3B2 EDGAR HTML -- c54254_preflight.htm



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q


S QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2008

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 CAPITAL LTD
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


 

 

 

CAYMAN ISLANDS
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

98-0191089
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

XL House, One Bermudiana Road, Hamilton, Bermuda HM 11
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
(441) 292-8515
(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 S No £

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one): Large accelerated filer S Accelerated filer £ Non-accelerated filer £

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes £ No S

As of July 21, 2008, there were 179,064,757 outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares, $0.01 par value per share, of the registrant.






XL CAPITAL LTD

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Page No

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements:

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as at June 30, 2008 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2007

 

3

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 (Unaudited) and the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 (Unaudited)

 

4

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 (Unaudited) and the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 (Unaudited)

 

5

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 (Unaudited)

 

6

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 (Unaudited)

 

7

 

 

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

 

8

Item 2.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

40

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

80

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

85

 

 

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

86

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

 

89

Item 2.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

110

Item 4.

 

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

110

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

 

111

 

 

Signatures

 

112

2


PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

XL CAPITAL LTD
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)
June 30,
2008

 

December 31,
2007

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

Investments:

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities, at fair value (amortized cost: 2008, $31,457,613; 2007, $34,233,816)

 

 

$

 

29,120,688

   

 

$

 

33,607,790

 

Equity securities, at fair value (cost: 2008, $487,143; 2007, $664,213)

 

 

 

581,092

   

 

 

854,815

 

Short-term investments, at fair value (amortized cost: 2008, $1,364,906; 2007, $1,814,445)

 

 

 

1,340,940

   

 

 

1,803,198

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investments available for sale

 

 

 

31,042,720

   

 

 

36,265,803

 

Investments in affiliates

 

 

 

2,401,799

   

 

 

2,611,149

 

Other investments (cost: 2008, $538,518; 2007, $614,848)

 

 

 

632,015

   

 

 

708,476

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investments

 

 

 

34,076,534

   

 

 

39,585,428

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

3,704,249

   

 

 

3,880,030

 

Accrued investment income

 

 

 

411,230

   

 

 

447,660

 

Deferred acquisition costs

 

 

 

861,524

   

 

 

756,854

 

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

 

 

 

1,126,438

   

 

 

972,516

 

Premiums receivable

 

 

 

4,121,620

   

 

 

3,637,452

 

Reinsurance balances receivable

 

 

 

717,818

   

 

 

817,931

 

Unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable

 

 

 

4,129,001

   

 

 

4,697,471

 

Goodwill and other intangible assets

 

 

 

1,841,548

   

 

 

1,841,591

 

Deferred tax asset, net

 

 

 

386,797

   

 

 

370,419

 

Other assets

 

 

 

703,203

   

 

 

754,912

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

 

$

 

52,079,962

   

 

$

 

57,762,264

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Unpaid losses and loss expenses

 

 

$

 

22,955,473

   

 

$

 

23,207,694

 

Future policy benefit reserves

 

 

 

6,904,505

   

 

 

6,772,042

 

Deposit liabilities

 

 

 

2,956,423

   

 

 

7,920,085

 

Notes payable and debt

 

 

 

2,869,230

   

 

 

2,868,731

 

Reinsurance balances payable

 

 

 

821,721

   

 

 

843,511

 

Net payable for investments purchased

 

 

 

304,282

   

 

 

191,472

 

Unearned premiums

 

 

 

5,355,644

   

 

 

4,681,989

 

Other liabilities

 

 

 

1,141,904

   

 

 

1,326,179

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

 

$

 

43,309,182

   

 

$

 

47,811,703

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies:

 

 

 

 

Minority interest in equity of consolidated subsidiaries

 

 

$

 

1,587

   

 

$

 

2,419

 

Shareholders’ Equity:

 

 

 

 

Series E preference ordinary shares, 1,000,000 authorized, par value $0.01 Issued and outstanding: (2008 and 2007, 1,000,000)

 

 

 

10

   

 

 

10

 

Class A ordinary shares, 999,990,000 authorized, par value $0.01 Issued and outstanding: (2008, 179,051,979; 2007, 177,910,151)

 

 

 

1,791

   

 

 

1,779

 

Additional paid in capital

 

 

 

7,391,966

   

 

 

7,358,801

 

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

 

 

 

(1,516,825

)

 

 

 

 

9,159

 

Retained earnings

 

 

 

2,892,251

   

 

 

2,578,393

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

 

$

 

8,769,193

   

 

$

 

9,948,142

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

 

$

 

52,079,962

   

 

$

 

57,762,264

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

3


XL CAPITAL LTD
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

$

 

1,681,722

   

 

$

 

1,930,305

   

 

$

 

3,394,084

   

 

$

 

3,721,349

 

Net investment income

 

 

 

440,352

   

 

 

567,215

   

 

 

939,581

   

 

 

1,120,307

 

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

 

 

 

2,040

   

 

 

18,296

   

 

 

(100,211

)

 

 

 

 

27,588

 

Net realized and unrealized gains on derivative instruments

 

 

 

8,124

   

 

 

9,188

   

 

 

52,806

   

 

 

16,929

 

Net (loss) income from investment fund affiliates

 

 

 

(20,435

)

 

 

 

 

67,043

   

 

 

(8,636

)

 

 

 

 

185,979

 

Fee income and other

 

 

 

12,796

   

 

 

4,649

   

 

 

21,087

   

 

 

7,986

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

 

 

$

 

2,124,599

   

 

$

 

2,596,696

   

 

$

 

4,298,711

   

 

$

 

5,080,138

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net losses and loss expenses incurred

 

 

$

 

938,585

   

 

$

 

941,948

   

 

$

 

1,939,478

   

 

$

 

1,936,735

 

Claims and policy benefits

 

 

 

209,725

   

 

 

279,100

   

 

 

406,024

   

 

 

467,443

 

Acquisition costs

 

 

 

246,237

   

 

 

298,021

   

 

 

512,534

   

 

 

557,972

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

298,298

   

 

 

306,552

   

 

 

562,122

   

 

 

587,055

 

Exchange losses

 

 

 

7,936

   

 

 

22,600

   

 

 

75,681

   

 

 

46,169

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

65,441

   

 

 

164,695

   

 

 

189,553

   

 

 

307,486

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

 

420

   

 

 

420

   

 

 

840

   

 

 

840

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total expenses

 

 

$

 

1,766,642

   

 

$

 

2,013,336

   

 

$

 

3,686,232

   

 

$

 

3,903,700

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before minority interest, income tax and net (loss) income from operating affiliates

 

 

$

 

357,957

   

 

$

 

583,360

   

 

$

 

612,479

   

 

$

 

1,176,438

 

Minority interest in net income of subsidiary

 

 

 

   

 

 

9,096

   

 

 

   

 

 

23,994

 

Income tax

 

 

 

51,205

   

 

 

61,288

   

 

 

81,907

   

 

 

134,043

 

Net (loss) income from operating affiliates

 

 

 

(68,901

)

 

 

 

 

41,639

   

 

 

(48,348

)

 

 

 

 

98,721

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

237,851

   

 

 

554,615

   

 

 

482,224

   

 

 

1,117,122

 

Preference share dividends

 

 

 

   

 

 

(10,080

)

 

 

 

 

(32,500

)

 

 

 

 

(22,869

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income available to ordinary shareholders

 

 

$

 

237,851

   

 

$

 

544,535

   

 

$

 

449,724

   

 

$

 

1,094,253

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average ordinary shares and ordinary share equivalents outstanding — basic

 

 

 

176,655

   

 

 

178,378

   

 

 

176,453

   

 

 

178,650

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average ordinary shares and ordinary share equivalents outstanding — diluted

 

 

 

176,910

   

 

 

181,613

   

 

 

176,946

   

 

 

180,570

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per ordinary share and ordinary share equivalent — basic

 

 

$

 

1.35

   

 

$

 

3.05

   

 

$

 

2.55

   

 

$

 

6.13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per ordinary share and ordinary share equivalent — diluted

 

 

$

 

1.34

   

 

$

 

3.00

   

 

$

 

2.54

   

 

$

 

6.06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

4


XL CAPITAL LTD
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

Net income

 

 

$

 

237,851

   

 

$

 

554,615

   

 

$

 

482,224

   

 

$

 

1,117,122

 

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

 

 

 

(686,280

)

 

 

 

 

(620,461

)

 

 

 

 

(1,761,867

)

 

 

 

 

(725,384

)

 

Change in value of cash flow hedge

 

 

 

109

   

 

 

(114

)

 

 

 

 

218

   

 

 

4,117

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net

 

 

 

6,946

   

 

 

65,455

   

 

 

237,418

   

 

 

95,284

 

Net unrealized gain (loss) on future policy benefit reserves

 

 

 

   

 

 

187

   

 

 

(1,688

)

 

 

 

 

(273

)

 

Realization of accumulated other comprehensive loss in SCA

 

 

 

   

 

 

4,953

   

 

 

   

 

 

4,953

 

Additional pension liability

 

 

 

(21

)

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

(65

)

 

 

 

 

(188

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive (loss) income

 

 

$

 

(441,395

)

 

 

 

$

 

4,635

   

 

$

 

(1,043,760

)

 

 

 

$

 

495,631

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

5


XL CAPITAL LTD
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

2008

 

2007

Series A, B and E Preference Ordinary Shares:

 

 

 

 

Balance — beginning of year

 

 

$

 

10

   

 

$

 

207

 

Issuance of Series E preference ordinary shares

 

 

 

   

 

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance — end of period

 

 

$

 

10

   

 

$

 

217

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A Ordinary Shares:

 

 

 

 

Balance — beginning of year

 

 

$

 

1,779

   

 

$

 

1,810

 

Issuance of Class A ordinary shares

 

 

 

13

   

 

 

112

 

Exercise of stock options

 

 

 

   

 

 

7

 

Repurchase of Class A ordinary shares

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

(110

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance — end of period

 

 

$

 

1,791

   

 

$

 

1,819

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Paid in Capital:

 

 

 

 

Balance — beginning of year

 

 

$

 

7,358,801

   

 

$

 

6,451,569

 

Issuance of Class A ordinary shares

 

 

 

49,093

   

 

 

871,123

 

Issuance of Series E preference ordinary shares

 

 

 

   

 

 

983,786

 

Repurchase of Class A ordinary shares

 

 

 

(4,246

)

 

 

 

 

(368,539

)

 

Stock option expense

 

 

 

10,039

   

 

 

8,459

 

Exercise of stock options

 

 

 

   

 

 

42,740

 

Net change in deferred compensation

 

 

 

(21,721

)

 

 

 

 

(18,275

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance — end of period

 

 

$

 

7,391,966

   

 

$

 

7,970,863

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income:

 

 

 

 

Balance — beginning of year

 

 

$

 

9,159

   

 

$

 

411,405

 

Net change in unrealized (losses) on investment portfolio, net of tax

 

 

 

(1,761,735

)

 

 

 

 

(743,094

)

 

Net change in unrealized (losses) gains on affiliate and other investments, net of tax

 

 

 

(132

)

 

 

 

 

17,710

 

Change in value of cash flow hedge

 

 

 

218

   

 

 

4,117

 

Impact of net unrealized (loss) on future policy benefit reserves

 

 

 

(1,688

)

 

 

 

 

(273

)

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

 

 

237,418

   

 

 

95,284

 

Realization of accumulated other comprehensive loss in SCA

 

 

 

   

 

 

4,953

 

Additional pension liability

 

 

 

(65

)

 

 

 

 

(188

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance — end of period

 

 

$

 

(1,516,825

)

 

 

 

$

 

(210,086

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retained Earnings:

 

 

 

 

Balance — beginning of year

 

 

$

 

2,578,393

   

 

$

 

3,266,175

 

Net income

 

 

 

482,224

   

 

 

1,117,122

 

Dividends on Series A and B preference ordinary shares

 

 

 

   

 

 

(20,161

)

 

Dividends on Series E preference ordinary shares

 

 

 

(32,500

)

 

 

 

 

(2,708

)

 

Dividends on Class A ordinary shares

 

 

 

(135,866

)

 

 

 

 

(138,306

)

 

Repurchase of Class A ordinary shares

 

 

 

   

 

 

(462,889

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance — end of period

 

 

$

 

2,892,251

   

 

$

 

3,759,233

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

$

 

8,769,193

   

 

$

 

11,522,046

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

6


XL CAPITAL LTD
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

2008

 

2007

Cash flows provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

$

 

482,224

   

 

$

 

1,117,122

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

Net realized losses (gains) on investments

 

 

 

100,211

   

 

 

(27,588

)

 

Net realized and unrealized (gains) on derivative instruments

 

 

 

(52,806

)

 

 

 

 

(16,929

)

 

Amortization of (discounts) on fixed maturities

 

 

 

(21,117

)

 

 

 

 

(37,443

)

 

Net loss (income) from investment and operating affiliates

 

 

 

56,984

   

 

 

(284,700

)

 

Amortization of deferred compensation

 

 

 

26,973

   

 

 

28,133

 

Accretion of convertible debt

 

 

 

499

   

 

 

722

 

Accretion of deposit liabilities

 

 

 

92,396

   

 

 

202,780

 

Unpaid losses and loss expenses

 

 

 

(665,502

)

 

 

 

 

(129,473

)

 

Future policy benefit reserves

 

 

 

(8,470

)

 

 

 

 

68,415

 

Unearned premiums

 

 

 

588,745

   

 

 

815,040

 

Premiums receivable

 

 

 

(395,077

)

 

 

 

 

(622,568

)

 

Unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable

 

 

 

669,117

   

 

 

271,572

 

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

 

 

 

(139,148

)

 

 

 

 

(68,486

)

 

Reinsurance balances receivable

 

 

 

118,674

   

 

 

185,373

 

Deferred acquisition costs

 

 

 

(93,215

)

 

 

 

 

(142,823

)

 

Reinsurance balances payable

 

 

 

(45,114

)

 

 

 

 

23,683

 

Deferred tax asset

 

 

 

38,248

   

 

 

(25,973

)

 

Other

 

 

 

(106,321

)

 

 

 

 

(113,094

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total adjustments

 

 

$

 

165,077

   

 

$

 

126,641

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

$

 

647,301

   

 

$

 

1,243,763

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows used in (provided by) investing activities:

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from sale of fixed maturities and short-term investments

 

 

$

 

9,840,029

   

 

$

 

14,185,451

 

Proceeds from redemption of fixed maturities and short-term investments

 

 

 

1,333,153

   

 

 

862,036

 

Proceeds from sale of equity securities

 

 

 

529,130

   

 

 

520,415

 

Proceeds from sale of SCA common shares, net of cash sold

 

 

 

   

 

 

(110,843

)

 

Purchases of fixed maturities and short-term investments

 

 

 

(7,470,615

)

 

 

 

 

(16,830,211

)

 

Purchases of equity securities

 

 

 

(331,062

)

 

 

 

 

(421,672

)

 

Net dispositions (acquisitions) of affiliates

 

 

 

201,749

   

 

 

111,270

 

Other investments

 

 

 

31,354

   

 

 

(125,395

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in (provided by) investing activities

 

 

$

 

4,133,738

   

 

$

 

(1,808,949

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities:

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from exercise of stock options and issuance of Class A ordinary shares

 

 

 

   

 

 

867,748

 

Proceeds from issuance of Series E preference ordinary shares

 

 

 

   

 

 

983,796

 

Repurchase of Class A ordinary shares

 

 

 

(4,247

)

 

 

 

 

(831,538

)

 

Dividends paid

 

 

 

(167,881

)

 

 

 

 

(161,175

)

 

Proceeds from issuance of debt

 

 

 

   

 

 

322,836

 

Repayment of debt

 

 

 

   

 

 

(825,000

)

 

Deposit liabilities

 

 

 

(5,056,582

)

 

 

 

 

435,284

 

Net cash flow on securities lending

 

 

 

186,700

   

 

 

53,409

 

Proceeds from issuance of SCA Series A perpetual preference shares

 

 

 

   

 

 

247,248

 

Dividends paid to minority shareholders of SCA

 

 

 

   

 

 

(16,130

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

 

$

 

(5,042,010

)

 

 

 

$

 

1,076,478

 

Effects of exchange rate changes on foreign currency cash

 

 

 

85,190

   

 

 

9,312

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

(175,781

)

 

 

 

 

520,604

 

Cash and cash equivalents — beginning of period

 

 

 

3,880,030

   

 

 

2,223,748

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents — end of period

 

 

$

 

3,704,249

   

 

$

 

2,744,352

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

7


XL CAPITAL LTD
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.  Basis of Preparation and Consolidation

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 footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In addition, the year-end balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In the opinion of management, these unaudited financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of financial position and results of operations as 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 significant 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.

To facilitate period-to-period comparisons, certain reclassifications have been made to prior period consolidated financial statement amounts to conform to current period presentation. There was no effect on net income from this change in presentation.

Unless the context otherwise indicates, references herein to the “Company” include XL Capital Ltd and its consolidated subsidiaries.

2.  Significant Accounting Policies

(a) Fair Value Measurements

Financial Instruments subject to Fair Value Measurements

In September 2006, the FASB issued FAS 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Under FAS 157, fair value measurements are not adjusted for transaction costs. FAS 157 nullifies the guidance included in EITF Issue No. 02-3, “Issues Involved in Accounting for Derivative Contracts Held for Trading Purposes and Contracts Involved in Energy Trading and Risk Management Activities,” that prohibited the recognition of a day one gain or loss on derivative contracts (and hybrid financial instruments measured at fair value under FAS 155) where a company was unable to verify all of the significant model inputs to observable market data and/or verify the model to market transactions. However, FAS 157 requires that a fair value measurement reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on the best information available. Assumptions include the risks inherent in a particular valuation technique (such as a pricing model) and/or the risks inherent in the inputs to the model.

In addition, FAS 157 prohibits the recognition of “block discounts” for large holdings of unrestricted financial instruments where quoted prices are readily and regularly available for an identical asset or liability in an active market. The provisions of FAS 157 are to be applied prospectively, except changes in fair value measurements that result from the initial application of FAS 157 to existing derivative financial instruments measured under EITF Issue No. 02-3, existing hybrid financial instruments measured at fair value and block discounts, all of which are to be recorded as an adjustment to beginning retained earnings in the year of adoption.

8


XL CAPITAL LTD
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

2.  Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

(a) Fair Value Measurements (continued)

The Company adopted FAS 157 as of January 1, 2008. There was no transition adjustment required to opening retained earnings as a result of the adoption of this standard. As noted above, the fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (the exit price). Instruments that the Company owns (long positions) are marked to bid prices, and instruments that the Company has sold, but not yet purchased (short positions) are marked to offer prices. Fair value measurements are not adjusted for transaction costs.

In February 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157” (“FSP FAS 157-2”), which permits a one-year deferral of the application of FAS 157 for all non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). FSP FAS 157-2 is effective in conjunction with FAS 157 for interim and annual financial statements issued after January 1, 2008. Accordingly, the provisions of FAS 157 have not been applied to goodwill and other intangible assets held by the Company which are measured annually for impairment testing purposes only.

Basis of Fair Value Measurement

FAS 157 also establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under FAS 157 are described further below:

 

 

 

 

Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets/liabilities (unadjusted); no blockage factors.

 

 

 

 

Level 2—Other observable inputs—include quoted prices for similar assets/liabilities (adjusted) and market corroborated inputs.

 

 

 

 

Level 3—Unobservable inputs.

An asset or a liability’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Details on assets and liabilities that have been included under the requirements of FAS 157 to illustrate the bases for determining the fair values of the assets and liabilities held by the Company are detailed in the accounting policy sections that follow.

(b) Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents include fixed interest deposits placed with a maturity of under 90 days when purchased. Bank deposits are not considered to be fair value measurements and as such are not subject to FAS 157 disclosures. Money market funds are classified as Level 1 as these instruments are considered actively traded; however, certificates of deposit are classified as Level 2.

9


XL CAPITAL LTD
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

2.  Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

(c) Investments

Investments Available For Sale

Investments that are considered available for sale are carried at fair value. The fair value of fixed maturity securities is based upon quoted market values where available, or matrix or other model-derived prices where quoted market values are not available, or through the use of unobservable inputs corroborated by reference to broker or underwriter bid indications where matrix or other model-derived prices are not determinable for a particular security. The Company’s valuation approach utilizes market approaches to valuations using primarily Level 2 inputs in the vast majority of valuations, or some form of discounted cash flow analysis to obtain investment values for a small percentage of fixed maturity securities for which a price is determined. Standard inputs to the valuations listed in approximate order of priority for use when available include: reported trades, benchmark yields, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, and reference data. The Company’s valuation approach may prioritize inputs differently on any given day for any security, and not all inputs listed are available for use in the evaluation process on any given day for each security evaluation; however, market indicators, industry and economic events are also monitored. Information of this nature is a trigger to acquire further corroborating market data. When these inputs are not available, “buckets” of similar securities are identified (allocated by asset class types, sectors, sub-sectors, contractual cash flows/structure, and credit rating characteristics) and a form of matrix or other modeled pricing is utilized to determine an appropriate security value which represents the best estimate as to what a buyer in the marketplace would pay for a security in a current sale. In addition, the values determined by the Company for a security or class of similar securities, are corroborated against values produced by others within the market.

For fixed maturity securities where prices cannot be determined through either quoted market values or using a form of matrix or other modeled pricing due to factors specific to the security such as limited liquidity, lack of current transactions, or trades only taking place in privately negotiated transactions, unobservable inputs are utilized in determining the fair value. These are considered Level 3 valuations as significant inputs utilized may be difficult to corroborate with observable market data. The Company corroborates these values to broker or dealer values where possible; however, sufficient information regarding the specific inputs utilized by the brokers cannot be obtained to support a Level 2 classification.

The net unrealized gain or loss on investments, net of tax, is included in “accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).” Any unrealized depreciation in value considered by management to be other than temporary is charged to income in the period that it is determined.

Short-term investments comprise investments with a remaining maturity of less than one year and are valued using the same external factors and in the same manner as fixed maturity securities.

Equity securities include investments in open end mutual funds and shares of publicly traded alternative funds. The fair value of equity securities are based upon quoted market values (Level 1), or monthly net asset value statements provided by the investment managers upon which subscriptions and redemptions can be executed (Level 2).

All investment transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses on sales of equities and fixed income investments are determined on the basis of average cost and amortized cost, respectively. Investment income is recognized when earned and includes interest and dividend income together with the amortization of premium and discount on fixed maturities and short-term investments. For mortgage-backed securities, and any other holdings for which there is a prepayment risk, prepayment assumptions are evaluated and revised as necessary. Prepayment fees or call premiums that are only payable to the Company when a security is called prior to its maturity are earned when received and reflected in net investment income.

10


XL CAPITAL LTD
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

2.  Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

(c) Investments (continued)

Investment in affiliates

Investments in which the Company has significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee are classified as investments in affiliates on the Company’s balance sheet and are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Under this method, the Company records its proportionate share of income or loss from such investments in its results for the period as well as its portion of movements in certain of the investee shareholders’ equity balances. When financial statements of the affiliate are not available on a timely basis to record the Company’s share of income or loss for the same reporting periods as the Company, the most recently available financial statements are used. This lag in reporting is applied consistently until timely information becomes available. Significant influence is deemed to exist where the Company has an investment of 20% or more in the common stock of a corporation or an investment of 3% or greater in closed end funds, limited partnerships, LLCs or similar investment vehicles. The Company records its alternative and private fund affiliates on a one month and three month lag, respectively, and its operating affiliates on a three month lag. Significant influence is considered for other strategic investments on a case-by-case basis. Investments in affiliates are not subject to FAS 157 as they are not fair value measurements. However, impairments associated with investments in affiliates that are deemed to be other-than-temporary are calculated in accordance with FAS 157 and appropriate disclosures included within the financial statements during the period the losses are recorded.

Other investments

Contained within this asset class are investments including direct equity investments, investment funds, limited partnerships, equity tranches of collateralized loan participations and certain structured project finance transactions. The Company accounts for its other investments that do not have readily determinable market values at estimated fair value as it has no significant influence over these entities.

Fair values for other investments, principally other direct equity investments, investment funds and limited partnerships, are primarily based on the net asset value provided by the investment manager or the respective entity, recent financial information, available market data, and in certain cases management judgment may be required. These entities generally carry their trading positions and investments, the majority of which have underlying securities valued using Level 1 or Level 2 inputs, at fair value as determined by their respective investment managers, accordingly, these investments are generally classified as Level 2. Private equity investments are classified as Level 3. The net unrealized gain or loss on investments, net of tax, is included in “accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).” Any unrealized loss in value considered by management to be other than temporary is charged to income in the period that it is determined.

Income on unrated tranches of collateralized loan obligations is reflected only to the extent the Company’s principal has been fully recovered. This is not considered to be a fair value measurement under FAS 157 and accordingly these investments have been excluded from FAS 157 disclosures. The carrying value of these investments held by the Company at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 was $17.5 million and $22.7 million, respectively.

In addition, the Company participates in structured transactions in project finance related areas under which the Company provides a cash loan supporting a trade finance transaction. These transactions are accounted for in accordance with SOP 01-6, “Accounting by Certain Entities (Including Entities with Trade Receivables) That Lend to or Finance the Activities of Others” under which the loans are considered held for investment as the Company has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff. Accordingly, these funded loan participations are reported in the balance sheet at outstanding principal adjusted for any allowance for loan losses as considered necessary by management. These investments are not considered to be

11


XL CAPITAL LTD
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

2.  Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

(c) Investments (continued)

fair value measurements under FAS 157 and accordingly they have been excluded from the FAS 157 disclosures. The carrying value of these investments held by the Company at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 was $81.4 million and $125.1 million, respectively.

Securities lending

The Company engages in a securities lending program whereby certain securities from the Company’s portfolio are loaned to other institutions for short periods of time. The market value of the loaned securities is monitored on a daily basis, with additional collateral obtained or refunded as the market value of the loaned securities changes. The Company’s policy is to require initial cash collateral equal to between 102% and 105% of the fair value of the loaned securities depending on the class of assets loaned. The Company retains all economic interest in the securities it lends and receives a fee from the borrower for the temporary use of the securities. In addition, the Company shares a portion of the interest earned on the collateral with the lending agent. The securities lending collateral is included in cash and cash equivalents with a corresponding liability related to the Company’s obligation to return the collateral plus interest included in net payable for investments purchased.

Other Than Temporary Declines in Investments

The Company reviews the fair value of its investment portfolio on a periodic basis to identify declines in fair value below the carrying value that are other than temporary. This review involves consideration of several factors including (i) the time period during which there has been a significant decline in fair value below carrying value, (ii) an analysis of the liquidity, business prospects and overall financial condition of the issuer, (iii) the significance of the decline, (iv) an analysis of the collateral structure and other credit support, as applicable, of the securities in question, (v) expected future interest rate movements, and (vi) the Company’s intent and ability to hold the investment for a sufficient period of time for the value to recover. Where the Company concludes that declines in fair values are other than temporary, the cost of the security is written down to fair value below carrying value and the previously unrealized loss is therefore realized in the period such determination is made.

With respect to securities where the decline in value is determined to be temporary and the security’s value is not written down, a subsequent decision may be made to sell that security and realize a loss. Subsequent decisions on security sales are made within the context of overall risk monitoring, changing information, market conditions generally and assessing value relative to other comparable securities.

(d) Derivative Instruments

The Company recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet and measures those instruments at fair value. The changes in fair value of derivatives are shown in the consolidated statement of income as “net realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments” unless the derivatives are designated as hedging instruments. The accounting for derivatives which are designated as hedging instruments is discussed below. Changes in fair value of derivatives may create volatility in the Company’s results of operations from period to period.

The Company conducts its derivative activities in two main areas: investment related derivatives and weather and energy derivatives. In addition, following the secondary sale of Security Capital Assurance Ltd common shares, the Company retained some credit derivative exposures written by Security Capital Assurance Ltd and certain of its subsidiaries (sometimes collectively referred to as “SCA”) through reinsurance agreements that have certain of these derivatives exposures embedded within them.

12


XL CAPITAL LTD
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

2.  Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

(d) Derivative Instruments (continued)

The Company’s direct use of investment related derivatives includes futures, forwards, swaps and option contracts that derive their value from underlying assets, indices, reference rates or a combination of these factors. The Company uses investment derivatives to manage duration, credit and foreign currency exposure for its investment portfolio as well as to add value to the investment portfolio through replicating permitted investments, provided the use of such investments is incorporated into the overall portfolio evaluation.

All derivatives are recorded at fair value. On the date the derivative contract is entered into, the Company may designate the derivative as a hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability (“fair value” hedge); a hedge of the variability in cash flows of a forecasted transaction or of amounts to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (“cash flow” hedge); a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation; or the Company may not designate any hedging relationship for a derivative contract.

Derivative contracts can be exchange-traded or over-the-counter (OTC). Exchange-traded derivatives (futures and options) typically fall within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy depending on whether they are deemed to be actively traded or not.

OTC derivatives are valued using market transactions and other market evidence whenever possible, including market-based inputs to models, model calibration to market clearing transactions, broker or dealer quotations as corroborative evidence or alternative pricing sources where an understanding of the inputs utilized in arriving at the valuations is obtained. Where models are used, the selection of a particular model to value an OTC derivative depends upon the contractual terms and specific risks inherent in the instrument as well as the availability of pricing information in the market. The Company generally uses similar models to value similar instruments. Valuation models require a variety of inputs, including contractual terms, market prices, yield curves, credit curves, measures of volatility, prepayment rates and correlations of such inputs. For OTC derivatives that trade in liquid markets, such as generic forwards, interest rate swaps and options, model inputs can generally be verified and model selection does not involve significant management judgment. Such instruments comprise the majority of derivatives held by the Company and are typically classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Certain OTC derivatives trade in less liquid markets with limited pricing information, or required model inputs which are not directly market corroborated which causes the determination of fair value for these derivatives to be inherently more subjective. Accordingly, such derivatives are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The valuations of less standard or liquid OTC derivatives are typically based on Level 1 and/or Level 2 inputs that can be observed in the market, as well as unobservable Level 3 inputs. Level 1 and Level 2 inputs are regularly updated to reflect observable market changes, with resulting gains and losses reflected within Level 3. Level 3 inputs are only changed when corroborated by evidence such as similar market transactions and/or broker or dealer quotations.

The Company also has investment related derivatives embedded in certain reinsurance contracts. For a particular life reinsurance contract, the Company pays the ceding company a fixed amount equal to the estimated present value of the excess of guaranteed minimum income benefit (“GMIB”) 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 and recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings.

13


XL CAPITAL LTD
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

2.  Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

(e) Fair Values of Other Financial Instruments

The fair values of financial instruments not disclosed elsewhere in the financial statements approximate their carrying value due to their short-term nature or because they earn or attract interest at market rates. Certain financial instruments, particularly insurance contracts, are excluded from fair value disclosure requirements of FAS 107, “Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments.” The fair value of the Company’s notes payable and debt outstanding as at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, is estimated to be $2.1 billion and $2.6 billion, respectively, and is based on quoted prices.

(f) Recent Accounting Pronouncements

During February 2007, the FASB issued FAS 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“FAS 159”), which permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. A company must report unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. The fair value option may be applied on an instrument by instrument basis, with a few exceptions. The fair value option is irrevocable (unless a new election date occurs) and the fair value option may be applied only to entire instruments and not to portions of instruments. FAS 159 is effective for interim and annual financial statements issued after January 1, 2008. The Company did not elect to apply the Fair Value option to any existing assets or liabilities as of January 1, 2008.

In March 2008, the FASB issued FAS 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133.” FAS 161 requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities, and is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged. The Company will adopt the standard as of January 1, 2009. FAS 161 requires only additional disclosures concerning derivatives and hedging activities, and therefore the adoption of FAS 161 will not have an impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

In April 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Lives of Intangible Assets”, which amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of an intangible asset. This interpretation will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2009 and must also be applied to interim periods within 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of this guidance; however, it is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

In May 2008, the FASB issued FAS 162 “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Principles” (FAS 162) which outlines the order of authority for the sources of accounting principles. FAS 162 will be effective 60 days following the SEC’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to AU Section 411, “The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles”. The Company does not expect SFAS 162 to have an impact on its financial condition and results of operations.

In May 2008, the FASB issued FAS 163, “Accounting for Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts, an interpretation of FAS 60” to address current diversity in practice with respect to accounting for financial guarantee insurance contracts by insurance enterprises under FAS 60, “Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises” (“FAS 60”). That diversity results in inconsistencies in the recognition and measurement of claim liabilities because of differing views regarding when a loss has been incurred under FAS 5, “Accounting for Contingencies”. FAS 163 requires that an insurance enterprise recognize a claim liability prior to an event of default (insured

14


XL CAPITAL LTD
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

2.  Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

(f) Recent Accounting Pronouncements (continued)

event) when there is evidence that credit deterioration has occurred in an insured financial obligation. FAS 163 also clarifies how FAS 60 applies to financial guarantee insurance contracts, including the recognition and measurement to be used to account for premium revenue and claim liabilities. Those clarifications will increase comparability in financial reporting of financial guarantee insurance contracts by insurance enterprises. FAS 163 also requires expanded disclosures about financial guarantee insurance contracts. The standard is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2009, and must be applied to all interim periods within 2009, except for certain disclosures about the Company’s risk management activities which are required to be included in the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2008. Except for those disclosures, earlier application is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance. The Company had reserves for financial guarantee insurance contracts of $427.4 million recorded within “Unpaid Losses and Loss Expenses”, at both June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007.

In May 2008, the FASB issued FSP APB 14-1, “Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement)”, which clarifies that convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion (including partial cash settlement) are not addressed by paragraph 12 of APB Opinion No. 14, “Accounting for Convertible Debt and Debt Issued with Stock Purchase Warrants.” Additionally, this FSP specifies that issuers of such instruments should separately account for the liability and equity components in a manner that will reflect the entity’s non-convertible debt borrowing rate when interest cost is recognized in subsequent periods. This FSP will be effective for the Company as of January 1, 2009 and will have to be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. The Company will evaluate the impact of the adoption in the event any instruments that would be subject to this guidance are being considered in the future, however, it is not expected to have any impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations upon adoption as the Company does not have any instruments issued and outstanding that will be subject to this guidance.

In June 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position EITF 03-6-1, “Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities.” This FASB Staff Position (FSP) addresses whether instruments granted in share-based payment transactions may be participating securities prior to vesting and, therefore, need to be included in the earnings allocation in computing basic earnings per share (EPS) pursuant to the two-class method described in paragraphs 60 and 61 of FASB Statement No. 128, “Earnings per Share.” A share-based payment award that contains a non-forfeitable right to receive cash when dividends are paid to common shareholders irrespective of whether that award ultimately vests or remains unvested shall be considered a participating security as these rights to dividends provide a non-contingent transfer of value to the holder of the share-based payment award. Accordingly, these awards should be included in the computation of basic EPS pursuant to the two-class method. The guidance in this FSP is effective for the Company for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2009 and all interim periods within 2009. All prior period EPS data presented will have to be adjusted retrospectively to conform to the provisions of the FSP. Under the terms of the Company’s restricted stock awards, grantees are entitled to the right to receive dividends on the unvested portions of their awards. There is no requirement to return these dividends in the event the unvested awards are forfeited in the future. Accordingly, this FSP will have an impact on the Company’s EPS calculations. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance.

3.  Fair Value Measurements

Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted FAS 157, which requires disclosures about the Company’s assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value. As required by FAS 157, financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

15


XL CAPITAL LTD
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

3.  Fair Value Measurements (continued)

The following tables set forth the Company’s assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value as of June 30, 2008 by level within the fair value hierarchy (see Note 2 for further information on the fair value hierarchy):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 

Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)

 

Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

 

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

 

Counterparty
Netting

 

Balance
as of
June 30,
2008

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities, at fair value

 

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

27,592,948

   

 

$

 

1,527,740

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

29,120,688

 

Equity securities, at fair value

 

 

 

445,970

   

 

 

135,122

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

581,092

 

Short-term investments, at fair value

 

 

 

   

 

 

1,332,497

   

 

 

8,443

   

 

 

   

 

 

1,340,940

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investments available for sale

 

 

$

 

445,970

   

 

$

 

29,060,567

   

 

$

 

1,536,183

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

31,042,720

 

Cash equivalents (1)

 

 

 

1,989,275

   

 

 

503,286

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

2,492,561

 

Other investments (2)

 

 

 

   

 

 

471,487

   

 

 

61,593

   

 

 

   

 

 

533,080

 

Other assets (3)(5)

 

 

 

   

 

 

105,678

   

 

 

134,444

   

 

 

(65,844

)

 

 

 

 

174,278

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets accounted for at fair value

 

 

$

 

2,435,245

   

 

$

 

30,141,018

   

 

$

 

1,732,220

   

 

$

 

(65,844

)

 

 

 

$

 

34,242,639

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial instruments sold, but not yet
purchased (6)

 

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

44,497

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

44,497

 

Other liabilities (4) (5)

 

 

 

   

 

 

21,039

   

 

 

79,093

   

 

 

(65,844

)

 

 

 

 

34,288

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities accounted for at fair value

 

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

65,536

   

 

$

 

79,093

   

 

$

 

(65,844

)

 

 

 

$

 

78,785

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

(1)

 

 

 

Cash equivalents balances subject to fair value measurements include certificates of deposit and money market funds. Operating cash balances are not subject to FAS 157.

 

(2)

 

 

 

The other investments balance excludes certain unrated tranches of collateralized loan obligations which are carried under the cost recovery method given the uncertainty of future cash flows, as well as certain investments in project finance transactions which are carried at amortized cost. See Note 2 for further details.

 

(3)

 

 

 

Other assets include derivative instruments.

 

(4)

 

 

 

Other liabilities include derivative instruments.

 

(5)

 

 

 

The derivative balances included in each category above are reported on a gross basis by level with a netting adjustment presented separately in the “Counterparty Netting” column. The Company often enters into different types of derivative contracts with a single counterparty and these contracts are covered under an ISDA master netting agreement. The fair value of the individual derivative contracts are reported gross in their respective levels based on the fair value hierarchy.

 

(6)

 

 

 

Financial instruments sold, but not purchased are included within “Net payable for investments purchased” on the balance sheet.

Level 3 Gains and Losses

The table below presents additional information about assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and for which significant Level 3 inputs were utilized to determine fair value. The table reflects gains and losses for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2008 for all financial assets and liabilities categorized as Level 3 as of June 30, 2008. The table does 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 June 30, 2008. 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

16


XL CAPITAL LTD
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

3.  Fair Value Measurements (continued)

inputs (Levels 1 and 2) and unobservable inputs (Level 3). Further, it should be noted that the following table does 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 

Fixed
Maturities

 

Level 3 Assets and
Liabilities
Three Months Ended
June 30, 2008

 

Derivative
Contracts—Net

 

Short-term
Investments

 

Other
Investments

Balance, beginning of period

 

 

$

 

1,221,766

   

 

$

 

9,569

   

 

$

 

52,338

   

 

$

 

52,446

 

Realized (losses) gains

 

 

 

(53,062

)

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

24,762

 

Movement in unrealized (losses) gains

 

 

 

(59,036

)

 

 

 

 

(94

)

 

 

 

 

(4,159

)

 

 

 

 

(28,544

)

 

Purchases, issuances and settlements

 

 

 

165,601

   

 

 

(1,918

)

 

 

 

 

13,414

   

 

 

6,687

 

Transfers in and/or out of Level 3

 

 

 

252,471

   

 

 

886

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

 

 

$

 

1,527,740

   

 

$

 

8,443

   

 

$

 

61,593

   

 

$

 

55,351

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

$

 

(10,726

)

 

 

 

$

 

19

   

 

$

 

(4,159

)

 

 

 

$

 

(28,544

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 

Fixed
Maturities

 

Level 3 Assets and
Liabilities
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008

 

Derivative
Contracts—Net

 

Short-term
Investments

 

Other
Investments

Balance, beginning of period

 

 

$

 

1,385,601

   

 

$

 

15,606

   

 

$

 

40,354

   

 

$

 

12,283

 

Realized (losses) gains

 

 

 

(132,363

)

 

 

 

 

13

   

 

 

   

 

 

26,843

 

Movement in unrealized (losses) gains

 

 

 

(216,020

)

 

 

 

 

(181

)

 

 

 

 

(3,494

)

 

 

 

 

6,189

 

Purchases, issuances and settlements

 

 

 

142,552

   

 

 

(6,105

)

 

 

 

 

24,733

   

 

 

10,036

 

Transfers in and/or out of Level 3

 

 

 

347,970

   

 

 

(890

)

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

 

 

$

 

1,527,740

   

 

$

 

8,443

   

 

$

 

61,593

   

 

$

 

55,351

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

$

 

(226,154

)

 

 

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

(3,494

)

 

 

 

$

 

6,189

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The vast majority of Level 3 assets are made up of securities where significant inputs, such as broker price indications, were utilized in determining the value that were difficult to sufficiently corroborate with observable market data to support a Level 2 classification.

