EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.
Wessex House, 45 Reid Street, 2nd Floor, Hamilton HM DX, Bermuda
Contact: Elizabeth B. Farrell
Vice President, Investor Relations
Everest Global Services, Inc.
908.604.3169
For Immediate Release
Everest Re Group Reports Record Earnings for Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2013;
Return on Equity of 20% and 12% Growth in Book Value Per Share for Full Year
HAMILTON, Bermuda – February 5, 2014 -- Everest Re Group, Ltd. (NYSE: RE) today reported fourth quarter 2013 net income available to common shareholders of $364.6 million, or $7.54 per diluted common share, compared to net income of $58.8 million, or $1.13 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2012. After-tax operating income1 available to common shareholders, excluding realized capital gains and losses, was $303.4 million, or $6.28 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2013, compared to $41.7 million, or $0.80 per diluted common share, for the same period in 2012.
For the year ended December 31, 2013, net income available to common shareholders was $1.3 billion, or $25.44 per diluted common share, compared to net income of $829.0 million, or $15.79 per diluted common share, for 2012. After-tax operating income1 available to common shareholders, excluding realized capital gains and losses, was $1.1 billion, or $21.47 per diluted common share, for the full year 2013, compared to $715.2 million or $13.62 per common share, for 2012.
Commenting on the Company’s results, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dominic J. Addesso said, “Everest has reached another milestone with record earnings of $1.3 billion and a 20% return on equity. This is certainly a reflection of the effort over the last several years to position the company for profitable growth. We continue to strategically maneuver through a challenging marketplace and are confident that the portfolio we put together post January renewals can produce another strong year in 2014.”
Operating highlights for the fourth quarter and full year of 2013 included the following:
| · | Gross written premiums for the quarter were $1.3 billion, an increase of 14% compared to the fourth quarter of 2012. For the full year, gross written premiums grew 21% to $5.2 billion with reinsurance premiums up 21% and direct insurance premiums up 18%. |
| · | The combined ratio was 81.5% for the quarter and 84.5% for the year, compared to 108.4% and 93.8%, respectively, for the same periods in 2012. The quarter included $24.5m of catastrophe losses, net of reinstatement premiums, for the Pacific storm, Typhoon Fitow, which largely impacted China. For the full year, net pre-tax catastrophe losses totaled $177.7 million. Excluding catastrophe losses, reinstatement premiums and favorable prior year loss development, the calendar year attritional combined ratio improved 4 points to 81.0% for 2013. |
| · | Net investment income amounted to $126.1 million for the quarter and $548.5 million for the full year 2013. This included limited partnership income of $5.3 million and $46.9 million in each period, respectively. |
| · | Net after-tax realized capital gains totaled $61.3 million for the quarter and $196.8 million for the full year. Unrealized losses, net of tax, on the fixed income portfolio amounted to $55.0 million in the quarter and $402.8 million for the year, driven by changes in interest rates. |
| · | Cash flow from operations was $273.3 million for the quarter and $1.1 billion for the full year 2013. This compared to $193.4 million and $694.6 million for the same periods, respectively, in 2012. |
| · | For the year, the after-tax operating income1 return on average adjusted shareholders’ equity2 was 16.5% and net income return on equity was 19.5%. |
| · | During the quarter, the Company repurchased 472,437 of its common shares at an average price of $152.29 and a total cost of $72.0 million. For the year, the Company repurchased 4.7 million of its common shares for a total cost of $621.9 million. During January, the Company repurchased an additional 185,619 shares for a total cost of $28.0 million, which will be reflected in first quarter 2014 reporting. The repurchases were made pursuant to a share repurchase authorization, provided by the Company’s Board of Directors, under which there remains 4.4 million shares available. |
| · | Shareholders’ equity ended the year at $7.0 billion, up 3.5% from the $6.7 billion at December 31, 2012. Book value per share increased 12% from $130.96 at year-end 2012 to $146.57 at December 31, 2013. |
