UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON,Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM10-Q

(MARK ONE)Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2019

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

ORor

 

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

For the transition period from to

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROMTOCommission File Number         1-9371

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER1-9371

ALLEGHANY CORPORATION

EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER                         (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Delaware

51-0283071

State or Other Jurisdiction of

I.R.S. Employer Identification No.

Incorporation or Organization

1411 Broadway, 34th Floor, NY, NY

10018

Address of Principal Executive Offices

Zip Code

 

DELAWARE212-752-1356

STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION

51-0283071

I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.

1411 BROADWAY, 34TH FLOOR, NY, NY 10018

ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES, INCLUDING ZIP CODE

212-752-1356

REGISTRANT’S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE

NOT APPLICABLE

FORMER NAME, FORMER ADDRESS, AND FORMER FISCAL YEAR, IF CHANGED SINCE LAST REPORTRegistrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code

 

Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report

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

 

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $1.00 par value

Y

New York Stock Exchange

INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT:Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) HAS FILED ALL REPORTS REQUIREDhas filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes     No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).  Yes     No 

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

Large accelerated filer 

Accelerated filer 

Non-accelerated filer 

Smaller reporting company 

Emerging growth company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.    

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

APPLICABLE ONLY TO BE FILED BY SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, MONTHS (OR FOR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD THAT THE REGISTRANT WAS REQUIRED13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.      Yes     No 

APPLICABLE ONLY TO FILE SUCH REPORTS), AND (2) HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO SUCH FILING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PAST 90 DAYS.    YES  ☒    NO  ☐CORPORATE ISSUERS

INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT HAS SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY EVERY INTERACTIVE DATA FILE REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED PURSUANT TO RULE 405 OF REGULATION S-T (SECTION 232.405 OF THIS CHAPTER) DURING THE PRECEDING 12 MONTHS (OR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD THAT THE REGISTRANT WAS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT SUCH FILES).    YES  ☒    NO  ☐Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT IS A LARGE ACCELERATED FILER, AN ACCELERATED FILER, A NON-ACCELERATED FILER, A SMALLER REPORTING COMPANY, OR AN EMERGING GROWTH COMPANY. SEE THE DEFINITIONS OF “LARGE ACCELERATED FILER,” “ACCELERATED FILER,” “SMALLER REPORTING COMPANY,” AND “EMERGING GROWTH COMPANY” IN RULE12b-2 OF THE EXCHANGE ACT.14,393,281 Shares, par value $1.00 per share, as of October 27, 2019

 

LARGE ACCELERATED FILER    ☒ACCELERATED FILER                          ☐EMERGING GROWTH COMPANY    ☐
NON-ACCELERATED FILER        ☐SMALLER REPORTING COMPANY    ☐

IF AN EMERGING GROWTH COMPANY, INDICATE BY CHECK MARK IF THE REGISTRANT HAS ELECTED NOT TO USE THE EXTENDED TRANSITION PERIOD FOR COMPLYING WITH ANY NEW OR REVISED FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS PROVIDED PURSUANT TO SECTION 13(A) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT.  ☐

INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISRANT IS A SHELL COMPANY (AS DEFINED IN RULE12b-2 OF THE ACT).    YES  ☐    NO  ☒

INDICATE THE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING OF EACH OF THE ISSUER’S CLASSES OF COMMON STOCK, AS OF THE LAST PRACTICABLE DATE.

14,836,571 SHARES, PAR VALUE $1.00 PER SHARE, AS OF OCTOBER 24, 2018


ALLEGHANY CORPORATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

PART I

    Page    
PART I

ITEM 1.

Financial Statements

1

ITEM 2.

ITEM 1.

Financial Statements

1
ITEM 2.

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

25

27

ITEM 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

70

67

ITEM 4.

Controls and Procedures

71
PART II

68

PART II

ITEM 1.

Legal Proceedings

72

69

ITEM 1A.

Risk Factors

72

69

ITEM 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

72

69

ITEM 6.

Exhibits

73

70

SIGNATURES

74

71


Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

ALLEGHANY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

   September 30,
2018
 December 31,
2017
   (unaudited)  
   

 

($ in thousands, except share amounts)

Assets

   

Investments:

   

  Securities at fair value:

   

  Equity securities (cost: 2018 – $3,655,220; 2017 – $3,170,673)

    $5,028,578    $4,099,467 

  Debt securities (amortized cost: 2018 – $12,179,758; 2017 – $12,536,772)

   12,071,191   12,721,399 

  Short-term investments

   690,627   578,054 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   17,790,396   17,398,920 

  Commercial mortgage loans

   695,889   658,364 

  Other invested assets

   556,438   743,358 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Total investments

   19,042,723   18,800,642 

Cash

   646,908   838,375 

Accrued investment income

   98,723   105,877 

Premium balances receivable

   839,017   797,346 

Reinsurance recoverables

   1,768,841   1,746,488 

Ceded unearned premiums

   228,459   190,252 

Deferred acquisition costs

   471,282   453,346 

Property and equipment at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization

   196,314   125,337 

Goodwill

   346,022   334,905 

Intangible assets, net of amortization

   465,830   459,037 

Current taxes receivable

   100,130   31,085 

Net deferred tax assets

   -       136,489 

Funds held under reinsurance agreements

   755,734   706,042 

Other assets

   835,901   659,096 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Total assets

    $     25,795,884    $     25,384,317 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests and Stockholders’ Equity

   

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

    $11,854,859    $11,871,250 

Unearned premiums

   2,300,788   2,182,294 

Senior Notes and other debt

   1,581,676   1,484,897 

Reinsurance payable

   160,625   156,376 

Net deferred tax liabilities

   6,198   -     

Other liabilities

   1,158,146   1,068,907 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Total liabilities

   17,062,292   16,763,724 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

   138,507   106,530 

Common stock (shares authorized: 2018 and 2017 – 22,000,000; shares issued: 2018 and
  2017 – 17,459,961)

   17,460   17,460 

Contributed capital

   3,612,862   3,612,109 

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

   (220,808  618,118 

Treasury stock, at cost (2018 – 2,541,581 shares; 2017 – 2,069,461 shares)

   (1,103,835  (824,906

Retained earnings

   6,289,406   5,091,282 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Total stockholders’ equity attributable to Alleghany stockholders

   8,595,085   8,514,063 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interest and stockholders’ equity

    $25,795,884    $25,384,317 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ in thousands, except share amounts)

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Securities at fair value:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities (cost: 2019 – $1,399,141; 2018 – $2,904,496)

 

$

2,092,267

 

 

$

3,572,790

 

Debt securities (amortized cost: 2019 – $14,012,407; 2018 – $11,895,850)

 

 

14,488,289

 

 

 

11,823,968

 

Short-term investments

 

 

968,547

 

 

 

893,776

 

 

 

 

17,549,103

 

 

 

16,290,534

 

Commercial mortgage loans

 

 

706,030

 

 

 

676,532

 

Other invested assets

 

 

610,234

 

 

 

555,972

 

Total investments

 

 

18,865,367

 

 

 

17,523,038

 

Cash

 

 

897,477

 

 

 

1,038,763

 

Accrued investment income

 

 

100,085

 

 

 

91,913

 

Premium balances receivable

 

 

928,740

 

 

 

842,642

 

Reinsurance recoverables

 

 

1,618,679

 

 

 

1,921,278

 

Ceded unearned premiums

 

 

258,617

 

 

 

221,232

 

Deferred acquisition costs

 

 

505,826

 

 

 

464,546

 

Property and equipment at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

 

206,346

 

 

 

195,243

 

Goodwill

 

 

484,556

 

 

 

455,142

 

Intangible assets, net of amortization

 

 

588,178

 

 

��

553,136

 

Current taxes receivable

 

 

30,243

 

 

 

116,637

 

Net deferred tax assets

 

 

-

 

 

 

164,890

 

Funds held under reinsurance agreements

 

 

740,291

 

 

 

744,057

 

Other assets

 

 

1,266,426

 

 

 

1,012,379

 

Total assets

 

$

26,490,831

 

 

$

25,344,896

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

$

11,634,021

 

 

$

12,250,294

 

Unearned premiums

 

 

2,495,698

 

 

 

2,267,078

 

Senior Notes and other debt

 

 

1,695,303

 

 

 

1,669,039

 

Reinsurance payable

 

 

184,543

 

 

 

168,667

 

Net deferred tax liabilities

 

 

3,533

 

 

 

-

 

Other liabilities

 

 

1,468,222

 

 

 

1,127,346

 

Total liabilities

 

 

17,481,320

 

 

 

17,482,424

 

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

 

 

180,853

 

 

 

169,762

 

Common stock (shares authorized: 2019 and 2018 – 22,000,000; shares issued:

   2019 and 2018 – 17,459,961)

 

 

17,460

 

 

 

17,460

 

Contributed capital

 

 

3,608,353

 

 

 

3,612,830

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

223,266

 

 

 

(202,003

)

Treasury stock, at cost (2019 – 3,054,453 shares; 2018 – 2,883,452 shares)

 

 

(1,423,901

)

 

 

(1,312,939

)

Retained earnings

 

 

6,403,480

 

 

 

5,577,362

 

Total stockholders’ equity attributable to Alleghany stockholders

 

 

8,828,658

 

 

 

7,692,710

 

Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and stockholders’ equity

 

$

26,490,831

 

 

$

25,344,896

 

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

1


ALLEGHANY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income

(unaudited)

 

 Three Months Ended September 30,

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 2018 2017

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

($ in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

($ in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Revenues

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

  $    1,225,346   $    1,239,721 

 

$

1,389,981

 

 

$

1,225,346

 

Net investment income

 127,329  104,663 

 

 

147,829

 

 

 

127,329

 

Change in the fair value of equity securities

 370,175   -     

 

 

(16,691

)

 

 

370,175

 

Net realized capital gains

 16,230  32,921 

 

 

3,957

 

 

 

16,230

 

Other than temporary impairment losses

 (3 (6,131

 

 

(3,597

)

 

 

(3

)

Noninsurance revenue

 438,338  296,309 

 

 

638,478

 

 

 

438,338

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

 2,177,415  1,667,483 

 

 

2,159,957

 

 

 

2,177,415

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and Expenses

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss and loss adjustment expenses

 957,703  1,491,848 

 

 

907,736

 

 

 

957,703

 

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

 407,679  398,163 

 

 

449,519

 

 

 

407,679

 

Other operating expenses

 415,378  277,918 

 

 

617,326

 

 

 

415,378

 

Corporate administration

 19,094  (4,689

 

 

22,276

 

 

 

19,094

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 5,500  5,765 

 

 

8,095

 

 

 

5,500

 

Interest expense

 22,189  20,804 

 

 

25,703

 

 

 

22,189

 

 

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

 1,827,543  2,189,809 

 

 

2,030,655

 

 

 

1,827,543

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

 

129,302

 

 

 

349,872

 

Income taxes

 

 

28,010

 

 

 

60,413

 

Net earnings

 

 

101,292

 

 

 

289,459

 

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

10,860

 

 

 

4,559

 

Net earnings attributable to Alleghany stockholders

 

$

90,432

 

 

$

284,900

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (losses) before income taxes

 349,872  (522,326

Income taxes

 60,413  (212,379

Net earnings

 

$

101,292

 

 

$

289,459

 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in unrealized gains (losses), net of deferred taxes of $22,918 and ($8,932)

in 2019 and 2018, respectively

 

 

86,215

 

 

 

(33,601

)

Less: reclassification for net realized capital gains and other than temporary

impairments, net of taxes of ($1,301) and ($3,408) for 2019 and 2018,

respectively

 

 

(4,892

)

 

 

(12,819

)

Change in unrealized currency translation adjustment, net of deferred taxes

of ($2,749) and ($407) for 2019 and 2018, respectively

 

 

(10,343

)

 

 

(1,530

)

Retirement plans

 

 

322

 

 

 

(551

)

Comprehensive income

 

 

172,594

 

 

 

240,958

 

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

10,860

 

 

 

4,559

 

Comprehensive income attributable to Alleghany stockholders

 

$

161,734

 

 

$

236,399

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings (losses)

 289,459  (309,947

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest

 4,559  4,210 
 

 

 

 

Net earnings (losses) attributable to Alleghany stockholders

  $284,900   $(314,157
 

 

 

 

Net earnings (losses)

  $289,459   $(309,947

Other comprehensive income (loss):

  

Change in unrealized gains (losses), net of deferred taxes of ($8,932) and $52,766 for 2018 and
2017, respectively

 (33,601 97,994 

Less: reclassification for net realized capital gains and other than temporary impairments,
net of taxes of ($3,408) and ($9,377) for 2018 and 2017, respectively

 (12,819 (17,414

Change in unrealized currency translation adjustment, net of deferred taxes of ($407) and
$3,967 for 2018 and 2017, respectively

 (1,530 7,368 

Retirement plans

 (551 98 
 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

 240,958  (221,901

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 4,559  4,210 
 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alleghany stockholders

  $236,399   $(226,111
 

 

 

 

Basic earnings (losses) per share attributable to Alleghany stockholders

  $19.07   $(20.38

Diluted earnings (losses) per share attributable to Alleghany stockholders

 19.07  (20.90

Basic earnings per share attributable to Alleghany stockholders

 

$

6.27

 

 

$

19.07

 

Diluted earnings per share attributable to Alleghany stockholders

 

 

6.27

 

 

 

19.07

 

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

2


ALLEGHANY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income

(unaudited)

 

 Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 2018 2017

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

($ in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

($ in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Revenues

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

  $    3,670,161   $    3,692,838 

 

$

4,043,298

 

 

$

3,670,161

 

Net investment income

 377,728  321,857 

 

 

413,623

 

 

 

377,728

 

Change in the fair value of equity securities

 512,771   -     

 

 

519,322

 

 

 

512,771

 

Net realized capital gains

 67,197  101,840 

 

 

20,753

 

 

 

67,197

 

Other than temporary impairment losses

 (514 (13,095

 

 

(13,617

)

 

 

(514

)

Noninsurance revenue

 1,032,690  650,413 

 

 

1,756,507

 

 

 

1,032,690

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

 5,660,033  4,753,853 

 

 

6,739,886

 

 

 

5,660,033

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and Expenses

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss and loss adjustment expenses

 2,366,491  2,926,039 

 

 

2,497,037

 

 

 

2,366,491

 

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

 1,216,057  1,220,415 

 

 

1,313,961

 

 

 

1,216,057

 

Other operating expenses

 1,023,440  678,226 

 

 

1,701,218

 

 

 

1,023,440

 

Corporate administration

 40,998  26,601 

 

 

67,612

 

 

 

40,998

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 16,730  14,140 

 

 

23,790

 

 

 

16,730

 

Interest expense

 65,997  62,728 

 

 

74,363

 

 

 

65,997

 

 

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

 4,729,713  4,928,149 

 

 

5,677,981

 

 

 

4,729,713

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

 

1,061,905

 

 

 

930,320

 

Income taxes

 

 

207,878

 

 

 

171,275

 

Net earnings

 

 

854,027

 

 

 

759,045

 

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

27,909

 

 

 

7,454

 

Net earnings attributable to Alleghany stockholders

 

$

826,118

 

 

$

751,591

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (losses) before income taxes

 930,320  (174,296

Income taxes

 171,275  (116,368
 

 

 

 

Net earnings (losses)

 759,045  (57,928

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest

 7,454  5,242 
 

 

 

 

Net earnings (losses) attributable to Alleghany stockholders

  $751,591   $(63,170
 

 

 

 

Net earnings (losses)

  $759,045   $(57,928

Net earnings

 

$

854,027

 

 

$

759,045

 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in unrealized gains (losses), net of deferred taxes of ($56,690) and $196,336 for 2018 and
2017, respectively

 (213,263 364,623 

Less: reclassification for net realized capital gains and other than temporary impairments,
net of taxes of ($4,398) and ($31,061) for 2018 and 2017, respectively

 (16,546 (57,684

Change in unrealized currency translation adjustment, net of deferred taxes of ($1,848) and
$12,050 for 2018 and 2017, respectively

 (6,953 22,379 

Change in unrealized gains (losses), net of deferred taxes of

$117,548 and ($56,690) in 2019 and 2018, respectively

 

 

442,205

 

 

 

(213,263

)

Less: reclassification for net realized capital gains and other than temporary

impairments, net of taxes of ($2,723) and ($4,398) for 2019 and 2018, respectively

 

 

(10,246

)

 

 

(16,546

)

Change in unrealized currency translation adjustment, net of deferred taxes

of ($2,141) and ($1,848) for 2019 and 2018, respectively

 

 

(8,054

)

 

 

(6,953

)

Retirement plans

 (1,664 (199

 

 

1,363

 

 

 

(1,664

)

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

 520,619  271,191 

 

 

1,279,295

 

 

 

520,619

 

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 7,454  5,242 

 

 

27,909

 

 

 

7,454

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income attributable to Alleghany stockholders

  $513,165   $265,949 

 

$

1,251,386

 

 

$

513,165

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings (losses) per share attributable to Alleghany stockholders

  $49.55   $(4.10

Diluted earnings (losses) per share attributable to Alleghany stockholders

 49.53  (4.10

Basic earnings per share attributable to Alleghany stockholders

 

$

57.18

 

 

$

49.55

 

Diluted earnings per share attributable to Alleghany stockholders

 

 

57.14

 

 

 

49.53

 

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

3


ALLEGHANY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

(unaudited)

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019

 

 

 

Common

Stock

 

 

Contributed

Capital

 

 

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Income (loss)

 

 

Treasury

Stock

 

 

Retained

Earnings

 

 

Total

Stockholders'

Equity

Attributable

to Alleghany

Shareholders

 

 

Redeemable

Non-

controlling

Interest

 

 

 

($ in thousands, except share amounts)

 

Balance as of December 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(17,459,961 shares of common stock issued; 2,883,452 in treasury)

 

$

17,460

 

 

$

3,612,830

 

 

$

(202,003

)

 

$

(1,312,939

)

 

$

5,577,362

 

 

$

7,692,710

 

 

$

169,762

 

Add (deduct):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

440,227

 

 

 

440,227

 

 

 

7,675

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retirement plans

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

937

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

937

 

 

 

-

 

Change in unrealized appreciation of investments, net

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

187,794

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

187,794

 

 

 

-

 

Change in unrealized currency translation adjustment, net

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(885

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(885

)

 

 

-

 

Comprehensive income

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

187,846

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

440,227

 

 

 

628,073

 

 

 

7,675

 

Treasury stock repurchase

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(80,486

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(80,486

)

 

 

-

 

Other, net

 

 

-

 

 

 

(4,176

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

366

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(3,810

)

 

 

(1,716

)

Balance as of March 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(17,459,961 shares of common stock issued; 3,012,224 in treasury)

 

 

17,460

 

 

 

3,608,654

 

 

 

(14,157

)

 

 

(1,393,059

)

 

 

6,017,589

 

 

 

8,236,487

 

 

 

175,721

 

Add (deduct):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

295,459

 

 

 

295,459

 

 

 

9,374

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retirement plans

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

104

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

104

 

 

 

-

 

Change in unrealized appreciation of investments, net

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

162,842

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

162,842

 

 

 

-

 

Change in unrealized currency translation adjustment, net

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

3,175

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

3,175

 

 

 

-

 

Comprehensive income

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

166,121

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

295,459

 

 

 

461,580

 

 

 

9,374

 

Treasury stock repurchase

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(12,666

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(12,666

)

 

 

-

 

Other, net

 

 

-

 

 

 

(585

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,098

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

513

 

 

 

(9,523

)

Balance as of June 30, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(17,459,961 shares of common stock issued; 3,029,099 in treasury)

 

 

17,460

 

 

 

3,608,069

 

 

 

151,964

 

 

 

(1,404,627

)

 

 

6,313,048

 

 

 

8,685,914

 

 

 

175,572

 

Add (deduct):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

90,432

 

 

 

90,432

 

 

 

10,860

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retirement plans

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

322

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

322

 

 

 

-

 

Change in unrealized appreciation of investments, net

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

81,323

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

81,323

 

 

 

-

 

Change in unrealized currency translation adjustment, net

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(10,343

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(10,343

)

 

 

-

 

Comprehensive income

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

71,302

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

90,432

 

 

 

161,734

 

 

 

10,860

 

Treasury stock repurchase

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(19,294

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(19,294

)

 

 

-

 

Other, net

 

 

-

 

 

 

284

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

304

 

 

 

(5,579

)

Balance as of September 30, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(17,459,961 shares of common stock issued; 3,054,453 in treasury)

 

$

17,460

 

 

$

3,608,353

 

 

$

223,266

 

 

$

(1,423,901

)

 

$

6,403,480

 

 

$

8,828,658

 

 

$

180,853

 

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

4


ALLEGHANY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

(unaudited)

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018

 

 

 

Common

Stock

 

 

Contributed

Capital

 

 

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Income (loss)

 

 

Treasury

Stock

 

 

Retained

Earnings

 

 

Total

Stockholders'

Equity

Attributable

to Alleghany

Shareholders

 

 

Redeemable

Non-

controlling

Interest

 

 

 

($ in thousands, except share amounts)

 

Balance as of December 31, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(17,459,961 shares of common stock issued; 2,069,461 in treasury)

 

$

17,460

 

 

$

3,612,109

 

 

$

618,118

 

 

$

(824,906

)

 

$

5,091,282

 

 

$

8,514,063

 

 

$

106,530

 

Add (deduct):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative effect of adoption of new accounting pronouncements

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(600,508

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

600,508

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Net earnings

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

171,575

 

 

 

171,575

 

 

 

(393

)

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retirement plans

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(1,322

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(1,322

)

 

 

-

 

Change in unrealized appreciation of investments, net

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(144,979

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(144,979

)

 

 

-

 

Change in unrealized currency translation adjustment, net

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

5,100

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

5,100

 

 

 

-

 

Comprehensive income

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(141,201

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

171,575

 

 

 

30,374

 

 

 

(393

)

Dividends paid

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(153,967

)

 

 

(153,967

)

 

 

-

 

Treasury stock repurchase

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(21,268

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(21,268

)

 

 

-

 

Other, net

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,521

 

 

 

(29

)

 

 

2,677

 

 

 

29

 

 

 

4,198

 

 

 

31,494

 

Balance as of March 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(17,459,961 shares of common stock issued; 2,097,820 in treasury)

 

 

17,460

 

 

 

3,613,630

 

 

 

(123,620

)

 

 

(843,497

)

 

 

5,709,427

 

 

 

8,373,400

 

 

 

137,631

 

Add (deduct):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

295,116

 

 

 

295,116

 

 

 

3,288

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retirement plans

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

209

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

209

 

 

 

-

 

Change in unrealized appreciation of investments, net

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(38,410

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(38,410

)

 

 

-

 

Change in unrealized currency translation adjustment, net

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(10,523

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(10,523

)

 

 

-

 

Comprehensive income

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(48,724

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

295,116

 

 

 

246,392

 

 

 

3,288

 

Treasury stock repurchase

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(214,835

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(214,835

)

 

 

-

 

Other, net

 

 

-

 

 

 

(1,015

)

 

 

37

 

 

 

447

 

 

 

(37

)

 

 

(568

)

 

 

(5,547

)

Balance as of June 30, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(17,459,961 shares of common stock issued; 2,465,282 in treasury)

 

 

17,460

 

 

 

3,612,615

 

 

 

(172,307

)

 

 

(1,057,885

)

 

 

6,004,506

 

 

 

8,404,389

 

 

 

135,372

 

Add (deduct):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

284,900

 

 

 

284,900

 

 

 

4,559

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retirement plans

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(551

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(551

)

 

 

-

 

Change in unrealized appreciation of investments, net

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(46,420

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(46,420

)

 

 

-

 

Change in unrealized currency translation adjustment, net

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(1,530

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(1,530

)

 

 

-

 

Comprehensive income

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(48,501

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

284,900

 

 

 

236,399

 

 

 

4,559

 

Treasury stock repurchase

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(45,950

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(45,950

)

 

 

-

 

Other, net

 

 

-

 

 

 

247

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

247

 

 

 

(1,424

)

Balance as of September 30, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(17,459,961 shares of common stock issued; 2,541,581 in treasury)

 

$

17,460

 

 

$

3,612,862

 

 

$

(220,808

)

 

$

(1,103,835

)

 

$

6,289,406

 

 

$

8,595,085

 

 

$

138,507

 

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

5


ALLEGHANY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited)

 

  Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

  2018 2017

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

  

($ in thousands)

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

Cash flows from operating activities

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings (losses)

   $    759,045   $    (57,928

Net earnings

 

$

854,027

 

 

$

759,045

 

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

   95,427  106,197 

 

 

84,943

 

 

 

95,427

 

Change in the fair value of equity securities

   (512,771  -     

 

 

(519,322

)

 

 

(512,771

)

Net realized capital (gains) losses

   (67,197 (101,840

 

 

(20,753

)

 

 

(67,197

)

Other than temporary impairment losses

   514  13,095 

 

 

13,617

 

 

 

514

 

(Increase) decrease in reinsurance recoverables, net of reinsurance payable

   (18,104 (413,548

 

 

318,475

 

 

 

(18,104

)

(Increase) decrease in premium balances receivable

   (41,671 (134,088

 

 

(86,098

)

 

 

(41,671

)

(Increase) decrease in ceded unearned premiums

   (38,207 (7,368

 

 

(37,385

)

 

 

(38,207

)

(Increase) decrease in deferred acquisition costs

   (17,936 (28,000

 

 

(41,280

)

 

 

(17,936

)

(Increase) decrease in funds held under reinsurance agreements

   (49,692 (94,222

 

 

3,766

 

 

 

(49,692

)

Increase (decrease) in unearned premiums

   118,494  120,456 

 

 

228,620

 

 

 

118,494

 

Increase (decrease) in loss and loss adjustment expenses

   (16,391 1,369,176 

 

 

(616,273

)

 

 

(16,391

)

Change in unrealized foreign currency exchange rate losses (gains)

   63,452  (134,404

 

 

41,427

 

 

 

63,452

 

Other, net

   48,819  (211,479

 

 

204,484

 

 

 

48,819

 

  

 

 

 

Net adjustments

   (435,263 483,975 

 

 

(425,779

)

 

 

(435,263

)

  

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

   323,782  426,047 

 

 

428,248

 

 

 

323,782

 

  

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of debt securities

   (3,206,369 (4,181,182

 

 

(5,648,309

)

 

 

(3,206,369

)

Purchases of equity securities

   (678,311 (3,218,941

 

 

(265,647

)

 

 

(678,311

)

Sales of debt securities

   2,279,104  2,836,272 

 

 

2,649,257

 

 

 

2,279,104

 

Maturities and redemptions of debt securities

   1,183,469  1,397,408 

 

 

807,977

 

 

 

1,183,469

 

Sales of equity securities

   532,864  2,970,760 

 

 

2,261,863

 

 

 

532,864

 

Net (purchases) sales of short-term investments

   (113,699 174,501 

 

 

(69,908

)

 

 

(113,699

)

Net (purchases) sales and maturities of commercial mortgage loans

   (37,525 (54,822

 

 

(29,498

)

 

 

(37,525

)

(Purchases) sales of property and equipment

   (38,866 10,268 

 

 

(35,481

)

 

 

(38,866

)

Purchases of affiliates and subsidiaries, net of cash acquired

   (110,636 (244,311

 

 

(85,132

)

 

 

(110,636

)

Other, net

   59,382  28,302 

 

 

(33,604

)

 

 

59,382

 

  

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

   (130,587 (281,745

 

 

(448,482

)

 

 

(130,587

)

  

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Treasury stock acquisitions

   (282,053 (8,549

 

 

(112,446

)

 

 

(282,053

)

Increase (decrease) in other debt

   50,892  (27,202

 

 

26,605

 

 

 

50,892

 

Cash dividends paid

   (153,967  -     

 

 

-

 

 

 

(153,967

)

Other, net

   7,854  (17,070

 

 

(36,991

)

 

 

7,854

 

  

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

   (377,274 (52,821

 

 

(122,832

)

 

 

(377,274

)

  

 

 

 

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash

   (7,388 16,269 

 

 

1,780

 

 

 

(7,388

)

  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash

   (191,467 107,750 

 

 

(141,286

)

 

 

(191,467

)

Cash at beginning of period

   838,375  594,091 

 

 

1,038,763

 

 

 

838,375

 

  

 

 

 

Cash at end of period

   $646,908   $701,841 

 

$

897,477

 

 

$

646,908

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during period for:

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest paid

   $59,806   $58,133 

 

$

69,029

 

 

$

59,806

 

Income taxes paid (refund received)

   33,332  29,320 

 

 

66,325

 

 

 

33,332

 

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

6


ALLEGHANY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Principles

(a) Principles of Financial Statement Presentation

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Form 10-Q”) should be read in conjunction with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20172018 (the “2017“2018 Form10-K”) and the Quarterly Reports on Form10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 20182019 and June 30, 20182019 of Alleghany Corporation (“Alleghany”).

Alleghany Corporation, a Delaware corporation, owns and manages certain operating subsidiaries and investments, anchored by a core position in property and casualty reinsurance and insurance. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. (“TransRe”), Alleghany is engaged in the property and casualty reinsurance business. TransRe has been a subsidiary of Alleghany since March 2012. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary Alleghany Insurance Holdings LLC (“AIHL”), Alleghany is engaged in the property and casualty insurance business. AIHL’s insurance operations are principally conducted by its subsidiaries RSUI Group, Inc. (“RSUI”) and CapSpecialty, Inc. (“CapSpecialty”). RSUI has been a subsidiary of AIHL since July 2003 and CapSpecialty has been a subsidiary of AIHL since January 2002. AIHL Re LLC (“AIHL Re”), a captive reinsurance company which provides reinsurance to Alleghany’s current and former insurance operating subsidiaries and affiliates, has been a subsidiary of Alleghany since its formation in May 2006.

Prior to December 31, 2017, AIHL’s insurance operations also included Pacific Compensation Corporation (“PacificComp”). On September 12, 2017, AIHL signed a definitive agreement to sell PacificComp to CopperPoint Mutual Insurance Company (“CopperPoint”) for total cash consideration of approximately $158 million. The transaction closed on December 31, 2017, at which time: (i) approximately $442 million of PacificComp assets, consisting primarily of debt securities, and approximately $316 million of PacificComp liabilities, consisting primarily of loss and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) reserves, were transferred to CopperPoint; and (ii) AIHL recorded an after-tax gain of approximately $16 million, which included a tax benefit. In connection with the transaction, AIHL Re will continue to provide adverse development reinsurance coverage on PacificComp’spre-acquisition claims, subject to certain terms and conditions. AIHL Re’s obligations, which are guaranteed by Alleghany, are subject to: (i) an aggregate limit of $150.0 million; and (ii) a final commutation and settlement as of December 31, 2024.

Although Alleghany’s primary sources of revenues and earnings are its reinsurance and insurance operations and investments, Alleghany also sources, executes, managesgenerates revenues and monitors certain private investments primarilyexpenses from a diverse portfolio of middle market businesses that are owned and managed through its wholly-owned subsidiary Alleghany Capital Corporation (“Alleghany Capital”). Alleghany Capital’s investmentsbusinesses include:

Bourn & Koch, Inc. (“Bourn & Koch”), a manufacturer/remanufacturer of specialty machine tools and supplier of replacement parts, accessories and services for a variety of cutting technologies, headquartered in Rockford, Illinois;

Precision Cutting Technologies, Inc. (“PCT”), a holding company headquartered in Rockford, Illinois, with three operating businesses: (i) Bourn & Koch, Inc., a provider of precision automated machine tool solutions; (ii) Diamond Technology Innovations, Inc., a manufacturer of waterjet orifices and nozzles and a provider of related services; and (iii) Coastal Industrial Distributors, LLC, a provider of high-performance solid carbide end mills;

R.C. Tway Company, LLC (“Kentucky Trailer”), a manufacturer of custom trailers and truck bodies for the moving and storage industry and other markets, headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky;

IPS-Integrated Project Services, LLC (“IPS”), a technical service provider focused on the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, headquartered in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania;

Jazwares, LLC (together with its affiliates, “Jazwares”), a global toy, entertainment and musical instrument company, headquartered in Sunrise, Florida;

WWSC Holdings, LLC (“W&W|AFCO Steel”), a structural steel fabricator and erector, headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and

WWSC Holdings, LLC (“W&W|AFCO Steel”), a structural steel fabricator and erector, headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma;

CHECO Holdings, LLC (“Concord”), a hotel management and development company, headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina; and

a 45 percent equity interest in Wilbert Funeral Services, Inc. (“Wilbert”), a provider of products and services for the funeral and cemetery industries and precast concrete markets, headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas.

The results of W&W|AFCO SteelConcord have been included in Alleghany’s consolidated results beginning with its acquisition by Alleghany Capital on April 28, 2017. On February 7, 2018, W&W|AFCO Steel acquired Hirschfeld Holdings, LP (“Hirschfeld”).

Wilbert is accounted for under the equity method of accounting and is included in other invested assets. The results of Wilbert have been included in Alleghany’s consolidated results beginning with its acquisition by Alleghany Capital on AugustOctober 1, 2017.2018.

In addition, Alleghany owns certain other holding-company investments. Alleghany’s wholly-owned subsidiary Stranded Oil Resources Corporation (“SORC”), is an exploration and production company focused on enhanced oil recovery, headquartered in Golden, Colorado. Alleghany’s wholly-owned subsidiary Alleghany Properties Holdings LLC (“Alleghany Properties”), owns and manages certain properties in the Sacramento, California region. Alleghany’s public equity investments are managed primarily through Alleghany’s wholly-owned subsidiary Roundwood Asset Management LLC.

Unless the context otherwise requires, references to “Alleghany” include Alleghany together with its subsidiaries.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the results of Alleghany and its wholly-owned andmajority-owned subsidiaries and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”). All material inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

7


The portion of stockholders’ equity, net earnings and comprehensive income that is not attributable to Alleghany stockholders is presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income and the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity as noncontrolling interests. Because all noncontrolling interests have the option to sell their ownership interests to Alleghany in the future (generally through 2024), the portion of stockholders’ equity that is not attributable to Alleghany stockholders is presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity as redeemable noncontrolling interests for all periods presented. In addition, Alleghany accretes the redeemable noncontrolling interests up to its future estimated redemption value over the period from the date of issuance to the earliest redemption date. The redemption value of the equity interests is generally based on the respective subsidiary’s earnings in specified periods preceding the redemption date, calculated based on either a specified formula or an independent fair market valuation. During the first nine months of 2018,2019, the noncontrolling interests outstanding were approximately as follows: Bourn & Koch - 11 percent; Kentucky Trailer - 2123 percent; IPS - 15 percent; Jazwares - 23 percent; and W&W|AFCO Steel - 20 percent; and Concord - 15 percent. Prior to April 1, 2019, the noncontrolling interests of PCT were approximately 11 percent.  All noncontrolling interest holders of PCT have exercised their repurchase options and sold their ownership interests to PCT effective April 1, 2019.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Alleghany relies on historical experience and on various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances to make judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities and reported revenues and expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ materially from those reported results to the extent that those estimates and assumptions prove to be inaccurate. Changes in estimates are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income in the period in which the changes are made.

(b) Other Significant Accounting Principles

Alleghany’s significant accounting principles can be found in Note 1 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of the 20172018 Form10-K.

(c) Recent Accounting Standards

Recently Adopted

In February 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued guidance on certain tax effects caused by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Act”), which was signed into law on December 22, 2017.. The Tax Act, among other things, reduced the U.S. corporate federal income tax rate for the 2018 tax year from 35.0 percent to 21.0 percent, effective January 1, 2018 for the 2018 tax year.percent. Under such circumstances, GAAP requires that the value of deferred tax assets and liabilities be reduced through tax expense. The new guidance provides an option to reclassify any stranded tax amounts that remain in accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings, either retrospectively or at the beginning of the period in which the adoption is elected. This guidance became effective in the first quarter of 2018 for public entities, with early adoption permitted in 2017. Alleghany adopted this new guidance in the first quarter of 2018 and has elected to reclassify stranded tax amounts that remain in accumulated other comprehensive income, in the amount of approximately $135 million, to retained earnings as of January 1, 2018. See Note 7(b) of this Form10-Q for furtheradditional information on accumulated other comprehensive income, and seeincome. See Note 9 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of the 20172018 Form10-K for additional information on the Tax Act and its impact on Alleghany.

In MarchAugust 2017, the FASB issued guidance that reducessimplifies the amortization period forrequirements to achieve hedge accounting, better reflects the premium on certain purchased callable debt securities toeconomic results of hedging in the earliest call date. The guidance applies specifically to noncontingent call features that are callable atfinancial statements and improves the alignment between hedge accounting and a predetermined and fixed price and date. The accounting for purchased callable debt securities held at a discount is not affected.company’s risk management activities. This guidance is effective in the first quarter of 2019 for public entities, with early adoption permitted. Alleghany adopted this guidance in the fourth quarter of 2017 and recorded a cumulative effect reduction of approximately $13 million directly to opening 2017 retained earnings and an offsetting increase in opening 2017 accumulated other comprehensive income. The implementation did not have a material impact on Alleghany’s results of operations and financial condition. See Note 7(b) of this Form 10-Q for further information on accumulated other comprehensive income.

In May 2014, the FASB, together with the International Accounting Standards Board, issued guidance on the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers. Under this guidance, revenue is recognized as the transfer of goods and services to customers takes place and in amounts that reflect the payment or payments that are expected to be received from the customers for those goods and services. This guidance also requires new disclosures about revenue. Revenues related to insurance and reinsurance contracts and revenues from investments are not impacted by this guidance, whereas noninsurance revenues arising from the sale of manufactured goods and services is generally included within the scope of this guidance. This guidance, and all related amendments, became effective in the first quarter of 2018 for public entities, with early adoption permitted in 2017. Alleghany adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2018 using the modified retrospective transition approach2019 and the implementation did not have a material impact on its results of operations and financial condition.

In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance on leases. Under this guidance, a lessee is required to recognize lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use assets for leases with terms of more than one year, whereas under the prior guidance, a lessee is only required to recognize assets and liabilities for those leases qualifying as capital leases. This guidance also requires new disclosures about the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The accounting by lessors remains largely unchanged. This guidance is effective in the first quarter of 2019 for public entities, with early adoption permitted. A modified retrospective transition approach was elected for all leases in existence as of, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. Alleghany adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2019 and the implementation did not have a material impact on its results of operations and financial condition. As part of its implementation, Alleghany elected to not separate lease components from non-lease components (such as office cleanings, security and maintenance services provided by Alleghany’s lessors for certain of its leases). Alleghany also elected the package of practical expedients under the transition guidance, which allowed Alleghany to not reevaluate existing lease classifications, among others. As of January 1, 2019, Alleghany’s adoption of this guidance resulted in recognition of an additional right-of-use asset of approximately $0.2 billion and a corresponding lease liability of $0.2 billion. See Note 10 of this Form10-Q9(b) for further information on Alleghany’s noninsurance revenues.

leases.

8


In January 2016, the FASB issued guidance that changes the recognition and measurement of certain financial instruments. This guidance requires investments in equity securities (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, but including partnership investments not accounted for under the equity method) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net earnings. For equity securities that do not have readily determinable fair values, measurement may be at cost, adjusted for any impairment and changes resulting from observable price changes for a similar investment of the same issuer. This guidance also changes the presentation and disclosure of financial instruments by: (i) requiring that financial instrument disclosures of fair value use the exit price notion; (ii) requiring separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form, either on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements; (iii) requiring separate presentation in other comprehensive income for the portion of the change in a liability’s fair value resulting from instrument-specific credit risk when an election has been made to measure the liability at fair value; and (iv) eliminating the requirement to disclose the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 for public entities, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Except for the change in presentation for instrument-specific credit risk, this guidance does not permit early adoption. Alleghany adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2018. As of January 1, 2018, approximately $736 million of net unrealized gains of equity securities, net of deferred taxes, were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. Subsequently, all changes in unrealized gains or losses of equity securities, net of deferred taxes, were presented in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings rather than the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, under the caption “change in the fair value of equity securities.” Results arising from partnership investments, whether accounted for under the equity method or at fair value, continue to be reported as a component of net investment income. The implementation did not have a material impact on Alleghany’s financial condition. See Note 3 of this Form 10-Q for further information on Alleghany’s equity securities, and Note 7(b) of this Form 10-Q for further information on accumulated other comprehensive income.

Future Application ofIn May 2014, the FASB, together with the International Accounting Standards

In February 2016, the FASB Board, issued guidance on leases.the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers. Under this guidance, a lesseerevenue is requiredrecognized as the transfer of goods and services to recognize lease liabilitiescustomers takes place and corresponding right-of-use assets for leases with terms of more than one year, whereas under current guidance, a lessee is only requiredin amounts that reflect the payment or payments that are expected to recognize assets and liabilitiesbe received from the customers for those leases qualifying as capital leases.goods and services. This guidance also requires new disclosures about the amount, timingrevenue. Revenue related to insurance and uncertainty of cash flowsreinsurance contracts and revenue from investments are not impacted by this guidance, whereas noninsurance revenue arising from leases. The accounting by lessorsthe sale of manufactured goods and services is to remain largely unchanged.generally included within the scope of this guidance. This guidance, isand all related amendments, became effective in the first quarter of 20192018 for public entities, with early adoption permitted. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for all leasespermitted in existence as of, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements.2017. Alleghany will adoptadopted this guidance in the first quarter of 20192018 using the modified retrospective transition approach and does not currently believe that the implementation willdid not have a material impact on itsAlleghany’s results of operations and financial condition. See Note 12(b) to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”10 of the 2017this Form 10-K10-Q for further information on Alleghany’s leases.noninsurance revenue.

Future Application of Accounting Standards

In June 2016, the FASB issued guidance on credit losses. Under this guidance, a company is required to measure all expected credit losses on loans, reinsurance recoverables and other financial assets accounted for at cost or amortized cost, as applicable. Estimates of expected credit losses are to be based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Credit losses for securities accounted for on anavailable-for-sale (“AFS”) basis are to be measured in a manner similar to GAAP as currently applied and cannot exceed the amount by which the fair value is less than the amortized cost.cost, although the new guidance removes the length of time a security has been in an unrealized loss position as a possible indication of a credit impairment. Credit losses for all financial assets are to be recorded through an allowance for credit losses. Subsequent reversals in credit loss estimates are permitted and are to be recognized in earnings. This guidance also requires new disclosures about the significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality of financial assets. This guidance is effective in the first quarter of 2020 for public entities, with early adoption permitted. Alleghany will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of 2020 and2020. Although Alleghany expects to initially record an increase in an allowance for credit losses on certain financial assets accounted for at cost or amortized cost, it does not currently believe that the implementation will have a material impact on its results of operations and financial condition. See Note 3 of this Form 10-Q for further information on Alleghany’s investments. See Note 5(b) to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of the 2018 Form 10-K for further information on Alleghany’s reinsurance recoverables.

In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance that simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill. Under this guidance, if an initial qualitative assessment indicates that the fair value of an operating subsidiary may be less than its carrying amount, an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the operating subsidiary exceeds its estimated fair value. Any resulting impairment loss recognized cannot exceed the total amount of goodwill associated with the operating subsidiary. This guidance is effective in the first quarter of 2020 for public entities, with early adoption permitted. Alleghany will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of 2020 and does not currently believe that the implementation will have a material impact on its results of operations and financial condition. See Note 2 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of the 20172018 Form 10-K for further information on Alleghany’s goodwill.

In August 2017, the FASB issued guidance that simplifies the requirements to achieve hedge accounting, better reflects the economic results of hedging in the financial statements and improves the alignment between hedge accounting and a company’s risk management activities. This guidance is effective in the first quarter of 2019 for public entities, with early adoption permitted. Alleghany will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of 2019 and does not currently believe that the implementation will have a material impact on its results of operations and financial condition.9


In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance that changes the financial statement disclosure requirements for measuring fair value. With respect to financial instruments classified as “Level 3” in the fair value disclosure hierarchy, the guidance requires certain additional disclosures for public entities related to amounts included in other comprehensive income and significant unobservable inputs used in the valuation, while removing disclosure requirements related to an entity’s overall valuation processes. The guidance also removes certain disclosure requirements related to transfers between financial instruments classified as “Level 1” and “Level 2” and provides clarification on certain other existing disclosure requirements. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted with respect to any eliminated or modified disclosures. Alleghany will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of 2020 and does not currently believe that the implementation will have a material impact on its results of operations and financial condition.

2. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following table presents the carrying value and estimated fair value of Alleghany’s consolidated financial instruments as of September 30, 20182019 and December 31, 2017:2018:

 

  September 30, 2018  December 31, 2017

 

September 30, 2019

 

 

December 31, 2018

 

   Carrying Value   Fair Value   Carrying Value   Fair Value

 

Carrying Value

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Carrying Value

 

 

Fair Value

 

  

($ in millions)

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Assets

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments (excluding equity method investments and loans)(1)

   $     17,791.3    $     17,791.3    $     17,406.5    $     17,406.5 

 

$

17,582.0

 

 

$

17,582.0

 

 

$

16,291.3

 

 

$

16,291.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Notes and other debt(2)

   $     1,581.7    $1,701.8    $1,484.9    $1,614.6 

 

$

1,695.3

 

 

$

1,908.9

 

 

$

1,669.0

 

 

$

1,795.5

 

 

(1)

This table includes debt and equity securities, as well as partnership andnon-marketable equity investments carriedand derivatives accounted for at fair value that are included in other invested assets. This table excludes investments accounted for using the equity method and commercial mortgage loans that are carriedaccounted for at unpaid principal balance. The fair value of short-term investments approximates amortized cost. The fair value of all other categories of investments is discusseddisclosed below.

(2)

See Note 8 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of the 20172018 Form10-K for additional information on the senior notes and other debt.

The following tables present Alleghany’s financial instruments measured at fair value and the level of the fair value hierarchy of inputs used as of September 30, 20182019 and December 31, 2017:2018:

 

   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
   

($ in millions)

 

 

As of September 30, 2018

        

Equity securities:

        

Common stock

   $5,016.7    $3.5    $-        $5,020.2 

Preferred stock

   -        -        8.4    8.4 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity securities

   5,016.7    3.5    8.4    5,028.6 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Debt securities:

        

U.S. Government obligations

   -        1,028.6    -        1,028.6 

Municipal bonds

   -        2,604.3    -        2,604.3 

Foreign government obligations

   -        902.0    -        902.0 

U.S. corporate bonds

   -        2,040.7    403.0    2,443.7 

Foreign corporate bonds

   -        1,310.4    108.4    1,418.8 

Mortgage and asset-backed securities:

        

Residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”)(1)

   -        1,115.6    -        1,115.6 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”)

   -        523.9    -        523.9 

Other asset-backed securities(2)

   -        654.4    1,379.9    2,034.3 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total debt securities

   -        10,179.9    1,891.3    12,071.2 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Short-term investments

   -        690.6    -        690.6 

Other invested assets(3)

   -        -        0.9    0.9 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investments (excluding equity method investments and loans)

   $   5,016.7    $   10,874.0    $   1,900.6    $   17,791.3 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Senior Notes and other debt

   $-        $1,504.1    $197.7    $1,701.8 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Total

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

As of September 30, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

$

2,084.9

 

 

$

3.3

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

2,088.2

 

Preferred stock

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

4.1

 

Total equity securities

 

 

2,084.9

 

 

 

3.3

 

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

2,092.3

 

Debt securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government obligations

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,288.2

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,288.2

 

Municipal bonds

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,348.7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,348.7

 

Foreign government obligations

 

 

-

 

 

 

756.9

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

756.9

 

U.S. corporate bonds

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,754.7

 

 

 

571.3

 

 

 

3,326.0

 

Foreign corporate bonds

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,298.0

 

 

 

156.1

 

 

 

1,454.1

 

Mortgage and asset-backed securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”)(1)

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,934.0

 

 

 

1.7

 

 

 

1,935.7

 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”)

 

 

-

 

 

 

821.5

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

821.5

 

Other asset-backed securities(2)

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,691.3

 

 

 

865.9

 

 

 

2,557.2

 

Total debt securities

 

 

-

 

 

 

12,893.3

 

 

 

1,595.0

 

 

 

14,488.3

 

Short-term investments

 

 

-

 

 

 

968.5

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

968.5

 

Other invested assets(3)

 

 

32.6

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

32.9

 

Total investments (excluding equity method investments

   and loans)

 

$

2,117.5

 

 

$

13,865.1

 

 

$

1,599.4

 

 

$

17,582.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Notes and other debt

 

$

-

 

 

$

1,597.6

 

 

$

311.3

 

 

$

1,908.9

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Total

 

 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total

 

($ in millions)

 

 ($ in millions)

As of December 31, 2017

    

As of December 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities:

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

  $4,090.7   $3.8   $-       $4,094.5 

 

$

3,563.9

 

 

$

3.5

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

3,567.4

 

Preferred stock

   -       3.1  1.9  5.0 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

5.4

 

 

 

5.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity securities

 4,090.7  6.9  1.9  4,099.5 

 

 

3,563.9

 

 

 

3.5

 

 

 

5.4

 

 

 

3,572.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt securities:

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government obligations

  -       948.0   -       948.0 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,022.4

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,022.4

 

Municipal bonds

  -       3,682.1   -       3,682.1 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,214.7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,214.7

 

Foreign government obligations

  -       1,006.6   -       1,006.6 

 

 

-

 

 

 

947.9

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

947.9

 

U.S. corporate bonds

  -       2,173.0  260.0  2,433.0 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,959.6

 

 

 

425.7

 

 

 

2,385.3

 

Foreign corporate bonds

  -       1,424.6  75.2  1,499.8 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,226.4

 

 

 

126.9

 

 

 

1,353.3

 

Mortgage and asset-backed securities:

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RMBS(1)

  -       833.8  161.8  995.6 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,387.9

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,387.9

 

CMBS

  -       550.1  1.6  551.7 

 

 

-

 

 

 

533.3

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

533.3

 

Other asset-backed securities(2)

  -       503.3  1,101.3  1,604.6 

 

 

-

 

 

 

712.3

 

 

 

1,266.9

 

 

 

1,979.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total debt securities

  -       11,121.5  1,599.9  12,721.4 

 

 

-

 

 

 

10,004.5

 

 

 

1,819.5

 

 

 

11,824.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investments

  -       578.1   -       578.1 

 

 

-

 

 

 

893.8

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

893.8

 

Other invested assets(3)

  -        -      7.5  7.5 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investments (excluding equity method investments and loans)

  $   4,090.7   $  11,706.5   $   1,609.3   $  17,406.5 

 

$

3,563.9

 

 

$

10,901.8

 

 

$

1,825.6

 

 

$

16,291.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Notes and other debt

  $-        $1,513.6   $101.0   $1,614.6 

 

$

-

 

 

$

1,510.5

 

 

$

285.0

 

 

$

1,795.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Primarily includes government agency pass-through securities guaranteed by a government agency or government sponsored enterprise, among other types of RMBS.

(2)

Includes $1,368.9$842.1 million and $1,101.3$1,266.9 million of collateralized loan obligations as of September 30, 20182019 and December 31, 2017,2018, respectively.

(3)

Includes partnership and non-marketable equity investments accounted for at fair value, and excludes investments accounted for using the equity method. Also, as further described in Note 3(d), other invested assets as of September 30, 2019 includes the fair value of an exchange-traded equity derivative index put option (the “Put Option”), which is classified as Level 1.

In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, Alleghany transferred into Level 3 $5.8 million and $21.8 million, respectively, of financial instruments, principally due to a decrease in observable inputs related to the valuation of such assets. Specifically, during the first nine months of 2019, there was an increase in the weight given to non-binding broker quotes and, as a result, there was a corresponding decrease in quoted prices for similar assets in active markets. Of the $21.8 million of transfers, $14.7 million related to foreign corporate bonds, with the remainder related to other types of debt securities.

In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, Alleghany transferred out of Level 3 $1.5 million and $16.4 million, respectively, of financial instruments, principally due to an increase in observable inputs related to the valuation of such assets. Specifically, during the first nine months of 2019, there was a decrease in the weight given to non-binding broker quotes and, as a result, there was a corresponding increase in quoted prices for similar assets in active markets. Of the $16.4 million of transfers, $12.1 million related to other asset-backed securities, with the remainder related to other types of debt securities.

There were no other material transfers between Levels 1, 2 or 3 in the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

As further described in Note 3(h), on March 15, 2018, most of AIHL’s limited partnership interests in certain subsidiaries of Ares Management LLC (“Ares”) were converted into Ares common units. As a result of the conversion, as of March 15, 2018, $208.2 million of Ares common units, classified as equity securities, was transferred into Level 1, and $58.7 million of Ares limited partnerpartnership interests, classified as other invested assets, was transferred into Level 3. On September 24, 2018, AIHL’s remaining $56.9 million of Ares limited partnerpartnership interests werewas converted into Ares common units and, as a result, was transferred from Level 3 other invested assets into Level 1 common stocks.