Fixed maturities and short term investments

In periods of market dislocation, the observability of prices and inputs may be reduced for many instruments as is currently the case for certain U.S. CMOs, ABSs, CMBSs, collateralized debt obligations (CDOs), and other topical assets which include certain securities with underlying sub-prime and related residential mortgage exposures (such as sub-prime first liens and Alt-A asset backed securities) for which sufficient information, such as cash flows or other security structure or market information, is not available to enable a model derived price to be determined. Fixed maturities and short term investments classified within Level 3 are made up of those securities where either significant inputs that were difficult to corroborate with observable market data were utilized in determining the value, or sufficient information regarding the specific inputs utilized in a corroborating value obtained from a broker was not obtained to support a Level 2 classification. The fair values of the majority of the Company’s holdings in securities exposed to sub-prime mortgages are generally not based on quoted prices for identical securities, however, where they are based on model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are considered to be observable in active markets, these securities continue to be classified within Level 2.

17


XL CAPITAL LTD
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

3.  Fair Value Measurements (continued)

Other investments

Included within the Other Investments component of the Company’s Level 3 valuations are private equity 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. The nature of the underlying investments held by the investee which 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 also incorporates factors such as the most recent financial information received, the values at which capital transactions with the investee take place, and management’s judgment regarding whether any adjustments should be made to the net asset value in recording the fair value of each position.

Derivative instruments

Derivative instruments classified within Level 3 include: (i) certain interest rate swaps where the duration of the contract the Company holds exceeds that of the longest term on a market observable input, (ii) weather and energy derivatives, (iii) credit derivatives written by SCA and embedded in reinsurance provided by the Company, (iv) GMIB derivatives embedded within a certain reinsurance contract and (v) put options included within contingent capital facilities. 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.

In addition, see Note 2 for a general discussion of types of assets and liabilities that are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as well as the Company’s valuation policies for such instruments.

4.  Security Capital Assurance Ltd (“SCA”)

On August 4, 2006, the Company completed the sale of approximately 37% of its then financial guarantee reinsurance and insurance businesses through an initial public offering (“IPO”) of 23.4 million common shares of SCA for proceeds of approximately $446.9 million. On June 6, 2007, the Company completed the sale of a portion of SCA’s common shares still owned by the Company through a secondary offering and thereby reduced its ownership of SCA’s outstanding common shares further from approximately 63% to approximately 46%. Accordingly, SCA is no longer a consolidated subsidiary or operating segment of the Company and the Company accounts for its remaining investment in SCA using the equity method of accounting.

Given management’s view of the risk exposure along with the uncertainty facing the entire financial guarantee industry, the Company reduced the reported value of its investment in SCA to nil at December 31, 2007. Market developments with respect to the monoline industry continue to be largely negative. During the three months ended June 30, 2008, SCA was further downgraded by several rating agencies. In addition, the Company’s shares in SCA are unregistered and thus illiquid. Based on the nature of the Company’s investment in SCA and the resultant limitations on any future business models, management continues to believe that the fair value of the Company’s investment in SCA is less than the traded market value at June 30, 2008, of $0.29 per share. Management believes this decline in value is other than temporary.

Concurrent with the initial public offering (“IPO”) of SCA and subsequently, the Company entered into certain service, reinsurance and guarantee arrangements with SCA and its subsidiaries, to govern certain aspects of the Company’s relationship with SCA. Prior to the sale of SCA shares through the secondary offering on June 6, 2007, the effect of these arrangements was eliminated upon consolidation of the Company’s results. The income statement impacts of all transactions with

18


XL CAPITAL LTD
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

4.  Security Capital Assurance Ltd (“SCA”) (continued)

SCA subsequent to June 6, 2007 through June 30, 2008 have been included in “Net (loss) income from operating affiliates.”

On July 28, 2008 the Company announced that an agreement had been executed with SCA (the “Master Agreement”) in connection with, among other things, the termination of reinsurance agreements. For further details, see Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Subsequent Events”.

As at March 31, 2008, SCA had total assets of $3.8 billion, total liabilities of $3.4 billion, outstanding preferred share equity of $246.6 million, and common shareholders’ equity of $101.8 million. During the first quarter of 2008 SCA had net earned premiums of $58.4 million, total revenues of $(0.7) million, and a net loss to common shareholders before minority interest of $95.3 million.

Service agreements

The Company entered into a series of service agreements under which subsidiaries of the Company provided services to SCA and its subsidiaries or received certain services from SCA subsidiaries for a period of time after the IPO. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, the Company reported net fee income under the aforementioned agreements aggregating to approximately $0.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively.

Reinsurance agreements

As at June 30, 2008, the Company also provided certain reinsurance protections with respect to adverse development on certain transactions as well as indemnification under specific facultative and excess of loss coverages for subsidiaries of SCA: XL Financial Assurance (“XLFA”) and XL Capital Assurance, Inc. (“XLCA”). The adverse development cover related to a specific project financing transaction while the facultative covers generally reinsured certain policies up to the amount necessary for XLCA and XLFA to comply with certain regulatory and risk limits. The excess of loss reinsurance provided indemnification for the portion of any individual paid loss covered by XLFA in excess of 10% of XLFA’s surplus, up to an aggregate amount of $500 million, and excluded coverage for liabilities arising other than pursuant to the terms of the underlying policies. There is a dispute between the Company and XLFA over the proper attachment point and the Company’s termination rights under the excess of loss reinsurance agreement with XLFA that the Company expects to resolve upon closing of the transactions contemplated by the Master Agreement.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, the Company recorded additional losses of $3.7 million and $7.3 million, respectively, related to the excess of loss contract which represented an unwind of the discount on established reserves associated with this contract. In addition, during both the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, the Company recorded additional losses related to the facultative reinsurance agreements totaling $22.7 million and $23.9 million, respectively. Losses included both the change in expected net loss payments as well as the impact of the mark-to- market component of those contracts written in derivative form. With regards to the excess of loss cover, as at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company reported unpaid losses and loss expenses of $265.0 million and $300.0 million, respectively which represented the discounted value of a $500.0 million full limit loss on this contract. With regards to the facultative reinsurance agreements, total unpaid losses and loss expenses as at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 were $160.5 million and $125.9 million, respectively, which included $65.8 million of unpaid losses and loss expenses in each respective period related to the adverse development cover with SCA. In addition, carried related derivative liabilities as at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 were nil and $17.9 million, respectively, related to mark-to-market losses associated with those underlying contracts written in derivative form. These losses were based on SCA management’s examination of exposures under these agreements and have been recorded within “Net (loss) income from operating affiliates.” Case reserve amounts represent the discounted value of expected losses net of related premiums and are

19


XL CAPITAL LTD
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

4.  Security Capital Assurance Ltd (“SCA”) (continued)

discounted at approximately 5%. During the three months ended March 31, 2008 the Company did not receive any information from SCA or otherwise that indicated that a change in the notional value of the underlying reserves was necessary and as such the only losses recorded for both the excess of loss and facultative agreements during the first three months of 2008 represented the unwind of the discount on the established reserves at December 31, 2007. During the three months ended June 30, 2008, however the Company received preliminary information from SCA management indicating significant continued deterioration in the underlying credits related to the Company’s reinsurance agreements with SCA following SCA management’s reserve review.

As at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company’s total net exposure under its facultative agreements with SCA subsidiaries was approximately $6.4 billion and $7.7 billion, respectively, of net par outstanding. Of the total net par outstanding at June 30, 2008, approximately $118.2 million and $766.4 million was related to residential mortgage backed securities (“RMBS”) and asset backed securities (“ABS”) collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”), with greater than 50% RMBS collateral, respectively. Of the total net par outstanding under the facultative agreements at December 31, 2007, approximately $138.0 million and $769.0 million of net par outstanding was related to RMBS and ABS CDOs, with greater than 50% collateral, respectively. Of the RMBS exposures at June 30, 2008, 100% were rated ‘BBB’. Of the related ABS CDO exposures at June 30, 2008, 26.4% were ‘AAA’ rated, 15.3% were rated ‘A’, 57.4% were ‘BBB’ and 27.3% were rated below investment grade. At December 31, 2007, 100% of the RMBS exposures were rated ‘BBB’ while all related ABS CDO exposures were rated ‘AAA’.

The following tables present the net par outstanding related to the facultative reinsurance and the adverse development facultative reinsurance noted above at June 30, 2008 by credit quality and broad sector allocation:

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in millions)

 

As at June 30, 2008 (1)

 

Net Par
Outstanding (2)

 

% of Total

Credit Quality:

 

 

 

 

AAA

 

 

$

 

333.7

   

 

 

5.2

%

 

AA

 

 

 

278.8

   

 

 

4.3

%

 

A

 

 

 

829.7

   

 

 

12.9

%

 

BBB

 

 

 

4,251.1

   

 

 

65.9

%

 

BB and below

 

 

 

752.3

   

 

 

11.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total (3)

 

 

$

 

6,445.6

   

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in millions)

 

As at June 30, 2008 (1)

 

Net Par
Outstanding (2)

 

% of Total

Broad Sector Allocation:

 

 

 

 

International Finance

 

 

$

 

4,173.5

   

 

 

64.8

%

 

Public Finance

 

 

 

370.6

   

 

 

5.7

%

 

Structured Finance

 

 

 

1,901.5

   

 

 

29.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total (3)

 

 

$

 

6,445.6

   

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

(1)

 

 

 

Subsequent to June 30, 2008, the Company executed an agreement with SCA in connection with, among other things, the termination of reinsurance agreements. For further details, see Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Subsequent Events”.

 

(2)

 

 

 

Based on information provided by SCA management.

 

(3)

 

 

 

As at June 30, 2008, $1.3 billion of the total $6.4 billion in net par outstanding was originally written by SCA in derivative form.

20


XL CAPITAL LTD
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

4.  Security Capital Assurance Ltd (“SCA”) (continued)

Guarantee agreements

The Company has also entered into certain guarantee agreements with subsidiaries of SCA. These guarantee agreements terminated with respect to any new business written by SCA through the underlying agreements after the effective date of SCA’s IPO, but the agreements remain in effect with respect to cessions or guarantees written under these agreements prior to the IPO. The agreements unconditionally and irrevocably guarantee: (i) XLCA for the full and complete performance when due of all of XLFA’s obligations under its facultative quota share reinsurance agreement with XLCA, (ii) the full and complete payment when due of XLCA’s obligations under certain financial guarantees issued by XLCA and arranged by XL Capital Assurance (U.K.) Limited for the benefit of the European Investment Bank (“EIB”) and (iii) Financial Security Assurance (“Financial Security”) for the full and complete performance of XLFA’s obligations under a Financial Security Master Facultative Agreement. The guarantees the Company has provided contain a dual trigger, such that the guarantees respond only if two events occur. First, the underlying guaranteed obligation must default on payments of interest and principal, and secondly, the relevant SCA subsidiary must fail to meet its obligations under the applicable reinsurance or guarantee. As at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company’s total net par outstanding falling under these guarantees was $59.2 billion and $75.2 billion, respectively. At June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, indirect consumer mortgage exposures related to these guarantee agreements totaled approximately $2.6 billion and $2.9 billion, respectively, related to RMBS and $3.2 billion and $3.3 billion, respectively, related to ABS CDOs with greater than 50% RMBS collateral. Of the RMBS exposures at June 30, 2008, 46.0% were rated ‘AAA’, 6.5% were rated ‘A’, 47.4% were rated ‘BBB’ and 0.1% were rated below investment grade. Of the related ABS CDO exposures at June 30, 2008, 13.4% were ‘AAA’ rated, 24.0% were rated ‘AA’ and 62.6% were rated ‘BBB’. Of the RMBS exposures at December 31, 2007, 44.1% were rated ‘AAA’, 6.9% were rated ‘A’ and 49.0% were rated ‘BBB’. All related ABS CDO exposures at December 31, 2007 were rated ‘AAA’.

The following tables present the net par outstanding related to the guarantees provided by the Company to SCA at June 30, 2008 by credit quality and broad sector allocation:

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in millions)

 

As at June 30, 2008 (1)

 

Net Par
Outstanding (2)

 

% of Total

Credit Quality:

 

 

 

 

AAA

 

 

$

 

14,384.2

   

 

 

24.3

%

 

AA

 

 

 

8,573.2

   

 

 

14.5

%

 

A

 

 

 

17,897.5

   

 

 

30.2

%

 

BBB

 

 

 

16,766.0

   

 

 

28.3

%

 

BB and below

 

 

 

1,606.9

   

 

 

2.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

$

 

59,227.8

   

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in millions)

 

As at June 30, 2008 (1)

 

Net Par
Outstanding (2)

 

% of Total

Broad Sector Allocation:

 

 

 

 

International Finance

 

 

$

 

10,636.8

   

 

 

18.0

%

 

Public Finance

 

 

 

27,124.3

   

 

 

45.8

%

 

Structured Finance

 

 

 

21,466.7

   

 

 

36.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

$

 

59,227.8

   

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

(1)

 

 

 

Subsequent to June 30, 2008, the Company reached an agreement with SCA in connection with, among other things, the termination of reinsurance agreements. For further details, see Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Subsequent Events”.

 

(2)

 

 

 

Based on information provided by SCA management.

21


XL CAPITAL LTD
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

4.  Security Capital Assurance Ltd (“SCA”) (continued)

Based on the estimated deterioration in the SCA portfolio of insured credits, management expects that SCA will report estimated reserves for expected losses in excess of their currently available resources. For further information, see Note 12, “Subsequent Events”. As a result of these developments management determined that as at June 30, 2008 it was necessary to accrue a liability of $56.0 million, recorded within “Other Liabilities”, for the contingency associated with the guarantees provided to SCA. This liability represents management’s best estimate of payments to be made by the Company to SCA under the guarantees for defaults considered probable of existing at that date. The liability was estimated based on the percentage of the estimated shortfall in SCA resources which relate to policies subject to a guarantee issued by the Company. Of the total case reserves expected to be recorded by SCA at June 30, 2008, approximately 11% relate to policies which are subject to guarantees provided by the Company. In addition, the increased expected losses and related reserves as at June 30, 2008 heightens the possibility of a defined XLCA credit event under a majority of the credit default swap (“CDS”) contracts, which could allow the CDS counterparties to pursue early termination payments from XLCA based on market valuations which would be substantially higher than the estimated case reserves and in excess of SCA’s ability to pay. While it is not clear that the guarantees provided by the Company would respond to a claim in respect of an early termination of the CDSs, management has preliminarily estimated that the pre-IPO component of such payments could reach as much as approximately $3 billion to $5 billion.

As noted above, subsequent to June 30, 2008 the Company executed the Master Agreement with SCA in connection with, among other things, the termination of reinsurance agreements and as such the contingent liability has been resolved as part of an aggregate agreement. The terms of the agreement were determined in consideration of a number of commercial and economic factors associated with all existing relationships with SCA, including, but not limited to, a valuation of the commuted agreements and any potential future claims thereunder and the impact of outstanding uncertainty on both the ratings and business operations of the Company. The total value of the consideration to be paid by the Company to SCA significantly exceeds the carried net liabilities of $490.7 million related to such reinsurances and guarantees issued to subsidiaries of SCA as at June 30, 2008. Management considers the execution of the Master Agreement as the event giving rise to the additional liability. There are numerous conditions precedent in this agreement that will be completed upon closing. As such, the Company expects to record a charge of approximately $1.4 to $1.5 billion in respect of the Master Agreement during the three month period ending September 30, 2008. For further details, see Note 12, to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Subsequent Events”.

Other agreements

As at December 31, 2007, the Company had approximately $4.0 billion of deposit liabilities associated with guaranteed investment contracts (“GICs”) for which credit enhancement was provided by XLCA. Based on the terms and conditions of the underlying GICs, upon the downgrade of XLCA below certain ratings levels, all or portions of the outstanding principal balances on such GICs would come due. Throughout 2008, several rating agencies downgraded SCA and its subsidiaries and as a result, the Company settled all of the GIC liabilities in the first six months of 2008.

5.  Segment Information

Following the Company’s revised strategy implemented in the second quarter of 2007, the Company is organized into four operating segments: Insurance, Reinsurance, Life Operations, and Other Financial Lines—in addition to a Corporate segment that includes the general investment and financing operations of the Company.

22


XL CAPITAL LTD
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

5.  Segment Information (continued)

The Company evaluates the performance for both the Insurance and Reinsurance segments based on underwriting profit and evaluates the contribution from each of the Life Operations and Other Financial Lines segments. Other items of revenue and expenditure of the Company are not evaluated at the segment level for reporting purposes. In addition, the Company does not allocate investment assets by segment for its property and casualty operations. Investment assets related to (i) the Company’s Life Operations and Other Financial Lines segments and (ii) 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 each of these segments.

23


XL CAPITAL LTD
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

5.  Segment Information (continued)

Three months ended June 30, 2008:
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except ratios)
(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance

 

Reinsurance

 

Total P&C

 

Life
Operations

 

Other Financial
Lines (7)

 

Total

Gross premiums written

 

 

$

 

1,388,771

   

 

$

 

397,460

   

 

$

 

1,786,231

   

 

$

 

161,251

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

1,947,482

 

Net premiums written

 

 

 

1,084,820

   

 

 

274,647

   

 

 

1,359,467

   

 

 

150,933

   

 

 

   

 

 

1,510,400

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

 

1,018,350

   

 

 

490,437

   

 

 

1,508,787

   

 

 

172,935

   

 

 

   

 

 

1,681,722

 

Fee income and other

 

 

 

12,189

   

 

 

471

   

 

 

12,660

   

 

 

136

   

 

 

   

 

 

12,796

 

Net losses and loss expenses

 

 

 

653,822

   

 

 

284,763

   

 

 

938,585

   

 

 

209,725

   

 

 

   

 

 

1,148,310

 

Acquisition costs

 

 

 

113,877

   

 

 

106,528

   

 

 

220,405

   

 

 

25,832

   

 

 

   

 

 

246,237

 

Operating expenses (1)

 

 

 

189,082

   

 

 

45,159

   

 

 

234,241

   

 

 

9,299

   

 

 

   

 

 

243,540

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting profit (loss)

 

 

$

 

73,758

   

 

$

 

54,458

   

 

$

 

128,216

   

 

$

 

(71,785

)

 

 

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

56,431

 

Exchange losses (gains)

 

 

 

6,094

   

 

 

3,738

   

 

 

9,832

   

 

 

(1,896

)

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

7,936

 

Net investment income

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

298,128

   

 

 

98,058

   

 

 

   

 

 

396,186

 

Net results from structured products (2)

 

 

 

12,366

   

 

 

2,579

   

 

 

14,945

   

 

 

   

 

 

6,203

   

 

 

21,148

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contribution from P&C, Life Operations, Other Financial Lines

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

431,457

   

 

$

 

28,169

   

 

$

 

6,203

   

 

$

 

465,829

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate & other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized & unrealized gains on investment & derivative instruments (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

10,164

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(89,336

)

 

Corporate operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

47,104

 

Interest expense (5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

50,077

 

Income taxes & other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

51,625

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

237,851

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios — P&C operations: (6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss expense ratio

 

 

 

64.2

%

 

 

 

 

58.1

%

 

 

 

 

62.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting expense ratio

 

 

 

29.8

%

 

 

 

 

30.9

%

 

 

 

 

30.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined ratio

 

 

 

94.0

%

 

 

 

 

89.0

%

 

 

 

 

92.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Notes:

 

(1)

 

 

 

Operating expenses exclude corporate operating expenses, shown separately.

 

(2)

 

 

 

The net results from P&C structured products includes net investment income, interest expense and operating expenses of $25.1 million, $3.7 million, and $6.5 million, respectively.

 

(3)

 

 

 

This includes net realized gains on investments of $2.1 million, net realized and unrealized gains on investment and other derivatives of $8.1 million, but does not include unrealized losses on investments for which the decline was considered temporary, which are included in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income.

 

(4)

 

 

 

Net loss from investment fund and operating affiliates for the three months ended June 30, 2008 includes additional losses totaling $82.4 million related to the reinsurance and guarantee agreements with SCA.

 

(5)

 

 

 

Interest expense excludes interest expense related to deposit liabilities recorded in the Insurance, Reinsurance, and Other Financial Lines segments.

 

(6)

 

 

 

Ratios are based on net premiums earned from property and casualty operations. The underwriting expense ratio excludes exchange gains and losses.

 

(7)

 

 

 

The net results from Other Financial Lines include net investment income, interest expense and operating expenses of $19.1 million, $11.7 million, and $1.2 million, respectively.

24


XL CAPITAL LTD
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

5.  Segment Information (continued)

Three months ended June 30, 2007:
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except ratios)
(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance

 

Reinsurance

 

Total P&C

 

Life
Operations

 

Other Financial
Lines (6)

 

SCA (7)

 

Total

Gross premiums written

 

 

$

 

1,417,868

   

 

$

 

526,318

   

 

$

 

1,944,186

   

 

$

 

234,961

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

52,025

   

 

$

 

2,231,172

 

Net premiums written

 

 

 

1,105,242

   

 

 

399,291

   

 

 

1,504,533

   

 

 

224,487

   

 

 

   

 

 

45,720

   

 

 

1,774,740

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

 

1,052,700

   

 

 

598,449

   

 

 

1,651,149

   

 

 

239,853

   

 

 

   

 

 

39,303

   

 

 

1,930,305

 

Fee income and other

 

 

 

4,193

   

 

 

318

   

 

 

4,511

   

 

 

75

   

 

 

   

 

 

63

   

 

 

4,649

 

Net losses and loss expenses

 

 

 

659,421

   

 

 

280,299

   

 

 

939,720

   

 

 

279,100

   

 

 

   

 

 

2,228

   

 

 

1,221,048

 

Acquisition costs.

 

 

 

129,931

   

 

 

141,693

   

 

 

271,624

   

 

 

23,615

   

 

 

   

 

 

2,782

   

 

 

298,021

 

Operating expenses (1)

 

 

 

165,303

   

 

 

47,002

   

 

 

212,305

   

 

 

10,182

   

 

 

   

 

 

19,476

   

 

 

241,963

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting profit (loss)

 

 

$

 

102,238

   

 

$

 

129,773

   

 

$

 

232,011

   

 

$

 

(72,969

)

 

 

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

14,880

   

 

$

 

173,922

 

Exchange losses (gains)

 

 

 

7,817

   

 

 

16,429

   

 

 

24,246

   

 

 

(1,685

)

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

39

   

 

 

22,600

 

Net investment income

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

322,997

   

 

 

95,949

   

 

 

   

 

 

22,343

   

 

 

441,289

 

Net results from structured products (8)

 

 

 

(735

)

 

 

 

 

5,587

   

 

 

4,852

   

 

 

   

 

 

6,791

   

 

 

(61

)

 

 

 

 

11,582

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contribution from P&C, Life Operations, Other Financial Lines
and SCA

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

535,614

   

 

$

 

24,665

   

 

$

 

6,791

   

 

$

 

37,123

   

 

$

 

604,193

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate & other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized & unrealized (losses) gains on investment & derivative instruments (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

(13,665

)

 

 

 

$

 

27,484

 

Net income from investment fund and operating affiliates (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

108,682

 

Corporate operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

55,524

 

Interest expense (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

59,416

 

Minority interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,096

   

 

 

9,096

 

Income taxes & other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6

)

 

 

 

 

61,708

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

14,368

   

 

$

 

554,615

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios — P&C operations: (5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss expense ratio

 

 

 

62.6

%

 

 

 

 

46.8

%

 

 

 

 

56.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting expense ratio

 

 

 

28.0

%

 

 

 

 

31.6

%

 

 

 

 

29.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined ratio

 

 

 

90.6

%

 

 

 

 

78.4

%

 

 

 

 

86.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Notes:

 

(1)

 

 

 

Operating expenses exclude corporate operating expenses, shown separately.

 

(2)

 

 

 

This includes net realized gains on investments of $18.3 million, net realized and unrealized gains on investment and other derivatives of $9.2 million, but does not include unrealized losses on investments for which the decline was considered temporary, which are included in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income. Net realized gains on investments includes an $81.3 million gain on the sale of SCA shares.

 

(3)

 

 

 

This includes $1.2 million in income from the Company’s investment in SCA, subsequent to June 6, 2007.

 

(4)

 

 

 

Interest expense excludes interest expense related to deposit liabilities recorded in the Insurance, Reinsurance, and Other Financial Lines segments.

 

(5)

 

 

 

Ratios are based on net premiums earned from property and casualty operations. The underwriting expense ratio excludes exchange gains and losses.

 

(6)

 

 

 

For the three month period ended June 30, 2007, the net results from Other Financial Lines includes net investment income, interest expense and operating expenses of $94.9 million, $84.3 million, and $3.8 million, respectively.

 

(7)

 

 

 

Net income from SCA represents consolidated earnings for the period from April 1, 2007 through June 6, 2007, and prior to a secondary offering of SCA’s common shares owned by the Company, which had the effect of reducing its ownership of SCA’s outstanding common shares from approximately 63% to approximately 46%. Subsequent to June 6, 2007, the Company accounts for its remaining investment in SCA using the equity method of accounting.

 

(8)

 

 

 

For the three month period ended June 30, 2007, the net results from P&C structured products includes net investment income, interest expense and operating expenses of $31.0 million, $20.9 million, and $5.2 million, respectively.

25


XL CAPITAL LTD
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

5.  Segment Information (continued)

Six months ended June 30, 2008:
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except ratios)
(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance

 

Reinsurance

 

Total P&C

 

Life
Operations

 

Other Financial
Lines (7)

 

Total

Gross premiums written

 

 

$

 

3,017,120

   

 

$

 

1,470,005

   

 

$

 

4,487,125

   

 

$

 

396,209

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

4,883,334

 

Net premiums written

 

 

 

2,268,672

   

 

 

1,227,348

   

 

 

3,496,020

   

 

 

375,146

   

 

 

   

 

 

3,871,166

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

 

2,026,752

   

 

 

1,034,815

   

 

 

3,061,567

   

 

 

332,517

   

 

 

   

 

 

3,394,084

 

Fee income and other

 

 

 

19,653

   

 

 

1,234

   

 

 

20,887

   

 

 

200

   

 

 

   

 

 

21,087

 

Net losses and loss expenses

 

 

 

1,338,634

   

 

 

600,844

   

 

 

1,939,478

   

 

 

406,024

   

 

 

   

 

 

2,345,502

 

Acquisition costs

 

 

 

239,713

   

 

 

222,872

   

 

 

462,585

   

 

 

49,949

   

 

 

   

 

 

512,534

 

Operating expenses (1)

 

 

 

353,587

   

 

 

90,517

   

 

 

444,104

   

 

 

17,382

   

 

 

   

 

 

461,486

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting profit (loss)

 

 

$

 

114,471

   

 

$

 

121,816

   

 

$

 

236,287

   

 

$

 

(140,638

)

 

 

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

95,649

 

Exchange losses (gains)

 

 

 

59,202

   

 

 

17,481

   

 

 

76,683

   

 

 

(1,002

)

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

75,681

 

Net investment income

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

606,169

   

 

 

195,193

   

 

 

   

 

 

801,362

 

Net results from structured products (2)

 

 

 

3,173

   

 

 

13,403

   

 

 

16,576

   

 

 

   

 

 

13,926

   

 

 

30,502

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contribution from P&C, Life Operations, Other Financial Lines

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

782,349

   

 

$

 

55,557

   

 

$

 

13,926

   

 

$

 

851,832

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate & other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized & unrealized (losses) on investment & derivative instruments (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

(47,405

)

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(56,984

)

 

Corporate operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

83,030

 

Interest expense (5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

99,442

 

Income taxes & other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

82,747

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

482,224

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios — P&C operations: (6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss expense ratio

 

 

 

66.0

%

 

 

 

 

58.1

%

 

 

 

 

63.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting expense ratio

 

 

 

29.2

%

 

 

 

 

30.2

%

 

 

 

 

29.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined ratio

 

 

 

95.2

%

 

 

 

 

88.3

%

 

 

 

 

92.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Notes:

 

(1)

 

 

 

Operating expenses exclude corporate operating expenses, shown separately.

 

(2)

 

 

 

The net results from P&C structured products includes net investment income, interest expense and operating expenses of $59.2 million, $31.3 million, and $11.3 million, respectively.

 

(3)

 

 

 

This includes net realized losses on investments of $100.2 million, net realized and unrealized gains on investment and other derivatives of $52.8 million, but does not include unrealized losses on investments for which the decline was considered temporary, which are included in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income.

 

(4)

 

 

 

Net loss from investment fund and operating affiliates for the six months ended June 30, 2008 includes additional losses totaling $87.2 million related to the reinsurance and guarantee agreements with SCA.

 

(5)

 

 

 

Interest expense excludes interest expense related to deposit liabilities recorded in the Insurance, Reinsurance, and Other Financial Lines segments.

 

(6)

 

 

 

Ratios are based on net premiums earned from property and casualty operations. The underwriting expense ratio excludes exchange gains and losses.

 

(7)

 

 

 

The net results from Other Financial Lines includes net investment income, interest expense and operating expenses of $79.0 million, $58.8 million, and $6.3 million, respectively. While not reported within the contribution from the Other Financial Lines segment, it should be noted that approximately $64.2 million of the reported realized losses on investments during the six months ended June 30 2008, primarily as a result of other-than-temporary impairments, related to portfolios associated with funding agreements and previously associated with GICs.

26


XL CAPITAL LTD
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

5.  Segment Information (continued)

Six months ended June 30, 2007:
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except ratios)
(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance

 

Reinsurance

 

Total P&C

 

Life
Operations

 

Other Financial
Lines (6)

 

SCA (7)

 

Total

Gross premiums written

 

 

$

 

2,997,274

   

 

$

 

1,901,204

   

 

$

 

4,898,478

   

 

$

 

448,236

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

156,983

   

 

$

 

5,503,697

 

Net premiums written

 

 

 

2,350,757

   

 

 

1,551,783

   

 

 

3,902,540

   

 

 

427,425

   

 

 

   

 

 

130,445

   

 

 

4,460,410

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

 

2,104,050

   

 

 

1,144,770

   

 

 

3,248,820

   

 

 

386,847

   

 

 

   

 

 

85,682

   

 

 

3,721,349

 

Fee income and other

 

 

 

7,285

   

 

 

489

   

 

 

7,774

   

 

 

149

   

 

 

   

 

 

63

   

 

 

7,986

 

Net losses and loss expenses

 

 

 

1,306,687

   

 

 

628,621

   

 

 

1,935,308

   

 

 

467,443

   

 

 

   

 

 

1,427

   

 

 

2,404,178

 

Acquisition costs

 

 

 

256,154

   

 

 

251,184

   

 

 

507,338

   

 

 

43,882

   

 

 

   

 

 

6,752

   

 

 

557,972

 

Operating expenses (1)

 

 

 

329,437

   

 

 

92,070

   

 

 

421,507

   

 

 

18,672

   

 

 

   

 

 

43,546

   

 

 

483,725

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting profit (loss)

 

 

$

 

219,057

   

 

$

 

173,384

   

 

$

 

392,441

   

 

$

 

(143,001

)

 

 

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

34,020

   

 

$

 

283,460

 

Exchange losses (gains)

 

 

 

15,152

   

 

 

32,953

   

 

 

48,105

   

 

 

(1,975

)

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

39

   

 

 

46,169

 

Net investment income

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

637,178

   

 

 

188,783

   

 

 

   

 

 

48,468

   

 

 

874,429

 

Net results from structured products (8)

 

 

 

1,794

   

 

 

15,410

   

 

 

17,204

   

 

 

   

 

 

15,952

   

 

 

(61

)

 

 

 

 

33,095

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contribution from P&C, Life Operations, Other Financial Lines and SCA

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

998,718

   

 

$

 

47,757

   

 

$

 

15,952

   

 

$

 

82,388

   

 

$

 

1,144,815

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate & other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized & unrealized (losses) gains on investment & derivative instruments (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

(20,482

)

 

 

 

$

 

44,517

 

Net income from investment fund and operating affiliates (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

284,700

 

Corporate operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

88,003

 

Interest expense (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

110,030

 

Minority interest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23,994

   

 

 

23,994

 

Income taxes & other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

73

   

 

 

134,883

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

37,839

   

 

$

 

1,117,122

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios — P&C operations: (5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss expense ratio

 

 

 

62.1

%

 

 

 

 

54.9

%

 

 

 

 

59.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting expense ratio

 

 

 

27.9

%

 

 

 

 

29.9

%

 

 

 

 

28.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined ratio

 

 

 

90.0

%

 

 

 

 

84.8

%

 

 

 

 

88.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Notes:

 

(1)

 

 

 

Operating expenses exclude corporate operating expenses, shown separately.

 

(2)

 

 

 

This includes net realized gains on investments of $27.6 million, net realized and unrealized gains on investment and other derivatives of $16.9 million, but does not include unrealized losses on investments for which the decline was considered temporary, which are included in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income. Net realized gains on investments included an $81.3 million gain on the sale of SCA shares.

 

(3)

 

 

 

This includes $1.2 million in income from the Company’s investment in SCA, subsequent to June 6, 2007.

 

(4)

 

 

 

Interest expense excludes interest expense related to deposit liabilities recorded in the Insurance, Reinsurance, and Other Financial Lines segments.

 

(5)

 

 

 

Ratios are based on net premiums earned from property and casualty operations. The underwriting expense ratio excludes exchange gains and losses.

 

(6)

 

 

 

For the six month period ended June 30, 2007, the net results from Other Financial Lines includes net investment income, interest expense and operating expenses of $182.5 million, $160.4 million, and $6.1 million, respectively.

 

(7)

 

 

 

Net income from SCA represents consolidated earnings for the period from January 1, 2007 through June 6, 2007, and prior to a secondary offering of SCA’s common shares owned by the Company, which had the effect of reducing its ownership of SCA’s outstanding common shares from approximately 63% to approximately 46%. Subsequent to June 6, 2007, the Company accounted for its remaining investment in SCA using the equity method of accounting.

 

(8)

 

 

 

For the six month period ended June 30, 2007, the net results from P&C structured products includes net investment income, interest expense and operating expenses of $63.4 million, $37.0 million, and $9.2 million, respectively.

27


XL CAPITAL LTD
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

5.  Segment Information (continued)

The following tables summarize the Company’s net premiums earned by line of business:

Three months ended June 30, 2008:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance

 

Reinsurance

 

Life
Operations

 

Total

P&C Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Casualty — professional lines

 

 

$

 

342,600

   

 

$

 

63,815

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

406,415

 

Casualty — other lines

 

 

 

206,102

   

 

 

104,756

   

 

 

   

 

 

310,858

 

Property catastrophe

 

 

 

(659

)

 

 

 

 

78,361

   

 

 

   

 

 

77,702

 

Other property

 

 

 

127,752

   

 

 

162,773

   

 

 

   

 

 

290,525

 

Marine, energy, aviation and satellite

 

 

 

151,531

   

 

 

29,152

   

 

 

   

 

 

180,683

 

Other specialty lines (1)

 

 

 

161,748

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

161,748

 

Other (2)

 

 

 

9,015

   

 

 

50,416

   

 

 

   

 

 

59,431

 

Structured indemnity

 

 

 

20,261

   

 

 

1,164

   

 

 

   

 

 

21,425

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total P&C Operations

 

 

$

 

1,018,350

   

 

$

 

490,437

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

1,508,787

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Life

 

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

129,944

   

 

$

 

129,944

 

Annuity

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

42,991

   

 

 

42,991

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Life Operations

 

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

172,935

   

 

$

 

172,935

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

$

 

1,018,350

   

 

$

 

490,437

   

 

$

 

172,935

   

 

$

 

1,681,722

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended June 30, 2007:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance

 

Reinsurance

 

Life
Operations

 

SCA

 

Total

P&C Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Casualty — professional lines

 

 

$

 

363,209

   

 

$

 

81,222

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

444,431

 

Casualty — other lines

 

 

 

213,816

   

 

 

148,254

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

362,070

 

Property catastrophe

 

 

 

12,243

   

 

 

61,040

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

73,283

 

Other property

 

 

 

118,267

   

 

 

205,689

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

323,956

 

Marine, energy, aviation and satellite

 

 

 

172,509

   

 

 

35,891

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

208,400

 

Other specialty lines (1)

 

 

 

144,104

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

144,104

 

Other (2)

 

 

 

17,037

   

 

 

64,442

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

81,479

 

Structured indemnity

 

 

 

11,515

   

 

 

1,911

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

13,426

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total P&C Operations

 

 

$

 

1,052,700

   

 

$

 

598,449

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

1,651,149

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Life

 

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

101,748

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

101,748

 

Annuity

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

138,105

   

 

 

   

 

 

138,105

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Life Operations

 

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

239,853

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

239,853

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCA

 

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

39,303

   

 

$

 

39,303

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

$

 

1,052,700

   

 

$

 

598,449

   

 

$

 

239,853

   

 

$

 

39,303

   

 

$

 

1,930,305

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

(1)

 

 

 

Other specialty lines within the Insurance segment includes: environmental, programs, equine, warranty, and excess and surplus lines.

 

(2)

 

 

 

Other includes employers’ liability, surety, political risk and other lines

28


XL CAPITAL LTD
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

5.  Segment Information (continued)

Six months ended June 30, 2008:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance

 

Reinsurance

 

Life
Operations

 

Total

P&C Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Casualty — professional lines

 

 

$

 

688,167

   

 

$

 

130,436

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

818,603

 

Casualty — other lines

 

 

 

425,370

   

 

 

222,645

   

 

 

   

 

 

648,015

 

Property catastrophe

 

 

 

107

   

 

 

171,510

   

 

 

   

 

 

171,617

 

Other property

 

 

 

258,766

   

 

 

342,374

   

 

 

   

 

 

601,140

 

Marine, energy, aviation and satellite

 

 

 

322,618

   

 

 

60,702

   

 

 

   

 

 

383,320

 

Other specialty lines (1)

 

 

 

324,924

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

324,924

 

Other (2)

 

 

 

(27,359

)

 

 

 

 

104,915

   

 

 

   

 

 

77,556

 

Structured indemnity

 

 

 

34,159

   

 

 

2,233

   

 

 

   

 

 

36,392

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total P&C Operations

 

 

$

 

2,026,752

   

 

$

 

1,034,815

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

3,061,567

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Life

 

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

247,809

   

 

$

 

247,809

 

Annuity

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

84,708

   

 

 

84,708

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Life Operations

 

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

332,517

   

 

$

 

332,517

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

$

 

2,026,752

   

 

$

 

1,034,815

   

 

$

 

332,517

   

 

$

 

3,394,084

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six months ended June 30, 2007:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance

 

Reinsurance

 

Life
Operations

 

SCA

 

Tota

P&C Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Casualty — professional lines

 

 

$

 

723,744

   

 

$

 

133,786

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

857,530

 

Casualty — other lines

 

 

 

424,361

   

 

 

318,428

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

742,789

 

Property catastrophe

 

 

 

30,979

   

 

 

132,360

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

163,339

 

Other property

 

 

 

258,547

   

 

 

348,031

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

606,578

 

Marine, energy, aviation and satellite

 

 

 

343,579

   

 

 

67,125

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

410,704

 

Other specialty lines (1)

 

 

 

279,881

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

279,881

 

Other (2)

 

 

 

22,277

   

 

 

124,297

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

146,574

 

Structured indemnity

 

 

 

20,682

   

 

 

20,743

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

41,425

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total P&C Operations

 

 

$

 

2,104,050

   

 

$

 

1,144,770

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

3,248,820

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Life

 

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

206,365

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

206,365

 

Annuity

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

180,482

   

 

 

   

 

 

180,482

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Life Operations

 

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

386,847

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

386,847

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCA

 

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

85,682

   

 

$

 

85,682

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

$

 

2,104,050

   

 

$

 

1,144,770

   

 

$

 

386,847

   

 

$

 

85,682

   

 

$

 

3,721,349

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

(1)

 

 

 

Other specialty lines within the Insurance segment includes: environmental, programs, equine, warranty, and excess and surplus lines.

