10-Q
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
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Quarterly Report Pursuant To Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act Of 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2008
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Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission file no. 000-50990
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
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13-3894120 |
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(State or other jurisdiction of |
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
incorporation or organization)
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120 Broadway, 31st Floor
New York, NY
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10271 |
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(Address of principal executive offices)
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(Zip Code) |
(212) 655-2000
(Registrant’s 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 and 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. þ Yes o No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated
filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large
accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act. (Check one):
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Large accelerated filer
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Accelerated filer
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Non-accelerated filer o |
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Smaller reporting company o |
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(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act).
o Yes þ No
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of
the latest practicable date: 23,326,346 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, as of
May 1, 2008.
Part I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
Tower Group, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
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(Unaudited) |
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March 31, |
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December 31, |
($ in thousands, except par value and share amounts) |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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Assets |
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Fixed-maturity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost of
$554,803 and $616,757) |
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$ |
529,557 |
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$ |
606,488 |
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Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (cost of $11,993 and $14,429) |
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10,810 |
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12,580 |
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Total investments |
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540,367 |
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619,068 |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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93,439 |
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77,679 |
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Receivable for securities |
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68,312 |
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8,755 |
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Investment income receivable |
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6,148 |
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6,546 |
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Agents’ balances receivable |
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114,869 |
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122,763 |
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Reinsurance recoverable |
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215,959 |
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207,828 |
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Prepaid reinsurance premiums |
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130,041 |
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124,834 |
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Deferred acquisition costs, net of deferred ceding commission revenue |
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44,883 |
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39,271 |
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Deferred income taxes |
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19,938 |
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22,802 |
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Intangible assets |
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21,369 |
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21,670 |
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Goodwill |
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18,962 |
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13,281 |
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Fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation |
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34,298 |
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32,337 |
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Investment in unconsolidated affiliate |
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32,591 |
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32,615 |
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Other assets |
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25,202 |
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25,162 |
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Total assets |
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$ |
1,366,378 |
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$ |
1,354,611 |
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Liabilities |
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Loss and loss adjustment expenses |
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$ |
505,705 |
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$ |
501,183 |
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Unearned premium |
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275,389 |
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272,774 |
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Reinsurance balances payable |
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74,519 |
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58,740 |
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Payable to issuing carriers |
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36,992 |
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42,855 |
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Funds held under reinsurance agreements |
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32,841 |
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36,841 |
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Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
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14,099 |
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14,205 |
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Other liabilities |
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11,712 |
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17,590 |
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Subordinated debentures |
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101,036 |
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101,036 |
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Total liabilities |
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1,052,293 |
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1,045,224 |
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Stockholders’ Equity |
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Common stock ($0.01 par value; 40,000,000 shares authorized, 23,374,013 and
23,225,039 shares issued, and 23,326,346 and 23,185,173 shares outstanding) |
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234 |
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232 |
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Treasury stock (47,667 and 39,866 shares) |
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(674 |
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(493 |
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Paid-in-capital |
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206,157 |
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205,435 |
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Accumulated other comprehensive net loss |
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(17,865 |
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(8,322 |
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Retained earnings |
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126,233 |
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112,535 |
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Total stockholders’ equity |
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314,085 |
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309,387 |
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Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity |
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$ |
1,366,378 |
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$ |
1,354,611 |
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See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
1
Tower Group, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)
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Three Months Ended |
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March 31, |
($ in thousands, except per share and share amounts) |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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Revenues |
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Net premiums earned |
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$ |
68,430 |
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$ |
60,383 |
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Ceding commission revenue |
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20,654 |
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14,234 |
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Insurance services revenue |
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9,660 |
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1,460 |
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Net investment income |
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9,796 |
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7,955 |
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Net realized gains (losses) on investments |
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1,374 |
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(17 |
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Policy billing fees |
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578 |
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302 |
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Total revenues |
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110,492 |
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84,317 |
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Expenses |
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Loss and loss adjustment expenses |
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37,297 |
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33,910 |
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Direct and ceding commission expense |
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26,608 |
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18,635 |
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Other operating expenses |
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21,666 |
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15,089 |
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Interest expense |
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2,322 |
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2,084 |
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Total expenses |
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87,893 |
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69,718 |
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Other Income |
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Equity income in unconsolidated affiliate |
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760 |
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689 |
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Gain from issuance of common stock by unconsolidated affiliate |
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— |
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2,705 |
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Income before income taxes |
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23,359 |
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17,993 |
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Income tax expense |
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8,506 |
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6,365 |
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Net income |
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$ |
14,853 |
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$ |
11,628 |
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Gross unrealized investment holding gains (losses) arising during period |
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(12,524 |
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546 |
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Equity in net unrealized gains in investment in unconsolidated affiliate’s
investment portfolio |
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(784 |
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55 |
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Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income |
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(1,374 |
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17 |
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Income tax (expense) benefit related to items of other
comprehensive income |
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5,139 |
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(216 |
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Comprehensive net income |
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$ |
5,310 |
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$ |
12,030 |
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Basic and diluted earnings per share |
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Basic |
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$ |
0.65 |
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$ |
0.50 |
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Diluted |
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$ |
0.64 |
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$ |
0.49 |
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Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding: |
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Basic |
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22,995,511 |
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21,988,907 |
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Diluted |
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23,187,773 |
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22,621,230 |
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Dividends declared and paid per common share: |
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Common stock |
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$ |
0.050 |
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$ |
0.025 |
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See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
2
Tower Group, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
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Three Months Ended |
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March 31, |
($ in thousands) |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities: |
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Net income |
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$ |
14,853 |
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$ |
11,628 |
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Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operations: |
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Gain from IPO of common shares of unconsolidated affiliate |
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— |
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(2,705 |
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(Gain) loss on sale of investments |
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(1,374 |
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17 |
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Depreciation and amortization |
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2,605 |
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1,552 |
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Amortization of restricted stock |
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491 |
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289 |
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Deferred income taxes |
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2,482 |
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(595 |
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Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements |
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(51 |
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(65 |
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Changes in: |
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Agents’ balances receivable |
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7,895 |
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7,380 |
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Reinsurance recoverable |
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(11,823 |
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(17,713 |
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Prepaid reinsurance premiums |
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(5,207 |
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(16,198 |
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Deferred acquisition costs, net |
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(5,612 |
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4,785 |
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Federal and state income taxes recoverable/payable |
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140 |
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4,790 |
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Equity in unconsolidated affiliate |
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(760 |
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(689 |
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Other assets |
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(179 |
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(984 |
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Loss and loss adjustment expenses |
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4,522 |
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31,228 |
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Unearned premium |
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2,615 |
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2,253 |
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Reinsurance balances payable |
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15,779 |
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11,486 |
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Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
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(10,970 |
) |
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(9,387 |
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Funds held under reinsurance agreement |
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(4,652 |
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(3,659 |
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Other |
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12,445 |
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(3,037 |
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Net cash flows provided by operations |
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23,200 |
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20,376 |
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Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities: |
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Purchase of fixed assets |
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(4,426 |
) |
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(3,342 |
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Purchase — fixed-maturity securities |
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(115,565 |
) |
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(75,203 |
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Purchase — equity securities |
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— |
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(2,570 |
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Sale or maturity — fixed-maturity securities |
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113,608 |
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35,991 |
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Sale — equity securities |
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— |
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3,001 |
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Net cash flows used in investing activities |
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(6,383 |
) |
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(42,123 |
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Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities: |
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Equity offering and over allotment, net of issuance costs |
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— |
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89,387 |
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Issuance of perpetual preferred stock, net of issuance costs |
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— |
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20,619 |
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Purchase of common trust securities — statutory business trusts |
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— |
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(619 |
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Redemption of preferred stock |
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— |
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(40,000 |
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Exercise of stock options & warrants |
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231 |
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93 |
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Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements |
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51 |
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65 |
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Stock repurchase |
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(180 |
) |
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— |
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Dividends paid |
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(1,159 |
) |
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(1,082 |
) |
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Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities |
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(1,057 |
) |
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68,463 |
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Increase in cash and cash equivalents |
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15,760 |
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46,716 |
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Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period |
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77,679 |
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100,598 |
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Cash and cash equivalents, end of period |
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$ |
93,439 |
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$ |
147,314 |
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Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: |
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Cash paid for income taxes |
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$ |
5,139 |
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$ |
1,077 |
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Cash paid for interest |
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2,116 |
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1,426 |
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See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
3
Tower Group, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1—Nature of Business
Tower Group, Inc. (the “Company”), through its subsidiaries, offers property and casualty insurance
products and diversified insurance services and products. The Company’s common stock is publicly
traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “TWGP”.
The Company has changed its presentation of its business results by combining its previously
reported insurance segment with its reinsurance segment based on the way management organizes the
segments for making operating decisions and assessing profitability. This will result in the
reporting of two operating segments. The prior period segment disclosures have been restated to
conform to the current presentation.
Insurance Segment: offers a broad range of property and casualty insurance products and services
to small to mid-sized businesses and to individuals primarily in the Northeast states and
Insurance Services Segment: provides insurance brokering, claim administration, reinsurance
intermediary services and other administrative services.
Note 2—Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
instructions for Form 10-Q and, accordingly, do not include the information and disclosures
required by generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the Unites States of America.
These statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements as of and
for the year ended December 31, 2007 and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on
Form 10-K filed on March 14, 2008. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have not
been audited by an independent registered public accounting firm in accordance with standards of
the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), but in the opinion of management
such financial statements include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments,
necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s financial position and results of operations.
The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008 may not be indicative of the
results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2008. The consolidated financial
statements as of March 31, 2008 include the accounts of Tower Group, Inc. (the “Company”), its
wholly owned subsidiaries Tower Insurance Company of New York (“TICNY”), Tower National Insurance
Company (“TNIC”), Tower Risk Management Corp. (“TRM”), Preserver Group, Inc. (“Preserver”) and its
subsidiaries, Preserver Insurance Company (“PIC”), Mountain Valley Indemnity Company (“MVIC”) and
North East Insurance Company (“NEIC”), and other entities required by GAAP. All significant
inter-company balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Business segment results are
presented net of all material inter-segment transactions.
