10-Q 1 a06-22082_110q.htm QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13 OR 15(D)

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x

QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2006

 

 

OR

 

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

transition Period from                          to                          

Commission File No. 001-32141

ASSURED GUARANTY LTD.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Bermuda

 

98-0429991

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

 

(I.R.S. employer identification no.)

 

30 Woodbourne Avenue
Hamilton HM 08
Bermuda
(address of principal executive office)

(441) 299-9375
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

YES  x        NO  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer x

 

Accelerated filer o

 

Non-accelerated filer o

 

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

The number of registrant’s Common Shares ($0.01 par value) outstanding as of November 1, 2006 was 73,147,882.

 




ASSURED GUARANTY LTD.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

Page

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements:

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2006 (unaudited) and December 31, 2005

 

3

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006 and 2005

 

4

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (unaudited) for Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006

 

5

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006 and 2005

 

6

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

7

Item 2.

 

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

 

32

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

66

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

67

 

 

 

 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

68

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

 

68

Item 2.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

69

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

 

69

 

2




PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

Assured Guaranty Ltd.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands of U.S. dollars except per share and share amounts)
(Unaudited)

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturity securities, at fair value (amortized cost: $2,163,089 in 2006 and $2,082,363 in 2005)

 

$

2,210,011

 

$

2,133,997

 

Short-term investments, at cost which approximates fair value

 

169,430

 

115,826

 

Total investments

 

2,379,441

 

2,249,823

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

15,656

 

6,190

 

Accrued investment income

 

22,569

 

22,676

 

Deferred acquisition costs

 

210,184

 

193,442

 

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

 

8,956

 

12,478

 

Reinsurance recoverable on ceded losses

 

9,397

 

12,350

 

Premiums receivable

 

33,280

 

33,011

 

Goodwill

 

85,417

 

85,417

 

Unrealized gains on derivative financial instruments

 

51,135

 

53,037

 

Current income taxes receivable

 

6,853

 

3,005

 

Other assets

 

21,961

 

17,694

 

Total assets

 

$

2,844,849

 

$

2,689,123

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Unearned premium reserves

 

$

619,737

 

$

537,149

 

Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

116,914

 

121,219

 

Profit commissions payable

 

30,979

 

52,993

 

Reinsurance balances payable

 

2,069

 

3,724

 

Deferred income taxes

 

44,855

 

26,629

 

Funds held by Company under reinsurance contracts

 

20,338

 

19,186

 

Unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments

 

6,599

 

12,652

 

Long-term debt

 

197,367

 

197,344

 

Liability for tax basis step-up adjustment

 

15,177

 

20,129

 

Other liabilities

 

33,923

 

36,585

 

Total liabilities

 

1,087,958

 

1,027,610

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock ($0.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized; 73,144,785 and 74,761,577 shares issued and outstanding in 2006 and 2005)

 

731

 

748

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

856,243

 

881,998

 

Unearned stock grant compensation

 

 

(14,756

)

Retained earnings

 

857,121

 

747,691

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

42,796

 

45,832

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

1,756,891

 

1,661,513

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

2,844,849

 

$

2,689,123

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

3




 

Assured Guaranty Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
(in thousands of U.S. dollars except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

   2006   

 

   2005   

 

   2006   

 

   2005   

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross written premiums

 

$

73,634

 

$

75,567

 

$

240,502

 

$

194,134

 

Ceded premiums

 

(560

)

(22,337

)

(6,299

)

(34,279

)

Net written premiums

 

73,074

 

53,230

 

234,203

 

159,855

 

(Increase) decrease in net unearned premium reserves

 

(21,127

)

1,315

 

(86,017

)

(8,956

)

Net earned premiums

 

51,947

 

54,545

 

148,186

 

150,899

 

Net investment income

 

28,472

 

24,378

 

81,965

 

71,178

 

Net realized investment gains (losses)

 

72

 

178

 

(1,939

)

3,635

 

Unrealized (losses) gains on derivative financial instruments

 

(1,591

)

286

 

4,151

 

(9,144

)

Other income

 

1

 

147

 

24

 

240

 

Total revenues

 

78,901

 

79,534

 

232,387

 

216,808

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

888

 

(790

)

(6,007

)

(69,319

)

Profit commission expense

 

1,649

 

2,037

 

4,654

 

6,369

 

Acquisition costs

 

11,348

 

13,004

 

33,441

 

34,933

 

Other operating expenses

 

16,495

 

14,961

 

49,260

 

43,956

 

 Interest expense

 

3,364

 

3,440

 

10,106

 

10,146

 

Other expense

 

611

 

623

 

1,917

 

3,111

 

Total expenses

 

34,355

 

33,275

 

93,371

 

29,196

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

 

44,546

 

46,259

 

139,016

 

187,612

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

(2,873

)

1,003

 

5,935

 

52,471

 

Deferred

 

9,517

 

6,071

 

15,783

 

(15,142

)

Total provision for income taxes

 

6,644

 

7,074

 

21,718

 

37,329

 

Net income

 

37,902

 

39,185

 

117,298

 

150,283

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities arising during the year

 

37,965

 

(24,339

)

(4,133

)

(22,850

)

Reclassification adjustment for realized (gains) losses included in net income

 

(26

)

(107

)

1,411

 

(2,853

)

Change in net unrealized gains on fixed maturity securities

 

37,939

 

(24,446

)

(2,722

)

(25,703

)

Cash flow hedge

 

(105

)

(105

)

(314

)

(314

)

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes

 

37,834

 

(24,551

)

(3,036

)

(26,017

)

Comprehensive income

 

$

75,736

 

$

14,634

 

$

114,262

 

$

124,266

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.52

 

$

0.53

 

$

1.60

 

$

2.03

 

Diluted

 

$

0.51

 

$

0.53

 

$

1.57

 

$

2.02

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends per share

 

$

0.035

 

$

0.03

 

$

0.105

 

$

0.09

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

4




 

Assured Guaranty Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
For Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006
(in thousands of U.S. dollars except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

 

 

Common
Stock

 

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

 

Unearned
Stock Grant
Compensation

 

Retained
Earnings

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income

 

Total
Shareholders’
Equity

 

Balance, December 31, 2005

 

$

748

 

$

881,998

 

$

(14,756

)

$

747,691

 

$

45,832

 

$

1,661,513

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

117,298

 

 

117,298

 

Dividends ($0.105 per share)

 

 

 

 

(7,868

)

 

(7,868

)

Common stock repurchases

 

(8

)

(20,527

)

 

 

 

(20,535

)

Shares cancelled to pay withholding taxes

 

(1

)

(2,891

)

 

 

 

(2,892

)

Stock option exercises

 

 

947

 

 

 

 

947

 

Tax benefit for stock options exercised

 

 

147

 

 

 

 

147

 

Shares issued under Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

 

236

 

 

 

 

236

 

Reclassification due to adoption of FAS 123R

 

(10

)

(14,746

)

14,756

 

 

 

 

Share-based compensation and other

 

2

 

11,079

 

 

 

 

11,081

 

Cash flow hedge, net of tax of $(169)

 

 

 

 

 

(314

)

(314

)

Unrealized loss on fixed maturity securities, net of tax of $(262)

 

 

 

 

 

(2,722

)

(2,722

)

Balance, September 30, 2006

 

$

731

 

$

856,243

 

$

 

$

857,121

 

$

42,796

 

$

1,756,891

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

5




 

Assured Guaranty Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
(Unaudited)

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

   2006   

 

   2005   

 

Operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

117,298

 

$

150,283

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cash interest and operating expenses

 

11,600

 

5,138

 

Net amortization of premium on fixed maturity securities

 

4,333

 

5,206

 

Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes

 

15,783

 

(15,142

)

Net realized investment losses (gains)

 

1,939

 

(3,635

)

Change in unrealized (gains) losses on derivative financial instruments

 

(4,151

)

9,144

 

Change in deferred acquisition costs

 

(16,742

)

(3,680

)

Change in accrued investment income

 

107

 

(757

)

Change in premiums receivable

 

(269

)

7,450

 

Change in prepaid reinsurance premiums

 

3,522

 

2,310

 

Change in unearned premium reserves

 

82,588

 

6,654

 

Change in reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses, net

 

(3,007

)

(19,522

)

Change in profit commissions payable

 

(22,014

)

(14,368

)

Change in funds held by Company under reinsurance contracts

 

1,152

 

4,357

 

Change in current income taxes

 

(3,848

)

16,957

 

Tax benefit for stock options exercised

 

 

4,059

 

Change in liability for tax basis step-up adjustment

 

(4,952

)

(559

)

Other

 

(1,756

)

11,279

 

Net cash flows provided by operating activities

 

181,583

 

165,174

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases

 

(694,810

)

(799,385

)

Sales

 

591,517

 

525,278

 

Maturities

 

16,295

 

14,000

 

(Purchases) sales of short-term investments, net

 

(53,878

)

113,023

 

Net cash flows used in investing activities

 

(140,876

)

(147,084

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Repurchases of common stock

 

(20,535

)

(19,014

)

Dividends paid

 

(7,858

)

(6,768

)

Share activity under option and incentive plans

 

(1,709

)

(1,169

)

Tax benefit for stock options exercised

 

147

 

 

Repayment of notes assumed during formation transactions

 

(2,000

)

 

Net cash flows used in financing activities

 

(31,955

)

(26,951

)

Effect of exchange rate changes

 

714

 

(1,052

)

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

9,466

 

(9,913

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

6,190

 

16,978

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

15,656

 

$

7,065

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplementary cash flow information

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the period for:

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes

 

$

10,840

 

$

31,614

 

Interest

 

$

7,081

 

$

7,000

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

6




 

Assured Guaranty Ltd.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2006
(Unaudited)

1.  Business and Organization

Assured Guaranty Ltd. (the “Company”) is a Bermuda-based holding company which provides, through its operating subsidiaries, credit enhancement products to the public finance, structured finance and mortgage markets. Credit enhancement products are financial guarantees or other types of support, including credit derivatives, that improve the credit of underlying debt obligations. Assured Guaranty Ltd. applies its credit expertise, risk management skills and capital markets experience to develop insurance, reinsurance and derivative products that meet the credit enhancement needs of its customers. Under a reinsurance agreement, the reinsurer, in consideration of a premium paid to it, agrees to indemnify another insurer, called the ceding company, for part or all of the liability of the ceding company under one or more insurance policies that the ceding company has issued. A derivative is a financial instrument whose characteristics and value depend upon the characteristics and value of an underlying asset. Assured Guaranty Ltd. markets its products directly to and through financial institutions, serving the U.S. and international markets. Assured Guaranty Ltd.’s financial results include four principal business segments: financial guaranty direct, financial guaranty reinsurance, mortgage guaranty and other. These segments are further discussed in Note 12.

Financial guaranty insurance provides an unconditional and irrevocable guaranty that protects the holder of a financial obligation against non-payment of principal and interest when due. Financial guaranty insurance may be issued to the holders of the insured obligations at the time of issuance of those obligations, or may be issued in the secondary market to holders of public bonds and structured securities. A loss event occurs upon existing or anticipated credit deterioration, while a payment under a policy occurs when the insured obligation defaults. This requires the Company to pay the required principal and interest when due in accordance with the underlying contract. The principal types of obligations covered by the Company’s financial guaranty direct and financial guaranty assumed reinsurance businesses are structured finance obligations and public finance obligations. Because both businesses involve similar risks, the Company analyzes and monitors its financial guaranty direct portfolio and financial guaranty assumed reinsurance portfolio on a coordinated basis.

Mortgage guaranty insurance is a specialized class of credit insurance that provides protection to mortgage lending institutions against the default of borrowers on mortgage loans that, at the time of the advance, had a loan to value in excess of a specified ratio. Reinsurance in the mortgage guaranty insurance industry is used to increase the insurance capacity of the ceding company, to assist the ceding company in meeting applicable regulatory and rating agency requirements, to augment the financial strength of the ceding company, and to manage the ceding company’s risk profile. The Company provides mortgage guaranty protection on an excess of loss basis.

 The Company has participated in several lines of business that are reflected in its historical financial statements but that the Company exited in connection with its 2004 initial public offering (“IPO”), including, but not limited to, equity layer credit protection, trade credit reinsurance and title reinsurance. These lines of business make up the Company’s other segment.

2.  Basis of Presentation

The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, which include the accounts of the Company, have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates. These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements cover the three-month

7




period ended September 30, 2006 (“Third Quarter 2006”) and the three-month period ended September 30, 2005 (“Third Quarter 2005”), and the nine-month period ended September 30, 2006 (“Nine Months 2006”) and the nine-month period ended September 30, 2005 (“Nine Months 2005”). Operating results for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2006 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.  Certain items in the prior year unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation. These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries are subject to U.S. income tax. The provision for income taxes is calculated in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“FAS”) FAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. The Company’s provision for income taxes for interim financial periods is not based on an estimated annual effective rate due to the variability in changes in fair value of its derivative financial instruments.  A discrete calculation of the provision is calculated for each interim period.

3.  Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments” (“FAS 155”) which amends FAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 133”) and FAS No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities” (“FAS 140”), and addresses issues raised in FAS 133 Implementation Issue No. D1, “Application of Statement 133 to Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets.” The primary objectives of FAS 155 are: (i) with respect to FAS 133, to address the accounting for beneficial interests in securitized financial assets and (ii) with respect to FAS 140, eliminate a restriction on the passive derivative instruments that a qualifying special purpose entity may hold. FAS 155 is effective for all financial instruments acquired or issued after the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006. The adoption of FAS 155 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s operating results or financial condition.

In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.  FIN 48  also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company is assessing FIN 48 and is determining the impact that the adoption of FIN 48 will have on its results of operations or financial position.

In September 2006, the FASB issued FAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. FAS 157 applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, the FASB having previously concluded in those accounting pronouncements that fair value is the relevant measurement attribute. Accordingly, FAS 157 does not require any new fair value measurements. FAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company plans to adopt FAS 157 beginning

8




in the first quarter of 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, the adoption of FAS 157 will have on its results of operations or financial position.

In October 2006, the FASB issued FAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R)” (“FAS 158”). FAS 158 represents the completion of the first phase in the FASB’s postretirement benefits accounting project. FAS 158 is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006, for public entities, and at the end of fiscal years ending after June 15, 2007, for all other entities.  Since the Company has no defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans, FAS 158 will have no impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

4.  Significant Accounting Policies

The Company has disclosed its significant accounting policies in “Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. The following significant accounting policy provides an update to that included under the same caption in the Company’s Form 10-K.

Premium Revenue Recognition

Premiums are received either upfront or in installments. Upfront premiums are earned in proportion to the expiration of the amount at risk. Each installment premium is earned ratably over its installment period, generally one year or less. Premium earnings under both the upfront and installment revenue recognition methods are based upon and are in proportion to the principal amount guaranteed and therefore result in higher premium earnings during periods where guaranteed principal is higher. For insured bonds for which the par value outstanding is declining during the insurance period, upfront premium earnings are greater in the earlier periods thus matching revenue recognition with the underlying risk. The premiums are allocated in accordance with the principal amortization schedule of the related bond issue and are earned ratably over the amortization period. When an insured issue is retired early, is called by the issuer, or is in substance paid in advance through a refunding accomplished by placing U.S. Government securities in escrow, the remaining unearned premium reserves are earned at that time. Unearned premium reserves represent the portion of premiums written that is applicable to the unexpired amount at risk of insured bonds.

Due to the customary lag (ranging from 30 to 90 days) in reporting premium data by some of the ceding companies, the Company must estimate the ultimate written and earned premiums to be received from a ceding company as of each balance sheet date for the reinsurance business. Actual written premiums reported in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income are based upon reports received by ceding companies supplemented by the Company’s own estimates of premium for which ceding company reports have not yet been received. Differences between such estimates and actual amounts are recorded in the period in which the actual amounts are determined.

5.  Analysis of premiums written, premiums earned and loss and loss adjustment expenses

To limit its exposure on assumed risks, at the time of the IPO, the Company entered into certain proportional and non-proportional retrocessional agreements with other insurance companies, primarily subsidiaries of ACE Limited (“ACE”), our former parent, to cede a portion of the risk underwritten by the Company. In addition, the Company enters into reinsurance agreements with non-affiliated companies to limit its exposure to risk on an on-going basis.

9




 

In the event that any or all of the reinsurers are unable to meet their obligations, the Company would be liable for such defaulted amounts. Direct, assumed, and ceded amounts were as follows:

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

   2006   

 

   2005   

 

   2006   

 

   2005   

 

 

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

Premiums Written

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

$

41,880

 

$

24,891

 

$

140,546

 

$

69,588

 

Assumed

 

31,754

 

50,676

 

99,956

 

124,546

 

Ceded

 

(560

)

(22,337

)

(6,299

)

(34,279

)

Net

 

$

73,074

 

$

53,230

 

$

234,203

 

$

159,855

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums Earned

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

$

22,166

 

$

19,085

 

$

65,281

 

$

57,121

 

Assumed

 

33,715

 

58,714

 

92,718

 

130,374

 

Ceded

 

(3,934

)

(23,254

)

(9,813

)

(36,596

)

Net

 

$

51,947

 

$

54,545

 

$

148,186

 

$

150,899

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

$

(1,299

)

$

(5,127

)

$

(16,974

)

$

(2,491

)

Assumed

 

1,581

 

8,694

 

12,123

 

(71,880

)

Ceded

 

606

 

(4,357

)

(1,156

)

5,052

 

Net

 

$

888

 

$

(790

)

$

(6,007

)

$

(69,319

)

 

The increase in direct written premiums for both periods is primarily attributable to upfront gross written premiums from our international and U.S. public finance business. Third Quarter 2006 and Nine Months 2006 include upfront gross written premiums of $13.3 million and  $53.0 million from our international business. Third Quarter 2005 and Nine Months 2005 did not include any such premiums. Our U.S. public finance business contributed $8.2 million in Third Quarter 2006 and $22.7 million Nine Months 2006 compared with $6.3 million and $13.0 million for the same periods last year.

Assumed written premiums decreased in Third Quarter 2006 compared with Third Quarter 2005 and Nine Months 2006 compared with Nine Months 2005 as both Third Quarter 2005 and Nine Months 2005 include $21.0 million and $25.8 million, respectively, of assumed written premium for a pre-IPO reinsurance agreement with a subsidiary of  ACE Limited (“ACE”), our former parent, under which we provided reinsurance to  CGA Group Ltd. (“CGA”) and retroceded 100% of this exposure to the ACE subsidiary. This transaction is included in our other segment results. Excluding  this transaction, assumed written premiums increased in Third Quarter 2006 when compared with Third Quarter 2005 due to increased facultative business and Nine Months 2006 remained relatively flat when compared with Nine Months 2005. Assumed written premiums from treaty business have remained relatively flat, though one cedant relationship was terminated effective July 1, 2004 and a second cedant relationship was terminated effective July 1, 2006, partially offset by  increased gross written premium from another client.  Additionally, Nine Months 2005 includes $16.3 million of assumed written premium due to a large excess of loss reinsurance transaction written in our mortgage guaranty segment. Nine Months 2005 also includes $(18.4) million from a transaction whereby Financial Security Assurance Inc. (“FSA”) reassumed from Assured Guaranty Re Ltd. (“AG Re”) healthcare related business (“FSA transaction”).

 Ceded premiums written and ceded premiums earned for Third Quarter 2005 and Nine Months 2005 include $21.0 million and $25.8 million from the pre-IPO reinsurance agreement discussed above.

Loss and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) were $0.9 million and $(6.0) million for Third Quarter 2006 and Nine Months 2006, respectively, compared with $(0.8) million in Third Quarter 2005 and $(69.3) million in Nine Months 2005. Included in direct loss and LAE for Third Quarter 2006 are $(0.3) million in loss recoveries on two deals and $(1.0) million of loss recoveries from third party litigation settlements related to the equity layer credit protection business, which was exited in connection with the IPO. Third Quarter 2005 includes a reduction to loss

10




reserves of $(4.0) million caused by changes in credit quality and from continued runoff from maturing collateralized debt obligation (“CDO”) exposures and $(1.3) million of loss recoveries from third party litigation settlements related to the exited equity layer credit protection business.

Assumed  loss and LAE for Third Quarter 2006 includes additions to portfolio reserves of $3.0 million  primarily due to management updating  its loss reserving data to include the most current rating agency default frequency statistics as well as ratings migration. This is part of our normal portfolio reserve process which we perform during the third quarter of every year. The increase in portfolio reserves was partially offset by a $(1.1) million LAE recovery.  Assumed loss and LAE for Third Quarter 2005 includes an increase to loss reserves of $4.3 million due to credit deteriorations and development of existing exposure, as well as management updating  its rating agency default statistics used in the portfolio loss reserving process. In addition, both assumed and ceded loss and LAE amounts  include $4.4 million primarily from the pre-IPO reinsurance agreement with a subsidiary of  ACE under which we provided reinsurance to CGA and retroceded 100% of this exposure to the ACE subsidiary. This transaction is included in our other segment results.

Direct loss and LAE for Nine Months 2006 includes $(12.3) million in loss recoveries from third party litigation settlements relating to our exited equity layer credit protection business.  In addition to Third Quarter 2005 amounts, assumed loss and LAE includes loss reserve increases of $7.9 million related to the rating downgrade of various credits.  The major component of Nine Months 2005 is $(71.0) million in assumed loss and LAE resulting from loss recoveries from a third party settlement agreement that was reached during Second Quarter 2005, with two parties relating to a reinsurance claim incurred in 1998 and 1999.

Reinsurance recoverable on ceded losses and LAE as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 were $9.4 million and $12.4 million, respectively and are all related to our other segment. Of these amounts, $9.3 million and $12.3 million, respectively, relate to reinsurance agreements with ACE.

The following summarizes the Company’s reinsurance gross written premiums by significant client:

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

Gross Written Premiums by Client

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Financial Security Assurance Inc.(1)

 

$

15.8

 

$

13.4

 

$

41.5

 

$

38.3

 

Ambac Assurance Corporation(2)

 

5.0

 

6.9

 

19.8

 

26.0

 

Financial Guaranty Insurance Company

 

4.3

 

2.0

 

17.2

 

7.6

 

MBIA Insurance Corporation

 

3.3

 

4.6

 

9.1

 

13.5

 

CGA Group Ltd.

