Derivative Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

General Discussion of Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Abstract]

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations. The primary risks managed by using derivative instruments are equity price risk and interest rate risk. Equity contracts (options sold) on various equity securities are intended to manage the price risk associated with forecasted purchases or sales of such securities.

The Company also enters into derivative contracts to enhance returns on its investment portfolio.

On February 13, 2014, Fannette Funding LLC ("FFL"), a special purpose investment vehicle, formed by and consolidated into the Company, entered into a total return swap agreement with Citibank. Under the total return swap agreement, FFL receives the income equivalent on underlying obligations due to Citibank and pays to Citibank interest on the outstanding notional amount of the underlying obligations. The total return swap is secured by approximately $30 million of U.S. Treasuries as collateral, which are included in short-term investments on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company paid interest equal to LIBOR plus 145 basis points on approximately $108 million and $95 million of underlying obligations as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The agreement had an initial term of one year, subject to annual renewal. In January 2017, the agreement was renewed for an additional year expiring February 17, 2018, and the interest rate was changed to LIBOR plus 128 basis points.

On August 9, 2013, Animas Funding LLC ("AFL"), a special purpose investment vehicle, formed and consolidated by the Company, entered into a three-year total return swap agreement with Citibank, which has been renewed for an additional one-year term through February 17, 2018. Under the total return swap agreement, AFL receives the income equivalent on underlying obligations due to Citibank and pays to Citibank interest on the outstanding notional amount of the underlying obligations. The total return swap is secured by approximately $40 million of U.S. Treasuries as collateral, which are included in short-term investments on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company paid interest equal to LIBOR plus 135 basis points on approximately $152 million and $124 million of underlying obligations as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The agreement was amended in January 2017 and the interest rate was changed to LIBOR plus 128 basis points.

The following tables present the location and amounts of derivative fair values in the consolidated balance sheets and derivative gains (losses) in the consolidated statements of operations:

	Asset Derivatives				Liability Derivatives
	December 31, 2016		December 31, 2015		December 31, 2016		December 31, 2015
	(Amounts in thousands)
Total return swaps - Other assets	$	667	$	—	$	—	$	—
Options sold - Other liabilities	—		—		20		260
Total return swaps - Other liabilities	—		—		765		11,525
Total derivatives	$	667	$	—	$	785	$	11,785

	Gains (Losses)Recognized in Income
	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015			2014
	(Amounts in thousands)
Total return swaps - Net realized investment gains (losses)	$	11,533	$	(6,438	)	$	(2,969	)
Options sold - Net realized investment gains	3,846		3,081			3,419
Total	$	15,379	$	(3,357	)	$	450

Most options sold consist of covered calls. The Company writes covered calls on underlying equity positions held as an enhanced income strategy that is permitted for the Company’s insurance subsidiaries under statutory regulations. The Company manages the risk associated with covered calls through strict capital limitations and asset diversification throughout various industries. For additional disclosures regarding equity contracts, see Note 4. Fair Value Measurement.