FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS | FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS In the normal course of its business, the Company purchases and sells various financial instruments, which include listed and unlisted equities, corporate and sovereign debt, commodities, futures, put and call options, currency forwards, other derivatives and similar instruments sold, not yet purchased. Fair Value Hierarchy The Company’s financial instruments are carried at fair value, and the net unrealized gains or losses are included in net investment income (loss) in the condensed consolidated statements of income. The following table presents the Company’s investments, categorized by the level of the fair value hierarchy as of June 30, 2017 : Fair value measurements as of June 30, 2017 Description Quoted prices in Significant other Significant Total ($ in thousands) Assets: Debt instruments $ — $ 5,495 $ 776 $ 6,271 Listed equity securities 1,037,502 16,138 — 1,053,640 Commodities 118,370 — — 118,370 Private and unlisted equity securities — — 6,085 6,085 $ 1,155,872 $ 21,633 $ 6,861 $ 1,184,366 Private equity funds measured at net asset value (1) 13,735 Total investments $ 1,198,101 Financial contracts receivable $ 61 $ 29,105 $ — $ 29,166 Liabilities: Listed equity securities, sold not yet purchased $ (784,725 ) $ — $ — $ (784,725 ) Debt instruments, sold not yet purchased — (93,989 ) — (93,989 ) Total securities sold, not yet purchased $ (784,725 ) $ (93,989 ) $ — $ (878,714 ) Financial contracts payable $ — $ (15,355 ) $ — $ (15,355 ) (1) Investments measured at fair value using the net asset value practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts are presented in the above table to facilitate reconciliation to the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The following table presents the Company’s investments, categorized by the level of the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2016 : Fair value measurements as of December 31, 2016 Description Quoted prices in Significant other Significant Total ($ in thousands) Assets: Debt instruments $ — $ 21,819 $ 654 $ 22,473 Listed equity securities 823,421 20,580 — 844,001 Commodities 137,296 — — 137,296 Private and unlisted equity securities — — 6,109 6,109 $ 960,717 $ 42,399 $ 6,763 $ 1,009,879 Private equity funds measured at net asset value (1) 12,658 Total investments $ 1,022,537 Financial contracts receivable $ 20 $ 76,361 $ — $ 76,381 Liabilities: Listed equity securities, sold not yet purchased $ (770,267 ) $ — $ — $ (770,267 ) Debt instruments, sold not yet purchased — (89,635 ) — (89,635 ) Total securities sold, not yet purchased $ (770,267 ) $ (89,635 ) $ — $ (859,902 ) Financial contracts payable $ — $ (2,237 ) $ — $ (2,237 ) (1) Investments measured at fair value using the net asset value practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts are presented in the above table to facilitate reconciliation to the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The following table presents the reconciliation of the balances for all investments measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 : Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Three months ended June 30, 2017 Debt instruments Private and unlisted equity securities Total ($ in thousands) Beginning balance $ 704 $ 6,076 $ 6,780 Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) and amortization included in earnings, net 72 9 81 Ending balance $ 776 $ 6,085 $ 6,861 Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Six months ended June 30, 2017 Debt instruments Private and unlisted equity securities Total ($ in thousands) Beginning balance $ 654 $ 6,109 $ 6,763 Purchases — 1,750 1,750 Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) and amortization included in earnings, net 122 (6 ) 116 Transfers out of Level 3 — (1,768 ) (1,768 ) Ending balance $ 776 $ 6,085 $ 6,861 During the six months ended June 30, 2017 , $1.8 million of the private equity securities were transferred from Level 3 to Level 2 as these securities commenced trading on a listed exchange. However, due to lock-up period restrictions on those securities, they were classified as Level 2 upon transfer until the lock-up period expires. As of June 30, 2017 , the fair value of these securities was based on the last traded price on an active market, adjusted for an estimated discount due to the lock-up restriction. There were no other transfers between Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 . The following table presents the reconciliation of the balances for all investments measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 : Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Three months ended June 30, 2016 Debt instruments Private