Aside from the $56.9 million of Ares-related other invested assets transferred out of Level 3 in the nine months ended September 30, 2018, Alleghany transferred out ofand into Level 3 an additional $153.7 million of financial instruments, principally due to an increase in observable inputs related to the valuation of such assets. Specifically, during the first nine months of 2018, there was a decrease in the weight given tonon-binding broker quotes, and as such, there was a corresponding increase in quoted prices for similar assets in active markets. Of the $153.7 million of transfers, $150.6 million related to RMBS, $1.6 million related to CMBS, $1.3 million related to U.S. corporate bonds and $0.2 million related to foreign corporate bonds.1.

In addition to the $58.7 million of Ares-related other invested assets transferred into Level 3, in the nine months ended September 30, 2018, Alleghany transferred into Level 3 $5.6 million of financial instruments, principally due to a decrease in observable inputs related to the valuation of such assets, and, specifically, a decrease in non-binding broker quotes. Of the $5.6 million of transfers, $4.4 million related to preferred stock and $1.2 million related to U.S. corporate bonds. There were no0 other material transfers between Levels 1, 2 orinto Level 3 in the third quarter of 2018.

11


Other than the $56.9 million of Ares-related other invested assets transferred out of Level 3, in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, Alleghany transferred out of Level 3 $7.2$0.2 million and $153.7 million, respectively, of financial instruments, principally due to an increase in observable inputs related to the valuation of such assetsassets. Specifically, during the first nine months of 2018, there was a decrease in the weight given to non-binding broker quotes, and specifically, anas a result, there was a corresponding increase in broker quotes.quoted prices for similar assets in active markets. Of the $7.2$153.7 million of transfers, $4.8$150.6 million related to U.S. corporate bonds and $2.4 millionRMBS, with the remainder related to common stock. There were no transfersother types of financial instruments out of Level 3 in the third quarter of 2017.debt securities.$

In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, Alleghany transferred into Level 3 $0.8 million and $5.5 million, respectively, of financial instruments, principally due to a decrease in observable inputs related to the valuation of such assets and, specifically, a decrease in broker quotes. Of the $5.5 million of transfers, $3.8 million related to U.S. corporate bonds, $1.4 million related to common stock and $0.3 million related to foreign corporate bonds. There were no other material transfers between Levels 1, 2 or 3 in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.2018.

The following tables present reconciliations of the changes in Level 3 assets during the nine months ended September 30, 20182019 and 2017 in Level 3 assets2018 measured at fair value:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt Securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Debt Securities    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage and asset-backed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019

 

Preferred

Stock

 

 

U.S.

Corporate

Bonds

 

 

Foreign

Corporate

Bonds

 

 

RMBS

 

 

Other Asset-

backed

Securities

 

 

Other

Invested

Assets(1)

 

 

Total

 

        Mortgage and asset-backed    

 

($ in millions)

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018

    Preferred  
Stock
 U.S.
  Corporate  
Bonds
 Foreign
  Corporate  
Bonds
     RMBS         CMBS     Other Asset-
backed
    Securities    
 Other
  Invested  
Assets(1)
 Total
  

($ in millions)

 

Balance as of January 1, 2018

  

 

  $

 

1.9

 

 

 

 

  $

 

260.0

 

 

 

 

$

 

75.2

 

 

 

 

$

 

161.8

 

 

 

 

$

 

1.6

 

 

 

 

$

 

1,101.3

 

 

 

 

$

 

7.5

 

 

 

 

$

 

1,609.3

 

 

Balance as of January 1, 2019

 

$

5.4

 

 

$

425.7

 

 

$

126.9

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

1,266.9

 

 

$

0.7

 

 

$

1,825.6

 

Net realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in:

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings(2)

   -      -     (0.1 (0.3  -     1.5  1.2  2.3 

 

 

(1.6

)

 

 

(9.9

)

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(1.1

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(12.9

)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

   0.2  (7.4 (2.5 (5.3  -     (10.3 (4.0 (29.3

 

 

-

 

 

 

40.0

 

 

 

3.5

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

16.7

 

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

59.8

 

Purchases

   2.0  153.7  38.9   -      -     705.3   -     899.9 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

123.2

 

 

 

27.3

 

 

 

1.7

 

 

 

68.3

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

220.9

 

Sales

   (0.1  -      -      -      -     (56.7 (5.6 (62.4

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(5.6

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(378.8

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(384.4

)

Issuances

   -      -      -      -      -      -      -      -    

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Settlements

   -     (3.2 (2.9 (5.6  -     (361.2  -     (372.9

 

 

-

 

 

 

(6.3

)

 

 

(8.9

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(99.8

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(115.0

)

Transfers into Level 3

   4.4  1.2   -      -      -      -     58.7  64.3 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

14.7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

5.8

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

21.8

 

Transfers out of Level 3

   -     (1.3 (0.2 (150.6 (1.6  -     (56.9 (210.6

 

 

-

 

 

 

(2.7

)

 

 

(1.6

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(12.1

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(16.4

)

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of September 30, 2018

    $8.4    $403.0    $108.4    $    -         $    -       $1,379.9    $0.9    $  1,900.6 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of September 30, 2019

 

$

4.1

 

 

$

571.3

 

 

$

156.1

 

 

$

1.7

 

 

$

865.9

 

 

$

0.3

 

 

$

1,599.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt Securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Equity Securities Debt Securities    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage and asset-backed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018

 

Preferred

Stock

 

 

U.S.

Corporate

Bonds

 

 

Foreign

Corporate

Bonds

 

 

RMBS

 

 

CMBS

 

 

Other Asset-

backed

Securities

 

 

Other

Invested

Assets(1)

 

 

Total

 

           Mortgage and asset-backed    

 

($ in millions)

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

   Common  
Stock
   Preferred  
Stock
 Foreign
  Government  
Obligations
 U.S.
  Corporate  
Bonds
 Foreign
  Corporate  
Bonds
   RMBS     CMBS   Other
Asset-
backed
  Securities  
 Other
  Invested  
Assets(1)
 Total
 

($ in millions)

 

Balance as of January 1, 2017

   $4.3    $-       $    -       $72.9    $0.4    $5.9    $4.3    $903.8    $28.1    $1,019.7 

Balance as of January 1, 2018

 

$

1.9

 

 

$

260.0

 

 

$

75.2

 

 

$

161.8

 

 

$

1.6

 

 

$

1,101.3

 

 

$

7.5

 

 

$

1,609.3

 

Net realized/unrealized gains
(losses) included in:

          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings(2)

 0.2  (0.2  -     (0.2  -     0.2   -     3.9  10.8  14.7 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

2.3

 

Other comprehensive income

  -     0.2   -     3.2  0.8  0.3  0.1  15.0  (8.9 10.7 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

(7.4

)

 

 

(2.5

)

 

 

(5.3

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(10.3

)

 

 

(4.0

)

 

 

(29.3

)

Purchases

  -     5.6  4.7  220.4  38.6   -     9.6  746.7   -     1,025.6 

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

153.7

 

 

 

38.9

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

705.3

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

899.9

 

Sales

 (2.6 (0.6  -     (10.2 (0.2  -     (2.2 (59.5 (21.6 (96.9

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(56.7

)

 

 

(5.6

)

 

 

(62.4

)

Issuances

  -      -      -      -      -      -      -      -      -      -    

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Settlements

  -      -      -     (6.3  -     (1.0 (0.4 (427.4  -     (435.1

 

 

-

 

 

 

(3.2

)

 

 

(2.9

)

 

 

(5.6

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(361.2

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(372.9

)

Transfers into Level 3

 1.4   -      -     3.8  0.3   -      -      -      -     5.5 

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

58.7

 

 

 

64.3

 

Transfers out of Level 3

 (2.4  -      -     (4.8  -      -      -      -      -     (7.2

 

 

-

 

 

 

(1.3

)

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(150.6

)

 

 

(1.6

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(56.9

)

 

 

(210.6

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of September 30, 2017

   $0.9    $5.0    $4.7    $278.8    $39.9    $5.4    $11.4    $1,182.5    $8.4    $1,537.0 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of September 30, 2018

 

$

8.4

 

 

$

403.0

 

 

$

108.4

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

1,379.9

 

 

$

0.9

 

 

$

1,900.6

 

 

(1)

Includes partnership and non-marketable equity investments accounted for at fair value.

(2)

There were no other than temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses recorded in net earnings related to Level 3 assets still held as of September 30, 20182019 and 2017.2018.

Net unrealized losses related to Level 3 assets as of September 30, 20182019 and December 31, 20172018 were not material.

The increase in Senior Notessenior notes and other debt included in Level 3 for the first nine months of 20182019 primarily reflects increased borrowings at W&W|AFCO Steel, including its acquisition of Hirschfeld.IPS, PCT and Kentucky Trailer to fund acquisitions and support working capital needs.

See Note 1(c) to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of the 20172018 Form 10-K for Alleghany’s accounting policy on fair value.

12


3. Investments

(a) Unrealized Gains and Losses

The following tables present the amortized cost or cost and the fair value of AFS securities as of September 30, 20182019 and December 31, 2017:2018:

 

 

Amortized

Cost

 

 

Gross

Unrealized

Gains

 

 

Gross

Unrealized

Losses

 

 

Fair Value

 

 Amortized
Cost or Cost
 Gross
  Unrealized  
Gains
 Gross
  Unrealized  
Losses
 Fair Value

 

($ in millions)

 

 ($ in millions)

As of September 30, 2018

    

As of September 30, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt securities:

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government obligations

  $    1,069.4   $    0.1   $    (40.9)   $    1,028.6 

 

$

1,262.8

 

 

$

26.9

 

 

$

(1.5

)

 

$

1,288.2

 

Municipal bonds

 2,591.2  37.3  (24.2)  2,604.3 

 

 

2,218.3

 

 

 

130.4

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,348.7

 

Foreign government obligations

 905.8  5.5  (9.3)  902.0 

 

 

728.2

 

 

 

29.1

 

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

756.9

 

U.S. corporate bonds

 2,464.8  19.4  (40.5)  2,443.7 

 

 

3,174.3

 

 

 

155.2

 

 

 

(3.5

)

 

 

3,326.0

 

Foreign corporate bonds

 1,428.7  10.6  (20.5)  1,418.8 

 

 

1,417.2

 

 

 

41.7

 

 

 

(4.8

)

 

 

1,454.1

 

Mortgage and asset-backed securities:

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RMBS

 1,147.8  3.0  (35.2)  1,115.6 

 

 

1,881.5

 

 

 

55.4

 

 

 

(1.2

)

 

 

1,935.7

 

CMBS

 530.7  2.3  (9.1)  523.9 

 

 

786.5

 

 

 

35.1

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

821.5

 

Other asset-backed securities(1)

 2,041.4  2.9  (10.0)  2,034.3 

 

 

2,543.5

 

 

 

32.0

 

 

 

(18.3

)

 

 

2,557.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total debt securities

 12,179.8  81.1  (189.7)  12,071.2 

 

 

14,012.3

 

 

 

505.8

 

 

 

(29.8

)

 

 

14,488.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investments

 690.6   -       -       690.6 

 

 

968.5

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

968.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investments

  $    12,870.4   $        81.1   $        (189.7)   $    12,761.8 

 

$

14,980.8

 

 

$

505.8

 

 

$

(29.8

)

 

$

15,456.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Amortized
Cost or Cost
 Gross
  Unrealized  
Gains
 Gross
  Unrealized  
Losses
 Fair Value
 ($ in millions)

As of December 31, 2017

    

Equity securities:

    

Common stock

  $3,165.8   $932.5   $(3.8)   $4,094.5 

Preferred stock

 4.9  0.1   -       5.0 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity securities

 3,170.7  932.6  (3.8)  4,099.5 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt securities:

    

U.S. Government obligations

 963.9  1.7  (17.6)  948.0 

Municipal bonds

 3,578.9  109.8  (6.6)  3,682.1 

Foreign government obligations

 1,000.1  11.2  (4.7)  1,006.6 

U.S. corporate bonds

 2,381.1  61.6  (9.7)  2,433.0 

Foreign corporate bonds

 1,481.8  24.5  (6.5)  1,499.8 

Mortgage and asset-backed securities:

    

RMBS

 993.9  6.3  (4.6)  995.6 

CMBS

 545.0  9.0  (2.3)  551.7 

Other asset-backed securities(1)

 1,592.1  13.8  (1.3)  1,604.6 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total debt securities

 12,536.8  237.9  (53.3)  12,721.4 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investments

 578.1   -       -       578.1 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investments

  $    16,285.6   $      1,170.5   $        (57.1)   $    17,399.0 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortized

Cost

 

 

Gross

Unrealized

Gains

 

 

Gross

Unrealized

Losses

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

As of December 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government obligations

 

$

1,042.4

 

 

$

2.4

 

 

$

(22.4

)

 

$

1,022.4

 

Municipal bonds

 

 

2,177.5

 

 

 

44.4

 

 

 

(7.2

)

 

 

2,214.7

 

Foreign government obligations

 

 

939.0

 

 

 

12.3

 

 

 

(3.4

)

 

 

947.9

 

U.S. corporate bonds

 

 

2,431.4

 

 

 

13.2

 

 

 

(59.3

)

 

 

2,385.3

 

Foreign corporate bonds

 

 

1,363.0

 

 

 

9.1

 

 

 

(18.8

)

 

 

1,353.3

 

Mortgage and asset-backed securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RMBS

 

 

1,392.4

 

 

 

10.3

 

 

 

(14.8

)

 

 

1,387.9

 

CMBS

 

 

536.9

 

 

 

2.8

 

 

 

(6.4

)

 

 

533.3

 

Other asset-backed securities(1)

 

 

2,013.3

 

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

(38.5

)

 

 

1,979.2

 

Total debt securities

 

 

11,895.9

 

 

 

98.9

 

 

 

(170.8

)

 

 

11,824.0

 

Short-term investments

 

 

893.8

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

893.8

 

Total investments

 

$

12,789.7

 

 

$

98.9

 

 

$

(170.8

)

 

$

12,717.8

 

(1)

Includes $1,368.9$842.1 million and $1,101.3$1,266.9 million of collateralized loan obligations as of September 30, 20182019 and December 31, 2017,2018, respectively.

13


(b) Contractual Maturity

The following table presents the amortized cost or cost and estimated fair value of debt securities by contractual maturity as of September 30, 2018.2019. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

  Amortized
 Cost or Cost 
 Fair Value
  ($ in millions)

As of September 30, 2018

 

Short-term investments due in one year or less

   $690.6    $690.6 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage and asset-backed securities(1)

  3,719.9   3,673.8 

Debt securities with maturity dates:

  

One year or less

  230.8   230.4 

Over one through five years

  3,011.7   2,987.0 

Over five through ten years

  3,029.1   2,991.9 

Over ten years

  2,188.3   2,188.1 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total debt securities

   $    12,179.8    $    12,071.2 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortized Cost

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

As of September 30, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investments due in one year or less

 

$

968.5

 

 

$

968.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage and asset-backed securities(1)

 

 

5,211.5

 

 

 

5,314.4

 

Debt securities with maturity dates:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One year or less

 

 

513.8

 

 

 

516.0

 

Over one through five years

 

 

3,565.8

 

 

 

3,638.9

 

Over five through ten years

 

 

2,669.2

 

 

 

2,802.2

 

Over ten years

 

 

2,052.0

 

 

 

2,216.8

 

Total debt securities

 

$

14,012.3

 

 

$

14,488.3

 

(1)

Mortgage and asset-backed securities by their nature do not generally have single maturity dates.

(c) Net Investment Income

The following table presents net investment income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20182019 and 2017:2018:

 

 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 September 30, September 30,

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 2018 2017 2018 2017

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 ($ in millions)

 

($ in millions)

 

Interest income

   $

 

106.4

 

 

 

   $

 

104.6

 

 

 

   $

 

313.2

 

 

 

   $

 

306.3

 

 

 

 

$

130.1

 

 

$

106.4

 

 

$

376.6

 

 

$

313.2

 

Dividend income

  

 

16.2

 

 

 

  

 

6.7

 

 

 

  

 

54.9

 

 

 

  

 

27.9

 

 

 

 

 

9.7

 

 

 

16.2

 

 

 

28.9

 

 

 

54.9

 

Investment expenses

  

 

(6.8

 

 

  

 

(5.8

 

 

  

 

(25.4

 

 

  

 

(20.1

 

 

 

 

(7.4

)

 

 

(6.8

)

 

 

(22.1

)

 

 

(25.4

)

Pillar Investments(1)

  

 

(0.8

 

 

  

 

(9.4

 

 

  

 

1.2

 

 

 

  

 

(2.9

 

 

 

 

7.2

 

 

 

(0.8

)

 

 

11.6

 

 

 

1.2

 

Limited partnership interests in certain subsidiaries of Ares(1)

  

 

7.0

 

 

 

  

 

6.9

 

 

 

  

 

20.2

 

 

 

  

 

(0.4

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

7.0

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

20.2

 

Other investment results

 5.3  1.7  13.6  11.1 

 

 

8.2

 

 

 

5.3

 

 

 

18.6

 

 

 

13.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

   $       127.3    $       104.7    $       377.7    $       321.9 

 

$

147.8

 

 

$

127.3

 

 

$

413.6

 

 

$

377.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

See Note 3(h) of this Form10-Q for discussion of the Pillar Investments, as defined therein, and limited partnership interests in certain subsidiaries of Ares.

As of September 30, 2018,2019, non-income producing invested assets were immaterial.

(d) Change in the Fair Value of Equity Securities

In the first quarter of 2018, Alleghany adopted new investment accounting guidance, which requires changes in the fair value of equity securities, except those accounted for under the equity method, to be recognized in net earnings. In earlier periods, equity securities were considered to be AFS and were included in the analysis of OTTI. See Note 1(c) of this Form 10-Q for additional information regarding Alleghany’s adoption of this new guidance.

The following table presents increaseschanges in the fair value of equity securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018:

 

 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 September 30, 2018 September 30, 2018

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 ($ in millions)

 

($ in millions)

 

Change in the fair value of equity securities sold during the period

  $7.3   $23.3 

 

$

(16.2

)

 

$

7.3

 

 

$

57.7

 

 

$

23.3

 

Change in the fair value of equity securities held at the end of the period

 362.9  489.5 

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

362.9

 

 

 

461.6

 

 

 

489.5

 

 

 

 

 

Change in the fair value of equity securities

  $          370.2   $          512.8 

 

$

(16.7

)

 

$

370.2

 

 

$

519.3

 

 

$

512.8

 

 

 

 

 

On July 18, 2019, AIHL purchased the Put Option for $38.4 million to hedge the downside equity market risk on approximately $1.0 billion of Alleghany’s consolidated equity portfolio. The Put Option expires on December 31, 2019 and does not qualify for hedge accounting. The fair value of the Put Option was $32.6 million as of September 30, 2019, and was recorded as a component of other invested assets. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, the decrease of $5.8 million in the fair value of the Put Option was recorded as a reduction to net realized capital gains.

14


(e) Realized Gains and Losses

The proceeds from sales of debt and equity securities were $0.9$1.1 billion and $1.6$0.9 billion for the three months ended September 30, 20182019 and 2017,2018, respectively, and $2.8$4.9 billion and $5.8$2.8 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, and 2017, respectively.

Realized capital gains and losses for the firstthree and nine months ended September 30, 2019 primarily reflect the sale of debt securities, as well as $5.8 million of losses related to the decrease in the fair value of the Put Option.

Realized capital gains and losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 primarily reflect a $45.7 million gain on AIHL’s conversion of its limited partnership interests in certain subsidiaries of Ares into Ares common units. See Note 3(h) of this Form 10-Q for additional information on this conversion. Realized capital gains and losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 also reflect the sale of debt securities.

Realized capital gains and losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 primarily reflect the sale of equity securities and certain exchange traded funds. Realized capital gains for the first nine months of 2017 include the sale of certain equity securities resulting from a partial restructuring of the equity portfolio.

The following table presents amounts of gross realized capital gains and gross realized capital losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20182019 and 2017:2018:

 

 Three Months Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 2018 2017 2018 2017

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

   ($ in millions)  

 

($ in millions)

 

Gross realized capital gains

  $16.9    $47.0    $83.3    $189.7  

 

$

12.6

 

 

$

16.9

 

 

$

38.3

 

 

$

83.3

 

Gross realized capital losses

 (0.7)  (14.1)  (16.1)  (87.9) 

 

 

(8.7

)

 

 

(0.7

)

 

 

(17.5

)

 

 

(16.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized capital gains

  $     16.2    $     32.9    $     67.2    $     101.8  

 

$

3.9

 

 

$

16.2

 

 

$

20.8

 

 

$

67.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross realized loss amountscapital losses exclude OTTI losses, as discussed below.

(f) OTTI Losseslosses

Alleghany holds its debt securities as AFS and, as such, these securities are recorded at fair value. Alleghany continually monitors the difference between amortized cost and the estimated fair value of its debt investments, which involves uncertainty as to whether declines in value are temporary in nature. The analysis of a security’s decline in value is performed in its functional currency. If the decline is deemed temporary, Alleghany records the decline as an unrealized loss in stockholders’ equity. If the decline is deemed to be other than temporary, Alleghany writes its amortized cost-basis down to the fair value of the security and records an OTTI loss on its statement of earnings. In addition, any portion of such decline related to a debt security that is believed to arise from factors other than credit is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income rather than charged against earnings.

Debt securities in an unrealized loss position are evaluated for OTTI if they meet any of the following criteria: (i) they are trading at a discount of at least 20 percent to amortized cost for an extended period of time (nine consecutive months or more); (ii) there has been a negative credit or news event with respect to the issuer that could indicate the existence of an OTTI; or (iii) Alleghany intends to sell, or it is more likely than not that Alleghany will sell, the debt security before recovery of its amortized cost basis.

If Alleghany intends to sell, or it is more likely than not that Alleghany will sell, a debt security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the total amount of the unrealized loss position is recognized as an OTTI loss in earnings. To the extent that a debt security that is in an unrealized loss position is not impaired based on the preceding, Alleghany will consider a debt security to be impaired when it believes it to be probable that Alleghany will not be able to collect the entire amortized cost basis. For debt securities in an unrealized loss position as of the end of each quarter, Alleghany develops a best estimate of the present value of expected cash flows. If the results of the cash flow analysis indicate that Alleghany will not recover the full amount of its amortized cost basis in the debt security, Alleghany records an OTTI loss in earnings equal to the difference between the present value of expected cash flows and the amortized cost basis of the debt security. If applicable, the difference between the total unrealized loss position on the debt security and the OTTI loss recognized in earnings is thenon-credit related portion, which is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income.

In developing the cash flow analyses for debt securities, Alleghany considers various factors for the different categories of debt securities. For municipal bonds, Alleghany takes into account the taxing power of the issuer, source of revenue, credit risk and enhancements andpre-refunding. For mortgage and asset-backed securities, Alleghany discounts its best estimate of future cash flows at an effective rate equal to the original effective yield of the security or, in the case of floating rate securities, at the current coupon. Alleghany’s models include assumptions about prepayment speeds, default and delinquency rates, underlying collateral (if any), credit ratings, credit enhancements and other observable market data. For corporate bonds, Alleghany reviews business prospects, credit ratings and available information from asset managers and rating agencies for individual securities.

15


OTTI losses in the first nine months of 2019 reflect $13.6 million of unrealized losses on debt securities, primarily related to the energy sector, that were deemed to be other than temporary and, as such, were required to be charged against earnings. The determination that unrealized losses on these debt securities were other than temporary was primarily due to the deterioration of creditworthiness of the issuers. Of the $13.6 million of OTTI losses, $3.6 million was incurred in the third quarter of 2019.

OTTI losses in the first nine months of 2018 reflect $0.5 million of unrealized losses on debt securities that were deemed to be other than temporary and, as such, were required to be charged against earnings.

OTTI losses in the first nine months of 2017 reflect $13.1 million of unrealized losses that were deemed to be other than temporary and, as such, were required to be charged against earnings. Of the $13.1$0.5 million of OTTI losses, $11.8 million related to equity securities, primarily in the retail sector, and $1.3 million related to debt securities. The determination that unrealized losses on the securities were other than temporary was primarily due to the duration of the decline in the fair value of equity and debt securities relative to their costs. Of the $13.1 million of OTTI losses, $6.1 milliona de minimis amount was incurred in the third quarter of 2017.2018.

Upon the ultimate disposition of the securities for which OTTI losses have been recorded, a portion of the loss may be recoverable depending on market conditions at the time of disposition. After adjusting the amortized cost basis of securities for the recognition of OTTI losses, the remaining gross unrealized investment losses for debt securities as of September 30, 20182019 were deemed to be temporary, based on, among other factors: (i) the duration of time and the relative magnitude to which the fair value of these investments had been below cost were not indicative of an OTTI loss; (ii) the absence of compelling evidence that would cause Alleghany to call into question the financial condition or near-term business prospects of the issuer of the security; and (iii) Alleghany’s ability and intent to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery.

Alleghany may ultimately record a realized loss after having originally concluded that the decline in value was temporary. Risks and uncertainties are inherent in the methodology. Alleghany’s methodology for assessing other than temporary declines in value contains inherent risks and uncertainties which could include, but are not limited to, incorrect assumptions about financial condition, liquidity or future prospects, inadequacy of any underlying collateral and unfavorable changes in economic conditions or social trends, interest rates or credit ratings.

(g) Aging of Gross Unrealized Losses

The following tables present gross unrealized losses and related fair values for Alleghany’s AFS securities, grouped by duration of time in a continuous unrealized loss position, as of September 30, 20182019 and December 31, 2017:2018:

 

 

Less Than 12 Months

 

 

12 Months or More

 

 

Total

 

 Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total

 

Fair Value

 

 

Gross

Unrealized

Losses

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Gross

Unrealized

Losses

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Gross

Unrealized

Losses

 

 Fair Value Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 Fair Value Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 Fair Value  Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

($ in millions)

 

 ($ in millions)

As of September 30, 2018

       

As of September 30, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt securities:

       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government obligations

  $389.9   $7.8   $611.1   $33.1   $1,001.0    $40.9 

 

$

57.2

 

 

$

0.5

 

 

$

157.2

 

 

$

1.0

 

 

$

214.4

 

 

$

1.5

 

Municipal bonds

 695.0  12.2  261.7  12.0  956.7    24.2 

 

 

4.8

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

5.3

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

10.1

 

 

 

-

 

Foreign government obligations

 414.6  2.9  192.4  6.4  607.0    9.3 

 

 

22.0

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

39.2

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

61.2

 

 

 

0.4

 

U.S. corporate bonds

 1,238.9  27.0  294.9  13.5  1,533.8    40.5 

 

 

156.1

 

 

 

2.1

 

 

 

52.5

 

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

208.6

 

 

 

3.5

 

Foreign corporate bonds

 665.3  11.3  288.1  9.2  953.4    20.5 

 

 

101.8

 

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

80.6

 

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

182.4

 

 

 

4.8

 

Mortgage and asset-backed securities:

       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RMBS

 891.7  28.1  130.3  7.1  1,022.0    35.2 

 

 

57.8

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

96.6

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

154.4

 

 

 

1.2

 

CMBS

 273.5  5.3  46.3  3.8  319.8    9.1 

 

 

67.8

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

69.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

Other asset-backed securities

 1,260.4  8.5  68.6  1.5  1,329.0    10.0 

 

 

377.9

 

 

 

3.4

 

 

 

588.0

 

 

 

14.9

 

 

 

965.9

 

 

 

18.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Total temporarily impaired securities

  $      5,829.3   $        103.1   $    1,893.4   $        86.6   $    7,722.7    $        189.7 

 

$

845.4

 

 

$

10.6

 

 

$

1,020.7

 

 

$

19.2

 

 

$

1,866.1

 

 

$

29.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 


 

 

Less Than 12 Months

 

 

12 Months or More

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Gross

Unrealized

Losses

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Gross

Unrealized

Losses

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Gross

Unrealized

Losses

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

As of December 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government obligations

 

$

78.5

 

 

$

0.9

 

 

$

690.5

 

 

$

21.5

 

 

$

769.0

 

 

$

22.4

 

Municipal bonds

 

 

312.4

 

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

202.5

 

 

 

4.7

 

 

 

514.9

 

 

 

7.2

 

Foreign government obligations

 

 

60.7

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

186.7

 

 

 

3.3

 

 

 

247.4

 

 

 

3.4

 

U.S. corporate bonds

 

 

1,187.9

 

 

 

39.4

 

 

 

379.7

 

 

 

19.9

 

 

 

1,567.6

 

 

 

59.3

 

Foreign corporate bonds

 

 

501.5

 

 

 

9.7

 

 

 

349.1

 

 

 

9.1

 

 

 

850.6

 

 

 

18.8

 

Mortgage and asset-backed securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RMBS

 

 

397.7

 

 

 

6.4

 

 

 

225.9

 

 

 

8.4

 

 

 

623.6

 

 

 

14.8

 

CMBS

 

 

199.1

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

109.5

 

 

 

5.1

 

 

 

308.6

 

 

 

6.4

 

Other asset-backed securities

 

 

1,442.8

 

 

 

36.7

 

 

 

121.6

 

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

1,564.4

 

 

 

38.5

 

Total temporarily impaired securities

 

$

4,180.6

 

 

$

97.0

 

 

$

2,265.5

 

 

$

73.8

 

 

$

6,446.1

 

 

$

170.8

 

  Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total
  Fair Value Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 Fair Value Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 Fair Value Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  ($ in millions)

As of December 31, 2017

      

Equity securities:

 

Common stock

   $145.7    $3.8    $-        $-        $145.7    $3.8 

Preferred stock

  -        -       -       -       -       -     
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity securities

  145.7   3.8   -       -       145.7   3.8 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt securities:

      

U.S. Government obligations

  447.8   4.4   416.6   13.2   864.4   17.6 

Municipal bonds

  240.0   1.5   267.3   5.1   507.3   6.6 

Foreign government obligations

  321.9   2.7   72.2   2.0   394.1   4.7 

U.S. corporate bonds

  568.8   6.1   207.3   3.6   776.1   9.7 

Foreign corporate bonds

  417.4   3.0   159.4   3.5   576.8   6.5 

Mortgage and asset-backed securities:

      

RMBS

  284.2   1.6   131.5   3.0   415.7   4.6 

CMBS

  112.2   0.5   34.7   1.8   146.9   2.3 

Other asset-backed securities

  211.1   0.9   65.7   0.4   276.8   1.3 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total debt securities

  2,603.4   20.7   1,354.7   32.6   3,958.1   53.3 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total temporarily impaired securities

   $      2,749.1    $        24.5    $    1,354.7    $        32.6    $      4,103.8    $        57.1 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2018,2019, Alleghany held a total of 2,289580 debt securities that were in an unrealized loss position, of which 617295 securities were in an unrealized loss position continuously for 12 months or more. The unrealized losses associated with these debt securities consisted of losses related primarily to U.S. Government obligations, municipal bonds,other asset-backed securities, U.S. corporate bonds, foreign corporate bondsU.S. Government obligations and RMBS.

As of September 30, 2018,2019, the vast majority of Alleghany’s debt securities were rated investment grade, with 4.23.5 percent of debt securities having issuer credit ratings that were below investment grade or not rated, compared with 5.34.4 percent as of December 31, 2017.2018.

(h) Investments in Certain Other Invested Assets

In December 2012, TransRe obtained an ownership interest in Pillar Capital Holdings Limited (“Pillar Holdings”), a Bermuda- based insurance asset manager focused on collateralized reinsurance and catastrophe insurance-linked securities. Additionally, TransRe invested $175.0 million and AIHL invested $25.0 million in limited partnership funds managed by Pillar Holdings (the “Funds”). The objective of the Funds is to create portfolios with attractive risk-reward characteristics and low correlation with other asset classes, using the extensive reinsurance and capital market experience of the principals of Pillar Holdings. Alleghany has concluded that both Pillar Holdings and the Funds (collectively, the “Pillar Investments”) represent variable interest entities and that Alleghany is not the primary beneficiary, as it does not have the ability to direct the activities that most significantly impact each entity’s economic performance. Therefore, the Pillar Investments are not consolidated and are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Alleghany’s potential maximum loss in the Pillar Investments is limited to its cumulative net investment. As of September 30, 2018,2019, Alleghany’s carrying value in the Pillar Investments, as determined under the equity method of accounting, was $201.3 million, which is net of returns of capital received from the Pillar Investments.

In July 2013, AIHL invested $250.0 million in Ares, an asset manager, in exchange for a 6.25 percent equity stake in Ares, with an agreement to engage Ares to manage up to $1.0 billion in certain investment strategies. In May 2014, Ares completed an initial public offering of its common units. Upon completion of the initial public offering, Alleghany’s equity investment in Ares converted into limited partner interests in certain Ares subsidiaries that were convertible into Ares common units. On March 15, 2018, most of AIHL’s limited partner interests were converted into Ares common units. As a result of the conversion and with respect to the limited partnership interests that were converted into Ares common units, AIHL: (i) reclassified its converted interests from other invested assets to equity securities; (ii) increased its carrying value to $208.2 million to reflect the fair value of Ares common units; and (iii) recorded the $45.7 million increase in carrying value as a realized capital gain as of March 15, 2018. As a result of the conversion and with respect to the unconverted limited partnership interests, AIHL: (i) changed its accounting from the equity method to fair value; (ii) increased its carrying value to $58.7 million to reflect the fair value of Ares limited partnership interests; and (iii) recorded the $12.9 million increase in carrying value as a component of net investment income as of March 15, 2018. On September 24, 2018, AIHL’s remaining Ares limited partner interests were converted into Ares common units and, as a result, AIHL reclassified the remaining $56.9 million of its converted interests from other invested assets to equity securities.

(i) Investments in Commercial Mortgage Loans

As of September 30, 2018, the carrying value of Alleghany’s commercial mortgage loan portfolio was $695.9 million, representing the unpaid principal balance on the loans. As of September 30, 2018, there was no allowance for loan losses. The commercial mortgage loan portfolio consists primarily of first mortgages on commercial properties in major metropolitan areas in the U.S. The loans earn interest atfixed- and floating-rates, mature in two to ten years from loan origination and the principal amounts of the loans were no more than approximately two-thirds of the property’s appraised value at the time the loans were made.

4. Reinsurance Ceded

Alleghany’s reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries reinsure portions of the risks they underwrite in order to reduce the effect of individual or aggregate exposure to losses, manage capacity, protect capital resources, reduce volatility in specific lines of business, improve risk-adjusted portfolio returns and enable them to increase gross premium writings and risk capacity without requiring additional capital. Alleghany’s reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries purchase reinsurance and retrocessional coverages fromhighly- ratedthird-party reinsurers. If the assuming reinsurers are unable or unwilling to meet the obligations assumed under the applicable reinsurance agreements, Alleghany’s reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries would remain liable for such reinsurance portion not paid by these reinsurers. As such, funds, trust agreements and letters of credit are held to collateralize a portion of Alleghany’s reinsurance recoverables and Alleghany’s reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries reinsure portions of the risks they underwrite or assume with multiple reinsurance programs.

TransRe enters into retrocession arrangements, including property catastrophe retrocession arrangements, in order to reduce the effect of individual or aggregate exposure to losses, reduce volatility in specific lines of business, improverisk-adjusted portfolio returns and increase gross premium writings and risk capacity without requiring additional capital.

RSUI reinsures its property lines of business through a program consisting of surplus share treaties, facultative placements, per risk and catastrophe excess of loss treaties. RSUI’s catastrophe reinsurance program and property per risk reinsurance program run on an annual basis from May 1 to the following April 30 and portions expired on April 30, 2018. Both programs were renewed on May 1, 2018 with substantially similar terms as the expired programs.

5. Liability for Loss and LAE

(a) Liability Rollforward

The following table presents the activity in the liability for loss and LAE in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017:

   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   2018 2017
   ($ in millions)

Reserves as of January 1

    $    11,871.3    $    11,087.2 

Less: reinsurance recoverables(1)

   1,650.1   1,236.2 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net reserves as of January 1

   10,221.2   9,851.0 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other adjustments

   1.2   (0.7
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incurred loss and LAE, net of reinsurance, related to:

   

Current year

   2,579.3   3,099.0 

Prior years

   (212.8  (173.0
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total incurred loss and LAE, net of reinsurance

   2,366.5   2,926.0 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paid loss and LAE, net of reinsurance, related to:(2)

   

Current year

   444.9   390.6 

Prior years

   1,928.9   1,743.2 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total paid loss and LAE, net of reinsurance

   2,373.8   2,133.8 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency exchange rate effect

   (77.0  120.5 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net reserves as of September 30

   10,138.1   10,763.0 

Reinsurance recoverables as of September 30(1)

   1,716.8   1,693.4 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reserves as of September 30

    $11,854.9    $12,456.4 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Reinsurance recoverables in this table include only ceded loss and LAE reserves.

(2)

Includes paid losses, net of reinsurance, related to commutations.

Gross loss and LAE reserves as of September 30, 2018 decreased from December 31, 2017, primarily reflecting payments on catastrophe losses incurred in 2017 and favorable prior accident year loss reserve development, partially offset by catastrophe losses in September 2018. Such 2018 catastrophe losses, net of reinsurance, include $87.7 million related to Typhoon Jebi, $80.2 million related to Hurricane Florence and $38.5 million related to Typhoon Trami.

(b) Liability Development

The following table presents the (favorable) unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017:

                                                                
   Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   2018  2017  2018  2017 
   ($ in millions) 

Reinsurance Segment

     

Property:

     

Catastrophe events

  $9.6(1)   $(7.8)(2)   $(15.6)(3)   $(12.2)(2)  
     

Non-catastrophe

   (12.4)(4)    (0.3)   (42.2)(4)    (50.4)(5)  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total property

   (2.8)   (8.1)   (57.8)   (62.6) 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Casualty & other:

     

Malpractice Treaties(6)

   -       -       (3.4)   (2.0) 

Ogden rate impact(7)

   -       -       -       24.4  

Other

   (38.7)(8)    (41.7)(9)    (102.5)(10)    (100.6)(11)  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total casualty & other

   (38.7)   (41.7)   (105.9)   (78.2) 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Reinsurance Segment

   (41.5)   (49.8)   (163.7)   (140.8) 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Insurance Segment

     

RSUI:

     

Casualty

   (4.3)(12)    (6.9)(13)    (16.8)(12)    (28.5)(13)  
     

Property and other

   (27.7)(14)    (1.7)(15)    (27.7)(14)    1.2(16)  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total RSUI

   (32.0)   (8.6)   (44.5)   (27.3) 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

CapSpecialty

   (1.5)(17)    (2.3)(18)    (4.6)(17)    (3.1)(18)  
     

PacificComp

   -       (0.8)(19)    -       (1.8)(19)  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total incurred related to prior years

  $(75.0)  $(61.5)  $(212.8)  $(173.0) 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

(1)

Primarily reflects unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development related to Hurricanes Maria and Irma in the 2017 accident year.

(2)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development related to several catastrophes in the 2010 through 2016 accident years.

(3)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development related to Hurricane Harvey in the 2017 accident year and catastrophes in the 2016 accident year, partially offset by unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development related to Hurricanes Maria and Irma in the 2017 accident year.

(4)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the 2017 accident year.

(5)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the 2013 through 2016 accident years.

(6)

Represents certain medical malpractice treaties pursuant to which the increased underwriting profits created by the favorable prior accident year loss reserve development are largely retained by the cedants. As a result, the favorable prior accident year loss reserve development is largely offset by an increase in profit commission expense incurred when such favorable prior accident year loss reserve development occurs.

(7)

Represents unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development related to the U.K. Ministry of Justice’s reduction in the discount rate, referred to as the Ogden rate, used to calculate lump-sum bodily injury payouts in personal injury insurance claims in the U.K to negative 0.75 percent as of March 20, 2017 from 2.50 percent.

(8)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the longer-tailed casualty lines of business in the 2007 and earlier accident years, partially offset by unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the longer-tailed casualty lines of business in the 2014 through 2016 accident years.

(9)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in thelonger-tailed U.S. professional liability lines of business related to older accident years and shorter-tailed casualty lines of business in the U.K. related to recent accident years.

(10)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the shorter-tailed casualty lines of business in the 2016 and 2017 accident years and in the longer-tailed casualty lines of business in the 2010 and earlier accident years, partially offset by unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the longer-tailed casualty lines of business in the 2014 accident year.

(11)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in longer-tailed U.S. professional liability lines of business in the 2005 through 2014 accident years, partially offset by unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development in shorter-tailed casualty lines of business in the 2015 accident year in the U.S. and the U.K.

(12)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the umbrella/excess lines of business in the 2005 through 2012 accident years, partially offset by unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the directors’ and officers’ liability lines of business in the 2009, 2012 and 2016 accident years.

(13)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the umbrella/excess lines of business in the 2005 through 2011 accident years.

(14)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development related to Hurricane Irma in the 2017 accident year and, to a lesser extent, Hurricane Matthew that occurred in the 2016 accident year, as well as various other losses not classified as catastrophes in recent accident years.

(15)

Primarily reflects favorable unallocated LAE development.

(16)

Primarily reflects unfavorable prior accident year property loss reserve development related to the binding authority lines of business in the 2015 and 2016 accident years, partially offset by favorable prior accident year catastrophe loss reserve development in the 2016 accident year.

(17)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development related to the surety lines of business in the 2016 and 2017 accident years.

(18)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development related to the casualty lines of business in the 2010, 2014, 2015 and 2016 accident years.

(19)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the 2013 and prior accident years.

6. Income Taxes

The effective tax rate on earnings before income taxes for the first nine months of 2018 was 18.4 percent, compared with 66.8 percent for the first nine months of 2017. The 66.8 percent effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2017 was calculated based on actual results through September 30, 2017 because management was not able to reliably estimate the annual effective tax rate in light of the significant catastrophe losses incurred in the third quarter of 2017. The decrease in the effective tax rate in the first nine months of 2018 from the first nine months of 2017 primarily reflects the decrease in the U.S. corporate federal income tax rate from 35.0 percent to 21.0 percent due to the Tax Act and losses before income taxes in the first nine months of 2017, which magnified the impact of certain tax adjustments, partially offset by new limitations on certain deductions as a result of the Tax Act. There continues to be a degree of uncertainty as to how certain provisions of the Tax Act will be interpreted and implemented in practice in the future.

Alleghany believes that, as of September 30, 2018, it had no material uncertain tax positions. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax expenses (benefits) are recognized in income tax expense, when applicable. There were no material liabilities for interest or penalties accrued as of September 30, 2018.

7. Stockholders’ Equity

(a) Common Stock Repurchases

In November 2015, the Alleghany Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of shares of common stock of Alleghany, par value $1.00 per share (“Common Stock”), at such times and at prices as management determines to be advisable, up to an aggregate of $400.0 million (the “2015 Repurchase Program”). In June 2018, the Alleghany Board of Directors authorized, upon the completion of the 2015 Repurchase Program, the repurchase of additional shares of Common Stock, at such times and at prices as management determines to be advisable, up to an aggregate of $400.0 million. As of September 30, 2018, Alleghany had $481.1 million remaining under both share repurchase authorization programs.

The following table presents the shares of Common Stock that Alleghany repurchased in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 pursuant to the 2015 Repurchase Program:

  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
          2018                  2017                 2018                  2017        

Shares repurchased

  76,299    15,916    479,922    15,916  

Cost of shares repurchased (in millions)

  $46.0    $8.5    $282.1    $8.5  

Average price per share repurchased

  $      602.24    $      537.14    $      587.70    $      537.14  

(b) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following tables presents a reconciliation of the changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alleghany stockholders:

   Unrealized
  Appreciation  
of
Investments
  Unrealized
Currency
  Translation  
Adjustment
  Retirement
Plans
  Total
   ($ in millions)

 

Balance as of January 1, 2018

    $      718.2      $    (84.6)     $      (15.5)     $      618.1  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Cumulative effect of adoption of new accounting pronouncements(1):

        

Reclassification of net unrealized gains on equity securities, net of tax

   (735.6)    -       -       (735.6) 

Reclassification of stranded taxes

   156.6     (18.2)    (3.3)    135.1  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total

   (579.0)    (18.2)    (3.3)    (600.5) 
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

        

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

   (213.3)    (6.9)    (1.7)    (221.9) 

Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income

   (16.5)    -       -       (16.5) 
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total

   (229.8)    (6.9)    (1.7)    (238.4) 
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Balance as of September 30, 2018

  

 

  $

 

(90.6)

 

 

    $(109.7)     $(20.5)     $(220.8) 
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

   Unrealized
Appreciation
of
Investments
  Unrealized
Currency
Translation
Adjustment
  Retirement
Plans
  Total
   ($ in millions)

 

Balance as of January 1, 2017

    $232.2      $(111.2)     $(11.7)     $109.3  

Cumulative effect of adoption of new accounting pronouncements(1)

   12.9     -       -        12.9  

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

        

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

   364.6     22.4     (0.2)    386.8  

Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income

   (57.7)    -       -        (57.7) 
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total

   306.9     22.4     (0.2)    329.1  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Balance as of September 30, 2017

  

 

  $

 

552.0 

 

 

    $(88.8)     $(11.9)     $451.3  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

(1)

See Note 1(c) of this Form10-Q for additional information regarding Alleghany’s adoption of new investment accounting guidance and new guidance on certain tax effects caused by the Tax Act.

The following table presents reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income attributable to Alleghany stockholders during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017:

Accumulated Other     

Three Months Ended

September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

      Comprehensive Income Component      

  

  Line in Consolidated Statement of Earnings  

  2018  2017  2018  2017
      ($ in millions)

Unrealized appreciation of investments:

  Net realized capital gains(1)    $(16.2)     $    (32.9)     $      (21.5)     $(101.8) 
  Other than temporary impairment losses   -       6.1     0.5     13.1  
  Income taxes           3.4     9.4     4.5             31.0  
    

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total reclassifications:

  Net earnings    $(12.8)     $(17.4)     $(16.5)     $(57.7) 
    

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

(1)

For the nine month period ended September 30, 2018, excludes a $45.7 millionpre-tax gain from AIHL’s conversion of its limited partnership interests in certain subsidiaries of Ares into Ares common units. See Note 3(h) of this Form10-Q for additional information.

(c) Special Dividend

In February 2018, the Alleghany Board of Directors declared a special dividend of $10 per share for stockholders of record on March 5, 2018. On March 15, 2018, Alleghany paid dividends to stockholders totaling $154.0 million.

8. Earnings Per Share of Common Stock

The following table presents a reconciliation of the earnings and share data used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017:

  

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

  2018 2017 2018 2017
  ($ in millions, except share amounts)

Net earnings (losses) available to Alleghany stockholders

   $284.9     $(314.2   $751.6     $(63.2

Effect of dilutive securities

  -        (8.9  -        -     
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) available to common stockholders for diluted earnings per share

   $284.9     $(323.1   $751.6     $(63.2
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding applicable to basic earnings
per share

  14,937,135    15,416,014   15,168,831    15,416,249 

Effect of dilutive securities

     42,310   4,849    - 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted weighted average common shares outstanding applicable to diluted earnings per share

  14,937,135    15,458,324   15,173,680    15,416,249 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

61,285 and 63,567 contingently issuable shares were potentially available during the first nine months of 2018 and 2017, respectively, but were not included in the diluted earnings per share computations because the impact was anti-dilutive to the earnings per share calculation.

9. Commitments and Contingencies

(a) Legal Proceedings

Certain of Alleghany’s subsidiaries are parties to pending litigation and claims in connection with the ordinary course of their businesses. Each such subsidiary makes provisions for estimated losses to be incurred in such litigation and claims, including legal costs. In the opinion of management, such provisions are adequate, and management does not believe that any pending litigation will have a material adverse effect on Alleghany’s consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

(b) Leases

Alleghany and its subsidiaries lease certain facilities, furniture and equipment under long-term lease agreements. Additional information about leases can be found in Note 12(b) to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of the 2017 Form 10-K.

(c) Energy Holdings

As of September 30, 2018, Alleghany had holdings in energy sector businesses of $896.8 million, comprised of $294.0 million of debt securities, $483.5 million of equity securities and $119.3 million of Alleghany’s equity attributable to SORC.

10. Segments of Business

(a) Overview

Alleghany’s segments are reported in a manner consistent with the way management evaluates the business. As such, Alleghany classifies its business into three reportable segments – reinsurance, insurance and Alleghany Capital. Alleghany determined that Alleghany Capital qualified as a reportable segment in the first quarter of 2018, reflecting the increased significance of Alleghany Capital’s business to Alleghany and its projected growth.

Reinsurance and insurance underwriting activities are evaluated separately from investment and other activities. Segment accounting policies are described in Note 1 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of the 2017 Form 10-K.

The reinsurance segment consists of property and casualty reinsurance operations conducted by TransRe’s reinsurance operating subsidiaries and is further reported through two major product lines – property and casualty & other. TransRe provides property and casualty reinsurance to insurers and reinsurers through brokers and on a direct basis to ceding companies. TransRe also writes a modest amount of insurance business, which is included in the reinsurance segment. A significant portion of the premiums earned by TransRe’s operations are generated by offices located in Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa and those serving Latin America and the Caribbean. Although the majority of the premiums earned by these offices typically relate to the regions where they are located, a significant portion may be derived from other

regions of the world, including the U.S. In addition, although a significant portion of the assets and liabilities of these foreign offices generally relate to the countries where ceding companies and reinsurers are located, most investments are located in the country of domicile of these offices.

The insurance segment consists of property and casualty insurance operations conducted in the U.S. by AIHL through its insurance operating subsidiaries RSUI, CapSpecialty and, prior to its sale on December 31, 2017, PacificComp. RSUI also writes a modest amount of assumed reinsurance business, which is included in the insurance segment.

The Alleghany Capital segment consists of industrial operations, non-industrial operations and corporate operations at the Alleghany Capital level. Industrial operations are conducted through Bourn & Koch, Kentucky Trailer, W&W|AFCO Steel beginning April 28, 2017 (the date on which Alleghany Capital acquired approximately 80 percent of the equity thereof), and a 45 percent equity interest in Wilbert, beginning August 1, 2017 (the date on which Alleghany Capital acquired a 45 percent equity interest therein). Non-industrial operations are conducted through IPS and Jazwares.

On February 7, 2018, W&W|AFCO Steel acquired the outstanding equity of Hirschfeld, a fabricator of steel bridges and structural steel for stadiums, airports and other large commercial and industrial projects, for $111.3 million, consisting of $96.6 million in cash and $14.7 million of incremental debt. The acquisition-date consideration transferred and purchase price allocation to the acquired assets and assumed liabilities of Hirschfeld were based on estimated fair values that have not been finalized. As a result, the fair value recorded for these items is a provisional estimate and may be subject to adjustment. Once completed, any adjustment resulting from the valuations may impact the individual amounts recorded for acquired assets and assumed liabilities, as well as the residual goodwill. The acquisition accounting for Hirschfeld is expected to be finalized later in 2018.

Corporate activities are not classified as a segment. The primary components of corporate activities are Alleghany Properties, SORC and activities at the Alleghany parent company.

In addition, corporate activities include interest expense associated with the senior notes issued by Alleghany, whereas interest expense associated with senior notes issued by TransRe is included in “Total Segments” and interest expense associated with other debt is included in Alleghany Capital. Information related to the senior notes and other debt can be found in Note 8 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of the 2017Form 10-K.