 

(2)

 

 

 

Other includes employers’ liability, surety, political risk and other lines.

29


XL CAPITAL LTD
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

6.  Investments

The cost (amortized cost for fixed maturities and short-term investments), fair value, gross unrealized gains and gross unrealized (losses) of the Company’s investments at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 were as follows:

June 30, 2008:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost or
Amortized
Cost

 

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair
Value

Fixed maturities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government and Government agency

 

 

$

 

2,221,096

   

 

$

 

55,055

   

 

$

 

(23,465

)

 

 

 

$

 

2,252,686

 

Corporate

 

 

 

12,884,545

   

 

 

46,053

   

 

 

(1,254,475

)

 

 

 

 

11,676,123

 

Mortgage and asset-backed securities

 

 

 

12,002,200

   

 

 

55,108

   

 

 

(1,167,737

)

 

 

 

 

10,889,571

 

U.S. States and political subdivisions of the States

 

 

 

471,055

   

 

 

2,084

   

 

 

(10,140

)

 

 

 

 

462,999

 

Non-U.S. Sovereign Government

 

 

 

3,878,717

   

 

 

57,647

   

 

 

(97,055

)

 

 

 

 

3,839,309

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

 

 

$

 

31,457,613

   

 

$

 

215,947

   

 

$

 

(2,552,872

)

 

 

 

$

 

29,120,688

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total short-term investments

 

 

$

 

1,364,906

   

 

$

 

5,038

   

 

$

 

(29,004

)

 

 

 

$

 

1,340,940

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity securities

 

 

$

 

487,143

   

 

$

 

123,020

   

 

$

 

(29,071

)

 

 

 

$

 

581,092

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2007:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost or
Amortized
Cost

 

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair
Value

Fixed maturities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government and Government agency

 

 

$

 

2,585,336

   

 

$

 

102,135

   

 

$

 

(1,698

)

 

 

 

$

 

2,685,773

 

Corporate

 

 

 

13,407,142

   

 

 

104,967

   

 

 

(524,861

)

 

 

 

 

12,987,248

 

Mortgage and asset-backed securities

 

 

 

14,881,988

   

 

 

109,666

   

 

 

(497,777

)

 

 

 

 

14,493,877

 

U.S. States and political subdivisions of the States

 

 

 

252,818

   

 

 

2,803

   

 

 

(2,087

)

 

 

 

 

253,534

 

Non-U.S. Sovereign Government

 

 

 

3,106,532

   

 

 

100,207

   

 

 

(19,381

)

 

 

 

 

3,187,358

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

 

 

$

 

34,233,816

   

 

$

 

419,778

   

 

$

 

(1,045,804

)

 

 

 

$

 

33,607,790

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total short-term investments

 

 

$

 

1,814,445

   

 

$

 

12,448

   

 

$

 

(23,695

)

 

 

 

$

 

1,803,198

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity securities

 

 

$

 

664,213

   

 

$

 

205,498

   

 

$

 

(14,896

)

 

 

 

$

 

854,815

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Individual security positions comprising the gross unrealized loss balance have been evaluated by management, based on specified criteria, to determine if these impairments should be considered other than temporary. These criteria include an assessment of the severity and length of time securities have been impaired, along with management’s ability and intent to hold the securities to recovery, among other factors included below.

At June 30, 2008, there were $2,581.9 million of gross unrealized losses on fixed maturities and short-term investments, and $29.1 million of gross unrealized losses on equity securities. At December 31, 2007, there were $1,069.5 million of gross unrealized losses on fixed maturities and short-term investments, and $14.9 million of gross unrealized losses on equity securities. At June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, approximately 3.0% and 2.3%, respectively, of the Company’s fixed income investment portfolio was invested in securities which were below investment grade or not

30


XL CAPITAL LTD
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

6.   Investments (continued)

rated. Approximately 8.1% of the unrealized losses in the Company’s fixed income securities portfolio at June 30, 2008, related to securities that were below investment grade or not rated. The information shown below about the unrealized losses on the Company’s investments at June 30, 2008 concerns the potential effect upon future earnings and financial position should management later conclude that some of the current declines in the fair value of these investments are other than temporary declines.

Factors considered in determining that additional other-than-temporary impairment charges were not warranted include management’s consideration of current and near term liquidity needs and other available sources, an evaluation of the factors and time necessary for recovery, and the results of on-going retrospective reviews of security sales and the basis for such sales.

Gross unrealized losses can be attributed to the following significant drivers:

 

(i)

 

 

 

Gross unrealized losses of $0.8 billion related to the Company’s $6.9 billion Life Operations investment portfolio. Of this, $0.4 billion of gross unrealized losses have arisen on $2.5 billion of exposures to corporate financials. At June 30, 2008, this portfolio had an average duration of 8.9 years, primarily denominated in U.K. Sterling and Euros. As a result of the long duration, significant gross losses have arisen as the fair values of these securities are more sensitive to prevailing government interest rates and credit spreads. This portfolio has limited turnover as it is matched to corresponding long duration liabilities.

 

(ii)

 

 

 

Gross unrealized losses of $0.4 billion related to the Company’s $1.4 billion Topical Asset portfolio (which includes the Company’s holdings of sub-prime non-agency securities, second liens, ABS CDOs with sub-prime collateral as well as Alt-A mortgage exposures). The Company undertook a security level review of these securities and recognized charges to the extent it believed the intrinsic value of the security was below the amortized cost. The Company recognized realized losses, consisting of charges for other-than-temporary impairments and realized losses from sales of over $0.6 billion since the beginning of 2007.

 

(iii)

 

 

 

Gross unrealized losses of $0.3 billion arose as a result of the Company’s holdings of certain U.S. Dollar assets in a Euro functional currency. As a result, gross unrealized losses arose which were offset through the Company’s cumulative translation adjustment account and accordingly had no impact on book value.

 

(iv)

 

 

 

The Company believes that the remaining balance of gross unrealized losses of $1.1 billion, which includes $0.4 billion on corporates of which $0.2 billion is in the financial sector, $0.3 billion on the Company’s Core CDO portfolio (primarily consisting of CLOs) and $0.1 billion on CMBS holdings, was primarily a function of broad market interest rate increases and credit spread widening during the first six months of 2008, and not reflective of any fundamental issue in ultimate recovery on those securities.

31


XL CAPITAL LTD
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

6.  Investments (continued)

The following is an analysis of how long each category of those securities at June 30, 2008 had been in a continual unrealized loss position:

June 30, 2008:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less than 12 months

 

Equal to or greater
than 12 months

 

Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Fixed maturities and short-term investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government and Government agency

 

 

$

 

954,517

   

 

$

 

20,498

   

 

$

 

37,075

   

 

$

 

3,037

 

Corporate

 

 

 

4,973,877

   

 

 

313,061

   

 

 

5,371,365

   

 

 

967,175

 

Mortgage and asset-backed securities

 

 

 

4,678,055

   

 

 

429,276

   

 

 

3,516,663

   

 

 

740,059

 

U.S. States and political subdivisions of the States

 

 

 

302,415

   

 

 

8,115

   

 

 

23,859

   

 

 

2,039

 

Non-U.S. Sovereign Government

 

 

 

2,253,292

   

 

 

58,340

   

 

 

475,362

   

 

 

40,276

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities and short-term investments

 

 

$

 

13,162,156

   

 

$

 

829,290

   

 

$

 

9,424,324

   

 

$

 

1,752,586

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity securities

 

 

$

 

205,785

   

 

$

 

29,071

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following is an analysis of how long each of those securities at December 31, 2007 had been in a continual unrealized loss position:

December 31, 2007:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less than 12 months

 

Equal to or greater
than 12 months

 

Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Fixed maturities and short-term investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government and Government agency

 

 

$

 

122,199

   

 

$

 

552

   

 

$

 

31,795

   

 

$

 

1,166

 

Corporate

 

 

 

6,495,775

   

 

 

306,047

   

 

 

3,060,081

   

 

 

240,055

 

Mortgage and asset-backed securities

 

 

 

5,716,732

   

 

 

408,108

   

 

 

1,975,361

   

 

 

91,731

 

U.S. States and political subdivisions of the
States

 

 

 

68,028

   

 

 

1,844

   

 

 

4,202

   

 

 

253

 

Non-U.S. Sovereign Government

 

 

 

454,992

   

 

 

5,354

   

 

 

531,052

   

 

 

14,389

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities and short-term investments

 

 

$

 

12,857,726

   

 

$

 

721,905

   

 

$

 

5,602,491

   

 

$

 

347,594

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity securities

 

 

$

 

195,703

   

 

$

 

14,896

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The contractual maturities of fixed maturity securities 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.

32


XL CAPITAL LTD
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

6.  Investments (continued)

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30, 2008
(Unaudited)

 

December 31, 2007

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Fair
Value

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Fair
Value

Due after 1 through 5 years

 

 

$

 

6,482,081

   

 

$

 

5,904,038

   

 

$

 

5,980,146

   

 

$

 

5,946,528

 

Due after 5 through 10 years

 

 

 

6,310,944

   

 

 

5,825,830

   

 

 

6,559,877

   

 

 

6,536,884

 

Due after 10 years

 

 

 

6,662,388

   

 

 

6,501,249

   

 

 

6,811,805

   

 

 

6,630,501

 

Mortgage and asset-backed securities

 

 

 

12,002,200

   

 

 

10,889,571

   

 

 

14,881,988

   

 

 

14,493,877

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

31,457,613

   

 

$

 

29,120,688

   

 

$

 

34,233,816

   

 

$

 

33,607,790

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, approximately $326.4 million and $144.3 million, respectively, of securities included in investments available for sale were loaned to various counter parties through the Company’s securities lending program. At June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, approximately $332.9 million and $146.2 million, respectively, of cash collateral held in connection with these loans, is included in cash and cash equivalents, with a corresponding liability reflected in net payable for investments purchased.

7.  Derivative Instruments

The Company enters into derivative instruments for both risk management and trading purposes. The Company is exposed to potential loss from various market risks, and manages its market risks based on guidelines established by management. These derivative instruments are carried at fair value with the resulting gains and losses recognized in income in the period in which they occur.

The following table summarizes the net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments included in net income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007:

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

Credit derivatives (1)

 

 

$

 

94

   

 

$

 

(12,894

)

 

 

 

$

 

2,264

   

 

$

 

(23,354

)

 

Weather and energy risk management derivatives

 

 

 

237

   

 

 

2,542

   

 

 

10,694

   

 

 

17,012

 

Other non-investment derivatives

 

 

 

   

 

 

9

   

 

 

(58

)

 

 

 

 

(941

)

 

Investment derivatives (2)

 

 

 

7,793

   

 

 

19,531

   

 

 

39,906

   

 

 

24,212

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives

 

 

$

 

8,124

   

 

$

 

9,188

   

 

$

 

52,806

   

 

$

 

16,929

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

(1)

 

 

 

Excludes credit derivative swaps entered into within the investment portfolio.

 

(2)

 

 

 

Includes derivatives entered into by the Company’s external investment portfolio managers on the Company’s behalf, including certain credit derivative swaps used to hedge credit exposures.

Credit derivatives have been entered into within the Company’s investment portfolio and through the Company’s reinsurance agreements with SCA (as described below) and have been recorded at fair value. Following the secondary sale of SCA common shares, the Company retained some credit derivative exposures written by SCA through reinsurance agreements that have certain of these derivatives exposures embedded within them. Valuation of investment related credit derivatives is based upon quoted market values where available, or matrix or other model-derived

33


XL CAPITAL LTD
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

7.  Derivative Instruments (continued)

prices where significant inputs are market corroborated. Subsequent to June 6, 2007, the Company received SCA related derivative fair values from SCA management and has reviewed the methodology applied in developing those estimates. SCA estimates fair value for investment grade exposures by monitoring changes in credit quality and selecting appropriate market indices to determine credit spread movements over the life of the contracts. The determination of the credit spread movements is the basis for calculating the fair value when appropriate active market indices are available. For credit derivatives where no appropriate market indices are readily available, the Company uses an alternative fair value methodology. Under this methodology, the fair value is determined using a model which is dependent upon a number of factors, including changes in interest rates, future default rates, credit spreads, changes in credit quality, future expected recovery rates and other market factors. In addition, judgment is applied to factors necessary to determine the rates of return and levels of subordination required by a market participant to assume the risks. Where relevant, recent transactions or contract discussions related to similar risks are considered. In general, SCA holds credit derivatives to maturity. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of such credit derivatives are unrealized. Subsequent to June 6, 2007, the change in value of the derivative portion of the financial guarantee reinsurance agreements the Company has with SCA are included in “Net (loss) income from operating affiliates.”

8.  XL Capital Finance (Europe) plc

XL Capital Finance (Europe) plc (“XLFE”) is a wholly owned finance subsidiary of the Company. In January 2002, XLFE issued $600.0 million par value 6.5% Guaranteed Senior Notes due January 2012. These Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company. XL Capital Ltd’s ability to obtain funds from its subsidiaries is subject to certain contractual restrictions,applicable laws and statutory requirements of the various countries in which the Company operates including Bermuda, the U.S. and the U.K., among others.

Required statutory capital and surplus for the principal operating subsidiaries of the Company was $5.3 billion as of December 31, 2007.

9.  Related Party Transactions

For detailed information regarding the Company’s transactions with SCA, see Notes 4 and 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Security Capital Assurance Ltd” and “Subsequent Events”, respectively.

At June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company owned minority stakes in ten and eleven independent investment management companies (“Investment Manager Affiliates”), respectively. These ownership stakes are part of the Company’s asset management strategy, pursuant to which 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 pay management and performance fees to the Company’s Investment Manager Affiliates.

In the normal course of business, the Company enters into certain quota share reinsurance contracts with a subsidiary of one of its other strategic affiliates, ARX Holding Corporation. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, these contracts resulted in reported net premiums of $21.5 million and $43.1 million, net paid claims of $8.7 million and $14.9 million, and reported acquisition costs of $7.8 million and $17.8 million, respectively. During the same periods in 2007, these contracts resulted in reported net premiums of $17.4 million and $57.0 million, net paid claims

34


XL CAPITAL LTD
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

9.  Related Party Transactions (continued)

of $11.6 million and $16.2 million, and reported acquisition costs of $0.6 million and $20.3 million, respectively. Management believes that these transactions are conducted at market rates consistent with negotiated arms-length contracts.

In the normal course of business, the Company enters into cost sharing and service level agreement transactions with certain other strategic affiliates, which management believes to be conducted consistent with arms-length rates. Such transactions, individually and in the aggregate, are not material to the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

10.  Deposit Liabilities

Deposit liabilities include GICs and funding agreements as well as reinsurance and insurance deposits. As at December 31, 2007, the Company had approximately $4.0 billion of deposit liabilities associated with GICs for which credit enhancement was provided by XLCA. Based on the terms and conditions of the underlying GICs, upon the downgrade of XLCA below certain ratings levels, all or portions of outstanding principal balances on such GICs would come due. Throughout 2008, several rating agencies downgraded SCA and its subsidiaries and as a result, the Company settled, in the first six months of 2008, all of the GIC liabilities.

At June 30, 2008, the balance of deposit liabilities associated with funding agreements was $1.1 billion. The Company expects the balance of deposit liabilities associated with funding agreements to continue to decrease throughout 2008 as the contracts associated with the funding agreements mature and the associated deposit liabilities are settled. Management does not expect any significant impact on the Company’s results of operations or liquidity as a result of the maturity of these contracts.

35


XL CAPITAL LTD
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

11.  Computation of Earnings per Ordinary Share and Ordinary Share Equivalent

(U.S. dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

Basic earnings per ordinary share and ordinary share equivalents:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

$

 

237,851

   

 

$

 

554,615

   

 

$

 

482,224

   

 

$

 

1,117,122

 

Less: preference share dividends

 

 

 

   

 

 

(10,080

)

 

 

 

 

(32,500

)

 

 

 

 

(22,869

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income available to ordinary shareholders

 

 

$

 

237,851

   

 

$

 

544,535

   

 

$

 

449,724

   

 

$

 

1,094,253

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding

 

 

 

176,655

   

 

 

178,378

   

 

 

176,453

   

 

 

178,650

 

Basic earnings per ordinary share & ordinary share equivalents outstanding

 

 

$

 

1.35

   

 

$

 

3.05

   

 

$

 

2.55

   

 

$

 

6.13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per ordinary share and ordinary share equivalents:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

$

 

237,851

   

 

$

 

554,615

   

 

$

 

482,224

   

 

$

 

1,117,122

 

Less: preference share dividends

 

 

 

   

 

 

(10,080

)

 

 

 

 

(32,500

)

 

 

 

 

(22,869

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income available to ordinary shareholders

 

 

$

 

237,851

   

 

$

 

544,535

   

 

$

 

449,724

   

 

$

 

1,094,253

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding — basic

 

 

 

176,655

   

 

 

178,378

   

 

 

176,453

   

 

 

178,650

 

Impact of share based compensation and certain conversion features (1) (2)

 

 

 

255

   

 

 

3,235

   

 

 

493

   

 

 

1,920

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding — diluted

 

 

 

176,910

   

 

 

181,613

   

 

 

176,946

   

 

 

180,570

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per ordinary share & ordinary share equivalents outstanding

 

 

$

 

1.34

   

 

$

 

3.00

   

 

$

 

2.54

   

 

$

 

6.06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends per ordinary share

 

 

$

 

0.38

   

 

$

 

0.38

   

 

$

 

0.76

   

 

$

 

0.76

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

(1)

 

 

 

Net of shares repurchased under the treasury stock method.

 

(2)

 

 

 

Includes the application of the “if converted” method of accounting for the 6.5% Units for the period from the announcement of the Company’s intent to participate in the remarketing of the 2009 Senior Notes until the agreement of the related share purchase contracts.

12.  Subsequent Events

Agreement with SCA with Respect to Pre-IPO Guarantee and Reinsurance Agreements

On July 28, 2008, the Company announced that it and certain of its subsidiaries had entered into an agreement (the “Master Agreement”) with SCA and certain of its subsidiaries (as previously noted, sometimes collectively referred to herein as “SCA”) in connection with the termination of certain reinsurance and other agreements as described below. Certain of the counterparties (the “Counterparties”) to credit default swap agreements with SCA are also parties, and others may become parties (at any time on or prior to the closing date), to the Master Agreement. Such counterparties that are or become party to the Master Agreement are herein called “the Counterparties”.

36


XL CAPITAL LTD
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

12.  Subsequent Events (continued)

The Master Agreement provides for the payment by the Company to SCA of $1.775 billion in cash, the issuance by the Company to SCA of eight million of its Class A Ordinary Shares to be newly issued by the Company and the transfer by the Company of all of the shares it owns in SCA (representing approximately 46% of SCA’s issued and outstanding shares) (the “SCA Shares”) to a trust. This consideration will be made in exchange for, among other things, the full and unconditional:

 

 

 

 

commutation of the Third Amended and Restated Facultative Quota Share Reinsurance Treaty, effective July 1, 2006, between XLFA and XLCA and all individual risk cessions thereunder, as a result of which the guarantee by XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd (“XLIB”) of XLFA’s obligations to XLCA thereunder will no longer have any force or effect;

 

 

 

 

commutation of the Excess of Loss Reinsurance Agreement, executed on October 3, 2001, pursuant to which XLIB agreed to reinsure certain liabilities of XLFA (the “Excess of Loss Agreement”);

 

 

 

 

commutation of the Second Amended and Restated Facultative Master Certificate, effective March 1, 2007, pursuant to which XL Re America, Inc. (“XLRA”) agreed to reinsure certain liabilities of XLCA, and all individual risk cessions thereunder; (the “XLRA Master Facultative Agreement”;

 

 

 

 

commutation of the Facultative Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement, effective August 17, 2001, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to such agreement, dated as of August 4, 2006, pursuant to which XLIB agreed to reinsure certain liabilities of XLFA, and all individual risk cessions thereunder;

 

 

 

 

commutation of the Adverse Development Reinsurance Agreement, dated as of August 4, 2006, between XLCA and XLRA, and the Indemnification Agreement, dated as of August 4, 2006, between XLFA and XLI; and

 

 

 

 

termination of certain indemnification and services agreements between XL and SCA.

After giving effect to the closing of the Master Agreement, $64.6 billion of the Company’s total net exposure (which was $65.7 billion as at June 30, 2008) under reinsurance agreements and guarantees with SCA subsidiaries will be eliminated.

Pursuant to the terms of the Master Agreement, SCA will be required to use commercially reasonable efforts to commute the agreements that are the subject of the Company’s guarantee of XLCA’s obligations under certain financial guarantees issued by XLCA to European Investment Bank (the “EIB Policies”), subject to certain limitations. These guarantees were provided for the benefit of EIB and are made up of transportation and public building risk with an average rating of BBB, written between 2001 and 2006 with anticipated maturities ranging between 2027 and 2038. In the event such commutations are not completed by the closing of the Master Agreement, the Company’s exposures relating to the EIB Policies (which relate to project finance transactions) as at June 30, 2008 would be approximately $1.1 billion.

The total value of the consideration noted above of $1.775 billion as well as the value of the eight million ordinary shares of the Company to be transferred to SCA, significantly exceeds the carried net liabilities of approximately $490.7 million related to such reinsurances and guarantees as at June 30, 2008. Management considers the execution of the Master Agreement as the event giving rise to the additional liability. There are numerous conditions precedent to this agreement that will be completed upon closing. As such, the Company expects to record a charge of approximately

37


XL CAPITAL LTD
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

12.  Subsequent Events (continued)

$1.4 billion to $1.5 billion in respect of the Master Agreement during the three month period ending September 30, 2008.

It is expected that the SCA Shares will be transferred at closing into a trust for the benefit of XLFA and/or XLCA until such time as an agreement between XLCA and the Counterparties is reached, and thereafter will act for the benefit of the Counterparties. To the extent that the required regulatory approvals for the transfer are not received prior to closing, the SCA Shares will be deposited into escrow pending the transfer. Upon any such deposit into escrow, the Company will irrevocably disclaim any and all voting, economic or other rights with respect to the SCA Shares.

As part of the transaction, the Counterparties provided releases to the Company and SCA.

The Company and SCA have obtained approval from the New York State Insurance Department for the Master Agreement and each of the commutations to which XLRA or XLCA is a party. SCA has also obtained applicable approvals from the Bermuda Monetary Authority, the Deleware Insurance Department and other regulators.

In addition to customary closing conditions, the Master Agreement is conditioned on the commutation by SCA of the Amended and Restated Master Facultative Reinsurance Agreement, dated November 3, 1998, between Financial Security and XLFA, and all individual risk cessions thereunder. As a result of this commutation, the Company’s guarantee of XLFA’s obligations thereunder (the “Financial Security Guarantee”) will no longer have any force or effect. On July 28, 2008, SCA announced that it had entered into an agreement with Financial Security to commute such agreement simultaneously with the closing of the Master Agreement.

The closing is also conditioned upon the termination of eight Merrill Lynch International (“Merrill Lynch”) asset backed security collateralized debt obligation credit default swaps entered into between Merrill Lynch and SCA. SCA announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Merrill Lynch to terminate such agreements at or prior to closing.

The closing of the Master Agreement is also conditioned upon the successful completion of the Company’s capital raise (as described below). The closing of the transactions contemplated by the Master Agreement is expected to take place in early August 2008 and concurrently with the closing of the capital raise discussed below. The parties may choose to terminate the Master Agreement if the closing does not occur by August 15, 2008.

On July 28, 2008, SCA announced that it has conducted a review of its June 30, 2008 loss reserves. Based on the preliminary results of this review, SCA believes that its case reserves will have increased substantially as of June 30, 2008, primarily due to significant deterioration with respect to its exposure to collateralized debt obligations of asset backed securities and residential mortgage- backed securities. As a result, SCA’s New York-based insurance subsidiary, XLCA, will report negative statutory surplus and its Bermuda-based reinsurance subsidiary, XLFA, will report negative total statutory capital and surplus as of June 30, 2008. Upon the successful closing of the transactions contemplated by the Master Agreement, SCA’s settlement with Merrill Lynch International (the “Merrill Agreement”) and related agreements, and pending the satisfaction of the conditions to closing of the Master Agreement and the Merrill Agreement, XLCA expects to have positive statutory surplus and XLFA expects to have positive total statutory capital and surplus. In the absence of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Master Agreement, Merrill Agreement and related agreements, XLCA and XLFA would likely be subject to regulatory action by their primary regulators, the New York Insurance Department and the Bermuda Monetary Authority. As a result of these developments, there is substantial doubt about SCA’s ability to

38


XL CAPITAL LTD
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

12.  Subsequent Events (continued)

continue as a going concern. Upon closing of the transactions contemplated by the Master Agreement and the Merrill Agreement, SCA intends to re-assess whether substantial doubt exists about SCA’s ability to continue as a going concern.

For further details, see Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Security Capital Assurance Ltd.”

Capital Raising

In order to fund the payments described above in relation to the Master Agreement with SCA, the Company, on July 28, 2008, announced its intention to raise approximately $2.5 billion of additional capital through an issuance of both ordinary shares and equity security units (the “ESUs”) pursuant to the Company’s existing shelf registration statement. The ESUs consist of: (i) forward purchase contracts to purchase, and the Company to issue, its ordinary shares and (ii) debt securities.

In addition to the payments to SCA, the Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offerings for general corporate purposes, including, without limitation, the redemption of X.L. America, Inc.’s $255 million 6.58% Guaranteed Senior Notes due April 2011 and capital funding of certain of the Company’s subsidiaries.

Other related transactions

Concurrent with the execution of the Master Agreement with SCA, the Company intends to (i) exercise the put option under its Mangrove Bay contingent capital facility entered into in July 2003 resulting in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $500 million in exchange for the issuance by the Company of 20,000,000 Series C Preference Ordinary Shares and (ii) upon the Company’s completion of its capital raise (as discussed above) and the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Master Agreement, redeem X.L. America, Inc.’s $255 million 6.58% Guaranteed Senior Notes due April 2011, as noted above.

Dividend Reduction

The Company also announced that the Board of Directors approved a reduction in the quarterly dividend payable on the Company’s Class A Ordinary Shares to $0.19 per ordinary share beginning with the quarterly dividend payable in September 2008.

39


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

General

The following is a discussion of the Company’s financial condition and liquidity and results of operations. Certain aspects of the Company’s business have loss experience characterized as low frequency and high severity. This may result in volatility in both the Company’s and an individual segment’s results of operations and financial condition.

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 the Company’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. These statements are based upon current plans, estimates and projections. Actual results may differ materially from those included in such forward-looking statements, and therefore undue reliance should not be placed on them. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward- Looking Statements” below for a list of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.

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 the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Executive Overview

See “Executive Overview” in Item 7 of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Results of Operations

The following table presents an analysis of the Company’s net income available to ordinary shareholders and other financial measures (described below) for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

2008

 

2007

Net income available to ordinary shareholders

 

 

$

 

237,851

   

 

$

 

544,535

 

Earnings per ordinary share and ordinary share equivalents — basic

 

 

$

 

1.35

   

 

$

 

3.05

 

Earnings per ordinary share and ordinary share equivalents — diluted

 

 

$

 

1.34

   

 

$

 

3.00

 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares and ordinary share equivalents — basic

 

 

 

176,655

   

 

 

178,378

 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares and ordinary share equivalents — diluted

 

 

 

176,910

   

 

 

181,613

 

The following table presents an analysis of the Company’s net income available to ordinary shareholders and other financial measures (described below) for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

2008

 

2007

Net income available to ordinary shareholders

 

 

$

 

449,724

   

 

$

 

1,094,253

 

Earnings per ordinary share and ordinary share equivalents — basic

 

 

$

 

2.55

   

 

$

 

6.13

 

Earnings per ordinary share and ordinary share equivalents — diluted

 

 

$

 

2.54

   

 

$

 

6.06

 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares and ordinary share equivalents — basic

 

 

 

176,453

   

 

 

178,650

 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares and ordinary share equivalents — diluted

 

 

 

176,946

   

 

 

180,570

 

40


The Company’s net income and other financial measures as shown below for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 have been affected, among other things, by the following significant items:

1) Impact of credit market movements on the Company’s investment portfolio and investment fund affiliates

In the first six months of 2008, particularly in the first quarter, financial market conditions continued to be extremely challenging as the global credit crisis that began in July 2007 continued to adversely impact global fixed income markets. While credit spreads on both corporate and structured credit rallied modestly in the second quarter, spread levels remain wide resulting in continuing depressed pricing on credit product. Continuing challenges included continued weakness in the U.S. housing market and increased mortgage delinquencies, investor anxiety over the U.S. economy, rating agency downgrades of various structured products and financial issuers, unresolved issues with structured investment vehicles and monolines, deleveraging of financial institutions and hedge funds and a significant dislocation in the inter-bank market.

The lingering issues in the credit market were compounded during the second quarter as government rates in the U.S., U.K. and Eurozone all increased markedly. As such, both the widening in credit spreads and the increase in interest rates were the primary drivers behind the increase of $1.8 billion in net unrealized losses and $100.2 million in net realized losses on investments reported for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

Realized losses and impairments as a result of securities where the Company determined its unrealized losses were other than temporary impairments totaled $74.7 million during the six months ended June 30, 2008 in the Company’s holdings of sub-prime non-agency securities, second liens, ABS CDOs with sub-prime collateral as well as Alt-A mortgage exposures (“Topical Assets”). In addition, the Company realized losses of $19.5 million on lower-rated Jumbo mortgage securities. These losses and impairments continued to be principally concentrated in 2005, 2006, and 2007 vintage securities. The level of topical impairments have declined in the second quarter of 2008 relative to the first quarter of 2008 and the latter half of 2007, as a number of the lower tranched securities were previously written off to security values ranging from five to thirty percent of par value. Liquidations necessary to fund the repayment of the guaranteed investment contract (“GIC”) liabilities following the downgrade of XL Capital Assurance Inc. (“XLCA”) were funded through sales of assets in the Other Financial Lines segment investment portfolios as well as the general investment portfolios. Management’s approach was to avoid the sale of assets where current market prices did not reflect intrinsic values or where transaction costs for liquidation were excessive. As a result, the Company continues to hold a number of the Topical Assets and these have been transferred to the general portfolio in exchange for those assets that were liquidated.

The following table details the current exposures to Topical Assets within the Company’s fixed income portfolio as well as the current net unrealized (loss) gain position as at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

As at
June 30, 2008

 

As at
December 31, 2007

 

 

Holding at
Fair Value

 

Percent
of Fixed
Income
Portfolio

 

Net
Unrealized
(Loss) Gain

 

Holding at
Fair Value

 

Percent
of Fixed
Income
Portfolio

 

Net
Unrealized
(Loss) Gain

Topical Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sub-prime first lien mortgages

 

 

$

 

724,368

   

 

 

2.1

%

 

 

 

$

 

(212,369

)

 

 

 

$

 

995,947

   

 

 

2.5

%

 

 

 

$

 

(145,785

)

 

Alt-A mortgages

 

 

 

635,085

   

 

 

1.8

%

 

 

 

 

(174,505

)

 

 

 

 

924,783

   

 

 

2.3

%

 

 

 

 

(40,145

)

 

Second lien mortgages (including sub-prime second lien mortgages)

 

 

 

66,265

   

 

 

0.2

%

 

 

 

 

(7,561

)

 

 

 

 

97,647

   

 

 

0.3

%

 

 

 

 

788

 

ABS CDOs with sub-prime collateral

 

 

 

17,856

   

 

 

0.1

%

 

 

 

 

(4,857

)

 

 

 

 

39,317

   

 

 

0.1

%

 

 

 

 

101

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total exposure to Topical Assets

 

 

$

 

1,443,574

   

 

 

4.2

%

 

 

 

$

 

(399,292

)

 

 

 

$

 

2,057,694

   

 

 

5.2

%

 

 

 

$

 

(185,041

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

41


The following table provides the earnings and comprehensive earnings impact related to the Topical Assets in the three and six months ended June 30, 2008:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30, 2008

 

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008

 

Realized
(Loss) and
(Impairments)

 

Change
in Net
Unrealized
(Loss)

 

Realized
(Loss) and
(Impairments)

 

Change
in Net
Unrealized
(Loss)

Topical Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sub-prime first lien mortgages

 

 

$

 

(5,311

)

 

 

 

$

 

(8,709

)

 

 

 

$

 

(37,109

)

 

 

 

$

 

(66,584

)

 

Alt-A mortgages

 

 

 

(9,344

)

 

 

 

 

(36,007

)

 

 

 

 

(23,431

)

 

 

 

 

(134,360

)

 

Second lien mortgages (including sub-prime second lien mortgages)

 

 

 

(2,818

)

 

 

 

 

(9,526

)

 

 

 

 

(7,466

)

 

 

 

 

(8,349

)

 

ABS CDOs with sub-prime collateral

 

 

 

(3,416

)

 

 

 

 

(7,341

)

 

 

 

 

(6,681

)

 

 

 

 

(4,958

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

$

 

(20,889

)

 

 

 

$

 

(61,583

)

 

 

 

$

 

(74,687

)

 

 

 

$

 

(214,251

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Company’s sub-prime and Alt-A exposures remain primarily highly rated, have strong underlying loan characteristics and are supported by adequate subordination levels. The Company had approximately $208 million of topical investments downgraded during the quarter ended June 30, 2008 and approximately $353 million during the six months ended June 30, 2008.

Of the total Topical Asset exposure as at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 of $1.4 billion and $2.0 billion, respectively, approximately $56.9 million and $76.8 million, respectively, of the related securities had ratings dependent on guarantees issued by third party guarantors (i.e. monoline insurers). Decreases in the ratings of such third party guarantors would typically decrease the fair value of guaranteed securities; however, at June 30, 2008, in the event of non-performance on the part of these third party guarantors, the Company estimates that the average credit quality of this portfolio would be ‘A’ and that approximately 95.9% would remain investment grade. In addition, of the total fixed income portfolio as at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, of $34.3 billion and $39.1 billion, respectively, less than 2% were guaranteed by such third parties with no individual third party representing more than 1%.

As noted above, the remaining changes in net unrealized losses during the six months ended June 30, 2008 were primarily as a result of spread widening in both corporate credit, particularly financials, and CMBS assets, as well as increases in government interest rates. Spreads widened significantly in the first quarter, followed by modest tightening in second quarter. Government rates declined significantly in first quarter but increased even more significantly in second quarter. The Company believes these losses are a result of either technical spread widening as a result of the market events noted above, or changes in prevailing market rates for government securities, rather than any fundamental deterioration or other-than-temporary impairment.

Net realized and unrealized gains on investment derivatives for the six months ended June 30, 2008 resulted primarily from corporate credit deterioration and the resulting appreciation of certain credit derivative swaps held in the investment portfolio.

Net income from investment fund affiliates was marginally negative in the first half of 2008 as the markets were particularly challenging for strategies employed by the Company’s alternative investment managers given the extreme volatility and overall pull back of credit availability. The Company’s alternative investments are managed to maximize total-return on a risk-adjusted basis, and the results over the first half of 2007 as compared to the first half of 2008 are reflective of different market conditions and opportunities available over these periods.

As at June 30, 2008, approximately 13.2% of the asset and mortgage-backed holdings were classified as part of the Company’s exposure to Topical Assets. This represented approximately 4.2% of the total fixed income portfolio and 17.6% of the total net unrealized loss position. Of the Topical Asset securities, approximately 97.2% were rated as investment grade. All portfolio holdings, including those with sub-prime exposure, are reviewed as part of the ongoing other-than-temporary-impairment monitoring process. The Company continues to actively monitor its exposures, and to the extent market disruptions continue, including but not limited to disruptions in the residential mortgage market and the related impacts on the assumptions embedded in the Company’s

42


impairment assessments and estimates of future cash flows, the Company’s financial position could be negatively impacted.

Consistent with the Company’s overall focus on core property and casualty operations, management is committed to an overall strategic realignment of its property and casualty investment portfolio over time. Such realignment will support reduced volatility through reduced credit spread exposure, reduced exposure to lower-rated and particularly BBB-rated securities, reduced CMBS and financial sector exposure. The realignment will be achieved through bond maturity and coupon reinvestment, cash flows from business operations and certain opportunistic sales. This strategic realignment will also include an assessment of the Company’s risk asset portfolio.

2) Relationships with SCA

The Company has multiple relationships with SCA as a result of SCA’s initial origins as a wholly-owned subsidiary and its subsequent IPO. These relationships are detailed in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Security Capital Assurance Ltd”, and include, most significantly, a 46.9% investment along with certain guarantees and reinsurance arrangements. The Company is not a primary originator or insurer of mortgages, nor does it guarantee mortgages other than indirectly through the activities of SCA, and as such the impact to the Company with respect to credit enhancement activities is largely limited to the SCA investment and related reinsurance agreements and guarantees.

At December 31, 2007, the Company wrote down its investment in SCA to zero. The write down of SCA to zero in the fourth quarter of 2007 was based, in part, on the losses SCA recorded in the fourth quarter of 2007. No equity earnings have been recorded in the first six months of 2008 relating to the common equity interest in SCA as a result of their reported results throughout 2008.

As a result of a significant increase in expected losses in the SCA portfolio of insured credits the Company has recorded additional losses related to both the reinsurance agreements as well as pre-IPO guarantees. The following table summarizes the income statement impact of these relationships for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2008:

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in millions)

 

Income Statement Impact

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30, 2008

 

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008

Excess of loss reinsurance agreement

 

 

$

 

3.7

   

 

$

 

7.3

 

Facultative reinsurance agreement

 

 

 

22.7

   

 

 

23.9

 

Guarantee agreements

 

 

 

56.0

   

 

 

56.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

$

 

82.4

   

 

$

 

87.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

On July 28, 2008, the Company announced that it and certain of its subsidiaries had entered into an agreement (the “Master Agreement“) with SCA and certain of its subsidiaries (as previously noted, sometimes collectively referred to herein as “SCA”) in connection with the termination of certain reinsurance and other agreements as described below. A group of counterparties (the “Counterparties”) to credit default swap agreements with SCA are also parties to the Master Agreement.

For a description of the Master Agreement, see Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Subsequent Events.”

Under the Master Agreement, the total value of the consideration to be paid by the Company to SCA significantly exceeds the carried net liabilities of approximately $490.7 million related to such reinsurances and guarantees as at June 30, 2008. Management considers the execution of the Master Agreement as the event giving rise to the additional liability. There are numerous conditions precedent to this agreement that will be completed upon closing. As such, the Company expects to record a charge of approximately $1.4 billion to $1.5 billion in respect of the Master Agreement during the three month period ending September 30, 2008.

