ii) $36 million for 2011 attributable to contracted operations in the GOM.

(c)

Contract drilling backlog as of February 1, 2011 for Diamond Offshore’s jack-ups includes (i) $45 million and $4 million for years 2011 and 2012 attributable to contracted operations offshore Brazil, and (ii) $5 million for 2011 attributable to contracted operations in the GOM.

The following table reflects the percentage of rig days committed by year as of February 1, 2011. The percentage of rig days committed is calculated as the ratio of total days committed under contracts, as well as scheduled shipyard, survey and mobilization days for all rigs in Diamond Offshore’s fleet, to total available days (number of rigs multiplied by the number of days in a particular year). Total available days have been calculated based on the expected final commissioning date for theOcean Valor.

Year Ended December 31

   2011 (a)   2012 (a)   2013    2014 - 2016  

High specification floaters

   83.0  60.0  33.0  13.0

Intermediate semisubmersible rigs

   66.0  44.0  22.0  5.0

Jack-ups

   24.0  1.0  

(a)

Includes approximately 770 and 420 scheduled shipyard, survey and mobilization days for 2011 and 2012.

Dayrate and Utilization Statistics

Year Ended December 31  2010  2009  2008 

Revenue earning days (a)

    

High specification floaters

   3,562    3,599    3,550  

Intermediate semisubmursible rigs

   5,453    5,926    5,792  

Jack-ups

   3,028    3,382    4,642  

Utilization (b)

    

High specification floaters

   70.7  78.7  88.2

Intermediate semisubmursible rigs

   78.6  85.4  83.3

Jack-ups

   60.8  66.2  90.3

Average daily revenue (c)

    

High specification floaters

  $  374,600   $  380,500   $  372,100  

Intermediate semisubmursible rigs

   276,700    283,700    276,400  

Jack-ups

   87,700    129,900    110,000  

(a)

A revenue earning day is defined as a 24-hour period during which a rig earns a dayrate after commencement of operations and excludes mobilization, demobilization and contract preparation days.

(b)

Utilization is calculated as the ratio of total revenue earnings days divided by the total calendar days in the period for all rigs in Diamond Offshore’s fleet (including cold stacked rigs).

(c)

Average daily revenue is defined as contract drilling revenue (excluding revenue for mobilization, demobilization and contract preparation) per revenue earning day.

Results of Operations

The following table summarizes the results of operations for Diamond Offshore for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 as presented in Note 23 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8:

Year Ended December 31  2010  2009  2008 
(In millions)          

Revenues:

    

Contract drilling revenues

  $  3,230   $  3,537   $  3,476  

Net investment income

   3    4    12  

Investment gains

    1    1  

Other

   128    112    (2

Total

   3,361    3,654    3,487  

Expenses:

    

Contract drilling expenses

   1,391    1,224    1,185  

Other operating expenses

   546    515    448  

Interest

   91    50    10  

Total

   2,028    1,789    1,643  

Income before income tax

   1,333    1,865    1,844  

Income tax expense

   (413  (540  (582

Net income

   920    1,325    1,262  

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

   (474  (682  (650

Net income attributable to Loews Corporation

  $446   $643   $612  
              

2010 Compared with 2009

Revenues decreased $293 million, or 8.0%, and net income decreased $197 million or 30.6%, in 2010, as compared to 2009. During 2010, Diamond Offshore’s operating results were negatively impacted by a decline in average daily revenue earned by its rigs in 2010 from the levels attained in 2009. While Diamond Offshore’s contracted revenue

backlog partially mitigated the impact of the weakened market conditions, total contract drilling revenue decreased $307 million compared to 2009. In 2010, Diamond Offshore cold stacked three additional rigs in the GOM, consisting of two intermediate semisubmersible rigs and one jack-up rig. However, the two newest additions to Diamond Offshore’s floater fleet, theOcean Courage andOcean Valor, began operating under contract during the first and fourth quarters of 2010 and contributed $109 million to revenue. Additionally, Diamond Offshore recognized a gain of $33 million in connection with the sale of theOcean Shield in July 2010.

Revenues from high specification floaters increased $34 million in 2010 as compared to 2009, primarily due to increased dayrates of $59 million, increased amortized mobilization costs of $41 million and a $31 million contract termination fee received in relation to theOcean Endeavor. These amounts were partially offset by a $97 million decrease in utilization, which decreased from 78.7% in 2009 to 70.7% in 2010.

Revenues from intermediate semisubmersible rigs decreased $152 million in 2010 as compared to 2009, primarily due to decreased utilization of $151 million, which decreased from 85.4% in 2009 to 78.6% in 2010. Intermediate semisubmersible rigs experienced 473 less revenue earning days in 2010 compared to 2009, combined with lower average daily revenue. In 2010, Diamond Offshore cold stacked theOcean Voyager andOcean New Era.

Revenues from jack-up rigs decreased $189 million in 2010 as compared to 2009, primarily due to decreased dayrates of $123 million and decreased utilization of $51 million. Jack-up rigs experienced 354 less revenue earning days in 2010 compared to 2009, combined with lower average daily revenue. In 2010, Diamond Offshore cold stacked theOcean Spartan.

Net income decreased in 2010 as compared to 2009, primarily due to the changes in revenues as noted above and an increase in Contract drilling expense. Contract drilling expense increased $167 million and included normal operating costs for theOcean Courage andOcean Valor, as well as increased amortized mobilization costs and increased other operating costs associated with rigs operating internationally rather than domestically. Other operating expenses include an increase in depreciation of $47 million in 2010 due to a higher depreciable asset base, including depreciation on theOcean Courage andOcean Valor, which were placed in service in September 2009 and March 2010, but did not begin drilling operations until 2010. Interest expense increased $41 million due to a full year of interest expense in 2010 for Diamond Offshore’s issuance of 5.9% senior notes in May of 2009, and the issuance of 5.7% senior notes in October of 2009.

Diamond Offshore’s effective tax rate increased in 2010 as compared with 2009. The higher effective tax rate is a result of differences in the mix between its domestic and international pretax earnings or losses, as well as the mix of international tax jurisdictions in which Diamond Offshore operates. Also contributing to the higher effective tax rate in the current period were taxes associated with the sale of theOcean Shield.

2009 Compared with 2008

Revenues increased $167 million, or 4.8%, and net income increased $31 million or 5.1%, in 2009, as compared to 2008. During 2009, Diamond Offshore’s contracted revenue backlog substantially mitigated the impact of the global economic recession on its industry. However, Diamond Offshore’s operating results also reflect the negative impact of ready stacking theOcean Star, Ocean Victory, Ocean Guardianand Ocean Scepter for extended periods and the cold stacking of three mat-supported jack-up rigs in the GOM. In addition, the international jack-up market, which had been strong throughout the majority of 2008, also reflected softening demand and reduced dayrates during 2009.

Revenues from high specification floaters increased $59 million in 2009 as compared to 2008, primarily due to increased dayrates of $60 million. High specification floaters experienced 49 more revenue earning days in 2009 as compared to 2008, combined with an increase in average daily revenue.

Revenues from intermediate semisubmersible rigs increased $69 million in 2009 as compared to 2008. This increase was primarily due to increased dayrates of $60 million and utilization of $20 million, offset by lower amortized mobilization costs. Intermediate semisubmersible rigs experienced 134 more revenue earning days in 2009 as compared to 2008, combined with an increase in average daily revenue.

Revenues from jack-up rigs decreased $68 million in 2009 as compared to 2008. This decrease was primarily due to decreased utilization of $80 million, which decreased from 90.3% in 2008 to 66.2% in 2009, partially offset by increased dayrates of $9 million in 2009.

Net income increased in 2009 as compared to 2008, primarily due to the changes in revenues as noted above. Operating costs are inclusive of normal operating costs for the upgradedOcean Monarch and Diamond Offshore’s new jack-up rigs, Ocean Shield andOcean Scepter, as well as contract preparation, partially offset by lower operating costs resulting from the decline in utilization and overall lower survey and related costs compared to the prior period. Other operating expenses include an increase in depreciation of $59 million during 2009 due to a higher depreciable asset base. Interest expense increased $40 million due to the additional expense related to the issuance of 5.9% senior notes in May of 2009, the issuance of 5.7% senior notes in October of 2009 and the reduction of capitalized interest resulting from completion of construction projects.

HighMount

We use the following terms throughout this discussion of HighMount’s results of operations, with “equivalent” volumes computed with oil and NGL quantities converted to Mcf, on an energy equivalent ratio of one barrel to six Mcf:

Bbl

  63-

Barrel (of oil or NGLs)

CNA SpecialtyBcf

  69-

Billion cubic feet (of natural gas)

CNA CommercialBcfe

  71-

Billion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent

Life & Group Non-CoreMbbl

  73-

Thousand barrels (of oil or NGLs)

Other InsuranceMcf

  74-

Thousand cubic feet (of natural gas)

A&E ReservesMcfe

  75-

Thousand cubic feet of natural gas equivalent

Diamond OffshoreMMBtu

  76-

Million British thermal units

HighMount’s revenues, profitability and future growth depend substantially on natural gas and NGL prices and HighMount’s ability to increase its natural gas and NGL production. In recent years, there has been significant price volatility in natural gas and NGL prices due to a variety of factors HighMount cannot control or predict. These factors, which include weather conditions, political and economic events, and competition from other energy sources, impact supply and demand for natural gas, which determines the pricing. In addition, the price HighMount realizes for its gas production is affected by HighMount’s hedging activities as well as locational differences in market prices. The level of natural gas production is dependent upon HighMount’s ability to realize attractive returns on its capital investment program. Returns are affected by commodity prices, capital and operating costs.

HighMount’s operating expenses consist primarily of production expenses, production and ad valorem taxes, as well as depreciation, depletion and amortization (“DD&A”) expenses. Production expenses represent costs incurred to operate and maintain wells, related equipment and facilities and transportation costs. Production and ad valorem taxes increase or decrease primarily when prices of natural gas and NGLs increase or decrease, but they are also affected by changes in production, as well as appreciated property values. HighMount calculates depletion using the units-of-production method, which depletes the capitalized costs and future development costs associated with evaluated properties based on the ratio of production volumes for the current period to total remaining reserve volumes for the evaluated properties. HighMount’s depletion expense is affected by its capital spending program and projected future development costs, as well as reserve changes resulting from drilling programs, well performance and revisions due to changing commodity prices.

Sale of Assets

On April 30, 2010, HighMount completed the sale of substantially all exploration and production assets located in the Antrim Shale in Michigan to a subsidiary of Linn Energy, LLC for approximately $330 million, subject to adjustment, and on May 28, 2010, HighMount completed the sale of substantially all exploration and production assets located in the Black Warrior Basin in Alabama to a subsidiary of Walter Energy for approximately $210 million, subject to adjustment. The Michigan and Alabama properties represented approximately 17.0% in aggregate of HighMount’s total proved reserves as of December 31, 2009. These sales did not have a material impact on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Substantially all of HighMount’s remaining natural gas exploration and production operations are located in the Permian Basin in Texas.

Production and Sales Statistics

Presented below are production and sales statistics related to HighMount’s operations for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008:

Year Ended December 31  2010   2009   2008 

Gas production (Bcf)

   57.4     77.0     78.9  

Gas sales (Bcf)

   53.6     70.8     72.5  

Oil production/sales (Mbbls)

   253.9     363.0     351.3  

NGL production/sales (Mbbls)

   3,008.9     3,315.9     3,507.4  

Equivalent production (Bcfe)

   77.0     99.0     102.0  

Equivalent sales (Bcfe)

   73.2     92.9     95.7  

Average realized prices without hedging results:

      

Gas (per Mcf)

  $4.30    $3.72    $8.25  

NGL (per Bbl)

   40.96     30.07     51.26  

Oil (per Bbl)

   73.80     55.37     95.26  

Equivalent (per Mcfe)

   5.09     4.13     8.48  

Average realized prices with hedging results:

      

Gas (per Mcf)

  $6.03    $6.94    $7.71  

NGL (per Bbl)

   34.84     30.98     47.73  

Oil (per Bbl)

   73.80     55.37     95.26  

Equivalent (per Mcfe)

   6.10     6.61     7.94  

Average cost per Mcfe:

      

Production expenses

  $1.12    $1.10    $1.04  

Production and ad valorem taxes

   0.37     0.36     0.70  

General and administrative expenses

   0.62     0.58     0.69  

Depletion expense

   0.93     0.98     1.58  

Results of Operations

The following table summarizes the results of operations for HighMount for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 as presented in Note 23 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8.

Year Ended December 31  2010  2009  2008 
(In millions)          

Revenues:

    

Other revenue, primarily operating

   $      455    $        620    $        770  

Investment losses

   (30        

Total

   425    620    770  

Expenses:

    

Impairment of natural gas and oil properties

    1,036    691  

Impairment of goodwill

     482  

Operating

   258    343    411  

Interest

   61    80    76  

Total

   319    1,459    1,660  

Income (loss) before income tax

   106    (839  (890

Income tax (expense) benefit

   (48  302    315  

Net income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation

   $        58    $      (537)    $      (575)  
              

2010 Compared with 2009

Since 2008, natural gas prices have declined significantly. Consequently, HighMount has reduced its drilling program in 2009 and 2010, which negatively impacted HighMount’s 2010 production volumes and revenues. HighMount’s operating revenues decreased by $165 million to $455 million in 2010, compared to $620 million in 2009. Operating revenues decreased by $88 million due to the sale of HighMount’s assets in Michigan and Alabama. Permian Basin operating revenues decreased by $77 million on sales volumes of 66.5 Bcfe in 2010 compared to 74.6 Bcfe in 2009. Average prices realized per Mcfe for Permian Basin sales were $6.02 in 2010 compared to $6.42 in 2009. The decrease in Permian Basin sales volume is primarily due to the reduction in HighMount’s drilling activity in 2009 and 2010.

HighMount had hedges in place as of December 31, 2010 that covered approximately 75.1% and 37.4% of HighMount’s total estimated 2011 and 2012 natural gas equivalent production at a weighted average price of $6.35 and $5.65 per Mcfe.

As a result of the Michigan and Alabama asset sales, a portion of the expected underlying transactions related to HighMount’s interest rate and commodity hedging activities were no longer probable of occurring and hedge accounting was discontinued. This resulted in a pretax loss of $30 million for the year ended December 31, 2010.

In the first quarter of 2009, HighMount recorded a non-cash ceiling test impairment charge of $1,036 million ($660 million after tax) related to the carrying value of its natural gas and oil properties. The write-down was the result of declines in commodity prices. Had the effects of HighMount’s cash flow hedges not been considered in calculating the ceiling limitation, the impairment would have been $1,230 million ($784 million after tax). No such impairment was required during 2010.

Operating expenses decreased by $85 million to $258 million in 2010, compared to $343 million in 2009. The decline reflects a $39 million decrease related to the sale of HighMount’s assets in Michigan and Alabama, partially offset by an $11 million adjustment to property impairment recorded in 2009. During 2009, HighMount incurred non-recurring operating expenses of $32 million related to fees for early termination rights on drilling rig contracts and a tubular inventory impairment charge. In addition, operating expenses in Permian decreased $25 million due to lower DD&A expenses, lower production and ad valorem taxes and cost cutting efforts in 2010.

DD&A expenses declined to $92 million in 2010, compared to $119 million in 2009, reflecting a $16 million decrease due to the sale of HighMount’s assets in Michigan and Alabama and an $11 million reduction in HighMount’s depletion rate in 2010, primarily due to the impairment of natural gas and oil properties recorded in 2009.

2009 Compared with 2008

HighMount’s operating revenues decreased by $150 million to $620 million in 2009, compared to $770 million for 2008. This decrease was primarily due to lower commodity prices which decreased revenues by $123 million. HighMount sales volumes were 92.9 Bcfe in 2009 compared to 95.7 Bcfe during 2008. This decrease reflects the reduction in HighMount’s drilling activity beginning in late 2008 and production curtailments during the third and fourth quarters of 2009, partially offset by the expiration of the Volumetric Production Payment (“VPP”) agreements in 2009. These VPP agreements obligated HighMount to deliver specified quantities of natural gas. Natural gas sales and production costs related to the VPP agreements were not recognized in HighMount’s results.

HighMount had hedges in place as of December 31, 2009 that covered approximately 64.0% and 35.0% of HighMount’s total estimated 2010 and 2011 natural gas equivalent production at a weighted average price of $6.43 and $6.49 per Mcfe.

As discussed above, in the first quarter of 2009 and at December 31, 2008, HighMount recorded a non-cash ceiling test impairment charges of $1,036 million ($660 million after tax) and $691 million ($440 million after tax), related to the carrying value of its natural gas and oil properties.

Operating expenses decreased by $68 million to $343 million in 2009, compared to $411 million in 2008. The decrease in operating expenses reflects a $58 million decrease in DD&A expenses, $34 million decrease in production and ad valorem taxes and a $19 million decrease due to cost cutting efforts. The decrease in operating expenses was

partly offset by non-recurring operating expenses of $32 million related to fees for early termination rights on drilling rig contracts and a tubular inventory impairment charge, as well as $11 million in additional costs recognized as a result of the expiration of the VPP agreements in February of 2009.

DD&A expenses declined to $119 million in 2009 from $177 million in 2008, primarily due to a reduction in HighMount’s depletion rate. HighMount’s depletion rate decreased primarily due to impairments of natural gas and oil properties recorded in December of 2008 and March of 2009, as well as lower projected future development costs.

Boardwalk Pipeline

Boardwalk Pipeline derives revenues primarily from the interstate transportation and storage of natural gas for third parties. Transportation services consist of firm transportation, whereby the customer pays a capacity reservation charge to reserve pipeline capacity at certain receipt and delivery points along pipeline systems, plus a commodity and fuel charge on the volume of natural gas actually transported, and interruptible transportation, whereby the customer pays to transport gas only when capacity is available and used. Boardwalk Pipeline offers firm storage services in which the customer reserves and pays for a specific amount of storage capacity, including injection and withdrawal rights, and interruptible storage and parking and lending (“PAL”) services where the customer receives and pays for capacity only when it is available and used. Some PAL agreements are paid for at inception of the service and revenues for these agreements are recognized as service is provided over the term of the agreement.

Boardwalk Pipeline’s ability to market available interstate transportation and storage capacity is impacted by demand for natural gas, competition from other pipelines, natural gas price volatility, basis spreads, economic conditions and other factors. Boardwalk Pipeline competes with numerous interstate and intrastate pipelines, including several pipeline projects which have recently been placed in service or are in the process of being developed. Additionally, significant new sources of natural gas have recently been identified throughout the U.S., including the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia and Ohio, which is closer to key end-user market areas than Boardwalk Pipeline’s supply sources. These new sources of natural gas have created changes in pricing dynamics between supply basins, pooling points and market areas. As a result of the increase in overall pipeline capacity and the new sources of supply, in 2009 the basis spreads on Boardwalk Pipeline’s pipeline systems began to narrow. This trend continued into 2010, although in the latter part of 2010 these basis spreads improved.

Under current market conditions, marketing Boardwalk Pipeline’s available capacity and renewing expiring contracts has become more difficult. Boardwalk Pipeline’s ability to renew some of its expiring contracts at attractive rates and the revenues from interruptible and short term firm transportation services, have been negatively impacted by these market conditions. Capacity that Boardwalk Pipeline has available on a short term basis has decreased as long term capacity commitments on the recently completed pipeline expansion projects have increased in accordance with the contracts supporting those projects. However, some of Boardwalk Pipeline’s capacity will continue to be available for sale on a short term firm or interruptible basis and each year a portion of Boardwalk Pipeline’s existing contracts expire. The revenues Boardwalk Pipeline will be able to earn from that available capacity and from renewals of expiring contracts will be heavily dependent upon basis spreads. It is not possible to accurately predict future basis spreads.

Boardwalk Pipeline is not in the business of buying and selling natural gas other than for system management purposes, but changes in the level of natural gas prices may impact the volumes of gas transported on Boardwalk Pipeline’s pipeline systems. High natural gas prices may result in a reduction in the demand for natural gas. A reduced level of demand for natural gas could reduce the utilization of capacity on Boardwalk Pipeline’s systems, reduce the demand for its services and result in the non-renewal of contracted capacity as contracts expire.

The majority of Boardwalk Pipeline’s revenues are derived from capacity reservation charges that are not impacted by the volume of natural gas transported, however smaller portions of Boardwalk Pipeline’s revenues are derived from charges based on actual volumes transported under firm and interruptible services. For example, in 2010 approximately 22.0% of Boardwalk Pipeline’s revenues were derived from charges based on actual volumes transported. Boardwalk Pipeline cannot predict the level of future natural gas prices.

Spreads in natural gas prices between time periods, such as winter to summer, impact Boardwalk Pipeline’s PAL and interruptible storage revenues. These price spreads were unfavorable in 2010 as compared to 2009 resulting in a

reduction of PAL and interruptible storage revenues for the 2010 period. Boardwalk Pipeline cannot predict future time period spreads or basis differentials.

Recently Completed Pipeline Projects

An abundance of recent natural gas supply discoveries in the Bossier Sands, Barnett Shale, Haynesville Shale, Fayetteville Shale and Caney Woodford Shale producing regions has formed the basis for the recent expansion of Boardwalk Pipeline’s pipeline systems. In 2008 and 2009, Boardwalk Pipeline placed in service the East Texas Pipeline, Southeast Project, Gulf Crossing Pipeline and the Fayetteville and Greenville Laterals (“pipeline expansion projects”), which collectively consist of approximately 1,000 miles of 42-inch and 36-inch pipeline and related compression facilities. In 2010, Boardwalk Pipeline placed in service the remaining compression facilities associated with the Gulf Crossing Pipeline and the Fayetteville and Greenville Laterals which increased the peak-day delivery capacities of those projects. With the exception of post-construction activities such as right-of-way restoration, the pipeline expansion projects are essentially complete and operating at their design capacity.

Results of Operations

The following table summarizes the results of operations for Boardwalk Pipeline for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 as presented in Note 23 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8:

Year Ended December 31  2010  2009  2008 
(In millions)          

Revenues:

    

Other revenue, primarily operating

  $        1,128   $        910   $        845  

Net investment income

   1        3  

Total

   1,129    910    848  

Expenses:

    

Operating

   695    621    498  

Interest

   151    132    58  

Total

   846    753    556  

Income before income tax

   283    157    292  

Income tax expense

   (73  (44  (79

Net income

   210    113    213  

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

   (96  (46  (88

Net income attributable to Loews Corporation

  $114   $67   $125  
              

2010 Compared with 2009

Total revenues increased $219 million to $1,129 million in 2010, compared to $910 million for 2009. Gas transportation revenues, excluding fuel, increased $199 million and fuel retained increased $31 million, primarily due to the pipeline expansion projects. In addition, there was an $18 million gain from the sale of gas related to the western Kentucky storage expansion project and a reduction in storage gas needed to support no-notice services. These increases were partially offset by $14 million of lower interruptible and short term firm transportation services resulting from lower basis spreads between delivery points on Boardwalk Pipeline’s pipeline systems. PAL and storage revenues decreased $9 million due to decreased parking opportunities from unfavorable natural gas price spreads between time periods.

Operating expenses increased $74 million to $695 million in 2010, compared to $621 million for 2009. This increase was primarily driven by a $47 million increase in fuel consumed due to the pipeline expansion projects and higher natural gas prices. There was a $24 million increase in depreciation and property taxes due to a larger asset base from the pipeline expansion projects and a $10 million increase in operation and maintenance expenses due to an increase in major maintenance projects. The 2009 period was unfavorably impacted by $8 million of pipeline investigation and retirement costs related to the East Texas Pipeline. Interest expense increased $19 million due to higher debt levels in 2010 and lower capitalized interest due to the completion of Boardwalk Pipeline’s pipeline expansion projects.

Net income increased $47 million to $114 million in 2010, compared to $67 million for 2009 due to higher revenues from transportation services primarily from the pipeline expansion projects and a gain on gas sales, partially offset by increased operating expenses related to higher depreciation and property taxes associated with the pipeline expansion projects and increased interest expense. In 2009, gas transportation revenues and throughput were negatively impacted due to operating the pipeline expansion projects at reduced operating pressures and portions of the pipeline expansion projects being shut down for periods of time following the discovery and remediation of anomalies in certain joints of pipe.

2009 Compared with 2008

Total revenues increased $62 million to $910 million in 2009, compared to $848 million for 2008. Gas transportation revenues, excluding fuel, increased $152 million, primarily from Boardwalk Pipeline’s pipeline expansion projects. PAL revenues increased $19 million due to increased parking opportunities and favorable summer-to-summer natural gas price spreads. These increases were partially offset by lower fuel revenues of $53 million due to unfavorable natural gas prices. The 2008 period was favorably impacted by gains of $35 million on the sale of gas related to the western Kentucky storage expansion project, $17 million from the disposition of coal reserves and $11 million from the settlement of a contract claim.

Operating expenses increased $123 million to $621 million in 2009, compared to $498 million for 2008 primarily due to higher depreciation and property taxes of $116 million associated with a larger asset base from the pipeline expansion projects. Operation and maintenance expenses increased $13 million primarily from increased maintenance projects and expansion related operations. Administrative and general expenses increased $11 million mainly due to increases in employee benefits as a result of lower returns on trust assets for pension and post-retirement benefit plans, and increases in unit-based compensation from an increase in the price of Boardwalk Pipeline’s common units. Operation and maintenance expenses and losses on disposal of assets were $8 million higher due to pipeline investigation and retirement costs related to the East Texas Pipeline. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in fuel and gas transportation expenses of $41 million primarily as a result of lower natural gas prices. The 2008 period was favorably impacted by a gain of $7 million due to a change in the employee paid time-off policy which resulted in a reserve reversal. Interest expense increased $74 million resulting from lower capitalized interest associated with placing expansion projects in service and higher debt levels in 2009.

Net income decreased $58 million to $67 million in 2009, compared to $125 million for 2008 primarily due to higher operating expenses, mainly as a result of increases in depreciation and property taxes associated with the expansion projects. The increase in expenses more than offset the increase in revenues from the expansion projects, which were approximately $122 million lower than expected due to operating the expansion pipelines at reduced operating pressures and portions of the expansion pipelines being shut down for periods of time during 2009. The 2008 period was favorably impacted by gains of $70 million from the disposition of coal reserves, gas sales, a change in the employee paid time-off policy and the settlement of a contract claim.

Loews Hotels

The following table summarizes the results of operations for Loews Hotels for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 as presented in Note 23 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8:

Year Ended December 31  2010  2009  2008 
(In millions)          

Revenues:

    

Other revenue, primarily operating

  $        307   $        284   $        379  

Net investment income

   1        1  

Total

   308    284    380  

Expenses:

    

Operating

   296    327    307  

Interest

   10    9    11  

Total

   306    336    318  

Income (loss) before income tax

   2    (52  62  

Income tax (expense) benefit

   (1  18    (22

Net income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation

  $1   $(34 $40  
              

2010 Compared with 2009

Revenues increased by $24 million, or 8.5%, in 2010 as compared to 2009. Net income amounted to $1 million in 2010 as compared to a net loss of $34 million in 2009.

Revenue per available room increased $13.29 to $147.89 in 2010 as compared to 2009. The increase in revenue per available room reflects improving occupancy and average room rates. Occupancy rates increased to 70.1% in 2010 from 66.4% in 2009. Average room rates increased by $8.23, or 4.1%, in 2010 as compared to 2009.

Operating expenses in 2009 included aggregate pretax charges of $47 million due to the impact of the contracting U.S. economy. These charges included $27 million for the impairment of Loews Hotels entire investment in its Loews Lake Las Vegas property, $10 million related to a development project commitment and $10 million for a loan guarantee at a managed hotel.

The improvement in operating results is primarily due to the absence of charges recorded in 2009 as discussed above, and also reflects the increase in revenue per available room in 2010.

2009 Compared with 2008

Revenues decreased by $96 million or 25.3% in 2009 as compared to 2008. There was a net loss of $34 million in 2009 as compared to net income of $40 million in 2008.

Revenues decreased in 2009, as compared to 2008, due to a decrease in revenue per available room to $134.60, compared to $183.01 in 2008. Occupancy rates decreased from 73.3% to 66.4% in 2009 as compared to 2008. Average room rates decreased by $46.86, or 18.8%, in 2009 as compared to 2008. The decline in revenue per available room reflected the contraction in the lodging industry due to the depressed economy.

Results at Loews Hotels for 2009 included a pretax charge of $10 million related to a development project commitment and a pretax charge of $10 million for a loan guarantee at a managed hotel. During 2009, Loews Hotels wrote down its entire investment in the Loews Lake Las Vegas, resulting in a pretax impairment charge of $27 million. In addition, pretax income for 2008 included an $11 million gain related to an adjustment in the carrying value of a 50.0% interest in a joint venture investment.

Revenue per available room is an industry measure of the combined effect of occupancy rates and average room rates on room revenues. Other hotel operating revenues primarily include guest charges for food and beverages.

Corporate and Other

Corporate operations consist primarily of investment income at the Parent Company, corporate interest expenses and other corporate administrative costs. Discontinued operations include the results of operations and gain on disposal of Lorillard and the gain on the sale of Bulova in 2008.

The following table summarizes the results of operations for Corporate and Other for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 as presented in Note 23 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8:

Year Ended December 31  2010  2009  2008 
(In millions)          

Revenues:

    

Net investment income (loss)

  $        187   $        175   $(54

Investment gains

    3    2  

Other

   (3  (1  16  

Total

   184    177    (36

Expenses:

    

Operating

   80    80    79  

Interest

   47    49    56  

Total

   127    129    135  

Income (loss) before income tax

   57    48    (171

Income tax (expense) benefit

   (24  (20  55  

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   33    28    (116

Discontinued operations, net:

    

Results of operations

     341  

Gain on disposal

           4,362  

Net income attributable to Loews Corporation

  $33   $28   $        4,587  
              

2010 Compared with 2009

Revenues and net income in 2010 were relatively unchanged from 2009, and reflects improved investment results due to higher invested cash balances and improved performance from the Parent Company’s trading portfolio, partially offset by lower yields.

2009 Compared with 2008

Revenues increased by $213 million and income from continuing operations increased by $144 million as compared to 2008. These increases were due primarily to improved performance of the trading portfolio.

In 2008, the Company completed the sale of Bulova and disposed of its entire ownership interest in Lorillard, as further discussed in Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8. The results of operations and gains on disposal of these businesses are presented as discontinued operations. Discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2008 includes a $4,287 million gain on the separation of Lorillard and a $75 million gain on the sale of Bulova.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

CNA Financial

Cash Flows

CNA’s principal operating cash flow sources are premiums and investment income from its insurance subsidiaries. CNA’s primary operating cash flow uses are payments for claims, policy benefits and operating expenses.

For 2010, net cash used by operating activities was $89 million as compared with net cash provided by operating activities of $1,258 million for 2009. As further discussed in Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8 and previously referenced in this MD&A, on August 31, 2010, CNA completed the Loss Portfolio Transfer transaction. As a result of this transaction, operating cash flows were reduced by $1.9 billion related to the initial net cash settlement. Additionally, during 2010 operating cash flows were increased by $153 million related to net cash inflows primarily from sales of trading securities, because cash receipts and cash payments resulting from purchases and sales of trading securities are reported as cash flows related to operating activities. Operating cash flows were reduced by $164 million in 2009 related to net cash outflows which increased the size of the trading portfolio held at December 31, 2009. Excluding the items above, net cash generated by CNA’s business operations was approximately $1,650 million and $1,422 million for 2010 and 2009.

For 2009, net cash provided by operating activities was $1,258 million as compared with $1,558 million in 2008. Cash provided by operating activities in 2008 was favorably impacted by increased net sales of trading securities to fund policyholders’ withdrawals of investment contract products issued by CNA, which are reflected as financing cash flows. The primary source of these cash flows was the indexed group annuity portion of CNA’s pension deposit business which it exited in 2008. Additionally, during the second quarter of 2009 CNA resumed the use of a trading portfolio for income enhancement purposes. Operating cash flows were reduced by $164 million related to net cash outflows which increased the size of the trading portfolio held at December 31, 2009. Cash provided by operating activities in 2009 was favorably impacted by decreased loss payments as compared to 2008, and tax recoveries in 2009 compared with tax payments in 2008.

Cash flows from investing activities include the purchase and sale of available-for-sale financial instruments. Additionally, cash flows from investing activities may include the purchase and sale of businesses, land, buildings, equipment and other assets not generally held for sale.

Net cash provided by investing activities was $767 million for 2010, as compared with net cash used by investing activities of $1,093 million and $1,908 million for 2009 and 2008. Cash flows from investing activities are impacted by various factors such as the anticipated payment of claims, financing activity, asset/liability management and individual security buy and sell decisions made in the normal course of portfolio management. Net cash provided by investing activities in 2010 primarily related to the sale of short term investments. The cash provided by investing activities was used to fund the initial net cash settlement with NICO referenced above.

Cash flows from financing activities include proceeds from the issuance of debt and equity securities, outflows for dividends or repayment of debt, outlays to reacquire equity instruments, and deposits and withdrawals related to investment contract products issued by CNA.

Net cash flows used by financing activities were $742 million and $120 million in 2010 and 2009. Net cash flows provided by financing activities were $347 million in 2008. Net cash used by financing activities in 2010 was primarily related to payments to redeem the outstanding 2008 Senior Preferred as discussed below, and the repayment of $150 million on a credit facility, partially offset by $495 million in net proceeds from the issuance of ten-year senior notes.

2008 Senior Preferred

In 2008, CNA issued, and Loews purchased, 12,500 shares of CNA non-voting cumulative senior preferred stock for $1.25 billion. CNA used the majority of the proceeds to increase the statutory surplus of its principal insurance subsidiary, Continental Casualty Company (“CCC”), through the purchase of a $1.0 billion surplus note of CCC. As of

December 31, 2010, CNA has fully redeemed all 12,500 shares originally issued, through a series of redemptions during 2009 and 2010. The redemptions were funded by the issuance of debt and the partial repayment of the surplus note.

Dividends of $76 million, $122 million and $19 million on the 2008 Senior Preferred were declared and paid for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.

Liquidity

CNA believes that its present cash flows from operations, investing activities and financing activities are sufficient to fund its current and expected working capital and debt obligation needs and CNA does not expect this to change in the near term. Additionally, CNA has the full limit of $250 million available under a revolving credit facility.

CNA has an effective automatic shelf registration statement under which it may issue debt, equity or hybrid securities. In February of 2011, CNA issued $400 million of 5.75% senior notes due August 15, 2021 in a public offering. Subsequently, CNA announced the redemption of the outstanding $400 million aggregate principal amount of 6.00% senior notes due August 15, 2011, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, and other required payments. CNA anticipates the redemption to be completed on or about March 18, 2011.

Dividends

On February 4, 2011, CNA’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.10 per share, payable March 2, 2011 to shareholders of record on February 16, 2011. The declaration and payment of future dividends is at the discretion of CNA’s Board of Directors and will depend on many factors, including CNA’s earnings, financial condition, business needs, and regulatory constraints.

CNA Surety

On November 1, 2010, CNA announced its proposal to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of CNA Surety Corporation (“CNA Surety”) that it does not currently own for $22.00 per share in cash. On February 4, 2011, CNA Surety announced that CNA’s proposal substantially undervalued CNA Surety; however, it would consider another proposal. CNA is evaluating CNA Surety’s response and considering options that are in the best interests of CNA’s stockholders. There is no assurance that the acquisition will be completed or, if so, that the anticipated benefits of the acquisition will be realized. CNA owns 61% of CNA Surety which is publicly-traded.

Ratings

Ratings are an important factor in establishing the competitive position of insurance companies. CNA’s insurance company subsidiaries are rated by major rating agencies, and these ratings reflect the rating agency’s opinion of the insurance company’s financial strength, operating performance, strategic position and ability to meet its obligations to policyholders. Agency ratings are not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security, and may be revised or withdrawn at any time by the issuing organization. Each agency’s rating should be evaluated independently of any other agency’s rating. One or more of these agencies could take action in the future to change the ratings of CNA’s insurance subsidiaries.

The table below reflects the various group ratings issued by A.M. Best Company (“A.M. Best”), Moody’s and S&P for the property and casualty and life companies. The table also includes the ratings for CNA senior debt and The Continental Corporation (“Continental”) senior debt.

Insurance Financial Strength RatingsCorporate Debt Ratings
Property & CasualtyLifeCNAContinental

HighMountCCC

Group

 80CACSenior Debt

Senior

Debt

Boardwalk PipelineA.M. Best

  84AA-bbbNot rated

Loews HotelsMoody’s

  89A3Not ratedBaa3Baa3

Corporate and OtherS&P

  90

Liquidity and Capital Resources

A-
 91

CNA Financial

Not rated
    91

Diamond Offshore

BBB-
    93

HighMount

94

Boardwalk Pipeline

95

Loews Hotels

96

Corporate and Other

96

Contractual Obligations

97

Investments

97

Accounting Standards Update

103

Forward-Looking Statements

104BBB-

A.M. Best, Moody’s and S&P currently maintain a stable outlook on CNA.

If CNA’s property and casualty insurance financial strength ratings were downgraded below current levels, its business and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. The severity of the impact on CNA’s business is dependent on the level of downgrade and, for certain products, which rating agency takes the rating action. Among the adverse effects in the event of such downgrades would be the inability to obtain a material volume of business from certain major insurance brokers, the inability to sell a material volume of CNA’s insurance products to certain markets and the required collateralization of certain future payment obligations or reserves. Downgrades of corporate debt ratings could result in adverse effects upon CNA’s liquidity position, including negatively impacting CNA’s ability to access capital markets, and increasing its financing costs.

Further, additional collateralization may be required for certain settlement agreements and assumed reinsurance contracts, as well as derivative contracts, if CNA’s ratings or other specific criteria fall below certain thresholds.

Diamond Offshore

Cash and investments totaled $1.1 billion at December 31, 2010, compared to $778 million at December 31, 2009. In 2010, Diamond Offshore paid cash dividends totaling $734 million, consisting of aggregate regular cash dividends of $70 million and aggregate special cash dividends of $664 million. On February 2, 2011, Diamond Offshore declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.125 per share and a special dividend of $0.75 per share.

Diamond Offshore’s cash flows from operations are impacted by the ability of its customers to weather the instability in the U.S. and global economies and restrictions in the credit market, as well as the volatility in energy prices. In general, before working for a customer with whom Diamond Offshore has not had a prior business relationship and/or whose financial stability may appear uncertain, Diamond Offshore performs a credit review on that company. Based on that analysis, Diamond Offshore may require that the customer present a letter of credit, prepay or provide other credit enhancements. If a potential customer is unable to obtain an adequate level of credit, it may preclude Diamond Offshore from doing business with that potential customer.

Cash provided by operating activities was $1.3 billion in 2010, compared to $1.5 billion in 2009. The decrease is primarily due to lower earnings resulting from an aggregate reduction in average utilization of, and dayrates earned by, Diamond Offshore’s drilling fleet, increased mobilization costs and the effect of lower deferred mobilization fees. The decrease in operating cash flows for the 2010 period was partially offset by a decrease in net cash required to satisfy working capital requirements in 2010 compared to 2009, primarily due to a decrease in Diamond Offshore’s outstanding accounts receivable balances and an increase in accounts payable at December 31, 2010.

On July 7, 2010, Diamond Offshore completed the sale of one of its high performance, premium jack-up drilling rigs, theOcean Shield, for a total selling price of $186 million.

Diamond Offshore has budgeted approximately $320 million on capital expenditures for 2011 associated with its ongoing rig equipment replacement and enhancement programs and other corporate requirements. In addition, as of the date of this report, Diamond Offshore has spent approximately $310 million in 2011 towards the construction of two new, ultra-deepwater drillships with delivery scheduled for late in the second and fourth quarters of 2013. Diamond Offshore expects to finance its 2011 capital expenditures through the use of existing cash balances or internally generated funds. From time to time, however, Diamond Offshore may also make use of its credit facility to finance capital expenditures.

As of December 31, 2010, there were no loans outstanding under Diamond Offshore’s $285 million credit facility; however, $22 million in letters of credit were issued and outstanding under the credit facility.

Diamond Offshore’s liquidity and capital requirements are primarily a function of its working capital needs, capital expenditures and debt service requirements. Diamond Offshore determines the amount of cash required to meet its capital commitments by evaluating the need to upgrade rigs to meet specific customer requirements, its ongoing rig equipment replacement and enhancement programs and its obligations relating to the construction of its new drillships. Diamond Offshore believes that its operating cash flows and cash reserves will be sufficient to meet both its working capital requirements and its capital commitments over the next twelve months; however, Diamond Offshore will

continue to make periodic assessments based on industry conditions and will adjust capital spending programs if required.

HighMount

At December 31, 2010 and 2009, cash and investments amounted to $130 million and $83 million. Net cash flows provided by operating activities were $197 million and $325 million in 2010 and 2009. Key drivers of net operating cash flows are commodity prices, production volumes and operating costs.

Cash provided by investing activities in 2010 was $351 million, compared to cash used in investing activities of $174 million in 2009. Cash provided by investing activities in 2010 includes the net proceeds from the sale of HighMount’s assets in Michigan and Alabama of approximately $500 million. The primary driver of cash used in investing activities was capital spent developing HighMount’s natural gas and oil reserves. HighMount spent $104 million and $120 million on capital expenditures for its drilling program in 2010 and 2009. Funds for capital expenditures and working capital requirements are expected to be provided from existing cash balances and operating activities.

HighMount used the net proceeds from the sale of its assets in Michigan and Alabama to reduce the outstanding debt under its term loans. At December 31, 2010, the outstanding borrowings under the term loans were $1.1 billion. The term loans mature in July 2012. At February 11, 2011, no borrowings were outstanding under HighMount’s revolving credit facility, however, $2 million in letters of credit were issued. The available capacity under the facility was $368 million.

HighMount’s credit agreement governing its term loans and revolving credit facility contains financial covenants typical for these types of agreements, including a maximum debt to capitalization ratio. The credit agreement also contains customary restrictions or limitations on HighMount’s ability to enter or engage in certain transactions, including transactions with affiliates. At December 31, 2010, HighMount was in compliance with all of its covenants under the credit agreement.

Boardwalk Pipeline

At December 31, 2010 and 2009, cash and investments amounted to $59 million and $50 million. Funds from operations for the year ended December 31, 2010 amounted to $465 million, compared to $401 million in 2009. In 2010 and 2009, Boardwalk Pipeline’s capital expenditures were $227 million and $847 million.

Boardwalk Pipeline maintains a revolving credit facility which has aggregate lending commitments of $950 million. At December 31, 2010, Boardwalk Pipeline was in compliance with all covenant requirements under its credit facility. At February 18, 2011, Boardwalk Pipeline had $383 million in loans outstanding under its revolving credit facility with a weighted-average interest rate of 0.5%, resulting in an available borrowing capacity of $567 million. In January of 2011, Boardwalk Pipeline issued $325 million aggregate principal amount of 4.5% senior notes due February 1, 2021. The net proceeds of the offering were used to reduce borrowings under the revolving credit facility. In February of 2011, Boardwalk Pipeline will borrow funds under this facility to pay the redemption price for $135 million of its 5.5% notes due April 1, 2013.

Loews Hotels

Funds from operations continue to exceed operating requirements. Cash and investments increased to $67 million at December 31, 2010 from $63 million at December 31, 2009. In March of 2010, Loews Hotels funded $10 million for a loan guarantee and $10 million related to a development project commitment. Funds from operations are expected to be sufficient to meet capital expenditures and working capital requirements. Loews Hotels has $72 million of mortgage debt coming due in 2011. Funds for this are expected to be provided from refinancing, or newly incurred debt, existing cash balances, and advances or capital contributions from us.

Corporate and Other

Parent Company cash and investments, net of receivables and payables, at December 31, 2010 totaled $4.6 billion, as compared to $3.0 billion at December 31, 2009. The increase in net cash and investments is primarily due to the receipt of $720 million in interest and dividends from our subsidiaries, the receipt of $500 million in August of 2010 and $500 million in December of 2010 from the redemption of Senior Preferred stock by CNA, and proceeds of $333 million in February of 2010 from the sale of 11.5 million Boardwalk Pipeline common units. These cash inflows were partially offset by the purchase of treasury stock for $405 million, as discussed below, and $105 million of dividends paid to our shareholders.

As of December 31, 2010, there were 414,546,107 shares of Loews common stock outstanding. Depending on market and other conditions, we may purchase shares of our and our subsidiaries’ outstanding common stock in the open market or otherwise. During the year ended December 31, 2010, we purchased 10,964,200 shares of Loews common stock at an aggregate cost of $405 million. During January 2011, we purchased an additional 912,100 shares of Loews common stock at aggregate cost of $36 million.

We have an effective Registration Statement on Form S-3 registering the future sale of an unlimited amount of our debt and equity securities.

We continue to pursue conservative financial strategies while seeking opportunities for responsible growth. These include the expansion of existing businesses, full or partial acquisitions and dispositions, and opportunities for efficiencies and economies of scale.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

At December 31, 2010 and 2009, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

Contractual Obligations

Our contractual payment obligations are as follows:

   Payments Due by Period  

December 31, 2010

   Total     

 

Less than

1 year

  

  

   1-3 years     3-5 years     
 
More than
5 years
  
  

(In millions)

          

Debt (a)

  $  13,442    $1,156    $3,195    $2,401    $6,690    

Operating leases

   321     58     104     66     93    

Claim and claim expense reserves (b)

   27,238     5,769     7,850     4,126     9,493    

Future policy benefits reserves (c)

   13,101     173     602     320     12,006    

Policyholder funds reserves (c)

   137     23     13     5     96    

Rig construction contracts (d)

   515     155     360      

Purchase and other obligations

   181     107     33     27     14    

Total (e)

  $54,935    $7,441    $12,157    $6,945    $28,392    
                          

(a)

Includes estimated future interest payments.

(b)

Claim and claim adjustment expense reserves are not discounted and represent CNA’s estimate of the amount and timing of the ultimate settlement and administration of gross claims based on its assessment of facts and circumstances known as of December 31, 2010. See the Reserves - Estimates and Uncertainties section of this MD&A for further information.

(c)

Future policy benefits and policyholder funds reserves are not discounted and represent CNA’s estimate of the ultimate amount and timing of the settlement of benefits based on its assessment of facts and circumstances known as of December 31, 2010. Future policy benefit reserves of $747 million and policyholder fund reserves of $37 million related to business which has been 100% ceded to unaffiliated parties in connection with the sale of CNA’s individual life business in 2004 are not included. Additional information on future policy benefits and policyholder funds reserves is included in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

(d)

In January of 2011, Diamond Offshore entered into a contract for the construction of a second ultra-deepwater drillship. The first installment of the contract price of $155 million was paid in February of 2011. The second installment of $360 million is payable in 2013 upon delivery and acceptance of the drillship.

(e)

Does not include expected contribution of approximately $96 million to the Company’s pension and postretirement plans in 2011.

Further information on our commitments, contingencies and guarantees is provided in Notes 1, 3, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 19 and 20 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

INVESTMENTS

Investment activities of non-insurance companies include investments in fixed income securities, equity securities including short sales, derivative instruments and short term investments, and are carried at fair value. Securities that are considered part of our trading portfolio, short sales and certain derivative instruments are marked to market and reported as Net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

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

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

We do not believe that any of the derivative instruments we use are unusually complex, nor do the use of these instruments, in our opinion, result in a higher degree of risk. Please read “Results of Operations,” “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” and Note 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8 for additional information with respect to derivative instruments, including recognized gains and losses on these instruments.

Insurance

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

Net Investment Income

The significant components of CNA’s net investment income are presented in the following table:

Year Ended December 31  2010  2009  2008 
(In millions)          

Fixed maturity securities

  $    2,051   $    1,941    $    1,984     

Short term investments

   15    36    115     

Limited partnerships

   249    315    (379)    

Equity securities

   32    49    80     

Trading portfolio

   13    23    (149)    

Other

   10    6    19     

Gross investment income

   2,370    2,370    1,670     

Investment expenses

   (54  (50  (51)    

Net investment income

  $    2,316   $    2,320    $    1,619     
  

Net investment income decreased $4 million in 2010 as compared with 2009. This decrease was primarily driven by less favorable income from CNA’s limited partnership investments, substantially offset by an investment shift during 2010 from lower yielding short term and tax-exempt securities to higher yielding taxable fixed maturity securities. The unfavorable year-over-year comparison in income from CNA’s limited partnership investments was driven by significant returns from CNA’s limited partnership investments in 2009. Limited partnership investments generally present greater market volatility, higher illiquidity and greater risk than fixed income investments. The limited partnership investments are managed as an overall portfolio in an effort to mitigate the greater levels of volatility, illiquidity and risk that are present in the individual partnership investments.

Net investment income increased $701 million in 2009 as compared with 2008. Excluding indexed group annuity trading portfolio losses of $146 million in 2008, net investment income increased $555 million primarily driven by improved results from limited partnership investments. This increase was partially offset by the impact of lower risk free and short term interest rates. Limited partnership income in 2009 was driven by improved performance across many limited partnerships and included individual partnership performance that ranged from a positive $120 million to a negative $59 million. The indexed group annuity trading portfolio losses in 2008 were substantially offset by a corresponding decrease in the policyholders’ funds reserves supported by the trading portfolio, which was included in Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits on the Consolidated Statements of Income. CNA exited the indexed group annuity business in 2008.

The fixed maturity investment portfolio and short term investments provided a pretax effective income yield of 5.3%, 5.1% and 5.6% for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008. Tax-exempt municipal bonds generated $263 million, $381 million and $360 million of net investment income for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.

Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)

The components of CNA’s net realized investment results are presented in the following table:

Year Ended December 31  2010  2009  2008 
(In millions)          

Realized investment gains (losses):

    

Fixed maturity securities:

    

U.S. Treasury and obligations of government agencies

  $          3   $(53  $      235     

Asset-backed

   44    (778  (476)    

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

   (128  (20  53     

Foreign government

   2    38    7     

Corporate and other bonds

   164    (345  (650)    

Redeemable preferred stock

   7    (9    

Total fixed maturity securities

   92    (1,167  (831)    

Equity securities

   (2          243    (490)    

Derivative securities

   (1  51    (19)    

Short term investments

   7    10    34     

Other

   (10  6    9     

Total realized investment gains (losses)

   86    (857  (1,297)    

Income tax (expense) benefit

   (36  296    456    

Net realized investment gains (losses)

   50    (561  (841)    

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

   (4  56    85     

Net realized investment gains (losses) attributable to Loews Corporation

  $46   $(505  $    (756)    
  

Net realized investment results improved $551 million for 2010 as compared with 2009, driven by significantly lower other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses recognized in earnings. Further information on CNA’s realized gains and losses, including CNA’s OTTI losses and impairment decision process, is set forth in Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8. During the second quarter of 2009, the Company adopted updated accounting guidance, which amended the OTTI loss model for fixed maturity securities, as discussed in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

Net realized investment losses decreased $251 million for 2009 as compared with 2008, driven by a realized investment gain related to a common stock holding and decreased OTTI losses recognized in earnings. Included in the 2009 net realized gains for equity securities was a pretax gain of $370 million related to the sale of CNA’s holdings of Verisk Analytics Inc., which began trading on October 7, 2009 after an initial public offering. Since CNA’s cost basis in this position was zero, the entire amount was recognized as a pretax realized investment gain.

CNA’s fixed maturity portfolio consists primarily of high quality bonds, 90.6% and 90.3% of which were rated as investment grade (rated BBB- or higher) at December 31, 2010 and 2009. The classification between investment grade and non-investment grade is based on a ratings methodology that takes into account ratings from the two major providers, S&P and Moody’s, in that order of preference. If a security is not rated by these providers, CNA formulates an internal rating. For securities with credit support from third party guarantees, the rating reflects the greater of the underlying rating of the issuer or the insured rating.

The following table summarizes the ratings of CNA’s fixed maturity portfolio at carrying value:

December 31  2010  2009 
(In millions of dollars)               

U.S. Government and Agencies

  $3,534     9.4 $3,705     10.4

AAA rated

   4,419     11.8    5,855     16.5  

AA and A rated

   15,665     41.7    12,464     35.0  

BBB rated

   10,425     27.7    10,122     28.4  

Non-investment grade

   3,534     9.4    3,466     9.7  

Total

  $37,577     100.0 $35,612     100.0
                    

Non-investment grade fixed maturity securities, as presented in the table below, include high-yield securities rated below BBB- by bond rating agencies and other unrated securities that, according to CNA’s analysis, are below investment grade. Non-investment grade securities generally involve a greater degree of risk than investment grade securities. The amortized cost of CNA’s non-investment grade fixed maturity bond portfolio was $3,490 million and $3,637 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009. The following table summarizes the ratings of this portfolio at carrying value.

December 31  2010  2009 
(In millions of dollars)               

BB

  $1,492     42.2 $1,352     39.0

B

   1,163     32.9    1,255     36.2  

CCC-C

   801     22.7    761     22.0  

D

   78     2.2    98     2.8  

Total

  $3,534     100.0 $3,466     100.0
                    

Included within the fixed maturity portfolio are securities that contain credit support from third party guarantees from mono-line insurers. At December 31, 2010, $428 million of the carrying value of the fixed maturity portfolio had a third party guarantee that increased the underlying average rating of those securities from AA- to AA+. Of this amount, over 94.0% was within the states, municipalities and political subdivisions securities sector. This third party credit support on states, municipalities and political subdivisions securities is provided by two mono-line insurers, the largest exposure based on fair value being Assured Guaranty Ltd. at more than 99.0%.

At December 31, 2010 and 2009, approximately 98.0% and 99.0% of the fixed maturity portfolio was issued by U.S. Government and Agencies or was rated by S&P or Moody’s. The remaining bonds were rated by other rating agencies or internally.

The carrying value of fixed maturity and equity securities that trade in illiquid private placement markets at December 31, 2010 was $340 million, which represents approximately 0.8% of CNA’s total investment portfolio. These securities were in a net unrealized gain position of $15 million at December 31, 2010.

The gross unrealized loss on available-for-sale fixed maturity securities was $795 million at December 31, 2010. The following table provides the maturity profile for these available-for-sale fixed maturity securities. Securities not due at a single date are allocated based on weighted average life.

    Percent of
Fair Value
  Percent of
Unrealized
Loss
 

Due in one year or less

   5.0  4.0

Due after one year through five years

   19.0    11.0  

Due after five years through ten years

   26.0    24.0  

Due after ten years

   50.0    61.0  

Total

   100.0  100.0
          

Duration

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

A further consideration in the management of the investment portfolio is the characteristics of the underlying liabilities and the ability to align the duration of the portfolio to those liabilities to meet future liquidity needs, minimize interest rate risk and maintain a level of income sufficient to support the underlying insurance liabilities. For portfolios where future liability cash flows are determinable and typically long term in nature, CNA segregates investments for asset/liability management purposes. The segregated investments support liabilities primarily in the Life & Group Non-Core segment including annuities, structured benefit settlements and long term care products.

The effective durations of fixed maturity securities, short term investments, non-redeemable preferred stocks and interest rate derivatives are presented in the table below. Short term investments are net of securities lending collateral, if any, and accounts payable and receivable amounts for securities purchased and sold, but not yet settled.

   December 31, 2010  December 31, 2009
    Fair Value   Effective Duration
(Years)
  Fair Value   Effective Duration
(Years)
(In millions of dollars)              

Segregated investments

  $11,516    10.9    $10,376    11.2  

Other interest sensitive investments

   28,405    4.6   29,665    4.0

Total

  $39,921    6.4  $40,041    5.8
                 

The investment portfolio is periodically analyzed for changes in duration and related price change risk. Additionally, CNA periodically reviews the sensitivity of the portfolio to the level of foreign exchange rates and other factors that contribute to market price changes. A summary of these risks and specific analysis on changes is included in Item 7A – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk included herein.

Short Term Investments

The carrying value of the components of CNA’s short term investment portfolio is presented in the following table:

December 31  2010   2009 
(In millions)        

Short term investments available-for-sale:

    

Commercial paper

  $686    $185      

U.S. Treasury securities

   903         3,025      

Money market funds

   94     179      

Other

   532     560      

Total short term investments

  $    2,215    $3,949      
           

Separate Accounts

The following table summarizes the bond ratings of the investments, at estimated fair value, supporting CNA’s separate account products which guarantee principal and a minimum rate of interest, for which additional amounts may be recorded in Policyholders’ funds should the aggregate contract value exceed the fair value of the related assets supporting the business at any point in time.

December 31  2010  2009 
(In millions of dollars)               

U.S. Government Agencies

  $53     13.1 $67     17.6

AAA rated

   18     4.5    17     4.5  

AA and A rated

       214     52.8    176     46.3  

BBB rated

   99     24.4    93     24.5  

Non-investment grade

   21     5.2    27     7.1  

Total

  $405     100.0 $    380     100.0
                    

At December 31, 2010 and 2009, approximately 97.0% of the separate account portfolio was issued by U.S. Government and affiliated agencies or was rated by S&P or Moody’s. The remaining bonds were rated by other rating agencies or internally.

Asset-backed Exposure

The following table provides detail of the Company’s exposure to asset-backed and sub-prime mortgage related securities:

   Security Type    

December 31, 2010

   RMBS (a)   CMBS (b)   
 
Other
ABS 
  
(c) 
  Total  

(In millions)

     

U.S. Government Agencies

  $3,367   $30    $    3,397      

AAA

   1,351    194   $551    2,096      

AA

   206    257    154    617      

A

   190    246    26    462      

BBB

   228    116    19    363      

Non-investment grade and equity tranches

   927    150    50    1,127      

Total fair value

  $6,269   $993   $800   $8,062      
                  

Total amortized cost

  $6,442   $994   $790   $8,226      
                  

Sub-prime (included above)

     

Fair value

  $483     $483      

Amortized cost

   527      527      

Alt-A (included above)

     

Fair value

  $632     $632      

Amortized cost

   662      662      

(a)

Residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”)

(b)

Commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”)

(c)

Other asset-backed securities (“Other ABS”)

The exposure to sub-prime residential mortgage (“sub-prime”) collateral and Alternative A residential mortgages that have lower than normal standards of loan documentation (“Alt-A”) collateral is measured by the original deal structure. Of the securities with sub-prime exposure, approximately 74.0% were rated investment grade, while 87.0% of the Alt-A

securities were rated investment grade. At December 31, 2010, $6 million of the carrying value of the sub-prime and Alt-A securities carried a third-party guarantee.

Pretax OTTI losses of $27 million for securities with sub-prime and Alt-A exposure were included in the $77 million of pretax OTTI losses related to asset-backed securities recognized in earnings on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the year ended December 31, 2010. If additional deterioration in the underlying collateral occurs beyond the Company’s current expectations, additional OTTI losses may be recognized in earnings. See Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8 for additional information related to unrealized losses on asset-backed securities.

ACCOUNTING STANDARDS UPDATE

For a discussion of accounting standards updates that have been adopted or will be adopted in the future, please read Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Investors are cautioned that certain statements contained in this Report as well as some statements in periodic press releases and some oral statements made by our officials and our subsidiaries during presentations about us, are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”). Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may project, indicate or imply future results, events, performance or achievements, and may contain the words “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. In addition, any statement concerning future financial performance (including future revenues, earnings or growth rates), ongoing business strategies or prospects, and possible actions taken by us or our subsidiaries, which may be provided by management are also forward-looking statements as defined by the Act.

Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about future events and are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or projected. These risks and uncertainties include, among others:

Risks and uncertainties primarily affecting us and our insurance subsidiaries

the risks and uncertainties associated with CNA’s loss reserves, as outlined under “Results of Operations by Business Segment – CNA Financial – Reserves – Estimates and Uncertainties” in this MD&A, including the sufficiency of the reserves and the possibility for future increases;

the risk that the other parties to the transaction in which, subject to certain limitations, CNA ceded its legacy A&EP liabilities will not fully perform their obligations to CNA, the uncertainty in estimating loss reserves for A&EP liabilities and the possible continued exposure of CNA to liabilities for A&EP claims that are not covered under the terms of the transaction;

the performance of reinsurance companies under reinsurance contracts with CNA;

the impact of competitive products, policies and pricing and the competitive environment in which CNA operates, including changes in CNA’s book of business;

product and policy availability and demand and market responses, including the level of ability to obtain rate increases and decline or non-renew under priced accounts, to achieve premium targets and profitability and to realize growth and retention estimates;

general economic and business conditions, including recessionary conditions that may decrease the size and number of CNA’s insurance customers and create additional losses to CNA’s lines of business, especially those that provide management and professional liability insurance, as well as surety bonds, to businesses engaged in real estate, financial services and professional services, and inflationary pressures on medical care costs, construction costs and other economic sectors that increase the severity of claims;

conditions in the capital and credit markets, including continuing uncertainty and instability in these markets, as well as the overall economy, and their impact on the returns, types, liquidity and valuation of CNA’s investments;

conditions in the capital and credit markets that may limit CNA’s ability to raise significant amounts of capital on favorable terms, as well as restrictions on the ability or willingness of the Company to provide additional capital support to CNA;

the possibility of changes in CNA’s ratings by ratings agencies, including the inability to access certain markets or distribution channels, and the required collateralization of future payment obligations as a result of such changes, and changes in rating agency policies and practices;

regulatory limitations, impositions and restrictions upon CNA, including the effects of assessments and other surcharges for guaranty funds and second-injury funds, other mandatory pooling arrangements and future assessments levied on insurance companies as well as the new federal financial regulatory reform of the insurance industry established by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act;

increased operating costs and underwriting losses arising from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the related amendments in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, as well as health care reform proposals at the state level;

regulatory limitations and restrictions, including limitations upon CNA’s ability to receive dividends from its insurance subsidiaries imposed by state regulatory agencies and minimum risk-based capital standards established by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners;

weather and other natural physical events, including the severity and frequency of storms, hail, snowfall and other winter conditions, natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes, as well as climate change, including effects on weather patterns, greenhouse gases, sea, land and air temperatures, sea levels, rain and snow;

regulatory requirements imposed by coastal state regulators in the wake of hurricanes or other natural disasters, including limitations on the ability to exit markets or to non-renew, cancel or change terms and conditions in policies, as well as mandatory assessments to fund any shortfalls arising from the inability of quasi-governmental insurers to pay claims;

man-made disasters, including the possible occurrence of terrorist attacks and the effect of the absence or insufficiency of applicable terrorism legislation on coverages;

the unpredictability of the nature, targets, severity or frequency of potential terrorist events, as well as the uncertainty as to CNA’s ability to contain its terrorism exposure effectively; and

the occurrence of epidemics.

Risks and uncertainties primarily affecting us and our energy subsidiaries

the impact of changes in worldwide demand for oil and natural gas and oil and gas price fluctuations on E&P activity, including possible write-downs of the carrying value of natural gas and NGL properties and impairments of goodwill and reduced demand for offshore drilling services;

the continuing effects of the Macondo well blowout, including, without limitation, the impact on drilling in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, related delays in permitting activities and related regulations and market developments;

government policies regarding exploration and development of oil and gas reserves;

market conditions in the offshore oil and gas drilling industry, including utilization levels and dayrates;

timing and duration of required regulatory inspections for offshore oil and gas drilling rigs;

the risk of physical damage to rigs and equipment caused by named windstorms in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico;

the availability and cost of insurance;

the impact of new pipelines or new gas supply sources on competition and basis spreads on Boardwalk Pipeline’s pipeline systems, which may impact its ability to maintain or replace expiring gas transportation and storage contracts and to sell short term capacity on its pipelines;

the impact of current and future environmental laws and regulations and exposure to environmental liabilities including matters related to global climate change;

regulatory issues affecting natural gas transmission, including ratemaking and other proceedings particularly affecting our gas transmission subsidiaries;

the timing, cost, scope and financial performance of Boardwalk Pipeline’s recent and future growth projects, including the ability to operate its expansion project pipelines at higher than normal operating pressures; and

the development of additional natural gas reserves and changes in reserve estimates.

Risks and uncertainties affecting us and our subsidiaries generally

general economic and business conditions;

changes in domestic and foreign political, social and economic conditions, including developing social and political unrest in Egypt and other parts of the Middle East;

the impact of the global war on terrorism, current and future hostilities in the Middle East and elsewhere and future acts of terrorism;

potential changes in accounting policies by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission or regulatory agencies for any of our subsidiaries’ industries which may cause us or our subsidiaries to revise their financial accounting and/or disclosures in the future, and which may change the way analysts measure our and our subsidiaries’ business or financial performance;

the impact of regulatory initiatives and compliance with governmental regulations, judicial rulings and jury verdicts;

the results of financing efforts; by us and our subsidiaries, including any additional investments by us in our subsidiaries;

the ability of customers and suppliers to meet their obligations to us and our subsidiaries;

the consummation of contemplated transactions and agreements;

the successful integration, transition and management of acquired businesses;

the outcome of pending or future litigation, including any tobacco-related suits to which we are or may become a party;

possible casualty losses;

the availability of indemnification by Lorillard and its subsidiaries for any tobacco-related liabilities that we may incur as a result of tobacco-related lawsuits or otherwise, as provided in the Separation Agreement; and

potential future asset impairments.

Developments in any of these or other areas of risk and uncertainty, which are more fully described elsewhere in this Report and our other filings with the SEC, could cause our results to differ materially from results that have been or may be anticipated or projected. Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Report and we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update these statements to reflect any change in our expectations or beliefs or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement is based.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

OVERVIEW

We are a holding company. Our subsidiaries are engaged in the following lines of business:

commercial property and casualty insurance (CNA Financial Corporation (“CNA”), a 90% owned subsidiary);

operation of offshore oil and gas drilling rigs (Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (“Diamond Offshore”), a 50.4% owned subsidiary);

exploration, production and marketing of natural gas, natural gas liquids and, to a lesser extent, oil (HighMount Exploration & Production LLC (“HighMount”), a wholly owned subsidiary);

operation of interstate natural gas transmission pipeline systems (Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP (“Boardwalk Pipeline”), a 67% owned subsidiary); and

operation of hotels (Loews Hotels Holding Corporation (“Loews Hotels”), a wholly owned subsidiary).

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

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with Item 1A, Risk Factors, and Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this Form 10-K.

Consolidated Financial Results

Consolidated income from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $566 million, or $1.31 per share, compared to a loss of $182 million, or $0.38 per share, in 2008. Income from continuing operations for the 2009 fourth quarter was $403 million, or $0.94 per share compared to a loss of $958 million, or $2.20 per share in the 2008 fourth quarter.