 

 

21.0

 

 

25.8

 

 


(1)             Nine Months 2005 does not include $18.4 million of reassumed premiums related to the Company’s healthcare business.

(2)             On April 20, 2005, Ambac  provided notice of a non-renewal of the quota share treaty on a run-off basis, effective July 1, 2006.

Agreement with Financial Security Assurance Inc.

During Second Quarter 2005, Assured Guaranty Corp. (“AGC”) and AG Re, two of the Company’s subsidiaries, entered into a reinsurance agreement with FSA pursuant to which substantially all of FSA’s financial guaranty risks previously ceded to AGC (the “Ceded Business”) was assumed by AG Re. This agreement was effective as of January 1, 2005 and is consistent with the Company’s IPO strategy of AGC ceasing to write new reinsurance business and transferring its existing reinsurance business to AG Re to optimize capital utilization. In connection with the transaction, AGC transferred liabilities of $169.0 million, consisting primarily of unearned premium reserves. All profit and loss related items associated with this transfer were eliminated in consolidation, with the exception of profit commission expense, certain other operating expenses, and provision for income taxes. Since this transaction transferred unearned premium reserve from AGC, a U.S. tax paying entity, to AG Re, a non-U.S. tax paying entity, the Company released a deferred tax liability related to differences between the book and tax carrying amounts of unearned premium reserves which resulted in a tax benefit. The total impact of all these items increased net income $1.9 million for Nine Months 2005.  FSA has released AGC from all liabilities with respect to the Ceded Business. AG Re has assumed substantially all of AGC’s

11




liabilities with respect to the Ceded Business. FSA may receive a profit commission on the Ceded Business based on its future performance.

FSA has also reassumed from AG Re during Second Quarter 2005, approximately $12.4 million of unearned premium reserves, net of ceding commissions, of healthcare related business with an approximate par value of $820.0 million.

6.  Commitments and Contingencies

Lawsuits arise in the ordinary course of the Company’s business. It is the opinion of the Company’s management, based upon the information available, that the expected outcome of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity, although an adverse resolution of a number of these items could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or liquidity in a particular quarter or fiscal year.

In the ordinary course of their respective businesses, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries assert claims in legal proceedings against third parties to recover losses paid in prior periods. The amounts, if any, the Company will recover in these proceedings are uncertain, although recoveries in any one or more of these proceedings during any quarter or fiscal year could be material to the Company’s results of operations in that particular quarter or fiscal year.

In April 2005, AGC received a Notice of Order to Preserve (“Order”) from the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance, State of Georgia (“Commissioner”). The Order was directed to “ACE Limited, and all affiliates” and requires the preservation of documents and other items related to “finite insurance” and a broad group of other insurance and reinsurance agreements. Also in April 2005, AGC, and numerous other insurers, received a subpoena from the Commissioner related to the “initial phase” of the Commissioner’s investigation into “finite-risk” transactions. The subpoena requested information on AGC’s assumed and ceded reinsurance contracts in force during 2004. AGC provided the required information in response to the subpoena in January 2006 and has not been asked by the Commissioner for any further information.

During 2006, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Assured Guaranty Re Overseas Ltd. (“AGRO”), and a number of other parties, completed various settlements with defendants in the In re: National Century Financial Enterprises Inc. Investment Litigation now pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio - Eastern District. AGRO received approximately $12.3 million (pre-tax) in the Nine Months 2006, from the settlements. AGRO originally paid claims in 2003 of approximately $41.7 million (pre-tax) related to National Century Financial Enterprises Inc. To date, including the settlements described above, the Company has recovered $17.6 million (pre-tax), representing a partial settlement of the litigation.  The litigation will continue against other parties.

The Company is party to reinsurance agreements with most of the major monoline primary financial guaranty insurance companies. The Company’s facultative and treaty agreements are generally subject to termination (i) upon written notice (ranging from 90 to 120 days) prior to the specified deadline for renewal, (ii) at the option of the primary insurer if the Company fails to maintain certain financial, regulatory and rating agency criteria which are equivalent to or more stringent than those the Company is otherwise required to maintain for its own compliance with state mandated insurance laws and to maintain a specified financial strength rating for the particular insurance subsidiary or (iii) upon certain changes of control of the Company. Upon termination under the conditions set forth in (ii) and (iii) above, the Company may be required (under some of its reinsurance agreements) to return to the primary insurer all statutory unearned premiums, less ceding commissions, attributable to reinsurance ceded pursuant to such agreements after which the Company would be released from liability with respect to the ceded business. Upon the occurrence of the conditions set forth in (ii) above, whether or not an agreement is terminated, the Company may be required to obtain a letter of credit or alternative form of security to collateralize its obligation to perform under such agreement or it may be obligated to increase the level of ceding commission paid.

12




7.  Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities

The Company’s unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include long-term debt, used to fund the Company’s insurance operations, and related interest expense, as described below.

Senior Notes

On May 18, 2004, Assured Guaranty US Holdings Inc., a subsidiary of the Company, issued $200.0 million of 7.0% Senior Notes due 2034 for net proceeds of $197.3 million. The proceeds of the offering were used to repay substantially all of a $200.0 million promissory note issued to a subsidiary of ACE in April 2004 as part of the IPO related formation transactions. The coupon on the Senior Notes is 7.0%, however, the effective rate will be approximately 6.4%, taking into account the effect of a cash flow hedge executed by the Company in March 2004. The Company recorded interest expense of $3.3 million, including $0.2 million of amortized gain on the cash flow hedge, for both Third Quarter 2006 and Third Quarter 2005. The Company recorded interest expense of $10.0 million, including $0.5 million of amortized gain on the cash flow hedge, for both Nine Months 2006 and Nine Months 2005. These Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Assured Guaranty Ltd.

Credit Facilities

$300.0 million Credit Facility

On April 15, 2005, Assured Guaranty Ltd. and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a $300.0 million three-year unsecured revolving credit facility (the “$300.0 million credit facility”) with a syndicate of banks, for which ABN AMRO Incorporated and Bank of America, N.A. acted as lead arrangers and KeyBank National Association (“KeyBank”) acted as syndication agent. Under the $300.0 million credit facility, each of AGC, Assured Guaranty (UK) Ltd. (“AG (UK)”), a subsidiary of AGC organized under the laws of the United Kingdom, Assured Guaranty Ltd., AG Re and AGRO are entitled to request the banks to make loans to such borrower or to request that letters of credit be issued for the account of such borrower. As of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, two letters of credit have been issued, both on behalf of AGRO, with an aggregate stated amount of approximately $19.2 million and $20.7 million, respectively.

If drawn, the proceeds of the loans and letters of credit are to be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes of the borrowers and to support reinsurance transactions.

At the closing of the $300.0 million credit facility, (i) AGC guaranteed the obligations of AG (UK) under such facility, (ii) Assured Guaranty Ltd. guaranteed the obligations of AG Re and AGRO under such facility and agreed that, if the Company Consolidated Assets (as defined in the related credit agreement) of AGC and its subsidiaries were to fall below $1.2 billion, it would, within 15 days, guarantee the obligations of AGC and AG (UK) under such facility and (iii) Assured Guaranty Overseas US Holdings Inc., as a Material Non-AGC Subsidiary (as defined in the related credit agreement), guaranteed the obligations of Assured Guaranty Ltd., AG Re and AGRO under such facility. Subsequently, AG Re and AGRO, as Material Non-AGC Subsidiaries, both guaranteed the obligations of the other and of Assured Guaranty Ltd. under such facility.

The $300.0 million credit facility’s financial covenants require that Assured Guaranty Ltd. (a) maintain a minimum net worth of $1.2 billion, (b) maintain an interest coverage ratio of at least 2.5:1, and (c) maintain a maximum debt-to-capital ratio of 30%. In addition, the $300.0 million credit facility requires that AGC: (x) maintain qualified statutory capital of at least 80% of its statutory capital as of the fiscal quarter prior to the closing date of the facility and (y) maintain a ratio of aggregate net par outstanding to qualified statutory capital of not more than 150:1. Furthermore, the $300.0 million credit facility contains restrictions on Assured Guaranty Ltd. and its subsidiaries, including, among other things, in respect of their ability to incur debt, permit liens, become liable in respect of guaranties, make loans or investments, pay dividends or make distributions, dissolve or become party to a merger, consolidation or acquisition, dispose of assets or enter into affiliate transactions. Most of these restrictions are subject to certain minimum thresholds and exceptions. A default by one borrower will give rise to a right of the lenders to terminate the facility and accelerate all amounts then outstanding. As of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, Assured Guaranty was in compliance with all of those financial covenants.

13




As of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, no loan amounts were outstanding under this facility nor have there been any loan borrowings under this facility.

Non-Recourse Credit Facility

AGC is also party to a non-recourse credit facility with a syndicate of banks which provides up to $175.0 million specifically designed to provide rating agency-qualified capital to further support AGC’s claims paying resources. The facility expires in December 2010. As of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, no amounts were outstanding under this facility nor have there been any borrowings under this facility.

The Company’s failure to comply with certain covenants under the Company’s credit facilities could, subject to grace periods in the case of certain covenants, result in an event of default. This could require the Company to repay any outstanding borrowings in an accelerated manner.

Committed Capital Securities

On April 8, 2005, AGC entered into four separate agreements with four different unaffiliated custodial trusts pursuant to which AGC may, at its option, cause each of the custodial trusts to purchase up to $50.0 million of perpetual preferred stock of AGC. The custodial trusts were created to provide capital support to AGC by allowing AGC to obtain immediate access to new capital at its sole discretion at any time through the exercise of the put option. If the put options were exercised, AGC would receive $200.0 million in return for the issuance of its own perpetual preferred stock, the proceeds of which may be used for any purpose including the payment of claims. The put options were not exercised as of September 30, 2006.  Initially, all of the committed capital securities (the “CCS Securities”) were issued to a special purpose pass-through trust (the “Pass-Through Trust”). The Pass-Through Trust is a newly created statutory trust organized under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act formed for the purposes of (i) issuing $200,000,000 of Pass-Through Trust Securities to qualified institutional buyers within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (ii) investing the proceeds from the sale of the Pass-Through Trust Securities in, and holding, the CCS Securities issued by the Custodial Trusts and (iii) entering into related agreements. Neither the Pass-Through Trust nor the Custodial Trusts are consolidated in Assured Guaranty Ltd.’s financial statements.

During Third Quarter 2006 and Nine Months 2006, AGC incurred $0.6 million and $1.9 million, respectively, of put option premiums which are an on-going expense. During Third Quarter 2005 and Nine Months 2005, the Company incurred $0.6 million and $3.1 million, respectively. Nine Months 2005 expense consists of $2.0 million of investment banking fees associated with the committed capital securities and put option premiums which are an on-going expense.  These expenses are presented in the Company’s unaudited interim consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income under other expense.

8.  Share-Based Compensation

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted FAS No. 123 (revised), “Share-Based Payment” (“FAS 123R”), which replaces FAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“FAS 123”) and supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion (“APB”) No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”). FAS 123R requires all share-based compensation transactions with employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized as compensation expense over the requisite service period based on their relative fair values.

Prior to the adoption of FAS 123R, the Company followed the guidance of APB 25 and did not record share-based compensation expense related to employee stock options in the statement of operations, since for all grants the exercise price was equal to the market value of the common stock on the grant date.

The Company elected to use the modified prospective transition method for implementing FAS 123R. Under this transition method, compensation expense includes:  (a) compensation expense for all share-based payments granted prior to, but not yet vested as of, January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of FAS 123, and (b) compensation expense for all share-based payments

14




granted on or after January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of FAS 123R. Because we elected to use the modified prospective transition method, results for prior periods have not been restated and new awards are valued and accounted for prospectively upon adoption.

Beginning January 1, 2006, upon adoption of FAS 123R, the Company recorded share-based compensation for the cost of stock options, restricted stock and the Company sponsored employee stock purchase plan. As a result of adopting FAS 123R on January 1, 2006, the Company’s Third Quarter 2006 income before income taxes and net income are $1.4 million and $1.1 million lower, respectively, and for Nine Months 2006 are $4.5 million and $3.6 million lower, respectively, than if it had continued to account for share-based compensation under APB 25. Basic and diluted earnings per share for Third Quarter 2006 and Nine Months 2006 are $0.01 and $0.05 lower, respectively, than if the Company had continued to account for share-based compensation under APB 25.

Share-based compensation expense in Third Quarter 2006 and Nine Months 2006 was $3.0 million ($2.5 million after tax) and $9.3 million ($7.7 million after tax), respectively.  The effect on basic and diluted earnings per share for Third Quarter 2006 and Nine Months 2006 was $0.03 and $0.10, respectively. Included in Third Quarter 2006 and Nine Months 2006 expense was $0.5 million and $1.7 million, respectively, for stock award grants to retirement-eligible employees. FAS 123R requires these awards to be expensed over the period through the date the employee first becomes eligible to retire and is no longer required to provide service to earn part or all of the award, regardless of the employees intent of retirement. The amount of share-based compensation capitalized in Third Quarter 2006 and Nine Months 2006 as deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”) was $0.5 million and $1.8 million, respectively. Share-based compensation expense in Third Quarter 2005 and Nine Months 2005 was $1.6 million ($1.4 million after tax) and $4.7 million ($4.1 million after tax), respectively.

The following table presents pre-DAC and pre-tax, share-based compensation cost by share-based type:

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

Share-Based Employee Cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recurring amortization

 

$

1,913

 

$

1,410

 

$

5,677

 

$

3,971

 

Accelerated amortization for retirement eligible employees

 

364

 

 

1,171

 

 

Subtotal

 

2,277

 

1,410

 

6,848

 

3,971

 

Stock Options

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recurring amortization

 

823

 

 

2,776

 

 

Accelerated amortization for retirement eligible employees

 

150

 

 

505

 

 

Subtotal

 

973

 

 

3,281

 

 

ESPP

 

30

 

 

94

 

 

Total Share-Based Employee Cost

 

3,280

 

1,410

 

10,223

 

3,971

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share-Based Directors Cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted Stock

 

75

 

61

 

214

 

211

 

Restricted Stock Units

 

223

 

171

 

636

 

478

 

Total Share-Based Directors Cost

 

298

 

232

 

850

 

689

 

Total Share-Based Cost

 

$

3,578

 

$

1,642

 

$

11,073

 

$

4,660

 

 

15




For Third Quarter 2005 and Nine Months 2005, had the compensation expense been determined in accordance with the fair value method recommended in FAS 123, the Company’s net income and net income per share would have been adjusted to the pro forma amounts indicated below:

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

 

Three Months Ended
 September 30, 2005 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2005

 

Net income as reported

 

$

39,185

 

$

150,283

 

Add: Stock-based compensation expense included in reported net income, net of income tax

 

1,426

 

4,079

 

Deduct: Compensation expense, in accordance with FAS 123, net of income tax

 

2,243

 

6,944

 

Pro forma net income

 

$

38,368

 

$

147,418

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic Earnings Per Share:

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

0.53

 

$

2.03

 

Pro forma

 

$

0.52

 

$

1.99

 

Diluted Earnings Per Share:

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

0.53

 

$

2.02

 

Pro forma

 

$

0.52

 

$

1.98

 

 

Assured Guaranty Ltd. Share-Based Compensation Plans

As of April 27, 2004, the Company adopted the Assured Guaranty Ltd. 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”). The Incentive Plan authorizes the grant of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, and full value awards that are based on the Company’s common shares. The number of common shares that may be delivered under the Incentive Plan may not exceed 7,500,000. As of September 30, 2006, 2,740,977 common shares were available for grant under the Incentive Plan. In January 2005, the Company implemented the Stock Purchase Plan (“Stock Purchase Plan”) in accordance with Internal Revenue Code Section 423. The Company reserved for issuance and purchases under the Stock Purchase Plan 100,000 shares of its common stock. As of September 30, 2006, 69,563 common shares were available for grant under the Stock Purchase Plan. The Incentive Plan and the Stock Purchase Plan are described more fully in the Company’s 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Stock Options

Nonqualified or incentive stock options may be granted to employees and directors of the Company. Stock options are generally granted once a year with exercise prices equal to the closing price on the date of grant. To date, the Company has only issued nonqualified stock options.  All stock options granted to employees vest in equal annual installments over a three-year period and expire 10 years from the date of grant. None of our options have a performance or market condition. The following table summarizes stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2006:

Options

 

Options for
Common
Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

 

Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (years)

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2005

 

2,457,302

 

$

18.05

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

790,967

 

$

25.49

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(53,111

)

$

17.84

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

(91,994

)

$

20.51

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at September 30, 2006

 

3,103,164

 

$

19.87

 

8.0

 

$

18,805

 

Vested and exercisable at September 30, 2006

 

1,353,813

 

$

18.00

 

7.3

 

$

10,731

 

 

16





(1)          The aggregate intrinsic value was calculated based on the positive difference between the closing price of the Company’s common stock on September 30, 2006 (i.e. $25.93) and the weighted average exercise price of the underlying options.

The Company recorded $1.0 million ($0.8 million after tax) and $3.3 million ($2.5 million after tax) in share-based compensation related to stock options during Third Quarter 2006 and Nine Months 2006, respectively. As of September 30, 2006 the total unrecognized compensation expense related to outstanding non-vested stock options was $4.2 million, which will be adjusted in the future for the difference between estimated and actual forfeitures. The Company expects to recognize that expense over the weighted-average remaining service period of 1.3 years.

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted were $6.65 and $5.92 for Third Quarter 2006 and Third Quarter 2005, respectively. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted were $6.71 and $4.63 for Nine Months 2006 and Nine Months 2005, respectively. The fair value of options issued is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, with the following weighted-average assumptions used for grants in 2006 and 2005:

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

Dividend yield

 

0.6

%

0.5

%

0.5

%

0.7

%

Expected volatility

 

19.82

%

20.60

%

20.43

%

20.80

%

Risk free interest rate

 

4.9

%

4.2

%

4.6

%

4.1

%

Expected life

 

5 years

 

5 years

 

5 years

 

5 years

 

Forfeiture rate

 

6.0

%

6.0

%

6.0

%

6.0

%

 

These assumptions were based on the following:

·                  The expected dividend yield is based on the current expected annual dividend and company share price on the grant date,

·                  Expected volatility is estimated at the date of grant based on the historical share price volatility, calculated on a daily basis,

·                  The risk-free interest rate is the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with an equivalent remaining term to the granted stock options,

·                  The expected life is based on the average expected term of our guideline companies, which are defined as similar entities, since the Company has insufficient expected life data,

·                  The forfeiture rate is based on the rate used by our guideline companies, since the Company has insufficient forfeiture data. Estimated forfeitures will be reassessed at each balance sheet date and may change based on new facts and circumstances.

For options granted before January 1, 2006, the Company amortizes the fair value on an accelerated basis. For options granted on or after January 1, 2006, the Company amortizes the fair value on a straight-line basis. All options are amortized over the requisite service periods of the awards, which are generally the vesting periods, with the exception of retirement-eligible employees.  For retirement-eligible employees options are amortized over the period through the date the employee first becomes eligible to retire and is no longer required to provide service to earn part or all of the award. The Company may elect to use different assumptions under the Black-Scholes option valuation model in the future, which could materially affect the Company’s net income or earnings per share.

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during Nine Months 2006 was $0.4 million. During Nine Months 2006, $0.9 million was received from the exercise of stock options and $0.1 million related tax benefit was recorded as financing cash flow in the statement of cash flows. During Nine Months 2005, the Company recorded $4.1 million in benefits for tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation expense, which was reported as operating cash flow in the statement of cash flows. The Company has a policy of issuing new shares to satisfy stock option exercises.

17




Restricted Stock Awards

The Company has granted restricted stock awards to employees and directors of the Company. Restricted stock awards generally vest in equal annual installments over a four-year period. Restricted stock awards are amortized over the requisite service periods of the awards, which are generally the vesting periods, with the exception of retirement-eligible employees, discussed above. Prior to the adoption of FAS 123R, the Company presented restricted stock issuances on the balance sheet in common stock and additional paid-in capital with an offset in unearned stock grant compensation as a separate component of shareholders’ equity. In accordance with the provisions of FAS 123R, on January 1, 2006, the Company reclassified the balance in unearned stock grant compensation to common stock and additional paid-in capital in shareholders’ equity. The following table summarizes restricted stock award activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2006:

Nonvested Shares

 

Number of
Shares

 

Weighted Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2005

 

1,021,124

 

$

18.12

 

Granted

 

457,033

 

$

25.48

 

Vested

 

(283,138

)

$

18.06

 

Forfeited

 

(52,061

)

$

20.04

 

Nonvested at September 30, 2006

 

1,142,958

 

$

20.99

 

 

The Company recorded $2.4 million ($1.9 million after tax) and $7.1 million ($5.6 million after tax) in share-based compensation, related to restricted stock awards, during Third Quarter 2006 and Nine Months 2006, respectively. Restricted stock awards are expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. As of September 30, 2006 the total unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding nonvested restricted stock awards was $18.0 million, which the Company expects to recognize over the weighted-average remaining service period of 2.2 years.

Restricted Stock Units

The Company has granted restricted stock units to directors of the Company. Restricted stock units vest over a one-year period.

The following table summarizes restricted stock unit activity (excluding dividend equivalents) for the nine months ended September 30, 2006:

Nonvested Stock Units

 

Number of
Stock Units

 

Weighted Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2005

 

36,301

 

$

20.25

 

Granted

 

34,030

 

$

24.39

 

Vested

 

(36,301

)

$

20.25

 

Forfeited

 

 

 

Nonvested at September 30, 2006

 

34,030

 

$

24.39

 

 

The Company recorded $0.2 million ($0.2 million after tax) and $0.6 million ($0.6 million after tax) in share-based compensation during Third Quarter 2006 and Nine Months 2006, respectively. The compensation for restricted stock units is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. As of September 30, 2006, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding nonvested restricted stock units was $0.5 million, which the Company expects to recognize over the weighted-average remaining service period of 0.6 years.

