| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31, | | | | Affected line item within the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) |
AOCI component | | 2023 | | 2022 | | | | | |
(Dollars in millions) | | | | | | | | | | |
URA(D) on securities | | $ | 6 | | | $ | 5 | | | | | | | Other net realized capital gains (losses) |
| | (3) | | | (1) | | | | | | | Income tax expense (benefit) |
| | $ | 3 | | | $ | 4 | | | | | | | Net income (loss) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Benefit plan net gain (loss) | | $ | — | | | $ | 1 | | | | | | | Other underwriting expenses |
| | — | | | — | | | | | | | Income tax expense (benefit) |
| | $ | — | | | $ | 1 | | | | | | | Net income (loss) |
The following table presents the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, in the consolidated balance sheets for the periods indicated:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | |
(Dollars in millions) | 2023 | | 2022 | | | | |
Beginning balance of URA(D) on securities | $ | (1,709) | | | $ | 239 | | | | | |
Current period change in URA(D) of investments - non-credit related | 249 | | | (811) | | | | | |
Ending balance of URA(D) on securities | (1,460) | | | (572) | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Beginning balance of foreign currency translation adjustments | (254) | | | (177) | | | | | |
Current period change in foreign currency translation adjustments | 31 | | | (34) | | | | | |
Ending balance of foreign currency translation adjustments | (223) | | | (212) | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Beginning balance of benefit plan net gain (loss) | (33) | | | (50) | | | | | |
Current period change in benefit plan net gain (loss) | — | | | 1 | | | | | |
Ending balance of benefit plan net gain (loss) | (33) | | | (49) | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Ending balance of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | $ | (1,716) | | | $ | (833) | | | | | |
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
9. CREDIT FACILITIES
The Company has multiple active letter of credit facilities for a total commitment of up to $1.5 billion as of March 31, 2023. The Company also has additional uncommitted letter of credit facilities of up to $440 million which may be accessible via written request and corresponding authorization from the applicable lender. There is no guarantee the uncommitted capacity will be available to us on a future date.
The terms and outstanding amounts for each facility are discussed below:
Bermuda Re Wells Fargo Bilateral Letter of Credit Facility
Effective February 23, 2021, Bermuda Re entered into a letter of credit issuance facility with Wells Fargo referred to as the “2021 Bermuda Re Wells Fargo Bilateral Letter of Credit Facility.” The Bermuda Re Wells Fargo Bilateral Letter of Credit Facility originally provided for the issuance of up to $50 million of secured letters of credit. Effective May 5, 2021, the agreement was amended to provide for the issuance of up to $500 million of secured letters of credit.
The following table summarizes the outstanding letters of credit for the periods indicated:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Dollars in millions) | | At March 31, 2023 | | At December 31, 2022 |
Bank | | Commitment | | In Use | | Date of Expiry | | Commitment | | In Use | | Date of Expiry |
Wells Fargo Bank Bilateral LOC Agreement | | $ | 500 | | | $ | 445 | | | 12/29/2023 | | $ | 500 | | | $ | 463 | | | 12/29/2023 |
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
Bermuda Re Citibank Letter of Credit Facility
Effective August 9, 2021, Bermuda Re entered into a new letter of credit issuance facility with Citibank N.A. which superseded the previous letter of credit issuance facility with Citibank that was effective December 31, 2020. Both of these are referred to as the “Bermuda Re Letter of Credit Facility”. The current Bermuda Re Citibank Letter of Credit Facility provides for the committed issuance of up to $230 million of secured letters of credit. In addition, the facility provided for the uncommitted issuance of up the $140 million, which may be accessible via written request by the Company and corresponding authorization from Citibank N.A.
The following table summarizes the outstanding letters of credit for the periods indicated:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Dollars in millions) | | At March 31, 2023 | | At December 31, 2022 |
Bank | | Commitment | | In Use | | Date of Expiry | | Commitment | | In Use | | Date of Expiry |
Bermuda Re Citibank LOC Facility- Committed | | $ | 230 | | | $ | 1 | | | 8/15/2023 | | $ | 230 | | | $ | 1 | | | 1/1/2023 |
| | — | | | 3 | | | 9/23/2023 | | — | | | 4 | | | 2/28/2023 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | — | | | 217 | | | 12/31/2023 | | — | | | 1 | | | 3/1/2023 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | — | | | 4 | | | 2/29/2024 | | — | | | 1 | | | 8/15/2023 |
| | — | | | 1 | | | 3/1/2024 | | — | | | 3 | | | 9/23/2023 |
| | — | | | 1 | | | 12/1/2024 | | — | | | 212 | | | 12/31/2023 |
Bermuda Re Citibank LOC Facility - Uncommitted | | 140 | | | 106 | | | 12/31/2023 | | 140 | | | 87 | | | 12/31/2023 |
| | — | | | 18 | | | 3/30/2027 | | — | | | 18 | | | 12/30/2026 |
Total Citibank Bilateral Agreement | | $ | 370 | | | $ | 353 | | | | | $ | 370 | | | $ | 329 | | | |
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
Bermuda Re Bayerische Landesbank Bilateral Secured Credit Facility
Effective August 27, 2021 Bermuda Re entered into a letter of credit issuance facility with Bayerische Landesbank, an agreement referred to as the “Bermuda Re Bayerische Landesbank Bilateral Secured Credit Facility”. The Bermuda Re Bayerische Landesbank Bilateral Secured Credit Facility provides for the committed issuance of up to $200 million of secured letters of credit.
The following table summarizes the outstanding letters of credit for the periods indicated:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Dollars in millions) | | At March 31, 2023 | | At December 31, 2022 |
Bank | | Commitment | | In Use | | Date of Expiry | | Commitment | | In Use | | Date of Expiry |
Bayerische Landesbank Bilateral Secured Credit Facility | | $ | 200 | | | $ | 175 | | | 12/31/2023 | | $ | 200 | | | $ | 183 | | | 12/31/2023 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
Bermuda Re Bayerische Landesbank Bilateral Unsecured Letter of Credit Facility
Effective December 30, 2022, Bermuda Re entered into a new additional letter of credit issuance facility with Bayerische Landesbank, New York Branch, referred to as the “Bayerische Landesbank Bilateral Unsecured Letter of Credit Facility”. The Bermuda Re Bayerische Landesbank Bilateral Unsecured Letter of Credit Facility provides for the committed issuance of up to $150 million of unsecured letters of credit.
The following table summarizes the outstanding letters of credit for the periods indicated:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Dollars in millions) | | At March 31, 2023 | | At December 31, 2022 |
Bank | | Commitment | | In Use | | Date of Expiry | | Commitment | | In Use | | Date of Expiry |
Bayerische Landesbank Bilateral Unsecured LOC Agreement - Committed | | $ | 150 | | | $ | 150 | | | 12/31/2023 | | $ | 150 | | | $ | 150 | | | 12/31/2023 |
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
Bermuda Re Lloyd’s Bank Credit Facility
Effective October 8, 2021 Bermuda Re entered into a letter of credit issuance facility with Lloyd’s Bank Corporate Markets PLC, an agreement referred to as the “Bermuda Re Lloyd’s Bank Credit Facility”. The Bermuda Re Lloyd’s Bank Credit Facility provides for the committed issuance of up to $50 million of secured letters of credit, and subject to credit approval a maximum total facility amount of $250 million.
The following table summarizes the outstanding letters of credit for the periods indicated:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Dollars in millions) | | At March 31, 2023 | | At December 31, 2022 |
Bank | | Commitment | | In Use | | Date of Expiry | | Commitment | | In Use | | Date of Expiry |
Bermuda Re Lloyd's Bank Credit Facility-Committed | | $ | 50 | | | $ | 50 | | | 12/31/2023 | | $ | 50 | | | $ | 50 | | | 12/31/2023 |
Bermuda Re Lloyd's Bank Credit Facility-Uncommitted | | 200 | | | 156 | | | 12/31/2023 | | 200 | | | 136 | | | 45291 |
Total Bermuda Re Lloyd's Bank Credit Facility | | $ | 250 | | | $ | 206 | | | | | $ | 250 | | | $ | 186 | | | |
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
Bermuda Re Barclays Bank Credit Facility
Effective November 3, 2021 Bermuda Re entered into a letter of credit issuance facility with Barclays Bank PLC, an agreement referred to as the “Bermuda Re Barclays Credit Facility”. The Bermuda Re Barclays Credit Facility provides for the committed issuance of up to $200 million of secured letters of credit.
