10-Q 1 cinf-2015930x10q.htm 10-Q 10-Q


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
 
(Mark one)
þ        QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015.
 
¨       TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. 
For the transition period from _____________________ to _____________________.
Commission file number 0-4604
 
CINCINNATI FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Ohio
 
31-0746871
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification
No.)
 
 
 
6200 S. Gilmore Road, Fairfield, Ohio
 
45014-5141
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (513) 870-2000
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. 
þYes ¨ No
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
þYes ¨ No
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a nonaccelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
þ Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer ¨ Nonaccelerated filer ¨ Smaller reporting company 
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act):
¨Yes þ No
 
As of October 23, 2015, there were 163,851,889 shares of common stock outstanding.





CINCINNATI FINANCIAL CORPORATION
FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Results
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 2



Part I – Financial Information
Item 1.    Financial Statements (unaudited)
 
Cincinnati Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in millions except per share data)
 
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
Assets
 
 

 
 

Investments
 
 

 
 

Fixed maturities, at fair value (amortized cost: 2015—$9,320; 2014—$8,871)
 
$
9,756

 
$
9,460

Equity securities, at fair value (cost: 2015—$2,970; 2014—$2,728)
 
4,526

 
4,858

Short-term investments, at fair value (amortized cost: 2015—$75; 2014—$0)
 
75

 

Other invested assets
 
69

 
68

Total investments
 
14,426

 
14,386

Cash and cash equivalents
 
419

 
591

Investment income receivable
 
119

 
123

Finance receivable
 
65

 
75

Premiums receivable
 
1,494

 
1,405

Reinsurance recoverable
 
552

 
545

Prepaid reinsurance premiums
 
29

 
29

Deferred policy acquisition costs
 
609

 
578

Land, building and equipment, net, for company use (accumulated depreciation: 2015—$452; 2014—$446)
 
188

 
194

Other assets
 
77

 
75

Separate accounts
 
773

 
752

Total assets
 
$
18,751

 
$
18,753

 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 

 
 

Insurance reserves
 
 

 
 

Loss and loss expense reserves
 
$
4,700

 
$
4,485

Life policy and investment contract reserves
 
2,564

 
2,497

Unearned premiums
 
2,215

 
2,082

Other liabilities
 
692

 
648

Deferred income tax
 
596

 
840

Note payable
 
35

 
49

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations
 
826

 
827

Separate accounts
 
773

 
752

Total liabilities
 
12,401

 
12,180

 
 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 12)
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Shareholders' Equity
 
 

 
 

Common stock, par value—$2 per share; (authorized: 2015 and 2014—500 million shares; issued: 2015 and 2014—198.3 million shares)
 
397

 
397

Paid-in capital
 
1,223

 
1,214

Retained earnings
 
4,756

 
4,505

Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
1,280

 
1,744

Treasury stock at cost (2015— 34.5 million shares and 2014—34.6 million shares)
 
(1,306
)
 
(1,287
)
Total shareholders' equity
 
6,350

 
6,573

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
 
$
18,751

 
$
18,753

 
 
 
 
 
 Accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 3



Cincinnati Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(Dollars in millions except per share data)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Earned premiums
$
1,127

 
$
1,071

 
$
3,332

 
$
3,157

Investment income, net of expenses
143

 
138

 
422

 
409

Realized investment gains, net
3

 
65

 
110

 
101

Fee revenues
4

 
3

 
10

 
9

Other revenues
1

 
3

 
5

 
7

Total revenues
1,278

 
1,280

 
3,879

 
3,683

Benefits and Expenses
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Insurance losses and contract holders' benefits
670

 
686

 
2,131

 
2,181

Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses
348

 
319

 
1,033

 
967

Interest expense
14

 
13

 
40

 
40

Other operating expenses
3

 
3

 
10

 
10

 Total benefits and expenses
1,035

 
1,021

 
3,214

 
3,198

Income Before Income Taxes
243

 
259

 
665

 
485

Provision for Income Taxes
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Current
64

 
68

 
180

 
106

Deferred
5

 
8

 
7

 
21

Total provision for income taxes
69

 
76

 
187

 
127

Net Income
$
174

 
$
183

 
$
478

 
$
358

Per Common Share
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net income—basic
$
1.06

 
$
1.12

 
$
2.91

 
$
2.19

Net income—diluted
1.05

 
1.11

 
2.89

 
2.17

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 4



Cincinnati Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Net Income
 
$
174

 
$
183

 
$
478

 
$
358

Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Change in unrealized gains on investments, net of tax of $(127), $(42), $(254) and $81, respectively
 
(238
)
 
(78
)
 
(473
)
 
151

Amortization of pension actuarial loss and prior service cost, net of tax of $0, $0, $1 and $0, respectively
 
1

 
1

 
3

 

Change in life deferred acquisition costs, life policy reserves and other, net of tax of $1, $2, $2 and $2, respectively
 
3

 
3

 
6

 
3

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
 
(234
)
 
(74
)
 
(464
)
 
154

Comprehensive (Loss) Income
 
$
(60
)
 
$
109

 
$
14

 
$
512

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
(In millions)
 
Common Stock
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
 
 
 
Total
Share-
holders'
 Equity
 
 
Outstanding Shares
 
Amount
 
Paid-in Capital
 
Retained Earnings
 
 
Treasury Stock
 
Balance December 31, 2013
 
163.1

 
$
397

 
$
1,191

 
$
4,268

 
$
1,504

 
$
(1,290
)
 
$
6,070

Net income
 

 

 

 
358

 

 

 
358

Other comprehensive income, net
 

 

 

 

 
154

 

 
154

Dividends declared
 

 

 

 
(217
)
 

 

 
(217
)
Treasury stock acquired—share repurchase authorization
 
(0.5
)
 

 

 

 

 
(21
)
 
(21
)
Other
 
0.8

 

 
14

 

 

 
18

 
32

Balance September 30, 2014
 
163.4

 
$
397

 
$
1,205

 
$
4,409

 
$
1,658

 
$
(1,293
)
 
$
6,376

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance December 31, 2014
 
163.7

 
$
397

 
$
1,214

 
$
4,505

 
$
1,744

 
$
(1,287
)
 
$
6,573

Net income
 


 

 

 
478

 

 

 
478

Other comprehensive loss, net
 

 

 

 

 
(464
)
 

 
(464
)
Dividends declared
 

 

 

 
(227
)
 

 

 
(227
)
Treasury stock acquired—share repurchase authorization
 
(0.8
)
 

 

 

 

 
(41
)
 
(41
)
Other
 
0.9

 

 
9

 

 

 
22

 
31

Balance September 30, 2015
 
163.8

 
$
397

 
$
1,223

 
$
4,756

 
$
1,280

 
$
(1,306
)
 
$
6,350

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 


Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 5



Cincinnati Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 (Dollars in millions)
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
 
 

 
 

Net income
 
$
478

 
$
358

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

 
 

Depreciation and amortization
 
39

 
38

Realized investment gains, net
 
(110
)
 
(101
)
Stock-based compensation
 
16

 
15

Interest credited to contract holders'
 
32

 
35

Deferred income tax expense
 
7

 
21

Changes in:
 
 

 
 

Investment income receivable
 
4

 
2

Premiums and reinsurance receivable
 
(96
)
 
(105
)
Deferred policy acquisition costs
 
(20
)
 
(32
)
Other assets
 

 

Loss and loss expense reserves
 
215

 
124

Life policy reserves
 
70

 
104

Unearned premiums
 
133

 
152

Other liabilities
 
(11
)
 
(30
)
Current income tax receivable/payable
 
(2
)
 
52

Net cash provided by operating activities
 
755

 
633

Cash Flows From Investing Activities
 
 

 
 

Sale of fixed maturities
 
25

 
26

Call or maturity of fixed maturities
 
961

 
675

Sale of equity securities
 
241

 
225

Purchase of fixed maturities
 
(1,397
)
 
(974
)
Purchase of equity securities
 
(379
)
 
(294
)
Purchase of short-term investments
 
(75
)
 

Investment in finance receivables
 
(10
)
 
(13
)
Collection of finance receivables
 
22

 
23

Investment in buildings and equipment, net
 
(7
)
 
(6
)
Change in other invested assets, net
 
(1
)
 
7

Net cash used in investing activities
 
(620
)
 
(331
)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
 
 

 
 

Payment of cash dividends to shareholders
 
(218
)
 
(208
)
Purchase of treasury shares
 
(41
)
 
(21
)
Payments of note payable
 
(14
)
 
(55
)
Proceeds from stock options exercised
 
14

 
14

Contract holders' funds deposited
 
62

 
66

Contract holders' funds withdrawn
 
(101
)
 
(108
)
Excess tax benefits on stock-based compensation
 
4

 
2

Other
 
(13
)
 
(13
)
Net cash used in financing activities
 
(307
)
 
(323
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
 
(172
)
 
(21
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
 
591

 
433

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
419

 
$
412

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:
 
 

 
 

Interest paid
 
$
26

 
$
27

Income taxes paid
 
179

 
52

Noncash Activities:
 
 

 
 

Conversion of securities
 
$

 
$
7

Equipment acquired under capital lease obligations
 
16

 
10

Cashless exercise of stock options
 
11

 
11

 
 
 
 
 
 Accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 6



NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
NOTE 1 — Accounting Policies
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Cincinnati Financial Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, each of which is wholly owned. These statements are presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Our actual results could differ from those estimates. Our December 31, 2014, condensed consolidated balance sheet amounts are derived from the audited financial statements but do not include all disclosures required by GAAP.
 
Our September 30, 2015, condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited. Certain financial information that is included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP is not required for interim reporting and has been condensed or omitted. We believe that we have made all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring accruals, that are necessary for fair presentation. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements included in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The results of operations for interim periods do not necessarily indicate results to be expected for the full year.

Pending Accounting Updates

ASU 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASU 2014-09 requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. Insurance contracts do not fall within the scope of this ASU. The effective date of ASU 2014-09 is for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. In July 2015, the FASB decided to defer by one year the effective date of this ASU. The ASU has not yet been adopted and will not have a material impact on our company’s financial position, cash flows or results of operations.

ASU 2014-12, Compensation-Stock Compensation: Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period
In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-12, Compensation-Stock Compensation: Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period. ASU 2014-12 requires that performance targets that affect vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as performance conditions. The effective date of ASU 2014-12 is for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The ASU has not yet been adopted and will not have a material impact on our company’s financial position, cash flows or results of operations.

ASU 2015-02, Consolidation-Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis
In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidation-Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. ASU 2015-02 makes amendments to the current consolidation guidance, focusing mainly on the investment management industry; however, entities across all industries may be impacted. The effective date of ASU 2015-02 is for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The ASU has not yet been adopted and will not have a material impact on our company’s financial position, cash flows or results of operations.

ASU 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest. ASU 2015-03 reduces the complexity of disclosing debt issuance costs and debt discount and premium on the balance sheet by requiring that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The effective date of ASU 2015-03 is for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The ASU has not yet been adopted and will not have a material impact on our company’s financial position, cash flows or results of operations.


Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 7



ASU 2015-09, Financial Services-Insurance: Disclosures about Short-Duration Contracts
In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-09, Financial Services-Insurance: Disclosures About Short-Duration Contracts. ASU 2015-09 requires entities to provide additional disclosures about the liability for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses to increase the transparency of significant estimates. ASU 2015-09 also requires entities to disclose information about significant changes in methodologies and assumptions used to calculate the liability for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses, including reasons for the change and the effects on the financial statements. ASU 2015-09 also requires entities to disclose a rollforward of the liability of unpaid claims and claim adjustment expense for annual and interim reporting periods. The effective date of ASU 2015-09 is for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim reporting periods within annual period beginning after December 15, 2016. The ASU has not yet been adopted and will not have a material impact on our company’s financial position, cash flows or results of operations, but the ASU will require additional disclosures to our annual and interim reporting periods.

ASU 2015-15, Interest-Imputation of Interest: Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements.
In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, Interest-Imputation of Interest: Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements. ASU 2015-15 allows entities to defer and present debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. The effective date of ASU 2015-15 is for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The ASU has not yet been adopted and will not have a material impact on our company’s financial position, cash flows or results of operations.




Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 8



NOTE 2 – Investments
The following table provides cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair value for our investment portfolio:
(Dollars in millions)
 
Cost or amortized cost
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross unrealized
 
Fair value
At September 30, 2015
 
 
gains
 
losses
 
Fixed maturity securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Corporate
 
$
5,333

 
$
325

 
$
49

 
$
5,609

States, municipalities and political subdivisions
 
3,401

 
159

 
3

 
3,557

Commercial mortgage-backed
 
284

 
9

 
1

 
292

Government-sponsored enterprises
 
280

 

 
4

 
276

Foreign government
 
10

 

 

 
10

Convertibles and bonds with warrants attached
 
8

 

 

 
8

United States government
 
4

 

 

 
4

Subtotal
 
9,320

 
493

 
57

 
9,756

Equity securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Common equities
 
2,784

 
1,585

 
56

 
4,313

Nonredeemable preferred equities
 
186

 
28

 
1

 
213

Subtotal
 
2,970

 
1,613

 
57

 
4,526

Short-term investments
 
75

 

 

 
75

Total
 
$
12,365

 
$
2,106

 
$
114

 
$
14,357

At December 31, 2014
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fixed maturity securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Corporate
 
$
5,117

 
$
420

 
$
11

 
$
5,526

States, municipalities and political subdivisions
 
3,267

 
178

 
2

 
3,443

Commercial mortgage-backed
 
250

 
9

 

 
259

Government-sponsored enterprises
 
213

 

 
5

 
208

Foreign government
 
10

 

 

 
10

Convertibles and bonds with warrants attached
 
7

 

 

 
7

United States government
 
7

 

 

 
7

Subtotal
 
8,871

 
607

 
18

 
9,460

Equity securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Common equities
 
2,583

 
2,099

 
3

 
4,679

Nonredeemable preferred equities
 
145

 
35

 
1

 
179

Subtotal
 
2,728

 
2,134

 
4

 
4,858

Total
 
$
11,599

 
$
2,741

 
$
22

 
$
14,318

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The net unrealized investment gains in our fixed-maturity portfolio are primarily the result of the continued low interest rate environment that increased the fair value of our fixed-maturity portfolio. Our commercial mortgage-backed securities had an average rating of Aa1/AA at September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014. At December 31, 2014, we held no short-term investments. The seven largest unrealized investment gains in our common stock portfolio are from Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), Honeywell International Incorporated (NYSE:HON), The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG), Apple Inc. (Nasdaq:AAPL), Hasbro Incorporated (Nasdaq:HAS), BlackRock Inc. (NYSE:BLK), and JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM), which had a combined gross unrealized gain of $494 million. At September 30, 2015, Apple was our largest single common stock holding with a fair value of 3.6 percent of our publicly traded common stock portfolio and 1.1 percent of the total investment portfolio.


Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 9



The table below provides fair values and gross unrealized losses by investment category and by the duration of the securities’ continuous unrealized loss positions:
(Dollars in millions)
 
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or more
 
Total
 
 
Fair value
 
Unrealized losses
 
Fair value
 
Unrealized losses
 
Fair value
 
Unrealized losses
At September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Corporate
 
$
729

 
$
42

 
$
85

 
$
7

 
$
814

 
$
49

States, municipalities and political subdivisions
 
227


3


51




278


3

Commercial mortgage-backed
 
57

 
1

 
2

 

 
59

 
1

Government-sponsored enterprises
 
74

 
1

 
139

 
3

 
213

 
4

Foreign government
 
10

 

 

 

 
10

 

Subtotal
 
1,097

 
47

 
277

 
10

 
1,374

 
57

Equity securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Common equities
 
511

 
56

 

 

 
511

 
56

Nonredeemable preferred equities
 
43

 
1

 

 

 
43

 
1

Subtotal
 
554

 
57

 

 

 
554

 
57

Total
 
$
1,651

 
$
104

 
$
277

 
$
10

 
$
1,928

 
$
114

At December 31, 2014
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fixed maturity securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Corporate
 
$
261

 
$
8

 
$
90

 
$
3

 
$
351

 
$
11

States, municipalities and political subdivisions
 
17

 

 
135

 
2

 
152

 
2

Commercial mortgage-backed
 
3

 

 
23

 

 
26

 

Government-sponsored enterprises
 
11

 

 
181

 
5

 
192

 
5

Subtotal
 
292

 
8

 
429

 
10

 
721

 
18

Equity securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Common equities
 
85

 
3

 

 

 
85

 
3

Nonredeemable preferred equities
 
16

 

 
17

 
1

 
33

 
1

Subtotal
 
101

 
3

 
17

 
1

 
118

 
4

Total
 
$
393

 
$
11

 
$
446

 
$
11

 
$
839

 
$
22

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 10



The following table provides investment income, realized investment gains and losses, the change in unrealized investment gains and losses, and other items:
(Dollars in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Investment income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest
$
108

 
$
105

 
$
319

 
$
312

Dividends
37

 
35

 
108

 
101

Other
1

 

 
2

 
2

Total
146

 
140

 
429

 
415

Less investment expenses
3

 
2

 
7

 
6

Total
$
143

 
$
138

 
$
422

 
$
409

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains and losses summary:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fixed maturities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Gross realized gains
$
4

 
$
6

 
$
14

 
$
12

Gross realized losses

 

 

 
(4
)
Other-than-temporary impairments
(8
)
 

 
(11
)
 

Equity securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Gross realized gains
6

 
59

 
106

 
93

Gross realized losses

 

 
(1
)
 

Other-than-temporary impairments

 

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Other
1

 

 
3

 
1

Total
$
3

 
$
65

 
$
110

 
$
101

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in unrealized investment gains and losses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fixed maturities
$
(15
)
 
$
(66
)
 
$
(153
)
 
$
115

Equity securities
(350
)
 
(54
)
 
(574
)
 
117

Less income taxes
127

 
42

 
254

 
(81
)
Total
$
(238
)
 
$
(78
)
 
$
(473
)
 
$
151

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
During the three months ended September 30, 2015, one new equity security was other-than-temporarily impaired along with two other-than-temporarily impaired fixed-maturity securities. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, there were three equity securities and three fixed-maturity securities other-than-temporarily impaired. There were no credit losses on fixed-maturity securities for which a portion of other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) has been recognized in other comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014. At September 30, 2015, 73 fixed-maturity investments with a total unrealized loss of $10 million had been in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more. Of that total, one fixed-maturity investment had a fair value below 70 percent of amortized cost. There were no equity investments in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more as of September 30, 2015.
 
During 2014, we other-than-temporarily impaired six fixed-maturity securities. At December 31, 2014, 144 fixed-maturity investments with a total unrealized loss of $10 million had been in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more. Of that total, no fixed-maturity investments had fair values below 70 percent of amortized cost. There were three equity security investments in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more with a total unrealized loss of $1 million as of December 31, 2014. Of that total, no equity security investments had fair values below 70 percent of cost.
 


Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 11



NOTE 3 – Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Hierarchy
In accordance with accounting guidance for fair value measurements and disclosures, we categorized our financial instruments, based on the priority of the observable and market-based data for the valuation technique used, into a three-level fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices with readily available independent data in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable market inputs (Level 3). When various inputs for measurement fall within different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the lowest observable input that has a significant impact on fair value measurement is used. Our valuation techniques have not changed from those used at December 31, 2014, and ultimately management determines fair value. See our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 8, Note 3, Fair Value Measurements, Page 137, for information on characteristics and valuation techniques used in determining fair value.
Fair Value Disclosures for Assets
The following tables illustrate the fair value hierarchy for those assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014. We do not have any material liabilities carried at fair value. There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2.
(Dollars in millions)
 
Quoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant other
observable inputs 
(Level 2)
 
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
At September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, available for sale:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Corporate
 
$

 
$
5,568

 
$
41

 
$
5,609

States, municipalities and political subdivisions
 

 
3,557

 

 
3,557

Commercial mortgage-backed
 

 
292

 

 
292

Government-sponsored enterprises
 

 
276

 

 
276

Foreign government
 

 
10

 

 
10

Convertibles and bonds with warrants attached
 

 
8

 

 
8

United States government
 
4

 

 

 
4

Subtotal
 
4

 
9,711

 
41

 
9,756

Common equities, available for sale
 
4,313

 

 

 
4,313

Nonredeemable preferred equities, available for sale
 

 
211

 
2

 
213

Short-term investments
 

 
75

 

 
75

Separate accounts taxable fixed maturities
 

 
754

 

 
754

Top Hat savings plan mutual funds and common
  equity (included in Other assets)
 
20

 

 

 
20

Total
 
$
4,337

 
$
10,751

 
$
43

 
$
15,131

At December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, available for sale:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Corporate
 
$

 
$
5,508

 
$
18

 
$
5,526

States, municipalities and political subdivisions
 

 
3,443

 

 
3,443

Commercial mortgage-backed
 

 
259

 

 
259

Government-sponsored enterprises
 

 
208

 

 
208

Foreign government
 

 
10

 

 
10

Convertibles and bonds with warrants attached
 

 
7

 

 
7

United States government
 
7

 

 

 
7

Subtotal
 
7

 
9,435

 
18

 
9,460

Common equities, available for sale
 
4,679

 

 

 
4,679

Nonredeemable preferred equities, available for sale
 

 
177

 
2

 
179

Separate accounts taxable fixed maturities
 

 
731

 

 
731

Top Hat savings plan mutual funds and common
  equity (included in Other assets)
 
18

 

 

 
18

Total
 
$
4,704

 
$
10,343

 
$
20

 
$
15,067

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 12



 
Each financial instrument that was deemed to have significant unobservable inputs when determining valuation is identified in the following tables by security type with a summary of changes in fair value as of September 30, 2015. Total Level 3 assets continue to be less than 1 percent of financial assets measured at fair value in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Assets presented in the table below were valued based primarily on broker/dealer quotes for which there is a lack of transparency as to inputs used to develop the valuations. The quantitative detail of these unobservable inputs is neither provided nor reasonably available to us.