18




Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Participation in the Stock Purchase Plan is available to all eligible employees. Maximum annual purchases by participants are limited to the number of whole shares that can be purchased by an amount equal to 10 percent of the participant’s compensation or, if less, shares having a value of $25,000. Participants may purchase shares at a purchase price equal to 85 percent of the lesser of the fair market value of the stock on the first day or the last day of the subscription period. The Company recorded $30,000 ($22,000 after tax) and $94,000 ($67,000 after tax) in share-based compensation during Third Quarter 2006 and Nine Months 2006, respectively.

9. Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”):

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

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

 

Net income as reported

 

$

37,902

 

$

39,185

 

$

117,298

 

$

150,283

 

Basic shares

 

73,187

 

73,868

 

73,523

 

74,044

 

Effect of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock awards

 

982

 

583

 

960

 

436

 

Diluted shares

 

74,169

 

74,451

 

74,483

 

74,480

 

Basic EPS

 

$

0.52

 

$

0.53

 

$

1.60

 

$

2.03

 

Diluted EPS

 

$

0.51

 

$

0.53

 

$

1.57

 

$

2.02

 

 

10.  Liability For Tax Basis Step-Up Adjustment

In connection with the IPO, the Company and ACE Financial Services Inc. (“AFS”), a subsidiary of ACE,  entered into a tax allocation agreement, whereby the Company and AFS made a “Section 338 (h)(10)” election that has the effect of increasing the tax basis of certain affected subsidiaries’ tangible and intangible assets to fair value.  Future tax benefits that the Company derives from the election will be payable to AFS when realized by the Company.

As a result of the election, the Company has adjusted its net deferred tax liability, to reflect the new tax basis of the Company’s affected assets. The additional basis is expected to result in increased future income tax deductions and, accordingly, may reduce income taxes otherwise payable by the Company. Any tax benefit realized by the Company will be paid to AFS. Such tax benefits will generally be calculated by comparing the Company’s affected subsidiaries’ actual taxes to the taxes that would have been owed by those subsidiaries had the increase in basis not occurred. After a 15-year period, to the extent there remains an unrealized tax benefit, the Company and AFS will negotiate a settlement of the unrealized benefit based on the expected realization at that time.

The Company initially recorded a $49.0 million reduction of its existing deferred tax liability, based on an estimate of the ultimate resolution of the Section 338(h)(10) election. Under the tax allocation agreement, the Company estimated as of the IPO date, that it was obligated to pay $20.9 million to AFS and accordingly established this amount as a liability. The initial difference, which is attributable to the change in the tax basis of certain liabilities for which there is no associated step-up in the tax basis of its assets and no amounts due to AFS, resulted in an increase to additional paid-in capital of $28.1 million during 2004. The Company has paid ACE and correspondingly reduced its liability, $5.0 million and $0.6 million for Nine Months 2006 and Nine Months 2005, respectively.

19




11.  Variable Interest Entities and Special Purpose Entities

Assured Guaranty provides financial guarantees in respect of debt obligations of special purpose entities, including variable interest entities (“VIE’s”). Assured Guaranty’s variable interest exists through this financial guaranty insurance or credit derivative contract. The transaction structure generally provides certain financial protections to Assured Guaranty.  This financial protection can take several forms, the most common are over-collateralization, first loss protection (or subordination) and excess spread.  In the case of over-collateralization (i.e. the principal amount of the securitized assets exceeds the principal amount of the structured finance obligations guaranteed by Assured Guaranty), the structure allows defaults of the securitized assets before a default is experienced on the structured finance obligation guaranteed by Assured Guaranty.  In the case of first loss, the financial guaranty insurance policy only covers a senior layer of losses of multiple obligations issued by special purpose entities, including VIE’s. The first loss exposure with respect to the assets is either retained by the seller or sold off in the form of equity or mezzanine debt to other investors. In the case of excess spread, the financial assets contributed to special purpose entities, including VIE’s, generate interest cash flows that are in excess of the interest payments on the debt issued by the special purpose entity. Such excess spread is typically distributed through the transaction’s cash flow waterfall and may be used to create additional credit enhancement, applied to redeem debt issued by the special purpose entity (thereby creating additional over-collateralization), or distributed to equity or other investors in the transaction.

There are two different accounting frameworks applicable to special purpose entities (“SPE”); the qualifying SPE (“QSPE”) framework under FAS 140; and the VIE framework under Financial Interpretation (“FIN”) 46R “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities”. The applicable framework depends on the nature of the entity and Assured Guaranty’s relation to that entity. The QSPE framework is applicable when an entity transfers (sells) financial assets to a SPE meeting certain criteria as defined in FAS 140. These criteria are designed to ensure that the activities of the entity are essentially predetermined in their entirety at the inception of the vehicle; decision making is limited and restricted to certain events, and that the transferor of the financial assets cannot exercise control over the entity and the assets therein. Entities meeting these criteria are not consolidated by the transferor or other counterparty, as long as the entity does not have the unilateral ability to liquidate or to cause it to no longer meet the QSPE criteria. SPE’s meeting all of FAS 140’s criteria for a QSPE are not within the scope of FIN 46 and as such, need not be assessed for consolidation.  When the SPE does not meet the QSPE criteria, consolidation is assessed pursuant to FIN 46R. Under FIN 46R, a VIE is defined as an entity that is not assessed for consolidation by determining which party maintains a controlling financial interest. As such, a VIE (i) lacks enough equity investment at risk to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties, (ii) its equity owners lack the right to make significant decisions affecting the entity’s operations, and (iii) its equity owners do not have an obligation to absorb or the right to receive the entity’s losses or returns. FIN 46R requires a variable interest holder (e.g., an investor in the entity or a financial guarantor) to consolidate that VIE if that holder will absorb a majority of the expected losses of the VIE, receive a majority of the residual returns of the VIE, or both. Assured Guaranty determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE by first performing a qualitative analysis of the VIE that includes, among other factors, its capital structure, contractual terms, which variable interests create or absorb variability, related party relationships and the design of the VIE. When qualitative analysis is not conclusive Assured Guaranty performs a quantitative analysis.  To date the results of the qualitative and quantitative analyses have indicated that Assured Guaranty does not have a majority of the variability and as a result these VIE’s are not consolidated in Assured Guaranty’s financial statements.

Qualifying Special Purpose Entities:

During the third quarter of 2006, Assured Guaranty issued a financial guaranty on financial assets that were transferred into a special purpose entity for which the business purpose of that entity was to provide a financial guarantee client with funding for their debt obligation. This entity met the characteristics of a QSPE in accordance with FAS 140. QSPEs are not subject to the requirements of FIN 46R and accordingly are not consolidated in Assured Guaranty’s financial statements. QSPEs are legal entities that are demonstrably distinct from Assured Guaranty, and neither Assured Guaranty, nor its affiliates or its agents can unilaterally dissolve the QSPE. The QSPE’s permitted activities are contractually limited to purchasing assets, issuing notes to fund such

20




purchase, and related administrative services. Pursuant to the terms of Assured Guaranty’s insurance policy, insurance premiums are paid to Assured Guaranty by the QSPE and are earned in a manner consistent with other insurance policies, over the risk period. Any losses incurred would be included in Assured Guaranty’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

12.  Segment Reporting

The Company has four principal business segments: (1) financial guaranty direct, which includes transactions whereby the Company provides an unconditional and irrevocable guaranty that indemnifies the holder of a financial obligation against non-payment of principal and interest when due, and could take the form of a credit derivative; (2) financial guaranty reinsurance, which includes agreements whereby the Company is a reinsurer and agrees to indemnify a primary insurance company against part or all of the loss which the latter may sustain under a policy it has issued; (3) mortgage guaranty, which includes mortgage guaranty insurance and reinsurance whereby the Company provides protection against the default of borrowers on mortgage loans; and (4) other, which includes several lines of business in which the Company is no longer active, including, but not limited to equity layer credit protection, trade credit reinsurance and title reinsurance.

The Company does not segregate assets and liabilities at a segment level since management reviews and controls these assets and liabilities on a consolidated basis. The Company allocates operating expenses to each segment based on a comprehensive cost study. During 2006, the Company implemented a new operating expense allocation methodology to more closely allocate expenses to the individual operating segments. This new methodology was based on a comprehensive study and is based on departmental time estimates and headcount. 2005 amounts have been reclassified to show this new methodology on a comparative basis.  Management uses underwriting gains as the primary measure of each segment’s financial performance.

The following tables summarize the components of underwriting gain (loss) for each reporting segment:

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2006

 

 

 

Financial
Guaranty
Direct

 

Financial
Guaranty
Reinsurance

 

Mortgage
Guaranty

 

Other

 

Total

 

 

 

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

Gross written premiums

 

$

41.9

 

$

29.7

 

$

1.9

 

$

0.1

 

$

73.6

 

Net written premiums

 

41.5

 

29.7

 

1.9

 

 

73.1

 

Net earned premiums

 

21.8

 

25.4

 

4.9

 

 

51.9

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

(0.3

)

1.8

 

0.4

 

(1.0

)

0.9

 

Profit commission expense

 

 

0.7

 

0.9

 

 

1.6

 

Acquisition costs

 

2.1

 

8.9

 

0.3

 

 

11.3

 

Other operating expenses

 

12.2

 

3.9

 

0.4

 

 

16.5

 

Underwriting gain

 

$

7.7

 

$

10.1

 

$

2.9

 

$

1.0

 

$

21.6

 

 

21




 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2005

 

 

 

Financial
Guaranty
Direct

 

Financial
Guaranty
Reinsurance

 

Mortgage
Guaranty

 

Other

 

Total

 

 

 

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

Gross written premiums

 

$

24.9

 

$

27.3

 

$

1.7

 

$

21.6

 

$

75.6

 

Net written premiums

 

24.2

 

27.3

 

1.7

 

 

53.2

 

Net earned premiums

 

18.3

 

32.0

 

4.3

 

 

54.5

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

(4.0

)

4.3

 

0.3

 

(1.3

)

(0.8

)

Profit commission expense

 

 

1.1

 

0.9

 

 

2.0

 

Acquisition costs

 

1.6

 

11.0

 

0.4

 

 

13.0

 

Other operating expenses

 

11.9

 

2.9

 

0.3

 

 

15.0

 

Underwriting gain

 

$

8.8

 

$

12.8

 

$

2.4

 

$

1.3

 

$

25.3

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006

 

 

 

Financial
Guaranty
Direct

 

Financial
Guaranty
Reinsurance

 

Mortgage
Guaranty

 

Other

 

Total

 

 

 

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

Gross written premiums

 

$

140.5

 

$

90.2

 

$

5.7

 

$

4.0

 

$

240.5

 

Net written premiums

 

139.0

 

89.5

 

5.7

 

 

234.2

 

Net earned premiums

 

63.7

 

71.8

 

12.7

 

 

148.2

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

(4.6

)

10.3

 

0.6

 

(12.3

)

(6.0

)

Profit commission expense

 

 

2.2

 

2.5

 

 

4.7

 

Acquisition costs

 

6.4

 

26.1

 

0.9

 

 

33.4

 

Other operating expenses

 

37.6

 

10.7

 

1.0

 

 

49.3

 

Underwriting gain

 

$

24.3

 

$

22.6

 

$

7.7

 

$

12.3

 

$

66.8

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005

 

 

 

Financial
Guaranty
Direct

 

Financial
Guaranty
Reinsurance

 

Mortgage
Guaranty

 

Other

 

Total

 

 

 

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

Gross written premiums

 

$

69.6

 

$

69.5

 

$

23.0

 

$

32.0

 

$

194.1

 

Net written premiums

 

67.6

 

69.2

 

23.0

 

 

159.9

 

Net earned premiums

 

54.7

 

82.2

 

14.0

 

 

150.9

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

(0.5

)

(66.9

)

0.5

 

(2.4

)

(69.3

)

Profit commission expense

 

 

3.4

 

2.9

 

 

6.4

 

Acquisition costs

 

4.7

 

28.6

 

1.5

 

 

34.9

 

Other operating expenses

 

32.8

 

10.4

 

0.9

 

 

44.0

 

Underwriting gain

 

$

17.7

 

$

106.8

 

$

8.2

 

$

2.4

 

$

134.9

 

 

22




The following is a reconciliation of total underwriting gain to income before provision for income taxes for the periods ended:

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

Total underwriting gain

 

$

21.6

 

$

25.3

 

$

66.8

 

$

134.9

 

Net investment income

 

28.5

 

24.4

 

82.0

 

71.2

 

Net realized investment gains (losses)

 

0.1

 

0.2

 

(1.9

)

3.6

 

Unrealized (losses) gains on derivative financial instruments

 

(1.6

)

0.3

 

4.2

 

(9.1

)

Other income

 

 

0.1

 

 

0.2

 

Interest expense

 

(3.4

)

(3.4

)

(10.1

)

(10.1

)

Other expense

 

(0.6

)

(0.6

)

(1.9

)

(3.1

)

Income before provision for income taxes

 

$

44.5

 

$

46.3

 

$

139.0

 

$

187.6

 

 

The following table provides the lines of business from which each of the Company’s segments derive their net earned premiums:

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

Financial guaranty direct:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public finance

 

$

2.6

 

$

0.7

 

$

5.4

 

$

1.3

 

Structured finance

 

19.2

 

17.6

 

58.3

 

53.4

 

Total

 

21.8

 

18.3

 

63.7

 

54.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial guaranty reinsurance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public finance

 

16.9

 

21.1

 

46.9

 

44.8

 

Structured finance

 

8.5

 

10.9

 

24.9

 

37.4

 

Total

 

25.4

 

32.0

 

71.8

 

82.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage guaranty:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage guaranty

 

4.9

 

4.3

 

12.7

 

14.0

 

Total net earned premiums

 

$

51.9

 

$

54.5

 

$

148.2

 

$

150.9

 

 

The other segment had an underwriting gain of $1.0 million and $1.3 million for Third Quarter 2006 and Third Quarter 2005, respectively, and $12.3 million and $2.4 million for Nine Months 2006 and Nine Months 2005, respectively, as the equity layer credit protection business recorded loss recoveries in both periods.

23




13. Subsidiary Information

The following tables present the unaudited condensed consolidated financial information for Assured Guaranty Ltd., Assured Guaranty US Holdings Inc., of which AGC is a subsidiary and other subsidiaries of Assured Guaranty Ltd. as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2006
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

 

Assured
Guaranty Ltd.
(Parent
Company)

 

Assured
Guaranty US
Holdings Inc.

 

AG Re and
Other
Subsidiaries

 

Consolidating
Adjustments

 

Assured
Guaranty Ltd.
(Consolidated)

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investments and cash

 

$

658

 

$

1,223,581

 

$

1,170,858

 

$

 

$

2,395,097

 

Investment in subsidiaries

 

1,770,387

 

 

 

(1,770,387

)

 

Deferred acquisition costs

 

 

72,494

 

137,690

 

 

210,184

 

Reinsurance recoverable

 

 

7,352

 

4,009

 

(1,964

)

9,397

 

Goodwill

 

 

85,417

 

 

 

85,417

 

Premiums receivable

 

 

18,236

 

25,119

 

(10,075

)

33,280

 

Other

 

6,251

 

125,680

 

60,015

 

(80,472

)

111,474

 

Total assets

 

$

1,777,296

 

$

1,532,760

 

$

1,397,691

 

$

(1,862,898

)

$

2,844,849

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unearned premium reserves

 

$

 

$

250,557

 

$

421,471

 

$

(52,291

)

$

619,737

 

Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

60,008

 

58,870

 

(1,964

)

116,914

 

Profit commissions payable

 

 

3,715

 

27,264

 

 

30,979

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

46,196

 

(1,341

)

 

44,855

 

Long-term debt

 

 

197,367

 

 

 

197,367

 

Other

 

20,405

 

56,221

 

39,736

 

(38,256

)

78,106

 

Total liabilities

 

20,405

 

614,064

 

546,000

 

(92,511

)

1,087,958

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

1,756,891

 

918,696

 

851,691

 

(1,770,387

)

1,756,891

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

1,777,296

 

$

1,532,760

 

$

1,397,691

 

$

(1,862,898

)

$

2,844,849

 

 

24




CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2005
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

 

Assured
Guaranty Ltd.
(Parent
Company)

 

Assured
Guaranty US
Holdings Inc.

 

AG Re and
Other
Subsidiaries

 

Consolidating
Adjustments

 

Assured
Guaranty Ltd.
(Consolidated)

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investments and cash

 

$

163

 

$

1,116,387

 

$

1,139,463

 

$

 

$

2,256,013

 

Investment in subsidiaries

 

1,665,392

 

 

 

(1,665,392

)

 

Deferred acquisition costs

 

 

73,803

 

119,639

 

 

193,442

 

Reinsurance recoverable

 

 

11,410

 

4,108

 

(3,168

)

12,350

 

Goodwill

 

 

85,417

 

 

 

85,417

 

Premiums receivable

 

 

17,168

 

17,278

 

(1,435

)

33,011

 

Other

 

1,172

 

107,211

 

27,121

 

(26,614

)

108,890

 

Total assets

 

$

1,666,727

 

$

1,411,396

 

$

1,307,609

 

$

(1,696,609

)

$

2,689,123

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unearned premium reserves

 

$

 

$

196,435

 

$

362,273

 

$

(21,559

)

$

537,149

 

Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

63,491

 

60,896

 

(3,168

)

121,219

 

Profit commissions payable

 

 

4,237

 

48,756

 

 

52,993

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

35,997

 

(9,368

)

 

26,629

 

Long-term debt

 

 

197,344

 

 

 

197,344

 

Other

 

5,214

 

55,384

 

38,168

 

(6,490

)

92,276

 

Total liabilities

 

5,214

 

552,888

 

500,725

 

(31,217

)

1,027,610

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

1,661,513

 

858,508

 

806,884

 

(1,665,392

)

1,661,513

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

1,666,727

 

$

1,411,396

 

$

1,307,609

 

$

(1,696,609

)

$

2,689,123

 

 

25




CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2006
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

 

Assured
Guaranty Ltd.
(Parent
Company)

 

Assured
Guaranty US
Holdings Inc.

 

AG Re and
Other
Subsidiaries

 

Consolidating
Adjustments *

 

Assured
Guaranty Ltd.
(Consolidated)

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums written

 

$

 

$

32,159

 

$

40,915

 

$

 

$

73,074

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

25,396

 

26,551

 

 

51,947

 

Net investment income

 

 

14,332

 

14,150

 

(10

)

28,472

 

Net realized investment gains (losses)

 

 

209

 

(137

)

 

72

 

Unrealized (losses) gains on derivative financial instruments

 

 

(2,468

)

877

 

 

(1,591

)

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

41,647

 

 

 

(41,647

)

 

Other revenues

 

1

 

 

 

 

1

 

Total revenues

 

41,648

 

37,469

 

41,441

 

(41,657

)

78,901

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

68

 

820

 

 

888

 

Acquisition costs and other operating expenses

 

3,746

 

14,134

 

11,612

 

 

29,492

 

Other

 

 

3,975

 

 

 

3,975

 

Total expenses

 

3,746

 

18,177

 

12,432

 

 

34,355

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

 

37,902

 

19,292

 

29,009

 

(41,657

)

44,546

 

Total provision for income taxes

 

 

3,923

 

2,721

 

 

6,644

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

37,902

 

$

15,369

 

$

26,288

 

$

(41,657

)

$

37,902

 


*  - The net income in the consolidating adjustment column will not equal parent company equity in earnings of subsidiaries, due to the residual effects of the 2005 reinsurance agreement with FSA.

26




CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

 

Assured
Guaranty Ltd.
(Parent
Company)

 

Assured
Guaranty US
Holdings Inc.

 

AG Re and
Other
Subsidiaries

 

Consolidating
Adjustments *

 

Assured
Guaranty Ltd.
(Consolidated)

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums written

 

$

 

$

23,979

 

$

29,251

 

$

 

$

53,230

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

30,017

 

24,528

 

 

54,545

 

Net investment income

 

1

 

12,278

 

12,135

 

(36

)

24,378

 

Net realized investment (losses) gains

 

(1

)

223

 

(44

)

 

178

 

Unrealized (losses) gains on derivative financial instruments

 

 

(1,308

)

1,594

 

 

286

 

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

42,354

 

 

 

(42,354

)

 

Other revenues

 

 

 

147

 

 

147

 

Total revenues

 

42,354

 

41,210

 

38,360

 

(42,390

)

79,534

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

893

 

(1,683

)

 

(790

)

Acquisition costs and other operating expenses

 

3,158

 

15,975

 

10,869

 

 

30,002

 

Other

 

11

 

3,986

 

66

 

 

4,063

 

Total expenses

 

3,169

 

20,854

 

9,252

 

 

33,275

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

 

39,185

 

20,356

 

29,108

 

(42,390

)

46,259

 

Total provision for income taxes

 

 

4,327

 

2,759

 

(12

)

7,074

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

39,185

 

$

16,029

 

$

26,349

 

$

(42,378

)

$

39,185

 


* - Due to the accounting for subsidiaries under common control, net income in the consolidating adjustment column will not equal parent company equity in earnings of subsidiaries, due to the FSA agreement discussed in Note 5.

27




CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2006
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

 

Assured
Guaranty Ltd.
(Parent
Company)

 

Assured
Guaranty US
Holdings Inc.

 

AG Re and
Other
Subsidiaries

 

Consolidating
Adjustments *

 

Assured
Guaranty Ltd.
(Consolidated)

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums written

 

$

 

$

100,977

 

$

133,226

 

$

 

$

234,203

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

76,013

 

72,173

 

 

148,186

 

Net investment income

 

1

 

40,869

 

41,134

 

(39

)

81,965

 

Net realized investment losses

 

 

(1,153

)

(786

)

 

(1,939

)

Unrealized gains on derivative financial instruments

 

 

2,387

 

1,764

 

 

4,151

 

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

128,390

 

 

 

(128,390

)

 

Other revenues

 

1

 

 

23

 

 

24

 

Total revenues

 

128,392

 

118,116

 

114,308

 

(128,429

)

232,387

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

5,466

 

(11,473

)

 

(6,007

)

Acquisition costs and other operating expenses

 

11,081

 

43,014

 

33,260

 

 

87,355

 

Other

 

13

 

12,008

 

2

 

 

12,023

 

Total expenses

 

11,094

 

60,488

 

21,789

 

 

93,371

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

 

117,298

 

57,628

 

92,519

 

(128,429

)

139,016

 

Total provision for income taxes

 

 

11,827

 

9,871

 

20

 

21,718

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

117,298

 

$

45,801

 

$

82,648

 

$

(128,449

)

$

117,298

 


* - The net income in the consolidating adjustment column will not equal parent company equity in earnings of subsidiaries, due to the residual effects of the 2005 reinsurance agreement with FSA.