The following table summarizes the outstanding letters of credit for the periods indicated:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Dollars in millions) | | At March 31, 2023 | | At December 31, 2022 |
Bank | | Commitment | | In Use | | Date of Expiry | | Commitment | | In Use | | Date of Expiry |
Bermuda Re Barclays Bilateral Letter of Credit Facility | | $ | 200 | | | $ | 179 | | | 12/31/2023 | | $ | 200 | | | $ | 179 | | | 12/31/2023 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Bermuda Re Nordea Bank Letter of Credit Facility
Effective November 21, 2022, Bermuda Re entered into a letter of credit issuance facility with Nordea Bank ABP, New York Branch, referred to as the “Nordea Bank Letter of Credit Facility”. The Bermuda Re Nordea Bank Letter of Credit Facility provides for the committed issuance of up to $200 million of unsecured letters of credit, and subject to credit approval, uncommitted issuance of $100 million for a maximum total facility amount of $300 million.
The following table summarizes the outstanding letters of credit for the periods indicated:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Dollars in millions) | | At March 31, 2023 | | At December 31, 2022 |
Bank | | Commitment | | In Use | | Date of Expiry | | Commitment | | In Use | | Date of Expiry |
Nordea Bank ABP, NY Unsecured LOC Facility - Committed | | $ | 200 | | | $ | 200 | | | 12/31/2023 | | $ | 200 | | | $ | 50 | | | 12/31/2023 |
Nordea Bank ABP, NY Unsecured LOC Facility - Uncommitted | | 100 | | | 100 | | | 12/31/2023 | | 100 | | | 100 | | | 12/31/2023 |
Total Nordea Bank ABP, NY LOC Facility | | $ | 300 | | | $ | 300 | | | | | $ | 300 | | | $ | 150 | | | |
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
Federal Home Loan Bank Membership
Everest Reinsurance Company (“Everest Re”) is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLBNY”), which allows Everest Re to borrow up to 10% of its statutory admitted assets. As of March 31, 2023, Everest Re had admitted assets of approximately $23.1 billion which provides borrowing capacity of up to approximately $2.3 billion. As of March 31, 2023, Everest Re has $519 million of borrowings outstanding, all of which expire in 2023. Everest Re incurred interest expense of $6 million and $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The FHLBNY membership agreement requires that 4.5% of borrowed funds be used to acquire additional membership stock.
10. COLLATERALIZED REINSURANCE AND TRUST AGREEMENTS
Certain subsidiaries of Group have established trust agreements, which effectively use the Company’s investments as collateral, as security for assumed losses payable to certain non-affiliated ceding companies. At March 31, 2023, the total
amount on deposit in trust accounts was $2.5 billion, which includes $202 million of restricted cash. At March 31, 2022, the total amount on deposit in trust accounts was $1.8 billion, which includes $365 million of restricted cash.
The Company reinsures some of its catastrophe exposures with the segregated accounts of Mt. Logan Re. Mt. Logan Re is a Collateralized insurer registered in Bermuda and 100% of the voting common shares are owned by Group. Each segregated account invests predominantly in a diversified set of catastrophe exposures, diversified by risk/peril and across different geographic regions globally.
The following table summarizes the premiums and losses that are ceded by the Company to Mt. Logan Re segregated accounts and assumed by the Company from Mt. Logan Re segregated accounts.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
Mt. Logan Re Segregated Accounts | | | | | | 2023 | | 2022 |
(Dollars in millions) | | | | | | | | |
Ceded written premiums | | | | | | $ | 53 | | | $ | 50 | |
Ceded earned premiums | | | | | | 46 | | | 50 | |
Ceded losses and LAE | | | | | | 36 | | | 41 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Assumed written premiums | | | | | | 1 | | | 1 | |
Assumed earned premiums | | | | | | 1 | | | 1 | |
Assumed losses and LAE | | | | | | — | | | — | |
The Company entered into various collateralized reinsurance agreements with Kilimanjaro Re Limited (“Kilimanjaro”), a Bermuda based special purpose reinsurer, to provide the Company with catastrophe reinsurance coverage. These agreements are multi-year reinsurance contracts which cover named storm and earthquake events. The table below summarizes the various agreements.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Dollars in millions) | | | | | | | | | | |
Class | | Description | | Effective Date | | Expiration Date | | Limit | | Coverage Basis |
Series 2018-1 Class A-2 | | US, Canada, Puerto Rico – Named Storm and Earthquake Events | | 4/30/2018 | | 5/5/2023 | | $ | 63 | | | Aggregate |
Series 2018-1 Class B-2 | | US, Canada, Puerto Rico – Named Storm and Earthquake Events | | 4/30/2018 | | 5/5/2023 | | 200 | | | Aggregate |
Series 2019-1 Class A-1 | | US, Canada, Puerto Rico – Named Storm and Earthquake Events | | 12/12/2019 | | 12/19/2023 | | 150 | | | Occurrence |
Series 2019-1 Class B-1 | | US, Canada, Puerto Rico – Named Storm and Earthquake Events | | 12/12/2019 | | 12/19/2023 | | 275 | | | Aggregate |
Series 2019-1 Class A-2 | | US, Canada, Puerto Rico – Named Storm and Earthquake Events | | 12/12/2019 | | 12/19/2024 | | 150 | | | Occurrence |
Series 2019-1 Class B-2 | | US, Canada, Puerto Rico – Named Storm and Earthquake Events | | 12/12/2019 | | 12/19/2024 | | 275 | | | Aggregate |
Series 2021-1 Class A-1 | | US, Canada, Puerto Rico – Named Storm and Earthquake Events | | 4/8/2021 | | 4/21/2025 | | 150 | | | Occurrence |
Series 2021-1 Class B-1 | | US, Canada, Puerto Rico – Named Storm and Earthquake Events | | 4/8/2021 | | 4/21/2025 | | 85 | | | Aggregate |
Series 2021-1 Class C-1 | | US, Canada, Puerto Rico – Named Storm and Earthquake Events | | 4/8/2021 | | 4/21/2025 | | 85 | | | Aggregate |
Series 2021-1 Class A-2 | | US, Canada, Puerto Rico – Named Storm and Earthquake Events | | 4/8/2021 | | 4/20/2026 | | 150 | | | Occurrence |
Series 2021-1 Class B-2 | | US, Canada, Puerto Rico – Named Storm and Earthquake Events | | 4/8/2021 | | 4/20/2026 | | 90 | | | Aggregate |
Series 2021-1 Class C-2 | | US, Canada, Puerto Rico – Named Storm and Earthquake Events | | 4/8/2021 | | 4/20/2026 | | 90 | | | Aggregate |
Series 2022-1 Class A | | US, Canada, Puerto Rico – Named Storm and Earthquake Events | | 6/22/2022 | | 6/22/2025 | | 300 | | | Aggregate |
| | Total available limit as of March 31, 2023 | | | | | | $ | 2,063 | | | |
Recoveries under these collateralized reinsurance agreements with Kilimanjaro are primarily dependent on estimated industry level insured losses from covered events, as well as the geographic location of the events. The estimated
industry level of insured losses is obtained from published estimates by an independent recognized authority on insured property losses. As of March 31, 2023, none of the published insured loss estimates for catastrophe events during the applicable covered periods of the various agreements have exceeded the single event retentions or aggregate retentions under the terms of the agreements that would result in a recovery.
Kilimanjaro has financed the various property catastrophe reinsurance coverages by issuing catastrophe bonds to unrelated, external investors. The proceeds from the issuance of the catastrophe bonds are held in reinsurance trusts throughout the duration of the applicable reinsurance agreements and invested solely in U.S. government money market funds with a rating of at least “AAAm” by Standard & Poor’s. The catastrophe bonds’ issue date, maturity date and amount correspond to the reinsurance agreements listed above.
11. SENIOR NOTES
The table below displays Everest Reinsurance Holdings’ (“Holdings”) outstanding senior notes. Fair value is based on quoted market prices, but due to limited trading activity, these senior notes are considered Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | March 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
(Dollars in millions) | Date Issued | | Date Due | | Principal Amounts | | Consolidated Balance Sheet Amount | | Fair Value | | Consolidated Balance Sheet Amount | | Fair Value |
4.868% Senior notes | 6/5/2014 | | 6/1/2044 | | $ | 400 | | | $ | 397 | | | $ | 373 | | | $ | 397 | | | $ | 343 | |
3.5% Senior notes | 10/7/2020 | | 10/15/2050 | | 1,000 | | | 981 | | | 728 | | | 981 | | | 677 | |
3.125% Senior notes | 10/4/2021 | | 10/15/2052 | | 1,000 | | | 969 | | | 677 | | | 969 | | | 627 | |
| | | | | $ | 2,400 | | | $ | 2,348 | | | $ | 1,778 | | | $ | 2,347 | | | $ | 1,647 | |
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
Interest expense incurred in connection with these senior notes is as follows for the periods indicated:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
(Dollars in millions) | Interest Paid | | Payable Dates | | | | | | 2023 | | 2022 |
4.868% Senior notes | semi-annually | | June 1/ December 1 | | | | | | $ | 5 | | | $ | 5 | |
3.5% Senior notes | semi-annually | | April 15/October 15 | | | | | | 9 | | | 9 | |
3.125% Senior notes | semi-annually | | April 15/October 15 | | | | | | 8 | | | 8 | |
| | | | | | | | | $ | 22 | | | $ | 22 | |
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
12. LONG-TERM SUBORDINATED NOTES
The table below displays Holdings’ outstanding fixed to floating rate long-term subordinated notes. Fair value is based on quoted market prices, but due to limited trading activity, these subordinated notes are considered Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Maturity Date | | March 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
(Dollars in millions) | Date Issued | | Original Principal Amount | | Scheduled | | Final | | Consolidated Balance Sheet Amount | | Fair Value | | Consolidated Balance Sheet Amount | | Fair Value |
Long-term subordinated notes | 4/26/2007 | | $ | 400 | | | 5/15/2037 | | 5/1/2067 | | $ | 218 | | | $ | 197 | | | $ | 218 | | | $ | 187 | |
During the fixed rate interest period from May 3, 2007 through May 14, 2017, interest was at the annual rate of 6.6%, payable semi-annually in arrears on November 15 and May 15 of each year, commencing on November 15, 2007. During the floating rate interest period from May 15, 2017 through maturity, interest will be based on the 3 month LIBOR plus 238.5 basis points, reset quarterly, payable quarterly in arrears on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year, subject to Holdings’ right to defer interest on one or more occasions for up to ten consecutive years. Deferred interest will accumulate interest at the applicable rate compounded quarterly for periods from and including May 15, 2017. The reset quarterly interest rate for February 15, 2023 to May 14, 2023 is 7.25%.