Accounting Pronouncements
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” (“SFAS No. 157”). SFAS No. 157 defines
fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure about fair
value measurements. It applies to other pronouncements that require or permit fair value but does
not require
4
any new fair value measurements. The statement defines fair value as “the price that would be
received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market
participants at the measurement date.” SFAS No. 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy to increase
consistency and comparability in fair value measurements and disclosures. The hierarchy is based on
the inputs used in valuation and gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets. The
Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 157 on January 1, 2008, which did not have a material
effect on its consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) FSP No. FAS 157-2, “Effective Date of
FASB Statement No. 157 (“FSP FAS 157-2”) which delays the effective date of SFAS 157 to fiscal
years beginning after November 15, 2008 for certain nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial
liabilities. As a result of the issuance of FSP FAS 157-2, the Company did not apply the
provisions of SFAS 157 to the nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities within the scope of
FSP FAS 157-2.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and
Financial Liabilities — Including an Amendment of SFAS No. 115” (“SFAS No. 159”). This standard
permits an entity to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair
value. The FASB’s stated objective in issuing this standard is as follows: “to improve financial
reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings
caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex
hedge accounting provisions.” The fair value option established by SFAS No. 159 permits all
entities to choose to measure eligible items at fair value at specified election dates. A business
entity will report unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been
elected in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. The fair value option: (a) may be applied
instrument by instrument, with a few exceptions, such as investments otherwise accounted for by the
equity method; (b) is irrevocable (unless a new election date occurs); and (c) is applied only to
entire instruments and not to portions of instruments. SFAS No. 159 is effective as of the
beginning of the entity’s first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. The Company did
not elect to implement the fair value option for eligible financial assets and liabilities as of
January 1, 2008.
In June 2007, the FASB issued Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue 06-11, “Accounting for
Income Tax Benefits of Dividends on Share-Based Payment Awards” (“EITF 06-11”). EITF 06-11
requires that the tax benefit related to dividend equivalents paid on restricted stock, which are
expected to vest, be recorded as an increase to additional paid-in capital. The Company currently
accounts for this tax benefit as a reduction to income tax expense. EITF 06-11 is to be applied
prospectively for tax benefits on dividends declared in fiscal years beginning after December 15,
2007, and the Company adopted the provisions of EITF 06-11 on January 1, 2008. EITF 06-11 did not
have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS No. 141(R)”).
This standard establishes principles and requirements for how the acquirer of a business recognizes
and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed,
and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree. SFAS No. 141(R) also provides guidance for
recognizing and measuring the goodwill acquired in a business combination and determines what
information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and
financial effects of the business combination. The guidance will become effective as of the
beginning of the Company’s fiscal year after December 15, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating
the effect that the adoption of SFAS No. 141(R) will have on its consolidated financial condition
or results of operations.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial
Statements-an amendment of ARB No. 51” (“SFAS No. 160”). This standard establishes accounting and
5
reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of
a subsidiary. The guidance will become effective as of the beginning of the Company’s fiscal year
after December 15, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that the adoption of SFAS
No. 160 will have on its consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
Note 3—Acquisition of Preserver Group, Inc.
On April 10, 2007, the Company completed the acquisition of 100% of the issued and outstanding
common stock of Preserver Group, Inc., a New Jersey corporation.
The purchase price allocation of fair value to the acquired assets and liabilities was adjusted in
December 2007 and March 2008 in finalizing the allocation of the purchase price. The December 2007
adjustment resulted primarily from Preserver not properly recording its proportionate share of
assets and liabilities relating to involuntary residual market plans. The March 2008 adjustment
resulted from recording a deferred tax liability related to the intangible assets recognized in
connection with the acquisition of Preserver. The Company will complete its valuation of all
assets and liabilities in the second quarter of 2008 and finalize adjustments to the valuation of
assets acquired or liabilities assumed. See Note 8—Goodwill for a discussion of the purchase price
allocation.
Note 4—Equity Offering
On January 22, 2007, the Company signed an underwriting agreement providing for the issuance and
sale of 2,704,000 shares of common stock at a price of $31.25 per share, less underwriting
discounts, and granted to the underwriters an option to purchase up to 405,600 additional shares of
common stock at the same price to cover over-allotments.
On January 26, 2007, the Company closed on its sale of 2,704,000 shares of common stock. On
February 5, 2007, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option with respect to 340,600
shares of common stock. The Company received aggregate net proceeds of approximately $89.4 million
from the offering and over-allotment option, after underwriting discounts and expenses.
Note 5—Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate—CastlePoint
At March 31, 2008, the Company’s maximum exposure to a loss from its investment in CastlePoint
Holdings, Ltd. (“CastlePoint”) was approximately $32.6 million, which consists of its equity
ownership interest of approximately $27.9 million and the fair value of the warrant the Company
received from CastlePoint of $4.6 million. The carrying value of the Company’s equity investment
in CastlePoint is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
December 31, |
($ in millions) |
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
Carrying value of equity investment, beginning of year |
|
$ |
32.6 |
|
|
$ |
27.9 |
|
Equity in net income of CastlePoint |
|
|
0.8 |
|
|
|
2.4 |
|
Gain from initial public offering of common stock of CastlePoint |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
2.7 |
|
Equity in net unrealized gain / (loss) of the CastlePoint investment portfolio |
|
|
(0.7 |
) |
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
Dividends received from CastlePoint |
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
|
|
(0.3 |
) |
|
Carrying value of equity investment, end of period |
|
$ |
32.6 |
|
|
$ |
32.6 |
|
|
On March 23, 2007, CastlePoint raised $114.8 million net of expenses in an initial public offering
which reduced the Company’s investment ownership from 8.6% to 6.7%. As a result of the initial
public offering, the book value of CastlePoint increased from $279.7 million as of December 31,
2006 to $401.3 million as of March 31, 2007. Accordingly, in the three months ended March 31,
2007, the Company
6
recorded a gain of $2.7 million in income before taxes on its common stock investment in
CastlePoint in accordance with SAB No. 51.
The Company has recorded $447,000 of CastlePoint dividends received or accrued since inception as a
reduction to its investment in CastlePoint.
As of March 31, 2008, the aggregate fair value of the Company’s investment in its 2,555,000 shares
of CastlePoint common stock listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “CPHL” was $24.9
million.
Affiliated Agreements with CastlePoint
The Company and/or its subsidiaries are parties to a master agreement, certain reinsurance
agreements, and other agreements, including management agreements and service and expense sharing
agreements, with CastlePoint. For more information regarding these agreements, please refer to the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
Master Agreement
The Master Agreement provides that CastlePoint will manage the traditional program business and the
specialty program business and the Company will manage the brokerage business. The program managers
are required to purchase property and casualty excess of loss reinsurance and property catastrophe
excess of loss reinsurance from third party reinsurers to protect the net exposure of the
participants.
Reinsurance Agreements
The Company’s insurance subsidiaries are parties to three multi-year quota share reinsurance
agreements with CastlePoint Reinsurance Company, Ltd. (“CastlePoint Reinsurance”) covering
brokerage business, traditional program business and specialty program business.
The following table provides an analysis of the reinsurance activity between the Company and
CastlePoint Reinsurance for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ceded |
|
Ceded |
|
Ceding |
|
Ceding |
|
|
Premiums |
|
Premiums |
|
Commissions |
|
Commission |
($ in thousands) |
|
Written |
|
Earned |
|
Received |
|
Percentage |
|
March 31, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brokerage business |
|
$ |
45,544 |
|
|
$ |
52,348 |
|
|
$ |
16,407 |
|
|
|
36.0 |
% |
Traditional program business |
|
|
2,524 |
|
|
|
1,178 |
|
|
|
819 |
|
|
|
32.5 |
% |
Specialty program business and insurance
risk-sharing business |
|
|
8,008 |
|
|
|
3,265 |
|
|
|
3,145 |
|
|
|
39.3 |
% |
|
Total |
|
$ |
56,076 |
|
|
$ |
56,791 |
|
|
$ |
20,371 |
|
|
|
36.3 |
% |
|
March 31, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brokerage business |
|
$ |
49,817 |
|
|
$ |
32,209 |
|
|
$ |
16,938 |
|
|
|
34.0 |
% |
Traditional program business |
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
164 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
30.0 |
% |
Specialty program business and insurance
risk-sharing business |
|
|
1,258 |
|
|
|
518 |
|
|
|
377 |
|
|
|
30.0 |
% |
|
Total |
|
$ |
51,081 |
|
|
$ |
32,891 |
|
|
$ |
17,317 |
|
|
|
33.9 |
% |
|
Under the brokerage business quota share reinsurance agreement, which covers business that the
Company has historically written through its retail and wholesale agents, the Company’s insurance
subsidiaries cede between 25% and 50% of premiums and losses, such ceding percentage being subject
to periodic adjustment by the Company. For the period April 1, 2007 through June 30, 2007,
CastlePoint
7
Insurance Company (“CPIC”) was added as a reinsurer under the brokerage business quota share
reinsurance agreement and the Company ceded 9% of its premiums and losses to CPIC and 40% of its
premiums and losses to CastlePoint Reinsurance. Subsequent to June 30, 2007, 40% of the Company’s
premiums and losses were ceded to CastlePoint Reinsurance.
Effective April 1, 2007, under the brokerage business quota share reinsurance agreement,
CastlePoint agreed to pay 30% of the Company’s property catastrophe reinsurance premiums relating
to the brokerage business pool managed by the Company and 30% of the Company’s net retained
property catastrophe losses. CastlePoint and the Company will participate proportionately in
catastrophe reinsurance on the underlying brokerage business pool. The premium payment was $1.0
million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and was recorded as a reduction to ceded premiums
earned. CastlePoint Reinsurance also participated as a reinsurer on the Company’s overall property
catastrophe reinsurance program from July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007, and the Company’s excess of
loss reinsurance program, effective May 1, 2006.
In addition, the Company entered into two aggregate excess of loss reinsurance agreements for the
brokerage business with CastlePoint effective October 1, 2007. The purpose of the two aggregate
excess of loss reinsurance agreements is to equalize the loss ratios for the brokerage business
written by CPIC and the Company. Under the first agreement, TICNY reinsures approximately 85%
(which percentage will be adjusted to equal Tower’s actual percentage of the total brokerage
business written by the Company and CPIC) of CPIC’s brokerage business losses above a loss ratio of
52.5%. Under the second agreement, CPIC reinsures approximately 15% (which percentage will be
adjusted to equal CastlePoint’s actual percentage of the total brokerage business written by the
Company and CPIC) of the Company’s brokerage business losses above a loss ratio of 52.5%. For the
three months ended March 31, 2008, the Company paid $0.8 million to CPIC for reinsurance brokerage
business written by the Company and received $0.8 million from CPIC for business assumed which was
produced by TRM as part of the brokerage business pool.
The traditional program business quota share reinsurance agreement covers program business
historically written by the Company. Under this agreement, the Company’s insurance subsidiaries
cede 50% of the Company’s traditional program business to CastlePoint Reinsurance and share premium
revenue and losses in proportion to the parties’ respective quota share participation. Ceding
commissions are intended to approximate actual expenses.
Under the specialty program business and insurance risk-sharing business quota share reinsurance
agreement, which covers business not historically written by the Company, the Company’s insurance
subsidiaries cede 85% of the Company’s net retention on specialty program business to CastlePoint
Reinsurance and receive a ceding commission which approximates actual expenses.