The following table provides the change in Level 3 assets for the three months ended September 30:
 (Dollars in millions)
 
Asset fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
 
 
Corporate
fixed
maturities
 
Commercial
mortgage-
backed fixed maturities
 
States,
municipalities
and political
subdivisions
fixed maturities
 
Nonredeemable preferred
equities
 
Total
Beginning balance, June 30, 2015
 
$
18

 
$

 
$
1

 
$
2

 
$
21

Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Included in net income
 

 

 

 

 

Included in other comprehensive income
 
1

 

 

 

 
1

Purchases
 
22

 

 

 

 
22

Sales
 

 

 

 

 

Transfers into Level 3
 

 

 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3
 

 

 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
Ending balance, September 30, 2015
 
$
41

 
$

 
$

 
$
2

 
$
43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance, June 30, 2014
 
$
9

 
$

 
$

 
$
2

 
$
11

Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Included in net income
 

 

 

 

 

Included in other comprehensive income
 

 

 

 

 

Purchases
 

 

 

 

 

Sales
 

 

 

 

 

Transfers into Level 3
 
19

 

 

 

 
19

Transfers out of Level 3
 

 

 

 

 

Ending balance, September 30, 2014
 
$
28

 
$

 
$

 
$
2

 
$
30

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 13



The following table provides the change in Level 3 assets for the nine months ended September 30:
(Dollars in millions)
Asset fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
 
 
Corporate
fixed
maturities
 
Commercial
mortgage-
backed fixed maturities
 
States,
municipalities
and political
subdivisions
fixed maturities
 
Nonredeemable preferred
equities
 
Total
Beginning balance, January 1, 2015
 
$
18

 
$

 
$

 
$
2

 
$
20

Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Included in net income
 

 

 

 

 

Included in other comprehensive income
 
1

 

 

 

 
1

Purchases
 
22

 

 

 

 
22

Sales
 

 

 

 

 

Transfers into Level 3
 

 

 
1

 

 
1

Transfers out of Level 3
 

 

 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
Ending balance, September 30, 2015
 
$
41

 
$

 
$

 
$
2

 
$
43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance, January 1, 2014
 
$
2

 
$

 
$

 
$
2

 
$
4

Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
Included in net income
 

 

 

 

 

Included in other comprehensive income
 

 

 

 

 

Purchases
 

 

 

 

 

Sales
 

 

 

 

 

Transfers into Level 3
 
26

 
5

 

 

 
31

Transfers out of Level 3
 

 
(5
)
 

 

 
(5
)
Ending balance, September 30, 2014
 
$
28

 
$

 
$

 
$
2

 
$
30

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Additional disclosures for the Level 3 category are not material.

Fair Value Disclosures for Assets and Liabilities Not Carried at Fair Value
 
The disclosures below are presented to provide timely information about the effects of current market conditions on financial instruments that are not reported at fair value in our condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
This table summarizes the book value and principal amounts of our long-term debt:
(Dollars in millions)
 
 
 
Book value
 
Principal amount
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
September 30,
 
December 31,
Interest rate
 
Year of issue
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
6.900
%
 
1998
 
Senior debentures, due 2028
 
$
28

 
$
28

 
$
28

 
$
28

6.920
%
 
2005
 
Senior debentures, due 2028
 
391

 
391

 
391

 
391

6.125
%
 
2004
 
Senior notes, due 2034
 
372

 
372

 
374

 
374

 

 
 
 
Total
 
$
791

 
$
791

 
$
793

 
$
793

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 14



The following table shows fair values of our note payable and long-term debt:
(Dollars in millions)
 
Quoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant other
observable inputs 
(Level 2)
 
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
At September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
Note payable
 
$

 
$
35

 
$

 
$
35

6.900% senior debentures, due 2028
 

 
34

 

 
34

6.920% senior debentures, due 2028
 

 
498

 

 
498

6.125% senior notes, due 2034
 

 
441

 

 
441

Total
 
$

 
$
1,008

 
$

 
$
1,008

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note payable
 
$

 
$
49

 
$

 
$
49

6.900% senior debentures, due 2028
 

 
34

 

 
34

6.920% senior debentures, due 2028
 

 
496

 

 
496

6.125% senior notes, due 2034
 

 
449

 

 
449

Total
 
$

 
$
1,028

 
$

 
$
1,028

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table shows the fair value of our life policy loans included in other invested assets:
(Dollars in millions)
 
Quoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant other
observable inputs 
(Level 2)
 
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
At September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
Life policy loans
 
$

 
$

 
$
40

 
$
40

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Life policy loans
 
$

 
$

 
$
39

 
$
39

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Outstanding principal and interest for these life policy loans totaled $32 million and $31 million at September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively.
 
The following table shows fair values of our deferred annuities and structured settlements included in life policy and investment contract reserves:
(Dollars in millions)
 
Quoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant other
observable inputs 
(Level 2)
 
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
At September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
Deferred annuities
 
$

 
$

 
$
892

 
$
892

Structured settlements
 

 
208

 

 
208

Total
 
$

 
$
208

 
$
892

 
$
1,100

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred annuities
 
$

 
$

 
$
897

 
$
897

Structured settlements
 

 
217

 

 
217

Total
 
$

 
$
217

 
$
897

 
$
1,114

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Recorded reserves for the deferred annuities were $864 million and $863 million at September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively. Recorded reserves for the structured settlements were $177 million and $182 million at September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively.



Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 15



NOTE 4 – Property Casualty Loss and Loss Expenses
This table summarizes activity for our consolidated property casualty loss and loss expense reserves:
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Gross loss and loss expense reserves, beginning
  of period
 
$
4,647

 
$
4,408

 
$
4,438

 
$
4,241

Less reinsurance recoverable
 
292

 
282

 
282

 
299

Net loss and loss expense reserves, beginning of
 period
 
4,355

 
4,126

 
4,156

 
3,942

Net incurred loss and loss expenses related to:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Current accident year
 
661

 
647

 
2,096

 
2,125

Prior accident years
 
(48
)
 
(25
)
 
(140
)
 
(120
)
Total incurred
 
613

 
622

 
1,956

 
2,005

Net paid loss and loss expenses related to:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Current accident year
 
343

 
353

 
794

 
859

Prior accident years
 
261

 
286

 
954

 
979

Total paid
 
604

 
639

 
1,748

 
1,838

Net loss and loss expense reserves, end of period
 
4,364

 
4,109

 
4,364

 
4,109

Plus reinsurance recoverable
 
289

 
284

 
289

 
284

Gross loss and loss expense reserves, end of
  period
 
$
4,653

 
$
4,393

 
$
4,653

 
$
4,393

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We use actuarial methods, models and judgment to estimate, as of a financial statement date, the property casualty loss and loss expense reserves required to pay for and settle all outstanding insured claims, including incurred but not reported (IBNR) claims, as of that date. The actuarial estimate is subject to review and adjustment by an inter-departmental committee that includes actuarial management that is familiar with relevant company and industry business, claims and underwriting trends, as well as general economic and legal trends that could affect future loss and loss expense payments. The amount we will actually have to pay for claims can be highly uncertain. This uncertainty, together with the size of our reserves, makes the loss and loss expense reserves our most significant estimate. The reserve for loss and loss expenses in the condensed consolidated balance sheets also included $47 million at September 30, 2015, and $42 million at September 30, 2014, for certain life and health loss and loss expense reserves.

For the three months ended September 30, 2015, we experienced $48 million of favorable development on prior accident years, including $43 million of favorable development in commercial lines, $2 million of adverse development in personal lines and $7 million of favorable development in excess and surplus lines. We recognized favorable reserve development during the three months ended September 30, 2015, of $25 million for the workers' compensation line and $16 million for the commercial casualty line due to reduced uncertainty of prior accident year loss and loss adjustment expense for these lines. Our commercial auto line developed unfavorably by $4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, due to higher loss cost effects in recent accident years, resulting in an increase of our reserve estimate for claims that have not yet been settled.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we experienced $140 million of favorable development on prior accident years, including $120 million of favorable development in commercial lines, $1 million of adverse development in personal lines and $21 million of favorable development in excess and surplus lines. This included $12 million from favorable development of catastrophe losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. We recognized favorable reserve development during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, of $80 million for the workers' compensation line, $36 million for the commercial casualty line and $17 million for the other commercial line due to reduced uncertainty of prior accident year loss and loss adjustment expense for these lines. Our commercial auto line developed unfavorably by $27 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, due to higher loss cost effects in recent accident years, resulting in an increase of our reserve estimate for claims that have not yet been settled.


Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 16



For the three months ended September 30, 2014, we experienced $25 million of favorable development on prior accident years, including $24 million of favorable development in commercial lines, $5 million of adverse development in personal lines and $6 million of favorable development in excess and surplus lines. This included $5 million from favorable development of catastrophe losses for the three months ended September 30, 2014. We recognized favorable development during the three months ended September 30, 2014, of $15 million for workers' compensation line, $8 million for each the commercial property line and the commercial casualty line and $12 million of adverse development for the commercial auto line, due to reduced uncertainty of prior accident year loss and loss adjustment expense for these lines.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we experienced $120 million of favorable development on prior accident years, including $84 million of favorable development in commercial lines, $13 million of favorable development in personal lines and $23 million of favorable development in excess and surplus lines. This included $19 million from favorable development of catastrophe losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. We recognized favorable development during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, of $45 million for the workers' compensation line, $33 million for the commercial property line, $25 million for the commercial casualty line and $24 million of adverse development in the commercial auto line, due to reduced uncertainty of prior accident year loss and loss adjustment expense for these lines.



Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 17



NOTE 5 – Life Policy and Investment Contract Reserves
We establish the reserves for traditional life insurance policies based on expected expenses, mortality, morbidity, withdrawal rates, timing of claim presentation and investment yields, including a provision for uncertainty. Once these assumptions are established, they generally are maintained throughout the lives of the contracts. We use both our own experience and industry experience, adjusted for historical trends, in arriving at our assumptions for expected mortality, morbidity and withdrawal rates as well as for expected expenses. We base our assumptions for expected investment income on our own experience adjusted for current economic conditions.
 
We establish reserves for the company’s universal life, deferred annuity and structured settlement policies equal to the cumulative account balances, which include premium deposits plus credited interest less charges and withdrawals. Some of our universal life policies contain no-lapse guarantee provisions. For these policies, we establish a reserve in addition to the account balance, based on expected no-lapse guarantee benefits and expected policy assessments.

This table summarizes our life policy and investment contract reserves:
(Dollars in millions)
 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31, 2014
Ordinary/traditional life
 
$
928

 
$
875

Deferred annuities
 
864

 
863

Universal life
 
547

 
530

Structured settlements
 
177

 
182

Other
 
48

 
47

Total life policy and investment contract reserves
 
$
2,564

 
$
2,497

 
 
 
 
 

 
NOTE 6 – Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
Expenses directly related to successfully acquired insurance policies – primarily commissions, premium taxes and underwriting costs – are deferred and amortized over the terms of the policies. We update our acquisition cost assumptions periodically to reflect actual experience, and we evaluate the costs for recoverability. The table below shows the deferred policy acquisition costs and asset reconciliation.
(Dollars in millions)
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,

2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Deferred policy acquisition costs asset, beginning
  of period
$
600

 
$
571

 
$
578

 
$
565

Capitalized deferred policy acquisition costs
212

 
208

 
640

 
630

Amortized deferred policy acquisition costs
(207
)
 
(195
)
 
(620
)
 
(598
)
Amortized shadow deferred policy acquisition costs
4

 
6

 
11

 
(7
)
Deferred policy acquisition costs asset, end of period
$
609

 
$
590

 
$
609

 
$
590

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

No premium deficiencies were recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of income, as the sum of the anticipated loss and loss adjustment expenses, policyholder dividends and unamortized deferred acquisition expenses did not exceed the related unearned premiums and anticipated investment income.
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 18



NOTE 7 – Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) includes changes in unrealized gains and losses on investments, changes in pension obligations and changes in life deferred acquisition costs, life policy reserves and other as follows:
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
 
2014
 
 
Before tax
 
Income tax
 
Net
 
 
Before tax
 
Income tax
 
Net
Investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AOCI, beginning of period
 
$
2,357

 
$
815

 
$
1,542

 
 
$
2,687

 
$
931

 
$
1,756

OCI before realized gains recognized in net income
 
(363
)
 
(126
)
 
(237
)
 
 
(55
)
 
(20
)
 
(35
)
Realized gains recognized in net income
 
(2
)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
 
(65
)
 
(22
)
 
(43
)
OCI
 
(365
)
 
(127
)
 
(238
)
 
 
(120
)
 
(42
)
 
(78
)
AOCI, end of period
 
$
1,992

 
$
688

 
$
1,304

 
 
$
2,567

 
$
889

 
$
1,678

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AOCI, beginning of period
 
$
(33
)
 
$
(11
)
 
$
(22
)
 
 
$
(19
)
 
$
(6
)
 
$
(13
)
OCI excluding amortization recognized in net income
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

Amortization recognized in net income
 
1

 

 
1

 
 

 

 

OCI
 
1

 

 
1

 
 
1

 

 
1

AOCI, end of period
 
$
(32
)
 
$
(11
)
 
$
(21
)
 
 
$
(18
)
 
$
(6
)
 
$
(12
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Life deferred acquisition costs, life policy reserves and other:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AOCI, beginning of period
 
$
(8
)
 
$
(2
)
 
$
(6
)
 
 
$
(16
)
 
$
(5
)
 
$
(11
)
OCI before realized gains recognized in net income
 
5

 
1

 
4

 
 
5

 
2

 
3

Realized gains recognized in net income
 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
 
 

 

 

OCI
 
4

 
1

 
3

 
 
5

 
2

 
3

AOCI, end of period
 
$
(4
)
 
$
(1
)
 
$
(3
)
 
 
$
(11
)
 
$
(3
)
 
$
(8
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Summary of AOCI:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AOCI, beginning of period
 
$
2,316

 
$
802

 
$
1,514

 
 
$
2,652

 
$
920

 
$
1,732

Investments OCI
 
(365
)
 
(127
)
 
(238
)
 
 
(120
)
 
(42
)
 
(78
)
Pension obligations OCI
 
1

 

 
1

 
 
1

 

 
1

Life deferred acquisition costs, life policy reserves and other OCI
 
4

 
1

 
3

 
 
5

 
2

 
3

Total OCI
 
(360
)
 
(126
)
 
(234
)
 
 
(114
)
 
(40
)
 
(74
)
AOCI, end of period
 
$
1,956

 
$
676

 
$
1,280

 
 
$
2,538

 
$
880

 
$
1,658

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 19



(Dollars in millions)
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2015
 
 
2014
 
Before tax
 
Income tax
 
Net
 
 
Before tax
 
Income tax
 
Net
Investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AOCI, beginning of period
$
2,719

 
$
942

 
$
1,777

 
 
$
2,335

 
$
808

 
$
1,527

OCI excluding realized gains recognized in net income
(620
)
 
(216
)
 
(404
)
 
 
332

 
115

 
217

Realized gains recognized in net income
(107
)
 
(38
)
 
(69
)
 
 
(100
)
 
(34
)
 
(66
)
OCI
(727
)
 
(254
)
 
(473
)
 
 
232

 
81

 
151

AOCI, end of period
$
1,992

 
$
688

 
$
1,304

 
 
$
2,567

 
$
889

 
$
1,678

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AOCI, beginning of period
$
(36
)
 
$
(12
)
 
$
(24
)
 
 
$
(18
)
 
$
(6
)
 
$
(12
)
OCI excluding amortization recognized in net income

 

 

 
 

 

 

Amortization recognized in net income
4

 
1

 
3

 
 

 

 

OCI
4

 
1

 
3

 
 

 

 

AOCI, end of period
$
(32
)
 
$
(11
)
 
$
(21
)
 
 
$
(18
)
 
$
(6
)
 
$
(12
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Life deferred acquisition costs, life policy reserves and other:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AOCI, beginning of period
$
(12
)
 
$
(3
)
 
$
(9
)
 
 
$
(16
)
 
$
(5
)
 
$
(11
)
OCI excluding realized gains recognized in net income
11

 
3

 
8

 
 
6

 
3

 
3

Realized gains recognized in net income
(3
)
 
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 

OCI
8

 
2

 
6

 
 
5

 
2

 
3

AOCI, end of period
$
(4
)
 
$
(1
)
 
$
(3
)
 
 
$
(11
)
 
$
(3
)
 
$
(8
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Summary of AOCI:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AOCI, beginning of period
$
2,671

 
$
927

 
$
1,744

 
 
$
2,301

 
$
797

 
$
1,504

Investments OCI
(727
)
 
(254
)
 
(473
)
 
 
232

 
81

 
151

Pension obligations OCI
4

 
1

 
3

 
 

 

 

Life deferred acquisition costs, life policy reserves and other OCI
8

 
2

 
6

 
 
5

 
2

 
3

Total OCI
(715
)
 
(251
)
 
(464
)
 
 
237

 
83

 
154

AOCI, end of period
$
1,956

 
$
676

 
$
1,280

 
 
$
2,538

 
$
880

 
$
1,658

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Investments realized gains and life deferred acquisition costs, life policy reserves and other realized gains are recorded in the realized investment gains, net, line item in the condensed consolidated statements of income. Amortization on pension obligations is recorded in the insurance losses and contract holders' benefits and underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of income.


Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 20



NOTE 8 – Reinsurance
Reinsurance mitigates the risk of highly uncertain exposures and reduces the maximum net loss that can arise from large risks or risks concentrated in areas of exposure. Management's decisions about the appropriate level of risk retention are affected by various factors, including changes in our underwriting practices, capacity to retain risks and reinsurance market conditions.

The main components of our assumed reinsurance include involuntary as well as voluntary from our new assumed reinsurance operation. Primary components of our property casualty ceded reinsurance program include a property per risk treaty, property excess treaty, casualty per occurrence treaty, casualty excess treaty, property catastrophe treaty and catastrophe bonds and voluntary business from our new assumed reinsurance operation.

Our condensed consolidated statements of income include earned consolidated property casualty insurance premiums on assumed and ceded business: 
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Direct earned premiums
 
$
1,110

 
$
1,067

 
$
3,279

 
$
3,134

Assumed earned premiums
 
3

 
3

 
8

 
8

Ceded earned premiums
 
(37
)
 
(45
)
 
(111
)
 
(132
)
Earned premiums
 
$
1,076

 
$
1,025

 
$
3,176

 
$
3,010

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our condensed consolidated statements of income include incurred consolidated property casualty insurance loss and loss expenses on assumed and ceded business:
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Direct incurred loss and loss expenses
 
$
618

 
$
633

 
$
1,984

 
$
2,026

Assumed incurred loss and loss expenses
 
2

 
1

 
2

 
5

Ceded incurred loss and loss expenses
 
(7
)
 
(12
)
 
(30
)
 
(26
)
Incurred loss and loss expenses
 
$
613

 
$
622

 
$
1,956

 
$
2,005

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our ceded incurred results generally vary with our catastrophe experience.

Our life insurance company purchases reinsurance for protection of a portion of the risk that is written. Primary components of our life reinsurance program include individual mortality coverage and aggregate catastrophe and accidental death coverage in excess of certain deductibles.

Our condensed consolidated statements of income include earned life insurance premiums on ceded business: 
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Direct earned premiums
 
$
67

 
$
61

 
$
200

 
$
191

Ceded earned premiums
 
(16
)
 
(15
)
 
(44
)
 
(44
)
Earned premiums
 
$
51

 
$
46

 
$
156

 
$
147

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 21



Our condensed consolidated statements of income include life insurance contract holders' benefits incurred on ceded business: 
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Direct contract holders' benefits incurred
 
$
70

 
$
80

 
$
214

 
$
228

Ceded contract holders' benefits incurred
 
(13
)
 
(16
)
 
(39
)
 
(52
)
Contract holders' benefits incurred
 
$
57

 
$
64

 
$
175

 
$
176

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The ceded benefits incurred can vary depending on the type of life insurance policy held and the year the policy was sold.

NOTE 9 – Income Taxes
As of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, we had no liability for unrecognized tax benefits.
 
The differences between the 35 percent statutory federal income tax rate and our effective income tax rate were as follows:
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Tax at statutory rate:
 
$
85

 
35.0
 %
 
$
91

 
35.0
 %
 
$
233

 
35.0
 %
 
$
170

 
35.0
 %
Increase (decrease) resulting from:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Tax-exempt income from municipal bonds
 
(9
)
 
(3.7
)
 
(9
)
 
(3.5
)
 
(25
)
 
(3.8
)
 
(25
)
 
(5.2
)
Dividend received exclusion
 
(8
)
 
(3.3
)
 
(7
)
 
(2.7
)
 
(23
)
 
(3.5
)
 
(21
)
 
(4.3
)
Other
 
1

 
0.4

 
1

 
0.5

 
2

 
0.4

 
3

 
0.7

Provision for income taxes
 
$
69

 
28.4
 %
 
$
76

 
29.3
 %
 
$
187

 
28.1
 %
 
$
127

 
26.2
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The provision for federal income taxes is based upon filing a consolidated income tax return for the company and its subsidiaries. As of September 30, 2015, we had no operating or capital loss carry forwards.

NOTE 10 – Net Income Per Common Share
Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share are computed based on the weighted average number of common and dilutive potential common shares outstanding using the treasury stock method. The table shows calculations for basic and diluted earnings per share:
(In millions except per share data)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Numerator:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net income—basic and diluted
 
$
174

 
$
183

 
$
478

 
$
358

Denominator:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic weighted-average common shares
  outstanding
 
164.0

 
163.5

 
164.1

 
163.5

Effect of share-based awards:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Stock options
 
1.0

 
0.9

 
0.9

 
0.9

Nonvested shares
 
0.5

 
0.6

 
0.5

 
0.6

Diluted weighted-average shares
 
165.5

 
165.0

 
165.5

 
165.0

Earnings per share:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic
 
$
1.06

 
$
1.12

 
$
2.91

 
$
2.19

Diluted
 
1.05

 
1.11

 
2.89

 
2.17

Number of anti-dilutive share-based awards:
 
0.3

 
0.7

 
0.7

 
0.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 22



The sources of dilution of our common shares are certain equity-based awards. See our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 8, Note 17, Share-Based Associate Compensation Plans, Page 154, for information about equity-based awards. The above table shows the number of anti-dilutive share-based awards for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014. We did not include these share-based awards in the computation of net income per common share (diluted) because their exercise would have anti-dilutive effects.

NOTE 11 – Employee Retirement Benefits
The following summarizes the components of net periodic benefit cost for our qualified and supplemental pension plans:
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Service cost
 
$
3

 
$
3

 
$
9

 
$
8

Interest cost
 
3

 
4

 
10

 
11

Expected return on plan assets
 
(4
)
 
(5
)
 
(13
)
 
(13
)
Amortization of actuarial loss and prior service
  cost
 
1

 
1

 
4

 
2

Net periodic benefit cost
 
$
3

 
$
3

 
$
10

 
$
8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

See our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 8, Note 13, Employee Retirement Benefits, Page 148, for information on our retirement benefits. We made matching contributions totaling $2 million and $3 million to our
401(k) and Top Hat savings plans during the third quarter of 2015 and 2014 and contributions of $9 million during both the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively.

