xlgroup-03.31.2014-10Q

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
 
 
 
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
OR
 
 
 
 
¨
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 1-10804
XL GROUP
Public Limited Company
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Ireland
 
98-0665416
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
XL House, 8 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
+353 (1) 400-5500
(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 x No ¨
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 (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No ¨
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. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer x
Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨
Smaller reporting company ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x
As of May 2, 2014, there were 271,499,156 outstanding Ordinary Shares, $0.01 par value per share, of the registrant.



XL GROUP PLC
INDEX TO FORM 10-Q
 
 
Page No.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013
 
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013
 
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013
 
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013
 
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 





PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
XL GROUP PLC
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share data)
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
ASSETS
Investments:
 

 
 

Fixed maturities, at fair value (amortized cost: 2014, $26,485,164; 2013, $27,111,874)
$
27,139,824

 
$
27,500,136

Equity securities, at fair value (cost: 2014, $907,952; 2013, $903,201)
1,055,393

 
1,040,237

Short-term investments, at fair value (amortized cost: 2014, $382,509; 2013, $455,470)
382,113

 
456,288

Total investments available for sale
$
28,577,330

 
$
28,996,661

Fixed maturities, held to maturity at amortized cost (fair value: 2014, $3,209,175; 2013, $3,131,235)
2,854,487

 
2,858,695

Investments in affiliates
1,401,731

 
1,370,943

Other investments
1,218,223

 
1,164,630

Total investments
$
34,051,771

 
$
34,390,929

Cash and cash equivalents
2,476,047

 
1,800,832

Accrued investment income
322,596

 
346,809

Deferred acquisition costs
728,830

 
670,659

Ceded unearned premiums
900,193

 
788,871

Premiums receivable
3,209,214

 
2,612,602

Reinsurance balances receivable
179,615

 
118,885

Unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable
3,412,195

 
3,435,230

Receivable from investments sold
119,980

 
144,765

Goodwill and other intangible assets
455,700

 
411,611

Deferred tax asset
215,286

 
237,884

Other assets
687,460

 
693,810

Total assets
$
46,758,887

 
$
45,652,887

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities:
 

 
 

Unpaid losses and loss expenses
$
20,425,217

 
$
20,481,065

Deposit liabilities
1,497,599

 
1,509,243

Future policy benefit reserves
4,811,357

 
4,803,816

Unearned premiums
4,473,478

 
3,846,526

Notes payable and debt
2,262,824

 
2,263,203

Reinsurance balances payable
573,673

 
302,399

Payable for investments purchased
138,457

 
60,162

Deferred tax liability
93,718

 
86,330

Other liabilities
878,590

 
950,845

Total liabilities
$
35,154,913

 
$
34,303,589

Commitments and Contingencies


 


Shareholders’ Equity:
 

 
 

Ordinary shares, 999,990,000 authorized, par value $0.01; issued and outstanding (2014, 273,554,157; 2013, 278,253,308)
$
2,736

 
$
2,783

Additional paid in capital
7,828,668

 
7,994,100

Accumulated other comprehensive income
946,661

 
736,657

Retained earnings
1,466,897

 
1,264,093

Shareholders’ equity attributable to XL Group plc
$
10,244,962

 
$
9,997,633

Non-controlling interest in equity of consolidated subsidiaries
1,359,012

 
1,351,665

Total shareholders’ equity
$
11,603,974

 
$
11,349,298

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
46,758,887

 
$
45,652,887

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

1


XL GROUP PLC
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except per share data)
2014
 
2013
Revenues:
 

 
 

Net premiums earned
$
1,488,839

 
$
1,529,691

Net investment income
233,189

 
246,468

Realized investment gains (losses):
 
 
 
Net realized gains (losses) on investments sold
22,956

 
41,147

Other-than-temporary impairments on investments
(2,276
)
 
(3,727
)
Other-than-temporary impairments on investments transferred to (from) other comprehensive income
(1,451
)
 
(911
)
Total net realized gains (losses) on investments
$
19,229

 
$
36,509

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments
1,810

 
7,885

Income (loss) from investment fund affiliates
33,303

 
32,221

Fee income and other
11,454

 
9,632

Total revenues
$
1,787,824

 
$
1,862,406

Expenses:
 
 
 
Net losses and loss expenses incurred
$
831,505

 
$
843,084

Claims and policy benefits
113,587

 
110,953

Acquisition costs
199,414

 
220,259

Operating expenses
310,424

 
283,832

Exchange (gains) losses
10,441

 
(33,435
)
Interest expense
42,941

 
38,700

Total expenses
$
1,508,312

 
$
1,463,393

Income (loss) before income tax and income (loss) from operating affiliates
$
279,512

 
$
399,013

Income (loss) from operating affiliates
46,285

 
30,998

Provision (benefit) for income tax
34,321

 
43,479

Net income (loss)
$
291,476

 
$
386,532

Non-controlling interests
35,759

 
35,742

Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders
$
255,717

 
$
350,790

Weighted average ordinary shares and ordinary share equivalents outstanding, in thousands – basic
276,337

 
295,000

Weighted average ordinary shares and ordinary share equivalents outstanding, in thousands – diluted
280,458

 
299,469

Earnings (loss) per ordinary share and ordinary share equivalent – basic
$
0.93

 
$
1.19

Earnings (loss) per ordinary share and ordinary share equivalent – diluted
$
0.91

 
$
1.17

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements


2


XL GROUP PLC
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2014
 
2013
Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders
$
255,717

 
$
350,790

Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax
207,387

 
(112,222
)
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on affiliate and other investments, net of tax
3,123

 
(4,434
)
Change in OTTI losses recognized in other comprehensive income, net of tax
3,296

 
5,182

Change in underfunded pension liability, net of tax
(32
)
 
385

Change in value of cash flow hedge
110

 
110

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax
(3,880
)
 
(3,919
)
Comprehensive income (loss)
$
465,721

 
$
235,892

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements


3


XL GROUP PLC
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2014
 
2013
Ordinary Shares:
 

 
 

Balance - beginning of year
$
2,783

 
$
2,987

Issuance of ordinary shares
10

 
8

Buybacks of ordinary shares
(58
)
 
(80
)
Exercise of stock options
1

 
3

Balance - end of period
$
2,736

 
$
2,918

Additional Paid in Capital:
 

 
 

Balance - beginning of year
$
7,994,100

 
$
8,584,752

Issuance of ordinary shares
7

 
7

Buybacks of ordinary shares
(168,144
)
 
(220,572
)
Exercise of stock options
1,309

 
4,313

Share-based compensation expense
1,396

 
3,026

Balance - end of period
$
7,828,668

 
$
8,371,526

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
 

 
 

Balance - beginning of year
$
736,657

 
$
1,520,020

Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax
207,387

 
(112,222
)
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on affiliate and other investments, net of tax
3,123

 
(4,434
)
Change in OTTI losses recognized in other comprehensive income, net of tax
3,296

 
5,182

Change in underfunded pension liability, net of tax
(32
)
 
385

Change in value of cash flow hedge
110

 
110

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax
(3,880
)
 
(3,919
)
Balance - end of period
$
946,661

 
$
1,405,122

Retained Earnings (Deficit):
 

 
 

Balance - beginning of year
$
1,264,093

 
$
402,318

Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders
255,717

 
350,790

Dividends on ordinary shares
(44,620
)
 
(41,553
)
Buybacks of ordinary shares
(8,293
)
 
(3,767
)
Balance - end of period
$
1,466,897

 
$
707,788

Non-controlling Interest in Equity of Consolidated Subsidiaries:
 

 
 

Balance - beginning of year
$
1,351,665

 
$
1,346,325

Non-controlling interests - contribution
7,001

 

Non-controlling interests - distribution

 
(37
)
Non-controlling interests
346

 
82

Non-controlling interest share in change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 
(29
)
Non-controlling interests - deconsolidation

 
(1,841
)
Balance - end of period
$
1,359,012

 
$
1,344,500

Total Shareholders’ Equity
$
11,603,974

 
$
11,831,854

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements


4


XL GROUP PLC
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2014
 
2013
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
291,476

 
$
386,532

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
 
 
 
Net realized (gains) losses on investments
(19,229
)
 
(36,509
)
Net realized and unrealized (gains) losses on derivative instruments
(1,810
)
 
(7,885
)
Amortization of premiums (discounts) on fixed maturities
39,488

 
37,783

(Income) loss from investment and operating affiliates
(31,999
)
 
(63,219
)
Share-based compensation
15,974

 
15,086

Depreciation
14,961

 
13,109

Accretion of deposit liabilities
10,477

 
12,564

Changes in:
 
 
 
Unpaid losses and loss expenses
(72,058
)
 
(117,861
)
Future policy benefit reserves
(49,780
)
 
(48,114
)
Unearned premiums
621,009

 
636,875

Premiums receivable
(594,243
)
 
(629,528
)
Unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable
28,747

 
2,973

Ceded unearned premiums
(110,310
)
 
(65,191
)
Reinsurance balances receivable
(60,224
)
 
(41,234
)
Deferred acquisition costs
(56,937
)
 
(70,547
)
Reinsurance balances payable
269,717

 
129,253

Deferred tax asset - net
(598
)
 
(17,565
)
Derivatives
(12,277
)
 
52,675

Other assets
(25,731
)
 
(24,197
)
Other liabilities
(77,037
)
 
(23,052
)
Other
20,452

 
3,696

Total adjustments
$
(91,408
)
 
$
(240,888
)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
$
200,068

 
$
145,644

Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from sale of fixed maturities and short-term investments
$
1,106,926

 
$
1,198,391

Proceeds from redemption of fixed maturities and short-term investments
1,056,358

 
1,174,101

Proceeds from sale of equity securities
76,382

 
37,446

Purchases of fixed maturities and short-term investments
(1,411,447
)
 
(2,262,022
)
Purchases of equity securities
(80,833
)
 
(209,793
)
Proceeds from sale of affiliates
145,174

 
45,979

Purchases of affiliates
(86,205
)
 
(108,366
)
Other, net
(106,075
)
 
121,771

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
$
700,280

 
$
(2,493
)
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares and exercise of stock options
$
1,310

 
$
3,248

Buybacks of ordinary shares
(176,496
)
 
(224,420
)
Dividends paid on ordinary shares
(43,847
)
 
(805
)
Distributions to non-controlling interests
(3,008
)
 
(3,257
)
Contributions from non-controlling interests
7,001

 

Deposit liabilities
(17,270
)
 
(38,704
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
$
(232,310
)
 
$
(263,938
)
Effects of exchange rate changes on foreign currency cash
7,177

 
(24,304
)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
$
675,215

 
$
(145,091
)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period
1,800,832

 
2,618,378

Cash and cash equivalents - end of period
$
2,476,047

 
$
2,473,287

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

5


XL GROUP PLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Basis of Preparation and Consolidation
Unless the context otherwise indicates, references herein to the “Company” include XL Group plc, an Irish public limited company ("XL-Ireland"), and its consolidated subsidiaries.
These unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its subsidiaries and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In addition, the year-end balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but do not include all disclosures required by GAAP. In the opinion of management, these unaudited financial statements reflect all adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement of financial position and results of operations at the end of and for the periods presented. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year. All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates. For further information, see Item 8, Note 2(a), “Significant Accounting Policies – Basis of Preparation and Consolidation,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
To facilitate period-to-period comparisons, certain reclassifications have been made to prior period consolidated financial statement amounts to conform to current period presentation.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In July 2013, the FASB issued an accounting standards update concerning the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits. The objective of the guidance is to improve the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The guidance seeks to reduce the diversity in practice by providing guidance on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits to better reflect the manner in which an entity would settle, at the reporting date, any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position when net operating loss carryforwards, similar tax losses, or tax credit carryforwards exist. The guidance was effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013, with both early adoption and retrospective application permitted. This guidance did not have a significant impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
In April 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standards update intended to improve financial reporting by tightening the key criteria evaluating whether disposal transactions meet the definition of discontinued operations. Under the standard, only those disposals - either by sale or otherwise - of components of an entity that have, or will have, a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results would qualify for reporting as discontinued operations. Disposals that are considered to be routine in nature can no longer be reported as discontinued operations. However, the standard does relax one aspect of the current criteria - a disposal may now qualify for discontinued operations reporting even if the disposed component's operations and cash flows are not eliminated from on-going operations of the disposing entity, or if post-disposal, the disposing entity still has significant continuing involvement in the component’s operations. The standard also establishes both additional disclosure requirements and expanded disclosures regarding on-going involvement an entity may have with a discontinued operation after its disposal. The guidance is effective prospectively for all public company disposals (or component reclassifications to held-for-sale) that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is permitted, but only for disposals (or component reclassifications to held-for-sale) that have not been reported in financial statements issued or available for issuance prior to the effective date. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance.

6


XL GROUP PLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

3. Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is defined as the amount that would be received for the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price), in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants as of the measurement date. Applicable accounting guidance provides an established hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability and are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions about the factors that market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability. Assets and liabilities are classified based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements. The Company reviews the fair value hierarchy classification on a quarterly basis. Changes in the observability of valuation inputs may result in a reclassification of levels for certain securities within the fair value hierarchy.
The fair values for available for sale investments are generally sourced from third parties. The fair value of fixed income securities is based upon quoted market values where available, “evaluated bid” prices provided by third party pricing services (“pricing services”) where quoted market values are not available, or by reference to broker quotes where pricing services do not provide coverage for a particular security. While the Company receives values for the majority of the investment securities it holds from pricing services, it is ultimately management’s responsibility to determine whether the values received and recorded in the financial statements are representative of appropriate fair value measurements.
The Company performs regular reviews of the prices received from its third party valuation sources to assess if the prices represent a reasonable estimate of the fair value. This process is completed by investment and accounting personnel who are independent of those responsible for obtaining the valuations. The approaches taken by the Company include, but are not limited to, annual reviews of the controls of the external parties responsible for sourcing valuations, which are subjected to automated tolerance checks, quarterly reviews of the valuation sources and dates, and monthly reconciliations between the valuations provided by our external parties and valuations provided by our third party investment managers at a portfolio level.
Where broker quotes are the primary source of the valuations, sufficient information regarding the specific inputs utilized by the brokers is generally not available to support a Level 2 classification. The Company obtains the majority of broker quoted values from third party investment managers who perform independent verifications of these valuations using pricing matrices based upon information gathered by market traders. In addition, for the majority of these securities, the Company compares the broker quotes to independent valuations obtained from third party pricing vendors, which may also consist of broker quotes, to assess if the prices received represent a reasonable estimate of the fair value.
For further information, see Item 8, Note 2(b), “Significant Accounting Policies - Fair Value Measurements,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

7


XL GROUP PLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(a) Fair Value Summary
The following tables set forth the Company’s assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 by level within the fair value hierarchy:
March 31, 2014
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Other
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Collateral
and
Counterparty
Netting
 
Balance at
March 31, 2014
Assets
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. Government and Government - Related/Supported
$

 
$
2,319,052

 
$

 
$

 
$
2,319,052

Corporate (1)

 
11,104,123

 
4,382

 

 
11,108,505

Residential mortgage-backed securities – Agency (“RMBS - Agency”)

 
3,213,555

 
8,928

 

 
3,222,483

Residential mortgage-backed securities – Non-Agency (“RMBS - Non-Agency”)

 
401,382

 
11

 

 
401,393

Commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”)

 
1,192,386

 
5,926

 

 
1,198,312

Collateralized debt obligations (“CDO”)

 
6,233

 
718,827

 

 
725,060

Other asset-backed securities (2)

 
1,185,639

 
10,673

 

 
1,196,312

U.S. States and political subdivisions of the States

 
1,902,451

 

 

 
1,902,451

Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Provincial, Supranational and Government-Related/Supported

 
5,066,256

 

 

 
5,066,256

Total fixed maturities, at fair value
$

 
$
26,391,077

 
$
748,747

 
$

 
$
27,139,824

Equity securities, at fair value (3)
549,454

 
505,939

 

 

 
1,055,393

Short-term investments, at fair value (1)(4)

 
382,113

 

 

 
382,113

Total investments available for sale
$
549,454

 
$
27,279,129

 
$
748,747

 
$

 
$
28,577,330

Cash equivalents (5)
1,270,563

 
485,486

 

 

 
1,756,049

Other investments (6)

 
813,757

 
116,418

 

 
930,175

Other assets (7)

 
8,858

 

 

 
8,858

Total assets accounted for at fair value
$
1,820,017

 
$
28,587,230

 
$
865,165

 
$

 
$
31,272,412

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased (8)
$

 
$
30,896

 
$

 
$

 
$
30,896

Other liabilities (7)

 
28,871

 
32,496

 

 
61,367

Total liabilities accounted for at fair value
$

 
$
59,767

 
$
32,496

 
$

 
$
92,263


8


XL GROUP PLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2013
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Other
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Collateral
and
Counterparty
Netting
 
Balance at
December 31,
2013
Assets
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. Government and Government - Related/Supported
$

 
$
2,501,851

 
$

 
$

 
$
2,501,851

Corporate (1)

 
11,094,257

 
31,573

 

 
11,125,830

RMBS – Agency

 
3,535,649

 
10,473

 

 
3,546,122

RMBS – Non-Agency

 
398,759

 
9

 

 
398,768

CMBS

 
1,234,262

 
12,533

 

 
1,246,795

CDO

 
7,060

 
710,253

 

 
717,313

Other asset-backed securities (2)

 
1,230,227

 
11,877

 

 
1,242,104

U.S. States and political subdivisions of the States

 
1,845,812

 

 

 
1,845,812

Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Provincial, Supranational and Government-Related/Supported

 
4,875,541

 

 

 
4,875,541

Total fixed maturities, at fair value
$

 
$
26,723,418

 
$
776,718

 
$

 
$
27,500,136

Equity securities, at fair value (3)
540,331

 
499,906

 

 

 
1,040,237

Short-term investments, at fair value (1)(4)

 
454,273

 
2,015

 

 
456,288

Total investments available for sale
$
540,331

 
$
27,677,597

 
$
778,733

 
$

 
$
28,996,661

Cash equivalents (5)
834,514

 
226,636

 

 

 
1,061,150

Other investments (6)

 
757,110

 
113,472

 

 
870,582

Other assets (7)

 
27,487

 

 
(1,342
)
 
26,145

Total assets accounted for at fair value
$
1,374,845

 
$
28,688,830

 
$
892,205

 
$
(1,342
)
 
$
30,954,538

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased (8)
$

 
$
28,861

 
$

 
$

 
$
28,861

Other liabilities (7)

 
76,375

 
29,110

 
(1,342
)
 
104,143

Total liabilities accounted for at fair value
$

 
$
105,236

 
$
29,110

 
$
(1,342
)
 
$
133,004

____________
(1)
Included within Corporate are certain medium term notes supported primarily by pools of European investment grade credit with varying degrees of leverage. The notes had a fair value of $154.7 million and $154.6 million and an amortized cost of $146.2 million and $147.7 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. These notes allow the investor to participate in cash flows of the underlying bonds including certain residual values, which could serve to either decrease or increase the ultimate values of these notes.
(2)
The Company invests in covered bonds (“Covered Bonds”). Covered Bonds are senior secured debt instruments issued by financial institutions and backed by over-collateralized pools of public sector or mortgage loans. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, Covered Bonds with a fair value of $537.5 million and $553.1 million, respectively, are included within Other asset-backed securities.
(3)
Included within Equity securities are investments in fixed income funds with a fair value of $89.1 million and $87.4 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
(4)
Short-term investments consist primarily of Corporate securities and U.S. and Non-U.S. Government and Government-Related/ Supported securities.
(5)
Cash equivalents balances subject to fair value measurement include certificates of deposit and money market funds. Operating cash balances are not subject to recurring fair value measurement guidance.
(6)
The Other investments balance excludes certain structured transactions including certain investments in project finance transactions, a payment obligation and liquidity financing provided to a structured credit vehicle as a part of a third party medium term note facility. These investments, which totaled $288.0 million at March 31, 2014 and $294.0 million at December 31, 2013, are carried at amortized cost. For further information, see Item 8, Note 7, “Other Investments,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
(7)
Other assets and other liabilities include derivative instruments. The derivative balances included in each category are reported on a gross basis by level with a netting adjustment presented separately in the Collateral and Counterparty Netting column. The fair values of the individual derivative contracts are reported gross in their respective levels based on the fair value hierarchy. For further details regarding derivative fair values and associated collateral received or paid see Note 6, “Derivative Instruments,” to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
(8)
Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, represent “short sales” and are included within “Payable for investments purchased” on the balance sheet.

9


XL GROUP PLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(b) Level 3 Assets and Liabilities
The tables below present additional information about assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and for which Level 3 inputs were utilized to determine fair value. The tables present a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 for all financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) at March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The tables do not include gains or losses that were reported in Level 3 in prior periods for assets that were transferred out of Level 3 prior to March 31, 2014 and 2013. Gains and losses for assets and liabilities classified within Level 3 in the table below may include changes in fair value that are attributable to both observable inputs (Levels 1 and 2) and unobservable inputs (Level 3). Further, it should be noted that the following tables do not take into consideration the effect of offsetting Level 1 and 2 financial instruments entered into by the Company that are either economically hedged by certain exposures to the Level 3 positions or that hedge the exposures in Level 3 positions.
In general, Level 3 assets include securities for which values were obtained from brokers where either significant inputs were utilized in determining the values that were difficult to corroborate with observable market data, or sufficient information regarding the specific inputs utilized by the broker was not available to support a Level 2 classification. Transfers into or out of Level 3 primarily arise as a result of the valuations utilized by the Company changing between either those provided by independent pricing services that do not contain significant unobservable inputs and other valuations sourced from brokers that are considered Level 3.
There were no significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.
 
Level 3 Assets and Liabilities -Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Corporate
 
RMBS - Agency
 
RMBS - Non
Agency
 
CMBS
 
CDO
Balance, beginning of period
$
31,573

 
$
10,473

 
$
9

 
$
12,533

 
$
710,253

Realized gains (losses)
120

 
(1
)
 

 
2

 
1,581

Movement in unrealized gains (losses)
(2
)
 
1

 
2

 
(3
)
 
3,681

Purchases and issuances
1,434

 

 

 

 
27,814

Sales

 

 

 

 
(9,931
)
Settlements
(5,114
)
 
(573
)
 

 
(6,606
)
 
(14,571
)
Transfers into Level 3

 

 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3
(23,629
)
 
(972
)
 

 

 

Fixed maturities to short-term investments classification change

 

 

 

 

Balance, end of period
$
4,382

 
$
8,928

 
$
11

 
$
5,926

 
$
718,827

Movement in total gains (losses) above relating to instruments still held at the reporting date
$
148

 
$

 
$
2

 
$

 
$
4,969

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Level 3 Assets and Liabilities -Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Other asset-
backed
securities
 
Non-US Sovereign
Government,
Provincial,
Supranational and
Government
Related/Supported
 
Short-term
investments
 
Other investments
 
Derivative Contracts
- Net
Balance, beginning of period
$
11,877

 
$

 
$
2,015

 
$
113,472

 
$
(29,110
)
Realized gains (losses)
(15
)
 

 

 
3,566

 

Movement in unrealized gains (losses)
62

 

 
(15
)
 
1,494

 
(3,386
)
Purchases and issuances

 

 

 
11,089

 

Sales

 

 

 

 

Settlements
(1,251
)
 

 
(2,000
)
 
(13,203
)
 

Transfers into Level 3

 

 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities to short-term investments classification change

 

 

 

 

Balance, end of period
$
10,673

 
$

 
$

 
$
116,418

 
$
(32,496
)
Movement in total gains (losses) above relating to instruments still held at the reporting date
$
46

 
$

 
$

 
$
5,061

 
$
(3,386
)

10


XL GROUP PLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
Level 3 Assets and Liabilities -Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Corporate
 
RMBS - Agency
 
RMBS - Non
Agency
 
CMBS
 
CDO
Balance, beginning of period
$
30,098

 
$
32,005

 
$
116

 
$
25,347

 
$
701,736

Realized gains (losses)
(2
)
 
13

 

 

 
356

Movement in unrealized gains (losses)
204

 
(18
)
 

 
1

 
21,255

Purchases and issuances
10,621

 

 

 

 

Sales

 
(535
)
 

 

 

Settlements
(106
)
 
(893
)
 
(13
)
 
(336
)
 
(20,443
)
Transfers into Level 3

 

 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3

 
(11,465
)
 

 

 

Fixed maturities to short-term investments classification change

 

 

 

 

Balance, end of period
$
40,815

 
$
19,107

 
$
103

 
$
25,012

 
$
702,904

Movement in total gains (losses) above relating to instruments still held at the reporting date
$
202

 
$
(5
)
 
$

 
$
1

 
$
20,892

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Level 3 Assets and Liabilities -Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Other asset-
backed
securities
 
Non-US Sovereign
Government,
Provincial,
Supranational and
Government
Related/Supported
 
Short-term
investments
 
Other investments
 
Derivative Contracts
- Net
Balance, beginning of period
$
18,128

 
$

 
$

 
$
115,272

 
$
(36,247
)
Realized gains (losses)
51

 

 

 
2,915

 

Movement in unrealized gains (losses)
1,475

 

 

 
(1,902
)
 
3,697

Purchases and issuances
21,686

 

 
2,017

 
1,905

 

Sales

 

 

 

 

Settlements
(5,453
)
 

 

 
(4,868
)
 

Transfers into Level 3

 

 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities to short-term investments classification change

 

 

 

 

Balance, end of period
$
35,887

 
$

 
$
2,017

 
$
113,322

 
$
(32,550
)
Movement in total gains (losses) above relating to instruments still held at the reporting date
$
7

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,013

 
$
3,697


(c) Fixed maturities and short-term investments
The Company’s Level 3 assets consist primarily of CDOs, for which non-binding broker quotes are the primary source of the valuations. Sufficient information regarding the specific inputs utilized by the brokers was not available to support a Level 2 classification. The Company obtains the majority of broker quotes for these CDOs from third party investment managers who perform independent verifications of these valuations using pricing matrices based upon information gathered by market traders. In addition, for the majority of these securities, the Company compares the broker quotes to independent valuations obtained from third party pricing vendors, which may also consist of broker quotes, to assess if the prices received represent a reasonable estimate of the fair value. Although the Company does not have access to the specific unobservable inputs that may have been used in the fair value measurements of the CDO securities provided by brokers, we would expect that the significant inputs considered are prepayment rates, probability of default, loss severity in the event of default, recovery rates, liquidity premium and reinvestment rates. Significant increases (decreases) in any of those inputs in isolation could result in a significantly different fair value measurement. Generally, a change in the assumption used for the probability of default is accompanied by a directionally similar change in the assumption used for the loss severity and a directionally opposite change in the assumption used for prepayment rates.
The remainder of the Level 3 assets relate primarily to private investment funds and certain derivative positions as described below.

