RenaissanceRe Reports Net Income of $122.6 Million for the Fourth Quarter of 2010 or $2.23 Per Diluted Common Share; Operating Income of $189.1 Million or $3.47 Per Diluted Common Share
Annual Net Income of $702.6 Million for 2010 or $12.31 Per Diluted Common Share; Annual Operating Income of $536.4 Million or $9.32 Per Diluted Common Share
PEMBROKE, Bermuda--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: RNR) today reported net income available to RenaissanceRe common shareholders of $122.6 million or $2.23 per diluted common share in the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to $211.8 million or $3.38 per diluted common share, in the fourth quarter of 2009. Operating income available to RenaissanceRe common shareholders was $189.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2010, or $3.47 per diluted common share, compared to $177.7 million, or $2.82 per diluted common share, in the fourth quarter of 2009. The Company reported an annualized return on average common equity of 14.6% and an annualized operating return on average common equity of 22.5% in the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to 27.1% and 22.7%, respectively, in the fourth quarter of 2009. For the year, the Company reported a 21.7% return on average common equity and a 16.5% operating return on average common equity, compared to 30.2% and 27.6%, respectively, for 2009. See Comments on Regulation G for a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures.
Book value per common share increased $2.01, or 3.3%, in the fourth quarter of 2010 to $62.58, compared to a 5.0% increase in the fourth quarter of 2009. For the year, book value per common share increased $10.90, or 21.1%, compared to a 33.4% increase in 2009.
Neill A. Currie, CEO, commented: "I am pleased to report strong earnings for the full year, despite softening market conditions in many lines and a number of significant catastrophic events that took place around the world. We reported $702.6 million of net income for the year, an operating ROE of 16.5% and over 21% growth in book value per common share. Robust underwriting profits, solid investment results and disciplined execution by our team contributed to these results."
Mr. Currie added: "During the year, we completed a strategic review of our U.S.-based insurance operations which ultimately culminated in our announced sale of these operations. The sale is expected to close in early 2011. This decision reflects our commitment to being nimble and sharpens our focus on being a leading underwriter of low frequency, high-severity risks."
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND SEGMENTS
Discontinued Operations
On November 18, 2010, the Company entered into a definitive stock purchase agreement (the "Stock Purchase Agreement") with QBE Holdings, Inc. ("QBE") to sell substantially all of its U.S.-based insurance operations, including its U.S. property and casualty business underwritten through managing general agents, its crop insurance business underwritten through Agro National Inc., its commercial property insurance operations and its claims operations. The Company has classified the assets and liabilities associated with this transaction as held for sale. The financial results for these operations have been presented as discontinued operations in the Company's statements of operations for all periods presented. Except as explicitly described as held for sale or as discontinued operations, and unless otherwise noted, all amounts presented in this earnings release and the Company's financial supplement relate to the Company's continuing operations.
Consideration for the transaction is book value at December 31, 2010, for the aforementioned businesses, currently estimated to be $283.4 million, payable in cash at closing and subject to adjustment for certain tax and other items. The transaction is expected to close in early 2011 and is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
Segments
In conjunction with the sale of the Company's U.S.-based insurance operations, the Company has changed its reportable segments. The Company now has three reportable segments: (1) Reinsurance, which includes catastrophe reinsurance, specialty reinsurance and certain property catastrophe and specialty joint ventures managed by the Company's ventures unit, (2) Lloyd's, which includes reinsurance and insurance business written through RenaissanceRe Syndicate 1458 ("Syndicate 1458"), and (3) Insurance, which includes the operations of the Company's former Insurance segment that are not being sold pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement with QBE. Previously, the Company's Lloyd's unit was included in the Company's Reinsurance segment and the underwriting results associated with the Company's discontinued operations were included in the Company's Insurance segment. All prior periods presented have been reclassified to conform to this new presentation.
FOURTH QUARTER 2010 HIGHLIGHTS
Underwriting Results
Gross premiums written for the fourth quarter of 2010 were $31.2 million, a $31.0 million increase from the fourth quarter of 2009, principally reflecting a $28.2 million and an $8.6 million increase in the Company's Reinsurance and Lloyd's segments, respectively, and partially offset by a $9.4 million decrease in the Company's Insurance segment, as described in more detail below. The Company generated $152.2 million of underwriting income and had a combined ratio of 19.8% in the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to $170.7 million of underwriting income and a combined ratio of 13.0% in the fourth quarter of 2009. The strong underwriting results in the fourth quarter of 2010 were primarily driven by a low level of insured catastrophes combined with $72.7 million of favorable development on prior year reserves in the quarter. As discussed in more detail below, the favorable development was principally driven by the catastrophe unit.
Included in the Company's underwriting results for the fourth quarter of 2010, and as detailed in the table below, is an increase in the Company's estimated net claims and claims expenses associated with the New Zealand earthquake which occurred in the third quarter of 2010. The Company has increased its estimated net negative impact from this event from $73.6 million at September 30, 2010 to $128.1 million at December 31, 2010, an increase of $54.5 million or 74.0%. The increase was principally driven by an increase in the estimated number of underlying claims associated with the event. In addition, during the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company revised its estimates of net claims and claims expenses associated with the Chilean earthquake and European windstorm Xynthia ("Xynthia"), both of which occurred in the first quarter of 2010. As detailed in the table below, the impact of these revised estimates was a reduction in net negative impact of $22.6 million and $15.8 million for the Chilean earthquake and Xynthia, respectively. Net (negative) positive impact includes the sum of estimates of net claims and claim expenses incurred, earned reinstatement premiums assumed and ceded, lost profit commissions, redeemable noncontrolling interest, and for the New Zealand earthquake, equity in net claims and claim expenses of Top Layer Reinsurance Ltd. ("Top Layer Re").
The Company's estimate of losses from the New Zealand and Chilean earthquakes (the "2010 earthquakes") are based on initial industry insured loss estimates, market share analysis, the application of the Company's modeling techniques, reported claims information from cedants, and a review of the Company's in-force contracts. Given the preliminary nature of the information available, the magnitude and relatively recent occurrence of these events, the expected lengthy duration of the claims development period characteristic of earthquake events, and other factors and uncertainties inherent in loss estimation, meaningful uncertainty remains regarding losses from these events and the Company's actual ultimate net losses from these events will vary from these estimates, perhaps materially. Changes in these estimates will be recorded in the period in which they occur.