We contributed $5 million to our qualified pension plan during the first quarter of 2015. We do not anticipate further contributions to our qualified pension plan during the remainder of 2015.

NOTE 12 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
In the ordinary course of conducting business, the company and its subsidiaries are named as defendants in various legal proceedings. Most of these proceedings are claims litigation involving the company's insurance subsidiaries in which the company is either defending or providing indemnity for third-party claims brought against insureds or litigating first-party coverage claims. The company accounts for such activity through the establishment of unpaid loss and loss expense reserves. We believe that the ultimate liability, if any, with respect to such ordinary-course claims litigation, after consideration of provisions made for potential losses and costs of defense, is immaterial to our consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
 
The company and its subsidiaries also are occasionally involved in other legal and regulatory proceedings, some of which assert claims for substantial amounts. These actions include, among others, putative class actions seeking certification of a state or national class. Such proceedings have alleged, for example, breach of an alleged duty to search national databases to ascertain unreported deaths of insureds under life insurance policies. The company's insurance subsidiaries also are occasionally parties to individual actions in which extra-contractual damages, punitive damages or penalties are sought, such as claims alleging bad faith handling of insurance claims or writing unauthorized coverage or claims alleging discrimination by former or current associates.
 
On a quarterly basis, we review these outstanding matters. Under current accounting guidance, we establish accruals when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and we can reasonably estimate its potential exposure. The company accounts for such probable and estimable losses, if any, through the establishment of legal expense reserves. Based on our quarterly review, we believe that our accruals for probable and estimable losses are reasonable and that the amounts accrued do not have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations. However, if any one or more of these matters results in a judgment against us or settlement for an amount that is significantly greater than the amount accrued, the resulting liability could have a material effect on the company's consolidated results of operations or cash flows. Based on our most recent review, our estimate for any other matters for which the risk of loss is not probable, but more than remote, is less than $1 million.



Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 23



NOTE 13 – Segment Information
We operate primarily in two industries, property casualty insurance and life insurance. We regularly review our reporting segments to make decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance. Our reporting segments are:
Commercial lines insurance
Personal lines insurance
Excess and surplus lines insurance
Life insurance
Investments

We report as Other the noninvestment operations of the parent company and its noninsurer subsidiary, CFC Investment Company. In addition, in the third quarter of 2015, we began including results of our new assumed reinsurance operation in Other. See our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 8, Note 18, Segment Information, Page 157, for a description of revenue, income or loss before income taxes and identifiable assets for each of the five segments.


Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 24



Segment information is summarized in the following table: 
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Commercial lines insurance
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Commercial casualty
 
$
257

 
$
237

 
$
753

 
$
695

Commercial property
 
205

 
186

 
604

 
537

Commercial auto
 
141

 
133

 
416

 
391

Workers' compensation
 
93

 
93

 
276

 
280

Other commercial
 
61

 
71

 
186

 
223

Commercial lines insurance premiums
 
757

 
720

 
2,235

 
2,126

Fee revenues
 
1

 
1

 
3

 
3

Total commercial lines insurance
 
758

 
721

 
2,238

 
2,129

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Personal lines insurance
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Personal auto
 
128

 
121

 
376

 
354

Homeowner
 
117

 
110

 
345

 
330

Other personal
 
32

 
32

 
96

 
91

Personal lines insurance premiums
 
277

 
263

 
817

 
775

Fee revenues
 
1

 
1

 
2

 
2

Total personal lines insurance
 
278

 
264

 
819

 
777

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Excess and surplus lines insurance
 
42

 
42

 
124

 
109

Fee revenues
 

 

 
1

 

Total excess and surplus lines insurance
 
42

 
42

 
125

 
109

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Life insurance premiums
 
51

 
46

 
156

 
147

Separate account investment management fees
 
2

 
1

 
4

 
4

Total life insurance
 
53

 
47

 
160

 
151

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Investment income, net of expenses
 
143

 
138

 
422

 
409

    Realized investment gains, net
 
3

 
65

 
110

 
101

Total investment revenue
 
146

 
203

 
532

 
510

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other
 
1

 
3

 
5

 
7

Total revenues
 
$
1,278

 
$
1,280

 
$
3,879

 
$
3,683

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) before income taxes:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Insurance underwriting results
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Commercial lines insurance
 
$
121

 
$
67

 
$
244

 
$
97

Personal lines insurance
 
(2
)
 
14

 
(30
)
 
(33
)
Excess and surplus lines insurance
 
14

 
13

 
29

 
22

Life insurance
 
1

 
(4
)
 
(1
)
 
(5
)
Investments
 
125

 
182

 
468

 
448

Other
 
(16
)
 
(13
)
 
(45
)
 
(44
)
Total income before income taxes
 
$
243

 
$
259

 
$
665

 
$
485

Identifiable assets:
 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31, 2014
Property casualty insurance
 
$
2,568

 
$
2,656

Life insurance
 
1,328

 
1,316

Investments
 
14,476

 
14,441

Other
 
379

 
340

Total
 
$
18,751

 
$
18,753

 
 
 
 
 


Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 25



Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations
The following discussion highlights significant factors influencing the consolidated results of operations and financial position of Cincinnati Financial Corporation. It should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Unless otherwise noted, the industry data is prepared by A.M. Best Co., a leading insurance industry statistical, analytical and financial strength rating organization. Information from A.M. Best is presented on a statutory basis. When we provide our results on a comparable statutory basis, we label it as such; all other company data is presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP).
 
We present per share data on a diluted basis unless otherwise noted, adjusting those amounts for all stock splits and dividends. Dollar amounts are rounded to millions; calculations of percent changes are based on dollar amounts rounded to the nearest million. Certain percentage changes are identified as not meaningful (nm).
 
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
This is our “Safe Harbor” statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Our business is subject to certain risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements in this report. Some of those risks and uncertainties are discussed in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 1A, Risk Factors, Page 33.
 
Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to:
Unusually high levels of catastrophe losses due to risk concentrations, changes in weather patterns, environmental events, terrorism incidents or other causes
Increased frequency and/or severity of claims or development of claims that are unforeseen at the time of policy issuance
Inadequate estimates or assumptions used for critical accounting estimates
Declines in overall stock market values negatively affecting the company’s equity portfolio and book value
Domestic and global events resulting in capital market or credit market uncertainty, followed by prolonged periods of economic instability or recession, that lead to:
Significant or prolonged decline in the value of a particular security or group of securities and impairment of the asset(s)
Significant decline in investment income due to reduced or eliminated dividend payouts from a particular security or group of securities
Significant rise in losses from surety and director and officer policies written for financial institutions or other insured entities
Prolonged low interest rate environment or other factors that limit the company’s ability to generate growth in investment income or interest rate fluctuations that result in declining values of fixed-maturity investments, including declines in accounts in which we hold bank-owned life insurance contract assets
Recession or other economic conditions resulting in lower demand for insurance products or increased payment delinquencies
Difficulties with technology or data security breaches, including cyberattacks, that could negatively affect our ability to conduct business and our relationships with agents, policyholders and others
Disruption of the insurance market caused by technology innovations, such as driverless cars, that could decrease consumer demand for insurance products
Delays or performance inadequacies from ongoing development and implementation of underwriting and pricing methods, including telematics and other usage-based insurance methods, or technology projects and enhancements expected to increase our pricing accuracy, underwriting profit and competitiveness
Increased competition that could result in a significant reduction in the company’s premium volume
Changing consumer insurance-buying habits and consolidation of independent insurance agencies that could alter our competitive advantages
Inability to obtain adequate reinsurance on acceptable terms, amount of reinsurance purchased, financial strength of reinsurers and the potential for nonpayment or delay in payment by reinsurers

Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 26



Inability to defer policy acquisition costs for any business segment if pricing and loss trends would lead management to conclude that segment could not achieve sustainable profitability
Inability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends consistent with current or past levels
Events or conditions that could weaken or harm the company’s relationships with its independent agencies and hamper opportunities to add new agencies, resulting in limitations on the company’s opportunities for growth, such as:
Downgrades of the company’s financial strength ratings
Concerns that doing business with the company is too difficult
Perceptions that the company’s level of service, particularly claims service, is no longer a distinguishing characteristic in the marketplace
Inability or unwillingness to nimbly develop and introduce coverage product updates and innovations that our competitors offer and consumers expect to find in the marketplace
Actions of insurance departments, state attorneys general or other regulatory agencies, including a change to a federal system of regulation from a state-based system, that:
Impose new obligations on us that increase our expenses or change the assumptions underlying our critical accounting estimates
Place the insurance industry under greater regulatory scrutiny or result in new statutes, rules and regulations
Restrict our ability to exit or reduce writings of unprofitable coverages or lines of business
Add assessments for guaranty funds, other insurance related assessments or mandatory reinsurance arrangements; or that impair our ability to recover such assessments through future surcharges or other rate changes
Increase our provision for federal income taxes due to changes in tax law
Increase our other expenses
Limit our ability to set fair, adequate and reasonable rates
Place us at a disadvantage in the marketplace
Restrict our ability to execute our business model, including the way we compensate agents
Adverse outcomes from litigation or administrative proceedings
Events or actions, including unauthorized intentional circumvention of controls, that reduce the company’s future ability to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Unforeseen departure of certain executive officers or other key employees due to retirement, health or other causes that could interrupt progress toward important strategic goals or diminish the effectiveness of certain longstanding relationships with insurance agents and others
Events, such as an epidemic, natural catastrophe or terrorism, that could hamper our ability to assemble our workforce at our headquarters location

Further, the company’s insurance businesses are subject to the effects of changing social, global, economic and regulatory environments. Public and regulatory initiatives have included efforts to adversely influence and restrict premium rates, restrict the ability to cancel policies, impose underwriting standards and expand overall regulation. The company also is subject to public and regulatory initiatives that can affect the market value for its common stock, such as measures affecting corporate financial reporting and governance. The ultimate changes and eventual effects, if any, of these initiatives are uncertain.


Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 27



CORPORATE FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
Net Income and Comprehensive Income Data
(Dollars in millions except per share data)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
Net income and comprehensive income data:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Earned premiums
 
$
1,127

 
$
1,071

 
5

 
$
3,332

 
$
3,157

 
6

Investment income, net of expenses (pretax)
 
143

 
138

 
4

 
422

 
409

 
3

Realized investment gains, net (pretax)
 
3

 
65

 
(95
)
 
110

 
101

 
9

Total revenues
 
1,278

 
1,280

 
0

 
3,879

 
3,683

 
5

Net income
 
174

 
183

 
(5
)
 
478

 
358

 
34

Comprehensive (loss) income
 
(60
)
 
109

 
nm

 
14

 
512

 
(97
)
Net income—diluted
 
1.05

 
1.11

 
(5
)
 
2.89

 
2.17

 
33

Cash dividends declared
 
0.46

 
0.44

 
5

 
1.38

 
1.32

 
5

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
 
165.5

 
165.0

 
0

 
165.5

 
165.0

 
0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Total revenues declined slightly for the third quarter of 2015, compared with third-quarter 2014, as lower net realized investment gains offset growth in earned premiums and investment income. For the first nine months of 2015, compared with the same period of 2014, total revenues increased, primarily due to growth in earned premiums. Premium and investment revenue trends are discussed further in the respective sections of Financial Results.
 
Realized investment gains and losses are recognized on the sales of investments or as otherwise required by GAAP. We have substantial discretion in the timing of investment sales, and that timing generally is independent of the insurance underwriting process. GAAP also requires us to recognize in net income the gains or losses from certain changes in fair values of securities even though we continue to hold the securities.
 
Net income for the third quarter of 2015, compared with the third quarter of 2014, decreased $9 million. The decrease reflected a $41 million reduction of after-tax net realized investment gains that offset an increase in property casualty underwriting income of $25 million after taxes. Higher catastrophe losses, mostly weather related, were $9 million after taxes and unfavorably affected both net income and property casualty underwriting income. After-tax investment income in our investment segment results for the third quarter of 2015 rose $3 million compared with the same quarter of 2014. Life insurance segment results on a pretax basis were $5 million higher.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, net income rose $120 million compared with the same period of 2014, primarily due to an increase in property casualty underwriting income of $102 million after taxes, including $43 million from lower catastrophe losses. After-tax investment income increased by $10 million while after-tax net realized investment gains were $5 million higher. Life insurance segment results on a pretax basis were $4 million higher.

Performance by segment is discussed below in Financial Results. As discussed in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Factors Influencing Our Future Performance, Page 50, there are several reasons that our performance during 2015 may be below our long-term targets. In that annual report, as part of Financial Results, we also discussed the full-year 2015 outlook for each reporting segment.
 
The board of directors is committed to rewarding shareholders directly through cash dividends and through share repurchase authorizations. Through 2014, the company had increased the indicated annual cash dividend rate for 54 consecutive years, a record we believe was matched by only eight other publicly traded companies. In January 2015, the board of directors increased the regular quarterly dividend to 46 cents per share, setting the stage for our 55th consecutive year of increasing cash dividends. During the first nine months of 2015, cash dividends declared by the company increased approximately 5 percent compared with the same period of 2014. Our board regularly evaluates relevant factors in decisions related to dividends and share repurchases. The 2015 dividend increase reflected our strong earnings performance and signaled management’s and the board’s positive outlook and confidence in our outstanding capital, liquidity and financial flexibility.


Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 28



Balance Sheet Data and Performance Measures
(In millions except share data)
 
At September 30,
 
At December 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
Balance sheet data:
 
 

 
 

Total investments
 
$
14,426

 
$
14,386

Total assets
 
18,751

 
18,753

Short-term debt
 
35

 
49

Long-term debt
 
791

 
791

Shareholders' equity
 
6,350

 
6,573

Book value per share
 
38.77

 
40.14

Debt-to-total-capital ratio
 
11.5
%
 
11.3
%
 
 
 
 
 

Total assets at September 30, 2015, decreased less than 1 percent compared with year-end 2014, and included growth in invested assets of less than 1 percent that was largely driven by net purchases of securities. Shareholders’ equity decreased 3 percent, and book value per share also decreased 3 percent during the first nine months of 2015. Our debt-to-total-capital ratio (capital is the sum of debt plus shareholders’ equity) rose slightly from year-end 2014. The value creation ratio, a non-GAAP measure defined below, was lower for the first nine months of 2015, compared with the same period in 2014, primarily due to lower net gains from our investment portfolio. The $1.37 decrease in book value per share during the first nine months of 2015 contributed negative 3.4 percentage points to the value creation ratio, while dividends declared at $1.38 per share contributed positive 3.4 points. Value creation ratio trends in total and by major components, along with a reconciliation of the non-GAAP measure to comparable GAAP measures, are shown in the tables below.
 
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Value creation ratio major components:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net income before net realized gains
 
2.7
 %
 
2.2
 %
 
6.1
 %
 
4.8
%
Change in realized and unrealized gains,
  fixed-maturity securities
 
(0.2
)
 
(0.6
)
 
(1.5
)
 
1.3

Change in realized and unrealized gains,
  equity securities
 
(3.4
)
 
0.1

 
(4.6
)
 
2.3

Other
 
0.0

 
0.1

 
0.0

 
0.0

     Value creation ratio
 
(0.9
)%
 
1.8
 %
 
0.0
 %
 
8.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(Dollars are per share)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Book value change per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
End of period book value
 
$
38.77

 
$
39.01

 
$
38.77

 
$
39.01

Less beginning of period book value
 
39.60

 
38.77

 
40.14

 
37.21

     Change in book value
 
$
(0.83
)
 
$
0.24

 
$
(1.37
)
 
$
1.80

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in book value:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net income before realized gains
 
$
1.05

 
$
0.86

 
$
2.48

 
$
1.79

Change in realized and unrealized gains,
  fixed-maturity securities
 
(0.07
)
 
(0.24
)
 
(0.59
)
 
0.49

Change in realized and unrealized gains,
   equity securities
 
(1.37
)
 
0.03

 
(1.86
)
 
0.84

Dividend declared to shareholders
 
(0.46
)
 
(0.44
)
 
(1.38
)
 
(1.32
)
Other
 
0.02

 
0.03

 
(0.02
)
 
0.00

Change in book value
 
$
(0.83
)
 
$
0.24

 
$
(1.37
)
 
$
1.80

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 29



 
(Dollars are per share)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Value creation ratio:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

End of period book value
 
$
38.77

 
$
39.01

 
$
38.77

 
$
39.01

Less beginning of period book value
 
39.60

 
38.77

 
40.14

 
37.21

Change in book value
 
(0.83
)
 
0.24

 
(1.37
)
 
1.80

Dividend declared to shareholders
 
0.46

 
0.44

 
1.38

 
1.32

Total value creation
 
$
(0.37
)
 
$
0.68

 
$
0.01

 
$
3.12

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Value creation ratio from change in book
   value*
 
(2.1
)%
 
0.6
%
 
(3.4
)%
 
4.8
%
Value creation ratio from dividends declared to
   shareholders**
 
1.2

 
1.2

 
3.4

 
3.6

Value creation ratio
 
(0.9
)%
 
1.8
%
 
0.0
 %
 
8.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*Change in book value divided by the beginning of period book value
 
 
 
 
**Dividend declared to shareholders divided by beginning of period book value
 
 
 
 


PROGRESS TOWARD LONG-TERM VALUE CREATION
Operating through The Cincinnati Insurance Company, Cincinnati Financial Corporation is one of the 25 largest property casualty insurers in the nation, based on 2014 net written premiums for approximately 2,000 U.S. stock and mutual insurer groups. We market our insurance products through a select group of independent insurance agencies in 39 states as discussed in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 1, Our Business and Our Strategy, Page 5.

We maintain a long-term perspective that guides us in addressing immediate challenges or opportunities while focusing on the major decisions that best position our company for success through all market cycles. We believe that this forward-looking view has consistently benefited our policyholders, agents, shareholders and associates.

To measure our long-term progress in creating shareholder value, we have defined a value creation metric that we believe captures the contribution of our insurance operations, the success of our investment strategy and the importance we place on paying cash dividends to shareholders. This measure, our value creation ratio (VCR), is made up of two primary components: (1) our rate of growth in book value per share plus (2) the ratio of dividends declared per share to beginning book value per share. As discussed in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Executive Summary, Page 45, for the period 2013 through 2017, an annual VCR averaging 10 percent to 13 percent is our primary performance target. Management believes this non-GAAP measure is a meaningful indicator of our long-term progress in creating shareholder value and is a useful supplement to GAAP information.

Performance Drivers
When looking at our long-term objectives, we see three performance drivers:
Premium growth – We believe our agency relationships and initiatives can lead to a property casualty written premium growth rate over any five-year period that exceeds the industry average. For the first nine months of 2015, our total property casualty net written premium year-over-year growth was 6 percent, comparing favorably with the industry’s 4 percent growth rate reported by A.M. Best for the first six months of 2015. For the five-year period 2010 through 2014, our growth rate was approximately double that of the industry. The industry's growth rate excludes its mortgage and financial guaranty lines of business. Our premium growth initiatives are discussed below in Highlights of Our Strategies and Supporting Initiatives.
Combined ratio – We believe our underwriting philosophy and initiatives can generate a GAAP combined ratio over any five-year period that is consistently within the range of 95 percent to 100 percent. For the first nine months of 2015, our GAAP combined ratio was 92.5 percent and our statutory combined ratio was 91.3 percent, both including 5.1 percentage points of current accident year catastrophe losses partially offset by 4.4 percentage points of favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years. Our nine-month

Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 30



statutory combined ratio was lower than the 97.8 percent reported for the industry by A.M. Best for the first six months of 2015. The industry's ratio again excludes its mortgage and financial guaranty lines of business.
Investment contribution – We believe our investment philosophy and initiatives can drive investment income growth and lead to a total return on our equity investment portfolio over a five-year period that exceeds the five-year return of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. For the first nine months of 2015, pretax investment income was $422 million, up 3 percent compared with the same period in 2014. We believe our investment portfolio mix provides an appropriate balance of income stability and growth with capital appreciation potential.

Highlights of Our Strategy and Supporting Initiatives
Management has worked to identify a strategy that can lead to long-term success, with concurrence by the board of directors. Our strategy is intended to position the company to compete successfully in the markets we have targeted while appropriately managing risk. Further description of our long-term, proven strategy can be found in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 1, Our Business and Our Strategy, Page 5. We believe that the successful implementation of the initiatives listed below will help us: better serve our independent agent customers and their clients; reduce variability in our financial results; grow earnings and book value over the long term; and navigate challenging economic, market or industry-pricing cycles.
Improve insurance profitability – Implementation of these initiatives is intended to enhance underwriting expertise and knowledge, thereby increasing our ability to manage our business and to gain efficiencies. Better profit margins can arise from additional information and more focused action on underperforming product lines, as well as pricing capabilities, which we are expanding through the use of technology and analytics. Refining internal processes and tracking additional performance metrics can help us be more efficient and effective. These initiatives also support the ability of the independent agencies that represent us to grow profitably by allowing them to serve clients faster and to more efficiently manage agency expenses.
Drive premium growth – Implementation of these initiatives is intended to further penetrate each market we serve through our independent agencies. Strategies aimed at specific market opportunities, along with service enhancements, can help our agencies grow and increase our share of their business. Diversified growth also may reduce variability of losses from weather-related catastrophes.

Below we discuss key initiatives supporting these strategies, along with an assessment of our progress.
 