(b) Results

The following tables present the results for Alleghany’s three reportable segments and for corporate activities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017:

  Reinsurance Segment Insurance Segment          

Three Months Ended
September 30, 2018

 Property Casualty
& Other(1)
 Total RSUI Cap
Specialty
 Total Subtotal Alleghany
Capital
 Total
Segments
 Corporate
Activities(2)
 Consolidated
  ($ in millions)

Gross premiums written

   $      451.4    $      685.9     $    1,137.3    $    260.8     $      83.9     $    344.7     $      1,482.0    $-        $      1,482.0    $      (6.7)    $      1,475.3 

Net premiums written

  331.1   654.1    985.2   176.0    77.9    253.9    1,239.1   -     1,239.1   -      1,239.1 

Net premiums earned

  326.5   635.0    961.5   190.6    73.3    263.9    1,225.4   -     1,225.4   -      1,225.4 

Net loss and LAE

  387.6   421.4    809.0   107.0    41.7    148.7    957.7   -     957.7   -      957.7 

Commissions, brokerage and other
underwriting expenses

  113.3   211.6    324.9   52.8    30.0    82.8    407.7   -     407.7   -      407.7 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting (loss) profit(3)

   $(174.4   $2.0     $(172.4   $30.8     $1.6     $32.4    (140.0  -     (140.0  -      (140.0
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

Net investment income

        122.5   0.7   123.2   4.1   127.3 

Change in the fair value of equity securities

 

       373.9   -     373.9   (3.7  370.2 

Net realized capital gains

        16.2   -     16.2   -      16.2 

Other than temporary impairment losses

 

       -     -     -     -      -   

Noninsurance revenue

        6.2       407.5   413.7   24.6   438.3 

Other operating expenses

        23.6   382.5   406.1   9.2   415.3 

Corporate administration

        1.3   -     1.3   17.8   19.1 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

       (0.3  5.8   5.5   -      5.5 

Interest expense

        6.7   2.6   9.3   12.9   22.2 
       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (losses) before income taxes

 

        $347.5    $17.3    $364.8    $(14.9   $349.9 
       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Reinsurance Segment Insurance Segment          

Three Months Ended
September 30, 2017

 Property Casualty
& Other(1)
 Total RSUI Cap
Specialty
 Pacific
Comp
 Total Subtotal Alleghany
Capital
 Total
Segments
 Corporate
Activities(2)
 Consolidated
              ($ in millions)          

Gross premiums written

   $445.5    $681.1    $1,126.6    $234.6    $74.3    $41.6    $350.5    $1,477.1    $-      $1,477.1    $(5.3   $1,471.8 

Net premiums written

  329.0   649.5   978.5   170.8   69.5   41.5   281.8   1,260.3   -     1,260.3   -     1,260.3 

Net premiums earned

  310.8   642.4   953.2   179.0   66.1   41.4   286.5   1,239.7   -     1,239.7   -     1,239.7 

Net loss and LAE

  659.9   459.3   1,119.2   305.4   37.0   30.3   372.7   1,491.9   -     1,491.9   -     1,491.9 

Commissions, brokerage and other
underwriting expenses

  105.2   203.7   308.9   50.3   28.4   10.6   89.3   398.2   -     398.2   -     398.2 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting (loss) profit(3)

   $(454.3   $(20.6   $(474.9   $(176.7   $0.7    $0.5    $(175.5  (650.4  -     (650.4  -     (650.4
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

Net investment income

         101.4   1.6   103.0   1.7   104.7 

Change in the fair value of equity securities

 

        -     -     -     -     -    

Net realized capital gains

         21.5   0.7   22.2   10.7   32.9 

Other than temporary impairment losses

 

        (6.1  -     (6.1  -     (6.1

Noninsurance revenue

         4.7   289.3   294.0   2.3   296.3 

Other operating expenses

         8.3   260.0   268.3   9.6   277.9 

Corporate administration

         (1.5  -     (1.5  (3.2  (4.7

Amortization of intangible assets

         (0.3  6.0   5.7   -     5.7 

Interest expense

         6.6   1.2   7.8   13.0   20.8 
        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (losses) before income taxes

          $(542.0   $24.4    $(517.6   $(4.7   $(522.3
        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Reinsurance Segment Insurance Segment          

Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2018

  Property Casualty
& Other(1)
 Total RSUI Cap
Specialty
 Total Subtotal Alleghany
Capital
 Total
Segments
 Corporate
Activities(2)
 Consolidated
              ($ in millions)          

Gross premiums written

    $1,193.7    $2,130.9    $3,324.6    $854.2    $247.1    $1,101.3    $4,425.9    $-      $4,425.9    $(19.2   $4,406.7 

Net premiums written

   912.1   2,046.8   2,958.9   579.8   229.6   809.4   3,768.3   -     3,768.3   -     3,768.3 

Net premiums earned

   893.7   2,009.3   2,903.0   556.2   211.0   767.2   3,670.2   -     3,670.2   -     3,670.2 

Net loss and LAE

   637.7   1,304.3   1,942.0   309.6   114.9   424.5   2,366.5   -     2,366.5   -     2,366.5 

Commissions, brokerage and other
underwriting expenses

   301.2   663.6   964.8   160.0   91.2   251.2   1,216.0   -     1,216.0   -     1,216.0 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting (loss) profit(3)

    $(45.2   $41.4    $(3.8   $86.6    $4.9    $91.5   87.7   -     87.7   -     87.7 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

Net investment income

         362.0   3.7   365.7   12.0   377.7 

Change in the fair value of equity securities

 

        506.7   -     506.7   6.1   512.8 

Net realized capital gains

         66.8   0.6   67.4   (0.2  67.2 

Other than temporary impairment losses

 

        (0.5  -     (0.5  -     (0.5

Noninsurance revenue

         16.7   979.2   995.9   36.8   1,032.7 

Other operating expenses

         60.6   937.0   997.6   25.9   1,023.5 

Corporate administration

         1.8   -     1.8   39.2   41.0 

Amortization of intangible assets

         (0.2  17.0   16.8   -     16.8 

Interest expense

         20.5   6.1   26.6   39.4   66.0 
        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (losses) before income taxes

          $956.7    $23.4    $980.1    $(49.8   $930.3 
        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Reinsurance Segment Insurance Segment          

Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2017

 Property Casualty
& Other(1)
 Total RSUI Cap
Specialty
 Pacific
Comp
 Total Subtotal Alleghany
Capital
 Total
Segments
 Corporate
Activities(2)
 Consolidated
              ($ in millions)          

Gross premiums written

   $1,190.0    $2,037.7    $3,227.7    $794.1    $213.2    $124.2    $1,131.5    $4,359.2    $-      $4,359.2    $(16.5   $4,342.7 

Net premiums written

  931.4   1,975.3   2,906.7   558.0   198.9   122.9   879.8   3,786.5   -     3,786.5   -     3,786.5 

Net premiums earned

  868.1   1,968.7   2,836.8   540.3   192.2   123.5   856.0   3,692.8   -     3,692.8   -     3,692.8 

Net loss and LAE

  904.6   1,344.7   2,249.3   479.7   105.7   91.3   676.7   2,926.0   -     2,926.0   -     2,926.0 

Commissions, brokerage and other
underwriting expenses

  283.7   662.9   946.6   158.3   83.3   32.2   273.8   1,220.4   -     1,220.4   -     1,220.4 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting (loss) profit(3)

   $(320.2   $(38.9   $(359.1   $(97.7   $3.2    $-      $(94.5  (453.6  -     (453.6  -     (453.6
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

Net investment income

         311.7   2.1   313.8   8.1   321.9 

Change in the fair value of equity securities

 

        -     -     -     -     -   

Net realized capital gains

         90.8   0.9   91.7   10.1   101.8 

Other than temporary impairment losses

 

        (13.1  -     (13.1  -     (13.1

Noninsurance revenue

         10.5   626.8   637.3   13.1   650.4 

Other operating expenses

         57.4   591.0   648.4   29.8   678.2 

Corporate administration

         0.2   -     0.2   26.4   26.6 

Amortization of intangible assets

         (1.2  15.4   14.2   -     14.2 

Interest expense

         20.2   3.0   23.2   39.5   62.7 
        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (losses) before income taxes

 

         $(130.3   $20.4    $(109.9   $(64.4   $(174.3
        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Primarily consists of the following assumed reinsurance lines of business: directors’ and officers’ liability; errors and omissions liability; general liability; medical malpractice; ocean marine and aviation; auto liability; accident and health; surety; and credit.

(2)

Includes elimination of minor reinsurance activity between segments.

(3)

Underwriting profit represents net premiums earned less net loss and LAE and commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses, all as determined in accordance with GAAP, and does not include net investment income, change in the fair value of equity securities, net realized capital gains, OTTI losses, noninsurance revenue, other operating expenses, corporate administration, amortization of intangible assets or interest expense. Underwriting profit does not replace earnings before income taxes determined in accordance with GAAP as a measure of profitability. Rather, Alleghany believes that underwriting profit enhances the understanding of its reinsurance and insurance segments’

operating results by highlighting net earnings attributable to their underwriting performance. Earnings before income taxes (a GAAP measure) may show a profit despite an underlying underwriting loss. Where underwriting losses persist over extended periods, a reinsurance or an insurance company’s ability to continue as an ongoing concern may be at risk. Therefore, Alleghany views underwriting profit as an important measure in the overall evaluation of performance.

(c) Identifiable Assets and Equity

The following table presents identifiable assets, the portion of identifiable assets related to cash and invested assets, and equity attributable to Alleghany, for Alleghany’s reportable segments and for corporate activities as of September 30, 2018:

  Identifiable
Assets
   Invested Assets
and Cash
   Equity
Attributable to
Alleghany
  ($ in millions)

Reinsurance segment

   $16,740.1     $13,461.2     $5,167.6  

Insurance segment

  7,056.8    5,586.2    3,092.8  
 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Subtotal

  23,796.9    19,047.4    8,260.4  

Alleghany Capital

  1,476.6    195.4    855.8  
 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total segments

  25,273.5    19,242.8    9,116.2  

Corporate activities

  522.4    446.8    (521.1)  
 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Consolidated

   $      25,795.9     $      19,689.6     $        8,595.1  
 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Included in Alleghany Capital is debt associated with its operating subsidiaries, which totaled $197.7 million as of September 30, 2018. The $197.7 million includes $102.3 million of borrowings by W&W|AFCO Steel under its available credit facility and term loans (including borrowings incurred and assumed from its acquisition of Hirschfeld), $43.0 million of borrowings by Jazwares under its available credit facility, $21.5 million of term loans at Kentucky Trailer primarily related to borrowings to finance small acquisitions and borrowings under its available credit facility, $16.5 million of borrowings by IPS under its available credit facility, and $14.4 million of term loans at Bourn & Koch related to borrowings to finance an acquisition and borrowings under its available credit facility. None of these liabilities are guaranteed by Alleghany or Alleghany Capital.

(d) Alleghany Capital Noninsurance Revenue

For Alleghany Capital’s industrial andnon-industrial operations, noninsurance revenue consists of the sale of manufactured goods and services. The following table presents noninsurance revenue for the Alleghany Capital segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017:

   

Three Months Ended

September 30,

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

   2018    2017    2018    2017
   ($ in millions)

Industrial(1)

    $224.2      $137.9      $591.6      $254.2 

Non-Industrial(2)

   183.7     150.9     387.9     372.1 

Corporate & other

   (0.4    0.5     (0.3    0.5 
  

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

  Alleghany Capital

    $      407.5      $      289.3      $      979.2      $      626.8 
  

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

  (1)

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the vast majority of noninsurance revenues were recognized as goods and services transferred to customers over time. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, approximately 77 percent and 67 percent, respectively, of noninsurance revenues were recognized as services were transferred to customers over time, with the remainder recognized as goods transferred at a point in time. See Note 1(c) of this Form 10-Q for additional information regarding Alleghany’s adoption of new revenue recognition accounting guidance effective in the first quarter of 2018.

  (2)

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, approximately 60 percent and 65 percent, respectively, of noninsurance revenues were recognized as services transferred to customers over time, with the remainder recognized as goods transferred at a point in time. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, approximately 56 percent and 69 percent, respectively, of noninsurance revenues were recognized as services were transferred to customers over time, with the remainder recognized as goods were transferred at a point in time. See Note 1(c) of this Form 10-Q for additional information regarding Alleghany’s adoption of new revenue recognition accounting guidance effective in the first quarter of 2018.

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

The following is a discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, or this “Form 10-Q,” and our audited consolidated financial statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, or the “2017 Form10-K.”

References in this Form 10-Q to the “Company,” “Alleghany,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Alleghany Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries unless the context otherwise requires. In addition, unless the context otherwise requires, references to

“TransRe” are to our wholly-owned reinsurance holding company subsidiary Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries;

“AIHL” are to our wholly-owned insurance holding company subsidiary Alleghany Insurance Holdings LLC;

“RSUI” are to our wholly-owned subsidiary RSUI Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries;

“CapSpecialty” are to our wholly-owned subsidiary CapSpecialty, Inc. and its subsidiaries;

“PacificComp” are to our former wholly-owned subsidiary Pacific Compensation Corporation and its subsidiary, which were sold on December 31, 2017;

“AIHL Re” are to our wholly-owned subsidiary AIHL Re LLC;

“Roundwood” are to our wholly-owned subsidiary Roundwood Asset Management LLC;

“SORC” are to our wholly-owned subsidiary Stranded Oil Resources Corporation and its subsidiaries;

“Alleghany Capital” are to our wholly-owned subsidiary Alleghany Capital Corporation and its subsidiaries;

“Bourn & Koch” are to our majority-owned subsidiary Bourn & Koch, Inc. and its subsidiary;

“Kentucky Trailer” are to our majority-owned subsidiary R.C. Tway Company, LLC and its subsidiaries;

“IPS” are to our majority-owned subsidiary IPS-Integrated Project Services, LLC and its subsidiaries;

“Jazwares” are to ourmajority-owned subsidiary Jazwares, LLC and its subsidiaries and affiliates;

“W&W|AFCO Steel” are to our majority-owned subsidiary WWSC Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries; and

“Alleghany Properties” are to our wholly-owned subsidiary Alleghany Properties Holdings LLC and its subsidiaries.

Note on Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this Form 10-Q may be deemed to be“forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “project,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “should” or the negative versions of those words or other comparable words.Forward-looking statements do not relate solely to historical or current facts, rather they are based on management’s expectations as well as certain assumptions and estimates made by, and information available to, management at the time. These statements are not guarantees of future performance. These forward-looking statements are based upon Alleghany’s current expectations and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect current plans, anticipated actions and Alleghany’s future financial condition and results. Factors that could cause theseforward-looking statements to differ, possibly materially, from that currently contemplated include:

significantweather-related or other natural or man-made catastrophes and disasters;

the cyclical nature of the property and casualty reinsurance and insurance industries;

changes in market prices of our significant equity investments and changes in value of our debt securities portfolio;

adverse loss development for events insured by our reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries in either the current year or prior years;

the long-tail and potentially volatile nature of certain casualty lines of business written by our reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries;

the cost and availability of reinsurance;

the reliance by our reinsurance and insurance operating subsidiaries on a limited number of brokers;

legal, political, judicial and regulatory changes;

increases in the levels of risk retention by our reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries;

changes in the ratings assigned to our reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries;

claims development and the process of estimating reserves;

exposure to terrorist acts and acts of war;

the willingness and ability of our reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries’ reinsurers to pay reinsurance recoverables owed to our reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries;

the uncertain nature of damage theories and loss amounts;

the loss of key personnel of our reinsurance or insurance operating subsidiaries;

fluctuation in foreign currency exchange rates;

the failure to comply with the restrictive covenants contained in the agreements governing our indebtedness;

the ability to make payments on, or repay or refinance, our debt;

risks inherent in international operations; and

difficult and volatile conditions in the global market.

Additional risks and uncertainties include general economic and political conditions, including the effects of a prolonged U.S. or global economic downturn or recession; changes in costs; variations in political, economic or other factors; risks relating to conducting operations in a competitive environment; effects of acquisition and disposition activities, inflation rates, or recessionary or expansive trends; changes in interest rates; extended labor disruptions, civil unrest, or other external factors over which we have no control; changes in our plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, or intentions, which may happen at any time at our discretion; and other factors discussed in the 2017 Form 10-K and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the “SEC.” All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and are based on information available at that time. Alleghany does not undertake any obligation to update or revise anyforward-looking statements to reflect subsequent circumstances or events. See Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of the 2017 Form10-K for additional information.

Comment onNon-GAAP Financial Measures

Throughout this Form 10-Q, our analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our consolidated financial statements which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., or “GAAP.” Our results of operations have been presented in the way that we believe will be the most meaningful and useful to investors, analysts, rating agencies and others who use financial information in evaluating our performance. This presentation includes the use of underwriting profit and operating earnings before income taxes, which are“non-GAAP financial measures,” as such term is defined in Item 10(e) of RegulationS-K promulgated by the SEC. The presentation of these financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. These measures may also be different fromnon-GAAP financial measures used by other companies, limiting their usefulness for comparison purposes. A discussion of our calculation and use of these financial measures is provided below.

Underwriting profit is a non-GAAP financial measure for our reinsurance and insurance segments. Underwriting profit represents net premiums earned less net loss and loss adjustment expenses, or “LAE,” and commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses, all as determined in accordance with GAAP and does not include: (i) net investment income; (ii) change in the fair value of equity securities; (iii) net realized capital gains; (iv) other than temporary impairment, or “OTTI,” losses; (v) noninsurance revenue; (vi) other operating expenses; (vii) corporate administration; (viii) amortization of intangible assets; and (ix) interest expense. We use underwriting profit as a supplement to earnings before income taxes, the most comparable GAAP financial measure, to evaluate the performance of our reinsurance and insurance segments and believe that underwriting profit provides useful additional information to investors because it highlights net earnings attributable to our reinsurance and insurance segments’ underwriting performance. Earnings before income taxes may show a profit despite an underlying underwriting loss, and when underwriting losses persist over extended periods, a reinsurance or an insurance company’s ability to continue as an ongoing concern may be at risk. A reconciliation of underwriting profit to earnings before income taxes is presented within “Consolidated Results of Operations.”

Operating earnings before income taxes is anon-GAAP financial measure for our noninsurance operating subsidiaries and investments in the Alleghany Capital segment. Operating earnings before income taxes represents noninsurance revenue less all operating expenses, and does not include: (i) amortization of intangible assets; (ii) change in the fair value of equity securities; (iii) net realized capital gains; (iv) OTTI losses; and (v) income taxes. Because operating earnings before income taxes excludes amortization of intangible assets, change in the fair value of equity securities, net realized capital gains, OTTI losses and income taxes, it provides an indication of economic performance that is not affected by investment activity, levels of effective tax rates or levels of amortization resulting from acquisition accounting. We use operating earnings before income taxes as a supplement to earnings before income taxes, the most comparable GAAP financial measure, to evaluate the performance of certain of our noninsurance operating subsidiaries and investments. A reconciliation of operating earnings before income taxes to earnings before income taxes is presented within “Consolidated Results of Operations.”

In prior filings, we have used Adjusted EBITDA as a non-GAAP financial measure for our noninsurance operating subsidiaries held by Alleghany Capital. We believe that operating earnings before income taxes is a more usefulnon-GAAP financial measure, as it reflects: (i) ongoing capital expenditures through the inclusion of depreciation expense (a component of other operating expenses); and (ii) ongoing levels of debt through the inclusion of interest expense.

Overview

The following overview does not address all of the matters covered in the other sections of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations or contain all of the information that may be important to our stockholders or the investing public. This overview should be read in conjunction with the other sections of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Net earnings attributable to Alleghany stockholders were $284.9 million in the third quarter of 2018, compared with net losses attributable to Alleghany stockholders of $314.2 million in the third quarter of 2017, and net earnings attributable to Alleghany stockholders were $751.6 million in the first nine months of 2018, compared with net losses attributable to Alleghany stockholders of $63.2 million in the first nine months of 2017.

Net investment income increased by 21.6 percent and 17.3 percent in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018, respectively, from the corresponding 2017 periods.

Net premiums written decreased by 1.7 percent and 0.5 percent in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018, respectively, from the corresponding 2017 periods.

Underwriting loss was $140.0 million in the third quarter of 2018, compared with $650.4 million in the third quarter of 2017, and underwriting profit was $87.7 million in the first nine months of 2018, compared with underwriting loss of $453.6 million in the first nine months of 2017.

The combined ratio for our reinsurance and insurance segments was 111.5 percent in the third quarter of 2018, compared with 152.4 percent in the third quarter of 2017, and 97.6 percent in the first nine months of 2018, compared with 112.2 percent in the first nine months of 2017.

Catastrophe losses, net of reinsurance, were $237.8 million in the third quarter of 2018, compared with $792.5 million in the third quarter of 2017, and $256.2 million in the first nine months of 2018, compared with $807.9 million in the first nine months of 2017.

Net favorable prior accident year loss reserve development was $75.0 million in the third quarter of 2018, compared with $61.5 million in the third quarter of 2017, and $212.8 million in the first nine months of 2018, compared with $173.0 million in the first nine months of 2017.

Noninsurance revenues for Alleghany Capital were $407.5 million in the third quarter of 2018, compared with $289.3 million in the third quarter of 2017, and $979.2 million in the first nine months of 2018, compared with $626.8 million in the first nine months of 2017.

Earnings before income taxes for Alleghany Capital were $17.3 million in the third quarter of 2018, compared with $24.4 million in the third quarter of 2017, and $23.4 million in the first nine months of 2018, compared with $20.4 million in the first nine months of 2017. Operating earnings before income taxes were $23.1 million in the third quarter of 2018, compared with $29.7 million in the third quarter of 2017, and $39.8 million in the first nine months of 2018, compared with $34.9 million in the first nine months of 2017.

As of September 30, 2018, we had total assets of $25.8 billion and total stockholders’ equity attributable to Alleghany stockholders of $8.6 billion. As of September 30, 2018, we had consolidated total investments of approximately $19.0 billion, consisting of $12.1 billion invested in debt securities, $5.0 billion invested in equity securities, $0.7 billion invested in short-term investments, $0.7 billion invested in commercial mortgage loans and $0.5 billion invested in other invested assets.

We incurred catastrophe losses in the third quarter of 2018, primarily from Hurricane Florence, which caused widespread property damage and flooding in September 2018, primarily in the State of North Carolina, and Typhoons Jebi and Trami, each of which caused widespread property damage and flooding in September 2018, primarily in Japan. We incurred significant catastrophe losses in the third quarter of 2017, primarily arising from three major hurricanes. Hurricane Harvey caused widespread property damage and flooding in August 2017, primarily in the State of Texas. Hurricane Irma caused widespread property damage and flooding in September 2017, primarily in the State of Florida. Hurricane Maria caused widespread property damage and flooding in September 2017, primarily in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Our loss estimates for all of these catastrophes were based on information available at the time, including an analysis of reported claims, an underwriting review ofin-force contracts, estimates of losses resulting from wind and other perils, including storm surge and flooding to the extent covered by applicable policies, and other factors requiring considerable judgment.

The following tables present the impact of our catastrophe losses, net of reinsurance, for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017:

     Reinsurance
Segment
   Insurance
Segment
   Total
Segments
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018        ($ in millions)     

Net loss and LAE:

        

Typhoon Jebi

      $87.7      $-         $87.7  

Hurricane Florence

     46.2     34.0    80.2  

Typhoon Trami

     38.5     -        38.5  

Other

     23.4(1)     8.0(2)     31.4  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

     195.8     42.0    237.8  

Net reinstatement premiums (earned)(3)

     (10.8)    -        (10.8) 
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Losses before income taxes

     185.0     42.0    227.0  

Income taxes

     38.9     8.8    47.7  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net losses attributable to Alleghany stockholders

      $    146.1      $33.2     $179.3  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017              

Net loss and LAE:

        

Hurricane Harvey

      $181.0      $83.6     $264.6  

Hurricane Irma

     208.3     103.7    312.0  

Hurricane Maria

     156.0     14.3    170.3  

Other

     30.7(4)     14.9    45.6  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

     576.0     216.5    792.5  

Net reinstatement premiums (earned)(3)

     (37.1)    -        (37.1) 
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Losses before income taxes

     538.9     216.5    755.4  

Income taxes

     188.6     75.8    264.4  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net losses attributable to Alleghany stockholders

      $350.3      $    140.7     $    491.0  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(1)

Relates to several severe weather events in East Asia.

(2)

Includes $7.1 million attributable to RSUI and $0.9 million attributable to CapSpecialty.

(3)

Represents an increase in net premiums earned.

(4)

Attributable to earthquakes in Mexico.

Our catastrophe losses are more fully described in the following pages.

Consolidated Results of Operations

The following table presents our consolidated revenues, costs and expenses and earnings:

   Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
   September 30, September 30,
   2018  2017 2018 2017
   ($ in millions)

Revenues

      

Net premiums earned

    $    1,225.4     $    1,239.7    $    3,670.2    $    3,692.8 

Net investment income

   127.3    104.7   377.7   321.9 

Change in the fair value of equity securities

   370.2    -       512.8   -     

Net realized capital gains

   16.2    32.9   67.2   101.8 

Other than temporary impairment losses

   -        (6.1  (0.5  (13.1

Noninsurance revenue

   438.3    296.3   1,032.7   650.4 
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      Total revenues

   2,177.4    1,667.5   5,660.1   4,753.8 
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and Expenses

      

Net loss and loss adjustment expenses

   957.7    1,491.9   2,366.5   2,926.0 

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

   407.7    398.2   1,216.0   1,220.4 

Other operating expenses

   415.3    277.9   1,023.5   678.2 

Corporate administration

   19.1    (4.7  41.0   26.6 

Amortization of intangible assets

   5.5    5.7   16.8   14.2 

Interest expense

   22.2    20.8   66.0   62.7 
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      Total costs and expenses

   1,827.5    2,189.8   4,729.8   4,928.1 
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (losses) before income taxes

   349.9    (522.3  930.3   (174.3

Income taxes

   60.4    (212.3  171.2   (116.3
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings (losses)

   289.5    (310.0  759.1   (58.0

      Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests

   4.6    4.2   7.5   5.2 
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings (losses) attributable to Alleghany stockholders

    $284.9     $(314.2   $751.6    $(63.2
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alleghany’s segments are reported in a manner consistent with the way management evaluates the business. As such, Alleghany classifies its business into three reportable segments – reinsurance, insurance and Alleghany Capital. Alleghany determined that Alleghany Capital qualified as a reportable segment in the first quarter of 2018, reflecting the increased significance of Alleghany Capital’s business to Alleghany and its projected growth. Corporate activities are not classified as a segment.

See Note 10 to Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements” of this Form 10-Q for additional detail on our segments and other activities. The tables below present the results for our segments and for other activities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.

   Segments      

Three Months Ended September 30, 2018

  Reinsurance
Segment
  Insurance
Segment
  Subtotal  Alleghany
Capital
  Total
Segments
  Corporate
Activities(1)
  Consolidated
   ($ in millions)   

Gross premiums written

   $  1,137.3     $  344.7     $  1,482.0     $-        $  1,482.0     $(6.7)    $  1,475.3  

Net premiums written

   985.2     253.9     1,239.1     -        1,239.1     -        1,239.1  

Net premiums earned

   961.5     263.9     1,225.4     -        1,225.4     -        1,225.4  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net loss and LAE:

              

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

   654.7     140.2     794.9     -        794.9     -        794.9  

Current year catastrophe losses

   195.8     42.0     237.8     -        237.8     -        237.8  

Prior years

   (41.5)    (33.5)    (75.0)    -        (75.0)    -        (75.0) 
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

   809.0     148.7     957.7     -        957.7     -        957.7  

Commissions, brokerage and other

underwriting expenses

   324.9     82.8     407.7     -        407.7     -        407.7  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Underwriting (loss) profit(2)

    $        (172.4)     $      32.4     (140.0)    -        (140.0)    -        (140.0) 
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

          

Net investment income

 

   122.5     0.7    123.2     4.1     127.3  

Change in the fair value of equity securities

 

   373.9     -        373.9     (3.7)    370.2  

Net realized capital gains

 

   16.2     -        16.2     -        16.2  

Other than temporary impairment losses

 

   -        -        -        -        -     

Noninsurance revenue

 

   6.2     407.5    413.7     24.6     438.3  

Other operating expenses

 

   23.6     382.5    406.1     9.2     415.3  

Corporate administration

 

   1.3     -        1.3     17.8     19.1  

Amortization of intangible assets

 

   (0.3)    5.8    5.5     -        5.5  

Interest expense

 

   6.7     2.6    9.3     12.9     22.2  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Earnings (lossses) before income taxes

 

    $        347.5      $        17.3     $        364.8     $        (14.9)     $        349.9  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Loss ratio(3):

              

 Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

   68.1%     53.1%     64.9%          

 Current year catastrophe losses

   20.4%     15.9%     19.4%          

 Prior years

   (4.4%)    (12.7%)    (6.1%)         
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

        

  Total net loss and LAE

   84.1%     56.3%     78.2%          

Expense ratio(4)

   33.8%     31.4%     33.3%          
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

        

Combined ratio(5)

   117.9%     87.7%     111.5%          
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

        

  Segments    

Three Months Ended September 30, 2017

 Reinsurance
Segment
 Insurance
Segment
 Subtotal Alleghany
Capital
 Total
Segments
 Corporate
Activities(1)
 Consolidated
  ($ in millions)

Gross premiums written

   $      1,126.6    $      350.5    $  1,477.1    $-        $  1,477.1    $(5.3   $      1,471.8 

Net premiums written

  978.5   281.8   1,260.3   -       1,260.3   -       1,260.3 

Net premiums earned

  953.2   286.5   1,239.7   -       1,239.7   -       1,239.7 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss and LAE:

       

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

  593.0   167.9   760.9   -       760.9   -       760.9 

Current year catastrophe losses

  576.0   216.5   792.5   -       792.5   -       792.5 

Prior years

  (49.8  (11.7  (61.5  -       (61.5  -       (61.5
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

  1,119.2   372.7   1,491.9   -       1,491.9   -       1,491.9 

Commissions, brokerage and other

underwriting expenses

  308.9   89.3   398.2   -       398.2   -       398.2 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting (loss)(2)

   $(474.9   $(175.5  (650.4  -       (650.4  -       (650.4
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

Net investment income

 

  101.4   1.6   103.0   1.7   104.7 

Change in the fair value of equity securities

 

  -       -       -       -       -     

Net realized capital gains

 

  21.5   0.7   22.2          10.7   32.9 

Other than temporary impairment losses

 

  (6.1  -       (6.1  -       (6.1

Noninsurance revenue

 

  4.7   289.3   294.0   2.3   296.3 

Other operating expenses

 

  8.3   260.0   268.3   9.6   277.9 

Corporate administration

 

  (1.5  -       (1.5  (3.2  (4.7

Amortization of intangible assets

 

  (0.3  6.0   5.7   -       5.7 

Interest expense

 

  6.6   1.2   7.8   13.0   20.8 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (losses) before income taxes

 

   $(542.0   $        24.4    $(517.6   $(4.7   $(522.3
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio(3):

       

 Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

  62.3  58.6  61.4    

 Current year catastrophe losses

  60.4  75.6  63.9    

 Prior years

  (5.2%)   (4.1%)   (5.0%)     
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

  Total net loss and LAE

  117.5  130.1  120.3    

Expense ratio(4)

  32.3  31.2  32.1    
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Combined ratio(5)

  149.8  161.3  152.4    
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

  Segments    

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018

 Reinsurance
Segment
 Insurance
Segment
 Subtotal Alleghany
Capital
 Total
Segments
 Corporate
Activities(1)
 Consolidated
  ($ in millions)

Gross premiums written

   $    3,324.6    $  1,101.3    $4,425.9    $-        $4,425.9    $(19.2   $4,406.7 

Net premiums written

  2,958.9   809.4   3,768.3   -       3,768.3   -       3,768.3 

Net premiums earned

  2,903.0   767.2   3,670.2   -       3,670.2   -       3,670.2 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss and LAE:

       

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

  1,909.9   413.2   2,323.1   -       2,323.1   -       2,323.1 

Current year catastrophe losses

  195.8   60.4   256.2   -       256.2   -       256.2 

Prior years

  (163.7  (49.1  (212.8  -       (212.8  -       (212.8
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

  1,942.0   424.5   2,366.5   -       2,366.5   -       2,366.5 

Commissions, brokerage and other

underwriting expenses

  964.8   251.2   1,216.0   -       1,216.0   -       1,216.0 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting (loss) profit(2)

   $(3.8   $91.5   87.7   -       87.7   -       87.7 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

Net investment income

 

  362.0   3.7   365.7   12.0   377.7 

Change in the fair value of equity securities

 

  506.7   -       506.7   6.1   512.8 

Net realized capital gains

 

  66.8   0.6   67.4   (0.2  67.2 

Other than temporary impairment losses

 

  (0.5  -       (0.5  -       (0.5

Noninsurance revenue

 

  16.7   979.2   995.9   36.8   1,032.7 

Other operating expenses

 

  60.6   937.0   997.6   25.9   1,023.5 

Corporate administration

 

  1.8   -       1.8            39.2   41.0 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

  (0.2  17.0   16.8   -       16.8 

Interest expense

 

  20.5   6.1   26.6   39.4   66.0 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (losses) before income taxes

 

    $        956.7    $        23.4    $        980.1    $(49.8   $        930.3 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio(3):

       

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

  65.8  53.9  63.3    

Current year catastrophe losses

  6.7  7.8  7.0    

Prior years

  (5.6%)   (6.4%)   (5.8%)     
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Total net loss and LAE

  66.9  55.3  64.5    

Expense ratio(4)

  33.2  32.7  33.1    
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Combined ratio(5)

  100.1  88.0  97.6    
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

  Segments    

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

 Reinsurance
Segment
 Insurance
Segment
 Subtotal Alleghany
Capital
 Total
Segments
 Corporate
Activities(1)
   Consolidated  
    ($ in millions)        

Gross premiums written

     $      3,227.7      $    1,131.5      $    4,359.2      $-        $  4,359.2    $(16.5    $  4,342.7 

Net premiums written

  2,906.7   879.8   3,786.5   -       3,786.5   -       3,786.5 

Net premiums earned

  2,836.8   856.0   3,692.8   -       3,692.8   -       3,692.8 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss and LAE:

       

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

  1,814.1   477.0   2,291.1   -       2,291.1   -       2,291.1 

Current year catastrophe losses

  576.0   231.9   807.9   -       807.9   -       807.9 

Prior years

  (140.8  (32.2  (173.0  -       (173.0  -       (173.0
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

  2,249.3   676.7   2,926.0   -       2,926.0   -       2,926.0 

Commissions, brokerage and other

underwriting expenses

  946.6   273.8   1,220.4   -       1,220.4   -       1,220.4 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting (loss)(2)

     $(359.1     $(94.5  (453.6  -       (453.6  -       (453.6
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

Net investment income

 

  311.7   2.1   313.8   8.1   321.9 

Change in the fair value of equity securities

 

  -       -       -       -       -     

Net realized capital gains

 

  90.8   0.9   91.7   10.1   101.8 

Other than temporary impairment losses

 

  (13.1  -       (13.1  -       (13.1

Noninsurance revenue

 

  10.5   626.8   637.3   13.1   650.4 

Other operating expenses

 

  57.4   591.0       648.4   29.8   678.2 

Corporate administration

 

  0.2   -       0.2   26.4   26.6 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

  (1.2  15.4   14.2   -       14.2 

Interest expense

 

  20.2   3.0   23.2   39.5   62.7 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (losses) before income taxes

 

     $  (130.3    $        20.4    $(109.9   $        (64.4    $(174.3
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio(3):

       

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

  63.9  55.8  62.0    

Current year catastrophe losses

  20.3  27.1  21.9    

Prior years

  (5.0%)   (3.8%)   (4.7%)     
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Total net loss and LAE

  79.2  79.1  79.2    

Expense ratio(4)

  33.4  32.0  33.0    
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Combined ratio(5)

  112.6  111.1  112.2    
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

(1)

Includes elimination of minor reinsurance activity between segments.

(2)

Underwriting profit represents net premiums earned less net loss and LAE and commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses, all as determined in accordance with GAAP, and does not include net investment income, change in the fair value of equity securities, net realized capital gains, OTTI losses, noninsurance revenue, other operating expenses, corporate administration, amortization of intangible assets and interest expense. Underwriting profit is a non-GAAP financial measure and does not replace earnings before income taxes determined in accordance with GAAP as a measure of profitability. See “Comment on Non-GAAP Financial Measures” herein for additional detail on the presentation of our results of operations.

(3)

The loss ratio is derived by dividing the amount of net loss and LAE by net premiums earned, all as determined in accordance with GAAP.

(4)

The expense ratio is derived by dividing the amount of commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses by net premiums earned, all as determined in accordance with GAAP.

(5)

The combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio, all as determined in accordance with GAAP. The combined ratio represents the percentage of each premium dollar a reinsurance or an insurance company has to spend on net loss and LAE, and commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses.

Comparison of the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017

Premiums.The following table presents our consolidated premiums:

   Three Months Ended       Nine Months Ended   
   September 30,  Percent    September 30,  Percent
   2018  2017  Change    2018  2017  Change
   ($ in millions)

Premiums written:

             

Gross premiums written

    $  1,475.3      $  1,471.8             0.2%      $  4,406.7      $  4,342.7              1.5% 

Net premiums written

   1,239.1     1,260.3            (1.7%    3,768.3     3,786.5              (0.5%

Net premiums earned

   1,225.4     1,239.7            (1.2%    3,670.2     3,692.8             (0.6%

The increases in gross premiums written in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 from the corresponding 2017 periods are primarily attributable to increases at our reinsurance segment, as well as growth at CapSpecialty and RSUI, partially offset by the impact of the sale of PacificComp. The increase in the third quarter at our reinsurance segment is primarily due to the impact of TransRe’s purchase of renewal rights associated with a certain block of U.S. treaty reinsurance business focused on regional property and casualty, accident and health and personal auto lines of business, on August 29, 2018, or the “Renewal Rights Purchase,” and an increase in premiums written by the Asia-Pacific operations, partially offset by lower reinstatement premiums written due to significantly lower catastrophe losses in the third quarter of 2018 and the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

The increase in the first nine months of 2018 at our reinsurance segment primarily reflects increases in casualty premiums written by the European and Asia-Pacific operations, the impact of the Renewal Rights Purchase and the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, partially offset by a decrease in reinstatement premiums written due to significantly lower catastrophe losses in 2018. Gross premiums written related to a certain large whole account quota share treaty, or the “Quota Share Treaty,” were $207.2 million and $205.8 million in the third quarter of 2018 and 2017, respectively, and were $578.9 million and $579.9 million in the first nine months of 2018 and 2017, respectively.

The decreases in net premiums written in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 from the corresponding 2017 periods primarily reflect higher ceded premiums written due to an increase in retrocessional coverage purchased in 2018 at our reinsurance segment, as well as higher ceded premiums written at RSUI, partially offset by higher gross premiums written.

The decreases in net premiums earned in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 from the corresponding 2017 periods are primarily attributable to decreases at our insurance segment due to the impact of the sale of PacificComp, partially offset by increases at our reinsurance segment primarily due to increases in gross premiums written in recent quarters, partially offset by higher ceded premiums earned due to an increase in retrocessional coverage purchased in 2018 and lower reinstatement premiums earned due to significantly lower catastrophe losses in the third quarter of 2018. A detailed comparison of premiums by segment for the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 and 2017 is contained in the following pages.

Net loss and LAE.The following table presents our consolidated net loss and LAE:

  Three Months Ended      Nine Months Ended    
  September 30,      Percent       September 30,       Percent    
  2018    2017       Change       2018   2017       Change    
  ($ in millions) 

Net loss and LAE:

           

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

   $    794.9         $    760.9                 4.5%     $  2,323.1         $  2,291.1        1.4%  

Current year catastrophe losses

  237.8        792.5        (70.0%)     256.2        807.9        (68.3%) 

Prior years

  (75.0)       (61.5)       22.0%      (212.8)       (173.0)       23.0%  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

Total net loss and LAE

   $    957.7         $  1,491.9        (35.8%)    $  2,366.5         $  2,926.0        (19.1%) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

Loss ratio:

           

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

  64.9%     61.4%       63.3%     62.0%    

Current year catastrophe losses

  19.4%     63.9%       7.0%     21.9%    

Prior years

  (6.1%)    (5.0%)      (5.8%)    (4.7%)   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

Total net loss and LAE

  78.2%     120.3%       64.5%     79.2%    
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

The decreases in net loss and LAE in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 from the corresponding 2017 periods primarily reflect significantly lower catastrophe losses at our reinsurance and insurance segments, the impact of the sale of PacificComp at our insurance segment and increases in favorable prior accident year loss reserve development, partially offset by increases innon-catastrophe losses at our reinsurance

segment. The catastrophe losses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 include $87.7 million related to Typhoon Jebi, $80.2 million related to Hurricane Florence and $38.5 million related to Typhoon Trami. Catastrophe losses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 include $264.6 million related to Hurricane Harvey, $312.0 million related to Hurricane Irma and $170.3 million related to Hurricane Maria.

Net loss and LAE in the first nine months of 2017 for the reinsurance segment include $24.4 million of unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development related to the U.K. Ministry of Justice’s reduction in the discount rate, referred to as the Ogden rate, used to calculatelump-sum bodily injury payouts in personal injury insurance claims in the U.K.

A detailed comparison of net loss and LAE by segment for the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 and 2017 is contained in the following pages.

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses.The following table presents our consolidated commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses:

   Three Months Ended    Nine Months Ended   
   September 30,    Percent   September 30,    Percent  
   2018  2017          Change         2018  2017          Change        
   ($ in millions)

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

    $    407.7            $    398.2                 2.4   $    1,216.0            $    1,220.4                   (0.4%) 

Expense ratio

   33.3%        32.1%         33.1%        33.0%       

The increase in commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses in the third quarter of 2018 from the third quarter of 2017 primarily reflects the impact of significantly lower catastrophe losses on short-term incentive compensation accruals at our reinsurance segment and RSUI and an increase in commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses at CapSpecialty due primarily to the impact of higher net premiums earned, partially offset by the impact of the sale of PacificComp. The slight decrease in commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses in the first nine months of 2018 from first nine months of 2017 primarily reflects the impact of the sale of PacificComp, partially offset by the impact of lower catastrophe losses on short-term incentive compensation accruals at our reinsurance segment and RSUI, and an increase at CapSpecialty in commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses due primarily to the impact of higher net premiums earned.

A detailed comparison of commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses by segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 is contained in the following pages.

Underwriting profit.The following table presents our consolidated underwriting profit:

   Three Months Ended    Nine Months Ended   
   September 30,  Percent September 30,  Percent
   2018 2017      Change     2018  2017  Change
   ($ in millions)

Underwriting (loss) profit

    $    (140.0)            $    (650.4)                (78.5%)    $    87.7           $    (453.6)                 (119.3%) 

Combined ratio

   111.5%         152.4%           97.6%       112.2%         

The significant decrease in underwriting loss in the third quarter of 2018 from the third quarter of 2017, and the underwriting profit in the first nine months of 2018 compared with the underwriting loss in the first nine months of 2017, primarily reflect significantly lower catastrophe losses at our reinsurance and insurance segments and, to a lesser extent, increases in favorable prior accident year loss reserve development, partially offset by increases innon-catastrophe losses at our reinsurance segment, all as discussed above.

A detailed comparison of underwriting profit by segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 is contained in the following pages.

Investment results.The following table presents our consolidated investment results:

   Three Months Ended    Nine Months Ended   
   September 30,  Percent September 30,  Percent
   2018  2017  Change 2018  2017  Change
   ($ in millions)

Net investment income

     $    127.3         $    104.7        21.6    $    377.7          $    321.9        17.3%    

Change in the fair value of equity securities

   370.2       -            -   512.8        -          -    

Net realized capital gains

   16.2       32.9        (50.8%)   67.2        101.8        (34.0%)   

Other than temporary impairment losses

   -          (6.1)       (100.0%)   (0.5)       (13.1)       (96.2%)   

The increases in net investment income in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 from the corresponding 2017 periods primarily reflect increases in partnership income, increases in dividend income resulting from an increase in the size of the equity securities portfolio and, to a lesser extent, higher interest income. The increase in interest income primarily reflects higher yields onshort-term investments and floating-rate debt securities, partially offset by the impact of the sale of PacificComp.

Partnership income in the first nine months of 2018 includes a $12.9 million increase in the carrying value of AIHL’s limited partnership interests in certain subsidiaries of Ares Management LLC, or “Ares,” as of March 15, 2018. See Note 3(h) to Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements” of this Form 10-Q for additional information.

Partnership income in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 includes losses incurred on our equity interests in Pillar Capital Holdings Limited, or “Pillar Holdings,” and related funds arising from significant catastrophe losses incurred in August and September 2017. Partnership income in the first nine months of 2017 also includes a $12.6 million charge on our equity investment in Ares, reflecting our share of aone-time payment recorded by Ares related to an acquisition by its affiliated entity. In connection with this acquisition, Ares agreed to make certain transaction support payments to the sellers of the acquired entity.

In the first quarter of 2018, we adopted new investment accounting guidance which required changes in the fair value of equity securities, except those accounted for under the equity method, to be recognized in net earnings. In earlier periods, equity securities were considered to be available-for-sale, or “AFS,” and were included in the analysis of OTTI. See Note 1(c) to Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements” of this Form 10-Q for additional information regarding our adoption of this new guidance.

The changes in the fair value of equity securities in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 reflect appreciation in the value of our equity securities portfolio, primarily from our holdings in the technology and industrial sectors. To a lesser extent, the changes in the fair value of equity securities in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 also reflect appreciation in the value of our equity holdings in the healthcare and consumer discretionary sectors, respectively.

The decreases in net realized capital gains in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 from the corresponding 2017 periods primarily reflect a lack of net realized capital gains from equity securities in 2018 as a result of our adoption of the new investment accounting guidance discussed above. The decrease for the first nine months of 2018 was partially offset by a $45.7 million gain on AIHL’s conversion of its limited partnership interests in certain subsidiaries of Ares into Ares common units. See Note 3(h) to Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements” of this Form 10-Q for additional information on AIHL’s conversion.

The decrease in OTTI losses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 from the corresponding 2017 periods primarily reflects an absence of impairments from equity securities in 2018 resulting from our adoption of the new investment accounting guidance, as discussed above.

A detailed comparison of investment results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 is contained in the following pages.

Noninsurance revenue and expenses.The following table presents our consolidated noninsurance revenue and expenses:

   Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended   
   September 30,  Percent  September 30,  Percent
   2018  2017  Change  2018  2017  Change
   ($ in millions)

Noninsurance revenue

    $    438.3        $    296.3       47.9%       $    1,032.7       $    650.4      58.8%   

Other operating expenses

   415.3       277.9       49.4%      1,023.5      678.2      50.9%   

Corporation administration

   19.1       (4.7)      (506.4%)     41.0      26.6      54.1%   

Amortization of intangible assets

   5.5       5.7       (3.5%)     16.8      14.2      18.3%   

Interest expense

   22.2       20.8       6.7%      66.0      62.7      5.3%   

Noninsurance revenue and Other operating expenses.Noninsurance revenue and other operating expenses primarily include sales and expenses associated with our Alleghany Capital segment. Other operating expenses also include the long-term incentive compensation of our reinsurance and insurance segments, which totaled $19.9 million and $5.4 million in the third quarter of 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $52.5 million and $50.4 million in the first nine months of 2018 and 2017, respectively. The increases in long-term incentive compensation at our reinsurance and insurance segments in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 from the corresponding 2017 periods primarily reflect the impact of significantly lower catastrophe losses on long-term incentive compensation accruals at TransRe and RSUI, partially offset by the impact of declines in unrealized appreciation on our debt securities portfolio in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 on long-term incentive compensation accruals at TransRe and RSUI.

On April 28, 2017, Alleghany Capital acquired approximately 80 percent of the equity in W&W|AFCO Steel. On February 7, 2018, W&W|AFCO Steel acquired the outstanding equity of Hirschfeld Holdings, LP, or “Hirschfeld,” a fabricator of steel bridges and structural steel for stadiums, airports and other large commercial and industrial projects, for $111.3 million.

The increases in noninsurance revenue and other operating expenses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 from the corresponding 2017 periods primarily reflect the acquisition of Hirschfeld and, for the first nine months of 2018, the acquisition of W&W|AFCO Steel. The increase in other operating expenses in the third quarter of 2018 from the third quarter of 2017 also reflects an increase in long-term incentive compensation at our reinsurance and insurance segments, as discussed above.

Corporate administration.The corporate administration expense in the third quarter of 2018, compared with negative corporate administration expense in the third quarter of 2017, and the increase in corporate administration expense in the first nine months of 2018 from the first nine months of 2017, primarily reflect increases in Alleghany’s long-term incentive compensation accruals. Such increases in accruals primarily reflect the impact of significantly lower catastrophe losses and increases in the price per share of our common stock during the 2018 periods, partially offset by the impact of declines in unrealized appreciation on our debt securities portfolio in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018.

Amortization of intangible assets.The increase in amortization expense in the first nine months of 2018 from the first nine months of 2017 primarily reflects the Hirschfeld and W&W|AFCO Steel acquisitions.

Interest expense.The increases in interest expense in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 from the corresponding 2017 periods primarily reflect borrowings at W&W|AFCO Steel and Hirschfeld.

A detailed comparison of noninsurance revenues and expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 is contained in the following pages.

Income taxes.The following table presents our consolidated income tax expense:

   Three Months Ended      Nine Months Ended    
   September 30,   Percent  September 30,   Percent
   2018   2017  Change  2018   2017   Change
   ($ in millions) 

Income taxes

    $    60.4       $    (212.3)      (128.5%)        $    171.2           $    (116.3)        (247.2%)   

Effective tax rate

         18.4%      66.8%      

The income taxes in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018, compared with income tax benefits in the corresponding 2017 periods, primarily reflect the impact of significantly lower taxable catastrophe losses and the taxable income from appreciation in the value of our equity securities portfolio resulting from our adoption of new investment accounting guidance in 2018, all as discussed above. The 66.8 percent effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2017 was calculated based on actual results through September 30, 2017 because management was not able to reliably estimate the annual effective tax rate in light of the significant catastrophe losses incurred in the third quarter of 2017. The decrease in the effective tax rate in the first nine months of 2018 from the first nine months of 2017 primarily reflects the decrease in the U.S. corporate federal income tax rate from 35.0 percent to 21.0 percent due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, or the “Tax Act,” and losses before income taxes in the first nine months of 2017, which magnified the impact of certain tax adjustments, partially offset by new limitations on certain deductions as a result of the Tax Act.

Net earnings.The following table presents our consolidated earnings:

  Three Months Ended       Nine Months Ended    
  September 30,   Percent   September 30,  Percent 
  2018   2017   Change   2018   2017  Change 
  ($ in millions) 

Earnings (losses) before income taxes

    $    349.9        $  (522.3)          (167.0%)      $    930.3        $  (174.3)     (633.7%)   

Net earnings (losses) attributable to Alleghany stockholders

  284.9      (314.2)      (190.7%)      751.6      (63.2)       (1,289.2%)   

The earnings before income taxes and net earnings attributable to Alleghany stockholders in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018, compared with the losses before income taxes and net losses attributable to Alleghany stockholders in the corresponding 2017 periods, primarily reflect significantly lower catastrophe losses and appreciation in the value of our equity securities portfolio resulting from our adoption of new investment accounting guidance in 2018, all as discussed above.

Reinsurance Segment Underwriting Results

The reinsurance segment is comprised of TransRe’s property and casualty & other lines of business. TransRe also writes a modest amount of property and casualty insurance business, which is included in the reinsurance segment. For a more detailed description of our reinsurance segment, see Part I, Item 1, “Business—Segment Information—Reinsurance Segment” of the 2017 Form 10-K.

The underwriting results of the reinsurance segment are presented below.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2018

  Property   Casualty &
Other(1)
   Total 
   ($ in millions) 

 

Gross premiums written

     $       451.4           $     685.9           $      1,137.3      

Net premiums written

   331.1         654.1         985.2      

Net premiums earned

   326.5         635.0         961.5      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss and LAE:

      

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

   194.6         460.1         654.7      

Current year catastrophe losses

   195.8         -            195.8      

Prior years

   (2.8)        (38.7)        (41.5)     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

   387.6         421.4         809.0      

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

   113.3         211.6         324.9      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Underwriting (loss) profit(2)

     $      (174.4)          $         2.0           $       (172.4)     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss ratio(3):

      

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

   59.6%       72.5%       68.1%    

Current year catastrophe losses

   60.0%       -    %       20.4%    

Prior years

   (0.9%)     (6.1%)     (4.4%)  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

   118.7%       66.4%       84.1%    

 

Expense ratio(4)

   34.7%       33.3%       33.8%    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Combined ratio(5)

   153.4%       99.7%       117.9%    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2017

  Property Casualty &
Other(1)
 Total
   ($ in millions)

Gross premiums written

    $      445.5    $      681.1    $      1,126.6 

Net premiums written

   329.0   649.5   978.5 

Net premiums earned

   310.8   642.4   953.2 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss and LAE:

    

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

   162.0   431.0   593.0 

Current year catastrophe losses

   506.0   70.0   576.0 

Prior years

   (8.1  (41.7  (49.8
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

   659.9   459.3   1,119.2 

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

   105.2   203.7   308.9 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting (loss)(2)

  

 

  $

 

        (454.3

 

   $(20.6   $(474.9
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio(3):

    

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

   52.1  67.1  62.3

Current year catastrophe losses

   162.8  10.9  60.4

Prior years

   (2.6%)   (6.5%)   (5.2%) 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

   212.3  71.5  117.5

 

Expense ratio(4)

   33.8  31.7  32.3
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined ratio(5)

  

 

 

 

246.1

 

  103.2  149.8
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018

  Property Casualty &
Other(1)
 Total
   ($ in millions)

Gross premiums written

    $        1,193.7    $2,130.9    $3,324.6 

Net premiums written

   912.1   2,046.8   2,958.9 

Net premiums earned

   893.7   2,009.3   2,903.0 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss and LAE:

    

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

   499.7   1,410.2   1,909.9 

Current year catastrophe losses

   195.8   -       195.8 

Prior years

   (57.8  (105.9  (163.7
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

   637.7   1,304.3   1,942.0 

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

   301.2   663.6   964.8 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting (loss) profit(2)

  

 

  $

 

(45.2

 

   $41.4    $(3.8
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio(3):

    

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

   55.9  70.2  65.8

Current year catastrophe losses

   21.9  -      6.7

Prior years

   (6.5%)   (5.3%)   (5.6%) 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

   71.3  64.9  66.9

 

Expense ratio(4)

   33.7  33.0  33.2
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined ratio(5)

  

 

 

 

105.0

 

  97.9  100.1
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

  Property Casualty &
Other(1)
 Total
   ($ in millions)

Gross premiums written

    $      1,190.0    $      2,037.7    $      3,227.7 

Net premiums written

   931.4   1,975.3   2,906.7 

Net premiums earned

   868.1   1,968.7   2,836.8 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss and LAE:

    

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

   461.2   1,352.9   1,814.1 

Current year catastrophe losses

   506.0   70.0   576.0 

Prior years

   (62.6  (78.2  (140.8
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

   904.6   1,344.7   2,249.3 

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

   283.7   662.9   946.6 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting (loss)(2)

  

 

  $

 

    (320.2

 

   $      (38.9   $    (359.1
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio(3):

    

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

   53.1  68.7  63.9

Current year catastrophe losses

   58.3  3.6  20.3

Prior years

   (7.2%)   (4.0%)   (5.0%) 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

   104.2  68.3  79.2

Expense ratio(4)

   32.7  33.7  33.4
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined ratio(5)

  

 

 

 

136.9

 

  102.0  112.6
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Primarily consists of the following assumed reinsurance lines of business: directors’ and officers’ liability; errors and omissions liability; general liability; medical malpractice; ocean marine and aviation; auto liability; accident and health; surety; and credit.

