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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
þ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2009
OR
o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number 1-5823
CNA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | 36-6169860 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
333 S. Wabash Chicago, Illinois (Address of principal executive offices) | 60604 (Zip Code) |
(312) 822-5000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes þ No o
Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes o No o
Yes o No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer þ | Accelerated filer o | Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | Smaller reporting company o |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o No þ
Yes o No þ
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class | Outstanding at July 30, 2009 | |
Common Stock, Par value $2.50 | 269,026,759 |
CNA Financial Corporation
Index
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CNA Financial Corporation (CNAF)
Part I. Financial Information
Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
Three Months | Six Months | |||||||||||||||
Periods ended June 30 | 2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||||||||
(In millions, except per share data) | ||||||||||||||||
Revenues | ||||||||||||||||
Net earned premiums | $ | 1,656 | $ | 1,774 | $ | 3,328 | $ | 3,587 | ||||||||
Net investment income | 675 | 576 | 1,095 | 1,010 | ||||||||||||
Net realized investment losses, net of participating policyholders’ interests: | ||||||||||||||||
Other-than-temporary impairment losses | (484 | ) | (170 | ) | (1,098 | ) | (256 | ) | ||||||||
Portion of other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in Other comprehensive income | 89 | — | 89 | — | ||||||||||||
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings | (395 | ) | (170 | ) | (1,009 | ) | (256 | ) | ||||||||
Other net realized investment gains | 98 | 59 | 180 | 94 | ||||||||||||
Net realized investment losses, net of participating policyholders’ interests | (297 | ) | (111 | ) | (829 | ) | (162 | ) | ||||||||
Other revenues | 62 | 82 | 140 | 168 | ||||||||||||
Total revenues | 2,096 | 2,321 | 3,734 | 4,603 | ||||||||||||
Claims, Benefits and Expenses | ||||||||||||||||
Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits | 1,294 | 1,472 | 2,636 | 2,861 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs | 349 | 360 | 698 | 728 | ||||||||||||
Other operating expenses | 291 | 203 | 542 | 430 | ||||||||||||
Interest | 30 | 33 | 61 | 67 | ||||||||||||
Total claims, benefits and expenses | 1,964 | 2,068 | 3,937 | 4,086 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax | 132 | 253 | (203 | ) | 517 | |||||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit | (12 | ) | (62 | ) | 138 | (126 | ) | |||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations | 120 | 191 | (65 | ) | 391 | |||||||||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $0, $0, $0 and $0 | (1 | ) | 2 | (1 | ) | 1 | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) | 119 | 193 | (66 | ) | 392 | |||||||||||
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | (14 | ) | (12 | ) | (24 | ) | (24 | ) | ||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to CNAF | $ | 105 | $ | 181 | $ | (90 | ) | $ | 368 | |||||||
Income (Loss) Attributable to CNAF Common Stockholders | ||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to CNAF | $ | 106 | $ | 179 | $ | (89 | ) | $ | 367 | |||||||
Less: Dividends on 2008 Senior Preferred | (32 | ) | — | (63 | ) | — | ||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to CNAF common stockholders | 74 | 179 | (152 | ) | 367 | |||||||||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to CNAF common stockholders | (1 | ) | 2 | (1 | ) | 1 | ||||||||||
Income (loss) attributable to CNAF common stockholders | $ | 73 | $ | 181 | $ | (153 | ) | $ | 368 | |||||||
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited).
(Unaudited).
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Three Months | Six Months | |||||||||||||||
Periods ended June 30 | 2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||||||||
(In millions, except per share data) | ||||||||||||||||
Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share Attributable to CNAF Common Stockholders | ||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to CNAF common stockholders | $ | 0.28 | $ | 0.66 | $ | (0.56 | ) | $ | 1.36 | |||||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to CNAF common stockholders | (0.01 | ) | 0.01 | (0.01 | ) | — | ||||||||||
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to CNAF common stockholders | $ | 0.27 | $ | 0.67 | $ | (0.57 | ) | $ | 1.36 | |||||||
Weighted Average Outstanding Common Stock and Common Stock Equivalents | ||||||||||||||||
Basic | 269.0 | 269.0 | 269.0 | 269.9 | ||||||||||||
Diluted | 269.0 | 269.1 | 269.0 | 270.0 | ||||||||||||
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited).
(Unaudited).
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CNA Financial Corporation (CNAF)
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Three Months | Six Months | |||||||||||||||
Periods ended June 30 | 2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 119 | $ | 193 | $ | (66 | ) | $ | 392 | |||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | ||||||||||||||||
Changes in: | ||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments | 1,474 | (161 | ) | 1,875 | (1,034 | ) | ||||||||||
Unrealized gains (losses) on discontinued operations and other | 2 | (4 | ) | — | — | |||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment | 79 | 2 | 71 | (9 | ) | |||||||||||
Pension and postretirement benefits | 1 | (1 | ) | 3 | (3 | ) | ||||||||||
Allocation to participating policyholders | (19 | ) | — | (19 | ) | 14 | ||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | 1,537 | (164 | ) | 1,930 | (1,032 | ) | ||||||||||
Comprehensive income (loss) | 1,656 | 29 | 1,864 | (640 | ) | |||||||||||
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | (14 | ) | (12 | ) | (24 | ) | (24 | ) | ||||||||
Other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | (6 | ) | 6 | (11 | ) | 8 | ||||||||||
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to CNAF | $ | 1,636 | $ | 23 | $ | 1,829 | $ | (656 | ) | |||||||
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited).
(Unaudited).
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CNA Financial Corporation (CNAF)
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
June 30, | December 31, | |||||||
2009 | 2008 | |||||||
(In millions, except share data) | ||||||||
Assets | ||||||||
Investments: | ||||||||
Fixed maturity securities at fair value (amortized cost of $33,826 and $34,155) | $ | 31,040 | $ | 28,887 | ||||
Equity securities at fair value (cost of $667 and $1,016) | 748 | 871 | ||||||
Limited partnership investments | 1,780 | 1,683 | ||||||
Other invested assets | 8 | 28 | ||||||
Short term investments | 4,481 | 3,534 | ||||||
Total investments | 38,057 | 35,003 | ||||||
Cash | 98 | 85 | ||||||
Reinsurance receivables (less allowance for uncollectible receivables of $358 and $366) | 6,979 | 7,395 | ||||||
Insurance receivables (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $212 and $221) | 1,848 | 1,818 | ||||||
Accrued investment income | 383 | 356 | ||||||
Receivables for securities sold and collateral | 392 | 402 | ||||||
Deferred acquisition costs | 1,145 | 1,125 | ||||||
Prepaid reinsurance premiums | 240 | 237 | ||||||
Federal income tax recoverable (includes $495 and $299 due from Loews Corporation) | 503 | 294 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes | 2,537 | 3,493 | ||||||
Property and equipment at cost (less accumulated depreciation of $474 and $641) | 378 | 393 | ||||||
Goodwill and other intangible assets | 141 | 141 | ||||||
Other assets | 474 | 562 | ||||||
Separate account business | 413 | 384 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 53,588 | $ | 51,688 | ||||
Liabilities and Equity | ||||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||
Insurance reserves: | ||||||||
Claim and claim adjustment expenses | $ | 27,100 | $ | 27,593 | ||||
Unearned premiums | 3,508 | 3,406 | ||||||
Future policy benefits | 7,746 | 7,529 | ||||||
Policyholders’ funds | 217 | 243 | ||||||
Collateral on loaned securities and derivatives | 1 | 6 | ||||||
Payables for securities purchased | 480 | 12 | ||||||
Participating policyholders’ funds | 37 | 20 | ||||||
Long term debt | 2,058 | 2,058 | ||||||
Reinsurance balances payable | 350 | 316 | ||||||
Other liabilities | 2,567 | 2,824 | ||||||
Separate account business | 413 | 384 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 44,477 | 44,391 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies (Notes D, E, G, H, and J) | ||||||||
Equity: | ||||||||
Preferred stock (12,500,000 shares authorized) 2008 Senior Preferred (no par value; $100,000 stated value; 12,500 shares issued; held by Loews Corporation) | 1,250 | 1,250 | ||||||
Common stock ($2.50 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 273,040,243 shares issued; and 269,024,408 shares outstanding) | 683 | 683 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 2,175 | 2,174 | ||||||
Retained earnings | 6,814 | 6,845 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (2,127 | ) | (3,924 | ) | ||||
Treasury stock (4,015,835 shares), at cost | (109 | ) | (109 | ) | ||||
Notes receivable for the issuance of common stock | (30 | ) | (42 | ) | ||||
Total CNAF stockholders’ equity | 8,656 | 6,877 | ||||||
Noncontrolling interests | 455 | 420 | ||||||
Total equity | 9,111 | 7,297 | ||||||
Total liabilities and equity | $ | 53,588 | $ | 51,688 | ||||
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited).
(Unaudited).
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CNA Financial Corporation (CNAF)
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
Six months ended June 30 | ||||||||
(In millions) | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: | ||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (66 | ) | $ | 392 | |||
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows provided by operating activities: | ||||||||
(Income) loss from discontinued operations | 1 | (1 | ) | |||||
Loss on disposal of property and equipment | 8 | — | ||||||
Deferred income tax benefit | (59 | ) | (44 | ) | ||||
Trading portfolio activity | (142 | ) | 351 | |||||
Net realized investment losses, net of participating policyholders’ interests | 829 | 162 | ||||||
Undistributed losses (earnings) of equity method investees | (47 | ) | 36 | |||||
Net amortization of bond discount | (115 | ) | (137 | ) | ||||
Depreciation | 42 | 36 | ||||||
Changes in: | ||||||||
Receivables, net | 386 | 401 | ||||||
Accrued investment income | (27 | ) | 6 | |||||
Deferred acquisition costs | (20 | ) | (6 | ) | ||||
Prepaid reinsurance premiums | (3 | ) | (20 | ) | ||||
Federal income taxes recoverable | (209 | ) | 22 | |||||
Insurance reserves | (245 | ) | (148 | ) | ||||
Reinsurance balances payable | 34 | (28 | ) | |||||
Other assets | 88 | (23 | ) | |||||
Other liabilities | (159 | ) | (190 | ) | ||||
Other, net | 3 | 1 | ||||||
Total adjustments | 365 | 418 | ||||||
Net cash flows provided by operating activities-continuing operations | $ | 299 | $ | 810 | ||||
Net cash flows provided (used) by operating activities-discontinued operations | $ | (12 | ) | $ | 2 | |||
Net cash flows provided by operating activities-total | $ | 287 | $ | 812 | ||||
Cash Flows from Investing Activities: | ||||||||
Purchases of fixed maturity securities | $ | (12,402 | ) | $ | (28,260 | ) | ||
Proceeds from fixed maturity securities: | ||||||||
Sales | 11,083 | 26,260 | ||||||
Maturities, calls and redemptions | 1,723 | 2,464 | ||||||
Purchases of equity securities | (240 | ) | (133 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from sales of equity securities | 440 | 132 | ||||||
Change in short term investments | (895 | ) | (430 | ) | ||||
Change in collateral on loaned securities and derivatives | (5 | ) | (63 | ) | ||||
Change in other investments | 102 | (153 | ) | |||||
Purchases of property and equipment | (33 | ) | (64 | ) | ||||
Other, net | (5 | ) | 1 | |||||
Net cash flows used by investing activities-continuing operations | $ | (232 | ) | $ | (246 | ) | ||
Net cash flows provided by investing activities-discontinued operations | $ | 12 | $ | 15 | ||||
Net cash flows used by investing activities-total | $ | (220 | ) | $ | (231 | ) | ||
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited).
(Unaudited).
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Six months ended June 30 | ||||||||
(In millions) | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||
Cash Flows from Financing Activities: | ||||||||
Dividends paid to common stockholders | — | (81 | ) | |||||
Dividends paid to Loews Corporation for 2008 Senior Preferred | (63 | ) | — | |||||
Principal payments on debt | — | (150 | ) | |||||
Return of investment contract account balances | (10 | ) | (299 | ) | ||||
Receipts on investment contract account balances | 2 | 2 | ||||||
Stock options exercised | — | 1 | ||||||
Purchase of treasury stock | — | (70 | ) | |||||
Other, net | 12 | 3 | ||||||
Net cash flows used by financing activities-continuing operations | $ | (59 | ) | $ | (594 | ) | ||
Net cash flows used by financing activities-discontinued operations | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
Net cash flows used by financing activities-total | $ | (59 | ) | $ | (594 | ) | ||
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash-continuing operations | 5 | (1 | ) | |||||
Net change in cash | 13 | (14 | ) | |||||
Net cash transactions from continuing operations to discontinued operations | — | 15 | ||||||
Net cash transactions from discontinued operations to continuing operations | — | (15 | ) | |||||
Cash, beginning of year | 85 | 101 | ||||||
Cash, end of period | $ | 98 | $ | 87 | ||||
Cash-continuing operations | $ | 98 | $ | 78 | ||||
Cash-discontinued operations | — | 9 | ||||||
Cash-total | $ | 98 | $ | 87 | ||||
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited).
(Unaudited).
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CNA Financial Corporation (CNAF)
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited)
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited)
Six months ended June 30 | ||||||||
(In millions) | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||
Preferred Stock | ||||||||
Balance, beginning and end of period | $ | 1,250 | $ | — | ||||
Common Stock | ||||||||
Balance, beginning and end of period | 683 | 683 | ||||||
Additional Paid-in Capital | ||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | 2,174 | 2,169 | ||||||
Stock-based compensation and other | 1 | 2 | ||||||
Balance, end of period | 2,175 | 2,171 | ||||||
Retained Earnings | ||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | 6,845 | 7,285 | ||||||
Cumulative effect adjustment from adoption of FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 as of April 1, 2009, net of tax | 122 | — | ||||||
Dividends paid to common stockholders | — | (81 | ) | |||||
Dividends paid to Loews Corporation for 2008 Senior Preferred | (63 | ) | — | |||||
Net income (loss) attributable to CNAF | (90 | ) | 368 | |||||
Balance, end of period | 6,814 | 7,572 | ||||||
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | ||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | (3,924 | ) | 103 | |||||
Cumulative effect adjustment from adoption of FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 as of April 1, 2009, net of tax | (122 | ) | — | |||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to CNAF | 1,919 | (1,024 | ) | |||||
Balance, end of period | (2,127 | ) | (921 | ) | ||||
Treasury Stock | ||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | (109 | ) | (39 | ) | ||||
Purchase of treasury stock | — | (70 | ) | |||||
Balance, end of period | (109 | ) | (109 | ) | ||||
Notes Receivable for the Issuance of Common Stock | ||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | (42 | ) | (51 | ) | ||||
Decrease in notes receivable for the issuance of common stock | 12 | 1 | ||||||
Balance, end of period | (30 | ) | (50 | ) | ||||
Total CNAF Stockholders’ Equity | 8,656 | 9,346 | ||||||
Noncontrolling Interests | ||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | 420 | 385 | ||||||
Net income | 24 | 24 | ||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | 11 | (8 | ) | |||||
Other | — | (3 | ) | |||||
Balance, end of period | 455 | 398 | ||||||
Total Equity | $ | 9,111 | $ | 9,744 | ||||
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited).
(Unaudited).
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CNA Financial Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Note A. Basis of Presentation
The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) include the accounts of CNA Financial Corporation (CNAF) and its controlled subsidiaries. Collectively, CNAF and its subsidiaries are referred to as CNA or the Company. CNA’s property and casualty and the remaining life & group insurance operations are primarily conducted by Continental Casualty Company (CCC), The Continental Insurance Company (CIC), Continental Assurance Company (CAC) and CNA Surety Corporation (CNA Surety). The Company owned approximately 62% of the outstanding common stock of CNA Surety as of June 30, 2009. Loews Corporation (Loews) owned approximately 90% of the outstanding common stock of CNAF as of June 30, 2009.
The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Certain financial information that is normally included in annual financial statements, including certain financial statement notes, prepared in accordance with GAAP, is not required for interim reporting purposes and has been condensed or omitted. These statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in CNAF’s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the year ended December 31, 2008. The preparation of Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
The interim financial data as of June 30, 2009 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 is unaudited. However, in the opinion of management, the interim data includes all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s results for the interim periods. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. All significant intercompany amounts have been eliminated. For the period ended June 30, 2009, management has evaluated all subsequent events through the filing date of August 3, 2009.
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Note B. Accounting Pronouncements
Adopted in the second quarter of 2009
Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Staff Position (FSP) FAS 107-1 and Accounting Principles Board (APB) APB 28-1,Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments (FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1)
In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 which increased the frequency of disclosures regarding fair value of financial instruments, requiring the disclosures in interim as well as annual financial statements. These disclosures were previously required on an annual basis only. The adoption of FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 had no impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. The Company has complied with the interim disclosure requirements in Note F.
FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2,Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments (FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2)
In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, which amended the other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) loss model for fixed maturity securities. A fixed maturity security is impaired if the fair value of the security is less than its amortized cost basis, which is its cost adjusted for accretion, amortization and previously recorded OTTI losses. FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 requires an OTTI loss equal to the difference between fair value and amortized cost to be recognized in earnings if the Company intends to sell the fixed maturity security or if it is more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the fixed maturity security before recovery of its amortized cost basis.
The remaining fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position are evaluated to determine if a credit loss exists. If the Company does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of a fixed maturity security, the security is deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired for credit reasons. For these securities, FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 requires the bifurcation of OTTI losses into a credit component and a non-credit component. The credit component is recognized in earnings and represents the difference between the present value of the future cash flows that the Company expects to collect and a fixed maturity security’s amortized cost basis. The non-credit component is recognized in other comprehensive income and represents the difference between fair value and the present value of the future cash flows that the Company expects to collect.
Prior to the adoption of FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, OTTI losses were not bifurcated between credit and non-credit components. The difference between fair value and amortized cost was recognized in earnings for all securities for which the Company did not expect to recover the amortized cost basis, or for which the Company did not have the ability and intent to hold until recovery of fair value to amortized cost.
The adoption of FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 as of April 1, 2009 resulted in a cumulative effect adjustment of $122 million, net of tax, which was reclassified to Accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) from Retained earnings on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity. The cumulative effect adjustment represents the non-credit component of those previously impaired fixed maturity securities that are still considered OTTI, and the entire amount previously recorded as an OTTI loss on fixed maturity securities no longer considered OTTI as of April 1, 2009. FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 also prospectively requires disclosures regarding expected cash flows, credit losses, and additional security types within the aging of securities with unrealized losses for each reporting period. The Company has complied with the additional prospective disclosure requirements in Note D.
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FSP FAS 157-4,Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly (FSP FAS 157-4)
In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-4 which requires entities to assess whether certain factors exist that indicate that the volume and level of market activity for an asset or liability have decreased or that transactions are not orderly. If, after evaluating those factors, the evidence indicates there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity in relation to normal market activity, observed transactional values or quoted prices may not be determinative of fair value and adjustment to the observed transactional values or quoted prices may be necessary to estimate fair value. FSP FAS 157-4 also prospectively expands and increases the frequency of existing disclosures related primarily to additional security types and valuation methodologies. The adoption of FSP FAS 157-4 had no impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. The Company has complied with the additional disclosure requirements in Note F.
Recently issued accounting pronouncements to be adopted
Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 167,Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R) (SFAS 167)
In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS 167 which amends the requirements for determination of the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity, requires an ongoing assessment of whether an entity is the primary beneficiary and requires enhanced interim and annual disclosures. SFAS 167 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after November 15, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating whether SFAS 167 will have any impact on its financial condition or results of operations.
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Note C. Earnings (Loss) Per Share
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to CNAF’s common stockholders is based on weighted average outstanding shares. Basic earnings (loss) per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to CNAF by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock.
For the three months ended June 30, 2009, approximately 20 thousand potential shares attributable to exercises under stock-based employee compensation plans were included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share. For the three months ended June 30, 2009, approximately 2 million potential shares attributable to exercises under stock-based employee compensations plans were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would have been antidilutive. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, as a result of the net loss, no potential shares attributable to exercises under stock-based employee compensation plans were included in the calculation of loss per share as the effect would have been antidilutive.
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, approximately 100 thousand potential shares attributable to exercises under stock-based employee compensation plans were included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, approximately 1 million potential shares attributable to exercises under stock-based employee compensation plans were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would have been antidilutive.
The 2008 Senior Preferred Stock (2008 Senior Preferred) was issued in November 2008 and accrues cumulative dividends at an initial rate of 10% per year. If declared, dividends are payable quarterly and any dividends not declared or paid when due will be compounded quarterly. Dividends of $32 million and $63 million on the 2008 Senior Preferred were declared and paid for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009.
No common stock dividends were declared or paid for the three or six months ended June 30, 2009. Dividends of $0.15 and $0.30 per share of common stock were declared and paid for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008.
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Note D. Investments
The significant components of net investment income are presented in the following table. During the second quarter of 2009, the Company resumed the use of a trading portfolio for income enhancement purposes.
Net Investment Income
Periods ended June 30 | Three Months | Six Months | ||||||||||||||
(In millions) | 2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities | $ | 487 | $ | 476 | $ | 962 | $ | 994 | ||||||||
Short term investments | 11 | 26 | 21 | 65 | ||||||||||||
Limited partnerships | 165 | 46 | 95 | 7 | ||||||||||||
Equity securities | 14 | 39 | 28 | 44 | ||||||||||||
Trading portfolio — Indexed Group Annuity (a) | — | (5 | ) | — | (81 | ) | ||||||||||
Trading portfolio — Other (b) | 8 | 1 | 8 | — | ||||||||||||
Other | 1 | 5 | 4 | 11 | ||||||||||||
Gross investment income | 686 | 588 | 1,118 | 1,040 | ||||||||||||
Investment expense | (11 | ) | (12 | ) | (23 | ) | (30 | ) | ||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 675 | $ | 576 | $ | 1,095 | $ | 1,010 | ||||||||
(a) | The gains (losses) related to the Indexed Group Annuity trading portfolio, including the net unrealized gains (losses), were substantially offset by a corresponding change in the policyholders’ funds reserves supported by this trading portfolio, which was included in Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. | |
(b) | The net unrealized gains on trading securities still held included in net investment income was $1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009. |
Net realized investment gains (losses) are presented in the following table.