Improve Insurance Profitability
The main initiatives to improve our insurance profitability include:
Enhance underwriting expertise and knowledge – We continue to increase our use of information and to develop our skills for improved underwriting performance. Expanded capabilities include streamlining and optimizing data to improve accuracy, timeliness and ease of use, which leads to more granular, segmented pricing. We also continue using predictive analytics and developing other business tools, such as building out the data warehouse used in our property casualty and life insurance operations.
Ongoing efforts to expand pricing precision include enhancement of analytics and predictive modeling tools to better align individual insurance policy pricing to risk attributes. This helps us to further segment policies in order to identify and retain those we believe are more adequately priced, while seeking more aggressive renewal terms and conditions on policies that we believe have relatively weaker pricing. As we seek to remain competitive on the most desirable business and rapidly adapt to changes in market conditions, further integration of analytics and predictive modeling with our policy administration systems is intended to better target profitability and to support discussion of pricing impacts with agency personnel.
In our commercial auto line of business, pricing precision is an ongoing focus. We are taking action by improving premium rate classification and using other rating variables in risk selection and pricing, plus further automating collection of key rating variables. Progress during the first nine months of 2015 included updating our experience rating plans and implementing an enhanced process to verify vehicle identification numbers. We are continuing efforts to further automate the collection of driver history information through motor vehicle reports, allowing for better use of this information for modeling and other underwriting processes. In addition, our commercial auto policies that renewed during the first nine months of 2015 experienced an estimated average price percentage increase near the low end of the mid-single-digit range.
In our personal auto line of business, rate increases that apply pricing precision variables continued to be implemented during the first nine months of 2015 for the majority of states where we market personal lines products. On average, our personal auto policies experienced a percentage rate increase during the first nine

Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 31



months of 2015 estimated near the low end of the mid-single-digit range. Approved rate increases for 14 states, effective in the second half of 2015, average in the upper-single-digit range.
Improve internal processes – Refining our processes reduces internal costs and allows us to focus more resources on serving our agencies. We continue to improve our workflow tools, increasing our efficiency, providing additional operational reporting metrics and making it easier for agencies to do business with us. We also seek other ways to improve the satisfaction of our agencies' clients through deployment of user-friendly services for policyholders.
An important initiative for 2015 is ramping up operations for our customer care center for small commercial business policies. Using the services of our customer care center reduces our agents' administrative load and frees up time and resources to spend growing their businesses. Progress during the first nine months of 2015 included adding to the number of participating agencies. As of the end of September, a total of 82 agencies are using this resource.
We measure the overall success of our strategy to improve property casualty insurance profitability primarily through our GAAP combined ratio, which we believe can be consistently within the range of 95 percent to 100 percent for any five-year period. We also compare our statutory combined ratio to the industry average to gauge our progress, as discussed in the Performance Drivers section above.

We expect these initiatives to contribute to our rank as the No. 1 or No. 2 carrier, based on premium volume, in agencies that have represented us for at least five years. Based on 2014 premiums, we again earned that rank in nearly 75 percent of the agencies that have represented Cincinnati Insurance for more than five years. We are working to increase the percentage of agencies where we achieve that rank.

Drive Premium Growth
Primary initiatives to drive premium growth include:
Expansion of our marketing and service capabilities – We continue to enhance our generalist approach to allow our appointed agencies to better compete in the marketplace by expanding on the availability of services their clients want. Expansion initiatives include ongoing development and coordination of targeted marketing programs, including those focused on franchises, professional and trade associations and risk purchasing groups. We also plan to continue adding field marketing representatives for increased agency support in targeted areas. We expanded our excess and surplus lines field underwriting and marketing presence by adding two field associates during the first nine months of 2015. Similarly, we added a personal lines field marketing representative to better support agencies that market our personal lines policies. Expanding our customer care center also enhances our service and support for agencies.
Our marketing campaign that includes advertising through television and other media is another initiative designed to further enhance our service and support for agencies. The campaign's effectiveness is demonstrated in part by a significant increase in people coming to our website to locate an agency that offers Cincinnati Insurance products.
An important premium growth initiative which began in 2015 is our expansion of marketing and enhanced products and services to our independent agents serving high net worth personal lines clients. During the third quarter of 2015, we began to offer, through agents in the state of New York, a new suite of insurance products serving the unique needs of high net worth personal lines clients. That suite of products, known as Executive Capstone™, offers higher coverage limits and new options for home, automobile, personal umbrella, watercraft and valuable article products.
Another important premium growth initiative is expansion of reinsurance assumed operations, announced in April 2015. Seeing long-term opportunities in reinsurance, we announced the hiring of an experienced executive to lead that initiative. During the fourth quarter of 2015 or in early 2016, we plan to continue hiring a small team of qualified associates, adding to several already in place at the end of the third quarter. We recognize the current challenges in the reinsurance market, and our business plan is focused on delivering profitable risk-adjusted returns over time. The reinsurance market is large and dynamic, and as a new entrant during this period of reinsurer consolidation, we are benefiting from ceding insurers that desire the high-quality, diversifying counterparty credit that we offer. We believe we are well-positioned to take our time and maintain underwriting discipline as we develop relationships and expertise to benefit the company and shareholders over the long term.
New agency appointments – We continue to appoint new agencies to develop additional points of distribution, focusing on areas where our property casualty insurance market share is less than 1 percent while also considering economic and catastrophe risk factors. In 2015, we plan to appoint approximately 100 additional

Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 32



independent agencies. During the first nine months of 2015, we appointed 85 new agencies that write, in aggregate, approximately $3.2 billion in property casualty premiums annually with various insurance carriers for an average of approximately $38 million per agency. As of September 30, 2015, a total of 1,515 agency relationships market our property casualty insurance products from 1,933 reporting locations. During the first nine months of 2015, our life insurance company also appointed 63 independent life insurance agencies that do not represent our property casualty insurance companies.
We seek to build a close, long-term relationship with each agency we appoint. We carefully evaluate the marketing reach of each new appointment to ensure the territory can support both current and new agencies. Our 133 commercial lines field marketing territories are staffed by marketing representatives averaging approximately 20 years of industry experience and 10 years as a Cincinnati Insurance field marketing representative. Teams of field associates for each territory work together, providing local expertise with support from headquarters associates. This agent-centered business model helps us better understand the accounts we underwrite and creates marketing advantages for our agents. Unique Cincinnati-style service supports our agents as they grow their businesses and attract more clients in their communities. As a result, we generally have earned a 10 percent share of a property casualty agency's business within 10 years of its appointment.
Expansion into new states provides opportunities to replicate and leverage our highly successful agent-centered business model through the appointment of additional agencies. Our personal lines segment plans to expand its footprint in two ways: by targeting states where we currently write only commercial lines; and by entering new states where we do not yet have appointed agencies. Our expansion plans include New Jersey in the first half of 2016, California and Colorado in the second half of 2016, and Texas and Massachusetts in 2017. The timing and priority of states in our long-term rollout plan are subject to change for a variety of reasons, including our assessment of market opportunities.

We measure the overall success of our strategy to drive premium growth primarily through changes in net written premiums, as discussed in the Performance Drivers section above. We believe we can grow faster than the industry average over any five-year period. In late 2011, we established a long-term target for profitable premium growth to reach $5 billion of annual direct written premiums by the end of 2015. While it appears we will be slightly short of that 2015 target, our emphasis has been to seek growth only where we believed we could do so profitably.
 
Financial Strength
An important part of our long-term strategy is financial strength, which is described in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 1, Our Business and Our Strategy, Financial Strength, Page 7. One aspect of our financial strength is prudent use of reinsurance to help manage financial performance variability due to catastrophe loss experience. A description of how we use reinsurance is included in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Liquidity and Capital Resources, 2015 Reinsurance Programs, Page 106. Another aspect of our financial strength is our investment portfolio, which remains well-diversified as discussed in this quarterly report in Item 3, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. We continue to maintain strong parent-company liquidity and financial strength that increase our flexibility to maintain our cash dividend through all periods and to continue to invest in and expand our insurance operations.

At September 30, 2015, we held $1.838 billion of our cash and invested assets at the parent-company level, of which $1.540 billion, or 83.8 percent, was invested in common stocks, and $123 million, or 6.7 percent, was cash or cash equivalents. Our debt-to-total-capital ratio of 11.5 percent remains well below our target limit. Another important indicator of financial strength is our ratio of property casualty net written premiums to statutory surplus, which was 1.0-to-1 for the 12 months ended September 30, 2015, up from 0.9-to-1 at year-end 2014.

Financial strength ratings assigned to us by independent ratings firms also are important. In addition to rating our parent company’s senior debt, four firms award insurer financial strength ratings to one or more of our insurance subsidiary companies based on their quantitative and qualitative analyses. These ratings primarily assess an insurer’s ability to meet financial obligations to policyholders and do not necessarily address all of the matters that may be important to investors. Ratings are under continuous review and subject to changes or withdrawal at any time by the rating agency. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating; please see each rating agency's website for its most recent report on our ratings.


Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 33



As of October 26, 2015, our insurer financial strength ratings were:
Rating
agency
 
Standard market property casualty insurance subsidiaries
 
Life insurance
 subsidiary
 
Excess and surplus lines insurance subsidiary
 
Date of most recent
affirmation or action
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rating
tier
 
 
 
 
 
Rating
tier
 
 
 
 
 
Rating
tier
 
 
A.M. Best Co.
 ambest.com
 
A+
 
Superior
 
2 of 16
 
A
 
Excellent
 
3 of 16
 
A
 
Excellent
 
3 of 16
 
Stable outlook (12/12/14)
Fitch Ratings
 fitchratings.com
 
A+
 
Strong
 
5 of 21
 
A+
 
Strong
 
5 of 21
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
Stable outlook (07/15/15)
Moody's Investors  Service
 moodys.com
 
A1
 
Good
 
5 of 21
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
Stable outlook (04/30/13)
Standard & Poor's  Ratings Services
 spratings.com
 
A+
 
Strong
 
5 of 21
 
A+
 
Strong
 
5 of 21
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
Stable outlook (06/30/15)
 
On June 30, 2015, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services upgraded the ratings that it had assigned in July 2010 to A+ from A and revised its outlook to stable. Standard & Poor's said its rating reflected the improvement in our overall risk exposures, strong capital position and improved underwriting discipline. It also said those factors, combined with our strong risk-management culture, should continue to reduce earnings volatility inherent to our risk exposure to natural catastrophes. Standard & Poor's noted its rating could be lowered if capital adequacy deteriorated significantly for a prolonged period or if earnings weakened to substantially less than its base-case assumptions.

On July 15, 2015, Fitch Ratings affirmed the ratings that it had assigned to us in August 2009, continuing its stable outlook. Fitch said our ratings reflect balance sheet strengths including conservative operating subsidiary capitalization, sizeable holding company cash plus invested assets and our moderate financial leverage ratio. Fitch also said it believes our reserves are adequate and that we have implemented claims and risk management tools to improve pricing and risk selection. Fitch stated its rating could be unfavorably affected by a combined ratio exceeding 105 percent on a sustained basis, evidence of deteriorating profitability on recent growth or by failing to maintain certain scores related to property casualty subsidiary capitalization.

No other ratings agency actions to our insurer financial strength ratings occurred during the third quarter of 2015. All of our insurance subsidiaries continue to be highly rated.


Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 34



CONSOLIDATED PROPERTY CASUALTY INSURANCE HIGHLIGHTS
Consolidated property casualty insurance results include premiums and expenses for our standard market insurance segments (commercial lines and personal lines), our excess and surplus lines segment and our reinsurance assumed operation.
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
Earned premiums
 
$
1,076

 
$
1,025

 
5

 
$
3,176

 
$
3,010

 
6

Fee revenues
 
2

 
2

 
0

 
6

 
5

 
20

Total revenues
 
1,078

 
1,027

 
5

 
3,182

 
3,015

 
6

Loss and loss expenses from:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Current accident year before catastrophe losses
 
633

 
630

 
0

 
1,935

 
1,892

 
2

Current accident year catastrophe losses
 
28

 
17

 
65

 
161

 
233

 
(31
)
Prior accident years before catastrophe losses
 
(47
)
 
(20
)
 
(135
)
 
(128
)
 
(101
)
 
(27
)
Prior accident years catastrophe losses
 
(1
)
 
(5
)
 
80

 
(12
)
 
(19
)
 
37

Loss and loss expenses
 
613

 
622

 
(1
)
 
1,956

 
2,005

 
(2
)
Underwriting expenses
 
332

 
311

 
7

 
983

 
924

 
6

Underwriting profit
 
$
133

 
$
94

 
41

 
$
243

 
$
86

 
183

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios as a percent of earned premiums:
 
 

 
 

 
Pt. Change

 
 

 
 

 
Pt. Change

    Current accident year before catastrophe losses
 
58.7
 %
 
61.5
 %
 
(2.8
)
 
60.8
 %
 
62.8
 %
 
(2.0
)
    Current accident year catastrophe losses
 
2.6

 
1.6

 
1.0

 
5.1

 
7.7

 
(2.6
)
    Prior accident years before catastrophe losses
 
(4.3
)
 
(2.0
)
 
(2.3
)
 
(4.0
)
 
(3.3
)
 
(0.7
)
    Prior accident years catastrophe losses
 
(0.1
)
 
(0.4
)
 
0.3

 
(0.4
)
 
(0.6
)
 
0.2

Loss and loss expenses
 
56.9

 
60.7

 
(3.8
)
 
61.5

 
66.6

 
(5.1
)
Underwriting expenses
 
30.9

 
30.3

 
0.6

 
31.0

 
30.7

 
0.3

Combined ratio
 
87.8
 %
 
91.0
 %
 
(3.2
)
 
92.5
 %
 
97.3
 %
 
(4.8
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Combined ratio
 
87.8
 %
 
91.0
 %
 
(3.2
)
 
92.5
 %
 
97.3
 %
 
(4.8
)
Contribution from catastrophe losses and prior
  years reserve development
 
(1.8
)
 
(0.8
)
 
(1.0
)
 
0.7

 
3.8

 
(3.1
)
Combined ratio before catastrophe losses and
  prior years reserve development
 
89.6
 %
 
91.8
 %
 
(2.2
)
 
91.8
 %
 
93.5
 %
 
(1.7
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our consolidated property casualty insurance operations generated an underwriting profit of $133 million for the third quarter of 2015 and $243 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The year-over-year improvement of $39 million for the third quarter of 2015, compared with third-quarter 2014, reflected improved underwriting that offset an increase of $15 million in losses from weather-related natural catastrophes. The nine-month improvement of $157 million, compared with the first nine months of 2014, included a decrease of $65 million in losses from weather-related natural catastrophes and $30 million of weather-related losses not identified as part of designated catastrophe events for the property casualty industry, typically referred to as noncatastrophe weather losses. The nine-month favorable effects of less weather-related losses in aggregate were partially offset by a $44 million underwriting profit reduction, before catastrophe effects, from our auto lines of business, largely due to strengthening of auto reserves. We believe future property casualty underwriting results will continue to benefit from price increases and our ongoing initiatives to improve pricing precision and loss experience related to claims and loss control practices.

Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 35



For both our commercial auto and personal auto lines of business, for the first nine months of 2015, we experienced a rising trend in paid losses and loss expenses that was more than we expected. As a result, we increased our actuarial best estimate of ultimate loss and loss expense ratios for both lines at the end of the third quarter of 2015, compared with year-end 2014. Net loss and loss expense reserves at September 30, 2015, for our auto lines in aggregate, were $85 million higher than at year-end 2014. The incurred but not reported (IBNR) portion of the increase was $53 million.
For all property casualty lines of business in aggregate, net loss and loss expense reserves at September 30, 2015, were $208 million higher than at year-end 2014, including $87 million for IBNR. The $208 million reserve increase raised year-end 2014 net loss and loss expense reserves by 5 percent, compared with a 6 percent increase in earned premiums for the first nine months of 2015.

We measure and analyze property casualty underwriting results primarily by the combined ratio and its component ratios. The GAAP-basis combined ratio is the percentage of incurred losses plus all expenses per each earned premium dollar – the lower the ratio, the better the performance. An underwriting profit results when the combined ratio is below 100 percent. A combined ratio above 100 percent indicates that an insurance company’s losses and expenses exceeded premiums.

Our consolidated property casualty combined ratio for the third quarter of 2015 improved 3.2 percentage points, and for the first nine months of 2015 it improved 4.8 points, both compared with the same periods of 2014. The ratios for catastrophe losses and loss expenses were 1.3 percentage points higher for the third quarter of 2015 and 2.4 percentage points lower for the first nine months of 2015, respectively. Noncatastrophe weather-related losses were 1.2 points lower for the nine-month 2015 period, further contributing to the improved nine-month 2015 combined ratio.
 
The combined ratio can be affected significantly by natural catastrophe losses and other large losses as discussed in detail below. The combined ratio can also be affected by updated estimates of loss and loss expense reserves established for claims that occurred in prior periods, referred to as prior accident years. Net favorable development on prior accident year reserves, including reserves for catastrophe losses, benefited the combined ratio by 4.4 percentage points in the first nine months of 2015, compared with 3.9 percentage points in the same period of 2014. Net favorable development is discussed in further detail in Financial Results by property casualty insurance segment.
 
The ratio for current accident year loss and loss expenses before catastrophe losses improved in the first nine months of 2015. The 60.8 percent ratio for the first nine months of 2015 decreased 2.0 percentage points compared with the 62.8 percent accident year 2014 ratio measured as of September 30, 2014. The unfavorable effect of higher current accident year ratios for our auto lines of business partially offset the favorable effects of three items discussed below: lower noncatastrophe weather-related losses, overall higher pricing and a lower ratio for large losses of $1 million or more per claim.
 
The underwriting expense ratio increased 0.6 percentage points for the third quarter and 0.3 percentage points for first nine months of 2015. Higher agency profit-sharing commissions and strategic investments that include enhancement of underwriting expertise, such as personal lines staff additions to support high net worth market expansion, offset the favorable effects of higher earned premiums and ongoing expense management efforts.

Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 36




Consolidated Property Casualty Insurance Premiums
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,

 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
Agency renewal written premiums
 
$
999

 
$
958

 
4

 
$
3,000

 
$
2,888

 
4
Agency new business written premiums
 
138

 
125

 
10

 
392

 
381

 
3
Other written premiums
 
(39
)
 
(46
)
 
15

 
(86
)
 
(113
)
 
24
Net written premiums
 
1,098

 
1,037

 
6

 
3,306

 
3,156

 
5
Unearned premium change
 
(22
)
 
(12
)
 
(83
)
 
(130
)
 
(146
)
 
11
Earned premiums
 
$
1,076

 
$
1,025

 
5

 
$
3,176

 
$
3,010

 
6
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The trends in net written premiums and earned premiums summarized in the table above largely reflect the effects of price increases.
 
Consolidated property casualty net written premiums for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, grew $61 million and $150 million compared with the same periods of 2014. Each of our property casualty segments continued to grow during the first nine months of 2015. Our premium growth initiatives from prior years have provided an ongoing favorable effect on growth during the current year, particularly as newer agency relationships mature over time. We discuss current initiatives in the Highlights of Our Strategy and Supporting Initiatives section of this quarterly report. The main drivers of trends for 2015 are discussed in more detail by segment below in Financial Results.

Consolidated property casualty agency new business written premiums rose $13 million for the third quarter of 2015, compared with third-quarter 2014. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, they rose $11 million compared with the same period of 2014. Nine-month new business written premiums were slightly lower than the year-ago periods for our commercial lines segment and were higher for both our personal lines insurance and our excess and surplus lines insurance segments. New agency appointments during 2014 and 2015 produced a $21 million increase in standard lines new business for the first nine months of 2015 compared with the same period in 2014. As we appoint new agencies that choose to move accounts to us, we report these accounts as new business. While this business is new to us, in many cases it is not new to the agent. We believe these seasoned accounts tend to be priced more accurately than business that may be less familiar to our agent upon obtaining it from a competing agent.
 
Other written premiums include premiums ceded to reinsurers as part of our ceded reinsurance program. A decrease in ceded premiums for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared with the same periods of 2014, contributed $9 million and $23 million, respectively, to net written premium growth for the 2015 periods.
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 37



Catastrophe losses and loss expenses typically have a material effect on property casualty results and can vary significantly from period to period. Losses from natural catastrophes contributed 2.5 and 4.7 percentage points to the combined ratio in the third quarter and first nine months of 2015, compared with 1.2 and 7.1 percentage points in the same periods of 2014. Some of those losses were applicable to loss deductible provisions of our collateralized reinsurance funded through catastrophe bonds. For our collateralized reinsurance arrangement effective January 18, 2014, aggregate losses applicable through September 30, 2015, were $36 million for the specific geographic locations included in the severe convective storm portion of that coverage, after three per occurrence deductibles of $5 million each. If aggregate losses after deductibles exceed $160 million during an annual coverage period, we can recover the excess through funds that collateralize the catastrophe bonds. The following table shows consolidated property casualty insurance catastrophe losses and loss expenses incurred, net of reinsurance, as well as the effect of loss development on prior period catastrophe events. We individually list declared catastrophe events for which our incurred losses reached or exceeded $10 million.

Consolidated Property Casualty Insurance Catastrophe Losses and Loss Expenses Incurred
(Dollars in millions, net of reinsurance)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
 
Comm.
 
Pers.
 
E&S
 
 

 
Comm.
 
Pers.
 
E&S
 
 

Dates
Event
Region
lines
 
lines
 
lines
 
Total
 
lines
 
lines
 
lines
 
Total
2015
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Feb. 16-27
Freezing, ice and
snow, wind
Midwest,
Northeast, South
$
1

 
$

 
$

 
$
1

 
$
35

 
$
10

 
$

 
$
45

Apr. 7-10
Flood, hail, wind
Midwest,
Northeast, South

 

 

 

 
7

 
14

 

 
21

Apr. 18-20
Flood, hail, wind
Midwest, South

 

 

 

 
6

 
6

 

 
12

Jul. 12-14
Flood, hail, wind
Midwest, South
4

 
8

 


 
12

 
4

 
8

 


 
12

All other 2015 catastrophes
 
7

 
8

 

 
15

 
42

 
28

 
1

 
71

Development on 2014 and prior catastrophes

 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
 
(9
)
 
(3
)
 

 
(12
)
Calendar year incurred total
$
12

 
$
15

 
$

 
$
27

 
$
85

 
$
63

 
$
1

 
$
149

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Jan. 5-8
Freezing, ice and
snow, wind
Midwest,
Northeast, South
$
(2
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(2
)
 
$
49

 
$
24

 
$
1

 
$
74

Apr. 27-
May 1
Flood, hail, wind
Midwest,
Northeast, South
(1
)
 

 

 
(1
)
 
5

 
10

 

 
15

May 10-13
Flood, hail, wind
Midwest
1

 

 

 
1

 
5

 
7

 

 
12

May 18-19
Flood, hail, wind
Midwest, South, West
4

 
(2
)
 

 
2

 
23

 
18

 
1

 
42

Jun. 3-4
Flood, hail, wind
Midwest
(1
)
 
(1
)
 

 
(2
)
 
10

 
1

 

 
11

All other 2014 catastrophes
 
10

 
9

 

 
19

 
45

 
34

 

 
79

Development on 2013 and prior catastrophes
(3
)
 
(2
)
 

 
(5
)
 
(10
)
 
(9
)
 

 
(19
)
Calendar year incurred total
$
8

 
$
4

 
$

 
$
12

 
$
127

 
$
85

 
$
2

 
$
214

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 38



The following table includes data for losses incurred of $1 million or more per claim, net of reinsurance.
 
