RenaissanceRe Reports Net Income of $211.8 Million for the Fourth Quarter of 2009 or $3.38 Per Diluted Common Share; Operating Income of $177.7 Million or $2.82 Per Diluted Common Share

Annual Net Income of $838.9 Million for 2009 or $13.40 Per Diluted Common Share; Annual Operating Income of $768.2 Million or $12.25 Per Diluted Common Share

PEMBROKE, Bermuda--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: RNR) today reported net income available to common shareholders of $211.8 million or $3.38 per diluted common share in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared to a net loss attributable to common shareholders of $55.2 million, or a loss of $0.91 per diluted common share, in the fourth quarter of 2008. Operating income available to common shareholders was $177.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2009, or $2.82 per diluted common share, compared to $28.7 million, or $0.47 per diluted common share, in the fourth quarter of 2008. Operating income excludes net realized and unrealized gains on fixed maturity investments of $35.4 million and net other-than-temporary impairments of $1.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2009 and net realized losses on fixed maturity investments of $17.6 million and net other-than-temporary impairments of $66.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2008.

The Company reported an annualized return on average common equity of 27.1% and an annualized operating return on average common equity of 22.7% in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared to negative 9.2% and positive 4.8%, respectively, in the fourth quarter of 2008. Book value per common share increased $2.47, or 5.0%, in the fourth quarter of 2009 to $51.68, compared to a 0.5% decrease in the fourth quarter of 2008. During the year ended December 31, 2009, book value per common share increased $12.94, or 33.4%, compared to a decrease of $2.29, or 5.6% during the year ended December 31, 2008.

Neill A. Currie, CEO, commented: "I am pleased to report strong full year earnings, resulting in an increase in our tangible book value per common share plus the change in accumulated dividends of 38%. These earnings are a result of a relatively low level of insured catastrophe losses, favorable development on prior year reserves, solid investment results and strong performance by our team. While volatility is inherent in our business, we seek to build a portfolio of risks with attractive expected returns, with the potential to achieve superior returns in good years, such as 2009, while seeking to ensure our losses are manageable in high catastrophe loss years."

Mr. Currie added: "We are pleased with the results of our January 1 renewals and have constructed an attractive portfolio of business for 2010. We will continue to maintain our underwriting discipline, focusing on expected profit rather than premium volume. This discipline has been part of our culture since our formation and we believe this strategy will continue to benefit our shareholders over the long term."

FOURTH QUARTER 2009 HIGHLIGHTS

Underwriting Results

Gross premiums written for the fourth quarter of 2009 were $73.0 million, an $88.6 million decrease from the fourth quarter of 2008, principally reflecting a $63.6 million decrease in the Company's Reinsurance segment and a $24.4 million decrease in the Company's Individual Risk segment, as described in more detail below. The Company generated $184.5 million of underwriting income and had a combined ratio of 37.7% in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared to $205.7 million of underwriting income and a combined ratio of 36.1% in the fourth quarter of 2008. The strong underwriting results in the fourth quarter of 2009 were primarily driven by a low level of insured catastrophes combined with $75.1 million of favorable development on prior year reserves in the quarter. As discussed in more detail below, the favorable development was principally driven by reductions in estimated ultimate net losses on the 2008, 2005 and 2004 hurricanes in the Company's catastrophe reinsurance unit. Favorable development on prior year reserves in the fourth quarter of 2008 totaled $104.2 million.

Reinsurance Segment

Gross premiums written for the Company's Reinsurance segment were negative $10.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared to $53.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2008, a decrease of $63.6 million. The decrease is primarily due to a $55.8 million decrease in gross premiums written in the Company's catastrophe reinsurance unit, combined with a $7.8 million decrease in gross premiums written in the Company's specialty reinsurance unit. The decrease in gross premiums written in the Company's catastrophe reinsurance unit is primarily due to estimated negative premium adjustments on the 2009 underwriting year of $19.2 million, principally due to an estimated decrease in the amount of premium underlying ceding companies have written in 2009, $15.0 million due to credit related issues with certain ceding companies which experienced significant financial difficulty in the fourth quarter of 2009, and the non-renewal of a large program in the fourth quarter of 2009, that originally incepted during the fourth quarter of 2008. The $7.8 million decrease in gross premiums written in the Company's specialty reinsurance unit in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared to the fourth quarter of 2008, was principally due to the non-renewal and portfolio transfer out of a catastrophe exposed homeowners personal lines property quota share during the second quarter of 2009. The Reinsurance segment's gross premiums written continue to be comprised of a relatively small number of large transactions which can result in significant increases or decreases in gross premiums written from one period to the next.

The Reinsurance segment generated $178.5 million of underwriting income and had a combined ratio of 7.8% in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared to $205.8 million of underwriting income and a combined ratio of negative 2.8% in the fourth quarter of 2008. The $27.3 million decrease in underwriting income and 10.6 percentage point increase in the combined ratio was principally driven by an $18.3 million increase in underwriting expenses, reflecting higher operating expenses as a result of an increase in personnel and related compensation and benefits costs, as well as a $6.6 million decrease in net premiums earned due in part to the negative premium adjustments discussed above. The Reinsurance segment experienced $18.2 million of current accident year losses in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared to $46.4 million of current accident year losses in the fourth quarter of 2008, with the $28.2 million decrease principally due to lower estimated losses in the Company's specialty unit. Current accident year losses within the catastrophe unit of $7.3 million and $7.3 million in the fourth quarters of 2009 and 2008, respectively, were each low due to low insured catastrophe losses in the fourth quarters of 2009 and 2008, respectively. The Reinsurance segment experienced $65.7 million of favorable development on prior year reserves in the fourth quarter of 2009 which includes $57.0 million related to the Company's catastrophe reinsurance unit, principally attributable to a reduction in ultimate net losses associated with the 2004 hurricanes, Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne ($11.3 million), the 2005 hurricanes, Katrina, Rita and Wilma ($25.7 million), and the 2008 hurricanes, Gustav and Ike ($14.7 million), and $8.7 million related to the Company's specialty reinsurance unit.