The following is supplemental financial data regarding the net financial statement impact on the Company's consolidated results for the fourth quarter of 2010 due to the New Zealand earthquake, the Chilean earthquake and Xynthia (collectively the "2010 events"):
Three months ended December 31, 2010
(in thousands, except New Zealand Chilean Xynthia Total
ratios) Earthquake Earthquake
Net claims and claim $ (56,220 ) $ 29,746 $ 22,445 $ (4,029 )
expenses incurred
Net reinstatement premiums (2,992 ) (1,492 ) (2,411 ) (6,895 )
earned
Lost profit commissions (3,097 ) 1,245 801 (1,051 )
Net impact on underwriting (62,309 ) 29,499 20,835 (11,975 )
result
Equity in losses of Top (11,889 ) - - (11,889 )
Layer Re
Redeemable noncontrolling 19,710 (6,902 ) (5,041 ) 7,767
interest - DaVinciRe
Net (negative) positive $ (54,488 ) $ 22,597 $ 15,794 $ (16,097 )
impact
Percentage point impact on 31.1 (16.1 ) (11.8 ) 3.3
consolidated combined ratio
Net (negative) positive
impact on Reinsurance $ (58,404 ) $ 29,499 $ 20,835 $ (8,070 )
segment underwriting result
Net negative impact on
Lloyd's segment underwriting (3,905 ) - - (3,905 )
result
Net (negative) positive
impact on underwriting $ (62,309 ) $ 29,499 $ 20,835 $ (11,975 )
result
Reinsurance Segment
Gross premiums written for the Company's Reinsurance segment were $17.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to negative $10.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, an increase of $28.2 million. The increase is primarily due to a $23.6 million increase in gross premiums written in the Company's catastrophe reinsurance unit, combined with a $4.6 million increase in gross premiums written in the Company's specialty reinsurance unit. The increase in gross premiums written in the Company's catastrophe reinsurance unit is primarily due to the non-recurrence of significant negative premium adjustments in the fourth quarter of 2009, which were driven by estimated decreases in the amount of premium underlying ceding companies had written in 2009 and credit-related issues with certain ceding companies which experienced significant financial difficulty in the fourth quarter of 2009. Gross premiums written in the Company's catastrophe unit were reduced in the fourth quarter of 2010 due to $9.5 million of negative reinstatement premiums as a result of reduced loss estimates on certain large losses, principally the 2010 events, and $4.4 million related to negative premium adjustments. The Company's Reinsurance segment premiums are prone to significant volatility due to the timing of contract inception and also due to the business being characterized by a relatively small number of relatively large transactions.
The Reinsurance segment generated $168.4 million of underwriting income and had a combined ratio of 12.5% in the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to $178.5 million and 7.8%, respectively, in the fourth quarter of 2009. The Reinsurance segment experienced $38.4 million of current accident year net claims and claim expenses in the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to $18.2 million of current accident year losses in the fourth quarter of 2009, with the $20.2 million increase principally due to estimated net claims and claims expenses related to tropical storm Tasha of $15.1 million and $3.0 million in the Company's catastrophe and specialty units, respectively, and higher attritional losses in the Company's specialty unit. In addition, the Reinsurance segment current accident year net claims and claim expenses in the fourth quarter of 2010 includes $52.3 million of net claims and claim expenses related to the New Zealand earthquake, partially offset by decreases in net claims and claim expenses of $29.7 million and $22.4 million related to the Chilean earthquake and Xynthia, respectively. The Reinsurance segment experienced $65.7 million of favorable development on prior year reserves in the fourth quarter of 2010, which includes $49.0 million related to the Company's catastrophe reinsurance unit, principally attributable to a reduction in ultimate net losses associated with the 2005 Buncefield Oil Depot loss of $25.2 million, the 2005 and 2008 hurricanes of $6.6 million and $5.2 million, respectively, and a number of smaller catastrophe events. The favorable development within the Company's specialty unit of $16.7 million was due to actual reported loss activity coming in better than expected.
Lloyd's Segment
Gross premiums written for the Company's Lloyd's segment in the fourth quarter of 2010 were $8.6 million. The Company's Lloyd's segment generated an underwriting loss of $5.6 million and a combined ratio of 144.6% in the fourth quarter of 2010. Net claims and claim expenses for the fourth quarter of 2010 include $3.9 million of net claims and claim expenses related to the New Zealand earthquake. Operational expenses of $7.5 million principally include compensation and related operating expenses.
Insurance Segment
Insurance policies and quota-share reinsurance contracts previously written in connection with the Company's Bermuda-based insurance operations not being sold as part of the Stock Purchase Agreement with QBE are included in the Company's continuing operations and are reported in the Company's Insurance segment. Although the Company is not actively underwriting new business in the Insurance segment, it may from time to time evaluate potential new business opportunities for its Insurance segment.
Gross premiums written for the Company's Insurance segment decreased $9.4 million to $1.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to $10.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, primarily as a result of the non-renewal of the previously in-force book of business written in the Insurance segment.
The Insurance segment incurred an underwriting loss of $10.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to an underwriting loss of $7.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2009. The underwriting loss in the fourth quarter of 2010 was primarily driven by a decrease in net premiums earned as a result of ceded premiums written being fully earned in the period given the non-renewal of the previously in-force book of business, as noted above. The Insurance segment experienced $7.0 million of favorable development on prior year reserves in the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to $3.8 million of favorable development in the fourth quarter of 2009. The favorable development on prior year reserves in the fourth quarter of 2010 and 2009 was primarily due to actual paid and reported loss activity being more favorable to date than what was originally anticipated when setting the initial reserves.
Investments
Returns on the Company's investment portfolio decreased in the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to the fourth quarter of 2009, primarily due to lower total returns in the Company's fixed maturity investments portfolio and certain of the Company's non-investment grade allocations, which the Company includes in other investments, and partially offset by higher returns in its hedge fund and private equity investments during the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to the fourth quarter of 2009. The Company's total investment result, which includes the sum of net investment income, net realized and unrealized gains on fixed maturity investments and net other-than-temporary impairments was a loss of $18.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to income of $47.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2009. The average yield on the fixed maturity and short term investment portfolio has increased to 2.1% at December 31, 2010 from 1.7% at September 30, 2010.
Net investment income was $52.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to $59.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2009. The $6.8 million decrease in net investment income was principally driven by the lower absolute level of yields on the Company's fixed maturity investments in the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to the fourth quarter of 2009, partially offset by tighter credit spreads, primarily in the Company's investments in senior secured bank loan funds, and by an increase in net investment income from the Company's hedge fund and private equity investments due to higher total returns. The Company's hedge fund, private equity and other investments are accounted for at fair value with the change in fair value recorded in net investment income which included net unrealized gains of $36.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to $17.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Net realized and unrealized losses on fixed maturity investments were $66.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to net realized and unrealized gains on fixed maturity investments of $35.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, a decrease of $101.6 million. During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company started designating, upon acquisition, certain fixed maturity investments as trading, rather than available for sale, and as a result, $89.1 million of net unrealized losses on these securities are recorded in net realized and unrealized gains on fixed maturity investments in the Company's consolidated statements of operations in the fourth quarter of 2010 rather than in accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders' equity, compared to $10.8 million of net unrealized losses in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Other Items
-- The Company's equity in losses of other ventures decreased $9.9 million,
to a loss of $10.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to a
loss of $0.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, primarily due to the
Company's equity in losses of Top Layer Re of $9.4 million during the
fourth quarter of 2010, as a result of increased estimated ultimate net
claims and claim expenses related to the New Zealand earthquake recorded
by Top Layer Re.
