REG-Lancashire Hld Ltd: Final Results - Part 4

Released: 26/02/2010

- Part 4: For the preceeding part double click [ID:nPRrPBF2Ac]
to review the profitability of classes of
business and their estimated capital requirements, and the capital requirements
of the combination of a wide range of other risk categories. Management
increasingly uses these approaches in decision making. The operating entities
also conduct capital requirement assessments under internal measures and local
regulatory requirements. Refer to note 26 for a discussion of the regulatory
capital requirements of the Group's operating entities.
b. risk adjusted return
The Group's aim is to provide its shareholders with a return on equity of 13%
in excess of a risk free rate over the insurance cycle. The return is generated
within a broad framework of risk parameters. The return is measured by
management in terms of the internal rate of return ("IRR") of the increase in
fully converted book value per share ("FCBVS") in the period plus dividends
accrued. This aim is a long-term goal, acknowledging that management expect
both higher and lower results in the shorter term. The cyclicality and
volatility of the insurance market is expected to be the largest driver of this
pattern. Management monitors these peaks and troughs - adjusting the Group's
portfolio to make the most effective use of available capital and seeking to
maximise the risk adjusted return.
IRR achieved is as follows:
                                           annual       compound   inception to
                                                                               
                                           return  annual return    date return
                                                                               
31 december 2005(1)                        (3.2%)            n/a         (3.2%)
                                                                               
31 december 2006                            17.8%          14.0%          14.0%
                                                                               
31 december 2007                            31.4%          22.4%          50.3%
                                                                               
31 december 2008                             7.8%          17.9%          63.7%
                                                                               
31 december 2009                            26.5%          19.8%         105.8%
(1) the returns shown are for the period from the date of incorporation, 12
October 2005 to 31 December 2005
IRR achieved in excess of the 3 month treasury yield is as follows:
                                           annual       compound   inception to
                                                                               
                                           return  annual return    date return
                                                                               
31 december 2005(1)                        (3.4%)            n/a         (3.4%)
                                                                               
31 december 2006                            13.0%           9.2%           9.2%
                                                                               
31 december 2007                            26.9%          17.8%          40.8%
                                                                               
31 december 2008                             6.4%          14.3%          52.7%
                                                                               
31 december 2009                            26.4%          17.1%          94.6%
                                                                               
(1) the returns shown are for the period from the date of incorporation, 12
October 2005 to 31 December 2005
 1. general information
   
The Group is a provider of global property insurance and reinsurance products.
LHL was incorporated under the laws of Bermuda on 12 October 2005. On 16 March
2009 LHL was listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange ("LSE");
previously LHL was listed on AIM, a subsidiary market of the LSE. A secondary
listing on the Bermuda Stock Exchange ("BSX") was approved on 21 May 2007. The
registered office of LHL is Clarendon House, 2 Church Street, Hamilton HM 11,
Bermuda. The registered office from 1 March 2010 will be Power House, 7
Par-La-Ville Road, Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda.
LHL has five subsidiaries, all wholly owned: Lancashire Insurance Company
Limited ("LICL"), Lancashire Insurance Holdings (UK) Limited ("LIHL"),
Lancashire Insurance Marketing Services Limited ("LIMSL"), Lancashire Insurance
Services Limited ("LISL") and Lancashire Marketing Services (Middle East)
Limited ("LMEL"). LIHL is a holding company for a wholly owned operating
subsidiary, Lancashire Insurance Company (UK) Limited ("LUK").
The subsidiaries were incorporated and licensed as insurance companies or
intermediaries as follows:
                        LICL      LIHL       LUK      LIMSL      LISL       LMEL
                                                                                
date of            28 october 11 april  17 march  7 october  17 march   11 march
incorporation                                                                   
                         2005     2006      2006       2005      2006       2007
                                                                                
licensing body        BMA(1)      none    FSA(2)     FSA(2)      none    DFSA(3)
                                                                                
nature of business   general   holding   general  insurance   support  insurance
                   insurance   company insurance  mediation  services  mediation
                    business            business activities           activities
(1) Bermuda Monetary Authority ("BMA")
(2) United Kingdom, Financial Services Authority ("FSA")
(3) Dubai Financial Services Authority ("DFSA")
 2. segmental reporting
   