Individual Risk Segment

Gross premiums written for the Company's Individual Risk segment decreased $24.4 million, or 22.6%, to $83.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared to $108.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2008, with the decrease driven primarily by a $26.3 million decrease in the Company's crop insurance gross premiums written. The decrease in crop insurance gross premiums written was principally due to a significant decline in commodity prices used in determining the policy premium in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to the fourth quarter of 2008. In 2009 the Company's crop policy count increased compared to prior periods. There can be significant increases or decreases in gross premiums written in the Company's Individual Risk segment between quarters and between years based on several factors, including, without limitation, the timing of the inception or cessation of new program managers and quota share reinsurance contracts. In addition, the Company's gross premiums written in respect of its crop insurance business are subject to fluctuations from a number of factors including the impact of relevant commodity prices.

The Individual Risk segment generated $6.0 million of underwriting income and a combined ratio of 94.2% in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared to an underwriting loss of $0.1 million and a combined ratio of 100.1% in the fourth quarter of 2008. The increase in underwriting income and reduction in the combined ratio were driven by a $24.0 million decrease in current accident year losses due to lower net claims and claim expenses in the Company's crop insurance business in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared to the fourth quarter of 2008, and partially offset by a $19.2 million decrease in net premiums earned, principally driven by a 22.6% decrease in gross premiums written in 2009 compared to 2008. The Individual Risk segment experienced $9.4 million of favorable development on prior year reserves in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to $7.9 million of favorable development in the fourth quarter of 2008. The favorable development on prior year reserves in the fourth quarter of 2009 was primarily due to a reduction in estimated ultimate losses on the 2005 hurricanes, compared to the favorable development in the fourth quarter of 2008, which was primarily due to revised reported loss development patterns for several of the Company's liability lines of business that were enhanced to reflect the Company's actual experience to date with these lines, principally for the 2004 through 2007 accident years.

Investments

Returns on the Company's investment portfolio were notably higher in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to the fourth quarter of 2008, primarily due to higher total returns on the Company's non-investment grade allocations which the Company includes in other investments including its senior secured bank loan funds and non-U.S. fixed income funds as discussed in more detail below. The Company's total investment result, which includes the sum of net investment income, net realized and unrealized gains and losses on fixed maturity investments available for sale and trading and net other-than-temporary impairments, was $48.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared to negative $104.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2008, an increase of $153.1 million. The Company's total investment result for the fourth quarter of 2009 continued to benefit from tightening credit spreads and improved economic conditions, and partially offset by an increase in interest rates.

Net investment income was $60.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared to a net investment loss of $82.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. The $143.5 million increase in net investment income was principally driven by a $65.5 million increase from the Company's hedge fund and private equity investments and a $99.0 million increase in net investment income from its other investments, principally senior secured bank loan funds and non-U.S. fixed income funds, and partially offset by a $16.0 million and $5.5 million decrease in net investment income from the Company's fixed maturity investments and short term investments, respectively, principally due to lower yields on these 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 $17.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared to net unrealized losses of $155.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Net realized and unrealized gains on fixed maturity investments were $35.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared to net realized and unrealized losses on fixed maturity investments of $17.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2008, an increase of $53.0 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, $11.4 million of unrealized losses on these securities are recorded in net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on fixed maturity investments in the Company's consolidated statements of operations in the fourth quarter of 2009 rather than in accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders' equity. Net other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings were $1.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared to $66.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2008. The significant decrease in net other-than-temporary impairments is due to the combination of improved economic conditions in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared to the fourth quarter of 2008, and the adoption of new authoritative accounting guidance related to the recognition and presentation of other-than-temporary impairments during the second quarter of 2009.

Other Items

    --  During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company started designating, upon
        acquisition, certain fixed maturity investments as trading, rather than
        as available for sale. The Company made this change due in part to the
        new authoritative other-than-temporary impairment GAAP guidance that
        became effective on April 1, 2009 which has resulted in additional
        accounting judgment required to be made on a quarterly basis, combined
        with an effort to report the Company's fixed maturity investment
        portfolio results in its consolidated statements of operations in a
        manner consistent with the way in which the Company manages the
        portfolio, which is on a total return basis. The Company currently
        expects to continue to designate, in future periods, upon acquisition,
        certain fixed maturity investments as trading, rather than as available
        for sale, and, as a result, the Company currently expects its fixed
        maturity investments available for sale balance to decrease and its
        fixed maturity investments trading balance to increase over time,
        resulting in a reduction in other-than-temporary impairment accounting
        judgments the Company makes. This change will also result in additional
        volatility in the Company's net income (loss) in future periods as net
        unrealized gains and losses on these fixed maturity investments will be
        recorded currently in net income (loss), rather than as a component of
        accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders' equity.
        This change did not impact, and the Company does not expect it will
        impact in future periods, the Company's calculations of operating income
        available to RenaissanceRe common shareholders, operating return on
        average common equity, operating income available to RenaissanceRe
        common shareholder per common share - diluted or book value per share.
    --  Operational expenses increased $29.3 million to $57.6 million in the
        fourth quarter of 2009, compared to $28.3 million in the fourth quarter
        of 2008, primarily due to increased compensation and benefits related
        costs as a result of the Company's strong financial results in 2009 as
        well as increased headcount.
    --  During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company repaid its revolving
        credit facility of $150.0 million with existing capital resources.
    --  During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company repurchased approximately
        951 thousand common shares in open market transactions at an aggregate
        cost of $51.0 million and at an average share price of $53.55.
        Subsequent to December 31, 2009 and through the period ending February
        9, 2010, the Company has repurchased an additional approximately 1.7
        million common shares in open market transactions at an aggregate cost
        of $90.4 million and at an average share price of $53.81.