-- During the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company's weather and energy risk
management operations generated $15.2 million of income, compared to
$12.3 million of income in the fourth quarter of 2009, due to favorable
trading conditions.
-- The Company generated $11.1 million in income from discontinued
operations which is net of an after-tax loss of $9.5 million associated
with the planned sale of substantially all of the Company's U.S.-based
insurance operations pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, after
considering transaction expenses. At December 31, 2010, the Company's
consolidated balance sheet reflects $872.1 million and $598.5 million of
assets and liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale,
respectively, substantially all of which will be transferred to QBE upon
closing the transaction.
-- On December 20, 2010, the Company redeemed all of its issued and
outstanding 7.30% Series B Preference Shares for $100.0 million plus
accrued and unpaid dividends thereon.
-- During the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company repurchased approximately
782 thousand common shares in open market transactions at an aggregate
cost of $49.0 million and at an average share price of $62.74.
FULL YEAR 2010 HIGHLIGHTS
For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company reported net income available to RenaissanceRe common shareholders of $702.6 million, or $12.31 per diluted common share, compared to $838.9 million, or $13.40 per diluted common share, in 2009. Operating income available to RenaissanceRe common shareholders was $536.4 million, or $9.32 per diluted common share, compared to $768.2 million, or $12.25 per diluted common share, in 2009. The Company reported a return on average common equity of 21.7% and an operating return on average common equity of 16.5% in 2010, compared to 30.2% and 27.6%, respectively, in 2009. See Comments on Regulation G for a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures.
Book value per common share was $62.58 at December 31, 2010, an increase of $10.90, or 21.1%, in 2010, compared to a 33.4% increase in 2009.
Underwriting Results
Gross premiums written for 2010 were $1,165.3 million, a decrease of $63.6 million, or 5.2%, from 2009. As described in more detail below, the decrease in gross premiums written was driven by decreases in the Company's Reinsurance and Insurance segments of $87.2 million and $28.2 million, respectively, and partially offset by $66.2 million of gross premiums written in the Company's Lloyd's segment. The Company generated $474.6 million of underwriting income and had a combined ratio of 45.1% in 2010, compared to $695.2 million of underwriting income and a 21.2% combined ratio in 2009. The $220.6 million decrease in underwriting income and 23.9 percentage point increase in the combined ratio was driven by the comparably high level of insured catastrophes during 2010, compared to 2009, specifically the comparative impact of the 2010 earthquakes which resulted in $252.1 million of net underwriting losses, and increased the Company's combined ratio by 32.0 percentage points in 2010.
The net negative impact from the 2010 earthquakes was $211.7 million and includes the sum of estimates of net claims and claim expenses incurred, earned reinstatement premiums assumed and ceded, lost profit commissions, redeemable noncontrolling interest, and for the New Zealand earthquake, equity in net claims and claim expenses of Top Layer Re. The following is supplemental financial data regarding the net financial statement impact on the Company's consolidated results due to the 2010 earthquakes:
Year ended December 31, 2010
(in thousands, except ratios) New Zealand Chilean Total
Earthquake Earthquake
Net claims and claim expenses $ (135,292 ) $ (129,770 ) $ (265,062 )
incurred
Net reinstatement premiums earned 2,532 25,508 28,040
Lost profit commissions (9,730 ) (5,372 ) (15,102 )
Net impact on underwriting result (142,490 ) (109,634 ) (252,124 )
Equity in losses of Top Layer Re (23,940 ) - (23,940 )
Redeemable noncontrolling interest - 38,352 26,032 64,384
DaVinciRe
Net negative impact $ (128,078 ) $ (83,602 ) $ (211,680 )
Percentage point impact on 16.7 14.7 32.0
consolidated combined ratio
Net negative impact on Reinsurance $ (137,283 ) $ (109,634 ) $ (246,917 )
segment underwriting result
Net negative impact on Lloyd's (5,207 ) - (5,207 )
segment underwriting result
Net negative impact on underwriting $ (142,490 ) $ (109,634 ) $ (252,124 )
result
The Company experienced $302.1 million of favorable development on prior year reserves in 2010, compared to $266.2 million of favorable development in 2009, as discussed in more detail below.
Reinsurance Segment
Gross premiums written for the Company's Reinsurance segment decreased $87.2 million, or 7.2%, to $1,123.6 million in 2010, compared to $1,210.8 million in 2009. Excluding the impact of $28.0 million of reinstatement premiums written in 2010 as a result of the 2010 earthquakes, the Company's managed catastrophe premiums decreased $116.8 million in 2010, or 10.3%, compared to 2009, due to the continued softening of market conditions in catastrophe exposed lines of business in the United States, combined with the non-renewal of several large programs that did not meet the Company's underwriting requirements. The Company's managed specialty premiums increased $49.1 million in 2010, or 42.9%, compared to 2009, principally due to the inception of several new contracts providing financial and credit reinsurance, and the non-renewal and portfolio transfer out of a quota share program in mid-2009 that did not meet the Company's expectations and was included as negative gross premiums written in 2009. The Company's Reinsurance segment premiums are prone to significant volatility due to the timing of contract inception and also due to the business being characterized by a relatively small number of relatively large transactions.
The Reinsurance segment generated $517.0 million of underwriting income and had a combined ratio of 38.4% in 2010, compared to $719.2 million of underwriting income and a 15.4% combined ratio in 2009. The $202.1 million decrease in underwriting income was primarily due to a $238.0 million increase in current accident year net claims and claim expenses due to a comparably high level of insured catastrophes occurring in 2010 compared to 2009, specifically the comparative impact of the 2010 earthquakes noted above, which added $259.9 million in net claims and claim expenses and 32.6 percentage points to the Reinsurance segment's combined ratio in 2010, and estimated ultimate claims and claims expenses related to tropical storm Tasha of $18.1 million.
The Reinsurance segment experienced $286.0 million of favorable development on prior year reserves in 2010, which includes $157.5 million related to the Company's catastrophe reinsurance unit and $128.6 million related to the Company's specialty reinsurance unit. The favorable development within the Company's catastrophe reinsurance unit was due to reductions of $33.6 million to the estimated ultimate losses of mature, large, mainly international catastrophe events, combined with reductions in net ultimate losses associated with the 2005 Buncefield Oil Depot loss of $27.4 million, the 2005 hurricanes of $25.5 million, the 2008 hurricanes of $10.9 million, European windstorm Klaus of $8.0 million and the 2004 hurricanes of $8.1 million, with the remainder due to a reduction in ultimate losses on a large number of relatively small catastrophes. The favorable development within the Company's specialty unit includes $31.4 million associated with actuarial assumption changes made in the first quarter of 2010, principally in the Company's casualty clash and surety lines of business, and partially offset by an increase in reserves within the Company's workers compensation per risk line of business, principally as a result of revised initial expected loss ratios and loss development factors due to actual experience coming in better than expected; $25.9 million due to a decrease in case reserves and additional case reserves, which are reserves established at the contract level for specific losses or large events; and reported losses coming in better than expected in 2010 on prior accident years events.
