UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q

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

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED:
March 31,September 30, 2016
 
Commission file number:
1-14527

EVEREST REINSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 22-3263609
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
477 Martinsville Road
Post Office Box 830
Liberty Corner, New Jersey 07938-0830
(908) 604-3000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of registrant's principal executive office)



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.

YESX NO 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

YESX NO 

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

Large accelerated filer  Accelerated filer 
 
Non-accelerated filer
X 
 
Smaller reporting company
 
(Do not check if 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  NOX

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

  Number of Shares Outstanding
Class
 
At MayNovember 1, 2016
Common Shares, $0.01 par value 1,000

The Registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H (1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this form with the reduced disclosure format permitted by General Instruction H of Form 10-Q.


EVEREST REINSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.

Table of Contents
Form 10-Q


Page
PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     
Item 1. Financial Statements 
     
  Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31,September 30, 2016 (unaudited) and 
   December 31, 20151
    
  Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the 
   three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2016 and 2015 (unaudited)2
     
  Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholder's Equity for the three and nine 
   months ended March 31,September 30, 2016 and 2015 (unaudited)3
     
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the threenine months ended 
   March 31,September 30, 2016 and 2015 (unaudited)4
     
  Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements (unaudited)5
     
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and 
   Results of Operation2728
    
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk3944
     
Item 4. Controls and Procedures3944
     

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

     
Item 1. Legal Proceedings4045
     
Item 1A. Risk Factors4045
    
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds4045
    
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities4045
    
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures4045
    
Item 5. Other Information4045
    
Item 6. Exhibits4146

EVEREST REINSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS



 March 31,  December 31,  September 30,  December 31, 
(Dollars in thousands, except par value per share) 2016  2015  2016  2015 
 (unaudited)    (unaudited)    
ASSETS:          
Fixed maturities - available for sale, at market value $5,579,911  $5,356,477  $6,014,941  $5,356,477 
(amortized cost: 2016, $5,488,882; 2015, $5,335,472)        
(amortized cost: 2016, $5,862,000; 2015, $5,335,472)        
Fixed maturities - available for sale, at fair value  1,870   2,102   3,982   2,102 
Equity securities - available for sale, at fair value  1,194,972   1,215,377   961,115   1,215,377 
Short-term investments  329,190   563,536   188,359   563,536 
Other invested assets (cost: 2016, $595,114; 2015, $450,154)  595,114   450,154 
Other invested assets (cost: 2016, $615,735 2015, $450,154)  615,735   450,154 
Other invested assets, at fair value  1,773,214   1,773,214   1,725,367   1,773,214 
Cash  148,439   155,429   285,178   155,429 
Total investments and cash  9,622,710   9,516,289   9,794,677   9,516,289 
Note receivable - affiliated  250,000   250,000   250,000   250,000 
Accrued investment income  46,810   41,727   47,699   41,727 
Premiums receivable  1,092,277   1,129,656   1,288,137   1,129,656 
Reinsurance receivables - unaffiliated  848,919   716,982   827,281   716,982 
Reinsurance receivables - affiliated  3,675,168   3,742,105   3,771,322   3,742,105 
Funds held by reinsureds  172,271   176,712   189,984   176,712 
Deferred acquisition costs  80,270   92,651   77,725   92,651 
Prepaid reinsurance premiums  757,777   772,686   869,282   772,686 
Other assets  247,742   261,805   318,615   256,395 
TOTAL ASSETS $16,793,944  $16,700,613  $17,434,722  $16,695,203 
                
LIABILITIES:                
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses $7,992,273  $7,940,720  $8,306,404  $7,940,720 
Unearned premium reserve  1,318,229   1,349,799   1,448,915   1,349,799 
Funds held under reinsurance treaties  100,755   101,531   113,566   101,531 
Losses in the course of payment  143,296   125,592   127,976   125,592 
Commission reserves  45,880   51,873   71,518   51,873 
Other net payable to reinsurers  1,120,917   1,225,260   1,020,995   1,225,260 
4.868% Senior notes due 6/1/2044  400,000   400,000   396,684   396,594 
6.6% Long term notes due 5/1/2067  238,369   238,368   236,438   236,364 
Accrued interest on debt and borrowings  12,341   3,537   12,341   3,537 
Income taxes  107,488   68,024   163,956   68,024 
Unsettled securities payable  29,525   15,040   66,976   15,040 
Other liabilities  248,154   249,658   227,998   249,658 
Total liabilities  11,757,227   11,769,402   12,193,767   11,763,992 
                
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 5)                
                
STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY:                
Common stock, par value: $0.01; 3,000 shares authorized;                
1,000 shares issued and outstanding (2016 and 2015)  -   -   -   - 
Additional paid-in capital  379,582   374,789   384,974   374,789 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income tax expense                
(benefit) of $(182) at 2016 and ($33,458) at 2015  (349)  (62,136)
(benefit) of $29,808 at 2016 and ($33,458) at 2015  55,349   (62,136)
Retained earnings  4,657,484   4,618,558   4,800,632   4,618,558 
Total stockholder's equity  5,036,717   4,931,211   5,240,955   4,931,211 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY $16,793,944  $16,700,613  $17,434,722  $16,695,203 
                
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.                

1

EVEREST REINSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2016  2015  2016  2015 
  (unaudited) (unaudited) 
REVENUES:            
Premiums earned $556,653  $546,050  $1,527,433  $1,588,536 
Net investment income  64,570   63,363   196,887   206,869 
Net realized capital gains (losses):                
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities  (836)  (10,502)  (25,242)  (43,433)
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities                
transferred to other comprehensive income (loss)  -   -   -   - 
Realized gain(loss) on sale of subsidiary  (28,032)  94,704   (28,032)  94,704 
Other net realized capital gains (losses)  (21,195)  (205,897)  (34,001)  (100,445)
Total net realized capital gains (losses)  (50,063)  (121,695)  (87,275)  (49,174)
Other income (expense)  (13,208)  10,828   (10,806)  38,950 
Total revenues  557,952   498,546   1,626,239   1,785,181 
                 
CLAIMS AND EXPENSES:                
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses  301,603   370,754   936,201   1,002,513 
Commission, brokerage, taxes and fees  85,563   72,151   226,511   241,635 
Other underwriting expenses  64,149   56,953   181,706   157,069 
Corporate expenses  1,835   1,637   6,181   5,031 
Interest, fee and bond issue cost amortization expense  8,859   8,859   26,576   26,576 
Total claims and expenses  462,009   510,354   1,377,175   1,432,824 
                 
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE TAXES  95,943   (11,808)  249,064   352,357 
Income tax expense (benefit)  21,145   (7,149)  66,990   107,306 
                 
NET INCOME (LOSS) $74,798  $(4,659) $182,074  $245,051 
                 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:                
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) ("URA(D)") on securities arising during the period  3,808   (29,878)  62,672   (49,866)
Less: reclassification adjustment for realized losses (gains) included in net income (loss)  (2,767)  11,625   23,085   48,951 
Total URA(D) on securities arising during the period  1,041   (18,253)  85,757   (915)
                 
Foreign currency translation adjustments  (2,642)  (27,473)  27,779   (44,636)
                 
Benefit plan actuarial net gain (loss) for the period  -   -   -   - 
Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net (gain) loss included in net income (loss)  1,268   1,556   3,949   4,769 
Total benefit plan net gain (loss) for the period  1,268   1,556   3,949   4,769 
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax  (333)  (44,170)  117,485   (40,782)
                 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) $74,465  $(48,829) $299,559  $204,269 
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.                



  Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2016  2015 
  (unaudited) 
REVENUES:    
Premiums earned $481,925  $521,062 
Net investment income  58,445   72,581 
Net realized capital gains (losses):        
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities  (23,015)  (24,121)
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities        
transferred to other comprehensive income (loss)  -   - 
Other net realized capital gains (losses)  (43,362)  45,417 
Total net realized capital gains (losses)  (66,377)  21,296 
Other income (expense)  13,102   15,833 
Total revenues  487,095   630,772 
         
CLAIMS AND EXPENSES:        
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses  296,062   308,880 
Commission, brokerage, taxes and fees  68,822   96,531 
Other underwriting expenses  59,227   48,543 
Corporate expenses  2,336   1,609 
Interest, fee and bond issue cost amortization expense  8,859   8,859 
Total claims and expenses  435,306   464,422 
         
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE TAXES  51,789   166,350 
Income tax expense (benefit)  12,863   50,406 
         
NET INCOME (LOSS) $38,926  $115,944 
         
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:        
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) ("URA(D)") on securities arising during the period  19,600   15,950 
Less: reclassification adjustment for realized losses (gains) included in net income (loss)  25,915   23,665 
Total URA(D) on securities arising during the period  45,515   39,615 
         
Foreign currency translation adjustments  14,932   (33,308)
         
Benefit plan actuarial net gain (loss) for the period  -   - 
Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net (gain) loss included in net income (loss)  1,340   1,604 
Total benefit plan net gain (loss) for the period  1,340   1,604 
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax  61,787   7,911 
         
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) $100,713  $123,855 
         
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.        


2

EVEREST REINSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY



 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
 March 31,  September 30,  September 30, 
(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts) 2016  2015  2016  2015  2016  2015 
 (unaudited)  (unaudited)  (unaudited) 
COMMON STOCK (shares outstanding):                
Balance, beginning of period  1,000   1,000   1,000   1,000   1,000   1,000 
Balance, end of period  1,000   1,000   1,000   1,000   1,000   1,000 
                        
ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL:                        
Balance, beginning of period $374,789  $362,293  $382,537  $369,284  $374,789  $362,293 
Share-based compensation plans  4,793   3,965   2,437   3,282   10,185   10,273 
Balance, end of period  379,582   366,258   384,974   372,566   384,974   372,566 
                        
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS),                        
NET OF DEFERRED INCOME TAXES:                        
Balance, beginning of period  (62,136)  4,519   55,682   7,907   (62,136)  4,519 
Net increase (decrease) during the period  61,787   7,911   (333)  (44,170)  117,485   (40,782)
Balance, end of period  (349)  12,430   55,349   (36,263)  55,349   (36,263)
                        
RETAINED EARNINGS:                        
Balance, beginning of period  4,618,558   4,205,905   4,725,834   4,455,615   4,618,558   4,205,905 
Net income (loss)  38,926   115,944   74,798   (4,659)  182,074   245,051 
Balance, end of period  4,657,484   4,321,849   4,800,632   4,450,956   4,800,632   4,450,956 
                        
TOTAL STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY, END OF PERIOD $5,036,717  $4,700,537  $5,240,955  $4,787,259  $5,240,955  $4,787,259 
                        
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.                        


3


EVEREST REINSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS



 Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
 March 31,  September 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2016  2015  2016  2015 
 (unaudited)  (unaudited) 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:          
Net income (loss) $38,926  $115,944  $182,074  $245,051 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:                
Decrease (increase) in premiums receivable  38,549   (78,969)  (155,717)  (225,922)
Decrease (increase) in funds held by reinsureds, net  3,817   (4,707)  (948)  589 
Decrease (increase) in reinsurance receivables  (56,106)  (68,311)  (120,745)  (169,328)
Decrease (increase) in income taxes  6,546   31,408   33,279   (212)
Decrease (increase) in prepaid reinsurance premiums  15,994   15,016   (94,400)  (44,177)
Increase (decrease) in reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses  29,962   20,927   322,226   107,006 
Increase (decrease) in unearned premiums  (33,573)  (28,224)  94,847   34,627 
Increase (decrease) in other net payable to reinsurers  (106,588)  (52,400)  (209,260)  (50,813)
Increase (decrease) in losses in course of payment  17,456   60,419   1,860   133,244 
Change in equity adjustments in limited partnerships  2,514   (7,173)  (17,067)  (16,409)
Distribution of limited partnership income  9,859   7,369   31,739   36,883 
Change in other assets and liabilities, net  24,496   35,494   (124,955)  (2,719)
Non-cash compensation expense  3,117   1,946   7,453   6,303 
Amortization of bond premium (accrual of bond discount)  4,541   4,955   13,754   13,978 
Amortization of underwriting discount on senior notes  1   1   3   3 
Net realized capital (gains) losses  66,377   (21,296)  87,275   49,174 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities  65,888   32,399   51,418   117,278 
                
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                
Proceeds from fixed maturities matured/called - available for sale, at market value  154,378   188,815   572,224   696,268 
Proceeds from fixed maturities sold - available for sale, at market value  188,046   112,846   433,655   418,284 
Proceeds from fixed maturities sold - available for sale, at fair value  -   1,236   1,587   1,824 
Proceeds from equity securities sold - available for sale, at market value  -   16 
Proceeds from equity securities sold - available for sale, at fair value  86,149   133,960   531,894   442,276 
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary (net of cash disposed)  47,721   3,934 
Distributions from other invested assets  255,889   10,797   1,119,428   36,130 
Cost of fixed maturities acquired - available for sale, at market value  (506,085)  (293,848)  (1,516,092)  (1,403,187)
Cost of fixed maturities acquired - available for sale, at fair value  (3,940)  (234)
Cost of equity securities acquired - available for sale, at fair value  (92,019)  (164,112)  (253,041)  (442,306)
Cost of other invested assets acquired  (413,223)  (16,600)  (1,299,682)  (49,575)
Net change in short-term investments  235,895   (860)  376,832   176,876 
Net change in unsettled securities transactions  5,870   (31,296)  40,771   (12,069)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities  (85,100)  (59,062)  51,357   (131,763)
                
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                
Tax benefit from share-based compensation  1,676   2,020   2,732   3,970 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities  1,676   2,020   2,732   3,970 
                
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH  10,546   (31,845)  24,242   (37,328)
                
Net increase (decrease) in cash  (6,990)  (56,488)  129,749   (47,843)
Cash, beginning of period  155,429   323,975   155,429   323,975 
Cash, end of period $148,439  $267,487  $285,178  $276,132 
                
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:                
Income taxes paid (recovered) $4,558  $18,077  $30,877  $104,727 
Interest paid  -   -   17,608   17,608 
                
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.                

4

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended March 31,September 30, 2016 and 2015

1. GENERAL

As used in this document, "Holdings" means Everest Reinsurance Holdings, Inc., a Delaware company and direct subsidiary of Everest Underwriting Group (Ireland) Limited ("Holdings Ireland"); "Group" means Everest Re Group, Ltd. (Holdings Ireland's parent); "Bermuda Re" means Everest Reinsurance (Bermuda), Ltd., a subsidiary of Group; "Everest Re" means Everest Reinsurance Company and its subsidiaries, a subsidiary of Holdings (unless the context otherwise requires) and the "Company" means Holdings and its subsidiaries.

During the third quarter of 2016, the Company established domestic subsidiaries, Everest Premier Insurance Company ("Everest Premier") and Everest Denali Insurance Company ("Everest Denali"), which will be used in the continued expansion of the Insurance operations.

Effective August 24, 2016, the Company sold its wholly-owned subsidiary, Heartland Crop Insurance Company ("Heartland"), a managing agent for crop insurance, to CGB Diversified Services, Inc. ("CGB"). The operating results of Heartland for the period owned are included within the Company's financial statements.

Effective July 13, 2015, the Company sold all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of a wholly-owned subsidiary entity, Mt. McKinley Insurance Company ("Mt. McKinley"), to Clearwater Insurance Company. The operating results of Mt. McKinley for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2015 are included within the Company's financial statements.

2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2016 and 2015 include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of the results on an interim basis.  Certain financial information, which is normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"), has been omitted since it is not required for interim reporting purposes. The December 31, 2015 consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP.  The results for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2016 and 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year.  These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 included in the Company's most recent Form 10-K filing.

All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Certain reclassifications and format changes have been made to prior years' amounts to conform to the 2016 presentation.

Application of Recently Issued Accounting Standard Changes.

Disclosures about Short-Duration Contracts. In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-09, authoritative guidance regarding required disclosures associated with short duration insurance contracts.  The new disclosure requirements focus on information about initial claim estimates and subsequent claim estimate adjustment, methodologies in estimating claims and the timing, frequency and severity of claims related to short duration insurance contracts. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016.  Therefore, the initial presentation of this guidance in the Company's financial statements and footnotes will be for its 10-K filing as of December 31, 2016. The Company does not anticipate that it will have a significant impact on its financial statements.

5

Debt Issuance Costs. In April 2015, The FASB issued ASU 2015–03, authoritative guidance on the presentation of debt issuance costs.  This guidance requires that debt issuance costs be presented within the balance sheet as a reduction of the carrying value of the debt liability, rather than as a separate asset.  This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and related interim reporting periods.  The Company does not anticipate that the adoption ofBased upon this guidance, will have a material impact on itsthe Company has adjusted prior financial statements.statements and footnotes to conform with this new presentation.
5


Consolidation. In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, authoritative guidance regarding consolidation of reporting entities.  The new guidance focuses on the required evaluation of whether certain legal entities should be consolidated.  This guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company has determined that the guidance will not have a significant impact on its financial statements.

3.  INVESTMENTS

The amortized cost, market value and gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of available for sale, fixed maturity, equity security investments, carried at market value and other-than-temporary impairments ("OTTI") in accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") are as follows for the periods indicated:


 At March 31, 2016  At September 30, 2016 
 Amortized  Unrealized  Unrealized  Market  OTTI in AOCI  Amortized  Unrealized  Unrealized  Market  OTTI in AOCI 
(Dollars in thousands) Cost  Appreciation  Depreciation  Value  (a)  Cost  Appreciation  Depreciation  Value  (a) 
Fixed maturity securities                         
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of                         
U.S. government agencies and corporations $363,705  $6,407  $(66) $370,046  $-  $423,167  $6,471  $(470) $429,168  $- 
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions  664,481   38,438   (843)  702,076   -   725,149   40,657   (802)  765,004   - 
Corporate securities  2,003,827   38,795   (39,602)  2,003,020   128   2,192,089   57,124   (10,576)  2,238,637   3,802 
Asset-backed securities  167,757   765   (287)  168,235   -   167,721   1,316   (12)  169,025   - 
Mortgage-backed securities                                        
Commercial  62,415   1,201   (188)  63,428   -   75,965   1,567   (35)  77,497   - 
Agency residential  777,460   9,178   (1,925)  784,713   -   750,339   7,983   (875)  757,447   - 
Non-agency residential  113   19   -   132   -   89   14   -   103   - 
Foreign government securities  472,081   27,162   (7,782)  491,461   -   530,381   29,667   (6,127)  553,921   - 
Foreign corporate securities  977,043   29,693   (9,936)  996,800   -   997,100   34,616   (7,577)  1,024,139   327 
Total fixed maturity securities $5,488,882  $151,658  $(60,629) $5,579,911  $128  $5,862,000  $179,415  $(26,474) $6,014,941  $4,129 
Equity securities $-  $-  $-  $-  $- 



  At December 31, 2015 
  Amortized  Unrealized  Unrealized  Market  OTTI in AOCI 
(Dollars in thousands) Cost  Appreciation  Depreciation  Value  (a) 
Fixed maturity securities               
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of               
U.S. government agencies and corporations $329,281  $2,422  $(718) $330,985  $- 
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions  669,945   34,020   (890)  703,075   - 
Corporate securities  2,011,997   27,286   (70,725)  1,968,558   (86)
Asset-backed securities  145,755   290   (1,063)  144,982   - 
Mortgage-backed securities                    
Commercial  61,527   1,430   (511)  62,446   - 
Agency residential  714,907   3,994   (6,603)  712,298   - 
Non-agency residential  126   24   -   150   - 
Foreign government securities  447,244   24,255   (8,425)  463,074   - 
Foreign corporate securities  954,690   27,616   (11,397)  970,909   17 
Total fixed maturity securities $5,335,472  $121,337  $(100,332) $5,356,477  $(69)


(a)  Represents the amount of OTTI recognized in AOCI.  Amount includes unrealized gains and losses on impaired securities relating to changes in the value of such securities subsequent to the impairment measurement date.
6


The amortized cost and market value of fixed maturity securities are shown in the following tablestable by contractual maturity. Mortgage-backed securities are generally more likely to be prepaid than other fixed maturity securities. As the stated maturity of such securities may not be indicative of actual maturities, the totals for mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are shown separately.