See Notes 4 and 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Security Capital Assurance Ltd” and “Subsequent Events,” respectively, for further information relating to SCA. For further information relating to certain risks associated with the reinsurance and guarantee agreements, refer to Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors, below.

43


3) Continuing competitive underwriting environment

Insurance

During the first six months of 2008, the Company’s Insurance segment continued to experience increasing soft market conditions as premium rates across most lines of business decreased by approximately 7% in the aggregate and competitive pressures continued to make new business more difficult to win. Overall, throughout the first six months of 2008, property renewals reflected decreases in premium rates of approximately 5 to 20%, while certain casualty lines experienced premium rate reductions of approximately 5 to 15%. In addition, premium rates within certain specialty lines of business decreased by up to 10%. Offsetting these premium rate decreases was strong pricing in the U.S. Professional D&O book of business, specifically with regards to financial institutions.

New business is largely impacted by market conditions as incumbents continue to retain business in all lines and markets. However, through June, the Company has written approximately $400 million in new business. This is largely as a result of successes in the Company’s organic growth strategies which include E&S, private D&O as well as construction and upper middle markets. Renewal ratios for core property casualty, and professional lines range from approximately 82% to 91%.

While the Company’s Insurance segment has been impacted by general market conditions that prevail, described above, to a large degree the uncertainty surrounding its agreements with SCA and the potential impact on the Company’s results and/or liquidity has been contained to within the U.S. professional book of business, which is most rating sensitive. Actions taken by various rating agencies relating to the Company throughout 2008 as a result of their concerns relating to the Company’s agreement with SCA have resulted in limited lost renewals, again largely within the U.S. professional D&O book, and has impacted the ability of the Company’s Insurance segment to attract new business. It should be noted that to date, the impact of the uncertainty surrounding the Company’s reinsurance and guarantee agreements with SCA has been significantly less than the impact of the soft market conditions described above. For further information relating to the rating agency actions, see “Other Key Focuses of Management” and “Ratings” below.

The following table provides an analysis of gross premiums written, net premiums written and net premiums earned for the Insurance segment for the six month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008

 

(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007

 

 

Gross
Premiums
Written

 

Net
Premiums
Written

 

Net
Premiums
Earned

 

Gross
Premiums
Written

 

Net
Premiums
Written

 

Net
Premiums
Earned

Casualty — professional lines

 

 

$

 

690,471

   

 

$

 

624,297

   

 

$

 

688,167

   

 

$

 

763,009

   

 

$

 

691,516

   

 

$

 

723,744

 

Casualty — other lines

 

 

 

831,813

   

 

 

555,741

   

 

 

425,370

   

 

 

824,203

   

 

 

558,684

   

 

 

424,361

 

Property catastrophe

 

 

 

(59

)

 

 

 

 

(2,162

)

 

 

 

 

107

   

 

 

15,044

   

 

 

(10,715

)

 

 

 

 

30,979

 

Other property

 

 

 

600,697

   

 

 

398,873

   

 

 

258,766

   

 

 

491,742

   

 

 

376,002

   

 

 

258,547

 

Marine, energy, aviation, and satellite

 

 

 

408,377

   

 

 

325,022

   

 

 

322,618

   

 

 

436,657

   

 

 

337,482

   

 

 

343,579

 

Other specialty lines (1)

 

 

 

430,827

   

 

 

355,917

   

 

 

324,924

   

 

 

419,099

   

 

 

352,237

   

 

 

279,881

 

Other (2)

 

 

 

11,529

   

 

 

(29,831

)

 

 

 

 

(27,359

)

 

 

 

 

20,491

   

 

 

20,449

   

 

 

22,277

 

Structured indemnity

 

 

 

43,465

   

 

 

40,815

   

 

 

34,159

   

 

 

27,029

   

 

 

25,102

   

 

 

20,682

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

$

 

3,017,120

   

 

$

 

2,268,672

   

 

$

 

2,026,752

   

 

$

 

2,997,274

   

 

$

 

2,350,757

   

 

$

 

2,104,050

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

 

 

 

Other specialty lines within the Insurance segment includes: environmental, programs, equine, warranty, and excess and surplus lines.

 

(2)

 

 

 

Other includes employers’ liability, surety, political risk and other lines.

Reinsurance

In the Reinsurance segment, the first six months of 2008 reflected a decline in premium rates across most major lines of business, as market conditions continued to soften and the reinsurance

44


industry continued to experience pricing erosion, increased competitive pressures and increased retentions by cedants. Renewals and new business in 2008 continued to be assessed against internal hurdle rates with a continued focus on underwriting discipline. U.S. catastrophe exposed property lines experienced rate declines of approximately 10% to 15%, while rates for non-U.S. catastrophe exposed property lines of business dropped by up to 10%. Other property lines of business saw rates decrease by 10% to 15%. Ocean marine pricing rates remained flat to down 5%, while rates within the aviation market decreased by up to 10%. Casualty pricing trends in the reinsurance market experienced deterioration in rates of up to 15%, however, rate changes on business actually bound in this line of business decreased between 10 to 15%.

Up to June 30, 2008, the negative impact on gross premiums written as a result of rating agency actions was limited. Since that date, some ceding companies have taken actions placing limitations on the amount of new and/or renewal business that they will cede to the Company. The overall impact of these actions has, to date, been limited. The Company anticipates that many of these companies will remove these limitations after the Master Agreement closes and the Company’s financial strength ratings are clarified.

The following table provides an analysis of gross premiums written, net premiums written and net premiums earned for the Reinsurance segment for the six month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008

 

(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007

 

 

Gross
Premiums
Written

 

Net
Premiums
Written

 

Net
Premiums
Earned

 

Gross
Premiums
Written

 

Net
Premiums
Written

 

Net
Premiums
Earned

Casualty — professional lines

 

 

$

 

138,193

   

 

$

 

138,090

   

 

$

 

130,436

   

 

$

 

157,875

   

 

$

 

161,585

   

 

$

 

133,786

 

Casualty — other lines

 

 

 

250,444

   

 

 

244,610

   

 

 

222,645

   

 

 

396,130

   

 

 

377,917

   

 

 

318,428

 

Property catastrophe

 

 

 

331,278

   

 

 

231,106

   

 

 

171,510

   

 

 

405,776

   

 

 

231,794

   

 

 

132,360

 

Other property

 

 

 

455,300

   

 

 

349,595

   

 

 

342,374

   

 

 

572,739

   

 

 

453,749

   

 

 

348,031

 

Marine, energy, aviation, and satellite

 

 

 

89,321

   

 

 

83,266

   

 

 

60,702

   

 

 

107,037

   

 

 

93,403

   

 

 

67,125

 

Other (1)

 

 

 

204,109

   

 

 

179,321

   

 

 

104,915

   

 

 

243,547

   

 

 

215,235

   

 

 

124,297

 

Structured Indemnity

 

 

 

1,360

   

 

 

1,360

   

 

 

2,233

   

 

 

18,100

   

 

 

18,100

   

 

 

20,743

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

$

 

1,470,005

   

 

$

 

1,227,348

   

 

$

 

1,034,815

   

 

$

 

1,901,204

   

 

$

 

1,551,783

   

 

$

 

1,144,770

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

(1)

 

 

 

Other includes employers’ liability, surety, political risk and other lines.

4) Favorable prior year reserve development

During the first six months of 2008, the Company had net favorable prior year reserve development in property and casualty operations of $249.5 million compared to net favorable prior year reserve development of $188.8 million for the same period in 2007. Reinsurance favorable development accounted for $132.5 million of the release in 2008, while favorable development within the Insurance segment totaled $117.0 million for the same period. The Reinsurance segment released reserves in property and other short-tail lines of business of $71.6 million, $59.5 million in casualty and other lines and $1.4 million in structural indemnity lines. The Insurance segment reserve releases consisted of favorable development $64.4 million in property lines of business, $62.0 million in casualty and professional lines, and was offset by net adverse development of $9.4 million in specialty and other lines. For further details see the segment results in the Statement of Income Analysis below.

Financial Measures

The following are some of the financial measures management considers important in evaluating the Company’s operating performance:

45


 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars and shares in thousands, except ratios and per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

2008

 

2007

Underwriting profit — property and casualty operations

 

 

$

 

128,216

   

 

$

 

232,011

 

Combined ratio — property and casualty operations.

 

 

 

92.3

%

 

 

 

 

86.3

%

 

Net investment income — property and casualty operations (1)

 

 

$

 

298,128

   

 

$

 

322,997

 

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars and shares in thousands, except ratios and per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

2008

 

2007

Underwriting profit — property and casualty operations

 

 

$

 

236,287

   

 

$

 

392,441

 

Combined ratio — property and casualty operations.

 

 

 

92.9

%

 

 

 

 

88.2

%

 

Net investment income — property and casualty operations (1)

 

 

$

 

606,169

   

 

$

 

637,178

 

Annualized return on average ordinary shareholders equity.

 

 

 

10.8

%

 

 

 

 

22.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)
June 30,
2008

 

December 31,
2007

Book value per ordinary share

 

 

$

 

43.39

   

 

$

 

50.30

 

Fully diluted book value per ordinary share (2)

 

 

$

 

43.39

   

 

$

 

50.29

 


 

 

(1)

 

 

 

Net investment income relating to property and casualty operations does not include the net investment income related to the net results from structured products.

 

(2)

 

 

 

Fully diluted book value per ordinary share represents book value per ordinary share combined with the impact from dilution of share based compensation including in-the-money stock options at any period end. The Company believes that fully diluted book value per ordinary share is a financial measure important to investors and other interested parties who benefit from having a consistent basis for comparison with other companies within the industry. However, this measure may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by companies either outside or inside of the insurance industry.

Underwriting profit — property and casualty operations

One way that the Company evaluates the performance of its insurance and reinsurance operations is the underwriting profit or loss. The Company does not measure performance based on the amount of gross premiums written. Underwriting profit or loss is calculated from premiums earned and fee income, less net losses incurred and expenses related to underwriting activities, plus unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses on underwriting balances. Underwriting profit in the six month period ended June 30, 2008 is primarily reflective of the combined ratio discussed below.

Combined ratio — property and casualty operations

The combined ratio for property and casualty operations is used by the Company and many other insurance and reinsurance companies as another measure of underwriting profitability. The combined ratio is calculated from the net losses incurred and underwriting expenses as a ratio of the net premiums earned for the Company’s insurance and reinsurance operations. A combined ratio of less than 100% indicates an underwriting profit and greater than 100% reflects an underwriting loss. The Company’s combined ratio for the six months ended June 30, 2008, is higher than the same period in the previous year, primarily as a result of an increase in the loss and loss expense ratio as well as the underwriting expense ratio. The higher loss and loss expense ratio resulted from unusually high current year attritional and catastrophe losses, primarily in property lines, combined with lower net premium earned in the first six months of 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007 as a result of the continuing competitive underwriting environment and softening market conditions noted above. Partially offsetting the increase in incurred losses was higher favorable prior year reserve development in both the Insurance and Reinsurance segments. While both acquisition and operating expenses have decreased during the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007, as a result of the lower level of net premiums earned during the same periods, the underwriting expense ratio has increased.

46


Net investment income — property and casualty operations

Net investment income related to property and casualty operations is an important measure that affects the Company’s overall profitability. The largest liability of the Company relates to its unpaid loss reserves, and the Company’s investment portfolio provides liquidity for claims settlements of these reserves as they become due, and thus a significant part of the portfolio is in fixed income securities. Net investment income is influenced by a number of factors, including the average size of the investment portfolio, amounts and timing of inward and outward cash flows, the level of interest rates and credit spreads and changes in overall asset allocation. Net investment income related to property and casualty operations, excluding structured products, decreased by $31.0 million during the first six months of 2008 as compared to same period in the prior year. Overall, portfolio yields have decreased as yields earned on investment of cash flows and reinvestment of maturing or sold securities are generally lower than on securities previously held, as prevailing market interest rates, particularly in the U.S., have decreased overall during the last twelve months. As well, the portfolio mix has changed as a result of the settlement of the GIC liabilities, as the property and casualty operations assumed a number of the floating rate securities previously held in the Company’s Other Financial Lines segment.

Book value per ordinary share

Management also views the change in the Company’s book value per ordinary share as an additional measure of the Company’s performance. Book value per share is calculated by dividing ordinary shareholders’ equity by the number of outstanding ordinary shares at any period end. Book value per ordinary share is affected primarily by the Company’s net income (loss), by any changes in the net unrealized gains and losses on its investment portfolio, currency translation adjustments and also the impact of any share repurchase or issuance activity. Book value per ordinary share decreased by $6.91 in the first six months of 2008 as compared to an increase of $1.89 in the first six months of 2007. The decrease was primarily as a result of an increase in net unrealized losses on investments of approximately $1.8 billion, net of tax, during the six months ended June 30, 2008. The increase in net unrealized losses on investments of $1.8 billion during the first six months of 2008 was as a result of widening credit spreads on corporate and structured credit assets, increasing government interest rates and the negative impact of the weakening U.S. dollar during this period. Partially offsetting the decrease in book value per ordinary share was positive currency translation gains of $237.4 million in the first six months of 2008 which increased book value.

Following the subsequent events noted above related to the Master Agreement and the Company’s capital raise, book value per ordinary share will be significantly reduced in the third quarter of 2008. For further information, see Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Subsequent Events.”

Annualized return on average ordinary shareholders’ equity

Annualized return on average ordinary shareholder’s equity (“ROE”) is another financial measure that management considers important in evaluating the Company’s operating performance. ROE is calculated by dividing the net income for any period by the average of the opening and closing ordinary shareholders’ equity. The Company establishes minimum target ROEs for its total operations, segments and lines of business. If the Company’s minimum ROE targets over the longer term are not met with respect to any line of business, the Company seeks to modify and/or exit these lines. In addition, the Company’s compensation of its senior officers is significantly dependent on the achievement of the Company’s performance goals to enhance shareholder value as measured by ROE (adjusted for certain items considered to be ‘non-operating’ in nature). In the first six months of 2008, ROE was 10.8%, 11.5 percentage points lower than the same period in the prior year primarily as a result of net losses from the Company’s operating and investment fund affiliates, net realized losses on investments combined with the factors noted above which increased the Company’s combined ratio and decreased net investment income. Partially offsetting these factors which decreased ROE was a lower level of shareholders equity as a result of the increase in unrealized losses on investments. In the first six months of 2007, ROE was 22.3% due to solid

47


underwriting results throughout its property and casualty operations combined with strong investment fund affiliate income.

Other Key Focuses of Management

See the discussion of the Other Key Focuses of Management in Item 7 of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. That discussion is updated with the disclosures set forth below.

Ratings and Capital Management

The Company’s ability to underwrite business is largely dependent upon the quality of its claims paying and financial strength ratings as evaluated by independent rating agencies. As a result, in the event that the Company’s financial strength rating is downgraded, its ability to write business may be adversely affected.

In June 2008, Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. (“Moody’s”) affirmed the ‘A1’ financial strength rating of the Company’s principal insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries; however, Moody’s provided a ‘Negative’ outlook with regards to these ratings as a result of further stress on the Company’s capital and financial flexibility resulting from the downgrades at SCA in the first six months of 2008 and uncertainty surrounding reinsurance and guarantee agreements with SCA.

Consistent with the ratings actions noted above, Standard and Poor’s (“S&P”), in July 2008, placed the ‘A+’ financial strength rating of the Company’s leading property and casualty operating companies on ‘CreditWatch with Negative Implications’. As well, in July 2008, Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”) placed the ‘A+’ financial strength rating of the Company’s leading property and casualty operating subsidiaries ‘On Watch for Possible Downgrade’.

In order to fund the SCA agreement described above, the Company, in July 2008, announced its intention to raise approximately $2.5 billion of additional capital through an issuance of both ordinary shares and equity security units (the “ESUs”). The ESUs consist of: (i) forward purchase contracts to purchase, and the Company to issue, its ordinary shares and (ii) debt securities.

In addition to the payments to SCA, the Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offerings for general corporate purposes, including, without limitation, the redemption of X.L. America, Inc.’s $255 million 6.58% Guaranteed Senior Notes due April 2011 and capital funding of certain of the Company’s subsidiaries.

Concurrent with the closing of the agreement with SCA, the Company i) announced its intention to exercise the put option under its Mangrove Bay contingent capital facility entered into in July 2003 resulting in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $500.0 million in exchange for the issuance by the Company of 20,000,000 Series C Preference Ordinary Shares.

Prior to signing the SCA agreement, the Company obtained waivers under certain of its letters of credit and revolving credit facilities.

The Company also announced, in July 2008, that the Board of Directors approved a reduction in the quarterly dividend payable on the Company’s Class A Ordinary Shares to $0.19 per ordinary share beginning with the quarterly dividend payable September 2008.

For further details relating to the Company’s announcement regarding the agreement with SCA as well as the capital raising activities noted above, see Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Subsequent Events”, for further information.

Other ratings and capital management initiatives include reinsurance treaties entered into to support catastrophe risk reduction measures. Following from the success of the Company’s quota share reinsurance treaty with Cyrus Reinsurance Ltd. (“Cyrus Re”) which reduced the Company’s catastrophe exposures, the Company, effective January 1, 2008, entered into a quota share reinsurance treaty with a newly-formed Bermuda reinsurance company, Cyrus Reinsurance II Limited (“Cyrus Re II”). Pursuant to the terms of the quota share reinsurance treaty, Cyrus Re II assumes a 10% cession of certain lines of property catastrophe reinsurance and retrocession business

48


underwritten by certain operating subsidiaries of the Company for the 2008 underwriting year. In connection with such cessions, the Company pays Cyrus Re II reinsurance premium less a ceding commission, which includes a reimbursement of direct acquisition expenses incurred by the Company as well as a commission to the Company for generating the business. The quota share reinsurance treaty also provides for a profit commission payable to the Company.

Further catastrophe exposure management initiatives included the purchase by the Company, in the second quarter of 2008, of $100 million of additional catastrophe loss protections including $75 million of industry loss warranty covers in three equal layers which pay out when industry losses for U.S. windstorms occurring during the remainder of 2008 reach $20.0 billion, $25.0 billion and $30.0 billion, respectively.

In addition, in relation to catastrophe risk management, the Company considers the loss of capital due to a single large event and the loss of capital that would occur from multiple (but potentially smaller) events in any given year. The Company imposes a limit to catastrophe risk from any single loss in a given region/peril at a 1% exceedance probability. Tier 1 limits, which include natural catastrophes and other realistic disaster scenarios, are not to exceed 10% of shareholders equity, where Tier 2 limits, which include pandemic, longevity and country risk, are established at no more than half of Tier 1 limits.

Expense Reduction Initiative

Given the softening market conditions, the Company implemented in the third quarter of 2008, an expense reduction initiative designed to reduce the Company’s operating expenses. The goal of this initiative is to achieve enhanced efficiency and an overall reduction in operating expenses by streamlining processes across all geographic locations, with a primary emphasis on corporate functions. This will be achieved through job eliminations, increased outsourcing and the cessation of certain projects and activities. In relation to this initiative, the Company expects to incur restructuring charges totaling approximately $50 to $60 million during the remainder of 2008. Restructuring charges relate mainly to employee termination benefits as well as ceasing to use certain leased property.

Operational Transformation Program

The Company is committed to achieving competitive differentiation through the strategic alignment of initiatives that will deliver flexible and robust technology platforms to the Company and its customers. The focal point of this strategy is the development and enhancement of a reliable infrastructure through initiatives that will improve operational efficiency, standardize processes and optimize costs. As such, in 2008, the Insurance segment began a multiple year operational transformation program that when completed, will have consolidated numerous business processes and technology systems into a unified global architecture and ultimately result in enhanced product differentiation and business process standardization aligned with the segment’s growth strategy. In connection with this program the Company has entered into a services agreement with Accenture LLP, filed herewith as exhibit 10.1.

Strategic Opportunities Related to the Company’s Life Reinsurance Business

As part of the Company’s efforts to refocus on its core property and casualty roots, the Company is exploring strategic opportunities related to its Life Reinsurance business.

Evaluation of the Impact of Recent Credit Market Volatility on Core Underwriting Operations

In addition to the evaluation of the impact of the distressed credit and sub prime markets on the Company’s investment portfolio and financial guarantee exposures, as discussed above, management has also completed detailed assessments of the exposure to these credit related issues in the core property and casualty insurance and reinsurance business, in particular the Insurance segment professional lines portfolio exposures through D&O and E&O policies. Actual policy notices as well as potential further notice activity that could arise from insureds that have been linked to sub-prime related matters are monitored on a monthly basis. Such notice activity is considered in establishing loss and loss expense reserves at each quarter end. In the insurance

49


segment, the Company received 19 new claims during the three months ended June 30, 2008, 12 notices in April, 5 in May and 2 in June. For 2007, 56% of gross limits are side-A and for 2008, 60% are side-A.

During the reserve review process in the first quarter of 2008, the loss ratio for the 2008 report year designed to provide a provision for clash-type events such as sub-prime was increased by approximately 5 points over the 2007 clash loss ratio. This increase applied to standard professional lines including D&O, E&O and Fiduciary exposures where the sub-prime related notice activity has been concentrated. Notice activity during the second quarter of 2008 was in line with expectations and no further adjustment was made to the loss ratio established in the first quarter.

Minor adjustments were made to the current year loss ratios and prior year reserves in the Reinsurance Segment professional lines portfolio during the first half of 2008 reflecting updated claim activity. Such adjustments had less than a one point impact on the year-to-date loss ratio for the segment and the reserve strengthening in more recent underwriting years was more than offset by favorable development on older underwriting years within professional lines. Global credit events have also had an impact on the trade credit portfolio written in the European Reinsurance operations and this is reflected in the second quarter 2008 loss ratio.

Management Changes and Performance Motivation

In late October 2007, the Company announced that Mr. Brian M. O’Hara, President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Company, had informed the Company’s Board of Directors of his decision to retire as President and CEO in mid-2008. Accordingly, the Board of Directors implemented a CEO succession plan including the authorization of a Succession Committee to lead the new CEO selection process. On March 17, 2008, the Company announced that Mr. Michael S. McGavick will replace Mr. O’Hara as the Company’s CEO and effective May 1, 2008, Mr. McGavick assumed the role of CEO. To provide continuity during the transition, Mr. O’Hara, who is currently serving as Acting Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors, will serve as Chairman during the final year of his current term on the Board which expires in April 2009.

On July 28, 2008 the Company announced executive management changes as detailed below.

Henry C.V. Keeling, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, will retire from the Company effective August 1, 2008. As a result of Henry’s decision to retire, the role of the Chief Operating Officer will be eliminated.

Michael C. Lobdell will leave his current position of Executive Vice President and Chief Executive of Global Business Services, effective August 31, 2008. The Company now intends to realign the majority of Global Business Services within the business operations and the current executive structure will no longer be required.

Fiona Luck, Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff, will become Special Advisor to the CEO, based in Bermuda and London and with a reduced time commitment. She will step down from her current role and the senior leadership group on August 1, 2008, at which time the role of Chief of Staff will be eliminated.

Susan Cross, Global Chief Actuary, will join the senior leadership group with immediate effect.

In addition, consistent with the Company’s commitment to enhancing enterprise risk management, efforts continue to identify and appoint a new Chief Enterprise Risk Officer.

The Company is also focused on the retention and motivation of management, and as such announced a limited number of targeted option awards. Options awarded to the most senior executives will have a performance vesting feature. On July 25, 2008, the Company’s board of directors approved the issuance of grants to employees of options to purchase, in the aggregate, 2,831,000 ordinary shares under our Amended and Restated 1991 Performance Incentive Program. The date of grant of the stock options will be the date that is ten days following the date of pricing of the offering noted above. The exercise price per share of the options will be the closing sales price per share of our ordinary shares on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of grant.

50


Establishment of Reinsurance Operations in Brazil

In response to the liberalization of the Brazilian reinsurance market in mid-April 2008, the Company’s Reinsurance Segment launched a new initiative to serve Brazil through the establishment of both a locally domiciled and admitted foreign reinsurer. Upon receipt of the required regulatory approvals, together these two platforms should provide, the Company with access to the entire Brazilian reinsurance market.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

See the discussion of the Company’s Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates in Item 7 of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Variable Interest Entities and Other Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

See the discussion of the Company’s variable interest entities and other off-balance sheet arrangements in Item 7 of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Statement of Income Analysis

Segment Results for the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007

The Company is organized into four operating segments: Insurance, Reinsurance, Life Operations and Financial Lines—in addition to a corporate segment that includes the general investment and financing operations of the Company.

The Company evaluates the performance for both the Insurance and Reinsurance segments based on underwriting profit and evaluates the contribution from each of the Life Operations and Other Financial Lines segments. Other items of revenue and expenditure of the Company are not evaluated at the segment level for reporting purposes. In addition, the Company does not allocate investment assets by segment for its property and casualty operations. Investment assets related to (i) the Company’s Life Operations and Other Financial Lines segments and (ii) 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 each of these segments.

Insurance

General insurance business written includes risk management and specialty lines. Risk management products are comprised of global property and casualty insurance programs for large multinational companies, including umbrella liability, integrated risk and primary master property and liability coverages. Specialty lines products include directors’ and officers’ liability, environmental liability, professional liability, aviation and satellite, employment practices liability, marine, equine and certain other insurance coverages including program business. In addition, certain structured indemnity products structured by XLFS are included within the results of the Insurance segment covering a range of insurance risks including property and casualty insurance, certain types of residual value exposures and other market risk management products.

A large part of the Company’s casualty insurance business written has loss experience that is low frequency and high severity. As a result, large losses, though infrequent, can have a significant impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. The Company attempts to mitigate this risk by using strict underwriting guidelines and various reinsurance arrangements.

51


The following table summarizes the underwriting results for this segment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

% Change

 

 

2008

 

2007

Gross premiums written

 

 

$

 

1,388,771

   

 

$

 

1,417,868

   

 

 

(2.1

)%

 

Net premiums written

 

 

 

1,084,820

   

 

 

1,105,242

   

 

 

(1.8

)%

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

 

1,018,350

   

 

 

1,052,700

   

 

 

(3.3

)%

 

Fee income and other

 

 

 

12,189

   

 

 

4,193

   

 

 

190.7

%

 

Net losses and loss expenses

 

 

 

653,822

   

 

 

659,421

   

 

 

(0.8

)%

 

Acquisition costs

 

 

 

113,877

   

 

 

129,931

   

 

 

(12.4

)%

 

Operating expenses.

 

 

 

189,082

   

 

 

165,303

   

 

 

14.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting profit

 

 

$

 

73,758

   

 

$

 

102,238

   

 

 

(27.9

)%

 

Exchange losses

 

 

$

 

6,094

   

 

$

 

7,817

   

 

 

(22.0

)%

 

Net results — structured products

 

 

$

 

12,366

   

 

$

 

(735

)

 

 

 

 

NM*

 


 

 

*

 

 

 

NM — Not meaningful

Gross and net premiums written decreased by 2.1% and 1.8%, respectively, during the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared with the three months ended June 30, 2007. Gross premiums written decreased as a result of continued decreases in premium rates across most lines of business as market conditions continued to soften, selective non-renewals and decreases in new business within certain specialty lines including professional, environmental, and aerospace lines of business. To date the Company has seen limited lost renewals from recent rating agency actions, largely limited to U.S. professional lines as noted above. Partially offsetting these decreases was growth in certain lines of business where the Company has expanded its operations recently and by favorable foreign exchange rate movements of $43.1 million. Net premiums written decreased as a result of the factors noted above affecting gross premiums written.

Net premiums earned decreased by 3.3% in the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared with the three months ended June 30, 2007. The decrease resulted primarily from the earn-out of overall lower net premiums written in the past twelve months including decreases in professional, aerospace, programs and marine lines of business and partially offset by growth in excess and surplus lines as well as certain property lines of business.

Fee income increased in the second quarter of 2008 as compared to the second quarter of 2007 mainly as a result of higher engineering fee revenue associated with XL GAPS, which formed in late 2007 following the acquisition of GAPS, a loss prevention consulting service provider.

The following table presents the ratios for this segment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

2008

 

2007

Loss and loss expense ratio

 

 

 

64.2

%

 

 

 

 

62.6

%

 

Underwriting expense ratio

 

 

 

29.8

%

 

 

 

 

28.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined ratio

 

 

 

94.0

%

 

 

 

 

90.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

The loss and loss expense ratio includes net losses incurred for both the current year and any favorable or adverse prior year development of loss and loss expense reserves held at the beginning

52


of the year. The following table summarizes the net (favorable) adverse prior year development relating to the Insurance segment for the three month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in millions)

 

(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

2008

 

2007

Property

 

 

$

 

(53.3

)

 

 

 

$

 

(31.0

)

 

Casualty and professional

 

 

 

(58.0

)

 

 

 

 

(5.3

)

 

Specialty and other

 

 

 

11.6

   

 

 

(7.4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

$

 

(99.7

)

 

 

 

$

 

(43.7

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss expense ratio excluding prior year development

 

 

 

74.0

%

 

 

 

 

66.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

In property lines, net prior year reserve releases for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 resulted from favorable loss experience on certain large loss case reserves while favorable prior year development in casualty lines reflected releases in 2004 to 2006 years. Partially offsetting this favorable development was prior year reserve strengthening in certain specialty lines including marine and environmental, most notably in the 2007 year. Within professional lines, gross reserve releases were offset by reductions in ceded reserves for a net strengthening of $4.8 million. For the three months ended June 30, 2007, net prior period reserve releases in property lines resulted from favorable loss experience of the Company’s actual versus expected analysis in the quarter. Net releases in specialty and other lines in the same period represented positive development related to marine exposures, partially offset by adverse development in surety.

Excluding prior year development, the loss ratio for the three months ended June 30, 2008 increased by 7.2 loss percentage points as compared to the same period in 2007 with 4.0 loss ratio points attributed to an increase in catastrophe losses in 2008 relative to 2007 (i.e., 5.9 loss ratio points in the current quarter versus 1.9 loss ratio points in the second quarter of 2007). The remainder of the increase in loss ratio was attributable to the softening rate environment impacting most lines of business and an increase in loss activity anticipated for professional lines related to sub-prime and related credit events.

Gross prior year favorable development for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 of $404.3 million exceeded the corresponding net favorable development of $99.7 million in the same period as the impact of reductions in gross reported losses on older years in certain casualty lines was mostly offset by the impact of the reinsurance recoverable component on such losses. In addition, the impact of gross reserve releases in professional and specialty lines was mostly offset by the impact of a reduction in estimated ceded IBNR following a reserve review in these lines.

The increase in the underwriting expense ratio in the three months ended June 30, 2008, compared to the same period in 2007 was due to an increase in the operating expense ratio of 2.9 points (18.6% as compared to 15.7%) and partially offset by a decrease in the acquisition expense ratio of 1.1 points (11.2% as compared to 12.3%). The increase in the operating expense ratio was mainly as a result of a higher headcount which increased compensation costs as well an increase in professional fees, against lower net premiums earned. The increase in headcount and professional fees both supported new segment initiatives, including an operational transformation program as well as the formation of XL GAPS in late 2007. The acquisition expense ratio decreased mainly due to changes in the mix of business in certain property and casualty lines which carried lower commission rates, as well the impact from the runoff of the Company’s property catastrophe program business which carried higher commission rates.

Foreign exchange losses in the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 were due primarily to the change in the value of the U.S. dollar against certain European currencies including the U.K. Sterling, the Euro and the Swiss Franc on certain inter-company balances.

Net results from structured insurance products include certain structured indemnity contracts that are accounted for as deposit contracts. Results from these contracts for the three months ended June 30, 2008, have increased compared to the same period in 2007 due to a negotiated cancellation

53


of a contract in the second quarter of 2008 that resulted in a gain of $10.9 million combined with an accretion adjustment recorded in 2007 based on changes in expected cash flows.

Reinsurance

The Reinsurance segment is comprised of approximately 410 staff in 21 locations. Reinsurance business written includes casualty, property, marine, aviation and other specialty reinsurance on a global basis. In addition, the results of certain transactions structured by XLFS that are generally written on an aggregate stop loss or excess of loss basis are included within the results of the Reinsurance segment.

The Company’s reinsurance property business generally has loss experience characterized as low frequency and high severity, which can have a negative impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. The Company endeavors to manage its exposures to catastrophic events by limiting the amount of its exposure in each geographic or peril zone worldwide and requiring that its property catastrophe contracts provide for aggregate limits and varying attachment points.

The following table summarizes the underwriting results for this segment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

% Change

 

 

2008

 

2007

Gross premiums written

 

 

$

 

397,460

   

 

$

 

526,318

   

 

 

(24.5

)%

 

Net premiums written

 

 

 

274,647

   

 

 

399,291

   

 

 

(31.2

)%

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

 

490,437

   

 

 

598,449

   

 

 

(18.0

)%

 

Fee income and other

 

 

 

471

   

 

 

318

   

 

 

48.1

%

 

Net losses and loss expenses.

 

 

 

284,763

   

 

 

280,299

   

 

 

1.6

%

 

Acquisition costs

 

 

 

106,528

   

 

 

141,693

   

 

 

(24.8

)%

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

45,159

   

 

 

47,002

   

 

 

(3.9

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting profit

 

 

$

 

54,458

   

 

$

 

129,773

   

 

 

(58.0

)%

 

Exchange losses

 

 

$

 

3,738

   

 

$

 

16,429

   

 

 

(77.2

)%

 

Net results — structured products

 

 

$

 

2,579

   

 

$

 

5,587

   

 

 

(53.8

)%

 

Gross and net premiums written decreased by 24.5% and 31.2%, respectively, in the second quarter of 2008 as compared to the second quarter in 2007. These decreases resulted from softening market conditions and the Company declining business due to the continuing trend of certain market rates below the Company’s acceptable underwriting return levels, together with increased client retentions. For the three months ended June 30, 2008, premium rate decreases were most significant in non-U.S. property lines of business as well as U.S. casualty lines. Net premiums written reflect the above changes in gross premiums written combined with a reduction in ceded premiums in the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007. Ceded premiums written decreased as a result of a reduction in property catastrophe cessions to Cyrus Re II of 10% in 2008 as compared to a 35% cession to Cyrus Re throughout 2007, offset by ceded premiums totaling $23.3 million associated with the purchase of additional catastrophe loss protection including industry loss warranty covers in the second quarter of 2008.

Net premiums earned in the second quarter of 2008 decreased 18.0% as compared to the second quarter of 2007. This decrease was a reflection of the overall reduction of net premiums written over the last 24 months.

54


The following table presents the ratios for this segment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

2008

 

2007

Loss and loss expense ratio

 

 

 

58.1

%

 

 

 

 

46.8

%

 

Underwriting expense ratio

 

 

 

30.9

%

 

 

 

 

31.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined ratio

 

 

 

89.0

%

 

 

 

 

78.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

The loss and loss expense ratio includes net losses incurred for both the current year and any favorable or adverse prior year development of loss reserves held at the beginning of the year. The following table summarizes the net (favorable) adverse prior year development relating to the Reinsurance segment for the three month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in millions)

 

(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

2008

 

2007

Property and other short-tail lines

 

 

$

 

(55.0

)

 

 

 

$

 

(48.5

)

 

Casualty and other

 

 

 

(27.9

)

 

 

 

 

(31.9

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

$

 

(82.9

)

 

 

 

$

 

(80.4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss expense ratio excluding prior year development

 

 

 

75.0

%

 

 

 

 

60.3

%

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2008, property and other short-tail lines reserve releases were seen largely in property catastrophe and property risk lines of business in the 2004 to 2007 years while casualty and other lines reserve releases were seen in both professional and casualty lines of business. Excluding prior year development, the loss ratio for the three months ended June 30, 2008 increased by 14.7 loss percentage points as compared to the same period in 2007 with 6.1 loss ratio points attributed to the impact of catastrophe losses occurring during 2008 (7.8 points) compared to the second quarter of 2007 (1.7 points) In addition, the second quarter 2008 includes losses of $14.6 million (3.0 loss ratio points) related to three structured products transactions impacted by property risk and catastrophe events. The remaining difference of 5.6 loss ratio points was due to the softening rate environment and higher anticipated loss activity in the professional and trade credit portfolios. For the three months ended June 30, 2007, property and other short-tail lines reserve releases were seen largely in property risk portfolios due to favorable attritional loss development while casualty releases related both to U.S. and non-U.S. source exposures.

The decrease in the underwriting expense ratio in the three months ended June 30, 2008, as compared with the three months ended June 30, 2007, was due to a decrease in the acquisition expense ratio of 2.0 points (21.7% compared to 23.7%) and partially offset by an increase in the operating expense ratio of 1.3 points (9.2% compared to 7.9%). The decrease in the acquisition expense ratio was primarily due to a favorable variance in profit commissions in the second quarter of 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007. In addition, while operating expenses were lower in the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007, the lower level of net premiums earned during the same periods has caused an increase in the operating expense ratio.

Foreign exchange losses in the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 were due primarily to the change in the value of the U.S. dollar against certain European currencies including the U.K. Sterling, the Euro and the Swiss Franc on certain inter-company balances.

Net results from structured reinsurance products include certain structured indemnity contracts that are accounted for as deposit contracts. Results from these products for the three months ended June 30, 2008, have decreased compared to the same period in 2007 mainly due to lower net investment income as a result of lower yields earned on invested assets in the second quarter of 2008 as compared to the second quarter of 2007.

55


Life Operations

Business written by the Life Operations segment is primarily European life reinsurance. This includes term assurances, group life, critical illness cover, immediate annuities, disability income cover, and short-term accident and health business. Due to the nature of these contracts, premium volume may vary significantly from period to period.

The following summarizes contribution from this segment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

% Change

 

 

2008

 

2007

Gross premiums written

 

 

$

 

161,251

   

 

$

 

234,961

   

 

 

(31.4

)%

 

Net premiums written

 

 

 

150,933

   

 

 

224,487

   

 

 

(32.8

)%

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

 

172,935

   

 

 

239,853

   

 

 

(27.9

)%

 

Fee income and other

 

 

 

136

   

 

 

75

   

 

 

81.3

%

 

Claims and policy benefits

 

 

 

209,725

   

 

 

279,100

   

 

 

(24.9

)%

 

Acquisition costs

 

 

 

25,832

   

 

 

23,615

   

 

 

9.4

%

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

9,299

   

 

 

10,182

   

 

 

(8.7

)%

 

Exchange (gains)

 

 

 

(1,896

)

 

 

 

 

(1,685

)

 

 

 

 

12.5

%

 

Net investment income

 

 

 

98,058

   

 

 

95,949

   

 

 

2.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contribution from Life Operations

 

 

$

 

28,169

   

 

$

 

24,665

   

 

 

14.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following table is an analysis of the Life Operations gross premiums written, net premiums written and net premiums earned for the three month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in millions)

 

(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
June 30, 2008

 

(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
June 30, 2007

 

 

Gross
Premiums
Written

 

Net
Premiums
Written

 

Net
Premiums
Earned

 

Gross
Premiums
Written

 

Net
Premiums
Written

 

Net
Premiums
Earned

Other Life

 

 

$

 

108,743

   

 

$

 

107,942

   

 

$

 

129,944

   

 

$

 

87,562

   

 

$

 

86,382

   

 

$

 

101,748

 

Annuity

 

 

 

52,508

   

 

 

42,991

   

 

 

42,991

   

 

 

147,399

   

 

 

138,105

   

 

 

138,105

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

$

 

161,251

   

 

$

 

150,933

   

 

$

 

172,935

   

 

$

 

234,961

   

 

$

 

224,487

   

 

$

 

239,853

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross premiums written relating to other life business increased by $21.2 million in the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007 mainly due to premium growth in the core underlying book of term assurance and critical illness business of $16.2 million, favorable foreign exchange rate movements of $0.6 million and an increase in U.S. business of $7.7 million. Partially offsetting these increases was a decrease of $3.3 million in short-term life, accident and health business primarily as a result of soft market conditions and cancellations experienced in the second quarter of 2008 exceeding new business written during the period. Gross premiums written relating to annuity business decreased by $94.9 million in the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to the same period in the prior year primarily as a result of a single Irish immediate annuity contract totaling $94.6 million written during the second quarter of 2007 combined with unfavorable foreign exchange rate movements of $0.3 million. Ceded premiums written were roughly consistent with the prior year.