11


XL GROUP PLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(d) Other investments
Included within the Other investments component of the Company’s Level 3 valuations are private investments and alternative fund investments where the Company is not deemed to have significant influence over the investee. The fair value of these investments is based upon net asset values received from the investment manager or general partner of the respective entity. The nature of the underlying investments held by the investee that form the basis of the net asset value include assets such as private business ventures and are such that significant Level 3 inputs are utilized in the determination of the individual underlying holding values and, accordingly, the fair value of the Company’s investment in each entity is classified within Level 3. The Company has not adjusted the net asset values received; however, management incorporates factors such as the most recent financial information received, annual audited financial statements and the values at which capital transactions with the investee take place when applying judgment regarding whether any adjustments should be made to the net asset value in recording the fair value of each position. Investments in alternative funds included in Other investments utilize strategies including arbitrage, directional, event driven and multi-style. These funds potentially have lockup and gate provisions which may limit redemption liquidity. For further details regarding the nature of Other investments and related features see Item 8, Note 7, “Other Investments,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
(e) Derivative instruments
Derivative instruments recorded within Other liabilities and classified within Level 3 include credit derivatives sold providing protection on senior tranches of structured finance transactions where the value is obtained directly from the investment bank counterparty and sufficient information regarding the inputs utilized in such valuation was not obtained to support a Level 2 classification and guaranteed minimum income benefits embedded within one reinsurance contract. The majority of inputs utilized in the valuations of these types of derivative contracts are considered Level 1 or Level 2; however, each valuation includes at least one Level 3 input that was significant to the valuation and, accordingly, the values are disclosed within Level 3.
(f) Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value
Authoritative guidance over disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments requires additional disclosure of fair value information for financial instruments not carried at fair value in both interim and annual reporting periods. Certain financial instruments, particularly insurance contracts, are excluded from these fair value disclosure requirements. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accrued investment income, net receivable from investments sold, other assets, net payable for investments purchased, other liabilities and other financial instruments not included below approximated their fair values. The following table includes financial instruments for which the carrying value differs from the estimated fair values at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. All of these fair values estimates are considered Level 2 fair value measurements. The fair values for fixed maturities held to maturity are provided by third party pricing vendors and significant valuation inputs for all other items included were based upon market data obtained from sources independent of the Company, and are subject to the same control environment previously described.
 
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Carrying
Value
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Value
 
Fair
Value
Fixed maturities, held to maturity
$
2,854,487

 
$
3,209,175

 
$
2,858,695

 
$
3,131,235

Other investments - structured transactions
288,047

 
306,989

 
294,048

 
296,799

Financial Assets
$
3,142,534

 
$
3,516,164

 
$
3,152,743

 
$
3,428,034

Deposit liabilities
$
1,497,599

 
$
1,739,163

 
$
1,509,243

 
$
1,718,394

Notes payable and debt
2,262,824

 
2,483,414

 
2,263,203

 
2,429,412

Financial Liabilities
$
3,760,423

 
$
4,222,577

 
$
3,772,446

 
$
4,147,806

The Company historically participated in structured transactions. Remaining structured transactions include cash loans supporting project finance transactions, liquidity facility financing provided to structured project deals and an investment in a payment obligation with an insurance company. These transactions are carried at amortized cost. The fair value of these investments held by the Company is determined through use of internal models utilizing reported trades, benchmark yields, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data.
Deposit liabilities include obligations under structured insurance and reinsurance transactions. For purposes of fair value disclosures, the Company determined the estimated fair value of the deposit liabilities by assuming a discount rate equal to the appropriate U.S. Treasury rate plus 54.8 basis points and 56.7 basis points at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The discount rate incorporates the Company’s own credit risk into the determination of estimated fair value.

12


XL GROUP PLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The fair values of the Company’s notes payable and debt outstanding were determined based on quoted market prices.
There are no significant concentrations of credit risk within the Company’s financial instruments as defined in the authoritative guidance over disclosures of fair value of financial instruments not carried at fair value, which excludes certain financial instruments, particularly insurance contracts.
4. Segment Information
The Company is organized into three operating segments: Insurance, Reinsurance and Life operations. The Company’s general investment and financing operations are reflected in Corporate.
The Company evaluates the performance of both the Insurance and Reinsurance segments based on underwriting profit while the Life operations segment's performance is based on contribution to net income. Other items of revenue and expenditure of the Company are not evaluated at the segment level. In addition, the Company does not allocate to the individual segments investment assets used to support its Property and Casualty (“P&C”) operations, except as noted below. Investment assets related to the Company’s Life operations and certain structured products included in the Insurance and Reinsurance segments are held in separately identified portfolios. As such, net investment income from these assets is included in the contribution from the applicable segment. The following tables summarize the segment results for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except ratios)
Insurance
 
Reinsurance
 
Total P&C
 
Life
Operations
 
Total
Gross premiums written
$
1,570,926

 
$
857,713

 
$
2,428,639

 
$
84,297

 
$
2,512,936

Net premiums written
1,127,367

 
792,173

 
1,919,540

 
76,311

 
1,995,851

Net premiums earned
992,440

 
420,088

 
1,412,528

 
76,311

 
1,488,839

Net losses and loss expenses
639,193

 
192,312

 
831,505

 
113,587

 
945,092

Acquisition costs
105,000

 
87,235

 
192,235

 
7,179

 
199,414

Operating expenses (1)
203,053

 
40,861

 
243,914

 
3,188

 
247,102

Underwriting profit (loss)
$
45,194

 
$
99,680

 
$
144,874

 
$
(47,643
)
 
$
97,231

Net investment income
 
 
 
 
143,527

 
70,892

 
214,419

Net results from structured products (2)
4,890

 
3,063

 
7,953

 


 
7,953

Net fee income and other (3)
(1,212
)
 
673

 
(539
)
 
45

 
(494
)
Net realized gains (losses) on investments
 

 
 

 
17,666

 
1,563

 
19,229

Contribution from P&C and Life Operations
 

 
 

 
$
313,481

 
$
24,857

 
$
338,338

Corporate & other:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net realized & unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
1,810

Net income (loss) from investment fund affiliates and operating affiliates (4)
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
79,588

Exchange (gains) losses
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
10,441

Corporate operating expenses
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
51,338

Interest expense (5)
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
32,160

Non-controlling interests
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
35,759

Income tax expense
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
34,321

Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
$
255,717

Ratios – P&C operations: (6)
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loss and loss expense ratio
64.4
%
 
45.8
%
 
58.9
%
 
 

 
 

Underwriting expense ratio
31.0
%
 
30.5
%
 
30.8
%
 
 

 
 

Combined ratio
95.4
%
 
76.3
%
 
89.7
%
 
 

 
 

____________
(1)
Operating expenses exclude Corporate operating expenses, shown separately.
(2)
The net results from structured products include net investment income and interest expense of $18.8 million and $10.8 million, respectively.
(3)
Net fee income and other includes operating expenses from the Company's loss prevention consulting services business.
(4)
The Company records the income related to the alternative funds and to the private investment and operating fund affiliates on a one-month and three-month lag, respectively.
(5)
Interest expense excludes interest expense related to deposit liabilities recorded in the Insurance and Reinsurance segments.
(6)
Ratios are based on net premiums earned from P&C operations.

13


XL GROUP PLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except ratios)
Insurance
 
Reinsurance
 
Total P&C
 
Life
Operations
 
Total
Gross premiums written
$
1,497,787

 
$
907,129

 
$
2,404,916

 
$
72,970

 
$
2,477,886

Net premiums written
1,189,188

 
853,021

 
2,042,209

 
65,445

 
2,107,654

Net premiums earned
1,039,092

 
425,154

 
1,464,246

 
65,445

 
1,529,691

Net losses and loss expenses
650,517

 
192,567

 
843,084

 
110,953

 
954,037

Acquisition costs
130,622

 
85,534

 
216,156

 
4,103

 
220,259

Operating expenses (1)
183,997

 
40,421

 
224,418

 
2,595

 
227,013

Underwriting profit (loss)
$
73,956

 
$
106,632

 
$
180,588

 
$
(52,206
)
 
$
128,382

Net investment income
 
 
 
 
157,039

 
71,688

 
228,727

Net results from structured products (2)
4,185

 
991

 
5,176

 


 
5,176

Net fee income and other (3)
(1,939
)
 
632

 
(1,307
)
 
1,043

 
(264
)
Net realized gains (losses) on investments
 

 
 

 
45,578

 
(9,069
)
 
36,509

Contribution from P&C and Life Operations
 

 
 

 
$
387,074

 
$
11,456

 
$
398,530

Corporate & other:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net realized & unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
7,885

Net income (loss) from investment fund affiliates and operating affiliates (4)
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
63,219

Exchange (gains) losses
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
(33,435
)
Corporate operating expenses
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
46,922

Interest expense (5)
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
26,136

Non-controlling interests
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
35,742

Income tax expense
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
43,479

Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
$
350,790

Ratios – P&C operations: (6)
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loss and loss expense ratio
62.6
%
 
45.3
%
 
57.6
%
 
 

 
 

Underwriting expense ratio
30.3
%
 
29.6
%
 
30.1
%
 
 

 
 

Combined ratio
92.9
%
 
74.9
%
 
87.7
%
 
 

 
 

____________
(1)
Operating expenses exclude Corporate operating expenses, shown separately.
(2)
The net results from structured products include net investment income and interest expense of $17.7 million and $12.6 million, respectively.
(3)
Net fee income and other includes operating expenses from the Company's loss prevention consulting services business.
(4)
The Company records the income related to the alternative funds and to the private investment and operating fund affiliates on a one-month and three-month lag, respectively.
(5)
Interest expense excludes interest expense related to deposit liabilities recorded in the Insurance and Reinsurance segments.
(6)
Ratios are based on net premiums earned from P&C operations.

14


XL GROUP PLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following tables summarize the Company’s net premiums earned by line of business for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Insurance
 
Reinsurance
 
Life
Operations
 
Total
P&C Operations:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Professional
$
275,427

 
$
50,104

 
$

 
$
325,531

Casualty
344,004

 
76,721

 

 
420,725

Property catastrophe

 
108,437

 

 
108,437

Property
139,733

 
135,239

 

 
274,972

Marine, energy, aviation and satellite

 
23,514

 

 
23,514

Specialty
176,909

 

 

 
176,909

Other (1)
56,367

 
26,073

 

 
82,440

Total P&C Operations
$
992,440

 
$
420,088

 
$

 
$
1,412,528

Life Operations:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Annuity
$

 
$

 
$
31,797

 
$
31,797

Other Life

 

 
44,514

 
44,514

Total Life Operations
$

 
$

 
$
76,311

 
$
76,311

Total
$
992,440

 
$
420,088

 
$
76,311

 
$
1,488,839

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Insurance
 
Reinsurance
 
Life
Operations
 
Total
P&C Operations:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Professional
$
350,838

 
$
45,436

 
$

 
$
396,274

Casualty
327,418

 
76,981

 

 
404,399

Property catastrophe

 
113,642

 

 
113,642

Property
124,450

 
141,269

 

 
265,719

Marine, energy, aviation and satellite

 
27,840

 

 
27,840

Specialty
182,965

 

 

 
182,965

Other (1)
53,421

 
19,986

 

 
73,407

Total P&C Operations
$
1,039,092

 
$
425,154

 
$

 
$
1,464,246

Life Operations:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Annuity
$

 
$

 
$
29,684

 
$
29,684

Other Life

 

 
35,761

 
35,761

Total Life Operations
$

 
$

 
$
65,445

 
$
65,445

Total
$
1,039,092

 
$
425,154

 
$
65,445

 
$
1,529,691

____________
(1)
Other within the Insurance segment includes: excess and surplus, programs, surety, structured indemnity and certain other discontinued lines. Other within the Reinsurance segment includes: whole account contracts, surety and other lines.


15


XL GROUP PLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

5. Investments
(a) Fixed Maturities, Short-Term Investments and Equity Securities
Amortized Cost and Fair Value Summary
The cost (amortized cost for fixed maturities and short-term investments), fair value, gross unrealized gains and gross unrealized (losses), including other-than-temporary impairments (“OTTI”) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) of the Company’s available for sale (“AFS”) and held to maturity (“HTM”) investments at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, were as follows:
March 31, 2014
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Non-credit Related OTTI (1)
Fixed maturities - AFS
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. Government and Government-Related/Supported (2)
$
2,282,321

 
$
59,678

 
$
(22,947
)
 
$
2,319,052

 
$

Corporate (3) (4)
10,697,760

 
490,229

 
(79,484
)
 
11,108,505

 
(4,758
)
RMBS – Agency
3,186,504

 
74,788

 
(38,809
)
 
3,222,483

 

RMBS – Non-Agency
389,181

 
36,836

 
(24,624
)
 
401,393

 
(71,999
)
CMBS
1,172,597

 
36,282

 
(10,567
)
 
1,198,312

 
(2,662
)
CDO
758,469

 
3,649

 
(37,058
)
 
725,060

 
(1,936
)
Other asset-backed securities (5)
1,156,561

 
46,219

 
(6,468
)
 
1,196,312

 
(2,117
)
U.S. States and political subdivisions of the States
1,832,247

 
84,695

 
(14,491
)
 
1,902,451

 

Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Provincial, Supranational and Government-Related/Supported (2)
5,009,524

 
110,972

 
(54,240
)
 
5,066,256

 

Total fixed maturities - AFS
$
26,485,164

 
$
943,348

 
$
(288,688
)
 
$
27,139,824

 
$
(83,472
)
Total short-term investments (2)
$
382,509

 
$
181

 
$
(577
)
 
$
382,113

 
$

Total equity securities (6)
$
907,952

 
$
166,197

 
$
(18,756
)
 
$
1,055,393

 
$

Total investments - AFS
$
27,775,625

 
$
1,109,726

 
$
(308,021
)
 
$
28,577,330

 
$
(83,472
)
Fixed maturities - HTM
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. Government and Government-Related/Supported (2)
$
11,052

 
$
918

 
$

 
$
11,970

 
$

Corporate
1,376,931

 
135,909

 
(190
)
 
1,512,650

 

RMBS – Non-Agency
67,037

 
6,743

 

 
73,780

 

CMBS
145,005

 
15,215

 

 
160,220

 

Other asset-backed securities (5)
106,514

 
9,437

 

 
115,951

 

Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Provincial, Supranational and Government-Related/Supported (2)
1,147,948

 
186,656

 

 
1,334,604

 

Total investments - HTM
$
2,854,487

 
$
354,878

 
$
(190
)
 
$
3,209,175

 
$

___________
(1)
Represents the non-credit component of OTTI losses, adjusted for subsequent sales of securities. It does not include the change in fair value subsequent to the impairment measurement date.
(2)
U.S. Government and Government-Related/Supported, Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Provincials, Supranationals and Government-Related/Supported and Total short-term investments includes government-related securities with an amortized cost of $2,301.8 million and fair value of $2,365.0 million and U.S. Agencies with an amortized cost of $238.0 million and fair value of $261.5 million.
(3)
Included within Corporate are certain medium term notes supported primarily by pools of European investment grade credit with varying degrees of leverage. The notes have a fair value of $154.7 million and an amortized cost of $146.2 million. These notes allow the investor to participate in cash flows of the underlying bonds including certain residual values, which could serve to either decrease or increase the ultimate values of these notes.
(4)
Included within Corporate are Tier One and Upper Tier Two securities, representing committed term debt and hybrid instruments, which are senior to the common and preferred equities of the financial institutions. These securities have a fair value of $279.8 million and an amortized cost of $281.3 million.
(5)
Covered Bonds within Fixed maturities - AFS with an amortized cost of $508.3 million and a fair value of $537.5 million and Covered Bonds within Fixed maturities - HTM with an amortized cost of $8.6 million and a fair value of $8.9 million are included within Other asset-backed securities to align the Company's classification to market indices.
(6)
Included within Total equity securities are investments in fixed income funds with a fair value of $89.1 million and an amortized cost of $100.9 million.

16


XL GROUP PLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2013
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Non-credit Related OTTI (1)
Fixed maturities - AFS
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. Government and Government-Related/Supported (2)
$
2,484,193

 
$
51,701

 
$
(34,043
)
 
$
2,501,851

 
$

Corporate (3) (4)
10,802,332

 
433,097

 
(109,599
)
 
11,125,830

 
(4,758
)
RMBS – Agency
3,540,101

 
68,098

 
(62,077
)
 
3,546,122

 

RMBS – Non-Agency
396,798

 
33,096

 
(31,126
)
 
398,768

 
(74,528
)
CMBS
1,223,313

 
39,255

 
(15,773
)
 
1,246,795

 
(2,753
)
CDO
754,414

 
5,833

 
(42,934
)
 
717,313

 
(2,036
)
Other asset-backed securities (5)
1,210,384

 
40,560

 
(8,840
)
 
1,242,104

 
(2,807
)
U.S. States and political subdivisions of the States
1,821,499

 
55,083

 
(30,770
)
 
1,845,812

 

Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Provincial, Supranational and Government-Related/Supported (2)
4,878,840

 
80,961

 
(84,260
)
 
4,875,541

 

Total fixed maturities - AFS
$
27,111,874

 
$
807,684

 
$
(419,422
)
 
$
27,500,136

 
$
(86,882
)
Total short-term investments (2)
$
455,470

 
$
962

 
$
(144
)
 
$
456,288

 
$

Total equity securities (6)
$
903,201

 
$
154,506

 
$
(17,470
)
 
$
1,040,237

 
$

Total investments - AFS
$
28,470,545

 
$
963,152

 
$
(437,036
)
 
$
28,996,661

 
$
(86,882
)
Fixed maturities - HTM
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. Government and Government-Related/Supported (2)
$
10,993

 
$
629

 
$

 
$
11,622

 
$

Corporate
1,386,863

 
113,179

 
(968
)
 
1,499,074

 

RMBS – Non-Agency
66,987

 
4,985

 

 
71,972

 

CMBS
144,924

 
11,864

 

 
156,788

 

Other asset-backed securities (5)
106,540

 
6,908

 

 
113,448

 

Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Provincial, Supranational and Government-Related/Supported (2)
1,142,388

 
136,585

 
(642
)
 
1,278,331

 

Total investments - HTM
$
2,858,695

 
$
274,150

 
$
(1,610
)
 
$
3,131,235

 
$

____________
(1)
Represents the non-credit component of OTTI losses, adjusted for subsequent sales of securities. It does not include the change in fair value subsequent to the impairment measurement date.
(2)
U.S. Government and Government-Related/Supported, Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Provincials, Supranationals and Government-Related/Supported and Total short-term investments includes government-related securities with an amortized cost of $2,241.5 million and fair value of $2,275.6 million and U.S. Agencies with an amortized cost of $267.0 million and fair value of $284.3 million.
(3)
Included within Corporate are certain medium term notes supported primarily by pools of European investment grade credit with varying degrees of leverage. The notes have a fair value of $154.6 million and an amortized cost of $147.7 million. These notes allow the investor to participate in cash flows of the underlying bonds including certain residual values, which could serve to either decrease or increase the ultimate values of these notes.
(4)
Included within Corporate are Tier One and Upper Tier Two securities, representing committed term debt and hybrid instruments, which are senior to the common and preferred equities of the financial institutions. These securities have a fair value of $282.2 million and an amortized cost of $286.2 million.
(5)
Covered Bonds within Fixed maturities - AFS with an amortized cost of $526.4 million and a fair value of $553.1 million and Covered Bonds within Fixed maturities - HTM with an amortized cost of $8.6 million and a fair value of $8.7 million are included within Other asset-backed securities to align the Company's classification to market indices.
(6)
Included within Total equity securities are investments in fixed income funds with a fair value of $87.4 million and an amortized cost of $100.0 million.
At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, approximately 2.5% and 2.6%, respectively, of the Company's fixed income investment portfolio at fair value was invested in securities that were below investment grade or not rated. Approximately 15.0% and 12.4% of the gross unrealized losses in the Company's fixed income securities portfolio at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, related to securities that were below investment grade or not rated.

17


XL GROUP PLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Contractual Maturities Summary
The contractual maturities of AFS and HTM fixed income securities at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

March 31, 2014 (1)

December 31, 2013 (1)
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Amortized
Cost

Fair
Value

Amortized
Cost

Fair
Value
Fixed maturities - AFS
 


 


 


 

Due less than one year
$
2,209,571

 
$
2,222,523

 
$
2,052,251

 
$
2,060,365

Due after 1 through 5 years
10,037,689

 
10,290,224

 
10,075,087

 
10,305,986

Due after 5 through 10 years
5,263,018

 
5,400,185

 
5,474,120

 
5,507,450

Due after 10 years
2,311,574

 
2,483,332

 
2,385,406

 
2,475,233

 
$
19,821,852

 
$
20,396,264

 
$
19,986,864

 
$
20,349,034

RMBS – Agency
3,186,504

 
3,222,483

 
3,540,101

 
3,546,122

RMBS – Non-Agency
389,181

 
401,393

 
396,798

 
398,768

CMBS
1,172,597

 
1,198,312

 
1,223,313

 
1,246,795

CDO
758,469

 
725,060

 
754,414

 
717,313

Other asset-backed securities
1,156,561

 
1,196,312

 
1,210,384

 
1,242,104

Total mortgage and asset-backed securities
$
6,663,312

 
$
6,743,560

 
$
7,125,010

 
$
7,151,102

Total fixed maturities - AFS
$
26,485,164

 
$
27,139,824

 
$
27,111,874

 
$
27,500,136

Fixed maturities - HTM
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Due less than one year
$
67,170

 
$
68,553

 
$
65,651

 
$
66,766

Due after 1 through 5 years
268,264

 
285,906

 
240,802

 
255,322

Due after 5 through 10 years
558,210

 
626,387

 
455,633

 
492,095

Due after 10 years
1,642,287

 
1,878,378

 
1,778,158

 
1,974,844

 
$
2,535,931

 
$
2,859,224

 
$
2,540,244

 
$
2,789,027

RMBS – Non-Agency
67,037

 
73,780

 
66,987

 
71,972

CMBS
145,005

 
160,220

 
144,924

 
156,788

Other asset-backed securities
106,514

 
115,951

 
106,540

 
113,448

Total mortgage and asset-backed securities
$
318,556

 
$
349,951

 
$
318,451

 
$
342,208

Total fixed maturities - HTM
$
2,854,487

 
$
3,209,175

 
$
2,858,695

 
$
3,131,235

____________
(1)
Included in the table above are Tier One and Upper Tier Two securities, representing committed term debt and hybrid instruments, which are senior to the common and preferred equities of the financial institutions, at their fair values of $279.8 million and $282.2 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. These securities are reflected in the table based on their call date and have net unrealized losses of $1.6 million and $4.0 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
OTTI Considerations
Under final authoritative accounting guidance, a debt security for which amortized cost exceeds fair value is deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired if it meets either of the following conditions: (a) the Company intends to sell, or it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell, the security before a recovery in value, or (b) the Company does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. Other than in a situation in which the Company has the intent to sell a debt security or more likely than not will be required to sell a debt security, the amount of the OTTI related to a credit loss on the security is recognized in earnings, and the amount of the OTTI related to other factors (e.g., interest rates, market conditions, etc.) is recorded as a component of OCI. The net amount recognized in earnings (“credit loss impairment”) represents the difference between the amortized cost of the security and the net present value of its projected future cash flows discounted at the effective interest rate implicit in the debt security prior to impairment (“NPV”). The remaining difference between the security's NPV and its fair value is recognized in OCI. Subsequent changes in the fair value of these securities are included in OCI unless a further impairment is deemed to have occurred.
In the scenario where the Company has the intent to sell a security in which its amortized cost exceeds its fair value, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell such a security, the entire difference between the security's amortized cost and its fair value is recognized in earnings.

18


XL GROUP PLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The determination of credit losses is based on detailed analyses of underlying cash flows and other considerations. Such analyses require the use of certain assumptions to develop the estimated performance of underlying collateral. Key assumptions used include, but are not limited to, items such as RMBS default rates based on collateral duration in arrears, severity of losses on default by collateral class, collateral reinvestment rates and expected future general corporate default rates.
Factors considered for all securities on a quarterly basis in determining that a gross unrealized loss is not other-than-temporarily impaired include management's consideration of current and near term liquidity needs and other available sources of funds, an evaluation of the factors and time necessary for recovery and an assessment of whether the Company has the intention to sell or considers it more likely than not that it will be forced to sell a security.
Pledged Assets
Certain of the Company's invested assets are held in trust and pledged in support of insurance and reinsurance liabilities as well as credit facilities. Such pledges are largely required by the Company's operating subsidiaries that are “non-admitted” under U.S. state insurance regulations, in order for the U.S. cedant to receive statutory credit for reinsurance. Also, certain deposit liabilities and annuity contracts require the use of pledged assets. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had $15.6 billion and $15.5 billion in pledged assets, respectively.
(b) Gross Unrealized Losses
The following is an analysis of how long the AFS and HTM securities at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 had been in a continual unrealized loss position:
 
Less than 12 months
 
Equal to or greater
than 12 months
March 31, 2014
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fixed maturities and short-term investments - AFS
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. Government and Government-Related/Supported
$
1,184,414

 
$
(21,102
)
 
$
29,951

 
$
(1,862
)
Corporate
2,097,447

 
(36,002
)
 
452,530

 
(43,503
)
RMBS – Agency
991,462

 
(28,596
)
 
145,427

 
(10,213
)
RMBS – Non-Agency
6,412

 
(195
)
 
232,860

 
(24,429
)
CMBS
188,965

 
(3,671
)
 
107,903

 
(6,896
)
CDO
126,159

 
(544
)
 
557,163

 
(36,514
)
Other asset-backed securities
73,704

 
(1,136
)
 
80,190

 
(5,332
)
U.S. States and political subdivisions of the States
238,854

 
(7,318
)
 
112,668

 
(7,173
)
Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Provincial, Supranational and Government-Related/Supported
1,444,095

 
(31,908
)
 
433,789

 
(22,871
)
Total fixed maturities and short-term investments - AFS
$
6,351,512

 
$
(130,472
)
 
$
2,152,481

 
$
(158,793
)
Total equity securities
$
187,067

 
$
(18,756
)
 
$

 
$

Fixed maturities -HTM


 


 


 


Corporate
$
11,347

 
$
(171
)
 
$
595

 
$
(19
)
Total fixed maturities - HTM
$
11,347

 
$
(171
)
 
$
595

 
$
(19
)


19


XL GROUP PLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
Less than 12 months
 
Equal to or greater
than 12 months
December 31, 2013
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fixed maturities and short-term investments - AFS
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. Government and Government-Related/Supported
$
1,333,704

 
$
(30,474
)
 
$
44,158

 
$
(3,614
)
Corporate
2,756,235

 
(59,497
)
 
513,106

 
(50,160
)
RMBS – Agency
1,485,261

 
(50,362
)
 
169,704

 
(11,715
)
RMBS – Non-Agency
14,204

 
(604
)
 
240,946

 
(30,522
)
CMBS
432,820

 
(6,816
)
 
107,192

 
(8,957
)
CDO
58,239

 
(217
)
 
574,613

 
(42,717
)
Other asset-backed securities
196,639

 
(2,149
)
 
96,528

 
(6,691
)
U.S. States and political subdivisions of the States
463,974

 
(23,124
)
 
64,324

 
(7,646
)
Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Provincial, Supranational and Government-Related/Supported
2,130,792

 
(56,866
)
 
306,873

 
(27,435
)
Total fixed maturities and short-term investments - AFS
$
8,871,868

 
$
(230,109
)
 
$
2,117,444

 
$
(189,457
)
Total equity securities
$
155,453

 
$
(17,470
)
 
$

 
$

Fixed maturities -HTM
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Corporate
$
46,034

 
$
(941
)
 
$
642

 
$
(27
)
Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Provincial, Supranational and Government-Related/Supported

 

 
11,894

 
(642
)
Total fixed maturities - HTM
$
46,034

 
$
(941
)
 
$
12,536

 
$
(669
)
The Company had gross unrealized losses totaling $308.0 million on 1,912 securities out of a total of 7,848 held at March 31, 2014 in its AFS portfolio and $0.2 million on 2 securities out of a total of 201 held in its HTM portfolio, which it considers to be temporarily impaired or with respect to which it reflects non-credit losses on other-than-temporarily impaired assets. Individual security positions comprising this balance have been evaluated by management to determine the severity of these impairments and whether they should be considered other-than-temporary. Management believes it is more likely than not that the issuer will be able to fund sufficient principal and interest payments to support the current amortized cost.
Management, in its assessment of whether securities in a gross unrealized loss position are temporarily impaired, as described above, considers the significance of the impairments. At March 31, 2014, the Company had structured credit securities with gross unrealized losses of $11.3 million, which had a fair value of $4.8 million, and a cumulative fair value decline of greater than 50% of amortized cost. All of these securities are mortgage and asset-backed securities. These greater than 50% impaired securities include gross unrealized losses of $0.2 million on non-Agency RMBS, $10.7 million on CDOs and $0.5 million on CMBS holdings.

