have adequate internally generated funds, cash resources and unused credit facilities to provide for the currently foreseeable needs of our business, and we had no material commitments for capital expenditures as of March 31, 2019.
Stockholders’ equity attributable to Alleghany stockholders was approximately $8.2 billion as of March 31, 2019, compared with approximately $7.7 billion as of December 31, 2018. The increase in stockholders’ equity in the first three months of 2019 primarily reflects net earnings and appreciation in the value of our debt securities portfolio due to a decrease in interest rates and credit spreads, partially offset by repurchases of our common stock, all as discussed below. As of March 31, 2019, we had 14,447,737 shares of our common stock outstanding, compared with 14,576,509 shares of our common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2018.
Debt.On September 9, 2014, we completed a public offering of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 4.90% senior notes due on September 15, 2044. On June 26, 2012, we completed a public offering of $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 4.95% senior notes due on June 27, 2022. On September 20, 2010, we completed a public offering of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 5.625% senior notes due on September 15, 2020. See Note 8 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of the 2018 Form10-K for additional information on the senior notes.
Credit Agreement.On July 31, 2017, we entered into a five-year credit agreement, or the “Credit Agreement,” with certain lenders party thereto, which provides for an unsecured revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $300.0 million. The credit facility is scheduled to expire on July 31, 2022, unless earlier terminated. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement will be available for working capital and general corporate purposes, including permitted acquisitions and repurchases of Common Stock. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear a floating rate of interest based in part on our credit rating, among other factors. The Credit Agreement contains representations, warranties and covenants customary for bank loan facilities of this nature.
There were no borrowings under the Credit Agreement from inception through March 31, 2019.
Common Stock Repurchases.In November 2015, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of shares of our common stock at such times and at prices as management determines to be advisable, up to an aggregate of $400.0 million, or the “2015 Repurchase Program.” In June 2018, our Board of Directors authorized, upon the completion of the 2015 Repurchase Program, the repurchase of additional shares of our common stock at such times and at prices as management determines to be advisable, up to an aggregate of $400.0 million, or the “2018 Repurchase Program.” In the fourth quarter of 2018, we completed the 2015 Repurchase Program and subsequent repurchases have been made pursuant to the 2018 Repurchase Program. As of March 31, 2019, we had $191.0 million remaining under our repurchase authorization.
The following table presents the shares of our common stock that we repurchased in the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:
| | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | 2019 | | | 2018 |
Shares repurchased | | | 129,567 | | | 35,072 |
Cost of shares repurchased (in millions) | | $ | 80.5 | | | $ 21.3 |
Average price per share repurchased | | $ | 621.19 | | | $ 606.40 |
Special Dividend.In February 2018, our Board of Directors declared a special dividend of $10.00 per share for stockholders of record on March 5, 2018. On March 15, 2018, we paid dividends to stockholders totaling $154.0 million.
Investments in Certain Other Invested Assets.In December 2012, TransRe obtained an ownership interest in Pillar Capital Holdings, Limited, or “Pillar Holdings,” a Bermuda-based insurance asset manager focused on collateralized reinsurance and catastrophe insurance-linked securities. Additionally, TransRe invested $175.0 million and AIHL invested $25.0 million in limited partnership funds managed by Pillar Holdings, or the “Funds.” The objective of the Funds is to create portfolios with attractive risk- reward characteristics and low correlation with other asset classes, using the extensive reinsurance and capital market experience of the principals of Pillar Holdings. We have concluded that both Pillar Holdings and the Funds, or collectively, the “Pillar Investments,” represent variable interest entities and that we are not the primary beneficiary, as we do not have the ability to direct the activities that most significantly impact each entity’s economic performance. Therefore, the Pillar Investments are not consolidated and are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Our potential maximum loss in the Pillar Investments is limited to our cumulative net investment. As of March 31, 2019, our carrying value in the Pillar Investments, as determined under the equity method of accounting, was $194.7 million, which is net of returns of capital received from the Pillar Investments.
In July 2013, AIHL invested $250.0 million in Ares, an asset manager, in exchange for a 6.25 percent equity stake in Ares, with an agreement to engage Ares to manage up to $1.0 billion in certain investment strategies. In May 2014, Ares completed an initial public offering of its common units. Upon completion of the initial public offering, our equity investment in Ares converted into limited partnership interests in certain Ares subsidiaries that were convertible into Ares common units. On March 15, 2018, most of AIHL’s limited partnership interests were converted into Ares common units. As a result of the conversion and with respect to the limited partnership interests that were converted into Ares common units, AIHL: (i) reclassified its
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