Net premiums earned in the second quarter of 2008 decreased 27.9% as compared to the second quarter of 2007. This decrease was consistent with the decrease in gross and net premiums written as described above.

Changes in claims and policy benefits include the movement in policy benefit reserves related to other contracts (such as immediate annuities) where investment assets were acquired with the assumption of the policy benefit reserves at the inception of the contract. Claims and policy benefit reserves decreased by $69.4 million or 24.9% in the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007, primarily as a result of the factors noted above affecting

56


gross and net premiums written, partially offset by an increase in incurred losses of $7.9 million associated with certain short-term life, accident and health business.

For the three months ended June 30, 2008, acquisition costs increased by 9.4% largely as a result of costs associated with the growth in the core underlying book of term assurance and critical illness business combined with unfavorable foreign exchange rate movements. Partially offsetting these increases was a favorable profit commission adjustment recorded in the second quarter of 2008 relating to a short-term life, accident and health treaty. Operating expenses decreased in the second quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 primarily due to a decrease in both compensation expenses and corporate allocations, partially offset by unfavorable foreign exchange rate movements. Compensation expenses decreased as a result of severance costs recorded in the second quarter of 2007 relating to the discontinuance of the Life Fund Integration strategy and were partially offset by increased compensation costs associated with a higher headcount in 2008, consistent with growth in certain business lines noted above.

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. Net investment income increased by $2.1 million or 2.2% in the three months ended June 30, 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007 primarily as a result of the impact relating to favorable foreign exchange rate movements.

Other Financial Lines

The Other Financial Lines segment is comprised of the funding agreement business and previously, the guaranteed investment contract (“GIC”) business. As at December 31, 2007, the Company had approximately $4.0 billion of deposit liabilities associated with GICs which were correspondingly matched with invested assets. Based on the terms and conditions of the underlying GICs, upon the downgrade of XLCA below certain ratings levels, all or portions of outstanding principal balances on such GICs would come due. Throughout 2008, several rating agencies downgraded SCA and its subsidiaries and as a result, the Company settled, in the first six months of 2008 all of the GIC liabilities. At June 30, 2008, the balance of deposit liabilities associated with funding agreements was $1.1 billion. The Company expects the balance of deposit liabilities associated with funding agreements to continue to decrease throughout 2008 as the funding agreement contracts mature and the associated deposit liabilities are settled. Management does not expect any significant impact on the Company’s results of operations or liquidity as a result of the maturity of these contracts.

At December 31, 2007, a significant component of the investments held in the Company’s Other Financial Lines segment portfolios was comprised of Topical Assets. Liquidations necessary to fund the repayment of the GIC liabilities following the downgrade of XLCA, were funded through sales of assets in these portfolios as well as the general investment portfolios. Management’s approach was to avoid the sale of assets where current market prices did not reflect intrinsic values or where transaction costs for liquidation were excessive. As a result, the Company continues to hold a number of the Topical Assets and these were transferred to the general portfolio in exchange for those assets that were liquidated.

For the three month period ended June 30, 2008, the net results from Other Financial Lines businesses were $6.2 million and included net investment income, interest expense and operating expenses of $19.1 million, $11.7 million, and $1.2 million, respectively, while the results for the same period in 2007 were $6.8 million and included net investment income, interest expense and operating expenses of $94.9 million, $84.3 million, and $3.8 million, respectively. For the three months ended June 30, 2008, net investment income, interest expense and operating expenses decreased primarily as a result of a decrease in the average deposit liability balance and the associated asset portfolios as a result of the settlement of the GIC portfolio noted above. In addition, operating expenses decreased due to a reduction in compensation expense associated with a lower headcount.

57


SCA

Prior to the secondary offering of SCA common shares on June 6, 2007, net income from SCA was consolidated with the Company’s results and SCA was considered an operating segment of the Company. Subsequent to June 6, 2007, SCA was no longer a consolidated subsidiary or an operating segment of the Company and its remaining investment in SCA was accounted for using the equity method of accounting, recorded on a one quarter lag through equity earnings (loss) from financial operating affiliates. At December 31, 2007, the Company reduced its investment in SCA to zero. No equity earnings have been recorded in the second quarter of 2008 relating to the common equity interests in SCA as a result of losses reported by SCA in the first quarter of 2008, which maintained SCA’s negative book value. For further information on SCA, see “Results of Operations” and “Other Revenues and Expenses” within Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. In addition, see Notes 4 and 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Security Capital Assurance Ltd” and “Subsequent Events”, respectively, for further information.

Investment Activities

The following table illustrates the change in net investment income from property and casualty operations, net (loss) income from investment fund affiliates, net realized gains on investments and net realized and unrealized gains on investment and other derivative instruments the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

% Change

 

 

2008

 

2007

Net investment income — property and casualty operations (1)

 

 

$

 

298,128

   

 

$

 

322,997

   

 

 

(7.7

)%

 

Net (loss) income from investment fund affiliates (2)

 

 

 

(20,435

)

 

 

 

 

67,043

   

 

 

NM

*

 

Net realized gains on investments

 

 

 

2,040

   

 

 

18,296

   

 

 

(88.9

)%

 

Net realized and unrealized gains on investment and other derivative instruments

 

 

 

8,124

   

 

 

9,188

   

 

 

(11.6

)%

 


 

 

(1)

 

 

 

Net investment income relating to property and casualty operations does not include the net investment income related to the net results from structured products.

 

(2)

 

 

 

The Company records the income related to alternative fund affiliates on a one month lag and the private investment fund affiliates on a three month lag in order for the Company to meet the accelerated filing deadlines.

 

*

 

 

 

NM–Not meaningful

Net investment income related to property and casualty operations decreased in the second quarter of 2008 as compared to the second quarter of 2007 due primarily to declining portfolio yields. Portfolio yields decreased as yields earned on investment of cash flows and reinvestment of maturing or sold securities were generally lower than on securities previously held, as prevailing market interest rates, particularly in the U.S., decreased overall during the last twelve months. As well, the portfolio mix changed as a result of the settlement of the GIC liabilities, as the property and casualty operations assumed a number of the floating rate securities previously held in the Company’s Other Financial Lines segment.

In the three months ended June 30, 2008, the net loss from investment fund affiliates was due primarily to the results from the Company’s alternative funds, which were negative in the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to strong positive results in the same period of the prior year. These results reflect marginally negative returns in the Company’s alternative portfolio as the markets during the quarter were particularly challenging for strategies employed by the Company’s alternative investment managers given the extreme volatility and overall pull back of credit availability. Net income from investment affiliates in the second quarter of 2007 was due primarily to very strong performance in alternative fund affiliates.

The Company manages its investment grade fixed income securities using an asset/liability management framework. Due to the unique nature of the underlying liabilities, customized benchmarks are used to measure investment performance and comparison to standard market indices is not meaningful. Investment performance is not monitored for certain assets primarily consisting of

58


operating cash and special regulatory deposits. The following is a summary of the investment portfolio returns for the asset/liability portfolios and risk asset portfolios:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

2008 (1)

 

2007 (1)

Asset/Liability portfolios

 

 

 

 

USD fixed income portfolio

 

 

 

(0.9

)%

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)%

 

Non USD fixed income portfolio

 

 

 

(1.3

)%

 

 

 

 

(1.9

)%

 

Risk Asset portfolios

 

 

 

 

Alternative portfolio (2)

 

 

 

(0.8

)%

 

 

 

 

4.3

%

 

Equity portfolio

 

 

 

(1.0

)%

 

 

 

 

6.6

%

 

High-Yield fixed income portfolio

 

 

 

2.0

%

 

 

 

 

1.2

%

 


 

 

(1)

 

 

 

Portfolio returns are calculated by dividing the sum of net investment income or net income from investment affiliates, realized gains (losses) and unrealized gains (losses) by the average market value of each portfolio. Performance is measured in either the underlying asset currency or the functional currency.

 

(2)

 

 

 

Performance on the alternative portfolio reflects the three months ended May 31, 2008 and May 31, 2007, respectively.

Net Realized Gains and Losses and Other than Temporary Declines in the Value of Investments

Net realized gains on investments in the second quarter of 2008 included net realized losses of $47.7 million related to the write-down of certain of the Company’s fixed income, equity and other investments where the Company determined that there was an other than temporary decline in the value of those investments as well as net realized gains of $49.7 million from sales of investments. Included in the balances noted above are realized losses and impairments in Topical Assets totaling $20.9 million.

Net realized gains on investments in the second quarter of 2007 included net realized losses of $4.8 million from sales of investments, net realized gains of $81.3 million from the sale of SCA common shares, and net realized losses of $58.2 million related to the write-down of certain of the Company’s fixed income and equity investments where the Company determined that there was an other than temporary decline in the value of those investments.

The Company’s process for identifying declines in the fair value of investments that are other than temporary involves consideration of several factors. These primary factors include: (i) the time period during which there has been a significant decline in value; (ii) an analysis of the liquidity, business prospects and overall financial condition of the issuer; (iii) the significance of the decline; (iv) an analysis of the collateral structure and other credit support, as applicable, of the securities in question; (v) expected future interest rate movements; and (vi) the Company’s intent and ability to hold the investment for a sufficient period of time for the value to recover. Where the Company’s analysis of the above factors results in the Company’s conclusion that declines in fair values are other than temporary, the cost of the security is written down to fair value and the previously unrealized loss is therefore realized in the period such determination is made.

Net realized and unrealized gains on investment derivatives for the three month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, resulted from the Company’s investment strategy to manage interest rate risk, foreign exchange risk, and credit risk and to replicate permitted investments.

59


Other Revenues and Expenses

The following table sets forth other revenues and expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

% Change

 

 

2008

 

2007

Net (loss) income from operating affiliates (1)

 

 

$

 

(68,901

)

 

 

 

$

 

41,639

   

 

 

NM

*

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

 

420

   

 

 

420

   

 

 

0.0

%

 

Corporate operating expenses

 

 

 

47,104

   

 

 

55,524

   

 

 

(15.2

)%

 

Interest expense (2)

 

 

 

50,077

   

 

 

59,416

   

 

 

(15.7

)%

 

Income tax expense

 

 

 

51,205

   

 

 

61,288

   

 

 

(16.5

)%

 


 

 

(1)

 

 

 

The Company records the income related to its operating affiliates on a three month lag in order for the Company to meet the accelerated filing deadlines.

 

(2)

 

 

 

Interest expense does not include interest expense related to structured products as reported within the Insurance and Reinsurance segments.

 

*

 

 

 

NM — Not meaningful

The following table sets forth the net income (loss) from operating affiliates for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

% Change

 

 

2008

 

2007

Net (loss) from financial operating affiliates

 

 

$

 

(81,677

)

 

 

 

$

 

(6,589

)

 

 

 

 

NM

*

 

Net income from investment manager affiliates

 

 

 

1,741

   

 

 

43,889

   

 

 

(96.0

)%

 

Net income from other strategic operating affiliates

 

 

 

11,035

   

 

 

4,339

   

 

 

154.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

$

 

(68,901

)

 

 

 

$

 

41,639

   

 

 

NM*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

*

 

 

 

NM — Not meaningful

In the three months ended June 30, 2008, the net loss from financial operating affiliates was primarily as a result of $82.4 million of additional losses related to the reinsurance and guarantee agreements with SCA. These charges were partially offset by net income associated with other financial operating affiliates. At December 31, 2007, the Company wrote down its investment in both SCA and Primus to zero. No equity earnings have been recorded in the second quarter of 2008 relating to the common equity interests in either SCA or Primus as a result of losses recorded by both companies in the first quarter of 2008, which maintained both SCA and Primus’ negative book value. In the second quarter of 2007, the net loss from financial operating affiliates was mainly due to a loss relating to Primus of $8.7 million relating to the widening of credit spreads throughout the first quarter of 2007. Further details on SCA related losses are included above in “Results of Operations.” In addition, see Notes 4 and 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Security Capital Assurance Ltd” and “Subsequent Events”, respectively, for further information.

Investment manager affiliate income decreased by $42.1 million or 96.0% during the second quarter of 2008 as compared to the same period in the prior year primarily as a result of recent volatility in both the credit and equity markets, impacting most significantly, investment manager affiliates specializing in global equities as well as fixed income securities.

Income from other strategic operating affiliates increased in the second quarter of 2008 as compared to the second quarter of 2007 mainly due to strong earnings reported in the second quarter of 2008 relating to an insurance affiliate which writes largely direct U.S. homeowners insurance and the Company’s Brazilian joint venture ITAU XL Seguros Corporativos S.A.

Corporate operating expenses in the three months ended June 30, 2008 decreased compared to the three months ended June 30, 2007 primarily as a result of lower compensation expenses as a

60


result of performance based accruals recorded in the second quarter of 2007, partially offset by an increase in professional fees associated with ongoing capital and restructuring activities.

Interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007 was lower as a result of costs recorded in the second quarter of 2007 associated with the retirement of the 2009 Senior Notes, combined with accretion charges recorded in the same period relating to the purchase contracts on the 6.5% Units. For more information on the Company’s financial structure, see “Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

The decrease in the Company’s income taxes arose principally from the decrease in the profitability of the Company’s U.S. and European operations.

Segment Results for the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended
June 30, 2007

Insurance

The following table summarizes the underwriting results for this segment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

% Change

 

 

2008

 

2007

Gross premiums written

 

 

$

 

3,017,120

   

 

$

 

2,997,274

   

 

 

0.7

%

 

Net premiums written

 

 

 

2,268,672

   

 

 

2,350,757

   

 

 

(3.5

)%

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

 

2,026,752

   

 

 

2,104,050

   

 

 

(3.7

)%

 

Fee income and other

 

 

 

19,653

   

 

 

7,285

   

 

 

169.8

%

 

Net losses and loss expenses

 

 

 

1,338,634

   

 

 

1,306,687

   

 

 

2.4

%

 

Acquisition costs

 

 

 

239,713

   

 

 

256,154

   

 

 

(6.4

)%

 

Operating expenses.

 

 

 

353,587

   

 

 

329,437

   

 

 

7.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting profit.

 

 

$

 

114,471

   

 

$

 

219,057

   

 

 

(47.7

)%

 

Exchange losses

 

 

$

 

59,202

   

 

$

 

15,152

   

 

 

NM

*

 

Net results—structured products

 

 

$

 

3,173

   

 

$

 

1,794

   

 

 

76.9

%

 


 

 

*

 

 

 

NM — not meaningful

Gross premiums written increased slightly by 0.7% during the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared with the six months ended June 30, 2007, primarily as a result of higher levels of long- term agreements and favorable foreign exchange rate movements of $108.7 million. Partially offsetting these increases were continued decreases in premium rates as market conditions continued to soften, selective non-renewals in certain property and marine lines of business and the impact of the runoff of certain property catastrophe program exposures. To date the Company has seen some lost renewals from recent rating agency actions, largely limited to U.S. professional lines as noted above. Net premiums written decreased by 3.5% during the first six months of 2008 as compared to same period in 2007 primarily as a result of an increase in ceded premiums written related to a change in the mix of business including an increase in long-term agreements with higher cession ratios as well as the impact from the purchase of an adverse development cover associated with a Company owned Lloyd’s syndicate.

Fee income increased in the first six months of 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007 mainly as a result of higher engineering fee revenue associated with XL GAPS, which formed in late 2007 following the acquisition of GAPS, a loss prevention consulting service provider.

Net premiums earned decreased by 3.7% in the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared with the six months ended June 30, 2007. The decrease primarily resulted from the factors affecting net premiums written noted above.

61


The following table presents the ratios for this segment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

2008

 

2007

Loss and loss expense ratio.

 

 

 

66.0

%

 

 

 

 

62.1

%

 

Underwriting expense ratio.

 

 

 

29.2

%

 

 

 

 

27.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined ratio

 

 

 

95.2

%

 

 

 

 

90.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

The loss and loss expense ratio includes net losses incurred for both the current 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 the net (favorable) adverse prior year development relating to the Insurance segment for the six month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

2008

 

2007

Property

 

 

$

 

(64.4

)

 

 

 

$

 

(44.5

)

 

Casualty and Professional

 

 

 

(62.0

)

 

 

 

 

(42.8

)

 

Specialty and Other

 

 

 

9.4

   

 

 

23.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

$

 

(117.0

)

 

 

 

$

 

(63.9

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss expense ratio excluding prior year development.

 

 

 

71.8

%

 

 

 

 

65.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net prior year releases in the six months ended June 30, 2008, totaled $117.0 million and were due primarily to favorable reserve development in global property lines of business as a result of favorable claim development as well as reserve releases in certain casualty lines primarily in 2004 to 2006 years due to lower than expected reported loss activity. Offsetting this favorable development was reserve strengthening within specialty lines of marine and environmental most notably in the 2007 year. Within professional lines, gross reserve releases were offset by reductions in ceded reserves for a net strengthening of $2.7 million. In the same period in 2007, favorable loss development totaled $63.9 million comprised of favorable development in certain property and casualty lines of business, partially offset by adverse prior period reserve development in certain specialty lines, particularly the run-off of the surety portfolio.

Excluding prior year development, the loss ratio for the six months ended June 30, 2008 increased by 6.7 loss percentage points as compared to the same period in 2007 with 3.1 points of the loss ratio increase attributable to a higher level of catastrophe losses in the current year. The remainder of the increase in loss ratio was attributable to the softening rate environment impacting most lines of business and an increase in loss activity anticipated for professional lines related to sub-prime and related credit events.

Gross prior year favorable development for the six months ended June 30, 2008 of $427.4 million exceeded the corresponding net favorable development during the same period of $117.0 million, as the impact of reductions in gross reported losses on older years in certain casualty lines was mostly offset by the impact of the reinsurance recoverable component on such losses. In addition, the impact of gross reserve releases in professional and specialty lines was mostly offset by the impact of a reduction in estimated ceded IBNR following a reserve review in these lines.

The increase in the underwriting expense ratio in the six months ended June 30, 2008, compared to the same period in 2007 was due to an increase in the operating expense ratio of 1.7 points (17.4% as compared to 15.7%) and partially offset by a decrease in the acquisition expense ratio of 0.4 points (11.8% as compared to 12.2%). The increase in the operating expense ratio was mainly as a result of a higher headcount which increased compensation, increases in professional fees and the impact of unfavorable foreign exchange rate movements, against lower net premiums earned. The increase in headcount and professional fees both supported new segment initiatives, including an operational transformation program as well as the formation of XL GAPS in late 2007, while

62


unfavorable foreign exchange rate movements resulted from the continued weakening of the U.S. dollar against certain European currencies. The acquisition expense ratio decreased mainly due to a reduction in foreign excise taxes as a result of a decrease in the cession percentage of an internal quota share from 75% to 50%, lower guarantee fund assessments and the impact of the run-off of certain programs, including ICAT, which carried higher acquisition costs.

Foreign exchange losses in the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 were due primarily to the change in the value of the U.S. dollar against certain European currencies including the Swiss Franc and Swedish Krona on certain inter-company balances.

Net results from structured insurance products include certain structured indemnity contracts that are accounted for as deposit contracts. Results from these contracts for the six months ended June 30, 2008, have increased compared to the same period in 2007 mainly due to a negotiated cancellation of a contract in the first six months of 2008 that resulted in a gain of $10.9 million combined with an accretion adjustment recorded in 2007 based on changes in expected cash flows of a structured insurance contract.

Reinsurance

The following table summarizes the underwriting results for this segment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

% Change

 

 

2008

 

2007

Gross premiums written

 

 

$

 

1,470,005

   

 

$

 

1,901,204

   

 

 

(22.7

)%

 

Net premiums written

 

 

 

1,227,348

   

 

 

1,551,783

   

 

 

(20.9

)%

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

 

1,034,815

   

 

 

1,144,770

   

 

 

(9.6

)%

 

Fee income and other

 

 

 

1,234

   

 

 

489

   

 

 

152.4

%

 

Net losses and loss expenses

 

 

 

600,844

   

 

 

628,621

   

 

 

(4.4

)%

 

Acquisition costs

 

 

 

222,872

   

 

 

251,184

   

 

 

(11.3

)%

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

90,517

   

 

 

92,070

   

 

 

(1.7

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting profit

 

 

$

 

121,816

   

 

$

 

173,384

   

 

 

(29.7

)%

 

Exchange losses

 

 

$

 

17,481

   

 

$

 

32,953

   

 

 

(47.0

)%

 

Net results — structured products

 

 

$

 

13,403

   

 

$

 

15,410

   

 

 

(13.0

)%

 

Gross and net premiums written decreased by 22.7% and 20.9%, respectively, in the first six months of 2008 as compared to the first six months of 2007. These decreases resulted from the Company declining business due to competitive pressures continuing to drive certain rates below the Company’s acceptable underwriting return levels together with increased client retentions. For the six months ended June 30, 2008, premium rate decreases were most significant in certain casualty and non-U.S. property lines of business. Partially offsetting these decreases in gross premiums written were favorable foreign exchange rate movements of $56.7 million. The decrease in net premiums written reflects the above changes in gross premiums written, combined with a reduction in ceded premiums in the first six months of 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007. Ceded premiums written decreased as a result of a reduction in property catastrophe cessions to Cyrus Re II of 10% in 2008 as compared to a 35% cession to Cyrus Re throughout 2007, partially offset by ceded premiums totaling $23.3 million associated with the purchase of additional catastrophe loss protection including industry loss warranty covers in the first six months of 2008.

Net premiums earned in the first six months of 2008 decreased 9.6% as compared to the same period in of 2007. This decrease was a reflection of the overall reduction of net premiums written over the last 24 months.

63


The following table presents the ratios for this segment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

2008

 

2007

Loss and loss expense ratio

 

 

 

58.1

%

 

 

 

 

54.9

%

 

Underwriting expense ratio.

 

 

 

30.2

%

 

 

 

 

29.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined ratio

 

 

 

88.3

%

 

 

 

 

84.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

The loss and loss expense ratio includes net losses incurred for both the current year and any favorable or adverse prior year development of loss reserves held at the beginning of the year. The following table summarizes the net (favorable) adverse prior year development relating to the Reinsurance segment for the six month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in millions)

 

(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

2008

 

2007

Property and other short-tail lines.

 

 

$

 

(71.6

)

 

 

 

$

 

(95.2

)

 

Casualty and other

 

 

 

(59.5

)

 

 

 

 

(38.8

)

 

Structured Indemnity

 

 

 

(1.4

)

 

 

 

 

9.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

$

 

(132.5

)

 

 

 

$

 

(124.9

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss expense ratio excluding prior year development

 

 

 

70.9

%

 

 

 

 

65.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2008, casualty and other lines reserve releases included favorable development in both European and U.S. casualty and professional portfolios. In the same period, property and other short-tail lines reserve releases were attributable to most business units globally, with minor adverse reserve development in Latin America operations. In the same period in 2007, property and other short-tail lines reserve releases were seen largely in property risk and property catastrophe portfolios while casualty releases related to both U.S. and non-U.S. source exposures.

Excluding prior year development, the loss ratio for the six months ended June 30, 2008 increased by 5.1 loss percentage points as compared to the same period in 2007 with 1.1 points attributable to an increase in catastrophe losses occurring during the first six months of 2008 (7.7 points in 2008 versus 6.6 points in 2007) inclusive of the impact on structured products transactions during 2008. The remaining increase of 4.0 loss ratio points was attributable to the softening rate environment and higher anticipated loss activity in the professional and trade credit portfolios.

Gross prior year favorable development for the six months ended June 30, 2008 of $252.5 million exceeded the corresponding net favorable development during the same period of $132.5 million as the impact of favorable loss experience related to a large crop program was mostly offset by the impact of retrocessional protection related to this program.

The increase in the underwriting expense ratio in the six months ended June 30, 2008, as compared with the six months ended June 30, 2007, was due to an increase in the operating expense ratio of 0.7 points (8.7% compared to 8.0%), partially offset by a decrease in the acquisition expense ratio of 0.4 points (21.5% compared to 21.9%). The decrease in the acquisition expense ratio was primarily due to an unfavorable adjustment recorded in the first six months of 2007 related to the earning of acquisition expenses within the individual risk portfolio in the U.S and partially offset by a favorable variance in the first six months of 2008 in relation to profit commissions. Although operating expenses are lower in the first six months of 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007 mainly due to lower compensation costs and corporate allocations, the lower level of net premiums earned as noted above has caused an increase in the operating expense ratio.

Foreign exchange losses in the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 were due primarily to the change in the value of the U.S. dollar against certain European currencies including the U.K. Sterling and Euro on certain inter-company balances.

64


Net results from structured reinsurance products include certain structured indemnity contracts that are accounted for as deposit contracts. Results from these products for the six months ended June 30, 2008, decreased compared to the same period in 2007 mainly due to the impact on net investment income of lower yields earned on invested assets.

Life Operations

The following summarizes the contribution from this segment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

% Change

 

 

2008

 

2007

Gross premiums written

 

 

$

 

396,209

   

 

$

 

448,236

   

 

 

(11.6

)%

 

Net premiums written

 

 

 

375,146

   

 

 

427,425

   

 

 

(12.2

)%

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

 

332,517

   

 

 

386,847

   

 

 

(14.0

)%

 

Fee income and other

 

 

 

200

   

 

 

149

   

 

 

34.2

%

 

Claims and policy benefits

 

 

 

406,024

   

 

 

467,443

   

 

 

(13.1

)%

 

Acquisition costs

 

 

 

49,949

   

 

 

43,882

   

 

 

13.8

%

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

17,382

   

 

 

18,672

   

 

 

(6.9

)%

 

Exchange (gains)

 

 

 

(1,002

)

 

 

 

 

(1,975

)

 

 

 

 

(49.3

)%

 

Net investment income

 

 

 

195,193

   

 

 

188,783

   

 

 

3.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contribution from Life operations

 

 

$

 

55,557

   

 

$

 

47,757

   

 

 

16.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following table is an analysis of the Life Operations gross premiums written, net premiums written and net premiums earned for the six month periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in millions)

 

(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2008

 

(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007

 

 

Gross
Premiums
Written

 

Net Premiums
Written

 

Net Premiums
Earned

 

Gross
Premiums
Written

 

Net Premiums
Written

 

Net Premiums
Earned

Other Life

 

 

$

 

292,478

   

 

$

 

290,438

   

 

$

 

247,809

   

 

$

 

248,970

   

 

$

 

246,943

   

 

$

 

206,365

 

Annuity

 

 

 

103,731

   

 

 

84,708

   

 

 

84,708

   

 

 

199,266

   

 

 

180,482

   

 

 

180,482

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

$

 

396,209

   

 

$

 

375,146

   

 

$

 

332,517

   

 

$

 

448,236

   

 

$

 

427,425

   

 

$

 

386,847

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross premiums written relating to other life business increased by $43.5 million in the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007 mainly due to premium growth in the core underlying book of term assurance and critical illness business of $30.4 million, premium growth in U.S. business of $11.6 million and favorable foreign exchange rate movements of $2.5 million. In addition, gross premiums written related to short-term life, accident and health business increased by $7.6 million primarily as a result of favorable foreign exchange rate movements and partially offset by decreases in gross premiums written associated with soft market conditions experienced in the first six months of 2008. Partially offsetting these increases in gross premiums written was a decrease related to European long-term life business from a single premium contract totaling $8.6 million written in the first six months of 2007. Gross premiums written relating to annuity business decreased by $95.5 million in the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007 mainly due to a single Irish immediate annuity contract totaling $94.6 million written during the first six months of 2007 and unfavorable foreign exchange rate movements of $0.9 million. Ceded premiums written were roughly consistent with the prior year.

Net premiums earned in the first six months of 2008 decreased 14.0% as compared to the same period in 2007. This decrease was consistent with the increase in gross and net premiums written as described above.

Changes in claims and policy benefits include the movement in policy benefit reserves related to other contracts (such as immediate annuities) where investment assets were acquired with the assumption of the policy benefit reserves at the inception of the contract. Claims and policy benefit reserves decreased by $61.4 million or 13.1% in the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to

65


the six months ended June 30, 2007, primarily as a result of the factors noted above affecting gross and net premiums written, partially offset by higher incurred losses of $8.6 million associated with certain short-term life, accident and health business.

For the six months ended June 30, 2008, acquisition costs increased by 13.8% as compared to the same period in 2007, largely as a result of an increase in business written and foreign exchange rate movements in the first six months of 2008, as noted above. Partially offsetting these increases was a favorable profit commission adjustment relating to a short-term life, accident and health treaty recorded in the first six months of 2008. Operating expenses decreased by 6.9% in the first six months of 2008 as compared to the same period in the prior year mainly due to professional fees and compensation expenses recorded in 2007 relating to the discontinuance of the Life Fund Integration strategy combined with lower corporate allocations in the first six months of 2008. Partially offsetting these decreases were unfavorable foreign exchange rate movements of $0.5 million and an increase in compensation costs in the first six months of 2008 associated with a higher headcount and consistent with growth in certain business lines noted above.

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. Net investment income increased by $6.4 million or 3.4% in the six months ended June 30, 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007, primarily as a result of favorable foreign exchange rate movements of $5.8 million. However, it should be noted that as at June 30, 2008, approximately $760 million of the gross unrealized losses on the Company’s investments related to portfolios of Life Operations investment assets primarily as a result of increases in both interest rates and credit spreads during this period, primarily in the U.K. and Euro-zone, and the long duration of the underlying assets. However, as the duration and characteristics of these investments are structured to support the expected future cash outflows and long-term nature of the associated policy benefit reserves, the Company expects minimal turnover in such assets, and accordingly considers these impairments temporary. Refer to “Balance Sheet Analysis” below for further discussion of unrealized losses and gains on investments.

Other Financial Lines

For the six month period ended June 30, 2008, the net results from these structured products were $13.9 million and included net investment income, interest expense and operating expenses of $79.0 million, $58.8 million, and $6.3 million, respectively, while the results for the same period in 2007 were $16.0 million and included net investment income, interest expense and operating expenses of $182.5 million, $160.4 million, and $6.1 million, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2008, net investment income and interest expense both decreased primarily as a result of a decrease in the average deposit liability balance and the associated asset portfolios as a result of the settlement of the GIC portfolio noted above. However, operating expenses increased by $0.2 million primarily due to the write-off in the first six months of 2008 of deferred acquisition expenses in relation to the settlement of certain GICs noted above and partially offset by a reduction in compensation expense associated with a reduction in headcount. While not reported within the contribution from the Other Financial Lines segment, approximately $64.2 million of the reported realized losses on investments during the first six months of 2008 related to portfolios associated with GICs and funding agreements.

SCA

As noted above, for further information on SCA, see “Results of Operations” and “Other Revenues and Expenses” within Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. In addition, see Notes 4 and 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Security Capital Assurance Ltd” and “Subsequent Events”, respectively, for further information.

Investment Activities

The following table illustrates the change in net investment income from property and casualty operations, net income from investment affiliates, net realized gains on investments and net realized

66


and unrealized gains on investment and other derivative instruments from property and casualty operations for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

% Change

 

 

2008

 

2007

Net investment income — property and casualty operations (1)

 

 

$

 

606,169

   

 

$

 

637,178

   

 

 

(4.9

)%

 

Net (loss) income from investment affiliates (2)

 

 

 

(8,636

)

 

 

 

 

185,979

   

 

 

NM

*

 

Net realized (losses) gains on investments

 

 

 

(100,211

)

 

 

 

 

27,588

   

 

 

NM

*

 

Net realized and unrealized gains on investment and other derivative instruments

 

 

 

52,806

   

 

 

16,929

   

 

 

211.9

%

 


 

 

(1)

 

 

 

Net investment income relating to property and casualty operations does not include the net investment income related to the net results from structured products.

 

(2)

 

 

 

The Company records the income related to alternative fund affiliates on a one month lag and the private investment affiliates on a three month lag in order for the Company to meet the accelerated filing deadlines.

 

*

 

 

 

NM — Not meaningful

Net investment income related to property and casualty operations decreased in the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007 due primarily to declining portfolio yields. Portfolio yields decreased as yields earned on investment of cash flows and reinvestment of maturing or sold securities were generally lower than on securities previously held, as prevailing market interest rates, particularly in the U.S., decreased over the last year. As well, the portfolio mix changed as a result of the settlement of the GIC liabilities, as the property and casualty operations assumed a number of the floating rate securities previously held in the Company’s Other Financial Lines segment.

Net income from investment fund affiliates decreased in the first six months of 2008 compared to the first six months of 2007, due primarily to the results from the Company’s alternative funds, which were marginally negative in the first six months of 2008 as compared to strong positive results in the same period of the prior year. These results reflect negative returns in the Company’s alternative portfolio as the markets during the first six months of 2008 were particularly challenging for strategies employed by the Company’s alternative investment managers given the extreme volatility and overall pull back of credit availability. Net income from investment affiliates in the first six months of 2007 was due primarily to very strong performance in alternative fund affiliates.

The Company manages its investment grade fixed income securities using an asset/liability management framework. Due to the unique nature of the underlying liabilities, customized benchmarks are used to measure investment performance and comparison to standard market indices is not meaningful. Investment performance is not monitored for certain assets primarily consisting of operating cash and special regulatory deposits. The following is a summary of the investment portfolio returns for the asset/liability portfolios and risk asset portfolios:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

2008(1)

 

2007(1)

Asset/Liability portfolios

 

 

 

 

USD fixed income portfolio

 

 

 

(3.5

)%

 

 

 

 

1.2

%

 

Non USD fixed income portfolio

 

 

 

(3.0

)%

 

 

 

 

(1.9

)%

 

Risk Asset portfolios

 

 

 

 

Alternative portfolio (2)

 

 

 

(0.1

)%

 

 

 

 

10.0

%

 

Equity portfolio

 

 

 

(11.2

)%

 

 

 

 

9.7

%

 

High-Yield fixed income portfolio

 

 

 

(3.6

)%

 

 

 

 

3.2

%

 


 

 

(1)

 

 

 

Portfolio returns are calculated by dividing the sum of net investment income or net income from investment affiliates, realized gains (losses) and unrealized gains (losses) by the average market value of each portfolio. Performance is measured in either the underlying asset currency or the functional currency.

 

(2)

 

 

 

Performance on the alternative portfolio reflects the six months ended May 31, 2008 and May 31, 2007, respectively.

67


Net Realized Gains and Losses and Other than Temporary Declines in the Value of Investments

Net realized losses on investments in the first six months of 2008 included net realized losses of $162.4 million related to the write-down of certain of the Company’s fixed income, equity and other investments where the Company determined that there was an other than temporary decline in the value of those investments as well as net realized gains of $62.2 million from sales of investments. Included in the balances noted above are realized losses and impairments in Topical Assets totaling $74.7 million.

Net realized gains on investments in the first six months of 2007 included net realized gains of $30.1 million from sales of investments, net realized gains of $81.3 million from the sale of SCA, and net realized losses of $83.8 million related to the write-down of certain of the Company’s fixed income and equity investments where the Company determined that there was an other than temporary decline in the value of those investments.

Net realized and unrealized gains on investment derivatives for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 resulted from the Company’s investment strategy to manage interest rate risk, foreign exchange risk, credit risk and to replicate permitted investments.

Other Revenues and Expenses

The following table sets forth other revenues and expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

% Change

   

(Unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30,

 

2008

 

2007

Net (loss) income from operating affiliates (1)

 

 

$

 

(48,348

)

 

 

 

$

 

98,721

   

 

 

NM

*

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

 

840

   

 

 

840

   

 

 

0.0

%

 

Corporate operating expenses

 

 

 

83,030

   

 

 

88,003

   

 

 

(5.7

)%

 

Interest expense (2)

 

 

 

99,442

   

 

 

110,030

   

 

 

(9.6

)%

 

Income tax expense

 

 

 

81,907

   

 

 

134,043

   

 

 

(38.9

)%

 


 

 

(1)

 

 

 

The Company records the income related to its operating affiliates on a three month lag in order for the Company to meet the accelerated filing deadlines.

 

(2)

 

 

 

Interest expense does not include interest expense related structured products as reported within the Insurance and Reinsurance segments.

 

*

 

 

 

NM — Not meaningful

The following table sets forth the net (loss) income from operating affiliates for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

 

(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

% Change

 

2008

 

2007

Net (loss) income from financial operating affiliates

 

 

$

 

(85,948

)

 

 

 

$

 

5,300

   

 

 

NM

*

 

Net income from investment manager affiliates

 

 

 

14,620

   

 

 

81,315

   

 

 

(82.0

)%

 

Net income from other strategic operating affiliates

 

 

 

22,980

   

 

 

12,106

   

 

 

89.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

$

 

(48,348

)

 

 

 

$

 

98,721

   

 

 

NM

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

*

 

 

 

 NM — Not meaningful

In the six months ended June 30, 2008, the net loss from financial operating affiliates was primarily as a result of $87.2 million of additional losses related to the reinsurance and guarantee agreements with SCA. These charges were partially offset by net income associated with other financial operating affiliates. As noted above, at December 31, 2007, the Company wrote down its

68


investment in both SCA and Primus to zero. No equity earnings have been recorded in the first six months of 2008 relating to the common equity interests in either SCA or Primus as a result of both companies reported results throughout 2008. With regards to SCA, further details are included above in “Results of Operations.” In addition, see Notes 4 and 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Security Capital Assurance Ltd” and “Subsequent Events”, respectively, for further information.

Investment manager affiliate income decreased by $66.7 million or 82.0% during the first six months of 2008 as compared to the same period in the prior year primarily as a result of recent volatility in both the credit and equity markets, impacting most significantly, investment manager affiliates specializing in global equities as well as fixed income securities.

Income from other strategic operating affiliates increased in the first six months of 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007 mainly due to strong earnings reported in the first six months of 2008 relating to an insurance affiliate which writes largely direct U.S. homeowners insurance and the Company’s Brazilian joint venture ITAU XL Seguros Corporativos S.A.

Corporate operating expenses in the six months ended June 30, 2008 decreased compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007 primarily as a result of lower compensation expenses as a result of performance based accruals recorded in the first six months of 2007, partially offset by higher professional fees in 2008 associated with ongoing capital and restructuring activities.

Interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007 was lower as a result of costs recorded in the first six months of 2007 associated with the retirement of the 2009 Senior Notes, combined with accretion charges recorded in the same period relating to the purchase contracts on the 6.5% Units. For more information on the Company’s financial structure, see “Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

The decrease in the Company’s income taxes arose principally from the decrease in the profitability of the Company’s U.S. and European operations.

Balance Sheet Analysis

Investments

The primary objectives of the investment strategy are to support the liabilities arising from the operations of the Company, generate stable investment income and to build book value for the Company over the longer term. The strategy strives to maximize investment returns while taking into account market and credit risk. The Company’s overall investment portfolio is structured to take into account a number of variables including local regulatory requirements, business needs, collateral management and risk tolerance.