 At March 31, 2016  At December 31, 2015  At September 30, 2016  At December 31, 2015 
 Amortized  Market  Amortized  Market  Amortized  Market  Amortized  Market 
(Dollars in thousands) Cost  Value  Cost  Value  Cost  Value  Cost  Value 
Fixed maturity securities – available for sale                    
Due in one year or less $371,332  $370,026  $330,029  $330,509  $350,845  $349,366  $330,029  $330,509 
Due after one year through five years  2,702,980   2,739,917   2,617,079   2,618,056   2,916,564   2,967,946   2,617,079   2,618,056 
Due after five years through ten years  779,848   783,570   870,266   856,230   803,666   833,389   870,266   856,230 
Due after ten years  626,977   669,890   595,783   631,806   796,811   860,168   595,783   631,806 
Asset-backed securities  167,757   168,235   145,755   144,982   167,721   169,025   145,755   144,982 
Mortgage-backed securities                                
Commercial  62,415   63,428   61,527   62,446   75,965   77,497   61,527   62,446 
Agency residential  777,460   784,713   714,907   712,298   750,339   757,447   714,907   712,298 
Non-agency residential  113   132   126   150   89   103   126   150 
Total fixed maturity securities $5,488,882  $5,579,911  $5,335,472  $5,356,477  $5,862,000  $6,014,941  $5,335,472  $5,356,477 


The changes in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for the Company's investments are derived from the following sources for the periods as indicated:


 Three Months Eded  Three Months Eded  Nine Months Eded 
 March 31,  September 30,  September 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2016  2015  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Increase (decrease) during the period between the market value and cost                
of investments carried at market value, and deferred taxes thereon:                
Fixed maturity securities $69,826  $51,211  $4,047  $(28,103) $127,736  $(11,164)
Fixed maturity securities, other-than-temporary impairment  197   9,735   (2,444)  22   4,199   9,757 
Equity Securities  -   -   -   (1)
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation), pre-tax  70,023   60,946   1,603   (28,081)  131,935   (1,408)
Deferred tax benefit (expense)  (24,439)  (17,924)  (1,418)  9,835   (44,709)  3,907 
Deferred tax benefit (expense), other-than-temporary impairment  (69)  (3,407)  856   (7)  (1,469)  (3,414)
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation),                        
net of deferred taxes, included in stockholder's equity $45,515  $39,615  $1,041  $(18,253) $85,757  $(915)


The Company frequently reviews all of its fixed maturity, available for sale securities for declines in market value and focuses its attention on securities whose fair value has fallen below 80% of their amortized cost at the time of review.  The Company then assesses whether the decline in value is temporary or other-than-temporary.  In making its assessment, the Company evaluates the current market and interest rate environment as well as specific issuer information.  Generally, a change in a security's value caused by a change in the market, interest rate or foreign exchange environment does not constitute an other-than-temporary impairment, but rather a temporary decline in market value.  Temporary declines in market value are recorded as unrealized losses in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).  If the Company determines that the decline is other-than-temporary and the Company does not have the intent to sell the security; and it is more likely than not that the Company will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis, the carrying value of the investment is written down to fair value.  The fair value adjustment that is credit or foreign exchange related is recorded in net realized capital gains (losses) in the Company's consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The fair value adjustment that is non-credit related is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, and is included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.  The Company's assessments are based on the issuers current and expected future financial position, timeliness with respect to interest and/or principal payments, speed of repayments and any applicable credit enhancements or breakeven constant default rates on mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, as well as relevant information provided by rating agencies, investment advisors and analysts.

7


Retrospective adjustments are employed to recalculate the values of asset-backed securities. All of the Company's asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities have a pass-through structure. Each acquisition lot is reviewed to recalculate the effective yield. The recalculated effective yield is used to derive a book value as if the new yield were applied at the time of acquisition. Outstanding principal factors from the time of acquisition to the adjustment date are used to calculate the prepayment history for all applicable securities. Conditional prepayment rates, computed with life to date factor histories and weighted average maturities, are used in the calculation of projected prepayments for pass-through security types.

The tables below display the aggregate market value and gross unrealized depreciation of fixed maturity and equity securities, by security type and contractual maturity, in each case subdivided according to length of time that individual securities had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for the periods indicated:


 Duration of Unrealized Loss at March 31, 2016 By Security Type  Duration of Unrealized Loss at September 30, 2016 By Security Type 
 Less than 12 months  Greater than 12 months  Total  Less than 12 months  Greater than 12 months  Total 
   Gross    Gross    Gross     Gross     Gross     Gross 
   Unrealized    Unrealized    Unrealized     Unrealized     Unrealized     Unrealized 
(Dollars in thousands) Market Value  Depreciation  Market Value  Depreciation  Market Value  Depreciation  Market Value  Depreciation  Market Value  Depreciation  Market Value  Depreciation 
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale                              
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of                              
U.S. government agencies and corporations $54,980  $(66) $698  $-  $55,678  $(66) $42,928  $(470) $-  $-  $42,928  $(470)
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions  4,469   (16)  7,014   (827)  11,483   (843)  72,100   (391)  633   (411)  72,733   (802)
Corporate securities  471,961   (20,832)  242,718   (18,770)  714,679   (39,602)  185,486   (2,571)  185,850   (8,005)  371,336   (10,576)
Asset-backed securities  20,482   (77)  31,533   (210)  52,015   (287)  -   -   17,850   (12)  17,850   (12)
Mortgage-backed securities                                                
Commercial  17,323   (188)  -   -   17,323   (188)  1,511   (3)  3,282   (32)  4,793   (35)
Agency residential  100,416   (901)  114,503   (1,024)  214,919   (1,925)  48,246   (106)  99,400   (769)  147,646   (875)
Non-agency residential  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Foreign government securities  22,510   (638)  57,790   (7,144)  80,300   (7,782)  14,728   (261)  61,698   (5,866)  76,426   (6,127)
Foreign corporate securities  202,263   (4,129)  66,205   (5,807)  268,468   (9,936)  83,716   (2,070)  69,922   (5,507)  153,638   (7,577)
Total fixed maturity securities $894,404  $(26,847) $520,461  $(33,782) $1,414,865  $(60,629) $448,715  $(5,872) $438,635  $(20,602) $887,350  $(26,474)
Equity securities  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Total $448,715  $(5,872) $438,635  $(20,602) $887,350  $(26,474)



 Duration of Unrealized Loss at March 31, 2016 By Maturity  Duration of Unrealized Loss at September 30, 2016 By Maturity 
 Less than 12 months  Greater than 12 months  Total  Less than 12 months  Greater than 12 months  Total 
   Gross    Gross    Gross     Gross     Gross     Gross 
   Unrealized    Unrealized    Unrealized     Unrealized     Unrealized     Unrealized 
(Dollars in thousands) Market Value  Depreciation  Market Value  Depreciation  Market Value  Depreciation  Market Value  Depreciation  Market Value  Depreciation  Market Value  Depreciation 
Fixed maturity securities                              
Due in one year or less $39,889  $(183) $32,078  $(3,841) $71,967  $(4,024) $14,922  $(259) $23,232  $(3,449) $38,154  $(3,708)
Due in one year through five years  422,494   (9,573)  276,367   (17,598)  698,861   (27,171)  185,270   (3,363)  246,906   (13,503)  432,176   (16,866)
Due in five years through ten years  265,716   (14,274)  60,641   (10,681)  326,357   (24,955)  119,725   (1,682)  46,244   (2,792)  165,969   (4,474)
Due after ten years  28,084   (1,651)  5,339   (428)  33,423   (2,079)  79,041   (459)  1,721   (45)  80,762   (504)
Asset-backed securities  20,482   (77)  31,533   (210)  52,015   (287)  -   -   17,850   (12)  17,850   (12)
Mortgage-backed securities  117,739   (1,089)  114,503   (1,024)  232,242   (2,113)  49,757   (109)  102,682   (801)  152,439   (910)
Total fixed maturity securities $894,404  $(26,847) $520,461  $(33,782) $1,414,865  $(60,629) $448,715  $(5,872) $438,635  $(20,602) $887,350  $(26,474)


The aggregate market value and gross unrealized losses related to investments in an unrealized loss position at March 31,September 30, 2016 were $1,414,865$887,350 thousand and $60,629$26,474 thousand, respectively.  The market value of securities for the single issuer whose securities comprised the largest unrealized loss position at March 31,September 30, 2016, did not exceed 0.2%0.9% of the overall market value of the Company's fixed maturity securities.  In addition, as indicated on the above table, there was no significant concentration of unrealized losses in any one market sector.  The $26,847$5,872 thousand of unrealized losses related to fixed maturity securities that have been in an unrealized loss position for less than one year were primarily comprised of domestic and foreign corporate securities.  The majority of these unrealized losses are attributable to unrealized losses in the energy sector, $13,158 thousand, as falling oil prices disrupted the market values for this sector, particularly for oil exploration, production and servicing companies andnet unrealized foreign exchange losses, $5,798$5,564 thousand, as the U.S. dollar has strengthened against other currencies.  The $33,782$20,602 thousand of unrealized losses related to fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position for more than one year related primarily to domestic and foreign corporate securities, foreign government securities and agency
8


residential mortgage-backedcorporate securities and foreign government securities.  The majority of these unrealized losses are attributable to net unrealized foreign exchange losses, $17,964$19,030 thousand, as the U.S. dollar has strengthened against other currencies and unrealized losses in the energy sector, $5,572 thousand, as falling oil prices disrupted the market values for this sector, particularly for oil exploration, production and servicing companies.currencies.  The Company did not have any sub-prime or alt-A loans with gross unrealized depreciation at March 31,September 30, 2016.  In all instances, there were no projected cash flow shortfalls to recover the full book value of the investments and the related interest obligations.  The mortgage-backed securities still have excess credit coverage and are current on interest and principal payments.

The Company, given the size of its investment portfolio and capital position, does not have the intent to sell these securities; and it is more likely than not that the Company will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis.  In addition, all securities currently in an unrealized loss position are current with respect to principal and interest payments.

The tables below display the aggregate market value and gross unrealized depreciation of fixed maturity and equity securities, by security type and contractual maturity, in each case subdivided according to length of time that individual securities had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for the periods indicated:


  Duration of Unrealized Loss at December 31, 2015 By Security Type 
  Less than 12 months  Greater than 12 months  Total 
     Gross     Gross     Gross 
     Unrealized     Unrealized     Unrealized 
(Dollars in thousands) Market Value  Depreciation  Market Value  Depreciation  Market Value  Depreciation 
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale                  
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of                  
U.S. government agencies and corporations $216,352  $(712) $692  $(6) $217,044  $(718)
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions  6,434   (84)  4,917   (806)  11,351   (890)
Corporate securities  866,715   (49,034)  307,215   (21,691)  1,173,930   (70,725)
Asset-backed securities  102,506   (791)  28,048   (272)  130,554   (1,063)
Mortgage-backed securities                        
Commercial  26,483   (511)  -   -   26,483   (511)
Agency residential  320,285   (3,094)  150,095   (3,509)  470,380   (6,603)
Non-agency residential  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Foreign government securities  61,498   (2,182)  77,911   (6,243)  139,409   (8,425)
Foreign corporate securities  324,904   (6,289)  76,951   (5,108)  401,855   (11,397)
Total fixed maturity securities $1,925,177  $(62,697) $645,829  $(37,635) $2,571,006  $(100,332)



  Duration of Unrealized Loss at December 31, 2015 By Maturity 
  Less than 12 months  Greater than 12 months  Total 
     Gross     Gross     Gross 
     Unrealized     Unrealized     Unrealized 
(Dollars in thousands) Market Value  Depreciation  Market Value  Depreciation  Market Value  Depreciation 
Fixed maturity securities                  
Due in one year or less $21,780  $(1,577) $12,212  $(1,171) $33,992  $(2,748)
Due in one year through five years  1,023,437   (23,255)  347,203   (21,582)  1,370,640   (44,837)
Due in five years through ten years  394,978   (31,423)  99,335   (10,131)  494,313   (41,554)
Due after ten years  35,708   (2,046)  8,936   (970)  44,644   (3,016)
Asset-backed securities  102,506   (791)  28,048   (272)  130,554   (1,063)
Mortgage-backed securities  346,768   (3,605)  150,095   (3,509)  496,863   (7,114)
Total fixed maturity securities $1,925,177  $(62,697) $645,829  $(37,635) $2,571,006  $(100,332)


The aggregate market value and gross unrealized losses related to investments in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2015 were $2,571,006 thousand and $100,332 thousand, respectively.  The market value of securities for the single issuer whose securities comprised the largest unrealized loss position at December 31, 2015, did not exceed 0.07% of the overall market value of the Company's fixed maturity securities.  In addition, as indicated on the above table, there was no significant concentration of unrealized losses in any one market sector.  The $62,697 thousand of unrealized losses related to fixed
9


maturity securities that have been in an unrealized loss position for less than one year were primarily comprised of domestic and foreign corporate securities, agency residential mortgage-backed securities and
9

foreign government securities.  The majority of these unrealized losses are attributable to unrealized losses in the energy sector, $35,978 thousand, as falling oil prices disrupted the market values for this sector, particularly for oil exploration, production and servicing companies and unrealized foreign exchange losses, $6,090 thousand, as the U.S. dollar has strengthened against other currencies. The $37,635 thousand of unrealized losses related to fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position for more than one year related primarily to domestic and foreign corporate securities, foreign government securities and agency residential mortgage-backed securities. The majority of these unrealized losses are attributable to unrealized foreign exchange losses, $14,807 thousand, as the U.S. dollar has strengthened against other currencies and unrealized losses in the energy sector, $6,959 thousand, as falling oil prices disrupted the market values for this sector, particularly for oil exploration, production and servicing companies. The Company did not have any sub-prime or alt-A loans with gross unrealized depreciation at December 31, 2015.  In all instances, there were no projected cash flow shortfalls to recover the full book value of the investments and the related interest obligations.  The mortgage-backed securities still have excess credit coverage and are current on interest and principal payments.

Other invested assets, at fair value, as of March 31,September 30, 2016, and December 31, 2015, were comprised of preferred shares held in Everest Preferred International Holdings ("Preferred Holdings"), an affiliated company.

The components of net investment income are presented in the tablestable below for the periods indicated:


 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
 March 31,  September 30,  September 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2016  2015  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Fixed maturities $45,326  $47,972  $44,810  $46,414  $134,931  $140,829 
Equity securities  9,148   8,742   7,870   8,004   25,752   26,638 
Short-term investments and cash  304   164   296   220   851   705 
Other invested assets                        
Limited partnerships  (2,514)  7,379   6,020   3,021   17,698   17,676 
Dividends from Parent's shares  -   9,234   -   9,234   -   27,702 
Dividends from preferred shares of affiliate  7,758   -   7,758   -   23,274   - 
Other  (912)  625   522   (242)  339   1,366 
Gross investment income before adjustments  59,110   74,116   67,276   66,651   202,845   214,916 
Funds held interest income (expense)  2,654   2,521   1,090   940   4,718   4,326 
Interest income from Parent  1,075   1,075   1,075   1,075   3,225   3,225 
Gross investment income  62,839   77,712   69,441   68,666   210,788   222,467 
Investment expenses  (4,394)  (5,131)  (4,871)  (5,303)  (13,901)  (15,598)
Net investment income $58,445  $72,581  $64,570  $63,363  $196,887  $206,869 
                        
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                        


The Company records results from limited partnership investments on the equity method of accounting with changes in value reported through net investment income. Due to the timing of receiving financial information from these partnerships, the results are generally reported on a one month or quarter lag.  If the Company determines there has been a significant decline in value of a limited partnership during this lag period, a loss will be recorded in the period in which the Company identifies the decline.

The Company had contractual commitments to invest up to an additional $288,022$279,126 thousand in limited partnerships at March 31,September 30, 2016.  These commitments will be funded when called in accordance with the partnership agreements, which have investment periods that expire, unless extended, through 2020.

10


The components of net realized capital gains (losses) are presented in the tablestable below for the periods indicated:

 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
 March 31,  September 30,  September 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2016  2015  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Fixed maturity securities, market value:                
Other-than-temporary impairments $(23,015) $(24,121) $(836) $(10,502) $(25,242) $(43,433)
Gains (losses) from sales  (16,855)  (11,518)  4,338   (6,636)  (10,273)  (30,362)
Fixed maturity securities, fair value:                        
Gain (losses) from sales  -   28 
Gains (losses) from sales  (1)  (17)  (1,855)  25 
Gains (losses) from fair value adjustments  (232)  62   42   -   1,381   56 
Equity securities, market value:                
Gains (losses) from sales  -   -   -   1 
Equity securities, fair value:                        
Gains (losses) from sales  (7,950)  (65)  5,452   (13,656)  (10,134)  (14,010)
Gains (losses) from fair value adjustments  (18,325)  20,946   16,063   (101,322)  34,725   (85,710)
Other invested assets, fair value:                        
Gains (losses) from fair value adjustments  -   35,964   (47,090)  (84,272)  (47,846)  29,549 
Gain (loss) on sale of subsidiary  (28,032)  94,704   (28,032)  94,704 
Short-term investment gains (losses)  1   6   1   6 
Total net realized capital gains (losses) $(66,377) $21,296  $(50,063) $(121,695) $(87,275) $(49,174)


The Company recorded as net realized capital gains (losses) in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) both fair value re-measurements and write-downs in the value of securities deemed to be impaired on an other-than-temporary basis as displayed in the table above.  The Company had no other-than-temporary impaired securities where the impairment had both a credit and non-credit component.