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)
Periods ended June 30 | Three Months | Six Months | ||||||||||||||
(In millions) | 2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||||||||
Net realized investment gains (losses): | ||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities: | ||||||||||||||||
Gross realized gains | $ | 100 | $ | 83 | $ | 204 | $ | 200 | ||||||||
Gross realized losses | (492 | ) | (241 | ) | (954 | ) | (360 | ) | ||||||||
Net realized investment losses on fixed maturity securities | (392 | ) | (158 | ) | (750 | ) | (160 | ) | ||||||||
Equity securities: | ||||||||||||||||
Gross realized gains | 73 | 7 | 77 | 11 | ||||||||||||
Gross realized losses | (9 | ) | (21 | ) | (229 | ) | (40 | ) | ||||||||
Net realized investment gains (losses) on equity securities | 64 | (14 | ) | (152 | ) | (29 | ) | |||||||||
Derivatives | 33 | 56 | 64 | 12 | ||||||||||||
Short term investments and other | (2 | ) | 5 | 9 | 15 | |||||||||||
Net realized investment losses, net of participating policyholders’ interests | $ | (297 | ) | $ | (111 | ) | $ | (829 | ) | $ | (162 | ) | ||||
A security is impaired if the fair value of the security is less than its cost adjusted for accretion, amortization and previously recorded OTTI losses, otherwise defined as an unrealized loss. When a security is impaired, the impairment is evaluated to determine whether it is temporary or other-than-temporary.
Significant judgment is required in the determination of whether an OTTI loss has occurred for a security. The Company follows a consistent and systematic process for determining and recording an OTTI loss.
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The Company has established a committee responsible for the OTTI process. This committee, referred to as the Impairment Committee, is made up of three officers appointed by the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. The Impairment Committee is responsible for evaluating securities in an unrealized loss position on at least a quarterly basis.
The Impairment Committee’s assessment of whether an OTTI loss has occurred incorporates both quantitative and qualitative information. Fixed maturity securities that the Company intends to sell, or it more likely than not will be required to sell before recovery of amortized cost, are considered to be other-than-temporarily impaired and the entire difference between the amortized cost basis and fair value of the security is recognized as an OTTI loss in earnings. The remaining fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position are evaluated to determine if a credit loss exists. In order to determine if a credit loss exists, the factors considered by the Impairment Committee include (a) the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer, (b) whether the debtor is current on interest and principal payments, (c) credit ratings of the securities and (d) general market conditions and industry or sector specific outlook. The Company also considers results and analysis of cash flow modeling for asset-backed securities, and when appropriate, other fixed maturity securities. The focus of the analysis for asset-backed securities is on assessing the sufficiency and quality of underlying collateral and timing of cash flows based on scenario tests. If the present value of the modeled expected cash flows equals or exceeds the amortized cost of a security, no credit loss is judged to exist and the asset-backed security is deemed to be temporarily impaired. If the present value of the expected cash flows is less than amortized cost, the security is judged to be other-than-temporarily impaired for credit reasons and that shortfall, referred to as the credit component, is recognized as an OTTI loss in earnings. The difference between the adjusted amortized cost basis and fair value, referred to as the non-credit component, is recognized as an OTTI loss in Other comprehensive income.
The Company performs the discounted cash flow analysis using distressed scenarios to determine future expectations regarding recoverability. For asset-backed securities significant assumptions enter into these cash flow projections including delinquency rates, probable risk of default, loss severity upon a default, over collateralization and interest coverage triggers, credit support from lower level tranches and impacts of rating agency downgrades. The discount rate utilized is either the yield at acquisition or, for lower rated structured securities, the current yield.
The Company applies the same impairment model as described above for the majority of the non-redeemable preferred stock securities. For all other equity securities, in determining whether the security is other-than-temporarily impaired, the Impairment Committee considers a number of factors including, but not limited to: (a) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost, (b) the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer, (c) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for an anticipated recovery in value and (d) general market conditions and industry or sector specific outlook.
Prior to adoption of FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, the Company applied the impairment model described above for all other equity securities to both debt and equity securities.
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The following table provides a summary of fixed maturity and equity securities.
Summary of Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities
Gross Unrealized Losses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost or | Gross | Estimated | Unrealized | |||||||||||||||||||||
June 30, 2009 | Amortized | Unrealized | Less than | 12 Months | Fair | OTTI | ||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Cost | Gains | 12 Months | or Greater | Value | Losses | ||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of government agencies | $ | 1,008 | $ | 43 | $ | 80 | $ | — | $ | 971 | $ | — | ||||||||||||
Asset-backed securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Residential mortgage-backed securities | 7,457 | 41 | 308 | 926 | 6,264 | 141 | ||||||||||||||||||
Commercial mortgage-backed securities | 901 | 1 | 10 | 240 | 652 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other asset-backed securities | 476 | 9 | 1 | 54 | 430 | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Total asset-backed securities | 8,834 | 51 | 319 | 1,220 | 7,346 | 148 | ||||||||||||||||||
States, municipalities and political subdivisions — tax-exempt securities | 8,289 | 106 | 263 | 494 | 7,638 | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Corporate and other taxable bonds | 15,526 | 543 | 564 | 582 | 14,923 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
Redeemable preferred stock | 69 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 62 | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 33,726 | 745 | 1,231 | 2,300 | 30,940 | $ | 150 | |||||||||||||||||
Total fixed maturity securities trading | 100 | — | — | — | 100 | |||||||||||||||||||
Equity securities available-for-sale: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock | 89 | 206 | — | 3 | 292 | |||||||||||||||||||
Preferred stock | 578 | 31 | 41 | 112 | 456 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total equity securities available-for-sale | 667 | 237 | 41 | 115 | 748 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 34,493 | $ | 982 | $ | 1,272 | $ | 2,415 | $ | 31,788 | ||||||||||||||
Summary of Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities
Gross Unrealized Losses | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cost or | Gross | Estimated | ||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2008 | Amortized | Unrealized | Less than | 12 Months | Fair | |||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Cost | Gains | 12 Months | or Greater | Value | |||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: | ||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of government agencies | $ | 2,862 | $ | 69 | $ | 1 | $ | — | $ | 2,930 | ||||||||||
Asset-backed securities | 9,670 | 24 | 961 | 969 | 7,764 | |||||||||||||||
States, municipalities and political subdivisions — tax-exempt securities | 8,557 | 90 | 609 | 623 | 7,415 | |||||||||||||||
Corporate and other taxable bonds | 12,993 | 275 | 1,164 | 1,374 | 10,730 | |||||||||||||||
Redeemable preferred stock | 72 | 1 | 23 | 3 | 47 | |||||||||||||||
Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 34,154 | 459 | 2,758 | 2,969 | 28,886 | |||||||||||||||
Total fixed maturity securities trading | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | |||||||||||||||
Equity securities available-for-sale: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock | 134 | 190 | 1 | 3 | 320 | |||||||||||||||
Preferred stock | 882 | 5 | 15 | 321 | 551 | |||||||||||||||
Total equity securities available-for-sale | 1,016 | 195 | 16 | 324 | 871 | |||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 35,171 | $ | 654 | $ | 2,774 | $ | 3,293 | $ | 29,758 | ||||||||||
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The amount of net unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities reclassified out of AOCI into earnings was $328 million pretax for the three months ended June 30, 2009.
Activity for the three months ended June 30, 2009 related to the pretax fixed maturity credit loss component reflected within Retained earnings for securities still held, was as follows.
(In millions) | Three Months ended | |||
June 30, 2009 | ||||
Beginning balance of credit losses on fixed maturity securities | $ | 192 | ||
Additional credit losses for which an OTTI loss was previously recognized | 21 | |||
Additional credit losses for which an OTTI loss was not previously recognized | 84 | |||
Reductions for securities sold during the period | (36 | ) | ||
Reductions for securities the Company intends to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell | (49 | ) | ||
Ending balance of credit losses on fixed maturity securities | $ | 212 | ||
Based on current facts and circumstances, the Company has determined that no additional OTTI losses related to the securities in an unrealized loss position presented in the June 30, 2009 Summary of Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities table above are required to be recorded. A discussion of some of the factors reviewed in making that determination is presented below.
The classification between investment grade and non-investment grade presented in the discussion below is based on a ratings methodology that takes into account ratings from the three major providers, Standard & Poors (S&P), Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. (Moody’s) and Fitch Ratings (Fitch) in that order of preference. If a security is not rated by any of the three, the Company formulates an internal rating. For securities with credit support from third party guarantees, the rating reflects the greater of the underlying rating of the issuer or the insured rating.
The market disruption that emerged in 2008 has subsided moderately during the second quarter of 2009. While the government has initiated programs intended to stabilize and improve markets and the economy, the ultimate impact of these programs remains uncertain and economic conditions in the U.S. remain challenging. As a result, the Company incurred realized losses in its investment portfolio during both the first and second quarters of 2009 which have adversely impacted its results of operations. The first quarter losses were primarily driven by the continuing credit issues attributable to the asset-backed and financial sectors. The second quarter losses were primarily driven by the actual and anticipated impact of difficult economic conditions on residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities.
Asset-Backed Securities
The unrealized losses on the Company’s investments in asset-backed securities are due to a combination of factors related to the market disruption caused by credit concerns that began with the sub-prime issue, but then also extended into other collateral supporting securities in the Company’s portfolio. The fair value of these securities does not tend to be influenced by the credit of the issuer but rather the characteristics and projected cash flows of the underlying collateral.
Residential mortgage-backed securities include 333 structured securities in a gross unrealized loss position. In addition, there were 110 agency mortgage-backed pass-through securities in a gross unrealized loss position, which are guaranteed by agencies of the U.S. Government. The aggregate severity of the gross unrealized loss was approximately 21% of amortized cost.
Commercial mortgage-backed securities include 60 securities in a gross unrealized loss position. The aggregate severity of the gross unrealized loss was approximately 31% of amortized cost.
Other asset-backed securities include 19 securities in a gross unrealized loss position. The aggregate severity of the gross unrealized loss was approximately 18% of amortized cost.
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The following table summarizes asset-backed securities in a gross unrealized loss position by ratings distribution at June 30, 2009.
Gross Unrealized Losses by Ratings Distribution
June 30, 2009
(In millions)
(In millions)
Gross | ||||||||||||
Amortized | Estimated | Unrealized | ||||||||||
Rating | Cost | Fair Value | Loss | |||||||||
U.S. Government Agencies | $ | 732 | $ | 714 | $ | 18 | ||||||
AAA | 4,327 | 3,431 | 896 | |||||||||
AA | 491 | 308 | 183 | |||||||||
A | 427 | 249 | 178 | |||||||||
BBB | 353 | 269 | 84 | |||||||||
Non-investment grade and equity tranches | 657 | 477 | 180 | |||||||||
Total | $ | 6,987 | $ | 5,448 | $ | 1,539 | ||||||
The Company believes the unrealized losses were primarily attributable to broader economic conditions, liquidity concerns and wider than historical bid/ask spreads brought about as a result of portfolio liquidations and is not indicative of the quality of the underlying collateral. The Company has no current intent to sell these securities, nor is it more likely than not that it will be required to sell prior to recovery of amortized cost. Generally, non-investment grade securities relate to investments which were investment grade at the time of purchase but have subsequently been downgraded and are primarily related to holdings senior to the equity tranche. Additionally, the Company has judged that the unrealized losses on these securities were not due to factors regarding credit worthiness, collateral shortfalls, or substantial changes in future cash flow expectations and, as such, the Company has determined that there are no additional OTTI losses to be recorded at June 30, 2009.
For the six months ended June 30, 2009, OTTI losses of $480 million were recognized in earnings on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations related to asset-backed securities, reflecting $268 million related to residential mortgage-backed securities, $181 million related to commercial mortgage-backed securities and $31 million related to other asset-backed securities.
States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions — Tax-Exempt Securities
The unrealized losses on the Company’s investments in tax-exempt municipal securities are due to overall market conditions, changes in credit spreads, and to a lesser extent, changes in interest rates. Market conditions in the tax-exempt sector have improved during the first half of 2009; however, yields for certain issuers and types of securities, such as auction rate and tobacco securitizations, continue to be higher than historical norms relative to after-tax returns on alternative classes. The holdings for all tax-exempt securities in this category include 573 securities in a gross unrealized loss position. The aggregate severity of the total gross unrealized losses was approximately 14% of amortized cost.
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The following table summarizes the ratings distribution of tax-exempt securities in a gross unrealized loss position at June 30, 2009.
Gross Unrealized Losses by Ratings Distribution
June 30, 2009
(In millions)
(In millions)
Gross | ||||||||||||
Amortized | Estimated | Unrealized | ||||||||||
Rating | Cost | Fair Value | Loss | |||||||||
AAA | $ | 1,673 | $ | 1,548 | $ | 125 | ||||||
AA | 1,883 | 1,669 | 214 | |||||||||
A | 1,015 | 913 | 102 | |||||||||
BBB | 943 | 627 | 316 | |||||||||
Total | $ | 5,514 | $ | 4,757 | $ | 757 | ||||||
The portfolio consists primarily of special revenue and assessment bonds, representing 93% of the overall portfolio, followed by state general obligation bonds at 4% and general obligation political subdivision bonds at 3%.
The largest exposures at June 30, 2009 as measured by gross unrealized losses were special revenue bonds issued by several states backed by tobacco settlement funds with gross unrealized losses of $284 million, and several separate issues of Puerto Rico Sales Tax revenue bonds with gross unrealized losses of $86 million. All of these securities are investment grade.
The Company has no current intent to sell these securities, nor is it more likely than not that it will be required to sell prior to recovery of amortized cost. Additionally, the Company has judged that the unrealized losses on these securities were not due to factors regarding credit worthiness and, as such, the Company has determined that there are no additional OTTI losses to be recorded at June 30, 2009.
The tax-exempt portfolio includes auction rate securities primarily issued by student loan agencies from nine states which are substantially guaranteed by The Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP). These securities had a fair value at June 30, 2009 of $745 million, no gross unrealized gains and gross unrealized losses of $36 million. At June 30, 2009 none of the auction rate securities held was paying below market penalty rates. The average rating on these holdings was AAA.
The obligations of both the State of California and political subdivisions in that State have not recovered as much as the majority of the municipal market, reflecting both the heavy impact that the current national recession has had on the California tax base as well as the political difficulties that the State had in reaching agreement on a budget. At June 30, 2009, the Company owned securities issued by 71 California obligors, with a fair value of $514 million, $8 million of gross unrealized gains and $61 million of gross unrealized losses.
For the six months ended June 30, 2009, OTTI losses of $15 million were recognized in earnings on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations related to tax-exempt securities.
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Corporate and Other Taxable Bonds
The holdings in this category include 608 securities in a gross unrealized loss position. The aggregate severity of the gross unrealized losses was approximately 15% of amortized cost.
The following tables summarize corporate and other taxable bonds in a gross unrealized loss position at June 30, 2009 across industry sectors and by ratings distribution.
Gross Unrealized Losses by Industry Sector
June 30, 2009
(In millions)
(In millions)
Estimated | Gross | |||||||||||
Amortized Cost | Fair Value | Unrealized Loss | ||||||||||
Communications | $ | 939 | $ | 853 | $ | 86 | ||||||
Consumer, Cyclical | 927 | 781 | 146 | |||||||||
Consumer, Non-cyclical | 504 | 441 | 63 | |||||||||
Energy | 609 | 547 | 62 | |||||||||
Financial | 2,446 | 1,932 | 514 | |||||||||
Industrial | 537 | 472 | 65 | |||||||||
Utilities | 859 | 730 | 129 | |||||||||
Other | 673 | 592 | 81 | |||||||||
Total | $ | 7,494 | $ | 6,348 | $ | 1,146 | ||||||
Gross Unrealized Losses by Ratings Distribution
June 30, 2009
(In millions)
(In millions)
Estimated | Gross | |||||||||||
Rating | Amortized Cost | Fair Value | Unrealized Loss | |||||||||
AAA | $ | 323 | $ | 308 | $ | 15 | ||||||
AA | 285 | 274 | 11 | |||||||||
A | 1,269 | 1,080 | 189 | |||||||||
BBB | 3,540 | 3,001 | 539 | |||||||||
Non-investment grade | 2,077 | 1,685 | 392 | |||||||||
Total | $ | 7,494 | $ | 6,348 | $ | 1,146 | ||||||
The unrealized losses on corporate and other taxable bonds were primarily attributable to deterioration and volatility in the broader credit markets throughout 2008 that resulted in widening of credit spreads over risk free rates well beyond historical norms and macro conditions in certain sectors that the market viewed as out of favor. These conditions generally continued into 2009 but have improved from the lows in 2008. The Company has no current intent to sell these securities, nor is it more likely than not that it will be required to sell prior to recovery of amortized cost. Additionally, the Company has judged that the unrealized losses were not due to factors regarding credit worthiness and, as such, the Company has determined that there are no additional OTTI losses to be recorded at June 30, 2009.
The Company has invested in securities with characteristics of both debt and equity investments, often referred to as hybrid debt securities. Such securities are typically debt instruments issued with long or extendable maturity dates, may provide for the ability to defer interest payments without defaulting and are usually lower in the capital structure of the issuer than traditional bonds. The financial industry sector presented above includes hybrid debt securities with an aggregate fair value of $593 million and an aggregate amortized cost of $855 million.
For the six months ended June 30, 2009, OTTI losses of $284 million were recognized in earnings on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations related to corporate and other taxable bonds.
Non-Redeemable Preferred Stock
The unrealized losses on the Company’s investments in non-redeemable preferred stock were caused by similar factors as those that affected the Company’s corporate bond portfolio. Approximately 81% of the gross unrealized losses in this category come from securities issued by financial institutions and 19% from
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utilities. The holdings in this category include 24 securities in a gross unrealized loss position. The following table summarizes non-redeemable preferred stocks in a gross unrealized loss position at June 30, 2009 by ratings distribution.
Gross Unrealized Losses by Ratings Distribution
June 30, 2009
(In millions)
(In millions)
Estimated | Gross | |||||||||||
Rating | Amortized Cost | Fair Value | Unrealized Loss | |||||||||
A | $ | 104 | $ | 75 | $ | 29 | ||||||
BBB | 421 | 304 | 117 | |||||||||
Non-investment grade | 18 | 11 | 7 | |||||||||
Total | $ | 543 | $ | 390 | $ | 153 | ||||||
The Company believes the holdings in this category have been adversely impacted by significant credit spread widening brought on by a combination of factors in the capital markets. The majority of securities in this category are related to the banking and mortgage industries and are experiencing what the Company believes to be temporarily depressed valuations. The Company has no current intent to sell these securities, nor is it more likely than not it will be required to sell prior to recovery of amortized cost. Additionally, the Company has judged that the unrealized losses on these securities were not due to factors regarding credit worthiness and, as such, the Company has determined that there are no additional OTTI losses to be recorded at June 30, 2009. This evaluation was made on the basis that these securities possess characteristics similar to debt securities and maintain their ability to pay dividends.
For the six months ended June 30, 2009, OTTI losses of $217 million were recognized in earnings on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations on non-redeemable preferred stock, including $188 million related to a major U.S. financial institution.
Contractual Maturity
The following table summarizes available-for-sale fixed maturity securities by contractual maturity at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain securities may be called or prepaid with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities not due at a single date are allocated based on weighted average life.
Contractual Maturity
June 30, 2009 | December 31, 2008 | |||||||||||||||
Cost or | Estimated | Cost or | Estimated | |||||||||||||
Amortized | Fair | Amortized | Fair | |||||||||||||
(In millions) | Cost | Value | Cost | Value | ||||||||||||
Due in one year or less | $ | 1,280 | $ | 1,203 | $ | 3,105 | $ | 2,707 | ||||||||
Due after one year through five years | 9,247 | 8,718 | 10,295 | 9,210 | ||||||||||||
Due after five years through ten years | 8,020 | 7,421 | 5,929 | 4,822 | ||||||||||||
Due after ten years | 15,179 | 13,598 | 14,825 | 12,147 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 33,726 | $ | 30,940 | $ | 34,154 | $ | 28,886 | ||||||||
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Limited Partnerships
The carrying value of limited partnerships as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 was approximately $1.8 billion and $1.7 billion. At June 30, 2009, limited partnerships comprising 47% of the total carrying value are reported on a current basis through June 30, 2009 with no reporting lag, 43% are reported on a one month lag and the remainder are reported on more than a one month lag. As of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company had 79 and 82 active limited partnership investments. The number of limited partnerships held and the strategies employed provide diversification to the limited partnership portfolio and the overall invested asset portfolio. The Company does not generally invest in highly leveraged partnerships.
Of the limited partnerships held, 91% or approximately $1.6 billion in carrying value at June 30, 2009 and 89% or approximately $1.5 billion in carrying value at December 31, 2008, employ strategies that generate returns through investing in securities that are marketable while engaging in various management techniques primarily in public fixed income and equity markets. These hedge fund strategies include both long and short positions in fixed income, equity and derivative instruments. The hedge fund strategies may seek to generate gains from mispriced or undervalued securities, price differentials between securities, distressed investments, sector rotation, or various arbitrage disciplines. Within hedge fund strategies, approximately 46% are equity related, 30% pursue a multi-strategy approach, 19% are focused on distressed investments and 5% are fixed income related.