69


At June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, total investments, cash and cash equivalents, accrued investment income and net payable for investments purchased were $37.9 billion and $43.7 billion, respectively. The following table summarizes the composition of the Company’s total investments and cash and cash equivalents:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

 

(Unaudited)
Fair Value at
June 30,
2008

 

Percent of
Total

 

Fair Value
at December 31,
2007

 

Percent of
Total

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

$

 

3,704,249

   

 

 

9.8

%

 

 

 

$

 

3,880,030

   

 

 

8.9

%

 

Net payable for investments purchased

 

 

 

(304,282

)

 

 

 

 

(0.8

)%

 

 

 

 

(191,472

)

 

 

 

 

(0.4

)%

 

Accrued investment income

 

 

 

411,230

   

 

 

1.1

%

 

 

 

 

447,660

   

 

 

1.0

%

 

Short-term investments

 

 

 

1,340,940

   

 

 

3.5

%

 

 

 

 

1,803,198

   

 

 

4.1

%

 

Fixed maturities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government and Government agency

 

 

$

 

2,252,686

   

 

 

6.0

%

 

 

 

$

 

2,685,773

   

 

 

6.1

%

 

Corporate

 

 

 

11,676,123

   

 

 

30.8

%

 

 

 

 

12,987,248

   

 

 

29.7

%

 

Mortgage and asset-backed securities

 

 

 

10,889,571

   

 

 

28.8

%

 

 

 

 

14,493,877

   

 

 

33.1

%

 

U.S. States and political subdivisions of the States

 

 

 

462,999

   

 

 

1.2

%

 

 

 

 

253,534

   

 

 

0.6

%

 

Non-U.S. Sovereign Government

 

 

 

3,839,309

   

 

 

10.1

%

 

 

 

 

3,187,358

   

 

 

7.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

 

 

$

 

29,120,688

   

 

 

76.9

%

 

 

 

$

 

33,607,790

   

 

 

76.8

%

 

Equity securities

 

 

 

581,092

   

 

 

1.5

%

 

 

 

 

854,815

   

 

 

2.0

%

 

Investments in affiliates

 

 

 

2,401,799

   

 

 

6.3

%

 

 

 

 

2,611,149

   

 

 

6.0

%

 

Other investments

 

 

 

632,015

   

 

 

1.7

%

 

 

 

 

708,476

   

 

 

1.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investments and cash and cash equivalents

 

 

$

 

37,887,731

   

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

 

$

 

43,721,646

   

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Company reviews on a regular basis its corporate debt concentration, credit quality and compliance with established guidelines. At June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the average credit quality of the Company’s total fixed income portfolio was “AA”. As at June 30, 2008, approximately 48.5% of the fixed income portfolio was rated “AAA” by one or more of the principal ratings agencies. Approximately 3.0% was below investment grade or not rated.

Net Unrealized Gains and Losses on Investments

At June 30, 2008, the Company had net unrealized losses on fixed maturities and short-term investments of $2,360.9 million and net unrealized gains on equities of $93.9 million. Of these amounts, gross unrealized losses on fixed maturities and short term investments and equities were $2,581.9 million and $29.1 million, respectively. The information presented below for the gross unrealized losses on the Company’s investments at June 30, 2008, shows the potential effect upon future earnings and financial position should management later conclude that some of the current declines in the fair value of these investments are other than temporary. The increase in net unrealized losses on investments during the six months ended June 30, 2008 was primarily due to a widening of credit spreads as well as increasing government interest rates.

70


The following is an analysis of how long each of those securities with an unrealized loss at June 30, 2008 had been in a continual unrealized loss position:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

Type of Securities

 

Length of time in a continual
unrealized loss position

 

(Unaudited)
Amount of
unrealized loss at
June 30, 2008

 

(Unaudited)
Fair Value of Securities in
an unrealized loss position
at June 30, 2008

Fixed Income and Short-Term

 

Less than six months

 

 

$

 

390,200

   

 

$

 

9,652,697

 

 

 

At least 6 months but less than 12 months

 

 

 

439,090

   

 

 

3,509,459

 

 

At least 12 months but less than 2 years

 

 

 

1,509,602

   

 

 

7,754,189

 

 

 

2 years and over

 

 

 

242,984

   

 

 

1,670,135

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

$

 

2,581,876

   

 

$

 

22,586,480

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equities

 

Less than six months

 

 

$

 

17,284

   

 

$

 

145,913

 

 

At least 6 months but less than 12 months

 

 

 

11,787

   

 

 

59,872

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

$

 

29,071

   

 

$

 

205,785

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following is the maturity profile of the fixed income securities that were in a gross unrealized loss position at June 30, 2008:

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

Maturity profile in years of fixed
income securities in a continual
unrealized loss position

 

(Unaudited)
Amount of
unrealized loss at
June 30, 2008

 

(Unaudited)
Fair value of securities in
an unrealized loss position
at June 30, 2008

Less than 1 year remaining

 

 

$

 

29,004

   

 

$

 

667,910

 

At least 1 year but less than 5 years remaining

 

 

 

278,336

   

 

 

4,072,211

 

At least 5 years but less than 10 years remaining

 

 

 

361,077

   

 

 

4,349,254

 

At least 10 years but less than 20 years remaining

 

 

 

177,967

   

 

 

1,514,745

 

At least 20 years or more remaining

 

 

 

567,755

   

 

 

3,786,852

 

Mortgage and asset-backed securities

 

 

 

1,167,737

   

 

 

8,195,508

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

$

 

2,581,876

   

 

$

 

22,586,480

 

 

 

 

 

 

Factors considered in determining that additional other-than-temporary impairment charges were not warranted include; managements’ consideration of current and near term liquidity needs and other available sources, an evaluation of the factors and time necessary for recovery, and the results of on-going retrospective reviews of security sales and the basis for such sales.

 

(i)

 

 

 

Gross unrealized losses of $0.8 billion related to the Company’s $6.9 billion Life Operations investment portfolio. Of this, $0.4 billion of gross unrealized losses have arisen on $2.5 billion of exposures to corporate financials. At June 30, 2008, this portfolio had an average duration of 8.9 years, primarily denominated in U.K. Sterling and Euros. As a result of the long duration, significant gross losses have arisen as the fair values of these securities are more sensitive to prevailing government interest rates and credit spreads. This portfolio has limited turnover as it is matched to corresponding long duration liabilities.

 

(ii)

 

 

 

Gross unrealized losses of $0.4 billion related to the Company’s $1.4 billion Topical Asset portfolio. The Company undertook a security level review of these securities and recognized charges to the extent it believed the intrinsic value of the security was below the amortized cost. The Company recognized realized losses, consisting of charges for other-then-temporary impairments and realized losses from sales of over $0.6 billion since the beginning of 2007.

71


 

(iii)

 

 

 

Gross unrealized losses of $0.3 billion arose as a result of the Company’s holdings of certain U.S. Dollar assets in a Euro functional currency. As a result, gross unrealized losses arose which were offset through the Company’s cumulative translation adjustment account, and accordingly had no impact on book value.

 

(iv)

 

 

 

The Company believes that the remaining balance of gross unrealized losses of $1.1 billion, which includes $0.4 billion on corporates of which $0.2 billion is in the financial sector, $0.3 billion on the Company’s Core CDO portfolio which primarily consist of CLO’s, and $0.1 billion on CMBS holdings, was primarily a function of broad market interest rate increases and credit spread widening during the first six months of 2008, and not reflective of any fundamental issue in ultimate recovery of these securities.

Unpaid Losses and Loss Expenses

The Company establishes reserves to provide for estimated claims, the general expenses of administering the claims adjustment process and for 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. The Company’s reserving practices and the establishment of any particular reserve reflects management’s judgment concerning sound financial practice and do not represent any admission of liability with respect to any claims made against the Company.

Unpaid losses and loss expenses totaled $23.0 billion at June 30, 2008, and $23.2 billion at December 31, 2007.

The table below represents a reconciliation of the Company’s unpaid losses and loss expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2008:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

 

(Unaudited)
Gross unpaid
losses and loss
expenses

 

(Unaudited)
Unpaid
losses and
loss expenses
recoverable

 

(Unaudited)
Net unpaid
losses
and loss
expenses

Balance as at December 31, 2007

 

 

$

 

23,207,694

   

 

$

 

(4,665,615

)

 

 

 

$

 

18,542,079

 

Losses and loss expenses incurred

 

 

 

2,012,522

   

 

 

(73,044

)

 

 

 

 

1,939,478

 

Losses and loss expenses paid/recovered

 

 

 

2,554,714

   

 

 

(705,095

)

 

 

 

 

1,849,619

 

Foreign exchange and other

 

 

 

290,409

   

 

 

(59,720

)

 

 

 

 

230,689

 

Incurred case losses and unwind of discount on reserves associated with reinsurance agreements with SCA

 

 

 

50,663

   

 

 

   

 

 

50,663

 

Paid losses on reserves associated with reinsurance agreements with SCA

 

 

 

51,101

   

 

 

   

 

 

51,101

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as at June 30, 2008

 

 

$

 

22,955,473

   

 

$

 

(4,093,284

)

 

 

 

$

 

18,862,189

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While the Company reviews the adequacy of established reserves for unpaid losses and loss expenses regularly, 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. See “Unpaid Losses and Loss Expenses” in Item 1, “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in Item 7 and Item 8, Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Losses and Loss Expenses”, each in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 for further discussion.

Unpaid Losses and Loss Expenses Recoverable and Reinsurance Balances Receivable

As a significant portion of the Company’s net premiums written incept in the first six months of the year, certain assets and liabilities have increased at June 30, 2008 compared to December 31, 2007. This includes deferred acquisition costs, unearned premiums, premiums receivable and prepaid reinsurance premiums.

72


In the normal course of business, the Company seeks 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 the Company’s losses from large exposures and permit recovery of a portion of direct unpaid losses, reinsurance does not relieve the Company of its ultimate liability to its insureds. Accordingly, the loss and loss expense reserves on the balance sheet represent the Company’s total unpaid gross losses. Unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable relate to estimated reinsurance recoveries on the unpaid loss and loss expense reserves.

At both June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverables were $4.1 billion and $4.7 billion, respectively.

The table below presents the Company’s net paid and unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable and reinsurance balances receivable at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

 

(Unaudited)
June 30,
2008

 

December 31,
2007

Reinsurance balances receivable

 

 

$

 

785,554

   

 

$

 

872,465

 

Reinsurance recoverable on future policy benefits

 

 

 

35,717

   

 

 

31,856

 

Unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable

 

 

 

4,177,455

   

 

 

4,804,209

 

Bad debt reserve on unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable and reinsurance balances receivable

 

 

 

(151,907

)

 

 

 

 

(193,128

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net paid and unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable and reinsurance balances receivable

 

 

$

 

4,846,819

   

 

$

 

5,515,402

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements of Assets and Liabilities

As disclosed in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Fair Value Measurements”, effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted FAS 157 and has accordingly 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. Fixed maturities and short term investments classified within Level 3 are made up of those securities where either significant inputs were utilized in determining the value that were difficult to corroborate with observable market data, or sufficient information regarding the specific inputs utilized by a corroborating value obtained from a broker was not obtained to support a Level 2 classification. At June 30, 2008, a significant component of Level 3 assets represents either Core CDOs, totaling $746.2 million, or securities within the Company’s topical portfolio, totaling $144.6 million. Certain asset classes, primarily consisting of privately placed investments, did not have sufficient market corroborated information available to allow a price to be determined through a form of matrix or modeled pricing and accordingly the valuation was determined through the use of unobservable inputs corroborated by reference to broker or underwriter bid indications. In periods of market dislocation, the observability of prices and inputs may be reduced for many instruments as is currently the case for certain U.S. CMOs, ABSs, CMBSs, collateralized debt obligations (CDOs), and other Topical Assets which include certain securities with underlying sub-prime and related residential mortgage exposures (such as sub-prime first liens and Alt-A asset backed securities) for which sufficient information, such as cash flows or other security structure or market information, was not available to enable a price to be determined using a matrix or other model based approach and as such, a valuation was determined using either significant inputs that were difficult to corroborate with observable market data or sufficient information regarding the specific inputs utilized in a corroborating value obtained from a broker was not obtained to support a Level 2 classification. However, increased market illiquidity in the first six months of 2008 did not result in the reclassification of securities into Level 3 due to unavailable Level 2 pricing. While the remainder

73


of the Company’s holdings in securities exposed to sub-prime mortgages are generally not based on quoted prices for identical securities, they are based on model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are considered to be observable in active markets, and these securities continue to be classified within Level 2.

While a number of the Level 3 investments have been written down as a result of the Company’s impairment analysis, the Company continues to report, at June 30, 2008, gross unrealized losses at June 30, 2008 of $344.8 million related to Level 3 available-for-sale investments. Management completed a detailed review of the Company’s underlying sub-prime and related residential mortgage exposures, as well as a consideration of the broader structured credit market, and concluded that the unrealized gains and losses in these asset classes are the result of a decrease in value due to technical spreads widening and broader market sentiment, rather than fundamental collateral deterioration and are temporary in nature.

The remainder of the Level 3 assets relate to private equity investments where the nature of the underlying assets held by the investee include positions such as private business ventures and are such that significant Level 3 inputs are utilized in the valuation, and certain derivative positions.

Controls over Valuation of Financial Instruments

The Company performs quarterly reviews of the prices determined through the use of matrix or other model derived prices 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 providing the valuations. The approaches taken to gain comfort include, but are not limited to, valuation comparisons between external sources, and completing recurring reviews of the pricing methodologies utilized. As a result of this analysis, if the Company determines there is a more appropriate fair value based upon available market data, the price originally determined may be substituted for another, or in limited circumstances management may determine that an adjustment is required.

Valuation Methodology of Level 3 Assets and Liabilities

Refer to Notes 2 and 3 of the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Significant Accounting Policies” and “Fair Value Measurements” 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. As at June 30, 2008, the Company 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 June 30, 2008.

74


Fair Value of Level 3 Assets and Liabilities

At June 30, 2008, the fair value of Level 3 assets and liabilities as a percentage of the Company’s total assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value was as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 

Total Assets and
Liabilities Carried
at Fair Value at
June 30, 2008

 

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

 

 

$

 

29,120,688

   

 

$

 

1,527,740

   

 

 

5.2

%

 

Equity securities, at fair value

 

 

 

581,092

   

 

 

   

 

 

0.0

%

 

Short term investments, at fair value

 

 

 

1,340,940

   

 

 

8,443

   

 

 

0.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investments available for sale

 

 

$

 

31,042,720

   

 

$

 

1,536,183

   

 

 

4.9

%

 

Cash equivalents (1)

 

 

 

2,492,561

   

 

 

   

 

 

0.0

%

 

Other investments (2)

 

 

 

533,080

   

 

 

61,593

   

 

 

11.6

%

 

Other assets (3) (4)

 

 

 

174,278

   

 

 

134,444

   

 

 

77.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets carried at fair value

 

 

$

 

34,242,639

   

 

$

 

1,732,220

   

 

 

5.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased (5)

 

 

$

 

44,497

   

 

$

 

   

 

 

0.0

%

 

Other liabilities (4) (6)

 

 

 

34,288

   

 

 

79,093

   

 

 

230.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities carried at fair value

 

 

$

 

78,785

   

 

$

 

79,093

   

 

 

100.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

(1)

 

 

 

Cash equivalents balances subject to fair value measurements include certificates of deposit and money market funds.

 

(2)

 

 

 

The other investments balance excludes certain unrated tranches of collateralized loan obligations which are carried under the cost recovery method given the uncertainty of future cash flows, as well as certain investments in project finance transactions which are carried at amortized cost. See Note 2 of the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

 

(3)

 

 

 

Other assets include derivative instruments.

 

(4)

 

 

 

The derivative balances included above are reported on a gross basis.

 

(5)

 

 

 

Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased are included within “Net payable for investments purchased” on the balance sheet.

 

(6)

 

 

 

Other liabilities include derivative instruments.

As at June 30, 2008, the balance of Level 3 assets as a percentage of the Company’s total assets that were carried at fair value was 5.1%. The comparable percentage at December 31, 2007 was 3.7%. The increase was primarily as a result of change in the mix of assets in the first six months of 2008 due to the sale of investments associated with the settlement of the GIC portfolio in the first six months of 2008. During the six months ended June 30, 2008, there were no material changes in Level 3 assets as a result of inputs the Company no longer considers observable or valid. The increase in the percentage of total invested assets that is made up of assets which are experiencing increased market illiquidity does reduce the overall liquidity of the Company’s capital resources; however, management do not believe that this change is significant given the many other sources of liquid assets available. Level 3 liabilities at June 30, 2008 represent derivative instruments in a liability position. For further discussion of the Company’s liquidity and available capital resources see “Liquidity and Capital Resources”, below.

Changes in the Fair Value of Level 3 Assets and Liabilities

See Note 3 of the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Fair Value Measurements”, for an analysis of the change in fair value of Level 3 Assets and Liabilities.

Based on the changes in the fair value of Level 3 assets and liabilities during the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Company does not expect any significant impact on the Company’s results of operations or liquidity.

75


Liquidity and Capital Resources

As a holding company, the Company’s assets consist primarily of its investments in subsidiaries, and the Company’s future cash flows depend on the availability of dividends or other statutorily permissible payments from its subsidiaries. The ability to pay such dividends is limited by the applicable laws and regulations of the various countries the Company operates in including, among others, Bermuda, the United States, Ireland, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, and those of the Society of Lloyd’s and certain contractual provisions. No assurance can be given that the Company or its subsidiaries will be permitted to pay dividends in the future.

The Company and its subsidiaries provide no guarantees or other commitments (express or implied) of financial support to the Company’s subsidiaries or affiliates, except for where such guarantees are in writing.

Liquidity

Liquidity is a measure of the Company’s ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet the short and long term cash requirements of the Company’s business operations.

The Company’s 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. Historically, cash receipts from operations, consisting of premiums and investment income, have provided more than sufficient funds to pay losses, operating expenses and dividends to the Company.

Cash flow from operations is generally derived from the receipt of investment income on the Company’s total investment portfolio as well as the net receipt of premiums less claims and expenses related to its underwriting activities in its property and casualty operations as well as its Life Operations segment. Net cash from operations was $647.3 million in the first six months of 2008 compared with $1.2 billion in the same period in 2007. The decrease was primarily as a result of lower net income during the first six months of 2008 as compared to the first six months of 2007.

As part of the recent financial market turbulence that persisted in the latter part of 2007 and has continued throughout 2008, increasingly thin market liquidity has persisted throughout the U.S. and other financial markets. Despite this increase in illiquidity throughout the financial markets, the Company successfully raised over $4 billion of cash from its fixed income portfolio in order to settle the entire GIC portfolio in the first six months of 2008. The Company continues to manage its liquidity needs through changes in the mix of its investment portfolio as well as through other available capital resources and lines of credit as noted below.

As noted above, subsequent to June 30, 2008, the Company announced the Master Agreement with SCA in connection with, among other things, the termination of reinsurance agreements. The agreement calls for the payment by the Company to SCA of $1.775 billion in cash and the transfer by the Company to SCA of eight million of the Company’s Class A ordinary shares. The Company plans to fund this payment through the offering of both ordinary shares and equity security units as further described below. In addition to the customary closing conditions, the Master Agreement is conditioned on the completion of the Company’s capital raise noted below.

In addition, the Company intends to redeem X.L. America, Inc.’s $255 million 6.58% Guaranteed Senior Notes due April 2011 and will fund the redemption from the net proceeds from the offering of both ordinary shares and equity security units as further described below.

Capital Resources

At June 30, 2008, the Company had total shareholders’ equity of $8.8 billion. In addition to ordinary and preferred share capital, the Company depends on external sources of financing such as debt, credit facilities and contingent capital to support its underwriting activities.

76


In order to fund the payments to SCA under the Master Agreement and the redemption of X.L. America, Inc.’s $255 million 6.58% Guaranteed Senior Notes, described above, the Company, on July 28, 2008, announced its plans to raise approximately $2.5 billion of additional capital through an issuance of both ordinary shares and equity security units (the "ESUs"). The ESUs consist of: (i) forward purchase contracts to purchase, and the Company to issue, its ordinary shares and (ii) debt securities. In addition, the Company will use the proceeds from the offerings for general corporate purposes as well as the replenishment of the capital base of certain of the Company’s subsidiaries.

Concurrent with the closing of the Master Agreement with SCA, the Company announced its intention to exercise the put option under its Mangrove Bay contingent capital facility entered into in July 2003 resulting in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $500 million in exchange for the issuance by the Company of 20,000,000 Series C Preference Ordinary Shares.

For further details relating to the Master Agreement as well as the capital raising activities noted above, see Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Subsequent Events”.

On September 24, 2007, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a share repurchase program, authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $500.0 million of its Class A ordinary shares. Repurchases may be made from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, and the Company expects that those repurchases will be funded from cash on-hand. The timing and amount of the share repurchases under the program will depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions, legal requirements and other factors. As at June 30, 2008, the Company could repurchase $375.5 million of its equity securities under the share repurchase program.

Debt

The following table presents the Company’s indebtedness under outstanding debt securities and lenders’ commitments as at June 30, 2008:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes Payable and Debt
(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

Commitment

 

In Use

 

Year of
Expiry

 

Payments Due by Period

 

Less than
1 Year

 

1 to 3
Years

 

3 to 5
Years

 

After 5
Years

5-year revolvers (1)

 

 

$

 

1,000,000

   

 

$

 

   

2010/2012

 

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

 

5-year revolver

 

 

 

100,000

   

 

 

   

2010

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

5.25% Senior Notes

 

 

 

745,000

   

 

 

745,000

   

2011

 

 

 

   

 

 

745,000

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

6.58% Guaranteed Senior Notes

 

 

 

255,000

   

 

 

255,000

   

2011

 

 

 

   

 

 

255,000

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

6.50% Guaranteed Senior Notes

 

 

 

598,872

   

 

 

598,872

   

2012

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

600,000

   

 

 

 

5.25% Senior Notes

 

 

 

595,955

   

 

 

595,955

   

2014

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

600,000

 

6.375% Senior Notes

 

 

 

350,000

   

 

 

350,000

   

2024

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

350,000

 

6.25% Senior Notes

 

 

 

324,403

   

 

 

324,403

   

2027

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

325,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

3,969,230

   

 

$

 

2,869,230

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

1,000,000

   

 

$

 

600,000

   

 

$

 

1,275,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Commitment” and “In Use” data represent June 30, 2008 accreted values. “Payments Due by Period” data represent ultimate redemption values.


 

 

 

(1)

 

 

 

The 2010 and 2012 5-year revolving credit facilities share a $1.0 billion revolving credit sublimit.

Credit facilities, contingent capital and other sources of collateral

At June 30, 2008, the Company had six letter of credit facilities in place with total availability of $7.3 billion, of which $3.1 billion was utilized.

77


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Commercial
Commitments
(U.S. dollars in thousands)

 

Commitment

 

In Use

 

Year of
Expiry

 

Amount of Commitment
Expiration per period

 

Less than
1 Year

 

1 to 3
Years

 

3 to 5
Years

 

After 5
Years

Letter of Credit Facility

 

 

$

 

200,000

   

 

$

 

153,564

   

Continuous

 

 

$

 

200,000

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

   

 

$

 

 

Letter of Credit Facility (1)

 

 

 

2,250,000

   

 

 

   

2010

 

 

 

   

 

 

2,250,000

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Letter of Credit Facility (1)

 

 

 

4,000,000

   

 

 

2,352,706

   

2012

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

4,000,000

   

 

 

 

Letter of Credit Facility

 

 

 

317

   

 

 

317

   

2008

 

 

 

317

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Letter of Credit Facility

 

 

 

133

   

 

 

133

   

2008

 

 

 

133

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Letter of Credit Facility

 

 

 

896,355

   

 

 

625,251

   

2009

 

 

 

   

 

 

896,355

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six letter of credit facilities

 

 

$

 

7,346,805

   

 

$

 

3,131,971

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

200,450

   

 

$

 

3,146,355

   

 

$

 

4,000,000

   

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

(1)

 

 

 

Of the total letter of credit facilities above, $1 billion is also included in the revolvers under notes payable and debt.

The Company has several letter of credit facilities provided on a syndicated and bilateral basis from commercial banks. These facilities are principally utilized to support non-admitted insurance and reinsurance operations in the United States and capital requirements at Lloyd’s. In addition to letters of credit, the Company has established insurance trusts in the U.S. that provide cedants with statutory relief under state insurance regulations in the U.S. It is anticipated that the commercial facilities will be renewed on expiry but such renewals are subject to the availability of credit from banks utilized by the Company. In the event that such credit support is insufficient, the Company could be required to provide alternative security to cedants. This could take the form of additional insurance trusts supported by the Company’s investment portfolio or funds withheld using the Company’s cash resources. The value 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 the Company and loss experience of such business.

In addition, the Company has entered into contingent capital transactions of which no up-front proceeds were received by the Company; however, in the event that the associated irrevocable put and/or contingent put option agreements are exercised, proceeds previously raised from investors from the issuance of pass-through trust securities would be received in return for the issuance of preferred shares by the Company as applicable. As noted above, concurrent with the Company’s announcement relating to the Master Agreement, the Company announced its intention to exercise the put option under its Mangrove Bay contingent capital facility entered into in July 2003 resulting in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $500 million in exchange for the issuance by the Company of 20,000,000 Series C Preference Ordinary Shares.

Ratings

The Company’s ability to underwrite business is dependent upon the quality of its claims paying and financial strength ratings as evaluated by independent rating agencies. As a result, in the event that the Company is downgraded, its ability to write business may be adversely affected. The Company regularly evaluates its capital needs to support the volume of business written in order to maintain its assigned financial strength ratings. The Company regularly provides financial information to rating agencies to both maintain and enhance existing ratings.

In June 2008, Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. (“Moody’s”) affirmed the ‘A1’ financial strength rating of the Company’s principal insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries; however, Moody’s provided a ‘Negative’ outlook with regards to these ratings as a result of further stress on the Company’s capital and financial flexibility resulting from the downgrades at SCA in the first six months of 2008 and uncertainty surrounding reinsurance and guarantee agreements with SCA.

Consistent with the ratings actions noted above, Standard and Poor’s (“S&P”), in July 2008, placed the ‘A+’ financial strength rating of the Company’s leading property and casualty operating companies’ on ‘CreditWatch with Negative Implications’. As well, in July 2008, Fitch Ratings

78


(“Fitch”) placed the ‘A+’ financial strength rating of the Company’s leading property and casualty operating subsidiaries ‘On Watch for Possible Downgrade’.

Additionally, as relates to the S&P and Moody’s rating actions, further concerns were expressed relating to the Company’s investment portfolio and the underlying exposure to structured mortgage securities.

The following are the current financial strength and claims paying ratings from internationally recognized rating agencies in relation to the Company’s principal insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries and pools:

 

 

 

 

 

Rating agency

 

Rating

 

Outlook

S&P

 

A+

 

(CreditWatch with Negative Implications)

Fitch

 

A+

 

(On Watch for Possible Downgrade)

A.M. Best

 

A

 

(Stable)

Moody’s

 

A1

 

(Negative)

In addition, XL Capital Ltd had the following long term debt ratings as at June 30, 2008: ‘bbb’ (Stable) from A.M. Best, ‘A–’(CreditWatch with Negative Implications) from S&P, ‘Baa1’ (Negative) from Moody’s and ‘A’ (On Watch for Possible Downgrade) from Fitch.

Other

For information regarding cross-default and certain other provisions in the Company’s debt and convertible securities documents, see Item 7 of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

See Part II, Item 2 “Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds,” below.

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, the Company’s Annual Report to ordinary shareholders, any proxy statement, any other Form 10-K, Form 10-Q or Form 8-K of the Company or any other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of the Company may include forward-looking statements that reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Such statements include forward-looking statements both with respect to the Company 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”, “will”, “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. The Company believes that these factors include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) the risk that the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Master Agreement does not occur for any reason; (ii) changes to the size of the Company’s claims relating to natural catastrophes; (iii) the timely and full recoverability of reinsurance placed by the Company with third parties, or other amounts due to the Company; (iv) the projected amount of ceded reinsurance recoverables and the ratings and creditworthiness of reinsurers may change; (v) the timing of claims payments being faster or the receipt of reinsurance recoverables being slower than anticipated by the Company; (vi) higher than expected defaults on relevant underlying obligations of SCA’s subsidiaries and the adequacy of the claims paying ability of those SCA subsidiaries; (vii) the potential for larger than expected mark-to-market movements on credit derivatives originally written by SCA and reinsured by the Company; (viii) ineffectiveness or obsolescence of the Company’s business strategy due to changes in current or future market conditions; (ix) increased competition on the basis of pricing, capacity, coverage terms or other factors; (x) greater frequency or severity of

79


claims and loss activity, including as a result of natural or man-made catastrophic events, than the Company’s underwriting, reserving or investment practices anticipate based on historical experience or industry data; (xi) developments in the world’s financial and capital markets that adversely affect the performance of the Company’s investments and the Company’s access to such markets including, but not limited to further market developments relating to sub-prime and residential mortgages (xii) the potential impact on the Company from government-mandated insurance coverage for acts of terrorism; (xiii) the potential impact of variable interest entities or other off-balance sheet arrangements on the Company; (xiv) developments in bankruptcy proceedings or other developments related to bankruptcies of companies insofar as they affect property and casualty insurance and reinsurance coverages or claims that the Company may have as a counterparty; (xv) availability of borrowings and letters of credit under the Company’s credit facilities; (xvi) changes in regulation or tax laws applicable to the Company or its subsidiaries, brokers or customers; (xvii) acceptance of the Company’s products and services, including new products and services; (xviii) changes in the availability, cost or quality of reinsurance; (xiv) changes in the distribution or placement of risks due to increased consolidation of insurance and reinsurance brokers; (xx) loss of key personnel; (xxi) the effects of mergers, acquisitions and divestitures; (xxii) changes in ratings, rating agency policies or practices; (xxiii) changes in accounting policies or practices or the application thereof; (xxiv) legislative or regulatory developments; (xxv) changes in general economic conditions, including inflation, foreign currency exchange rates and other factors; (xxvi) the effects of business disruption or economic contraction due to war, terrorism or other hostilities; and (xxvii) the other factors set forth in the Company’s other documents on file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (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. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Except as described below, there have been no material changes in the Company’s market risk exposures or how those exposures are managed, since December 31, 2007. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk”, presented under Item 7A of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Market risk represents the potential for loss due to adverse changes in the fair value of financial instruments. The Company is principally exposed to the following market risks: interest rate risk, foreign currency exchange rate risk; equity price risk; credit risk; weather and energy-related risk, and other related market risks.

The Company’s investment market risk arises from its 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. The Company’s fixed income and equity securities are classified as available-for-sale, and as such changes in interest rates, credit spreads on corporate and structured credit, 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, equity prices and other related market instruments affect consolidated net income when, and if, a security is sold or impaired.

The Company enters into derivatives and other financial instruments primarily for risk management purposes. The Company conducts activities in two main types of derivative instruments: weather and energy derivatives and investment-related derivative instruments. In addition, following the secondary sale of SCA common shares, the Company retained some credit derivative exposures written by SCA through reinsurance agreements that have certain of these derivatives exposures

80


embedded within them. From time to time, the Company also uses investment derivative instruments such as futures, options, interest rate swaps, credit default swaps and foreign currency forward contracts to manage the duration of its investment portfolio and foreign currency exposures and also to obtain exposure to a particular financial market. The Company’s derivative transactions can expose the Company to credit derivative risk, weather and energy risk, foreign currency exchange rate risk, etc. The Company attempts to manage these risks based on guidelines established by senior management. Derivative instruments are carried at fair value with the resulting changes in fair value recognized in income in the period in which they occur.

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 the Company’s investment portfolio. The results of analysis used by the Company to assess and mitigate risk should not be considered projections of future events of losses. See generally “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in Item 2.

Interest Rate Risk

The Company’s fixed income portfolio is exposed to interest rate risk. Interest rate risk is the price sensitivity of a fixed income security to changes in interest rates. The Company manages interest rate risk within the context of its overall asset liability management strategy by setting duration targets for its investment portfolio in line with the estimated duration of its liabilities, thus mitigating the overall economic effect of interest rate risk. The Company remains nevertheless exposed to accounting interest rate risk since the assets are marked to market, thus subject to market conditions, while liabilities are accrued at a static rate. The hypothetical case of an immediate 100 basis point adverse parallel shift in global bond curves as at June 30, 2008, would decrease the fair value of the Company’s fixed income portfolio by approximately 4.4% or $1.5 billion.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

Many of the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries maintain both assets and liabilities in local currencies. Foreign currency exchange rate gains and losses arise for accounting purposes where net assets or liabilities are denominated in foreign currencies that differ from the functional currency of those subsidiaries. In addition, the Company’s shareholders equity is impacted by movements in currency exchange rates through both the foreign exchange component of realized and unrealized gains and losses within the Company’s investment portfolio, and the cumulative translation adjustments resulting from the translation of foreign subsidiary results.

The principal currencies creating foreign exchange risk for us are the British pound sterling, the Euro, the Swiss Franc, and the Canadian dollar. The Company’s net notional foreign currency denominated exposure on foreign exchange contracts was $336.3 million and $341.7 million as at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 respectively, with a net unrealized loss of $1.2 million and net unrealized gain of $0.9 million as at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

Equity Price Risk

The Company’s equity portfolio as well as certain derivatives and certain affiliate investments are exposed to equity price risk. Equity price risk is the potential loss arising from changes in the market value of equities. An immediate hypothetical 10% change in the value of each equity position in the Company’s equity portfolio would affect the fair value of the portfolio by approximately $50.8 million as at June 30, 2008. This excludes exposures to equities in the Company’s affiliate investments.

81


As at June 30, 2008, the Company’s equity portfolio was approximately $507 million as compared to $757 million as at December 31, 2007. This excludes fixed income fund investments and publicly traded alternative funds that generally do not have the risk characteristics of equity investments. As at June 30, 2008, the Company’s allocation to equity securities was approximately 1.3% of the total investment portfolio (including cash and cash equivalents, accrued investment income and net payable for investments purchased) as compared to approximately 1.7% as at December 31, 2007.

As at June 30, 2008, the top ten equity holdings represented approximately 10.5% of the Company’s total equity portfolio as compared to approximately 11.5% as at December 31, 2007.

Credit Risk

The Company’s exposure to market movements related to credit risk is primarily due to its investment portfolio, credit derivatives embedded in financial guarantee reinsurance exposures, receivable and ceded reinsurance balances. Within the investment portfolio, credit risk is the exposure to adverse change in the creditworthiness of individual investment holdings, issuers, groups of issuers, industries or countries. In addition, credit risk pertains to adverse change in the creditworthiness of the Company’s reinsurers and retrocessionaires, and their ability to pay certain reinsurance receivable and recoverable balances. The hypothetical case of an immediate 25 basis point adverse increase in all the global corporate and structured credit spreads to which the Company’s fixed income portfolio is exposed to at June 30, 2008, would decrease the fair value of the Company’s fixed income portfolio by approximately $316.4 million.

The table below shows the Company’s fixed income portfolio by credit rating in percentage terms of the Company’s total fixed income exposure (including fixed maturities, short-term investments, cash and cash equivalents, accrued investment income and net payable for investments purchased) as at June 30, 2008:

 

 

 

 

 

Total

AAA

 

 

 

48.5

%

 

AA

 

 

 

20.4

%

 

A

 

 

 

18.6

%

 

BBB

 

 

 

9.5

%

 

BB & below

 

 

 

2.7

%

 

NR

 

 

 

0.3

%

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

 

 

At June 30, 2008, the average credit quality of the Company’s total fixed income portfolio was “AA.”

As at June 30, 2008, the top 10 corporate holdings, which exclude government guaranteed and government sponsored enterprises, represented approximately 5.1% of the total fixed income portfolio and approximately 14.0% of all corporate holdings. The top 10 corporate 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 securities, cash and cash equivalents, pooled notes and any over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivative counterparty exposure, if applicable.

82


 

 

 

Top 10 Corporate Holdings

 

Percentage of Total
Fixed Income
Portfolio (1)

General Electric Company

 

 

 

0.8

%

 

HBOS plc

 

 

 

0.7

%

 

Citigroup Inc

 

 

 

0.6

%

 

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc

 

 

 

0.6

%

 

Bank of America Corporation

 

 

 

0.5

%

 

HSBC Holdings plc

 

 

 

0.5

%

 

Lloyds TSB Group plc

 

 

 

0.4

%

 

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

 

 

 

0.4

%

 

Banco Santander S.A..

 

 

 

0.3

%

 

Barclays plc

 

 

 

0.3

%

 


 

 

(1)

 

 

 

Including fixed maturities, short-term investments, cash and cash equivalents, accrued investment income and net payable for investments purchased.

As at June 30, 2008, the top 5 corporate sector exposures represented 28.8% of the total fixed income portfolio and 78.4% of all corporate holdings.

 

 

 

 

 

Top 5 Sector Exposures

 

Fair Value

 

Percent of
Fixed Income
Portfolio

Financials

 

 

$

 

6,209.7

   

 

 

18.1

%

 

Consumer, Non-Cyclical

 

 

 

1,023.4

   

 

 

3.0

%

 

Communications

 

 

 

902.1

   

 

 

2.6

%

 

Industrials

 

 

 

891.1

   

 

 

2.6

%

 

Utilities

 

 

 

853.7

   

 

 

2.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

$

 

9,880.0

   

 

 

28.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Company also has exposure to market movement related to credit risk associated with its mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. The table below shows the breakdown of the $10.9 billion structured credit portfolio as at June 30, 2008, of which approximately 82% is AAA rated:

 

 

 

 

 

(U.S. dollars in millions)

 

Fair Value

 

Percent of Portfolio

CMBS

 

 

$

 

3,365.9

   

 

 

30.8

%

 

Agency

 

 

 

1,508.9

   

 

 

13.8

%

 

Whole Loans

 

 

 

1,440.4

   

 

 

13.2

%

 

Core CDO (non-ABS CDOs and CLOs)

 

 

 

903.4

   

 

 

8.3

%

 

Other ABS:

 

 

 

 

ABS — Auto

 

 

 

857.0

   

 

 

7.8

%

 

ABS — Credit Cards

 

 

 

558.5

   

 

 

5.1

%

 

ABS — Other

 

 

 

853.2

   

 

 

7.8

%

 

Topical:

 

 

 

 

Sub-prime first lien

 

 

 

724.4

   

 

 

6.6

%

 

Alt-A

 

 

 

635.1

   

 

 

5.8

%

 

Second lien (including sub-prime second lien mortgages)

 

 

 

66.3

   

 

 

0.6

%

 

ABS CDOs with sub-prime collateral

 

 

 

17.9

   

 

 

0.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

$

 

10,931.0

   

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

For further discussion of the exposure to credit market movements in the Company’s investment portfolio see the Investment Value-at-Risk section below.

As at June 30, 2008, the Company had exposure to market movements as a result of credit risk exposures related to the facultative and excess of loss reinsurance agreements noted above. A portion of the exposures resulting from this business represented risks written by SCA in credit

83


derivative form which were reinsured by the Company and were required to be marked to fair value. The fair value of such instruments was determined using models developed by SCA management. Although the Company reviewed the validity of the overall methodology applied, it relied on SCA management’s application of the model to individual exposures. For further details surrounding this exposure, see Item 1, Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Security Capital Assurance Ltd.” Subsequent to June 30, 2008, the Company announced that an agreement had been reached with SCA in connection with the termination of reinsurance agreements. For further details relating to the SCA agreement, see Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Subsequent Events”.

With regards to unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable and reinsurance balances receivable, the Company has credit risk should any of its reinsurers be unable or unwilling to settle amounts due to the Company; however, these exposures are not marked to market. For further information relating to reinsurer credit risk, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Unpaid Losses and Loss Expenses Recoverable and Reinsurance Balances Receivable.”

The Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of non-performance by the other parties to its derivative instruments in general; however, the Company does not anticipate non-performance. The difference between the notional principal amounts and the associated market value is the Company’s maximum credit exposure.

Weather and Energy Risk

The Company offers weather and contingent energy risk management products in insurance or derivative form to end-users, while managing the risks in the over-the-counter and exchange traded derivatives markets or through the use of quota share or excess of loss arrangements.