28




CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

 

Assured
Guaranty Ltd.
(Parent
Company)

 

Assured
Guaranty US
Holdings Inc.

 

AG Re and
Other
Subsidiaries

 

Consolidating
Adjustments *

 

Assured
Guaranty Ltd.
(Consolidated)

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums written

 

$

 

$

66,677

 

$

93,178

 

$

 

$

159,855

 

Net premiums earned

 

 

84,538

 

66,361

 

 

150,899

 

Net investment income

 

1

 

38,945

 

32,268

 

(36

)

71,178

 

Net realized investment gains

 

 

1,229

 

2,534

 

(128

)

3,635

 

Unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments

 

 

(5,004

)

(4,140

)

 

(9,144

)

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

160,629

 

 

 

(160,629

)

 

Other revenues

 

 

 

240

 

 

240

 

Total revenues

 

160,630

 

119,708

 

97,263

 

(160,793

)

216,808

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

 

(3,162

)

(66,157

)

 

(69,319

)

Acquisition costs and other operating expenses

 

10,289

 

47,711

 

25,726

 

1,532

 

85,258

 

Other

 

58

 

13,163

 

36

 

 

13,257

 

Total expenses

 

10,347

 

57,712

 

(40,395

)

1,532

 

29,196

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

 

150,283

 

61,996

 

137,658

 

(162,325

)

187,612

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total provision for income taxes

 

 

13,345

 

29,674

 

(5,690

)

37,329

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

150,283

 

$

48,651

 

$

107,984

 

$

(156,635

)

$

150,283

 


* - Due to the accounting for subsidiaries under common control, net income in the consolidating adjustment column will not equal parent company equity in earnings of subsidiaries, due to the FSA agreement discussed in Note 5.

29




CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR NINE MONTHS ENDED SPETMBER 30, 2006
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

 

Assured
Guaranty Ltd.
(Parent
Company)

 

Assured
Guaranty US
Holdings Inc.

 

AG Re and
Other
Subsidiaries

 

Consolidating
Adjustments

 

Assured
Guaranty Ltd.
(Consolidated)

 

Net cash flows provided by operating activities

 

$

32,597

 

$

110,862

 

$

38,124

 

$

 

$

181,583

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases

 

 

(385,022

)

(309,788

)

 

(694,810

)

Sales

 

 

317,664

 

273,853

 

 

591,517

 

Maturities

 

 

6,864

 

9,431

 

 

16,295

 

Purchases of short-term investments, net

 

(495

)

(40,730

)

(12,653

)

 

(53,878

)

Net cash flows used in investing activities

 

(495

)

(101,224

)

(39,157

)

 

(140,876

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repurchases of common stock

 

(20,535

)

 

 

 

(20,535

)

Dividends paid

 

(7,858

)

 

 

 

(7,858

)

Share activity under option and incentive plans

 

(1,709

)

 

 

 

(1,709

)

Tax benefit for stock options exercised

 

 

147

 

 

 

147

 

Repayment of notes assumed during formation transactions

 

(2,000

)

 

 

 

(2,000

)

Net cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities

 

(32,102

)

147

 

 

 

(31,955

)

Effect of exchange rate changes

 

 

590

 

124

 

 

714

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

10,375

 

(909

)

 

9,466

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

 

2,923

 

3,267

 

 

6,190

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

 

$

13,298

 

$

2,358

 

$

 

$

15,656

 

 

30




CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

 

Assured
Guaranty Ltd.
(Parent
Company)

 

Assured
Guaranty US
Holdings Inc.

 

AG Re and
OtherSubsidiaries

 

Consolidating
Adjustments

 

Assured
Guaranty Ltd.
(Consolidated)

 

Net cash flows provided by
(used in) operating activities

 

$

27,275

 

$

(41,232

)

$

179,131

 

$

 

$

165,174

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases

 

 

(279,070

)

(520,315

)

 

(799,385

)

Sales

 

 

265,684

 

259,594

 

 

525,278

 

Maturities

 

 

9,000

 

5,000

 

 

14,000

 

Sales (purchases) of short-term investments, net

 

(324

)

37,321

 

76,026

 

 

113,023

 

Net cash flows (used in) provided by investing activities

 

(324

)

32,935

 

(179,695

)

 

(147,084

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repurchases of common stock

 

(19,014

)

 

 

 

(19,014

)

Dividends paid

 

(6,768

)

 

 

 

(6,768

)

Share activity under options and incentive plans

 

(1,169

)

 

 

 

(1,169

)

Net cash flows used in financing activities

 

(26,951

)

 

 

 

(26,951

)

Effect of exchange rate changes

 

 

(221

)

(831

)

 

(1,052

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(8,518

)

(1,395

)

 

(9,913

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

 

12,096

 

4,882

 

 

16,978

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

 

$

3,578

 

$

3,487

 

$

 

$

7,065

 

 

14.  Subsequent Event

On November 6, 2006, the Company, AGC, AG Re, AGRO, and AG (UK) (the “borrowers”), entered into a $300.0 million, 5-year revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) with a syndicate of banks. Borrowings by the Company, AG Re and AGRO will be limited to an aggregate principal amount at any time not to exceed $100.0 million and AG (UK) will be limited to an aggregate principal amount of $20.0 million. The Company will guarantee the obligations of AG Re and AGRO; AG Re, AGRO and Assured Guaranty Overseas U.S. Holdings Inc. will guarantee the obligations of the Company; AGC will guarantee the obligations of AG (UK). The Facility shall be available for general corporate purposes, including the issuance of letters of credit. The borrowers have the option to increase the aggregate commitments under the Facility by up to $100.0 million. Borrowings under the Facility, if any, will be charged interest, in accordance with the terms of the agreement. Covenants under this Facility are comparable to those under the $300.0 million credit facility discussed in Note 7. This Facility replaces the $300.0 million credit facility discussed in Note 7.

31




Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-Looking Statements

This Form 10-Q contains information that includes or is based upon forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements give Assured Guaranty Ltd.’s (hereafter “Assured Guaranty,” “we,” “our” or the “Company”) expectations or forecasts of future events. You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and relate to future operating or financial performance.

Any or all of Assured Guaranty’s forward-looking statements herein may turn out to be wrong and are based on current expectations and the current economic environment. Assured Guaranty’s actual results may vary materially. Among factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are: (1) downgrades of the financial strength ratings assigned by the major rating agencies to any of our insurance subsidiaries at any time, which has occurred in the past; (2) our inability to execute our business strategy; (3) reduction in the amount of reinsurance ceded by one or more of our principal ceding companies; (4) contract cancellations; (5) developments in the world’s financial and capital markets that adversely affect our loss experience, the demand for our products or our investment returns; (6) more severe or frequent losses associated with our insurance products; (7) changes in regulation or tax laws applicable to us, our subsidiaries or customers; (8) governmental action; (9) natural catastrophes; (10) dependence on customers; (11) decreased demand for our insurance or reinsurance products or increased competition in our markets; (12) loss of key personnel; (13) technological developments; (14) the effects of mergers, acquisitions and divestitures; (15) changes in accounting policies or practices; (16) changes in general economic conditions, including interest rates and other factors; (17) other risks and uncertainties that have not been identified at this time; and (18) management’s response to these factors. Assured Guaranty is not obligated to publicly correct or update any forward-looking statement if we later become aware that it is not likely to be achieved, except as required by law. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Executive Summary

Assured Guaranty Ltd. is a Bermuda-based holding company which provides, through its operating subsidiaries, credit enhancement products to the public finance, structured finance and mortgage markets. We apply our credit expertise, risk management skills and capital markets experience to develop insurance, reinsurance and credit derivative products that meet the credit enhancement needs of our customers. We market our products directly and through financial institutions. We serve the U.S. and international markets.

Our financial results include four principal business segments: financial guaranty direct, financial guaranty reinsurance, mortgage guaranty and other. The other segment consists of a number of businesses that we exited in connection with our 2004 initial public offering (“IPO”).

We derive our revenues principally from premiums from our insurance, reinsurance and credit derivative businesses, net investment income, net realized gains and losses from our investment portfolio and unrealized gains and losses on derivative financial instruments. Our premiums are a function of the amount and type of contracts we write as well as prevailing market prices. We receive premiums on an upfront basis when the policy is issued or the contract is executed and/or on an installment basis over the life of the applicable transaction.

Investment income is a function of invested assets and the yield that we earn on those assets. The investment yield is a function of market interest rates at the time of investment as well as the type, credit quality and maturity of our invested assets. In addition, we could realize capital losses on securities in our investment portfolio from other than temporary declines in market value as a result of changing market conditions, including changes in market interest rates, and changes in the credit quality of our invested assets.

Unrealized gains and losses on derivative financial instruments are a function of changes in the estimated fair value of our credit derivative contracts. We expect these unrealized gains and losses to fluctuate primarily based on changes in credit spreads and the credit quality of the referenced entities. We generally hold these derivative contracts to maturity. Where we hold a derivative contract to maturity, the cumulative unrealized gains and losses will net to zero if we incur no credit losses on that contract.

32




Our expenses consist primarily of losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”), profit commission expense, acquisition costs, operating expenses, interest expense and income taxes. Losses and LAE are a function of the amount and types of business we write. Losses and LAE are based upon estimates of the ultimate aggregate losses inherent in the portfolio. The risks we take have a low expected frequency of loss and are investment grade at the time we accept the risk. Prior to the IPO, the majority of the risks we underwrote were investment grade, however, some risks accepted were below investment grade. Profit commission expense represents payments made to ceding companies generally based on the profitability of the business reinsured by us. Acquisition costs are related to the production of new business. Certain acquisition costs that vary with and are directly attributable to the production of new business are deferred and recognized over the period in which the related premiums are earned. Operating expenses consist primarily of salaries and other employee-related costs, various outside service providers, rent and related costs and other expenses related to maintaining a holding company structure. These costs do not vary with the amount of premiums written.  Interest expense is a function of outstanding debt and the contractual interest rate related to that debt. Income taxes are a function of our profitability and the applicable tax rate in the various jurisdictions in which we do business.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include amounts that, either by their nature or due to requirements of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), are determined using estimates and assumptions. The actual amounts realized could ultimately be materially different from the amounts currently provided for in our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements. We believe the items requiring the most inherently subjective and complex estimates to be reserves for losses and LAE, valuation of derivative financial instruments, valuation of investments, other than temporary impairments of investments, premium revenue recognition, deferred acquisition costs and deferred income taxes. An understanding of our accounting policies for these items is of critical importance to understanding our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements. The following discussion provides more information regarding the estimates and assumptions used for these items and should be read in conjunction with the notes to our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

Reserves for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses for non-derivative transactions in our financial guaranty direct, financial guaranty assumed reinsurance and mortgage guaranty business include case reserves and portfolio reserves. See the “—Valuation of Derivative Financial Instruments” for more information on our derivative transactions. Case reserves are established when there is significant credit deterioration on specific insured obligations and the obligations are in default or default is probable, not necessarily upon non-payment of principal or interest by an insured. Case reserves represent the present value of expected future loss payments and LAE, net of estimated recoveries, but before considering ceded reinsurance. This reserving method is different from case reserves established by traditional property and casualty insurance companies, which establish case reserves upon notification of a claim and establish incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) reserves for the difference between actuarially estimated ultimate losses and recorded case reserves. Financial guaranty insurance and assumed reinsurance case reserves and related salvage and subrogation, if any, are discounted at 6%, which is the approximate taxable equivalent yield on our investment portfolio in all periods presented.

We record portfolio reserves in our financial guaranty direct, financial guaranty assumed reinsurance and mortgage guaranty business. Portfolio reserves are established with respect to the portion of our business for which case reserves have not been established. Portfolio reserves are not established for quota share mortgage insurance contract types, all of which are in run-off, rather IBNR reserves have been established for these contracts.

Portfolio reserves are not established based on a specific event, rather they are calculated by aggregating the portfolio reserve calculated for each individual transaction. Individual transaction reserves are calculated on a quarterly basis by multiplying the par in-force by the product of the ultimate loss and earning factors without regard to discounting. The ultimate loss factor is defined as the frequency of loss multiplied by the severity of loss, where the frequency is defined as the probability of default for each individual issue. The earning factor is inception to date earned premium divided by the estimated ultimate written premium for each transaction. The probability of default is estimated from historical rating agency data and is based on the transaction’s credit rating, industry sector and

33




time until maturity. The severity is defined as the complement of historical recovery/salvage rates gathered by the rating agencies of defaulting issues and is based on the industry sector.

Portfolio reserves are recorded gross of reinsurance. We have not ceded any amounts under these reinsurance contracts.

The Company records an incurred loss that is reflected in the statement of operations upon the establishment of portfolio reserves. When we initially record a case reserve, we reclassify the corresponding portfolio reserve already recorded for that credit within the balance sheet. The difference between the initially recorded case reserve and the reclassified portfolio reserve is recorded as a charge in our statement of operations. It would be a remote occurrence when the case reserve is not greater than the reclassified portfolio reserve. Any subsequent change in portfolio reserves or the initial case reserves is recorded quarterly as a charge or credit in our statement of operations in the period such estimates change. Due to the inherent uncertainties of estimating loss and LAE reserves, actual experience may differ from the estimates reflected in our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, and the differences may be material.

The chart below demonstrates the portfolio reserve’s sensitivity to frequency and severity assumptions. The change in these estimates represent management’s estimate of reasonably possible material changes and are based upon our analysis of historical experience. Portfolio reserves were recalculated with changes made to the default and severity assumptions. In all scenarios, the starting point used to test the portfolio reserve’s sensitivity to the changes in the frequency and severity assumptions was the weighted average frequency and severity by rating and asset class of our insured portfolio. Overall the weighted average default frequency was 0.87% and the weighted average severity was 17.7 % at September 30, 2006. For example, in the first scenario where the frequency was increased by 5.0%, each transaction’s contribution to the portfolio reserve was recalculated by adding 0.04 % (i.e. 5.0% multiplied by 0.87%) to the individual transaction’s default frequency.

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

Portfolio
Reserve

 

Reserve
Increase

 

Percentage
Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Portfolio reserve as of September 30, 2006

 

$  67,986

 

$         —

 

 

5% Frequency Increase

 

72,541

 

4,555

 

6.70

%

10% Frequency Increase

 

77,105

 

9,119

 

13.41

%

5% Severity Increase

 

71,374

 

3,388

 

4.98

%

10% Severity Increase

 

74,773

 

6,787

 

9.98

%

5% Frequency and Severity Increase

 

76,181

 

8,195

 

12.05

%

 

In addition to analyzing the sensitivity of our portfolio reserves to possible changes in frequency and severity, we have also performed a sensitivity analysis on our financial guaranty and mortgage guaranty case reserves. Case reserves may change from our original estimate due to changes in severity factors. An actuarial analysis of the historical development of our case reserves shows that it is reasonably possible that our case reserves could develop by as much as ten percent. This analysis was performed by separately evaluating the historical development by comparing the initial case reserve established to the subsequent development in that case reserve, excluding the effects of discounting, for each sector in which we currently have significant case reserves, and estimating the possible future development. Based on this analysis, it is reasonably possible that our current financial guaranty and mortgage guaranty case reserves of $30.7 million could increase by approximately $3.0 million to $4.0 million in the future. This would cause an increase in incurred losses on our statement of operations and comprehensive income.

A sensitivity analysis is not appropriate for our other segment reserves and our mortgage guaranty IBNR, since the amounts are fully reserved or reinsured.

We also record IBNR reserves for our mortgage guaranty and other segments. IBNR is an estimate of losses for which the insured event has occurred but the claim has not yet been reported to us. In establishing IBNR, we use traditional actuarial methods to estimate the reporting lag of such claims based on historical experience, claim reviews and information reported by ceding companies. We record IBNR for mortgage guaranty quota-share reinsurance contracts, all of which are in run-off, within our mortgage guaranty segment. We also record IBNR for

34




title reinsurance, auto residual value reinsurance and trade credit reinsurance within our other segment. The other segment represents lines of business we have exited or sold prior to the IPO.

For all other mortgage guaranty transactions we record portfolio reserves in a manner consistent with our financial guaranty business. While other mortgage guaranty insurance companies do not record portfolio reserves, rather just case and IBNR reserves, we record portfolio reserves because we write business on an excess of loss basis, while other industry participants write quota share or first layer loss business. We manage and underwrite this business in the same manner as our financial guaranty insurance and reinsurance business because they have similar characteristics as insured obligations of mortgage-backed securities.

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“FAS”) No. 60, “Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises” (“FAS 60”) is the authoritative guidance for an insurance enterprise. FAS 60 prescribes differing reserving methodologies depending on whether a contract fits within its definition of a short-duration contract or a long-duration contract. Financial guaranty contracts have elements of long-duration insurance contracts in that they are irrevocable and extend over a period that may exceed 30 years or more, but for regulatory purposes are reported as property and liability insurance, which are normally considered short-duration contracts. The short-duration and long-duration classifications have different methods of accounting for premium revenue and contract liability recognition. Additionally, the accounting for deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”) could be different under the two methods.

We believe the guidance of FAS 60 does not expressly address the distinctive characteristics of financial guaranty insurance, so we also apply the analogous guidance of Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 85-20, “Recognition of Fees for Guaranteeing a Loan” (“EITF 85-20”), which provides guidance relating to the recognition of fees for guaranteeing a loan, which has similarities to financial guaranty insurance contracts. Under the guidance in EITF 85-20, the guarantor should assess the probability of loss on an ongoing basis to determine if a liability should be recognized under FAS No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies” (“FAS 5”). FAS 5 requires that a loss be recognized where it is probable that one or more future events will occur confirming that a liability has been incurred at the date of the financial statements and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated.

The following tables summarize our reserves for losses and LAE by segment, by type of reserve and by segment and type of reserve as of the dates presented. For an explanation of changes in these reserves see “—Consolidated Results of Operations.”

 

September 30,
2006

 

December 31,
2005

 

 

 

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

By segment:

 

 

 

 

 

Financial guaranty direct

 

$             6.6

 

$           13.1

 

Financial guaranty reinsurance

 

88.9

 

86.3

 

Mortgage guaranty

 

7.2

 

7.0

 

Other

 

14.2

 

14.8

 

Total

 

$         116.9

 

$         121.2

 

 

 

September 30,
2006

 

December 31,
2005

 

 

 

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

By type of reserve:

 

 

 

 

 

Case

 

$           37.3

 

$           45.9

 

IBNR

 

11.6

 

11.6

 

Portfolio

 

68.0

 

63.7

 

Total

 

$         116.9

 

$         121.2

 

 

35




 

 

 

As of September 30, 2006

 

 

 

Financial
Guaranty
Direct

 

Financial
Guaranty
Reinsurance

 

Mortgage
Guaranty

 

Other

 

Total

 

 

 

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

By segment and type of reserve:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Case

 

$            —

 

$         30.5

 

$           0.2

 

$           6.6

 

$         37.3

 

IBNR

 

 

 

4.0

 

7.6

 

11.6

 

Portfolio

 

6.6

 

58.4

 

3.0

 

 

68.0

 

Total

 

$           6.6

 

$         88.9

 

$           7.2

 

$         14.2

 

$       116.9

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2005

 

 

 

Financial
Guaranty
Direct

 

Financial
Guaranty
Reinsurance

 

Mortgage
Guaranty

 

Other

 

Total

 

 

 

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

By segment and type of reserve:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Case

 

$           4.5

 

$         33.8

 

$           0.3

 

$           7.3

 

$         45.9

 

IBNR

 

 

 

4.1

 

7.5

 

11.6

 

Portfolio

 

8.6

 

52.5

 

2.6

 

 

63.7

 

Total

 

$         13.1

 

$         86.3

 

$           7.0

 

$         14.8

 

$       121.2

 

 

The following table sets forth the financial guaranty in-force portfolio by underlying rating:

 

 

As of September 30, 2006

 

As of December 31, 2005

 

Ratings(1)

 

Net par
outstanding

 

% of Net par
outstanding

 

Net par
outstanding

 

% of Net par
outstanding

 

 

 

(in billions of U.S. dollars)

 

AAA

 

$          48.3

 

39.7

%

$          34.5

 

33.7

%

AA

 

20.9

 

17.2

%

20.0

 

19.5

%

A

 

33.4

 

27.5

%

30.3

 

29.5

%

BBB

 

17.8

 

14.6

%

16.4

 

16.0

%

Below investment grade

 

1.2

 

1.0

%

1.3

 

1.3

%

Total exposures

 

$        121.6

 

100.0

%

$        102.5

 

100.0

%

 


(1)                                  These ratings represent the Company’s internal assessment of the underlying credit quality of the insured obligations. Our scale is comparable to that of the nationally recognized rating agencies.

Our surveillance department is responsible for monitoring our portfolio of credits and maintains a list of closely monitored credits (“CMC”). The closely monitored credits are divided into four categories: Category 1 (low priority; fundamentally sound, greater than normal risk); Category 2 (medium priority; weakening credit profile, may result in loss); Category 3 (high priority; claim/default probable, case reserve established); Category 4 (claim paid, case reserve established for future payments). The closely monitored credits include all below investment grade (“BIG”) exposures where there is a material amount of exposure (generally greater than $10.0 million) or a material risk of the Company incurring a loss greater than $0.5 million. The closely monitored credits also include investment grade (“IG”) risks where credit quality is deteriorating and where, in the view of the Company, there is significant potential that the risk quality will fall below investment grade. The closely monitored credits include approximately 97% of our BIG exposure, and the remaining BIG exposure of $36.4 million is distributed across 70 different credits, as of September 30, 2006. As of December 31, 2005, the closely monitored credits include approximately 96% of our BIG exposure, and the remaining BIG exposure of $55.2 million is distributed across 103 different credits. Other than those excluded BIG credits, credits that are not included in the closely monitored credit list are categorized as fundamentally sound risks.