At March 31, 2008, the Company had receivables and payables with CastlePoint arising in the normal
course of business, as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CastlePoint |
($ in thousands) |
|
CastlePoint |
|
Insurance |
Receivable/(payable) due to/from |
|
Reinsurance |
|
Company |
|
Shown in balance sheet: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assumed premium receivable |
|
$ |
15 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
Reinsurance recoverable |
|
|
12,977 |
|
|
|
429 |
|
Reinsurance balances payable |
|
|
(52,489 |
) |
|
|
(8,007 |
) |
Payable to issuing carriers |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(34,414 |
) |
|
Total |
|
$ |
(39,497 |
) |
|
$ |
(41,992 |
) |
|
8
Program Management Agreement
Under the program management agreement, CastlePoint Management Corp. (“CPM”) was appointed by TICNY
to perform certain underwriting and claims services, effective January 1, 2007, with respect to the
traditional and specialty program business and insurance risk-sharing business, such as soliciting,
underwriting, quoting, binding, issuing, servicing of insurance policies and adjusting claims. In
circumstances where CPM cannot fully perform these functions on its own, CPM plans to delegate
authority to the program underwriting agents or to purchase services from the Company under the
service and expense sharing agreement. The Company reimburses CPM for expenses it incurs under
this agreement. All expenses paid by the Company were included as direct commission expenses to
CPM in the insurance segment. Total direct commission expenses paid by the Company for the three
months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 were $5.3 million and $1.4 million, respectively.
Management Agreement
TRM entered into a management agreement with CPIC effective July 1, 2007 to produce and manage
brokerage business on behalf of CPIC. Under this agreement, TRM receives a provisional management
fee equal to 34.0% of the subject premium of the business produced by TRM less excess and other
inuring reinsurance. The fee is adjusted between 31.0% and 36.0% based on the loss ratio of the
business produced. For the three months ended March 31, 2008, TRM produced $21.8 million of
premiums and earned $6.9 million in direct commission revenue from CPIC.
TICNY Service and Expense Sharing Agreements
Under the service and expense sharing agreements, CPM can purchase from TICNY, and TICNY can
purchase from CPM, certain insurance company services, such as claims adjustment, policy
administration, technology solutions, underwriting, and risk management services, at cost, and
market these services to program underwriting agents on an unbundled basis. The reimbursements for
these charges have been recorded as “Other administration revenue” in the Company’s insurance
services segment. CPM shares with the Company 50% of the profits and losses generated from marketed
services. The Company charged CastlePoint $0.4 million and $0.3 million for such services for the
three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
TRM Service and Expense Sharing Agreements
Effective May 2007, TRM entered into a service agreement with CPM pursuant to which TRM provides to
CPM and CPM may provide to TRM insurance company services such as claim adjustment, policy
administration, technologies solutions, underwriting and risk management services. Under this
agreement TRM agreed to produce and manage, on behalf of CPM, CPIC’s share of the Company’s
brokerage business. CastlePoint paid $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 for
claims adjustment services pursuant to this agreement. As discussed above, effective July 1, 2007,
TRM entered into a new agreement to produce and manage CPIC business, as more fully described under
“Management Agreement” above.
Note 6—Investments
The amortized cost and fair value of investments in fixed-maturity securities and equities,
together with information regarding the Company’s invested assets that were in an unrealized loss
position at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 are summarized as follows, by amount of time in a
continuous unrealized loss position:
9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost or |
|
Gross |
|
Gross Unrealized Losses |
|
|
|
|
|
% of |
|
|
Amortized |
|
Unrealized |
|
Less than 12 |
|
More than 12 |
|
Fair |
|
Fair |
($ in thousands) |
|
Cost |
|
Gains |
|
Months |
|
Months |
|
Value |
|
Value |
|
March 31, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Treasury securities |
|
$ |
25,879 |
|
|
$ |
856 |
|
|
$ |
(16 |
) |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
26,719 |
|
|
|
5 |
% |
U.S. Agency securities |
|
|
5,041 |
|
|
|
118 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
5,159 |
|
|
|
1 |
% |
Municipal bonds |
|
|
170,015 |
|
|
|
2,299 |
|
|
|
(680 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
171,634 |
|
|
|
32 |
% |
Corporate and other bonds |
|
|
157,565 |
|
|
|
580 |
|
|
|
(5,276 |
) |
|
|
(2,046 |
) |
|
|
150,823 |
|
|
|
28 |
% |
Commercial mortgage-backed securities |
|
|
49,203 |
|
|
|
79 |
|
|
|
(7,115 |
) |
|
|
(2,965 |
) |
|
|
39,202 |
|
|
|
7 |
% |
Residential mortgage-backed securities |
|
|
128,835 |
|
|
|
1,796 |
|
|
|
(3,082 |
) |
|
|
(7,267 |
) |
|
|
120,283 |
|
|
|
22 |
% |
Asset-backed securities |
|
|
18,265 |
|
|
|
118 |
|
|
|
(2,646 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
15,737 |
|
|
|
3 |
% |
|
Total
fixed-maturity
securities |
|
|
554,803 |
|
|
|
5,846 |
|
|
|
(18,816 |
) |
|
|
(12,277 |
) |
|
|
529,557 |
|
|
|
98 |
% |
Preferred stocks |
|
|
5,551 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(519 |
) |
|
|
(664 |
) |
|
|
4,368 |
|
|
|
1 |
% |
Common stocks |
|
|
6,442 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
6,441 |
|
|
|
1 |
% |
|
Total |
|
$ |
566,796 |
|
|
$ |
5,846 |
|
|
$ |
(19,334 |
) |
|
$ |
(12,941 |
) |
|
$ |
540,365 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
December 31, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Treasury securities |
|
$ |
25,837 |
|
|
$ |
827 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
26,664 |
|
|
|
4 |
% |
U.S. Agency securities |
|
|
19,709 |
|
|
|
162 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
19,871 |
|
|
|
3 |
% |
Municipal bonds |
|
|
155,296 |
|
|
|
1,167 |
|
|
|
(78 |
) |
|
|
(24 |
) |
|
|
156,361 |
|
|
|
25 |
% |
Corporate and other bonds |
|
|
201,501 |
|
|
|
1,219 |
|
|
|
(3,164 |
) |
|
|
(817 |
) |
|
|
198,739 |
|
|
|
32 |
% |
Commercial mortgage-backed securities |
|
|
49,475 |
|
|
|
262 |
|
|
|
(5,015 |
) |
|
|
(162 |
) |
|
|
44,560 |
|
|
|
7 |
% |
Residential mortgage-backed securities |
|
|
144,028 |
|
|
|
1,083 |
|
|
|
(2,511 |
) |
|
|
(2,733 |
) |
|
|
139,867 |
|
|
|
23 |
% |
Asset-backed securities |
|
|
20,911 |
|
|
|
88 |
|
|
|
(573 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
20,426 |
|
|
|
3 |
% |
|
Total
fixed-maturity
securities |
|
|
616,757 |
|
|
|
4,808 |
|
|
|
(11,341 |
) |
|
|
(3,736 |
) |
|
|
606,488 |
|
|
|
98 |
% |
Preferred stocks |
|
|
5,551 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(1,849 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
3,702 |
|
|
|
1 |
% |
Common stocks |
|
|
8,878 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
8,878 |
|
|
|
1 |
% |
|
Total |
|
$ |
631,186 |
|
|
$ |
4,808 |
|
|
$ |
(13,190 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,736 |
) |
|
$ |
619,068 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
In the last week of March 2008, the Company sold various fixed-maturity securities which were not
settled until the first week of April affecting the investment balance at March 31, 2008. The
receivable for securities at March 31, 2008 was
$68.3 million resulting from the sale of fixed-maturity
securities just prior to the end of the quarter.
The Company’s gross realized gains, losses and impairment write-downs on investments are summarized
as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
March 31, |
($ in thousands) |
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
Fixed-maturity securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross realized gains |
|
$ |
3,906 |
|
|
$ |
350 |
|
Gross realized losses |
|
|
(96 |
) |
|
|
(195 |
) |
|
|
|
|
3,810 |
|
|
|
155 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross realized gains |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
171 |
|
Gross realized losses |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(343 |
) |
Impairment write-down |
|
|
(2,436 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
(2,436 |
) |
|
|
(172 |
) |
|
Net realized gains (losses) |
|
$ |
1,374 |
|
|
$ |
(17 |
) |
|
Impairment Review
The Company regularly reviews its fixed-maturity and equity securities portfolios to evaluate the
necessity of recording impairment losses for other-than-temporary declines in the fair value of
investments. In evaluating potential impairment, management considers, among other criteria: the
10
current fair value compared to amortized cost or cost, as appropriate; the length of time the
security’s fair value has been below amortized cost or cost; specific credit issues related to the
issuer such as changes in credit rating, reduction or elimination of dividends or non-payment of
scheduled interest payments; management’s intent and ability to retain the investment for a period
of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in value to cost; specific credit issues
related to the issuer; specific cash flow estimations for mortgage-backed securities and current
economic conditions.
In addition, while evaluating the asset and mortgage-backed securities portfolios (other than those
of high credit quality or sufficiently collateralized to ensure that the possibility of credit loss
is remote), management follows the guidance of Emerging Issues Task Force Issue 99-20, “Recognition
of Interest Income and Impairment on Purchased and Retained Beneficial Interests in Securitized
Financial Assets,” (“EITF 99-20”). Accordingly, on a quarterly basis, when significant changes in
estimated cash flows from the cash flows previously estimated occur due to actual prepayment and
credit loss experience, and the present value of the revised cash
flow is significantly less than
the present value previously estimated, an other then temporary impairment is deemed to have
occurred. Other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses result in a permanent reduction of the
cost basis of the underlying investment. The determination of other than temporary impairment is a
subjective process, and different judgments and assumptions could affect the timing of loss
realization.
As of March 31, 2008, the Company reviewed its fixed-maturity and equity securities portfolios.
The unrealized loss position for equity securities was primarily due to the Company’s investment in
seven real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). The total unrealized loss for these seven
investments at March 31, 2008 was $2.4 million. The Company determined that these securities were
other-than-temporarily-impaired and recorded an impairment write-down of $2.4 million at March 31,
2008. These securities were sold by the Company in April 2008 and the Company recorded a gain of
$70,000, after considering the other-than-temporary-impairment adjustment recorded as of March 31,
2008.
As of March 31, 2008, net unrealized losses were $26.4 million and gross
unrealized losses were $32.3 million. In assessing other-than-temporary
impairment, the Company focused on all of its investments that had an
unrealized loss and, in particular, its mortgage and asset backed securities.
Ninety mortgage or asset backed securities with a fair value of $81.1 million,
out of 186 such securities with a fair value of $175.2 million, had unrealized
losses totaling $23.1 million. Twenty nine of these securities with a fair
value of $14.3 million and an unrealized loss of $10.7 million were below
investment grade.
The Company considered all relevant factors in assessing other-than-temporary
impairment including its ability and intent to hold these securities until a
recovery of fair value to the Company’s original cost, which may be maturity,
as well as a lack of any significant impairment of cash flows or credit
problems associated with these securities. As a result the Company did not
consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired.
Note 7—Fair Value Measurements
On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157 regarding fair value measurements. The
valuation technique used to fair value the financial instruments is the market approach which uses
prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or
comparable assets.