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements in the U.S. Federal securities laws. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements made on behalf of the Company. These risks and uncertainties include the impact of general economic conditions and conditions affecting the insurance and reinsurance industry, the adequacy of our reserves, our ability to assess underwriting risk, trends in rates for property and casualty insurance and reinsurance, competition, investment market fluctuations, trends in insured and paid losses, catastrophes, regulatory and legal uncertainties and other factors described in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Everest Re Group, Ltd. is a Bermuda holding company that operates through the following subsidiaries: Everest Reinsurance Company provides reinsurance to property and casualty insurers in both the U.S. and international markets. Everest Reinsurance (Bermuda), Ltd., including through its branch in the United Kingdom, provides reinsurance and insurance to worldwide property and casualty markets and reinsurance to life insurers. Everest Reinsurance Company (Ireland), Limited provides reinsurance to non-life insurers in Europe. Mt. Logan Re, a segregated cell company, capitalized by the Company and third party investors, is a specialty reinsurer of catastrophe risks. Everest National Insurance Company and Everest Security Insurance Company provide property and casualty insurance to policyholders in the U.S. Everest Indemnity Insurance Company offers excess and surplus lines insurance in the U.S. Everest Insurance Company of Canada provides property and casualty insurance to policyholders in Canada. Additional information on Everest Re Group companies can be found at the Group’s web site at www.everestregroup.com.
A conference call discussing the fourth quarter results will be held at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time on February 6, 2014. The call will be available on the Internet through the Company’s web site or at www.streetevents.com.
Recipients are encouraged to visit the Company’s web site to view supplemental financial information on the Company’s results. The supplemental information is located at www.everestregroup.com in the “Financial Reports” section of the “Investor Center”. The supplemental financial information may also be obtained by contacting the Company directly.
___________________________
1The Company generally uses after-tax operating income (loss), a non-GAAP financial measure, to evaluate its performance. After-tax operating income (loss) consists of net income (loss) excluding after-tax net realized capital gains (losses) as the following reconciliation displays:
| | | Three Months Ended | | | Twelve Months Ended | |
| | | December 31, | | | December 31, | |
| (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) | | 2013 | | | 2012 | | | 2013 | | | 2012 | |
| | | | | | (unaudited) | | | | | | | | | (unaudited) | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | Per Diluted | | | | | | Per Diluted | | | | | | Per Diluted | | | | | | Per Diluted | |
| | | | | | Common | | | | | | Common | | | | | | Common | | | | | | Common | |
| | | Amount | | | Share | | | Amount | | | Share | | | Amount | | | Share | | | Amount | | | Share | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net income (loss)* | | $ | 364,638 | | | $ | 7.54 | | | $ | 58,777 | | | $ | 1.13 | | | $ | 1,259,382 | | | $ | 25.44 | | | $ | 828,954 | | | $ | 15.79 | |
| After-tax net realized capital gains (losses) | | | 61,285 | | | | 1.27 | | | | 17,126 | | | | 0.33 | | | | 196,829 | | | | 3.98 | | | | 113,792 | | | | 2.17 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| After-tax operating income (loss)* | | $ | 303,353 | | | $ | 6.28 | | | $ | 41,651 | | | $ | 0.80 | | | $ | 1,062,553 | | | $ | 21.47 | | | $ | 715,162 | | | $ | 13.62 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| * attributable to common shareholders | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Although net realized capital gains (losses) are an integral part of the Company’s insurance operations, the determination of net realized capital gains (losses) is independent of the insurance underwriting process. The Company believes that the level of net realized capital gains (losses) for any particular period is not indicative of the performance of the underlying business in that particular period. Providing only a GAAP presentation of net income (loss) makes it more difficult for users of the financial information to evaluate the Company’s success or failure in its basic business, and may lead to incorrect or misleading assumptions and conclusions. The Company understands that the equity analysts who follow the Company focus on after-tax operating income (loss) in their analyses for the reasons discussed above. The Company provides after-tax operating income (loss) to investors so that they have what management believes to be a useful supplement to GAAP information concerning the Company’s performance.