FULL YEAR 2009 HIGHLIGHTS

For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company reported net income available to common shareholders of $838.9 million or $13.40 per diluted common share, compared to a net loss attributable to common shareholders of $13.3 million, or a loss of $0.21 per diluted common share, in 2008. Operating income available to common shareholders was $768.2 million, or $12.25 per diluted common share, compared to $193.0 million, or $3.04 per diluted common share, in 2008. Operating income excludes net realized and unrealized gains on fixed maturity investments of $93.2 million and net other-than-temporary impairments of $22.5 million in 2009 and net realized and unrealized gains on fixed maturity investments of $10.7 million and net other-than-temporary impairments of $217.0 million in 2008.

The Company reported a return on average common equity of 30.2% and an operating return on average common equity of 27.6% in 2009, compared to negative 0.5% and positive 7.4%, respectively, in 2008. Book value per common share was $51.68 at December 31, 2009, an increase of $12.94, or 33.4%, in 2009, compared to a 5.6% decrease in 2008.

As discussed in more detail below, the Company's 2009 operating results, in comparison to its 2008 operating results, were positively impacted by significantly improved investments results, due primarily to higher total returns on certain non-investment grade allocations which are included in other investments and higher returns on the Company's hedge fund and private equity investments, combined with higher underwriting income, principally driven by a decrease in current accident year net claims and claim expenses due to a comparably low level of insured catastrophes occurring during 2009, compared to 2008, specifically the comparative impact of events such as hurricanes Gustav and Ike, which occurred during 2008 and negatively impacted the Company's 2008 results.

Underwriting Results

Gross premiums written for 2009 were $1,728.9 million, a decrease of $7.1 million from 2008. As described in more detail below, the decrease in gross premiums written was driven by a $56.5 million decrease in the gross premiums written in the Company's Individual Risk segment and partially offset by a $49.4 million increase in gross premiums written in the Company's Reinsurance segment (net of intercompany premium). As described in more detail below, the Company generated $697.1 million of underwriting income and had a combined ratio of 45.3% in 2009, compared to $290.6 million of underwriting income and a 79.0% combined ratio in 2008. The $406.5 million increase in underwriting income and 33.7 percentage point decrease in the combined ratio was driven by the comparably low level of insured catastrophes during 2009, compared to 2008, specifically the comparative impact of hurricanes Gustav and Ike which resulted in $419.1 million of underwriting losses and increased the Company's combined ratio by 32.3 percentage points in 2008. The net negative impact from hurricanes Gustav and Ike was $276.2 million in 2008. Following is supplemental financial data regarding the underwriting impact by segment on the Company's 2008 results due to hurricanes Gustav and Ike:


                                      Twelve months ended December 31, 2008

 (in millions of United States        Reinsurance   Individual Risk   Total
 dollars)

 Net claims and claim expenses        $ (432.6 )    $ (35.4 )         $ (468.0 )
 incurred

 Net reinstatement premiums earned      58.4          (4.8  )           53.6

 Lost profit commissions                (4.7   )      -                 (4.7   )

  Net impact on underwriting result     (378.9 )      (40.2 )           (419.1 )

 Redeemable noncontrolling interest -   142.9         -                 142.9
 DaVinciRe

  Net negative impact                 $ (236.0 )    $ (40.2 )         $ (276.2 )

 Impact on combined ratio               46.6   %      8.4   %           32.3   %



The Company experienced $244.5 million of favorable development on prior year reserves in 2009, compared to $234.8 million of favorable development in 2008, as discussed in more detail below.

Reinsurance Segment

Gross premiums written for the Company's Reinsurance segment increased $56.4 million, or 4.9%, to $1,210.8 million in 2009, compared to $1,154.4 million in 2008. For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company's managed catastrophe premiums and specialty premiums totaled $1,135.8 million and $114.3 million, respectively, compared to $1,044.3 million and $159.8 million, respectively, in 2008. Excluding the impact of $58.4 million of reinstatement premiums written in 2008 as a result of hurricanes Gustav and Ike, the Company's managed catastrophe gross premiums written increased $149.9 million, or 15.2%, in 2009, compared to 2008, due to the Company's ability and determination to increase the capacity provided to its catastrophe unit clients in light of, among other things, attractive market conditions for the 2009 underwriting year, the inception of several new programs, and $32.0 million of premium written on behalf of and ceded to Timicuan Reinsurance II Ltd., a side-car established by the Company in the second quarter of 2009 for the 2009 underwriting year. The Company's specialty gross premiums written decreased $45.4 million, or 28.4%, compared to the comparative period in 2008, principally due to the non-renewal of several programs that did not meet the Company's underwriting standards, combined with the non-renewal and portfolio transfer out of a catastrophe exposed homeowners personal lines property quota share contract during the second quarter of 2009. The Reinsurance segment's gross premiums written continue to be comprised of a relatively small number of large transactions which can result in significant increases or decreases in gross premiums written from one period to the next.

The Reinsurance segment generated $719.2 million of underwriting income and had a combined ratio of 15.4% in 2009, compared to $281.6 million of underwriting income and a 69.0% combined ratio in 2008. The $437.6 million increase in underwriting income was primarily due to a $528.5 million decrease in net claims and claim expenses due to a comparably lower level of insured catastrophes occurring in 2009 compared to 2008, specifically the comparative impact of events such as hurricanes Gustav and Ike, which added $432.6 million in net claims and claim expenses and 46.6 percentage points to the Reinsurance segment's combined ratio in 2008.