The proceeds and split between gross gains and losses, from sales of fixed maturity and equity securities, are presented in the tablestable below for the periods indicated:


 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
 March 31,  September 30,  September 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2016  2015  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Proceeds from sales of fixed maturity securities $188,046  $114,082  $136,767  $130,284  $435,242  $420,108 
Gross gains from sales  1,464   2,542   6,257   1,401   13,875   9,039 
Gross losses from sales  (18,319)  (14,032)  (1,920)  (8,054)  (26,003)  (39,376)
                        
Proceeds from sales of equity securities $86,149  $133,960  $109,914  $138,799  $531,894  $442,292 
Gross gains from sales  1,782   5,142   6,874   5,241   13,509   17,655 
Gross losses from sales  (9,732)  (5,207)  (1,422)  (18,896)  (23,643)  (31,664)


4.  FAIR VALUE

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

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The levels in the hierarchy are defined as follows:

Level 1:Inputs to the valuation methodology are observable inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market;

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

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

The Company's fixed maturity and equity securities are primarily managed by third party investment asset managers.  The investment asset managers obtain prices from nationally recognized pricing services.   These services seek to utilize market data and observations in their evaluation process.  They use pricing applications that vary by asset class and incorporate available market information and when fixed maturity securities do not trade on a daily basis the services will apply available information through processes such as benchmark curves, benchmarking of like securities, sector groupings and matrix pricing.  In addition, they use model processes, such as the Option Adjusted Spread model to develop prepayment and interest rate scenarios for securities that have prepayment features.

In limited instances where prices are not provided by pricing services or in rare instances when a manager may not agree with the pricing service, price quotes on a non-binding basis are obtained from investment brokers.  The investment asset managers do not make any changes to prices received from either the pricing services or the investment brokers.  In addition, the investment asset managers have procedures in place to review the reasonableness of the prices from the service providers and may request verification of the prices.  In addition, the Company continually performs analytical reviews of price changes and tests the prices on a random basis to an independent pricing source.   No material variances were noted during these price validation procedures.  In limited situations, where financial markets are inactive or illiquid, the Company may use its own assumptions about future cash flows and risk-adjusted discount rates to determine fair value.  Due to the unavailability of prices for sixtwenty eight private placement securities, the Company valued the sixtwenty eight securities at $16,302$59,289 thousand at March 31,September 30, 2016.  Due to the unavailability of prices for two private placement securities, the Company valued the two securities at $3,593 thousand at December 31, 2015.

The Company internally manages a small public equity portfolio which had a fair value at March 31,September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 of $123,172$135,958 thousand and $131,219 thousand, respectively, and all prices were obtained from publically published sources.

Equity securities denominated in U.S. currency with quoted prices in active markets for identical assets are categorized as level 1 since the quoted prices are directly observable.  Equity securities traded on foreign exchanges are categorized as level 2 due to the added input of a foreign exchange conversion rate to determine fair or market value.  The Company uses foreign currency exchange rates published by nationally recognized sources.

All categories of fixed maturity securities listed in the tables below are generally categorized as level 2, since a particular security may not have traded but the pricing services are able to use valuation models with observable market inputs such as interest rate yield curves and prices for similar fixed maturity securities in terms of issuer, maturity and seniority.  For foreign government securities and foreign corporate securities, the fair values provided by the third party pricing services in local currencies, and where applicable, are converted to U.S. dollars using currency exchange rates from nationally recognized sources.

12


The fixed maturities with fair values categorized as level 3 result when prices are not available from the nationally recognized pricing services.  The asset managers will then obtain non-binding price quotes for the securities from brokers. The single broker quotes are provided by market makers or broker-dealers who are recognized as market participants in the markets in which they are providing the quotes.  The prices received from brokers are reviewed for reasonableness by the third party asset managers and the Company.  If the broker quotes are for foreign denominated securities, the quotes are converted to U.S. dollars using currency exchange rates from nationally recognized sources. In limited circumstances when broker prices are not available for private placements, the Company will value the securities using comparable market information.

The composition and valuation inputs for the presented fixed maturities categories are as follows:

·U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies and corporations are primarily comprised of U.S. Treasury bonds and the fair value is based on observable market inputs such as quoted prices, reported trades, quoted prices for similar issuances or benchmark yields;

·Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions are comprised of state and municipal bond issuances and the fair values are based on observable market inputs such as quoted market prices, quoted prices for similar securities, benchmark yields and credit spreads;

·Corporate securities are primarily comprised of U.S. corporate and public utility bond issuances and the fair values are based on observable market inputs such as quoted market prices, quoted prices for similar securities, benchmark yields and credit spreads;

·Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities fair values are based on observable inputs such as quoted prices, reported trades, quoted prices for similar issuances or benchmark yields and cash flow models using observable inputs such as prepayment speeds, collateral performance and default spreads;

·Foreign government securities are comprised of global non-U.S. sovereign bond issuances and the fair values are based on observable market inputs such as quoted market prices, quoted prices for similar securities and models with observable inputs such as benchmark yields and credit spreads and then, where applicable, converted to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate from a nationally recognized source;

·Foreign corporate securities are comprised of global non-U.S. corporate bond issuances and the fair values are based on observable market inputs such as quoted market prices, quoted prices for similar securities and models with observable inputs such as benchmark yields and credit spreads and then, where applicable, converted to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate from a nationally recognized source.

Other invested assets, at fair value, was categorized as Level 3 at March 31,September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, since it represented a privately placed convertible preferred stock issued by an affiliate.  The stock was received in exchange for shares of the Company's parent, which were valued on a public securities exchange on December 21, 2015.  The fair value of the preferred stock at March 31,September 30, 2016 was determined using a pricing model and at December 31, 2015 represents thisrepresented the original exchange value.

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The following table presents the fair value measurement levels for all assets, which the Company has recorded at fair value (fair and market value) as of the period indicated:


   Fair Value Measurement Using:     Fair Value Measurement Using: 
   Quoted Prices         Quoted Prices       
   in Active  Significant       in Active  Significant    
   Markets for  Other  Significant     Markets for  Other  Significant 
   Identical  Observable  Unobservable     Identical  Observable  Unobservable 
   Assets  Inputs  Inputs     Assets  Inputs  Inputs 
(Dollars in thousands) March 31, 2016  (Level 1)  (Level 2)  (Level 3)  September 30, 2016  (Level 1)  (Level 2)  (Level 3) 
Assets:                    
Fixed maturities, market value                    
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of                    
U.S. government agencies and corporations $370,046  $-  $370,046  $-  $429,168  $-  $429,168  $- 
Obligations of U.S. States and political subdivisions  702,076   -   702,076   -   765,004   -   765,004   - 
Corporate securities  2,003,020   -   1,987,314   15,706   2,238,637   -   2,182,342   56,295 
Asset-backed securities  168,235   -   168,235   -   169,025   -   169,025   - 
Mortgage-backed securities                                
Commercial  63,428   -   63,428   -   77,497   -   74,018   3,479 
Agency residential  784,713   -   784,713   -   757,447   -   757,447   - 
Non-agency residential  132   -   132   -   103   -   103   - 
Foreign government securities  491,461   -   491,461   -   553,921   -   553,921   - 
Foreign corporate securities  996,800   -   996,204   596   1,024,139   -   1,021,145   2,994 
Total fixed maturities, market value  5,579,911   -   5,563,609   16,302   6,014,941   -   5,952,173   62,768 
                                
Fixed maturities, fair value  1,870   -   1,870   -   3,982   -   3,982   - 
Equity securities, market value  -   -   -   - 
Equity securities, fair value  1,194,972   1,134,914   60,058   -   961,115   895,406   65,709   - 
Other invested assets, fair value  1,773,214   -   -   1,773,214   1,725,367   -   -   1,725,367 


There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2016.

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The following table presents the fair value measurement levels for all assets, which the Company has recorded at fair value (fair and market value) as of the period indicated:


   Fair Value Measurement Using:     Fair Value Measurement Using: 
   Quoted Prices         Quoted Prices       
   in Active  Significant       in Active  Significant    
   Markets for  Other  Significant     Markets for  Other  Significant 
   Identical  Observable  Unobservable     Identical  Observable  Unobservable 
   Assets  Inputs  Inputs     Assets  Inputs  Inputs 
(Dollars in thousands) December 31, 2015  (Level 1)  (Level 2)  (Level 3)  December 31, 2015  (Level 1)  (Level 2)  (Level 3) 
Assets:                    
Fixed maturities, market value                    
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of                    
U.S. government agencies and corporations $330,985  $-  $330,985  $-  $330,985  $-  $330,985  $- 
Obligations of U.S. States and political subdivisions  703,075   -   703,075   -   703,075   -   703,075   - 
Corporate securities  1,968,558   -   1,964,625   3,933   1,968,558   -   1,964,625   3,933 
Asset-backed securities  144,982   -   144,982   -   144,982   -   144,982   - 
Mortgage-backed securities                                
Commercial  62,446   -   62,446   -   62,446   -   62,446   - 
Agency residential  712,298   -   712,298   -   712,298   -   712,298   - 
Non-agency residential  150   -   150   -   150   -   150   - 
Foreign government securities  463,074   -   463,074   -   463,074   -   463,074   - 
Foreign corporate securities  970,909   -   969,316   1,593   970,909   -   969,316   1,593 
Total fixed maturities, market value  5,356,477   -   5,350,951   5,526   5,356,477   -   5,350,951   5,526 
                                
Fixed maturities, fair value  2,102   -   2,102   -   2,102   -   2,102   - 
Equity securities, market value  -   -   -   - 
Equity securities, fair value  1,215,377   1,153,310   62,067   -   1,215,377   1,153,310   62,067   - 
Other invested assets, fair value  1,773,214   -   -   1,773,214   1,773,214   -   -   1,773,214 


The following table presents the activity under Level 3, fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs by asset type, for the periods indicated:


 Three Months Ended March 31, 2016  Three Months Ended March 31, 2015  Three Months Ended September 30, 2016  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 
 Corporate  Foreign    Corporate    Foreign    Corporate     Foreign     Corporate     Foreign    
(Dollars in thousands) Securities  Corporate  Total  Securities  CMBS  Corporate  Total  Securities  CMBS  Corporate  Total  Securities  CMBS  Corporate  Total 
Beginning balance $3,933  $1,593  $5,526  $-  $8,597  $7,166  $15,763  $32,410  $-  $2,021  $34,431  $3,933  $-  $1,593  $5,526 
Total gains or (losses) (realized/unrealized)                                                            
Included in earnings  8   (997)  (989)  2   -   57   59   (12)  -   27   15   (22)  -   (970)  (992)
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)  (6)  -   (6)  1   -   (1,098)  (1,097)  (48)  (34)  (1,285)  (1,367)  (81)  (34)  140   25 
Purchases, issuances and settlements  11,771   -   11,771   1,940   -   -   1,940   25,877   (40)  2,231   28,068   54,397   (40)  2,231   56,588 
Transfers in and/or (out) of Level 3  -   -   -   710   (8,597)  -   (7,887)  (1,932)  3,553   -   1,621   (1,932)  3,553   -   1,621 
Ending balance $15,706  $596  $16,302  $2,653  $-  $6,125  $8,778  $56,295  $3,479  $2,994  $62,768  $56,295  $3,479  $2,994  $62,768 
                                                            
The amount of total gains or losses for the period included                                                            
in earnings (or changes in net assets) attributable to the                                                            
change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets                                                            
still held at the reporting date $-  $(997) $(997) $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $(997) $(997)
                                                            
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                                                            
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  Three Months Ended September 30, 2015  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 
  Corporate  Foreign     Corporate     Foreign    
(Dollars in thousands) Securities  Corporate  Total  Securities  CMBS  Corporate  Total 
Beginning balance $1,958  $7,837  $9,795  $-  $8,597  $7,166  $15,763 
Total gains or (losses) (realized/unrealized)                            
Included in earnings  (6)  62   56   (2)  -   177   175 
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)  (93)  (1,287)  (1,380)  (95)  -   (1,216)  (1,311)
Purchases, issuances and settlements  1,723   -   1,723   3,651   -   -   3,651 
Transfers in and/or (out) of Level 3  1,693   (487)  1,206   1,721   (8,597)  (2)  (6,878)
Ending balance $5,275  $6,125  $11,400  $5,275  $-  $6,125  $11,400 
                             
The amount of total gains or losses for the period                            
included in earnings (or changes in net assets)                            
 attributable to the change in unrealized gains                            
or losses relating to assets still held at the                            
reporting date $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $- 
                             
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                            


The net transfers fromto/(from) level 3, fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs of $7,887were $1,621 thousand and ($6,878) thousand of investments for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  The $1,621 thousand relates to the net impact of securities no longer priced by a recognized pricing service.  The ($6,878) thousand primarily relaterelated to securities that were priced using single non-binding broker quotes as of December 31, 2014.  The securities were subsequently priced using a recognized pricing service as of March 31,September 30, 2015, and were classified as level 2 as of that date.
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The following table presents the activity under Level 3, fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs by other invested assets, for the periods indicated:


 Three months ended  Three months ended  Nine months ended 
 March 31,  September 30,  September 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2016  2015  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Other invested assets, fair value:                
Beginning balance $1,773,214  $-  $1,772,458  $-  $1,773,214  $- 
Total gains or (losses) (realized/unrealized)                        
Included in earnings  -   -   (47,090)  -   (47,846)  - 
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Purchases, issuances and settlements  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Transfers in and/or (out) of Level 3  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Ending balance $1,773,214  $-  $1,725,367  $-  $1,725,367  $- 
                        
The amount of total gains or losses for the period included in earnings                        
(or changes in net assets) attributable to the change in unrealized                        
gains or losses relating to assets still held at the reporting date $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $- 
                        
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                        


5.  CONTINGENCIES

In the ordinary course of business, the Company is involved in lawsuits, arbitrations and other formal and informal dispute resolution procedures, the outcomes of which will determine the Company's rights and obligations under insurance and reinsurance agreements.  In some disputes, the Company seeks to enforce its rights under an agreement or to collect funds owing to it.  In other matters, the Company is resisting attempts by others to collect funds or enforce alleged rights.  These disputes arise from time to time and are ultimately resolved through both informal and formal means, including negotiated resolution, arbitration and litigation.  In all such matters, the Company believes that its positions are legally and commercially reasonable.  The Company considers the statuses of these proceedings when determining its reserves for unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses.

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Aside from litigation and arbitrations related to these insurance and reinsurance agreements, the Company is not a party to any other material litigation or arbitration.

The Company has entered into separate annuity agreements with The Prudential Insurance of America ("The Prudential") and an additional unaffiliated life insurance company in which the Company has either purchased annuity contracts or become the assignee of annuity proceeds that are meant to settle claim payment obligations in the future. In both instances, the Company would become contingently liable if either
The Prudential or the unaffiliated life insurance company were unable to make payments related to the respective annuity contact.

The table below presents the estimated cost to replace all such annuities for which the Company was contingently liable for the periods indicated:


 At March 31,  At December 31,  At September 30,  At December 31, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2016  2015  2016  2015 
The Prudential $141,945  $142,427  $140,826  $142,427 
Unaffiliated life insurance company  31,907   33,062   33,195   33,062 


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6.  OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The following table presents the components of comprehensive income (loss) in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the periods indicated:


 Three Months Ended March 31, 2016  Three Months Ended March 31, 2015  Three Months Ended September 30, 2016  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 
(Dollars in thousands) Before Tax  Tax Effect  Net of Tax  Before Tax  Tax Effect  Net of Tax  Before Tax  Tax Effect  Net of Tax  Before Tax  Tax Effect  Net of Tax 
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) ("URA(D)") on securities - temporary $29,956  $(10,484) $19,472  $15,572  $(5,950) $9,622  $8,305  $(2,909) $5,396  $92,221  $(32,279) $59,942 
URA(D) on securities - OTTI  197   (69)  128   9,735   (3,407)  6,328   (2,444)  856   (1,588)  4,199   (1,469)  2,730 
Reclassification of net realized losses (gains) included in net income (loss)  39,870   (13,955)  25,915   35,639   (11,974)  23,665   (4,258)  1,491   (2,767)  35,515   (12,430)  23,085 
Foreign currency translation adjustments  22,977   (8,045)  14,932   (51,243)  17,935   (33,308)  (4,066)  1,424   (2,642)  42,741   (14,962)  27,779 
Benefit plan actuarial net gain (loss)  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Reclassification of amortization of net gain (loss) included in net income (loss)  2,062   (722)  1,340   2,467   (863)  1,604   1,951   (683)  1,268   6,076   (2,127)  3,949 
Total other comprehensive income (loss) $95,062  $(33,275) $61,787  $12,170  $(4,259) $7,911  $(512) $179  $(333) $180,752  $(63,267) $117,485 
                                                
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding)                                                



  Three Months Ended September 30, 2015  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 
(Dollars in thousands) Before Tax  Tax Effect  Net of Tax  Before Tax  Tax Effect  Net of Tax 
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) ("URA(D)") on securities - temporary $(45,240) $15,347  $(29,893) $(84,958) $28,749  $(56,209)
URA(D) on securities - OTTI  22   (7)  15  ��9,757   (3,414)  6,343 
Reclassification of net realized losses (gains) included in net income (loss)  17,137   (5,512)  11,625   73,793   (24,842)  48,951 
Foreign currency translation adjustments  (42,266)  14,793   (27,473)  (68,670)  24,034   (44,636)
Benefit plan actuarial net gain (loss)  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Reclassification of amortization of net gain (loss) included in net income (loss)  2,393   (837)  1,556   7,336   (2,567)  4,769 
Total other comprehensive income (loss) $(67,954) $23,784  $(44,170) $(62,742) $21,960  $(40,782)
                         
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding)                        

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The following table presents details of the amounts reclassified from AOCI for the periods indicated:


 Three Months Ended    Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended   
 March 31,  Affected line item within the statements of September 30,  September 30,  Affected line item within the statements of
AOCI component 2016  2015  operations and comprehensive income (loss) 2016  2015  2016  2015  operations and comprehensive income (loss)
(Dollars in thousands)                          
URA(D) on securities $39,870  $35,639  Other net realized capital gains (losses) $(4,258) $17,137  $35,515  $73,793  Other net realized capital gains (losses)
  (13,955)  (11,974) Income tax expense (benefit)  1,491   (5,512)  (12,430)  (24,842) Income tax expense (benefit)
 $25,915  $23,665  Net income (loss) $(2,767) $11,625  $23,085  $48,951  Net income (loss)
                                    
Benefit plan net gain (loss) $2,062  $2,467  Other underwriting expenses $1,951  $2,393  $6,076  $7,336  Other underwriting expenses
  (722)  (863) Income tax expense (benefit)  (683)  (837)  (2,127)  (2,567) Income tax expense (benefit)
 $1,340  $1,604  Net income (loss) $1,268  $1,556  $3,949  $4,769  Net income (loss)
                                    
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding)                                  


The following table presents the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, in the consolidated balance sheets for the periods indicated:


 Three Months Ended  Twelve Months Ended  Nine Months Ended  Twelve Months Ended 
 March 31,  December 31,  September 30,  December 31, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2016  2015  2016  2015 
          
Beginning balance of URA (D) on securities $13,654  $37,628  $13,654  $37,628 
Current period change in URA (D) of investments - temporary  45,387   (30,257)  83,027   (30,257)
Current period change in URA (D) of investments - non-credit OTTI  128   6,283   2,730   6,283 
Ending balance of URA (D) on securities  59,169   13,654   99,411   13,654 
                
Beginning balance of foreign currency translation adjustments  (12,701)  41,877   (12,701)  41,877 
Current period change in foreign currency translation adjustments  14,932   (54,578)  27,779   (54,578)
Ending balance of foreign currency translation adjustments  2,231   (12,701)  15,078   (12,701)
                
Beginning balance of benefit plan net gain (loss)  (63,089)  (74,986)  (63,089)  (74,986)
Current period change in benefit plan net gain (loss)  1,340   11,897   3,949   11,897 
Ending balance of benefit plan net gain (loss)  (61,749)  (63,089)  (59,140)  (63,089)
                
Ending balance of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) $(349) $(62,136) $55,349  $(62,136)

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7.  REINSURANCE AND TRUST AGREEMENTS

A subsidiary of the Company, Everest Re, has established a trust agreement, which effectively uses Everest Re's investments as collateral, as security for assumed losses payable to a non-affiliated ceding company.  At March 31,September 30, 2016, the total amount on deposit in the trust account was $288,380$349,867 thousand.