and unlisted equity securities (1) Total ($ in thousands) Beginning balance $ 496 $ 5,931 $ 6,427 Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) and amortization included in earnings, net 90 56 146 Ending balance $ 586 $ 5,987 $ 6,573 Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Six months ended June 30, 2016 Debt instruments Private and unlisted equity securities Total ($ in thousands) Beginning balance $ 505 $ 8,452 $ 8,957 Sales — (2,539 ) (2,539 ) Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) and amortization included in earnings, net 81 74 155 Ending balance $ 586 $ 5,987 $ 6,573 There were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 . As of June 30, 2017 , the Company held investments in private equity funds of $13.7 million (December 31, 2016 : $12.7 million ) with fair values measured using the unadjusted net asset values as reported by the managers of these funds as a practical expedient. Some of these net asset values were reported from periods prior to June 30, 2017 . The private equity funds have varying lock-up periods and, as of June 30, 2017 , all of the funds had redemption restrictions. The redemption restrictions have been in place since inception of the investments and are not expected to lapse in the near future. As of June 30, 2017 , the Company had $7.6 million (December 31, 2016 : $9.2 million ) of unfunded commitments relating to private equity funds whose fair values are determined based on unadjusted net asset values reported by the managers of these funds. These commitments are included in the amounts presented in the schedule of commitments and contingencies in Note 9 of these condensed consolidated financial statements. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 , included in net investment loss in the condensed consolidated statements of income were no net realized losses relating to Level 3 securities ( 2016 : nil ). For Level 3 securities still held as of the reporting date, the change in net unrealized gain for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 of $0.1 million and $0.1 million , respectively ( three and six months ended June 30, 2016 : net unrealized losses of $0.1 million and $1.6 million ), were included in net investment income (loss) in the condensed consolidated statements of income. Investments Debt instruments, trading At June 30, 2017 , the following investments were included in debt instruments: Cost/amortized cost Unrealized gains Unrealized losses Fair ($ in thousands) Corporate debt – U.S. $ 16,034 $ — $ (11,769 ) $ 4,265 Corporate debt – Non U.S. 4,869 — (2,863 ) 2,006 Total debt instruments $ 20,903 $ — $ (14,632 ) $ 6,271 At December 31, 2016 , the following investments were included in debt instruments: Cost/amortized cost Unrealized gains Unrealized losses Fair ($ in thousands) Corporate debt – U.S. $ 21,294 $ 6,509 $ (5,331 ) $ 22,472 Corporate debt – Non U.S. 2,109 — (2,108 ) 1 Total debt instruments $ 23,403 $ 6,509 $ (7,439 ) $ 22,473 The maturity distribution for debt instruments held at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was as follows: June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Cost/ Fair Cost/ Fair ($ in thousands) Within one year $ — $ — $ — $ — From one to five years 17,843 5,445 17,803 19,492 From five to ten years 2,109 50 4,649 2,327 More than ten years 951 776 951 654 $ 20,903 $ 6,271 $ 23,403 $ 22,473 Equity securities, trading At June 30, 2017 , the following long positions were included in equity securities, trading: Cost Unrealized Unrealized Fair ($ in thousands) Equities – listed $ 951,792 $ 136,942 $ (51,470 ) $ 1,037,264 Exchange traded funds 15,056 1,320 — 16,376 Total equity securities $ 966,848 $ 138,262 $ (51,470 ) $ 1,053,640 At December 31, 2016 , the following long positions were included in equity securities, trading: Cost Unrealized Unrealized Fair ($ in thousands) Equities – listed $ 753,813 $ 115,379 $ (40,706 ) $ 828,486 Exchange traded funds 15,056 459 — 15,515 Total equity securities $ 768,869 $ 115,838 $ (40,706 ) $ 844,001 Other Investments “Other investments” include commodities and private and unlisted equity securities. As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , all commodities were comprised of gold bullion. At June 30, 2017 , the following securities were included in other investments: Cost Unrealized Unrealized Fair ($ in thousands) Commodities $ 103,680 $ 14,690 $ — $ 118,370 Private and unlisted equity securities 14,924 4,896 — 19,820 $ 118,604 $ 19,586 $ — $ 138,190 At December 31, 2016 , the following securities were included in other investments: Cost Unrealized Unrealized Fair ($ in thousands) Commodities $ 130,671 $ 6,625 $ — $ 137,296 Private and unlisted equity securities 14,418 4,375 (26 ) 18,767 $ 145,089 $ 