Net income for 2009 amounted to $564 million compared to $4.5 billion in 2008. Net income in 2008 included a tax-free non-cash gain of $4.3 billion related to the Separation of Lorillard and an after tax gain of $75 million from the sale of Bulova, both reported as discontinued operations.

Net income and earnings (loss) per share information attributable to Loews common stock and our former Carolina Group stock is summarized in the table below.

Year Ended December 31  2009  2008    
(In millions, except per share data)   

Net income (loss) attributable to Loews common stock:

    

Income (loss) from continuing operations

  $566   $(182 

Discontinued operations, net

   (2  4,501   
 

Net income attributable to Loews common stock

   564    4,319   

Net income attributable to former Carolina Group stock –

    

Discontinued operations, net (a)

    211   
 

Net income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation

  $564   $4,530   
 

Net income (loss) per share:

    

Loews common stock

    

Income (loss) from continuing operations

  $1.31   $(0.38 

Discontinued operations, net

   (0.01  9.43   
 

Loews common stock

  $1.30   $9.05   
 

Former Carolina Group stock – Discontinued operations, net (a)

   $1.95   
 

(a)The Carolina Group and Carolina Group stock were eliminated as part of the Separation of Lorillard.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Consolidated Financial Results – (Continued)

Income from continuing operations primarily reflects improved net investment income and net investment gains at CNA, compared to a loss from continuing operations in the prior year. Net investment income benefited from higher limited partnership results, partially offset by the impact of lower short-term interest rates. In addition, higher investment income from the holding company trading portfolio contributed to the improved results.

Net investment losses were $503 million (after tax and noncontrolling interests) in 2009, compared to losses of $754 million in the prior year. The improvement was driven by a $217 million (after tax and noncontrolling interest) realized investment gain from the sale of CNA’s common stock holdings in Verisk Analytics, Inc. and decreased OTTI losses recognized in CNA’s available-for-sale portfolio. The OTTI losses in 2009 were primarily driven by the impact of difficult economic conditions on residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities and by credit issues in the financial sector.

These improvements were partially offset by a non-cash impairment charge of $660 million (after tax) in 2009 related to the carrying value of HighMount’s natural gas and oil properties, reflecting declines in commodity prices. Excluding impairment charges, HighMount’s results declined over the prior year due to decreased production volumes and lower natural gas prices. Results at Boardwalk Pipeline were lower primarily due to loss of revenues while remediating pipeline anomalies, and favorable one time transactions in 2008.

The prior year loss from continuing operations reflects a $440 million (after tax) non-cash impairment charge related to the carrying value of HighMount Exploration & Production LLC’s natural gas and oil properties, reflecting negative revisions in proved reserve quantities as a result of declines in commodity prices; a $314 million (after tax) non-cash goodwill impairment charge related to HighMount; and other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) losses related to CNA’s investment portfolio.

Parent Company Structure

We are a holding company and derive substantially all of our cash flow from our subsidiaries. We rely upon our invested cash balances and distributions from our subsidiaries to generate the funds necessary to meet our obligations and to declare and pay any dividends to our shareholders. The ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends is subject to, among other things, the availability of sufficient earnings and funds in such subsidiaries, applicable state laws, including in the case of the insurance subsidiaries of CNA, laws and rules governing the payment of dividends by regulated insurance companies (see Liquidity and Capital Resources – CNA Financial, below) and compliance with covenants in their respective loan agreements. Claims of creditors of our subsidiaries will generally have priority as to the assets of such subsidiaries over our claims and those of our creditors and shareholders.

Book value per common share increased to $39.76 at December 31, 2009 as compared to $30.18 at December 31, 2008.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, applied on a consistent basis. We continually evaluate the accounting policies and estimates used to prepare the Consolidated Financial Statements. In general, our estimates are based on historical experience, evaluation of current trends, information from third party professionals and various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the known facts and circumstances.

We consider the accounting policies discussed below to be critical to an understanding of our Consolidated Financial Statements as their application places the most significant demands on our judgment. Due to the inherent uncertainties involved with this type of judgment, actual results could differ significantly from estimates and may have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and/or equity.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Critical Accounting Estimates – (Continued)

Insurance Reserves

Insurance reserves are established for both short and long-duration insurance contracts. Short-duration contracts are primarily related to property and casualty insurance policies where the reserving process is based on actuarial estimates of the amount of loss, including amounts for known and unknown claims. Long-duration contracts typically include traditional life insurance, payout annuities and long term care products and are estimated using actuarial estimates about mortality, morbidity and persistency as well as assumptions about expected investment returns. The reserve for unearned premiums on property and casualty and accident and health contracts represents the portion of premiums written related to the unexpired terms of coverage. The inherent risks associated with the reserving process are discussed in the Reserves – Estimates and Uncertainties section below.

Reinsurance

Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with claim and claim adjustment expense reserves or future policy benefits reserves and are reported as receivables in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The ceding of insurance does not discharge CNA of its primary liability under insurance contracts written by CNA. An exposure exists with respect to property and casualty and life reinsurance ceded to the extent that any reinsurer is unable to meet its obligations or disputes the liabilities assumed under reinsurance agreements. An estimated allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded on the basis of periodic evaluations of balances due from reinsurers, reinsurer solvency, CNA’s past experience and current economic conditions. Further information on CNA’s reinsurance program is included in Note 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

Litigation

We and our subsidiaries are involved in various legal proceedings that have arisen during the ordinary course of business. We evaluate the facts and circumstances of each situation, and when management determines it necessary, a liability is estimated and recorded. Please read Note 19 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

Valuation of Investments and Impairment of Securities

The Company classifies its fixed maturity securities and equity securities as either available-for-sale or trading which are both carried at fair value. The determination of fair value requires management to make a significant number of assumptions, particularly with respect to asset-backed securities. Due to the level of uncertainty related to changes in the fair value of these assets, it is possible that changes in the near term could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and/or equity.

CNA’s investment portfolio is subject to market declines below amortized cost that may be other-than-temporary. A significant judgment in the valuation of investments is the determination of whether a credit loss exists on impaired securities, which results in the recognition of impairment losses in earnings. CNA has an Impairment Committee which reviews the investment portfolio on at least a quarterly basis, with ongoing analysis as new information becomes available. Further information on CNA’s process for evaluating impairments is included in Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

Long Term Care Products

Reserves and deferred acquisition costs for CNA’s long term care products are based on certain assumptions including morbidity, policy persistency and interest rates. The recoverability of deferred acquisition costs and the adequacy of the reserves are contingent on actual experience related to these key assumptions and other factors such as future health care cost trends. If actual experience differs from these assumptions, the deferred acquisition costs may not be fully realized and the reserves may not be adequate, requiring CNA to add to reserves, or take unfavorable development. Therefore, our financial results could be adversely impacted.

Payout Annuity Contracts

Reserves for CNA’s payout annuity products are based on certain assumptions including mortality and interest rates. The adequacy of the reserves is contingent on actual experience related to these key assumptions. If actual experience

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Critical Accounting Estimates – (Continued)

differs from these assumptions, reserves may not be adequate, requiring CNA to add to its reserves, or take unfavorable development. Therefore, our results of operations and/or equity could be adversely impacted.

Pension and Postretirement Benefit Obligations

We are required to make a significant number of assumptions in order to estimate the liabilities and costs related to our pension and postretirement benefit obligations to employees under our benefit plans. The assumptions that have the most impact on pension costs are the discount rate, the expected return on plan assets and the rate of compensation increases. These assumptions are evaluated relative to current market factors such as inflation, interest rates and fiscal and monetary policies. Changes in these assumptions can have a material impact on pension obligations and pension expense.

In determining the discount rate assumption, we utilized current market information and liability information, including a discounted cash flow analysis of our pension and postretirement obligations. In particular, the basis for our discount rate selection was the yield on indices of highly rated fixed income debt securities with durations comparable to that of our plan liabilities. The yield curve was applied to expected future retirement plan payments to adjust the discount rate to reflect the cash flow characteristics of the plans. The yield curves and indices evaluated in the selection of the discount rate are comprised of high quality corporate bonds that are rated AA by an accepted rating agency.

In 2009, the Company recorded an expense of $65 million for pension and other postretirement benefit plans. Based on current assumptions, the expected expense for the 2010 pension and other postretirement benefit plans is approximately $50 million.

Further information on our pension and postretirement benefit obligations is included in Note 16 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

Valuation of HighMount’s Proved Reserves

HighMount follows the full cost method of accounting for natural gas and oil exploration and production (“E&P”) activities prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Under the full cost method, all direct costs of property acquisition, exploration and development activities are capitalized and subsequently depleted using the units-of-production method. The depletable base of costs includes estimated future costs to be incurred in developing proved natural gas and natural gas liquids (“NGLs”) reserves, as well as capitalized asset retirement costs, net of projected salvage values. Capitalized costs in the depletable base are subject to a ceiling test prescribed by the SEC. The test limits capitalized amounts to a ceiling the present value of estimated future net revenues to be derived from the production of proved natural gas and NGL reserves, using calculated average prices adjusted for any cash flow hedges in place. If net capitalized costs exceed the ceiling test at the end of any quarterly period, then a permanent write-down of the assets must be recognized in that period. A write-down may not be reversed in future periods, even though higher natural gas and NGL prices may subsequently increase the ceiling. HighMount performs the ceiling test quarterly. At March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, total capitalized costs exceeded the ceiling and HighMount recognized non-cash impairment charges of $1,036 million ($660 million after tax) and $691 million ($440 million after tax), related to the carrying value of natural gas and oil properties, as discussed further in Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8. In addition, gains or losses on the sale or other disposition of natural gas and NGL properties are not recognized unless the gain or loss would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves.

HighMount’s estimate of proved reserves requires a high degree of judgment and is dependent on factors such as historical data, engineering estimates of proved reserve quantities, estimates of the amount and timing of future expenditures to develop the proved reserves, and estimates of future production from the proved reserves. HighMount’s estimated proved reserves as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 are based upon studies for each of HighMount’s properties prepared by HighMount staff engineers. Calculations were prepared using standard geological and engineering methods generally accepted by the petroleum industry and in accordance with SEC guidelines.

Ryder Scott Company, L.P., an independent third party petroleum engineering consulting firm, has audited HighMount’s reserve estimates in accordance with the “Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information” promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers. Given the volatility of natural gas and

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Critical Accounting Estimates – (Continued)

NGL prices, it is possible that HighMount’s estimate of discounted future net cash flows from proved natural gas and NGL reserves that is used to calculate the ceiling could materially change in the near term.

The process to estimate reserves is imprecise, and estimates are subject to revision. If there is a significant variance in any of HighMount’s estimates or assumptions in the future and revisions to the value of HighMount’s proved reserves are necessary, related depletion expense and the calculation of the ceiling test would be affected and recognition of natural gas and NGL property impairments could occur.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment when changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Long-lived assets and intangibles with finite lives are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value. The Company uses a probability-weighted cash flow analysis to test property and equipment for impairment based on relevant market data. Management’s cash flow assumptions are an inherent part of our asset impairment evaluation and the use of different assumptions could produce results that differ from the reported amounts.

Goodwill

Management must apply judgment in determining the estimated fair value of its reporting units’ goodwill for purposes of performing impairment tests. Management uses all available information to make these fair value determinations, including the present values of expected future cash flows using discount rates commensurate with the risks involved in the assets and observed market multiples. Goodwill is required to be evaluated on an annual basis and whenever, in management’s judgment, there is a significant change in circumstances that would be considered a triggering event.

Income Taxes

We account for taxes under the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for temporary differences between the financial statement and tax return bases of assets and liabilities. Any resulting future tax benefits are recognized to the extent that realization of such benefits is more likely than not, and a valuation allowance is established for any portion of a deferred tax asset that management believes may not be realized. The assessment of the need for a valuation allowance requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future earnings, reversal of existing temporary differences and available tax planning strategies. If actual experience differs from these estimates and assumptions, the recorded deferred tax asset may not be fully realized resulting in an increase to income tax expense in our results of operations. In addition, the ability to record deferred tax assets in the future could be limited resulting in a higher effective tax rate in that future period.

The Company has not established deferred tax liabilities for certain of its foreign earnings as it intends to indefinitely reinvest those earnings to finance foreign activities. However, if these earnings become subject to U.S. federal tax, any required provision could have a material impact on our financial results.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS BY BUSINESS SEGMENT

CNA Financial

As a result of CNA’s realignment of management responsibilities, CNA revised its property and casualty segments in the fourth quarter of 2009. There was no change in CNA’s Life & Group Non-Core and Other Insurance segments. Prior period segment disclosures have been conformed to the current year presentation. The new segment structure reflects the way CNA management currently reviews results and makes business decisions.

CNA’s core property and casualty commercial insurance operations are reported in two business segments: CNA Specialty and CNA Commercial. CNA Specialty provides a broad array of professional, financial and specialty property and casualty products and services, primarily through insurance brokers and managing general underwriters. CNA Commercial includes property and casualty coverages sold to small businesses and middle market entities and organizations primarily through an independent agency distribution system. CNA Commercial also includes commercial insurance and risk management products sold to large corporations primarily through insurance brokers. Previously,

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations – CNA Financial – (Continued)

CNA’s international operations were treated as a separate business unit within CNA Specialty. The products sold through CNA’s international operations are now reflected within CNA Specialty and CNA Commercial in a manner that aligns with the products within each segment. Additionally, CNA’s excess and surplus lines, which were previously included in CNA Specialty, are now included in CNA Commercial, as part of CNA Select Risk.

CNA’s non-core operations are managed in two segments: Life & Group Non-Core and Other Insurance. Life & Group Non-Core primarily includes the results of the life and group lines of business that have been placed in run-off. Other Insurance primarily includes certain corporate expenses, including interest on corporate debt, and the results of certain property and casualty business primarily in run-off, including CNA Re. This segment also includes the results related to the centralized adjusting and settlement of asbestos and environmental pollution (“A&E”).

Reserves – Estimates and Uncertainties

CNA maintains reserves to cover its estimated ultimate unpaid liability for claim and claim adjustment expenses, including the estimated cost of the claims adjudication process, for claims that have been reported but not yet settled (case reserves) and claims that have been incurred but not reported (“IBNR”). Claim and claim adjustment expense reserves are reflected as liabilities and are included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets under the heading “Insurance Reserves.” Adjustments to prior year reserve estimates, if necessary, are reflected in results of operations in the period that the need for such adjustments is determined. The carried case and IBNR reserves as of each balance sheet date are provided in the Segment Results section of this MD&A and in Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

The level of reserves CNA maintains represents its best estimate, as of a particular point in time, of what the ultimate settlement and administration of claims will cost based on CNA’s assessment of facts and circumstances known at that time. Reserves are not an exact calculation of liability but instead are complex estimates that CNA derives, generally utilizing a variety of actuarial reserve estimation techniques, from numerous assumptions and expectations about future events, both internal and external, many of which are highly uncertain.

CNA is subject to the uncertain effects of emerging or potential claims and coverage issues that arise as industry practices and legal, judicial, social and other environmental conditions change. These issues have had, and may continue to have, a negative effect on CNA’s business by either extending coverage beyond the original underwriting intent or by increasing the number or size of claims. Examples of emerging or potential claims and coverage issues include:

increases in the number and size of claims relating to injuries from various medical products including pharmaceuticals;

the effects of recessionary economic conditions and financial reporting scandals, which have resulted in an increase in the number and size of claims, due to corporate failures; these claims include both directors and officers (“D&O”) and errors and omissions (“E&O”) insurance claims;

class action litigation relating to claims handling and other practices;

construction defect claims, including claims for a broad range of additional insured endorsements on policies;

clergy abuse claims, including passage of legislation to reopen or extend various statutes of limitations; and

mass tort claims, including bodily injury claims related to welding rods, benzene, lead, noise induced hearing loss and various other chemical and radiation exposure claims.

CNA’s experience has been that establishing reserves for casualty coverages relating to A&E claims and claim adjustment expenses are subject to uncertainties that are greater than those presented by other claims. Estimating the ultimate cost of both reported and unreported A&E claims are subject to a higher degree of variability due to a number of additional factors, including among others:

coverage issues, including whether certain costs are covered under the policies and whether policy limits apply;

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations – CNA Financial – (Continued)

inconsistent court decisions and developing legal theories;

continuing aggressive tactics of plaintiffs’ lawyers;

the risks and lack of predictability inherent in major litigation;

changes in the frequency of A&E claims;

changes in the severity of claims, including bodily injury claims for malignancies arising out of exposure to asbestos;

the impact of the exhaustion of primary limits and the resulting increase in claims on any umbrella or excess policies CNA has issued;

CNA’s ability to recover reinsurance for A&E claims; and

Changes in the legal and legislative environment in which CNA operates.

It is also difficult to forecast changes in the legal and legislative environment and the impact on the future development of A&E claims. This development will be affected by future court decisions and interpretations, as well as changes in applicable legislation. It is difficult to predict the ultimate outcome of large coverage disputes until settlement negotiations near completion and significant legal questions are resolved or, failing settlement, until the dispute is adjudicated. This is particularly the case with policyholders in bankruptcy where negotiations often involve a large number of claimants and other parties and require court approval to be effective.

Traditional actuarial methods and techniques employed to estimate the ultimate cost of claims for more traditional property and casualty exposures are less precise in estimating claim and claim adjustment reserves for A&E, particularly in an environment of emerging or potential claims and coverage issues that arise from industry practices and legal, judicial and social conditions. Therefore, these traditional actuarial methods and techniques are necessarily supplemented with additional estimation techniques and methodologies, many of which involve significant judgments that are required of management. For A&E, CNA regularly monitors its exposures, including reviews of loss activity, regulatory developments and court rulings. In addition, CNA performs a ground up analysis on its exposures. CNA’s actuaries, in conjunction with its specialized claim unit, use various modeling techniques to estimate its overall exposure to known accounts. CNA uses this information and additional modeling techniques to develop loss distributions and claim reporting patterns to determine reserves for accounts that will report A&E exposure in the future. Estimating the average claim size requires analysis of the impact of large losses and claim cost trend based on changes in the cost of repairing or replacing property, changes in the cost of legal fees, judicial decisions, legislative changes, and other factors. Due to the inherent uncertainties in estimating reserves for A&E claim and claim adjustment expenses and the degree of variability due to, among other things, the factors described above, CNA may be required to record material changes in CNA’s claim and claim adjustment expense reserves in the future, should new information become available or other developments emerge. See the A&E Reserves section of this MD&A and Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8 for additional information relating to A&E claims and reserves.

The impact of these and other unforeseen emerging or potential claims and coverage issues is difficult to predict and could materially adversely affect the adequacy of CNA’s claim and claim adjustment expense reserves and could lead to future reserve additions. See the Segment Results sections of this MD&A and Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8 for a discussion of changes in reserve estimates and the impact on our results of operations.

Establishing Reserve Estimates

In developing claim and claim adjustment expense (“loss” or “losses”) reserve estimates, CNA’s actuaries perform detailed reserve analyses that are staggered throughout the year. The data is organized at a “product” level. A product can be a line of business covering a subset of insureds such as commercial automobile liability for small and middle market customers, it can encompass several lines of business provided to a specific set of customers such as dentists, or it can be a particular type of claim such as construction defect. Every product is analyzed at least once during the year, and many

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations – CNA Financial – (Continued)

products are analyzed multiple times. The analyses generally review losses gross of ceded reinsurance and apply the ceded reinsurance terms to the gross estimates to establish estimates net of reinsurance. In addition to the detailed analyses, CNA reviews actual loss emergence for all products each quarter.

The detailed analyses use a variety of generally accepted actuarial methods and techniques to produce a number of estimates of ultimate loss. CNA’s actuaries determine a point estimate of ultimate loss by reviewing the various estimates and assigning weight to each estimate given the characteristics of the product being reviewed. The reserve estimate is the difference between the estimated ultimate loss and the losses paid to date. The difference between the estimated ultimate loss and the case incurred loss (paid loss plus case reserve) is IBNR. IBNR calculated as such includes a provision for development on known cases (supplemental development) as well as a provision for claims that have occurred but have not yet been reported (pure IBNR).

Most of CNA’s business can be characterized as long-tail. For long-tail business, it will generally be several years between the time the business is written and the time when all claims are settled. CNA’s long-tail exposures include commercial automobile liability, workers’ compensation, general liability, medical malpractice, other professional liability coverages, assumed reinsurance run-off and products liability. Short-tail exposures include property, commercial automobile physical damage, marine and warranty. CNA Specialty and CNA Commercial contain both long-tail and short-tail exposures. Other Insurance contains long-tail exposures.

Various methods are used to project ultimate loss for both long-tail and short-tail exposures including, but not limited to, the following:

Paid Development,

Incurred Development,

Loss Ratio,

Bornhuetter-Ferguson Using Premiums and Paid Loss,

Bornhuetter-Ferguson Using Premiums and Incurred Loss,

Frequency times Severity, and

Stochastic modeling.

The paid development method estimates ultimate losses by reviewing paid loss patterns and applying them to accident years with further expected changes in paid loss. Selection of the paid loss pattern requires analysis of several factors including the impact of inflation on claims costs, the rate at which claims professionals make claim payments and close claims, the impact of judicial decisions, the impact of underwriting changes, the impact of large claim payments and other factors. Claim cost inflation itself requires evaluation of changes in the cost of repairing or replacing property, changes in the cost of medical care, changes in the cost of wage replacement, judicial decisions, legislative changes and other factors. Because this method assumes that losses are paid at a consistent rate, changes in any of these factors can impact the results. Since the method does not rely on case reserves, it is not directly influenced by changes in the adequacy of case reserves.

For many products, paid loss data for recent periods may be too immature or erratic for accurate predictions. This situation often exists for long-tail exposures. In addition, changes in the factors described above may result in inconsistent payment patterns. Finally, estimating the paid loss pattern subsequent to the most mature point available in the data analyzed often involves considerable uncertainty for long-tail products such as workers’ compensation.

        The incurred development method is similar to the paid development method, but it uses case incurred losses instead of paid losses. Since the method uses more data (case reserves in addition to paid losses) than the paid development method, the incurred development patterns may be less variable than paid patterns. However, selection of the incurred loss pattern requires analysis of all of the factors above. In addition, the inclusion of case reserves can lead to distortions

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations – CNA Financial – (Continued)

if changes in case reserving practices have taken place, and the use of case incurred losses may not eliminate the issues associated with estimating the incurred loss pattern subsequent to the most mature point available.

The loss ratio method multiplies premiums by an expected loss ratio to produce ultimate loss estimates for each accident year. This method may be useful for immature accident periods or if loss development patterns are inconsistent, losses emerge very slowly, or there is relatively little loss history from which to estimate future losses. The selection of the expected loss ratio requires analysis of loss ratios from earlier accident years or pricing studies and analysis of inflationary trends, frequency trends, rate changes, underwriting changes, and other applicable factors.

The Bornhuetter-Ferguson using premiums and paid loss method is a combination of the paid development approach and the loss ratio approach. This method normally determines expected loss ratios similar to the approach used to estimate the expected loss ratio for the loss ratio method and requires analysis of the same factors described above. This method assumes that only future losses will develop at the expected loss ratio level. The percent of paid loss to ultimate loss implied from the paid development method is used to determine what percentage of ultimate loss is yet to be paid. The use of the pattern from the paid development method requires consideration of all factors listed in the description of the paid development method. The estimate of losses yet to be paid is added to current paid losses to estimate the ultimate loss for each year. This method will react very slowly if actual ultimate loss ratios are different from expectations due to changes not accounted for by the expected loss ratio calculation.

The Bornhuetter-Ferguson using premiums and incurred loss method is similar to the Bornhuetter-Ferguson using premiums and paid loss method except that it uses case incurred losses. The use of case incurred losses instead of paid losses can result in development patterns that are less variable than paid patterns. However, the inclusion of case reserves can lead to distortions if changes in case reserving have taken place, and the method requires analysis of all the factors that need to be reviewed for the loss ratio and incurred development methods.

The Frequency times Severity method multiplies a projected number of ultimate claims by an estimated ultimate average loss for each accident year to produce ultimate loss estimates. Since projections of the ultimate number of claims are often less variable than projections of ultimate loss, this method can provide more reliable results for products where loss development patterns are inconsistent or too variable to be relied on exclusively. In addition, this method can more directly account for changes in coverage that impact the number and size of claims. However, this method can be difficult to apply to situations where very large claims or a substantial number of unusual claims result in volatile average claim sizes. Projecting the ultimate number of claims requires analysis of several factors including the rate at which policyholders report claims to us, the impact of judicial decisions, the impact of underwriting changes and other factors. Estimating the ultimate average loss requires analysis of the impact of large losses and claim cost trend based on changes in the cost of repairing or replacing property, changes in the cost of medical care, changes in the cost of wage replacement, judicial decisions, legislative changes and other factors.

Stochastic modeling produces a range of possible outcomes based on varying assumptions related to the particular product being modeled. For some products, CNA uses models which rely on historical development patterns at an aggregate level, while other products are modeled using individual claim variability assumptions supplied by the claims department. In either case, multiple simulations are run and the results are analyzed to produce a range of potential outcomes. The results will typically include a mean and percentiles of the possible reserve distribution which aid in the selection of a point estimate.

For many exposures, especially those that can be considered long-tail, a particular accident year may not have a sufficient volume of paid losses to produce a statistically reliable estimate of ultimate losses. In such a case, CNA’s actuaries typically assign more weight to the incurred development method than to the paid development method. As claims continue to settle and the volume of paid loss increases, the actuaries may assign additional weight to the paid development method. For most of CNA’s products, even the incurred losses for accident years that are early in the claim settlement process will not be of sufficient volume to produce a reliable estimate of ultimate losses. In these cases, CNA will not assign any weight to the paid and incurred development methods. CNA will use loss ratio, Bornhuetter-Ferguson and average loss methods. For short-tail exposures, the paid and incurred development methods can often be relied on sooner primarily because CNA’s history includes a sufficient number of years to cover the entire period over which paid and incurred losses are expected to change. However, CNA may also use loss ratio, Bornhuetter-Ferguson and average loss methods for short-tail exposures.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations – CNA Financial – (Continued)

For other more complex products where the above methods may not produce reliable indications, CNA uses additional methods tailored to the characteristics of the specific situation. Such products include construction defect losses and A&E.

For construction defect losses, CNA’s actuaries organize losses by report year. Report year groups claims by the year in which they were reported. To estimate losses from claims that have not been reported, various extrapolation techniques are applied to the pattern of claims that have been reported to estimate the number of claims yet to be reported. This process requires analysis of several factors including the rate at which policyholders report claims to us, the impact of judicial decisions, the impact of underwriting changes and other factors. An average claim size is determined from past experience and applied to the number of unreported claims to estimate reserves for these claims.

Periodic Reserve Reviews

The reserve analyses performed by CNA’s actuaries result in point estimates. Each quarter, the results of the detailed reserve reviews are summarized and discussed with CNA’s senior management to determine the best estimate of reserves. This group considers many factors in making this decision. The factors include, but are not limited to, the historical pattern and volatility of the actuarial indications, the sensitivity of the actuarial indications to changes in paid and incurred loss patterns, the consistency of claims handling processes, the consistency of case reserving practices, changes in CNA’s pricing and underwriting, pricing and underwriting trends in the insurance market, and legal, judicial, social and economic trends.

CNA’s recorded reserves reflect its best estimate as of a particular point in time based upon known facts, consideration of the factors cited above, and its judgment. The carried reserve may differ from the actuarial point estimate as the result of CNA’s consideration of the factors noted above as well as the potential volatility of the projections associated with the specific product being analyzed and other factors impacting claims costs that may not be quantifiable through traditional actuarial analysis. This process results in management’s best estimate which is then recorded as the loss reserve.

Currently, CNA’s recorded reserves are modestly higher than the actuarial point estimate. For both CNA Commercial and CNA Specialty, the difference between CNA’s reserves and the actuarial point estimate is primarily driven by uncertainty with respect to immature accident years, claim cost inflation, changes in claims handling, tort reform roll-backs which may adversely impact claim costs, and the effects of the recessionary economy. For Other Insurance, the carried reserve is relatively consistent with the actuarial point estimate.

The key assumptions fundamental to the reserving process are often different for various products and accident years. Some of these assumptions are explicit assumptions that are required of a particular method, but most of the assumptions are implicit and cannot be precisely quantified. An example of an explicit assumption is the pattern employed in the paid development method. However, the assumed pattern is itself based on several implicit assumptions such as the impact of inflation on medical costs and the rate at which claim professionals close claims. As a result, the effect on reserve estimates of a particular change in assumptions usually cannot be specifically quantified, and changes in these assumptions cannot be tracked over time.

CNA’s recorded reserves are management’s best estimate. In order to provide an indication of the variability associated with CNA’s net reserves, the following discussion provides a sensitivity analysis that shows the approximate estimated impact of variations in the most significant factor affecting CNA’s reserve estimates for particular types of business. These significant factors are the ones that could most likely materially impact the reserves. This discussion covers the major types of business for which CNA believes a material deviation to its reserves is reasonably possible. There can be no assurance that actual experience will be consistent with the current assumptions or with the variation indicated by the discussion. In addition, there can be no assurance that other factors and assumptions will not have a material impact on CNA’s reserves.

Within CNA Specialty, CNA believes a material deviation to its net reserves is reasonably possible for professional liability and related business. This business includes professional liability coverages provided to various professional firms, including architects, realtors, small and mid-sized accounting firms, law firms and technology firms. This business also includes D&O, employment practices, fiduciary and fidelity coverages as well as insurance products serving the healthcare delivery system. The most significant factor affecting reserve estimates for this business is claim severity. Claim severity is driven by the cost of medical care, the cost of wage replacement, legal fees, judicial decisions,

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations – CNA Financial – (Continued)

legislation and other factors. Underwriting and claim handling decisions such as the classes of business written and individual claim settlement decisions can also impact claim severity. If the estimated claim severity increases by 9.0%, CNA estimates that the net reserves would increase by approximately $450 million. If the estimated claim severity decreases by 3.0%, CNA estimates that net reserves would decrease by approximately $150 million. CNA’s net reserves for this business were approximately $4.9 billion at December 31, 2009.

Within CNA Commercial, the two types of business for which CNA believes a material deviation to its net reserves is reasonably possible are workers’ compensation and general liability.

For CNA Commercial workers’ compensation, since many years will pass from the time the business is written until all claim payments have been made, claim cost inflation on claim payments is the most significant factor affecting workers’ compensation reserve estimates. Workers’ compensation claim cost inflation is driven by the cost of medical care, the cost of wage replacement, expected claimant lifetimes, judicial decisions, legislative changes and other factors. If estimated workers’ compensation claim cost inflation increases by 100 basis points for the entire period over which claim payments will be made, CNA estimates that its net reserves would increase by approximately $450 million. If estimated workers’ compensation claim cost inflation decreases by 100 basis points for the entire period over which claim payments will be made, CNA estimates that its net reserves would decrease by approximately $400 million. CNA’s net reserves for CNA Commercial workers’ compensation were approximately $4.8 billion at December 31, 2009.

For CNA Commercial general liability, the most significant factor affecting reserve estimates is severity. Claim severity is driven by changes in the cost to repair or replace property, the cost of medical care, the cost of wage replacement, judicial decisions, legislation and other factors. If the estimated claim severity for general liability increases by 6.0%, CNA estimates that its net reserves would increase by approximately $200 million. If the estimated claim severity for general liability decreases by 3.0%, CNA estimates that its net reserves would decrease by approximately $100 million. CNA’s net reserves for CNA Commercial general liability were approximately $3.3 billion at December 31, 2009.

Within Other Insurance, the two types of business for which CNA believes a material deviation to its net reserves is reasonably possible are CNA Re and A&E.

For CNA Re, the predominant method used for estimating reserves is the incurred development method. Changes in the cost to repair or replace property, the cost of medical care, the cost of wage replacement, the rate at which ceding companies report claims, judicial decisions, legislation and other factors all impact the incurred development pattern for CNA Re. The pattern selected results in the incurred development factor that estimates future changes in case incurred loss. If the estimated incurred development factor for CNA Re increases by 40.0%, CNA estimates that its net reserves for CNA Re would increase by approximately $100 million. If the estimated incurred development factor for CNA Re decreases by 30.0%, CNA estimates that its net reserves would decrease by approximately $75 million. CNA’s net reserves for CNA Re were approximately $0.7 billion at December 31, 2009.

For A&E, the most significant factor affecting reserve estimates is overall account severity. Overall account severity for A&E reflects the combined impact of economic trends (inflation), changes in the types of defendants involved, the expected mix of asbestos disease types, judicial decisions, legislation and other factors. If the estimated overall account severity for A&E increases approximately 20.0%, CNA estimates that its A&E net reserves would increase by approximately $300 million. If the estimated overall account severity for A&E decreases by approximately 10.0%, CNA estimates that its A&E net reserves would decrease by approximately $150 million. CNA’s net reserves for A&E were approximately $1.4 billion at December 31, 2009.

Given the factors described above, it is not possible to quantify precisely the ultimate exposure represented by claims and related litigation. As a result, CNA regularly reviews the adequacy of its reserves and reassesses its reserve estimates as historical loss experience develops, additional claims are reported and settled and additional information becomes available in subsequent periods.

In light of the many uncertainties associated with establishing the estimates and making the assumptions necessary to establish reserve levels, CNA reviews its reserve estimates on a regular basis and make adjustments in the period that the need for such adjustments is determined. These reviews have resulted in CNA’s identification of information and trends

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations – CNA Financial – (Continued)

that have caused CNA to change its reserves in prior periods and could lead to the identification of a need for additional material increases or decreases in claim and claim adjustment expense reserves, which could materially affect our results of operations and equity and CNA’s business, insurer financial strength and debt ratings positively or negatively. See the Ratings section of this MD&A for further information regarding CNA’s financial strength and debt ratings.

Segment Results

CNA utilizes the net operating income financial measure to monitor its operations. Net operating income is calculated by excluding from net income the after tax effects of (i) net realized investment gains or losses, (ii) income or loss from discontinued operations and (iii) any cumulative effects of changes in accounting guidance. In evaluating the results of the CNA Specialty and CNA Commercial segments, CNA utilizes the loss ratio, the expense ratio, the dividend ratio, and the combined ratio. These ratios are calculated using GAAP financial results. The loss ratio is the percentage of net incurred claim and claim adjustment expenses to net earned premiums. The expense ratio is the percentage of insurance underwriting and acquisition expenses, including the amortization of deferred acquisition costs, to net earned premiums. The dividend ratio is the ratio of policyholders’ dividends incurred to net earned premiums. The combined ratio is the sum of the loss, expense and dividend ratios.

Changes in estimates of claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserves and premium accruals, net of reinsurance, for prior years are defined as net prior year development within this MD&A. These changes can be favorable or unfavorable. Net prior year development does not include the impact of related acquisition expenses. Further information on CNA’s reserves is provided in Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

The following discusses the results of continuing operations for CNA’s operating segments.

CNA Specialty

The following table summarizes the results of operations for CNA Specialty:

Year Ended December 31  2009  2008  2007    
(In millions, except %)   

Net written premiums

  $2,684   $2,719   $2,766   

Net earned premiums

   2,697    2,755    2,759   

Net investment income

   526    354    493   

Net operating income

   532    372    467   

Net realized investment losses

   (110  (150  (41 

Net income

   422    222    426   

Ratios:

     

Loss and loss adjustment expense

   56.9  61.7  62.5 

Expense

   29.3    27.3    25.8   

Dividend

   0.3    0.5    0.2   
 

Combined

   86.5  89.5  88.5 
 

2009 Compared with 2008

Net written premiums for CNA Specialty decreased $35 million in 2009 as compared with 2008. The decrease in net written premiums was driven by CNA’s architects and engineers and surety bond lines of business, as current economic conditions have led to decreased insured exposures. This, along with the competitive market conditions, may continue to put ongoing pressure on premium and income levels and the expense ratio. Net written premiums were also unfavorably impacted by foreign exchange. Net earned premiums decreased $58 million as compared with the same period in 2008, consistent with the trend of lower net written premiums.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations – CNA Financial – (Continued)

CNA Specialty’s average rate decreased 2.0% for 2009 as compared to a decrease of 4.0% for 2008 for policies that renewed in each period. Retention rates of 85.0% were achieved for those policies that were available for renewal in each period.

Net income improved $200 million in 2009 as compared with 2008. This increase was due to improved net operating income and lower net realized investment losses. See the Investments section of this MD&A for further discussion of net investment income and net realized investment results.

Net operating income improved $160 million in 2009 as compared with 2008, primarily due to higher net investment income and increased favorable net prior year development.

The combined ratio improved 3.0 points in 2009 as compared with 2008. The loss ratio improved 4.8 points primarily due to increased favorable net prior year development. The expense ratio increased 2.0 points in 2009 as compared with 2008, primarily due to higher underwriting expenses and the lower net earned premium base. Underwriting expenses increased primarily due to higher employee-related costs.

Favorable net prior year development of $224 million was recorded in 2009 compared to $106 million in 2008. Further information on CNA Specialty net prior year development for 2009 and 2008 is included in Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

The following table summarizes the gross and net carried reserves for CNA Specialty:

December 31  2009  2008   
(In millions)  

Gross Case Reserves

  $2,208  $2,105 

Gross IBNR Reserves

   4,714   4,616 
 

Total Gross Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves

   6,922  $6,721 
 

Net Case Reserves

  $1,781  $1,639 

Net IBNR Reserves

   4,085   3,896 
 

Total Net Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves

  $5,866  $5,535 
 

2008 Compared with 2007

Net written premiums for CNA Specialty decreased $47 million in 2008 as compared with 2007. Premiums written in 2008 were unfavorably impacted by competitive market conditions resulting in decreased production, as compared with 2007, primarily in professional management and liability lines. The unfavorable impact in premiums written was partially offset by decreased ceded premiums primarily due to decreased use of reinsurance. Net earned premiums decreased $4 million as compared with the same period in 2007, consistent with the decrease in net written premiums.

CNA Specialty’s rate on average decreased 4.0% for 2008, as compared to a decrease of 5.0% for 2007 for policies that renewed in each period. Retention rates of 85.0% and 83.0% were achieved for those policies that were up for renewal in each period.

Net income decreased $204 million in 2008 as compared with 2007. This decrease was primarily attributable to higher net realized investment losses and lower net operating income. See the Investments section of this MD&A for further discussion of net investment income and net realized investment results.

Net operating income decreased $95 million in 2008 as compared with 2007. This decrease was primarily driven by significantly lower net investment income and decreased current accident year underwriting results. These unfavorable results were partially offset by the impact of favorable net prior year development in 2008 as compared to unfavorable net prior year development in 2007.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations – CNA Financial – (Continued)

The combined ratio increased 1.0 point in 2008 as compared with 2007. The loss ratio improved 0.8 points, primarily due to the impact of development. This was partially offset by higher current accident year loss ratios recorded primarily in CNA’s E&O and D&O coverages for financial institutions due to the financial markets credit crisis in 2008.

The expense ratio increased 1.5 points in 2008 as compared with 2007. The increase primarily related to increased underwriting expenses and reduced ceding commissions.

Favorable net prior year development of $106 million was recorded in 2008 compared to unfavorable net prior year development of $24 million in 2007. Further information on CNA Specialty net prior year development for 2008 and 2007 is included in Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

CNA Commercial

The following table summarizes the results of operations for CNA Commercial:

Year Ended December 31  2009  2008  2007   
 
(In millions, except %)   

Net written premiums

  $3,448   $3,770   $4,007   

Net earned premiums

   3,432    3,787    4,104   

Net investment income

   922    603    1,006   

Net operating income

   456    261    619   

Net realized investment losses

   (209  (302  (93 

Net income (loss)

   247    (41  526   

Ratios:

     

Loss and loss adjustment expense

   69.6  73.0  66.8 

Expense

   35.2    31.2    32.1   

Dividend

   0.3     0.2   
 

Combined

   105.1  104.2  99.1 
 

2009 Compared with 2008

Net written premiums for CNA Commercial decreased $322 million in 2009 as compared to 2008. Written premiums declined in most lines primarily due to general economic conditions. Current economic conditions have led to decreased insured exposures, such as in small businesses and in the construction industry due to smaller payrolls and reduced project volume. This, along with competitive market conditions, may continue to put ongoing pressure on premium and income levels and the expense ratio. Net earned premiums decreased $355 million in 2009 as compared with 2008, consistent with the trend of lower net written premiums. Premiums were also impacted by unfavorable premium development recorded in 2009 and unfavorable foreign exchange.

CNA Commercial’s average rate was flat, as compared to a decrease of 4.0% for 2008 for policies that renewed in each period. Retention rates of 81.0% were achieved for those policies that were available for renewal in both periods.

Net results improved $288 million in 2009 as compared with 2008. This improvement was due to increased net operating income and decreased net realized investment losses. See the Investments section of this MD&A for further discussion of net realized investment results and net investment income.

Net operating income improved $195 million in 2009 compared with 2008. This improvement was primarily driven by higher net investment income and lower catastrophe losses. Partially offsetting these favorable items was an unfavorable change in current accident year underwriting results excluding catastrophes.

The combined ratio increased 0.9 points in 2009 as compared with 2008. The loss ratio improved 3.4 points primarily due to decreased catastrophe losses, partially offset by the impact of higher current accident year non-catastrophe loss ratios. Catastrophe losses were $82 million, or 2.4 points of the loss ratio, for 2009 as compared to $343 million, or 9.0 points of the loss ratio, for 2008. The current accident year loss ratio, excluding catastrophe losses, was unfavorably

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations – CNA Financial – (Continued)

impacted by loss experience in several lines of business, including workers’ compensation and renewable energy, as well as several significant property losses.

The expense ratio increased 4.0 points in 2009 as compared with 2008, primarily related to higher underwriting expenses, unfavorable changes in estimates for insurance-related assessments and the lower net earned premium base. Underwriting expenses increased primarily due to higher employee-related costs.

In 2008, the amount due from policyholders related to losses under deductible policies within CNA Commercial was reduced by $90 million for insolvent insureds. The reduction of this amount, which was reflected as unfavorable net prior year reserve development in 2008, had no effect on 2008 results of operations as CNA had previously recognized provisions in prior years. These impacts were reported in Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits in the 2008 Consolidated Statements of Income.

Favorable net prior year development of $168 million was recorded in 2009, compared to favorable net prior year development of $96 million in 2008. Excluding the impact of the $90 million of unfavorable net prior year reserve development discussed above, which had no net impact on the 2008 results of operations, favorable net prior year development was $186 million. Further information on CNA Commercial net prior year development for 2009 and 2008 is included in Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

The following table summarizes the gross and net carried reserves for CNA Commercial:

December 31  2009  2008  
 
(In millions)  

Gross Case Reserves

  $6,510  $6,772 

Gross IBNR Reserves

   6,495   6,837 
 

Total Gross Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves

  $13,005  $13,609 
 

Net Case Reserves

  $5,269  $5,505 

Net IBNR Reserves

   5,580   5,673 
 

Total Net Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves

  $10,849  $11,178 
 

2008 Compared with 2007

Net written premiums for CNA Commercial decreased $237 million in 2008 as compared with 2007. Premiums written in 2008 were unfavorably impacted by competitive market conditions resulting in decreased production, as compared with 2007, across most lines of business. This unfavorable impact was partially offset by decreased ceded premiums. Net earned premiums decreased $317 million in 2008 as compared with 2007, consistent with the decreased net written premiums.

CNA Commercial’s average rate decreased 4.0% for 2008, as compared to a decrease of 3.0% for 2007 for policies that renewed in each period. Retention rates of 81.0% and 79.0% were achieved for those policies that were available for renewal in each period.

Net results decreased $567 million in 2008 as compared with 2007. This decrease was attributable to decreased net operating income and higher net realized investment losses. See the Investments section of this MD&A for further discussion of the net realized investment results and net investment income.

Net operating income decreased $358 million in 2008 as compared with 2007. This decrease was primarily driven by significantly lower net investment income and higher catastrophe impacts. The catastrophe impacts were $207 million after tax and noncontrolling interest in 2008, which included a $6 million after tax and noncontrolling interest catastrophe-related insurance assessment, as compared to catastrophe losses of $44 million after tax and noncontrolling interest in 2007.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations – CNA Financial – (Continued)

The combined ratio increased 5.1 points in 2008 as compared with 2007. The loss ratio increased 6.2 points primarily due to increased catastrophe losses. Catastrophes losses related to 2008 events had an adverse impact of 9.0 points on the loss ratio in 2008 compared with an adverse impact of 1.8 points in 2007.

The expense ratio decreased 0.9 points in 2008 as compared with 2007 primarily related to changes in the assessment rates imposed by certain states for insurance-related assessments. The dividend ratio decreased 0.2 points in 2008 as compared with 2007 due to increased favorable dividend development in the workers’ compensation line of business.

Favorable net prior year development of $96 million was recorded in 2008. Excluding the impact of the $90 million of unfavorable net prior year reserve development discussed above, which had no net impact on the 2008 results of operations, favorable net prior year development was $186 million. Favorable net prior year development of $183 million was recorded in 2007. Further information on CNA Commercial net prior year development for 2008 and 2007 is included in Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

Life & Group Non-Core

The following table summarizes the results of operations for Life & Group Non-Core.

Year Ended December 31  2009  2008  2007   
 
(In millions)   

Net earned premiums

  $595   $612   $618   

Net investment income

   664    484    622   

Net operating loss

   (14  (97  (141 

Net realized investment losses

   (138  (212  (33 

Net loss

   (152  (309  (174 
 

2009 Compared with 2008

Net earned premiums for Life & Group Non-Core decreased $17 million in 2009 as compared with 2008. Net earned premiums relate primarily to the individual and group long term care businesses.

Net loss decreased $157 million in 2009 as compared with 2008. The decrease in net loss was primarily due to improved net realized investment results, favorable performance on CNA’s remaining pension deposit business as further discussed below, and a settlement reached with Willis Limited that resolved litigation related to the placement of personal accident reinsurance. Under the settlement agreement, Willis Limited agreed to pay CNA a total of $130 million, which resulted in an after tax and noncontrolling interest gain of $55 million, net of reinsurance. This litigation was brought by CNA in response to its settlement of the IGI contingency in 2007, as discussed below.

Certain of the separate account investment contracts related to CNA’s pension deposit business guarantee principal and an annual minimum rate of interest, for which CNA recorded an additional pretax liability in Policyholders’ funds in 2008. Based on the increase in value of the investments supporting this business, CNA decreased this pretax liability by $42 million during 2009. During 2008, CNA increased this liability by $68 million.

These favorable impacts were partially offset by unfavorable results in CNA’s long term care business and a $25 million after tax and noncontrolling interest legal accrual recorded in the second quarter of 2009 related to a previously held limited partnership investment. The limited partnership investment supported the indexed group annuity portion of CNA’s pension deposit business.

Net investment income for the year ended December 31, 2008 included trading portfolio losses of $146 million, which were substantially offset by a corresponding decrease in the policyholders’ funds reserves supported by the trading portfolio. This trading portfolio supported the indexed group annuity portion of CNA’s pension deposit business. During 2008, CNA settled these liabilities with policyholders with no material impact to results of operations. That business had a net loss of $20 million for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations – CNA Financial – (Continued)

2008 Compared with 2007

Net earned premiums for Life & Group Non-Core decreased $6 million in 2008 as compared with 2007.

Net loss increased $135 million in 2008 as compared with 2007. The increase in net loss was primarily due to increased net realized investment losses and adverse investment performance on a portion of CNA’s pension deposit business. As discussed above, during 2008, CNA recorded a pretax liability of $68 million in Policyholders’ funds due to the performance of the related assets supporting the pension deposit business in 2008. There was no liability recorded in 2007 related to this business.

The net loss in 2007 included an after tax and noncontrolling interest loss of $96 million related to the settlement of the IGI contingency. The IGI contingency related to reinsurance arrangements with respect to personal accident insurance coverages provided between 1997 and 1999 which were the subject of arbitration proceedings.

The decreased net investment income included a decline of trading portfolio results, which was substantially offset by a corresponding decrease in the policyholders’ fund reserves supported by the indexed group annuity trading portfolio. The trading portfolio supported the indexed group annuity portion of CNA’s pension deposit business. See the Investments section of this MD&A for further discussion of net investment income and net realized investment results.

Other Insurance

The following table summarizes the results of operations for the Other Insurance segment, including A&E and intrasegment eliminations.

Year Ended December 31  2009  2008  2007   
 
(In millions)

Net investment income

  $208   $178   $312   

Net operating income (loss)

   (70  (48  5   

Net realized investment losses

   (48  (92  (13 

Net loss

   (118  (140  (8 
 

2009 Compared with 2008

Net loss decreased $22 million in 2009 as compared with 2008, primarily due to improved net realized investment results and higher net investment income. Partially offsetting these favorable items was increased unfavorable net prior year development primarily related to A&E.

Unfavorable net prior year development of $184 million was recorded in 2009, including $79 million for asbestos exposures and $76 million for environmental pollution exposures. In CNA’s most recent actuarial ground up review CNA noted adverse development in various asbestos accounts due to increases in average claim severity and defense expense arising from increased trial activity. Additionally, CNA has not seen a decline in the overall emergence of new accounts during the last few years. CNA noted adverse development in various pollution accounts due to changes in the liabilities attributed to its policyholders and adverse changes in case law impacting insurers’ coverage obligations. These changes in turn increased CNA’s account estimates on certain accounts. In addition, the frequency of environmental pollution claims did not decline at the rate previously anticipated. Unfavorable net prior year development of $122 million was recorded in 2008. Further information on Other Insurance net prior year development for 2009 and 2008 is included in Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations – CNA Financial – (Continued)

The following table summarizes the gross and net carried reserves for the Other Insurance segment:

December 31  2009  2008  
 
(In millions)

Gross Case Reserves

  $1,548  $1,823 

Gross IBNR Reserves

   2,458   2,578 
 

Total Gross Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves

  $4,006  $4,401 
 

Net Case Reserves

  $972  $1,126 

Net IBNR Reserves

   1,515   1,561 
 

Total Net Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves

  $2,487  $2,687 
 

2008 Compared with 2007

Net results decreased $132 million in 2008 as compared with 2007. This decrease was primarily due to lower net investment income, higher net realized investment losses and expenses associated with a legal contingency. These unfavorable impacts were partially offset by a $27 million release from the allowance for uncollectible reinsurance receivables arising from a change in estimate. In addition, the 2007 results included current accident year losses related to certain mass torts.

Unfavorable net prior year development of $122 million was recorded during 2008. Unfavorable net prior year development of $86 million was recorded in 2007. Further information on Other Insurance’s net prior year development for 2008 and 2007 is included in Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

A&E Reserves

CNA’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries have actual and potential exposures related to A&E claims.

Establishing reserves for A&E claim and claim adjustment expenses is subject to a higher degree of variability due to a number of factors, as further discussed in the Reserve Estimates & Uncertainties section of this MD&A. Due to the inherent uncertainties in estimating claim and claim adjustment expense reserves for A&E and due to the significant uncertainties described related to A&E claims, CNA’s ultimate liability for these cases, both individually and in aggregate, may exceed the recorded reserves. Any such potential additional liability, or any range of potential additional amounts, cannot be reasonably estimated currently, but could be material to our results of operations and equity, and CNA’s business, insurer financial strength and debt ratings.

Asbestos

In the past several years, CNA experienced, at certain points in time, significant increases in claim counts for asbestos-related claims. The factors that led to these increases included, among other things, intensive advertising campaigns by lawyers for asbestos claimants, mass medical screening programs sponsored by plaintiff lawyers and the addition of new defendants such as the distributors and installers of products containing asbestos. In recent years, the rate of new filings has decreased. Various challenges to mass screening claimants have been successful. Historically, the majority of asbestos bodily injury claims have been filed by persons exhibiting few, if any, disease symptoms. Studies have concluded that the percentage of unimpaired claimants to total claimants ranges between 66.0% and up to 90.0%. Some courts and some state statutes mandate that so-called “unimpaired” claimants may not recover unless at some point the claimant’s condition worsens to the point of impairment. Some plaintiffs classified as “unimpaired” continue to challenge those orders and statutes. Therefore, the ultimate impact of the orders and statutes on future asbestos claims remains uncertain.

Despite the decrease in new claim filings in recent years, there are several factors, in CNA’s view, negatively impacting asbestos claim trends. Plaintiff attorneys who previously sued entities that are now bankrupt continue to seek other viable targets. As plaintiff attorneys named additional defendants to new and existing asbestos bodily injury lawsuits, CNA experienced an increase in the total number of policyholders with current asbestos claims. Companies with few or no previous asbestos claims are becoming targets in asbestos litigation and, although they may have little or

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations – CNA Financial – (Continued)

no liability, nevertheless must be defended. Additionally, plaintiff attorneys and trustees for future claimants are demanding that policy limits be paid lump-sum into the bankruptcy asbestos trusts prior to presentation of valid claims and medical proof of these claims. Various challenges to these practices have succeeded in litigation, and are continuing to be litigated. Plaintiff attorneys and trustees for future claimants are also attempting to devise claims payment procedures for bankruptcy trusts that would allow asbestos claims to be paid under lax standards for injury, exposure and causation. This also presents the potential for exhausting policy limits in an accelerated fashion. Challenges to these practices are being mounted, though the ultimate impact or success of these tactics remains uncertain.

CNA is involved in significant asbestos-related claim litigation, which is described in Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

Environmental Pollution

Environmental pollution cleanup is the subject of both federal and state regulation. By some estimates, there are thousands of potential waste sites subject to cleanup. The insurance industry has been involved in extensive litigation regarding coverage issues. Judicial interpretations in many cases have expanded the scope of coverage and liability beyond the original intent of the policies. The Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (“Superfund”) and comparable state statutes (“mini-Superfunds”) govern the cleanup and restoration of toxic waste sites and formalize the concept of legal liability for cleanup and restoration by “Potentially Responsible Parties” (“PRP”s). Superfund and the mini-Superfunds establish mechanisms to pay for cleanup of waste sites if PRPs fail to do so and assign liability to PRPs. The extent of liability to be allocated to a PRP is dependent upon a variety of factors. Further, the number of waste sites subject to cleanup is unknown. To date, approximately 1,500 cleanup sites have been identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and included on its National Priorities List (“NPL”). State authorities have designated many cleanup sites as well.

Many policyholders have made claims against CNA for defense costs and indemnification in connection with environmental pollution matters. The vast majority of these claims relate to accident years 1989 and prior, which coincides with CNA’s adoption of the Simplified Commercial General Liability coverage form, which includes what is referred to in the industry as absolute pollution exclusion. CNA and the insurance industry are disputing coverage for many such claims. Key coverage issues include whether cleanup costs are considered damages under the policies, trigger of coverage, allocation of liability among triggered policies, applicability of pollution exclusions and owned property exclusions, the potential for joint and several liability and the definition of an occurrence. To date, courts have been inconsistent in their rulings on these issues.

Further information on A&E claim and claim adjustment expense reserves and net prior year development is included in Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

Diamond Offshore

The two most significant variables affecting revenues are dayrates for rigs and rig utilization rates, each of which is a function of rig supply and demand in the marketplace. Demand for drilling services is dependent upon the level of expenditures set by oil and gas companies for offshore exploration and development, as well as a variety of political and economic factors. The availability of rigs in a particular geographical region also affects both dayrates and utilization rates. These factors are not within Diamond Offshore’s control and are difficult to predict.

Demand affects the number of days the fleet is utilized and the dayrates earned. When a rig is idle, no dayrate is earned and revenues will decrease as a result. Revenues can also be affected as a result of the acquisition or disposal of rigs, required surveys and shipyard upgrades. In order to improve utilization or realize higher dayrates, Diamond Offshore may mobilize its rigs from one market to another. However, during periods of mobilization, revenues may be adversely affected. As a response to changes in demand, Diamond Offshore may withdraw a rig from the market by stacking it or may reactivate a rig stacked previously, which may decrease or increase revenues.

Diamond Offshore’s operating income is primarily affected by revenue factors, but is also a function of varying levels of operating expenses. Diamond Offshore’s contract drilling expenses represent all direct and indirect costs associated with the operation and maintenance of its drilling equipment. The principal components of Diamond Offshore’s contract drilling costs are, among other things, direct and indirect costs of labor and benefits, repairs and maintenance, freight,

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations – Diamond Offshore – (Continued)

regulatory inspections, boat and helicopter rentals and insurance. Labor and repair and maintenance costs represent the most significant components of contract drilling expenses. In periods of high, sustained utilization, maintenance and repair costs may increase in order to maintain Diamond Offshore’s equipment in proper, working order. Costs to repair and maintain equipment fluctuate depending upon the type of activity the drilling unit is performing, as well as the age and condition of the equipment and the regions in which the rigs are working. In general, Diamond Offshore’s labor costs increase primarily due to higher salary levels, rig staffing requirements and costs associated with labor regulations in the geographic regions in which Diamond Offshore’s rigs operate.

Contract drilling expenses generally are not affected by changes in dayrates, and short term reductions in utilization do not necessarily result in lower operating expenses. For instance, if a rig is to be idle for a short period of time, few decreases in contract drilling expenses may actually occur since the rig is typically maintained in a prepared or “ready stacked” state with a full crew. In addition, when a rig is idle, Diamond Offshore is responsible for certain contract drilling expenses such as rig fuel and supply boat costs, which are typically costs of the operator when a rig is under contract. However, if the rig is to be idle for an extended period of time, Diamond Offshore may reduce the size of a rig’s crew and take steps to “cold stack” the rig, which lowers expenses and partially offsets the impact on operating income.

Operating income is also negatively impacted when Diamond Offshore performs certain regulatory inspections that are due every five years (“5-year survey”) for each of Diamond Offshore’s rigs as well as intermediate surveys, which are performed at interim periods between 5-year surveys. Contract drilling revenue decreases because these surveys are performed during scheduled downtime in a shipyard. No revenue is generally earned during periods of downtime for regulatory surveys. Contract drilling expenses increase as a result of these surveys due to the cost to mobilize the rigs to a shipyard, inspection costs incurred and repair and maintenance costs. Repair and maintenance costs may be required resulting from the survey or may have been previously planned to take place during this mandatory downtime. The number of rigs undergoing a 5-year survey will vary from year to year, as well as from quarter to quarter.

The global economy remained weak in the fourth quarter of 2009 and into the first quarter of 2010, and energy prices continued to be volatile. Given the unpredictable economic environment, the demand for Diamond Offshore’s services and the dayrates it was able to command for new contracts softened. This volatility and uncertainty could continue until the global economy improves. Absent global economic improvement, the decline in drilling activity could be further exacerbated by the influx of new build rigs over the next several years, particularly in regard to jack-up units. Diamond Offshore has experienced negative effects of the current market such as customer credit problems, customers attempting to renegotiate or terminate contracts, one customer seeking bankruptcy protection, a further slowing in the pace of new contracting activity, declines in dayrates for new contracts, declines in utilization and the stacking of idle equipment. Nevertheless, during 2009, Diamond Offshore added new commitments to its contract backlog. Diamond Offshore entered 2010 with a contract backlog approaching $8.5 billion, which it expects to help mitigate the impact of the current market in 2010.

Contract Drilling Backlog

The following table reflects Diamond Offshore’s contract drilling backlog as of February 1, 2010, October 22, 2009 (the date reported in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009) and February 5, 2009 (the date reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008). The October 2009 period includes both firm commitments (typically represented by signed contracts), as well as previously-disclosed letters of intent (“LOIs”), where indicated. An LOI is subject to customary conditions, including the execution of a definitive agreement, and as such may not result in a binding contract. Contract drilling backlog is calculated by multiplying the contracted operating dayrate by the firm contract period and adding one-half of any potential rig performance bonuses. Diamond Offshore’s calculation also assumes full utilization of its drilling equipment for the contract period (excluding scheduled shipyard and survey days); however, the amount of actual revenue earned and the actual periods during which revenues are earned will be different than the amounts and periods shown in the tables below due to various factors. Utilization rates, which generally approach 95.0% - 98.0% during contracted periods, can be adversely impacted by downtime due to various operating factors including, but not limited to, weather conditions and unscheduled repairs and maintenance. Contract drilling backlog excludes revenues for mobilization, demobilization,

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations – Diamond Offshore – (Continued)

contract preparation and customer reimbursables. No revenue is generally earned during periods of downtime for regulatory surveys. Changes in Diamond Offshore’s contract drilling backlog between periods are a function of the performance of work on term contracts, as well as the extension or modification of existing term contracts and the execution of additional contracts.

    February 1,
2010 (a)(b)
  October 22,
2009 (c)
  February 5,
2009
   
(In millions)  

High specification floaters (a) (c)

  $4,177  $4,450  $4,448 

Intermediate semisubmersible rigs (b)

   4,030   4,061   5,985 

Jack-ups

   249   249   421 
 

Total

  $8,456  $8,760  $10,854 
 

(a)

Contract drilling backlog as of February 1, 2010 for Diamond Offshore’s high specification floaters includes $1.3 billion attributable to expected operations offshore Brazil for the years 2010 to 2016.

(b)

Contract drilling backlog as of February 1, 2010 for Diamond Offshore’s intermediate semisubmersible rigs includes $2.9 billion attributable to expected operations offshore Brazil for the years 2010 to 2015.

(c)

Contract drilling backlog as of October 22, 2009 included an aggregate $124 million in contract drilling revenue related to future work for one of Diamond Offshore’s high specification floaters for which a definitive agreement was subsequently reached.

The following table reflects the amount of Diamond Offshore’s contract drilling backlog by year as of February 1, 2010.

Year Ended December 31  Total  2010  2011  2012  2013 - 2016   
(In millions)  

High specification floaters (a)

  $4,177  $1,536  $1,245  $570  $826 

Intermediate semisubmersible rigs (b)

   4,030   1,393   1,026   860   751 

Jack-ups

   249   210   39     
 

Total

  $8,456  $3,139  $2,310  $1,430  $1,577 
 

(a)

Contract drilling backlog as of February 1, 2010 for Diamond Offshore’s high specification floaters includes $374 million, $294 million and $135 million for the years 2010, 2011 and 2012, and $476 million in the aggregate for the years 2013 to 2016 attributable to expected operations offshore Brazil.

(b)

Contract drilling backlog as of February 1, 2010 for Diamond Offshore’s intermediate semisubmersible rigs includes $715 million, $788 million and $732 million for the years 2010, 2011 and 2012, and $698 million in the aggregate for the years 2013 to 2015 attributable to expected operations offshore Brazil.

The following table reflects the percentage of rig days committed by year as of February 1, 2010. The percentage of rig days committed is calculated as the ratio of total days committed under contracts and LOIs, as well as scheduled shipyard, survey and mobilization days for all rigs in Diamond Offshore’s fleet, to total available days (number of rigs multiplied by the number of days in a particular year). The total available days have been calculated based on the expected final commissioning date for theOcean Valor.

Year Ended December 31  2010 (a)  2011 (a)  2012  2013 - 2016    

High specification floaters

  84.0 57.0 27.0 10.0 

Intermediate semisubmersible rigs

  78.0   54.0   44.0   10.0   

Jack-ups

  42.0   6.0     

(a)

Includes approximately 970 and 80 scheduled shipyard, survey and mobilization days for 2010 and 2011.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations – Diamond Offshore – (Continued)

Results of Operations

The following table summarizes the results of operations for Diamond Offshore for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 as presented in Note 23 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8:

Year Ended December 31  2009  2008  2007    
(In millions)   

Revenues:

     

Contract drilling

  $3,537   $3,476   $2,506   

Net investment income

   4    12    34   

Investment gains (losses)

   1    1    (1 

Other revenue

   112    (2  77   
 

Total

   3,654    3,487    2,616   
 

Expenses:

     

Contract drilling

   1,224    1,185    1,004   

Other operating

   515    448    355   

Interest

   50    10    20   
 

Total

   1,789    1,643    1,379   
 

Income before income tax

   1,865    1,844    1,237   

Income tax expense

   (540  (582  (429 
 

Net income

   1,325    1,262    808   

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

   (682  (650  (415 
 

Net income attributable to Loews Corporation

  $643   $612   $393   
 

2009 Compared with 2008

Revenues increased $167 million, or 4.8%, and net income increased $31 million or 5.1%, in 2009, as compared to 2008. During 2009 Diamond Offshore’s contracted revenue backlog partially mitigated the impact of the global economic recession on its industry. However, Diamond Offshore’s operating results also reflect the negative impact of ready stacking theOcean Star, Ocean Victory, Ocean Guardianand Ocean Scepter for extended periods and the cold stacking of three mat-supported jack-up rigs in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. In addition, the international jack-up market, which had been strong throughout the majority of 2008, also reflected softening demand and reduced dayrates during 2009.

Revenues from high specification floaters and intermediate semisubmersible rigs increased $128 million in 2009, as compared to 2008. Revenues increased in 2009, primarily due to increased dayrates of $120 million and utilization of $8 million.

Revenues from jack-up rigs decreased $68 million in 2009, as compared to 2008, due primarily to decreased utilization of $80 million, partially offset by increased dayrates of $12 million in 2009.

Net income increased in 2009 as compared to 2008, primarily due to the changes in revenues as noted above. Operating costs are inclusive of normal operating costs for the recently upgradedOcean Monarch and Diamond Offshore’s new jack-upsOcean Shield andOcean Scepter, as well as contract preparation, partially offset by lower operating costs resulting from the decline in utilization and overall lower survey and related costs compared to the prior period. Depreciation expense increased $59 million during 2009 due to a higher depreciable asset base. Interest expense increased in 2009, by $40 million due to the additional expense related to the issuance of 5.9% senior notes in May of 2009, the issuance of 5.7% senior notes in October of 2009 and the reduction of capitalized interest resulting from completion of construction projects.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations – Diamond Offshore – (Continued)

2008 Compared with 2007

Revenues increased by $871 million, or 33.3%, and net income increased by $219 million, or 55.7%, in 2008, as compared to 2007. Continued high overall utilization and historically high dayrates for Diamond Offshore’s floater fleet contributed to an overall increase in net income. In many of the floater markets in which Diamond Offshore operates, average realized dayrates increased as Diamond Offshore’s rigs operated under contracts at higher dayrates than those earned during 2007. Diamond Offshore’s results for the year ended December 31, 2008 were impacted by $54 million in pretax losses on foreign currency forward exchange contracts ($37 million in net unrealized losses resulting from mark-to-market accounting on Diamond Offshore’s open positions at December 31, 2008 and $17 million in net realized losses on settlement), which is included in Other revenues.