Management and the Board of Directors review the Group's business primarily by
its four principal classes: property, energy, marine and aviation. These
classes are therefore deemed to be the Group's operating segments for the
purposes of segment reporting. Further subclasses of business are underwritten
within each operating segment. The nature of these individual sub-classes is
discussed further in the risk disclosures section. Operating segment
performance is measured by the net underwriting profit or loss and the combined
ratio.
All amounts reported are transactions with external parties. There are no
inter-segmental transactions and there are no insurance or reinsurance
contracts that insure or reinsure risks in Bermuda, the Group's country of
domicile.
gross premiums written                   $m       $m         $m        $m     $m
                                                                                
                                   property   energy     marine  aviation  total
                                                                                
analysed by geographical zone:                                                  
                                                                                
worldwide offshore                      1.0    154.9       71.4         -  227.3
                                                                                
U.S. and Canada                       156.0      2.2        0.1         -  158.3
                                                                                
worldwide, including the U.S. and      51.5      7.4      (0.6)      60.9  119.2
Canada(1)                                                                       
                                                                                
europe                                 30.3      3.5        2.1       0.3   36.2
                                                                                
worldwide, excluding the U.S. and      35.1        -        0.4       0.1   35.6
Canada(2)                                                                       
                                                                                
far east                               10.9      2.1        0.2         -   13.2
                                                                                
middle east                             8.6      3.3          -         -   11.9
                                                                                
rest of world                          23.9      2.1        0.1         -   26.1
                                                                                
total                                 317.3    175.5       73.7      61.3  627.8
                                                                                
outwards reinsurance premiums         (17.2)   (13.5)    (9.3)    (10.7)  (50.7)
                                                                                
change in unearned premiums           (14.8)     14.9      9.8      12.1    22.0
                                                                                
change in unearned premiums ceded      (1.8)    (4.3)      1.7         -   (4.4)
                                                                                
net premiums earned                    283.5    172.6     75.9      62.7   594.7
                                                                                
insurance losses and loss                8.9   (82.6)   (29.4)     (1.3) (104.4)
adjustment expenses                                                             
                                                                                
insurance losses recoverable               -      5.7        -         -     5.7
                                                                                
insurance acquisition expenses        (37.8)   (37.8)   (23.1)    (13.9) (112.6)
                                                                                
insurance acquisition expenses           2.0      2.9      0.7       1.0     6.6
ceded                                                                           
                                                                                
net underwriting profit                256.6     60.8     24.1      48.5   390.0
                                                                                
net unallocated income and                                                 (1.5)
expenses                                                                        
                                                                                
profit before tax                                                          388.5
                                                                                
loss ratio                            (3.1%)    44.6%    38.7%      2.1%   16.6%
                                                                                
acquisition cost ratio                 12.6%    20.2%    29.5%     20.6%   17.8%
                                                                                
expense ratio                              -        -        -         -   10.2%
                                                                                
combined ratio                          9.5%    64.8%    68.2%     22.7%   44.6%
revenue and expense by operating segment - for the year ended 31 december 2009
(1) worldwide, including the U.S. and Canada, comprises insurance and
reinsurance contracts that insure or reinsure risks in more than one geographic
area
(2) worldwide, excluding the U.S. and Canada, comprises insurance and
reinsurance contracts that insure or reinsure risks in more than one geographic
area, but that specifically exclude the U.S. and Canada
revenue and expense by operating segment - for the year ended 31 december 2008 
gross premiums written                    $m       $m      $m       $m       $m
                                                                               