20


XL GROUP PLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(c) Net Realized Gains (Losses)
The following represents an analysis of net realized gains (losses) on investments:
Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Investments
Three months ended March 31,
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2014
 
2013
Gross realized gains
$
51,213

 
$
73,171

Gross realized losses on investments sold
(28,257
)
 
(32,024
)
OTTI on investments, net of amounts transferred to other comprehensive income
(3,727
)
 
(4,638
)
Net realized gains (losses) on investments
$
19,229

 
$
36,509

The main components of the net impairment charges of $3.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were:
$2.2 million for structured securities, principally non-Agency RMBS, where management determined that the likely recovery on these securities was below the carrying value and, accordingly, recorded an impairment of the securities to the discounted value of the cash flows expected to be received on these securities.
$1.5 million related to foreign exchange losses.
The following table sets forth the amount of credit loss impairments on fixed income securities held by the Company as of the dates or the periods indicated, for which a portion of the OTTI loss was recognized in OCI, and the corresponding changes in such amounts.
Credit Loss Impairments
Three months ended March 31,
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2014
 
2013
Opening balance at beginning of indicated period
$
174,805

 
$
268,708

Credit loss impairment recognized in the current period on securities not previously impaired
12

 
500

Credit loss impairments previously recognized on securities which matured, paid down, prepaid or were sold during the period
(3,348
)
 
(6,475
)
Credit loss impairments previously recognized on securities impaired to fair value during the period

 

Additional credit loss impairments recognized in the current period on securities previously impaired
2,261

 
2,304

Accretion of credit loss impairments previously recognized due to an increase in cash flows expected to be collected
(2,347
)
 
(4,971
)
Balance at March 31,
$
171,383

 
$
260,066

During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the $3.3 million and $6.5 million, respectively, of credit loss impairments previously recognized on securities that matured, or were paid down, prepaid or sold, includes $2.7 million and $5.8 million, respectively, of non-Agency RMBS.

21


XL GROUP PLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

6. Derivative Instruments
The Company enters into derivative instruments for both risk management and investment purposes. The Company is exposed to potential loss from various market risks, and manages its market risks based on guidelines established by management and the Risk and Finance Committee of the Company's Board of Directors. The Company recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet and measures those instruments at fair value, with the changes in fair value of derivatives shown in the consolidated statement of income as “Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments” unless the derivatives are designated as hedging instruments. The accounting for derivatives that are designated as hedging instruments is described in Item 8, Note 2(h), “Significant Accounting Policies - Derivative Instruments,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
The following table summarizes information on the location and gross amounts of derivative fair values contained in the consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
 
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Asset
Derivative
Notional
Amount
 
Asset
Derivative
Fair Value
(1)
 
Liability
Derivative
Notional
Amount
 
Liability
Derivative
Fair Value
(1)
 
Asset
Derivative
Notional
Amount
 
Asset
Derivative
Fair Value
(1)
 
Liability
Derivative
Notional
Amount
 
Liability
Derivative
Fair Value
(1)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Foreign exchange contracts
$
337,704

 
$
7,809

 
$
3,225,676

 
$
27,898

 
$
1,005,610

 
$
26,098

 
$
2,572,227

 
$
70,462

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Investment Related Derivatives:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest rate exposure
$
520,707

 
$
213

 
$
35,704

 
$

 
$
30,702

 
$
266

 
$
10,259

 
$
8

Foreign exchange exposure
37,996

 
506

 
57,771

 
485

 
17,497

 
12

 
50,614

 
680

Credit exposure

 

 
18,837

 
10,456

 

 

 
340,020

 
15,128

Financial market exposure
125,419

 
330

 
10,606

 
12

 
58,232

 
1,111

 
14,821

 
77

Financial Operations Derivatives: (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit exposure

 

 
43,920

 
9,200

 

 

 
44,234

 
4,190

Other Non-Investment Derivatives:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Guaranteed minimum income benefit contract

 

 
52,367

 
13,316

 

 

 
53,564

 
14,940

Modified coinsurance funds withheld contract
64,583

 

 

 

 
66,369

 

 

 

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
$
748,705

 
$
1,049

 
$
219,205

 
$
33,469

 
$
172,800

 
$
1,389

 
$
513,512

 
$
35,023

____________
(1)
Derivative instruments in an asset or liability position are included within Other assets or Other liabilities, respectively, in the balance sheet on a net basis where the Company has both a legal right of offset and the intentions to settle the contracts on a net basis.
(2)
Financial operations derivatives represent interests in variable interest entities as described in Note 11, “Variable Interest Entities".

22


XL GROUP PLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table summarizes information on the gross and net amounts of derivative fair values and associated collateral received related to derivative assets or paid relating to derivative liabilities contained in the consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Balance Sheet
 
 
March 31, 2014
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Gross Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet
 
Gross Amounts Offset in the Balance Sheet
 
Net Amounts in the Balance Sheet
 
Financial Instruments
 
Cash Collateral
 
Net Amounts
Derivative Assets
$
8,858

 
$

 
$
8,858

 
$

 
$

 
$
8,858

Derivative Liabilities
$
61,367

 
$

 
$
61,367

 
$

 
$
1,791

 
$
59,576

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2013
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative Assets
$
27,487

 
$
1,342

 
$
26,145

 
$

 
$

 
$
26,145

Derivative Liabilities
$
105,485

 
$
1,342

 
$
104,143

 
$

 
$
19,847

 
$
84,296

Derivative instruments in an asset or liability position are included within Other assets or Other liabilities, respectively, in the balance sheet on a net basis where the Company has both a legal right of offset and the intentions to settle the contracts on a net basis. The Company often enters into different types of derivative contracts with a single counterparty and these contracts are covered under netting agreements. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company paid cash collateral related to foreign currency derivative positions and certain other derivative positions of $1.8 million and $19.8 million, respectively. The assets related to the net collateral paid were recorded as Other assets within the balance sheet as the collateral and derivative positions are not intended to be settled on a net basis.
(a) Derivative Instruments Designated as Fair Value Hedges
The Company designates certain of its derivative instruments as fair value hedges or cash flow hedges and formally and contemporaneously documents all relationships between the hedging instruments and hedged items and links the hedging derivative to specific assets and liabilities. The Company assesses the effectiveness of the hedge both at inception and on an on-going basis, and determines whether the hedge is highly effective in offsetting changes in fair value or cash flows of the linked hedged item.
The Company may hedge portions of its liabilities against changes in the applicable designated benchmark interest rate. Interest rate swaps may also be used to hedge the changes in fair value of certain fixed rate liabilities and fixed income securities due to changes in the designated benchmark interest rate. In addition, the Company utilizes foreign exchange contracts to hedge the fair value of certain fixed income securities as well as to hedge certain net investments in foreign operations.
The following table provides the total impact on earnings relating to derivative instruments formally designated as fair value hedges along with the impacts of the related hedged items for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
 
 
Hedged Items - Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Income Attributable to Risk
 
Derivatives Designated as Fair Value Hedges:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized
in Income on
Derivative
 
Deposit
Liabilities
 
Fixed Maturity
Investments
 
Ineffective
Portion of
Hedging
Relationship -
Gain/(Loss)
Interest rate exposure
$

 
 

 
 

 
 

Foreign exchange exposure
(6,531
)
 
 

 
 

 
 

Total
$
(6,531
)
 
$

 
$
8,325

 
$
1,794

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest rate exposure
$

 
 

 
 

 
 

Foreign exchange exposure
30,245

 
 

 
 

 
 

Total
$
30,245

 
$

 
$
(28,770
)
 
$
1,475


23


XL GROUP PLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The gains (losses) recorded on both the derivative instruments and specific items designated as being hedged as part of the fair value hedging relationships outlined above along with any associated ineffectiveness in the relationships are recorded through Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments in the income statement. In addition, the periodic coupon settlements relating to the interest rate swaps are recorded as adjustments to net investment income for the hedges of fixed maturity investments and as adjustments to interest expense for the hedges of deposit liabilities and notes payable and debt.
Settlement of Fair Value Hedges
A summary of the fair value hedges that have been settled and their impact on results during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, as well as the remaining balance of fair value hedges and average years remaining to maturity are shown below:
Settlement of Fair Value Hedges - Summary
Fair Value Hedges - Notes
Payable and Debt
March 31,
 
Fair Value Hedges - Deposit
Liabilities
March 31,
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except years)
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Cumulative reduction to interest expense
$
19,833

 
$
15,926

 
$
41,270

 
$
25,588

Remaining balance
$
1,791

 
$
5,698

 
$
191,925

 
$
207,607

Weighted average years remaining to maturity
0.5

 
1.5

 
22.2

 
24.7

(b) Derivative Instruments Designated as Hedges of the Net Investment in a Foreign Operation
The Company utilizes foreign exchange contracts to hedge the fair value of certain net investments in foreign operations. During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company entered into foreign exchange contracts that were formally designated as hedges of investments in foreign subsidiaries, the majority of which have functional currencies of either U.K. sterling or the Euro. There was no ineffectiveness in these transactions.
The following table provides the weighted average U.S. dollar equivalent of foreign denominated net assets that were hedged and the resultant derivative gain (loss) that was recorded in the cumulative translation adjustment account within AOCI for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
Derivative Instruments Designated as Hedges of the
Net Investment in a Foreign Operation - Summary
Three months ended March 31,
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2014
 
2013
Weighted average of U.S. dollar equivalent of foreign denominated net assets
$
2,687,455

 
$
2,523,821

Derivative gains (losses)
$
960

 
$
60,614

(c) Derivative Instruments Not Formally Designated As Hedging Instruments
The following table provides the total impact on earnings relating to derivative instruments not formally designated as hedging instruments under authoritative accounting guidance and from the ineffective portion of fair value hedges. The impacts are all recorded through Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives in the income statement for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:

24


XL GROUP PLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivative Instruments
Three months ended March 31,
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2014
 
2013
Investment Related Derivatives:
 

 
 

Interest rate exposure
$
348

 
$
200

Foreign exchange exposure
3,288

 
(1,598
)
Credit exposure
(404
)
 
(816
)
Financial market exposure
871

 
5,353

Financial Operations Derivatives:
 

 
 
Credit exposure
(4,800
)
 
242

Other Non-Investment Derivatives:
 

 
 
Guaranteed minimum income benefit contract
1,624

 
3,697

Modified coinsurance funds withheld contract
(911
)
 
(668
)
Total gain (loss) recognized in income from derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
$
16

 
$
6,410

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income from ineffective
portion of fair value hedges
1,794

 
1,475

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivative
instruments
$
1,810

 
$
7,885

The Company’s objectives in using these derivatives are explained below.
(d)(i) Investment Related Derivatives
The Company, either directly or through its investment managers, may use derivative instruments within its investment portfolio, including interest rate swaps, inflation swaps, commodity contracts, credit derivatives (single name and index credit default swaps), options, forward contracts and financial futures (foreign exchange, bond and stock index futures), primarily as a means of economically hedging exposures to interest rate, credit spread, equity price changes and foreign currency risk or, in limited instances, for investment purposes. When using cleared (exchange-traded) derivatives, the Company is exposed to credit risk of the applicable clearing house and the company's future commissions merchant. When using uncleared (over-the-counter) derivatives, the Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of non-performance by the counterparties under any derivative contracts, although the Company generally seeks to use credit support arrangements with counterparties to help manage this risk.
Investment Related Derivatives – Interest Rate Exposure
The Company utilizes risk management and overlay strategies that incorporate the use of derivative financial instruments, primarily to manage its fixed income portfolio duration and net economic exposure to interest rate risks. The Company also uses interest rate swaps to convert certain liabilities from a fixed rate to a variable rate of interest and may also use them to convert a variable rate of interest from one basis to another.
Investment Related Derivatives – Foreign Exchange Exposure
The Company has exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations through its operations and in its investment portfolio. The Company uses foreign exchange contracts to manage its exposure to the effects of fluctuating foreign currencies on the value of certain of its foreign currency fixed maturities primarily within its Life operations portfolio. These contracts are not designated as specific hedges for financial reporting purposes and, therefore, realized and unrealized gains and losses on these contracts are recorded in income in the period in which they occur. These contracts generally have maturities of twelve months or less.
In addition, certain of the Company's investment managers may, subject to investment guidelines, enter into forward contracts.
Investment Related Derivatives – Credit Exposure
Credit derivatives may be purchased within the Company's investment portfolio in the form of single name and basket credit default swaps, which are used to mitigate credit exposure through a reduction in credit spread duration (i.e., macro credit strategies rather than single-name credit hedging) or exposure to selected issuers, including issuers that are not held in the underlying bond portfolio.

25


XL GROUP PLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Investment Related Derivatives - Financial Market Exposure
Stock index futures may be purchased within the Company's investment portfolio in order to create synthetic equity exposure and to add value to the portfolio with overlay strategies where market inefficiencies are believed to exist. From time to time, the Company may enter into other financial market exposure derivative contracts on various indices including, but not limited to, inflation and commodity contracts.
(d)(ii) Financial Operations Derivatives - Credit Exposure
At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company held one credit derivative exposure, which was written as part of the Company's previous financial lines business and is outside of the Company's investment portfolio. This is a European project finance loan participation that benefits from a deficiency guarantee from the German state and federal governments in the current amount of 68% of the outstanding exposure at March 31, 2014, following the scheduled expiry of a portion of this guarantee. An aggregate summary of the credit derivative exposure at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 is as follows:
Financial Operations Derivatives - Credit Exposure Summary:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Principal outstanding
$
42,043

 
$
42,080

Interest outstanding
1,877

 
2,154

Aggregate outstanding exposure
$
43,920

 
$
44,234

Total liability recorded
$
9,200

 
$
4,190

Weighted average contractual term to maturity
3.5 years

 
3.7 years

Underlying obligations credit rating
CC

 
CC

At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, there was no reported event of default on this obligation. However, the liability shown in the above table has been recorded due to the combination of the reduction in the deficiency guarantee percentage and a deterioration of the credit quality of the underlying obligations. Credit derivatives are recorded at fair value based upon prices received from the investment bank counterparty, or by using models developed by the Company. Although the Company does not have access to the specific unobservable inputs that may be used in the determination of fair value, it expects that the significant inputs considered would include changes in interest rates, future default rates, credit spreads, changes in credit quality, future expected recovery rates and other market factors. The change resulting from movements in credit and credit quality spreads is unrealized as the credit derivative is not traded to realize this resultant value.
(d)(iii) Other Non-Investment Derivatives
The Company also has derivatives embedded in certain reinsurance contracts. For a certain life reinsurance contract, the Company pays the ceding company a fixed amount equal to the estimated present value of the excess of the guaranteed benefit over the account balance upon the policyholder's election to take the income benefit. The fair value of this derivative is determined based on the present value of expected cash flows. In addition, the Company has modified coinsurance and funds withheld reinsurance agreements that provide for a return based on a portfolio of fixed income securities. As such, the agreements contain embedded derivatives. The embedded derivative is bifurcated from the funds withheld balance and recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings through Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments.
(e) Contingent Credit Features
Certain derivative agreements entered into by the Company or its subsidiaries contain rating downgrade provisions that permit early termination of the agreement by the counterparty if collateral is not posted following failure to maintain certain credit ratings from one or more of the principal credit rating agencies. If the Company were required to early terminate such agreements due to a rating downgrade, it could potentially be in a net liability position at the time of settlement. The aggregate fair value of all derivative agreements containing such rating downgrade provisions that were in a liability position and any collateral posted under these agreements as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were as follows:
Contingent Credit Features - Summary:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Aggregate fair value of derivative agreements with downgrade provisions in a net liability position
$
23,274

 
$
47,703

Collateral posted to counterparty
$
1,150

 
$
13,260


26


XL GROUP PLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

7. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
During the three months ended March 31, 2014, goodwill and intangible assets increased as a result of the completion of an acquisition and the impact of foreign currency translation. The transaction was accounted for using the acquisition method under which the Company recorded the identifiable assets and liabilities at their acquisition date fair values, and recorded the excess of consideration transferred over the net assets acquired as goodwill and intangible assets. The fair value of identifiable assets and liabilities acquired, as well as amounts recorded in the Company’s consolidated results since the acquisition date, are not material. The Company’s goodwill and intangible assets of $455.7 million at March 31, 2014 related to the Reinsurance segment.
8. Share Capital
(a) Authorized and Issued
Buybacks of Ordinary Shares
On February 22, 2013, XL-Ireland announced that its Board of Directors approved a new share buyback program, authorizing the purchase of up to $850 million of its ordinary shares (the “Share Buyback Program”). At December 31, 2013, $275 million remained available for purchase under the Share Buyback Program. On February 21, 2014, XL-Ireland announced that its Board of Directors approved an increase to the Share Buyback Program, authorizing the purchase of up to $1.0 billion of our ordinary shares. This authorization includes the approximately $200.0 million that remained under the Share Buyback Program prior to the increase. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company purchased and canceled 5.8 million ordinary shares under the Share Buyback Program for $175.0 million.
All share buybacks were carried out by way of redemption in accordance with Irish law and the Company's constitutional documents. All shares so redeemed were canceled upon redemption.
(b) Stock Plans
The Company's performance incentive programs provide for grants of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance units and stock appreciation rights. Share-based compensation granted by the Company generally contains a vesting period of three or four years, and certain awards also contain performance conditions. The Company records compensation expense related to each award over its vesting period, incorporating the best estimate of the expected outcome of performance conditions where applicable. Compensation expense is generally recorded on a straight line basis over the vesting period of an award. See Item 8, Note 18, “Share Capital,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 for further information on the Company's performance incentive programs and associated accounting.
During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company granted approximately 1.0 million stock options with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $8.60 per option. The fair value of the options issued was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following weighted average assumptions:
Dividend yield
2.00
%
Risk free interest rate
1.81
%
Volatility
34.0
%
Expected lives
6.0 years

During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company granted approximately 1.7 million restricted stock units to certain employees of the Company and its subsidiaries with an aggregate grant date fair value of approximately $51.0 million. Each restricted stock unit represents the Company's obligation to deliver to the holder one ordinary share and vests in three equal installments upon the first, second and third anniversary of the date of grant. Restricted stock units are granted at the closing market price on the day of grant and entitle the holder to receive dividends declared and paid in the form of additional ordinary shares contingent upon vesting.

27


XL GROUP PLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company granted approximately 0.6 million performance units (representing a potential maximum share payout of approximately 1.1 million ordinary shares) to certain employees with an aggregate grant date fair value of approximately $16.3 million. The performance units vest after three years, subject to the achievement of stated performance metrics, and entitle the holder to ordinary shares of the Company. There are no dividend rights associated with the performance units. Each grant of performance units has a target number of shares, with final payouts ranging from 0% to 200% of the grant amount depending upon a combination of corporate and business segment performance along with each employee's continued service through the vesting date. Performance targets are based on relative and absolute financial performance metrics.
9. Notes Payable and Debt and Financing Arrangements
(a) Notes Payable and Debt
All outstanding debt of the Company at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was issued by XLIT Ltd. (“XL-Cayman”), a 100% owned subsidiary of XL-Ireland and the only direct subsidiary thereof. XL-Ireland does not have significant assets or operations independent of XL-Cayman. XL-Cayman's outstanding debt is fully and unconditionally guaranteed by XL-Ireland. The ability of XL-Cayman, like that of the Company, to obtain funds from its subsidiaries to satisfy any of its obligations under guarantees is subject to certain contractual restrictions, applicable laws and statutory requirements of the various countries in which the subsidiaries operate, including, among others, Bermuda, the United States, Ireland, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. For details of the required statutory capital and surplus for the principal operating subsidiaries of the Company, see Item 8, Note 23, “Statutory Financial Data,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
The Company was in compliance with all covenants by significant margins at March 31, 2014, and the Company currently remains in compliance with all covenants.
(b) Letter of Credit Facilities and Other Sources of Collateral
The Company has several letter of credit facilities provided on both syndicated and bilateral bases from commercial banks. These facilities are utilized primarily to support non-admitted insurance and reinsurance operations in the U.S. and capital requirements at Lloyd’s. The Company’s letter of credit facilities and revolving credit facilities at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were as follows:
Letter of Credit Summary:
(U.S. dollars in thousands except percentages)
March 31, 2014 (1)
 
December 31, 2013 (1)
Revolving credit facility (2)
$
1,000,000

 
$
1,000,000

Available letter of credit facilities - commitments (3)
$
3,575,000

 
$
3,575,000

Available letter of credit facilities - in use
$
1,866,927

 
$
1,895,425

Collateralized by certain assets of the Company’s investment portfolio
67.1
%
 
67.6
%
____________
(1)
At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, there were seven available letter of credit facilities.
(2)
At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013,the revolving credit available under the November 2013 unsecured credit agreement, which provides for issuance of letters of credit and revolving credit loans up to $1 billion, was unutilized. The credit agreements entered into with Citicorp USA, Inc. in May through November 2013 provide for issuance of letters of credit and revolving credit loans up to an aggregate amount of $575.0 million. At March 31, 2014, $575.0 million of letters of credit were issued under these agreements and therefore such amount is not included in the table.
(3)
The Company has the option to increase the size of the facilities under the Syndicated Credit Agreements by an additional $500 million, across such facilities. The Company also has the option to increase the maximum amount of the letters of credit and revolving credit loans available under the 2013 Citi Agreements, with the lender's and issuing lender's consent.
For details regarding these facilities see Item 8, Note 13(b), “Notes Payable and Debt and Financing Arrangements - Letter of Credit Facilities and Other Sources of Collateral,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

28


XL GROUP PLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

10. Related Party Transactions
At March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company owned minority stakes in five and four, respectively, independent investment management companies (“Investment Manager Affiliates”) that are actively managing client capital and seeking growth opportunities. The Company seeks to develop relationships with specialty investment management organizations, generally acquiring an equity interest in the business. The Company also invests in certain of the funds and limited partnerships and other legal entities managed by these affiliates and through these funds and partnerships pays management and performance fees to the Company's Investment Manager Affiliates. See Item 8, Note 6, “Investments in Affiliates,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
In the normal course of business, the Company enters into assumed reinsurance contracts with certain of its other strategic affiliates, or their subsidiaries. Management believes that these transactions are conducted at market rates consistent with negotiated arm's-length contracts. During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, these contracts resulted in reported net premiums written, net reported claims and reported acquisition costs as summarized below.
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Three months ended March 31,
2014
 
2013
Reported net premiums written
$
16,240

 
$
12,740

Net losses and loss expenses incurred
$
6,138

 
$
5,649

Reported acquisition costs
$
7,629

 
$
5,353

During 2014, several of the Company’s wholly-owned insurers began retroceding assumed reinsurance business to five special purpose reinsurers that receive capital from funds managed by New Ocean Capital Management Limited (“New Ocean”), as discussed in Note 11, “Variable Interest Entities”. Underwriting administration and claims services are provided to the special purpose reinsurers by other XL subsidiaries under service fee agreements negotiated at arm's-length, while investment advisory services are provided by New Ocean.
During the three months ended March 31, 2014 reported ceded premiums written, incurred ceded losses and loss expenses, earned ceding commission income, and earned fee income related to these retrocessional contracts were not material to the Company. Management believes that these transactions are conducted at market rates consistent with negotiated arm's-length contracts.