The Reinsurance segment experienced $249.5 million of favorable development on prior year reserves in 2009, which includes $184.4 million related to the Company's catastrophe reinsurance unit and $65.1 million related to the Company's specialty reinsurance unit. The favorable development within the Company's catastrophe reinsurance unit in 2009 was principally attributable to a reduction in ultimate net losses associated with the 2008 hurricanes, Gustav and Ike ($44.7 million); the 2005 hurricanes, Katrina, Rita and Wilma ($25.5 million); the 2007 European windstorm Kyrill ($16.7 million); the 2007 California wildfires ($14.1 million); the 2007 flooding in the U.K. ($14.6 million); and the 2004 hurricanes, Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne ($11.3 million), due to better than expected reported claims activity, and with respect of the 2004 and 2005 hurricanes, the adoption of a new actuarial technique using reported loss development factors to estimate the ultimate losses for these events. The remaining favorable development within the Company's catastrophe reinsurance unit was due to a reduction of ultimate net losses on a variety of smaller catastrophes such as hail storms, winter freezes, floods, fires, tornadoes which occurred during the 2006 through 2008 accident years. The favorable development within the Company's specialty reinsurance unit in 2009 was principally attributable to lower than expected claims emergence on the 2005 through 2008 underwriting years of $87.6 million which was driven by the application of the Company's formulaic actuarial reserving methodology for this business with the reductions being due to actual paid and reported loss activity being more favorable to date than what was originally anticipated when setting the initial IBNR reserves, as well as $10.0 million due to a reduction in one claim on a contract related to the 2005 hurricanes, and partially offset by a $32.5 million increase in the Company's estimated ultimate net losses on the 2008 Madoff matter.

Individual Risk Segment

Gross premiums written for the Company's Individual Risk segment decreased $56.5 million, or 9.6%, to $530.8 million in 2009, compared to $587.3 million in 2008. The decrease in gross premiums written was primarily due to decreases of $49.8 million, $13.8 million and $10.7 million from the Company's commercial property, commercial multi-line and personal lines property businesses, respectively, as a result of the Company's decision in late 2008 to terminate several program manager relationships and a commercial property quota share contract as a result of the then softening market conditions and, during the second quarter of 2009, to reduce its participation on a personal lines property quota share contract. Offsetting these decreases in gross premiums written for 2009 was a $17.8 million increase in the Company's crop insurance gross premiums written, principally driven by an increase in policy count and insured acres, which more than offset a decline in commodity prices used in determining the policy premium. There can be significant increases or decreases in gross premiums written in the Company's Individual Risk segment between quarters and between years based on several factors, including, without limitation, the timing of the inception or cessation of new program managers and quota share reinsurance contracts. In addition, the Company's gross premiums written in respect of its crop insurance business are subject to fluctuations from a number of factors including the impact of relevant commodity prices.

The Individual Risk segment incurred an underwriting loss of $22.1 million and a combined ratio of 105.2% in 2009, compared to generating underwriting income of $9.0 million and a combined ratio of 98.1% in 2008. The $31.1 million decrease in underwriting income and 7.1 percentage point increase in the combined ratio were principally due to a $53.0 million decrease in net premiums earned and a $12.8 million increase in underwriting expenses, partially offset by a $34.7 million decrease in net claims and claim expenses incurred as a result of the comparably low level of catastrophes during 2009, compared to 2008. The Individual Risk segment underwriting results for accident year 2009 were negatively impacted by $17.5 million of net crop hail losses in excess of net premiums earned within the Company's crop insurance business. Included in net claims and claim expense in the Company's Individual Risk segment for 2008 was $35.4 million of net claims and claim expenses related to hurricanes Gustav and Ike, which added 8.4 percentage points to the combined ratio.

The Individual Risk segment experienced $5.0 million of adverse development in 2009, compared to favorable development of $46.7 million in 2008. The adverse development in 2009 was principally driven by $26.9 million of adverse development in the Company's crop insurance business primarily due to an increase in the severity of reported loss activity in 2009 on the 2008 crop year. This more than offset a $2.4 million reduction in ultimate net losses on the 2004 and 2005 hurricanes, principally due to the adoption of a new actuarial technique using reported loss development factors to estimate the ultimate losses for these events, $2.1 million of favorable development due to changes in actuarial assumptions and $17.4 million of favorable development principally driven by the application of the Company's formulaic actuarial reserving methodology for this business with the reductions being due to actual paid and reported loss activity being more favorable to date than what was originally anticipated when setting the initial IBNR reserves.

Investments

Returns on the Company's investment portfolio were significantly higher in 2009 compared to 2008, primarily due to higher total returns on the Company's non-investment grade allocations which the Company includes in other investments including its senior secured bank loan funds and non-U.S. fixed income funds as discussed in more detail below. The Company's total investment result, which includes the sum of net investment income, net realized and unrealized gains and losses on fixed maturity investments available for sale and trading and net other-than-temporary impairments, was $437.4 million in 2009, a $590.0 million increase from negative $152.7 million in 2008. The Company does not anticipate a repeat of its 2009 investment performance in future periods.

Net investment income was $324.0 million in 2009 compared to $24.2 million in 2008, an increase of $299.8 million. The increase in net investment income in 2009 was principally driven by a $120.1 million increase from the Company's hedge fund and private equity investments and a $263.2 million increase in net investment income from its other investments, principally senior secured bank loan funds and non-U.S. fixed income funds, and partially offset by a $40.7 million and $38.5 million decrease in net investment income from the Company's fixed maturity investments and short term investments, respectively, principally due to lower yields on these 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 $88.5 million in 2009, compared to net unrealized losses of $259.4 million in 2008.

Net realized and unrealized gains on fixed maturity investments were $93.2 million in 2009, compared to net realized gains on fixed maturity investments of $10.7 million in 2008, an increase of $82.5 million. As noted above, 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, $11.4 million of unrealized losses on these securities are recorded in net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on fixed maturity investments in the Company's consolidated statements of operations in 2009 rather than in accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders' equity. Net other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings were $22.5 million in 2009, compared to $217.0 million in 2008. The significant decrease in net other-than-temporary impairments is due to the combination of improved economic conditions in 2009, compared to 2008, and the adoption of new authoritative accounting guidance related to the recognition and presentation of other-than-temporary impairments during the second quarter of 2009.