Holdings may redeem the long-term subordinated notes on or after May 15, 2017, in whole or in part at 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest; however, redemption on or after the scheduled maturity date and prior to May 1, 2047 is subject to a replacement capital covenant. This covenant is for the benefit of certain senior note holders and it mandates that Holdings receive proceeds from the sale of another subordinated debt issue, of at least similar size, before it may redeem the subordinated notes. The Company’s 4.868% senior notes, due on June 1, 2044, 3.5% senior notes due on October 15, 2050 and 3.125% senior notes due on October 15, 2052 are the Company’s long-term indebtedness that rank senior to the long-term subordinated notes.
In 2009, the Company had reduced its outstanding amount of long-term subordinated notes through the initiation of a cash tender offer for any and all of the long-term subordinated notes.
Interest expense incurred in connection with these long-term subordinated notes is as follows for the periods indicated:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
(Dollars in millions) | | | | | 2023 | | 2022 |
Interest expense incurred | | | | | $ | 4 | | | $ | 2 | |
13. SEGMENT REPORTING
The Reinsurance operation writes worldwide property and casualty reinsurance and specialty lines of business, on both a treaty and facultative basis, through reinsurance brokers, as well as directly with ceding companies. Business is written in the U.S., Bermuda, and Ireland offices, as well as, through branches in Canada, Singapore, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. The Insurance operation writes property and casualty insurance directly and through brokers, surplus lines brokers and general agents within the U.S., Bermuda, Canada, Europe, Singapore and South America through its offices in the U.S., Canada, Chile, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and branches located in the Netherlands, France, Germany and Spain.
These segments are managed independently, but conform with corporate guidelines with respect to pricing, risk management, control of aggregate catastrophe exposures, capital, investments and support operations. Management generally monitors and evaluates the financial performance of these operating segments based upon their underwriting results.
Underwriting results include earned premium less losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) incurred, commission and brokerage expenses and other underwriting expenses. The Company measures its underwriting results using ratios, in particular loss, commission and brokerage and other underwriting expense ratios, which, respectively, divide incurred losses, commissions and brokerage and other underwriting expenses by premiums earned.
The Company does not maintain separate balance sheet data for its operating segments. Accordingly, the Company does not review and evaluate the financial results of its operating segments based upon balance sheet data.
The following tables present the underwriting results for the operating segments for the periods indicated:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 | | |
(Dollars in millions) | Reinsurance | | Insurance | | Total | | | | | | |
Gross written premiums | $ | 2,637 | | | $ | 1,106 | | | $ | 3,743 | | | | | | | |
Net written premiums | 2,454 | | | 875 | | | 3,329 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Premiums earned | $ | 2,242 | | | $ | 858 | | | $ | 3,100 | | | | | | | |
Incurred losses and LAE | 1,411 | | | 555 | | | 1,966 | | | | | | | |
Commission and brokerage | 560 | | | 101 | | | 661 | | | | | | | |
Other underwriting expenses | 63 | | | 136 | | | 200 | | | | | | | |
Underwriting gain (loss) | $ | 207 | | | $ | 66 | | | $ | 273 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | | | 260 | | | | | | | |
Net gains (losses) on investments | | | | | 5 | | | | | | | |
Corporate expenses | | | | | (19) | | | | | | | |
Interest, fee and bond issue cost amortization expense | | | | | (32) | | | | | | | |
Other income (expense) | | | | | (79) | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) before taxes | | | | | $ | 408 | | | | | | | |
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 | | |
(Dollars in millions) | Reinsurance | | Insurance | | Total | | | | | | |
Gross written premiums | $ | 2,186 | | | $ | 1,001 | | | $ | 3,186 | | | | | | | |
Net written premiums | 2,081 | | | 731 | | | 2,812 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Premiums earned | $ | 2,066 | | | $ | 726 | | | $ | 2,792 | | | | | | | |
Incurred losses and LAE | 1,325 | | | 465 | | | 1,790 | | | | | | | |
Commission and brokerage | 514 | | | 91 | | | 605 | | | | | | | |
Other underwriting expenses | 50 | | | 111 | | | 161 | | | | | | | |
Underwriting gain (loss) | $ | 177 | | | $ | 59 | | | $ | 235 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | | | 243 | | | | | | | |
Net gains (losses) on investments | | | | | (154) | | | | | | | |
Corporate expenses | | | | | (14) | | | | | | | |
Interest, fee and bond issue cost amortization expense | | | | | (24) | | | | | | | |
Other income (expense) | | | | | 15 | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) before taxes | | | | | $ | 302 | | | | | | | |
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
14. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
For the three months ended March 31, 2023, a total of 174,171 restricted stock awards were granted on February 23, 2023, with a fair value of $382.385 per share. Also, 14,975 performance share unit awards were granted on February 23, 2023, with a fair value of $382.385 per share.
15. INCOME TAXES
The Company is domiciled in Bermuda and has subsidiaries and/or branches in Belgium, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The Company’s Bermuda domiciled subsidiaries are exempt from income taxation under Bermuda law until 2035. The Company’s non-Bermudian subsidiaries and branches are subject to income taxation at varying rates in their respective domiciles.
The Company generally applies the estimated Annualized Effective Tax Rate (“AETR”) approach for calculating its tax provision for interim periods as prescribed by ASC 740-270, Interim Reporting. Under the AETR approach, the estimated annualized effective tax rate is applied to the interim year-to-date pre-tax income/(loss) to determine the income tax
expense or benefit for the year-to-date period. The tax expense or benefit for the quarter represents the difference between the year-to-date tax expense or benefit for the current year-to-date period less such amount for the immediately preceding year-to-date period. Management considers the impact of all known events in its estimation of the Company’s annual pre-tax income/(loss) and annualized effective tax rate.
16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company has evaluated known recognized and non-recognized subsequent events. The Company does not have any subsequent events to report.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION
Industry Conditions.
The worldwide insurance and reinsurance businesses are highly competitive, as well as cyclical by product and market. As such, financial results tend to fluctuate with periods of constrained availability, higher rates and stronger profits followed by periods of abundant capacity, lower rates and constrained profitability. Competition in the types of insurance and reinsurance business that we underwrite is based on many factors, including the perceived overall financial strength of the reinsurer or insurer, ratings of the reinsurer or insurer by A.M. Best and/or Standard & Poor’s, underwriting expertise, the jurisdictions where the reinsurer or insurer is licensed or otherwise authorized, capacity and coverages offered, premiums charged, other terms and conditions of the insurance and reinsurance business offered, services offered, speed of claims payment and reputation and experience in lines written. Furthermore, the market impact from these competitive factors related to reinsurance and insurance is generally not consistent across lines of business, domestic and international geographical areas and distribution channels.
We compete in the U.S., Bermuda and international insurance and reinsurance markets with numerous global competitors. Our competitors include independent reinsurance and insurance companies, subsidiaries or affiliates of established worldwide insurance companies, reinsurance departments of certain insurance companies, domestic and international underwriting operations, including underwriting syndicates at Lloyd’s of London and certain government sponsored risk transfer vehicles. Some of these competitors have greater financial resources than we do and have established long-term and continuing business relationships, which can be a significant competitive advantage. In addition, the lack of strong barriers to entry into the reinsurance business and recently, the securitization of insurance and reinsurance risks through capital markets provide additional sources of potential reinsurance and insurance capacity and competition.