Revenues from high specification floaters and intermediate semisubmersible rigs increased by $892 million in 2008, as compared to 2007. The increase primarily reflects increased dayrates of $767 million and increased utilization of $110 million.

Revenues from jack-up rigs increased $79 million in 2008, as compared to 2007, due primarily to increased utilization of $96 million, partially offset by decreased dayrates of $20 million. Revenues were favorably impacted by an increase in the recognition of mobilization fees and other operating revenues, primarily for theOcean Scepter, of $3 million in 2008.

Net income increased in 2008, as compared to 2007, due to the revenue increases as noted above, partially offset by increased contract drilling expenses. Overall cost increases for maintenance and repairs between the 2008 and 2007 periods reflect the impact of high, sustained utilization of Diamond Offshore’s drilling units across its fleet, additional survey and related maintenance costs, contract preparation and mobilization costs. Diamond Offshore’s results for 2008 also include normal operating costs for its newly constructed jack-up rigs, theOcean Shield andOcean Scepter, that began operating offshore Malaysia in the second quarter of 2008 and offshore Argentina during the third quarter of 2008. The increase in overall operating and overhead costs also reflects the impact of higher prices throughout the offshore drilling industry and its support businesses, including higher costs associated with hiring and retaining skilled personnel for Diamond Offshore’s worldwide offshore fleet. Results for 2008 were also adversely impacted by a $32 million provision for bad debt related to a North Sea semisubmersible rig contracted to a U.K. customer that has entered into administration.

Interest expense decreased $10 million in 2008, primarily due to the reduced interest expense and the absence of a $9 million write-off of debt issuance costs related to conversions of Diamond Offshore’s 1.5% debentures into common stock in 2007.

In connection with a non-recurring distribution of $850 million from a Diamond Offshore foreign subsidiary, a portion of which consisted of earnings of the subsidiary that had not previously been subjected to U.S. federal income tax, Diamond Offshore recognized $59 million of U.S. federal income tax expense in 2007.

HighMount

We use the following terms throughout this discussion of HighMount’s results of operations, with “equivalent” volumes computed with oil and NGL quantities converted to Mcf, on an energy equivalent ratio of one barrel to six Mcf:

Bbl

-

Barrel (of oil or NGLs)

Bcf

-

Billion cubic feet (of natural gas)

Bcfe

-

Billion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent

Mbbl

-

Thousand barrels (of oil or NGLs)

Mcf

-

Thousand cubic feet (of natural gas)

Mcfe

-

Thousand cubic feet of natural gas equivalent

MMBtu

-

Million British thermal units

HighMount’s revenues, profitability and future growth depend substantially on natural gas and NGL prices and HighMount’s ability to increase its natural gas and NGL production. In recent years, there has been significant price volatility in natural gas and NGL prices due to a variety of factors HighMount cannot control or predict. These factors,

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations – HighMount – (Continued)

which include weather conditions, political and economic events, and competition from other energy sources, impact supply and demand for natural gas, which determines the pricing. In addition, the price HighMount realizes for its gas production is affected by HighMount’s hedging activities as well as locational differences in market prices. The level of natural gas production is dependent upon HighMount’s ability to realize attractive returns on its capital investment program. Returns are affected by commodity prices, capital and operating costs.

During 2009, natural gas prices decreased significantly compared to 2008, due largely to increased onshore natural gas production, plentiful levels of working gas in storage and reduced demand. The increase in onshore natural gas production was due largely to increased production from “unconventional” sources of natural gas such as shale gas, coalbed methane and tight sandstones, made possible in recent years by modern technology in creating extensive artificial fractures around well bores and advances in horizontal drilling technology. At the same time, drilling costs remained high in the first half of 2009 and did not decrease until late in the third quarter. In light of these developments, HighMount elected to substantially reduce its 2009 drilling activity earlier in the year and implemented a limited drilling program in the second half of the year. Also, as a result of the low natural gas prices, HighMount elected to curtail production during the third and fourth quarters. Reduced drilling activity and well curtailments negatively impact production volumes.

HighMount’s operating income, which represents revenues less operating expenses, is primarily affected by revenue factors, but is also a function of varying levels of production expenses, production and ad valorem taxes, as well as depreciation, depletion and amortization (“DD&A”) expenses. HighMount’s production expenses represent all costs incurred to operate and maintain wells and related equipment and facilities. The principal components of HighMount’s production expenses are, among other things, direct and indirect costs of labor and benefits, repairs and maintenance, materials, supplies and fuel. HighMount’s production and ad valorem taxes increase primarily when prices of natural gas and NGLs increase, but they are also affected by changes in production, as well as appreciated property values. HighMount calculates depletion using the units-of-production method, which depletes the capitalized costs and future development costs associated with evaluated properties based on the ratio of production volumes for the current period to total remaining reserve volumes for the evaluated properties. HighMount’s depletion expense is affected by its capital spending program and projected future development costs, as well as reserve changes resulting from drilling programs, well performance, and revisions due to changing commodity prices.

As part of the acquisition of exploration and production assets from Dominion Resources, Inc. in July of 2007, HighMount assumed an obligation to deliver specified quantities of natural gas under previously existing Volumetric Production Payment (“VPP”) agreements, which expired in February of 2009. Natural gas sales and production costs related to the VPP agreements were not recognized in HighMount’s results. Upon expiration of the VPP agreements, HighMount recognized additional gas sales volume of 7.9 Bcf and the related production costs during the year ended December 31, 2009.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations – HighMount – (Continued)

Presented below are production and sales statistics related to HighMount’s operations for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007:

Year Ended December 31  2009  2008  2007 (a)   

Gas production (Bcf)

   77.0   78.9   34.0 

Gas sales (Bcf)

   70.8   72.5   31.4 

Oil production/sales (Mbbls)

   363.0   351.3   114.0 

NGL production/sales (Mbbls)

   3,315.9   3,507.4   1,512.9 

Equivalent production (Bcfe)

   99.0   102.0   43.8 

Equivalent sales (Bcfe)

   92.9   95.7   41.2 

Average realized prices without hedging results:

       

Gas (per Mcf)

  $3.72  $8.25  $5.95 

NGL (per Bbl)

   30.07   51.26   51.02 

Oil (per Bbl)

   55.37   95.26   83.37 

Equivalent (per Mcfe)

   4.13   8.48   6.65 

Average realized prices with hedging results:

       

Gas (per Mcf)

  $6.94  $7.71  $6.00 

NGL (per Bbl)

   30.98   47.73   46.41 

Oil (per Bbl)

   55.37   95.26   83.37 

Equivalent (per Mcfe)

   6.61   7.94   6.51 

Average cost per Mcfe:

       

Production expenses

  $1.10  $1.04  $0.89 

Production and ad valorem taxes

   0.36   0.70   0.54 

General and administrative expenses

   0.58   0.69   0.58 

Depletion expense

   0.98   1.58   1.41 

(a)

HighMount commenced operations on July 31, 2007.

The following table summarizes the results of operations for HighMount for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 as presented in Note 23 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8.

Year Ended December 31  2009  2008  2007 (a)    
(In millions)   

Revenues:

     

Other revenue, primarily operating

  $620   $770   $274   

Investment gains

     32   
 

Total

   620    770    306   
 

Expenses:

     

Impairment of natural gas and oil properties

   1,036    691    

Impairment of goodwill

    482    

Operating

   343    411    150   

Interest

   80    76    32   
 

Total

   1,459    1,660    182   
 

Income (loss) before income tax

   (839  (890  124   

Income tax (expense) benefit

   302    315    (46 
 

Net income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation

  $(537 $(575 $78   
 

(a)

HighMount commenced operations on July 31, 2007.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations – HighMount – (Continued)

2009 Compared to 2008

HighMount’s revenues decreased by $150 million to $620 million in 2009, compared to $770 million for 2008. This decrease was primarily due to lower commodity prices which decreased revenues by $405 million, partially offset by an increase of $282 million due to the effect of HighMount’s hedging activities. HighMount had hedges in place as of December 31, 2009 that covered approximately 64.0% and 35.0% of HighMount’s total estimated 2010 and 2011 natural gas equivalent production at a weighted average price of $6.43 and $6.49 per Mcfe. HighMount sales volumes were 92.9 Bcfe in 2009 compared to 95.7 Bcfe during 2008. This decrease reflects the reduction in HighMount’s drilling activity beginning in late 2008 and production curtailments during the third and fourth quarters of 2009, partially offset by the expiration of the VPP agreements in 2009.

In the first quarter of 2009, HighMount recorded a non-cash ceiling test impairment charge of $1,036 million ($660 million after tax) related to the carrying value of its natural gas and oil properties. The write-down was the result of declines in commodity prices. Had the effects of HighMount’s cash flow hedges not been considered in calculating the ceiling limitation, the impairment would have been $1,230 million ($784 million after tax).

Operating expenses primarily consist of production expenses, production and ad valorem taxes, general and administrative costs and DD&A. Operating expenses decreased by $68 million to $343 million in 2009, compared to $411 million in 2008. In 2009, HighMount elected to terminate contracts for five drilling rigs at its Permian Basin properties in the Sonora, Texas area and reduce its 2009 drilling activity which has reduced production volumes. The fee for exercising this early termination right of $23 million was charged to Operating expenses. Operating expenses in 2009 also included a $10 million impairment charge related to a decline in the market value of tubular goods inventory.

Production expenses totaled $102 million during 2009, compared to $99 million in 2008. The increase in production expense of $3 million was primarily due to $11 million in additional costs recognized as a result of the expiration of the VPP agreements in February of 2009, largely offset by an $8 million decrease due to cost cutting efforts. Production expenses on a per unit basis were $1.10 in 2009 compared to $1.04 in 2008. Production and ad valorem taxes were $33 million and $67 million for 2009 and 2008. The decrease of $34 million was due primarily to decreased production taxes as a result of lower natural gas and NGL prices during 2009. Production and ad valorem taxes were $0.36 per Mcfe in 2009 compared to $0.70 per Mcfe in 2008. General and administrative expenses declined to $56 million during 2009, compared to $68 million during 2008 primarily due to a decrease in compensation related expenses.

DD&A expenses declined to $119 million in 2009 from $177 million in 2008. DD&A expenses included depletion of natural gas and NGL properties of $97 million and $162 million for 2009 and 2008. HighMount’s depletion rate per Mcfe decreased by $0.60 per Mcfe to $0.98 per Mcfe in 2009, compared to $1.58 per Mcfe in 2008 primarily due to impairments of natural gas and oil properties recorded in December of 2008 and March of 2009, as well as lower projected future development costs.

2008 Compared to 2007

HighMount commenced operations on July 31, 2007, when it acquired certain exploration and production assets, and assumed certain related obligations, from subsidiaries of Dominion Resources, Inc. Prior to the acquisition, natural gas forwards were entered into in order to manage the commodity price risk of the natural gas assets to be acquired. The mark-to-market adjustments related to these forwards have been reflected as investment gains in our results of operations. Concurrent with the closing of the acquisition, these forwards were designated as hedges and included in HighMount’s operating results or Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

HighMount’s revenues increased by $464 million to $770 million in 2008, compared to $306 million for 2007. HighMount commenced operations on July 31, 2007. This increase was primarily due to the increase in volumes sold of 54.5 Bcfe, which increased revenues by $362 million, as well as higher average commodity prices in 2008 compared to 2007, which contributed another $176 million to the increase in revenues. The increase in revenue due to higher volumes and prices was offset by a decrease of $46 million due to the effect of HighMount’s hedging activities.

At December 31, 2008, HighMount recorded a non-cash ceiling test impairment charge of $691 million ($440 million after tax) related to the carrying value of its natural gas and oil properties. The write-down was the result of declines in commodity prices and negative revisions in HighMount’s proved reserve quantities during 2008. The negative revisions

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations – HighMount – (Continued)

were primarily a result of lower commodity prices. Had the effects of HighMount’s cash flow hedges not been considered in calculating the ceiling limitation, the impairment would have been $873 million ($555 million after tax).

At December 31, 2007, HighMount had $1,061 million of goodwill recorded in conjunction with its acquisition of certain exploration and production assets from subsidiaries of Dominion Resources, Inc. HighMount typically performs its annual goodwill test for impairment each April 30th and no impairment was determined at April 30, 2008. During the second half of 2008, severe disruptions in the credit and capital markets, reductions in global economic activity and increased supplies of domestic natural gas from unconventional gas plays caused natural gas and NGL-related commodity prices to decrease sharply, resulting in, among other things, the ceiling test impairment discussed above. As a result, HighMount performed a goodwill impairment test as of December 31, 2008, determined that there was an impairment of goodwill and recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $482 million ($314 million after tax).

Production expenses totaled $99 million, or $1.04 per Mcfe sold during 2008, compared to $37 million, or $0.89 per Mcfe sold in 2007. The increase in production expense of $62 million was primarily due to the increase in volumes sold totaling $49 million and $13 million primarily due to a higher cost environment.

Production and ad valorem taxes were $67 million and $22 million for 2008 and 2007. The increase of $45 million was due primarily to increased production taxes as a result of higher natural gas and NGL prices during 2008, increased production and appreciated property values. Production and ad valorem taxes were $0.70 per Mcfe in 2008 as compared to $0.54 per Mcfe in 2007. General and administrative expenses, which consist primarily of compensation related costs, increased by $44 million to $68 million during 2008, compared to $24 million during 2007, primarily due to the fact that the 2007 comparative period represents five months of activity, compared to twelve months of activity in 2008. General and administrative expense increased on a per Mcfe basis from $0.58 in 2007 to $0.69 in 2008 primarily due to increased headcount and compensation related expenses.

DD&A expenses increased by $110 million to $177 million for 2008 as compared to $67 million for 2007. DD&A expenses included depletion of natural gas and NGL properties of $162 million and $62 million for 2008 and 2007. Depletion expense increased by $100 million in 2008, compared to 2007, due primarily to an $82 million increase from higher production volumes and $18 million due to higher depletion expense per Mcfe. HighMount’s depletion rate per Mcfe increased by $0.17 per Mcfe to $1.58 per Mcfe in 2008, compared to $1.41 per Mcfe in 2007. The increase on a per unit basis was primarily due to higher capital costs throughout 2008 and higher projected future development costs, reflecting higher costs particularly for steel and diesel fuel, and other economic conditions.

Boardwalk Pipeline

Boardwalk Pipeline derives revenues primarily from the interstate transportation and storage of natural gas for third parties. Transportation services consist of firm transportation, whereby the customer pays a capacity reservation charge to reserve pipeline capacity at certain receipt and delivery points along pipeline systems, plus a commodity and fuel charge on the volume of natural gas actually transported, and interruptible transportation, whereby the customer pays to transport gas only when capacity is available and used. Boardwalk Pipeline offers firm storage services in which the customer reserves and pays for a specific amount of storage capacity, including injection and withdrawal rights, and interruptible storage and parking and lending (“PAL”) services where the customer receives and pays for capacity only when it is available and used. Some PAL agreements are paid for at inception of the service and revenues for these agreements are recognized as service is provided over the term of the agreement. For the year ended December 31, 2009, the percentage of Boardwalk Pipeline’s total operating revenues associated with firm contracts was approximately 89.0%.

Boardwalk Pipeline is not in the business of buying and selling natural gas other than for system management purposes, but changes in the price of natural gas can affect the overall supply and demand of natural gas, which in turn can affect its results of operations. Boardwalk Pipeline’s business is affected by trends involving natural gas price levels and natural gas price spreads, including spreads between physical locations on its pipeline system, which affect transportation revenues, and spreads in natural gas prices across time (for example summer to winter), which primarily affects its storage and PAL revenues.

A significant portion of Boardwalk Pipeline’s operating revenues are derived from reservation charges under multi-year firm contracts. For the year ended December 31, 2009, 74.0% of Boardwalk Pipeline’s operating revenues were

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations – Boardwalk Pipeline – (Continued)

associated with reservation charges under firm contracts which do not vary based on capacity utilization. As of December 31, 2009, the weighted average contract life of Boardwalk Pipeline’s contracts was approximately 5.9 years. Boardwalk Pipeline’s business can be impacted by shifts in supply and demand dynamics, the mix of services requested by customers and by competition and regulatory requirements, particularly when accompanied by downturns or sluggishness in the economy, especially over a longer term.

Boardwalk Pipeline competes with numerous interstate and intrastate pipelines throughout its service territory to provide transportation and storage services for its customers. Despite these competitive conditions, substantially all of Boardwalk Pipeline’s operating capacity is contracted for under long-term firm agreements. In 2010, firm contracts representing approximately $101 million of annual reservation charges are due to expire, of which approximately $55 million has been recontracted for as of February 16, 2010. In 2009, Boardwalk Pipeline was successful in renewing and remarketing firm contracts representing approximately $113 million of annual reservation charges that were due to expire during that year, in many cases obtaining favorable rates and extended contract terms. Boardwalk Pipeline’s ability to remarket available capacity will be impacted by competition from other pipelines, natural gas price volatility, the price differential between locations on its pipeline systems, the economic slowdown and numerous other factors beyond its control.

Many of Boardwalk Pipeline’s producer customers have been negatively impacted by recent declines in natural gas prices which although remaining elevated from historical levels, have decreased substantially from the peak levels reached during the summer of 2008. This decline in prices has caused several of Boardwalk Pipeline’s producer customers to announce plans to decrease drilling levels and, in some cases, to consider shutting in natural gas production from some producing wells, which could adversely affect the volumes of natural gas Boardwalk Pipeline can transport. The majority of Boardwalk Pipeline’s revenues are derived from capacity reservation charges that are not impacted by the volume of natural gas transported; however, smaller portions of Boardwalk Pipeline’s revenues are derived from charges based on actual volumes transported under firm and interruptible services. For example, in 2009, approximately 26.0% of Boardwalk Pipeline’s revenues were derived from charges based on actual volumes transported. Lower volumes of natural gas transported would result in lower revenues from natural gas transportation operations. Based on the significant level of revenue Boardwalk Pipeline receives from reservation capacity charges under long-term contracts and Boardwalk Pipeline’s review of the recent announcements of drilling plans by its customers, Boardwalk Pipeline does not expect the current level of natural gas prices to have a significant adverse effect on its operating results. However, Boardwalk Pipeline cannot give assurances that this will be the case, or that commodity prices will not decline further, which could result in a further reduction in drilling activities by its customers.

In addition, spreads in natural gas prices between time periods, such as winter to summer, impact Boardwalk Pipeline’s PAL and interruptible storage revenues. These period to period price spreads were favorable in 2009 resulting in an increase in PAL and interruptible storage revenues as compared with the 2008 and 2007 periods. Boardwalk Pipeline cannot predict future time period spreads or basis differentials.

Expansion and Growth Projects

An abundance of recent natural gas supply discoveries in the Bossier Sands, Barnett Shale, Haynesville Shale, Fayetteville Shale and Caney Woodford Shale producing regions has formed the basis for the recent expansion of Boardwalk Pipeline’s pipeline system. Boardwalk Pipeline recently added approximately 1,000 miles of pipeline to its existing systems by completing the following projects: the East Texas Pipeline, the Southeast Expansion, the Gulf Crossing Project and the Fayetteville and Greenville Laterals.

For the East Texas Pipeline, Southeast Expansion, Gulf Crossing Pipeline and the Fayetteville Lateral, Boardwalk Pipeline has entered into firm transportation contracts with shippers which would utilize the maximum capacity available from operating at higher than normal operating pressures (up to 0.80 of the pipe’s SMYS, which increases the peak-day transmission capacity of the pipeline as opposed to the normal operating pressure of up to 0.72 SMYS). PHMSA retains discretion as to whether to grant, or to maintain, the authority to operate a pipeline at higher than normal operating pressures. Absent the receipt and maintenance of authority from PHMSA to operate at higher than normal operating pressures, Boardwalk Pipeline would not be able to transport all of the contracted quantities of natural gas on these pipelines.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations – Boardwalk Pipeline – (Continued)

While completing the requirements to operate the East Texas Pipeline, Southeast Expansion, Gulf Crossing Pipeline and the Fayetteville Lateral at higher than normal operating pressures, Boardwalk Pipeline discovered anomalies in certain pipeline segments on each of the projects. Accordingly, Boardwalk Pipeline reduced the operating pressures on each pipeline below normal operating pressures as Boardwalk Pipeline performed additional testing procedures, remediated the anomalies and continued to seek authority from PHMSA to increase operating pressures, first to normal operating pressures and subsequently to higher than normal operating pressures under the special permits. Boardwalk Pipeline also shut down pipeline segments for periods of time to remediate anomalies.

The pressure reductions and shutdowns that were undertaken to remediate anomalies on the expansion pipeline projects have reduced throughput and adversely impacted transportation revenues, net income and cash flows during 2009. At the same time, operating costs and expenses, particularly depreciation and property taxes, increased in 2009 due to costs associated with the expansion project pipelines being placed into service.

In December of 2009, Boardwalk Pipeline received authority from PHMSA to operate the East Texas Pipeline, Southeast Expansion and Gulf Crossing Project (42-inch pipeline expansion projects) under special permits that would allow each of these pipelines to operate at higher than normal operating pressures. Boardwalk Pipeline continues to work with PHMSA to obtain the authority to operate the Fayetteville Lateral at the higher than normal operating pressures. Unless Boardwalk Pipeline obtains PHMSA’s consent to increase operating pressures for the Fayetteville Lateral to higher than normal levels under the special permit, transportation revenues would not grow to the extent that Boardwalk Pipeline had originally expected, beginning in mid-2011, as the volume commitments on the Fayetteville Lateral under existing firm contracts increase. Absent authority to operate the Fayetteville Lateral at higher than normal operating pressures, Boardwalk Pipeline could also incur additional costs for system upgrades on that project to increase capacity to meet contracted volume commitments.

See Item 1A, Risk Factors –Boardwalk Pipeline needs to obtain and maintain authority from PHMSA to operate at higher than normal operating pressures for related information.

Set forth below is information with respect to the status of each of Boardwalk Pipeline’s expansion and growth projects.

East Texas Pipeline.  Portions of this pipeline were shut down for periods of time in May and July of 2009, during which time Boardwalk Pipeline completed the requisite anomaly remediation. In December of 2009, Boardwalk Pipeline received authority from PHMSA to operate the East Texas pipeline at higher than normal operating pressures, which provides a peak-day transmission capacity of 1.4 Bcf per day. Upon the completion of the Haynesville Project described below, the peak-day transmission capacity of this pipeline is expected to be 2.0 Bcf per day.

Southeast Expansion.  Portions of this pipeline were shut down for periods of time in May and July of 2009, during which time Boardwalk Pipeline completed the requisite anomaly remediation. In December of 2009, Boardwalk Pipeline received authority from PHMSA to operate the Southeast Expansion pipeline at higher than normal operating pressures, which provides a designated peak-day transmission capacity of 1.9 Bcf per day.

Gulf Crossing Project.  The Gulf Crossing Project was shut down the entire month of June of 2009, during which time Boardwalk Pipeline completed the requisite anomaly remediation. In December of 2009, Boardwalk Pipeline received authority from PHMSA to operate the Gulf Crossing Project pipeline at higher than normal operating pressures, which provides a peak-day transmission capacity of 1.4 Bcf per day. Boardwalk Pipeline expects to increase the peak-day transmission capacity of this pipeline to approximately 1.7 Bcf per day, by adding compression in the first quarter of 2010, which has been approved by FERC.

Fayetteville and Greenville Laterals.  During the third quarter of 2009, the initial testing of the Fayetteville and Greenville Laterals was completed and it was determined that approximately 1.0% of the pipeline joints contained anomalies. In September and October of 2009, portions of the Fayetteville and Greenville Laterals were shut down in order to remediate anomalies. Effective October 8, 2009, Boardwalk Pipeline received authority from PHMSA to operate the Fayetteville and Greenville Laterals at normal operating pressures, which has enabled Boardwalk Pipeline to meet its current contractual obligations of approximately 0.8 Bcf per day for the Fayetteville Lateral and 0.4 Bcf per day for the Greenville Lateral. Boardwalk Pipeline continues to seek authority to operate the Fayetteville Lateral at the higher than normal operating pressures. Until Boardwalk Pipeline has obtained PHMSA’s consent to increase operating pressures to

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations – Boardwalk Pipeline – (Continued)

higher than normal levels under the special permit, it will not be able to operate that pipeline at its anticipated peak-day transmission capacity as contracted volumes increase in the future. The Greenville Lateral was constructed to operate at normal operating pressures and Boardwalk Pipeline is not seeking the authority to operate that pipeline at higher than normal operating pressures under a special permit.

In January of 2010, Boardwalk Pipeline added compression facilities that increased peak-day delivery capacity to approximately 1.0 Bcf per day on the Greenville Lateral and approximately 1.1 Bcf per day on the Fayetteville Lateral. The designed peak-day delivery capacity of the Fayetteville Lateral is approximately 1.3 Bcf per day once the authority to operate the Fayetteville Lateral at higher than normal operating pressures is received from PHMSA or Boardwalk Pipeline completes other system upgrades on that project. The increase in capacity to 1.3 Bcf per day will be needed to meet contractual commitments that will be in effect in mid-2011.

Haynesville Project.  The Haynesville Project consists of adding compression to the East Texas pipeline in Louisiana, which will add approximately 0.6 Bcf per day of peak-day transmission capacity with delivery capabilities from the DeSoto, Louisiana, area to the Perryville, Louisiana area. Boardwalk Pipeline recently received FERC approval for this expansion, which it anticipates will be in service in late 2010. Customers have contracted for substantially all of the capacity on this project at a weighted-average contract life of approximately 12.2 years.

Clarence Compression Project.  The Clarence Compression Project, which also targets production from the Haynesville Shale, will add approximately 0.1 Bcf per day of peak-day transmission capacity. This project will receive gas from the Holly Field area in Northwest Louisiana, and deliver to a point near Olla, Louisiana. Customers have contracted for approximately 0.1 Bcf per day of capacity with a weighted-average contract life of approximately 11.0 years. The compression is expected to be in service in late 2011, subject to FERC approval.

Western Kentucky Storage Expansion Project.  Boardwalk Pipeline has completed Phase III of the western Kentucky storage expansion project, which consisted of developing approximately 8.3 Bcf of new storage working gas capacity. Customers have contracted for all of the available capacity. Approximately 5.4 Bcf of capacity was placed into service in 2008 and Boardwalk Pipeline placed the remaining capacity into service in October of 2009. The total capital cost of this project was $69 million.

Results of Operations

The following table summarizes the results of operations for Boardwalk Pipeline for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 as presented in Note 23 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8:

Year Ended December 31  2009  2008  2007    
(In millions)            

Revenues:

     

Other revenue, primarily operating

  $910   $845   $650   

Net investment income

    3    21   
 

Total

   910    848    671   
 

Expenses:

     

Operating

   621    498    381   

Interest

   132    58    61   
 

Total

   753    556    442   
 

Income before income tax

   157    292    229   

Income tax expense

   (44  (79  (68 
 

Net income

   113    213    161   

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

   (46  (88  (55 
 

Net income attributable to Loews Corporation

  $67   $125   $106   
 

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations – Boardwalk Pipeline – (Continued)

2009 Compared with 2008

Total revenues increased $62 million to $910 million in 2009, compared to $848 million for 2008. Gas transportation revenues, excluding fuel, increased $152 million, primarily from Boardwalk Pipeline’s expansion projects. PAL revenues increased $19 million due to increased parking opportunities and favorable summer-to-summer natural gas price spreads. These increases were partially offset by lower fuel revenues of $53 million due to unfavorable natural gas prices. The 2008 period was favorably impacted by gains of $35 million on the sale of gas related to the western Kentucky storage expansion, $17 million from the disposition of coal reserves and $11 million from the settlement of a contract claim.

Operating expenses increased $123 million to $621 million in 2009, compared to $498 million for 2008 primarily due to higher depreciation and property taxes of $116 million associated with a larger asset base from expansion. Operations and maintenance expenses increased $13 million primarily from increased maintenance projects and expansion related operations. Administrative and general expenses increased $11 million mainly due to increases in employee benefits as a result of lower returns on trust assets for pension and post-retirement benefit plans, and increases in unit-based compensation from an increase in the price of Boardwalk Pipeline’s common units. Operations and maintenance expenses and losses on disposal of assets were $8 million higher due to pipeline investigation and retirement costs related to the East Texas Pipeline. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in fuel and gas transportation expenses of $41 million primarily as a result of lower natural gas prices. The 2008 period was favorably impacted by a gain of $7 million due to a change in the employee paid time-off policy which resulted in a reserve reversal. Interest expense increased $74 million resulting from lower capitalized interest associated with placing expansion projects in service and higher debt levels in 2009.

Net income decreased $58 million to $67 million in 2009, compared to $125 million for 2008 primarily due to higher operating expenses, mainly as a result of increases in depreciation and property taxes associated with the expansion projects. The increase in expenses more than offset the increase in revenues from the expansion projects, which were approximately $122 million lower than expected due to operating the expansion pipelines at reduced operating pressures and portions of the expansion pipelines being shut down for periods of time during 2009. The 2008 period was favorably impacted by gains of $70 million from the disposition of coal reserves, gas sales associated with storage expansion, a change in the employee paid time-off policy and the settlement of a contract claim.

2008 Compared with 2007

Total revenues increased $177 million to $848 million in 2008, compared to $671 million for 2007. Gas transportation revenues, excluding fuel, increased $112 million, primarily from Boardwalk Pipeline’s expansion projects and higher no-notice transportation service and interruptible services on its existing assets. Fuel revenues increased $44 million due to expansion-related throughput and higher natural gas prices. Gas storage revenues increased $12 million related to an increase in storage capacity associated with Boardwalk Pipeline’s western Kentucky storage expansion project. These increases were partially offset by lower PAL revenues of $27 million due to unfavorable natural gas price spreads. Favorably impacting 2008 was a $17 million gain on the disposition of coal reserves, an $11 million gain from the settlement of a contract claim and a $12 million increase in gains on the sale of gas related to the western Kentucky storage expansion.

Operating expenses increased $117 million to $498 million in 2008, compared to $381 million for 2007 primarily due to increased depreciation and property taxes of $56 million associated with a larger asset base from expansion, increased fuel costs of $50 million mainly from providing service on the expansion projects and higher natural gas prices and $6 million of third party transportation costs associated with providing customers of the expansion projects access to off-system markets. Administrative and general expenses increased $5 million due to increased outside services mainly due to legal matters, information technology-related expenses from infrastructure improvements, corporate services, higher property insurance from an increase in rates and asset base and a bad debt recovery that favorably impacted the 2007 period. Additionally, in the fourth quarter of 2008, Boardwalk Pipeline changed its employee paid time-off benefits, resulting in a reduction in operation and maintenance expenses of $5 million and a reduction of administrative and general expenses of $2 million. The 2007 period was unfavorably impacted by a $15 million impairment charge related to Boardwalk Pipeline’s Magnolia storage project.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations – Boardwalk Pipeline – (Continued)

Net income increased $19 million to $125 million in 2008, compared to $106 million for 2007, primarily due to higher revenues from services associated with the expansion projects and gains from the disposition of coal reserves, gas sales associated with the storage expansion and the settlement of a contract claim. These increases were partially offset by lower PAL revenues due to unfavorable natural gas price spreads and higher depreciation and property tax expense due to an increase in the asset base from expansion. The 2007 net income was unfavorably impacted by a $15 million impairment charge related to Boardwalk Pipeline’s Magnolia storage facility.

Loews Hotels

The following table summarizes the results of operations for Loews Hotels for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 as presented in Note 23 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8:

Year Ended December 31  2009  2008  2007    
(In millions)            

Revenues:

     

Other revenue, primarily operating

  $284   $379   $382   

Net investment income

    1    2   
 

Total

   284    380    384   
 

Expenses:

     

Operating

   327    307    313   

Interest

   9    11    11   
 

Total

   336    318    324   
 

Income (loss) before income tax

   (52  62    60   

Income tax (expense) benefit

   18    (22  (24 
 

Net income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation

  $(34 $40   $36   
 

2009 Compared with 2008

Revenues decreased by $96 million or 25.3% in 2009 as compared to 2008. There was a net loss of $34 million in 2009 as compared to net income of $40 million in 2008.

Revenues decreased in 2009 as compared to 2008 due to a decrease in revenue per available room to $134.60, compared to $183.01 in 2008. Occupancy rates decreased from 73.3% to 66.4% in 2009 as compared to 2008. Average room rates decreased by $46.86 or 18.8% in 2009 as compared to 2008.

Results at Loews Hotels for 2009 were negatively impacted by the ongoing economic downturn. In 2009, Loews Hotels recorded a pretax charge of $10 million related to a development project commitment and a pretax charge of $10 million for a loan guarantee at a managed hotel. During 2009, Loews Hotels wrote down its entire investment in the Loews Lake Las Vegas, resulting in a pretax impairment charge of $27 million. Pretax income for 2008 reflects an $11 million gain related to an adjustment in the carrying value of a 50.0% interest in a joint venture investment.

2008 Compared with 2007

Revenues decreased by $4 million or 1.0%, and net income increased by $4 million or 11.1%, in 2008 as compared to 2007.

Revenues decreased in 2008, as compared to 2007, due to a decrease in revenue per available room to $183.01, compared to $185.81 in 2007, reflecting a 2.1% decrease in occupancy rates partially offset by improvements in average room rates of $3.35, or 1.4%.

Net income in 2008 increased primarily due to an $11 million pretax gain related to an adjustment in the carrying value of a joint venture investment, partially offset by increased operating expenses.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations – Loews Hotels – (Continued)

Revenue per available room is an industry measure of the combined effect of occupancy rates and average room rates on room revenues. Other hotel operating revenues primarily include guest charges for food and beverages.

Corporate and Other

Corporate operations consist primarily of investment income at the Parent Company, corporate interest expenses and other corporate administrative costs. Discontinued operations include the results of operations and gain on disposal of Lorillard and the gain on the sale of Bulova in 2008.

The following table summarizes the results of operations for Corporate and Other for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 as presented in Note 23 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8:

Year Ended December 31  2009  2008  2007   
 
(In millions)            

Revenues:

     

Net investment income (loss)

  $   175   $(54 $295   

Investment gains

   3    2    144   

Other

   (1  16    2   
 

Total

   177    (36  441   
 

Expenses:

     

Operating

   80    79    76   

Interest

   49    56    55   
 

Total

   129    135    131   
 

Income (loss) before income tax

   48    (171  310   

Income tax (expense) benefit

   (20  55    (107 
 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   28    (116  203   

Discontinued operations, net:

     

Results of operations

    341    907   

Gain on disposal

    4,362    
 

Net income attributable to Loews Corporation

  $28   $4,587   $1,110   
 

2009 Compared with 2008

Revenues increased by $213 million and income from continuing operations increased by $144 million as compared to 2008. These increases were due primarily to improved performance of the trading portfolio.

In 2008, the Company completed the sale of Bulova and disposed of its entire ownership interest in Lorillard. The results of operations and gains on disposal of these businesses are presented as discontinued operations. Discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2008 includes a $4,287 million gain on the separation (the “Separation”) of Lorillard and a $75 million gain on the sale of Bulova.

2008 Compared with 2007

Revenues decreased by $477 million and net income increased by $3,477 million in 2008 as compared to 2007.

Revenues decreased in 2008 as compared to 2007, due primarily to decreased net investment income of $349 million and reduced investment gains. Net investment income declined due to losses recorded in the trading portfolio in 2008, as compared to gains in 2007. Results in 2008 also reflect reduced invested cash balances due to the parent company’s equity investments in its CNA and Boardwalk Pipeline subsidiaries in 2008, the HighMount acquisition in 2007 and lower yields. Investment gains for 2007 included a $143 million pretax gain ($93 million after tax) related to the issuance of Diamond Offshore common stock from the conversion of $456 million principal amount of Diamond Offshore’s 1.5% debentures into Diamond Offshore common stock.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations – Corporate and Other – (Continued)

Loss from continuing operations was $116 million in 2008, compared to income from continuing operations of $203 million in 2007. The lower results were primarily due to the reduction in revenues discussed above.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

CNA Financial

Cash Flows

CNA’s principal operating cash flow sources are premiums and investment income from its insurance subsidiaries. CNA’s primary operating cash flow uses are payments for claims, policy benefits and operating expenses.

For 2009, net cash provided by operating activities was $1,258 million, as compared to $1,558 million for 2008. Cash provided by operating activities in 2008 was favorably impacted by increased net sales of trading securities to fund policyholders’ withdrawals of investment contract products issued by CNA, which are reflected as financing cash flows. The primary source of these cash flows was the indexed group annuity portion of CNA’s pension deposit business which it exited in 2008. Additionally, during the second quarter of 2009 CNA resumed the use of a trading portfolio for income enhancement purposes. Because cash receipts and cash payments resulting from purchases and sales of trading securities are reported as cash flows related to operating activities, operating cash flows were reduced by $164 million related to net cash outflows which increased the size of the trading portfolio held at December 31, 2009. Cash provided by operating activities in 2009 was favorably impacted by decreased loss payments as compared to 2008, and tax recoveries in 2009 compared with tax payments in 2008.

For 2008, net cash provided by operating activities was $1,558 million as compared to $1,239 million in 2007. Cash provided by operating activities was favorably impacted by increased net sales of trading securities to fund policyholders’ withdrawals of investment contract products issued by us, decreased tax payments and decreased loss payments. Policyholders’ fund withdrawals are reflected as financing cash flows. Cash provided by operating activities was unfavorably impacted by decreased premium collections and decreased investment income receipts.

Cash flows from investing activities include the purchase and sale of available-for-sale financial instruments. Additionally, cash flows from investing activities may include the purchase and sale of businesses, land, buildings, equipment and other assets not generally held for resale.

Net cash used by investing activities was $1,093 million, $1,908 million and $1,082 million for 2009, 2008, and 2007. Cash flows used by investing activities related principally to purchases of fixed maturity securities and short term investments. The cash flow from investing activities is impacted by various factors such as the anticipated payment of claims, financing activity, asset/liability management and individual security buy and sell decisions made in the normal course of portfolio management.

Cash flows from financing activities include proceeds from the issuance of debt and equity securities, outflows for dividends or repayment of debt, outlays to reacquire equity instruments, and deposits and withdrawals related to investment contract products issued by us.

Net cash flows used by financing activities was $120 million in 2009. Net cash flows provided by financing activities was $347 million in 2008. Net cash flows used by financing activities was $185 million in 2007. Net cash used by financing activities in 2009 was primarily related to the payment of dividends on the 2008 Senior Preferred stock to Loews.

2008 Senior Preferred

        In the fourth quarter of 2008, CNA issued, and Loews purchased, 12,500 shares of CNA non-voting cumulative senior preferred stock (“2008 Senior Preferred”) for $1.25 billion. In the fourth quarter of 2009, CNA redeemed $250 million of the 2008 Senior Preferred at the issue price plus accrued dividends, using a portion of the proceeds from the issuance of $350 million of 7.4% ten-year senior notes, leaving $1.0 billion of the 2008 Senior Preferred outstanding as of December 31, 2009. Dividends of $122 million and $19 million on the 2008 Senior Preferred were declared and paid for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008. CNA used the majority of the proceeds from the 2008 Senior Preferred to increase

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Liquidity and Capital Resources – CNA Financial – (Continued)

the statutory surplus of its principal insurance subsidiary, CCC, through the purchase of a $1.0 billion surplus note of CCC.

Liquidity

CNA believes that its present cash flows from operations, investing activities and financing activities are sufficient to fund its working capital and debt obligation needs and CNA does not expect this to change in the near term due to the following factors:

CNA does not anticipate changes in its core property and casualty commercial insurance operations which would significantly impact liquidity and CNA continues to maintain reinsurance contracts which limit the impact of potential catastrophic events.

CNA has entered into several settlement agreements and assumed reinsurance contracts that require collateralization of future payment obligations and assumed reserves if CNA’s ratings or other specific criteria fall below certain thresholds. The ratings triggers are generally more than one level below its current ratings. A downgrade below CNA’s current ratings levels would also result in additional collateral requirements for derivative contracts for which CNA is in a liability position at any given point in time. The maximum potential collateralization requirements are approximately $70 million.

As of December 31, 2009, CNA’s holding company held short term investments of $395 million. Additionally, CNA has $100 million available through a revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2009. CNA’s holding company’s ability to meet its debt service and other obligations is significantly dependent on receipt of dividends from its subsidiaries. The payment of dividends to CNA by its insurance subsidiaries without prior approval of the insurance department of each subsidiary’s domiciliary jurisdiction is limited by formula. Notwithstanding this limitation, CNA believes that its holding company has sufficient liquidity to fund its preferred stock dividend and debt service payments through 2010.

CNA has an effective shelf registration statement under which it may issue $1,650 million of debt or equity securities.

Ratings

Ratings are an important factor in establishing the competitive position of insurance companies. CNA’s insurance company subsidiaries are rated by major rating agencies, and these ratings reflect the rating agency’s opinion of the insurance company’s financial strength, operating performance, strategic position and ability to meet its obligations to policyholders. Agency ratings are not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security, and may be revised or withdrawn at any time by the issuing organization. Each agency’s rating should be evaluated independently of any other agency’s rating. One or more of these agencies could take action in the future to change the ratings of CNA’s insurance subsidiaries.

The table below reflects the various group ratings issued by A.M. Best Company (“A.M. Best”), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) and Standard and Poor’s (“S&P”) for the property and casualty and life companies. The table also includes the ratings for CNA senior debt and The Continental Corporation (“Continental”) senior debt.

Insurance Financial Strength RatingsDebt Ratings
Property & CasualtyLifeCNAContinental

CCC

Group

CACSenior
Debt
Senior
Debt

A.M. Best

AA-bbbNot rated

Moody’s

A3Not ratedBaa3Baa3

S&P

A-Not ratedBBB-BBB-

A.M. Best, Moody’s and S&P currently maintain a stable outlook on CNA.

If CNA’s property and casualty insurance financial strength ratings were downgraded below current levels, CNA’s business and our results of operations could be materially adversely affected. The severity of the impact on CNA’s

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Liquidity and Capital Resources – CNA Financial – (Continued)

business is dependent on the level of downgrade and, for certain products, which rating agency takes the rating action. Among the adverse effects in the event of such downgrades would be the inability to obtain a material volume of business from certain major insurance brokers, the inability to sell a material volume of CNA’s insurance products to certain markets and the required collateralization of certain future payment obligations or reserves.

As discussed in the Liquidity section above, additional collateralization may be required for certain settlement agreements and assumed reinsurance contracts, as well as derivative contracts, if CNA’s ratings or other specific criteria fall below certain thresholds.

In addition, it is possible that a lowering of our debt ratings by certain of these agencies could result in an adverse impact on CNA’s ratings, independent of any change in CNA’s circumstances. None of the major rating agencies which rates us currently maintain a negative outlook or has us on negative Credit Watch.

Diamond Offshore

Cash and investments totaled $778 million at December 31, 2009 compared to $737 million at December 31, 2008. In 2009, Diamond Offshore paid cash dividends totaling $1.1 billion, consisting of special cash dividends of $1.0 billion and regular quarterly cash dividends of $70 million. In February of 2010, Diamond Offshore declared a special dividend of $1.875 per share and a regular quarterly dividend of $0.125 per share.

Diamond Offshore’s cash flows from operations are impacted by the ability of its customers to weather the continuing global financial crisis and restrictions in the credit market. In general, before working for a customer with whom Diamond Offshore has not had a prior business relationship and/or whose financial stability may be uncertain, Diamond Offshore performs a credit review on that company. Based on that analysis, Diamond Offshore may require that the customer present a letter of credit, prepay or provide other credit enhancements. If a customer is unable to obtain an adequate level of credit, it may preclude Diamond Offshore from doing business with that potential customer. The global financial crisis could also have an impact on its existing customers, causing them to fail to meet their obligations to Diamond Offshore.

Cash provided by operating activities was $1.5 billion in 2009, compared to $1.6 billion in 2008. The decrease in cash flows from operations in 2009 is primarily due to an increase in cash required to satisfy working capital requirements in 2009 compared to 2008. Diamond Offshore’s working capital requirements used $286 million during 2009 compared to $87 million during 2008. The increase in cash required to satisfy working capital requirements is primarily due to an increase in Diamond Offshore’s outstanding accounts receivable balances at December 31, 2009 compared to 2008.

During 2009, Diamond Offshore spent approximately $1 billion towards the purchase of two newbuild, 7,500 foot semisubmersible drilling rigs, theOcean CourageandOcean Valor, and the completion of the upgrade of theOcean Monarch, which commenced drilling operations late in the first quarter of 2009. Diamond Offshore spent an additional approximately $355 million in 2009 on its continuing rig capital maintenance program (other than rig upgrades and new construction) and to meet other corporate capital expenditure requirements.

Diamond Offshore has budgeted approximately $365 million on capital expenditures for 2010 associated with its ongoing rig equipment replacement and enhancement programs, equipment required for its long-term international contracts and other corporate requirements. In addition, Diamond Offshore expects to spend approximately $75 million in 2010 towards the commissioning and outfitting for service of the recently acquiredOcean Courage andOcean Valor. Diamond Offshore expects to finance its 2010 capital expenditures through the use of its existing cash balances or internally generated funds. From time to time, however, Diamond Offshore may also make use of its credit facility to finance capital expenditures.

In October of 2009, Diamond Offshore issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 5.7% senior notes due October 15, 2039. In May of 2009, Diamond Offshore issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 5.9% senior notes due May 1, 2019. The net proceeds from these offerings were used for general corporate purposes.

As of December 31, 2009, there were no loans outstanding under Diamond Offshore’s $285 million credit facility; however, $63 million in letters of credit were issued and outstanding under the credit facility.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Liquidity and Capital Resources – Diamond Offshore – (Continued)

Diamond Offshore’s liquidity and capital requirements are primarily a function of its working capital needs, capital expenditures and debt service requirements. Cash required to meet Diamond Offshore’s capital commitments is determined by evaluating the need to upgrade rigs to meet specific customer requirements and by evaluating Diamond Offshore’s ongoing rig equipment replacement and enhancement programs, including water depth and drilling capability upgrades. It is the opinion of Diamond Offshore’s management that its operating cash flows and cash reserves will be sufficient to fund its ongoing operations and capital projects over the next twelve months; however, Diamond Offshore will continue to make periodic assessments based on industry conditions and will adjust capital spending programs if required.

HighMount

At December 31, 2009 and 2008, cash and investments amounted to $83 million and $47 million. Net cash flows provided by operating activities were $325 million and $487 million in 2009 and 2008. Key drivers of net operating cash flows are commodity prices, production volumes and operating costs.

The primary driver of cash used in investing activities was capital spending, inclusive of acquisitions. Cash used in investing activities for 2009 and 2008 was $174 million and $528 million and consisted primarily of additions to HighMount’s property and equipment. HighMount spent $120 million and $370 million on capital expenditures for its drilling program in 2009 and 2008. During 2008, HighMount experienced a higher capital cost environment attributable to increased costs for casing, tubing and diesel fuel.

At December 31, 2009, no borrowings were outstanding under HighMount’s $400 million revolving credit facility, however, $4 million in letters of credit were issued. The available capacity under the facility is $366 million.

The agreements governing HighMount’s $1.6 billion term loans and revolving credit facility contain financial covenants typical for these types of agreements, including a maximum debt to capitalization ratio. The credit agreement also contains customary restrictions or limitations on HighMount’s ability to enter or engage in certain transactions, including transactions with affiliates. At December 31, 2009, HighMount was in compliance with all of its covenants under the credit agreement.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Boardwalk Pipeline

At December 31, 2009 and 2008, cash and investments amounted to $50 million and $315 million. Funds from operations for the year ended December 31, 2009 amounted to $401 million, compared to $350 million in 2008. In 2009 and 2008, Boardwalk Pipeline’s capital expenditures were $847 million and $2.7 billion.

The following table presents the estimate of total capital expenditures and the amounts invested through December 31, 2009, for the remaining pipeline expansion projects, including expenditures for pipe remediation and Boardwalk Pipeline’s growth projects:

   Estimated Total
Capital
Expenditures (a)
  Cash Invested
through
December 31,
2009
  
 
(In millions)        

Southeast Expansion

  $755  $754 

Gulf Crossing Project

   1,765   1,649 

Fayetteville and Greenville Laterals

   1,215   1,000 

Pipe Remediation (b)

   130   82 

Haynesville Project

   185   16 

Clarence Compression

   30   
 

Total

  $4,080  $3,501 
 

(a)

The estimated total capital expenditures are based on internally developed financial models and timelines. Factors in the estimates include, but are not limited to, those related to pipeline costs based on mileage, size and type of pipe, materials and construction and engineering costs.

(b)

This estimate represents the cost of remediating pipe anomalies on the East Texas Pipeline, the Southeast Expansion, the Gulf Crossing Project and the Fayetteville and Greenville Laterals.

In Boardwalk Pipeline’s efforts to obtain the authority from PHMSA to operate the East Texas Pipeline, Southeast Expansion, Gulf Crossing Project and Fayetteville Lateral at higher than normal operating pressures, Boardwalk Pipeline has incurred costs to remediate pipeline anomalies. Boardwalk Pipeline continues to seek authority to operate the Fayetteville Lateral at higher than normal operating pressures and may incur additional costs to inspect, test and remediate pipe segments on the Fayetteville Lateral in order to obtain from PHMSA the authority to increase operating pressures to higher than normal levels under the special permit.

Boardwalk Pipeline expects to incur up to $580 million in capital expenditures to complete its expansion and growth projects, including pipe remediation efforts for the Fayetteville Lateral, for which the majority of expenditures are expected to occur by the end of 2010. As discussed in Boardwalk Pipeline - Expansion and Growth Projects, absent authority to operate the Fayetteville Lateral at higher than normal operating pressures, Boardwalk Pipeline could incur additional costs for other system upgrades on that project to increase capacity to meet contracted volume commitments. Including costs associated with remediating the pipe anomalies and additional cost that Boardwalk Pipeline could incur on its Fayetteville Lateral, Boardwalk Pipeline expects the total cost to complete its expansion projects to be within the previously announced cost estimates. Boardwalk Pipeline’s cost and timing estimates for these projects are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties as discussed in Item 1A, Risk Factors - Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP.

Boardwalk Pipeline has financed its expansion capital expenditures through the issuance of equity and debt, borrowings under its revolving credit facility and available operating cash flows in excess of operating needs. Boardwalk Pipeline does not anticipate the need to raise further capital in order to complete its expansion and growth projects.

In 2009, Boardwalk Pipeline received net cash proceeds of approximately $880 million from equity and debt issuances, including $150 million from a private placement of common units to BPHC and $200 million under a Subordinated Loan Agreement with BPHC. These proceeds were used to directly and indirectly fund Boardwalk Pipeline’s expansion projects through the reduction of borrowings under its revolving credit facility and, in the case of Boardwalk Pipeline’s debt securities issuance, to reduce borrowings under its Subordinated Loan Agreement by $100 million.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Liquidity and Capital Resources – Boardwalk Pipeline – (Continued)

Boardwalk Pipeline maintains a revolving credit facility, which has aggregate lending commitments of $1.0 billion. As of December 31, 2009, Boardwalk Pipeline had $554 million of loans outstanding under the revolving credit facility with a weighted-average interest rate on the borrowings of 0.5% and had no letters of credit issued. As of February 12, 2010, Boardwalk Pipeline had borrowed an additional $75 million, which increased borrowings to $629 million. Boardwalk Pipeline was in compliance with all covenant requirements under its credit facility at December 31, 2009. The revolving credit facility has a maturity date of June 29, 2012, however, all outstanding revolving loans on such date may be converted to term loans having a maturity date of June 29, 2013.

Approximately $954 million of Boardwalk Pipeline’s long-term debt, including $629 million borrowed under the revolving credit facility through February 12, 2010, will mature in 2012. The term of the revolving credit facility may be extended to 2013 as described above. Boardwalk Pipeline expects to refinance the debt through the issuance and sale of new debt.

Maintenance capital expenditures were $59 million, $51 million and $47 million in 2009, 2008 and 2007. Boardwalk Pipeline expects to fund its 2010 maintenance capital expenditures of approximately $70 million from operating cash flows.

During the year ended December 31, 2009, Boardwalk Pipeline paid cash distributions of $361 million to its various ownership interests, of which $264 was received by the Company. In February of 2010, Boardwalk Pipeline declared a quarterly distribution of $0.50 per common unit.

Loews Hotels

Funds from operations continue to exceed operating requirements. Cash and investments decreased to $63 million at December 31, 2009 from $72 million at December 31, 2008.

Corporate and Other

Parent Company cash and investments, net of receivables and payables, at December 31, 2009 totaled $3.0 billion, as compared to $2.3 billion at December 31, 2008. The increase in net cash and investments is primarily due to the receipt of $954 million in dividends from subsidiaries, the receipt of $250 million from the repayment of senior preferred stock by CNA, $175 million of investment income and $100 million from the repayment of subordinated debt by Boardwalk Pipeline. These cash inflows were partially offset by the purchase of treasury stock for $348 million, as discussed below, the $150 million purchase of Boardwalk Pipeline common units described in “Liquidity and Capital Resources – Boardwalk Pipeline,” $200 million in subordinated debt provided to Boardwalk Pipeline and $108 million of dividends paid to our shareholders.

In February of 2010, the Company sold 10 million Boardwalk Pipeline common units for pretax proceeds of approximately $289 million. The Company’s percentage ownership interest declined from 72% to 67% as a result of this transaction.

As of December 31, 2009, there were 425,070,322 shares of Loews common stock outstanding. As discussed above, effective with the completion of the Separation of Lorillard, the former Carolina Group and former Carolina Group stock have been eliminated. As part of the Separation, we exchanged 65,445,000 shares of Lorillard common stock for 93,492,857 shares of Loews common stock.

Depending on market and other conditions, we may purchase shares of our and our subsidiaries’ outstanding common stock in the open market or otherwise. During the year ended December 31, 2009, we purchased 10,523,800 shares of Loews common stock at an aggregate cost of $348 million and 329,500 shares of CNA common stock at an aggregate cost of $2 million. From January 1, 2010 to February 12, 2010, we acquired an additional 2,663,000 shares of our common stock for $96 million.

We have an effective Registration Statement on Form S-3 registering the future sale of an unlimited amount of our debt and equity securities.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Liquidity and Capital Resources – Corporate and Other – (Continued)

We continue to pursue conservative financial strategies while seeking opportunities for responsible growth. These include the expansion of existing businesses, full or partial acquisitions and dispositions, and opportunities for efficiencies and economies of scale.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

At December 31, 2009 and 2008, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

Contractual Obligations

Our contractual payment obligations are as follows:

   Payments Due by Period  
    
December 31, 2009  Total  Less than
1 year
  1-3 years  4-5 years  More than
5 years
  
 
(In millions)                 

Debt (a)

  $13,668  $534  $4,199  $1,696  $7,239 

Operating leases

   282   67   115   62   38 

Claim and claim expense reserves (b)

   28,310   6,042   7,347   4,061   10,860 

Future policy benefits reserves (c)

   12,505   177   337   326   11,665 

Policyholder funds reserves (c)

   155   19   9   7   120 

Purchase and other obligations (d)

   88   70   13   5   

Pipeline capacity agreements (e)

   80   12   21   21   26 
 

Total (f)

  $55,088  $6,921  $12,041  $6,178  $29,948 
 

(a)

Includes estimated future interest payments.

(b)

Claim and claim adjustment expense reserves are not discounted and represent CNA’s estimate of the amount and timing of the ultimate settlement and administration of gross claims based on its assessment of facts and circumstances known as of December 31, 2009. See the Reserves - Estimates and Uncertainties section of this MD&A for further information. Claim and claim adjustment expense reserves of $19 related to business which has been 100% ceded to unaffiliated parties in connection with the sale of the individual life business in 2004 are not included.

(c)

Future policy benefits and policyholder funds reserves are not discounted and represent CNA’s estimate of the ultimate amount and timing of the settlement of benefits based on its assessment of facts and circumstances known as of December 31, 2009. Future policy benefit reserves of $777 and policyholder fund reserves of $39 related to business which has been 100% ceded to unaffiliated parties in connection with the sale of CNA’s individual life business in 2004 are not included. Additional information on future policy benefits and policyholder funds reserves is included in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

(d)

Includes obligations of approximately $48 related to Boardwalk Pipeline’s expansion and growth projects as further discussed in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

(e)

The commitments related to pipeline capacity agreements are associated with various pipeline capacity agreements on third-party pipelines that allow Boardwalk Pipeline’s operating subsidiaries to transport gas to off-system markets on behalf of Boardwalk Pipeline’s customers.

(f)

Does not include expected contribution of approximately $87 to the Company’s pension and postretirement plans in 2010.

Further information on our commitments, contingencies and guarantees is provided in Notes 3, 5, 9, 12, 19 and 20 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

INVESTMENTS

Investment activities of non-insurance companies include investments in fixed income securities, equity securities including short sales, derivative instruments and short term investments, and are carried at fair value. Securities that are considered part of our trading portfolio, short sales and certain derivative instruments are marked to market and reported as Net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

        We enter into short sales and invest in certain derivative instruments that are used for asset and liability management activities, income enhancements to our portfolio management strategy and to benefit from anticipated future movements in the underlying markets. If such movements do not occur as anticipated, then significant losses may occur. Monitoring

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Investments – (Continued)

procedures include senior management review of daily detailed reports of existing positions and valuation fluctuations to ensure that open positions are consistent with our portfolio strategy.

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

We do not believe that any of the derivative instruments we use are unusually complex, nor do the use of these instruments, in our opinion, result in a higher degree of risk. Please read “Results of Operations,” “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” and Note 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8 for additional information with respect to derivative instruments, including recognized gains and losses on these instruments.

For more than a year, capital and credit markets have experienced severe levels of volatility, illiquidity, uncertainty and overall disruption. This broader market disruption significantly subsided in 2009 in most asset sectors. The U.S. Government has initiated programs intended to stabilize and improve markets and the economy. While the ultimate impact of these programs remains uncertain and economic conditions in the U.S. remain challenging, financial markets have shown improvement in 2009. Risk free interest rates continued near multi-year lows and credit spreads narrowed resulting in improvement in the Company’s unrealized position. However, fair values in the asset-backed sector continue to be depressed primarily due to continued concerns with underlying residential and commercial collateral. During the year, the Company took advantage of favorable market conditions to reposition the portfolio to better match the needs of the business. The substantial improvement in the unrealized position of the portfolio not only reflects the broader market recovery, but also these actions which centered around reducing non-investment grade corporate and non-agency residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities through net sales and principal repayments of $1,482 million and $2,459 million on an amortized cost basis. In addition, CNA had net purchases of $7,441 million in investment grade corporate bonds and $2,041 million in agency residential mortgage-backed securities.

Insurance

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

Net Investment Income

The significant components of CNA’s net investment income are presented in the following table:

Year Ended December 31  2009  2008  2007   
 
(In millions)            

Fixed maturity securities

  $1,941   $1,984   $2,047   

Short term investments

   36    115    186   

Limited partnerships

   315    (379  183   

Equity securities

   49    80    25   

Trading portfolio

   23    (149  10   

Other

   6    19    35   
 

Gross investment income

   2,370    1,670    2,486   

Investment expense

   (50  (51  (53 
 

Net investment income

  $2,320   $1,619   $2,433   
 

Net investment income increased $701 million in 2009 as compared with 2008. Excluding indexed group annuity trading portfolio losses of $146 million in 2008, net investment income increased $555 million primarily driven by

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Investments – (Continued)

improved results from limited partnership investments. This increase was partially offset by the impact of lower risk free and short term interest rates. Limited partnership investments generally present greater volatility, higher illiquidity, and greater risk than fixed income investments. Limited partnership income in 2009 was driven by improved performance across many limited partnerships and included individual partnership performance that ranged from a positive $120 million to a negative $59 million. The limited partnership investments are managed as an overall portfolio in an effort to mitigate the greater levels of volatility, illiquidity and risk that are present in the individual investments. The indexed group annuity trading portfolio losses in 2008 were substantially offset by a corresponding decrease in the policyholders’ funds reserves supported by the trading portfolio, which was included in Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits on the Consolidated Statements of Income. CNA exited the indexed group annuity business in 2008.

Net investment income decreased $814 million in 2008 as compared with 2007. The decrease was primarily driven by significant losses from limited partnerships and the indexed group annuity trading portfolio in 2008, and a decline in short term interest rates.

The fixed maturity investment portfolio and short term investments provided a pretax effective income yield of 5.1%, 5.6% and 5.8% for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007.

Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)

The components of CNA’s net realized investment results are presented in the following table:

Year Ended December 31  2009  2008  2007   
 
(In millions)            

Realized investment gains (losses):

     

Fixed maturity securities:

     

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of government agencies

  $(53 $235   $86   

Corporate and other taxable bonds

   (306  (643  (183 

States, municipalities and political subdivisions-tax-exempt securities

   (21  53    3   

Asset-backed securities

   (778  (476  (343 

Redeemable preferred stock

   (9   (41 
 

Total fixed maturity securities

   (1,167  (831  (478 

Equity securities

   243    (490  117   

Derivative securities

   51    (19  32   

Short term investments

   10    34    7   

Other

   6    9    12   
 

Total realized investment losses

   (857  (1,297  (310 

Income tax benefit

   296    456    108   
 

Net realized investment losses

   (561  (841  (202 

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

   56    85    22   
 

Net realized investment losses attributable to Loews Corporation

  $(505 $(756 $(180 
 

Net realized investment losses decreased $251 million for 2009 as compared with 2008, driven by a realized investment gain related to a common stock holding as discussed below and decreased OTTI losses recognized in earnings. Further information on CNA’s realized gains and losses, including our OTTI losses and impairment decision process, is set forth in Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8. During the second quarter of 2009, the Company adopted updated accounting guidance, which amended the OTTI loss model for fixed maturity securities, as discussed in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

Included in the 2009 realized investment gains for equity securities was $370 million related to the sale of CNA’s holdings of Verisk Analytics Inc., which began trading on October 7, 2009 after an initial public offering. Since CNA’s cost basis in this position was zero, the entire amount was recognized as a pretax realized investment gain in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Investments – (Continued)

Net realized investment losses increased $576 million for 2008 as compared with 2007. The increase was primarily driven by an increase in OTTI losses recognized in earnings.

CNA’s fixed maturity portfolio consists primarily of high quality bonds, 90.3% and 91.1% of which were rated as investment grade (rated BBB- or higher) at December 31, 2009 and 2008. The classification between investment grade and non-investment grade is based on a ratings methodology that takes into account ratings from the three major providers, S&P, Moody’s and Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”) in that order of preference. If a security is not rated by any of the three, CNA formulates an internal rating. For securities with credit support from third party guarantees, the rating reflects the greater of the underlying rating of the issuer or the insured rating.

The following table summarizes the ratings of CNA’s fixed maturity portfolio at carrying value:

December 31  2009  2008   
 
(In millions of dollars)               

U.S. Government and Agencies

  $3,705  10.4 $4,611  16.0 

AAA rated

   5,855  16.5    8,494  29.4   

AA and A rated

   12,464  35.0    8,166  28.2   

BBB rated

   10,122  28.4    5,029  17.4   

Non investment-grade

   3,466  9.7    2,587  9.0   
 

Total

  $35,612  100.0 $28,887  100.0 
 

Non-investment grade fixed maturity securities, as presented in the table below, include high-yield securities rated below BBB- by bond rating agencies and other unrated securities that, according to CNA’s analysis, are below investment grade. Non-investment grade securities generally involve a greater degree of risk than investment grade securities. Although CNA has focused efforts to reduce exposure to non-investment grade securities through net dispositions, its non-investment grade securities increased primarily due to price appreciation and downgrades of $1,126 million of asset-backed securities and $333 million of other fixed maturity securities on an amortized cost basis that were previously investment grade. The amortized cost of CNA’s non-investment grade fixed maturity bond portfolio was $3,637 million and $3,709 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008. The following table summarizes the ratings of this portfolio at carrying value.

   December 31, 2009  December 31, 2008   
 
(In millions of dollars)               

BB

  $1,352  39.0 $1,585  61.3 

B

   1,255  36.2    754  29.1   

CCC-C

   761  22.0    232  9.0   

D

   98  2.8    16  0.6   
 

Total

  $3,466  100.0 $2,587  100.0 
 

Included within the fixed maturity portfolio are securities that contain credit support from third party guarantees from mono-line insurers. At December 31, 2009, $487 million of the carrying value of the fixed maturity portfolio had a third party guarantee that increased the underlying average rating of those securities from AA- to AAA. Of this amount, over 99.0% was within the tax-exempt bond segment. This third party credit support on tax-exempt bonds is provided by five mono-line insurers, the largest exposure based on fair value being Assured Guaranty Ltd. at 94.0%.

At December 31, 2009 and 2008, approximately 99.0% and 97.0% of the fixed maturity portfolio was issued by U.S. Government and agencies or was rated by S&P or Moody’s. The remaining bonds were rated by other rating agencies or internally.

The carrying value of fixed maturity and equity securities that are either subject to trading restrictions or trade in illiquid private placement markets at December 31, 2009 was $154 million, which represents less than 0.4% of CNA’s total investment portfolio. These securities were in a net unrealized gain position of $5 million at December 31, 2009.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Investments – (Continued)

The following table provides the composition of available-for-sale fixed maturity securities in a gross unrealized loss position at December 31, 2009 by maturity profile. Securities not due at a single date are allocated based on weighted average life.

    Percent of
Fair Value
  Percent of
Unrealized
Loss
    

Due in one year or less

  3.0 4.0 

Due after one year through five years

  20.0   12.0   

Due after five years through ten years

  36.0   36.0   

Due after ten years

  41.0   48.0   
 

Total

  100.0 100.0 
 

Duration

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

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

The segregated investments support liabilities primarily in the Life & Group Non-Core segment including annuities, structured benefit settlements and long term care products.

The effective durations of fixed maturity securities, short term investments, non-redeemable preferred stocks and interest rate derivatives are presented in the table below. CNA’s short term investments are net of securities lending collateral and accounts payable and receivable amounts for securities purchased and sold, but not yet settled.