Other Items

    --  Operational expenses increased $67.5 million to $189.7 million in 2009,
        compared to $122.2 million in 2008, primarily due to increased
        compensation and benefits related costs as a result of the Company's
        strong financial results in 2009 as well as increased headcount.
    --  Corporate expenses decreased $11.4 million to $14.2 million in 2009,
        compared to $25.6 million in 2008, primarily due to the recognition of a
        corporate insurance recovery during the third quarter of 2009.
    --  Income tax expense increased $8.5 million to $9.1 million in 2009,
        compared to $0.6 million in 2008, principally due to improved
        profitability in the Company's U.S. operations, specifically related to
        its energy and weather risk management operations.

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", "tangible book value per common share plus accumulated dividends" and "managed catastrophe 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 10, 2010 at 9:30 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 two segments: (1) Reinsurance, which includes catastrophe reinsurance, specialty reinsurance and certain joint ventures and other investments managed by the Company's subsidiary RenaissanceRe Ventures Ltd., and (2) Individual Risk, which includes primary insurance and quota share reinsurance.

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, 2008 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      December      December 31,    December 31,
                       31,           31,

                       2009          2008          2009            2008

Revenues

 Gross premiums        $ 73,046      $ 161,609     $ 1,728,932     $ 1,736,028
 written

 Net premiums written  $ 53,093      $ 142,074     $ 1,206,397     $ 1,353,620

 Decrease in unearned    243,145       179,921       67,419          33,204
 premiums

 Net premiums earned     296,238       321,995       1,273,816       1,386,824

 Net investment income   60,747        (82,724 )     323,981         24,231
 (loss)

 Net foreign exchange    (862    )     (5,553  )     (13,623   )     2,600
 (losses) gains

 Equity in (losses)
 earnings of other       (523    )     148           10,976          13,603
 ventures

 Other income            7,048         6             2,021           10,252

 Net realized and
 unrealized gains        35,353        (17,622 )     93,162          10,700
 (losses) on fixed
 maturity investments

 Total
 other-than-temporary    (1,280  )     (66,251 )     (26,999   )     (217,014  )
 impairments

 Portion recognized in
 other comprehensive     -             -             4,518           -
 income, before taxes

  Net
  other-than-temporary   (1,280  )     (66,251 )     (22,481   )     (217,014  )
  impairments

 Total revenues          396,721       149,999       1,667,852       1,231,196

Expenses

 Net claims and claim    5,700         28,769        197,287         760,489
 expenses incurred

 Acquisition expenses    48,473        59,281        189,775         213,553

 Operational expenses    57,566        28,262        189,686         122,165

 Corporate expenses      5,632         6,705         14,240          25,635

 Interest expense        3,027         6,513         15,111          24,633

 Total expenses          120,398       129,530       606,099         1,146,475

Income before taxes      276,323       20,469        1,061,753       84,721

Income tax (expense)     (5,301  )     368           (9,094    )     (568      )
benefit

 Net income              271,022       20,837        1,052,659       84,153

Net income
attributable to
redeemable               (48,680 )     (65,454 )     (171,501  )     (55,133   )
noncontrolling
interest - DaVinciRe

 Net income (loss)
 attributable to         222,342       (44,617 )     881,158         29,020
 RenaissanceRe

Dividends on             (10,575 )     (10,575 )     (42,300   )     (42,300   )
preference shares

 Net income (loss) available
 (attributable) to RenaissanceRe

 common shareholders   $ 211,767     $ (55,192 )   $ 838,858       $ (13,280   )

Operating income available to
RenaissanceRe common shareholders

 per common share -    $ 2.82        $ 0.47        $ 12.25         $ 3.04
 diluted (1)

Net income (loss) available
(attributable) to RenaissanceRe
common

 shareholders per      $ 3.41        $ (0.91   )   $ 13.50         $ (0.21     )
 common share - basic

Net income (loss) available
(attributable) to RenaissanceRe
common

 shareholders per
 common share -        $ 3.38        $ (0.91   )   $ 13.40         $ (0.21     )
 diluted

Average shares           60,604        60,732        60,775          62,531
outstanding - basic

Average shares           61,161        61,269        61,210          63,411
outstanding - diluted

Net claims and claim     1.9     %     8.9     %     15.5      %     54.8      %
expense ratio

Expense ratio            35.8    %     27.2    %     29.8      %     24.2      %

Combined ratio           37.7    %     36.1    %     45.3      %     79.0      %

Operating return on
average common equity    22.7    %     4.8     %     27.6      %     7.4       %
- 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,

                                                     2009           2008

                                                     (Unaudited)    (Audited)

Assets

Fixed maturity investments available for sale, at    $ 3,559,197    $ 2,996,885
fair value

Fixed maturity investments trading, at fair value      736,595        -

 Total fixed maturity investments, at fair value       4,295,792      2,996,885

Short term investments, at fair value                  1,002,306      2,172,343

Other investments, at fair value                       858,026        773,475

Investments in other ventures, under equity method     97,287         99,879

 Total investments                                     6,253,411      6,042,582

Cash and cash equivalents                              260,716        274,692

Premiums receivable                                    589,827        565,630

Ceded reinsurance balances                             91,852         88,019

Losses recoverable                                     194,241        299,534

Accrued investment income                              31,928         26,614

Deferred acquisition costs                             61,870         81,904

Receivable for investments sold                        7,431          236,485

Other secured assets                                   27,730         76,424

Other assets                                           205,347        217,986

Goodwill and other intangibles                         76,688         74,181

 Total assets                                        $ 7,801,041    $ 7,984,051

Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest and
Shareholders' Equity

Liabilities

Reserve for claims and claim expenses                $ 1,702,006    $ 2,160,612

Reserve for unearned premiums                          446,649        510,235

Debt                                                   300,000        450,000

Reinsurance balances payable                           381,548        315,401

Payable for investments purchased                      59,236         378,111

Other secured liabilities                              27,500         77,420

Other liabilities                                      256,669        290,998

 Total liabilities                                     3,173,608      4,182,777

Redeemable noncontrolling interest - DaVinciRe         786,647        768,531

Shareholders' Equity

Preference shares                                      650,000        650,000

Common shares                                          61,745         61,503

Additional paid-in capital                             -              -

Accumulated other comprehensive income                 41,438         75,387

Retained earnings                                      3,087,603      2,245,853

 Total shareholders' equity                            3,840,786      3,032,743

 Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling        $ 7,801,041    $ 7,984,051
 interest and shareholders' equity