(2)

Underwriting profit represents net premiums earned less net loss and LAE and commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses, all as determined in accordance with GAAP, and does not include net investment income, change in the fair value of equity securities, net realized capital gains, OTTI losses, noninsurance revenue, other operating expenses, corporate administration, amortization of intangible assets and interest expense. Underwriting profit is a non-GAAP financial measure and does not replace earnings before income taxes determined in accordance with GAAP as a measure of profitability. See “Comment on Non-GAAP Financial Measures” herein for additional detail on the presentation of our results of operations.

(3)

The loss ratio is derived by dividing the amount of net loss and LAE by net premiums earned, all as determined in accordance with GAAP.

(4)

The expense ratio is derived by dividing the amount of commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses by net premiums earned, all as determined in accordance with GAAP.

(5)

The combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio, all as determined in accordance with GAAP. The combined ratio represents the percentage of each premium dollar a reinsurance or an insurance company has to spend on net loss and LAE, and commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses.

Reinsurance Segment: Premiums.The following table presents premiums for the reinsurance segment:

   Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended    
   September 30,  Percent  September 30,  Percent 
   2018  2017        Change        2018  2017        Change       
   ($ in millions) 

Property

       

Premiums written:

       

Gross premiums written

    $451.4      $445.5     1.3%      $  1,193.7      $  1,190.0     0.3%   

Net premiums written

   331.1     329.0     0.6%     912.1     931.4     (2.1%)  

Net premiums earned

   326.5     310.8     5.1%     893.7     868.1     2.9%   

Casualty & other

       

Premiums written:

       

Gross premiums written

    $685.9      $681.1     0.7%      $  2,130.9      $  2,037.7     4.6%   

Net premiums written

   654.1     649.5     0.7%     2,046.8     1,975.3     3.6%   

Net premiums earned

   635.0     642.4     (1.2%)    2,009.3     1,968.7     2.1%   

Total

       

Premiums written:

           

Gross premiums written

    $  1,137.3      $  1,126.6     0.9%      $  3,324.6      $3,227.7     3.0%   

Net premiums written

   985.2     978.5     0.7%     2,958.9     2,906.7     1.8%   

Net premiums earned

   961.5     953.2     0.9%     2,903.0     2,836.8     2.3%   

Property.The increase in gross premiums written in the third quarter of 2018 from the third quarter of 2017 primarily reflects higher property-related premiums written related to the Quota Share Treaty, partially offset by the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and lower reinstatement premiums written due to significantly lower catastrophe losses in the third quarter of 2018. The increase in gross premiums written in the first nine months of 2018 from the first nine months of 2017 primarily reflects increases in premiums written by the Asia-Pacific operations and the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, partially offset by a decline in property-related premiums written related to the Quota Share Treaty and lower reinstatement premiums written due to significantly lower catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2018. Gross premiums written related to the Quota Share Treaty were $113.4 million and $92.5 million in the third quarter of 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $224.0 million and $263.2 million in the first nine months of 2018 and 2017, respectively. Excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, gross premiums written increased 2.7 percent and decreased 0.1 percent, respectively, in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 from the corresponding 2017 periods.

The increase in net premiums earned in the third quarter of 2018 from the third quarter of 2017 primarily reflects an increase in gross premiums written in recent quarters, partially offset by lower reinstatement premiums written due to significantly lower catastrophe losses in the third quarter of 2018 and the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The increase in net premiums earned in the first nine months of 2018 from the first nine months of 2017 primarily reflects an increase in gross premiums written in recent quarters and the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, partially offset by higher ceded premiums earned due to an increase in retrocessional coverage purchased and lower reinstatement premiums written due to significantly lower catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2018. Reinstatement premiums earned on 2018 catastrophe losses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 were $10.8 million, compared with $32.1 million on 2017 catastrophe losses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017. Excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, net premiums earned increased 6.5 percent and 2.3 percent, respectively, in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 from the corresponding 2017 periods.

Casualty & other.The increase in gross premiums written in the third quarter of 2018 from the third quarter of 2017 primarily reflects increases in premiums written by the Asia-Pacific operations and the impact of the Renewal Rights Purchase, partially offset by lower casualty-related premiums written related to the Quota Share Treaty, the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and lower reinstatement premiums written due to significantly lower catastrophe losses in the third quarter of 2018. The increase in gross premiums written in the first nine months of 2018 from the first nine months of 2017 primarily reflects increases in premiums written by the European and Asia-Pacific operations, higher casualty-related premiums written related to the Quota Share Treaty, the impact of the Renewal Rights Purchase and the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, partially offset by reinstatement premiums written from catastrophe losses in the third quarter of 2017. Gross premiums written related to the Quota Share Treaty were $93.8 million and $113.3 million in the third quarter of 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $354.9 million and $316.7 million in the first nine months of 2018 and 2017, respectively. Excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, gross premiums written increased 1.6 percent and 3.9 percent, respectively, in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 from the corresponding 2017 periods.

The decrease in net premiums earned in the third quarter of 2018 from the third quarter of 2017 primarily reflects the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and reinstatement premiums earned from catastrophe losses in the third quarter of 2017, partially offset by an increase in gross premiums written in recent quarters. The increase in net premiums earned in the first nine months of 2018 from the first nine months of 2017 primarily reflects an increase in gross premiums written in recent quarters and the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, partially offset by reinstatement premiums earned from catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2017. Excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, net premiums earned decreased 0.2 percent in the third quarter of 2018 from the third quarter of 2017, and increased 1.5 percent in the first nine months of 2018 from the first nine months of 2017.

Reinsurance Segment: Net loss and LAE.The following table presents net loss and LAE for the reinsurance segment:

  Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended  
  September 30,     Percent     September 30,       Percent      
  2018 2017     Change     2018 2017       Change      
  ($ in millions)

Property

      

Net loss and LAE:

      

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

   $194.6    $162.0   20.1   $499.7    $461.2   8.3

Current year catastrophe losses

  195.8   506.0   (61.3%)   195.8   506.0   (61.3%) 

Prior years

  (2.8  (8.1  (65.4%)   (57.8  (62.6  (7.7%) 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

   $387.6    $659.9   (41.3%)    $637.7    $904.6   (29.5%) 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio:

      

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

  59.6  52.1   55.9  53.1 

Current year catastrophe losses

  60.0  162.8   21.9  58.3 

Prior years

  (0.9%)   (2.6%)    (6.5%)   (7.2%)  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

  118.7  212.3   71.3  104.2 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Casualty & other

      

Net loss and LAE:

      

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

   $460.1    $431.0   6.8   $1,410.2    $1,352.9   4.2

Current year catastrophe losses

  -       70.0   (100.0%)   -       70.0   (100.0%) 

Prior years

  (38.7  (41.7  (7.2%)   (105.9  (78.2  35.4
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

   $    421.4    $  459.3   (8.3%)    $  1,304.3    $  1,344.7   (3.0%) 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio:

      

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

  72.5  67.1   70.2  68.7 

Current year catastrophe losses

  -      10.9   -      3.6 

Prior years

  (6.1%)   (6.5%)    (5.3%)   (4.0%)  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

  66.4  71.5   64.9  68.3 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

      

Net loss and LAE:

      

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

   $654.7    $593.0   10.4   $1,909.9    $1,814.1   5.3

Current year catastrophe losses

  195.8   576.0   (66.0%)   195.8   576.0   (66.0%) 

Prior years

  (41.5  (49.8  (16.7%)   (163.7  (140.8  16.3
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

   $809.0    $  1,119.2   (27.7%)    $1,942.0    $2,249.3   (13.7%) 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio:

      

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

  68.1  62.3   65.8  63.9 

Current year catastrophe losses

  20.4  60.4   6.7  20.3 

Prior years

  (4.4%)   (5.2%)    (5.6%)   (5.0%)  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

  84.1  117.5   66.9  79.2 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property.The decreases in net loss and LAE in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 from the corresponding 2017 periods primarily reflect significantly lower catastrophe losses, partially offset by highernon-catastrophe losses. The catastrophe losses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 include $87.7 million related to Typhoon Jebi, $46.2 million related to Hurricane Florence, $38.5 million related to Typhoon Trami and $23.4 million from several severe weather events in East Asia. Catastrophe losses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 include $160.7 million related to Hurricane Harvey in August 2017, $175.0 million related to Hurricane Irma in September 2017, $142.4 million related to Hurricane Maria in September 2017 and $27.9 million related to earthquakes in Mexico in September 2017.

Net loss and LAE in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 and 2017 include (favorable) unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development as presented in the table below.

  

            Three Months Ended             

September 30,

  

            Nine Months Ended             

September 30,

 
  2018  2017  2018  2017 
  ($ in millions) 

Catastrophe events

   $9.6(1)     $(7.8)(2)     $(15.6)(3)     $(12.2)(2)  
     

Non-catastrophe

  (12.4)(4)    (0.3)   (42.2)(4)    (50.4)(5)  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total

   $      (2.8)    $      (8.1)    $      (57.8)    $      (62.6) 
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

(1)

Primarily reflects unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development related to Hurricanes Maria and Irma in the 2017 accident year.

(2)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development related to several catastrophes in the 2010 through 2016 accident years.

(3)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development related to Hurricane Harvey in the 2017 accident year and catastrophes in the 2016 accident year, partially offset by unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development related to Hurricanes Maria and Irma in the 2017 accident year.

(4)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the 2017 accident year.

(5)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the 2013 through 2016 accident years.

The favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 and 2017 reflects favorable loss emergence compared with loss emergence patterns assumed in earlier periods. The favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 did not impact assumptions used in estimating TransRe’s loss and LAE liabilities for business earned in the first nine months of 2018.

Casualty & other.The decreases in net loss and LAE in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 from the corresponding 2017 periods primarily reflect an absence of catastrophe losses and, for the nine month period only, higher favorable prior accident year loss reserve development, partially offset by highernon-catastrophe losses. Catastrophe losses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 relate primarily to the marine lines of business, and include $20.3 million related to Hurricane Harvey in August 2017, $33.3 million related to Hurricane Irma in September 2017, $13.6 million related to Hurricane Maria in September 2017 and $2.8 million related to earthquakes in Mexico in September 2017.

Net loss and LAE in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 and 2017 include (favorable) unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development as presented in the table below.

  

            Three Months Ended             

September 30,

  

            Nine Months Ended             

September 30,

 
  2018  2017  2018  2017 
  ($ in millions) 

Malpractice Treaties(1)

   $-         $-         $(3.4)    $(2.0) 

Ogden rate impact(2)

  -        -        -        24.4  

Other

  (38.7)(3)    (41.7)(4)    (102.5)(5)    (100.6)(6)  
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total

   $ (38.7)    $ (41.7)    $ (105.9)    $ (78.2) 
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

(1)

Represents certain medical malpractice treaties pursuant to which the increased underwriting profits created by the favorable prior accident year loss reserve development are largely retained by the cedants. As a result, the favorable prior accident year loss reserve development is largely offset by an increase in profit commission expense incurred when such favorable prior accident year loss reserve development occurs.

(2)

Represents unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development related to the U.K. Ministry of Justice’s significant reduction in the discount rate, referred to as the Ogden rate, used to calculatelump-sum bodily injury payouts in personal injury insurance claims in the U.K to negative 0.75 percent as of March 20, 2017 from 2.50 percent.

(3)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the longer-tailed casualty lines of business in the 2007 and earlier accident years, partially offset by unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the longer-tailed casualty lines of business in the 2014 through 2016 accident years.

(4)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in thelonger-tailed U.S. professional liability lines of business related to older accident years and shorter-tailed casualty lines of business in the U.K. related to recent accident years.

(5)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the shorter-tailed casualty lines of business in the 2016 and 2017 accident years and in the longer-tailed casualty lines of business in the 2010 and earlier accident years, partially offset by unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the longer-tailed casualty lines of business in the 2014 accident year.

(6)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in longer-tailed U.S. professional liability lines of business in the 2005 through 2014 accident years, partially offset by unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development in shorter-tailed casualty lines of business in the 2015 accident year in the U.S. and the U.K.

The favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 and 2017 reflects favorable loss emergence compared with loss emergence patterns assumed in earlier periods. The favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 did not impact assumptions used in estimating TransRe’s loss and LAE liabilities for business earned in the first nine months of 2018.

Reinsurance Segment: Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses.The following table presents commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses for the reinsurance segment:

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
 Percent Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 Percent
      2018         2017           Change           2018         2017           Change      
  ($ in millions)

Property

      

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

   $113.3       $105.2      7.7%      $301.2       $283.7      6.2%   

Expense ratio

  34.7%   33.8%    33.7%   32.7%  

Casualty & other

      

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

   $    211.6       $    203.7      3.9%      $    663.6       $    662.9      0.1%   

Expense ratio

  33.3%   31.7%    33.0%   33.7%  

Total

      

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

   $324.9       $308.9      5.2%      $964.8       $946.6      1.9%   

Expense ratio

  33.8%   32.3%    33.2%   33.4%  

Property.The increases in commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 from the corresponding 2017 periods primarily reflect higher short-term incentive compensation expense accruals arising from significantly lower catastrophe losses in the third quarter of 2018, the impact of higher net premiums earned and, for the nine month period only, higher commission rates.

Casualty & other.The increase in commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses in the third quarter of 2018 from the third quarter of 2017 primarily reflects higher short-term incentive compensation expense accruals arising from the absence of catastrophe losses in the third quarter of 2018 and, for the third quarter period only, higher commission rates, partially offset by the impact of lower net premiums earned.

Reinsurance Segment: Underwriting profit.The following table presents underwriting profit (loss) for the reinsurance segment:

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
 Percent Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 Percent
      2018         2017     Change     2018         2017         Change    
  ($ in millions)

Property

      

Underwriting (loss)

   $    (174.4)      $    (454.3)     (61.6%)      $    (45.2)      $    (320.2)     (85.9%)   

Combined ratio

  153.4%   246.1%    105.0%   136.9%  

Casualty & other

      

Underwriting profit (loss)

   $2.0       $(20.6)     (109.7%)      $41.4       $(38.9)     (206.4%)   

Combined ratio

  99.7%   103.2%    97.9%   102.0%  

Total

      

Underwriting (loss)

   $    (172.4)      $(474.9)     (63.7%)      $(3.8)      $(359.1)     (98.9%)   

Combined ratio

  117.9%   149.8%    100.1%   112.6%  

Property.The decreases in underwriting loss in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 from the corresponding 2017 periods primarily reflect significantly lower catastrophe losses, partially offset by increases innon-catastrophe losses, all as discussed above.

Casualty & other.The underwriting profit in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 compared with the underwriting loss from the corresponding 2017 periods primarily reflects the absence of catastrophe losses and, for the nine month period only, higher favorable prior accident year loss reserve development, all as discussed above.

Insurance Segment Underwriting Results

The insurance segment is comprised of AIHL’s RSUI, CapSpecialty and PacificComp (prior to its sale on December 31, 2017) operating subsidiaries. RSUI also writes a modest amount of assumed reinsurance business, which is included in the insurance segment. For a more detailed description of our insurance segment, see Part I, Item 1, “Business—Segment Information—Insurance Segment” of the 2017 Form 10-K.

The underwriting results of the insurance segment are presented below.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2018

  RSUI CapSpecialty Total
    ($ in millions)

Gross premiums written

    $      260.8    $      83.9    $344.7 

Net premiums written

   176.0   77.9   253.9 

Net premiums earned

   190.6   73.3   263.9 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss and LAE:

    

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

   97.9   42.3   140.2 

Current year catastrophe losses

   41.1   0.9   42.0 

Prior years

   (32.0  (1.5  (33.5
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

   107.0   41.7   148.7 

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

   52.8   30.0   82.8 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting profit(1)

  

 

  $

 

30.8

 

 

   $1.6    $32.4 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio(2):

    

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

   51.4  57.7  53.1

Current year catastrophe losses

   21.6  1.2  15.9

Prior years

   (16.9%)   (2.1%)   (12.7%) 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

   56.1  56.8  56.3

Expense ratio(3)

   27.7  40.9  31.4
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined ratio(4)

   83.8  97.7  87.7
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2017

 RSUI CapSpecialty PacificComp Total
  ($ in millions)

Gross premiums written

   $      234.6    $      74.3    $      41.6    $      350.5 

Net premiums written

  170.8   69.5   41.5   281.8 

Net premiums earned

  179.0   66.1   41.4   286.5 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss and LAE:

    

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

  99.3   37.5   31.1   167.9 

Current year catastrophe losses

  214.7   1.8   -       216.5 

Prior years

  (8.6  (2.3  (0.8  (11.7
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

  305.4   37.0   30.3   372.7 

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

  50.3   28.4   10.6   89.3 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting (loss) profit(1)

 

 

  $

 

(176.7

 

   $0.7    $0.5    $(175.5
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio(2):

    

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

  55.5  56.8  75.2  58.6

Current year catastrophe losses

  119.9  2.7  -      75.6

Prior years

  (4.8%)   (3.5%)   (1.9%)   (4.1%) 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

  170.6  56.0  73.3  130.1

Expense ratio(3)

  28.1  43.0  25.5  31.2
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined ratio(4)

  198.7  99.0  98.8  161.3
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018

  RSUI CapSpecialty Total
      ($ in millions)  

Gross premiums written

    $      854.2    $      247.1    $      1,101.3 

Net premiums written

   579.8   229.6   809.4 

Net premiums earned

   556.2   211.0   767.2 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss and LAE:

    

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

   295.4   117.8   413.2 

Current year catastrophe losses

   58.7   1.7   60.4 

Prior years

   (44.5  (4.6  (49.1
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

   309.6   114.9   424.5 

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

   160.0   91.2   251.2 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting profit(1)

  

 

  $

 

86.6

 

 

   $4.9    $91.5 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio(2):

    

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

   53.1  55.8  53.9

Current year catastrophe losses

   10.6  0.8  7.8

Prior years

   (8.0%)   (2.1%)   (6.4%) 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

   55.7  54.5  55.3

Expense ratio(3)

   28.8  43.2  32.7
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined ratio(4)

   84.5  97.7  88.0
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

 RSUI CapSpecialty PacificComp Total
  ($ in millions)

Gross premiums written

   $      794.1    $      213.2    $      124.2    $1,131.5 

Net premiums written

  558.0   198.9   122.9   879.8 

Net premiums earned

  540.3   192.2   123.5   856.0 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss and LAE:

    

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

  279.1   104.8   93.1   477.0 

Current year catastrophe losses

  227.9   4.0   -       231.9 

Prior years

  (27.3  (3.1  (1.8  (32.2
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

  479.7   105.7   91.3   676.7 

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

  158.3   83.3   32.2   273.8 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting profit (loss)(1)

 

 

  $

 

(97.7

 

   $3.2    $-        $(94.5
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio(2):

    

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

  51.7  54.5  75.4  55.8

Current year catastrophe losses

  42.2  2.1  -      27.1

Prior years

  (5.1%)   (1.6%)   (1.5%)   (3.8%) 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

  88.8  55.0  73.9  79.1

Expense ratio(3)

  29.3  43.4  26.1  32.0
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined ratio(4)

  118.1  98.4  100.0  111.1
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Underwriting profit represents net premiums earned less net loss and LAE and commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses, all as determined in accordance with GAAP, and does not include net investment income, change in the fair value of equity securities, net realized capital gains, OTTI losses, noninsurance revenue, other operating expenses, corporate administration, amortization of intangible assets and interest expense. Underwriting profit is anon-GAAP financial measure and does not replace earnings before income taxes determined in accordance with GAAP as a measure of profitability. See “Comment on Non-GAAP Financial Measures” herein for additional detail on the presentation of our results of operations.

(2)

The loss ratio is derived by dividing the amount of net loss and LAE by net premiums earned, all as determined in accordance with GAAP.

(3)

The expense ratio is derived by dividing the amount of commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses by net premiums earned, all as determined in accordance with GAAP.

(4)

The combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio, all as determined in accordance with GAAP. The combined ratio represents the percentage of each premium dollar a reinsurance or an insurance company has to spend on net loss and LAE, and commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses.

Insurance Segment: Premiums.The following table presents premiums for the insurance segment:

   Three Months Ended       Nine Months Ended     
   September 30,   Percent   September 30,   Percent 
   2018   2017         Change         2018   2017         Change       
   ($ in millions) 

RSUI

            

Premiums written:

            

Gross premiums written

    $      260.8       $      234.6      11.2%       $      854.2       $      794.1      7.6%   

Net premiums written

   176.0      170.8      3.0%      579.8      558.0      3.9%   

Net premiums earned

   190.6      179.0      6.5%      556.2      540.3      2.9%   

CapSpecialty

            

Premiums written:

            

Gross premiums written

    $83.9       $74.3      12.9%       $247.1       $213.2      15.9%   

Net premiums written

   77.9      69.5      12.1%      229.6      198.9      15.4%   

Net premiums earned

   73.3      66.1      10.9%      211.0      192.2      9.8%   

PacificComp

            

Premiums written:

            

Gross premiums written

    $-           $41.6      (100.0%)      $-           $124.2      (100.0%)  

Net premiums written

   -          41.5      (100.0%)     -          122.9      (100.0%)  

Net premiums earned

   -          41.4      (100.0%)     -          123.5      (100.0%)  

Total

            

Premiums written:

            

Gross premiums written

    $344.7       $350.5      (1.7%)      $1,101.3       $1,131.5      (2.7%)  

Net premiums written

   253.9      281.8      (9.9%)     809.4      879.8      (8.0%)  

Net premiums earned

   263.9      286.5      (7.9%)     767.2      856.0      (10.4%)  

RSUI.The increases in gross premiums written in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 from the corresponding 2017 periods primarily reflect growth in most lines of business due to an increase in business opportunities and improved general market conditions, particularly in the property lines of business.

The increases in net premiums earned in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 from the corresponding 2017 periods primarily reflect an increase in gross premiums written in recent quarters, partially offset by higher ceded premiums earned related to reinstatement premiums on RSUI’s per risk property reinsurance treaties and the impact of growth in the heavily-reinsured property lines of business.

CapSpecialty.The increases in gross premiums written in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 from the corresponding 2017 periods primarily reflect growth in the professional liability and miscellaneous medical lines of business due to CapSpecialty’s distribution initiatives and expanded product offerings and the impact of CapSpecialty’s February 20, 2018 purchase of certain renewal rights associated with a small environmental block of business.

The increases in net premiums earned in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 from the corresponding 2017 periods primarily reflect increases in gross premiums written in recent quarters.

PacificComp.The results shown for the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 reflect the sale of PacificComp as of December 31, 2017.

Insurance Segment: Net loss and LAE.The following table presents net loss and LAE for the insurance segment:

   Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended  
   September 30, Percent September 30, Percent
   2018 2017 Change 2018 2017 Change
   ($ in millions)

RSUI

       

Net loss and LAE:

       

 Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

    $97.9    $99.3   (1.4%)    $  295.4    $  279.1   5.8

 Current year catastrophe losses

   41.1   214.7   (80.9%)   58.7   227.9   (74.2%) 

 Prior years

   (32.0  (8.6  272.1  (44.5  (27.3  63.0
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

    $  107.0    $  305.4   (65.0%)    $309.6    $479.7   (35.5%) 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio:

       

 Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

   51.4  55.5   53.1  51.7 

 Current year catastrophe losses

   21.6  119.9   10.6  42.2 

 Prior years

   (16.9%)   (4.8%)    (8.0%)   (5.1%)  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

   56.1  170.6   55.7  88.8 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CapSpecialty

       

Net loss and LAE:

       

 Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

    $42.3    $37.5   12.8   $117.8    $104.8   12.4

 Current year catastrophe losses

   0.9   1.8   (50.0%)   1.7   4.0   (57.5%) 

 Prior years

   (1.5  (2.3  (34.8%)   (4.6  (3.1  48.4
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

    $41.7    $37.0   12.7   $114.9    $105.7   8.7
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio:

       

 Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

   57.7  56.8   55.8  54.5 

 Current year catastrophe losses

   1.2  2.7   0.8  2.1 

 Prior years

   (2.1%)   (3.5%)    (2.1%)   (1.6%)  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

   56.8  56.0   54.5  55.0 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PacificComp

       

Net loss and LAE:

       

 Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

    $-    $31.1   (100.0%)    $-    $93.1   (100.0%) 

 Current year catastrophe losses

   -   -       -   -   -       - 

 Prior years

   -   (0.8  (100.0%)   -   (1.8  (100.0%) 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

    $-    $30.3   (100.0%)    $-    $91.3   (100.0%) 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio:

       

 Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

   -    75.2   -    75.4 

 Current year catastrophe losses

   -    -       -    -     

 Prior years

   -    (1.9%)    -    (1.5%)  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

   -    73.3   -    73.9 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

       

Net loss and LAE:

       

 Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

    $140.2    $167.9   (16.5%)    $413.2    $477.0   (13.4%) 

 Current year catastrophe losses

   42.0   216.5   (80.6%)   60.4   231.9   (74.0%) 

 Prior years

   (33.5  (11.7  186.3  (49.1  (32.2  52.5
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

    $148.7    $372.7   (60.1%)    $424.5    $676.7   (37.3%) 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio:

       

 Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

   53.1  58.6   53.9  55.8 

 Current year catastrophe losses

   15.9  75.6   7.8  27.1 

 Prior years

   (12.7%)   (4.1%)    (6.4%)   (3.8%)  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

   56.3  130.1   55.3  79.1 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RSUI.The decreases in net loss and LAE in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 from the corresponding 2017 periods primarily reflect significantly lower catastrophe losses and, to a lesser extent, higher favorable prior accident year loss reserve development. The catastrophe losses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 include $34.0 million related to Hurricane Florence, as well as losses related to flooding and severe weather in the Northeastern U.S. and the State of California. Catastrophe losses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 include $83.3 million related to Hurricane Harvey, $103.7 million related to Hurricane Irma and $14.3 million related to Hurricane Maria. Catastrophe losses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 also reflect losses related to flooding in the State of California and severe weather primarily in the Southeastern and Midwestern U.S.

Net loss and LAE in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 and 2017 include (favorable) unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development as presented in the table below.

   Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   2018  2017  2018  2017 
   ($ in millions) 

Casualty

    $    (4.3)(1)     $    (6.9)(2)     $    (16.8)(1)     $    (28.5)(2)  
     

Property and other

   (27.7)(3)    (1.7)(4)    (27.7)(3)    1.2(5)  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total

    $      (32.0)    $      (8.6)    $      (44.5)    $      (27.3) 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

(1)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the umbrella/excess lines of business in the 2005 through 2012 accident years, partially offset by unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the directors’ and officers’ liability lines of business in the 2009, 2012 and 2016 accident years.

(2)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the umbrella/excess lines of business in the 2005 through 2011 accident years.

(3)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development related to Hurricane Irma in the 2017 accident year and, to a lesser extent, Hurricane Matthew in the 2016 accident year, as well as various other losses not classified as catastrophes in recent accident years.

(4)

Primarily reflects favorable unallocated LAE development.

(5)

Primarily reflects unfavorable prior accident year property loss reserve development in the binding authority lines of business in the 2015 and 2016 accident years, partially offset by favorable prior accident year catastrophe loss reserve development in the 2016 accident year.

The favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 and 2017 reflects favorable loss emergence compared with loss emergence patterns assumed in earlier periods. The favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 did not impact assumptions used in estimating RSUI’s loss and LAE liabilities for business earned in the first nine months of 2018.

CapSpecialty.The increases in net loss and LAE in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 from the corresponding 2017 periods primarily reflect the impact of higher net premiums earned and higher 2018 accident year losses due primarily to an increase in net premiums earned for certain lines of business with a higher loss ratio, partially offset by lower catastrophe losses. The increase in net loss and LAE in the third quarter of 2018 also reflects a decrease in favorable prior accident year loss reserve development. The increase in net loss and LAE in the first nine months of 2018 was partially offset by an increase in favorable prior accident year loss reserve development.

Net loss and LAE in the first nine months of 2018 includes favorable prior accident year loss reserve development primarily in the surety lines of business primarily in the 2016 and 2017 accident years. The favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the first nine months of 2018 and 2017 reflects favorable loss emergence compared with loss emergence patterns assumed in earlier periods. The favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the first nine months of 2018 did not impact assumptions used in estimating CapSpecialty’s loss and LAE liabilities for business earned in the first nine months of 2018. Net loss and LAE in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 include favorable prior accident year loss reserve development primarily in the casualty lines of business in the 2010, 2014, 2015 and 2016 accident years.

Insurance Segment: Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses.The following table presents commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses for the insurance segment:

                                                
  

Three Months Ended

 

   Nine Months Ended  
  

September 30,

 

 Percent September 30, Percent
  2018 2017       Change         2018 2017 Change
  ($ in millions)

RSUI

      

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

   $        52.8    $        50.3   5.0   $        160.0    $        158.3   1.1

Expense ratio

  27.7  28.1   28.8  29.3 

CapSpecialty

      

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

   $        30.0    $        28.4   5.6   $        91.2    $        83.3   9.5

Expense ratio

  40.9  43.0   43.2  43.4 

PacificComp

      

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

   $    $        10.6   (100.0%)    $    $        32.2   (100.0%) 

Expense ratio

    25.5     26.1 

Total

      

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

   $        82.8    $        89.3   (7.3%)    $        251.2    $        273.8   (8.3%) 

Expense ratio

  31.4  31.2   32.7  32.0 

RSUI.The increases in commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 from the corresponding 2017 periods primarily reflect the impact of higher net premiums earned and higher short-term incentive compensation expense accruals arising from significantly lower catastrophe losses in the third quarter of 2018, partially offset by slightly lower commission expense incurred.

CapSpecialty.The increases in commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 from the corresponding 2017 periods primarily reflect the impact of higher net premiums earned and relatively stable overhead expenses. The increases also reflectone-time acquisition expenses arising from CapSpecialty’s February 20, 2018 purchase of certain renewal rights associated with a small environmental block of business.

Insurance Segment: Underwriting profit.The following table presents underwriting profit (loss) for the insurance segment:

  Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended  
  September 30, Percent September 30, Percent
  2018 2017 Change 2018 2017 Change
      ($ in millions)    

RSUI

      

Underwriting profit (loss)

   $    30.8    $(176.7  (117.4%)    $    86.6    $(97.7  (188.6%) 

Combined ratio

  83.8  198.7   84.5  118.1 

CapSpecialty

      

Underwriting profit

   $    1.6    $0.7   128.6   $    4.9    $3.2   53.1

Combined ratio

  97.7  99.0   97.7      98.4 

PacificComp

      

Underwriting profit

   $-        $0.5   (100.0%)    $-        $-       -     

Combined ratio

  -      98.8   -      100.0 

Total

      

Underwriting profit (loss)

   $    32.4    $  (175.5  (118.5%)    $    91.5    $(94.5  (196.8%) 

Combined ratio

  87.7  161.3   88.0  111.1 

RSUI.The underwriting profit in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018, compared with the underwriting loss in the corresponding 2017 periods, primarily reflects significantly lower catastrophe losses and, to a lesser extent, increases in favorable prior accident year loss reserve development, all as discussed above.

CapSpecialty.The increase in underwriting profit in the third quarter of 2018 from the third quarter of 2017 primarily reflects the impact of higher net premiums earned, partially offset by a decrease in favorable prior accident year loss reserve development, all as discussed above. The increase in underwriting profit in the first nine months of 2018 from the first nine months of 2017 primarily reflects an increase in favorable prior accident year loss reserve development and the impact of higher net premiums earned, all as discussed above.

Investment Results for the Reinsurance and Insurance Segments

The following table presents the investment results for our reinsurance and insurance segments:

  Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended  
  September 30, Percent September 30, Percent
  2018 2017 Change 2018 2017 Change
  ($ in millions)

Net investment income

   $    122.5      $    101.4   20.8   $    362.0    $    311.7    16.1

Change in the fair value of equity securities

  373.9   -      -     506.7   -       -   

Net realized capital gains

  16.2   21.5   (24.7%)   66.8   90.8    (26.4%) 

Other than temporary impairment losses

  -       (6.1  (100.0%)   (0.5  (13.1)   (96.2%) 

Net investment income.The increases in net investment income in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 from the corresponding 2017 periods primarily reflect increases in partnership income, increases in dividend income resulting from an increase in the size of the equity securities portfolio and, to a lesser extent, higher interest income. The increase in interest income primarily reflects higher yields onshort-term investments and floating-rate debt securities, partially offset by the impact of the sale of PacificComp.

Partnership income in the first nine months of 2018 includes a $12.9 million increase in the carrying value of AIHL’s limited partnership interests in certain subsidiaries of Ares as of March 15, 2018. See Note 3(h) to Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements” of this Form 10-Q for additional information.

Partnership income in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 includes losses incurred on our equity interests in Pillar Holdings and related funds arising from significant catastrophe losses incurred in August and September 2017. Partnership income in the first nine months of 2017 also includes a $12.6 million charge on our equity investment in Ares, reflecting our share of aone-time payment recorded by Ares related to an acquisition by its affiliated entity. In connection with this acquisition, Ares agreed to make certain transaction support payments to the sellers of the acquired entity.

Change in the fair value of equity securities.In the first quarter of 2018, we adopted new investment accounting guidance which required changes in the fair value of equity securities, except those accounted for under the equity method, to be recognized in net earnings. In earlier periods, equity securities were considered to be AFS and were included in the analysis of OTTI. See Note 1(c) to Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements” of this Form 10-Q for additional information regarding our adoption of this new guidance.

The changes in the fair value of equity securities in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 reflect appreciation in the value of our equity securities portfolio, primarily from our holdings in the technology and industrial sectors. To a lesser extent, the changes in the fair value of equity securities in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 also reflect appreciation in the value of our equity holdings in the healthcare and consumer discretionary sectors, respectively.

Net realized capital gains.The decreases in net realized capital gains in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 from the corresponding 2017 periods primarily reflect a lack of net realized capital gains from equity securities in the 2018 periods as a result of our adoption of the new investment accounting guidance discussed above. The decrease for the first nine months of 2018 was partially offset by a $45.7 million gain on AIHL’s conversion of its limited partnership interests in certain subsidiaries of Ares into Ares common units. See Note 3(h) to Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements” of this Form 10-Q for additional information on AIHL’s conversion.

Other than temporary impairment losses.OTTI losses in the first nine months of 2018 reflect $0.5 million of unrealized losses on debt securities that were deemed to be other than temporary and, as such, were required to be charged against earnings.

OTTI losses in the first nine months of 2017 reflect $13.1 million of unrealized losses that were deemed to be other than temporary and, as such, were required to be charged against earnings. Of the $13.1 million of OTTI losses, $11.8 million related to equity securities, primarily in the retail sector, and $1.3 million related to debt securities. The determination that unrealized losses on the securities were other than temporary was primarily due to the duration of the decline in the fair value of equity and debt securities relative to their costs. Of the $13.1 million of OTTI losses, $6.1 million was incurred in the third quarter of 2017.

Upon the ultimate disposition of the securities for which OTTI losses have been recorded, a portion of the loss may be recoverable depending on market conditions at the time of disposition. After adjusting the cost basis of securities for the recognition of OTTI losses, the remaining gross unrealized investment losses for debt and equity securities as of September 30, 2018 were deemed to be temporary, based on, among other factors: (i) the duration of time and the relative magnitude to which the fair values of these securities had been below cost were not indicative of an OTTI loss; (ii) the absence of compelling evidence that would cause us to call into question the financial condition or near-term business prospects of the issuers of the securities; and (iii) our ability and intent to hold the securities for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery.

See Note 3 to Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements” of this Form 10-Q for additional detail on gross unrealized investment losses for debt securities as of September 30, 2018.

Alleghany Capital Segment Results

The Alleghany Capital segment consists of: (i) industrial operations conducted through Bourn & Koch, Kentucky Trailer, W&W|AFCO Steel beginning April 28, 2017 (the date on which Alleghany Capital acquired approximately 80 percent of the equity thereof), and a 45 percent equity interest in Wilbert Funeral Services, Inc., or “Wilbert,” beginning August 1, 2017 (the date on which Alleghany Capital acquired its equity interest therein); (ii) non-industrial operations conducted through IPS and Jazwares; and (iii) corporate operations at the Alleghany Capital level.

On February 7, 2018, W&W|AFCO Steel acquired the outstanding equity of Hirschfeld, a fabricator of steel bridges and structural steel for stadiums, airports and other large commercial and industrial projects. Wilbert is accounted for under the equity method of accounting and is included in other invested assets.

The results of the Alleghany Capital segment for the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 and 2017 are presented below.

   Three Months Ended September 30,
   2018 2017
     Industrial   Non-
  industrial  
   Corp. &  
other
 Total   Industrial   Non-
  industrial  
   Corp. &  
other
 Total
   ($ in millions)

Noninsurance revenue(1)

   $  224.2   $  183.7   $(0.4  $  407.5   $  137.9   $  150.9   $0.5   $  289.3 

Net investment income

   0.7   -      -      0.7   0.8   0.1   0.7   1.6 

Net realized capital gains

   0.1   (0.1  -      -      0.5   0.2   -      0.7 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

   $225.0   $183.6   $(0.4  $408.2   $139.2   $151.2   $1.2   $291.6 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other operating expenses(1)

   217.1   161.7        3.7   382.5   130.8   128.7   0.5   260.0 

Amortization of intangible assets

   2.4   3.4   -      5.8   1.9   4.1   -      6.0 

Interest expenses

   2.0   0.6   -      2.6   0.8   0.4   -      1.2 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (losses) before income taxes

   $3.5   $17.9   $(4.1  $17.3   $5.7   $18.0   $       0.7   $24.4 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating earnings (losses) before income taxes(2)

   $5.8   $21.4   $(4.1  $23.1   $7.1   $21.9   $0.7   $29.7 

Add: net realized capital gains

   0.1   (0.1  -      -      0.5   0.2   -      0.7 

Less: amortization of intangible assets

   (2.4  (3.4  -      (5.8  (1.9  (4.1  -      (6.0
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (losses) before income taxes

   $3.5   $17.9   $(4.1  $17.3   $5.7   $18.0   $0.7   $24.4 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Nine Months Ended September 30,
   2018 2017
   Industrial Non-
industrial
 Corp. &
other
 Total Industrial Non-
industrial
 Corp. &
other
 Total
   ($ in millions)

Noninsurance revenue(1)

   $591.6   $387.9   $(0.3  $979.2   $254.2   $372.1   $0.5   $626.8 

Net investment income

   3.6   0.1   -      3.7   0.8   0.2   1.1   2.1 

Net realized capital gains

   0.7   (0.1  -      0.6   0.6   0.3   -      0.9 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

   $595.9   $387.9   $(0.3  $983.5   $255.6   $372.6   $1.6   $629.8 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other operating expenses(1)

   570.2   358.1   8.7   937.0   241.2   338.2   11.6   591.0 

Amortization of intangible assets

   6.7   10.3   -      17.0   2.9   12.5   -      15.4 

Interest expenses

   4.5   1.6   -      6.1   1.9   1.0   0.1   3.0 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (losses) before income taxes

   $14.5   $17.9   $(9.0  $23.4   $9.6   $20.9   $(10.1  $20.4 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating earnings (losses) before income taxes(2)

   $20.5   $28.3   $(9.0  $39.8   $11.9   $33.1   $(10.1  $34.9 

Add: net realized capital gains

   0.7   (0.1  -      0.6   0.6   0.3   -      0.9 

Less: amortization of intangible assets

   (6.7  (10.3  -      (17.0  (2.9  (12.5  -      (15.4
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (losses) before income taxes

   $14.5   $17.9   $(9.0  $23.4   $9.6   $20.9   $(10.1  $20.4 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

For industrial and non-industrial operations: (i) noninsurance revenue consists of the sale of manufactured goods and services; and (ii) other operating expenses consist of the cost of goods and services sold and selling, general and administrative expenses. Other operating expenses also includes finders’ fees, legal and accounting costs and othertransaction-related expenses of $0.3 million and $0.8 million for the third quarter of 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $3.2 million and $6.8 million for the first nine months of 2018 and 2017, respectively.

(2)

Operating earnings before income taxes is a non-GAAP financial measure and does not replace earnings before income taxes determined in accordance with GAAP as a measure of profitability. See “Comment on Non-GAAP Financial Measures” herein for additional detail on the presentation of our results of operations. Operating earnings before income taxes represent noninsurance revenue less all operating expenses and does not include: (i) amortization of intangible assets; (ii) change in the fair value of equity securities; (iii) net realized capital gains; (iv) OTTI impairment losses; and (v) income taxes.

The changes in Alleghany Capital’s equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 are presented below.

  Three Months Ended September 30,
  2018 2017
  Industrial Non-
industrial
 Corp. &
other
 Total Industrial Non-
industrial
 Corp. &
other
 Total
  ($ in millions)

Equity, beginning of period

  $439.2   $312.1   $25.9   $777.2   $284.0   $323.5   $(5.2  $602.3 

Earnings (losses) before income taxes

  3.5   17.9   (4.1  17.3   5.7   18.0   0.7   24.4 

Income taxes(1)

  (0.2  (0.7  (2.2  (3.1  (0.6  (0.1  (5.2  (5.9

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests(2)

  (0.5  (4.1  -      (4.6  (0.7  (3.5  -      (4.2

Capital contributions (returns of capital) and other(3)

  5.9   (4.1  67.2   69.0   70.5   (3.7     0.7   67.5 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity, end of period

  $447.9   $321.1   $  86.8   $855.8   $358.9   $334.2   $(9.0  $684.1 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Nine Months Ended September 30,
  2018 2017
  Industrial Non-
industrial
 Corp. &
other
 Total Industrial Non-
industrial
 Corp. &
other
 Total
  ($ in millions)

Equity, beginning of period

  $363.6   $331.3   $11.2   $706.1   $122.7   $330.7   $(12.1  $441.3 

Earnings (losses) before income taxes

  14.5   17.9   (9.0  23.4   9.6   20.9   (10.1  20.4 

Income taxes(1)

  (0.8  (1.4  (2.4  (4.6  (0.8  (0.1  (3.6  (4.5

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests(2)

  (1.8  (5.7  -      (7.5  (1.3  (3.9  -      (5.2

Capital contributions (returns of capital) and other(3)

  72.4   (21.0  87.0   138.4   228.7   (13.4  16.8   232.1 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity, end of period

  $447.9   $321.1   $86.8   $855.8   $358.9   $334.2   $(9.0  $684.1 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Federal income taxes for most Alleghany Capital subsidiaries are incurred at the Alleghany Capital corporate level. Estimated federal income tax (expense) benefit incurred at the Alleghany Capital corporate level attributable to industrial andnon-industrial operations for the third quarter of 2018 were ($0.7) million and ($3.8) million, respectively, for the third quarter of 2017 were ($1.9) million and ($6.3) million, respectively, for the first nine months of 2018 were ($2.8) million and ($3.8) million, respectively, and for the first nine months of 2017 were ($3.3) million and ($7.3) million, respectively.

(2)

During the first nine months of 2018, the noncontrolling interests outstanding were approximately as follows: Bourn & Koch - 11 percent; Kentucky Trailer - 21 percent; W&W|AFCO Steel - 20 percent; IPS - 15 percent; and Jazwares - 23 percent.

(3)

For the third quarter and first nine months of 2018, primarily reflects funding provided by Alleghany to Alleghany Capital for an acquisition in October 2018 and, for the first nine months only, reflects funding provided by Alleghany Capital for the acquisition of Hirschfeld by W&W|AFCO Steel. For the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, primarily reflects funding provided by Alleghany Capital for the investment in Wilbert in August 2017 and, for the nine month period only, the acquisition of W&W|AFCO Steel.

Noninsurance revenue.The increases in noninsurance revenue in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 from the corresponding 2017 periods primarily reflect increases in industrial operations, due primarily to the acquisition of Hirschfeld and, for the first nine months of 2018, the acquisition of W&W|AFCO Steel. To a lesser extent, the increases in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 also reflect higher sales at Kentucky Trailer. With respect tonon-industrial operations, the increase in noninsurance revenue in the third quarter of 2018 from the third quarter of 2017 primarily reflects higher sales at IPS and the increase in noninsurance revenue in the first nine months of 2018 from the first nine months of 2017 primarily reflects higher sales at Jazwares.

Net investment income.The increases in net investment income in the first nine months of 2018 from the first nine months of 2017 primarily reflect Alleghany Capital’s earnings from its investment in Wilbert.

Net realized capital gains.Net realized capital gains in first nine months of 2018 and 2017 primarily reflect gains from the sale of certain investments and equipment, as well as certain foreign currency exchange rate impacts.

Other operating expenses.The increases in other operating expenses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 from the corresponding 2017 periods primarily reflect significant increases in industrial operations, due primarily to the acquisition of Hirschfeld and, for the first nine months of 2018, the acquisition of W&W|AFCO Steel. To a lesser extent, the increase in other operating expenses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 also reflects higher costs related to higher sales and facility consolidation activities at Kentucky Trailer, as well as higher costs fornon-industrial operations. The increase innon-industrial operations’ other operating expenses in the third quarter of 2018 primarily reflects higher costs at IPS related to higher sales. The increase innon-industrial operations’ other operating expenses in the first nine months of 2018 primarily reflects higher costs at Jazwares related to higher sales, increased marketing expenditures and the impact of certain Toys “R” Us Inc. liquidation-related charges. The increase in other operating expenses in the third quarter of 2018 also reflects an increase in long-term incentive compensation expense accruals at Alleghany Capital.

Other operating expenses in the first nine months of 2018 and 2017 also reflect significant finders’ fees, legal and accounting costs and other transaction-related expenses, primarily related to W&W|AFCO Steel’s acquisition of Hirschfeld and Alleghany Capital’s acquisition of W&W|AFCO Steel.

Amortization of intangible assets.The increase in amortization expense in the first nine months of 2018 from the first nine months of 2017 primarily reflects the acquisition of Hirschfeld and, for the first nine months of 2018, the acquisition of W&W|AFCO Steel.

Interest expense.The increases in interest expense in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 from the corresponding 2017 periods primarily reflect borrowings at W&W|AFCO Steel and Hirschfeld.

Earnings (losses) before income taxes.The decrease in earnings before income taxes in the third quarter of 2018 from the third quarter of 2017 primarily reflects a loss for corporate & other compared with earnings in the third quarter of 2017 and, to a lesser extent, a decrease in the industrial operations’ earnings before income taxes. The loss for corporate & other primarily reflects an increase in long-term incentive compensation expense accruals at Alleghany Capital. The decrease in the industrial operations’ earnings before income taxes primarily reflects higher interest expense and amortization expenses at W&W|AFCO Steel and expenses related to facility consolidation activities at Kentucky Trailer, all as discussed above, as well as the timing of certain large projects at W&W|AFCO Steel.

The increase in earnings before income taxes in the first nine months of 2018 from the first nine months of 2017 primarily reflects increased earnings in the industrial operations, partially offset by lower earnings in thenon-industrial operations. The increase in the industrial operations’ earnings before income taxes primarily reflects Alleghany Capital’s earnings from its investment in Wilbert, as well as the impact of increased sales at Kentucky Trailer, all as discussed above. The increase in earnings before income taxes from the acquisitions of W&W|AFCO Steel and Hirschfeld was offset by an increase in amortization expense. The decrease innon-industrial operating earnings before income taxes in the first nine months of 2018 primarily reflects higher expenses at Jazwares, as discussed above.

Corporate Activities Results

The primary components of corporate activities are Alleghany Properties, SORC and activities at the Alleghany parent company. The following table presents the results for corporate activities:

   

Three Months Ended

September 30,

   

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
   2018   2017   2018   2017 
   ($ in millions) 

Net premiums earned

   $          -        $          -        $          -        $          -      

Net investment income

   4.1      1.7      12.0      8.1   

Change in the fair value of equity securities

   (3.7)     -         6.1      -      

Net realized capital gains

   -         10.7      (0.2)     10.1   

Other than temporary impairment losses

   -         -         -         -      

Noninsurance revenue

   24.6      2.3      36.8      13.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

   25.0      14.7      54.7      31.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss and loss adjustment expenses

   -         -         -         -      

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

   -         -         -         -      

Other operating expenses

   9.2      9.6      25.9      29.8   

Corporate administration

   17.8      (3.2)     39.2      26.4   

Amortization of intangible assets

   -         -        -         -      

Interest expense

   12.9      13.0      39.4      39.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings (losses) before income taxes

   $(14.9)     $(4.7)     $(49.8)     $(64.4)  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income.The increases in net investment income in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 from the corresponding 2017 periods primarily reflect higher dividend income resulting from an increase in the size of the equity security portfolio held at the Alleghany parentcompany-level.

Change in the fair value of equity securities.In the first quarter of 2018, we adopted new investment accounting guidance which required changes in the fair value of equity securities, except those accounted for under the equity method, to be recognized in net earnings. See Note 1(c) to Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements” of this Form 10-Q for additional information regarding our adoption of this new guidance.

The changes in the fair value of equity securities in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 reflect depreciation and appreciation, respectively, in the value of the equity securities held at the Alleghany parent company-level, primarily from holdings in the energy sector.

Net realized capital gains.The net realized capital gains in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 primarily reflect gains on the sale of certain exchange-traded funds.

Noninsurance revenue.The increases in noninsurance revenue in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 from the corresponding 2017 periods primarily reflect increases in property sales at Alleghany Properties and, to a lesser extent, increases in oil sales at SORC. Noninsurance revenue includes the sale in September 2018 of 68 acres of land located in Sacramento, California for approximately $20 million.

Other operating expenses.The decreases in other operating expenses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 from the corresponding 2017 periods primarily reflect the impact of the sale of a SORC legacy oil field in December 2017.

Corporate administration.The corporate administration expense in the third quarter of 2018, compared with negative corporate administration expense in the third quarter of 2017, and the increase in corporate administration expense in the first nine months of 2018 from the first nine months of 2017, primarily reflect increases in Alleghany’s long-term incentive compensation accruals. Such increases in accruals primarily reflect the impact of significantly lower catastrophe losses and increases in the price per share of our common stock during the 2018 periods, partially offset by the impact of declines in unrealized appreciation on our debt securities portfolio in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018.

Earnings (Losses) before income taxes.The increase in losses before income taxes in the third quarter of 2018 from the third quarter of 2017 primarily reflects the corporate administration expense in the third quarter of 2018, compared with negative corporate administration expense in the third quarter of 2017 and, to a lesser extent, gains on the sale of certain exchange-traded funds in the third quarter of 2017, partially offset by an increase in sales at Alleghany Properties, all as discussed above. The decrease in losses before income taxes in the first nine months of 2018 from the first nine months of 2017 primarily reflects an increase in sales at Alleghany Properties, partially offset by an increase in corporate administration expense, all as discussed above.

Reserve Review Process

Our reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries analyze, at least quarterly, liabilities for unpaid loss and LAE established in prior years and adjust their expected ultimate cost, where necessary, to reflect favorable or unfavorable development in loss experience and new information, including, for certain catastrophe events, revised industry estimates of the magnitude of a catastrophe. Adjustments to previously recorded liabilities for unpaid loss and LAE, both favorable and unfavorable, are reflected in our financial results in the periods in which these adjustments are made and are referred to as prior accident year loss reserve development. The following table presents the reserves established in connection with the loss and LAE of our reinsurance and insurance segments on a gross and net basis by line of business. These reserve amounts represent the accumulation of estimates of ultimate loss (including for losses that have been incurred but not reported and LAE.