11,000 $ (26 ) $ 156,063 Investments in Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased Securities sold, not yet purchased, are securities that the Company has sold, but does not own, in anticipation of a decline in the market value of the security. The Company’s risk is that the value of the security will increase rather than decline. Consequently, the settlement amount of the liability for securities sold, not yet purchased, may exceed the amount recorded in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as the Company is obligated to purchase the securities sold, not yet purchased, in the market at prevailing prices to settle its obligations. To establish a position in a security sold, not yet purchased, the Company needs to borrow the security for delivery to the buyer. On each day the transaction is open, the liability for the obligation to replace the borrowed security is marked-to-market and an unrealized gain or loss is recorded. At the time the transaction is closed, the Company realizes a gain or loss equal to the difference between the price at which the security was sold and the cost of replacing the borrowed security. While the transaction is open, the Company will also incur an expense for any dividends or interest which will be paid to the lender of the securities. At June 30, 2017 , the following securities were included in investments in securities sold, not yet purchased: Proceeds Unrealized gains Unrealized losses Fair value ($ in thousands) Equities – listed $ (670,678 ) $ 34,340 $ (148,387 ) $ (784,725 ) Sovereign debt – Non U.S. (96,230 ) 2,241 — (93,989 ) $ (766,908 ) $ 36,581 $ (148,387 ) $ (878,714 ) At December 31, 2016 , the following securities were included in investments in securities sold, not yet purchased: Proceeds Unrealized gains Unrealized losses Fair value ($ in thousands) Equities – listed $ (690,270 ) $ 30,768 $ (110,765 ) $ (770,267 ) Sovereign debt – Non U.S. (96,230 ) 6,595 — (89,635 ) $ (786,500 ) $ 37,363 $ (110,765 ) $ (859,902 ) Financial Contracts As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , the Company had entered into total return equity swaps, interest rate swaps, commodity swaps, options, warrants, rights, futures and forward contracts with various financial institutions to meet certain investment objectives. Under the terms of each of these financial contracts, the Company is either entitled to receive or is obligated to make payments, which are based on the product of a formula contained within each contract that includes the change in the fair value of the underlying or reference security. At June 30, 2017 , the fair values of financial contracts outstanding were as follows: Financial Contracts Listing (1) Notional amount of Fair value of net assets ($ in thousands) Financial contracts receivable Call options USD 50,339 $ 9,200 Commodity Swaps USD 41,629 2,656 Futures USD 2,607 40 Interest rate swaps JPY 21,307 189 Put options (2) USD 86,921 3,054 Total return swaps – equities EUR/RON 48,300 13,997 Warrants and rights on listed equities EUR/USD 69 30 Total financial contracts receivable, at fair value $ 29,166 Financial contracts payable Commodity Swaps USD 27,528 $ (1,566 ) Forwards KRW 11,019 (283 ) Put options USD 22,757 (918 ) Total return swaps – equities BRL/EUR/GBP/KRW/USD 65,509 (12,588 ) Total financial contracts payable, at fair value $ (15,355 ) (1) USD = US Dollar; BRL = Brazilian Real; EUR = Euro; GBP = British Pound; JPY = Japanese Yen; KRW = Korean Won; RON = Romanian New Leu. (2) Includes options on the Chinese Yuan, denominated in U.S. dollars. At December 31, 2016 , the fair values of financial contracts outstanding were as follows: Financial Contracts Listing currency (1) Notional amount of Fair value of net assets ($ in thousands) Financial contracts receivable Call options USD 134,495 $ 26,508 Commodity Swaps USD 82,009 13,506 Interest rate swaps JPY 20,490 218 Put options (2) USD 115,481 6,703 Total return swaps – equities EUR/GBP/USD 100,199 29,413 Warrants and rights on listed equities EUR/USD 67 33 Total financial contracts receivable, at fair value $ 76,381 Financial contracts payable Forwards KRW 6,880 $ (118 ) Put options USD 815 (172 ) Total return swaps – equities EUR/GBP/KRW/RON/USD 31,257 (1,947 ) Total financial contracts payable, at fair value $ (2,237 ) (1) USD = US Dollar; EUR = Euro; GBP = British Pound; JPY = Japanese Yen; KRW = Korean Won; RON = Romanian New Leu. (2) Includes options on the Japanese Yen and the Chinese Yuan, denominated in U.S. dollars. Options are derivative financial instruments that give the buyer, in exchange for a premium payment, the right, but not the obligation, to either purchase from (call option) or sell to (put option) the writer, a specified underlying security at a specified