36




The following table provides financial guaranty net par outstanding by credit monitoring category as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005:

 

As of September 30, 2006

 

Description:

 

Net Par
Outstanding

 

% of Net Par
Outstanding

 

# of Credits
in Category

 

Case
Reserves

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Fundamentally sound risk(1)

 

$    120,215

 

98.9

%

 

 

 

 

Closely monitored:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Category 1

 

857

 

0.7

%

39

 

$            —

 

Category 2

 

322

 

0.3

%

15

 

 

Category 3

 

126

 

0.1

%

18

 

17

 

Category 4

 

23

 

 

12

 

15

 

Sub total

 

1,328

 

1.1

%

84

 

32

 

Other below investment grade risk

 

36

 

 

70

 

 

Total

 

$    121,579

 

100.0

%

 

 

$             32

 

 


(1)           As of September 30, 2006, Category 1 contains 6 credits with net par outstanding of $100.0 million and Category 2 contains 3 credits with net par outstanding of $9.9 million related to Hurricane Katrina.

 

As of December 31, 2005

 

Description:

 

Net Par
Outstanding

 

% of Net Par
Outstanding

 

# of Credits
in Category

 

Case
Reserves

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Fundamentally sound risk(1)

 

$    100,951

 

98.6

%

 

 

 

 

Closely monitored:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Category 1

 

872

 

0.9

%

36

 

$            —

 

Category 2

 

433

 

0.4

%

22

 

 

Category 3

 

131

 

0.1

%

15

 

16

 

Category 4

 

23

 

 

11

 

15

 

Sub total

 

1,459

 

1.4

%

84

 

31

 

Other below investment grade risk

 

55

 

 

103

 

 

Total

 

$    102,465

 

100.0

%

 

 

$             31

 

 


(1)           As of December 31, 2005, Category 1 contains 4 credits with net par outstanding of $44.8 million and Category 2 contains 7 credits with net par outstanding of $80.6 million related to Hurricane Katrina.

37




The following table summarizes movements in CMC exposure by risk category:

Net Par
Outstanding

 

Category 1

 

Category 2

 

Category 3

 

Category 4

 

Total
CMC

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Balance, December 31, 2005

 

$       872

 

$       433

 

$       131

 

$         23

 

$    1,459

 

Less: Amortization

 

175

 

(23

)

39

 

2

 

193

 

Add: Additions from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First time on CMC

 

364

 

3

 

16

 

 

383

 

Upgrades

 

140

 

16

 

 

 

156

 

Downgrades

 

 

30

 

91

 

2

 

123

 

Less: Deletions from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upgrades

 

314

 

92

 

71

 

 

477

 

Downgrades

 

30

 

91

 

2

 

 

123

 

Net Change

 

(15

)

(111

)

(5

)

 

(131

)

Balance, September 30, 2006

 

$       857

 

$       322

 

$       126

 

$         23

 

$    1,328

 

 

Industry Methodology

The Company is aware that there are certain differences regarding the measurement of portfolio loss liabilities among companies in the financial guaranty industry. In January and February 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) staff had discussions concerning these differences with a number of industry participants. Based on those discussions, in June 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) staff decided additional guidance is necessary regarding financial guaranty contracts. When the FASB staff reaches a conclusion on this issue the Company and the rest of the financial guaranty industry may be required to change some aspects of their loss reserving policies, but the Company cannot currently assess how the FASB or SEC staffs’ ultimate resolution of this issue will impact our reserving policy or other balances, i.e., premiums and Deferred Acquisition Costs (“DAC”). Until the issue is resolved, the Company intends to continue to apply its existing policy with respect to the establishment of both case and portfolio reserves.

Valuation of Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company follows FAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 133”) and FAS No. 149, “Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 149”), which establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments. FAS 133 and FAS 149 require recognition of all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value.

We issue credit derivative financial instruments, which prior to 2004 included a few index-based derivative financial instruments, that we view as an extension of our financial guaranty business but which do not qualify for the financial guaranty insurance scope exception under FAS 133 and FAS 149 and therefore are reported at fair value, with changes in fair value included in our earnings.

Since we view these derivative contracts as an extension of our financial guaranty business, we believe that the most meaningful presentation of these derivatives is to reflect revenue as earned premium, to record estimates of losses and LAE on specific credit events as incurred and to record changes in fair value as incurred. Reserves for losses and LAE are established on a similar basis as our insurance policies. Other changes in fair value are included in unrealized gains and losses on derivative financial instruments. We generally hold derivative contracts to maturity. However, in certain circumstances such as for risk management purposes or as a result of a decision to exit a line of business, we may decide to terminate a derivative contract prior to maturity. Where we hold a derivative contract to maturity, the cumulative unrealized gains and losses will net to zero if we incur no credit losses on that contract. However, in the event that we terminate a derivative contract prior to maturity the unrealized gain or loss will be realized through premiums earned and losses incurred.

38




The fair value of these instruments depends on a number of factors including credit spreads, changes in interest rates, recovery rates and the credit ratings of referenced entities. Where available, we use quoted market prices to determine the fair value of these credit derivatives. If the quoted prices are not available, particularly for senior layer collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”) and equity layer credit protection, the fair value is estimated using valuation models for each type of credit protection. These models may be developed by third parties, such as rating agencies, or developed internally based on market conventions for similar transactions, depending on the circumstances. These models and the related assumptions are continuously reevaluated by management and enhanced, as appropriate, based upon improvements in modeling techniques and availability of more timely market information. The majority of our single name credit derivatives were valued using third-party market quotes. These exposures were substantially liquidated in the first quarter of 2005 as we are no longer involved in the single name credit derivatives business. Our exposures to CDOs are typically valued using a combination of rating agency models and internally developed models.

Valuation models include the use of management estimates and current market information. Management is also required to make assumptions on how the fair value of derivative instruments is affected by current market conditions. Management considers factors such as current prices charged for similar agreements, performance of underlying assets, and our ability to obtain reinsurance for our insured obligations. Due to the inherent uncertainties of the assumptions used in the valuation models to determine the fair value of these derivative products, actual experience may differ from the estimates reflected in our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, and the differences may be material.

During the first quarter 2005 review of its valuation models, management identified a limitation in its valuation models highlighted by the then widening credit spread environment. Management adjusted its valuation models for this limitation in the first quarter 2005 resulting in an adjustment to unrealized gains on derivative financial instruments of $4.3 million, net of income taxes. Management continues to perform additional analysis, as necessary, to address market anomalies and their effect on its valuation models.

The fair value adjustment recognized in our statements of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2006 (“Third Quarter 2006”) was a $(1.6) million loss compared with a $0.3 million gain for the three months ended September 30, 2005 (“Third Quarter 2005”). The fair value adjustment recognized in our statements of operations for Nine Months ended September 30, 2006 (“Nine Months 2006”) was a $4.2 million gain compared with a $(9.1) million loss for Nine Months ended September 30, 2005 (“Nine Months 2005”).  The change in fair value is related to many factors but primarily due to narrowing in credit spreads.

Valuation of Investments

As of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, we had total investments of $2.4 billion and $2.2 billion, respectively. The fair values of all of our investments are calculated from independent market quotations.

As of September 30, 2006, approximately 93% of our investments were long-term fixed maturity securities, and our portfolio had an average duration of 4.0 years, compared with 95% and 4.4 years as of December 31, 2005. Changes in interest rates affect the value of our fixed maturity portfolio. As interest rates fall, the fair value of fixed maturity securities increases and as interest rates rise, the fair value of fixed maturity securities decreases.

Other Than Temporary Impairments

We have a formal review process for all securities in our investment portfolio, including a review for impairment losses. Factors considered when assessing impairment include:

·                  a decline in the market value of a security by 20% or more below amortized cost for a continuous period of at least six months;

·                  a decline in the market value of a security for a continuous period of 12 months;

·                  recent credit downgrades of the applicable security or the issuer by rating agencies;

39




·                  the financial condition of the applicable issuer;

·                  whether scheduled interest payments are past due; and

·                  whether we have the ability and intent to hold the security for a sufficient period of time to allow for anticipated recoveries in fair value.

If we believe a decline in the value of a particular investment is temporary, we record the decline as an unrealized loss on our balance sheet in “accumulated other comprehensive income” in shareholders’ equity. If we believe the decline is “other than temporary,” we write down the carrying value of the investment and record a realized loss in our statement of operations. Our assessment of a decline in value includes management’s current assessment of the factors noted above. If that assessment changes in the future, we may ultimately record a loss after having originally concluded that the decline in value was temporary.

The Company had no write downs of investments for other than temporary impairment losses for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2006 and 2005.

The following table summarizes the unrealized losses in our investment portfolio by type of security and the length of time such securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of the dates indicated:

 

 

As of September 30, 2006

 

As of December 31, 2005

 

Length of Time in Continuous Unrealized
Loss

 

Estimated
Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Estimated
Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Municipal securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0-6 months

 

$           7.7

 

$            —

 

$       103.2

 

$          (0.9

)

7-12 months

 

1.4

 

 

11.9

 

(0.3

)

Greater than 12 months

 

45.6

 

(0.5

)

13.1

 

(0.4

)

 

 

54.7

 

(0.5

)

128.2

 

(1.6

)

Corporate securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0-6 months

 

56.7

 

(0.6

)

21.4

 

(0.4

)

7-12 months

 

6.7

 

(0.1

)

13.4

 

(0.2

)

Greater than 12 months

 

45.7

 

(1.2

)

16.8

 

(0.7

)

 

 

109.1

 

(1.9

)

51.6

 

(1.3

)

U.S. Government obligations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0-6 months

 

 

 

160.5

 

(0.8

)

7-12 months

 

51.1

 

(0.5

)

8.7

 

(0.2

)

Greater than 12 months

 

66.8

 

(1.0

)

13.2

 

(0.4

)

 

 

117.9

 

(1.5

)

182.4

 

(1.4

)

Mortgage and asset-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0-6 months

 

22.4

 

 

318.8

 

(4.7

)

7-12 months

 

88.5

 

(0.7

)

136.8

 

(2.6

)

Greater than 12 months

 

424.8

 

(10.9

)

89.7

 

(2.9

)

 

 

535.7

 

(11.6

)

545.3

 

(10.2

)

Total

 

$       817.4

 

$        (15.5

)

$       907.5

 

$        (14.5

)

 

40




The following table summarizes the unrealized losses in our investment portfolio by type of security and remaining time to maturity as of the dates indicated:

 

 

As of September 30, 2006

 

As of December 31, 2005

 

Remaining Time to Maturity

 

Estimated
Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Estimated
Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Municipal securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due in one year or less

 

$            —

 

$            —

 

$            —

 

$            —

 

Due after one year through five years

 

7.7

 

 

0.3

 

 

Due after five years through ten years

 

35.0

 

(0.4

)

60.1

 

(1.2

)

Due after ten years

 

12.0

 

(0.1

)

67.8

 

(0.4

)

 

 

54.7

 

(0.5

)

128.2

 

(1.6

)

Corporate securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due in one year or less

 

6.6

 

 

 

 

Due after one year through five years

 

95.0

 

(1.5

)

44.3

 

(1.0

)

Due after five years through ten years

 

5.4

 

(0.1

)

4.2

 

 

Due after ten years

 

2.1

 

(0.3

)

3.1

 

(0.3

)

 

 

109.1

 

(1.9

)

51.6

 

(1.3

)

U.S. Government obligations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due in one year or less

 

12.0

 

(0.1

)

57.8

 

(0.2

)

Due after one year through five years

 

6.2

 

(0.1

)

39.5

 

(0.3

)

Due after five years through ten years

 

47.8

 

(0.6

)

45.2

 

(0.6

)

Due after ten years

 

51.9

 

(0.7

)

39.9

 

(0.3

)

 

 

117.9

 

(1.5

)

182.4

 

(1.4

)

Mortgage and asset-backed securities

 

535.7

 

(11.6

)

545.3

 

(10.2

)

Total

 

$       817.4

 

$        (15.5

)

$       907.5

 

$        (14.5

)

 

41




The following table summarizes, for all securities sold at a loss through September 30, 2006 and 2005, the fair value and realized loss by length of time such securities were in a continuous unrealized loss position prior to the date of sale:

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Length of Time in Continuous Unrealized Loss Prior to
Sale

 

Estimated
Fair
Value

 

Gross
Realized
Losses

 

Estimated
Fair
Value

 

Gross
Realized
Losses

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Municipal securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0-6 months

 

$           16.2

 

$            (0.1

)

$              —

 

$              —

 

7-12 months

 

3.8

 

(0.1

)

 

 

Greater than 12 months

 

10.7

 

(0.5

)

 

 

 

 

30.7

 

(0.7

)

 

 

Corporate securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0-6 months

 

 

 

 

 

7-12 months

 

 

 

 

 

Greater than 12 months

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0-6 months

 

19.8

 

(0.1

)

46.1

 

(0.2

)

7-12 months

 

3.7

 

 

2.0

 

 

Greater than 12 months

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

23.5

 

(0.1

)

48.2

 

(0.2

)

Mortgage and asset-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0-6 months

 

 

 

7.9

 

 

7-12 months

 

 

 

 

 

Greater than 12 months

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.9

 

 

Total

 

$           54.2

 

$            (0.8

)

$           56.1

 

$            (0.2

)

 

42




 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Length of Time in Continuous Unrealized Loss Prior to
Sale

 

Estimated
Fair
Value

 

Gross
Realized
Losses

 

Estimated
Fair
Value

 

Gross
Realized
Losses

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Municipal securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0-6 months

 

$     34.4

 

$      (0.2

)

$     20.7

 

$        —

 

7-12 months

 

22.8

 

(0.5

)

5.5

 

(0.1

)

Greater than 12 months

 

14.0

 

(0.6

)

 

 

 

 

71.2

 

(1.3

)

26.2

 

(0.1

)

Corporate securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0-6 months

 

 

 

5.3

 

 

7-12 months

 

 

 

5.4

 

(0.1

)

Greater than 12 months

 

1.9

 

(0.1

)

8.4

 

(0.3

)

 

 

1.9

 

(0.1

)

19.1

 

(0.4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0-6 months

 

137.3

 

(2.1

)

66.4

 

(0.3

)

7-12 months

 

80.2

 

(0.7

)

6.9

 

(0.1

)

Greater than 12 months

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

217.5

 

(2.8

)

73.4

 

(0.4

)

Mortgage and asset-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0-6 months

 

31.0

 

(0.1

)

24.9

 

(0.3

)

7-12 months

 

9.1

 

(0.1

)

1.8

 

 

Greater than 12 months

 

 

 

3.3

 

(0.2

)

 

 

40.1

 

(0.2

)

30.0

 

(0.5

)

Total

 

$   330.7

 

$      (4.4

)

$   148.7

 

$      (1.4

)

 

43




Premium Revenue Recognition

Premiums are received either upfront or in installments. Upfront premiums are earned in proportion to the expiration of the amount at risk. Each installment premium is earned ratably over its installment period, generally one year or less. Premium earnings under both the upfront and installment revenue recognition methods are based upon and are in proportion to the principal amount guaranteed and therefore result in higher premium earnings during periods where guaranteed principal is higher. For insured bonds for which the par value outstanding is declining during the insurance period, upfront premium earnings are greater in the earlier periods thus matching revenue recognition with the underlying risk. The premiums are allocated in accordance with the principal amortization schedule of the related bond issue and are earned ratably over the amortization period. When an insured issue is retired early, is called by the issuer, or is in substance paid in advance through a refunding accomplished by placing U.S. Government securities in escrow, the remaining unearned premium reserves are earned at that time. Unearned premium reserves represent the portion of premiums written that is applicable to the unexpired amount at risk of insured bonds.

In our reinsurance businesses, we estimate the ultimate written and earned premiums to be received from a ceding company at the end of each quarter and the end of each year because some of our ceding companies report premium data anywhere from 30 to 90 days after the end of the relevant period. Written premiums reported in our statement of operations are based upon reports received from ceding companies supplemented by our own estimates of premium for which ceding company reports have not yet been received. As of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, the assumed premium estimate and related ceding commissions included in our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements were $16.0 million and $5.0 million and $14.3 million and $4.5 million,  respectively. Key assumptions used to arrive at management’s best estimate of assumed premiums are premium amounts reported historically and informal communications with ceding companies. Differences between such estimates and actual amounts are recorded in the period in which the actual amounts are determined. Historically, the differences have not been material. We do not record a provision for doubtful accounts related to our assumed premium estimate. Historically there have not been any material issues related to the collectibility of assumed premium. No provision for doubtful accounts related to our premium receivable was recorded for 2006 or 2005.

Deferred Acquisition Costs

Acquisition costs incurred, other than those associated with credit derivative products, that vary with and are directly related to the production of new business are deferred and amortized in relation to earned premiums. These costs include direct and indirect expenses such as ceding commissions, brokerage expenses and the cost of underwriting and marketing personnel. As of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, we had deferred acquisition costs of $210.2 million and $193.4 million, respectively. Ceding commissions paid to primary insurers are the largest component of deferred acquisition costs, constituting 69.5% and 72.6% of the total deferred acquisition costs as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively. Management uses its judgment in determining what types of costs should be deferred, as well as what percentage of these costs should be deferred. We annually conduct a study to determine which operating costs vary with, and are directly related to, the acquisition of new business and qualify for deferral. Ceding commissions received on premiums we cede to other reinsurers reduce acquisition costs. Anticipated losses, LAE and the remaining costs of servicing the insured or reinsured business are considered in determining the recoverability of acquisition costs. Acquisition costs associated with credit derivative products are expensed as incurred. When an insured issue is retired early, as discussed in the Premium Revenue Recognition section of these Critical Accounting Estimates, the remaining related deferred acquisition cost is expensed at that time.

Deferred Income Taxes

As of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, we had a net deferred income tax liability of $44.9 million and $26.6 million, respectively. Certain of our subsidiaries are subject to U.S. income tax. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are established for the temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Such temporary differences relate principally to deferred acquisition costs, reserves for losses and LAE, unearned premium reserves, net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”), unrealized gains and losses on investments and derivative financial instruments and statutory contingency reserves. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce a deferred tax asset to the amount that in management’s opinion is more likely than not to be realized.

44




As of September 30, 2006, Assured Guaranty Re Overseas Ltd. (“AGRO”) had a stand-alone NOL of $49.2 million, which is available to offset its future U.S. taxable income. AGRO has $28.5 million of this NOL available through 2017 and $20.7 million available through 2023. AGRO’s stand-alone NOL is not permitted to offset the income of any other members of AGRO’s consolidated group due to certain tax regulations. Under applicable accounting rules, we are required to establish a valuation allowance for NOLs that we believe are more likely than not to expire before utilized. Management believes it is more likely than not that $20.0 million of AGRO’s $49.2 million NOL will not be utilized before it expires and has established a $7.0 million valuation allowance related to the NOL deferred tax asset. The valuation allowance is subject to considerable judgment, is reviewed quarterly and will be adjusted to the extent actual taxable income differs from estimates of future taxable income that may be used to realize NOLs or capital losses.

Accounting for Share-Based Compensation

Prior to January 1, 2006, we accounted for our share-based employee compensation plans under the measurement and recognition provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB”) and related Interpretations, as permitted by FAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“FAS 123”). During the three- and nine- month periods ended September 30, 2005, we recorded no share-based employee compensation expense for options granted under the Assured Guaranty Ltd. 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”) as all options granted under that plan had exercise prices equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. Also, during the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005, we recorded no compensation expense in connection with the Assured Guaranty Ltd. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Stock Purchase Plan”) as the purchase price of the stock was not less than 85% of the lower of the fair market value of our common stock at the beginning of each offering period or at the end of each purchase period. In accordance with FAS 123 and FAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure” (“FAS 148”) we disclosed our net income and earnings per share as if we had applied the fair value-based method in measuring compensation expense for our share-based incentive programs.

Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted the fair value recognition provisions of FAS No. 123 (revised), “Share-Based Payment” (“FAS 123R”) using the modified prospective transition method. Under that transition method, compensation expense includes: (a) compensation expense for all share-based payments granted prior to, but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of FAS 123, and (b) compensation expense for all share-based payments granted on or after January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of FAS 123R.

As a result of adopting FAS 123R on January 1, 2006, the Company’s Third Quarter 2006 income before income taxes and net income are $1.4 million and $1.1 million lower, respectively, and for Nine Months 2006 are $4.5 million and $3.6 million lower, respectively, than if it had continued to account for share-based compensation under APB 25. Basic and diluted earnings per share for Third Quarter 2006 and Nine Months 2006 are $0.01 and $0.05 lower, respectively, than if the Company had continued to account for share-based compensation under APB 25. In addition, the Company capitalized $1.8 million in Nine Months 2006 of share-based compensation as deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”). Because we elected to use the modified prospective transition method, results for prior periods have not been restated.

45




The following table presents pre-DAC and pre-tax, share-based compensation cost by share-based expense type:

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

Share-Based Employee Cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recurring amortization

 

$

1,913

 

$

1,410

 

$

5,677

 

$

3,971

 

Accelerated amortization for retirement eligible employees

 

364

 

 

1,171

 

 

Subtotal

 

2,277

 

1,410

 

6,848

 

3,971

 

Stock Options

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recurring amortization

 

823

 

 

2,776

 

 

Accelerated amortization for retirement eligible employees

 

150

 

 

505

 

 

Subtotal

 

973

 

 

3,281

 

 

ESPP

 

30

 

 

94

 

 

Total Share-Based Employee Cost

 

3,280

 

1,410

 

10,223

 

3,971

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share-Based Directors Cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted Stock

 

75

 

61

 

214

 

211

 

Restricted Stock Units

 

223

 

171

 

636

 

478

 

Total Share-Based Directors Cost

 

298

 

232

 

850

 

689

 

Total Share-Based Cost

 

$

3,578

 

$

1,642

 

$

11,073

 

$

4,660

 

 

At September 30, 2006, there was $22.7 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted under all equity compensation plans. Total unrecognized compensation cost will be adjusted for future changes in estimated forfeitures. We expect to recognize that cost over a weighted average period of 1.7 years. As a result of the adoption of FAS 123R, the income tax effects of compensatory stock options are included in the computation of the income tax expense (benefit), and deferred tax assets and liabilities, subject to certain prospective adjustments to shareholders’ equity for the differences between the income tax effects of expenses recognized in the results of operations and the related amounts deducted for income tax purposes. Prior to the adoption of FAS 123R, the tax benefits relating to the income tax deductions for compensatory stock options were recorded directly to shareholders’ equity.