   December 31, 2009  December 31, 2008
    Fair Value  Effective Duration
(Years)
  Fair Value  Effective Duration
(Years)
(In millions of dollars)               

Segregated investments

  $10,376  11.2  $8,168  9.9  

Other interest sensitive investments

   29,665    4.0   25,194  4.5  
 

Total

  $40,041    5.8  $33,362  5.8  
 

The investment portfolio is periodically analyzed for changes in duration and related price change risk. Additionally, CNA periodically reviews the sensitivity of the portfolio to the level of foreign exchange rates and other factors that contribute to market price changes. A summary of these risks and specific analysis on changes is included in Item 7A – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk included herein.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Investments – (Continued)

Short Term Investments

The carrying value of the components of CNA’s short term investment portfolio is presented in the following table:

December 31  2009  2008    
 
(In millions)          

Short term investments available-for-sale:

      

Commercial paper

  $185  $563  

U.S. Treasury securities

   3,025   2,258  

Money market funds

   179   329  

Other

   560   384  
 

Total short term investments

  $3,949  $3,534  
 

There was no cash collateral held related to securities lending at December 31, 2009 and 2008.

Separate Accounts

The following table summarizes the bond ratings of the investments supporting CNA’s separate account products which guarantee principal and a minimum rate of interest, for which additional amounts may be recorded in Policyholders’ funds should the aggregate contract value exceed the fair value of the related assets supporting the business at any point in time.

December 31  2009  2008   
 
(In millions of dollars)               

U.S. Government Agencies

  $67  17.6 $67  19.5 

AAA rated

   17  4.5    53  15.5   

AA and A rated

   176  46.3    148  43.1   

BBB rated

   93  24.5    74  21.6   

Non investment-grade

   27  7.1    1  0.3   
 

Total

  $380  100.0 $343  100.0 
 

At December 31, 2009 and 2008, approximately 97.0% of the separate account portfolio was issued by U.S. Government and affiliated agencies or was rated by S&P or Moody’s. The remaining bonds were rated by other rating agencies or internally.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Investments – (Continued)

Asset-backed Exposure

The following table provides detail of the Company’s exposure to asset-backed and sub-prime mortgage related securities:

    Security Type     
December 31, 2009  RMBS (a)  CMBS (b)  Other
ABS (c)
  Total   
(In millions)              

U.S. Government Agencies

  $3,405      $3,405 

AAA

   1,821  $345  $626   2,792 

AA

   307   92   69   468 

A

   250   81   35   366 

BBB

   226   44   102   372 

Non-investment grade and equity tranches

   1,105   22     1,127 
 

Total fair value

  $7,114  $584  $832  $8,530 
 

Total amortized cost

  $7,646  $709  $858  $9,213 
 

Sub-prime (included above)

         

Fair value

  $602      $602 

Amortized cost

   709       709 

Alt-A (included above)

         

Fair value

  $650      $650 

Amortized cost

   775       775 

(a)

Residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”)

(b)

Commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”)

(c)

Other asset-backed securities (“Other ABS”)

The exposure to sub-prime residential mortgage (“sub-prime”) collateral and Alternative A residential mortgages that have lower than normal standards of loan documentation (“Alt-A”) collateral is measured by the original deal structure. Of the securities with sub-prime exposure, approximately 66.0% were rated investment grade, while 78.0% of the Alt-A securities were rated investment grade. At December 31, 2009, $7 million of the carrying value of the sub-prime and Alt-A securities carried a third-party guarantee.

Pretax OTTI losses of $435 million for securities with sub-prime and Alt-A exposure were included in the $685 million of pretax OTTI losses related to asset-backed securities recognized in earnings on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the year ended December 31, 2009. Continued deterioration in the underlying collateral beyond our current expectations may cause us to reconsider and recognize additional OTTI losses in earnings. See Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8 for additional information related to unrealized losses on asset-backed securities.

ACCOUNTING STANDARDS UPDATE

For a discussion of accounting standards updates that have been adopted or will be adopted in the future, please read Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Investors are cautioned that certain statements contained in this Report as well as some statements in periodic press releases and some oral statements made by our officials and our subsidiaries during presentations about us, are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”). Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may project, indicate or imply future results, events, performance or achievements, and may contain the words “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. In addition, any statement concerning future financial performance (including future revenues, earnings or growth rates), ongoing business strategies or prospects, and possible actions taken by us or our subsidiaries, which may be provided by management are also forward-looking statements as defined by the Act.

Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about future events and are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or projected. These risks and uncertainties include, among others:

Risks and uncertainties primarily affecting us and our insurance subsidiaries

conditions in the capital and credit markets including severe levels of volatility, illiquidity, uncertainty and overall disruption, as well as sharply reduced economic activity, that may impact the returns, types, liquidity and valuation of CNA’s investments;

the impact of competitive products, policies and pricing and the competitive environment in which CNA operates, including changes in CNA’s book of business;

product and policy availability and demand and market responses, including the level of CNA’s ability to obtain rate increases and decline or non-renew under priced accounts, to achieve premium targets and profitability and to realize growth and retention estimates;

development of claims and the impact on loss reserves, including changes in claim settlement policies;

the performance of reinsurance companies under reinsurance contracts with CNA;

regulatory limitations, impositions and restrictions upon CNA, including the effects of assessments and other surcharges for guaranty funds and second-injury funds, other mandatory pooling arrangements and future assessments levied on insurance companies and other financial industry participants under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 recoupment provisions;

weather and other natural physical events, including the severity and frequency of storms, hail, snowfall and other winter conditions, natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes, as well as climate change, including effects on weather patterns, greenhouse gases, sea, land and air temperatures, sea levels, rain and snow;

regulatory requirements imposed by coastal state regulators in the wake of hurricanes or other natural disasters, including limitations on the ability to exit markets or to non-renew, cancel or change terms and conditions in policies, as well as mandatory assessments to fund any shortfalls arising from the inability of quasi-governmental insurers to pay claims;

man-made disasters, including the possible occurrence of terrorist attacks and the effect of the absence or insufficiency of applicable terrorism legislation on coverages;

the unpredictability of the nature, targets, severity or frequency of potential terrorist events, as well as the uncertainty as to CNA’s ability to contain its terrorism exposure effectively, notwithstanding the extension through December 31, 2014 of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002;

the occurrence of epidemics;

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-Looking Statements – (Continued)

exposure to liabilities due to claims made by insureds and others relating to asbestos remediation and health-based asbestos impairments, as well as exposure to liabilities for environmental pollution, construction defect claims and exposure to liabilities due to claims made by insureds and others relating to lead-based paint and other mass torts;

the assertion of “public nuisance” theories of liability, pursuant to which plaintiffs seek to recover monies spent to administer public health care programs and/or to abate hazards to public health and safety;

regulatory limitations and restrictions, including limitations upon CNA’s ability to receive dividends from its insurance subsidiaries imposed by state regulatory agencies and minimum risk-based capital standards established by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners;

the risks and uncertainties associated with CNA’s loss reserves as outlined under “Results of Operations by Business Segment – CNA Financial – Reserves – Estimates and Uncertainties” in the MD&A portion of this Report, including the sufficiency of the reserves and the possibility for future increases;

the possibility of changes in CNA’s ratings by ratings agencies, including the inability to access certain markets or distribution channels, and the required collateralization of future payment obligations as a result of such changes, and changes in rating agency policies and practices;

the effects of the mergers and failures of a number of prominent financial institutions and government sponsored entities, as well as the effects of accounting and financial reporting scandals and other major failures in internal controls and governance, on capital and credit markets, as well as on the markets for directors and officers and errors and omissions coverages;

general economic and business conditions, including recessionary conditions that may decrease the size and number of CNA’s insurance customers and create additional losses to CNA’s lines of business, especially those that provide management and professional liability insurance, as well as surety bonds, to businesses engaged in real estate, financial services and professional services, and inflationary pressures on medical care costs, construction costs and other economic sectors that increase the severity of claims;

the effectiveness of current initiatives by claims management to reduce the loss and expense ratios through more efficacious claims handling techniques; and

conditions in the capital and credit markets that may limit CNA’s ability to raise significant amounts of capital on favorable terms, as well as restrictions on the ability or willingness of the Company to provide additional capital support to CNA;

Risks and uncertainties primarily affecting us and our energy subsidiaries

the impact of changes in worldwide demand for oil and natural gas and oil and gas price fluctuations on E&P activity, including possible write downs of the carrying value of natural gas and NGL properties and impairments of goodwill;

costs and timing of rig upgrades;

market conditions in the offshore oil and gas drilling industry, including utilization levels and dayrates;

timing and duration of required regulatory inspections for offshore oil and gas drilling rigs;

the risk of physical damage to rigs and equipment caused by named windstorms in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico;

the availability and cost of insurance;

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-Looking Statements – (Continued)

regulatory issues affecting natural gas transmission, including ratemaking and other proceedings particularly affecting our gas transmission subsidiaries;

the ability of Boardwalk Pipeline to obtain and maintain authority to operate its expansion project pipelines at higher than normal operating pressures;

the successful completion, timing, cost, scope and future financial performance of planned expansion projects as well as the financing of such projects;

the ability of Boardwalk Pipeline to maintain or replace expiring customer contracts on favorable terms; and

the development of additional natural gas reserves and changes in reserve estimates.

Risks and uncertainties affecting us and our subsidiaries generally

general economic and business conditions;

changes in domestic and foreign political, social and economic conditions, including the impact of the global war on terrorism, the war in Iraq, the future outbreak of hostilities and future acts of terrorism;

potential changes in accounting policies by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the SEC or regulatory agencies for any of our subsidiaries’ industries which may cause us or our subsidiaries to revise their financial accounting and/or disclosures in the future, and which may change the way analysts measure our and our subsidiaries’ business or financial performance;

the impact of regulatory initiatives and compliance with governmental regulations, judicial rulings and jury verdicts;

the results of financing efforts; by us and our subsidiaries, including any additional investments by us in our subsidiaries;

the ability of customers and suppliers to meet their obligations to us and our subsidiaries;

the closing of any contemplated transactions and agreements;

the successful integration, transition and management of acquired businesses;

the outcome of pending or future litigation, including any tobacco-related suits to which we are or may become a party; and

the availability of indemnification by Lorillard and its subsidiaries for any tobacco-related liabilities that we may incur as a result of tobacco-related lawsuits or otherwise, as provided in the Separation Agreement.

Developments in any of these areas, which are more fully described elsewhere in this Report, could cause our results to differ materially from results that have been or may be anticipated or projected. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Report and we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update these statements to reflect any change in our expectations or beliefs or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement is based.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

We are a large diversified holding company. As such, we and our subsidiaries have significant amounts of financial instruments that involve market risk. Our measure of market risk exposure represents an estimate of the change in fair value of our financial instruments. Changes in the trading portfolio are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Market risk exposure is presented for each class of financial instrument held by us at December 31, assuming immediate adverse market movements of the magnitude described below. We believe that the various rates of adverse market movements represent a measure of exposure to loss under hypothetically assumed adverse conditions. The estimated market risk exposure represents the hypothetical loss to future earnings and does not represent the maximum possible loss nor any expected actual loss, even under adverse conditions, because actual adverse fluctuations would likely differ. In addition, since our investment portfolio is subject to change based on our portfolio management strategy as well as in response to changes in the market, these estimates are not necessarily indicative of the actual results which may occur.

Exposure to market risk is managed and monitored by senior management. Senior management approves our overall investment strategy and has responsibility to ensure that the investment positions are consistent with that strategy with an acceptable level of risk. We may manage risk by buying or selling instruments or entering into offsetting positions.

Interest Rate Risk – We have exposure to interest rate risk arising from changes in the level or volatility of interest rates. We attempt to mitigate our exposure to interest rate risk by utilizing instruments such as interest rate swaps, interest rate caps, commitments to purchase securities, options, futures and forwards. We monitor our sensitivity to interest rate changes (inclusive of credit spread) by revaluing financial assets and liabilities using a variety of different interest rates. The Company uses duration and convexity at the security level to estimate the change in fair value that would result from a change in each security’s yield. Duration measures the price sensitivity of an asset to changes in the yield rate. Convexity measures how the duration of the asset changes with interest rates. The duration and convexity analysis takes into account the unique characteristics (e.g., call and put options and prepayment expectations) of each security, in determining the hypothetical change in fair value. The analysis is performed at the security level and is aggregated up to the asset category level.

The evaluation is performed by applying an instantaneous change in the yield rates by varying magnitudes on a static balance sheet to determine the effect such a change in rates would have on the recorded market value of our investments and the resulting effect on shareholders’ equity. The analysis presents the sensitivity of the market value of our financial instruments to selected changes in market rates and prices which we believe are reasonably possible over a one-year period.

The sensitivity analysis estimates the change in the fair value of our interest sensitive assets and liabilities that were held on December 31, 2010 and 2009 due to an instantaneous change in the yield of the security at the end of the period of 100 basis points, with all other variables held constant.

The interest rates on certain types of assets and liabilities may fluctuate in advance of changes in market interest rates, while interest rates on other types may lag behind changes in market rates. Accordingly, the analysis may not be indicative of, is not intended to provide, and does not provide a precise forecast of the effect of changes of market interest rates on our earnings or shareholders’ equity. Further, the computations do not contemplate any actions we could undertake in response to changes in interest rates.

Our debt is denominated in U.S. Dollars and has been primarily issued at fixed rates, therefore, interest expense would not be impacted by interest rate shifts. The impact of a 100 basis point increase in interest rates on fixed rate debt would result in a decrease in market value of $425 million and $429 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009. The impact of a 100 basis point decrease would result in an increase in market value of $464 million at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009. HighMount has entered into interest rate swaps for a notional amount of $1.1 billion to hedge its exposure to fluctuations in LIBOR. These swaps effectively fix the interest rate at 5.7%. Gains or losses from derivative instruments used for hedging purposes, to the extent realized, will generally be offset by recognition of the hedged transaction.

Equity Price Risk – We have exposure to equity price risk as a result of our investment in equity securities and equity derivatives. Equity price risk results from changes in the level or volatility of equity prices which affect the value of equity securities or instruments that derive their value from such securities or indexes. Equity price risk was measured assuming an instantaneous 25.0% decrease in the underlying reference price or index from its level at December 31, 2010 and 2009, with all other variables held constant. A model was developed to analyze the observed changes in the value of limited partnerships held by the Company over a multiple year period along with the corresponding changes in various equity indices. The result of the model allowed us to estimate the change in value of limited partnerships when equity markets decline by 25.0%.

Foreign Exchange Rate Risk – Foreign exchange rate risk arises from the possibility that changes in foreign currency exchange rates will impact the value of financial instruments. We have foreign exchange rate exposure when we buy or sell foreign currencies or financial instruments denominated in a foreign currency. This exposure is mitigated by our asset/liability matching strategy and through the use of futures for those instruments which are not matched. Our foreign transactions are primarily denominated in Australian dollars, Canadian dollars, British pounds, Brazilian reais and the European Monetary Unit. The sensitivity analysis assumes an instantaneous 20.0% decrease in the foreign currency exchange rates versus the U.S. dollar from their levels at December 31, 2010 and 2009, with all other variables held constant.

Commodity Price Risk – We have exposure to price risk as a result of our investments in commodities. Commodity price risk results from changes in the level or volatility of commodity prices that impact instruments which derive their value from such commodities. Commodity price risk was measured assuming an instantaneous increase of 20.0% from their levels at December 31, 2010 and 2009. The impact of a change in commodity prices on the Company’s non-trading commodity-based financial derivative instruments at a point in time is not necessarily representative of the results that will be realized when such contracts are ultimately settled. Net losses from commodity derivative instruments used for hedging purposes, to the extent realized, will generally be offset by recognition of the underlying hedged transaction, such as revenue from sales.

Credit Risk – We are exposed to credit risk relating to the risk of loss resulting from the nonperformance by a customer of its contractual obligations. Although nearly all of the Company’s customers pay for its services on a timely basis, the Company actively monitors the credit exposure to its customers. Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries may perform credit reviews of customers and may require customers to provide cash collateral, post a letter of credit, prepay for services or provide other credit enhancements.

Boardwalk Pipeline has established credit policies in the pipeline tariffs which are intended to minimize credit risk in accordance with FERC policies and actively monitors this portion of its business. Boardwalk Pipeline’s credit exposure generally relates to receivables for services provided, as well as volumes owed by customers for imbalances or gas lent by Boardwalk Pipeline to them, generally under PAL and no-notice services. Natural gas price volatility can materially increase credit risk related to gas loaned to customers. If any significant customer of Boardwalk Pipeline should have credit or financial problems resulting in a delay or failure to repay the gas they owe to Boardwalk Pipeline, this could have a material adverse effect on Boardwalk Pipeline’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. As of December 31, 2010, the amount of gas loaned out by Boardwalk Pipeline or owed to Boardwalk Pipeline due to gas imbalances was approximately 13.0 trillion British thermal units (TBtu). Assuming an average market price during December of 2010 of $4.21 per million British thermal unit (MMBtu), the market value of this gas at December 31, 2010, would have been approximately $55 million. As of December 31, 2009, the amount of gas loaned out by Boardwalk Pipeline or owed to Boardwalk Pipeline due to gas imbalances was approximately 14.9 TBtu. Assuming an average market price during December 2009 of $5.36 per MMBtu, the market value of this gas at December 31, 2009, would have been approximately $80 million.

The following tables present our market risk by category (equity prices, interest rates, foreign exchange rates and commodity prices) on the basis of those entered into for trading purposes and other than trading purposes.

Trading portfolio:

Category of risk exposure:  Fair Value Asset (Liability)  Market Risk     
December 31  2010  2009  2010  2009     
(In millions)             

Equity prices (1):

     

Equity securities – long

  $616   $318   $(154 $(79)       

– short

   (68  (78  17    19  

Options – purchased

   30    45    3    7  

– written

   (10  (9  4    (7)       

Interest rate (2):

     

Fixed maturities – long

   231    377    (10  (19)       

– short

   (250   5   

Short term investments

   3,118    1,990    

Other derivatives

      19  

Note:

The calculation of estimated market risk exposure is based on assumed adverse changes in the underlying reference price or index of (1) a decrease in equity prices of 25.0% and (2) an increase in yield rates of 100 basis points. Adverse changes on options which differ from those presented above would not necessarily result in a proportionate change to the estimated market risk exposure.

Other than trading portfolio:

Category of risk exposure:  Fair Value Asset (Liability)  Market Risk     
December 31  2010  2009  2010  2009     
(In millions)             

Equity prices (1):

     

Equity securities:

     

General accounts (a)

  $440   $644   $(110 $(161)       

Separate accounts

   22    32    (5  (8)       

Limited partnership investments

   2,814    1,996    (256  (200)       

Interest rate (2):

     

Fixed maturities (a)

   37,583    35,439    (2,417  (2,082)       

Short term investments (a)

   3,962    5,221    (7  (12)       

Other invested assets

   113    4    (7 

Interest rate swaps and other (b)

   (76  (135  17    45  

Other derivative securities

   (1  (11  

Separate accounts (a):

     

Fixed maturities

   405    380    (18  (15)       

Short term investments

   18    6    

Foreign exchange (3):

     

Forwards – short

   4    3    (26  (21)       

Commodities (4):

     

Forwards – short (b)

   47    11    (85  (134)       

Options – written

       2        (1)       

Note:

The calculation of estimated market risk exposure is based on assumed adverse changes in the underlying reference price or index of (1) a decrease in equity prices of 25.0%, (2) an increase in yield rates of 100 basis points, (3) a decrease in the foreign currency exchange rates versus the U.S. dollar of 20.0% and (4) an increase in commodity prices of 20.0%.

(a)    Certain securities are denominated in foreign currencies. An assumed 20.0% decline in the underlying exchange rates would result in an aggregate foreign currency exchange rate risk of $(362) and $(330) at December 31, 2010 and 2009.

(b)    The market risk at December 31, 2010 and 2009 will generally be offset by recognition of the underlying hedged transaction.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data are comprised of the following sections:

   Page
No.
 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

   96  

Consolidated Statements of Income

   98  

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

   100  

Consolidated Statements of Equity

   101  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

   103  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements:

   105  

1.

 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies   105  

2.

 Acquisition/Divestitures   114  

3.

 Investments   115  

4.

 Fair Value   123  

5.

 Derivative Financial Instruments   129  

6.

 Earnings Per Share   134  

7.

 Receivables   136  

8.

 Property, Plant and Equipment   136  

9.

 Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves   137  

10.

 Leases   145  

11.

 Income Taxes   145  

12.

 Debt   149  

13.

 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)   151  

14.

 Statutory Accounting Practices (Unaudited)   152  

15.

 Supplemental Natural Gas and Oil Information (Unaudited)   153  

16.

 Benefit Plans   156  

17.

 Reinsurance   164  

18.

 Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)   166  

19.

 Legal Proceedings   167  

20.

 Commitments and Contingencies   167  

21.

 Discontinued Operations   168  

22.

 Business Segments   169  

23.

 Consolidating Financial Information   173  

Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

Assets:

          
December 31  2010   2009     

(Dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)

        

Investments:

    

Fixed maturities, amortized cost of $36,677 and $35,824

  $37,814    $35,816  

Equity securities, cost of $979 and $943

   1,086     1,007  

Limited partnership investments

   2,814     1,996  

Other invested assets

   113    

Short term investments

   7,080     7,215  

Total investments

   48,907     46,034  

Cash

   120     190  

Receivables

   10,142     10,212  

Property, plant and equipment

   12,636     13,274  

Deferred income taxes

   289     627  

Goodwill

   856     856  

Other assets

   1,798     1,346  

Deferred acquisition costs of insurance subsidiaries

   1,079     1,108  

Separate account business

   450     423  

Total assets

  $76,277    $74,070  
           

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

Liabilities and Equity:

         
December 31  2010  2009     
(Dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)       

Insurance reserves:

   

Claim and claim adjustment expense

  $25,496   $26,816  

Future policy benefits

   8,718    7,981  

Unearned premiums

   3,203    3,274  

Policyholders’ funds

   173    192  

Total insurance reserves

   37,590    38,263  

Payable to brokers

   685    540  

Short term debt

   647    10  

Long term debt

   8,830    9,475  

Other liabilities

   4,969    4,274  

Separate account business

   450    423  

Total liabilities

   53,171    52,985  

Commitments and contingent liabilities

   

(Notes 1, 3, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 19 and 20)

   

Shareholders’ equity:

   

Preferred stock, $0.10 par value:

   

Authorized - 100,000,000 shares

   

Common stock, $0.01 par value:

   

Authorized – 1,800,000,000 shares

   

Issued 414,930,507 and 425,497,522 shares

   4    4  

Additional paid-in capital

   3,667    3,637  

Retained earnings

   14,564    13,693  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

   230    (419
   18,465    16,915  

Less treasury stock, at cost (384,400 and 427,200 shares)

   (15  (16

Total shareholders’ equity

   18,450    16,899  

Noncontrolling interests

   4,656    4,186  

Total equity

   23,106    21,085  

Total liabilities and equity

  $76,277   $74,070  
          

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Year Ended December 31  2010  2009  2008 
(In millions, except per share data)          

Revenues:

    

Insurance premiums

  $6,515   $6,721   $7,150  

Net investment income

   2,508    2,499    1,581  

Investment gains (losses):

    

Other-than-temporary impairment losses

   (254  (1,657  (1,484

Portion of other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in Other comprehensive income (loss)

   22    305      

Net impairment losses recognized in earnings

   (232  (1,352  (1,484

Other net investment gains

   288    499    188  

Total investment gains (losses)

   56    (853  (1,296

Gain on issuance of subsidiary stock

     2  

Contract drilling revenues

   3,230    3,537    3,476  

Other

   2,306    2,213    2,334  

Total

   14,615    14,117    13,247  

Expenses:

    

Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits

   4,985    5,290    5,723  

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

   1,387    1,417    1,467  

Contract drilling expenses

   1,391    1,224    1,185  

Impairment of natural gas and oil properties

    1,036    691  

Impairment of goodwill

     482  

Other operating expenses (Note 9)

   3,433    2,972    2,767  

Interest

   517    448    345  

Total

   11,713    12,387    12,660  

Income before income tax

   2,902    1,730    587  

Income tax expense

   895    345    7  

Income from continuing operations

   2,007    1,385    580  

Discontinued operations, net:

    

Results of operations

   (20  (2  351  

Gain on disposal

           4,362  

Net income

   1,987    1,383    5,293  

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

   (699  (819  (763

Net income attributable to Loews Corporation

  $1,288   $564   $4,530  
              

Net income (loss) attributable to:

    

Loews common stock:

    

Income (loss) from continuing operations

  $1,307   $566   $(182

Discontinued operations, net

   (19  (2  4,501  

Loews common stock

   1,288    564    4,319  

Former Carolina Group stock - discontinued operations, net

           211  

Total

  $1,288   $564   $4,530  
              

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Year Ended December 31

   2010        2009        2008      

(In millions, except per share data)

    

Basic net income (loss) per Loews common share:

    

Income (loss) from continuing operations

  $3.12   $1.31   $(0.38)    

Discontinued operations, net

   (0.04  (0.01  9.43     

Net income

  $3.08   $1.30   $9.05     
              

Basic net income per former Carolina Group share:

    

Discontinued operations, net

  $-       $-       $1.95      
              

Diluted net income (loss) per Loews common share:

    

Income (loss) from continuing operations

  $3.11   $1.31   $(0.38)    

Discontinued operations, net

   (0.04  (0.01  9.43     

Net income

  $3.07   $1.30   $9.05     
              

Diluted net income per former Carolina Group share:

    

Discontinued operations, net

  $-       $-       $1.95      
              

Dividends per share:

    

Loews common stock

  $0.25   $0.25   $0.25      

Former Carolina Group stock

   -        -        0.91      

Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding:

    

Loews common stock

   418.72    432.81    477.23      

Former Carolina Group stock

   -        -        108.47      

Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding:

    

Loews common stock

   419.52    433.45    477.23      

Former Carolina Group stock

   -        -        108.60      

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Year Ended December 31

   2010         2009         2008      

(In millions)

      

Net income

  $1,987     $1,383     $5,293     

Other comprehensive income (loss)

      

Changes in:

      

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

   86      (95)    

Net other unrealized gains (losses) on investments

   494      3,711      (3,528)    

Total unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale investments

   580      3,616      (3,528)    

Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges

   60      (67)     41     

Foreign currency

   49      117      (161)    

Pension liability

   29           (354)    

Other comprehensive income (loss)

   718      3,672      (4,002)    

Comprehensive income

   2,705      5,055      1,291     

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

   (771)     (1,215)     (335)    

Total comprehensive income attributable to Loews Corporation

  $1,934     $3,840     $956     
                

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

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

(In millions)

         

Balance, January 1, 2008

  $21,502   $5   $1   $4,024   $13,642   $(65 $(8 $3,903  

Adjustment to initially apply updated accounting guidance on reporting noncontrolling interests in Consolidated Financial Statements

   (206    330       (536

Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests

   (111        (111

Issuance of equity securities by subsidiary

   247          247  

Adjustments related to purchase of subsidiary units

   131          131  

Net income

   5,293       4,530      763  

Other comprehensive loss

   (4,002      (3,574   (428

Dividends paid

   (732     (219    (513

Purchase of Loews treasury stock

   (33       (33 

Issuance of Loews common stock

   4      4      

Redemption of former Carolina Group stock

   (542   (1   (602  53    8   

Exchange of Lorillard common stock for Loews common stock

   (4,650       (4,650 

Stock-based compensation

   26      22         

Retirement of treasury stock

   -    (1   (710  (3,972   4,683   

Other

   2                (4            

Balance, December 31, 2008

   16,929    4    -    3,670    13,375    (3,586  -    3,466   

Adjustment to initially apply updated accounting guidance which amended the other-than-temporary impairment loss model for fixed maturity securities

   -       109    (109  

Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests

   (7    10       (17)  

Issuance of equity securities by subsidiary

   169      18       151  

Net income

   1,383       564      819  

Other comprehensive income

   3,672        3,276     396  

Dividends paid

   (756     (108    (648

Issuance of Loews common stock

   8      8      

Purchase of Loews treasury stock

   (348       (348 

Retirement of treasury stock

   -      (86  (246   332   

Stock-based compensation

   22      18       4  

Other

   13            (1  (1          15  

Balance, December 31, 2009

  $21,085   $4   $-   $3,637   $13,693   $(419 $(16 $4,186  
                                  

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

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

Balance, December 31, 2009

  $    21,085   $4    $3,637   $13,693   $(419 $(16 $4,186  

Sale of subsidiary common units

   279      83     1     195  

Net income

   1,987       1,288      699  

Other comprehensive income

   718        646     72  

Dividends paid

   (597     (105    (492

Issuance of Loews common stock

   8      8      

Purchase of Loews treasury stock

   (405       (405 

Retirement of treasury stock

   -      (97  (309   406   

Stock-based compensation

   21      18       3  

Other

   10         18    (3  2        (7)  

Balance, December 31, 2010

  $23,106   $4    $3,667   $14,564   $230   $(15 $4,656  
                               

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Year Ended December 31  2010      2009      2008     

(In millions)

    

Operating Activities:

    

Net income

  $1,987   $1,383   $5,293  

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

    

(Income) loss from discontinued operations

   20    2    (4,713

Investment (gains) losses

   (56  853    1,294  

Undistributed (earnings) losses

   (184  (220  451  

Amortization of investments

   (118  (199  (299

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

   816    784    692  

Impairment of natural gas and oil properties

    1,036    691  

Impairment of goodwill

     482  

Provision for deferred income taxes

   471    139    (378

Other non-cash items

   (53  39    (41

Changes in operating assets and liabilities-net:

    

Reinsurance receivables

   (499  829    928  

Other receivables

   305    (76  (86

Federal income tax

   (141  (62  (308

Deferred acquisition costs

   29    17    36  

Insurance reserves

   (805  (612  (590

Other liabilities

   132    (130  (216

Trading securities

   (1,778  760    (84

Other, net

   (83  71    77  

Net cash flow operating activities - continuing operations

   43    4,614    3,229  

Net cash flow operating activities - discontinued operations

   (90  (23  142  

Net cash flow operating activities - total

   (47  4,591    3,371  

Investing Activities:

    

Purchases of fixed maturities

   (16,715  (24,189  (48,404

Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities

   12,514    19,245    41,749  

Proceeds from maturities of fixed maturities

   3,340    3,448    4,092  

Purchases of equity securities

   (99  (269  (210

Proceeds from sales of equity securities

   341    905    221  

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

   (917  (2,529  (3,997

Dispositions

   805    85    87  

Change in short term investments

   1,892    (1,620  2,942  

Change in other investments

   (580  40    (306

Other, net

   7    (2  (11

Net cash flow investing activities - continuing operations

   588    (4,886  (3,837

Net cash flow investing activities - discontinued operations, including proceeds from dispositions

   76    23    623  

Net cash flow investing activities - total

   664    (4,863  (3,214)     

Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Year Ended December 31

   2010    2009    2008  

(In millions)

    

Financing Activities:

    

Dividends paid

   $      (105  $      (108  $      (219

Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests

   (492  (648  (513

Purchases of treasury shares

   (405  (334  (33

Purchases of subsidiary treasury shares

    (2  (70

Issuance of common stock

   8    8    4  

Proceeds from sale of subsidiary stock

   344    180    247  

Principal payments on debt

   (659  (902  (1,282

Issuance of debt

   645    2,128    2,285  

Policyholders’ investment contract net deposits (withdrawals)

   (6  (11  (605

Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

   2    2    3  

Other, net

   (20  8    10  

Net cash flow financing activities - continuing operations

   (688  321    (173

Net cash flow financing activities - discontinued operations

             

Net cash flow financing activities - total

   (688  321    (173

Effect of foreign exchange rate on cash - continuing operations

   1    10    (13

Net change in cash

   (70  59    (29

Net cash transactions:

    

From continuing operations to discontinued operations

   (14   785  

To discontinued operations from continuing operations

   14     (785

Cash, beginning of year

   190    131    160  

Cash, end of year

   $        120    $        190    $        131  
              

Cash, end of year:

    

Continuing operations

   $        120    $        190    $        131  

Discontinued operations

             

Total

   $        120    $        190    $        131  
              

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

market movements represent a measure of exposure to loss under hypothetically assumed adverse conditions. The estimated market risk exposure represents the hypothetical loss to future earnings and does not represent the maximum possible loss nor any expected actual loss, even under adverse conditions, because actual adverse fluctuations would likely differ. In addition, since our investment portfolio is subject to change based on our portfolio management strategy as well as in response to changes in the market, these estimates are not necessarily indicative of the actual results which may occur.

Exposure to market risk is managed and monitored by senior management. Senior management approves our overall investment strategy and has responsibility to ensure that the investment positions are consistent with that strategy with an acceptable level of risk. We may manage risk by buying or selling instruments or entering into offsetting positions.

Interest Rate Risk – We have exposure to interest rate risk arising from changes in the level or volatility of interest rates. We attempt to mitigate our exposure to interest rate risk by utilizing instruments such as interest rate swaps, interest rate caps, commitments to purchase securities, options, futures and forwards. We monitor our sensitivity to interest rate changes (inclusive of credit spread) by revaluing financial assets and liabilities using a variety of different interest rates. The Company uses duration and convexity at the security level to estimate the change in fair value that would result from a change in each security’s yield. Duration measures the price sensitivity of an asset to changes in the yield rate. Convexity measures how the duration of the asset changes with interest rates. The duration and convexity analysis takes into account the unique characteristics (e.g., call and put options and prepayment expectations) of each security, in determining the hypothetical change in fair value. The analysis is performed at the security level and is aggregated up to the asset category level.

The evaluation is performed by applying an instantaneous change in the yield rates by varying magnitudes on a static balance sheet to determine the effect such a change in rates would have on the recorded market value of our investments and the resulting effect on shareholders’ equity. The analysis presents the sensitivity of the market value of our financial instruments to selected changes in market rates and prices which we believe are reasonably possible over a one-year period.

The sensitivity analysis estimates the change in the fair value of our interest sensitive assets and liabilities that were held on December 31, 2009 and 2008 due to an instantaneous change in the yield of the security at the end of the period of 100 basis points, with all other variables held constant.

The interest rates on certain types of assets and liabilities may fluctuate in advance of changes in market interest rates, while interest rates on other types may lag behind changes in market rates. Accordingly, the analysis may not be indicative of, is not intended to provide, and does not provide a precise forecast of the effect of changes of market interest rates on our earnings or shareholders’ equity. Further, the computations do not contemplate any actions we could undertake in response to changes in interest rates.

Our debt is denominated in U.S. Dollars and has been primarily issued at fixed rates, therefore, interest expense would not be impacted by interest rate shifts. The impact of a 100 basis point increase in interest rates on fixed rate debt would result in a decrease in market value of $429 million and $303 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008. The impact of a 100 basis point decrease would result in an increase in market value of $464 million and $328 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008. HighMount has entered into interest rate swaps for a notional amount of $1.6 billion to hedge its exposure to fluctuations in LIBOR. These swaps effectively fix the interest rate at 5.8%. Gains or losses from derivative instruments used for hedging purposes, to the extent realized, will generally be offset by recognition of the hedged transaction.

Equity Price Risk – We have exposure to equity price risk as a result of our investment in equity securities and equity derivatives. Equity price risk results from changes in the level or volatility of equity prices which affect the value of equity securities or instruments that derive their value from such securities or indexes. Equity price risk was measured assuming an instantaneous 25.0% decrease in the underlying reference price or index from its level at December 31, 2009 and 2008, with all other variables held constant. A model was developed to analyze the observed changes in the value of limited partnerships held by the Company over a multiple year period along with the corresponding changes in various equity indices. The result of the model allowed us to estimate the change in value of limited partnerships when equity markets decline by 25.0%.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Foreign Exchange Rate Risk – Foreign exchange rate risk arises from the possibility that changes in foreign currency exchange rates will impact the value of financial instruments. We have foreign exchange rate exposure when we buy or sell foreign currencies or financial instruments denominated in a foreign currency. This exposure is mitigated by our asset/liability matching strategy and through the use of futures for those instruments which are not matched. Our foreign transactions are primarily denominated in Australian dollars, Canadian dollars, British pounds, Japanese yen and the European Monetary Unit. The sensitivity analysis assumes an instantaneous 20.0% decrease in the foreign currency exchange rates versus the U.S. dollar from their levels at December 31, 2009 and 2008, with all other variables held constant.

Commodity Price Risk – We have exposure to price risk as a result of our investments in commodities. Commodity price risk results from changes in the level or volatility of commodity prices that impact instruments which derive their value from such commodities. Commodity price risk was measured assuming an instantaneous increase of 20.0% from their levels at December 31, 2009 and 2008. The impact of a change in commodity prices on the Company’s non-trading commodity-based financial derivative instruments at a point in time is not necessarily representative of the results that will be realized when such contracts are ultimately settled. Net losses from commodity derivative instruments used for hedging purposes, to the extent realized, will generally be offset by recognition of the underlying hedged transaction, such as revenue from sales.

Credit Risk – We are exposed to credit risk relating to the risk of loss resulting from the nonperformance by a customer of its contractual obligations. Although nearly all of the Company’s customers pay for its services on a timely basis, the Company actively monitors the credit exposure to its customers. Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries may perform credit reviews of customers and may require customers to provide cash collateral, post a letter of credit, prepay for services or provide other credit enhancements.

Boardwalk Pipeline has established credit policies in the pipeline tariffs which are intended to minimize credit risk in accordance with FERC policies and actively monitors this portion of its business. Boardwalk Pipeline’s credit exposure generally relates to receivables for services provided, as well as volumes owed by customers for imbalances or gas lent by Boardwalk Pipeline to them, generally under PAL and no-notice services. Natural gas price volatility can materially increase credit risk related to gas loaned to customers. If any significant customer of Boardwalk Pipeline should have credit or financial problems resulting in a delay or failure to repay the gas they owe to Boardwalk Pipeline, this could have a material adverse effect on Boardwalk Pipeline’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. As of December 31, 2009, the amount of gas loaned out by Boardwalk Pipeline or owed to Boardwalk Pipeline due to gas imbalances was approximately 14.9 trillion British thermal units (TBtu). Assuming an average market price during December of 2009 of $5.36 per million British thermal unit (MMBtu), the market value of this gas at December 31, 2009, would have been approximately $80 million. As of December 31, 2008, the amount of gas loaned out by Boardwalk Pipeline or owed to Boardwalk Pipeline due to gas imbalances was approximately 34.4 TBtu. Assuming an average market price during December 2008 of $5.85 per MMBtu, the market value of this gas at December 31, 2008, would have been approximately $201 million.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

The following tables present our market risk by category (equity markets, interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices) on the basis of those entered into for trading purposes and other than trading purposes.

Trading portfolio:

Category of risk exposure:  Fair Value Asset (Liability)  Market Risk    
December 31  2009  2008  2009  2008    
(In millions)               

Equity markets (1):

      

Equity securities

  $318   $246   $(79 $(61 

Options – purchased

   45    66    7    3   

              – written

   (9  (62  (7  (2 

Short sales

   (78  (106  19    27   

Interest rate (2):

      

Futures – long

      (6 

Fixed maturities – long

   377    565    (19  (6 

Short term investments

   1,990    1,022     

Other derivatives

    (4  19    

Note:

The calculation of estimated market risk exposure is based on assumed adverse changes in the underlying reference price or index of (1) a decrease in equity prices of 25.0% and (2) an increase in yield rates of 100 basis points. Adverse changes on options which differ from those presented above would not necessarily result in a proportionate change to the estimated market risk exposure.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Other than trading portfolio:

Category of risk exposure:  Fair Value Asset (Liability)  Market Risk    
December 31  2009  2008  2009  2008    
(In millions)               

Equity markets (1):

      

Equity securities:

      

General accounts (a)

  $644   $873   $(161 $(218 

Separate accounts

   32    27    (8  (7 

Limited partnership investments

   1,996    1,781    (200  (118 

Interest rate (2):

      

Fixed maturities (a)(b)

   35,439    28,886    (2,082  (1,919 

Short term investments (a)

   5,221    5,007    (12  (17 

Other invested assets

   4    4     

Interest rate swaps and other (c)

   (135)   (183  45    61   

Other derivative securities

   (11)   (88   90   

Separate accounts (a):

      

Fixed maturities

   380    343    (15  (17 

Short term investments

   6    7     

Foreign exchange (3):

      

Forwards – short

   3    (37  (21  (33 

Commodities (4):

      

Forwards – short (c)

   11    157    (134  (69 

Options – written

   2    4    (1  (2 
 

Note:

The calculation of estimated market risk exposure is based on assumed adverse changes in the underlying reference price or index of (1) a decrease in equity prices of 25.0%, (2) an increase in yield rates of 100 basis points, (3) a decrease in the foreign currency exchange rates versus the U.S. dollar of 20.0% and (4) an increase in commodity prices of 20.0%.

(a)

Certain securities are denominated in foreign currencies. An assumed 20.0% decline in the underlying exchange rates would result in an aggregate foreign currency exchange rate risk of $(330) and $(225) at December 31, 2009 and 2008.

(b)

At December 31, 2008, certain fixed maturities positions include options embedded in convertible debt securities. A decrease in underlying equity prices of 25.0% would result in market risk amounting to $(5) at December 31, 2008.

(c)

The market risk at December 31, 2009 and 2008 will generally be offset by recognition of the underlying hedged transaction.

Item 8. FinancialStatements and Supplementary Data.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data are comprised of the following sections:

        Page
No.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

  

112

Consolidated Statements of Income

  

114

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

  

116

Consolidated Statements of Equity

  

117

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

  

119

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements:

  

121

    

  1.

    

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

  

121

    

  2.

    

Acquisition/Divestitures

  

130

    

  3.

    

Investments

  

131

    

  4.

    

Fair Value

  

139

    

  5.

    

Derivative Financial Instruments

  

144

    

  6.

    

Earnings Per Share

  

149

    

  7.

    

Receivables

  

150

    

  8.

    

Property, Plant and Equipment

  

151

    

  9.

    

Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves

  

152

    

10.

    

Leases

  

162

    

11.

    

Income Taxes

  

163

    

12.

    

Debt

  

165

    

13.

    

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

  

168

    

14.

    

Statutory Accounting Practices (Unaudited)

  

168

    

15.

    

Supplemental Natural Gas and Oil Information (Unaudited)

  

170

    

16.

    

Benefit Plans

  

174

    

17.

    

Reinsurance

  

180

    

18.

    

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

  

183

    

19.

    

Legal Proceedings

  

184

    

20.

    

Commitments and Contingencies

  

185

    

21.

    

Discontinued Operations

  

185

    

22.

    

Business Segments

  

187

    

23.

    

Consolidating Financial Information

  

190

Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

Assets:           
December 31  2009  2008   
(Dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)        

Investments (Notes 1, 3, 4 and 5):

     

Fixed maturities, amortized cost of $35,824 and $34,767

  $35,816  $29,451 

Equity securities, cost of $943 and $1,402

   1,007   1,185 

Limited partnership investments

   1,996   1,781 

Short term investments

   7,215   6,033 
 

Total investments

   46,034   38,450 

Cash

   190   131 

Receivables (Notes 1 and 7)

   10,212   11,672 

Property, plant and equipment (Notes 1 and 8)

   13,274   12,892 

Deferred income taxes (Note 11)

   627   2,928 

Goodwill (Notes 1 and 2)

   856   856 

Other assets

   1,346   1,432 

Deferred acquisition costs of insurance subsidiaries (Note 1)

   1,108   1,125 

Separate account business (Notes 1, 4 and 5)

   423   384 
 

Total assets

  $74,070  $69,870 
 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

Liabilities and Equity:

December 31  2009  2008    
(Dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)         

Insurance reserves (Notes 1 and 9):

    

Claim and claim adjustment expense

  $26,816   $27,593   

Future policy benefits

   7,981    7,529   

Unearned premiums

   3,274    3,405   

Policyholders’ funds

   192    243   
 

Total insurance reserves

   38,263    38,770   

Payable to brokers (Note 5)

   540    679   

Short term debt (Notes 4 and 12)

   10    71   

Long term debt (Notes 4 and 12)

   9,475    8,187   

Reinsurance balances payable (Notes 1 and 17)

   281    316   

Other liabilities (Notes 1, 4 and 16)

   3,993    4,328   

Separate account business (Notes 1, 4 and 5)

   423    384   
 

Total liabilities

   52,985    52,735   
 

Commitments and contingent liabilities

(Notes 1, 3, 5, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19 and 20)

    

Shareholders’ equity (Notes 1, 2, 3, 6 and 13):

    

Preferred stock, $0.10 par value:

    

Authorized - 100,000,000 shares

    

Common stock, $0.01 par value:

    

Authorized – 1,800,000,000 shares

    

Issued 425,497,522 and 435,091,667 shares

   4    4   

Additional paid-in capital

   3,637    3,340   

Retained earnings

   13,693    13,375   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

   (419  (3,586 
 
   16,915    13,133   

Less treasury stock, at cost (427,200 shares)

   (16  
 

Total shareholders’ equity

   16,899    13,133   

Noncontrolling interests

   4,186    4,002   
 

Total equity

   21,085    17,135   
 

Total liabilities and equity

  $74,070   $69,870   
 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Year Ended December 31  2009  2008  2007   
 
(In millions, except per share data)            

Revenues (Note 1):

     

Insurance premiums (Note 17)

  $6,721   $7,150   $7,482   

Net investment income (Note 3)

   2,499    1,581    2,785   

Investment gains (losses) (Note 3):

     

Other-than-temporary impairment losses

   (1,657  (1,484  (741 

Portion of other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in Other comprehensive income

   305     
 

Net impairment losses recognized in earnings

   (1,352  (1,484  (741 

Transactional realized investment gains

   499    188    465   
 

Total investment losses

   (853  (1,296  (276 

Gain on issuance of subsidiary stock (Notes 2 and 3)

    2    141   

Contract drilling revenues

   3,537    3,476    2,506   

Other

   2,213    2,334    1,664   
 

Total

   14,117    13,247    14,302   
 

Expenses (Note 1):

     

Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits (Notes 9 and 17)

   5,290    5,723    6,009   

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

   1,417    1,467    1,520   

Contract drilling expenses

   1,224    1,185    1,004   

Impairment of natural gas and oil properties (Notes 1 and 8)

   1,036    691    

Impairment of goodwill (Note 1)

    482    

Other operating expenses

   2,972    2,767    2,256   

Interest

   448    345    319   
 

Total

   12,387    12,660    11,108   
 

Income before income tax

   1,730    587    3,194   

Income tax expense (Note 11)

   345    7    995   
 

Income from continuing operations

   1,385    580    2,199   

Discontinued operations, net: (Notes 1, 2 and 21)

     

Results of operations

   (2  351    901   

Gain on disposal

    4,362    
 

Net income

   1,383    5,293    3,100   

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

   (819  (763  (612 
 

Net income attributable to Loews Corporation

  $564   $4,530   $2,488   
 

Net income (loss) attributable to (Note 6):

     

Loews common stock:

     

Income (loss) from continuing operations

  $566   $(182 $1,586   

Discontinued operations, net

   (2  4,501    369   
 

Loews common stock

   564    4,319    1,955   

Former Carolina Group stock- discontinued operations, net

    211    533   
 

Total

  $564   $4,530   $2,488   
 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Year Ended December 31
  2009  2008  2007   
(In millions, except per share data)           

Basic net income (loss) per Loews common share (Note 6):

     

Income (loss) from continuing operations

  $1.31   $(0.38 $2.97 

Discontinued operations, net

   (0.01)   9.43    0.69 
 

Net income

  $1.30   $9.05   $3.66 
 

Basic net income per former Carolina Group share (Note 6):

     

Discontinued operations, net

  $-        $1.95   $4.92 
 

Diluted net income (loss) per Loews common share (Note 6):

     

Income (loss) from continuing operations

  $1.31   $(0.38 $2.96 

Discontinued operations, net

   (0.01)   9.43    0.69 
 

Net income

  $1.30   $9.05   $3.65 
 

Diluted net income per former Carolina Group share (Note 6):

     

Discontinued operations, net

  $-        $1.95   $4.91 
 

Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding:

     

Loews common stock

   432.81    477.23    534.79 

Former Carolina Group stock

   -         108.47    108.43 

Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding:

     

Loews common stock

   433.45    477.23    536.00 

Former Carolina Group stock

   -         108.60    108.57 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Year Ended December 31  2009  2008  2007    
(In millions)            

Net income

  $1,383   $5,293   $3,100   
 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     

Changes in:

     

Net unrealized losses on investments with other-than-temporary impairments

   (95)    

Net other unrealized gains (losses) on investments

   3,711    (3,528  (572 
 

Total unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale investments

   3,616    (3,528  (572 

Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges

   (67)   41    (65 

Foreign currency

   117    (161  35   

Pension liability

   6    (354  100   
 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

   3,672    (4,002  (502 
 

Comprehensive income

   5,055    1,291    2,598   

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

   (1,215  (335  (562 
 

Total comprehensive income attributable to Loews Corporation

  $3,840   $956   $2,036   
 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

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

Balance January 1, 2007, as reported

  $19,387   $5   $1   $4,018   $12,096   $387   $(8 $2,888   

Adjustment to initially apply updated guidance on accounting for convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion

   49      57    (45    37   
 

Balance January 1, 2007, as restated

   19,436    5    1    4,075    12,051    387    (8  2,925   

Issuance of equity securities by subsidiary

   853          853   

Net income

   3,100       2,488      612   

Other comprehensive loss

   (502      (452   (50 

Dividends paid

   (785     (331    (454 

Purchase of Loews treasury stock

   (672       (672  

Retirement of treasury stock

      (111  (561   672    

Issuance of Loews common stock

   5      5       

Issuance of former Carolina Group stock

   3      3       

Stock-based compensation

   28      23       5   

Other

   7       (5    12   

Tax benefit related to settlement of imputed interest on convertible debentures

   29      29       
 

Balance, December 31, 2007

   21,502    5    1    4,024    13,642    (65  (8  3,903   

Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests

   (111        (111 

Issuance of equity securities by subsidiary

   247          247   

Adjustments related to purchase of subsidiary units

   131          131   

Net income

   5,293       4,530      763   

Other comprehensive loss

   (4,002      (3,574   (428 

Dividends paid

   (732     (219    (513 

Purchase of Loews treasury stock

   (33       (33  

Issuance of Loews common stock

   4      4       

Redemption of former Carolina Group stock

   (542   (1   (602  53    8    

Exchange of Lorillard common stock for Loews common stock

   (4,650       (4,650  

Stock-based compensation

   26      22       4   

Retirement of treasury stock

   -    (1   (710  (3,972   4,683    

Other

   2       (4    6   
 

Balance, December 31, 2008

  $17,135   $4   $-   $3,340   $13,375   $(3,586 $-   $4,002   
 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

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

Balance, December 31, 2008

  $17,135   $4  $3,340   $13,375   $(3,586 $-   $4,002   

Adjustment to initially apply updated accounting guidance on reporting noncontrolling interests in Consolidated Financial Statements

   (206    330       (536 
 

Balance, January 1, 2009, as adjusted

   16,929    4   3,670    13,375    (3,586  -    3,466   

Adjustment to initially apply updated accounting guidance which amended the other-than-temporary impairment loss model for fixed maturity securities

       109    (109   

Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests

   (7    10       (17 

Issuance of equity securities by subsidiary

   169      18       151   

Net income

   1,383       564      819   

Other comprehensive income

   3,672        3,276     396   

Dividends paid

   (756     (108    (648 

Issuance of Loews common stock

   8      8       

Purchase of Loews treasury stock

   (348       (348  

Retirement of treasury stock

   -      (86  (246   332    

Stock-based compensation

   22      18       4   

Other

   13      (1  (1    15   
 

Balance, December 31, 2009

  $21,085   $4  $3,637   $13,693   $(419 $(16 $4,186   
 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Year Ended December 31  2009  2008  2007    
(In millions)            

Operating Activities:

     

Net income

  $1,383   $5,293   $3,100   

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

     

(Income) loss from discontinued operations

   2    (4,713  (901 

Investment losses

   853    1,294    135   

Undistributed earnings

   (220  451    (107 

Amortization of investments

   (199  (299  (266 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

   784    692    471   

Impairment of natural gas and oil properties

   1,036    691    

Impairment of goodwill

    482    

Provision for deferred income taxes

   139    (378  18   

Other non-cash items

   39    (41  (1 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities-net:

     

Reinsurance receivables

   829    928    1,258   

Other receivables

   (76  (86  13   

Federal income tax

   (62  (308  (18 

Deferred acquisition costs

   17    36    29   

Insurance reserves

   (612  (590  (830 

Reinsurance balances payable

   (35  (85  (138 

Other liabilities

   (95  (131  241   

Trading securities

   760    (84  1,797   

Other, net

   71    77    (26 
 

Net cash flow operating activities - continuing operations

   4,614    3,229    4,775   

Net cash flow operating activities - discontinued operations

   (23  142    896   
 

Net cash flow operating activities - total

   4,591    3,371    5,671   
 

Investing Activities:

     

Purchases of fixed maturities

   (24,189  (48,404  (73,157 

Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities

   19,245    41,749    69,012   

Proceeds from maturities of fixed maturities

   3,448    4,092    4,744   

Purchases of equity securities

   (269  (210  (236 

Proceeds from sales of equity securities

   905    221    340   

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

   (2,529  (3,997  (2,247 

Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment

   85    87    37   

Change in collateral on loaned securities and derivatives

   (5  (57  (3,539 

Change in short term investments

   (1,620  2,942    2,151   

Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired

     (4,029 

Other, net

   43    (260  (214 
 

Net cash flow investing activities - continuing operations

   (4,886  (3,837  (7,138 

Net cash flow investing activities - discontinued operations, including proceeds from dispositions

   23    623    323   
 

Net cash flow investing activities - total

   (4,863  (3,214  (6,815 
 

Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Year Ended December 31  2009  2008  2007    
(In millions)            

Financing Activities:

     

Dividends paid

  $(108 $(219 $(331 

Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests

   (648  (513  (454 

Purchases of treasury shares

   (334  (33  (672 

Purchases of subsidiary treasury shares

   (2  (70  

Issuance of common stock

   8    4    8   

Proceeds from subsidiaries’ equity issuances

   180    247    535   

Principal payments on debt

   (902  (1,282  (5 

Issuance of debt

   2,128    2,285    2,142   

Receipts of investment contract account balances

   4    3    3   

Return of investment contract account balances

   (15  (608  (122 

Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

   2    3    7   

Other, net

   8    10    11   
 

Net cash flow financing activities - continuing operations

   321    (173  1,122   

Net cash flow financing activities - discontinued operations

     3   
 

Net cash flow financing activities - total

   321    (173  1,125   
 

Effect of foreign exchange rate on cash - continuing operations

   10    (13  5   
 

Net change in cash

   59    (29  (14 

Net cash transactions from:

     

Continuing operations to discontinued operations

    785    1,259   

Discontinued operations to continuing operations

    (785  (1,259 

Cash, beginning of year

   131    160    174   
 

Cash, end of year

  $190   $131   $160   
 

Cash, end of year:

     

Continuing operations

  $190   $131   $140   

Discontinued operations

     20   
 

Total

  $190   $131   $160   
 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of presentation – Loews Corporation is a holding company. Its subsidiaries are engaged in the following lines of business: commercial property and casualty insurance (CNA Financial Corporation (“CNA”), a 90% owned subsidiary); the operation of offshore oil and gas drilling rigs (Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (“Diamond Offshore”), a 50.4% owned subsidiary); exploration, production and marketing of natural gas and natural gas liquids (HighMount Exploration & Production LLC (“HighMount”), a wholly owned subsidiary); the operation of interstate natural gas pipeline systems (Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP (“Boardwalk Pipeline”), a 72%66% owned subsidiary); and the operation of hotels (Loews Hotels Holding Corporation (“Loews Hotels”), a wholly owned subsidiary). In the first quarter of 2010 the Company sold 11.5 million common units of its subsidiary, Boardwalk Pipeline, for $333 million reducing the Company’s ownership interest from 72% to 66%. Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “Company”,“Company,” “Loews” and “Registrant” as used herein mean Loews Corporation excluding its subsidiaries and the term “Net income (loss) – Loews” as used herein means Net income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation. The Company’s management evaluated subsequent events through February 24, 2010.

In June of 2008, the Company disposed of its entire ownership interest in its wholly owned subsidiary, Lorillard, Inc. (“Lorillard”). The Consolidated Financial Statements have been reclassified to reflect Lorillard as a discontinued operation. Accordingly, Lorillard’s assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and cash flows have been excluded from the respective captions in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Income, and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and have been included in Assets and Liabilities of discontinued operations, Discontinued operations, net and Net cash flows - discontinued operations.

Principles of consolidation – The Consolidated Financial Statements include all significant subsidiaries and all material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The equity method of accounting is used for investments in associated companies in which the Company generally has an interest of 20% to 50%.

Accounting estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the related notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Accounting changesIn December of 2007, theThe Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued updated accounting guidance on reporting of Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements. The updated accounting guidance requires all entities to report noncontrolling (minority) interests in subsidiaries as a component of equity in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Therefore, the Noncontrolling interestinterests in the equity section includes the appropriate reclassification of balances for CNA, Diamond Offshore and Boardwalk Pipeline formerly recognized as Minority interest liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Moreover, the updated accounting guidance requires that transactions between an entity and noncontrolling interests be treated as equity transactions. Upon adoption of the updated accounting guidance in 2009, the Company recorded an increase in Additional paid-in capital of $330 million (net of $206 million of deferred tax) related to the issuances of Boardwalk Pipeline common units, which were previously included as a deferred gain in Minority interest liability in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Prior to

In March of 2010, the adoption of theFASB issued updated accounting guidance which amended the Company recorded a gain on the saleaccounting and reporting requirements related to derivatives to provide clarifying language regarding when embedded credit derivative features, including those in synthetic collateralized debt and loan obligations, are considered embedded derivatives subject to potential bifurcation. The implementation of common equity of a subsidiary equal to the amount of proceeds received in excess of the carrying value of the units sold in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Accordingly, the Company recognized a gain in 2007 of $143 million ($93 million after provision for deferred income taxes) upon the conversion of Diamond Offshore convertible debentures into Diamond Offshore common stock.

In February of 2008, the FASB delayed the effective date of applying updated accounting guidance in regards to nonrecurring fair value measurements of nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities until the fiscal year beginning after November 15, 2008. As of January 1, 2009, the Company adopted thethis updated accounting guidance as it relates to reporting units and indefinite-lived intangible assets measured at fair value for the purposes of impairment testing and asset retirement obligations. The adoption of these provisions had noJuly 1, 2010 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – (Continued)

In March of 2008, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance for disclosures about derivative instruments and hedging activities. The updated accounting guidance is intended to improve financial reporting about derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand their effects on an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. The Company’s adoption of the updated accounting guidance had no impact on its financial condition or results of operations. See Note 5.

In May of 2008, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance on accounting for convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion. The updated accounting guidance specifies that issuers of such instruments should separately account for the liability and equity components in a manner that will reflect the entity’s nonconvertible debt borrowing rate when interest cost is recognized in subsequent periods. As required, the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the effect of adoption of the updated accounting guidance. The adoption of the updated accounting guidance increased Property, plant and equipment $16 million, Total assets $13 million and Total equity $13 million and decreased Deferred income taxes $3 million at January 1, 2009 and 2008. The adoption of the updated accounting guidance had no impact on previously stated basic and diluted earnings per share.

Effective December 31, 2009, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) revised its oil and gas reporting requirements to, among other things: (i) permit the use of new technologies to determine proved reserves if those technologies have been demonstrated empirically to lead to reliable conclusions about reserves volumes; (ii) permit disclosure of probable and possible reserves, whereas previous rules limited disclosure to proved reserves; (iii) require disclosure regarding the objectivity and qualifications of a reserves preparer or auditor, if the company represents that it has enlisted a third party to conduct a reserves audit, and that the company file a report of such third party as an exhibit to the relevant registration statement or report; and (iv) revise the pricing mechanism for oil and gas reserves by using a 12-month average price, rather than a single-day quarter end price, to increase the comparability of oil and gas reserves disclosures among companies and to mitigate the additional volatility that a single day price may have on reserve estimates. The adoption of the new SEC requirements resulted in a reduction of HighMount’s proved reserves by 145.3 MMcfe (unaudited). The reduction in reserves resulted in a lower full cost pool limit under the ceiling test, however it did not cause HighMount’s net capitalized costs to exceed the ceiling test at December 31, 2009. See Note 15.

In December of 2008, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance which requires enhanced disclosures regarding postretirement benefit plan assets and how investment allocations are made, including the factors that are pertinent to an understanding of investment policies and procedures, the major categories of plan assets, the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of plan assets, the effect of fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs on changes in plan assets for the period, and significant concentrations of risk within plan assets. The adoption of this updated accounting guidance as of December 31, 2009 had no impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. The Company has complied with the disclosure requirements related to plan assets in Note 16.

In April of 2009, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance which amended the other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) loss model for fixed maturity securities. A fixed maturity security is impaired if the fair value of the security is less than its amortized cost basis, which is its cost adjusted for accretion, amortization and previously recorded OTTI losses. The updated accounting guidance requires an OTTI loss equal to the difference between fair value and amortized cost to be recognized in earnings if the Company intends to sell the fixed maturity

security or if it is more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the fixed maturity security before recovery of its amortized cost basis.

The remaining fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position are evaluated to determine if a credit loss exists. If the Company does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of a fixed maturity security, the security is deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired for credit reasons. For these securities, the updated accounting guidance requires the bifurcation of OTTI losses into a credit component and a non-credit component. The credit component is recognized in earnings and represents the difference between the present value of the future cash flows that the Company expects to collect and a fixed maturity security’s amortized cost basis. The non-credit component is recognized in other comprehensive income (“OCI”) and represents the difference between fair value and the present value of the future cash flows that the Company expects to collect.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – (Continued)

Prior to the adoption of the updated accounting guidance, OTTI losses were not bifurcated between credit and non-credit components. The difference between fair value and amortized cost was recognized in earnings for all securities for which the Company did not expect to recover the amortized cost basis, or for which the Company did not have the ability and intent to hold until recovery of fair value to amortized cost.

The adoptionimplementation of thethis updated accounting guidance as of April 1, 2009 resulted in a cumulative effect adjustment of $109 million, after tax and noncontrolling interests, which was reclassified to Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) from Retained earnings on the Consolidated Statements of Equity. The cumulative effect adjustment represents the non-credit component of those previously impaired fixed maturity securities that arewere still considered OTTI, and the entire amount previously recorded as an OTTI loss on fixed maturity securities no longer considered OTTI as of April 1, 2009.

Effective December 31, 2009, the Company adopted revised oil and gas reporting requirements which resulted in a reduction of HighMount’s proved reserves by 145.3 MMcfe (unaudited). The reduction in reserves resulted in a lower full cost pool limit under the ceiling test, however it did not cause HighMount’s net capitalized cost to exceed the ceiling test at December 31, 2009. See Note 15.

In June of 2009, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance which amended the requirements for determination of the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity, required an ongoing assessment of whether an entity is the primary beneficiary and required enhanced interim and annual disclosures. The updated accounting guidance was effective for annual reporting periods beginning after November 15, 2009. The implementation of this updated accounting guidance as of January 1, 2010 had no impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

Investments – The Company classifies its fixed maturity securities and its equity securities as either available-for-sale or trading, and as such, they are carried at fair value. Short term investments are carried at fair value. Changes in fair value of trading securities are reported within Net investment income on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Changes in fair value related to available-for-sale securities are reported as a component of Other comprehensive income. To the extent that unrealized gains on fixed income securities supporting certain annuities with life contingencies would result in a premium deficiency if those gains were realized, the related increase in insurance reserves for future policy benefits is recorded, net of tax, as a reduction of unrealized net capital gains through Other comprehensive income. The amortized cost of fixed maturity securities classified as available-for-sale is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity, which are included in Net investment income on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Investment valuations are adjusted and losses may be recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income when a decline in value is determined by the Company to be other-than-temporary.

For asset-backed securities included in fixed maturity securities, the Company recognizes income using an effective yield based on anticipated prepayments and the estimated economic life of the securities. When estimates of prepayments change, the effective yield is recalculated to reflect actual payments to date and anticipated future payments. The net investment in the securities is adjusted to the amount that would have existed had the new effective yield been applied since the acquisition of the securities. Such adjustments are reflected in Net investment income on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Interest income on lower rated beneficial interests in securitized financial assets is determined using the prospective yield method.

The Company’s carrying value of investments in limited partnerships is its share of the net asset value of each partnership, as determined by the General Partner. Certain partnerships for which results are not available on a timely basis are reported on a lag, primarily one month. Changes in net asset values are accounted for under the equity method and recorded within Net investment income on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Short term investments are generally carried at fair value.

Investments in derivative securities are carried at fair value with changes in fair value reported as a component of Investment gains (losses), Income (loss) from trading portfolio, or Other comprehensive income (loss), depending on their hedge designation. A derivative is typically defined as an instrument whose value is “derived” from an underlying instrument, index or rate, has a notional amount, requires little or no initial investment and can be net settled. Derivatives include, but are not limited to, the following types of investments: interest rate swaps, interest rate caps and floors, put and call options, warrants, futures, forwards, commitments to purchase securities, credit default swaps and combinations of the foregoing. Derivatives embedded within non-derivative instruments (such as call options embedded in convertible bonds) must be split from the host instrument when the embedded derivative is not clearly and closely related to the host instrument.

The Company formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedging transactions. The Company also formally assesses (both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis) whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions have been highly effective in offsetting changes in fair value or cash flows of hedged items and whether those derivatives may be expected to remain highly effective in future periods. When it is determined that a derivative for which hedge accounting has been designated is not (or ceases to be) highly effective, the Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively. In 2010, as a result of the sale of exploration and production assets, HighMount recognized losses of $30 million in Investment gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 5 for additional information on the Company’s use of derivatives.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – (Continued)

Securities lending activities – The Company lends securities to unrelated parties, primarily major brokerage firms, through an internally managed program and an external program managed by the Company’s lead custodial bank as agent. The securities lending program is for the purpose of enhancing income. The Company does not lend securities for operatingincome or financing purposes.to finance positions to unrelated parties who have been designated as primary dealers by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Borrowers of these securities must initially deposit and maintain collateral with the Company of at least 102% and maintain collateral of no less than 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned, regardless of whether the collateral is cash or securities. Only cash collateral is accepted for the Company’s internally managed program and is typically invested in the highest quality commercial paper with maturities of less than 7 days.loaned. U.S. Government agencies or Government National Mortgage Association securities and cash are accepted as non-cash collateral for the external program.collateral. The Company maintains effective control over all loaned securities and, therefore, continues to report such securities as Fixed maturity securitiesinvestments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

TheSecurities lending programs areis typically done on a matched-book programsbasis where the collateral is invested to substantially match the term of the loan which limitsloan. This matching of terms tends to limit risk. In accordance with the Company’s lending agreements, securities on loan are returned immediately to the Company upon notice. Cash collateral received on these transactions is invested in short term investments with an offsetting liability recognized for the obligation to return the collateral. Non-cash collateral, such as securities received by the Company,Collateral is not reflected as an asset of the Company as there exists no right to sell or repledge the collateral.Company. There was no cash collateral held related to securities lending included in Short term investments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2009 and 2008. The fair value of non-cash collateral was $348 million at December 31, 2008. There was no non-cash collateral held at December 31, 2010 and 2009.