price on or before a specified date. The Company enters into option contracts to meet certain investment objectives. For exchange traded option contracts, the exchange acts as the counterparty to specific transactions and therefore bears the risk of delivery to and from counterparties of specific positions. As of June 30, 2017 , the Company held $3.1 million OTC put options (long) ( December 31, 2016 : $6.7 million ), $9.2 million OTC call options (long) ( December 31, 2016 : $22.4 million ), and $0.9 million OTC put options (short) ( December 31, 2016 : $0.2 million ). During the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 , the Company reported gains and losses on derivatives as follows: Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments Location of gains and losses on derivatives recognized in income Gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income Three months ended June 30 Six months ended June 30 2017 2016 2017 2016 ($ in thousands) Forwards Net investment income (loss) $ (289 ) $ 13 $ 334 $ (68 ) Futures Net investment income (loss) 110 309 (403 ) 1,293 Interest rate swaps Net investment income (loss) (198 ) — (93 ) — Options, warrants, and rights Net investment income (loss) (4,584 ) 555 (12,112 ) (2,248 ) Commodity swaps Net investment income (loss) (3,746 ) 5,846 (10,705 ) 281 Total return swaps – equities Net investment income (loss) (10,593 ) 6,885 (282 ) 13,804 Total $ (19,300 ) $ 13,608 $ (23,261 ) $ 13,062 The Company generally does not enter into derivatives for risk management or hedging purposes. The volume of derivative activities varies from period to period depending on potential investment opportunities. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 , the Company’s volume of derivative activities (based on notional amounts) was as follows: 2017 Three months ended June 30 Six months ended June 30 Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments (notional amounts) Entered Exited Entered Exited ($ in thousands) Forwards $ 164 $ — $ 3,640 $ — Futures 2,890 5,818 32,400 29,887 Options, warrants and rights (1) 229,999 — 577,917 110,102 Commodity swaps 2,025 8,406 2,025 16,588 Total return swaps 11,377 235,806 243,495 296,413 Total $ 246,455 $ 250,030 $ 859,477 $ 452,990 (1) Exited amount excludes derivatives that expired or were exercised during the period. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 , the Company’s volume of derivative activities (based on notional amounts) was as follows: 2016 Three months ended June 30 Six months ended June 30 Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments (notional amounts) Entered Exited Entered Exited ($ in thousands) Forwards $ — $ 115 $ — $ 178 Futures — 25,456 174,721 195,166 Options, warrants and rights (1) 20,206 83,051 153,539 258,702 Commodity swaps — 9,651 75,566 64,025 Total return swaps 567 20,994 2,050 49,265 Total $ 20,773 $ 139,267 $ 405,876 $ 567,336 (1) Exited amount excludes derivatives that expired or were exercised during the period. The Company does not offset its derivative instruments and presents all amounts in the condensed consolidated balance sheets on a gross basis. The Company has pledged cash collateral to derivative counterparties to support the current value of amounts due to the counterparties on its derivative instruments. As of June 30, 2017 , the gross and net amounts of derivative instruments and the cash collateral applicable to derivative instruments were as follows: June 30, 2017 (i) (ii) (iii) = (i) - (ii) (iv) Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet (v) = (iii) + (iv) Description Gross amounts of recognized assets (liabilities) Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet Net amounts of assets (liabilities) presented in the balance sheet Financial instruments available for offset Cash collateral (received) pledged Net amount of asset (liability) ($ in thousands) Financial contracts receivable $ 29,166 $ — $ 29,166 $ (10,397 ) $ (11,846 ) $ 6,923 Financial contracts payable (15,355 ) — (15,355 ) 10,397 4,958 — As of December 31, 2016 , the gross and net amounts of derivative instruments and the cash collateral applicable to derivative instruments were as follows: December 31, 2016 (i) (ii) (iii) = (i) - (ii) (iv) Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet (v) = (iii) + (iv) Description Gross amounts of recognized assets (liabilities) Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet Net amounts of assets (liabilities) presented in the balance sheet Financial instruments available for offset Cash collateral (received) pledged Net amount of asset (liability) ($ in thousands) Financial contracts receivable $ 76,381 $ — $ 76,381 $ (938 ) $ (44,572 ) $ 30,871 Financial contracts payable (2,237 ) — (2,237 ) 938 1,299 — |