Worldwide insurance and reinsurance market conditions historically have been competitive. Generally, there is ample insurance and reinsurance capacity relative to demand, as well as additional capital from the capital markets through insurance linked financial instruments. These financial instruments such as side cars, catastrophe bonds and collateralized reinsurance funds, provided capital markets with access to insurance and reinsurance risk exposure. The capital markets demand for these products is primarily driven by the desire to achieve greater risk diversification and potentially higher returns on their investments. This competition generally has a negative impact on rates, terms and conditions; however, the impact varies widely by market and coverage. Based on recent competitive behaviors in the insurance and reinsurance industry, natural catastrophe events and the macroeconomic backdrop, there has been some dislocation in the market which we expect to have a positive impact on rates and terms and conditions, generally, though local market specificities can vary.
The increased frequency of catastrophe losses experienced throughout recent years appears to be pressuring the increase of rates. As business activity continues to regain strength after the pandemic and current macroeconomic uncertainty, rates appear to be firming in most lines of business, particularly in the casualty lines that had seen significant losses such as excess casualty and directors’ and officers’ liability. Other casualty lines are experiencing modest rate increase, while some lines such as workers’ compensation were experiencing softer market conditions. The impact on pricing conditions is likely to change depending on the line of business and geography.
Our capital position remains a source of strength, with high quality invested assets, significant liquidity and a low operating expense ratio. Our diversified global platform with its broad mix of products, distribution and geography is resilient.
The war in the Ukraine is ongoing and an evolving event. Economic and legal sanctions have been levied against Russia, specific named individuals and entities connected to the Russian government, as well as businesses located in the Russian Federation and/or owned by Russian nationals by numerous countries, including the United States. The significant political and economic uncertainty surrounding the war and associated sanctions have impacted economic and investment markets both within Russia and around the world.
Financial Summary.
We monitor and evaluate our overall performance based upon financial results. The following table displays a summary of the consolidated net income (loss), ratios and shareholders’ equity for the periods indicated.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | Percentage Increase/ (Decrease) | | | | |
(Dollars in millions) | 2023 | | 2022 | | | | | | |
Gross written premiums | $ | 3,743 | | | $ | 3,186 | | | 17.5 | % | | | | | | |
Net written premiums | 3,329 | | | 2,812 | | | 18.4 | % | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
REVENUES: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Premiums earned | $ | 3,100 | | | $ | 2,792 | | | 11.0 | % | | | | | | |
Net investment income | 260 | | | 243 | | | 7.0 | % | | | | | | |
Net gains (losses) on investments | 5 | | | (154) | | | -103.3 | % | | | | | | |
Other income (expense) | (79) | | | 15 | | | NM | | | | | | |
Total revenues | 3,286 | | | 2,896 | | | 13.5 | % | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
CLAIMS AND EXPENSES: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses | 1,966 | | | 1,790 | | | 9.9 | % | | | | | | |
Commission, brokerage, taxes and fees | 661 | | | 605 | | | 9.3 | % | | | | | | |
Other underwriting expenses | 200 | | | 161 | | | 23.8 | % | | | | | | |
Corporate expenses | 19 | | | 14 | | | 34.9 | % | | | | | | |
Interest, fees and bond issue cost amortization expense | 32 | | | 24 | | | 33.1 | % | | | | | | |
Total claims and expenses | 2,878 | | | 2,594 | | | 10.9 | % | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE TAXES | 408 | | | 302 | | | 35.0 | % | | | | | | |
Income tax expense (benefit) | 43 | | | 4 | | | NM | | | | | | |
NET INCOME (LOSS) | $ | 365 | | | $ | 298 | | | 22.6 | % | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
RATIOS: | | | | | Point Change | | | | | | |
Loss ratio | 63.4 | % | | 64.1 | % | | (0.7) | | | | | | | |
Commission and brokerage ratio | 21.3 | % | | 21.7 | % | | (0.4) | | | | | | | |
Other underwriting expense ratio | 6.4 | % | | 5.8 | % | | 0.6 | | | | | | | |
Combined ratio | 91.2 | % | | 91.6 | % | | (0.4) | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| At March 31, | | At December 31, | | Percentage Increase/ (Decrease) |
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts) | 2023 | | 2022 | |
Balance sheet data: | | | | | |
Total investments and cash | $ | 31,435 | | | $ | 29,872 | | | 5.2 | % |
Total assets | 41,839 | | | 39,966 | | | 4.7 | % |
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves | 22,878 | | | 22,065 | | | 3.7 | % |
Total debt | 3,085 | | | 3,084 | | | — | % |
Total liabilities | 32,825 | | | 31,525 | | | 4.1 | % |
Shareholders' equity | 9,014 | | | 8,441 | | | 6.8 | % |
Book value per share | 229.49 | | | 215.54 | | | 6.5 | % |
(NM, not meaningful)
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
Revenues.
Premiums. Gross written premiums increased by 17.5% to $3.7 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to $3.2 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2022, reflecting a $451 million, or 20.6%, increase in our reinsurance business and a $105 million, or 10.5%, increase in our insurance business. The increase in reinsurance premiums was primarily due to increases in casualty pro rata business, property pro rata business and financial lines of
business. The increase in insurance premiums was primarily due to increases in property/short tail business and other specialty lines of business.
Net written premiums increased by 18.4% to $3.3 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to $2.8 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2022, which is consistent with the percentage change in gross written premiums. Premiums earned increased by 11.0% to $3.1 billion during the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to $2.8 billion during the three months ended March 31, 2022. The change in premiums earned relative to net written premiums was primarily the result of timing; premiums are earned ratably over the coverage period whereas written premiums are recorded at the initiation of the coverage period.
Other Income (Expense). We recorded other expense of $79 million and other income of $15 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The changes were primarily the result of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. We recognized foreign currency exchange expense of $85 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and foreign currency exchange income of $13 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Net Investment Income. Refer to Consolidated Investments Results Section below.
Net Gains (Losses) on Investments. Refer to Consolidated Investments Results Section below.
Claims and Expenses.
Incurred Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses. The following table presents our incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) for the periods indicated.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
(Dollars in millions) | Current Year | | Ratio %/ Pt Change | | Prior Years | | Ratio %/ Pt Change | | Total Incurred | | Ratio %/ Pt Change |
2023 | | | | | | | | | | | |
Attritional | $ | 1,851 | | | 59.7 | % | | $ | — | | | — | % | | $ | 1,851 | | | 59.7 | % |
Catastrophes | 115 | | | 3.7 | % | | — | | | — | % | | 115 | | | 3.7 | % |
Total | $ | 1,966 | | | 63.4 | % | | $ | — | | | — | % | | $ | 1,966 | | | 63.4 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
2022 | | | | | | | | | | | |
Attritional | $ | 1,676 | | | 60.0 | % | | $ | (1) | | | — | % | | $ | 1,675 | | | 60.0 | % |
Catastrophes | 115 | | | 4.1 | % | | — | | | — | % | | 115 | | | 4.1 | % |
Total | $ | 1,791 | | | 64.1 | % | | $ | (1) | | | — | % | | $ | 1,790 | | | 64.1 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Variance 2023/2022 | | | | | | | | | | | |
Attritional | $ | 175 | | | (0.3) | pts | | $ | 1 | | | — | pts | | $ | 176 | | | (0.3) | pts |
Catastrophes | — | | | (0.4) | pts | | — | | | — | pts | | — | | | (0.4) | pts |
Total | $ | 175 | | | (0.7) | pts | | $ | 1 | | | — | pts | | $ | 176 | | | (0.7) | pts |
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
Incurred losses and LAE increased by 9.9% to $2.0 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to $1.8 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2022, primarily due to an increase of $175 million in current year attritional losses. The increase in current year attritional losses was mainly due to the impact of the increase in premiums earned. The current year catastrophe losses of $115 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 related primarily to the 2023 Turkey earthquakes ($75.0 million), and the 2023 New Zealand storms ($40.0 million). The $115 million of current year catastrophe losses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 related primarily to the 2022 Australia floods ($75.0 million), the 2022 European storms ($30.0 million), and the 2022 March U.S. storms ($10.0 million).
Catastrophe losses and loss expenses typically have a material effect on our incurred losses and loss adjustment expense results and can vary significantly from period to period. Losses from natural catastrophes contributed 3.7 percentage points to the combined ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared with 4.1 percentage points for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The Company has up to $350.0 million of catastrophe bond protection (“CAT Bond”) that attaches at a $48.1 billion Property Claims Services (“PCS”) Industry loss threshold. This recovery would be recognized on a pro-rata basis up to a $63.8 billion PCS Industry loss level. PCS’s current industry estimate of $48.9 billion issued in April 2023 exceeds the attachment point. The potential recovery under the CAT Bond is currently estimated to
be $19 million but is subject to further revision of the industry loss estimate. No portion of the potential CAT bond recovery has been included in the Company’s current financial results.
Commission, Brokerage, Taxes and Fees. Commission, brokerage, taxes and fees increased by 9.3% to $661 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to $605 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to the impact of the increase in premiums earned and changes in the mix of business.