Consolidated Property Casualty Insurance Losses Incurred by Size
(Dollars in millions, net of reinsurance)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
Current accident year losses greater than
  $5,000,000
 
$
8

 
$
7

 
14

 
$
25

 
$
19

 
32

Current accident year losses $1,000,000-
 $5,000,000
 
43

 
51

 
(16
)
 
104

 
125

 
(17
)
Large loss prior accident year reserve
  development
 
19

 
(6
)
 
nm

 
30

 
21

 
43

Total large losses incurred
 
70

 
52

 
35

 
159

 
165

 
(4
)
Losses incurred but not reported
 
(31
)
 
17

 
nm

 
50

 
22

 
127

Other losses excluding catastrophe losses
 
441

 
432

 
2

 
1,276

 
1,295

 
(1
)
Catastrophe losses
 
24

 
11

 
118

 
144

 
208

 
(31
)
Total losses incurred
 
$
504

 
$
512

 
(2
)
 
$
1,629

 
$
1,690

 
(4
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios as a percent of earned premiums:
 
 
 
 
 
Pt. Change
 
 
 
 
 
Pt. Change
Current accident year losses greater than
  $5,000,000
 
0.7
 %
 
0.7
 %
 
0.0

 
0.8
%
 
0.6
%
 
0.2

Current accident year losses $1,000,000-
  $5,000,000
 
4.1

 
4.8

 
(0.7
)
 
3.3

 
4.2

 
(0.9
)
Large loss prior accident year reserve
  development
 
1.7

 
(0.5
)
 
2.2

 
0.9

 
0.7

 
0.2

Total large loss ratio
 
6.5

 
5.0

 
1.5

 
5.0

 
5.5

 
(0.5
)
Losses incurred but not reported
 
(2.9
)
 
1.7

 
(4.6
)
 
1.6

 
0.8

 
0.8

Other losses excluding catastrophe losses
 
40.9

 
42.3

 
(1.4
)
 
40.2

 
43.0

 
(2.8
)
Catastrophe losses
 
2.3

 
1.0

 
1.3

 
4.5

 
6.9

 
(2.4
)
Total loss ratio
 
46.8
 %
 
50.0
 %
 
(3.2
)
 
51.3
%
 
56.2
%
 
(4.9
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We believe the inherent variability of aggregate loss experience for our portfolio of larger policies is greater than that of our portfolio of smaller policies, and we continue to monitor the variability in addition to general inflationary trends in loss costs. Our analysis continues to indicate no unexpected concentration of large losses and case reserve increases by risk category, geographic region, policy inception, agency or field marketing territory. The third-quarter 2015 property casualty total large losses incurred of $70 million, net of reinsurance, were higher than the $52 million quarterly average during 2014 and also were higher than the $52 million for the third quarter of 2014. The ratio for these large losses and case reserve increases was 1.5 percentage points higher compared with last year’s third quarter. The third-quarter 2015 amount of total large losses incurred partially offset the net decrease in the nine-month 2015 total large loss ratio, compared with 2014, as it included a first-half 2015 ratio that was 1.6 points lower than the first half of 2014. We believe results for the three-month and nine-month periods largely reflected normal fluctuations in loss patterns and normal variability in large case reserves for claims above $1 million. Losses by size are discussed in further detail in results of operations by property casualty insurance segment.
 

FINANCIAL RESULTS
Consolidated results reflect the operating results of each of our five segments along with the parent company and other activities reported as “Other.” The five segments are:
Commercial lines property casualty insurance
Personal lines property casualty insurance
Excess and surplus lines property casualty insurance
Life insurance
Investments

Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 39




COMMERCIAL LINES INSURANCE RESULTS
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,

 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
Earned premiums
 
$
757

 
$
720

 
5

 
$
2,235

 
$
2,126

 
5

Fee revenues
 
1

 
1

 
0

 
3

 
3

 
0

Total revenues
 
758

 
721

 
5

 
2,238

 
2,129

 
5

Loss and loss expenses from:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Current accident year before catastrophe losses
 
429

 
441

 
(3
)
 
1,315

 
1,305

 
1

Current accident year catastrophe losses
 
12

 
11

 
9

 
94

 
137

 
(31
)
Prior accident years before catastrophe losses
 
(43
)
 
(21
)
 
(105
)
 
(111
)
 
(74
)
 
(50
)
Prior accident years catastrophe losses
 

 
(3
)
 
100

 
(9
)
 
(10
)
 
10

Loss and loss expenses
 
398

 
428

 
(7
)
 
1,289

 
1,358

 
(5
)
Underwriting expenses
 
239

 
226

 
6

 
705

 
674

 
5

Underwriting profit
 
$
121

 
$
67

 
81

 
$
244

 
$
97

 
152

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios as a percent of earned premiums:
 
 
 
 
 
Pt. Change
 
 
 
 
 
Pt. Change
Current accident year before catastrophe losses
 
56.6
 %
 
61.3
 %
 
(4.7
)
 
58.8
 %
 
61.4
 %
 
(2.6
)
Current accident year catastrophe losses
 
1.5

 
1.4

 
0.1

 
4.2

 
6.5

 
(2.3
)
Prior accident years before catastrophe losses
 
(5.6
)
 
(2.9
)
 
(2.7
)
 
(5.0
)
 
(3.5
)
 
(1.5
)
Prior accident years catastrophe losses
 
(0.1
)
 
(0.4
)
 
0.3

 
(0.4
)
 
(0.5
)
 
0.1

Loss and loss expenses
 
52.4

 
59.4

 
(7.0
)
 
57.6

 
63.9

 
(6.3
)
Underwriting expenses
 
31.6

 
31.3

 
0.3

 
31.6

 
31.7

 
(0.1
)
Combined ratio
 
84.0
 %
 
90.7
 %
 
(6.7
)
 
89.2
 %
 
95.6
 %
 
(6.4
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Combined ratio
 
84.0
 %
 
90.7
 %
 
(6.7
)
 
89.2
 %
 
95.6
 %
 
(6.4
)
Contribution from catastrophe losses and prior
  years reserve development
 
(4.2
)
 
(1.9
)
 
(2.3
)
 
(1.2
)
 
2.5

 
(3.7
)
Combined ratio before catastrophe losses and
  prior years reserve development
 
88.2
 %
 
92.6
 %
 
(4.4
)
 
90.4
 %
 
93.1
 %
 
(2.7
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overview
Performance highlights for the commercial lines segment include:
Premiums – Earned premiums and net written premiums for the commercial lines segment grew during the third quarter and first nine months of 2015, largely due to renewal premium growth that continued to reflect price increases and a higher level of insured exposures. Higher new business written premiums for the third quarter of 2015 also contributed to growth, while lower nine-month new business written premiums partially offset growth for that period. The table below analyzes the primary components of premiums. We continue using predictive analytics tools to improve pricing precision and segmentation while also leveraging our local relationships with agents through the efforts of our teams that work closely with them. We seek to maintain appropriate pricing discipline for both new and renewal business as our agents and underwriters assess account quality to make careful decisions on a case-by-case basis whether to write or renew a policy.
Agency renewal written premiums rose 4 percent for both the third quarter and the nine months ended September 30, 2015, reflecting price increases and improving economic conditions. During the third quarter of 2015, our overall standard commercial lines policies continued to average estimated renewal price increases at percentages in the low-single-digit range, somewhat lower than the second quarter of this year. We continue to segment commercial lines policies, emphasizing identification and retention of policies we believe have relatively stronger pricing. Conversely, we have been seeking stricter renewal terms and conditions on policies we believe have relatively weaker pricing, in turn retaining fewer of those policies. As a result, the average change in commercial lines renewal pricing was somewhat lower than in 2014. We measure average changes in commercial lines renewal pricing as the percentage rate of change in renewal premium for the new policy period compared with the premium for the expiring policy period, assuming no change in the level of insured exposures or policy coverage between those periods for the respective policies.

Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 40



Our average overall commercial lines renewal pricing change includes the impact of flat pricing of certain coverages within package policies written for a three-year term that were in force but did not expire during the period being measured. Therefore, the change in average commercial lines renewal pricing we report reflects a blend of three-year policies that did not expire and other policies that did expire during the measurement period. For commercial lines policies that did expire and were then renewed during the third quarter of 2015, we estimate that the average percentage price increase for our major commercial lines of business included commercial property in the mid-single-digit range and both commercial auto and commercial casualty in the low-single-digit range. The estimated average price change for our workers’ compensation line was slightly negative.
Renewal premiums for our commercial casualty and workers’ compensation lines include the results of policy audits that adjust initial premium amounts based on differences between estimated and actual sales or payroll related to a specific policy. Audits completed during the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 contributed $20 million and $58 million to net written premiums, respectively. Audits contributed $7 million of the $39 million net increase in net written premiums for the third quarter of 2015 and $15 million of the $90 million net increase in net written premiums for the first nine months of 2015, compared with the same periods a year ago. The $109 million increase in earned premiums during the first nine months of 2015, compared with 2014, included an increase from audit premiums of $19 million.
New business written premiums for commercial lines increased $7 million during the third quarter but decreased $6 million for the first nine months of 2015, compared with the same periods last year. During the third quarter of 2015, new business written premiums grew for each major line of business in our commercial lines segment. The nine-month decrease reflected underwriting and pricing discipline in a competitive market environment. Trend analysis for year-over-year comparisons of individual quarters are more difficult to assess for commercial lines new business written premiums, due to inherent variability. That variability is often driven by larger policies with annual premiums greater than $100,000.
Other written premiums include premiums ceded to reinsurers as part of our ceded reinsurance program. A decrease in ceded premiums contributed $8 million to net written premium growth for the third quarter and $20 million for the first nine months of 2015, compared with the same periods of 2014.

Commercial Lines Insurance Premiums
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
Agency renewal written premiums
 
$
678

 
$
651

 
4

 
$
2,107

 
$
2,033

 
4

Agency new business written premiums
 
96

 
89

 
8

 
268

 
274

 
(2
)
Other written premiums
 
(31
)
 
(36
)
 
14

 
(62
)
 
(84
)
 
26

Net written premiums
 
743

 
704

 
6

 
2,313

 
2,223

 
4

Unearned premium change
 
14

 
16

 
(13
)
 
(78
)
 
(97
)
 
20

Earned premiums
 
$
757

 
$
720

 
5

 
$
2,235

 
$
2,126

 
5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Combined ratio – The commercial lines combined ratio improved for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared with the same periods of 2014, largely due to lower ratios for current accident year losses and loss expenses before catastrophe losses. The nine-month 2015 period also benefited from weather-related natural catastrophe losses and loss expenses that were 2.2 percentage points lower, and included a decrease of 0.9 percentage points for noncatastrophe weather-related losses. The three-month and nine-month 2015 periods both benefited from overall more favorable reserve development on prior accident years.
Catastrophe losses and loss expenses accounted for 1.4 and 3.8 percentage points of the combined ratio for the third quarter and first nine months of 2015, compared with 1.0 and 6.0 percentage points for the same periods a year ago. The 10-year annual average for that catastrophe measure through 2014 for the commercial lines segment is 4.5 percentage points, and the five-year annual average is 5.9 percentage points. The ratio for noncatastrophe weather-related losses for the first nine months of 2015, at 3.2 percent, compared favorably to 4.1 percent for the same period a year ago.
The net effect of reserve development on prior accident years during the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 was favorable for commercial lines overall by $43 million and $120 million compared with $24 million and $84 million for the same periods in 2014. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, our workers’

Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 41



compensation line of business was the largest contributor to the total commercial lines net favorable reserve development on prior accident years, followed by commercial casualty. Those contributions were partially offset by unfavorable development for our commercial auto line of business. The remaining major commercial lines of business experienced nine-month favorable development at amounts less than workers' compensation and commercial casualty. The net favorable reserve development recognized during the first nine months of 2015 for commercial lines was distributed approximately one-third each among accident years 2014, 2013 and 2012, and was primarily due to lower-than-anticipated loss emergence on known claims. Reserve estimates are inherently uncertain as described in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Critical Accounting Estimates, Property Casualty Insurance Loss and Loss Expense Reserves, Page 51.
The commercial lines underwriting expense ratio increased 0.3 percentage points for the third quarter and decreased 0.1 percentage points for first nine months of 2015. Higher earned premiums and ongoing expense management efforts were generally offset by strategic investments that include enhancement of underwriting expertise, such as efforts to improve pricing precision through more refined predictive analytics tools.
Underwriting results and related measures for the combined ratio are summarized in the first table of Commercial Lines Insurance Results. The tables and discussion below provide additional details for certain primary drivers of underwriting results.

Commercial Lines Insurance Losses Incurred by Size
(Dollars in millions, net of reinsurance)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
Current accident year losses greater than
  $5,000,000
 
$
8

 
$
7

 
14

 
$
25

 
$
19

 
32

Current accident year losses $1,000,000-
  $5,000,000
 
26

 
45

 
(42
)
 
64

 
109

 
(41
)
Large loss prior accident year reserve
  development
 
17

 
(7
)
 
nm

 
28

 
18

 
56

Total large losses incurred
 
51

 
45

 
13

 
117

 
146

 
(20
)
Losses incurred but not reported
 
(17
)
 
8

 
nm

 
31

 
(4
)
 
nm

Other losses excluding catastrophe losses
 
277

 
282

 
(2
)
 
823

 
856

 
(4
)
Catastrophe losses
 
9

 
7

 
29

 
81

 
123

 
(34
)
Total losses incurred
 
$
320

 
$
342

 
(6
)
 
$
1,052

 
$
1,121

 
(6
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios as a percent of earned premiums:
 
 
 
 
 
Pt. Change
 
 
 
 
 
Pt. Change
Current accident year losses greater than
  $5,000,000
 
1.0
 %
 
1.0
 %
 
0.0

 
1.1
%
 
0.9
 %
 
0.2

Current accident year losses $1,000,000-
  $5,000,000
 
3.7

 
5.9

 
(2.2
)
 
2.9

 
5.1

 
(2.2
)
Large loss prior accident year reserve
  development
 
2.3

 
(0.9
)
 
3.2

 
1.3

 
0.9

 
0.4

Total large loss ratio
 
7.0

 
6.0

 
1.0

 
5.3

 
6.9

 
(1.6
)
Losses incurred but not reported
 
(2.4
)
 
1.1

 
(3.5
)
 
1.3

 
(0.2
)
 
1.5

Other losses excluding catastrophe losses
 
36.3

 
39.6

 
(3.3
)
 
36.8

 
40.2

 
(3.4
)
Catastrophe losses
 
1.3

 
0.8

 
0.5

 
3.7

 
5.8

 
(2.1
)
Total loss ratio
 
42.2
 %
 
47.5
 %
 
(5.3
)
 
47.1
%
 
52.7
 %
 
(5.6
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

We continue to monitor new losses and case reserve increases greater than $1 million for trends in factors such as initial reserve levels, loss cost inflation and claim settlement expenses. Our analysis continues to indicate no unexpected concentration of these large losses and case reserve increases by risk category, geographic region, policy inception, agency or field marketing territory. The third-quarter 2015 commercial lines total large losses incurred of $51 million, net of reinsurance, were higher than both the quarterly average of $47 million during 2014 and the $45 million total large losses incurred for the third quarter of 2014. The ratio for these large losses and case reserve increases was 1.0 percentage points higher compared with last year’s third-quarter ratio. The third-quarter 2015 amount of total large losses incurred partially offset the net decrease in the nine-month 2015 total large loss ratio, compared with 2014, as it included a first-half 2015 ratio that was 2.7 points lower than the first half of 2014.

Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 42



We believe results for the three-month and nine-month periods largely reflected normal fluctuations in loss patterns and normal variability in large case reserves for claims above $1 million.

Commercial Lines of Business Analysis
Approximately 95 percent of our commercial lines premiums relate to accounts with coverages from more than one of our business lines. As a result, we believe that our commercial lines business is best measured and evaluated on a segment basis. However, we provide line-of-business data to summarize premium and loss trends separately for each line. The ratios shown in the table below are components of loss and loss expenses as a percentage of earned premiums.  
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
Commercial casualty:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Written premiums
 
$
247

 
$
228

 
8

 
$
787

 
$
735

 
7

Earned premiums
 
257

 
237

 
8

 
753

 
695

 
8

Current accident year before catastrophe losses
 
53.6
 %
 
60.2
 %
 
 

 
57.4
 %
 
59.4
 %
 
 

Current accident year catastrophe losses
 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

Prior accident years before catastrophe losses
 
(6.2
)
 
(3.6
)
 
 

 
(4.8
)
 
(3.6
)
 
 

Prior accident years catastrophe losses
 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

Total loss and loss expenses ratio
 
47.4
 %
 
56.6
 %
 
 

 
52.6
 %
 
55.8
 %
 
 

Commercial property:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Written premiums
 
$
218

 
$
194

 
12

 
$
642

 
$
584

 
10

Earned premiums
 
205

 
186

 
10

 
604

 
537

 
12

Current accident year before catastrophe losses
 
47.0
 %
 
54.3
 %
 
 

 
47.5
 %
 
52.9
 %
 
 

Current accident year catastrophe losses
 
5.2

 
5.2

 
 

 
13.8

 
19.3

 
 

Prior accident years before catastrophe losses
 
(0.2
)
 
(3.1
)
 
 

 
(1.4
)
 
(4.6
)
 
 

Prior accident years catastrophe losses
 
0.3

 
(1.3
)
 
 

 
(1.1
)
 
(1.5
)
 
 

Total loss and loss expenses ratio
 
52.3
 %
 
55.1
 %
 
 

 
58.8
 %
 
66.1
 %
 
 

Commercial auto:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Written premiums
 
$
137

 
$
128

 
7

 
$
435

 
$
417

 
4

Earned premiums
 
141

 
133

 
6

 
416

 
391

 
6

Current accident year before catastrophe losses
 
71.4
 %
 
69.1
 %
 
 

 
73.1
 %
 
69.8
 %
 
 

Current accident year catastrophe losses
 

 
(0.6
)
 
 

 
0.5

 
1.2

 
 

Prior accident years before catastrophe losses
 
3.2

 
9.3

 
 

 
6.6

 
6.1

 
 

Prior accident years catastrophe losses
 
(0.1
)
 

 
 

 
(0.1
)
 
(0.1
)
 
 

Total loss and loss expenses ratio
 
74.5
 %
 
77.8
 %
 
 

 
80.1
 %
 
77.0
 %
 
 

Workers' compensation:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Written premiums
 
$
83

 
$
86

 
(3
)
 
$
276

 
$
284

 
(3
)
Earned premiums
 
93

 
93

 
0

 
276

 
280

 
(1
)
Current accident year before catastrophe losses
 
71.1
 %
 
75.0
 %
 
 

 
73.4
 %
 
78.4
 %
 
 

Current accident year catastrophe losses
 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

Prior accident years before catastrophe losses
 
(26.4
)
 
(16.1
)
 
 

 
(29.0
)
 
(15.9
)
 
 

Prior accident years catastrophe losses
 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

Total loss and loss expenses ratio
 
44.7
 %
 
58.9
 %
 
 

 
44.4
 %
 
62.5
 %
 
 

Other commercial lines:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Written premiums
 
$
60

 
$
68

 
(12
)
 
$
173

 
$
203

 
(15
)
Earned premiums
 
61

 
71

 
(14
)
 
186

 
223

 
(17
)
Current accident year before catastrophe losses
 
45.9
 %
 
50.1
 %
 
 

 
47.7
 %
 
51.9
 %
 
 

Current accident year catastrophe losses
 
1.2

 
2.0

 
 

 
4.9

 
12.8

 
 

Prior accident years before catastrophe losses
 
(9.8
)
 
(5.6
)
 
 

 
(7.7
)
 
(1.9
)
 
 

Prior accident years catastrophe losses
 
(2.1
)
 
(0.8
)
 
 

 
(1.2
)
 
(0.5
)
 
 

Total loss and loss expenses ratio
 
35.2
 %
 
45.7
 %
 
 

 
43.7
 %
 
62.3
 %
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 43



As discussed above, the loss and loss expenses ratio component of the combined ratio is an important measure of underwriting profit and performance. Catastrophe losses are volatile and can distort short-term profitability trends, particularly for certain lines of business. Development of loss and loss expense reserves on prior accident years can also distort trends in measures of profitability for recently written business. To illustrate these effects, we separate their impact on the ratios shown in the table above. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the commercial line of business with the most significant profitability challenge was commercial auto. For the first nine months of 2015, our commercial auto policies experienced average renewal price percentage increases near the low end of the mid-single-digit range, which we believe will help improve profitability in future quarters. We further discuss current initiatives for commercial auto in the Highlights of Our Strategy and Supporting Initiatives section of this quarterly report and in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Commercial Lines of Business Analysis, Page 72.