Fair values for the Company’s portfolio of speculative natural gas derivative contracts are determined through the use of quoted market prices. As quoted market prices are not widely available in the weather derivative market, management uses available market data and internal pricing models based upon consistent statistical methodologies to estimate fair values. Estimating fair value of instruments that do not have quoted market prices requires management’s judgment in determining amounts that could reasonably be expected to be received from, or paid to, a third party in respect of the contracts. The amounts could be materially different from the amounts that might be realized in an actual sale transaction. Fair values are subject to change in the near-term and reflect management’s best estimate based on various factors including, but not limited to, realized and forecasted weather conditions, changes in interest rates and other market factors.

The Company manages its weather and energy risk portfolio through the employment of a variety of strategies. These include geographical and directional diversification of risk exposures and direct hedging within the capital and reinsurance markets. Risk management is undertaken on a portfolio-wide basis, to maintain a portfolio that the Company believes is well diversified and which remains within the aggregate risk tolerance established by the Company’s senior management. As at June 30, 2008, the Company’s VaR related to these risks did not exceed $20.0 million in any one season.

Other Market Risks

The Company’s private investment portfolio is invested in limited partnerships and other entities which 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.

As at June 30, 2008, the Company’s exposure to private investments was $387.8 million compared to $427.5 million as at December 31, 2007.

84


At June 30, 2008, bond and stock index futures outstanding had a net short position of $46.2 million as compared to a net short position of $384.5 million at December 31, 2007. A 10% appreciation or depreciation of the underlying exposure to these derivative instruments would have resulted in realized gains or realized losses of $4.6 million as at June 30, 2008 and $38.5 million as at December 31, 2007, respectively. The Company may reduce its exposure to these futures through offsetting transactions, including options and forwards.

Investment Value-at-Risk (VaR)

The VaR of the investment portfolio at June 30, 2008, based on a 95% confidence level with a one month holding period was approximately $795 million as compared to $648 million at December 31, 2007. The VaR of all investment related derivatives excluding investments in affiliates and other investments was approximately $22.1 million as compared to $19.1 million at December 31, 2007. The Company’s investment portfolio VaR as at June 30, 2008 is not necessarily indicative of future VaR levels.

To complement the VaR analysis based on normal market environments, the Company considers the impact on the investment portfolio of several different historical stress periods to analyze the effect of unusual market conditions. The Company establishes certain historical stress test scenarios which are applied to the actual investment portfolio. As these stress tests and estimated gains and losses are based on historical events, they will not necessarily reflect future stress events or gains and losses from such events. The results of the stress test scenarios are reviewed on a regular basis to ensure they are appropriate, based on current shareholders equity, market conditions and the Company’s total risk tolerance.

Given the investment portfolio allocations as at June 30, 2008, the Company would expect to lose approximately 6.3% of the portfolio if the most damaging event stress tested was repeated, all other things held equal, as compared to 6.0% at December 31, 2007. Given the investment portfolio allocations as at June 30, 2008, the Company would expect to gain approximately 19.5% of the portfolio if the most favorable event stress tested was repeated, all other things held equal, as compared to 18.1% at December 31, 2007. The Company assumes that no action is taken during the stress period to either liquidate or rebalance the portfolio. The Company believes that this fairly reflects the potential decreased liquidity that is often associated with stressed market environments.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, 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 the disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that all material information relating to the Company required to be filed in this report has been made known to them in a timely fashion.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the Company’s evaluation required pursuant to Rules 13a-15 and 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, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.     LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

On September 21, 2004, a consolidated and amended class action complaint (the “Amended Complaint”) was served on the Company and certain of its present and former directors and officers as defendants in a putative class action (Malin et al. v. XL Capital Ltd et al.) filed in United States District Court, District of Connecticut (the “Malin Action”). The Malin Action purports to be on behalf of purchasers of the Company’s common stock between November 1, 2001 and October 16, 2003, and alleges claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder (the “Securities Laws”). The Amended Complaint alleged that the defendants violated the Securities Laws by, among other things, failing to disclose in various public statements, reports to shareholders and other communications the alleged inadequacy of the Company’s loss reserves for its NAC Re subsidiary (now known as XL Reinsurance America, Inc.) and that, as a consequence, the Company’s earnings and assets were materially overstated. On August 26, 2005, the Court dismissed the Amended Complaint owing to its failure adequately to allege that the lead plaintiffs had sustained a loss, but provided leave for the plaintiffs to file a further amended complaint. The plaintiffs thereafter filed another amended complaint (the “Second Amended Complaint”), which is similar to the Amended Complaint in its substantive allegations. On December 31, 2005, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss the Second Amended Complaint. The plaintiffs opposed the motion. In addition, the plaintiffs filed a motion to strike certain documents and exhibits that the XL defendants had proffered in support of the motion to dismiss. By Order dated December 15, 2006, the Judge granted in part and denied in part plaintiffs’ motion to strike and allowed limited discovery through March 2, 2007. The Judge denied defendants’ motion to dismiss without prejudice to its renewal at the conclusion of such discovery. On March 22, 2007, the defendants filed their renewed motion to dismiss the Second Amended Complaint. By order dated July 21, 2007, the Judge granted defendants’ renewed motion and dismissed the Second Amended Complaint. On August 30, 2007 plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal. Briefing on the Appeal is concluded and the parties await scheduling of argument. The Company and the defendant present and former officers and directors will continue to vigorously defend the Malin Action.

In November 2006, a subsidiary of the Company (“DOJ”) received a grand jury subpoena from the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice and a subpoena from the SEC, both of which seek documents in connection with an investigation into the municipal guaranteed investment contract (“GIC”) market and related products. In June 2008, subsidiaries of the Company also received a subpoena from the Connecticut Attorney General and an Antitrust Civil Investigative Demand from the Office of the Florida Attorney General in connection with a coordinated multi- state Attorneys General investigation into the matters referenced in the DOJ and SEC subpoenas. The Company is fully cooperating with these investigations.

In March 2008, two subsidiaries of the Company were named, along with 20 other providers and insurers of municipal Guaranteed Investment Contracts and similar derivative products (“collectively Municipal Derivatives”) as well as fourteen brokers of such products, in two purported federal antitrust class actions filed in the federal courts in the District of Columbia and the Southern District of New York. These complaints allege that there was a conspiracy among the defendants during the period from January 1, 1992 to the present to rig bids for Municipal Derivatives. The purported class of plaintiffs consists of purchasers of Municipal Derivatives. In April 2008, another federal antitrust class action containing similar allegations was filed in the Northern District of California against 39 defendants, including the same two subsidiaries of the Company, as well as XL Capital, Ltd. The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ordered that the Southern District of New York will serve as the venue for these actions. The plaintiffs are expected to file a consolidated amended complaint, and defendants will then have 60 days to move or answer in response thereto. In addition, in July 2008, the same two subsidiaries were named in similar actions filed by the cities of Los Angeles and Stockton in California state courts. The Company intends to vigorously defend these actions.

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From time to time, the Company has also received and responded to additional requests from Attorneys General, state insurance regulators and federal regulators for information relating to the Company’s contingent commission arrangements with brokers and agents and/or the Company’s insurance and reinsurance practices in connection with certain finite-risk and loss mitigation products. Similarly, the Company’s affiliates outside the United States have, from time to time, received and responded to requests from regulators relating to the Company’s insurance and reinsurance practices regarding contingent commissions or finite-risk and loss mitigation products. The Company has fully cooperated with the regulators in these matters.

In August 2005, plaintiffs in a proposed class action (the “Class Action”) that was consolidated into a multidistrict litigation in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, captioned In re Insurance Brokerage Antitrust Litigation, MDL No. 1663, Civil Action No. 04-5184 (the “MDL”), filed a consolidated amended complaint (the “Amended Complaint”), which named as new defendants approximately 30 entities, including Greenwich Insurance Company, Indian Harbor Insurance Company and XL Capital Ltd. In the MDL, the Class Action plaintiffs asserted various claims purportedly on behalf of a class of commercial insureds against approximately 113 insurance companies and insurance brokers through which the named plaintiffs allegedly purchased insurance. The Amended Complaint alleged that the defendant insurance companies and insurance brokers conspired to manipulate bidding practices for insurance policies in certain insurance lines and failed to disclose certain commission arrangements. The named plaintiffs asserted statutory claims under the Sherman Act, various state antitrust laws and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”), as well as common law claims alleging breach of fiduciary duty, aiding and abetting a breach of fiduciary duty and unjust enrichment. Discovery in the MDL commenced in the latter part of 2005. Defendants filed motions to dismiss the Amended Complaint in late November 2005. By Opinion and Order dated October 3, 2006, the Court ruled on defendants’ motions to dismiss the Amended Complaint, holding that plaintiffs’ RICO and antitrust claims were deficient as pled and directing plaintiffs to file a supplemental RICO case statement and a supplemental statement of particularity as to their Sherman Act claims. Plaintiffs filed their supplemental pleadings on October 25, 2006 and on November 30, 2006, defendants filed motions to dismiss plaintiffs’ supplemental pleadings. By Orders dated April 5, 2007, the Court dismissed plaintiffs’ Sherman Act and RICO claims without prejudice to their filing final amended pleadings. By Order dated April 11, 2007, the Court stayed all proceedings in the MDL, including discovery, pending the disposition of defendants’ motions to dismiss plaintiffs’ Second Amended Complaint, which was filed on May 22, 2007 and contained allegations as to XL that were materially similar to those set forth in plaintiffs’ October 2006 pleadings, but also purported to add as new defendants three other XL entities. On June 2007, XL (along with other defendants) filed motions to dismiss the Sherman Act and RICO claims alleged in the Second Amended Complaint and to strike the newly- named parties.

By Opinion and Order dated August 31, 2007, the Court dismissed the Class Action plaintiffs’ Sherman Act claims with prejudice and, by Opinion and Order dated September 28, 2007, the Court dismissed the Class Action plaintiffs’ RICO claims with prejudice. In its September 28, 2007, Opinion and Order, the Court declined to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over the Class Action plaintiffs’ state law claims. On October 10, 2007, the Class Action plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal, stating their intention to appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (the “Third Circuit”) from the District Court’s October 3, 2006 Opinion and Order; April 5, 2007 Opinions and Order; August 31, 2007 Opinion and Order; and September 28, 2007 Opinion and Order. All appellate briefs have now been filed. By Order dated July 2, 2008, the Third Circuit stayed the appeal pending further proceedings in the District Court in connection with the filings by defendant Marsh and the Class Action plaintiffs announcing their agreement to settle the Class Action. By motion dated July 10, 2008, the Class Action plaintiffs filed a motion with the Third Circuit requesting that the stay be vacated. The Third Circuit has not yet ruled on that motion.

Various XL entities have been named as defendants in three of the many tag-along actions that have been consolidated into the MDL for pretrial purposes. On April 4, 2006, a tag-along Complaint

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was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia on behalf of New Cingular Wireless Headquarters LLC and several other corporations against approximately 100 defendants, including Greenwich Insurance Company, XL Specialty Insurance Company, XL Insurance America, Inc., XL Insurance Company Limited, Lloyd’s syndicates 861, 588 and 1209 and XL Capital Ltd. (the “New Cingular Lawsuit”). The New Cingular Lawsuit is a tag-along action that does not purport to be a class action. The New Cingular Complaint, which made the same basic allegations as those alleged in the Class Action plaintiffs’ Second Amended Complaint, asserted statutory claims under the Sherman Act, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, as well as common law claims alleging breach of fiduciary duty, inducement to breach fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment and fraud. On January 5, 2007, the plaintiffs in the New Cingular Lawsuit filed an Amended Complaint, a RICO Statement and a memorandum of law. In accordance with the Court’s April 11, 2007 Order, all proceedings in the New Cingular Lawsuit, including discovery and motions by defendants to dismiss the New Cingular Amended Complaint, were stayed pending the Court’s disposition of defendants’ motions to dismiss the Second Amended Complaint filed in the MDL. The parties are awaiting the District Court’s decision as to whether the New Cingular Lawsuit will continued to be stayed or be permitted to proceed pending the Third Circuit’s disposition of the Class Action plaintiffs’ pending appeal.

On or about May 21, 2007 a tag-along Complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey on behalf of Henley Management Company, Big Bear Properties, Inc., Northbrook Properties, Inc., RCK Properties, Inc., Kitchens, Inc., Aberfeldy LP and Payroll and Insurance Group, Inc. against multiple defendants, including “XL Winterthur International” (the “Henley Lawsuit”). The Complaint in the Henley Lawsuit, which contains certain of the basic allegations that are contained in the Class Action plaintiffs’ Second Amended Complaint, alleges violations of Section 1 of the Sherman Act against all defendants and various other claims that are alleged against only defendant Marsh. The Henley Lawsuit is a tag-along action that does not purport to be a class action. By Order dated July 11, 2007, the Court ordered that the Henley Lawsuit be consolidated into the MDL, making the Henley Lawsuit subject to the Court’s April 11, 2007 stay Order. The parties are awaiting the District Court’s decision as to whether the Henley Lawsuit will continued to be stayed or be permitted to proceed pending the Third Circuit’s disposition of the Class Action plaintiffs’ pending appeal.

On October 12, 2007, a Complaint in a third tag-along action, captioned Sears Roebuck & Co. v. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., et al., No. 1:07-CV-2535 (the “Sears Lawsuit”), was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia by Sears, Roebuck & Co., Sears Holdings Corporation, Kmart Corporation and Lands’ End Inc. Among the many named defendants are X.L. America, Inc., XL Insurance America, Inc., XL Specialty Insurance Company and XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd. The Complaint in the Sears Lawsuit, which contains many of the basic allegations that were contained in the Class Action plaintiffs’ Second Amended Complaint, alleges violations of the Sherman Act and RICO, as well as claims alleging breach of fiduciary duty against the broker defendants; inducement to breach fiduciary duty against the insurer defendants; breach of contract against the broker defendants; tortious interference with contract against the insurer defendants; unjust enrichment; common law fraud against the broker defendants; aiding and abetting common law fraud against the insurer defendants; violation of state consumer fraud statutes; and violation of state antitrust statutes. The Sears Lawsuit is a tag-along action that does not purport to be a class action. The parties are awaiting the District Court’s decision as to whether the Sears Lawsuit will continued to be stayed or be permitted to proceed pending the Third Circuit’s disposition of the Class Action plaintiffs’ pending appeal.

Three purported class actions were filed against “XL Insurance Ltd” (“XLI”) and others in the United States District Court, for the Southern District of New York on behalf of shareholders of Security Capital Assurance, Inc. (“SCA”). The complaints, filed December 7, 2007, December 18, 2007 and January 8, 2008 named as defendants in addition to XLI, SCA, two SCA officers, (and in two of the cases) Goldman Sachs & Co., J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc., and Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith, Inc. All allege violations of various U.S. Securities laws against the defendants

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arising from purchases of SCA shares in the June 6, 2007 secondary offering and shortly before. The complaints allege, among other things, that the Registration Statement and other public disclosures made by SCA and the individual defendants contained untrue statements of material facts and omitted other necessary facts to make the statements not misleading. The complaints allege that the disclosures failed to disclose that SCA was materially exposed to risky securities relating to sub-prime real estate mortgages. The allegations against XLI claim it is liable as a selling shareholder and as a party that “controlled” SCA during the relevant time period. In late April, the Judge issued an order consolidating the actions, appointing Employees’ Retirement System of the state of Rhode Island as lead plaintiff, and approving its selection of lead counsel. The order further provides that the lead plaintiff shall file a Consolidated Amended Complaint. The matter is designated In Re Security Capital Assurance Ltd. Securities Litigation. Plaintiffs’ Consolidated Amended Complaint is currently due to be filed on or before August 6, 2008.

In connection with the secondary offering of SCA shares at issue, the Company and SCA agreed to indemnify the several underwriters of that offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933. The underwriters named as defendants in the litigation have communicated their request for the Company and/or SCA to indemnify the underwriters for payment of legal fees and expenses incurred with respect to the litigation.

The Company is also subject to litigation and arbitration in the normal course of its 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 legal 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 claims litigation, the Company and its subsidiaries are subject to lawsuits in the normal course of business that do not arise from or directly relate to claims on policies of insurance or contracts of reinsurance.

The Company believes that the ultimate outcome of all outstanding litigation and arbitration will not have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial condition, operating results and/or liquidity, although an adverse resolution of one or more of these items could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations in a particular fiscal quarter or year.

ITEM 1A.     RISK FACTORS

“The risk factors set forth below update and replace the risk factors previously disclosed in Item 1A of Part I of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 under the headings “Risk Related to the Company,” “Risks Related to the Insurance and Reinsurance Industries,” “Risks Related to Regulation,” “Risks Related to Taxation” and “Risk Related to the Company’s Ordinary Shares,” except that until such time as the transactions contemplated by the Master Agreement are consummated, (1) the risk factor set forth under the heading “If the Company’s guarantee agreements with SCA are triggered, there may be a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and/or liquidity” as set forth in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, shall not be replaced and (2) the eleventh and twelfth sentences of the penultimate paragraph in the risk factor under the heading “If actual claims exceed the Company’s loss reserves, its financial results could be adversely affected,” as set forth in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, should be replaced with the following “Under most of the credit default swap contracts insured by XLCA, and reinsured by the Company, it would be an event of default if XLCA should become insolvent. If there were an event of default by XLCA, the holders of these swaps would have the right to terminate the swaps and to obtain a termination payment from XLCA, and possibly expose the Company under the Company’s reinsurance agreements or guarantees, based on the market value of the swaps at the time of termination.”

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Risks Related to the Company

A downgrade in our credit ratings by one or more rating agencies could materially and negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and/or liquidity.

As our ability to underwrite business is dependent upon the quality of our claims paying and financial strength ratings as evaluated by independent rating agencies, a further downgrade by any of these institutions could cause our competitive position in the insurance and reinsurance industry to suffer and make it more difficult for us to market our products. A downgrade could also result in a substantial loss of business for us as ceding companies and brokers that place such business may move to other insurers and reinsurers with higher ratings.

Based on the announcements relating to the SCA Agreement and these offerings, once successful, it is management’s expectation that our financial strength and debt ratings ultimately will be affirmed at their current levels, though we do expect that some of the rating agencies will assign a “negative” outlook to us.

A downgrade of the A.M. Best financial strength rating of XL Capital Ltd, XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd or XL Re Ltd below “A-,” which is currently two notches below our current A.M. Best rating of “A,” would constitute an event of default and may require the posting of cash collateral under our letter of credit and revolving credit facilities. Such downgrades by A.M. Best or similar downgrades by S&P will trigger cancellation provisions in the majority of our assumed reinsurance contracts. See “—A decline in our ratings may allow many of our clients to terminate their contracts with us,” below. Either of these events would reduce our financial flexibility and materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and could have a significant adverse effect on the market price for our securities.

A decline in our ratings may allow many of our clients to terminate their contracts with us.

The majority of our assumed reinsurance contracts contain provisions that would allow our clients to cancel the contract in the event of a downgrade in our ratings below specified levels by one or more rating agencies. Based on premium value, approximately 65% of our reinsurance contracts that incepted at January 1, 2008 contained provisions allowing clients to cancel those contracts upon a decline in our ratings.

Typically, the cancellation provisions in our assumed reinsurance contracts would be triggered if S&P or A.M. Best were to downgrade our financial strength ratings below “A-,” which is currently three levels below our current S&P rating of “A+” and two levels below our current A.M. Best rating of “A.” Whether a client would exercise its cancellation rights after such a downgrade would likely depend, among other things, on the reasons for the downgrade, the extent of the downgrade, the prevailing market conditions, the degree of unexpired coverage, and the pricing and availability of replacement reinsurance coverage. In the event of such a downgrade, we cannot predict whether or how many of our clients would actually exercise such cancellation rights or the extent to which any such cancellations would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or future prospects and could have a significant adverse effect on the market price for our securities.

The occurrence of disasters could adversely affect our financial condition.

We have substantial exposure to losses resulting from natural and man-made disasters and other catastrophic events. Catastrophes can be caused by various events, including hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, hailstorms, explosions, severe weather, fires, war, acts of terrorism and political instability. The incidence and severity of catastrophes are inherently unpredictable, and it is difficult to predict the timing of such events with statistical certainty or estimate the amount of loss any given occurrence will generate.

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The occurrence of claims from catastrophic events is likely to result in substantial volatility in our financial condition and results of operations for the fiscal quarter or year in which a catastrophic event occurs, as well as subsequent fiscal periods, and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations and our ability to write new business. This risk is exacerbated due to accounting principles and rules that do not permit reinsurers to reserve for such catastrophic events until they occur. We expect that increases in the values and concentrations of insured property, the effects of inflation and changes in cyclical weather patterns will increase the severity of catastrophic events in the future. Although we attempt to manage our exposure to catastrophic events, a single catastrophic event could affect multiple geographic zones and lines of business and the frequency or severity of catastrophic events could exceed our estimates, in each case potentially having a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, while we may, depending on market conditions, purchase catastrophe reinsurance and retrocessional protection, the occurrence of one or more major catastrophes in any given period could result in losses that exceed such reinsurance and retrocessional protection or make it more difficult or expensive for us to purchase reinsurance or retrocessional protection and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations and result in substantial liquidation of investments, possibly at a loss, and outflows of cash as losses are paid.

The failure of any of the underwriting risk management strategies that we employ could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and/or liquidity.

We seek to limit our loss exposure by, among other things, writing a number of our reinsurance contracts on an excess of loss basis, adhering to maximum limitations on reinsurance written in defined geographical zones, limiting program size for each client and prudently underwriting each program written. In addition, in the case of proportional treaties, we generally seek to use per occurrence limitations or loss ratio caps to limit the impact of losses from any one event. We cannot be sure that all of these loss limitation methods will have the precise risk management impact intended. For instance, although we also seek to limit our loss exposure by geographic diversification, geographic zone limitations involve significant underwriting judgments, including the determination of the area of the zones and the inclusion of a particular policy within a particular zone’s limits. Underwriting involves the exercise of considerable judgment and the making of important assumptions about matters that are inherently unpredictable and beyond our control, and for which historical experience and probability analysis may not provide sufficient guidance. The failure of any of the underwriting risk management strategies that we employ could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Also, we cannot provide assurance that various provisions of our policies, such as limitations or exclusions from coverage or choice of forum, will be enforceable in the manner that we intend and disputes relating to coverage and choice of legal forum may arise, which could materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

If actual claims exceed our loss reserves, our financial results could be adversely affected.

Our results of operations and financial condition depend upon our ability to assess accurately the potential losses associated with the risks that we insure and reinsure. We establish reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expense (“LAE”) liabilities, which are estimates of future payments of reported and unreported claims for losses and related expenses with respect to insured events that have occurred. The process of establishing reserves for property and casualty claims can be complex and is subject to considerable variability as it requires the use of informed estimates and judgments. Actuarial estimates of unpaid loss and LAE liabilities are subject to potential errors of estimation, which could be significant, due to the fact that the ultimate disposition of claims incurred prior to the date of such estimation, whether reported or not, is subject to the outcome of events that have not yet occurred. Examples of these events include the accuracy of the factual information on which the estimates were based, especially as this develops, jury decisions, court interpretations, legislative changes, changes in the medical condition of claimants, public attitudes, and economic conditions such as inflation. Any estimate of future costs is subject to the inherent limitation on the

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ability to predict the aggregate course of future events. It should therefore be expected that the actual emergence of loss and LAE liabilities will vary, perhaps materially, from any estimate.

Similarly, the actual emergence of claims for life business may vary from the assumptions underlying the policy benefit reserves, in particular, the future assumed mortality improvements on the blocks of in-payment annuities.

In relation to financial guarantee business and related exposures, we establish reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses on such business based on management’s best estimate of the ultimate expected incurred losses. Our estimated ultimate expected incurred losses are comprised of: (i) case basis reserves, (ii) unallocated reserves, and (iii) cumulative paid losses to date. Establishment of such reserves requires the use and exercise of significant judgment by management, including with respect to estimates regarding the occurrence and amount of a loss on an insured or reinsured obligation. Estimates of losses may differ from actual results and such difference may be material, due to the fact that the ultimate dispositions of claims are subject to the outcome of events that have not yet occurred. Examples of these events include changes in the level of interest rates, credit deterioration of insured and reinsured obligations, and changes in the value of specific assets supporting insured and reinsured obligations. Both qualitative and quantitative factors are used in establishing such reserves. In determining the reserves, management considers all factors in the aggregate, and does not attribute the reserve provisions or any portion thereof to any specific factor. In general, guarantees written in credit default swap form are exposed to the same risks as noted above, except in events of default by the guarantor. Credit default swaps, however, do not qualify for the financial guarantee scope exception under FAS 133, and, therefore are reported at fair value with changes in the fair value included in earnings. Fair value for such swaps are determined based on methodologies further described in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in the Company’s Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. Any estimate of future costs is subject to the inherent limitation on our ability to predict the aggregate course of future events. It should therefore be expected that the actual emergence of losses and loss adjustment expenses will vary, perhaps materially, from any estimate.

We have an actuarial staff in each of our operating segments that regularly evaluates the levels of loss reserves, taking into consideration factors that may impact the ultimate losses incurred. Any such evaluation could result in future changes in estimates of losses or reinsurance recoverable and would be reflected in our results of operations in the period in which the estimates are changed. Losses and loss expenses, to the extent that they exceed the applicable reserves, are charged to income as incurred. The reserve for unpaid losses and loss expenses represents the estimated ultimate losses and loss expenses less paid losses and loss expenses, and comprises case reserves and incurred but not reported loss reserves (“IBNR”). During the loss settlement period, which can span many years in duration for casualty business, additional facts regarding individual claims and trends often will become known and case reserves may be adjusted by allocation from IBNR without any change in the overall reserve. In addition, application of statistical and actuarial methods may require the adjustment of the overall reserves upward or downward from time to time. Accordingly, the ultimate settlement of losses may be significantly greater than or less than reported loss and loss expense reserves.

There is a possibility that the SCA Agreement and the related commutations and releases could be challenged or that we could be subject to litigation as a result of the SCA Agreement. Any such challenge could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or the market price of our securities.

We provided certain reinsurance protections (the “Reinsurance Agreements”) with respect to adverse development on certain transactions as well as indemnification under specific facultative and excess of loss coverages for subsidiaries of SCA: XLFA and XLCA. As at June 30, 2008, our total net exposure under facultative agreements with SCA subsidiaries was approximately $6.4 billion of

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net par value outstanding. Pursuant to the SCA Agreement, all of these Reinsurance Agreements will be commuted.

In addition, through one or more of our subsidiaries, we entered into certain agreements with subsidiaries of SCA pursuant to which we guaranteed certain obligations of XLFA and XLCA under specific agreements more fully described below under “Description of the SCA Agreement” (the “Guarantee Agreements”). See “Description of the SCA Agreement” below for more information regarding the Guarantee Agreements and the Reinsurance Agreements. As at June 30, 2008, the total net par value outstanding of business written by subsidiaries of SCA which falls under the Guarantee Agreements was approximately $60 billion. Pursuant to the terms of, and required conditions under, the SCA Agreement, XLFA’s facultative quota share reinsurance agreement with XLCA, and all individual risk cessions thereunder, and the Financial Security Master Facultative Agreement, and all individual risk cessions thereunder, will be commuted, thereby rendering the XLFA Guarantee and Financial Security Guarantee of no further force and effect.

After the closing under the SCA Agreement, SCA and its applicable subsidiaries will be required to use commercially reasonable efforts to commute the underlying financial guarantees that are the subject of the EIB Guarantees. There can be no assurances that such commutation will ultimately occur and that our $1.1 billion exposure (as of June 30, 2008 after giving effect to the SCA Agreement) under the EIB Guarantees will be eliminated.

While the NYID and the BMA have approved the SCA Agreement and related agreements and transactions, as further described below, including the commutation of the agreements described above and the Delaware Insurance Department (“DID”) has approved the SCA Agreement and the commutation of the XLFA/XLCA Quota Share, which approval will become effective upon the redomestication of XLFA as a Delaware domiciled insurance company and although the Company believes the effect of the SCA Agreement will be to relieve us of all of our obligations under the Reinsurance Agreements and the Guarantee Agreements (other than as noted above with respect to the EIB Guarantee, if such Guarantee remains in place post-closing), no assurance can be given that the enforceability of the SCA Agreement, the agreements relating thereto and the transactions contemplated thereunder will not be challenged, including under applicable fraudulent transfer laws (described in the following paragraph) and/or by asserting any number of other theories for recovery, including third-party beneficiary rights, or that other litigation will not be commenced against us as a result of the SCA Agreement and such related agreements and transactions. We believe that we would have significant defenses to any such challenges and would vigorously defend against any such claims. However, we cannot assure you that any such claims would not be made or, that any such claims would not ultimately be successful.

Under federal bankruptcy law and comparable provisions of state fraudulent transfer laws (including those applicable in any state insurance insolvency proceeding) SCA’s commutation and release of our obligations pursuant to the SCA Agreement and related agreements would constitute a voidable fraudulent transfer if it was determined that SCA or any applicable subsidiary thereto, at the time it entered into the SCA Agreement or such related agreement:

 

 

 

 

intended to hinder, delay or defraud its creditors; or

 

 

 

 

received less than “reasonably equivalent value” or “fair consideration” for such release; and either

 

 

 

 

was insolvent or rendered insolvent by reason of such incurrence; or

 

 

 

 

was engaged in a business or transaction for which its remaining assets constituted unreasonably small capital; or

 

 

 

 

intended to incur, or believed that it would incur, debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature.

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Among other regulatory approvals obtained in connection with the SCA Agreement, the NYID issued an approval letter to XLCA under Section 1505 of the New York Insurance Law and the DID issued an approval letter to XLFA under Section 5005(a) of the Delaware Insurance Code (effective upon XLFA’s redomestication to Delaware) (both of which require that the terms of a transaction between an issuer and one or more of its affilaites be fair and equitable) stating, in the case of NYID, that the terms of the SCA Agreement and each of the commutations are fair and equitable to XLCA and do not adversely affect policyholders of XLCA and, in the case of the DID, stating that the terms of the SCA Agreement and the commutation of the XLFA/XLCA Quota Share were fair and equitable to XLFA. The BMA (the domiciliary regulator of XLFA) also issued an approval letter approving the SCA Agreement and each commutation to which XLFA is a party, including the XLFA/XLCA Quota Share. There can be no assurance that a court would agree with our, the NYID’s, the DID’s, the BMA’s or SCA’s conclusions, or as to what law or standard a court would ultimately apply in making any such determination or as to how such court would ultimately rule. Additionally, in the event of any liquidation or rehabilitation or similar proceeding of any insurance subsidiary of SCA, there can be no assurance that any insurance regulator or regulators responsible for such proceedings, in their capacity as liquidator or rehabilitator, would respect the insurance regulatory approvals obtained in connection with the SCA Agreement.

If any such challenge were successful, we could be required to honor our original obligations under the Reinsurance Agreements and Guarantee Agreements or be subject to other remedies. Any challenge could have a material adverse effect on the market price for our securities and on our business and, if successful, could also have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

On July 28, 2008, SCA announced that it has conducted a review of its June 30, 2008 loss reserves. Based on the preliminary results of this review, SCA believes that its case reserves will have increased substantially as of June 30, 2008, primarily due to significant deterioration with respect to its exposure to collateralized debt obligations of asset backed securities and residential mortgage- backed securities. As a result, SCA’s New York-based insurance subsidiary, XLCA, will report negative statutory surplus and its Bermuda-based reinsurance subsidiary, XLFA, will report negative total statutory capital and surplus as of June 30, 2008. Upon the successful closing of the transactions contemplated by the SCA Agreement, SCA’s settlement with Merrill Lynch International (the “Merrill Agreement”) and related agreements, and pending the satisfaction of the conditions to closing of the SCA Agreement and the Merrill Agreement, XLCA expects to have positive statutory surplus and XLFA expects to have positive total statutory capital and surplus. In the absence of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the SCA Agreement, Merrill Agreement and related agreements, XLCA and XLFA would likely be subject to regulatory action by their primary regulators, the NYID and the BMA. As a result of these developments, there is substantial doubt about SCA’s ability to continue as a going concern. Upon closing of the transactions contemplated by the SCA Agreement and the Merrill Agreement, SCA intends to re-assess whether substantial doubt exists about SCA’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Operational risks, including human or systems failures, are inherent in our business.

Operational risk and losses can result from, among other things, fraud, errors, failure to document transactions properly or to obtain proper internal authorization, failure to comply with regulatory requirements, information technology failures, or external events.

We believe that our modeling, underwriting and information technology and application systems are critical to our business. Moreover, our information technology and application systems have been an important part of our underwriting process and our ability to compete successfully. We have also licensed certain systems and data from third parties. We cannot be certain that we will have access to these, or comparable, service providers, or that our information technology or application systems will continue to operate as intended. A major defect or failure in our internal controls or information technology and application systems could result in management distraction, harm to our reputation or increased expense.

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In particular, we have outsourced the day-to-day management, custody and record-keeping of our investment portfolio to third-party managers and custodians that we believe to be reputable. A major defect in those investment managers’ investment management strategy, information and technology systems, internal controls or decision-making could result in management distraction and/or significant financial loss. A major defect in custodian internal controls or information and technology systems could result in management distraction or significant financial loss.

We believe appropriate controls and mitigation procedures are in place to prevent significant risk of defect in our internal controls, information technology, application systems, investment management and custody and record-keeping, but internal controls provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance as to the absence of errors or irregularities and any ineffectiveness of such controls and procedures could have a material adverse effect on our business.

The effects of emerging claim and coverage issues on our business are uncertain.

As industry practices and legal, judicial, social and other environmental conditions change, unexpected issues related to claims and coverage may emerge. These issues may adversely affect our business by either extending coverage beyond our underwriting intent or by increasing the number or size of claims, such as the effects that recent disruptions in the credit markets could have on the number and size of reported claims under D&O and professional liability insurance lines of business. In some instances, these changes may not become apparent until some time after we have issued the insurance or reinsurance contracts that are affected by the changes. As well, our actual losses may vary materially from our current estimate of the loss based on a number of factors, including receipt of additional information from insureds or brokers, the attribution of losses to coverages that had not previously been considered as exposed and inflation in repair costs due to additional demand for labor and materials. As a result, the full extent of liability under an insurance or reinsurance contract may not be known for many years after such contract is issued and a loss occurs.

We may require additional capital in the future, which may not be available to us on satisfactory terms, on a timely basis or at all.

Our future capital requirements depend on many factors, including our ability to write new business successfully and to establish premium rates and reserves at levels sufficient to cover our losses. To the extent that the funds generated by our ongoing operations are insufficient to fund future operating requirements and cover claim payments, or that the Company’s capital position is adversely impacted by mark-to-market movements on the investment portfolio, we may need to raise additional funds through financings or curtail our growth and reduce our assets. Any future financing may not be available on terms that are favorable to us, if at all. Following this offering, it may be more difficult for us to raise additional capital for some period of time. Any future equity financings could be dilutive to our existing shareholders or could result in the issuance of securities that have rights, preferences and privileges that are senior to those of our other securities. Our inability to obtain adequate capital could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Under Rule 3-09 of Regulation S-X, we may be required to file separate audited financial statements of SCA (the “SCA Financials”) in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. If we are required to file the SCA Financials and they are not available at the time of filing our Annual Report, we may not satisfy the registrant requirements for use of Form S-3 and therefore may be ineligible to use such Form. Should we be unable to file our Annual Report including the SCA Financials on or before the required date, we may be ineligible to use Form S-3 for a period of twelve months. This restriction could adversely affect our ability to raise capital. We may seek a “no action” letter or other relief from the SEC from the requirement to file the SCA financials. However, we cannot assure you that we will be successful in obtaining such a letter or other relief.

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We may be unable to purchase reinsurance and, even if we are able to successfully purchase reinsurance, we are subject to the possibility of uncollectability.

We purchase reinsurance for our own account in order to mitigate the volatility that losses impose on our financial condition. Our clients purchase reinsurance from us to cover part of the risk originally written by them. Retrocessional reinsurance involves a reinsurer ceding to another reinsurer, the retrocessionaire, all or part of the reinsurance that the first reinsurer has assumed. Reinsurance, including retrocessional reinsurance, does not legally discharge the ceding company from its liability with respect to its obligations to its insureds or reinsureds. A reinsurer’s or retrocessionaire’s insolvency, inability or refusal to make timely payments under the terms of its agreements with us, therefore, could have a material adverse effect on us because we remain liable to our insureds and reinsureds. At June 30, 2008, we had approximately $4.8 billion of reinsurance recoverables and reinsurance balances receivable, net of reserves for uncollectible recoverables. For further information regarding our reinsurance exposure, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Quarterly Report filed on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

From time to time, market conditions may limit or prevent us from obtaining the types and amounts of reinsurance that we consider adequate for our business needs such that we may not be able to obtain reinsurance or retrocessional reinsurance from entities with satisfactory creditworthiness in amounts that we deem desirable or on terms that we deem appropriate or acceptable.

Since we depend on a few brokers for a large portion of our revenues, loss of business provided by any one of them could adversely affect us.

We market our insurance and reinsurance products worldwide primarily through insurance and reinsurance brokers. Marsh & McLennan Companies and AON Corporation and their respective subsidiaries provided approximately 18% and 17%, respectively, of our gross written premiums for property and casualty operations for the year ended December 31, 2007. Loss of all or a substantial portion of the business provided by one or more of these brokers could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Our reliance on brokers subjects us to credit risk.

In certain jurisdictions, when an insured or ceding insurer pays premiums for policies of insurance or contracts of reinsurance to brokers for further payment to us, such premiums might be considered to have been paid and the insured or ceding insurer will no longer be liable to us for such amounts, whether or not we have actually received the premiums from the broker. In addition, in accordance with industry practice, we generally pay amounts owed on claims under our reinsurance contracts to brokers, and these brokers, in turn, pay these amounts over to the clients that have purchased reinsurance from us. Although the law is unsettled and depends upon the facts and circumstances of the particular case, in some jurisdictions, if a broker fails to make such a claims payment to the insured or ceding insurer, we might remain liable to the insured or ceding insurer for that non-payment. Consequently, we assume a degree of credit risk associated with the brokers with whom we transact business. Due to the unsettled and fact-specific nature of the law governing these types of scenarios, we are unable to quantify our exposure to this risk. To date, we have not experienced any material losses related to such credit risks.

Our investment performance may adversely affect our financial results and ability to conduct business.

Our assets are invested by a number of professional investment advisory management firms under the direction of our management team in accordance, in general, with detailed investment guidelines set by us. Although our investment policies stress diversification of risks, conservation of

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principal and liquidity, our investments are subject to market-wide risks and fluctuations, as well as to risks inherent in particular securities. Investment losses could significantly decrease our asset base, thereby adversely affecting our ability to conduct business and pay claims.

We are exposed to significant capital markets risk related to changes in interest rates, credit spreads, equity prices and foreign exchange rates which may adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

We are exposed to significant capital markets risk related to changes in interest rates, credit spreads and defaults, market liquidity, equity prices and foreign currency exchange rates. In the first six months of 2008, particularly in the first quarter, financial market conditions continued to be extremely challenging as the global credit crisis that began in July 2007 continued to adversely impact global fixed income markets. While credit spreads on both corporate and structured credit improved modestly in the second quarter, spread levels remained wide as at June 30, 2008 as compared to June 30, 2007, resulting in continuing depressed pricing on credit product. Continuing challenges included continued weakness in the U.S. housing market and increased mortgage delinquencies, investor anxiety over the U.S. economy, rating agency downgrades of various structured products and financial issuers, unresolved issues with structured investment vehicles and monolines, deleveraging of financial institutions and hedge funds and a serious dislocation in the inter-bank market. If significant, continued volatility, changes in interest rates, changes in credit spreads and defaults, a lack of pricing transparency, market liquidity, declines in equity prices, and the strengthening or weakening of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar, individually or in tandem, could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition or cash flows through realized losses, impairments, and changes in unrealized positions. Levels of write down or impairment are impacted by our assessment of the intent and ability to hold securities which have declined in value until recovery. We periodically review our investment portfolio. If, as a result of such review, we determine to reposition or realign portions of the portfolio where we determine not to hold certain securities in an unrealized loss position to recovery, then we will incur an other than temporary impairment charge.