                                    property   energy  marine aviation    total
                                                                               
analysed by geographical zone:                                                 
                                                                               
worldwide offshore                       0.9    159.1    72.6        -    232.6
                                                                               
U.S. and Canada                        108.5      4.2     0.1        -    112.8
                                                                               
worldwide, including the U.S. and       44.5      7.2     2.1     70.4    124.2
Canada(1)                                                                      
                                                                               
europe                                  34.1      4.6     2.9      0.4     42.0
                                                                               
worldwide, excluding the U.S. and       47.5      0.5     0.2      0.3     48.5
Canada(2)                                                                      
                                                                               
far east                                14.1      2.1     0.7      0.4     17.3
                                                                               
middle east                              8.9      3.5       -        -     12.4
                                                                               
rest of world                           44.2      4.0       -      0.1     48.3
                                                                               
total                                  302.7    185.2    78.6     71.6    638.1
                                                                               
outwards reinsurance premiums         (23.1)   (25.6)   (7.6)    (7.1)   (63.4)
                                                                               
change in unearned premiums            (2.3)     36.9   (0.5)      8.1     42.2
                                                                               
change in unearned premiums ceded      (5.1)    (5.3)     0.1      0.7    (9.6)
                                                                               
net premiums earned                    272.2    191.2    70.6     73.3    607.3
                                                                               
insurance losses and loss            (100.9)  (271.8)  (38.1)    (8.0)  (418.8)
adjustment expenses                                                            
                                                                               
insurance losses recoverable               -     43.3       -        -     43.3
                                                                               
insurance acquisition expenses        (35.3)   (36.7)  (19.8)   (15.1)  (106.9)
                                                                               
insurance acquisition expenses           1.2      5.4     0.4      0.3      7.3
ceded                                                                          
                                                                               
net underwriting profit                137.2   (68.6)    13.1     50.5    132.2
                                                                               
net unallocated income and expenses                                      (34.6)
                                                                               
profit before tax                                                          97.6
                                                                               
loss ratio                             37.1%   119.5%   54.0%    10.9%    61.8%
                                                                               
acquisition cost ratio                 12.5%    16.4%   27.5%    20.2%    16.4%
                                                                               
expense ratio                              -        -       -        -     8.1%
                                                                               
combined ratio                         49.6%   135.9%   81.5%    31.1%    86.3%
(1) worldwide, including the U.S. and Canada, comprises insurance and
reinsurance contracts that insure or reinsure risks in more than one geographic
area
(2) worldwide, excluding the U.S. and Canada, comprises insurance and
reinsurance contracts that insure or reinsure risks in more than one geographic
area, but that specifically exclude the U.S. and Canada
 3. investment return
   
The total investment return for the Group is as follows:
                                                              2009         2008
                                                                               
                                                                $m           $m
                                                                               
net investment income                                                          
                                                                               
- interest on fixed income securities                         62.6         46.5
                                                                               
- net (accretion) amortisation                               (5.2)          3.5
                                                                               
- interest income on cash and cash equivalents                 2.1         12.2
                                                                               
- dividends from equity securities                               -          0.9
                                                                               
- investment management and custodian fees                   (3.5)        (3.6)
                                                                               
net investment income                                         56.0         59.5
                                                                               
net other investment income (loss)(1)                          0.3        (0.7)
                                                                               
net realised gains (losses) and impairments                                    
                                                                               
- fixed income securities                                     24.7         10.6
                                                                               
- equity securities                                          (1.0)       (21.6)
                                                                               
- derivative financial instruments                             0.1            -
                                                                               
net realised gains (losses) and impairments                   23.8       (11.0)
                                                                               
net change in unrealised gains recognised in other                             
comprehensive income                                                           
                                                                               
- fixed income securities                                      2.7         16.5
                                                                               
- equity securities                                              -        (9.4)
                                                                               
net change in unrealised gains (losses)                        2.7          7.1
                                                                               
total investment return                                       82.8         54.9
(1) a share of loss of associate of $0.2 million is included in the year ended
31 December 2008
Net realised gains (losses) and impairments includes an impairment loss of $0.4
million (2008 - $21.6 million) recognised on fixed income and equity securities
held by the Group.
Movements within unrealised gains and losses within accumulated other
comprehensive income are as follows:

                                                              2009         2008
                                                                               
                                                                $m           $m
                                                                               
fixed income securities                                                        
                                                                               
- net unrealised gains released                             (21.8)        (3.7)
                                                                               
- net unrealised gains recorded                               24.1         17.6
                                                                               
- net unrealised losses released for impairments               0.4          2.6
                                                                               
equity securities                                                              
                                                                               
- net unrealised losses (gains) released                       1.1        (1.0)
                                                                               
- net unrealised losses recorded                             (1.1)       (20.6)
                                                                               
- net unrealised losses released for impairments                 -         12.2
                                                                               
net change in unrealised gains (losses) on                     2.7          7.1
investments                                                                    
                                                                               
 4. net insurance acquisition expenses
   
 5. 
   
                                                  2009        2008            
                                                                              
                                                    $m          $m            
                                                                              
insurance acquisition expenses                               104.6       110.0
                                                                              
changes in deferred insurance acquisition expenses             8.0       (3.1)
                                                                              
insurance acquisition expenses ceded                         (5.2)       (6.1)
                                                                              
changes in deferred insurance acquisition expenses           (1.4)       (1.2)
ceded                                                                         
                                                                              
total                                                        106.0        99.6
5. other operating expenses
                                                              2009        2008
                                                                              
                                                                $m          $m
                                                                              
operating expenses unrelated to underwriting                  60.5        49.3
                                                                              
equity based compensation                                     16.4        10.6
                                                                              
total                                                         76.9        59.9
6. employee benefits
                                                              2009        2008
                                                                              
                                                                $m          $m
                                                                              
wages and salaries                                            15.7        14.2
                                                                              
pension costs                                                  1.5         1.2
                                                                              
bonus and other benefits                                      18.4         9.6
                                                                              
equity based compensation                                     16.4        10.6
                                                                              
total                                                         52.0        35.6
equity based compensation
The Group's primary equity based compensation scheme is its restricted stock
scheme ("RSS"). Previously the Group also administered a warrant plan and a
long term incentive plan ("LTIP").
The following charges are included in other operating expenses in the
consolidated statement of comprehensive income:
                                                              2009         2008
                                                                               
                                                                $m           $m
                                                                               
RSS - ordinary                                                 6.8          1.1
                                                                               
RSS - exceptional                                              0.5          0.4
                                                                               
LTIP                                                           5.7          6.7
                                                                               
warrants - ordinary                                              -          3.3
                                                                               
warrants - performance                                         3.4        (0.9)
                                                                               
total                                                         16.4         10.6
RSS - ordinary
On 4 January 2008 the LTIP was closed and replaced with an RSS. RSS are subject
to time and, normally, performance conditions. The ordinary restricted share
awards vest after a three year period and are dependent on certain performance
criteria. A maximum of 50% of ordinary restricted share awards will vest only
on the achievement of a total shareholder return in excess of the 75th
percentile of the total shareholder return of a pre-defined comparator group. A
maximum of 50% of ordinary restricted share awards will vest only on the
achievement of a return on equity by LHL in excess of a required amount.
ordinary restricted shares                           number   weighted average
                                                                    fair value
                                                                              
granted during the year                           1,851,701              $5.75
                                                                              
forfeited during the year                          (18,914)              $5.73
                                                                              
outstanding as at 31 december 2008                1,832,787              $5.75
                                                                              
granted during the year                           2,480,125              $7.79
                                                                              
forfeited during the year                          (20,029)              $5.73
                                                                              
outstanding as at 31 december 2009                4,292,883              $6.93
                                                                              
issuable as at 31 december 2009                           -                  -
The fair value of each restricted share granted pursuant to an ordinary
restricted share award is equal to the share price of LHL on the date of grant.
The fair value of ordinary restricted share awards granted ranges between $5.73
and $8.58.
RSS - exceptional
The exceptional restricted shares vest after a two year period and do not have
associated performance criteria for vesting.
exceptional restricted shares                         number   weighted average
                                                                     fair value
                                                                               
