Stockholders Equity (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Changes in Company's Issued and Outstanding Common Shares

The following table represents changes in our Company’s issued and outstanding common shares for the periods indicated:

	Years Ended December 31,
amounts in thousands	2015		2014		2013
Beginning balance		14,281		14,198		14,047
Vested stock grants		127		59		50
Employee stock purchase plan		21		19		17
Stock options exercised		2		5		84
Treasury shares purchased		—		—		—
Ending balance		14,431		14,281		14,198

Amount and Nature of Net Assets Restricted from Payment of Dividends

The amount and nature of net assets that are restricted from payment of dividends as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 are presented in the following table:

	As of December 31,
amounts in thousands	2015		2014
Restricted net assets:
NIC and NSIC:
Fixed maturities at fair value (amortized cost: 2015, $9,950; 2014, $10,086)	$	11,277	$	11,732
Short term investments, at fair value		290		290
Cash		6,208		1,212
Total NIC and NSIC ⁽¹⁾	$	17,775	$	13,234
NHUK:
Fixed maturities at fair value (amortized cost: 2015, $458,558; 2014, $445,504)	$	448,666	$	447,679
Short term investments, at fair value		71,320		61,549
Cash		3,262		963
Total NHUK ⁽²⁾	$	523,248	$	510,191
Total Restricted Net Assets	$	541,023	$	523,425

(1) - The restricted net assets for NIC and NSIC primarily consist of fixed maturities on deposit with various state insurance departments. The cash as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, as presented in the table above, was on deposit with a U.K. bank to comply with the regulatory requirements of the Prudential Regulation Authority for the underwriting activities of the U.K. Branch.

(2) - The restricted net assets for NHUK consists of fixed maturities and cash held in trust for the benefit of syndicate policyholders and short term investments primarily consisting of overseas deposits in various countries with Lloyd's to support underwriting activities in those countries.