Limited partnerships representing 6% or $110 million at June 30, 2009 and 7% or $126 million at December 31, 2008 were invested in private equity. The remaining 3% or $48 million at June 30, 2009 and 4% or $61 million at December 31, 2008 were invested in various other partnerships including real estate. The ten largest limited partnership positions held totaled $1,094 million and $915 million as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008. Based on the most recent information available regarding the Company’s percentage ownership of the individual limited partnerships, the carrying value reflected on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets represents approximately 4% and 3% of the aggregate partnership equity at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, and the related income reflected on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations represents approximately 4% and 3% of the changes in partnership equity for all limited partnership investments for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008.
The risks associated with limited partnership investments may include losses due to leveraging, short-selling, derivatives or other speculative investment practices. The use of leverage increases the level of returns and volatility generated by the underlying investment strategies.
Investment Commitments
As of June 30, 2009, the Company had committed approximately $262 million to future capital calls from various third-party limited partnership investments in exchange for an ownership interest in the related partnerships.
The Company invests in multiple bank loan participations as part of its overall investment strategy and has committed to additional future purchases and sales. The purchase and sale of these investments are recorded on the date that the legal agreements are finalized and cash settlement is made. As of June 30, 2009, the Company had commitments to purchase $197 million and sell $148 million of various bank loan participations. When loan participation purchases are settled and recorded they may contain both funded and unfunded amounts. An unfunded loan represents an obligation by the Company to provide additional amounts under the terms of the loan participation. The funded portions are reflected on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, while any unfunded amounts are not recorded until a draw is made under the loan facility. As of June 30, 2009, the Company had obligations on unfunded bank loan participations in the amount of $2 million.
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Note E. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company uses derivatives in the normal course of business, primarily in an attempt to reduce its exposure to market risk (principally interest rate risk, equity stock price risk and foreign currency risk) stemming from various assets and liabilities and credit risk (the ability of an obligor to make timely payment of principal and/or interest). The Company’s principal objective under such risk strategies is to achieve the desired reduction in economic risk, even if the position does not receive hedge accounting treatment. The Company infrequently applies hedge accounting treatment to derivative hedging transactions.
The Company’s use of derivatives is limited by statutes and regulations promulgated by the various regulatory bodies to which it is subject, and by its own derivative policy. The derivative policy limits the authorization to initiate derivative transactions to certain personnel. Derivatives entered into for hedging, regardless of the choice to designate hedge accounting, shall have a maturity that effectively correlates to the underlying hedged asset or liability. The policy prohibits the use of derivatives containing greater than one-to-one leverage with respect to changes in the underlying price, rate or index. The policy also prohibits the use of borrowed funds, including funds obtained through securities lending, to engage in derivative transactions.
The Company has exposure to economic losses due to interest rate risk arising from changes in the level of, or volatility of, interest rates. The Company attempts to mitigate its exposure to interest rate risk through portfolio management, which includes rebalancing its existing portfolios of assets and liabilities, as well as changing the characteristics of investments to be purchased or sold in the future. In addition, various derivative financial instruments are used to modify the interest rate risk exposures of certain assets and liabilities. These strategies include the use of interest rate swaps, interest rate caps and floors, options, futures, forwards and commitments to purchase securities. These instruments are generally used to lock interest rates or market values, to shorten or lengthen durations of fixed maturity securities or investment contracts, or to hedge (on an economic basis) interest rate risks associated with investments and variable rate debt.
The Company is exposed to equity price risk as a result of its investment in equity securities and equity derivatives. Equity price risk results from changes in the level or volatility of equity prices, which affect the value of equity securities, or instruments that derive their value from such securities. The Company attempts to mitigate its exposure to such risks by limiting its investment in any one security or index. The Company may also manage this risk by utilizing instruments such as options, swaps, futures and collars to protect appreciation in securities held.
The Company has exposure to credit risk arising from the uncertainty associated with a financial instrument obligor’s ability to make timely principal and/or interest payments. The Company attempts to mitigate this risk by limiting credit concentrations, practicing diversification, and frequently monitoring the credit quality of issuers and counterparties. In addition, the Company may utilize credit derivatives such as credit default swaps (CDS) to modify the credit risk inherent in certain investments. Credit default swaps involve a transfer of credit risk from one party to another in exchange for periodic payments.
Foreign exchange rate risk arises from the possibility that changes in foreign currency exchange rates will impact the fair value of financial instruments denominated in a foreign currency. The Company’s foreign transactions are primarily denominated in British pounds, Euros and Canadian dollars. The Company typically manages this risk via asset/liability currency matching and through the use of foreign currency forwards.
In addition to the derivatives used for risk management purposes described above, the Company may also use derivatives for purposes of income enhancement. Income enhancement transactions are entered into with the intention of providing additional income or yield to a particular portfolio segment or instrument. Income enhancement transactions are limited in scope and primarily involve the sale of covered options in which the Company receives a premium in exchange for selling a call or put option.
The Company will also use CDS to sell credit protection against a specified credit event. In selling credit protection, CDS are used to replicate fixed income securities when credit exposure to certain issuers is not
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available or when it is economically beneficial to transact in the derivative market compared to the cash market alternative. Credit risk includes both the default event risk and market value exposure due to fluctuations in credit spreads. In selling CDS protection, the Company receives a periodic premium in exchange for providing credit protection on a single name reference obligation or a credit derivative index. If there is an event of default as defined by the CDS agreement, the Company is required to pay the counterparty the referenced notional amount of the CDS contract and in exchange the Company is entitled to receive the referenced defaulted security or the cash equivalent.
At June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company had $33 million and $148 million notional value of outstanding CDS contracts where the Company sold credit protection. The maximum payment related to these CDS contracts was $33 million and $148 million assuming there was no residual value in the defaulted securities that the Company would receive as part of the contract terminations. The fair value of these contracts at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 was a liability of $1 million and $43 million which represents the amount that the Company would have to pay at those dates to exit these derivative positions.
The tables below summarize CDS contracts where the Company sold credit protection as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008. The largest single reference obligation as of June 30, 2009 represented 76% of the total notional value and was rated BBB. The largest single reference obligation as of December 31, 2008 represented 20% of the total notional value and was rated AAA.
Credit Ratings of Underlying Reference
Obligations
Obligations
June 30, 2009
(In millions)
(In millions)
Weighted | ||||||||||||
Fair Value of | Maximum Amount of | Average | ||||||||||
Credit Default | Future Payments under | Years | ||||||||||
Swaps | Credit Default Swaps | to Maturity | ||||||||||
BBB | $ | — | $ | 25 | 0.5 | |||||||
B | (1 | ) | 8 | 3.6 | ||||||||
Total | $ | (1 | ) | $ | 33 | 1.2 | ||||||
Credit Ratings of Underlying Reference
Obligations
Obligations
December 31, 2008
(In millions)
(In millions)
Weighted | ||||||||||||
Fair Value of | Maximum Amount of | Average | ||||||||||
Credit Default | Future Payments under | Years | ||||||||||
Swaps | Credit Default Swaps | to Maturity | ||||||||||
AAA/AA/A | $ | (8 | ) | $ | 40 | 12.3 | ||||||
BBB | (4 | ) | 55 | 3.1 | ||||||||
B | (2 | ) | 8 | 4.1 | ||||||||
CCC and lower | (29 | ) | 45 | 4.5 | ||||||||
Total | $ | (43 | ) | $ | 148 | 6.1 | ||||||
Credit exposure associated with non-performance by the counterparties to derivative instruments is generally limited to the uncollateralized fair value of the asset related to the instruments recognized on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company attempts to mitigate the risk of non-performance by monitoring the creditworthiness of counterparties and diversifying derivatives to multiple counterparties. The Company generally requires that all over-the-counter derivative contracts be governed by an International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) Master Agreement, and exchanges collateral under the terms of these agreements with its derivative investment counterparties depending on the amount of the exposure and the credit rating of the counterparty. The Company does not offset its net derivative positions against the fair value of the collateral provided. The fair value of cash collateral provided by the Company was $22 million and $74 million at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008. The
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fair value of cash collateral received from counterparties was $1 million and $6 million at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.
See Note F for information regarding the fair value of derivatives securities. The Company’s accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives not held in a trading portfolio is reported in Net realized investment gains (losses) on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
A summary of the recognized gains (losses) related to derivative financial instruments follows.
Recognized Gains (Losses)
Periods ended June 30 | Three Months | Six Months | ||||||||||||||
(In millions) | 2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||||||||
Without hedge designation | ||||||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps | $ | 40 | $ | 25 | $ | 61 | $ | 2 | ||||||||
Credit default swaps — purchased protection | (26 | ) | (5 | ) | (35 | ) | 11 | |||||||||
Credit default swaps — sold protection | 8 | 6 | 2 | (9 | ) | |||||||||||
Total return swaps | (2 | ) | — | (2 | ) | — | ||||||||||
Futures sold, not yet purchased | 9 | 32 | 23 | 11 | ||||||||||||
Currency forwards | — | 1 | — | — | ||||||||||||
Equity warrants | — | (2 | ) | — | (2 | ) | ||||||||||
Options written | 4 | — | 15 | — | ||||||||||||
Trading activities | ||||||||||||||||
Futures purchased | — | (6 | ) | — | (78 | ) | ||||||||||
Futures sold, not yet purchased | (1 | ) | 1 | (1 | ) | 1 | ||||||||||
Currency forwards | — | — | — | 1 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 32 | $ | 52 | $ | 63 | $ | (63 | ) | |||||||
The Company’s derivative activities in the trading portfolio in 2009 were associated with the resumption of a trading portfolio for income enhancement purposes. The Company’s derivative activities in the trading portfolio in 2008 were associated with its pension deposit business, through which the Company was exposed to equity price risk associated with its indexed group annuity contracts. The derivatives held for trading purposes were carried at fair value with the related gains and losses included within Net investment income on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. A corresponding increase or decrease was reflected in the Policyholders’ funds reserves supported by this trading portfolio, which was included in Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. During 2008, the Company exited the indexed group annuity portion of its pension deposit business.
A summary of the aggregate contractual or notional amounts and gross estimated fair values related to derivative financial instruments reported as Other invested assets or Other liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets follows. Embedded derivative instruments subject to bifurcation are reported together with the host contract, at fair value. The contractual or notional amounts for derivatives are used to calculate the exchange of contractual payments under the agreements and may not be representative of the potential for gain or loss on these instruments.
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Derivative Financial Instruments
June 30, 2009
(In millions)
(In millions)
Contractual/ | ||||||||||||
Notional | Estimated Fair Value | |||||||||||
Amount | Asset | (Liability) | ||||||||||
Without hedge designation | ||||||||||||
Credit default swaps — purchased protection | $ | 328 | $ | 5 | $ | (14 | ) | |||||
Credit default swaps — sold protection | 33 | — | (1 | ) | ||||||||
Futures sold, not yet purchased | 414 | — | — | |||||||||
Equity warrants | 3 | — | — | |||||||||
Trading activities | ||||||||||||
Futures sold, not yet purchased | 118 | — | — | |||||||||
Total | $ | 896 | $ | 5 | $ | (15 | ) | |||||
Derivative Financial Instruments
December 31, 2008
(In millions)
(In millions)
Contractual/ | ||||||||||||
Notional | Estimated Fair Value | |||||||||||
Amount | Asset | (Liability) | ||||||||||
Without hedge designation | ||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps | $ | 900 | $ | — | $ | (66 | ) | |||||
Credit default swaps — purchased protection | 405 | 24 | (2 | ) | ||||||||
Credit default swaps — sold protection | 148 | — | (43 | ) | ||||||||
Equity warrants | 4 | — | — | |||||||||
Total | $ | 1,457 | $ | 24 | $ | (111 | ) | |||||
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, new derivative transactions entered into totaled approximately $4.5 billion and $10.6 billion in notional value while derivative termination activity totaled approximately $5.2 billion and $11.1 billion. The activity during the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 was primarily attributable to interest rate futures, interest rate options and interest rate swaps.
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Note F. Fair Value
Fair value is the price that would be received upon sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The following fair value hierarchy is used in selecting inputs, with the highest priority given to Level 1, as these are the most transparent or reliable.
Level 1 — Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
Level 2 — Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable in active markets.
Level 3 — Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are not observable.
The Company attempts to establish fair value as an exit price in an orderly transaction consistent with normal settlement market conventions. The Company is responsible for the valuation process and seeks to obtain quoted market prices for all securities. When quoted market prices in active markets are not available, the Company uses a number of methodologies to establish fair value estimates including: discounted cash flow models, prices from recently executed transactions of similar securities, or broker/dealer quotes, utilizing market observable information to the extent possible. In conjunction with modeling activities, the Company may use external data as inputs. The modeled inputs are consistent with observable market information, when available, or with the Company’s assumptions as to what market participants would use to value the securities. The Company also uses pricing services as a significant source of data. The Company monitors all the pricing inputs to determine if the markets from which the data is gathered are active. As further validation of the Company’s valuation process, the Company samples past fair value estimates and compares the valuations to actual transactions executed in the market on similar dates.
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Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below.
Total | ||||||||||||||||
June 30, 2009 | Assets/(Liabilities) | |||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | at fair value | ||||||||||||
Assets | ||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities: | ||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of government agencies | $ | 253 | $ | 787 | $ | — | $ | 1,040 | ||||||||
Asset-backed securities: | ||||||||||||||||
Residential mortgage-backed securities | — | 5,456 | 808 | 6,264 | ||||||||||||
Commercial mortgage-backed securities | — | 477 | 175 | 652 | ||||||||||||
Other asset-backed securities | — | 289 | 141 | 430 | ||||||||||||
Total asset-backed securities | — | 6,222 | 1,124 | 7,346 | ||||||||||||
States, municipalities and political subdivisions - tax-exempt securities | — | 6,853 | 785 | 7,638 | ||||||||||||
Corporate and other taxable bonds | 105 | 14,119 | 730 | 14,954 | ||||||||||||
Redeemable preferred stock | 21 | 40 | 1 | 62 | ||||||||||||
Total fixed maturity securities | 379 | 28,021 | 2,640 | 31,040 | ||||||||||||
Equity securities | 452 | 87 | 209 | 748 | ||||||||||||
Derivative financial instruments, included in Other invested assets | — | — | 5 | 5 | ||||||||||||
Short term investments | 3,410 | 1,071 | — | 4,481 | ||||||||||||
Life settlement contracts, included in Other assets | — | — | 126 | 126 | ||||||||||||
Discontinued operations investments, included in Other liabilities | 79 | 52 | 13 | 144 | ||||||||||||
Separate account business | 55 | 320 | 38 | 413 | ||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 4,375 | $ | 29,551 | $ | 3,031 | $ | 36,957 | ||||||||
Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||
Derivative financial instruments, included in Other liabilities | $ | — | $ | — | $ | (15 | ) | $ | (15 | ) | ||||||
Total liabilities | $ | — | $ | — | $ | (15 | ) | $ | (15 | ) | ||||||
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Total | ||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2008 | Assets/(Liabilities) | |||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | at fair value | ||||||||||||
Assets | ||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities | $ | 2,028 | $ | 24,367 | $ | 2,492 | $ | 28,887 | ||||||||
Equity securities | 567 | 94 | 210 | 871 | ||||||||||||
Derivative financial instruments, included in Other invested assets | — | — | 24 | 24 | ||||||||||||
Short term investments | 2,926 | 608 | — | 3,534 | ||||||||||||
Life settlement contracts, included in Other assets | — | — | 129 | 129 | ||||||||||||
Discontinued operations investments, included in Other liabilities | 83 | 59 | 15 | 157 | ||||||||||||
Separate account business | 40 | 306 | 38 | 384 | ||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 5,644 | $ | 25,434 | $ | 2,908 | $ | 33,986 | ||||||||
Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||
Derivative financial instruments, included in Other liabilities | $ | — | $ | — | $ | (111 | ) | $ | (111 | ) | ||||||
Total liabilities | $ | — | $ | — | $ | (111 | ) | $ | (111 | ) | ||||||
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The tables below present a reconciliation for all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008.
Net realized | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
investment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net realized | gains (losses) | Unrealised | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
investment | and net | gains (losses) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
gains (losses) | change in | on Level 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
and net | unrealized | assets and | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
change in | appreciation | liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
unrealized | (depreciation) | held at | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
appreciation | included in | Purchases, | June 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at | (depreciation) | other | sales, | Transfers | Transfers | Balance at | 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Level 3 | April 1, | included in | comprehensive | issuances and | into | out of | June 30, | recognized | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2009 | net income* | income | settlements | Level 3 | Level 3 | 2009 | in net income* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asset-backed securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Residential mortgage-backed securities | $ | 743 | $ | (6 | ) | $ | 35 | $ | (25 | ) | $ | 71 | $ | (10 | ) | $ | 808 | $ | (5 | ) | ||||||||||||
Commercial mortgage-backed securities | 158 | (155 | ) | 155 | (9 | ) | 26 | — | 175 | (155 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other asset-backed securities | 252 | — | 10 | (2 | ) | — | (119 | ) | 141 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total asset-backed securities | 1,153 | (161 | ) | 200 | (36 | ) | 97 | (129 | ) | 1,124 | (160 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
States, municipalities and political subdivisions - tax-exempt securities | 784 | — | 18 | (17 | ) | — | — | 785 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate and other taxable bonds | 809 | — | 47 | (137 | ) | 16 | (5 | ) | 730 | (1 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Redeemable preferred stock | 19 | — | — | — | — | (18 | ) | 1 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total fixed maturity securities | 2,765 | (161 | ) | 265 | (190 | ) | 113 | (152 | ) | 2,640 | (161 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Equity securities | 210 | — | (1 | ) | — | — | — | 209 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative financial instruments, net | (63 | ) | 19 | — | 34 | — | — | (10 | ) | (11 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Life settlement contracts | 127 | 5 | — | (6 | ) | — | — | 126 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Discontinued operations investments | 13 | — | 1 | (1 | ) | — | — | 13 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Separate account business | 38 | — | 3 | (3 | ) | — | — | 38 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 3,090 | $ | (137 | ) | $ | 268 | $ | (166 | ) | $ | 113 | $ | (152 | ) | $ | 3,016 | $ | (172 | ) | ||||||||||||
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Net realized | Net realized | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
investment | investment gains | Unrealized | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
gains (losses) | (losses) and net | gains (losses) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
and net | change in | on Level 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
change in | unrealized | assets and | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
unrealized | appreciation | Purchases, | liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
appreciation | (depreciation) | sales, | held at June | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(depreciation) | included in other | issuances | Transfers | Transfers | 30, 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Level 3 | Balance at | included in | comprehensive | and | into | out of | Balance at | recognized in | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | April 1, 2008 | net income* | income | settlements | Level 3 | Level 3 | June 30, 2008 | net income* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities | $ | 2,245 | $ | (85 | ) | $ | (55 | ) | $ | 89 | $ | 1,159 | $ | (140 | ) | $ | 3,213 | $ | (91 | ) | ||||||||||||
Equity securities | 193 | — | (2 | ) | 48 | 22 | — | 261 | (2 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative financial instruments, net | (82 | ) | 23 | — | (8 | ) | — | — | (67 | ) | 15 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Short term investments | 85 | — | — | — | — | (85 | ) | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Life settlement contracts | 118 | 12 | — | (12 | ) | — | — | 118 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Discontinued operations investments | 41 | — | — | (1 | ) | — | (17 | ) | 23 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Separate account business | 47 | — | (4 | ) | 2 | — | — | 45 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 2,647 | $ | (50 | ) | $ | (61 | ) | $ | 118 | $ | 1,181 | $ | (242 | ) | $ | 3,593 | $ | (77 | ) | ||||||||||||
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The tables below present a reconciliation for all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008.