granted during the year ending 31                    166,904              $5.73
december 2008                                                                  
                                                                               
outstanding as at 31 december 2008 and               166,904              $5.73
2009                                                                           
                                                                               
issuable as at 31 december 2009                            -                  -
The fair value of each restricted share granted pursuant to an exceptional
restricted share award is equal to the share price of LHL on the date of grant.
LTIP
No further options have been granted since the close of the LTIP plan. All LTIP
options issued will expire ten years from the date of issue. The exercise price
for LTIP options issued prior to 2007 is equal to or greater than the average
closing price of the shares on the twenty previous trading days prior to grant.
The exercise price for options awarded in 2007 is equal to the closing price of
the shares by reference to a single valuation date occurring five days after
the end of the close period ("close period" as defined in the Glossary to the
AIM Rules for Companies - February 2007) most recently concluded prior to grant
or five days after the decision to make the award if such decision was made
outside a close period. 25% of LTIP options vest on each of the first, second,
third and fourth anniversary of the grant date. There are no associated
performance criteria. Settlement is at the discretion of the Group and may be
in cash or shares.
options                                               number  weighted average 
                                                                               
                                                                exercise price 
                                                                               
outstanding as at 31 december 2007                 6,979,339          $6.42(1) 
                                                                               
forfeited during the year                           (86,039)          $6.11(1) 
                                                                               
outstanding as at 31 december 2008                 6,893,300          $5.38(1) 
                                                                               
exercised during the year                        (2,220,059)              $4.39
                                                                               
forfeited during the year                           (56,489)              $5.57
                                                                               
outstanding as at 31 december 2009                 4,616,752              $4.34
                                                                               
exercisable as at 31 december 2009                 1,798,832              $4.40
(1) adjusted for revaluation at the exchange rate as at 31 December 2009
On the dates listed below the Remuneration Committee exercised their
discretionary power to adjust option exercise prices to neutralise the
devaluing impact of dividend payments. The resulting charge to equity based
compensation in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income is also
shown. In all cases there is a net $nil impact to shareholders' equity.
                                              adjustment to              charge
                                                                               
                                             exercise price        2009    2008
                                                                               
date                                            $         £          $m      $m
                                                                               
14 february 2008                             1.10      0.56         0.7     1.2
                                                                               
4 november 2009                              1.30      0.79         2.0       -
                                                                               
total                                        2.40      1.35         2.7     1.2
management team ordinary warrants ("ordinary warrants")
Ordinary warrants were all fully vested by 31 December 2008. The fair value of
ordinary warrants granted for all periods was $2.62 per share. Ordinary
warrants granted and outstanding are:
ordinary warrants                                     number   weighted average
                                                                               
                                                                 exercise price
                                                                               
outstanding as at 31 december 2008 and            11,433,465              $4.71
2009                                                                           
                                                                               
exercisable as at 31 december 2009                11,433,465              $4.71
management team performance warrants ("performance warrants")
Performance warrants were all fully vested by 31 December 2009. Vesting was
dependent on achieving certain performance criteria. The fair value of warrants
granted for all periods was $2.62 per share. Performance warrants granted and
outstanding are:
performance warrants                                  number   weighted average
                                                                               
                                                                 exercise price
                                                                               
outstanding as at 31 december 2007                 6,474,346              $5.00
                                                                               
lapsed during the year                           (2,782,659)              $3.90
                                                                               
outstanding as at 31 december 2008                 3,691,687              $4.10
                                                                               
lapsed during the year                           (1,931,377)              $2.60
                                                                               
outstanding as at 31 december 2009                 1,760,310              $3.62
                                                                               
exercisable as at 31 december 2009                 1,760,310              $3.62
Refer to note 21 for further disclosure on the total management warrants
outstanding.
7. results of operating activities
Results of operating activities are stated after charging the following
amounts:

                                                              2009        2008
                                                                              
                                                                $m          $m
                                                                              
depreciation on owned assets                                   0.8         1.1
                                                                              
operating lease charges                                        1.6         1.8
                                                                              
auditors remuneration                                                         
                                                                              
- group audit fees                                             1.2         1.2
                                                                              
- other services                                               0.6         0.2
                                                                              
total                                                          4.2         4.3
Fees paid to the Group's auditors for other services are approved by the
Group's Audit Committee. Such fees comprise the following amounts:
                                                              2009        2008
                                                                              
                                                                $m          $m
                                                                              
tax advice                                                     0.1         0.1
                                                                              
other                                                          0.5         0.1
                                                                              
total                                                          0.6         0.2

8. tax
Bermuda
LHL, LICL and LUK have received an undertaking from the Bermuda government
exempting them from all Bermuda local income, withholding and capital gains
taxes until 28 March 2016. At the present time no such taxes are levied in
Bermuda.
United States
The Group does not consider itself to be engaged in trade or business in the
U.S. and, accordingly, does not expect to be subject to U.S. taxation on its
income or capital gains.
United Kingdom
The UK subsidiaries are subject to normal UK corporation tax on all their
profits.
tax charge                                                    2009        2008
                                                                              
                                                                $m          $m
                                                                              
corporation tax charge (credit) for the year                   4.8       (0.3)
                                                                              
adjustments in respect of prior year corporation tax           0.4       (0.4)
                                                                              
deferred tax (credit) charge for the year                    (1.5)         0.3
                                                                              
adjustments in respect of prior year deferred tax            (0.6)         0.5
                                                                              
total                                                          3.1         0.1
tax reconciliation                                            2009        2008
                                                                              
                                                                $m          $m
                                                                              
profit before tax                                            388.5        97.6
                                                                              
less profit not subject to tax                             (372.9)     (101.9)
                                                                              
profits (losses) subject to tax                               15.6       (4.3)
                                                                              
UK corporation tax                                             4.4       (1.2)
                                                                              
adjustments in respect of prior period                       (0.2)         0.1
                                                                              
other expense temporary differences                          (1.2)         1.2
                                                                              
other expense permanent differences                            0.1           -
                                                                              
total                                                          3.1         0.1
On 1 April 2008 the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK decreased from
30% to 28%. The standard rate of tax for 2009 is 28% (2008 - weighted average
rate of 28.5%). The current tax charge as a percentage of the Group's profit
before tax is 0.8% (2008 - 0.1%) due to the different tax paying jurisdictions
throughout the Group.
A current corporation tax expense of $0.1 million was credited to other
comprehensive income during the year (2008 - $0.2 million charge), which
relates to unrealised investment gains and losses included in accumulated other
comprehensive income within shareholders' equity.
taxation                                                      2009        2008
                                                                              
                                                                $m          $m
                                                                              
UK corporation tax payable                                     2.4           -
                                                                              
9. deferred tax
                                                              2009        2008
                                                                              
                                                                $m          $m
                                                                              
deferred tax assets                                            3.9         2.4
                                                                              
deferred tax liabilities                                     (0.6)       (1.2)
                                                                              
net deferred tax asset                                         3.3         1.2
Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that realising the related tax
benefit through future taxable profits is likely. It is anticipated that the
Lancashire UK group of companies will be profitable in 2010, thus the entire
deferred tax asset is recognised.
The deferred tax asset relates to the RSS, warrant and option employee benefit
schemes. The deferred tax liability relates to claims equalisation reserves.
All deferred tax assets and liabilities are classified as non-current.
The movement on the total net deferred tax asset is as follows:
                                                              2009         2008
                                                                               
                                                                $m           $m
                                                                               
as at 1 january                                                1.2          2.0
                                                                               
statement of comprehensive income credit (charge)              2.1        (0.8)
                                                                               
as at 31 december                                              3.3          1.2
10. cash and cash equivalents
                                                              2009        2008
                                                                              