On April 24, 2014, the Company entered into two collateralized reinsurance agreements with Kilimanjaro Re Limited ("Kilimanjaro"), a Bermuda based special purpose reinsurer, to provide the Company with catastrophe reinsurance coverage.  These agreements are multi-year reinsurance contracts which cover specified named storm and earthquake events.  The first agreement provides up to $250,000 thousand of reinsurance coverage from named storms in specified states of the Southeastern United States.  The second agreement provides up to $200,000 thousand of reinsurance coverage from named storms in specified states of the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions of the United States and Puerto Rico as well as reinsurance coverage from earthquakes in specified states of the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, Northeast and West regions of the United States, Puerto Rico and British Columbia.

18

On November 18, 2014, the Company entered into a collateralized reinsurance agreement with Kilimanjaro Re to provide the Company with catastrophe reinsurance coverage.  This agreement is a multi-year reinsurance contract which covers specified earthquake events.  The agreement provides up to $500,000 thousand of reinsurance coverage from earthquakes in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada.

On December 1, 2015 the Company entered into two collateralized reinsurance agreements with Kilimanjaro Re to provide the Company with catastrophe reinsurance coverage.  These agreements are multi-year reinsurance contracts which cover named storm and earthquake events.  The first agreement provides up to $300,000 thousand of reinsurance coverage from named storms and earthquakes in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada.  The second agreement provides up to $325,000 thousand of reinsurance coverage from named storms and earthquakes in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada.

Kilimanjaro has financed the various property catastrophe reinsurance coverage by issuing catastrophe bonds to unrelated, external investors. On April 24, 2014, Kilimanjaro issued $450,000 thousand of notes ("Series 2014-1 Notes").  On November 18, 2014, Kilimanjaro issued $500,000 thousand of notes ("Series 2014-2 Notes"). On December 1, 2015, Kilimanjaro issued $625,000 thousand of notes ("Series 2015-1 Notes).  The proceeds from the issuance of the Series 2014-1 Notes, the Series 2014-2 Notes and the Series 2015-1 Notes are held in reinsurance trust throughout the duration of the applicable reinsurance agreements and invested solely in US government money market funds with a rating of at least "AAAm" by Standard & Poor's.

8.  SENIOR NOTES

The table below displays Holdings' outstanding senior notes.  Market value is based on quoted market prices, but due to limited trading activity, these senior notes are considered Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.


      March 31, 2016  December 31, 2015        September 30, 2016  December 31, 2015 
      Consolidated Balance    Consolidated Balance          Consolidated Balance     Consolidated Balance    
(Dollars in thousands)Date Issued Date Due Principal Amounts  Sheet Amount  Market Value  Sheet Amount  Market Value Date Issued Date Due Principal Amounts  Sheet Amount  Market Value  Sheet Amount  Market Value 
4.868% Senior notes06/05/2014 06/01/2044  400,000  $400,000  $393,520  $400,000  $381,204 06/05/2014 06/01/2044  400,000  $396,684  $423,660  $396,594  $381,204 


On June 5, 2014, Holdings issued $400,000 thousand of 30 year senior notes at 4.868%, which will mature on June 1, 2044. Interest will be paid semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year.

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Interest expense incurred in connection with these senior notes is as follows for the periods indicated:


 Three Months Ended Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
 March 31, September 30,  September 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2016 2015 2016  2015  2016  2015 
Interest expense incurred $4,868  $4,868  $4,868  $4,868  $14,604  $14,604 


9.  LONG TERM SUBORDINATED NOTES

The table below displays Holdings' outstanding fixed to floating rate long term subordinated notes.  Market value is based on quoted market prices, but due to limited trading activity, these subordinated notes are considered Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.


    Maturity Date March 31, 2016  December 31, 2015      Maturity Date September 30, 2016  December 31, 2015 
   Original       Consolidated Balance    Consolidated Balance      Original       Consolidated Balance     Consolidated Balance    
(Dollars in thousands)Date Issued Principal Amount  Scheduled Final Sheet Amount  Market Value  Sheet Amount  Market Value Date Issued Principal Amount  Scheduled Final Sheet Amount  Market Value  Sheet Amount  Market Value 
6.6% Long term subordinated notes04/26/2007 $400,000  05/15/2037 05/01/2067 $238,369  $203,789  $238,368  $208,978 04/26/2007 $400,000  05/15/2037 05/01/2067 $236,438  $197,706  $236,364  $208,978 


19

During the fixed rate interest period from May 3, 2007 through May 14, 2017, interest will be at the annual rate of 6.6%, payable semi-annually in arrears on November 15 and May 15 of each year, commencing on November 15, 2007, subject to Holdings' right to defer interest on one or more occasions for up to ten consecutive years.  During the floating rate interest period from May 15, 2017 through maturity, interest will be based on the 3 month LIBOR plus 238.5 basis points, reset quarterly, payable quarterly in arrears on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year, subject to Holdings' right to defer interest on one or more occasions for up to ten consecutive years.  Deferred interest will accumulate interest at the applicable rate compounded semi-annually for periods prior to May 15, 2017, and compounded quarterly for periods from and including May 15, 2017.

Holdings can redeem the long term subordinated notes prior to May 15, 2017, in whole but not in part at the applicable redemption price, which will equal the greater of (a) 100% of the principal amount being redeemed and (b) the present value of the principal payment on May 15, 2017 and scheduled payments of interest that would have accrued from the redemption date to May 15, 2017 on the long term subordinated notes being redeemed, discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis at a discount rate equal to the treasury rate plus an applicable spread of either 0.25% or 0.50%, in each case plus accrued and unpaid interest.  Holdings may redeem the long term subordinated notes on or after May 15, 2017, in whole or in part at 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest; however, redemption on or after the scheduled maturity date and prior to May 1, 2047 is subject to a replacement capital covenant.  This covenant is for the benefit of certain senior note holders and it mandates that Holdings receive proceeds from the sale of another subordinated debt issue, of at least similar size, before it may redeem the subordinated notes.  Effective upon the maturity of the Company's 5.40% senior notes on October 15, 2014, the Company's 4.868% senior notes, due on June 1, 2044, have become the Company's long term indebtedness that ranks senior to the long term subordinated notes.

On March 19, 2009, Group announced the commencement of a cash tender offer for any and all of the 6.60% fixed to floating rate long term subordinated notes.  Upon expiration of the tender offer, the Company had reduced its outstanding debt by $161,441 thousand.

Interest expense incurred in connection with these long term subordinated notes is as follows for the periods indicated:


 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
 March 31,  September 30,  September 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2016  2015  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Interest expense incurred $3,937  $3,937  $3,937  $3,937  $11,811  $11,811 


19


10.  SEGMENT REPORTING

The U.S. Reinsurance operation writes property and casualty reinsurance and specialty lines of business, including Marine, Aviation, Surety and Accident and Health ("A&H") business, on both a treaty and facultative basis, through reinsurance brokers, as well as directly with ceding companies primarily within the U.S.  The International operation writes non-U.S. property and casualty reinsurance through Everest Re's branches in Canada, Singapore and through offices in Brazil, Miami and New Jersey.  The Insurance operation writes property and casualty insurance directly and through general agents, brokers and surplus lines brokers mainly within the U.S.

These segments are managed independently, but conform with corporate guidelines with respect to pricing, risk management, control of aggregate catastrophe exposures, capital, investments and support operations.  Management generally monitors and evaluates the financial performance of these operating segments based upon their underwriting results.

20

Underwriting results include earned premium less losses and LAE incurred, commission and brokerage expenses and other underwriting expenses.  Underwriting results are measured using ratios, in particular loss, commission and brokerage and other underwriting expense ratios, which, respectively, divide incurred losses, commissions and brokerage and other underwriting expenses by premiums earned.

The Company does not maintain separate balance sheet data for its operating segments.  Accordingly, the Company does not review and evaluate the financial results of its operating segments based upon balance sheet data.

The following tables present the underwriting results for the operating segments for the periods indicated:


 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
U.S. Reinsurance
 March 31,  September 30,  September 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2016  2015  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Gross written premiums $536,706  $562,647  $654,770  $601,570  $1,597,006  $1,615,276 
Net written premiums  223,428   240,694   327,242   247,352   711,700   672,753 
                        
Premiums earned $235,243  $255,412  $249,203  $235,275  $709,064  $726,113 
Incurred losses and LAE  116,170   111,455   137,245   109,137   363,567   337,065 
Commission and brokerage  49,731   58,364   48,107   48,881   147,968   141,948 
Other underwriting expenses  13,458   11,529   14,265   13,718   39,856   37,054 
Underwriting gain (loss) $55,884  $74,064  $49,586  $63,539  $157,673  $210,046 



 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
International
 March 31,  September 30,  September 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2016  2015  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Gross written premiums $238,478  $333,615  $353,195  $374,138  $939,851  $1,019,406 
Net written premiums  87,716   121,681   141,295   147,991   353,449   417,071 
                        
Premiums earned $113,173  $140,699  $128,358  $135,130  $372,816  $433,751 
Incurred losses and LAE  73,415   101,445   41,830   128,454   206,672   339,926 
Commission and brokerage  26,110   33,999   30,193   27,936   82,443   93,178 
Other underwriting expenses  7,823   8,115   9,219   9,128   25,011   25,292 
Underwriting gain (loss) $5,825  $(2,860) $47,116  $(30,388) $58,690  $(24,645)



  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
Insurance
 September 30,  September 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2016  2015  2016  2015 
Gross written premiums $497,958  $473,003  $1,276,761  $1,130,233 
Net written premiums  154,079   203,730   462,791   490,140 
                 
Premiums earned $179,092  $175,645  $445,553  $428,672 
Incurred losses and LAE  122,528   133,163   365,962   325,522 
Commission and brokerage  7,263   (4,666)  (3,900)  6,509 
Other underwriting expenses  40,665   34,107   116,839   94,723 
Underwriting gain (loss) $8,636  $13,041  $(33,348) $1,918 


20
21



  Three Months Ended 
Insurance
 March 31, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2016  2015 
Gross written premiums $354,720  $330,501 
Net written premiums  152,926   146,052 
         
Premiums earned $133,509  $124,951 
Incurred losses and LAE  106,477   95,980 
Commission and brokerage  (7,019)  4,168 
Other underwriting expenses  37,946   28,899 
Underwriting gain (loss) $(3,895) $(4,096)


The following table reconciles the underwriting results for the operating segments to income (loss) before taxes as reported in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the periods indicated:


 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
 March 31,  September 30,  September 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2016  2015  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Underwriting gain (loss) $57,814  $67,108  $105,338  $46,192  $183,015  $187,319 
Net investment income  58,445   72,581   64,570   63,363   196,887   206,869 
Net realized capital gains (losses)  (66,377)  21,296   (50,063)  (121,695)  (87,275)  (49,174)
Corporate expense  (2,336)  (1,609)  (1,835)  (1,637)  (6,181)  (5,031)
Interest, fee and bond issue cost amortization expense  (8,859)  (8,859)  (8,859)  (8,859)  (26,576)  (26,576)
Other income (expense)  13,102   15,833   (13,208)  10,828   (10,806)  38,950 
Income (loss) before taxes $51,789  $166,350  $95,943  $(11,808) $249,064  $352,357 


The Company produces business in the U.S. and internationally.  The net income deriving from assets residing in the individual foreign countries in which the Company writes business are not identifiable in the Company's financial records.  Based on gross written premium, the table below presents the largest country, other than the U.S., in which the Company writes business, for the periods indicated:


 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
 March 31,  September 30,  September 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2016  2015  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Canada gross written premiums $23,586  $23,512  $35,856  $31,903  $94,072  $85,575 


No other country represented more than 5% of the Company's revenues.

11.  RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Parent

Group entered into a $250,000 thousand long term promissory note agreement with Holdings as of December 31, 2014.  The note will mature on December 31, 2023 and has an interest rate of 1.72% that will be paid annually, on December 15th of each year. This transaction is presented as a Note Receivable – Affiliated in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of Holdings.  Interest income in the amount of $1,075$3,225 thousand and $3,225 thousand was recorded by Holdings for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2016, and March 31,September 30, 2015, respectively.
21


Group's Board of Directors approved an amended share repurchase program authorizing Group and/or its subsidiary Holdings to purchase Group's common shares through open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions or both.  The table below represents the amendments to the share repurchase program for the common shares approved for repurchase.


   Common Shares
   Authorized for
Amendment Date  Repurchase
(Dollars in thousands) 
09/21/2004  5,000,000
07/21/2008  5,000,000
02/24/2010  5,000,000
02/22/2012  5,000,000
05/15/2013  5,000,000
11/19/2014  5,000,000
   30,000,000


Through December, 2015, Holdings had purchased and held 9,719,971 Common Shares of Group, which were purchased in the open market between February 2007 and March 2011.

22

In December, 2015, Holdings transferred the 9,719,971 Common Shares of Group, which it held as other invested assets, at fair value, valued at $1,773,214 thousand, to Preferred Holdings, an affiliated entity and subsidiary of Group, in exchange for 1,773.214 preferred shares of Preferred Holdings with a $1,000 thousand par value and 1.75% annual dividend rate.  After the exchange, Holdings no longer holds any shares or has any ownership interest in Group.

Holdings reported both its Parent Shares and preferred shares in Preferred Holdings, as other invested assets, fair value, in the consolidated balance sheets with changes in fair value re-measurement recorded in net realized capital gains (losses) in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).  The following table presents the dividends received on the preferred shares of preferred Holdings and on the Parent shares that are reported as net investment income in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the period indicated.


 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
 March 31,  September 30,  September 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2016  2015  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Dividends received on Parent shares $-  $9,234  $-  $9,234  $-  $27,702 
Dividends received on preferred stock of affiliate  7,758   -   7,758   -   23,274   - 


Affiliated Companies

Everest Global Services, Inc. ("Global Services"), an affiliate of Holdings, provides centralized management and home office services, through a management agreement, to Holdings and other affiliated companies within Holdings' consolidated structure.  Services provided by Everest Global include executive managerial services, legal services, actuarial services, accounting services, information technology services and others.

The following table presents the expenses incurred by Holdings from services provided by Everest Global for the periods indicated.


 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
 March 31,  September 30,  September 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2016  2015  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Expenses incurred $21,170  $18,363  $21,242  $20,359  $62,701  $58,555 


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Affiliates

The table below represents affiliated quota share reinsurance agreements ("whole account quota share") for all new and renewal business for the indicated coverage period:
 

(Dollars in thousands)                 
    Percent  Assuming   Single   Aggregate  
Coverage Period Ceding Company Ceded  Company Type of Business Occurrence Limit   Limit  
                  
01/01/2002-12/31/2002 Everest Re  20.0% Bermuda Re property / casualty business $-   $-  
                     
01/01/2003-12/31/2003 Everest Re  25.0% Bermuda Re property / casualty business  -    -  
                     
01/01/2004-12/31/2005 Everest Re  22.5% Bermuda Re property / casualty business  -    -  
  Everest Re  2.5% Everest International property / casualty business  -    -  
                     
01/01/2006-12/31/2006 Everest Re  18.0% Bermuda Re property business  125,000 (1)  -  
  Everest Re  2.0% Everest International property business  -    -  
                     
01/01/2006-12/31/2007 Everest Re  31.5% Bermuda Re casualty business  -    -  
  Everest Re  3.5% Everest International casualty business  -    -  
                     
01/01/2007-12/31/2007 Everest Re  22.5% Bermuda Re property business  130,000 (1)  -  
  Everest Re  2.5% Everest International property business  -    -  
                     
01/01/2008-12/31/2008 Everest Re  36.0% Bermuda Re property / casualty business  130,000 (1)  275,000 (2)
  Everest Re  4.0% Everest International property / casualty business  -    -  
                     
01/01/2009-12/31/2009 Everest Re  36.0% Bermuda Re property / casualty business  150,000 (1)  325,000 (2)
  Everest Re  8.0% Everest International property / casualty business  -    -  
                     
01/01/2010-12/31/2010 Everest Re  44.0% Bermuda Re property / casualty business  150,000    325,000  
                     
01/01/2011-12/31/2011 Everest Re  50.0% Bermuda Re property / casualty business  150,000    300,000  
                     
01/01/2012-12/31/2014 Everest Re  50.0% Bermuda Re property / casualty business  100,000    200,000  
                     
01/01/2015 Everest Re  50.0% Bermuda Re property / casualty business  162,500    325,000  
                    
01/01/2003-12/31/2006 Everest Re- Canadian Branch  50.0% Bermuda Re property business  -    -  
01/01/2007-12/31/2009 Everest Re- Canadian Branch  60.0% Bermuda Re property business  -    -  
01/01/2010-12/31/2010 Everest Re- Canadian Branch  60.0% Bermuda Re property business  350,000 (3)  -  
01/01/2011-12/31/2011
 Everest Re- Canadian Branch  60.0% Bermuda Re property business  350,000 (3)  -  
01/01/2012-12/31/2012 Everest Re- Canadian Branch  75.0% Bermuda Re property / casualty business  206,250 (3)  412,500 (3)
01/01/2013-12/31/2013 Everest Re- Canadian Branch  75.0% Bermuda Re property / casualty business  150,000 (3)  412,500 (3)
01/01/2014  Everest Re- Canadian Branch  75.0% Bermuda Re property / casualty business   262,500 (3)  412,500 (3)
 
01/01/2012 Everest Canada  80.0% Everest Re- Canadian Branch property business  -    -  
 
(1) The single occurance limit is applied before the loss cessions to either Bermuda Re or Everest International.
(2) The aggregate limit is applied before the loss cessions to either Bermuda Re or Everest International.
(3) Amounts shown are Canadian dollars.
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The table below represents loss portfolio transfer reinsurance agreements whereby net insurance exposures and reserves were transferred to an affiliate.