Unrealized | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net realized | Net realized | gains | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
investment | investment gains | (losses) on | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
gains (losses) | (losses) and net | Level 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
and net | change in | assets and | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
change in | unrealized | liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
unrealized | appreciation | Purchases, | held at | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
appreciation | (depreciation) | sales, | June 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(depreciation) | included in other | issuances | Transfers | Transfers | 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Level 3 | Balance at | included in | comprehensive | and | into | out of | Balance at | recognized | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | January 1, 2009 | net loss* | income | settlements | Level 3 | Level 3 | June 30, 2009 | in net loss* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asset-backed securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Residential mortgage-backed securities | $ | 782 | $ | (23 | ) | $ | 36 | $ | (48 | ) | $ | 71 | $ | (10 | ) | $ | 808 | $ | (12 | ) | ||||||||||||
Commercial mortgage-backed securities | 186 | (165 | ) | 142 | (14 | ) | 26 | — | 175 | (165 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other asset-backed securities | 139 | (30 | ) | 40 | (42 | ) | 153 | (119 | ) | 141 | (31 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total asset-backed securities | 1,107 | (218 | ) | 218 | (104 | ) | 250 | (129 | ) | 1,124 | (208 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
States, municipalities and political subdivisions — tax-exempt securities | 750 | — | 55 | (20 | ) | — | — | 785 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate and other taxable bonds | 622 | (5 | ) | 46 | 67 | 18 | (18 | ) | 730 | (7 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Redeemable preferred stock | 13 | (9 | ) | 8 | 7 | — | (18 | ) | 1 | (9 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total fixed maturity securities | 2,492 | (232 | ) | 327 | (50 | ) | 268 | (165 | ) | 2,640 | (224 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Equity securities | 210 | — | (1 | ) | — | — | — | 209 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative financial instruments, net | (87 | ) | 25 | — | 52 | — | — | (10 | ) | (15 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Life settlement contracts | 129 | 16 | — | (19 | ) | — | — | 126 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Discontinued operations investments | 15 | — | — | (2 | ) | — | — | 13 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Separate account business | 38 | — | 4 | (4 | ) | — | — | 38 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 2,797 | $ | (191 | ) | $ | 330 | $ | (23 | ) | $ | 268 | $ | (165 | ) | $ | 3,016 | $ | (237 | ) | ||||||||||||
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Net realized | Net realized | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
investment | investment gains | Unrealized | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
gains (losses) | (losses) and net | gains (losses) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
and net | change in | on Level 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
change in | unrealized | assets and | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
unrealized | appreciation | Purchases, | liabilities held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
appreciation | (depreciation) | sales, | at June 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at | (depreciation) | included in other | issuances | Transfers | Transfers | 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Level 3 | January 1, | included in | comprehensive | and | into | out of | Balance at | recognized in | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2008 | net income* | loss | settlements | Level 3 | Level 3 | June 30, 2008 | net income* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities | $ | 2,684 | $ | (123 | ) | $ | (270 | ) | $ | 84 | $ | 1,254 | $ | (416 | ) | $ | 3,213 | $ | (135 | ) | ||||||||||||
Equity securities | 196 | (2 | ) | (3 | ) | 48 | 22 | — | 261 | (4 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative financial instruments, net | 2 | 1 | — | (70 | ) | — | — | (67 | ) | (69 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Short term investments | 85 | — | — | — | — | (85 | ) | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Life settlement contracts | 115 | 30 | — | (27 | ) | — | — | 118 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Discontinued operations investments | 42 | — | — | (2 | ) | — | (17 | ) | 23 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Separate account business | 30 | — | (4 | ) | (1 | ) | 20 | — | 45 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 3,154 | $ | (94 | ) | $ | (277 | ) | $ | 32 | $ | 1,296 | $ | (518 | ) | $ | 3,593 | $ | (203 | ) | ||||||||||||
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* | Net realized and unrealized gains and losses shown above are reported in Net income (loss) as follows: |
Major Category of Assets and Liabilities | Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations Line Items | |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | Net realized investment gains (losses) | |
Fixed maturity securities trading | Net investment income | |
Equity securities | Net realized investment gains (losses) | |
Derivative financial instruments held in a trading portfolio | Net investment income | |
Derivative financial instruments, other | Net realized investment gains (losses) | |
Life settlement contracts | Other revenues |
Securities transferred into Level 3 for the three months ended June 30, 2009 relate primarily to structured securities with residential and commercial mortgage collateral. For the six months ended June 30, 2009 transfers into Level 3 relate primarily to structured securities with underlying auto loan collateral and structured securities with residential and commercial mortgage collateral. These were previously valued using observable prices for similar securities, but due to decreased market activity, fair value is determined by cash flow models using market observable and unobservable inputs. Unobservable inputs include estimates of future cash flows and the maturity assumption.
The following section describes the valuation methodologies used to measure different financial instruments at fair value, including an indication of the level in the fair value hierarchy in which the instrument is generally classified.
Fixed Maturity Securities
Level 1 securities include highly liquid government bonds within the U.S. Treasury securities and corporate and other taxable bond categories for which quoted market prices are available. Level 1 securities may also include securities that have firm sale commitments and prices that are not recorded until the settlement date. The remaining fixed maturity securities are valued using pricing for similar securities, recently executed transactions, cash flow models with yield curves, broker/dealer quotes and other pricing models utilizing observable inputs. The valuation for most fixed maturity securities is classified as Level 2. Securities within Level 2 include certain corporate bonds, municipal bonds, asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed pass-through securities and redeemable preferred stock. Securities are generally assigned to Level 3 in cases where broker/dealer quotes are significant inputs to the valuation and there is a lack of transparency as to whether these quotes are based on information that is observable in the marketplace. These securities include certain corporate bonds, asset-backed securities, municipal bonds and redeemable preferred stock. Within corporate bonds and municipal bonds, Level 3 securities also include tax-exempt auction rate certificates. Fair value of auction rate securities is determined utilizing a pricing model with three primary inputs. The interest rate and spread inputs are observable from like instruments while the maturity date assumption is unobservable due to the uncertain nature of the principal prepayments prior to maturity.
Equity Securities
Level 1 securities include publicly traded securities valued using quoted market prices. Level 2 securities are primarily non-redeemable preferred securities and common stocks valued using pricing for similar securities, recently executed transactions, broker/dealer quotes and other pricing models utilizing observable inputs.
Level 3 securities include one equity security, which represents 88% of the total at June 30, 2009, in an entity which is not publicly traded and is valued based on a discounted cash flow analysis model, adjusted for the Company’s assumption regarding an inherent lack of liquidity in the security. The remaining non-redeemable preferred stocks and equity securities are primarily valued using inputs including broker/dealer quotes for which there is a lack of transparency as to whether these quotes are based on information that is observable in the marketplace.
Derivative Financial Instruments
Exchange traded derivatives are valued using quoted market prices and are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Level 2 derivatives primarily include currency forwards valued using observable market
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forward rates. Over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, principally interest rate swaps, credit default swaps, equity warrants and options, are valued using inputs including broker/dealer quotes and are classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy due to a lack of transparency as to whether these quotes are based on information that is observable in the marketplace.
Short Term Investments
The valuation of securities that are actively traded or have quoted prices are classified as Level 1. These securities include money market funds and treasury bills. Level 2 includes commercial paper, for which all inputs are observable.
Life Settlement Contracts
The fair values of life settlement contracts are estimated using discounted cash flows based on the Company’s own assumptions for mortality, premium expense, and the rate of return that a buyer would require on the contracts, as no comparable market pricing data is available.
Discontinued Operations Investments
Assets relating to the Company’s discontinued operations include fixed maturity securities and short term investments. The valuation methodologies for these asset types have been described above.
Separate Account Business
Separate account business includes fixed maturity securities, equities and short term investments. The valuation methodologies for these asset types have been described above.
Financial Assets and Liabilities Not Measured at Fair Value
The carrying amount and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instrument assets and liabilities which are not measured at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are listed in the table below.
June 30, 2009 | December 31, 2008 | |||||||||||||||
Carrying | Estimated | Carrying | Estimated | |||||||||||||
(In millions) | Amount | Fair Value | Amount | Fair Value | ||||||||||||
Financial assets | ||||||||||||||||
Notes receivable for the issuance of common stock | $ | 30 | $ | 30 | $ | 42 | $ | 42 | ||||||||
Financial liabilities | ||||||||||||||||
Premium deposits and annuity contracts | $ | 106 | $ | 107 | $ | 111 | $ | 113 | ||||||||
Long term debt | 2,058 | 1,754 | 2,058 | 1,585 |
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of these financial assets and liabilities.
The fair values of notes receivable for the issuance of common stock were estimated using discounted cash flows utilizing interest rates currently offered for obligations securitized with similar collateral.
Premium deposits and annuity contracts were valued based on cash surrender values, estimated fair values or policyholder liabilities, net of amounts ceded related to sold business.
CNAF’s senior notes and debentures were valued based on quoted market prices. The fair value for other long term debt was estimated using discounted cash flows based on current incremental borrowing rates for similar borrowing arrangements.
The carrying amounts reported on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for Cash, Accrued investment income, Receivables for securities sold, Federal income taxes recoverable/payable, Collateral on loaned securities and derivatives, Payables for securities purchased, and certain other assets and other liabilities
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approximate fair value due to the short term nature of these items. These assets and liabilities are not listed in the table above.
Note G. Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves
CNA’s property and casualty insurance claim and claim adjustment expense reserves represent the estimated amounts necessary to resolve all outstanding claims, including claims that are incurred but not reported (IBNR) as of the reporting date. The Company’s reserve projections are based primarily on detailed analysis of the facts in each case, CNA’s experience with similar cases and various historical development patterns. Consideration is given to such historical patterns as field reserving trends and claims settlement practices, loss payments, pending levels of unpaid claims and product mix, as well as court decisions, economic conditions and public attitudes. All of these factors can affect the estimation of claim and claim adjustment expense reserves.
Establishing claim and claim adjustment expense reserves, including claim and claim adjustment expense reserves for catastrophic events that have occurred, is an estimation process. Many factors can ultimately affect the final settlement of a claim and, therefore, the necessary reserve. Changes in the law, results of litigation, medical costs, the cost of repair materials and labor rates can all affect ultimate claim costs. In addition, time can be a critical part of reserving determinations since the longer the span between the incidence of a loss and the payment or settlement of the claim, the more variable the ultimate settlement amount can be. Accordingly, short-tail claims, such as property damage claims, tend to be more reasonably estimable than long-tail claims, such as general liability and professional liability claims. Adjustments to prior year reserve estimates, if necessary, are reflected in the results of operations in the period that the need for such adjustments is determined.
Catastrophes are an inherent risk of the property and casualty insurance business and have contributed to material period-to-period fluctuations in the Company’s results of operations and/or equity. The Company reported catastrophe losses, net of reinsurance, of $43 million and $56 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 for events occurring in those periods. Catastrophe losses in 2009 related primarily to tornadoes, floods, hail and wind. The Company reported catastrophe losses, net of reinsurance, of $47 million and $100 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 for events occurring in those periods. There can be no assurance that CNA’s ultimate cost for catastrophes will not exceed current estimates.
The following provides discussion of the Company’s Asbestos and Environmental Pollution (A&E) reserves.
A&E Reserves
CNA’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries have actual and potential exposures related to A&E claims. The following table provides data related to CNA’s A&E claim and claim adjustment expense reserves.
A&E Reserves
June 30, 2009 | December 31, 2008 | |||||||||||||||
Environmental | Environmental | |||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Asbestos | Pollution | Asbestos | Pollution | ||||||||||||
Gross reserves | $ | 1,964 | $ | 366 | $ | 2,112 | $ | 392 | ||||||||
Ceded reserves | (851 | ) | (126 | ) | (910 | ) | (130 | ) | ||||||||
Net reserves | $ | 1,113 | $ | 240 | $ | 1,202 | $ | 262 | ||||||||
Asbestos
There was no asbestos-related net claim and claim adjustment expense reserve development recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2009. The Company recorded $6 million of unfavorable asbestos-related net claim and
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claim adjustment expense reserve development for the six months ended June 30, 2008. The Company paid asbestos-related claims, net of reinsurance recoveries, of $89 million and $99 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008.
The ultimate cost of reported claims, and in particular A&E claims, is subject to a great many uncertainties, including future developments of various kinds that CNA does not control and that are difficult or impossible to foresee accurately. With respect to the litigation identified below in particular, numerous factual and legal issues remain unresolved. Rulings on those issues by the courts are critical to the evaluation of the ultimate cost to the Company. The outcome of the litigation cannot be predicted with any reliability. Accordingly, the extent of losses beyond any amounts that may be accrued are not readily determinable at this time.
Some asbestos-related defendants have asserted that their insurance policies are not subject to aggregate limits on coverage. CNA has such claims from a number of insureds. Some of these claims involve insureds facing exhaustion of products liability aggregate limits in their policies, who have asserted that their asbestos-related claims fall within so-called “non-products” liability coverage contained within their policies rather than products liability coverage, and that the claimed “non-products” coverage is not subject to any aggregate limit. It is difficult to predict the ultimate size of any of the claims for coverage purportedly not subject to aggregate limits or predict to what extent, if any, the attempts to assert “non-products” claims outside the products liability aggregate will succeed. CNA’s policies also contain other limits applicable to these claims and the Company has additional coverage defenses to certain claims. CNA has attempted to manage its asbestos exposure by aggressively seeking to settle claims on acceptable terms. There can be no assurance that any of these settlement efforts will be successful, or that any such claims can be settled on terms acceptable to CNA. Where the Company cannot settle a claim on acceptable terms, CNA aggressively litigates the claim. However, adverse developments with respect to such matters could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and/or equity.
Certain asbestos claim litigation in which CNA is currently engaged is described below:
On February 13, 2003, CNA announced it had resolved asbestos-related coverage litigation and claims involving A.P. Green Industries, A.P. Green Services and Bigelow—Liptak Corporation. Under the agreement, CNA is required to pay $70 million, net of reinsurance recoveries, over a ten year period commencing after the final approval of a bankruptcy plan of reorganization. The settlement received initial bankruptcy court approval on August 18, 2003. The debtor’s plan of reorganization includes an injunction to protect CNA from any future claims. The bankruptcy court issued an opinion on September 24, 2007 recommending confirmation of that plan. On July 25, 2008, the District Court affirmed the Bankruptcy Court’s ruling. Several insurers have appealed that ruling to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals; that appeal is pending at this time.
CNA is engaged in insurance coverage litigation in New York State Court, filed in 2003, with a defendant class of underlying plaintiffs who have asbestos bodily injury claims against the former Robert A. Keasbey Company (Keasbey) (Continental Casualty Co. v. Employers Ins. of Wausau et al., No. 601037/03 (N.Y. County)). Keasbey, currently a dissolved corporation, was a seller and installer of asbestos-containing insulation products in New York and New Jersey. Thousands of plaintiffs have filed bodily injury claims against Keasbey. However, under New York court rules, asbestos claims are not cognizable unless they meet certain minimum medical impairment standards. Since 2002, when these court rules were adopted, only a small portion of such claims have met medical impairment criteria under New York court rules and as to the remaining claims, Keasbey’s involvement at a number of work sites is a highly contested issue.
CNA issued Keasbey primary policies for 1970-1987 and excess policies for 1971-1978. CNA has paid an amount substantially equal to the policies’ aggregate limits for products and completed operations claims in the confirmed CNA policies. Claimants against Keasbey allege, among other things, that CNA owes coverage under sections of the policies not subject to the aggregate limits, an allegation CNA vigorously contests in the lawsuit. In the litigation, CNA and the claimants seek declaratory relief as to the interpretation of various policy provisions.
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On December 30, 2008, a New York appellate court entered a unanimous decision in favor of CNA on multiple alternative grounds including findings that claims arising out of Keasbey’s asbestos insulating activities are included within the products hazard/completed operations coverage, which has been exhausted; and that the defendant claimant class is subject to the affirmative defenses that CNA may have had against Keasbey, barring all coverage claims. The claimants have sought further appellate review of the decision. The New York appellate court denied leave to appeal to the Court of Appeals. The Claimants have sought leave to appeal directly from the Court of Appeals and the decision whether to accept appeal is pending. Accordingly, the extent of losses beyond any amounts that may be accrued are not readily determinable at this time.
CNA has insurance coverage disputes related to asbestos bodily injury claims against a bankrupt insured, Burns & Roe Enterprises, Inc. (Burns & Roe). These disputes are currently part of coverage litigation (stayed in view of the bankruptcy) and an adversary proceeding inIn re: Burns & Roe Enterprises, Inc., pending in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey, No. 00-41610. Burns & Roe provided engineering and related services in connection with construction projects. At the time of its bankruptcy filing, on December 4, 2000, Burns & Roe asserted that it faced approximately 11,000 claims alleging bodily injury resulting from exposure to asbestos as a result of construction projects in which Burns & Roe was involved. CNA allegedly provided primary liability coverage to Burns & Roe from 1956-1969 and 1971-1974, along with certain project-specific policies from 1964-1970. In September of 2007, CNA entered into an agreement with Burns & Roe, the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors appointed by the Bankruptcy Court and the Future Claims Representative (the “Addendum”), which provides that claims allegedly covered by CNA policies will be adjudicated in the tort system, with any coverage disputes related to those claims to be decided in coverage litigation. With the approval of the Bankruptcy Court, Burns & Roe included the Addendum as part of its Fourth Amended Plan (the “Plan”), which was confirmed on February 23, 2009. On June 15, 2009, the confirmation order became final and may not be appealed. Numerous factual, legal and coverage issues remain to be resolved that are critical to the final result, the outcome of which cannot be predicted with any reliability. These factors include, among others: (a) whether the Company has any further responsibility to compensate claimants against Burns & Roe under its policies and, if so, under which; (b) whether the Company’s responsibilities under its policies extend to a particular claimant’s entire claim or only to a limited percentage of the claim; (c) whether the Company’s responsibilities under its policies are limited by the occurrence limits or other provisions of the policies; (d) whether certain exclusions, including professional liability exclusions, in some of the Company’s policies apply to exclude certain claims; (e) the extent to which claimants can establish exposure to asbestos materials as to which Burns & Roe has any responsibility; (f) the legal theories which must be pursued by such claimants to establish the liability of Burns & Roe and whether such theories can, in fact, be established; (g) the diseases and damages alleged by such claimants; (h) the extent that any liability of Burns & Roe would be shared with other potentially responsible parties; and (i) the impact of bankruptcy proceedings on claims and coverage issue resolution. Accordingly, the extent of losses beyond any amounts that may be accrued are not readily determinable at this time.
Suits have also been initiated directly against the CNA companies and numerous other insurers in two jurisdictions: Texas and Montana. Approximately 80 lawsuits were filed in Texas beginning in 2002, against two CNA companies and numerous other insurers and non-insurer corporate defendants asserting liability for failing to warn of the dangers of asbestos (e.g.Boson v. Union Carbide Corp., (Nueces County, Texas)). During 2003, several of the Texas suits were dismissed and while certain of the Texas courts’ rulings were appealed, plaintiffs later dismissed their appeals. A different Texas court, however, denied similar motions seeking dismissal. After that court denied a related challenge to jurisdiction, the insurers transferred the case, among others, to a state multi-district litigation court in Harris County charged with handling asbestos cases. In February 2006, the insurers petitioned the appellate court in Houston for an order of mandamus, requiring the multi-district litigation court to dismiss the case on jurisdictional and substantive grounds. On February 29, 2008, the appellate court denied the insurers’ mandamus petition on procedural grounds, but did not reach a decision on the merits of the petition. Instead, the appellate court allowed to stand the multi-district litigation court’s determination that the case remained on its inactive docket and that no further action can be taken unless qualifying reports are filed or the filing of such reports is waived. With respect to the cases that are still pending in Texas, in June 2008, plaintiffs in the only active case dropped the remaining CNA company from that suit, leaving only inactive cases against CNA companies. In those inactive cases, numerous factual and legal issues remain to be resolved that are critical to the final result, the outcome of which cannot be predicted with any reliability. These factors include: (a) the speculative nature and unclear scope of any alleged duties
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owed to individuals exposed to asbestos and the resulting uncertainty as to the potential pool of potential claimants; (b) the fact that imposing such duties on all insurer and non-insurer corporate defendants would be unprecedented and, therefore, the legal boundaries of recovery are difficult to estimate; (c) the fact that many of the claims brought to date are barred by the Statute of Limitations and it is unclear whether future claims would also be barred; (d) the unclear nature of the required nexus between the acts of the defendants and the right of any particular claimant to recovery; and (e) the existence of hundreds of co-defendants in some of the suits and the applicability of the legal theories pled by the claimants to thousands of potential defendants. Accordingly, the extent of losses beyond any amounts that may be accrued is not readily determinable at this time.
On March 22, 2002, a direct action was filed in Montana (Pennock, et al. v. Maryland Casualty, et al. First Judicial District Court of Lewis & Clark County, Montana) by eight individual plaintiffs (all employees of W.R. Grace & Co. (W.R. Grace)) and their spouses against CNA, Maryland Casualty and the State of Montana. This action alleges that the carriers failed to warn of or otherwise protect W.R. Grace employees from the dangers of asbestos at a W.R. Grace vermiculite mining facility in Libby, Montana. The Montana direct action is currently stayed because of W.R. Grace’s pending bankruptcy. On April 7, 2008, W.R. Grace announced a settlement in principle with the asbestos personal injury claimants committee subject to confirmation of a plan of reorganization by the bankruptcy court. The confirmation hearing is held in two phases. The first was held in June 2009 and the second phase begins in September 2009. The settlement in principle with the asbestos claimants has no present impact on the stay currently imposed on the Montana direct action and with respect to such claims, numerous factual and legal issues remain to be resolved that are critical to the final result, the outcome of which cannot be predicted with any reliability. These factors include: (a) the unclear nature and scope of any alleged duties owed to people exposed to asbestos and the resulting uncertainty as to the potential pool of potential claimants; (b) the potential application of Statutes of Limitation to many of the claims which may be made depending on the nature and scope of the alleged duties; (c) the unclear nature of the required nexus between the acts of the defendants and the right of any particular claimant to recovery; (d) the diseases and damages claimed by such claimants; (e) the extent that such liability would be shared with other potentially responsible parties; and (f) the impact of bankruptcy proceedings on claims resolution. Accordingly, the extent of losses beyond any amounts that may be accrued are not readily determinable at this time.
CNA is vigorously defending these and other cases and believes that it has meritorious defenses to the claims asserted. However, there are numerous factual and legal issues to be resolved in connection with these claims, and it is extremely difficult to predict the outcome or ultimate financial exposure represented by these matters. Adverse developments with respect to any of these matters could have a material adverse effect on CNA’s business, insurer financial strength and debt ratings, results of operations and/or equity.
Environmental Pollution
There was no environmental pollution net claim and claim adjustment expense reserve development recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2009. The Company recorded $2 million of unfavorable environmental pollution net claim and claim adjustment expense reserve development for the six months ended June 30, 2008. The Company paid environmental pollution-related claims, net of reinsurance recoveries, of $22 million and $36 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008.
Net Prior Year Development
The net prior year development presented below includes premium development due to its direct relationship to claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development. The net prior year development presented below includes the impact of commutations, but excludes the impact of increases or decreases in the allowance for uncollectible reinsurance.