Other Underwriting Expenses. Other underwriting expenses were $200 million and $161 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022, respectively. The increase in other underwriting expenses was mainly due to the impact of the increase in premiums earned as well as the continued build out of our insurance operations, including an expansion of the international insurance platform.
Corporate Expenses. Corporate expenses, which are general operating expenses that are not allocated to segments, were $19 million and $14 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The increase from 2022 to 2023 was mainly due to information technology costs and external consulting costs.
Interest, Fees and Bond Issue Cost Amortization Expense. Interest, fees and other bond amortization expense was $32 million and $24 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Interest expense was mainly impacted by the movement in the floating interest rate related to the long-term subordinated notes, which is reset quarterly per the note agreement, as well as variable interest rate costs on borrowings from FHLB.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit). We had income tax expense of $43 million and $4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Income tax expense is primarily a function of the geographic location of the Company’s pre-tax income and the statutory tax rates in those jurisdictions. The effective tax rate (“ETR”) is primarily affected by tax-exempt investment income, foreign tax credits and dividends. Variations in the ETR generally result from changes in the relative levels of pre-tax income, including the impact of catastrophe losses and net capital gains (losses), among jurisdictions with different tax rates.
On August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (“IRA”) was enacted. We have evaluated the tax provisions of the IRA, the most significant of which are the corporate alternative minimum tax and the share repurchase excise tax and do not expect the legislation to have a material impact on our results of operations. As the IRS issues additional guidance, we will evaluate any impact to our consolidated financial statements.
Net Income (Loss).
Our net income was $365 million and $298 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. These changes were primarily driven by the financial component fluctuations explained above.
Ratios.
Our combined ratio decreased by 0.4 points to 91.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to 91.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The loss ratio component decreased by 0.7 points for the three months ended March 31, 2023 over the same period last year mainly due to changes in the mix of business and no change in catastrophe losses despite the considerable increase in gross written premiums. The commission and brokerage ratio components decreased to 21.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to 21.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease was mainly due to changes in the mix of business. The other underwriting expense ratios increased to 6.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to 5.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2022. These increases were mainly due to higher insurance operations costs.
Shareholders’ Equity.
Shareholders’ equity increased by $573 million to $9.0 billion at March 31, 2023 from $8.4 billion at December 31, 2022, principally as a result of $365 million of net income, $249 million of unrealized appreciation on available for sale fixed maturity portfolio net of tax and $31 million of net foreign currency translation adjustments, partially offset by $65 million of shareholder dividends and $7 million of share-based compensation transactions.
Consolidated Investment Results
Net Investment Income.
Net investment income increased by 7.0% to $260 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared with net investment income of $243 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was primarily the result of higher income from fixed maturity investments and short-term investments due to rising reinvestment rates, partially offset by a decline in limited partnership income. The limited partnership income primarily reflects decreases in their reported net asset values. As such, until these asset values are monetized and the resultant income is distributed, they are subject to future increases or decreases in the asset value, and the results may be volatile.
The following table shows the components of net investment income for the periods indicated.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | |
(Dollars in millions) | 2023 | | 2022 | | | | |
Fixed maturities | $ | 247 | | | $ | 148 | | | | | |
Equity securities | 1 | | | 4 | | | | | |
Short-term investments and cash | 17 | | | — | | | | | |
Other invested assets | | | | | | | |
Limited partnerships | (15) | | | 88 | | | | | |
Other | 22 | | | 12 | | | | | |
Gross investment income before adjustments | 272 | | | 253 | | | | | |
Funds held interest income (expense) | — | | | 4 | | | | | |
Future policy benefit reserve income (expense) | — | | | — | | | | | |
Gross investment income | 272 | | | 256 | | | | | |
Investment expenses | (12) | | | (13) | | | | | |
Net investment income | $ | 260 | | | $ | 243 | | | | | |
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
The following table shows a comparison of various investment yields for the periods indicated.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | | | |
Annualized pre-tax yield on average cash and invested assets | 3.2 | % | | 3.3 | % | | | | |
Annualized after-tax yield on average cash and invested assets | 2.8 | % | | 2.9 | % | | | | |
Annualized return on invested assets | 3.3 | % | | 1.2 | % | | | | |
Net Gains (Losses) on Investments.
The following table presents the composition of our net gains (losses) on investments for the periods indicated.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | |
(Dollars in millions) | 2023 | | 2022 | | Variance | | | | | | |
Realized gains (losses) from dispositions: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gains | $ | 11 | | | $ | 20 | | | $ | (9) | | | | | | | |
Losses | (9) | | | (17) | | | 8 | | | | | | | |
Total | 2 | | | 3 | | | (1) | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity securities | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gains | 7 | | | 4 | | | 4 | | | | | | | |
Losses | — | | | (15) | | | 15 | | | | | | | |
Total | 7 | | | (12) | | | 19 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Other Invested Assets | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gains | — | | | 5 | | | (5) | | | | | | | |
Losses | — | | | — | | | — | | | | | | | |
Total | — | | | 4 | | | (4) | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Total net realized gains (losses) from dispositions | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gains | 18 | | | 28 | | | (10) | | | | | | | |
Losses | (9) | | | (33) | | | 24 | | | | | | | |
Total | 9 | | | (5) | | | 14 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Allowance for credit losses | (8) | | | (12) | | | 4 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Gains (losses) from fair value adjustments | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity securities | 4 | | | (137) | | | 141 | | | | | | | |
Total | 4 | | | (137) | | | 141 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Total net gains (losses) on investments | $ | 5 | | | $ | (154) | | | $ | 159 | | | | | | | |
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
Net gains (losses) on investments during the three months ended March 31, 2023 primarily relate to net gains from fair value adjustments on equity securities in the amount of $4 million as a result of equity market increases during the first quarter of 2023. In addition, we realized $9 million of gains due to the disposition of investments and recorded an increase to the allowance for credit losses of $8 million.
Segment Results.
The Company manages its reinsurance and insurance operations as autonomous units and key strategic decisions are based on the aggregate operating results and projections for these segments of business.
The Reinsurance operation writes worldwide property and casualty reinsurance and specialty lines of business, on both a treaty and facultative basis, through reinsurance brokers, as well as directly with ceding companies. Business is written in the U.S., Bermuda, and Ireland offices, as well as, through branches in Canada, Singapore, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. The Insurance operation writes property and casualty insurance directly and through brokers, surplus lines brokers and general agents within the U.S., Bermuda, Canada, Europe, Singapore and South America through its offices in the U.S., Canada, Chile, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Ireland and branches located in the Netherlands, France, Germany and Spain.
These segments are managed independently, but conform with corporate guidelines with respect to pricing, risk management, control of aggregate catastrophe exposures, capital, investments and support operations. Management
generally monitors and evaluates the financial performance of these operating segments based upon their underwriting results.
Underwriting results include earned premium less LAE incurred, commission and brokerage expenses and other underwriting expenses. We measure our underwriting results using ratios, in particular loss, commission and brokerage and other underwriting expense ratios, which, respectively, divide incurred losses, commissions and brokerage and other underwriting expenses by premiums earned.
The Company does not maintain separate balance sheet data for its operating segments. Accordingly, the Company does not review and evaluate the financial results of its operating segments based upon balance sheet data.
Our loss and LAE reserves are management’s best estimate of our ultimate liability for unpaid claims. We re-evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis, including all prior period reserves, taking into consideration all available information, and in particular, recently reported loss claim experience and trends related to prior periods. Such re-evaluations are recorded in incurred losses in the period in which re-evaluation is made.
The following discusses the underwriting results for each of our segments for the periods indicated.
Reinsurance.
The following table presents the underwriting results and ratios for the Reinsurance segment for the periods indicated.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | |
(Dollars in millions) | 2023 | | 2022 | | Variance | | % Change | | | | | | | | |
Gross written premiums | $ | 2,637 | | | $ | 2,186 | | | 451 | | | 20.6 | % | | | | | | | | |
Net written premiums | 2,454 | | | 2,081 | | | 373 | | | 17.9 | % | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Premiums earned | $ | 2,242 | | | $ | 2,066 | | | $ | 176 | | | 8.5 | % | | | | | | | | |
Incurred losses and LAE | 1,411 | | | 1,325 | | | 86 | | | 6.5 | % | | | | | | | | |
Commission and brokerage | 560 | | | 514 | | | 46 | | | 9.0 | % | | | | | | | | |
Other underwriting expenses | 63 | | | 50 | | | 13 | | | 25.4 | % | | | | | | | | |
Underwriting gain (loss) | $ | 207 | | | $ | 177 | | | $ | 30 | | | 17.1 | % | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Point Chg | | | | | | | | |
Loss ratio | 62.9 | % | | 64.1 | % | | | | (1.2) | | | | | | | | | |
Commission and brokerage ratio | 25.0 | % | | 24.9 | % | | | | 0.1 | | | | | | | | | |
Other underwriting expense ratio | 2.8 | % | | 2.4 | % | | | | 0.4 | | | | | | | | | |
Combined ratio | 90.8 | % | | 91.4 | % | | | | (0.6) | | | | | | | | | |
(NM, Not Meaningful)
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
Premiums. Gross written premiums increased by 20.6% to $2.6 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $2.2 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2022, primarily due to increases in casualty pro rata business, property pro rata business and financial lines of business. Net written premiums increased by 17.9% to $2.5 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to $2.1 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2022, which is consistent with the percentage change in gross written premiums. Premiums earned increased by 8.5% to $2.2 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to $2.1 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The change in premiums earned relative to net written premiums was primarily the result of timing; premiums are earned ratably over the coverage period whereas written premiums are recorded at the initiation of the coverage period.