Revenue recognition– Insurance premiums on property and casualty insurance contracts are recognized in proportion to the underlying risk insured which principally are earned ratably over the duration of the policies. Premiums on accident and health insurance contracts are earned ratably over the policy year in which they are due. The reserve for unearned premiums on these contracts represents the portion of premiums written relating to the unexpired terms of coverage.

Insurance receivables are presented at unpaid balances net of an estimated allowance for doubtful accounts, which is recorded on the basis of periodic evaluations of balances due currently or in the future from insureds, including amounts due from insureds related to losses under high deductible policies, management’s experience and current economic conditions. Amounts are considered past due based on policy payment terms. Insurance receivables and any related allowance are written off after collection efforts have been exhausted or a negotiated settlement is reached.

Property and casualty contracts that are retrospectively rated contain provisions that result in an adjustment to the initial policy premium depending on the contract provisions and loss experience of the insured during the experience period. For such contracts, CNA estimates the amount of ultimate premiums that CNA may earn upon completion of the experience period and recognizes either an asset or a liability for the difference between the initial policy premium and the estimated ultimate premium. CNA adjusts such estimated ultimate premium amounts during the

course of the experience period based on actual results to date. The resulting adjustment is recorded as either a reduction of or an increase to the earned premiums for the period.

Contract drilling revenue from dayrate drilling contracts is recognized as services are performed. In connection with such drilling contracts, Diamond Offshore may receive fees (either lump-sum or dayrate) for the mobilization of equipment. These fees are earned as services are performed over the initial term of the related drilling contracts. Absent a contract, mobilization costs are recognized currently. From time to time, Diamond Offshore may receive fees from its customers for capital improvements to their rigs. Diamond Offshore defers such fees received and recognizes these fees into revenue on a straight-line basis over the period of the related drilling contract. Diamond Offshore capitalizes the costs of such capital improvements and depreciates them over the estimated useful life of the improvement.

HighMount’s natural gas and natural gas liquids (“NGLs”) production revenue is recognized based on actual volumes of natural gas and NGLs sold to purchasers. Sales require delivery of the product to the purchaser, passage of title and probability of collection of purchaser amounts owed. Natural gas and NGL production revenue includes sales of natural gas and NGLs by HighMount. Natural gasHighMount, and NGL production revenue is reported net of royalties. HighMount uses the sales method of accounting for gas imbalances. An imbalance is created when the volumes of gas sold by HighMount pertaining to a property do not equate to the volumes produced to which HighMount is entitled based on its interest in the property. An asset or liability is recognized to the extent that HighMount has an imbalance in excess of the remaining reserves on the underlying properties.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – (Continued)

Revenues from the transportation of natural gas are recognized in the period the service is provided based on contractual terms and the related transported volumes. Revenues from storage services are recognized over the term of the contract. Boardwalk Pipeline’s operating subsidiaries are subject to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) regulations and, accordingly, certain revenues collected may be subject to possible refunds to its customers. An estimated refund liability is recorded considering regulatory proceedings, advice of counsel and estimated total exposure.

Claim and claim adjustment expense reserves– Claim and claim adjustment expense reserves, except reserves for structured settlements not associated with asbestos and environmental pollution (“A&E”&EP”), workers’ compensation lifetime claims, accident and health claims and certain claims associated with discontinued operations, are not discounted and are based on (i) case basis estimates for losses reported on direct business, adjusted in the aggregate for ultimate loss expectations; (ii) estimates of incurred but not reported losses; (iii) estimates of losses on assumed reinsurance; (iv) estimates of future expenses to be incurred in the settlement of claims; (v) estimates of salvage and subrogation recoveries and (vi) estimates of amounts due from insureds related to losses under high deductible policies. Management considers current conditions and trends as well as past CNA and industry experience in establishing these estimates. The effects of inflation, which can be significant, are implicitly considered in the reserving process and are part of the recorded reserve balance. Ceded claim and claim adjustment expense reserves are reported as a component of Receivables on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 21 for further informationdiscussion on claim and claim adjustment expense reserves for discontinued operations.

Claim and claim adjustment expense reserves are presented net of anticipated amounts due from insureds related to losses under deductible policies of $1.5$1.4 billion and $2.0$1.5 billion as of December 31, 20092010 and 2008.2009. A significant portion of these amounts isare supported by collateral. CNA also has an allowance for uncollectible deductible amounts, which is presented as a component of the allowance for doubtful accounts included in Receivables on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 7. In 2008, the amount due from policyholders related to losses under deductible policies within CNA Commercial was reduced by $90 million for insolvent insureds. The reduction of this amount, which is reflected as unfavorable net prior year reserve development, had no effect on results of operations as CNA had previously recognized provisions in prior years. These impacts were reported in Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Structured settlements have been negotiated for certain property and casualty insurance claims. Structured settlements are agreements to provide fixed periodic payments to claimants. Certain structured settlements are funded by annuities purchased from Continental Assurance Company (“CAC”), a wholly owned and consolidated subsidiary of CNA, for which the related annuity obligations are reported in future policy benefits reserves. Obligations for structured settlements not funded by annuities are included in claim and claim adjustment expense reserves and carried at present values determined using interest rates ranging from 4.6% to 7.5% at both December 31, 20092010 and 2008.2009. At December 31, 20092010 and 2008,2009, the discounted reserves for unfunded structured settlements were $746$713 million and $756$746 million, net of discount of $1.1 billion in both periods.

Workers’ compensation lifetime claim reserves are calculated using mortality assumptions determined through statutory regulation and economic factors. Accident and health claim reserves are calculated using mortality and morbidity assumptions based on CNA and industry experience. Workers’ compensation lifetime claim reserves and accident and health claim reserves are discounted at interest rates that rangeranging from 3.0% to 6.5% for the years endedat both December 31, 20092010 and 2008.2009. At December 31, 20092010 and 2008,2009, such discounted reserves totaled $1.7$1.9 billion and $1.6$1.7 billion, net of discount of $487 million and $482 million for both periods.million.

Future policy benefits reserves– Reserves for long term care products are computed using the net level premium method, which incorporates actuarial assumptions as to interest rates, mortality, morbidity, persistency, withdrawals and expenses. Actuarial assumptions generally vary by plan, age at issue and policy duration, and include a margin for adverse deviation. Interest rates range from 6.0% to 8.6% at December 31, 20092010 and 2008,2009, and mortality, morbidity and withdrawal assumptions are based on CNA and industry experience prevailingwere generally established at the time of issue. Expense assumptions include the estimated effects of inflation and expenses to be incurred beyond the premium paying period.

Policyholders’ funds reserves– Policyholders’ funds reserves primarily include reserves for investment contracts without life contingencies. For these contracts, policyholder liabilities are equal to the accumulated policy

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – (Continued)

account values, which consist of an accumulation of deposit payments plus credited interest, less withdrawals and amounts assessed through the end of the period. During 2008, CNA exited the indexed group annuity portion of its pension deposit business and settled the related liabilities with policyholders with no material impact to results of operations. Cash flows related to the settlement of the liabilities with policyholders arewere presented on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in Cash flows from financing activities, as Return ofPolicyholders’ investment contract account balances.net deposits (withdrawals). Cash flows related to proceeds from the liquidation of the related assets supporting the policyholder liabilities arewere presented on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in Cash flows from operating activities, as Trading securities.

Guaranty fund and other insurance-related assessments– Liabilities for guaranty fund and other insurance-related assessments are accrued when an assessment is probable, when it can be reasonably estimated, and when the event obligating the entity to pay an imposed or probable assessment has occurred. Liabilities for guaranty funds and other insurance-related assessments are not discounted and are included as part of Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 20092010 and 2008,2009, the liability balances were $167$160 million and $170$167 million. As of December 31, 20092010 and 2008,2009, included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets were $5$3 million and $6$5 million of related assets for premium tax offsets. This asset is limited to the amount that is able to be offset against premium tax on future premium collections from business written or committed to be written.

ReinsuranceAmounts recoverable from reinsurersReinsurance accounting allows for contractual cash flows to be reflected as premiums and losses. To qualify for reinsurance accounting, reinsurance agreements must include risk transfer. To meet risk transfer requirements, a reinsurance contract must include both insurance risk, consisting of underwriting and timing risk, and a reasonable possibility of a significant loss for the assuming entity.

Reinsurance receivables related to paid losses are presented at unpaid balances. Reinsurance receivables related to unpaid losses are estimated in a manner consistent with claim and claim adjustment expense reserves or future policy benefits reserves andreserves. Reinsurance receivables are reported as Receivablesnet of an allowance for doubtful accounts on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 17. The cost of reinsurance is primarily accounted for over the life of the underlying reinsured policies using assumptions consistent with those used to account for the underlying policies or over the reinsurance contract period. The ceding of insurance does not discharge the primary liability of CNA. An estimated

The allowance for doubtful accounts on reinsurance receivables is recordedestimated on the basis of periodic evaluations of balances due from reinsurers, reinsurer solvency, management’s experience and current economic conditions. The expenses incurred related to uncollectibleChanges in the allowance for doubtful accounts on reinsurance receivables are presented as a component of Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Amounts are considered past due based on the reinsurance contract terms. Reinsurance receivables related to paid losses and any related allowance are written off after collection efforts have been exhausted or a negotiated settlement is reached with the reinsurer. Reinsurance receivables related to paid losses from insolvent insurers are written off when the settlement due from the estate can be reasonably estimated. At the time reinsurance receivables

related to paid losses are written off, any required adjustment to reinsurance receivables related to unpaid losses is recorded as a component of Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Reinsurance contracts that do not effectively transfer the underlying economic risk of loss on policies written by CNA are recorded using the deposit method of accounting, which requires that premium paid or received by the ceding company or assuming company be accounted for as a deposit asset or liability. At December 31, 20092010 and 2008,2009, CNA had $21$23 million and $25$21 million recorded as deposit assets and $112$114 million and $110$112 million recorded as deposit liabilities.

Income on reinsurance contracts accounted for under the deposit method is recognized using an effective yield based on the anticipated timing of payments and the remaining life of the contract. When the anticipated timing of payments changes, the effective yield is recalculated to reflect actual payments to date and the estimated timing of future payments. The deposit asset or liability is adjusted to the amount that would have existed had the new effective yield been applied since the inception of the contract. This adjustment is reflected in Other revenues or Other operating expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income as appropriate.

Participating insurance– Policyholder dividends are accrued using an estimate of the amount to be paid based on underlying contractual obligations under policies and applicable state laws. Limitations exist on the amount of income from participating life insurance contracts that may be distributed to shareholders, and therefore the share of income on these policies that cannot be distributed to shareholders is excluded from Shareholders’ Equity by a charge to OperationsIncome and otherOther comprehensive income and the establishment of a corresponding liability.

Deferred acquisition costs– Acquisition costs include commissions, premium taxes and certain underwriting and policy issuance costs which vary with and are related primarily to the acquisition of business. Such costs related to property and casualty business are deferred and amortized ratably over the period the related premiums are earned.

Deferred acquisition costs related to accident and health insurance are amortized over the premium-paying period of the related policies using assumptions consistent with those used for computing future policy benefit reserves for such contracts. Assumptions as to anticipated premiums are made at the date of policy issuance or acquisition and are consistently applied during the lives of the contracts. Deviations from estimated experience are included in

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – (Continued)

results of operations when they occur. For these contracts, the amortization period is typically the estimated life of the policy.

CNA evaluates deferred acquisition costs for recoverability. Anticipated investment income is considered in the determination of the recoverability of deferred acquisition costs. Adjustments, if necessary, are recorded in current results of operations. Deferred acquisition costs are presented net of ceding commissions and other ceded acquisition costs. Unamortized deferred acquisition costs relating to contracts that have been substantially changed by a modification in benefits, features, rights or coverages that were not anticipated in the original contract are not deferred and are included as a charge to operations in the period during which the contract modification occurred.

Investments in life settlement contracts and related revenue recognition– Prior to 2002, CNA purchased investments in life settlement contracts. A life settlement contract is a contract between the owner of a life insurance policy (the policy owner) and a third-party investor (investor). Under a life settlement contract, CNA obtained the ownership and beneficiary rights of an underlying life insurance policy.

CNA accounts for its investments in life settlement contracts using the fair value method. Under the fair value method, each life settlement contract is carried at its fair value at the end of each reporting period. The change in fair value, life insurance proceeds received and periodic maintenance costs, such as premiums, necessary to keep the underlying policy in force, are recorded in Other revenues on the Consolidated Statements of Income. The fair value of CNA’s investments in life settlement contracts were $130$129 million and $129$130 million at December 31, 20092010 and 2008,2009, and are included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The cash receipts and payments related to life settlement contracts are included in Cash flows from operating activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

The following table details the values for life settlement contracts. The determination of fair value is discussed in Note 4.

 

  

Number of Life

Settlement

Contracts

  

Fair Value of Life

Settlement

Contracts

  

Face Amount of

Life Insurance
Policies

      
 
 
Number of Life
Settlement
Contracts
  
  
  
   
 
 
Fair Value of Life
Settlement
Contracts
  
  
  
   
 
 
Face Amount of
Life Insurance
Policies
  
  
  
(Dollar amounts in millions)               

Estimated maturity during:

             

2010

     100  $   17  $  53 

2011

       90      15      49      80     $        21     $        55  

2012

       90      13      46      70               17               49  

2013

       80      11      44      70               14               45  

2014

       80      10      41      60               12               41  

2015

     60               10               39  

Thereafter

     817      64    443    563               55             369  

Total

  1,257  $130  $676    903     $      129     $      598  
         

CNA uses an actuarial model to estimate the aggregate face amount of life insurance that is expected to mature in each future year and the corresponding fair value. This model projects the likelihood of the insured’s death for each in forceinforce policy based upon CNA’s estimated mortality rates, which may vary due to the relatively small size of the portfolio of life settlement contracts. The number of life settlement contracts presented in the table above is based upon the average face amount of in forceinforce policies estimated to mature in each future year.

The increase in fair value recognized for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 2008 and 20072008 on contracts still being held was $10 million, $17$10 million and $12$17 million. The gaingains recognized during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 2008 and 20072008 on contracts that matured waswere $19 million, $24 million $30 million and $38$30 million.

Separate Account Business– Separate account assets and liabilities represent contract holder funds related to investment and annuity products for which the policyholder assumes substantially all the risk and reward. The assets are segregated into accounts with specific underlying investment objectives and are legally segregated from CNA. All assets of the separate account business are carried at fair value with an equal amount recorded for separate account liabilities. Fee income accruing to CNA related to separate accounts is primarily included within Other revenue on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Certain of the separate account investment contracts related to CNA’s pension deposit business

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – (Continued)

guarantee principal and an annual minimum rate of interest, for which additional amounts may be recorded in Policyholders’ funds should the aggregate contract value exceed the fair value of the related assets supporting the business at any point in time. Most of these contracts are subject to a fair value adjustment if terminated by the policyholder. During 2008, CNA recorded $68 million of additional Policyholders’ funds liabilities due to declines in the fair value of the related separate account assets. During 2009, CNA decreased this pretax liability by $42 million, and during 2010, CNA decreased this pretax liability by $24 million, based on increases in the fair value of separate account assets during those periods. If the fair value of the related assets supporting the business increaseincreases to a level that exceeds the aggregate contract value, the amount of any such increase will accrue to CNA’s benefit to the extent of any remaining additional liability in Policyholders’ funds included in Insurance reserves in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Accordingly, during 2009, CNA released a portion of the additional amounts originally recorded in 2008, leaving $26 million of additional Policyholders’ funds liability at December 31, 2009. Fee income accruing to CNA related to separate accounts is primarily included within Other revenue on the Consolidated Statements of Income.funds.

Goodwill– Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over fair value of net assets of acquired entities. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually or when certain triggering events require additional tests. Impairment losses, if any, are included in the Consolidated Statements of Income. As a result of recording ceiling test impairments of natural gas and oil properties (see Note 8), which were caused by declines in commodity prices, HighMount tested its goodwill for impairment at December 31, 2008 and March 31, 2009. As a result, a non-cash impairment charge of $482 million ($314 million after tax) was recorded in 2008. No impairment charge was neededrecorded in 2009.2009 and 2010.

Property, plant and equipment– Property, plant and equipment is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization (“DD&A”). Depreciation is computed principally by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the various classes of properties. Leaseholds and leasehold improvements are depreciated

or amortized over the terms of the related leases (including optional renewal periods where appropriate) or the estimated lives of improvements, if less than the lease term.

The principal service lives used in computing provisions for depreciation are as follows:

 

    Years

Pipeline equipment

  30 to 50

Offshore drilling equipment

  15 to 30

Other

  3 to 40

HighMount follows the full cost method of accounting for natural gas and NGL exploration and production activities prescribed by the SEC.activities. Under the full cost method, all direct costs of property acquisition, exploration and development activities are capitalized. These capitalized costs are subject to a quarterly ceiling test. Under the ceiling test, amounts capitalized are limited to the present value of estimated future net revenues to be derived from the anticipated production of proved natural gas and NGL reserves, assuming an average price during the twelve month period adjusted for cash flow hedges in place.place, and limiting the classification of proved undeveloped reserves to locations scheduled to be drilled within five years. If net capitalized costs exceed the ceiling test at the end of any quarterly period, then a permanent write-down of the assets must be recognized in that period. A write-down may not be reversed in future periods, even though higher natural gas and NGL prices may subsequently increase the ceiling. Approximately 5.2%5.8% (unaudited) of HighMount’s total proved reserves as of December 31, 2009 is2010 are hedged by qualifying cash flow hedges, for which hedge adjusted prices were used to calculate estimated future net revenue. Future cash flows associated with settling asset retirement obligations that have been accrued in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are excluded from HighMount’s calculations of discounted cash flows under the full cost ceiling test. See Note 15.

Depletion of natural gas and NGL producing properties is computed using the units-of-production method. Under the full cost method, the depletable base of costs subject to depletion also includes estimated future costs to be incurred in developing proved natural gas and NGL reserves, as well as capitalized asset retirement costs, net of projected salvage values. The costs of investments in unproved properties including associated exploration-related costs are initially excluded from the depletable base. UntilAs the unproved properties are evaluated, a ratable portion of the capitalized costs is periodically reclassified to the depletable base, determined on a property by property basis, over the terms of underlying leases. Once a property has been completely evaluated, any remaining capitalized costs are then transferred to the depletable base. In addition, proceeds from the sale or other disposition of natural gas and NGL properties are

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – (Continued)

accounted for as reductions of capitalized cost, unless the sale would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves, in which case, a gain or loss is recognized.

Impairment of long-lived assets – The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment when changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Long-lived assets and intangibles with finite lives, under certain circumstances, are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value. Assets to be disposed of and assets not expected to provide any future service potential to the Company are recorded at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell.

Income taxes– The Company and its eligible subsidiaries file a consolidated tax return. The Company accounts for taxes under the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for temporary differences between the financial statement and tax return bases of assets and liabilities.liabilities, based on enacted tax rates and other provisions of the tax law. The effect of a change in tax laws or rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period in which such change is enacted. Future tax benefits are recognized to the extent that realization of such benefits is more likely than not, and a valuation allowance is established for any portion of a deferred tax asset that management believes may not be realized.

The Company recognizes uncertain tax positions that it has taken or expects to take on a tax return. The tax benefit of a qualifying position is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50.0% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority having full knowledge of all relevant information. See Note 11 for additional information on the provision for income taxes.

Pension and postretirement benefits – The Company recognizes the overfunded or underfunded status of its defined benefit plans in Other assets or Other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in funded

status related to prior service costs and credits and actuarial gains and losses are recognized in the year in which the changes occur through Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The Company measures its benefit plan assets and obligations at December 31st.31.

Stock option plans – The Company records compensation expense upon issuance of share-based payment awards for all awards it grants, modifies, repurchases or cancels primarily on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, generally four years. The share-based payment awards are valued using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The application of this valuation model involves assumptions that are judgmental and highly sensitive in the valuation of stock options. These assumptions include the term that the options are expected to be outstanding, an estimate of the volatility of the underlying stock price, applicable risk-free interest rates and the dividend yield of the Company’s stock.

The Company recognized compensation expense that decreased net income attributable to Loews common stock by $12 million, $12 million and $9 million, after tax and noncontrolling interests, for each of the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 2008 and 2007.2008. Several of the Company’s subsidiaries also maintain their own stock option plans. The amounts reported above include the Company’s share of expense related to its subsidiaries’ plans as well.

Foreign currency – Foreign currency translation gains and losses are reflected in Shareholders’ equity as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The Company’s foreign subsidiaries’ balance sheet accounts are translated at the exchange rates in effect at each year end and income statement accounts are translated at the average exchange rates. Foreign currency transaction losses of $18 million, $2 million $101 million and $7$101 million were included in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 2008 and 2007.2008.

Regulatory accounting– FERC regulates the operations of Boardwalk Pipeline. GAAP for regulated entities requires Texas Gas Transmission, LLC (“Texas Gas”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Boardwalk Pipeline, to report certain assets and liabilities consistent with the economic effect of the manner in which independent third party regulators establish rates. Accordingly, certain costs and benefits are capitalized as regulatory assets and liabilities in order to provide for recovery from or refund to customers in future periods.

Supplementary cash flow information – Cash payments made for interest on long term debt, net of capitalized interest, amounted to $494 million, $442 million $429 million and $299$429 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 2008 and 2007.2008. Cash payments (refunds) for federal, foreign, state and local income taxes amounted to $378 million, $(34) million $655 million and $974$655 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 2008 and 2007.2008. Investing activities include previously accrued capital expenditures of $51 million and $235 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009. For the year ended December 31, 2009. For the years ended

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – (Continued)

December 31, 2008, and 2007, investing activities exclude $29 million and $185 million of accrued capital expenditures.

Updated accounting guidance not yet adopted– In JuneOctober of 2009,2010, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance which limits the capitalization of costs incurred to acquire or renew insurance contracts to those that amends the requirements for determinationare incremental direct costs of the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity, requires an ongoing assessment of whether an entity is the primary beneficiary and requires enhanced interim and annual disclosures that will provide users of financial statements information regarding an enterprise’s involvement in a variable interest entity.successful contract acquisitions. The updated accounting guidance is effective for annual reportingfiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after NovemberDecember 15, 2009.2011 with prospective or retrospective application allowed. The Company is currently evaluatingassessing the impact of adopting this updated accounting guidance will have on its financial condition and results of operations, and expects that amounts capitalized under the updated guidance will be less than under the Company’s current accounting practice.

Other – CNA currently owns 61% of CNA Surety Corporation (“CNA Surety”) which is publicly-traded. CNA Surety is included in the consolidated financial statements.statements of the Company, with the minority common shareholders’ proportionate share of CNA Surety’s net income and net equity presented as Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests. On November 1, 2010, CNA announced its proposal to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of CNA Surety that it does not currently own for $22.00 per share in cash. On February 4, 2011, CNA Surety announced that CNA’s proposal substantially undervalued CNA Surety; however, it would consider another proposal. CNA is evaluating CNA Surety’s response and considering options that are in the best interests of CNA’s stockholders. There is no assurance that the acquisition will be completed or, if so, that the anticipated benefits of the acquisition will be realized.

Note 2. Acquisition/Divestitures

On April 30, 2010, HighMount Acquisition

On July 31, 2007, HighMount acquired, through its subsidiaries, certaincompleted the sale of substantially all exploration and production assets located in the Antrim Shale in Michigan to a subsidiary of Linn Energy, LLC for approximately $330 million and assumed certain related obligations,on May 28, 2010, HighMount completed the sale of substantially all exploration and production assets located in the Black Warrior Basin in Alabama to a subsidiary of Walter Energy for approximately $210 million. The Michigan and Alabama properties represented approximately 17.0% in aggregate of HighMount’s total proved reserves as of December 31, 2009. These sales did not have a material impact on the Consolidated Statements of Income. In accordance with the full cost method of accounting, proceeds from subsidiariesthese sales were accounted for as reductions of Dominion Resources, Inc. for $4.0 billion, funded with approximately $2.4 billion in cash and $1.6 billion of debt. The acquired business consisted primarily ofcapitalized costs. HighMount’s remaining natural gas exploration and production operations are primarily located in the Permian Basin in Texas, the Antrim Shale in Michigan and the Black Warrior Basin in Alabama, with estimated proved reserves totaling approximately 2.5 trillion cubic feet equivalent (unaudited) at the date of acquisition. These properties produce predominantly natural gas and related natural gas liquids and are characterized by long reserve lives and high well completion success rates. The amount of tax deductible goodwill was $1.0 billion.Texas.

The allocationCompany sold Bulova Corporation (“Bulova”) for approximately $263 million in January of purchase price to the assets and liabilities acquired was as follows:

(In millions)        

Property, plant and equipment

  $2,961   

Deferred income taxes

   15   

Goodwill and other intangibles

   1,066   

Other assets

   43   

Other liabilities

   (55 
 
  $4,030   
 

Subsequent to the acquisition, as a result of recording ceiling test impairments on natural gas and oil properties, the Company tested its goodwill for impairment. As a result, a non-cash impairment charge of $482 million ($314 million after tax) was recorded in 2008. See Note 821 for additional information.information on discontinued operations.

Separation of Lorillard

The Company disposed of Lorillard through the following two integrated transactions, collectively referred to as the “Separation”:

 

On June 10, 2008, the Company distributed 108,478,429 shares, or approximately 62%, of the outstanding common stock of Lorillard in exchange for and in redemption of all of the 108,478,429 outstanding shares of the Company’s former Carolina Group stock, in accordance with the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Redemption”); and

 

On June 16, 2008, the Company distributed the remaining 65,445,000 shares, or approximately 38%, of the outstanding common stock of Lorillard in exchange for 93,492,857 shares of Loews common stock, reflecting an exchange ratio of 0.70 (the “Exchange Offer”).

As a result of the Separation, Lorillard is no longer a subsidiary of Loews and Loews no longer owns any interest in the outstanding stock of Lorillard. As of the completion of the Redemption, the former Carolina Group and former Carolina Group stock have been eliminated. In addition, at that time all outstanding stock options and stock

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 2. Acquisition/Divestitures – (Continued)

appreciation rights (“SARs”) awarded under the Company’s former Carolina Group 2002 Stock Option Plan were assumed by Lorillard and converted into stock options and SARs which are exercisable for shares of Lorillard common stock.

The Loews common stock acquired by the Company in the Exchange Offer was recorded as a decrease in Shareholders’ equity, reflecting the market value of the shares of Loews common stock delivered in the Exchange Offer. This decline was offset by a $4.3 billion gain to the Company from the Exchange Offer, which was reported as a gain on disposal of the discontinued business.

Prior to the Redemption, the Company had a two class common stock structure: Loews common stock and former Carolina Group stock. Former Carolina Group stock, commonly called a tracking stock, was intended to reflect the performance of a defined group of Loews’s assets and liabilities referred to as the former Carolina Group. The principal assets and liabilities attributable to the former Carolina Group were Loews’s 100% ownership of Lorillard, including all dividends paid by Lorillard to Loews, and any and all liabilities, costs and expenses arising out of or relating to tobacco or tobacco-related businesses. Immediately prior to the Separation, outstanding former Carolina Group stock represented an approximately 62% economic interest in the performance of the former Carolina Group. The Loews Group consisted of all of Loews’s assets and liabilities other than those allocated to the former Carolina Group, including an approximately 38% economic interest in the former Carolina Group. See Note 21.21 for additional information on discontinued operations.

Other

In February of 2010, the Company sold 10 million Boardwalk Pipeline common units for pretax proceeds of approximately $289 million. The Company’s percentage ownership interest declined from 72% to 67% as a result of this transaction.

The Company sold Bulova Corporation for approximately $263 million in January of 2008. See Note 21.

Note 3. Investments

Year Ended December 31  2009  2008  2007    
(In millions)            

Net investment income consisted of:

     

Fixed maturity securities

  $1,941   $1,984   $2,047   

Short term investments

   42    162    303   

Limited partnerships

   324    (379  183   

Equity securities

   49    80    25   

Income (loss) from Trading portfolio

   187    (234  207   

Other

   6    19    73   
 

Total investment income

   2,549    1,632    2,838   

Investment expenses

   (50  (51  (53 
 

Net investment income

  $2,499   $1,581   $2,785   
 

Investment gains (losses) are as follows:

     

Fixed maturity securities

  $(1,167 $(831 $(478 

Equity securities

   243    (490  117   

Derivative instruments

   51    (19  64   

Short term investments

   14    35    9   

Other

   6    9    12   
 

Investment losses (a)

  $(853 $(1,296 $(276 
 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 3. Investments – (Continued)Net investment income is as follows:

 

Year Ended December 31  2009 2008 2007   2010 2009 2008 
(In millions)            

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) in investments is as follows:

     

Fixed maturity securities

  $    2,052   $    1,941   $    1,984  

Short term investments

   22    42    162  

Limited partnerships

   315    324    (379

Equity securities

   32    49    80  

Income (loss) from trading portfolio (a)

   131    187    (234

Other

   10    6    19  

Total investment income

   2,562    2,549    1,632  

Investment expenses

   (54  (50  (51

Net investment income

  $    2,508   $    2,499   $    1,581  
   

Fixed maturity securities

  $5,278   $(5,137 $(847 

Equity securities

   156    (347  (47 

Other

   (4  5    2   

Total net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

  $5,430   $(5,479 $(892 

 

(a)

Includes net unrealized gains (losses) related to changes in fair value on trading securities still held of $88 million, $94 million and $(45) million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.

As of December 31, 2010, the Company held seven non-income producing fixed maturity securities aggregating $3 million of fair value. As of December 31, 2009, the Company held three non-income producing fixed maturity securities aggregating $1 million of fair value. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, no investments exceeded 10.0% of shareholders’ equity other than investments in U.S. Treasury and U.S. Government agency securities.

Investment gains (losses) are as follows:

Year Ended December 31  2010   2009   2008 

(In millions)

      

Fixed maturity securities

  $    92     $  (1,167)     $      (831)  

Equity securities

   (2)     243      (490)  

Derivative instruments

   (31)     51      (19)  

Short term investments

   7     14      35   

Other

   (10)            

Investment gains (losses) (a)

�� $        56     $    (853)     $  (1,296)  
                

(a)

Includes gross realized gains of $525 million, $973 million and $554 and $632million and gross realized losses of $435 million, $1,897 million and $1,875 and $993million on available-for-sale securities for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 2008 and 2007.2008.

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) in available-for-sale investments is as follows:

Fixed maturity securities

  $    1,140   $  5,278   $(5,137

Equity securities

   7    156    (347

Other

   (1  (4    

Total net change in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale investments

  $    1,146   $  5,430    $  (5,479)  
              

In 2010, the Company recorded additional future policy benefit reserves due to an increase in unrealized appreciation on fixed income securities supporting certain annuities with life contingencies, which resulted in a decrease to net unrealized gains on investments of $135 million, after tax and noncontrolling interests.

The components of OTTI losses recognized in earnings by asset type are as follows:

 

Year Ended December 31  2009  2008  2007   2010   2009   2008 
(In millions)                

Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:

             

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of government agencies

    $29  $53 

Asset-backed securities:

       

Residential mortgage-backed securities

  $461   222   209 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

   193   208   65 

Other asset-backed securities

   31   35   37 

Total asset-backed securities

   685   465   311 

States, municipalities and political subdivisions-tax-exempt securities

   79   1   50 

Corporate and other taxable bonds

   357   585   260 

U.S. Treasury and obligations of government agencies

      $    29  

Asset-backed:

      

Residential mortgage-backed

  $    71    $    461     222  

Commercial mortgage-backed

   3     193     208  

Other asset-backed

   3     31     35  

Total asset-backed

   77     685     465  

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

   62     79     1  

Foreign government

       2  

Corporate and other bonds

   68     357     583  

Redeemable preferred stock

   9   1   42       9     1  

Total fixed maturities available-for-sale

   1,130   1,081   716    207     1,130     1,081  

Equity securities available-for-sale:

             

Common stock

   5   140   24    11     5     140  

Preferred stock

   217   263   1    14     217     263  

Total equity securities available-for-sale

   222   403   25    25     222     403  

Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings

  $1,352  $1,484  $741   $    232    $    1,352    $    1,484  
         

A security is impaired if the fair value of the security is less than its cost adjusted for accretion, amortization and previously recorded OTTI losses, otherwise defined as an unrealized loss. When a security is impaired, the impairment is evaluated to determine whether it is temporary or other-than-temporary.

Significant judgment is required in the determination of whether an OTTI loss has occurred for a security. CNA follows a consistent and systematic process for determining and recording an OTTI loss. CNA has established a committee responsible for the OTTI process. This committee, referred to as the Impairment Committee, is made up of three officers appointed by CNA’s Chief Financial Officer. The Impairment Committee is responsible for evaluating securities in an unrealized loss position on at least a quarterly basis.

The Impairment Committee’s assessment of whether an OTTI loss has occurred incorporates both quantitative and qualitative information. Fixed maturity securities that CNA intends to sell, or it more likely than not will be required to sell before recovery of amortized cost, are considered to be other-than-temporarily impaired and the entire difference between the amortized cost basis and fair value of the security is recognized as an OTTI loss in earnings. The remaining fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position are evaluated to determine if a credit loss exists. In order to determine if a credit loss exists, the factors considered by the Impairment Committee includeinclude: (i) the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer, (ii) whether the debtor is current on interest and

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 3. Investments – (Continued)

principal payments, (iii) credit ratings of the securities and (iv) general market conditions and industry or sector specific outlook. CNA also considers results and analysis of cash flow modeling for asset-backed securities, and when appropriate, other fixed maturity securities. The focus of the analysis for asset-backed securities is on assessing the sufficiency and quality of underlying collateral and timing of cash flows based on scenario tests. If the present value of the modeled expected cash flows equals or exceeds the amortized cost of a security, no credit loss is judged to exist and the asset-backed security is deemed to be temporarily impaired. If the present value of the expected cash flows is less than amortized cost, the security is judged to be other-than-temporarily impaired for credit reasons and that shortfall, referred to as the credit component, is recognized as an OTTI loss in earnings. The difference between the adjusted amortized cost basis and fair value, referred to as the non-credit component, is recognized as an OTTI loss in Other comprehensive income.

CNA performs the discounted cash flow analysis using distressedstressed scenarios to determine future expectations regarding recoverability. For asset-backed securities, significant assumptions enter into these cash flow projections including delinquency rates, probable risk of default, loss severity upon a default, over collateralization and interest coverage triggers, credit support from lower level tranches and impacts of rating agency downgrades. The discount rate utilized is either the yield at acquisition or, for lower rated structured securities, the current yield.

CNA applies the same impairment model as described above for the majority of the non-redeemable preferred stock securities on the basis that these securities possess characteristics similar to debt securities and that the issuers maintain their ability to pay dividends. For all other equity securities, in determining whether the security is other-than-temporarily impaired, the Impairment Committee considers a number of factors including, but not limited to: (i) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost, (ii) the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer, (iii) the intent and ability of CNA to retain its investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for an anticipated recovery in value and (iv) general market conditions and industry or sector specific outlook.

Prior to the adoption of the updated accounting guidance related to OTTI in the second quarter of 2009 as further discussed in Note 1, CNA applied the impairment model described in the paragraph above to both fixed maturity and equity securities.

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

 

  Cost or
Amortized
Cost
  Gross
Unrealized
Gains
  Gross Unrealized Losses     Unrealized
OTTI
Losses
   
December 31, 2009  Less Than
12 Months
  12 Months
or Greater
  Estimated
Fair Value
   

December 31, 2010

  Cost or
Amortized
Cost
   Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   

Estimated
Fair Value

   Unrealized
OTTI Losses
(Gains)
 
(In millions)                             

Fixed maturity securities:

                       

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of government agencies

  $184  $16  $1    $199   

Asset-backed securities:

             

Residential mortgage-backed securities

   7,470   72   43  $561   6,938  $246 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

   709   10   1   134   584   3 

Other asset-backed securities

   858   14   1   39   832   

Total asset-backed securities

   9,037   96   45   734   8,354   249 

States, municipalities and political subdivisions-tax-exempt securities

   7,142   201   25   325   6,993   

Corporate and other taxable bonds

   19,015   1,123   50   249   19,839   26 

U.S. Treasury and obligations of government agencies

  $122    $16    $1    $137    

Asset-backed:

          

Residential mortgage-backed

   6,255     101     265     6,091    $114  

Commercial mortgage-backed

   994     40     41     993     (2

Other asset-backed

   753     18     8     763     

Total asset-backed

   8,002     159     314     7,847     112  

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

   8,157     142     410     7,889    

Foreign government

   602     18       620    

Corporate and other bonds

   19,503     1,603     70     21,036    

Redeemable preferred stock

   51   4     1   54      47     7        54     

Fixed maturities available-for-sale

   35,429   1,440   121   1,309   35,439   275 

Fixed maturities available- for-sale

   36,433     1,945     795     37,583     112  

Fixed maturities, trading

   395   3     21   377      244        13     231     

Total fixed maturities

   35,824   1,443   121   1,330   35,816   275    36,677     1,945     808     37,814     112  

Equity securities:

                       

Common stock

   61   14   1   1   73      90     25       115    

Preferred stock

   572   40     41   571      332     2     9     325     

Equity securities available-for-sale

   633   54   1   42   644       422     27     9     440     -  

Equity securities, trading

   310   109   10   46   363      557     123     34     646     

Total equity securities

   943   163   11   88   1,007       979     150     43     1,086     -  

Total

  $36,767  $1,606  $132  $1,418  $36,823  $275   $37,656    $2,095    $851    $38,900    $112  
               

December 31, 2009

  Cost or
Amortized
Cost
   Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   

Estimated
FairValue

   Unrealized
OTTI
Losses
 

(In millions)

          

Fixed maturity securities:

          

U.S. Treasury and obligations of government agencies

  $184    $16    $1    $199    

Asset-backed:

          

Residential mortgage-backed

   7,470     72     604     6,938    $246  

Commercial mortgage-backed

   709     10     135     584     3  

Other asset-backed

   858     14     40     832       

Total asset-backed

   9,037     96     779     8,354     249  

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

   7,280     203     359     7,124    

Foreign government

   467     14     2     479    

Corporate and other bonds

   18,410     1,107     288     19,229     26  

Redeemable preferred stock

   51     4     1     54       

Fixed maturities available-for-sale

   35,429     1,440     1,430     35,439     275  

Fixed maturities, trading

   395     3     21     377       

Total fixed maturities

   35,824     1,443     1,451     35,816     275  

Equity securities:

          

Common stock

   61     14     2     73    

Preferred stock

   572     40     41     571       

Equity securities available-for-sale

   633     54     43     644     -  

Equity securities, trading

   310     109     56     363       

Total equity securities

   943     163     99     1,007     -  

Total

  $36,767    $1,606    $1,550    $36,823    $275  
                          

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 3. Investments – (Continued)The available-for-sale securities in a gross unrealized loss position are as follows:

 

December 31, 2008  

Cost or

Amortized

Cost

  

Gross

Unrealized

Gains

  Gross Unrealized Losses     
      

Less Than

12 Months

  

12 Months

or Greater

  

Estimated

Fair Value

  
 
(In millions)                 

Fixed maturity securities:

           

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of government agencies

  $2,862  $69  $1    $2,930 

Asset-backed securities

   9,670   24   961  $969   7,764 

States, municipalities and political subdivisions-tax-exempt securities

   8,557   90   609   623   7,415 

Corporate and other taxable bonds

   12,993   275   1,164   1,374   10,730 

Redeemable preferred stock

   72   1   23   3   47 
 

Fixed maturities available-for-sale

   34,154   459   2,758   2,969   28,886 

Fixed maturities, trading

   613   1   19   30   565 
 

Total fixed maturities

   34,767   460   2,777   2,999   29,451 
 

Equity securities:

           

Equity securities available-for-sale

   1,018   195   16   324   873 

Equity securities, trading

   384   52   78   46   312 
 

Total equity securities

   1,402   247   94   370   1,185 
 

Total

  $36,169  $707  $2,871  $3,369  $30,636 
 
   

Less than 12 Months

   

Greater than 12

Months

   

Total

 

December 31, 2010

  

Estimated
Fair Value

   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   

Estimated
Fair Value

   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   

Estimated
Fair Value

   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 

(In millions)

            

Fixed maturity securities:

            

U.S. Treasury and obligations of government agencies

   $        8     $        1         $          8     $        1  

Asset-backed:

            

Residential mortgage-backed

   1,800     52     $1,801     $    213     3,601     265  

Commercial mortgage-backed

   164     3     333     38     497     41  

Other asset-backed

   122     1     60     7     182     8  

Total asset-backed

   2,086     56     2,194     258     4,280     314  

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

   3,339     164     745     246     4,084     410  

Corporate and other bonds

   1,719     34     405     36     2,124     70  

Total fixed maturities available-for-sale

   7,152     255     3,344     540     10,496     795  

Equity securities available-for-sale:
Preferred stock

   175     5     70     4     245     9  

Total equity securities available-for-sale

   175     5     70     4     245     9  

Total

   $7,327     $    260     $3,414     $    544     $10,741     $    804  
                               

   Less than 12 Months   Greater than 12 Months   Total 
December 31, 2009  

Estimated

Fair Value

   

Gross

Unrealized

Losses

   

Estimated

Fair Value

   

Gross

Unrealized

Losses

   

Estimated

Fair Value

   

Gross

Unrealized

Losses

 

(In millions)

            

Fixed maturity securities:

            

U.S. Treasury and obligations of government agencies

   $     21     $      1         $        21     $        1  

Asset-backed:

            

Residential mortgage-backed

     1,945           43     $3,069     $    561         5,014           604  

Commercial mortgage-backed

         21             1         456         134             477           135  

Other asset-backed

       170             1         119           39             289             40  

Total asset-backed

     2,136           45     3,644         734         5,780           779  

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

     1,036           30     2,086         329         3,122           359  

Foreign government

       154             1             7             1             161               2  

Corporate and other bonds

     2,395           44     1,948         244         4,343           288  

Redeemable preferred stock

           3                14             1               17               1  

Total fixed maturities available-for-sale

     5,745         121     7,699     1,309       13,444         1,430  

Equity securities available-for-sale:

            

Common stock

           8             1           12             1               20               2  

Preferred stock

                 426           41             426             41  

Total equity securities available-for-sale

           8             1         438           42             446             43  

Total

   $5,753     $  122     $8,137     $1,351     $13,890     $ 1,473  
                               

Activity for the year ended December 31, 2010 and for the period from April 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009 related to the pretax fixed maturity credit loss component reflected within Retained earnings for securities still held at December 31, 20092010 was as follows:

 

Period from

April 1, 2009 to

December 31,

2009

(In millions)

Beginning balance of credit losses on fixed maturity securities

 $192

Additional credit losses for which an OTTI loss was previously recognized

     93

Additional credit losses for which an OTTI loss was not previously recognized

   183

Reductions for securities sold during the period

  (239)

Reductions for securities the Company intends to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell

    (65)

Ending balance of credit losses on fixed maturity securities

 $164
    Year Ended
December 31,
2010
 

Period from

April 1, 2009 to

December 31, 2009

(In millions)     

Beginning balance of credit losses on fixed maturity securities

  $        164 $        192

Additional credit losses for which an OTTI loss was previously recognized

              37             93

Credit losses for which an OTTI loss was not previously recognized

              11           183

Reductions for securities sold during the period

              (62)            (239)

Reductions for securities the Company intends to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell

                (9)             (65)

Ending balance of credit losses on fixed maturity securities

  $        141 $        164
      

Based on current facts and circumstances, the Company has determined that no additional OTTI losses related to the securities in an unrealized loss position presented in the December 31, 2009 summary of fixed maturity and equity securities table above are required to be recorded. A discussion of some of the factors reviewed in making that determination is presented below.

The market disruption that emerged during 2008 has significantly subsided in 2009. The U.S. government has initiated programs intended to stabilize and improve markets and the economy. While the ultimate impact of these programs remains uncertain and economic conditions in the U.S. remain challenging, financial markets have shown improvement in 2009. Risk free interest rates continued near multi-year lows and credit spreads narrowed resulting in improvement in the Company’s unrealized position. However, fair values in the asset-backed sector continue to be depressed primarily due to continued concerns with underlying residential and commercial collateral.

The classification between investment grade and non-investment grade presented in the discussion below is based on a ratings methodology that takes into account ratings from the threetwo major providers, S&P,Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s and FitchInvestors Service, Inc. in that order of preference. If a security is not rated by any of the three,these providers, the Company formulates an internal rating. For securities with credit support from third party guarantees, the rating reflects the greater of the underlying rating of the issuer or the insured rating.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 3. Investments – (Continued)

Asset-Backed Securities

The fair value of total asset-backed holdings at December 31, 20092010 was $8,354$7,847 million which was comprised of 2,1262,087 different asset-backed structured securities. The fair value of these securities does not tend to be influenced by the credit of the issuer but rather the characteristics and projected cash flows of the underlying collateral. Each security has deal-specific tranche structures, credit support that results from the unique deal structure, particular collateral characteristics and other distinct security terms. As a result, seemingly common factors such as delinquency rates and collateral performance affect each security differently. Of these securities, 196165 have underlying collateral that is either considered sub-prime or Alt-A in nature. The exposure to sub-prime residential mortgage collateral and Alternative A residential mortgages that have lower than normal standards of loan documentation collateral is measured by the original deal structure.

Residential mortgage-backed securities include 286214 structured securities that have at least one trade lot in a gross unrealized loss position. In addition, there were 6661 agency mortgage-backed pass-through securities which are guaranteed by agencies of the U.S. Government that have at least one trade lot in a gross unrealized loss position. The aggregate severity of the gross unrealized loss was approximately 10.7%6.8% of amortized cost.

Commercial mortgage-backed securities include 3936 securities that have at least one trade lot in a gross unrealized loss position. The aggregate severity of the gross unrealized loss was approximately 22.0%7.5% of amortized cost. Other asset-backed securities include 2815 securities that have at least one trade lot in a gross unrealized loss position. The aggregate severity of the gross unrealized loss was approximately 12.4%4.2% of amortized cost.

The asset-backed securities in a gross unrealized loss position by ratings distribution are as follows:

 

December 31, 2009  

Amortized

Cost

  

Estimated

Fair Value

  

Gross

Unrealized

Losses

 
December 31, 2010  

Amortized

Cost

   

Estimated

Fair Value

   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
(In millions)                

U.S. Government Agencies

  $1,814  $1,782  $32    $    1,506     $    1,461     $        45  

AAA

   2,350   2,052   298          1,225           1,158               67  

AA

   475   389   86            426             389               37  

A

   391   325   66            217             201               16  

BBB

   349   279   70            217             188               29  

Non-investment grade and equity tranches

   1,180   953   227          1,003             883               120  

Total

  $6,559  $5,780  $779    $    4,594     $    4,280     $        314  
         

The Company believes the unrealized losses are primarily attributable to broader economic conditions, changes in interest rates, liquidity concerns and wider than historical bid/ask spreads, and is not indicative of the quality of the underlying collateral. The Company has no current intent to sell these securities, nor is it more likely than not that it will be required to sell prior to recovery of amortized cost. Generally, non-investment grade securities consist of investments which were investment grade at the time of purchase but have subsequently been downgraded and primarily consist of holdings senior to the equity tranche. Additionally, the Company believes that the unrealized losses on these securities were not due to factors regarding the ultimate collection of principal and interest, collateral shortfalls, or substantial changes in future cash flow expectations; accordingly, the Company has determined that there are no additional OTTI losses to be recorded at December 31, 2009.2010.

States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions – Tax-Exempt Securities

The fair value of total states, municipalities and political subdivisions holdings at December 31, 2010 was $7,889 million. These holdings consist of both tax-exempt portfolio consists primarily ofand taxable special revenue and assessment bonds, representing 81.3%71.5% of the overall portfolio,category, followed by general obligation political subdivision bonds at 14.0%18.8% and state general obligation bonds at 4.7%9.7%.

The unrealized losses on the Company’s investments in tax-exempt municipal securitiesthis category are primarily due to the impact of interest rate increases on securities held, as well as market conditions in certain sectors or states that continue to lag behind the broader municipal market recovery. Market conditions in thefor tax-exempt sector have improved during 2009. However, yields for certain issuers and types ofbonds. Securities with maturity dates

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 3. Investments – (Continued)

securities, such as auction rate and tobacco securitizations, continue to be higher than historical norms relative to after tax returns on other fixed income alternatives.that exceed 20 years comprise 66.1% of the gross unrealized losses. The holdings for all tax-exempt securities in this category include 340568 securities that have at least one trade lot in a gross unrealized loss position. The aggregate severity of the total gross unrealized losses was approximately 10.4%9.1% of amortized cost.

The tax-exemptstate, municipalities and political subdivisions securities in a gross unrealized loss position by ratings distribution are as follows:

 

December 31, 2009  

Amortized

Cost

  

Estimated

Fair Value

  

Gross

Unrealized

Losses

   
December 31, 2010  Amortized
Cost
   Estimated
Fair Value
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
(In millions)                

AAA

  $1,344  $1,280  $64    $       995     $       940     $          55  

AA

   985   849   136          2,612           2,327               285  

A

   492   464   28             802              742                 60  

BBB

   519   399   120               69                60                   9  

Non-investment grade

   22   20   2               16                15                   1  

Total

  $3,362  $3,012  $350    $    4,494     $    4,084     $        410  
         

The largest exposures at December 31, 2009,2010 as measured by gross unrealized losses were special revenue bonds issued by several states backed by tobacco settlement funds with gross unrealized losses of $109 million and several separate issues of Puerto Rico sales tax revenue bonds with gross unrealized losses of $79$101 million and several separate issues of New Jersey transit revenue bonds with gross unrealized losses of $64 million. All of these securities are rated investment grade.

The Company has no current intent to sell these securities, nor is it more likely than not that it will be required to sell prior to recovery of amortized cost. Additionally, the Company believes that the unrealized losses on these securities were not due to factors regarding the ultimate collection of principal and interest; accordingly, the Company has determined that there are no additional OTTI losses to be recorded at December 31, 2009.

Corporate and Other Taxable Bonds

The holdings in this category include 505 securities in a gross unrealized loss position. The aggregate severity of the gross unrealized losses was 6.1% of amortized cost.

The corporate and other taxable bonds in a gross unrealized loss position across industry sectors and by ratings distribution are as follows:

December 31, 2009  Amortized
Cost
  Estimated
Fair Value
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   
(In millions)           

Industry sectors:

       

Communications

  $333  $327  $6 

Consumer, Cyclical

   409   386   23 

Consumer, Non-cyclical

   425   412   13 

Energy

   271   259   12 

Financial

   1,918   1,752   166 

Industrial

   364   350   14 

Utilities

   654   614   40 

Other

   539   514   25 
 

Total

  $4,913  $4,614  $299 
 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 3. Investments – (Continued)

December 31, 2009  

Amortized

Cost

  

Estimated

Fair Value

  

Gross

Unrealized

Losses

   
(In millions)           

Ratings distributions:

       

AAA

  $191  $183  $8 

AA

   344   339   5 

A

   1,161   1,103   58 

BBB

   2,287   2,150   137 

Non-investment grade

   930   839   91 
 

Total

  $4,913  $4,614  $299 
 

The unrealized losses on corporate and other taxable bonds are primarily attributable to lingering impacts of the broader credit market deterioration throughout 2008 that resulted in widening of credit spreads over risk free interest rates beyond historical norms. These conditions continue in certain sectors, such as financial, that the market continues to view as out of favor. Overall conditions in the corporate bond market have significantly improved throughout 2009 resulting in improvement in the Company’s unrealized position. The Company has no current intent to sell these securities, nor is it more likely than not that it will be required to sell prior to recovery of amortized cost. Additionally, the Company believes that the unrealized losses were not due to factors regarding the ultimate collection of principal and interest; accordingly, the Company has determined that there are no additional OTTI losses to be recorded at December 31, 2009.

The Company has invested in securities with characteristics of both debt and equity investments, often referred to as hybrid debt securities. Such securities are typically debt instruments issued with long or extendable maturity dates, may provide for the ability to defer interest payments without defaulting and are usually lower in the capital structure of the issuer than traditional bonds. The financial industry sector presented above includes hybrid debt securities with an aggregate fair value of $637 million and an aggregate amortized cost of $722 million.2010.

Contractual Maturity

The following table summarizes available-for-sale fixed maturity securities by contractual maturity at December 31, 20092010 and 2008.2009. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain securities may be called or prepaid with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities not due at a single date are allocated based on weighted average life.

 

    2009  2008
December 31  

Amortized

Cost

  

Estimated

Fair Value

  Amortized
Cost
  Estimated
Fair Value
   
(In millions)              

Due in one year or less

  $1,240  $1,219  $3,105  $2,707 

Due after one year through five years

   10,046   10,244   10,295   9,210 

Due after five years through ten years

   10,647   10,539   5,929   4,822 

Due after ten years

   13,496   13,437   14,825   12,147 
 

Total

  $35,429  $35,439  $34,154  $28,886 
 

As of December 31, 2009, the Company held three non-income producing fixed maturity securities aggregating $1.0 million of fair value. As of December 31, 2008, the Company did not hold any non-income producing fixed maturity securities. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, no investments exceeded 10.0% of shareholders’ equity other than investments in U.S. Treasury and U.S. Government agency securities.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 3. Investments – (Continued)

December 31  2010   2009 
    Amortized
Cost
   Estimated
Fair Value
   Amortized
Cost
   Estimated
Fair Value
 

(In millions)

        

Due in one year or less

   $    1,515     $    1,506     $    1,240     $    1,219  

Due after one year through five years

       11,198         11,653         10,046         10,244  

Due after five years through ten years

       10,034         10,437         10,647         10,539  

Due after ten years

       13,686         13,987         13,496         13,437  

Total

   $  36,433     $  37,583     $  35,429     $  35,439  
                     

Auction Rate Securities

The investment portfolio includes auction rate securities which are primarily issued by student loan agencies from ten states and are substantially guaranteed by the Federal Family Education Loan Program. The fair value of auction rate securities held at December 31, 20092010 was $979$357 million, with$316 million of which are collateralized by student loans and guaranteed by the Federal Family Education Loan Program. There were gross unrealized losses of $16 million and no gross unrealized gains on these securities, primarily as a result of continued failed auctions and gross unrealized losses of $71 million.the resultant impact on liquidity. The average rating on these holdings was AAA. At December 31, 2009,2010, all auction rate securities were paying at the applicable coupon rate.rate in accordance with the terms of the security agreements.

Limited Partnerships

The carrying value of limited partnerships as of December 31, 20092010 and 20082009 was approximately $2.0$2.8 billion and $1.8$2.0 billion which includes undistributed earnings of $543$812 million and $334$543 million. Limited partnerships comprising 53.3%48.2% of the total carrying value are reported on a current basis through December 31, 20092010 with no reporting lag, 37.0%40.5% are reported on a one month lag and the remainder are reported on more than a one month lag. As of December 31, 20092010 and 2008,2009, the Company had 7484 and 8574 active limited partnership investments. The number of limited partnerships held and the strategies employed provide diversification to the limited partnership portfolio and the overall invested asset portfolio. The Company generally does not invest in highly leveraged partnerships.

Of the limited partnerships held, 87.4% and 90.5% at December 31, 20092010 and 89.5% at December 31, 2008,2009, employ strategies that generate returns through investing in securities that are marketable while engaging in various management techniques primarily in public fixed income and equity markets. These hedge fund strategies include both long and short positions in fixed income, equity and derivative instruments. The hedge fund strategies may seek to generate gains from mispriced or undervalued securities, price differentials between securities, distressed investments, sector rotation, or various arbitrage disciplines. Within hedge fund strategies, approximately 44.1%46.8% are equity related, 32.7%32.5% pursue a multi-strategy approach, 18.4%15.1% are focused on distressed investments and 4.8%5.6% are fixed income related at December 31, 2009.2010.

Limited partnerships representing 9.1% and 6.4% at December 31, 20092010 and 7.1% at December 31, 20082009 were invested in private equity. The remaining were invested in various other partnerships including real estate. The ten largest limited partnership positions held totaled $1,208$1,370 million and $915$1,208 million as of December 31, 20092010 and December 31, 2008.2009. Based on the most recent information available regarding the Company’s percentage ownership of the individual limited partnerships, the carrying value reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets represents approximately 3.9%4.2% and 3.4%3.9% of the aggregate partnership equity at December 31, 20092010 and 2008,2009, and the related income reflected on the Consolidated Statements of Income represents 4.4%3.5% and 3.1%4.4% of the changes in partnership equity for all limited partnership investments for the years ended December 31, 20092010 and 2008.2009. The individual partnership that was the largest contributor to income in 2010 had a carrying value of $198 million and $165 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009 with related income (loss) of $45 million, $120 million.million and $(51) million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008. The Company owned 7.0%approximately 5.5% of this limited partnership at December 31, 2009.2010.

The risks associated with limited partnership investments may include losses due to leveraging, short-selling, derivatives or other speculative investment practices. The use of leverage increases volatility generated by the underlying investment strategies.

The Company’s limited partnershipspartnership investments contain withdrawal provisions that generally limit liquidity for a period of thirty days up to one year and in some cases do not permit withdrawals.withdrawals until the termination of the partnership. Typically, withdrawals require advanced written notice of up to 90 days.

Investment Commitments

As of December 31, 2009,2010, the Company had committed approximately $235$182 million to future capital calls from various third-party limited partnership investments in exchange for an ownership interest in the related partnerships.

The Company invests in multiplevarious privately placed debt securities, including bank loan participationsloans, as part of its overall investment strategy and has committed to additional future purchases and sales. The purchase and sale of these investments are recorded on the date that the legal agreements are finalized and cash settlement is made. As of December 31, 2009,2010, the Company had commitments to purchase $304$196 million and sell $172$102 million of various bank loan participations. When loan

such investments.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 3. Investments – (Continued)

participation purchases are settled and recorded they may contain both funded and unfunded amounts. An unfunded loan represents an obligation by the Company to provide additional amounts under the terms of the loan participation. The funded portions are reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, while any unfunded amounts are not recorded until a draw is made under the loan facility. As of December 31, 2009,2010, the Company had obligations on unfunded bankmortgage loan participations in the amountcommitments of $13 million.$12 million representing signed loan applications received and accepted. The mortgage loans are recorded once funded.

Investments on Deposit

CNA may from time to time invest in securities that may be restricted in whole or in part. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, CNA did not hold any significant positions in investments whose sale was restricted other than limited partnerships.

Securities with carrying values of approximately $2.7$2.9 billion and $2.1$2.7 billion were deposited by CNA’s insurance subsidiaries under requirements of regulatory authorities as of December 31, 20092010 and 2008.2009.

Cash and securities with carrying values of approximately $9$6 million and $10$9 million were deposited with financial institutions as collateral for letters of credit as of December 31, 20092010 and 2008.2009. In addition, cash and securities were deposited in trusts with financial institutions to secure reinsurance and other obligations with various third parties. The carrying values of these deposits were approximately $311$298 million and $284$311 million as of December 31, 20092010 and 2008.2009.

Note 4. Fair Value

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

The Company attempts to establish fair value as an exit price in an orderly transaction consistent with normal settlement market conventions. The Company is responsible for the valuation process and seeks to obtain quoted market prices for all securities. When quoted market prices in active markets are not available, the Company uses a number of methodologies to establish fair value estimates, including discounted cash flow models, prices from recently executed transactions of similar securities or broker/dealer quotes, utilizing market observable information to the extent possible. In conjunction with modeling activities, the Company may use external data as inputs. The modeled inputs are consistent with observable market information, when available, or with the Company’s assumptions as to what market participants would use to value the securities. The Company also uses pricing services as a significant source of data. The Company monitors all the pricing inputs to determine if the markets from which the data is gathered are active. As further validation of the Company’s valuation process, the Company samples its past fair value estimates and compares the valuations to actual transactions executed in the market on similar dates.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 4. Fair Value – (Continued)

The fair values of CNA’s life settlement contracts investments are included in Other assets. The fair values of discontinued operations investmentsEquity options purchased are included in Other liabilities.Equity securities, and all other derivative assets are included in Receivables. Derivative liabilities are included in Payable to brokers. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized in the tables below:

 

December 31, 2009  Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total   
December 31, 2010  Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total 
(In millions)                    

Fixed maturity securities:

           

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of government agencies

  $145   $54    $199     $76   $61    $137  

Asset-backed securities:

      

Residential mortgage-backed securities

    6,309   $629    6,938   

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

    461    123    584   

Other asset-backed securities

    484    348    832   

Total asset-backed securities

    7,254    1,100    8,354   

States, municipalities and political subdivisions-tax-exempt securities

    6,237    756    6,993   

Corporate and other taxable bonds

   139    19,091    609    19,839   

Asset-backed:

     

Residential mortgage-backed

    5,324   $767    6,091  

Commercial mortgage-backed

    920    73    993  

Other asset-backed

    404    359    763  

Total asset-backed

   -    6,648    1,199    7,847  

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

    7,623    266    7,889  

Foreign government

   115    505     620  

Corporate and other bonds

    20,412    624    21,036  

Redeemable preferred stock

   3    49    2    54      3    48    3    54  

Fixed maturities available-for-sale

   287    32,685    2,467    35,439      194    35,297    2,092    37,583  

Fixed maturities, trading

   102    78    197    377       47    184    231  

Total fixed maturities

  $389   $32,763   $2,664   $35,816     $194   $35,344   $2,276   $37,814  
   

Equity securities:

      

Common stock

  $51   $11   $11   $73   

Preferred stock

   452    119     571   

Equity securities available-for-sale

   503    130    11    644      288    126    26    440  

Equity securities, trading

   363      363      640    6    646  

Total equity securities

  $866   $130   $11   $1,007     $928   $126   $32   $1,086  
   

Short term investments

  $6,818   $397    $7,215     $6,079   $974   $27   $7,080  

Other invested assets

     26    26  

Receivables

    53   $2    55       74    2    76  

Life settlement contracts

     130    130        129    129  

Separate account business

   43    342    38    423      28    381    41    450  

Payable to brokers

   (87  (135  (50  (272    (328  (79  (23  (430

Discontinued operations investments

   19    106    16    141   
December 31, 2008                

Fixed maturity securities

  $2,358   $24,383   $2,710   $29,451   

Equity securities

   881    94    210    1,185   

Short term investments

   5,425    608     6,033   

Receivables

    182    40    222   

Life settlement contracts

     129    129   

Separate account business

   40    306    38    384   

Payable to brokers

   (168  (260  (112  (540 

Discontinued operations investments

   83    59    15    157   

Discontinued operations investments, included in Other liabilities

   11    60     71  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2009  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total 
(In millions)             

Fixed maturity securities:

     

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of government agencies

  $145   $54    $199  

Asset-backed:

     

Residential mortgage-backed

    6,309   $629    6,938  

Commercial mortgage-backed

    461    123    584  

Other asset-backed

       484    348    832  

Total asset-backed

   -    7,254    1,100    8,354  

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

    6,368    756    7,124  

Foreign government

   139    340     479  

Corporate and other bonds

    18,620    609    19,229  

Redeemable preferred stock

   3    49    2    54  

Fixed maturities available-for-sale

   287    32,685    2,467    35,439  

Fixed maturities, trading

   102    78    197    377  

Total fixed maturities

  $389   $32,763   $2,664   $35,816  
                  

Equity securities available-for-sale

  $503   $130   $11   $644  

Equity securities, trading

   363            363  

Total equity securities

  $866   $130   $11   $1,007  
                  

Short term investments

  $6,818   $397    $7,215  

Receivables

    53   $2    55  

Life settlement contracts

     130    130  

Separate account business

   43    342    38    423  

Payable to brokers

   (87  (135  (50  (272

Discontinued operations investments, included in Other liabilities

   19    106    16    141  

Note 4. Fair Value – (Continued)

The tables below present reconciliations for all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the years ended December 31, 20092010 and 2008:2009:

 

     Net Realized Gains
(Losses) and Net Change
in Unrealized Gains
(Losses)
  

Purchases,
Sales,
Issuances
and
Settlements

     

Transfers
out of
Level 3

    Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
Recognized in
Net Income on
Level 3 Assets
and Liabilities
Held at
December 31
       Net Realized Gains
(Losses) and Net Change
in Unrealized Gains
(Losses)
   

Purchases,
Sales,
Issuances

and

Settlements

  

Transfers

into Level 3

   

Transfers

out of

Level 3

  

Balance,

December 31

  

Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
Recognized in
Net Income on
Level 3 Assets
and Liabilities

Held at

December 31

 
2009  Balance,
January 1
 Included in
Net Income
 Included in
OCI
 Transfers
into Level 3
   Balance,
December 31
 
2010  

Balance,

January 1

 

Included in

Net Income

 

Included in

OCI

   

Purchases,
Sales,
Issuances

and

Settlements

  

Transfers

into Level 3

   

Transfers

out of

Level 3

  

Balance,

December 31

  

Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
Recognized in
Net Income on
Level 3 Assets
and Liabilities

Held at

December 31

 
         
(In millions)                                         

Fixed maturity securities:

                      

Asset-backed securities:

           

Residential mortgage-backed securities

  $782   $(32 $117   $(52 $71  $(257 $629   $(12 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

   186    (170  185    (24  28   (82  123    (175 

Other asset-backed securities

   139    (26  56    180    153   (154  348    

Total asset-backed securities

   1,107    (228  358    104    252   (493  1,100    (187 

States, municipalities and political subdivisions-tax-exempt securities

   750     72    (66     756    

Corporate and other taxable bonds

   622    (10  126    75    23   (227  609    (11 

Asset-backed:

           

Residential mortgage-backed

  $629   $(10 $15    $181     $(48 $767   $(13

Commercial mortgage-backed

   123    10    13     (8 $7     (72  73    (2

Other asset-backed

   348    6    30     30      (55  359    (1

Total asset-backed

   1,100    6    58     203    7     (175  1,199    (16

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

   756     15     (507  2      266   

Corporate and other bonds

   609    9    56     45    60     (155  624    (4

Redeemable preferred stock

   13    (9  9    7      (18  2    (9    2    6    2     (7     3   

Fixed maturities available-for-sale

   2,492    (247  565    120    275   (738  2,467    (207    2,467    21    131     (266  69     (330  2,092    (20

Fixed maturities, trading

   218    16     (41  4    197    4      197    9      (22     184    5  

Total fixed maturities

  $2,710   $(231 $565   $79   $279  $(738 $2,664   $(203   $2,664   $30   $131    $(288 $69    $(330 $2,276   $(15
         

Equity securities:

           

Common stock

  $191    $(1 $5     $(184 $11    

Preferred stock

   19         (19   

Equity securities available-for-sale

  $210   $   $(1 $5   $  $(203 $11   $     $11   $(4 $1    $17   $8    $(7 $26   $(5

Equity securities, trading

   -    2      4       6    2  

Short term investments

    $1   $7     $(8      -       37    1     (11  27   

Other invested assets

   -       26       26    (1

Life settlement contracts

  $129   $34     (33    $130   $10      130    29      (30     129    10  

Separate account business

   38    (1  5    (1    (3  38       38       3       41   

Discontinued operations investments

   15    (4  7    (2     16       16     1     (2    (15  -   

Derivative financial instruments, net

   (72  16    (51  59       (48  (10    (48  (27  16     38       (21 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 4. Fair Value – (Continued)

     

Net Realized Gains

(Losses) and Net Change

in Unrealized Gains

(Losses)

  

Purchases,

Sales,

Issuances

and

Settlements

     

Transfers

out of

Level 3

    

Unrealized

Gains (Losses)

Recognized in

Net Income on

Level 3 Assets

and Liabilities

Held at

December 31

      Net Realized Gains
(Losses) and Net Change
in Unrealized Gains
(Losses)
 

Purchases,
Sales,
Issuances

and

Settlements

  

Transfers

into Level 3

  

Transfers

out of

Level 3

  

Balance,

December 31

  

Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
Recognized in
Net Income on
Level 3 Assets
and Liabilities

Held at

December 31

 
2008  

Balance,

January 1

 

Included in

Net Income

 

Included in

OCI

 

Transfers

into Level 3

   

Balance,

December 31

 

2009

 

Balance,

January 1

  

Included in

Net Income

  

Included in

OCI

  

Purchases,
Sales,
Issuances

and

Settlements

  

Transfers

into Level 3

  

Transfers

out of

Level 3

  

Balance,

December 31

  

Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
Recognized in
Net Income on
Level 3 Assets
and Liabilities

Held at

December 31

 
 

Transfers

into Level 3

Transfers

out of

Level 3

 
(In millions)                    

Fixed maturity securities

  $2,909   $(412 $(505 $(152 $1,475  $(605 $2,710   $(391 

Equity securities

   199    (17  6    23    22   (23  210    (4 

Fixed maturity securities:

        

Asset-backed:

        

Residential mortgage-backed

 $782   $(32 $117   $(52 $71   $(257 $629   $(12

Commercial mortgage-backed

  186    (170  185    (24  28    (82  123    (175

Other asset-backed

  139    (26  56    180    153    (154  348   

Total asset-backed

  1,107    (228  358    104    252    (493  1,100    (187

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

  750     72    (66    756   

Foreign government

  6        (6  -   

Corporate and other bonds

  616    (10  126    75    23    (221  609    (11

Redeemable preferred stock

  13    (9  9    7    (18  2    (9

Fixed maturities available-for-sale

  2,492    (247  565    120    275    (738  2,467    (207

Fixed maturities, trading

  218    16    (41  4    197    4  

Total fixed maturities

 $2,710   $(231 $565   $79   $279   $(738 $2,664   $(203
 

Equity securities available-for-sale

 $210    $(1 $5    $(203 $11   

Short term investments

   85         (85  —          1    7     (8  -   

Life settlement contracts

   115    48     (34     129    17     129   $34     (33    130   $10  

Separate account business

   30      (18  26    38      38    (1  5    (1   (3  38   

Discontinued operations investments

   42    (1  (5  (4    (17  15      15    (4  7    (2    16   

Derivative financial instruments, net

   (19  (16  36    (73     (72  (89   (72  16    (51  59      (48  (10

Net realized and unrealized gains and losses are reported in Net income as follows:

 

Major Category of Assets and Liabilities

 

Consolidated Statements of Income Line Items

Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale

 

Investment gains (losses)

Fixed maturity securities, trading

 

Net investment income

Equity securities available-for-sale

 

Investment gains (losses)

Equity securities, trading

 

Net investment income

Other invested assets

Investment gains (losses)

Derivative financial instruments held in a trading portfolio

 

Net investment income

Derivative financial instruments, other

 

Investment gains (losses) and Other revenues

Life settlement contracts

 

Other revenues

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 4. Fair Value – (Continued)

Securities shown in the Level 3 tables may be transferred in or out of Level 3 based on the availability of observable market information used to verify pricing sources or used in pricing models. The availability of observable market information varies based on market conditions and trading volume and may cause securities to move in and out of Level 3 from reporting period to reporting period. There were no significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the year ended December 31, 2010. The Company’s policy is to recognize transfers between levels at the beginning of quarterly reporting periods.

