Common and Preferred Stock

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Common And Preferred Stock [Abstract]

Common And Preferred Stock

Note 18: Common and Preferred Stock

Common Stock

Share Repurchases

Repurchases of common stock may be made from time to time in the open market or in private transactions as permitted by securities laws and other legal requirements. The Company believes that share repurchases can be an appropriate deployment of capital in excess of amounts needed to support the Company’s liquidity while maintaining the claims-paying resources of MBIA Corp. and National, as well as other business needs.

In the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of common stock up to $200million under a new share repurchase program. On July 29, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase by the Company or National of up to $100 million of its outstanding shares under a new share repurchase program, which superseded and terminated the prior fourth quarter 2014 authorization. The prior authorization had approximately $61 million of unused capacity at the time it was terminated. On October 28, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase by the Company or National of up to $100 million of its outstanding common stock under a new share repurchase program, as the Company’s July 29, 2015 authorization was fully exhausted. During 2016, the Company exhausted any remaining capacity under the October 28, 2015 repurchase program.

On February 23, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase by the Company or National of up to $100 million of its outstanding shares under a new share repurchase authorization. On June 27, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase authorization for the Company or National to repurchase up to $250 million of the Company’s outstanding common shares. This new program replaced approximately $13 million remaining under the Board’s February 23, 2016 authorization. During 2017, the Company exhausted any remaining capacity under the June 27, 2017 authorization. On November 3, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase authorization for the Company or National to repurchase up to $250 million of the Company’s outstanding common shares. As of December 31, 2017, $250 million remained available under the November 3, 2017 program.

The following table provides information about the Company’s or National’s share repurchases for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015:

In millions, except per share amounts		2017		2016		2015
Number of shares repurchased		43.0		16.6		39.9
Average price paid per share	$	7.55	$	6.37	$	7.60
Remaining authorization as of December 31	$	250	$	88	$	94

During 2017 and 2016, 490,557and 419,806 shares, respectively, were purchased by the Company for settling awards under the Company’s long-term incentive plans.

Stock Warrants

In May of 2013, MBIA Inc. issued Blue Ridge Investments LLC (“Blue Ridge”), an affiliate of Bank of America, a five-year warrant to purchase 9.94 million shares of MBIA Inc. common stock at an exercise price of $9.59 per share. In March of 2017, Blue Ridge transferred the warrant to Highbridge International LLC (“Highbridge”).

In August of 2013, pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions of warrants issued by MBIA to Warburg Pincus LLC (“Warburg”) in 2008, MBIA issued Warburg a five-year warrant to purchase 1.91 million shares of MBIA common stock at an exercise price of $9.59 per share, which was transferred to Highbridge in April of 2016.

Stock warrants are recorded as liabilities and reported within “Other liabilities” on the consolidated balance sheets due to terms and conditions in the agreements that could require net cash settlement. As of December 31,2017 and 2016, the fair value of the warrants was $6 million and $33 million, respectively.

Preferred Stock

As of December 31,2017, MBIA Insurance Corporation had 2,759 shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding with a carrying value of $28 million, including 1,444 shares held by MBIA Inc. that were purchased at a weighted average price of $10,900 per share or 10.9% of face value and 1,315 shares held by unaffiliated investors. During 2017, MBIA Inc. did not repurchase any additional shares.

In accordance with MBIA’s fixed-rate election, the dividend rate on the preferred stock was determined using a fixed-rate equivalent of LIBOR plus 200 basis points. Each share of preferred stock has a par value of $1,000 with a liquidation preference of $100,000. The holders of the preferred stock are generally not entitled to any voting rights. Subject to certain requirements, the preferred stock may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of MBIA Corp. at any time or from time to time for cash at a redemption price equal to the liquidation preference per share plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon at the date of redemption for the then current dividend period and any previously accumulated dividends payable without interest on such unpaid dividends. As of December 31,2017 and 2016, there were no dividends declared on the preferred stock. Payment of dividends on MBIA Corp.’s preferred stock is subject to the same restrictions that apply to dividends on common stock under NYIL.