Book value per common share                          $ 51.68        $ 38.74

Common shares outstanding                              61,745         61,503





RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Supplemental Financial Data - Segment Information

(in thousands of United States Dollars) (Unaudited)

                       Three months ended December 31, 2009

                       Reinsurance     Individual    Eliminations  Other         Total
                                       Risk          (1)

 Gross premiums        $ (10,240   )   $ 83,558      $ (272    )   $ -           $ 73,046
 written

 Net premiums written  $ (13,947   )   $ 67,040                      -           $ 53,093

 Net premiums earned   $ 193,582       $ 102,656                     -           $ 296,238

 Net claims and claim    (47,507   )     53,207                      -             5,700
 expenses incurred

 Acquisition expenses    21,527          26,946                      -             48,473

 Operational expenses    41,063          16,503                      -             57,566

 Underwriting income   $ 178,499       $ 6,000                       -             184,499

 Net investment                                                      60,747        60,747
 income

 Equity in losses of                                                 (523     )    (523      )
 other ventures

 Other income                                                        7,048         7,048

 Interest and
 preference share                                                    (13,602  )    (13,602   )
 dividends

 Redeemable
 noncontrolling                                                      (48,680  )    (48,680   )
 interest - DaVinciRe

 Other items, net                                                    (11,795  )    (11,795   )

 Net realized and
 unrealized gains on                                                 35,353        35,353
 fixed maturity
 investments

 Net
 other-than-temporary                                                (1,280   )    (1,280    )
 impairments

 Net income available
 to RenaissanceRe                                                  $ 27,268      $ 211,767
 common shareholders

 Net claims and claim
 expenses incurred -   $ 18,232        $ 62,568                                  $ 80,800
 current accident
 year

 Net claims and claim
 expenses incurred -     (65,739   )     (9,361  )                                 (75,100   )
 prior accident years

 Net claims and claim
 expenses incurred -   $ (47,507   )   $ 53,207                                  $ 5,700
 total

 Net claims and claim
 expense ratio -         9.4       %     60.9    %                                 27.3      %
 current accident
 year

 Net claims and claim
 expense ratio -         (33.9     %)    (9.1    %)                                (25.4     %)
 prior accident years

 Net claims and claim
 expense ratio -         (24.5     %)    51.8    %                                 1.9       %
 calendar year

 Underwriting expense    32.3      %     42.4    %                                 35.8      %
 ratio

 Combined ratio          7.8       %     94.2    %                                 37.7      %

(1) Represents gross premiums ceded from the Individual Risk segment to the Reinsurance
segment.

                       Three months ended December 31, 2008

                       Reinsurance     Individual    Eliminations  Other         Total
                                       Risk          (1)

 Gross premiums        $ 53,407        $ 107,958     $ 244         $ -           $ 161,609
 written

 Net premiums written  $ 46,557        $ 95,517                      -           $ 142,074

 Net premiums earned   $ 200,188       $ 121,807                     -           $ 321,995

 Net claims and claim    (49,857   )     78,626                      -             28,769
 expenses incurred

 Acquisition expenses    26,942          32,339                      -             59,281

 Operational expenses    17,300          10,962                      -             28,262

 Underwriting income   $ 205,803       $ (120    )                   -             205,683
 (loss)

 Net investment loss                                                 (82,724  )    (82,724   )

 Equity in earnings                                                  148           148
 of other ventures

 Other income                                                        6             6

 Interest and
 preference share                                                    (17,088  )    (17,088   )
 dividends

 Redeemable
 noncontrolling                                                      (65,454  )    (65,454   )
 interest - DaVinciRe

 Other items, net                                                    (11,890  )    (11,890   )

 Net realized losses                                                 (17,622  )    (17,622   )
 on investments

 Net
 other-than-temporary                                                (66,251  )    (66,251   )
 impairments

 Net loss
 attributable to                                                   $ (260,875 )  $ (55,192   )
 RenaissanceRe common
 shareholders

 Net claims and claim
 expenses incurred -   $ 46,398        $ 86,546                                  $ 132,944
 current accident
 year

 Net claims and claim
 expenses incurred -     (96,255   )     (7,920  )                                 (104,175  )
 prior accident years

 Net claims and claim
 expenses incurred -   $ (49,857   )   $ 78,626                                  $ 28,769
 total

 Net claims and claim
 expense ratio -         23.2      %     71.1    %                                 41.3      %
 current accident
 year

 Net claims and claim
 expense ratio -         (48.1     %)    (6.6    %)                                (32.4     %)
 prior accident years

 Net claims and claim
 expense ratio -         (24.9     %)    64.5    %                                 8.9       %
 calendar year

 Underwriting expense    22.1      %     35.6    %                                 27.2      %
 ratio

 Combined ratio          (2.8      %)    100.1   %                                 36.1      %

(1) Represents gross premiums ceded from the Individual Risk 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, 2009

                       Reinsurance     Individual    Eliminations  Other         Total
                                       Risk          (1)

 Gross premiums        $ 1,210,795     $ 530,787     $ (12,650 )   $ -           $ 1,728,932
 written

 Net premiums written  $ 839,023       $ 367,374                     -           $ 1,206,397

 Net premiums earned   $ 849,725       $ 424,091                     -           $ 1,273,816

 Net claims and claim    (87,639   )     284,926                     -             197,287
 expenses incurred

 Acquisition expenses    78,848          110,927                     -             189,775

 Operational expenses    139,328         50,358                      -             189,686

 Underwriting income   $ 719,188       $ (22,120 )                   -             697,068
 (loss)

 Net investment                                                      323,981       323,981
 income

 Equity in earnings                                                  10,976        10,976
 of other ventures

 Other income                                                        2,021         2,021

 Interest and
 preference share                                                    (57,411  )    (57,411   )
 dividends