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

Fixed Maturity Securities

Level 1 securities include highly liquid government bonds within the U.S. Treasury securities category and debt securities issued by foreign governments which are included in the corporate and other taxable bond category, for which quoted market prices are available. The remaining fixed maturity securities are valued using pricing for similar securities, recently executed transactions, cash flow models with yield curves, broker/dealer quotes and other pricing models utilizing observable inputs. The valuation for most fixed maturity securities is classified as Level 2. Securities within Level 2 include certain corporate bonds, municipalstates, municipalities and political subdivisions securities, foreign provincial and local government bonds, asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed pass-through securities and redeemable preferred stock. Level 2 securities may also include securities that have firm sale commitments and prices that are not recorded until the settlement date. Securities are generally assigned to Level 3 in cases where broker/dealer quotes are significant inputs to the valuation and there is a lack of transparency as to whether these quotes are based on information that is observable in the marketplace. These securities include certain corporate bonds, asset-backed securities, municipal bondsstates, municipalities and political subdivisions securities and redeemable preferred stock. Within corporate bonds and municipal bonds,states, municipalities and political subdivisions securities, Level 3 securities also include tax-exempt and taxable auction rate certificates. Fair value of auction rate securities is determined utilizing a pricing model with three primary inputs. The interest rate and spread inputs are observable from like instruments while the maturity date assumption is unobservable due to the uncertain nature of the principal prepayments prior to maturity.

Equity Securities

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

Derivative Financial Instruments

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

Short Term Investments

The valuation of securities that are actively traded or have quoted prices are classified as Level 1. These securities include money market funds and treasury bills. Level 2 primarily includes commercial paper, for which all inputs are observable. Level 3 securities include fixed maturity securities purchased within one year of maturity where broker/dealer quotes are significant inputs to the valuation and there is a lack of transparency to the market inputs used.

Life Settlement Contracts

The fair values of life settlement contracts are determined as the present value of the anticipated death benefits less anticipated premium payments based on contract terms that are distinct for each insured, as well as CNA’s own assumptions for mortality, premium expense, and the rate of return that a buyer would require on the contracts, as no comparable market pricing data is available.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 4. Fair Value – (Continued)

Discontinued Operations Investments

Assets relating to CNA’s discontinued operations include fixed maturity securities and short term investments. The valuation methodologies for these asset types have been described above.

Separate Account Business

Separate account business includes fixed maturity securities, equities and short term investments. The valuation methodologies for these asset types have been described above.

Financial Assets and Liabilities Not Measured at Fair Value

The Company did not have any financial instrument assets which are not measured at fair value. The carrying amount and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instrument assets and liabilities which are not measured at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are listed in the table below.

 

December 31  2009  2008    2010   2009 
  

Carrying

Amount

  

Estimated

Fair Value

  

Carrying

Amount

  

Estimated

Fair Value

     Carrying
Amount
   Estimated
Fair Value
   Carrying
Amount
   Estimated
Fair Value
 
(In millions)                     

Financial assets:

        

Other invested assets

  $87     $      86        

Financial liabilities:

                 

Premium deposits and annuity contracts

  $105  $106  $111  $113   $104     $    105      $105     $      106    

Short term debt

   10   10   71   71    647     662       10     10    

Long term debt

   9,475   9,574   8,187   7,166    8,830     9,243       9,475     9,574    

The following methods and assumptions were used in estimating the fair value of these financial assets and liabilities.

Premium deposits and annuity contracts were valued based on cash surrender values, estimated fair values or policyholder liabilities, net of amounts ceded related to sold business.

The fair value of Other invested assets is based on the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the current interest rate for similar financial instruments.

Fair value of debt was based on observable quoted market prices when available. When quoted market prices were not available, the fair value for debt was based on quoted market prices of comparable instruments adjusted for differences between the quoted instruments and the instruments being valued or is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, based on current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.

Note 5. Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company invests in certain derivative instruments for a number of purposes, including: (i) asset and liability management activities, (ii) income enhancements for its portfolio management strategy, and (iii) to benefit from anticipated future movements in the underlying markets. If such movements do not occur as anticipated, then significant losses may occur.

Monitoring procedures include senior management review of daily detailed reports of existing positions and valuation fluctuations to ensure that open positions are consistent with the Company’s portfolio strategy.

The Company does not believe that any of the derivative instruments utilized by it are unusually complex, nor do these instruments contain embedded leverage features which would expose the Company to a higher degree of risk.

The Company uses derivatives in the normal course of business, primarily in an attempt to reduce its exposure to market risk (principally interest rate risk, equity stock price risk, commodity price risk and foreign currency risk) stemming from various assets and liabilities and credit risk (the ability of an obligor to make timely payment of principal and/or interest). The Company’s principal objective under such risk strategies is to achieve the desired reduction in economic risk, even if the position does not receive hedge accounting treatment.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 5. Derivative Financial Instruments – (Continued)

CNA’s use of derivatives is limited by statutes and regulations promulgated by the various regulatory bodies to which it is subject, and by its own derivative policy. The derivative policy limits the authorization to initiate derivative transactions to certain personnel. Derivatives entered into for hedging, regardless of the choice to designate hedge accounting, shall have a maturity that effectively correlates to the underlying hedged asset or liability. The policy prohibits the use of derivatives containing greater than one-to-one leverage with respect to changes in the underlying price, rate or index. The policy also prohibits the use of borrowed funds, including funds obtained through securities lending, to engage in derivative transactions.

The Company has exposure to economic losses due to interest rate risk arising from changes in the level of, or volatility of, interest rates. The Company attempts to mitigate its exposure to interest rate risk in the normal course of portfolio management, which includes rebalancing its existing portfolios of assets and liabilities. In addition, various derivative financial instruments are used to modify the interest rate risk exposures of certain assets and liabilities. These strategies include the use of interest rate swaps, interest rate caps and floors, options, futures, forwards and commitments to purchase securities. These instruments are generally used to lock interest rates or market values, to shorten or lengthen durations of fixed maturity securities or investment contracts, or to hedge (on an economic basis) interest rate risks associated with investments and variable rate debt. The Company infrequently designates these types of instruments as hedges against specific assets or liabilities.

The Company is exposedhas exposure to equity price risk as a result of its investment in equity securities and equity derivatives. Equity price risk results from changes in the level or volatility of equity prices, which affect the value of equity securities, or instruments that derive their value from such securities. The Company attempts to mitigate its exposure to such risks by limiting its investment in any one security or index. The Company may also manage this risk by utilizing instruments such as options, swaps, futures and collars to protect appreciation in securities held.

The Company has exposure to credit risk arising from the uncertainty associated with a financial instrument obligor’s ability to make timely principal and/or interest payments. The Company attempts to mitigate this risk by limiting credit concentrations, practicing diversification, and frequently monitoring the credit quality of issuers and counterparties. In addition, the Company may utilize credit derivatives such as credit default swaps (“CDS”) to modify the credit risk inherent in certain investments. CDS involve a transfer of credit risk from one party to another in exchange for periodic payments.

Foreign exchange ratecurrency risk arises from the possibility that changes in foreign currency exchange rates will impact the fair value of financial instruments denominated in a foreign currency. The Company’s foreign transactions are primarily denominated in Australian dollars, Brazilian reais, British pounds, Canadian dollars and the European Monetary Unit. The Company typically manages this risk via asset/liability currency matching and through the use of foreign currency forwards. In May of 2009, Diamond Offshore began a hedging strategy and designated certain of its qualifying foreign currency forward exchange contracts as cash flow hedges.

In addition to the derivatives used for risk management purposes described above, the Company may also use derivatives for purposes of income enhancement. Income enhancement transactions are entered into with the intention of providing additional income or yield to a particular portfolio segment or instrument. Income enhancement transactions are limited in scope and primarily involve the sale of covered options in which the Company receives a premium in exchange for selling a call or put option.

The Company will also use CDS to sell credit protection against a specified credit event. In selling credit protection, CDS are used to replicate fixed income securities when credit exposure to certain issuers is not available or when it is economically beneficial to transact in the derivative market compared to the cash market alternative. Credit risk includes both the default event risk and market value exposure due to fluctuations in credit spreads. In selling CDS protection, the Company receives a periodic premium in exchange for providing credit protection on a single name reference obligation or a credit derivative index. If there is an event of default as defined by the CDS agreement, the Company is required to pay the counterparty the referenced notional amount of the CDS contract and in exchange the Company is entitled to receive the referenced defaulted security or the cash equivalent.

The tables below summarize open CDS contracts where the Company sold credit protection as of December 31, 20092010 and 2008.2009. The fair value of the contracts represents the amountamounts that the Company would have toreceive or pay at those dates to exit the derivative positions. The maximum amount of future payments assumes no residual value in the defaulted

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 5. Derivative Financial Instruments – (Continued)

securities that the Company would receive as part of the contract terminations and is equal to the notional value of the CDS contracts.

 

December 31, 2009  

Fair Value of

Credit Default

Swaps

  

Maximum Amount of

Future Payments under

Credit Default Swaps

  

Weighted

Average Years

To Maturity

  
 
(In millions of dollars)           

B

   $8  3.1 
 

Total

  $-   $8  3.1 
 
December 31, 2008           
 

AAA/AA/A

  $(8 $40  12.3 

BBB

   (4  55  3.1 

BB

   (39  50  8.1 

B

   (2  8  4.1 

CCC and lower

   (29  45  4.5 
 

Total

  $(82 $198  6.6 
 
December 31, 2010 Fair Value of
Credit Default
Swaps
 Maximum Amount of
Future Payments under
Credit Default Swaps
 Weighted
Average Years
To Maturity

(In millions)

   

BB-rated

 $        1 $        5 2.5

B-rated

             3 1.5

Total

 $        1 $        8 2.1
       

December 31, 2009

      

B-rated

   $        8 3.1

Total

 $        - $        8 3.1
       

Credit exposure associated with non-performance by the counterparties to derivative instruments is generally limited to the uncollateralized fair value of the asset related to the instruments recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company attempts to mitigate the risk of non-performance by monitoring the creditworthiness of counterparties and diversifying derivatives to multiple counterparties. The Company generally requires that all over-the-counter derivative contracts be governed by an International Swaps and Derivatives Association (“ISDA”) Master Agreement, and exchanges collateral under the terms of these agreements with its derivative investment counterparties depending on the amount of the exposure and the credit rating of the counterparty. The Company does not offset its net derivative positions against the fair value of the collateral provided. The fair value of cash collateral provided by the Company was $7$2 million and $99$7 million at December 31, 20092010 and 2008.2009. The fair value of cash collateral received from counterparties was $1 million and $6 million at December 31, 20092010 and 2008.December 31, 2009.

The agreements governing HighMount’s derivative instruments contain certain covenants, including a maximum debt to capitalization ratio reviewed quarterly. If HighMount does not comply with these covenants, the counterparties to the derivative instruments could terminate the agreements and request payment on those derivative instruments in net liability positions. The aggregate fair value of HighMount’s derivative instruments that are in a liability position was $174$98 million at December 31, 2009.2010. HighMount was not required to post any collateral under the governing agreements. At December 31, 20092010 HighMount iswas in compliance with all of its covenants under the derivatives agreements.

See Note 4 for information regarding the fair value of derivative instruments.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 5. Derivative Financial Instruments – (Continued)

A summary of the aggregate contractual or notional amounts and gross estimated fair values related to derivative financial instruments follows. Equity options purchased are included in Equity securities, and all other derivative assets are reported as Receivables. Derivative liabilities are included in Payable to brokers on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The contractual or notional amounts for derivatives are used to calculate the exchange of contractual payments under the agreements and may not be representative of the potential for gain or loss on these instruments.

 

December 31  2009 2008   2010 2009 
  

Contractual/

Notional

         

Contractual/

Notional

Amount

     
  

Contractual/

Notional

Amount

  

Estimated Fair Value

  

Contractual/

Notional

Amount

  Estimated Fair Value  Estimated Fair Value   Estimated Fair Value 
  Asset  (Liability)   Asset  (Liability)   Amount   Asset   (Liability)   Asset   (Liability) 
(In millions)                                 

With hedge designation

            

With hedge designation:

           

Interest rate risk:

                       

Interest rate swaps

  $1,600    $(135 $1,600    $(183    $    1,095       $    (75  $  1,600       $  (135)  

Commodities:

                       

Forwards – short

   715  $50   (39  524  $158   (1    487     $    70     (24  715     $    50     (39)  

Foreign exchange:

                       

Currency forwards – short

   114   3           140     4      114     3    

Other

   13   2    31   4           13     2    

Without hedge designation

            

Without hedge designation:

           

Equity markets:

                       

Options – purchased

   242   45    199   66      207     30      242     45    

– written

   282     (9  304     (62    340       (10  282       (9)  

Index futures – long

        7     

– short

        1     

Currency forwards – long

        229   6   (4 

– short

        392   2   (47 

Interest rate risk:

                       

Interest rate swaps

   9      963     (66    5       (1  9      

Credit default swaps

                       

– purchased protection

   116     (11  455   59   (3    20       (2  116       (11)  

– sold protection

   8      198     (82    8     1      8      

Futures – long

        1,132     

– short

   132      68     

Other

   2      55     

Total

  $3,233  $100  $(194 $6,158  $295  $(448 

Futures – short

        132      

Derivatives without hedge designation–designationFor derivatives not held in a trading portfolio, new derivative transactions entered into totaled approximately $1.2 billion in notional value while derivative termination activity totaled approximately $1.2 billion during the year ended December 31, 2010. The activity during the year ended December 31, 2010 was primarily attributable to interest rate futures and forward commitments for mortgage-backed securities. New derivative transactions entered into totaled approximately $18.7 billion in notional value while derivative termination activity totaled approximately $20.3 billion during the year ended December 31, 2009. The activity during the year ended December 31, 2009 was primarily attributable to interest rate futures, interest rate options and interest rate swaps.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 5. Derivative Financial Instruments – (Continued)

A summary of the recognized gains (losses) related to derivative financial instruments without hedge designation follows. TheChanges in the fair value of derivatives not held in a trading portfolio are reported in Investment gains (losses) and changes in the fair value of derivatives held for trading purposes were carried at fair value with the related gains and losses included withinare reported in Net investment income on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

Year Ended December 31  2009 2008 2007   2010 2009 2008 
(In millions)            

Included in Net investment income:

         

Equity markets:

         

Options – purchased

  $(50 $29   $1   

Equity options – purchased

   $    (16)    $    (50)    $    29   

– written

   58    (86  12      22     58     (86)  

Futures – long

   14    (162  (1    (6)    14     (162)  

– short

    152    28      (4)     152   

Foreign Exchange:

    

Currency forwards – long

   (8  (11  45       (8)    (11)  

– short

   15    33    (40    (9)    15     33   

Currency options – short

   (1)    

Interest rate risk:

         

Credit default swaps – purchased protection

   (8  17    26       (8)      17   

– sold protection

   12    (22  (26     12     (22)  

Options on government securities – short

   (66)    

Futures – long

   5    52    (3    (11)          52   

– short

   (24  (25  (9    19     (24)    (25)  

Other

   7    13    6      (3)        13   
   (75)    21     (10)  

Included in Investment gains (losses):

         

Equity options – written

   15         15    

Interest rate risk:

         

Interest rate swaps

   59    (59  11      (44  59     (59

Credit default swaps – purchased protection

   (47  86    95      (1  (47  86   

– sold protection

   3    (35  (40         (35

Futures – long

     7   

– short

   21    (11  (38 

Commodities forwards – short

     32   

Futures – short

    21     (11

Commodity forwards – short

   14     

Other

    1    (3       
   (31)    51     (18)  

Included in Other revenues:

         

Currency forwards – short

   9    (54  8           (54)  

Total

  $81   $(82 $111      $    (106)    $    81     $    (82)  
   

Cash flow hedges – A significant portion of the Company’s hedge strategies represents cash flow hedges of the variable price risk associated with the purchase and sale of natural gas and other energy-related products. As of December 31, 2009,2010, approximately 106.883.0 billion cubic feet of natural gas equivalents was hedged by qualifying cash flow hedges. The effective portion of these commodity hedges is reclassed from OCIAOCI into earnings when the anticipated transaction affects earnings. Approximately 63%67% of these derivatives have settlement dates in 20102011 and 33%28% have settlement dates in 2011.2012. As of December 31, 2009,2010, the estimated amount of net unrealized gains associated with commodity contracts that will be reclassified into earnings during the next twelve months was $23$50 million. However, these amounts are likely to vary materially as a result of changes in market conditions. Diamond Offshore uses foreign currency forward exchange contracts to reduce exposure to foreign currency losses on future foreign currency expenditures. The effective portion of these hedges is reclassified from OCIAOCI into earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings or it is determined that the hedged transaction will not occur. As of

December 31, 2009,2010, the estimated amount of net unrealized gains associated with these contracts that will be reclassified into earnings over the next twelve months was $2$4 million. The Company also uses interest rate swaps to hedge its exposure to variable interest rates or risk attributable to changes in interest rates on long term debt. The effective portion of the hedges is amortized to interest expense over the term of the related notes. As of December 31, 2009,

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 5. Derivative Financial Instruments – (Continued)

2010, the estimated amount of net unrealized losses associated with interest rate swaps that will be reclassified into earnings during the next twelve months was $75$55 million. However, this is likely to vary as a result of changes in the LIBOR rate.LIBOR. For each of the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, 2008, and 2007,2008, the net amounts recognized due to ineffectiveness were less than $1 million.

The following table summarizes the effective portion of the net derivative gains or losses included in OCI and the amount reclassified into Net incomeIncome for derivatives designated as cash flow hedges and for de-designated hedges:

 

Year Ended December 31, 2009  

Amount of

Gain (Loss)

Recognized in OCI

 

Location of Gain (Loss)

Reclassified from OCI

into Income

  

Amount of Gain (Loss)

Reclassified from OCI

into Income

 

Year Ended December 31

  2010  2009 

(In millions)

     
(In millions)        

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in OCI:

     

Commodities

  $98   

Other revenues

  $250     $        127  $        98 

Foreign exchange

   10   

Contract drilling expenses

   7                   4           10 

Interest rate risks

   (24 

Interest

   (70 

Interest rate

              (44)          (24) 

Total

  $84     $187     $         87  $        84 
      

Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI into income:

     

Commodities

  $        94  $        250 

Foreign exchange

              2                7 

Interest rate

          (107)            (70) 

Total

  $        (11)  $        187 
      

Location of gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI into income:

Type of cash flow hedge

Consolidated Statements of Income line items

Commodities

Other revenues and Investment gains (losses)

Foreign exchange

Contract drilling expenses

Interest rate

Interest and Investment gains (losses)

The Company also enters into short sales as part of its portfolio management strategy. Short sales are commitments to sell a financial instrument not owned at the time of sale, usually done in anticipation of a price decline. TheseShort sales resulted in proceeds of $66$308 million and $120$66 million with fair value liabilities of $78$317 million and $106$78 million at December 31, 20092010 and 2008.2009. These positions are marked to market and investment gains or losses are included in Net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Note 6. Earnings Per Share

Companies with complex capital structures are required to present basic and diluted earnings per share. Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income attributable to each class of common stock by the weighted average number of common shares of each class of common stock outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock.

Prior to the disposal of its entire ownership interest in Lorillard, the Company had two classes of common stock: former Carolina Group stock, a tracking stock intended to reflect the economic performance of a group of the Company’s assets and liabilities, called the former Carolina Group, principally consisting of Lorillard, Inc. and Loews common stock, representing the economic performance of the Company’s remaining assets, including the interest in the former Carolina Group not represented by former Carolina Group stock.

The attribution of income to each class of common stock was as follows:

 

Year Ended December 31  2009  2008  2007   
 
(In millions, except %)            

Loews common stock:

      

Consolidated net income - Loews

  $564  $4,530   $2,488   

Less income attributable to former Carolina Group stock

     211    533   
 

Income attributable to Loews common stock

  $564  $4,319   $1,955   
 

Former Carolina Group stock:

      

Income available to former Carolina Group stock

    $339   $855   

Weighted average economic interest of the former Carolina Group

     62.4  62.4 
 

Income attributable to former Carolina Group stock

  $-    $211   $533   
 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 6. Earnings Per Share – (Continued)

The following is a reconciliation of basic weighted shares outstanding to diluted weighted shares:

Year Ended December 31  2009    2008    2007    2010       2009       2008  

(In millions, except %)

          

Loews common stock:

          

Consolidated net income - Loews

  $  1,288      $564      $4,530  

Less income attributable to former Carolina Group stock

             211  

Income attributable to Loews common stock

  $  1,288      $564      $4,319  
             

Former Carolina Group stock:

          

Income available to former Carolina Group stock

          $339  

Weighted average economic interest of the former Carolina Group

             62.4

Income attributable to former Carolina Group stock

  $-      $-      $211  
             

The following is a reconciliation of basic weighted shares outstanding to diluted weighted shares:

The following is a reconciliation of basic weighted shares outstanding to diluted weighted shares:

  

Year Ended December 31

   2010       2009       2008  
(In millions)                       

Loews common stock:

                     

Weighted average shares outstanding-basic

  432.81    477.23    534.79    418.72       432.81       477.23  

Stock options and SARs

  0.64        1.21    0.80       0.64       

Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted

  433.45    477.23    536.00    419.52       433.45       477.23  
             

Former Carolina Group stock:

                     

Weighted average shares outstanding-basic

      108.47    108.43            108.47  

Stock options and SARs

      0.13    0.14              0.13  

Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted

  -    108.60    108.57    -       -       108.60  
             

Certain options and SARs were not included in the diluted weighted average shares amount due to the exercise price being greater than the average stock price for the respective periods. For the year ended December 31, 2008, common equivalent shares, consisting solely of stock options and SARs, are not included in diluted weighted average shares as their effects are antidilutive. The number of weighted average shares not included in the diluted computations is as follows:

 

Year Ended December 31  2009    2008    2007    2010       2009       2008   

Loews common stock

  3,435,780    5,252,011    352,583    2,384,410       3,435,780       5,252,011   

Former Carolina Group stock

      255,983    50,684              255,983   

Note 7. Receivables

 

December 31    2009    2008  
 
(In millions)            

Reinsurance

    $6,932    $7,761 

Insurance

     1,858     2,039 

Receivable from brokers

     221     936 

Accrued investment income

     417     360 

Federal income taxes

     352     382 

Other, primarily customer accounts

     1,046     844 
 

Total

     10,826     12,322 

Less: allowance for doubtful accounts on reinsurance receivables

     351     366 

allowance for other doubtful accounts

     263     284 
 

Receivables

    $10,212    $11,672 
 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31

   2010       2009    

(In millions)

       

Reinsurance

  $7,204      $6,932   

Insurance

   1,717       1,858   

Receivable from brokers

   103       221   

Accrued investment income

   426       417   

Federal income taxes

   150       352   

Other, primarily customer accounts

   946       1,046    

Total

   10,546       10,826   

Less: allowance for doubtful accounts on reinsurance receivables

   125       351   

allowance for other doubtful accounts

   279       263    

Receivables

  $    10,142      $10,212    
               

Note 8. Property, Plant and Equipment

 

December 31  2009  2008         2010       2009   
(In millions)              

Pipeline equipment (net of accumulated DD&A of $528 and $325)

  $6,325  $3,955  

Offshore drilling equipment (net of accumulated DD&A of $2,611 and $2,268)

   4,405   3,399  

Natural gas and oil proved and unproved properties (net of accumulated DD&A of
$2,061 and $915)

   1,450   2,430  

Other (net of accumulated DD&A of $859 and $956)

   860   898  

Pipeline equipment (net of accumulated DD&A of $724 and $528)

  $6,358      $6,325   

Offshore drilling equipment (net of accumulated DD&A of $2,986 and $2,611)

   4,242       4,405   

Natural gas and oil proved and unproved properties (net of accumulated DD&A of $1,991 and $2,061)

   1,099       1,450   

Other (net of accumulated DD&A of $963 and $859)

   822       860   

Construction in process

   234   2,210     115       234   

Property, plant and equipment, net

  $13,274  $12,892    $    12,636      $13,274   
        

DD&A expense and capital expenditures are as follows:

 

Year Ended December 31  2009  2008  2007     2010       2009       2008   
  DD&A  Capital
Expend.
  DD&A  Capital
Expend.
  DD&A  Capital
Expend.
     DD&A       
 
Capital
Expend.
  
  
     DD&A       
 
Capital
Expend.
  
  
     DD&A       
 
Capital
Expend.
  
  
 
(In millions)                                          

CNA Financial

  $75  $65  $66  $104  $53  $160   $69      $51      $75       $        65      $66      $104   

Diamond Offshore

   350   1,355   291   683   241   647    396       399       350       1,355       291       683   

HighMount

   119   196   177   519   67   185    92       188       119       196       177       519   

Boardwalk Pipeline

   207   588   127   2,812   80   1,214    222       204       207       588       127       2,812   

Loews Hotels

   26   36   26   15   26   27    29       13       26       36       26       15   

Corporate and other

   7   2   5   30   4   14    8       5       7       2       5       30   

Total

  $784  $2,242  $692  $4,163  $471  $2,247   $816      $860      $784       $   2,242      $692      $4,163   
                            

Capitalized interest related to the construction and upgrade of qualifying assets amounted to approximately $23 million, $29 million $113 million and $56$113 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 2008 and 2007.2008.

Pipeline Equipment

In 2010, Boardwalk Pipeline placed in service the remaining compression facilities associated with its Gulf Crossing Project, Fayetteville and Greenville Laterals and Haynesville Project. As a result, approximately $335 million was transferred from Construction in process to Pipeline equipment. The assets associated with these projects will generally be depreciated over a term of 35 years.

Offshore Drilling Equipment

In the third quarter of 2010, Diamond Offshore Acquisitionscompleted the sale of one of its high performance, premium jack-up drilling rigs, theOcean Shield for a gross purchase price of $186 million and recognized a pretax gain of approximately $33 million.

During 2009, Diamond Offshore acquired theOcean CourageNatural Gas and theOcean Valor, two newbuild, semisubmersible drilling rigs for an aggregate cost of $950 million, exclusive of final commissioningOil Proved and initial mobilization costs, drill string and other necessary capital spares.Unproved Properties

Sale of Assets

In 2010, HighMount completed the sales of substantially all exploration and production assets located in the Antrim Shale in Michigan and in the Black Warrior Basin in Alabama for $540 million. In accordance with the full cost method of accounting, proceeds from these sales were accounted for as reductions of capitalized costs, and recorded as credits to Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization. See Note 2 for additional information related to these sales.

Impairment of Natural Gas and Oil Properties

At March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, HighMount recorded non-cash ceiling test impairment charges of $1,036 million ($660 million after tax) and $691 million ($440 million after tax), related to its carrying value of natural gas and oil properties. The impairments were recorded as credits to Accumulated depreciation, depletion, and amortization.DD&A. The write-downs were the result of declines in commodity prices at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008.prices. Had the effects of HighMount’s cash flow hedges not been considered in calculating the ceiling limitation, the impairments would have been $1,230 million ($784 million after tax) in 2009 and $873 million ($555 million, after tax) in 2008. No such impairment was required during the year ended December 31, 2007.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements2010.

Note 8. Property, Plant and Equipment – (Continued)

Costs Not Being Amortized

HighMount excludes from amortization the cost of unproved properties, the cost of exploratory wells in progress and major development projects in progress. Natural gas and oil property and equipment costs not being amortized as of December 31, 2009,2010, are as follows, by the year in which such costs were incurred:

 

    Total    2009    2008    2007   
(In millions)                    

Acquisition costs

  $295    $5    $6    $284 

Exploration costs

   9     5     3     1 

Capitalized interest

   13     5     6     2 
 

Total excluded costs

  $317    $15    $15    $287 
 

Boardwalk Pipeline Expansion Projects

In 2009, Boardwalk Pipeline placed in service its Gulf Crossing Project and Fayetteville and Greenville Laterals and the remaining compression facilities associated with its Southeast Expansion project. Additionally, Boardwalk Pipeline placed into service the remaining portion of Phase III of the western Kentucky storage expansion project. As a result, approximately $2.5 billion was transferred from Construction in process to Pipeline equipment. The assets will generally be depreciated over a term of 35 years.

    Total     2010     2009     2008     2007    

(In millions)

                   

Acquisition costs

  $     244      $        9      $        1      $        1      $    233   

Exploration costs

   2       1           1       

Capitalized interest

   26       15       4       5       2    

Total excluded costs

  $272      $25      $5      $7      $235    
                                    

Note 9. Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves

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

Establishing claim and claim adjustment expense reserves, including claim and claim adjustment expense reserves for catastrophic events that have occurred, is an estimation process. Many factors can ultimately affect the final settlement of a claim and, therefore, the necessary reserve. Changes in the law, results of litigation, medical costs, the cost of repair materials and labor rates can all affect ultimate claim costs. In addition, time can be a critical part of reserving determinations since the longer the span between the incidence of a loss and the payment or settlement of the claim, the more variable the ultimate settlement amount can be. Accordingly, short-tail claims, such as property damage claims, tend to be more reasonably estimable than long-tail claims, such as workers’ compensation,

general liability and professional liability claims. Adjustments to prior year reserve estimates, if necessary, are reflected in the results of operations in the period that the need for such adjustments is determined. There can be no assurance that CNA’s ultimate cost for insurance losses will not exceed current estimates.

Catastrophes are an inherent risk of the property and casualty insurance business and have contributed to material period-to-period fluctuations in the Company’sCNA’s results of operations and/or equity. CNA’sCNA reported catastrophe losses, net of reinsurance, of $121 million, $89 million $358 million and $78$358 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 2008 and 20072008 for events occurring in those years. Catastrophe losses in 20092010 related primarily to tornadoes, floods, hailwind and wind. The catastrophe losses in 2008 related primarily to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. There can be no assurance that CNA’s’s ultimate cost for catastrophes will not exceed current estimates.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 9.Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves – (Continued)

thunderstorms.

The table below provides a reconciliation between beginning and ending claim and claim adjustment expense reserves, including claim and claim adjustment expense reserves of the life company.company:

 

Year Ended December 31  2009 2008 2007     2010   2009   2008   
(In millions)                    

Reserves, beginning of year:

                 

Gross

  $27,593   $28,588   $29,636     $    26,816    $    27,593    $    28,588   

Ceded

   6,288    7,056    8,191      5,594     6,288     7,056   

Net reserves, beginning of year

   21,305    21,532    21,445      21,222     21,305     21,532   

Reduction of net reserves due to the Loss Portfolio Transfer transaction

   (1,381      

Reduction of net reserves due to sale of subsidiary

   (98      

Net incurred claim and claim adjustment expenses:

            

Provision for insured events of current year

   4,793    5,193    4,939      4,741     4,793     5,193   

(Decrease) increase in provision for insured events of prior years

   (240)   (5  231   

Decrease in provision for insured events of prior years

   (544   (240   (5 

Amortization of discount

   122    123    120      123     122     123   

Total net incurred (a)

   4,675    5,311    5,290      4,320     4,675     5,311   

Net payments attributable to:

            

Current year events

   917    1,034    867      908     917     1,034   

Prior year events

   3,942    4,328    4,447      3,776     3,939     4,318   

Reinsurance recoverable against net reserve transferred
under retroactive reinsurance agreements

   (3)   (10  (17 

Total net payments

   4,856    5,352    5,297      4,684     4,856     5,352   

Foreign currency translation adjustment

   98    (186  94      (5   98     (186 

Net reserves, end of year

   21,222    21,305    21,532      19,374     21,222     21,305   

Ceded reserves, end of year

   5,594    6,288    7,056      6,122     5,594     6,288   

Gross reserves, end of year

  $26,816   $27,593   $28,588     $25,496    $26,816    $27,593   
         

 

(a)

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

The changes in provision for insured events of prior years (net prior year claim and claim adjustment expense reserve development) were as follows:

 

Year Ended December 31    2009   2008   2007   
(In millions)               

Asbestos and environmental pollution

    $155    $110    $7 

Other

     (396   (117   213 
 

Property and casualty reserve development

     (241   (7   220 

Life reserve development in life company

     1     2     11 
 

Total

    $(240  $(5  $231 
 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 9.Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves – (Continued)

Year Ended December 31  2010  2009  2008     
(In millions)          

Core (Non-A&EP)

  $    (545 $    (396 $    (117)      

A&EP

       155    110       

Property and casualty reserve development

   (545  (241  (7)      

Life reserve development in life company

   1    1    2       

Total

  $    (544 $    (240 $(5)      
  

The following tables summarize the gross and net carried reserves:

 

December 31, 2009  

CNA

Specialty

  

CNA

Commercial

  

Life &

Group

Non-Core

  

Other

Insurance

  Total   
December 31, 2010  CNA
Specialty
   CNA
Commercial
   Life &
Group
Non-Core
   Other
Insurance
   Total 
(In millions)                                    

Gross Case Reserves

  $2,208  $6,510  $2,502  $1,548  $12,768   $2,341    $6,390    $2,403    $1,430    $12,564  

Gross IBNR Reserves

   4,714   6,495   381   2,458   14,048    4,452     6,132     336     2,012     12,932  

Total Gross Carried Claim and Claim
Adjustment Expense Reserves

  $6,922  $13,005  $2,883  $4,006  $26,816   $6,793    $12,522    $2,739    $3,442    $25,496  
 

Net Case Reserves

  $1,781  $5,269  $1,765  $972  $9,787   $1,992    $5,349    $1,831    $461    $9,633  

Net IBNR Reserves

   4,085   5,580   255   1,515   11,435    3,926     5,292     266     257     9,741  

Total Net Carried Claim and Claim
Adjustment Expense Reserves

  $5,866  $10,849  $2,020  $2,487  $21,222   $5,918    $10,641    $2,097    $718    $19,374  
 
December 31, 2008                       
December 31, 2009                         

Gross Case Reserves

  $2,105  $6,772  $2,473  $1,823  $13,173   $2,208    $6,555    $2,502    $1,503    $12,768  

Gross IBNR Reserves

   4,616   6,837   389   2,578   14,420    4,714     6,688     381     2,265     14,048  

Total Gross Carried Claim and Claim
Adjustment Expense Reserves

  $6,721  $13,609  $2,862  $4,401  $27,593   $6,922    $13,243    $2,883    $3,768    $26,816  
 

Net Case Reserves

  $1,639  $5,505  $1,656  $1,126  $9,926   $1,781    $5,306    $1,765    $935    $9,787  

Net IBNR Reserves

   3,896   5,673   249   1,561   11,379    4,085     5,691     255     1,404     11,435  

Total Net Carried Claim and Claim
Adjustment Expense Reserves

  $5,535  $11,178  $1,905  $2,687  $21,305   $5,866    $10,997    $    2,020    $2,339    $21,222  
 

The following provides discussionA&EP Reserves

On August 31, 2010, CCC together with several of CNA’s A&E reserves.

A&E Reserves

CNA’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries have actual and potential exposures relatedcompleted a transaction with National Indemnity Company (“NICO”), a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., under which substantially all of CNA’s legacy A&EP liabilities were ceded to A&E claims.NICO.

Establishing reserves forUnder the terms of the NICO transaction, effective January 1, 2010 CNA ceded approximately $1.6 billion of net A&E&EP claim and claim adjustment expenses is subject to uncertainties that are greater than those presented by other claims. Traditional actuarial methods and techniques employed to estimate the ultimate cost of claims for more traditional property and casualty exposures are less precise in estimating claim andallocated claim adjustment expense reserves forto NICO under a retroactive reinsurance agreement with an aggregate limit of $4.0 billion (“Loss Portfolio Transfer”). Included in the $1.6 billion of net A&E, particularly in an environment of emerging or potential claims and coverage issues that arise from industry practices and legal, judicial and social conditions. Therefore, these traditional actuarial methods and techniques are necessarily supplemented with additional estimating techniques and methodologies, many of which involve significant judgments that are required of management. Accordingly, a high degree of uncertainty remains for CNA’s ultimate liability for A&E&EP claim and allocated claim adjustment expenses.expense reserves was approximately $90 million of net claim and allocated claim

adjustment expense reserves relating to CNA’s discontinued operations. The $1.6 billion of claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserves ceded to NICO is net of $1.2 billion of ceded claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserves under existing third party reinsurance contracts. The NICO aggregate reinsurance limit also covers credit risk on the existing third party reinsurance related to these liabilities.

CNA paid NICO a reinsurance premium of $2.0 billion and transferred to NICO billed third party reinsurance receivables related to A&EP claims with a net book value of $215 million (net of an allowance of $100 million for doubtful accounts on billed third party reinsurance receivables, as discussed further below). As of August 31, 2010, NICO deposited approximately $2.2 billion in a collateral trust account as security for its obligations to CNA. This $2.2 billion will be reduced by the amount of net A&EP claim and allocated claim adjustment expense payments. In addition, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. guaranteed the payment obligations of NICO up to the difficulties described above, estimating the ultimate costfull aggregate reinsurance limit as well as certain of both reported and unreported A&E claims is subject to a higher degree of variability due to a number of additional factors, including among others: coverage issues, including whether certain costs are coveredNICO’s performance obligations under the policiestrust agreement. NICO is responsible for claims handling and whether policy limits apply; allocation of liability among numerous parties, some of whom may be in bankruptcy proceedings,billing and in particular the application of “joint and several” liability to specific insurers on a risk; inconsistent court decisions and developing legal theories; continuing aggressive tactics of plaintiffs’ lawyers; the risks and lack of predictability inherent in major litigation; enactment of state and federal legislation to address asbestos claims and challenges to such litigation; increases and decreases in the frequency of asbestos and environmental pollution claims which

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 9.Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves – (Continued)

cannot now be anticipated; increases and decreases in costs to defend asbestos and pollution claims; changing liability theories against CNA’s policyholders in asbestos and environmental matters; possible exhaustion of underlying umbrella and excess coverage; and future developments pertainingcollection from third party reinsurers related to CNA’s ability to recover reinsurance for asbestos and pollutionA&EP claims.

CNA has performed actuarial ground up reviews of all open A&E claims to evaluate the adequacy of its A&E reserves. In performing its actuarial ground up analysis, CNA considers input from its professionals with direct responsibility for the claims, inside and outside counsel with responsibility for representation of CNA and its actuarial staff. These professionals review, among many factors, the policyholder’s present and predicted future exposures, including such factors as claims volume and severity, trial conditions, prior settlement history, settlement demands and defense costs; the impact of bankruptcies of other parties on the policyholder; the policies issued by CNA, including such factors as aggregate or per occurrence limits, whether the policy is primary, umbrella or excess, and the existence of policyholder retentions and/or deductibles; the existence of other insurance; and reinsurance arrangements. In the past, CNA’s actuarial ground up reviews of all open A&E claims have been completed in the fourth quarter. Going forward, CNA plans to perform its environmental review in the third quarter and its asbestos review in the fourth quarter.

The following table provides datadisplays the impact of the Loss Portfolio Transfer on the Consolidated Statements of Income:

      2010    
(In millions)

Other operating expenses

$(529)    

Income tax benefit

185     

Loss from continuing operations, included in the Other Insurance segment

(344)    

Loss from discontinued operations

(21)    

Net loss

(365)    

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

37     

Net loss attributable to Loews Corporation

$(328)    

In connection with the transfer of billed third party reinsurance receivables related to CNA’s A&E&EP claims and the coverage of credit risk afforded under the terms of the Loss Portfolio Transfer, CNA reduced its allowance for doubtful accounts on billed third party reinsurance receivables and ceded claim and claim adjustment expense reserves.

December 31  2009  2008  
 
   Asbestos  

Environmental

Pollution

  Asbestos  

Environmental

Pollution

  
 
(In millions)              

Gross reserves

  $2,046   $   482  $2,112  $   392 

Ceded reserves

   (909     (196)      (910)      (130) 
 

Net reserves

  $1,137   $   286  $1,202  $   262 
 

Asbestos

CNA’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries have exposure to asbestos-related claims. Estimation of asbestos-related claim andallocated claim adjustment expense reserves involves limitations such as inconsistency of court decisions, specific policy provisions, allocation of liability among insurers and insureds, and additional factors such as missing policies and proof of coverage. Furthermore, estimation of asbestos-related claimsby $200 million. This reduction is difficult due to, among other reasons, the proliferation of bankruptcy proceedings and attendant uncertainties, the targeting of a broader range of businesses and entities as defendants, the uncertainty as to which other insureds may be targetedreflected in the future and the uncertainties inherent in predicting the number of future claims.Other operating expenses presented above.

In its most recent actuarial ground up review of pollution exposure completed in the fourth quarter of 2010, CNA noted adverse development in various asbestospollution accounts due to increases in average claim severity and defense expense arising from increased trial activity. Additionally, CNA has not seen a decline in the overall emergence of new accounts during the last few years.account severity. As a result of these factors,this review, CNA recorded $79$80 million of gross unfavorable asbestos-related netpollution-related claim and claim adjustment expense reserve development for the year ended December 31, 2009.

2010, which has been ceded under the Loss Portfolio Transfer resulting in no net prior year development. The table below provides a reconciliation between CNA’s beginning and ending net reserves for asbestos:

December 31  2009   2008   2007   
 
(In millions)              

Beginning net reserves

  $1,202    $1,322    $1,452   

Unfavorable net prior year claim and claim adjustment expense reserve development claim

   79     27     6   

Paid claims, net of reinsurance recoveries

   (144   (147   (136 
 

Ending net reserves

  $1,137    $1,202    $1,322   
 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 9.Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves – (Continued)

The ultimate cost of reported claims, and in particulargross A&E claims, is subject to a great many uncertainties, including future developments of various kinds that CNA does not control and that are difficult or impossible to foresee accurately. With respect to the litigation identified, pending rulings are critical to the evaluation of the ultimate cost to CNA. Accordingly, the extent of losses beyond any amounts that may be accrued are not readily determinable at this time.

Some asbestos-related defendants have asserted that their insurance policies are not subject to aggregate limits on coverage. CNA has such claims from a number of insureds. Some of these claims involve insureds facing exhaustion of products liability aggregate limits in their policies, who have asserted that their asbestos-related claims fall within so-called “non-products” liability coverage contained within their policies rather than products liability coverage, and that the claimed “non-products” coverage is not subject to any aggregate limit. It is difficult to predict the ultimate size of any of the claims for coverage purportedly not subject to aggregate limits or predict to what extent, if any, the attempts to assert “non-products” claims outside the products liability aggregate will succeed. CNA’s policies also contain other limits applicable to these claims and CNA has additional coverage defenses to certain claims. CNA has attempted to manage its asbestos exposure by aggressively seeking to settle claims on acceptable terms. There can be no assurance that any of these settlement efforts will be successful, or that any such claims can be settled on terms acceptable to CNA. Where CNA cannot settle a claim on acceptable terms, CNA aggressively litigates the claim. However, adverse developments with respect to such matters could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and/or equity.

Certain asbestos claim litigation in which CNA is currently engaged is described below:

A.P. Green:  On February 13, 2003, CNA announced it had resolved asbestos-related coverage litigation and claims involving A.P. Green Industries, A.P. Green Services and Bigelow–Liptak Corporation. Under the agreement, CNA is required to pay $70 million, net of reinsurance recoveries, over a ten year period commencing after the final approval of a bankruptcy plan of reorganization. The settlement received initial bankruptcy court approval on August 18, 2003. The debtor’s plan of reorganization includes an injunction to protect CNA from any future claims. The bankruptcy court issued an opinion on September 24, 2007 recommending confirmation of that plan. On July 25, 2008, the District Court affirmed the Bankruptcy Court’s ruling. Several insurers have appealed that ruling to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals; that appeal was argued on May 21, 2009 and the parties are awaiting the court’s decision.

Direct Action Case – Montana:  On March 22, 2002, a direct action was filed in Montana (Pennock, et al. v. Maryland Casualty, et al.First Judicial District Court of Lewis & Clark County, Montana) by eight individual plaintiffs (all employees of W.R. Grace & Co. (W.R. Grace)) and their spouses against CNA, Maryland Casualty and the State of Montana. This action alleges that the carriers failed to warn of or otherwise protect W.R. Grace employees from the dangers of asbestos at a W.R. Grace vermiculite mining facility in Libby, Montana. The Montana direct action is currently stayed because of W.R. Grace’s pending bankruptcy. On April 7, 2008, W.R. Grace announced a settlement in principle with the asbestos personal injury claimants committee subject to confirmation of a plan of reorganization by the bankruptcy court. The confirmation hearing is held in two phases. The first phase was held in June 2009. The second phase concluded in January 2010. The settlement in principle with the asbestos claimants has no present impact on the stay currently imposed on the Montana direct action and with respect to such claims, numerous factual and legal issues remain to be resolved that are critical to the final result, the outcome of which cannot be predicted with any reliability. These factors include: (a) the unclear nature and scope of any alleged duties owed to people exposed to asbestos and the resulting uncertainty as to the potential pool of potential claimants; (b) the potential application of Statutes of Limitation to many of the claims which may be made depending on the nature and scope of the alleged duties; (c) the unclear nature of the required nexus between the acts of the defendants and the right of any particular claimant to recovery; (d) the diseases and damages claimed by such claimants; (e) the extent that such liability would be shared with other potentially responsible parties; and (f) the impact of bankruptcy proceedings on claims resolution. Accordingly, the extent of losses beyond any amounts that may be accrued are not readily determinable at this time.

CNA is vigorously defending these and other cases and believes that it has meritorious defenses to the claims asserted. However, there are numerous factual and legal issues to be resolved in connection with these claims, and it is extremely difficult to predict the outcome or ultimate financial exposure represented by these matters. Adverse

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 9.Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves – (Continued)

developments with respect to any of these matters could have a material adverse effect on CNA’s business, insurer financial strength and debt ratings, and the Company’s results of operations and equity.

Environmental Pollution

In its most recent actuarial ground up review, CNA noted adverse development in various pollution accounts due to changes in the liabilities attributed to CNA’s policyholders and adverse changes in case law impacting insurers’ coverage obligations. These changes in turn increased CNA’s account estimates on certain accounts. In addition, the frequency of environmental pollution claims did not decline at the rate previously anticipated. As a result of these factors, CNA recorded $76 million of unfavorable environmental pollution net&EP claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development forreserves ceded under the year endedLoss Portfolio Transfer and other existing third party reinsurance agreements were $2.5 billion at December 31, 2009.2010. The remaining amount available under the $4.0 billion aggregate limit of the Loss Portfolio Transfer was $2.3 billion on an incurred basis at December 31, 2010. The net ultimate losses paid under the Loss Portfolio Transfer were $154 million through December 31, 2010.

The table below providesLoss Portfolio Transfer is considered a reconciliation between CNA’s beginningretroactive reinsurance contract. In the event that the cumulative claim and ending net reserves for environmental pollution:allocated claim adjustment expenses ceded under the Loss Portfolio Transfer exceed the consideration paid, the resulting gain from such excess would be deferred. A cumulative amortization adjustment would be recognized in earnings in the period such excess arises so that the resulting deferred gain would reflect the balance that would have existed if the revised estimate was available at the inception date of the Loss Portfolio Transfer.

December 31    2009   2008   2007     
 
(In millions)                  

Beginning net reserves

    $262    $242    $285    

Unfavorable net prior year claim and claim adjustment expense reserve development

     76     83     1    

Paid claims, net of reinsurance recoveries

     (52   (63   (44  
 

Ending net reserves

    $286    $262    $242    
 

Net Prior Year Development

Changes in estimates of claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserves and premium accruals, net of reinsurance, for prior years are defined as net prior year development. These changes can be favorable or unfavorable. The following tables and discussion include the net prior year development recorded for CNA Specialty, CNA Commercial and Other Insurance segments for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 2008 and 2007.2008. The net prior year development presented below includes premium development due to its direct relationship to claim and claim adjustment expense reserve development. The net prior year development presented below includes

the impact of commutations and write-offs, but excludes the impact of increases or decreases in the allowance for uncollectible reinsurance.doubtful accounts on reinsurance receivables. See Note 17 for further discussion of the provisionallowance for uncollectible reinsurance.doubtful accounts on reinsurance receivables.

Favorable net prior year development of $2 million and $53 million was recorded in the Life & Group Non-Core segment for the yearyears ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, compared withand unfavorable net prior year development of $15 million and $147 millionwas recorded for the yearsyear ended December 31, 2008 and 2007.2008. Included in the 2009 favorable development is the impact of a settlement reached in 2009 with Willis Limited that resolved litigation related to the placement of personal accident reinsurance between 1997 and 1999 in connection with the IGI Program.1999. Under this settlement agreement, Willis Limited agreed to pay CNA a total of $130 million, which is reported as a loss recovery of $94 million, net of reinsurance. The 2007 unfavorable net prior year development primarily related to the settlement of the original IGI Program contingency in 2007. CNA reached agreement in 2007 to settle the arbitration matter for a one-time payment of $250 million, which resulted in an incurred loss, net of reinsurance, of $167 million pretax. The 2009 settlement represents a partial recoupment of the amounts paid by CNA in 2007.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 9.Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves – (Continued)

 

Year Ended December 31, 2010  CNA
Specialty
  CNA
Commercial
  Other
Insurance
  Total 
(In millions)             

Pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development

     

Core (Non-A&EP)

  $(341 $(304 $8   $(637

A&EP

                 

Pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year development before impact of premium development

   (341  (304  8    (637

Pretax unfavorable (favorable) premium development

   (3  48    (2  43  

Total pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year development

  $(344 $(256 $6   $    (594
  

Year Ended December 31, 2009

                 

Pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development

     

Core (Non-A&EP)

  $(218 $(230 $4   $(444

A&EP

           155    155  

Pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year development before impact of premium development

   (218  (230  159    (289

Pretax unfavorable (favorable) premium development

   (6  87        81  

Total pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year development

  $(224 $(143 $159   $(208
  

Year Ended December 31, 2008

                 

Pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development

     

Core (Non-A&EP)

  $(97 $(102 $14   $(185

A&EP

           110    110  

Pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year development before impact of premium development

   (97  (102  124    (75

Pretax unfavorable (favorable) premium development

   (9  5    (1  (5

Total pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year development

  $(106 $(97 $123   $(80
  

Year Ended December 31, 2009  CNA
Specialty
  CNA
Commercial
  Other
Insurance
  Total   
 
(In millions)               

Pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development

      

Core (Non-A&E)

  $(218 $(255 $29   $(444 

A&E

     155    155   
 

Pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year development before impact of premium development

   (218  (255  184    (289 

Pretax favorable premium development

   (6  87     81   
 

Total pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year development

  $(224 $(168 $184   $(208 
 

Year Ended December 31, 2008

      
 

Pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development

      

Core (Non-A&E)

  $(97 $(101 $13   $(185 

A&E

   -    -    110    110   
 

Pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year development before impact of premium development

   (97  (101  123    (75 

Pretax favorable premium development

   (9  5    (1  (5 
 

Total pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year development

  $(106 $(96 $122   $(80 
 

Year Ended December 31, 2007

      
 

Pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development

      

Core (Non-A&E)

  $35   $(164 $84   $(45 

A&E

   -    -    7    7   
 

Pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year development before impact of premium development

   35    (164  91    (38 

Pretax favorable premium development

   (11  (19  (5  (35 
 

Total pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year development

  $24   $(183 $86   $(73 
 

2009 Net Prior Year Development

CNA Specialty

The favorablefollowing table and discussion provides further detail of the net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development recorded for the CNA Specialty segment:

Year Ended December 31    2010    2009    2008 
(In millions)          

Medical Professional Liability

  $(98 $(62 $(28

Other Professional Liability

   (129  (98  (3

Surety

   (103  (51  (36

Warranty

     (9

Other

   (11  (7  (21

Total pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development

  $      (341 $      (218 $      (97
  

2010

Favorable development for medical professional liability was primarily due to professional liability and surety coverages.

Approximately $81 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was recorded for professional liability coverages, primarily financial institutions, accountants and lawyers, directors and officers, and life agents coverages. For financial institutions, favorable development was recorded due to favorable

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 9.Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves – (Continued)

experience on a number of large claims in accident years 2003 and prior and decreasedlower than expected frequency of large claimslosses, primarily in accident years 2007 and prior. prior, partially offset by unfavorable development in accident years 2008 and 2009 due to increased frequency of large losses related to medical products.

Favorable development for other professional liability was recorded primarily in accident years 2007 and prior in errors & omissions and directors & officers’ coverages due to several factors, including reduced frequency of large claims and the result of reviews of large claims. Unfavorable development in employment practices liability, errors & omissions and directors & officers’ coverages was recorded in accountantsaccident years 2008 and lawyers2009, driven by the economic recession and higher unemployment.

Favorable development for surety coverages was primarily due to bettera decrease in the estimated loss on a large national contractor in accident year 2005 and lower than expected large claim frequencyemergence in accident years 2004 through 2006. The remaining favorable development was recorded in directors2008 and officers and life agents coverages due to lower than expected large claim frequency.prior.

2009

Favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development of approximately $66 million for medical professional liability was recorded primarily due to better than expected frequency and severity in accident years 2005 and prior, including claims closing favorable to expectations and favorable changes on individually reviewed accounts.

Favorable development for other professional liability was primarily in financial institutions, accountants and lawyers, directors & officers and life agents coverages. For financial institutions, favorable development was due to favorable experience on a number of large claims in accident years 2003 and prior and decreased frequency of large claims in accident years 2007 and prior. Favorable development in accountants and lawyers was due to better than expected large claim frequency in accident years 2004 through 2006. Favorable development in directors & officers and allocatedlife agents coverages was due to lower than expected large claim adjustment expense reservefrequency. Additionally, favorable development of $51 millionin CNA’s European affiliate was recordedprimarily due to favorable emergence relative to expectations in non-financial directors & officers and errors & omissions coverages.

Favorable development for surety programscoverages was driven by claim activity substantially below expectations, primarily in accident years 2004 through 2007.

2008

Favorable claim and claim adjustment expense reserve development of $4 million was recorded as a result of favorable outcomes on claims relating to catastrophes in accident year 2005.

Additional favorable claim development of approximately $19 million was recorded in CNA Specialty’s international programs. This favorable developmentfor medical professional liability was primarily due to better than expected frequency of large losses in accident years 2005 and 2006 for health care facilities and medical technology firms.

Favorable development was recorded for other professional liability, primarily in financial institutions within CNA’s European affiliate due to decreased severity in accident years 2006 and prior, and in small accounting firms

related to favorable emergence relativeoutcomes on individual claims in accident years 2004 through 2006. Additionally, unfavorable development was recorded related to expectationsother professional liability, primarily reflecting an increase in European non-financial directorsthe frequency of large claims related to large law firms in accident years 1998 through 2005 and officersfidelity claims in accident year 2007.

Favorable development for surety coverages was due to better than expected frequency in accident years 2002 through 2006.

Other favorable development related to HealthPro property coverages and errors and omissions coverages.was due to lower frequency of claims in accident years 2004 through 2007.

CNA Commercial

The favorablefollowing table and discussion provides further detail of the net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development recorded for the CNA Commercial segment:

Year Ended December 31  2010  2009  2008 
(In millions)          

Commercial Auto

  $(88 $(9 $21  

General Liability

   (59  (100  (444

Workers Compensation

   47    69    487  

Property and Other

   (204  (190  (166

Total pretax unfavorable (favorable) net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development

  $    (304 $    (230 $    (102
  

2010

Favorable development for commercial auto coverages was primarily due to property,lower than expected frequency and severity trends in accident years 2009 and prior.

Favorable development for general liability and international affiliateumbrella coverages partially offsetwas primarily due to better than expected loss emergence in accident years 2006 and prior. Unfavorable development was primarily driven by unfavorable experienceincreased claim frequency in worker’saccident years 2004 and prior for excess workers’ compensation coverages.and in accident years 2008 and 2009 for a portion of CNA’s primary casualty surplus lines book. Unfavorable development was also recorded for accident years prior to 2001 related to mass tort claims primarily as a result of increased defense costs on specific mass tort accounts, including amounts related to unallocated claim adjustment expenses.

Approximately $149 millionUnfavorable development in workers’ compensation was related to increased severity of indemnity losses relative to expectations on claims related to Defense Base Act contractors primarily in accident years 2008 and prior.

Favorable development was recorded for property and marine coverages. Favorable development on catastrophe claims was due to lower than expected incurred loss emergence, primarily in accident years 2008 and 2009. Favorable non-catastrophe development was due to lower than expected severity in accident years 2009 and prior. Favorable development in marine business was primarily due to decreased claim frequency and favorable cargo salvage recoveries in recent accident years as well as lower than expected severity for excess liability in accident years 2005 and prior. Favorable property and marine development in CNA’s European operation was due to lower than expected frequency of large claims primarily in accident year 2009.

In addition to the net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development discussed above, CNA recorded premium development due to changes in ultimate premium estimates relating to retrospectively rated policies and premium changes on policies with auditable exposure.

2009

Favorable development was recorded in auto coverages, primarily driven by decreased frequency in CNA’s Hawaiian affiliate.

Favorable development was recorded for general liability coverages. Favorable development in construction defect exposures was due to decreased frequency and severity trends in accident years 2003 and prior. Favorable development in non-construction defect exposures was primarily due to claims closing favorable to expectations in accident years 2006 and prior. Favorable development in CNA’s Canadian affiliate’s casualty programs was primarily driven by severity emerging favorable to prior expectations. Unfavorable development was recorded due to higher than anticipated litigation costs related to mass tort exposures, primarily in accident years 1997 and prior.

Unfavorable workers’ compensation development was due to increased paid and incurred severity primarily in the small and middle markets businesses in accident years 2004, 2007 and 2008. Unfavorable development was recorded related to increased severity of indemnity losses relative to expectations on workers’ compensation claims related to Defense Base Act contractors primarily in accident years 2004 through 2008.

Favorable development was recorded for property coverages. Favorable catastrophe claim and claim adjustment expense reserve development of approximately $101 million was recorded, driven by the favorable settlement of several claims primarily in accident years 2005 and 2007, and better than expected frequency and severity on claims in accident year 2008. An additional $48 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserveFavorable non-catastrophe development was dueprimarily related to non-catastrophe related losses, primarily on large property and marine coverages in accident years 2007 and 2008. Favorable development was recorded in CNA’s European affiliate’s property, cargo, and personal accident and travel businesses driven by both frequency and severity emerging favorably to prior expectations, particularly in accident years 2007 and 2008.

Approximately $103 million of favorableIn addition to the net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development wasdiscussed above, CNA recorded for general liability coverages. Favorable development of approximately $78 million was primarily due to claims closing favorable to expectations on non-construction defect exposures in accident years 2006 and prior. An additional $25 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was due to decreased frequency and severity trends related to construction defect exposures in accident years 2003 and prior.

Approximately $35 million of unfavorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was related to increased severity of indemnity losses relative to expectations on workers’ compensation claims related to Defense Base Act contractors primarily in accident years 2004 through 2008.

Approximately $49 million of unfavorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was due to increased paid and incurred severity on workers’ compensation business primarily in the small and middle markets businesses in accident years 2004, 2007 and 2008.

Approximately $40 million of unfavorable premium development was related to changes in estimated ultimate premium on retrospectively rated coverages. Additional unfavorable premium development was due tocoverages, an estimated liability for an assessment related to a reinsurance association driven by large workers’ compensation policies, and less premium processing on auditable policies due to reduced exposures in the current economic environment.

The remaining favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development of approximately $80 million was recorded in CNA Commercial’s international programs primarily due to favorable loss emergence relative to expectations across several accident years and coverages. Approximately $33 million of favorable

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 9.Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves – (Continued)2008

development was driven by European property, cargo, and personal accident and travel businesses in recognition of both frequency and severity emerging favorably to prior expectations, particularly in accident years 2007 and 2008. An additional $29 million of favorable development within a Hawaiian affiliate was primarily driven by improved frequency. The remaining $18 million of favorable development was due to Canadian commercial lines, primarily in casualty programs and primarily driven by severity emerging favorable to prior expectations.

Other Insurance

Unfavorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was recorded related to asbestos and environmental pollution, as discussed previously in this Note in the Asbestos and Environmental Pollution sections. An additional $25 million of unfavorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was recorded due to higher than anticipated litigation costs related to mass tort exposures, primarily in accident years 1997 and prior.

2008 Net Prior Year Development

CNA Specialty

The favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was primarily due to favorable experience in medical professional liability, surety business, and CNA Specialty’s international programs, partially offset by unfavorable experience in professional liability coverages.

Favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development of approximately $52 million for medical professional liability was primarily due to better than expected frequency of large losses in accident years 2005 and 2006 for healthcare facilities and medical technology firms. Approximately $16 million of unfavorable development was recorded for professionalgeneral liability primarily reflecting an increase in the frequency of large claims related to large law firms in accident years 1998 through 2005 and fidelity claims in accident year 2007, partially offset by favorable development related to favorable outcomes on individual claims related to small accounting firms in accident years 2004 through 2006.coverages. Favorable development of approximately $36 million for surety coverages was due to better than expected frequency in accident years 2002 through 2006.