Effective Transferring Assuming % of Business or  Covered Period
Date Company Company Amount of Transfer  of Transfer
              
09/19/2000 Mt. McKinley Bermuda Re  100% All years
10/01/2001 Everest Re  (Belgium Branch) Bermuda Re  100% All years
10/01/2008 Everest Re Bermuda Re $747,022  01/01/2002-12/31/2007


On July 13, 2015, the Company sold Mt. McKinley to Clearwater Insurance Company, a Delaware domiciled insurance company. As of that date, Mt. McKinley is no longer deemed an affiliated company or related party.

The following tables summarize the premiums and losses ceded by the Company to Bermuda Re and Everest International, respectively, and premiums and losses assumed by the Company from Everest Canada and Lloyd's syndicate 2786 for the periods indicated:


 Three Months Ended Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
Bermuda Re
 March 31, September 30,  September 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2016  2015  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Ceded written premiums $516,683  $539,033  $685,798  $646,001  $1,746,976  $1,713,502 
Ceded earned premiums  538,953   554,051   585,993   591,656   1,718,295   1,708,807 
Ceded losses and LAE (a)  290,476   295,131   344,789   343,660   1,039,932   984,371 



 Three Months Ended Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
Everest International
 March 31, September 30, September 30,
(Dollars in thousands) 2016  2015  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Ceded written premiums $(31) $(2) $(5) $168  $26  $313 
Ceded earned premiums  (24)  41   (3)  208   36   441 
Ceded losses and LAE  142   (822)  479   (724)  1,377   156 



 Three Months Ended Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
Everest Canada
 March 31, September 30, September 30,
(Dollars in thousands) 2016  2015  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Assumed written premiums $10,199  $6,664  $12,667  $11,046  $39,094  $29,533 
Assumed earned premiums  10,454   8,699   11,611   9,174   34,740   26,498 
Assumed losses and LAE  6,987   4,729   13,287   4,041   34,714   15,062 



 Three Months Ended Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
Lloyd's Syndicate 2786
 March 31, September 30, September 30,
(Dollars in thousands) 2016  2015  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Assumed written premiums $696  $-  $351  $-  $890  $- 
Assumed earned premiums  88   -   173   -   289   - 
Assumed losses and LAE  -   -   -   -   -   - 
 
(a) Ceded losses and LAE include the Mt. McKinley loss portfolio transfer that constitutes losses ceded under retroactive reinsurance and therefore, in accordance with FASB guidance, amortization of deferred gain on retroactive reinsurance is reflected in other income on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Upon the sale of Mt. McKinley, the value of the remaining deferred gain on retroactive reinsurance was included in the calculation of the realized gain on sale of subsidiary.

Everest Re sold net assets of its UK branch to Bermuda Re and provided Bermuda Re with a reserve indemnity agreement allowing for indemnity payments of up to 90% of ₤25.0 million of the excess of 2002 and prior reserves, provided that any recognition of profit from the reserves for 2002 and prior underwriting years is taken into account.
2425


Effective February 27, 2013, Group established a new subsidiary, Mt. Logan Re, which is a Class 3 insurer based in Bermuda.  Effective July 1, 2013, Mt. Logan Re established separate segregated accounts for its business activity, which will invest in a diversified set of catastrophe exposures.

The following table summarizes the premiums and losses that are ceded by the Company to Mt. Logan Re segregated accounts and assumed by the Company from Mt. Logan Re segregated accounts.


 Three Months Ended Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
Mt. Logan Re Segregated Accounts
 March 31, September 30, September 30,
(Dollars in thousands) 2016  2015  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Ceded written premiums $40,931  $61,670  $57,911  $68,078  $128,292  $162,640 
Ceded earned premiums  34,872   38,683   44,548   55,234   118,776   141,668 
Ceded losses and LAE  9,098   8,314   7,420   17,071   32,750   38,542 
                        
Assumed written premiums  3,560   3,984   5,032   4,230   11,666   11,626 
Assumed earned premiums  3,560   3,984   5,032   4,230   11,666   11,626 
Assumed losses and LAE  -   -   -   -   -   - 


12. RETIREMENT BENEFITS

The Company maintains both qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plans and a retiree health plan for its U.S. employees employed prior to April 1, 2010.

Net periodic benefit cost for U.S. employees included the following components for the periods indicated:


Pension Benefits
 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
 March 31,  September 30,  September 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2016  2015  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Service cost $2,897  $2,940  $2,731  $3,203  $8,524  $9,398 
Interest cost  2,361   2,457   2,371   2,758   7,093   7,926 
Expected return on plan assets  (2,484)  (2,903)  (2,789)  (2,904)  (7,757)  (8,710)
Amortization of prior service cost  -   5   -   4   -   15 
Amortization of net (income) loss  2,014   2,251   1,984   2,312   6,012   6,824 
Net periodic benefit cost $4,788  $4,750  $4,297  $5,373  $13,872  $15,453 

Other Benefits
 Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2016  2015  2016  2015 
Service cost $354  $498  $1,230  $1,498 
Interest cost  252   329   844   987 
Amortization of prior service costs  (33)  -   (33)  - 
Amortization of net (income) loss  -   76   96   497 
Net periodic benefit cost $573  $903  $2,137  $2,982 



Other Benefits
 Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2016  2015 
Service cost $438  $401 
Interest cost  296   263 
Amortization of net (income) loss  48   211 
Net periodic benefit cost $782  $875 


The Company contributed $30,000 thousand to the qualified pension benefit plan for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016.  The Company did not make any contributions to the qualified pension benefit plan for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016 andSeptember 30, 2015.

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26


13. INCOME TAXES

The Company is domiciled in the United States and has subsidiaries domiciled within the United States with significant branches in Canada and Singapore.  The Company's non-U.S. branches are subject to income taxation at varying rates in their respective domiciles.

For interim reporting periods, the company is generally required to use the annualized effective tax rate ("AETR") method, as prescribed by ASC 740-270, Interim Reporting, to calculate its income tax provision.  Under this method, the AETR is applied to the interim year-to-date pre-tax income to determine the income tax expense or benefit for the year-to-date period.  The income tax expense or benefit for a quarter represents the difference between the year-to-date income tax expense or benefit for the current year-to-date period less such amount for the immediately preceding year-to-date period.  Management considers the impact of all known events in its estimation of the Company's annual pre-tax income and AETR.

14.  DISPOSITION

The Company sold Heartland, its crop Managing General Agent to CGB for $49,000 thousand.  The sale agreement includes a provision for a long term strategic reinsurance relationship with CGB.  The Company has recognized an after-tax loss on the sale of Heartland of $12,942 thousand.  Under the terms of the reinsurance arrangement, there will not be a material fluctuation in the level of crop business, although it will be reflected as reinsurance rather than insurance.

15.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company has evaluated known recognized and non-recognized subsequent events.  During the early part of October, Hurricane Matthew impacted the Caribbean and the southeastern United States.  Based upon current early overall industry loss projections of $3 billion to $9 billion and applying the Company's estimated market share, the Company's best estimated range of loss from this event is $25,000 thousand to $75,000 thousand.  The Company does not have any other subsequent events to report.

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27
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION

Industry Conditions.
The worldwide reinsurance and insurance businesses are highly competitive, as well as cyclical by product and market.  As such, financial results tend to fluctuate with periods of constrained availability, highhigher rates and strongstronger profits followed by periods of abundant capacity, lowlower rates and constrained profitability.  Competition in the types of reinsurance and insurance business that we underwrite is based on many factors, including the perceived overall financial strength of the reinsurer or insurer, ratings of the reinsurer or insurer by A.M. Best and/or Standard & Poor's, underwriting expertise, the jurisdictions where the reinsurer or insurer is licensed or otherwise authorized, capacity and coverages offered, premiums charged, other terms and conditions of the reinsurance and insurance business offered, services offered, speed of claims payment and reputation and experience in lines written.  Furthermore, the market impact from these competitive factors related to reinsurance and insurance is generally not consistent across lines of business, domestic and international geographical areas and distribution channels.

We compete in the U.S. and international reinsurance and insurance markets with numerous global competitors.  Our competitors include independent reinsurance and insurance companies, subsidiaries or affiliates of established worldwide insurance companies, reinsurance departments of certain insurance companies, domestic and international underwriting operations, including underwriting syndicates at Lloyd's of London and certain government sponsored risk transfer vehicles.  Some of these competitors have greater financial resources than we do and have established long term and continuing business relationships, which can be a significant competitive advantage.  In addition, the lack of strong barriers to entry into the reinsurance business and recently, the securitization of reinsurance and insurance risks through capital markets provide additional sources of potential reinsurance and insurance capacity and competition.

Worldwide insurance and reinsurance market conditions continued to be very competitive, particularly in the property catastrophe and casualty reinsurance lines of business.  Generally, there was ample insurance and reinsurance capacity relative to demand, as well as, additional capital from the capital markets through insurance linked financial instruments.  These financial instruments such as side cars, catastrophe bonds and collateralized reinsurance funds, provide capital markets with access to insurance and reinsurance risk exposure. The capital markets demand for these products is being primarily driven by the current low interest environment and the desire to achieve greater risk diversification and potentially higher returns on their investments.  This increased competition is generally having a negative impact on rates, terms and conditions; however, the impact varies widely by market and coverage.

Rates tend to fluctuate by specific region and products, particularly areas recently impacted by large catastrophic events.  Although there have been flooding and wind storm events and earthquakes in parts of the world, the overall 2013, 2014 and 2015 catastrophe losses for the industry were considerably lower than average.  During the first half of 2016, there has been an increase in catastrophes, such as the Fort McMurray Canadian wildfire, storms and an earthquake in Ecuador; however, the aggregate of these losses are below historical levels of catastrophe losses.  This lower level of losses, combined with increased competition has resulted in downward pressure on insurance and reinsurance rates in certain geographical areas.  During the first part of October, Hurricane Matthew affected a large area of the Caribbean and southeastern United States.  While the future impact on market conditions from this storm cannot be determined at this time, it is unlikely to have a significant impact on the overall markets, but may impact affected areas.

During 2015, we initiated a strategic build out of our insurance platform through the investment in key leadership hires which in turn has brought significant underwriting talent and stronger direction in achieving our insurance program strategic goals of increased volume and improved underwriting results.  Recent growth is coming from highly diversified areas including newly launched lines of business, as well as, product and geographic expansion in existing lines of business.  We are building a world-class insurance platform capable of offering products across lines and geographies, complementing our leading global reinsurance franchise.

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Overall, we believe that given our size, strong ratings, distribution system, reputation, expertise and capital market vehicle activity the current marketplace conditions provide profit opportunities.  We continue to employ our strategy of targeting business that offers the greatest profit potential, while maintaining balance and diversification in our overall portfolio.
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Financial Summary.
We monitor and evaluate our overall performance based upon financial results.  The following table displays a summary of the consolidated net income (loss), ratios and stockholder's equity for the periods indicated:
 Three Months Ended  Percentage  Three Months Ended  Percentage  Nine Months Ended  Percentage 
 March 31,  Increase/  September 30,  Increase/  September 30,  Increase/ 
(Dollars in millions) 2016  2015  (Decrease)  2016  2015  (Decrease)  2016  2015  (Decrease) 
Gross written premiums $1,129.9  $1,226.8   -7.9% $1,505.9  $1,448.7   3.9% $3,813.6  $3,764.9   1.3%
Net written premiums  464.1   508.4   -8.7%  622.6   599.1   3.9%  1,527.9   1,580.0   -3.3%
                                    
REVENUES:                                    
Premiums earned $481.9  $521.1   -7.5% $556.7  $546.1   1.9% $1,527.4  $1,588.5   -3.8%
Net investment income  58.4   72.6   -19.5%  64.6   63.4   1.9%  196.9   206.9   -4.8%
Net realized capital gains (losses)  (66.4)  21.3  NM   (50.1)  (121.7)  -58.9%  (87.3)  (49.2)  77.5%
Other income (expense)  13.1   15.8   -17.2%  (13.2)  10.8   -222.0%  (10.8)  39.0   -127.7%
Total revenues  487.1   630.8   -22.8%  558.0   498.5   11.9%  1,626.2   1,785.2   -8.9%
                                    
CLAIMS AND EXPENSES:                                    
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses  296.1   308.9   -4.1%  301.6   370.8   -18.7%  936.2   1,002.5   -6.6%
Commission, brokerage, taxes and fees  68.8   96.5   -28.7%  85.6   72.2   18.6%  226.5   241.6   -6.3%
Other underwriting expenses  59.2   48.5   22.0%  64.1   57.0   12.6%  181.7   157.1   15.7%
Corporate expense  2.3   1.6   45.2%  1.8   1.6   12.1%  6.2   5.0   22.9%
Interest, fee and bond issue cost amortization expense  8.9   8.9   0.0%  8.9   8.9   0.0%  26.6   26.6   0.0%
Total claims and expenses  435.3   464.4   -6.3%  462.0   510.4   -9.5%  1,377.2   1,432.8   -3.9%
                                    
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE TAXES  51.8   166.4   -68.9%  96.0   (11.8) NM  249.1   352.4   -29.3%
Income tax expense (benefit)  12.9   50.4   -74.5%  21.1   (7.1) NM  67.0   107.3   -37.6%
NET INCOME (LOSS) $38.9  $115.9   -66.4% $74.8  $(4.7) NM $182.1  $245.1   -25.7%
                                    
RATIOS:         Point Change          Point Change          Point Change 
Loss ratio  61.4%  59.3%  2.1   54.2%  67.9%  (13.7)  61.3%  63.1%  (1.8)
Commission and brokerage ratio  14.3%  18.5%  (4.2)  15.4%  13.2%  2.2   14.8%  15.2%  (0.4)
Other underwriting expense ratio  12.3%  9.3%  3.0   11.5%  10.4%  1.1   11.9%  9.9%  2.0 
Combined ratio  88.0%  87.1%  0.9   81.1%  91.5%  (10.4)  88.0%  88.2%  (0.2)
                                    
 At  At  Percentage              At  At  Percentage 
 March 31,  December 31,  Increase/              September 30,  December 31,  Increase/ 
(Dollars in millions)  2016   2015  (Decrease)               2016   2015  (Decrease) 
Balance sheet data:                                    
Total investments and cash $9,622.7  $9,516.3   1.1%             $9,794.7  $9,516.3   2.9%
Total assets  16,793.9   16,700.6   0.6%              17,434.7   16,695.2   4.4%
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves  7,992.3   7,940.7   0.6%              8,306.4   7,940.7   4.6%
Total debt  638.4   638.4   0.0%              633.1   633.0   0.0%
Total liabilities  11,757.2   11,769.4   -0.1%              12,193.8   11,764.0   3.7%
Stockholder's equity  5,036.7   4,931.2   2.1%              5,241.0   4,931.2   6.3%
                                    
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding)                                    
(NM - Not meaningful)            
(NM, not meaningful)                        


Revenues.

Premiums.  Gross written premiums decreasedincreased by 7.9%3.9% to $1,129.9$1,505.9 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016, compared to $1,226.8$1,448.7 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2015, reflecting, a $121.1$25.0 million, or 13.5%, decrease in our reinsurance business, partially offset by a $24.2 million, or 7.3%5.3%, increase in our insurance business, and a $32.3 million, or 3.3%, increase in our reinsurance business.  The declinerise in insurance premiums was primarily due to increases in most lines of business, as we have focused on expanding the insurance operations.  The increase in reinsurance premiums was mainly due mainly to decreasesincreases in treaty and facultative casualty business, reductionsbusiness.  These increases were partially offset by lower premiums in quota share agreementstreaty property business and a higher negative impact of approximately $15.2$6.7 million from the year over year movement in foreign exchange rates.  Gross written premiums
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increased to $3,813.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to $3,764.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, reflecting a $146.5 million, or 13.0%, increase in our insurance business, partially offset by a $97.8 million, or 3.7%, decrease in our reinsurance business.  The rise in insurance premiums was primarily due to increases in accident and health business and othermost lines of business, as we have focused on expanding the insurance operations.
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  The decline in reinsurance premiums was mainly due to a decrease in treaty property business, a decline in international premiums related to quota share agreements and a negative impact of $39.1 million from the year over year movement in foreign exchange rates.

Net written premiums decreasedincreased by 8.7%3.9% to $464.1$622.6 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016, compared to $508.4$599.1 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2015, whichand decreased by 3.3% to $1,527.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $1,580.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  The quarter over quarter change is consistent with the change in gross written premiums.premiums, with some fluctuation for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, primarily due to higher utilization reinsurance for new insurance business and quota share agreements.  Premiums earned decreasedincreased by 7.5%1.9% to $481.9$556.7 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016, compared to $521.1$546.1 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2015, and decreased by 3.8% to $1,527.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to $1,588.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  The change in premiums earned relative to net written premiums is the result of timing; premiums are earned ratably over the coverage period whereas written premiums are recorded at the initiation of the coverage period.

Net Investment Income.  Net investment income decreasedincreased by 19.5%1.9% to $58.4$64.6 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016, compared with net investment income of $72.6$63.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015. Net pre-taxSeptember 30, 2015, and decreased by 4.8% to $196.9 million for nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared with net investment income as a percentage of average invested assets, was 2.5%$206.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The increase in income for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016 compared to 3.5%the prior period was primarily due to higher income from our limited partnerships, partially offset by lower reinvestment rates for the three months ended March 31, 2015.fixed income portfolios. The decline in income and yield for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the prior period was primarily the result of a decrease in our limited partnership income and lower reinvestment rates for the fixed income portfolios.

Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses). Net realized capital losses were $66.4 $50.1 million and net realized capital gains were $21.3$121.7 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The $66.4 million was comprised of $24.8 million of net losses from sales on our fixed maturity and equity securities, $23.0 million of other-than-temporary impairments and $18.6 million of losses from fair value re-measurements on fixed maturity and equity securities.  The net realized capital gainslosses of $21.3$50.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 were comprised of $57.0$30.9 million of gainslosses from fair value re-measurements on fixed maturity securities, equity securities and other invested assets, partially offset by $24.1net realized capital losses of $28.0 million from the sale of our Heartland subsidiary and $0.8 million of other-than-temporary impairments, partially offset by $9.6 million of gains from sales on our fixed maturity and $11.6equity securities.  The $121.7 million was comprised of $185.6 million of losses from fair value re-measurements on equity securities and other invested assets, $20.3 million of losses from sales on our fixed maturitiesmaturity and equity securities.securities and $10.5 million of other-than-temporary impairments, partially offset by a $94.7 million gain on the sale of a subsidiary.

Net realized capital losses were $87.3 million and $49.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The net realized capital losses of $87.3 million were comprised of net realized capital losses of $28.0 million from the sale of our Heartland subsidiary, $25.2 million of other-than-temporary impairment, $22.4 million of losses from sales on our fixed maturity and equity securities and $11.7 million of losses from fair value re-measurements on fixed maturity securities, equity securities and other invested assets. The $49.2 million was comprised of $56.1 million of losses from fair value re-measurements on fixed maturity securities, equity securities and other invested assets, $44.3 million of losses from sales on our fixed maturity and equity securities and $43.4 million of other-than-temporary impairments, partially offset by a $94.7 million gain on the sale of a subsidiary.

Other Income (Expense).  We recorded other incomeexpense of $13.1$13.2 million and $15.8$10.8 million for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2016, respectively.  We recorded other income of $10.8 million and $39.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015,, respectively.  The changes were primarily the result of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates for the corresponding periods.

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Claims and Expenses.
Incurred Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses.  The following table presentstables present our incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses ("LAE") for the periods indicated.


 Three Months Ended March 31, Three Months Ended September 30,
 Current  Ratio %/ Prior  Ratio %/ Total  Ratio %/ Current  Ratio %/ Prior  Ratio %/ Total  Ratio %/
(Dollars in millions) Year  Pt Change Years  Pt Change Incurred  Pt Change Year  Pt Change Years  Pt Change Incurred  Pt Change
2016
                                                  
Attritional $293.4   60.8%  $(2.0)  -0.4%  $291.4   60.4%  $300.4   54.0% $0.1   0.0% $300.6   54.0% 
Catastrophes  5.2   1.1%   (0.5)  -0.1%   4.7   1.0%   20.9   3.8%   (19.8)  -3.6%   1.0   0.2% 
Total segment $298.6   61.9%  $(2.5)  -0.5%  $296.1   61.4%  $321.3   57.8%  $(19.7)  -3.6%  $301.6   54.2% 
                                                                      
2015
                                                                    
Attritional $312.8   60.1%  $(1.7)  -0.4%  $311.1   59.7%  $351.1   64.4% $3.3   0.6% $354.4   65.0% 
Catastrophes  -   0.0%   (2.2)  -0.4%   (2.2)  -0.4%   17.2   3.1%   (0.9)  -0.2%   16.3   2.9% 
Total segment $312.8   60.1%  $(3.9)  -0.8%  $308.9   59.3%  $368.3   67.5%  $2.4   0.4%  $370.8   67.9% 
                                                                      
Variance 2016/2015
                                  ��                                 
Attritional $(19.4)  0.7 pts $(0.3)  - pts $(19.7)  0.7 pts $(50.7)  (10.4)pts $(3.2)  (0.6)pts $(53.8)  (11.0)pts
Catastrophes  5.2   1.1 pts  1.7   0.3 pts  6.9   1.4 pts  3.7   0.7 pts  (18.9)  (3.4)pts  (15.3)  (2.7)pts
Total segment $(14.2)  1.8 pts $1.4   0.3 pts $(12.8)  2.1 pts $(47.0)  (9.7)pts $(22.1)  (4.0)pts $(69.2)  (13.7)pts
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                                   

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  Nine Months Ended September 30,
  Current  Ratio %/ Prior  Ratio %/ Total  Ratio %/
(Dollars in millions) Year  Pt Change Years  Pt Change Incurred  Pt Change
2016
                             
Attritional $894.7   58.5%  $0.9   0.1%  $895.6   58.6% 
Catastrophes  77.6   5.1%   (37.0)  -2.4%   40.6   2.7% 
Total segment $972.3   63.6%  $(36.1)  -2.3%  $936.2   61.3% 
                                     
2015
                                   
Attritional $973.2   61.3%  $2.0   0.1%  $975.2   61.4% 
Catastrophes  35.3   2.2%   (8.0)  -0.5%   27.3   1.7% 
Total segment $1,008.5   63.5%  $(6.0)  -0.4%  $1,002.5   63.1% 
                                     
Variance 2016/2015
                                   
Attritional $(78.5)  (2.8)pts $(1.1)  - pts $(79.6)  (2.8)pts
Catastrophes  42.3   2.9 pts  (29.0)  (1.9)pts  13.3   1.0 pts
Total segment $(36.2)  0.1 pts $(30.1)  (1.9)pts $(66.3)  (1.8)pts
                                     
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                                   


Incurred losses and LAE decreased by 4.1%18.7% to $296.1$301.6 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016 compared to $308.9$370.8 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2015, primarily due to a decrease in current year attritional losses of $50.7 million, as the 2015 attritional loss ratio reflected a $21.6 million loss estimate for the explosions at the Chinese Port of Tianjin, $18.9 million of more favorable development on prior years' catastrophe losses and a $3.2 million decrease in prior years attritional losses, of $19.4 million, resulting primarily from the impact of the decline in premiums earned, partially offset by $5.2a $3.7 million increase in current year catastrophe losses.  The $19.8 million favorable loss development for prior years' catastrophes for the three months ended September 30, 2016 related primarily to the 2015 Chilean earthquake ($12.5 million) and the 2013 U.S. storms ($6.0 million).  The current year catastrophe losses of $20.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 were related to Hurricane Hermine ($6.8 million), U.S. Storms ($6.6 million), the Fort McMurray Canada Wildfire ($5.0 million), the Taiwan earthquake ($2.3 million) and the Ecuador earthquake ($0.2 million). The current year catastrophe losses of $17.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 primarily related to the 2015 Chilean earthquake ($17.4 million).

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Incurred losses and LAE decreased slightly to $936.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $1,002.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to a decrease in current year attritional losses of $78.5 million and more favorable development on prior years' catastrophe losses of $29.0 million compared to the prior year, partially offset by an increase of $42.3 million in current year catastrophe losses.  The $78.5 million decline in the current year attritional losses was primarily due to the $21.6 million attritional losses in 2015 related to the explosions at the Chinese Port of Tianjin and the 3.8% decline in premiums earned.  The $37.0 million of favorable prior years catastrophe losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 related primarily to the 2011 Japanese earthquake ($15.5 million), the 2015 Chilean earthquake ($12.4 million), and the 2013 U.S. storms ($4.8 million).  The current year catastrophe losses of $5.2$77.6 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2016 were related to the Fort McMurray Canada Wildfire ($26.9 million), the 2016 U.S. Storms ($24.9 million), the Ecuador earthquake ($11.6 million), the 2016 Taiwan earthquake ($7.5 million) and Hurricane Hermine ($6.8 million). The current year catastrophe losses of $35.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 primarily related to the 2016 Taiwan2015 Chilean earthquake ($5.217.4 million). There were no current year catastrophe losses for, Northern Chile storms ($9.8 million) and the three months ended March 31, 2015.New South Wales storms ($8.0 million).

Commission, Brokerage, Taxes and Fees.  Commission, brokerage, taxes and fees indecreasedcreased by 28.7%18.6% to $68.8$85.6 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016 compared to $96.572.2 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2015.  The decline wasCommission, brokerage, taxes and fees decreased by 6.3% to $226.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $241.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  These variances were primarily due to the impact of the declinechanges in premiums earned and changes in the mix of business and the impact of affiliated quota share agreements.business.

Other Underwriting Expenses.  Other underwriting expenses increased 22.0% to $59.2were $64.1 million and $57.0 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016 compared to $48.5and 2015, respectively. Other underwriting expenses were $181.7 million and $157.1 million for the threenine months ended March 31, 2015.September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The increase wasincreases in other underwriting expenses were mainly due to the costs incurred related to the expansion of the insurance business.operations.

Corporate Expenses.  Corporate expenses, which are general operating expenses that are not allocated to segments, were $2.3$1.8 million and $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $6.2 million and $5.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  The increaseincreases in corporate expense wasexpenses were mainly due to increased compensation and benefit expense.expenses.

Interest, Fees and Bond Issue Cost Amortization Expense.  Interest, fees and other bond amortization expense was $8.9 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016 and 2015.  Interest, fees and other bond amortization expense was $26.6 million for nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Income Tax Expense (Benefit).  Income tax expenses were $12.9expense was $21.1 million and $50.4income tax benefits were $7.1 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  Income tax expense was $67.0 million and $107.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  Income tax expense is primarily a function of the geographic location of the Company's pre-tax income and the statutory tax rates in those jurisdictions, as affected by tax-exempt investment income and as calculated under the annualized effective tax rate ("AETR") method.income.  Variations in the income tax expense generally result from changes in the relative levels of pre-tax income, including the impact of catastrophe losses and net capital gains (losses), among jurisdictions with different tax rates.  The decreaseincrease in income tax expense expenses for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016 compared to the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2015 was primarilywere mainly due to the realized capitaldecrease in losses incurred and lower net investment income.capital losses.

Net Income (Loss).
Our net income was $38.9$74.8 million and $115.9our net loss was $4.7 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  Our net income was $182.1 million and $245.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The changes were primarily driven by the financial component fluctuations explained above.

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Ratios.
Our combined ratio increaseddecreased by 0.910.4 points to 81.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared to 91.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2015, and decreased by 0.2 points to 88.0% for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2016, compared to 87.1%88.2% for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2015.  The loss ratio component increased 2.1decreased by 13.7 points and 1.8 points for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2016, respectively, over the same period last year, primarilyyear.  The change for the three month period was mainly due to the increaselower current year attritional losses and favorable prior year development on catastrophe losses in current years catastrophe losses.2016 compared to 2015.  The commission and brokerage ratio components increased 2.2 points and decreased 4.20.4 points for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2016, overrespectively, compared to the sameprior period last year primarily due mainly to changes in the mix of business and the impact of the affiliated quota share agreements.  The other underwriting expense ratio components increased 3.01.1 points and 2.0 points for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2016, respectively, over the same period last year mainly due to the additional expenses related to the increased focus on the expansion of the insurance business.

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Stockholder's Equity.
Stockholders' equity increased by $105.5$309.7 million to $5,036.7$5,241.0 million at March 31,September 30, 2016 from $4,931.2 million at December 31, 2015, principally as a result of $45.5$182.1 million of net income, $85.8 million of net unrealized appreciation on investments, net of tax, $38.9 million of net income, $14.9$27.8 million of net foreign currency translation adjustments, $4.8$10.2 million of share-based compensation transactions and $1.3$3.9 million of net benefit plan obligation adjustments.

Consolidated Investment Results

Net Investment Income.
Net investment income decreased by 19.5%increased 1.9% to $58.4$64.6 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016 compared to $72.6$63.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015.  These decreases wereSeptember 30, 2015, primarily due to an increase in limited partnership income, partially offset by lower reinvestment rates for the fixed income portfolios.  Net investment income decreased by 4.8% to $196.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $206.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to a decrease from our limited partnership investments and a decreasedecline in income on thefrom fixed income portfolio,maturities, reflective of lower reinvestment rates.

The following table shows the components of net investment income for the periods indicated:


 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
 March 31,  September 30,  September 30, 
(Dollars in millions) 2016  2015  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Fixed maturities $45.3  $48.0  $44.8  $46.4  $134.9  $140.8 
Equity securities  9.1   8.7   7.9   8.0   25.8   26.6 
Short-term investments and cash  0.3   0.2   0.3   0.2   0.9   0.7 
Other invested assets                        
Limited partnerships  (2.5)  7.4   6.0   3.0   17.7   17.7 
Dividends from Parent's shares  -   9.2   -   9.2   -   27.7 
Dividends from preferred shares of affiliate  7.8   -   7.8   -   23.3   - 
Other  (0.9)  0.6   0.5   (0.2)  0.3   1.4 
Gross investment income before adjustments  59.1   74.1   67.3   66.6   202.8   214.9 
Funds held interest income (expense)  2.7   2.5   1.1   0.9   4.7   4.3 
Interest income from Parent  1.1   1.1   1.1   1.0   3.2   3.2 
Gross investment income  62.8   77.7   69.5   68.7   210.8   222.5 
Investment expenses  (4.4)  (5.1)  (4.9)  (5.3)  (13.9)  (15.6)
Net investment income $58.4  $72.6  $64.6  $63.4  $196.9  $206.9 
                        
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                        


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The following table showstables show a comparison of various investment yields for the periods indicated:


At AtAt At
March 31, December 31,September 30, December 31,
2016 20152016 2015
Imbedded pre-tax yield of cash and invested assets at December 312.8% 2.9%3.0% 2.9%
Imbedded after-tax yield of cash and invested assets at December 312.0% 2.1%2.1% 2.1%



Three Months EndedThree Months Ended Nine Months Ended
March 31,September 30, September 30,
2016 20152016 2015 2016 2015
Annualized pre-tax yield on average cash and invested assets2.5% 3.5%2.7% 3.1% 2.8% 3.3%
Annualized after-tax yield on average cash and invested assets1.8% 2.5%1.9% 2.1% 1.9% 2.3%

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Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses).
The following table presents the composition of our net realized capital gains (losses) for the periods indicated:


 Three Months Ended March 31,  Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
(Dollars in millions) 2016  2015  Variance  2016  2015  Variance  2016  2015  Variance 
Gains (losses) from sales:
                        
Fixed maturity securities, market value                        
Gains $6.3  $1.4  $4.9  $13.9  $9.0  $4.9 
Losses  (1.9)  (8.1)  6.2   (24.1)  (39.4)  15.3 
Total  4.4   (6.7)  11.1   (10.3)  (30.4)  20.2 
                        
Fixed maturity securities, fair value                        
Gains $1.5  $2.5  $(1.0)  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Losses  (18.3)  (14.0)  (4.3)  -   -   -   (1.9)  -   (1.9)
Total  (16.9)  (11.5)  (5.3)  -   -   -   (1.9)  -   (1.9)
                                    
Equity securities, fair value                                    
Gains  1.8   5.1   (3.3)  6.9   5.3   1.6   13.5   17.7   (4.2)
Losses  (9.7)  (5.2)  (4.5)  (1.4)  (18.9)  17.5   (23.6)  (31.7)  8.1 
Total  (8.0)  (0.1)  (7.8)  5.5   (13.6)  19.1   (10.1)  (14.0)  3.9 
                                    
Total net realized gains (losses) from sales                                    
Gains  3.3   7.7   (4.4)  13.2   6.6   6.6   27.4   26.7   0.7 
Losses  (28.1)  (19.2)  (8.9)  (3.4)  (26.9)  23.5   (49.7)  (71.0)  21.3 
Total  (24.8)  (11.6)  (13.3)  9.6   (20.3)  30.1   (22.4)  (44.3)  22.0 
                                    
Gain (losses) on sale of subsidiary:
  (28.0)  94.7   (122.7)  (28.0)  94.7   (122.7)
                        
                        
Other than temporary impairments:
  (23.0)  (24.1)  1.1   (0.8)  (10.5)  9.7   (25.2)  (43.4)  18.2 
                                    
Gains (losses) from fair value adjustments:
                                    
Fixed maturities, fair value  (0.2)  0.1   (0.3)  0.1   -   0.1   1.4   0.1   1.3 
Equity securities, fair value  (18.3)  20.9   (39.2)  16.0   (101.3)  117.3   34.7   (85.7)  120.4 
Other invested assets, fair value  -   36.0   (36.0)  (47.0)  (84.3)  37.3   (47.8)  29.5   (77.3)
Total  (18.6)  57.0   (75.6)  (30.9)  (185.6)  154.7   (11.7)  (56.1)  44.4 
                                    
Total net realized gains (losses) $(66.4) $21.3  $(87.7) $(50.1) $(121.7) $71.6  $(87.3) $(49.2) $(38.1)
                                    
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding)                                    


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Net realized capital losses were $66.4$50.1 million and net realized capital gains were $21.3$121.7 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016, and 2015, respectively.  ForFor the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016,, we recorded $24.8$30.9 million of net realized capital losses from sales of fixed maturity and equity securities,  $23.0 million of other-than-temporary impairments and $18.6 million of net realized capital losses due to fair value re-measurements on fixed maturities and equity securities.  The fixed maturity and equity sales for the three months ended March 31, 2016 related primarily to adjusting the portfolios for overall market changes and individual credit shifts.  For the three months ended March 31, 2015, we recorded $57.0 million of net realized capital gains due to fair value re-measurements on fixed maturity securities, equity securities and other invested assets, partially offset by $24.1net realized capital losses of $28.0 million from the sale of our Heartland subsidiary and $0.8 million of other-than-temporary impairments, partially offset by $9.6 million of net realized capital gains from sales of fixed maturity.  For the three months ended September 30, 2015, we recorded $185.6 million of net realized capital losses due to fair value re-measurements on equity securities and $11.6other invested assets, $20.3 million of net realized capital losses from sales of fixed maturity and equity securities.securities and $10.5 million of other-than-temporary impairments, partially offset by a $94.7 million gain on the sale of a subsidiary.  The fixed maturity and equity sales for both periods related primarily to adjusting the threeportfolios for overall market changes and individual credit shifts.