 Redeemable
 noncontrolling                                                      (171,501 )    (171,501  )
 interest - DaVinciRe

 Other items, net                                                    (36,957  )    (36,957   )

 Net realized and
 unrealized gains on                                                 93,162        93,162
 fixed maturity
 investments

 Net
 other-than-temporary                                                (22,481  )    (22,481   )
 impairments

 Net income available
 to RenaissanceRe                                                  $ 141,790     $ 838,858
 common shareholders

 Net claims and claim
 expenses incurred -   $ 161,868       $ 279,918                                 $ 441,786
 current accident
 year

 Net claims and claim
 expenses incurred -     (249,507  )     5,008                                     (244,499  )
 prior accident years

 Net claims and claim
 expenses incurred -   $ (87,639   )   $ 284,926                                 $ 197,287
 total

 Net claims and claim
 expense ratio -         19.0      %     66.0    %                                 34.7      %
 current accident
 year

 Net claims and claim
 expense ratio -         (29.3     %)    1.2     %                                 (19.2     %)
 prior accident years

 Net claims and claim
 expense ratio -         (10.3     %)    67.2    %                                 15.5      %
 calendar year

 Underwriting expense    25.7      %     38.0    %                                 29.8      %
 ratio

 Combined ratio          15.4      %     105.2   %                                 45.3      %

(1) Represents gross premiums ceded from the Individual Risk segment to the Reinsurance
segment.

                       Twelve months ended December 31, 2008

                       Reinsurance     Individual    Eliminations  Other         Total
                                       Risk          (1)

 Gross premiums        $ 1,154,391     $ 587,309     $ (5,672  )   $ -           $ 1,736,028
 written

 Net premiums written  $ 871,893       $ 481,727                     -           $ 1,353,620

 Net premiums earned   $ 909,759       $ 477,065                     -           $ 1,386,824

 Net claims and claim    440,900         319,589                     -             760,489
 expenses incurred

 Acquisition expenses    105,437         108,116                     -             213,553

 Operational expenses    81,797          40,368                      -             122,165

 Underwriting income   $ 281,625       $ 8,992                       -             290,617

 Net investment                                                      24,231        24,231
 income

 Equity in earnings                                                  13,603        13,603
 of other ventures

 Other income                                                        10,252        10,252

 Interest and
 preference share                                                    (66,933  )    (66,933   )
 dividends

 Redeemable
 noncontrolling                                                      (55,133  )    (55,133   )
 interest - DaVinciRe

 Other items, net                                                    (23,603  )    (23,603   )

 Net realized gains                                                  10,700        10,700
 on investments

 Net
 other-than-temporary                                                (217,014 )    (217,014  )
 impairments

 Net loss
 attributable to                                                   $ (303,897 )  $ (13,280   )
 RenaissanceRe common
 shareholders

 Net claims and claim
 expenses incurred -   $ 629,022       $ 366,294                                 $ 995,316
 current accident
 year

 Net claims and claim
 expenses incurred -     (188,122  )     (46,705 )                                 (234,827  )
 prior accident years

 Net claims and claim
 expenses incurred -   $ 440,900       $ 319,589                                 $ 760,489
 total

 Net claims and claim
 expense ratio -         69.1      %     76.8    %                                 71.8      %
 current accident
 year

 Net claims and claim
 expense ratio -         (20.6     %)    (9.8    %)                                (17.0     %)
 prior accident years

 Net claims and claim
 expense ratio -         48.5      %     67.0    %                                 54.8      %
 calendar year

 Underwriting expense    20.5      %     31.1    %                                 24.2      %
 ratio

 Combined ratio          69.0      %     98.1    %                                 79.0      %

(1) Represents gross premiums ceded from the Individual Risk segment to the Reinsurance
segment.




RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Supplemental Financial Data - Gross Premiums Written Analysis

(in thousands of United States Dollars)

(Unaudited)

                        Three months ended          Twelve months ended

                        December 31,  December 31,  December 31,   December 31,
 Reinsurance Segment
                        2009          2008          2009           2008

 Renaissance            $ (17,184 )   $ 19,487      $ 706,947      $ 633,611
 catastrophe premiums

 Renaissance specialty    21,037        26,875        111,889        153,701
 premiums

  Total Renaissance       3,853         46,362        818,836        787,312
  premiums

 DaVinci catastrophe      (14,093 )     5,070         389,502        361,010
 premiums

 DaVinci specialty        -             1,975         2,457          6,069
 premiums

  Total DaVinci           (14,093 )     7,045         391,959        367,079
  premiums

 Total Reinsurance      $ (10,240 )   $ 53,407      $ 1,210,795    $ 1,154,391
 premiums

 Total specialty        $ 21,037      $ 28,850      $ 114,346      $ 159,770
 premiums

 Total catastrophe      $ (31,277 )   $ 24,557      $ 1,096,449    $ 994,621
 premiums

  Catastrophe premiums
  written on behalf of    2,432         -             51,974         55,370
  our joint venture,
  Top Layer Re (1)

  Catastrophe premiums
  assumed from the        (272    )     244           (12,650   )    (5,672    )
  Individual Risk
  segment

   Total managed
   catastrophe          $ (29,117 )   $ 24,801      $ 1,135,773    $ 1,044,319
   premiums (2)

(1) Top Layer Re is accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

(2) See Comments on Regulation G for a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial
measures.