Approximately $26 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was primarily due to favorable incurred loss emergence within CNA Specialty’s international programs in accident year 2006 and prior. This favorability was driven primarily by decreased severity in the overall book of business.

CNA Commercial

The favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was primarily due to favorable experience in general liability and property coverages including marine exposures, partially offset by unfavorable experience in workers’ compensation (including excess workers’ compensation coverages) and large account business.

For general liability excluding construction defect, $259 million in favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was due to decreased frequency and severity of claims across multiple accident years. The improvement was due to underwriting initiatives and favorable outcomes on individual claims. Favorable development of $207 million associated with construction defect exposures was due to lower severity resulting from various claim handling initiatives and lower than expected frequency of claims, primarily in accident years 1999 and prior. Claim handling initiatives have resulted in an increase in the number of claims closed without payment and increased recoveries from other parties involved in the claims. The lowerLower construction defect frequency is due to underwriting initiatives designed to limit the exposure to future construction defect claims. For property coverages including marineFavorable development in non-construction defect exposures approximately $150 million of favorable development was primarily the result of decreased frequency and severity in recent years. The $150 million of favorable property and marine development includes approximately $47 million due to favorable outcomes on claims relating to catastrophes, primarily in accident year 2005. Approximately $30 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was primarily due to decreased frequency and severity of claims across multiple accident years. The improvement was due to underwriting initiatives and favorable outcomes on individual claims. Favorable development in CNA’san excess and surplus program covering facilities that provide services to developmentally disabled individuals was primarily due to decreased frequency and severity of claims in accident years 2000 through

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 9.Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves – (Continued)

2004. Approximately $34 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was primarily due to favorable incurred loss emergence within CNA Commercial’s international programs in accident years 2006 and prior. This favorability was driven primarily by decreased severity in the overall book of business. The remaining favorable development was primarily the result of favorable experience across several miscellaneous coverages in CNA Commercial.

Unfavorable development of $248 million for workers’ compensation was primarily the result of the impact of claim cost inflation on lifetime medical and home health care claims in accident years 1999 and prior. The changes were driven by increased life expectancy due to advances in medical care and increasing medical inflation. Unfavorable development of $161 million for large account business was also driven primarily by workers’ compensation claim cost inflation primarily in accident years 2001 and prior. Unfavorable development of $114 million on excess workers’ compensation was due to claims in accident years 2002 and prior. Increasing medical inflation, increased life expectancy resulting from advances in medical care, and reviews of individual claims have resulted in higher cost estimates of existing claims and a higher estimate of the number of claims expected to reach excess layers.

Unfavorable development was recorded for workers’ compensation primarily due to the impact of claim cost inflation on lifetime medical and home health care claims in accident years 1999 and prior. The changes were driven by increased life expectancy due to advances in medical care and increasing medical inflation. Unfavorable development for large account business was also driven by workers’ compensation claim cost inflation primarily in accident years 2001 and prior.

In 2008, the amount due from policyholders related to losses under deductible policies within CNA Commercial was reduced by $90 million for insolvent insureds. The reduction, of this amount, which iswas reflected as unfavorable net prior year reserve development, had no effect on 2008 results of operations as the CNA had previously recognized provisions in prior years. These impacts were reported in Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits in the 2008 Consolidated StatementStatements of Income.

Favorable development was recorded in property coverages primarily due to decreased frequency and severity in recent years, including favorable outcomes on claims relating to catastrophes primarily in accident year 2005.

Other Insurance

2009

Unfavorable development was recorded related to asbestos. CNA noted adverse development in various asbestos accounts due to increases in average claim severity and defense expense arising from increased trial activity. Additionally, CNA has not seen a decline in the overall emergence of new accounts during the last few years.

Unfavorable development was recorded related to environmental pollution. CNA noted adverse development in various pollution accounts due to changes in the liabilities attributed to its policyholders and adverse changes in case law impacting insurers’ coverage obligations. These changes in turn increased CNA’s account estimates on certain accounts. In addition, the frequency of environmental pollution claims did not decline at the rate previously anticipated.

2008

Unfavorable development was recorded related to environmental pollution. CNA noted adverse development in various pollution accounts due to changes in liability and/or coverage circumstances. These changes in turn increased CNA’s estimates for incurred but not reported claims. As a result, CNA increased pollution reserves by $83 million in 2008.

The remainder of theIn addition, unfavorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was primarilyrecorded related to commutations of ceded reinsurance arrangements. TheThis unfavorable development was substantially offset by a release of a previously established allowance for uncollectible reinsurance.

2007 Net Prior Year Development

CNA Specialty

Approximately $39 million of unfavorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was recorded for large law firm exposures. The change was due to increased severity estimatesdoubtful accounts on large claims in accident years 2005 and prior. The increase in severity was due to a comprehensive case by case claim review for large law firm exposures, causing an overall increase in estimated ultimate loss.

Approximately $15 million of favorable claim and allocated claims adjustment expense reserve development was recorded in international specialty coverages. This favorable development was recorded primarily due to decreased frequency and severity in accident years 2003 through 2006.

Approximately $37 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was recorded on claims for healthcare facilities across several accident years. This was primarily due to decreased severity on claims within the general liability exposures and decreased incurred losses as a result of changes in individual claims reserve estimates.

Approximately $67 million of unfavorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was recorded on claims for architects and engineers. This unfavorable development was primarily due to large loss emergence in accident years 1999 through 2004.

Approximately $16 million of favorable claim and claim adjustment expense reserve development was recorded due primarily to better than expected loss experience in the vehicle warranty coverages in accident year 2006. The

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 9.Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves – (Continued)

reserves for this business were initially estimated based on the loss ratio expected for the business. Subsequent estimates rely more heavily on the actual case incurred losses, which have been significantly lower than expected.

Approximately $24 million of favorable claim and claim adjustment expense reserve development was related to surety business resulting from better than expected salvage and subrogation recoveries from older accident years and a lack of emergence of large claims in more recent accident years.

CNA Commercial

Approximately $184 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was due to decreased frequency and severity on claims within the general liability exposures in accident years 2005 and prior, as well as lower frequency in accident years 1997 and prior related to construction defect. Additionally, there was approximately $17 million of favorable premium development resulting from audits on general liability policies.

Approximately $140 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was due to decreased frequency and severity on claims related to property exposures, primarily in accident years 2005 and 2006. Included in this favorable development is approximately $39 million related to the 2005 hurricanes.

Approximately $44 million of favorable claim and allocated claims adjustment expense reserve development was recorded in international commercial coverages. This favorable development was recorded primarily due to decreased frequency and severity in accident years 2003 through 2006.

Approximately $16 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was recorded in marine exposures, due primarily to decreased frequency in accident year 2006, and decreased severity in accident years 2005 and prior.

Approximately $16 million of unfavorable premium development was recorded related to the CNA’s participation in involuntary pools. This unfavorable development was partially offset by approximately $9 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development.

Approximately $257 million of unfavorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was recorded due to increased severity in workers’ compensation exposures, primarily on large claims in accident years 2003 and prior, as a result of continued claim cost inflation in older accident years, driven by increasing medical inflation and advances in medical care. This was partially offset by approximately $12 million of favorable premium development.

Other Insurance

Approximately $9 million of unfavorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was related to commutation activity, a portion of which was offset by a release of a previously established allowance for uncollectible reinsurance.

Approximately $70 million of unfavorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was recorded due to higher than anticipated litigation costs related to miscellaneous chemical exposures, primarily in accident years 1997 and prior.reinsurance receivables.

Note 10. Leases

Leases cover office facilities, machinery and computer equipment. The Company’s hotels in some instances are constructed on leased land. Rent expense amounted to $92 million, $95 million $98 million and $79$98 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 2008 and 2007.2008. The table below presents the future minimum lease payments to be made under non-cancelable operating leases along with lease and sublease minimum receipts to be received on owned and leased properties.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 10. Leases – (Continued)

 

  Future Minimum Lease       Future Minimum Lease 
Year Ended December 31  Payments  Receipts   Payments   Receipts     
(In millions)           

2010

  $67  $3 

2011

   62   3    $     58                    $    2          

2012

   53   3    55                         2          

2013

   42   2    49                         2          

2014

   20      35                    

2015

   31                    

Thereafter

   38      93                     

Total

  $282  $11    $  321                    $    6          
      

Note 11. Income Taxes

The Company and its eligible subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. The Company has entered into a separate tax allocation agreement with CNA, a majority-owned subsidiary in which its ownership exceeds 80%. The agreement provides that the Company will: (i) pay to CNA the amount, if any, by which the Company’s consolidated federal income tax is reduced by virtue of inclusion of CNA in the Company’s return, or (ii) be paid by CNA an amount, if any, equal to the federal income tax that would have been payable by CNA if it had filed a separate consolidated return. The agreement may be canceled by either of the parties upon thirty days written notice.

Since 2007,

For 2008 through 2010, the Company has participated in the Compliance Assurance Process (“CAP”), which is a voluntary program for a limited number of large corporations. Under CAP, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) conducts a real-time audit and works contemporaneously with the Company to resolve any issues prior to the filing of the tax return. The Company believes this approach should reduce tax-related uncertainties, if any. The Company’s 2006 tax year remains subject to examination and the 20082009 tax year is under examination by the IRS. Although the outcome of tax audits areis always uncertain, the Company believes that any adjustments resulting from audits will not have a material impact on its results of operations, financial position and cash flows. The Company and/or its subsidiaries also file income tax returns in various state, local and foreign jurisdictions. These returns, with few exceptions, are no longer subject to examination by the various taxing authorities before 2005.2006.

Diamond Offshore, which is not included in the Company’s consolidated federal income tax return, files income tax returns in the U.S. federal, various state and foreign jurisdictions. Diamond Offshore’s 2007 and 2008through 2009 U.S. federal income tax returns remain subject to examination. The 2008 federal income tax return is currently under examination. Tax years that remain subject to examination by the various other jurisdictions include years 20002002 to 2008.2009.

The current and deferred components of income tax expense (benefit), excluding taxes on discontinued operations, are as follows:

 

Year Ended December 31  2009  2008  2007  
 
(In millions)           

Income tax expense (benefit):

     

Federal:

     

Current

  $3   $195   $876 

Deferred

   149    (368  12 

State and city:

     

Current

   7    22    22 

Deferred

   (9  (10  6 

Foreign

   195    168    79 
 

Total

  $345   $7   $995 
 

Year Ended December 31    2010     2009   2008     

(In millions)

     

Income tax expense (benefit):

     

Federal:

     

Current

  $    154    $        3   $    195      

Deferred

   466     149    (368)     

State and city:

     

Current

   21     7    22      

Deferred

   15     (9  (10)     

Foreign

   239     195    168      

Total

  $895    $345   $7      
               

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 11. Income Taxes – (Continued)

AThe components of U.S. and foreign income before income tax and a reconciliation between the federal income tax expense at statutory rates and the actual income tax expense is as follows:

 

Year Ended December 31  2009 2008 2007   2010 2009 2008     

Income before income tax:

         

U.S.

  $989   $29   $2,772     $    2,236   $        989   $29    

Foreign

   741    558    422      666    741    558    

Total

  $1,730   $587   $3,194     $2,902   $1,730   $587    
   

Income tax expense at statutory rate

  $606   $205   $1,117     $1,016   $606   $205    

Increase (decrease) in income tax expense resulting from:

         

Exempt investment income

   (120  (119  (102    (85  (120  (119)   

Foreign earnings indefinitely reinvested

   (123  (93  (76 

Foreign taxes and credits

   (72   

Foreign related tax differential

   (105  (195  (93)   

Amortization of deferred charges associated with intercompany rig sales to other tax jurisdictions

   30    12    (1)   

Taxes related to domestic affiliate

   49    46    30      34    49    46    

Partnership earnings not subject to taxes

   (16  (31  (19    (33  (16  (31)   

Taxes related to foreign distribution

     59   

Unrecognized tax benefit

   31    8    5    

Other

   21    (1  (14    7    1    (5)   

Income tax expense

  $345   $7   $995     $895   $345   $7    
   

In connection with a non-recurring distribution of $850 million to Diamond Offshore in 2007 from a foreign subsidiary, a portion of which consisted of earnings of the subsidiary that had not previously been subjected to U.S. federal income tax, Diamond Offshore recognized $59 million of U.S. federal income tax expense as a result of the distribution. Except for certain foreign sourced activities which Diamond Offshore plans to distribute, it is Diamond Offshore’s intention to indefinitely reinvest future earnings of the subsidiary to finance foreign activities.

Provision has been made for the expected U.S. federal income tax liabilities applicable to undistributed earnings of subsidiaries, except for certain subsidiaries for which the Company intends to invest the undistributed earnings indefinitely, or recover such undistributed earnings tax-free. Except for certain foreign sourced activities which Diamond Offshore plans to distribute, it is Diamond Offshore’s intention to indefinitely reinvest future earnings of the subsidiary to finance foreign activities. At December 31, 2009,2010, the Company has not provided deferred taxes of $180$209 million, if sold through a taxable sale, on $514$598 million of undistributed earnings related to a domestic affiliate. The determination of the amount of the unrecognized deferred tax liability related to the undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries is not practicable.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

 

Year Ended December 31  2009 2008   2010   2009 
(In millions)          

Balance at January 1

  $24   $20     $        27    $        24      

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year

   4    6      3     4      

Additions for tax positions related to prior years

   5       16     5      

Lapse of statute of limitations

   (6  (2       (6)     

Balance at December 31

  $27   $24     $46    $27      
      

Certain foreign income tax returns will no longer be subject to examination and as a result, there is a reasonable possibility that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will decrease by $1$7 million. At December 31, 2009,2010, there were $27$46 million of tax benefits related to Diamond Offshore that if recognized would affect the effective rate.

The Company recognizes interest accrued related to: (i) unrecognized tax benefits in Interest expense and (ii) tax refund claims in Other revenues on the Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company recognizes penalties in Income tax expense on the Consolidated Statements of Income. During 2009, theThe Company recorded approximately $3$5 million and $1 million for interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2008 and $3 million of interest income andfor the year ended December 31, 2009. Penalties of approximately $12 million, $5 million and $1 million were recorded by the Company for penalties. As ofthe years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 theand 2008. The Company recognized a liability for interest of $9 million and $4 million and penalties of $25 million and $13 million.million at December 31, 2010 and 2009.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 11. Income Taxes – (Continued)

The following table summarizes deferred tax assets and liabilities. The amounts presented for 2008 have been corrected from amounts previously recorded. These corrections had no impact on the net deferred tax asset atliabilities:

December 31  2010  2009     

(In millions)

   

Deferred tax assets:

   

Insurance reserves:

   

Property and casualty claim and claim adjustment expense reserves

  $        525   $606      

Unearned premium reserves

   127    111      

Receivables

   99    185      

Employee benefits

   375    378      

Life settlement contracts

   64    72      

Investment valuation differences

   70    316      

Net loss and tax credits carried forward

   126    63      

Net unrealized losses

    36      

Basis differential in investment in subsidiary

   32    32      

Other

   200    295      

Deferred tax assets

   1,618    2,094      

Deferred tax liabilities:

   

Deferred acquisition costs

   (284  (297)    

Net unrealized gains

   (326 

Property, plant and equipment

   (644  (427)    

Basis differential in investment in subsidiary

   (477  (521)    

Other liabilities

   (160  (222)    

Deferred tax liabilities

   (1,891  (1,467)    

Net deferred tax asset (liability)

  $(273 $627      
          

As of December 31, 2008, however, individual components were corrected by amounts ranging from2010, the Company has federal loss carryforwards with a tax effect of approximately $31 million which expire in 2014 and 2030 and federal tax credit carryforwards of $53 million, of which $49 million expire in 2019 and 2020. Diamond Offshore has foreign operating loss carryforwards with a tax effect of approximately $35 million, of which $15 million have an increase of $194 million to a decrease of $144 million.indefinite life with the remaining benefits expiring between 2014 and 2020.

December 31  2009  2008   
 
(In millions)         

Deferred tax assets:

    

Insurance reserves:

    

Property and casualty claim and claim adjustment expense reserves

  $606   $694   

Unearned premium reserves

   111    90   

Receivables

   185    199   

Employee benefits

   378    397   

Life settlement contracts

   72    73   

Investment valuation differences

   316    496   

Net loss and tax credits carried forward

   63    28   

Net unrealized losses

   36    1,988   

Basis differential in investment in subsidiary

   32    43   

Other

   295    332   
 

Deferred tax assets

   2,094    4,340   
 

Deferred tax liabilities:

    

Deferred acquisition costs

   (297  (301 

Property, plant and equipment

   (427  (568 

Basis differential in investment in subsidiary

   (521  (301 

Other liabilities

   (222  (242 
 

Deferred tax liabilities

   (1,467  (1,412 
 

Net deferred tax asset

  $627   $2,928   
 

Although realization of deferred tax assets is not assured, management believes it is more likely than not that the recognized net deferred tax assetassets will be realized through recoupment of ordinary and capital taxes paid in prior carryback years and through future earnings, reversal of existing temporary differences and available tax planning strategies. As a result, no valuation allowance was recorded at December 31, 2009 and 2008.

Note 12. Debt

 

December 31, 2009  Principal  

Unamortized

Discount

  Net  

Short Term

Debt

  Long Term
Debt
   
 
(In millions)                  

Loews Corporation

  $875   $  8  $867     $867   

CNA Financial

   2,317     14   2,303      2,303   

Diamond Offshore

   1,504     13   1,491   $  4   1,487   

HighMount

   1,600      1,600      1,600   

Boardwalk Pipeline

   3,114     14   3,100      3,100   

Loews Hotels

   224      224       6   218   

Elimination of intercompany debt

   (100    (100    (100 
 

Total

  $9,534   $49  $9,485   $10  $9,475   
 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 12. Debt – (Continued)

December 31  2009 2008     2010 2009 
(In millions)            

Loews Corporation (Parent Company):

       

Senior:

       

8.9% debentures due 2011 (effective interest rate of 9.0%) (authorized, $175)

  $175   $175   $175   $175  

5.3% notes due 2016 (effective interest rate of 5.4%) (authorized, $400) (a)

   400    400    400    400  

6.0% notes due 2035 (effective interest rate of 6.2%) (authorized, $300) (a)

   300    300    300    300  

CNA Financial:

       

Senior:

       

6.0% notes due 2011 (effective interest rate of 6.1%) (authorized, $400)

   400    400 

6.0% notes due 2011(effective interest rate of 6.1%) (authorized, $400)

   400    400  

8.4% notes due 2012 (effective interest rate of 8.6%) (authorized, $100)

   70    70    70    70  

Variable rate revolving credit facility due 2012 (effective interest rate of 2.7%)

   150    250     150  

5.9% notes due 2014 (effective interest rate of 6.0%) (authorized, $549)

   549    549    549    549  

6.5% notes due 2016 (effective interest rate of 6.6%) (authorized, $350)

   350    350    350    350  

7.0% notes due 2018 (effective interest rate of 7.1%) (authorized, $150)

   150    150    150    150  

7.4% notes due 2019 (effective interest rate of 7.5%) (authorized, $350)

   350       350    350  

5.9% notes due 2020 (effective interest rate of 6.0%) (authorized, $500)

   500   

7.3% debentures due 2023 (effective interest rate of 7.3%) (authorized, $250)

   243    243    243    243  

5.1% debentures due 2034 (effective interest rate of 5.1%) (authorized, $31)

   31    31    31    31  

Other senior debt (effective interest rates approximate 5.3% and 5.0%)

   24    24 

Other senior debt (effective interest rates approximate 4.6% and 5.3%)

   23    24  

Diamond Offshore:

       

Senior:

       

5.2% notes due 2014 (effective interest rate of 5.2%) (authorized, $250) (a)

   250    250    250    250  

4.9% notes due 2015 (effective interest rate of 5.0%) (authorized, $250) (a)

   250    250    250    250  

5.9% notes due 2019 (effective interest rate of 6.0%) (authorized, $500) (a)

   500       500    500  

Zero coupon convertible debentures due 2020, net of discount of $2 and $2 (effective interest rate of 3.6%)

   4    4 

Zero coupon convertible debentures due 2020, net of discount of $2
(effective interest rate of 3.6%)

    4  

5.7% notes due 2039 (effective interest rate of 5.8%) (authorized $500) (a)

   500       500    500  

HighMount:

       

Senior:

       

Variable rate term loans due 2012 (effective interest rate of 5.8%)

   1,600    1,600 

Variable rate revolving credit facility due 2012 (effective interest rate of 0.8% and 3.3%)

    115 

Variable rate term loans due 2012 (effective interest rate of 5.7% and 5.8%)

   1,100    1,600  

Boardwalk Pipeline:

       

Senior:

       

Variable rate revolving credit facility due 2012 (effective interest rate of 0.5% and 3.4%)

   554    792 

Variable rate revolving credit facility due 2012 (effective interest rate of 0.5%)

   703    554  

8.0% subordinated loan due 2012

   100       100    100  

5.8% notes due 2012 (effective interest rate of 6.0%) (authorized, $225) (a)

   225    225    225    225  

5.5% notes due 2013 (effective interest rate of 5.8%) (authorized, $250) (a)

   250    250    250    250  

4.6% notes due 2015 (effective interest rate of 5.1%) (authorized, $250) (a)

   250    250    250    250  

5.1% notes due 2015 (effective interest rate of 5.2%) (authorized, $275) (a)

   275    275    275    275  

5.9% notes due 2016 (effective interest rate of 6.0%) (authorized, $250) (a)

   250    250    250    250  

5.5% notes due 2017 (effective interest rate of 5.6%) (authorized, $300) (a)

   300    300    300    300  

6.3% notes due 2017 (effective interest rate of 6.4%) (authorized, $275) (a)

   275    275    275    275  

5.2% notes due 2018 (effective interest rate of 5.4%) (authorized, $185) (a)

   185    185    185    185  

5.8% notes due 2019 (effective interest rate of 5.9%) (authorized, $350) (a)

   350       350    350  

7.3% debentures due 2027 (effective interest rate of 8.1%) (authorized, $100)

   100    100    100    100  

Loews Hotels:

       

Senior debt, principally mortgages (effective interest rates approximate 4.1%)

   224    226    220    224  

Elimination of intercompany debt

   (100     (100  (100
   
   9,534    8,289    9,524    9,534  

Less unamortized discount

   49    31    47    49  
   

Debt

  $9,485   $8,258   $        9,477   $        9,485  
   

 

(a)

Redeemable in whole or in part at the greater of the principal amount or the net present value of scheduled payments discounted at the specified treasury rate plus a margin.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 12. Debt – (Continued)

December 31, 2010  Principal  Unamortized
Discount
   Net  

Short Term

Debt

   Long Term
Debt
 
                        
(In millions)                  

Loews Corporation

  $875   $8    $867   $175    $692  

CNA Financial

   2,666    15     2,651    400     2,251  

Diamond Offshore

   1,500    13     1,487      1,487  

HighMount

   1,100      1,100      1,100  

Boardwalk Pipeline

   3,263    11     3,252      3,252  

Loews Hotels

   220      220    72     148  

Elimination of intercompany debt

   (100    (100    (100
                        

Total

  $        9,524   $        47    $        9,477   $        647    $        8,830  
                        

In NovemberAugust of 2009,2010, CNA issued $350$500 million aggregate principal amount of 7.4%5.9% senior notes due 2019in 2020 in a public offering. CNA used a portion of the net proceeds to redeem $250$500 million of its 2008 senior preferred stock held by the Company.

On August 1, 2007, CNA entered into a credit agreement with a syndicate of banks and other lenders. The credit agreement established a five year $250 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility which is intended to be used for general corporate purposes. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest at the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus CNA’s credit risk spread of 0.54%, which was equal to 0.79% at December 31, 2009.

spread. Under the credit agreement, CNA is required to pay certain fees, including a facility fee and a utilization fee, both of which would adjust automatically in the event of a change in CNA’s financial ratings. The credit agreement includes covenants regarding maintenance of a minimum consolidated net worth and a specified ratio of consolidated indebtedness to consolidated total capitalization. The outstanding amount due under this credit agreement as of December 31, 2009 was repaid during 2010, leaving the full limit of $250 million available as of December 31, 2010. CNA’s remaining debt obligations contain customary covenants for investment grade insurers. As of December 31, 2009,2010, CNA was in compliance with all covenants.

In February of 2011, CNA issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of 5.75% ten-year senior notes due August 15, 2021 in a public offering. Additionally, CNA announced the redemption of the outstanding $400 million aggregate principal amount of its 6.0% senior notes due in 2011 plus required interest and payments. CNA anticipates the redemption to be completed in March of 2011.

Diamond Offshore maintains a $285 million syndicated, senior unsecured revolving credit facility, for general corporate purposes, including loans and performance or standby letters of credit which bears interest at a rate per annum equal to, at its election, either; (i) the higher of the prime rate or the federal funds rate plus 50 basis points or (ii) LIBOR plus an applicable margin based on Diamond Offshore’s current credit ratings. As of December 31, 2009,2010, there were no loans outstanding under the credit facility, however, $63$22 million in letters of credit were issued which reduced the available capacity under the facility. As of December 31, 2009,2010, Diamond Offshore was in compliance with all covenants.

In October of 2009, Diamond Offshore issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 5.7% senior notes due October 15, 2039 in a private placement. In May of 2009, Diamond Offshore issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 5.9% senior notes due 2019 in a private placement. The proceeds from these offerings were used for general corporate purposes.

HighMount maintains $1.6$1.1 billion of variable rate term loans which bear interest at LIBOR plus an applicable margin. HighMount has entered into interest rate swaps for a notional amount of $1.6$1.1 billion to hedge its exposure to fluctuations in LIBOR. These swaps effectively fix the interest rate at 5.8%5.7%. In 2010, HighMount used proceeds from the sale of its exploration and production assets in Michigan and Alabama, approximately $500 million, to reduce the outstanding debt under its term loans. The loans also provide for a five year, $400 million revolving credit facility.facility with available capacity of $368 million. Borrowings under the credit facility bear interest at LIBOR plus an applicable margin or a base rate defined as the greater of the prime rate or the federal funds rate plus 50 basis points. Among other customary covenants, HighMount cannot exceed a predetermined total debt to capitalization ratio. As of December 31, 2009,2010, no debt was outstanding under the revolving facility, however, $4$2 million in letters of credit were issued. At December 31, 2009,2010, HighMount iswas in compliance with all of its debt covenants under the credit agreement.

Boardwalk Pipeline maintains aggregate lending commitments of a $1.0 billion$950 million revolving credit facility under which Boardwalk Pipeline and its operating subsidiaries each may borrow funds, up to applicable sub-limits.

Borrowings under the credit facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to at its election, either; (i) the higher of the prime rate or the Federal funds rate plus 50 basis points or (ii) LIBOR plus an applicable margin. Among other customary covenants, each of the borrowers must maintain a minimum ratio, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, of consolidated total debt to consolidated earnings before interest, income taxes and depreciation and amortization (as defined in the agreement), measured for the preceding twelve months, of not more than five to one.

As of December 31, 2009,2010, Boardwalk Pipeline had $554$703 million of loans outstanding under the revolving credit facility with a weighted-average interest rate on the borrowings of 0.5% and had no letters of credit issued. As of December 31, 2009,2010, Boardwalk Pipeline and its operating subsidiaries were in compliance with all covenant requirements under the credit facility. The revolving credit facility has a maturity date of June 29, 2012, however, all outstanding revolving loans on such date may be converted to term loans having a maturity date of June 29, 2013.

In AugustJanuary of 2009,2011, Boardwalk Pipeline issued $350$325 million aggregate principal amount of 5.8%4.5% senior notes due September 15, 2019 in a private placement.February 1, 2021. The net proceeds from thisof the offering were used to repay $100reduce borrowings under the revolving credit facility. In February of 2011, Boardwalk Pipeline intends to use the revolving credit facility to fund the redemption of $135 million of

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 12. Debt – (Continued)

borrowings under its subordinated loan agreement with a subsidiary of the Company and to fund a portion of the cost of its expansion projects.5.5% notes due April 2013.

At December 31, 2009,2010, the aggregate of long term debt maturing in each of the next five years is approximately as follows: $10 million in 2010, $647 million in 2011, $2,603$2,101 million in 2012, $255 million in 2013, $804 million in 2014, $900 million in 2015 and $5,215$4,817 million thereafter.

Note 13. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The components of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows:

 

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

Balance, January 1, 2007

 $579    $5   $86   $(283 $387   

Unrealized holding losses on investments, after tax of $224 and $34

  (413   (65    (478 

Adjustment for items included in Net income, after tax of $87

  (159      (159 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     35     35   

Pension liability adjustment, after tax of $(52)

      100    100   

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

  61     4    (4  (11  50   

Balance, December 31, 2007

  68     (56  117    (194  (65 

Balance, January 1, 2008

  $68    $(56 $117   $(194 $(65

Unrealized holding losses on investments, after tax of $1,949 and $15

  (3,558   (29    (3,587    (3,558   (29    (3,587

Adjustment for items included in Net income, after tax of $(16), $(39) and $(20)

  30     70     34    134      30     70     34    134  

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     (161   (161       (161   (161

Pension liability adjustment, after tax of $201

      (388  (388        (388  (388

Disposal of discontinued operations,
after tax of $(33)

      53    53          53    53  

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

  368     (1  16    45    428      368    (1  16    45    428  

Balance, December 31, 2008

  (3,092   (16  (28  (450  (3,586    (3,092   (16  (28  (450  (3,586

Adjustment to initially apply accounting guidance for other-than-temporary impairment losses, after tax of $(31) and $(34)

  (58 $(64     (122    (58 $(64     (122

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on investments, after tax of $(1,756), $103 and $(26)

  3,212    (190  49      3,071      3,212    (190  49      3,071  

Adjustment for items included in Net income, after tax of $(269), $(51) and $63

  499    95    (116    478      499    95    (116    478  

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     117     117         117     117  

Pension liability adjustment, after tax of $(7)

      6    6          6    6  

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

  (388  15    2    (12   (383    (388  15    2    (12  (383

Balance, December 31, 2009

   173    (144  (81  77    (444  (419

Unrealized holding gains on investments, after tax of $(319), $(32) and $(30)

   585    59    54      698  

Adjustments for items included in Net income, after tax of $48, $(15) and $(4)

   (89  27    7      (55

Foreign currency translation adjustment

      49     49  

Pension liability adjustment, after tax of $(15)

       29    29  

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

   (62  (7  2    (5  (72

Balance, December 31, 2010

  $607   $(65 $(18 $121   $(415 $230  
   

Balance, December 31, 2009

 $173   $(144 $(81 $77   $(444 $(419 

Note 14. Statutory Accounting Practices (Unaudited)

CNA’s domestic insurance subsidiaries maintain their accounts in conformity with accounting practices prescribed or permitted by insurance regulatory authorities, which vary in certain respects from GAAP. In converting from statutory accounting principles to GAAP, the more significant adjustments include deferral of policy acquisition costs and the inclusion of net unrealized holding gains or losses in shareholders’ equity relating to certain fixed maturity securities.

CNA’s insurance subsidiaries are domiciled in various jurisdictions. These subsidiaries prepare statutory financial statements in accordance with accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the respective jurisdictions’ insurance regulators. Prescribed statutory accounting practices are set forth in a variety of publications of the National

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 14. Statutory Accounting Practices (Unaudited) – (Continued)

Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) as well as state laws, regulations and general administrative rules.

At December 31, 2009, CCC follows a permitted practice related to the statutory provision for reinsurance, or the uncollectible reinsurance reserve. This permitted practice allows CCC to record an additional uncollectible reinsurance reserve amount through a different financial statement line item than the prescribed statutory convention. This permitted practice had no effect on CCC’s statutory surplus at December 31, 2009.

In December 2009, the NAIC modified the prescribed statutory accounting guidance allowing a greater portion of deferred tax assets to be admitted. This newly prescribed guidance resulted in an approximate $623 million increase in the combined statutory surplus of CCC and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2009 as compared to the amount which would have resulted using the previously prescribed accounting guidance. CCC had previously been granted a permitted practice for the reporting periods ending December 31, 2008 through September 30, 2009. This permitted practice allowed CCC to admit a greater portion of its deferred tax assets than what was allowed under the prescribed accounting guidance. This permitted practice resulted in an approximate $700 million increase in CCC’s statutory surplus at December 31, 2008.

CNA’s ability to pay dividends and other credit obligations is significantly dependent on receipt of dividends from its subsidiaries. The payment of dividends to CNA by its insurance subsidiaries without prior approval of the insurance department of each subsidiary’s domiciliary jurisdiction is limited by formula. Dividends in excess of these amounts are subject to prior approval by the respective state insurance departments.

Dividends from CCC are subject to the insurance holding company laws of the State of Illinois, the domiciliary state of CCC. Under these laws, ordinary dividends, or dividends that do not require prior approval by the Illinois Department, of Insurance (the “Department”), may be paid only from earned surplus, which is calculated by removing unrealized gains from unassigned surplus. As of December 31, 2009,2010, CCC is in a positive earned surplus position, enabling CCC to pay approximately $934$980 million of dividend payments during 20102011 that would not be subject to the Department’s prior approval. The actual level of dividends paid in any year is determined after an assessment of available dividend capacity, holding company liquidity and cash needs as well as the impact the dividends will have on the statutory surplus of the applicable insurance company.

CNA’s domestic insurance subsidiaries are subject to risk-based capital requirements. Risk-based capital is a method developed by the NAIC to determine the minimum amount of statutory capital appropriate for an insurance company to support its overall business operations in consideration of its size and risk profile. The formula for determining the amount of risk-based capital specifies various factors, weighted based on the perceived degree of risk, which are applied to certain financial balances and financial activity. The adequacy of a company’s actual capital is evaluated by a comparison to the risk-based capital results, as determined by the formula. Companies below minimum risk-based capital requirements are classified within certain levels, each of which requires specified corrective action. As of December 31, 20092010 and 2008,2009, all of CNA’s domestic insurance subsidiaries exceeded the minimum risk-based capital requirements.

Subsidiaries with insurance operations outside the United States are also subject to insurance regulation in the countries in which they operate. CNA has legal entity and branch operations in other countries, primarily the United Kingdom, Canada and other countries.Bermuda. CNA’s foreign subsidiarieslegal entities and branch met or exceeded regulatory capital requirements.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 14. Statutory Accounting Practices (Unaudited) – (Continued)

Combined statutory capital and surplus and net income (loss), determined in accordance with accounting practices prescribed or permitted by insurance regulatory authorities for the Combined Continental Casualty Companies and the life company, were as follows:

 

  Statutory Capital and Surplus  Statutory Net Income (Loss) 
    
  December 31  Year Ended December 31    Statutory Capital and Surplus     Statutory Net Income (Loss)  
       December 31     Year Ended December 31 
Unaudited  2009 (b)  2008  2009 (b) 2008 2007    2010 (b)   2009     2010 (b)   2009    2008  
(In millions)                     

Combined Continental Casualty Companies (a)

  $9,338  $7,819  $17   $(172 $485   $9,821   $9,338    $258   $17   $(172

Life company

   448   487   (65  (51  27    498    448     86    (65  (51

 

(a)

Represents the combined statutory surplus of CCC and its subsidiaries, including the Life company.

(b)

Preliminary

Note 15. Supplemental Natural Gas and Oil Information (Unaudited)

Users of this information should be aware that the process of estimating quantities of proved and proved developed natural gas, NGLs and crude oil reserves is very complex, requiring significant subjective decisions in the evaluation of all available geological, engineering and economic data for each reservoir. The data for a given reservoir may also change substantially over time as a result of numerous factors including, but not limited to, additional development activity, evolving production history and continual reassessment of the viability of production under varying economic conditions. As a result, revisions to existing reserve estimates may occur from time to time. Although every reasonable effort is made to ensure reserve estimates reported represent the most accurate assessments possible, the subjective decisions and variances in available data for various reservoirs make these estimates generally less precise than other estimates included in the financial statement disclosures.

Proved reserves represent quantities of natural gas, NGLs and oil which, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in the future from known reservoirs under existing economic conditions, operating methods and government regulations. Proved developed reserves are proved reserves which can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment, infrastructure and operating methods.

Estimates of reserves as of December 31, 2010, 2009 2008 and 20072008 are based upon studies for each of HighMount’s properties prepared by HighMount staff engineers. Calculations were prepared using standard geological and engineering methods generally accepted by the petroleum industry and in accordance with SEC guidelines. Ryder Scott Company, L.P., an independent third party petroleum engineering consulting firm, has audited HighMount’s reserve estimates in accordance with the “Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information” promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers. All proved reserves are located in the United States of America.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 15. Supplemental Natural Gas and Oil Information (Unaudited) – (Continued)

Reserves

Estimated net quantities of proved natural gas and oil (including condensate and NGLs) reserves at December 31, 2010, 2009 2008 and 20072008 and changes in the reserves during 2010, 2009 2008 and 20072008 are shown in the schedule below:

 

Proved Developed and Undeveloped Reserves  Natural
Gas(a)
 NGLs and
Oil
 Natural Gas
Equivalents
     Natural
Gas
 NGLs and
Oil
 Natural Gas
Equivalents
 
  (Bcf) (thousands
of barrels)
 (Bcfe)   (Bcf) (thousands
of barrels)
 (Bcfe) 

January 1, 2007

  -   -   -   

January 1, 2008

   1,896    96,282    2,474  

Changes in reserves:

         

Extensions, discoveries and other additions

  62   3,877   85      56    3,140    75  

Revisions of previous estimates (b)(a)

  (51 2,164   (38    (185  (10,925  (251

Production

  (34 (1,627 (43    (79  (3,859  (102

Sales of reserves in place

   (1  (54  (1

Purchases of reserves in place

  1,919   91,868   2,470      7    243    8  

December 31, 2007

  1,896   96,282   2,474   

December 31, 2008

   1,694    84,827    2,203  

Changes in reserves:

         

Extensions, discoveries and other additions

  56   3,140   75      39    2,278    53  

Revisions of previous estimates (c)(b)

  (185 (10,925 (251    (141  (6,669  (181

Production

  (79 (3,859 (102    (77  (3,679  (99

Sales of reserves in place

  (1 (54 (1    (1  (2,919  (19

Purchases of reserves in place

  7   243   8      7    7  

December 31, 2008

  1,694   84,827   2,203   

December 31, 2009

   1,521    73,838    1,964  

Changes in reserves:

         

Extensions, discoveries and other additions

  39   2,278   53   

Extensions, discoveries and other additions (c)

   251    13,370    331  

Revisions of previous estimates (d)

  (141 (6,669 (181    (407  (24,518  (554

Production

  (77 (3,679 (99    (57  (3,263  (77

Sales of reserves in place

  (1 (2,919 (19    (363  (232  (364

Purchases of reserves in place

  7    7      

December 31, 2009

  1,521   73,838   1,964   

December 31, 2010

   945    59,195    1,300  
 

Proved developed reserves at:

         

December 31, 2007

  1,394   67,371   1,798   

December 31, 2008

  1,310   64,175   1,695      1,310    64,175    1,695  

December 31, 2009

  1,231   58,227   1,580      1,231    58,227    1,580  

December 31, 2010

   741    45,804    1,016  

 

(a)

Excludes reserves associated with Volumetric Production Payment (“VPP”) delivery obligations.

(b)

The 2007 revision is primarily attributable to lower than expected NGL recovery yield on some of HighMount’s gas that is processed by third parties, as well as the aggregate result of revisions to individual wells based upon engineering and geologic analyses.

(c)

The 2008 revision is primarily attributable to lower commodity prices at December 31, 2008 as compared to December 31, 2007. The year end 2008 pricing caused the reclassification of some proven undeveloped reserves to a non-proved category to adhere to SEC proved reserve requirements.category. Additionally, higher operating costs in 2008 resulted in a reduction of the remaining proven developed producing reserves.

(d)(b)

The 2009 revision is primarily attributable to lower 2009 average prices as compared to December 31, 2008. The lower 2009 average prices caused the reclassification of some proven undeveloped reserves.

(c)

HighMount added 238 Bcfe of proved undeveloped reserves from non-proved categories in 2010. These additions pertain to locations HighMount expects to drill during the next five years. Additionally, HighMount added 42 Bcfe primarily through drilling and the remaining 51 Bcfe in additions were associated with the Alabama and Michigan properties prior to sale.

(d)

During 2010, HighMount reclassified 208 Bcfe of proved undeveloped reserves to a non-proved category due to adhere to SECcertain wells reaching their five year maturity as a result of reduced drilling activity in 2009 and 2010. Additionally, HighMount reduced its proved reserve requirements.developed and proved undeveloped reserves by 346 Bcfe as a result of higher production declines on its producing wells than previously anticipated.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 15. Supplemental Natural Gas and Oil Information (Unaudited) – (Continued)

Capitalized Costs

The aggregate amounts of costs capitalized for natural gas and NGL producing activities, and related aggregate amounts of accumulated depletion follow:

 

December 31  2009  2008  2007   2010   2009   2008 
(In millions)                

Subject to depletion

  $3,194  $2,923  $2,443   $      2,818    $      3,194    $      2,923  

Costs excluded from depletion

   317   422   426    272     317     422  

Gross natural gas, NGL, and oil properties

   3,511   3,345   2,869    3,090     3,511     3,345  

Less accumulated depletion

   2,061   915   62    1,991     2,061     915  

Net natural gas, NGL, and oil properties

  $1,450  $2,430  $2,807   $1,099    $1,450    $2,430  
 

The following costs were incurred in natural gas and NGL producing activities:

 

Year Ended December 31  2009  2008  2007   2010   2009   2008 
(In millions)                      

Acquisition of properties:

             

Proved

  $7  $8  $2,245     $        7    $        8  

Unproved

   24   36   431   $        29     24     36  

Subtotal

   31   44   2,676    29     31     44  

Exploration costs

   8   10   7    5     8     10  

Development costs (a)

   148   425   186    143     148     425  

Total

  $187  $479  $2,869   $177    $187    $479  
 

 

(a)

Development costs incurred for proved undeveloped reserves were $23, $27 and $139 in 2010, 2009 and $60 in 2009, 2008 and 2007.2008.

Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows Relating to Proved Natural Gas and NGL Reserves

The following table represents a calculation of the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved natural gas and NGL reserve quantities that HighMount owns:

 

December 31,  2009  2008  2007   2010   2009   2008 
(In millions)                      

Future cash inflows (a) (b)

  $7,171  $10,120  $17,235   $      6,044    $      7,171    $      10,120  

Less:

             

Future production costs

   3,098   3,461   3,565    2,073     3,098     3,461  

Future development costs

   538   986   1,159    580     538     986  

Future income tax expense

   455   1,120   3,594    571     455     1,120  

Future cash flows

   3,080   4,553   8,917    2,820     3,080     4,553  

Less annual discount (10% a year)

   1,982   2,990   5,907 

Less annual discount (10.0% a year)

   1,863     1,982     2,990  

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows

  $1,098  $1,563  $3,010   $957    $1,098    $1,563  
 

 

(a)

2010, 2009 2008 and 20072008 amounts exclude the effect of derivative instruments designated as hedges of future sales of production at year end.

(b)

The following prices were used in the determination of standardized measure:

 

December 31  2009  2008  2007   2010     2009     2008  

Gas (per million British thermal units)

  $3.87  $5.71  $6.80  $      4.38    $      3.87    $      5.71  

NGL (per barrel)

   31.73   22.00   62.16   43.75     31.73     22.00  

Oil (per barrel)

   61.18   44.60   96.00   79.43     61.18     44.60  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 15. Supplemental Natural Gas and Oil Information (Unaudited) – (Continued)

In the foregoing determination of future cash inflows, sales prices for natural gas and NGL for 2010 and 2009 represent average priceprices during 2010 and 2009, determined as an unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month within 2010 and 2009, changed for contractual arrangements with customers. The 2008 and 2007 prices were based on contractual arrangements or market prices at year end. Future costs of developing and producing the proved natural gas and NGL reserves reported at the end of each year shown were based on costs determined at each such year end, assuming the continuation of existing economic conditions. Future income taxes were computed by applying the appropriate year end or future statutory tax rate to future pretax net cash flows, less the tax basis of the properties involved, and giving effect to tax deductions, permanent differences and tax credits.

It is not intended that the FASB’s standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows represent the fair market value of HighMount’s proved reserves. HighMount cautions that the disclosures shown are based on estimates of proved reserve quantities and future production schedules which are inherently imprecise and subject to revision and the 10%10.0% discount rate prescribed by the SEC.rate. In addition, costs and prices as of the measurement date are used in the determinations, and no value was assigned to probable or possible reserves.

Changes in Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows Relating to Proved Natural Gas and NGL Reserves

The following table is a summary of changes between the total standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows at the beginning and end of each year:

 

Year Ended December 31  2009  2008  2007   
 
(In millions)            

Standardized measure, beginning of period

  $1,563   $3,010   $-   

Changes in the year resulting from:

     

Sales and transfers of natural gas and NGL produced during the year, less production costs

   (466  (594  (209 

Net changes in prices and development costs

   (443  (2,205  

Extensions, discoveries and other additions, less production and development costs

   46    69    177   

Previously estimated development costs incurred during the period

   41    170    

Revisions of previous quantity estimates

   19    (94  (230 

Net changes in purchases and sales of proved reserves in place

   (42  11    4,184   

Accretion of discount

   182    408    166   

Income taxes

   220    821    (1,078 

Net changes in production rates and other

   (22  (33  
 

Standardized measure, end of period

  $1,098   $1,563   $3,010   
 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Year Ended December 31  2010  2009  2008 
(In millions)          

Standardized measure, beginning of period

  $      1,098   $      1,563   $      3,010  

Changes in the year resulting from:

    

Sales and transfers of natural gas and NGL produced during the year, less production costs

   (345  (466  (594

Net changes in prices and development costs

   890    (443  (2,205

Extensions, discoveries and other additions, less production and development costs

   67    46    69  

Previously estimated development costs incurred during the period

   23    41    170  

Revisions of previous quantity estimates

   (346  19    (94

Net changes in purchases and sales of proved reserves in place

   (446  (42  11  

Accretion of discount

   114    182    408  

Income taxes

   (77  220    821  

Net changes in production rates and other

   (21  (22  (33

Standardized measure, end of period

  $957   $1,098   $1,563  
  

Note 16. Benefit Plans

Pension Plans – The Company has several non-contributory defined benefit plans for eligible employees. Benefits for certain plans are determined annually based on a specified percentage of annual earnings (based on the participant’s age or years of service) and a specified interest rate (which is established annually for all participants) applied to accrued balances. The benefits for another plan which covers salaried employees are based on formulas which include, among others, years of service and average pay. The Company’s funding policy is to make contributions in accordance with applicable governmental regulatory requirements.

Other Postretirement Benefit Plans – The Company has several postretirement benefit plans covering eligible employees and retirees. Participants generally become eligible after reaching age 55 with required years of service. Actual requirements for coverage vary by plan. Benefits for retirees who were covered by bargaining units vary by each unit and contract. Benefits for certain retirees are in the form of a Company health care account.

Benefits for retirees reaching age 65 are generally integrated with Medicare. Other retirees, based on plan provisions, must use Medicare as their primary coverage, with the Company reimbursing a portion of the unpaid

amount; or are reimbursed for the Medicare Part B premium or have no Company coverage. The benefits provided by the Company are basically health and, for certain retirees, life insurance type benefits.

In November of 2010, CNA changed a postretirement benefit that resulted in a plan amendment. The effect of this change was a reduction to the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation of $60 million at December 31, 2010 and an increase in the net periodic benefit of $1 million for the year ended December 31, 2010.

The Company funds certain of these benefit plans, and accrues postretirement benefits during the active service of those employees who would become eligible for such benefits when they retire. The Company uses December 31 as the measurement date for its plans.

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:

 

  Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits   Pension Benefits   Other Postretirement Benefits 
December 31  2009 2008 2007 2009 2008 2007   2010   2009   2008   2010 2009 2008 

Discount rate

  5.7 6.3 6.0 5.6 6.3 6.0   5.3%     5.7%     6.3%     5.0  5.6  6.3

Expected long term rate of return on plan assets

   7.5% to 8.0%     7.5% to 8.0%     7.5% to 8.0%     4.6  5.4  6.2

Rate of compensation increase

  3.0% to 5.5 3.0% to 5.8 4.0% to 7.0      4.0% to 5.5%     3.0% to 5.5%     3.0% to 5.8%      

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost:

 

  Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits   Pension Benefits   Other Postretirement Benefits 
Year Ended December 31  2009 2008 2007 2009 2008 2007   2010   2009   2008   2010   2009 2008 

Discount rate

  6.3 6.0 5.7 6.3 5.9 5.6   5.7%     6.3%     6.0%     5.6%     6.3  5.9

Expected long term rate of return on plan assets

  7.5% to 8.0 7.5% to 8.0 7.0% to 8.0 5.4 6.2 6.2   7.5% to 8.0%     7.5% to 8.0%     7.5% to 8.0%     5.4%     5.4  6.2

Rate of compensation increase

  3.0% to 5.8 4.0% to 7.0 4.0% to 7.0      4.0% to 5.5%     3.0% to 5.8%     4.0% to 7.0%       

The expected long term rate of return for plan assets is determined based on widely-accepted capital market principles, long term return analysis for global fixed income and equity markets as well as the active total return oriented portfolio management style. Long term trends are evaluated relative to market factors such as inflation, interest rates and fiscal and monetary policies, in order to assess the capital market assumptions as applied to the plan. Consideration of diversification needs and rebalancing is maintained.

Assumed health care cost trend rates:

 

December 31  2009  2008  2007 

Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year

  4.0% to 9.0 4.0% to 9.5 4.0% to 10.0

Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)

  4.0% to 5.0 4.0% to 5.0 4.0% to 5.0

Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate

  2010-2019   2009-2018   2008-2017  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 16. Benefit Plans – (Continued)

December 31  2010   2009   2008 

Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year

   4.0% to 9.0%     4.0% to 9.0%     4.0% to 9.5%  

Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)

   4.0% to 5.0%     4.0% to 5.0%     4.0% to 5.0%  

Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate

   2011-2020     2010-2019     2009-2018  

Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:

 

  One Percentage Point   One Percentage Point 
  Increase  Decrease   Increase   Decrease 
(In millions)               

Effect on total of service and interest cost

    $(1  $-    $(1

Effect on postretirement benefit obligation

  $6   (9   6     (9

Net periodic benefit cost components:

 

    Pension Benefits  Other Postretirement Benefits
Year Ended December 31  2009  2008  2007  2009  2008  2007    
(In millions)                     

Service cost

  $26   $30   $32   $2   $2   $3   

Interest cost

   171    165    162    13    13    13   

Expected return on plan assets

   (156  (194  (189  (2  (5  (4 

Amortization of unrecognized net loss

   30    6    13    (15  1    3   

Amortization of unrecognized prior service cost

     2    (8  (24  (26 

Special termination benefit

     4      

Settlement loss

     4      

Regulatory asset (increase) decrease

   (1   (2  5    5    6   
 

Net periodic benefit cost

  $70   $7   $26   $(5 $(8 $(5 
 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 16. Benefit Plans – (Continued)

   Pension Benefits  Other Postretirement Benefits 
Year Ended December 31  2010  2009  2008  2010  2009  2008 
(In millions)                   

Service cost

  $26   $26   $30   $2   $2   $2  

Interest cost

   168    171    165    11    13    13  

Expected return on plan assets

   (176  (156  (194  (4  (2  (5

Amortization of unrecognized net (gain) loss

   28    30    6    2    (15  1  

Amortization of unrecognized prior service benefit

      (24  (8  (24

Regulatory asset (increase) decrease

       (1      5    5    5  

Net periodic benefit cost

  $46   $70   $7   $(8 $(5 $(8
                          

The following provides a reconciliation of benefit obligations:

 

  Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits  Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits 
  2009 2008 2009 2008     2010 2009 2010 2009 
(In millions)                    

Change in benefit obligation:

           

Benefit obligation at January 1

  $2,821   $2,804   $214   $231     $3,029   $2,821   $221   $214  

Service cost

   26    30    2    2      26    26    2    2  

Interest cost

   171    165    13    13      168    171    11    13  

Plan participants’ contributions

     8    8        7    8  

Amendments

    5          (60 

Actuarial (gain) loss

   177     6    (17    104    177    (3  6  

Benefits paid from plan assets

   (172  (161  (23  (23    (180  (172  (18  (23

Foreign exchange

   6    (21  1       (1  6    (1  1  

Settlement

    (1   

Benefit obligation at December 31

   3,029    2,821    221    214      3,146    3,029    159    221  

Change in plan assets:

                

Fair value of plan assets at January 1

   2,037    2,521    67    84      2,303    2,037    73    67  

Actual return on plan assets

   348    (380  9    (16    256    348    3    9  

Company contributions

   84    80    12    14      90    84    8    12  

Plan participants’ contributions

     8    8        7    8  

Benefits paid from plan assets

   (172  (161  (23  (23    (180  (172  (18  (23

Foreign exchange

   6    (22      (1  6   

Settlement

    (1   

Fair value of plan assets at December 31

   2,303    2,037    73    67      2,468    2,303    73    73  

Funded status

  $(726 $(784 $(148 $(147   $(678 $(726 $(86 $(148
   

Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of:

           

Other assets

  $2   $2   $20   $14     $7   $2   $22   $20  

Other liabilities

   (728  (786  (168  (161    (685  (728  (108  (168

Net amount recognized

  $(726 $(784 $(148 $(147   $(678 $(726 $(86 $(148
   

Amounts recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), not yet recognized in net periodic (benefit) cost:

      

Prior service cost (credit)

  $3   $3   $(144 $(168 

Net actuarial loss

   824    869    50    51   

Net amount recognized

  $827   $872   $(94 $(117 

Information for pension plans with an
   Pension Benefits   Other Postretirement Benefits 
    2010   2009   2010  2009 
(In millions)               

Amounts recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive
income (loss), not yet recognized in net periodic
(benefit) cost:

       

Prior service cost (credit)

  $3    $3    $(181 $(144

Net actuarial loss

   819     824     45    50  

Net amount recognized

  $822    $827    $(136 $(94
                    

Information for plans with projected and accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets:

       

Projected benefit obligation

  $3,034    $2,974     

Accumulated benefit obligation

   2,925     2,798    $108   $168  

Fair value of plan assets

   2,349     2,185     

The accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets:for all defined benefit pension plans was $3.0 billion and $2.9 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009.

December 31  2009  2008
(In millions)      

Projected benefit obligation

  $327  $292

Accumulated benefit obligation

   2,798   2,579

Fair value of plan assets

   2,185   1,946

The Company employs a total return approach whereby a mix of equity and fixed maturity securities are used to maximize the long term return of plan assets for a prudent level of risk and manage cash flows according to plan requirements. The intent of this strategy is to minimize plan expenses by outperforming plan liabilities over the long run. Risk tolerance is established through careful consideration of the plan liabilities, plan funded status and corporate financial conditions. The investment portfolio contains a diversified blend of fixed maturity, equity and short term securities. Alternative investments, including limited partnerships, are used to enhance risk adjusted long

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 16. Benefit Plans – (Continued)

term returns while improving portfolio diversification. At December 31, 2009,2010, the Company had committed $62$51 million to future capital calls from various third-party limited partnership investments in exchange for an ownership interest in the related partnerships. Derivatives may be used to gain market exposure in an efficient and timely manner. Investment risk is measured and monitored on an ongoing basis through annual liability measurements, periodic asset/liability studies and quarterly investment portfolio reviews.

The table below presents the estimated amounts to be recognized from Accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost (benefit) during 2010.2011.

 

  Pension
Benefits
  Postretirement
Benefits
     

Pension

Benefits

   

Other  

Postretirement    
Benefits  

 
(In millions)               

Amortization of net actuarial loss

  $27  $2     $30     $        2       

Amortization of prior service cost (benefit)

     (23 

Amortization of prior service credit

      (27)      

Total estimated amounts to be recognized

  $27  $(21   $30     $     (25)      
      

The table below presents the estimated future minimum benefit payments at December 31, 2009.2010.

 

Expected future benefit payments  Pension
Benefits
  Postretirement
Benefits
     Pension
Benefits
   Other
Postretirement
Benefits
 
(In millions)               

2010

  $197  $16 

2011

   195   17   $200    $16  

2012

   199   17    199     13  

2013

   205   17    208     12  

2014

   211   17    212     13  

2015

   219     13  

Thereafter

   1,147   85    1,173     60  
  $2,211    $127  
  $2,154  $169   

In 2010,2011, it is expected that contributions of approximately $75$76 million will be made to pension plans and $12$20 million to postretirement healthcare and life insurance benefit plans.

Pension plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below.

 

December 31, 2009  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total   
(In millions)              

Fixed maturity securities:

         

Asset-backed securities

    $212  $57  $269 

Corporate and other taxable bonds

  $17   424     441 

States, municipalities and political subdivisions -
tax-exempt securities

     10     10 
 

Total fixed maturity securities

   17   646   57   720 

Equity securities

   365   54   5   424 

Short term investments

   214       214 

Limited partnerships and other invested assets

     502   432   934 

Derivatives

   2       2 

Investment contracts with insurance company

       9   9 
 

Total

  $598  $1,202  $503  $2,303 
 

December 31, 2010  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
(In millions)                

Fixed maturity securities:

        

Asset-backed

    $230    $10    $240  

Corporate and other bonds

     305     10     315  

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

        92          92  

Total fixed maturity securities

  $-     627     20     647  

Equity securities

   536     77     6     619  

Short term investments

   114     7       121  

Limited partnerships and other invested assets

   1     578     493     1,072  

Investment contracts with insurance company

             9     9  

Total

  $651    $1,289    $528    $2,468  
  
December 31, 2009                    

Fixed maturity securities:

        

Asset-backed

    $212    $57    $269  

Corporate and other bonds

  $17     363       380  

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

        71          71  

Total fixed maturity securities

   17     646     57     720  

Equity securities

   365     54     5     424  

Short term investments

   214         214  

Limited partnerships and other invested assets

   2     502     432     936  

Investment contracts with insurance company

             9     9  

Total

  $598    $1,202    $503    $    2,303  
  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 16. Benefit Plans – (Continued)

Limited partnership investments consist primarily of hedge funds. The limited partnership investments are recorded at fair value, which represents the plans’ share of the net asset value of each partnership, as determined by the General Partner. Limited partnerships comprising 53.3% of the total carrying value are reported on a current basis through December 31, 2009 with no reporting lag, 41.6% are reported on a one month lag and the remainder are reported on more than a one month lag. Level 2 includes limited partnership investments which can be redeemed at net asset value in 90 days or less. Level 3 includes limited partnership investments with withdrawal provisions greater than 90 days, or for which withdrawals are not permitted. The classificationpermitted until the termination of Level 2 limited partnership investments is based on updated accounting guidance effective December 31, 2009, which requires an evaluation of withdrawal provisions in the determination of a partnership’s classification within the fair value hierarchy. Prior to the updated accounting guidance all limited partnership investments were classified as Level 3 investments and the change resulted in a transfer of $502 million on December 31, 2009.partnership.

The fair value of the guaranteed investment contracts is an estimate of the amount that would be received in an orderly sale to a market participant at the measurement date. The amount the plan would receive from the contract

holder if the contracts were terminated is the primary input and is unobservable. The guaranteed investment contracts are therefore classified as Level 3 investments.

For a discussion of the valuation methodologies used to measure fixed maturity securities, equities, derivatives and short term investments, see Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.4.

The tabletables below presents a reconciliation ofpresent reconciliations for all pension plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the yearyears ended December 31, 2010 and 2009:

 

Level 3  Balance at
January 1,
2009
  Actual Return
on Assets Still
Held at
December 31,
2009
  Actual Return
on Assets Sold
during the
Year Ended
December 31,
2009
  Net
Purchases,
Sales, and
Settlements
  Net
Transfers
In (Out) of
Level 3
  Balance at
December 31,
2009
   

2010

  Balance at
January 1,
  Actual Return
on Assets Still
Held at
December 31,
  Actual Return
on Assets Sold
during the
Year Ended
December 31,
  Net
Purchases,
Sales, and
Settlements
 Net Transfers
In (Out) of
Level 3
 Balance at
December 31,
(In millions)                                  

Fixed maturity securities

  $  54    $  9  $(6)    $  57 

Asset-backed

   $      57       $        6    $(53)  $10 

Corporate and other bonds

                     10    10 

Equity securities

  2        $     (2)  5     5    $        1                  6 

Limited partnerships and other invested assets

  683  $182  1  68  (502)  432     432     75     1     (15)   493 

Investment contracts with insurance company

  8  1        9     9           9 

Total

  $747  $183  $10  $67  $(504)  $503    $503    $76    $7    $(58) $-  $528 
 

2009

                      

Asset-backed

   $54       $9    $(6)  $57 

Equity securities

    2           5  $(2)  5 

Limited partnerships and other invested assets

    683    $182             1     68     (502  432 

Investment contracts with insurance company

    8     1        9 

Total

   $747    $183    $10    $67  $(504) $503 
 

Other postretirement benefits plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below.

 

December 31, 2009  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total   
December 31, 2010  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
(In millions)                             

Fixed maturity securities:

                 

Asset-backed securities

    $2    $2 

Corporate and other taxable bonds

     17     17 

States municipalities and political subdivisions - tax-exempt securities

     28     28 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations ofgovernment agencies

  $8        $8  

Asset-backed

    $8       8  

Corporate and other bonds

     18       18  

States municipalities and political subdivisions

      33        33  

Total fixed maturity securities

  $-     47  $-     47    8     59    $-     67  

Equity securities

   3         3  

Short term investments

   9       9    3         3  

Limited partnerships

       16   16             

Total

  $9  $47  $16  $72   $14    $59    $-    $73  
 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 16. Benefit Plans – (Continued)

December 31, 2009  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 

(In millions)

        

Fixed maturity securities:

        

Asset-backed

    $2      $2  

Corporate and other bonds

     17       17  

States municipalities and political subdivisions

        28          28  

Total fixed maturity securities

  $-     47    $-     47  

Short term investments

   9         9  

Limited partnerships

             16     16  

Total

  $9    $47    $16    $72  
                     

The tabletables below presents a reconciliation ofpresent reconciliations for all pensionOther postretirement benefit plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the yearyears ended December 31, 2010 and 2009:

 

Level 3  Balance at
January 1,
2009
  Actual Return
on Assets Still
Held at
December 31,
2009
  Actual Return
on Assets Sold
during the
Year Ended
December 31,
2009
  Net
Purchases,
Sales, and
Settlements
 Net
Transfers
In (Out) of
Level 3
  Balance at
December 31,
2009
   
2010  Balance at
January 1,
  Actual Return
on Assets Still
Held at
December 31,
  Actual Return
on Assets Sold
during the
Year Ended
December 31,
  Net
Purchases,
Sales, and
Settlements
 Net
Transfers
In (Out) of
Level 3
  Balance at
December 31,
(In millions)                                 

Limited partnerships

  $23  $4    $(11   $16   $     16     $     1  $    (17)    

Total

  $23  $4  $-  $(11 $-  $16   $     16  $     -  $     1  $    (17) $     -  $     -
               

2009

               

Limited partnerships

  $     23  $     4     $    (11)   $    16

Total

  $     23  $     4  $     -  $    (11) $     -  $    16
               

Savings Plans – The Company and its subsidiaries have several contributory savings plans which allow employees to make regular contributions based upon a percentage of their salaries. Matching contributions are made up to specified percentages of employees’ contributions. The contributions by the Company and its subsidiaries to these plans amounted to $104 million, $98 million $91 million and $68$91 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 2008 and 2007.2008.

Stock Option Plans – In 2005, shareholders approved the amended and restated Loews Corporation 2000 Stock Option Plan (the “Loews Plan”). The aggregate number of shares of Loews common stock for which options or SARs may be granted under the Loews Plan is 12,000,000 shares, and the maximum number of shares of Loews common stock with respect to which options or SARs may be granted to any individual in any calendar year is 1,200,000 shares. The exercise price per share may not be less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. Generally, options and SARs vest ratably over a four-year period and expire in ten years.

A summary of the stock option and SAR transactions for the Loews Plan follows:

 

   2009  2008  
    Number of
Awards
  Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
  Number of
Awards
  Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   

Awards outstanding, January 1

  5,375,400   $30.836  4,787,041   $28.085 

Granted

  1,017,500    27.896  980,000    43.629 

Exercised

  (506,154  16.549  (226,695  19.958 

Canceled

  (228,750  39.336  (164,946  41.964 
         

Awards outstanding, December 31

  5,657,996    31.242  5,375,400    30.836 
 

Awards exercisable, December 31

  3,635,066   $28.442  3,262,981   $24.098 
 

Shares available for grant, December 31

  3,447,947     4,236,697    
 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 16. Benefit Plans – (Continued)

   2010   2009 
    Number of
Awards
  Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   Number of
Awards
  Weighted  
Average  
Exercise  
Price  
 

Awards outstanding, January 1

   5,657,996   $31.242     5,375,400   $30.836      

Granted

   962,850    36.544     1,017,500    27.896      

Exercised

   (500,658  19.860     (506,154  16.549      

Canceled

   (15,687  35.055     (228,750  39.336      

Awards outstanding, December 31

   6,104,501    33.082     5,657,996    31.242      
                   

Awards exercisable, December 31

   3,965,726   $31.501     3,635,066   $28.442      
                   

Shares available for grant, December 31

   2,500,784      3,447,947   
                   

The following table summarizes information about the Company’s stock options and SARs outstanding in connection with the Loews Plan at December 31, 2009:2010:

 

  Awards Outstanding  Awards Exercisable  Awards Outstanding   Awards Exercisable 
Range of exercise prices  Number of
Shares
  Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
  Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
  Number of
Shares
  Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
  Number of
Shares
   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   Number of
Shares
   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 

$ 10.01-20.00

  1,325,701  2.8  $17.417  1,325,701  $17.417

$10.01-20.00

   948,519       2.1      $17.765       948,519      $17.765    

20.01-30.00

  1,365,584  7.1   24.612  691,459   23.894   1,295,145       6.1       24.614       804,506       24.174    

30.01-40.00

  1,493,336  6.8   34.948  932,675   34.472   2,364,962       7.1       35.648       1,198,188       34.914    

40.01-50.00

  1,265,250  7.5   45.246  567,609   45.132   1,284,000       6.6       45.245       850,086       45.164    

50.01-60.00

  208,125  7.0   51.080  117,622   51.080   211,875       6.1       51.080       164,427       51.080    

In 2009,2010, the Company awarded SARs totaling 1,017,500962,850 shares. In accordance with the Loews Plan, the Company has the ability to settle SARs in shares or cash and has the intention to settle in shares. The SARs balance at December 31, 20092010 was 3,500,2984,381,083 shares.