29


XL GROUP PLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

11. Variable Interest Entities
At times, the Company has utilized variable interest entities (“VIEs”) both indirectly and directly in the ordinary course of the Company's business.
The Company invests in CDOs and other investment vehicles that are issued through VIEs as part of the Company's investment portfolio. The activities of these VIEs are generally limited to holding the underlying collateral used to service investments therein. The Company's involvement in these entities is passive in nature and we are not the arranger of these entities. In addition, the Company has not been involved in establishing these entities and is not the primary beneficiary of these VIEs as contemplated in current authoritative accounting guidance.
The Company has a limited number of remaining outstanding credit enhancement exposures, including written financial guarantee and credit default swap contracts. The obligations related to these transactions are often securitized through VIEs. The Company is not the primary beneficiary of these VIEs as contemplated in current authoritative accounting guidance on the basis that management does not believe that the Company has the power to direct the activities, such as asset selection and collateral management, which most significantly impact each entity's economic performance. For further details on the nature of the obligations and the size of the Company's maximum exposure, see Note 6, “Derivative Instruments,” and Note 13 (a), “Commitments and Contingencies - Financial Guarantee Exposures.”
During the third quarter of 2013, the Company, along with other investors, formed New Ocean Capital Management Limited (“New Ocean”), a new Bermuda-based company to act as an investment manager that is focusing on providing third-party investors access to insurance-linked securities and other insurance and reinsurance capital markets products. The Company holds a majority voting interest in New Ocean through its ownership of common shares and, accordingly, the financial statements of New Ocean have been included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company. None of the assets, liabilities, revenues or net income of New Ocean was material to the Company during either the three months ended March 31, 2014 or the year ended December 31, 2013. The equity interest attributable to third party investors in New Ocean recorded in the Company’s Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets as "Non-controlling interest in equity of consolidated subsidiaries" was $0.1 million and $0.3 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
During the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company, along with other investors, invested in a new Bermuda-based company, New Ocean Focus Cat Fund Ltd. ("New Ocean FCFL"), which is considered a VIE under GAAP. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, New Ocean FCFL invested in a special purpose reinsurer, Vector Reinsurance Ltd (“Vector Re”), formed for the purpose of underwriting collateralized excess of loss reinsurance with a focus on global property catastrophe risks. All of Vector Re’s current underwriting activity relates to reinsurance business assumed from XL subsidiaries. Underwriting administration and claims services are provided to Vector Re by XL under service fee contracts which management believes were negotiated at arm's-length, while investment advisory services are provided by New Ocean.
The Company currently holds a majority equity interest in New Ocean FCFL, which is considered to be the controlling interest in the VIE. Accordingly, included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company are New Ocean FCFL's total net assets of $24.4 million and $23.5 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The Company’s share of New Ocean FCFL revenue and net income was not material to the Company for either the three months ended March 31, 2014 or the year ended December 31, 2013. All inter-company transactions between XL entities have been eliminated in consolidation. The equity interest attributable to third party investors in New Ocean FCFL and Vector Re recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as "Non-controlling interest in equity of consolidated subsidiaries" was $14.5 million and $6.9 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

30


XL GROUP PLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

12. Computation of Earnings Per Ordinary Share and Ordinary Share Equivalent
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per ordinary share & ordinary share equivalents outstanding:
Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders
$
255,717

 
$
350,790

Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding - basic
276,337

 
295,000

Basic earnings per ordinary share & ordinary share equivalents outstanding
$
0.93

 
$
1.19

 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per ordinary share & ordinary share equivalents outstanding:
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding - basic
276,337

 
295,000

Impact of share-based compensation and certain conversion features
4,121

 
4,469

Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding - diluted
280,458

 
299,469

Diluted earnings per ordinary share & ordinary share equivalents outstanding
$
0.91

 
$
1.17

Dividends per ordinary share
$
0.16

 
$
0.14

For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, ordinary shares available for issuance under share-based compensation plans of 6.1 million and 6.4 million, respectively, were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the assumed exercise or issuance of such shares would be anti-dilutive.
13. Commitments and Contingencies
(a) Financial Guarantee Exposures
A summary of the Company's outstanding financial guarantee exposures at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 is as follows:
Financial Guarantee Exposure Summary
(U.S. dollars in thousands except number of contracts and term to maturity)
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Opening number of financial guarantee contracts
3

 
4

Number of financial guarantee contracts matured, prepaid or commuted during the period

 
(1
)
Closing number of financial guarantee contracts
3

 
3

Principal outstanding
$
108,255

 
$
108,255

Interest outstanding
$

 
$

Aggregate exposure outstanding
$
108,255

 
$
108,255

Total gross claim liability recorded
$

 
$

Total unearned premiums and fees recorded
$
97

 
$
134

Weighted average contractual term to maturity in years
25.8

 
26.0

The Company's outstanding financial guarantee contracts at March 31, 2014 provide credit support for a variety of collateral types with the exposures comprised of an aggregate $108.3 million notional financial guarantee on three notes backed by zero coupon long dated bonds and bank perpetual securities, including some issued by European financials.
Surveillance procedures to track and monitor credit deteriorations in the insured financial obligations are performed by the primary obligors for each transaction on the Company's behalf. Information regarding the performance status and updated exposure values is provided to the Company on a quarterly basis and evaluated by management in recording claims reserves. At March 31, 2014, there were no reported events of default on these obligations.
(b) Litigation
The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to litigation and arbitration in the normal course of business. These lawsuits and arbitrations principally involve claims on policies of insurance and contracts of reinsurance and are typical for the Company and for the property and casualty insurance and reinsurance industry in general. Such claims proceedings are considered in connection with the Company's loss and loss expense reserves. Reserves in varying amounts may or may not be established in respect of particular claims proceedings based on many factors, including the legal merits thereof. In addition to litigation relating to insurance and reinsurance claims, the Company and its subsidiaries are subject to lawsuits and regulatory

31


XL GROUP PLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

actions in the normal course of business that do not arise from or directly relate to claims on insurance or reinsurance policies. This category of business litigation typically involves, among other things, allegations of underwriting errors or misconduct, employment claims, regulatory activity, shareholder disputes or disputes arising from business ventures. The status of these legal actions is actively monitored by management.
Legal actions are subject to inherent uncertainties, and future events could change management's assessment of the probability or estimated amount of potential losses from pending or threatened legal actions. Based on available information, it is the opinion of management that the ultimate resolution of pending or threatened legal actions other than claims proceedings, both individually and in the aggregate, will not result in losses having a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or liquidity at March 31, 2014.
If management believes that, based on available information, it is at least reasonably possible that a material loss (or additional material loss in excess of any accrual) will be incurred in connection with any legal actions, the Company discloses an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss, either individually or in the aggregate, as appropriate, if such an estimate can be made, or discloses that an estimate cannot be made. Based on the Company's assessment at March 31, 2014, no such disclosures were considered necessary.
14. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The changes in AOCI, net of tax, by component for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
Three months ended March 31, 2014
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments (1)
 
OTTI Losses Recognized in AOCI
 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
 
Underfunded Pension Liability
 
Cash Flow Hedge
 
Total
Balance, beginning of period, net of tax
$
822,439

 
$
(89,190
)
 
$
14,533

 
$
(13,238
)
 
$
2,113

 
$
736,657

OCI before reclassifications
265,251

 

 
(5,900
)
 
(32
)


 
259,319

Amounts reclassified from AOCI
(22,638
)
 
3,409

 

 

 
110

 
(19,119
)
Tax (benefit) expense
(32,103
)
 
(113
)
 
2,020

 

 

 
(30,196
)
Net current period OCI - net of tax
210,510

 
3,296

 
(3,880
)
 
(32
)
 
110

 
210,004

Balance, end of period, net of tax
$
1,032,949

 
$
(85,894
)
 
$
10,653

 
$
(13,270
)
 
$
2,223

 
$
946,661

____________
(1)
Included in these amounts are the impact of net unrealized gains (losses) on investments to the value of future policy benefit reserves. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the initial impact of $44.7 million was recorded. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, additional impacts of $34.0 million were recorded, resulting in a total cumulative impact of net unrealized gains (losses) on investments to the value of future policy benefit reserves of $78.7 million at March 31, 2014.
Three months ended March 31, 2013
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments
 
OTTI Losses Recognized in AOCI
 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
 
Underfunded Pension Liability
 
Cash Flow Hedge
 
Total
Balance, beginning of period, net of tax
$
1,591,218

 
$
(121,371
)
 
$
69,391

 
$
(20,892
)
 
$
1,674

 
$
1,520,020

OCI before reclassifications
(87,687
)
 

 
(5,053
)
 
385

 

 
$
(92,355
)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI
(41,695
)
 
5,185

 

 

 
110

 
$
(36,400
)
Tax (benefit) expense
12,726

 
(3
)
 
1,134

 

 

 
$
13,857

Net current period OCI - net of tax
(116,656
)

5,182


(3,919
)

385


110


(114,898
)
Balance, end of period, net of tax
$
1,474,562


$
(116,189
)

$
65,472


$
(20,507
)

$
1,784


$
1,405,122

The reclassifications out of AOCI along with the associated income statement line items affected by component, and the total related tax (expense) benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:

32


XL GROUP PLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Gross Amount Reclassified From AOCI
Details About AOCI Components
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Three months ended March 31, 2014
 
Three months ended March 31, 2013
 
Affected Line Item in the Statement of Income
Unrealized gains and losses on investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
(24,914
)
 
$
(45,422
)
 
Net realized gains (losses) on investments sold
 
2,276

 
3,727

 
OTTI on investments
 
$
(22,638
)
 
$
(41,695
)
 
Total before tax
 
453

 
274

 
Provision (benefit) for income tax
 
$
(22,185
)
 
$
(41,421
)
 
Net of tax
OTTI losses recognized in OCI:
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
1,958

 
$
4,275

 
Net realized gains (losses) on investments sold
 
1,451

 
910

 
OTTI on investments transferred to (from) OCI
 
$
3,409

 
$
5,185

 
Total before tax
 
(113
)
 
(3
)
 
Provision (benefit) for income tax
 
$
3,296

 
$
5,182

 
Net of tax
Gains and losses on cash flow hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
     Interest rate contracts
$
110

 
$
110

 
Interest Expense
 

 

 
Provision (benefit) for income tax
 
$
110

 
$
110

 
Net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total reclassifications for the period, gross of tax
$
(19,119
)
 
$
(36,400
)
 
 
Tax (benefit) expense
340

 
271

 
 
Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax
$
(18,779
)
 
$
(36,129
)
 
 

15. Subsequent Event
On May 1, 2014, XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd (“XLIB”) entered into a sale and purchase agreement with GreyCastle Holdings Ltd. (“GreyCastle”) providing for the sale of 100% of the common shares of XL Re Life (SAC) Ltd. (“XLLR”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of XLIB, to GreyCastle for $570 million in cash. At the completion of this transaction, XLLR will reinsure the majority of the Company's life reinsurance business via 100% quota share reinsurance. This transaction covers a substantial portion of the Company’s life reinsurance reserves. The Company announced the run-off of its life reinsurance business in 2009.
The run-off business being sold is currently reported within the Company’s Life operations segment. As of March 31, 2014, gross future policy benefit reserves relating to the Life operations segment were approximately $4.8 billion. Upon completion of the transaction, the Company will retain approximately $438 million of these reserves, and will record a reinsurance recoverable from XLLR of $4.4 billion. Under the terms of the transaction, the Company will continue to own, on a funds withheld basis, $5.5 billion of assets backing the retroceded business.
This transaction is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2014 and is subject to satisfaction of regulatory conditions. The Company estimates that the March 31, 2014 pro-forma effect of the transaction would be an overall reduction in U.S. GAAP book value of approximately $585 million and an estimated after-tax U.S. GAAP net loss of approximately $580 million. This estimate is subject to changes in the mark-to-market value of the underlying investment portfolio and other adjustments from March 31, 2014 through completion of the transaction.

33


ITEM 2.
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

GENERAL
The following is a discussion of our financial condition and liquidity and results of operations. Certain aspects of our business have loss experience characterized as low frequency and high severity. This may result in volatility from period to period in both the Company's and an individual segment's results of operations and financial condition. Unless the context otherwise indicates, references herein to “the Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” are to XL Group plc, an Irish public limited company (“XL-Ireland”), and its consolidated subsidiaries.
This “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contains forward-looking statements that involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. These statements are based upon current plans, estimates and expectations. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements and, therefore, undue reliance should not be placed on them. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” for a list of additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, as well as Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto, presented under Item 7 and Item 8, respectively, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“PSLRA”) provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements. Any prospectus, prospectus supplement, Annual Report to ordinary shareholders, proxy statement, Form 10-K, Form 10-Q or Form 8-K or any other written or oral statements made by us or on our behalf may include forward-looking statements that reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Such statements include forward-looking statements both with respect to us in general, and to the insurance and reinsurance sectors in particular (both as to underwriting and investment matters). Statements that include the words “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “project,” “anticipate,” “may” and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature identify forward-looking statements for purposes of the PSLRA or otherwise.
All forward-looking statements address matters that involve risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such statements. We believe that these factors include, but are not limited to, the following:
changes in the size of our claims relating to natural or man-made catastrophe losses due to the preliminary nature of some reports and estimates of loss and damage to date;
trends in rates for property and casualty insurance and reinsurance;
the timely and full recoverability of reinsurance placed by us with third parties, or other amounts due to us;
changes in ratings or rating agency policies or practices;
changes in the projected amount of ceded reinsurance recoverables and the ratings and creditworthiness of reinsurers;
the timing of claims payments being faster or the receipt of reinsurance recoverables being slower than we anticipated;
our ability to successfully implement our business strategy;
increased competition on the basis of pricing, capacity, coverage terms or other factors, which could harm our ability to maintain or increase our business volumes or profitability;
greater frequency or severity of claims and loss activity than our underwriting, reserving or investment practices anticipate based on historical experience or industry data;
changes in general economic conditions, including the effects of inflation on our business, including on pricing and reserving, and changes in interest rates, credit spreads, foreign currency exchange rates and future volatility in the world's credit, financial and capital markets that adversely affect the performance and valuation of our investments or access to such markets;
developments, including uncertainties related to the future of the Euro-zone, the ability of Euro-zone countries to service existing debt obligations and the strength of the Euro as a currency and to the financial condition of counterparties, reinsurers and other companies that are at risk of bankruptcy;
the potential impact on us from government-mandated insurance coverage for acts of terrorism;
the potential for changes to methodologies, estimations and assumptions that underlie the valuation of our financial instruments that could result in changes to investment valuations;

34


changes to our assessment as to whether it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell, or have the intent to sell, available for sale debt securities before their anticipated recovery;
the availability of borrowings and letters of credit under our credit facilities;
the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends to XL-Ireland and XLIT Ltd., an exempted company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands ("XL-Cayman");
the potential effect of regulatory developments in the jurisdictions in which we operate, including those which could impact the financial markets or increase our business costs and required capital levels;
changes in regulations or laws applicable to us or our subsidiaries, brokers or customers;
acceptance of our products and services, including new products and services;
changes in the availability, cost or quality of reinsurance;
changes in the distribution or placement of risks due to increased consolidation of insurance and reinsurance brokers;
loss of key personnel;
changes in accounting standards, policies or practices or the application thereof;
legislative or regulatory developments including, but not limited to, changes in regulatory capital balances that must be maintained by our operating subsidiaries and governmental actions for the purpose of stabilizing the financial markets;
the effects of mergers, acquisitions and divestitures;
developments related to bankruptcies of companies insofar as they affect property and casualty insurance and reinsurance coverages or claims that we may have as a counterparty;
changes in applicable tax laws, tax treaties or tax regulations or the interpretation or enforcement thereof;
the effects of business disruption or economic contraction due to war, terrorism or other hostilities; and
the other factors set forth in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and our other documents on file with the SEC.
The foregoing review of important factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included herein or elsewhere. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by the federal securities laws.
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
See Item 7, “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Executive Overview,” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. That discussion is updated with the disclosures set forth below.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND KEY FINANCIAL MEASURES
Results of Operations
The following table presents an analysis of our net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders and other financial measures (described below) for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2014
 
2013
Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders
$
255,717

 
$
350,790

Earnings (loss) per ordinary share – basic
$
0.93

 
$
1.19

Earnings (loss) per ordinary share – diluted
$
0.91

 
$
1.17

Weighted average number of ordinary shares and ordinary share equivalents, in thousands – basic
276,337

 
295,000

Weighted average number of ordinary shares and ordinary share equivalents, in thousands – diluted
280,458

 
299,469



35


Key Financial Measures
The following are some of the financial measures management considers important in evaluating our operating performance:
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
Change
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except ratios and per share amounts)
2014
 
2013
 
2014 to 2013
Underwriting profit (loss) - P&C operations
$
144,874

 
$
180,588

 
(19.8
)%
Combined ratio - P&C operations
89.7
%
 
87.7
%
 
2.0pts

Net investment income - P&C operations
$
162,297

 
$
174,780

 
(7.1
)%
Operating net income (1)
$
238,649

 
$
279,868

 
(14.7
)%
Operating net income per share (1)
$
0.85

 
$
0.93

 
$
(0.08
)
Annualized return on average ordinary shareholders’ equity (1)
10.1
%
 
13.4
%
 
(3.3)pts

Annualized operating return on average ordinary shareholders’ equity (1)
9.4
%
 
10.7
%
 
(1.3)pts

Annualized operating return on average ordinary shareholders’ equity excluding unrealized gains and losses on investments (1)
10.4
%
 
12.3
%
 
(1.9)pts

 
 

 
 

 
 
(U.S. dollars)
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
Change
(Three Months)
Book value per ordinary share (1)
$
37.45

 
$
35.92

 
$
1.53

Fully diluted tangible book value per ordinary share (1)
$
35.30

 
$
33.86

 
$
1.44

____________
(1)
Represents a non-GAAP financial measure as discussed further below.
The following are descriptions of these key financial measures and a brief discussion of the factors influencing them:
Underwriting profit – property and casualty (“P&C”) operations
One way that we evaluate the performance of our insurance and reinsurance operations is by underwriting profit or loss. We do not measure performance based on the amount of gross premiums written. Underwriting profit or loss is calculated from premiums earned less net losses incurred and expenses related to underwriting activities.
In the following discussion as well as in the “Income Statement Analysis” section, the following ratios are used to explain the underwriting profit (loss) from our P&C operations:
The combined ratio related to the P&C operations is the sum of the loss and loss expense ratio and the underwriting expense ratio. A combined ratio under 100% represents an underwriting profit and over 100% represents an underwriting loss. In the P&C industry, the combined ratio is a widely used measure of underwriting profitability.
The loss and loss expense ratio related to the P&C operations is calculated by dividing the losses and loss expenses incurred by the net premiums earned for the Insurance and Reinsurance segments.
The underwriting expense ratio related to the P&C operations is the sum of acquisition costs and operating expenses for the Insurance and Reinsurance segments divided by net premiums earned for the Insurance and Reinsurance segments.
The acquisition expense ratio related to the P&C operations is calculated by dividing the acquisition costs incurred by the net premiums earned for the Insurance and Reinsurance segments.
The operating expense ratio related to the P&C operations is calculated by dividing the operating expenses incurred by the net premiums earned for the Insurance and Reinsurance segments.
Our underwriting profit (loss) in the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was consistent with the combined ratio, discussed below.

36


Combined ratio – P&C operations
The following table presents the ratios for our P&C operations for the three months ending March 31:
 
2014
 
2013
 
Percentage Point
Change
2014 to 2013
Loss and loss expense ratio
58.9
%
 
57.6
%
 
1.3

Acquisition expense ratio
13.6
%
 
14.8
%
 
(1.2
)
Operating expense ratio
17.2
%
 
15.3
%
 
1.9

Underwriting expense ratio
30.8
%
 
30.1
%
 
0.7

Combined ratio
89.7
%
 
87.7
%
 
2.0

Three months ended March 31, 2014 vs. 2013: The loss and loss expense ratio increase was primarily as a result of higher levels of natural catastrophe losses in 2014, changes in the mix of business and the impact of competitive market conditions, partially offset by higher favorable prior year reserve development in 2014 compared to 2013. The underwriting expense ratio increase was mainly driven by the Insurance segment due to higher operating expenses as a result of increased compensation costs from business expansion, partially offset by a decrease in acquisition expenses due to a change in the reinsurance structure in the Professional business group during 2014 as compared to 2013. For further information on our combined ratio, see “Income Statement Analysis” below.
Net investment income – P&C operations
Net investment income related to P&C operations, which includes interest and dividend income together with the amortization of premium and discount on fixed maturities and short-term investments, net of related investment expenses, is an important measure that affects our overall profitability. Our largest liability relates to our unpaid loss reserves, and our investment portfolio provides liquidity for claims settlements of these reserves as they become due. As a result, a significant part of the investment portfolio is invested in fixed income securities. Net investment income is influenced by a number of factors, including the amounts and timing of inward and outward cash flows, the level of interest rates and credit spreads, foreign exchange rates and changes in overall asset allocation. See the segment results under “Investment Activities” below for a discussion of our net investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
Operating net income and Operating net income per share
Operating net income is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders excluding: (1) our net realized gains and losses on investments, net of tax, (2) our net realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivatives, net of tax, (3) our share of items (1) and (2) for our operating affiliates for the periods presented, (4) goodwill impairment charges, net of tax, (5) the gains recognized on our purchase of XL-Cayman's preference ordinary shares and (6) foreign exchange gains or losses, net of tax. We evaluate the performance of and manage our business to produce an underwriting profit. In addition to presenting net income (loss), we believe that showing operating net income (loss) enables investors and other users of our financial information to analyze our performance in a manner similar to how we analyze our performance. In this regard, we believe that providing only a GAAP presentation of net income (loss) would make it more difficult for users of our financial information to evaluate our underlying business. We also believe that equity analysts and certain rating agencies that follow us (and the insurance industry as a whole) exclude these items from their analyses for the same reasons and they request that we provide this non-GAAP financial information on a regular basis. A reconciliation of our net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders to operating net income (loss) is provided at “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures” below.
Operating net income per share is calculated by dividing non-GAAP operating net income by the weighted average number of ordinary shares and ordinary share equivalents outstanding for each period combined with the impact from dilution of share-based compensation and certain conversion features where dilutive.
Annualized return on average ordinary shareholders' equity (“ROE”)
ROE is another non-GAAP financial measure that we consider important in evaluating our operating performance and view as a key measure of return generated for ordinary shareholders. ROE is calculated by dividing the net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders for any period by the average of the opening and closing Shareholders' equity attributable to XL-Ireland. We establish minimum target ROEs for our total operations, segments and lines of business. If our minimum

37


ROE targets over the longer term are not met with respect to any line of business, we seek to modify and/or exit this line. In addition, among other factors, compensation of our senior officers is dependent on the achievement of our performance goals to enhance ordinary shareholder value as measured by ROE (adjusted for certain items considered to be “non-operating” in nature).
The following table presents our ROE for the three months ending March 31:
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
2014 to 2013
ROE
10.1
%
 
13.4
%
 
(3.3)pts

Three months ended March 31, 2014 vs. 2013: The decrease in our ROE was primarily due to lower underwriting results and lower net investment income, partially offset by higher affiliate earnings in 2014 than in 2013 as further discussed below under “Significant Items Affecting the Results of Operations” and "Income Statement Analysis."
Annualized operating return on average ordinary shareholders’ equity (“Operating ROE”)
Operating ROE is another non-GAAP financial measure that we consider important in evaluating our operating performance. Operating ROE is derived by dividing non-GAAP operating net income for any period by the average of the opening and closing ordinary shareholders' equity.
The following table presents our Operating ROE for the three months ending March 31:
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
2014 to 2013
Operating ROE
9.4
%
 
10.7
%
 
(1.3)pts

Three months ended March 31, 2014 vs. 2013: The decrease in our Operating ROE was the result of the lower operating net income in 2014 due to the factors discussed above as part of ROE.
A reconciliation of Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders to operating net income (loss) is provided at “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures” included below.
Annualized operating return on average ordinary shareholders' equity excluding unrealized gains and losses on investments (“Operating ROE ex-UGL”)
Operating ROE ex-UGL is an additional measure of our profitability that eliminates the impacts of mark to market fluctuations on our investment portfolio that have not been realized through sales, which we believe provides a consistent measure of our performance. Operating ROE ex-UGL is derived from the non-GAAP operating net income measure by dividing non-GAAP operating net income for any period by the average of the opening and closing ordinary shareholders' equity excluding unrealized gains and losses on investments. A reconciliation of the opening and closing ordinary shareholders' equity to the opening and closing ordinary shareholders' equity excluding unrealized gains and losses on investments is provided under "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures" below.
The following table presents our Operating ROE ex-UGL for the three months ending March 31:
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
2014 to 2013
Operating ROE ex-UGL
10.4
%
 
12.3
%
 
(1.9)pts

Three months ended March 31, 2014 vs. 2013: The decrease in our Operating ROE ex-UGL was the result of the lower operating net income in 2014 due to the factors discussed above as part of ROE.
Book value per ordinary share
We view the change in our book value per ordinary share as an additional measure of our performance, representing the value generated for our ordinary shareholders each period, and we believe that this measure (along with the diluted measures described below) is a key driver of our share price over time. Book value per ordinary share, a non-GAAP financial measure, is calculated by dividing ordinary shareholders' equity (total shareholders' equity less non-controlling interest in equity of consolidated subsidiaries) by the number of outstanding ordinary shares at the applicable period end. Book value per ordinary share is affected primarily by net income (loss), by any changes in the net unrealized gains and losses on our

38


investment portfolio, by currency translation adjustments and by the impact of any share buyback or issuance activity. Ordinary shareholders' equity was $10.2 billion and $10.0 billion and the number of ordinary shares outstanding was 273.6 million and 278.3 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Ordinary shares outstanding include all ordinary shares legally issued and outstanding (as disclosed on the face of the balance sheet) as well as all director share units outstanding.
The following table presents our book value per ordinary share at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
(U.S. dollars)
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
Change
(Three Months)
Book value per ordinary share
$
37.45

 
$
35.92

 
$
1.53

Three months ended March 31, 2014: The increase in our book value per ordinary share was primarily due to our net income attributable to ordinary shareholders, an increase in net unrealized gains on investments combined with the benefit of share buyback activity, partially offset by the payment of dividends.
Fully diluted tangible book value per ordinary share
Fully diluted tangible book value per ordinary share is a non-GAAP financial measure and is calculated by dividing ordinary shareholders' equity excluding intangible assets (as disclosed on the face of the balance sheet) by the number of outstanding ordinary shares at any period end combined with the impact from dilution of share-based compensation and certain conversion features where dilutive.
The following table presents our fully diluted tangible book value per ordinary share at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
(U.S. dollars)
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
Change
(Three Months)
Fully diluted tangible book value per ordinary share
$
35.30

 
$
33.86

 
$
1.44

Three months ended March 31, 2014: The increase in our fully diluted tangible book value per ordinary share was a result of the factors noted above as part of book value per ordinary share.

39


RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES
The following is a reconciliation of net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders to operating net income (loss) and also includes the calculation of Operating ROE and Operating ROE ex-UGL for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except ratios and per share amounts)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2014
 
2013
Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders
$
255,717

 
$
350,790

Net realized (gains) losses on investments, net of tax
(18,889
)
 
(36,238
)
Net realized and unrealized (gains) losses on derivatives, net of tax
(1,810
)
 
(7,885
)
Net realized and unrealized (gains) losses on investments and derivatives related to the Company's insurance company affiliates
(3,958
)
 
(180
)
Foreign exchange (gains) losses, net of tax
7,589

 
(26,619
)
Operating net income (loss)
$
238,649

 
$
279,868

Per ordinary share results:
 
 
 
Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders - diluted
$
0.91

 
$
1.17

Operating net income (loss) - diluted
$
0.85

 
$
0.93

Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding, in thousands:
 
 
 
Basic
276,337

 
295,000

Diluted
280,458

 
299,469

Return on ordinary shareholders' equity:
 
 
 
Closing ordinary shareholders' equity (at period end)
$
10,244,962

 
$
10,487,354

Unrealized (gain) loss on investments, net of tax (at period end)
$
(1,025,711
)
 
$
(1,364,979
)
Average ordinary shareholders' equity for the period excluding unrealized gains and losses on investments
$
9,217,939

 
$
9,078,000

Average ordinary shareholders' equity for the period
$
10,121,298

 
$
10,498,716

Operating net income (loss)
$
238,649

 
$
279,868

Annualized operating net income (loss)
$
954,596

 
$
1,119,472

Annualized operating ROE
9.4
%
 
10.7
%
Annualized operating ROE ex-UGL
10.4
%
 
12.3
%
SIGNIFICANT ITEMS AFFECTING THE RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The Company’s net income and other financial measures as shown above for the three months ended March 31, 2014 have been affected by, among other things, the following significant items:
1)       The current underwriting environment; and
2)       Market movement impacts on our investment portfolio.
1) The Current Underwriting Environment
There can be no assurance that the following (re)insurance rate conditions or growth opportunities will be sustained or further materialize, or lead to improvements in our books of business. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Insurance
During the three months ended March 31, 2014 we achieved an overall rate increase of 2.3% for the Insurance segment. While momentum has slowed, particularly in our short-tail lines, first quarter rate increases still exceeded claim trend for most businesses. Our North America businesses continued to show the most strength with rate increases in the 5% range. All of our monitored North American businesses had positive rate and “rate on rate” with the exception of property, which was decreased by just over 1%. Our International P&C businesses achieved rate on January 1 business for the second straight year, with rate increases in the 2 to 3% range, with the exception of property. Our Professional and Specialty businesses groups had rate increases in the 1 to 2% range, despite being adversely impacted by competitive aviation and U.S. D&O excess markets. Growth was once again particularly strong in North America where our construction, property, excess casualty and surety businesses experienced the largest percentage growth. International financial lines and select professional businesses (which offers professional liability as well as cyber liability to small and mid-size niche professional groups in the United States) also had strong growth in the quarter.