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted were $6.65 and $5.92 for Third Quarter 2006 and Third Quarter 2005, respectively. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted were $6.71 and $4.63 for Nine Months 2006 and Nine Months 2005, respectively. The fair value of options issued is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, with the following weighted-average assumptions used for grants in 2006 and 2005:

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

Dividend yield

 

0.6

%

0.5

%

0.5

%

0.7

%

Expected volatility

 

19.82

%

20.60

%

20.43

%

20.80

%

Risk free interest rate

 

4.9

%

4.2

%

4.6

%

4.1

%

Expected life

 

5 years

 

5 years

 

5 years

 

5 years

 

Forfeiture rate

 

6.0

%

6.0

%

6.0

%

6.0

%

 

46




These assumptions were based on the following:

·                  The expected dividend yield is based on the current expected annual dividend and share price on the grant date,

·                  Expected volatility is estimated at the date of grant based on the historical share price volatility, calculated on a daily basis,

·                  The risk-free interest rate is the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with an equivalent remaining term to the granted stock options,

·                  The expected life is based on the average expected term of our guideline companies, which are defined as similar entities, since the Company has insufficient expected life data,

·                  The forfeiture rate is based on the rate used by our guideline companies, since the Company has insufficient forfeiture data. Estimated forfeitures will be reassessed at each balance sheet date and may change based on new facts and circumstances.

For options granted before January 1, 2006, the Company amortizes the fair value on an accelerated basis. For options granted on or after January 1, 2006, the Company amortizes the fair value on a straight-line basis. All options are amortized over the requisite service periods of the awards, which are generally the vesting periods, with the exception of retirement-eligible employees. Stock options are generally granted once a year with exercise prices equal to the closing price on the date of grant. The Company may elect to use different assumptions under the Black-Scholes option valuation model in the future, which could materially affect the Company’s net income or earnings per share.

47




Consolidated Results of Operations (1)

The following table presents summary consolidated results of operations data for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005.

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross written premiums

 

$

73.6

 

$

75.6

 

$

240.5

 

$

194.1

 

Net written premiums

 

73.1

 

53.2

 

234.2

 

159.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earned premiums

 

51.9

 

54.5

 

148.2

 

150.9

 

Net investment income

 

28.5

 

24.4

 

82.0

 

71.2

 

Net realized investment gains (losses)

 

0.1

 

0.2

 

(1.9

)

3.6

 

Unrealized (losses) gains on derivative financial instruments

 

(1.6

)

0.3

 

4.2

 

(9.1

)

Other income

 

 

0.1

 

 

0.2

 

Total revenues

 

78.9

 

79.5

 

232.4

 

216.8

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

0.9

 

(0.8

)

(6.0

)

(69.3

)

Profit commission expense

 

1.6

 

2.0

 

4.7

 

6.4

 

Acquisition costs

 

11.3

 

13.0

 

33.4

 

34.9

 

Operating expenses

 

16.5

 

15.0

 

49.3

 

44.0

 

Interest expense

 

3.4

 

3.4

 

10.1

 

10.1

 

Other expenses

 

0.6

 

0.6

 

1.9

 

3.1

 

Total expenses

 

34.4

 

33.3

 

93.4

 

29.2

 

Income before provision for income taxes

 

44.5

 

46.3

 

139.0

 

187.6

 

Provision for income taxes

 

6.6

 

7.1

 

21.7

 

37.3

 

Net income

 

$

37.9

 

$

39.2

 

$

117.3

 

$

150.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underwriting gain by segment (2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial guaranty direct

 

$

7.7

 

$

8.8

 

$

24.3

 

$

17.7

 

Financial guaranty reinsurance

 

10.1

 

12.8

 

22.6

 

106.8

 

Mortgage guaranty

 

2.9

 

2.4

 

7.7

 

8.2

 

Other

 

1.0

 

1.3

 

12.3

 

2.4

 

Total

 

$

21.6

 

$

25.3

 

$

66.8

 

$

134.9

 


(1)     Some amounts may not foot due to rounding.

(2)     Prior year segment amounts have been adjusted to reflect current year operating expense allocations for comparability purposes.

We organize our business around four principal business segments: financial guaranty direct, financial guaranty reinsurance, mortgage guaranty and other. There are a number of lines of business that we exited as part of our IPO in April 2004, which are included in the other segment. However, the results of these businesses are reflected in our consolidated financial statements. These businesses include equity layer credit protection, trade credit reinsurance, title reinsurance and auto residual value reinsurance. These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements cover Third Quarter 2006 and Third Quarter 2005, as well as Nine Months 2006 and Nine Months 2005.

Net Income

Net income was $37.9 million for Third Quarter 2006, a decrease of $1.3 million compared with $39.2 million for Third Quarter 2005. The decrease is primarily attributable to a $3.7 million decline in underwriting gain to $21.6 million in Third Quarter 2006 from $25.3 million in Third Quarter 2005. Also contributing to the decrease

48




in net income was an unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments of $(1.6) million during Third Quarter 2006, compared with an unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments of $0.3 million during Third Quarter 2005. Offsetting these decreases was an increase of $4.1 million in net investment income to $28.5 million in Third Quarter 2006 from $24.4 million in Third Quarter 2005.

Net income was $117.3 million for Nine Months 2006, compared with $150.3 million for Nine Months 2005. The decrease of $33.0 million in 2006 compared with 2005 is primarily due to $71.0 million in loss recoveries in 2005 resulting from reinsurance of financial guaranty policies that insured certain investments in securities issued by entities related to Commercial Financial Services, Inc. (“CFS”). Nine Months 2005 included $22.3 million of income tax expense related to the $71.0 million loss recovery. These 2005 net loss recoveries were offset by an unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments of $4.2 million during Nine Months 2006, compared with an unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments of $(9.1) million during Nine Months 2005.

Gross Written Premiums

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

Gross Written Premiums

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Financial guaranty direct

 

$

41.9

 

$

24.9

 

$

140.5

 

$

69.6

 

Financial guaranty reinsurance

 

29.7

 

27.3

 

90.2

 

69.5

 

Mortgage guaranty

 

1.9

 

1.7

 

5.7

 

23.0

 

Total financial guaranty gross written premiums

 

73.5

 

53.9

 

236.5

 

162.1

 

Other

 

0.1

 

21.6

 

4.0

 

32.0

 

Total gross written premiums

 

$

73.6

 

$

75.6

 

$

240.5

 

$

194.1

 

 

Gross written premiums for Third Quarter 2006 were $73.6 million compared with $75.6 million for Third Quarter 2005. Gross written premiums from our financial guaranty direct operations increased $17.0 million in Third Quarter 2006 compared with Third Quarter 2005. Third Quarter 2006 includes upfront gross written premiums of $13.3 million from our international business. Third Quarter 2005 did not include any such premiums. Our U.S. public finance business contributed $8.2 million in upfront gross written premiums in Third Quarter 2006 compared with $6.3 million for the same period last year.

Gross written premiums from our financial guaranty reinsurance segment increased $2.4 million in Third Quarter 2006 compared with Third Quarter 2005 due to increased facultative business. Gross written premiums from our treaty business have remained relatively flat, though one cedant relationship was terminated effective July 1, 2004 and a second cedant relationship was terminated effective July 1, 2006. The loss of gross premiums written from these terminations was partially offset by increased gross written premium from another client. The decrease in the other segment in Third Quarter 2006 compared with Third Quarter 2005 is due to a pre-IPO reinsurance agreement with a subsidiary of ACE under which we provided reinsurance to CGA Group Ltd. (“CGA”) and retroceded 100% of this exposure to that ACE subsidiary.

Gross written premiums for Nine Months 2006 were $240.5 million, compared with $194.1 million for Nine Months 2005. Nine Months 2006 includes upfront gross written premiums of $53.0 million from our international business. Nine Months 2005 did not include any such premiums. Our U.S. public finance business contributed $22.7 million in upfront gross written premiums for Nine Months 2006 compared with $13.0 million for the same period last year.

Our financial guaranty reinsurance segment increased $20.7 million in Nine Months 2006 compared with Nine Months 2005 due to increased upfront treaty and facultative assumed premiums in Nine Months 2006, whereas Nine Months 2005 had more installment treaty and facultative assumed premiums. In addition, Financial Security Assurance Inc. (“FSA”) reassumed from Assured Guaranty Re Ltd. (“AG Re”) $18.4 million of healthcare related business (“FSA transaction”) in Second Quarter 2005. Gross written premiums for Nine Months 2006 in our mortgage guaranty segment decreased $17.3 million compared with Nine Months 2005, primarily attributable to a single transaction executed in First Quarter 2005 which contributed $16.3 million to gross written premiums.

49




Net Earned Premiums

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

Net Earned Premiums

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Financial guaranty direct

 

$

21.8

 

$

18.3

 

$

63.7

 

$

54.7

 

Financial guaranty reinsurance

 

25.4

 

32.0

 

71.8

 

82.2

 

Mortgage guaranty

 

4.9

 

4.3

 

12.7

 

14.0

 

Total financial guaranty net earned premiums

 

51.9

 

54.5

 

148.2

 

150.9

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

Total net earned premiums

 

$

51.9

 

$

54.5

 

$

148.2

 

$

150.9

 

 

Net earned premiums for Third Quarter 2006 were $51.9 million compared with $54.5 million for Third Quarter 2005. Net earned premiums from our financial guaranty direct operations increased to $21.8 million in Third Quarter 2006 compared with $18.3 million in Third Quarter 2005, as the premiums we have written as a result of increased market penetration have begun to generate increased net earned premiums. Our financial guaranty reinsurance segment decreased $6.6 million in Third Quarter 2006 compared with Third Quarter 2005 due to the non-renewal of certain treaties.

Net earned premiums for Nine Months 2006 were $148.2 million, compared with $150.9 million for Nine Months 2005. The decrease of $2.7 million is attributable to the same reasons mentioned above.

Net Investment Income

Net investment income was $28.5 million for Third Quarter 2006, compared with $24.4 million for Third Quarter 2005. The $4.1 million increase is attributable to increasing investment yields during the year, combined with increased invested assets due to positive operating cash flows.

Net investment income was $82.0 million for Nine Months 2006, compared with $71.2 million for Nine Months 2005. Pre-tax book yields were 5.1% and 4.8% for the periods ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The $10.8 million increase for Nine Months 2006 compared with Nine Months 2005 is primarily due to the same reasons mentioned above.

Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)

Net realized investment gains (losses), principally from the sale of fixed maturity securities were $0.1 million and $0.2 million for Third Quarter 2006 and Third Quarter 2005, respectively, and $(1.9) million and $3.6 million for Nine Months 2006 and Nine Months 2005, respectively. The Company had no write downs of investments for other than temporary impairment losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005. Net realized investment gains (losses), net of related income taxes, were $0.1 million for Third Quarter 2005, and $(1.4) million and $2.8 million for Nine Months 2006 and Nine Months 2005, respectively. Due to the effect of taxes, Third Quarter 2006 net realized investment gains (losses), net of related income taxes were an immaterial amount.

Unrealized (Losses) Gains on Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value as required by FAS 133 and FAS 149. However, as explained under “—Critical Accounting Estimates,” we record part of the change in fair value in the loss and LAE reserves as well as in unearned premium reserves. The fair value adjustment for Third Quarter 2006 was a $(1.6) million loss compared with a $0.3 million gain in Third Quarter 2005. The fair value adjustment for Nine

50




Months 2006 was $4.2 million gain compared with a $(9.1) million loss for Nine Months 2005. The change in fair value for both years is related to many factors but primarily due to the run-off of deals and changes in credit spreads. Unrealized (losses) gains on derivative financial instruments, net of related income taxes, were $(1.1) million and $0.2 million for Third Quarter 2006 and Third Quarter 2005, respectively, and $3.0 million and $(7.9) million for Nine Months 2006 and Nine Months 2005, respectively.

The gain or loss created by the estimated fair value adjustment will rise or fall based on estimated market pricing and may not be an indication of ultimate claims. Fair value is defined as the amount at which an asset or liability could be bought or sold in a current transaction between willing parties. We generally plan to hold derivative financial instruments to maturity. Where we hold derivative financial instruments to maturity, these fair value adjustments would generally be expected to reverse resulting in no gain or loss over the entire term of the contract.

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Financial guaranty direct

 

$

(0.3

)

$

(4.0

)

$

(4.6

)

$

(0.5

)

Financial guaranty reinsurance

 

1.8

 

4.3

 

10.3

 

(66.9

)

Mortgage guaranty

 

0.4

 

0.3

 

0.6

 

0.5

 

Total financial guaranty loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

1.9

 

0.6

 

6.3

 

(66.9

)

Other

 

(1.0

)

(1.3

)

(12.3

)

(2.4

)

Total loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

$

0.9

 

$

(0.8

)

$

(6.0

)

$

(69.3

)

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) for Third Quarter 2006 and Third Quarter 2005 were $0.9 million and $(0.8) million, respectively. Loss and LAE for the financial guaranty direct segment included $(0.3) million in loss recoveries on two deals while loss and LAE of $(4.0) million in the Third Quarter 2005 was caused by changes in credit quality and from continued runoff from maturing CDO exposures. During Third Quarter 2006 portfolio reserves were increased $3.0 million in our financial guaranty reinsurance segment primarily due to management updating its rating agency default statistics used in the portfolio loss reserving process, which we perform during the third quarter of every year. The increase in portfolio reserves was partially offset by a $(1.1) million LAE recovery. The $4.3 million of loss and LAE in the Third Quarter 2005 was attributable to credit deteriorations and development of existing exposure, as well as management updating its loss reserving data, as part of our normal portfolio reserve process, to include the most current rating agency default frequency statistics. Additionally, Third Quarter 2006 and Third Quarter 2005 included $(1.0) million and $(1.3) million, respectively, of loss recoveries from third party litigation settlements related to the equity layer credit protection business.

Loss and loss adjustment expenses for Nine Months 2006 and Nine Months 2005 were $(6.0) million and $(69.3) million, respectively. The financial guaranty direct segment had loss and loss adjustment expenses of $(4.6) million mainly due to a $2.1 million release of portfolio reserves as a result of the early termination of 20 swap transactions based on the counterparties’ right to terminate and a net recovery of $2.5 million relating to the settlement of a sub-prime mortgage transaction. The financial guaranty reinsurance segment had loss and loss adjustment expenses of $10.3 million primarily due to the increase mentioned above and increased loss reserves of $7.9 million, related to the rating downgrade of various credits. The other segment includes $12.3 million of loss recoveries from third party litigation settlements related to the equity layer credit protection business. Nine Months 2005 includes $71.0 million in loss recoveries in the financial guaranty reinsurance segment resulting from a third party litigation settlement agreement, discussed earlier, offset by a $4.5 million addition in case reserves relating to a mortgage transaction, executed in 2001. In addition to the $1.3 million loss recovery in Third Quarter 2005 the Company recovered $1.1 million during First Quarter 2005 in the other segment relating to its equity layer credit protection business.

51




Profit Commission Expense

Profit commissions allow the ceding company to share favorable experience on a reinsurance contract due to lower than expected losses. Expected or favorable loss development generates profit commission expense, while the inverse occurs on unfavorable loss development. Portfolio reserves are not a component of these profit commission calculations. Profit commissions for Third Quarter 2006 were $1.6 compared with $2.0 million for Third Quarter 2005. Profit commissions for Nine Months 2006 were $4.7 million, compared with $6.4 million for the comparable period in the prior year.

Acquisition Costs

Acquisition costs primarily consist of ceding commissions, brokerage fees and operating expenses that are related to the acquisition of new business. Acquisition costs that vary with and are directly related to the acquisition of new business are deferred and amortized in relation to earned premium. For Third Quarter 2006 and Third Quarter 2005, acquisition costs incurred were $11.3 million and $13.0 million, respectively, while Nine Months 2006 and Nine Months 2005 acquisition costs incurred were $33.4 million and $34.9 million, respectively. These amounts are consistent with earned premiums.

Operating Expenses

For Third Quarter 2006 and Third Quarter 2005, operating expenses were $16.5 million and $15.0 million, respectively. Operating expenses for Nine Months 2006 were $49.3 million, compared with $44.0 million for Nine Months 2005. The $1.5 million increase for Third Quarter 2006 compared with Third Quarter 2005 and the $5.3 million increase for Nine Months 2006 compared with Nine Months 2005 was primarily due to the recognition of stock option expense. The Company adopted FAS 123R on January 1, 2006, which requires, among other items, the recognition of stock option expense in the results of operations.

Other Expenses

For Third Quarter 2006 and Third Quarter 2005, other expenses were $4.0 million and $4.1 million, respectively, while for Nine Months 2006 and Nine Months 2005, other expenses were $12.0 million and $13.3 million, respectively. The 2006 and 2005 amounts are comprised of put option premiums associated with Assured Guaranty Corp.’s (“AGC”) $200.0 million committed capital securities and interest expense primarily related to our 7% Senior Notes (“Senior Notes “) in May 2004. The coupon on the Senior Notes is 7.0%, however, the effective rate will be approximately 6.4%, taking into account the effect of a cash flow hedge executed in March 2004. The decrease in Nine Months 2006 compared with the same periods in 2005 is primarily due to $2.0 million of investment banking fees associated with the committed capital securities in Second Quarter 2005.

Income Tax

For Third Quarter 2006 and Third Quarter 2005, income tax expense was $6.6 million and $7.1 million, respectively. For Nine Months 2006 and Nine Months 2005, income tax expense was $21.7 million and $37.3 million, respectively. Our effective tax rate was 14.9% and 15.6% for Third Quarter 2006 and Nine Months 2006, respectively, compared with 15.3% and 19.9% for Third Quarter 2005 and Nine Months 2005, respectively. Our effective tax rates reflect the proportion of income recognized by each of our operating subsidiaries, with U.S. subsidiaries taxed at the U.S. marginal corporate income tax rate of 35%, UK subsidiaries taxed at the UK marginal corporate tax rate of 30%, and no taxes for our Bermuda holding company and subsidiaries. Accordingly, our overall corporate effective tax rate fluctuates based on the distribution of taxable income across these jurisdictions. Nine Months 2006 includes $4.3 million of income tax expense related to the $12.3 million of loss recoveries from third party litigation settlements related to the equity layer credit protection business. Nine Months 2005 included $22.3 million of income tax expense related to the $71.0 million loss recovery mentioned above. This was partially offset by a $7.8 million tax benefit from a transaction between AGC and AG Re, two of the Company’s subsidiaries during Second Quarter 2005. AGC and AG Re entered into a reinsurance agreement with FSA pursuant to which substantially all of FSA’s financial guaranty risks previously ceded to AGC (the

52




“Ceded Business”) was assumed by AG Re. This agreement was effective as of January 1, 2005 and is consistent with the Company’s IPO strategy of AGC ceasing to write new reinsurance business and transferring its existing reinsurance business to AG Re to optimize capital utilization. In connection with the transaction, AGC transferred liabilities of $169.0 million, consisting primarily of unearned premium reserves. Since this transaction transferred unearned premium reserve from AGC, a U.S. tax paying entity, to AG Re, a non-U.S. tax paying entity, the Company released a deferred tax liability related to differences between the book and tax carrying amounts of unearned premium reserves which resulted in a $7.8 million tax benefit.

Segment Results of Operations

Our financial results include four principal business segments: financial guaranty direct, financial guaranty reinsurance, mortgage guaranty and other. Management uses underwriting gains and losses as the primary measure of each segment’s financial performance. Underwriting gain and loss includes net premiums earned, loss and loss adjustment expenses, profit commission expense, acquisition costs and other operating expenses that are directly related to the operations of our insurance businesses. This measure excludes certain revenue and expense items, such as investment income, realized investment gains and losses, unrealized gains and losses on derivative financial instruments, and interest expense, that are not directly related to the underwriting performance of our insurance operations, but are included in net income.

Financial Guaranty Direct Segment

The financial guaranty direct segment consists of our primary financial guaranty insurance business and our credit derivative business. Financial guaranty insurance provides an unconditional and irrevocable guaranty that protects the holder of a financial obligation against non-payment of principal and interest when due. Financial guaranty insurance may be issued to the holders of the insured obligations at the time of issuance of those obligations, or may be issued in the secondary market to holders of public bonds and structured securities. As an alternative to traditional financial guaranty insurance, credit protection on a particular security or issuer can also be provided through a credit derivative, such as a credit default swap. Under a credit default swap, the seller of protection makes a specified payment to the buyer of protection upon the occurrence of one or more specified credit events with respect to a reference obligation or a particular reference entity. Credit derivatives typically provide protection to a buyer rather than credit enhancement of an issue as in traditional financial guaranty insurance.

53




The table below summarizes the financial results of our financial guaranty direct segment for the periods presented:

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Gross written premiums

 

$

41.9

 

$

24.9

 

$

140.5

 

$

69.6

 

Net written premiums

 

41.5

 

24.2

 

139.0

 

67.6

 

Net earned premiums

 

21.8

 

18.3

 

63.7

 

54.7

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

(0.3

)

(4.0

)

(4.6

)

(0.5

)

Profit commission expense

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition costs

 

2.1

 

1.6

 

6.4

 

4.7

 

Operating expenses

 

12.2

 

11.9

 

37.6

 

32.8

 

Underwriting gain

 

$

7.7

 

$

8.8

 

$

24.3

 

$

17.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio

 

(1.3

)%

(21.9

)%

(7.2

)%

(0.8

)%

Expense ratio

 

65.7

%

73.7

%

69.1

%

68.5

%

Combined ratio

 

64.4

%

51.8

%

61.9

%

67.7

%

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

Gross Written Premiums

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Public finance

 

$

23.4

 

$

7.0

 

$

80.3

 

$

13.9

 

Structured finance

 

18.5

 

17.9

 

60.2

 

55.7

 

Total

 

$

41.9

 

$

24.9

 

$

140.5

 

$

69.6

 

 

For Third Quarter 2006 the financial guaranty direct segment contributed $41.9 million to gross written premiums, an increase of $17.0 million, compared with $24.9 million for Third Quarter 2005. Third Quarter 2006 includes upfront gross written premiums of $13.3 million from our international business. Third Quarter 2005 did not include any upfront gross written premium from our international business. Our U.S. public finance business contributed $8.2 million of upfront gross written premiums in Third Quarter 2006 compared with $6.3 million for the same period last year.