PERSONAL LINES INSURANCE RESULTS
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
Earned premiums
 
$
277

 
$
263

 
5

 
$
817

 
$
775

 
5

Fee revenues
 
1

 
1

 
0

 
2

 
2

 
0

Total revenues
 
278

 
264

 
5

 
819

 
777

 
5

Loss and loss expenses from:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Current accident year before catastrophe losses
 
180

 
166

 
8

 
538

 
511

 
5

Current accident year catastrophe losses
 
16

 
6

 
167

 
66

 
94

 
(30
)
Prior accident years before catastrophe losses
 
3

 
7

 
(57
)
 
4

 
(4
)
 
nm

Prior accident years catastrophe losses
 
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
50

 
(3
)
 
(9
)
 
67

Loss and loss expenses
 
198

 
177

 
12

 
605

 
592

 
2

Underwriting expenses
 
82

 
73

 
12

 
244

 
218

 
12

Underwriting (loss) profit
 
$
(2
)
 
$
14

 
nm

 
$
(30
)
 
$
(33
)
 
9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios as a percent of earned premiums:
 
 
 
 
 
Pt. Change
 
 
 
 
 
Pt. Change
Current accident year before catastrophe losses
 
64.9
 %
 
62.7
 %
 
2.2

 
65.8
 %
 
65.8
 %
 
0.0

Current accident year catastrophe losses
 
5.7

 
2.6

 
3.1

 
8.0

 
12.2

 
(4.2
)
Prior accident years before catastrophe losses
 
1.0

 
2.7

 
(1.7
)
 
0.5

 
(0.5
)
 
1.0

Prior accident years catastrophe losses
 
(0.1
)
 
(0.6
)
 
0.5

 
(0.3
)
 
(1.2
)
 
0.9

Loss and loss expenses
 
71.5

 
67.4

 
4.1

 
74.0

 
76.3

 
(2.3
)
Underwriting expenses
 
29.4

 
27.6

 
1.8

 
29.8

 
28.2

 
1.6

Combined ratio
 
100.9
 %
 
95.0
 %
 
5.9

 
103.8
 %
 
104.5
 %
 
(0.7
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Combined ratio
 
100.9
 %
 
95.0
 %
 
5.9

 
103.8
 %
 
104.5
 %
 
(0.7
)
Contribution from catastrophe losses and prior
  years reserve development
 
6.6

 
4.7

 
1.9

 
8.2

 
10.5

 
(2.3
)
Combined ratio before catastrophe losses and
  prior years reserve development
 
94.3
 %
 
90.3
 %
 
4.0

 
95.6
 %
 
94.0
 %
 
1.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Overview
Performance highlights for the personal lines segment include:
Premiums – Personal lines earned premiums and net written premiums for the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 continued to grow, primarily due to rising renewal and new business written premiums. Price increases and a steady, high level of policy retention contributed to premium growth. The table below analyzes the primary components of premiums.
Agency renewal written premiums increased 4 percent for the third quarter and 3 percent for the first nine months of 2015, in part reflecting rate increases. We estimate that premium rates for our personal auto line of business increased at average percentages near the low end of the mid-single-digit range during the first nine months of 2015. Approved rate increases for 14 states, effective in the second half of 2015, are at

Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 44



percentages averaging in the upper-single-digit range. For our homeowner line of business, we estimate that rate increases for the first nine months of 2015 averaged in the mid-single-digit range. Some individual policies experienced lower or higher rate changes based on enhanced pricing precision enabled by predictive models.
Personal lines new business written premiums increased 30 percent and 24 percent during the third quarter and first nine months of 2015, respectively, compared with the same periods of 2014. Key factors contributing to this growth included an increase in larger-sized policy submissions due to underwriting appetite and pricing changes made to our existing personal lines products, increased visibility of underwriters and additional marketing efforts directed toward our agencies. We estimate that growth in premiums for high net worth clients of our agencies contributed $1 million of the third-quarter 2015 increase in overall personal lines new business written premiums and contributed $3 million of the nine-month increase. In addition, in 2014 we began rolling out advanced quote discounts for home and auto and new home purchase discounts in most states, allowing us to compete more favorably in the comparative rater environment.
Other written premiums include premiums ceded to reinsurers as part of our ceded reinsurance program. A decrease in ceded premiums contributed $1 million to net written premium growth for the third quarter of 2015 and $3 million for the first nine months of 2015, compared with the same periods of 2014.
We continue to implement strategies discussed in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 1, Strategic Initiatives, Page 13, to enhance our responsiveness to marketplace changes and to help achieve our long-term objectives for personal lines growth and profitability. These strategies include initiatives to more profitably underwrite property and auto coverages.
 
Personal Lines Insurance Premiums
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
Agency renewal written premiums
 
$
288

 
$
278

 
4

 
$
796

 
$
772

 
3

Agency new business written premiums
 
30

 
23

 
30

 
84

 
68

 
24

Other written premiums
 
(6
)
 
(7
)
 
14

 
(18
)
 
(21
)
 
14

Net written premiums
 
312

 
294

 
6

 
862

 
819

 
5

Unearned premium change
 
(35
)
 
(31
)
 
(13
)
 
(45
)
 
(44
)
 
(2
)
Earned premiums
 
$
277

 
$
263

 
5

 
$
817

 
$
775

 
5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Combined ratio – Our personal lines combined ratio rose for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared with the same period of 2014, primarily due to weather-related natural catastrophe losses and loss expenses that were 3.6 percentage points higher. The third-quarter 2015 combined ratio included a lower amount of unfavorable reserve development on prior accident years, compared with the same quarter of 2014. For the first nine months of 2015, we experienced a small amount of unfavorable reserve development on prior accident years, while our experience for the same period of 2014 resulted in favorable development.
In addition to the rate increases discussed above, we continue to refine our pricing to better match premiums to the risk of loss on individual policies. The results of improved pricing per risk and broad-based rate increases are expected to help position the combined ratio at a profitable level over the long term. In addition, greater geographic diversification is expected to reduce the volatility of homeowner loss ratios attributable to weather-related catastrophe losses over time.
The combined ratio improved for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared with the same period of 2014, primarily due to weather-related natural catastrophe losses and loss expenses that were 3.3 percentage points lower. The three-month and nine-month 2015 combined ratios also reflected a 0.7 percentage-point increase and a 2.1 percentage-point decrease, respectively, for noncatastrophe weather-related losses.
Catastrophe losses and loss expenses accounted for 5.6 and 7.7 percentage points of the combined ratio for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared with 2.0 and 11.0 percentage points for the same periods last year. The 10-year annual average catastrophe loss ratio through 2014 for the personal lines segment was 11.0 percentage points, and the five-year annual average was 12.1 percentage points. The nine-month 2015 ratio for noncatastrophe weather-related losses, 5.9 percent, compared favorably with 8.0 percent for the first nine months of 2014.

Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 45



Personal lines net reserve development on prior accident years totaled to an unfavorable $2 million for the third quarter and $1 million for the first nine months of 2015. Those amounts were $3 million more favorable and $14 million less favorable, respectively, than the same periods of 2014. Nearly all of the nine-month difference resulted from our personal auto line of business. In the first nine months of 2015, our homeowner line of business developed favorably, primarily for accident year 2014. For the first nine months of 2015, personal auto developed unfavorably, primarily for accident year 2013. Reserve estimates are inherently uncertain as described in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Critical Accounting Estimates, Property Casualty Insurance Loss and Loss Expense Reserves, Page 51.
The underwriting expense ratio increased 1.8 percentage points for the third quarter and 1.6 percentage points for the first nine months of 2015, compared with the same periods of 2014. The increases were largely due to strategic investments to enhance underwriting expertise, including personal lines staff additions to support expansion in high net worth markets, that partially offset the favorable effects of higher earned premiums and ongoing expense management efforts. In addition, changes in estimates related to allocations of deferred acquisition costs by segment contributed to the nine-month increase.
 
Personal Lines Insurance Losses Incurred by Size
(Dollars in millions, net of reinsurance)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
Current accident year losses greater than
  $5,000,000
 
$

 
$

 
nm

 
$

 
$

 
nm

Current accident year losses $1,000,000-
  $5,000,000
 
15

 
6

 
150

 
37

 
14

 
164

Large loss prior accident year reserve
  development
 

 
2

 
(100
)
 

 
4

 
(100
)
Total large losses incurred
 
15

 
8

 
88

 
37

 
18

 
106

Losses incurred but not reported
 
(12
)
 
3

 
nm

 
9

 
7

 
29

Other losses excluding catastrophe losses
 
155

 
144

 
8

 
425

 
420

 
1

Catastrophe losses
 
15

 
4

 
275

 
62

 
83

 
(25
)
Total losses incurred
 
$
173

 
$
159

 
9

 
$
533

 
$
528

 
1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios as a percent of earned premiums:
 
 
 
 
 
Pt. Change
 
 
 
 
 
Pt. Change
Current accident year losses greater than
  $5,000,000
 
 %
 
%
 
0.0

 
%
 
%
 
0.0

Current accident year losses $1,000,000-
  $5,000,000
 
5.2

 
2.5

 
2.7

 
4.5

 
1.8

 
2.7

Large loss prior accident year reserve
  development
 
(0.2
)
 
0.8

 
(1.0
)
 

 
0.7

 
(0.7
)
Total large loss ratio
 
5.0

 
3.3

 
1.7

 
4.5

 
2.5

 
2.0

Losses incurred but not reported
 
(4.2
)
 
1.3

 
(5.5
)
 
1.1

 
0.9

 
0.2

Other losses excluding catastrophe losses
 
56.3

 
54.1

 
2.2

 
52.0

 
54.1

 
(2.1
)
Catastrophe losses
 
5.4

 
1.7

 
3.7

 
7.6

 
10.7

 
(3.1
)
Total loss ratio
 
62.5
 %
 
60.4
%
 
2.1

 
65.2
%
 
68.2
%
 
(3.0
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

We continue to monitor new losses and case reserve increases greater than $1 million for trends in factors such as initial reserve levels, loss cost inflation and claim settlement expenses. Our analysis continues to indicate no unexpected concentration of these large losses and case reserve increases by risk category, geographic region, policy inception, agency or field marketing territory. In the third quarter of 2015, the personal lines total ratio for large losses and case reserve increases, net of reinsurance, was 1.7 percentage points higher than last year’s third quarter. The third-quarter 2015 amount of total large losses incurred contributed to the increase in the nine-month 2015 total large loss ratio, compared with 2014, in addition to a first-half 2015 ratio that was 2.1 points higher than the first half of 2014. We believe results for the three-month and nine-month periods largely reflected normal fluctuations in loss patterns and normal variability in large case reserves for claims above $1 million.
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 46



Personal Lines of Business Analysis
We prefer to write personal lines coverages on an account basis, including auto and homeowner coverages as well as coverages from the other personal business line. As a result, we believe that our personal lines business is best measured and evaluated on a segment basis. However, we provide line of business data to summarize premium and loss trends separately for each line. The ratios shown in the table below are components of loss and loss expenses as a percentage of earned premiums.
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
Personal auto:
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
Written premiums
 
$
144

 
$
135

 
7
 
$
400

 
$
375

 
7
Earned premiums
 
128

 
121

 
6
 
376

 
354

 
6
Current accident year before catastrophe losses
 
74.5
 %
 
73.9
 %
 
 
 
78.6
 %
 
77.9
 %
 
 
Current accident year catastrophe losses
 
0.6

 
1.1

 
 
 
1.0

 
2.2

 
 
Prior accident years before catastrophe losses
 
1.2

 
2.0

 
 
 
3.3

 
(1.0
)
 
 
Prior accident years catastrophe losses
 
(0.1
)
 

 
 
 
(0.2
)
 
(0.2
)
 
 
Total loss and loss expenses ratio
 
76.2
 %
 
77.0
 %
 
 
 
82.7
 %
 
78.9
 %
 
 
Homeowner:
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
Written premiums
 
$
132

 
$
123

 
7
 
$
362

 
$
349

 
4
Earned premiums
 
117

 
110

 
6
 
345

 
330

 
5
Current accident year before catastrophe losses
 
52.8
 %
 
51.1
 %
 
 
 
53.7
 %
 
57.4
 %
 
 
Current accident year catastrophe losses
 
12.6

 
4.8

 
 
 
16.8

 
25.0

 
 
Prior accident years before catastrophe losses
 
(1.0
)
 
(0.7
)
 
 
 
(2.8
)
 
(1.2
)
 
 
Prior accident years catastrophe losses
 
(0.1
)
 
(1.2
)
 
 
 
(0.5
)
 
(2.6
)
 
 
Total loss and loss expenses ratio
 
64.3
 %
 
54.0
 %
 
 
 
67.2
 %
 
78.6
 %
 
 
Other personal:
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
Written premiums
 
$
36

 
$
36

 
0
 
$
100

 
$
95

 
5
Earned premiums
 
32

 
32

 
0
 
96

 
91

 
5
Current accident year before catastrophe losses
 
70.1
 %
 
59.3
 %
 
 
 
59.4
 %
 
49.6
 %
 
 
Current accident year catastrophe losses
 
1.2

 
0.4

 
 
 
4.1

 
5.2

 
 
Prior accident years before catastrophe losses
 
7.6

 
17.3

 
 
 
1.3

 
3.8

 
 
Prior accident years catastrophe losses
 
(0.1
)
 
(0.4
)
 
 
 
(0.3
)
 
(0.2
)
 
 
Total loss and loss expenses ratio
 
78.8
 %
 
76.6
 %
 
 
 
64.5
 %
 
58.4
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As discussed above, the loss and loss expenses ratio component of the combined ratio is an important measure of underwriting profit and performance. Catastrophe losses are volatile and can distort short-term profitability trends, particularly for certain lines of business. Development of loss and loss expense reserves on prior accident years can also distort trends in measures of profitability for recently written business. To illustrate these effects, we separate their impact on the ratios shown in the table above. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the personal line of business with the most significant profitability challenge was personal auto. Premium rate increases that allow for more pricing precision on our personal auto policies continued to be implemented, at average percentages near the low end of the mid-single-digit range during the first nine months of 2015. We continue to work toward more precise pricing per risk in addition to broad-based rate increases to help improve profitability over the long term. Also, in early 2015, a multi-department taskforce began studying additional ways to improve our personal auto profitability, similar to the approach we used in the past to improve workers’ compensation results. 
 


Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 47



EXCESS AND SURPLUS LINES INSURANCE RESULTS
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
Earned premiums
 
$
42

 
$
42

 
0

 
$
124

 
$
109

 
14

Fee revenues
 

 

 
nm

 
1

 

 
nm

Total revenues
 
42

 
42

 
0

 
125

 
109

 
15

Loss and loss expenses from:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Current accident year before catastrophe losses
 
24

 
23

 
4

 
82

 
76

 
8

Current accident year catastrophe losses
 

 

 
nm

 
1

 
2

 
(50
)
Prior accident years before catastrophe losses
 
(7
)
 
(6
)
 
(17
)
 
(21
)
 
(23
)
 
9

Prior accident years catastrophe losses
 

 

 
nm

 

 

 
nm

Loss and loss expenses
 
17

 
17

 
0

 
62

 
55

 
13

Underwriting expenses
 
11

 
12

 
(8
)
 
34

 
32

 
6

Underwriting profit
 
$
14

 
$
13

 
8

 
$
29

 
$
22

 
32

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios as a percent of earned premiums:
 
 
 
 
 
Pt. Change
 
 
 
 
 
Pt. Change
Current accident year before catastrophe losses
 
56.9
 %
 
57.8
 %
 
(0.9
)
 
65.9
 %
 
70.2
 %
 
(4.3
)
Current accident year catastrophe losses
 
0.3

 
(0.7
)
 
1.0

 
0.7

 
1.4

 
(0.7
)
Prior accident years before catastrophe losses
 
(15.4
)
 
(15.4
)
 
0.0

 
(16.4
)
 
(20.8
)
 
4.4

Prior accident years catastrophe losses
 
0.1

 
0.1

 
0.0

 
(0.1
)
 
0.2

 
(0.3
)
Loss and loss expenses
 
41.9

 
41.8

 
0.1

 
50.1

 
51.0

 
(0.9
)
Underwriting expenses
 
28.0

 
28.4

 
(0.4
)
 
27.8

 
28.9

 
(1.1
)
Combined ratio
 
69.9
 %
 
70.2
 %
 
(0.3
)
 
77.9
 %
 
79.9
 %
 
(2.0
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Combined ratio
 
69.9
 %
 
70.2
 %
 
(0.3
)
 
77.9
 %
 
79.9
 %
 
(2.0
)
Contribution from catastrophe losses and prior
  years reserve development
 
(15.0
)
 
(16.0
)
 
1.0

 
(15.8
)
 
(19.2
)
 
3.4

Combined ratio before catastrophe losses and
  prior years reserve development
 
84.9
 %
 
86.2
 %
 
(1.3
)
 
93.7
 %
 
99.1
 %
 
(5.4
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Overview
Performance highlights for the excess and surplus lines segment include:
Premiums – Excess and surplus lines net written premiums continued to grow during the third quarter and first nine months of 2015. Growth in renewal written premiums was the key contributor to the increase.
Renewal written premiums rose 14 percent and 17 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared with the same periods of 2014, reflecting the opportunity to renew many accounts for the first time, as well as higher renewal pricing. September 2015 marked the 61st consecutive month of positive average price changes for the excess and surplus lines segment of our property casualty business. For the third quarter and the first nine months of 2015, excess and surplus lines policy renewals experienced estimated average percentage price increases near the low end of the mid-single-digit range. We measure average changes in excess and surplus lines renewal pricing as the percentage rate of change in renewal premium for the new policy period compared with the premium for the expiring policy period, assuming no change in the level of insured exposures or policy coverage between those periods for respective policies.
New business written premiums produced by agencies rose slightly for the first nine months of 2015, compared with the same period of 2014, a result of careful underwriting in a highly competitive market. Those premiums declined somewhat during third-quarter 2015, compared with third-quarter a year ago, primarily because we wrote fewer new large-premium accounts. Some of what we report as new business came from accounts that were not new to our agents. We believe our agents’ seasoned accounts tend to be priced more accurately than business that may be less familiar to them.
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 48



Excess and Surplus Lines Insurance Premiums
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
Agency renewal written premiums
 
$
33

 
$
29

 
14

 
$
97

 
$
83

 
17

Agency new business written premiums
 
12

 
13

 
(8
)
 
40

 
39

 
3

Other written premiums
 
(2
)
 
(3
)
 
33

 
(6
)
 
(8
)
 
25

Net written premiums
 
43

 
39

 
10

 
131

 
114

 
15

Unearned premium change
 
(1
)
 
3

 
nm

 
(7
)
 
(5
)
 
(40
)
Earned premiums
 
$
42

 
$
42

 
0

 
$
124

 
$
109

 
14

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Combined ratio – The excess and surplus lines combined ratio improved for the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 by 0.3 and 2.0 percentage points compared with the same periods of 2014, largely due to lower ratios for current accident year losses and loss expenses before catastrophe losses.
Catastrophe losses and loss expenses accounted for 0.4 and 0.6 percentage points of the combined ratio for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared with negative 0.6 and positive 1.6 percentage points for the same periods of 2014. Noncatastrophe weather-related losses contributed 0.2 percentage points to the nine-month 2015 combined ratio, compared with 1.4 percentage points for the same period a year ago.
Excess and surplus lines net favorable reserve development on prior accident years as a ratio to earned premiums was 15.3 percent and 16.5 percent for the third quarter and first nine months of 2015, compared with 15.3 percent and 20.6 percent for the same periods of 2014. Accident year 2014 accounted for approximately 45 percent of the favorable reserve development recognized in the first nine months of 2015, with accident years 2013 and 2012, in aggregate, accounting for most of the remainder. The favorable development related primarily to lower-than-anticipated loss emergence on known claims. Reserve estimates are inherently uncertain as described in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Critical Accounting Estimates, Property Casualty Insurance Loss and Loss Expense Reserves, Page 51.
The underwriting expense ratio for the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 decreased compared with the same periods of 2014, primarily due to higher earned premiums and ongoing expense management efforts.
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 49



Excess and Surplus Lines Insurance Losses Incurred by Size
(Dollars in millions, net of reinsurance)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
Current accident year losses greater than
  $5,000,000
 
$

 
$

 
nm

 
$

 
$

 
nm

Current accident year losses $1,000,000-
  $5,000,000
 
2

 

 
nm

 
3

 
2

 
50

Large loss prior accident year reserve
  development
 
2

 
(1
)
 
nm

 
2

 
(1
)
 
nm

Total large losses incurred
 
4

 
(1
)
 
nm

 
5

 
1

 
400

Losses incurred but not reported
 
(2
)
 
6

 
nm

 
10

 
19

 
(47
)
Other losses excluding catastrophe losses
 
9

 
6

 
50

 
28

 
19

 
47

Catastrophe losses
 

 

 
nm

 
1

 
2

 
(50
)
Total losses incurred
 
$
11

 
$
11

 
0

 
$
44

 
$
41

 
7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios as a percent of earned premiums:
 
 
 
 
 
Pt. Change
 
 
 
 
 
Pt. Change
Current accident year losses greater than
  5,000,000
 
 %
 
 %
 
0.0

 
%
 
 %
 
0.0

Current accident year losses $1,000,000-
  $5,000,000
 
4.8

 

 
4.8

 
2.5

 
1.9

 
0.6

Large loss prior accident year reserve
  development
 
5.0

 
(1.3
)
 
6.3

 
1.7

 
(0.5
)
 
2.2

Total large loss ratio
 
9.8

 
(1.3
)
 
11.1

 
4.2

 
1.4

 
2.8

Losses incurred but not reported
 
(4.4
)
 
14.6

 
(19.0
)
 
8.4

 
17.7

 
(9.3
)
Other losses excluding catastrophe losses
 
21.2

 
15.3

 
5.9

 
22.7

 
17.1

 
5.6

Catastrophe losses
 
0.3

 
(0.7
)
 
1.0

 
0.5

 
1.4

 
(0.9
)
Total loss ratio
 
26.9
 %
 
27.9
 %
 
(1.0
)
 
35.8
%
 
37.6
 %
 
(1.8
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We continue to monitor new losses and case reserve increases greater than $1 million for trends in factors such as initial reserve levels, loss cost inflation and claim settlement expenses. Our analysis continues to indicate no unexpected concentration of these large losses and case reserve increases by risk category, geographic region, policy inception, agency or field marketing territory. In the third quarter of 2015, the excess and surplus lines total ratio for these losses and case reserve increases, net of reinsurance, was 11.1 percentage points higher compared with last year’s third quarter. The third-quarter 2015 amount of total large losses incurred resulted in an increase in the nine-month 2015 total large loss ratio, compared with 2014, offsetting a first-half 2015 ratio that was 1.8 points lower than the first half of 2014. We believe results for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, largely reflected normal fluctuations in loss patterns and normal variability in large case reserves for claims above $1 million.
 

LIFE INSURANCE RESULTS
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
Earned premiums
 
$
51

 
$
46

 
11

 
$
156

 
$
147

 
6

Separate account investment management fees
 
2

 
1

 
100

 
4

 
4

 
0

Total revenues
 
53

 
47

 
13

 
160

 
151

 
6

Contract holders' benefits incurred
 
57

 
64

 
(11
)
 
175

 
176

 
(1
)
Investment interest credited to contract holders'
 
(21
)
 
(21
)
 
0

 
(64
)
 
(62
)
 
(3
)
Underwriting expenses incurred
 
16

 
8

 
100

 
50

 
42

 
19

Total benefits and expenses
 
52

 
51

 
2

 
161

 
156

 
3

Life insurance segment income (loss)
 
$
1

 
$
(4
)
 
nm

 
$
(1
)
 
$
(5
)
 
80

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 50



Overview
Performance highlights for the life insurance segment include:
Revenues – Revenues increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to higher earned premiums from term and universal life insurance products. The unlocking of interest rate and other actuarial assumptions for our universal life contracts slowed the amortization of unearned front-end loads, decreasing universal life earned premiums for the first nine months of both 2015 and 2014. That decreasing effect was greater for 2014, driving the increase in universal life earned premiums for both the third quarter and first nine months of 2015, compared with the same periods of 2014.
Net in-force life insurance policy face amounts increased to $52.154 billion at September 30, 2015, from $50.356 billion at year-end 2014.
Fixed annuity deposits received for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, were $9 million and $26 million compared with $8 million and $29 million for same periods of 2014. Fixed annuity deposits have a minimal impact to earned premiums because deposits received are initially recorded as liabilities. Profit is earned over time by way of interest-rate spreads. We do not write variable or equity-indexed annuities.
 