  As of September 30, 2018 As of December 31, 2017
  Gross Loss
and LAE
Reserves
 Reinsurance
Recoverables
on Unpaid
Losses
 Net Loss and
LAE
Reserves
 Gross Loss
and LAE
Reserves
 Reinsurance
Recoverables
on Unpaid
Losses
 Net Loss and
LAE
Reserves
  ($ in millions)

Reinsurance Segment

      

Property

   $1,832.7    $(598.9   $1,233.8    $1,758.0    $(493.7   $1,264.3 

Casualty & other(1)

  7,309.4   (247.9  7,061.5   7,370.0   (251.0  7,119.0 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  9,142.1   (846.8  8,295.3   9,128.0   (744.7  8,383.3 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance Segment

      

Property

  448.5   (173.0  275.5   545.9   (225.9  320.0 

Casualty(2)

  2,154.5   (691.5  1,463.0   2,078.6   (671.8  1,406.8 

Workers’ Compensation

  3.1   -      3.1   1.5   -      1.5 

All other(3)

  173.6   (72.4  101.2   185.1   (75.5  109.6 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  2,779.7   (936.9  1,842.8   2,811.1   (973.2  1,837.9 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eliminations

  (66.9  66.9   -      (67.8  67.8   -    
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        Total

   $  11,854.9    $  (1,716.8   $  10,138.1    $  11,871.3    $  (1,650.1   $  10,221.2 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Primarily consists of the following reinsurance lines of business: directors’ and officers’ liability; errors and omissions liability; general liability; medical malpractice; ocean marine and aviation; auto liability; accident and health; surety;asbestos-related illness and environmental impairment liability; and credit.

(2)

Primarily consists of the following direct lines of business: umbrella/excess; directors’ and officers’ liability; professional liability; and general liability.

(3)

Primarily consists of commercialmulti-peril and surety lines of business, as well as loss and LAE reserves for terminated lines of business and loss reserves acquired in connection with prior acquisitions for which the sellers provided loss reserve guarantees.

Changes in Gross and Net Loss and LAE Reserves between September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. Gross and net loss and LAE reserves as of September 30, 2018 decreased from December 31, 2017, primarily reflecting payments on catastrophe losses incurred in 2017 and favorable prior accident year loss reserve development, partially offset by catastrophe losses in September 2018. Such 2018 catastrophe losses, net of reinsurance, include $87.7 million related to Typhoon Jebi, $80.2 million related to Hurricane Florence and $38.5 million related to Typhoon Trami.

Reinsurance Recoverables

Our reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries reinsure portions of the risks they underwrite in order to reduce the effect of individual or aggregate exposure to losses, manage capacity, protect capital resources, reduce volatility in specific lines of business, improve risk-adjusted portfolio returns and enable them to increase gross premium writings and risk capacity without requiring additional capital. Our reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries purchase reinsurance and retrocessional coverages from highly-ratedthird-party reinsurers. If the assuming reinsurers are unable or unwilling to meet the obligations assumed under the applicable reinsurance agreements, our reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries would remain liable for such reinsurance portion not paid by these reinsurers. As such, funds, trust agreements and letters of credit are held to collateralize a portion of our reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries’ reinsurance recoverables, and our reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries reinsure portions of the risks they underwrite or assume with multiple reinsurance programs.

As of September 30, 2018, our reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries had total reinsurance recoverables of $1,768.8 million, consisting of $1,716.8 million of ceded outstanding loss and LAE and $52.0 million of recoverables on paid losses. See Part I, Item 1, “Business — Reinsurance Protection” of the 2017 Form10-K for additional information on the reinsurance purchased by our reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries.

The following table presents information regarding concentration of our reinsurance recoverables and the ratings profile of our reinsurers as of September 30, 2018:

Reinsurer(1)

 

                Rating(2)                

  Amount     Percentage   
     ($ in millions)     

Syndicates at Lloyd’s of London

 A (Excellent)       $126.7      7.2%   

PartnerRe Ltd

 A (Excellent)      112.2      6.3%   

Swiss Reinsurance Company

 A+ (Superior)      107.7      6.1%   

Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd

 A (Excellent)      96.0      5.4%   

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd

 A+ (Superior)      89.9      5.1%   

W.R. Berkley Corporation

 A+ (Superior)      87.7      5.0%   

Chubb Corporation

 A++ (Superior)      79.6      4.5%   

Kane SAC Ltd, Rondout Segregated Account(3)

 not rated      75.5      4.3%   

Liberty Mutual

 A (Excellent)      67.7      3.8%   

Kane SAC Ltd, Bowery Segregated Account(3)

 not rated      52.1      2.9%   

All other reinsurers

    873.7      49.4%   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total reinsurance recoverables(4)

     $    1,768.8      100.0%   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Secured reinsurance recoverables(3)

     $    613.3      34.7%   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(1)

Reinsurance recoverables reflect amounts due from one or more reinsurance subsidiaries of the listed company.

(2)

Represents the A.M. Best Company, Inc. financial strength rating for the applicable reinsurance subsidiary or subsidiaries from which the reinsurance recoverable is due.

(3)

Represents reinsurance recoverables secured by funds held, trust agreements or letters of credit.

(4)

Approximately 73 percent of our reinsurance recoverables balance as of September 30, 2018 was due from reinsurers having an A.M. Best Company, Inc. financial strength rating of A (Excellent) or higher.

We had no allowance for uncollectible reinsurance as of September 30, 2018.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that directly affect our reported financial condition and operating performance. More specifically, these estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We rely on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances to make judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ materially from reported results to the extent that estimates and assumptions prove to be inaccurate.

We believe our most critical accounting estimates are those with respect to the liability for unpaid loss and LAE reserves, fair value measurements of certain financial assets, OTTI losses on investments, goodwill and other intangible assets and reinsurance premium revenues, as they require management’s most significant exercise of judgment on both a quantitative and qualitative basis. The accounting estimates that result require the use of assumptions about certain matters that are highly uncertain at the time of estimation. To the extent actual experience differs from the assumptions used, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows would be affected, possibly materially.

See Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Estimates” of the 2017 Form 10-K for a more complete description of our critical accounting estimates.

Financial Condition

Parent Level

General.In general, we follow a policy of maintaining a relatively liquid financial condition at our unrestricted holding companies. This policy has permitted us to expand our operations through internal growth at our subsidiaries and through acquisitions of, or substantial investments in, operating companies. As of September 30, 2018, we held total marketable securities and cash of $1,421.1 million, compared with $1,383.4 million as of December 31, 2017. The increase in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 primarily reflects the receipt of dividends from TransRe and RSUI and appreciation in the value of the equity securities held at the holding company-level, partially offset by a special dividend and repurchases of shares of our common stock, each as discussed below, as well as contributions to Alleghany Capital to fund the acquisition of Hirschfeld by its subsidiary W&W|AFCO Steel. The $1,421.1 million is comprised of $405.8 million at the Alleghany parent

company, $959.2 million at AIHL and $56.1 million at the TransRe holding company. We also hold certainnon-marketable investments at our unrestricted holding companies. We believe that we have and will have adequate internally generated funds, cash resources and unused credit facilities to provide for the currently foreseeable needs of our business, and we had no material commitments for capital expenditures as of September 30, 2018.

Stockholders’ equity attributable to Alleghany stockholders was approximately $8.6 billion as of September 30, 2018, compared with approximately $8.5 billion as of December 31, 2017. The increase in stockholders’ equity in the first nine months of 2018 primarily reflects net earnings, partially offset by a decline in unrealized appreciation on our debt securities portfolio due to an increase in interest rates in the first nine months of 2018, as well as a special dividend and repurchases of our common stock, all as discussed below. As of September 30, 2018, we had 14,918,380 shares of our common stock outstanding, compared with 15,390,500 shares of our common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2017.

Sale of Subsidiary. On September 12, 2017, AIHL signed a definitive agreement to sell PacificComp to CopperPoint Mutual Insurance Company for total cash consideration of approximately $158 million. The transaction closed on December 31, 2017, at which time: (i) approximately $442 million of PacificComp assets, consisting primarily of debt securities, and approximately $316 million of PacificComp liabilities, consisting primarily of loss and LAE reserves, were transferred; and (ii) AIHL recorded an after-tax gain of approximately $16 million, which included a tax benefit. In connection with the transaction, AIHL Re will continue to provide adverse development reinsurance coverage on PacificComp’spre-acquisition claims, subject to certain terms and conditions. AIHL Re’s obligations, which are guaranteed by Alleghany, are subject to: (i) an aggregate limit of $150.0 million; and (ii) a final commutation and settlement as of December 31, 2024.

Debt.On September 9, 2014, we completed a public offering of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 4.90% senior notes due on September 15, 2044. On June 26, 2012, we completed a public offering of $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 4.95% senior notes due on June 27, 2022. On September 20, 2010, we completed a public offering of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 5.625% senior notes due on September 15, 2020. See Note 8 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of the 2017 Form 10-K for additional information on the senior notes.

Credit Agreement.On July 31, 2017, we entered into a five-year credit agreement, or the “Credit Agreement,” with certain lenders party thereto, which provides for an unsecured revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $300.0 million. The credit facility is scheduled to expire on July 31, 2022, unless earlier terminated. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement will be available for working capital and general corporate purposes, including permitted acquisitions and repurchases of Common Stock. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear a floating rate of interest based in part on our credit rating, among other factors. The Credit Agreement contains representations, warranties and covenants customary for bank loan facilities of this nature.

There were no borrowings under the Credit Agreement from inception through September 30, 2018.

The Credit Agreement replaced our previous four-year credit agreement, or the “Prior Credit Agreement,” which provided for an unsecured revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $200.0 million. The Prior Credit Agreement was terminated on July 31, 2017 in advance of its scheduled October 15, 2017 expiration date. There were no borrowings under the Prior Credit Agreement in the seven months ended July 31, 2017.

Common Stock Repurchases.In November 2015, the Alleghany Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of shares of our common stock at such times and at prices as management determines to be advisable, up to an aggregate of $400.0 million, or the “2015 Repurchase Program.” In June 2018, the Alleghany Board of Directors authorized, upon the completion of the 2015 Repurchase Program, the repurchase of additional shares of our common stock, at such times and at prices as management determines to be advisable, up to an aggregate of $400.0 million. As of September 30, 2018, we had $481.1 million remaining under both share repurchase authorization programs.

The following table presents the shares of our common stock that we repurchased in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 pursuant to the 2015 Repurchase Program:

   Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   

2018

  

2017

  

2018

  

2017

Shares repurchased

  76,299    15,916    479,922    15,916  

Cost of shares repurchased (in millions)

    $        46.0      $        8.5      $      282.1      $          8.5  

Average price per share repurchased

    $    602.24      $  537.14      $    587.70      $    537.14  

Special Dividend.In February 2018, the Alleghany Board of Directors declared a special dividend of $10.00 per share for stockholders of record on March 5, 2018. On March 15, 2018, we paid dividends to stockholders totaling $154.0 million.

Investments in Certain Other Invested Assets.In December 2012, TransRe obtained an ownership interest in Pillar Holdings, aBermuda-based insurance asset manager focused on collateralized reinsurance and catastropheinsurance-linked securities. Additionally,

TransRe invested $175.0 million and AIHL invested $25.0 million in limited partnership funds managed by Pillar Holdings, or the “Funds.” The objective of the Funds is to create portfolios with attractive risk- reward characteristics and low correlation with other asset classes, using the extensive reinsurance and capital market experience of the principals of Pillar Holdings. We have concluded that both Pillar Holdings and the Funds, or collectively, the “Pillar Investments,” represent variable interest entities and that we are not the primary beneficiary, as we do not have the ability to direct the activities that most significantly impact each entity’s economic performance. Therefore, the Pillar Investments are not consolidated and are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Our potential maximum loss in the Pillar Investments is limited to our cumulative net investment. As of September 30, 2018, our carrying value in the Pillar Investments, as determined under the equity method of accounting, was $201.3$203.6 million, which is net of returns of capital received from the Pillar Investments.

In July 2013, AIHL invested $250.0 million in Ares, an asset manager, in exchange for a 6.25 percent equity stake in Ares, with an agreement to engage Ares to manage up to $1.0 billion in certain investment strategies. In May 2014, Ares completed an initial public offering of its common units. Upon completion of the initial public offering, Alleghany’s equity investment in Ares converted into limited partnership interests in certain Ares subsidiaries that were convertible into Ares common units. On March 15, 2018, most of AIHL’s limited partnership interests were converted into Ares common units. As a result of the conversion and with respect to the limited partnership interests that were converted into Ares common units, AIHL: (i) reclassified its converted interests from other invested assets to equity securities; (ii) increased its carrying value to $208.2 million to reflect the fair value of Ares common units; and (iii) recorded the $45.7 million increase in carrying value as a realized capital gain as of March 15, 2018. As a result of the conversion and with respect to the unconverted limited partnership interests, AIHL: (i) changed its accounting method from the equity method to fair value; (ii) increased its carrying value to $58.7 million to reflect the fair value of Ares limited partnership interests; and (iii) recorded the $12.9 million increase in carrying value as a component of net investment income as of March 15, 2018. On September 24, 2018, AIHL’s remaining Ares limited partnership interests were converted into Ares common units and, as a result, AIHL reclassified the remaining $56.9 million of its converted interests from other invested assets to equity securities. In the second quarter of 2019, AIHL sold all of its remaining holdings of Ares common units.

(i) Investments in Commercial Mortgage Loans.Loans

As of September 30, 2018,2019, the carrying value of ourAlleghany’s commercial mortgage loan portfolio was $695.9$706.0 million, representing the unpaid principal balance on the loans. As of September 30, 2018,2019, there was no0 allowance for loan losses. The commercial mortgage loan portfolio consists primarily of first mortgages on commercial properties in major metropolitan areas in the U.S. The loans earn interest at fixed- and floating-rates, mature in two to ten years from loan origination and the principal amounts of the loans were no more than approximately two-thirds of the property’s appraised value at the time the loans were made.

Energy Holdings.17


4. Reinsurance Ceded

Alleghany’s reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries reinsure portions of the risks they underwrite in order to reduce the effect of individual or aggregate exposure to losses, manage capacity, protect capital resources, reduce volatility in specific lines of business, improve risk-adjusted portfolio returns and enable them to increase gross premium writings and risk capacity without requiring additional capital. Alleghany’s reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries purchase reinsurance and retrocessional coverages from highly- rated third-party reinsurers. If the assuming reinsurers are unable or unwilling to meet the obligations assumed under the applicable reinsurance agreements, Alleghany’s reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries would remain liable for such reinsurance portion not paid by these reinsurers. As such, funds, trust agreements and letters of credit are held to collateralize a portion of Alleghany’s reinsurance recoverables and Alleghany’s reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries reinsure portions of the risks they underwrite or assume with multiple reinsurance programs.

TransRe enters into retrocession arrangements, including property catastrophe retrocession arrangements, in order to reduce the effect of individual or aggregate exposure to losses, reduce volatility in specific lines of business, improve risk-adjusted portfolio returns and increase gross premium writings and risk capacity without requiring additional capital.

RSUI reinsures its property lines of business through a program consisting of surplus share treaties, facultative placements, and per risk and catastrophe excess of loss treaties. RSUI’s catastrophe reinsurance program and property per risk reinsurance program each run on an annual basis from May 1 to the following April 30 and portions expired on April 30, 2019. Both programs were renewed on May 1, 2019 with substantially similar terms as the expired programs.

5. Liability for Loss and LAE

(a) Liability Rollforward

The following table presents the activity in the liability for loss and LAE for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018:

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Reserves as of January 1

 

$

12,250.3

 

 

$

11,871.3

 

Less: reinsurance recoverables(1)

 

 

1,857.4

 

 

 

1,650.1

 

Net reserves as of January 1

 

 

10,392.9

 

 

 

10,221.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other adjustments

 

 

(3.2

)

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incurred loss and LAE, net of reinsurance, related to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year

 

 

2,649.9

 

 

 

2,579.3

 

Prior years

 

 

(152.9

)

 

 

(212.8

)

Total incurred loss and LAE, net of reinsurance

 

 

2,497.0

 

 

 

2,366.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paid loss and LAE, net of reinsurance, related to:(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year

 

 

484.4

 

 

 

444.9

 

Prior years

 

 

2,238.9

 

 

 

1,928.9

 

Total paid loss and LAE, net of reinsurance

 

 

2,723.3

 

 

 

2,373.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency exchange rate effect

 

 

(39.1

)

 

 

(77.0

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net reserves as of September 30

 

 

10,124.3

 

 

 

10,138.1

 

Reinsurance recoverables as of September 30(1)

 

 

1,509.7

 

 

 

1,716.8

 

Reserves as of September 30

 

$

11,634.0

 

 

$

11,854.9

 

(1)

Reinsurance recoverables in this table include only ceded loss and LAE reserves.

(2)

Includes paid losses, net of reinsurance, related to commutations.

18


Gross loss and LAE reserves as of September 30, 2019 decreased from December 31, 2018, primarily reflecting payments on catastrophe losses incurred in 2017 and 2018 and favorable prior accident year loss reserve development,partially offset by the impact of growing net premiums earned and catastrophe losses incurred in the first nine months of 2019.  Such 2019 catastrophe losses, net of reinsurance, include $47.8 million related to Typhoon Faxai and $19.2 million related to Hurricane Dorian, both of which occurred in the third quarter of 2019.

On October 12, 2019, Typhoon Hagibis made landfall in Japan, causing widespread property damage and flooding and affected regions including those impacted by Typhoon Faxai. Alleghany is in the process of analyzing claims data and other information to estimate its ultimate losses and reinsurance recoverables from this event. However, given the recent occurrence of Typhoon Hagibis, Alleghany cannot determine a reliable net loss estimate at this time. The impact of this event will be reflected in Alleghany’s fourth quarter 2019 results.

(b) Liability Development

The following table presents the (favorable) unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018:

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

2018

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

2018

 

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

 

Reinsurance Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Catastrophe events

 

$

(12.5

)

(1)

 

$

9.6

 

(2)

 

$

(14.0

)

(3)

 

$

(15.6

)

(4)

Non-catastrophe

 

 

(10.8

)

(5)

 

 

(12.4

)

(6)

 

 

(36.2

)

(5)

 

 

(42.2

)

(6)

Total

 

 

(23.3

)

 

 

 

(2.8

)

 

 

 

(50.2

)

 

 

 

(57.8

)

 

Casualty & other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Malpractice Treaties(7)

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

(1.4

)

 

 

 

(3.4

)

 

Other

 

 

(36.3

)

(8)

 

 

(38.7

)

(9)

 

 

(89.2

)

(8)

 

 

(102.5

)

(10)

Total

 

 

(36.3

)

 

 

 

(38.7

)

 

 

 

(90.6

)

 

 

 

(105.9

)

 

Total Reinsurance Segment

 

 

(59.6

)

 

 

 

(41.5

)

 

 

 

(140.8

)

 

 

 

(163.7

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RSUI:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Casualty

 

 

(0.2

)

(11)

 

 

(4.3

)

(12)

 

 

(17.9

)

(11)

 

 

(16.8

)

(12)

Property and other

 

 

(1.0

)

 

 

 

(27.7

)

(13)

 

 

0.5

 

(14)

 

 

(27.7

)

(13)

Total

 

 

(1.2

)

 

 

 

(32.0

)

 

 

 

(17.4

)

 

 

 

(44.5

)

 

CapSpecialty

 

 

1.9

 

(15)

 

 

(1.5

)

(16)

 

 

5.3

 

(17)

 

 

(4.6

)

(16)

Total incurred related to prior years

 

$

(58.9

)

 

 

$

(75.0

)

 

 

$

(152.9

)

 

 

$

(212.8

)

 

(1)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development related to wildfires in California in the 2018 accident year.

(2)

Primarily reflects unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development related to Hurricanes Maria and Irma in the 2017 accident year.

(3)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development related to wildfires in California in the 2018 accident year, partially offset by unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development related to Typhoon Jebi in the 2018 accident year.

(4)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development related to Hurricane Harvey in the 2017 accident year and catastrophes in the 2016 accident year, partially offset by unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development related to Hurricanes Maria and Irma in the 2017 accident year.

(5)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the 2018 accident year.

(6)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the 2017 accident year.

(7)

Represents certain malpractice treaties pursuant to which the increased underwriting profits created by the favorable prior accident year loss reserve development are largely retained by the cedants. As a result, the favorable prior accident year loss reserve development is largely offset by an increase in profit commission expense incurred when such favorable prior accident year loss reserve development occurs.

(8)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the longer-tailed lines of business in the 2015 and prior accident years, partially offset by unfavorable prior accident year development in the 2016 through 2018 accident years, largely from shorter-tailed lines of business.

(9)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the longer-tailed casualty lines of business in the 2007 and prior accident years, partially offset by unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the longer-tailed casualty lines of business in the 2014 through 2016 accident years.

(10)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the shorter-tailed casualty lines of business in the 2016 and 2017 accident years and in the longer-tailed casualty lines of business in the 2010 and prior accident years, partially offset by unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the longer-tailed casualty lines of business in the 2014 accident year.

(11)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the directors’ and officers’ liability and umbrella/excess lines of business in the 2011 through 2015 accident years, partially offset by unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the professional liability lines of business in recent accident years.

(12)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the umbrella/excess lines of business in the 2005 through 2012 accident years, partially offset by unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the directors’ and officers’ liability lines of business in the 2009, 2012 and 2016 accident years.

(13)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development related to Hurricane Irma in the 2017 accident year and, to a lesser extent, Hurricane Matthew in the 2016 accident year, as well as various other losses not classified as catastrophes in recent accident years.

19


(14)

Primarily reflects unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development related to the assumed property reinsurance lines of business from catastrophe losses in recent accident years, partially offset by favorable prior accident year loss reserve development related to Superstorm Sandy in the 2012 accident year and by Hurricanes Harvey and Maria in the 2017 accident year.

(15)

Primarily reflects unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the professional liability lines of business in recent accident years.

(16)

Primarily reflects favorable prior loss reserve development related to the surety lines of business in the 2016 and 2017 accident years.

(17)

Primarily reflects unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development in certain specialty lines of business written through a program administrator in connection with a terminated program in the 2009 and 2010 accident years and, to a lesser extent, unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the professional liability lines of business in recent accident years.

6. Income Taxes

The effective tax rate on earnings before income taxes for the first nine months of 2019 was 19.6 percent, compared with 18.4 percent for the first nine months of 2018. The increase in the effective tax rate in the first nine months of 2019 from the first nine months of 2018 primarily reflects lower tax-exempt interest income arising from municipal bond securities, lower dividends received-deductions and higher state income taxes.

Alleghany believes that, as of September 30, 2019, it had no material uncertain tax positions. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax expenses (benefits) are recognized in income tax expense, when applicable. There were 0 material liabilities for interest or penalties accrued as of September 30, 2019.

7. Stockholders’ Equity

(a) Common Stock Repurchases

In November 2015, the Alleghany Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of shares of common stock of Alleghany, par value $1.00 per share (“Common Stock”), at such times and at prices as management determines to be advisable, up to an aggregate of $400.0 million (the “2015 Repurchase Program”). In June 2018, the Alleghany Board of Directors authorized, upon the completion of the 2015 Repurchase Program, the repurchase of additional shares of Common Stock, at such times and at prices as management determines to be advisable, up to an aggregate of $400.0 million (the “2018 Repurchase Program”). In September 2019, the Alleghany Board of Directors authorized, upon the completion of the 2018 Repurchase Program, the repurchase of additional shares of Common Stock, at such times and at prices as management determines to be advisable, up to an aggregate of $500.0 million. In the fourth quarter of 2018, Alleghany completed the 2015 Repurchase Program and subsequent repurchases have been made pursuant to the 2018 Repurchase Program. As of September 30, 2019, Alleghany had $659.1 million remaining under its share repurchase authorizations.

The following table presents the shares of Common Stock that Alleghany repurchased in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018:

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Shares repurchased

 

 

25,398

 

 

 

76,299

 

 

 

174,211

 

 

 

479,922

 

Cost of shares repurchased (in millions)

 

$

19.3

 

 

$

46.0

 

 

$

112.4

 

 

$

282.1

 

Average price per share repurchased

 

$

759.70

 

 

$

602.24

 

 

$

645.46

 

 

$

587.70

 

(b) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following tables present a reconciliation of the changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 wein accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alleghany stockholders:

 

 

Unrealized

Appreciation of

Investments

 

 

Unrealized

Currency

Translation

Adjustment

 

 

Retirement

Plans

 

 

Total

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Balance as of January 1, 2019

 

$

(61.6

)

 

$

(124.7

)

 

$

(15.7

)

 

$

(202.0

)

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

 

 

442.2

 

 

 

(8.1

)

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

435.5

 

Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

(10.2

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(10.2

)

Total

 

 

432.0

 

 

 

(8.1

)

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

425.3

 

Balance as of September 30, 2019

 

$

370.4

 

 

$

(132.8

)

 

$

(14.3

)

 

$

223.3

 


 

 

Unrealized

Appreciation of

Investments

 

 

Unrealized

Currency

Translation

Adjustment

 

 

Retirement

Plans

 

 

Total

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Balance as of January 1, 2018

 

$

718.2

 

 

$

(84.6

)

 

$

(15.5

)

 

$

618.1

 

Cumulative effect of adoption of new accounting pronouncements(1):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reclassification of net unrealized gains on equity securities, net of tax

 

 

(735.6

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(735.6

)

Reclassification of stranded taxes

 

 

156.6

 

 

 

(18.2

)

 

 

(3.3

)

 

 

135.1

 

Total

 

 

(579.0

)

 

 

(18.2

)

 

 

(3.3

)

 

 

(600.5

)

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

 

 

(213.3

)

 

 

(6.9

)

 

 

(1.7

)

 

 

(221.9

)

Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

(16.5

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(16.5

)

Total

 

 

(229.8

)

 

 

(6.9

)

 

 

(1.7

)

 

 

(238.4

)

Balance as of September 30, 2018

 

$

(90.6

)

 

$

(109.7

)

 

$

(20.5

)

 

$

(220.8

)

(1)

See Note 1(c) of this Form 10-Q for additional information on Alleghany’s adoption of new investment accounting guidance and new guidance on certain tax effects caused by the Tax Act.

The following table presents reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income attributable to Alleghany stockholders during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018:

Accumulated Other

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

Comprehensive Income Component

 

Line in Consolidated Statement of Earnings

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Unrealized appreciation of investments:

 

Net realized capital gains(1)

 

$

(9.8

)

 

$

(16.2

)

 

$

(26.6

)

 

$

(21.5

)

 

 

Other than temporary impairment losses

 

 

3.6

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

13.6

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

Income taxes

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

3.4

 

 

 

2.8

 

 

 

4.5

 

Total reclassifications:

 

Net earnings

 

$

(4.9

)

 

$

(12.8

)

 

$

(10.2

)

 

$

(16.5

)

(1)

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, excludes a $5.8 million pre-tax loss related to the decrease in the fair value of the Put Option. See Note 3(d) for additional information. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, excludes a $45.7 million pre-tax gain from AIHL’s conversion of its limited partnership interests in certain subsidiaries of Ares into Ares common units. See Note 3(h) of this Form 10-Q for additional information.

(c) Special Dividend

In February 2018, the Alleghany Board of Directors declared a special dividend of $10.00 per share for stockholders of record on March 5, 2018. On March 15, 2018, Alleghany paid dividends to stockholders totaling $154.0 million.

8. Earnings Per Share of Common Stock

The following table presents a reconciliation of the earnings and share data used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018:

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

 

($ in millions, except share amounts)

 

Net earnings available to Alleghany stockholders

 

$

90.4

 

 

$

284.9

 

 

$

826.1

 

 

$

751.6

 

Effect of dilutive securities

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Income available to common stockholders for diluted earnings per share

 

$

90.4

 

 

$

284.9

 

 

$

826.1

 

 

$

751.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding applicable to basic earnings per share

 

 

14,422,581

 

 

 

14,937,135

 

 

 

14,447,794

 

 

 

15,168,831

 

Effect of dilutive securities

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

10,956

 

 

 

4,849

 

Adjusted weighted average common shares outstanding applicable to diluted earnings per share

 

 

14,422,581

 

 

 

14,937,135

 

 

 

14,458,750

 

 

 

15,173,680

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contingently issuable shares(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

50,556

 

 

 

61,285

 

(1)

Contingently issuable shares were potentially available in the periods presented, but were not included in the diluted earnings per share computations because the impact was anti-dilutive to the earnings per share calculation.

21


9. Commitments and Contingencies

(a) Legal Proceedings

Certain of Alleghany’s subsidiaries are parties to pending litigation and claims in connection with the ordinary course of their businesses. Each such subsidiary makes provisions for estimated losses to be incurred in such litigation and claims, including legal costs. In the opinion of management, such provisions are adequate, and management does not believe that any pending litigation will have a material adverse effect on Alleghany’s consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

(b) Leases

Alleghany and its subsidiaries lease certain facilities, land, furniture and equipment under long-term, non-cancelable lease agreements that expire at various dates through 2038. Most of Alleghany’s leases relate to office facilities. Alleghany’s lease agreements do not contain any material restrictive covenants and substantially all are considered to be operating leases.

Lease expense was $10.4 million and $32.2 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively. The following table presents Alleghany’s consolidated lease liabilities and right-of-use lease assets related to operating leases as of September 30, 2019:

 

 

As of September 30,

2019

 

Maturity of lease payments, by year

 

($ in millions)

 

1 year or less

 

$

38.4

 

More than 1 year to 2 years

 

 

35.4

 

More than 2 years to 3 years

 

 

30.0

 

More than 3 years to 4 years

 

 

26.8

 

More than 4 years to 5 years

 

 

24.9

 

More than 5 years

 

 

149.4

 

Total lease payments(1)

 

 

304.9

 

Less: interest(2)

 

 

(64.6

)

Lease liabilities(3)

 

$

240.3

 

Right-of-use lease assets(4)

 

$

212.1

 

Prepaid lease assets, net of lease allowances and incentives

 

 

28.2

 

 

 

$

240.3

 

(1)

As of September 30, 2019, the weighted average lease term was approximately 12 years.

(2)

As of September 30, 2019, the weighted average discount rate was approximately 5 percent.

(3)

Represents the present value of lease liabilities and is reported as a component of other liabilities on Alleghany’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.

(4)

Reported as a component of other assets on Alleghany’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.

(c) Energy Holdings

As of September 30, 2019, Alleghany had holdings in energy sector businesses of $896.8$432.5 million, comprised of $294.0$340.9 million of debt securities, $483.5$3.8 million of equity securities and $119.3$87.8 million of Alleghany’s equity attributable to SORC.

10. Segments of Business

(a) Overview

Alleghany’s segments are reported in a manner consistent with the way management evaluates the businesses. As such, Alleghany classifies its businesses into 3 reportable segments – reinsurance, insurance and Alleghany Capital.

Reinsurance and insurance underwriting activities are evaluated separately from investment and other activities. Segment accounting policies are described in Note 1 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of the 2018 Form 10-K.

The reinsurance segment consists of property and casualty reinsurance operations conducted by TransRe’s reinsurance operating subsidiaries and is further reported through two major product lines – property and casualty & other. TransRe provides property and casualty reinsurance to insurers and other reinsurers through brokers and on a direct basis to ceding companies. TransRe writes a modest amount of property and casualty insurance business, which is included in the reinsurance segment. A significant portion of the premiums earned by TransRe’s operations are generated by offices located in Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa and those serving Latin America and the Caribbean. Although the majority of the premiums earned by these offices typically relate to the regions where they are located, a significant portion may be derived from other regions of the world, including the U.S. In addition, although a significant portion of the assets and liabilities of these foreign offices generally relate to the countries where the ceding companies and reinsurers are located, most investments are located in the country of domicile of these offices.

The insurance segment consists of property and casualty insurance operations conducted in the U.S. by AIHL through its insurance operating subsidiaries RSUI and CapSpecialty. RSUI also writes a modest amount of assumed reinsurance business, which is included in the insurance segment.

22


The Alleghany Capital segment consists of industrial operations, non-industrial operations and corporate operations at the Alleghany Capital level. Industrial operations are conducted through PCT, Kentucky Trailer, W&W|AFCO Steel and a 45 percent equity interest in Wilbert. Non-industrial operations are conducted through IPS, Jazwares and Concord.

On October 1, 2018, Alleghany Capital acquired approximately 85 percent of the equity in Concord for $136.6 million, consisting of $68.6 million in cash paid on October 1, 2018, $38.2 million of potential contingent consideration based on future profitability and $29.8 million of incremental debt. In connection with the acquisition, Alleghany recorded $83.0 million of goodwill and $70.8 million of finite-lived intangible assets related primarily to customer relationships.

On February 7, 2018, W&W|AFCO Steel acquired the outstanding equity of Hirschfeld Holdings, LP (“Hirschfeld”), a fabricator of steel bridges and structural steel for stadiums, airports and other large commercial and industrial projects, for $109.1 million, consisting of $94.4 million in cash and $14.7 million of incremental debt. The $94.4 million paid by W&W|AFCO Steel was funded by capital contributions from Alleghany and noncontrolling interests of $75.5 million and $18.9 million, respectively. In connection with the acquisition, Alleghany recorded $3.0 million of goodwill and $9.4 million of finite-lived intangible assets related primarily to customer relationships.

Corporate activities are not classified as a segment. The primary components of corporate activities are Alleghany Properties, SORC and activities at the Alleghany parent company.

In addition, corporate activities include interest expense associated with the senior notes issued by Alleghany, whereas interest expense associated with senior notes issued by TransRe is included in “Total Segments” and interest expense associated with other debt is included in Alleghany Capital. Information related to the senior notes and other debt can be found in Note 8 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of the 2018 Form 10-K.

(b) Results

The following tables present segment results for Alleghany’s three reportable segments and for corporate activities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018:

 

 

Reinsurance Segment

 

 

Insurance Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30, 2019

 

Property

 

 

Casualty

& other (1)

 

 

Total

 

 

RSUI

 

 

Cap

Specialty

 

 

Total

 

 

Subtotal

 

 

Alleghany

Capital (2)

 

 

Total

Segments

 

 

Corporate Activities (3)

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Gross premiums written

 

$

455.9

 

 

$

787.4

 

 

$

1,243.3

 

 

$

319.7

 

 

$

95.6

 

 

$

415.3

 

 

$

1,658.6

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

1,658.6

 

 

$

(7.5

)

 

$

1,651.1

 

Net premiums written

 

 

339.0

 

 

 

772.7

 

 

 

1,111.7

 

 

 

213.4

 

 

 

88.8

 

 

 

302.2

 

 

 

1,413.9

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,413.9

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,413.9

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

327.0

 

 

 

770.6

 

 

 

1,097.6

 

 

 

208.9

 

 

 

83.5

 

 

 

292.4

 

 

 

1,390.0

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,390.0

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,390.0

 

Net loss and LAE

 

 

225.1

 

 

 

505.6

 

 

 

730.7

 

 

 

125.9

 

 

 

51.1

 

 

 

177.0

 

 

 

907.7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

907.7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

907.7

 

Commissions, brokerage and other

   underwriting expenses

 

 

108.3

 

 

 

252.6

 

 

 

360.9

 

 

 

55.7

 

 

 

32.9

 

 

 

88.6

 

 

 

449.5

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

449.5

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

449.5

 

Underwriting (loss) profit(4)

 

$

(6.4

)

 

$

12.4

 

 

$

6.0

 

 

$

27.3

 

 

$

(0.5

)

 

$

26.8

 

 

 

32.8

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

32.8

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

32.8

 

Net investment income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

145.1

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

146.3

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

147.8

 

Change in the fair value of equity securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(16.7

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(16.7

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(16.7

)

Net realized capital gains

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

3.9

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

3.9

 

Other than temporary impairment losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3.6

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(3.6

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(3.6

)

Noninsurance revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.5

 

 

 

628.0

 

 

 

635.5

 

 

 

3.0

 

 

 

638.5

 

Other operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32.5

 

 

 

578.2

 

 

 

610.7

 

 

 

6.6

 

 

 

617.3

 

Corporate administration

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

20.8

 

 

 

22.3

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

7.7

 

 

 

8.1

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

8.1

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.8

 

 

 

5.2

 

 

 

12.0

 

 

 

13.7

 

 

 

25.7

 

Earnings (losses) before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

128.0

 

 

$

37.9

 

 

$

165.9

 

 

$

(36.6

)

 

$

129.3

 

 

 

Reinsurance Segment

 

 

Insurance Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30, 2018

 

Property

 

 

Casualty

& other (1)

 

 

Total

 

 

RSUI

 

 

Cap

Specialty

 

 

Total

 

 

Subtotal

 

 

Alleghany

Capital (2)

 

 

Total

Segments

 

 

Corporate Activities (3)

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Gross premiums written

 

$

451.4

 

 

$

685.9

 

 

$

1,137.3

 

 

$

260.8

 

 

$

83.9

 

 

$

344.7

 

 

$

1,482.0

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

1,482.0

 

 

$

(6.7

)

 

$

1,475.3

 

Net premiums written

 

 

331.1

 

 

 

654.1

 

 

 

985.2

 

 

 

176.0

 

 

 

77.9

 

 

 

253.9

 

 

 

1,239.1

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,239.1

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,239.1

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

326.5

 

 

 

635.0

 

 

 

961.5

 

 

 

190.6

 

 

 

73.3

 

 

 

263.9

 

 

 

1,225.4

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,225.4

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,225.4

 

Net loss and LAE

 

 

387.6

 

 

 

421.4

 

 

 

809.0

 

 

 

107.0

 

 

 

41.7

 

 

 

148.7

 

 

 

957.7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

957.7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

957.7

 

Commissions, brokerage and other

   underwriting expenses

 

 

113.3

 

 

 

211.6

 

 

 

324.9

 

 

 

52.8

 

 

 

30.0

 

 

 

82.8

 

 

 

407.7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

407.7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

407.7

 

Underwriting (loss) profit(4)

 

$

(174.4

)

 

$

2.0

 

 

$

(172.4

)

 

$

30.8

 

 

$

1.6

 

 

$

32.4

 

 

 

(140.0

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(140.0

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(140.0

)

Net investment income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

122.5

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

123.3

 

 

 

4.0

 

 

 

127.3

 

Change in the fair value of equity securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

373.9

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

373.9

 

 

 

(3.7

)

 

 

370.2

 

Net realized capital gains

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16.2

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

16.2

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

16.2

 

Other than temporary impairment losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Noninsurance revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.2

 

 

 

407.5

 

 

 

413.7

 

 

 

24.6

 

 

 

438.3

 

Other operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23.6

 

 

 

382.5

 

 

 

406.1

 

 

 

9.2

 

 

 

415.3

 

Corporate administration

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

17.8

 

 

 

19.1

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

5.8

 

 

 

5.5

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

5.5

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.7

 

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

9.3

 

 

 

12.9

 

 

 

22.2

 

Earnings (losses) before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

347.5

 

 

$

17.4

 

 

$

364.9

 

 

$

(15.0

)

 

$

349.9

 


 

 

Reinsurance Segment

 

 

Insurance Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2019

 

Property

 

 

Casualty

& other (1)

 

 

Total

 

 

RSUI

 

 

Cap

Specialty

 

 

Total

 

 

Subtotal

 

 

Alleghany

Capital (2)

 

 

Total

Segments

 

 

Corporate Activities (3)

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Gross premiums written

 

$

1,252.6

 

 

$

2,433.0

 

 

$

3,685.6

 

 

$

991.1

 

 

$

272.3

 

 

$

1,263.4

 

 

$

4,949.0

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

4,949.0

 

 

$

(20.5

)

 

$

4,928.5

 

Net premiums written

 

 

961.1

 

 

 

2,371.0

 

 

 

3,332.1

 

 

 

661.7

 

 

 

252.2

 

 

 

913.9

 

 

 

4,246.0

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

4,246.0

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

4,246.0

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

939.1

 

 

 

2,262.6

 

 

 

3,201.7

 

 

 

603.7

 

 

 

237.9

 

 

 

841.6

 

 

 

4,043.3

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

4,043.3

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

4,043.3

 

Net loss and LAE

 

 

523.8

 

 

 

1,505.1

 

 

 

2,028.9

 

 

 

325.8

 

 

 

142.3

 

 

 

468.1

 

 

 

2,497.0

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,497.0

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,497.0

 

Commissions, brokerage and other

   underwriting expenses

 

 

315.8

 

 

 

735.0

 

 

 

1,050.8

 

 

 

167.2

 

 

 

96.0

 

 

 

263.2

 

 

 

1,314.0

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,314.0

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,314.0

 

Underwriting profit (loss)(4)

 

$

99.5

 

 

$

22.5

 

 

$

122.0

 

 

$

110.7

 

 

$

(0.4

)

 

$

110.3

 

 

 

232.3

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

232.3

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

232.3

 

Net investment income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

401.5

 

 

 

3.4

 

 

 

404.9

 

 

 

8.7

 

 

 

413.6

 

Change in the fair value of equity securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

515.7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

515.7

 

 

 

3.6

 

 

 

519.3

 

Net realized capital gains

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20.4

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

20.7

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

20.8

 

Other than temporary impairment losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13.6

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(13.6

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(13.6

)

Noninsurance revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19.5

 

 

 

1,726.8

 

 

 

1,746.3

 

 

 

10.2

 

 

 

1,756.5

 

Other operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

88.3

 

 

 

1,592.0

 

 

 

1,680.3

 

 

 

20.9

 

 

 

1,701.2

 

Corporate administration

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

63.2

 

 

 

67.6

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

22.8

 

 

 

23.8

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

23.8

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20.3

 

 

 

14.2

 

 

 

34.5

 

 

 

39.9

 

 

 

74.4

 

Earnings (losses) before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,061.8

 

 

$

101.5

 

 

$

1,163.3

 

 

$

(101.4

)

 

$

1,061.9

 

 

 

Reinsurance Segment

 

 

Insurance Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2018

 

Property

 

 

Casualty

& other (1)

 

 

Total

 

 

RSUI

 

 

Cap

Specialty

 

 

Total

 

 

Subtotal

 

 

Alleghany

Capital (2)

 

 

Total

Segments

 

 

Corporate

Activities (3)

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Gross premiums written

 

$

1,193.7

 

 

$

2,130.9

 

 

$

3,324.6

 

 

$

854.2

 

 

$

247.1

 

 

$

1,101.3

 

 

$

4,425.9

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

4,425.9

 

 

$

(19.2

)

 

$

4,406.7

 

Net premiums written

 

 

912.1

 

 

 

2,046.8

 

 

 

2,958.9

 

 

 

579.8

 

 

 

229.6

 

 

 

809.4

 

 

 

3,768.3

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

3,768.3

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

3,768.3

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

893.7

 

 

 

2,009.3

 

 

 

2,903.0

 

 

 

556.2

 

 

 

211.0

 

 

 

767.2

 

 

 

3,670.2

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

3,670.2

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

3,670.2

 

Net loss and LAE

 

 

637.7

 

 

 

1,304.3

 

 

 

1,942.0

 

 

 

309.6

 

 

 

114.9

 

 

 

424.5

 

 

 

2,366.5

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,366.5

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,366.5

 

Commissions, brokerage and other

   underwriting expenses

 

 

301.2

 

 

 

663.6

 

 

 

964.8

 

 

 

160.0

 

 

 

91.2

 

 

 

251.2

 

 

 

1,216.0

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,216.0

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,216.0

 

Underwriting (loss) profit(4)

 

$

(45.2

)

 

$

41.4

 

 

$

(3.8

)

 

$

86.6

 

 

$

4.9

 

 

$

91.5

 

 

 

87.7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

87.7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

87.7

 

Net investment income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

362.0

 

 

 

3.7

 

 

 

365.7

 

 

 

12.0

 

 

 

377.7

 

Change in the fair value of equity securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

506.7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

506.7

 

 

 

6.1

 

 

 

512.8

 

Net realized capital gains

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

66.8

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

67.4

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

67.2

 

Other than temporary impairment losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

-

��

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(0.5

)

Noninsurance revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16.7

 

 

 

979.2

 

 

 

995.9

 

 

 

36.8

 

 

 

1,032.7

 

Other operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

60.6

 

 

 

937.0

 

 

 

997.6

 

 

 

25.9

 

 

 

1,023.5

 

Corporate administration

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

39.2

 

 

 

41.0

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

17.0

 

 

 

16.8

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

16.8

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20.5

 

 

 

6.1

 

 

 

26.6

 

 

 

39.4

 

 

 

66.0

 

Earnings (losses) before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

956.7

 

 

$

23.4

 

 

$

980.1

 

 

$

(49.8

)

 

$

930.3

 

(1)

Primarily consists of the following reinsurance lines of business: directors’ and officers’ liability; errors and omissions liability; general liability; medical malpractice; ocean marine and aviation; auto liability; accident and health; mortgage reinsurance; surety; and credit.

(2)

Excludes certain minor, legacy investments that were previously reflected in Alleghany Capital in 2018 and prior periods, to align with management’s view of reportable segments.

(3)

Includes elimination of minor reinsurance activity between segments. Also, includes certain minor, legacy investments that were previously reflected in Alleghany Capital in 2018 and prior periods.

(4)

Underwriting profit represents net premiums earned less net loss and LAE and commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses, all as determined in accordance with GAAP, and does not include net investment income, change in the fair value of equity securities, net realized capital gains, OTTI losses, noninsurance revenue, other operating expenses, corporate administration, amortization of intangible assets or interest expense. Underwriting profit does not replace earnings before income taxes determined in accordance with GAAP as a measure of profitability. Rather, Alleghany believes that underwriting profit enhances the understanding of its reinsurance and insurance segments’ operating results by highlighting net earnings attributable to their underwriting performance. Earnings before income taxes (a GAAP measure) may show a profit despite an underlying underwriting loss. Where underwriting losses persist over extended periods, a reinsurance or an insurance company’s ability to continue as an ongoing concern may be at risk. Therefore, Alleghany views underwriting profit as an important measure in the overall evaluation of performance.

24


(c) Identifiable Assets and Equity

The following table presents identifiable assets, the portion of identifiable assets related to cash and invested assets and equity attributable to Alleghany for Alleghany’s reportable segments and for corporate activities as of September 30, 2019:

 

 

Identifiable

Assets

 

 

Invested Assets

and Cash

 

 

Equity

Attributable to

Alleghany

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Reinsurance segment

 

$

16,914.1

 

 

$

13,540.7

 

 

$

5,347.8

 

Insurance segment

 

 

7,166.5

 

 

 

5,615.8

 

 

 

3,141.8

 

Subtotal

 

 

24,080.6

 

 

 

19,156.5

 

 

 

8,489.6

 

Alleghany Capital

 

 

1,914.5

 

 

 

148.4

 

 

 

901.5

 

Total segments

 

 

25,995.1

 

 

 

19,304.9

 

 

 

9,391.1

 

Corporate activities

 

 

495.7

 

 

 

457.8

 

 

 

(562.4

)

Consolidated

 

$

26,490.8

 

 

$

19,762.7

 

 

$

8,828.7

 

The debt associated with Alleghany Capital’s operating subsidiaries totaled $311.3 million and $284.5 million as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, and is generally used to support working capital needs and to help finance acquisitions. As of September 30, 2019, the $311.3 million includes:

$80.4 million of borrowings by W&W|AFCO Steel under its available credit facilities and term loans (including borrowings incurred and assumed from its acquisition of Hirschfeld);

$74.6 million of term loans at Kentucky Trailer primarily related to borrowings to finance small acquisitions, including its acquisitions of controlling interests in certain manufacturers of aluminum feed transportation equipment in December 2018 and July 2019, and borrowings under its available credit facilities;

$48.9 million of borrowings by Jazwares under its available credit facility;

$41.9 million of borrowings by IPS under its available credit facility and term loans, in part to finance a small acquisition in May 2019; $

$32.9 million of term loans at PCT primarily related to borrowings to finance the acquisition of a waterjet orifice and nozzle manufacturer in 2016 and the acquisition of a consumable cutting tool manufacturer in June 2019; and

$32.6 million of term loans at Concord primarily related to borrowings to finance Alleghany Capital’s acquisition of Concord.

None of these liabilities are guaranteed by Alleghany or Alleghany Capital.

25


(d) Alleghany Capital Noninsurance Revenue

For Alleghany Capital’s industrial and non-industrial operations, noninsurance revenue consists of the sale of manufactured goods and services. The following table presents noninsurance revenue for the Alleghany Capital segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018:

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Industrial(1)

 

$

286.8

 

 

$

224.2

 

 

$

865.2

 

 

$

591.6

 

Non-Industrial(2)

 

 

341.2

 

 

 

183.7

 

 

 

861.2

 

 

 

387.9

 

Corporate & other

 

 

-

 

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

(0.3

)

Alleghany Capital

 

$

628.0

 

 

$

407.5

 

 

$

1,726.8

 

 

$

979.2

 

(1)

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, the vast majority of noninsurance revenue was recognized as goods and services transferred to customers over time. See Note 1(c) of this Form 10-Q for additional information on Alleghany’s adoption of new revenue recognition accounting guidance effective in the first quarter of 2018.

(2)

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, approximately 71 percent 71 percent, respectively, of noninsurance revenue was recognized as services transferred to customers over time, with the remainder recognized as goods transferred at a point in time. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, approximately 60 percent and 65 percent, respectively, of noninsurance revenue was recognized as services transferred to customers over time, with the remainder recognized as goods transferred at a point in time. See Note 1(c) of this Form 10-Q for additional information on Alleghany’s adoption of new revenue recognition accounting guidance effective in the first quarter of 2018.

26


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

The following is a discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, or this “Form 10-Q,” and our audited consolidated financial statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, or the “2018 Form 10-K.” This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties and that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs and expectations. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those discussed below and particularly under the headings “Risk Factors,” “Business” and “Note on Forward-Looking Statements” contained in Item 1A, Item 1, and Part I of the 2018 Form 10-K, respectively.

References in this Form 10-Q to the “Company,” “Alleghany,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Alleghany Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries unless the context otherwise requires. In addition, unless the context otherwise requires, references to

“TransRe” are to our wholly-owned reinsurance holding company subsidiary Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries;

“AIHL” are to our wholly-owned insurance holding company subsidiary Alleghany Insurance Holdings LLC;

“RSUI” are to our wholly-owned subsidiary RSUI Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries;

“CapSpecialty” are to our wholly-owned subsidiary CapSpecialty, Inc. and its subsidiaries;

“AIHL Re” are to our wholly-owned subsidiary AIHL Re LLC;

“Roundwood” are to our wholly-owned subsidiary Roundwood Asset Management LLC;

“SORC” are to our wholly-owned subsidiary Stranded Oil Resources Corporation and its subsidiaries;

“Alleghany Capital” are to our wholly-owned subsidiary Alleghany Capital Corporation and its subsidiaries;

“PCT” are to our wholly-owned subsidiary Precision Cutting Technologies, Inc. and its subsidiaries;

“Kentucky Trailer” are to our majority-owned subsidiary R.C. Tway Company, LLC and its subsidiaries;

“IPS” are to our majority-owned subsidiary IPS-Integrated Project Services, LLC and its subsidiaries;

“Jazwares” are to our majority-owned subsidiary Jazwares, LLC and its subsidiaries and affiliates;

“W&W|AFCO Steel” are to our majority-owned subsidiary WWSC Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries;

“Concord” are to our majority-owned subsidiary CHECO Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries; and

“Alleghany Properties” are to our wholly-owned subsidiary Alleghany Properties Holdings LLC and its subsidiaries.

27


Note on Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this Form 10-Q may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “project,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “should” or the negative versions of those words or other comparable words. Forward-looking statements do not relate solely to historical or current facts, rather they are based on management’s expectations as well as certain assumptions and estimates made by, and information available to, management at the time. These statements are not guarantees of future performance. These forward-looking statements are based upon Alleghany’s current expectations and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect current plans, anticipated actions and Alleghany’s future financial condition and results. Factors that could cause these forward-looking statements to differ, possibly materially, from that currently contemplated include:

significant weather-related or other natural or man-made catastrophes and disasters;

the cyclical nature of the property and casualty reinsurance and insurance industries;

changes in market prices of our significant equity investments and changes in value of our debt securities portfolio;

adverse loss development for events insured by our reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries in either the current year or prior years;

the long-tail and potentially volatile nature of certain casualty lines of business written by our reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries;

the cost and availability of reinsurance;

the reliance by our reinsurance and insurance operating subsidiaries on a limited number of brokers;

legal, political, judicial and regulatory changes;

increases in the levels of risk retention by our reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries;

changes in the ratings assigned to our reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries;

claims development and the process of estimating reserves;

exposure to terrorist acts and acts of war;

the willingness and ability of our reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries’ reinsurers to pay reinsurance recoverables owed to our reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries;

the uncertain nature of damage theories and loss amounts;

the loss of key personnel of our reinsurance or insurance operating subsidiaries;

fluctuation in foreign currency exchange rates;

the failure to comply with the restrictive covenants contained in the agreements governing our indebtedness;

the ability to make payments on, or repay or refinance, our debt;

risks inherent in international operations; and

difficult and volatile conditions in the global market.

Additional risks and uncertainties include general economic and political conditions, including the effects of a prolonged U.S. or global economic downturn or recession; changes in costs; variations in political, economic or other factors; risks relating to conducting operations in a competitive environment; effects of acquisition and disposition activities, inflation rates, or recessionary or expansive trends; changes in interest rates; extended labor disruptions, civil unrest, or other external factors over which we have no control; changes in our plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, or intentions, which may happen at any time at our discretion; and other factors discussed in the 2018 Form 10-K and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the “SEC.” All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and are based on information available at that time. Alleghany does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent circumstances or events. See Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of the 2018 Form 10-K for additional information.