                        Three months ended          Twelve months ended

 Individual Risk        December 31,  December 31,  December 31,   December 31,
 Segment
                        2009          2008          2009           2008

 Crop                   $ 25,882      $ 52,229      $ 290,324      $ 272,559

 Commercial multi-line    25,028        27,131        106,183        119,987

 Commercial property      20,820        18,055        84,821         134,601

 Personal lines           11,828        10,543        49,459         60,162
 property

  Total Individual      $ 83,558      $ 107,958     $ 530,787      $ 587,309
  Risk premiums




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,

                          2009          2008          2009          2008

 Fixed maturity           $ 37,289      $ 53,290      $ 160,550     $ 201,220
 investments

 Short term investments     1,827         7,313         9,924         48,437

 Other investments

  Hedge funds and private   10,183        (55,364  )    18,279        (101,779 )
  equity investments

  Other                     14,058        (84,983  )    145,367       (117,867 )

 Cash and cash              223           1,552         855           7,452
 equivalents

                            63,580        (78,192  )    334,975       37,463

 Investment expenses        (2,833  )     (4,532   )    (10,994 )     (13,232  )

 Net investment income      60,747        (82,724  )    323,981       24,231
 (loss)

 Gross realized gains       52,363        40,749        143,733       99,634

 Gross realized losses      (5,622  )     (58,371  )    (39,183 )     (88,934  )

 Net realized gains
 (losses) on fixed          46,741        (17,622  )    104,550       10,700
 maturity investments

 Net unrealized losses on
 fixed maturity             (11,388 )     -             (11,388 )     -
 investments, trading

 Net realized and
 unrealized gains           35,353        (17,622  )    93,162        10,700
 (losses) on fixed
 maturity investments

 Total
 other-than-temporary       (1,280  )     (66,251  )    (26,999 )     (217,014 )
 impairments

 Portion recognized in
 other comprehensive        -             -             4,518         -
 income, before taxes

 Net other-than-temporary   (1,280  )     (66,251  )    (22,481 )     (217,014 )
 impairments

 Net unrealized (losses)
 gains on fixed maturity    (46,004 )     62,363        (33,880 )     29,433
 investment available for
 sale

 FAS 115-2 cumulative       -             -             76,615        -
 effect adjustment (1)

 Net change in unrealized
 holding gains on

  fixed maturity
  investments available     (46,004 )     62,363        42,735        29,433
  for sale

 Total investment result  $ 48,816      $ (104,234 )  $ 437,397     $ (152,650 )

(1) Cumulative effect adjustment to opening retained earnings as of April 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 (loss) available (attributable) 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 and net other-than-temporary impairments. 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. 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 (loss) available (attributable) to RenaissanceRe common shareholders to operating income available to RenaissanceRe common shareholders; 2) net income (loss) available (attributable) 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       December 31,   December 31,  December 31,   December 31,
 United States
 dollars, except for    2009           2008          2009           2008
 per share amounts)

 Net income (loss)
 available
 (attributable) to      $ 211,767      $ (55,192 )   $ 838,858      $ (13,280 )
 RenaissanceRe common
 shareholders

  Adjustment for net
  realized and
  unrealized (gains)      (35,353 )      17,622        (93,162 )      (10,700 )
  losses on fixed
  maturity investments

  Adjustment for net
  other-than-temporary    1,280          66,251        22,481         217,014
  impairments

 Operating income
 available to           $ 177,694      $ 28,681      $ 768,177      $ 193,034
 RenaissanceRe common
 shareholders

 Net income (loss)
 available
 (attributable) to
 RenaissanceRe common
 shareholders

  per common share -    $ 3.38         $ (0.91   )   $ 13.40        $ (0.21   )
  diluted

  Adjustment for net
  realized and
  unrealized (gains)      (0.58   )      0.29          (1.52   )      (0.17   )
  losses on fixed
  maturity investments

  Adjustment for net
  other-than-temporary    0.02           1.09          0.37           3.42
  impairments

 Operating income
 available to
 RenaissanceRe common   $ 2.82         $ 0.47        $ 12.25        $ 3.04
 shareholders
 per common share -
 diluted

 Return on average
 common equity -          27.1    %      (9.2    %)    30.2    %      (0.5    %)
 annualized

  Adjustment for net
  realized and
  unrealized (gains)      (4.6    %)     2.9     %     (3.4    %)     (0.4    %)
  losses on fixed
  maturity investments

  Adjustment for net
  other-than-temporary    0.2     %      11.1    %     0.8     %      8.3     %
  impairments

 Operating return on
 average common equity    22.7    %      4.8     %     27.6    %      7.4     %
 - annualized



The Company has also included in this Press Release "managed catastrophe 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 Individual Risk segment. "Managed catastrophe premiums" differ from total catastrophe 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, and the exclusion of catastrophe premiums assumed from the Company's Individual Risk segment. The Company's management believes "managed catastrophe premiums" is useful to investors and other interested parties because it provides a measure of total catastrophe reinsurance premiums assumed by the Company through its consolidated subsidiaries and related joint ventures.

The Company has also included in this Press Release "tangible book value per common share plus accumulated dividends." This is defined as book value per common share excluding goodwill and intangible assets, plus accumulated dividends. "Tangible book value per common share plus accumulated dividends" differs from book value per common share, which the Company believes is the most directly comparable GAAP measure, due to the exclusion of goodwill and intangible assets and the inclusion of accumulated dividends. The following is a reconciliation of book value per common share to tangible book value per common share plus accumulated dividends:


              At

              December 31,   September   June 30,    March 31,   December 31,
                             30,
              2009                       2009        2009        2008
                             2009

 Book value
 per common   $ 51.68        $ 49.21     $ 44.17     $ 39.65     $ 38.74
 share

  Adjustment
  for
  goodwill      (1.95 )        (1.83 )     (1.89 )     (1.93 )     (2.01 )
  and other
  intangibles
  (1)

 Tangible
 book value   $ 49.73        $ 47.38     $ 42.28     $ 37.72     $ 36.73
 per common
 share

  Adjustment
  for           8.88           8.64        8.40        8.16        7.92
  accumulated
  dividends

 Tangible
 book value
 per common   $ 58.61        $ 56.02     $ 50.68     $ 45.88     $ 44.65
 share plus
 accumulated
 dividends



(1) At December 31, 2009, September 30, 2009, June 30, 2009, March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, goodwill and other intangibles included $43.8 million, $45.3 million, $46.7 million, $48.3 million and $49.8 million, respectively, of goodwill and other intangibles included in investments in other ventures, under equity method.


    Source: RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.