The weighted average remaining contractual terms of awards outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2009,2010, were 6.16.0 years and 5.04.9 years. The aggregate intrinsic values of awards outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 20092010 were $44$46 million and $36$37 million. The total intrinsic value of awards exercised during 2010 was $9 million, $8 million and $6 million for the years ended 2010, 2009 was $8 million.and 2008.

The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $11 million, $13 million $11 million and $8$11 million related to the Loews Plan for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 2008 and 2007.2008. The related income tax benefits recognized were $4 million, $4 million and $3$4 million. At December 31, 2009,2010, the compensation cost related to nonvested awards not yet recognized was $17$14 million, and the weighted average period over which it is expected to be recognized is 2.32.2 years.

The fair value of granted options and SARs for the Loews Plan were estimated at the grant date using the Black-Scholes pricing model with the following assumptions and results:

 

Year Ended December 31  2009 2008 2007   2010 2009 2008 
 

Loews Plan:

    

Expected dividend yield

   0.9  0.6  0.5   0.7  0.9  0.6

Expected volatility

   47.4  40.2  24.0   24.7  47.4  40.2

Weighted average risk-free interest rate

   1.9  2.9  4.6   2.0  1.9  2.9

Expected holding period (in years)

   5.0    5.0    5.0     5.0    5.0    5.0  

Weighted average fair value of awards

  $10.77   $16.10   $13.45    $    8.57   $    10.77   $    16.10  

Note 17. Reinsurance

CNA cedes insurance to reinsurers to limit its maximum loss, provide greater diversification of risk, minimize exposures on larger risks and to exit certain lines of business. The ceding of insurance does not discharge the primary liability of CNA. Therefore, a credit exposure exists with respect to property and casualty and life reinsurance ceded to the extent that any reinsurer is unable to meet its obligations or to the extent that the reinsurer disputes the liabilities assumed under reinsurance agreements. Property and casualty reinsurance coverages are tailored to the specific risk characteristics of each product line and CNA’s retained amount varies by type of coverage. Reinsurance contracts are purchased to protect specific lines of business such as property and workers’ compensation. Corporate catastrophe reinsurance is also purchased for property and workers’ compensation exposure. MostCurrently most reinsurance contracts are purchased on an excess of loss basis. CNA also utilizes facultative reinsurance in certain lines. In addition, CNA assumes reinsurance as a member of various reinsurance pools and associations.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 17. Reinsurance – (Continued)

Reinsurance accounting allows for contractual cash flows to be reflected as premiums and losses, as compared to deposit accounting, which requires cash flows to be reflected as assets and liabilities. To qualify for reinsurance accounting, reinsurance agreements must include risk transfer. To meet risk transfer requirements, a reinsurance contract must include both insurance risk, consisting of underwriting and timing risk, and a reasonable possibility of a significant loss for the assuming entity.

The following table summarizes the amounts receivable from reinsurers:

 

December 31  2009  2008   2010   2009 
(In millions)           

Reinsurance receivables related to insurance reserves:

         

Ceded claim and claim adjustment expense

  $5,594  $6,288 

Ceded claim and claim adjustment expenses

  $  6,122    $  5,594    

Ceded future policy benefits

   859   903    822     859    

Ceded policyholders’ funds

   39   39    37     39    

Reinsurance receivables related to paid losses

   440   531    223     440    

Reinsurance receivables

   7,204     6,932    

Less allowance for doubtful accounts

   125     351    

Reinsurance receivables

   6,932   7,761 

Less allowance for uncollectible reinsurance

   351   366 

Reinsurance receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts

  $  7,079    $  6,581    
      

Reinsurance receivables, net of allowance for uncollectible reinsurance

  $6,581  $7,395 

CNA has established an allowance for uncollectibledoubtful accounts on reinsurance receivables. In 2010, CNA reduced its allowance for doubtful accounts on billed third party reinsurance receivables and ceded claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserves by $200 million in connection with the Loss Portfolio Transfer as further discussed in Note 9. The expense (release) for uncollectible reinsuranceimpact of this reduction was $4 million, $(47) million and $1 million forincluded in the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. Changesloss recorded on the Loss Portfolio Transfer in Other operating expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income. The additional reduction in the allowance for uncollectibleduring 2010 primarily related to write-offs of reinsurance receivables arereceivable balances and was presented as a component of Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

CNA attempts to mitigate its credit risk related to reinsurance by entering into reinsurance arrangements with reinsurers that have credit ratings above certain levels and by obtaining collateral. The primary methods of obtaining collateral are through reinsurance trusts, letters of credit and funds withheld balances. Such collateral was approximately $1.9$4.0 billion and $2.1$1.9 billion at December 31, 20092010 and 2008.2009. On a more limited basis, CNA may enter into reinsurance agreements with reinsurers that are not rated, primarily captive reinsurers.

CNA’s largest recoverables from a single reinsurer at December 31, 2009,2010, including prepaid reinsurance premiums, werewas approximately $1,350 million$2.8 billion from subsidiaries of Berkshire Hathaway Group, $1.1 billion from subsidiaries of Swiss Re Group, $850$600 million from subsidiaries of Munich Re Group and $600$450 million from subsidiaries of the Hartford Insurance Group.

Notes The recoverable from the Berkshire Hathaway Group includes amounts related to Consolidated Financial Statements

third party reinsurance for which a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway has assumed the credit risk under the terms of the Loss Portfolio Transfer as discussed in Note 17. Reinsurance – (Continued)

9.

The effects of reinsurance on earned premiums are shown in the following table:

 

  Direct  Assumed  Ceded  Net  Assumed/
Net %
 
  Direct   Assumed   Ceded   Net   Assumed/
Net %
 
(In millions)                         

Year Ended December 31, 2010

          

Property and casualty

  $7,716    $66    $1,849    $5,933     1.1

Accident and health

   534     49     2     581     8.4  

Life

   60        59     1     

Earned premiums

  $    8,310    $115    $    1,910    $    6,515     1.8
               

Year Ended December 31, 2009

                     

Property and casualty

  $8,028  $67  $1,968  $6,127  1.1   $8,028    $67    $1,968    $6,127     1.1

Accident and health

   550   51   7   594  8.6      550     51     7     594     8.6  

Life

   84     84        84        84        

Earned premiums

  $8,662  $118  $2,059  $6,721  1.8   $8,662    $118    $2,059    $6,721     1.8
               

Year Ended December 31, 2008

                     

Property and casualty

  $8,496  $164  $2,121  $6,539  2.5   $8,496    $164    $2,121    $6,539     2.5

Accident and health

   592   46   28   610  7.5      592     46     28     610     7.5  

Life

   99     98   1      99        98     1     

Earned premiums

  $9,187  $210  $2,247  $7,150  2.9   $9,187    $210    $2,247    $7,150     2.9
               

Year Ended December 31, 2007

           

Property and casualty

  $9,097  $118  $2,349  $6,866  1.7 

Accident and health

   658   76   119   615  12.4   

Life

   76     75   1   

Earned premiums

  $9,831  $194  $2,543  $7,482  2.6 

Included in the direct and ceded earned premiums for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 and 2007 are $1,383 million, $1,385 million $1,326 million and $1,429$1,326 million related to business that is 100% reinsured as a result of a significant captive program.

Life and accident and health premiums are primarily from long duration contracts; property and casualty premiums are primarily from short duration contracts.

Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits reported on the Consolidated Statements of Income are net of reinsurance recoveries of $1,121 million, $1,297 million $1,781 million and $1,383$1,781 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, and 2007 including $735 million, $897 million $893 million, and $542$893 million related to the significant captive program discussed above.

The impact of reinsurance on life insurance inforce is shown in the following table:

 

December 31  Direct  Assumed  Ceded  Net   Direct   Assumed   Ceded   Net     
(In millions)                     

2010

  $8,015     -    $8,001    $        14      

2009

  $9,159    $9,144  $15    9,159     -     9,144     15      

2008

   10,805     10,790   15    10,805     -     10,790     15      

2007

   14,089  $1   14,071   19 

As of December 31, 20092010 and 2008,2009, CNA has ceded $1,409$1,301 million and $1,541$1,409 million of claim and claim adjustment expense reserves, future policy benefits and policyholders’ funds as a result of business operations sold in prior years. Subject to certain exceptions, the purchasers assumed the credit risk of the sold business that was primarily reinsured to other carriers.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 18. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

 

2010 Quarter Ended  Dec. 31   Sept. 30 June 30 March 31 

(In millions, except per share data)

      

Total revenues

  $3,715    $3,701   $3,486   $3,713  

Income attributable to:

      

Loews common stock:

      

Income from continuing operations

   466     56    365    420  

Per share-basic

   1.12     0.13    0.88    0.99  

Per share-diluted

   1.12     0.13    0.87    0.99  

Discontinued operations, net

   -     (20  1    -  

Per share-basic

   -     (0.04  -    -  

Per share-diluted

   -     (0.04  -    -  

Net income

   466     36    366    420  

Per share-basic

   1.12     0.09    0.88    0.99  

Per share-diluted

   1.12     0.09    0.87    0.99  
2009 Quarter Ended  Dec. 31 Sept. 30 June 30 March 31       
(In millions, except per share data)          

Total revenues

  $3,822   $3,738   $3,534   $3,023     $3,822    $3,738   $3,534   $3,023  

Income (loss) attributable to:

            

Loews common stock:

            

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   403    469    341    (647    403     469    341    (647

Per share-basic

   0.94    1.08    0.79    (1.49    0.94     1.08    0.79    (1.49

Per share-diluted

   0.94    1.08    0.78    (1.49    0.94     1.08    0.78    (1.49

Discontinued operations, net

   -    (1  (1  -      -     (1  (1  -  

Per share-basic

   -    -    -    -      -     -    -    -  

Per share-diluted

   -    -    -    -      -     -    -    -  

Net income (loss) (a)

   403    468    340    (647    403     468    340    (647

Per share-basic

   0.94    1.08    0.79    (1.49    0.94     1.08    0.79    (1.49

Per share-diluted

   0.94    1.08    0.78    (1.49    0.94     1.08    0.78    (1.49
2008 Quarter Ended          

Total revenues

  $2,743   $2,970   $3,922   $3,612   

Income attributable to:

      

Loews common stock:

      

Income from continuing operations

   (958  (144  511    409   

Per share-basic

   (2.20  (0.33  1.00    0.77   

Per share-diluted

   (2.20  (0.33  1.00    0.77   

Discontinued operations, net

   -    7    4,348    146   

Per share-basic

   -    0.02    8.56    0.28   

Per share-diluted

   -    0.02    8.54    0.28   

Net income (b)

   (958  (137  4,859    555   

Per share-basic

   (2.20  (0.31  9.56    1.05   

Per share-diluted

   (2.20  (0.31  9.54    1.05   

Former Carolina Group stock:

      

Discontinued operations, net

   -    -    104    107   

Per share-basic

   -    -    0.97    0.98   

Per share-diluted

   -    -    0.96    0.98   

The sum of the quarterly per share amounts may not equal per share amounts reported for year-to-date periods. This is due to changes in the number of weighted average shares outstanding and the effects of rounding for each period.

 

(a)

Net income attributable to Loews common stock for the fourth quarter of 2009 includes an investment gain at CNA of $217 million (after tax and noncontrolling interest)interests) related to the sale of its holdings of Verisk Analytics Inc. Additionally, CNA recognized OTTI losses of $114 million (after tax and noncontrolling interest)interests) in earnings primarily in the asset-backed bonds, tax-exempt and corporate and other taxable bond sectors.

(b)

Net loss attributable to Loews common stock for the fourth quarter of 2008 includes a $440 after tax non-cash impairment charge related to the carrying value of HighMount’s natural gas and oil properties reflecting commodity prices at December 31, 2008, a $314 after tax non-cash goodwill impairment charge related to HighMount and OTTI losses at CNA of $377 (after tax and noncontrolling interest) primarily in the corporate and other taxable bonds and asset-backed bonds sectors and losses of $181 (after tax and noncontrolling interest) related to limited partnerships.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 19. Legal Proceedings

OnIn August 1, 2005, CNA and certain insurance subsidiaries were joined as defendants, along with other insurers and brokers, in multidistrict litigation pending in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey,In re Insurance Brokerage Antitrust Litigation,Civil No. 04-5184 (FSH)(GEB). The plaintiffs allegeplaintiffs’ consolidated class action complaint alleges bid rigging and improprieties in the payment of contingent commissions in connection with the sale of insurance that violated federal and state antitrust laws, the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (“RICO”) Act and state common law. After discovery, the District Court dismissed the federal antitrust claims and the RICO claims, and declined to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over the state law claims. The plaintiffs have appealed the dismissal of their complaint to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. The parties have filed their briefs onIn August 2010, the appeal. Oral argument was held on April 21, 2009,Court of Appeals affirmed the District Court’s dismissal of the antitrust claims and the RICO claims against CNA and certain insurance subsidiaries, but vacated the dismissal of those claims against other parties. The Court tookof Appeals also vacated and remanded the matter under advisement.dismissal of the state law claims against CNA and certain insurance subsidiaries and other parties to allow for further proceedings before the District Court. During the fourth quarter of 2010, CNA and certain insurance subsidiaries filed a motion to dismiss the state law claims. CNA believes it has meritorious defenses to this action and intends to defend the case vigorously.

The extent of losses beyond any amounts that may be accrued are not readily determinable at this time. However, based on facts and circumstances presently known, in the opinion of management, an unfavorable outcome will not materially affect the equity of the Company, although results of operations may be adversely affected.

CNA is also a party to litigation and claims related to A&E cases arising in the ordinary course of business. See Note 9 for further discussion.

The Company has been named as a defendant in the following three cases alleging substantial damages based on alleged health effects caused by smoking cigarettes or exposure to tobacco smoke, or exposure to asbestos fibers incorporated into filter material used in one brand of cigarette that ceased manufacture more than 50 years ago, allal1 of which also name a former subsidiary, Lorillard, Inc. or one of its subsidiaries, as a defendant. InCypret vs. The American Tobacco Company, Inc. et al.(1998, Circuit Court, Jackson County, Missouri), the Company would contest jurisdiction and make use of all available defenses in the event it receives personal service of this action. InClalit vs. Philip Morris, Inc., et al.(1998, Jerusalem District Court of Israel), the court initially permitted plaintiff to serve the Company outside the jurisdiction but it cancelled the leave of service in response to the Company’s application, and plaintiff’s appeal is pending. InYoung vs. The American Tobacco Company, Inc. et al.(1997, Civil District Court, Orleans Parish, Louisiana), the Company filed an exception for lack of personal jurisdiction during 2000, which remains pending. The Company was voluntarily dismissed from two other cases,Burns v. Hollingsworth & Vose Co., et al. (2009, Superior Court, Middlesex County, Massachusetts) andHartzell v. Hollingsworth & Vose Co., et al. (2009, Superior Court, Middlesex County, Massachusetts), during 2010.

The Company does not believe it is a proper defendant in any tobacco related cases and as a result, does not believe the outcome will have a material affect on the Company’sits results of operations or equity. Further, pursuant to the Separation Agreement dated May 7, 2008 between the Company and Lorillard Inc. and its subsidiaries, Lorillard Inc. and its subsidiaries have agreed to indemnify and hold the Company harmless from all costs and expenses based upon or arising out of the operation or conduct of Lorillard’s business, including among other things, smoking and health claims and litigation such as the three cases described above.

While the Company intends to defend vigorously all tobacco products liability litigation, it is not possible to predict the outcome of any of this litigation. Litigation is subject to many uncertainties. It is possible that one or more of the pending actions could be decided unfavorably.

The Company and its subsidiaries are also parties to other litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. The outcome of this other litigation will not, in the opinion of management, materially affect the Company’s results of operations or equity.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 20. Commitments and Contingencies

Guarantees

In the course of selling business entities and assets to third parties, CNA has agreed to indemnify purchasers for losses arising out of breaches of representation and warranties with respect to the business entities or assets being sold, including, in certain cases, losses arising from undisclosed liabilities or certain named litigation. Such indemnification provisions generally survive for periods ranging from nine months following the applicable closing date to the expiration of the relevant statutes of limitation. As of December 31, 2009,2010, the aggregate amount of

quantifiable indemnification agreements in effect for sales of business entities, assets and third party loans was $819$719 million.

In addition, CNA has agreed to provide indemnification to third party purchasers for certain losses associated with sold business entities or assets that are not limited by a contractual monetary amount. As of December 31, 2009,2010, CNA had outstanding unlimited indemnifications in connection with the sales of certain of its business entities or assets that included tax liabilities arising prior to a purchaser’s ownership of an entity or asset, defects in title at the time of sale, employee claims arising prior to closing and in some cases losses arising from certain litigation and undisclosed liabilities. These indemnification agreements survive until the applicable statutes of limitation expire, or until the agreed upon contract terms expire.

Boardwalk PipelineOffshore Rig Purchase CommitmentsObligations

Boardwalk PipelineOn December 30, 2010, Diamond Offshore entered into a turnkey contract with Hyundai Heavy Industries, Co. Ltd., (“Hyundai”) for the construction of a new ultra-deepwater drillship with delivery scheduled for late in the second quarter of 2013. The contracted price of the new drillship is engagedpayable in expansiontwo installments, of which the first installment of $155 million was paid in January 2011. The second installment of approximately $360 million is payable in 2013 upon delivery and growth projects that will requireacceptance of the investmentdrillship.

In January 2011, Diamond Offshore entered into a turnkey contract with Hyundai for the construction of significant capital resources. Asa second ultra-deepwater drillship with delivery scheduled for the fourth quarter of December 31, 2009, Boardwalk Pipeline had capital commitments representing binding commitments under purchase orders for materials ordered but not received2013. The contract price payable to Hyundai is payable in two installments, of which the first installment of $155 million was paid in February 2011. The second installment of approximately $360 million is payable in 2013 upon delivery and firm commitments under binding construction contractsacceptance of $48 million.the drillship.

Note 21. Discontinued Operations

The results of discontinued operations are as follows:

 

Year Ended December 31  2009 2008 2007     2010 2009 2008 
(In millions)                

Revenues:

         

Net investment income

  $6   $22   $120      $          6    $          6    $          22  

Manufactured products

    1,750    4,176        1,750  

Investment gains

    3    9   

Investment gains (losses)

   (1   3  

Other

     1      1   

Total (a)

   6    1,775    4,306      6    6    1,775  

Expenses:

��        

Insurance related expenses

   8    10    25      26    8    10  

Cost of manufactured products sold

    1,039    2,408        1,039  

Other operating expenses

    175    478       175  

Total

   8    1,224    2,911      26    8    1,224  

Income (loss) before income tax

   (2  551    1,395      (20  (2  551  

Income tax expense

    (200  (494     (200

Results of discontinued operations

   (2  351    901      (20  (2  351  

Gain on disposal (after tax of $51)

    4,362        4,362  

Net income (loss) from discontinued operations

   (2  4,713    901      (20  (2  4,713  

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

    (1  1      1    (1

Net income (loss) from discontinued operations - Loews

  $(2 $4,712   $902     $(19 $(2 $4,712  
   

 

(a)

Lorillard’s revenues amounted to 99.4% and 94.7% of total revenues of discontinued operations for the yearsyear ended December 31, 2008 and 2007.2008. Lorillard’s pretax income amounted to 100% and 99.1% of total pretax income of discontinued operations for the yearsyear ended December 31, 2008 and 2007.2008.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 21. Discontinued Operations – (Continued)

Net liabilities of discontinued operations included in Other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows:

 

December 31  2009 2008     2010 2009 
(In millions)            

Assets:

       

Investments

  $141   $157     $        71   $        141  

Receivables

   4    6      47    4  

Other assets

   2    1      13    2  

Total Assets

  $147   $164   

Total assets

  $131   $147  

Liabilities:

       

Insurance reserves

  $140   $162     $120   $140  

Other liabilities

   8    8      13    8  

Total Liabilities

   148    170   

Total liabilities

   133    148  

Net liabilities of discontinued operations (a)

  $(1 $(6   $(2 $(1
   

 

(a)

The net liabilities of CNA’s discontinued operations totaling $1$2 million and $6$1 million as of December 31, 20092010 and December 31, 20082009 are included in Other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. At December 31, 20092010 and December 31, 2008,2009, the insurance reserves are net of discounts of $56$59 million and $75$56 million.

Lorillard

As discussed in Note 2, in June of 2008, the Company disposed of its entire ownership interest in Lorillard. The Consolidated Financial Statements have been reclassified to reflect Lorillard as a discontinued operation. Accordingly, revenues and expenses and cash flows of Lorillard have been excluded from the respective captions in the Consolidated Statements of Income, and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and have been included in Discontinued operations, net and Net cash flows - discontinued operations.

CNA

CNA has discontinued operations, which consist of run-off insurance and reinsurance operations acquired in its merger with The Continental Corporation in 1995. As of December 31, 2009,2010, the remaining run-off business is administered by Continental Reinsurance Corporation International, Ltd., a wholly ownedwholly-owned Bermuda subsidiary. The business consists of facultative property and casualty, treaty excess casualty and treaty pro-rata reinsurance with underlying exposure to a diverse, multi-line domestic and international book of business encompassing property, casualty and marine liabilities. As further discussed in Note 9, the Loss Portfolio Transfer transaction included a portion of net claim and claim adjustment expense reserves related to these discontinued operations.

The income (loss) from discontinued operations reported above related to CNA primarily represents the net investment income, realized investment gains and losses, foreign currency gains and losses, effects of the accretion of the loss reserve discount and re-estimation of the ultimate claim and claim adjustment expense of the discontinued operations.

On May 4, 2007, CNA sold Continental Management Services Limited (“CMS”), its United Kingdom discontinued operations subsidiary. During 2008, CNA recognized a change in estimate of the tax benefit related to the CMS sale.

Bulova

The Company sold Bulova for approximately $263 million in January of 2008. The Company recorded a gain of approximately $126 million, $75 million after tax, for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 22. Business Segments

The Company’s reportable segments are primarily based on its individual operating subsidiaries. Each of the principal operating subsidiaries are headed by a chief executive officer who is responsible for the operation of its business and has the duties and authority commensurate with that position. Investment gains (losses) and the related income taxes, excluding those of CNA, Financial, are included in the Corporate and other segment.

As a result of the realignment of management responsibilities,

CNA has revised its property and casualtyreporting segments in the fourth quarter of 2009. There was2010. The segment change reflects the manner in which CNA is currently organized for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing performance. Segment data for prior reporting periods has been adjusted to reflect the new segment reporting.

Claim and claim adjustment expenses and reserves for certain mass tort claims were previously reported as part of the Other Insurance segment. These mass tort claims were centrally managed along with asbestos and environmental pollution claims. A significant portion of this centralized claim group became employees of a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. as a result of the Loss Portfolio Transfer transaction that closed on August 31, 2010. Management responsibility for these mass tort claims has now been assigned to the segment from which the mass tort arose. This change had no change inimpact on CNA’s CNA Specialty and Life & Group Non-Core and Other Insurance segments. Prior period segment disclosures have been conformed to the current year presentation. The new segment structure reflects the way management currently reviews results and makes business decisions.

CNA’s core property and casualty commercial insurance operations are reported in two business segments: CNA Specialty and CNA Commercial. CNA Specialty provides a broad array of professional, financial and specialty property and casualty products and services, primarily through insurance brokers and managing general underwriters. CNA Commercial includes property and casualty coverages sold to small businesses and middle market entities and organizations primarily through an independent agency distribution system. CNA Commercial also includes commercial insurance and risk management products sold to large corporations primarily through insurance brokers. Previously, CNA’s international operations were treated as a separate business unit within CNA Specialty. The products sold through CNA’s international operations are now reflected within CNA Specialty and CNA Commercial in a manner that aligns with the products within each segment. Additionally, CNA’s excess and surplus lines, which were previously included in CNA Specialty, are now included in CNA Commercial, as part of CNA Select Risk.

CNA’s non-core operations are managed in two segments: Life & Group Non-Core and Other Insurance. Life & Group Non-Core primarily includes the results of the life and group lines of business that are in run-off. Other Insurance primarily includes certain corporate expenses, including interest on corporate debt, and the results of certain property and casualty business primarily in run-off, including CNA Re. This segment also includes the results related to the centralized adjustingRe and settlement of A&E.&EP.

Diamond Offshore’s business primarily consists of operating 4746 offshore drilling rigs that are chartered on a contract basis for fixed terms by companies engaged in exploration and production of hydrocarbons. Offshore rigs are mobile units that can be relocated based on market demand. On December 31, 2009, these2010, Diamond Offshore’s drilling rigs were located offshore in 1213 countries in addition to the United States.

HighMount’s business consists primarily of natural gas exploration and production operations located primarily in the Permian Basin in Texas, with estimated proved reserves totaling approximately 1.3 trillion cubic feet equivalent. In the second quarter of 2010, HighMount sold substantially all exploration and production assets located in the Antrim Shale in Michigan and the Black Warrior Basin in Alabama. The Michigan and Alabama with estimatedproperties represented approximately 17%, in aggregate, of HighMount’s total proved reserves totaling approximately 2.0 trillion cubic feet equivalent.as of December 31, 2009.

Boardwalk Pipeline is engaged in the interstate transportation and storage of natural gas. This segment consists of three interstate natural gas pipeline systems originating in the Gulf Coast arearegion, Oklahoma and runningArkansas, and extending north and east through Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Arkansas,the Midwestern states of Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana Ohio, Illinois and OklahomaOhio, with approximately 14,200 miles of pipeline.

Loews Hotels owns and/or operates 18 hotels, 16 of which are in the United States and two are in Canada.

The Corporate and other segment consists primarily of corporate investment income, including investment gains (losses) from non-insurance subsidiaries, corporate interest expense and other unallocated expenses.

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies.policies in Note 1. In addition, CNA does not maintain a distinct investment portfolio for each of its insurance segments, and accordingly, allocation of assets to each segment is not performed. Therefore, net investment income and investment gains (losses) are allocated based on each segment’s carried insurance reserves, as adjusted.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 22. Business Segments – (Continued)

The following tables set forth the Company’s consolidated revenues, income and assets by business segment:

 

Year Ended December 31  2009 2008 2007   2010 2009 2008 
(In millions)                

Revenues (a):

         

CNA Financial:

         

CNA Specialty

  $3,242   $3,071   $3,368     $3,516   $3,242   $3,071  

CNA Commercial

   4,061    3,937    4,999      4,174    4,069    3,938  

Life & Group Non-Core

   1,035    761    1,220      1,357    1,035    761  

Other Insurance

   134    30    299      161    126    29  

Total CNA Financial

   8,472    7,799    9,886      9,208    8,472    7,799  

Diamond Offshore

   3,653    3,486    2,617      3,361    3,653    3,486  

HighMount

   620    770    274      455    620    770  

Boardwalk Pipeline

   910    848    671      1,129    910    848  

Loews Hotels

   284    380    384      308    284    380  

Corporate and other

   178    (36  470      154    178    (36

Total

  $14,117   $13,247   $14,302     $    14,615   $    14,117   $13,247  
   

Income (loss) before income tax and noncontrolling interest (a)(b):

     
Income (loss) before income tax and noncontrolling interests        
(a)(b):        

CNA Financial:

         

CNA Specialty

  $732   $404   $757     $    1,050   $732   $404  

CNA Commercial

   378    (114  873      770    353    (119

Life & Group Non-Core

   (325  (587  (351    (124  (325  (587

Other Insurance

   (234  (253  (45    (575  (209  (248

Total CNA Financial

   551    (550  1,234      1,121    551    (550

Diamond Offshore

   1,864    1,843    1,238      1,333    1,864    1,843  

HighMount

   (839  (890  92      136    (839  (890

Boardwalk Pipeline

   157    292    229      283    157    292  

Loews Hotels

   (52  62    60      2    (52  62  

Corporate and other

   49    (170  341      27    49    (170

Total

  $1,730   $587   $3,194     $    2,902   $    1,730   $587  
   

Net income (loss) (a)(b):

             

CNA Financial:

         

CNA Specialty

  $422   $222   $426     $581   $422   $222  

CNA Commercial

   247    (41  526      445    233    (43

Life & Group Non-Core

   (152  (309  (174    (49  (152  (309

Other Insurance

   (118  (140  (8    (322  (104  (138

Total CNA Financial

   399    (268  770      655    399    (268

Diamond Offshore

   643    612    395      446    643    612  

HighMount

   (537  (575  57      77    (537  (575

Boardwalk Pipeline

   67    125    106      114    67    125  

Loews Hotels

   (34  40    36      1    (34  40  

Corporate and other

   28    (116  222      14    28    (116

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   566    (182  1,586      1,307    566    (182

Discontinued operations, net

   (2  4,712    902      (19  (2  4,712  

Total

  $564   $4,530   $2,488     $    1,288   $    564   $    4,530  
   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 22. Business Segments – (Continued)

(a)

Investment gains (losses) included in Revenues, Income (loss) before income tax and noncontrolling interestinterests and Net income (loss) are as follows:

 

Year Ended December 31  2009 2008 2007           2010                 2009                 2008         
 

Revenues and income (loss) before income tax and noncontrolling interest:

     

Revenues and income (loss) before income tax and noncontrolling interests:

    

CNA Financial:

         

CNA Specialty

  $(186 $(257 $(70   $30   $(186 $(257)    

CNA Commercial

   (354  (519  (160    (15  (360  (526)    

Life & Group Non-Core

   (235  (363  (56    53    (235  (363)    

Other Insurance

   (82  (158  (24    18    (76  (151)    
 

Total CNA Financial

   (857  (1,297  (310    86    (857  (1,297)    

Corporate and other

   4    3    175      (30  4    3     
 

Total

  $(853 $(1,294 $(135   $56   $(853 $(1,294)    
 

Net income (loss):

         

CNA Financial:

         

CNA Specialty

  $(110 $(150 $(41   $18   $(110 $(150)    

CNA Commercial

   (209  (302  (93    (14  (212  (306)    

Life & Group Non-Core

   (138  (212  (33    30    (138  (212)    

Other Insurance

   (48  (92  (13    12    (45  (88)    
 

Total CNA Financial

   (505  (756  (180    46    (505  (756)    

Corporate and other

   2    2    113      (19  2    2     
 

Total

  $(503 $(754 $(67   $27   $(503 $(754)    
 

 

(b)

Income taxes and interest expense are as follows:

 

Year Ended December 31  2009  2008  2007   2010   2009   2008 
  Income
Taxes
 Interest
Expense
  Income
Taxes
 Interest
Expense
  Income
Taxes
 Interest
Expense
   
  Income
Taxes
 Interest
Expense
   Income
Taxes
 Interest
Expense
   Income
Taxes
 

Interest

Expense

 
 

CNA Financial:

                   

CNA Specialty

  $218   $1  $115   $2  $243   $3   $            353   $                1    $            218   $                1    $            115   $                2    

CNA Commercial

   88    3   (82    269       260      79    3     (84 

Life & Group Non-Core

   (156  23   (243  23   (155  23    (70  23     (156  23     (243  23    

Other Insurance

   (89  101   (96  109   (36  114    (207  133     (80  101     (94  109    
 

Total CNA Financial

   61    128   (306  134   321    140    336    157     61    128     (306  134    

Diamond Offshore

   540    50   582    10   429    20    413    91     540    50     582    10    

HighMount

   (302  80   (315  76   46    32    48    61     (302  80     (315  76    

Boardwalk Pipeline

   44    132   79    58   68    61    73    151     44    132     79    58    

Loews Hotels

   (18  9   22    11   24    11    1    10     (18  9     22    11    

Corporate and other

   20    49   (55  56   107    55    24    47     20    49     (55  56    
 

Total

  $345   $448  $7   $345  $995   $319   $895   $517    $345   $448    $7   $345    
 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 22. Business Segments – (Continued)

   Investments  Receivables  Total Assets  
    
December 31  2009  2008  2009  2008  2009  2008  
 
(In millions)                    

CNA Financial

  $41,996  $34,980  $9,104  $10,290  $55,241  $51,624 

Diamond Offshore

   739   701   794   575   6,254   4,971 

HighMount

   80   46   97   225   3,225   4,012 

Boardwalk Pipeline

   46   313   110   92   7,014   6,817 

Loews Hotels

   61   70   27   23   474   496 

Corporate and eliminations

   3,112   2,340   80   467   1,862   1,950 
 

Total

  $46,034  $38,450  $10,212  $11,672  $74,070  $69,870 
 

Note 23. Consolidating Financial Information

The following schedules present the Company’s consolidating balance sheet information at December 31, 20092010 and 2008,2009, and consolidating statements of incomeoperations information for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 2008 and 2007.2008. These schedules present the individual subsidiaries of the Company and their contribution to the consolidated financial statements. Amounts presented will not necessarily be the same as those in the individual financial statements of the Company’s subsidiaries due to adjustments for purchase accounting, income taxes and noncontrolling interests. In addition, many of the Company’s subsidiaries use a classified balance sheet which also leads to differences in amounts reported for certain line items.

The Corporate and Other column primarily reflects the parent company’s investment in its subsidiaries, invested cash portfolio assets and liabilities of discontinued operations of Lorillard and Bulova and corporate long term debt. The elimination adjustments are for intercompany assets and liabilities, interest and dividends, the parent company’s investment in capital stocks of subsidiaries, and various reclasses of debit or credit balances to the amounts in consolidation. Purchase accounting adjustments have been pushed down to the appropriate subsidiary.

Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsLoews Corporation

Note 23. Consolidating FinancialBalance Sheet Information – (Continued)

 

December 31, 2010  CNA
Financial
   Diamond
Offshore
   HighMount   Boardwalk
Pipeline
   Loews
Hotels
   Corporate
and Other
   Eliminations  Total 
  
(In millions)                               

Assets:

               

Investments

  $42,655    $1,055    $128    $52    $57    $4,960     $48,907    

Cash

   77     22     2     7     10     2      120    

Receivables

   9,224     671     109     71     33     169    $(135  10,142    

Property, plant and equipment

   286     4,291     1,350     6,326     347     36      12,636    

Deferred income taxes

   699       548           (958  289    

Goodwill

   86     20     584     163     3        856    

Investments in capital stocks of subsidiaries

             15,314     (15,314  -    

Other assets

   724     678     27     339     24     6      1,798    

Deferred acquisition costs of insurance subsidiaries

   1,079                1,079    

Separate account business

   450                450    
  

Total assets

  $55,280    $6,737    $2,748    $6,958    $474    $20,487    $(16,407 $76,277    
  

Liabilities and Equity:

               

Insurance reserves

  $37,590               $37,590    

Payable to brokers

   239      $115    $2      $329      685    

Short term debt

   400          $72     175      647    

Long term debt

   2,251    $1,487     1,100     3,252     148     692    $(100  8,830    

Deferred income taxes

     533       410     54     522     (1,519  -    

Other liabilities

   2,877     831     93     372     21     249     526    4,969    

Separate account business

   450                450    
  

Total liabilities

   43,807     2,851     1,308     4,036     295     1,967     (1,093  53,171    
  

Total shareholders’ equity

   9,838     1,972     1,440     1,815     179     18,520     (15,314  18,450    

Noncontrolling interests

   1,635     1,914       1,107          4,656    
  

Total equity

   11,473     3,886     1,440     2,922     179     18,520     (15,314  23,106    
  

Total liabilities and equity

  $55,280    $6,737    $2,748    $6,958    $474    $20,487    $(16,407 $76,277    
  

Loews Corporation

Consolidating Balance Sheet Information

 

December 31, 2009  CNA
Financial
  Diamond
Offshore
  HighMount  Boardwalk
Pipeline
  Loews
Hotels
  Corporate
and Other
  Eliminations Total   CNA
Financial
   Diamond
Offshore
   HighMount   Boardwalk
Pipeline
   Loews
Hotels
   Corporate
and Other
   Eliminations Total 
 
(In millions)                                                      

Assets:

                               

Investments

  $41,996  $739  $80  $46  $61  $3,112   $46,034   $41,996    $739    $80    $46    $61    $3,112     $46,034    

Cash

   140   39   3   4   2   2    190    140     39     3     4     2     2      190    

Receivables

   9,104   794   97   110   27   202  $(122  10,212    9,104     794     97     110     27     202    $(122      10,212    

Property, plant and equipment

   304   4,442   1,778   6,348   362   40    13,274    304     4,442     1,778     6,348     362     40      13,274    

Deferred income taxes

   1,368     636         (1,377  627    1,368       636           (1,377  627    

Goodwill

   86   20   584   163   3      856    86     20     584     163     3        856    

Investments in capital stocks of subsidiaries

             15,276   (15,276  -              15,276     (15,276  -    

Other assets

   712   220   47   343   19   5    1,346    712     220     47     343     19     5      1,346    

Deferred acquisition costs of insurance subsidiaries

   1,108              1,108    1,108                1,108    

Separate account business

   423              423    423                423    
 

Total assets

  $55,241  $6,254  $3,225  $7,014  $474  $18,637  $(16,775 $74,070   $55,241    $6,254    $3,225    $7,014    $474    $18,637    $(16,775 $74,070    
 

Liabilities and Equity:

                               

Insurance reserves

  $38,263             $38,263   $38,263               $38,263    

Payable to brokers

   253    $196      $91    540    253      $196        $91      540    

Short term debt

    $4      $6      10     $4        $6        10    

Long term debt

   2,303   1,487   1,600  $3,100   218   867  $(100  9,475    2,303     1,487     1,600    $3,100     218     867    $(100  9,475    

Reinsurance balances payable

   281              281 

Deferred income taxes

     539     369   38   431   (1,377  -      539       369     38     431     (1,377  -    

Other liabilities

   2,608   560   112   416   38   281   (22  3,993    2,889     560     112     416     38     281     (22  4,274    

Separate account business

   423              423    423                423    
 

Total liabilities

   44,131   2,590   1,908   3,885   300   1,670   (1,499  52,985    44,131     2,590     1,908     3,885     300     1,670     (1,499  52,985    
 

Total shareholders’ equity

   9,674   1,864   1,317   2,179   174   16,967   (15,276  16,899    9,674     1,864     1,317     2,179     174     16,967     (15,276  16,899    

Noncontrolling interests

   1,436   1,800     950        4,186    1,436     1,800       950          4,186    
 

Total equity

   11,110   3,664   1,317   3,129   174   16,967   (15,276  21,085    11,110     3,664     1,317     3,129     174     16,967     (15,276  21,085    
 

Total liabilities and equity

  $55,241  $6,254  $3,225  $7,014  $474  $18,637  $(16,775 $74,070   $55,241    $6,254    $3,225    $7,014    $474    $18,637    $(16,775 $74,070    
 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 23. Consolidating Financial Information – (Continued)

Loews Corporation

Consolidating Balance Sheet Information

December 31, 2008  CNA
Financial
  Diamond
Offshore
  HighMount  Boardwalk
Pipeline
  Loews
Hotels
  Corporate
and Other
  Eliminations  Total  
 
(In millions)                          

Assets:

                

Investments

  $34,980  $701  $46  $313  $70  $2,340   $38,450 

Cash

   85   36   1   2   2   5    131 

Receivables

   10,290   575   225   92   23   482  $(15  11,672 

Property, plant and equipment

   327   3,429   2,771   5,972   350   43    12,892 

Deferred income taxes

   3,532     306         (910  2,928 

Goodwill

   86   20   584   163   3      856 

Investments in capital stocks of subsidiaries

             11,980   (11,980   

Other assets

   815   210   79   275   48   6   (1  1,432 

Deferred acquisition costs of insurance subsidiaries

   1,125              1,125 

Separate account business

   384              384 
 

Total assets

  $51,624  $4,971  $4,012  $6,817  $496  $14,856  $(12,906 $69,870 
 

Liabilities and Equity:

                

Insurance reserves

  $38,771            $(1 $38,770 

Payable to brokers

   124  $37  $191    $1  $326    679 

Short term debt

           71      71 

Long term debt

   2,058   504   1,715  $2,889   155   866    8,187 

Reinsurance balances payable

   316              316 

Deferred income taxes

     453     103   46   308   (910   

Other liabilities

   2,738   579   188   571   12   255   (15  4,328 

Separate account business

   384              384 
 

Total liabilities

   44,391   1,573   2,094   3,563   285   1,755   (926  52,735 
 

Total shareholders’ equity

   6,281   1,732   1,918   1,870   211   13,101   (11,980  13,133 

Noncontrolling interests

   952   1,666     1,384        4,002 
 

Total equity

   7,233   3,398   1,918   3,254   211   13,101   (11,980  17,135 
 

Total liabilities and equity

  $51,624  $4,971  $4,012  $6,817  $496  $14,856  $(12,906 $69,870 
 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 23. Consolidating Financial Information – (Continued)

Loews Corporation

Consolidating Statement of Income Information

 

Year Ended December 31, 2009 CNA
Financial
 Diamond
Offshore
 HighMount Boardwalk
Pipeline
 Loews
Hotels
 Corporate
and Other
 Eliminations Total 
Year Ended December 31, 2010  CNA
Financial
 Diamond
Offshore
 HighMount Boardwalk
Pipeline
 Loews
Hotels
 Corporate
and Other
 Eliminations Total 
 
(In millions)                                   

Revenues:

                  

Insurance premiums

 $6,721         $6,721     $6,515         $6,515     

Net investment income

  2,320   $4      $175     2,499      2,316   $3    $1   $1   $187     2,508     

Intercompany interest and dividends

       954   $(954          720   $(720  –     

Investment gains (losses)

  (857  1       3     (853    86    $(30      56     

Contract drilling revenues

   3,537         3,537       3,230         3,230     

Other

  288    112   $620   $910   $284    (1   2,213      291    128    455    1,128    307    (3   2,306     
 

Total

  8,472    3,654    620    910    284    1,131    (954  14,117      9,208    3,361    425    1,129    308    904    (720  14,615     
 

Expenses:

                  

Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits

  5,290          5,290      4,985          4,985     

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

  1,417          1,417      1,387          1,387     

Contract drilling expenses

   1,224         1,224       1,391         1,391     

Impairment of natural gas and oil properties

    1,036        1,036   

Other operating expenses

  1,086    515    343    621    327    80     2,972      1,558    546    258    695    296    80     3,433     

Interest

  128    50    80    132    9    56    (7  448      157    91    61    151    10    55    (8  517     
 

Total

  7,921    1,789    1,459    753    336    136    (7  12,387      8,087    2,028    319    846    306    135    (8  11,713     
 

Income (loss) before income tax

  551    1,865    (839  157    (52  995    (947  1,730   

Income tax (expense) benefit

  (61  (540  302    (44  18    (20   (345 

Income before income tax

   1,121    1,333    106    283    2    769    (712  2,902     

Income tax expense

   (336  (413  (48  (73  (1  (24   (895)    
 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

  490    1,325    (537  113    (34  975    (947  1,385   

Income from continuing operations

   785    920    58    210    1    745    (712  2,007     

Discontinued operations, net

  (2        (2    (20        (20)    
 

Net income (loss)

  488    1,325    (537  113    (34  975    (947  1,383   

Net income

   765    920    58    210    1    745    (712  1,987     

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

  (91  (682   (46     (819    (129  (474   (96     (699)    
 

Net income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation

 $397   $643   $(537 $67   $(34 $975   $(947 $564   

Net income attributable to Loews Corporation

  $636   $446   $58   $114   $1   $745   $(712 $1,288     
 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Year Ended December 31, 2009  CNA
Financial
  Diamond
Offshore
  HighMount  Boardwalk
Pipeline
  Loews
Hotels
  Corporate
and Other
  Eliminations  Total 
  

(In millions)

  

Revenues:                         

Insurance premiums

  $  6,721         $  6,721  

Net investment income

   2,320   $  4      $  175     2,499  

Intercompany interest and dividends

        954   $(954  -  

Investment gains (losses)

   (857  1       3     (853

Contract drilling revenues

    3,537         3,537  

Other

   288    112   $620   $910   $284    (1      2,213  

Total

   8,472    3,654    620    910    284    1,131    (954  14,117  

Expenses:

         

Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits

   5,290          5,290  

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

   1,417          1,417  

Contract drilling expenses

    1,224         1,224  

Impairment of natural gas and oil properties

     1,036        1,036  

Other operating expenses

   1,086    515    343    621    327    80     2,972  

Interest

   128    50    80    132    9    56    (7  448  

Total

   7,921    1,789    1,459    753    336    136    (7  12,387  

Income (loss) before income tax

   551    1,865    (839  157    (52  995    (947  1,730  

Income tax (expense) benefit

   (61  (540  302    (44  18    (20      (345

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   490    1,325    (537  113    (34  975    (947  1,385  

Discontinued operations, net

   (2                          (2

Net income (loss)

   488    1,325    (537  113    (34  975    (947  1,383  

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

   (91  (682      (46              (819

Net income (loss) attributable to Loews Corporation

  $397   $643   $(537 $67   $(34 $975   $(947 $564  
                                  

Note 23. Consolidating Financial Information – (Continued)

Loews Corporation

Consolidating Statement of Income Information

 

Year Ended December 31, 2008 CNA
Financial
 Diamond
Offshore
 HighMount Boardwalk
Pipeline
 Loews
Hotels
 Corporate
and Other
 Eliminations Total     CNA
Financial
 Diamond
Offshore
 HighMount Boardwalk
Pipeline
 Loews
Hotels
 Corporate
and Other
 Eliminations Total 
(In millions)                          

Revenues:

                  

Insurance premiums

 $7,151        $(1 $7,150     $    7,151        $(1 $    7,150    

Net investment income

  1,619   $12    $3   $1   $(54   1,581      1,619   $    12    $    3   $    1   $(54   1,581    

Intercompany interest and dividends

       1,263    (1,263  -           1,263    (1,263     

Investment gains (losses)

  (1,297  1         (1,296    (1,297  1         (1,296)    

Gain on issuance of subsidiary stock

       2     2           2     2    

Contract drilling revenues

   3,476         3,476       3,476         3,476    

Other

  326    (2 $770    845    379    16     2,334      326    (2 $770    845    379    16    2,334    

Total

  7,799    3,487    770    848    380    1,227    (1,264  13,247      7,799    3,487    770    848    380    1,227    (1,264  13,247    

Expenses:

                  

Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits

  5,723          5,723      5,723          5,723    

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

  1,467          1,467      1,467          1,467    

Contract drilling expenses

   1,185         1,185       1,185         1,185    

Impairment of natural gas and oil properties

    691        691        691        691    

Impairment of goodwill

    482        482        482        482    

Other operating expenses

  1,025    448    411    498    307    79    (1  2,767      1,025    448    411    498    307    79    (1  2,767    

Interest

  134    10    76    58    11    56     345      134    10    76    58    11    56    345    

Total

  8,349    1,643    1,660    556    318    135    (1  12,660      8,349    1,643    1,660    556    318    135    (1  12,660    

Income (loss) before income tax

  (550  1,844    (890  292    62    1,092    (1,263  587      (550  1,844    (890  292    62    1,092    (1,263  587    

Income tax (expense) benefit

  306    (582  315    (79  (22  55     (7    306    (582  315    (79  (22  55    (7)    

Income (loss) from continuing operations

  (244  1,262    (575  213    40    1,147    (1,263  580      (244  1,262    (575  213    40    1,147    (1,263  580    

Discontinued operations, net

  10        4,703     4,713      10    4,703    4,713    

Net income (loss)

  (234  1,262    (575  213    40    5,850    (1,263  5,293      (234  1,262    (575  213    40    5,850    (1,263  5,293    

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling
interests

  (25  (650   (88     (763    (25  (650  (88  (763)    

Net income (loss) attributable to
Loews Corporation

 $(259 $612   $(575 $125   $40   $5,850   $(1,263 $4,530     $(259 $612   $(575 $125   $40   $5,850   $(1,263 $4,530    
   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 23. Consolidating Financial Information – (Continued)

Loews Corporation

Consolidating Statement of Income Information

Year Ended December 31, 2007 CNA
Financial
  Diamond
Offshore
  HighMount  Boardwalk
Pipeline
  Loews
Hotels
  Corporate
and Other
  Eliminations  Total    
(In millions)                          

Revenues:

         

Insurance premiums

 $7,484        $(2 $7,482   

Net investment income

  2,433   $34    $21   $2   $295     2,785   

Intercompany interest and dividends

       1,844    (1,844  -   

Investment gains (losses)

  (310  2   $32        (276 

(Loss) gain on issuance of subsidiary stock

   (3     144     141   

Contract drilling revenues

   2,506         2,506   

Other

  279    77    274    650    382    2     1,664   
 

Total

  9,886    2,616    306    671    384    2,285    (1,846  14,302   
 

Expenses:

         

Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits

  6,009          6,009   

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

  1,520          1,520   

Contract drilling expenses

   1,004         1,004   

Other operating expenses

  983    355    150    381    313    76    (2  2,256   

Interest

  140    20    32    61    11    55     319   
 

Total

  8,652    1,379    182    442    324    131    (2  11,108   
 

Income before income tax

  1,234    1,237    124    229    60    2,154    (1,844  3,194   

Income tax expense

  (321  (429  (46  (68  (24  (107   (995 
 

Income from continuing operations

  913    808    78    161    36    2,047    (1,844  2,199   

Discontinued operations, net

  (6      907     901   
 

Net income

  907    808    78    161    36    2,954    (1,844  3,100   

Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests

  (142  (415   (55     (612 
 

Net income attributable to Loews Corporation

 $765   $393   $78   $106   $36   $2,954   $(1,844 $2,488   
 

This Page Intentionally Left Blank

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

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

The Company’s principal executive officer (“CEO”) and principal financial officer (“CFO”) undertook an evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this Report. The CEO and CFO have concluded that the Company’s controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2009.2010.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and the implementing rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company included a report of management’s assessment of the design and effectiveness of its internal controls as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.2010. The independent registered public accounting firm of the Company reported on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009.2010. Management’s report and the independent registered public accounting firm’s report are included in Item 5 of this Report under the captions entitled “Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting” and “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” and are incorporated herein by reference.

There were no other changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) identified in connection with the foregoing evaluation that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2009,2010, that have materially affected or that are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B. Other Information.

None.

PART III

Except as set forth below and under Executive Officers of the Registrant in Part I of this Report, the information called for by Part III (Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14) has been omitted as Registrant intends to include such information in its definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the close of its fiscal year.

PART IV

Item 15.Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

(a)

(a) 1. Financial Statements:

The financial statements above appear under Item 8. The following additional financial data should be read in conjunction with those financial statements. Schedules not included with these additional financial data have been omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

   Page
Number

2. Financial Statement Schedules:

  

Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries:

  

Schedule I–Condensed financial information of Registrant as of December 31, 20092010 and 20082009 and for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 2008 and 20072008

 L–1

Schedule II–Valuation and qualifying accounts for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 2008 and 20072008

 L–3

Schedule V–Supplemental information concerning property and casualty insurance operations as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 and for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 2008 and 20072008

 L–4

 

  

Description

  

Exhibit
Number

Number

 

3. Exhibits:

  

(3)

 

Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws

  
 

Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, dated August 11, 2009, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009

 3.01
 

By-Laws of the Registrant as amended through October 9, 2007, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q filed October 31, 2007

 3.02

(4)

 

Instruments Defining the Rights of Security Holders, Including Indentures

  
 

The Registrant hereby agrees to furnish to the Commission upon request copies of instruments with respect to long-termlong term debt, pursuant to Item 601(b)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K

  

(10)

 

Material Contracts

  
 

Loews Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan amended and restated as of January 1, 2008, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.01 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008

  10.0110.01+

   

Description

  

Exhibit


Number

 

Loews Corporation Incentive Compensation Plan for Executive Officers, as amended through October 30, 2009, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.02 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009

  

10.02*

10.02+
 

Loews Corporation 2000 Stock Option Plan, as amended through November 10, 2009, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.03 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009

  

10.03*

10.03+
 

Separation Agreement, dated as of May 7, 2008, by and among Registrant, Lorillard, Inc., Lorillard Tobacco Company, Lorillard Licensing Company LLC, One Park Media Services, Inc. and Plisa, S.A., incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008

  

10.04

 

Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of February 25, 2008 between Registrant and Andrew H. Tisch, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007

  

10.05  

10.05+
 

Amendment dated February 10, 2009 to Employment Agreement between Registrant and Andrew H. Tisch, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.06 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008

  

10.06  

10.06+
 

Amendment dated February 24, 2010 to Employment Agreement between Registrant and Andrew H. Tisch, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.07 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009

  10.07+

10.07*Amendment dated February 15, 2011 to Employment Agreement between Registrant and Andrew H. Tisch

  10.08*+
 

Supplemental Retirement Agreement dated January 1, 2002 between Registrant and Andrew H. Tisch, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001

  

10.08  

10.09+
 

Amendment No. 1 dated January 1, 2003 to Supplemental Retirement Agreement between Registrant and Andrew H. Tisch, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002

  

10.09  

10.10+
 

Amendment No. 2 dated January 1, 2004 to Supplemental Retirement Agreement between Registrant and Andrew H. Tisch, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003

  

10.10  

10.11+
 

Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of February 25, 2008 between Registrant and James S. Tisch, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007

  

10.11  

10.12+
 

Amendment dated February 10, 2009 to Employment Agreement between Registrant and James S. Tisch, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.06 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008

  

10.12  

10.13+
 

Amendment dated February 24, 2010 to Employment Agreement between Registrant and James S. Tisch, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009

10.14+

Description

  

10.13*Exhibit
Number

Amendment dated February 15, 2011 to Employment Agreement between Registrant and James S. Tisch

  10.15*+
 

Supplemental Retirement Agreement dated January 1, 2002 between Registrant and James S. Tisch, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001

  

10.14  

10.16+
 

Amendment No. 1 dated January 1, 2003 to Supplemental Retirement Agreement between Registrant and James S. Tisch, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002

  

10.15  

Description

Exhibit

Number

10.17+
 

Amendment No. 2 dated January 1, 2004 to Supplemental Retirement Agreement between Registrant and James S. Tisch, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003

  

10.16  

10.18+
 

Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of February 25, 2008 between Registrant and Jonathan M. Tisch, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007

  

10.17  

10.19+
 

Amendment dated February 10, 2009 to Employment Agreement between Registrant and Jonathan M. Tisch, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.06 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008

  

10.18  

10.20+
 

Amendment dated February 24, 2010 to Employment Agreement between Registrant and Jonathan M. Tisch, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009

  10.21+

10.19*Amendment dated February 15, 2011 to Employment Agreement between Registrant and Jonathan M. Tisch

  10.22*+
 

Supplemental Retirement Agreement dated January 1, 2002 between Registrant and Jonathan M. Tisch, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001

  

10.20  

10.23+
 

Amendment No. 1 dated January 1, 2003 to Supplemental Retirement Agreement between Registrant and Jonathan M. Tisch, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002

  

10.21  

10.24+
 

Amendment No. 2 dated January 1, 2004 to Supplemental Retirement Agreement between Registrant and Jonathan M. Tisch, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.41 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003

  

10.22  

10.25+
 

Supplemental Retirement Agreement dated March 24, 2000 between Registrant and Peter W. Keegan, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.01 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2000

  

10.23  

10.26+
 

First Amendment to Supplemental Retirement Agreement dated June 30, 2001 between Registrant and Peter W. Keegan, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2002

  10.27+

10.24  

Description

Exhibit
Number

 

Second Amendment to Supplemental Retirement Agreement dated March 25, 2003 between Registrant and Peter W. Keegan and Third Amendment to Supplemental Retirement Agreement dated March 31, 2004 between Registrant and Peter W. Keegan, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.44 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005

  

10.25  

  10.28+
 

Fourth Amendment to Supplemental Retirement Agreement dated December 6, 2005 between Registrant and Peter W. Keegan, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K filed December 7, 2005

  

10.26  

  10.29+
 

Form of Stock Option Certificate for grants to executive officers and other employees and to non-employee directors pursuant to the Loews Corporation 2000 Stock Option Plan, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009

  

10.27*

  10.30+
 

Form of Award Certificate for grants of stock appreciation rights to executive officers and other employees pursuant to the Loews Corporation 2000 Stock Option Plan, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009

  

10.28*

Description

Exhibit

Number

  10.31+
 

Lease agreement dated November 20, 2001 between 61st & Park Ave. Corp. and Preston R. Tisch and Joan Tisch, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q filed August 4, 2009

  

  10.29

10.32

(21)

 

Subsidiaries of the Registrant

  
 

List of subsidiaries of Registrant

  

  21.01*

(23)

 

Consent of Experts and Counsel

  
 

Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP

  

  23.01*

 

Consent of Ryder Scott Company, L.P.

  

  23.02*

 

Audit Report of Independent Petroleum Consultants

  

  23.03*

(31)

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications

  
 

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

  

  31.01*

 

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

  

  31.02*

(32)

 

Section 1350 Certifications

  
 

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

  

  32.01*

 

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

  32.02*

  

  32.02*Description

Exhibit
Number

(100)

  

XBRL - Related Documents

  
  

XBRL Instance Document

  

101.INS **

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

  

101.SCH **

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase

  

101.CAL **

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase

  

101.DEF **

  

XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase

  

101.LAB **

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

  

101.PRE **

 

   *

Filed herewith.

**

The documents formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) and attached as Exhibit 101 to this Report are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act, are deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Exchange Act, and otherwise, not subject to liability under these sections.

  +

Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

 

  LOEWS CORPORATION

Dated: February 24, 201023, 2011

  By 

/s/ Peter W. Keegan

   

(Peter W. Keegan, Senior Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Dated: February 24, 201023, 2011

  By 

/s/ James S. Tisch

   

(James S. Tisch, President,

Chief Executive Officer and Director)

Dated: February 24, 201023, 2011

  By 

/s/ Peter W. Keegan

   

(Peter W. Keegan, Senior Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer)

Dated: February 24, 201023, 2011

  By 

/s/ Mark S. Schwartz

   (Mark S. Schwartz, Controller)

Dated: February 24, 201023, 2011

  By 

/s/ Ann E. Berman

   (Ann E. Berman, Director)

Dated: February 24, 201023, 2011

  By 

/s/ Joseph L. Bower

   (Joseph L. Bower, Director)

Dated: February 24, 201023, 2011

  By 

/s/ Charles M. Diker

   (Charles M. Diker, Director)

Dated: February 24, 201023, 2011

  By 

/s/ Jacob A. Frenkel

   (Jacob A. Frenkel, Director)

Dated: February 24, 201023, 2011

  By 

/s/ Paul J. Fribourg

   (Paul J. Fribourg, Director)

Dated: February 24, 201023, 2011

  By 

/s/ Walter L. Harris

   (Walter L. Harris, Director)

Dated: February 24, 201023, 2011

  By 

/s/ Philip A. Laskawy

   (Philip A. Laskawy, Director)

Dated: February 24, 201023, 2011

  By 

/s/ Ken Miller

   (Ken Miller, Director)

Dated: February 24, 201023, 2011

  By 

/s/ Gloria R. Scott

   (Gloria R. Scott, Director)

Dated: February 24, 201023, 2011

  By 

/s/ Andrew H. Tisch

   (Andrew H. Tisch, Director)

Dated: February 24, 201023, 2011

  By 

/s/ Jonathan M. Tisch

   (Jonathan M. Tisch, Director)

SCHEDULE I

Condensed Financial Information of Registrant

LOEWS CORPORATION

BALANCE SHEETS

ASSETS

 

December 31  2009    2008     2010   2009   
(In millions)                 

Current assets, principally investment in short term instruments

  $2,369    $1,805   $3,735    $2,369    

Investments in securities

   775     973    1,376     775    

Investments in capital stocks of subsidiaries, at equity

   15,276     11,980    15,314     15,276    

Other assets

   19     21    14     19    

Total assets

  $18,439    $14,779   $    20,439    $    18,439    
      
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITYLIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY  

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

  $202    $465   $531    $202    

Short term debt

   175     

Current liabilities

   706     202    

Long term debt

   867     866    692     867    

Deferred income tax and other

   471     315    591     471    

Total liabilities

   1,540     1,646    1,989     1,540    

Shareholders’ equity

   16,899     13,133    18,450     16,899    

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

  $18,439    $14,779   $    20,439    $    18,439    
      

STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 

000000000000
Year Ended December 31  2009   2008   2007     2010 2009 2008   
(In millions)                    

Revenues:

           

Equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries (a)

  $601    $(12  $1,424     $1,345   $601    $        (12)    

Investment gains

   4       3       4   

Gain on issuance of subsidiary stock

     2     141        2     

Interest and other

   160     (42   293      134    160    (42)    

Total

   765     (52   1,861      1,479    765    (52)    

Expenses:

           

Administrative

   77     82     81      80    77    82     

Interest

   55     56     55      55    55    56     

Total

   132     138     136      135    132    138     
   633     (190   1,725      1,344    633    (190)    

Income tax (expense) benefit

   (69   8     (139    (56  (69  8     

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   564     (182   1,586      1,288    564    (182)    

Discontinued operations, net:

           

Results of operations

     350     902        350     

Gain on disposal

      4,362          4,362     

Net income

  $564    $4,530    $2,488     $    1,288   $    564    $     4,530     
   

SCHEDULE I

(Continued)

Condensed Financial Information of Registrant

LOEWS CORPORATION

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

000000000000
Year Ended December 31  2009 2008 2007     2010 2009 2008 
(In millions)                

Operating Activities:

         

Net income

  $564   $4,530   $2,488     $1,288   $564    $      4,530     

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

         

Income from discontinued operations

    (4,712  (902      (4,712)    

Undistributed losses of affiliates

   418    1,312    460   

Undistributed (earnings) losses of affiliates

   (630  418    1,312     

Investment gains

   (4  (2  (144     (4  (2)    

Provision for deferred income taxes

   101    (62  8      92    101    (62)    

Changes in operating assets and liabilities–net:

         

Receivables

   21    (2  20      (16  21    (2)    

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   34    5    (661    (13  34    5     

Federal income taxes

   (84  40    (74    (138  (84  40     

Trading securities

   924    (728  1,180      (1,931  924    (728)    

Other, net

   24    5    10      (39  24    5     
   1,998    386    2,385      (1,387        1,998    386     

Investing Activities:

         

Investments and advances to subsidiaries

   (218  (2,548  (2,440    508    (218  (2,548)    

Change in investments, primarily short term

   (1,599  2,156    1,810      375    (1,599  2,156     

Change in collateral on loaned securities

     (751 

Redemption of CNA preferred stock

   250        1,000    250   

Proceeds from sale of business

    263         263     

Other

   (4  (3  (13    (1  (4  (3)    
   (1,571  (132  (1,394          1,882    (1,571  (132)    

Financing Activities:

         

Dividends paid

   (108  (219  (331    (105  (108  (219)    

Issuance of common stock

   8    4    8      8    8    4     

Purchases of treasury shares

   (334  (33  (672    (405  (334  (33)    

Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

   2    2    6      2    2    2     
   (432  (246  (989    (500  (432  (246)    

Net change in cash

   (5  8    2      (5  (5  8     

Cash, beginning of year

   10    2      5    10    2     

Cash, end of year

  $5   $10   $2     $-   $5    $           10     
   

 

(a)

Cash dividends paid to the Company by affiliates amounted to $712, $947 $1,263 and $1,844$1,263 for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 2008 and 2007.2008.

SCHEDULE II

LOEWS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

Column A

  Column B  Column C  Column D  Column E   Column B   Column C   Column D Column E 
     Additions             Additions       
Description  Balance at
Beginning
of Period
  Charged to
Costs and
Expenses
  Charged
to Other
Accounts
  Deductions  Balance at
End of
Period
     Balance at
Beginning
of Period
   Charged to
Costs and
Expenses
   Charged
to Other
Accounts
   Deductions Balance at
End of
Period
 
(In millions)        
  For the Year Ended December 31, 2009   For the Year Ended December 31, 2010 

Deducted from assets:

                    

Allowance for doubtful accounts

  $650  $14  $9  $59  $614    $    614     $      1     $    69     $    280 (a)   $    404      

Total

   $    614     $      1     $    69     $    280     $    404      
            

Total

  $650  $14  $9  $59  $614 
  For the Year Ended December 31, 2009 
  For the Year Ended December 31, 2008 

Deducted from assets:

                    

Allowance for doubtful accounts

  $798  $10    $158  $650    $    650     $    14     $      9     $      59     $    614      

Total

   $    650     $    14     $      9     $      59     $    614      
            

Total

  $798  $10  $-  $158  $650 
  For the Year Ended December 31, 2008 
  For the Year Ended December 31, 2007 

Deducted from assets:

                    

Allowance for doubtful accounts

  $859  $32  $2  $95  $798    $    798     $    10       $    158     $    650      

Total

  $859  $32  $2  $95  $798    $    798     $    10     $      -     $    158     $    650      
            

(a)

Primarily due to CNA’s reduction of its allowance for doubtful accounts on billed third party reinsurance receivables and ceded claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserves by $200 million under the terms of the Loss Portfolio Transfer, as discussed in Note 17 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8.

SCHEDULE V

LOEWS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Supplemental Information Concerning Property and Casualty Insurance Operations

Consolidated Property and Casualty Operations

000000000000

Consolidated Property and Casualty Operations

          
   
December 31       2009   2008       2010 2009 
(In millions)                   

Deferred acquisition costs

    $1,108    $1,125   $1,079   $1,108     

Reserves for unpaid claim and claim adjustment expenses

     26,712     27,475    25,412    26,712     

Discount deducted from claim and claim adjustment expense reserves above (based on interest rates ranging from 3.0% to 7.5%)

     1,595     1,620    1,552    1,595     

Unearned premiums

     3,274     3,406    3,203    3,274     
Year Ended December 31  2009   2008   2007    2010 2009 2008 
(In millions)                   

Net written premiums

  $6,713    $7,090    $7,382  $6,471   $6,713   $7,090     

Net earned premiums

   6,720     7,149     7,481   6,514    6,720    7,149     

Net investment income

   2,110     1,547     2,180   2,097    2,110    1,547     

Incurred claim and claim adjustment expenses related to current year

   4,788     5,189     4,937   4,737    4,788    5,189     

Incurred claim and claim adjustment expenses related to prior years

   (241   (7   220   (545  (241  (7)    

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

   1,417     1,467     1,520   1,387    1,417    1,467     

Paid claim and claim adjustment expenses

   4,841     5,327     5,282   4,667    4,841    5,327     

 

L-4