Life Insurance Premiums
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,

 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
Term life insurance
 
$
34

 
$
34

 
0
 
$
103

 
$
99

 
4
Universal life insurance
 
9

 
5

 
80
 
28

 
25

 
12
Other life insurance, annuity and disability
  income products
 
8

 
7

 
14
 
25

 
23

 
9
Net earned premiums
 
$
51

 
$
46

 
11
 
$
156

 
$
147

 
6
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Profitability – Our life insurance segment typically reports a small profit or loss on a GAAP basis because profits from investment income spreads are included in our investment segment results. We include only investment income credited to contract holders (including interest assumed in life insurance policy reserve calculations) in our life insurance segment results. A loss of $1 million for our life insurance segment in the first nine months of 2015, compared with a loss of $5 million for the same period of 2014, is largely due to more favorable mortality experience in 2015.
Life segment benefits and expenses consist principally of contract holders’ (policyholders’) benefits incurred related to traditional life and interest-sensitive products and operating expenses incurred, net of deferred acquisition costs. Total benefits decreased slightly in the first nine months of 2015. Mortality results were less than our 2015 projections. For the same period in 2014, mortality results exceeded our projections.
Operating expenses for the first nine months of 2015 increased compared with the same period a year ago. For the first nine months of both 2015 and 2014, unlocking of interest rate and other actuarial assumptions increased the amount of expenses deferred to future periods, decreasing operating expenses. The amount of expenses deferred to future periods was more significant in 2014.
Pretax earnings for the first nine months of 2015 were increased by an insignificant amount due to unlocking of interest rates and other actuarial assumptions. For the comparable period of 2014, the effect of unlocking reduced pretax earnings by $3 million.
We recognize that assets under management, capital appreciation and investment income are integral to evaluating the success of the life insurance segment because of the long duration of life products. On a basis that includes investment income and realized gains or losses from life-insurance-related invested assets, the life insurance company reported a net profit of $11 million and $31 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared with a net profit of $9 million and $30 million for the same periods of 2014. The life insurance company portfolio had net after-tax realized investment losses of less than $1 million and for the third quarter of 2015 and net after-tax realized investment gains of $1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. That portfolio had net after-tax realized investment gains of $2 million and $4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.


Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 51



INVESTMENTS RESULTS
 
Overview
The investments segment contributes investment income and realized gains and losses to results of operations. Investments traditionally are our primary source of pretax and after-tax profits.
 
Investment Income
Pretax investment income increased 4 percent for the third quarter and 3 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared with the same periods of 2014. Interest income rose due to net purchases of fixed-maturity securities that offset the continuing effects of the low interest rate environment. Higher dividend income reflected rising dividend rates and net purchases of equity securities.

Investments Results
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,

 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
Total investment income, net of expenses
 
$
143

 
$
138

 
4

 
$
422

 
$
409

 
3

Investment interest credited to contract holders'
 
(21
)
 
(21
)
 
0

 
(64
)
 
(62
)
 
(3
)
Realized investment gains, net
 
3

 
65

 
(95
)
 
110

 
101

 
9

Investments profit, pretax
 
$
125

 
$
182

 
(31
)
 
$
468

 
$
448

 
4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

We continue to position our portfolio considering both the challenges presented by the current low interest rate environment and the risks presented by potential future inflation. As bonds in our generally laddered portfolio mature or are called over the near term, we will be challenged to replace their current yield. The table below shows the average pretax yield-to-amortized cost associated with expected principal redemptions for our fixed-maturity portfolio. The expected principal redemptions are based on par amounts and include dated maturities, calls and prefunded municipal bonds that we expect will be called during each respective time period.

(Dollars in millions)
 
 
 
At September 30, 2015
% Yield
 
Principal redemptions
Fixed-maturity yield profile:
 
 
 
Expected to mature during the remainder of 2015
4.49
%
 
$
293

Expected to mature during 2016
4.38

 
663

Expected to mature during 2017
4.77

 
659

Average yield and total expected redemptions from the remainder of 2015 through 2017
4.56

 
$
1,615

 
 
 
 

The table below shows the average pretax yield-to-amortized cost for fixed-maturity securities acquired during the periods indicated. The average yield for the first nine months of 2015 was lower than the 4.76 percent average yield to amortized cost of the fixed-maturity securities portfolio at the end of 2014.
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Average pretax yield-to-amortized cost
  on new fixed-maturities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquired taxable fixed-maturities
4.64
%
 
4.41
%
 
4.50
%
 
4.41
%
Acquired tax-exempt fixed-maturities
3.32

 
3.22

 
3.34

 
3.20

Average total fixed-maturities acquired
4.35

 
3.91

 
4.02

 
3.83

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

While our bond portfolio more than covers our insurance reserve liabilities, we believe our diversified common stock portfolio of mainly blue chip, dividend-paying companies represents one of our best investment opportunities for the long term. In our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 1, Investments Segment, Page 25, and Item 7,

Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 52



Investments Outlook, Page 94, we discussed our portfolio strategies. We discuss risks related to our investment income and our fixed-maturity and equity investment portfolios in this quarterly report Item 3, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

The table below provides details about investment income. Average yields in this table are based on the average invested asset and cash amounts indicated in the table, using fixed-maturity securities valued at amortized cost and all other securities at fair value.
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
Investment income:
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
Interest
 
$
108

 
$
105

 
3
 
$
319

 
$
312

 
2
Dividends
 
37

 
35

 
6
 
108

 
101

 
7
Other
 
1

 

 
nm
 
2

 
2

 
0
Less investment expenses
 
3

 
2

 
0
 
7

 
6

 
17
Investment income, pretax
 
143

 
138

 
4
 
422

 
409

 
3
Less income taxes
 
34

 
32

 
6
 
100

 
97

 
3
Total investment income, after-tax
 
$
109

 
$
106

 
3
 
$
322

 
$
312

 
3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment returns:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effective tax rate
 
23.7
%
 
23.3
%
 
 
 
23.7
%
 
23.7
%
 
 
Average invested assets plus cash and cash
  equivalents
 
$
14,498

 
$
13,964

 
 
 
$
14,399

 
$
13,792

 
 
Average yield pretax
 
3.95
%
 
3.95
%
 
 
 
3.91
%
 
3.95
%
 
 
Average yield after-tax
 
3.01

 
3.04

 
 
 
2.98

 
3.02

 
 
Fixed-maturity returns:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effective tax rate
 
27.1
%
 
26.6
%
 
 
 
27.1
%
 
27.0
%
 
 
Average amortized cost
 
$
9,347

 
$
8,822

 
 
 
$
9,133

 
$
8,781

 
 
Average yield pretax
 
4.62
%
 
4.76
%
 
 
 
4.66
%
 
4.74
%
 
 
Average yield after-tax
 
3.37

 
3.49

 
 
 
3.40

 
3.46

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Realized Gains and Losses
We reported net realized investment gains of $3 million and $110 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared with $65 million and $101 million for the same periods of 2014. The total net realized investment gains for the first nine months of 2015 included $105 million in net gains from sales of various common and preferred stock holdings, compared with $93 million for the same period of 2014.
 
Investment gains or losses are recognized upon the sales of investments or as otherwise required under GAAP. The timing of realized gains or losses from sales can have a material effect on results in any quarter. However, such gains or losses usually have little, if any, effect on total shareholders’ equity because most equity and fixed-maturity investments are carried at fair value, with the unrealized gain or loss included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI). Accounting requirements for other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) charges for the fixed-maturity portfolio are disclosed in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 8, Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Page 131.
 
Of the 3,137 securities in the portfolio, five securities with a fair value of $54 million were trading below 70 percent of amortized cost at September 30, 2015, and accounted for $27 million in unrealized losses. Our asset impairment committee regularly monitors the portfolio, including a quarterly review of the entire portfolio for potential OTTI charges. We believe that if the improving liquidity in the markets were to reverse or the economic recovery were to significantly stall, we could experience declines in portfolio values and possibly additional OTTI charges.
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 53



The table below provides additional detail for OTTI charges:
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Fixed maturities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic industry
 
$
8

 
$

 
$
11

 
$

Total fixed maturities
 
8

 

 
11

 

Common equities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Financial
 

 

 
1

 

Energy
 

 

 

 
1

Total common equities
 

 

 
1

 
1

Total
 
$
8

 
$

 
$
12

 
$
1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

OTHER
We report as Other the noninvestment operations of the parent company and a noninsurer subsidiary, CFC Investment Company. We also report as Other the underwriting results of our reinsurance assumed operation, including earned premiums, loss and loss expenses and underwriting expenses. Losses before income taxes for Other were largely driven by interest expense from debt of the parent company.
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
Interest and fees on loans and leases
 
$
1

 
$
2

 
(50
)
 
$
4

 
$
5

 
(20
)
Other revenues
 

 
1

 
(100
)
 
1

 
2

 
0

Total revenues
 
1

 
3

 
(67
)
 
5

 
7

 
(29
)
Interest expense
 
14

 
13

 
8

 
40

 
40

 
0

Operating expenses
 
3

 
3

 
0

 
10

 
11

 
(9
)
Total expenses
 
17

 
16

 
6

 
50

 
51

 
(2
)
Other loss
 
$
(16
)
 
$
(13
)
 
(23
)
 
$
(45
)
 
$
(44
)
 
(2
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

TAXES
We had $69 million and $187 million of income tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared with $76 million and $127 million for the same periods of 2014. The effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, were 28.4 percent and 28.1 percent compared with 29.3 percent and 26.2 percent for the same periods last year. The change in our effective tax rate was primarily due to changes in pretax income from underwriting results and realized investment gains and losses, with small changes in the amount of permanent book-tax differences.
 
Historically, we have pursued a strategy of investing some portion of cash flow in tax-advantaged fixed-maturity and equity securities to minimize our overall tax liability and maximize after-tax earnings. See Tax-Exempt Fixed Maturities in this quarterly report Item 3, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk for further discussion on municipal bond purchases in our fixed-maturity investment portfolio. For our property casualty insurance subsidiaries, approximately 85 percent of interest from tax-advantaged fixed-maturity investments and approximately 60 percent of dividends from qualified equities are exempt from federal tax after applying proration from the 1986 Tax Reform Act. Our noninsurance companies own an immaterial amount of tax-advantaged fixed-maturity investments. For our noninsurance companies, the dividend received deduction exempts 70 percent of dividends from qualified equities. Our life insurance company does not own tax-advantaged fixed-maturity investments or equities subject to the dividend received deduction. Details about our effective tax rate are in this quarterly report Item 1, Note 9 – Income Taxes. 


Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 54



LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
At September 30, 2015, shareholders’ equity was $6.350 billion compared with $6.573 billion at December 31, 2014. Total debt was $826 million at September 30, 2015, down from $840 million at December 31, 2014. At September 30, 2015, cash and cash equivalents totaled $419 million compared with $591 million at December 31, 2014.

SOURCES OF LIQUIDITY
 
Subsidiary Dividends
Our lead insurance subsidiary declared dividends of $300 million to the parent company during the first nine months of 2015, matching the same period of 2014. For the full-year 2014, subsidiary dividends declared totaled $400 million. State of Ohio regulatory requirements restrict the dividends our insurance subsidiary can pay. During 2015, total dividends that our insurance subsidiary could pay to our parent company without regulatory approval are approximately $447 million.
 
Investing Activities
Investment income is a source of liquidity for both the parent company and its insurance subsidiary. We continue to focus on portfolio strategies to balance near-term income generation and long-term book value growth.
 
Parent company obligations can be funded with income on investments held at the parent-company level or through sales of securities in that portfolio, although our investment philosophy seeks to compound cash flows over the long term. These sources of capital can help minimize subsidiary dividends to the parent company, protecting insurance subsidiary capital.

See our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 1, Investments Segment, Page 25, for a discussion of our historic investment strategy, portfolio allocation and quality.
 
Insurance Underwriting
Our property casualty and life insurance underwriting operations provide liquidity because we generally receive premiums before paying losses under the policies purchased with those premiums. After satisfying our cash requirements, we use excess cash flows for investment, increasing future investment income.
 
Historically, cash receipts from property casualty and life insurance premiums, along with investment income, have been more than sufficient to pay claims, operating expenses and dividends to the parent company.
 
The table below shows a summary of operating cash flow for property casualty insurance (direct method):
(Dollars in millions)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
Premiums collected
 
$
1,102

 
$
1,043

 
6

 
$
3,308

 
$
3,159

 
5

Loss and loss expenses paid
 
(604
)
 
(639
)
 
5

 
(1,748
)
 
(1,838
)
 
5

Commissions and other underwriting expenses
  paid
 
(297
)
 
(275
)
 
(8
)
 
(1,012
)
 
(967
)
 
(5
)
Cash flow from underwriting
 
201

 
129

 
56

 
548

 
354

 
55

Investment income received
 
97

 
92

 
5

 
286

 
278

 
3

Cash flow from operations
 
$
298

 
$
221

 
35

 
$
834

 
$
632

 
32

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collected premiums for property casualty insurance rose $149 million during the first nine months of 2015, compared with the same period in 2014. Loss and loss expenses paid decreased $90 million, including a $55 million decrease for catastrophe losses and loss expenses. Commissions and other underwriting expenses paid rose $45 million, primarily due to higher commissions paid to agencies, reflecting the increase in collected premiums.
 
We discuss our future obligations for claims payments and for underwriting expenses in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Contractual Obligations, Page 98, and Other Commitments also on Page 98.
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 55



Capital Resources
At September 30, 2015, our debt-to-total-capital ratio was 11.5 percent, with $791 million in long-term debt and $35 million in borrowing on our revolving short-term line of credit. That line of credit had a $49 million balance at December 31, 2014. At September 30, 2015, $190 million was available for future cash management needs. Based on our capital requirements at September 30, 2015, we do not anticipate a material increase in debt levels during the remainder of 2015. As a result, we expect changes in our debt-to-total-capital ratio to continue to be largely a function of the contribution of unrealized investment gains or losses to shareholders’ equity.
 
We provide details of our three, long-term notes in this quarterly report Item 1, Note 3 – Fair Value Measurements. None of the notes are encumbered by rating triggers.
 
Four independent ratings firms award insurer financial strength ratings to our property casualty insurance companies and three firms rate our life insurance company. On June 30, 2015, Standard & Poor's upgraded our parent company debt rating that it had assigned in July 2010, to BBB+ from BBB, revising its outlook to stable. No other ratings firms made changes to our parent company debt ratings during the first nine months of 2015. Our debt ratings are discussed in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Liquidity and Capital Resources, Other Sources of Liquidity, Page 96.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not use any special-purpose financing vehicles or have any undisclosed off-balance sheet arrangements (as that term is defined in applicable SEC rules) that are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on the company’s financial condition, results of operation, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources. Similarly, the company holds no fair-value contracts for which a lack of marketplace quotations would necessitate the use of fair-value techniques.
 
USES OF LIQUIDITY
Our parent company and insurance subsidiary have contractual obligations and other commitments. In addition, one of our primary uses of cash is to enhance shareholder return.
 
Contractual Obligations
In our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Contractual Obligations, Page 98, we estimated our future contractual obligations as of December 31, 2014. There have been no material changes to our estimates of future contractual obligations since our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Other Commitments
In addition to our contractual obligations, we have other property casualty operational commitments.
Commissions – Commissions paid were $625 million in the first nine months of 2015. Commission payments generally track with written premiums, except for annual profit-sharing commissions typically paid during the first quarter of the year.
Other underwriting expenses – Many of our underwriting expenses are not contractual obligations, but reflect the ongoing expenses of our business. Noncommission underwriting expenses paid were $387 million in the first nine months of 2015.
Technology costs – In addition to contractual obligations for hardware and software, we anticipate capitalizing approximately $6 million in spending for key technology initiatives in 2015. Capitalized development costs related to key technology initiatives were $5 million in the first nine months of 2015. These activities are conducted at our discretion, and we have no material contractual obligations for activities planned as part of these projects.

We contributed $5 million to our qualified pension plan during the first nine months of 2015. We do not anticipate further contributions to our qualified pension plan during the remainder of 2015.
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 56



Investing Activities
After fulfilling operating requirements, we invest cash flows from underwriting, investment and other corporate activities in fixed-maturity and equity securities on an ongoing basis to help achieve our portfolio objectives. We discuss our investment strategy and certain portfolio attributes in this quarterly report Item 3, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
 
Uses of Capital
Uses of cash to enhance shareholder return include dividends to shareholders. In January, May and August 2015, the board of directors declared regular quarterly cash dividends of 46 cents per share for an indicated annual rate of $1.84 per share. During the first nine months of 2015, we used $218 million to pay cash dividends to shareholders.


PROPERTY CASUALTY INSURANCE RESERVES
For the business lines in the commercial and personal lines insurance segments, and in total for the excess and surplus lines segment, the following table details gross reserves among case, IBNR (incurred but not reported) and loss expense reserves, net of salvage and subrogation reserves. Reserving practices are discussed in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Property Casualty Insurance Loss and Loss Expense Obligations and Reserves, Page 99.
 
Total gross reserves at September 30, 2015, increased $215 million compared with December 31, 2014. Case reserves for losses increased $126 million while IBNR reserves increased by $50 million and total loss expense reserves increased by $39 million. Accounting for most of the total gross increase was the aggregate of our commercial casualty, commercial property, commercial auto and personal auto lines of business.


Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 57



Property Casualty Gross Reserves
(Dollars in millions)
 
Loss reserves
 
Loss
 
Total
 
 
 
 
Case
 
IBNR
 
expense
 
gross
 
Percent
At September 30, 2015
 
reserves
 
reserves
 
reserves
 
reserves
 
of total
Commercial lines insurance:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Commercial casualty
 
$
875

 
$
486

 
$
532

 
$
1,893

 
40.6
%
Commercial property
 
226

 
(2
)
 
39

 
263

 
5.7

Commercial auto
 
325

 
73

 
91

 
489

 
10.5

Workers' compensation
 
396

 
539

 
91

 
1,026

 
22.1

Other commercial
 
153

 
13

 
88

 
254

 
5.5

Subtotal
 
1,975

 
1,109

 
841

 
3,925

 
84.4

Personal lines insurance:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Personal auto
 
203

 
(1
)
 
71

 
273

 
5.9

Homeowner
 
92

 
2

 
24

 
118

 
2.5

Other personal
 
53

 
49

 
5

 
107

 
2.3

Subtotal
 
348

 
50

 
100

 
498

 
10.7

Excess and surplus lines
 
89

 
89

 
52

 
230

 
4.9

Total
 
$
2,412

 
$
1,248

 
$
993

 
$
4,653

 
100.0
%
At December 31, 2014
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Commercial lines insurance:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Commercial casualty
 
$
794

 
$
470

 
$
520

 
$
1,784

 
40.2
%
Commercial property
 
203

 
(4
)
 
39

 
238

 
5.4

Commercial auto
 
298

 
58

 
77

 
433

 
9.8

Workers' compensation
 
412

 
550

 
94

 
1,056

 
23.8

Other commercial
 
188

 
11

 
87

 
286

 
6.4

Subtotal
 
1,895

 
1,085

 
817

 
3,797

 
85.6

Personal lines insurance:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Personal auto
 
195

 
(21
)
 
63

 
237

 
5.3

Homeowner
 
74

 
12

 
23

 
109

 
2.5

Other personal
 
45

 
43

 
5

 
93

 
2.0

Subtotal
 
314

 
34

 
91

 
439

 
9.8

Excess and surplus lines
 
77

 
79

 
46

 
202

 
4.6

Total
 
$
2,286

 
$
1,198

 
$
954

 
$
4,438

 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIFE POLICY AND INVESTMENT CONTRACT RESERVES
Gross life policy and investment contract reserves were $2.564 billion at September 30, 2015, compared with $2.497 billion at year-end 2014, reflecting continued growth in life insurance policies in force. We discuss our life insurance reserving practices in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Life Insurance Policyholder Obligations and Reserves, Page 106.
 


Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 58



OTHER MATTERS
 
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Our significant accounting policies are discussed in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 8, Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Page 128, and updated in this quarterly report Item 1, Note 1, Accounting Policies.
 
In conjunction with those discussions, in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis in the 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, management reviewed the estimates and assumptions used to develop reported amounts related to the most significant policies. Management discussed the development and selection of those accounting estimates with the audit committee of the board of directors.
 

Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Our greatest exposure to market risk is through our investment portfolio. Market risk is the potential for a decrease in securities’ fair value resulting from broad yet uncontrollable forces such as: inflation, economic growth or recession, interest rates, world political conditions or other widespread unpredictable events. It is comprised of many individual risks that, when combined, create a macroeconomic impact.
 
Our view of potential risks and our sensitivity to such risks is discussed in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7a, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, Page 113.
 
The fair value of our investment portfolio was $14.357 billion at September 30, 2015, up $39 million from year-end 2014, including a $371 million increase in the fixed-maturity portfolio and a $332 million decrease in the equity portfolio.
(Dollars in millions)
 
At September 30, 2015
 
At December 31, 2014
 
 
Cost or
amortized cost
 
Percent of
total
 
Fair value
 
Percent of
total
 
Cost or
amortized cost
 
Percent of total
 
Fair value
 
Percent of
total
Taxable fixed maturities
 
$
6,203

 
50.2
%
 
$
6,514

 
45.4
%
 
$
5,882

 
50.7
%
 
$
6,330

 
44.2
%
Tax-exempt fixed
  maturities
 
3,117

 
25.2

 
3,242

 
22.6

 
2,989

 
25.8

 
3,130

 
21.9

Common equity
   securities
 
2,784

 
22.5

 
4,313

 
30.0

 
2,583

 
22.3

 
4,679

 
32.7

Nonredeemable
  preferred equity
  securities
 
186

 
1.5

 
213

 
1.5

 
145

 
1.2

 
179

 
1.2

Short-term investments
 
75

 
0.6

 
75

 
0.5

 

 

 

 

Total
 
$
12,365

 
100.0
%
 
$
14,357

 
100.0
%
 
$
11,599

 
100.0
%
 
$
14,318

 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At September 30, 2015, our consolidated investment portfolio included $43 million of assets for which values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require significant management judgment (Level 3 assets). This represented less than 1 percent of investment portfolio assets measured at fair value. See Item 1, Note 3, Fair Value Measurements, for additional discussion of our valuation techniques. We have generally obtained and evaluated two nonbinding quotes from brokers; then, our investment professionals determined our best estimate of fair value. These investments include private placements, small issues and various thinly traded securities.
 
