Investments | 2. Investments The Company’s available-for-sale investments are summarized as follows: Cost or Gross Gross Fair (in thousands) March 31, 2016 Fixed maturity securities: State and municipal $ 87,709 $ 8,119 $ ‒ $ 95,828 Residential mortgage-backed 143,072 2,330 (677 ) 144,725 Corporate 383,736 10,945 (6,412 ) 388,269 Commercial mortgage and asset-backed 132,055 1,933 (201 ) 133,787 Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies 90,707 727 ‒ 91,434 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government 70,977 682 (10 ) 71,649 Redeemable preferred stock 2,025 ‒ (19 ) 2,006 Total fixed maturity securities 910,281 24,736 (7,319 ) 927,698 Equity securities 72,830 6,385 (1,029 ) 78,186 Total investments available-for-sale $ 983,111 $ 31,121 $ (8,348 ) $ 1,005,884 December 31, 2015 Fixed maturity securities: State and municipal $ 95,864 $ 7,728 $ (135 ) $ 103,457 Residential mortgage-backed 137,308 1,718 (2,139 ) 136,887 Corporate 368,961 3,988 (9,781 ) 363,168 Commercial mortgage and asset-backed 130,231 890 (425 ) 130,696 Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies 89,734 698 (269 ) 90,163 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government 73,322 165 (232 ) 73,255 Redeemable preferred stock 2,025 9 - 2,034 Total fixed maturity securities 897,445 15,196 (12,981 ) 899,660 Equity securities 69,830 5,512 (1,231 ) 74,111 Total investments available-for-sale $ 967,275 $ 20,708 $ (14,212 ) $ 973,771 Cost or Fair (in thousands) One year or less $ 76,350 $ 76,582 After one year through five years 293,358 294,610 After five years through ten years 139,306 144,089 After ten years 124,115 131,899 Residential mortgage-backed 143,072 144,725 Commercial mortgage and asset-backed 132,055 133,787 Redeemable preferred stock 2,025 2,006 Total $ 910,281 $ 927,698 Actual maturities may differ for some securities because borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties. The following table shows the Company’s gross unrealized losses and fair value for available-for-sale securities aggregated by investment category and the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position: Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total Fair Gross Fair Gross Fair Gross (in thousands) March 31, 2016 Fixed maturity securities: Residential mortgage-backed $ 8,279 $ (7 ) $ 41,226 $ (670 ) $ 49,505 $ (677 ) Corporate 42,833 (2,036 ) 7,529 (4,376 ) 50,362 (6,412 ) Commercial mortgage and asset-backed 19,188 (44 ) 11,274 (157 ) 30,462 (201 ) U.S. Treasury securities and obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government 11,757 (5 ) 2,200 (5 ) 13,957 (10 ) Redeemable preferred stock 2,006 (19 ) ‒ ‒ 2,006 (19 ) Total fixed maturity securities 84,063 (2,111 ) 62,229 (5,208 ) 146,292 (7,319 ) Equity securities 2,987 (144 ) 6,077 (885 ) 9,064 (1,029 ) Total investments available-for-sale $ 87,050 $ (2,255 ) $ 68,306 $ (6,093 ) $ 155,356 $ (8,348 ) Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total Fair Gross Fair Gross Fair Gross (in thousands) December 31, 2015 Fixed maturity securities: State and municipal $ 9,492 $ (135 ) $ - $ - $ 9,492 $ (135 ) Residential mortgage-backed 39,895 (465 ) 40,656 (1,674 ) 80,551 (2,139 ) Corporate 177,149 (5,281 ) 6,433 (4,500 ) 183,582 (9,781 ) Commercial mortgage and asset-backed 74,518 (339 ) 11,437 (86 ) 85,955 (425 ) Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies 43,907 (231 ) 4,012 (38 ) 47,919 (269 ) U.S. Treasury securities and obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government 49,452 (213 ) 2,186 (19 ) 51,638 (232 ) Total fixed maturity securities 394,413 (6,664 ) 64,724 (6,317 ) 459,137 (12,981 ) Equity securities 4,196 (172 ) 5,704 (1,059 ) 9,900 (1,231 ) Total investments available-for-sale $ 398,609 $ (6,836 ) $ 70,428 $ (7,376 ) $ 469,037 $ (14,212 ) The Company held securities of 53 issuers that were in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2016 with a total fair value of $155.4 million and gross unrealized losses of $8.3 million. None of the fixed maturity securities with unrealized losses has ever missed, or been delinquent on, a scheduled principal or interest payment. At March 31, 2016, 84.7% of the Company’s fixed maturity security portfolio was rated “A-” or better by Standard & Poor’s or received an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized rating agency. Fixed maturity securities with ratings below investment grade by Standard & Poor’s or another nationally recognized rating agency at March 31, 2016 had an aggregate fair value of $9.9 million and an aggregate net unrealized loss of $4.7 million. Management concluded that none of the fixed maturity securities with an unrealized loss at March 31, 2016 or December 31, 2015 experienced an other-than-temporary impairment. Management does not intend to sell available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position, and it is not “more likely than not” that the Company will be required to sell these securities before a recovery in their value to their amortized cost basis occurs. Management also concluded that none of the equity securities with an unrealized loss at March 31, 2016 or December 31, 2015 experienced an other-than-temporary impairment. Management has evaluated the near-term prospects of these equity securities in relation to the severity and duration of the impairment, and management has the ability and intent to hold these securities until a recovery of their fair value. At March 31, 2015, the Company held two municipal bonds issued by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico with a total par value of $4.5 million. Puerto Rico’s weak economic conditions and heavy debt burden heightened the risk of default on the bonds, and management concluded that the bonds, which had been downgraded to below investment grade, were other-than-temporarily impaired at March 31, 2015. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recognized impairment losses of $660,000 on the bonds. The bonds were sold in the second quarter of 2015 and a net realized gain of $22,000 was recognized on the sales. The Company holds participations in two loans maturing in 2016 and 2017, that were issued by companies that produce and supply power to Puerto Rico through power purchase agreements with Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (“PREPA”), a public corporation and governmental agency of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. PREPA’s credit strength and ability to make timely payments has been impacted by the economic conditions in Puerto Rico, thus raising doubt about the companies’ ability to meet the debt obligations held by the Company. Management concluded that the loans were impaired at December 31, 2014 and established an allowance for credit losses on the loans. At March 31, 2016, the allowance for credit losses on these loans was $385,000. The loans had a carrying value of $3.6 million at March 31, 2016 and unpaid principal of $4.3 million. At December 31, 2015, the allowance for credit losses on these loans was $414,000. The loans had a carrying value of $3.9 million at December 31, 2015 and unpaid principal of $4.6 million. A number of the Company’s bank loans are to oil and gas companies in the energy sector. The market values of these loans have been negatively impacted by declining energy prices. At March 31, 2016, the Company’s oil and gas exposure in the bank loan portfolio was in seven loans with a carrying value of $15.8 million and an unrealized loss of $3.9 million. All of the loans are current at March 31, 2016. Management concluded that two of these loans were impaired as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. At March 31, 2016, these loans had a carrying value of $1.3 million, unpaid principal of $5.8 million and an allowance for credit losses of $4.2 million. At December 31, 2015, the loans had a carrying value of $1.7 million, unpaid principal of $5.8 million and an allowance for credit losses of $3.9 million. Management also concluded that one non-energy sector loan was impaired at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. At March 31, 2016, the loan had a carrying value of $686,000, unpaid principal of $720,000, and an allowance for credit losses of $34,000. At December 31, 2015, the loan had a carrying value of $689,000, unpaid principal of $722,000, and an allowance for credit losses of $34,000. Bank loan participations generally have a credit rating that is below investment grade (i.e. below “BBB-” for Standard & Poor’s) at the date of purchase. These bank loans are primarily senior, secured floating-rate debt rated “BB”, “B”, or “CCC” by Standard & Poor’s or an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized rating agency. These bank loans include assignments of, and participations in, performing and non-performing senior corporate debt generally acquired through primary bank syndications and in secondary markets. Bank loans consist of, but are not limited to, term loans, the funded and unfunded portions of revolving credit loans, and other similar loans and investments. Management believed that it was probable at the time that these loans were acquired that the Company would be able to collect all contractually required payments receivable. Generally, the accrual of interest on a bank loan participation is discontinued when the contractual payment of principal or interest has become 90 days past due or management has serious doubts about further collectability of principal or interest. A bank loan participation may remain on accrual status if it is in the process of collection and is either guaranteed or well secured. Generally, bank loan participations are restored to accrual status when the obligation is brought current, has performed in accordance with the contractual terms for a reasonable period of time, and the ultimate collectability of the total contractual principal and interest is no longer in doubt. Interest received on nonaccrual loans generally is reported as investment income. There were no bank loans on nonaccrual status at March 31, 2016 or December 31, 2015. The allowance for credit losses is maintained at a level believed adequate by management to absorb estimated probable credit losses. Management’s periodic evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance is based on consultations and a of the Company’s independent investment