Incurred Losses and LAE. The following table presents the incurred losses and LAE for the Reinsurance segment for the periods indicated.
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| Three Months Ended March 31, |
(Dollars in millions) | Current Year | | Ratio %/ Pt Change | | Prior Years | | Ratio %/ Pt Change | | Total Incurred | | Ratio %/ Pt Change |
2023 | | | | | | | | | | | |
Attritional | $ | 1,298 | | | 57.9 | % | | $ | — | | | — | % | | 1,298 | | | 57.9 | % |
Catastrophes | 113 | | | 5.0 | % | | | | — | % | | 113 | | | 5.0 | % |
Total Segment | $ | 1,411 | | | 62.9 | % | | $ | — | | | — | % | | $ | 1,411 | | | 62.9 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
2022 | | | | | | | | | | | |
Attritional | $ | 1,216 | | | 58.9 | % | | $ | (2) | | | -0.1 | % | | 1,215 | | | 58.8 | % |
Catastrophes | 110 | | | 5.3 | % | | — | | | — | % | | 110 | | | 5.3 | % |
Total Segment | $ | 1,326 | | | 64.2 | % | | $ | (2) | | | -0.1 | % | | $ | 1,325 | | | 64.1 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Variance 2023/2022 | | | | | | | | | | | |
Attritional | $ | 82 | | | (1.0) | pts | | $ | 2 | | | 0.1 | pts | | $ | 83 | | | (0.9) | pts |
Catastrophes | 3 | | | (0.3) | pts | | — | | | — | pts | | 3 | | | (0.3) | pts |
Total Segment | $ | 85 | | | (1.3) | pts | | $ | 2 | | | 0.1 | pts | | $ | 86 | | | (1.2) | pts |
Incurred losses increased by 6.5% to $1.4 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to $1.3 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to an increase of $82 million in current year attritional losses. The increase in current year attritional losses was mainly related to the impact of the increase in premiums earned. The current year catastrophe losses of $113 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 related primarily to the 2023 Turkey earthquakes ($75.0 million) and the 2023 New Zealand storms ($38.0 million). The $110 million of current year catastrophe losses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 related primarily to the 2022 Australia floods ($75.0 million), the 2022 European storms ($30.0 million), and the 2022 March U.S. storms ($5.0 million).
Segment Expenses. Commission and brokerage expense increased by 9.0% to $560 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to $514 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase was mainly due to the impact of the increase in premiums earned. Segment other underwriting expenses increased to $63 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from $50 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase was due to increased personnel and direct and indirect expenditures supporting the increased premium volume of the segment.
Insurance.
The following table presents the underwriting results and ratios for the Insurance segment for the periods indicated.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | |
(Dollars in millions) | 2023 | | 2022 | | Variance | | % Change | | | | | | | | |
Gross written premiums | $ | 1,106 | | | $ | 1,001 | | | $ | 105 | | | 10.5 | % | | | | | | | | |
Net written premiums | 875 | | | 731 | | | 145 | | | 19.7 | % | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Premiums earned | $ | 858 | | | $ | 726 | | | $ | 133 | | | 18.2 | % | | | | | | | | |
Incurred losses and LAE | 555 | | | 465 | | | 90 | | | 19.4 | % | | | | | | | | |
Commission and brokerage | 101 | | | 91 | | | 10 | | | 11.1 | % | | | | | | | | |
Other underwriting expenses | 136 | | | 111 | | | 25 | | | 23.1 | % | | | | | | | | |
Underwriting gain (loss) | $ | 66 | | | $ | 59 | | | $ | 7 | | | 12.1 | % | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Point Chg | | | | | | | | |
Loss ratio | 64.7% | | 64.1% | | | | 0.6 | | | | | | | | |
Commission and brokerage ratio | 11.8% | | 12.5% | | | | (0.7) | | | | | | | | |
Other underwriting expense ratio | 15.9% | | 15.3% | | | | 0.6 | | | | | | | | |
Combined ratio | 92.4% | | 91.9% | | | | 0.5 | | | | | | | | |
(NM not meaningful)
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
Premiums. Gross written premiums increased by 10.5% to $1.1 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to $1.0 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase in insurance premiums was primarily due to increases in property/short tail business and other specialty lines of business. Net written premiums increased by 19.7% to $875 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to $731 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The higher percentage change in net written premiums compared to gross written premiums is due to higher net retention resulting from changes in the mix of business. Premiums earned increased 18.2% to $858 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to $726 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Incurred Losses and LAE. The following table presents the incurred losses and LAE for the Insurance segment for the periods indicated.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
(Dollars in millions) | Current Year | | Ratio %/ Pt Change | | Prior Years | | Ratio %/ Pt Change | | Total Incurred | | Ratio %/ Pt Change |
2023 | | | | | | | | | | | |
Attritional | $ | 553 | | | 64.5 | % | | $ | — | | | — | % | | 553 | | | 64.5 | % |
Catastrophes | 2 | | | 0.2 | % | | — | | | — | % | | 2 | | | 0.2 | % |
Total Segment | $ | 555 | | | 64.7 | % | | $ | — | | | — | % | | $ | 555 | | | 64.7 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
2022 | | | | | | | | | | | |
Attritional | $ | 460 | | | 63.3 | % | | $ | 1 | | | 0.1 | % | | 460 | | | 63.4 | % |
Catastrophes | 5 | | | 0.7 | % | | — | | | — | % | | 5 | | | 0.7 | % |
Total Segment | $ | 465 | | | 64.0 | % | | $ | 1 | | | 0.1 | % | | $ | 465 | | | 64.1 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Variance 2023/2022 | | | | | | | | | | | |
Attritional | $ | 94 | | | 1.2 | pts | | $ | (1) | | | (0.1) | pts | | $ | 93 | | | 1.1 | pts |
Catastrophes | (3) | | | (0.5) | pts | | — | | | — | pts | | (3) | | | (0.5) | pts |
Total Segment | $ | 91 | | | 0.7 | pts | | $ | (1) | | | (0.1) | pts | | $ | 90 | | | 0.6 | pts |
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
Incurred losses and LAE increased by 19.4% to $555 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to $465 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase was mainly due to an increase of $94 million in current year attritional losses. The increase in current year attritional losses was primarily due to the impact of the increase in premiums earned. The current year catastrophe losses of $2 million related to the 2023 New Zealand storms. The $5 million of current year catastrophe losses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 related to the 2022 March U.S. storms.
Segment Expenses. Commission and brokerage increased by 11.1% to $101 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to $91 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Segment other underwriting expenses increased to $136 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to $111 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increases were mainly due to the impact of the increase in premiums earned and increased expenses related to the continued build out of the insurance business, including an expansion of the international insurance platform.
FINANCIAL CONDITION
Investments. Total investments were $29.8 billion at March 31, 2023, an increase of $1.3 billion compared to $28.5 billion at December 31, 2022. The rise in investments was primarily related to an increase in fixed maturities, available for sale due to an overall net purchase of $1.0 billion of fixed maturities, available for sale during the first quarter of 2023.
The Company’s limited partnership investments are comprised of limited partnerships that invest in private equity, private credit and private real estate. Generally, the limited partnerships are reported on a month or quarter lag. We receive annual audited financial statements for all of the limited partnerships which are prepared using fair value accounting in accordance with FASB guidance. For the quarterly reports, the Company reviews the financial reports for
any unusual changes in carrying value. If the Company becomes aware of a significant decline in value during the lag reporting period, the loss will be recorded in the period in which the Company identifies the decline.
The table below summarizes the composition and characteristics of our investment portfolio for the periods indicated.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| At March 31, 2023 | | At December 31, 2022 |
Fixed income portfolio duration (years) | 3.0 | | 3.1 |
Fixed income composite credit quality | A+ | | A+ |
Reinsurance Recoverables.
Reinsurance recoverables for both paid and unpaid losses totaled $2.3 billion and $2.2 billion at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. At March 31, 2023, $500 million, or 21.6%, was receivable from Mt. Logan Re collateralized segregated accounts; $269 million, or 11.7%, was receivable from Munich Reinsurance America, Inc. (“Munich Re”) and $135 million, or 5.8% was receivable from Endurance Specialty Holdings, Ltd. (“Endurance”). No other retrocessionaire accounted for more than 5% of our recoverables.