40


The trading environment for our core lines of insurance business remains competitive so we continue to focus on those lines of business that we believe provide the best return on capital, including the writing of selective new business and remaining committed to the underwriting actions necessary to improve our margins.
Reinsurance
The Reinsurance segment's gross premiums written decreased by 4.7% in the three months ended March 31, 2014 as compared to the same period in 2013, after adjusting for changes in foreign exchange rates. The decline in premium was predominantly attributable to the International property line, which encountered very difficult market conditions and the non-renewal of a large U.K. motor quota share, partially offset by new business and favorable renewals on whole account business in our Bermuda business group.
The April 1 renewals for the Reinsurance segment, the most significant of which being the Japanese market, were very competitive with pricing down 10 to 15%. There was also increased pressure on terms and conditions. These recent renewals reflect the intensely competitive environment across our whole portfolio, to a degree that we have not seen for a number of years.
The Reinsurance segment continues to develop new business opportunities in several areas and we expect to continue to build upon the strategic growth achieved in recent years. We continue to navigate our way cautiously through this phase of the market and are trading with long-standing clients with proven track records.
2) Market Movement Impacts on Our Investment Portfolio
During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the positive mark to market change of $295 million on our available for sale ("AFS") investments was primarily driven by a decrease in interest rates. This represents an approximately 0.6% appreciation in average assets for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
The following table provides further detail regarding the movements in relevant credit markets, as well as in government interest rates using selected market indices:
 
Interest Rate Movement for the three months
ended March 31, 2014 (1)
(‘+’/‘-’ represents increases / decreases
in interest rates)
 
Credit Spread Movement for the three months
ended March 31, 2014 (2)
(‘+’/‘-’ represents widening / tightening
of credit spreads)
United States
-2 basis points (5 year Treasury)
 
-12 basis points (US Corporate A rated)
 
 
 
+7 basis points (US Mortgage Master Index)
 
 
 
-15 basis points (US CMBS, AAA rated)
United Kingdom
-29 basis points (10 year Gilt)
 
+8 basis points (UK Corporate, AA rated)
Euro-zone
-29 basis points (5 year Bund)
 
-3 basis points (Europe Corporate, A rated)
____________
(1)
Source: Bloomberg Finance L.P.
(2)
Source: Merrill Lynch Global Indices.
Net realized gains on investments in the three months ended March 31, 2014 totaled $19.2 million, including net realized losses of approximately $3.7 million related to OTTI charges on certain of the Company’s fixed income investments. For further analysis of this, see “Income Statement Analysis - Investment Activities” below.
OTHER KEY FOCUSES OF MANAGEMENT
We remain focused on, among other things, managing capital, enhancing enterprise risk management capabilities and monitoring regulatory change. Details of these initiatives are outlined below.
Capital Management
Fundamental to supporting our business model is our ability to underwrite business, which is largely dependent upon the quality of our claims paying and financial strength ratings as evaluated by independent rating agencies. As a result, in the event that we are downgraded, our ability to write business, as well as our financial condition and/or results of operations, could be adversely affected.
Buybacks of Ordinary Shares
On February 22, 2013, we announced that the XL-Ireland Board of Directors approved a new share buyback program, authorizing the purchase of up to $850 million of our ordinary shares (the “Share Buyback Program”). At December 31, 2013, $275 million remained available for purchase under the Share Buyback Program. On February 21, 2014, we announced that the

41


XL-Ireland Board of Directors approved an increase to the Share Buyback Program, authorizing the purchase of up to $1.0 billion of our ordinary shares. This authorization includes the approximately $200.0 million that remained under the Share Buyback Program prior to the increase. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we purchased and canceled 5.8 million ordinary shares under the Share Buyback Program for $175.0 million. At March 31, 2014, $892.6 million remained available for purchase under share buyback program.
All share buybacks were carried out by way of redemption in accordance with Irish law and the Company's constitutional documents. All shares so redeemed were canceled upon redemption.
Risk Management
Our risk management and risk appetite framework is detailed in Item 1, “Business - Enterprise Risk Management,” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The table below shows our estimated per event net 1% and 0.4% exceedance probability exposures for certain peak natural catastrophe peril regions. These estimates assume that amounts due from reinsurance and retrocession purchases are 100% collectible. There may be credit or other disputes associated with these potential receivables.
 
 
 
 
 
1-in-100 Event
 
1-in-250 Event
Geographical Zone
(U.S. dollars in millions)
Peril
 
Measurement
Date
of In-Force
Exposures
(1)
 
Probable
Maximum
Loss (2)
 
Percentage of
Adjusted Tangible
Shareholders’
Equity at
March 31, 2014
 
Probable
Maximum
Loss (2)
 
Percentage of
Adjusted Tangible
Shareholders’
Equity at
March 31, 2014
North Atlantic
Windstorm
 
January 1, 2014
 
$
1,316

 
12.9
%
 
$
1,841

 
18.0
%
North America
Earthquake
 
January 1, 2014
 
887

 
8.7
%
 
1,545

 
15.1
%
Europe
Windstorm
 
January 1, 2014
 
567

 
5.6
%
 
793

 
7.8
%
Japan
Earthquake
 
January 1, 2014
 
243

 
2.4
%
 
296

 
2.9
%
Japan
Windstorm
 
January 1, 2014
 
124

 
1.2
%
 
223

 
2.2
%
____________
(1)
Detailed analyses of aggregated in-force exposures and maximum loss levels are done periodically. The measurement dates represent the date of the last completed detailed analysis by geographical zone.
(2)
Probable maximum losses, which include secondary uncertainty that incorporates variability around the expected probable maximum loss for each event, do not represent our maximum potential exposures and are pre-tax.
Regulatory Change
As part of our operational efficiency, management continues to actively monitor and assess the various regulatory initiatives and legislation that impact us or in the future could impact us. For example, management has been focused on Solvency II, which was adopted by the European Parliament in April 2009. This is a European Union ("E.U.") directive covering the capital adequacy and risk management of, and regulatory reporting for, European-based (re)insurers, as well as a new supervisory regime for the insurance industry. The Omnibus II directive was agreed to by the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers setting a Solvency II implementation date of January 1, 2016. The Central Bank of Ireland ("CBI") and Prudential Regulation Authority (“PRA”) have issued proposed interim reporting guidelines on applying the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (“EIOPA”) reporting guidelines for authorized firms to ensure their eventual readiness for Solvency II. Management continues to prepare for the implementation of Solvency II. See Item 1, “Business - Regulation,” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
See the discussion of our Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates in Item 7, “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates,” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES AND OTHER OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
See the discussion of our variable interest entities and other off-balance sheet arrangements in Item 7, “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”) and Other Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and Item 1, Note 11, “Variable Interest Entities,” to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.

42


SEGMENTS
We are organized into three operating segments: Insurance, Reinsurance and Life operations. Our general investment and financing operations are reflected in Corporate.
We evaluate the performance of both the Insurance and Reinsurance segments based on underwriting profit and the performance of the Life operations segment based on its contribution to net income. Other items of our revenue and expenditure are not evaluated at the segment level for reporting purposes. In addition, we do not allocate investment assets by segment for our P&C operations. Investment assets related to our Life operations segment and certain structured products included in the Insurance and Reinsurance segments and in Corporate are held in separately identified portfolios. As such, net investment income from these assets is included in the contribution from each of these segments. See Item 1, Note 4, “Segment Information,” to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for a reconciliation of segment data to our Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
INCOME STATEMENT ANALYSIS
Segment Results for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2013
Insurance
Our Insurance operations provide commercial property, casualty and specialty insurance products on a global basis. Products generally provide tailored coverages for complex corporate risks and include the following lines of business: property, casualty, professional liability, environmental liability, aviation and satellite, marine and offshore energy, equine, fine art and specie, surplus lines, political risk and trade credit, crisis management, surety and other insurance coverages, including those mentioned above, through our programs, middle market and construction businesses. We focus on those lines of business within our Insurance operations that we believe provide the best return on capital over time. These lines of business are divided into the following business groups: International Property and Casualty (“IPC”), North America Property and Casualty (“NAPC”), Global Professional Lines (“Professional”) and Global Specialty Lines (“Specialty”).
The following table summarizes the underwriting profit (loss) for the Insurance segment:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Percentage
 
March 31,
 
Change
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2014
 
2013
 
2014 to 2013
Gross premiums written
$
1,570,926

 
$
1,497,787

 
4.9
 %
Net premiums written
1,127,367

 
1,189,188

 
(5.2
)%
Net premiums earned
992,440

 
1,039,092

 
(4.5
)%
Net losses and loss expenses
639,193

 
650,517

 
(1.7
)%
Acquisition costs
105,000

 
130,622

 
(19.6
)%
Operating expenses
203,053

 
183,997

 
10.4
 %
Underwriting profit (loss)
$
45,194

 
$
73,956

 
(38.9
)%
Net results – structured products
4,890

 
4,185

 
16.8
 %
Net fee income and other (expense)
(1,212
)
 
(1,939
)
 
(37.5
)%
Gross Premiums Written
The following table summarizes our gross premiums written by business group for the Insurance segment:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Percentage
 
March 31,
 
Change
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2014
 
2013
 
2014 to 2013
IPC
$
582,948

 
$
585,123

 
(0.4
)%
NAPC
396,040

 
358,418

 
10.5
 %
Professional
333,154

 
303,442

 
9.8
 %
Specialty
258,784

 
250,804

 
3.2
 %
Total
$
1,570,926

 
$
1,497,787

 
4.9
 %
Gross premiums written increased by 4.9%. The following is a summary of the premium movements by business group:

43


IPC - decrease of 0.4% driven mainly by lower renewed premiums in primary casualty and Lloyd's business lines, lower levels of new business and the impact of unfavorable prior year premium adjustments in the current year quarter.
NAPC - increase of 10.5% largely driven by higher renewed premiums in the primary casualty, excess casualty and construction business lines, partially offset by lower levels of new business across most lines.
Professional - increase of 9.8% driven by higher renewed premiums in international professional and in select business lines, partially offset by lower pricing.
Specialty - increase of 3.2% due to new business in crisis management and political risk business lines, partially offset by lower new business and unfavorable prior year premium adjustments in marine lines and weaker pricing in aviation.
Foreign exchange rate movements also impacted our gross premiums written. When evaluated in local currency, our gross premiums written increased by 3.7%, compared to the 4.9% shown above.
Net Premiums Written
The decrease of 5.2% resulted from an increase in ceded premiums written partially offset by the gross premiums written increases outlined above. The increase in ceded premiums primarily relates to a modification in our reinsurance structure to one that utilizes proportional reinsurance in our Professional business group in order to take advantage of favorable market terms. In addition, an increase in global property and construction writings that involve cessions to co-insurers and/or the captive insurance operations of our insureds and higher reinsurer participation on certain marine and primary casualty treaties contributed to the higher ceded premiums written.
Net Premiums Earned
The decrease of 4.5% is attributable to the increase in ceded premiums written and earned in the Professional business group due to the modification in the reinsurance structure as mentioned above. Partially offsetting this was growth in net premiums from NAPC property, NAPC primary casualty, NAPC construction and NAPC surplus lines.
Net Losses and Loss Expenses
Combined Ratio
The following table presents the ratios for the Insurance segment:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Percentage
 
March 31,
 
Point Change
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014 to 2013
Loss and loss expense ratio
64.4
%
 
62.6
%
 
1.8

Acquisition expense ratio
10.6
%
 
12.6
%
 
(2.0
)
Operating expense ratio
20.4
%
 
17.7
%
 
2.7

Underwriting expense ratio
31.0
%
 
30.3
%
 
0.7

Combined ratio
95.4
%
 
92.9
%
 
2.5

The loss and loss expense ratio includes net losses incurred for both the reported year and any favorable or adverse prior year development of loss and loss expense reserves held at the beginning of the year. The following table summarizes these components of the loss ratio for the Insurance segment for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Percentage
 
March 31,
 
Point Change
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014 to 2013
Loss and loss expense ratio
64.4
%
 
62.6
%
 
1.8

Prior year reserve development
0.8
%
 
1.0
%
 
(0.2
)
Loss ratio excluding prior year development
65.2
%
 
63.6
%
 
1.6


44


Loss Ratio - excluding prior year development
The 1.6 percentage point increase in the loss ratio excluding prior year development was primarily as a result of higher levels of natural catastrophe losses in the three months ended March 31, 2014 as compared to the prior year period. Losses net of reinsurance recoveries and reinstatement premiums related to natural catastrophe events for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were $13.2 million higher than in the same period in 2013. Excluding favorable prior year development, net natural catastrophe losses and related reinstatement premiums in both quarters, the loss ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to the same period of 2013 increased by 0.3 percentage points to 63.5%.
Prior Year Development
The following table summarizes the net (favorable) adverse prior year development by line of business relating to the Insurance segment for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2014
 
2013
Property
$
(15,679
)
 
$
(18,772
)
Casualty
1,702

 
1,801

Professional
(1,226
)
 
125

Specialty
4,973

 
4,765

Other (1)
1,896

 
1,889

Total
$
(8,334
)
 
$
(10,192
)
____________
(1)    Other includes programs, excess and surplus, surety, structured indemnity and certain discontinued lines.
Net favorable prior year reserve development of $8.3 million was mainly attributable to the following:
For property lines, net prior year development was $15.7 million favorable. This was driven by better than expected loss experience reported for the non-catastrophe exposures primarily in the 2012 and 2013 accident years.
For casualty lines, net prior year development was $1.7 million unfavorable arising predominantly in the 2013 accident year.
For professional lines, net prior year development was $1.2 million favorable due mainly to a decrease in the reinsurance bad debt reserves for the U.S. and Bermuda books.
For specialty lines, net prior year development was $5.0 million unfavorable. This was driven by worse than expected large loss experience reported in marine, principally in the 2012 and 2013 accident years.
For other lines, net prior year development was $1.9 million unfavorable arising predominantly in the 2013 accident year.
Acquisition Costs and Operating Expenses
Underwriting Expense Ratio
The increase of 0.7 percentage points was due to an increase in the operating expense ratio of 2.7 percentage points partially offset by a decrease in the acquisition expense ratio of 2.0 percentage points, as follows:
Operating expense ratio - increased 2.7 percentage points mainly due to higher compensation expenses from business expansion and higher professional fees for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to the same period of 2013.
Acquisition expense ratio - decreased largely due to a combination of a change in the mix of business and the favorable impact of the modification of our reinsurance structure mentioned above.
Net Results - Structured Products
Net results from structured insurance products, which increased 16.8% from the prior year quarter, includes net investment income of $10.1 million and $9.6 million and interest expense of $5.2 million and $5.4 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase in the net results from the prior year quarter was mainly due to higher net investment income from the investment of portfolio cash into fixed income securities.

45


For further information about these structured indemnity contracts that are accounted for as deposit contracts, see Item 8, Note 11, “Deposit Liabilities,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Net Fee Income and Other
The increase in net fee income and other was largely due to higher income in our risk engineering services business compared to the same period of 2013.
Reinsurance
The Reinsurance segment provides casualty, property risk, property catastrophe, marine, aviation and other specialty reinsurance on a global basis, with business being written on both a proportional and non-proportional treaty basis and also on a facultative basis. Our reinsurance operations are structured into three geographical business groups: Bermuda, North America and International. During the second quarter of 2013, the business groups were realigned to include Latin America within the International business group.
The following table summarizes the underwriting profit (loss) for the Reinsurance segment:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Percentage
 
March 31,
 
Change
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2014
 
2013
 
2014 to 2013
Gross premiums written
$
857,713

 
$
907,129

 
(5.4
)%
Net premiums written
792,173

 
853,021

 
(7.1
)%
Net premiums earned
420,088

 
425,154

 
(1.2
)%
Net losses and loss expenses
192,312

 
192,567

 
(0.1
)%
Acquisition costs
87,235

 
85,534

 
2.0
 %
Operating expenses
40,861

 
40,421

 
1.1
 %
Underwriting profit (loss)
$
99,680

 
$
106,632

 
(6.5
)%
Net results – structured products
3,063

 
991

 
209.1
 %
Net fee income and other
673

 
632

 
6.5
 %

Gross Premiums Written
The following table summarizes our gross premiums written by business group for the Reinsurance segment:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Percentage
 
March 31,
 
Change
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2014
 
2013
 
2014 to 2013
Bermuda
$
272,120

 
$
245,174

 
11.0
 %
North America
141,048

 
141,498

 
(0.3
)%
International
444,545

 
520,416

 
(14.6
)%
Other (1)

 
41

 
(100.0
)%
Total
$
857,713

 
$
907,129

 
(5.4
)%
____________
(1)
Other relates to discontinued structured indemnity.
Gross premiums written decreased by 5.4%. The following is a summary of the premium movements by business group:
Bermuda - increase of 11.0% due to new business and favorable renewals on whole account business.
North America - the marginal decrease of 0.3% was due to non-renewals in the casualty treaty line as well as reductions in volume, shares and rates, partially offset by increased agricultural premiums within the property treaty business.
International - decrease of 14.6%, mainly driven by lower casualty and property treaty renewals due to decreases in shares and competitive market conditions in Europe, including the non-renewal of a U.K. motor business quota share.
Foreign exchange rate movements also impacted our gross premiums written. When evaluated in local currency, our gross premiums written decreased by 4.7%, compared to the 5.4% shown above.

46


Net Premiums Written
The decrease of 7.1% resulted from the gross written premium decreases outlined above together with an increase in ceded written premiums, mainly due to a new agricultural program in North America.
Net Premiums Earned
The decrease of 1.2% is mainly attributable to the overall earn through of lower current and prior year premiums and from the North America business group where, in the prior year quarter there was favorable premium adjustments in the property and casualty treaty lines, partially offset by increased writings of agricultural business as described above and unfavorable prior year quarter premium adjustments on International casualty lines, which did not repeat in the current quarter.
Net Losses and Loss Expenses
Combined Ratio
The following table presents the ratios for the Reinsurance segment:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Percentage
 
March 31,
 
Point Change
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014 to 2013
Loss and loss expense ratio
45.8
%
 
45.3
%
 
0.5
Acquisition expense ratio
20.8
%
 
20.1
%
 
0.7
Operating expense ratio
9.7
%
 
9.5
%
 
0.2
Underwriting expense ratio
30.5
%
 
29.6
%
 
0.9
Combined ratio
76.3
%
 
74.9
%
 
1.4
The loss and loss expense ratio includes net losses incurred for both the reported year and any favorable or adverse prior year development of loss and loss expense reserves held at the beginning of the year. The following table summarizes these components of the loss ratio for the Reinsurance segment for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Percentage
 
March 31,
 
Point Change
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014 to 2013
Loss and loss expense ratio
45.8
%
 
45.3
%
 
0.5
Prior year reserve development
7.2
%
 
4.9
%
 
2.3
Loss ratio excluding prior year development
53.0
%
 
50.2
%
 
2.8
Loss Ratio - excluding prior year development
The 2.8 percentage point increase in the loss ratio excluding prior year development was due to changes in the mix of business in Bermuda, the impact of prior year premium adjustments in the prior year quarter and the impact of competitive market conditions. Natural catastrophe losses were nil in both periods.
Prior Year Development
The following table summarizes the net (favorable) adverse prior year development by business group relating to the Reinsurance segment for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2014
 
2013
Property and other short-tail lines
$
(25,550
)
 
$
(21,778
)
Casualty and other long-tail lines
(4,946
)
 
748

Total
$
(30,496
)
 
$
(21,030
)
Net favorable prior year reserve development of $30.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was mainly attributable to the following:
Net favorable prior year development for the short-tailed lines totaled $25.6 million. Details of the significant components are as follows:

47


For property catastrophe and other property lines, net prior year development was $10.5 million favorable, comprised of $2.5 million unfavorable development on major catastrophe losses and $13.0 million better than expected development on attritional losses. The $2.5 million unfavorable development on major catastrophe losses is comprised of $9.5 million unfavorable development on the 2013 catastrophe losses and $3.1 million unfavorable development on the 2010 catastrophe losses partially offset by $8.6 million favorable development on the 2011 and 2012 catastrophe losses and $1.5 million favorable development on other catastrophe losses.
For marine and aviation lines, net prior year development was $15.0 million favorable, comprised of $4.7 million favorable development on the 2008 catastrophe losses and $10.4 million favorable development driven by better than expected attritional loss development of $7.0 million in the Europe aviation book and $3.5 million in the marine books mainly in Europe and Bermuda.
Net favorable prior year development for the long-tailed lines totaled $4.9 million. The casualty lines accounted for$4.8 million favorable due to better than expected development on attritional losses mainly in the U.K. motor book.
Underwriting Expense Ratio
The increase of 0.9 percentage points was due to an increase in the acquisition expense ratio of 0.7 percentage points and an increase in the operating expense ratio of 0.2 percentage points, as follows:
Acquisition expense ratio - increased due to a state assessment relating to prior year premiums, received in the current year in North America, and in Bermuda, due to a favorable profit commission adjustment which occurred in the prior year quarter.
Operating expense ratio - the total operating expense amount remained consistent in the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.
Net Results - Structured Products
Net results from structured reinsurance products, which increased 209.1% from the prior year quarter, includes net investment income of $8.7 million and $8.1 million and interest expense of $5.6 million and $7.1 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase in the net results from the prior year quarter was mainly due to a reduction in interest expense resulting from changes in the expected cash flows and payout patterns on one of the larger structured indemnity contracts.
For further information about these structured indemnity contracts that are accounted for as deposit contracts see Item 8, Note 11, “Deposit Liabilities,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

48


Life Operations
The following table summarizes the contribution from the Life operations segment, which has been in run-off since 2009:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Percentage
 
March 31,
 
Change
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2014
 
2013
 
2014 to 2013
Gross premiums written
$
84,297

 
$
72,970

 
15.5
 %
Net premiums written
76,311

 
65,445

 
16.6
 %
Net premiums earned
76,311

 
65,445

 
16.6
 %
Claims and policy benefits
113,587

 
110,953

 
2.4
 %
Acquisition costs
7,179

 
4,103

 
75.0
 %
Operating expenses
3,188

 
2,595

 
22.9
 %
Net investment income
70,892

 
71,688

 
(1.1
)%
Net fee income and other
45

 
1,043

 
(95.7
)%
Realized gains (losses) on investments
1,563

 
(9,069
)
 
N/M

Contribution from Life operations
$
24,857

 
$
11,456

 
117.0
 %
____________
*
N/M - Not Meaningful
Gross Premiums Written
Gross written premiums increased by 15.5%. The following is a summary of the premium movements by business group:
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31, 2014
 
March 31, 2013
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Gross
Premiums
Written
 
Net
Premiums
Written
 
Net
Premiums
Earned
 
Gross
Premiums
Written
 
Net
Premiums
Written
 
Net
Premiums
Earned
Annuity
$
39,007

 
$
31,797

 
$
31,797

 
$
36,372

 
$
29,684

 
$
29,684

Other Life
45,290

 
44,514

 
44,514

 
36,598

 
35,761

 
35,761

Total
$
84,297

 
$
76,311

 
$
76,311

 
$
72,970

 
$
65,445

 
$
65,445

The 15.5% increase was mainly driven by the Other Life lines of business, which increased 23.7% primarily due to a decrease in gross premiums written in the prior year period due to lapse notifications on U.S. term life business in the prior year period. The annuity business increased by 7.2% in the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, due to the impact of favorable foreign exchange movements.
Net Premiums Written and Net Premiums Earned
The 16.6% increase in both net premium written and net premiums earned was consistent with the movements in total gross premiums written already noted.
Claims and Policy Benefits
The 2.4% increase was due to the impact of unfavorable foreign exchange movements off-setting the run-off nature of the Life operations business.
Acquisition Costs
The 75.0% increase was primarily due to favorable premium adjustments on U.S. term life business following lapse notifications in the prior year.
Operating Expenses
The 22.9% increase in operating expenses is largely due to an increase in allocated corporate costs.

49


Net Investment Income - Life Operations
Net investment income is included in the calculation of contribution from Life operations, as it relates to income earned on portfolios of separately identified and managed life investment assets and other allocated assets. The 1.1% decrease was due to lower investment yields and a lower invested asset base, reflecting the run-off nature of the Life operations business.
Net Fee Income and Other
A non-recurring fee of $1.0 million was received during the three months ended March 31, 2013 in relation to the U.S. term life business, to compensate us for additional rights granted to the cedants.
Investment Performance
We manage our fixed income portfolio in accordance with investment guidelines approved by the Risk and Finance Committee of the Board of Directors of XL-Ireland. The following is a summary of the investment portfolio returns, which are calculated by dividing the sum of gross investment income or net income from investment affiliates, realized gains (losses) and unrealized gains (losses) by the average market value of the portfolio, for each of our fixed income and non-fixed income portfolios, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Total Return on Investments (1)
 
 
 
P&C portfolio
1.5
%
 
0.7
%
Life portfolio
3.2
%
 
1.1
%
 
 
 
 
Other Portfolios (2)
 
 
 
Alternative portfolio (3)
2.4
%
 
4.1
%
Equity portfolio
1.4
%
 
5.2
%
___________
(1)
The performance of investment portfolios is measured on a local currency basis and is not annualized. For aggregate performance calculation, respective local currency balances are translated to U.S. dollars at quarter end rates to calculate composite portfolio results.
(2)
Performance on Other Portfolios is included in the Total Return on Investments.
(3)
Performance on the alternative portfolio reflects the three months ended February 28, 2014 and 2013, respectively for both equity and non-equity alternative funds.
Investment Activities
The following table illustrates the net investment income from P&C operations, net income from investment fund affiliates, net realized (losses) gains on investments and net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Percentage
 
March 31,
 
Change
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2014
 
2013
 
2014 to 2013
Net investment income - P&C operations (1)
$
162,297

 
$
174,780

 
(7.1
)%
Net income (loss) from investment fund affiliates (2)
33,303

 
32,221

 
3.4
 %
Net realized gains (losses) on investments
19,229

 
36,509

 
(47.3
)%
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments (3)
1,810

 
7,885

 
(77.0
)%
____________
(1)
Net investment income relating to P&C operations includes the net investment income related to the net results from structured products.
(2)
We generally record the income related to alternative fund affiliates on a one-month lag and the private investment fund affiliates on a three-month lag based upon the availability of the information provided by the investees.
(3)
For a summary of realized and unrealized gains and losses on all derivative instruments, see Item 1, Note 6, “Derivative Instruments,” to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.
Net Investment Income - P&C Operations
The decrease of 7.1% was primarily due to a reduction in investment yields as a result of lower reinvestment rates. We estimate that approximately $3.0 billion of P&C assets with an average gross book yield of 2.9% will mature and pay down over the next 12 months compared to the average new money rate in the three months ended March 31, 2014 on our P&C portfolio of 1.9%.