Net realized capital losses were $87.3 million and $49.2 million for the nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we recorded a net realized capital losses of $28.0 million from the sale of our Heartland subsidiary, $25.2 million of other-than-temporary impairments, $22.4 million of net realized capital losses from sales of fixed maturity and equity securities and $11.7 million of net realized capital losses due to fair value re-measurements on fixed maturity securities, equity securities and other invested assets.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we recorded $56.1 million of net realized capital losses due to fair value re-measurements on fixed maturity securities, equity securities and other invested assets, $44.3 million of net realized capital losses from sales of fixed maturity and equity securities and $43.4 million of other-than-temporary impairments, partially offset by a $94.7 million gain on the sale of a subsidiary.  The fixed maturity and equity sales for both periods related primarily to adjusting the portfolios for overall market changes and individual credit shifts.

Segment Results.
The U.S. Reinsurance operation writes property and casualty reinsurance and specialty lines of business, including Marine, Aviation, Surety and A&H business, on both a treaty and facultative basis, through reinsurance brokers, as well as directly with ceding companies primarily within the U.S.  The International operation writes non-U.S. property and casualty reinsurance through Everest Re's branches in Canada, Singapore and through offices in Brazil, Miami and New Jersey.  The Insurance operation writes property and casualty insurance directly and through general agents, brokers and surplus lines brokers mainly within the U.S.
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These segments are managed independently, but conform with corporate guidelines with respect to pricing, risk management, control of aggregate catastrophe exposures, capital, investments and support operations.  Management generally monitors and evaluates the financial performance of these operating segments based upon their underwriting results.

Underwriting results include earned premium less losses and LAE incurred, commission and brokerage expenses and other underwriting expenses.  We measure our underwriting results using ratios, in particular loss, commission and brokerage and other underwriting expense ratios, which respectively, divide incurred losses, commissions and brokerage and other underwriting expenses by premiums earned.

Our loss and LAE reserves are management's best estimate of our ultimate liability for unpaid claims.  We re-evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis, including all prior period reserves, taking into consideration all available information and, in particular, recently reported loss claim experience and trends related to prior periods.  Such re-evaluations are recorded in incurred losses in the period in which the re-evaluation is made.

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The following discusses the underwriting results for each of our segments for the periods indicated:

U.S. Reinsurance.
The following table presents the underwriting results and ratios for the U.S. Reinsurance segment for the periods indicated.


 Three Months Ended March 31,  Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
(Dollars in millions) 2016  2015  Variance  % Change  2016  2015  Variance  % Change  2016  2015  Variance  % Change 
Gross written premiums $536.7  $562.6  $(25.9)  -4.6% $654.8  $601.6  $53.2   8.8% $1,597.0  $1,615.3  $(18.3)  -1.1%
Net written premiums  223.4   240.7   (17.3)  -7.2%  327.2   247.4   79.9   32.3%  711.7   672.8   38.9   5.8%
                                                
Premiums earned $235.2  $255.4  $(20.2)  -7.9% $249.2  $235.3  $13.9   5.9% $709.1  $726.1  $(17.0)  -2.3%
Incurred losses and LAE  116.2   111.5   4.7   4.2%  137.2   109.1   28.1   25.8%  363.6   337.1   26.5   7.9%
Commission and brokerage  49.7   58.4   (8.7)  -14.8%  48.1   48.9   (0.8)  -1.6%  148.0   141.9   6.0   4.2%
Other underwriting expenses  13.5   11.5   2.0   16.7%  14.3   13.7   0.5   4.0%  39.9   37.1   2.8   7.6%
Underwriting gain (loss) $55.9  $74.1  $(18.1)  -24.5% $49.6  $63.5  $(14.0)  -22.0% $157.7  $210.0  $(52.4)  -25.0%
                                                
             Point Chg              Point Chg              Point Chg 
Loss ratio  49.4%  43.6%      5.8   55.1%  46.4%      8.7   51.3%  46.4%      4.9 
Commission and brokerage ratio  21.1%  22.9%      (1.8)  19.3%  20.8%      (1.5)  20.9%  19.5%      1.4 
Other underwriting ratio  5.7%  4.5%      1.2   5.7%  5.8%      (0.1)  5.6%  5.2%      0.4 
Combined ratio  76.2%  71.0%      5.2   80.1%  73.0%      7.1   77.8%  71.2%      6.7 
                                
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                                


Premiums.  Gross written premiums decreasedincreased by 4.6%8.8% to $536.7$654.8 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016from $562.6$601.6 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2015, primarily due to a declinean increase in treaty casualty business.  Net written premiums decreasedincreased by 7.2%32.3% to $223.4$327.2 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016compared to $240.7$247.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015September 30, 2015. The difference between the change in gross written premiums compared to the change in net written premiums is primarily due to the assumption of the crop business due to the sale of Heartland and a varying utilization ofconcurrent new crop reinsurance primarily related to affiliated quota share contracts.contract.  Premiums earned decreased 7.9%increased 5.9% to $235.2$249.2 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016compared to $255.4$235.3 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2015.  The change in premiums earned relative to net written premiums is primarily the result of timing; premiums are earned ratably over the coverage period whereas written premiums are recorded at the initiation of the coverage period.

33Gross written premiums decreased by 1.1% to $1,597.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 from $1,615.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to a decrease in treaty property business, partially offset by an increase in treaty casualty business.  Net written premiums increased by 5.8% to $711.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $672.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The difference between the change in gross written premiums compared to the change in net written premiums is primarily due to the crop transaction described above.  Premiums earned decreased 2.3% to $709.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $726.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  The change in premiums earned relative to net written premiums is primarily the result of timing; premiums are earned ratably over the coverage period whereas written premiums are recorded at the initiation of the coverage period.


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Incurred Losses and LAE.  The following table presentstables present the incurred losses and LAE for the U.S. Reinsurance segment for the periods indicated.


 Three Months Ended March 31, Three Months Ended September 30,
 Current  Ratio %/ Prior  Ratio %/ Total  Ratio %/ Current  Ratio %/ Prior  Ratio %/ Total  Ratio %/
(Dollars in millions) Year  Pt Change Years  Pt Change Incurred  Pt Change Year  Pt Change Years  Pt Change Incurred  Pt Change
2016
                                                  
Attritional $118.4   50.4%  $(2.3)  -1.0%  $116.1   49.4%  $129.8   52.1% $(1.0)  -0.4% $128.8   51.7% 
Catastrophes  -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0%   14.4   5.8%   (5.9)  -2.4%   8.5   3.4% 
Total segment $118.4   50.4%  $(2.3)  -1.0%  $116.2   49.4%  $144.2   57.9%  $(6.9)  -2.8%  $137.2   55.1% 
                                                                      
2015
                                                                    
Attritional $117.5   46.0%  $(3.6)  -1.5%  $113.9   44.5%  $108.1   45.9% $1.5   0.6% $109.6   46.5% 
Catastrophes  -   0.0%   (2.4)  -0.9%   (2.4)  -0.9%   0.1   0.1%   (0.5)  -0.2%   (0.4)  -0.1% 
Total segment $117.5   46.0%  $(6.0)  -2.5%  $111.5   43.6%  $108.2   46.0%  $0.9   0.4%  $109.1   46.4% 
                                                                      
Variance 2016/2015
                                                                    
Attritional $0.9   4.4 pts $1.3   0.5 pts $2.2   4.9 pts $21.7   6.2 pts $(2.5)  (1.0)pts $19.2   5.2 pts
Catastrophes  -   - pts  2.4   0.9 pts  2.4   0.9 pts  14.3   5.7 pts  (5.4)  (2.2)pts  8.9   3.5 pts
Total segment $0.9   4.4 pts $3.7   1.5 pts $4.7   5.8 pts $36.0   11.9 pts $(7.8)  (3.2)pts $28.1   8.7 pts
                                    
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                                   



  Nine Months Ended September 30,
  Current  Ratio %/ Prior  Ratio %/ Total  Ratio %/
(Dollars in millions) Year  Pt Change Years  Pt Change Incurred  Pt Change
2016
                             
Attritional $365.2   51.6%  $(1.3)  -0.2%  $363.9   51.4% 
Catastrophes  15.8   2.2%   (16.1)  -2.3%   (0.3)  -0.1% 
Total segment $381.0   53.8%  $(17.4)  -2.5%  $363.6   51.3% 
                                     
2015
                                   
Attritional $360.9   49.7%  $(17.5)  -2.4%  $343.5   47.3% 
Catastrophes  0.1   0.0%   (6.5)  -0.9%   (6.4)  -0.9% 
Total segment $361.1   49.7%  $(24.0)  -3.3%  $337.1   46.4% 
                                     
Variance 2016/2015
                                   
Attritional $4.3   1.9 pts $16.2   2.2 pts $20.4   4.1 pts
Catastrophes  15.7   2.2 pts  (9.6)  (1.4)pts  6.1   0.8 pts
Total segment $19.9   4.1 pts $6.6   0.8 pts $26.5   4.9 pts
                                     
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                                   


Incurred losses increased by 4.2%25.8% to $116.2$137.2 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016compared to $111.5$109.1 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2015, primarily due to $6.0a $21.7 million increase in current year attritional losses, related to the impact of the increase in premiums earned, and an increase of $14.3 million on current year catastrophe losses.  This increase was partially offset by higher favorable development of $5.4 million on prior yearyears' catastrophe losses, in 2015 which did not recurmainly related to the same level in 2016. There2013 U.S. storms.  The current year catastrophe losses of $14.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 were norelated to Hurricane Hermine ($6.8 million), U.S. Storms ($6.3 million) and the Fort McMurray Canada Wildfire ($1.3 million). The $0.1 million of current year catastrophe losses for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2015 were due to the New South Wales storms.

Incurred losses increased by 7.9% to $363.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $337.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to a $16.2 million impact from year over year lower favorable development on prior years attritional losses and 2015.an increase of $15.7 million in current year catastrophe losses.  These increases were partially offset by more favorable development of $9.6 million on prior years' catastrophe losses. The current year catastrophe losses of $15.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 were related to Hurricane Hermine ($6.8 million) and U.S. Storms ($9.6 million).  The $0.1 million of current year catastrophe losses for the
37
nine months ended September 30, 2015 were due to the New South Wales storms.  The $16.1 million of prior years' catastrophes for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 mainly related to the 2011 Japan earthquake.

Segment Expenses.  Commission and brokerage decreased by 14.8%1.6% to $49.7$48.1 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016 compared to $58.4$48.9 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2015This decline was primarilyCommission and brokerage increased by 4.2% to $148.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $141.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  The increases were mainly due to the impact of the decrease in premiums earned and the impact offrom affiliated quota share contracts. agreements and changes in the mix of business.

Segment other underwriting expenses increased to $13.5$14.3 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016from $11.5$13.7 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2015.  Segment other underwriting expenses increased to $39.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 from $37.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  The increase wasincreases were primarily due to the impact of changes in the mix of business and higher compensation and benefit plan costs.

International.
The following table presents the underwriting results and ratios for the International segment for the periods indicated.


 Three Months Ended March 31,  Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
(Dollars in millions) 2016  2015  Variance  % Change  2016  2015  Variance  % Change  2016  2015  Variance  % Change 
Gross written premiums $238.5  $333.6  $(95.1)  -28.5% $353.2  $374.1  $(20.9)  -5.6% $939.9  $1,019.4  $(79.6)  -7.8%
Net written premiums  87.7   121.7   (34.0)  -27.9%  141.3   148.0   (6.7)  -4.5%  353.4   417.1   (63.6)  -15.3%
                                                
Premiums earned $113.2  $140.7  $(27.5)  -19.6% $128.4  $135.1  $(6.8)  -5.0% $372.8  $433.8  $(60.9)  -14.0%
Incurred losses and LAE  73.4   101.4   (28.0)  -27.6%  41.8   128.5   (86.7)  -67.4%  206.7   339.9   (133.2)  -39.2%
Commission and brokerage  26.1   34.0   (7.9)  -23.2%  30.2   27.9   2.3   8.1%  82.4   93.2   (10.7)  -11.5%
Other underwriting expenses  7.8   8.1   (0.3)  -3.6%  9.2   9.1   0.1   1.0%  25.0   25.3   (0.3)  -1.1%
Underwriting gain (loss) $5.8  $(2.9) $8.7  NM  $47.1  $(30.4) $77.5  NM $58.7  $(24.6) $83.3  NM
                                                
             Point Chg              Point Chg              Point Chg 
Loss ratio  64.9%  72.1%      (7.2)  32.6%  95.1%      (62.5)  55.4%  78.4%      (23.0)
Commission and brokerage ratio  23.1%  24.2%      (1.1)  23.5%  20.7%      2.8   22.1%  21.5%      0.6 
Other underwriting ratio  6.9%  5.7%      1.2   7.2%  6.7%      0.5   6.8%  5.8%      1.0 
Combined ratio  94.9%  102.0%      (7.1)  63.3%  122.5%      (59.2)  84.3%  105.7%      (21.4)
                                                
(NM, not meaningful)                                                

34


Premiums.  Gross written premiums decreased by 28.5%5.6% to $238.5$353.2 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016compared to $333.6$374.1 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2015, primarily due to thea decline in Latin American and AsianMiddle East business reductions in premiums related to quota share agreements and the negative impact of approximately $14.8$6.2 million from the movement of foreign exchange rates.  Net written premiums decreased by 27.9%4.5% to $87.7$141.3 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016compared to $121.7$148.0 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2015,, which is consistent with the change in gross written premiums.premiums.  Premiums earned decreased 19.6%5.0% to $113.2$128.4 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016compared to $140.7$135.1 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2015.  The change in premiums earned relative to net written premiums is primarily the result of timing; premiums are earned ratably over the coverage period whereas written premiums are recorded at the initiation of the coverage period.

Gross written premiums decreased by 7.8% to $939.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $1,019.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to declines in Latin American, Middle East and Asian business and the negative impact of approximately $38.1 million from the movement of foreign exchange rates.  Net written premiums decreased by 15.3% to $353.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $417.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  The difference between the change in gross written premiums compared to the change in net written premiums is primarily due to varying utilization of reinsurance related to the quota share contracts.  Premiums earned decreased 14.0% to $372.8 million for the nine months ended
38
September 30, 2016 compared to $433.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  The change in premiums earned relative to net written premiums is primarily the result of timing; premiums are earned ratably over the coverage period whereas written premiums are recorded at the initiation of the coverage period.

Incurred Losses and LAE. The following table presentstables present the incurred losses and LAE for the International segment for the periods indicated.


 Three Months Ended March 31, Three Months Ended September 30,
 Current  Ratio %/ Prior  Ratio %/ Total  Ratio %/ Current  Ratio %/ Prior  Ratio %/ Total  Ratio %/
(Dollars in millions) Year  Pt Change Years  Pt Change Incurred  Pt Change Year  Pt Change Years  Pt Change Incurred  Pt Change
2016
                                                  
Attritional $71.4   63.1%  $(2.8)  -2.5%  $68.6   60.6%  $49.3   38.4% $-   0.0% $49.3   38.4% 
Catastrophes  5.2   4.6%   (0.4)  -0.3%   4.8   4.3%   6.5   5.1%   (14.0)  -10.9%   (7.5)  -5.8% 
Total segment $76.6   67.7%  $(3.2)  -2.8%  $73.4   64.9%  $55.8   43.5%  $(14.0)  -10.9%  $41.8   32.6% 
       ��                                                              
2015
                                                                    
Attritional $99.7   70.9%  $1.6   1.1%  $101.3   72.0%  $111.0   82.2% $0.9   0.7% $112.0   82.9% 
Catastrophes  -   0.0%   0.2   0.1%   0.2   0.1%   17.0   12.6%   (0.6)  -0.4%   16.5   12.2% 
Total segment $99.7   70.9%  $1.7   1.2%  $101.4   72.1%  $128.1   94.8%  $0.4   0.3%  $128.5   95.1% 
                                                                      
Variance 2016/2015
                                                                    
Attritional $(28.3)  (7.8)pts $(4.4)  (3.6)pts $(32.7)  (11.4)pts $(61.7)  (43.8)pts $(0.9)  (0.7)pts $(62.7)  (44.5)pts
Catastrophes  5.2   4.6 pts  (0.6)  (0.4)pts  4.6   4.2 pts  (10.5)  (7.5)pts  (13.4)  (10.5)pts  (24.0)  (18.0)pts
Total segment $(23.1)  (3.2)pts $(4.9)  (4.0)pts $(28.0)  (7.2)pts $(72.3)  (51.3)pts $(14.3)  (11.2)pts $(86.7)  (62.5)pts
                                    
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                                   



  Nine Months Ended September 30,
  Current  Ratio %/ Prior  Ratio %/ Total  Ratio %/
(Dollars in millions) Year  Pt Change Years  Pt Change Incurred  Pt Change
2016
                             
Attritional $185.6   49.8%  $(3.4)  -0.9%  $182.3   48.9% 
Catastrophes  45.2   12.1%   (20.8)  -5.6%   24.4   6.5% 
Total segment $230.8   61.9%  $(24.1)  -6.5%  $206.7   55.4% 
                                     
2015
                                   
Attritional $304.9   70.3%  $1.6   0.4%  $306.5   70.7% 
Catastrophes  35.1   8.1%   (1.7)  -0.4%   33.4   7.7% 
Total segment $340.0   78.4%  $(0.1)  0.0%  $339.9   78.4% 
                                     
Variance 2016/2015
                                   
Attritional $(119.3)  (20.5)pts $(5.0)  (1.3)pts $(124.2)  (21.8)pts
Catastrophes  10.1   4.0 pts  (19.1)  (5.2)pts  (9.0)  (1.2)pts
Total segment $(109.2)  (16.5)pts $(24.0)  (6.5)pts $(133.2)  (23.0)pts
                                     
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                                   


Incurred losses and LAE decreased by 27.6%67.4% to $73.4$41.8 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016compared to $101.4$128.5 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2015, primarily due to thea decrease in current year attritional losses of $28.3$61.7 million, reflectingmainly related to lower Latin American and Asian losses in 2016 and $14.9 million of losses from the explosion at the Chinese port of Tianjin in 2015, a declinedecrease of $10.5 million in current year catastrophe losses and $13.4 million of more favorable development in prior years catastrophe losses.  The current year catastrophe losses of $6.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 were related to the Fort McMurray Canada Wildfire ($3.7 million), the Taiwan earthquake ($2.3 million) U.S. Storms ($0.3 million) and the Ecuador earthquake ($0.2 million). The $17.0 million of current year catastrophe losses for the three months ended September 30, 2015 were entirely related to the 2015 Chilean earthquake.  The $14.0 million of favorable development of prior years' catastrophe losses for the three months ended September 30, 2016 related primarily to the 2015 Chilean earthquake.
39
Incurred losses and LAE decreased by 39.2% to $206.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $339.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to a decrease in current year attritional losses of $119.3 million, related to lower Latin American and Asian losses in 2016 and $14.9 million of losses from the explosion at the Chinese Port of Tianjin in 2015, more favorable development of prior year catastrophe losses of $19.1 million and the impact of the decrease in premiums earned, partially offset by an increase of $10.1 million in current year catastrophe losses of $5.2 million.losses.  The $5.2$45.2 million of current year catastrophe losses for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2016 were primarily due to the 2016Fort McMurray Canada wildfire ($25.4 million), the Ecuador earthquake ($11.8 million), the Taiwan earthquake ($5.27.6 million) and U.S. Storms ($0.3 million). There were noThe $35.1 million of current year catastrophe losses for the threenine months ended March 31, 2015.September 30, 2015 were due to the 2015 Chilean earthquake ($17.4 million), Northern Chile storms ($9.8 million) and the New South Wales storms ($7.9 million). The 2016 favorable development in prior years' catastrophe losses related primarily to the 2015 Chilean and 2011 Japanese earthquakes.