2Adjusted shareholders’ equity excludes net after-tax unrealized (appreciation) depreciation of investments
--Financial Details Follow--
EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
| | | Three Months Ended | | Twelve Months Ended |
| | | December 31, | | December 31, |
| (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) | | 2013 | | 2012 | | 2013 | | 2012 |
| | | (unaudited) | | (unaudited) |
| REVENUES: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Premiums earned | | $ | 1,287,496 | | | $ | 1,119,396 | | | $ | 4,753,543 | | | $ | 4,164,628 | |
| Net investment income | | | 126,127 | | | | 146,411 | | | | 548,509 | | | | 600,202 | |
| Net realized capital gains (losses): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities | | | (861 | ) | | | (120 | ) | | | (1,052 | ) | | | (10,022 | ) |
| Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| transferred to other comprehensive income (loss) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
| Other net realized capital gains (losses) | | | 95,490 | | | | 19,638 | | | | 301,279 | | | | 174,422 | |
| Total net realized capital gains (losses) | | | 94,629 | | | | 19,518 | | | | 300,227 | | | | 164,400 | |
| Net derivative gain (loss) | | | 11,039 | | | | (318 | ) | | | 44,044 | | | | (9,738 | ) |
| Other income (expense) | | | (2,169 | ) | | | (12,357 | ) | | | (5,487 | ) | | | 3,318 | |
| Total revenues | | | 1,517,122 | | | | 1,272,650 | | | | 5,640,836 | | | | 4,922,810 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| CLAIMS AND EXPENSES: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses | | | 725,915 | | | | 931,275 | | | | 2,800,251 | | | | 2,745,265 | |
| Commission, brokerage, taxes and fees | | | 253,858 | | | | 228,327 | | | | 977,558 | | | | 952,701 | |
| Other underwriting expenses | | | 69,419 | | | | 53,727 | | | | 237,126 | | | | 207,659 | |
| Corporate expenses | | | 8,174 | | | | 7,293 | | | | 24,817 | | | | 23,976 | |
| Interest, fees and bond issue cost amortization expense | | | 7,638 | | | | 13,930 | | | | 46,118 | | | | 53,683 | |
| Total claims and expenses | | | 1,065,004 | | | | 1,234,552 | | | | 4,085,870 | | | | 3,983,284 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE TAXES | | | 452,118 | | | | 38,098 | | | | 1,554,966 | | | | 939,526 | |
| Income tax expense (benefit) | | | 85,370 | | | | (20,679 | ) | | | 289,706 | | | | 110,572 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| NET INCOME (LOSS) | | $ | 366,748 | | | $ | 58,777 | | | $ | 1,265,260 | | | $ | 828,954 | |
| Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | | | (2,110 | ) | | | - | | | | (5,878 | ) | | | - | |
| NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO EVEREST RE GROUP | | $ | 364,638 | | | $ | 58,777 | | | $ | 1,259,382 | | | $ | 828,954 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) ("URA(D)") on securities arising during the period | | | (55,530 | ) | | | (28,204 | ) | | | (395,797 | ) | | | 174,025 | |
| Reclassification adjustment for realized losses (gains) included in net income (loss) | | | 534 | | | | (13,974 | ) | | | (6,977 | ) | | | (19,676 | ) |
| Total URA(D) on securities arising during the period | | | (54,996 | ) | | | (42,178 | ) | | | (402,774 | ) | | | 154,349 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | | | 13,066 | | | | (4,427 | ) | | | (162 | ) | | | 22,698 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Benefit plan actuarial net gain (loss) for the period | | | 17,837 | | | | (11,771 | ) | | | 17,837 | | | | (11,771 | ) |
| Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net (gain) loss included in net income (loss) | | | 1,617 | | | | 1,629 | | | | 5,778 | | | | 4,795 | |
| Total benefit plan net gain (loss) for the period | | | 19,454 | | | | (10,142 | ) | | | 23,615 | | | | (6,976 | ) |
| Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | | | (22,476 | ) | | | (56,747 | ) | | | (379,321 | ) | | | 170,071 | |
| Other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
| Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax attributable to Everest Re Group | | | (22,476 | ) | | | (56,747 | ) | | | (379,321 | ) | | | 170,071 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) | | $ | 342,162 | | | $ | 2,030 | | | $ | 880,061 | | | $ | 999,025 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO EVEREST RE GROUP: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Basic | | $ | 7.62 | | | $ | 1.14 | | | $ | 25.67 | | | $ | 15.85 | |
| Diluted | | | 7.54 | | | | 1.13 | | | | 25.44 | | | | 15.79 | |
| Dividends declared | | | 0.75 | | | | 0.48 | | | | 2.19 | | | | 1.92 | |
EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
| | | December 31, |
| (Dollars and share amounts in thousands, except par value per share) | | 2013 | | 2012 |
| | | (unaudited) | | | | |
| ASSETS: | | | | | | |
| Fixed maturities - available for sale, at market value | | $ | 12,636,907 | | | $ | 13,141,657 | |
| (amortized cost: 2013, $12,391,164; 2012, $12,444,880) | | | | | | | | |
| Fixed maturities - available for sale, at fair value | | | 19,388 | | | | 41,470 | |
| Equity securities - available for sale, at market value (cost: 2013, $148,342; 2012, $131,630) | | | 144,081 | | | | 143,493 | |
| Equity securities - available for sale, at fair value | | | 1,462,079 | | | | 1,255,557 | |
| Short-term investments | | | 1,214,199 | | | | 860,379 | |
| Other invested assets (cost: 2013, $508,447; 2012, $596,590) | | | 508,447 | | | | 596,590 | |
| Cash | | | 611,382 | | | | 537,050 | |
| Total investments and cash | | | 16,596,483 | | | | 16,576,196 | |
| Accrued investment income | | | 119,058 | | | | 130,209 | |
| Premiums receivable | | | 1,453,114 | | | | 1,237,859 | |
| Reinsurance receivables | | | 540,883 | | | | 659,081 | |
| Funds held by reinsureds | | | 228,000 | | | | 228,375 | |
| Deferred acquisition costs | | | 363,721 | | | | 303,268 | |
| Prepaid reinsurance premiums | | | 81,779 | | | | 71,107 | |
| Deferred tax asset | | | 146,281 | | | | 262,024 | |
| Income taxes recoverable | | | 32,053 | | | | 68,442 | |
| Other assets | | | 246,664 | | | | 241,346 | |
| TOTAL ASSETS | | $ | 19,808,036 | | | $ | 19,777,907 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| LIABILITIES: | | | | | | | | |
| Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses | | $ | 9,673,240 | | | $ | 10,069,055 | |
| Future policy benefit reserve | | | 59,512 | | | | 66,107 | |
| Unearned premium reserve | | | 1,579,945 | | | | 1,322,525 | |
| Funds held under reinsurance treaties | | | 2,692 | | | | 2,755 | |
| Commission reserves | | | 66,160 | | | | 65,533 | |
| Other net payable to reinsurers | | | 116,387 | | | | 162,778 | |
| Losses in course of payment | | | 332,631 | | | | 191,076 | |
| 5.4% Senior notes due 10/15/2014 | | | 249,958 | | | | 249,907 | |
| 6.6% Long term notes due 5/1/2067 | | | 238,361 | | | | 238,357 | |
| Junior subordinated debt securities payable | | | - | | | | 329,897 | |
| Accrued interest on debt and borrowings | | | 4,781 | | | | 4,781 | |
| Equity index put option liability | | | 35,423 | | | | 79,467 | |
| Unsettled securities payable | | | 53,867 | | | | 48,830 | |
| Other liabilities | | | 333,425 | | | | 213,372 | |
| Total liabilities | | | 12,746,382 | | | | 13,044,440 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS: | | | | | | | | |
| Redeemable noncontrolling interests - Mt. Logan Re | | | 93,378 | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: | | | | | | | | |
| Preferred shares, par value: $0.01; 50,000 shares authorized; | | | | | | | | |