28


Comment on Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Throughout this Form 10-Q, our analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our consolidated financial statements which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., or “GAAP.” Our results of operations have been presented in the way that we believe will be the most meaningful and useful to investors, analysts, rating agencies and others who use financial information in evaluating our performance. This presentation includes the use of underwriting profit and operating earnings before income taxes, which are “non-GAAP financial measures,” as such term is defined in Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC. The presentation of these financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. These measures may also be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies, limiting their usefulness for comparison purposes. A discussion of our calculation and use of these financial measures is provided below.

Underwriting profit is a non-GAAP financial measure for our reinsurance and insurance segments. Underwriting profit represents net premiums earned less net loss and loss adjustment expenses, or “LAE,” and commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses, all as determined in accordance with GAAP and does not include: (i) net investment income; (ii) change in the fair value of equity securities; (iii) net realized capital gains; (iv) other than temporary impairment, or “OTTI” losses; (v) noninsurance revenue; (vi) other operating expenses; (vii) corporate administration; (viii) amortization of intangible assets; and (ix) interest expense. We use underwriting profit as a supplement to earnings before income taxes, the most comparable GAAP financial measure, to evaluate the performance of our reinsurance and insurance segments and believe that underwriting profit provides useful additional information to investors because it highlights net earnings attributable to our reinsurance and insurance segments’ underwriting performance. Earnings before income taxes may show a profit despite an underlying underwriting loss, and when underwriting losses persist over extended periods, a reinsurance or an insurance company’s ability to continue as an ongoing concern may be at risk. A reconciliation of underwriting profit to earnings before income taxes is presented within “Consolidated Results of Operations.”

Operating earnings before income taxes is a non-GAAP financial measure for our Alleghany Capital segment. Operating earnings before income taxes represents noninsurance revenue and net investment income less other operating expenses and interest expense, and does not include: (i) amortization of intangible assets; (ii) change in the fair value of equity securities; (iii) net realized capital gains; (iv) OTTI losses; and (v) income taxes. Because operating earnings before income taxes excludes amortization of intangible assets, change in the fair value of equity securities, net realized capital gains, OTTI losses and income taxes, it provides an indication of economic performance that is not affected by levels of effective tax rates or levels of amortization resulting from acquisition accounting. We use operating earnings before income taxes as a supplement to earnings before income taxes, the most comparable GAAP financial measure, to evaluate the performance of certain of our noninsurance operating subsidiaries and investments. A reconciliation of operating earnings before income taxes to earnings before income taxes is presented within “Consolidated Results of Operations.”

29


Overview

The following overview does not address all of the matters covered in the other sections of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations or contain all of the information that may be important to our stockholders or the investing public. This overview should be read in conjunction with the other sections of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Net earnings attributable to Alleghany stockholders were $90.4 million in the third quarter of 2019, compared with $284.9 million in the third quarter of 2018, and $826.1 million in the first nine months of 2019, compared with $751.6 million in the first nine months of 2018.

Net investment income increased by 16.1 percent and 9.5 percent in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019, respectively, from the corresponding 2018 periods.

Net premiums written increased by 14.1 percent and 12.7 percent in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019, respectively, from the corresponding 2018 periods.

Underwriting profit was $32.8 million in the third quarter of 2019, compared with an underwriting loss of $140.0 million in the third quarter of 2018, and underwriting profit was $232.3 million in the first nine months of 2019, compared with $87.7 million in the first nine months of 2018.

The combined ratio for our reinsurance and insurance segments was 97.6 percent in the third quarter of 2019, compared with 111.5 percent in the third quarter of 2018, and 94.3 percent in the first nine months of 2019, compared with 97.6 percent in the first nine months of 2018.

Catastrophe losses, net of reinsurance, were $95.9 million in the third quarter of 2019, compared with $237.8 million in the third quarter of 2018, and $115.5 million in the first nine months of 2019, compared with $256.2 million in the first nine months of 2018.

Net favorable prior accident year loss reserve development was $58.9 million in the third quarter of 2019, compared with $75.0 million in the third quarter of 2018, and $152.9 million in the first nine months of 2019, compared with $212.8 million in the first nine months of 2018.

Noninsurance revenue for Alleghany Capital was $628.0 million in the third quarter of 2019, compared with $407.5 million in the third quarter of 2018, and $1,726.8 million in the first nine months of 2019, compared with $979.2 million in the first nine months of 2018.

Earnings before income taxes for Alleghany Capital were $37.9 million in the third quarter of 2019, compared with $17.4 million in the third quarter of 2018, and $101.5 million in the first nine months of 2019, compared with $23.4 million in the first nine months of 2018. Operating earnings before income taxes were $45.8 million in the third quarter of 2019, compared with $23.2 million in the third quarter of 2018, and $124.0 million in the first nine months of 2019, compared with $39.8 million in the first nine months of 2018.

As of September 30, 2019, we had total assets of $26.5 billion and total stockholders’ equity attributable to Alleghany stockholders of $8.8 billion. As of September 30, 2019, we had consolidated total investments of approximately $18.9 billion, consisting of $14.5 billion invested in debt securities, $2.1 billion invested in equity securities, $1.0 billion invested in short-term investments, $0.7 billion invested in commercial mortgage loans and $0.6 billion invested in other invested assets.

We incurred catastrophe losses in the third quarter of 2019, primarily from Typhoon Faxai, which caused widespread property damage and flooding in September 2019, primarily in Japan, and Hurricane Dorian, which caused widespread property damage and flooding in August and September 2019, primarily in the Bahamas, North Carolina and South Carolina. We incurred catastrophe losses in the third quarter of 2018, primarily from Hurricane Florence, which caused widespread property damage and flooding in September 2018, primarily in North Carolina, and Typhoons Jebi and Trami, each of which caused widespread property damage and flooding in September 2018, primarily in Japan. Our loss estimates for all of these catastrophes were based on information available at the time, including an analysis of reported claims, an underwriting review of in-force contracts, estimates of losses resulting from wind and other perils, including storm surge and flooding to the extent covered by applicable policies, and other factors requiring considerable judgment.

On October 12, 2019, Typhoon Hagibis made landfall in Japan, causing widespread property damage and flooding and affected regions including those impacted by Typhoon Faxai. We are in the process of analyzing claims data and other information to estimate our ultimate losses and reinsurance recoverables from this event. However, given the recent occurrence of Typhoon Hagibis, we cannot determine a reliable net loss estimate at this time. The impact of this event will be reflected in our fourth quarter 2019 results.

30


Consolidated Results of Operations

The following table presents our consolidated revenues, costs and expenses and earnings:

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

 

$

1,390.0

 

 

$

1,225.4

 

 

$

4,043.3

 

 

$

3,670.2

 

Net investment income

 

 

147.8

 

 

 

127.3

 

 

 

413.6

 

 

 

377.7

 

Change in the fair value of equity securities

 

 

(16.7

)

 

 

370.2

 

 

 

519.3

 

 

 

512.8

 

Net realized capital gains

 

 

3.9

 

 

 

16.2

 

 

 

20.8

 

 

 

67.2

 

Other than temporary impairment losses

 

 

(3.6

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(13.6

)

 

 

(0.5

)

Noninsurance revenue

 

 

638.5

 

 

 

438.3

 

 

 

1,756.5

 

 

 

1,032.7

 

Total revenues

 

 

2,159.9

 

 

 

2,177.4

 

 

 

6,739.9

 

 

 

5,660.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

907.7

 

 

 

957.7

 

 

 

2,497.0

 

 

 

2,366.5

 

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

 

 

449.5

 

 

 

407.7

 

 

 

1,314.0

 

 

 

1,216.0

 

Other operating expenses

 

 

617.3

 

 

 

415.3

 

 

 

1,701.2

 

 

 

1,023.5

 

Corporate administration

 

 

22.3

 

 

 

19.1

 

 

 

67.6

 

 

 

41.0

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

8.1

 

 

 

5.5

 

 

 

23.8

 

 

 

16.8

 

Interest expense

 

 

25.7

 

 

 

22.2

 

 

 

74.4

 

 

 

66.0

 

Total costs and expenses

 

 

2,030.6

 

 

 

1,827.5

 

 

 

5,678.0

 

 

 

4,729.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

 

129.3

 

 

 

349.9

 

 

 

1,061.9

 

 

 

930.3

 

Income taxes

 

 

28.0

 

 

 

60.4

 

 

 

207.9

 

 

 

171.2

 

Net earnings

 

 

101.3

 

 

 

289.5

 

 

 

854.0

 

 

 

759.1

 

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

10.9

 

 

 

4.6

 

 

 

27.9

 

 

 

7.5

 

Net earnings attributable to Alleghany stockholders

 

$

90.4

 

 

$

284.9

 

 

$

826.1

 

 

$

751.6

 

Alleghany’s segments are reported in a manner consistent with the way management evaluates the businesses. As such, Alleghany classifies its businesses into three reportable segments – reinsurance, insurance and Alleghany Capital. Alleghany determined that Alleghany Capital qualified as a reportable segment in the first quarter of 2018, reflecting the increased significance of Alleghany Capital’s business to Alleghany and its projected growth. Corporate activities are not classified as a segment.

31


See Note 10 to Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements” of this Form 10-Q for additional detail on our segments and corporate activities. The tables below present the results for our segments and for corporate activities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018:

 

 

Segments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2019

 

Reinsurance

Segment

 

 

Insurance

Segment

 

 

Subtotal

 

 

Alleghany

Capital(1)

 

 

Total

Segments

 

 

Corporate

Activities(2)

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Gross premiums written

 

$

1,243.3

 

 

$

415.3

 

 

$

1,658.6

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

1,658.6

 

 

$

(7.5

)

 

$

1,651.1

 

Net premiums written

 

 

1,111.7

 

 

 

302.2

 

 

 

1,413.9

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,413.9

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,413.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

1,097.6

 

 

 

292.4

 

 

 

1,390.0

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,390.0

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,390.0

 

Net loss and LAE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

 

714.0

 

 

 

156.7

 

 

 

870.7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

870.7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

870.7

 

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

76.3

 

 

 

19.6

 

 

 

95.9

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

95.9

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

95.9

 

Prior years

 

 

(59.6

)

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

(58.9

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(58.9

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(58.9

)

Total net loss and LAE

 

 

730.7

 

 

 

177.0

 

 

 

907.7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

907.7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

907.7

 

Commissions, brokerage and other

   underwriting expenses

 

 

360.9

 

 

 

88.6

 

 

 

449.5

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

449.5

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

449.5

 

Underwriting profit(3)

 

$

6.0

 

 

$

26.8

 

 

 

32.8

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

32.8

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

32.8

 

Net investment income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

145.1

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

146.3

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

147.8

 

Change in the fair value of equity securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(16.7

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(16.7

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(16.7

)

Net realized capital gains

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

3.9

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

3.9

 

Other than temporary impairment losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3.6

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(3.6

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(3.6

)

Noninsurance revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.5

 

 

 

628.0

 

 

 

635.5

 

 

 

3.0

 

 

 

638.5

 

Other operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32.5

 

 

 

578.2

 

 

 

610.7

 

 

 

6.6

 

 

 

617.3

 

Corporate administration

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

20.8

 

 

 

22.3

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

7.7

 

 

 

8.1

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

8.1

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.8

 

 

 

5.2

 

 

 

12.0

 

 

 

13.7

 

 

 

25.7

 

Earnings (losses) before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

128.0

 

 

$

37.9

 

 

$

165.9

 

 

$

(36.6

)

 

$

129.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio(4):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

 

65.0

%

 

 

53.7

%

 

 

62.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

7.0

%

 

 

6.7

%

 

 

6.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior years

 

 

(5.4

%)

 

 

0.2

%

 

 

(4.2

%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

 

 

66.6

%

 

 

60.6

%

 

 

65.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expense ratio(5)

 

 

32.9

%

 

 

30.3

%

 

 

32.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined ratio(6)

 

 

99.5

%

 

 

90.9

%

 

 

97.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

Segments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2018

 

Reinsurance

Segment

 

 

Insurance

Segment

 

 

Subtotal

 

 

Alleghany

Capital(1)

 

 

Total

Segments

 

 

Corporate

Activities(2)

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Gross premiums written

 

$

1,137.3

 

 

$

344.7

 

 

$

1,482.0

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

1,482.0

 

 

$

(6.7

)

 

$

1,475.3

 

Net premiums written

 

 

985.2

 

 

 

253.9

 

 

 

1,239.1

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,239.1

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,239.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

961.5

 

 

 

263.9

 

 

 

1,225.4

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,225.4

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,225.4

 

Net loss and LAE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

 

654.7

 

 

 

140.2

 

 

 

794.9

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

794.9

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

794.9

 

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

195.8

 

 

 

42.0

 

 

 

237.8

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

237.8

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

237.8

 

Prior years

 

 

(41.5

)

 

 

(33.5

)

 

 

(75.0

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(75.0

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(75.0

)

Total net loss and LAE

 

 

809.0

 

 

 

148.7

 

 

 

957.7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

957.7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

957.7

 

Commissions, brokerage and other

   underwriting expenses

 

 

324.9

 

 

 

82.8

 

 

 

407.7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

407.7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

407.7

 

Underwriting (loss) profit(3)

 

$

(172.4

)

 

$

32.4

 

 

 

(140.0

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(140.0

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(140.0

)

Net investment income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

122.5

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

123.3

 

 

 

4.0

 

 

 

127.3

 

Change in the fair value of equity securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

373.9

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

373.9

 

 

 

(3.7

)

 

 

370.2

 

Net realized capital gains

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16.2

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

16.2

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

16.2

 

Other than temporary impairment losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Noninsurance revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.2

 

 

 

407.5

 

 

 

413.7

 

 

 

24.6

 

 

 

438.3

 

Other operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23.6

 

 

 

382.5

 

 

 

406.1

 

 

 

9.2

 

 

 

415.3

 

Corporate administration

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

17.8

 

 

 

19.1

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

5.8

 

 

 

5.5

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

5.5

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.7

 

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

9.3

 

 

 

12.9

 

 

 

22.2

 

Earnings (losses) before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

347.5

 

 

$

17.4

 

 

$

364.9

 

 

$

(15.0

)

 

$

349.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio(4):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

 

68.1

%

 

 

53.1

%

 

 

64.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

20.4

%

 

 

15.9

%

 

 

19.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior years

 

 

(4.4

%)

 

 

(12.7

%)

 

 

(6.1

%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

 

 

84.1

%

 

 

56.3

%

 

 

78.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expense ratio(5)

 

 

33.8

%

 

 

31.4

%

 

 

33.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined ratio(6)

 

 

117.9

%

 

 

87.7

%

 

 

111.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

Segments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019

 

Reinsurance

Segment

 

 

Insurance

Segment

 

 

Subtotal

 

 

Alleghany

Capital(1)

 

 

Total

Segments

 

 

Corporate

Activities(2)

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Gross premiums written

 

$

3,685.6

 

 

$

1,263.4

 

 

$

4,949.0

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

4,949.0

 

 

$

(20.5

)

 

$

4,928.5

 

Net premiums written

 

 

3,332.1

 

 

 

913.9

 

 

 

4,246.0

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

4,246.0

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

4,246.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

3,201.7

 

 

 

841.6

 

 

 

4,043.3

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

4,043.3

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

4,043.3

 

Net loss and LAE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

 

2,093.4

 

 

 

441.0

 

 

 

2,534.4

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,534.4

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,534.4

 

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

76.3

 

 

 

39.2

 

 

 

115.5

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

115.5

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

115.5

 

Prior years

 

 

(140.8

)

 

 

(12.1

)

 

 

(152.9

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(152.9

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(152.9

)

Total net loss and LAE

 

 

2,028.9

 

 

 

468.1

 

 

 

2,497.0

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,497.0

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,497.0

 

Commissions, brokerage and other

   underwriting expenses

 

 

1,050.8

 

 

 

263.2

 

 

 

1,314.0

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,314.0

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,314.0

 

Underwriting profit(3)

 

$

122.0

 

 

$

110.3

 

 

 

232.3

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

232.3

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

232.3

 

Net investment income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

401.5

 

 

 

3.4

 

 

 

404.9

 

 

 

8.7

 

 

 

413.6

 

Change in the fair value of equity securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

515.7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

515.7

 

 

 

3.6

 

 

 

519.3

 

Net realized capital gains

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20.4

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

20.7

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

20.8

 

Other than temporary impairment losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13.6

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(13.6

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(13.6

)

Noninsurance revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19.5

 

 

 

1,726.8

 

 

 

1,746.3

 

 

 

10.2

 

 

 

1,756.5

 

Other operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

88.3

 

 

 

1,592.0

 

 

 

1,680.3

 

 

 

20.9

 

 

 

1,701.2

 

Corporate administration

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

63.2

 

 

 

67.6

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

22.8

 

 

 

23.8

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

23.8

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20.3

 

 

 

14.2

 

 

 

34.5

 

 

 

39.9

 

 

 

74.4

 

Earnings (losses) before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,061.8

 

 

$

101.5

 

 

$

1,163.3

 

 

$

(101.4

)

 

$

1,061.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio(4):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

 

65.4

%

 

 

52.3

%

 

 

62.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

2.4

%

 

 

4.7

%

 

 

2.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior years

 

 

(4.4

%)

 

 

(1.4

%)

 

 

(3.8

%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

 

 

63.4

%

 

 

55.6

%

 

 

61.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expense ratio(5)

 

 

32.8

%

 

 

31.3

%

 

 

32.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined ratio(6)

 

 

96.2

%

 

 

86.9

%

 

 

94.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

Segments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018

 

Reinsurance

Segment

 

 

Insurance

Segment

 

 

Subtotal

 

 

Alleghany

Capital(1)

 

 

Total

Segments

 

 

Corporate

Activities(2)

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Gross premiums written

 

$

3,324.6

 

 

$

1,101.3

 

 

$

4,425.9

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

4,425.9

 

 

$

(19.2

)

 

$

4,406.7

 

Net premiums written

 

 

2,958.9

 

 

 

809.4

 

 

 

3,768.3

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

3,768.3

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

3,768.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

2,903.0

 

 

 

767.2

 

 

 

3,670.2

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

3,670.2

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

3,670.2

 

Net loss and LAE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

 

1,909.9

 

 

 

413.2

 

 

 

2,323.1

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,323.1

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,323.1

 

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

195.8

 

 

 

60.4

 

 

 

256.2

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

256.2

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

256.2

 

Prior years

 

 

(163.7

)

 

 

(49.1

)

 

 

(212.8

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(212.8

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(212.8

)

Total net loss and LAE

 

 

1,942.0

 

 

 

424.5

 

 

 

2,366.5

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,366.5

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,366.5

 

Commissions, brokerage and other

   underwriting expenses

 

 

964.8

 

 

 

251.2

 

 

 

1,216.0

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,216.0

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,216.0

 

Underwriting (loss) profit(3)

 

$

(3.8

)

 

$

91.5

 

 

 

87.7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

87.7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

87.7

 

Net investment income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

362.0

 

 

 

3.7

 

 

 

365.7

 

 

 

12.0

 

 

 

377.7

 

Change in the fair value of equity securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

506.7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

506.7

 

 

 

6.1

 

 

 

512.8

 

Net realized capital gains

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

66.8

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

67.4

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

67.2

 

Other than temporary impairment losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(0.5

)

Noninsurance revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16.7

 

 

 

979.2

 

 

 

995.9

 

 

 

36.8

 

 

 

1,032.7

 

Other operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

60.6

 

 

 

937.0

 

 

 

997.6

 

 

 

25.9

 

 

 

1,023.5

 

Corporate administration

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

39.2

 

 

 

41.0

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

17.0

 

 

 

16.8

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

16.8

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20.5

 

 

 

6.1

 

 

 

26.6

 

 

 

39.4

 

 

 

66.0

 

Earnings (lossses) before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

956.7

 

 

$

23.4

 

 

$

980.1

 

 

$

(49.8

)

 

$

930.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio(4):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

 

65.8

%

 

 

53.9

%

 

 

63.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

6.7

%

 

 

7.8

%

 

 

7.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior years

 

 

(5.6

%)

 

 

(6.4

%)

 

 

(5.8

%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

 

 

66.9

%

 

 

55.3

%

 

 

64.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expense ratio(5)

 

 

33.2

%

 

 

32.7

%

 

 

33.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined ratio(6)

 

 

100.1

%

 

 

88.0

%

 

 

97.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Excludes certain minor, legacy investments that were previously reflected in Alleghany Capital in 2018 and prior periods.

(2)

Includes elimination of minor reinsurance activity between segments. Also, includes certain minor, legacy investments that were previously reflected in Alleghany Capital in 2018 and prior periods.

(3)

Underwriting profit represents net premiums earned less net loss and LAE and commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses, all as determined in accordance with GAAP, and does not include net investment income, change in the fair value of equity securities, net realized capital gains, OTTI losses, noninsurance revenue, other operating expenses, corporate administration, amortization of intangible assets and interest expense. Underwriting profit is a non-GAAP financial measure and does not replace earnings before income taxes determined in accordance with GAAP as a measure of profitability. See “Comment on Non-GAAP Financial Measures” herein for additional detail on the presentation of our results of operations.

(4)

The loss ratio is derived by dividing the amount of net loss and LAE by net premiums earned, all as determined in accordance with GAAP.

(5)

The expense ratio is derived by dividing the amount of commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses by net premiums earned, all as determined in accordance with GAAP.

(6)

The combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio, all as determined in accordance with GAAP. The combined ratio represents the percentage of each premium dollar a reinsurance or an insurance company has to spend on net loss and LAE, and commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses.

35


Comparison of the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 and 2018

Premiums. The following table presents our consolidated premiums:

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Percent

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Premiums written:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross premiums written

 

$

1,651.1

 

 

$

1,475.3

 

 

 

11.9

%

 

$

4,928.5

 

 

$

4,406.7

 

 

 

11.8

%

Net premiums written

 

 

1,413.9

 

 

 

1,239.1

 

 

 

14.1

%

 

 

4,246.0

 

 

 

3,768.3

 

 

 

12.7

%

Net premiums earned

 

 

1,390.0

 

 

 

1,225.4

 

 

 

13.4

%

 

 

4,043.3

 

 

 

3,670.2

 

 

 

10.2

%

The increases in gross premiums written in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 from the corresponding 2018 periods are attributable to growth at our reinsurance segment and, to a lesser extent, at RSUI and CapSpecialty. Growth at our reinsurance segment primarily reflects the impact of TransRe’s purchase on August 29, 2018 of certain renewal rights to a block of U.S. treaty reinsurance business focused on regional property and casualty, accident and health and personal auto lines of business, or the “Renewal Rights Purchase.” The increases in gross premiums written at our reinsurance segment were partially offset by decreases in gross premiums written related to a certain large whole account quota share treaty, or the “Quota Share Treaty,” and the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Gross premiums written related to the Quota Share Treaty decreased to $181.2 million and $508.8 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019, respectively, from $207.2 million and $578.9 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018, respectively, reflecting a reduction of TransRe’s quota share participation.

The increases in net premiums earned in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 from the corresponding 2018 periods reflect growth in gross premiums written in recent quarters and, to a lesser extent, decreases in ceded premiums written in recent quarters at our reinsurance segment.

A detailed comparison of premiums by segment for the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 and 2018 is contained in the following pages.

Net loss and LAE. The following table presents our consolidated net loss and LAE:

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Percent

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Net loss and LAE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

$

870.7

 

 

$

794.9

 

 

 

9.5

%

 

$

2,534.4

 

 

$

2,323.1

 

 

 

9.1

%

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

95.9

 

 

 

237.8

 

 

 

(59.7

%)

 

 

115.5

 

 

 

256.2

 

 

 

(54.9

%)

Prior years

 

 

(58.9

)

 

 

(75.0

)

 

 

(21.5

%)

 

 

(152.9

)

 

 

(212.8

)

 

 

(28.1

%)

Total net loss and LAE

 

$

907.7

 

 

$

957.7

 

 

 

(5.2

%)

 

$

2,497.0

 

 

$

2,366.5

 

 

 

5.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

 

62.6

%

 

 

64.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

62.7

%

 

 

63.3

%

 

 

 

 

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

6.9

%

 

 

19.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.9

%

 

 

7.0

%

 

 

 

 

Prior years

 

 

(4.2

%)

 

 

(6.1

%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3.8

%)

 

 

(5.8

%)

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

 

 

65.3

%

 

 

78.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

61.8

%

 

 

64.5

%

 

 

 

 

The decrease in net loss and LAE in the third quarter of 2019 from the third quarter of 2018 primarily reflects significantly lower catastrophe losses, primarily at our reinsurance segment, partially offset by the impact of higher net premiums earned and lower favorable prior accident year loss reserve development. The increase in net loss and LAE in the first nine months of 2019 from the first nine months of 2018 primarily reflects the impact of higher net premiums earned and lower favorable prior accident year loss reserve development, partially offset by significantly lower catastrophe losses, primarily at our reinsurance segment.

A detailed comparison of net loss and LAE by segment for the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 and 2018 is contained in the following pages.

36


Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses. The following table presents our consolidated commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses:

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Percent

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

 

$

449.5

 

 

$

407.7

 

 

 

10.3

%

 

$

1,314.0

 

 

$

1,216.0

 

 

 

8.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expense ratio

 

 

32.3

%

 

 

33.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

32.5

%

 

 

33.1

%

 

 

 

 

The increases in commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 from the corresponding 2018 periods primarily reflect the impact of higher net premiums earned,partially offset by lower overall commission rates.

A detailed comparison of commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses by segment for the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 and 2018 is contained in the following pages.

Underwriting profit. The following table presents our consolidated underwriting profit (loss):

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Percent

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Underwriting profit (loss)

 

$

32.8

 

 

$

(140.0

)

 

 

(123.4

%)

 

$

232.3

 

 

$

87.7

 

 

 

164.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined ratio

 

 

97.6

%

 

 

111.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

94.3

%

 

 

97.6

%

 

 

 

 

The underwriting profit in the third quarter of 2019 compared to the underwriting loss in the third quarter of 2018, and the increase in underwriting profit in the first nine months of 2019 from the first nine months of 2018, primarily reflect significantly lower catastrophe losses at our reinsurance segment, as discussed above.

A detailed comparison of underwriting profit by segment for the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 and 2018 is contained in the following pages.

Investment results. The following table presents our consolidated investment results:

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Percent

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Net investment income

 

$

147.8

 

 

$

127.3

 

 

 

16.1

%

 

$

413.6

 

 

$

377.7

 

 

 

9.5

%

Change in the fair value of equity securities

 

 

(16.7

)

 

 

370.2

 

 

 

(104.5

%)

 

 

519.3

 

 

 

512.8

 

 

 

1.3

%

Net realized capital gains

 

 

3.9

 

 

 

16.2

 

 

 

(75.9

%)

 

 

20.8

 

 

 

67.2

 

 

 

(69.0

%)

Other than temporary impairment losses

 

 

(3.6

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(13.6

)

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

2,620.0

%

The increases in net investment income in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 from the corresponding 2018 periods primarily reflect higher interest income, partially offset by lower dividend income.  The increases in interest income and the decreases in dividend income primarily relate to a reallocation of a significant portion of our investment portfolio from equity securities to debt securities in the first quarter of 2019.

The change in the fair value of equity securities in the third quarter of 2019 reflects modest depreciation in the value of our equity securities portfolio, primarily from our holdings in the industrial sector. The change in the fair value of equity securities in the first nine months of 2019 reflects appreciation in the value of our equity securities portfolio, primarily from our holdings in the technology, industrial and financial sectors. The changes in the fair value of equity securities in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 reflect appreciation in the value of our equity securities portfolio, primarily from our holdings in the technology and industrial sectors.

On July 18, 2019, AIHL purchased an exchange-traded equity derivative index put option, or the “Put Option,” for $38.4 million to hedge the downside equity market risk on approximately $1.0 billion of our consolidated equity portfolio. The Put Option expires on December 31, 2019 and does not qualify for hedge accounting. The fair value of the Put Option was $32.6 million as of September 30, 2019 and was recorded as a component of other invested assets. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, the decrease of $5.8 million in the fair value of the Put Option was recorded as a reduction to net realized capital gains. See Note 3(d) to Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements” of this Form   10-Q for additional information.

37


The decrease in net realized capital gains in the third quarter of 2019 from the third quarter of 2018 primarily reflects the decrease in the fair value of the Put Option and lower realized gains on our debt securities.

The decrease in net realized capital gains in the first nine months of 2019 from the first nine months of 2018 primarily reflects a $45.7 million gain on AIHL’s conversion of its limited partnership interests in certain subsidiaries of Ares into Ares common units in the first nine months of 2018. See Note 3(h) to Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements” of this Form 10-Q for additional information.

The increases in OTTI losses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 from the corresponding 2018 periods reflect higher impairments of debt securities. OTTI losses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 primarily reflect the determination that unrealized losses on our debt securities were other than temporary was primarily due to the deterioration of creditworthiness of the issuers in the energy sector.

A detailed comparison of investment results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 and 2018 is contained in the following pages.

Noninsurance revenue and expenses. The following table presents our consolidated noninsurance revenue and expenses:

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Percent

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Noninsurance revenue

 

$

638.5

 

 

$

438.3

 

 

 

45.7

%

 

$

1,756.5

 

 

$

1,032.7

 

 

 

70.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other operating expenses

 

 

617.3

 

 

 

415.3

 

 

 

48.6

%

 

 

1,701.2

 

 

 

1,023.5

 

 

 

66.2

%

Corporate administration

 

 

22.3

 

 

 

19.1

 

 

 

16.8

%

 

 

67.6

 

 

 

41.0

 

 

 

64.9

%

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

8.1

 

 

 

5.5

 

 

 

47.3

%

 

 

23.8

 

 

 

16.8

 

 

 

41.7

%

Interest expense

 

 

25.7

 

 

 

22.2

 

 

 

15.8

%

 

 

74.4

 

 

 

66.0

 

 

 

12.7

%

Noninsurance revenue and Other operating expenses. Noninsurance revenue and other operating expenses primarily include sales and expenses associated with our Alleghany Capital segment. Other operating expenses also include the long-term incentive compensation of our reinsurance and insurance segments, which totaled $22.7 million and $19.9 million in the third quarter of 2019 and 2018, respectively, and $73.2 million and $52.5 million in the first nine months of 2019 and 2018, respectively. The increases in long-term incentive compensation at our reinsurance and insurance segments in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 from the corresponding 2018 periods primarily reflect a decrease in catastrophe losses at our reinsurance segment and, for the nine month period only, the increase reflects higher appreciation in the value of our investment portfolios.  Other operating expenses also include $5.0 million of one-time costs incurred in connection with the July 2019 retirement of CapSpecialty’s chief executive officer and an additional $2.5 million related to the repurchase of certain restricted common stock issued to CapSpecialty management in 2014.

On February 7, 2018, W&W|AFCO Steel acquired the outstanding equity of Hirschfeld Holdings, LP, or “Hirschfeld.” On October 1, 2018, Alleghany Capital acquired approximately 85 percent of the equity in Concord.

The increases in noninsurance revenue and other operating expenses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 from the corresponding 2018 periods primarily reflect higher sales at W&W|AFCO Steel, IPS, Jazwares and Kentucky Trailer, as well as the acquisition of Concord. The increases in noninsurance revenue and other operating expenses in the first nine months of 2019 from the first nine months of 2018 partially reflect the acquisition of Hirschfeld. The increases in other operating expenses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 from corresponding 2018 periods also reflect increases at our reinsurance and insurance segments, as discussed above.

Corporate administration. The increase in corporate administration expense in the third quarter of 2019 from the third quarter of 2018 reflects higher Alleghany parent-company long-term incentive compensation accruals due primarily to the impact of appreciation of Alleghany’s stock price and appreciation in the value of our consolidated debt securities portfolio in the third quarter of 2019 compared with depreciation in the third quarter of 2018, partially offset by the impact of lower consolidated net earnings.

The increase in corporate administration expense in the first nine months of 2019 from the first nine months of 2018 reflects higher Alleghany parent-company long-term incentive compensation accruals due primarily to the impact of appreciation on the value of our consolidated debt securities portfolio in the first nine months of 2019, compared with depreciation in the first nine months of 2018 and Alleghany stock price appreciation.

Amortization of intangible assets. The increases in amortization expense in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 from the corresponding 2018 periods primarily reflect the Concord acquisition, the acquisitions by Kentucky Trailer of two manufacturers of aluminum feed transportation equipment in December 2018 and July 2019, the acquisition by PCT of a consumable cutting tool manufacturer in June 2019, and a small acquisition by IPS in May 2019.

38


Interest expense. The increases in interest expense in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 from the corresponding 2018 periods primarily reflect borrowings at Concord (primarily used to finance Alleghany Capital’s acquisition of Concord), as well as increased borrowings at other Alleghany Capital subsidiaries to support working capital needs and fund acquisitions made during 2018 and 2019.

A detailed comparison of noninsurance revenue and expenses for the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 and 2018 is contained in the following pages.

Income taxes. The following table presents our consolidated income tax expense:

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Percent

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Income taxes

 

$

28.0

 

 

$

60.4

 

 

 

(53.6

%)

 

$

207.9

 

 

$

171.2

 

 

 

21.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effective tax rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19.6

%

 

 

18.4

%

 

 

 

 

The decrease in income taxes in the third quarter of 2019 from the third quarter of 2018 reflects lower earnings before income taxes. The increase in income taxes in the first nine months of 2019 from the first nine months of 2018 primarily reflects higher earnings before income taxes. The slight increase in the effective tax rate in the first nine months of 2019 from the first nine months of 2018 primarily reflects lower tax-exempt interest income arising from municipal bond securities, lower dividends received-deductions and higher state income taxes.

Net earnings. The following table presents our consolidated earnings:

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Percent

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

$

129.3

 

 

$

349.9

 

 

 

(63.0

%)

 

$

1,061.9

 

 

$

930.3

 

 

 

14.1

%

Net earnings attributable to Alleghany stockholders

 

 

90.4

 

 

 

284.9

 

 

 

(68.3

%)

 

 

826.1

 

 

 

751.6

 

 

 

9.9

%

The decreases in earnings before income taxes and net earnings attributable to Alleghany stockholders in the third quarter of 2019 from the third quarter of 2018 primarily reflect the impact of modest depreciation in the value of our equity securities portfolio in the third quarter of 2019 compared with significant appreciation in the third quarter of 2018, partially offset by significantly lower catastrophe losses at our reinsurance segment and profitable growth at Alleghany Capital, all as discussed above.

The increases in earnings before income taxes and net earnings attributable to Alleghany stockholders in the first nine months of 2019 from the first nine months of 2018 primarily reflect significantly lower catastrophe losses at our reinsurance segment and profitable growth at Alleghany Capital, all as discussed above.

39


Reinsurance Segment Underwriting Results

The reinsurance segment is comprised of TransRe’s property and casualty & other lines of business. TransRe writes a modest amount of property and casualty insurance business, which is included in the reinsurance segment. For a more detailed description of our reinsurance segment, see Part I, Item 1, “Business—Segment Information—Reinsurance Segment” of the 2018 Form 10-K.

The following tables present the underwriting results of the reinsurance segment:

Three Months Ended September 30, 2019

 

Property

 

 

Casualty &

other(1)

 

 

Total

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Gross premiums written

 

$

455.9

 

 

$

787.4

 

 

$

1,243.3

 

Net premiums written

 

 

339.0

 

 

 

772.7

 

 

 

1,111.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

327.0

 

 

 

770.6

 

 

 

1,097.6

 

Net loss and LAE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

 

176.7

 

 

 

537.3

 

 

 

714.0

 

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

71.7

 

 

 

4.6

 

 

 

76.3

 

Prior years

 

 

(23.3

)

 

 

(36.3

)

 

 

(59.6

)

Total net loss and LAE

 

 

225.1

 

 

 

505.6

 

 

 

730.7

 

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

 

 

108.3

 

 

 

252.6

 

 

 

360.9

 

Underwriting (loss) profit(2)

 

$

(6.4

)

 

$

12.4

 

 

$

6.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio(3):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

 

54.0

%

 

 

69.7

%

 

 

65.0

%

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

21.9

%

 

 

0.6

%

 

 

7.0

%

Prior years

 

 

(7.1

%)

 

 

(4.7

%)

 

 

(5.4

%)

Total net loss and LAE

 

 

68.8

%

 

 

65.6

%

 

 

66.6

%

Expense ratio(4)

 

 

33.1

%

 

 

32.8

%

 

 

32.9

%

Combined ratio(5)

 

 

101.9

%

 

 

98.4

%

 

 

99.5

%

Three Months Ended September 30, 2018

 

Property

 

 

Casualty &

other(1)

 

 

Total

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Gross premiums written

 

$

451.4

 

 

$

685.9

 

 

$

1,137.3

 

Net premiums written

 

 

331.1

 

 

 

654.1

 

 

 

985.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

326.5

 

 

 

635.0

 

 

 

961.5

 

Net loss and LAE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

 

194.6

 

 

 

460.1

 

 

 

654.7

 

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

195.8

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

195.8

 

Prior years

 

 

(2.8

)

 

 

(38.7

)

 

 

(41.5

)

Total net loss and LAE

 

 

387.6

 

 

 

421.4

 

 

 

809.0

 

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

 

 

113.3

 

 

 

211.6

 

 

 

324.9

 

Underwriting (loss) profit(2)

 

$

(174.4

)

 

$

2.0

 

 

$

(172.4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio(3):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

 

59.6

%

 

 

72.5

%

 

 

68.1

%

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

60.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

20.4

%

Prior years

 

 

(0.9

%)

 

 

(6.1

%)

 

 

(4.4

%)

Total net loss and LAE

 

 

118.7

%

 

 

66.4

%

 

 

84.1

%

Expense ratio(4)

 

 

34.7

%

 

 

33.3

%

 

 

33.8

%

Combined ratio(5)

 

 

153.4

%

 

 

99.7

%

 

 

117.9

%


Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019

 

Property

 

 

Casualty &

other(1)

 

 

Total

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Gross premiums written

 

$

1,252.6

 

 

$

2,433.0

 

 

$

3,685.6

 

Net premiums written

 

 

961.1

 

 

 

2,371.0

 

 

 

3,332.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

939.1

 

 

 

2,262.6

 

 

 

3,201.7

 

Net loss and LAE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

 

502.3

 

 

 

1,591.1

 

 

 

2,093.4

 

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

71.7

 

 

 

4.6

 

 

 

76.3

 

Prior years

 

 

(50.2

)

 

 

(90.6

)

 

 

(140.8

)

Total net loss and LAE

 

 

523.8

 

 

 

1,505.1

 

 

 

2,028.9

 

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

 

 

315.8

 

 

 

735.0

 

 

 

1,050.8

 

Underwriting profit(2)

 

$

99.5

 

 

$

22.5

 

 

$

122.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio(3):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

 

53.5

%

 

 

70.3

%

 

 

65.4

%

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

7.6

%

 

 

0.2

%

 

 

2.4

%

Prior years

 

 

(5.3

%)

 

 

(4.0

%)

 

 

(4.4

%)

Total net loss and LAE

 

 

55.8

%

 

 

66.5

%

 

 

63.4

%

Expense ratio(4)

 

 

33.6

%

 

 

32.5

%

 

 

32.8

%

Combined ratio(5)

 

 

89.4

%

 

 

99.0

%

 

 

96.2

%

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018

 

Property

 

 

Casualty &

other(1)

 

 

Total

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Gross premiums written

 

$

1,193.7

 

 

$

2,130.9

 

 

$

3,324.6

 

Net premiums written

 

 

912.1

 

 

 

2,046.8

 

 

 

2,958.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

893.7

 

 

 

2,009.3

 

 

 

2,903.0

 

Net loss and LAE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

 

499.7

 

 

 

1,410.2

 

 

 

1,909.9

 

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

195.8

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

195.8

 

Prior years

 

 

(57.8

)

 

 

(105.9

)

 

 

(163.7

)

Total net loss and LAE

 

 

637.7

 

 

 

1,304.3

 

 

 

1,942.0

 

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

 

 

301.2

 

 

 

663.6

 

 

 

964.8

 

Underwriting (loss) profit(2)

 

$

(45.2

)

 

$

41.4

 

 

$

(3.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio(3):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

 

55.9

%

 

 

70.2

%

 

 

65.8

%

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

21.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

6.7

%

Prior years

 

 

(6.5

%)

 

 

(5.3

%)

 

 

(5.6

%)

Total net loss and LAE

 

 

71.3

%

 

 

64.9

%

 

 

66.9

%

Expense ratio(4)

 

 

33.7

%

 

 

33.0

%

 

 

33.2

%

Combined ratio(5)

 

 

105.0

%

 

 

97.9

%

 

 

100.1

%

(1)

Primarily consists of the following reinsurance lines of business: directors’ and officers’ liability; errors and omissions liability; general liability; medical malpractice; ocean marine and aviation; auto liability; accident and health; mortgage reinsurance; surety; and credit.

(2)

Underwriting profit represents net premiums earned less net loss and LAE and commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses, all as determined in accordance with GAAP, and does not include net investment income, change in the fair value of equity securities, net realized capital gains, OTTI losses, noninsurance revenue, other operating expenses, corporate administration, amortization of intangible assets and interest expense. Underwriting profit is a non-GAAP financial measure and does not replace earnings before income taxes determined in accordance with GAAP as a measure of profitability. See “Comment on Non-GAAP Financial Measures” herein for additional detail on the presentation of our results of operations.

(3)

The loss ratio is derived by dividing the amount of net loss and LAE by net premiums earned, all as determined in accordance with GAAP.

(4)

The expense ratio is derived by dividing the amount of commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses by net premiums earned, all as determined in accordance with GAAP.

(5)

The combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio, all as determined in accordance with GAAP. The combined ratio represents the percentage of each premium dollar a reinsurance or an insurance company has to spend on net loss and LAE, and commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses.

41


Reinsurance Segment: Premiums. The following table presents premiums for the reinsurance segment:

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Percent

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Property

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums written:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross premiums written

 

$

455.9

 

 

$

451.4

 

 

 

1.0

%

 

$

1,252.6

 

 

$

1,193.7

 

 

 

4.9

%

Net premiums written

 

 

339.0

 

 

 

331.1

 

 

 

2.4

%

 

 

961.1

 

 

 

912.1

 

 

 

5.4

%

Net premiums earned

 

 

327.0

 

 

 

326.5

 

 

 

0.2

%

 

 

939.1

 

 

 

893.7

 

 

 

5.1

%

Casualty & other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums written:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross premiums written

 

$

787.4

 

 

$

685.9

 

 

 

14.8

%

 

$

2,433.0

 

 

$

2,130.9

 

 

 

14.2

%

Net premiums written

 

 

772.7

 

 

 

654.1

 

 

 

18.1

%

 

 

2,371.0

 

 

 

2,046.8

 

 

 

15.8

%

Net premiums earned

 

 

770.6

 

 

 

635.0

 

 

 

21.4

%

 

 

2,262.6

 

 

 

2,009.3

 

 

 

12.6

%

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums written:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross premiums written

 

$

1,243.3

 

 

$

1,137.3

 

 

 

9.3

%

 

$

3,685.6

 

 

$

3,324.6

 

 

 

10.9

%

Net premiums written

 

 

1,111.7

 

 

 

985.2

 

 

 

12.8

%

 

 

3,332.1

 

 

 

2,958.9

 

 

 

12.6

%

Net premiums earned

 

 

1,097.6

 

 

 

961.5

 

 

 

14.2

%

 

 

3,201.7

 

 

 

2,903.0

 

 

 

10.3

%

Property. The increases in gross premiums written in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 from the corresponding 2018 periods primarily reflect higher premiums written by the domestic operations, which include the impact of the Renewal Rights Purchase, partially offset by a decrease in premiums written related to the Quota Share Treaty and the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The increase in gross premiums written in the first nine months of 2019 from the first nine months of 2018 also reflects higher premiums written by the Asia-Pacific and Latin America operations. Gross premiums written related to the Quota Share Treaty were $78.0 million and $113.4 million in the third quarter of 2019 and 2018, respectively, and $197.4 million and $224.0 million in the first nine months of 2019 and 2018, respectively, reflecting a reduction of TransRe’s quota share participation. Excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, gross premiums written increased by 1.7 percent in the third quarter of 2019 from the third quarter of 2018, and increased by 6.2 percent in the first nine months of 2019 from the first nine months of 2018.

The increases in net premiums earned in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 from the corresponding 2018 periods primarily reflect the impact of higher gross premiums written in recent quarters, partially offset by the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, net premiums earned increased by 0.7 percent in the third quarter of 2019 from the third quarter of 2018 and increased by 6.6 percent in the first nine months of 2019 from the first nine months of 2018.

Casualty & other. The increase in gross premiums written in the third quarter of 2019 from the third quarter of 2018 primarily reflects higher gross premiums written by the domestic operations, which include the impact of the Renewal Rights Purchase and higher gross premiums written related to the Quota Share Treaty, partially offset by the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The increase in gross premiums written in the first nine months of 2019 from the first nine months of 2018 primarily reflects higher gross premiums written by the domestic operations, which include the impact of the Renewal Rights Purchase, partially offset by lower gross premiums written related to the Quota Share Treaty, and higher gross premiums written by the European operations, partially offset by the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Gross premiums written related to the Quota Share Treaty were $103.2 million and $93.8 million in the third quarter of 2019 and 2018, respectively.  Gross premiums written related to the Quota Share Treaty were $311.4 million and $354.9 million in the first nine months of 2019 and 2018, respectively, reflecting a reduction of TransRe’s quota share participation. Excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, gross premiums written increased by 15.7 percent in the third quarter of 2019 from the third quarter of 2018, and increased by 15.4 percent in the first nine months of 2019 from the first nine months of 2018.

The increases in net premiums earned in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 from the corresponding 2018 periods primarily reflect the impact of higher gross premiums written in recent quarters, partially offset by the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, net premiums earned increased by 22.3 percent in the third quarter of 2019 from the third quarter of 2018, and increased by 13.8 percent in the first nine months of 2019 from the first nine months of 2018.

42


Reinsurance Segment: Net loss and LAE. The following table presents net loss and LAE for the reinsurance segment:

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Percent

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Property

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss and LAE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

$

176.7

 

 

$

194.6

 

 

 

(9.2

%)

 

$

502.3

 

 

$

499.7

 

 

 

0.5

%

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

71.7

 

 

 

195.8

 

 

 

(63.4

%)

 

 

71.7

 

 

 

195.8

 

 

 

(63.4

%)

Prior years

 

 

(23.3

)

 

 

(2.8

)

 

 

732.1

%

 

 

(50.2

)

 

 

(57.8

)

 

 

(13.1

%)

Total net loss and LAE

 

$

225.1

 

 

$

387.6

 

 

 

(41.9

%)

 

$

523.8

 

 

$

637.7

 

 

 

(17.9

%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

 

54.0

%

 

 

59.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

53.5

%

 

 

55.9

%

 

 

 

 

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

21.9

%

 

 

60.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.6

%

 

 

21.9

%

 

 

 

 

Prior years

 

 

(7.1

%)

 

 

(0.9

%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5.3

%)

 

 

(6.5

%)

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

 

 

68.8

%

 

 

118.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

55.8

%

 

 

71.3

%

 

 

 

 

Casualty & other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss and LAE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

$

537.3

 

 

$

460.1

 

 

 

16.8

%

 

$

1,591.1

 

 

$

1,410.2

 

 

 

12.8

%

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

4.6

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

4.6

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Prior years

 

 

(36.3

)

 

 

(38.7

)

 

 

(6.2

%)

 

 

(90.6

)

 

 

(105.9

)

 

 

(14.4

%)

Total net loss and LAE

 

$

505.6

 

 

$

421.4

 

 

 

20.0

%

 

$

1,505.1

 

 

$

1,304.3

 

 

 

15.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

 

69.7

%

 

 

72.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

70.3

%

 

 

70.2

%

 

 

 

 

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

0.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior years

 

 

(4.7

%)

 

 

(6.1

%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4.0

%)

 

 

(5.3

%)

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

 

 

65.6

%

 

 

66.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

66.5

%

 

 

64.9

%

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss and LAE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

$

714.0

 

 

$

654.7

 

 

 

9.1

%

 

$

2,093.4

 

 

$

1,909.9

 

 

 

9.6

%

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

76.3

 

 

 

195.8

 

 

 

(61.0

%)

 

 

76.3

 

 

 

195.8

 

 

 

(61.0

%)

Prior years

 

 

(59.6

)

 

 

(41.5

)

 

 

43.6

%

 

 

(140.8

)

 

 

(163.7

)

 

 

(14.0

%)

Total net loss and LAE

 

$

730.7

 

 

$

809.0

 

 

 

(9.7

%)

 

$

2,028.9

 

 

$

1,942.0

 

 

 

4.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

 

65.0

%

 

 

68.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

65.4

%

 

 

65.8

%

 

 

 

 

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

7.0

%

 

 

20.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.4

%

 

 

6.7

%

 

 

 

 

Prior years

 

 

(5.4

%)

 

 

(4.4

%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4.4

%)

 

 

(5.6

%)

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

 

 

66.6

%

 

 

84.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

63.4

%

 

 

66.9

%

 

 

 

 

Property. The decreases in net loss and LAE in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 from the corresponding 2018 periods primarily reflect significantly lower catastrophe losses. The catastrophe losses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 include $46.3 million related to Typhoon Faxai, $16.4 million related to Hurricane Dorian and $9.0 million from another typhoon in East Asia.  The catastrophe losses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 include $87.7 million related to Typhoon Jebi, $46.2 million related to Hurricane Florence, $38.5 million related to Typhoon Trami and $23.4 million from several other severe weather events in East Asia.

43


Net loss and LAE in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 and 2018 include (favorable) unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development as presented in the table below:

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

2018

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Catastrophe events

 

$

(12.5

)

(1)

 

$

9.6

 

(2)

 

$

(14.0

)

(3)

 

$

(15.6

)

(4)

Non-catastrophe

 

 

(10.8

)

(5)

 

 

(12.4

)

(6)

 

 

(36.2

)

(5)

 

 

(42.2

)

(6)

Total

 

$

(23.3

)

 

 

$

(2.8

)

 

 

$

(50.2

)

 

 

$

(57.8

)

 

(1)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development related to wildfires in California in the 2018 accident year.

(2)

Primarily reflects unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development related to Hurricanes Maria and Irma in the 2017 accident year.

(3)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development related to wildfires in California in the 2018 accident year, partially offset by unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development related to Typhoon Jebi in the 2018 accident year.

(4)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development related to Hurricane Harvey in the 2017 accident year and catastrophes in the 2016 accident year, partially offset by unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development related to Hurricanes Maria and Irma in the 2017 accident year.

(5)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the 2018 accident year.

(6)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the 2017 accident year.

The favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 and 2018 reflect favorable loss emergence compared with loss emergence patterns assumed in prior periods. The favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 did not impact assumptions used in estimating TransRe’s loss and LAE liabilities for business earned in the first nine months of 2019.

Casualty & other. The increase in net loss and LAE in the third quarter of 2019 from the third quarter of 2018 primarily reflects the impact of higher net premiums earned and, to a lesser extent, casualty-related catastrophe losses in the third quarter of 2019 related primarily to Hurricane Dorian and Typhoon Faxai, partially offset by a lower non-catastrophe current accident year loss ratio. The increase in net loss and LAE in the first nine months of 2019 from the first nine months of 2018 primarily reflects the impact of higher net premiums earned and, to a lesser extent, less favorable prior accident year loss reserve development and casualty-related catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2019.

Net loss and LAE in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 and 2018 include (favorable) unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development as presented in the table below:

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

2018

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

2018

 

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

 

Malpractice Treaties(1)

 

$

-

 

 

 

$

-

 

 

 

$

(1.4

)

 

 

$

(3.4

)

 

Other

 

 

(36.3

)

(2)

 

 

(38.7

)

(3)

 

 

(89.2

)

(2)

 

 

(102.5

)

(4)

Total

 

$

(36.3

)

 

 

$

(38.7

)

 

 

$

(90.6

)

 

 

$

(105.9

)

 

(1)

Represents certain malpractice treaties pursuant to which the increased underwriting profits created by the favorable prior accident year loss reserve development are largely retained by the cedants. As a result, the favorable prior accident year loss reserve development is largely offset by an increase in profit commission expense incurred when such favorable prior accident year loss reserve development occurs.

(2)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the longer-tailed casualty lines of business in the 2015 and prior accident years, partially offset by unfavorable prior accident year development in the 2016 through 2018 accident years, largely from shorter-tailed lines casualty of business.

(3)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the longer-tailed casualty lines of business in the 2007 and prior accident years, partially offset by unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the longer-tailed casualty lines of business in the 2014 through 2016 accident years.