Segment Expenses.  Commission and brokerage decreased 23.2%increased 8.1% to $26.1$30.2 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016compared to $34.0$27.9 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2015.  The quarter over quarter increase is due to higher contingent commission and the impact of quota share contracts.  Commission and brokerage decreased 11.5% to $82.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $93.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  The year over year decrease was primarilymainly due to the impact of the decrease in premiums earned and changes in the impactmix of affiliated quota share agreements.  business.

Segment other underwriting expenses decreasedincreased slightly to $7.8$9.2 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016 compared to $9.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, and decreased slightly to $25.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $8.1$25.3 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2015.

35


Insurance.
The following table presents the underwriting results and ratios for the Insurance segment for the periods indicated.


 Three Months Ended March 31,  Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
(Dollars in millions) 2016  2015  Variance  % Change  2016  2015  Variance  % Change  2016  2015  Variance  % Change 
Gross written premiums $354.7  $330.5  $24.2   7.3% $498.0  $473.0  $25.0   5.3% $1,276.8  $1,130.2  $146.5   13.0%
Net written premiums  152.9   146.1   6.9   4.7%  154.1   203.7   (49.7)  -24.4%  462.8   490.1   (27.3)  -5.6%
                                                
Premiums earned $133.5  $125.0  $8.6   6.9% $179.1  $175.6  $3.4   2.0% $445.6  $428.7  $16.9   3.9%
Incurred losses and LAE  106.5   96.0   10.5   10.9%  122.5   133.2   (10.7)  -8.0%  366.0   325.5   40.5   12.4%
Commission and brokerage  (7.0)  4.2   (11.2) NM   7.3   (4.7)  11.9  NM  (3.9)  6.5   (10.4)  -159.9%
Other underwriting expenses  37.9   28.9   9.0   31.1%  40.7   34.1   6.6   19.2%  116.8   94.7   22.1   23.3%
Underwriting gain (loss) $(3.9) $(4.1) $0.2   -4.9% $8.6  $13.0  $(4.4)  -33.8% $(33.3) $1.9  $(35.3) NM
                                                
             Point Chg              Point Chg              Point Chg 
Loss ratio  79.8%  76.8%      3.0   68.4%  75.8%      (7.4)  82.1%  75.9%      6.2 
Commission and brokerage ratio  -5.3%  3.3%      (8.6)  4.1%  -2.7%      6.8   -0.9%  1.5%      (2.4)
Other underwriting ratio  28.4%  23.2%      5.2   22.7%  19.5%      3.2   26.3%  22.2%      4.1 
Combined ratio  102.9%  103.3%      (0.4)  95.2%  92.6%      2.6   107.5%  99.6%      7.9 
                                                
(NM, not meaningful)                                                


Premiums. Gross written premiums increased by 7.3%5.3% to $354.7$498.0 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016compared to $330.5$473.0 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2015.  This increase was primarily driven by an increaseincreases in accident and health business premium from the startup of the Lloyd's syndicate and additional expansion of other insurance lines of business.  Net written premiums increaseddecreased by 4.7%24.4% to $152.9$154.1 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016compared to $146.1$203.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015. September 30, 2015The difference between the change in gross written premiums andcompared to the change in newnet written premiums is primarily due to the transfer of the crop business to the U.S. Reinsurance segment as a varying utilizationresult of reinsurance.the Heartland sale and entering into a new crop reinsurance contract.  Premiums earned increased 6.9%2.0% to $133.5$179.1 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016compared to $125.0$175.6 million for the
the 40
three months ended March 31,September 30, 2015. The change in premiums earned relative to net written premiums is the result of timing; premiums are earned ratably over the coverage period whereas written premiums are recorded at the initiation of the coverage period.

Gross written premiums increased by 13.0% to $1,276.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $1,130.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  This increase was primarily driven by increases in accident and health business and additional expansion of other insurance lines of business.  Net written premiums decreased by 5.6% to $462.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $490.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  The difference between the change in gross written premiums compared to the change in the net written premiums is primarily due to the transfer of the crop business as described above.  Premiums earned increased 3.9% to $445.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $428.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The change in premiums earned relative to net written premiums is the result of timing; premiums are earned ratably over the coverage period whereas written premiums are recorded at the initiation of the coverage period.

Incurred Losses and LAE.  The following table presentstables present the incurred losses and LAE for the Insurance segment for the periods indicated.


 Three Months Ended March 31, Three Months Ended September 30,
 Current  Ratio %/ Prior  Ratio %/ Total  Ratio %/ Current  Ratio %/ Prior  Ratio %/ Total  Ratio %/
(Dollars in millions) Year  Pt Change Years  Pt Change Incurred  Pt Change Year  Pt Change Years  Pt Change Incurred  Pt Change
2016
                                                  
Attritional $103.6   77.6%  $3.0   2.3%  $106.7   79.9%  $121.4   67.8% $1.1   0.6% $122.5   68.4% 
Catastrophes  -   0.0%   (0.2)  -0.1%   (0.2)  -0.1%   -   0.0%   -   0.0%   0.0   0.0% 
Total segment $103.6   77.6%  $2.8   2.2%  $106.5   79.8%  $121.4   67.8%  $1.1   0.6%  $122.5   68.4% 
                                                                      
2015
                                                                    
Attritional $95.6   76.5%  $0.4   0.3%  $96.0   76.8%  $132.0   75.2% $0.9   0.5% $132.9   75.7% 
Catastrophes  -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0%   0.2   0.1%   0.2   0.1% 
Total segment $95.6   76.5%  $0.4   0.3%  $96.0   76.8%  $132.0   75.2%  $1.2   0.7%  $133.2   75.8% 
                                                                      
Variance 2016/2015
                                                                    
Attritional $8.0   1.1 pts $2.6   2.0 pts $10.7   3.1 pts $(10.6)  (7.4)pts $0.2   0.1 pts $(10.4)  (7.3)pts
Catastrophes  -   - pts  (0.2)  (0.1)pts  (0.2)  (0.1)pts  -   - pts  (0.2)  (0.1)pts  (0.2)  (0.1)pts
Total segment $8.0   1.1 pts $2.4   1.9 pts $10.5   3.0 pts $(10.6)  (7.4)pts $(0.1)  (0.1)pts $(10.7)  (7.4)pts
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                                   



  Nine Months Ended September 30,
  Current  Ratio %/ Prior  Ratio %/ Total  Ratio %/
(Dollars in millions) Year  Pt Change Years  Pt Change Incurred  Pt Change
2016
                             
Attritional $343.8   77.1%  $5.6   1.3%  $349.4   78.4% 
Catastrophes  16.7   3.7%   (0.2)  0.0%   16.5   3.7% 
Total segment $360.5   80.8%  $5.4   1.3%  $366.0   82.1% 
                                     
2015
                                   
Attritional $307.4   71.7%  $17.9   4.1%  $325.3   75.8% 
Catastrophes  -   0.0%   0.3   0.1%   0.3   0.1% 
Total segment $307.4   71.7%  $18.2   4.2%  $325.5   75.9% 
                                     
Variance 2016/2015
                                   
Attritional $36.4   5.4 pts $(12.3)  (2.8)pts $24.1   2.6 pts
Catastrophes  16.7   3.7 pts  (0.5)  (0.1)pts  16.2   3.6 pts
Total segment $53.1   9.1 pts $(12.8)  (2.9)pts $40.5   6.2 pts
                                     
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                                   


36
41

Incurred losses and LAE decreased by 8.0% to $122.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $133.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, mainly due to a decrease of $10.6 million in current year attritional losses, primarily due to a decline in the workers' compensation loss ratio.  There were no current year catastrophe losses for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.

Incurred losses and LAE increased by 10.9%12.4% to $106.5$366.0 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2016compared to $96.0$325.5 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2015, primarilymainly due to an increase of $8.0$36.4 million in current year attritional losses, primarily related to the impact of the increase in premiums earned and an increase of $2.6$16.7 million in current year catastrophe losses, partially offset by the impact from less unfavorable development of $12.3 million in prior years' attritional losses mainly related to runoff umbrella and construction liability business.  The $16.7 million of favorable development on prior years attritionalcurrent year catastrophe losses related primarilyfor the nine months ended September 30, 2016 were due to crop hail business.the U.S. storms ($15.0 million) and the Fort McMurray Canada wildfire ($1.7 million).  There were no current year catastrophe losses for the threenine months ended March 31, 2016 andSeptember 30, 2015.

Segment Expenses.  Commission and brokerage decreasedincreased to $(7.0)$7.3 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016compared to $4.2$(4.7) million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2015.  Commission and brokerage decreased to ($3.9) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $6.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  The decrease was primarily driven by changes influctuations were mainly due to the mix of business and impactsimpact from affiliated quota share agreements.agreements and changes in mix of business.

Segment other underwriting expenses increased to $37.9$40.7 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016 compared to $28.9$34.1 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2015 and increased to $116.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to $94.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.  The increase resulted fromincreases were primarily due to the impact of the increaseincreases in premiums earned and increased expenses due to the build out of theour insurance platform.

Market Sensitive Instruments.
The SEC's Financial Reporting Release #48 requires registrants to clarify and expand upon the existing financial statement disclosure requirements for derivative financial instruments, derivative commodity instruments and other financial instruments (collectively, "market sensitive instruments").  We do not generally enter into market sensitive instruments for trading purposes.

Our current investment strategy seeks to maximize after-tax income through a high quality, diversified, taxable and tax-preferenced fixed maturity portfolio, while maintaining an adequate level of liquidity.  Our mix of taxable and tax-preferenced investments is adjusted periodically, consistent with our current and projected operating results, market conditions and our tax position.  The fixed maturity securities in the investment portfolio are comprised of non-trading available for sale securities.  Additionally, we have invested in equity securities.

The overall investment strategy considers the scope of present and anticipated Company operations.  In particular, estimates of the financial impact resulting from non-investment asset and liability transactions, together with our capital structure and other factors, are used to develop a net liability analysis.  This analysis includes estimated payout characteristics for which our investments provide liquidity.  This analysis is considered in the development of specific investment strategies for asset allocation, duration and credit quality.  The change in overall market sensitive risk exposure principally reflects the asset changes that took place during the period.

Interest Rate Risk.  Our $9.6$9.8 billion investment portfolio, at March 31, September 30, 2016,, is principally comprised of fixed maturity securities, which are generally subject to interest rate risk and some foreign currency exchange rate risk, and some equity securities, which are subject to price fluctuations and some foreign exchange rate risk.  The overall economic impact of the foreign exchange risks on the investment portfolio is partially mitigated by changes in the dollar value of foreign currency denominated liabilities and their associated income statement impact.

42
Interest rate risk is the potential change in value of the fixed maturity securities portfolio, including short-term investments, from a change in market interest rates.  In a declining interest rate environment, it includes prepayment risk on the $848.3$835.0 million of mortgage-backed securities in the $5,581.8$6,018.9 million fixed maturity portfolio.  Prepayment risk results from potential accelerated principal payments that shorten the average life and thus the expected yield of the security.

37


The table below displays the potential impact of market value fluctuations and after-tax unrealized appreciation on our fixed maturity portfolio (including $329.2$188.4 million of short-term investments) for the period indicated based on upward and downward parallel and immediate 100 and 200 basis point shifts in interest rates.  For legal entities with a U.S. dollar functional currency, this modeling was performed on each security individually. To generate appropriate price estimates for mortgage-backed securities, changes in prepayment expectations under different interest rate environments were taken into account.  For legal entities with non-U.S. dollar functional currency, the effective duration of the involved portfolio of securities was used as a proxy for the market value change under the various interest rate change scenarios.


 Impact of Interest Rate Shift in Basis Points Impact of Interest Rate Shift in Basis Points 
 At March 31, 2016 At September 30, 2016 
(Dollars in millions)  -200  -100  0   100  200  -200   -100   0   100   200 
Total Market/Fair Value $6,210.8  $6,062.0  $5,911.0  $5,747.7  $5,578.5  $6,552.1  $6,379.8  $6,207.3  $6,023.8  $5,835.2 
Market/Fair Value Change from Base (%)  5.1%  2.6%  0.0%  -2.8%  -5.6%  5.6%  2.8%  0.0%  -3.0%  -6.0%
Change in Unrealized Appreciation                                        
After-tax from Base ($) $194.9  $98.2  $-  $(106.1) $(216.1) $224.1  $112.2  $-  $(119.3) $(241.9)


We had $7,992.3$8,306.4 million and $7,940.7 million of gross reserves for losses and LAE as of March 31,September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.  These amounts are recorded at their nominal value, as opposed to present value, which would reflect a discount adjustment to reflect the time value of money.  Since losses are paid out over a period of time, the present value of the reserves is less than the nominal value.  As interest rates rise, the present value of the reserves decreases and, conversely, as interest rates decline, the present value increases.  These movements are the opposite of the interest rate impacts on the fair value of investments.  While the difference between present value and nominal value is not reflected in our financial statements, our financial results will include investment income over time from the investment portfolio until the claims are paid.  Our loss and loss reserve obligations have an expected duration that is reasonably consistent with our fixed income portfolio.

Equity Risk.  Equity risk is the potential change in fair and/or market value of the common stock and preferred stock portfolios arising from changing prices.  Our equity investments consist of a diversified portfolio of individual securities.  The primary objective of the equity portfolio is to obtain greater total return relative to bonds over time through market appreciation and income.

The tablestable below displays the impact on fair/market value and after-tax change in fair/market value of a 10% and 20% change in equity prices up and down for the periods indicated.


 Impact of Percentage Change in Equity Fair/Market Values Impact of Percentage Change in Equity Fair/Market Values 
 At March 31, 2016 At September 30, 2016 
(Dollars in millions)  -20%  -10%  0%  10%  20%  -20%  -10%  0%  10%  20%
Fair/Market Value of the Equity Portfolio $956.0  $1,075.5  $1,195.0  $1,314.5  $1,434.0  $768.9  $865.0  $961.1  $1,057.2  $1,153.3 
After-tax Change in Fair/Market Value  (155.3)  (77.7)  -   77.7   155.3   (124.9)  (62.5)  -   62.5   124.9 


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Foreign Exchange Risk.  Foreign currency risk is the potential change in value, income and cash flow arising from adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates.  Each of our non-U.S. ("foreign") operations maintains capital in the currency of the country of its geographic location consistent with local regulatory guidelines.  Each foreign operation may conduct business in its local currency, as well as the currency of other countries in which it operates.  The primary foreign currency exposures for these foreign operations are the Singapore and Canadian Dollars.  We mitigate foreign exchange exposure by generally matching the currency and duration of our assets to our corresponding operating liabilities.  In accordance with FASB guidance, the impact on the market value of available for sale fixed maturities due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, in relation to functional currency, is reflected as part of other comprehensive income.  Conversely, the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, in relation to functional currency, on other assets and liabilities is reflected through net income as a component of other income (expense).  In addition, we translate the assets, liabilities and income of non-U.S. dollar functional currency legal entities to the U.S. dollar.  This translation amount is reported as a component of other comprehensive income.  As of March 31, 2016, there has been no material change in exposure to foreign exchange rates as compared to December 31, 2015.

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SAFE HARBOR DISCLOSURE
This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws.  We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements in the federal securities laws.  In some cases, these statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "may", "will", "should", "could", "anticipate", "estimate", "expect", "plan", "believe", "predict", "potential" and "intend".  Forward-looking statements contained in this report include information regarding our reserves for losses and LAE, the adequacy of our provision for uncollectible balances, estimates of our catastrophe exposure, the effects of catastrophic events on our financial statements and the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends.  Forward-looking statements only reflect our expectations and are not guarantees of performance.  These statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions.  Actual events or results may differ materially from our expectations.  Important factors that could cause our actual events or results to be materially different from our expectations include those discussed under the caption ITEM 1A, "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent 10-K filing. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market Risk Instruments.  See "Market Sensitive Instruments" in PART I – ITEM 2.


ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

As of the end of the period covered by this report, our management carried out an evaluation, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act")).  Based on their evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act are recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms.  Our management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, also conducted an evaluation of our internal control over financial reporting to determine whether any changes occurred during the quarter covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.  Based on that evaluation, there has been no such change during the quarter covered by this report.


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PART II

ITEM 1.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In the ordinary course of business, the Company is involved in lawsuits, arbitrations and other formal and informal dispute resolution procedures, the outcomes of which will determine the Company's rights and obligations under insurance and reinsurance agreements.  In some disputes, the Company seeks to enforce its rights under an agreement or to collect funds owing to it.  In other matters, the Company is resisting attempts by others to collect funds or enforce alleged rights.  These disputes arise from time to time and are ultimately resolved through both informal and formal means, including negotiated resolution, arbitration and litigation.  In all such matters, the Company believes that its positions are legally and commercially reasonable.  The Company considers the statuses of these proceedings when determining its reserves for unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses.

Aside from litigation and arbitrations related to these insurance and reinsurance agreements, the Company is not a party to any other material litigation or arbitration.



ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

No material changes.


ITEM 2.UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.


ITEM 3.    DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.


ITEM 4.    MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.


ITEM 5.    OTHER INFORMATION

None.



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ITEM 6.    EXHIBITS

Exhibit Index:  
   
Exhibit No.
Description
 
   
   31.1Section 302 Certification of Dominic J. Addesso 
   
   31.2Section 302 Certification of Craig Howie 
   
   32.1Section 906 Certification of Dominic J. Addesso and Craig Howie 
   
   101.INSXBRL Instance Document 
   
   101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema 
   
   101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase 
   
   101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase 
   
   101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase 
   
   101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase 
   


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Everest Reinsurance Holdings, Inc.

Signatures



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



Everest Reinsurance Holdings, Inc.
(Registrant)
/S/ CRAIG HOWIE
Craig Howie
Executive Vice President and
 Chief Financial Officer
(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer)
Dated:  November 14, 2016



Dated:  May 16, 2016