SFAS No. 157 establishes a three-level hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation
techniques used to measure fair value. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to
quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest
priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure the assets or liabilities
fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the classification is based on the lowest level
input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the asset or liability. Classification
of assets and liabilities within the hierarchy considers the markets in which the assets and
liabilities are traded and the reliability and transparency of the assumptions used to
11
determine fair value. The hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available. The
levels of the hierarchy and those investments included in each are as follows:
Level 1 – |
|
Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets
or liabilities traded in active markets. Included are those investments traded on an active
exchange, such as the NASDAQ Global Select Market. |
|
Level 2 – |
|
Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets or
liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in
markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset
or liability and market-corroborated inputs. Included are investments in U.S. Treasury
securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies, municipal bonds, corporate debt
securities, commercial mortgage and asset-backed securities and certain residential
mortgage-backed securities. |
|
Level 3 – |
|
Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable for the asset or liability and are
significant to the fair value measurement. Included are investments in certain illiquid
residential mortgage-backed securities. |
As at March 31, 2008, the Company’s investments are allocated between levels as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
($ in thousands) |
|
Level 1 |
|
Level 2 |
|
Level 3 |
|
Total |
|
Fixed maturity investments |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
518,851 |
|
|
$ |
10,707 |
|
|
$ |
529,558 |
|
Equity investments |
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
4,368 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
5,868 |
|
|
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
523,219 |
|
|
|
10,707 |
|
|
|
535,426 |
|
|
Other Investments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Real estate investment trusts |
|
|
4,942 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
4,942 |
|
|
Totals |
|
$ |
6,442 |
|
|
$ |
523,219 |
|
|
$ |
10,707 |
|
|
$ |
540,367 |
|
|
The Company’s use of Level 3 of “unobservable inputs” included 18 securities and accounted for less
than 2% of total investments at March 31, 2008.
The following table summarizes changes in Level 3 assets measured at fair value at March 31, 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
($ in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning balance as of January 1, 2008 |
|
$ |
— |
|
Total gains or losses (realized / unrealized) |
|
|
|
|
Included in earnings |
|
|
278 |
|
Included in other comprehensive income |
|
|
(2,599 |
) |
Purchases, issuances and settlements |
|
|
(441 |
) |
Net transfers into (out of) Level 3 |
|
|
13,469 |
|
|
Ending balance as of March 31, 2008 |
|
$ |
10,707 |
|
|
Note 8—Goodwill
Goodwill is calculated as the excess of purchase price over the net fair value of assets acquired.
In acquiring Preserver, the Company entered into an agreement that provided for a base purchase
price of approximately $68.3 million, subject to certain purchase price adjustments. The Agreement
provided for using a portion of the proceeds to pay off certain debt owed to Preserver’s
stockholders and to settle Preserver’s direct transaction costs. The purchase price, net of
Preserver’s direct transaction costs, was approximately $64.7 million plus approximately $1.3
million of transaction costs incurred by Tower. Approximately $30.8 million of the purchase price
was used to pay off certain debt owed to Preserver’s stockholders.
12
The determination of goodwill as it relates to the Preserver acquisition is based upon the
following:
|
|
|
|
|
($ in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase Price |
|
|
|
|
Base purchase price paid |
|
$ |
68,250 |
|
Preserver direct transaction costs, net of tax benefit |
|
|
(3,547 |
) |
|
Total purchase price paid to Preserver |
|
|
64,703 |
|
Direct transaction costs |
|
|
1,305 |
|
|
Total purchase consideration |
|
|
66,008 |
|
|
Allocation of Purchase Price |
|
|
|
|
Book value of Preserver at date of acquisition |
|
|
7,106 |
|
Preserver shareholder debt repayment |
|
|
30,754 |
|
Estimated fair value adjustments |
|
|
9,186 |
|
|
Estimated fair value of assets acquired |
|
|
47,046 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Goodwill as of March 31, 2008 |
|
$ |
18,962 |
|
|
The purchase price was allocated to balance sheet assets acquired (including identifiable
intangible assets arising from the acquisition) and liabilities assumed based on their estimated
fair value. The purchase price allocation of fair value to the acquired assets and liabilities was
adjusted in December 2007 and March 2008 in finalizing the allocation of the purchase price. The
December 2007 adjustment resulted primarily from Preserver not properly recording its proportionate
share of assets and liabilities relating to involuntary residual market plans. The March 2008
adjustment resulted from recording a deferred tax liability related to the intangible assets
recognized in connection with the acquisition of Preserver.
Goodwill at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 was $19.0 million and $13.3 million, respectively.
The Company performs an annual impairment analysis to identify potential goodwill impairment and
measures the amount of a goodwill impairment loss to be recognized. This annual test is performed
at December 31 of each year or more frequently if events or circumstances change in a way that
requires the Company to perform the impairment analysis on an interim basis. Goodwill impairment
testing requires an evaluation of the estimated fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying
value, including the goodwill. An impairment charge is recorded if the estimated fair value is
less than the carrying amount of the reporting unit.
Note 9—Dividends Declared
Dividends declared by the Company on common stock for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were
$1.2 million or $0.05 per share. Dividends declared by the Company on common stock for the three
months ended March 31, 2007 were $571,000 or $0.025 per share.
Dividends paid by the Company on its perpetual preferred Series A-1 stock for the three months
ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 were $0 and $298,000, respectively.
Note 10—Stock Based Compensation
Restricted Stock Awards
During the three months ended March 31, 2008, 132,358 restricted stock shares were granted to
senior officers and key employees. The fair value of the awards was $3.3 million on the date of
grant. For the three months ended March 31, 2008, 26,418 restricted stock shares vested and 442
were forfeited. Compensation expense recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
was $303,000 and $188,000 net of tax, respectively. Total unrecognized compensation expense before
tax for grants of restricted stock was $6.5 million and $3.8 million at March 31, 2008 and December
31, 2007,
13
respectively. The intrinsic value of the unvested restricted stock outstanding as of March 31,
2008 is $7.6 million.
Changes in restricted stock for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
|
Number of |
|
Grant Date |
|
|
Shares |
|
Fair Value |
Outstanding at December 31, 2007 |
|
|
195,468 |
|
|
$ |
24.97 |
|
Granted |
|
|
132,358 |
|
|
$ |
24.66 |
|
Vested |
|
|
(26,418 |
) |
|
$ |
28.77 |
|
Forfeited |
|
|
(442 |
) |
|
$ |
32.56 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at March 31, 2008 |
|
|
300,966 |
|
|
$ |
24.59 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Options
Compensation expense (net of tax) related to stock options was $12,000 for the three months ended
March 31, 2008 compared to $14,000 in the same period last year. Total unrecognized expense, before
tax, for grants of stock options was $115,000 and $134,000 as of March 31, 2008 and December 31,
2007, respectively. The intrinsic value of stock options outstanding as of March 31, 2008 is $5.2
million, of which $4.3 million is related to vested options.
Note 11—Income Taxes
The Company adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation
No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109”
(“FIN 48”), on January 1, 2007. At the adoption date and as of March 31, 2008, the Company had no
material unrecognized tax benefits and no adjustments to liabilities or operations were required.
The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax
expense which were zero for the three months ended March 31, 2008.
Tax years 2004 through 2007 are subject to examination by the federal authorities. There is
currently a New York State Department of Taxation and Finance audit under way for the tax years of
2003 through 2004.
Note 12—Earnings per Share
The following table shows the computation of the Company’s earnings per share:
14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income |
|
Shares |
|
Per Share |
($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts) |
|
(Numerator) |
|
(Denominator) |
|
Amount |
|
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income |
|
$ |
14,853 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per share |
|
$ |
14,853 |
|
|
|
22,995,511 |
|
|
$ |
0.65 |
|
|
Effect of dilutive securities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock options |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
146,167 |
|
|
|
|
|
Unvested restricted stock |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
20,915 |
|
|
|
|
|
Warrants |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
25,179 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings per share |
|
$ |
14,853 |
|
|
|
23,187,772 |
|
|
$ |
0.64 |
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income |
|
$ |
11,628 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less: Preferred stock dividends |
|
|
(298 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less: Preferred stock excess consideration |
|
|
(400 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per share |
|
|
10,930 |
|
|
|
21,988,907 |
|
|
$ |
0.50 |
|
|
Effect of dilutive securities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock options |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
197,218 |
|
|
|
|
|
Unvested restricted stock |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
59,924 |
|
|
|
|
|
Warrants |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
34,138 |
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred shares |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
341,043 |
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock dividends |
|
|
298 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings per share |
|
$ |
11,228 |
|
|
|
22,621,230 |
|
|
$ |
0.49 |
|
|
Note 13—Changes in Estimates
In the first quarter of 2008, the Company recorded favorable development in its net losses from
prior accident years of $15,000 resulting from favorable development in the property and workers’
compensation lines which was partially offset by unfavorable development in commercial auto
liability and personal auto liability. In the first quarter of 2007, the Company recorded
favorable development in its net losses from prior accident years of $4,000 resulting from
favorable development in the property and workers’ compensation lines from accident years 2005 and
2006, which was partially offset by unfavorable development in commercial multiple-peril liability
from accident years 2002 and 2003.
The insurance subsidiaries’ changes in estimated sliding scale commission revenue resulted in a
$385,000 reduction to ceding commission revenue in the first quarter of 2008 compared to an
increase of $61,000 of ceding commission revenue in the first quarter of 2007. TRM’s changes in
estimated sliding scale commissions were an increase in direct commission revenue for prior years
of $702,000 in the first quarter of 2008 compared to an increase of $501,000 in direct commission
revenue in the first quarter of 2007.
Note 14—Segment Information
The Company has changed its presentation of its business results by combining its previously
reported reinsurance segment with its insurance segment based on the way management organizes the
segments for making operating decisions and assessing profitability. This will result in reporting
two segments: insurance (commercial and personal lines underwriting) and insurance services
(managing general agency, claim administration and reinsurance intermediary operations). The prior
period segment disclosures have been restated to conform to the current presentation. The Company
considers many
factors in determining reportable segments including economic characteristics, production sources,
products or services offered and regulatory environment.
15
The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of
significant accounting policies in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2007. The Company evaluates segment performance based on segment profit, which
excludes investment income, realized gains and losses, interest expense, income taxes and
incidental corporate expenses. The Company does not allocate assets to segments because assets,
which consist primarily of investments and fixed assets, are considered in total by management for
decision-making purposes.