| no shares issued and outstanding | | | - | | | | - | |
| Common shares, par value: $0.01; 200,000 shares authorized; (2013) 67,965 | | | | | | | | |
| and (2012) 67,105 outstanding before treasury shares | | | 680 | | | | 671 | |
| Additional paid-in capital | | | 2,029,774 | | | | 1,946,439 | |
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income tax expense | | | | | | | | |
| (benefit) of $57,661 at 2013 and $119,629 at 2012 | | | 157,728 | | | | 537,049 | |
| Treasury shares, at cost; 20,422 shares (2013) and 15,687 shares (2012) | | | (1,985,873 | ) | | | (1,363,958 | ) |
| Retained earnings | | | 6,765,967 | | | | 5,613,266 | |
| Total shareholders' equity attributable to Everest Re Group, Ltd. | | | 6,968,276 | | | | 6,733,467 | |
| TOTAL LIABILITIES, NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | | $ | 19,808,036 | | | $ | 19,777,907 | |
EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
| | | Three Months Ended | | Twelve Months Ended |
| | | December 31, | | December 31, |
| (Dollars in thousands) | | 2013 | | 2012 | | 2013 | | 2012 |
| | | (unaudited) | | (unaudited) | | | |
| CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net income (loss) | | $ | 366,748 | | | $ | 58,777 | | | $ | 1,265,260 | | | $ | 828,954 | |
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Decrease (increase) in premiums receivable | | | 183,945 | | | | (33,771 | ) | | | (217,678 | ) | | | (153,694 | ) |
| Decrease (increase) in funds held by reinsureds, net | | | (323 | ) | | | (3,791 | ) | | | 162 | | | | 42,298 | |
| Decrease (increase) in reinsurance receivables | | | 196,128 | | | | (19,302 | ) | | | 118,963 | | | | (55,274 | ) |
| Decrease (increase) in current income taxes | | | 19,503 | | | | (48,217 | ) | | | 36,233 | | | | (26,831 | ) |
| Decrease (increase) in deferred tax asset | | | 64,337 | | | | 16,013 | | | | 177,615 | | | | 64,909 | |
| Decrease (increase) in prepaid reinsurance premiums | | | 8,736 | | | | 34,759 | | | | (12,777 | ) | | | 16,358 | |
| Increase (decrease) in reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses | | | (98,134 | ) | | | 235,945 | | | | (374,027 | ) | | | (169,595 | ) |
| Increase (decrease) in future policy benefit reserve | | | (5,743 | ) | | | 374 | | | | (6,595 | ) | | | (1,080 | ) |
| Increase (decrease) in unearned premiums | | | (42,769 | ) | | | (46,193 | ) | | | 261,959 | | | | (98,418 | ) |
| Increase (decrease) in other net payable to reinsurers | | | (108,745 | ) | | | (64,576 | ) | | | (45,043 | ) | | | 100,566 | |
| Increase (decrease) in losses in course of payment | | | (262,644 | ) | | | 85,895 | | | | 142,192 | | | | 173,232 | |
| Change in equity adjustments in limited partnerships | | | (5,212 | ) | | | (17,013 | ) | | | (45,905 | ) | | | (63,779 | ) |
| Distribution of limited partnership income | | | 8,249 | | | | 8,910 | | | | 56,982 | | | | 30,718 | |
| Change in other assets and liabilities, net | | | 10,900 | | | | (20,125 | ) | | | (57,212 | ) | | | 76,788 | |
| Non-cash compensation expense | | | 16,756 | | | | 9,158 | | | | 31,844 | | | | 31,984 | |
| Amortization of bond premium (accrual of bond discount) | | | 16,181 | | | | 16,049 | | | | 66,461 | | | | 61,844 | |
| Amortization of underwriting discount on senior notes | | | 13 | | | | 14 | | | | 54 | | | | 52 | |
| Net realized capital (gains) losses | | | (94,629 | ) | | | (19,518 | ) | | | (300,227 | ) | | | (164,400 | ) |
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | | | 273,297 | | | | 193,388 | | | | 1,098,261 | | | | 694,632 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Proceeds from fixed maturities matured/called - available for sale, at market value | | | 502,752 | | | | 535,686 | | | | 2,415,730 | | | | 1,830,582 | |