manager, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, current economic conditions, and other relevant factors. The Company generally records an allowance equal to the difference between the fair value and the amortized cost of bank loans that it has determined to be impaired as a practical expedient for an estimate of probable future cash flows to be collected on those bank loans. Bank loans are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. Changes in unrealized gains or losses on securities held for trading are recorded as trading gains or losses within net investment income. Net investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2016 includes $12,000 of net trading gains of which $12,000 relates to securities held at March 31, 2016. The Company’s realized gains and losses are summarized as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 2015 (in thousands) Fixed maturity securities: Gross realized gains $ 842 $ 1,187 Gross realized losses (1 ) (660 ) 841 527 Bank loan participations: Gross realized gains 60 290 Gross realized losses (352 ) (3,642 ) (292 ) (3,352 ) Equity securities: Gross realized gains – – Gross realized losses – – – – Short-term investments and other: Gross realized gains – 23 Gross realized losses (2 ) (4 ) (2 ) 19 Total $ 547 $ (2,806 ) Realized investment gains or losses are determined on a specific identification basis. The Company invests selectively in private debt and equity opportunities. These investments, which together comprise the Company’s other invested assets, are primarily focused in renewable energy, limited partnerships, and bank holding companies. Investment Income (Loss) Carrying Value Three Months Ended March 31, December 31, March 31, 2016 2015 2016 2015 (in thousands) Category Renewable energy LLCs (a) $ 25,228 $ 26,001 $ 681 $ 2,452 Renewable energy bridge financing notes ( b) 6,500 6,500 244 625 Limited partnerships (c) 17,810 17,503 156 (159 ) Bank holding companies (d) 4,500 4,500 86 86 Total other invested assets $ 54,038 $ 54,504 $ 1,167 $ 3,004 (a) The Company’s Corporate and Other segment owns equity interests ranging from 2.7% to 33.3% in various LLCs whose principal objective is capital appreciation and income generation from owning and operating renewable energy production facilities (wind and solar). The LLCs are managed by an affiliate of the Company’s largest shareholder and the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer has invested in certain of these LLCs. The equity method is used to account for the Company’s LLC investments. Income for the LLCs primarily reflects adjustments to the carrying values of investments in renewable energy projects to their determined fair values. The fair value adjustments are included in revenues for the LLCs. Expenses for the LLCs are not significant and are comprised of administrative and interest expenses. The Company received cash distributions from these investments totaling $1.5 million and $662,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. (b) The Company owns investments in bridge financing notes for renewable energy projects. The notes, all with affiliates of the Company’s largest shareholder, generally mature in less than one year and carry primarily variable rates of interest ranging from 7.0% to 15.0%. O (c) The Company owns investments in limited partnerships that invest in concentrated portfolios of high yield bonds of companies undergoing financial stress, publicly-traded small cap equities, loans of middle market private equity sponsored companies, and equity tranches of collateralized loan obligations (CLOs). Income f (d) The Company holds $4.5 million of subordinated notes issued by a bank holding company. Interest on the notes, which mature on August 12, 2023, is fixed at 7.6% per annum. Interest income on the notes was $86,000 in both three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. The Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer is the Lead Independent Director of the bank holding company and is an investor in the bank holding company. Additionally, one of the Company’s directors is an investor in the bank holding company and a lender to the bank holding company. The Company’s Chief Financial Officer is a former investor in the bank holding company. The Company holds common shares issued by the bank holding company. The shares, which are publicly traded, are classified as available-for-sale equity securities and carried at fair value ($7.9 million at March 31, 2016 and $8.4 million at December 31, 2015). Income of $199,000 was recognized on the shares for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Two of the Company’s directors were members of the board of managers of First Wind Capital, LLC (“First Wind”) until January 29, 2015, which is an affiliate of the Company’s largest shareholder. At December 31, 2014, the Company held fixed maturity securities with a fair value of $12.6 million issued by First Wind. These securities were called in March 2015, resulting in a realized gain of $845,000. Also at December 31, 2014, the Company held a bank loan participation with a carrying value of $4.6 million from an affiliate of First Wind. The loan was repaid in full in January 2015. |