Business segments results are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
March 31, |
($ in thousands) |
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
Insurance Segment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net premiums earned |
|
$ |
68,430 |
|
|
$ |
60,383 |
|
Ceding commission revenue |
|
|
20,654 |
|
|
|
14,234 |
|
Policy billing fees |
|
|
502 |
|
|
|
302 |
|
|
Total revenues |
|
|
89,586 |
|
|
|
74,919 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss and loss adjustment expenses |
|
|
37,297 |
|
|
|
33,910 |
|
Underwriting expenses |
|
|
41,986 |
|
|
|
32,537 |
|
|
Total expenses |
|
|
79,283 |
|
|
|
66,447 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underwriting profit |
|
$ |
10,303 |
|
|
$ |
8,472 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
March 31, |
($ in thousands) |
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
Insurance Services Segment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Direct commission revenue from managing general agency |
|
$ |
8,164 |
|
|
$ |
488 |
|
Claims administration revenue |
|
|
957 |
|
|
|
565 |
|
Other administration revenue |
|
|
371 |
|
|
|
251 |
|
Reinsurance intermediary fees |
|
|
168 |
|
|
|
156 |
|
Policy billing fees |
|
|
76 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Total revenues |
|
|
9,736 |
|
|
|
1,460 |
|
|
Expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Direct commission expense paid to producers |
|
|
3,371 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
Other insurance services expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underwriting expenses reimbursed to TICNY |
|
|
1,574 |
|
|
|
257 |
|
Claims expense reimbursement to TICNY |
|
|
957 |
|
|
|
565 |
|
|
Total expenses |
|
|
5,902 |
|
|
|
829 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance services pretax income |
|
$ |
3,834 |
|
|
$ |
631 |
|
|
Underwriting expenses in the insurance segment are net of expense reimbursements that are made by
the insurance services segment pursuant to an expense sharing agreement between TRM and the
Company’s insurance subsidiaries. In accordance with terms of this agreement, TRM reimburses TICNY
for a portion of TICNY’s underwriting and other expenses resulting from TRM’s use of TICNY’s
personnel,
facilities and equipment in underwriting insurance on behalf of TRM’s issuing companies. The
reimbursement for underwriting and other expenses is calculated as a minimum reimbursement of 5% of
16
the premiums produced by TRM and is adjustable according to the terms of the agreement based on the
number of policies in force and additional expenses that may be incurred by TRM. The amount of
this reimbursement was $1.6 million and $257,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and
March 31, 2007, respectively. TRM also reimburses TICNY, at cost, for claims administration
expenses pursuant to the terms of this expense sharing agreement. Claims expenses reimbursed by
TRM were $957,000 and $565,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007,
respectively. TICNY is also reimbursed, at cost, for other administrative services provided to
CastlePoint pursuant to the terms of the service and expense sharing agreement which was $371,000
and $251,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007, respectively.
The following table reconciles revenue by segment to consolidated revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
March 31, |
($ in thousands) |
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
Insurance segment |
|
$ |
89,586 |
|
|
$ |
74,919 |
|
Insurance services segment |
|
|
9,736 |
|
|
|
1,460 |
|
|
Total segment revenues |
|
|
99,322 |
|
|
|
76,379 |
|
Net investment income |
|
|
9,796 |
|
|
|
7,955 |
|
Net realized gains (losses) on investments |
|
|
1,374 |
|
|
|
(17 |
) |
|
Consolidated revenues |
|
$ |
110,492 |
|
|
$ |
84,317 |
|
|
The following table reconciles the results of the Company’s individual segments to consolidated
income before taxes:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
March 31, |
($ in thousands) |
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
Insurance segment underwriting profit |
|
$ |
10,303 |
|
|
$ |
8,472 |
|
Insurance services segment pretax income |
|
|
3,834 |
|
|
|
631 |
|
Net investment income |
|
|
9,796 |
|
|
|
7,955 |
|
Net realized gains (losses) on investments |
|
|
1,374 |
|
|
|
(17 |
) |
Corporate expenses |
|
|
(386 |
) |
|
|
(358 |
) |
Interest expense |
|
|
(2,322 |
) |
|
|
(2,084 |
) |
Other Income* |
|
|
760 |
|
|
|
3,394 |
|
|
Income before taxes |
|
$ |
23,359 |
|
|
$ |
17,993 |
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
See note on investment in unconsolidated affiliate-CastlePoint |
Note 15—Subsequent Events
Dividends
The Company’s Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend on April 24, 2008 of $0.05 per share
payable June 27, 2008 to stockholders of record as of June 16, 2008.
Investments
Subsequent to March 31, 2008, the Company sold its publicly traded REITs with a carrying value of
$4.9 million and recorded a gain of $70,000, after considering the other-than-temporary-impairment
adjustment recorded as of March 31, 2008.
17
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Note on Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the statements under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations” and elsewhere in this Form 10-Q may include forward-looking statements that
reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. These
statements include forward-looking statements both with respect to us specifically and the
insurance sector in general. Statements that include the words “expect,” “intend,” “plan,”
“believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “may,” “should,” “anticipate,” “will” and similar statements of a
future or forward-looking nature identify forward-looking statements for purposes of the Federal
securities laws or otherwise.
All forward-looking statements address matters that involve risks and uncertainties. Accordingly,
there are or will be important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially
from those indicated in these statements. We believe that these factors include, but are not
limited to, the following:
• |
|
ineffectiveness or obsolescence of our business strategy due to changes in current or
future market conditions; |
• |
|
developments that may delay or limit our ability to enter new markets as quickly as we
anticipate; |
• |
|
increased competition on the basis of pricing, capacity, coverage terms or other factors; |
• |
|
greater frequency or severity of claims and loss activity, including as a result of natural
or man-made catastrophic events, than our underwriting, reserving or investment practices
anticipate based on historical experience or industry data; |
• |
|
the effects of acts of terrorism or war; |
• |
|
developments in the world’s financial and capital markets that adversely affect the
performance of our investments; |
• |
|
changes in regulations or laws applicable to us, our subsidiaries, brokers or customers; |
• |
|
changes in acceptance of our products and services, including new products and services; |
• |
|
changes in the availability, cost or quality of reinsurance and failure of our reinsurers
to pay claims timely or at all; |
• |
|
changes in the percentage of our premiums written that we cede to reinsurers; |
• |
|
decreased demand for our insurance or reinsurance products; |
• |
|
loss of the services of any of our executive officers or other key personnel; |
• |
|
the effects of mergers, acquisitions and divestitures; |
• |
|
changes in rating agency policies or practices; |
• |
|
changes in legal theories of liability under our insurance policies; |
• |
|
changes in accounting policies or practices; and |
• |
|
changes in general economic conditions, including inflation, interest rates and other
factors. |
The foregoing review of important factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read
in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this Form 10-Q. We
undertake no
18
obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new
information, future developments or otherwise.
Consolidated Results of Operations
We have changed our presentation of our business results by combining our previously reported
reinsurance segment with our insurance segment based on the way management organizes the segments
for making operating decisions and assessing profitability. This will result in reporting two
segments: insurance and insurance services. The prior period segment disclosures have been
restated to conform with the current presentation. Because we do not manage our assets by
segments, our investment income is not allocated among our segments. Operating expenses incurred by
each segment are recorded in each segment directly. General corporate overhead not incurred by an
individual segment is allocated based upon a combination of employee head count, policy count or
premiums written, whichever method is most appropriate.
Our results of operations are discussed in below in two parts. The first part discusses the
consolidated results of operations. The second part discusses the results of each of our two
segments. The comparison between quarters is affected by the acquisition of Preserver on April 10,
2007.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
% Total |
|
|
|
|
|
% Total |
|
|
|
|
($ in thousands) |
|
2008 |
|
Revenue |
|
2007 |
|
Revenue |
|
Change |
|
Percent |
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premiums earned |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross premiums earned |
|
$ |
135,137 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
108,627 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
26,510 |
|
|
|
24.4 |
% |
Less: Ceded premiums earned |
|
|
(66,707 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(48,244 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(18,463 |
) |
|
|
38.3 |
% |
|
Net premiums earned |
|
|
68,430 |
|
|
|
61.9 |
% |
|
|
60,383 |
|
|
|
71.6 |
% |
|
|
8,047 |
|
|
|
13.3 |
% |
Total commission and fee income |
|
|
30,892 |
|
|
|
28.0 |
% |
|
|
15,996 |
|
|
|
19.0 |
% |
|
|
14,896 |
|
|
|
93.1 |
% |
Net investment income |
|
|
9,796 |
|
|
|
8.9 |
% |
|
|
7,955 |
|
|
|
9.4 |
% |
|
|
1,841 |
|
|
|
23.1 |
% |
Net realized investment (losses) gains |
|
|
1,374 |
|
|
|
1.2 |
% |
|
|
(17 |
) |
|
|
(0.0 |
%) |
|
|
1,391 |
|
|
NM |
|
|
Total |
|
|
110,492 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
84,317 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
26,175 |
|
|
|
31.0 |
% |
|
Expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss and loss adjustment expenses |
|
|
37,297 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
33,910 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,387 |
|
|
|
10.0 |
% |
Operating expenses |
|
|
48,274 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
33,724 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,550 |
|
|
|
43.1 |
% |
Interest expense |
|
|
2,322 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,084 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
238 |
|
|
|
11.4 |
% |
|
Total expenses |
|
|
87,893 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
69,718 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,175 |
|
|
|
26.1 |
% |
|
Equity in income of unconsolidated
affiliate |
|
|
760 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
689 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
71 |
|
|
|
10.3 |
% |
Gain from issuance of common stock
by unconsolidated affiliate |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,705 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,705 |
) |
|
|
-100.0 |
% |
|
Income before taxes |
|
|
23,359 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,993 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,366 |
|
|
|
29.8 |
% |
Federal and state income taxes |
|
|
8,506 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,365 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,141 |
|
|
|
33.6 |
% |
|
Net Income |
|
$ |
14,853 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
11,628 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3,225 |
|
|
|
27.7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Key measure |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return on average equity |
|
|
19.1%(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23.8 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Excluding net realized gains and losses on investments, return on average equity
would have decreased 1.0%. |
19
Consolidated Results of Operations Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
Total revenues. Total revenues increased due to the increases in net premiums earned, commission
and fee income and net investment income. Net premiums earned, as a percent of total revenues,
decreased due to the significant increase in commission and fee income for the three months ended
March 31, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. Net investment income, excluding realized
capital losses or gains, represented 9% of total revenues for the each of the three months ended
March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007. Total commission and fee income for the three months ended
March 31, 2008 increased 93.1% to $30.9 million compared to $16.0 million for the three months
ended March 31, 2007. An increase in ceded premiums earned and ceding commission percentage, as
well as the direct commission revenue on premiums produced by TRM contributed to this increase.
Net investment income increased in 2008 primarily due to an increase in invested assets compared to
the same period in 2007.
Premiums earned. The increase in net premiums earned was due to the 24.6% increase in gross
premiums earned for the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to the same period last year,
including $21.2 million from the Preserver acquisition, which was offset in part by a 38.6%
increase in ceded premiums earned in the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to the same
period last year as a result of the higher ceding percentage of premiums written in the first
quarter of 2007, being earned in the first quarter of 2008.