Loss and LAE Reserves. Gross loss and LAE reserves totaled $22.9 billion and $22.1 billion at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
The following tables summarize gross outstanding loss and LAE reserves by segment, classified by case reserves and IBNR reserves, for the periods indicated.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| At March 31, 2023 |
(Dollars in millions) | Case Reserves | | IBNR Reserves | | Total Reserves | | % of Total |
Reinsurance | $ | 6,186 | | | $ | 10,329 | | | $ | 16,515 | | | 72.2 | % |
Insurance | 1,842 | | | 4,250 | | | 6,093 | | | 26.6 | % |
Total excluding A&E | 8,028 | | | 14,579 | | | 22,607 | | | 98.8 | % |
A&E | 132 | | | 139 | | | 271 | | | 1.2 | % |
Total including A&E | $ | 8,160 | | | $ | 14,718 | | | $ | 22,878 | | | 100.0 | % |
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| At December 31, 2022 |
(Dollars in millions) | Case Reserves | | IBNR Reserves | | Total Reserves | | % of Total |
Reinsurance | $ | 6,045 | | | $ | 9,818 | | | $ | 15,862 | | | 71.9 | % |
Insurance | 1,863 | | | 4,062 | | | 5,925 | | | 26.9 | % |
Total excluding A&E | 7,908 | | | 13,880 | | | 21,787 | | | 98.7 | % |
A&E | 138 | | | 140 | | | 278 | | | 1.3 | % |
Total including A&E | $ | 8,046 | | | $ | 14,019 | | | $ | 22,065 | | | 100.0 | % |
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
Changes in premiums earned and business mix, reserve re-estimations, catastrophe losses and changes in catastrophe loss reserves and claim settlement activity all impact loss and LAE reserves by segment and in total.
Our carried loss and LAE reserves represent management’s best estimate of our ultimate liability for unpaid claims. We continuously re-evaluate our reserves, including re-estimates of prior period reserves, taking into consideration all available information and, in particular, newly reported loss and claim experience. Changes in reserves resulting from such re-evaluations are reflected in incurred losses in the period when the re-evaluation is made. Our analytical methods and processes operate at multiple levels including individual contracts, groupings of like contracts, classes and lines of business, internal business units, segments, accident years, legal entities, and in the aggregate. In order to set appropriate reserves, we make qualitative and quantitative analyses and judgments at these various levels. We utilize actuarial science, business expertise and management judgment in a manner intended to ensure the accuracy and consistency of our reserving practices. Management’s best estimate is developed through collaboration with actuarial, underwriting, claims, legal and finance departments and culminates with the input of reserve committees. Each segment
reserve committee includes the participation of the relevant parties from actuarial, finance, claims and segment senior management and has the responsibility for recommending and approving management’s best estimate. Reserves are further reviewed by Everest’s Chief Reserving Actuary and senior management. The objective of such process is to determine a single best estimate viewed by management to be the best estimate of its ultimate loss liability. Nevertheless, our reserves are estimates, which are subject to variation, which may be significant.
There can be no assurance that reserves for, and losses from, claim obligations will not increase in the future, possibly by a material amount. However, we believe that our existing reserves and reserving methodologies lessen the probability that any such increase would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Asbestos and Environmental Exposures. Asbestos and Environmental (“A&E”) exposures represent a separate exposure group for monitoring and evaluating reserve adequacy. The following table summarizes the outstanding loss reserves with respect to A&E reserves on both a gross and net of retrocessions basis for the periods indicated.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| At March 31, | | At December 31, |
(Dollars in millions) | 2023 | | 2022 |
Gross reserves | $ | 271 | | | $ | 278 | |
Ceded reserves | (20) | | | (21) | |
Net reserves | $ | 251 | | | $ | 257 | |
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)
With respect to asbestos only, at March 31, 2023, we had net asbestos loss reserves of $227 million, or 90.4%, of total net A&E reserves, all of which was for assumed business.
Ultimate loss projections for A&E liabilities cannot be accomplished using standard actuarial techniques. We believe that our A&E reserves represent management’s best estimate of the ultimate liability; however, there can be no assurance that ultimate loss payments will not exceed such reserves, perhaps by a significant amount.
Industry analysts use the “survival ratio” to compare the A&E reserves among companies with such liabilities. The survival ratio is typically calculated by dividing a company’s current net reserves by the three year average of annual paid losses. Hence, the survival ratio equals the number of years that it would take to exhaust the current reserves if future loss payments were to continue at historical levels. Using this measurement, our net three year asbestos survival ratio was 6.7 years at March 31, 2023. These metrics can be skewed by individual large settlements occurring in the prior three years and therefore, may not be indicative of the timing of future payments.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Capital. Shareholders’ equity at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was $9.0 billion and $8.4 billion, respectively. Management’s objective in managing capital is to ensure its overall capital level, as well as the capital levels of its operating subsidiaries, exceed the amounts required by regulators, the amount needed to support our current financial strength ratings from rating agencies and our own economic capital models. The Company’s capital has historically exceeded these benchmark levels.
Our two main operating companies Bermuda Re and Everest Re are regulated by the Bermuda Monetary Authority (“BMA”) and the State of Delaware, Department of Insurance, respectively. Both regulatory bodies have their own capital adequacy models based on statutory capital as opposed to GAAP basis equity. Failure to meet the required statutory capital levels could result in various regulatory restrictions, including business activity and the payment of dividends to their parent companies.
The regulatory targeted capital and the actual statutory capital for Bermuda Re and Everest Re were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Bermuda Re (2) At December 31, | | Everest Re (2) At December 31, |
(Dollars in millions) | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
Regulatory targeted capital | $ | 2,217 | | | $ | 2,169 | | | $ | 3,353 | | | $ | 2,960 | |
Actual capital | $ | 2,759 | | | $ | 3,184 | | | $ | 5,553 | | | $ | 5,717 | |
(1)Regulatory targeted capital represents the target capital level from the applicable year's BSCR calculation.
(2)Regulatory targeted capital represents 200% of the RBC authorized control level calculation for the applicable year.
Our financial strength ratings as determined by A.M. Best, Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s are important as they provide our customers and investors with an independent assessment of our financial strength using a rating scale that provides for relative comparisons. We continue to possess significant financial flexibility and access to debt and equity markets as a result of our financial strength, as evidenced by the financial strength ratings as assigned by independent rating agencies.
We maintain our own economic capital models to monitor and project our overall capital, as well as the capital at our operating subsidiaries. A key input to the economic models is projected income and this input is continually compared to actual results, which may require a change in the capital strategy.
During the first quarter of 2023, there were no shares repurchased in the open market. We paid $65 million in dividends to adjust our capital position and enhance long-term expected returns to our shareholders. In 2022, we repurchased 241,273 shares for $61 million in the open market and paid $255 million in dividends. We may at times enter into a Rule 10b5-1 repurchase plan agreement to facilitate the repurchase of shares. On May 22, 2020, our existing Board authorization to purchase up to 30 million of our shares was amended to authorize the purchase of up to 32 million shares. As of March 31, 2023, we had repurchased 30.8 million shares under this authorization.
We may continue, from time to time, to seek to retire portions of our outstanding debt securities through cash repurchases, in open-market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases, if any, will be subject to and depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved in any such transactions, individually or in the aggregate, may be material.
Liquidity. Our liquidity requirements are generally met from positive cash flow from operations. Positive cash flow results from reinsurance and insurance premiums being collected prior to disbursements for claims, which disbursements generally take place over an extended period after the collection of premiums, sometimes a period of many years. Collected premiums are generally invested, prior to their use in such disbursements, and investment income provides additional funding for loss payments. Our net cash flows from operating activities were $1.1 billion and $846 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Additionally, these cash flows reflected net catastrophe loss payments of $198 million and $196 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively and net tax payments of $2 million and $3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
If disbursements for claims and benefits, policy acquisition costs and other operating expenses were to exceed premium inflows, cash flow from reinsurance and insurance operations would be negative. The effect on cash flow from insurance operations would be partially offset by cash flow from investment income. Additionally, cash inflows from investment maturities - both short-term investments and longer term maturities are available to supplement other operating cash flows. We do not expect to supplement negative insurance operations cash flows from investment dispositions.
As the timing of payments for claims and benefits cannot be predicted with certainty, we maintain portfolios of long-term invested assets with varying maturities, along with short-term investments that provide additional liquidity for payment of claims. At March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we held cash and short-term investments of $2.6 billion and $2.4 billion, respectively. Our short-term investments are generally readily marketable and can be converted to cash. In addition to these cash and short-term investments, at March 31, 2023, we had $1.4 billion of available for sale fixed maturity securities maturing within one year or less, $7.9 billion maturing within one to five years and $5.4 billion maturing after five years. Our $250 million of equity securities are comprised primarily of publicly traded securities that we believe can be easily liquidated. We believe that these fixed maturity and equity securities, in conjunction with the short-term investments and positive cash flow from operations, provide ample sources of liquidity for the expected payment of losses in the near future. We do not anticipate selling a significant amount of securities to pay losses and LAE. At March 31, 2023 we had $1.6 billion of net pre-tax unrealized depreciation related to fixed maturity - available for
sale securities, comprised of $1.7 billion of pre-tax unrealized depreciation and $91 million of pre-tax unrealized appreciation.