Lloyd's Segment
Gross premiums written for the Company's Lloyd's segment in 2010 were $66.2 million, and include $34.1 million of specialty premiums, $17.4 million of insurance premiums and $14.7 million of property catastrophe premiums.
The Company's Lloyd's segment incurred an underwriting loss of $11.1 million and had a combined ratio of 122.1% in 2010. Net claims and claim expenses for 2010 are comprised primarily of incurred but not reported loss activity in the specialty and insurance lines of business and $5.2 million of net claims and claim expenses related to the New Zealand earthquake. Operational expenses of $24.8 million principally include compensation and related operating expenses.
Insurance Segment
Gross premiums written for the Company's Insurance segment decreased $28.2 million to $2.6 million in 2010, compared to $30.7 million in 2009. The decrease in gross premiums written was primarily due to the non-renewal of the remaining in-force book of business previously written in the Insurance segment, combined with the portfolio transfer out of a catastrophe exposed homeowners personal lines property quota share contract during the second quarter 2009, which resulted in less gross premiums written in 2010. Gross premiums written in the Company's Insurance segment can fluctuate significantly between quarters and between years based on several factors, including, without limitation, the timing of the inception or cessation of quota share reinsurance contracts, including whether or not the Company has portfolio transfers in, or portfolio transfers out, of quota share reinsurance contracts of in-force books of business. Although the Company is not actively underwriting new business in the Insurance segment, it may from time to time evaluate potential new business opportunities for the Insurance segment.
The Insurance segment incurred an underwriting loss of $31.4 million in 2010, compared to an underwriting loss of $24.0 million in 2009. The $7.4 million increase in underwriting loss was principally due to a $56.6 million decrease in net premiums earned, and partially offset by a $27.1 million decrease in net claims and claim expenses incurred and a $22.1 million decrease in underwriting expenses. The decrease in net premiums earned and underwriting expenses is due to the decrease in net premiums written, noted above, combined with ceded premiums written being fully earned during the year as a result of the non-renewal of the previously in-force book of business, noted above. The Insurance segment experienced $15.9 million of favorable development on prior year reserves in 2010, compared to $16.7 million of favorable development in 2009, primarily due to actual reported loss activity being more favorable to date than what was originally anticipated when setting the initial reserves.
Investments
Returns on the Company's investment portfolio decreased in 2010, compared to 2009, primarily due to lower total returns in the fixed maturity investments portfolio, lower returns in certain of the Company's non-investment grade allocations, which the Company includes in other investments, and partially offset by higher returns in the Company's hedge fund and private equity investments. The Company's total investment result, which includes the sum of net investment income, net realized and unrealized gains on fixed maturity investments and net other-than-temporary impairments was $320.9 million in 2010, compared to $432.1 million in 2009. The average yield on the fixed maturity and short term investment portfolio has declined to 2.1% at December 31, 2010, compared to 2.3% at December 31, 2009, which the Company currently expects will result in lower net investment income in future periods based on the Company's current portfolio.
Net investment income was $204.0 million in 2010, compared to $318.2 million in 2009. The $114.2 million decrease in net investment income was principally driven by a $106.1 million decrease from the Company's other investments, primarily due to lower returns for the Company's investments in senior secured bank loan funds due to a more moderate tightening of credit spreads during 2010, compared to 2009, combined with a $52.3 million decrease in net investment income from the Company's fixed maturity investments due to lower yields during 2010, compared to 2009. Partially offsetting the decreases noted above, is net investment income from the Company's hedge fund and private equity investments which increased $46.1 million, to $64.4 million, due to higher total returns, principally from the Company's private equity investments. The Company's hedge fund, private equity and other investments are accounted for at fair value with the change in fair value recorded in net investment income which included net unrealized gains of $57.5 million in 2010, compared to $88.5 million in 2009.
Net realized and unrealized gains on fixed maturity investments were $144.4 million in 2010, compared to $93.7 million in 2009, an increase of $50.8 million. During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company started designating, upon acquisition, certain fixed maturity investments as trading, rather than available for sale, and as a result, $24.8 million of net unrealized gains on these securities are recorded in net realized and unrealized gains on fixed maturity investments in the Company's consolidated statements of operations in 2010 rather than in accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders' equity, compared to net unrealized losses of $10.8 million in 2009.
Other Income
Other income was $41.1 million in 2010, compared to $1.8 million in 2009. The $39.3 million increase in other income is primarily the result of:
-- a $15.8 million gain on the sale of the Company's interest in ChannelRe
in the third quarter of 2010;
-- a $10.1 million positive mark-to-market on the Platinum Underwriters
Holdings, Ltd. ("Platinum") warrants, compared to $5.0 million in 2009,
due to an increase in the common share price of Platinum during 2010;
-- a reduction in other losses associated with the Company's
weather-related and loss mitigation activities of $11.1 million in 2010;
-- a $37.8 million improvement in other income associated with the fair
value of the assumed and ceded reinsurance contracts accounted for at
fair value or as deposits; and partially offset by
-- a decrease of $29.0 million in other income from the Company's weather
and energy risk management operations due to overall less favorable
trading conditions experienced in 2010, compared to 2009.
Other Items
-- The Company's equity in other ventures decreased $22.8 million, to a
loss of $11.8 million in 2010, compared to earnings of $11.0 million in
2009, primarily due to the Company's equity in losses of Top Layer Re of
$12.1 million during 2010, as a result of Top Layer Re experiencing net
claims and claim expenses related to the New Zealand earthquake.
-- The Company generated an income tax benefit of $6.1 million in 2010,
compared to income tax expense of $10.0 million in 2009, principally due
to decreased profitability in the Company's energy and weather risk
management operations and higher interest expense associated with the
Company's U.S. operations.
-- The Company generated $62.7 million in income from its discontinued
operations which is net of an after-tax loss of $9.5 million associated
with the planned sale of substantially all of the Company's U.S.-based
insurance operations pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, after
considering transaction expenses. The Company's U.S.-based operations'
profits in 2010 were driven by $57.0 million of underwriting income
which was mainly the result of the Company's multi-peril crop insurance
business.
-- During 2010, the Company repurchased approximately 8.2 million common
shares in open market transactions at an aggregate cost of $460.4
million and at an average share price of $56.15.
-- Subsequent to December 31, 2010 and through the period ending February
7, 2011, the Company has repurchased approximately 1.2 million common
shares in open market transactions at an aggregate cost of $75.3 million
and at an average share price of $64.21.
-- On January 20, 2011, the Company sold its Platinum warrants for an
aggregate of $47.9 million and expects to record a gain of $3.0 million
in the first quarter of 2011 as a result of the sale. The warrants had
provided the Company the right to purchase 2.5 million common shares
from Platinum for $27.00 per share.
This Press Release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures including "operating income available to RenaissanceRe common shareholders", "operating income available to RenaissanceRe common shareholders per common share - diluted", "operating return on average common equity - annualized", "managed catastrophe premiums" and "managed specialty premiums". A reconciliation of such measures to the most comparable GAAP figures in accordance with Regulation G is presented in the attached supplemental financial data.