(4)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the shorter-tailed casualty lines of business in the 2016 and 2017 accident years and in the longer-tailed casualty lines of business in the 2010 and prior accident years, partially offset by unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the longer-tailed casualty lines of business in the 2014 accident year.

The favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 and 2018 reflects favorable loss emergence compared with loss emergence patterns assumed in prior periods. The favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 did not impact assumptions used in estimating TransRe’s loss and LAE liabilities for business earned in the first nine months of 2019.

44


Reinsurance Segment: Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses. The following table presents commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses for the reinsurance segment:

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Percent

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Property

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

 

$

108.3

 

 

$

113.3

 

 

 

(4.4

%)

 

$

315.8

 

 

$

301.2

 

 

 

4.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expense ratio

 

 

33.1

%

 

 

34.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

33.6

%

 

 

33.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Casualty & other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

 

$

252.6

 

 

$

211.6

 

 

 

19.4

%

 

$

735.0

 

 

$

663.6

 

 

 

10.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expense ratio

 

 

32.8

%

 

 

33.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

32.5

%

 

 

33.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

 

$

360.9

 

 

$

324.9

 

 

 

11.1

%

 

$

1,050.8

 

 

$

964.8

 

 

 

8.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expense ratio

 

 

32.9

%

 

 

33.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

32.8

%

 

 

33.2

%

 

 

 

 

Property. The decrease in commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses in the third quarter of 2019 from the third quarter of 2018 primarily reflects lower overall commission rates, partially offset by the impact of higher net premiums earned and higher employee related costs. The increase in commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses in the first nine months of 2019 from the first nine months of 2018 primarily reflects the impact of higher net premiums earned and higher employee related costs, partially offset by lower overall commission rates.

Casualty & other. The increases in commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 from the corresponding 2018 periods primarily reflect the impact of higher net premiums earned, partially offset by lower overall commission rates.

Reinsurance Segment: Underwriting profit. The following table presents underwriting profit (loss) for the reinsurance segment:

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Percent

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Property

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting (loss) profit

 

$

(6.4

)

 

$

(174.4

)

 

 

(96.3

%)

 

$

99.5

 

 

$

(45.2

)

 

 

(320.1

%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined ratio

 

 

101.9

%

 

 

153.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

89.4

%

 

 

105.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Casualty & other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting profit

 

$

12.4

 

 

$

2.0

 

 

 

520.0

%

 

$

22.5

 

 

$

41.4

 

 

 

(45.7

%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined ratio

 

 

98.4

%

 

 

99.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

99.0

%

 

 

97.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting profit (loss)

 

$

6.0

 

 

$

(172.4

)

 

 

(103.5

%)

 

$

122.0

 

 

$

(3.8

)

 

 

(3,310.5

%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined ratio

 

 

99.5

%

 

 

117.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

96.2

%

 

 

100.1

%

 

 

 

 

Property. The decrease in underwriting loss in the third quarter of 2019 from the third quarter of 2018 and the underwriting profit in the first nine months of 2019 compared with the underwriting loss for the first nine months of 2018, primarily reflect significantly lower catastrophe losses in the 2019 periods, as discussed above.

45


Casualty & other. The increase in underwriting profit in the third quarter of 2019 from the third quarter of 2018 primarily reflects the impact of higher net premiums earned and a lower current accident year loss ratio, partially offset by casualty-related catastrophe losses in the third quarter of 2019, as discussed above. The decrease in underwriting profit in the first nine months of 2019 from the first nine months of 2018 primarily reflects less favorable prior accident year loss reserve development and, to a lesser extent, casualty-related catastrophe losses in the third quarter of 2019, partially offset by the impact of higher net premiums earned, all as discussed above.

Insurance Segment Underwriting Results

The insurance segment is comprised of AIHL’s RSUI and CapSpecialty operating subsidiaries. RSUI also writes a modest amount of assumed reinsurance business, which is included in the insurance segment. For a more detailed description of our insurance segment, see Part I, Item 1, “Business—Segment Information—Insurance Segment” of the 2018 Form 10-K.

The underwriting results of the insurance segment are presented below:

Three Months Ended September 30, 2019

 

RSUI

 

 

CapSpecialty

 

 

Total

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Gross premiums written

 

$

319.7

 

 

$

95.6

 

 

$

415.3

 

Net premiums written

 

 

213.4

 

 

 

88.8

 

 

 

302.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

208.9

 

 

 

83.5

 

 

 

292.4

 

Net loss and LAE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

 

109.1

 

 

 

47.6

 

 

 

156.7

 

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

18.0

 

 

 

1.6

 

 

 

19.6

 

Prior years

 

 

(1.2

)

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

0.7

 

Total net loss and LAE

 

 

125.9

 

 

 

51.1

 

 

 

177.0

 

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

 

 

55.7

 

 

 

32.9

 

 

 

88.6

 

Underwriting profit (loss)(1)

 

$

27.3

 

 

$

(0.5

)

 

$

26.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio(2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

 

52.3

%

 

 

57.1

%

 

 

53.7

%

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

8.6

%

 

 

1.8

%

 

 

6.7

%

Prior years

 

 

(0.6

%)

 

 

2.4

%

 

 

0.2

%

Total net loss and LAE

 

 

60.3

%

 

 

61.3

%

 

 

60.6

%

Expense ratio(3)

 

 

26.7

%

 

 

39.4

%

 

 

30.3

%

Combined ratio(4)

 

 

87.0

%

 

 

100.7

%

 

 

90.9

%

Three Months Ended September 30, 2018

 

RSUI

 

 

CapSpecialty

 

 

Total

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Gross premiums written

 

$

260.8

 

 

$

83.9

 

 

$

344.7

 

Net premiums written

 

 

176.0

 

 

 

77.9

 

 

 

253.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

190.6

 

 

 

73.3

 

 

 

263.9

 

Net loss and LAE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

 

97.9

 

 

 

42.3

 

 

 

140.2

 

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

41.1

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

42.0

 

Prior years

 

 

(32.0

)

 

 

(1.5

)

 

 

(33.5

)

Total net loss and LAE

 

 

107.0

 

 

 

41.7

 

 

 

148.7

 

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

 

 

52.8

 

 

 

30.0

 

 

 

82.8

 

Underwriting profit(1)

 

$

30.8

 

 

$

1.6

 

 

$

32.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio(2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

 

51.4

%

 

 

57.7

%

 

 

53.1

%

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

21.6

%

 

 

1.2

%

 

 

15.9

%

Prior years

 

 

(16.8

%)

 

 

(2.1

%)

 

 

(12.7

%)

Total net loss and LAE

 

 

56.1

%

 

 

56.8

%

 

 

56.3

%

Expense ratio(3)

 

 

27.7

%

 

 

40.9

%

 

 

31.4

%

Combined ratio(4)

 

 

83.8

%

 

 

97.7

%

 

 

87.7

%


Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019

 

RSUI

 

 

CapSpecialty

 

 

Total

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Gross premiums written

 

$

991.1

 

 

$

272.3

 

 

$

1,263.4

 

Net premiums written

 

 

661.7

 

 

 

252.2

 

 

 

913.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

603.7

 

 

 

237.9

 

 

 

841.6

 

Net loss and LAE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

 

306.4

 

 

 

134.6

 

 

 

441.0

 

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

36.8

 

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

39.2

 

Prior years

 

 

(17.4

)

 

 

5.3

 

 

 

(12.1

)

Total net loss and LAE

 

 

325.8

 

 

 

142.3

 

 

 

468.1

 

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

 

 

167.2

 

 

 

96.0

 

 

 

263.2

 

Underwriting profit (loss)(1)

 

$

110.7

 

 

$

(0.4

)

 

$

110.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio(2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

 

50.8

%

 

 

56.6

%

 

 

52.3

%

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

6.1

%

 

 

1.0

%

 

 

4.7

%

Prior years

 

 

(2.9

%)

 

 

2.2

%

 

��

(1.4

%)

Total net loss and LAE

 

 

54.0

%

 

 

59.8

%

 

 

55.6

%

Expense ratio(3)

 

 

27.7

%

 

 

40.3

%

 

 

31.3

%

Combined ratio(4)

 

 

81.7

%

 

 

100.1

%

 

 

86.9

%

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018

 

RSUI

 

 

CapSpecialty

 

 

Total

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Gross premiums written

 

$

854.2

 

 

$

247.1

 

 

$

1,101.3

 

Net premiums written

 

 

579.8

 

 

 

229.6

 

 

 

809.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

556.2

 

 

 

211.0

 

 

 

767.2

 

Net loss and LAE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

 

295.4

 

 

 

117.8

 

 

 

413.2

 

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

58.7

 

 

 

1.7

 

 

 

60.4

 

Prior years

 

 

(44.5

)

 

 

(4.6

)

 

 

(49.1

)

Total net loss and LAE

 

 

309.6

 

 

 

114.9

 

 

 

424.5

 

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

 

 

160.0

 

 

 

91.2

 

 

 

251.2

 

Underwriting profit(1)

 

$

86.6

 

 

$

4.9

 

 

$

91.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio(2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

 

53.1

%

 

 

55.8

%

 

 

53.9

%

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

10.6

%

 

 

0.8

%

 

 

7.8

%

Prior years

 

 

(8.0

%)

 

 

(2.1

%)

 

 

(6.4

%)

Total net loss and LAE

 

 

55.7

%

 

 

54.5

%

 

 

55.3

%

Expense ratio(3)

 

 

28.8

%

 

 

43.2

%

 

 

32.7

%

Combined ratio(4)

 

 

84.5

%

 

 

97.7

%

 

 

88.0

%

(1)

Underwriting profit represents net premiums earned less net loss and LAE and commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses, all as determined in accordance with GAAP, and does not include net investment income, change in the fair value of equity securities, net realized capital gains, OTTI losses, noninsurance revenue, other operating expenses, corporate administration, amortization of intangible assets and interest expense. Underwriting profit is a non-GAAP financial measure and does not replace earnings before income taxes determined in accordance with GAAP as a measure of profitability. See “Comment on Non-GAAP Financial Measures” herein for additional detail on the presentation of our results of operations.

(2)

The loss ratio is derived by dividing the amount of net loss and LAE by net premiums earned, all as determined in accordance with GAAP.

(3)

The expense ratio is derived by dividing the amount of commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses by net premiums earned, all as determined in accordance with GAAP.

(4)

The combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio, all as determined in accordance with GAAP. The combined ratio represents the percentage of each premium dollar a reinsurance or an insurance company has to spend on net loss and LAE, and commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses.

47


Insurance Segment: Premiums. The following table presents premiums for the insurance segment:

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Percent

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

RSUI

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums written:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross premiums written

 

$

319.7

 

 

$

260.8

 

 

 

22.6

%

 

$

991.1

 

 

$

854.2

 

 

 

16.0

%

Net premiums written

 

 

213.4

 

 

 

176.0

 

 

 

21.3

%

 

 

661.7

 

 

 

579.8

 

 

 

14.1

%

Net premiums earned

 

 

208.9

 

 

 

190.6

 

 

 

9.6

%

 

 

603.7

 

 

 

556.2

 

 

 

8.5

%

CapSpecialty

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums written:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross premiums written

 

$

95.6

 

 

$

83.9

 

 

 

13.9

%

 

$

272.3

 

 

$

247.1

 

 

 

10.2

%

Net premiums written

 

 

88.8

 

 

 

77.9

 

 

 

14.0

%

 

 

252.2

 

 

 

229.6

 

 

 

9.8

%

Net premiums earned

 

 

83.5

 

 

 

73.3

 

 

 

13.9

%

 

 

237.9

 

 

 

211.0

 

 

 

12.7

%

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums written:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross premiums written

 

$

415.3

 

 

$

344.7

 

 

 

20.5

%

 

$

1,263.4

 

 

$

1,101.3

 

 

 

14.7

%

Net premiums written

 

 

302.2

 

 

 

253.9

 

 

 

19.0

%

 

 

913.9

 

 

 

809.4

 

 

 

12.9

%

Net premiums earned

 

 

292.4

 

 

 

263.9

 

 

 

10.8

%

 

 

841.6

 

 

 

767.2

 

 

 

9.7

%

RSUI. The increases in gross premiums written in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 from the corresponding 2018 periods primarily reflect growth in most lines of business due to increases in business opportunities, higher rates and improved general market conditions, particularly in the property lines of business and, to a lesser extent, the directors’ and officers’ liability lines of business.

The increases in net premiums earned in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 from the corresponding 2018 periods primarily reflect increases in gross premiums written in recent quarters, partially offset by higher ceded premiums earned related to the growth in the heavily-reinsured property lines of business.

CapSpecialty. The increases in gross premiums written in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 from the corresponding 2018 periods primarily reflect growth in the healthcare, specialty casualty and surety lines of business due to increases in business opportunities and CapSpecialty’s expanded product offerings and, for the nine month period only, the impact of CapSpecialty’s purchase on February 20, 2018 of certain renewal rights to a small environmental block of business.

The increases in net premiums earned in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 from the corresponding 2018 periods primarily reflect increases in gross premiums written in recent quarters.

48


Insurance Segment: Net loss and LAE. The following table presents net loss and LAE for the insurance segment:

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Percent

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

RSUI

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss and LAE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

$

109.1

 

 

$

97.9

 

 

 

11.4

%

 

$

306.4

 

 

$

295.4

 

 

 

3.7

%

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

18.0

 

 

 

41.1

 

 

 

(56.2

%)

 

 

36.8

 

 

 

58.7

 

 

 

(37.3

%)

Prior years

 

 

(1.2

)

 

 

(32.0

)

 

 

(96.3

%)

 

 

(17.4

)

 

 

(44.5

)

 

 

(60.9

%)

Total net loss and LAE

 

$

125.9

 

 

$

107.0

 

 

 

17.7

%

 

$

325.8

 

 

$

309.6

 

 

 

5.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

 

52.3

%

 

 

51.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

50.8

%

 

 

53.1

%

 

 

 

 

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

8.6

%

 

 

21.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.1

%

 

 

10.6

%

 

 

 

 

Prior years

 

 

(0.6

%)

 

 

(16.9

%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.9

%)

 

 

(8.0

%)

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

 

 

60.3

%

 

 

56.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

54.0

%

 

 

55.7

%

 

 

 

 

CapSpecialty

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss and LAE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

$

47.6

 

 

$

42.3

 

 

 

12.5

%

 

$

134.6

 

 

$

117.8

 

 

 

14.3

%

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

1.6

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

77.8

%

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

1.7

 

 

 

41.2

%

Prior years

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

(1.5

)

 

 

(226.7

%)

 

 

5.3

 

 

 

(4.6

)

 

 

(215.2

%)

Total net loss and LAE

 

$

51.1

 

 

$

41.7

 

 

 

22.5

%

 

$

142.3

 

 

$

114.9

 

 

 

23.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

 

57.1

%

 

 

57.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

56.6

%

 

 

55.8

%

 

 

 

 

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

1.8

%

 

 

1.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.0

%

 

 

0.8

%

 

 

 

 

Prior years

 

 

2.4

%

 

 

(2.1

%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.2

%

 

 

(2.1

%)

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

 

 

61.3

%

 

 

56.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

59.8

%

 

 

54.5

%

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss and LAE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

$

156.7

 

 

$

140.2

 

 

 

11.8

%

 

$

441.0

 

 

$

413.2

 

 

 

6.7

%

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

19.6

 

 

 

42.0

 

 

 

(53.3

%)

 

 

39.2

 

 

 

60.4

 

 

 

(35.1

%)

Prior years

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

(33.5

)

 

 

(102.1

%)

 

 

(12.1

)

 

 

(49.1

)

 

 

(75.4

%)

Total net loss and LAE

 

$

177.0

 

 

$

148.7

 

 

 

19.0

%

 

$

468.1

 

 

$

424.5

 

 

 

10.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss ratio:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current year (excluding catastrophe losses)

 

 

53.7

%

 

 

53.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

52.3

%

 

 

53.9

%

 

 

 

 

Current year catastrophe losses

 

 

6.7

%

 

 

15.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.7

%

 

 

7.8

%

 

 

 

 

Prior years

 

 

0.2

%

 

 

(12.7

%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.4

%)

 

 

(6.4

%)

 

 

 

 

Total net loss and LAE

 

 

60.6

%

 

 

56.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

55.6

%

 

 

55.3

%

 

 

 

 

RSUI. The increases in net loss and LAE in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 from the corresponding 2018 periods primarily reflect lower favorable prior accident year loss reserve development and the impact of higher net premiums earned, partially offset by lower catastrophe losses and, for the nine month period only, a lower non-catastrophe property loss ratio.

Catastrophe losses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 primarily relate to severe weather and flooding in the Midwestern U.S. The catastrophe losses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 include $34.0 million related to Hurricane Florence, as well as losses related to flooding and severe weather in the Northeastern U.S. and California.

49


Net loss and LAE in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 and 2018 include (favorable) unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development as presented in the table below:

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

2019

 

 

 

2018

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

2018

 

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

 

Casualty

 

$

(0.2

)

(1)

 

$

(4.3

)

(2)

 

$

(17.9

)

(1)

 

$

(16.8

)

(2)

Property and other

 

 

(1.0

)

 

 

 

(27.7

)

(3)

 

 

0.5

 

(4)

 

 

(27.7

)

(3)

Total

 

$

(1.2

)

 

 

$

(32.0

)

 

 

$

(17.4

)

 

 

$

(44.5

)

 

(1)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the directors’ and officers’ liability and umbrella/excess lines of business in the 2011 through 2015 accident years, partially offset by unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the professional liability lines of business in recent accident years.

(2)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the umbrella/excess lines of business in the 2005 through 2012 accident years, partially offset by unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the directors’ and officers’ liability lines of business in the 2009, 2012 and 2016 accident years.

(3)

Primarily reflects favorable prior accident year loss reserve development related to Hurricane Irma in the 2017 accident year and, to a lesser extent, Hurricane Matthew in the 2016 accident year, as well as various other losses not classified as catastrophes in recent accident years.

(4)

Primarily reflects unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development related to the assumed property reinsurance lines of business from catastrophe losses in recent accident years, partially offset by favorable prior accident year loss reserve development related to Superstorm Sandy in the 2012 accident year and by Hurricanes Harvey and Maria in the 2017 accident year.

The favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 and 2018 reflects favorable loss emergence compared with loss emergence patterns assumed in prior periods. The favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 did not impact assumptions used in estimating RSUI’s loss and LAE liabilities for business earned in the first nine months of 2019.

CapSpecialty. The increases in net loss and LAE in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 from the corresponding 2018 periods primarily reflect unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019, compared with favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018, the impact of higher net premiums earned and, to a lesser extent, higher losses in the surety lines of business.

Net loss and LAE in the third quarter of 2019 includes unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development primarily related to the professional liability lines of business in recent accident years. Net loss and LAE in the first nine months of 2019 also includes unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development primarily related to certain specialty lines of business written through a program administrator in connection with a terminated program in the 2009 and 2010 accident years. The unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the first nine months of 2019 related to the terminated program reflects the impact of a recent adverse court ruling related to a single claim. Net loss and LAE in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 include favorable prior accident year loss reserve development primarily in the surety lines of business primarily in the 2016 and 2017 accident years.

The unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 and 2018 reflect unfavorable loss emergence compared with loss emergence patterns assumed in prior periods. The unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 did not impact assumptions used in estimating CapSpecialty’s loss and LAE liabilities for business earned in the first nine months of 2019.

50


Insurance Segment: Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses. The following table presents commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses for the insurance segment:

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Percent

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

RSUI

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

 

$

55.7

 

 

$

52.8

 

 

 

5.5

%

 

$

167.2

 

 

$

160.0

 

 

 

4.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expense ratio

 

 

26.7

%

 

 

27.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

27.7

%

 

 

28.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CapSpecialty

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

 

$

32.9

 

 

$

30.0

 

 

 

9.7

%

 

$

96.0

 

 

$

91.2

 

 

 

5.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expense ratio

 

 

39.4

%

 

 

40.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

40.3

%

 

 

43.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

 

$

88.6

 

 

$

82.8

 

 

 

7.0

%

 

$

263.2

 

 

$

251.2

 

 

 

4.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expense ratio

 

 

30.3

%

 

 

31.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

31.3

%

 

 

32.7

%

 

 

 

 

RSUI. The increases in commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 from the corresponding 2018 periods primarily reflect the impact of higher net premiums earned, partially offset by slightly lower overall commission rates.

CapSpecialty. The increases in commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 from the corresponding 2018 periods primarily reflect the impact of higher net premiums earned, partially offset by one-time acquisition expenses incurred in the first nine months of 2018 from CapSpecialty’s purchase of certain renewal rights associated with a small environmental block of business and lower short-term incentive compensation expense accruals.

Insurance Segment: Underwriting profit. The following table presents our underwriting profit (loss) for the insurance segment:

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Percent

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

RSUI

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting profit

 

$

27.3

 

 

$

30.8

 

 

 

(11.4

%)

 

$

110.7

 

 

$

86.6

 

 

 

27.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined ratio

 

 

87.0

%

 

 

83.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

81.7

%

 

 

84.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CapSpecialty

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting (loss) profit

 

$

(0.5

)

 

$

1.6

 

 

 

(131.3

%)

 

$

(0.4

)

 

$

4.9

 

 

 

(108.2

%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined ratio

 

 

100.7

%

 

 

97.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

100.1

%

 

 

97.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting profit

 

$

26.8

 

 

$

32.4

 

 

 

(17.3

%)

 

$

110.3

 

 

$

91.5

 

 

 

20.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined ratio

 

 

90.9

%

 

 

87.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

86.9

%

 

 

88.0

%

 

 

 

 

RSUI. The decrease in underwriting profit in the third quarter of 2019 from the third quarter of 2018 primarily reflects lower favorable prior accident year loss reserve development, partially offset by lower catastrophe losses and the impact of higher net premiums earned, all as discussed above. The increase in underwriting profit in the first nine months of 2019 from the first nine months of 2018 primarily reflects lower catastrophe losses, the impact of higher net premiums earned and a lower non-catastrophe property loss ratio, partially offset by lower favorable prior accident year loss reserve development, all as discussed above.

51


CapSpecialty. The underwriting losses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 compared with the underwriting profit in the corresponding 2018 periods primarily reflect unfavorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019, compared with favorable prior accident year loss reserve development in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018, partially offset by the impact of higher net premiums earned, all as discussed above.

Investment Results for the Reinsurance and Insurance Segments

The following table presents the investment results for our reinsurance and insurance segments:

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Percent

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Net investment income

 

$

145.1

 

 

$

122.5

 

 

 

18.4

%

 

$

401.5

 

 

$

362.0

 

 

 

10.9

%

Change in the fair value of equity securities

 

 

(16.7

)

 

 

373.9

 

 

 

(104.5

%)

 

 

515.7

 

 

 

506.7

 

 

 

1.8

%

Net realized capital gains

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

16.2

 

 

 

(74.7

%)

 

 

20.4

 

 

 

66.8

 

 

 

(69.5

%)

Other than temporary impairment losses

 

 

(3.6

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(13.6

)

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

2,620.0

%

Net investment income. The increases in net investment income in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 from the corresponding 2018 periods primarily reflect higher interest income, partially offset by lower dividend income.  The increases in interest income and the decreases in dividend income primarily relate to a reallocation of a significant portion of our investment portfolio from equity securities to debt securities in the first quarter of 2019.

Change in the fair value of equity securities. The change in the fair value of equity securities in the third quarter of 2019 reflects modest depreciation in the value of our equity securities portfolio, primarily from our holdings in the industrial sector. The change in the fair value of equity securities in the first nine months of 2019 reflects appreciation in the value of our equity securities portfolio, primarily from our holdings in the technology, industrial and financial sectors. The changes in the fair value of equity securities in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 reflect appreciation in the value of our equity securities portfolio, primarily from our holdings in the technology and industrial sectors.

Net realized capital gains. The decrease in net realized capital gains in the third quarter of 2019 from the third quarter of 2018 primarily reflects the decrease in the fair value of the Put Option and lower realized gains on our debt securities.

The decrease in net realized capital gains in the first nine months of 2019 from the first nine months of 2018 primarily reflects a $45.7 million gain on AIHL’s conversion of its limited partnership interests in certain subsidiaries of Ares into Ares common units in the first nine months of 2018. See Note 3(h) to Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements” of this Form 10-Q for additional information.

Other than temporary impairment losses. OTTI losses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 reflect $3.6 million and $13.6 million, respectively, of unrealized losses on debt securities, primarily in the energy sector, that were deemed to be other than temporary and, as such, were required to be charged against earnings. The determination that unrealized losses on these debt securities were other than temporary was primarily due to the deterioration of creditworthiness of the issuers.

OTTI losses in the first nine months of 2018 reflect $0.5 million of unrealized losses on debt securities that were deemed to be other than temporary and, as such, were required to be charged against earnings.

Upon the ultimate disposition of the securities for which OTTI losses have been recorded, a portion of the loss may be recoverable depending on market conditions at the time of disposition. After adjusting the cost basis of securities for the recognition of OTTI losses, the remaining gross unrealized investment losses for debt securities as of September 30, 2019 were deemed to be temporary, based on, among other factors: (i) the duration of time and the relative magnitude to which the fair values of these securities had been below cost were not indicative of an OTTI loss; (ii) the absence of compelling evidence that would cause us to call into question the financial condition or near-term business prospects of the issuers of the securities; and (iii) our ability and intent to hold the securities for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery.

See Note 3 to Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements” of this Form 10-Q for additional detail on gross unrealized investment losses for debt securities as of September 30, 2019.

52


Alleghany Capital Segment Results

The Alleghany Capital segment consists of: (i) industrial operations conducted through PCT, Kentucky Trailer, W&W|AFCO Steel and a 45 percent equity interest in Wilbert Funeral Services, Inc., or “Wilbert;” (ii) non-industrial operations conducted through IPS, Jazwares and Concord; and (iii) corporate operations at the Alleghany Capital level. Wilbert is accounted for under the equity method of accounting and is included in other invested assets.

The following table presents the results of the Alleghany Capital segment for the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 and 2018:

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2019

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2018

 

 

 

Industrial

 

 

Non-

industrial

 

 

Corp. &

other(1)

 

 

Total(1)

 

 

Industrial

 

 

Non-

industrial

 

 

Corp. &

other(1)

 

 

Total(1)

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Noninsurance revenue(2)

 

$

286.8

 

 

$

341.2

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

628.0

 

 

$

224.2

 

 

$

183.7

 

 

$

(0.4

)

 

$

407.5

 

Net investment income

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.8

 

Net realized capital gains

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Total revenues

 

$

288.3

 

 

$

340.7

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

629.0

 

 

$

225.0

 

 

$

183.6

 

 

$

(0.3

)

 

$

408.3

 

Other operating expenses(2)

 

 

266.0

 

 

 

307.8

 

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

578.2

 

 

 

217.1

 

 

 

161.7

 

 

 

3.7

 

 

 

382.5

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

2.9

 

 

 

4.8

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

7.7

 

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

3.4

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

5.8

 

Interest expense

 

 

3.1

 

 

 

1.7

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

5.2

 

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2.6

 

Earnings (losses) before income taxes

 

$

16.3

 

 

$

26.4

 

 

$

(4.8

)

 

$

37.9

 

 

$

3.5

 

 

$

17.9

 

 

$

(4.0

)

 

$

17.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating earnings (losses) before income taxes(3)

 

$

19.1

 

 

$

31.5

 

 

$

(4.8

)

 

$

45.8

 

 

$

5.8

 

 

$

21.4

 

 

$

(4.0

)

 

$

23.2

 

Add: net realized capital gains

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Less: amortization of intangible assets

 

 

(2.9

)

 

 

(4.8

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(7.7

)

 

 

(2.4

)

 

 

(3.4

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(5.8

)

Earnings (losses) before income taxes

 

$

16.3

 

 

$

26.4

 

 

$

(4.8

)

 

$

37.9

 

 

$

3.5

 

 

$

17.9

 

 

$

(4.0

)

 

$

17.4

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018

 

 

 

Industrial

 

 

Non-

industrial

 

 

Corp. &

other(1)

 

 

Total(1)

 

 

Industrial

 

 

Non-

industrial

 

 

Corp. &

other(1)

 

 

Total(1)

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Noninsurance revenue(2)

 

$

865.2

 

 

$

861.2

 

 

$

0.4

 

 

$

1,726.8

 

 

$

591.6

 

 

$

387.9

 

 

$

(0.3

)

 

$

979.2

 

Net investment income

 

 

3.7

 

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

3.4

 

 

 

3.6

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

3.7

 

Net realized capital gains

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

0.6

 

Total revenues

 

$

869.6

 

 

$

860.5

 

 

$

0.4

 

 

$

1,730.5

 

 

$

595.9

 

 

$

387.9

 

 

$

(0.3

)

 

$

983.5

 

Other operating expenses(2)

 

 

800.3

 

 

 

776.2

 

 

 

15.5

 

 

 

1,592.0

 

 

 

570.2

 

 

 

358.1

 

 

 

8.7

 

 

 

937.0

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

9.3

 

 

 

13.5

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

22.8

 

 

 

6.7

 

 

 

10.3

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

17.0

 

Interest expense

 

 

9.1

 

 

 

4.7

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

14.2

 

 

 

4.5

 

 

 

1.6

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

6.1

 

Earnings (losses) before income taxes

 

$

50.9

 

 

$

66.1

 

 

$

(15.5

)

 

$

101.5

 

 

$

14.5

 

 

$

17.9

 

 

$

(9.0

)

 

$

23.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating earnings (losses) before income taxes(3)

 

$

59.5

 

 

$

80.0

 

 

$

(15.5

)

 

$

124.0

 

 

$

20.5

 

 

$

28.3

 

 

$

(9.0

)

 

$

39.8

 

Add: net realized capital gains

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

0.6

 

Less: amortization of intangible assets

 

 

(9.3

)

 

 

(13.5

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(22.8

)

 

 

(6.7

)

 

 

(10.3

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(17.0

)

Earnings (losses) before income taxes

 

$

50.9

 

 

$

66.1

 

 

$

(15.5

)

 

$

101.5

 

 

$

14.5

 

 

$

17.9

 

 

$

(9.0

)

 

$

23.4

 

(1)

Excludes certain minor, legacy investments that were previously reflected in Alleghany Capital in 2018 and prior periods.

(2)

For industrial and non-industrial operations: (i) noninsurance revenue consists of the sale of manufactured goods and services; and (ii) other operating expenses consist of the cost of goods and services sold and selling, general and administrative expenses. Other operating expenses also include finders’ fees, legal and accounting costs and other transaction-related expenses of $1.6 million and $0.3 million for the third quarter of 2019 and 2018, respectively, and $3.0 million and $3.2 million for the first nine months of 2019 and 2018, respectively.

(3)

Operating earnings before income taxes is a non-GAAP financial measure and does not replace earnings before income taxes determined in accordance with GAAP as a measure of profitability. See “Comment on Non-GAAP Financial Measures” herein for additional detail on the presentation of our results of operations. Operating earnings before income taxes represents noninsurance revenue and net investment income less other operating expenses and interest expense and does not include: (i) amortization of intangible assets; (ii) change in the fair value of equity securities; (iii) net realized capital gains; (iv) OTTI impairment losses; and (v) income taxes.

The changes in Alleghany Capital’s equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 are presented in the table below:

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

 

Industrial

 

 

Non-

industrial

 

 

Corp. &

other(1)

 

 

Total(1)

 

 

Industrial

 

 

Non-

industrial

 

 

Corp. &

other(1)

 

 

Total(1)

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Equity, beginning of period

 

$

516.0

 

 

$

410.6

 

 

$

(46.7

)

 

$

879.9

 

 

$

439.2

 

 

$

312.1

 

 

$

6.9

 

 

$

758.2

 

Earnings (losses) before income taxes

 

 

16.3

 

 

 

26.4

 

 

 

(4.8

)

 

 

37.9

 

 

 

3.5

 

 

 

17.9

 

 

 

(4.0

)

 

 

17.4

 

Income taxes(2)

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

(0.7

)

 

 

(4.7

)

 

 

(5.3

)

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(0.7

)

 

 

(2.2

)

 

 

(3.1

)

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests(3)

 

 

(3.0

)

 

 

(7.9

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(10.9

)

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

(4.1

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(4.6

)

Capital contributions (returns of capital) and other(4)

 

 

6.7

 

 

 

(17.7

)

 

 

10.9

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

5.9

 

 

 

(4.1

)

 

 

67.2

 

 

 

69.0

 

Equity, end of period

 

$

536.1

 

 

$

410.7

 

 

$

(45.3

)

 

$

901.5

 

 

$

447.9

 

 

$

321.1

 

 

$

67.9

 

 

$

836.9

 


 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

 

Industrial

 

 

Non-

industrial

 

 

Corp. &

other(1)

 

 

Total(1)

 

 

Industrial

 

 

Non-

industrial

 

 

Corp. &

other(1)

 

 

Total(1)

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Equity, beginning of period

 

$

462.5

 

 

$

443.3

 

 

$

(44.2

)

 

$

861.6

 

 

$

363.6

 

 

$

331.3

 

 

$

(7.7

)

 

$

687.2

 

Earnings (losses) before income taxes

 

 

50.9

 

 

 

66.1

 

 

 

(15.5

)

 

 

101.5

 

 

 

14.5

 

 

 

17.9

 

 

 

(9.0

)

 

 

23.4

 

Income taxes(2)

 

 

(0.8

)

 

 

(2.4

)

 

 

(15.2

)

 

 

(18.4

)

 

 

(0.8

)

 

 

(1.4

)

 

 

(2.4

)

 

 

(4.6

)

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests(3)

 

 

(9.0

)

 

 

(18.9

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(27.9

)

 

 

(1.8

)

 

 

(5.7

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(7.5

)

Capital contributions (returns of capital) and other(4)

 

 

32.5

 

 

 

(77.4

)

 

 

29.6

 

 

 

(15.3

)

 

 

72.4

 

 

 

(21.0

)

 

 

87.0

 

 

 

138.4

 

Equity, end of period

 

$

536.1

 

 

$

410.7

 

 

$

(45.3

)

 

$

901.5

 

 

$

447.9

 

 

$

321.1

 

 

$

67.9

 

 

$

836.9

 

(1)

Excludes certain minor, legacy investments that were previously reflected in Alleghany Capital in 2018 and prior periods.

(2)

Federal income taxes for most Alleghany Capital subsidiaries are incurred at the Alleghany Capital corporate level. Estimated federal income tax (expense) benefit incurred at the Alleghany Capital corporate level attributable to industrial and non-industrial operations for the three months ended September 30, 2019 was ($3.4) million and ($5.6) million, respectively, and for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was ($0.7) million and ($3.8) million, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was ($10.7) million and ($13.9) million, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was ($2.8) million and ($3.8) million, respectively.

(3)

During the first nine months of 2019, the noncontrolling interests outstanding were approximately as follows: Kentucky Trailer - 23 percent; W&W|AFCO Steel - 20 percent; IPS - 15 percent; Jazwares - 23 percent; and Concord - 15 percent. Prior to April 1, 2019, the noncontrolling interests of PCT were approximately 11 percent. All noncontrolling interest holders of PCT have exercised their repurchase options and sold their ownership interests to PCT effective April 1, 2019.

(4)

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, capital contributions primarily reflect funding provided by Alleghany Capital to PCT for the acquisition of a consumable cutting tool manufacturer in June 2019. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, capital contributions primarily reflect funding provided by Alleghany to Alleghany Capital for the acquisition of Concord in October 2018 and, for the first nine months only, reflect funding provided by Alleghany Capital for the acquisition of Hirschfeld by W&W|AFCO Steel.

Noninsurance revenue. The increases in noninsurance revenue in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 from the corresponding 2018 periods reflect increases in non-industrial and industrial operations. The increases in non-industrial noninsurance revenue reflect higher sales at IPS and Jazwares, as well as the acquisition of Concord.  The higher sales at IPS are due in part to the impact of a small acquisition in May 2019. Higher sales at Jazwares are due primarily to the acquisition of a major new video game license in the fourth quarter of 2018. The increases in industrial noninsurance revenue primarily reflect organic sales growth at W&W|AFCO Steel and, to a lesser extent, the impact of small acquisitions by Kentucky Trailer of certain manufacturers of aluminum feed transportation equipment in December 2018 and July 2019. The increase in noninsurance revenue for industrial operations in the first nine months of 2019 from the first nine months of 2018 partially reflects W&W|AFCO Steel’s acquisition of Hirschfeld in 2018.

Net investment income. The increase in net investment income in the third quarter of 2019 from the third quarter of 2018 primarily reflects slightly higher Alleghany Capital earnings resulting from higher earnings at Wilbert.

Other operating expenses. The increases in other operating expenses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 from the corresponding 2018 periods primarily reflect increases in non-industrial and industrial operations. The increases in non-industrial other operating expenses primarily reflect higher costs related to higher sales at IPS and Jazwares, as well as the impact of the acquisition of Concord.  The increase in other operating expenses in the first nine months of 2019 from the first nine months of 2018 was partially offset by the impact of certain Toys “R” Us Inc. liquidation-related charges in early 2018. The increases in industrial other operating expenses primarily reflect higher costs related to higher sales at W&W|AFCO Steel and, to a lesser extent, Kentucky Trailer, partially offset by the impact of certain facility consolidation activities at Kentucky Trailer in 2018.  The increase in other operating expenses for industrial operations in the first nine months of 2019 from the first nine months of 2018 partially reflects W&W|AFCO Steel’s acquisition of Hirschfeld in 2018.

The increases in other operating expenses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 from the corresponding 2018 periods also relate, to a lesser extent, to higher employee costs, including incentive compensation, in Alleghany Capital’s corporate operations.

Amortization of intangible assets. The increases in amortization expense in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 from the corresponding 2018 periods primarily reflect the Concord acquisition, the acquisitions by Kentucky Trailer of two manufacturers of aluminum feed transportation equipment in December 2018 and July 2019, the acquisition by PCT of a consumable cutting tool manufacturer in June 2019, and a small acquisition by IPS in May 2019.

Interest expense. The increases in interest expense in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 from the corresponding 2018 periods primarily reflect borrowings at Concord (primarily used to finance Alleghany Capital’s acquisition of Concord), as well as increased borrowings at other Alleghany Capital subsidiaries to support working capital needs and fund acquisitions made during 2018 and 2019.

54


Earnings (losses) before income taxes. The increases in earnings before income taxes in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 from the corresponding 2018 periods primarily reflect increased earnings before income taxes in the non-industrial and industrial operations. The increases in non-industrial earnings before income taxes primarily reflect the impact of higher sales and higher margins at Jazwares and, to a lesser extent, the acquisition of Concord and higher sales at IPS, all as discussed above. The increases in industrial earnings before income taxes primarily reflect higher sales and higher margins at W&W|AFCO Steel and, to a lesser extent, higher sales at Kentucky Trailer.

Corporate Activities Results

The primary components of corporate activities are Alleghany Properties, SORC and activities at the Alleghany parent company. The following table presents the results for corporate activities:

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Net premiums earned

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

Net investment income

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

4.0

 

 

 

8.7

 

 

 

12.0

 

Change in the fair value of equity securities

 

 

-

 

 

 

(3.7

)

 

 

3.6

 

 

 

6.1

 

Net realized capital gains

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

(0.2

)

Other than temporary impairment losses

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Noninsurance revenue

 

 

3.0

 

 

 

24.6

 

 

 

10.2

 

 

 

36.8

 

Total revenues

 

 

4.5

 

 

 

24.9

 

 

 

22.6

 

 

 

54.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Commissions, brokerage and other underwriting expenses

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Other operating expenses

 

 

6.6

 

 

 

9.2

 

 

 

20.9

 

 

 

25.9

 

Corporate administration

 

 

20.8

 

 

 

17.8

 

 

 

63.2

 

 

 

39.2

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Interest expense

 

 

13.7

 

 

 

12.9

 

 

 

39.9

 

 

 

39.4

 

Earnings (losses) before income taxes

 

$

(36.6

)

 

$

(15.0

)

 

$

(101.4

)

 

$

(49.8

)

Net investment income. The decreases in net investment income in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 from the corresponding 2018 periods primarily reflect lower dividend income resulting from a portfolio reallocation (as further described below) and, to a lesser extent, lower partnership income, partially offset by higher interest income.

Change in the fair value of equity securities. In the first quarter of 2019, a substantial portion of our investment portfolio at the Alleghany parent company-level was reallocated from equity securities to debt securities.  The change in the fair value of equity securities in the first nine months of 2019 reflects appreciation in the value of the equity securities held at the Alleghany parent company-level, primarily from holdings in the technology sector, prior to this reallocation.

The changes in the fair value of equity securities in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 reflect depreciation and appreciation, respectively, in the value of the equity securities held at the Alleghany parent company-level, primarily from holdings in the energy sector.

Noninsurance revenue. The decreases in noninsurance revenue in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 from the corresponding 2018 periods primarily reflect lower property sales at Alleghany Properties. Noninsurance revenue in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 includes the sale in September 2018 of 68 acres of land located in Sacramento, California for approximately $20 million.

Other operating expenses. The decreases in other operating expenses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 from the corresponding 2018 periods primarily reflect reduced costs at SORC and Alleghany Properties.

Corporate administration. The increase in corporate administration expense in the third quarter of 2019 from the third quarter of 2018 reflects higher Alleghany parent-company long-term incentive compensation accruals due primarily to the impact of appreciation of Alleghany stock price and appreciation in the value of our consolidated debt securities portfolio in the third quarter of 2019 compared with depreciation in the third quarter of 2018, partially offset by the impact of lower consolidated net earnings.

55


The increase in corporate administration expense in the first nine months of 2019 from the first nine months of 2018 reflects higher Alleghany parent-company long-term incentive compensation accruals due primarily to the impact of appreciation in the value of our consolidated debt securities portfolio in the first nine months of 2019, compared with depreciation in the first nine months of 2018 and Alleghany stock price appreciation.

Interest expense. The slight increases in interest expense in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 from the corresponding 2018 periods primarily reflect higher interest credited on deferred compensation at Alleghany parent-company.

Earnings (losses) before income taxes. The increase in losses before income taxes in the third quarter of 2019 from the third quarter of 2018 primarily reflects lower property sales at Alleghany Properties, as discussed above. The increase in losses before income taxes in the first nine months of 2019 from the first nine months of 2018 primarily reflects higher corporate administration expense and lower property sales at Alleghany Properties, all as discussed above.

Reserve Review Process

Our reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries analyze, at least quarterly, liabilities for unpaid loss and LAE established in prior years and adjust their expected ultimate cost, where necessary, to reflect favorable or unfavorable development in loss experience and new information, including, for certain catastrophe events, revised industry estimates of the magnitude of a catastrophe. Adjustments to previously recorded liabilities for unpaid loss and LAE, both favorable and unfavorable, are reflected in our financial results in the periods in which these adjustments are made and are referred to as prior accident year loss reserve development. The following table presents the reserves established in connection with the loss and LAE of our reinsurance and insurance segments on a gross and net basis by line of business. These reserve amounts represent the accumulation of estimates of ultimate loss (including for losses that have been incurred but not reported) and LAE.

 

 

As of September 30, 2019

 

 

As of December 31, 2018

 

 

 

Gross Loss

and LAE

Reserves

 

 

Reinsurance

Recoverables

on Unpaid

Losses

 

 

Net Loss

and LAE

Reserves

 

 

Gross Loss

and LAE

Reserves

 

 

Reinsurance

Recoverables

on Unpaid

Losses

 

 

Net Loss

and LAE

Reserves

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Reinsurance Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property

 

$

1,650.1

 

 

$

(496.4

)

 

$

1,153.7

 

 

$

2,102.5

 

 

$

(701.8

)

 

$

1,400.7

 

Casualty & other(1)

 

 

7,381.3

 

 

 

(298.7

)

 

 

7,082.6

 

 

 

7,339.7

 

 

 

(261.9

)

 

 

7,077.8

 

 

 

 

9,031.4

 

 

 

(795.1

)

 

 

8,236.3

 

 

 

9,442.2

 

 

 

(963.7

)

 

 

8,478.5

 

Insurance Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property

 

 

394.6

 

 

 

(138.0

)

 

 

256.6

 

 

 

509.5

 

 

 

(187.1

)

 

 

322.4

 

Casualty(2)

 

 

2,094.9

 

 

 

(577.3

)

 

 

1,517.6

 

 

 

2,181.6

 

 

 

(700.3

)

 

 

1,481.3

 

Workers' Compensation

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

(0.8

)

 

 

1.6

 

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2.5

 

All other(3)

 

 

176.4

 

 

 

(64.2

)

 

 

112.2

 

 

 

181.3

 

 

 

(73.1

)

 

 

108.2

 

 

 

 

2,668.3

 

 

 

(780.3

)

 

 

1,888.0

 

 

 

2,874.9

 

 

 

(960.5

)

 

 

1,914.4

 

Eliminations

 

 

(65.7

)

 

 

65.7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(66.8

)

 

 

66.8

 

 

 

-

 

Total

 

$

11,634.0

 

 

$

(1,509.7

)

 

$

10,124.3

 

 

$

12,250.3

 

 

$

(1,857.4

)

 

$

10,392.9

 

(1)

Primarily consists of the following reinsurance lines of business: directors’ and officers’ liability; errors and omissions liability; general liability; medical malpractice; ocean marine and aviation; auto liability; accident and health; mortgage reinsurance; surety; asbestos-related illness and environmental impairment liability; and credit.

(2)

Primarily consists of the following direct lines of business: umbrella/excess; directors’ and officers’ liability; professional liability; and general liability.

(3)

Primarily consists of commercial multi-peril and surety lines of business, as well as loss and LAE reserves for terminated lines of business and loss reserves acquired in connection with prior acquisitions for which the sellers provided loss reserve guarantees.

Changes in Gross and Net Loss and LAE Reserves between September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018. Gross and net loss and LAE reserves as of September 30, 2019 decreased from December 31, 2018, primarily reflecting payments on catastrophe losses incurred in 2017 and 2018 and favorable prior accident year loss reserve development,partially offset by the impact of growing net premiums earned and catastrophe losses incurred in the first nine months of 2019.

56


Reinsurance Recoverables

Our reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries reinsure portions of the risks they underwrite in order to reduce the effect of individual or aggregate exposure to losses, manage capacity, protect capital resources, reduce volatility in specific lines of business, improve risk-adjusted portfolio returns and enable them to increase gross premiums writings and risk capacity without requiring additional capital. Our reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries generally purchase reinsurance and retrocessional coverages from highly-rated third-party reinsurers. If the assuming reinsurers are unable or unwilling to meet the obligations assumed under the applicable reinsurance agreements, our reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries would remain liable for such reinsurance portion not paid by these reinsurers. As such, funds, trust agreements and letters of credit are held to collateralize a portion of our reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries’ reinsurance recoverables, and our reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries reinsure portions of the risks they underwrite or assume with multiple reinsurance programs.

As of September 30, 2019, our reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries had total reinsurance recoverables of $1,618.7 million, consisting of $1,509.7 million of ceded outstanding loss and LAE and $109.0 million of recoverables on paid losses. See Part I, Item 1, “Business — Reinsurance Protection” of the 2018 Form 10-K for additional information on the reinsurance purchased by our reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries.

The following table presents information regarding concentration of our reinsurance recoverables and the ratings profile of our reinsurers as of September 30, 2019:

Reinsurer(1)

 

Rating(2)

 

Amount

 

 

Percentage

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Syndicates at Lloyd's of London

 

A (Excellent)

 

$

135.0

 

 

 

8.3

%

Kane SAC Ltd, Rondout Segregated Account(3)

 

not rated

 

 

99.2

 

 

 

6.1

%

PartnerRe Ltd

 

A (Excellent)

 

 

96.9

 

 

 

6.0

%

Swiss Reinsurance Company

 

A+ (Superior)

 

 

95.5

 

 

 

5.9

%

Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd

 

A (Excellent)

 

 

89.4

 

 

 

5.5

%

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd

 

A+ (Superior)

 

 

87.5

 

 

 

5.4

%

Third Point Reinsurance Group

 

A- (Excellent)

 

 

79.8

 

 

 

4.9

%

W.R. Berkley Corporation

 

A+ (Superior)

 

 

71.7

 

 

 

4.4

%

Liberty Mutual

 

A (Excellent)

 

 

68.8

 

 

 

4.3

%

Chubb Corporation

 

A++ (Superior)

 

 

59.0

 

 

 

3.6

%

All other reinsurers

 

 

 

 

735.9

 

 

 

45.6

%

Total reinsurance recoverables(4)

 

 

 

$

1,618.7

 

 

 

100.0

%

Secured reinsurance recoverables(3)

 

 

 

$

568.6

 

 

 

35.1

%

(1)

Reinsurance recoverables reflect amounts due from one or more reinsurance subsidiaries of the listed company.

(2)

Represents the A.M. Best Company, Inc. financial strength rating for the applicable reinsurance subsidiary or subsidiaries from which the reinsurance recoverable is due.

(3)

Represents reinsurance recoverables secured by funds held, trust agreements or letters of credit.

(4)

Approximately 70 percent of our reinsurance recoverables balance as of September 30, 2019 was due from reinsurers having an A.M. Best Company, Inc. financial strength rating of A (Excellent) or higher, with a majority of the other reinsurance recoverables being secured by funds held, trust agreements or letters of credit.

We had no allowance for uncollectible reinsurance as of September 30, 2019.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that directly affect our reported financial condition and operating performance. More specifically, these estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We rely on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances to make judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities and reported revenues and expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ materially from reported results to the extent that estimates and assumptions prove to be inaccurate.

We believe our most critical accounting estimates are those with respect to the liability for unpaid loss and LAE reserves, fair value measurements of certain financial assets, OTTI losses on investments, goodwill and other intangible assets and reinsurance premium revenues, as they require management’s most significant exercise of judgment on both a quantitative and qualitative basis. The accounting estimates that result require the use of assumptions about certain matters that are highly uncertain at the time of estimation. To the extent actual experience differs from the assumptions used, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows would be affected, possibly materially.

57


See Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Estimates” of the 2018 Form 10-K for a more complete description of our critical accounting estimates.

Financial Condition

Parent Level

General. In general, we follow a policy of maintaining a relatively liquid financial condition at our unrestricted holding companies. This policy has permitted us to expand our operations through internal growth at our subsidiaries and through acquisitions of, or substantial investments in, operating companies. As of September 30, 2019, we held total marketable securities and cash of $1,293.8 million, compared with $1,122.3 million as of December 31, 2018. The increase in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 primarily reflects appreciation in the value of the equity securities portfolio held at the holding company-level and the receipt of dividends from TransRe and RSUI, partially offset by repurchases of shares of our common stock, as discussed below. The $1,293.8 million is comprised of $348.4 million at the Alleghany parent company, $857.1 million at AIHL and $88.3 million at the TransRe holding company. We also hold certain non-marketable investments at our unrestricted holding companies. We believe that we have and will have adequate internally generated funds, cash resources and unused credit facilities to provide for the currently foreseeable needs of our business, and we had no material commitments for capital expenditures as of September 30, 2019.

Stockholders’ equity attributable to Alleghany stockholders was approximately $8.8 billion as of September 30, 2019, compared with approximately $7.7 billion as of December 31, 2018. The increase in stockholders’ equity in the first nine months of 2019 primarily reflects net earnings and appreciation in the value of our debt securities portfolio due to a decrease in interest rates and credit spreads, partially offset by repurchases of our common stock, all as discussed below. As of September 30, 2019, we had 14,405,508 shares of our common stock outstanding, compared with 14,576,509 shares of our common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2018.

Debt. On September 9, 2014, we completed a public offering of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 4.90% senior notes due on September 15, 2044. On June 26, 2012, we completed a public offering of $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 4.95% senior notes due on June 27, 2022. On September 20, 2010, we completed a public offering of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 5.625% senior notes due on September 15, 2020. See Note 8 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of the 2018 Form 10-K for additional information on the senior notes.

Credit Agreement. On July 31, 2017, we entered into a five-year credit agreement, or the “Credit Agreement,” with certain lenders party thereto, which provides for an unsecured revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $300.0 million. The credit facility is scheduled to expire on July 31, 2022, unless earlier terminated. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement will be available for working capital and general corporate purposes, including permitted acquisitions and repurchases of common stock. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear a floating rate of interest based in part on our credit rating, among other factors. The Credit Agreement contains representations, warranties and covenants customary for bank loan facilities of this nature.

There were no borrowings under the Credit Agreement from inception through September 30, 2019.

Common Stock Repurchases. In November 2015, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of shares of our common stock at such times and at prices as management determines to be advisable, up to an aggregate of $400.0 million, or the “2015 Repurchase Program.” In June 2018, our Board of Directors authorized, upon the completion of the 2015 Repurchase Program, the repurchase of additional shares of our common stock at such times and at prices as management determines to be advisable, up to an aggregate of $400.0 million, or the “2018 Repurchase Program.” In September 2019, our Board of Directors authorized, upon the completion of the 2018 Repurchase Program, the repurchase of additional shares of our common stock at such times and at prices as management determines to be advisable, up to an aggregate of $500.0 million. In the fourth quarter of 2018, we completed the 2015 Repurchase Program and subsequent repurchases have been made pursuant to the 2018 Repurchase Program. As of September 30, 2019, we had $659.1 million remaining under our repurchase authorizations.