The ceding percentages for the brokerage business for the past two years are included in the
following table.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ceded |
Dates |
|
Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement With |
|
Amount |
|
April 6, 2006 - June 30, 2006 * |
|
CastlePoint Reinsurance |
|
30% |
July 1, 2006 - December 31, 2006 |
|
CastlePoint Reinsurance |
|
40% |
January 1, 2007 - March 31, 2007 |
|
CastlePoint Reinsurance |
|
49% |
April 1 2007, - June 30, 2007 |
|
CastlePoint Reinsurance |
|
40% |
April 1 2007, - June 30, 2007 |
|
CastlePoint Insurance Company |
|
9% |
July 1, 2007 - Deember 31, 2007 |
|
CastlePoint Reinsurance |
|
40% |
January 1, 2008 - March 31, 2008 |
|
CastlePoint Reinsurance |
|
40% |
|
|
|
* |
|
Multi year quota share agreements with CastlePoint Reinsurance began April 6, 2006. |
Commission and fee income. Commission and fee income increased as discussed above. Our managing
general agency subsidiary, TRM, produced $21.8 million in premium on behalf of CPIC and earned $6.9
million in fee income. Commission and fee income includes other administration revenue of $0.4
million and $0.3 million from services provided to and reimbursed by CastlePoint for the three
months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2008 the
change in estimated sliding scale commission rate for commissions earned in prior periods in both
the insurance segment and the insurance services segment resulted in a net increase of $702,000
compared to $501,000 in the same period last year.
Net investment income and net realized gains (losses). The increase in net investment income
resulted from an increase in invested assets to $540.4 million as of March 31, 2008 compared to
$503.1 million as of March 31, 2007 offset slightly by a lower investment yield. Net cash flows
provided by operations of $23.2 million contributed to the increase in invested assets during the
three months ended March 31, 2008. On a tax equivalent basis, the yield was 5.3% as of March 31,
2008 compared to 5.7% as of March 31, 2007.
Net realized investment gains were $1.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared
to investment losses of $17,000 in the same period last year.
20
We recognized OTTI of $2.4 million and $0, related to our investment in REIT’s, for the three
months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Losses and loss adjustment expenses. Net loss and loss adjustment expenses and the net loss ratio
for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $37.3 million and 54.5%, respectively, compared to
$33.9 million and 56.2%, respectively, in the same period in 2007. See “Insurance Segment Results
of Operations” for an explanation of this change.
Operating expenses. Operating expenses increased primarily as a result of an increase in
underwriting expenses resulting from the growth in premiums earned, additional staffing,
depreciation related to our increased investment in technology, and in part, Preserver expenses.
Interest expense. The increase in interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2008
resulted from $0.4 million of interest expense on subordinated debt issued in the first quarter of
2007 and the Preserver subordinated debt recorded as part of its acquisition in April 2007,
partially offset by $0.2 million of interest expense from a decrease in interest rates on the
floating rate portions of our subordinated debentures and as a result of crediting reinsurers on
funds withheld in segregated trusts as collateral for reinsurance recoverables.
Income tax expense. Income tax expense increased as a result of an increase in income before
income taxes. The effective income tax rate was 36.4% for the three months ending March 31, 2008
compared to 35.4% for the same period in 2007. The increase in rate was primarily related to an
increase in state and local income taxes resulting from the significant increase in pre-tax
earnings in the insurance services segment.
Net income and return on average equity. Net income and annualized return on average equity was
$14.9 million and 19.1%, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to $11.6
million and 23.8%, respectively, for the same period in 2007. For the first quarter of 2008, the
return was calculated by dividing annualized net income of $59.4 million by an average common
stockholders’ equity of $311.7 million. For the first quarter of 2007, the return was calculated by
dividing annualized net income of $45.3 million by an average common stockholders’ equity of $190.5
million.
21
Insurance Segment Results of Operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 |
($ in thousands) |
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
Change |
|
Percent |
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premiums earned |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross premiums earned |
|
$ |
135,137 |
|
|
$ |
108,627 |
|
|
$ |
26,510 |
|
|
|
24.4 |
% |
Less: ceded premiums earned |
|
|
(66,707 |
) |
|
|
(48,244 |
) |
|
|
(18,463 |
) |
|
|
38.3 |
% |
|
Net premiums earned |
|
|
68,430 |
|
|
|
60,383 |
|
|
|
8,047 |
|
|
|
13.3 |
% |
Ceding commission revenue |
|
|
20,654 |
|
|
|
14,234 |
|
|
|
6,420 |
|
|
|
45.1 |
% |
Policy billing fees |
|
|
502 |
|
|
|
302 |
|
|
|
200 |
|
|
|
66.2 |
% |
|
Total |
|
|
89,586 |
|
|
|
74,919 |
|
|
|
14,667 |
|
|
|
19.6 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss and loss adjustment expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross loss and loss adjustment expenses |
|
|
67,131 |
|
|
|
57,342 |
|
|
|
9,789 |
|
|
|
17.1 |
% |
Less: ceded loss and loss adjustment expenses |
|
|
(29,834 |
) |
|
|
(23,432 |
) |
|
|
(6,402 |
) |
|
|
27.3 |
% |
|
Net loss and loss adjustment expenses |
|
|
37,297 |
|
|
|
33,910 |
|
|
|
3,387 |
|
|
|
10.0 |
% |
Underwriting expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Direct commission expense |
|
|
23,238 |
|
|
|
18,629 |
|
|
|
4,609 |
|
|
|
24.7 |
% |
Other underwriting expenses |
|
|
18,748 |
|
|
|
13,908 |
|
|
|
4,840 |
|
|
|
34.8 |
% |
|
Total underwriting expenses |
|
|
41,986 |
|
|
|
32,537 |
|
|
|
9,449 |
|
|
|
29.0 |
% |
|
Underwriting profit |
|
$ |
10,303 |
|
|
$ |
8,472 |
|
|
$ |
1,831 |
|
|
|
21.6 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Key Measures |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premiums written |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross premiums written |
|
$ |
135,113 |
|
|
$ |
110,880 |
|
|
|
24,233 |
|
|
|
21.9 |
% |
Less: ceded premiums written |
|
|
(66,757 |
) |
|
|
(62,848 |
) |
|
|
(3,909 |
) |
|
|
6.2 |
% |
|
Net premiums written |
|
$ |
68,356 |
|
|
$ |
48,032 |
|
|
$ |
20,324 |
|
|
|
42.3 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss Ratios |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross |
|
|
49.7 |
% |
|
|
52.8 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net |
|
|
54.5 |
% |
|
|
56.2 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accident Year Loss Ratios |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross |
|
|
50.5 |
% |
|
|
53.1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net |
|
|
54.5 |
% |
|
|
56.2 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underwriting Expense Ratios |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross |
|
|
30.7 |
% |
|
|
29.7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net |
|
|
30.4 |
% |
|
|
29.8 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined Ratios |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross |
|
|
80.4 |
% |
|
|
82.5 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net |
|
|
84.9 |
% |
|
|
86.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance Segment Results of Operations Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
Gross premiums. Gross premiums written increased by 21.9% to $135.1 million for the three months
ended March 31, 2008 compared to $110.9 million for the same period in 2007. Gross premiums earned
increased by 24.4% to $135.1 million for the three months ended
March 31, 2008 compared to $108.6
million for the same period in 2007. The major items affecting gross premiums were the acquisition
of Preserver on April 10, 2007, which added $18.5 million and $21.2 million in gross premiums
written and earned, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2008, and growth in
traditional and specialty program business premium managed by CastlePoint, which increased to $18.1
million for the three months ended March 31, 2008, compared to $5.2 million for the same period in
2007.
22
We are
seeing some slowing growth from wholesale producers in the New York
metropolitan area that is successfully countered by growth from our
appointment of wholesale and other agents outside of the
Northeast. Specifically, we have started writing excess and surplus lines
business in Florida and Texas, and started writing on an admitted basis in California in
2008. New business written for the three months ended March 31, 2008 from wholesale agents
with binding authority was approximately $14.4 million. Policies in-force before considering the
effect of the Preserver acquisition, and including business managed by us and produced on behalf of
CPIC, increased by 17% as of March 31, 2008 compared to March 31, 2007. For the three months ended
March 31, 2008, premiums on renewed business increased 6.4% in personal lines while commercial
lines decreased 2.8%, resulting in an overall increase of 0.3%. The retention rate was 88% for
personal lines and 70% for commercial lines, resulting in a retention rate of 76.4% for all lines.
The retention rate on both personal and commercial lines declined in 2008 as compared to 2007 as
brokerage business was renewed through TRM on behalf of CPIC. The retention rate including
brokerage business renewed by TRM on behalf of CPIC was 90% for personal lines and 81% for
commercial lines, resulting in a retention rate of 79.1% for all lines.
Ceded premiums. Ceded premiums written increased by 6.2% to $66.8 million for the first three
months of 2008 compared to $62.8 million for the same period last year. The reduction in the quota
share ceding percentage to CastlePoint Reinsurance to 40% in the first quarter of 2008 compared to
49% for the same period last year largely offset the increase in gross premiums written subject to
the quota share agreement. We ceded $56.1 million of premiums written to CastlePoint Reinsurance
for the first three months of 2008 and $51.1 million for the same period last year. Separately,
under our excess of loss program, $0.7 million and $0.7 million of premiums were ceded to
CastlePoint for the first three months of 2008 and 2007, respectively. As part of the brokerage
business quota share agreement, CastlePoint paid us $1.0 million, which represented a 30% share of
our catastrophe reinsurance costs. Overall, our net catastrophe ceded premiums were $3.1 million
for the first three months of 2008 as compared to $3.5 million for the same period last year.
Ceded premiums earned increased 38.3% to $66.7 million for the first three months of 2008 as
compared to $48.2 million the same period last year. The increase in ceded premiums earned during
the first quarter of 2008 was primarily due to our decision to cede 49% of our brokerage business
to CastlePoint
Reinsurance during the first three months of 2007, compared to only ceding 30% of our brokerage
business in the second quarter of 2006, as previously discussed.
Net premiums. Net premiums written increased by 42.3% to $68.4 million for the first three months
of 2008 compared to $48.0 million for the same period last year. While gross premiums written
increased by 21.9% in the first quarter of 2008, net premiums written increased significantly more
in percentage terms because of the decreased quota share ceding percentage to 40% for the first
quarter of 2008 compared to 49% in the same period in 2007. Net premiums earned increased by 13.3%
to $68.4 million in the first quarter of 2008 compared to $60.4 million for the same period last
year.
Ceding commission revenue. Ceding commission revenue increased by 45.1% to $20.7 million for the
first three months of 2008 compared to $14.2 million for the same period last year. The increase
was primarily due to the 38.3% increase in ceded premiums earned, as well as the increase in the
ceding commission rate. In addition, ceding commission revenue decreased by $385,000 for the three
months ended March 31, 2008 as a result of an increase in the ceded loss ratios on prior year’s
quota share treaties
23
as compared to an increase of $61,000 in 2007 as a result of a decrease in the
ceded loss ratio on prior year’s quota share treaties.