                                                                $m          $m
                                                                              
cash at bank and in hand                                     288.9         7.9
                                                                              
cash equivalents                                             151.1       405.7
                                                                              
total                                                        440.0       413.6
Cash equivalents have an original maturity of three months or less. The
carrying amount of these assets approximates their fair value.
Included in cash at bank and in hand is $232.5 million (2008 - $nil) of cash
held on deposit by LHL's share registrar to fund the special dividend payment
disclosed in note 20.
Refer to note 18 for the cash and cash equivalent balances on deposit as
collateral.
11. investments
as at 31 december 2009                      $m         $m         $m         $m
                                                                               
                                       cost or      gross      gross  estimated
                                                                               
                                     amortised unrealised unrealised       fair
                                                                               
                                          cost       gain       loss      value
                                                                               
fixed income securities                                                        
                                                                               
- short-term investments                 288.8          -          -      288.8
                                                                               
- U.S. treasuries                        251.9        4.1      (1.2)      254.8
                                                                               
- other government bonds                  75.0        1.5      (0.2)       76.3
                                                                               
- U.S. government agency debt            114.1        1.0      (0.1)      115.0
                                                                               
- U.S. government agency mortgage        473.7       11.6      (0.9)      484.4
backed securities                                                              
                                                                               
- corporate bonds                        467.1       13.3      (0.6)      479.8
                                                                               
- corporate bonds - FDIC guaranteed      191.0        2.6      (0.2)      193.4
(1)                                                                            
                                                                               
total investments                      1,861.6       34.1      (3.2)    1,892.5
(1) FDIC guaranteed corporate bonds are protected by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation, an independent agency of the U.S. government
as at 31 december 2008                      $m         $m         $m         $m
                                                                               
                                       cost or      gross      gross  estimated
                                                                               
                                     amortised unrealised unrealised       fair
                                                                               
                                          cost       gain       loss      value
                                                                               
fixed income securities                                                        
                                                                               
- short-term investments                 163.6          -          -      163.6
                                                                               
- U.S. treasuries                        186.8        6.5      (1.6)      191.7
                                                                               
- other government bonds                  52.5        1.6          -       54.1
                                                                               
- U.S. government agency debt            109.1        5.4          -      114.5
                                                                               
- U.S. government agency mortgage        600.0       15.3      (0.9)      614.4
backed securities                                                              
                                                                               
- corporate bonds                        306.6        3.8      (6.9)      303.5
                                                                               
- corporate bonds - FDIC guaranteed      148.4        5.0          -      153.4
(1)                                                                            
                                                                               
- convertible debt securities              0.2          -          -        0.2
                                                                               
total fixed income securities -        1,567.2       37.6      (9.4)    1,595.4
available for sale                                                             
                                                                               
equity securities - available for          5.8          -          -        5.8
sale                                                                           
                                                                               
total available for sale securities    1,573.0       37.6      (9.4)    1,601.2
                                                                               
fixed income securities - at fair          4.3          -      (0.3)        4.0
value through profit and loss                                                  
                                                                               
total investments                      1,577.3       37.6      (9.7)    1,605.2
(1) FDIC guaranteed corporate bonds are protected by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation, an independent agency of the U.S. government
Equity securities and other investments held as at 31 December 2008 are deemed
non-current. Fixed income maturities are presented in the risk disclosures
section. Refer to note 18 for the investment balances in trusts in favour of
ceding companies and on deposit as collateral.
The fair value of securities in the Group's investment portfolio is estimated
using the following techniques:
 i. Quoted prices in active markets for the same instrument; or
   
ii. Quoted prices on active markets for similar assets or liabilities or other
    valuation techniques for which all significant inputs are based on
    observable market data; or
   
iii. Valuation techniques for which any significant input is not based on
    observable market data.
   