50


Net Income (Loss) from Investment Fund Affiliates
Net income from investment fund affiliates includes earnings from our investments in closed-end investment funds and partnerships and similar vehicles that are accounted for under the equity method.
Performance for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was in line with the same period of 2013. Alternative investment fund returns were strong in the quarter and were modestly ahead of the prior year quarter. Top performing strategies included event driven and equity long/short. Private investment fund returns were also strong in the quarter but down moderately from the prior year quarter's results.
Net Realized Gains and Losses on Investments
Net realized gains on investments of $19.2 million included the following:
Net realized gains of $23.0 million resulted primarily from sales of alternative investments, corporate and non-U.S. Sovereign Government securities, partially offset by losses in Agency RMBS.
Realized losses of approximately $3.7 million related to the OTTI write-down of certain of our AFS investments. The main components of the net impairment charges were:
$2.2 million for structured securities, principally non-Agency RMBS, where we determined that the likely recovery on these securities was below the carrying value and, accordingly, recorded an impairment of the securities to the discounted value of the cash flows expected to be received on these securities.
$1.5 million related to foreign exchange losses.
Net realized gains on investments of $36.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2013 included realized losses of $4.6 million related to the write-down of certain of our fixed income and equity investments with respect to which we determined that there was an other-than-temporary decline in the value of those investments, as well as net realized gains of $41.1 million.
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains and Losses on Derivative Instruments
Net realized and unrealized gains on derivatives of $1.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2014 resulted from our investment strategy to manage interest rate risk, foreign exchange risk and credit risk, and to replicate permitted investments. For a further discussion, see Item 1, Note 6, “Derivative Instruments,” to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.
Other Revenues and Expenses
The following table sets forth our other revenues and expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Percentage
 
March 31,
 
Change
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2014
 
2013
 
2014 to 2013
Net income (loss) from operating affiliates (1)
$
46,285

 
$
30,998

 
49.3
 %
Exchange (gains) losses
10,441

 
(33,435
)
 
N/M

Corporate operating expenses
51,338

 
46,922

 
9.4
 %
Interest expense (2)
32,160

 
26,136

 
23.0
 %
Income tax expense
34,321

 
43,479

 
(21.1
)%
____________
(1)
The Company generally records the income related to certain operating affiliates on a three-month lag based upon the availability of the information provided by the investees.
(2)
Interest expense includes costs related to our debt and collateral facilities and does not include deposit liability accretion, which is included in Net investment results - structured products.
*
N/M - Not Meaningful

51


Net Income (Loss) from Operating Affiliates
The following table sets forth the net income (loss) from operating affiliates for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Percentage
 
March 31,
 
Change
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
2014
 
2013
 
2014 to 2013
Net income (loss) from investment manager affiliates
$
26,983

 
$
18,456

 
46.2
%
Net income (loss) from strategic operating affiliates
19,302

 
12,542

 
53.9
%
Net income (loss) from operating affiliates
$
46,285

 
$
30,998

 
49.3
%
Net Income from Investment Manager Affiliates
The increase of 46.2% principally reflects the strong fourth quarter of 2013 investment performance and, to a lesser extent, incremental assets under management for several investment manager affiliates. Positive investment performance leads to strong incentive fees for the managers, which are reported on a one quarter-lag basis in our results.
Net Income from Strategic Operating Affiliates
The increase of 53.9% was largely due to higher current period income related to an insurance affiliate that writes direct U.S. homeowners insurance combined with income from Five Oaks Investment Corp. (“Five Oaks”). For further information about Five Oaks see Item 8, Note 6, “Investments in Affiliates,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Exchange Gains and Losses
The foreign exchange losses of $10.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2014 were a result of an overall weakening of the value of the U.S. dollar against most of our major currency exposures, particularly the U.K. sterling, the Euro, and the Swiss franc. In the three months ended March 31, 2013, foreign exchange gains of $33.4 million were produced as a result of an overall strengthening of the value of the U.S. dollar against our major currency exposures, principally the U.K. sterling, the Euro and the Swiss franc.
Corporate Operating Expenses
The increase of 9.4% was a result of increased compensation costs as well as an increase in information technology costs and other expenses associated with infrastructure and organizational initiatives.
Interest Expense
The increase of 23.0% was a result of the overall increase in our debt following the sale of 2.30% Senior Notes due 2018 and the sale of 5.25% Senior Notes due 2043 during the fourth quarter of 2013. For further information about our debt financing see Item 8, Note 13, “Notes Payable and Debt and Financing Arrangements,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Income Tax Expense
Tax charges of $34.3 million and $43.5 million were incurred in the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The tax charges recognized in these periods reflect our expected full year effective tax rate applicable to each of the years, applied to our ordinary income in the respective periods.

52


BALANCE SHEET ANALYSIS
Investments
We seek to generate growth in book value and net investment income through our investment activities. Our investment strategy strives to balance investment returns against market and credit risk. Our overall investment portfolio is structured to take into account a number of variables including liability profile, local regulatory requirements, business needs, collateral management and risk tolerance.
At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, total investments, cash and cash equivalents, accrued investment income and net receivable/(payable) for investments sold/(purchased) were approximately $36.8 billion and $36.6 billion, respectively. The following table summarizes the composition of our invested assets at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
 
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Carrying
Value (1)
 
Percent
of Total
 
Carrying
Value (1)
 
Percent
of Total
Cash and cash equivalents
$
2,476,047

 
6.7
 %
 
$
1,800,832

 
4.9
%
Net receivable/ (payable) for investments sold/ (purchased)
(18,477
)
 
(0.1
)%
 
84,603

 
0.2
%
Accrued investment income
322,596

 
0.9
 %
 
346,809

 
0.9
%
Short-term investments
382,113

 
1.0
 %
 
456,288

 
1.2
%
Fixed maturities - AFS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government and Government-Related/Supported (2)
2,319,052

 
6.3
 %
 
2,501,851

 
6.8
%
Corporate - Financials (3) (4)
3,550,097

 
9.6
 %
 
3,481,991

 
9.5
%
Corporate - Non Financials (4)
7,558,408

 
20.5
 %
 
7,643,839

 
20.9
%
RMBS – Agency
3,222,483

 
8.7
 %
 
3,546,122

 
9.7
%
RMBS – Non-Agency
401,393

 
1.1
 %
 
398,768

 
1.1
%
CMBS
1,198,312

 
3.3
 %
 
1,246,795

 
3.4
%
CDO
725,060

 
2.0
 %
 
717,313

 
2.0
%
Other asset-backed securities (5)
1,196,312

 
3.2
 %
 
1,242,104

 
3.4
%
U.S. States and political subdivisions of the States
1,902,451

 
5.2
 %
 
1,845,812

 
5.0
%
Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Provincial, Supranational and Government-Related/Supported (2)
5,066,256

 
13.8
 %
 
4,875,541

 
13.3
%
Total fixed maturities - AFS
$
27,139,824

 
73.7
 %
 
$
27,500,136

 
75.1
%
Fixed maturities - held to maturity ("HTM"):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
U.S. Government and Government-Related/Supported (2)
11,052

 
 %
 
10,993

 
%
Corporate - Financials (3) (4)
270,873

 
0.7
 %
 
269,547

 
0.7
%
Corporate - Non Financials (4)
1,106,058

 
3.0
 %
 
1,117,316

 
3.1
%
RMBS – Non-Agency
67,037

 
0.2
 %
 
66,987

 
0.2
%
CMBS
145,005

 
0.4
 %
 
144,924

 
0.4
%
Other asset-backed securities (5)
106,514

 
0.3
 %
 
106,540

 
0.3
%
Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Provincial, Supranational and Government-Related/Supported (2)
1,147,948

 
3.1
 %
 
1,142,388

 
3.1
%
Total fixed maturities - HTM
$
2,854,487

 
7.7
 %
 
$
2,858,695

 
7.8
%
Equity securities (6)
1,055,393

 
2.9
 %
 
1,040,237

 
2.8
%
Investments in affiliates
1,401,731

 
3.8
 %
 
1,370,943

 
3.8
%
Other investments
1,218,223

 
3.4
 %
 
1,164,630

 
3.3
%
Total investments and cash and cash equivalents
$
36,831,937

 
100.0
 %
 
$
36,623,173

 
100.0
%
____________
(1)
Carrying values represents the fair value for AFS fixed maturities and amortized cost for HTM securities.
(2)
U.S. Government and Government-Related/Supported and Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Provincial, Supranational and Government-Related/Supported include government-related securities with an amortized cost of $2,301.8 million and $2,241.5 million and carrying value of $2,346.7 million and $2,275.6 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, and U.S. Agencies with an amortized cost of $238.0 million and $267.0 million and carrying value of $260.6 million and $284.3 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
(3)
Included in Corporate - Financials are gross unrealized losses of $11.2 million and $12.7 million on Tier One and Upper Tier Two securities of financial institutions (“Hybrids”) with a carrying value of $100.4 million and $114.7 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, as well as gross unrealized losses of $8.7 million and $9.3 million on subordinated debt (including lower Tier Two securities) with a carrying value of $84.9 million and $86.6 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
(4)
Included within Corporate are certain floating rate medium term notes supported primarily by pools of European investment grade credit with varying degrees of leverage. The notes have a carrying value of $154.7 million and $154.6 million and an amortized cost of $146.2 million and $147.7 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. These securities have been allocated ratings of the underlying pool of

53


securities. These notes allow the investor to participate in cash flows of the underlying bonds including certain residual values, which could serve to either decrease or increase the ultimate values of these notes.
(5)
Covered Bonds within Fixed maturities - AFS with a carrying value of $537.5 million and $553.1 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, and Covered Bonds within Fixed maturities - HTM with a carrying value of $8.6 million and $8.6 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, are included within Other asset-backed securities to align our classification to market indices.
(6)
Included within Equity securities are investments in fixed income funds with a carrying value of $89.1 million and $87.4 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
We review our corporate debt investments on a regular basis to consider their concentration, credit quality and compliance with established guidelines. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the average credit quality of our total fixed income portfolio (consisting of corporate debt and U.S. Agency debt and related mortgage-backed securities having and including fixed maturities, short-term investments, cash and cash equivalents and net receivable/(payable) for investment sold/(purchased)) was “Aa3/AA-” and "Aa3/AA-", respectively. Included in the table below are the credit ratings of the fixed income portfolio excluding operating cash at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
 
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Investments by Credit Rating (1)
(U.S. dollars in millions)
Carrying
Value
 
Percent
of Total
 
Carrying
Value
 
Percent
of Total
AAA
$
13,006

 
40.1
%
 
$
12,957

 
40.6
%
AA
6,863

 
21.1
%
 
6,738

 
21.1
%
A
8,052

 
24.8
%
 
7,761

 
24.3
%
BBB
3,741

 
11.5
%
 
3,654

 
11.4
%
BB and below
778

 
2.4
%
 
792

 
2.5
%
Not rated
20

 
0.1
%
 
18

 
0.1
%
Total
$
32,460

 
100.0
%
 
$
31,920

 
100.0
%
____________
(1)
The credit rating for each asset reflected above was principally determined based on the weighted average rating of the individual securities from Standard & Poor's, Moody's Investors Service and Fitch Ratings (when available). U.S. Agency debt and related mortgage-backed securities, whether with implicit or explicit government support, reflect the credit quality rating of the U.S. government for the purpose of these calculations.
Gross and Net Unrealized Gains and Losses on Investments
We had gross unrealized losses totaling $308.0 million on 1,912 securities out of a total of 7,848 held at March 31, 2014 in our AFS portfolio and $0.2 million on 2 securities out of a total of 201 held in our HTM portfolio, that we consider to be temporarily impaired. Individual security positions comprising this balance have been evaluated by management, in conjunction with our investment managers, to determine the severity of these impairments and whether they should be considered other-than-temporary.
Gross unrealized losses can be attributed to the following significant drivers:
gross unrealized losses of $80.6 million related to the P&C portfolio of Government and Government-Related holdings. Securities in a gross unrealized loss position had a fair value of $3.1 billion at March 31, 2014.
gross unrealized losses of $37.1 million related to the P&C portfolio of Core CDO holdings (defined by the Company as investments in non-subprime CDOs), which consisted primarily of collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”). Securities in a gross unrealized loss position had a fair value of $683.3 million at March 31, 2014.
gross unrealized losses of $24.7 million related to the P&C portfolio of Non-Agency RMBS portfolio (which consists of our holdings of sub-prime Non-Agency RMBS, second liens, asset backed securities collateralized debt obligations ("ABS CDOs") with sub-prime collateral, Alt-A and Prime RMBS). Securities in an unrealized loss position had a fair value of $245.5 million at March 31, 2014. The Company has incurred realized losses, consisting of charges for OTTI and realized losses from sales, of approximately $1.4 billion since the beginning of 2007 through March 31, 2014 on these asset classes.
gross unrealized losses of $31.4 million related to our Life operations investment portfolio. Securities in a gross unrealized loss position had a fair value of $839.8 million at March 31, 2014. Of these gross unrealized losses, $7.4 million related to $155.5 million of exposures to corporate financial institutions, including $4.6 million related to Tier One and Upper Tier Two securities.
At March 31, 2014, the Life operations investment portfolio had an average interest rate duration of 8.7 years, primarily denominated in U.K. sterling and Euro. As a result of the long duration, significant gross losses can arise as the fair values of these securities are more sensitive to prevailing government interest rates and credit spreads. This portfolio is generally matched to corresponding long duration liabilities. A hypothetical parallel

54


increase in interest rates and credit spreads of 50 and 25 basis points, respectively, would increase the unrealized losses related to this portfolio at March 31, 2014 by approximately $285.4 million and $109.1 million, respectively, on both the AFS and HTM Life operations investment portfolios.
Given the long-term nature of the Life operations investment portfolio, the level of credit spreads on financial institutions at March 31, 2014 relative to historical averages within the U.K. and Euro-zone, and our liquidity needs at March 31, 2014, the Company believes that it will continue to hold these assets until such time as they mature, or credit spreads on financial institutions revert to levels more consistent with historical averages.
gross unrealized losses of $62.7 million related to the Corporate holdings within our P&C portfolio. Securities in a gross unrealized loss position had a fair value of $2,178.2 million at March 31, 2014. Of the gross unrealized losses, $24.4 million relate to financial institutions. In addition, $0.4 million relate to medium term notes primarily supported by pools of European investment grade credit with varying degrees of leverage. These had a fair value of $25.0 million at March 31, 2014. Management believes that expected cash flows from these bonds over the expected holding period will be sufficient to support the remaining reported amortized cost.
The following table details the security type and length of time that AFS securities were in a continual gross unrealized loss position at March 31, 2014:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2014
Security Type and Length of Time in a Continual Unrealized Loss Position
Amount of
Unrealized
Loss
 
Fair Value
of Securities in
an Unrealized
Loss Position
Fixed Maturities and Short-Term Investments
 

 
 

Less than 6 months
$
(23,352
)
 
$
2,894,103

At least 6 months but less than 12 months
(107,120
)
 
3,457,409

At least 12 months but less than 2 years
(43,360
)
 
872,053

2 years and over
(115,433
)
 
1,280,428

Total
$
(289,265
)
 
$
8,503,993

Equities
 

 
 

Less than 6 months
$
(4,413
)
 
$
71,209

At least 6 months but less than 12 months
(14,343
)
 
115,858

Total
$
(18,756
)
 
187,067


The following is the maturity profile of the available for sale fixed income securities that were in a continual gross unrealized loss position at March 31, 2014:
 
March 31, 2014
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Amount of
Unrealized
Loss
 
Fair Value
of Securities in
an Unrealized
Loss Position
Maturity profile in years of AFS fixed income securities in a gross unrealized loss position
 
Less than 1 year remaining
$
(19,533
)
 
$
465,266

At least 1 year but less than 5 years remaining (1)
(55,129
)
 
3,348,588

At least 5 years but less than 10 years remaining (1)
(55,912
)
 
1,602,879

At least 10 years but less than 20 years remaining (1)
(23,430
)
 
296,189

At least 20 years or more remaining (1)
(17,735
)
 
280,826

RMBS - Agency
(38,809
)
 
1,136,889

RMBS - Non-Agency
(24,624
)
 
239,272

CMBS
(10,567
)
 
296,868

CDO
(37,058
)
 
683,322

Other asset-backed securities
(6,468
)
 
153,894

Total
$
(289,265
)
 
$
8,503,993

____________
(1)
Tier One and Upper Tier Two securities, representing committed term debt and hybrid instruments senior to the common and preferred equities of the financial institutions, are allocated based on the call date unless such security is not called on such date, in which case it is allocated the final or longest expected maturity. Medium term notes supported primarily by pools of European investment grade credit with varying degrees of leverage are allocated based on contractual maturity.


55


The following is the maturity profile of the HTM fixed income securities that were in a gross unrealized loss position at March 31, 2014:
 
March 31, 2014
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Amount of
Unrealized
Loss
 
Fair Value
of Securities in
an Unrealized
Loss Position
Maturity profile in years of HTM fixed income securities in a gross unrealized loss position
 
Less than 1 year remaining
$
(70
)
 
$
4,930

At least 1 year but less than 5 years remaining
(50
)
 
2,005

At least 5 years but less than 10 years remaining

 

At least 10 years but less than 20 years remaining

 

At least 20 years or more remaining
(70
)
 
5,007

Other asset-backed securities

 

Total
$
(190
)
 
$
11,942

Factors considered in determining that additional OTTI charges were not warranted include management's consideration of current and near term liquidity needs along with other available sources of liquidity, and in certain instances an evaluation of the factors and time necessary for recovery. For further information, see Item 1, Note 5, “Investments,” to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.
As noted in Item 8, Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, the determination of the amount of OTTI varies by investment type and is based upon our periodic evaluation and assessment of known and inherent risks associated with the respective asset class. Such evaluations and assessments are revised as conditions change and new information becomes available. We consider a wide range of factors about the securities and use our best judgment in evaluating the cause of the decline in the estimated fair value of the security and in assessing the prospects for near-term recovery. Inherent in our evaluation of the security are assumptions and estimates about the operations of the issuer and its future earnings potential. We update our evaluations regularly and reflect additional impairments in net income as determinations are made. Our determination of the amount of the impairment taken on investments is highly subjective and could adversely impact our results of operations. There can be no assurance that we have accurately assessed the level of OTTI taken and reflected in our financial statements. Furthermore, additional impairments may need to be taken in the future. Historical trends may not be indicative of future impairments.
Levels of write down or OTTI are also impacted by our assessment of the intent to sell securities that have declined in value prior to recovery. If, due to changes in circumstances, we determine to reposition or realign portions of the portfolio and we determine not to hold certain securities in an unrealized loss position to recovery, we will incur OTTI charges, which could be significant. In addition, in our assessment of whether securities in a gross unrealized loss position are temporarily impaired, we consider the significance of the impairments.
At March 31, 2014, we had structured securities with gross unrealized losses of $24.7 million on non-Agency RMBS, $37.1 million on Core CDOs and $10.2 million on CMBS holdings. Included in these securites are mortgage and asset-backed securities that had a fair value of $4.8 million, gross unrealized losses of $11.3 million and a cumulative fair value decline of greater than 50% of amortized cost. We have evaluated each of these securities in conjunction with our investment manager service providers and believe it is more likely than not that the issuer will be able to fund sufficient principal and interest payments to support the current amortized cost.
Refer to “Significant Items Affecting the Results of Operations” above for further discussion surrounding the impact of credit market movements on our investment portfolio.
European Sovereign Debt Crisis
As developed markets emerged from recession globally, several key nations within the European Union (the "EU") - particularly Greece, Italy, Ireland, Portugal and Spain (the “European Periphery Nations") - have carried particularly high debt and have been slower to return to positive economic growth due to austerity measures implemented to lower such countries' debt levels, and a general lack of competitiveness. The European Central Bank has taken various measures and has asserted its willingness to take any measures deemed necessary to protect these sovereigns' ability to continue to fund their debt. As a result, we believe market risks associated with the European Sovereign Debt crisis have been greatly reduced.
Our exposure to this European sovereign debt crisis is from direct investment in fixed maturity securities issued by national and local governments of the European Periphery Nations, as well as from fixed maturity securities issued by certain financial and non-financial corporate entities operating within the European Periphery Nations. During the past three years, we have actively reduced our exposures to these securities. We continue to monitor our financial exposure to this crisis, and

56


continually assess the impact of a potential default by any of the European Periphery Nations on their respective debt issuances, including the associated impact on non-sovereign entities in these five nations in the event of such a default.
We currently have no unfunded investment exposures or commitments to either sovereign or non-sovereign entities within the European Periphery Nations. We do invest in various alternative and private investment funds that from time to time may invest in securities or investments related to the European Periphery Nations. Currently, these are not material exposures.
The following is an analysis of our AFS and HTM fixed maturity investment exposures related to the European Periphery Nations at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and the contractual maturities of these securities. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
 
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
Fixed maturities - European Periphery Nations - AFS:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Government and government related – National Governments
$
65,488

 
$
66,536

 
$
33,879

 
$
33,606

Government and government related – Local Governments

 

 

 

Corporate investments – Financial Institutions
752

 
759

 
754

 
757

Corporate investments – Non-Financial Institutions
54,422

 
59,895

 
55,737

 
59,083

Structured Credit (1)
8,490

 
9,456

 
8,369

 
9,228

Total
$
129,152

 
$
136,646

 
$
98,739

 
$
102,674

Due less than one year
$
5,763

 
$
5,450

 
$
7,159

 
$
6,918

Due after 1 through 5 years
77,784

 
79,763

 
46,306

 
46,756

Due after 5 through 10 years
17,956

 
18,871

 
17,888

 
18,128

Due after 10 years
27,649

 
32,562

 
27,386

 
30,872

Total
$
129,152

 
$
136,646

 
$
98,739

 
$
102,674

Fixed maturities - European Periphery Nations - HTM:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Government and government related – National Governments
$
12,617

 
$
12,779

 
$
12,536

 
$
11,894

Government and government related – Local Governments

 

 

 

Corporate investments – Non-Financial Institutions
57,048

 
61,471

 
61,058

 
62,732

Structured Credit (1)

 

 

 

Total
$
69,665

 
$
74,250

 
$
73,594

 
$
74,626

Due less than one year
$

 
$

 
$
4,292

 
$
4,296

Due after 1 through 5 years
12,600

 
13,272

 
5,144

 
5,359

Due after 5 through 10 years

 

 
7,406

 
7,655

Due after 10 years
57,065

 
60,978

 
56,752

 
57,316

Total
$
69,665

 
$
74,250

 
$
73,594

 
$
74,626

____________
(1)
Covered Bonds are included within Other asset-backed securities under Structured Credit.

57


The following table details the gross and net unrealized (loss) gain positions at March 31, 2014 relating to the European Periphery Nations:
 
March 31, 2014
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Greece
 
Italy
 
Ireland
 
Portugal
 
Spain
 
TOTAL
Gross Unrealized (Losses) - European Periphery Nations
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Government and government related – National Governments
$

 
$
(334
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(334
)
Government and government related – Local Governments

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate investments – Financial Institutions

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate investments – Non-Financial Institutions

 
(290
)
 

 

 

 
(290
)
Structured Credit (1)

 

 
(5
)
 

 

 
(5
)
Total gross unrealized gains (losses) relating to European Periphery Nations
$

 
$
(624
)
 
$
(5
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(629
)
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) - European Periphery Nations
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Government and government related – National Governments
$

 
$
485

 
$

 
$

 
$
725

 
$
1,210

Government and government related – Local Governments

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate investments – Financial Institutions

 

 
7

 

 

 
7

Corporate investments – Non-Financial Institutions
132

 
3,584

 
317

 

 
5,862

 
9,895

Structured Credit (1)

 

 
967

 

 

 
967

Total net unrealized gains (losses) relating to European Periphery Nations
$
132

 
$
4,069

 
$
1,291

 
$

 
$
6,587

 
$
12,079

____________
(1)
Covered Bonds have been included within Other asset-backed securities under Structured Credit to align our classification to market indices. Prior periods have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation.
In addition to the direct investment portfolio considerations discussed above, as an international (re)insurance company, European credit exposures may exist for us within unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable and reinsurance balances receivable. For further details on these balances, including the names of our most significant reinsurance counterparties, see Item 8, Note 9, “Reinsurance,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. Other sources of potential exposure to European credit issues may exist within certain lines of insurance or reinsurance business written (including, but not limited to lines such as surety, business interruption, and political risk), or within underlying investments held in securitized financial instruments or in structured transactions in which we have an interest. We consider these potential exposures as part of our ongoing enterprise risk management processes.
Fair Value Measurements of Assets and Liabilities
As described in Item 1, Note 3, “Fair Value Measurements,” to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included herein, we have provided required disclosures by level within the fair value hierarchy of the Company’s assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value. As defined in the hierarchy, those assets and liabilities categorized as Level 3 have valuations determined using unobservable inputs. Unobservable inputs may include the entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions, applied to a modeled valuation; however, this is not the case with respect to the Company’s Level 3 assets and liabilities. The vast majority of the assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 are made up of those securities for which the values were obtained from brokers where either significant inputs were utilized in determining the values that were difficult to corroborate with observable market data or sufficient information regarding the specific inputs utilized by the broker was not obtained to support a Level 2 classification.
Controls over Valuation of Financial Instruments
We perform regular reviews of the prices received from our third party valuation sources to assess whether the prices represent a reasonable estimate of the fair value. This process is completed by investment and accounting personnel who are independent of those responsible for obtaining the valuations. The approaches we take include, but are not limited to, annual reviews of the controls of the external parties responsible for sourcing valuations that are subjected to automated tolerance checks, quarterly reviews of the valuation sources and dates, comparison of executed sales prices to prior valuations, regular deep dives on a sample of securities across our major asset classes and monthly reconciliations between the valuations provided by our external parties and valuations provided by our third party investment managers at a portfolio level.