Gross written premiums for Nine Months 2006 and Nine Months 2005 were $140.5 million and $69.6 million, respectively. Nine Months 2006 includes upfront gross written premiums of $53.0 million from our international business. Nine Months 2005 did not include any upfront gross written premium from our international business. Our U.S. public finance business contributed $22.7 million in upfront gross written premiums for Nine Months 2006 compared with $13.0 million for the same period last year.

Gross and net written premiums from structured finance and credit derivatives are generally received on an installment basis. For Nine Months 2006, 55% of gross written premiums in this segment were upfront premiums and 45% were installment premiums. For Nine Months 2005, 25% of gross written premiums in this segment were upfront premiums and 75% were installment premiums.

54




 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

Net Written Premiums

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Public finance

 

$

23.5

 

$

7.0

 

$

80.4

 

$

13.9

 

Structured finance

 

18.0

 

17.2

 

58.6

 

53.7

 

Total

 

$

41.5

 

$

24.2

 

$

139.0

 

$

67.6

 

 

For Third Quarter 2006 and Nine Months 2006, net written premiums were $41.5 million and $139.0 million, respectively, compared with $24.2 million for Third Quarter 2005 and $67.6 million for Nine Months 2005. The variances in net written premiums are consistent with the variances in gross written premiums as we typically retain a substantial portion of this business.

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

Net Earned Premiums

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Public finance

 

$

2.6

 

$

0.7

 

$

5.4

 

$

1.3

 

Structured finance

 

19.2

 

17.6

 

58.3

 

53.4

 

Total

 

$

21.8

 

$

18.3

 

$

63.7

 

$

54.7

 

 

Net earned premiums for Third Quarter 2006 were $21.8 million compared with $18.3 million for Third Quarter 2005, while net earned premiums for Nine Months 2006 increased $9.0 million to $63.7 million compared with $54.7 million for Nine Months 2005, reflecting our  increased market penetration, which has generated additional unearned premiums and in-force business that contributes to increased net earned premium.

Loss and LAE were $(0.3) million and $(4.0) million, respectively, for Third Quarter 2006 and Third Quarter 2005, while these expenses were $(4.6) million and $(0.5) million for Nine Months 2006 and Nine Months 2005, respectively. Loss and LAE for Third Quarter 2006 included $(0.3) million in loss recoveries on two deals while Third Quarter 2005 portfolio reserves were reduced $(4.0) million, attributable to changes in credit quality and from continued runoff of maturing CDO exposures as well as management updating its rating agency default statistics used in the portfolio loss reserving process, which we perform during the third quarter of every year.

In addition to the recoveries discussed above, Nine Months 2006 includes a $(2.1) million  release of portfolio reserves as a result of the early termination of 20 swap transactions based on the counterparties right to terminate and a net recovery of $(2.5) million relating to the settlement of a sub-prime mortgage transaction.  In addition to the Third Quarter 2005 portfolio reserves Nine Months 2005 also included a $(0.9) million release of portfolio reserves related to the single name corporate CDS line of business, which we have exited, as well as a release of portfolio reserves related to our seasoned CDO book of business as those deals approached maturity and the underlying credit quality improved. Offsetting these portfolio reserve decreases was a $4.5 million case reserve addition  for a specific mortgage transaction executed in 2001, consisting of sub-prime mortgages originated in 2000.

Acquisition costs incurred for Third Quarter 2006 and Nine Months 2006 were $2.1 million and $6.4 million, respectively. For Third Quarter 2005 and Nine Months 2005 acquisition costs incurred were $1.6 million and $4.7 million, respectively. The changes in acquisition costs incurred over the periods are directly related to the changes in net earned premium.

Operating expenses for Third Quarter 2006 and Third Quarter 2005 were $12.2 million and $11.9 million, respectively. Operating expenses for Nine Months 2006 were $37.6 million, compared with $32.8 million for Nine Months 2005. During 2006 the Company implemented a new operating expense allocation methodology to more closely allocate expenses to the individual operating segments. This new methodology was based on a comprehensive study and is

55




 

based on departmental time estimates and headcount. 2005 amounts have been reclassified to show this new methodology on a comparative basis.  The increase in operating expenses for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2006, compared with the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005 is attributable to increased salaries due to staffing additions and merit increases and employee related benefits, including the expensing of stock options.

 

Financial Guaranty Reinsurance Segment

In our financial guaranty reinsurance business, we assume all or a portion of risk undertaken by other insurance companies that provide financial guaranty protection. The financial guaranty reinsurance business consists of public finance and structured finance reinsurance lines. Premiums on public finance are typically written upfront and earned over the life of the policy, and premiums on structured finance are typically written on an installment basis and earned ratably over the installment period.

The table below summarizes the financial results of our financial guaranty reinsurance segment for the periods presented:

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Gross written premiums

 

$

29.7

 

$

27.3

 

$

90.2

 

$

69.5

 

Net written premiums

 

29.7

 

27.3

 

89.5

 

69.2

 

Net earned premiums

 

25.4

 

32.0

 

71.8

 

82.2

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

1.8

 

4.3

 

10.3

 

(66.9

)

Profit commission expense

 

0.7

 

1.1

 

2.2

 

3.4

 

Acquisition costs

 

8.9

 

11.0

 

26.1

 

28.6

 

Operating expenses

 

3.9

 

2.9

 

10.7

 

10.4

 

Underwriting gain

 

$

10.1

 

$

12.8

 

$

22.6

 

$

106.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio

 

7.1

%

13.3

%

14.3

%

(81.4

)%

Expense ratio

 

53.3

%

46.8

%

54.2

%

51.5

%

Combined ratio

 

60.4

%

60.1

%

68.5

%

(29.9

)%

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

Gross Written Premiums

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Public finance

 

$

21.6

 

$

20.8

 

$

66.2

 

$

42.2

 

Structured finance

 

8.1

 

6.5

 

24.0

 

27.3

 

Total

 

$

29.7

 

$

27.3

 

$

90.2

 

$

69.5

 

 

Gross written premiums from our financial guaranty reinsurance segment include upfront premiums on transactions underwritten during the period, plus installment premiums on business primarily underwritten in prior periods. Consequently, this amount is affected by changes in the business mix between public finance and structured finance. For Third Quarter 2006 and Nine Months 2006, 62% and 67%, respectively, of gross written premiums in this segment were upfront premiums and 38% and 33%, respectively, were installment premiums. For Third Quarter 2005 and Nine Months 2005, 43% and 45%, respectively, of gross written premiums in this segment were upfront premiums and 57% and 55%, respectively, were installment premiums.

Gross written premiums for Third Quarter 2006 were $29.7 million, an increase of $2.4 million, compared with $27.3 million for Third Quarter 2005 attributable to greater facultative business.  Gross written premiums from our treaty business have remained relatively flat, though one cedant relationship was terminated effective July

56




 

1, 2004 and a second cedant relationship was terminated effective July 1, 2006. The loss of gross premiums written from these terminations was offset by increased gross written premium from another client.

Gross written premiums for Nine Months 2006 were $90.2 million, an increase of $20.7 million, compared with $69.5 million for Nine Months 2005.  The increase is primarily attributable to FSA reassuming $18.4 million of healthcare related reinsurance business from AG Re in 2005.

The following table summarizes the Company’s reinsurance gross written premiums by significant client:

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

Gross Written Premiums by Client

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Financial Security Assurance Inc.(1)

 

$

15.8

 

$

13.4

 

$

41.5

 

$

38.3

 

Ambac Assurance Corporation(2)

 

5.0

 

6.9

 

19.8

 

26.0

 

Financial Guaranty Insurance Company

 

4.3

 

2.0

 

17.2

 

7.6

 

MBIA Insurance Corporation

 

3.3

 

4.6

 

9.1

 

13.5

 

CGA Group Ltd.

 

 

21.0

 

 

25.8

 

 


(1)          Nine Months 2005 does not include $18.4 million of reassumed premiums related to the Company’s healthcare business.

(2)          On April 20, 2005, Ambac  provided notice of a non-renewal of the quota share treaty on a run-off basis, effective July 1, 2006.

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

Net Written Premiums

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Public finance

 

$

21.6

 

$

20.8

 

$

65.6

 

$

41.9

 

Structured finance

 

8.1

 

6.5

 

23.9

 

27.3

 

Total

 

$

29.7

 

$

27.3

 

$

89.5

 

$

69.2

 

 

For Third Quarter 2006 and Nine Months 2006, net written premiums were $29.7 million and $89.5 million, respectively, compared with $27.3 million and $69.2 million, respectively, for the same periods last year.  The increases of $2.4 million and $20.3 million are consistent with the increases in gross written premium described above.

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

Net Earned Premiums

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Public finance

 

$

16.9

 

$

21.1

 

$

46.9

 

$

44.8

 

Structured finance

 

8.5

 

10.9

 

24.9

 

37.4

 

Total

 

$

25.4

 

$

32.0

 

$

71.8

 

$

82.2

 

Included in public finance reinsurance net earned premiums are refundings of

 

$

4.1

 

$

4.8

 

$

9.4

 

$

9.8

 

 

Net earned premiums for Third Quarter 2006 and Nine Months 2006 were $25.4 million and $71.8 million, respectively, compared with $32.0 million and $82.2 million for Third Quarter 2005 and Nine Months 2005, respectively. Our financial guaranty reinsurance segment net earned premiums decreased for Third Quarter 2006 and

57




 

Nine Months 2006, when compared with the same periods last year due to the non-renewal of certain treaties and change in mix of business.  Public finance net earned premiums include refunding premiums, which reflect the unscheduled pre-payment or refundings of underlying municipal bonds due to lower interest rates. These unscheduled refunding premiums, which were $4.1 million and $9.4 million for Third Quarter 2006 and Nine Months 2006, respectively, compared with $4.8 million and $9.8 million, respectively, for the same periods last year, are sensitive to market interest rates.  We evaluate our net earned premiums both including and excluding these premiums.

Losses and LAE were $1.8 million and $4.3 million for Third Quarter 2006 and Third Quarter 2005, respectively. Portfolio reserves were increased $3.0 million primarily due to management updating its rating agency default statistics, as part of our normal portfolio reserve process.  The increase in portfolio reserves was partially offset by a $(1.1) million LAE recovery. Portfolio reserves were increased $4.4 million during Third Quarter 2005 due to credit deteriorations and development of existing exposure as well as management updating its rating agency default frequency statistics used in the loss reserving process. This is part of our normal portfolio reserve process which we perform during the third quarter of every year.

Losses and LAE were $10.3 million and $(66.9) million for Nine Months 2006 and Nine Months 2005, respectively. In addition to Third Quarter 2006 results, loss and loss adjustment expenses increased due to a $5.4 million addition to loss reserves of which $3.8 million related to a rating downgrade of a European infrastructure  transaction and $1.6 million related to the rating downgrade of various credits and  a $2.5 million case reserve addition due to a U.S. public infrastructure transaction. Nine Months 2005 includes $(71.0) million in loss recoveries resulting from reinsurance of financial guaranty policies that insured certain investments in securities issued by entities related to CFS.

Profit commission expense was $0.7 million in Third Quarter 2006 compared to $1.1 million in Third Quarter 2005, and $2.2 million in Nine Months 2006 compared with $3.4 million in Nine Months 2005.  The decrease in profit commission expense in Third Quarter 2006 compared to Third Quarter 2005 and in Nine Months 2006 compared with Nine Months 2005 corresponds with a decrease in net earned premium from a treaty which has a profit commission component.

For Third Quarter 2006 and Third Quarter 2005, acquisition costs incurred were $8.9 million and $11.0 million, respectively, while acquisition costs incurred were $26.1 million for Nine Months 2006 compared with $28.6 million for Nine Months 2005. The changes in acquisition costs incurred over the periods are directly related to the changes in net earned premium.

Operating expenses for Third Quarter 2006 and Third Quarter 2005 were $3.9 million and $2.9 million, respectively.  Operating expenses for Nine Months 2006 were $10.7 million, compared with $10.4 million for Nine Months 2005. During 2006 the Company implemented a new operating expense allocation methodology to more closely allocate expenses to the individual operating segments. This new methodology was based on a comprehensive study and is based on departmental time estimates and headcount. 2005 amounts have been reclassified to show this new methodology on a comparative basis. The increase in operating expenses for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2006, compared with the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005 is attributable to increased salaries due to staffing additions and merit increases and employee related benefits, including the expensing of stock options.

Mortgage Guaranty Segment

Mortgage guaranty insurance provides protection to mortgage lending institutions against the default of borrowers on mortgage loans that, at the time of the advance, had a loan-to-value ratio in excess of a specified ratio. We primarily function as a reinsurer in this industry and assume all or a portion of the risks undertaken by primary mortgage insurers.

58




 

The table below summarizes the financial results of our mortgage guaranty segment for the periods presented:

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Gross written premiums

 

$

1.9

 

$

1.7

 

$

5.7

 

$

23.0

 

Net written premiums

 

1.9

 

1.7

 

5.7

 

23.0

 

Net earned premiums

 

4.9

 

4.3

 

12.7

 

14.0

 

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

 

0.4

 

0.3

 

0.6

 

0.5

 

Profit commission expense

 

0.9

 

0.9

 

2.5

 

2.9

 

Acquisition costs

 

0.3

 

0.4

 

0.9

 

1.5

 

Operating expenses

 

0.4

 

0.3

 

1.0

 

0.9

 

Underwriting gain

 

$

2.9

 

$

2.4

 

$

7.7

 

$

8.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio

 

8.2

%

6.9

%

4.7

%

3.5

%

Expense ratio

 

31.9

%

37.5

%

34.8

%

37.9

%

Combined ratio

 

40.1

%

44.4

%

39.5

%

41.4

%

 

Gross written premiums for Third Quarter 2006 and Nine Months 2006 were $1.9 million and $5.7 million, respectively, compared with $1.7 million and $23.0 million for the comparable periods in 2005. Third Quarter 2005 gross written premiums are reduced by $0.4 million of return premium, as the original deposit premium collected on a specific deal was greater than actual results under the contract.  In addition, the run-off of our quota share treaty business, continues to have a decreasing effect on gross written premiums. The decrease in gross written premiums for Nine Months 2006 compared with Nine Months 2005 is primarily related to a single transaction executed in First Quarter 2005 which contributed $16.3 million to gross written premiums.

Net written premiums for Third Quarter 2006 and Nine Months 2006 were $1.9 million and $5.7 million, respectively, compared with $1.7 million and $23.0 million for the comparable periods in 2005. This is consistent with gross written premiums, as we do not cede a significant amount of our mortgage guaranty business.

For Third Quarter 2006 and Third Quarter 2005, net earned premiums were $4.9 million and $4.3 million, respectively. For Nine Months 2006 net earned premiums were $12.7 million compared with $14.0 million for Nine Months 2005. Third Quarter 2006 and Nine Months 2006 includes $0.9 million of net earned premium from the commutation of a reinsurance agreement. Offsetting these increases in net earned premiums for both periods is the run-off of our quota share treaty business.

Loss and LAE were $0.4 million and $0.3 million for Third Quarter 2006 and Third Quarter 2005, respectively, and $0.6 million and $0.5 million for Nine Months 2006 and Nine Months 2005, respectively. During Third Quarter 2006 the Company added $0.3 million to portfolio reserves which was offset by the run-off of our quota share treaty business. During Nine Months 2005 the Company added $0.8 million to portfolio reserves which was offset by case and IBNR reserve releases of $0.3 million.

Profit commission expense for both Third Quarter 2006 and Third Quarter 2005 were $0.9 million. For Nine Months 2006 profit commission expense decreased to $2.5 million, compared with $2.9 million for Nine Months 2005. Third Quarter 2006 and Nine Months 2006 includes $0.3 million of profit commission expense due to the reinsurance agreement commutation discussed above. Excluding this profit commission expense, both Third Quarter 2006 and Nine Months 2006 decreased when compared with Third Quarter 2005 and Nine Months 2005 primarily due to the run-off of mortgage guaranty experience rated quota share treaties, which have a large profit commission component.

Acquisition costs incurred for Third Quarter 2006 and Third Quarter 2005 were $0.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively. Acquisition costs incurred for Nine Months 2006 were $0.9 million compared with $1.5 million for Nine Months 2005. Net earned premiums in 2006 included $0.9 million from the reinsurance agreement

59




 

commutation discussed above, with no offsetting acquisition expenses.  Excluding the commutation, the ratio of acquisition costs incurred to net earned premiums are materially consistent period to period.

Operating expenses for Third Quarter 2006 and Third Quarter 2005 were $0.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively.  Operating expenses for Nine Months 2006 were $1.0 million, compared with $0.9 million for Nine Months 2005. During 2006 the Company implemented a new operating expense allocation methodology to more closely allocate expenses to the individual operating segments. This new methodology was based on a comprehensive study and is based on departmental time estimates and headcount. 2005 amounts have been reclassified to show this new methodology on a comparative basis. The increase in operating expenses for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2006, compared with the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005 is attributable to increased salaries due to staffing additions and merit increases and employee related benefits, including the expensing of stock options.

Other Segment

Our other segment consists of certain non-core businesses that we have exited in connection with the IPO, including, but not limited to, equity layer credit protection, trade credit reinsurance and title reinsurance.

The other segment had no earned premiums during 2006 or 2005.  However, during  Third Quarter 2006 and  Nine Months 2006, due to loss recoveries from third party litigation settlements from our exited equity layer credit protection business, the other segment generated $1.0 million and $12.3 million, respectively, of underwriting gains. Third Quarter 2005 and Nine Months 2005 had an underwriting gain of $1.3 million and $2.4 million, respectively, from loss recoveries associated with our exited equity layer credit protection business.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our liquidity, both on a short-term basis (for the next twelve months) and a long-term basis (beyond the next twelve months), is largely dependent upon: (1) the ability of our operating subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other payments to us, (2) external financings and (3) investment income from our invested assets. Our liquidity requirements include the payment of our operating expenses, interest on our debt, and dividends on our common shares. We may also require liquidity to make periodic capital investments in our operating subsidiaries. In the ordinary course of our business, we evaluate our liquidity needs and capital resources in light of holding company expenses, debt-related expenses and our dividend policy, as well as rating agency considerations. Based on the amount of dividends we expect to receive from our subsidiaries and the income we expect to receive from our invested assets, management believes that we will have sufficient liquidity to satisfy our needs over the next twelve months, including the ability to pay dividends on our common shares. Total cash paid in Nine Months 2006 and Nine Months 2005 for dividends to shareholders was $7.9 million, or $0.105 per common share, and $6.8 million, or $0.09 per common share, respectively. Beyond the next twelve months, the ability of our operating subsidiaries to declare and pay dividends may be influenced by a variety of factors including market conditions, insurance and rating agencies regulations and general economic conditions. Consequently, although management believes that we will continue to have sufficient liquidity to meet our debt service and other obligations over the long term, it remains possible that we may be required to seek external debt or equity financing in order to meet our operating expenses, debt service obligations or pay dividends on our common shares.

We anticipate that a major source of our liquidity, for the next twelve months and for the longer term, will be amounts paid by our operating subsidiaries as dividends. Certain of our operating subsidiaries are subject to restrictions on their ability to pay dividends. The amount available at AGC to pay dividends in 2006 with notice to, but without the prior approval of, the Maryland Insurance Commissioner is approximately $29.6 million. Dividends paid by a U.S. company to a Bermuda holding company presently are subject to a 30% withholding tax. The amount available at AG Re to pay dividends in 2006 in compliance with Bermuda law is $590.2 million, however any amount greater than $58.4 million must receive prior approval of the Bermuda Monetary Authority.

Liquidity at our operating subsidiaries is used to pay operating expenses, claims, payment obligations with respect to credit derivatives, reinsurance premiums and dividends to Assured Guaranty U.S. Holdings Inc. for debt service and dividends to us, as well as, where appropriate, to make capital investments in their own subsidiaries. In

60




 

addition, certain of our operating companies may be required to post collateral in connection with credit derivatives and reinsurance transactions. Management believes that these subsidiaries’ operating needs generally can be met from operating cash flow, including gross written premium and investment income from their respective investment portfolios.

Net cash flows provided by operating activities were $181.6 million and $165.2 million during Nine Months 2006 and Nine Months 2005, respectively. The increase in cash flows provided by operating activities was primarily due to upfront premium received in both our financial guaranty direct and financial guaranty reinsurance segments during Second Quarter 2006 and a $12.3 million loss recovery from third party litigation settlements from our equity layer credit protection business, which was exited in connection with the IPO.

Net cash flows used in investing activities were $140.9 million and $147.1 million during Nine Months 2006 and Nine Months 2005, respectively. These investing activities consist of net purchases and sales of fixed maturity securities and short-term investments.

Net cash flows used in financing activities were $32.0 million and $27.0 million during Nine Months 2006 and Nine Months 2005, respectively.  During Nine Months 2006 we paid $7.9 million in dividends and $1.7 million, net, under our stock award plans. In addition, in April 2006, the Company repaid $2.1 million of notes outstanding and related interest to subsidiaries of ACE. These notes were assumed in connection with the IPO. During Nine Months 2005, we paid $6.8 million in dividends and $1.2 million, net, under our stock award plans.

On May 4, 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program for 1.0 million common shares. Share repurchases will take place at management’s discretion depending on market conditions. During Nine Months 2006, we paid $20.5 million to repurchase 0.8 million shares of our Common Stock. During Nine Months 2005 we paid $19.0 million to repurchase 1.0 million shares of our Common Stock under the Board of Directors authorized $25.0 million stock repurchase program, which was initiated in November 2004.

As of September 30, 2006 our future cash payments associated with contractual obligations pursuant to our operating leases for office space have not materially changed since December 31, 2005.