| Proceeds from fixed maturities matured/called - available for sale, at fair value | | | - | | | | - | | | | 7,213 | | | | 1,300 | |
| Proceeds from fixed maturities sold - available for sale, at market value | | | 247,030 | | | | 273,838 | | | | 1,092,387 | | | | 913,139 | |
| Proceeds from fixed maturities sold - available for sale, at fair value | | | 3,175 | | | | 11,991 | | | | 21,573 | | | | 84,917 | |
| Proceeds from equity securities sold - available for sale, at market value | | | 393 | | | | 150,015 | | | | 46,142 | | | | 280,807 | |
| Proceeds from equity securities sold - available for sale, at fair value | | | 245,886 | | | | 171,823 | | | | 705,831 | | | | 558,740 | |
| Distributions from other invested assets | | | 20,392 | | | | 22,512 | | | | 100,081 | | | | 53,736 | |
| Cost of fixed maturities acquired - available for sale, at market value | | | (749,741 | ) | | | (1,184,638 | ) | | | (3,543,776 | ) | | | (3,328,409 | ) |
| Cost of fixed maturities acquired - available for sale, at fair value | | | (1,398 | ) | | | (791 | ) | | | (6,196 | ) | | | (7,955 | ) |
| Cost of equity securities acquired - available for sale, at market value | | | (5,172 | ) | | | (6,445 | ) | | | (59,756 | ) | | | (26,571 | ) |
| Cost of equity securities acquired - available for sale, at fair value | | | (196,786 | ) | | | (121,461 | ) | | | (621,038 | ) | | | (426,507 | ) |
| Cost of other invested assets acquired | | | (6,872 | ) | | | (8,688 | ) | | | (21,935 | ) | | | (58,369 | ) |
| Net change in short-term investments | | | (350,043 | ) | | | 112,153 | | | | (357,451 | ) | | | (175,043 | ) |
| Net change in unsettled securities transactions | | | 11,710 | | | | (30,872 | ) | | | (2,808 | ) | | | 35,085 | |
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | | | (278,674 | ) | | | (74,877 | ) | | | (224,003 | ) | | | (264,548 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Common shares issued during the period, net | | | (172 | ) | | | 1,605 | | | | 51,500 | | | | 21,473 | |
| Purchase of treasury shares | | | (71,959 | ) | | | (39,963 | ) | | | (621,915 | ) | | | (289,988 | ) |
| Net cost of junior subordinated debt securities maturing | | | - | | | | - | | | | (329,897 | ) | | | - | |
| Third party investment in redeemable noncontrolling interest | | | - | | | | - | | | | 87,500 | | | | - | |
| Subscription advances for third party redeemable noncontrolling interest | | | 143,000 | | | | - | | | | 143,000 | | | | - | |
| Dividends paid to shareholders | | | (35,961 | ) | | | (24,735 | ) | | | (106,681 | ) | | | (100,402 | ) |
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | | | 34,908 | | | | (63,093 | ) | | | (776,493 | ) | | | (368,917 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH | | | (7,683 | ) | | | 3,074 | | | | (23,433 | ) | | | 27,232 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net increase (decrease) in cash | | | 21,848 | | | | 58,492 | | | | 74,332 | | | | 88,399 | |
| Cash, beginning of period | | | 589,534 | | | | 478,558 | | | | 537,050 | | | | 448,651 | |
| Cash, end of period | | $ | 611,382 | | | $ | 537,050 | | | $ | 611,382 | | | $ | 537,050 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Income taxes paid (recovered) | | $ | 4,384 | | | $ | 5,291 | | | $ | 69,302 | | | $ | 59,754 | |
| Interest paid | | | 14,866 | | | | 21,072 | | | | 38,390 | | | | 53,008 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Non-cash transaction: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Conversion of equity securities - available for sale, at market value, to fixed | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| maturity securities - available for sale, at market value, including accrued | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| interest at time of conversion | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 92,981 | |