58


In addition, we assess the effectiveness of valuation controls performed by external parties responsible for sourcing appropriate valuations from third parties on our behalf. The approaches taken by these external parties to gain comfort include, but are not limited to, comparing valuations between external sources, completing recurring reviews of third party pricing services' methodologies and reviewing controls of the third party service providers to support the completeness and accuracy of the prices received. Where broker quotes are the primary source of the valuations, sufficient information regarding the specific inputs utilized by the brokers is generally not available to support a Level 2 classification. We obtain the majority of broker quoted values from third party investment managers who perform independent verifications of these valuations using pricing matrices based upon information gathered by market traders. In addition, for the majority of these securities, we compare the broker quotes to independent valuations obtained from third party pricing vendors, which may also consist of broker quotes, to assess if the prices received represent reasonable estimates of the fair value.
Valuation Methodology of Level 3 Assets and Liabilities
Refer to Item 1, Note 3, “Fair Value Measurements,” of the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included herein, for a description of the valuation methodology utilized to value Level 3 assets and liabilities, how the valuation methodology is validated as well as further details associated with various assets classified as Level 3. At March 31, 2014, we did not have any liabilities that were carried at fair value based on Level 3 inputs other than derivative instruments in a liability position at March 31, 2014.
Fair Value of Level 3 Assets and Liabilities
At March 31, 2014, the fair value of Level 3 assets and liabilities as a percentage of our total assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value was as follows:

(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Total Assets
and Liabilities
Carried at
Fair Value at
March 31, 2014
 
Fair Value
of Level 3
Assets and
Liabilities
 
Level 3 Assets
and Liabilities
as a Percentage
of Total Assets
and Liabilities
Carried at Fair
Value, by Class
Assets
 

 
 

 
 

Fixed maturities, at fair value
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. Government and Government Agency-Related/Supported
$
2,319,052

 
$

 
%
Corporate
11,108,505

 
4,382

 
%
RMBS – Agency
3,222,483

 
8,928

 
0.3
%
RMBS – Non-Agency
401,393

 
11

 
%
CMBS
1,198,312

 
5,926

 
0.5
%
CDO
725,060

 
718,827

 
99.1
%
Other asset-backed securities (1)
1,196,312

 
10,673

 
0.9
%
U.S. States and political subdivisions of the States
1,902,451

 

 
%
Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Supranational and Government-Related
5,066,256

 

 
%
Total Fixed maturities, at fair value
$
27,139,824

 
$
748,747

 
2.8
%
Equity securities, at fair value
1,055,393

 

 
%
Short-term investments, at fair value
382,113

 

 
%
Total investments available for sale
$
28,577,330

 
$
748,747

 
2.6
%
Cash equivalents (2)
1,756,049

 

 
%
Other investments (3)
930,175

 
116,418

 
12.5
%
Other assets (4)
8,858

 

 
%
Total assets carried at fair value
$
31,272,412

 
$
865,165

 
2.8
%
Liabilities
 

 
 

 
 

Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased (5)
$
30,896

 
$

 
%
Other liabilities (6)
61,367

 
32,496

 
53.0
%
Total liabilities carried at fair value
$
92,263

 
$
32,496

 
35.2
%
____________
(1)
Covered Bonds with a fair value of $537.5 million are included within Other asset-backed securities.
(2)
Cash equivalents balances subject to fair value measurements include certificates of deposit and money market funds.
(3)
The Other investments balances exclude certain structured transactions including certain investments in project finance transactions and a payment obligation (for further information, see Item 8, Note 7, “Other Investments,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual

59


Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013) that has provided liquidity financing to a structured credit vehicle as a part of a third party medium term note facility. These Other investments are carried at amortized cost, which totaled $288.0 million at March 31, 2014.
(4)
Other assets include derivative instruments, reported on a gross basis.
(5)
Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, are included within “Payable for investments purchased” on the balance sheet.
(6)
Other liabilities include derivative instruments, reported on a gross basis.
At March 31, 2014, our Level 3 assets represented approximately 2.8% of assets that are measured at fair value and represented approximately 2% of total assets. Our Level 3 liabilities represented approximately 35.2% of liabilities that are measured at fair value but less than 1% of total liabilities at March 31, 2014.
Changes in the Fair Value of Level 3 Assets and Liabilities
See Item 1, Note 3, “Fair Value Measurements,” to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included herein, for an analysis of the change in fair value of Level 3 Assets and Liabilities.
Unpaid Losses and Loss Expenses
We establish reserves to provide for estimated claims, the general expenses of administering the claims adjustment process and losses incurred but not reported. These reserves are calculated using actuarial and other reserving techniques to project the estimated ultimate net liability for losses and loss expenses. Our reserving practices and the establishment of any particular reserve reflects our judgment concerning sound financial practice and do not represent any admission of liability with respect to any claims made against us.
Gross unpaid losses and loss expenses totaled $20.4 billion and $20.5 billion at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The table below represents a reconciliation of our P&C unpaid losses and loss expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Gross unpaid
losses and
loss
expenses
 
Unpaid
losses and
loss
expenses
recoverable
 
Net
unpaid losses
and loss
expenses
Balance at December 31, 2013
$
20,481,065

 
$
(3,414,735
)
 
$
17,066,330

Losses and loss expenses incurred
1,007,570

 
(176,065
)
 
831,505

Losses and loss expenses (paid) / recovered
(1,071,839
)
 
198,091

 
(873,748
)
Foreign exchange and other
8,421

 
965

 
9,386

Balance at March 31, 2014
$
20,425,217

 
$
(3,391,744
)
 
$
17,033,473

While we regularly review the adequacy of established reserves for unpaid losses and loss expenses, no assurance can be given that actual claims made and payments related thereto will not be in excess of the amounts reserved. In the future, if such reserves develop adversely, such deficiency would have a negative impact on future results of operations. For further discussion, see Item 7, “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates - 1) Unpaid Loss and Loss Expenses and Unpaid Loss and Loss Expenses Recoverable,” and Item 8, Note 10, “Losses and Loss Expenses,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Unpaid Losses and Loss Expenses Recoverable and Reinsurance Balances Receivable
In the normal course of business, we seek to reduce the potential amount of loss arising from claims events by reinsuring certain levels of risk assumed in various areas of exposure with other insurers or reinsurers. While reinsurance agreements are designed to limit our losses from large exposures and permit recovery of a portion of direct unpaid losses, reinsurance does not relieve our ultimate liability to the insureds. Accordingly, the losses and loss expense reserves on the balance sheet represent our total unpaid gross losses. Unpaid losses and loss expense recoverable relates to estimated reinsurance recoveries on the unpaid loss and loss expense reserves.
Net reinsurance recoverables were $3.4 billion at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, net reinsurance balances receivable were $179.6 million and $118.9 million, respectively. The table below presents our net paid and unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable and reinsurance balances receivable as follows:

60


(U.S. dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Reinsurance balances receivable
$
210,486

 
$
163,066

Reinsurance recoverable on future policy benefits
20,448

 
20,493

Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and loss expenses
3,442,693

 
3,456,088

Bad debt reserve on unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable and reinsurance balances receivable
(81,817
)
 
(85,532
)
Net paid and unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable and reinsurance balances receivable
$
3,591,810

 
$
3,554,115

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity is a measure of our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet the short and long-term cash requirements of our business operations. As a global insurance and reinsurance company, one of our principal responsibilities to clients is to ensure that we have ready access to funds with which to settle large unforeseen claims. We would generally expect that positive cash flow from operations (underwriting activities and investment income) will be sufficient to cover cash outflows under most future loss scenarios. However, there is a possibility that unforeseen demands could be placed on us due to extraordinary events and, as such, our liquidity needs may change. Such events include, among other things: several significant catastrophes occurring in a relatively short period of time resulting in material incurred losses; rating agency downgrades of our core insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries that would require posting of collateral in connection with our letter of credit and revolving credit facilities; return of unearned premiums and/or the settlement of derivative transactions and large scale uncollectible reinsurance recoverables on paid losses (as a result of coverage disputes, reinsurers' credit problems or decreases in the value of collateral supporting reinsurance recoverables). Any one or a combination of such events may cause a liquidity strain for us. In addition, a liquidity strain could also occur in an illiquid market, such as that which was experienced in 2008. Investments that may be used to meet liquidity needs in the event of a liquidity strain may not be liquid due to inactive markets, or may have to be sold at a significant loss as a result of depressed prices. Because each subsidiary focuses on a more limited number of specific product lines than is collectively available from the consolidated group of companies, the mix of business tends to be less diverse at the subsidiary level. As a result, the probability of a liquidity strain, as described above, may be greater for individual subsidiaries than when liquidity is assessed on a consolidated basis. If such a liquidity strain were to occur in a subsidiary, XL-Ireland may be required to contribute capital to the particular subsidiary and/or curtail dividends from the subsidiary to support holding company operations, which may be difficult given that XL-Ireland is a holding company and has limited liquidity.
A downgrade below “A-” of our principal insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries by either S&P or A.M. Best, which is three notches below the current S&P financial strength rating of “A+” (Stable) and two notches below the A.M. Best financial strength rating of “A” (Stable) of these subsidiaries, may trigger cancelation provisions in a significant amount of our assumed reinsurance agreements and may potentially require us to return unearned premiums to cedants. In addition, due to collateral posting requirements under our letter of credit and revolving credit facilities, such a downgrade may require the posting of cash collateral in support of certain “in use” portions of these facilities. Specifically, a downgrade below “A-” by A.M. Best would constitute an event of default under our three largest credit facilities and may trigger such collateral requirements. In certain limited instances, such downgrades may require that we return cash or assets to counterparties or to settle derivative and/or other transactions with the respective counterparties. See Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Holding Company Liquidity
As holding companies, XL-Ireland and XL-Cayman have no operations of their own and their assets consist primarily of investments in subsidiaries. XL-Ireland's principal uses of liquidity are ordinary share-related transactions, including dividend payments to holders of its ordinary shares as well as share buybacks, capital investments in its subsidiaries and certain corporate operating expenses. XL-Cayman's principal uses of liquidity are preference share related transactions, including dividend payments to its preference shareholders as well as preference share buybacks from time to time, interest and principal payments on debt and certain corporate operating expenses. All outstanding debt securities are issued by XL-Cayman.
XL-Ireland's and XL-Cayman's future cash flows largely depend on the availability of dividends or other permissible payments from subsidiaries to make principal and interest payments on debt, to pay operating expenses and ordinary and preferred shareholder dividends, to make capital investments in subsidiaries and to pay other obligations that may arise from time to time. The ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends to us or return capital from shareholders' equity is limited by applicable laws and regulations of the various jurisdictions in which we operate, certain additional required regulatory approvals and financial covenants contained in our letters of credit and revolving credit facilities. The payment of dividends to the holding companies by our principal operating subsidiaries is regulated under the laws of various jurisdictions including Bermuda, the U.K., Ireland and Switzerland, certain insurance statutes of various states in the United States in which the principal operating subsidiaries are licensed to transact business, the other jurisdictions where we have regulated subsidiaries

61


and regulations of the Society of Lloyd's. See Item 8, Note 23, “Statutory Financial Data,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 for further discussion and details regarding the dividend capacity of our major operating subsidiaries. See also Item 1A, “Risk Factors - Our holding company structure and certain regulatory and other constraints affect our ability to pay dividends, make payments on our debt securities and make other payments,” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. No assurance can be given that our subsidiaries will pay dividends in the future to XL-Ireland and XL-Cayman.
Under Irish law, share premium was required to be converted to “distributable reserves” for XL-Ireland to pay cash dividends and redeem and buyback shares following the redomestication transaction in which all of the ordinary shares of XL-Cayman were exchanged for all of the ordinary shares of XL-Ireland. On July 23, 2010, the Irish High Court approved XL-Ireland's conversion of share premium to $5.0 billion of distributable reserves, subject to the completion of certain formalities under Irish Company law. These formalities were completed in early August 2010. At March 31, 2014, XL-Ireland had $3.3 billion in distributable reserves.
At March 31, 2014, XL-Ireland and XL-Cayman held cash and investments, net of liabilities associated with cash sweeping arrangements, of $25.3 million and $1.3 billion, respectively, compared to $12.7 million and $1.6 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2013.
All of our outstanding debt at March 31, 2014 was issued by XL-Cayman. The ability of XL-Cayman, like that of XL-Ireland, to obtain funds from its subsidiaries to satisfy any of its debts, including obligations under guarantees, is subject to certain contractual restrictions, applicable laws and statutory requirements of the various countries in which we operate, including, among others, Bermuda, the United States, Ireland, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. For details of the required statutory capital and surplus for our principal operating subsidiaries, see Item 8, Note 23, “Statutory Financial Data,” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
See also the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in Item 1, Financial Statements included herein.
Sources of Liquidity
At March 31, 2014, on a consolidated basis we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $2.5 billion as compared to approximately $1.8 billion at December 31, 2013. We have three main sources of cash flows - those provided by operations, investing activities and financing activities:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2014
 
March 31, 2013
Operating activities
$
200,068

 
$
145,644

Investing activities
$
700,280

 
$
(2,493
)
Financing activities
$
(232,310
)
 
$
(263,938
)
Effects of exchange rate changes on foreign currency cash
$
7,177

 
$
(24,304
)
Operating Cash Flows
Historically, cash receipts from operations, consisting of premiums and investment income, generally have provided sufficient funds to pay losses as well as operating expenses of our subsidiaries and to fund dividends payable by our subsidiaries to XL-Ireland. Cash receipts from operations are generally derived from the receipt of investment income on our investment portfolio as well as the net receipt of premiums less claims and expenses related to our underwriting activities in our P&C and Life operations. Our operating subsidiaries provide liquidity in that premiums are generally received months or even years before losses are paid under the policies related to such premiums. Premiums and acquisition expenses are settled based on terms of trade as stipulated by an underwriting contract, and generally are received within the first year of inception of a policy when the premium is written, but can be up to three years on certain reinsurance business assumed. Operating expenses are generally paid within a year of being incurred. Claims, especially for casualty business, may take a much longer time before they are reported and ultimately settled, requiring the establishment of reserves for unpaid losses and loss expenses. Therefore, the amount of claims paid in any one year is not necessarily related to the amount of net losses incurred, as reported in the consolidated statement of income.
During the three months ended March 31, 2014, net cash flows provided by operating activities were $200.1 million compared to net cash flows provided by operating activities of $145.6 million for the same period in 2013. Although net income was lower during the three months ended March 31, 2014, that decrease was more than offset by increases in other components of non-cash working capital resulting in higher net cash flows from operating activities compared to the same period of 2013.

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Investing Cash Flows
Generally, positive cash flow from operations and financing activities is invested in our investment portfolio, including investments in our affiliates, or the acquisition of subsidiaries.
Net cash provided by investing activities was $700.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to net cash used of $2.5 million for the same period in 2013. These cash flows were associated with the normal purchase and sale of portfolio investments.
Certain of our invested assets are held in trust and pledged in support of insurance and reinsurance liabilities as well as credit facilities. Such pledges are largely required by our operating subsidiaries that are “non-admitted” under U.S. state insurance regulations, in order for the U.S. cedant to receive statutory credit for reinsurance. Also, certain deposit liabilities and annuity contracts require the use of pledged assets. As further outlined in Item 1, Note 5, “Investments - Pledged Assets,” to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included herein, certain assets of the investment portfolio are pledged as collateral under our letter of credit facilities. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had $15.6 billion and $15.5 billion in pledged assets, respectively.
Financing Cash Flows
Cash flows related to financing activities include ordinary share-related transactions, the payment of dividends, the issue or repayment of preference ordinary shares and deposit liability transactions. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, net cash flows used in financing activities was $232.3 million compared to net cash used of $263.9 million for the same period in 2013. During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, financing cash flows were predominantly impacted by share buybacks. For information regarding share buyback activity, see "Other Key Focuses of Management - Buybacks of Ordinary Shares" included herein.
In addition, the Company maintains credit facilities that provide liquidity. Details of these facilities are described below in “Capital Resources.”
Capital Resources
At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had total shareholders' equity of $11.6 billion and $11.3 billion, respectively. In addition to ordinary share capital, we depend on external sources of financing to support our underwriting activities in the form of:
a.
debt;
b.
preference shares;
c.
letter of credit facilities and other sources of collateral; and
d.
revolving credit facilities.
In particular, we require, among other things:
sufficient capital to maintain our financial strength and credit ratings, as issued by several ratings agencies, at levels considered necessary by management to enable our key operating subsidiaries to compete;
sufficient capital to enable our regulated subsidiaries to meet the regulatory capital levels required in the United States, the U.K., Bermuda, Ireland, Switzerland and other key markets;
letters of credit and other forms of collateral that are required to be posted or deposited, as the case may be, by our operating subsidiaries that are “non-admitted” under U.S. state insurance regulations in order for the U.S. cedant to receive statutory credit for reinsurance. We also use letters of credit to support our operations at Lloyd's; and
revolving credit facilities to meet short-term liquidity needs.
The following risks are associated with our requirement to renew or obtain new credit facilities:
the credit available from banks may be reduced due to market conditions resulting in our need to pledge our investment portfolio to customers, which could result in a lower investment yield;
we may be downgraded by one or more rating agencies, which could materially and negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and/or liquidity; and

63


the volume of business that our subsidiaries that are not admitted in the United States are able to transact could be reduced if we are unable to obtain letter of credit facilities at an appropriate amount.
Consolidation within the banking industry may result in the aggregate amount of credit provided to us being reduced. We attempt to mitigate this risk by identifying and/or selecting additional banks that can participate in the credit facilities upon renewal. See Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
The following table summarizes the components of our current capital resources as follows:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
March 31,
2014
 
December 31, 2013
Non-controlling interests - Series D preference ordinary shares
$
345,000

 
$
345,000

Non-controlling interests - Series E preference ordinary shares
999,500

 
999,500

Ordinary share capital
10,244,962

 
9,997,633

Total ordinary shares and non-controlling interests
$
11,589,462

 
$
11,342,133

Notes payable and debt
2,261,033

 
2,260,436

Total
$
13,850,495

 
$
13,602,569

Ordinary Share Capital
The following table reconciles the opening and closing ordinary share capital positions as follows:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
March 31,
2014
 
December 31, 2013
Ordinary shareholders’ equity – beginning of period
$
9,997,633

 
$
10,510,077

Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders
255,717

 
1,059,916

Share buybacks
(176,495
)
 
(675,616
)
Share issues
1,327

 
12,665

Ordinary share dividends
(44,620
)
 
(162,043
)
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income
210,004

 
(783,363
)
Share-based compensation and other
1,396

 
35,997

Ordinary shareholders’ equity – end of period
$
10,244,962

 
$
9,997,633

Debt
The following table presents our debt under outstanding securities and lenders' commitments at March 31, 2014:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Payments Due by Period
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Commitment/
Debt
 
In Use/
Outstanding
 
Year of
Expiry
 
Less than
1 Year
 
1 to 3
Years
 
3 to 5
Years
 
After 5
Years
5-year revolver
$
1,000,000

 
$

 
2018
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

5.25% Senior Notes
600,000

 
599,577

 
2014
 
600,000

 

 

 

2.30% Senior Notes
300,000

 
296,842

 
2018
 

 

 
300,000

 

5.75% Senior Notes
400,000

 
396,769

 
2021
 

 

 

 
400,000

6.375% Senior Notes
350,000

 
348,838

 
2024
 

 

 

 
350,000

6.25% Senior Notes
325,000

 
322,944

 
2027
 

 

 

 
325,000

5.25% Senior Notes
300,000

 
296,063

 
2043
 

 

 

 
300,000

 
$
3,275,000

 
$
2,261,033

 
 
 
$
600,000

 
$

 
$
300,000

 
$
1,375,000

Adjustment to carrying value - impact of fair value hedges
 
 
$
1,791

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Total
$
3,275,000

 
$
2,262,824

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

“In Use/Outstanding” data represent March 31, 2014 accreted values. “Payments Due by Period” data represents ultimate redemption values.
In addition, see Item 8, Note 13, “Notes Payable and Debt and Financing Arrangements,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 for further information.
At March 31, 2014, banks and investors provided us with $3.3 billion of debt capacity, of which $2.3 billion was utilized. This debt capacity consists of:

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a revolving credit facility of $1.0 billion; and
senior unsecured notes of approximately $2.3 billion issued by XL-Cayman. These notes require XL-Cayman to pay a fixed rate of interest during their terms. At March 31, 2014, there were six outstanding issues of senior unsecured notes:
$600 million senior notes due September 2014, with a fixed coupon of 5.25%. The security is publicly traded. The notes were issued in two tranches of $300 million aggregate principal amount each - one tranche at 99.432% and the other at 98.419% with aggregate net proceeds of $590.9 million. Related expenses of the offering amounted to $2.7 million.
$300 million senior notes due December 2018, with a fixed coupon of 2.30%. The security is publicly traded. The notes were issued at 99.69% and net proceeds were $296.6 million. Related expenses of the offering amounted to $2.5 million.
$400 million senior notes due October 2021, with a fixed coupon of 5.75%. The security is publicly traded. The notes were issued at 100.0% and net proceeds were $395.7 million. Related expenses of the offering amounted to $4.3 million.
$350 million senior notes due November 2024, with a fixed coupon of 6.375%. The security is publicly traded. The notes were issued at 100.0% and net proceeds were $347.8 million. Related expenses of the offering amounted to $2.2 million.
$325 million of senior notes due May 2027, with a fixed coupon of 6.25%. The security is publicly traded. The notes were issued at 99.805% and net proceeds were $321.9 million. Related expenses of the offering amounted to $2.5 million.
$300 million senior notes due December 2043, with a fixed coupon of 5.25%. The security is publicly traded. The notes were issued at 99.77% and net proceeds were $296.0 million. Related expenses of the offering amounted to $3.3 million.
At March 31, 2014, $575 million of letters of credit were issued under the 2013 Citi Agreements (as defined below) and therefore this facility is not available for revolving credit loans.
Preferred Shares and Non-controlling Interest in Equity of Consolidated Subsidiaries
The Series D preference ordinary shares and the Series E preference ordinary shares were issued by XL-Cayman. Accordingly, these instruments represent non-controlling interests in our consolidated financial statements and are presented as non-controlling interest in equity of consolidated subsidiaries. At both March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the face values of the outstanding Series D and Series E preference ordinary shares were $345.0 million and $999.5 million, respectively.
Letter of Credit Facilities and other sources of collateral
At March 31, 2014, we had seven letter of credit (“LOC”) facilities in place with total availability of $3.6 billion, of which $1.9 billion was utilized.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount of Commitment Expiration by Period
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Commitment/
Debt
 
In Use/
Outstanding
 
Year of
Expiry
 
Less than
1 Year
 
1 to 3
Years
 
3 to 5
Years
 
After 5
Years
LOC Facility (1) (2)
$
1,000,000

 
$
38,686

 
2018
 
$

 
$

 
$
1,000,000

 
$

LOC Facility (2)
1,000,000

 
812,917

 
2018
 

 

 
1,000,000

 

LOC Facility
750,000

 
301,794

 
Continuous
 

 

 

 
750,000

LOC Facility
250,000

 
138,530

 
Continuous
 

 

 

 
250,000

LOC Facility (3)
275,000

 
275,000

 
2015
 

 
275,000

 

 

LOC Facility (3)
200,000

 
200,000

 
2015
 

 
200,000

 

 

LOC Facility (3)
100,000

 
100,000

 
2016
 

 
100,000

 

 

Total LOC facilities
$
3,575,000

 
$
1,866,927

 
 
 
$

 
$
575,000

 
$
2,000,000

 
$
1,000,000

____________
(1)
This letter of credit facility includes $1.0 billion that is also included in the “5-year revolver” listed under Debt. See the discussion regarding the Syndicated Credit Agreements (defined below).
(2)
We have the option to increase the size of the facilities under the Syndicated Credit Agreements by an additional $500 million across both such facilities.

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(3)
We have the option to increase the maximum amount of letters of credit and revolving credit loans available under the 2013 Citi Agreements, with the lender's and issuing lender's consent.
In November 2013 we (i) entered into two new credit agreements (together, the "Syndicated Credit Agreements"), which provided for an aggregate amount of outstanding letters of credit and revolving credit loans of up to $2 billion, subject to certain options to increase the size of the facilities, and (ii) terminated the secured credit agreements dated March 25, 2011 and December 9, 2011, and the unsecured credit agreement dated December 9, 2011, which had provided for an aggregate amount of outstanding letters of credit and revolving credit loans up to $3 billion.
The Syndicated Credit Agreements consist of (i) a secured credit agreement, which provides for issuance of letters of credit up to $1 billion and (ii) an unsecured credit agreement, which provides for issuance of letters of credit and revolving credit loans up to $1 billion. We have the option to increase the maximum amount of letters of credit available by an additional $500 million across the facilities under the Syndicated Credit Agreements.
The commitments under the Syndicated Credit Agreements expire on, and such credit facilities are available until, the earlier of (i) November 22, 2018 and (ii) the date of termination in whole of the commitments upon an optional termination or reduction of the commitments by the account parties or upon the occurrence of certain events of default.
The availability of letters of credit under the secured portion of the Syndicated Credit Agreements is subject to a borrowing base requirement, determined on the basis of specified percentages of the face value of eligible categories of assets varying by type of collateral. In the event that such credit support is insufficient, we could be required to provide alternative security to cedants. This could take the form of insurance trusts supported by our investment portfolio or funds withheld (amounts retained by ceding companies to collateralize loss or premium reserves) using our cash resources or combinations thereof. The face amount of letters of credit required is driven by, among other things, loss development of existing reserves, the payment pattern of such reserves, the expansion of business written by us and the loss experience of such business.
On May 7, 2013, XL-Cayman entered into a new credit agreement with Citicorp USA, Inc., as administrative agent and issuing lender, and the lenders party thereto, and a continuing agreement for standby letters of credit with Citibank, N.A. On May 13, 2013 and May 15, 2013, XL-Cayman entered into a credit agreement first amendment and credit agreement second amendment, respectively, to such credit agreement (as amended, the “May 2013 Credit Agreement”).
On August 6, 2013, XL-Cayman entered into a new credit agreement with Citicorp USA, Inc., as administrative agent and issuing lender, and the lenders party thereto and a continuing agreement for standby letters of credit with Citibank, N.A. On September 12, 2013, XL-Cayman entered into a credit agreement first amendment to such credit agreement (as amended, the “August 2013 Credit Agreement”).
Additionally, on November 4, 2013, XL-Cayman entered into a new credit agreement with Citicorp USA, Inc., as administrative agent and issuing lender, and the lenders party thereto and a continuing agreement for standby letters of credit with Citibank, N.A. (the "November 2013 Credit Agreement" and, together with the May 2013 Credit Agreement and the August 2013 Credit Agreement, the "2013 Citi Agreements").
Collectively, the 2013 Citi Agreements and the continuing agreements for standby letters of credit provide for issuance of letters of credit and revolving credit loans in an aggregate amount of up to $575 million. XL-Cayman has the option to increase the maximum amount of letters of credit and revolving credit loans available under the 2013 Citi Agreements with the lender's and issuing lender's consent.
The commitments under the 2013 Citi Agreements expire on, and such credit facilities are available until, the earlier of (i) June 20, 2015 (with respect to the May 2013 Credit Agreement), September 20, 2015 (with respect to the August 2013 Credit Agreement) and December 20, 2016 (with respect to the November 2013 Credit Agreement) and (ii) the date of termination in whole of the commitments upon an optional termination or reduction of the commitments by the account parties or upon the occurrence of certain events of default.
In addition to letters of credit, we have established insurance trusts in the United States that provide cedants with statutory credit for reinsurance under state insurance regulation in the United States.
We review current and projected collateral requirements on a regular basis, as well as new sources of collateral. Our objective is to maintain an excess amount of collateral sources over expected uses. We also review our liquidity needs on a regular basis.

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Other
For information regarding cross-default and certain other provisions in the Company’s debt and convertible securities documents, see Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Cross-Default and Other Provisions in Debt Instruments,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
See Part II, Item 2, “Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds,” below.
ITEM 3.
 
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
General
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk,” presented under Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Market risk represents the potential for loss due to adverse changes in the fair value of financial and other instruments. We are principally exposed to the following market risks: interest rate risk, foreign currency exchange rate risk, credit risk, equity price risk and other related market risks.
The majority of our market risk arises from the investment portfolio, which consists of fixed income securities, alternative investments, public equities, private investments, derivatives, other investments and cash, denominated in both U.S. and foreign currencies, which are sensitive to changes in interest rates, credit spreads, equity prices, foreign currency exchange rates and other related market risks. Our fixed income and equity securities are generally classified as available for sale, and, as such, changes in interest rates, credit spreads on corporate and structured securities, equity prices, foreign currency exchange rates or other related market instruments will have an immediate effect on comprehensive income and shareholders' equity but will not ordinarily have an immediate effect on net income. Nevertheless, changes in interest rates, credit spreads and defaults, equity prices and other related market instruments affect consolidated net income when, and if, a security is sold or impaired.
We may enter into derivatives to reduce risk or enhance portfolio efficiency. For example, we may use derivatives to hedge foreign exchange and interest rate risk related to our consolidated net exposures or to efficiently gain exposure to investments that are eligible under our Investment Policy. From time to time, we may also use instruments such as futures, options, interest rate swaps, credit default swaps and foreign currency forward contracts to manage the risk of interest rate changes, credit deterioration, foreign currency exposures, and other market related exposures as well as to obtain exposure to a particular financial market. Historically, we entered into credit derivatives outside of the investment portfolio in conjunction with the legacy financial guarantee and financial products operations. We seek to manage the risks associated with the use of derivatives through our comprehensive framework of investment decision authorities (“Authorities Framework”). Derivative instruments are carried at fair value with the resulting changes in fair value recognized in income in the period in which they occur. For further information, see Item 1, Note 6, “Derivative Instruments,” to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.
This risk management discussion and the estimated amounts generated from the sensitivity and VaR analyses presented in this document are forward-looking statements of market risk assuming certain adverse market conditions occur. Actual results in the future may differ materially from these estimated results due to, among other things, actual developments in the global financial markets and changes in the composition of our investment portfolio. The results of analysis used by us to assess and mitigate risk should not be considered projections of future events of losses. See Item 2, “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk is the price sensitivity of a fixed income security to changes in interest rates. Our fixed income portfolio is exposed to interest rate risk. Our liabilities are accrued at a static rate from an accounting standpoint. However, management considers the liabilities to have an economic exposure to interest rate risk and manages the net economic exposure to interest rate risk considering both assets and liabilities. Interest rate risk is managed within the context of our Strategic Asset Allocation ("SAA") process by specifying SAA benchmarks relative to the estimated duration of our liabilities and managing the fixed income portfolio relative to the benchmarks such that the overall economic effect of interest rate risk is within management's risk tolerance. Nevertheless, we remain exposed to interest rate risk with respect to our overall net asset position and more generally from an accounting standpoint since the assets are carried at fair value, while liabilities are accrued at a static rate. From time to time we may utilize derivative instruments to manage or optimize our duration and curve exposures.
In addition, while our debt is not carried at fair value and not adjusted for market changes, changes in market interest rates could have an impact on debt values at the time of any refinancing.