Securities that have quoted prices in active markets include publicly traded
equity securities, U.S. treasuries and certain derivative financial
instruments.
Securities that have their fair value estimated based on observable market data
include:
  * U.S. government agency debt;
   
  * U.S. government agency mortgage backed securities;
   
  * Non-agency mortgage backed securities;
   
  * Corporate bonds;
   
  * Convertible debt securities; and
   
  * Certain derivative financial instruments.
   
A financial instrument is regarded as quoted in an active market, and included
in category (i), if quoted prices are readily and regularly available from an
exchange, dealer, broker, industry group, pricing service or regulatory agency
and those prices represent actual and regularly occurring market transactions
on an arms length basis. Instruments included in category (ii) are valued via
independent external sources using modeled or other valuation methods. Such
methods are typically industry accepted standard and consider the following:
broker-dealer quotes; present value; future cash flows; yield curves; interest
rates; prepayment speeds; default rates; and similar quoted instruments and/or
market transactions.
The fair value hierarchy of the Group's investment holdings is as follows:
as at 31 december 2009                             $m           $m           $m
                                                                               
fixed income securities                           (i)         (ii)        total
                                                                               
- short-term investments                        175.1        113.7        288.8
                                                                               
- U.S. treasuries                               254.8                     254.8
                                                                               
- other government bonds                            -         76.3         76.3
                                                                               
- U.S. government agency debt                       -        115.0        115.0
                                                                               
- U.S. government agency mortgage backed            -        484.4        484.4
securities                                                                     
                                                                               
- corporate bonds                                   -        479.8        479.8
                                                                               
- corporate bonds - FDIC guaranteed (1)             -        193.4        193.4
                                                                               
total fixed income securities -                 429.9      1,462.6      1,892.5
available for sale                                                             
(1) FDIC guaranteed corporate bonds are protected by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation, an independent agency of the U.S. government
Prior year comparative disclosure is not required in the year of adoption and
has not been presented. There were no category (iii) investments as at 31
December 2009 or 2008 therefore a reconciliation of movements within that
category has not been presented. There are no realised or unrealised gains or
losses recorded on category (iii) investments in the consolidated statement of
comprehensive income or accumulated other comprehensive income. There have been
no transfers between categories (i) and (ii) during the year.
Prices for the Group's investment portfolio are provided by a third party
investment accounting firm whose pricing processes, and the controls thereon,
are subject to an annual audit on both the operation and the effectiveness of
those controls - a "SAS 70" audit. SAS 70 audit reports are available to
clients of the firm and the report is reviewed annually by management. In
accordance with their pricing policy, various recognised reputable pricing
sources are used including index providers, broker-dealers, and pricing
vendors. The pricing sources use bid prices where available, otherwise
indicative prices are quoted based on observable market trade data. The prices
provided are compared to the investment managers' and custodian's pricing.
12. insurance and reinsurance contracts
insurance liabilities                               $m           $m          $m
                                                                               
                                              unearned        other       total
                                                           payables            
                                              premiums                         
                                                                               
as at 31 december 2007                           381.8         16.5       398.3
                                                                               
net deferral for:                                                              
                                                                               
prior years                                    (317.5)            -     (317.5)
                                                                               
current year                                     275.3            -       275.3
                                                                               
other                                                -          1.1         1.1
                                                                               
as at 31 december 2008                           339.6         17.6       357.2
                                                                               
net deferral for:                                                              
                                                                               
prior years                                    (274.8)            -     (274.8)
                                                                               
current year                                     252.8            -       252.8
                                                                               
other                                                -        (1.8)       (1.8)
                                                                               
as at 31 december 2009                           317.6         15.8       333.4
losses and loss adjustment expenses                 $m          $m           $m
                                                                               
                                                losses reinsurance   net losses
                                                        recoveries     and loss
                                              and loss               adjustment
                                            adjustment                 expenses
                                              expenses                         
                                                                               
as at 31 december 2007                           179.6       (3.6)        176.0
                                                                               
net incurred losses for:                                                       
                                                                               
prior years                                     (26.0)       (2.6)       (28.6)
                                    
- More to follow, for following part double click [ID:nPRrPBF2Ae]