Please refer to the "Investor Information - Financial Reports - Financial Supplements" section of the Company's website at www.renre.com for a copy of the Financial Supplement which includes additional information on the Company's financial performance.
RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. will host a conference call on Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. (ET) to discuss this release. Live broadcast of the conference call will be available through the "Investor Information - Company Webcasts" section of RenaissanceRe's website at www.renre.com.
RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. is a global provider of reinsurance and insurance. The Company's business consists of three segments: (1) Reinsurance, which includes catastrophe reinsurance, specialty reinsurance and certain property catastrophe and specialty joint ventures managed by the Company's ventures unit, (2) Lloyd's, which includes reinsurance and insurance business written through Syndicate 1458, and (3) Insurance, which principally includes the Company's Bermuda-based insurance operations.
Cautionary Statement under "Safe Harbor" Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements made in this earnings release contain information about the Company's future business prospects. These statements may be considered "forward-looking." These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements. For further information regarding cautionary statements and factors affecting future results, please refer to RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.'s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.
RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Summary Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands of United States Dollars, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Three months ended Twelve months ended
December 31, December 31, December 31, December 31,
2010 2009 2010 2009
Revenues
Gross premiums $ 31,201 $ 225 $ 1,165,295 $ 1,228,881
written
Net premiums written $ 30,165 $ (5,576 ) $ 848,965 $ 838,333
Decrease in unearned 159,577 201,675 15,956 43,871
premiums
Net premiums earned 189,742 196,099 864,921 882,204
Net investment income 52,503 59,299 203,955 318,179
Net foreign exchange (4,646 ) (862 ) (17,126 ) (13,623 )
losses
Equity in (losses)
earnings of other (10,390 ) (523 ) (11,814 ) 10,976
ventures
Other income 26,032 6,166 41,120 1,798
Net realized and
unrealized (losses) (66,149 ) 35,481 144,444 93,679
gains on fixed
maturity investments
Total
other-than-temporary - (1,280 ) (831 ) (26,968 )
impairments
Portion recognized in
other comprehensive - - 2 4,518
income, before taxes
Net
other-than-temporary - (1,280 ) (829 ) (22,450 )
impairments
Total revenues 187,092 294,380 1,224,671 1,270,763
Expenses
Net claims and claim (27,128 ) (44,831 ) 129,345 (70,698 )
expenses incurred
Acquisition expenses 18,803 26,516 94,961 104,150
Operational expenses 45,882 43,712 166,042 153,552
Corporate expenses 4,744 4,893 20,136 12,658
Interest expense 6,303 3,027 21,829 15,111
Total expenses 48,604 33,317 432,313 214,773
Income from
continuing operations 138,488 261,063 792,358 1,055,990
before taxes
Income tax (expense) (196 ) (2,228 ) 6,124 (10,031 )
benefit
Income from 138,292 258,835 798,482 1,045,959
continuing operations
Income from
discontinued 11,108 12,187 62,670 6,700
operations
Net income 149,400 271,022 861,152 1,052,659
Net income
attributable to (16,432 ) (48,680 ) (116,421 ) (171,501 )
noncontrolling
interests
Net income
attributable to 132,968 222,342 744,731 881,158
RenaissanceRe
Dividends on (10,393 ) (10,575 ) (42,118 ) (42,300 )
preference shares
Net income available
to RenaissanceRe $ 122,575 $ 211,767 $ 702,613 $ 838,858
common shareholders
Operating income
available to
RenaissanceRe common $ 3.47 $ 2.82 $ 9.32 $ 12.25
shareholders per
common share -
diluted (1)
Income from
continuing operations
available to $ 2.04 $ 3.21 $ 11.28 $ 13.39
RenaissanceRe common
shareholders per
common share - basic
Income from
discontinued
operations available
to RenaissanceRe 0.21 0.20 1.14 0.11
common shareholders
per common share -
basic
Net income available
to RenaissanceRe
commmon shareholders $ 2.25 $ 3.41 $ 12.42 $ 13.50
per common share -
basic
Income from
continuing operations
available to
RenaissanceRe common $ 2.02 $ 3.18 $ 11.18 $ 13.29
shareholders per
common share -
diluted
Income from
discontinued
operations available
to RenaissanceRe 0.21 0.20 1.13 0.11
common shareholders
per common share -
diluted
Net income available
to RenaissanceRe
commmon shareholders $ 2.23 $ 3.38 $ 12.31 $ 13.40
per common share -
diluted
Average shares 53,166 60,604 55,145 60,775
outstanding - basic
Average shares 53,667 61,161 55,641 61,210
outstanding - diluted
Net claims and claim (14.3 %) (22.9 %) 15.0 % (8.0 %)
expense ratio
Expense ratio 34.1 % 35.9 % 30.1 % 29.2 %
Combined ratio 19.8 % 13.0 % 45.1 % 21.2 %
Operating return on
average common equity 22.5 % 22.7 % 16.5 % 27.6 %
- annualized (1)
(1) See Comments on Regulation G for a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial
measures.
RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Summary Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands of United States Dollars, except per share amounts)
At
December 31, December 31,
2010 2009
Assets
Fixed maturity investments trading, at fair value $ 3,871,780 $ 696,894
Fixed maturity investments available for sale, at 244,917 3,420,001
fair value
Total fixed maturity investments, at fair value 4,116,697 4,116,895
Short term investments, at fair value 1,110,364 943,051
Other investments, at fair value 787,548 858,026
Investments in other ventures, under equity method 85,603 97,287
Total investments 6,100,212 6,015,259
Cash and cash equivalents 277,738 203,112
Premiums receivable 322,080 323,672
Prepaid reinsurance premiums 60,643 76,096
Reinsurance recoverable 101,711 84,099
Accrued investment income 34,560 30,529
Deferred acquisition costs 35,648 39,068
Receivable for investments sold 99,226 7,431
Other secured assets 14,250 27,730
Other assets 205,373 172,703
Goodwill and other intangibles 14,690 15,306
Assets of discontinued operations held for sale 872,147 931,207
Total assets $ 8,138,278 $ 7,926,212
Liabilities, Noncontrolling Interests and
Shareholders' Equity
Liabilities
Reserve for claims and claim expenses $ 1,257,843 $ 1,344,433
Unearned premiums 286,183 317,592
Debt 549,155 300,000
Reinsurance balances payable 318,024 384,361
Payable for investments purchased 195,383 59,236
Other secured liabilities 14,000 27,500
Other liabilities 222,310 200,016
Liabilities of discontinued operations held for 598,511 665,641
sale
Total liabilities 3,441,409 3,298,779
Redeemable noncontrolling interest - DaVinciRe 757,655 786,647
Shareholders' Equity
Preference shares 550,000 650,000
Common shares 54,110 61,745
Accumulated other comprehensive income 19,823 41,438
Retained earnings 3,312,392 3,087,603
Total shareholders' equity attributable to 3,936,325 3,840,786
RenaissanceRe
Noncontrolling interest 2,889 -
Total shareholders' equity 3,939,214 3,840,786
Total liabilities, noncontrolling interests and $ 8,138,278 $ 7,926,212
shareholders' equity
Book value per common share $ 62.58 $ 51.68
Common shares outstanding 54,110 61,745
RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Supplemental Financial Data - Segment Information
(in thousands of United States Dollars) (Unaudited)
Three months ended December 31, 2010
Reinsurance Lloyd's Insurance Eliminations Other Total
(1)
Gross premiums $ 17,940 $ 8,582 $ 1,309 $ 3,370 $ - $ 31,201
written
Net premiums written $ 15,752 $ 9,067 $ 5,346 - $ 30,165
Net premiums earned $ 192,441 $ 12,624 $ (15,323 ) - $ 189,742
Net claims and claim (27,291 ) 7,650 (7,487 ) - (27,128 )
expenses incurred
Acquisition expenses 14,890 3,102 811 - 18,803
Operational expenses 36,467 7,504 1,911 - 45,882
Underwriting $ 168,375 $ (5,632 ) $ (10,558 ) - 152,185
income (loss)
Net investment 52,503 52,503
income
Net foreign exchange (4,646 ) (4,646 )
losses
Equity in losses of (10,390 ) (10,390 )
other ventures
Other income 26,032 26,032
Net realized and
unrealized losses on (66,149 ) (66,149 )
fixed maturity
investments
Corporate expenses (4,744 ) (4,744 )
Interest expense (6,303 ) (6,303 )
Income from
continuing 138,488
operations
before taxes
Income tax expense (196 ) (196 )
Income from
discontinued 11,108 11,108
operations
Net income
attributable to (16,432 ) (16,432 )
noncontrolling
interests
Dividends on (10,393 ) (10,393 )
preference shares
Net income
available to
RenaissanceRe $ 122,575
common
shareholders
Net claims and claim
expenses incurred - $ 38,420 $ 7,671 $ (523 ) $ 45,568
current accident
year
Net claims and claim
expenses incurred - (65,711 ) (21 ) (6,964 ) (72,696 )
prior accident years
Net claims and claim
expenses incurred - $ (27,291 ) $ 7,650 $ (7,487 ) $ (27,128 )
total
Net claims and claim
expense ratio - 20.0 % 60.8 % NMF (2) 24.0 %
current accident
year
Net claims and claim
expense ratio - (34.2 %) (0.2 %) NMF (2) (38.3 %)
prior accident years
Net claims and claim
expense ratio - (14.2 %) 60.6 % NMF (2) (14.3 %)
calendar year
Underwriting expense 26.7 % 84.0 % NMF (2) 34.1 %
ratio
Combined ratio 12.5 % 144.6 % NMF (2) 19.8 %
(1) Represents $0.7 million and $2.7 million of gross premiums ceded from the Insurance segment to the
Reinsurance segment and from the Insurance segment to the Lloyd's segment, respectively.
(2) Not a meaningful figure ("NMF") due to negative net premiums earned.
Three months ended December 31, 2009
Reinsurance Insurance Eliminations Other Total
(1)
Gross premiums $ (10,240 ) $ 10,737 $ (272 ) $ - $ 225
written
Net premiums written $ (13,947 ) $ 8,371 - $ (5,576 )
Net premiums earned $ 193,582 $ 2,517 - $ 196,099
Net claims and claim (47,507 ) 2,676 - (44,831 )
expenses incurred
Acquisition expenses 21,527 4,989 - 26,516
Operational expenses 41,063 2,649 - 43,712
Underwriting $ 178,499 $ (7,797 ) - 170,702
income (loss)
Net investment 59,299 59,299
income
Net foreign exchange (862 ) (862 )
losses
Equity in losses of (523 ) (523 )
other ventures
Other income 6,166 6,166
Net realized and
unrealized gains on 35,481 35,481
fixed maturity
investments
Net
other-than-temporary (1,280 ) (1,280 )
impairments
Corporate expenses (4,893 ) (4,893 )
Interest expense (3,027 ) (3,027 )
Income from
continuing 261,063
operations
before taxes
Income tax expense (2,228 ) (2,228 )
Income from
discontinued 12,187 12,187
operations
Net income
attributable to
redeemable (48,680 ) (48,680 )
noncontrolling
interest - DaVinciRe
Dividends on (10,575 ) (10,575 )
preference shares
Net income
available to
RenaissanceRe $ 211,767
common
shareholders
Net claims and claim
expenses incurred - $ 18,232 $ 6,427 $ 24,659
current accident
year
Net claims and claim
expenses incurred - (65,739 ) (3,751 ) (69,490 )
prior accident years
Net claims and claim
expenses incurred - $ (47,507 ) $ 2,676 $ (44,831 )
total
Net claims and claim
expense ratio - 9.4 % 255.3 % 12.6 %
current accident
year
Net claims and claim
expense ratio - (33.9 %) (149.0 %) (35.5 %)
prior accident years
Net claims and claim
expense ratio - (24.5 %) 106.3 % (22.9 %)
calendar year
Underwriting expense 32.3 % 303.5 % 35.9 %
ratio
Combined ratio 7.8 % 409.8 % 13.0 %
(1) Represents gross premiums ceded from the Insurance segment to the Reinsurance segment.
RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Supplemental Financial Data - Segment Information (cont'd.)
(in thousands of United States Dollars) (Unaudited)
Twelve months ended December 31, 2010
Reinsurance Lloyd's Insurance Eliminations Other Total
(1)
Gross premiums $ 1,123,619 $ 66,209 $ 2,585 $ (27,118 ) $ - $ 1,165,295
written
Net premiums written $ 809,719 $ 61,189 $ (21,943 ) - $ 848,965
Net premiums earned $ 838,790 $ 50,204 $ (24,073 ) - $ 864,921
Net claims and claim 113,804 25,676 (10,135 ) - 129,345
expenses incurred
Acquisition expenses 77,954 10,784 6,223 - 94,961
Operational expenses 129,990 24,837 11,215 - 166,042
Underwriting $ 517,042 $ (11,093 ) $ (31,376 ) - 474,573
income (loss)
Net investment 203,955 203,955
income
Net foreign exchange (17,126 ) (17,126 )
losses
Equity in losses of (11,814 ) (11,814 )
other ventures
Other income 41,120 41,120
Net realized and
unrealized gains on 144,444 144,444
fixed maturity
investments
Net
other-than-temporary (829 ) (829 )
impairments
Corporate expenses (20,136 ) (20,136 )
Interest expense (21,829 ) (21,829 )
Income from
continuing 792,358
operations
before taxes
Income tax benefit 6,124 6,124
Income from
discontinued 62,670 62,670
operations
Net income
attributable to (116,421 ) (116,421 )
noncontrolling
interests
Dividends on (42,118 ) (42,118 )
preference shares
Net income
available to
RenaissanceRe $ 702,613
common
shareholders
Net claims and claim
expenses incurred - $ 399,823 $ 25,873 $ 5,780 $ 431,476
current accident
year
Net claims and claim
expenses incurred - (286,019 ) (197 ) (15,915 ) (302,131 )
prior accident years
Net claims and claim
expenses incurred - $ 113,804 $ 25,676 $ (10,135 ) $ 129,345
total
Net claims and claim
expense ratio - 47.7 % 51.5 % NMF (2) 49.9 %
current accident
year
Net claims and claim
expense ratio - (34.1 %) (0.4 %) NMF (2) (34.9 %)
prior accident years
Net claims and claim
expense ratio - 13.6 % 51.1 % NMF (2) 15.0 %
calendar year
Underwriting expense 24.8 % 71.0 % NMF (2) 30.1 %
ratio
Combined ratio 38.4 % 122.1 % NMF (2) 45.1 %
Represents $9.5 million, $17.4 million and $0.2 million of gross premiums ceded from the Insurance segment
(1) to the Reinsurance segment, from the Insurance segment to the Lloyd's segment and from the Reinsurance
segment to the Lloyd's segment, respectively.