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Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
Many of our non-U.S. subsidiaries maintain both assets and liabilities in local currencies; therefore, foreign exchange risk is generally limited to net assets denominated in foreign currencies.
Foreign currency exchange rate gains and losses in our consolidated Statement of Income arise for accounting purposes when net assets or liabilities are denominated in foreign currencies that differ from the functional currency of those subsidiaries. While unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses on underwriting balances are reported in earnings, the offsetting unrealized gains and losses on invested assets are recorded as a separate component of shareholders' equity, to the extent that the asset currency does not match that entity's functional currency. This results in an accounting mismatch that will result in foreign exchange gains or losses in the consolidated statements of income depending on the movement in certain currencies. We have formed several branches with Euro and U.K. sterling functional currencies and continue to focus on attempting to limit exposure to foreign exchange risk.
Foreign currency exchange rate risk in general is reviewed as part of our risk management framework. Within the asset liability framework for the investment portfolio, we pursue a general policy of holding the assets and liabilities in the same currency and, as such, we are not generally exposed to the risks associated with foreign exchange movements within the investment portfolio, as currency impacts on the assets are generally matched by corresponding impacts on the related liabilities. However, locally-required capital levels are invested in local currencies in order to satisfy regulatory requirements and to support local insurance operations and are not matched by related liabilities. Foreign exchange contracts within the investment portfolio may be utilized to manage individual portfolio foreign exchange exposures, subject to investment management service providers' guidelines established by management. Where these contracts are not designated as specific hedges for financial reporting purposes, we record realized and unrealized gains and losses in income in the period in which they occur. These contracts generally have maturities of three months or less. We may also attempt to manage the foreign exchange volatility arising on certain transactions denominated in foreign currencies. These include, but are not limited to, premiums receivable, reinsurance contracts, claims payable and investments in subsidiaries.
The principal currencies creating our foreign exchange risk are the U.K. sterling, the Euro, the Swiss franc and the Canadian dollar. The following table provides more information on our net exposures to these principal foreign currencies at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
(Foreign currency in millions)
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Euro
209.4

 
88.7

U.K. Sterling
153.6

 
47.3

Swiss Franc
116.2

 
107.9

Canadian Dollar
151.0

 
133.8

Credit Risk
Credit risk relates to the uncertainty of an obligor's continued ability to make timely payments in accordance with the contractual terms of the instrument or contract. We are exposed to direct credit risk within our investment portfolio, through general counterparties, including customers and reinsurers, and through certain underwriting activities that include, but are not limited to, surety, workers' compensation, environmental and political risk and trade credit.
We have an established credit risk governance process delegated to the Credit Subcommittee of the Enterprise Risk Management Committee. The governance process is designed to ensure that transactions and activities, individually and in the aggregate, are carried out within established risk tolerances. This process also recognizes the potential for clash event risk(which covers a number of substantially similar claims against multiple policyholders) that could arise from credit events owing to the identified credit risk embedded in certain underwriting businesses, as well as our investment activities and reinsurance relationships. In particular, certain of our underwriting activities expose us to indirect credit risk in that profitability of certain strategies can correlate with credit events at the issuer, industry or country level. We manage these risks through established underwriting policies that operate in accordance with established limit and escalation frameworks.
To manage our exposure to credit risk, we have established a credit risk framework that establishes tolerances for credit risk at various levels of granularity (counterparty, industry, country and underwriting business) and tolerances for credit risk arising from certain clash events. Credit risk capacity is allocated across our businesses and functional areas and regular reporting and aggregation activities are carried out to ensure compliance with our credit risk framework and related tolerances. Credit risk arising from credit sensitive underwriting activities is also managed via our underwriting limit framework. We manage credit risk within the investment portfolio through our Authorities Framework and established investment credit policies, which address the quality of obligors and counterparties, industry limits, and diversification requirements. Our

68


exposure to market credit spreads primarily relates to market price and cash flow variability associated with changes in credit spreads.
Credit Risk – Investment Portfolio
Credit risk in the investment portfolio is the exposure to adverse changes in the creditworthiness of individual investment holdings, issuers, groups of issuers, industries and countries. A widening of credit spreads will increase the net unrealized loss position, will increase losses associated with credit-based derivatives where we assume credit exposure, and, if issuer credit spreads increase significantly for an extended period of time or it is a period of increasing defaults, will also likely result in higher OTTI charges. All else held equal, credit spread tightening will reduce net investment income associated with new purchases of fixed maturities. In addition, market volatility can make it difficult to value certain of our securities if trading becomes less frequent. As such, valuations may include assumptions or estimates that may have significant period to period changes that could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations or financial condition. The credit spread duration in our fixed income portfolio, excluding the impact of the HTM election, was 3.7 years at March 31, 2014.
We manage credit risk in the investment portfolio, including fixed income, alternative and short-term investments, through the credit research performed primarily by the investment management service providers. The management of credit risk in the investment portfolio is integrated in our credit risk management governance framework and the management of credit exposures and concentrations within the investment portfolio is carried out in accordance with our risk policies, philosophies, appetites, limits and risk concentrations related to the investment portfolio. In the investment portfolio, we review on a regular basis our asset concentration, credit quality and adherence to our credit limit guidelines. Any issuer over its credit limits or experiencing financial difficulties, material credit quality deterioration or potentially subject to forthcoming credit quality deterioration is placed on a watch list for closer monitoring. Where appropriate, exposures are reduced or prevented from increasing.
The table below shows our aggregate fixed income portfolio by credit rating in percentage terms of our aggregate fixed income portfolio (consisting of corporate debt and U.S. Agency debt and related mortgage-backed securities having and including fixed maturities, short-term investments, cash and cash equivalents and net receivable/(payable) for investment sold/(purchased)) at March 31, 2014:
 
Percentage of
Aggregated Fixed
Income Portfolio (1)
AAA
40.1
%
AA
21.1
%
A
24.8
%
BBB
11.5
%
BB or Below
2.4
%
NR
0.1
%
Total
100.0
%
____________
(1)
The credit ratings above were principally determined based on the weighted average rating of the individual securities from Standard & Poor's, Moody's Investors Service and Fitch Ratings (where available). The credit ratings for U.S. Agency debt and related mortgage-backed securities, whether with implicit or explicit government support, reflects the credit quality rating of the U.S. government for the purpose of these calculations.
At March 31, 2014, the average credit quality of our aggregate fixed income investment portfolio was “Aa3/AA-". Our $12.5 billion portfolio of government and government related, agency, sovereign and cash holdings was rated "AA+", our $12.9 billion portfolio of corporates was rated “A", and our $7.1 billion structured securities portfolio was rated "AA+".
We are closely monitoring our corporate financial bond holdings given the events of the past six years. The table below summarizes our significant exposures (defined as bonds issued by financial institutions with an amortized cost in excess of $50.0 million) to corporate bonds of financial issuers including Covered Bonds held within our AFS and HTM investment portfolio holdings at March 31, 2014, representing both amortized cost and net unrealized gains (losses):

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March 31, 2014
Issuer (by Global Ultimate Parent) (1)
(U.S. dollars in millions)
Weighted
Average
Credit Quality (2)
 
Amortized Cost
 
Unrealized Gain/
(Loss)
Wells Fargo & Company
A+
 
$
214.7

 
$
1.7

JPMorgan Chase & Co
A
 
198.5

 
(0.3
)
Rabobank Nederland NV
AA-
 
198.2

 
7.5

Citigroup Inc.
A-
 
178.1

 
5.0

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
BBB+
 
158.3

 
11.1

National Australia Bank Limited
AA-
 
134.8

 
6.4

Bank of America Corporation
BBB+
 
134.6

 
4.4

Lloyds Banking Group Plc
AA-
 
108.5

 
5.4

Morgan Stanley
A-
 
96.6

 
3.4

UBS AG
A+
 
95.5

 
3.2

The Bank of Nova Scotia
AA-
 
91.9

 
1.5

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.
A
 
91.2

 
1.7

HSBC Holdings Plc
A+
 
84.3

 

HM Government Cabinet Office (RBS Group Plc)
A+
 
83.6

 
1.2

Credit Suisse Group AG
A
 
82.6

 
1.1

Standard Chartered Plc
A+
 
80.5

 
2.9

Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
AA-
 
79.5

 
1.7

Westpac Banking Corporation
AA
 
78.9

 
4.2

Commonwealth Bank of Australia
AA-
 
76.7

 
4.4

ING Groep N.V.
AA-
 
70.4

 
3.0

U.S. Bancorp
A+
 
70.1

 
0.1

Royal Bank of Canada
AA-
 
68.3

 
0.7

BB&T Corproation
A
 
66.1

 

Government of Netherlands (ABN AMRO)
AAA
 
62.7

 
5.6

____________
(1)
Includes Covered Bonds.
(2)
The credit rating for each asset reflected above was principally determined based on the weighted average rating of the individual securities from Standard & Poor's, Moody's Investors Service and Fitch Ratings. U.S. Agency debt and related mortgage-backed securities, whether with implicit or explicit government support, reflect the credit quality rating of the U.S. government for the purpose of these calculations
Within our corporate financial bond holdings, we are further monitoring exposures to hybrid securities, representing Tier One and Upper Tier Two securities of various financial institutions. The following table summarizes our top ten exposures to hybrid securities:
 
March 31, 2014
Issuer (by Global Ultimate Parent)
(U.S. dollars in millions)
Tier One
 Amortized Cost
 
Upper Tier Two
Amortized Cost
 
Total
Amortized Cost
 
Net Unrealized
(Loss)
Zurich Insurance Group Ltd.
$

 
$
27.5

 
$
27.5

 
$
1.8

Barclays Plc
4.9

 
21.5

 
26.4

 
(1.6
)
National Australia Bank Limited
21.4

 

 
21.4

 
1.3

The British United Provident Association Limited

 
21.0

 
21.0

 
1.0

JPMorgan Chase & Co
20.9

 

 
20.9

 
(4.5
)
Aviva Plc
5.4

 
14.5

 
19.9

 
(0.5
)
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.
19.8

 

 
19.8

 
1.3

Legal & General Group Plc

 
19.5

 
19.5

 
0.9

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
18.6

 

 
18.6

 
0.6

Standard Life Plc

 
18.0

 
18.0

 
1.1

Total
$
91.0

 
$
122.0

 
$
213.0

 
$
1.4

At March 31, 2014, the top 10 corporate financial holdings, which exclude government guaranteed and government sponsored enterprises, represented approximately 4.7% of the aggregate fixed income portfolio and approximately 11.8% of all corporate holdings. The top 10 corporate bond holdings listed below represent the direct exposure to the corporations listed below, including their subsidiaries, and exclude any securitized, credit enhanced and collateralized asset or mortgage-backed

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securities, cash and cash equivalents, pooled notes and any over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivative counterparty exposures, if applicable, but does include Covered Bonds:
Top 10 Corporate Financial Holdings (1)
 
Percentage of Aggregate
Fixed Income Portfolio
Wells Fargo & Company
 
0.7%
JPMorgan Chse & Co
 
0.6%
Rabobank Nederland NV
 
0.6%
Citigroup Inc.
 
0.6%
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
 
0.5%
National Australia Bank Limited
 
0.4%
Bank of America Corporation
 
0.4%
Lloyds Banking Group Plc
 
0.3%
Morgan Stanley
 
0.3%
UBS AG
 
0.3%
____________
(1)
Corporate issuers include Covered Bonds.
At March 31, 2014, the top 5 corporate sector exposures listed below represented 30.4% of the aggregate fixed income investment portfolio and 75.8% of all corporate holdings.
Top 5 Sector Exposures
(U.S. dollars in millions)
 
Carrying Value
 
Percentage of
Aggregate
Fixed Income
Portfolio
Financials (1)
 
$
3,853.2

 
12.0
%
Consumer, non-Cyclical
 
2,340.8

 
7.3
%
Utilities
 
1,381.1

 
4.3
%
Communications
 
1,096.7

 
3.4
%
Industrial
 
1,083.8

 
3.4
%
Total
 
$
9,755.6

 
30.4
%
____________
(1)
Government-guaranteed securities and Covered Bonds have been excluded from the above figures.
Within our fixed income portfolios, we are further monitoring our exposure to holdings in the European Periphery Nations. In particular, the carrying values of our holdings representing risk in the European Periphery Nations are: government holdings of $79.2 million, corporate holdings of $117.7 million (financials $0.8 million, non-financials $116.9 million) and structured securities holdings totaling $9.5 million. The non-financial corporate holdings primarily consist of securities issued by multinational companies with low reliance on local economics and systemically important industries such as utilities and telecoms. For further detail on our exposure to the Euro-zone sovereign debt crisis, please refer to Item 2, “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - European Sovereign Debt Crisis.”
We also have exposure to credit risk associated with our mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. The table below shows the breakdown of the $7.1 billion structured securities portfolio, of which 78.9% is AAA rated:
(U.S. dollars in millions)
Carrying Value
 
Percentage of
Structured Portfolio
Agency RMBS
$
3,222.5

 
45.6
%
Other ABS (1)
1,302.8

 
18.4
%
CMBS
1,343.3

 
19.0
%
Core CDO (non-ABS CDOs and CLOs)
725.1

 
10.3
%
Non-Agency RMBS
468.4

 
6.7
%
Total
$
7,062.1

 
100.0
%
____________
(1)
Includes Covered Bonds.

71


Credit Risk – Other
Credit derivatives are purchased within our investment portfolio and were sold through a limited number of contracts written as part of our previous financial lines business. From time to time, we may purchase credit default swaps to hedge an existing position or concentration of holdings. The credit derivatives are recorded at fair value. For further details with respect to our exposure to credit derivatives, see Item 1, Note 6, “Derivative Instruments,” to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.
We have exposure to many different industries and counterparties, and routinely execute transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including brokers and dealers, commercial banks, investment banks, alternatives and other investment funds and other institutions. Many of these transactions expose us to credit risk in the event of default of our counterparty. In addition, with respect to secured transactions, our credit risk may be exacerbated when the collateral held by us cannot be sold or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the loan or derivative exposure that is due. We also have exposure to financial institutions in the form of unsecured debt instruments, derivative transactions, revolving credit facility and letter of credit commitments and equity investments. There can be no assurance that any such losses or impairments to the carrying value of these assets would not materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
With regard to unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable and reinsurance balances receivable, we have credit risk should any of our reinsurers be unable or unwilling to settle amounts due to us; however, these exposures are not marked to market. For further information relating to reinsurer credit risk, see Item 2, “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Unpaid Losses and Loss Expenses Recoverable and Reinsurance Balances Receivable.”
We are exposed to credit risk in the event of non-performance by the other parties to our derivative instruments in general; however, we do not anticipate non-performance. The difference between the notional principal amounts and the associated market value is our maximum credit exposure.
Equity Price Risk
Equity price risk is the potential loss arising from changes in the market value of equities. Our equity investment portfolio is exposed to equity price risk. At March 31, 2014, our equity portfolio was approximately $966.3 million as compared to $952.8 million at December 31, 2013. This excludes fixed income fund investments of $89.1 million and $87.4 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, that generally do not have the risk characteristics of equity investments but are treated as equity investments under U.S. GAAP. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, our direct allocation to equity securities was 2.7% and 2.6%, respectively, of the total investment portfolio (including cash and cash equivalents, accrued investment income and net payable for investments purchased). We also estimate the equity risk embedded in certain alternative and private investments. Such estimates are derived from market exposures provided to us by certain individual fund investments and/or internal statistical analyses.
Other Market Risks
Our private investment portfolio is invested in limited partnerships and other entities that are not publicly traded. In addition to normal market risks, these positions may also be exposed to liquidity risk, risks related to distressed investments and risks specific to startup or small companies. At March 31, 2014, our exposure to private investments, excluding unfunded commitments, was $262.9 million, representing 0.7% of the total investment portfolio (including cash and cash equivalents, accrued investment income and net payable for investments purchased) compared to $268.7 million at December 31, 2013
Our alternative investment portfolio, which is exposed to equity and credit risk as well as certain other market risks, had a total exposure of $1.6 billion representing approximately 4.4% of the total investment portfolio (including cash and cash equivalents, accrued investment income and net payable for investments purchased) at March 31, 2014, as compared to December 31, 2013 when we had a total exposure of $1.5 billion representing approximately 4.2% of the fixed income investment portfolio.
At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, bond index futures outstanding had a net short position of $210.4 million and a net long position of $8.5 million, respectively, and stock index futures outstanding had net long positions of $76.0 million and $27.3 million, respectively. We may reduce our exposure to these futures through offsetting transactions, including options and forwards.
As noted above, we also invest in certain derivative positions that can be impacted by market value movements. For further details on derivative instruments, see Item 1, Note 6, “Derivative Instruments,” to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.

72


Sensitivity and Value-at-Risk Analysis
The table below summarizes our assessment of the estimated impact on the value of our investment portfolio at March 31, 2014 associated with an immediate and hypothetical: +100bps increase in interest rates, a -10% decline in equity markets, a +100bps widening in spreads and a +10% widening in spreads. The table also reports the 95%, 1-year VaRs for our investment portfolios at March 31, 2014, excluding foreign exchange.
The interest rate, spread risk, and VaR referenced in the table below include the impact of market movements on our HTM fixed maturities from our Life operations investment portfolio. While the market value of these holdings is sensitive to prevailing interest rates and credit spreads, our book value is not impacted as these holdings are carried at amortized cost. At March 31, 2014, if we were to exclude these impacts in order to present the impact of these risks to our book value, the interest rate risk would be reduced by approximately $310.7 million, absolute spread risk would be reduced by approximately $207.5 million, relative spread risk would be reduced by approximately $16.4 million, and VaR would be reduced by approximately $195.6 million.
The table below excludes the impact of foreign exchange rate risk on our investment portfolio. Our investment strategy incorporates asset-liability management, and, accordingly, any foreign exchange movements impact the assets and liabilities approximately equally. See “Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk” for further details. We consider the investment portfolio VaR estimated results as well as the P&C and Life operations investment portfolios' VaR estimated results excluding foreign exchange rate risk to be the more relevant and appropriate metrics to consider when assessing the actual risk of the investment portfolio.
The estimated results below also do not include any risk contributions from our various operating affiliates (strategic, investment manager or financial operating affiliates) or certain other investments that are carried at amortized cost.
(U.S. dollars in millions)
Interest
Rate
Risk (1)
 
Equity
Risk
(2)
 
Absolute
Spread
Risk (3)
 
Relative
Spread
Risk (4)
 
VaR
(5) (6)
Total Investment Portfolio (7)
$
(1,459.9
)
 
$
(180.6
)
 
$
(1,328.5
)
 
$
(119.0
)
 
$
1,017.0

A. P&C Investment Portfolio
$
(905.3
)
 
$
(180.6
)
 
$
(860.3
)
 
$
(67.2
)
 
$
670.1

(I) P&C Fixed Income Portfolio
(905.3
)
 

 
(860.3
)
 
(67.2
)
 
650.3

(a) Cash & Short Term Investments
(13.5
)
 

 
(11.4
)
 
(0.3
)
 
15.3

(b) Total Government Related
(387.6
)
 

 
(258.7
)
 
(10.9
)
 
259.6

(c) Total Corporate Credit
(311.8
)
 

 
(341.1
)
 
(29.7
)
 
255.9

(d) Total Structured Credit
(192.4
)
 

 
(249.1
)
 
(26.4
)
 
154.9

(II) P&C Non-Fixed Income Portfolio

 
(480.6
)
 

 

 
274.6

(e) Equity Portfolio

 
(102.2
)
 

 

 
170.1

(f) Alternative Portfolio

 
(50.6
)
 

 

 
109.8

(g) Private Investments

 
(27.9
)
 

 

 
34.9

(h) Other

 

 

 

 
4.4

B. Life Investment Portfolio
$
(548.5
)
 
$

 
$
(436.6
)
 
$
(48.6
)
 
$
418.4

(III) Life Fixed Income Portfolio
(548.5
)
 

 
(436.6
)
 
(48.6
)
 
418.4

(i) Cash & Short Term Investments
(0.1
)
 

 

 

 
0.1

(j) Total Government Related
(226.4
)
 

 
(85.4
)
 
(3.5
)
 
167.3

(k) Total Corporate Credit
(264.2
)
 

 
(287.6
)
 
(37.1
)
 
207.5

(l) Total Structured Credit
(57.8
)
 

 
(63.6
)
 
(7.9
)
 
51.0

(IV) Life Non-Fixed Income Portfolio

 

 

 

 

____________
(1)
The estimated impact on the fair value of our fixed income portfolio of an immediate hypothetical +100 bps adverse parallel shift in global bond curves.
(2)
The estimated impact on the fair value of our investment portfolio of an immediate hypothetical -10% change in the value of equity exposures in our equity portfolio, certain equity-sensitive alternative investments and private equity investments. This includes our estimate of equity risk embedded in the alternatives and private investment portfolio with such estimates utilizing market exposures provided to us by certain individual fund investments, internal statistical analyses, and/or various assumptions regarding illiquidity and concentrations.
(3)
The estimated impact on the fair value of our fixed income portfolio of an immediate hypothetical +100 basis point increase in all global government related, corporate and structured security spreads to which our fixed income portfolio is exposed. This excludes exposure to credit spreads in our alternative investments, private investments and counterparty exposure.
(4)
The estimated impact on the fair value of our fixed income portfolio of an immediate hypothetical +10% increase in all global government related, corporate and structured security spreads to which our fixed income portfolio is exposed. This excludes exposure to credit spreads in our alternative investments, private investments and counterparty exposure.

73


(5)
The VaR results are based on a 95% confidence interval, with a one-year holding period, excluding foreign exchange rate risk. Our investment portfolio VaR at March 31, 2014 is not necessarily indicative of future VaR levels as these are based on statistical estimates of possible price changes and, therefore, exclude other sources of investment return such as coupon and dividend income.
(6)
The VaR results are the standalone VaRs, based on the prescribed methodology, for each component of our Total Investment Portfolio. The standalone VaRs of the individual components are non-additive, with the difference between the summation of the individual component VaRs and their respective aggregations being due to diversification benefits across the individual components. In the case of the VaR results for our Total Investment Portfolio, the results also include the impact associated with our Business and Other investments.
(7)
Our Total Investment Portfolio comprises our P&C Investment Portfolio and Life Operations Investment Portfolio as well as our Business and Other investments that do not form part of our P&C Investment Portfolio or Life Operations Investment Portfolio. The individual results reported in the above table for our Total Investment Portfolio therefore represent the aggregate impact on our P&C Investment Portfolio, Life Operations Investment Portfolio and the majority of our Other investments.
Stress Testing
VaR does not provide the means to estimate the magnitude of the loss in the 5% of occurrences when we expect the VaR level to be exceeded. To complement the VaR analysis based on normal market environments, we consider the impact on the investment portfolio in several different stress scenarios to analyze the effect of unusual market conditions. We establish certain stress scenarios that are applied to the actual investment portfolio. As these stress scenarios and estimated gains and losses are based on scenarios established by us, they will not necessarily reflect future stress events or gains and losses from such events. The results of the stress scenarios are reviewed on a regular basis to ensure they are appropriate, based on current shareholders' equity, market conditions and our total risk tolerance. It is important to note that, when assessing the risk of our investment portfolio, we do not take into account either the value or risk associated with the liabilities arising from our operations.
ITEM 4.
 
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report, were effective and provided reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is (i) recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with our evaluation required pursuant to Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

74


PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are subject to legal proceedings as described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. There have been no material developments to such proceedings during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
We are subject to litigation and arbitration in the normal course of our business. These lawsuits and arbitrations principally involve claims on policies of insurance and contracts of reinsurance and are typical for us and for the property and casualty insurance and reinsurance industry in general. Such claims proceedings are considered in connection with our loss and loss expense reserves. Reserves in varying amounts may or may not be established in respect of particular claims proceedings based on many factors, including the legal merits thereof. In addition to litigation relating to insurance and reinsurance claims, we are subject to lawsuits and regulatory actions in the normal course of business that do not arise from or directly relate to claims on insurance or reinsurance policies. These types of actions typically involve, among other things, allegations of underwriting errors or misconduct, employment disputes, actions brought by or on behalf of shareholders or disputes arising from business ventures. The status of these legal actions is actively monitored by management.
Legal actions are subject to inherent uncertainties, and future events could change management's assessment of the probability or estimated amount of potential losses from pending or threatened legal actions. If management believes that, based on available information, it is at least reasonably possible that a material loss (or additional material loss in excess of any accrual) will be incurred in connection with any legal actions, we disclose an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss, either individually or in the aggregate, as appropriate, if such an estimate can be made, or disclose that an estimate cannot be made. Based on our assessment at March 31, 2014, no such disclosures are considered necessary.
ITEM 1A.
 
RISK FACTORS
Refer to Item 1A., "Risk Factors," in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 for further information.

ITEM 2.
 
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliate Purchasers
The following table provides information about purchases by the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2014 of its ordinary shares:
 
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
 
Average
Price Paid
per Share
 
Total Number
 of Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs
 
Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares
that May Yet Be
Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs (1) (2)
January 1, 2014 to January 31, 2014
1,998,602

 
$
30.02

 
1,998,602

 
$215.0 million
February 1, 2014 to February 28, 2014
407,525

 
$
29.24

 
407,525

 
$995.7 million
March 1, 2014 to March 31, 2014
3,435,423

 
$
30.41

 
3,390,029

 
$892.6 million
Total
5,841,550

 
$
30.19

 
5,796,156

 
$892.6 million
____________
(1)
Shares purchased in connection with the vesting of restricted shares granted under our restricted stock plan do not represent shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs. All such purchases were made in connection with satisfying tax withholding obligations of those employees. These shares were not purchased as part of our share buyback program.
(2)
For information regarding our share buyback activity see Part I, Item 2, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Other Key Focuses of Management - Buybacks of Ordinary Shares," included herein.

75


ITEM 6.
 
EXHIBITS
 
 
 
The following exhibits are filed as exhibits to this Quarterly Report:
 
 
 
10.1*
 
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (Bespoke Vesting)

 
 
 
12*
 
Statements regarding computation of ratios
 
 
 
31*
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications
 
 
 
32*
 
Section 1350 Certification
 
 
 
101.INS*
 
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
 
101.SCH*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
 
101.CAL*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.LAB*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.PRE*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.DEF*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
*
Filed herewith.

76


SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Date:
May 6, 2014
 
 
 
XL Group plc
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
/s/ MICHAEL S. MCGAVICK
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Name: Michael S. McGavick
 
 
Title: Chief Executive Officer and Director
 
 
XL Group plc
 
 
 
Date:
May 6, 2014
 
 
 
/s/ PETER R. PORRINO
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Name: Peter R. Porrino
 
 
Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
XL Group plc


77