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Three Month Comparison
Net Prior Year Development
Three months ended June 30, 2009
Three months ended June 30, 2009
Corporate & | ||||||||||||||||
Standard | Specialty | Other Non- | ||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Lines | Lines | Core | Total | ||||||||||||
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development: | ||||||||||||||||
Core (Non-A&E) | $ | (80 | ) | $ | (40 | ) | $ | 4 | $ | (116 | ) | |||||
A&E | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development before impact of premium development | (80 | ) | (40 | ) | 4 | (116 | ) | |||||||||
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable premium development | 59 | (1 | ) | (2 | ) | 56 | ||||||||||
Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development | $ | (21 | ) | $ | (41 | ) | $ | 2 | $ | (60 | ) | |||||
Net Prior Year Development
Three months ended June 30, 2008
Three months ended June 30, 2008
Corporate & | ||||||||||||||||
Standard | Specialty | Other Non- | ||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Lines | Lines | Core | Total | ||||||||||||
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development: | ||||||||||||||||
Core (Non-A&E) | $ | (15 | ) | $ | 1 | $ | 5 | $ | (9 | ) | ||||||
A&E | — | — | 6 | 6 | ||||||||||||
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development before impact of premium development | (15 | ) | 1 | 11 | (3 | ) | ||||||||||
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable premium development | (8 | ) | 1 | 1 | (6 | ) | ||||||||||
Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development | $ | (23 | ) | $ | 2 | $ | 12 | $ | (9 | ) | ||||||
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2009 Net Prior Year Development
Standard Lines
Favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was primarily due to experience in property coverages. Prior year catastrophe reserves decreased approximately $33 million, driven by the favorable settlement of several claims primarily in accident years 2005 and 2007. An additional $17 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was due to non-catastrophe related favorable loss emergence on large property coverages, primarily in accident years 2007 and 2008.
Approximately $25 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was due to decreased frequency and severity trends related to construction defect exposures in accident years 2003 and prior.
Approximately $40 million of adverse premium development was related to changes in estimated ultimate premium on retrospectively rated coverages. Additional adverse premium development was due to an estimated liability for an assessment related to a reinsurance association and less premium processing on auditable policies than expected.
Specialty Lines
Favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development of approximately $25 million for medical professional liability was primarily due to better than expected frequency and severity in accident years 2005 and prior, including individual claims closing favorable to expectations.
Approximately $8 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was recorded for professional liability coverages due primarily to favorable experience on a number of large claims, primarily related to financial institutions in accident years 2003 and prior.
2008 Net Prior Year Development
Standard Lines
Approximately $29 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was recorded due to favorable outcomes on claims relating to catastrophes, primarily in accident year 2005.
Approximately $8 million of favorable premium development was recorded across several coverages and accident years due to additional premium processing on auditable policies and changes to ultimate premium estimates. This favorable development was partially offset by additional unfavorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development.
Corporate & Other Non-Core
The unfavorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was primarily related to commutation activity, a portion of which was offset by a release of a previously established allowance for uncollectible reinsurance.
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Six Month Comparison
Net Prior Year Development
Six months ended June 30, 2009
Six months ended June 30, 2009
Corporate & | ||||||||||||||||
Standard | Specialty | Other Non- | ||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Lines | Lines | Core | Total | ||||||||||||
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development: | ||||||||||||||||
Core (Non-A&E) | $ | (110 | ) | $ | (81 | ) | $ | 5 | $ | (186 | ) | |||||
A&E | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development before impact of premium development | (110 | ) | (81 | ) | 5 | (186 | ) | |||||||||
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable premium development | 76 | (3 | ) | (3 | ) | 70 | ||||||||||
Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development | $ | (34 | ) | $ | (84 | ) | $ | 2 | $ | (116 | ) | |||||
Net Prior Year Development
Six months ended June 30, 2008
Six months ended June 30, 2008
Corporate & | ||||||||||||||||
Standard | Specialty | Other Non- | ||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Lines | Lines | Core | Total | ||||||||||||
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development: | ||||||||||||||||
Core (Non-A&E) | $ | (50 | ) | $ | 18 | $ | 8 | $ | (24 | ) | ||||||
A&E | — | — | 8 | 8 | ||||||||||||
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development before impact of premium development | (50 | ) | 18 | 16 | (16 | ) | ||||||||||
Pretax (favorable) unfavorable premium development | 1 | (18 | ) | — | (17 | ) | ||||||||||
Total pretax (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development | $ | (49 | ) | $ | — | $ | 16 | $ | (33 | ) | ||||||
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2009 Net Prior Year Development
Standard Lines
Favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was primarily due to experience in property coverages. Prior year catastrophe reserves decreased approximately $64 million, driven by the favorable settlement of several claims primarily in accident years 2005 and 2007, and favorable frequency and severity on claims relating to catastrophes in accident year 2008. An additional $17 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was due to non-catastrophe related favorable loss emergence on large property coverages, primarily in accident years 2007 and 2008.
Approximately $25 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was due to decreased frequency and severity trends related to construction defect exposures in accident years 2003 and prior.
Approximately $40 million of adverse premium development was related to changes in estimated ultimate premium on retrospectively rated coverages. Additional adverse premium development was due to an estimated liability for an assessment related to a reinsurance association and less premium processing on auditable policies than expected.
Specialty Lines
Favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development of approximately $25 million for medical professional liability was primarily due to better than expected frequency and severity in accident years 2005 and prior, including claims closing favorable to expectations.
Approximately $28 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was recorded for professional liability coverages due primarily to favorable experience on a number of large claims related to financial institutions in accident years 2003 and prior and decreased frequency of large claims in accident years 2007 and prior.
An additional $4 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was a result of favorable outcomes on claims relating to catastrophes in accident year 2005.
2008 Net Prior Year Development
Standard Lines
Approximately $49 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was recorded in property coverages. This favorable development was due to lower than expected frequency in accident year 2007 and favorable outcomes on several individual claims in accident years 2006 and prior, including approximately $29 million related to catastrophes, primarily in accident year 2005.
Approximately $23 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was recorded in general liability due to favorable outcomes on individual claims causing lower severity in accident years 2003 and prior.
Approximately $24 million of unfavorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development was recorded in excess workers’ compensation due to higher than expected frequency and severity in accident years 2003 and prior. This is a result of continued claim cost inflation in older accident years, driven by increasing medical inflation and advances in medical care.
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Specialty Lines
Approximately $10 million of favorable premium development was recorded due to a change in estimated ultimate premiums within a foreign affiliate’s property and financial lines. This was offset by approximately $9 million of related unfavorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development.
Corporate & Other Non-Core
The net prior year development recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2008 relates to the same reasons included in the three month discussion.
Note H.Legal Proceedings and Contingent Liabilities
Insurance Brokerage Antitrust Litigation
On August 1, 2005, CNAF and several of its insurance subsidiaries were joined as defendants, along with other insurers and brokers, in multidistrict litigation pending in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey,In re Insurance Brokerage Antitrust Litigation, Civil No. 04-5184 (FSH). The plaintiffs allege bid rigging and improprieties in the payment of contingent commissions in connection with the sale of insurance that violated federal and state antitrust laws, the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and state common law. After discovery, the District Court dismissed the federal antitrust claims and the RICO claims, and declined to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over the state law claims. The plaintiffs have appealed the dismissal of their complaint to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. The parties have filed their briefs on the appeal. Oral argument was held on April 21, 2009, and the Court took the matter under advisement. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to this action and intends to defend the case vigorously.
The extent of losses beyond any amounts that may be accrued are not readily determinable at this time. However, based on facts and circumstances presently known, in the opinion of management, an unfavorable outcome will not materially affect the equity of the Company, although results of operations may be adversely affected.
Global Crossing Limited Litigation
CCC was named as a defendant in an action brought by the bankruptcy estate of Global Crossing Limited (Global Crossing) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York,Global Crossing Estate Representative, for itself and as the Liquidating Trustee of the Global Crossing Liquidating Trust v. Gary Winnick,et al., Case No. 04 Civ. 2558 (GEL). In the complaint, plaintiff sought damages from CCC and the other defendants for alleged fraudulent transfers and alleged breaches of fiduciary duties arising from actions taken by Global Crossing while CCC was a shareholder of Global Crossing. The parties entered into a settlement agreement during the first quarter of 2009 providing for a payment by CCC of an amount that approximated the amount accrued at March 31, 2009. In the second quarter of 2009, the Court entered an order dismissing with prejudice all claims against CCC. As a result, this matter has been fully and finally resolved.
California Long Term Care Litigation
Shaffer v. Continental Casualty Company, et al., U.S. District Court, Central District of California, CV06-2235 RGK, is a class action on behalf of certain California individual long term health care policyholders, alleging that CCC and CNAF knowingly or negligently used unrealistic actuarial assumptions in pricing these policies. On January 8, 2008, CCC, CNAF and the plaintiffs entered into a binding agreement settling the case on a nationwide basis for the policy forms potentially affected by the allegations of the complaint. Following a fairness hearing, the Court entered an order approving the settlement. This order was appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The appeal has been fully briefed. No oral argument has yet been scheduled. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to this appeal and intends to
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defend the appeal vigorously. The agreement did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, however it still remains subject to the favorable resolution of the appeal.
Asbestos and Environmental Pollution (A&E) Reserves
The Company is also a party to litigation and claims related to A&E cases arising in the ordinary course of business. See Note G for further discussion.
Other Litigation
The Company is also a party to other litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. Based on the facts and circumstances currently known, such other litigation will not, in the opinion of management, materially affect the equity or results of operations of the Company.
Note I. Benefit Plans
The components of net periodic benefit plan cost (benefit) are presented in the following table.
Net Periodic Cost (Benefit)
Three Months | Six Months | |||||||||||||||
Periods ended June 30 | 2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||||||||||
Pension cost (benefit) | ||||||||||||||||
Service cost | $ | 3 | $ | 4 | $ | 8 | $ | 10 | ||||||||
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation | 39 | 37 | 77 | 73 | ||||||||||||
Expected return on plan assets | (36 | ) | (44 | ) | (72 | ) | (89 | ) | ||||||||
Actuarial loss | 6 | 1 | 12 | 2 | ||||||||||||
Net periodic pension cost (benefit) | $ | 12 | $ | (2 | ) | $ | 25 | $ | (4 | ) | ||||||
Postretirement benefit | ||||||||||||||||
Service cost | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1 | $ | 1 | ||||||||
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||||
Prior service cost amortization | (4 | ) | (4 | ) | (8 | ) | (8 | ) | ||||||||
Actuarial loss | — | 1 | — | 1 | ||||||||||||
Net periodic postretirement benefit | $ | (2 | ) | $ | (1 | ) | $ | (3 | ) | $ | (2 | ) | ||||
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Note J. Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees
Commitments and Contingencies
The Company holds an investment in a real estate joint venture. In the normal course of business, CNA, on a joint and several basis with other unrelated insurance company shareholders, has committed to continue funding the operating deficits of this joint venture. Additionally, CNA and the other unrelated shareholders, on a joint and several basis, have guaranteed an operating lease for an office building, which expires in 2016. The guarantee of the operating lease is a parallel guarantee to the commitment to fund operating deficits; consequently, the separate guarantee to the lessor is not expected to be triggered as long as the joint venture continues to be funded by its shareholders and continues to make its annual lease payments.
In the event that the other parties to the joint venture are unable to meet their commitments in funding the operations of this joint venture, the Company would be required to assume the obligation for the entire office building operating lease. The Company does not believe it is likely that it will be required to do so. However, the maximum potential future lease payments at June 30, 2009 that the Company could be required to pay under this guarantee are approximately $141 million. If CNA were required to assume the entire lease obligation, the Company would have the right to pursue reimbursement from the other shareholders and the right to all sublease revenues.
In the normal course of business, CNA has provided letters of credit in favor of various unaffiliated insurance companies, regulatory authorities and other entities. At June 30, 2009, there were approximately $5 million of outstanding letters of credit.
The Company has entered into a limited number of guaranteed payment contracts, primarily relating to software and telecommunication services, amounting to approximately $16 million at June 30, 2009. Estimated future minimum payments under these contracts are $10 million in 2009, $3 million in 2010 and $3 million in 2011.
Guarantees
In the course of selling business entities and assets to third parties, the Company has agreed to indemnify purchasers for losses arising out of breaches of representation and warranties with respect to the business entities or assets being sold, including, in certain cases, losses arising from undisclosed liabilities or certain named litigation. Such indemnification provisions generally survive for periods ranging from nine months following the applicable closing date to the expiration of the relevant statutes of limitation. As of June 30, 2009, the aggregate amount of quantifiable indemnification agreements in effect for sales of business entities, assets and third party loans was $873 million.
In addition, the Company has agreed to provide indemnification to third party purchasers for certain losses associated with sold business entities or assets that are not limited by a contractual monetary amount. As of June 30, 2009, the Company had outstanding unlimited indemnifications in connection with the sales of certain of its business entities or assets that included tax liabilities arising prior to a purchaser’s ownership of an entity or asset, defects in title at the time of sale, employee claims arising prior to closing and in some cases losses arising from certain litigation and undisclosed liabilities. These indemnification agreements survive until the applicable statutes of limitation expire, or until the agreed upon contract terms expire.
As of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company has recorded liabilities of approximately $16 million and $22 million related to indemnification agreements and management believes that it is not likely that any future indemnity claims will be significantly greater than the amounts recorded.
CNAF has also guaranteed certain collateral obligations of a large national contractor’s letters of credit. As of June 30, 2009, these guarantees aggregated $4 million. Payment under these guarantees is reasonably possible based on various factors, including the underlying credit worthiness of the contractor.
In connection with the issuance of preferred securities by CNA Surety Capital Trust I (Issuer Trust), CNA Surety has also guaranteed the dividend payments and redemption of the preferred securities issued by the Issuer Trust. The maximum amount of undiscounted future payments the Company could make under the
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guarantee is approximately $63 million, consisting of annual dividend payments of approximately $1.3 million through April 2034 and the redemption value of $30 million. Because payment under the guarantee would only be required if the Company does not fulfill its obligations under the debentures held by the Issuer Trust, the Company has not recorded any additional liabilities related to this guarantee. There has been no change in the underlying assets of the trust and the Company does not believe that a payment is likely under this guarantee.
Note K. Business Segments
CNA’s core property and casualty commercial insurance operations are reported in two business segments: Standard Lines and Specialty Lines. CNA’s non-core operations are managed in two segments: Life & Group Non-Core and Corporate & Other Non-Core.
The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note A of the Consolidated Financial Statements within CNA’s Form 10-K. The Company manages most of its assets on a legal entity basis, while segment operations are conducted across legal entities. As such, only insurance and reinsurance receivables, insurance reserves and deferred acquisition costs are readily identifiable by individual segment. Distinct investment portfolios are not maintained for each segment; accordingly, allocation of assets to each segment is not performed. Therefore, net investment income and realized investment gains or losses are allocated primarily based on each segment’s net carried insurance reserves, as adjusted. All significant intrasegment income and expense has been eliminated. Income taxes have been allocated on the basis of the taxable income of the segments.
In the following tables, certain financial measures are presented to provide information used by management to monitor the Company’s operating performance. Management utilizes these financial measures to monitor the Company’s insurance operations and investment portfolio. Net operating income, which is derived from certain income statement amounts, is used by management to monitor performance of the Company’s insurance operations. The Company’s investment portfolio is monitored through analysis of various quantitative and qualitative factors and certain decisions related to the sale or impairment of investments that produce realized gains and losses.
Net operating income (loss) is calculated by excluding from net income (loss) attributable to CNAF the after-tax effects of 1) net realized investment gains or losses, 2) income or loss from discontinued operations and 3) any cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles. In the calculation of net operating income, management excludes net realized investment gains or losses because net realized investment gains or losses related to the Company’s investment portfolio are largely discretionary, except for losses related to other-than-temporary impairments, are generally driven by economic factors that are not necessarily consistent with key drivers of underwriting performance, and are therefore not an indication of trends in insurance operations.
The Company’s investment portfolio is monitored by management through analyses of various factors including unrealized gains and losses on securities, portfolio duration and exposure to interest rate, market and credit risk. Based on such analyses, the Company may impair an investment security in accordance with its policy, or sell a security. Such activities will produce realized gains and losses.
The significant components of the Company’s continuing operations and selected balance sheet items are presented in the following tables.
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Three months ended | Corporate | |||||||||||||||||||||||
June 30, 2009 | Standard | Specialty | Life & Group | & Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Lines | Lines | Non-Core | Non-Core | Eliminations | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net earned premiums | $ | 671 | $ | 834 | $ | 148 | $ | 4 | $ | (1 | ) | $ | 1,656 | |||||||||||
Net investment income | 252 | 188 | 168 | 67 | — | 675 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other revenues | 16 | 48 | (1 | ) | (1 | ) | — | 62 | ||||||||||||||||
Total operating revenues | 939 | 1,070 | 315 | 70 | (1 | ) | 2,393 | |||||||||||||||||
Claims, benefits and expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net incurred claims and benefits | 478 | 522 | 269 | 23 | — | 1,292 | ||||||||||||||||||
Policyholders’ dividends | (1 | ) | 3 | — | — | — | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs | 163 | 182 | 4 | — | — | 349 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other insurance related expenses | 68 | 63 | 47 | 1 | (1 | ) | 178 | |||||||||||||||||
Other expenses | 22 | 40 | 51 | 30 | — | 143 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total claims, benefits and expenses | 730 | 810 | 371 | 54 | (1 | ) | 1,964 | |||||||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax | 209 | 260 | (56 | ) | 16 | — | 429 | |||||||||||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss) | (64 | ) | (73 | ) | 30 | (3 | ) | — | (110 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Net operating income attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | (14 | ) | — | — | — | (14 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Net operating income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to CNAF | 145 | 173 | (26 | ) | 13 | — | 305 | |||||||||||||||||
Net realized investment gains (losses), net of participating policyholders’ interests | (170 | ) | (96 | ) | 13 | (44 | ) | — | (297 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit on net realized investment gains (losses) | 60 | 28 | (4 | ) | 14 | — | 98 | |||||||||||||||||
Net realized investment (gains) losses, after-tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Net realized investment gains (losses) attributable to CNAF | (110 | ) | (68 | ) | 9 | (30 | ) | — | (199 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to CNAF | $ | 35 | $ | 105 | $ | (17 | ) | $ | (17 | ) | $ | — | $ | 106 | ||||||||||
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Three months ended | Corporate | |||||||||||||||||||||||
June 30, 2008 | Standard | Specialty | Life & Group | & Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Lines | Lines | Non-Core | Non-Core | Eliminations | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net earned premiums | $ | 768 | $ | 859 | $ | 149 | $ | (1 | ) | $ | (1 | ) | $ | 1,774 | ||||||||||
Net investment income | 199 | 155 | 157 | 65 | — | 576 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other revenues | 15 | 54 | 8 | 5 | — | 82 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total operating revenues | 982 | 1,068 | 314 | 69 | (1 | ) | 2,432 | |||||||||||||||||
Claims, benefits and expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net incurred claims and benefits | 566 | 559 | 316 | 26 | — | 1,467 | ||||||||||||||||||
Policyholders’ dividends | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs | 175 | 184 | 2 | (1 | ) | — | 360 | |||||||||||||||||
Other insurance related expenses | 48 | 53 | 51 | (2 | ) | (1 | ) | 149 | ||||||||||||||||
Other expenses | 12 | 41 | 5 | 29 | — | 87 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total claims, benefits and expenses | 804 | 838 | 375 | 52 | (1 | ) | 2,068 | |||||||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax | 178 | 230 | (61 | ) | 17 | — | 364 | |||||||||||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss) | (54 | ) | (74 | ) | 31 | (5 | ) | — | (102 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Net operating income attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | (11 | ) | — | (1 | ) | — | (12 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net operating income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to CNAF | 124 | 145 | (30 | ) | 11 | — | 250 | |||||||||||||||||
Net realized investment losses, net of participating policyholders’ interests | (60 | ) | (29 | ) | (6 | ) | (16 | ) | — | (111 | ) | |||||||||||||
Income tax benefit on net realized investment losses | 21 | 10 | 2 | 7 | — | 40 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net realized investment (gains) losses, after-tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Net realized investment losses attributable to CNAF | (39 | ) | (19 | ) | (4 | ) | (9 | ) | — | (71 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to CNAF | $ | 85 | $ | 126 | $ | (34 | ) | $ | 2 | $ | — | $ | 179 | |||||||||||
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Six months ended | Corporate | |||||||||||||||||||||||
June 30, 2009 | Standard | Specialty | Life & Group | & Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Lines | Lines | Non-Core | Non-Core | Eliminations | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net earned premiums | $ | 1,381 | $ | 1,646 | $ | 298 | $ | 5 | $ | (2 | ) | $ | 3,328 | |||||||||||
Net investment income | 372 | 296 | 327 | 100 | — | 1,095 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other revenues | 29 | 105 | 5 | 1 | — | 140 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total operating revenues | 1,782 | 2,047 | 630 | 106 | (2 | ) | 4,563 | |||||||||||||||||
Claims, benefits and expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net incurred claims and benefits | 988 | 1,021 | 574 | 44 | — | 2,627 | ||||||||||||||||||
Policyholders’ dividends | 2 | 6 | 1 | — | — | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs | 329 | 359 | 10 | — | — | 698 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other insurance related expenses | 144 | 122 | 93 | 2 | (2 | ) | 359 | |||||||||||||||||
Other expenses | 31 | 96 | 57 | 60 | — | 244 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total claims, benefits and expenses | 1,494 | 1,604 | 735 | 106 | (2 | ) | 3,937 | |||||||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax | 288 | 443 | (105 | ) | — | — | 626 | |||||||||||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss) | (82 | ) | (126 | ) | 57 | 4 | — | (147 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net operating income attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | (25 | ) | — | — | — | (25 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Net operating income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to CNAF | 206 | 292 | (48 | ) | 4 | — | 454 | |||||||||||||||||
Net realized investment losses, net of participating policyholders’ interests | (349 | ) | (212 | ) | (177 | ) | (91 | ) | — | (829 | ) | |||||||||||||
Income tax benefit on net realized investment losses | 122 | 69 | 62 | 32 | — | 285 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net realized investment (gains) losses, after-tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net realized investment losses attributable to CNAF | (227 | ) | (142 | ) | (115 | ) | (59 | ) | — | (543 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to CNAF | $ | (21 | ) | $ | 150 | $ | (163 | ) | $ | (55 | ) | $ | — | $ | (89 | ) | ||||||||
June 30, 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reinsurance receivables | $ | 2,123 | $ | 1,417 | $ | 1,830 | $ | 1,967 | $ | — | $ | 7,337 | ||||||||||||
Insurance receivables | $ | 1,258 | $ | 796 | $ | 9 | $ | (3 | ) | $ | — | $ | 2,060 | |||||||||||
Deferred acquisition costs | $ | 307 | $ | 376 | $ | 462 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,145 | ||||||||||||
Insurance reserves: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Claim and claim adjustment expenses | $ | 11,705 | $ | 8,462 | $ | 2,862 | $ | 4,071 | $ | — | $ | 27,100 | ||||||||||||
Unearned premiums | 1,481 | 1,872 | 154 | 3 | (2 | ) | 3,508 | |||||||||||||||||
Future policy benefits | — | — | 7,746 | — | — | 7,746 | ||||||||||||||||||
Policyholders’ funds | 10 | 13 | 194 | — | — | 217 |
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Six months ended | Corporate | |||||||||||||||||||||||
June 30, 2008 | Standard | Specialty | Life & Group | & Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | Lines | Lines | Non-Core | Non-Core | Eliminations | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net earned premiums | $ | 1,551 | $ | 1,732 | $ | 306 | $ | — | $ | (2 | ) | $ | 3,587 | |||||||||||
Net investment income | 363 | 287 | 241 | 119 | — | 1,010 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other revenues | 29 | 107 | 21 | 11 | — | 168 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total operating revenues | 1,943 | 2,126 | 568 | 130 | (2 | ) | 4,765 | |||||||||||||||||
Claims, benefits and expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net incurred claims and benefits | 1,143 | 1,125 | 528 | 47 | — | 2,843 | ||||||||||||||||||
Policyholders’ dividends | 7 | 8 | 3 | — | — | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs | 354 | 368 | 6 | — | — | 728 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other insurance related expenses | 106 | 103 | 101 | 2 | (2 | ) | 310 | |||||||||||||||||
Other expenses | 24 | 92 | 10 | 61 | — | 187 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total claims, benefits and expenses | 1,634 | 1,696 | 648 | 110 | (2 | ) | 4,086 | |||||||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax | 309 | 430 | (80 | ) | 20 | — | 679 | |||||||||||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit on operating income (loss) | (90 | ) | (138 | ) | 47 | (3 | ) | — | (184 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Net operating income attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | (23 | ) | — | (1 | ) | — | (24 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net operating income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to CNAF | 219 | 269 | (33 | ) | 16 | — | 471 | |||||||||||||||||
Net realized investment losses, net of participating policyholders’ interests | (76 | ) | (38 | ) | (23 | ) | (25 | ) | — | (162 | ) | |||||||||||||
Income tax benefit on net realized investment losses | 26 | 14 | 8 | 10 | — | 58 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net realized investment (gains) losses, after-tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Net realized investment losses attributable to CNAF | (50 | ) | (24 | ) | (15 | ) | (15 | ) | — | (104 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to CNAF | $ | 169 | $ | 245 | $ | (48 | ) | $ | 1 | $ | — | $ | 367 | |||||||||||
December 31, 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reinsurance receivables | $ | 2,266 | $ | 1,496 | $ | 1,907 | $ | 2,092 | $ | — | $ | 7,761 | ||||||||||||
Insurance receivables | $ | 1,264 | $ | 765 | $ | 6 | $ | 4 | $ | — | $ | 2,039 | ||||||||||||
Deferred acquisition costs | $ | 293 | $ | 360 | $ | 472 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,125 | ||||||||||||
Insurance reserves: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Claim and claim adjustment expenses | $ | 12,048 | $ | 8,282 | $ | 2,862 | $ | 4,401 | $ | — | $ | 27,593 | ||||||||||||
Unearned premiums | 1,401 | 1,848 | 152 | 5 | — | 3,406 | ||||||||||||||||||
Future policy benefits | — | — | 7,529 | — | — | 7,529 | ||||||||||||||||||
Policyholders’ funds | 14 | 10 | 219 | — | — | 243 |
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The following table provides revenue by line of business for each reportable segment. Revenues are comprised of operating revenues and net realized investment gains and losses, net of participating policyholders’ interests.