Loss and loss adjustment expenses and loss ratio. Gross loss and loss adjustment expenses and the
gross loss ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $67.1 million and 49.7%,
respectively, compared to $57.3 million and 52.8%, respectively, in the same period in 2007. Net
loss and loss adjustment expenses and the net loss ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2008
were $37.3 million and 54.5%, respectively, compared to $33.9 million and 56.2%, respectively, in
the same period in 2007. The decrease in the gross and net loss ratios in the first quarter of
2008 compared to the same period in 2007 was primarily due to lower than expected loss emergence
for the property lines and worker’s compensation for the current accident year that resulted in
lower loss ratios for these lines for the first quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007
and the 2007 price increases affecting earned premiums in 2008. The decrease in the net loss ratio
was also affected by the decrease in catastrophe reinsurance premiums ceded. The decrease in the
gross loss ratio was also affected by a reduction in gross loss reserves in accident years 1995 to
1998 where the effect on net loss ratio was minimal due to the high quota share cession in those
accident years. We ceded catastrophe reinsurance premiums equal to 4.4% of net premiums earned
during the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to 5.7% during the same period of 2007. Loss
and loss adjustment expenses are net of reimbursements for loss and loss adjustment expenses made
by TRM pursuant to the expense sharing agreement between TICNY, TNIC and TRM. See “Insurance
Services Segment Results of Operations” for the amounts of claims reimbursements.
Underwriting expenses and underwriting expense ratio. Underwriting expenses, which include direct
commission expenses and other underwriting expenses, were $41.9 million for the first three months
of 2008 as compared with $32.5 million for the same period last year as a result of the growth in
business and to a lesser extent due to the acquisition of Preserver. Our gross expense ratio was
30.7% for the first three months of 2008 as compared with 29.7% for the same period last year. We
have made significant progress integrating Preserver into our operations. Preserver’s gross
expense ratio for the first quarter of 2008 decreased and is in line with our overall gross expense
ratio.
The commission portion of the gross expense ratio, which expresses direct commission expense paid
to our producers as a percentage of gross premiums earned, was 17.2% for the first three months of
2008, compared to 17.1% for the same period last year. The moderate increase was due to higher
commissions on program business.
The underwriting expense portion of the gross expense ratio was 13.5% for the first three months of
2008 as compared to 12.5% for the same period last year. The increase in the underwriting expense
ratio
resulted from additional staffing, depreciation related to our increased investments in technology
and, in part, Preserver expenses.
The net underwriting expense ratio, which reflects the benefits of ceding commission revenue that
lowers the gross expense ratio, was 30.4% for the first three months of 2008 as compared to 29.8%
for the same period last year.
Underwriting profit and combined ratio. The underwriting profit, which reflects our underwriting
results on a net basis after the effects of reinsurance, was $10.3 million in the first quarter of
2008 and $8.5 million for the same period last year. The gross combined ratio was 80.4% for the
first three months of 2008 as compared with 82.5% for the same period last year. The lower gross
combined ratio in the first quarter of 2008 resulted primarily from a lower gross loss ratio in the
first quarter of 2008 compared to 2007. The net combined ratio was 84.9% for the first quarter of
2008 as compared to 86.0% for the same period last year. The decrease in the net combined ratio
resulted from a decrease in the net loss ratio, offset in part by a slight increase in the net
underwriting expense ratio.
24
Insurance Services Segment Results of Operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 |
($ in thousands) |
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
Change |
|
Percent |
|
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Direct commission revenue from managing
general agency |
|
$ |
8,164 |
|
|
$ |
488 |
|
|
|
7,676 |
|
|
NM |
|
Claims administration revenue |
|
|
957 |
|
|
|
565 |
|
|
|
392 |
|
|
|
69.4 |
% |
Other administration revenue (1) |
|
|
371 |
|
|
|
251 |
|
|
|
120 |
|
|
|
47.7 |
% |
Reinsurance intermediary fees (2) |
|
|
168 |
|
|
|
156 |
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
7.7 |
% |
Policy billing fees |
|
|
76 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
76 |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
Total |
|
|
9,736 |
|
|
|
1,460 |
|
|
|
8,276 |
|
|
|
566.8 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Direct commission expense paid to producers |
|
|
3,371 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
3,364 |
|
|
NM |
|
Other insurance services expenses |
|
|
1,574 |
|
|
|
257 |
|
|
|
1,317 |
|
|
|
512.3 |
% |
Claims expense reimbursement to TICNY (3) |
|
|
957 |
|
|
|
565 |
|
|
|
392 |
|
|
|
69.4 |
% |
|
Total |
|
|
5,902 |
|
|
|
829 |
|
|
|
5,073 |
|
|
|
611.9 |
% |
|
Insurance services pre-tax income (loss) |
|
$ |
3,834 |
|
|
$ |
631 |
|
|
$ |
3,203 |
|
|
|
507.6 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premiums produced by TRM on behalf
of issuing companies |
|
$ |
23,291 |
|
|
$ |
(55 |
) |
|
|
23,346 |
|
|
NM |
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Other administration revenue includes amounts reimbursed by CastlePoint Reinsurance
for services rendered pursuant to a service and expense sharing agreement. |
|
(2) |
|
Reinsurance intermediary fees include commissions earned for placement of
reinsurance on behalf of our insurance subsidiaries. |
|
(3) |
|
Consists of underwriting expenses reimbursed to TICNY pursuant to an expense sharing
agreement. |
Insurance Services Segment Results of Operations Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
Total revenues. Total revenues were $9.7 million and $1.5 million for the three months ended March
31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The increase in total revenues was primarily due to direct
commission revenue increasing to $8.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to
$0.5 million in the same period in 2007. The increase primarily resulted from business produced by
TRM on behalf of CPIC of $21.8 million for the first three months of 2008. In addition, there was
an increase in direct
commission revenue of $702,000 and $501,000 in the first three months of 2008 and 2007,
respectively as a result of favorable loss development on the premium produced in prior years.
Direct commission expense. TRM’s direct commission expense paid to producers was $3.4 million for
the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to $7,000 for the same period in 2007. The increase
in direct commission expenses was a result of the increase in business produced by TRM on behalf of
CPIC. The direct commission expense ratio was 14.5 % for the first three months of 2008. The CPIC
book of business is produced through the same agents who produce business written through our
insurance segment and TRM’s commission rates are similar to the commission rates in the insurance
segment for similar lines of business.
Other insurance services expenses. The amount of reimbursement for underwriting expenses by TRM to
TICNY for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $1.6 million as compared to $0.3 million for
the same period in 2007. The increase in other insurance expenses resulted from the increase in
premium produced.
Claims expense reimbursement. The amount of reimbursement by TRM for claims administration
pursuant to the terms of the expense sharing agreement with TICNY in the first quarter of 2008 was
$1.0
25
million as compared to $0.6 million in the first quarter of 2007 due to an increase in the
number of claims handled related to the CPIC book of business.
Pre-tax income. Pre-tax income increased to $3.8 million as compared to $0.6 million in the same
period in 2007. The increase was primarily due to the increase in premiums produced and the
resulting direct commission revenue.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash flows. Cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2008 were $93.4 million as compared to $77.7
million at December 31, 2007. Cash equivalents increased as a result of the increase in cash flow
from operations.
During the first quarter of 2008, yield spreads continue to widen as a result of the lack of
liquidity in the market which increased the gross unrealized investment loss by $15.0 million for
the three month period ending March 31, 2008, as reflected in other comprehensive income. The
increase in the unrealized investment loss primarily was caused by our investments in
mortgage-backed securities. Changes in interest rates directly impact the fair value for our fixed
maturity portfolio. We regularly review both our fixed-maturity and equity portfolios to evaluate
the necessity of recording impairment losses for other-than-temporary declines in the fair value of
investments.
We have determined that we did not hold any remaining investments, after recording the charge for
the equity investments that were other-than-temporarily impaired (“OTTI”) that would have been
considered other than temporarily impaired and that the recent increase in the gross unrealized
investment loss was caused by lack of liquidity in the capital markets. We expect cash flows from
operations to be sufficient to meet our liquidity requirements. We intend, and we believe we have
the ability, to hold these investments, excluding the equity investment we determined were OTTI,
until a recovery in value, which may be at maturity for fixed maturity securities.
For the three months ended March 30, 2008, net cash provided by operating activities was $23.2
million. Net cash provided by operations was $20.3 million for the same period in 2007. The
increase in cash flow for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was primarily a result of an
increase in premiums collected.
The net cash flows used in investing activities was $6.4 million and $42.1 million for the three
months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and were primarily related to purchases and
sales of investment securities.
The net cash flows used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was $1.1
million and was primarily related to the payment of cash dividends. For the three months ended
March 31, 2007, we had $68.5 million of net cash flow provided by financing activities. Included
were the net proceeds from the issuance of $20.6 million in subordinated debentures on January 25,
2007, the $89.4 million of net proceeds from the January 26, 2007 equity offering and the related
exercise of the underwriters’ over allotment option, partially offset by $40.0 million used for the
redemption of preferred stock.
The operating subsidiaries’ primary sources of cash are net premiums received, commission and fee
income, net investment income and proceeds from the sale and redemption of both equity and
fixed-maturity investments. Cash is used to pay claims, commissions and operating expenses, to
purchase investments and fixed assets and to pay dividends to the holding company. Our insurance
companies are subject to significant regulatory restrictions limiting their ability to declare and
pay dividends. As of March 31, 2008, the maximum amount of distributions that our insurance
companies could pay to us without approval of their domiciliary Insurance Department was
approximately $14.8 million.
Cash flow needs at the holding company level are primarily for dividends to our stockholders and
interest payments on our $101.0 million of subordinated debentures.
26
Subordinated Debentures
On January 25, 2007, we participated in a private placement of $20.0 million of fixed/floating rate
capital securities (the “Trust Preferred Securities”) issued by Tower Group Statutory Trust VI (the
“Trust”), an affiliated Delaware trust formed on January 11, 2007. The Trust Preferred Securities
mature in April 2036, are redeemable at our option at par beginning April 7, 2011, and require
quarterly distributions of interest by the Trust to the holder of the Trust Preferred Securities.
Interest distributions are initially at a fixed rate of 8.155% for the first five years and will
then reset quarterly for changes in the three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus
300 basis points. The Trust simultaneously issued 619 of the Trust’s common securities to us for a
purchase price of $0.6 million, which constitutes all of the issued and outstanding common
securities of the Trust. The Trust used the proceeds from the sale of the Trust Preferred
Securities and common securities to purchase for $20.6 million a junior subordinated debt security
due 2037 issued by us. We do not consolidate interest in its statutory business trusts for which
we hold 100% of the common trust securities because we are not the primary beneficiary of the
trusts. We report the outstanding subordinated debentures owed to the statutory business trusts as
a liability. The net proceeds we received from the sale of the debenture to the Trust were used by
us to partially redeem a portion of our perpetual preferred stock. We incurred $0.4 million of
fees related to the issuance of these subordinated debentures.