Our exposure to interest rate risk relates primarily to the market price and cash flow variability associated with changes in interest rates. Our investment portfolio contains interest rate sensitive instruments, such as fixed income securities, which may be adversely affected by changes in interest rates from governmental monetary policies, domestic and international economic and political conditions and other factors beyond our control. A rise in interest rates would increase the net unrealized loss position of our investment portfolio, offset by our ability to earn higher rates of return on funds reinvested. Conversely, a decline in interest rates would decrease the net unrealized loss position of our investment portfolio, offset by lower rates of return on funds reinvested. Our mitigation efforts with respect to interest rate risk are primarily focused towards maintaining an investment portfolio with diversified maturities that has a weighted average duration that is approximately equal to the duration of our estimated liability cash flow profile. However, our estimate of the liability cash flow profile may be inaccurate and we may be forced to liquidate investments prior to maturity at a loss in order to cover liabilities. Although we take measures to manage the economic risks of investing in a changing interest rate environment, we may not be able to mitigate the interest rate risk of our assets relative to our liabilities.

A portion of our risk asset portfolio consists of below investment-grade high yield fixed income securities. These securities, which pay a higher rate of interest, also have a higher degree of credit or default risk. Certain sectors within the investment and below investment grade fixed income market, such as structured and corporate credit may be less liquid in times of economic weakness or market disruptions. While we have put in place procedures to monitor the credit risk and liquidity of our invested assets, in general and those impacted by recent credit market issues specifically, it is possible that, in periods of economic weakness or periods of turmoil in capital markets, we may experience default losses in our portfolio, in particular the structured credit portfolio, which constituted 32% of our total portfolio as of June 30, 2008. This may result in a material reduction of net income, capital and cash flows. Beginning in the latter half of 2007 and continuing throughout

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2008, increasing delinquencies in U.S. residential collateral in various securitized products has lead to increased volatility and decreased liquidity across financial markets as a whole. Decreases in market liquidity have increased the difficulty and volatility in pricing across credit exposed markets. Such illiquidity volatility and related uncertainty may persist or even worsen in the future.

We invest a portion of our portfolio in common stock or equity-related securities such as hedge funds and private investments. The value of these assets fluctuates, along with other factors, with equity and credit markets. In times of economic weakness, the market value and liquidity of these assets may decline, and may impact net income, capital, and cash flows. In addition, certain of the products offered by our Life Operations segment offer guaranteed benefits which increase our potential benefit exposure should equity markets decline.

Our functional currencies of our principal insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries include the U.S. dollar, U.K. sterling, the Euro, the Swiss Franc, and the Canadian dollar. Exchange rate fluctuations relative to the functional currencies may materially impact our financial position and results of operations. Many of our non-U.S. subsidiaries maintain both assets and liabilities in currencies different than their functional currency, which exposes us to changes in currency exchange rates.

In addition, locally-required capital levels are invested in local currencies in order to satisfy regulatory requirements and to support local insurance operations regardless of currency fluctuations. Foreign exchange rate risk is reviewed as part of our risk management process. While we utilize derivative instruments such as futures, options and foreign currency forward contracts to, among other things, manage our foreign currency exposure, it is possible that these instruments will not effectively mitigate all or a substantial portion of our foreign exchange rate risk.

Current legal and regulatory activities relating to insurance brokers and agents, contingent commissions, the municipal guaranteed investment contract market and the financial guarantee market could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Contingent commission arrangements have been a focus of investigations by various regulatory agencies, including certain state Attorneys General and insurance departments. Due to various governmental investigations into contingent commission practices, various market participants have modified or eliminated acquisition expenses formerly arising from Placement Service Agreements and related arrangements. As a result, it is possible that policy commissions or brokerage that we pay may increase in the future and/or that different forms of contingent commissions will develop in the future. Any such additional expense could have a material adverse effect on our financial conditions or results.

One of our subsidiaries that had been a provider of municipal guaranteed investment contracts (“GICs”) received a grand jury subpoena in November 2006 from the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) and a subpoena from the SEC seeking documents pursuant to respective investigations into municipal GICs and related products sold in connection with municipal bond offerings. Our subsidiary is fully cooperating with these federal industry-wide investigations. In June 2008, subsidiaries of ours also received a subpoena from the Office of the Connecticut Attorney General and an Antitrust Civil Investigative Demand from the Office of the Florida Attorney General in connection with a coordinated multi-state Attorneys General investigation into the matters referenced in the DOJ and SEC subpoenas. We are fully cooperating with these investigations.

At this time, we are unable to predict the potential effects, if any, that these investigations may have upon us, the insurance and reinsurance markets in general or industry and reinsurance business practices or what, if any, changes may be made to laws and regulations regarding the industry. Any of the foregoing could also result in litigation or otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

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Lawsuits, including putative class action lawsuits, have been filed against us by policyholders and security holders the ultimate outcome of which could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, future operating results and/or liquidity

We are subject to lawsuits and arbitrations in the regular course of our business. In addition, lawsuits have been filed against us as detailed in “Legal Proceedings” in our Quarterly Report filed on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We believe that we have substantial defenses to all outstanding litigation and intend to pursue our defenses vigorously, although an adverse resolution of one or more of these items could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in a particular fiscal quarter or year.

The loss of one or more key executives or the inability to attract and retain qualified personnel could adversely affect our ability to conduct business.

Our success depends on our ability to retain the services of our existing key executives and to attract and retain additional qualified personnel in the future. The loss of the services of any of our key executives or the inability to hire and retain other highly qualified personnel in the future could adversely affect our ability to conduct our business. In addition, we do not maintain key man life insurance policies with respect to our employees.

Many of our senior executives working in Bermuda are not Bermudian and our success may depend in part on the continued services of key employees in Bermuda. Under Bermuda law, non- Bermudians (other than spouses of Bermudians and holders of permanent resident certificates) may not engage in any gainful occupation in Bermuda without an appropriate governmental work permit. A work permit may be granted or renewed by the Bermuda government for a specific period of time, upon showing that, after proper public advertisement, no Bermudian (or spouse of a Bermudian or holder of a permanent resident certificate) is available who meets the minimum standards reasonably required by an employer with respect to a certain position. The government of Bermuda places a six-year term limit on individuals with work permits, subject to certain exemptions for key employees. No assurances can be given that any work permit will be issued or, if issued, renewed upon the expiration of the relevant term.

Because we are a holding company, if our subsidiaries do not make dividend and other payments to us, we may not be able to pay dividends or make payments on our debt securities and other obligations.

As a holding company with no direct operations or significant assets other than the capital stock of our subsidiaries, we rely on investment income, cash dividends and other permitted payments from our subsidiaries to make principal and interest payments on our debt, to pay operating expenses and common and preferred shareholder dividends and to pay certain of our other obligations that may arise from time to time. We expect future investment income, dividends and other permitted payments from these subsidiaries to be our principal source of funds to pay such expenses, preferred and common stock dividends and obligations. The payment of dividends to us by our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries is limited under the laws of Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, the U.K., Ireland and certain insurance statutes of various states in the United States in which our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are licensed to transact business.

Our U.S. insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are subject to state regulatory restrictions that generally require cash dividends to be paid only out of earned statutory surplus. Further, the amount payable without the prior approval of the applicable state insurance department is generally limited to the greater of 10% of policyholders’ surplus or statutory capital, or 100% of the subsidiary’s prior year statutory net income. In addition, Bermuda insurance laws and regulations (i) require our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries to maintain certain minimum solvency margins and minimum liquidity ratios, (ii) prohibit dividends that would result in a breach of these requirements, and (iii) limit the amount by which we can reduce surplus without prior approval from the BMA.

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In addition, the ability of our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries to pay dividends could be constrained by our dependence on financial strength ratings from independent rating agencies. Our ratings from these agencies depend to a large extent on the capitalization levels of our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries. Any such restriction on our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends to us could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries may not always be able to, or may not, pay preferred and common stock dividends to us sufficient to make our debt payments and pay our operating expenses, shareholder dividends or other obligations.

Risks Related to the Insurance and Reinsurance Industries

The insurance and reinsurance industries are historically cyclical and we may experience periods with excess underwriting capacity and unfavorable premium rates.

The insurance and reinsurance industries have historically been cyclical, characterized by periods of intense price competition due to excess underwriting capacity as well as periods when shortages of capacity permitted favorable premium levels. An increase in premium levels is often offset by an increasing supply of insurance and reinsurance capacity, either by capital provided by new entrants or by the commitment of additional capital by existing insurers or reinsurers, which may cause prices to decrease. Either of these factors could lead to a significant reduction in premium rates, less favorable policy terms and conditions and fewer submissions for our underwriting services. In addition to these considerations, changes in the frequency and severity of losses suffered by insureds and insurers may affect the cycles of the insurance and reinsurance industries significantly. Currently, both the insurance and reinsurance industries are experiencing soft market conditions, including decreases in premium rates across most lines of business, increased competitive pressures and increased retention by insureds and/or cedants. Such soft market conditions may persist for the foreseeable future. Gross and net premiums written during the three months ended June 30, 2008 decreased by 24.5% and 31.2%, respectively, as compared to the second quarter in 2007. These decreases resulted from such softening market conditions and us declining certain business where market rates were below our acceptable underwriting return levels, together with increased retentions by clients.

Competition in the insurance and reinsurance industries could reduce our operating margins.

The insurance and reinsurance industries are highly competitive. We compete on an international and regional basis with major U.S., Bermudian, European and other international insurers and reinsurers and with underwriting syndicates, some of which have greater financial and management resources and higher ratings than we do. We also compete with new companies that continue to be formed to enter the insurance and reinsurance markets. In addition, capital market participants have recently created alternative products that are intended to compete with reinsurance products. Increased competition could result in fewer submissions, lower premium rates and less favorable policy terms and conditions, which could reduce our margins.

Unanticipated losses from terrorism and uncertainty surrounding the future of the TRIPRA could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

In response to the tightening of supply in certain insurance and reinsurance markets resulting from, among other things, the September 11 event, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program (“TRIP”) was created upon the enactment of the U.S. Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 (“TRIA”) to ensure the availability of commercial insurance coverage for certain terrorist acts in the U.S. This law established a federal assistance program through the end of 2005 to help the commercial property and casualty insurance industry cover claims related to future terrorism-related losses and required that coverage for terrorist acts be offered by insurers. TRIA was originally scheduled to expire at the end of 2005, but was extended in December 2005 for an additional two years. On December 26, 2007, President George Bush approved the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program

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Reauthorization Act of 2007 (“TRIPRA”), extending TRIP through December 31, 2014 and also eliminated the distinction between foreign and domestic acts of terrorism.

TRIA voided in force terrorism exclusions as of November 26, 2002 for certified terrorism on all TRIA specified property and casualty business. TRIA required covered insurers to make coverage available for certified acts of terrorism on all new and renewal policies issued after TRIA was enacted. TRIA along with further extensions to TRIP, as noted above, allows us to assess a premium charge for terrorism coverage and, if the policyholder declines the coverage or fails to pay the buy-back premium, certified acts of terrorism may then be excluded from the policy, subject, however, to state specific requirements. Terrorism coverage cannot be excluded from workers’ compensation policies. Subject to a premium-based deductible and provided that we have otherwise complied with all the requirements as specified under TRIPRA, we are eligible for reimbursement by the Federal Government for up to 85% of our covered terrorism-related losses arising from a certified terrorist attack. Such payment by the government will, in effect, provide reinsurance protection on a quota share basis. Entitlement to such reimbursement ends once the aggregated insured losses for the entire insurance industry exceed $100 billion in a single program year.

We believe that TRIP and the related legislation has been an effective mechanism to assist policyholders and industry participants with the extreme contingent losses that might be caused by acts of terrorism. We cannot assure you that TRIPRA will be extended beyond 2014, and its expiration could have an adverse effect on us, our clients or the insurance industry.

Potential government intervention in our industry as a result of recent events and instability in the marketplace for insurance products could hinder our flexibility and negatively affect the business opportunities that may be available to us in the market.

Government intervention and the possibility of future government intervention have created uncertainty in the insurance and reinsurance markets. Government regulators are generally concerned with the protection of policyholders to the exclusion of other constituencies, including shareholders of insurers and reinsurers. While we cannot predict the exact nature, timing or scope of possible governmental initiatives, such proposals could adversely affect our business by, among other things:

 

 

 

 

Providing insurance and reinsurance capacity in markets and to consumers that we target, e.g., the creation or expansion of a state or federal catastrophe funds such as those in Florida;

 

 

 

 

Requiring our participation in industry pools and guarantee associations;

 

 

 

 

Expanding the scope of coverage under existing policies;

 

 

 

 

Regulating the terms of insurance and reinsurance policies; or

 

 

 

 

Disproportionately benefiting the companies of one country over those of another.

The insurance industry is also affected by political, judicial and legal developments that may create new and expanded theories of liability, which may result in unexpected claims frequency and severity and delays or cancellations of products and services by insureds, insurers and reinsurers which could adversely affect our business.

Consolidation in the insurance industry could adversely impact us.

Insurance industry participants may seek to expand through mergers and acquisitions. Continued consolidation within the insurance industry will further enhance the already competitive underwriting environment as we would likely experience more robust competition from larger, better capitalized competitors. These consolidated entities may use their enhanced market power and broader capital

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base to negotiate price reductions for our products and services, and reduce their use of reinsurance, and as such, we may experience rate declines and possibly write less business.

Risks Related to Regulation

The regulatory regimes under which we operate, and potential changes thereto, could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries operate in 28 countries around the world as well as in all 50 U.S. states. Our operations in each of these jurisdictions are subject to varying degrees of regulation and supervision. The laws and regulations of the jurisdictions in which our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are domiciled require, among other things, that these subsidiaries maintain minimum levels of statutory capital, surplus and liquidity, meet solvency standards, submit to periodic examinations of their financial condition and restrict payments of dividends and reductions of capital. Statutes, regulations and policies that our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are subject to may also restrict the ability of these subsidiaries to write insurance and reinsurance policies, make certain investments and distribute funds.

In recent years, the U.S. insurance regulatory framework has come under increased federal scrutiny. In addition, some state legislatures have considered or enacted laws that may alter or increase state regulation of insurance and reinsurance companies and holding companies. Moreover, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, which is the organization of insurance regulators from the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and the four U.S. territories, as well as state insurance regulators regularly reexamine existing laws and regulations.

We may not be able to comply fully with, or obtain desired exemptions from, revised statutes, regulations and policies that govern the conduct of our business. Failure to comply with, or to obtain desired authorizations and/or exemptions under, any applicable laws could result in restrictions on our ability to do business or undertake activities that are regulated in one or more of the jurisdictions in which we operate and could subject us to fines and other sanctions. In addition, changes in the laws or regulations to which our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are subject, or in the interpretations thereof by enforcement or regulatory agencies, could have a material adverse effect on our business.

If our Bermuda operating subsidiaries become subject to insurance statutes and regulations in jurisdictions other than Bermuda or if there is a change in Bermuda law or regulations or the application of Bermuda law or regulations, there could be a significant and negative impact on our business.

XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd and XL Re Ltd, two of our wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, are registered Bermuda Class 4 insurers. As such, they are subject to regulation and supervision in Bermuda. Bermuda insurance statutes and the regulations and policies of the BMA require XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd and XL Re Ltd to, among other things:

 

 

 

 

maintain a minimum level of capital and surplus;

 

 

 

 

maintain solvency margins and liquidity ratios;

 

 

 

 

restrict dividends and distributions;

 

 

 

 

obtain prior approval regarding the ownership and transfer of shares;

 

 

 

 

maintain a principal office and appoint and maintain a principal representative in Bermuda;

 

 

 

 

file an annual statutory financial return; and

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allow for the performance of certain periodic examinations of XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd and XL Re Ltd and their respective financial conditions.

These statutes and regulations may restrict our ability to write insurance and reinsurance policies, distribute funds and pursue our investment strategy.

We do not presently intend for XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd and XL Re Ltd to be admitted to do business in the United States, the United Kingdom or any jurisdiction other than Bermuda. However, we cannot provide assurance that insurance regulators in the United States, the United Kingdom or elsewhere will not review the activities of XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd or XL Re Ltd, their respective subsidiaries or their agents and claim that XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd or XL Re Ltd is subject to such jurisdiction’s licensing requirements. If any such claim is successful and XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd or XL Re Ltd must obtain licenses in a jurisdiction other than Bermuda, we may be subject to taxation in such jurisdiction.

In addition, XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd and XL Re Ltd are subject to indirect regulatory requirements imposed by jurisdictions that may limit their ability to provide insurance or reinsurance to that jurisdiction’s domestic insurers or reinsurers. For example, the ability of XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd and XL Re Ltd to write insurance or reinsurance may be subject, in certain cases, to a country’s limits on how much reinsurance can be purchased from non-domestic reinsurers or requirements that such non-domestic reinsurers collateralize their payment obligations to domestic ceding companies. If we are unable to collateralize or provide other credit support for these reinsurance clients on commercially reasonable terms, we could be limited in our ability to write business for some of our clients. Proposed legislation and regulations may have the effect of imposing additional requirements upon, or restricting the market for, non-domestic insurers or reinsurers with whom domestic companies place business.

Generally, Bermuda insurance statutes and regulations applicable to XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd and XL Re Ltd are less restrictive than those that would be applicable if they were governed by the laws of any state in the United States. If in the future we become subject to any insurance laws of the United States or any state thereof or of any other jurisdiction, we cannot provide assurance that we would be in compliance with such laws or that complying with such laws would not have a significant and negative effect on our business.

The process of obtaining licenses is very time consuming and costly and XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd and XL Re Ltd may not be able to become licensed in jurisdictions other than Bermuda should we choose to do so. The modification of the conduct of our business that would result if we were required or chose to become licensed in certain jurisdictions could significantly and negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, our inability to comply with insurance statutes and regulations could significantly and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations by limiting our ability to conduct business as well as subjecting us to penalties and fines.

Because XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd and XL Re Ltd are Bermuda companies, they are subject to changes in Bermuda law and regulation that may have an adverse impact on our operations, including through the imposition of tax liability or increased regulatory supervision. In addition, XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd and XL Re Ltd will be exposed to any changes in the political environment in Bermuda, including, without limitation, changes as a result of the independence issues currently being discussed in Bermuda. The Bermuda insurance and reinsurance regulatory framework recently has become subject to increased scrutiny in many jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom. While we cannot predict the future impact on our operations of changes in the laws and regulation to which we are or may become subject, any such changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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Changes in current accounting practices and future pronouncements may materially impact our reported financial results.

Unanticipated developments in accounting practices may require us to incur considerable additional expenses to comply with such developments, particularly if we are required to prepare information relating to prior periods for comparative purposes or to apply the new requirements retroactively. The impact of changes in current accounting practices and future pronouncements cannot be predicted but may affect the calculation of net income, net equity, and other relevant financial statement line items. In particular, recent guidance and ongoing projects put in place by standard setters globally have indicated a possible move away from the current insurance accounting models toward more “fair value” based models which could introduce significant volatility in the earnings of insurance industry participants.

Risks Related to Taxation

We and our Bermuda insurance subsidiaries may become subject to taxes in Bermuda after March 28, 2016, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and your investment.

We and our Bermuda insurance subsidiaries have received from the Ministry of Finance in Bermuda exemptions from any Bermuda taxes that might be imposed on profits, income or any capital asset, gain or appreciation until March 28, 2016. The exemptions are subject to the proviso that they are not construed so as to prevent the application of any tax or duty to such persons as are ordinarily resident in Bermuda (we and our Bermuda insurance subsidiaries are not so currently designated) and to prevent the application of any tax payable in accordance with the provisions of The Land Tax Act 1967 or otherwise payable in relation to the land leased to us and our Bermuda insurance subsidiaries. We, as a permit company under The Companies Act 1981 of Bermuda, have received similar exemptions, which are effective until March 28, 2016. We and our Bermuda insurance subsidiaries are required to pay certain annual Bermuda government fees and certain business fees as an insurer under The Insurance Act 1978 of Bermuda. Currently there is no Bermuda withholding tax on dividends paid by our Bermuda insurance subsidiaries to us. Given the limited duration of the Ministry of Finance’s assurance, we cannot be certain that we or our Bermuda insurance subsidiaries will not be subject to any Bermuda tax after March 28, 2016. Such taxation could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and the price of our ordinary shares.

We may become subject to taxes in the Cayman Islands after June 2, 2018, which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and your investment.

Under current Cayman Islands law, we are not obligated to pay any taxes in the Cayman Islands on our income or gains. We have received an undertaking from the Governor-in-Council of the Cayman Islands pursuant to the provisions of the Tax Concessions Law, as amended, that until June 2, 2018, (i) no subsequently enacted law imposing any tax on profits, income, gains or appreciation shall apply to us and (ii) no such tax and no tax in the nature of an estate duty or an inheritance tax shall be payable on any of our ordinary shares, debentures or other obligations. Under current law, no tax will be payable on the transfer or other disposition of our ordinary shares. The Cayman Islands currently impose stamp duties on certain categories of documents; however, our current operations do not involve the payment of stamp duties in any material amount. The Cayman Islands also currently impose an annual corporate fee upon all exempted companies incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Given the limited duration of the undertaking from the Governor-in-Council of the Cayman Islands, we cannot be certain that we will not be subject to any Cayman Islands tax after June 2, 2018. Such taxation could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and your investment.

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We and our Bermuda insurance subsidiaries may become subject to U.S. tax, which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and your investment.

We take the position that neither we nor any of our Bermuda insurance subsidiaries are engaged in a U.S. trade or business through a U.S. permanent establishment. Accordingly, we take the position that none of our Bermuda insurance subsidiaries should be subject to U.S. tax (other than U.S. excise tax on insurance and reinsurance premium income attributable to insuring or reinsuring U.S. risks and U.S. withholding tax on some types of U.S. source investment income). However, because there is considerable uncertainty as to the activities that constitute being engaged in a trade or business within the United States, we cannot be certain that the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) will not contend successfully that we or any of our Bermuda insurance subsidiaries are engaged in a trade or business in the United States. If we or any of our Bermuda insurance subsidiaries were considered to be engaged in a trade or business in the United States, any such entity could be subject to U.S. corporate income and additional branch profits taxes on the portion of its earnings effectively connected to such U.S. business, in which case our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. See “Certain Tax Considerations—Taxation of XL Capital and XL—United States.”

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development is considering measures that might change the manner in which we are taxed.

On July 17, 2008, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (the “OECD”) issued the final version of its “Report on the Attribution of Profits to Permanent Establishments” (the “Report”). The Report is the final report on the OECD’s project to establish a broad consensus regarding the interpretation and practical application of Article 7 of the OECD Model Tax Convention on Income and on Capital (“Article 7”). Article 7 sets forth international tax principles for attributing profits to a permanent establishment and forms the basis of an extensive network of bilateral income tax treaties between OECD member countries and between many OECD member and non-member countries. Part IV of the Report addresses the attribution of profits to a permanent establishment of an enterprise that conducts insurance activities.

The OECD has undertaken to implement the conclusions of the Report in two phases. First, to provide improved certainty for the interpretation of existing treaties based on the current text of Article 7, the OECD has revised the commentary to the current version of Article 7 to take into account the conclusions of the Report that do not conflict with the existing interpretation of Article 7 reflected in the previous commentary. Second, to reflect the full conclusions of the Report, the OECD intends to issue a new version of Article 7 and related commentary to be used in the negotiation of new treaties and amendments to existing treaties. A discussion draft of the new Article 7 and related commentary was released on July 7, 2008, and the final version of this new Article 7 is expected to be released in 2010. The final version of new Article 7 might include provisions that could change the manner in which we are taxed.

If an investor acquires 10% or more of our ordinary shares, it may be subject to taxation under the “controlled foreign corporation” (the “CFC”) rules.

Under certain circumstances, a U.S. person who owns 10% or more of the voting power of a foreign corporation that is a CFC (a foreign corporation in which 10% U.S. shareholders own more than 50% of the voting power of the foreign corporation or more than 25% of a foreign insurance company) for an uninterrupted period of 30 days or more during a taxable year must include in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes such “10% U.S. Shareholder’s” pro rata share of the CFC’s “subpart F income,” even if the subpart F income is not distributed to such 10% U.S. Shareholder, if such 10% U.S. Shareholder owns (directly or indirectly through foreign entities) any shares of the foreign corporation on the last day of the corporation’s taxable year. “Subpart F income” of a foreign insurance corporation typically includes foreign personal holding company income (such as interest, dividends and other types of passive income), as well as insurance and reinsurance income (including underwriting and investment income) attributable to the insurance of

105


risks situated outside the CFC’s country of incorporation. Ownership of the units being issued in these offerings (or ownership of the 7.00% Equity Security Units we issued in 2005) by a U.S. person may cause such person to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as the owner of our ordinary shares prior to the purchase contract settlement date. For purposes of interpreting the voting restrictions in our Articles of Association, we intend to treat the ordinary shares issuable upon settlement of a purchase contract underlying a unit as currently owned by the holder of that unit. See “Certain Tax Considerations—Taxation of Shareholders—Ownership and Disposition of Ordinary Shares—Classification as a Controlled Foreign Corporation.”

We believe that because of the dispersion of our share ownership, provisions in our organizational documents that limit voting power and other factors, no U.S. person or U.S. partnership that acquires our shares directly or indirectly through one or more foreign entities should be required to include its “subpart F income” in income under the CFC rules of the Code. See “Description of XL Capital Ordinary Shares” in the accompanying prospectus for a description of these provisions. It is possible, however, that the IRS could challenge the effectiveness of these provisions and that a court could sustain such a challenge, in which case an investor’s investment could be materially adversely affected, if the investor is considered to own 10% or more of our shares.

U.S. Persons who hold shares will be subject to adverse tax consequences if we are considered to be a Passive Foreign Investment Company (a “PFIC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

If we are considered a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a U.S. person who owns any of our shares will be subject to adverse tax consequences, including a greater tax liability than might otherwise apply and tax on amounts in advance of when tax would otherwise be imposed, in which case an investor’s investment could be materially adversely affected. In addition, if we were considered a PFIC, upon the death of any U.S. individual owning shares, such individual’s heirs or estate would not be entitled to a “step-up” in the basis of the shares which might otherwise be available under U.S. federal income tax laws. We believe that we are not, have not been, and currently do not expect to become, a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We cannot provide absolute assurance, however, that we will not be deemed a PFIC by the IRS. If we were considered a PFIC, it could have material adverse tax consequences for an investor that is subject to U.S. federal income taxation. There are currently no regulations regarding the application of the PFIC provisions to an insurance company. New regulations or pronouncements interpreting or clarifying these rules may be forthcoming. We cannot predict what impact, if any, such guidance would have on an investor that is subject to U.S. federal income taxation. See “Certain Tax Considerations—Taxation of Shareholders—United States—Taxation of U.S. Holders of Ordinary Shares—Ownership and Dispositions of Ordinary Shares—Passive Foreign Investment Companies.”

There is U.S income tax risk associated with reinsurance between U.S. insurance companies and their Bermuda affiliates.

Congress has periodically considered legislation intended to eliminate certain perceived tax advantages of Bermuda insurance companies and U.S. insurance companies with Bermuda affiliates, including perceived tax benefits resulting principally from reinsurance between or among U.S. insurance companies and their Bermuda affiliates. In this regard, section 845 of the Code was amended in 2004 to permit the IRS to reallocate, recharacterize or adjust items of income, deduction or certain other items related to a reinsurance agreement between related parties to reflect the proper “amount, source or character” for each item (in contrast to prior law, which only covered “source and character”). If the IRS were to successfully challenge our reinsurance arrangements under section 845, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected and the price of our ordinary shares could be adversely affected.

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There are U.S. income tax risks associated with the related person insurance income of our non-U.S. insurance subsidiaries.

If (i) the related person insurance income, which we refer to as “RPII,” of any one of our non-U.S. insurance subsidiaries were to equal or exceed 20% of that subsidiary’s gross insurance income in any taxable year and (ii) U.S. persons were treated as owning 25% or more of the subsidiary’s stock (by vote or value), a U.S. person who owns any ordinary shares, directly or indirectly, on the last day of such taxable year on which the 25% threshold is met would be required to include in its income for U.S. federal income tax purposes that person’s ratable share of that subsidiary’s RPII for the taxable year, determined as if that RPII were distributed proportionately only to U.S. holders at that date, regardless of whether that income is distributed. The amount of RPII earned by a subsidiary (generally premium and related investment income from the direct or indirect insurance or reinsurance of any direct or indirect U.S. holder of shares of that subsidiary or any person related to that holder) would depend on a number of factors, including the identity of persons directly or indirectly insured or reinsured by that subsidiary. Although we do not believe that the 20% threshold will be met in respect of any of our non-U.S. insurance subsidiaries, some of the factors that may affect the result in any period may be beyond our control. Consequently, we cannot provide absolute assurance that we will not exceed the RPII threshold in any taxable year.

The RPII rules provide that if a holder who is a U.S. person disposes of shares in a non-U.S. insurance corporation that had RPII (even if the 20% gross income threshold was not met) and met the 25% ownership threshold at any time during the five-year period ending on the date of disposition, and the holder owned any stock at such time, any gain from the disposition will generally be treated as a dividend to the extent of the holder’s share (taking into account certain rules for determining a U.S. holder’s share of RPII) of the corporation’s undistributed earnings and profits that were accumulated during the period that the holder owned the shares (possibly whether or not those earnings and profits are attributable to RPII). In addition, such a shareholder will be required to comply with specified reporting requirements, regardless of the amount of shares owned. We believe that these rules should not apply to dispositions of our ordinary shares because XL Capital is not itself directly engaged in the insurance business. We cannot provide absolute assurance, however, that the IRS will not successfully assert that these rules apply to dispositions of our ordinary shares. See “Certain Tax Considerations—Taxation of Shareholders—United States—Taxation of U.S. Holders of Ordinary Shares—Ownership and Dispositions of Ordinary Shares—Related Person Insurance Income.”

Changes in U.S. tax law might adversely affect an investment in our shares.

The tax treatment of non-U.S. companies and their U.S. and non-U.S. insurance subsidiaries has been the subject of Congressional discussion and legislative proposals. For example, one legislative proposal would impose additional limits on the deductibility of interest by foreign-owned U.S. corporations. Another legislative proposal would treat a non-U.S. corporation as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes if it were considered to be primarily managed and controlled in the U.S. We cannot assure you that future legislative action will not increase the amount of U.S. tax payable by us. If this happens, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Additionally, the U.S. federal income tax laws and interpretations, including those regarding whether a company is engaged in a trade or business (or has a permanent establishment) within the United States or is a PFIC, or whether U.S. holders would be required to include in their gross income “subpart F income” or the RPII of a CFC, are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis. There are currently no regulations regarding the application of the PFIC rules to insurance companies and the regulations regarding RPII are still in proposed form. New regulations or pronouncements interpreting or clarifying such rules may be forthcoming. We cannot be certain if, when or in what form such regulations or pronouncements may be provided and whether such guidance will have a retroactive effect.

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Risks Related to our Ordinary Shares

Provisions in our Articles of Association may reduce the voting rights of our ordinary shares.

Our Articles of Association generally provide that shareholders have one vote for each ordinary share held by them and are entitled to vote, on a non-cumulative basis, at all meetings of shareholders. However, the voting rights exercisable by a shareholder may be limited so that certain persons or groups are not deemed to hold 10% or more of the voting power conferred by our ordinary shares. Under these limitations, some shareholders may have less than one vote for each ordinary share held by them. Moreover, these limitations could have the effect of reducing the voting power of some shareholders who would not otherwise be subject to such limitations by virtue of their direct share ownership. See “Description of XL Capital Ordinary Shares” in the accompanying prospectus.

Provisions in our Articles of Association may restrict the ownership and transfer of our ordinary shares.

Our Articles of Association provide that our Board of Directors shall decline to register a transfer of shares if it appears to our Board of Directors, whether before or after such transfer, that the effect of such transfer would be to increase the number of shares owned or controlled by any person to 10% or more of any class of voting shares, the total issued shares of XL Capital Ltd or the voting power of XL Capital Ltd. In addition, our Articles of Association also provide that if, and for so long as, the votes conferred on any person by the ownership or control of our shares (including any preference ordinary shares) constitute 10% or more of the votes conferred by our issued shares, each such share held by such person shall confer only a fraction of the vote that would otherwise be conferred, as determined by the formula described in our Articles of Association, and such voting rights will continue to be readjusted until no shareholder’s voting rights exceed this limitation as a result of such reduction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our Board of Directors may make such final adjustments to the aggregate number of votes conferred on any person by the ownership or control of shares that they consider fair and reasonable, in the light of all applicable circumstances, to ensure that such votes represent less than 10% of the aggregate voting power of the votes conferred by all our issued shares. See “Description of XL Capital Ordinary Shares” in the accompanying prospectus. For these purposes, references to ownership or control of our shares mean ownership within the meaning of Section 958 of the Code and Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Certain provisions in our charter documents and Rights Agreement could, among other things, impede an attempt to replace our directors or to effect a change of control, which could diminish the value of our ordinary shares.

Our articles of association contain provisions that may make it more difficult for shareholders to replace directors and could delay or prevent a change of control that a shareholder might consider favorable. These provisions include a staggered board of directors, limitations on the ability of shareholders to remove directors, limitations on voting rights and certain transfer restrictions on our ordinary shares. In addition, certain provisions in our Rights Agreement could delay or prevent a change of control that a shareholder might consider favorable. These provisions may prevent a shareholder from receiving the benefit of any premium over the market price of our ordinary shares offered by a bidder in connection with a potential takeover. Even in the absence of a takeover attempt or an attempt to effect a change in management, these provisions may adversely affect the prevailing market price of our ordinary shares if they are viewed as discouraging takeover attempts in the future. See “Description of XL Capital Ordinary Shares” in the accompanying prospectus and “Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities” in our Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. In addition, insurance regulations in certain jurisdictions may also delay or prevent a change of

108


control or limit the ability of a shareholder to acquire in excess of specified amounts of our ordinary shares.

It may be difficult to enforce judgments against XL Capital Ltd or its directors and executive officers.

XL Capital Ltd is incorporated pursuant to the laws of the Cayman Islands and our principal executive offices are in Bermuda. In addition, certain of our directors and officers reside outside the United States and a substantial portion of our assets and the assets of such directors and officers are located outside the United States. As such, it may be difficult or impossible to effect service of process within the United States upon those persons or to recover on judgments of U.S. courts against us or our directors and officers, including judgments predicated upon civil liability provisions of U.S. federal securities laws. We have been advised by our Cayman counsel that there is doubt as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands would enforce:

 

 

 

 

judgments of U.S. courts based upon the civil liability provisions of U.S. federal securities laws obtained in actions against XL Capital Ltd or its directors and officers who reside outside the United States; or

 

 

 

 

original actions brought in the Cayman Islands against these persons or XL Capital Ltd predicated solely upon U.S. federal securities laws.

We have also been advised that there is no treaty in effect between the United States and the Cayman Islands providing for such enforcement and there are grounds upon which Cayman Islands courts may not enforce judgments of United States courts. Some remedies available under the laws of U.S. jurisdictions, including some remedies available under U.S. federal securities laws, may not be allowed in Cayman Islands courts as contrary to public policy.

U.S. persons who own our ordinary shares may have more difficulty protecting their interests than U.S. persons who are shareholders of a U.S. corporation.

The law applicable to companies established in the Cayman Islands, under which we are governed, differs in certain material respects from laws generally applicable to U.S. corporations and their shareholders. These differences include the manner in which directors must disclose transactions in which they have an interest and their ability to vote notwithstanding a conflict of interest, the rights of shareholders to bring class action and derivative lawsuits and the scope of indemnification available to directors and officers.

Future sales of shares of our ordinary shares, including ordinary shares held by our insiders or shares issued to SCA in connection with the SCA Agreement, may depress the price of our ordinary shares.

Any sales of a substantial number of ordinary shares, or the perception that those sales might occur, may cause the market price of our ordinary shares to decline.

Although SCA has agreed not to sell the 8,000,000 newly issued ordinary shares it will receive as part of the SCA Agreement prior to the expiration of the 180-day lock up period, the lock-up agreement is only a contractual agreement, which could be waived by us and Goldman, Sachs & Co. and UBS Securities LLC at an earlier time without prior public notice or announcement and allow SCA to sell ordinary shares prior to the expiration of such period. In addition, certain of our executive officers and directors have entered into a lock-up agreement with the underwriters not to sell ordinary shares for a period of 90 days, but those lock-up agreements are subject to certain exceptions and could be waived by the underwriters at an earlier time, allowing our executive officers or directors to sell ordinary shares prior to the expiration of the 90-day lock up period. Any such sales prior to or following the expiration of the applicable lock-up periods, if significant, could reduce the market price for our ordinary shares. For a more detailed description of the lock-up agreements, see “Underwriting.”

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ITEM 2.     UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

(c) 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 June 30, 2008 of equity securities that are registered by the Company pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Period

 

Total Number
of Shares
Purchased (1)

 

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 (2)

April 1-30, 2008

 

 

 

6,930

   

 

 

32.62

   

 

 

   

 

$

 

375.5 million

 

May 1-31, 2008

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

$

 

375.5 million

 

June 1-30, 2008

 

 

 

4,023

   

 

 

34.91

   

 

 

   

 

$

 

375.5 million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

10,953

   

 

 

33.46

   

 

 

   

 

$

 

375.5 million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

(1)

 

 

 

All shares were purchased in connection with the vesting of restricted shares granted under the Company’s restricted stock plan. All of these purchases were made in connection with satisfying tax withholding obligations of those employees. These shares were not purchased as part of the Company’s share repurchase program noted below.

 

(2)

 

 

 

On September 24, 2007, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a share repurchase program, authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $500.0 million of its Class A ordinary shares. As at June 30, 2008, the Company could repurchase $375.5 million of its equity securities under the share repurchase program.

ITEM 4.     SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

At the Annual General Meeting of holders of Class A Ordinary Shares (the “Shareholders”) held on April 25, 2008 at the Executive Offices of the Company, XL House, One Bermudiana Road, Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda, the Shareholders approved the following:

1. The election of three Class I Directors to hold office until 2011:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Votes in Favor

 

Votes Withheld

Herbert N. Haag

 

 

 

151,932,704

   

 

 

6,207,076

 

Ellen E. Thrower

 

 

 

146,000,424

   

 

 

12,139,356

 

John M. Vereker

 

 

 

155,318,665

   

 

 

2,821,115

 

In addition, the terms of the following Directors continued after the Annual General Meeting: D.R. Comey, R. Glauber, B.M. O’Hara, J.T. Thornton, J. Mauriello, E.M. McQuade, R.S. Parker, and A.Z. Senter.

2. The appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, New York, New York, to act as the registered independent public accounting firm for the Company for the year ending December 31, 2008:

 

 

 

 

 

Votes In Favor

 

Votes Against

 

Abstentions

155,710,947

 

1,375,040

 

1,053,793

3. Approval of the amendment of the Company’s Director’s Stock and Option Plan

 

 

 

 

 

Votes In Favor

 

Votes Against

 

Abstentions

137,319,080

 

11,581,544

 

1,283,754

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ITEM 6.     EXHIBITS

 

 

 

10.1**

 

Operational Transformation Services Agreement between Accenture LLP and XL Global Services, Inc.

31**

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications

32**

 

Section 1350 Certification


 

 

**

 

 

  Filed herewith

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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.

 

 

 

 

 

XL CAPITAL LTD
(Registrant)

Date: July 28, 2008

 

/s/ MICHAEL S. MCGAVICK     

 

 

Michael S. McGavick
Chief Executive Officer

Date: July 28, 2008

 

/s/ BRIAN W. NOCCO     

 

 

Brian W. Nocco
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

112