In addition to our investment portfolio, the total investments amount reported in our condensed consolidated balance sheets includes Other invested assets. Other invested assets included $32 million of life policy loans plus $37 million of private equity investments at September 30, 2015.
 


Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 59



FIXED-MATURITY INVESTMENTS
By maintaining a well-diversified fixed-maturity portfolio, we attempt to reduce overall risk. We invest new money in the bond market on a regular basis, targeting what we believe to be optimal risk-adjusted, after-tax yields. Risk, in this context, includes interest rate, call, reinvestment rate, credit and liquidity risk. We do not make a concerted effort to alter duration on a portfolio basis in response to anticipated movements in interest rates. By regularly investing in the bond market, we build a broad, diversified portfolio that we believe mitigates the impact of adverse economic factors.
 
Our investment portfolio had no European sovereign debt holdings at September 30, 2015. On that date, we owned other European-based securities, primarily corporate bonds, totaling $363 million in fair value. The composition of our European-based holdings at September 30, 2015, did not materially change from the $417 million fair value total at year-end 2014. We discussed our European-based holdings in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7a, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, Page 114.
 
In the first nine months of 2015, the increase in fair value of our fixed-maturity portfolio was primarily due to net purchases of securities that offset a decrease in net unrealized gains from a rise in interest rates. At September 30, 2015, our fixed-maturity portfolio with an average rating of A2/A was valued at 104.6 percent of its amortized cost, compared with 106.6 percent at December 31, 2014.
 
At September 30, 2015, our investment-grade and non-investment-grade fixed-maturity securities represented 91.8% and 4.2% of the portfolio, respectively. The remaining 4.0% represented fixed-maturity securities that were not rated by Moody's or Standard & Poor's.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Attributes of the fixed-maturity portfolio include:
 
 
At September 30, 2015
 
At December 31, 2014
Weighted average yield-to-amortized cost
 
4.72
%
 
4.76
%
Weighted average maturity
 
6.9
yrs
 
6.4
yrs
Effective duration
 
4.7
yrs
 
4.4
yrs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We discuss maturities of our fixed-maturity portfolio in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 8, Note 2, Investments, Page 134, and in this quarterly report Item 2, Investments Results.
 


Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 60



TAXABLE FIXED MATURITIES
Our taxable fixed-maturity portfolio, with a fair value of $6.514 billion at September 30, 2015, included:
(Dollars in millions)
 
At September 30, 2015
 
At December 31, 2014
Investment-grade corporate
 
$
5,197

 
$
5,208

States, municipalities and political subdivisions
 
315

 
313

Below investment-grade corporate
 
412

 
318

Commercial mortgage-backed
 
292

 
259

Government sponsored enterprises
 
276

 
208

Foreign government
 
10

 
10

Convertibles and bonds with warrants attached
 
8

 
7

United States government
 
4

 
7

Total
 
$
6,514

 
$
6,330

 
 
 
 
 
 
Our strategy is to buy, and typically hold, fixed-maturity investments to maturity, but we monitor credit profiles and fair value movements when determining holding periods for individual securities. With the exception of United States agency issues that include government-sponsored enterprises, no individual issuer’s securities accounted for more than 0.9 percent of the taxable fixed-maturity portfolio at September 30, 2015. Our investment-grade corporate bonds had an average rating of Baa1 by Moody’s or BBB+ by Standard & Poor’s and represented 80.0 percent of the taxable fixed-maturity portfolio’s fair value at September 30, 2015, including short-term investments, compared with 82.3 percent at year-end 2014.
 
The heaviest concentration in our investment-grade corporate bond portfolio, based on fair value at September 30, 2015, was the banking sector. It represented 15.3 percent of our investment-grade corporate bond portfolio, compared with 13.5 percent for the insurance sector at year-end 2014. At September 30, 2015, the real estate sector, including commercial mortgage-backed securities, accounted for 15.1 percent and the insurance sector accounted for 13.4 percent. No other sector exceeded 10 percent of our investment-grade corporate bond portfolio.

Most of the $315 million of securities issued by states, municipalities and political subdivisions included in our taxable fixed-maturity portfolio at September 30, 2015, were Build America Bonds.
 
Our taxable fixed-maturity portfolio at September 30, 2015, included $292 million of commercial mortgage-backed securities with an average rating of Aa1/AA.


Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 61



TAX-EXEMPT FIXED MATURITIES
At September 30, 2015, we had $3.242 billion of tax-exempt fixed-maturity securities with an average rating of Aa2/AA by Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s. We traditionally have purchased municipal bonds focusing on general obligation and essential services issues, such as water, waste disposal or others. The portfolio is well diversified among more than 1,500 municipal bond issues. No single municipal issuer accounted for more than 0.8 percent of the tax-exempt fixed-maturity portfolio at September 30, 2015.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysis
Because of our strong surplus, long-term investment horizon and ability to hold most fixed-maturity investments until maturity, we believe the company is adequately positioned if interest rates were to rise. Although the fair values of our existing holdings may suffer, a higher rate environment would provide the opportunity to invest cash flow in higher-yielding securities, while reducing the likelihood of untimely redemptions of currently callable securities. While higher interest rates would be expected to continue to increase the number of fixed-maturity holdings trading below 100 percent of amortized cost, we believe lower fixed-maturity security values due solely to interest rate changes would not signal a decline in credit quality. We continue to manage the portfolio with an eye toward both meeting current income needs and managing interest rate risk.
 
Our dynamic financial planning model uses analytical tools to assess market risks. As part of this model, the effective duration of the fixed-maturity portfolio is continually monitored by our investment department to evaluate the theoretical impact of interest rate movements.
 
The table below summarizes the effect of hypothetical changes in interest rates on the fair value of the fixed-maturity portfolio:
(Dollars in millions)
 
Effect from interest rate change in basis points
 
 
-200
 
 -100
 
-
 
100
 
200
At September 30, 2015
 
$
10,709

 
$
10,225

 
$
9,756

 
$
9,289

 
$
8,839

At December 31, 2014
 
$
10,321

 
$
9,882

 
$
9,460

 
$
9,041

 
$
8,628

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The effective duration of the fixed-maturity portfolio as of September 30, 2015, was 4.7 years, up from 4.4 years at year-end 2014. The above table is a theoretical presentation showing that an instantaneous, parallel shift in the yield curve of 100 basis points could produce an approximately 4.8 percent change in the fair value of the fixed-maturity portfolio. Generally speaking, the higher a bond is rated, the more directly correlated movements in its fair value are to changes in the general level of interest rates, exclusive of call features. The fair values of average- to lower-rated corporate bonds are additionally influenced by the expansion or contraction of credit spreads.
 
In our dynamic financial planning model, the selected interest rate change of 100 to 200 basis points represents our view of a shift in rates that is quite possible over a one-year period. The rates modeled should not be considered a prediction of future events as interest rates may be much more volatile in the future. The analysis is not intended to provide a precise forecast of the effect of changes in rates on our results or financial condition, nor does it take into account any actions that we might take to reduce exposure to such risks.

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
Our short-term investments consist of commercial paper. We make short-term investments primarily with funds to be used to make upcoming cash payments, such as taxes. At September 30, 2015, we had $75 million of short-term investments compared with none at year-end 2014.
 


Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 62



EQUITY INVESTMENTS
Our equity investments, with a fair value totaling $4.526 billion at September 30, 2015, included $4.313 billion of common stock securities of companies generally with strong indications of paying and growing their dividends. Other criteria we evaluate include increasing sales and earnings, proven management and a favorable outlook. We believe our equity investment style is an appropriate long-term strategy. While our long-term financial position would be affected by prolonged changes in the market valuation of our investments, we believe our strong surplus position and cash flow provide a cushion against short-term fluctuations in valuation. Continued payment of cash dividends by the issuers of our common equity holdings can provide a floor to their valuation.

The table below summarizes the effect of hypothetical changes in market prices on fair value of our equity portfolio.
(Dollars in millions)
Effect from market price change in percent
 
 
-30%
 
-20%
 
-10%
 
 
10%
 
20%
 
30%
At September 30, 2015
 
$
3,168

 
$
3,621

 
$
4,073

 
$
4,526

 
$
4,979

 
$
5,431

 
$
5,884

At December 31, 2014
 
$
3,401

 
$
3,886

 
$
4,372

 
$
4,858

 
$
5,344

 
$
5,830

 
$
6,315

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

At September 30, 2015, Apple Inc. (Nasdaq:AAPL) was our largest single common stock holding with a fair value of 3.6 percent of our publicly traded common stock portfolio and 1.1 percent of the total investment portfolio. Fourteen holdings among seven different sectors each had a fair value greater than $100 million.
 
Common Stock Portfolio Industry Sector Distribution
 
Percent of publicly traded common stock portfolio
 
At September 30, 2015
 
At December 31, 2014
 
Cincinnati
 Financial
 
S&P 500 Industry
Weightings
 
Cincinnati
Financial
 
S&P 500 Industry
Weightings
Sector:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Information technology
18.4
%
 
20.4
%
 
17.3
%
 
19.8
%
Financial
15.0

 
16.5

 
13.8

 
16.3

Industrials
13.5

 
10.1

 
14.3

 
10.3

Healthcare
11.5

 
14.7

 
11.9

 
14.7

Consumer staples
10.9

 
9.9

 
10.5

 
10.0

Consumer discretionary
10.8

 
13.1

 
10.2

 
12.1

Energy
8.6

 
6.9

 
10.5

 
8.0

Materials
4.9

 
2.8

 
5.5

 
3.2

Utilities
4.0

 
3.2

 
3.7

 
3.3

Telecomm services
2.4

 
2.4

 
2.3

 
2.3

Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 63



UNREALIZED INVESTMENT GAINS AND LOSSES
At September 30, 2015, unrealized investment gains before taxes for the consolidated investment portfolio totaled $2.106 billion and unrealized investment losses amounted to $114 million.
 
The net unrealized investment gains at September 30, 2015, consisted of a pretax net gain position in our fixed-maturity portfolio of $436 million and a net gain position in our equity portfolio of $1.556 billion. The net gain position in our fixed-maturity portfolio decreased in the first nine months of 2015 due largely to credit spread widening in our corporate bond portfolio among other factors. The net gain position for our current fixed-maturity holdings will naturally decline over time as individual securities mature. In addition, changes in interest rates can cause rapid, significant changes in fair values of fixed-maturity securities and the net gain position, as discussed in Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. Events or factors such as economic growth or recession can also affect the fair value of our equity securities. The seven largest contributors to our common stock portfolio net gain position were Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), Honeywell International Inc. (NYSE:HON), The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG), Apple Inc., Hasbro Inc. (Nasdaq:HAS), BlackRock Inc. (NYSE:BLK), and JP Morgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM), which had a combined net gain position of $494 million.

Unrealized Investment Losses
We expect the number of securities trading below amortized cost to fluctuate as interest rates rise or fall and credit spreads expand or contract due to prevailing economic conditions. Further, amortized costs for some securities are revised through OTTI recognized in prior periods. At September 30, 2015, 425 of the 3,137 securities we owned had fair values below amortized cost, compared with 223 of the 3,015 securities we owned at year-end 2014. The 425 holdings with fair values below cost or amortized cost at September 30, 2015, represented 13.4 percent of fair value of our investment portfolio and $114 million in unrealized losses.
380 of the 425 holdings had fair value between 90 percent and 100 percent of amortized cost at September 30, 2015. Fourteen of these 380 holdings are equity securities that may be subject to OTTI charges taken through earnings should they not recover by the recovery dates we determined. The fair value of these 14 equity securities was $411 million, and they accounted for $15 million in unrealized losses. The remaining 366 securities primarily consist of fixed-maturity securities whose current valuation is largely the result of interest rate factors. The fair value of these 366 securities was $1.232 billion, and they accounted for $28 million in unrealized losses.
Forty of the 425 holdings had fair value between 70 percent and 90 percent of amortized cost at September 30, 2015. Ten of these 40 holdings were equity securities that may be subject to OTTI charges taken through earnings should they not recover by the dates we determined. The fair value of these equity securities was $91 million and they accounted for $16 million in unrealized losses. We believe the remaining 30 fixed-maturity securities will continue to pay interest and ultimately pay principal upon maturity. The issuers of these 30 securities have strong cash flow to service their debt and meet their contractual obligation to make principal payments. The fair value of these securities was $140 million, and they accounted for $28 million in unrealized losses.
Five of the 425 holdings had fair value below 70 percent of amortized cost at September 30, 2015. Four of these five holdings were equity securities that may be subject to OTTI charges taken through earnings should they not recover by the dates we determined. The fair value of these equity securities was $52 million and they accounted for $26 million in unrealized losses. We believe the one remaining fixed-maturity security will continue to pay interest and ultimately pay principal upon maturity. The issuer of this security has strong cash flow to service its debt and meet its contractual obligation to make principal payments. The fair value of this security was $2 million, and it accounted for $1 million in unrealized losses.


Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 64



The table below reviews fair values and unrealized losses by investment category and by the overall duration of the securities’ continuous unrealized loss position.
(Dollars in millions)
 
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or more
 
Total
 
Total
 
 
Fair
 
Unrealized
 
Fair
 
Unrealized
 
fair
 
unrealized
At September 30, 2015
 
value
 
losses
 
value
 
losses
 
value
 
losses
Fixed maturity securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Corporate
 
$
729

 
$
42

 
$
85

 
$
7

 
$
814

 
$
49

States, municipalities and political subdivisions
 
227

 
3

 
51

 

 
278

 
3

Commercial mortgage-backed
 
57

 
1

 
2

 

 
59

 
1

Government-sponsored enterprises
 
74

 
1

 
139

 
3

 
213

 
4

Foreign government
 
10

 

 

 

 
10

 

Subtotal
 
1,097

 
47

 
277

 
10

 
1,374

 
57

Equity securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Common equities
 
511

 
56

 

 

 
511

 
56

Nonredeemable preferred equities
 
43

 
1

 

 

 
43

 
1

Subtotal
 
554

 
57

 

 

 
554

 
57

Total
 
$
1,651

 
$
104

 
$
277

 
$
10

 
$
1,928

 
$
114

At December 31, 2014
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fixed maturity securities:
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Corporate
 
$
261

 
$
8

 
$
90

 
$
3

 
$
351

 
$
11

States, municipalities and political subdivisions
 
17

 

 
135

 
2

 
152

 
2

Commercial mortgage-backed
 
3

 

 
23

 

 
26

 

Government-sponsored enterprises
 
11

 

 
181

 
5

 
192

 
5

Subtotal
 
292

 
8

 
429

 
10

 
721

 
18

Equity securities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Common equities
 
85

 
3

 

 

 
85

 
3

Nonredeemable preferred equities
 
16

 

 
17

 
1

 
33

 
1

Subtotal
 
101

 
3

 
17

 
1

 
118

 
4

Total
 
$
393

 
$
11

 
$
446

 
$
11

 
$
839

 
$
22

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At September 30, 2015, 73 fixed-maturity securities with a total unrealized loss of $10 million had been in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more. Of that total, one fixed-maturity security with a fair value of $2 million had a fair value below 70 percent of amortized cost and accounted for $1 million in unrealized losses; Four fixed-maturity securities with a fair value of $19 million had a fair value from 70 percent to less than 90 percent of amortized cost and accounted for $3 million in unrealized losses; and 68 fixed-maturity securities with a fair value of $256 million had fair values from 90 percent to less than 100 percent of amortized cost and accounted for $6 million in unrealized losses.
 
At September 30, 2015, no equity securities had been in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more.
 
At September 30, 2015, applying our invested asset impairment policy, we determined that the total of $277 million, for securities in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more in the table above, was not other-than-temporarily impaired.


Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 65



During the third quarter of 2015, one additional security was written down through an impairment charge, along with writing down some previously impaired issuers, for a total of six during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. OTTI resulted in pretax, noncash charges of $8 million and $12 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. During the first nine months of 2014, we wrote down four securities resulting in $1 million in OTTI charges.
 
During full-year 2014, we wrote down six securities and recorded $24 million in OTTI charges. At December 31, 2014, 144 fixed-maturity investments with a total unrealized loss of $10 million had been in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more. Of that total, no fixed-maturity investments had fair values below 70 percent of amortized cost. Three equity security investments with a total unrealized loss of $1 million had been in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more. Of that total, no equity security investments had fair values below 70 percent of cost.

Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 66



The following table summarizes the investment portfolio by severity of decline:
(Dollars in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At September 30, 2015
 
Number
of 
issues
 
Cost or 
amortized
cost
 
Fair
 value
 
Gross 
unrealized 
gain/loss
 
Gross
investment
income
Taxable fixed maturities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair valued below 70% of amortized cost
 
1

 
$
3

 
$
2

 
$
(1
)
 
$

Fair valued at 70% to less than 100% of amortized cost
 
243

 
1,151

 
1,098

 
(53
)
 
32

Fair valued at 100% and above of amortized cost
 
1,184

 
5,049

 
5,414

 
365

 
195

Securities sold in current year
 

 

 


 


 
9

Total
 
1,428

 
6,203

 
6,514

 
311

 
236

Tax-exempt fixed maturities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fair valued below 70% of amortized cost
 

 

 

 

 

Fair valued at 70% to less than 100% of amortized cost
 
153

 
277

 
274

 
(3
)
 
5

Fair valued at 100% and above of amortized cost
 
1,453

 
2,840

 
2,968

 
128

 
73

Securities sold in current year
 

 

 

 

 
6

Total
 
1,606

 
3,117

 
3,242

 
125

 
84

Common equities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fair valued below 70% of cost
 
4

 
78

 
52

 
(26
)
 
3

Fair valued at 70% to less than 100% of cost
 
17

 
489

 
459

 
(30
)
 
12

Fair valued at 100% and above of cost
 
46

 
2,217

 
3,802

 
1,585

 
83

Securities sold in current year
 

 

 

 

 
1

Total
 
67

 
2,784

 
4,313

 
1,529

 
99

Nonredeemable preferred equities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fair valued below 70% of cost
 

 

 

 

 

Fair valued at 70% to less than 100% of cost
 
7

 
44

 
43

 
(1
)
 
1

Fair valued at 100% and above of cost
 
28

 
142

 
170

 
28

 
6

Securities sold in current year
 

 

 

 

 
1

Total
 
35

 
186

 
213

 
27

 
8

Short-term investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair valued below 70% of cost
 

 

 

 

 

Fair valued at 70% to less than 100% of cost
 

 

 

 

 

Fair valued at 100% and above of cost
 
1

 
75

 
75

 

 

Securities sold in current year
 

 

 

 

 

Total
 
1

 
75

 
75

 

 

Portfolio summary:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fair valued below 70% of cost or amortized cost
 
5

 
81

 
54

 
(27
)
 
3

Fair valued at 70% to less than 100% of cost or amortized cost
 
420

 
1,961

 
1,874

 
(87
)
 
50

Fair valued at 100% and above of cost or amortized cost
 
2,712

 
10,323

 
12,429

 
2,106

 
357

Investment income on securities sold in current year
 

 

 

 

 
17

Total
 
3,137

 
$
12,365

 
$
14,357

 
$
1,992

 
$
427

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At December 31, 2014
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Portfolio summary:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fair valued below 70% of cost or amortized cost
 

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Fair valued at 70% to less than 100% of cost or amortized cost
 
223

 
861

 
839

 
(22
)
 
27

Fair valued at 100% and above of cost or amortized cost
 
2,792

 
10,738

 
13,479

 
2,741

 
498

Investment income on securities sold in current year
 

 

 

 

 
29

Total
 
3,015

 
$
11,599

 
$
14,318

 
$
2,719

 
$
554

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
See our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 7, Critical Accounting Estimates, Asset Impairment, Page 55.

Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 67




Item 4.        Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures – The company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as that term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act)).
 
Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. The company’s management, with the participation of the company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2015. Based upon that evaluation, the company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that the design and operation of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures provided reasonable assurance that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure:
that information required to be disclosed in the company’s reports under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and
that such information is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting – During the three months ended September 30, 2015, there were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 

Part II – Other Information
Item 1.        Legal Proceedings
Neither the company nor any of our subsidiaries are involved in any litigation believed to be material other than ordinary, routine litigation incidental to the nature of our business.
 

Item 1A.    Risk Factors
Our risk factors have not changed materially since they were described in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 27, 2015.
 

Item 2.        Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
We did not sell any of our shares that were not registered under the Securities Act during the first nine months of 2015. The board of directors has authorized share repurchases since 1996. Purchases are expected to be made generally through open market transactions. The board gives management discretion to purchase shares at reasonable prices in light of circumstances at the time of purchase, subject to SEC regulations. On October 24, 2007, the board of directors expanded the existing repurchase authorization to approximately 13 million shares. We have 4,299,493 shares available for purchase under our programs at September 30, 2015.
Period
 
Total number
 of shares
 purchased
 
Average
 price paid
 per share
 
Total number of shares 
purchased as part of
publicly announced
plans or programs
 
Maximum number of
shares that may yet be
purchased under the
plans or programs
July 1-31, 2015
 

 
$

 

 
4,699,493

August 1-31, 2015
 
300,000

 
51.83

 
300,000

 
4,399,493

September 1-30, 2015
 
100,000

 
51.47

 
100,000

 
4,299,493

Totals
 
400,000

 
51.74

 
400,000

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 68



Item 6.        Exhibits
Exhibit No.
 
Exhibit Description
3.1
 
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Cincinnati Financial Corporation (incorporated by reference to the company’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K dated February 25, 2011, Exhibit 3.1)
3.2
 
Regulations of Cincinnati Financial Corporation, as amended through May 1, 2010 (incorporated by reference to the company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, Exhibit 3.2)
31A
 
Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 – Chief Executive Officer
31B
 
Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 – Chief Financial Officer
32
 
Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 


Cincinnati Financial Corporation Third-Quarter 2015 10-Q
Page 69



SIGNATURE
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.
CINCINNATI FINANCIAL CORPORATION
Date: October 27, 2015
 
/S/ Eric N. Mathews
Eric N. Mathews, CPCU, AIAF
Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer
(Principal Accounting Officer)


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