Management generally expects annual positive cash flow from operations, which reflects the strength of overall pricing. However, given the recent set of catastrophic events, cash flow from operations may decline and could become negative in the near term as significant claim payments are made related to the catastrophes. However, as indicated above, the Company has ample liquidity to settle its catastrophe claims and/or any payments due for its catastrophe bond program.
In addition to our cash flows from operations and liquid investments, we also have multiple active credit facilities that provide commitments of up to $1.5 billion of collateralized standby letters of credit to support business written by our Bermuda operating subsidiaries. In addition, the Company has the ability to request access to an additional $440 million of uncommitted credit facilities, which would require approval from the applicable lender. There is no guarantee the uncommitted capacity will be available to us on a future date. See Note 9 – Credit Facilities for further details.
Market Sensitive Instruments.
The SEC’s Financial Reporting Release #48 requires registrants to clarify and expand upon the existing financial statement disclosure requirements for derivative financial instruments, derivative commodity instruments and other financial instruments (collectively, “market sensitive instruments”). We do not generally enter into market sensitive instruments for trading purposes.
Our current investment strategy seeks to maximize after-tax income through a high quality, diversified, fixed maturity portfolio, while maintaining an adequate level of liquidity. Our mix of investments is adjusted periodically, consistent with our current and projected operating results and market conditions. The fixed maturity securities in the investment portfolio are comprised of non-trading securities. Additionally, we have invested in equity securities.
The overall investment strategy considers the scope of present and anticipated Company operations. In particular, estimates of the financial impact resulting from non-investment asset and liability transactions, together with our capital structure and other factors, are used to develop a net liability analysis. This analysis includes estimated payout characteristics for which our investments provide liquidity. This analysis is considered in the development of specific investment strategies for asset allocation, duration and credit quality. The change in overall market sensitive risk exposure principally reflects the asset changes that took place during the period.
Interest Rate Risk. Our $31.4 billion investment portfolio, at March 31, 2023, is principally comprised of fixed maturity securities, which are generally subject to interest rate risk and some foreign currency exchange rate risk, and some equity securities, which are subject to price fluctuations and some foreign exchange rate risk. The overall economic impact of the foreign exchange risks on the investment portfolio is partially mitigated by changes in the dollar value of foreign currency denominated liabilities and their associated income statement impact.
Interest rate risk is the potential change in value of the fixed maturity securities portfolio, including short-term investments, from a change in market interest rates. In a declining interest rate environment, it includes prepayment risk on the $4.5 billion of mortgage-backed securities in the $24.4 billion fixed maturity portfolio. Prepayment risk results from potential accelerated principal payments that shorten the average life and thus the expected yield of the security.
The table below displays the potential impact of market value fluctuations and after-tax unrealized appreciation on our fixed maturity portfolio (including $1.0 billion of short-term investments) for the period indicated based on upward and downward parallel and immediate 100 and 200 basis point shifts in interest rates. For legal entities with a U.S. dollar functional currency, this modeling was performed on each security individually. To generate appropriate price estimates on mortgage-backed securities, changes in prepayment expectations under different interest rate environments were
taken into account. For legal entities with a non-U.S. dollar functional currency, the effective duration of the involved portfolio of securities was used as a proxy for the market value change under the various interest rate change scenarios.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Impact of Interest Rate Shift in Basis Points At March 31, 2023 |
| -200 | | -100 | | 0 | | 100 | | 200 |
(Dollars in millions) | | | | | | | | | |
Total Fair Value | $ | 26,918 | | | $ | 26,168 | | | $ | 25,419 | | | $ | 24,670 | | | $ | 23,921 | |
Fair Value Change from Base (%) | 5.9 | % | | 2.9 | % | | — | % | | (2.9) | % | | (5.9) | % |
Change in Unrealized Appreciation | | | | | | | | | |
After-tax from Base ($) | $ | 1,317 | | | $ | 659 | | | $ | — | | | $ | (659) | | | $ | (1,317) | |
We had $22.9 billion and $22.1 billion of gross reserves for losses and LAE as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. These amounts are recorded at their nominal value, as opposed to present value, which would reflect a discount adjustment to reflect the time value of money. Since losses are paid out over a period of time, the present value of the reserves is less than the nominal value. As interest rates rise, the present value of the reserves decreases and, conversely, as interest rates decline, the present value increases. These movements are the opposite of the interest rate impacts on the fair value of investments. While the difference between present value and nominal value is not reflected in our financial statements, our financial results will include investment income over time from the investment portfolio until the claims are paid. Our loss and loss reserve obligations have an expected duration of approximately 3.8 years, which is reasonably consistent with our fixed income portfolio. If we were to discount our loss and LAE reserves, net of ceded reserves, the discount would be approximately $3.8 billion resulting in a discounted reserve balance of approximately $16.9 billion, representing approximately 66.6% of the value of the fixed maturity investment portfolio funds.
Equity Risk. Equity risk is the potential change in fair value of the common stock, preferred stock and mutual fund portfolios arising from changing prices. Our equity investments consist of a diversified portfolio of individual securities and mutual funds, which invest principally in high quality common and preferred stocks that are traded on the major exchanges, and mutual fund investments in emerging market debt. The primary objective of the equity portfolio is to obtain greater total return relative to our core bonds over time through market appreciation and income.
The table below displays the impact on fair value and after-tax change in fair value of a 10% and 20% change in equity prices up and down for the period indicated.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Impact of Percentage Change in Equity Fair Values At March 31, 2023 |
(Dollars in millions) | -20% | | -10% | | 0% | | 10% | | 20% |
Fair Value of the Equity Portfolio | $ | 200 | | | $ | 225 | | | $ | 250 | | | $ | 275 | | | $ | 300 | |
After-tax Change in Fair Value | $ | (41) | | | $ | (20) | | | $ | — | | | $ | 20 | | | $ | 41 | |
Foreign Currency Risk. Foreign currency risk is the potential change in value, income and cash flow arising from adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Each of our non-U.S./Bermuda (“foreign”) operations maintains capital in the currency of the country of its geographic location consistent with local regulatory guidelines. Each foreign operation may conduct business in its local currency, as well as the currency of other countries in which it operates. The primary foreign currency exposures for these foreign operations are the Canadian Dollar, the Singapore Dollar, the British Pound Sterling and the Euro. We mitigate foreign exchange exposure by generally matching the currency and duration of our assets to our corresponding operating liabilities. In accordance with FASB guidance, the impact on the fair value of available for sale fixed maturities due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, in relation to functional currency, is reflected as part of other comprehensive income. Conversely, the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, in relation to functional currency, on other assets and liabilities is reflected through net income as a component of other income (expense). In addition, we translate the assets, liabilities and income of non-U.S. dollar functional currency legal entities to the U.S. dollar. This translation amount is reported as a component of other comprehensive income.
Safe Harbor Disclosure.
This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements in the federal securities laws. In some cases, these statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “may”,
“will”, “should”, “could”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “expect”, “plan”, “believe”, “predict”, “potential” and “intend”. Forward-looking statements contained in this report include:
•the effects of catastrophic and pandemic events on our financial statements;
•estimates of our catastrophe exposure;
•information regarding our reserves for losses and LAE;
•our failure to accurately assess underwriting risk;
•decreases in pricing for property and casualty reinsurance and insurance;
•our ability to maintain our financial strength ratings;
•the failure of our insured, intermediaries and reinsurers to satisfy their obligations;
•our inability or failure to purchase reinsurance;
•consolidation of competitors, customers and insurance and reinsurance brokers;
•the effect on our business of the highly competitive nature of our industry, including the effect of new entrants to, competing products for and consolidation in the (re)insurance industry;
•our ability to retain our key executive officers and to attract or retain the executives and employees necessary to manage our business;
•the performance of our investment portfolio;
•our ability to determine any impairments taken on our investments;
•foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations;
•the effect of cybersecurity risks, including technology breaches or failure, on our business;
•the CARES Act;
•the impact of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act;
•the adequacy of capital in relation to regulatory required capital; and
•the ability of Everest Re, Holdings, Everest Underwriting Group (Ireland) Limited, Everest Dublin Insurance Holdings Limited (Ireland), Bermuda Re and Everest International Reinsurance, Ltd. to pay dividends.
Forward-looking statements only reflect our expectations and are not guarantees of performance. These statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual events or results may differ materially from our expectations. Important factors that could cause our actual events or results to be materially different from our expectations include those discussed under the caption ITEM 1A, “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent 10-K filing. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.