Credit Facilities

$300.0 million Credit Facility

On April 15, 2005, Assured Guaranty Ltd. and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a $300.0 million three-year unsecured revolving credit facility (the “$300.0 million credit facility”) with a syndicate of banks, for which ABN AMRO Incorporated and Bank of America, N.A. acted as lead arrangers and KeyBank National Association (“KeyBank”) acted as syndication agent. Under the $300.0 million credit facility, each of AGC, Assured Guaranty (UK) Ltd. (“AG (UK)”), a subsidiary of AGC organized under the laws of the United Kingdom, Assured Guaranty Ltd., AG Re and AGRO are entitled to request the banks to make loans to such borrower or to request that letters of credit be issued for the account of such borrower. The $300.0 million credit facility replaced the previously outstanding (1)  $250.0 million credit facility and (2)  Letter of Credit Agreement.

The proceeds of the loans and letters of credit are to be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes of the borrowers and to support reinsurance transactions.

At the closing of the $300.0 million credit facility, (i) AGC guaranteed the obligations of AG (UK) under such facility, (ii) Assured Guaranty Ltd. guaranteed the obligations of AG Re and AGRO under such facility and agreed that, if the Company Consolidated Assets (as defined in the related credit agreement) of AGC and its subsidiaries were to fall below $1.2 billion, it would, within 15 days, guarantee the obligations of AGC and AG (UK) under such facility and (iii) Assured Guaranty Overseas US Holdings Inc., as a Material Non-AGC Subsidiary (as defined in the related credit agreement), guaranteed the obligations of Assured Guaranty Ltd., AG Re and AGRO under such facility. Subsequently, AG Re and AGRO, as Material Non-AGC Subsidiaries, both guaranteed the obligations of the other and of Assured Guaranty Ltd. under such facility.

61




 

The $300.0 million credit facility’s financial covenants require that Assured Guaranty Ltd. (a) maintain a minimum net worth of $1.2 billion, (b) maintain an interest coverage ratio of at least 2.5:1, and (c) maintain a maximum debt-to-capital ratio of 30%. In addition, the $300.0 million credit facility requires that AGC: (x) maintain qualified statutory capital of at least 80% of its statutory capital as of the fiscal quarter prior to the closing date of the facility and (y) maintain a ratio of aggregate net par outstanding to qualified statutory capital of not more than 150:1. Furthermore, the $300.0 million credit facility contains restrictions on Assured Guaranty Ltd. and its subsidiaries, including, among other things, in respect of their ability to incur debt, permit liens, become liable in respect of guaranties, make loans or investments, pay dividends or make distributions, dissolve or become party to a merger, consolidation or acquisition, dispose of assets or enter into affiliate transactions. Most of these restrictions are subject to certain minimum thresholds and exceptions. A default by one borrower will give rise to a right of the lenders to terminate the facility and accelerate all amounts then outstanding. As of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, Assured Guaranty was in compliance with all of those financial covenants.

As of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, no loans were outstanding under this facility nor have there been any loan borrowings under this facility. As of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, two letters of credit have been issued, both on behalf of AGRO, with an aggregate stated amount of approximately $19.2 million and $20.7 million, respectively.

On November 6, 2006, the Company, AGC, AG Re, AGRO, and AG (UK) (the “borrowers”), entered into a $300.0 million, 5-year revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) with a syndicate of banks. Borrowings by the Company, AG Re and AGRO will be limited to an aggregate principal amount at any time not to exceed $100.0 million and AG (UK) will be limited to an aggregate principal amount of $20.0 million. The Company will guarantee the obligations of AG Re and AGRO; AG Re, AGRO and Assured Guaranty Overseas U.S. Holdings Inc. will guarantee the obligations of the Company; AGC will guarantee the obligations of AG (UK). The Facility shall be available for general corporate purposes, including the issuance of letters of credit. The borrowers have the option to increase the aggregate commitments under the Facility by up to $100.0 million. Borrowings under the Facility, if any, will be charged interest, in accordance with the terms of the agreement. Covenants under this Facility are comparable to those under the $300.0 million credit facility. This Facility replaces the $300.0 million credit facility.

Non-Recourse Credit Facility

AGC is also party to a non-recourse credit facility with a syndicate of banks which provides up to $175.0 million specifically designed to provide rating agency-qualified capital to further support AGC’s claims paying resources. The facility expires in December 2010. As of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, no amounts were outstanding under this facility nor have there been any borrowings under the life of this facility.

The Company’s failure to comply with certain covenants under our credit facilities could, subject to grace periods in the case of certain covenants, result in an event of default. This could require the Company to repay any outstanding borrowings in an accelerated manner.

Committed Capital Securities

On April 8, 2005, AGC entered into separate agreements (the “Put Agreements”) with each of Woodbourne Capital Trust I, Woodbourne Capital Trust II, Woodbourne Capital Trust III and Woodbourne Capital Trust IV (each, a “Custodial Trust”) pursuant to which AGC may, at its option, cause each of the Custodial Trusts to purchase up to $50,000,000 of perpetual preferred stock of AGC (the “AGC Preferred Stock”).

Structure

Each of the Custodial Trusts is a newly organized Delaware statutory trust formed for the purpose of (i) issuing a series of flex committed capital securities (the “CCS Securities”) representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of such Custodial Trust; (ii) investing the proceeds from the issuance of the CCS Securities or any  redemption in full of AGC Preferred Stock in a portfolio of high-grade commercial paper and (in limited cases) U.S. Treasury Securities (the “Eligible Assets”), (iii) entering into the Put Agreement with AGC; and (iv) entering into related agreements.

Initially, all of the CCS Securities were issued to a special purpose pass-through trust (the “Pass-Through Trust”). The Pass-Through Trust is a newly created statutory trust organized under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act formed for the purposes of (i) issuing $200,000,000 of Pass-Through Trust Securities to qualified institutional buyers within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (ii) investing the proceeds from the sale of the Pass-Through Trust Securities in, and holding, the CCS Securities issued by the Custodial Trusts and (iii) entering into related agreements. Neither the Pass-Through Trust nor the Custodial Trusts are consolidated in Assured Guaranty’s financial statements.

Income distributions on the Pass-Through Trust Securities will be equal to an annualized rate of One-Month LIBOR plus 110 basis points for all periods ending on or prior to April 8, 2008, and thereafter distributions

62




 

will be determined pursuant to a remarketing process (the “Flexed Rate Period”) or pursuant to an auction process (the “Auction Rate Mode”). Distributions on the CCS Securities and dividends on the AGC Preferred Stock will be determined pursuant to the same process.

Put Agreement

Pursuant to the Put Agreement, AGC will pay a monthly put premium to each Custodial Trust except (1) during any period when the AGC Preferred Stock that has been put to a Custodial Trust is held by that Custodial Trust or (2) upon termination of the Put Agreement. The put premium will equal the product of (A) the applicable distribution rate on the CCS Securities for the respective distribution period less the  excess of (i) the Custodial Trust’s stated return on the Eligible Assets for such distribution period (including any fees and expenses of the Pass-Through Trust) (expressed as an annual rate) over (ii) the expenses of the Custodial Trust for such distribution period (expressed as an annual rate), (B) the aggregate face amount of the CCS Securities of the Custodial Trust outstanding on the date the put premium is calculated, and (C) a fraction, the numerator of which will be the actual number of days in such distribution period and the denominator of which will be 360. In addition, and as a condition to exercising the put option under a Put Agreement, AGC is required to enter into a Custodial Trust Expense Reimbursement Agreement with the respective Custodial Trust pursuant to which AGC agrees it will pay the fees and expenses of the Custodial Trust (which includes the fees and expenses of the Pass-Through Trust) during the period when such Custodial Trust holds AGC Preferred Stock.

Upon exercise of the put option granted to AGC pursuant to the Put Agreement, a Custodial Trust will liquidate its portfolio of Eligible Assets and purchase the AGC Preferred Stock and will hold the AGC Preferred Stock until the earlier of (i) the redemption of such AGC Preferred Stock and (ii) the liquidation or dissolution of the Custodial Trust.

Each Put Agreement has no scheduled termination date or maturity, however, it will terminate if (1) AGC fails to pay the put premium in accordance with the Put Agreement, and such failure continues for five business days, (2) during the Auction Rate Mode, AGC elects to have the AGC Preferred Stock bear a fixed rate dividend (a “Fixed Rate Distribution Event”), (3) AGC fails to pay (i) dividends on the AGC Preferred Stock, or (ii) the fees and expenses of the Custodial Trust, for the related dividend period, and such failure continues for five business days, (4) AGC fails to pay the redemption price of the AGC Preferred Stock and such failure continues for five business days, (5) the face amount of a Custodial Trust’s CCS Securities is less than $20,000,000, (6) AGC elects to terminate the Put Agreement, or (7) a decree of judicial dissolution of the Custodial Trust is entered. If, as a result of AGC’s failure to pay the put premium, the Custodial Trust is liquidated, AGC will be required to pay a termination payment which will be distributed to the holders of the Pass-Through Trust Securities. The termination payment will be at a rate equal to 1.10% per annum of the amount invested in Eligible Assets calculated from the date of the failure to pay the put premium through the end of the applicable period.

As of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, the put option had not been exercised.

AGC Preferred Stock

AGC Preferred Stock will be issued in one or more series, with each series in an aggregate liquidation preference amount equal to the aggregate face amount of a Custodial Trust’s outstanding CCS Securities, net of fees and expenses, upon exercise of the put option. Unless redeemed by AGC, the AGC Preferred Stock will be perpetual.

For each distribution period, holders of the outstanding AGC Preferred Stock of any series, in preference to the holders of common stock and of any other class of shares ranking junior to the AGC Preferred Stock, will be entitled to receive out of any funds legally available therefore when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors of AGC or a duly authorized committee thereof, cash dividends at a rate per share equal to the dividends rate for such series of AGC Preferred Stock for the respective distribution period. Prior to a Fixed Rate Distribution Event, the dividend rate on the AGC Preferred Stock will be equal to the distribution rate on the CCS Securities. The Custodial Trust’s expenses (including any expenses of the Pass-Through Trust) for the period will be paid separately by AGC pursuant to the Custodial Trust Expense Reimbursement Agreement.

63




 

Upon a Fixed Rate Distribution Event, the distribution rate on the AGC Preferred Stock will equal the fixed rate equivalent of one-month LIBOR plus 2.50%. A “Fixed Rate Distribution Event” will be deemed to have occurred during the Auction Rate Mode when AGC Preferred Stock is outstanding, if: (1) AGC elects to have the AGC Preferred Stock bear dividends at a fixed rate, (2) AGC fails to pay dividends on the AGC Preferred Stock for the related distribution period and such failure continues for five business days or (3) AGC fails to pay the fees and expenses of the Custodial Trust for the related distribution period pursuant to the Custodial Trust Expense Reimbursement Agreement and such failure continues for five business days.

During the Flexed Rate Period and for any period in which AGC Preferred Stock is held by a Custodial Trust, dividends will be paid monthly, except that during the Auction Rate Mode dividends will be paid every 49 days.  Following a Fixed Rate Distribution Event, dividends will be paid every 90 days.

Following exercise of the put option during any Flexed Rate Period, AGC may redeem the AGC Preferred Stock held by a Custodial Trust in whole and not in part on any distribution payment date by paying a redemption price to such Custodial Trust in an amount equal to the liquidation preference amount of the AGC Preferred Stock (plus any accrued but unpaid dividends on the AGC Preferred Stock for the then current distribution period). If AGC redeems the AGC Preferred Stock held by a Custodial Trust, the Custodial Trust will reinvest the redemption proceeds in Eligible Assets and, in accordance with the Put Agreement, AGC will pay the put premium to the Custodial Trust. If the AGC Preferred Stock was distributed to holders of CCS Securities during any Flexed Rate Period then AGC may not redeem the AGC Preferred Stock until the end of such period.

Following exercise of the put option during the Auction Rate Mode or at the end of any Flexed Rate Period,  AGC may redeem the AGC Preferred Stock held by a Custodial Trust in whole or in part (x) on the final distribution payment date of the applicable Flexed Rate Period and (y) on any distribution payment date in the Auction Rate Mode, by paying a redemption price to the Custodial Trust in an amount equal to the liquidation preference amount of the AGC Preferred Stock to be redeemed (plus any accrued but unpaid dividends on such AGC Preferred Stock for the then current distribution period). If AGC partially redeems the AGC Preferred Stock held by a Custodial Trust, the redemption proceeds will be distributed pro rata to the holders of the CCS Securities and, if the Pass-Through Trust is the holder of CCS Securities, distributed by the Pass-Through Trust to holders of Pass-Through Securities (and a corresponding reduction in the aggregate face amount of CCS Securities and, if the Pass-Through Trust is the holder of CCS Securities, Pass-Through Trust Securities will be made); provided that AGC must redeem all of the AGC Preferred Stock if after giving effect to a partial redemption, the aggregate liquidation preference amount of the AGC Preferred Stock held by such Custodial Trust immediately following such redemption would be less than $20,000,000. If a Fixed Rate Distribution Event occurs, AGC may not redeem the AGC Preferred Stock for a period of two years from the date of such Fixed Rate Distribution Event.

Investment Portfolio

Our investment portfolio consisted of $2,210.0 million of fixed maturity securities, $169.4 million of short-term investments and had a duration of 4.0 years as of September 30, 2006, compared with $2,134.0 million of fixed maturity securities, $115.8 million of short-term investments with a duration of 4.4 years as of December 31, 2005. Our fixed maturity securities are designated as available-for-sale in accordance with FAS No. 115 “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities” (“FAS 115”). Fixed maturity securities are reported at their fair value in accordance with FAS 115, and the change in fair value is reported as part of accumulated other comprehensive income. If we believe the decline in fair value is “other than temporary,” we write down the carrying value of the investment and record a realized loss in our statement of operations.

Fair value of the fixed maturity securities is based upon quoted market prices provided by either independent pricing services or, when such prices are not available, by reference to broker or underwriter bid indications. Our investment portfolio does not include any non-publicly traded securities. For a detailed description of our valuation of investments see “—Critical Accounting Estimates.”

We review our investment portfolio for possible impairment losses. For additional information, see “—Critical Accounting Estimates.”

64




The following table summarizes the ratings distributions of our investment portfolio as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005. Ratings are represented by the lower of the Moody’s and S&P classifications.

 

 

As of September 30, 2006

 

As of December 31, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AAA or equivalent

 

82.2

%

84.9

%

AA

 

12.9

%

10.7

%

A

 

4.9

%

4.4

%

Total

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

 

As of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, our investment portfolio did not contain any securities that were not rated or rated below investment grade.

Short-term investments include securities with maturity dates equal to or less than one year from the original issue date. Our short-term investments are composed of money market funds, discounted notes and certain time deposits for foreign cash portfolios. Short-term investments are reported at cost, which approximates the fair value of these securities due to the short maturity of these investments.

Under agreements with our cedants and in accordance with statutory requirements, we maintain fixed maturity securities in trust accounts for the benefit of reinsured companies and for the protection of policyholders, generally in states where we or our subsidiaries, as applicable, are not licensed or accredited. The carrying value of such restricted balances as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 was $510.4 million and $552.8 million, respectively.

Under certain derivative contracts, we are required to post eligible securities as collateral, generally cash or U.S. government or agency securities. The need to post collateral under these transactions is generally based on marked to market valuations in excess of contractual thresholds. The fair market values of our pledged securities totaled $1.7 million as of September 30, 2006 and $1.8 million as of December 31, 2005.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2006, the FASB issued FAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments” (“FAS 155”) which amends FAS 133 and FAS No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities” (“FAS 140”), and addresses issues raised in FAS 133 Implementation Issue No. D1, “Application of Statement 133 to Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets.” The primary objectives of FAS 155 are: (i) with respect to FAS 133, to address the accounting for beneficial interests in securitized financial assets and (ii) with respect to FAS 140, eliminate a restriction on the passive derivative instruments that a  qualifying special purpose entity may hold. FAS 155 is effective for all financial instruments acquired or issued after the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006. The adoption of FAS 155 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s operating results or financial condition.

In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and

65




measurement attribute for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company is assessing FIN 48 and is determining the impact that the adoption of FIN 48 will have on its results of operations or financial position.

In September 2006, the FASB issued FAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. FAS 157 applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, the FASB having previously concluded in those accounting pronouncements that fair value is the relevant measurement attribute. Accordingly, FAS 157 does not require any new fair value measurements. FAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company plans to adopt FAS 157 beginning in the first quarter of 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, the adoption of FAS 157 will have on its results of operations or financial position.

In October 2006, the FASB issued FAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88,106 and 132(R)” (“FAS 158”). FAS 158 represents the completion of the first phase in the FASB’s postretirement benefits accounting project. FAS 158 is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006, for public entities, and at the end of fiscal years ending after June 15, 2007, for all other entities.  Since the Company has no defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans, FAS 158 will have no impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

Item 3.                          Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market Risk

Market risk represents the potential for losses that may result from changes in the value of a financial instrument as a result of changes in market conditions. The primary market risks that impact the value of our financial instruments are interest rate risk, basis risk, such as taxable interest rates relative to tax-exempt interest rates, and credit spread risk. Senior managers in our surveillance department are responsible for monitoring risk limits and applying risk measurement methodologies. The estimation of potential losses arising from adverse changes in market conditions is a key element in managing market risk. We use various systems, models and stress test scenarios to monitor and manage market risk. These models include estimates made by management that use current and historic market information. The valuation results from these models could differ materially from amounts that actually are realized in the market. See “—Critical Accounting Estimates—Valuation of Investments.”

Financial instruments that may be adversely affected by changes in interest rates consist primarily of investment securities. The primary objective in managing our investment portfolio is generation of an optimal level of after-tax investment income while preserving capital and maintaining adequate liquidity. Investment strategies are based on many factors, including our tax position, fluctuation in interest rates, regulatory and rating agency criteria and other market factors. There have been no significant changes in circumstances affecting our market risks.  As such, we have not provided disclosure in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

66




 

Item 4.                          Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Assured Guaranty Ltd.’s management, with the participation of Assured Guaranty Ltd.’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of Assured Guaranty Ltd.’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, Assured Guaranty Ltd.’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, Assured Guaranty Ltd.’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by Assured Guaranty Ltd. (including its consolidated subsidiaries) in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act and that such information is accumulated and communicated to Assured Guaranty Ltd.’s management as appropriate to allow for timely decisions regarding the required disclosure.

There have been no changes in internal controls that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to affect, Assured Guaranty Ltd.’s internal control over financial reporting.

67




PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1 – Legal Proceedings

Lawsuits arise in the ordinary course of the Company’s business. It is the opinion of the Company’s management, based upon the information available, that the expected outcome of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity, although an adverse resolution of a number of these items could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or liquidity in a particular quarter or fiscal year.

In the ordinary course of their respective businesses, certain of our subsidiaries assert claims in legal proceedings against third parties to recover losses paid in prior periods. The amounts, if any, the Company will recover in these proceedings are uncertain, although recoveries in any one or more of these proceedings during any quarter or fiscal year could be material to the Company’s results of operations in that particular quarter or fiscal year.

In April 2005, Assured Guaranty Corp. (“AGC”) received a Notice of Order to Preserve (“Order”) from the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance, State of Georgia (“Commissioner”). The Order was directed to “ACE Limited, and all affiliates” and requires the preservation of documents and other items related to “finite insurance” and a broad group of other insurance and reinsurance agreements. Also in April 2005, AGC, and numerous other insurers, received a subpoena from the Commissioner related to the “initial phase” of the Commissioner’s investigation into “finite-risk” transactions. The subpoena requested information on AGC’s assumed and ceded reinsurance contracts in force during 2004. AGC provided the required information in response to the subpoena in January 2006 and has not been asked by the Commissioner for any further information.

During 2006, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Assured Guaranty Re Overseas Ltd. (“AGRO”), and a number of other parties, completed various settlements with defendants in the In re: National Century Financial Enterprises Inc. Investment Litigation now pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio - Eastern District. AGRO received approximately $12.3 million (pre-tax) in Nine Months 2006, from the settlements. AGRO originally paid claims in 2003 of approximately $41.7 million (pre-tax) related to National Century Financial Enterprises Inc. To date, including the settlements described above, the Company has recovered $17.6 million (pre-tax). These are a partial settlement of the litigation, and the litigation will continue against other parties.

Item 1A – Risk Factors

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results.  There have been no significant changes in circumstances affecting our risk factors.  As such, we have not provided disclosure in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

68




Item 2 – Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Issuer’s Purchases of Equity Securities

On May 4, 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a new 1.0 million share repurchase program. Share repurchases will take place at management’s discretion depending on market conditions. The following table reflects purchases made by the Company during the three months ended September 30, 2006.

Period

 

(a) Total
Number of
Shares Purchased

 

(b) Average
Price Paid
Per Share

 

(c) Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Program

 

(d) Maximum Number
of Shares that
May Yet Be Purchased
Under the Program

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 1 – July 31

 

271

(1)

$

25.58

 

 

306,004

 

August 1 – August 31

 

139,514

(2)

$

24.89

 

134,544

 

171,460

 

September 1 – September 30

 

127

(3)

$

26.44

 

 

171,460

 

Total

 

139,912

 

$

24.90

 

134,514

 

 

 

 


(1)             271 shares were repurchased from employees in connection with the payment of withholding taxes due in connection with the vesting of restricted stock awards.

(2)             4,970 shares were repurchased from employees in connection with the payment of withholding taxes due in connection with the vesting of restricted stock awards.

(3)             127 shares were repurchased from employees in connection with the payment of withholding taxes due in connection with the vesting of restricted stock awards.

Items 3, 4 and 5 are omitted either because they are inapplicable or because the answer to such question is negative.

Item 6 - Exhibits

See Exhibit Index for a list of exhibits filed with this report.

69




SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

Assured Guaranty Ltd. (Registrant)

 

 

 

Dated: November 7, 2006

 

By:

     /S/ Robert B. Mills

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert B. Mills
Chief Financial Officer (Principal
Financial Officer
and Duly Authorized Officer)

70




EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number

 

Description

 

 

 

10.1

 

Employment agreement dated as of October 5, 2006, between Assured Guaranty Ltd., Assured Guaranty Corp. and Robert Bailenson*

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of CEO Pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13A-14 and 15D-14, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of CFO Pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13A-14 and 15D-14, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification of CEO Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certification of CFO Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

99.1

 

Assured Guaranty Corp.’s Consolidated Unaudited Financial Statements as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 and for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006 and 2005

 


* Management contract or compensatory plan

71