Revenue by Line of Business
Periods ended June 30 | Three Months | Six Months | ||||||||||||||
(In millions) | 2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||||||||
Standard Lines | ||||||||||||||||
Business Insurance | $ | 113 | $ | 155 | $ | 243 | $ | 310 | ||||||||
Commercial Insurance | 656 | 767 | 1,190 | 1,557 | ||||||||||||
Standard Lines revenue | 769 | 922 | 1,433 | 1,867 | ||||||||||||
Specialty Lines | ||||||||||||||||
U.S. Specialty Lines | 602 | 640 | 1,119 | 1,287 | ||||||||||||
Surety | 119 | 120 | 232 | 235 | ||||||||||||
Warranty | 69 | 75 | 121 | 148 | ||||||||||||
CNA Global | 184 | 204 | 363 | 418 | ||||||||||||
Specialty Lines revenue | 974 | 1,039 | 1,835 | 2,088 | ||||||||||||
Life & Group Non-Core | ||||||||||||||||
Life & Annuity | 63 | 54 | 87 | 33 | ||||||||||||
Health | 266 | 242 | 363 | 480 | ||||||||||||
Other | (1 | ) | 12 | 3 | 32 | |||||||||||
Life & Group Non-Core revenue | 328 | 308 | 453 | 545 | ||||||||||||
Corporate & Other Non-Core | ||||||||||||||||
CNA Re | 9 | 15 | 9 | 32 | ||||||||||||
Other | 17 | 38 | 6 | 73 | ||||||||||||
Corporate & Other Non-Core revenue | 26 | 53 | 15 | 105 | ||||||||||||
Eliminations | (1 | ) | (1 | ) | (2 | ) | (2 | ) | ||||||||
Total revenue | $ | 2,096 | $ | 2,321 | $ | 3,734 | $ | 4,603 | ||||||||
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Note L.Discontinued Operations
CNA has discontinued operations, which consist of run-off insurance and reinsurance operations acquired in its merger with The Continental Corporation in 1995. The remaining run-off business is administered by Continental Reinsurance Corporation International, Ltd., a wholly-owned Bermuda subsidiary. The business consists of facultative property and casualty, treaty excess casualty and treaty pro-rata reinsurance with underlying exposure to a diverse, multi-line domestic and international book of business encompassing property, casualty and marine liabilities.
Results of the discontinued operations were as follows.
Discontinued Operations
Periods ended June 30 | Three Months | Six Months | ||||||||||||||
(In millions) | 2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 2 | $ | 2 | $ | 3 | $ | 4 | ||||||||
Net realized investment gains and other | — | 1 | — | 2 | ||||||||||||
Total revenues | 2 | 3 | 3 | 6 | ||||||||||||
Insurance related expenses | 3 | 1 | 4 | 5 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) before income taxes | (1 | ) | 2 | (1 | ) | 1 | ||||||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax | $ | (1 | ) | $ | 2 | $ | (1 | ) | $ | 1 | ||||||
Net liabilities of discontinued operations, included in Other liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, were as follows.
Discontinued Operations
(In millions) | June 30, 2009 | December 31, 2008 | ||||||
Assets: | ||||||||
Investments | $ | 144 | $ | 157 | ||||
Reinsurance receivables | 5 | 6 | ||||||
Cash | — | — | ||||||
Other assets | 1 | 1 | ||||||
Total assets | 150 | 164 | ||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||
Insurance reserves | 154 | 162 | ||||||
Other liabilities | 4 | 8 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 158 | 170 | ||||||
Net liabilities of discontinued operations | $ | (8 | ) | $ | (6 | ) | ||
CNA’s accounting and reporting for discontinued operations is in accordance with APB Opinion No. 30,Reporting the Results of Operations — Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of a Business, andExtraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Events and Transactions. At June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the insurance reserves are net of discount of $61 million and $75 million. The net income (loss) from discontinued operations reported above primarily represents the net investment income, realized investment gains and losses, foreign currency transaction gains and losses, effects of the accretion of the loss reserve discount and re-estimation of the ultimate claim and claim adjustment expense of the discontinued operations.
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CNA Financial Corporation
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
The following discussion highlights significant factors impacting the consolidated operations and financial condition of CNA Financial Corporation (CNAF) and its subsidiaries (collectively CNA or the Company). References to “CNA,” “the Company,” “we,” “our,” “us” or like terms refer to the business of CNA and its subsidiaries. Based on 2007 statutory net written premiums, we are the seventh largest commercial insurance writer and the thirteenth largest property and casualty insurance organization in the United States of America. References to net operating income (loss), net realized investment gains (losses) and net income (loss) used in this MD&A reflect amounts attributable to CNAF, unless otherwise noted.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10-Q and Item 1A Risk Factors and Item 7 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, which are included in our Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the year ended December 31, 2008.
Changes in estimates of claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserves and premium accruals, net of reinsurance, for prior years are defined as net prior year development within this MD&A. These changes can be favorable or unfavorable. Net prior year development does not include the impact of related acquisition expenses. Further information on our reserves is provided in Note G of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 1.
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CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS
Results of Operations
The following table includes our consolidated results of operations. For more detailed components of our business operations and the net operating income financial measure, see the segment discussions within this MD&A.
Periods ended June 30 | Three Months | Six Months | ||||||||||||||
(In millions, except per share data) | 2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||||||||
Revenues | ||||||||||||||||
Net earned premiums | $ | 1,656 | $ | 1,774 | $ | 3,328 | $ | 3,587 | ||||||||
Net investment income | 675 | 576 | 1,095 | 1,010 | ||||||||||||
Other revenues | 62 | 82 | 140 | 168 | ||||||||||||
Total operating revenues | 2,393 | 2,432 | 4,563 | 4,765 | ||||||||||||
Claims, benefits and expenses | ||||||||||||||||
Net incurred claims and benefits | 1,292 | 1,467 | 2,627 | 2,843 | ||||||||||||
Policyholders’ dividends | 2 | 5 | 9 | 18 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs | 349 | 360 | 698 | 728 | ||||||||||||
Other insurance related expenses | 178 | 149 | 359 | 310 | ||||||||||||
Other expenses | 143 | 87 | 244 | 187 | ||||||||||||
Total claims, benefits and expenses | 1,964 | 2,068 | 3,937 | 4,086 | ||||||||||||
Operating income from continuing operations before income tax | 429 | 364 | 626 | 679 | ||||||||||||
Income tax expense on operating income | (110 | ) | (102 | ) | (147 | ) | (184 | ) | ||||||||
Net operating income attributable to noncontrolling interests | (14 | ) | (12 | ) | (25 | ) | (24 | ) | ||||||||
Net operating income from continuing operations attributable to CNAF | 305 | 250 | 454 | 471 | ||||||||||||
Net realized investment losses, net of participating policyholders’ interests | (297 | ) | (111 | ) | (829 | ) | (162 | ) | ||||||||
Income tax benefit on net realized investment losses | 98 | 40 | 285 | 58 | ||||||||||||
Net realized investment losses, after-tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | — | 1 | — | ||||||||||||
Net realized investment losses attributable to CNAF | (199 | ) | (71 | ) | (543 | ) | (104 | ) | ||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to CNAF | 106 | 179 | (89 | ) | 367 | |||||||||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to CNAF, net of income tax (expense) benefit of $0, $0, $0 and $0 | (1 | ) | 2 | (1 | ) | 1 | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to CNAF | $ | 105 | $ | 181 | $ | (90 | ) | $ | 368 | |||||||
Three Month Comparison
Net income decreased $76 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008. This decrease was due to higher net realized investment losses, partially offset by improved net operating income.
Net realized investment losses increased $128 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008. See the Investments section of this MD&A for further discussion of net realized investment results.
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Net operating income increased $55 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008. Net operating results increased $49 million for Standard and Specialty Lines and $6 million for our non-core operations. These increases were primarily due to higher net investment income. See the Investments section of this MD&A for further discussion of net investment income. Standard Lines and Specialty Lines current period underwriting results reflected lower losses and higher expenses as compared to the prior period.
Favorable net prior year development of $60 million was recorded for the three months ended June 30, 2009 related to our Standard Lines, Specialty Lines and Corporate & Other Non-Core segments. This amount reflected $116 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development and $56 million of unfavorable premium development. Favorable net prior year development of $9 million was recorded for the three months ended June 30, 2008 related to our Standard Lines, Specialty Lines and Corporate & Other Non-Core segments. This amount reflected $3 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development and $6 million of favorable premium development. Further information on net prior year development for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 is included in Note G of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 1.
Net earned premiums decreased $118 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008, including a $97 million decrease related to Standard Lines and a $25 million decrease related to Specialty Lines. See the Segment Results section of this MD&A for further discussion.
Six Month Comparison
Net results decreased $458 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008. This decrease was primarily due to higher net realized investment losses.
Net realized investment losses increased $439 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008. See the Investments section of this MD&A for further discussion of net realized investment results.
Net operating income decreased $17 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008. Net operating income increased $10 million for Standard and Specialty Lines and decreased $27 million for our non-core operations. Net investment income for the six months ended June 30, 2008 included trading portfolio losses of $81 million. The trading portfolio supported the indexed group annuity portion of our pension deposit business which was exited during 2008. Excluding the trading portfolio losses in 2008, net investment income increased $4 million. See the Investments section of this MD&A for further discussion of net investment income. Standard Lines and Specialty Lines current period underwriting results reflected lower losses and higher expenses as compared to the prior period.
Results for the six months ended June 30, 2009 included expense of $22 million related to our pension and postretirement plans, compared with a benefit of $6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008. Based on our current assumptions and pension trust investment performance in 2008, our estimated expense for pension and postretirement plans is approximately $46 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared with a benefit of $14 million for the year ended December 31, 2008.
Favorable net prior year development of $116 million was recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2009 related to our Standard Lines, Specialty Lines and Corporate & Other Non-Core segments. This amount reflected $186 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development and $70 million of unfavorable premium development. Favorable net prior year development of $33 million was recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2008 related to our Standard Lines, Specialty Lines and Corporate & Other Non-Core segments. This amount reflected $16 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development and $17 million of favorable premium development. Further information on net prior year development for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 is included in Note G of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 1.
Net earned premiums decreased $259 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008, including a $170 million decrease related to Standard Lines and a $86 million decrease related to Specialty Lines. See the Segment Results section of this MD&A for further discussion.
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Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the amounts of revenues and expenses reported during the period. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
Our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis. We continually evaluate the accounting policies and estimates used to prepare the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. In general, our estimates are based on historical experience, evaluation of current trends, information from third party professionals and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the known facts and circumstances.
The accounting estimates below are considered by us to be critical to an understanding of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as their application places the most significant demands on our judgment.
• | Insurance Reserves |
• | Reinsurance |
• | Valuation of Investments and Impairment of Securities |
• | Long Term Care Products |
• | Pension and Postretirement Benefit Obligations |
• | Legal Proceedings |
• | Income Taxes |
Due to the inherent uncertainties involved with these types of judgments, actual results could differ significantly from estimates and may have a material adverse impact on our results of operations or equity. See the Critical Accounting Estimates section of our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included under Item 7 of our Form 10-K for further information. During the second quarter of 2009, the Company adoptedFSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2,Recognition andPresentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments, as discussed in Note B of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 1.
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SEGMENT RESULTS
The following discusses the results of continuing operations for our operating segments. We utilize the net operating income financial measure to monitor our operations. Net operating income is calculated by excluding from net income (loss) attributable to CNAF the after-tax effects of 1) net realized investment gains or losses, 2) income or loss from discontinued operations and 3) any cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles. See further discussion regarding how we manage our business in Note K of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 1. In evaluating the results of our Standard Lines and Specialty Lines segments, we utilize the loss ratio, the expense ratio, the dividend ratio, and the combined ratio. These ratios are calculated using GAAP financial results. The loss ratio is the percentage of net incurred claim and claim adjustment expenses to net earned premiums. The expense ratio is the percentage of insurance underwriting and acquisition expenses, including the amortization of deferred acquisition costs, to net earned premiums. The dividend ratio is the ratio of policyholders’ dividends incurred to net earned premiums. The combined ratio is the sum of the loss, expense and dividend ratios.
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STANDARD LINES
The following table details the results of operations for Standard Lines.
Results of Operations
Periods ended June 30 | Three Months | Six Months | ||||||||||||||
(In millions) | 2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||||||||
Net written premiums | $ | 761 | $ | 848 | $ | 1,524 | $ | 1,619 | ||||||||
Net earned premiums | 671 | 768 | 1,381 | 1,551 | ||||||||||||
Net investment income | 252 | 199 | 372 | 363 | ||||||||||||
Net operating income | 145 | 124 | 206 | 219 | ||||||||||||
Net realized investment losses, after-tax | (110 | ) | (39 | ) | (227 | ) | (50 | ) | ||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to CNAF | 35 | 85 | (21 | ) | 169 | |||||||||||
Ratios | ||||||||||||||||
Loss and loss adjustment expense | 71.3 | % | 73.7 | % | 71.5 | % | 73.7 | % | ||||||||
Expense | 34.4 | 29.0 | 34.2 | 29.6 | ||||||||||||
Dividend | (0.2 | ) | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.5 | |||||||||||
Combined | 105.5 | % | 103.2 | % | 105.9 | % | 103.8 | % | ||||||||
Three Month Comparison
Net written premiums for Standard Lines decreased $87 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008. Despite favorable new business in the current three month period, premiums written were unfavorable in both our Business and Commercial Insurance groups, impacted by general economic conditions and lower premium rates, as compared with the second quarter of 2008. The current economic conditions have led to decreased industry insured exposures, particularly in the construction industry with smaller payrolls and reduced project volume. This, along with the competitive market conditions, may continue to put ongoing pressure on premium and income levels, and the expense ratio. Net earned premiums decreased $97 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008, consistent with the trend of lower net written premiums as well as unfavorable premium development in 2009.
Standard Lines averaged rate decreases of 1% for the three months ended June 30, 2009, as compared to decreases of 5% for the three months ended June 30, 2008 for the contracts that renewed during those periods. Retention rates of 80% and 81% were achieved for those contracts that were available for renewal in each period.
Net income decreased $50 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008. This decrease was due to higher net realized investment losses, partially offset by improved net operating income. See the Investments section of this MD&A for further discussion of the net realized investment results and net investment income.
Net operating income improved $21 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008. This improvement was primarily due to higher net investment income, partially offset by decreased underwriting results.
The combined ratio increased 2.3 points for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008. The loss ratio improved 2.4 points primarily due to favorable loss development.
The expense ratio increased 5.4 points for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008, primarily related to higher underwriting expenses and the lower net earned premium base. Underwriting expenses increased primarily due to higher employee-related costs. Additionally, the 2008 results included favorable changes in estimates for insurance-related assessment liabilities. These unfavorable impacts were partially offset by a change in estimate of the ultimate assessment from the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association related to catastrophe losses incurred in the third quarter of 2008.
The dividend ratio decreased 0.7 points due to favorable development recorded on workers’ compensation coverages.
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Favorable net prior year development of $21 million was recorded for the three months ended June 30, 2009, reflecting $80 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development and $59 million of unfavorable premium development. Favorable net prior year development of $23 million, reflecting $15 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development and $8 million of favorable premium development, was recorded for the three months ended June 30, 2008. Further information on Standard Lines net prior year development for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 is included in Note G of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 1.
Six Month Comparison
Net written premiums for Standard Lines decreased $95 million and net earned premiums decreased $170 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008, due primarily to the same reasons discussed above in the three month comparison.
Standard Lines averaged rate decreases of 1% for the six months ended June 30, 2009, as compared to decreases of 6% for the six months ended June 30, 2008 for the contracts that renewed during those periods. Retention rates of 81% and 81% were achieved for those contracts that were available for renewal in each period.
Net results decreased $190 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008. This decrease was due to higher net realized investment losses and decreased net operating income. See the Investments section of this MD&A for further discussion of the net realized investment results and net investment income.
Net operating income decreased $13 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008. This decline was primarily due to decreased underwriting results.
The combined ratio increased 2.1 points for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008. The loss ratio improved 2.2 points primarily due to decreased catastrophe losses. Catastrophe losses were $52 million, or 3.8 points of the loss ratio, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to $98 million, or 6.3 points of the loss ratio, for the same period in 2008.
The expense ratio increased 4.6 points for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008, primarily related to the reasons discussed in the three month comparison.
Favorable net prior year development of $34 million was recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2009, reflecting $110 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development and $76 million of unfavorable premium development. Favorable net prior year development of $49 million, reflecting $50 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development and $1 million of unfavorable premium development, was recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2008. Further information on Standard Lines net prior year development for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 is included in Note G of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 1.