The following table presents the shares of our common stock that we repurchased in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018:

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Shares repurchased

 

 

25,398

 

 

 

76,299

 

 

 

174,211

 

 

 

479,922

 

Cost of shares repurchased (in millions)

 

$

19.3

 

 

$

46.0

 

 

$

112.4

 

 

$

282.1

 

Average price per share repurchased

 

$

759.70

 

 

$

602.24

 

 

$

645.46

 

 

$

587.70

 

58


Special Dividend. In February 2018, our Board of Directors declared a special dividend of $10.00 per share for stockholders of record on March 5, 2018. On March 15, 2018, we paid dividends to stockholders totaling $154.0 million.

Investments in Certain Other Invested Assets. In December 2012, TransRe obtained an ownership interest in Pillar Capital Holdings, Limited, or “Pillar Holdings,” a Bermuda-based insurance asset manager focused on collateralized reinsurance and catastrophe insurance-linked securities. Additionally, TransRe invested $175.0 million and AIHL invested $25.0 million in limited partnership funds managed by Pillar Holdings, or the “Funds.” The objective of the Funds is to create portfolios with attractive risk- reward characteristics and low correlation with other asset classes, using the extensive reinsurance and capital market experience of the principals of Pillar Holdings. We have concluded that both Pillar Holdings and the Funds, or collectively, the “Pillar Investments,” represent variable interest entities and that we are not the primary beneficiary, as we do not have the ability to direct the activities that most significantly impact each entity’s economic performance. Therefore, the Pillar Investments are not consolidated and are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Our potential maximum loss in the Pillar Investments is limited to our cumulative net investment. As of September 30, 2019, our carrying value in the Pillar Investments, as determined under the equity method of accounting, was $203.6 million, which is net of returns of capital received from the Pillar Investments.

In July 2013, AIHL invested $250.0 million in Ares, an asset manager, in exchange for a 6.25 percent equity stake in Ares, with an agreement to engage Ares to manage up to $1.0 billion in certain investment strategies. In May 2014, Ares completed an initial public offering of its common units. Upon completion of the initial public offering, our equity investment in Ares converted into limited partnership interests in certain Ares subsidiaries that were convertible into Ares common units. On March 15, 2018, most of AIHL’s limited partnership interests were converted into Ares common units. As a result of the conversion and with respect to the limited partnership interests that were converted into Ares common units, AIHL: (i) reclassified its converted interests from other invested assets to equity securities; (ii) increased its carrying value to $208.2 million to reflect the fair value of Ares common units; and (iii) recorded the $45.7 million increase in carrying value as a realized capital gain as of March 15, 2018. As a result of the conversion and with respect to the unconverted limited partnership interests, AIHL: (i) changed its accounting method from the equity method to fair value; (ii) increased its carrying value to $58.7 million to reflect the fair value of Ares limited partnership interests; and (iii) recorded the $12.9 million increase in carrying value as a component of net investment income as of March 15, 2018. On September 24, 2018, AIHL’s remaining Ares limited partnership interests were converted into Ares common units and, as a result, AIHL reclassified the remaining $56.9 million of its converted interests from other invested assets to equity securities. In the second quarter of 2019, AIHL sold all of its remaining holdings in Ares common units.

Investments in Commercial Mortgage Loans. As of September 30, 2019, the carrying value of our commercial mortgage loan portfolio was $706.0 million, representing the unpaid principal balance on the loans. As of September 30, 2019, there was no allowance for loan losses. Our commercial mortgage loan portfolio consists primarily of first mortgages on commercial properties in major metropolitan areas in the U.S. The loans earn interest at fixed- and floating-rates, mature in two to ten years from loan origination and the principal amounts of the loans were no more than approximately two-thirds of the property’s appraised value at the time the loans were made.

Energy Holdings. As of September 30, 2019, we had holdings in energy sector businesses of $432.5 million, comprised of $340.9 million of debt securities, $3.8 million of equity securities and $87.8 million of our equity attributable to SORC.

Subsidiaries

Financial strength is also a high priority of our subsidiaries, whose assets stand behind their financial commitments to their customers and vendors. We believe that our subsidiaries have and will have adequate internally generated funds, cash resources and unused credit facilities to provide for the currently foreseeable needs of their businesses. Our subsidiaries had no material commitments for capital expenditures as of September 30, 2018.2019.

The obligations and cash outflow of our reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries include claim settlements, commission expenses, administrative expenses, purchases of investments and interest and principal payments on TransRe’s 8.00% senior notes due on November 30, 2039. In addition to premium collections, cash inflow is obtained from interest and dividend income, maturities and sales of investments and reinsurance recoveries. Because cash inflow from premiums is received in advance of cash outflow required to settle claims, our reinsurance and insurance operating units accumulate funds which they invest pending the need for liquidity. As the cash needs of a reinsurance or an insurance company can be unpredictable due to the uncertainty of the claims settlement process, the portfolios of our reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries consist primarily of debt securities and short-term investments to ensure the availability of funds and maintain a sufficient amount of liquid securities.

Included in Alleghany Capital is debt associated with its operating subsidiaries, which totaled $197.7$311.3 million as of September 30, 2018.2019, which is generally used to support working capital needs and to help finance acquisitions. The $197.7$311.3 million includes $102.3 million of borrowings by W&W|AFCO Steel under its available credit facility and term loans (including borrowings incurred and assumed from its acquisition of Hirschfeld), $43.0 million of borrowings by Jazwares under its available credit facility, $21.5 million of term loans at Kentucky Trailer primarily related to borrowings to finance small acquisitions and borrowings under its available credit facility, $16.5 million of borrowings by IPS under its available credit facility, and $14.4 million of term loans at Bourn & Koch related to borrowings to finance an acquisition and borrowings under its available credit facility. None of these liabilities are guaranteed by Alleghany or Alleghany Capital.includes:

$80.4 million of borrowings by W&W|AFCO Steel under its available credit facilities and term loans (including borrowings incurred and assumed from its acquisition of Hirschfeld);

$74.6 million of term loans at Kentucky Trailer primarily related to borrowings to finance small acquisitions, including its acquisitions of controlling interests in certain manufacturers of aluminum feed transportation equipment in December 2018 and July 2019, and borrowings under its available credit facilities;

59


$48.9 million of borrowings by Jazwares under its available credit facility;

$41.9 million of borrowings by IPS under its available credit facility and term loans, in part to finance a small acquisition in May 2019; $

$32.9 million of term loans at PCT primarily related to borrowings to finance the acquisition of a waterjet orifice and nozzle manufacturer in 2016 and the acquisition of a consumable cutting tool manufacturer in June 2019; and

$32.6 million of term loans at Concord primarily related to borrowings to finance Alleghany Capital’s acquisition of Concord.

With respect to corporate activities, SORC has relied on Alleghany almost entirely to support its operations. From its formation in 2011 through September 30, 2018,2019, we have invested $293.8$274.1 million in SORC.

Consolidated Investment Holdings

Investment Strategy and Holdings.Our investment strategy seeks to preserve principal and maintain liquidity while trying to maximize ourrisk-adjusted, after-tax rate of return. Our investment decisions are guided mainly by the nature and timing of expected liability payouts, management’s forecast of cash flows and the possibility of unexpected cash demands, for example,such as, to satisfy claims due to catastrophe losses. Our consolidated investment portfolio currently consists mainly of highly rated and liquid debt and equity securities listed on national securities exchanges. The overall credit quality of the debt securities portfolio is measured using the lowest rating of Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Fitch Ratings, Inc. In this regard, the overallweighted-average credit quality rating of our debt securities portfolio as of September 30, 20182019 and December 31, 20172018 wasAA-. Although a portion of our debt securities, which consist predominantly of municipal bonds, are insured bythird-party financial guaranty insurance companies, the impact of such insurance was not significant to the debt securities credit quality rating as of September 30, 2018.2019. The following table presents the ratings of our debt securities portfolio as of September 30, 2018:2019:

 

 Ratings as of September 30, 2018

 

Ratings as of September 30, 2019

 

   AAA / Aaa     AA / Aa         A         BBB / Baa   Below
  BBB / Baa or  
Not Rated(1)
 Total

 

AAA / Aaa

 

 

AA / Aa

 

 

A

 

 

BBB / Baa

 

 

Below

BBB / Baa

or Not

Rated(1)

 

 

Total

 

 ($ in millions)

 

($ in millions)

 

U.S. Government obligations

   $-       $1,028.6    $-       $-       $-       $1,028.6 

 

$

-

 

 

$

1,288.2

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

1,288.2

 

Municipal bonds

 253.0  1,693.4  542.6  114.4  0.9  2,604.3 

 

 

186.5

 

 

 

1,542.0

 

 

 

532.1

 

 

 

87.1

 

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

2,348.7

 

Foreign government obligations

 458.6  259.4  174.9  9.1   -     902.0 

 

 

486.0

 

 

 

174.9

 

 

 

94.9

 

 

 

1.1

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

756.9

 

U.S. corporate bonds

 12.5  99.0  856.4  1,038.4  437.4  2,443.7 

 

 

12.2

 

 

 

150.5

 

 

 

1,448.2

 

 

 

1,346.8

 

 

 

368.3

 

 

 

3,326.0

 

Foreign corporate bonds

 319.3  154.2  556.4  330.7  58.2  1,418.8 

 

 

242.6

 

 

 

161.4

 

 

 

677.8

 

 

 

323.7

 

 

 

48.6

 

 

 

1,454.1

 

Mortgage and asset-backed securities:

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”)

 15.1  1,045.1   -     48.5  6.9  1,115.6 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”)

 155.1  308.2  59.6  1.0   -     523.9 

Residential mortgage-backed securities ("RMBS")

 

 

1.7

 

 

 

1,927.8

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

5.6

 

 

 

1,935.7

 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS")

 

 

262.7

 

 

 

412.2

 

 

 

146.0

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

821.5

 

Other asset-backed securities

 833.9  422.3  352.0  417.6  8.5  2,034.3 

 

 

1,146.9

 

 

 

460.6

 

 

 

527.3

 

 

 

341.3

 

 

 

81.1

 

 

 

2,557.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total debt securities

   $    2,047.5    $    5,010.2    $    2,541.9    $    1,959.7    $    511.9    $  12,071.2 

 

$

2,338.6

 

 

$

6,117.6

 

 

$

3,426.3

 

 

$

2,101.2

 

 

$

504.6

 

 

$

14,488.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percentage of debt securities

 17.0 41.5 21.1 16.2 4.2 100.0

 

 

16.1

%

 

 

42.3

%

 

 

23.6

%

 

 

14.5

%

 

 

3.5

%

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Consists of $157.2$94.1 million of securities rated BB / Ba, $209.8$226.4 million of securities rated B, $44.8$29.2 million of securities rated CCC, $0.4$2.1 million of securities rated CC, $4.3 million of securities rated below CC and $95.4$152.8 million ofnot-rated not rated securities.

Our debt securities portfolio has been designed to enable management to react to investment opportunities created by changing interest rates, prepayments, tax and credit considerations or other factors, or to circumstances that could result in a mismatch between the desired duration of debt securities and the duration of liabilities and, as such, is classified as AFS.available-for-sale, or “AFS.”

60


Effective duration measures a portfolio’s sensitivity to changes in interest rates. In this regard, as of September 30, 20182019 and December 31, 2017,2018, our debt securities portfolio had an effective duration of approximately 4.3 years and 4.4 years, respectively.4.2 years. As of September 30, 2018,2019, approximately $3.2$4.2 billion, or 2729 percent, of our debt securities portfolio represented securities with maturities of five years or less. See Note 3(b) to Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements” of this Form 10-Q for additional detail on the contractual maturities of our consolidated debt securities portfolio. We may increase the proportion of our debt securities portfolio held in securities with maturities of more than five years should the yields of these securities provide, in our judgment, sufficient compensation for their increased risk. We do not believe that this strategy would reduce our ability to meet ongoing claim payments or to respond to significant catastrophe losses.

In the event paid losses accelerate beyond the ability of our reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries to fund these paid losses from current cash balances, current operating cash flow, dividend and interest receipts and security maturities, we would need to liquidate a portion of our investment portfolio, make capital contributions to our reinsurance and insurance subsidiaries, and/or arrange for financing. Strains on liquidity could result from: (i) the occurrence of several significant catastrophe events in a relatively short period of time; (ii) the sale of investments into a depressed marketplace to fund these paid losses; (iii) the uncollectibility of reinsurance recoverables on these paid losses; (iv) the significant decrease in the value of collateral supporting reinsurance recoverables; or (v) a significant reduction in our net premium collections.

We may, from time to time, make significant investments in the common stock of a public company, subject to limitations imposed by applicable regulations.

On a consolidated basis, as of September 30, 2019, our invested assets increased to approximately $19.0$18.9 billion as of September 30, 2018 from approximately $18.8$17.5 billion as of December 31, 2017,2018, primarily reflecting appreciation in the fair value of our equity and debt securities portfolios, partially offset by a decline in unrealized appreciation on our debt securities portfolio due to an increase in interest rates in the first nine months of 2018,

contributions to Alleghany Capital to fund the acquisition of Hirschfeld by its subsidiary, W&W|AFCO Steel, and repurchases of shares of our common stock, all as discussed above. The special dividend was funded byappreciation in the proceedsvalue of our debt securities portfolio reflects a decrease in interest rates and credit spreads. During the first quarter of 2019, we reallocated a significant portion of our investment portfolio from the sale of PacificComp at December 31, 2017.equity securities to debt securities.

Fair Value.The following table presents the carrying values and estimated fair values of our consolidated financial instruments as of September 30, 20182019 and December 31, 2017:2018:

 

  September 30, 2018   December 31, 2017 

 

September 30, 2019

 

 

December 31, 2018

 

    Carrying Value       Fair Value       Carrying Value       Fair Value   

 

Carrying Value

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Carrying Value

 

 

Fair Value

 

  ($ in millions) 

 

($ in millions)

 

Assets

   ��    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments (excluding equity method investments and loans)(1)

    $17,791.3     $    17,791.3     $17,406.5     $    17,406.5 

 

$

17,582.0

 

 

$

17,582.0

 

 

$

16,291.3

 

 

$

16,291.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Notes and other debt(2)

    $1,581.7     $1,701.8     $1,484.9     $1,614.6 

 

$

1,695.3

 

 

$

1,908.9

 

 

$

1,669.0

 

 

$

1,795.5

 

 

(1)

This table includes debt and equity securities, as well as partnership andnon-marketable equity investments carriedand derivatives accounted for at fair value that are included in other invested assets. This table excludes investments accounted for using the equity method and commercial mortgage loans that are carriedaccounted for at unpaid principal balance. The fair value of short-term investments approximates amortized cost. The fair value of all other categories of investments is discussed below.

(2)

See Note 8 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of the 20172018 Form10-K for additional information on the senior notes and other debt.

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing, able and knowledgeable market participants at the measurement date. Fair value measurements are not adjusted for transaction costs. In addition, a three-tiered hierarchy for inputs is used in management’s determination of fair value of financial instruments that emphasizes the use of observable inputs over the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are the reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions based on the best information available under the circumstances. In assessing the appropriateness of using observable inputs in making our fair value determinations, we consider whether the market for a particular security is “active” or not based on all the relevant facts and circumstances. A market may be considered to be inactive if there are relatively few recent transactions or if there is a significant decrease in market volume. Furthermore, we consider whether observable transactions are “orderly” or not. We do not consider a transaction to be orderly if there is evidence of a forced liquidation or other distressed condition; as such, little or no weight is given to that transaction as an indicator of fair value.

Although we are responsible for the determination of the fair value of our financial assets and the supporting methodologies and assumptions, we employthird-party valuation service providers to gather, analyze and interpret market information and derive fair values based upon relevant methodologies and assumptions for individual instruments. When those providers are unable to obtain sufficient market observable information upon which to estimate the fair value for a particular security, fair value is determined either by requesting a quote, which is generally non-binding, from brokers who are knowledgeable about these securities or by employing widely accepted internal valuation models.

61


Valuation service providers typically obtain data about market transactions and other key valuation model inputs from multiple sources and, through the use of widely accepted internal valuation models, provide a single fair value measurement for individual securities for which a fair value has been requested under the terms of service agreements. The inputs used by the valuation service providers include, but are not limited to, market prices from recently completed transactions and transactions of comparable securities, interest rate yield curves, credit spreads, currency rates and other market observable information, as applicable. The valuation models take into account, among other things, market observable information as of the measurement date as well as the specific attributes of the security being valued including its term, interest rate, credit rating, industry sector and, when applicable, collateral quality and other issue or issuer specific information. When market transactions or other market observable data is limited, the extent to which judgment is applied in determining fair value is greatly increased.

The three-tiered hierarchy used in management’s determination of fair value is broken down into three levels based on the reliability and observability of inputs as follows:

Level 1: Valuations are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that we have the ability to access for identical, unrestricted assets and do not involve any meaningful degree of judgment. An active market is defined as a market where transactions for the financial instrument occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Our Level 1 assets include publicly traded common stocks and mutual funds (which are included on the balance sheet in equity securities) where our valuations are based on quoted market prices.

Level 1: Valuations are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that we have the ability to access for identical, unrestricted assets and do not involve any meaningful degree of judgment. An active market is defined as a market where transactions for the financial instrument occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Our Level 1 assets include publicly traded common stocks and mutual funds (which are included on our Consolidated Balance Sheet in equity securities) where our valuations are based on quoted market prices.

Level 2: Valuations are based on direct and indirect observable inputs other than quoted market prices included in Level 1. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets in active markets and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset, such as the terms of the security and market-based inputs. Terms of the security include coupon, maturity date and any special provisions that may, for example, enable the investor, at its election, to redeem the security prior to its scheduled maturity date (such provisions may apply to all debt securities except U.S. Government obligations). Market-based inputs include interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals and current credit rating(s) of the security. Market-based inputs may also include credit spreads of all debt securities except U.S. Government obligations, and currency rates for certain foreign government obligations and foreign corporate bonds denominated in foreign currencies. Fair values are determined using a market approach that relies on the securities’ relationships to quoted prices for similar assets in active markets, as well as the other inputs described above. In determining the fair values for the vast majority of CMBS and other than quoted market prices included in Level 1. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets in active markets and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset, such as the terms of the security andmarket-based inputs. Terms of the security include coupon, maturity date and any special provisions that may, for example, enable the investor, at its election, to redeem the security prior to its scheduled maturity date (such provisions may apply to all debt securities except U.S. Government obligations). Market-based inputs include interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals and current credit rating(s) of the security. Market-based inputs may also include credit spreads of all debt securities except U.S. Government obligations, and currency rates for certain foreign government obligations and foreign corporate bonds denominated in foreign currencies. Fair values are determined using a market approach that relies on the securities’ relationships to quoted prices for similar assets in active markets, as well as the other inputs described above. In determining the fair values for the vast majority of CMBS and otherasset-backed securities, as well as a small portion of RMBS, an income approach is used to corroborate and further support the fair values determined by the market approach. The income approach primarily involves developing a discounted cash flow model using the future projected cash flows of the underlying collateral, and the terms of the security. Level 2 assets generally include short-term investments and most debt securities. Our Level 2 liabilities consist of the senior notes.

Level 3: Valuations are based on techniques that use significant inputs that are unobservable. The valuation of Level 3 assets requires the greatest degree of judgment. These measurements may be made under circumstances in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment. In making the assessment, we consider factors specific to the asset. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement is classified is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Assets classified as Level 3 principally include other asset-backed securities (primarily, collateralized loan obligations) and, to a lesser extent, U.S. and foreign corporate bonds (including privately issued securities), CMBS and commercial mortgage loans.

Level 3: Valuations are based on techniques that use significant inputs that are unobservable. The valuation of Level 3 assets requires the greatest degree of judgment. These measurements may be made under circumstances in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment. In making the assessment, we consider factors specific to the asset. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement is classified is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Assets classified as Level 3 principally include certain RMBS, other asset-backed securities (primarily, collateralized loan obligations), U.S. and foreign corporate bonds (including privately issued securities), partnership investments andnon-marketable equity investments.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are initially valued at the transaction price. Subsequently, we use widely accepted valuation practices that produce a fair value measurement. The vast majority of fair values are determined using an income approach. The income approach primarily involves developing a discounted cash flow model using the future projected cash flows of the underlying collateral, as well as other inputs described below. A few Level 3 valuations are based entirely onnon-binding broker quotes. These securities consist primarily ofmortgage-backed andasset-backed securities where reliable pool and loan level collateral information cannot be reasonably obtained, and as such, an income approach is not feasible.

Since Level 3 valuations are based on techniques that use significant inputs that are unobservable with little or no market activity, the fair values under the market approach for Level 3 securities are less credible than under the income approach; however, the market approach, where feasible, is used to corroborate the fair values determined by the income approach. The market approach primarily relies on the securities’ relationships to quoted transaction prices for similarly structured instruments. To the extent that transaction prices for similarly structured instruments are not available for a particular security, other market approaches are used to corroborate the fair values determined by the income approach, including option adjusted spread analyses.

62


Unobservable inputs, significant to the measurement and valuation ofmortgage-backed andasset-backed securities, are generally used in the income approach, and include assumptions about prepayment speed and collateral performance, including default, delinquency and loss severity rates. Significant changes to any one of these inputs, or combination of inputs, could significantly change the fair value measurement for these securities.

The impact of prepayment speeds on fair value is dependent on a number of variables including whether the securities were purchased at a premium or discount. A decrease in interest rates generally increases the assumed rate of prepayments, and an increase in interest rates generally decreases the assumed speed of prepayments. Increased prepayments increase the yield on securities purchased at a discount and reduce the yield on securities purchased at a premium. In a decreasing prepayment environment, yields on securities purchased at a discount are reduced but are increased for securities purchased at a premium. Changes in default assumptions on underlying collateral are generally accompanied by directionally similar changes in other collateral performance factors, but generally result in a directionally opposite change in prepayment assumptions.

Our Level 3 liabilities consist of the debt of Alleghany Capital’s operating subsidiaries.

We employ specific control processes to determine the reasonableness of the fair values of our financial assets and liabilities. Our processes are designed to ensure that the values received or internally estimated are accurately recorded and that the data inputs and the valuation techniques used are appropriate, consistently applied and that the assumptions are reasonable and consistent with the objective of determining fair value. We assess the reasonableness of individual security values received from valuation service providers through various analytical techniques. In addition, we validate the reasonableness of fair values by comparing information obtained from our valuation service providers to other third-party valuation sources for selected securities. We also validate prices obtained from brokers for selected securities through reviews by those who have relevant expertise and who are independent of those charged with executing investing transactions.

In addition to such procedures, we review the reasonableness of our classification of securities within thethree-tiered hierarchy to ensure that the classification is consistent with GAAP.

The following tables present the estimated fair values of our financial instruments measured at fair value and the level of the fair value hierarchy of inputs used as of September 30, 20182019 and December 31, 2017:2018:

 

   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
   ($ in millions) 

As of September 30, 2018

        

Equity securities:

        

 Common stock

    $5,016.7      $3.5      $-          $5,020.2  

 Preferred stock

   -         -         8.4     8.4  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 Total equity securities

   5,016.7     3.5     8.4     5,028.6  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Debt securities:

        

 U.S. Government obligations

   -         1,028.6     -         1,028.6  

 Municipal bonds

   -         2,604.3     -         2,604.3  

 Foreign government obligations

   -         902.0     -         902.0  

 U.S. corporate bonds

   -         2,040.7     403.0     2,443.7  

 Foreign corporate bonds

   -         1,310.4     108.4     1,418.8  

 Mortgage and asset-backed securities:

        

RMBS(1)

   -         1,115.6     -         1,115.6  

CMBS

   -         523.9     -         523.9  

Other asset-backed securities(2)

   -         654.4     1,379.9     2,034.3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 Total debt securities

   -         10,179.9     1,891.3     12,071.2  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Short-term investments

   -         690.6     -         690.6  

Other invested assets(3)

   -         -         0.9     0.9  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 Total investments (excluding equity method investments and loans)

    $    5,016.7      $  10,874.0      $  1,900.6      $  17,791.3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Senior Notes and other debt

    $-          $1,504.1      $197.7      $1,701.8  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Total

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

As of September 30, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

$

2,084.9

 

 

$

3.3

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

2,088.2

 

Preferred stock

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

4.1

 

Total equity securities

 

 

2,084.9

 

 

 

3.3

 

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

2,092.3

 

Debt securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government obligations

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,288.2

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,288.2

 

Municipal bonds

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,348.7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,348.7

 

Foreign government obligations

 

 

-

 

 

 

756.9

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

756.9

 

U.S. corporate bonds

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,754.7

 

 

 

571.3

 

 

 

3,326.0

 

Foreign corporate bonds

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,298.0

 

 

 

156.1

 

 

 

1,454.1

 

Mortgage and asset-backed securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RMBS(1)

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,934.0

 

 

 

1.7

 

 

 

1,935.7

 

CMBS

 

 

-

 

 

 

821.5

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

821.5

 

Other asset-backed securities(2)

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,691.3

 

 

 

865.9

 

 

 

2,557.2

 

Total debt securities

 

 

-

 

 

 

12,893.3

 

 

 

1,595.0

 

 

 

14,488.3

 

Short-term investments

 

 

-

 

 

 

968.5

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

968.5

 

Other invested assets(3)

 

 

32.6

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

32.9

 

Total investments (excluding equity method investments and loans)

 

$

2,117.5

 

 

$

13,865.1

 

 

$

1,599.4

 

 

$

17,582.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Notes and other debt

 

$

-

 

 

$

1,597.6

 

 

$

311.3

 

 

$

1,908.9

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Total

 

      Level 1       Level 2   Level 3   Total 

 

($ in millions)

 

  ($ in millions) 

As of December 31, 2017

        

As of December 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities:

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

    $    4,090.7      $3.8      $-          $4,094.5  

 

$

3,563.9

 

 

$

3.5

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

3,567.4

 

Preferred stock

   -         3.1     1.9     5.0  

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

5.4

 

 

 

5.4

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total equity securities

   4,090.7     6.9     1.9     4,099.5  

 

 

3,563.9

 

 

 

3.5

 

 

 

5.4

 

 

 

3,572.8

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Debt securities:

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government obligations

   -         948.0     -         948.0  

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,022.4

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,022.4

 

Municipal bonds

   -         3,682.1     -         3,682.1  

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,214.7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,214.7

 

Foreign government obligations

   -         1,006.6     -         1,006.6  

 

 

-

 

 

 

947.9

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

947.9

 

U.S. corporate bonds

   -         2,173.0     260.0     2,433.0  

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,959.6

 

 

 

425.7

 

 

 

2,385.3

 

Foreign corporate bonds

   -         1,424.6     75.2     1,499.8  

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,226.4

 

 

 

126.9

 

 

 

1,353.3

 

Mortgage and asset-backed securities:

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RMBS(1)

   -         833.8     161.8     995.6  

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,387.9

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,387.9

 

CMBS

   -         550.1     1.6     551.7  

 

 

-

 

 

 

533.3

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

533.3

 

Other asset-backed securities(2)

   -         503.3     1,101.3     1,604.6  

 

 

-

 

 

 

712.3

 

 

 

1,266.9

 

 

 

1,979.2

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total debt securities

   -         11,121.5     1,599.9     12,721.4  

 

 

-

 

 

 

10,004.5

 

 

 

1,819.5

 

 

 

11,824.0

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Short-term investments

   -         578.1     -         578.1  

 

 

-

 

 

 

893.8

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

893.8

 

Other invested assets(3)

   -         -         7.5     7.5  

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

0.7

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total investments (excluding equity method investments and loans)

    $4,090.7      $  11,706.5      $    1,609.3      $  17,406.5  

 

$

3,563.9

 

 

$

10,901.8

 

 

$

1,825.6

 

 

$

16,291.3

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Notes and other debt

    $-          $1,513.6      $101.0      $1,614.6  

 

$

-

 

 

$

1,510.5

 

 

$

285.0

 

 

$

1,795.5

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

(1)

Primarily includes government agency pass-through securities guaranteed by a government agency or government sponsored enterprise, among other types of RMBS.

(2)

Includes $1,368.9$842.1 million and $1,101.3$1,266.9 million of collateralized loan obligations as of September 30, 20182019 and December 31, 2017,2018, respectively.

(3)

Includes partnership and non-marketable equity investments accounted for at fair value, and excludes investments accounted for using the equity method. Also, as further described in Note 3(d) to Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements” of this Form 10-Q, other invested assets as of September 30, 2019 includes the fair value of the Put Option, which is classified as Level 1.

Municipal Bonds.The following table provides the fair value of our municipal bonds as of September 30, 2018,2019, categorized by state and revenue source. Special revenue bonds are debt securities for which the payment of principal and interest is available solely from the cash flows of the related projects. As issuers of revenue bonds do not have the ability to draw from tax revenues or levy taxes to fund obligations, revenue bonds may carry a greater risk of default than general obligation bonds.

 

 Special Revenue     

 

Special Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State

 Education Hospital Housing Lease
Revenue
 Special Tax Transit Utilities All Other
Sources
 Total
Special
Revenue
 Total
General
Obligation
 Total Fair
Value
 

 

Education

 

 

Hospital

 

 

Housing

 

 

Lease

Revenue

 

 

Special

Tax

 

 

Transit

 

 

Utilities

 

 

All Other

Sources

 

 

Total

Special

Revenue

 

 

Total

General

Obligation

 

 

Total

Fair Value

 

 ($ in millions) 

 

($ in millions)

 

New York

   $9.7      $-          $-          $-          $102.8      $76.0      $32.0      $7.3      $227.8      $9.2      $237.0   

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

1.8

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

108.2

 

 

$

75.3

 

 

$

27.1

 

 

$

7.2

 

 

$

219.6

 

 

$

9.3

 

 

$

228.9

 

California

 

 

11.6

 

 

 

41.1

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2.3

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

23.1

 

 

 

54.4

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

133.8

 

 

 

45.1

 

 

 

178.9

 

Texas

 24.9     -        0.2     -        7.9    42.2    72.5    2.3    150.0    65.1    215.1   

 

 

12.7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

5.2

 

 

 

8.9

 

 

 

38.9

 

 

 

65.0

 

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

132.8

 

 

 

45.7

 

 

 

178.5

 

California

 8.4    43.4     -        2.5    1.3    27.6    69.2     -        152.4    58.5    210.9   

Massachusetts

 18.6    5.4    6.7     -        29.8    29.7    25.8    0.3    116.3    72.6    188.9   

 

 

19.7

 

 

 

5.7

 

 

 

8.5

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

25.5

 

 

 

22.6

 

 

 

17.4

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

99.7

 

 

 

58.0

 

 

 

157.7

 

Pennsylvania

 

 

5.3

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

9.6

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

33.3

 

 

 

4.2

 

 

 

29.2

 

 

 

83.1

 

 

 

37.7

 

 

 

120.8

 

Washington

  -         -        1.7     -        8.9    10.9    30.3    2.2    54.0    49.1    103.1   

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

6.9

 

 

 

11.2

 

 

 

28.6

 

 

 

2.3

 

 

 

50.8

 

 

 

46.3

 

 

 

97.1

 

Pennsylvania

 2.4    1.4    10.2     -         -        33.3    1.1    14.4    62.8    36.2    99.0   

Ohio

 42.8    0.6    0.1     -        2.0     -        23.8    3.0    72.3    17.9    90.2   

 

 

43.0

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2.2

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

19.5

 

 

 

11.4

 

 

 

76.7

 

 

 

19.8

 

 

 

96.5

 

Florida

  -       0.3    3.6     -        11.0    30.4    14.5    10.6    70.4    10.8    81.2   

 

 

-

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

3.9

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

10.4

 

 

 

41.8

 

 

 

6.8

 

 

 

11.1

 

 

 

74.3

 

 

 

6.5

 

 

 

80.8

 

Colorado

 23.0    14.8     -        9.9    2.4    6.5    6.1     -        62.7    16.9    79.6   

New Jersey

 27.9     -         -         -         -        16.4     -        32.3    76.6     -        76.6   

Utah

 

 

5.7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

25.2

 

 

 

19.2

 

 

 

21.4

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

71.5

 

 

 

6.6

 

 

 

78.1

 

Georgia

 

 

8.5

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

4.2

 

 

 

10.6

 

 

 

20.2

 

 

 

6.9

 

 

 

15.9

 

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

68.9

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

68.9

 

All other states

 109.8    90.3    28.4    51.7    112.5    65.2    119.4    133.3    710.6    174.4    885.0   

 

 

136.1

 

 

 

93.8

 

 

 

33.0

 

 

 

50.0

 

 

 

62.2

 

 

 

65.1

 

 

 

125.0

 

 

 

122.3

 

 

 

687.5

 

 

 

209.7

 

 

 

897.2

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Total

   $      267.5      $      156.2      $      50.9      $      64.1      $      278.6      $      338.2      $      394.7      $      205.7      $      1,755.9      $      510.7    2,266.6   

 

$

242.6

 

 

$

143.0

 

 

$

63.0

 

 

$

68.1

 

 

$

271.0

 

 

$

337.4

 

 

$

385.3

 

 

$

188.3

 

 

$

1,698.7

 

 

$

484.7

 

 

 

2,183.4

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Total advanced refunded / escrowed maturity funds

Total advanced refunded / escrowed maturity funds

 

 337.7   

Total advanced refunded / escrowed maturity funds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

165.3

 

 

 

 

Total municipal bonds

Total municipal bonds

 

   $    2,604.3   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,348.7

 

 

 

 

64


Recent Accounting Standards

Recently Adopted

In February 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or the “FASB,” issued guidance on certain tax effects caused by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act which was signed into law on December 22, 2017.of 2017, or the “Tax Act.” The Tax Act, among other things, reduced the U.S. corporate federal income tax rate for the 2018 tax year from 35.0 percent to 21.0 percent, effective January 1, 2018 for the 2018 tax year.percent. Under such circumstances, GAAP requires that the value of deferred

tax assets and liabilities be reduced through tax expense. The new guidance provides an option to reclassify any stranded tax amounts that remain in accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings, either retrospectively or at the beginning of the period in which the adoption is elected. This guidance became effective in the first quarter of 2018 for public entities, with early adoption permitted in 2017. We adopted this new guidance in the first quarter of 2018 and have elected to reclassify stranded tax amounts that remain in accumulated other comprehensive income, in the amount of approximately $135 million, to retained earnings as of January 1, 2018. See Note 7(b) to Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements” of this Form10-Q for furtheradditional information on accumulated other comprehensive income, and seeincome. See Note 9 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of the 20172018 Form 10-K for additional information on the Tax Act and its impact on Alleghany.us.

In MarchAugust 2017, the FASB issued guidance that reducessimplifies the amortization period forrequirements to achieve hedge accounting, better reflects the premium on certain purchased callable debt securities toeconomic results of hedging in the earliest call date. The guidance applies specifically to noncontingent call features that are callable atfinancial statements and improves the alignment between hedge accounting and a predetermined and fixed price and date. The accounting for purchased callable debt securities held at a discount is not affected.company’s risk management activities. This guidance is effective in the first quarter of 2019 for public entities, with early adoption permitted. We adopted this guidance in the fourth quarter of 2017 and recorded a cumulative effect reduction of approximately $13 million directly to opening 2017 retained earnings and an offsetting increase in opening 2017 accumulated other comprehensive income. The implementation did not have a material impact on our results of operations and financial condition. See Note 7(b) to Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements” of this Form10-Q for further information on accumulated other comprehensive income.

In May 2014, the FASB, together with the International Accounting Standards Board, issued guidance on the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers. Under this guidance, revenue is recognized as the transfer of goods and services to customers takes place and in amounts that reflect the payment or payments that are expected to be received from the customers for those goods and services. This guidance also requires new disclosures about revenue. Revenues related to insurance and reinsurance contracts and revenues from investments are not impacted by this guidance, whereas noninsurance revenues arising from the sale of manufactured goods and services is generally included within the scope of this guidance. This guidance, and all related amendments, became effective in the first quarter of 2018 for public entities, with early adoption permitted in 2017. We adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2018 using the modified retrospective transition approach2019 and the implementation did not have a material impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance on leases. Under this guidance, a lessee is required to recognize lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use assets for leases with terms of more than one year, whereas under the prior guidance, a lessee is only required to recognize assets and liabilities for those leases qualifying as capital leases. This guidance also requires new disclosures about the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The accounting by lessors remains largely unchanged. This guidance is effective in the first quarter of 2019 for public entities, with early adoption permitted. A modified retrospective transition approach was elected for all leases in existence as of, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. We adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2019 and the implementation did not have a material impact on our results of operations and financial condition. As part of its implementation, we elected to not separate lease components from non-lease components (such as office cleanings, security and maintenance services provided by our lessors for certain of its leases). We also elected the package of practical expedients under the transition guidance, which allowed us to not reevaluate existing lease classifications, among others. As of January 1, 2019, our adoption of this guidance resulted in recognition of an additional right-of-use asset of approximately $0.2 billion and a corresponding lease liability of $0.2 billion. See Note 109(b) to Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements” of this Form 10-Q for further information on Alleghany’s noninsurance revenues.our leases.

In January 2016, the FASB issued guidance that changes the recognition and measurement of certain financial instruments. This guidance requires investments in equity securities (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, but including partnership investments not accounted for under the equity method) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net earnings. For equity securities that do not have readily determinable fair values, measurement may be at cost, adjusted for any impairment and changes resulting from observable price changes for a similar investment of the same issuer. This guidance also changes the presentation and disclosure of financial instruments by: (i) requiring that financial instrument disclosures of fair value use the exit price notion; (ii) requiring separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form, either on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements; (iii) requiring separate presentation in other comprehensive income for the portion of the change in a liability’s fair value resulting from instrument-specific credit risk when an election has been made to measure the liability at fair value; and (iv) eliminating the requirement to disclose the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 for public entities, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Except for the change in presentation for instrument-specific credit risk, this guidance does not permit early adoption. We adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2018. As of January 1, 2018, approximately $736 million of net unrealized gains of equity securities, net of deferred taxes, were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. Subsequently, all changes in unrealized gains or losses of equity securities, net of deferred taxes, were presented in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings rather than the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, under the caption “change in the fair value of equity securities.” Results arising from partnership investments, whether accounted for under the equity method or at fair value, continue to be reported as a component of net investment income. The implementation did not have a material impact on our financial condition. See Note 3 to Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements” of this Form 10-Q for further information on Alleghany’sour equity securities, and Note 7(b) to Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements” of this Form10-Q for further information on accumulated other comprehensive income.

Future Application of65


In May 2014, the FASB, together with the International Accounting Standards

In February 2016, the FASB Board, issued guidance on leases.the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers. Under this guidance, a lesseerevenue is requiredrecognized as the transfer of goods and services to recognize lease liabilitiescustomers takes place and correspondingright-of-use assets for leases with terms of more than one year, whereas under current guidance, a lessee is only requiredin amounts that reflect the payment or payments that are expected to recognize assets and liabilitiesbe received from the customers for those leases qualifying as capital leases.goods and services. This guidance also requires new disclosures about the amount, timingrevenue. Revenue related to insurance and uncertainty of cash flowsreinsurance contracts and revenue from investments are not impacted by this guidance, whereas noninsurance revenue arising from leases. The accounting by lessorsthe sale of manufactured goods and services is to remain largely unchanged.generally included within the scope of this guidance. This guidance, isand all related amendments, became effective in the first

quarter of 20192018 for public entities, with early adoption permitted. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for all leasespermitted in existence as of, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements.2017. We will adoptadopted this guidance in the first quarter of 20192018 using the modified retrospective transition approach and do not currently believe that the implementation willdid not have a material impact on our results of operations and financial condition. See Note 12(b)10 to Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part II,I, Item 8,1, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”Statements” of the 2017this Form 10-K10-Q of this Form 10-Q for further information on Alleghany’s leases.our noninsurance revenue.

Future Application of Accounting Standards

In June 2016, the FASB issued guidance on credit losses. Under this guidance, a company is required to measure all expected credit losses on loans, reinsurance recoverables and other financial assets accounted for at cost or amortized cost, as applicable. Estimates of expected credit losses are to be based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Credit losses for securities accounted for on an AFS basis are to be measured in a manner similar to GAAP as currently applied and cannot exceed the amount by which the fair value is less than the amortized cost.cost, although the new guidance removes the length of time a security has been in an unrealized loss position as a possible indication of a credit impairment. Credit losses for all financial assets are to be recorded through an allowance for credit losses. Subsequent reversals in credit loss estimates are permitted and are to be recognized in earnings. This guidance also requires new disclosures about the significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality of financial assets. This guidance is effective in the first quarter of 2020 for public entities, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of 2020 and2020. Although we expect to initially record an increase in an allowance for credit losses on certain financial assets accounted for at cost or amortized cost, we do not currently believe that the implementation will have a material impact on our results of operations and financial condition. See Note 3 to Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements” of this Form 10-Q for further information on our investments. See Note 5(b) to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of the 2018 Form 10-K for further information on our reinsurance recoverables.

In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance that simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill. Under this guidance, if an initial qualitative assessment indicates that the fair value of an operating subsidiary may be less than its carrying amount, an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the operating subsidiary exceeds its estimated fair value. Any resulting impairment loss recognized cannot exceed the total amount of goodwill associated with the operating subsidiary. This guidance is effective in the first quarter of 2020 for public entities, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of 2020 and do not currently believe that the implementation will have a material impact on our results of operations and financial condition. See Note 2 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of the 20172018 Form 10-K for further information on our goodwill.

In August 2017, the FASB issued guidance that simplifies the requirements to achieve hedge accounting, better reflects the economic results of hedging in the financial statements and improves the alignment between hedge accounting and a company’s risk management activities. This guidance is effective in the first quarter of 2019 for public entities, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of 2019 and do not currently believe that the implementation will have a material impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance that changes the financial statement disclosure requirements for measuring fair value. With respect to financial instruments classified as “Level 3” in the fair value disclosure hierarchy, the guidance requires certain additional disclosures for public entities related to amounts included in other comprehensive income and significant unobservable inputs used in the valuation, while removing disclosure requirements related to an entity’s overall valuation processes. The guidance also removes certain disclosure requirements related to transfers between financial instruments classified as “Level 1” and “Level 2” and provides clarification on certain other existing disclosure requirements. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted with respect to any eliminated or modified disclosures. We will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of 2020 and we do not currently believe that the implementation will have a material impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

66


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Market risk is the risk of loss from adverse changes in market prices and rates. The primary market risk related to our debt securities is the risk of loss associated with adverse changes in interest rates. We hold our debt securities as AFS. Any changes in the fair value in these securities, net of tax, would be recorded as a component of other comprehensive income. However, if a decline in fair value relative to cost is believed to be other than temporary, a loss is generally recorded on our statement of earnings. We also invest in equity securities which are subject to fluctuations in market value. In addition, significant portions of our assets (principally investments) and liabilities (principally loss and LAE reserves and unearned premiums) are exposed to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The net change in the carrying value of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies is generally recorded as a component of other comprehensive income.

The sensitivity analyses presented below provide only a limited,point-in-time view of the market risk of our financial instruments. The actual impact of changes in market interest rates, equity market prices and foreign currency exchange rates may differ significantly from those shown in these sensitivity analyses. The sensitivity analyses are further limited because they do not consider any actions we could take in response to actual and/or anticipated changes in equity market prices, market interest rates or foreign currency exchange rates. In addition, these sensitivity analyses do not provide weight to risks relatingrelated to market issues such as liquidity and the credit worthiness of investments.

Interest Rate Risk

The primary market risk for our debt securities is interest rate risk at the time of refinancing. We monitor the interest rate environment to evaluate reinvestment and refinancing opportunities. We generally do not use derivatives to manage market and interest rate risks. The table below presents a sensitivity analysis as of September 30, 20182019 of our (i) consolidated debt securities and (ii) senior notes and other debt, which are sensitive to changes in interest rates. Sensitivity analysis is defined as the measurement of potential change in future earnings, fair values or cash flows of market sensitive instruments resulting from one or more selected hypothetical changes in interest rates over a selected time period. In the sensitivity analysis model below, we use a +/- 300 basis point range of change in interest rates to measure the hypothetical change in fair value of the financial instruments included in the analysis. The change in fair value is determined by calculating hypothetical September 30, 20182019 ending prices based on yields adjusted to reflect a +/- 300 basis point range of change in interest rates, comparing these hypothetical ending prices to actual ending prices, and multiplying the difference by the par outstanding. The selected hypothetical changes in interest rates do not reflect what could be the potential best or worst case scenarios.

 

  -300   -200   -100   0   100   200   300 

 

-300

 

 

-200

 

 

-100

 

 

0

 

 

100

 

 

200

 

 

300

 

              ($ in millions)             

 

($ in millions)

 

Assets:

              

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt securities, fair value

  $  13,589.8   $13,119.0   $12,593.9    $ 12,071.2   $11,560.6    $11,075.3    $    10,620.2  

 

$

15,709.7

 

 

$

15,579.3

 

 

$

15,099.7

 

 

$

14,488.3

 

 

$

13,866.8

 

 

$

13,256.8

 

 

$

12,677.3

 

Estimated change in fair value

   1,518.6    1,047.8    522.7    -        (510.6)    (995.9)    (1,451.0) 

 

 

1,221.4

 

 

 

1,091.0

 

 

 

611.4

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(621.5

)

 

 

(1,231.5

)

 

 

(1,811.0

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

              

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Notes and other debt, fair value

  $2,148.6   $1,974.2   $1,826.7    $  1,701.8   $1,594.8    $1,502.8    $1,423.4  

 

$

2,390.5

 

 

$

2,201.2

 

 

$

2,042.5

 

 

$

1,908.9

 

 

$

1,795.6

 

 

$

1,698.5

 

 

$

1,615.5

 

Estimated change in fair value

   446.8    272.4    124.9    -        (107.0)    (199.0)    (278.4) 

 

 

481.6

 

 

 

292.3

 

 

 

133.6

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(113.3

)

 

 

(210.4

)

 

 

(293.4

)

Equity Risk

Our equity securities are subject to fluctuations in market value. The table below presents our equity market price risk and reflects the effect of a hypothetical increase or decrease in market prices as of September 30, 20182019 on the estimated fair value of our consolidated equity portfolio. The selected hypothetical price changes do not reflect what could be the potential best or worst case scenarios.

 

As of September 30, 2018 
($ in millions) 
Estimated
    Fair Value    
         Hypothetical Price        
Change
   Estimated Fair Value  
After Hypothetical
Change in Price
  Hypothetical
Percantage Increase
(Decrease) in
    Stockholders’ Equity    
 
  $      5,028.6   20% Increase       $                  6,034.3      9.2%    
 20% Decrease  4,022.9      (9.2%)   

As of September 30, 2019

($ in millions)

Fair Value

 

 

Hypothetical

Price Change

 

Estimated Fair Value

After Hypothetical

Change in Price

 

 

Hypothetical Percentage

Increase (Decrease)

in Stockholders' Equity

$

2,092.3

 

 

20% Increase

 

$

2,510.8

 

 

 

3.7%

 

 

 

 

 

20% Decrease

 

 

1,673.8

 

 

 

(3.7%)

 

On July 18, 2019, AIHL purchased the Put Option to hedge the downside equity market risk on approximately $1.0 billion of our consolidated equity portfolio. As such, the above hypothetical decreases in price and percentage in Stockholders’ Equity would be partially offset by an increase in the fair value of the Put Option. The Put Option expires on December 31, 2019.  

In addition to debt and equity securities, we invest in several partnerships which are subject to fluctuations in market value. Our partnership investments are included in other invested assets and are accounted for at fair value or using the equity method, and had a carrying value of $370.1$399.9 million as of September 30, 2018.

2019.

67


Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

Foreign currency exchange rate risk is the potential change in value arising from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Our reinsurance operations located in foreign countries maintain some or all of their capital in their local currency and conduct business in their local currency, as well as the currencies of the other countries in which they operate. To mitigate this risk, we maintain investments denominated in certain foreign currencies in which the claims payments will be made. As of September 30, 2018,2019, the largest foreign currency net asset exposures for these foreign operations were the Euro and the Canadian Dollar. The table below presents our foreign currency exchange rate risk and shows the effect of a hypothetical increase or decrease in foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. Dollar as of September 30, 20182019 on the estimated net carrying value of our foreign currency denominated assets, net of our foreign currency denominated liabilities. The selected hypothetical changes do not reflect what could be the potential best or worst case scenarios.

 

As of September 30, 2018 
($ in millions) 
Estimated
    Fair Value    
 

        Hypothetical Price        
Change

   Estimated Fair Value  
After Hypothetical
Change in Price
 Hypothetical
Percantage Increase
(Decrease) in
    Stockholders’ Equity    
 
  $      48.1(1) 20% Increase     $                      57.7     0.1%    
 20% Decrease  38.5     (0.1%)   

As of September 30, 2019

($ in millions)

Estimated

Fair Value

 

 

Hypothetical

Price Change

 

Estimated Fair Value

After Hypothetical

Change in Price

 

Hypothetical Percentage

Increase (Decrease)

in Stockholders' Equity

$181.0

(1)

 

20% Increase

 

$217.2

 

0.3%

 

 

 

20% Decrease

 

144.8

 

(0.3%)

 

(1)

Denotes a net asset position as of September 30, 2018.2019.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer, or “CEO,” and our chief financial officer, or “CFO,” of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-Q pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the “Exchange Act.” Based on that evaluation, our management, including our CEO and CFO, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of that date to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized, and timely reported as specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our disclosure controls and procedures were designed to provide such assurance; however, we note that the design of any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and we cannot assure you that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions, regardless of how remote.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

No changes occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 20182019 in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

68


Part II. OTHER INFORMATION

Certain of our subsidiaries are parties to pending litigation and claims in connection with the ordinary course of their businesses. Each such subsidiary makes provisions for estimated losses to be incurred in such litigation and claims, including legal costs. We believe such provisions are adequate and do not believe that any pending litigation will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows. See Note 12(a) to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of the 20172018 Form 10-K.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

There are no material changes from the risk factors set forth in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of the 20172018 Form 10-K. Please refer to that section for disclosures regarding what we believe are the more significant risks and uncertainties related to our businesses.

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

(c) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

The following table presents our common stock repurchases for the quarter ended September 30, 2018:2019:

 

   Total Number of  
Shares
Repurchased
 Average Price
    Paid per Share    
 Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of
Publicly
 Announced Plans  
or Programs(1)
 Approximate
Dollar Value of
Shares That May
Yet be Purchased
Under the Plans
or Programs(1)
(in millions)

 

Total Number

of Shares

Repurchased

 

 

Average

Price Paid

per Share

 

 

Total Number

of Shares

Purchased as

Part of Publicly

Announced Plans

or Programs(1)

 

 

Approximate

Dollar Value of

Shares That May

Yet be Purchased

Under the Plans

or Programs(1)

(in millions)

 

July 1 to July 31

 60,390    $        592.35  60,390    $          491.3 

 

 

675

 

 

$

683.37

 

 

 

675

 

 

$

177.9

 

August 1 to August 31

 2,137  631.32  2,137  490.0 

 

 

11,859

 

 

 

745.58

 

 

 

11,859

 

 

 

169.0

 

September 1 to September 30

 13,772  641.09  13,772  481.1 

 

 

12,864

 

 

 

776.72

 

 

 

12,864

 

 

 

659.1

 

 

 

  

 

 

Total

 76,299  602.24  76,299  

 

 

25,398

 

 

 

759.70

 

 

 

25,398

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

(1)

In November 2015, the AlleghanyJune 2018, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of shares of our common stock, at such times and at prices as management determines to be advisable, up to an aggregate of $400.0 million. In June 2018, the AlleghanySeptember 2019, our Board of Directors authorized, upon the completion of the previously announced program, the repurchase of additional shares of our common stock at such times and at prices as management determines to be advisable, up to an aggregate of $400.0$500.0 million.

69


Item 6. Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
 
Number

Description

31.1

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company pursuant to Rule13a-14(a) or Rule15(d)-14(a) of the Exchange Act.

31.2

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company pursuant to Rule13a-14(a) or Rule15(d)-14(a) of the Exchange Act.

32.1

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section  906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. This exhibit shall not be deemed “filed” as a part of this Form10-Q.

32.2

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section  906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. This exhibit shall not be deemed “filed” as a part of this Form10-Q.

101

Interactive Data Files formatted in Inline XBRL (Extensible(eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 20182019 and December 31, 2017;2018; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20182019 and 2017;2018; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 20182019 and 2017;2018; and (iv)(v) Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

70


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.

 

ALLEGHANY CORPORATION

ALLEGHANY CORPORATION

(Registrant)

Date: November 1, 20185, 2019

By:

By:

/s/ John L. Sennott, Jr.Kerry J. Jacobs

John L. Sennott, Jr.

Kerry J. Jacobs

Senior Vice President and chief financial officer

(principal financial officer)

 

7471