Investments
The following table present information regarding the Company’s invested assets that were in an
unrealized loss position at March 31 2008 and December 31, 2007 by amount of time in a continuous
unrealized loss position.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less than 12 Months |
|
12 Months or Longer |
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized |
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized |
|
Aggregate |
|
Unrealized |
($ in thousands) |
|
Fair Value |
|
Losses |
|
Fair Value |
|
Losses |
|
Fair Value |
|
Losses |
|
March 31, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Agency securities |
|
$ |
8,333 |
|
|
$ |
(16 |
) |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
8,333 |
|
|
$ |
(16 |
) |
Municipal bonds |
|
|
37,892 |
|
|
|
(680 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
37,892 |
|
|
|
(680 |
) |
Corporate and other bonds |
|
|
89,864 |
|
|
|
(5,276 |
) |
|
|
17,170 |
|
|
|
(2,046 |
) |
|
|
107,034 |
|
|
|
(7,322 |
) |
Commercial mortgage-backed securities |
|
|
24,043 |
|
|
|
(7,115 |
) |
|
|
9,628 |
|
|
|
(2,965 |
) |
|
|
33,670 |
|
|
|
(10,080 |
) |
Residential mortgage-backed securities |
|
|
20,264 |
|
|
|
(3,082 |
) |
|
|
15,259 |
|
|
|
(7,267 |
) |
|
|
35,523 |
|
|
|
(10,348 |
) |
Asset-backed securities |
|
|
11,906 |
|
|
|
(2,646 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
11,906 |
|
|
|
(2,646 |
) |
|
Total
fixed-maturity
securities |
|
|
192,301 |
|
|
|
(18,816 |
) |
|
|
42,057 |
|
|
|
(12,277 |
) |
|
|
234,358 |
|
|
|
(31,093 |
) |
Preferred stocks |
|
|
3,033 |
|
|
|
(519 |
) |
|
|
1,336 |
|
|
|
(664 |
) |
|
|
4,369 |
|
|
|
(1,183 |
) |
|
Total |
|
$ |
195,333 |
|
|
$ |
(19,334 |
) |
|
$ |
43,393 |
|
|
$ |
(12,941 |
) |
|
$ |
238,726 |
|
|
$ |
(32,276 |
) |
|
December 31, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Municipal bonds |
|
$ |
11,614 |
|
|
$ |
(78 |
) |
|
$ |
7,272 |
|
|
$ |
(24 |
) |
|
$ |
18,886 |
|
|
$ |
(102 |
) |
Corporate and other bonds |
|
|
77,262 |
|
|
|
(3,164 |
) |
|
|
24,631 |
|
|
|
(817 |
) |
|
|
101,893 |
|
|
|
(3,981 |
) |
Commercial mortgage-backed
securities |
|
|
24,146 |
|
|
|
(5,015 |
) |
|
|
8,325 |
|
|
|
(162 |
) |
|
|
32,471 |
|
|
|
(5,177 |
) |
Residential mortgage-backed
securities |
|
|
17,263 |
|
|
|
(2,511 |
) |
|
|
46,196 |
|
|
|
(2,733 |
) |
|
|
63,459 |
|
|
|
(5,244 |
) |
Asset-backed securities |
|
|
2,898 |
|
|
|
(573 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
2,898 |
|
|
|
(573 |
) |
|
Total fixed-maturity
securities |
|
|
133,183 |
|
|
|
(11,341 |
) |
|
|
86,424 |
|
|
|
(3,736 |
) |
|
|
219,607 |
|
|
|
(15,077 |
) |
Preferred stocks |
|
|
3,702 |
|
|
|
(1,849 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
3,702 |
|
|
|
(1,849 |
) |
|
Total |
|
$ |
136,885 |
|
|
$ |
(13,190 |
) |
|
$ |
86,424 |
|
|
$ |
(3,736 |
) |
|
$ |
223,309 |
|
|
$ |
(16,926 |
) |
|
A substantial portion of the unrealized loss relating to the mortgage-backed securities is the
result of less than normal liquidity in the market that appears to be temporary. Since all of our
investments continue to perform as expected, we believe these investments retain economic value
which view is consistent with
27
our intent and ability to hold until a recovery of fair value to the
Company’s original cost basis which may be maturity.
Impairment of investment securities results in a charge to operations when a market decline below
cost is deemed to be other-than-temporary. As of March 31, 2008, we reviewed our fixed-maturity
and equity securities portfolios to evaluate the necessity of recording impairment losses for
other-than-temporary declines in the fair value of investments. We determined that our investments
in real estate investment trusts were other-than-temporarily impaired and recorded an impairment
write-down of $2.4 million at March 31, 2008. These securities were sold in April 2008 and we
recorded a gain of $70,000, after considering the other-than-temporary impairment adjustment
recorded as of March 31, 2008.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Market risk relates to changes in the value of financial instruments that arise from adverse
movements in factors such as interest rates and equity prices. We are exposed mainly to changes in
interest rates that affect the fair value of our investments in securities.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk is the risk that we may incur economic losses due to adverse changes in interest
rates. The primary market risk to the investment portfolio is interest rate risk associated with
investments in fixed maturity securities, although conditions affecting particular asset classes
(such as conditions in the housing market that affect residential mortgage-backed securities) can
also be a significant source of
market risk. Fluctuations in interest rates have a direct impact on the market valuation of these
securities. The fair value of our fixed maturity securities as of March 31, 2008 was $529.6
million.
For fixed maturity securities, short-term liquidity needs and the potential liquidity needs for the
business are key factors in managing our portfolio. We use modified duration analysis to measure
the sensitivity of the fixed income portfolio to changes in interest rates.
As of March 31, 2008, we had a total of $36.0 million of outstanding floating rate debt all of
which is outstanding subordinated debentures underlying our trust preferred securities issued by
our wholly owned statutory business trusts and carrying an interest rate that is determined by
reference to market interest rates. If interest rates increase, the amount of interest payable by
us would also increase.
Sensitivity Analysis
Sensitivity analysis is a measurement of potential loss in future earnings, fair values or cash
flows of market sensitive instruments resulting from one or more selected hypothetical changes in
interest rates and other market rates or prices over a selected time. In our sensitivity analysis
model, we select a hypothetical change in market rates that reflects what we believe are reasonably
possible near-term changes in those rates. The term “near-term” means a period of time going
forward up to one year from the date of the consolidated financial statements. Actual results may
differ from the hypothetical change in market rates assumed in this disclosure, especially since
this sensitivity analysis does not reflect the results of any action that we may take to mitigate
such hypothetical changes in fair value.
In this sensitivity analysis model, we use fair values to measure our potential loss. The
sensitivity analysis model includes fixed maturities and short-term investments.
For invested assets, we use modified duration modeling to calculate changes in fair values.
Durations on invested assets are adjusted for call, put and interest rate reset features.
Durations on tax-exempt securities are adjusted for the fact that the yield on such securities is
less sensitive to changes in interest rates compared to Treasury securities. Invested asset
portfolio durations are calculated on a market value weighted basis, including accrued investment
income, using holdings as of March 31, 2008.
28
The following table summarizes the estimated change in fair value on our fixed maturity portfolio
including short-term investments based on specific changes in interest rates as of March 31, 2008:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated Increase |
|
Estimated Percentage |
|
|
(Decrease) in Fair Value |
|
Increase (decrease) |
Change in interest rate |
|
($ in thousands) |
|
in Fair Value |
|
|
|
300 basis point rise |
|
|
(60,783 |
) |
|
|
(12.8 |
%) |
200 basis point rise |
|
|
(41,378 |
) |
|
|
(8.7 |
%) |
100 basis point rise |
|
|
(21,272 |
) |
|
|
(4.5 |
%) |
No change |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
50 basis point decline |
|
|
10,390 |
|
|
|
2.2 |
% |
100 basis point decline |
|
|
21,437 |
|
|
|
4.5 |
% |
The sensitivity analysis model used by us produces a predicted pre-tax loss in fair value of
market-sensitive instruments of $21.3 million or 4.5% based on a 100 basis point increase in
interest rates as of March 31, 2008. This loss amount only reflects the impact of an interest rate
increase on the fair value of our fixed maturities, which constituted approximately 98% of our
total invested assets excluding cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2008.
Interest expense would also be affected by a hypothetical change in interest rates. As of March
31, 2008 we had $36 million of floating rate debt obligations. Assuming this amount remains
constant, a hypothetical 100 basis point increase in interest rates would increase annual interest
expense by $360,000, a 200 basis point increase would increase interest expense by $720,000 and a
300 basis point increase would increase interest expense by $1,080,000.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer,
has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and
procedures (as defined in Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) as of the end of the period
covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide
reasonable assurance that material information relating to us and our consolidated subsidiaries
required to be disclosed in our reports filed with or submitted to the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Securities Exchange Act is made known to such officers by others within these
entities, particularly during the period this quarterly report was prepared, in order to allow
timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting
During the first quarter of 2008, the Company completed the implementation of a new general ledger
system. Management has reviewed and tested the internal controls affecting this conversion and
updated its overall evaluation of internal controls over financial reporting. Effective January 1,
2008, the Company applied SFAS 157, “Fair Value Measurements”, to investment assets with respect to
the related identification of pricing levels as required by SFAS 157, certain controls were
enhanced to reflect the new process and required disclosures. In addition, we have integrated
Preserver into the Company’s evaluation of internal controls over financial reporting and extended
our Section 404 compliance program.
29
Part II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
The Company purchased 7,359 of its common shares from employees in connection with the vesting of
restricted stock issued in connection with its 2004 Long Term Equity Compensation Plan (the
“Plan”). The shares were withheld at the direction of the employees as permitted under the Plan in
order to pay the minimum amount of tax liability owed by the employee from the vesting of those
shares.
The following table summarized the Company’s stock repurchases for the three-month period ended
March 31, 2008 and represents employees’ withholding tax obligations on the vesting of restricted
stock.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Number of Shares |
|
Maximum Number (or |
|
|
Total Number |
|
|
|
|
|
Purchased as Part of |
|
Approximate Dollar |
|
|
of Shares |
|
Average Price |
|
Publicly Announced Plans |
|
Value) of Shares that May |
Period |
|
Purchased |
|
Paid per Share |
|
or Programs |
|
Yet Be Purchased Under |
|
January 1 - 31, 2008 |
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
February 1 - 29,
2008 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
March 1 - 31, 2008 |
|
|
7,359 |
|
|
|
24.56 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Total |
|
|
7,359 |
|
|
$ |
24.56 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
Item 6. Exhibits
|
|
|
31.1
|
|
Chief Executive Officer – Certification pursuant to Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Section 302 |
|
|
|
31.2
|
|
Chief Financial Officer – Certification pursuant to Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Section 302 |
|
|
|
32
|
|
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer – Certification pursuant to
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Section 906 |
30
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tower Group, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registrant |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date:
May 12, 2008
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/s/ Michael H. Lee |
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Michael H. Lee |
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Chairman of the Board, |
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
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Date:
May 12, 2008
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/s/ Francis M. Colalucci |
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Francis M. Colalucci |
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Senior Vice President, |
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Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
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