The following table summarizes the gross and net carried reserves as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 for Standard Lines.
Gross and Net Carried
Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves
Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves
(In millions) | June 30, 2009 | December 31, 2008 | ||||||
Gross Case Reserves | $ | 6,030 | $ | 6,158 | ||||
Gross IBNR Reserves | 5,675 | 5,890 | ||||||
Total Gross Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves | $ | 11,705 | $ | 12,048 | ||||
Net Case Reserves | $ | 4,838 | $ | 4,995 | ||||
Net IBNR Reserves | 4,817 | 4,875 | ||||||
Total Net Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves | $ | 9,655 | $ | 9,870 | ||||
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SPECIALTY LINES
The following table details the results of operations for Specialty Lines.
Results of Operations
Periods ended June 30 | Three Months | Six Months | ||||||||||||||
(In millions) | 2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||||||||
Net written premiums | $ | 834 | $ | 860 | $ | 1,663 | $ | 1,708 | ||||||||
Net earned premiums | 834 | 859 | 1,646 | 1,732 | ||||||||||||
Net investment income | 188 | 155 | 296 | 287 | ||||||||||||
Net operating income | 173 | 145 | 292 | 269 | ||||||||||||
Net realized investment losses, after-tax | (68 | ) | (19 | ) | (142 | ) | (24 | ) | ||||||||
Net income attributable to CNAF | 105 | 126 | 150 | 245 | ||||||||||||
Ratios | ||||||||||||||||
Loss and loss adjustment expense | 62.5 | % | 65.2 | % | 62.0 | % | 65.0 | % | ||||||||
Expense | 29.2 | 27.6 | 29.2 | 27.1 | ||||||||||||
Dividend | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||
Combined | 92.1 | % | 92.9 | % | 91.6 | % | 92.6 | % | ||||||||
Three Month Comparison
Net written premiums for Specialty Lines decreased $26 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008. Premiums written were unfavorably impacted by foreign exchange and current economic conditions. The current economic conditions have led to decreased industry insured exposures, particularly in the surety bond, architects, engineers and realtors professional liability marketplace. This, along with the competitive market conditions, may continue to put ongoing pressure on premium and income levels, and the expense ratio. Net earned premiums decreased $25 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008, consistent with the trend of lower net written premiums.
Specialty Lines averaged rate decreases of 1% for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to decreases of 3% for the three months ended June 30, 2008 for the contracts that renewed during those periods. Retention rates of 84% were achieved for those contracts that were available for renewal in both periods.
Net income decreased $21 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008. This decrease was due to higher net realized investment losses, partially offset by increased net operating income. See the Investments section of this MD&A for further discussion of the net realized investment results and net investment income.
Net operating income improved $28 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008. This improvement was primarily due to higher net investment income and a $14 million favorable income tax adjustment related to our European operation.
The combined ratio improved 0.8 points for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008. The loss ratio improved 2.7 points, primarily due to favorable net prior year development in the current period as compared with unfavorable net prior year development in the prior year period. This was partially offset by higher current accident year loss ratios recorded in several lines of business.
The expense ratio increased 1.6 points for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008. The increase primarily related to increased underwriting expenses and the lower net earned premium base. Underwriting expenses increased due primarily to higher employee-related costs.
Favorable net prior year development of $41 million, reflecting $40 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development and $1 million of favorable premium
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development, was recorded for the three months ended June 30, 2009. Unfavorable net prior year development of $2 million, reflecting $1 million of unfavorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development and $1 million of unfavorable premium development, was recorded for the three months ended June 30, 2008. Further information on Specialty Lines net prior year development for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 is included in Note G of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 1.
Six Month Comparison
Net written premiums for Specialty Lines decreased $45 million and net earned premiums decreased $86 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008, due primarily to the same reasons discussed above in the three month comparison.
Specialty Lines averaged rate decreases of 1% for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to decreases of 3% for the same period in 2008 for the contracts that renewed during those periods. Retention rates of 84% were achieved for those contracts that were available for renewal in both periods.
Net income decreased $95 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008. This decrease was primarily due to higher net realized investment losses. See the Investments section of this MD&A for further discussion of the net realized investment results.
Net operating income increased $23 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008, due to the same reasons discussed above in the three month comparison.
The combined ratio improved 1.0 point for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008. The loss ratio improved 3.0 points and the expense ratio increased 2.1 points, primarily due to the reasons discussed above in the three month comparison.
Favorable net prior year development of $84 million, reflecting $81 million of favorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development and $3 million of favorable premium development, was recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2009. Unfavorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development of $18 million and favorable premium development of $18 million was recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2008, resulting in no net prior year development. Further information on Specialty Lines net prior year development for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 is included in Note G of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 1.
The following table summarizes the gross and net carried reserves as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 for Specialty Lines.
Gross and Net Carried
Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves
Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves
(In millions) | June 30, 2009 | December 31, 2008 | ||||||
Gross Case Reserves | $ | 2,719 | $ | 2,719 | ||||
Gross IBNR Reserves | 5,743 | 5,563 | ||||||
Total Gross Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves | $ | 8,462 | $ | 8,282 | ||||
Net Case Reserves | $ | 2,194 | $ | 2,149 | ||||
Net IBNR Reserves | 4,894 | 4,694 | ||||||
Total Net Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves | $ | 7,088 | $ | 6,843 | ||||
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LIFE & GROUP NON-CORE
The following table summarizes the results of operations for Life & Group Non-Core.
Results of Operations
Periods ended June 30 | Three Months | Six Months | ||||||||||||||
(In millions) | 2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||||||||
Net earned premiums | $ | 148 | $ | 149 | $ | 298 | $ | 306 | ||||||||
Net investment income | 168 | 157 | 327 | 241 | ||||||||||||
Net operating loss | (26 | ) | (30 | ) | (48 | ) | (33 | ) | ||||||||
Net realized investment gains (losses), after-tax | 9 | (4 | ) | (115 | ) | (15 | ) | |||||||||
Net loss attributable to CNAF | (17 | ) | (34 | ) | (163 | ) | (48 | ) |
Three Month Comparison
Net earned premiums for Life & Group Non-Core decreased $1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008. Net earned premiums relate primarily to the group and individual long term care businesses.
Net loss decreased $17 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008. The decrease in net loss was due to favorable performance on our remaining pension deposit business and improved net realized investment results. Certain of the separate account investment contracts related to our pension deposit business guarantee principal and a minimum rate of interest, for which we had previously recorded an additional pretax liability in Policyholders’ funds. We decreased this pretax liability by $31 million during the second quarter of 2009 based on the results of the investments supporting this business. Partially offsetting these favorable items was a $28 million after-tax legal accrual recorded in the second quarter of 2009 related to a previously held limited partnership investment. The limited partnership investment supported the indexed group annuity portion of our pension deposit business, which we exited during 2008.
Six Month Comparison
Net earned premiums for Life & Group Non-Core decreased $8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008.
Net loss increased $115 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008. The increase in net loss was due to higher net realized investment losses and the legal accrual related to the limited partnership investment as discussed above in the three month comparison. These unfavorable impacts were partially offset by favorable performance on our remaining pension deposit business. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, the pretax liability related to principal and interest guarantees, as discussed above, was decreased by $18 million.
Net investment income for the six months ended June 30, 2008 included trading portfolio losses of $81 million, which were substantially offset by a corresponding decrease in the policyholders’ funds reserves supported by the trading portfolio. The trading portfolio supported the indexed group annuity portion of our pension deposit business which was exited during 2008. That business had a net loss of $5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008. See the Investments section of this MD&A for further discussion of net investment income and net realized investment results.
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CORPORATE & OTHER NON-CORE
The following table summarizes the results of operations for the Corporate & Other Non-Core segment, including Asbestos and Environmental Pollution (A&E) and intrasegment eliminations.
Results of Operations
Periods ended June 30 | Three Months | Six Months | ||||||||||||||
(In millions) | 2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 67 | $ | 65 | $ | 100 | $ | 119 | ||||||||
Net operating income | 13 | 11 | 4 | 16 | ||||||||||||
Net realized investment losses, after-tax | (30 | ) | (9 | ) | (59 | ) | (15 | ) | ||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to CNAF | (17 | ) | 2 | (55 | ) | 1 |
Three Month Comparison
Net results decreased $19 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008. The decrease was primarily due to higher net realized investment losses. See the Investments section of this MD&A for further discussion of net investment income and net realized investment results.
Unfavorable net prior year development of $2 million, reflecting $4 million of unfavorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development and $2 million of favorable premium development, was recorded for the three months ended June 30, 2009. Unfavorable net prior year development of $12 million, reflecting $11 million of unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development and $1 million of unfavorable premium development, was recorded for the three months ended June 30, 2008.
Six Month Comparison
Net results decreased $56 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared with the same period in 2008. The decrease was primarily due to higher net realized investment losses and lower net investment income. See the Investments section of this MD&A for further discussion of net investment income and net realized investment results.
Unfavorable net prior year development of $2 million, reflecting $5 million of unfavorable claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development and $3 million of favorable premium development, was recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2009. Unfavorable net prior year claim and allocated claim adjustment expense reserve development of $16 million was recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2008. There was no premium development recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2008.
The following table summarizes the gross and net carried reserves as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 for Corporate & Other Non-Core.
Gross and Net Carried
Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves
Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves
(In millions) | June 30, 2009 | December 31, 2008 | ||||||
Gross Case Reserves | $ | 1,685 | $ | 1,823 | ||||
Gross IBNR Reserves | 2,386 | 2,578 | ||||||
Total Gross Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves | $ | 4,071 | $ | 4,401 | ||||
Net Case Reserves | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,126 | ||||
Net IBNR Reserves | 1,481 | 1,561 | ||||||
Total Net Carried Claim and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves | $ | 2,481 | $ | 2,687 | ||||
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A&E Reserves
Our property and casualty insurance subsidiaries have actual and potential exposures related to asbestos and environmental pollution (A&E) claims. Further information on A&E claim and claim adjustment expense reserves and net prior year development is included in Note G of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 1.
Asbestos
We have resolved a number of our large asbestos accounts by negotiating settlement agreements. Structured settlement agreements provide for payments over multiple years as set forth in each individual agreement.
In 1985, 47 asbestos producers and their insurers, including The Continental Insurance Company (CIC), executed the Wellington Agreement. The agreement was intended to resolve all issues and litigation related to coverage for asbestos exposures. Under this agreement, signatory insurers committed scheduled policy limits and made the limits available to pay asbestos claims based upon coverage blocks designated by the policyholders in 1985, subject to extension by policyholders. CIC was a signatory insurer to the Wellington Agreement.
We have also used coverage in place agreements to resolve large asbestos exposures. Coverage in place agreements are typically agreements with our policyholders identifying the policies and the terms for payment of asbestos related liabilities. Claim payments are contingent on presentation of documentation supporting the demand for claim payment. Coverage in place agreements may have annual payment caps. Coverage in place agreements are evaluated based on claim filing trends and severities.
We categorize active asbestos accounts as large or small accounts. We define a large account as an active account with more than $100 thousand of cumulative paid losses. We have made resolving large accounts a significant management priority. Small accounts are defined as active accounts with $100 thousand or less of cumulative paid losses. Approximately 80% and 81% of our total active asbestos accounts are classified as small accounts at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.
We also evaluate our asbestos liabilities arising from our assumed reinsurance business and our participation in various pools, including Excess & Casualty Reinsurance Association (ECRA).
We carry unassigned IBNR reserves for asbestos. These reserves relate to potential development on accounts that have not settled and potential future claims from unidentified policyholders.
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The tables below depict our overall pending asbestos accounts and associated reserves at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.
Pending Asbestos Accounts and Associated Reserves
Net Paid Losses | Net Asbestos | Percent of | ||||||||||||||
Number of | in 2009 | Reserves | Asbestos | |||||||||||||
June 30, 2009 | Policyholders | (In millions) | (In millions) | Net Reserves | ||||||||||||
Policyholders with settlement agreements | ||||||||||||||||
Structured settlements | 18 | $ | 19 | $ | 132 | 12 | % | |||||||||
Wellington | 3 | 1 | 8 | 1 | ||||||||||||
Coverage in place | 38 | 6 | 101 | 9 | ||||||||||||
Total with settlement agreements | 59 | 26 | 241 | 22 | ||||||||||||
Other policyholders with active accounts | ||||||||||||||||
Large asbestos accounts | 244 | 47 | 208 | 18 | ||||||||||||
Small asbestos accounts | 981 | 10 | 77 | 7 | ||||||||||||
Total other policyholders | 1,225 | 57 | 285 | 25 | ||||||||||||
Assumed reinsurance and pools | — | 6 | 108 | 10 | ||||||||||||
Unassigned IBNR | — | — | 479 | 43 | ||||||||||||
Total | 1,284 | $ | 89 | $ | 1,113 | 100 | % | |||||||||
Pending Asbestos Accounts and Associated Reserves
Net Paid Losses | Net Asbestos | Percent of | ||||||||||||||
Number of | in 2008 | Reserves | Asbestos | |||||||||||||
December 31, 2008 | Policyholders | (In millions) | (In millions) | Net Reserves | ||||||||||||
Policyholders with settlement agreements | ||||||||||||||||
Structured settlements | 18 | $ | 17 | $ | 133 | 11 | % | |||||||||
Wellington | 3 | 1 | 11 | 1 | ||||||||||||
Coverage in place | 36 | 16 | 94 | 8 | ||||||||||||
Total with settlement agreements | 57 | 34 | 238 | 20 | ||||||||||||
Other policyholders with active accounts | ||||||||||||||||
Large asbestos accounts | 236 | 62 | 234 | 19 | ||||||||||||
Small asbestos accounts | 1,009 | 32 | 91 | 8 | ||||||||||||
Total other policyholders | 1,245 | 94 | 325 | 27 | ||||||||||||
Assumed reinsurance and pools | — | 19 | 114 | 9 | ||||||||||||
Unassigned IBNR | — | — | 525 | 44 | ||||||||||||
Total | 1,302 | $ | 147 | $ | 1,202 | 100 | % | |||||||||
Some asbestos-related defendants have asserted that their insurance policies are not subject to aggregate limits on coverage. We have such claims from a number of insureds. Some of these claims involve insureds facing exhaustion of products liability aggregate limits in their policies, who have asserted that their asbestos-related claims fall within so-called “non-products” liability coverage contained within their policies rather than products liability coverage, and that the claimed “non-products” coverage is not subject to any aggregate limit. It is difficult to predict the ultimate size of any of the claims for coverage purportedly not subject to aggregate limits or predict to what extent, if any, the attempts to assert “non-products” claims outside the products liability aggregate will succeed. Our policies also contain other limits applicable to these claims and we have additional coverage defenses to certain claims. We have attempted to manage our asbestos exposure by aggressively seeking to settle claims on acceptable terms.
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There can be no assurance that any of these settlement efforts will be successful, or that any such claims can be settled on terms acceptable to us. Where we cannot settle a claim on acceptable terms, we aggressively litigate the claim. However, adverse developments with respect to such matters could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and/or equity.
We are involved in significant asbestos-related claim litigation, which is described in Note G of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 1.
Environmental Pollution
We classify our environmental pollution accounts into several categories, which include structured settlements, coverage in place agreements and active accounts. Structured settlement agreements provide for payments over multiple years as set forth in each individual agreement.
We have also used coverage in place agreements to resolve pollution exposures. Coverage in place agreements are typically agreements with our policyholders identifying the policies and the terms for payment of pollution related liabilities. Claim payments are contingent on presentation of adequate documentation of damages during the policy periods and other documentation supporting the demand for claim payment. Coverage in place agreements may have annual payment caps.
We categorize active accounts as large or small accounts in the pollution area. We define a large account as an active account with more than $100 thousand cumulative paid losses. We have made closing large accounts a significant management priority. Small accounts are defined as active accounts with $100 thousand or less of cumulative paid losses. Approximately 74% and 73% of our total active pollution accounts are classified as small accounts as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.
We also evaluate our environmental pollution exposures arising from our assumed reinsurance and our participation in various pools, including ECRA.
We carry unassigned IBNR reserves for environmental pollution. These reserves relate to potential development on accounts that have not settled and potential future claims from unidentified policyholders.
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The tables below depict our overall pending environmental pollution accounts and associated reserves at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.
Pending Environmental Pollution Accounts and Associated Reserves
Net | ||||||||||||||||
Environmental | Percent of | |||||||||||||||
Net Paid | Pollution | Environmental | ||||||||||||||
Number of | Losses in 2009 | Reserves | Pollution Net | |||||||||||||
June 30, 2009 | Policyholders | (In millions) | (In millions) | Reserve | ||||||||||||
Policyholders with settlement agreements | ||||||||||||||||
Structured settlements | 13 | $ | 6 | $ | 19 | 8 | % | |||||||||
Coverage in place | 16 | 1 | 12 | 5 | ||||||||||||
Total with settlement agreements | 29 | 7 | 31 | 13 | ||||||||||||
Other policyholders with active accounts | ||||||||||||||||
Large pollution accounts | 115 | 8 | 41 | 17 | ||||||||||||
Small pollution accounts | 322 | 7 | 41 | 17 | ||||||||||||
Total other policyholders | 437 | 15 | 82 | 34 | ||||||||||||
Assumed reinsurance and pools | — | — | 27 | 11 | ||||||||||||
Unassigned IBNR | — | — | 100 | 42 | ||||||||||||
Total | 466 | $ | 22 | $ | 240 | 100 | % | |||||||||
Pending Environmental Pollution Accounts and Associated Reserves
Net | Percent of | |||||||||||||||
Net Paid Losses | Environmental | Environmental | ||||||||||||||
Number of | in 2008 | Pollution Reserves | Pollution Net | |||||||||||||
December 31, 2008 | Policyholders | (In millions) | (In millions) | Reserve | ||||||||||||
Policyholders with settlement agreements | ||||||||||||||||
Structured settlements | 16 | $ | 5 | $ | 9 | 4 | % | |||||||||
Coverage in place | 16 | 3 | 13 | 5 | ||||||||||||
Total with settlement agreements | 32 | 8 | 22 | 9 | ||||||||||||
Other policyholders with active accounts | ||||||||||||||||
Large pollution accounts | 116 | 40 | 48 | 18 | ||||||||||||
Small pollution accounts | 320 | 11 | 41 | 16 | ||||||||||||
Total other policyholders | 436 | 51 | 89 | 34 | ||||||||||||
Assumed reinsurance and pools | — | 4 | 27 | 10 | ||||||||||||
Unassigned IBNR | — | — | 124 | 47 | ||||||||||||
Total | 468 | $ | 63 | $ | 262 | 100 | % | |||||||||
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INVESTMENTS
We maintain a large portfolio of fixed maturity and equity securities, including large amounts of corporate and government issued debt securities, residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, and other asset-backed securities and investments in limited partnerships which pursue a variety of long and short investment strategies across a broad array of asset classes. Our investment portfolio supports our obligation to pay future insurance claims and provides investment returns which are an important part of our overall profitability.
For more than a year, capital and credit markets have experienced severe levels of volatility, illiquidity, uncertainty and overall disruption. This market disruption subsided moderately during the second quarter of 2009. While the government has initiated programs intended to stabilize and improve markets and the economy, the ultimate impact of these programs remains uncertain and economic conditions in the U.S. remain challenging. As a result, we incurred realized losses in our investment portfolio during both the first and second quarters of 2009 which have adversely impacted our results of operations. The first quarter losses were primarily driven by continuing credit issues attributable to the asset-backed and financial sectors. The second quarter losses were primarily driven by the actual and anticipated impact of difficult economic conditions on residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities.
Net Investment Income
The significant components of net investment income are presented in the following table.
Net Investment Income
Three Months | Six Months | |||||||||||||||
Periods ended June 30 | 2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities | $ | 487 | $ | 476 | $ | 962 | $ | 994 | ||||||||
Short term investments | 11 | 26 | 21 | 65 | ||||||||||||
Limited partnerships | 165 | 46 | 95 | 7 | ||||||||||||
Equity securities | 14 | 39 | 28 | 44 | ||||||||||||
Trading portfolio — Indexed Group Annuity | — | (5 | ) | — | (81 | ) | ||||||||||
Trading portfolio — Other | 8 | 1 | 8 | — | ||||||||||||
Other | 1 | 5 | 4 | 11 | ||||||||||||
Gross investment income | 686 | 588 | 1,118 | 1,040 | ||||||||||||
Investment expense | (11 | ) | (12 | ) | (23 | ) | (30 | ) | ||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 675 | $ | 576 | $ | 1,095 | $ | 1,010 | ||||||||
Net investment income for the three months ended June 30, 2009 increased $99 million as compared with the same period in 2008. The increase was primarily driven by improved results from limited partnership investments. This increase was partially offset by the impact of lower risk-free interest rates, particularly in short term rates. Limited partnership investments generally present greater volatility, higher illiquidity, and greater risk than fixed income investments.
Net investment income for the six months ended June 30, 2009 increased $85 million as compared with the same period in 2008. Excluding trading portfolio losses of $81 million in 2008, net investment income increased by $4 million. The trading portfolio losses were related to our indexed group annuity business and were substantially offset by a corresponding decrease in the policyholders’ funds reserves supported by the trading portfolio, which was included in Insurance claims and policyholders’ benefits on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. We exited the indexed group annuity business in 2008.
The fixed maturity investment portfolio and short term investments provided an income yield of 5.1% and 5.7% for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008.
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Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)
The components of net realized investment results are presented in the following table.