(2) Not a meaningful figure ("NMF") due to negative net premiums earned.
Twelve months ended December 31, 2009
Reinsurance Insurance Eliminations Other Total
(1)
Gross premiums $ 1,210,795 $ 30,736 $ (12,650 ) $ - $ 1,228,881
written
Net premiums written $ 839,023 $ (690 ) - $ 838,333
Net premiums earned $ 849,725 $ 32,479 - $ 882,204
Net claims and claim (87,639 ) 16,941 - (70,698 )
expenses incurred
Acquisition expenses 78,848 25,302 - 104,150
Operational expenses 139,328 14,224 - 153,552
Underwriting $ 719,188 $ (23,988 ) - 695,200
income (loss)
Net investment 318,179 318,179
income
Net foreign exchange (13,623 ) (13,623 )
losses
Equity in earnings 10,976 10,976
of other ventures
Other income 1,798 1,798
Net realized and
unrealized gains on 93,679 93,679
fixed maturity
investments
Net
other-than-temporary (22,450 ) (22,450 )
impairments
Corporate expenses (12,658 ) (12,658 )
Interest expense (15,111 ) (15,111 )
Income from
continuing 1,055,990
operations
before taxes
Income tax expense (10,031 ) (10,031 )
Income from
discontinued 6,700 6,700
operations
Net income
attributable to
redeemable (171,501 ) (171,501 )
noncontrolling
interest - DaVinciRe
Dividends on (42,300 ) (42,300 )
preference shares
Net income
available to
RenaissanceRe $ 838,858
common
shareholders
Net claims and claim
expenses incurred - $ 161,868 $ 33,650 $ 195,518
current accident
year
Net claims and claim
expenses incurred - (249,507 ) (16,709 ) (266,216 )
prior accident years
Net claims and claim
expenses incurred - $ (87,639 ) $ 16,941 $ (70,698 )
total
Net claims and claim
expense ratio - 19.0 % 103.6 % 22.2 %
current accident
year
Net claims and claim
expense ratio - (29.3 %) (51.4 %) (30.2 %)
prior accident years
Net claims and claim
expense ratio - (10.3 %) 52.2 % (8.0 %)
calendar year
Underwriting expense 25.7 % 121.7 % 29.2 %
ratio
Combined ratio 15.4 % 173.9 % 21.2 %
(1) Represents gross premiums ceded from the Insurance segment to the Reinsurance segment.
RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Supplemental Financial Data - Gross Premiums Written and Managed Premiums
Analysis
(in thousands of United States Dollars)
(Unaudited)
Three months ended Twelve months ended
December 31, December 31, December 31, December 31,
Reinsurance segment
2010 2009 2010 2009
Renaissance $ (3,273 ) $ (17,184 ) $ 630,080 $ 706,947
catastrophe premiums
Renaissance specialty 25,647 21,037 126,848 111,889
premiums
Total Renaissance 22,374 3,853 756,928 818,836
premiums
DaVinci catastrophe (4,434 ) (14,093 ) 364,153 389,502
premiums
DaVinci specialty - - 2,538 2,457
premiums
Total DaVinci (4,434 ) (14,093 ) 366,691 391,959
premiums
Total catastrophe unit (7,707 ) (31,277 ) 994,233 1,096,449
premiums
Total specialty unit 25,647 21,037 129,386 114,346
premiums
Total Reinsurance
segment gross $ 17,940 $ (10,240 ) $ 1,123,619 $ 1,210,795
premiums written
Lloyd's segment
Specialty $ 10,983 $ - $ 34,065 $ -
Insurance (2,710 ) - 17,420 -
Catastrophe 309 - 14,724 -
Total Lloyd's
segment gross $ 8,582 $ - $ 66,209 $ -
premiums written
Insurance Segment
Commercial property $ 926 $ 6,758 $ 2,093 $ 19,529
Personal lines 383 3,281 492 11,798
property
Commercial multi-line - 698 - (591 )
Total Insurance
segment gross $ 1,309 $ 10,737 $ 2,585 $ 30,736
premiums written
Three months ended Twelve months ended
Managed Premiums (1) December 31, December 31, December 31, December 31,
2010 2009 2010 2009
Total catastrophe unit $ (7,707 ) $ (31,277 ) $ 994,233 $ 1,096,449
gross premiums written
Catastrophe
premiums written
on behalf of our 2,507 2,432 47,546 51,974
joint venture, Top
Layer Re (2)
Catastrophe
premiums written 309 - 14,724 -
in the Lloyd's
segment
Catastrophe
premiums assumed 660 (272 ) (9,481 ) (12,650 )
from the Insurance
segment
Total managed
catastrophe $ (4,231 ) $ (29,117 ) $ 1,047,022 $ 1,135,773
premiums (1)
Total specialty unit $ 25,647 $ 21,037 $ 129,386 $ 114,346
gross premiums written
Specialty premiums
written in the 10,983 - 34,065 -
Lloyd's unit
Total managed
specialty premiums $ 36,630 $ 21,037 $ 163,451 $ 114,346
(1)
(1) See Comments on Regulation G for a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial
measures.
(2) Top Layer Re is accounted for under the equity method of accounting.
RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Supplemental Financial Data - Total Investment Result
(in thousands of United States Dollars)
(Unaudited)
Three months ended Twelve months ended
December 31, December 31, December 31, December 31,
2010 2009 2010 2009
Fixed maturity $ 16,087 $ 37,270 $ 108,195 $ 160,476
investments
Short term investments 515 549 2,318 4,139
Other investments
Hedge funds and
private equity 31,204 10,183 64,419 18,279
investments
Other 7,292 14,058 39,305 145,367
Cash and cash 120 16 277 600
equivalents
55,218 62,076 214,514 328,861
Investment expenses (2,715 ) (2,777 ) (10,559 ) (10,682 )
Net investment income 52,503 59,299 203,955 318,179
Gross realized gains 30,254 51,943 138,814 143,173
Gross realized losses (7,267 ) (5,623 ) (19,147 ) (38,655 )
Net realized gains on
fixed maturity 22,987 46,320 119,667 104,518
investments
Net unrealized (losses)
gains on fixed maturity (89,136 ) (10,839 ) 24,777 (10,839 )
investments, trading
Net realized and
unrealized (losses) (66,149 ) 35,481 144,444 93,679
gains on fixed maturity
investments
Total
other-than-temporary - (1,280 ) (831 ) (26,968 )
impairments
Portion recognized in
other comprehensive - - 2 4,518
income, before taxes
Net
other-than-temporary - (1,280 ) (829 ) (22,450 )
impairments
Net unrealized losses
on fixed maturity (5,138 ) (46,004 ) (26,646 ) (33,880 )
investment available
for sale
FAS 115-2 cumulative - - - 76,615
effect adjustment (1)
Net change in net
unrealized holding
gains on fixed maturity (5,138 ) (46,004 ) (26,646 ) 42,735
investments available
for sale
Total investment result $ (18,784 ) $ 47,496 $ 320,924 $ 432,143
Cumulative effect adjustment to opening retained earnings as of April 1,
(1) 2009, related to the recognition and presentation of other-than-temporary
impairments, as required by FASB ASC Topic Investments - Debt and Equity
Securities.
Comments on Regulation G
In addition to the GAAP financial measures set forth in this Press Release, the Company has included certain non-GAAP financial measures in this Press Release within the meaning of Regulation G. The Company has provided these financial measurements in previous investor communications and the Company's management believes that these measurements are important to investors and other interested persons, and that investors and such other persons benefit from having a consistent basis for comparison between quarters and for the comparison with other companies within the industry. These measures may not, however, be comparable to similarly titled measures used by companies outside of the insurance industry. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these non-GAAP measures in assessing the Company's overall financial performance.
The Company uses "operating income available to RenaissanceRe common shareholders" as a measure to evaluate the underlying fundamentals of its operations and believes it to be a useful measure of its corporate performance. "Operating income available to RenaissanceRe common shareholders" as used herein differs from "net income available to RenaissanceRe common shareholders," which the Company believes is the most directly comparable GAAP measure, by the exclusion of net realized and unrealized gains and losses on fixed maturity investments from continuing and discontinued operations, net other-than-temporary impairments from continuing and discontinued operations, and in the third quarter of 2010, the gain on the sale of the Company's ownership interest in ChannelRe. The Company's management believes that "operating income available to RenaissanceRe common shareholders" is useful to investors because it more accurately measures and predicts the Company's results of operations by removing the variability arising from fluctuations in the Company's fixed maturity investment portfolio and the gain associated with the sale of the Company's ownership interest in ChannelRe. The Company also uses "operating income available to RenaissanceRe common shareholders" to calculate "operating income available to RenaissanceRe common shareholders per common share - diluted" and "operating return on average common equity - annualized". The following is a reconciliation of: 1) net income available to RenaissanceRe common shareholders to operating income available to RenaissanceRe common shareholders; 2) net income available to RenaissanceRe common shareholders per common share - diluted to operating income available to RenaissanceRe common shareholders per common share - diluted; and 3) return on average common equity - annualized to operating return on average common equity - annualized:
Three months ended Twelve months ended
(in thousands of United December 31, December 31, December 31, December 31,
States dollars, except 2010 2009 2010 2009
for per share amounts)
Net income available to
RenaissanceRe common $ 122,575 $ 211,767 $ 702,613 $ 838,858
shareholders
Adjustment for net
realized and
unrealized losses
(gains) on fixed 66,149 (35,481 ) (144,444 ) (93,679 )
maturity investments
of continuing
operations
Adjustment for net
other-than-temporary - 1,280 829 22,450
impairments of
continuing operations
Adjustment for net
realized and
unrealized losses
(gains) on fixed
maturity investments
and net
other-than-temporary
impairments of 353 128 (6,769 ) 548
discontinued
operations
Adjustment for gain on - - (15,835 ) -
sale of ChannelRe
Operating income
available to $ 189,077 $ 177,694 $ 536,394 $ 768,177
RenaissanceRe common
shareholders
Net income available to
RenaissanceRe common $ 2.23 $ 3.38 $ 12.31 $ 13.40
shareholders per common
share - diluted
Adjustment for net
realized and
unrealized losses
(gains) on fixed 1.23 (0.58 ) (2.60 ) (1.53 )
maturity investments
of continuing
operations
Adjustment for net
other-than-temporary - 0.02 0.02 0.37
impairments of
continuing operations
Adjustment for net
realized and
unrealized losses
(gains) on fixed
maturity investments 0.01 - (0.12 ) 0.01
and net
other-than-temporary
impairments of
discontinued
operations
Adjustment for gain on - - (0.29 ) -
sale of ChannelRe
Operating income
available to
RenaissanceRe common $ 3.47 $ 2.82 $ 9.32 $ 12.25
shareholders per common
share - diluted
Return on average
common equity - 14.6 % 27.1 % 21.7 % 30.2 %
annualized
Adjustment for net
realized and
unrealized losses
(gains) on fixed 7.9 % (4.6 %) (4.5 %) (3.5 %)
maturity investments
of continuing
operations
Adjustment for net
other-than-temporary - 0.2 % - 0.8 %
impairments of
continuing operations
Adjustment for net
realized and
unrealized losses
(gains) on fixed
maturity investments - - (0.2 %) 0.1 %
and net
other-than-temporary
impairments of
discontinued
operations
Adjustment for gain on - - (0.5 %) -
sale of ChannelRe
Operating return on
average common equity - 22.5 % 22.7 % 16.5 % 27.6 %
annualized
The Company has also included in this Press Release "managed catastrophe premiums" and "managed specialty premiums". "Managed catastrophe premiums" is defined as gross catastrophe premiums written by Renaissance Reinsurance and its related joint ventures, excluding catastrophe premiums assumed from the Company's Insurance segment. "Managed catastrophe premiums" differs from total catastrophe unit premiums, which the Company believes is the most directly comparable GAAP measure, due to the inclusion of catastrophe premiums written on behalf of the Company's joint venture Top Layer Re, which is accounted for under the equity method of accounting, the inclusion of catastrophe premiums written on behalf of the Company's Lloyd's segment, and the exclusion of catastrophe premiums assumed from the Company's Insurance segment. "Managed specialty premiums" is defined as gross specialty premiums written by Renaissance Reinsurance, DaVinci and the Company's Lloyd's segment. "Managed specialty premiums" differs from total specialty unit premiums, which the Company believes is the most directly comparable GAAP measure, due to the inclusion of specialty premiums written on behalf of the Company's Lloyd's segment. The Company's management believes "managed catastrophe premiums" and "managed specialty premiums" are useful to investors and other interested parties because they provide a measure of total catastrophe and specialty premiums, as applicable, assumed by the Company through its consolidated subsidiaries and related joint ventures.
Source: RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.
Released February 8, 2011