Three Months | Six Months | |||||||||||||||
Periods ended June 30 | 2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities: | ||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of government agencies | $ | (6 | ) | $ | (46 | ) | $ | (27 | ) | $ | (14 | ) | ||||
Corporate and other taxable bonds | (96 | ) | (8 | ) | (269 | ) | (39 | ) | ||||||||
States, municipalities and political subdivisions — tax-exempt securities | 17 | 10 | 54 | 50 | ||||||||||||
Asset-backed securities | (307 | ) | (118 | ) | (499 | ) | (157 | ) | ||||||||
Redeemable preferred stock | — | 4 | (9 | ) | — | |||||||||||
Total fixed maturity securities | (392 | ) | (158 | ) | (750 | ) | (160 | ) | ||||||||
Equity securities | 64 | (14 | ) | (152 | ) | (29 | ) | |||||||||
Derivative securities | 33 | 56 | 64 | 12 | ||||||||||||
Short term investments | (5 | ) | 5 | 8 | 7 | |||||||||||
Other | 3 | — | 1 | 8 | ||||||||||||
Realized investment losses, net of participating policyholders’ interests | (297 | ) | (111 | ) | (829 | ) | (162 | ) | ||||||||
Income tax benefit | 98 | 40 | 285 | 58 | ||||||||||||
Realized investment losses, after-tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | — | 1 | — | ||||||||||||
Net realized investment losses attributable to CNAF | $ | (199 | ) | $ | (71 | ) | $ | (543 | ) | $ | (104 | ) | ||||
Net realized investment losses increased by $128 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 compared with the same period in 2008. Net realized investment losses increased by $439 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 compared with the same period in 2008, driven by OTTI losses recognized in earnings. Further information on our realized gains and losses, including our OTTI losses and impairment decision process, is set forth in Note D of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 1. During the second quarter of 2009, the Company adoptedFSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2,Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments (FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2), as discussed in Note B of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 1. The adoption of FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 resulted in a cumulative effect adjustment of $122 million, net of tax, which was reclassified to Accumulated other comprehensive income from Retained earnings on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity. Losses resulting from sales and OTTI of securities within the cumulative effect adjustment inventory of $52 million, net of tax, were recognized in earnings in the second quarter of 2009 and are reflected in the table above.
Our fixed maturity portfolio consists primarily of high quality bonds, 90% and 91% of which were rated as investment grade (rated BBB- or higher) at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008. The classification between investment grade and non-investment grade is based on a ratings methodology that takes into account ratings from the three major providers, Standard & Poors (S&P), Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. (Moody’s) and Fitch Ratings (Fitch) in that order of preference. If a security is not rated by any of the three, we formulate an internal rating. For securities with credit support from third party guarantees, the rating reflects the greater of the underlying rating of the issuer or the insured rating.
The following table summarizes the ratings of our fixed maturity portfolio at carrying value.
Fixed Maturity Ratings
June 30, | December 31, | |||||||||||||||
2009 | % | 2008 | % | |||||||||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||||||||||
U.S. Government and Agencies | $ | 3,128 | 10 | % | $ | 4,611 | 16 | % | ||||||||
AAA rated | 7,165 | 23 | 8,494 | 29 | ||||||||||||
AA and A rated | 10,436 | 34 | 8,166 | 29 | ||||||||||||
BBB rated | 7,324 | 23 | 5,029 | 17 | ||||||||||||
Non-investment grade | 2,987 | 10 | 2,587 | 9 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 31,040 | 100 | % | $ | 28,887 | 100 | % | ||||||||
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Non-investment grade bonds, as presented in the table below, are primarily high-yield securities rated below BBB- by bond rating agencies, as well as other unrated securities that, according to our analysis, are below investment grade. Non-investment grade securities generally involve a greater degree of risk than investment grade securities.
The following table summarizes the ratings of our non-investment grade fixed maturity bond portfolio at carrying value.
Non-investment Grade
June 30, | December 31, | |||||||||||||||
Rating | 2009 | % | 2008 | % | ||||||||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||||||||||
BB | $ | 1,244 | 42 | % | $ | 1,585 | 61 | % | ||||||||
B | 1,084 | 36 | % | 754 | 29 | % | ||||||||||
CCC — C | 602 | 20 | % | 232 | 9 | % | ||||||||||
D | 57 | 2 | % | 16 | 1 | % | ||||||||||
Total | $ | 2,987 | 100 | % | $ | 2,587 | 100 | % | ||||||||
The increase in non-investment grade holdings primarily reflects the downgrade of previously investment grade rated asset-backed securities aggregating $441 million of fair value. The remaining change in non-investment grade was attributable to price appreciation and net sales.
Included within the fixed maturity portfolio are securities that contain credit support from third party guarantees from mono-line insurers. The ratings on these securities reflect the greater of the underlying rating of the issuer or the insured rating. At June 30, 2009, $678 million of the carrying value of the fixed maturity portfolio carried a third party guarantee that increased the underlying average rating of those securities from A+ to AA+. Of this amount, 90% was within the tax-exempt bond segment. The third party credit support on tax-exempt bonds is provided by seven mono-line insurers, the largest exposure based on fair value being Financial Security Assurance Inc. at 65%, National Re Corporation at 16% and Assured Guarantee Corporation at 11%.
At June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, approximately 97% of the fixed maturity portfolio was issued by U.S. Government and affiliated agencies or was rated by S&P or Moody’s. The remaining bonds were rated by other rating agencies or internally.
The carrying value of securities that are either subject to trading restrictions or trade in illiquid private placement markets at June 30, 2009 was $341 million, which represents less than 1.0% of our total investment portfolio. These securities were in a net unrealized gain position of $179 million at June 30, 2009.
The following table provides the composition of available-for-sale fixed maturity securities in a gross unrealized loss position at June 30, 2009 by maturity profile. Securities not due at a single date are allocated based on weighted average life.
Maturity Profile
Percent of | Percent of | |||||||
Fair Value | Unrealized Loss | |||||||
Due in one year or less | 4 | % | 3 | % | ||||
Due after one year through five years | 23 | 21 | ||||||
Due after five years through ten years | 21 | 23 | ||||||
Due after ten years | 52 | 53 | ||||||
Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | ||||
Duration
A primary objective in the management of the fixed maturity and equity portfolios is to optimize return relative to underlying liabilities and respective liquidity needs. Our views on the current interest rate environment, tax regulations, asset class valuations, specific security issuer and broader industry segment conditions, and the domestic and global economic conditions, are some of the factors that enter into an investment decision. We
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also continually monitor exposure to issuers of securities held and broader industry sector exposures and may from time to time adjust such exposures based on our views of a specific issuer or industry sector.
A further consideration in the management of the investment portfolio is the characteristics of the underlying liabilities and the ability to align the duration of the portfolio to those liabilities to meet future liquidity needs, minimize interest rate risk and maintain a level of income sufficient to support the underlying insurance liabilities. For portfolios where future liability cash flows are determinable and typically long term in nature, we segregate investments for asset/liability management purposes.
The segregated investments support liabilities primarily in the Life & Group Non-Core segment including annuities, structured benefit settlements and long term care products. The remaining investments are managed to support the Standard Lines, Specialty Lines and Corporate & Other Non-Core segments.
The effective durations of fixed maturity securities, short term investments, non-redeemable preferred stocks and interest rate derivatives are presented in the table below. Short term investments are net of securities lending collateral and account payable and receivable amounts for securities purchased and sold, but not yet settled.
Effective Durations
June 30, 2009 | December 31, 2008 | |||||||||||||||
Effective Duration | Effective Duration | |||||||||||||||
Fair Value | (In years) | Fair Value | (In years) | |||||||||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||||||||||
Segregated investments | $ | 9,161 | 10.5 | $ | 8,168 | 9.9 | ||||||||||
Other interest sensitive investments | 26,705 | 4.0 | 25,194 | 4.5 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 35,866 | 5.6 | $ | 33,362 | 5.8 | ||||||||||
The investment portfolio is periodically analyzed for changes in duration and related price change risk. Additionally, we periodically review the sensitivity of the portfolio to the level of foreign exchange rates and other factors that contribute to market price changes. A summary of these risks and specific analysis on changes is included in the Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk in Item 7A of our Form 10-K.
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Asset-Backed Mortgage Exposure
Asset-Backed Distribution
Security Type | ||||||||||||||||
June 30, 2009 | RMBS(a) | CMBS(b) | Other ABS(c) | Total | ||||||||||||
(In millions) | ||||||||||||||||
U.S. Government Agencies | $ | 2,089 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 2,089 | ||||||||
AAA | 2,864 | 511 | 328 | 3,703 | ||||||||||||
AA | 244 | 72 | 6 | 322 | ||||||||||||
A | 203 | 50 | 9 | 262 | ||||||||||||
BBB | 255 | 7 | 87 | 349 | ||||||||||||
Non-investment grade and equity tranches | 609 | 12 | — | 621 | ||||||||||||
Total Fair Value | $ | 6,264 | $ | 652 | $ | 430 | $ | 7,346 | ||||||||
Total Amortized Cost | $ | 7,457 | $ | 901 | $ | 476 | $ | 8,834 | ||||||||
Sub-prime (included above) | ||||||||||||||||
Fair Value | $ | 715 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 715 | ||||||||
Amortized Cost | $ | 1,109 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,109 | ||||||||
Alt-A (included above) | ||||||||||||||||
Fair Value | $ | 838 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 838 | ||||||||
Amortized Cost | $ | 1,055 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,055 |
(a) | Residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) | |
(b) | Commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) | |
(c) | Other asset-backed securities (Other ABS) |
The exposure to sub-prime residential mortgage (sub-prime) collateral and Alternative A residential mortgages that have lower than normal standards of loan documentation (Alt-A) collateral is measured by the original deal structure. Of the securities with sub-prime exposure, approximately 93% were rated investment grade, while 78% of the Alt-A securities were rated investment grade. At June 30, 2009, $7 million of the carrying value of the sub-prime and Alt-A securities carried a third-party guarantee. We believe that each of these securities would be rated investment grade even without the benefit of any applicable third-party guarantees.
Included in the $480 million of OTTI losses related to asset-backed securities recognized in earnings on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2009, $250 million was related to securities with sub-prime and Alt-A exposure. Continued deterioration in these markets beyond our current expectations may cause us to reconsider and incur additional OTTI losses. See Note D of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 1 for additional information related to unrealized losses on asset-backed securities.
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Short Term Investments
The carrying value of the components of the short term investment portfolio is presented in the following table.
Short Term Investments
June 30, | December 31, | |||||||
(In millions) | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||
Short term investments available-for-sale: | ||||||||
Commercial paper | $ | 986 | $ | 563 | ||||
U.S. Treasury securities | 2,483 | 2,258 | ||||||
Money market funds | 238 | 329 | ||||||
Other, including collateral held related to securities lending | 774 | 384 | ||||||
Total short term investments | $ | 4,481 | $ | 3,534 | ||||
There was no cash collateral held related to securities lending, included in other short term investments, at June 30, 2009 or December 31, 2008.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash Flows
Our principal operating cash flow sources are premiums and investment income from our insurance subsidiaries. Our primary operating cash flow uses are payments for claims, policy benefits and operating expenses.
For the six months ended June 30, 2009, net cash provided by operating activities was $287 million as compared with $812 million for the same period in 2008. Cash provided by operating activities in 2008 was favorably impacted by increased net sales of trading securities to fund policyholders’ withdrawals of investment contract products issued by us, which are reflected as financing cash flows. The primary source of these cash flows was the indexed group annuity portion of our pension deposit business which we exited in 2008. Additionally, during the second quarter of 2009 we resumed the use of a trading portfolio for income enhancement purposes, resulting in the use of operating cash flows during 2009 to fund these activities.
Cash flows from investing activities include the purchase and sale of available-for-sale financial instruments. Additionally, cash flows from investing activities may include the purchase and sale of businesses, land, buildings, equipment and other assets not generally held for resale.
For the six months ended June 30, 2009, net cash used by investing activities was $220 million as compared with $231 million for the same period in 2008. Cash flows used by investing activities related principally to purchases of fixed maturity securities and short term investments. The cash flow from investing activities is impacted by various factors such as the anticipated payment of claims, financing activity, asset/liability management and individual security buy and sell decisions made in the normal course of portfolio management.
Cash flows from financing activities include proceeds from the issuance of debt and equity securities, outflows for dividends or repayment of debt, outlays to reacquire equity instruments, and deposits and withdrawals related to investment contract products issued by us.
For the six months ended June 30, 2009, net cash used by financing activities was $59 million as compared with $594 million for the same period in 2008. Net cash used by financing activities in 2009 was primarily related to the payment of dividends on the 2008 Senior Preferred stock to Loews Corporation.
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Liquidity
We believe that our present cash flows from operations, investing activities and financing activities are sufficient to fund our working capital and debt obligation needs and we do not expect this to change in the near term due to the following factors:
• | We do not anticipate changes in our core property and casualty commercial insurance operations which would significantly impact liquidity and we continue to maintain reinsurance contracts which limit the impact of potential catastrophic events. | ||
• | We have entered into several settlement agreements and assumed reinsurance contracts that require collateralization of future payment obligations and assumed reserves if our ratings or other specific criteria fall below certain thresholds. The ratings triggers are generally more than one level below our current ratings. A downgrade below our current ratings levels would also result in additional collateral requirements for derivative contracts for which we are in a liability position at any given point in time. The maximum potential collateralization requirements are approximately $70 million. | ||
• | As of June 30, 2009, our holding company held short term investments of $454 million. Our holding company’s ability to meet its debt service and other obligations is significantly dependent on receipt of dividends from our subsidiaries. The payment of dividends to us by our insurance subsidiaries without prior approval of the insurance department of each subsidiary’s domiciliary jurisdiction is limited by formula. Notwithstanding this limitation, we believe that our holding company has sufficient liquidity to fund our preferred stock dividend and debt service payments in 2009. |
We have an effective shelf registration statement under which we may issue $2.0 billion of debt or equity securities.
Accounting Pronouncements
For a discussion of accounting pronouncements that have been adopted or recently issued pronouncements that will be adopted in the future, see Note B of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 1.
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains a number of forward-looking statements which relate to anticipated future events rather than actual present conditions or historical events. These statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and generally include words such as “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this report include any and all statements regarding expected developments in our insurance business, including losses and loss reserves for asbestos and environmental pollution and other mass tort claims which are more uncertain, and therefore more difficult to estimate than loss reserves respecting traditional property and casualty exposures; the impact of routine ongoing insurance reserve reviews we are conducting; our expectations concerning our revenues, earnings, expenses and investment activities; expected cost savings and other results from our expense reduction activities; and our proposed actions in response to trends in our business. Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are subject to a variety of inherent risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results projected in the forward-looking statement. We cannot control many of these risks and uncertainties. Some examples of these risks and uncertainties are:
• | conditions in the capital and credit markets including severe levels of volatility, illiquidity, uncertainty and overall disruption, as well as sharply reduced economic activity, that may impact the returns, types, liquidity and valuation of our investments; | |
• | general economic and business conditions, including recessionary conditions that may decrease the size and number of our insurance customers and create higher exposures to our lines of business, especially those that provide management and professional liability insurance, as well as surety bonds, to businesses engaged in real estate, financial services and professional services, and inflationary pressures on medical care costs, construction costs and other economic sectors that increase the severity of claims; | |
• | the effects of the mergers and failures of a number of prominent financial institutions and government sponsored entities, as well as the effects of accounting and financial reporting scandals and other major failures in internal controls and governance, on capital and credit markets, as well as on the markets for directors and officers and errors and omissions coverages; | |
• | changes in foreign or domestic political, social and economic conditions; | |
• | regulatory initiatives and compliance with governmental regulations, judicial decisions, including interpretation of policy provisions, decisions regarding coverage and theories of liability, trends in litigation and the outcome of any litigation involving us, and rulings and changes in tax laws and regulations; | |
• | regulatory limitations, impositions and restrictions upon us, including the effects of assessments and other surcharges for guaranty funds and second-injury funds, other mandatory pooling arrangements and future assessments levied on insurance companies and other financial industry participants under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 recoupment provisions; | |
• | the impact of competitive products, policies and pricing and the competitive environment in which we operate, including changes in our book of business; | |
• | product and policy availability and demand and market responses, including the level of ability to obtain rate increases and decline or non-renew under priced accounts, to achieve premium targets and profitability and to realize growth and retention estimates; | |
• | development of claims and the impact on loss reserves, including changes in claim settlement policies; | |
• | the effectiveness of current initiatives by claims management to reduce loss and expense ratios through more efficacious claims handling techniques; | |
• | the performance of reinsurance companies under reinsurance contracts with us; | |
• | conditions in the capital and credit markets that may limit our ability to raise significant amounts of capital on favorable terms, as well as restrictions on the ability or willingness of Loews Corporation to provide additional capital support to us; |
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• | weather and other natural physical events, including the severity and frequency of storms, hail, snowfall and other winter conditions, natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes, as well as climate change, including effects on weather patterns, greenhouse gases, sea, land and air temperatures, sea levels, rain and snow; | |
• | regulatory requirements imposed by coastal state regulators in the wake of hurricanes or other natural disasters, including limitations on the ability to exit markets or to non-renew, cancel or change terms and conditions in policies, as well as mandatory assessments to fund any shortfalls arising from the inability of quasi-governmental insurers to pay claims; | |
• | man-made disasters, including the possible occurrence of terrorist attacks and the effect of the absence or insufficiency of applicable terrorism legislation on coverages; | |
• | the unpredictability of the nature, targets, severity or frequency of potential terrorist events, as well as the uncertainty as to our ability to contain our terrorism exposure effectively, notwithstanding the extension through December 31, 2014 of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002; | |
• | the occurrence of epidemics; | |
• | exposure to liabilities due to claims made by insureds and others relating to asbestos remediation and health-based asbestos impairments, as well as exposure to liabilities for environmental pollution, construction defect claims and exposure to liabilities due to claims made by insureds and others relating to lead-based paint and other mass torts; | |
• | the sufficiency of our loss reserves and the possibility of future increases in reserves; | |
• | regulatory limitations and restrictions, including limitations upon our ability to receive dividends from our insurance subsidiaries imposed by state regulatory agencies and minimum risk-based capital standards established by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners; | |
• | the risks and uncertainties associated with our loss reserves as outlined in the Critical Accounting Estimates and the Reserves — Estimates and Uncertainties sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K; | |
• | the possibility of changes in our ratings by ratings agencies, including the inability to access certain markets or distribution channels and the required collateralization of future payment obligations as a result of such changes, and changes in rating agency policies and practices; and | |
• | the actual closing of contemplated transactions and agreements. |
Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of the statement, even if our expectations or any related events or circumstances change.
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CNA Financial Corporation
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
There were no material changes in our market risk components for the six months ended June 30, 2009. See the Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk included in Item 7A of our Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended December 31, 2008 for further information. Additional information related to portfolio duration and market conditions is discussed in the Investments section of the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in Part I, Item 2.
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CNA Financial Corporation
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains a system of disclosure controls and procedures which are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits to the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), including this report, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis. These disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management on a timely basis to allow decisions regarding required disclosure.
As of June 30, 2009, the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)). Based on this evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended June 30, 2009 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
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Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Information on our legal proceedings is set forth in Notes G and H of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part I, Item 1.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Set forth below is information relating to the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Registrant.
The annual meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m., April 22, 2009. Represented at the meeting, in person or by proxy, were 266,067,483 shares constituting approximately 99% of the issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote.
The following business was transacted:
1. Election of Directors
Approximately 95% of the votes cast for directors were voted for the election of the directors named below. The number of votes for and withheld with respect to each director is as follows:
Votes For | Votes Withheld | |||||||
Thomas F. Motamed | 252,718,837 | 12,992,552 | ||||||
Paul J. Liska | 265,352,098 | 359,291 | ||||||
Jose O. Montemayor | 265,463,309 | 248,080 | ||||||
Don M. Randel | 255,329,455 | 10,381,934 | ||||||
Joseph Rosenberg | 252,902,347 | 12,809,042 | ||||||
Andrew H. Tisch | 252,199,288 | 13,512,101 | ||||||
James S. Tisch | 251,930,300 | 13,781,089 | ||||||
Marvin Zonis | 255,145,502 | 10,565,887 |
There were no broker non-votes. Since the by-laws provide for director elections by plurality voting, votes may not be cast against any director.
2. Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Over 99% of the shares present and eligible to vote, voted to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP to serve as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Registrant for 2009. In addition, less than 1% of the shares eligible to vote either voted against the appointment or abstained. There were no broker non-votes.
Votes For | Votes Against | Votes Abstained | ||||||||||
Deloitte & Touche LLP | 265,838,065 | 224,677 | 4,741 |
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Item 6. Exhibits
(a) Exhibits
Description of Exhibit | Exhibit Number | |||
Amended and Restated Group Life and Health Indemnity Reinsurance Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2003, by and between Continental Assurance Company and Valley Forge Life Insurance Company and CNA Group Life Assurance Company | 10.1 | |||
Amended and Restated Group Health Indemnity Reinsurance Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2003, by and between Continental Casualty Company and American Casualty Company of Reading, Pennsylvania and CNA Group Life Assurance Company | 10.2 | |||
CAC Life and Annuity Indemnity Reinsurance Agreement, dated as of April 30, 2004, by and between Continental Assurance Company and Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc | 10.3 | |||
Certification of Chief Executive Officer | 31.1 | |||
Certification of Chief Financial Officer | 31.2 | |||
Written Statement of the Chief Executive Officer of CNA Financial Corporation Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (As adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) | 32.1 | |||
Written Statement of the Chief Financial Officer of CNA Financial Corporation Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (As adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) | 32.2 |
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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.
CNA Financial Corporation | ||||
Dated: August 3, 2009 | By | /s/ D. Craig Mense | ||
D. Craig Mense | ||||
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||||
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